(Naomi)I stood up after my father stopped breathing. The room was still, the weight of the moment pressing down on me like a physical force. His eyes, once so full of life and secrets, were now closed forever. I took a deep breath, my mind a blank canvas void of emotions, painted only with numbness. Keeling beside his body, I reached for a cloth and gently wiped the blood from his face. It was surreal, this task of cleaning up after death. The blood had already begun to dry, a stark contrast to the lifeless pallor of his skin. As I worked, I couldn’t help but remember the times he had cared for me, the way his hands had comforted me in my darkest moments. Now, it was my turn to provide this final act of care. I folded his hands on his chest, positioning them as if he were simply at rest. The stillness of his form was unsettling. The man who had shaped so much of my life was now just a body, an empty vessel devoid of the spirit that had once animated him. The silence was oppressi
(Iris)Caden was coming back tonight. Leila had told us earlier today, her voice filled with an urgency that only heightened our anxiety. Since then, the hours seemed to stretch endlessly, each minute a test of our patience. Jasper had been restless all day, pacing back and forth in the confines of our prison. I was not much better, my nerves frayed and my thoughts spiraling into endless what-ifs. Leila’s words still echoed in my mind. We had been huddled together in the early morning light, the air thick with tension. Her face was unreadable, her eyes flickering between Jasper and me as she relayed the news. “Caden is coming back tonight,” she had said, her voice low. “Be prepared.” Prepared for what? The question had hung in the air, unspoken but heavy with dread. Caden’s return meant answers, but it also meant facing the full weight of whatever truths had been hidden from us. Jasper couldn’t sit still. He prowled the room like a caged animal, full of a nervous energy that
(Elias)When Caden asked to go home yesterday, I didn’t think too much about it. As the Alpha, he is needed there. But to my surprise, Naomi asked if she could go with him out of the blue. I suspected she was trying to run, but she suddenly mind-linked me. “I’m not running, Elias. I just want to be useful,” her voice echoed in my mind, carrying a sincerity I couldn’t ignore. I consented to it reluctantly. The pack house feels empty without familiar faces. Seraphina is uncharacteristically cold, her usually warm demeanor replaced by a frosty distance. Xander is cold, his icy demeanor a constant cloud. I found myself drawn to my father’s study, a place I had avoided for so long. The room was full of history, a history I preferred to ignore. The scent of old books and leather filled the air. I closed the door behind me, the sound echoing in the silence. I stood there for a moment, letting the memories wash over me. “Father,” I whispered to the empty room, my voice barely aud
(Iris)We were ordered to leave at midnight. The hours ticked by slowly, each one marked by the oppressive silence of pack house. Despite the agreement we’d reached, the door remained locked, a constant reminder that we were still their prisoners. The thought gnawed at me, but neither Jasper nor I had any desire to explore this creepy place. Jasper was still on his bed, staring out the window with a hurt look in his eyes. His expression was distant, lost in some interval struggle that he refused to share. I watched him for a moment, feeling a mix of frustration and concern. What was the matter with him this time? I approached him cautiously. “Jasper, what’s wrong?” Without warning, he grabbed my forearm and dragged me down to the floor with him. We both landed in a tangled heap. “What is wrong with you?” I yelled, pushing against his chest to gain some distance. His response was to put his other hand behind my neck and kiss me, hard. This was very much our old routine, a p
(Iris)The guards opened the door for us at midnight. The air was thick with anticipation and tension as we stepped into the hallway, leaving the room behind in silence. My thoughts were a chaotic storm, clashing with the quiet determination in my steps. He was on a mission to kill my mate, and I was his accomplice. The weight of our actions hung heavy in the air. Was a solution so out of reach? Why was war all they ever thought about? I thought about my parents and the consequences of the last uprising. A part of myself died with them. Their loss was a constant ache, a reminder of the devastation that conflict brings. I wondered if anyone ever truly won in these fights or if we all just lost pieces of ourselves along the way. Outside the room, strange symbols adorned the walls, made from blood or perhaps red paint. The sight was unnerving, sending shivers down my spine. It was creepy nonetheless, a stark reminder of the darkness that lurked within those ancient walls. One
(Naomi)Seeing them together still hurts. No matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise, the sight of Jasper and Iris together feels like a dagger to my heart. They moved through the dense forest with a familiarity that speaks of trust, something I once shared with them but no longer can. Jasper grabbed a thorny tree branch to clear a path for Iris, his movements gentle despite the ruggedness of the task. When he saw me, his eyes filled with sadness and guilt. But now I really couldn't care less. Those emotions belong to another time, another Naomi. I need to protect myself. I can’t rely on the men in my life anymore. Jasper, father… they’ve all betrayed me in their own ways. “I gathered that he sent you back to kill Elias, right?” I started when they were close enough. My voice was steady, betraying none of the turmoil inside. “What are you doing here!” Iris doesn’t seem to hear my question, but the look on Jasper’s face told me that I am right. He knows what’s at
