•|•|•"What worries you most when you look at him, Gregory? For me, it is that I can not remember the last time he smiled. —Oh, Selene, I can not remember the last time my son smiled."•|•|•[SHADE SHADOWS]I am quietly cleaning.I think my mind is simply vacant at my discovery. That he does not care as much as I do.Petty things, yes, but it is only because I have a glass heart that I behave this way.I have discovered that it easily cracks. You see it was born alone in a land where souls are birthed in pairs.Sighing, I look down at the books littered on the floor. My ears straining slightly for sounds. Part of me believes the master still lingers. At least I wish to believe so.I swear, I hear whispers sometimes but when I turn there is nothing but a stream of dust in the empty row.Not even Diane's flutters can be heard.I did not mean to scare her off too. But she would return I was sure- even though it feels like it has been nearly a half hour since the dust settled.Falling to
•|•|•Hi guys! Welcome to chapter 1. I would appreciate your feedback. Please tap the star, and leave a comment. Thank you! •|•|•"RUN, RUN AS fast as you can Keffer!" The voices of the Nightmoon Pack kids echoed behind me mockingly as I ran barefooted, weaving through the forest trees, my heart a rampant beat within me."Run Keffer!" They called out laughing in their sickening amusement, their taunts prodding through my mind as they chased after me. Their footsteps run light and fast through the forest.They were built for this, it was like a walk in the park for them.Not for me.Never for a Keffer.My vision was a teary blur, my body shaking in fear, yet still ignoring the tiny little cuts the fallen branches and dry leaves made through my skin with every step I took, my breathing harsh and hollow, as I pushed through the forest, the afternoon sunlight barely scraping through
•|•|•"Now little ones, go to sleep. For the Night Wolf brings the Shadows, and he has fangs that breathe death." •|•|•I KNEW I was cursed long before I ever knew I was a Keffer. AMA said she found me buried in a pile of ash in the forest that bordered the Fire Wolf Territory as she and her pack warrior's watched the borders.I was hiding is all that I remembered.Six and scared to death, fire and ash falling from the sky in that half-burnt forest, only the sounds of horses and screams echoing in my mind.Staring down at my skin I ignored the yank of the carriage beneath us on the harsh gravel road, our backs leaning against the silver bars of the cage.Vale had fallen asleep at the crack of Dawn after crying a while, her head slumped against my shoulder, but her arm remained wrapped around me on instinct.There was a huge contrast in our skin tones. Another
•|•|• "Fear the Night Court, my child, for the sun never shines too long." •|•|•My back hurt as I lay on the weed mat, the cold biting at my exposed body as I stared up mindlessly into the darkness of the stoned roof above me in the slave quarters.Pushed tears stung the back of my eyes, taking a calming breath out.My arms were sore as I silently turned to my side, face twisting in pain, eyes meeting that of Vale. She smiled over at me softly, and I returned it despite the space between us.She slept huddled with the others on a worn-out yet more comfortable mat, whilst I practically slept on the hard ground.The other slaves had huddled together for warmth, but of course, they left me out, only talking amongst themselves and throwing me disgusted looks before turning off to bed.I didn't blame them though. And it didn't matter as long as Vale w
•|•|•"Watch the Shadows, pup, for there are monsters hidden beneath." •|•|•The darkness echoed all around me as I pumped hard on the lever, my breathing short and airy until water poured into the bucket on the other end.I kept pumping until the light of the lanterns that some of the other slaves held, revealed that the bucket was finally full. I let out a quiet breath, my eyes reaching that of Havens.She grinned cheekily, grabbing her now filled bucket, "perhaps you are good for something Keffer."I remained silent, watching as she took the bucket, handing it over to Idah, another one of the slaves who whispered a small Thank-you, to which Haven only smiled at. The kind of smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.Idah's gaze moved to me momentarily but quickly dropped, taking her bucket to the lower bath house.The other slaves had a lot to fear. From the whips
•|•|•"A keffer? Do not speak of those curses unless you wished to be cursed yourself." •|•|•[Kayos]Peace and Quiet. The darkness was my home and I reveled in the quietness that accompanied the midnight as I casually flipped through the book I was reading in the dark. Despite having no candle light to see, I was quite able to read the words as clear as if it where day, only looking up when the door suddenly opened.I stared blankly as a shadow moved in, the door shutting a moment after. Pausing I wondered if I had hallucinated the action, gaze focusing on the figure that stood by it, it's breaths shallow and quiet, it's body shivering slightly.It wasn't one of my shadow creatures. This one had a heartbeat and a smell- a smell that was covered in stone root it seemed. My curiosity peaked, eyes unable to leave the figure, for who had the courage to walk into my sanctuary uninvited? I narrowed my gaze into t
