|ORION|Feets clacked on the crystal floor as I fumed, trying to rein it all in.I could smell his scent all over her.He touched her, took her and she tried to protect him by hiding it from me.How dare he.“It's not like he abducted her, Orion.”Rehema sighed trying to talk me out of what I planned to do. “You are taking it too far, Brother.”Smoke surrounded the room and a pair of azure eyes met with my obsidian ones. Rehema tried to reason with me, her voice tinged with concern, but I couldn't hear her over the roaring fury coursing through my veins. Kallias stood before me, his expression a mix of surprise and defiance as I advanced towards him, my anger boiling over.Before he could react, my fist connected with his jaw, the impact echoing through the room. He stumbled back, caught off guard by the sudden assault.“How dare you touch my mate!” I seethed, my voice a low growl as I loomed over him, my fists clenched at my sides.Kallias recovered quickly, his own anger flaring as h
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN|ORION|I was back here, in his territory.The flames heated up, hot enough to make my blood boil, to mess with my head but not enough to burn me.Screams echoed as the Onyx eyes appeared crouching beside me, his shirt still stained of blood. It was the ceremonial coronation outfit that gods wore when they were about to be crowned as rulers of their realm.I had never said his name since the last time I saw him, the look of horror in his eyes as his blood splashed on his dark hair was still etched on my mind.“Arien.”He blinked, then burst into laughter, his pearly white teeth stained with blood as he wiped tears from his eyes.“I kept telling myself you were possessed, that you would never raise a sword to me, but…” He paused, staring at his bloody chest.The flames flickered and danced around us, casting eerie shadows that seemed to dance with malevolent intent. I remained rooted to the spot, my gaze locked with Arien's, the memories of our violent confrontatio
|ASTRAEA|“You'll be living with the moon goddess for now,” Rehema had said earlier before dropping us off at the moon goddess’ palace.I had not seen Orion since the day I waved to him from the training grounds.He didn't even say goodbye.As Rehema bid us farewell and departed, leaving Eloise, Terielle, and me alone in the grand halls of the moon goddess's palace, the soft echo of a maid's footsteps filled the air. A gentle voice broke the silence, welcoming us to our new temporary home."We are honored to have you here," the maid said, her voice warm and comforting. "Please, follow me. I will show you to your chambers, where you can rest after your long journey."I exchanged glances with Eloise and Terielle, a mixture of exhaustion and anticipation reflected in their eyes. Together, we followed the maid through the labyrinthine corridors of the palace, marveling at the opulence surrounding us.Eventually, we arrived at our separate chambers, each one adorned with luxurious furnishi
|ASTRAEA|She offered me a warm smile in return, her presence a comforting presence in the midst of uncertainty. "You are welcome, Princess Astraea," she replied. "Rest assured, you are in good hands here."Some guards rushed into the dining hall as they started at the Moon goddess, communicating with their minds."I have to cut our dinner short here, you all can continue without me." We all rose up as she exited the dining hall, before sitting down again.As the moon goddess left the dining hall, there was a sense of calm that settled over us. We exchanged glances, reassured by the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded us."Well, that was unexpected," Eloise remarked, breaking the silence with a chuckle. "I wonder what urgent matter she had to attend to."Terielle nodded in agreement, her expression relaxed. "It must be something important," she mused, reaching for another serving of food. "But I'm sure everything will be fine."Saoirse smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "It's n
|ORION|"Welcome back, sire." Lotar's voice rang through my ears as my eyes snapped open, the ache in my head not going unnoticed."Lotar," I acknowledged, my voice hoarse as I struggled to sit up, the events of the previous day still fresh in my mind. "How many days has it been?""It's been three days, Sire. Longer than before." Isighed,rubbing my temple."What's the situation?""We've received reports of increased activity in the borderlands," Lotar replied, his tone grave. "It seems the enemy forces are preparing for another assault."I grimaced, the weight of responsibility pressing down on me like a heavy burden. "Gather the troops," I instructed, my mind already racing with plans and strategies. "We must be ready to defend our territory at all costs."Lotar nodded, his expression serious. "At once, sire."As Lotar hurried off to carry out my orders, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. The looming threat of war hung over us like a dark c
|ASTRAEA| ----I gazed around at the unfamiliar surroundings, and a sense of disorientation washed over me. The palace appeared different, as if frozen in time, its grandeur obscured by layers of dust and neglect.I looked down at my hand, taking in the minute details, the way my fingers curved, the light scars on my skin. It felt like I was seeing them for the first time, yet there was a strange familiarity to it all as if I had done this countless times before.I was lost in my thoughts and found myself meandering through the deserted hallways, the sound of my footsteps resonating through the ages. .And then, as if drawn by an invisible force, I found myself standing before a grand doorway, its ornate carvings weathered by time. With a sense of trepidation, I pushed open the door, revealing a chamber bathed in soft moonlight.Laughter echoed as the moon goddess approached me, I panicked trying to move from her path but she just walked right through me.I gasped, my voice m
