Chapter Thirty-sixRiaz's Point Of ViewIf you're wanted there, you'd find your way yourself, she said. The melody is from Red Orleans, she said. I've been walking for seven days and nights! I'm freaking tired. I feel like I would die any minute from now. I'm hungry and fucking thirsty. My bones are giving out by the minute and I'm not sure if I'll be able to go on. "Ah," I winced as a pang of pain shot up my leg. I looked down and realized I stepped on a thorn. My shoes would have prevented this but they are so worn out. I've been dwelling on wild fruits and unclean water for about three days now. The food and water Granny gave me are finished. I'm sure my insides are filled with countless bacteria and infections. Closing my eyes, I pulled my food out of the thorn. Damn, that hurt! I crutched down to take a good look at my injured foot. I just hope the thorn isn't poisonous or anything. I let down my bag and tore a part of my trouser to wrap my injured foot. Just then, I heard a
Chapter Thirty-sevenAlexa's Point Of View"I didn't know I was being followed. I went to Raven pack when I heard the news of the visitation of a supernaturally strong wolf. My instincts told me that that wolf was Akira with no doubt. So I went there. I never knew I would be ambushed. As if they knew I was coming. I fought my way out but as you saw me, I didn't escape in one piece. I was able to lose them along the chase but not for long." "What do you mean?" Akira asked and Alice stopped pacing. "There is a mole here, Akira." She said and the room tensed up. "There is a what?" "A mole. Someone is releasing secrets of the pack to the vampires. I know this because I heard them say it. Some guy, a warrior in the pack named Raya? Rama?" "Raga," I said and she flicked her finger. "Bingo!" She beamed. "Raga! That was his name. He mentioned something about receiving information from the spy planted here." She said and Akira sat up. His expression was hardened. "Do you have any idea w
Chapter Thirty-eightAlexa's Point Of View"Why did you do that?" I asked Xena as soon as we left the elders council. "Do what?" I held her arm and pulled her back. "I told you to stay back." "And watch you kneel for those old geezers?" "So? What's it to you?" I snapped and she turned to me. "Don't you get it? I..." She paused. "You what?" Her gaze lingered on me for a while and she huffed as she yanked her arm away from my grip. "I'm obeying the alpha's order, okay? My job is to protect you. Preventing you from looking like a fool is also protecting." She said and continued to walk. I know she was trying to help but I had it under control. Why would she do that for me anyway? I thought she didn't like me. I flipped my hair away from my face and turned in the direction of my residence. I looked up at the sky. It's evening. Gosh, the dinner is tonight. I can't believe I'm about to spend about thirty minutes with that girl. I hope I don't snap. "Alexa," I heard Cyan call telepa
Chapter Thirty-nineAkira's Point Of View"Make sure no one comes in here to disturb him. He needs complete rest," "My lady, what about her highness?" "Are you deaf or dumb? I said make sure no one comes in!" "Yes, my lady." "Now leave!" I recognized that voice. It's Alice. I opened my eyes slowly and saw her drawing the window blinds to the side. She turned to me and gasped when she saw I was awake. "Akira, are you okay?" She asked as she came to sit beside me. I looked around where I was. I was in my room. What happened? Oh, yes. I had an allergic attack and...Alexa! I sprang up, ready to rush out but Alice pushed me back to the bed. "You're not yet stable. You should stay here to rest longer." "I am fine. A little allergy attack can't do me any harm." "Says the person that almost died twenty minutes ago." I sighed and ruffled my hair. I got off the bed despite her protest and walked to the door. "Where are you going?" She demanded. "To see.." "Her? The person that al
Chapter Forty Riaz's Point Of View"Come on, messy hair, where are we going? We've been walking for hours! I feel like my legs would come off." I complained. "See? You're so heartless. I'm here complaining but you're not even paying attention." "I never asked you to follow me." He said grudgingly. "You don't expect me to stay home all day while you go out to heaven knows where. I can get bored, you know?" "I don't care." "Gosh, you're quite heartless for a man who saved a dying boy." He didn't reply. I folded my arms at my back and kicked a small stone and kicked it at his feet. He didn't even react. I threw a handful of dry leaves on his head. He kept walking, facing forward and looking unconcerned. Maybe if I start singing he'll pay me attention. I cleared my throat, "Oh great mountain, how wise and proud you stand. In the middle of the meadow, I sight you from afar.." "Has your voice always been this bad?" I smiled smugly. "My voice is beautiful, right?" He scoffed in di
