Chapter: 24.******The misty forest canopy blocked the afternoon sun, which was now at its lowest point, and cast an eerie light over the trees and the ground, which glittered like polished black obsidian. Shadows stretched long and sinuous as they snaked their way between trees, hiding behind rocks and bushes and even the barest hint of a fallen leaf. It took several minutes for the thick blanket to fade away, leaving a patchwork of color in its wake. The sky above the forest remained a clear azure with a few puffy white clouds floating slowly overhead, but beyond the treetops, the world had become a vast array of shades of grey, from deep cobalt blue to pale grey, to dull brown. This gave everything a strange, hazy sheen, making it appear all the more unreal and dreamlike. In the distance, the tops of small hills poked up through the fog, barely visible against the backdrop of the landscape. It wasn't until the wind picked up that the leaves started dancing, swaying gracefully back
Chapter: 25.******["Why do you keep hesitating?"] Rafa asked and Conri growled annoyed at his Lycan. "How about you come out and do this, huh?" He challenged and groaned when Rafa hid. ["No I'm good,"] "He's good..." Conri mocked. "Now, shut up, let me think," He said with a frown. It's nearly forty-five minutes they paced around the Gates of his Manor not having enough courage to go in. The guards were beginning to get restless watching their Alpha pace back and forth. ["One more round of pacing and the Gates might just come crumbling down from how hard you've stared at it,"] Rafa teased, and laughed when Conri growled. "I swear to the Goddess, Rafa, more one beep from you and you're doing this alone!" Conri warned but Rafa chuckled. ***** "You think we should go over there?" One of the guards asked his subordinates. "You want to die, then go!" Another snapped at him and then they all started whispering to each other while keeping a cautious gaze at their restless Alpha.
Chapter: 26.******As an early riser, Conri stirred from sleep and slowly peered his eyes open to greet the break of dawn. The room was dark with the curtains all shut but silver rays of sunlight were trickling through the gaps in the shutters. He rubbed a hand across his eyes and then pushed himself up into a sitting position, still trying to remember where he was. It took him a moment but finally, the memories came flooding back, as did the last thing he remembered doing. Although they didn't speak much after lunch, still Xiher didn't argue and didn't even ask him to leave. Just as he had offered him lunch, he also offered him dinner and once it was bedtime, he stalled, he didn't know if he was allowed on the same bed as his Mate, but Xiher noticed this and beckoned him to come cuddle, he muttered sleepily that he wanted to feel his warmth whilst he slept. Conri jumped in on the offer like gospel and scooped his Mate so tightly into his chest they felt like one body. Nothing else h
Chapter: 27.******Conri arrived in the kitchen frightening the servants that were going about their duties with his aura. All he did was give a disapproving look and they disappeared from his presence. He needed to do this by himself. He doesn't need them cluttering his space while he worked on fixing brunch for his Omega, and with them out of his way, he threw on an apron which ended up being a lot tighter on his frame. The apron clung to his skin as if it were glued, and the fabric stuck to his sleeveless t-shirt so tightly, he had to rip the shirt off leaving only the apron which didn't help as it made the fabric stick to his skin even more instead. ‘Shit, this wasn't built for me,’ he thought. He should remember to ask for an apron made especially for him. He had to take deep breaths to make it fit properly and to help his muscles relax in the tightness of this thing. He grabbed a pair of gloves and fixed them into his hands while taking care to not mess up anything else as he
Chapter: 28.******Caleb sat beside Conri looking out the window at the scenery they passed by. The greenery and lush trees swept across as they drove toward their destination. The ride was rather quiet and Caleb wondered if they were this peaceful or everyone is on their good behavior since he was in the car with them. The expressions on their faces were of boredom or irritation, each stared ahead blankly. Returning his attention to the windows just as they drove past a Park filled with Humans, their younglings rushed about the playground giggling and chasing after each other to the next ride, the swings and slide. His eyes followed their little feet with slight interest until they disappeared from his view. He knew they were getting close to the Vampire's Den since they enjoyed living close to the humans. The Den was located just below the valley they rode up in. It was a rather large, imposing structure of the grey stone. Caleb could only see a small part due to it being situated
Chapter: 29******The Pack of Deivl was busy with Rogues going about their daily business. Little pups are guarded back from schools by their parents or older siblings. The streets of Deivl were still teeming with the hustle and bustle of people getting ready for dinner and heading home from work. It was a pleasant evening, so far, and every Werewolf he walked passed had a smile on their face. The air surrounds him in crispy warmth, a gentle breeze blowing. He takes great enjoyment in the fresh smell of nature that is present around his Pack. Although his Pack is yet to recover from the Lycan's attack and the many males and female warriors they lost to his attack, they seem to be moving on fine. They have settled down into a relatively easy lifestyle which he was pleased with, but couldn't help to worry knowing that his vengeance has not been taken upon that Lycan.Still, despite being satisfied with their current life, it seemed like this peaceful existence would not last forever as
Chapter: 30.******Dare returned to his Penthouse feeling dejected with himself. He sat down on the sofa and stared off into space for what seemed like hours, lost in a self-deprecating spiral. His eyes were rimmed red from crying, but he didn't have any tears left to shed. He didn't even know if he should cry anymore. He felt empty inside, devoid of emotions and feeling as if some fundamental part of him had been ripped away by a cruel cosmic hand or something equally awful. The world was nothing but an emptiness that ate at his being until there was nothing left. It was a bleak grayness, as gray as death itself. There wasn't much light left in existence because the sun burned all the colors out of everything except darkness, and it made the dark world even darker. He felt numb in every way imaginable. He wanted to curl up into a ball and never move ever again. To die.He could do that too, right now. The thought made him smile. His mouth curved upwards as he let out a small chuckle.
