Ivory I felt myself floating, and then everything went blank. I was still conscious, but it was pure darkness. Into what had I stumbled? The sounds of snoring filled my ears, and the scent of dust invaded my senses. The encompassing darkness dissipated, revealing a landscape reminiscent of a desert with scorched earth—a stark contrast to my familiar surroundings. Suspended in the air, my essence seemed to descend into a house. In an instant, I found myself possessing a body, standing at the entrance with an urgent impulse to flee. Despite the authenticity of the emotions coursing through me, I discerned that they didn't belong to me. I was caught in the reenactment of someone else's recollection, inhabiting their body within this mental realm. The experience was immersive as if I had become that person. The door, I realised, had no lock, and an overwhelming sense of dread enveloped me. I was there, but I wasn't myself; I was in somebody's body. "You can't do this to me, F
Aeron It has been crazy fortifying Forest; we hadn't even had time to stop and smell the roses. Jasmine and I tried to steal time to be together occasionally, and no matter how long we spent with each other, it was just never enough. As much as I would love to bring up our union, I knew much had to be done. I wished I could damn the situation and just claim her. Maybe I should stop waiting and go for it like Mathias did. I knew Mathias would have waited if Laila's life wasn't in danger. I really had no reason to jump the gun with Jasmine. I would have to wait. Mansoor was a constant at my house, and he was beginning to get on Jasmine's nerves, but she always found a way to excuse his intrusion. We were also trying to arrange a home for him in town. Mathias wanted to give him accommodation in the palace compound so Laila wouldn't be far from her brother, but King Nikolas refused. It was still in discussion, but I doubt he would bend. Someone knocked on my door right when I was
Aeron Another two weeks passed, and everyone was exhausted; somehow, it felt like we would be ready when it finally happened. Hill residents were already relocating to Forest, and King Nikolas had requested for ships from Hill and Forest to be brought and others constructed. Since we couldn’t dig and build bunkers in a short period of time, the ships would have to be available. The plan was to ensure the majority of our people survived. If the war should ever come, knowing the strength and magnitude of the Pictorian wolves and also acknowledging our handicap in the match, King Nikolas planned to load people up in the ships with resources and make them set sail. Only the warriors would remain to reduce the casualty. It seemed our King had made peace with the idea that we may lose the land, but he wasn't ready to lose his people. Piotr and Miles liked the idea, and because of this, we were all stretched to our very last inch. Jasmine had started mastering the art of wielding magic wh
Jasmine My mother and I were at the warehouse watching as food was being bagged and stored. We were loading resources onto available ships. It was the best idea yet to set people on sail so they would be out of the land. If the land was all the Pictorians wanted, it would be best not to sacrifice everybody and give them slaves. The plan was clear: should we be losing, we would send as many people onto the sea as possible, and we would join them too, so we could set out for a new home. Because of this plan, blueprints of technology were being multiplied and stored on the ships. This will help us rebuild wherever we go. Despite our deep affection for Acquillonia, our focus shifted towards devising survival strategies, requiring careful planning. We meticulously stockpiled grains, seedlings, and dried protein – beef, fish, and chicken – anything with the endurance to withstand storage for an extended period, anything that could safeguard our community. "I never anticipated it would co
Jasmine I positioned myself outside Aeron's apartment. In less than five minutes, I spotted Cyprian Zeilenska and his friends approaching the area. When did he arrive in Riverhead? The moment he caught sight of me, he whistled and made his way toward me. "Jasmine," he greeted, and I instinctively stepped back, well aware of the consequences if he got too close. Aeron wasn't kidding when he claimed to be possessive. Sensing my discomfort, Cyprian nodded and stood still. "Why him, Jasmine? You deserve to be with royalty, not some refugee your father took pity on." His words stung, prompting me to slap him hard across the face. He turned his head to the side, indicating the force of the blow. When he looked back at me, his wolf flashed briefly, revealing his struggle to control his anger. "I wasn't sharing that information because I'm still interested. Even if he decides to leave you, which I know he will, given his reputation, I'm no longer interested in the arrangement. I've heard
Jasmine My heart was pounding in my chest. He hit the first strike, and pain erupted in my body. The flogger licking my stomach made me tighten my muscles and buck. He waited for me a bit and then struck again. This time, it was a bit upper where my rib cage was. The pain was much, and I felt tears stinging my eyes. How can anyone want this? I opened my eyes and looked at him, and when he raised his hand, I shut my eyes tight. Refusing to use the safewords, I braced myself for the impact, but it never came, and I wondered what had happened. When I opened my eyes, Aeron wasn't in front of me anymore. I could not move my head to know where he was, and it made me nervous, wondering if he was changing his choices. Until I felt something sharp on my hips. He had sliced the sides of the panties and taken them off. I could not bend my head to see what he was doing, and that alone made me anxious and horny as hell. I felt his tongue on me. He lapped at my clit and fucked me with his ton