(Iris) We walked in silence through the dense forest, the weight of our thoughts hanging heavily in the air. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting eerie shadows on the ground. Jasper’s presence beside me was a comfort and a burden at the same time. We had been through so much together, but now, everything felt different. Jasper broke the silence. “I don’t even recognize her anymore,” he said, his voice tinged with sadness and frustration. “Losing your only parent really makes you grow up fast,” I replied, my own heart aching for Naomi. We had all lost so much. Too much. “That makes all four of us now,” Jasper muttered. I nodded but didn’t say anything. The silence settled between us again, heavy and suffocating. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. “What’s your plan?” I asked, needing to know what he was thinking. “Are you going to help me?” He shot back, his eyes narrowing. “No,” I admitted. “Then I’m not telling you,” he said flatly. “If you kill him, there wil
(Seraphina)The stronghold echoed with an oppressive stillness that weighed on my shoulders like a leaden cloak. It reminded me of the tension before a storm. Despite the flickering torches and bustling activity of the warriors, an unshakeable melancholy filled the air. It was a stark contrast to the freedom and simplicity of my rogue days, a life I now found myself yearning for in the moments of bleak introspection. When I was a rogue, decisions were mine alone and the burdens were lighter. Lucas, or Elias, had physically recovered from the wolfsbane’s poison, his strength and vitality restored. And yet, his spirit seemed to dwindle with each passing day. Mentally, he had not recovered. Today, his usual restraint snapped like a brittle branch in a storm, unleashing a fury that startled everyone around him. Even a young servant, nervous and fumbling, bore the brunt of his anger for a minor spill. It wasn’t like him. The poison had changed him. At least, that’s what everyone else
(Elias)I told them all the story of Elias’s victory, and his mercy. Surprised murmur rippled through the crowd. Recondition, not killed. This was Eias’s first benevolent act since becoming the Lycan King, a decision that marked a significant shift. I felt a surge of pride in him, knowing this was a step toward breaking the cycle of violence and hatred that had plagued our world for so long. I could tell my feelings were echoed in the soldiers around us. Caden’s men joined our group now that Elias was the Alpha, and our men welcomed them.As Caden and Leila were led away, their expressions a mix of defiance and resignation, Elias turned to face his mother, Alice. Her blue eyes were filled with pride and relief, and I watched as they embraced. “You’ve done well, my son,” Alice said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’m proud of you.” “Thank you, Mother,” Elias whispered. “I couldn’t have done it without all of you.” Alice pulled back, her eyes searching his. “You’ve shown mercy w
(Iris)I had to follow Elias. Jasper, Naomi, Alice and even Seraphina had decided to stay with the rest of our group, tending to the wounded. But I had to follow Elias.As the first light of dawn began to stretch across the horizon, I could see the tension in the clearing before me. The duel between Elias and Caden was about to begin, and I felt every heartbeat echoing through my chest. The stakes were impossibly high, and despite my best efforts to focus on the plan, the anxiety I felt was nearly overwhelming. Jasper, Naomi, and Alice had decided to stay hidden with the rest of our small group, but I couldn’t stay away. I needed to see Elias with my own eyes, to witness the battle that would determine not just his fate, but all of ours. I crept through the underbrush, my heart pounding as the sounds of the duel grew louder. The clearing came into view, and my breath caught in my throat. Elias stood in the center, his posture fierce and determined. Caden, a towering figure of ar
(Elias)The first light of dawn had barely touched the horizon when Alice and I finally met. Alice, though weary and disheveled, stood tall, her blue eyes searching through the shadows for the son she had heard so much about but never met. My heart pounded as I approached her. I had always known this moment would come, but nothing could have prepared me for the emotional turbulence of seeing my mother for the first time. Her eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, we simply stood there, absorbing the gravity of the encounter. I could see the faint glimmer of tears in her eyes. “Elias,” she finally whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “My son.” I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Mother,” I replied, my voice steady but laced with emotion. “It’s been a long time.” Alice took a tentative step forward, her gaze softening as she took in the man her child had become. Her hand reached out hesitantly, and I met her halfway, our hands clasping in a tentative embrace.
