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85. Friends?
Last Updated:
2024-03-31 13:15:20Related chapters
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 86. Power
Callista.I stare at her, wondering what the hell I am supposed to say.On one hand, I wanted a female friend again. I missed the easy friendship I used to have with Esther, the camaraderie, the witty quips and snickering over mean girls, having someone to tell secrets to and expecting no judgment in return, just support.Although I had a friend in Haden, he was busy half the time with duties. And even then, there were some things I couldn’t say to him without feeling embarrassed. Our friendship kept getting stronger by the day, but it was different from what I had with Esther. Not as easy-going.But I couldn’t expect the same friendship from Valencia either. Esther and Valencia are so different the very idea is laughable. Valencia was the opposite of easygoing. She is mysterious, passive and serious with a sketchy history, half of which I didn’t even know.Theon warnings ring in my head, and even though I can’t imagine Valencia doing something that unhinged, it leaves me aa bit wary
Last Updated : 2024-04-01Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 87. Cherry
Callista.“Defend yourself, Callista!”Valencia’s wooden sword hits mine with the intensity of lightning, and half the time I can’t even see her coming. I thrust my own wooden sword here and there trying to block as many hits from her as I could.“Defend yourself like I’m your enemy, come on!”Valencia is a ruthless teacher and a clever swordswoman. Her body moves like she’s dancing across the floor, elegant, almost regal, but effective and lightning fast. Her strikes were precise and powerful, always hitting her target, which, at the moment, is me.It had been three days since we started practicing with swords, and all the time, Theon came to watch us.That was not something I expected to happen in my lifestyle.I thought he was going to blow up when I told him about Valencia wanting to help me learn the way of the blade, as she called it. At first, I didn’t really want to tell him, but then I remembered his warning. So, when I went to him, I expected him to blow the socket. surprisi
Last Updated : 2024-04-01Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 88. Festival
Callista.The day of the festival comes.The castle has gotten busier than ever before with all the staff members working overtime to decorate the castle and its numerous courtyards and to cook a feast for the whole pack by the evening. According to the maids, they’ve been preparing for the event the whole week.After all, I should have expected that kind of dedication from the wolves for this particular festival, it was one of the most prominent ones we celebrate as wolves after all.Although I was not attending the festival itself, I walked around the castle before the evening came, helping out in any way I can while wearing an excessive number of scent patches. By now the castle staff is used to me, and no one gives me the cold treatment anymore. It feels nice to be finally included in something. I help the guards with decorating the castle walls with maroon-colored banners with gold trimmings, and the maids carry and hang curtains of the same color. The grand ballroom of the castl
Last Updated : 2024-04-03Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 89. Alpha
Callista.For a moment, I just stand there blinking, because his voice is the last thing I expected to hear at this hour. But soon I get over it and rush toward the door to unlock it, wondering what’s going on. Is it Elias? Had he somehow broken out? But why would he come to me if that’s the case, it’s not like I can calm him with my scent. In fact, my scent does the opposite of calming to him.“Alpha,” I greet him. “Is something wrong?”That’s when I notice what he’s wearing, and feel my cheeks heat up involuntarily.He stands at my doorway, dressed in a black tux that makes me catch my breath. His hair is styled perfectly with grooming products, and his jaw is clean-shaven. His dark eyes glitter under the dim light of my room, and the suit makes them pop out. His jacket molds onto his body, straining against his muscles. His powerful frame is accented nicely by it, all the curves and edges flexing with each movement, and I feel heat rush through my belly.Oh, by the Goddess, what is
Last Updated : 2024-04-03Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 90. Static
Callista.“You killed my only daughter.” My mother sits in the darkness, kneeling next to a blonde-haired woman sprawled on the ground. Her face was hidden by her hair, but I could recognize that blood-soaked sweater anywhere.My head hurts once again, a static ringing in my ears. Overhead I hear thunder cracking, a terrible sound that echoes in my aching mind, and a shiver of terror runs down my spine. My mind feels foggy and unfocused, and the shadows dance all over the walls of the room.“You’re a killer, Callista.” In a lilting, sing-song voice that feels like nails scraping against a stone wall, the shadows sing. Their blood-red eyes stare at me from the dark walls, following my every movement.My mother’s face is as pale as a corpse, and she wears a tattered dress that looks like the one she wore to Ruelle’s funeral. Her eyeliner runs down her cheeks mixed with her tears, and her dark blonde hair fans around her face.She looks mad with grief. I want to look away desperately.He
Last Updated : 2024-04-05Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 91. Broke
Callista.This time I see a wolf. He’s in the corner of the room, and his ebony black coat shines all imperious under electric lights. His red eyes stare at me as he shows me his teeth, snarling. I never knew a wolf could look so angry, and vengeful; I don’t know why it’s directed at me.But if there is one thing I do know, is that the wolf is familiar. I know that I know him from somewhere. But I can’t remember his name.“Hello, Callista,” Suddenly the wolf talks, his voice distorted and resonating, and it’s bizarre to hear words come out of his snout. “We meet again.”“That isn’t possible, I don’t know you,” I tell the wolf, stepping back. “I’ve never seen you before.”“Oh, you have,” The wolf grins and it’s a scary thing to behold. Pristine fangs glitter like they are blades. “You just don’t remember me.”“I’m sorry for that,” I try to sound sincere, because I really, really hope that I can remember him.“I doubt you are.” The wolf snarls. “You might tell people that you’re sorry,