|ASTRAEA|"That's gonna take a while to heal, even for Asana." I rolled my eyes and stared at Terielle annoyed."A goddess angrily used her powers to punch you in the gut." 'Stop rubbing it in,' I wanted to tell her, but the blood i kept coughing out stopped me."You're still bleeding internally. Terielle and I will prepare some medicine and bring to you in a few hours. Rest well." Eloise kissed my cheek as she adjusted the sheets on my body.The door slammed shut and a creaking sound was heard again making me sit up. "Did yo forget someth-" My eyes widened at the figure in front of me.My stomach twitched and my heart raced in his presence. His obsidian eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine."O-Orion," I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper as I struggled to comprehend his sudden appearance.He stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he approached the side of my bed. Without a word, he reached out, his hand hovering just above my cheek.I d
|ASTRAEA|"Orion!" I squeaked as my eyes snapped open. I was wrapped in the sheets, it was barely dawn yet but there was no sight of the Obsidian eyed god.WaS it a dream? I raised my shirt up, checking my stomach for the bruise from the fight but it was gone and I wasn't coughing up blood anymore.'He was here, you idiot.' Asana snapped in my head, making me jolt at the intrusion.As Asana's voice echoed in my mind, I couldn't help but smile at her blunt reminder. It was true – Orion had been here, watching over me even as I slept.With a contented sigh, I settled back into the sheets, the weight of his presence still lingering in the air around me. Though he was no longer physically beside me, his warmth enveloped me like a comforting embrace, soothing my soul and easing my worries.As the first light of dawn filtered through the window, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to bask in the memory of his presence, grateful for the silent reassurance he had bestowed upon me.My eyes snapp
|ASTRAEA| In the quiet of the palace chambers, surrounded by the familiar faces of my family, I gathered the courage to speak the words that weighed heavily on my heart. "I'm not here to stay," I whispered softly, my voice barely above a whisper.Their smiles, though weak, spoke volumes of their understanding. "We know," my father replied, his voice filled with a quiet resignation that tugged at my heartstrings.As I gazed at them, taking in their slightly weathered faces and the subtle signs of aging that marked the passage of time, a wave of disbelief washed over me. "How long have I been gone?" I asked, my voice trembling with shock."Two years," my mother's response was barely a whisper, but it hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me reeling from the realization of just how much time had passed in my absence.And then, the question I had been dreading hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over our reunion. "W-what of Alan?" I ventured, the silence that followed deafening in it
ASTRAEA|I jolted awake, gasping for breath as I found myself in my chamber, disoriented and confused. How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was being with Kallias, his lips on mine, the intensity of his gaze searing through me.My heart raced as I struggled to make sense of what had just happened. Kallias... I couldn't shake the memory of his touch, his scent lingering in the air around me like a haunting whisper.“Asana,” I whispered, seeking solace in the familiar presence in my mind.‘I’m lost for words,’ Asana murmured, her tone reflecting the turmoil within me.Before I could gather my thoughts, the door burst open, and Eloise rushed into the room, her expression a mixture of shock and concern.She wasted no time in crossing the room, her footsteps echoing in the tense silence. With a swift motion, she slapped my back, the sting jolting me into awareness.“Seriously?” Eloise's voice was a mix of disbelief and reproach. “You were with Kallias! Do you know how Orion reac
|ASTRAEA|“You're wasting time.” I gasped as I found myself in a meadow, this time around it wasn't just the veiled goddess.They were three.The first being was a god, with dark hair and onyx eyes. He had a slight resemblance to Orion but a very stark contrast. He was dressed in a nice outfit that seemed like it was meant for a special occasion.The second was a goddess, her hair was blonde and she had grey eyes. Her face looked calm and collected and I stared down at her arms, her protruding belly sticking out.She was pregnant.And the third one, of course, was the veiled goddess. She looked the same as I had always seen her.“You are wasting time.” The god repeated and my attention snapped to him. The goddess stared at him, “Arien, you'll scare her.”Arien. That was his name.He stared at the goddess, who stood on the other side of the veiled goddess away from Arien’s reach. His face contorted to a look of helplessness as if he couldn't reach her.“W-what do you mean?” I finally v
