Elita“ Don’t treat my body like this. It hurts to watch. ” A quiet voice sighs.I recognize it instantly and sit up in the cold water. My eyes land on the familiar girl sitting at some distance, her knees pulled to her chest.“ Why am I seeing you now? ” I wonder, mirroring her pose and resting my chin on my knee.“ Because I am trapped. ” She hums, watching me with her clear blue eyes.I tilt my head to the right, noticing the sadness in those eyes. “ trapped? ”“ Life is a gift from the Moon Goddess. They say…the werewolves and Lycans must protect it. ” She sighs. “ and I didn’t protect it, you know. I threw it away. ”“ Why? ” I wonder. “ why did you do something like that? ”“ Because… ” She trails off, her eyes losing focus on me.“ Because they hurt you? ” I suggest in a thoughtful tone. She is beautiful. Seeing her from my eyes is different than seeing her face in a mirror. There is something so vulnerable about her that it makes my heart ache.“ Not really. ” Lana whispers.
ElitaI stare at the big golden double doors in front of me. Before Felicity fled, she warned me again that no one was allowed to go inside the King’s room except for the one maid who cleaned the space.According to her, Dustin will have fun dismembering me. But…even if he does that…why does it matter to me? It’s not like this is my body. I grin, pushing the door open without knocking. The heavy door creaks, making a screechy noise.My lips form an O. I was planning on sneaking in. I guess that plan went down the drain with all that noise.After stepping inside the dark room, I close the door, and it creates another screech before it decides to give my poor heart a rest.Stupid door. Did Dustin do this on purpose to know if someone is sneaking in?I turn to the door and eye the sheer length of it. Good measure, Dustin!I give it a thumbs up before turning around in the dark to find him. The fact that Lana’s vision in the darkness is as good as a human’s vision doesn’t help my miss
ElitaDustin really gets on my nerves.After I offered to help him with that boner—that I was not going to do, of course—he said only two words.“ Get. Lost. ”He appeared so serious and angry that I thought disappearing was better. Not so surprisingly, the moment I left his room, my voice disappeared again.Now, I know. I am not suffering from a healing potion’s side effects. It has to be a witch’s spell. It’s scandalous. No werewolf or Lycan King is supposed to use witch spells or potions. This was the same rule that could have gotten Lana killed in the selection ceremony, but this King is so cool about doing the forbidden things. This thought brings me back to the present. Felicity informed me just a few minutes ago that Dustin wants me to go to the North wing of the Wolveshire Citadel. It’s the same wing where his room is. Apparently, that whole wing is his personal space, and now, he wants me in it.This reminds me…He did say that he needed me to risk my life today. I just ho
Elita“ Is this all you will do if someone tries to kill you? ” The pressure on my throat increases. The more I try to breathe or fight back the grip on my throat, the worse it hurts. This time, it feels like he will actually kill me before this episode of madness ends.That’s a scary thought. Especially when I can see my brother and sister hiding in the cupboard, watching our father choking me to death. No one should die in front of people that love you. That’s gruesome. With renewed energy, I try to fight and regain my strength, but it doesn’t work against the Alpha’s grip. He is stronger—he will always be. No matter how much I wriggle, or cry, or become desperate for air, he won’t let me breathe. Dad said this will make me stronger. If someone ever tries to strangle me in the future, I won’t die without putting up a fight if I am already used to getting choked to near death. When I can’t bear it anymore, I stop fighting. I let my body relax and close my blurred eyes. This is
Dustin“ What did you see? ” I repeat my question calmly. But I am so close to losing it. I don’t like how everyone keeps building suspense around things. “ I— ” Amelia sighs and steals another glance at Lana.The corner of my eyes twitch subtly. “ You what? ”“ I didn’t see anything, Dustin,” She reveals at last and looks shocked by this fact. People and their antics. I almost scoff. All that pause for nothing.I am not even surprised. Lana is a special case—I won’t figure her out so easily.I let go of Lana and withdraw from the sparks that were driving me insane. Every time I touch her, my cock decides it’s the best time to harden and throb. Without control, my mind drifts to all sorts of thoughts—thoughts I am not supposed to have about someone I believe is a cunning enemy. “ Why can’t you? ” Tyson comes up behind Amelia and leans closer to her.She turns to him, her brows smoothening instantly. “ I don’t know, Tyson. I just grabbed her hand and tried so hard to see her memor
ElitaI shouldn’t have mistaken his silence for lenience. He was only bidding his time until now, waiting for the right moment to strike. My heart pounds in my chest as I stare at the woman in front of me. She has honey eyes—something uncommon for any werewolf or Lycan.Judging from the color of her eyes, her oddly angled chin, and the cold smile on her lips, she is definitely a witch.I scan the underground room—more like a stone-walled dungeon from the corner of my eyes and swallow the unease in my throat. Dustin releases my arm with a jerk and goes to stand in the corner. The sparks retreat with his figure, leaving me cold and confused.“ She is all yours. ” He says, his voice low but harsh.One moment, the woman is standing two steps away, and the next, she is right in front of me. My hands shake, but I clench them into fists.What can I even do?I can’t scream and let everyone know that I am here. And I can’t fight someone when the Lycan King is right behind me. I can’t win ag
Elita Calm down. Calm down because anger blinds people to their choices, Elita. I hate that I am thinking about what Levian used to tell me.He used to say…My anger will blind me one day, and it will become the reason for my downfall. Anger will consume me. The need to hurt someone for the pain they caused me will haunt me until it becomes a ghost that chases me around.I agree with him.But the truth is that…I believe getting back at others is more important than caring about the consequences. Levian can bid his time, Dustin can show an extreme level of control over his urges, but I…I need instant satisfaction. I smile and grab Dustin’s collar. His brows lift as he waits for my next move.I lunge with precision, falling into his arms. As he reaches out to grab me, acting on an instinct forcefully instilled in him by the bond between us, I reach for his ear and bite down. He can heal super fast, but it doesn’t mean it won’t hurt like a bitch!I chomp on his earlobe and sense him s
