Elita
“ You will attend the selection Ball. Don’t try to run away again or you will have no legs in the future. ” The strict, angry Alpha on the other side of the desk hisses. “ If you serve me no purpose, you have no right to be alive! ”
I blink, staring at him. He heaves a heavy breath and holds my gaze before a look of confusion takes over.
His features match the face of the body I am inside. Blue eyes. Blonde hair.
He is my father.
I mean…the father of this body, Lana Redley. He is Alpha Redley, a powerful Alpha in the North who can influence even the Lycan King of the North, Dustin Landric into doing things for him.
According to my information, he fed his daughter silver which is deadly enough to kill a wolf, even if it’s an Alpha’s daughter.
Something inside my chest burns at the thought. I shouldn’t be angry because I am not Lana but fearing him and despising him is like…muscle memory of this body.
When I don’t say anything, his frown deepens. “ Why are you not replying to me? ”
“ Alpha, I believe Lady Lana is suffering from memory issues because of her head injury. She doesn’t remember…anything about her life, it seems. ” The elderly woman is behind me and comes to my rescue when I don’t waver.
She was shocked when I asked who she was. Since then, she has been coming up with weird explanations to understand why ‘Lana’ doesn’t remember the Nanny who took care of her all her life.
In the end, she has reached the conclusion that Lana lost her memory. And it’s stupid, which Alpha Redley proves the next moment.
“ A wolf? She?! ” He points at me, his face a mask of wrath and mockery. “ lost her memory?! ”
“ Alpha, the silver must have weakened her abilities too much. Or it’s possible that Lana lost her memory because of the heartbreak. She had to break her bond with her mate, Maverick after all. You know breaking a bond or rejecting mates can cause such issues. ” She provides while I sit there, still reeling with the shock of being here.
Alpha Redley fixes his gaze on me and stares at me for a long time, silently. I stare back, making him scowl and stiffen, and shift in his spot numerous times.
“ Is it true what Donna is saying or is this another one of your tricks? ” He asks, leaning in.
I watch his clenching fists and tightening jaw, a strange emotion stirring in my heart.
“ Do you hit me? ” I wonder, not realizing that I said it out loud.
His eyes narrow on me and in an instant, he is standing before me, seething like an angry wolf.
I pride myself on my identity as a supreme warrior, an Alpha’s blood, and—
His palm strikes my cheek before I can register it. The impact is so strong that my chair flies, and lands on the floor.
I find myself lying there, staring at the ceiling with my blurry vision, shock, and pain ripping throughout my body.
Why didn’t I see him moving? My instincts are so sharpened that I can even track down vampires that are known for their speed, so why didn’t I see his palm coming?
A mixture of anger and disbelief makes me jump to my feet, only to get another slap in the face that knocks me down. My vision goes black, my head buzzing with the brutal hit.
An Alpha’s punch is no joke. It’s like my jaw has dislocated.
But I am an Alpha’s daughter and I am trained by an Original Hybrid personally.
I fist my hands, wanting to fight back, but my wolf’s claws don’t come out. Surprised, I open and close my fists, trying to understand why I don’t hear my wolf’s voice in my head or why she is not coming out.
Freaking hell!
Where is my wolf?
The angry bull kicks my thigh. I groan, and close my eyes in pain. This is nothing compared to what I suffered, to the pain of getting burned alive or getting your limbs ripped.
But…this is killing me.
How did I become so weak?
“ Answer me?! Are you lying or have you truly become dumb? ” Alpha Redley snarls, pressing the heel of his boot harder into my thigh.
After years of suppressed memories, my father’s face comes back to haunt me. He loved to do things like this, beat us siblings until we were half dead.
He could do that because he was an Alpha. We were not. We were just innocent children.
During my time in that hellhole that I called my pack, I learned that if you are weak, you must not use your fists but your wits. You must bid your time and stab someone in their sleep instead of fighting heads on.
I grit my jaw and nod instantly. “ Yes, Father. ”
“ Alpha! ” He barks like a dog.
“ Yes, Alpha. ” I hiss through my gritted jaw.
He kicks my leg and leaves me on the floor. I release a breath of relief.
Lana Redley…fucked me up.
She has no wolf.
She can not fight.
And in her body, I am as weak as she is.
