21As I grappled with comprehending the nature and impact of magic in this realm, I sought guidance from Chance, who displayed remarkable patience. While I marveled at the vast expanse of the kingdom, in a single panoramic view, I grasped the immense power it held. The sun gradually descended, shrouding the land in the creeping embrace of twilight. Surrounded by such beauty and serenity, I experienced a fleeting taste of what freedom truly meant. Perhaps it was just a glimpse, but my mind and body would forever savor the memory of that feeling."Expect that the sun isn't as sultry as in the Eastern Kingdom,"I shifted my gaze to the person who spoke beside me. With his strong, well-built physique, streaks of blonde hair, and tanned skin, General Cassius nearly left me breathless. He had captured my attention from afar, but up close, his features were strikingly handsome in an almost exaggerated way. He stood at nearly the same height as Alpha Knight, but the contrast lay in their aura
22Alluring, much like werewolves. However, the distinction lies in the fact that their radiance seems ethereal and more fitting for the night. The vampires I had envisioned in my mind were anything but normal-looking humans. I had pictured them as beastly and corpse-like, all skin and bones.Unfortunately, my earlier assumptions were proven wrong, as the vampires I encountered today were mesmerizing, capable of making you believe they weren't as sinister as you had once thought, or even fool you into underestimating them.General Cassius werewolf howled and as the vampires pounced on him, flashing their twin fangs, he snapped their heads with his jaw, and like twigs, they snapped. Blood spurted everywhere, staining his fur coat."Protect the Luna!" Emissary Masons bellowed, his voice cold and authoritative."No! Don't mind me! Fight for your own!" I said, staring at a vampire who was ready to launch himself at me.Emissary Mason didn't respond. Breaching our formation were four vampi
23As I tried to speak, no words came out. I felt Alpha Knight's hand shift from mine to adjust the blanket, carefully draping it over me to shield my shivering body. Our relationship had been indifferent, but with each passing day, he continued to surprise me with his compassionate actions. Even though I was on high alert, he took it upon himself to tend to my wounds once more, despite Emissary Mason's insistence that he should do it. In truth, I had hoped to tend to myself, but with everyone around insisting, I chose to let the matter go for the time being."H-how did you manage to get to us? And w-what about your kingdom?" I asked, remembering the implications he had to go through to get to us.I observed him as he swallowed, his attention focused on applying a damp cloth to my wound. "The kingdom is being well managed. My father is overseeing everything," he began. "Regarding your sudden departure, the moment I learned that you were nowhere to be found in the palace, I immediately
24Three months ago, a small pack known as the Fire Crescent pack suffered a brutal massacre. The attack occurred at dawn, under the light of the full moon. The pack's members consisted of seasoned warriors and some of their elders had even led in major wars in the past. It was hard to believe that such an established and respected pack, known for its historical contributions, would become the target of such a horrific assault.The issue was further complicated by the fact that many seized this opportunity to defame the Western Kingdom by name and implicate the royal family. Rumors were spreading like wildfire, and it was causing people to question the integrity of their leaders. As a result, the royal family had no choice but to address the matter.Alpha Gilmore, the first prince, had been dispatched to investigate and engage in negotiations with the citizens. With support and resources from the kingdom, they aimed to ensure security was of the utmost importance. The citizens require
25During the peaceful moments of our journey, my mind was filled with questions. One that kept nagging at me was the fact that Alpha Knight and most of his troops were werewolves. So, I couldn't help but ask a seemingly simple question: why didn't they shift and travel in their wolf forms? Emissary Mason, appreciative of my curiosity, was more than willing to provide an answer."They want to save their wolf form in case we'd been ambushed or perhaps attacked in the middle of nowhere. We can't let our energy go to waste,"I nodded in retaliation. "Then is there a number or a limit to which you can shift?"He shook his head. "No," he explained, "as long as you aren't physically and mentally drained, you can shift whenever you want."I felt a flicker of understanding. My learning is gradual but progressive. As we followed the two guards and Alpha Knight who headed the troop, I kind of felt a sense of familiarity with our surroundings. Taking several strolls must've jumbled my mind and f
26 There was a profound silence for a few moments as none of us spoke. I considered scolding myself, fearing my words were too harsh, but in the end, I refrained. After all, I was merely speaking the truth. Weren't our interactions driven by the mutual benefits we sought? Why was he suddenly adopting an air of nobility, as if we were on good terms when all we'd ever done was negotiate on our respective ends? This was out of character for him, a far cry from the man who used to accuse me at every turn. Alpha Knight's jaw tightened, his eyes darkening significantly after a few minutes. Suddenly, he seized my arm, and a sharp gasp nearly escaped my lips. "Why are you behaving this way?" I took my arm back when he released it. I stared at him, our gaze clashing with each other. "Is it a lie though?" I asked, clarifying if I was mistaken or misunderstanding some things. "Why did you find it necessary to humiliate me in that manner?" My brows furrowed in confusion. "Embarrassed? What co
