I am back in the field.The moment I open my eyes and see the flowers, I feel a staggering sense of relief and I crumple to my knees.Today there is no one here. There is a nice breeze blowing but I don’t notice it. I wrap my arms around myself and sob in loud gasping cries.I know this is a dream.I know this isn’t real.I must have passed out during the torture.And then I feel an arm wrap around my shoulders. Startled out of my tears and fear, I look up and my eyes widen before I throw myself into the arms of my most precious person. “Ben!”My brother.Ben tightens his hold on me as I sob in his arms, repeating his name like a mantra, “Ben. Ben. Ben.”He lowers his head on top of mine, “How’ve you been, kid?”I pull away, enough to look at him, and my voice breaks, “I don’t want to go back, Ben. Don’t make me go back. I – They’re hurting me, Ben! It hurts!”I see anger and a helpless grief fill his eyes, “I know, kid. I know.”“So, please,” I grab a fistful of his shir
“Do whatever you like,” I murmur, looking away from him. “Leave me alone. I want to sleep.”His finger runs over my cheek, his voice thoughtful, “He left your face untouched. “I guess I should be grateful for that.”I scoff but don’t say anything.He seemingly waits for a response and then says, “If you want to sleep, I can offer you better accommodations.”“No thanks,” I say, dryly. “I don’t want to revisit the torture chamber again. Once was enough.”“I meant by personal chambers,” Logan is stroking my face. “You can sleep in my bed.”I look at him now and I remember what I said to Ben.I could give in.What’s the worse that will happen?He’s the Alpha. He’ll give me a place to belong.However, my thoughts go to Balin for some reason and my heart skips a beat. “What is your answer?”I stare at the old Alpha, “You’re not young. You expect me to believe that you don’t have a mate.”His lips curve and I see a terrifying emotion on his eyes, “I’ve had plenty of mates. But t
“Damion?”I gape at him, more so at the blood splattered all over his hands and face.He grins at me, “Miss me?”“W-What?” My head is filled with concern and confusion. “What are you doing here?”“Saving you,” He announces, cheerfully, causally wiping blood on his black pants. I feel so bewildered, watching him stride in with that lazy attitude, not a care in the world.“You can’t be here!” I hiss, my eyes darting towards the door. “If Logan comes in-”“You mean that old fart?” Damion asks with a frown. “He’s not here right now. Apparently, there was some explosion in some part of the territory.”From the sneer on his face, I have a feeling he had something to do with that.As he approaches, even without my wolf senses, I can still smell the stench of blood on him. However, this is not the time to swap stories. “You need to get out of here!” I tell him urgently. “Even if Logan isn’t here, there will be other shifters around. One human can’t-”He sits down on the bed next t
His smile makes a shiver run down my spine.He doesn’t smell like one of us!So what is he?He takes a step towards me, and I’m frozen in fear, unable to move.His hand comes up and cups my cheek, his touch tender, his amber eyes full of wild mischief, “No, little wolf, but what I am is very interested in you.”I stare at him, wary, “Who are you?”His smile is cheeky but when he leans closer, I can feel the heat of desire build up inside of me. It’s a sudden reaction and it shakes me.He gives me a knowing smile, murmuring, “You’ll find out later.”He takes my hand and when he tries to pull me with him, I dig my heels in, my heart pounding, “That old witch, did you-?”This time when Damion turns to look at me, he looks displeased, “She was one of mine. I would never have harmed her.”I open my mouth to ask what he means by ‘one of mine’ but he looks over my shoulder and a mildly irritated expression crosses his face, “Come on. They seem to have discovered that you are missing
“What is it?” Damion’s voice makes me shiver.Something is very wrong with me. I know it. I shouldn’t be reacting like this to him.Even if for one moment, I don’t think this anything to do with James, the fact that this person is so much at ease with the idea of blood and death. How can I be lusting after such a terrifying person?I try to keep my tone even, “What are you?”His laughter is a low husky sound and I sink my teeth into my lower lip, trying to keep in my reaction to even his voice. It’s not like I haven’t met good-looking males before. However, I have never once reacted like this to one. It’s like my own body is not mine to control.Damion doesn’t seem to be aware of my internal struggle, “Why is it so important that you know?”“Because no shifter species that I know of is capable of wiping out an entire pack the way you just did. You’re not even hurt! Not even a scratch!”“That’s not true,” he says, holding out his hand from behind me. “I got a scratch while
The kiss isn’t sweet or soft. It’s hot and hard. The way Damion grabs my chin, keeping me in place as he ravages my mouth has me seeing stars. This is the first kiss I’ve shared with another male since James died. I thought I would feel more guilty, but I can’t think past my wildly beating heart, this all-consuming desire within me. It’s like I had been starved of water for so long and this is the first sip I’ve gotten in years.This shouldn’t feel so right.But it does.There is a twinge of guilt inside of me which keeps growing. What is this desperate need inside of me?!Unable to combat this mixture of growing desire and guilt, I pull away, panting. Damion tries to pull me in again, a look of dark hunger in his eyes, but I hold him off, “No. Stop.”“Why?” He looks displeased by this turn of events and I can see a sulky expression form on his face. “You didn’t hate it.”“That’s not it,” I mutter, trying to leave his hold but he simply refuses to release me.“Then what
