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Chapter – 6
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Reyna's heart banged against her ribs. The distant thumps of drums and pandouras only increased her anxiety. The festivities had begun. Her mother and friend left her alone a while ago.
She replayed her mother's words again. There was too much information to process in so little time. As a child her mother would often take her to the forest for hunting. Once they spend two full-moons during winter, surviving the cold and the predators.
Now she has to leave everything behind with that little knowledge of survival. The cold blade pressed against her skin in the hip, constantly reminding her of its presence.
"It's time," Celia announced, her features grim, but Reyna could read the determination behind the gaze.
This is it. A ball of emotion tightened in her throat. Her heart lurched. She might never see her friend again. Her mission was to survive the winter and the uncontrollable beast. Only then she could make it to Selene. Even if she made it
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Deception Chapter – 7
Aluxious eyed the disgusting vampire with so much dismay, he'd never felt for anyone in his entire life of twenty-eight summers. Whenever he saw him, the bile rose from the pit of his stomach. His mother had passed away when he was just a baby and his father followed his mate shortly, making him the ruler of Selene. From there, it hadn't been an easy clear cut path. He'd battled fair share of overconfident and opportunistic males, who wanted the thrones for themselves. He killed to survive since he ascended the throne by default. Now as he watched the leeches brought in the females who'd been tending to him over the weeks of his confinement. Their loyalty to his ancestors had kept him alive. Aluxious had lost track of time in that shit hole. Wasn't it spring when he was taken? He frowned unable to remember. Inside him, the beast stretched its limbs. How long had it been? He clenched his jaws. The shift was going to be ugly––brutal. And my beast wi
Deception Chapter – 8
Reyna couldn't believe what just happened. She stared at the woods for another moment. The beast had ditched her at the first chance he got. That big, fat, furry oaf just sat down, brought his hind leg up, and scratched her off. He fucking scratched and made her fall down. Then he left her there before racing into the darkness. She blinked, slowly pulling herself to her feet and rubbed her slightly sore butt. The jump hadn't been pleasant. She barely clung to his fur and was still reeling when he plucked her off. With a huff, she secured the leather satchel around her shoulders and grabbed the discarded blade. The rescue mission had gone smoother than expected. Since the beast had gone for Killian's throat first, their aim had been on saving the King. It threw them off their ground. It was her father, who finally managed to pull her son to safety. Reyna looked behind at the wall with a longing. Several times she had left those walls to explore
Deception Chapter – 9
Aluxious slipped in and out of control throughout the journey. The beast wasn't strong like he used to be. That gave control to his human side once in a while. His anger snapped when he noticed the little Vampiress following him. She had no business here. He spared her once, but not anymore. He knew the leeches would follow and he set the trap, anticipating every moment. The stuttering heartbeat from within the fallen tree bark was hard to miss. She thought she was clever, but even the remnants of that animal weren't enough to mask her unique, feminine scent. Instead of engaging her like he wanted to, he jumped over the tree log and waited. The Vampiress trusted him like a naive fool she was. This prey can wait, but others can't. Aluxious knew he should keep running, the need for revenge forced him to stay put. He came here with a purpose. A purpose he didn't get to finish. Soon... The leeches unwittingly brought him a step closer to his goal.
Deception Chapter – 10
The wind howled outside the little crevice they took shelter. This time they couldn't make it to the hideout. The sky unleashed its fury and hit them with thunder and lightning. Fortunately, for her the beast was there before she was ashes. He picked her up and ran to the nearest rock. He pushed through the crevice and they found the confined space was enough for both. The thick vines covering the entrance offered protection against the shower. Reyna didn't know how many days had passed. Because it was always dark. The beast shadowed her every step, keeping pace with her. Sometimes, he carried her as he sprinted to their next destination. They mostly traveled in silence. She'd come to like the beast more than the man. When his eyes weren't blazing red, he was always edgy. He'd snap at her as if he wanted to rip her into shreds. But when his eyes blazed, it was a different story. Reyna wondered which was his good side, the man or the beast. She conclud
Deception Chapter – 11
Freya stared at the easel in front of her, at the recently finished painting. His amber eyes looked so lively that she felt a consciousness wash over her. Then tears blurred her vision.When Aluxious was here, he'd pose for her as she painted. Her gaze swept his usual seat, imagining for a while that he was there. It had been months since he was gone. No one knew what happened. They looked everywhere and even reached out to their enemies for help, but to no avail.Aluxious...where are you? She rubbed her chest above her heart. The gentle evening breeze unsettled her nerves. Another day ended with no news about him.In the distance, the sun was a huge ball of fire about to set for the day. It was one of those rare days when they got to see the moon rising at the same time as the sunset. The moon, appeared elegant and powerful in its own way."You haven't eaten anything since morning. Can I bring you some fruit?" Her personal maid asked.Freya shook
