The sight at my front made my eyes go wide with panic, my mouth widely opened while my pulse raced. Chiara seemed like she was at the verge of death, seeing something that neither Jacob nor I could see. She was gasping for air, screaming and pulling her hair out as she tried fighting her way out of her brother's hand. I rushed into the restroom on an impulse, crouching next to Jacob who barely noticed my presence, and if he did, I wasn't acknowledged. He had his sister curled up in his arms. He was whispering words into her ear, massaging her arms. "Stay with me, Rocha," he said as he gently laid her on the floor and began to loosen her gown.I could see the fear in his eyes. Chiara fought and bit Jacob's hands but he overpowered her, holding her down to the floor, his hands trembling as he slowly pulled her gown down her waist and revealed her naked breast. "It's going to be okay."I almost puked at the sight. There was a nasty wound on one of her breasts, one that wasn't even healed
Alexander didn't seem surprised to see me. I believe he was waiting for me by the entrance of the toilet. I moved towards him, hands by my side as I remembered the details of the 899 meeting. The duel between him and Calixto was seven days away. I was confident that Alexander would win, but I still felt saddened that Calixto would have to die. "How long have you been here?" I asked once I got to his front. His back remained against the wall as he looked at me with an undecipherable gaze. I felt awkward with how he stared at me. "Since the moment I heard Jacob shift," he said, dispelling the awkwardness around us. "I did see him carry Chiara out. Besides, I'm waiting for you."The image of Chiara writhing in pain on the floor flashed through my mind and I felt so sorry for her, wondering what would have happened if her brother didn't make it to her on time. "She has Simus," I stated the obvious, staring deeply into Alexander's eyes. "I didn't even know that, and now I feel so bad for
The look in Alexander's red eyes was enough to know he wanted me. "Besides, I'm taking my time with you, Annalisa," he added, as his eyes reverted back to normality. He moved his head closer to my ear, hazel eyes boring deeply into my soul. "I don't want to break you just yet." He said in a whisper-like tone.My heart picked as he said those words, cheeks scorching in embarrassment. Even without a mirror, I could tell my face was reddish pink. I placed my hand on my chest in a bid to calm down my racing heart, but it was futile. Seating beside Alexander alone was making me feel heated up, and when his hand held mine I almost died out of excitement. Throughout the rest of the ride Alexander's hand held mine. The sun was almost setting the moment we arrived at the white pack, and Alexander guided me into the mansion. Once inside, Alexander commanded his knight to close the door. We were at the foyer, alone, and he stopped walking. Then I felt it. The air was stale. He had done it again
"Is this truly your real appearance?" I turned the page towards Alexander, my eyes wide with disbelief.He deliberated for a moment before affirming, nodding gracefully. "Yes, it is indeed my true being."On the third page of the first ever version of the enchiridion was a daunting portrait of a deity which greeted my eyes. It was an image of Dhruv. The god possessed a monstrous horn at the center of his head, fiery red eyes that burned with an intensity unmatched, and a velvety long midnight blue hair cascading down to the ground. His ethereal skin as white as freshly fallen snow. Dhruv, in his majestic Lycan form, emanated an intriguing air of allure, mingling danger with mischief. A smattering of blood marred his midnight blue fur, evoking both the primal beast and the insatiable thirst for blood. This was the true appearance of Alexander, a god-like being that defied my wildest imagination. I had envisioned his true form to be pure, innocent, and resplendent, far from the daunting
I stood on my feet, holding the book close to my chest as I heard Alexander say those words. "And then you chose me?" My words came out as a question. "Why me?"He cupped my cheeks. "Only an Omega, the embodiment of the moon goddess, can successfully bear the child of god," he explained, and I was finally coming to terms with everything. I felt like I could finally understand Alexander. "I do admit we started off on the wrong foot, and that's because I find it difficult to express love.""But you did mention that our marriage was a convenience, and that your heart already belonged elsewhere," I reminded him, feeling a pang of jealousy. An intense spark ignited in his eyes as he looked at me, causing my body to tingle with sparks. Suddenly, he chuckled and retrieved something from his pocket, passing it to me. It was a necklace adorned with a portrait of Amelia. "This is your sister."With a nod, he continued, "I once believed it was impossible to love more than one person simultaneous
Aliya helped braid my red hair into a simple chunky braid which she managed to enhance by a microbraid running along the center of the style. The hair was beautiful and it managed to bring out the shape of my face perfectly. "The hair looks so good on you," Amelia gushed, staring at me with owly eyes. "Can I also get my hair made like this? I'm tired of keeping my hair so long. I know having it like yours would help keep them in check." Smiling at her, I stood up from the chair stationed in front of the ornate vanity mirror. I removed the towel draped over my shoulder and handed it over to Aliya, who promptly exited the room. I was left with the kids who stared at me, eyes filled with admiration. Rhea had a smile on my face as she gestured to me with her hands, she was using sign language which I knew nothing about. I felt bad for not taking the class also. "Rhea says your hair looks magnificent," Amelia served as the interpreter, and I was thankful for it. I bent down on my knee
