Erin Lockheart's POVI ate all the pastries he gave me without hesitation. I was really hungry after last night. He was laughing as he watched me marvel. "I forgot how big your appetite was.""It's not." I cleared my throat. "I was just hungry.""You always are.""I'm not," I said as I continued to gobble the food down my throat. This reminds me of how we were kids. Although it was the original Erin Lockheart's memory, I can still feel it as if they were mine. It feels weird. I feel like an impostor.Cadmus' gaze fell to the metal binding my arms and legs. "I'm sorry that it had to be like this, but I know the minute I took these off, you'd run back to Kai, and I refuse to lose you a second time.""Kai isn't a bad person. He's not who you think he is.""You love him; of course you'd say that." There was bitterness in his tone, and his face says it all. It was pointless reasoning with him. If I were him, I wouldn't believe me either. Kai's reputation precedes him. It's a fact that he k
Kai Griffin's POVIt's been days since they took Erin away from me, and the only thing I could do was distract myself from marching straight to Lunaria Kingdom by killing. This war that they started has caused the small people to suffer the consequences.There are countless pillages that have happened in our lands, especially those that are far within my reach. Men have held the Lunaria Kingdom's banners as they burned cities after cities and killed innocent women and children who didn't even know that war had begun.They outnumber us, so I could only battle so much. Zen was on horseback as he saw me all bloodied after my fight against some of Cadmus' men who were trying to take Moon River, a small town by the forest that is mainly occupied by farmers and miners. Zen sighed in relief. "Thank the gods, you're safe. I heard you came here alone. Have you gone mad?"I removed my helmet and replied, "We don't have enough men.""That doesn't mean you have to fight alone! You're our emperor
Erin Lockheart's POVI protested, "Come on, it's been days already. How long are you planning on keeping me here?"Luna scoffed, "As long as I have to. Kai is currently overwhelmed by our number, and he could barely reclaim their lands as fast as we could conquer them. It's only a matter of time until he is exhausted and vulnerable. He's not an alpha like Cadmus is, so his men would surely turn their backs on him once he started losing.""You're keeping me here because you know I have the power to turn it upside down.""As do I.""I know blood magic has its limitations despite being a great power." I continued, "I know you can't use it at great distances or when someone's will is greater than yours.""Fire magic has its limitations too. You can't do magic on a large scale continuously. There's a reload time, and you've never even been able to use it until that blood moon." Luna said, "It's pointless comparing. We both know we're equal when it comes to magic.""Then I guess I'll have t
Erin Lockheart's POV"You want me to make him a villain?""It's the truth. Erin, when you first saw him, he tried to kill you because he saw a vision of you, and isn't he using your powers to conquer Lunaria?""What would that accomplish? Kai already has a reputation for such things." I gritted my teeth as I imagined the effects it would have on Kai if I threw him under the bus. I know he wouldn't care about what other people are saying about him, but if it came from me, he would be... heartbroken.And I wouldn't want to do that. I don't want to be the cause of his downfall."True, but those words coming from you would make him heartbroken and vulnerable." Cadmus said, "His own people would doubt him. You, Erin, are the only thing that makes him appear human to others, without you, they'll see him as he is—a monster."Cadmus added, "Raewavell's men are losing more battles against us than they've won. Their morale is down and his warriors are questioning their ability to win. If you d
Kai Griffin's POV"These men are the best of the best." Zenn said as he assembled the men, "But we're still greatly outnumbered.""And the men that the allies provided?" "They're already here." Zenn gritted his teeth, "Those cunning snakes! They gave you half the men they promised.""They'll give me the other half if I succeed in reclaiming Silvercrest." I continued, "They're cutting their losses. They're being cautious. If I win, they get their land; if I lose and I'm dead, they'll have no one to answer to.""And you're fine with this?""I'll take whatever I can." I continued, "Let's march. I have a war to win and a girl to save."With only a few warriors by my side, I put the kingdom in Zenn's skilled hands, leaving him with the majority of our armies. I couldn't risk leaving our house undefended, despite Zenn's harsh warnings about the dangers of my personal involvement. These warriors had pledged their devotion to me and agreed to fight beside me on the battlefield."They wouldn'
Erin Lockheart's POVAnother day has passed as they all await my answer. No one would tell me anything about Kai or Raewavell's condition, but I have to keep hoping that all is well.Interrupting my thoughts, Cadmus entered the room with a deep sigh. "You have to stop being so stubborn, Erin.""I can't exactly run away now, so that's all I can be right now—someone stubborn.""Erin, I know you feel strongly for Kai, but realistically speaking, I can give you the life you want." Cadmus continued, "I can't let you run back to him now for the good of my kingdom and yours.""You can't let me go unless I villainize him in front of everyone.""He is a villain, Erin. When will you see that?" Cadmus said, almost desperately, "It's inevitable. He will lose; even with your help, you're outnumbered. You can win battles, but not this war. No kingdom will stand idly by to let Kai rule all kingdoms.""I'm offering you these terms to save you. Everyone else, including Luna, wanted you gone. This is t
Cadmus Hunter POVI've had a lingering feeling that the Erin I once knew, my childhood friend, is no longer present. Yet, I hesitated to acknowledge it fully because it would mean that her soul left Lunaria Kingdom while waiting for my return and no one even noticed.Erin met my gaze squarely as she spoke, her words confirming my suspicions. "You're right. I'm not the real Erin—the one you grew up with. I have her memories and her body, but not her soul.""I see," I responded quietly. "Can you explain what happened?""In my world," Erin began, her voice carrying the weight of a profound revelation: "I was the writer of this story. The night I died, for reasons I still can't fathom, I ended up here." She paused, gathering her thoughts. "Originally, the plot was that Erin Lockheart died tragically, and her death brought you and Luna closer as the protagonists. In a desperate attempt to rewrite my fate, I interfered with the story, bringing us all into this uncertain reality. I'm not sur
Kai Griffin's POVI threw the Legion's banner at Lhan's feet and couldn't help but snicker, despite the pain throbbing through my bruises and scars. "Silvercrest is now yours," I declared firmly, meeting Lhan's astonished gaze. "Now, fulfill your end of the bargain. Pledge your loyalty to me as your alpha."The people of Raewavell Castle looked on in disbelief as I stood before them, battered but alive against all odds. The sight of my resilience stunned them; none had expected me to return from the confrontation unscathed."You're truly a monster," Lhan muttered, his voice laced with a mixture of dread and begrudging respect. "Do as you will with me, alpha."The rest of the alliance members followed suit, kneeling before me in recognition of my triumph and leadership. As they bowed, the weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders, knowing that the path ahead would demand even greater strength and resolve.I dreaded the realization that I had become like my father, whom I had onc