Chapter: 31.******Rafa dashed through the forests, snapping twigs out of his way and dodging vines that threatened to snag at him from all directions. The leaves crumbled beneath his feet, leaving him in a cloud of green and brown, but that hardly slowed him down. A few times he had to jump over fallen trees or dodge thick clumps of underbrush that blocked his path, but it didn't stop him. In fact, it only served to make him faster. He was a whirlwind of speed and energy, a creature of instinct that no amount of training could tame. He was nothing more than a natural predator, one that knew how to run faster than his prey. But then there were moments when even Rafa couldn't keep pace with himself. Like now, for instance.It hadn't been long ago that his life had started to change, but now things were starting to spiral downwards. It seemed like everything was falling apart at the seams, crumbling until they were finally left bare bones. His whole world was crashing into pieces just w
"Why can't I have my own birthday?!" Dirk grumbled as he paced the Penthouse, glaring at his parents. Although he hasn't seen the Triplets since their eighth birthday, he still would like to have his sixteenth with his own group of friends. He shared birthdays with the Triplets for eight years, then his Father was called back to the Pride, and he took him along. Dare would refuse to come at first but eventually joined in when he got pregnant and just like always, Caleb got pregnant too. Once again, they both had Omegas whom they have both found their pride and joy and yet they won't let them be. "You haven't seen them in eight years!" Leon replied from where he sat in an armchair by the fireplace. "Be a little excited, you all will be having your first shifts tonight, and need I remind you, hopefully finding your Mates... As the Soulmate to the Alpha of Alphas, I must be there, and that can't happen if I am here throwing a birthday party for you." He tried to reason with his stubborn
Chapter: 61.******Both Conri and Leon paced the hallway of the hospital repeatedly, their heavy footsteps resounding like gunshots in the otherwise silent corridor. The Soulmates exchanged glances in between their anxious strides, a wordless conversation passing between them as they did so. “What’s taking so long?” Conri asked impatiently, his voice sounding much more strained than he had originally intended it to be. They had waited for over an hour. Does it usually take this long? They wondered. "You both need to sit down!" Phoenix yelled, but his words fell on deaf ears. The two continued to pace, never stopping in any one spot for more than a few seconds at a time. "I'm telling you both to sit down right now." His eyes widened as he caught sight of something across the hall; two men walking towards them. Phoenix made to run to them, but both Lycan and Lion beat him to it. "Fucking Creiff!" Leon yelled, grabbing the man by the shoulder. "What was happening in there? You won't l
Chapter: 60.******Caleb looked away and let his eyes search for his Mate and he found him standing in the circle, his gaze burned into him and the Alpha's Mark grew brighter. Phoenix pulled him back when he noticed he was walking faster, his gaze fixed on his Lycan. He leaned to whisper into his ears. "Remember, to control it until the ceremony is sealed, and think about the pups while you do it tonight," This had Caleb blushing a bright red and he lowered his gaze in embarrassment. A smile curled onto his face, and he nodded and looked up to his Alpha. Phoenix gave a soft nod, and kissed him briefly, before releasing him with a gentle squeeze of his hands. Caleb felt the tingling warmth run down his chest and to his fingertips. He gave a small smile as he turned to walk into the circle. As the pack members bowed to him, he gave them all a quick bow and then stood in front of the Alpha who was smiling warmly at him with a proud expression. He could feel how much Conri was trying to
Chapter: 59.******The garden flowers smelled divine, it soothes the wave of nausea that had plagued him all day long. As he walked, he let his hands wander over to the topiaries that lined the path, admiring the variety of colors and patterning they presented. He felt better with every step he took forward, he felt lighter, as if all of his burdens were lifted off his shoulders for a moment in order for him to enjoy his surroundings more fully. A pleasant breeze rustled his hair and caressed his skin, his body was covered from the neck down by a heavy coat, which only served to make him feel colder instead of warmer. Even his body temperature seems out of place, just like his health in the past few weeks. His breath rose in visible clouds and then dissipated on the autumn air around him. The sun hung low in the sky and cast its rays on his face, turning it a soft yellow hue. In spite of this, the wind persisted in picking at his sleeves, tugging gently at them as they fluttered back
