/-Kai-/It was so fun messing with her. Even now, I could still see the blush on her face. She acted like she hated me, yet here she was, fighting multiple emotions.She was by far the most intriguing woman I have ever met. Not to mention the fact that her feistiness reminded me so much of Raven. “What are you looking at, jerkface?” She hissed, refilling her shot. “If you keep drinking like that, you're going to get drunk,” I stated. “Is that a crime?” She shot back. “Not really. Just that, I won't be held responsible for whatever happens to you after this. If you throw yourself at me, I am going to fuck you, drunk or not,” I smirked.Skylar threw the alcohol into her mouth. “I better go find a man, then. Wouldn't want to settle for less,” she sneered and stood.My smirk faded as I walked her get off the seat, her peachy ass bouncing as she walked away from me.I wanted to go after her but my guard returned with the diamonds. “All real, sir,” he affirmed and I glanced at my sup
/-Skylar-/He was going to drive me insane. I needed to get the fuck out of this place. So I hatched a plan.My lunch was served at the usual time and thankfully it was something that required both a fork and knife. The guards were just outside, minding their business so I had enough time to decide which vein to cut through without writing myself a direct ticket to hell. I picked up the knife and after careful examination, I cut through the vein and the blood came gushing out. It didn't heal, further confirming that I was indeed human. I let out a sigh of disappointment before a terrifying scream. The door burst open and I let myself pass out. I could feel several movements but I didn't dare open my eyes to find out. The smell of drugs and other disgusting diseases told me I was in the hospital. I stilled myself for some injections and then the worst happened. I passed out for real. I cracked my eyes open just enough to see the harsh fluorescent lights above me, their cold glow
/-Kai-/“Sir, you have a visitor.” “Tell whoever it is that I'm busy,” I answered. My schedule for the day was closed and only a few people loved to fix appointments without any consultation. Not limited to my ex-wife, of course. “It's Taylor Macaulay, sir,” my PA went ahead to inform me. Taylor? Now that was interesting. “Let him in.”A few minutes later, he walked into my office with the same air of arrogance as he did two years ago. He took a seat and stared at me with a very serious expression. “It has come to my notice that you have my staff in your possession,” Taylor said. I leaned back against my seat. “I don't remember receiving any staff with a recommendation letter from you, Mr Macaulay.” “Skylar Anderson,” he called. The audacity of him to come looking for the very girl he sent after me. I was yet to uncover her real mission in my life and he expected me to just hand her over?“I don't know anyone by that name,” I shrugged, pulling out my cigarette pack. “I'm n
/-Skylar-/Dinner would have been the tastiest meal I've had in a while, if I was spared the presence of this annoying asshole. “Guess who came by today,” he started and I wondered what it would take for that food to choke him. It would have been a pleasant sight. “Your sense of reasoning?” I sneered. “Oh wait, I'm still here so obviously I'm wrong. You're still out of your senses.”He chuckled, obviously not insulted as I assumed he would be. “It was your former employer,” he told me. “Taylor Macaulay.” I frowned. The one who fired me for coming to work late, even though I was sick at that period. “What about him? I don't owe him anything,” I said.“Actually, you do. You owe him a whole lot and his sisters as well,” he said and I tried to remember who exactly his sisters were. “Am I supposed to know them?” I asked him. “You don't remember two women you sent to the ER?” He wiggled his brows. Oh fuck! Those women! My mind raced with several thoughts. How did I get myself into
/-Skylar-/There were so many people. All in sophisticated dresses and expensive jewelries. However the moment Kai and I walked through the door, all eyes turned to us. I cursed under my breath. I told him that I didn't want this skimpy dress, now these men were looking at me like they wanted to rip me apart. At every door, there was a huge man with a gun. I wanted to ask Kai what they were for but I decided against it. The asshole would insult me, rather than just answer my question. Even when we walked into the crowd, I could still feel eyes on me. Us. The first set of people that came to us were women. They swarmed Kai like I wasn't there. I huffed and looked away as the bastard showered in their praises.“You look hotter than I last remember. You should get my number,” some blonde woman said. I rolled my eyes as he took her business card. I clenched my fists, biting back the urge to snatch the stupid card and shove it down his throat. Instead, I turned away, scanning the roo
/-Skylar-/A smirk played on his lips as I joined them. “I see you finally decided to stand up for yourself,” Sebastian said. I didn't say anything to him and just sat down. “Care for a drink?”I modded and he poured me a drink. I glanced back to see Kai standing metres away from me. His eyes were no longer playful or mischievous. He was pissed. I could feel his fucking gaze burn through me. I accepted the drink from Sebastian and downed it in one gulp. “Hey guys, this is Skylar, a new friend of mine and of course, our new drinking partner,” he introduced me. “Skylar, these are my friends. Sarah, Mykel and Anthony.” “Nice to meet you,” I said to them but they simply nodded and went back to minding their business. I didn't mind either. I wasn't ready for that much of a conversation either. Kai began walking towards me but before he could reach me, he was surrounded by his numerous bed mates. “Want to see something cool?” Sebastian asked me. “Yeah, why not?” I shrugged. “It's ou