27 The morning sunlight met my face, and instantly it brightened up my mood. Since yesterday, I have done some gruesome thinking and consideration, especially about Eric’s proposition. It was enticing and a great offer all in all. I turned over my bed, realizing I’d have to talk to Alpha Knight about this matter. Hopefully, our conversation would run smoothly and he’d allow me to stay here, although I highly doubt that. He still considered me as his prisoner or captive, I guess? I’m not entirely certain. He made the distinction very clear to me but I could hardly believe that. For all I know, it must’ve been similar to a drunken mistake, though he’s very much aware. I slowly sat up from my bed and straightened the creases in my clothing. Another thing that I like about the Eastern Empire is probably their baths. They had wooden baths in each quarter and thought that it was a brilliant idea, rather than having bathrooms separate. In this state, I could avoid unwanted attention or othe
28 "I haven't had the chance to inform you, Alpha, about my intentions before departing from this kingdom," I admitted. I felt nervous as I watched his forehead crease in apprehension. "What is it?" "I want to stay here...well for at least two months," There was a long silence when no words came out of his mouth. The only thing I could hear was the pounding of my heart. "I don't approve of it. Toss that idea," My mouth dropped when I heard his remarks. Although this was quite expected. Alpha Knight had the right to decline my request since I was still a prisoner of their kingdom. I knew this wasn't going to be easy but I needed to convince him otherwise. "But Alpha... th-this is an opportunity Eric has extended to me. It's mutually beneficial. I'll receive assistance in recovering my memories, and in return, I can provide them with the information you require. I've given my word that I won't attempt to escape, and even if I wanted to, I couldn't. There are numerous adversaries
70"Head west of the City; come find me there."The boy didn't hesitate, snatching the letter from my hand. He unintentionally glimpsed at my covered face, the glow in my eyes briefly holding his attention long enough to unsettle him. Pocketing the letter, he quickly exited the dimly lit room. The echoes of multiple footsteps reached my ears as I clenched my hands together, contemplating the day that lay ahead. I needed to act swiftly, preempting any suspicion from the Northern guards regarding the threats I had sent.The flickering light and the tolling of bells disrupted my thoughts. Something triggered my senses, but it faded as Accius' presence became apparent. Too tense to meet him outside, I awaited him within the small cabin. After a brief moment, the sound of hooves ceased at the entrance. I envisioned Accius dismounting, his familiar scowl etched across his features."I was hoping you'd come to the tavern.""I couldn't, not when most of the members are my own, not when I betr
69Trigger Warning"There's always a duality of good and evil. Aligning yourself with great men is crucial if you aim to be the strongest,"Sitting by the fire, I felt a tumult of emotions, none of which carried warmth. Jean held my hand, tracing the lines of my palm with his finger. Despite the platter of food in front of me, I refrained from touching it, repelled by the presence of this monster by my side. Contrary to my expectations upon returning, the room remained empty. I used to dread solitude, but now, I longed for the company of another person."I never declared a desire for power,"Jean released his grip on me. "That is what you sought when I rescued... and trained you. I provided you with everything you needed, and in return, you betrayed us by crossing the line with our enemy."Snatching my wrist, Jean forcefully pushed me onto the long wooden table. I struggled against his hold, and a flood of malevolent thoughts accompanied a frantic heartbeat. "Why are you doing this? W
68"Jean... what does he have to do with me?""What are you talking about?"I urgently seized his shoulders, a sense of desperation taking hold of me. "Tell me who I am... h-how I grew up by Alastair’s side. Who was I before?"He sighed heavily, a weight settling in the air. "You were his aide. His spy... sometimes a champion. You followed orders, you... were manipulated into believing Alastair’s cause. But your mother... well, she led not only a rebellion but gave us all hope. Those of us who were lost and without a home."As Accius spoke, a flood of conflicting emotions surged within me. The revelation about my past hit me like a tidal wave, each word chipping away at the facade that surrounded my upbringing. The connection to Alastair, the manipulation, everything was a bitter pill to swallow. And yet, in contrast, my mother's actions painted a picture of resilience and defiance that stirred a newfound sense of purpose within me. The weight of my past is now intertwined with the po
