NORAThe water was cold, but not as deep as I imagined it to be. I thought, I would fall into it, and then I was going to sink to the depths until I was going to turn into an ice block but that didn’t happen.Instead, a sharp rock in the water dug into the back of my head as soon as I fell. The hit and the pain were so strong, that all air left my lungs and water penetrated them. I didn’t get the chance to enjoy the little misery show, because everything blacked out and turned into nothing.I thought it was the end. But now there were hands pumping at my chest—quite brutally if I must add as if trying to get something out of me. It was amusing, and at the same weird because I was aware of the wet ground beneath, of the coldness that seeped into my bones and played hide and seek, and the scared shouting.“ Come on. Wake up. ” He was repeating the same thing, over and over again and the new addition was the word please, which he was chanting like a prayer.When I was done, sensing ever
STRIKERI felt panic, in strong waves. One moment, I was discussing war strategies with Chester in the throne room, and the next, I was bracing myself against the throne I despised.I couldn’t shake off the panic, couldn’t understand the pain that pierced my heart and made me double over, couldn’t even comprehend why I felt like crying.This was not me. It couldn’t be. When I heard Lana’s voice inside my head, telling me that she needed Striker, I finally made sense of it.It was her.She needed me.Something happened.And she was in pain.I didn’t know what I was doing when I sprinted out of the throne room, away from the Euthoria Fortress, and kept running. Everything was a blur, I didn’t remember having so much strength and speed before. I didn’t even know where I was running off to.There was one thing I was sure of. She was hurt, and she needed me. She kept repeating it, and every time, it sounded in my head. I couldn’t stop myself, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think.I had to ge
STRIKER“ Levian?” I breathed out and tightened my hold around her.“ Mar—Margrette called him Levian. ” She sobbed, wetting my shirt with her tears.I combed her hair back and picked my head when I sensed Dustin coming close. Our gazes clashed. He gritted his jaw and rested his side against the tree without saying anything.He knew she needed me, and not him. But why me when she was so close to him just a while ago? I could come back to it later. Right now, I needed to make sure she was really saying that the man who attacked her and this Margrette was…Levian.“ Tell me what happened, Little lamb. ” I pulled her head out of my chest, getting agitated.Her wet face came into my view. My heart twisted inside my chest. Cupping her cheeks, I wiped her tears with my thumb and watched her choking on her breath.“ I—I went to see Margrette…she…” She glanced into my eyes as more tears flowed out of hers.“ Who is Margrette? ” I wondered.“ A friend. ” Lana sniffled.“ It was not Margrette. S
STRIKERShe fell asleep in my arms, but I couldn’t do the same. Having her body clinging to me after so long was doing the usual things to me. I was out of breath, my heart was beating so fucking fast that I wanted to punch it to slow it down.On top of it, lingered Dustin’s scent on her. It didn’t let me rest, not for a single moment.So, when she started to snore, I removed her arms from around me and got down from the bed. Separating myself from her proved hard—harder than the last time because I didn’t have that strong resolve anymore. When I asked her to leave a month ago, I was not aware of how painful and haunting it was going to be, for me, but now I knew—and I still had to do it.I sucked in a sharp breath and walked out of the cabin without stealing a single glance at her gorgeous face. I was not sure I would have found it in me to step out if I had caught a glimpse of her, that’s why I didn’t look at her the last time either—this thing, this one thing was always going to re
STRIKER“ We can not defeat him. We can use all our force, and kill all his army, but we can not defeat Levian. ” He said, keeping the stoic face on.I searched for a hint of sarcasm, but there was none this time either.“ How do you know it if we haven’t tried? We are greater in numbers now and we are advanced. We don’t go by the old ways an— ”“ Levian has seen it all. ” Dustin cut me off. “ he is the age of the first Lycan—fucking centuries years old. And if our grandfather’s grandpa couldn’t defeat him…how do you expect us to do that with the South hiding behind a wall, the West facing a threat of attack every day, the East having a puppet for a King, and the North fucking in the middle of every fuckery? ” “ You are talking like a little shit. ” I rolled my eyes.“ I see things for what they are, Striker. I don’t waste my time on stupid little hopes, and daydreams. In short, we are fucked. And you are double fucked because the wall in the West has fucking holes big enough to attr
NORA Margarette's face haunted my sleep, chased me until I gave up on resting. It had been so long until I had a dead dude hunting me down, making me scared. I thought I was beyond this stage where I would wake up in bed, drenched in sweat, feel pain in my heart and stare at the ceiling for some minutes straight. But it was all coming back again. The harder I was trying to run, be selfish and be happy like my mother had asked me to do…the more I was moving in the other direction. I had become just like her. Just like her in hell. Getting down on my knees, pleading, crying, telling him I was in pain…I had lost it. I had no control over myself, I couldn’t help it anymore. Striker took away my strong resolve, left me with the same pathetic tendencies as my mother. That’s why my mother had often told me to never fall in love, never be weak for a man, and never be selfless. I could imagine my mother shaking her head in disappointment, thinking I failed her. I failed to be happy.
