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176. Christmas
Last Updated:
2025-01-03 19:11:23
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Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 177. West
Theon"Alpha, Alpha!" Alan's voice comes from the security room, seconds before the man himself runs towards us. There's a sign of panic in his eyes. "What is it?" I question, turning away from the construction.We were talking about the construction of the roof. Originally, the roof had been made from wood, but the construction crew wants to use some modern roofing materials for durability. It was the most logical solution, so we were wondering if we could do the same thing for all the conical roofs of the rest of the towers as well. But Alan’s disturbance brings all of that to a halt."Rogues!" Alan screeches. "There are rogues attacking the town for some reason.""What the hell? Why would the rogues come to the town?" Panicking at this new crisis, I run after him to the main security room where on a screen, it shows a bunch of rogues growling at a group of sane wolves. It actually looks like the rogues are trying to get into town, and the others, presumably guards are defending t
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 178. Hiding
CallistaI march to the armory and request the sword that I normally use for sword practice.It's well-balanced and pretty sharp. As a wolf-less werewolf, it's my best bet against an opponent, no matter what species they are. As much as I want to go after Theon, I know that without my ability to turn into my wolf form, I would only be a liability. Even more so if the bears are actually present.So, I do as he says and head to Gemini and Kellin's quarters. This isn't the first time the Rexellen pack has ever faced an attack, so the castle and the town are always ready to counter any insurgence that threatens it.The people of the town rush inside the castle to take cover from any attack, and the castle is big enough to shelter all of them. The staff and guards drive them into all kinds of halls and sitting rooms within the castle, making sure to keep them away from Elias's room. As I rush to the Beta's rooms, I see the castle staff close all sorts of entrances and side entrances and
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 179. Entice
CallistaI cannot believe my ears. How did Valencia get inside the castle? Every inch of this place is guarded by armed werewolves! We are in an emergency, for Goddess's sake! My mind runs a thousand miles a minute in panic. I can't get my thoughts straight.The last time I saw Valencia, she tried to kill me. This time she is threatening the lives of Gemini and her children. I don't care what happens to me, I can't let anything happen to them because of me."Last warning, Callista!" She raps on the door again, hurriedly this time. Gemini gapes at me with fear. Sawyer takes the sleeping Simon in his arms and clings to his mom's side.There is only one thing I can do."I'm coming out!" I yell from the top of my voice, unsheathing my sword. The sphere of the ring on my finger glows. I would die before I let her harm Gemini and the kids."No, Callista, you can't go out!" Gemini snatches my wrist with her free hand, her grip strong. Her panicked eyes lock with mine, and I can see the vu
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 180. Hunters
TheonThe light snow transforms into a blizzard as we continue running toward the forest, hiding the sun altogether.It's as dark as the twilight, and tall, leafless trees that make up the forest loom gloomily. We travel through the south of the forest to the west where the rogues are supposed to be.Much to my astonishment, the rogues don't even pay any attention to us. In fact, they downright ignore us unlike they were doing in the town. After the howl came, it seemed like their only goal was to get back to their portion of the forest. Who howled for them? That's the question. Rogue wolves were capable of calling others, but not like this. Rogues were much similar to normal non-shifter wolves, but without the calmness they had. They were totally animals but constantly suffering from bloodlust.Sometimes I wonder why the Goddess created the wolves to be like this. We're creatures were not perfect but sometimes it felt like going rogue is the punishment for loving too hard and failin
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 181. Defeat
CallistaOur swords clash in a hair-raising clank, with no mercy in our strikes. For this isn't sparring where you're only meant to win over the other.This is a battle until the first kill.I feel like a puppet yet again, the enchantment on my amulet ring maneuvering my body to strike away Valencia's deadly blows. Valencia comes at me with a ferocity that is almost tinged with desperation, yelling as our swords contact. She aims for my heart, my abdomen, my legs...anywhere on my body that she could harm, and my sword finds hers every time. The panic I feel is shunned by the magic of the ring. One particular strike shoves Valencia against the wall, and she hits the stones with a thud."Give it up, Valencia!" I yell, trying to catch my breath.My blood races through my veins, and every warning bell in my head keeps ringing. My instincts alternate between fight and flight. You never know how to feel in a situation where your life is on the line, except to feel anything and everything a
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 182. Rush
HadenI run through the forest, trying to get away from the hunters.My conscience screams at me in guilt, demanding how dare I leave my Alpha behind like that to fend for his own, especially after being shot by the hunters.But there is nothing I can do but flee because his order takes hold of my being. My body moves against my will. The power of the Alpha King could be a terrifying asset, but it could only be exercised on the members of an Alpha's pack.I never thought that Theon would ever use it on me. He didn't even do that when I protested him outright when he told me to bring the rogues back when he and Callista hated each other's guts.Although I distrusted Theon then, I knew that he would never use that power for something like that. But in order to save my hide, he had no qualms about using it. As soon as they take down Theon, the hunters concentrate all their attention on him. They don't come after me or the two guards who managed not to get hit. "Gamma, we should go bac
