DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!”The crowd was cheering in chorus as we entered the vast hall of Paradise. Every inch of the hall was filled with gamblers. The reddish and bright lights of the hall made it look more intriguing. The strong scent of alcohol and thick smoke were lingering in the air.Weaving our path through the drunk and excited crowd when we walked forward, we noticed numerous tables of pokers. On a vast table in the middle of the room, a middle aged guy was standing and striping his clothes, one by one. He looked embarrassed but the crowd was cheering excitedly.I could see the back of the winner who was sitting lazily while counting his gold bars. The man in his undergarments asked in a low and trembling voice, on the verge of crying, “I have given everything that I had with me- my car, my gold chain, key of my house, my cards, all my money and even my clothes. Now let me go, Sir.”The healthy and bald guy stopped counting as he looked up and answered in his gruff and taunting
“Let’s begin!”The staff of Paradise declared excitedly, distributing the cards between two fine gentlemen with an extremely dominating and powerful aura. Both of them were standing out in the crowds of the drunkard as they were sitting lazily in their place. I preferred to stand behind to avoid unnecessary attention but Keir pulled me next to him, “Stay next to me. I don’t want you to get lost in the crowd, My wealth.”I asked, frowning my brows a bit, “Your wealth? Really?”Keir chuckled softly as he teased me, suddenly pulling my chair closer to his, “Yes, really. You are the most precious one to me right now. I am betting you to win of course.”Rolling my eyes, I only mumbled in a threatening tone, “Don’t think that I will let you slip easily for your audacity.”My reaction seemed to amuse him. He smiled benignly as if dealing with a temperamental child, “I don’t even want to be slipped out of your thoughts, Firefly. Now be quiet and witness my skill.”However, I couldn’t really
I was so dumbfounded with astonishment and rage that I forgot to react at first.Only then I realised the reason why Eden asked me to stay away from that guy. He wouldn’t really put me in danger because he was the danger himself.I was searching anxiously for the meaning behind the words.Noticing my blank and panicked expression, Keir’s smile widened as he assured me in his magnetic and gentle voice, “Stop worrying, Firefly. Can’t you just rely on me? I will not let anything happen to you.”“Rely on this situation? I shouldn’t have brought you here. Damn it!” I replied in a small frightened voice. Panic was rioting within me. I was thinking of all the possibilities of getting caught. The brightest one among them was of me being the exclusive angel of the Red Light Village or getting auctioned as a royal slave.The host returned to us as he just repeated the Owner’s message. However, Lucas and Keir stood up from their seats and Lucas spoke first, “If the match is not happening, there
“Yeah?”I answered briefly. Sasha’s jade-spoked eyes widened with astonishment. She was barely able to control her gasp of surprise as she and Lucas exchanged a few shocked gazes. Lucas only sighed briefly as he mumbled in a low voice, “That bastard has some audacity!”He began to walk again, stealing the glance of the Paradise stall behind us.However, Sasha’s expression turned gloomy. She complained in a low tone, “I heard that Princess Eliza is a very cunning lady. How did you end up becoming his prey? That manipulative bastard!”I impatiently answered her, “Prey? I don’t know what you are talking about but I think that we really should help Keir or he wouldn’t be able to escape from-”However, I was cut in the middle by a loud exploding sound, followed by chaos and screams of the villagers and customers. Sasha hastily suggested, “Let’s just leave first. The situation will get worse.”I asked anxiously, turning in the direction of Paradise’s hall, “But, Keir?”Lucas’ tongue was hea
“What did he mean?”I asked in a puzzled tone, staring at that dark and deserted alley.Honestly, Lucas’ presence with us was assuring though he had an annoying personality. Sasha yawned sleepily as she checked the time, “Some of our people are locked here including my brother and some females of our villages. I need to find him here.”I realised that this visit wasn’t a sudden desire of Keir. He planned everything beforehand, maybe to save his clan members. Lucas was indeed right. Keir used me to fulfill his purpose. Seeing me silent, Sasha assured me, “It wouldn’t take long.”I kinda started liking Sasha’s personality. Smiling at her brightly, I answered promptly, “It’s alright. Let’s go and find your brother fast. Where did Lucas go?”Sasha answered while leading the way through a dark and narrow alley, “To set free all the trapped ladies. Honestly, we know that this place and all the illegal business of this red light village can’t be stopped overnight. We are just trying to slow t
“Sister, where is Elder brother?”Sasha’s brother shouted, standing next to me. Surprisingly, he didn’t leave with the other kids. Sasha answered in a breathy tone, “Don’t ask me about that selfish dude. He appears and disappears as he wishes.”Clicking his tongue, the kid stated, “Tsk! We should have brought our younger brother here. He is more reliable.”“Are you talking about Mister Kyrell?” I asked him curiously.His dark eyes sparkled, “Who are you? You even know our younger brother and you are so beautiful. How did you become Sasha’s friend? When did it even happen?”“Umm.. Now? I became her friend just a few minutes ago.”The kid laughed a bit as he took a few steps forward, blocking the path of one guard, “As I thought. You still didn’t even know her. Sasha didn’t even have a single friend for her arrogant nature.”Sasha was still fighting with one of the guards while her brother stopped another guard from chasing the kids. While fighting, Sasha shouted from that side, “Dev! B