[Shade]~Last night~I was going to die!My heart raced and body quaked in fear as I bolted my way down the stairs, barely remembering that I needed to be quiet. I couldn't stop, and I wouldn't stop. My legs ran of their own accord from mere instinct, heck, I would rather be caught by guards in this moment than-. Oh Selene, I saw him! My brain was a melting mess. I saw the Night Wolf! The bloody Night Wolf!My mind was racing with dark thoughts, Not able to even risk looking back, too scared he might be right behind me though basic logic assured me that if indeed it had been him he would have caught up with me before I even got to the door. Before I took my next breath.But I was sure it had been him. Granted I had not seen his face, but the mere presence in the room, those amber eyes glinting in the shadows, the figure hidden beneath the veil of darkness-It was the Night Wolf! Dear Selene I was going to die! My feet couldn't keep up with how fast I was moving, dodging behind a
•|•|•"There is a world out there pup, read to learn, wisdom is your greatest asset."•|•|•[Shade]Madam Catherine said nothing further, turning around robotically the same way she came and I watched her quizzically. My heart began that fearful beat within me, so many questions spurring in my mind, of why she would want me, or where she was taking me too.My gaze lingered to Barnabas whose eyes glinted in an unknown emotion but I quickly moved after Madam Catherine. My feet moved behind her trying to read her aura as I stared at her straightened back. She didn't seem particularly angry however there was a dread about her I failed to understand. I was supposed to be the one who was afraid, so why did I sense the fear on her?I moved into the kitchen the smell of roasted meat immediately tackling my sense, my eyes remaining low, knowing feasting on the sight of Luceferous well done meat would do nothing but pile hunger over my growing fear.Following after Madam Catherine, I was caug
•|•|•"What worries you most when you look at him, Gregory? For me, it is that I can not remember the last time he smiled. —Oh, Selene, I can not remember the last time my son smiled."•|•|•[SHADE SHADOWS]I am quietly cleaning.I think my mind is simply vacant at my discovery. That he does not care as much as I do.Petty things, yes, but it is only because I have a glass heart that I behave this way.I have discovered that it easily cracks. You see it was born alone in a land where souls are birthed in pairs.Sighing, I look down at the books littered on the floor. My ears straining slightly for sounds. Part of me believes the master still lingers. At least I wish to believe so.I swear, I hear whispers sometimes but when I turn there is nothing but a stream of dust in the empty row.Not even Diane's flutters can be heard.I did not mean to scare her off too. But she would return I was sure- even though it feels like it has been nearly a half hour since the dust settled.Falling to
•|•|•"To be bonded to another is a gift, Pup. In truth, there is no greater gift for a wolf, and there never will be."•|•|•[SHADE SHADOWS]My hand tightens against the ladder as I lean out to slide a book into the slot. It takes a bit of stretch but it fits. My gaze runs through the spines of the neatly packed books on a now dust-free shelf.Dragging the ladder with me to the next empty shelf, I find the easiest way to pack books is to stack them up like a tower near the ladder for easier packing.I do all this whilst in deep thought.If only I could say I think of ways to escape. If Vale has managed to get the red yarn or find a solution to our Night Wolf problem.These thoughts are what should be on the mind of a slave who is planning an escape but no-I think of none of these things. Instead, I think of words, of stories that aren't mine but are painfully familiar. I think of death, of shadows, of colors painted on a canvas. I think of a pair of wolves, the sadness that has la
•|•|•Selfish Beings! All of them! Them and their goddess. May Chaos reign forever, in this life and the next. •|•|•[KAYOS ADREN PRIME]"Are you nervous?" I do not spare Vaeln a look at a remark so ridiculous. My gaze remains glued to the heavy oak double doors closed before us. "I only ask, because you pause..." Vaeln added, leaning toward me slightly, "Usually when one is before a door, they—open it..." he hints.Selene cannot be this cruel that I have to endure this torment, is she?I have no desire to explain to him that I take a moment, for I have to calm my wolf. The realization that the woman that we are to call mate is behind these doors distresses him, for he knows, whatever she is, she is anything but. I turn to him blankly, "This is none of your concern, Vaeln.""True," He grins, "It is more of an interest to be honest. I'm very interested."I stare at him. I do not speak again. He is much too aggravating and inconsequential for me to spare another second of my atten
•|•|•How does one know this is their bonded, AMA? Is it only by scent? Am I therefore doomed to never find love?•|•|•[KAYOS ADREN PRIME]I stare at her as if a ghost. Curled beside me like a dream, the only word fit to describe this vision of her.Quiet as she sleeps, I am struck motionless, simply watching. Immobile at the weight of her presence. Her scent is sweeter than the flowers that the endless grows to calm me, so much so, even they seem to tilt in a feeble attempt to touch the light coils of her hair, despite the non-existent breeze. It knows. The endless knows. She is something altogether different.Hearing her voice was one thing, but seeing her in all her beauty, in these fields of peace is —ethereal. I can not blink for I fear that if I do, I risk losing a second of all that is her. I am breathless at the thought, breathless at the pure desperation in the notion. I have kept away from her for four days, told myself I must see her soon, but in truth, I have been h