Chapter Forty-oneAlexa's Point Of View "Just go out and meet him on his way back from meeting the elders." My heart dropped. "He went to meet the elders?" Gosh, it can only be because of one thing. "Did...did you hear noise coming from there when you passed by?" Raya shook her head. "It was exceptionally quiet for some reason." I huffed and sat on the bed. "So are you gonna keep huffing and puffing like a wolf or go out there and face him?" Xena said in frustration and I threw her a glare. She has been standing by the corner, watching me go through a mental breakdown without saying anything. Now she opens her mouth only for her to insult me. I woke up this morning intending to go to Akira and apologize for last night but for some reason, all the courage I had to lash at him last night has melted from my body. "What if he's still angry?" "Come on, he's not," Raya assured."I don't know. Who wouldn't be angry after going through what our poor alpha went through?" Xena said and
Chapter Forty-twoAkira's Point Of ViewYesterday when she barged out in anger, I thought of giving her space but I was restless. She was wearing very thin clothing when she left the house. She could be cold. Where could she have gone? I could not keep calm, I had to go out to look for her but no matter where I looked, I could not find her. I was beginning to go crazy. I could not catch her scent inside the palace so I decided to search for her outside the palace. On my way, I ran into Alice. "Akira, what are you doing out at this time?" She questioned but I was in no mood to answer her questions. I walked past her and she pulled me back. "Where are you going? It's quite late." "I have to get to something. What are you doing out?" "Didn't you feel it? The earthquake. I thought that was why you're outside too?" I shook my head. "No. Nothing is going on outside, you should go inside." I said. "It's cold," I added before proceeding to leave. She pulled me back again and I growled i
Chapter Forty-threeAlexa's Point Of ViewI sat on my bed, the letter still in my hands as I tried to process what I just read. "It's impossible." I said in disbelief as my hands shook in shock. I can't believe that after all these years, he is alive. I know all these years I wished he was alive but now that I've seen proof, I just can't believe it. I turned the paper backwards to see if anything was written there but there wasn't any. I let down the paper and stood up. "If he has been alive all these while, why is he contacting me now? Why now and not two or three years ago when I was searching for him?" I wondered aloud as I paced to and fro. Hearing a knock on my door, I quickly put the letter in the envelope and hid it under my pillow. "Who is it?" I asked as I quickly sat down."Your highness," I recognized the voice to be Alice's. I cleared my throat and said, "come in." She entered and I flashed her the most natural smile I could fake. "To what do I owe this visit?" She
"All hail great Khan!" "All hail great Khan!" Riaz looked up at Ace who in turn squeezed his hand assuringly. Riaz let out a shaky breath and closed his eyes. I'll be fine. We'll be fine, he assured himself. He looked ahead and saw Akira and Alexa. Alexa smiled at him and he nodded. It's the Lantern Celebration today. All the people are present and surprisingly, the least expected person, Darco, is present. Who would have thought? Well, evil recognizes evil so it's no surprise they know each other. Khan came forward with a red unlit lantern in his hand. He raised his hand and everyone went silent. "It's so great to see all of you here again. Alive, and well." Cheers erupted in the crowd and Riaz rolled his eyes. "A lot has happened throughout the years, right?" "YES!!" "We all wouldn't be here tonight if it wasn't for the great and selfless sacrifices made by the heroic warriors in the past. We shouldn't let thier shedded blood go to waste." Every word Khan spoke made Riaz's
Riaz's Point Of View"So you mean our king is actually the villain?" Dandelion asked. "If your king, King Khan, is the same person Riaz's mum talked about then yes, he's the one." Akira said. "I can't believe this. He took the throne and spread lies about your family. Do you know what he calls you? White witches. He says you're evil and tried to take over the land forcefully." Clover said and I shook my head. "He's just the worst." Ace said. "We have to make him pay for what he did. He has been on the throne for decades now and everyone sees him as a good person." "That's the hardest part. Changing the view of the people. It would be hard to make them see how twisted he is since he's painted such pure picture for himself." Devan said and I nodded. "Then we'll just reveal it to everyone." Alexa said."But how?" "What do you mean how? With our mouths." Xena replied. "Ah!" Clover said in realization. "It's lantern celebration in two days time." I tilted my head. "Lantern what?"