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 183. Mercy
Callista"Farris?!" I exclaim, unable to believe my eyes.How is this possible? For a second, I almost believe that I'm dreaming, because no way in hell is that Farris Leighwen standing inside the Rexellen pack castle, right in front of me. He is supposed to be in the Leighwen pack, far away from me, buried in my past. What is he doing here? Why is he here?How the hell did he get in?Seeing his face brings back tons of unwelcome memories and feelings. He was my first lover, and he was my first betrayal. He was my first lesson in how cruel life could be. He was my first hope, as was he my first heartbreak. And aside from my family and Valencia, he is the only person I cannot forgive for anything he did. Farris sneers with a cruel smile. I remember it far too clearly from my last moments in the Leighwen pack, and it hasn’t changed a bit. If anything, it’s gotten worse."One and only. It's nice to see you again, Callista. I didn't think it was possible, but man, you look amazing. Pret
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 184. Drugged
Callista"Anybody here?" I call out, unable to bear the silence of the dungeons any longer. "Hello? Nobody? Not even another prisoner? I thought they kept prisoners here or something ..."It's been hours since I woke up, and so far, no one had come down to the dungeons to see if I'm even alive. Obviously, I can't escape them because of the silver bars of the cells, but still ...Goddess, this is just like the first time I became the stealer all over again. Locked in the dungeons by Farris Leighwen.Powerless. Except it isn't like the first time, no. This time, he'd done more than just imprisoned me. He'd drugged my mate, allied with one of my enemies, and had taken over the castle. I know the last one is true because neither Kellin nor Haden made an appearance, and neither did any Rexellen pack guards. Also, the dungeon master was suspiciously absent.Something must be going on up there. Haden and Kellin. Gemini and her children. Bailey. What had happened to them? Are they under Fa
Last Updated : 2025-01-03
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Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 322. Epilogue
CallistaTen years later.I stand in front of Lily Lane Pup Daycare after ending my workday at Rexellen University, holding a stack of books in my arms trying to shove them into the backpack I’ve taken with me.It’s three in the evening, and the kids should be out in a few minutes.It’s summer again, the weather is pleasantly warm, and everything brims with life. There are bees flying everywhere, suckling nectar out of the numerous fully blossomed Leanderrs.The Rexellen pack town is as busy as ever, with people bustling around after clocking off from work, going on their errands, and their outings.Everyone seems happy, and they’re open and very friendly.Upon noticing me, everyone who passes greets me with a simple.“Good evening, Luna!”“Good evening to you too!” I always greet back.Some parents stop by near the daycare to collect their children, and we start pleasantly conversing with each other.I’ve been the Luna Queen of the Rexellen pack for ten years now, and honestly, those
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 321. Ceremony
CallistaFour weeks later.I walk down the shoveled path with a single lily flower in my hand, a smile on my lips, and my heart overflowing with joy.I’m dressed in an ankle-length, heavy-set gown that accentuates my form as if it had been sewn with me in my mind.It’s a silverish white in color in accordance with tradition, and a million tiny rhinestones create spiraling patterns all over the skirt. The long sleeves and the woolen cloak that accompany them give me warmth on the cold winter night.On my neck, there is a white gold necklace with a diamond as the pendant, the only piece of jewelry I wear, which is a gift from the witches who'd arrived a day before to celebrate the ceremony.The mating ceremony for Theon and me.In the background, a string quartet, comprised of two maids of the Rexellen pack castle and two guards, plays a tune that I can't quite name but can’t help but think is so apt for the situation.On either side of me, my closest friends whom I consider my family s
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 320. Gift, not Curse
CallistaA week later.Valencia Everhart was sentenced to life in prison by the Supernatural Council for assisting the devil in his criminal endeavors such as kidnapping and harboring a werewolf, orchestrating a pack takeover on the orders of the devil, attempted killing of two pack members of the Rexellen pack and the biggest crime of them all, assisting the devil in massacring the entire Galdine pack.I thought the last one was a bit harsh because Valencia never really did know about that charge, but as Valencia had confessed in the court, she’d given the devil the location and information regarding her pack.She had been under the impression the devil was going to protect the Galdine pack from Theon’s retaliation against the pack takeover, but she’d been lied to.We attended the court on the same day as Valencia did, and I’m sure that the cries that ravaged her as she learned the horrible fate that befell her pack would never stop haunting my nightmares.I felt sorry for her, and a
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 319. Afterlife