Elita“ Are you sure you want to go out wearing full sleeves, Lady Lana? ” Felicity asks for the nth time. “ it’s too hot outside. You might get sick or faint because of the heat. ”“ Don’t worry about it. ” I sigh, walking ahead of her. “ I am your personal maid. I am supposed to be worried about you. ” She mentions as she follows me into the stables. The keepers there do shoot me and my long-sleeved, blue gown sneaky glances, but they don’t say anything to me.While Felicity continues to pester me about the heat and my long sleeves, I choose a brown horse and mount it.“ Now, if your King asks, let him know that Lady Lana is visiting her Dad. ” I tell Felicity before I set out toward Alpha Redley’s Pack.It’s been three days since Dustin left me inside that dungeon, with my ear and my throat very much bleeding. All this time, I waited for him to reach out, but he didn’t.But that’s not the problem. The problem is that Alpha Redley is not reaching out to me either.I am sure he kno
ElitaRestlessness makes it hard for me to sleep for long. The journey is coming to an end soon. I have led them here, but I don’t know if I will be able to return with them to the North again. I open my eyes and stare at the sky. The space between the tall trees is turning light. The sun will rise soon, and we will cross the lake to go to the other side.Unconsciously, I look to my left. The three Kings are asleep. King Aleister is resting agaisnt a tree, refusing to lie down and be vulnerable while King Striker and King Tyson are laying close, fast asleep.My lips curl into a smile. If I was told I would see the proud Kings spending days in forests, traveling alone, and tending to their needs without any help, I would have laughed hard. But they don’t mind. It’s surprising—but they really don’t care what they have to do to ensure that their people remain alive and well.I sigh and shift to my right side. My brows lift as I find the spot empty. Instantly, I sit up and look around.
Dustin“ What are you trying to say? Be more clear. ” Aleister mumbles, his sharp gaze fixed at her. “ So…the…end thought is…they have powers—different, unknown powers. We need to be careful when engaging with them. And don’t mention anything insulting about Levian Seisti when we come across them. They won’t like it. That’s it. We have to convince them by telling what is in it for them, and also by telling them how their contribution will save uncountable lives. ” She sighs, and rises from her spot between Striker and Tyson.“ Have they got any tricks up their sleeves like Elves? Do you know about it? ” Striker questions as she walks towards me.She stops when she is a step away from me, and turns to face them. “ Your Highness, I have told you all I know. This time, it’s really everything I know. The rest now…depends on you and your ability to influence people. You four have to secure an alliance. And you have to do it on your own. ”They stare at her, but don’t question her. If the
DustinRight now, I dislike the fact that Goddess didn’t give me the power to teleport more than anything.But no!What is really so special about disappearing from one place and appearing in another? He can not even do that without having seen the place he is going to appear to. It’s not that great!Then why does she keep making heart eyes at that brainless, tactless, everything-less man? It’s catastrophic that my sister has him as his mate and is forced to love him when there is nothing to love. Or even if there is, I don’t see it. And if I don’t see it, then there must not be anything worth seeing.Yes! It is truly catastrophic, but Elita Folke doesn’t understand even the ‘C’ of that. What is wrong with her?Is she going blind with her nearing demise? Or does she simply have a bad taste in men? Bad taste sounds like the better option. She was staring at that ugly Elf too when I couldn’t find anything worthwhile to see in him either.With his silver hair and silver eyes, he coul
ElitaThe dining hall is buzzing when we step back inside. Elf girls, radiant and graceful, fill the space like a picture of shimmering light. As soon as Dustin and I cross the threshold, their attention shifts to him. They rush forward, voices chiming like wind chimes, their slender hands tugging at his arms, leading him toward one side of the long table. I barely have a chance to react when a hand settles on the small of my back.I stiffen, glancing over my shoulder. It’s the same elf man from earlier, his touch light but assertive. “ This way… ” He murmurs. He guides me to the opposite side of the table, his hand remaining far longer than necessary. My eyes dart to Dustin, who is already surrounded, his jaw tight, but he is not resisting. Not yet.“ I would like to know you. ” The elf whispers, pulling out a chair for me as though he is some kind of gentleman. I force myself to sit, my movements stiff, my gaze flickering towards Dustin. His eyes are on me, and there is somethi
ElitaThe footsteps draw closer, deliberate and unhurried, and the sound echoes through the cave. My pulse quickens as I glance toward the entrance. Before I can move, Dustin’s grip on my arm tightens, his calloused fingers pressing firmly into my skin.“Stay put.” He orders in a voice so low it’s almost a growl. His eyes glint like sharpened steel as they cut into mine. “Don’t poke your nose into this.”I stiffen, my jaw clenching at his tone, but I stay silent. Dustin doesn’t look away. It’s as if he is silently daring me to disobey him.The Elf appears at the mouth of the cave, stepping into the dim light. He is tall, unnaturally graceful, his silver hair falling like liquid silk over his shoulders. It takes me a moment, but I realize he is the same Elf I stumbled upon in the woods. The color of his hair and eyes has changed. The faint glow of his eyes—pale and predatory—sends a chill down my spine. He stands there, studying us with a cruel smile tugging at his lips.“ Well.