I don’t get a chance to even say anything because the first thing Idril does is point his bow and arrow at me, his eyes icy cold.I freeze, “What the hell?”“You tried to escape from us!” He hisses. “After everything we did for you, you tried to run away like the ignorant animal that you are!”His harsh words both frighten me and infuriate me at the same time.I glare at him, “I was kidnapped, you stupid imbecile. Not that you idiots came to help me! Some use you are!”His eyes tighten, “Don’t lie!” He cocks his bow in my direction, hissing, “I told Balin to just chain you like the animal you are and take you with us. He insisted on treating you with respect. But no more!”“If you shoot me,” I get to my feet, my tone dangerous. “You’d better make sure you get me in the heart because I am one of those people who will cut her nose to spite her face.”I see anger flicker in his eyes, and I take a step towards him, my voice harsh, “You need me alive, and I’ll make sure I’m dead. I h
I take a step back in alarm, “D- The guy who saved me from the wolf pack.”Something in me warns me to downplay whatever little relationship I have with Damion. A small voice in my head is telling me it won’t end well for me.“Who was it?” I’ve never seen Balin look like this.His eyes are icy in a way that make my blood go cold.“I – I don’t know,” I stammer. “He just saved me from that wolf pack, and he brought me here and then he left.”Damion, wherever you are, don’t come back!“Where did he take you?” Balin demands and I point in the direction of the cave. He shoots Aldon a look.“Keep an eye on her.”Saying that, Balin disappears in the direction of the cave.My heart is pounding with a ferocity that makes me unable to think. I’m scared. I’m scared for Damion.“What-” I glance at Aldon who hasn’t moved, “Where did he go?”“To look for the creature who kidnapped you,” Aldon’s voice is politer than normal but then looking at the body a few feet away from us, it doesn’t s
DAMIENYears pass slowly when eternity is no longer in sight.Standing on the edge of the balcony of the bedroom I’ve shared with Isabel for five hundred years, I watch the lush lands in the distance. The demon realm has never prospered like this before. I’ve never been this content before.In the distance, I hear laughter and I look over to see two of my older sons carrying their sisters in their arms while my other daughter run after them, Cerebus trailing after them.I’ve had children before. I’ve watched them pass on. I still watch over their families. But this is different. This is more precious. Isabel has given me so many children and for once, I will not have to watch them die before me. Twenty strong children, half of whom are now leading their own lives, coming back to visit us. I have never once regretted sharing my life span. Now I get to enjoy my beautiful mate for centuries to come before we move on from this world. Speaking of my mate, I hear her voice.“Junip
I clutch on to Damien’s still body as I see Balin’s body dissolve into nothing within seconds. There is hush across the battlefield as everyone stares in shock at what has just taken place.‘Justice.’The words echoes in everyone’s ears and then I see the realization hit the elves about what is coming to them. The begin to flee.But only if it was that easy.One by one, they fall, their deaths painful and horrific sights.The battle which had come to a halt because of Damien’s sacrifice has now been ended by the interference of the Gods. There is no guilt within me.There is just dark and vicious satisfaction.Let them burn. Let them feel what it is like.The whole thing is over within a couple of minutes and the silence stretches across the field.Finally, the Gods face me, ‘What do you wish from us?’My eyes flicker towards Damien and when I look up, the field is gone. Both me and Damien are in this white space that has no end.“The elves are gone,” I say with great di
My heart is filled with a broken pain that I can’t breathe past.They showed up. But they showed up too late.I’ve lost everything.Damien isn’t breathing. I pull out the spears one by one, ignoring the presence of the beings, tears falling down my face, my chest so tight with pain that I think it will burst. I can’t feel our mating bond!Oh, God! I can’t feel him anymore!The wail that rips from my throat at the realization that he’s left me all alone is a terrifying sound. The earth begins to shake as my grief grows out of control. These powers, these abilities, they’re useless to me!My heart is tearing out of my chest in my madness, the ground shaking.Let it all burn!Let them all die!‘Child.’The voice echoes in my head again and this time I look at those beings, my face ravaged with the tears of a broken woman.‘You cannot destroy these realms.’“I cannot?” I snarl, “Just who do you think you are to tell me what I can or cannot do?!”The more upset I am, th