I gave him a curious stare. Regardless of what he envisioned, it had to be doable. Otherwise, I'm unwilling to do things I am incapable of doing. At the moment, Accius is in full-on mystifying mode. Sure enough, I was correct in my suspicions."You've got this. This is in your hands now. You just need to do the same thing you did in the snowy mountains,"I paused at his remark. How did he know that? Was he among the vampires that attacked the East?Concerned about his involvement, my heart raced. From what I can tell about him, he seems like a sincere individual. I'm not usually a good judge of character. However, my situation does not permit me to be judgmental. I had to make do with the resources at my disposal. That leaves him the only person I can place my trust in at this point in time. It's a gamble, but I'm willing to take it if it means getting out of this abyssal place. I need to find a way to reconnect with Knight.As a response, I gave a nonchalant nod. At the very least, I
66 He said, "The only real reason you can't is because you were in the wrong place to begin with. This is where you belong. Where you once lived. Time is not only the answer to getting your answers, sometimes you just need to go back to the past... go back to where you truly belong." I sighed, acknowledging the truth in his words. "You're right. If I want to remember, then this place is the perfect setting to harness my memories." The decision to confront the past, to explore this familiar yet mysterious place, lingered in the air like a quiet resolution. The surroundings, once overlooked, now held the potential to be a canvas for the fragments of recollection. I stood there, a silent observer ready to retrace steps that had faded into my memories. The air seemed charged with subtle energy as if the very atmosphere held the key to unlocking the doorways to remembrance. The familiar sights and sounds took on new significance, transforming into clues that could lead me back to the mo
65In the midst of the soft whispers of falling snowflakes, I cautiously made my way beyond the grand doors of the snowy castle manor. The air was sharp and cold, and the floors beneath my boots were uniformly blanketed with snow. The entire world around me had transformed into a winter wonderland—so, this is the North. The castle's majestic turrets stood tall, resembling silent sentinels against the canvas of the pristine, snow-covered landscape.I was enveloped in a snug, fur-lined cloak of deep burgundy, its rich hue contrasting beautifully with the surrounding white. In my hands, I clutched the letter from Fionna. The soft crunch of snow beneath my boots reverberated in silence as I ventured into the castle's courtyard, hoping that no guards were lurking nearby.The snowflakes continued their delicate dance, settling on my golden hair and creating a glistening crown. The scent of pine and the distant crackling of a fireplace wafted through the air, enveloping the surroundings in a
64Having regained my composure, I finally took a much-needed break, a rarity in recent times. However, Jean's icy and threatening stare continued to haunt my thoughts, and his words persisted in my nightmares.Following the tumultuous events, Jean, unable to suppress his anger, departed without providing any clarification. The uneasy atmosphere from the brief gathering would have overwhelmed me if Alastair hadn't done the same.I rubbed my temples while squeezing my eyes shut tight. I was overcome with emotion as the snowstorm raged outside. This desolate place was becoming familiar territory for my former self, but that person was no longer here. Thoughts of being involved in such awful acts, the murders, tortured my mind. What if I'm to blame for this? If that is the case, is it too late to change?After a prolonged internal struggle, I managed to regain my composure. Now was not the time to entertain such unsettling thoughts; my immediate concern was to escape.I meticulously exam
63It took me a while to fully process what I had just learned. His words echoed in my ears, casting a shadow over every corner of my mind and emotions. How? How is it possible? A myriad of questions swirled in my head, and none of the answers I could conjure seemed acceptable. Could he really be my father? I used to believe it was the man I saw in my mother's memories—Leo. Honestly, I never anticipated Alastair's involvement to be this profound. Somehow, my mind struggles to comprehend the idea. I can't fathom the truth if he is indeed my father. It just doesn't seem plausible.He won't be...everThe lingering shadow of Alastaire's presence still cast a pall over my mind after his unwelcome visit. However, he didn't depart without leaving a message: 'Tomorrow, you will be meeting someone. Bring your best behavior.'Naturally, I was terrified—terrified of the person I would meet. The horrors of the past and the recent attacks weighed heavily on my mind. And Teresa... how could I forge
62Before I could fully recover, I mulled over what had happened. Unlike the resistance the vampires show in sunlight, the energy burst from within made dying in sunlight a probability. Vampires can have enchantments and that of course was used to diminish their inability to be exposed in daylight. Teresa looked at me in her wolf form, her eyes going wide, as she too was taken aback. I could practically guess the questions streaming in her mind. But besides that, the battle is not yet finished. “Keep your attention elsewhere Teresa!” I exclaimed, and again, she responded with a growl. A flash of angry vampires showing their fangs darted in our direction. As much as I wanted to mimic the burst of power, for some unknown reason, I couldn’t. I don’t know how…I tried to hide my difficulty summoning the energy once more but they were fast, and in a rapid moment, they tipped me over, I crashed and scrambled across the ground Then one vampire approached me. I glanced around me and noticed