Mansoor I knew my life was a dark void while I lived in Pictoria. I often wondered why I didn't seek death, why I clung to life so tightly when it should have been the least of my desires. Every time that dying seemed the logical thing to do, I would cling to life, and that was what landed me in Forest in Acquillonia. The desire to live. Though fractured and broken by all that had happened to me, I still held on to life. It isn't like I believed there was something out there for me or that I hoped for better days. I just had the desire to try to overcome it. I had the desire to exist despite everything. Acquillonia seemed like a beautiful and milder version of Pictoria when Laila and I arrived. Though beautiful with people that seemed kind, it still felt like a prison. At a point, I began to suspect the entire world was cruel and unkind until King Nikolas decided to give Laila and me the benefit of the doubt. Until I made friends and experienced what a home should truly be. What jo
Mansoor Soon, the fight came to a halt after I had wounded a lot of the men badly. I tried not to kill them so it wouldn't seem like I was working against the King. I swear it would have been easier and faster to rip them to shreds, but I will be getting myself in a lot of trouble. As things were, the King needed every soldier he could get to build a vast army. The fight against this man and injuring him meant I was reducing the fold and indirectly working against the King. As we halted upon gamma Grant's intervention, I went on my knees immediately with my hands behind my head. I tried to control Max, but he was on the rampage. My rage had taken the best of me, and I couldn't control my wolf, but I remained on my knees. I doubt Mathias would be able to get me out of this mess. I looked at Ivory, who was crying and trying to explain to Grant that I was innocent and that it was Cyprian who started it, but I knew he wouldn't listen. Their conversation was like an echo in the dista
Five Years Later Aeron I sat in the midst of a garden of wildflowers in New Pictoria, a place that had once been a barren desert but now thrived and bloomed, thanks to the magical fire I possessed. The prophecy had unfolded, and my life had come full circle, bringing me to a point of perfect contentment. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky, my eyes traced the playful scene before me. My twins, Ellie and Adam, chased each other around with unbridled joy, their laughter echoing through the air. A fluffy little puppy named Maxwell, named in jest to tease my Beta Mansoor, joined the playful chaos. Jasmine, wearing a serene blue cotton gown, approached me and took a seat beside me on the grass. I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the moment, a dream that I had once envisioned—albeit one that Stasia had invaded and tried to disrupt. Yet, here I was, surrounded by the laughter of my children and the warmth of Jasmine by my side. "
Jasmine The wedding day had finally come. Ironically speaking, my parents made sure it took place on the date we had originally selected. Even though I was pregnant, I wasn't showing yet, but I was excited. Since Aeron told me about the kings’ offers, I have been glad. It meant I wouldn't be too far from home. I was glad and nervous at the same time. My mother, sister, Zarah, Julia, and Margrette were with me while I prepared. Yes, you heard me right; Zarah, Margrette and I reconciled and decided to let bygones be bygones. It is great to have them as friends. Zarah wasn't as bossy or snobbish as she once was. In fact, she was the most fun person to have around. She was helping me with my make-up, something I suck at doing, and she was doing a good job. She told me she had always wanted a sister. I guess she got one now, and she would be an aunt soon. Aunty Rukky walked into the room with all smiles. Her twins were with her, and even though she looked a bit frail, I was glad she was
Nikolas I could not believe it was finally over. One month had passed, and we were still trying to fix the cities that were destroyed. Piotr and Miles remained in forest with their family while Jutros and Isbecs went to work on the cities under the supervision of our engineers. They were faster workers, so the building and cleaning were moving fast. We had a crazy encounter, one we would never forget, and we were glad we had come out unscathed. It took three weeks, but Rukky and Gabriel finally came through. It seemed my father-in-law planned to die on his own terms. There was none as relieved as Olsen himself. Apparently, the bleak future Rukky had seen was her coma. When I think of it, I want to laugh. King Mustapha had come with his citizens and left them in the vessels in Iceberg and Hill village; among the people were Mansoor's mother and sister. Of course, Stasia would bring them since she knew Laila and Mansoor were here already. Mansoor had taken his sister from their mother
