Lin took a deep breath before letting it out as she tapped on the screen of her phone, opening the message from No User. She had been waiting for a text from him for so long, especially after he had told her that her parents’s death was not an accident. And that the person who had killed them was right under the same roof as her. ‘It’s been a while. ;),’ The text read. Lin’s heart had picked up its pace and she could barely breathe normally. She hurriedly replied, ‘Yes, now please tell me who killed my parents?’ She hit SEND and waited with bated breath.She even started chewing her fingernails as she waited and each second that passed without a response felt like torture. Then a chime came from the phone, signaling a reply she was waiting for. She tapped open the message, not even wasting a second. She squinted her eyes as she read it. And it said, ‘You are finally walking into your destiny. The path is littered with a lot of dark secrets but I will help you to uncover all of th
Hunter was someone who was very confident. The only person that he feared a bit was his father and even at that, there was an anger so powerful in him that made him want to kill the man.“No sir,” The female guard replied, flashing a polite smile at him and Lin. “We just needed to know.”“Hmm,” Hunter said in response as he reached for Lin’s hand and led her right past the gate. He had no intention of letting the guards know that he was now the one in charge considering that his parents were out for a few hours. “Don’t you think you were kind of harsh?” Lin asked him when they had walked a bit of a distance away from the entrance. He shrugged. “Meh, I don’t think so. You see, Lin. Those guards treat people like trash. They are a bunch of classist jerks. Before my parents became the temporary alpha and luna of the pack, I had been beaten one time by one of them all because I had come to see my dad.”They were still holding hands and both of them could not deny that it felt good. “Oh
Lin kept staring at the list that was on the wall, trying to piece together what in the world was going on. She turned to ask Hunter but saw that the guy was way too engrossed in looking at the paper.Hunter’s heart was racing and he was begging the Moon goddess so that his name would be on the list. But the more he searched, the more he got discouraged. What if his name was not there? If that happened, everything he had hoped and dreamed of would be ruined. “Oh my god,” He whispered to himself when he finally saw his name. It was literally the second to the last name on the list, but he did not care. What he did care about was the fact that he made the list!He smiled brightly and turned in the direction of the small crowd. Most of the people began to congratulate him even though their own names were not found. When his eyes fell on Lin, his smile began to fade. He walked away from the small crowd and closed the little distance between him and the sh-wolf. “Are you okay?” He asked
Chapter OneTitle: Troubling NewsAnna’s heart was racing, her body was covered with sweat, and her chest rose up and down deeply as she tried to fill her lungs with the air that they were crying for.She had just come from soccer practice, and again, the coach had made them work their butts off. Her legs were sore, and she had a small scrape on her knee from when she fell when she tried to score a goal, which she had missed.“Just like Ms. Summers to make us practice for an hour more,” Her best friend, Gill, complained as she ran her hand through her sweat-drenched hair.Both of them were heading toward the school locker room so they could shower. They had a head start because as soon as practice ended, they were out of there.“We don’t even have a game this month!” Anna replied, agreeing that they were being overworked. Gill chuckled in response and began to watch the basketball team as they walked past them, especially their captain, Josh Hanson.He was to die for; drop-dead hands
After searching the room for a charger, Lin found one. And that made her relieved because she did not want to have to ask Hunter for one or talk to him. She placed her phone on charge and after close to five minutes, it came on. She picked it up from the bed and unlocked it, going straight to the messaging app. But there was no new message. She contemplated on whether she should text or not, but decided to just wait until the end of the day. She placed the phone down, stood to her feet, and headed out of the room. She needed more information on the quest. She felt like she did not know as much as she needed. She remembered that there was supposed to be a library in the mansion. When she was little, it was one of her favorite places. She never used to eat breakfast or dinner with her parents upstairs, in the dining area. She used always to escape to eat down in the library. There was something about that place that just made her feel heard and safe. But was it still going to be t
