~Kierra's POV~
The memory of that fateful night still haunts me, refusing to fade away even after a decade. The trauma lingers, vivid and raw, etched deep within my mind.It was as if time had stood still on that night, when the moon cast an eerie glow over our silent house. The midnight hour was shattered by the unsettling sound of creaking floorboards. Madam Ann, our housekeeper, had ventured downstairs, her footsteps cautious and light, seeking for a glass of water. Little did she know that something bad was about happening that night.As a werewolf, Madam Ann possessed heightened senses, and the heartbeat of the intruders reverberated through the corridors, revealing their presence. Three of them had infiltrated our home, concealed in shadows. She treaded softly, careful not to attract their attention, witnessing the unspeakable act as they mercilessly stabbed my uncle and aunt ( his mate). Her horror was palpable, yet she suppressed her instinct to scream, taking cover before they could spot her. In that moment, she overheard their whispered plans, a sinister plot to abduct me."They had already claimed your uncle and aunt, leaving their lifeless bodies in their wake," Madam Ann confided in me one evening, the setting sun casting a golden glow over our beachside conversation."Before they reduced the house to ashes, they sought to prevent any chance of regeneration by piercing their hearts with silver stakes," she explained, her voice laced with tears."Their motive was clear – to erase any traces and cover their tracks," she added, her words quivering with a mix of sorrow and anger.Madam Ann went on to reveal that, just before that ill-fated night, my uncle had been summoned to meet a mysterious man. She had witnessed him entering a luxurious car, returning with a grim countenance, his anger barely contained.It was during her search through the charred remains of our home that she stumbled upon a clue, a locket hidden in my uncle's room. Its pendant was incomplete, missing a piece that may have been dislodged during the struggle between the killer and my uncle before the final blow.The fire raged on for hours until the valiant efforts of the Fire Department subdued its wrath. In the aftermath, when the crowd had dispersed, Madam Ann ventured back into the ruins, desperate for a glimmer of hope. But her hopes were shattered as she discovered my uncle and aunt, life extinguished by the flames. And there, beneath the ashes, lay the locket, its secrets waiting to be unraveled.My first year in Minx town was a lonely one, the weight of loss bearing down upon me. Fear and apprehension prevented me from forging new friendships, and the new high school I attended paled in comparison to my former vibrant world in Kenvy.However, time has a way of healing wounds and opening doors. It was after two years that I found solace in the friendship of Beatrice, a human. In her presence, I felt a sense of security, knowing she posed no threat to my true nature.Minx city was home to a diverse population, with humans far outnumbering the werewolves that had dominated my previous surroundings. And it was in this city that I crossed paths with Scott, my second friend, five years ago during our college days.Scott was a breath of fresh air, his humor and kindness captivating my attention. Despite considering him my closest confidant, I never anticipated his unexpected confession of love three years ago. I was taken aback, unable to fathom the idea of a romantic relationship with him. He had always been my dependable companion, someone I cherished as a dear friend.I found myself laughing incredulously, assuming it was a playful prank or an elaborate ruse."You must be joking, Scott. Is today April Fools' Day?" I exclaimed, my laughter echoing through the classroom.But he persisted, pinching his left thumb with his right fingers, struggling to maintain his composure."No, Kierra. I'm not joking," he declared earnestly, his eyes filled with vulnerability. "I've summoned the courage to tell you that I love you."The words hung in the air, shocking and bewildering me. I questioned his sincerity, believing he must be confused or mistaken."Why would you say that, Scott? Are you sure you're not just confused?" I probed, searching his eyes for a sign that this was all a misunderstanding.In an attempt to reassure me, he reached for my hands, his touch comforting yet tinged with longing. He pleaded for my trust, assuring me that his feelings were genuine, unlike anything he had experienced before.