Nunchucks were quite an easy weapon to use, or maybe Katniss was just a good teacher. Within just half a day of training, I already got a hang of it. However, as we trained, I didn't miss the cold shoulders Katniss passed me. It got to my nerves sometimes, but I couldn't exactly get mad at her. She had every right to be angry at me. I threw Katniss the nunchucks as I fell down to the floor, panting for air. The training had taken a toll on me, and according to Katniss, I still needed to work on my stamina if I really wanted to master the use of nunchucks and the art of Krav Maga. Onerous. From a distance, I caught sight of Canary and Tyra engrossed in a conversation, although their words remained inaudible. With an exasperated sigh, I tore my gaze away from them, watching keenly as Katniss returned the nunchucks to their appropriate place. She was being quiet and it rubbed me off badly in a way. "You're still pissed with me, aren't you?" I stated the obvious, as Katniss turned to fa
Almost as if we read each other's minds, Sophia, Canary, and I stomped out of the training ground into the mansion in search of Alexander. The letter was held firmly in my grasp as we entered the living room, which was quiet. No one was there. We made our way to the study, and there he was, seated behind his desk, while Julian and Alphonse had their seats on a couch. They had a look of surprise on their faces as we made our way into the study, closing the door behind us. Sophia and Canary were quick to join their husbands on the plush three seater couch, while I chose to remain by the door, attempting to collect my scattered thoughts.After I did that, I held the letter up, locking my eyes with a fatigued Alexander who remained seated. His hazel eyes were weary, and I noticed he hadn't changed out of the clothes he'd used in training. "I didn't know the whole five kingdoms were invited to the duel. Isn't that risky, Alexander?" I voiced out my thoughts, stepping further into the stud
I continued to scream as the two guards entered into the room with panic written across their faces. The pain I was feeling in my belly felt like a strong menstrual cramp that got progressively more and more intense as time went on. One of the guard helped me steady my movement as I spoke through my pain. "I need a physician. The baby. . .I think it's coming already." "Lord Dhruv needs to be aware of this," one of the guards, the brawny one, told the skinny looking one. "I'll be back," the skinny guard left while the brawny one helped me lay on the bed. He was still panic-stricken as he watched me whirl around in pain on the bed. A loud moan came out of my mouth as I felt my abdomen contract. It wasn't even up to a minute that the skinny guard left, but he soon returned along with Aliya, the physician and for the first time in months I saw Dhruv, standing with a dangerous aura outside the dungeon as he watched me swirl around in pain on the bed. The physician wasn't alone this
PRESENT TIME — ANNALISA POV."A war is coming, Annalisa. It's only you that can help win that war if only you open your heart. Embrace the red apple and pluck out the golden one. I promise, more fruits will grow on your tree." It was that same old woman again, the one I'd met back in Cessi. She was dressed in a tattered red gown with silvery, unkempt hair. She was blind, staring down at me with cataract eyes. "Pluck out the golden Apple, Annalisa. You have to. If you don't, the devil will win." I was trapped in a dark place, with the only light in the room illuminated on the older woman before me. My heart was beating fast out of fear as I tried backing away from the woman, but I couldn't, I was held down on a spot with an iron grip. The older woman's grip was strong. For a fragile adult she had a titanium grip."Guard your heart against the Devil, Annalisa," she admonished, her grip on me tightening.I winced."The Devil himself dwells among us and you are well acquainted with his p
Thirty whole days had passed since the last night I'd seen Alexander. He had promised to come back to the palace with Alphonse to help terminate the pregnancy, yet, he was nowhere to be seen. My mind was in a turbulence as I tried to think of how to get rid of the growing life inside of me. With each day the child lived in me, I dreaded the emotions that would want me to keep it. The palace was in a disarray. Some palace knights had refused to take orders from my father anymore. The prophecy shared by lady Bernadette had traveled across the Kingdom. The people of Trinigad were beginning to call for my father to abdicate his position as Alpha king.There was a whisper in the air as I looked towards my window. The curtains were flapping with the wind. I noticed the once beautiful postcard-perfect night had now become a dome of dark nimbostratus clouds, domineering over the full moon that hung in the night sky as a mandela. It was obvious what was to come, a heavy rain accompanied by th
