SIERRATurning away from both brothers, I kept the book underneath my arm and then strolled out. That was the best thing to do.Zane was so blinded with jealousy that he didn't want to listen to anything I had to say, even when I had managed to tell him that Dane was just consoling me because I was on the verge of having a breakdown, he snapped at me telling me to stay out of it, since the 'issue" was between him and Dane.Entering my room, I closed the door behind me and then flopped down on my bed. My mother had removed the tear-soaked bed sheets from earlier and had replaced them with new ones. My heart was beating very fast as I lay on my bed. I was having conflicting emotions, first, it was with Zane then I had almost kissed Kane and now, I didn't want Dane to let go of me. I had wild dreams of me giving myself to the three of them but that wasn't making any sense. One day, my heart would beat for Kane, the next day, it was for Zane, and another day, it would beat for Dane! Was
KANEMy eyes scanned through the herds of students flooding in from through the gates in search of one person. Sierra.I hadn't seen her all day since we got to school, and I wanted to make sure that she was doing okay. Claire and her minions were trying to make fun of me all morning by snickering whenever they saw me.They must have thought it would piss me off, but that did nothing to dent my morning. I glanced at them like kittens trying so hard to be loved.That was an offense to kittens though.The treasure hunt was stupid and it should be banned, it was just a way for students to work themselves up over nothing.We all stood in the field while the sports master asked everyone who had a treasure to bring it out. Claire and her minions brought out their implanted treasured gem in a bid to win the teacher's sentiment. The other students, having gotten used to her attention-seeking ass, sighed not giving her any attention."Where did you get this?" The sports master asked and she
ZANEPoisoned?We were too late, I was too late. My eyes scanned the room and rested on her. She was lying on the bed with her eyes closed. Blood kept on seeping out from the spot where the rogue had clawed her. That bastard!He was lucky Kane got to him before I did."Do something, find the remedy or something!" Kane's voice rose more than normal.The Nurse leaned towards her to inspect the wound. It was a long and very deep gash, the bleeding refused to stop. "Isn't there a remedy for the poison?" I asked.She sighed before looking at me, "There is." "Tell us where to find it," Kane demanded."That is where the issue lies, the poison is one that only certain rogues carry, and in their plains lies the remedy." Her voice was low and hesitant."What is the remedy," I asked.My eyes flickered to Sierra lying unconsciously on the bed. Her eyes were closed and she looked almost lifeless. Her amused face flashed through my mind. I'd do anything to see you on your feet again, Sierra.
DANEI couldn't believe my bullhead brothers were fighting over who to stay behind and who wouldn't. That should be the least of our problems right now.The look in Kane's eyes was dangerous and I knew I had to step in because they wouldn't just stop at words, fists would be hurled too."Both of you stop it!" I snarled.This was what the prophecy had said, and these bull-headed brothers of mine were being unreasonable by arguing about who was being petty and who wasn't.When I mentioned prophecy, they seemed to calm down a little."Zane, this isn't about being a hero, Sierra's life is on the line." I was mad at him for thinking that life was all about looking good in front of our mate.Turning to Kane, I signed. "You're right, one of us has to stay behind to look after Sierra and inform Dad and Maya." "That's what I've been trying to say but this dude here refused to listen." Kane huffed."If you're so right, why don't you stay behind while we go down to the wastelands?" Zane snapped
CLAIREThe sound of my father's voice sent a wave of relief down my spine. His presence always gave me an assurance making me want to do anything and get away with it.The principal's hold on my arm loosened and I shrugged him off."Dad,” I drawled, staring at him with very teary eyes. "My princess," He sent me a reassuring smile then growled at the principal not minding King Thane."What's going on here?" He asked, "I heard rumors of rogues on the school premises." The principal scratched his head looking confused. "Rumors sure spread like wildfire," Dane muttered angrily while glaring at me. I rolled my eyes at him in response. "Let me go," I grumbled trying to free my hand from King Thane's hold. "If you'd excuse me, King Thane, my child is innocent." My father sent him a look and he slowly let go of my hand. Turning back to the principal he raised a brow. "I asked a question." The principal eyes darted around. "We are still investigating what happened," he glanced at me the
KANE"These rogues sure love the sewers," Zane grunted as we struggled to pass through the muddy waste."It's called a wasteland for a reason, Zane," I replied, trying my best to reduce the amount of talking and increase my pace. "Eww." Zane retched.I shook my head ignoring him.He sure was taking the whole scene a lot better than I imagined. We were on our way to the wastelands and the journey so far hasn't been a smooth one.From having to run up a mountain filled with sharp stones and lots of death traps, a missed step could get one killed, to walking through a land where sewages were deposited, I wondered what next awaited us ahead.My mind wandered to Sierra's bloodied clothes and her unconscious face, her face that had lost its glow and looking so dull made my heart ache painfully.I wanted to see her smile once again, I wished to see her standing and giggling about or even picking up a fight with me. Her smile strengthened me, it gave me the push to carry on."Do you think i
