Hi Lovelies, After a strange, stressful week, I am back again :) Who expected things to turn out this way? P.S. Actually, I was having a hard time writing this book. It's like that for writers sometimes. When writing a story becomes kind of a chore for some time, you stop getting ideas or motivation to write. So, I was in that phase, and I couldn't write anything no matter how hard I tried. It was kind of depressing, but I am almost out of that phase now. :) Thanks for always supporting me. I notice my readers and I read all your comments without a hitch so please leave your thoughts in the comments no matter what you are thinking. I am always waiting to read them Love you ❤️ ~S.Y
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
ElitaI run my finger across the dull blue eyes in the drawings and sigh. Dustin said what I wanted to hear, that I just looked like Levian’s mate.But it’s…making me uneasy.Many things Levian told me in my past are starting to revolve in my mind.‘ I could take anyone’s memories, but not my mate’s. That’s why I prayed to the Moon Goddess to help me, to take away her memories. She heard too late, and now that prayer has turned into a curse. ’ He said to me once, so randomly that I couldn’t make sense of it. I had asked him what he meant, and he never answered. But he stared at me for a long time before he left, not to return for days to come.He did it often. Whenever he talked about something I couldn’t understand, and I needed him to help me understand, he would just disappear. Until he returned, I knew he would disappear again if I repeated my questions.And I didn’t want him gone. Vampires, behind his back, were crueler. And it felt like I had no one but him, even when I grew t
Elita" I am Levian's mate?" I lift my brows and direct my wide eyes at him.Dustin stares back, waiting for me to throw a tantrum or act recklessly or maybe, he knows I won't. That's why he said what he did.I swallow a bitter pill under the penetrating stares from everyone. I am dying soon anyway. Why did it matter how people remembered me after I was gone?" Of course." I smile, my eyes crinkling with the forced effort. " I discovered this secret last night."" How does this make sense? If she is Levian's mate, how do you know that?" Alpha King Striker questions and becomes the first person to look away from me, and at Dustin again." I might have an answer to that." Tyson follows suit, and pinches the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger." What do you mean?" Alpha King Striker faces him.I awkwardly stand in the doorway, wondering if it's still a good idea to be here when I am being called the enemy's mate. I look to my left, then to my right." I have seen this gi
ElitaThe veil of darkness falls around me again. She is gone. She turned to dust right before my eyes, and even that dust disappeared.I…I don’t know what to think.So, I stare at the spot she was in. What just happened?Did her soul just…perish? Is this what people call finally leaving the world and moving to the afterlife? When I first entered this place in my dream, I thought this was it—the place I would end up in after dying. But it turns out I am wrong.There is more—something unpredictable, probably scarier awaiting me.For the first time since I have entered this strange state in which I am neither dead nor alive…I feel fear of the unknown, of what awaits me at the end of this journey.And I realize…I…I…really don’t…I…I can’t bring myself to even think of those words. If I think, someday, I might say them too.I don’t want that. Because this is my retribution. And I don’t deserve to voice out my fear for it.“ You are both stubborn. ” A familiar voice echoes through the e
Elita“ Soline. ” I mumble to myself.And my chest aches again. It’s like someone is gripping my heart, threatening to rip it apart if I dare say that name.What kind of joke is this now?I move towards the bed in the room and pause. I have been having a hard time convincing myself to sit.How long has it been?I stare at the clean black sheets. My muscles stiffen. And like before, I walk back to the window and stare out.This room feels too familiar, and it’s grating on my nerves. I can escape from seeing Levian’s face, but can I escape from the memories that haunt me? Everything about this place, about him, about this room… reminds me of things that seem to have happened ages ago.It’s like I am trying to see my life from a distance, with a detached view…but I am unable to do it. Levian used to say memories are a curse. I didn’t agree back then. No matter what, I wanted to remember my life, my siblings, the destruction I was a part of.But now…I agree with him.If people just forg
ElitaThe silence after my words feels like the sharp edge of a knife. It slices through the space between us, heavy and suffocating. I take my hand off his wrist and pull it back to my lap.Levian doesn’t move. Not a single muscle twitches as if my declaration left him frozen. But I know better. Levian never freezes. He calculates, measures, and waits until his opponent makes the wrong move. It’s always been like that with him. His eyes stay locked on me, and I can feel the weight of his gaze pressing against my skin, searching for a crack, a tell, anything to understand why I hate him so much.But he won’t find an answer. And until he doesn’t find an answer, he will remain distracted.That’s what I wanted, and he is playing right into my hands. “ Monster? ” He repeats, his voice deceptively soft, the kind of soft that feels like the calm before a storm.“ Yes. ” I reply, my tone steady even as my hands tremble in my lap. “ You destroy everything you touch, Levian. You are aimi