Aeron Leaving the women behind, I carried Jasmine in my arms. I wasn't ready to deal with anything until I eased the tension within, assured myself and my wolf that she was okay, and she was finally here with me. The war is over, and there is no looming threat anymore. That she is my Queen, and I am hers for the rest of my life. I took her to my tent. A tent I hadn't slept in since it was erected, and placed her on the mattress. She turned to look at me, but I had run out of patience. Tearing through her clothes, I leaned over her, kissing and placed my finger in her cunt. I finger fucked her brutally, doing to her what my cock was about to do inside her while I kissed her. I wanted to swallow her and maybe take her breath. “Don‘t ever pull that kind of stunt again, Solnishka. Going off on an adventure without telling me," I said, releasing my cock by taking off my shorts. I spread her legs apart. Her heart was beating fast. I should be gentle, but I couldn’t. All my emotions were
Aeron Stasia turned around to look at me and smiled as if she had been waiting for me. She did not look as old as she did last night. Maybe it was the trick of the darkness. She looked young. Did this woman ever age? "On time," She said and smiled at then eyed Mathias. "Interesting, there are indeed handsome men on this continent," looking at Mathias flirtatiously. "I don't do old women," Mathias said, and she giggled. "Trust me, you wouldn’t want to let go once you get a taste, but too bad I am not here for you; I am here for my king," she said and looked at me. "See, we can be together now that both obstacles are out of the way. Dark dream walker and the mad king. We can be together and use your fire to rebuild our continent," she said, walking seductively towards me. I would lie that she did not look good, but all I could see in my mind’s eyes was a grandma in sheer clothing. Not a sight to see. "Release my mate, and I will let you live. As you know now, your army belongs to
Aeron Following Ivory's completion of the markings for all of us, I approached the Jutro to share my plan. They had received thorough medical care and nourishing food, and the majority of them were now fully healed. As they noticed my presence, they greeted me with enthusiasm, but my sombre expression quickly dampened their smiles. "Stasia has ensnared my mate in a dream state, and I am compelled to venture forth to rescue her. In doing so, we will inevitably clash with the Isbecs, and I understand that some of us may not return from this battle. I realise it's a lot to ask. You may not know me or my intentions, but I assure you, my motives are not malicious. The Isbecs have ravaged our homes, murdered our kings, slaughtered and enslaved our people, abducted our children, and obliterated countless futures, all in pursuit of what was never rightfully theirs. It's time to rid our world of the menace that is Stasia and her fire-wielding, mad King, Mustapha. It's time to reclaim our fre
Aeron We were sitting by the fire in the morning, drinking tea, when Ivory approached us in tears. I knew then that something had happened. Mansoor tried to calm her down to make her speak, and she tried to compose herself. She was shaken with horror, and since I hadn't seen Jasmine with her, panic grew in me. "Where is my mate?" I asked, unable to control myself. Queen Aliana stood up, and King Nikolas did the same; they were tired, having stayed awake after the fight. "She won't wake up. She is trapped, and I can't get in. Stasia created a barrier," Ivory said, and we all abandoned what we were doing and headed toward the tent where Jasmine was. My heart was thumping in my chest all the while. I had suspected Jasmine was up to something when I returned and was told she was training with Ivory. It seemed plausible, but it felt odd; I should have checked on them, and I wanted to, but Queen Aliana stopped me. I should have insisted or snuck into the tent. I cursed within me. This w
JasmineI sat on the bare ground because I knew I needed to connect with the earth to pull on the Power of the Dark in Aquillonia. Every time I have been able to pull on the Power of the Dark effectively, I have been in direct contact with the earth, either grass or sand. Pushing the mattress to the side, I lay down on the sand and wielded myself to sleep. Everything was dark, and soon I was back in the tent, but I knew I was in a dream state. This was my dream. I could not visit the dreams of Stasia’s army individually. I need to drag their soul into my dream to eliminate them, and I need to do so before I go for the King. Gathering my strength, I began to move. I could feel Ivory's presence, but I couldn’t see her; it was as if she was in me, and we were one and the same. She was experiencing my dream, but I was the one in control. How was she doing it? I couldn’t tell, but I forged ahead.I was barefoot. I could feel the sand against the soles of my feet and the breeze against my
Jasmine My body recovered faster than I anticipated. It seemed I had powers beyond my comprehension, but there was an empty void in me. The sense of dread, loss and anguish lingered in my head. I couldn't quite shake off what happened at the gate. Rukky being stabbed by the witch. I couldn't stop blaming myself. If only I have moved fast. Gathered the momentum faster. Not allowing the poison to get the best of me, move as I should, act as I should, then she would be alive and well. I wasn't a fool. She had told me once that her future was bleak, and now I understood why. It was Stasia and me that undid her. A powerful woman who believed in fate and strived to bring out the goodness in the world had lost her life trying to save me. I could not forgive myself. So when I sat up on the mattress in the tent, I buried my face in my palm and wept. My hands were shaking. Rage and despair, a mixture unknown to me, became the only emotions I could feel simultaneously. "Jasmine," I heard the