ZANEI was stunned at Kane's words and did not know how to take his declaration. At first, I wanted to grab him by the neck and shake him till he changed his decision but I thought better, we were still close to the rogue's territory and there was every probability of them catching up with us. "What made you change your mind?" I tried to remain calm and collected. "I mean," I rephrased, "when and why did you change your mind?" I asked.Did he finally discover how charming Sierra was? Or did nearly losing her unlock something in him?"I can't place a finger to it yet but-" A howling sound from a distance interrupting him. The rogues were catching up, and what was worse was that time wasn't on our side, Sierra needed us. The antidote too."Let's save Sierra first" I replied, shoving the conversation under the carpet."Fine, but it won't change my resolve, and I'm not backing down either. She makes me feel things I thought I could never feel. I tried to curb those feelings." Kane said
SIERRAMy eyes fluttered open making me groan from the sudden bright light in the room. I closed my eyes again trying to get used to the lights in the room.Sudden pain hits me and spreads all around my body making me groan. Memories from earlier flashed through my mind.I shuddered as I recalled the rogues circling me with their tongues dripping saliva as they anticipated their next meal. The triplets had come to my rescue but the rogues were determined to hurt me.Tears dropped from my eyes as the pain became unbearable. Closing my eyes, I heard a ringing sound in my ears while I groaned. My whole body felt as though it was on fire."Sierra, baby can you hear me?" My mother's voice sounded as though she was screaming my name from a distance. I felt her hand touch my cheek and I instantly felt warm."Baby, mama's here." She held my hands tightly to her bosom and I forced my eyes open.They rested on her.She was sitting by my side with a smile on her face while tears dropped from he
ARIELI was furious.My hands shook, my breath came out in short, sharp bursts, and my entire body burned with rage. Astrid. That traitor. She ran to Sierra, ran straight into the arms of our enemies, spilling my secrets like a pathetic little rat.How dare she?I stormed through the house, knocking over anything in my path. A vase shattered against the floor. A chair crashed against the wall. The vampires around me scrambled out of my way, their heads lowered, their bodies pressed against the walls like they could disappear if they stayed still enough.They should be afraid.I wanted them to be afraid.I stopped, my sharp eyes landing on one of the younger ones, a nervous-looking fool hovering in the corner. His hands twitched at his sides like he was debating whether to run.I moved before he could even think about it.One second, I was across the room. The next, I had my fingers wrapped around his throat, lifting him off the ground with ease. His hands clawed at mine, his feet kick
SIERRAI folded my arms, overseeing Astrid. Everything in me screamed not to trust her, but I couldn’t ignore what she was saying either. Ariel’s magic had already done enough damage, I knew that firsthand.Before I could respond, Dane stepped beside me, his stance tense and rigid. His distrust was written all over his face. “You’re really going to listen to her?” he scoffed. “It’s probably a trick. Ariel could’ve put her up to this.”“She’s a vampire,” Zane added sharply. “Why would she suddenly care about helping us? It doesn’t make sense.” His jaw clenched as he eyed Astrid with suspicion.Astrid let out a slow breath as if she had expected this reaction. “I wouldn’t risk coming here,” she said, her voice steady but urgent. “Not when I know exactly what Ariel is capable of.” Her golden eyes flickered with something close to desperation. “You don’t understand, if she finds out I came here, I’ll pay for it.”“She will find out,” Kane snapped. His fists curled at his sides. “She alway
ASTRIDSierra’s eyes widened at my words, but she masked her shock quickly, narrowing her gaze at me. I could see the battle happening in her mind, the way she warred with whether to believe me or not. I didn’t blame her. We had never been on the same side, and now, here I was, claiming to offer an alliance.“I don’t trust you,” she said flatly, her arms crossing over her chest.“I don’t expect you to,” I admitted. “But trust isn’t necessary. What matters is that we both have a common problem and right now, I’m offering you the truth.”Sierra hesitated for only a moment before turning back toward the house. I expected her to invite me in, but instead, she stepped outside, her mates following close behind her. I had to stop myself from reacting. Smart girl. She wasn’t going to let me into her home, not even for a conversation. I respected that.Dane and the others flanked her protectively, their stares filled with open suspicion. Dane spoke first. “What do you want, Astrid?”I took a s
