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
ElitaAfter spending a week lingering in the vampire territory, I have learned everything I needed to know.Gratefully, I have not come across anyone who would make things unpleasant because Levian kept me inside the cottage, and no vampire or human was allowed inside.Levian was being a gentleman to a girl he knew was taking a potion and impersonating his mate while he mostly ignored the real me in the future as if I would give him a disease someday.I don’t know what’s going through his head, but I know he finds me interesting because the Moon Goddess visited me in my dreams.He is trying to understand why the Goddess would care about someone like me—someone ordinary. That’s why I must sit at the dinner table with him every night and let him stare at me as I eat.My eyes twitch as I focus on the steak that’s on the menu tonight and ignore his gaze that’s fixed on my face. He dissects every expression, every single movement. It makes me want to stab him with a fork and knife in my h
ElitaA lump forms in my throat, but I swallow it down and continue cutting into the steak, pretending his words didn’t affect me at all. I don’t want to give him a weakness, or he will prey on it, twist it, and manipulate me again.But…who am I kidding?A man who has lived for so long can read people like open books.“ I can keep you alive. ” Levian rests his chin over his fist and watches me intently. “ I can make sure you survive in this dead body. You can live a long life, Elita. How does that sound to you? Do you want to live? ”I don’t realize when the fork slips from between my fingers and the knife slices across my middle finger. I pause and glance at the blood on my fingers.It’s not warm anymore. It’s cold and dark. I stare at the drops pooling on the plate, and my mind goes numb. Do you want to live? Levian’s question echoes in my head on a repeat mode—It’s haunting.“ You must… ” I whisper, my voice barely audible to me. “ …want something in return. ”“ Not really. I am m
ElitaThe seat in front of me shakes as he moves at an impressive speed and appears beside me. I stiffen but don’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me scared.He grabs the back of my chair and turns it around. I suppress a gasp and look at his still chest, hidden under a black button-down shirt.“ How can you say that for sure? Even a dog becomes loyal when he is cared for. The Lycan Princes won’t be different. ” He leans down, his cold breath hitting my forehead.I crane my neck and meet his gaze, my nose brushing against his slightly. It takes some triggers to get him angry, and right now, he is fuming.I want to laugh and sneer. You wanted to manipulate me by offering me life. How does it feel to fail now?“ You keep forgetting one important detail. ” I smile, my eyes crinkling slightly. “ Dogs and wolves are not the same, Levian. You can not control Lycans by showing them a little care. They need a lot more than that. They have an innate desire for power and connection and mate
DustinI glance towards the dark forest before resting my back against the tree again. I don’t feel the need to go deeper into Levian’s territory.He will sense my presence from this far. And he will come to hunt me down.Conveniently, the curious girl will follow suit. She can’t stay put—I know for sure by now.So, all I have to do is wait for them to come to me.And even then, I don’t have to wait long.Because I can sense the dangerous aura closing in. I don’t move or leave my lazy spot as he appears a few feet away.Slowly, I turn my head in his direction and exhale a breath. He stops there and stares at me. But his eyes don’t have a usual dead look in them.His eyes keep switching to a bright red color. I must be really good to catch the emotions in his eyes—the most prominent being rage.“ Who made you angry, I wonder? ” I smirk, watching his jaw grit.Why do I even bother asking? Of course, it’s that infuriating girl. She has a knack for driving a knife into other’s hearts and
Dustin“ Levian… ” I raise my hands, and the water lifts in the air, forming a shield in front of me. The energy collides with it, and it shatters. “ …you need to stop underestimating me. ”He smiles, and the chaos erupts. It’s one attack after another, but it doesn't push me back. Every blow brings us closer, and it gives me the chance to sharpen the ice into little stakes, sending them in his direction.My veins bulge as the energy leaves my body quickly. The more we use these powers and hold off on shifting into wolves, the weaker I will grow. But it doesn’t stop me. Levian sees the sharp ice headed towards him and counters with the little waves of energy that shatter them in midair. “ What was the point of hiding yourself until now? ” He asks, his voice light as if he finds all this funny.“ If I didn’t do that… ” I send another wave of sharpened ice his way, and he counters it. “ how would I get to do this? ”The bigger ice stakes fall, but a small, sharp piece grazes his cheek.