“ How is this possible? She lost her memory with a blow to her head! ” He paces in the office angrily and I sit on the floor, wondering when he might lash out again.
Suddenly, he proves me right and stops in front of me. “ Look at me! ”
I flinch, meeting his gaze. He glares into my eyes and grabs my jaw, squeezing it until I wince but don’t look away.
“ It’s true. This is not my daughter. She would never look into my eyes. ” He blinks, releasing my aching jaw in shock.
My heart misses a beat as I rub my face and look down. He can’t figure out that I am Elita, right?
I frown. There is no way to know that. No one has ever heard of a soul going back in time to possess another she-wolf. That’s just…absurd.
Which brings me to the question…
How did I do this?
And what are my conditions?
Is Lana alive inside me and I am only possessing her body?
Or is she dead?
And why the hell is it Lana?
I gasp with each question as the possible answers to all of them make me shift uncomfortably.
“ Well! Very well. ” Out of nowhere, Alpha Redley chuckles.
“ Alpha… ” The kind woman whispers, and steps closer. “ I think it’s best if Lana takes some— ”
“ Silence! ” Alpha Redley growls, his eyes flashing a brighter blue.
I grimace, sliding a little back. I don’t think Lana’s weak body will survive another blow and after coming so far, I can’t just fall dead so easily.
I must come up with a way to make up for Lana’s weaknesses.
“ Listen here, girl. ” He turns to me and snatches my jaw again.
“ Yes, Alpha. ” I blurt, my heart missing a beat.
I already hate this man.
“ You must attend the ceremony at the castle tonight. Alpha King is looking for his fated mate and has called women from all over the four Kingdoms of Wolves. ” He leans in and glares at me hatefully. “ You must make him believe you are his mate. ”
I open my mouth, to tell him what a terrible idea it is. How can I make him believe I am his mate? Because I, Elita Folke am not his mate, and Lana Redley already rejected her mate.
But instead, I ask him. “ How am I going to make him believe that, Alpha? ”
Protecting the Lycan King from up close is a great idea.
And I must prevent the fall of the werewolves and Lycans as well.
Because I am powerful now as I know what even the Lycan Kings don’t.
The vampires and humans are coming for them soon.
All that aside…
I must see my stone sculpture turn into a living, breathing man.
ElitaI stare at the vial in my hand and grimace. It is a bright red liquid which is warm to touch.As I stare at it, Alpha Redley’s stern words echo in my ears. ‘ All you have to do is to drink this potion right before you meet the King. It will attract him to you and he won’t be able to hold himself back. He will mistake these effects for a mate bond. ’I sigh, hiding the small bottle in my right palm. It’s a Love Potion, that’s all Alpha Redley should have said. But I don’t think he is aware of the whole fiasco this potion can cause.Once I drink it, every man around me will become a lovesick puppy and will pounce on me like an animal if I don’t use it properly.I hum. Maybe, Alpha Redley knew that but just didn’t care to tell me. He is fine as long as Dustin is among those love-sick puppies.“ Lady Lana, stop pouting. ” Donna scolds, and grabs my chin to pull my lips apart. “ It doesn’t suit an Alpha’s daughter to pout. ”I blink and shake my face out of her hold. She frowns at m
ElitaDoes this mean I am going to die tonight?“ Oh, shit! ” I blurt. “ I am damned. ”“ Lana! What language is this? We are already here. Refrain from saying such words. ” Donna whisper-yells but I can not focus on that anymore.I am walking to my death.I wince, as I am literally forced down the carriage by Donna.She pushes me in the direction of the open gates of the Wolveshire Citadel. “ Go on! Best of luck! ”I take a step forward, preparing myself to face the inevitable. “ And Lana?! ” Donna calls me out again.My trance breaks as I hum, not in the mood to reply to her.“ If Alpha King is anywhere close to killing you, just remind him that you are Nora’s best friend. ” She chimes as if that fact alone can save me from death.“ Who is this Nora? ” I wonder, completely dumbfounded. But I receive no answer. When I glance over my shoulder, the carriage is already gone.I stand there and stare at the bright, golden decorations from afar until a warrior comes to lead me inside the