•|•|•This bond we share, Adeline. No being can break. Neither men nor gods.•|•|•[SHADE SHADOWS]********In the market. *******Xirrian states.*******************My fingers shake even as I write this. I cannot contain the excitement coursing through me. It is relief and emotion much too intricate to simply describe.I found her. I found her—I found her.My beloved. All that I am, all that I wish to be. All that is. I have her in my court this very moment. My wolf, my being, aches to be with her, but I must account for the moment. If only so that it is raw and genuine, and if only to give her space.I confess I feel I have suffocated her already. It is as the Mage Wolf predicted. The market is where I found her. In the cold streets of Thal, in the region of the Ice Wolf. It has been 2 years since my encounter with the mage.It is hard to describe—the emotion...The bond is far stronger than I ever perceived. Ah, it flows through me like a river, laden with all the good thin
[SHADE SHADOWS]•|•|• Who else wields magic? Is it only witches?•|•|•A mage Wolf.I study the lines on my open palms, staring at my hands momentarily. My gaze shifts to the pages of the book, picking it up, tracing over Xirrians words, again and again as if they could eat me alive.The dead flower blooms in his hand. My head leans back against the shelf, taking deep breaths in until my heart steadies, and then my eyes lift to the open window watching the rain as the memories flood my mind. Her curse is worse than mine. I feel numb.I do not recollect the first time I found out what I could do. I've always had it. It isn't something that I just figured out. Even after I lost my memories, my power didn't feel abnormal.I thought everyone could do it.Though I don't remember how I discovered I had this power, my memories remind me of the first time AMA did. It was a discovery for her, but for me, although I held no recollection of who I was, or had been, the action was natural an
•|•|•She is not a mate, She is a witch.•|•|•[SHADE SHADOWS]Barnabas is right. The sun refuses to shine by the morrow, and the world is dark. And it stays for three days. At least, I think it has been three days. I can not tell. The hours seem endless.Perhaps I could count how many times Madam has awoken us but she has not been to our chambers. The last time I saw her, she had called AMA's true name. Now, guards bang at our doors when it is time to wake. If I am to count to that then it is four.Four days have passed. It feels like a fever. I pump on mindlessly. My thoughts are filled with pages and lonely words. I have not opened Xirrians journal since. It is far too emotional that reading those pages has wedged me into such despair that I can not bring myself to read another page.But even though I do not dare to read, his words have haunted me, night and day. I can not get it out of my head. Perhaps it's because there is nothing I can do to distract myself. I've been lone
•|•|•I have stared at stars, I have prayed to gods, near and far of all circles. But even they haveturned a deaf ear.•|•|•[SHADE SHADOWS]Liston, the guard keen on getting me into trouble, stands before me. Though his face is visiblycalm as one would expect of a guard, there is a warm glimmer in his eyes, and his lips tug upwards,dimming slightly when a set of Guards matches passed.I turn from him, taking sharp breath in before closing the crimson door behind me and I feel hiseyes follow my every movement.When I turn around, I catch his gaze resting on the red door before snapping back to me, and heopens his mouth to say something, but a voice interrupts his speech."I'll take her from here."My gaze lands on Madam Catherine as she walks firmly towards me.For a moment, Liston seems hesitant, but he steps aside, a short bow before the madam.His gaze strays to me one more time, a tightness in his jaw, before taking his leave.I watch his figure disappear in the hallways and
•|•|•A new age begins, and the cycle repeats.•|•|•[KAYOS]The Portal creaks with haunting whispers as I walk through. The shadows his my true name, enticing. Their voices are cold and wistful. They pull at my robe, and tug, grazing my feet, until I walk out and the whispers fade behind me, the portal closing.Only one shadow remains glued to my side. Alchest climbs up to my shoulder. I glance at him momentarily, my gaze shifting to our surroundings.It is as I thought. A blood bath.The narrow hallway lined only by torches spans a good length and in it lies the carnage left by the creature. There is no death, however. It seems this creature wasn't out to kill. Instead, there is an array of bodies writhing in pain. Slashes and marks. Aid has come to them, and healers are trying their best to do what they can. It is clear they were caught in prepared, however, it is a lesson well learned.Despite their pain, as soon as my presence is known, groans grow quiet, and shivers across th