NORANo Moving. No Running. No Breathing.I became a statue instantly. My muscles were so taut and sharp that I felt like I was going to crumble with a harsh breeze my way.“ Nora. ” He whispered, in an almost inaudible voice.And it sent my nerves into raging mode. Nora? He had the audacity to call me Nora—the same nickname my mother gave me?“ Don’t. ” I hissed, turning around.There were no tears, no dropping to knees, or a dramatic breakdown. I always knew this day was going to come. I had hoped I was wrong and had done everything to prove myself wrong.But when my gaze landed on the all-familiar man with dark eyes, and short hair that was turning grey from the edges…I just…couldn’t keep the tremors from claiming my hands.Needles pricked my eyes, my heart, and my flesh making me stumble back. My father, on the other hand, had his eyes wide, his face painted with shock and relief at the same time.All the memories that I had locked away, the happy moments, and the worst moment cam
NORAI didn’t know what to make of this whole situation, the new truth and a different direction to life.I suffered for nothing. When it was for my mother, because of my father, or even for Striker…I suffered for nothing because I got nothing out of the suffering.“ I am sorry. ” I muttered quietly as I sat on the chair opposite my father’s chair.All eyes were on me. Dustin, Tyson, Dad…everyone was watching me, giving me a headache. It was as if they all knew I was stupid. I had never felt so dumb in all honesty.“ It’s not your fault. ” Dad whispered.And then silence fell between us.Even after knowing he had not killed Mom, I didn’t know what to say or feel. Things were the same. The fact that Dad had led her to her death would never change, even if he was not the one who ordered her and my murder.Some things were hard to take back. If he had come back sooner, if only he never left, if he stayed with us…things would have been different.Perhaps, it was not only about Dad. I had
Hey Sweet Readers! So, after some eight months (that's really a lot. I didn't know so much time had passed honestly), the story is complete. Nora and Striker's story was different from all the stories I ever wrote before. I didn't know what overcame me when I started writing this story and decided to make Nora a crackhead from the beginning *evil laugh*, but I guess, I wanted to try something unique for the first time. I was tired of the usual All Dark Romances with the FL getting tortured and the ML being an a-hole. It was really an experiment. I was nervous about it in the beginning because I doubted anyone would want to read this book, but you all my sweet readers proved me wrong. I can't thank you enough for the support you always show me and I will never stop saying it ❤️ Like all the books before, I unconsciously delayed writing the end of this story because I was too attached to the characters but I am glad I was able to finish it. Now what's next? I am sure you all are wo
NORA “ I went to look for him before any of you did. ” He whispered and pushed himself away from the railing. “ I always will. ” I was left speechless once again. He walked away from me and left his words hanging in the air. ‘ He fucked everything up. ’ Striker groaned down our link. ‘ Make sure Ryder doesn’t see any of it. ’ I sighed and decided to follow the rest of the crowd to see what was being done. People stepped aside to give me way when they noticed my aura and me. I exited the grand hall and approached the throne room. Everyone followed me closely, eager to witness the King of the East and his new shenanigan. I came to a slow halt as I noticed blood painting the floor outside the golden double doors of the throne room. I picked up my head and stared at the man in the distance. Tyson was sitting on the grey concrete seat that had golden engravings. He was only wearing his jeans, and the upper half of his body was bare. His legs were spread apart as he rested back on
NORA Tyson couldn’t stay with us for long. He fulfilled his promise to me, gave Jack back to Striker, and then departed for the East. The little time he spent with me was enough for me to know something had changed in him. Maybe, everything had changed. His voice was no longer gentle. His eyes didn’t shine. He lost his genuine smile that used to touch the hearts. I wanted to know if it was because he was part vampire now. But, I didn’t get the chance as Striker was attached to his side first and then, it was Ryder who refused to leave him alone. Surprisingly, Ryder was able to pull the old Tyson out of him for a little while. When he smiled at him, it was real. And even for a small amount of time, Tyson’s eyes shone bright again. It was enough for me to sit back and just watch the first interaction between my son and my brother. There was still hope for Tyson. He was not all lost. And after two weeks of his return, I was proved right. I was sent an invitation from the East
