1The wind tickled the woman's golden hair as she hurriedly ran from those beasts that were after her. They were creatures that were hungry not for flesh but for power; they could not fathom. Bathed with sweat and filled with anxiety, she slipped past grazing rock formations found scattered in the mainland grandeur. It was eerily quiet that night, and although she had no one to aid, the full moon was there to mend her de-escalating hope. The creatures, unlike humans, had remarkable speed and agility, abilities hard to imagine, and with the wrong intentions and state of mind, they could take over and rule places of tranquility.A slither of moonlight appeared at the grand expanse, and with careful concentration, the woman chanted a few known spells that would help her with the situation."She's reciting incantations!" She heard another man growl. Perhaps the man hasn't shifted. That call was their signal, though; the men wailed as a knot in her chest tightened. Why wasn't it working? W
2There wasn't anything peaceful when I awoke.Perched atop the highest reaches of the stadium, the Alpha occupied a position of undeniable authority within the upper quadrant. With a mere gesture from him, the executioner's hands closed around my hair, yanking me unceremoniously. The once-lustrous cascade of my golden locks once imbued with an otherworldly radiance, had now suffered a cruel transformation. No longer a source of magic, they lay matted and destroyed, a stark contrast to their former glory.Gone was the silkiness, replaced by a gnarled mess that clung to my pale head like a discarded afterthought. Suspended in mid-air, my torso hung, vulnerable, and exposed to the collective gaze of the onlooking crowd. It was as if my very being had become a canvas for their morbid curiosity, a spectacle for them to savor and dissect.The thing about torture is that it will strip you of everything, even the will to live. They hadn’t extracted any information from me, and I knew how fru
3The bruises on my arms had considerably lightened over the course of hours and even the broken shallow capillaries on my hand were no longer visible. Within seconds, I rose from the soft, delicate mattress and met the sun's shimmering glow. Instantaneously, the shadows looming inside the room disappeared, leaving behind a lone space devoid of any touches and care.After yesterday's affair, I simply woke up determined to breathe into life once more. I had a dream last night—composed of blurry images and shards of memories. It was a beautiful, fleeting feeling that I wanted to savor for the second time, thus I needed to live and regain what I had lost in order to feel that slither of emotion once again.At probably around ten, a girl who looked somewhere between thirteen and fifteen stood by the archway door. I gave her a weak smile and to my surprise, she also did the same. She came in with a bucket in her hand and took the dangling handkerchief from her sleeves."I was ordered to cl
4Unfortunately, my wounded shoulder bled in desperation. With all the strength I could muster, I pushed myself upright—struggling and barely managing. I stammered to get myself together, but the lifeless corpses of wolves nearby obscured my line of vision, making my head spin with odd contemplation. The scene felt familiar but also unusual. I tried every piece of memory I could garner, but none came about. Alpha Strevus plowed right through the bloody mess as his orbs met mine, and instantly my heart accelerated. "Heal her," He instructed, his tone deadly and devoid of any emotions.Martha immediately obliged when Alpha Strevus instructed her.I regarded him with a puzzled expression. My memories must hold a significant value for him to tend to my injured shoulder. Based on his previous demeanor, he seemed largely apathetic toward my presence. And yet, here he stood, akin to a chivalrous knight, coming to my rescue. It often crosses my mind whether he's deliberately crafting an im
5Glancing nervously, I slowly dipped my attention to my nervous hands gripping the saddle. People were gathered in masses upon landing in the Western Kingdom, welcoming Alpha's sort of steady arrival. Adorned and respected, they flicker with joy and excitement. Plenty vowed in his presence. Some shot apprehensive glances while others were uninviting. Their gleaming faces died down in an instant they noticed me. As much as I yearned to adore the intricate buildings of the kingdom, the sharp stares I was receiving imposed my distasteful appearance. I failed to mask the ramble of fear and anxiety within me as hushed whispers started dominating our surroundings. Although I was hidden in the veil of the cloak I was wearing, the scrutiny I was receiving made me feel naked for some reason.I tilted my head forward, not wanting to look at anyone's face. All I could make out of were scowls and scorching stares. They wanted to at least have a flash or glimpse of the unknown stranger Alpha was
6Pale eyes with a slight tinge of iron in color. The man looked at me with curiosity then as if on cue, his face turned into amusement. His eyes focused on mine, and for a moment, I saw the familiar flash of color behind them. I broke our contact, not wanting to linger in it any longer.Those eyes reminded me of him. Alpha Knight Strevus. He is a pleasant thought, but I was not willing to scald under his scrutiny anymore, not when he has a lover. If he loathed me, I would not push myself to be a bit likable to him.My hopes of turning away were disposed of as I muffled my urge to vent out my pain. Overpowering me like turbulence was grief, desperation, and heartbreak, all in one moment.Noticing my silent torment, the man walked forward, leveling his eyes into mine and offering a lending hand."Are you alright?" Lacing his voice was concern and something I couldn't point out.I waved my hand, indicating that I was indeed fine, though it was a lie. I lifted my head, trying to balance
7 The sun was peacefully peeking in the early hours of the morning, its light filtering through the velvet curtains. Unlike yesterday, the events today are rather fruitful. Last night, I remembered the parade of maids and servants bedecking the castle grounds for today's festivities. I thought the Western Kingdom had no business with me for this upcoming occasion, but I was gravely mistaken. Seems like I was invited. In the short span since waking up, I was tended to by a succession of palace maids. I must have tried on at least ten of the finest silk and fabric dresses, the kind that would appease any aristocrat—though they all felt uncomfortably tight. They didn't even consider what I was at ease with; they simply went through the motions of enhancing my appearance to some semblance of acceptability. The maids paid me little at
8The rustling of forest trees reverberated in my ears. I could almost picture it—groups of people darting and leaping, or perhaps even humans, moving through the dense foliage. Resonating with the ominous sensation that had gripped my heart during our journey through the woods, I instinctively swung around and let out a startled shout. However, my reaction was met with an immediate outpouring of indignant protests."Sit down, girl!""What a rascal,"I pridefully stepped forward, almost touching the padded carpet aisle. I regarded Alpha Knight standing up from the podium in my peripheral vision, gaze holding a sense of familiarity."What is she doing?
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