Thanks for reading everyone. I just wanted to say that writing Zephyr's character is a challenge for me. A huge challenge because that man has lived twice in my head and this whole story is a challenge for me. A lot of research and hating myself goes after every chapter because I am able to see it through all lenses. Sometimes I feel like shxt that I am not good enough to tell their stories. But I am trying and will keep trying my best. All I can say is I love you, Zephyr and Diana. You two are the closest to my heart. And to my dear readers, if you made it so far I am really grateful. Seriously so thankful. I apologize if all this way I made any kind of mistake, please be free to point things out and I will try to improve. Love ya<3
[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
[Diana’s POV] The ballroom was packed with gasps, and murmurs as Zephyr and I parted. I turned to the gathering. “I have something very important to announce. With the alpha as our witness and mutual acceptance, I am married to my mate, Zephyr. I was waiting for the prom night to make our marriage public. Zeph might be working as my bodyguard because of the odd circumstances that aren’t hidden from the pack. But with all sincerity, I accept him as my husband in front of everyone.” I could literally hear Zephyr’s beats and feel his fingers turn cold as I made that announcement. He peered at me, too baffled to speak a word. Another wave of shock ran through the crowd as the gossip turned into chaotic murmurs and I knew the news would spread throughout the pack by the morning. “Congratulations, princess,” Silas, a boy from my class, came forth with his date, Juliette. “You make a perfect couple with your mate and husband, princess,” Juliette said with a warm smile. “Yeah, my hear
Hey everyone! I am AM (Akina Mirai) First of all, I want to thank each and everyone of you who read this story. Thank you so so so much for bearing with me and making this story come alive so brilliantly. Diana and Zephyr. Oh, God! These two were a big challenge for me, but oh so beautiful they are, my heart still keeps on melting for both of them and I can't help falling in love with all the characters I created in this story. Don't forget to let me know who your favourite charcater was in this story! And if you enjoyed the book, please don't forget to leave your precious review on the main page of the story. It helps the story to grow a lot and so do your gems and comments. Do share it with your friends and let's keep the family growing! OMG! I can't believe I have done this. I would also love to thank my editor and the complete GN team for trusting in me and giving me this opportunity of writing and just allowing me tell a story because that's what I wish to do until my last
[Zephyr’s POV] Diana and Kaz regained their consciousness as the three of us returned to the sky, our battlefield. Kaz looked at Diana and then at me. The mana I had gathered around me was massive enough to cause an explosion that would end half of the world. I knew I had to stop, but I didn’t know how to stop it. Diana was already weak and upon that I was absorbing mana right from her soul. I need to get her away from me… Kaz flew beside Diana. Grabbing her arm, he tore her away from my proximity. Breaking the gravity of my soul that pulled mana from his soul, he pushed Diana towards the ground. “Zephyr…” Diana’s scream faltered as she neared the ground. I whistled sharply. The winds, combined with Kaz’s threads of mana, surrounded her and helped her land safely on the ground. Kaz turned to me. “It’s you against me now. Kill me and end this last war,” he said. “If I do that, who will save this world?” I said. Kaz frowned. “What do you mean?” “With the amount of mana
[Diana’s POV]Grave?I felt my body go limp.I shook my head. No. This isn’t possible.Archer and Willa teleported me to the graveyard where Janus and lady Ilana had dug out a coffin.Carol shrieked agonizingly over the coffin.“No. No…” Stumbling, I fell beside the coffin.Janus dug his claws into the coffin and broke open the lid.“Zeph!”“Zephyr!”“Son!”Archer and Janus got Zephyr out of the coffin and laid him on the ground.His pulse and breaths were weak. He was unconscious.I covered my mouth with my hands. Kazeal had buried him alive.“Zeph! Zephyr!” Janus shook his body. “Hey man! Get up!”“Zephyr! Son!” Lady Ilana tapped his cheek.Archer made his way beside Zephyr. He asked us to move away from Zephyr to allow air circulation around him.“Ila, check his pulses and tell me if they turn weak,” Archer said and lady Ilana scuttled beside Zephyr, keeping her fingers on his pulses.“Messiah!” Kazeal roared.Janus stood in front of me and Willa, glaring right into Kazeal’s eyes.