Overwhelmed by emotions, I bolted from the classroom, seeking solace in the refuge of a taxi that would take me home. Reciprocating his affection was an impossibility, and guilt plagued my heart for hurting Scott, a genuinely kind and charming individual. He possessed an understated handsomeness, his intellect and infectious smile serving as his most striking features. I had noticed other girls stealing glances in our direction, yet I knew that Beatrice, my closest friend, harbored a secret infatuation for him, concealed even from me.With werewolf senses as my ally, I detected the accelerated beat of Beatrice's heart whenever the three of us were together. It was a bittersweet knowledge, and I grappled with the dilemma of revealing Scott's feelings to her. But the potential heartbreak it would cause dissuaded me from confessing the truth.In my pursuit to protect our friendship, I sought out Scott the following day. With a heavy heart, I expressed my inability to reciprocate his love, suggesting that we continue as friends. To my surprise, he responded with remarkable maturity and understanding."Don't worry, Kierra," he said, a genuine smile gracing his face. "You don't have to love me back just because I confessed my feelings. I simply needed to unburden my heart."That day, I was grateful for his unwavering composure and acceptance. We remained steadfast friends, guarding our secret from Beatrice, unwilling to risk losing two of my closest companions over unrequited love.Yet, I couldn't help but believe that my heart was incapable of loving again, scarred by the loss of Aden, my high school love. Aden was a paragon of intelligence, kindness, and striking handsomeness, even as a teenager.He possessed a willingness to help others, a quality that set him apart.Although we were classmates, we had never spoken, my status as the new kid in school preventing me from forming connections. It wasn't until our school organized a three-day camp that our paths finally intertwined.Aden, the son of Alpha Morrison, the esteemed Alpha of Kenvy, carried the weight of his family's legacy. The Morrisons were renowned for their vast wealth, their empire spanning multiple industries across the globe. Despite this, Aden remained humble, a quality that endeared him to all who knew him.Three days after the tragic loss of my family and running away from Kenvy, I made a desperate call to a friend from school, hoping to get any information about Aden. What I learned shattered my heart, plunging me deeper into the abyss of despair.Aden was gone, lost to a tragic accident, a fall from a cliff. The news struck me like a thunderbolt, leaving me devastated. How could yet another person who brought immense joy to my life be taken away?My existence seemed to be entangled with an unyielding tapestry of tragedies, each one tearing at the fragile fabric of my soul.~Aden's POV~"Great work, man," I said to Cassel as he skillfully chopped the wood. The crackling sound of splitting logs filled the air. These logs would provide warmth and comfort to the children later in the evening. Cassel was not only a devoted father but also a true friend, someone who had saved my life a decade ago. I owed him more than words could express. My father's untimely death and the mysterious disappearance of Kierra, the love of my life, had cast a shadow over everything. It all began with masked intruders who had invaded our home, ruthlessly ending my father's life with a silver stake. The sight of my father's lifeless body on the floor left me devastated and filled with a burning desire for justice. Who could have orchestrated such a heinous act? My mind raced with questions, but the answers remained elusive. My father was my anchor, my only family. Having lost my mother at a young age, he was all I had. Yet, there was a secret concealed within our family—my twin
Kierra's POVAs a graduate of Accounting and also graduating at the top of my class. I felt proud that I had achieved one of my dreams.If my uncle was alive he would have been proud too.The time was here for me to go back to Kenvy. I would apply for a job and begin my search for what happened that night.Not everyone in Kenvy will recognise me but I still have to be careful. The killers might still be out there.I told Madam Ann about my plan to move back to Kenvy. She was sad but she knew she couldn't hide me and protect me forever. I was old enough to make decisions of my own. It hurt me to leave her behind. I saw her as the mother I never had while growing up. I needed to keep my emotions behind me and seek the truth. Being aware of all that happened that night has made me miserable for the last ten years."Keep this with you," she said as she handed a golden locket with just one part of the pendant and the other missing."Was this the locket you were talking about?" I asked "Y
Aden's POVI got a glimpse of the corpse. Just like any other corpse, this one also had its head missing. Whoever was doing this was trying to make identifying the victim difficult for us.This was the forty-ninth body found since we discovered the first one last year. All the victims were women. I had to get away from the scene, the smell of the corpse could make me puke. It seemed the body was out here for a while. The flies hovering over the decomposed body made it difficult to keep focus.Cassel's uncle, Tim, said something dangerous was going on in town. There was a bite mark on the victim's neck. He said he heard that the killings weren't just happening here but also in Kenvy as well.It looked like the killer was using the forest as his discard centre. I have eyes in Kenvy, those giving me information about my brother, or any happening in the city. And they confirmed receiving news of deaths as well. I frequently go to Kenvy city. But whenever I did, I made sure to always wea