*Meanwhile in her realm*|ORION|I clenched my fists, trying to control my anger as I stared at Astraea’s unconscious body laid out on the bed while the healers treated her. Bruises marred her arms, and her pale skin was a clear sign of how long she had been immersed in water.“What is it? Why isn’t she up yet?” I demanded, my voice tight with frustration and fear.“I’m afraid she’s in a coma, Sire,” one of the healers responded softly.I growled, the sound reverberating through the room as Raeya tried to calm me down. This would have never happened if I didn’t have so much to do. I would have been able to watch her.“She’s fine, she’s safe here with us,” Raeya said soothingly, placing a hand on my arm.“Safe? What do you mean safe? Do you know how much can happen in a coma? She could fucking die, Raeya!” I snapped, my voice rising in anger. Raeya flinched at my aggression, but I wasn’t sorry. I was furious with myself for leaving her unattended and allowing her to get hurt.I stormed
*Meanwhile in her realm*|ORION|I clenched my fists, trying to control my anger as I stared at Astraea’s unconscious body laid out on the bed while the healers treated her. Bruises marred her arms, and her pale skin was a clear sign of how long she had been immersed in water.“What is it? Why isn’t she up yet?” I demanded, my voice tight with frustration and fear.“I’m afraid she’s in a coma, Sire,” one of the healers responded softly.I growled, the sound reverberating through the room as Raeya tried to calm me down. This would have never happened if I didn’t have so much to do. I would have been able to watch her.“She’s fine, she’s safe here with us,” Raeya said soothingly, placing a hand on my arm.“Safe? What do you mean safe? Do you know how much can happen in a coma? She could fucking die, Raeya!” I snapped, my voice rising in anger. Raeya flinched at my aggression, but I wasn’t sorry. I was furious with myself for leaving her unattended and allowing her to get hurt.I stormed
|ORION|I am proud to be a ruler of Zorzaris.As the sun rose on a new day, I found myself caught up in the bustle of preparations within the palace. Unbeknownst to me, the people of Zorzaris had decided to host a party in honor of Astraea, a gesture of gratitude for her kindness and compassion towards them.“Sire, please sign here.” Lotar rushed to me as I skimmed through the documents before signing them.Other workers stood behind him all holding documents they wanted me to review and sign.“Done.”As I moved through the halls, overseeing the final arrangements and ensuring everything was in place, a sense of excitement bubbled within me. I couldn't wait to see the look of joy on Astraea's face when she realized the extent of the Zorzaris' appreciation for her.She made me happy, and excited.She made me forget all the nightmares and all the taunts I suffered from my people and every being around the world.She made me hope.With each passing moment, anticipation grew, and as the g
|ORION|I am proud to be a ruler of Zorzaris.As the sun rose on a new day, I found myself caught up in the bustle of preparations within the palace. Unbeknownst to me, the people of Zorzaris had decided to host a party in honor of Astraea, a gesture of gratitude for her kindness and compassion towards them.“Sire, please sign here.” Lotar rushed to me as I skimmed through the documents before signing them.Other workers stood behind him all holding documents they wanted me to review and sign.“Done.”As I moved through the halls, overseeing the final arrangements and ensuring everything was in place, a sense of excitement bubbled within me. I couldn't wait to see the look of joy on Astraea's face when she realized the extent of the Zorzaris' appreciation for her.She made me happy, and excited.She made me forget all the nightmares and all the taunts I suffered from my people and every being around the world.She made me hope.With each passing moment, anticipation grew, and as the g
|ASTRAEA| Uncle Overus ran into the room and he heaved a sigh of relief as his eyes landed on the boy. “Princess Nadira has saved the royal family. May she forever rest in peace.” The boy kept staring at me, I couldn't believe it. I had a nephew. “What’s the boy's name?” “Princess Nadira named him after you because he reminded her of you so much; his name is Astrion.” I gasped as tears fell from my eyes and I opened my arms widely. “Come on, Astrion, come to Auntie.” He ran over to me and I pulled him into a warm embrace and we both sobbed. “I'm sorry I came too late, I'm sorry.” “Stop crying, mummy doesn't like it when I cwy.” “Oh, baby.” I hugged him tighter. ~~~ We stood in front of the graves of my family. Astrion dropped roses for each of them and stood beside me. “Will mummy ever come back?” “Mummy is with the moon goddess, resting.” “Okay.” If only I had come earlier, I would have been able to at least save my sister. I turned back to Uncle Overus. We had crow
|ASTRAEA| I gasped in shock as my eyes widened. I searched my surroundings, I was no longer in the forest with Raeya rather I was in my bed chamber. N-no I was back. I chuckled as I got off the bed, this- this is my Zorzaris. I stared at myself in the mirror, I was still wearing the fighting outfit I wore in the forest and my mind drifted to what Made me quickly leave. I have to go. With swift determination, I teleported myself to the werewolf kingdom. My hood concealed my features as I moved through the crowd cautiously. I dared not teleport directly into the palace; Alan must not suspect the extent of my powers—it would only worsen an already dire situation. “Did you hear?” voices murmured around me, snippets of conversation that sent a chill down my spine. “The cruel Alpha of the Blue Dawn pack wiped out the entire royal family without mercy.” “The castle is in chaos; he’s slaughtering anyone loyal to the royal bloodline. No one dares to leave their homes.” Time was running