“Ugh! Damn! This bastard!”Dev groaned in pain as he fell on the ground instantly. Crimson liquid began to wet his light blue shirt. While groaning and panting in agony, he tried to get up but the huge, brown werewolf behind him, leapt on him as his canines penetrated his neck from behind.Dev was a little far away from me but I was surrounded by two guards. So, I could reach for his help instantly. I shouted, tilting my head in Jordan’s direction, “Cover me. I need to help that kid.”“Alright, M’lady.”The sounds of Jordan’s firing was suppressing the screams of the guards as they were falling dead in the ground or writhing in pain. Approaching Dev, I also leapt on that huge, brown wolf. Without wasting a second, I wrapped my arm around his throat and slit his throat.He struggled a bit and then, his body turned numb as I pulled him away from Dev who was almost on the verge of fainting. His breathings were ragged as he closed his eyes while murmuring in pain, “It hurts so much, Siste
“Dev? Can’t you hear us?”I checked his body temperature as I suggested to Keir, “You need to take him out fast. Take him to our healers. They are quite competent.”Lucas and a few other strangers circled us as Lucas ordered some of them, “Carry him and take him back to Sasha. She is waiting outside.”I was feeling very guilty as I couldn’t protect that kid. Tears were gradually clouding my vision. When I witnessed how others picked his numb body from the ground and was carrying him out. I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore.I mumbled, gently holding his one hand, “S-sorry, Kid.”Miraculously, I felt his fingers wrapped around my hand as they squeezed my hand gently. In a low and gruff tone, Dev muttered a few, incoherent words, “S- Sister, I can f- fight.”Lucas ordered his men to take him out carefully so I let him go.However, recalling Jordan, I hastily told Lucas, “Mister Lucas, one of our pack members is still fighting. He is all alone. Please send some of them to help him.”Lu
"I was extremely busy, as you know," Keir said in a friendly tone, shrugging his shoulders. The young, cheerful guy with gray hair and a delicate, slender build quickly dismissed his other guests.As Keir approached, the other guy leaped forward, wrapping him in a tight hug. "Buddy! I’m so happy to see you! I feel like I’m going to cry. I thought you’d forgotten me already."Struggling to free himself from the guy’s grip, Keir groaned in annoyance. "I wish I could forget you. Why on earth did I even think of coming to your party?""Because you desperately needed my help and were practically begging for it," the guy replied without letting go of him.Leaning against the doorframe, Kyrell watched the scene with a wide grin, clearly enjoying Keir's irritated expression like it was the most entertaining thing he’d seen all day. I turned to Sasha, confused. She leaned closer to whisper, “They’re childhood friends, and he’s—”"My God! Who is this gorgeous lady?"Interrupting her, the cheerf
“K-Keir!”My voice rose in surprise as I stared wordlessly at him, my heart was pounding rapidly. The glimmer in his emerald eyes sparkled like precious gems, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within me. I had missed him terribly, craving his presence during that long, lonely week. And now, as I finally stood before him, I could only gasp in astonishment.His gaze met my questioning eyes, and he gently took my hand in his. In his deep, teasing voice, he asked, “So? Did you miss me, Firefly?”A shy smile tugged at my lips, and warmth crept into my cheeks. Tucking a strand of my carefully styled hair behind my ear, I rolled my eyes and replied, “Humph! Why would I miss you?”Keir raised an eyebrow and pulled me a little closer, his tall figure leaning casually against the car. “You don’t look like someone who didn’t miss me,” he said, his tone playful. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”I looked up at him and replied quickly, “When did I say I wasn’t?”“Ah, so you’re so happy to see me that y
“Hello, I can’t return tonight. Don’t wait for me.”Keir’s call that night caught me off guard. He wasn’t coming back, and I didn’t see him for the next six days. The silence in his cottage felt oppressive at times, even though my life there was comfortable. I had everything I could need—both luxuries and necessities.Two maids were always around, taking care of me, and I was free to move about. I could go to the training ground to practice or stroll in the gardens whenever I wanted. Sasha visited me almost every day, and we spent hours chatting. Sometimes, she even took me to cozy little cafés within the inner territory. In just one week, we became close friends.Eden and I talked daily using Sasha’s phone. From her, I learned that both Kyrell and Keir had gone on a confidential mission, and it might take some time before they returned. Despite the comforts around me, I felt like I was living a secluded life.---(A week later, at Keir’s private training ground)“Afternoon, Eliza.”S
