Callista What am I looking for? Why am I here? Where am I? All I can see is the darkness. Pitch black and cold seeping into my very bones, threatening to take away my free will. Keeping it hidden away, whatever I am searching for. Sometimes the darkness toys with me, giving me glimpses, and I run at them like a madwoman. But then it’s yanked away from me, leaving me lost once again. Where is it? Show it to me, please, I need to know. Where is it? What is it? Where am I? Who am I?! I sit up in bed with a start, clammy with sweat, my heart running a mile a minute. ‘What was that?!’ I question myself, ‘Some kind of nightmare?’ It's early morning when I look out the window. Outside, I could see distant rays of dawn peaking under the dark curtain of the night. I check my bedside clock and learn that it’s 06:00 am. Then my eyes fall on the date, and memories resurface. Oh, right. It’s my birthday today. I had a love-hate relationship with birthdays. On one hand, they were
Callista.After that, I abandon any thoughts of finding food and escape the suffocating kitchen into the street to catch a bus to school. Our pack has a town of our own in the middle of the forest called Farwyn, dotted by single-story bungalows and small cottages. There are a handful of shops, a hospital, and schools in the center. It’s a small community, and I constantly dream about living somewhere more cosmopolitan like the places I see on TV. I hear a lot about the Rexellen Pack’s town nearby, which sprawls across a much larger area. Our pack, Leighwen Pack, is smaller than theirs hence our land is small. But then again, no pack is as large as the Rexellen pack in North America.After all, it is the Royal pack. It is a privilege to even have land near the Rexellen pack because that meant the Lycan King himself had handed the said land over a long time ago to whatever Alpha rules the pack then. So, this makes Leighwen pack Alphas werewolf nobility, regardless of how small the pack
Callista.Soon the evening arrives, and it’s time to get the newest era of my life started.I dress in a pure white embroidered dress for the ceremony - the traditional clothing for the eighteen-year-old female attendees that symbolizes purity and rebirth. My face is void of makeup, and my newly washed and dried hair flows down my back, unadorned. It's been a while since I look at myself in the mirror this bare. I'd have enjoyed the experience more if my mother's words had stopped circulating in my head. She had purposefully messed up with my mind. She's wrong. Farris will be mate, I'm certain of it.My family had already left for the ceremony. They were grumbling when they left, true to their character. At least they would be present there, even if it's tradition dictated. I try not to let that our me. After all, I'm used to that kind of treatment. I wait outside the house for a bus, not getting a lift from Farris because it’s bad luck for the Alpha to see the girls before we arrive
Callista.Farris takes me to the back of the pack house, away from all the wolves, and shoves me into the kitchen through the backdoor. Gripping the counter, I try to catch my breath and slow down my racing heart. A thousand thoughts rush through my head. My dress is torn, and the coldness of the night mingled with the panic in my being makes me shiver. My arms and legs have scratches on them. My throat hurts from screaming.“What was that?” I ask Farris with a shaky voice, “What did just happen?”Farris’s face is stoic, but his eyes are stern. He grips my chin and tilts my head to look at him. It hurt, but I didn’t tell him.“Did you know those men?” he asks.“I mean, I’ve seen them but n-no, I don’t–”I gasp as Farris grabs me by the shoulders, jerking in surprise as he leans in to sniff my scent glands. This is so unlike him, he’s always so gentle with me.My mother's accursed words from before ring in my head. Farris is not my mate, I realize. If everything had gone according to p
Callista.Morning comes. Pale sun rays stream into the cells through small windows that are too high to reach and too small to crawl through. I didn’t sleep last night, how could I? The ground is uncomfortable, and my head even more. My eyes are heavy, my throat raw. I comb my fingers through my hair, trying to feel a little bit sane.My mind feels blank. I feel like I'd exerted all my available brain cells trying to process everything happening last night. It's all still so bizarre. How can a life change so quickly? This has to be some big misunderstanding, I'm certain of it. I could not be a creature of legend, at least, not such a lousy one. Of all the things to be, a stealer? “You’re awake,” Farris’s voice comes, making me jump a bit. Bitterness floods my heart immediately. His mahogany brown hair catches the light, highlighting the red in it. His handsome face is a mask of indifference, his blue-green eyes staring at me. He is dressed in formal wear, his white shirt tucked int
Callista.Farris says, trying to appear sincere. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Callista, especially for a stealer. If these were the old times, you would already be dead! I could barely believe that the King was willing to do it, you should consider yourself really lucky that he has a feral brother. Think about it, you will be the Alpha King's sister-in-law! The second most powerful female after the Luna. A coveted position that will guarantee you a very comfortable life, filled with titles, and wealth, all for the small price of marrying a Prince.”Farris walks closer, a greedy light in his eyes. "You will be Princess, Callista. Can't you see how generous I am, gifting you this? You ought to be grateful to me for this." "Grateful," I repeat. Who is this man, this Alpha, standing in front of me? I thought Farris was a good man, an honourable one who would never stoop into underhanded tactics like this. I wonder if this whole tale is even true. It seems too much like a de
