Beth’s warning made Ciara uneasy throughout their patrol trip. She kept stealing glances at Hayley and her friends, in case one of them suddenly attacked her or said some nasty words.But nothing happened until they reached the top of the hill, and the path forked into three. Michael ordered them all to stop.“We split from here,” he ordered. He pointed toward each street’s branch, and then at one of the groups. “You guys go over there.” Then he pointed at the other two groups, including Ciara’s group, and directed them down the remaining two forks.After Michael finished dividing the area, he said, “If anything happens, the Black Stellar pack members in each group can contact me via the mind link.”He studied them one by one before speaking again. “I will go around from one group to another to check on the situation. Stay calm and pretend you are patrolling your own territory.”Everyone nodded in the direction, and Michael ordered them to walk to their respective patrol areas.Ciara
Ciara’s vision turned black and white. She saw the dim faces of Beth and Bianca standing at the edge of the canyon with panicked and frightened expressions as her body continued to slide down.The unbelievably hard impact forced her lungs to jolt the air out before the frigid water submerged her and covered her entire body. She choked on water as she tried to breathe. Her lungs, esophagus, and stomach were filled with freezing water.The swift current curled up against her and made her feel like a dead log, continuing to carry her down the canyon, and as her hands tried to reach the surface, the current pulled her back down.In just a split second Ciara raised her head to look around, and in front of her stretched the vast night sky. She heard a distant rumbling and ahead a landscape stretched out. Ciara didn’t understand why the river suddenly disappeared until her body crashed into a waterfall.Ciara screamed as the water took her into a free fall, but her voice was muffled by the s
“Tell me what happened.”Ciara was now in the same room as Chris, Michael, Scott, and the rest of her team.It was Chris who called after Scott took Ciara to the medical room to check on her condition. The smell of cleaning fluid and syringes made her sweat and her heart rate quickened. And Scott, who realized this, took her out as soon as the doctor said she was fine.“She’s gone mad,” said Hayley. “Suddenly she was acting like a psycho and attacked us. We tried to stop her, but she jumped off the cliff instead.”Ciara looked at the faces of her teammates one by one. There was no Beth among them.“Where’s Beth?”Kenzie’s eyebrows arched up. “Did you forget? You attacked her until she was seriously injured!”Kenzie’s words made Ciara flinch. “I didn’t hurt her! Or any of you!” she cried defensively.She got up from her chair in a fit of emotion, but Scott held her back.“See? She even lost her memory of what happened last night,” Tania added. “There’s always a reason why a werewolf be
“What?” That was one surprising fact that made Ciara dumbfounded. “Are you sure about it?”“Yes. The doctor said that. She won’t regain consciousness for at least the next three days.”That meant Beth would not be returning to training. Because by the time she woke up, this joint training would have been over. If it was Hayley who planned all of this, her method was really, really sneaky.If Ciara conveyed this to Scott, Scott could have asked the coaches to conduct a search. And Hayley must have taken that into account. She could have dumped evidence into the canyon on the night of the incident, or worse yet, she’d embed the tools she used to attack Beth into Ciara’s belongings, cementing her position as a suspect even more.Ciara couldn’t act rashly. She needed to stay calm and entrust the next process to Scott. She wasn’t alone; she told herself.“Let’s go,” Vaire said. “You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”“I can’t leave yet.” Ciara pointed toward the door behind her. “I have to wait
That meant Ciara would fight Hayley, Kenzie, Tania, and Bianca.Even though Ciara knew what Hayley and Bianca’s fighting skills were like, and Rousel said Kenzie and Tania were terrible warriors, she still shouldn’t underestimate them.And actually, there were other things she was more worried about than defeating them.Her stomach was churning as Chris broke up the line and gave the participants ten minutes to get ready.“Let’s go to the bathroom. Don’t pee your pants in the middle of the fight,” asked Vaire. She took Ciara’s hand and squeaked, “Your hands are so cold!” when their skin touched.Ciara pulled her hand away from Vaire and looked worriedly at her. “I’m so nervous,” she mumbled.“Why?”Ciara hesitated to say it. Until finally she quibbled. “What if I lose?”Even though Ciara was definitely nervous, she couldn’t tell Vaire the truth. So she had to lie.Vaire stared blankly at her, then gave out a laugh that drew the attention of those around them. “You? Lose to them? Serio
Hayley’s wolf was smaller than Ciara’s. So Ciara could easily get rid of Hayley from above her and now the position is reversed. Hayley yelped as Ciara’s four sharp claws dug through her fur and stabbed into her flesh.Hayley rebelled, but Ciara was unshakable. She grinned, then opened her mouth and lifted her muzzle, ready to plunge it into Hayley’s exposed neck because she couldn’t stop moving.“Don’t kill!” Chris shouted from the touchline and Ciara momentarily recovered from hearing his voice.Ciara jumped back, releasing Hayley from her grip.Trembling, Hayley pulled away and struggled to her feet. Blood ran down her fur and splattered on the ground.Ciara waited for Hayley’s wounds to heal before they attacked each other again.It’s like going back to the beginning, Ciara thought.So far, her control over her wolf seems to be only superficial. She couldn’t really get her wolf to submit and obey her. And if she failed to do so here, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to vanquish her w