ElitaLevian has taught me many valuable lessons in life. Everything I have learned, and have become is because of him. And right now, I am using his most important lesson…Against him.Hit someone where it hurts the most.If you know someone’s weakness, strike it until they become a crumbling mess, until they writhe and feel pain so intense that they forget about the rest of the world.And that’s what I have done. Just when I got to know that he was in no mood to let Dustin off the hook, I knew what I had to do to divert his attention.My luck is that he left me in his cottage—the place he has cherished for centuries because it’s his home, the place he refuses to leave because it will make him believe the world is a much lonelier place for him.It feels like a ruthless move to hit him below the belt. But he has brought me to the point of no return.That’s why, I grab a bottle of oil from the kitchen, stroll out of the cabin, and dump the oil in the flower field outside.The matchbo
Elita“ It’s a long way back to the Wolveshire Citadel. Are you sure you can walk back on your half-dead feet? ” Dustin asks, his tone tinged with a hint of amusement. I scoff under my breath, not even sparing him a glance. Just as he picked me up and got us back to our territory, using his exceptional speed, I found a small group of warriors awaiting us. He had brought them as a backup. He would have fought Levian while I had to retreat and get to the warriors who would take me back to the Wolveshire Citadel safely.What was he planning on doing after I was gone? I have no idea.Was he planning on dying at the hands of Levian? That thought is making me furious at him.Of course, he doesn’t give a damn about what I have to go through to keep him safe. Why would he even care? He is the same man who abandoned me into the lair of a demon to save his half-brother he doesn’t even give a damn about.He is all about duty, and his plans. He doesn’t care how it affects others, or how it hur
ElitaWe stayed there until a warrior from the Pack came to get them. When they left, a strange calm befell my heart. For some time, it felt like I could finally breathe without feeling a weight pressing down on my chest.It was because I believed what Dustin said. As long as he lived, no harm would ever come to my brother and sister. Even after I am gone, he will make sure that they are happy.I am finally leaving my siblings with someone who will not disappoint us. And with their sister, who will wake up after I leave, I am sure they will grow up into good adults. Those thoughts keep revolving in my head as we make our way back in silence. When we reach the Wolveshire Citadel, the night falls, and thick clouds hang in the sky.I crane my neck, my head pressing against his chest. Tonight, even with the stormy weather and no stars in sight, everything appears so beautiful and wholesome.“ I… ” I didn’t know you would count me as someone you had to make happy. I want to say, but I can
ElitaThe evening air carries a gentle chill, brushing against my face as I lean slightly forward on the horse. The forest around us is dark but alive, each rustle of leaves whispering secrets I am too tired to decipher. Dustin’s warmth presses against my back and his arms around my waist steady me as we travel on the same Stallion again.“ Did you see her too? ” I ask curiously, turning my head just enough to catch a glimpse of his sharp profile. His gaze doesn’t falter from the path ahead, his jaw tightening at my question. “ It’s personal. ” I let out a dramatic sigh and roll my eyes. “ Seriously? Personal? We have shared things way more personal than dreams about the Goddess, Dustin. You know…I see her in my dreams, too, so I am wondering if she comes into your dreams and tells you things. ”I wait for him to be curious or surprised or anything, but Dustin remains as calm as ever. And he doesn’t respond.The silence stretches, filling the space between us with something heavy,
Elita“ Shouldn’t you be discussing things with your friends? ” I walk closer to the man standing close to the shore, looking at the sea.I think if I look for him, I will always find him near water. Another thing to be noted about him.“ Shouldn’t you be doing more women things like packing instead of exploring the Wolveshire Citadel? ” Dustin shoots back without glancing my way.I come to a stop beside him and huff. The strong breeze sways my hair, making me grab the strands falling into my eyes to hold them still.“ Who told you that I was exploring the castle? ” I wonder, and look at his side profile.He glances at me from the corner of his eyes. His brows lift as he notices me standing there, still gripping the strands of my hair. “ I don’t need anyone to tell me what happens in the castle. ” Dustin turns to face me and reaches up.Surprised, I almost stumble back but catch myself at the last moment. His eyes narrow as he grips my hands and pulls them away from my wild hair.“ O
ElitaThey did ask where I had to return. But I didn’t have to answer. Dustin understood it was time for my exit and dragged me away before they could investigate my final destination.“ We will leave tonight. ” He told me just that and then left too outside my room.I was supposed to get Felicity to pack everything I would take with me, but that felt like a meaningless task. That’s why I chose the better option. I wandered the Wolfshire Citadel and admired the carved ceilings, the high chandeliers, and the beauty that had remained even in my memory of ruins. Since I came here, this was the first time I explored the castle alone and roamed until I got lost in the maze-like corridors. And as I found myself in a high tower overlooking the calm sea, I realized one thing that I had never cared to think about before.The Moon Goddess said that she gave us all that we wished for. She did that for me, too. For years, without fail, I had wanted to see these castles in their full glory…I wan
ElitaMy gaze switches between Avery, who is glaring at Dustin, and Aleister, whose jaw is clenched even more.This is bad. My nose scrunches. “ Alpha King Aleister does have that ability, or else, how would he have looked after his Kingdom for so long? With a place as treacherous as the South, he wouldn’t have remained a King if he was not absolutely the best of them. And Princess Avery—I mean Queen Avery only brings out the best in her mate because she is also the best! ”There there.This will save them the trouble of trying to strangle Dustin Landric.I smile as all eyes turn to me. Avery’s eyes narrow a little, but there is no anger in them while the rest look at me like I have grown two heads again.Sighing, I shift my focus on the troublemaker Northern King, only to find him shooting daggers at me. I blink rapidly.Am I seeing things?Is he glaring at me? In front of everyone? Why? What did I do? I open my mouth and close it, trying to understand why he looks so pissed off.
Elita“ We can’t leave the Kingdoms without their Kings for long. ” Alpha King Tyson voices out the concern.I lean back on the couch and glance around the room. Alpha King Aleister said he would leave today, but apparently, he is still around.By the dark look on his face, it’s clear that he didn’t want to stay, but the woman beside him made him anyway. That’s why she is caressing his hand now—it’s a subtle gesture, one that many don’t even notice, but it’s keeping the King grounded here, making it impossible for him to refuse her. If someone had told me Alpha King Aleister was a simp for a Princess, I wouldn’t have believed it. But seeing it from my eyes is different.He does what she wants even when he doesn’t want it. The other two Kings are not different either. Their mates heavily influence them, and they act as one instead of two separate people.I wonder…How that happens…“ How long will it take? ” Alpha King Striker asks, his gaze flickering towards me, then moving back to
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