Farris.Oh, Callista.Callista Milicent Leander, adopted daughter of Lenore and Allen Leander, sister to one Ruelle Leander. She was a werewolf girl like any other, except she shone. I leave the cells because I know I’ll fight more with her. She’s always been stubborn - it’s how she gets by with that family of hers. Once upon a time, I thought it was attractive, that fire in her eyes when she gets properly riled up. Before, it was hard to see that glint, though, because Callista's self-control was legendary. She was polite when needed to be, well-mannered, and of course, her looks were her crowning glory, not to mention the keen mind that people often underestimated because of her looks.But it seems now that after finding her true nature, she'd decided that all her finer qualities were not of use anymore. She’s only thinking of herself right now, the selfish girl. She should be grateful for what I’m doing for her. The audacity she has to tell me to my face that I'm lying to her. I
Callista.The guard escorts me to the bathroom. I think about making a run for it, fleeing the cells, fleeing the pack even.But that would be the stupidest thing to do. I didn't even have my wolf form yet. I will have no hopes of outrunning Farris' men pursuing me.There is a plain shower and a bar of soap. The water stings at the scratches on my skin, and I lather the fragrance-less soap into my hair, washing away the grime. At least the water is hot.By the Goddess, I am angry. Hurt too, but more angry. Never have I been demeaned like this before. I’m not some helpless damsel who couldn’t fend off a bunch of widowers off her. I could control my scent, with practice, I could protect myself. I wasn’t as much of a weakling as Farris suggested. I'm a werewolf regardless of any abnormality I might have and werewolves are strong. I will be able to overcome this if only I am given a chance. There had to be a way for me to remain in the pack.Who was I kidding? No one wanted me here now.
TheonI ran outside the pack, calling out from the top of my voice, “Callista!”Outside, the battle was almost over.The hostile pack members surrendered as soon as they felt their Alpha die, and the Rexellen pack guards and members worked together to apprehend them.Now they stand in lines with their heads bowed, standing side by side with one another as my own guards cuffed their hands. But unlike them, we didn't use silver-rimmed cuffs because we weren't savages even to our enemies. Several Rexellen pack members and guards turn to me as soon as they hear me bellow my mate's name, their expressions puzzled. Kellin comes right up behind me.“Theon, calm down!” he huffs. “The people are on the edge right now; the littlest thing can set them off. Don't make them panic again!”I blush at my own idiocy.“Right,” I give him a curt nod and turn to Ophelia. “Where did you leave her?”“By a clothing boutique near the town square,” Ophelia replies, looking around. Then she winces. “We had to
CallistaMy heart beats fast in my chest as I pursue Valencia through the snow-laden forest. The tall trees loom around me, stripped off their leaves unless they are evergreens. I'd lost sight of Valencia's distinguishable red hair for a while, but the prints of her footsteps are still clearly visible on the snow. I don't know if I should be following her right now. Maybe I should've stayed with the wolves and taken them to Theon before going after Valencia. I had to tell him about what happened and see if he was okay after being dragged into the castle with Ophelia’s vines.But if I let Valencia escape the Rexellen pack lands, Goddess only knows if we would be able to find her again. She'd been suspiciously elusive before. She would definitely use the same tactics to hide again. As I run through the forest, I wonder if I had done the right thing leaving without even a weapon in my hand. Valencia had her sword and her wolf with her. What do I have?Nothing!Okay, I may have done som
TheonAs soon as I tell Haden the news of Elias's death after I find him in the hallways of the castle looking for us, his face pales and his eyes widen. Then, without a word, he runs in the direction of the hospital. "He's going to be devastated," Kellin shakes his head, voice guttural and low from sorrow. Then, he glances at me. "Listen, Theon. I know that Dr. Haeger said that you need to step up as the Alpha now, but your brother just died, and you're only a wolf. If you need some minutes alone-""No, Kellin," I reply. "Thank you. But I need to sort this out. After that, I can mourn."I lower my voice. "Elias is finally at peace now. You were right before. He's released now. As much as I can't imagine waking up tomorrow without him, I know that he is in a better place."Kellin stares at me and nods. "He definitely is. We have to hold the funeral as soon as possible to ensure that.""Yeah. So, let's get to work. Round up the hostiles, throw them in the dungeons, secure the perimete