Lin could not believe her luck. She thought that she had been cursed by the Moon goddess but now she was starting to believe otherwise. This was more than luck, this was fate; meeting this girl was fate!“Are you serious?” Lin sounded hopeful. She anxiously waited for a reply from the girl. Jenny nodded and then flashed a warm smile. “I know almost everything about the quest. My dad was in the last one when he was much younger. He almost died and had to return home but he shared so many stories about it, and still do.” Lin felt like hugging the girl. Her lips broke into a smile, and then she chuckled happily. “You’re my savior, Jenny. I swear, you are!” She walked up to the girl and gave her a bear hug. Jenny giggled. If anything, she was more excited because she was going to be helping the only daughter of the fallen alpha and Luna of the pack. She was going to be helping royalty!She waited until Lin broke the hug before she said, “Help me close the door so we can start. Tomorrow
Lin knew that it was better to get something than nothing. She had way more than she could have ever had if she had not met Jenny, so she was of course grateful. She sighed and flashed a small smile at the girl. “Look, Jenny, I am so grateful for what you have done for me. You really helped and I would have still been oblivious about a lot concerning the quest if not for you,” She explained. “But I’m also going to say that you should stay away from magic or witchcraft. It’s perilous. If you get caught, you and your entire family could be burned alive. You know the tradition of our people,” She continued, advising the young girl. Jenny swallowed and nodded. “I see your point, Lin, but I’m sorry to say, I am not going to stop. It’s the same witchcraft that helped you, wasn’t it?” Lin opened her mouth to speak but realized it was not worth it. “Okay,” She replied in a breathy way. “Do what you want to do. But please, please, please be very careful. Okay?” Jenny was about to speak bu
Lin’s heart doubled when she heard what the short-haired lady had said about the smell of magic. Jenny was right, magic certainly had a smell!Hunter cleared his throat, grabbing the attention of the two ladies who were the guests from another pack. “I do not appreciate both of you speaking to Lin that way,” He said, making himself clear. The short-haired one scoffed before peeling her eyes off Lin and landing them on Hunter. “And who do you think you are? Your father only left you in charge out of pity, don’t act like you’re all high and mighty here now, boy.” She chuckled to herself as she reached for the half-full wine glass. “Right? Little Hunter Blackwood finally wants to grow some balls?” The other lady mocked, joining her friend in laughter. Lin could tell that Hunter was annoyed if not pissed. She knew that he was going to do something impulsive if she didn’t step in and that would ruin it all for him since his father trusted him to be in charge. Yes, she was still mad at
The peaceful years that followed allowed Lin and Hunter to witness the pack's growth and the positive impact they had on both the mystical and human communities. The once-divergent paths of the supernatural and human realms had merged into a tapestry of coexistence, woven by the strong leadership and unwavering unity Lin and Hunter had cultivated.The pack, now a symbol of harmony and cooperation, expanded its influence, becoming a beacon for other supernatural beings seeking refuge and understanding. Lin and Hunter's home became a place where differences were celebrated, not feared, and alliances were forged, strengthening the bond between the mystical and human worlds.Despite the challenges they faced along the way, Lin and Hunter's connection remained steadfast. The diamond stone, a constant reminder of their shared vision, radiated with an otherworldly glow, symbolizing the strength they drew from one another. Their love had transcended the boundaries of their roles as alphas, in
In the aftermath of the battle, the pack gathered around Lin, their eyes filled with gratitude and trust. The victory had come at a cost, and Lin couldn't shake the feeling that her choices had consequences beyond the supernatural realm. As she turned to address her boyfriend, the pack watched the unfolding scene with a mix of curiosity and concern.Lin's boyfriend stepped forward, his expression a blend of confusion and worry. "Lin, what is all this? I saw... I saw things that I can't explain. Wolves, magic, and that ominous figure. What's happening?"Lin took a deep breath, knowing that explaining her supernatural life to someone outside the pack was a delicate task. "I never meant to keep this from you, but there are things beyond our understanding. The pack and I, we're connected by something more than just friendship. It's a bond that goes beyond the ordinary."Her boyfriend struggled to comprehend the revelation, glancing at the pack, who observed in silence. "Connected? Wolves?
