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
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 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“ Where did that girl go? ” I hear King Tyson ask.The three Kings are sitting in Dustin’s office. The two that have little to do with me look so grim. But the one who should appear solemn has nothing on his face, not even a hint of distress or a sign that he regrets abandoning me like this.“ Dustin— ” Alpha King Striker starts, but Dustin interrupts, answering their previous question.“ That girl… ” He picks up his head and looks in their direction, his eyes undeniably dull. “ …is where she is supposed to be. ”“ And where is she supposed to be? ” Striker hisses, slamming his palm on the desk.Dustin doesn’t answer, just looks to his right, where the window is, where I am. For a moment, his eyes lift to mine, and my breath hitches.It’s as if he can see me.“ Did you send her to Levian? Is that how you got Ronac back? ” Tyson huffs and Dustin looks away.No, he can’t see me. “ She is his mate. If I had let go of her a long time ago, things wouldn’t be like this today. ” He sa
ElitaThe scenes kept changing. I didn’t even get the time to understand what I was looking at.In one place, I saw Soline running through the forest. Fear reflected on her face, and she kept throwing glances over her shoulder as if she was getting chased by someone.Before I could grasp the situation, the scenes shifted, and I saw her shifting into a big white wolf. I could hear her agonized cries this time. Her dark blue eyes shone under the moonlight, and the wolf's white fur glistened.I had never seen such a pure white wolf before. It was almost mesmerizing in a way that I couldn’t look away.Until footsteps approached. I looked to the right, and there he was—the man with blue eyes and dark hair—the only one I couldn’t recognize.He had the same mesmerized look in his eyes as if he couldn’t take his eyes off the white she-wolf either.As I watched, he kneeled and stroked her fur. And Soline didn’t only let him, she leaned into his touch, seeking more of it. It struck me then.
ElitaTruth is always a bitter pill to swallow.She was stronger, sharper, and could knock them out with one blow. But until the end, something held her back from defending herself.And when she decided to let go of the restraints, she didn’t only hurt them.She must not have even noticed the innocent child who came out of nowhere and stood in the doorway. The grown men didn’t die from what she did. They got up hours later and left the house.But the child—that innocent, unfortunate child was not as strong as the grown-ups. Once he hit his head on something…Once his blood poured out and tainted the floor…Once he fell…He never got up. It was like his soul was sucked out of him with one blow. He was not given even a few moments of life more.Maybe I watched the scene for hours, or perhaps I only stayed there for a few seconds—I couldn’t feel the time pass.The woman who had killed her child held him against her chest and wailed. Pain reflected on her face, etched so deep into her ey
ElitaMy eyes snap open and the familiar ceiling comes into view. This room is similar to the one beside it—the room that has taken on a new look, but the memories must still linger in there.All this time, I never understood why Levian had to stay in this cottage and not in big castles like other Kings.It is because this place was everything for him. And like his promise, he can never forget this house either.“ You saw her in your dream. ” A deep sounds from the corner.My breath hitches as I glance to my left and find him sitting in the corner, on a wingchair. The darkness keeps his face hidden but his eyes–the green eyes only I see don’t blend in. They shine, giving away his presence and his calm.“ The Goddess rarely comes into anyone’s dreams.” He leans back, and closes his eyes.I can not see him any longer. He had become with one darkness.“ Were you that desperate to escape? ” His voice echoes around me, making me stiffen.“ Huh? ”“ The Goddess said she can not ignore her s
DustinThe voices have been loud for a while. Several voices murmur different words at the same time, sounding like muffled screeches in my ears. They keep me up at night and my head pounding during the day.It doesn’t take a genius to realize that for some time, everything was silent inside me. I could hear other voices and focus on them without feeling like my head would explode.It was because of her.When she was around, I didn’t get the urge to dig my nails in my ears and rip them apart just to silence the noise inside me. Without even realizing it, I was living a calm life—for the first time in my life. The ocean roars in front of me, violent waves crashing onto the shore like they are trying to tear the earth apart. The power inside me pulses, reaching out to the water, controlling it, bending it to my will. But for once, I feel no satisfaction in it. It’s empty—hollow, like everything else I do these days.Every time I close my eyes, I see her face from when I left her behin
