Elita“ I know you are angry. But you need to understand, Lana. I had no choice, my Love. Your father held my mother hostage, and he threatened to kill her if I didn’t leave you. ” He wipes his cheeks with the back of his hand, but more tears rush out and slide down immediately.My lips press in a thin line as I stare at him. I hate men who cry over stupid things. He can tell me his side of the story without shedding tears, too. It’s not like I am amputating his arms or something like that.“ Alpha said you took money. ” I blink calmly. “ No! ” He shouts, making me grimace. “ Your father is lying. I would never do that to you. I—I really had no choice but to leave you until he released my mother. ”“ The Alpha Redley you are talking about doesn’t seem like the person who would release someone he kidnapped once. ” I hum thoughtfully and tilt my head.Maverick’s tears stop. His mouth opens, then closes as if he is searching for words.I am about to roll my eyes and get up, but he stops
DustinI watch him, standing there with that smug look on his face, claiming Lana like she belongs to him. Maverick. He talks like he has every right to be here, like I am just some obstacle in his way. He borrowed that nerve from his master, Redley, and thinks he can keep provoking me if has a strong backing. I poke the inside of my cheek with my tongue. It’s a good chance for me to send Elita away from here.I know what I need to do…but my mind is somewhere else. An hour ago, I saw them. Lana—no, Elita—kissing him. Right in front of me. The image has been stuck in my head ever since, like some sick nightmare I can’t wake up from. His hands on her, her lips on his. It twists my gut every time I think about it, like something’s tightening, squeezing inside me. It’s a feeling I can’t shake or ignore no matter how hard I try.It’s because of her.She complicated everything. Everyone in this Hall recognizes her as Lana Redley. Once Maverick opens that gutter of a mouth, Lana’s reputa
Dustin“ Have mercy, Your Highness. ” Maverick whimpers again.I take my eyes off Redley and direct my gaze towards him. The sight of him makes my guts churn once more. The ugly feeling in the pit of my stomach makes my eyes twitch.“ So, according to you both, I should forgive you all for trying to deceive the King? ” I tilt my head, and unconsciously, my gaze flickers towards the right corner where she stands, her face red with fury and restraint. “ As the Alpha of the strongest Pack in the North and the man loyal to the throne, I would accept whatever punishment you deem fit, Your Highness. Take my life, or the life of my daughter if that’s what— ” “ Wait a moment! ” She speaks up at last, her loud voice echoing through the walls of the throne room.The silent people turn to her, surprised to see her marching to the middle as if she is unfazed by their gossip and the hate in their eyes.I feel something pricking my heart, like a soft brush of a feather. Her blue eyes, as deep as
Elita“ Throw Lana Redley in the dungeons. ” Dustin’s heavy voice echoes through the Hall. Several gasps sound around me. I turn to him, my eyes narrowing into slits.But inside, I am gloating. He sure has the best timing.That’s what I wanted him to do. But how did he get it so easily? I thought I might have to send him a few hidden signals before he decided to lock me up.“ Your Highness, please let me prove the truth. ” I cry out, getting giddy about the way the air tinges with curious streaks.The people of the North have always loved seeing powerful people fall. On the outside, they act like they are united under a cause, but once you step into this mud, you realize…they love gossip, backstabbing, and helping to pull others down from cloud nine.Now that Alpha Redley, one of the strongest Alpha in the North, seems to have a flaw…they want to know more about it.“ Your Highness, I am grateful for your trust in me. I would never— ”“ Alpha Redley, Lady Lana will stay in the dungeon
Elita“ Didn’t you get what you wanted? ” I sigh, lying in the cold, dark water. “ you said you wanted me to teach Maverick and your Father the lesson of a lifetime, and I feel it’s important for me to do that now. So…why are you still sad? ”She is sitting in the same spot. I don’t know how I can even tell that it’s the same spot, given that every corner in this dream looks the same. It’s like we both are inside a pitch-dark room swarmed with cold water. The only thing I can see clearly here is her figure as if a bright light is shining only over her.Her small sobs echo in the utter silence, making me sigh once more. Judging from the amount of sighs I exhale these days, I can simply say goodbye to my lungs.Oh. It’s not like they are living and well anyway, so it doesn’t matter, I guess.“ Say something, Lana. If I am stuck in this nightmare with you, I would like for you to not make it too unbearable. ” I sit up and lean back, my eyes fixed on her curled-up form.She is always lik