Last Updated : 2024-04-06Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 92. Home
Theon.One moment we were talking, and the next, all hell had broken loose.Dr. Haeger, Haden, Kellin, and I chase Callista down the hall, trying to catch up with her. But in her delirious state, she's so much faster and stronger than us, which is shocking because she hadn’t gained those qualities from her wolf. How is she doing that? What had the bears done to her? We had no idea, which means that we had no idea how to deal with her like this except to somehow restrain her.Our footsteps ring through the castle corridors, our voices calling out her name, imploring her to stop, but she doesn’t care about it. Before we can get to her, Callista manages to open the auxiliary entrance doors that lead to the ballroom, where almost all the pack danced in.Oh, no...The moment I saw Callista shudder as I leaned into her before, I knew something was wrong. Then I realized that I paid a witch earlier to alter the bubble protecting the pack borders to be rain repellent, so the festival could b
Last Updated : 2024-04-06Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 93. Mother
Callista.The dark-haired man sputters, shock evident on his face. He looks back at my mother and me several times before taking a deep breath. When his eyes find mine again, there is an unprecedented sorrow in his expression.I don’t know why I never expected to see that, but it surprises me, nonetheless."Your mother isn't real, Callista." The dark-eyed man says with a gentle voice. "You're dreaming. It's raining and you're in an illusion. You know this deep down, don’t you? Wake up, please, before you do something bad."I feel hurt. “Why would you say that? It’s not very nice.”The dark-haired man groans. “I know, I’m screwing this up yet again, but that’s the truth and it’s not nice. But she is not real. I’m sorry, but you have to trust me on this.”"But it feels so real..." I muse, staring at the beautiful woman beckoning me to join her. I wonder what it would have been like to grow up with her. I don’t think she would’ve called me ungrateful every single day of my life like my a
Last Updated : 2024-04-07
Latest chapter
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 175. Missing
CallistaTheon leaves the Galdine pack lands soon afterward.According to him, the team sent by the Supernatural Council promised to check the bodies for signs of magic as soon as possible. They will have to transfer the bodies to the Witches Guild, where the final autopsy will be carried out and hopefully, the answers we sorely desire will come to light. "They gave us a warning to be careful," Theon says through a video call. "Because we touched the bodies. They decontaminated us as much as possible, but you can never be too careful. If we see anything unusual on our bodies, we have to isolate ourselves and call them immediately. You guys need to prepare a portion of the castle for this. Hopefully, nothing will happen but better be prepared.”“Understood,” Kellin replies with forced mirth. “A quarantine zone for four werewolves, coming right up.”“Thanks, Kellin. They checked us over for any signs of contagiousness but we're clean so far.""I'm going to have nightmares about that fo
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 174. Massacared
CallistaWe wait eagerly in the castle until we get an update from Theon. Tension thrums within us as the screens of Theon’s office remain empty of a call or even a text telling us how his meeting with the Galdine pack Alpha, Warren Galdine goes.Seconds tick into minutes, and then hours, but we don’t get anything.“It’s been three hours now,” I tell Kellin, feeling worried about the lack of communication. “Do you think they are alright? I don’t have a good feeling about this.”“I hope so, although I must agree that this whole incident is entirely unsettling,” Kellin mutters, sounding concerned. “Warren is not stupid enough to try and retaliate against the Alpha King, but as I said before, parents do crazy things when it comes to their children. Warren had placed Valencia above everything since the start, and while that is admirable as a father, as an Alpha, it only enabled her further to descend into her madness. He even gave her a position of power, for Goddess’ sake.”“I feel like
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 173. Plague
ValenciaI run down the hill in my wolf form, days after I escaped the Rexellen pack.The night is bright with the crescent Rexellen, free from the disastrous light pollution that plagues human cities. I've been hiding in them for the last few days, and I can now confidently say I hate human civilizations. The long grass beneath my feet brushes my legs and belly as I run, and the cold of the Fall night is soothing. It helps me calm my mind more, and I desperately need the concentration to do what I have to do next. But as I run, thoughts plague my mind.I had been a fool before, I didn't plan my escape fully. Why? Because I thought there wasn't a need for one. My plan was perfect. Drug the two guards near the door. That was easy. All I had to do was dress in a maid uniform, put on a wig, and bring them coffee. They'd drunk it gratefully as it was early in the morning. The Wolfsbane had worked immediately, knocking them both out. I'd dragged them to the south tower and stashed them
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 172. Barrier