ASTRIDThe moment I stepped back into the estate, fury clawed at my insides. My hands curled into fists, my nails digging into my palms as I stormed down the hall. I had to get away from Ariel before I did something reckless.How dare she? How dare she bind us together with a spell so dangerous that a single weak link could drag us all down? And then, to stand there and smirk, as if she had all the power in the world?I should have ripped her apart.Instead, I took a deep breath, pushed down my rage, and kept walking. I had to be smarter than that.I didn’t make it far before I heard a sharp voice behind me. “Astrid.”I turned to see Celia standing at the entrance to the main hall, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her usually composed face twisted with anger. The tension in the room was thick, pressing against me like an impending storm. Behind her, the other vampires stood in tense silence, their eyes burning with barely contained fury.“You knew about this, didn’t you?” Celia de
ARIELWhen I stepped into the grand hall of the vampire estate, I noticed something was off. Every single one of them, powerful, bloodthirsty creatures that they were, stood frozen, their faces pale with something close to fear.Fear of me.I smirked, letting the silence stretch, relishing the way their red eyes darted around the room like caged animals searching for an escape. Their fangs, usually displayed in smug confidence, remained tucked away, their bodies tense, stiff as statues.“Oh, don’t all rush to welcome me at once.” My voice rang through the cavernous space, laced with amusement.No one responded.A few of them took an instinctive step back, the movement subtle but not missed. One vampire near the entrance gripped the hilt of a dagger at his waist, though he made no move to draw it. Another swallowed thickly, his throat bobbing as though the very sight of me had dried his mouth.It was almost laughable.These creatures, feared by humans and even some supernaturals, stood
SIERRAThe hot water cascaded over my skin, washing away the remnants of exhaustion and frustration. I tried to hold onto my anger, to focus on the fact that Dane had made a deal with Ariel without even knowing the price. But it was difficult when his hands were on me, sliding down my arms, tracing gentle circles on my hips.“Dane,” I started, intending to scold him, but the words melted into a soft moan when his fingers dug slightly into my waist. I hated how easily he unraveled me, how his touch turned my fury into something else entirely.“I’m not leaving you, Sierra,” he murmured against my ear, his voice deep and resolute. “And I’m not doing anything with Ariel. I just couldn’t watch you suffer.”I sighed, leaning back against him as his lips ghosted over my neck. “I still don’t trust her.”“Neither do I,” he admitted, pressing a kiss just below my ear. “But I had to do something.”His hands moved up my stomach, teasing but never crossing the line. Heat coiled low in my belly, an
DANEI tightened my grip on Sierra’s limp hand, my heart pounding. Her face was too pale, her breathing too shallow. Every second that passed felt like a lifetime, and I couldn’t take it anymore.“Ariel,” I said, my voice raw. “Please. Do it now. Whatever it takes.”Ariel tilted her head, her lips curling into a knowing smile. “Begging now, are we?”I clenched my jaw. “Just save her.”Ariel rolled her eyes but knelt beside Sierra, placing her hands gently over the burn. A faint glow emitted from her palms, flickering like the flame of a candle before growing stronger. She murmured in a language I didn’t recognize, her voice steady and sure. The air around us thickened, charged with an almost electric energy that made the hairs on my arms stand on end.The glow spread, tendrils of light unfurling from Ariel’s hands and wrapping around Sierra’s body like a cocoon. The energy pulsed, shifting from a soft gold to an intense, almost blinding white. I clenched my fists, watching in tense si
DANEI couldn't take it anymore. Watching Sierra in agony, her body trembling as she fought against the pain, was unbearable. I felt useless, standing there while she suffered, unable to do a damn thing to help her. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my frustration bubbling over until I couldn’t hold it in any longer.“I need some air,” I muttered, turning on my heel.“Dane.” Kane’s voice was sharp with suspicion. “Where are you going?”I didn’t answer. I just kept walking, my strides long and determined as I pushed open the door of the packhouse and stepped into the night. The cool air did nothing to soothe the fire in my chest. Sierra’s pained whimpers echoed in my ears, haunting me with every step I took.Kane cursed under his breath and hurried after me. “Don’t do anything stupid,” he warned, grabbing my arm. “I know what you’re thinking.”I yanked my arm free. “Then you know I can’t just stand there and watch her suffer, Kane.” My voice was rough with frustration. “She’s i
SIERRAAriel’s smirk deepened, eyes glinting with amusement as she leaned against the tree, arms crossed. “Well?” she prompted, tilting her head. “Do we have a deal?”I clenched my fists, trying to keep my breathing steady despite the pain in my arm. “It’s impossible,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t mind giving up my powers, but I will never give you my mate.”The boys tensed beside me, their postures rigid. Dane’s jaw locked, and Kane let out a sharp breath through his nose. Zane took a threatening step forward. “You’re insane if you think we’d ever agree to that.”Ariel threw her head back and laughed, the sound ringing through the darkened woods like a twisted melody. “Oh, you poor things,” she cooed, her eyes flashing with mischief. “I was trying to be polite, but since you insist on making this difficult…”She lifted her hand and flicked her fingers.The pain was immediate and unbearable. A sudden, sharp heat shot through my entire body, like fire licking at my veins, burning