DustinIn our world, what do people want the most? It’s power. If they are not born with it, they do anything to get it. They can commit any crime, any sin, any unthinkable act to just become the one person who controls several others. The excitement of commanding someone is just too tempting to pass on. To know someone is at their mercy makes it all the more thrilling. People…love playing God. And when it comes to werewolves, they are worse than any average human and vampire. They thrive on their hunger for power, to be more than what they are, to be at the top of the hierarchy.I am not any different. I like power, and what I can do with it. But the only difference between them and me is that…I was born with power. I was destined to be above the rest of the people—the vampires, humans, the werewolves. And…they don’t like that. “ Alpha Redley is dealing with that witch again. ” Ronac discloses and lingers close to the door.“ And what is he buying? ” My lips curve slightly. “
ElitaPull away, Elita. Right freaking now!I scream in my head. But nothing seems to be working.My fingers keep holding onto his shirt, trying to pull him into me and become one somehow while my tongue darts out, licking his lips as if he is my favorite treat.Every touch sends a hot current down my body, making me shudder. I can’t breathe. It’s too hot. Just when I tilt my head, and go for another smooch against his tightly pressed lips, a finger pokes my forehead.A whine tears out of my throat, leaving me both—embarrassed and mortified. My eyes fly open and land on Dustin’s nose. The finger pushes my head back, putting distance between us and that’s when his dark eyes come into my view.My lips pucker out some more, desperate to cover the distance again so we can kiss. But he presses his forefinger harder into my forehead and keeps me away from him.His thick lips part, and he whispers. “ what are you doing, Lady Lana? ”As he speaks, his head leans forward and his gaze drops
ElitaAt his command, the ceremony quickly comes to an end and the moment I have been waiting for—a very dreadful and a lot more dangerous moment—finally comes.“ I rarely feel surprised. ” Dustin drawls, slowly walking around me in a circle.After everyone left, I was dragged to his office and the doors closed, trapping me inside with him.For a few minutes, he didn’t really say anything, just stared at me. And let me tell you—it’s not pretty to get stared at by him. When he stares, it feels like he is slicing your skin off with his eyes, just because he wants to see what’s under those layers.Now, he is behind me, and I can feel his gaze burning into my back. “ You managed to surprise me after all. ”“ I did? ” I flinch, trying to mask my nervous expressions.Don’t give him your back, Elita. You should never give your back to a predator.I attempt to turn around to face him but pause. He steps closer, so close that I can feel the heat of his body seeping into my back but he is not t
ElitaHow…did he figure it all out? Or did he just…call me ‘Stranger’ as a nickname?I huff, gathering my dress and glaring at the mud sticking to the lacy material. It’s not a good idea to wear such a pretty but impractical dress while you are in a forest. My eyes twitch as I look up and see the trees surrounding me.I expected Dustin’s warriors to stop me from leaving or tell me that I was confined…but fortunately and quite…oddly, the King didn’t put anyone on my tail.He didn’t even instruct anyone to not let me out of the Wolveshire Citadel.So, I decided to go and see my siblings while I still had the chance. There is no way I am going full war mode without seeing them and ensuring they are fine.At this point in life, they are residing in the North Shield Pack…With me.After my father was killed in a so-called human and vampire attack on our pack, the Alpha of the North Shield Pack, Alpha Orson took the survivors of our pack in. On the surface, it looked like Alpha Orson too
DustinThe water, in all its forms, speaks to me. It whispers, and screeches, and cries. The voices echo in my head until I feel like splitting it open just so I can silence the noise. An itch has become constant behind my eyes, in my ears, in my shoulders. Sometimes, I just want to gouge my eyes out, rip my ears off, and claw at my shoulders. I want to bleed and hurt just to get rid of the violent voices. But…the voices keep whispering, telling me secrets I don’t want to hear, murmuring the tales of the past, and the predictions of a terrifying future. However, sometimes, these voices tell me what I need to be aware of.Like how a little bunny is hiding in the woods, watching my every move, listening to the conversation I am having with Alpha Orson. I find it stupid that she decided to follow me like a loser, all alone on top of everything. Does she think she can fight me?What a silly, childish thought that befits a loser. I am not surprised. “ Will this affect you as her mate,