Riaz's Point Of ViewMy heart thumped wildly against my chest as I felt his hands around my waist. I dug my fingers in his hair as I got on his lap subconsciously. His hands traveled up my back as he pushed his tongue in my mouth. My legs felt jello. He kissed me passionately and dominantly. I gasped when I felt his hand on my bare back. Our chest heaved heavily as we tried to catch our breaths. His hand was still trailing my back. I looked into his eyes and I felt shy. I hid my face in his shoulder and he chuckled. "Still shy, huh?" I can tell he's smirking teasingly. I hit his shoulder, "stop," "Stop," he mimicked and I twisted his ear. "Ow ow. Okay okay, I'm sorry." I let him go and raised my head. I couldn't meet his eyes. He held my face in place so our eyes could meet. "Riaz..." He called softly. "Hm?" "I have something..." "Are you guys done in there?" Dandelion questioned from outside. I turned to the door and sighed. I turned back to Ace and he smiled at me. "We sho
Riaz's Point Of ViewI held her hand tightly in fear of her disappearing again. "Mum..." I called and she smiled at me. Oh how much I've missed the warmth of her smile. "I've missed you." I said tearily and she held my face tenderly. "I'm here, my love. I'm here." I sniffled. "What happened? How come you're here?" She heaved a heavy sigh and looked ahead. "This was the only way I could survive, Riaz. My body is no more. Only my soul remains." "Is...is dad like this too?" Her hands shook at the mention of my dad. I tightened my grip assuringly and she threw her head back to stop her tears from falling. "He couldn't make it. He was killed. Before my eyes. He...he just..." I embraced her, consoling her as I fought back my tears. Crying would not calm her down. "It's okay, mum." "They killed everyone, Riaz. They killed mum, dad, your father and even my little flower. She didn't get to see the world because of those bloody creatures. I wish I could make every one of them feel the
Alexa's Point Of View"Shall we move now?" Akira asked and I nodded. I agreed to help Venusa on one condition. I would only let her take over my body when we finally meet. She has no chance to take over my body without my consent and she agreed. We can communicate telepathically so that helps whenever I have something to say to her or vice versa. Akira, Xena and I set out of find Riaz two days after I regained consciousness. "Do you know the way?" Akira asked and I shook my head. "Then how are we going to get there?" Xena asked. "Let me ask her." "How do we get there?" I asked Venusa. "You'll have to let me take over my body so I can teleport us there. Is that okay with you?" I turned to them. "She has to take us there herself." I said and Akira's grip on my hand tightened. He smiled at me and nodded. "Go ahead." I nodded and closed my eyes. In seconds, I felt my soul leave my body. I felt energy rush through me and I took control of my body again. I met Akira and Xena beside m
Ace's Point Of View"I saw my mother." He gasped sharply and I held him tighter. His eyes were beginning to glow glow again. "Riaz, Riaz!" I yelled out but he was long gone. The wind blew the tress strongly but this mystic tree remained still. I shook Riaz but he didn't respond. He was mumbling things that sounded like chants. His voice was like three people talking. I don't know how to snap him out of this. I looked around, trying to find something but I couldn't look past the wind. I did the one thing that came into my head. I leaned down and placed my lips on his. He let out a soft gasp as I claimed his lips as mine. I broke the kiss and looked at his face. "Ace..." I sighed on relief. "What...what did you -" He touched his lips and his eyes widened at me. "I had to. You were in a trance and I feared something bad would happen if I didn't snap you out of it." I told him and he batted his lashes. "Are you okay?" I asked him and he shook his head. "I feel weak." I nodded. "Y
Ace's Point Of View"I'm not going back Ace, and that is final!" I couldn't believe it. I took a step closer but he didn't step back. He was staring at me dead in the eyes, as if challenging me to say one more word. He was different. Yes, he was the same Riaz but there was something about him that seemed different. His hair was longer. Made me remember the first time I saw him. He had such long hair that I admired it every day back then. "Riaz, I..." "Is everything okay here?" Someone asked from the doorpost. I turned and saw him. What was his name again? "Devan," Riaz said and I hummed in realization. Yes, Devan. The one who saved Riaz. I should say thank you to him for taking care of Riaz for me. "We are okay." I said. "Oh...I just heard some noise so I thought -" Riaz shook his head. "We're really fine, Devan. Let's go. Weren't we planning to prepare breakfast?" Riaz walked up to him and linked his arm with his. Why would he link his arm with Devan's? What's going on here? D
Riaz's Point Of ViewI stood up, unable to believe what my eyes was seeing. "Riaz..." My heart skipped a beat. It was real. He was real. My feet moved on their own towards Ace. "What...are you doing here? How did you get here?" He held my hand and I tightened my grip around his. I ran away from him. Because of him, I left my family to this strange land to find myself. Throughout my stay here, I prayed I wouldn't run into him but seeing him standing here, my eyes just can't help but water. He might have rejected me. Hurt my feelings but he is a great part of my life. He was the first friend I made at the pack. The first person who smiled to me and showed me kindness. He took care of me and raised me to what I am today. Whenever I was sad, he was there. Whenever I was happy, he was there. When I threw tantrums and fits, he didn't grow tired of me. Rather, he was patient and embraced me rather than pushing me away. "Riaz, I..." I jumped on him and he caught me by my waist. I held
Riaz's Point Of View "Up! Up!" "Come on, Devan." I groaned in annoyance. I heard him chuckle and I covered my head with my blanket. I grinned when I couldn't hear his voice again. Is he gone? I was about drifting back to sleep when my blanket was pulled off my body."Stand up!" "Devan..." I whined and he laughed. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me up. He widened my eyes with his fingers and I swatted his hands away. "I'm tired." "What exactly did you do?" I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision. My eyes met with his smiling face and I huffed. He's annoying but stupidly handsome. "My head hurts." I said. My heart skipped a beat as he leaned in and placed his palm on my forehead. "You have a fever." He said and I bit my lip to stop myself from blushing. "I'll make you hangover soup." He said and I smiled. He ruffled my hair and walked to the door. "Clean up." I nodded and he left. I fell to my bed and hugged my pillow to myself, smiling sheepishly like a little kid. What will do I