Sitting by the swimming pool, I was chatting with Sasha, who was, as always, her talkative self. She was animatedly recounting every moment she had spent with my brother, describing every word they exchanged.Pausing for a moment, Sasha took a long sip of her virgin mojito and leaned back on her sunlounger. “Why didn’t you tell me that Eden is so handsome?” she asked with a playful pout. “I would have dressed better to impress him!”A secretive smile tugged at my lips as I turned to her and said, “You don’t need to dress up, Sasha. Your smile alone is enough to charm anyone.”The cool evening breeze rippled gently over the lake’s surface, blending with the warm, reddish glow of the setting sun. The sky was painted in hues of orange and crimson, creating a serene backdrop.Curious, I asked, “My brother has never shown interest in dating or even talking to girls. Honestly, I was beginning to think he preferred guys. How did he manage to impress you?”Sasha burst into laughter, her eyes s
“I am in!”I promptly agreed to his proposal with dazzling determination.Without giving him the chance to get ready, I dashed towards him to attack. But, Keir was faster than I expected. He dodged easily as he commented, still with that mysterious grin, “Oh! You look quite impatient, Firefly.”Though I was charging him with full force constantly, he looked at ease as if it was a child’s play for him. His sword was moving gracefully, blocking all my attacks. Keir didn’t even attack me. All his moves were defensive but I started to feel exhausted after a few minutes. Seeing the beads of sweat glistening on my brow, Keir smirked and taunted with playful disdain, “I haven’t even begun, and you’re already tired. What a shame!”Suppressing the weight of my fatigue, I straightened my posture and retorted with defiant arrogance, “Who told you I’m tired? I won’t rest until I’ve brought you to your knees, Royal Prince.”“Try harder then, Firefly! I would love to be defeated by you.”But in tha
(POV of Young Eliza Claire Gold)(Night Walker Clan House, Verena)“Mmh!”The golden rays of the sun streamed gently through the open window, casting a radiant glow that momentarily blinded me as I opened my sleepy eyes. I found myself again in that familiar and cosy bedroom. Thin curtains were dancing in the soft and cold breezes of the morning. Tossing and turning for a few more minutes, I got down from the bed at last. The dawn was enchanting, with the amber-hued sun shimmering brilliantly, painting the world in its warm embrace.It was around 6 O'clock in the morning.The melodious chirping of birds filled the air as I stepped outside of the room, my footsteps light and cautious. A breathtaking scene unfolded before me. In the meadow, a little distance away, Keir and Kyrell were engaged in a mesmerizing sword fight. Their movements were a flawless blend of grace and precision, a dance of strength and skill. They were too engrossed in their training to notice me. Beads of sweat gli
“Huh? Am I?”Eden nodded his head positively as he replied in his warm and silky voice, “You promised that we are going to have lunch together. Are you ditching me now?”I was too startled by his suggestion to offer any objection. I offered him a small and shy smile as I answered promptly, making a gesture of apology, “My bad! While talking about work, I got so distracted that I forgot my manners.”Eden smiled mysteriously as he suggested in his magnetic tone, “Then, you should just focus on the food now. Allow me to give you a grand treat today so that you can remember me as a welcoming and friendly host.”He broke into a leisurely smile as he signed the waiter to bring the menu. The resort was expensive indeed with unique and diverse food items to match anyone’s taste. I was too puzzled to order anything.Eden’s magnetic presence was also distracting me to focus on the food items. After flipping the pages of that menu book, I asked for his help, “Prince Eden, why don’t you order for
(POV of Sasha, Cousin of Keir Walker)(In a basement of the Golden Heart pack territory)(Around 10 am )It took me more than one hour to reach the Golden Heart territory. Though I thought that our meeting was planned in a luxurious resort, I was led to a dark and dingy basement by a young werewolf who must be a pack member.“This way, Madam,” he showed me the dark stairs while directly leading me to a cold and empty basement. A weird feeling was hammering in my heart. A cold knot formed in my stomach as I noticed three dark silhouettes in front of me, circling around a half-conscious guy who was tied with a chair.One of them was asking that tied guy something but his voice was so low that I couldn’t hear anything from my place. That young pack member asked me in his formal tone, “Wait here, Madam. I will inform Prince Eden about you.”I asked in a surprised tone, “Is he here? In this place?”That young lad flashed me a gummy smile, pointing at that dark silhouette who was interrogati
“That’s rubbish!”Kyrell protested promptly, looking up from his burger. He continued, snickering at Keir, “Since Childhood, this guy has been stealing my food and forcing my food to share with him. Still, our love is only decreasing.”Shrugging his shoulders, Keir answered casually while unbuttoning his coat, “I am not liking this version of you that much. I wish you were still that cry baby and drooling all the time while following me.”“Ahh! Shut up!”Kyrell demanded in an irritated tone, “How did you come here? I thought that you had an important meeting to handle.”While stretching his long arms, Keir answered casually, “I have finished that already. What do you think of me?” Turning to me, Keir asked, “Have you bought everything you needed?”“Hmm,” I nodded, “I think that I have bought more than I needed.”Leaning closer, he picked up my half-empty Boba tea as he inquired playfully, “Did you have fun? Do you wanna eat anything else? Wanna go somewhere else? I am free for the whol