Deception Chapter – 12
Reyna rolled on the makeshift bedding for the umpteenth time that night. The sleep evaded her. A few feet away, Aluxious lay on the cold stone floor of the cave. He refused to even take the animal fur she offered. Another two days had passed and they were stuck in the same place due to a severe storm. Her frustration mounted. Being holed up in a godforsaken place with a beast that barely talked wasn't how she imagined this winter. Staring into the nothingness of the dark while they waited for the storm to pass, she was bored to death. She tried to strike a conversation a few times and failed. What was her mistake? She couldn't fathom. It was he who initiated the kiss. And it was just a kiss. As a passionate and toe-curling experience it has been. She rolled to her side, giving him her back. I can be stubborn too. As days passed her task only got harder. Reyna suppressed a frustrated sob. Breaking down in front of him was the last thing she wanted. Silent tear
Deception Chapter – 13
Aluxious listened to the sounds of the storm as he tried to tune out her restless breathing. He clenched and unclenched his jaw when she turned again. Why hadn’t he killed the vampire yet? Right. She said he needed her to get out of this wretched land. Her blood was an antidote. The floor was rough and cold. But then this was much better than the smelly dungeon cell. With only their biological clock to guide them, he felt like he had waited forever for the storm to pass. Outside the cave, the wind howled and the sound of hailstones hitting the walls was too loud that he couldn't rest. Fresh air assaulted his senses despite the violent storm outside. His motherland, Selene was much more pleasant. The seasons were never this extreme. The vampire stirred again and his thoughts jerked to her. It felt as if he could sense and see her in his mind’s eyes. He curbed the urge to rub his chest. Reyna had tried to talk to him several times, but he hadn't said a
Deception Chapter – 14
Reyna and Aluxious trekked through the slopes of the mountain. The darkness and constant change in weather messed with her senses and send them in the wrong direction thrice. But she was able to find her way through the night again. It felt like they were trekking forever. After holing up for days or probably weeks, Aluxious insisted they keep moving before nature forced them to take cover. They had left the cave as soon as the weather cleared. Hunger gnawed at her stomach. They’ll soon have to find something to eat, which was a challenge given the weather. The animals went into hibernation during these months or hid in a deep hole to hide from the predators that roamed the lands only in winter. Exhaustion slowed her. Aluxious fell beside her, matching her pace. She could tell the Lycan king was hungry too. Luckily, she knew where some critters chose to hide. “A few miles north there is a dwelling place where you can find food,” she said, panting for breath.
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Deception Chapter 51
Aluxious found Healer Moon in the clearing by the invisible border that connected Selene and Stobia. He stood tall with his troops behind him, most of them hidden from the view. But the alpha could sense them, hear their heartbeats and smell their different scents that molded with nature. The dark cloak he usually wore framed his broad frame and the hood covered his face. “Ah, here you are. Right on time, Brother. I thought you’d make me wait,” the alpha’s voice stressed on the word brother as he advanced. He was alone. Daryn and his trusted warriors lurked around. His blood boiled with fury and the beast within raised its hackles at the sight of his enemy. “Aluxious…” Orien growled, his voice deep and gravelly, unlike the usual voice he used as a healer. “I want to say it’s a pleasure, but it’s not. I’ve been waiting for this moment for too long.” “No, you’re not,” Aluxious scoffed. “You tried to discard me without getting your hands dirty. And I’m not even
Deception Chapter 50
They came at night, just like they came for his uncle and the others. Moonlight filtered through soft white curtains in the corridors, drowning everything in a silver glow. Three silhouettes advanced swiftly, their movements only a blur to mortal eyes. Their poisoned blades slit the throats of unsuspecting guards, leaving lifeless bodies in their wake. When they approached the royal chambers, one of them paused and lifted a hand before approaching the door. To their surprise, the door was slightly ajar no movements coming from the inside. The assassin in the front motioned his hands in a positive gesture as he pushed the door wide with little to no noise. His eyes found his target sound asleep on the bed. The alpha’s chest barely moved, his steady beat of heart the only sound in the entire chamber as they approached. His dark hair fanned out on the white pillows and silk sheets pooled around his waist. The assassin lifted his blade, getting ready to deliver t
Deception Chapter 49
“Let me guess, the old goats would rather let the bloodshed happen than doing anything to stop it.” Selene huffed, folding her hands across her chest as she glared at the fellow goddess of nature, Gaia, her only friend and confidante. “It’s worse. They want the war to happen.” Gaia cursed under her breath. Another war like that would wipe the races. And who knows how many years it would last. The lycans were outnumbered and at its weakest phase with majority of their females pregnant. The vampires might join the war now that Reyna was the queen, but they never got along with the lycans enough to fight together. So it would only lead to more bloodshed and force them to turn against each other. As for the elves, they currently held the upper hand in numbers, but they were no match to the lycans in strength. No matter how much she tried, the outcome wasn’t in their favor. The lycans will lose. Even if Aluxious managed to defeat Orien, the war would consume