TheonI scream until I feel the taste of blood in the back of my throat. There’s blood already on my tongue, the blood of the enemy that felled my brother, but this blood is my own.I scream until the foundations of the very castle vibrate beneath my feet, as if we’re in yet another accursed earthquake that started this all, but no, that’s just my body vibrating with the maelstrom of emotions rushing through it.I scream, cradling my brother's dead body to my chest, shaking him, asking him to wake up just one more time, dammit, to open his eyes and look at me because he can't leave, not after everything, not after us winning back our pack. How is this possible?How can he die like this?He was just alive a minute ago. He was breathing minutes ago!I ask- beg people for help. Anyone to come and revive him. But it's useless because there isn't anything anyone can do. There’s no magic in this world that can bring back a dead werewolf, not without turning him into a zombie or a thrall. Th
TheonSomeone moves in front of me, blocking the incoming wolf. It's a man who is taller than I am, but also very skinny. My eyesight is too blurry to register properly.Farris’ jaws clamp around his human neck, hard. A scream, a guttural, painful scream echoes through the great hall, and I…I recognize that scream. Suddenly, my vision clears as panic runs through my entire being. I know that voice. That voice belongs to Elias!Elias falls in front of me with Farris still attached to his neck, hitting the ground with a thump. Blood spurts out from his neck, splattering all around us. Seeing that the target he attacked wasn't his intended one, Farris walks away, confusion marring his features. Elias writhes on the floor, trying to breathe. Half of his throat is gone. I don't know what takes over me as I witness the sight of my brother on the floor, fighting for his life as his blood bled out of him at a catastrophic rate. All the pain I feel is overcome by my rage, and I turn to Fa
TheonOnly a few minutes pass but that is enough for us to draw enough blood from each other to make the floor wet and slippery.My body hurts from all the tears and bites on it. I don't have instant healing as Callista does, so my wounds stay open for a long time with my normal werewolf healing. Farris is no better. He limps because of a rather powerful bite I delivered on his front leg. His teeth drip blood, and so does mine.I don't think I will ever forget the taste of blood in my mouth again. I get up from the floor, swallowing the copper taste in my mouth. My body protests, especially my legs. But I can't quit. He is so strong though. The strength of the Alpha King is no joke. But I have got to endure. I must defeat him. I must win. I need to get my pack back. With a growl, I collect all my strength yet again and pounce on him. As we grabble to bite and claw each other, distantly I wonder how Callista is doing. She hadn't made her way into the great hall yet, only Kellin is
TheonFarris Leighwen laughs out loud."You? Duel me?! Do you think you can win against me now, Rexellen? I’m the Alpha King here, and my strength surpasses your puny average-wolf abilities by miles. I can crush you under my palm like a bug even in my human form.""Well, then accept it," I tell him, feeling my anger rise with each second that passes. "If you're so fucking sure that you're going to win, accept my challenge and duel me!""No!" Valencia screams, interjecting. Her eyes are wide, and she looks afraid. "No, you can't do that Theon. He will kill you.""So what?" I ask. “Better yet, tell me what makes you think that you still have a say in what I can or cannot do?”"You can't die, you're mine!" she says, and I see red. "I'm not yours! I will never be yours, how many times do I have to say that before it gets through your head?!""We've known each other since we were children, and I know you inside out. We were meant to be each other’s love forever! And finally, I have the ch
CallistaOphelia and I collide in a bone-crushing embrace as soon as she pulls me out of the metal cage.My relief is tremendous, making me tear up. Around us, people are still running around. But now, instead of running away, with the help of the two witches and the griffin, the guards and people of the Rexellen pack are fighting against the hostiles. Kiran cast a spell that made the guns clog so they couldn't shoot, so they had no choice but to fight physically as humans or as turned wolves. "Oh, my Goddess!" I wheeze. "I don't know what to say. How?""We got a call!" Ophelia says as we break apart. "They called the Headmistress and said you're in trouble and the Headmistress notified us. We can't act on an official level because this is technically a pack war, so she told us to go discretely.""Won't you get in trouble for that?" I ask, concerned. Ophelia shrugs. "Not if we were just visiting you as friends, but then caught you in the middle of trouble. I mean, we have every righ
Theon"Theon, are you crazy?!" Kellin shouts as we run down a staircase that leads to the ground floor of the keep. "You can't challenge him to a duel like you are, he's the Alpha King!""I have to try, Kellin," I throw over my shoulder without breaking my stride. "That fucker used the voice about ten times for just shits and giggles. He’s got no thought of consequence at all! I can't have someone like him, a sociopath, running around holding that much power.""I agree with everything you said about Leighwen but is this the time?" Kellin grabs me by the shoulder, finally halting me. He turns me so he can look at me, wearing a very worried expression. “You’re an average wolf now, and you’re weak enough from the wolfsbane. Please, think this through. Screw honor, let’s attack him together. Let’s take him down without a duel. This is madness and you know it, Alpha!”"No, Kellin. I’m afraid this is how we have to do it,” I say. "I’ve never fought with dishonor in my life, and I can’t star