ElitaMy jaw hangs low. He did not just say that! But he did. What is wrong with him?!“ You are a pervert, Dustin Landric! The biggest pervert to ever walk in this world. ” I blurt, wrapping the sheet around me tighter.It’s like I am scared he will stroll over and snatch it away before having his way with me. Dustin’s smirk grows wider. “ And here I thought nothing could fluster you, Elita. But now I know your weakness. ” “ What weakness? ” I narrow my eyes on him.He steps closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “ praises get you flustered. I am going to have so much fun exploiting that specific weakness. ”I gape at him, feeling my pulse quicken. “ Go have fun with someone else! I will never be in a mood to have fun with you. Never ever. Do you understand? NEVER! ”“ We will see. ” He shrugs, still smug and confident.“ Oh, I see. The mate bond is making you lose your mind. And you are all needy after last night. But you know what? You won’t get me into your bed no matter what y
ElitaThe first thing I notice as I stir awake is the warm weight of the blanket covering me, the soft sheets brushing against my skin. A strange sensation prickles along my spine, and I shift slightly, realizing just how sore my body feels. All that tiredness and the feeling of his fingers inside me still lingers. The memories from last night flash in my mind, and my cheeks heat. Dustin's touch, his words, the way he made me—No. Stop it, Elita.I attempt to sit up, but a strange sensation of being watched holds me back. Blinking against the golden light streaming through the windows, I glance towards the wing chair tucked in the corner of the room. My breath catches.Dustin.He is there, his large frame sprawled out, his head tilted to the side as he sleeps. The faint sunlight kisses his sharp features—the defined jaw, the slightly tousled dark hair, the relaxed curve of his lips. My heart stutters for reasons I don’t understand.Why is he sleeping there? I frown, pulling the she
DustinThe room is quiet, save for the soft rhythm of Elita’s breathing. Her chest rises and falls beneath the sheets, her hair fanning out over my pillow like a halo, and I can’t look away.I sit at the edge of the bed, my elbows resting on my knees as I watch her. The moonlight filters through the window, casting a silvery glow over her face. Her lashes are shadows against her cheeks, her lips slightly parted, tempting in ways I can barely comprehend.She is too still, too peaceful, and I hate how much I want to ruin that peace.I lean forward, my hand gripping the edge of the bed as I watch her. Her lips are slightly parted, soft, and tempting. They have been driving me insane all night, and the craving to taste them burns hotter than ever.Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on the bed, the ache inside me intensifying with every second that passes. The urge to touch her is maddening, clawing at the edges of my self-control. I want to run my fingers along the curve of her jaw, down
ElitaHe pulls the sheets down from my body and hovers above me, right between my parted legs. Why did I freaking spread my legs for him?! Is something wrong with me?His hand lowers to my stomach, making me gasp and stare at his face. The moonlight illuminates his features, making him appear glowing and so tempting. “ Still want it? ” His voice is cold now, almost frosty. “ Y—Yes. ” I stammer, heat pooling between my legs. “ Think about it. ” He offers, his nose brushing against my cheek and inhaling my scent. “ I will do anything for you to trust me! ” I snap, knowing he will pull away any moment. But he proves me wrong as he tilts his head and stares at my face, his lips feathering the corner of my mouth. His fingers slide lower, carrying an electric current with them. Lower, lower, lower until— My back arches. His fingers slide between my panties. My head spins as heat spreads to my toes, making them curl. Dustin presses his lips to my ear and rasps. “ You know I won’t