NORA It was unexpected but people got used to the absence of the wall pretty fast. Levian could be credited for this perhaps. Because he didn’t attack us after the day he promised me the things he did. Vampires and humans were rarely seen. That was the case with Tyson too. He didn’t return even after two years passed. Dad went back to being the King in Tyson’s place while the three Kingdoms waited for the return of the King of the East. That’s what I liked to believe before I visited the East and realized the harsh truth. The people of the East were ecstatic that they didn’t have to deal with a rapist King anymore. They flourished during the reign of my Dad. I didn’t want to, but I felt bitter towards those people. Striker told me at that time. Tyson has to do a lot of work to make people believe in him again. But, I didn’t agree with him. People treated him harshly due to an accusation that was not even trialed or proven. They didn’t care what it made him feel or put him
STRIKER When I didn’t find her sleeping beside me earlier, I felt the worse fear of my life. Panic and anger became one, consuming my every thought, and hijacking my every move. I searched for her like a madman. In the castle. In my mind. And when I realized where she must be, all logic evaded me. I ran to save her, desperate to get to her before she ended up in danger. I was not terrified for one but two lives. My whole world, my family, my love was at risk…and there was nothing I wanted more than to have it all back. Nora made me go through all this. I could understand her desperation to find her brother but she didn’t need to do this to me. I would have gone to find Tyson anyway. I would have done everything to bring him back. For a moment, I was angry that she didn’t trust me, didn’t believe in me…and this thought drove me crazy. But it didn’t mean this anger would push me away from her. On the contrary, I found myself becoming more possessive. After what happened to
NORA“ It’s Lenora Skoldofr now. ” My voice echoed in the silent hall. “ I am the mate of Alpha King of the West. Do I need other reasons? ” “ Women are not…” Another started again but closed his mouth when I looked at him.Or maybe, because Striker looked at him at the same time.A little part of me found it infuriating but if I needed Striker’s shadow to get things done, I wouldn’t mind. I would never fight with him over this.“ I know you all were discussing the vampire threat. ” I started.All eyes were on me, judging and rejecting. Women were not supposed to take part in such activities.“ I want to be useful and suggest something to the Alpha King. ” If I needed to rely on him, so be it.“ What suggestion? ” Striker wondered, craning his neck to look at me.Instead of getting up and towering over me, he let me remain the taller one. Turning to me, and staying in this position didn’t affect him in front of all these people.“ We have a small army. ” I stated, as a matter of fact
NORAStriker didn’t ask me about Tyson again. We had come to a silent agreement that until his return, we wouldn’t discuss him. I was relieved. But, I couldn’t get Tyson out of my mind.When we came back, Granny was waiting for me. Instead of scolding me as she had done once before, she embraced me. I was given clothes to wear, and Striker was taken to the throne room by a warrior.Apparently, my adorable, violent mate had summoned the whole Kingdom and all the Alphas for any possible war. Now, he needed to send everyone back. Granny didn’t let me follow him when I tried to go. She pulled me to the sitting area, her hold firm on my wrist.She was scared.Everyone was scared.Except Amanah. She was scared and hurt.Right after she saw me sit in the sitting area, she turned and left me with Granny. My heart drowned, but then it went back inside my chest when I realized I could always talk to her.Amanah would never hate me, or remain angry at me forever.“ I was not expecting such an
NORA Levian was not a liar. When he said he wouldn’t fight, he stayed true to his words. He made all his people stand back. All I had to do was to go to my fuming Striker after that. He was still spitting fire, that burned the ground he walked on. When he saw me coming, his wolf stopped glowing like a stove and calmed down. His head dipped a little low, letting me step closer. ‘ We are not fighting today, Striker. ’ I whispered down the mind link. ‘ What makes you think I will leave him alone when I have him just in front of me? ’ He snarled. He was angry and barely holding that flaring fire back. It was clear that this was all now directed at me because I ran away from home. ‘ We will not provoke him like our ancestors, Striker. I—We need to do things differently. Repeating the same mistakes won’t make us win. ’ I sighed. ‘ And retreating like cowards will? ’ His wolf stepped forth, almost brushing against my shoulders. The heat of his body warmed my skin. I expected his fire
NORAI didn’t think it would be this easy to convince Levian to talk to me alone, and to let Striker really let me go. But, they both didn’t protest. I was stunned for a moment but then my gaze fell on Tyson who had turned his back to us. The surprise vanished. Worry took its place.What was he going through? There was no way of finding out. He wouldn’t tell anyone. He was the kind who liked to suffer alone.Sighing, I walked towards Levian. The crack in the ground still baffled me, but it was not as surprising as it was supposed to be. The ability felt natural and didn’t make me uncomfortable.Levian turned around when he saw me approaching. He led me towards the trees in the distance.‘ Careful. ’ Striker murmured in my head furiously.‘ Nothing will happen. You are right behind me. ’ I huffed.He grumbled but didn’t say anything.Levian stopped close to a tree and turned around all of a sudden. I paused, my brows lifting to my forehead.He raised his hand and waved it in the air.