[Zephyr’s POV] (Reader’s discretion is advised. Proceed with caution.) (Trigger warnings: Sexual assault, graphic violence, child trafficking, mention of drug abuse.) * *** ***** *** * I was a one-night mistake. An unwanted illegitimate child of one of the strongest alphas. A son of a mother who didn’t want to give me up, so she fought the world just to keep me safe. And that was how she lost her life — trying to save me from the men that my father sent to kill me. My mother, Ilana Darkken, was once a commander of the Jupitus pack’s magic defence. She was beautiful, bold and one of the strongest witches of all time. A woman too feral to be bound, but too out of reach to be desired by all. And my illegitimate father, Vidar Jupitus, the alpha of the Jupitus pack, was one such coward who desired the storm but was too weak to take responsibility for the impact. He slept with my mother a day before his marriage with his legal wife and the current luna of the Jupitus pack, Nest
[Zephyr’s POV]Urza? Hidden pack?What is he talking about? What the heck is the Hidden pack now?“He is… Archer Lakin.” Alpha Urza said.“Archer Lakin?” I have heard that name before. Archer cautiously stepped closer to me. “I was your mother’s classmate in the magic defence academy. We were… friends.” Archer said.I remember. My mother often talked about this man named Archer Lakin.‘And there was also this extremely introverted boy who was always dug into books, burying himself with words in his grave of solitude. Yet somehow when I talked to him for the first time, he was the warmest person I’d ever known. And then we formed this literary club where we talked about literature, longing, magic and love. Archer Lakin and there were others too, but he stayed with me for the longest. I think some people just need someone else to break down the walls, and behind those walls, they are the warmest and most comforting people. I wonder where he is now and what he is doing? I wonder if he
[Diana’s POV]Zephyr stood at the entrance of the fitting hall of a vintage styled gown store in the mall.His back faced the fitting hall as the slightly parted black curtains hid and revealed his figure.A beautiful violin concerto was playing on the record subtly while I tried on various gowns. None of them suited my taste because I wasn’t paying attention to any of them. My eyes involuntarily went to the reflection of Zephyr’s figure in the floor to ceiling mirror before me.Zephyr hadn’t said a word since that time in the parking lot. It’s already been two hours, and he wasn’t even complaining about why I was taking so long shopping. Not that he was in a position to complain.He is my bodyguard, it’s his job. Not like we are on a date or something that he’d care about in time. I entered the changing room and put on a corset boned, sleeveless, sheer black gown. It hid my breasts and body below my hips. The material from below my breasts to waist was a black net with corset bones
[Zephyr’s POV]“No.” Diana said, looking at the nth three piece slim fit suit I had put on. “Is it not to your taste again? I think it’s pretty cool. It’s blue and perfect fit,” I asked, fixing the collar of my suit.She scanned my body, from my shoes to my hair. “No, try this one,” she shoved a black double breasted suit against my chest. “Don’t look at me like that. Go on, try it.”“Yes, princess.” I held the hanger, slid the black curtain over and entered the fitting room.I looked at myself in the mirror as I unbuttoned my shirt.“Are you done, Zeph?” Diana called from outside the curtain.“Not yet…”She slid the curtain and entered the small fitting room.“Princess?”“Shhhh…” she put her index finger on her lips.“What’s wrong?” I whispered. That room was big enough for one man to change without hitting his knees and elbows, but not big enough for two people.She gestured for me to stay quiet.“Make sure you maintain yourself elegantly. No matter the cost, you should look the b
[Zephyr’s POV]The prom night.“Do I look ok?” I had asked Archer to help me dress up.“You look marvellous,” he said, fixing my crooked tie. “Just perfect.”“Thank you,” I said.In this second life, one thing that I regret losing is the bonding I had with Archer. For me he still meant a lot, but for him… I was just Ilana’s son. Although there was no difference between his warmth, yet I could feel that our bonding was no longer as strong as it used to be.In this life I had lost my mana genes, the wizard part of me and that is why Archer and alpha Urza had their doubts when I told them I was Ilana’s son, the kid they had been searching for. That is why they went to Goredom to confirm my identity.“So, in your previous life I found you?” Archer asked.I nodded then looked at the floor.“How exactly did we meet?” He asked.“You saved me.” I said.“Is that so? Pardon me for asking such an insensitive question, kid. But were we close?”I smiled faintly as I looked into his eyes. “You were
[Diana’s POV]Everyone in the ballroom gathered in a circle around the dance floor as Reese and I began dancing. I was dancing with Reese, but my eyes were searching for Zephyr in the crowd whenever they could. With a swirl, Reese picked me up.That’s when I got a glimpse of Zephyr walking out of the ballroom. No, Zephyr.Please don’t go.A strange restlessness enveloped me. A web of uncanny fear of loss, unfathomable anxiety, and guilt rooted throughout my chest like my heart was being penetrated by thousands of pins.I couldn’t refuse Reese’s hand even when I wanted to. But I can’t even comprehend how humiliated Zephyr would have felt. I will explain everything to him. I know Zeph will understand.I looked at Reese as he put me to my feet again.Was he planning this all along?“Why did you do that?” I asked in a low tone.“Did what?” Reese smiled at me innocently. “Ask my elder sister’s hand for a dance? Well, it would be awkward to refuse when the host already announced and ou
[Diana’s POV] “I don’t understand…” I mumbled, stepping away from him. “Princess?” “Are you sorry about us? About the time we spent together? About patiently listening to my stupid rants that had nothing to do with you? Are you sorry for caring for me and saving me so many times? I don’t understand… How can you love me and be sorry about it?” “No princess,” he stepped closer to me. “I…” “Are you sorry that we met?” “No, princess…” “Are you sorry for marrying me? I know it’s on paper, yet it’s still marriage and legally we are husband and wife, you know…” “It was an honour…” “Are you sorry for faking the mate bond with me? Do you feel trapped with me? Are you with me just because I saved your life and you feel indebted?” “No, princess.” “So, what are you sorry about? Why are you apologising? I don’t understand. I just don’t get it…” My heart pulsated against my chest as breaths went half-way into my lungs and then were pushed back out. “Princess?” “What the hell are you so
Chapter-50. Stargazing[Diana’s POV]Zephyr and I were sitting several metres above the ground on a wooden platform that was created across the trunks of four trees.That place was near the Black beach, at a safer distance from the cruel waves.I was wearing Zephyr’s coat, and that was the only cloth on my body. But I wasn’t cold. I was entangled in his warmth as we gazed at the starry night together.The sky looked like a mirror of the galaxy. I had never seen a more starry sky before.“I didn’t know a place like this existed. Who could have thought of creating a platform like this on the trees, and for what?” I said, skimming my eyes from the stars to Zephyr.He was already gazing at me.I dropped my gaze and looked away.“Former graduates of the Xenon academy created this place, especially for stargazing,” he looked at the sky, leaning back on his hand. “They believed that the land is closest to the sky over the Black bay.”“Why haven’t I heard of it?”“Because the ones to say these