*Meadow*He took a deep breath and then seemed to think on what best way to continue, I nodded at him to show him I was listening, so he started talking again. "My father was not a real werewolf... he was a shapeshifter... I haven't told you much about them but they basically can shift into some animals of their choice, never more than five in total... a shape shifter is versatile but has limitations, their nature and elements rule over their animals, and they can't be shifted for long, however, there was a legendary race, the original full blood shifters, who could remain in their animals indefinitely... my father was one of them, and his animals were fantastic ones..." I was mind blown by what he was sharing with me, and although I felt some anger inside me, I still was more shocked and amazed than anything by what he was telling me, again more of this new world that opened to me."The pure shifters were feared and hated, and for a time hunted down. Only five of them remained alive
*Meadow*I look at Agape and smile, she is sitting next to Gideon, his arm around her shoulder holding her, they look calm and in peace. I walk to the next room and Aeneas is arguing with Queen Isilwen on matters of past history between their races. I chuckle and walk to the table and sit next to Cara, who I look upon with more than a little concern.With everything happening, I was aware but consciously pushing aside the fact that Cara had a personal problem with Agape; more than a problem, an important issue. Even when she showed interest in Agape's healing process and some sympathy towards her after hearing her story, I knew that her loss was a constant reminder of what was missing in her life.As long as Cara was well, Alex was under control, but I was not worried as much about him as I was worried about her. I knew that sooner or later, I've had to put both of them together and let Cara unwind.'We will, soon.' Caleb instantly replied my mental questioning and I frowned, turni
*Meadow*"Well... you were my first ever patient to try it... and your mate was on a rush... he wanted you back yesterday, if you know what I mean." He chuckled and I blinked a couple of times with the surprise and embarrassment of the obvious revelation; yes, I felt silly for not realizing it sooner."But she will be better after this, won't she?" I asked him again, wanting to be more than sure.He nodded and gestured me to the door to go first. "You can send the human to look after her if you want, she should be fine. My serum will break the magic bond, his presence will give her comfort and reassurance when she wakes up."I nodded and we both headed back to the room where everyone else was waiting. As soon as I saw Gideon he jumped up from the chair and looked behind me searching for Agape. I smiled to him softly. "You can go watch her if you want, but she fell under a deep sleep, don't try to wake her up, let the serum work in her system and break the false connection, she will
*Meadow*Cara never ceases to amaze me, and she never will. She was right, with all of it. "I am proud, so proud of you Cara, believe me." I said with a smile. She blushed and looked to the side trying to hide it from me, then Caleb and Alex both walked out towards us."Everything ok between you two?" Caleb asked and I rolled my eyes chuckling."As if neither of you did some eavesdropping..." I managed to say before his smiling lips pressed on mine, a warmth running through me that reminded me of the first kiss we had. This was good; I survived the demon's cursed bond, Agape was on the process of the same, and we were joining forces to defeat the evil entity we came to known as Cornelius.---He walks from one side to the other as he watches the faces of his warriors; their dirty, pale and haunted looks made him grin with satisfaction. "They took away our Luna... took her against her will, brainwashed her and want to use her against us..."Many growled, others howled, he smirked
*Caleb*I grin as I feel her shiver, each time my lips brush a part of her skin, she moans softly and goosebumps arise on her silked skin; I love waking her up like this.I sense trouble just seconds before Alex knocks on our door. Meadow wakes up completely with her eyes wide, striking me in their beauty even though I know I should focus on the urgency of a new situation. She gives me a scared look, I take her hand as we both walk down to meet my second."This better be important Alex..." I said with the most used line of all times, but it is truly what I feel. I was enjoying my time with my future wife way too much to feel any less irritated by his interruption."Alpha, they are hundreds, so many. Cornelius sent a first wave to attack and they got caught in the border, struggling under the effects of Queen Isilwen and her kind's powers. They did not retreat, the bulk of them are waiting, they haven't sent more but our outside contacts confirmed they are there, waiting..."I grow
