Delilah's POV:I stomped my foot on the ground in annoyance and shrieked, "What?!?! You brought me to another realm?"I scanned the said realm and my gut coiled at the dark, spooky vibes. The sky was dark, and we seemed to be in some kind of a forest as we were surrounded by trees. Dead trees, to be precise. There wasn't even a leaf dangling off those branches.I fisted my balls at my sides and screamed with frustration, "How the hell would I go back now?"More than my twisted situation, Asteria's calmness was enraging me. Even now, she looked at me like I was a small kid throwing tantrums over the ice cream and said calmly, "I brought you here so of course, I'll take you back too." She pointed her finger at me, "But only if..."I completed her sentence with a screech, "...I cooperate." Gosh, I was tired of hearing the same thing again and again.She walked ahead and said spookily, "Follow me. Stay close or be ready to be a feast of shadows lurking around."Now this wicked witch wasn't
Delilah's POV:Asteria flickered her fingers and a large ball of flame ignited on her palm. Blowing it, she let it swipe off her hand and dance into the air. The fire illuminated the hall and that's when I was able to finally see the face of the monster inhabiting the throne.A cold shiver ran down my spine as my eyes raked over his palest expression. The hair at the nape of my neck stood taller as he revealed his canines which were nothing like that of a werewolf. My eyes raked down his slim body which was contrary to a werewolf's or lycan's bulky build. Who was he?When I looked at Asteria, I found her grinning ear to ear. Revealing her full set of teeth, she was beaming as her eyes glued to the man with an evil aura. With a grace I had never seen before in her, she got up to her full height.My eyes widened as Asteria flopped down onto the thigh of the man. He moved his hand around her belly in a possessive grip and I took in his long, sharp nails. They were not like my claws at al
Delilah's POV:"What the hell do you mean by that?" I stormed up to Asteria and stared into her eyes. My anger doubled with every passing second as I waited for her to elaborate on the bullshit pouring out of her mouth.Her posture was still surprisingly calm after wrecking a storm inside my head. My fists balled up at my sides as she started speaking, "It's not as bad as you think. And you knew my rule of a 'favor for a favor'. So yeah, be a breeder for us and you'll be free after delivering the baby."Oh God, I wanted to shout at the top of my lungs but her words felt so pointless to even ponder over. Was she crazy? Or did she think I was the crazy one here?Trying to calm my heavy breathing, I tried to reason with her, "How is it possible for me to carry a baby that was not carried by such a powerful witch in the very first place? I am just a werewolf."Asteria's lips stretched into a scary smile, "You are not just a werewolf, Delilah. You are THE healer."I opened my mouth to say
Xander's POV:The tires screeched to a halt outside the hostel building. Taking out the key, I glanced at my wristwatch and a knowing smirk split over my face.3:00 pm sharp.I eyed the beautiful bouquet of colorful flowers resting on the seat beside me with a black box containing a mobile phone for Delilah. Grabbing both, I got out of the car and scanned the area around me. As discreetly as possible, I rounded the building and walked to the backside.Stopping right under Delilah's window, I glanced around and once I was sure that no one was present there, I bent my knees and jumped off into the air. In the blink of an eye, I was inside Delilah's room and started looking for her.Strangely, she was nowhere to be seen. I vaguely remembered her telling me that she'd be free after 1. Plus, she knew that I'd be here at 3 pm. Thinking that she must be out taking a shower, I thought to stay and wait for her. While sitting on her bed, my eyes landed on the vanity and my lips widened in a goo
Delilah's POV:My eyes slowly fluttered open and I felt a shooting headache as if my skull was cracked in two. I winced in pain as I clutched my head and forced my eyes to fully open. At first, it felt like someone was tugging the cords of my brain but after shaking my head sideways, I could finally see my surroundings clearly.My eyes took in the white bare walls and I felt suffocated at the absence of any window or ventilator in the room. The ceiling was also white with too many tiny, flashing bulbs fitted in it.I could hear the beeping sound and my eyes drifted beside my bed where a bunch of machines were placed. They were the source of faint beeps. I frowned as I saw a drip bag dangling over the other side of my bed. Following the tube with my eyes, I saw it weaving around my arm and gasped as I realized that it was attached to the back of my hand, leading the IV fluid into my veins.Just then, everything flashed in my mind. Shadow Realm...Asteria...Lucien...baby...breeder...I j
Delilah's POV:Neither there was any sun in sight to indicate whether it was a day or night nor did I have my watch with me to get an idea about time.It must have been the next day when I woke up from a restless sleep and Asteria entered the room, which was more like a cell, with two maids in tow. They both were carrying trays in their hands which they placed on the table one by one.Asteria gestured at me to get up from the hospital bed, which I still had no idea why I was placed into. I walked to the couch and settled down beside her.She ushered the maids out of the room and then pointed at the tray, "Eat."I eyed the tray loaded with food and then at the other containing water and a few tablets. Honestly, I didn't want to touch any edible item there but Asteria gave me not much choice when she announced, "I am personally going to make sure that you are getting the proper, nutritional meal. That is essential for baby's health."I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. She was again at
Delilah's POV:Casting a brief glimpse at the door, Stella nodded her head in agreement, "Yes, I am. Just like you."I knew it. I had recognized her white, clean aura; the one that is only associated with the Healers. Being a Healer gives me the ability to recognize the auras around people and helps me differentiate them. That's why I perceived Lucien's aura as that of an evil person. But why didn't I identify Asteria's as a bad one? Did she hide it well using her magic or was she not evil by heart?Focusing back on the reality, I mouthed, "How did you get here?"She kept moving her hands around the machines to appear as if she was busy working instead of talking to me, in case we were being watched. Fumbling with the tube of the drip, she deadpanned, "The same way you did."My eyebrows furrowed in question, "So, you are not with Asteria in this plan?"She remained silent for a long moment and then sighed, "I don't want to help her in whatever crazy plan she had made." The corners of
Delilah's POV:I was lying on the bed, processing my chaotic thoughts and trying to find a way out. Xee must have known by now that I was missing but without any clue, how could he find out where exactly I was? I also thought about Adeline; was she back? Did she know I was missing? Despite everything, it seemed impossible for them to find me here and I had no idea how to go back.My train of thought halted as a piercing headache shot through my skull again. It felt as if someone was knocking a hammer on my skull, trying to split it open. I clutched my head with both hands and shook it but it didn't reduce the pain like before. If anything, the headache only became only severe.My vision blurred and my eyes watered as the room spun around me. My breathing labored as I felt the cords of my brain being tugged harshly. I tried to heave myself up in a sitting position. Stars flashing behind my eyelids, I managed to sit on the bed.With trembling hands, I reached for the glass of water plac