CallistaQaetanya and Xaveraq reached the afterlife together.One was willing, the other was not. One sacrificed herself, while the other, well, I had to kill the other.Xaveraq’s soulless body lays in the circular chamber, and I don’t look at it again as we exit the room, both of us still in wolf forms.I feel numb as we stumble out of the temple as soon as possible after I release the devil’s and the deviless’s souls into the gateway.None of us speak, although I could feel everyone except Theon patiently waiting for the right moment. They look stunned as we walk through the doorway. For a moment I’d been afraid the doorway wouldn’t be present because of it being only shown with the blessing of a devil and all, but fortunately, it stands.As soon as we all exit the temple doorway, it starts to shudder. And then the most bizarre thing happens.Numerous high-pitched screams ring through the air, and greyish white mist starts to shoot from all directions towards the doorway, getting su
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 318. Defeat
TheonI can’t process half the things that are happening as I stand outside the little circular room, trying and failing to get in.One moment, Callista is being choked by the devil, and the next moment, in the place of Callista, stands a majestic white wolf! The wolf shimmers as if she were the Moon Goddess herself in wolf form, stepping down from the moon to aid us in our time of need.But when the wolf looks at me for the briefest moment and howls in ecstasy, I realize that this wolf is no Goddess.That’s my mate!After months, no, years, of agonizing, Callista has finally found her wolf.But then she turns towards Xaveraq and leaps towards him with no hesitation.My scream deafens my own ears, wondering what the hell she was doing. I witness the whole scene as if it’s unfolding in slow motion.As Callista nears the devil, whose shadows are closing in on her to consume her, a flash of blinding white light erupts from her, filling the room with a glow akin to the sun.I shield my e
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 317. Amazed
QaetanyaHer wolf is beautiful, reminiscent of the first wolfwoman I met in the forests of Gaul all those years ago.She is larger than most wolves, were-creature or otherwise, and when she stands, she cuts a majestic figure, even in the confines of the squat, circular room. Her coat is a silverish white, and it glistens as if it was created by moonlight, as if the Goddess molded the wolf herself.Her emerald eyes shine as she stares at Xaveraq in confusion, and amazement, stunned to her very core.She can’t still process that after years of hope and dream, she’d finally transformed into her secondary form.I had watched her wolf grow from a pup to an adult within her as I was trapped in her mind ever since she was born. Throughout the three thousand years I’ve been with Callista’s bloodline, I’ve witnessed hundreds of pups being born within the babies, but never have I seen a wolf as beautiful as this one.Even I was in awe when she first appeared, sleeping soundly, growing along wit
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 316. Shift
CallistaThe very first time I witnessed a werewolf’s first shift I was just five years old.It was at a birthday party, and of course, it was for Ruelle.Naturally, almost everyone from my adoptive parents’ families was invited. I liked my relatives because they didn’t favor Ruelle over me to the extent my parents did. At this time, all I had were Ruelle’s hand-me-downs. Her clothes, her toys, her books…The only thing I had for myself was a pair of shoes because Ruelle’s feet had always been smaller than mine, and there was no way my feet could fit in her shoes.I loved those shoes so much.That didn’t mean I never got gifts. My parents’ relatives would always give me presents of my own when they came to visit. It didn’t matter if it was Ruelle’s birthday or mine.It didn’t matter if it was a special day, a holiday, or even a plain, random visit to see how we were doing: clothes, shoes, toys, and new books; everything a little girl could want.Granted these things would be taken awa
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 315. Goodbye
Callista“My, my, Qaetanya, you’re actually stronger than I thought. Here I thought that you wasted it all by giving that werewolf a special scent,” the devil taunts the deviless as he circles us, his eyes set on us as if he’s a predator.“I was blessed by the Goddess,” arrogantly, Qaetanya declares, flexing her digits so the electric sparks flicker around them. “Such a power cannot be hindered by anything, least of all you!”“All except the summer solstice,” Xaveraq grins before hurtling another wave of shadows towards her.Qaetanya ducks them swiftly, and the shadows hit the wall behind us, getting absorbed into the stone. Using her momentum, Qaetanya attacks Xaveraq with a light wave of her own, which Xaveraq detracts by a shield of shadows.“I told you that information because I trusted you,” Qaetanya replies to the jab. “Because I believed the man I loved wouldn’t even think of hurting me with that information. But you did exactly that. You might preach about me manipulating you
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 314. Monsters
TheonA pillar monster falls right in front of me, nearly crushing me, but I jump away just in time. The sheer force of the fall breaks its stone arm in two, and the eerie silverish glow in its eyes subsides. The pillar monster stops moving.“I think he died,” I tell Haden, who is panting on the other side of the fallen monster.This is the only one that we managed to fall, and by the looks of it, kill.“Holy shit, did that actually work?” Kiran screeches.He was the propellent of bringing the monster down. Now, he jumps back to the ground from the shield he’s been standing on and jogs closer to the pillar monster.Tentatively, he reaches out and touches its cracked shoulder, where some of the previously seen symbols are visible. I remember them running all around the pillars before the monsters came into being, glowing.I look at him and nod, trying to confer my thoughts via body movements.Yes, I think it actually worked.“Guys, we managed to bring a monster down!” Kiran yells back