Hunter's mom, the Luna, exchanged a knowing glance with her mate, then turned to Lin with a compassionate expression. "Lin, sometimes the path to redemption is challenging. But if you truly believe that returning willingly is the key to breaking the curse, then we support you."Hunter's dad, though still skeptical, added, "But remember, your actions will determine whether the pack can trust you again. This is your chance to make amends, not just for yourself but for the entire pack."Lin nodded, gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you. I won't let you down."The Reaper, sensing the shift in dynamics, grinned maliciously. "So, the little she-wolf chooses to play hero. Let's see how well you dance to my tune."As Lin walked away with determination, The Reaper's laughter echoed behind her. The pack, unsure of what to make of this development, watched with a mix of hope and anxiety.Back at the pack's home, Lin faced the challenge of regaining the trust she had lost. Conversations with pack mem
In a secluded corner of the pack's territory, Lin found herself face-to-face with Hunter's dad and mom, the temporary alpha and Luna. The air was thick with tension as they prepared to discuss Lin's sudden return and the pressing issues that had gripped the pack in her absence.Hunter's dad, his expression a mix of sternness and disappointment, began the conversation with a direct question. "Lin, your return has stirred both intrigue and skepticism. What brings you back, and can we trust that history won't repeat itself?"Lin took a deep breath, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "I left without explanation, and for that, I'm truly sorry. But I can't stand by while The Reaper's influence grows, and Hunter's fate remains uncertain. I need your help to confront him and unravel the truth."However, before Lin could delve further into her reasons, Hunter's dad interjected with a harsh tone. "This isn't the first time you've abandoned the pack without a word. Leaving abruptly seem
Despite her attempts to find closure, Lin's mind was clouded by an inexplicable haze. As she contemplated reaching out to Hunter, she suddenly remembered that he was placed in the magical jar by The Reaper—a crucial detail she had inexplicably kept forgetting. The revelation added a new layer of urgency and complexity to her quest for resolution.The following day, as the sun painted the sky with hues of dawn, Lin found herself fueled by a newfound determination. Ignoring her CEO boyfriend's well-intentioned advice to rest, she decided to dive back into work, seeking refuge in the familiar rhythms of her professional life.The CEO, concerned for Lin's well-being, urged her to reconsider. "Lin, you need time to heal. Going back to work may not be the best idea right now. Take a moment to breathe and focus on yourself."However, Lin's restlessness overpowered the well-meaning advice. The silence of the house, once stifling, now echoed with a sense of purpose. She yearned for the distrac
As Lin stood before the council, seeking permission to end her quest and return to the human territory, the atmosphere was tense. The Alpha, after a brief deliberation, acknowledged Lin's decision. "Your loyalty lies with the pack, but the path of the quest is not for everyone. You have our permission to return, but be aware that the balance has shifted, and there may be consequences." As Lin left the council gathering, whispers and uncertain glances followed her. The pack members, unsure of the repercussions, couldn't shake the feeling that their destinies had been altered. Unbeknownst to them, The Reaper observed from the shadows, a sinister grin etched on his face. Lin's return had served his purpose, and his influence continued to infiltrate the pack's fate. Meanwhile, Hunter remained trapped in the magical jar, unaware of the council's decision. The ancient inscription on the jar glowed faintly, teasing at the cryptic riddle that held the key to his freedom. The Reaper, having a
The Reaper knew of his power, he knew that Hunter was nothing compared to him. He had defeated greater foes and saw the guy as nothing but a waste of time. Who he truly wanted was Lin, the she-wolf. He wanted her out of the quest, but not the way she had chosen. He wanted to be the one to guide her back to the pack, claming the victory of being the one to cause her to surrender. Working with Hunter’s father was difficult, because the man was so arrogant and felt like he had so much power. But The Reaper knew that returning thee she-wolf back would kickstart his true plans for the pack!But first’s thing first was dealing with Hunter. “Give up, little boy.” He was suspended in the air by his dark powers. “You saw how I dealt with your friends back in the Dark Valley, play with me and I will crush you in seconds.”Hunter, despite being held in the grip of The Reaper's dark powers, refused to show fear. His eyes glowed with determination as he retorted, "I won't let you harm Lin or any
Hunter stood there, stunned and heartbroken, as the weight of Lin's decision sank in. The Reaper, reveling in the chaos he had sown, continued to taunt them.“Well, isn’t this just a delightful turn of events?” The Reaper gloated, circling around the couple. “A rejected mate and a broken duo. I must say, I didn’t expect this level of drama when I decided to confront you two.”Hunter, struggling to process the abrupt end to their bond, glared at The Reaper with a mix of anger and pain. Lin, on the other hand, tried to maintain a stoic facade, but her eyes betrayed a sense of regret and sorrow.“Let’s make a deal, shall we?” The Reaper proposed, savoring the tension in the air. “Surrender, and I’ll ensure that you both leave this quest unharmed. I might even throw in a little bonus, like erasing the memories of your failed attempt from your minds.”Hunter, his emotions spiraling out of control, clenched his fists. “I’ll never surrender to the likes of you. You can't break us that easily
Standing before The Reaper, Lin and Hunter rehearsed all that they had learned from Kai and Stereo. But still, it did not seem enough as they stood in front of the guy. “I tried, Lin. I really tried,” The Reaper started. “I tried to help you. I gave you so many chances to live yet you chose to die. You had the choice to quit this stupid quest and go back to the human territory; to go back to your ex that is still madly in love with you, but no, no, no.” He chuckled. “You decided to stay on a quest that ensured death. And for what? Because you want to be the Alpha of the pack? Is that even what you want?” He continued, playing with her mind with nothing but the truth. “Don’t listen to him, he plays with your mind, that’s what he does,” Hunter cautioned the she-wolf, looking around carefully in case there were any hidden traps waiting for them. “I know, but…” She replied in a low breathy way. She knew that she did not really want to be the Alpha of the pack. She had no desire for th