Elita Levian once said to me. Gods never bestowed any blessing upon their subjects without a condition. The condition was there so they could make the person realize how weak and helpless he or she was, to make them realize that they could have what they wanted but the Gods were still in control. And I have a hunch Levian was not wrong. Who would know the Gods and Goddesses better than a man who was an Original Lycan and the Original Vampire anyway? …Both his sides were the start of a legacy, and the Gods favored him. But it never came without conditions even to him. As I find myself lying in dark water, my back cold and numb, my eyes zero in on the glowing figure in the distance. Her white dress is sparkling, flowing around her feminine figure. The silver light that emanates from her, repels the darkness and cuts through it like a knife. As she floats closer, her face becomes clear even under all the glow. Her eyes are a bright silver color, so blazing that it feels like a
ElitaI am back here again. The fire is consuming me, licking at my skin, searing through my lungs. And water seeps from the statue’s cold stone eyes, inching toward me as if trying to free me from the flames.Why do I always end up here? What does this even mean?Before I can make sense of anything, I jolt awake. My heart pounds against my ribcages as my wide eyes land on the plain, dirty ceiling. My breathing is uneven, and my body is still caught somewhere between the dream and reality.“ Did I scare you? ” Dustin’s soft voice sounds from beside me. I stiffen, and turn my head in his direction. He is standing beside the bed, his warm hand placed over my shoulder. His dark eyes hold something unreadable, but his face remains impassive.I blink, once, twice. Trying to gather my thoughts.“ I would have let you rest longer, but it’s urgent… ” Dustin says, straightening to his height. “ Get up and get ready. We need to leave. Now. ”Dread tightens a knot in my stomach. “ What happene
ElitaIt will always remain this way. I will never register sex. I try to claw at his shoulder to ground my mind to this moment, to continue to look into his beautiful eyes, but everything is already blank before my gaze.Just when I think I am going to slip away from him, my body is flipped again. My heart misses a beat in my chest as everything clears in my view.I am above him, straddling his hips, with his length still inside me, filling me deeper now. My hands drop to his stomach, and my back arches when I register the burn in my core. He is stretching me so good.“ You are not…forgetting about this again. ” His deep, restrained voice echoes in my ears as he commands. Confused, I look down at our joined bodies, and then up at his clenched jaw, dark eyes, and hands that are clasped together, raised above his head. It takes me a moment to register what’s happening. But when I do, everything inside me turns warm and melts into a puddle.Dustin Landric, the man who can’t bear to l
Elita“ I got a little taste of you, Ms. Folke… ” Dustin says, his voice low, husky. “ I need more now. ”My breath catches in my throat, the tension between us thick and suffocating.“ Still need more? ” I ask, my voice barely a whisper. “ Even after I acted like an ungrateful bitch and hurt you every time I opened my mouth? ”His hands slide down my sides with a precision that sends shivers down my spine. There is no hesitation in his touch, only certainty as if every move is part of a calculated plan. He grips my thighs firmly, lifting me with ease and wrapping my legs around his torso. His body feels like steel against mine—so hard, yet so warm. “ Those words meant nothing to me. I knew you were trying to push me away… ” He says, his tone devoid of softness. His eyes trail to my parted lips before snapping back to meet my gaze. “ You can try to push me away, but it won’t work. Because I always get what I want. And what I want right now is to have this… ”He leans down, so close
Elita“You destroyed me, Dustin! Don't you understand?! ”Dustin’s jaw tightens. He watches as I storm to the door and step outside. The cold mountain air bites into my skin, but I do not care. I need space. I need air that does not smell like him. Just as I take a few steps forth and pick up my head, I see similar small huts surrounding me.Several warriors turn towards me and watch me standing there like a dummy. I take in a deep breath and start walking towards the right.Did Alpha King Striker have to trick me like this? What was he even hoping to achieve?I scoff, stomping forward to find a silent, lonely corner. I stop only when I reach the ditch again.It’s so visible even in the night. Why did I miss earlier then? I narrow my eyes on it, glaring at if I can blame it for everything going wrong. I don’t know how long I do it, but I know that my legs start feeling heavy.I crouch down and wrap my arms around my knees. I always knew what to do, but now, I feel like a fool.May