Within the palace, there was a heavy turmoil, one that left my father restless and snappy. The whole council was against us, and our rulership, especially after the prophecy given by sage Bernadette. The knights were slowly turning their loyalty to my father's beta — Benetton. I knew, without a doubt, that it was only a matter of time before a coup broke out.I laid still on my bed as the moonlight shone through my window, the wind gently flapping the curtains. It was almost the rainy season, the moisture in the air gave that away. As a Lycan, I hated the rain. The rain, rather than a blessing from the moon goddess, was a shackle to we Lycans. We tend to lose two thirds of our power whenever it rains. I held on to a document in my hand, glancing through it with a scowl on my face. The document was a photocopy of the council letter to my father, requesting my father to renounce his position as Alpha king. My father had ceased to say anything regarding the matter. Instead, he had locked
Three months had passed since Alexander and I became couples. Three months since the first time Alexander and I slept together. Ever since then, sleeping together had become a thing of norm between us, albeit we had to keep our relationship a secret. I couldn't even tell Sophia.Although people raised an eye after Alexander mate appointment because he didn't pick a mate. He was quick to address the situation, telling the masses that he was in no hurry to pick a mate, and he was awaiting the moon goddess fated mate. His parents said nothing about that, but Alexander did tell me they were furious.A sigh left my lips as I applied an ointment on the exterior of my anus. I winced as the cold cream came in contact with my skin. My ass had been hurting since the last time Alexander and I had sex, which was almost a week ago. Alexander was gentle with me, but his thrust was rough and that could be accounted for why my backside was hurting. The pain was unbearable, and I had first assumed I h
It was only when I felt Alexander wet kisses on my collar bone did I realize that he had unbuttoned my shirt. I tensed a bit, feeling insecure as his eyes met the full moon birthmark on my chest. There was an unreadable expression in his eyes, one that hiked up my concerns about my status as an omega. I wondered if he was repulsed by me, but my concerns were wiped away once his lips fell on my chest.His tongue traced the birthmark, leaving behind a trail of spit. My heartbeat kept on running at a fast pace, akin to the heartbeat of one running a marathon.Alexander took off my shirt completely, leaving me half naked on the grass. I had barely been able to comprehend everything that was happening when his lips captured my nipples. Even though I was an omega, my physique was like that of a man. I had no breasts, but it seemed like Alexander didn't mind as he concentrated solely on my chest, biting, suckling, and teasing my nipples. I moaned, unashamedly, as he assaulted my nipples. "I
I didn't know where I planned on going, but I followed my intuition and kept on walking deep into the woods until I luckily stumbled upon a pathway. I was angry at my sister. More like, I was angry at myself. Angry at the stupid feelings growing in my heart towards Alexander. I was even angrier that I couldn't do anything to stop those feelings. However, amidst the anger in my heart, there was one other emotion that remained prominent; and that was confusion. Alexander had kissed me. He had declared his love towards me. Yet, that same man was currently searching for his mate. What happened to. . .to us? The kiss we shared? The heart to heart conversations? Was it all just a ploy to play with my feelings? Was he not being genuine towards me? As I kept on running on the pathway, I eventually reached a dead end. I stopped running, standing akimbo style as I panted, taking my gaze around to observe my surroundings. I knew I was already in the white pack territory, but everywhere was mos
I whistled as the carriage began to move. It was finally the day of Alexander's mate appointment, and sitting next to Sharon made me feel nervous for a lot of reasons. I also couldn't stop thinking about what my mother had said about Sharon wanting to pick Alexander as her erasthai. It bothered me to know that my sister was also in love with the man my heart was after, but what hurt me the most was Alexander's betrayal. . .could I really call it a betrayal when we weren't even official? But he confessed to me. He told me he loved me, but. . .it was. . .it was all a lie. "Stop whistling, it's annoying," Sharon complained from where she sat next to me. I turned my gaze to her and saw her with a scowl on her face as she stared at me, fanning herself. "Your whistling is driving me to sleep."I didn't give her any response as I wondered why she was even riding the same carriage with me. She had the option of taking another carriage, yet she decided to ride with me. I knew whatever the re
I stood on my feet, holding the book close to my chest as I heard Alexander say those words. "And then you chose me?" My words came out as a question. "Why me?"He cupped my cheeks. "Only an Omega, the embodiment of the moon goddess, can successfully bear the child of a god," he explained, and I was finally coming to terms with everything. I felt like I could finally understand Alexander. "I do admit we started off on the wrong foot, and that's because I find it difficult to express love.""But you did mention that our marriage was of convenience, and that your heart already belonged elsewhere," I reminded him, feeling a pang of jealousy. An intense spark ignited in his eyes as he looked at me, causing my body to tingle. Suddenly, he chuckled and retrieved something from his pocket, passing it to me. It was a necklace adorned with a portrait of Amelia. "This is your sister."With a nod, he continued, "I once believed it was impossible to love more than one person simultaneously, so I