Elita“ What? ” Lana’s eyes sparkle mischievously. For the first time since I have started seeing her in these strange dreams, I find myself tongue-tied.My head goes blank and before I can get an answer, I jolt awake.I blink my eyes open, only to greet the sight of the dirty dungeon walls. A breath whooshes out of my lungs.“ Why do I have...such a bad feeling about this?” I wonder to myself, my heart racing in my chest.“ I would have considered you mad if you still didn’t have a bad feeling about the mess you have created. ” A deep voice comments from the side.Startled, I gasp and look to my left. Dustin is sitting beside me, his back against the cold wall. The sight of his side profile highlighted by the dim light sends a shudder down my back.“ Dustin! What are you...doing here? ” I breathe, and flex my numbing fingers.He rests his arm over his bent knee and leans back, stealing a glance at me from the corner of his eyes. My heart misses a beat as he looks away and s
Elita“ I deny the accusations. There is no proof, Your Highness. ” Alpha Redley says, his voice clear and firm.The people gathered in the Throne room for the exciting trial fall silent at his denial. I click my tongue and keep my gaze lowered.If Dustin had just agreed or disagreed, I would have been confident in my plan. But he just got up and left after I demanded he take my side.Is it that hard to play along? I want to groan and roll around in annoyance. Dustin Landric will make me go bald with all this stress before I die.That will be highly embarassing.“ What do you have to say to this, Lady Lana? ” A man I recognize as the warrior who accompanied Dustin before stands beside the Throne and asks.I pick up my head and look at him. “ I will lead the way to the evidence. ”“ You need to drop this act, daughter! This is enough! ” Redley growls, losing his initial calm and letting his frustration spill out.“ If this is an act, you don’t need to worry, Father. Once everyone sees
DustinI won’t lie and say I didn’t go along with her plan because I was simply curious. I wanted to see what else she was capable of.Or maybe...I just couldn’t refuse her. It felt so foolish. I have never given into anyone’s demands, not until giving in leads to achieving my goals. But with her, I gave in, just like this.I was still annoyed at the way I was acting—without any conscious efforts, or deliberate actions when she pulled Redley to that cliff.It took me just a moment—a small moment to figure out what she was about to do. For others, she was calling for help, but for me, she was repeating her usual trick. She was playing a damsel who was getting murdered by her own father.I have met all sorts of people in life, but I have never come across someone like her. She is wicked—that’s nothing special. It’s her lack of any regard for herself and the absence of fear and remorse that sets her apart from others.‘ She is the woman you will love. She is Elita, your mate,
The air is still cold when Dustin and I walk back toward the Kings. I don’t miss the silence that hangs heavy between us, thick enough to choke me. Something is wrong with him. I have known it since I saw him by the lake. There is a shift in him, something subtle but unsettling, like a ripple just beneath the surface.But, I don’t ask what it is that is bothering him. Not because I don’t care, but because I know better. Dustin’s mind is a fortress, impenetrable when he is preparing for what is to come. He needs his focus, his composure—and I need to trust him to handle whatever’s weighing on him. Still, it’s hard to shake the unease gnawing at me.What happened after I fell asleep? I don't know but I have a hunch that it has to do something with King Aleister. As we step back into the clearing, I notice that the Kings are already awake. Aleister rises first, his sharp gaze finding us immediately, while Tyson and Striker stretch and yawn like they have slept on clouds instead of t
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