*Caleb*Minutes later, when we arrive to the meeting, Aeneas is frowning to what one of his pledges whispers to him. He bows his head in acknowledgement of my presence and I do the same, a mutual agreement to show each equal respect in front of our people."Rowen, they started a couple of hours ago and we are only being notified now? Why are we being kept away from this?" He asks as he moves towards me slowly.I look at Alex and he lowers his head. 'Explain, now.' I command.'Queen Isilwen thought she could handle them and scare them away but as the hours went by she noticed it wasn't going to be as easy as she had expected. The confirmation of our outside informants of Cornelius being there with more fighters still has made all of this more difficult. It became clear to the Queen that she needed to let us become involved at this time .' As Alex passed the information to me and Meadow, I looked at Aeneas who was becoming a little calmer."We are just finding out about this now as
*Meadow*I am happy I didn't have to argue much with Caleb for this, he didn't want me in the field of battle but he also was aware that Cornelius was smart, and he would think of a way to get to me just to get to him. If I was close, his chances were almost nule to take me.We are finally established in the woods; I can see Queen Isilwen not far from us and her powers are strong. I see several wolves on the ground howling in pain. Caleb takes my hand and walks amongst our people, most of them shifted except the scouts on the top of the trees. "I am going to ask Queen Isilwen to let them go, this will encourage Cornelius to push and attack. Demark's people are a few miles ahead ready to aid the drows taking them to a safe distance. That is when we enter, our first line works as a shield, they will stop his first wave. The second one is the punch, we will strike back. The last one has the deadliest warriors, and me. I will need you to take an important role here Princess..." He says t
*Meadow*After minutes of silence, they didn't move; many of them laid exhausted for the physical and mental manipulation from the drows and wisps. I felt my throat dry, I was nervous, expecting the unexpected. Then I saw it.It was a line of darkness that approached us with an incredible speed. Shifted wolves that ran towards us bloodthirsty; their eyes red, their canines out and threatening, their growls chilling. I shivered and had to force myself to remember this was the moment that would define our future, mine with Caleb and also our people, and probably the world. Because, if we can't stop Cornelius, no one can, and who would stop here when they could take the world?Caleb's plan got into action; the first wave got caught on our first line. Everything happened so fast, it was surreal. I heard the sound of each of our warriors and felt their rage and pain all together. It made me restless, I wanted to do something, I wanted to help them. I was about to shift and head their way
*Meadow*The sun casts a warm golden glow, as if trying to heal the scarred landscape left by the war. Fields, once lush and green, lie ravaged, but sprouts of new life fight their way through the wreckage. The earth seems to be slowly stitching itself back together, just as we are.I sit anxiously as I wait for Sol to walk down the flowered aisle. She chose this place as the setting for her wedding, and when I asked her why, she said she wanted to honor those people who fell during our battle."Look at that," Xavier says, pointing to a small group of deer grazing in the distance. "Life always finds a way.""Indeed," I reply, my voice catching in my throat. The sight is both beautiful and heartbreaking. It's hard not to think of those who never got to see this moment of renewal.Right after the battle, we spent our days rebuilding the world around us, not only the physical structures, but also the hearts and minds of those left behind. It's a slow and arduous process, but with each bri
*Solveigh*My consciousness returns slowly, as if emerging from the depths of a murky abyss. The voices around me are hushed and indistinct, like echoes in a fog. I strain to understand them, but they remain elusive.‘Sol,’ Seth's voice resonates within my mind, warm and reassuring. ‘You're going to be okay. You need more rest before your body can fully recover.’I want to respond, to tell him how tired I am, but my limbs are heavy and unresponsive. My eyelids feel weighed down, as if encased in stone. It's frustrating, this inability to move or communicate.‘Mom... Dad…’ I try to call for them in my thoughts, hoping Seth will relay my message.Footsteps approach, and I sense their familiar presence even before I hear dad's deep, calming voice. "Seth, how is she?""Her body is still too weak to talk or open her eyes or move yet," Seth explains gently. "But she can hear us."My heart swells with gratitude. They came, just as I knew they would. I wish I could see their faces or embrace t
