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
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
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,
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
ElitaDustin stands beside me, his usual unreadable expression in place, while the Kings—Aleister, Striker, and Tyson—say their dramatic farewells to their mates. The scene feels like something out of an old tale, with tears, lingering embraces, and whispered promises of safe return.It’s not like the Kings are going to get lost on their way. But the women are over-emotional. Must be due to their pregnancy hormones, I reason. I watch silently, letting the moment stretch, knowing that no one bids me farewell. There is a strange comfort in that—it makes leaving simpler.Finally, the goodbyes are over, and we set off. My horse moves ahead of the group, and I can feel their eyes on my back as I guide them toward the Northern border. When we arrive, the forest looms tall and silent before us. Striker pulls his horse to a stop and gestures at the boundary.“ This line marks the start of the vampire lands. ” He says. “ You are not leading us there, are you? ”“No. ” I reply firmly. “ The
ElitaI bolt upright, heart pounding as if it’s trying to break free from my chest. Dustin’s words echo in my mind, clearing out every other thought. Tyson is gone.I glance at Dustin, expecting him to offer an explanation, but he just leans back, his expression unreadable. The calm mask he wears doesn’t fool me. There is a storm brewing beneath his surface—one I am not sure I want to see unleashed.Before I can tell him to calm down, a loud thud shakes the ground. My head jerks up as a figure descends from the sky, landing with an eerie grace. I recognize him immediately—King Aleister. His piercing eyes scan the area with laser-like focus, their intensity making me feel small.And then, like a shadow summoned by Aleister’s presence, King Striker appears. His aura radiates heat, his fingertips glowing with a strange flame—purplish and orange, flickering in the cool night air. The sight sends a chill down my spine.Aleister’s gaze shifts to Dustin, completely bypassing me as if I am
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
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
DustinHer wrists feel fragile in my grasp, but I will be damned if I think that for long. She is not fragile or a damsel in distress. She is the fire that will burn everything if I take my eyes off her for a moment.My mouth brushes over her pulse again, and I inhale deeply. Her scent is maddening—Sweet, fierce, and entirely hers. When I pull back and look into her eyes, I find her still glaring at me. She liked what I did to her, but she doesn’t like the fact that she liked it. Now, she is sulking.I feel the need to push her more, but I press a last kiss on her other wrist and let her go.It’s enough for tonight. Or I might lose my mind completely. I push myself off her and out of the bed. The sounds of my heavy breaths fill the room. I want to get into bed again and do more with her…but…After what she told me, I don’t want to take her when I am angry and jealous like a fool. My desires can wait. I can’t risk her zoning out when we are doing it.Without looking at her naked bod
Elita“ Do you know… ” Dustin’s hand lowers to my cheek before he rubs his thumb across my bottom lip. “ …women in the North call me a gentleman. I am gentle with women, and I never do or say dirty things. ”The sense of doom crashes over me. I try to move, but he is still above me, caging me between his thighs this time, making sure I can not move an inch without his permission.This should send my mind into a state of panic, but instead…it drives me crazy with need. With him, I have truly become someone I don’t recognize.“ What do you want? ” I whisper, my tongue flicking out and brushing his thumb.I notice the way his eyes watch my mouth as if he is in deep thought. The hunger in his eyes intensifies, burning so hard that it almost steals all air from my lungs.“ What— ”“ Your smart mouth. ” Dustin interrupts. I gasp, my face flushing. My chest heaves heavily, my nipples tightening as his words sink in.“ You— ”“ I have never used my mouth on a woman before. But I did it for y
Elita“ Did you just— ” My back arches off the bed, as Dustin’s warm breaths hit my moist core. “ did you just hit me there? ”My head rolls back, my eyes threatening to close against the sharp pleasure. But his voice keeps me in the moment, forcing me to focus on every breath, every movement.“ I can kiss it better if you are that offended. ” Dustin murmurs, his voice dropping.“ W—What— ” I gasp loudly as he plants an open mouth kiss on my clit. It’s like everything inside me is tuned to that one, throbbing, drenched spot. His breaths are still warming me.“ Say my name. The moment you stop saying it, I will stop too… ” His lips brush my clit with each raspy word. “ Wha— ”His tongue sticks out, licking a path up. My head goes blank, and the energy in my limbs disappears. It’s like someone snatches my soul and then slams it back into my body. My toes curl, my heels lifting off the bed but his hands wrap around my thighs and push my body down again.“ My name, Elita. ” He nibbles
