Mansoor The King’s gaze remained on me, studying me, trying to figure out where to start. I could see the determination in his eyes, along with a tinge of respect. I might be imagining the respect, and it seemed like it. “As much as I like your devotion and fire, there is much you need to learn. You have remained in your Pictorian bubble, keeping close company with Aeron, Julia and my children. It is time for you to mix with the people, learn our ways, and have roots in Acquillonia, and because of this, I will be sending you to the gate duty. Where you will work with wolves of all ranks, Lycans, werewolves, and halfbreeds. There, you will learn camaraderie and patience." He said, and I heard Ivory scream from outside the door. Was she eavesdropping all along? "You are sending him to the gate to go and die, Father. It is wrong. It was all Cyprian's fault," Ivory said, rushing in, sounding frantic; Laila followed the fear in her eyes. "How can you say that, Ivory?" the queen's father
Ivory How could everything change so fast? One minute, we were all in a rhythm, and the next, everything scrambled. It had been one month since Mansoor went to the gate to guard the place and supervise the work there, and my father had refused to see a reason to bring him back. Aeron and Mathias often visited him, but was it enough? I have had to train alone, and the lonely times in between of which Mansoor filled the gap were vacant again. I still had trouble dealing with what I learned from breaking into Rukky's mind. I had trouble coping. I never understood the value of my friendship with Mansoor until he was ripped away, thanks to Cyprian. When I think of that name, a new rage builds up in me. I hated him, and I know hate is a strong word, but currently, that is my true feelings towards Cyrpian. I do not wish him well at all, and I know I shouldn't be feeling this way, but I do. I still blamed myself for everything. Why did I have to be nice to the asshole? If I wasn't
Jasmine Things had been crazy. It had been a month since Mansoor was sent to the gate, and Ivory hadn't been the same. I have been too occupied to help my sister, and it bothers me. Most of the ships we were expecting from Hill and Snow had arrived, and even though I hated working with Margrette and Zarah, our work was fine. We have been diligent, and they have been kind enough to stay out of my way. We weren't children anymore, and I could order things to happen to them. I guess that is why they have been silent. As I watched the people load crates of food onto the vessels on my charge, I could not help but think of what was coming. I had not had any vision since the vision I had of the timekeeper. I wondered if that would be my last revelation or if Stasia had somehow stolen that from me, too. "Your Highness," I heard someone say, snapping me out of my deep thoughts. I looked behind me and saw it was Zarah. What did this woman want right now? I did not want to have to deal with
Piotr The bells resounded, accompanied by blaring alarms, jolting us awake. Bewilderment clouded my senses as Natasha and I hastily left the bed. The clock displayed 1:00 in the morning, and without hesitation, I sprang into action. Locking eyes with Natasha, I conveyed the gravity of the situation, "I believe it's time." Her face contorted with dread, a stark contrast to the usual composure she maintained. Fear gripped her, a sight unfamiliar to me. Despite practising the emergency drill since our return from Blizzard, the reality of its necessity now loomed over us. The only conceivable reason for alarms and bells echoing through Peakland was the impending threat of war. Had Hill Village succumbed? Did the invaders breach our defences from the sea, as Princess Jasmine had foreseen in her dreams? As the King Of Hill, it was my solemn duty to ensure the survival of my people, and I had no choice but to face the impending crisis head-on. "Gerald, what is going on?" I linked my beta
Nikolas I woke up at five in the morning, and I felt a strong foreboding in my spirit, an uneasiness I could not explain. I shouldn't feel this way. Everything was going as expected. Yesterday, we finally agreed to set a date for my children's wedding, and Ivory looked at me like she used to for the first time in a month, so why did I feel uneasy? Why was there a strong need for urgency? I went to the window to watch the sunrise and look at the vast expanse of land that my eyes could see. Were we in over our heads to think we could survive a dark witch and a mad king with an army of godlike wolves? Were we arrogant to think it would be possible? Should I have just insisted we all loaded ourselves on the two hundred vessels and abandoned Acquillonia? The unease was strong. It had been there since we returned from Blizzard, but it was strong this morning. The silence and lack of dreams and visions were making me uneasy. It felt like the calm before a storm, but I couldn't tell if we wer
Nikolas I picked up my phone to place a call to my brother, King Miles. The line rang a bit, and there was no answer. Then I decided to call Piotr to find out what the situation was in his kingdom and if the sun was blocked by the smokey blanket in the sky. The line was dead. The call didn't go through at all, and that was odd. Since the invention of the telephone, we have never had this experience. It is either engaged, or it rings. The static on the phone was new, and I had a foreboding. Jasmine did tell us they would come through Hill Village in Hill. Had they come through, or was I overthinking it? "What is the matter?" Qusack asked me, and I put down the phone's receiver. "Static. No ringtone," I said he understood the implications. "Let's not jump to the conclusion. It is best to wait and see," he said, and I knew he did not believe his words either. I looked at Mathias and Aeron. "Ready your troops. Tell Cyprian to get his men ready, too. We can't be caught off guard." I s
Jasmine I could not believe that it was finally upon us. They had finally come, and just as promised, they came with destruction. When I saw the smokey sky that obstructed the sun, I knew something was coming. I could feel it. Though my sleep was dreamless, the uneasiness that rested within my spirit spoke volumes. Little did I know our time was up. When I heard of the fall of Hill and the fact that it was possible that King Piotr had fallen, my heart shattered into a million pieces. Though not related by blood, he was family. I heard the door to Aeron's house open, and I went to check who it was. It was already evening, and we had successfully evacuated most of the people, along with the people of Hill that had arrived. I had also heard rumours of people arriving from Snow; the truth was, the vessels available might not be enough to carry everyone, and soon, we would have to start choosing who would leave and who would stay. I dreaded that time because I knew it would cause chaos a
Ivory I stood in front of the mirror in my room dressed in a cotton dress. Looking at myself, I wondered what being battle-ready would be like for someone like me. My father had said to come battle-ready. This was me being battle-ready. Hair in a ponytail, no eyedrops, and a light cotton dress that Mia would rip into shreds if the need for battle came. All I had to depend on was my training with Rukky. The mind fuckery she had taught me. I hoped what I had to offer would suffice. I wondered what Mansoor was doing at the gate and if he was on his way back. Had my father sent for him? Or had the chaos thrown him off? I was a mess of emotions. I tried to see the future, but I guess that was Rukky's gift. It would really come in handy about now, but it wasn't my forte. I had yet to tell my parents what Rukky did, and I didn't think it would be wise to tell them. Whatever she did had given us a fighting chance. I doubt I would have been able to contribute if I were an ordinary wolf. Sudde
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