[Diana’s POV](Trigger warning: Reader’s discretion advised.)***Ever since I returned to the Pretis palace, I knew something was off.But it took me a while to realize that something was wrong with Zephyr. I felt it odd when I told him I wanted to rest and he just let me rest.Whenever I say I wanted to rest, we usually end up having sex, but this Zephyr was trying to avoid intimacy with me. Yes, he hugged me, but that was it. He even avoided kisses. I will not lie. I was scared for some time that maybe everything that was going around me was affecting our relationship. The thought that Zephyr might actually be falling out of love with me haunted me until Janus asked me the same thing.Janus told me how Zephyr was not Zephyr, even though he almost completely acted like Zephyr.That’s when I sensed it and I wished we were wrong, so I checked it for myself yesterday.Kazeal might have prepared himself to be like Zephyr in every aspect, but I knew he wouldn’t ever be able to prepare
[Kazeal’s POV]Diana cowered into my arms, clenching on to me as if I was her last lifeline left. I was.“Relax, Dia. These are just nightmares.”These nightmares are my gift to you, my Messiah. I hope you see for yourself what you have done to this world.It’s still not too late. You still have time. Stop before things slip from my hands as well.I stroked her back as she drifted back into sleep. Another round of those nightmares that I had designed to break her slowly, but certainly.I sighed, peering at the ceiling, hugging her tighter as she panted with a slight tremble taking over her body again.“No… no…” she mumbled.I intertwined my fingers with hers.“It’s alright, Dia. Everything’s fine, just fall asleep.”Stay dreaming and leave the reality to me. I will bring everything you have misplaced in this world back to its place.*****“You don’t have to attend to meeting if you aren’t feeling well—” She had the power to make me speechless without even trying.Words seized from my
[Diana’s POV]It hadn’t even been a week to father’s burial, and Willa was gone. She hadn’t taken a single thing from the palace. All she left behind was a note saying that she no longer had a reason to stay in the Xenon pack.Often the walls that look the strongest are the hollowest. Reese was in the same condition.Most of the time, Reese stayed by father’s grave.“It’s dinnertime, Reese. Let’s go.” I placed my hand on his shoulder.He was lost in nothingness. Recently, silence had been his only response.I knelt beside him.He had completed father’s burial without shedding a tear. But that didn’t mean father’s death hadn’t affected him at all. And after Willa left, his condition had worsened. He was bottling himself up.Although he kept himself busy with the pack affairs and the war with Gloratia, it was at times like these I could see his pain in his eyes.Meanwhile, because of Serith’s powers, I knew father was in a better place, reunited with mother. Even so, I felt his absence
[Zephyr’s POV]What we have been preparing for has finally begun.Diana had waged a war against the outer world. By now, the demonic werewolves would have started appearing all around Lycannora.After demonisation she had changed a lot. Diana’s appearance seemed as a reflection of Serith herself. Her horns, the dark vine tattoos that wrapped around her hands and around her neck. Her blood-red eyes that had the power to stop time if she wished. Her aura that held the gravity that could alter dimensions and space. Diana’s presence overpowered almost everyone and everything on the battlefield.The goddess of the underworld had surfaced and the Serithian war had begun.It hadn’t even been an hour and the Wenos army seemed so subdued. There was no way mortals could keep up with a goddess’ incarnation. The only person who had the power to stand against Diana was the Saint.Devon walked closer to Diana and stood between her and his army.“Prince, what are you doing?” Ragnar asked Devon.“R
[Kazeal’s POV]She’s gone.I had searched every corner of the Heat Knox tower.Diana has escaped.A stifling bitterness rose in my chest like a burning stab. My crazily pulsating heart was only darkening my thoughts and coherence.Clenching my fists and jaws, I shut my eyes.It’s not like I have never been angry before, but I had never experienced such an excruciating wrath before. Its extremeness was sinful.I stared at my palms.How did she slip out of my grip?The warmth of her body and the softness of her skin are still afresh in my hands.When did she obscure my senses?How in heaven did she escape?I don’t get it. I don’t understand this.Wiping my sweat around my lips, I sat on her bed. Raking back my hair, I held my burning head.Taking a deep breath, I licked my dry lips.There is no way she can escape this place on her own. Not even with her Messiah powers. The only key is with me and without my mana, the barriers around the tower cannot even be sensed by normal wizards.But
[Zephyr’s POV]I kept whistling in the eolian language, summoning a storm around Alpha Urza’s body as a barrier from the rest of the battlefield. Kneeling beside his body, I peered at him blankly. I held his cold hand in mine. With a blurry vision, I looked at the sky. Kaz’s men hovered over the Wenos palace. Through the blustering winds cutting me off from the rest of the world, I looked at my army that was in constant struggle with the Saint’s men. I couldn’t keep track of everyone from where I was, but I could tell that Archer and mother had left the battlefield a while ago. “We, the wizards under the Saint’s command, give you the Jupitus army a chance to retreat. Stop the attacks and retreat or else we will have to pacify you by any means possible.” A wizard hovering right above Asashi and Aera warned. So finally, Kazeal has openly involved himself in this war. “We do not wish any harm to the innocent. We are here to preserve peace and stop the war. If any of you launch any