30Even though I was outside, feeling the minute gush of wind fanning as I watched the training grounds in trepidation, I felt another eye watching me. My heart started pounding in response, and licked my lips upon feeling the heat closing in. I wasn’t entirely certain if it was the heat wave affecting me, however, for some unknown reason, my senses told me that the person staring was Alpha Knight. Still unsure if my guess was correct, I craned my head stiffly, only to confirm my speculation.But despite the constant looks, he didn’t once approach me. I sucked in a breath, waiting to see if there was any difference. To my surprise, he casually walked away and proceeded to enter the Palace of May. Despite my inclination to speak to him, perhaps even offer an apology for my previous rude behavior, I found myself backing away instead. I knew there was nothing to apologize for, yet my compassionate nature and the nagging voice at the back of my head held me back.I have my pride as well,
31A few more seconds passed, and I still could hardly process his words. My mind is perplexed at his sudden change of heart. And to me, it was a decision I didn’t expect.I lowered my head, my voice trembling not in fear but in happiness. “T-thank you, alpha… I won’t forget, and I am grateful for this,”Alpha Knight remained silent, yet his hesitance was evident in both his tone and gestures. Nonetheless, the crucial point was his eventual approval for my stay. The king's reaction mattered little to me, as it was probable he'd be thrilled to learn of the Eastern kingdom's offer of assistance, and in return, I would promise to provide them with any support necessary to address the widespread attacks plaguing the continent.Alpha Knight closed the distance between us, his hand delicately adjusting a stray strand of my hair before lifting my chin. We both understood that such a display of intimacy wasn't customary, and though it wasn't a deliberate declaration, it might be the result of
32I looked at him with wide eyes. “H-how?...How dangerous is the beast?”"Not that harmful...when left undisturbed,"“What do you mean by that?”"They don't usually attack unless provoked, and...unfortunately, as much as we want to avoid trouble, the beast won't relent once we enter its territory,"I froze in place. I couldn't fully grasp the seriousness of his words, but judging by its appearance alone, it was a creature I had no desire to provoke. To say I wasn't scared would be a vast understatement. Nonetheless, it was a task that had to be undertaken. I was convinced that the General he mentioned was trustworthy and approachable. As someone with no prior involvement in this matter, my role was to simply comply and follow their instructions closely. Being clumsy in a perilous situation, in my view, was not something to be forgiven.I clamped my mouth shut and nodded. “Your outfit will be sent to you, and of course, I also prepared one for your lady in waiting-,,”I release a sig
33I heard the soft bristle of trees, swaying in the windswept field. And with the guardsmen, or warriors to be exact, delightfully conversing and savoring their food, no one would probably notice that there was something else, a creature or perhaps animal, that was closely watching our camp.I wished that my suspicions were false and that I was just overthinking, but the rush of doubt rumbled within me. Such paranoia like this they said shouldn't be ignored, even in times of certainty. For sure, many might not believe me but for our safety, I'd lay everything out. I shifted and walked towards General Rui and Eric who were busy conversing with one another. I was about to address General Rui inside the main dome tent when I was instantly stalled by one of his trusted guards. Jasper, from what I can perceive from features alone, was a few years younger than me."What brings you here?"My answer was straightforward. "You have to listen to me. There is a creature amongst those trees..."J
34The darkness seemed to amplify my sense of pity for the beast. Initially, I believed there was no room for reconciliation, but as it transformed from being a terrifying threat into a somewhat vulnerable creature, I realized I had jumped to judgment too quickly. I could now see that it was silently asking for assistance. However, no matter how hard I tried to understand its silent appeals, there was simply no way of knowing.“Just kill it!” I heard Eric command through the thick silence. Instinctively, the warriors complied and slowly unsheathed their swords. My eyes widened and I began to thrash under its hold, instead of calming down, the beast snarled even more aggressively, and I stopped in retaliation. I heard Eric curse and with more pressing matters to take into account, with the howl of the wind, insinuating that an approaching deluge was possible, the warriors began to line into their respective posts and battle formation. Teresa growled in response, hairs spiking up for p
35He narrowed his eyes, the sword still pointed at my neck. I could barely gasp for air. As time passed, I felt the tension in the air increase. General Rui loomed over us with his imposing stature, and if it weren't for my pride, I wouldn't hesitate to admit that he intimidated me.Slowly, and surprisingly General Rui withdrew his sword. He lowered his head, a sign of respect and complete recession. I acknowledge the gesture with a wave of my hand."I deeply apologize for my misconception," His voice was as deep as Alpha's. The sound of it makes my heart leap, and it wasn't because of General. The familiarity of it was the probable reason, a reason I absolutely do not tolerate. I shouldn't be acting this way. My mind wanders back to him every now and then, and even if a month had already passed, there wasn't any stoppage to it. I knew this wasn't healthy..."I accept your apology...but in return, I want to ask a favor,"Teresa's face displayed a slight surprise as I made my proposit
36The cold wind bit into my fingers as I tightly gripped the reins. My knuckles were probably white by this point. A single torch illuminated the area, and although the lighting was minimal, it somehow provided a bit of reassurance. It took us a while to fully adapt to the darkness that engulfed the forest. I wanted to question why it was so dark in there, especially since we were tasked with retrieving these three essential herbs. I found it hard to fathom how it would be possible, but instead of voicing my bewilderment, I chose to remain silent, thinking that perhaps I should ask when we were safely outside, hopefully still alive.Beside me, I could see Teresa appearing as calm as ever, and it was the first time I had seen her act this way. My mind wandered, and then I realized that it was the cold that had triggered her behavior. She must have remembered and missed her old home, the Western Kingdom. I felt a pang of guilt for involving her in my troubles, but as I had mentioned, t
37I instinctively clutched my chest, feeling a surge of emotion that I knew was due to the mating bond. Alpha Knight's black wolf stood tall and proud, snarling at the beast in front. He briefly glanced at me, and for a moment, my heart raced as if he was making sure I was unharmed. Chance also did the same, nodding to reassure me before turning back to the beast, which was slightly dazed.Both wolves are undeniably intimidating but I knew just how powerful Taowu was, enough to mutilate and slaughter wolves no matter the size. Apparently with the odds against us, I knew that it was impossible to fight our way through. We can only run and hope for the best."Amethyst!"General Rui reined his horse nearby. He grabbed my arm and tried bringing me along, at first I refused but then again, I should know better."A-alpha..." I said, worried although we still haven't talked and reconciled that much."Amethyst! They can fend for their own! Now you need to come with me!"With a hesitant nod,
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