ElitaA long time ago, when the Moon Goddess bestowed the gift of turning into a wolf on some chosen humans…she thought she chose everyone carefully.Five houses received that blessing after worshipping her for centuries. House Skoldofr was the House of the protector Lycan—a Lycan who could control fire. People thought it was the first House that received that blessing from the Moon Goddess.House Murdoch followed with a Lycan who vowed to be kind and calm—A Lycan who could control the Earth’s elements. He could move things that resided deep underground and everything that connected to the soil. House Anasazi was the third house that gained the powers and blessings of turning into a Lycan. The Lycan of that House was the protector of the night. He could control minds, shadows, and the dead. Everything about him was connected to the dark, to the shadows that spoke to him.Then came House Landric. An arrogant Lycan who was given the power to heal others—to do the only thing he didn’t
ElitaI snap out of my thoughts when we enter the Wolveshire Citadel again. The night has darkened, and it seems like a thick fog has started surrounding us.“ I don’t understand… ” I whisper as Dustin grabs my waist.“ What is so hard to understand? ” He shrugs, hoisting me up and putting me on my feet on the ground effortlessly.I stagger, still dazed about what I saw and now know. My neck cranes, my eyes meeting his calm face.“ Why did you keep him in plain sight? Does he know who he is? How—why…I don’t understand anything, Dustin. How did Levian know to take him? ” I blurt, my breaths growing ragged.Panic is beginning to settle in my bones. I don’t want to, but I am beginning to shake. A sense of urgency, or more like a sense of crisis, overtakes my mind. I have to come up with a way to change the direction in which things are heading right now.Dustin jumps and stands before me. Our eyes meet, and my breath catches in my throat. I didn’t notice it before.He has curled back in
ElitaSometimes…You just don’t understand what you are feeling, thinking, or supposed to be doing.At a moment like that…It all feels like a joke.That’s right.“ I didn’t think you were someone who liked to pull such pranks. ” I mumble, looking down at the open diary.A cold breeze coming from the open window sways the pages, making them flip and display several other drawings of the same girl.A girl who has my face.It’s surreal.How do you recognize yourself from a faded drawing? But…these are no ordinary drawings. It feels like someone has drawn the sharp lines of my face with perfection, carefully outlining everything to match my features. My eyes—a dark, sparkling blue color is the only color that has not faded and turned yellow or brown. The contrast of that bright color against the old, dead papers…does something to my heart. Without realizing it, I touch my chest. A light pain starts deep inside somewhere.“ This is…not funny, Dustin. ” I whisper under my breath, trying
Elita“ Do you want to know something…Dustin? ” I look down at my hand, silently acknowledging that something has changed inside me. I am not the same girl who came to this world with a single goal and an unwavering determination.I have fallen weak and allowed emotions to take hold of my dead heart again.“ Levian watched me die and didn’t do anything. He wouldn’t do that to me if I had anything to do with his mate, right? ” I whisper.“ It couldn’t have been the first time for him. He must have sensed your desire for death and let you have it. Again. ” Dustin clears the remaining doubt with a single answer.My hold tightens over the knob, and the cold metal bites into my skin. I grit my jaw, stopping myself from trembling.The distant memory comes haunting me again. After I ruined Levian’s plan to revive his son…He came to see me. For the last time.For the first time since I met him and believed in his lie that we were mates, he grabbed my arms and shook me, yelled at me, kept rep
ElitaDustin’s eyes darken, his expression hard, almost as if he is holding back.As he stands behind me, towering over my frame in the mirror, his fingers tug the zipper of my dress all the way down. The fabric slips from my shoulders, pooling at my feet.Cold air brushes against my bare skin, but I don’t dare look down. Dustin’s eyes flash a dangerous blue before his gaze lowers, tracing my still chest, my tight stomach, my clenched thighs.I didn’t wear anything underneath, and now, he can see everything. I hold my breath, waiting for him to say something, to show something in his eyes. And it’s there—an appreciative gleam that makes my lips quiver. “ I hate everything that threatens my control, Elita. ” His voice is rough. “ And you are on top of that list. ”Dustin grabs my waist and pulls me back. His calloused fingers dig into my bare skin, earning a harsh intake of breath from me.I feel his fingers tracing a path to the middle of my stomach. He rests his palm over there, his
ElitaSex has always been a blur for me. I don’t remember much of my sexual encounters in life because…They were not exactly…wanted.But sex with Dustin was not a blur. I felt every thrust, every harsh strike of his palm against my ass, and every breath against my ear as he leaned down and kept ramming inside me. It couldn’t have been a blur, even if I wanted it to. But when my walls finally clenched into an earth-shattering orgasm, and he pulled out of me to shoot his cum all over my back, it felt like we were at it for a long time.I felt drained and fell on the bed, completely exhausted. He removed the belt from around my wrists and left the bed.I kept repeating inside my head—this time, it was not just some blurred moments.But as I breathed against his sheets and closed my eyes…memories flashed through my mind. All blurry and unfocused.I couldn’t remember the details.Right now, I can’t recall the details either. It felt like Dustin and I were like some wild animals in a rut—
ElitaMy chin wobbles before I can catch myself slipping. I squint my eyes, fighting the blurriness, the building pressure. My heart feels heavy in my chest.“ Who— ”“ I—I don’t remember. ” I utter. The dam is so close to breaking, but I hold on, refusing to let go.A moment passes between us. He stares at me, and it feels like the time slows down. He is studying me, observing the unnecessary moisture in my eyes, or maybe he can see deeper and notice the pain. It feels like I am in a trance, not mesmerized by his beauty this time but by his silent presence, his deep eyes, and his gentle fingers. Unconsciously, my hand reaches for his face in an attempt to brush his soft, slightly wavy hair away and look into his eyes from close. “ The black veins have spread to your heart. ” But he mumbles before I can reach him and pulls away, putting distance between us. Without saying a word, he lays down on the other side of the bed and places his arm above his eyes, hiding the look in them.
DustinI have never faltered during an act. When I know I must convince someone of something, I lie to myself first—That’s how…I have always been successful.But right now…I don’t know what I am doing anymore.I glance at the girl who is peacefully sleeping under the blanket. I told her to get lost, and without even moving an inch, she told me I would have to drag her out if I wanted her gone.I was in no mood for more dramatics. That’s why I let her be. Now, I am regretting it.I lean back in the chair, and my gaze drops to her parted lips. People who call Lana Redley the most beautiful girl in the North just don’t know Elita Folke. She has this kind of beauty that appears ordinary among the faces of other gorgeous girls at first, but the longer you look at her, the more you realize…She is different from others—different in a way I can’t quite understand. When others have this innocent, naive look in their eyes…she has a sharp calculative glint that swims in the depths of those
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