(Jasper)The day had been long and grueling, filled with the clash battle and the thunder of war cries echoing through the forest. As the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving streaks of orange and red in its wake, our camp settled into an uneasy calm. Both sides went back to their camps to take a respite, tending their wounds and sharpening their weapons. I stood apart from the others, my mind racing with thoughts of the battle and the looming mission ahead. Despite our victories during the day, the weight of our impending tasks pressed heavily on my shoulders. Elias and Iris were in deep discussion nearby, their voices low as they plotted our next move. “Iris,” Elias said, his tone earnest yet tinged with urgency, “we need to strike now, before Caden and Leila regroup. We have to rescue Alice and Naomi.” I watched Iris nod solemnly, her eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. “I know,” she replied, her voice steady despite the underlying tension. “Alice and I have a plan.
(Iris)The sun barely broke through the canopy of the forest as the day began. Our camp was a hive of activity, warriors preparing for the battle that we knew was coming. The tension was thick in the air, every movement and every word tinged with urgency. Using the knowledge Alice and Naomi had gleaned from the old book, we were ready. We had deciphered the symbols, understanding their purposes and weaknesses. Every warrior was briefed on how to counter the traps and spells that Caden and Leila would undoubtedly use against us. As the morning wore on, the sounds of the enemy approaching became clearer. The clash was inevitable, and as the first wave of Caden’s warriors broke through the trees, we stood our ground. The battle erupted in a storm of clashing steel and snarling wolves. “Elias! Over here!” I shouted, pointing to a group of enemies trying to flank us. Elias nodded, leading a charge that quickly turned the tide in our favor. “Remember the words!” Jasper yelled to th
(Iris)The argument reached a fever pitch, their voices a cacophony of anger and pain that seemed to echo through the entire camp. My head pounded, my heart ached, and I felt on the verge of breaking. Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, a commanding voice cut through the chaos. “Enough!” It was my voice that spoke the word, but it was Alice’s in my mind. All eyes turned to me, and I let her speak through me. “This is not the time for petty grievances. We are on the brink of war, and unity is our only chance of survival.” Jasper and Elias exchanged one last, heated glare, before stepping back, their anger momentarily quelled by Alice’s intervention. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, grateful for the respite. I stepped forward, holding the magic stone, surrendering to its power. Its surface shimmered with a faint, otherworldly glow. “I have something important to show you,” she and I said. I placed the stone on the ground and whispered Alice’s
(Iris)I walked down the familiar path, the towering trees feeling like old friends. But this time, the path was crowded with hundreds of warriors, their footsteps creating a steady, rhythmic sound against the forest floor. The air was thick with anticipation, the scent of pine mingling with sweat and metal. Despite the presence of the warriors, I felt a gnawing emptiness inside me. Naomi was still unreachable, and the uncertainty of her fate weighted heavily on my heart. As night fell, the camp was set up, and the warriors huddled around their fires, sharing stories and laughter that felt foreign to me in my current state of mine. I found Elias near a small fire, the flickering flames casting shadows on his face. I hesitated for a moment before approaching him, my heart pounding in my chest. “Elias,” I said softly, drawing his attention. He looked up, his expression unreadable. “Iris,” he replied, motioning for me to sit beside him. We sat in awkward silence for a few minute
(Naomi)I sat on the edge of the narrow bed, my fingers tracing the rough seams of the thin blanket. I had been in this small, dimly lit room for a day now. The walls, adorned with faded, peeling wallpaper, seemed to close in on me, suffocating me with their silence. The only window offered a dismal view of the alley below, where shadows moved and whispered in the night. I replayed the events of the previous evening in my mind. After handing over the necklace Jasper had given me to Alice, I had hoped for a moment of rest. But I knew I hadn’t been subtle enough. The weight of my actions pressed down on my chest like a stone. It wasn’t long after the necklace exchange that Caden and Leila showed up. Their arrival had been swift and silent, their expressions a mix of cold determination and malice. I had tried to act nonchalant, but the flicker of recognition in their eyes told me they had seen through my facade. “You know you can’t keep running like this,” Caden had said softly, h
(Iris)Alice was skin and bones now, but her features were striking, and her eyes were blue like ice. Just like Elias’s. I could see the family resemblance, the same cold, piercing gaze that felt like it could cut through stone. “You are such a lovely-looking girl. So much like your mother,” Alice said softly, her voice almost a whisper, yet it carried a weight that made me shiver. I guessed she could see me too. I stepped closer, feeling a strange pull toward her, as if an invisible thread was drawing me in. Her presence was both comforting and unsettling, a paradox that I couldn’t quite unravel. “Open your eyes and I will see what you see. This is the function of this stone. A very powerful Lycan magic is fused in this. I gave it to your mother for safekeeping in case it fell into the wrong hands.” “Like Caden?” I asked, the name slipping out before I could stop it. Alice nodded, her expression darkening. “Sure. But mainly their grandfather. He is an evil man. Twenty years ago