Chapter: 58.******The grounds were cold, and her skin was damp with condensation. The night air felt sharp against her face, and it didn't help that she was pressed face down into the wicked cold floor. Her breath made small clouds of mist that floated in the cool air before dissipating into nothingness. Her hair clung to her cheek, damp and clinging to her tears. The only light around her came from a single candle burning from where it was placed on a broken piece of wood. She felt trapped, but more than anything she felt useless. All her life she's had to run from one obstacle or another, and now she was left without an exit route. She was trapped in this room alone, even her son had abandoned her. She was neither allowed outside nor permitted to go in search of him.She wished to apologize for how she had spoken to him the last time. He was all she had left. And if she needed to escape this Hell, then she would need his help. Her wounds grew deeper, and they smell like rot and de
Chapter: 57.******Reynold had the dining hall decorated beautifully that morning. The tables were all polished to a shine with white tablecloths adorning the surface, and a large vase of roses sat in one corner to give them an air of romance. The chairs had fresh chrysanthemums placed around the edges, which gave off an extra scent. Even the silverware was pristine, gleaming brightly under the light of hundreds of candles lit up throughout the room. It looked like something from a magazine set. He’d even taken it upon himself to arrange the flowers into the shape of hearts and stars as well as his personal favorite - two rosebuds. That seemed appropriate to him, somehow. He smiled at this small victory before he turned back towards the kitchen entrance.“Morgan. How are things going here?” he called out in his most cheery tone as he approached the kitchen doors. Morgan, the head chef for all the kitchen staff, didn’t need to turn away from the oven to answer her boss. She was wearin
Chapter: 56.******The Weretiger began to tremble again, snuggling deeper into his arms with a barely audible gasp. Cooing softly, Conri brought the blankets up around himself and his lover, taking a moment to caress Caleb's cheek before wrapping his arm around the other again. Within minutes, he realized the trembling wasn't from the cold, Caleb's growing whimpers and protests telling him so. The weretiger had woken up many times, barely got an hour's sleep before jerking awake from nightmares. So again, Conri ran his hands down the Weretiger's back, shushing him, trying to keep him asleep. This time, his lover fell quiet, untensing and resuming his snuggling, a faint smile gracing his lips again. Conri too began to smile, but it faded as the restlessness of his lover began to settle within his heart. He wondered why he wasn't sleeping as soundly as he had done the night of his Rut. Did he perhaps cause it with his absence the entire day? Each time he would jerk awake, he would cur
Chapter: 55.******Caleb woke up feeling slightly better than he did the day before. He stretched slowly, wincing from the sharp pain he felt below his stomach. He hissed and sat up, looking around the room and a frown marred his face when he realized he was alone again. He looked toward the side of the bed where Conri should have slept and frowned when he noticed how undisturbed the sheets looked. He didn't need anyone to tell him that Conri did not come home last night. Or maybe he did and picked a different room. Reynold had fooled him with the whole Erasthai thing. Feeding his head with dreams of hopelessness. Conri would never make him his Greatest Desire. He had only slept with him because of his Rut, nothing more. And whatever they had done during, was all done in the waves of his Rut. He didn't even come home. Was he repulsed by the thoughts of having sex with him that he would abandon his own bed? Or did he sleep in the arms of another? No! Caleb shook his head as if trying
Chapter: 54.******Documents were placed carefully on the desk for him by Barbara while he signed, and flipped them shut then passed them over to Clyde and proceeded to sign the next. There was an assortment of documents from his fathers estate as well as some from various business associates that he needed to deal with. He hadn't planned to spend his entire day signing documents and drinking firewhisky. He needed to get out of there and stretch his limbs, but knowing he had been away from his duties for quite some time, he must tend to the documents now, or else they kept piling up even more. And he would be a poor leader for all if he couldn't even deal with these small annoyances.The sun was beginning its descent toward the horizon, he could feel its warm yellow glow through his office window, and his eyes ached in protest. His body aches, too. He hadn't slept well in weeks and hadn't taken care of himself since he went into Deep Sleep. That is, after all, when things became rath