Elita“ You really will do anything for me, won’t you? ” He strokes my cheek, his fingers cold against my skin. “ Yes. ” I nod eagerly, even if I have a bad feeling about this. I am pressed against the door, stuck between his heated body and the cold surface. I know there is nowhere to run or hide, but that’s not what I need either. I need him to trust me by whatever means necessary. If doing something ensures it, then it means I must do it.“ I trust people who follow my every command. ” His eyes shine with a strange glint. Slowly, Dustin leans in. My breath catches as the memories of kissing him flash before my eyes. My heartbeat quickens, and my hands clench in an attempt to hide my jittery response. “ So think again. Are you sure about this? ” He whispers, leans so close that his lips brush against my cheek with each word. “ Yes. ” I breathe and shift closer. He is irresistible, so impossible to ignore. He makes it so hard for me not to ache for him. Think about all your ba
Dustin“ If they didn’t come out for so long, what makes you think they will be convinced now? ” I interrupt, my voice turning cold again.She pauses to breathe and glances my way, her eyes narrowing. “ we can try. If they hear that destruction is close, they will do something. They won’t sit still and watch it. That’s not the way of wolves. ”“ That’s what you think. What if they don’t think like this, Elita? ” Aleister says what I would have said in much harsher words.I watch the hurt swimming through her eyes as she turns to face him. She wanted me to defend her, to tell everyone that they needed to believe whatever she was saying.She is expecting too much from me, and I still have too little to offer her.“ Your Highness, if we try, we will know for sure. We need to try. ”“ She is right. If we can get more trained people on our side, what’s the harm? ” Striker suggests.“ Yes, there is no harm in it. Besides, if we don’t reach them soon, maybe Levian will. ” She suggests, and t
Dustin“ It’s true. ” Elita nods, agreeing with me. “ he came for me solely because he wanted information from me. Or else, why would the Great King of the North come for someone who is just a fling to him? ”The attention shifts to her. Now, she is the bigger idiot in their eyes. But I don’t like it when they think of her as an idiot, either.So, I narrow my eyes and give them a warning look. This time, they don’t bother letting the girl beside me know that I have been glaring at them.“ I am just glad nothing bad happened. ” Amelia says, trying to diffuse the tension. “ They both are fine, and it’s all that matters. ”Ever the peacemaker. I like this one a little. Lenora nods. “ You are right, Amelia. Levian could have killed them both, but they are fine, so it’s a win, I guess. ”The women have settled down, but my friends are still glaring back at me. I shrug, throwing them a nonchalant look. They can sulk for some time. It’s perfectly understandable. “ What was the important t
Dustin“ You did what? ” The loud yell makes me close my eyes for a moment.I lean back, ignoring the heated atmosphere in the lounge. They are so dramatic with their wide eyes and loud voices.“ You fought with Levian? Alone? Have you gone mad, Dustin? ” Lenora huffs, her voice carrying a hint of worry.I find it annoying right now. What was she expecting if not this? Was I supposed to invade his territory and turn invisible? Or was I supposed to get on my knees and beg for mercy? “ I told him the same. He has lost his mind. ” Elita chimes in from beside me.My eyes crack open slightly and land on her amused face. She is enjoying this storytelling way too much.The grin on her face makes my chest burn with strange emotions. When Tyson asked her to explain how she had actually gotten out of the vampire territory, I didn’t think she would mention what I did instead of what she did in detail. But she is one sneaky little rabbit who wants to hop around and cause trouble. “ I can’t bel
Elita“ This is so confusing. ” Amelia mutters, her voice low and sweet. “ I don’t understand what’s going on here. ”Alpha King Tyson turns to her, his hands rubbing her back soothingly. “ don’t stress over it. It’s not good for your health. ”Watching their sweet interactions makes my heart swell inside my chest. Levian was offering me and my siblings a long life in return for watching them all die…My gaze roams around the space, taking in the faces present there. Every one of them has different thoughts, different emotions, different regions to reign over…But they have gathered here to make sure that they can save their people and put a stop to the destruction that’s due. For the first time, I see them as something other than a family or a group of friends…They might be hostile towards me, but they are good Kings and Queens and good people deep down…I am…relieved that I didn’t get tempted by Levian’s offer this time.“ I know I am not that trustworthy because…I am odd in your e