TheonWe left for the Galdine pack that night as soon as we finished arming the Rexellen pack against Valencia. We suspect that she's working with a witch, so we consider as a threat accordingly. Kellin stays behind to watch over the pack in my absence as per his Beta duties. Haden accompanies me with Alan and Terrel, a guard. The ride to the Rexellen pack is like a true-crime podcast."She somehow hacked into the CCTV cameras," says Alan. "The only thing I saw was the two guards, John and Gabe, just sitting near the door like usual. All throughout the incident that was what played on the screen."I groan. Of course, she did."Her major was computer science in college," I tell them. "No wonder she hacked the CCTV.""In that case, I need to completely revamp the security," Alan replies with a sigh. Terrel drives, silent as ever. Haden sits next to him in the front passenger seat. The night is pitch dark and starless. We'd passed a human city already. The Galdine pack is farther than t
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 171. Blackmail
CallistaI don't understand this, and by the looks of it, neither do my fellow wolves. "What?" Theon demands. "I never told her such a thing!""I'm telling you the truth, Your Majesty, I swear on the Goddess," Warren replies, his face the epitome of earnestness. "Falcon died three months before the news of your mate’s unfortunate demise came by the pack, and as soon as she heard it, Valencia came to me. She asked me permission to allow her to head a diplomatic delegation to the Rexellen pack. I was skeptical, but she was stable then, and her psychiatrist had given her the green light. She told me that she didn't love you anymore and that she only wanted to visit her oldest friend and possibly mend the broken bridges. So, I gave her my permission." "And then she left, and I tried calling her. But every call went unanswered, her network was always busy or unavailable or something or the other. A day before the annual festival, I called her again. And finally, after a million missed ca
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 170. Alpha Warren
Callista I rush down the hallway to the entrance of the castle, where Theon stands with a group of guards, shirtless, looking dejected and frustrated. His expression stays stoic as he speaks with Kellin in a tight, measured tone, as if he’s trying his best to hold back his feelings."I need to call the Galdine pack immediately," I hear him say as I get closer, a growl in his voice. Well, that means he’s not suppressing his feelings well. He must be really angry. "I must talk with the Alpha and ask him what the hell his daughter is doing.”"Chances are that the Alpha knows nothing about this," Kellin replies, tone bitter. "But if he does, he won't tell you anything. He will try to protect his daughter just like last time.""I don’t give a shit! I’m going to get answers one way or the other," Theon snaps. "I’m the Alpha King and his former Gamma is a threat to my pack, and he is going to have to provide me some answers if he wants to see her alive again. If he refuses, that would be tr
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 169. Destroy
Callista I've never felt murderous. No, that's wrong. I have felt murderous before. But not to this degree. And I didn't know why I felt so strongly about this.It's not like I haven't been wronged in my life before, because I have been. My parents, my sister, my former Alpha, my current Alpha...all of them had hurt me at some point in my very short life of eighteen years, yet I've never felt the need to utterly destroy them as I did for Valencia. The anger I feel surprises me, and I try to find a reason for it. Perhaps it's because the others I've mentioned before had only wanted to hurt me. Only me, not others. But Valencia didn't just want to kill me. She was ready to sacrifice any amount of people to have me.Not even Ruelle did that. The guards who Valencia had drugged were still in the ICU of the hospital, where the doctors were monitoring them constantly. Wolfsbane overdose was lethal most of the time, and even when a wolf came out of it, it wasn't guaranteed that he would
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 168. Overdosed
Callista I sit in my room, feeling oddly shivery. I've never really felt like this before, not even in my first days as a stealer in the Rexellen pack. It feels as if my insides are tingling, and my stomach is upset. I feel cold, although my room is heated. My mind flits from Theon to Elias to Valencia, playing all the scenes of the day in my head.I can't focus. Thoughts flash in my mind at the speed of light.Is Theon okay? What of Elias? Did he turn even after I was taken from the room? Did Theon find Valencia? Did Valencia escape the Rexellen pack lands? Did she hurt Theon? Did Theon hurt her? Did she lie to him again? I feel some sort of movement next to me, and I flinch. My hands automatically go to the arms of the chair that I am sitting on. "Woah," Haden’s voice comes, and I notice that it is indeed him. He holds a cup of tea in his hand, and his expression is sorrowful. "It's just me, Callista. I'm sorry if I startled you.""It's okay," I let out a breath. "It's my fault.
Once A Luna, Now A Stealer? 167. Murder
Theon"Who?!" I scream. I didn’t realize anything was wrong until my wolf reared his head, making his presence known after days of peace in my head. I’d been in my room, getting ready to head over to town, because I was scheduled to check the renovations of the earthquake.Suddenly, panic rushed through my being, and I couldn’t move. "Mate!" My wolf had yelled, pacing frantically in my head, trying to gain control. "What? What's wrong?" I'd asked him, shocked. What was happening to Callista? Had someone tried to feed her glass again? "Mate's in danger!" my wolf howled. "She's hurt! Find her! Help her!"My blood had run cold.“Where?”My instincts had me running down the hall in no time. I shouted Callista’s name multiple times, looking everywhere I could for her. Everyone in the castle stopped their business to gawk at me, immediately catching onto my panic. "Where's Callista?" I'd clutched a startled butler from his shoulders, shaking him like a madman. My dread increased by the