Mara’s anticlimactic death has me reeling. But now is not the time to worry about that. I shift into my wolf form, attacking the enemy with a ruthlessness. It’s true what the witch said. My mating bond has increased my strength. I feel lighter on my feet as I wade through the elves like they’re ants. My speed is faster, although not to the level of that of Damien’s.I can feel some of my abilities leaking through but I’ve still not been able to access my abilities. I’m a little disappointed. I thought weakening the seal would have more of an impact but aside from this soft leakage of warm sensation, there is nothing else.I feel frustrated but I can’t do anything.Damien, though.Damien is stronger than I have ever seen. He’s cutting down the elves with speed, his focus sharp. His laughter is vicious and despite that, my heart flutters in my chest at how glorious he looks. I look at him and that is my mistake.You never allow yourself to get distracted on the battlefield.A
The troops are already waiting in their battle positions when we arrive.Damien brings me with him to the battlefield. He’s wearing a suit of dark armor and I feel tense, “The Rubab Stone-”“I’ll have to be more careful,” his voice is calm. “Last time I wasn’t as aware. This time I know I am not invincible.”“Damien,” my heart is twisting in my chest. “I-”He cups my cheek, his voice gentle, “I’ll be fine, little wolf. Just don’t leave your guards.”I know he would have preferred to stash me somewhere but it’s clear that he wants me close by. After so many traitors popping up after the first battle, it only makes sense.“Don’t let anybody catch you off guard,” he thrusts a sword into my hand. “Trust your instinct when you fight. They’re going to try and separate us. Let’s make sure that, that doesn’t happen.”I give him a small smile, feeling a sliver of hope on seeing his confidence.“Okay.”I get on my toes and press a sweet kiss to his mouth.We don’t get more time togethe
“What is it?” “Something has happened in the demon realm,” he says, grimly, before looking down at my hand.I shake my head, “The pain is gone.”“Good, let’s go.”“Thank you,” I give the witch a weak smile, not knowing whether to actually be grateful or blame her for the wrong that has happened in my life. But it’s always a good idea to be graceful.She waves us off and I’m in Damien’s arms as he runs out of the cave, past the trees, towards the temple.“The portal-”“Caleb will open it when I give the signal,” he’s not even out of breath as he rushes down the temple where the shrine gates are.As we move towards the town, I grab his shoulder, “Wait! What is that?!”The sky is orange.“How long were we inside?” I mutter. “Is the sun rising?”“No,” Damien says after a long moment. “It’s fire. The town has been set on fire.”“We have to help-”But Damien holds me back, “Look.”For a moment, I don’t understand what he is saying. And then I see the arrows shooting within the
“There has to be something someone can do,” I ask, forcing my voice to stay calm, despite the roiling fear inside of me.The witch’s voice is kind now, “I’m afraid not. You’re not the first who has tried to seek a way to undo the curse.”It’s hard to keep my tears at bay. The tears are not of sadness but rather of the crippling fear of the unknown future that awaits me. At this point, I am already aware of the nature of the painful deaths a majority of the Righs faced. It was just physical pain they had to go through, that would have been fine. Horrifying as it may be, one can tolerate that to an extent. But seeing your loved ones be tortured? The mental anguish is not something I will be able to take any longer. My suffering may be different from that of the previous Righs. It may not even compare. But for me, it is enough. I am reaching my breaking point. There are so many people in my life that I now care about, so many people who can be used against me. It frightens me to th
The witch studies me, “There have been numerous prophecies recorded about the Righs over time but there was one that was recorded by a Righ who was born to a Seer and a witch. You can call it a curse or a prophecy.”I instantly remember what I saw. The memory of the battlefield. The woman who was held down, screaming.My blood turns to ice as I recall that memory. It still gives me nightmares. “The downfall of the elves. From the hands of the weakest of the Righs. And right now,” the witch looks at me, “no offence, but you are the weakest Righ there is.”I’m being hit by so many curveballs that getting my feelings hurt is at the bottom of the list right now.“It’s funny that you think I’m going to bring about the downfall of the elves when I can’t even protect myself or use my abilities.”My voice is tight with barely restrained anger.“The stars have aligned and the stars have never lied before,” the witch says, easily. “The time is drawing nearer for the final battle.”I don
I feel my knees turn weak, “What?”“But you created the seal!” Damien snaps. “You should be able to break it!”“Logically, yes,” the witch says, calmly. “But this seal is special. It draws its power through sacrifice of fate. Those spells are impossible to break.”A shutter falls over Damien’s face, “What have you done?”I look between the two feeling like I’m in the dark, “What does she mean? What do you mean by a sacrifice of fate?”The witch studies me and for the first time, I see a glimmer of sympathy in her eyes for me, “I don’t think you want to know the answer to that.”I push past Damien, “I do. What do you mean a sacrifice of fate?! Whose fate?!”She looks at Damien before meeting my gaze, “The Righ is a powerful entity. You think it was easy for even somebody like me to be able to contain your powers? No. If I had used a normal spell, as strong as I might have tried to make it, it would have broken against your powers. I needed something stronger. Something that woul