ElitaWho are you? Such a vague question.I couldn’t say I was Elita because he must have sensed foul play already.I couldn’t say Lana either…because that’s not who I am.And then…I didn’t know what his mate’s name was, so I couldn’t use that as an emotional trap to get out of this stupid situation.That's why, I kept my mouth shut and didn’t say a word to answer it.But Levian was lenient. That’s why now I am inside the small cottage, sitting on a chair while he stands close to the window in the distance, looking out at the woods.“ The little kid has learned how to use emotional traps to get what he wants. ” His deep voice echoes in the silence of the place.I flinch, gripping my dress harder. When he stays silent, I can pretend I am not even here and feel alienated…almost numb.But hearing his voice brings me back to the same spot. I am here, on this cold night, alone…With the man who hurt me more than anyone will ever do again.And the man I came to save has fled with someone el
TysonI have known Dustin since I was a naive little child, living in a colorful, bright world of my own. This makes me privileged—because I can tell when something is not right with him.But it’s not often. Dustin is like a block of ice that never cracks. He holds everything inside, pretends to be a jerk, and does everything in silence—plans in silence, suffers in silence, gets back on his feet in silence.I have never doubted that he will not stay down for a long time. Except for one time before and this time.A long time ago, he told me that if he dies, we all must not die with him. He said he would have to do something, sacrifice something that he holds dear to his heart. That time, he went ahead and offered his precious little sister to an enemy King. Everyone saw his action. How could a brother just trade his sister like this? He was criticized for a long time by Striker, Nora, and Amelia, and that also drove a permanent wedge between him and his sister. But I have never felt
ElitaLevian lets out a quiet laugh, the sound dripping with mockery. “ Your courage is almost amusing. I thought you were the clever one among the Kings, Dustin. But maybe you are pretending to be more cunning than you are. Sending someone important like him on missions when you know how dangerous it is. Purely reckless…foolish. ”I grip the bark harder, my nails biting into it. My breath feels too loud, too fast, like it’s betraying me. This is not good. My stomach clenches into knots. Dustin’s calm voice cuts through the rising tension. “ what can I say? I was distracted by a little bird. ”Levian tilts his head, his piercing gaze sharpening as it flicks to Dustin’s warriors. “ You must still be enchanted to think you can come here with a few of your warriors and get him back. ” The weight of his words feels suffocating, but Dustin doesn’t flinch. Instead, he glances at his men, a silent command passing between them. “ I know what I am doing. ” Dustin looks ahead.“ Do you?
ElitaThe fog wraps around me, curling like cold fingers against my skin. Every step I take feels muffled, swallowed by the eerie silence of the woods. It’s unsettling. No rustle of leaves, no crack of a branch. Just me, the fog, and this unbearable quiet. Something feels…wrong. I pause, my breath hitching. I should have encountered some vampires by now, or at least some sign of them. But the forest is empty—too empty. My senses tingle, my pulse hammering against my ribs. But then I glance up at the moon, shining bright and full.Right. Full moons are for their parties. The so-called “festival” where vampires and humans come together for deals, bargains, and blood. It seems Dustin knew this, too. But how does he always know the inside information?My feet move faster now, guided by an urgency I can’t explain. The trees thin out, and that’s when I see it. The cottage. It’s exactly how I remember it—small, tucked into the clearing like it’s hiding from the world. But I know
Elita“ Someone will know we are trespassing before we reach our destination. ” I blurt, panic bubbling in my throat.I can feel my body beginning to vibrate, my pupils dilating, and my mind racing with thoughts again.This is a bad idea. A very bad idea.So, to make this idea a not-so-bad idea, I want to believe he has a plan.I glance at his face from over my shoulder and unconsciously lean back into his chest.“ What is our plan? Why won’t you tell me? ” I hum, feeling his chest rumble against my back.I silently memorize every sensation he makes me feel when we are pressed together.“ Drink this, and when we reach there, hide. ” Dustin pushes his hand forth and offers me a small bottle filled with a colorless potion.I sigh. “ Dustin— ”“ And don’t ask any questions. ” He interrupts.I want to lash out and continue asking questions even when he said I shouldn’t. But…Given that we will be fighting with an enemy later, fighting with him right now doesn’t feel like a good idea to me
Elita“ You should have told me sooner, Ms. Folke. It’s far better than pretending to want you and playing house with you. ” Dustin says, without hesitation, without even a hint of any insincerity in his eyes.“ Oh. ” My lips form an O. “ So you were pretending? ”I feel like laughing. It’s nothing new, anyway. Many people have pretended to be something else just to use me. By now…I am used to it.Because how can anyone want someone like me? A girl is supposed to be sweet, innocent, and naive. I am anything but that. I am filled with darkness inside out, and perhaps people can spot that darkness when they look at me. That’s when they decide—she is not worth it.Or maybe it’s not about how I am unladylike. It must be the desperation to be wanted by someone. It must be leaking from every pore of my body and surrounding me like a visible layer. She is desperate. Let’s use her. That must be what always goes through everyone’s mind.He starts again, just on the verge of saying more hurt