The joint training that Ciara had so far brought her so many emotions. But she was happy because, on her last day, she could live it with a smile.Her new roommates were lovely. They made her laugh at their antics. The other participants now knew her as one of the strongest warriors, and she once again proved that she deserved that title.When the coaches held a battle between groups this morning, her team won all the battles, and she was ranked first out of all the participants.The battle between the teams finished right at noon and all the participants were now heading to the dining hall to replenish their energy. Rousel was in charge of finding an empty table while the others lined up to get their lunch.“Thanks,” Rousel said as Vaire handed her a tray of lunch.They all started having lunch. This time, they sat down with Beth’s friends from Black Stellar.“How’s Beth?” Vaire asked Denis.“She’s better. It’s just that she can’t be talked to yet,” answered Denis.“That’s great,” sa
Vaire’s words made Ciara’s heart skip a beat, and her pulse never subsided as they walked with the others toward the courtyard. The firelight danced in the distance, forming shadow lines between the golden yellow.Everyone looked happy tonight, after two long and tiring days. Tomorrow was their last day here and they would return to their respective territories at noon. So tonight is their last night together.Rousel embraced Ciara and Vaire as they walked hand in hand towards the courtyard.“Hey!”Denis and his friends ran to catch up. His face lit up as he said, “Beth was already out of the medical room.”The news was met with joyful cheers from Ciara and the others.Vaire looked around, then frowned. “Where is she now? Will she join with us?”“Chris immediately called her to meet him as soon as she’s out,” said Denis. His gaze fell on Ciara for a moment. “Looks like he wants to hear Beth’s version of the incident that night.”Everyone fell silent, understanding what Denis meant. Th
Ciara’s hand, which was gently rubbing Scott’s arm, fell limp upon hearing that. “What are you saying? What’s that supposed to mean?” She couldn’t think. She didn’t know what filled her mind right now. It was as if her brain’s functionality had been hindered, and she couldn’t draw conclusions from the reality Scott revealed. “Nova...,” Ciara murmured, uttering the name with confusion. “You... and Nova...?” “Yes. We’re siblings. Nova is my brother. A brother I never knew I had.” Ciara covered her mouth with both hands. It was too impossible to be called a coincidence. Nova had indeed mentioned that Silvercrest was the pack where her mother came from, but Ciara never imagined he had a blood connection with Scott. “I was as surprised as you when I found out about it from my mother,” said Scott. He shook his head. “It turns out my sibling has been looking out for you, Ciara. She saved you, my mate, from hell.” Ciara didn’t know why she stood up and walked to the riverbank, but she
There’s a nook beneath the cliff they had passed earlier. A stretch of white sand extends along the river with clear water as emerald as gemstones. An expanse of forest stretches on the opposite bank of the river, and there’s a large shady oak tree right next to the nook.Ciara sighed in amazement at the sight. A perfect place.“This is just the beginning,” Scott explained. There was a hint of proudness in his voice. “Wait until nightfall, and you’ll witness something much more beautiful than all of this.”Ciara furrowed her brow at Scott’s explanation. She was curious. “What’s going to happen?” Then she looked at the sky and remembered the expanse of stars in the Moon Warriors’ territory. “Are we going to see the stars?”“More than just that,” Scott murmured. He winked, and Ciara’s heart trembled at the sight.Scott led her into the large nook near the oak tree. There, he invited her to sit on the sand. He stretched out his legs and looked towards the river.“This is the perfect plac
“I was looking for you,” Ciara replied. “Louis came to me and Godrick, crying. He said you were missing, and he was terrified.” Ciara looked Margo up and down. “But seems like you’re okay. What actually happened?”Margo’s face appeared flushed. She bent her knees and hugged them, placing her chin there. “I... I’m okay,” she murmured. “I just wanted to... disappear for a while.”Ciara sighed. She took a seat next to Margo and sat with her. They both gazed towards the river. “What happened?” Ciara asked. “Will you tell me?”Margo picked up a stone near her foot and threw it towards the river. “I—this is embarrassing,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m not sure I can tell you.”“Tell me. I won’t judge,” Ciara assured her. “And whatever happened to you is important. Just like you, I won’t take it lightly.”Margo stared at Ciara for a while. “I... I actually like Deck.”That wasn’t surprising. However, to spare Margo’s feelings, Ciara feigned astonishment. “Oh, really? Since when?”Margo sh