/-Skylar-/There was a woman in the house.And she wasn't alone. There were children with her. Two of them. None about seven years if I was right. She was sitting in the living room, legs crossed with a drink in hand, watching tv, while her boys played around. The minute we stepped into the living room, the boys came running towards him. “Daddy! Daddy!” They squealed in excitement, running into his arms. I froze for several seconds. He was married?A wave of disgust hit me. So all the while he was busy flirting and sleeping around with different women, he had a wife who was probably at home, waiting everyday for him to come home. I was going to shoot him a look of disdain when I felt one on me already. I soon realized that his wife was glaring at me. I felt insulted. Of all the men in the world, she thought I'd settle for her husband just because of his food looks?“You didn't tell me you were coming, Gwen,” Kai said. There was no warmth in his voice, no remorse, no happiness,
/-Kai-/Her little chubby friend came back. I couldn't quite remember her name but she was here to pay off her friend's debt. She looked so frightened that I was afraid she would pass out. She was acting as though I was scary. I mean, I know I was, but her friend didn't seem to see that. “Is it complete?” I asked her. “No,” she mumbled. “But it's half of the amount.”“Then you shouldn't have bothered coming,” I told her. “It's a waste of both our time and time is very valuable to me.” She shivered, glancing warily at the armed men around her. “I… I just want to show that I am making an effort. I didn't want you to hurt her. I know I can raise everything if you give me a little more time,” she pleaded and I suddenly remembered that I did make a threat that delay would attract a pound of flesh. “Noted,” I said, aware that her gaze lingered on me a little too long. “Anything else?” She immediately shook her head. “Can I please see her? Even if it is for a few minutes?” I wanted t
/-Raven-/We lay upside down facing each other with the sheets sprawled over our bodies. Our bodies were covered in sweat and we were panting heavily.“No one said our wedding night was going to be so long,” I muttered. I could barely feel my legs but my core was burning from six rounds of lovemaking. Declan smirked at me, “Our honeymoon would be even longer.” “Where are we going?” I asked him. “Anywhere of your choice,” he said and I shrugged. “I don't know, we could tour. Or just stay here…”“Don't even suggest that,” he cut me short. “Those elders always have one problem or the other when they set eyes on me. Unless you want your husband to be working during his honeymoon, I suggest you cancel all plans of staying here.” I chuckled. “You are so serious about avoiding work.” “Because I want to spend time with my wife. That is perfectly logical. Anyone can understand that,” he said and I laughed. “Of course. Like I don't have duties as Luna.” He frowned, “Cha we put this whol
/-Francesca-/I admit it. It was pointless. Fighting for someone who didn't clearly want me. But the truth was that it didn't really matter what Declan wanted; I was giving up for Raven's sake. Right from the moment she called me sister on the roof, I couldn't bring myself to hurt her in any way. That was why I was humbly accepting defeat. It was her big day and whether I liked it or not, I was going to be happy for her.The IronClaw Courtyard had never looked more radiant.White blossoms bloomed from enchanted vines that shone under the moonlight. A carpet of silver petals led the way down the aisle, which glowed faintly as if the moon itself had kissed every inch. The air was thick with magic, anticipation, and, despite myself, love.I stood just beyond the arched entryway, my hands clasped in front of me, fingers trembling only slightly.The pack had gathered in full. Alphas from allied clans, betas in full ceremonial garb, omegas glowing with awe. Everyone had come to witness
/-Raven-/“You smell nice…” Declan muttered, hugging me from behind out of nowhere. I was in the dressing room at the . designer's shop, trying out my wedding dress. “You're not supposed to be here,” I whispered. “Who let you in?” He chucked mischievously. “I don't need permission to see my woman whenever I feel like.” “Don't tell me you came here, all the way from the palace…”“Because I missed you? Fuck yes,” he interrupted. I couldn't believe my ears, yet as much as I wanted to scold him, I found myself smiling like a fool.“You're an Alpha, don't you have duties to perform?” I asked him. He took a step closer and I backed away. Another step and moved back. His lips curled into a mischievous smile. “You know if you keep moving back, you're going to trap yourself between me and the wall.” That brief second when I glanced to see if I was that close to the wall, he pin me to the wall and caged me in a chokehold.“Oops,” he smirked. “I got you.” I didn't even know how to react a