ElitaWhen the Kings told me that Dustin beat that poor Elf up, I didn’t really take it serious. I told myself secretly that Dustin was more angry about Tyson than jealous about me.But tonight, he has proved me wrong.The way he moved, using the extent of his power, to become a blur and grab Kalix before any of us could see him coming…The way he choked him…And the way he looked so ready to murder him…It cements a strange thought. Dustin Landric was tolerant of men before, but now when he thinks we have gotten too close to be comfortable with each other, he can’t stand it when I am close to another man.It drives him crazy. And crazy is not a good look on him.I don’t know if he noticed, but the temperature in Kalix’s house dropped and it felt like everything was going to freeze to death. But the moment I wrapped myself around Dustin as a last resort, the temperature went down again.And then, he just started dragging me away.Now, we are here, inside the cottage but he is not stop
Dustin My senses are sharp, tuned into every sound, every movement caught in the net of my awareness. I can feel her—Elita—back at the cottage. Restless, probably plotting something already. The thought amuses me, but it’s gone as quickly as it comes. There is no room for distraction. Not when I am walking straight into the lion’s den. Karlias is waiting for me when I enter his office. He doesn’t bother with pleasantries, and neither do I. We are long past that. “ You took your time… ” He says, his voice controlled. I let the corner of my mouth lift in a smirk, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. “ I didn’t realize I was on a schedule. ” Karlias leans back in his chair, his eyes studying me. “ You have been making quite an impression on my people. Sparring with Kalix…That was bold. ” “ He challenged me. ” I reply with a nonchalant shrug. “ I was not going to let him question my strength. ” Karlias chuckles, but there is no humor in that. “ And now they are whispering your name like
ElitaI keep an eye on Dustin for the rest of the day while actively avoiding him. If he had come across me, and held me like he did this morning, I would have spilled all the beans definitely.And that’s not what I want right now.The moment Dustin leaves the cottage at night, my mind doesn’t rest. I pace from one end of the room to the other, several thoughts occupying my mind. I know exactly where he has gone. Karlias. He is meeting with Karlias. And as much as I trust Dustin to handle himself, there is something about this entire situation that gnaws at me. And Dustin’s repeated tendency to make sacrifices doesn’t help this situation either. I can’t sit still any longer. Grabbing the shawl that was delivered with the clothes this morning, I throw it over my shoulders and sneak out of the cottage, careful enough to not come across any of the Kings.My destination is clear—the market. If there is anywhere I can find answers, find that warrior…it’s there.The market is not as livel
ElitaThe rest of the day is lazy and filled with so much annoyance that it leaves me grumbling with each breath. I wander through the market of the ancient wolf tribe, just checking out the booths filled with leather goods, intricate jewelry, and weapons.Tyson follows behind me, his presence something I can’t really ignore. I glance back at him once, catching the way his lips twitch upward in a smirk. I narrow my eyes, getting tired of him already.“ You are having too much fun with this… ” I accuse, holding up a delicate bracelet made of stones before setting it back down.He tilts his head, pretending to be hurt. “ And what’s ‘this,’ exactly? ”“ Following me around like a lost puppy. ” I scoff, stomping to the next shop, where he follows me like usual. “ Lost? ” Tyson scoffs, feigning offense this time. “ No, my Lady. I know exactly where I am going. I am just doing my friend a favor by keeping an eye on what he called ‘trouble’ early this morning. ”“ He called me trouble? Why
ElitaDustin carries me all the way back to the cottage, his hold gentle, as if he’s afraid I might shatter in his arms. My head rests against his shoulder, and though the warmth of his body is comforting, I am still sulking over his earlier antics. When he finally lays me down on the bed, I catch a glimpse of his face and look away instantly. Without a word, he turns around and heads toward the bathroom, leaving me alone in the dark room.I lie there under the blanket, staring at the ceiling first, then at the wall. My fingers idly trace circles on the fabric of the blanket. My thoughts keep drifting to everything we have shared tonight. The oversharing is embarassing me now, but it’s not because Dustin made me feel inadequate but because…I can’t believe I really told him everything.The sound of running water ceases, and a few moments later, the bed dips behind me. My heart flutters for a moment, but when I glance over my shoulder, I realize he is lying on the far edge of the be
Elita“ You do know how to ruin my mood. ” I scoff, tracing invisible circles in his palm with my thumb. “ Are you not going to tell me? ” He kisses the spot below my ear, his voice lowering.“ Nothing much. I started teaching the children about Lycans and werewolves secretly. They did not stay clueless about their parents. And it led to…kind of a disaster. That Aleister’s brother escaped and ended up trying to take off with the children. Levian was gone again, but this time, I was not as clueless either. I found out that…I could not bring my brother and sister back because, for that, I needed to sacrifice something big and…I didn’t have anything like that. I was ordinary, and so I did what ordinary people could do to take revenge. ” I shrug, heaving a heavy breath after blurting it all out.“ You helped them? ” Dustin questions.“ I tried to help them. And they…almost got away but…I didn’t know what plans they actually had. Just as they got a little away from the vampire territory,