“But I’m not done,” Ciara said. “I still have to train them until later this afternoon with Godrick.”Scott frowned upon hearing her mention Godrick’s name. “Who schedules your activities?”“We schedule them together.”“If there’s a rescheduling, I won’t allow you to be paired with Godrick in anything.”Ciara could only roll her eyes and choose to ignore Scott’s protests. His jealousy was entirely unfounded.“What time will you be finished?”“At four in the afternoon.”“Then we’ll meet at home later in the evening, okay?”Ciara nodded, closing her eyes briefly. Scott leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “See you later, then.”He waved and walked away. Shortly after Scott left the main base, Godrick opened the office door and approached Ciara. “I’ve been peeking through the window, waiting for him to leave,” he grumbled. “He’s really annoying.”“Don’t you act like that toward your partner?”Godrick looked surprised at Ciara’s question. He blinked and then shook his head. “Me? Do you
Ciara waited patiently, but after their meeting with Mila, Scott had yet to fulfill his promise to take Ciara around. Until now, she didn’t know what the continuation of their plans regarding the couple’s ritual would be like.“Ciara, watch out!”Something rushed towards her and almost collided with her. Swiftly, Ciara jumped to the side, avoiding the attack and successfully saving herself from the onslaught of an uncontrollable wolf.They were having a routine competition among patrol team members, and now it was a match between Deck and a new member named Louis. The one who had just lunged at Ciara was Deck.After the match ended, Deck ran over to Ciara.“I’m sorry!” he exclaimed, bowing. “I didn’t mean to attack you!”Godrick walked behind him and pressed the young man’s head. “Bow deeper,” he commanded, pushing Deck’s head further down, almost to his knees.“Godrick, stop it,” Ciara said, glaring at Godrick.Godrick gave her a grin and released his hand from Deck’s head.“You were
Ciara concluded her story with a smile. She wiped away her last tears that evening and stroked the grave marker of Nova, bidding him farewell.“We’ll visit her occasionally,” Scott said.They walked side by side, Scott embracing Ciara, and Ciara hugging Scott around the waist as they headed towards the car.“That day... I don’t know what would have happened to me if it weren’t for you finding me,” Ciara reminisced, as the car drove away from the cemetery.“You would have become a captive for sure. They would have tortured you or even killed you. A rogue is one of the pack’s archenemies, and there is no mercy for those who dare to trespass into our territory.”“But you spared me.”“Because my wolf forbade me to harm you.” He glanced through the corner of his eye. “I guess our wolves have a strong instinct about each other.”When they arrived at Silvercrest, a stack of tasks awaited them.For the next few weeks, Ciara and Scott were occupied with their respective activities. Scott was p
That day was the day Ciara basked in the sunlight. She wasn’t truly outdoors, as she had always dreamed, but in a glass-roofed room revealing the blue sky and sunshine. As usual, Nova was with her.Today, he didn’t bring anything, but his presence beside her was more than enough to make her happy.“Do you like being under the sunlight?” he asked as they both sat in a patch of warm golden light.She looked up and raised her hand, shielding her eyes from the brightness. “Yes. The sun and the sky become refreshing colors to my eyes. They are something special.” Then she gazed at him. “You must see them every day, right?”Nova didn’t answer immediately. He just stared at Ciara with his gentle gaze that always made her heart race. “Yes... I see them every day to the point where I take them for granted.”Ciara smiled faintly. “In that case, we have a different perspective on what’s special.”Nova nodded. He then lifted his face and made the same motion as Ciara. As they both lowered their h
And imperceptibly, days had passed. Ciara had fallen under Nova’s charm, and for the first time, she listened to and obeyed someone in that place.Ciara didn’t interact much with people here, and none of them caught her interest. They seemed gloomy with stern faces and rough behavior. But Nova was different.Her heart raced every time he appeared. There was a fresh and calming scent about him that could mask the unpleasant smell of the cleaning fluids she despised. He always smiled whenever he entered her room, bringing new things to show her every day.Today, he brought some new items she had never seen before. She thought they might be tools for a series of tests.But it turned out they were called a television and a VCD player.“We’re going to watch a movie,” Nova said, followed by his usual sweet smile. “Have you ever watched a movie?”“Are you mocking me?” Ciara replied curtly.Nova laughed. “Sorry.”A few minutes passed, and Ciara sat quietly on the bed, observing Nova setting u
“Nova came to the place one day after the bad guys took liters of my blood and tested various types of bullets to shoot into my body.”Ciara started her story about Nova.*It was a rough day, just like any other day Ciara spent in that horrible place.She hated everyone there and her wolf was at a peak of rage, which she could not control. Every few minutes, someone injects a large dose of anesthetic and attaches a special device that renders her immutable.As the drugs and devices took effect, her vision became blurry and she could only hear voices around her. They spoke in stretched tones and it was as if they were talking underwater.The anesthetic reaction lasted only half an hour at most. Her self-healing ability makes the effects of the anesthetic fade quickly. And when she came to her senses, she heard someone speak angrily.“What did you guys do to her?!” the man exclaimed. “She could die if you treat her like this!”Then another person answered the anger with the phrase ‘thi