ElitaThe quiet of the night almost stings my ears as I see myself back in that place—the first time I saw the Lycan King up close, a decade ago.His hand wraps around my wrist just as I try to turn and retreat. My heart races, a drumbeat of panic. I have already lured him into the trap. Death looms close, waiting to claim him in the form of a vampire king—the same monster who made me into this.It feels surreal. The memory had turned foggy after so many years among vampires and humans. I could no longer remember the sharpness of his features, the exact look in his eyes. But now, it is painfully clear.He is not glaring at me. There is no hatred in his gaze, not even blame.Maybe he already knew it was a trap. Dustin always knows everything.And still, he came.I pull, trying to wrench free, but it is no use. Levian stalks closer from behind. Yet Dustin does not shift his focus. His eyes never leave mine.“You will regret it.” His thumb brushes my pulse point, lingering just long enoug
ElitaI lie awake, staring at the ceiling above my head, my mind too full to let sleep take me. Tonight, it feels so cold in here. I feel this itch under my skin to go find that Lycan King and snuggle into his arms but I hold still. He is warm when his limbs are entangled with mine, but I am still angry at him.That’s not all. There is an ache between my legs, a constant, needy ache that demands his touch. It’s driving me crazy. Suddenly, someone knocks at the door. My heart misses a beat.Dustin. It has to be him. He knocked on my door hours ago and I just pretended to be asleep.The thought of him sends a rush through me—anger, longing, something that twists low in my belly—but I force myself to stay put. I won’t answer. I won’t let him in.“ Elita. ” The voice from the other side of the door calls out, and it’s not him. It’s Striker. “ Come out. ”I sigh and move my legs over the side of the bed, bare feet touching the cold floor. When I open the door, he stands there in the dim
DustinI reach for the handle of her door, but it doesn’t budge. She locked it.Releasing a breath, I let my hand fall to my side and stand there, listening. Her movements are light on the other side. Every shift of her feet, every rustle of the bed sheets, fills my ears. But it’s her heartbeat that holds me in place—too fast, too loud, a constant drum reminding me that she is still alive.I saved her. I press my palm against the wood. It’s cool beneath my skin. “ Open the door, Elita… ” I murmur.She doesn’t answer. My lips twitch. She is pretending to be sleeping. I know it. Her breathing pattern is not right—it’s too shallow, too aware.I smirk. What a weird tactic to ignore me. For a brief second, I consider breaking the door down. One sharp kick and it will go down. What will she do then, I wonder? Will she continue to pretend to sleep so she doesn’t have to face me? As the thoughts linger, something warm trickles down my lip. Again.I step back, wiping the blood away with
ElitaI struggle free from his hold and rush towards the lounge. But he is hot on my tail, like a predator set on hunting a prey down.When I enter, the Kings and Kalix are already seated, leaving only a double couch vacant. Reluctantly, I walk towards it and perch on the corner.But the Northern King doesn’t take the hint at all. He comes to sit beside me, leaving no distance between our bodies. His arm brushes mine, and I feel the warmth seeping through my skin. Kalix clears his throat, looking right at us. “ Karlias is on house arrest. Some of the warriors are heading to the mountains to get the witch. ”My heart misses a beat. “ Matiana? ”He sighs, giving a slow nod. “ Yes. She was the one who told us all about the prophecy of a woman and man coming—The one you talked about when you first came here.”I lean back but stiffen when his arm presses more into my side. Why does he have to make it so hard for me? Kalix eyes me curiously. “ I am still wondering about the same thing Eli
ElitaKalix’s grip tightens on my wrist, his wide eyes filled with something I can’t quite understand—desperation? Relief? Maybe both. He stares at me as if I am a ghost returned to haunt him. “ It worked… ” He breathes, his voice rough with disbelief. “ It actually worked. ”His fingers tremble against my skin, the intensity of his hold making my heartbeat quicken. I take a cautious step back, my voice low. “ What are you talking about, Kalix? ”He doesn’t answer right away. His gaze travels over me, his eyes scanning every inch like he is trying to piece together an impossible puzzle. “ I don’t understand. It worked. Then…how are you still alive? ”Before I can respond, the air shifts. It’s subtle at first—a faint chill that deepens until the entire room is gripped by an icy stillness. My breath turns to mist. A blur moves through the space beside me. Kalix’s hand is ripped away from my wrist with a brutal jerk.I gasp, just in time to see Dustin slam Kalix into the wall. The en