Deception Chapter – 48
Reyna couldn’t have been happier than she was as she sunk into her mother’s embrace. “I missed you,” Reyna sniffled. She hadn’t realized how much she missed her mother until she saw her in person. The last time they met wasn’t under good circumstances and she was busy fighting her father. The moment her mother walked into the room, she had attached herself to her like a koala. “I’m glad you’re here.” “Me too, sweetie.” Her mother rubbed her back fondly. Reyna relaxed more, the pent-up tension and worries ebbing away at the tender touch. A mother’s touch had the power of healing like no other. “I know you wanted me in Barrmount, but Saber told me to trust him and come to you. I’m glad I listened.” Reyna nuzzled her mother’s neck, inhaling the calming scent. “I owe him,” she mumbled. “It’s good to have someone I can trust when I’m most vulnerable.” She released her mother and led her to the bed, making her sit before occupying the spot beside her. “I was starti
Deception Chapter – 47
“Once more.” Aluxious flexed his arms as he beckoned Daryn. They spared with each other just like the old times. His beta avoided his punches with a smirk. “You’ve gotten stronger.” Daryn barely avoided his fist aimed for his jaw. “Your reflexes are on next level.” He beamed as he blocked his kick. “You’ve gotten slower,” the alpha teased. Daryn scoffed. “That’s unfair, my friend. You’ve always been at advantage as an alpha.” “Guilty.” Aluxious shrugged with a smile now stretching his lips. The bright sky lightened his mood and the fresh breeze refreshed his beast. He enjoyed teasing his best friend since childhood. Sweat coated Daryn’s dark skin, but the beta matched his stamina even though they were at it for the past hour. He stopped after a few more minutes and dropped to the ground. The peak had always been their favorite place. A safety haven away from all the politics. It offered a beautiful view of Selene and it was also a plac
Deception Chapter – 46
“Useless Nymph!” Freya simmered with fury. “You can’t even bring yourself to finish a simple task.” Flora’s thin lips trembled. Her rosy eyes, wide and full of tears stared at the furious lycan as she huddled in the corner where she was thrown earlier. She dared not to avert the gaze to check her aching shoulder. Her breath came out in pants as she curled her five-inch frame appearing smaller. “Please… Appease your anger, Your Majesty.” Her shaky voice was barely audible above the growls resonating across the room. She squeaked when Freya lifted her and carelessly tossed her across the room. “I want to kill you,” she hissed. “But killing a little thing like you would bruise my ego. You worthless piece of shit!” Flora covered her mouth, afraid her sobs would attract more beatings. She tried to get up, but fell down. Someone pulled her away. Cradled in a warm embrace, she let her tears fall. The hands that carried her dropped her softly on a flowerbed.
Deception Chapter – 45
Selene has changed a lot over the past couple of weeks. The land once was so dry now grew greener and became more fertile. He was no fool. Micah might be young, but his mother taught him well. The books he borrowed from the library had given him enough insight to sight the changes of this land. He limped to the garden. Flora usually came early in the morning when the flowers bloomed. He saw the pink streaks in the sky, grinning to himself. She should be here. Did she realize that she missed the most important thing? Soon, he found her in the very spot she missed the parchment. Seeing her, lifted his spirits considerably. “Are you looking for this?” Micah waved the tiny parchment in the air, noticing the flower nymph who flew frantically all over the garden. She crashed into a plant at the sound of his radiant voice and sat with a groan. Her eyes rolled to the back before she shook her head and stood, gently swaying to her sides. “Where did you find that?”
Deception Chapter – 44
The lycan castle of Selene stood tall with the Selene peak in the background. The afternoon sun scorched his skin. Moon pulled the hood over his face, his calculative gaze accessing every citizen that walked past him. Some acknowledged him with a curt nod and moved away from his path, the others didn’t bother. The village bustled with everyday activities. Women chattered eagerly with their neighbors. The words queen, curse, and pregnancy resonated in his ears. A group of men gathered to play some stupid board game with a drink in their hand. The castle had no fortress-like Stobia or Barrmount. Villages and farms surrounded the castle. They had a village square, where people accumulated to sell their goods. He expected Aluxious to erect a wall around Selene when he ascended the throne, however, the lycan showed no interest in it. Perhaps, it was because they were wild beasts themselves. They needed no protection from the ones that lived the forest like the oth
Deception Chapter – 43
“Healer Moon, where have you been all week?” The healer’s lips lifted forming a half-smile as he gazed at his trainee, the young omega who turned seventeen this summer. The juvenile male, Leo was full of energy and too wise for someone at his age. “Do you know every mated female in the kingdom went into heat all of a sudden?” Leo continued as Moon dropped the satchel on the floor beside his workstation. Without further word, he continued to spill the contents of the satchel that was filled with rare herbs. He knew Leo won’t stop until he finished what he wanted to say. “Healer Enna worked all night to concoct the potion that helps the juveniles to stay level headed. It was chaos. Even the alpha was out here, guarding the village with the unmated males.” Moon continued to categorize the herbs. Leo chattered excitedly as he brought over the appropriate empty bottles and storage containers. He sat cross-legged on the floor and leaned closer. “Do
