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
ElitaI forgot to take the witch’s potion for some time.I was being careless. And the first sign of that should have been a crack in my appearance.But it’s not. I look down at my hands and notice the black veins that have spread everywhere, leaving no spot untouched. It feels…strange. Perhaps I became delusional. I thought the healing ability I borrowed from Dustin could fight off the curse on me. But that was just…wishful thinking.The truth is…He is not saving me. He is dying with me. I shake my head and down the potion in the vial. It’s not the time to dwell on it yet. Just a little more time—that’s all I need. Just some time. I clench the empty bottle in my fist and start walking towards the throne room. The witches have started teleporting the ancient wolf tribe to the North with the help of King Aleister and Prince Declan. Levian must have realized this by now. And he will not delay the war anymore.Just as I turn the corner, goosebumps rise on my arms. I pause beside
ElitaI wake up with a yawn and rub the side of my face against the hard surface I am resting it over.The familiar masculine scent fills my senses, making me smile to myself.“ It’s so comfortable. ” I mumble.“ Of course, it is comfortable for you. You only find comfort after you force me out of it. ” A sarcastic voice says.My eyes snap open and land on the empty lounge. The dim lights are turned on, and the Kings and Queens are not here anymore.“ Ha? Did I fall asleep here? ” I wonder, leaning away from the surface.When I turn to look where I was lying, I see a sturdy shoulder and then a narrowed pair of eyes.Automatically, my lips curl into a wide smile. “ Dustin. ”“ Elita. ” His eyes nearly turn into slits.My nose scrunches as I glance at the position he is sitting in. I remember I saw him in the same spot before I fell asleep.It was daytime when I blacked out, and now it’s night. How many hours has it been?Did he stay in the same position for so long? My body fills with
DustinI grit my jaw. I did say that. But that was when I had full control over my abilities. Now, I am not that same Dustin.I can’t protect them the way I could before. And I don’t want any of them to die on my watch. “ Times have changed and— ” I start, but Elita cuts me off.“ If you don’t understand that he wants to protect you by risking his life, his Kingdom, and everything he holds dear, then you all need to revisit your understanding of him. ” She approaches me and takes a seat beside me. “ he wants you to go back home because you can die here, and Dustin can not bear to let that happen. He is not being stubborn or stupid. He just wants…you to live and stay out of danger. ”A hand curls around my heart and squeezes it tightly. I look at the side of her face, watching as she narrows her eyes on Striker and admiring the way she looks—so fierce, so strong.“ Dustin, I know you want to protect us. But we want to do that for you too. Just like how you don’t want any of us to get
Dustin‘ He was waiting. ’ A voice whispers inside my head, becoming clearer than the other screeches that make me wince.‘ For what? ’ I tilt my head, staring the endless sea.‘ For your return. ’ Another voice shrieks. Something has made the voices restless. I take a sip of the wine and let the taste linger on my tongue.The screeches intensify, a buzz that is impossible to ignore. The pressure on my head increases, as I grit my jaw, trying to drown out the sounds.Just when I know it’s impossible, two tiny arms wrap around my waist and a soft forehead presses on my back. A switch flips, and everything goes silent.I look down at the arms around me. My lips twitch, a warmth I am not used to spreading inside my chest.She doesn’t know what she really does to me, for me. “ I am dead… ” She mumbles in a dramatic voice.“ I know that. ” My lips curl in a smile before I can realize it.“ I have been taking care of everything for you! Do you know how hectic it is?! I couldn’t even slee
ElitaDustin steps inside, his presence filling the room. He leans against the wall like he owns the place, his smirk lazy, daring me to react.He does own the place. It’s his favorite throne room—with a round table where he can manipulate his friends and other important guests—an alternative to the traditional one. But he has no right to smirk at me and look this good after he tricked me into leaving him behind.My blood burns in my veins. My breath comes too fast, and my hands curl into fists by my sides.“ What’s wrong? ” Dustin muses, his gaze raking over me as if he already knows that I am going to lash out. “ You tricked me into leaving… ” I snap, my voice loud with fury. “ You asked him to grab me and send me here. You forced me. I don’t like being forced.”Dustin’s smirk widens, dark amusement flickering in his gaze. He folds his arms over his chest, completely unfazed. “ I know. You can…make me pay for it. I will allow that. ”A violent shudder rolls down my back. I move tow
ElitaI was not wrong.After Tyson, Striker appeared the next day. Their return made it easier for me to get people to listen, but it didn’t ease my worry.I was relieved that Lenora and Amelia had their mates back. But where was mine? Why did he have to send me before everyone else?I would have been fine if he had sent Tyson, then Striker, then Aleister…I wouldn’t have complained even if he had chosen to go before me.But he thought…Oh! I should let Elita suffer instead of letting her spend her days in peace.I huff as I stare out the window. Six days have passed now. The warriors are stationed in their positions. They have Vitora flower, training to fight vampires, and even the will to keep guard all the time.I have already worked with some Alphas to develop a few things they will need in the war.The Kings have gathered their men, readying the Army needed for support.Princess Avery has somehow handled her parents and made sure they don’t come out of their rooms. I don’t know
ElitaOnce again in life, I am forced to realize that waiting is the hardest thing to do.Waiting for someone is like dragging your body over a bed of nails. It is slow. It is painful. It does not kill, but it leaves me writhing. Time stretches, moving too slow, making every breath feel heavy, every heartbeat feel too slow.The worst part of it?Not knowing if they are even coming back, or if I am waiting for nothing, or if I should do something instead of just…sitting around and waiting. I pace around in the throne room, occasionally watching the vacant throne, then turning to the window that overlooks the sea. The water has been too calm, for too long. It’s unnatural. It’s been…four days now. Four days since Dustin Landric forced me into returning to the North! And he is not back!I keep thinking…If I could get ahold of him right now...I would curse at him. I would strangle him. I would kiss him. And tell him if he ever did this again, I would hate him forever. It might be a l
LevianSometimes, I do wonder. What’s the point of everything they do to fight back? The pride they hold onto, the dignity they so cherish, the trust they have in their Goddess…It’s childish. So naive, as if holding onto those ideals will protect them from the harsh truths of the world. They fight and fight, convinced that their strength and their loyalty to some higher cause will save them, but all I see is a cycle of failure repeating itself. They believe in their righteousness, their purity, their connections to forces they cannot fully understand. But it is all an illusion.The Gods or the world does not care about pride. It does not care about dignity. It does not recognize the strength they claim to possess. No, the world and the Gods respect only power—the kind that bends others to your will, the kind that ensures survival by any means. They are too wrapped up in their fantasies to see the reality. Survival is not about pride. It is about doing what they must, without in
DustinI stare back as Aleister glares at me. “ the distance was— ”“ Bigger than you expected? ” I shrug and turn to walk towards my horse.“ You already knew, didn’t you? ” He masks his anger behind a cold smirk.“ What? That you wouldn’t be able to teleport all of us? ” I look towards Striker, then Tyson. They are glaring at me just like Aleister. “ You knew. ” Aleister lets out a breath, his voice tinged with disbelief.“ This teleportation? It’s not the power of the South. It’s just some added perk from your submissive witch blood. Of course, I knew you could only teleport one or perhaps two of us before it stopped working for some time. ” I tell him honestly, not wanting to drag this out longer than needed. “ But I was hoping…you could send two back. Tyson would have been a good option. He knows Levian better than us. ”“ You knew he could only send one or two of us back, and you still chose her? ” Striker lifts his brows.“ You would have done the same if it was Lenora. She is