Kierra's POVKenvy has changed a lot. The city was busy, there were more skyscrapers now compared to when I left. Kenvy is a beautiful place and it even looks more magnificent now. The fresh air reminded me of my childhood memories but this was where I lost a part of me, my happiness.While in kenvy I decided to lodge in a hotel first before getting myself an apartment. After I settled in on Sunday evening. I prepared myself for work the following day. I didn't want to arrive late. That will speak badly of me. I began unpacking my things. My attention fell on the locket, I stared at it for a while before returning it to a small pocket beside my bag. "Kierra! Don't get carried away, report to work first, and then the hunt will begin," I told myselfI have sworn that nothing was going to jeopardize my revenge plan. I came back to Kenvy for a purpose and I wouldn't leave until I achieved it.I slept off on the couch watching T.V. When I woke up it was past 5 am, perfect timing to awak
Aden's POV I have never joked with my gut feelings. It's there for a reason. So I don't overlook it. I knew something was going on in Borgn that was linked to Vampires. It was clear for anyone with eyes to see. Unless people in Borgn were trying to cover it up because they didn't want everyone to think an impending war was on the way. By the way, we werewolves don't bite that way, we ain't bloodsuckers. When we bite, we bite to kill and that's in our werewolf form. Another reason for a werewolf to bite is to mark his mate of course. "How do I know this much?" Cassel asked me right after what happened to Helena in the woods. After Helena came back home that fateful day looking terrified. Cassel finally picked interest in the V word. I know he one day would. It's just unfortunate Helena had to get hurt before he listened. Who wouldn't after a loved one gets attacked? "I used to read a lot when I was younger. If I wasn't playing with Argon, my twin brother, I would be in my father
Kierra's POV I wasn't emotionally ready for what I saw yesterday. When I saw him, I think my heart stopped beating back there. I had seen someone who was supposed to be dead. "But how?" I asked myself. Was I given the wrong information then? It had to be, I shook Aden's hands yesterday. He was standing right in front of me. He was real. I couldn't forget the way he looked at me yesterday. I have never felt so weak under someone's gaze. The way he called my name was so natural and sweet. Did he know I had applied to work in his firm? He didn't look surprised to see me. I hope I get to see him alone and ask him questions I need to find answers to. He had to explain to me what triggered and who helped spread the rumor of his death. And most importantly, he might have had an idea or must have heard stories related to my family's demise. I could use his help to search for answers. But I had to stop myself from thinking we were going to be as close as we were in the past… "Kierra, Ade
Aden's POV Back in the woods. I felt that we were being watched. I could hear a person's heartbeat but it was faint. The person must have been watching us from afar and the tall trees gave whoever it was a perfect shield. We were on our way back home when we heard an almost deafening sound. It was the car tires. "What the heck was that," Cassel yelled "I think we just stepped on corks" uncle Tim responded Before we knew what was happening our car went off the road. Uncle Tim was trying to bring the situation under control by driving the car to a safe spot. "Hey guys, I think we have got company," Brad yelled from behind the truck A dozen guys came after us. Before we could get out of the car. They were already onto us. I couldn't understand why these guys were charging at us. Then I remembered the faint heartbeat I heard in the woods. A thought crossed me " Seems the person spying on us in the woods has alerted the others" The three of us got out of the car to get ready to f
Aden's POV It's been a long time since I was involved in a fight. The last fight I had was with the Borgn's clan beta Brad. He challenged me to a fight a year ago and I defeated him. I was almost made the Beta of the clan then, but I turned it down. I told Alpha Carl it wasn't my ambition. Brad was a narrow-minded guy, he had a temper that made him blind to see reasons whenever he was angry. Many say he isn't worthy of being a Beta because of some of his scandalous habits. He was a great gambler. People say he started gambling and drinking after he lost his father. Although his mom is alive and well. Instead of getting worked up by her son's attitude she usually spends her day at the clinic. His father was the beta to the Borgn clan before he died and his mum was a nurse, a salutary werewolf (a herbal wolf that takes care of the ill and injured). Brad's father died when he was seventeen. It was an unfortunate incideng. One faithful day, the Borgn Clan were attacked by rogue w