Two Weeks Later/-Francesca-/They were so happy. Raven and Declan. After everything they've been through, it was only right for them to celebrate, right? Have some rest and finally live the good life they deserved. IronClaw deserved a break. That was the thought of many wolves, not mine. I assumed you against someone as powerful as Amelia would have been enough to severe whatever ties Raven had with Declan. I hid for so long. Playing the coward. Allowing everyone to have their shots and when the chances were high, I walked in their skin, hoping to complete the mission and finally get the man I deserve. Yet every single time. Every. Single. Time. That little redhead found a way to beat me at my own game. I struck a deal with Azaiah to get her out, it failed, I set her up, it failed, I walked in her skin but it took only minutes for him to recognize me. All the while I played sweet little Francesca, pretending my elf blood was useless and magic almost non-existent, hoping I cou
/-Raven-/The air smelled fresher than it had ever been. Being back to IronClaw felt like a dream. With Diane and Amelia gone, things were beginning to fall into place. The Elders regained themselves and the darkness looming over the pack was finally gone. Azaiah couldn't come back with us. He insisted on taking back the bodies of the men he lost in battle back to the mountains. I offered to help but he declined. He insisted I take Declan home and here we were. Francesca and Othelia were waiting eagerly for us and beside them was my very old friend. “Greetings, Alpha!” They all bowed and Declan merely nodded. I don't know the level of damage Diane did to him but I hoped with her death, the curse she put on him would also disappear. The way his body felt cold against mine was making me skeptical. The guards immediately rushed to help him off me. “Tim!” I exclaimed, hugging him before I even realized it. Francesca frowned beside me and I understood her jealousy. She expected I wou
/-Raven-/I didn’t breathe.Couldn’t.Declan’s body jerked unnaturally, his head tilting like a marionette on frayed strings. His mouth opened, but the sound that spilled out wasn’t his voice.It was mine.“I should’ve killed her when I had the chance.”My own words. A whisper I’d spat to myself as I held Ava's corpse in my arms. How the hell did she…?“No…” I stepped back, heart thudding so loud it felt like it echoed in the cavern.Azaiah's joints twisted, bones popping, contorting in ways no living body should. His eyes were a soulless abyss. Whatever spark once made him Azaiah had been stripped clean, replaced with something cold. Controlled.“Do you like it?” Diane cooed, her voice sweet and venom-laced. “It’s not possession. That’s so... temporary. I rethreaded them. Blood, bone, and memory.”She cocked her head, watching me with childish delight.“You’re lying,” I snapped, more to myself than to her. “Declan’s still in there. Azaiah too. I’ll get them back.”“You think love can
/-Raven-/My heart stopped. I stared down at Diane, no, whatever the hell she’d become, as she walked calmly through the burning remnants of the forest, her voice echoing in my head like a curse.She wasn’t just mimicking Azaiah.She was him now.“We need help in here, Raven…”The exact same voice. Same words. Same rhythm. Except this time, her lips curled into a grin as she said it aloud, like she knew I was listening.As expected of a witch…But this was something darker than anything I’d ever felt. Something deadly. I wasn't even sure this was just Diane anymore. I hovered higher into the clouds, hiding behind a veil of smoke and fog, praying she couldn’t sense me. My heart hammered in my chest.I’d seen death. I'd caused death. But this… this was beyond it. She had devoured them. The silence from the mind-link wasn’t a glitch or mental interference.It was because everyone was dead.And now she wore their voices like masks.“Come on, Raven,” she called out, twirling once slowly
/-Raven-/I shifted into dragon form and flew as far away as I could. As much as I wanted revenge, I couldn't jeopardize the living for the dead. If my presence was going to secure their victory then I would take pride in that and let go of my anger.For Declan. I don't know how long or how far I flew but i was at a distance I couldn't intervene quickly even if I wanted to. “Azaiah, what's your status?” I asked through the mind link. “She's down. So is half of our men. I hate to admit it but Declan is helping a lot. Are you coming in?” He asked.“Unfortunately, I can't. I need to take care of Amelia's soldiers but until then I can't come in,” I said. “But make sure she is dead. Take off her head, that is the best way to kill a witch and set her ablaze. We can't risk her suddenly resurrecting.” “That was the same thing Amelia said. Don't worry, Raven, do what you have to do, we have it all under control,” he assured me. Relief washed through me. This was definitely a good thing.
/-Raven-/On getting outside, I met Amelia. Unlike before, she had gotten here earlier than I expected.“Let's get this over with. I have more important things to deal with,” she said. “If the more important thing you're talking about is Diane, then I think we should take her down first instead of wasting our energy on each other,” I told her. “Why should I…” she cast me a condescending look. “...collaborate with you to do anything?” “Because you can't take her for me on your own,” I said plainly. “If we work together, we might actually have a chance to defeat her then we can face each other.” “Really? You must be bold to think that I would actually need help from you!” She huffed and I rolled my eyes. “I don't have time for your boost your little ego. When I'm done taking Diane, you can come fight me,” I said, shifting into dragon form. “Like I would wait for you to do that!” She muttered and leapt into the air, too. A smirk played on my lips. One down, one more person to go.