~ISSAThey shrieked as I came at them. One of them sent a vine at Iran's neck but he was fast. He dodged. He was like a blur, escaping all their attacks as he came at them in all his glory. I felt like a spectator, watching everything happen from Iran's eyes. He revealed his claws and grabbed one of the witches. She was cloaked in black just like her companion and she screamed even louder than before. This caught Iran off guard and he released her while trying to shield his ears from the sound. In his moment of weakness, the second witch took up the opportunity and sent a vine of darkness at his neck.Iran groaned as the vine closed around him and I went down on my knees from within. I might have been an observer but I could feel every pain that he felt. The witch pulled us into the darkness while Iran released a roar in an attempt to break free. But the first witch recovered and sent her own vine of darkness to Iran. "Not so tough now. . ." They whispered in a sickening voice t
~YULIAI froze in my tracks as I registered the man who was supposed to be my uncle— before me. Seeing Issa shirtless, wet with sweat— was the last thing I had expected. The emotions in his eyes resembled that of a broken man. It was as if a violent storm was raging within them. They were fixed onto mine in such a way that made my intake of breath unsteady. Suddenly, he took a step toward me and I instinctively backed away. He picked up his pace with an urgency that made me question his intentions. My wolf panicked and I widened my eyes at him, preparing myself— stilling myself for what was to come. Yet when he got close enough, he shocked me with his next move. He pulled me into his arms. He wrapped his arms around me without uttering a word once and my eyes only grew wider. Since when was Issa so caring? Why on earth was he hugging me? And of course, my treacherous wolf began to relax against his warmth. His entire essence filled me and went up my nose in such a way that he
~YULIA"I will rip all your hearts apart!" I jumped in my spot and my mouth instantly went dry. I helplessly watched as all their faces began to turn pale with fear— maids and guards alike. There was no telling what Iran was going to do to them. He was losing control. "Who did it?" He demanded again and his words almost made me lose my balance. I looked from the maids to Issa. Even if someone was willing to say anything, I doubted if they would be able to utter a word under this condition. "Fine, I'll help you decide," he whispered ever so calmly yet in such a dangerous way that my legs refused to move. He grabbed a maid and she began to whimper on the spot. My heart sank when I realised that he was going to kill her. I looked to Miles, hoping that he would intervene but the man remained rooted to his spot. I did not know it when my legs developed a mind of their own and pushed me forward. "Iran!" I yelled and almost slapped myself for daring to confront him.He shot his crims
~ISSAI raced back to my room, my heart pounding so hard— it seemed as though it would disconnect itself from the veins connecting it to the rest of my body.I felt like a character in a horror movie, pursued by a ghost. But in my case, I was running from something— someone who wasn’t present but whose memory haunted my entire existence. As soon as I entered my room, I slammed the door shut so hard that the loud banging sound echoed throughout my room. “Breathe Issa,” I whispered to myself— my hands still on the knob with my forehead resting on the door as I listened to my pounding heartbeat.Slowly, I backed away from the door till I reached my bed and sat on it. I looked down at the key in my hand and my body trembled violently as the thought of him crossed my head again.“Stop!” I screamed as I buried my head in my palms, trying to shut the awful voice playing in my head."You're worthless!" Echoes of his voice rang through my head. "You can't do anything right!" Yelled the voic
~YULIA“I never went to the garden.” I folded my arms at him while shaking my head slowly. He stared straight into my eyes and my wolf danced aggressively within me as his forest green eyes seemed to glow.He was definitely crazy— probably losing his mind.“Can’t you see that you are hurt and there is blood all over your clothes? How do you suppose all that happened?” He demanded softly, his voice gentle like the breeze on a summer night.I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out. He was right. There were blood stains on my clothes and my head spun like it was in a wheel.I suddenly felt unsafe and simply wanted to be left alone.He stretched his hands to touch me but I flinched away; scared that he was playing tricks on my mind, scared that he was only looking for a way to ignite a dangerous fire between us, one that wouldn’t be quenched easily.“Don’t touch me!” I yelled and rose to leave his side. But a piercing pain passed through my head and I fell again.I closed my eyes
~ISSA"What? Have you lost your mind?" Yulia screamed and I was taken aback by her outrage. She glared daggers at me and I just knew that if she had the power to burn people with her eyes, then my body would have lit up in flames.“I would never move in with you!” She yelled while getting off the bed this time.She staggered and almost fell. Her fingers were shivering and her face was pale. The drugs the pack healer had administered to her had not finished its work but she just wouldn’t listen.I stood up and wanted to run to her but she darted her fingers at me, signifying me to stop.“Why are you being so stubborn, Yulia? Can’t you see that I am doing all I can for your safety?” My hands were in the air, trying to make her see things from my point of view.As I spoke, I attempted once again at approaching her but for each step I took forward, she retreated two steps back every time.“Stay where you are! Don’t
~YULIAIssa stared back at me nervously. There was an uncertainty within his eyes. He looked like someone who liked to read people and it probably made him furious that he could not easily read me. I sighed inwardly and focused back on the task at hand. I couldn’t believe it myself that I was considering his offer but there was nothing I could do.“Yulia. . .” He took a step closer.His gaze, his eyes. Everything seemed to burn with a passion that made my heart race. There was this look in them that felt so good and awkward at the same time, I just couldn’t name it.Having him stare at me this way made me speechless, gosh! He could literally take my breath away without moving a muscle. “We. . . We would not share the same bed, under no circumstances.”“Really? Is that all you want?” He asked as if he had expected more from me. Shit! I should have been more demanding. Perhaps I pushed my luck to ask for luxury. Stupid Yulia! Yara stirred in disapproval but I did not let that gove
~YULIAThere was a silent pause for a while as I waited for the black box to speak again. “Hello, I am Alexa, your virtual assistant and new best friend! And who are you?” It asked.I heaved a sigh of relief when I finally understood what it was and my heartbeat slowed down to its usual pace. I had realised I wasn’t in trouble. Hearing too much witch talk recently must have made me super anxious.I had read about these virtual assistants in school. It was no threat. Could never be one, hopefully. “I am Yulia, and I want to take my bath.”“It’s nice to meet you, Yulia, would you like me to stream any of your favorite music while you take your bath?” Its voice was cheerful and I could not help but smile at it. “Yeah sure, play me. . .” I paused. I could have easily named a song from some of my favorite artists but I didn’t.The virtual assistant thought it was Issa earlier and wanted to play his favorite song.