ElitaAll eyes turn to him after my speech is over. Dustin’s brows lift as he looks at his friends and then back at me.“ Come on. You must have something on your mind. ” I narrow my eyes on him.“ The plan is to cooperate with the Elves for now, so they take us out of this cave where we can’t use our powers or strength. ” He shrugs nonchalantly. “ and…for everything else, I am relying on you just as you asked. ”My jaw hangs low. I am sure the jaws of others can’t resist either. Dustin just closes his eyes and rests his head against the wall. “ Go on, Elita. Get us out of the trouble you caused. ”His detached demeanor makes everyone fall silent. It’s like he is deliberately refusing to do anything.I slip closer and press my lips to his ear to whisper. “ are you mad at me? Is that why you refuse to help? ”I clench the sleeve of his shirt, cautiously pulling at it to grab his attention. Dustin’s eyes snap open, and his head turns in my direction before our gazes meet.“ I understan
Elita“ She told you not to look the Elves in the eyes. Why did you have to do that, Striker? ” I hear a familiar, dark voice hiss. It has to be Alpha King Aleister, and he sounds angry. “ No supernatural powers work directly on the Lycans. ” Striker snaps back. “ I just looked up before setting everything on fire, and then…just…stopped. The surroundings changed, and I couldn’t see him anymore. It’s not my fault. I didn’t know the magic won’t work on me but will work on the surroundings instead. ”I shudder, pressing myself agaisnt the hard surface under me. It’s warm and so…electrically soothing.My muscles stiffen when I register my thoughts. Instinctively, I touch the surface with my cold fingers and sigh under my breath.Dustin.My eyes crack open, and I crane my neck back to look at his face. He lowers his gaze to mine and blinks calmly.Aleister and Striker are still bickering in the background. But their voices sound muffled in my ears now.I am lying on Dustin’s chest, the si
ElitaThe man’s footsteps are silent as he leads me deeper into the woods. He moves with a kind of grace that makes my skin crawl, each step so fluid it’s as though he is floating. I follow, even though every instinct in me screams to turn back. There is no sound except the faint whisper of leaves under our feet and my own uneven breaths.I keep glancing over my shoulder. The shadows stretch long and twisted behind me, but nothing is there. At least, nothing I can see. They are making sure to hide well. Just like I instructed. “ We are almost there. ” The man says, his voice soft and melodic, like a lullaby drifting through a darkened room. I hesitate, shooting another look over my shoulder. Now, I really do need a sign that they are around. Hiding so well doesn’t seem that great of an idea to me. The man’s words send a cold prickle down my spine. “ Will more of your friends be coming? ”My heart leaps painfully into my throat. I force myself to swallow, to steady my voice. “ Ma
ElitaI bolt upright, heart pounding as if it’s trying to break free from my chest. Dustin’s words echo in my mind, clearing out every other thought. Tyson is gone.I glance at Dustin, expecting him to offer an explanation, but he just leans back, his expression unreadable. The calm mask he wears doesn’t fool me. There is a storm brewing beneath his surface—one I am not sure I want to see unleashed.Before I can tell him to calm down, a loud thud shakes the ground. My head jerks up as a figure descends from the sky, landing with an eerie grace. I recognize him immediately—King Aleister. His piercing eyes scan the area with laser-like focus, their intensity making me feel small.And then, like a shadow summoned by Aleister’s presence, King Striker appears. His aura radiates heat, his fingertips glowing with a strange flame—purplish and orange, flickering in the cool night air. The sight sends a chill down my spine.Aleister’s gaze shifts to Dustin, completely bypassing me as if I am