*Caliope*I watch Amral crumple to the ground, his eyes rolling back as he loses consciousness. Panic surges through me like a tidal wave, drowning out all other emotions. The dark creatures circle him, preparing to tear him apart, and something inside me snaps."Amral!" I scream, my voice cracking under the weight of my fear and desperation. He can't die; not now, not like this. My love for him, my need to protect him, fuels my anger and pain. I have more to fight for than ever before."Get away from him!" I roar, focusing all my dark powers into a singular force. Shadows stretch out from my fingertips, wrapping around the monstrous beings that threaten his life. I tug at the darkness, sending the creatures flying away from his motionless body."Please, you can't leave me," I whisper, tears streaming down my face. Desperation echoes through my voice, and I feel it deep within my soul. "You can't die."The creatures recover quickly, turning their attention towards me. But I'm not afrai
*Solveigh’s*I step through the black hole portal, and my breath catches in my throat. The darkness enveloping me is thick, almost tangible, and I feel like I'm choking on it. Panic rises within me as I sense the presence of the creatures, born from the shadows and chaos that surround us."Sol," Seth's voice rings out, startling me. He's right beside me, his strong hand gripping mine. He steadies myself emotionally. My panic begins to subside a little, replaced by a sense of calm that only Seth can provide. "We'll get through this," he whispers, his eyes filled with determination."Where are they? Amrafel, Caliope," I call out, searching for our companions. Within seconds, they materialize before us, their powerful auras cutting through the darkness. Amrafel's eyes are like twin flames, lighting up his face, while Caliope's gaze is as sharp as obsidian."Ready to fight these dark creatures?" Amrafel asks, his voice low and steady. Caliope nods, her face set in grim resolve. I feel conf
*Solveigh*I feel like I am in a new state of existence, and every inch of my body is running with electricity; something else has replaced my blood, and the adrenaline is addictive. Seth’s hand presses on my back and I know the reason why I haven't fainted is that of him.A large creature falls close to me and I jump, but quickly regain my focus, not wanting to be distracted, but the smell that comes from its corpse is making me nauseous. I shiver slightly but lock my eyes on my brother Ian, and then I feel ready to try more.It is not the first time; I have done this before, transferring my abilities, affecting them in a way that helped them, enhancing them. I know I can do this, and so, I feel myself reach to Xavier and he shudders slightly, then his voice booms, and it starts to affect the lesser creatures that screech in what now has become a battlefield.I can’t erase the smile on my face; we are making things happen, they are stepping away, so many of them are on the floor alrea
*Xavier*‘They are here,’ are Ian’s words. Words that reach me just as I finish kissing my mates.I rush outside and I see Ian in the middle of the large field, he is looking up to the sky and my eyes follow his. A black pool of nothingness is starting to grow, and I see the elementals panicking as they whisper things in different languages and I know my brother feels them more than me.This angers me; it is not like we weren’t expecting them. Sure, we didn’t know specifically when they were going to attack again, but we had been preparing for them.I focus on the fire elementals and I let my command voice do its job. “Gather up! Get ready! Distraction is needed very fast! Chop chop!”Uncle Aen is quickly joining them, keeping his calm as he looks at me and nods, he knows the time has come. I turn to look at my mates and I feel caught up in the same panic; my mates need to be safe.“Don’t you stand there, you need to get over there and help take them down,” Dana pulls me out from the s
*Meadow*I rush into the cabin, and I find a small gathering in the living room. I don’t understand why everyone is here and not inside helping my Sol. Caleb quickly reaches me and we both walk straight towards her bedroom door.Until Xavier stops us.“Son?” I ask, confused and angry at the same time. “What is happening?”“Mother, wait… Sol is actually ok, she was taken to Caliope’s father to help.”His words feel almost like a foreign language to me. “I can’t feel her mind, what do you mean with all this?”I look at Caly and she actually looks back at me with a face filled with confusion and fear. It is Lucifer who speaks for her. “I have been many eons in my own prison, so I know what he is doing. He has felt a connection to Sol, so he has used her to send a message to us. He can’t hold it for long, so she should be back very soon.”Her words make some sense, and I understand why Caly is a bit shaken by this. I look at her and nod, trying to contain myself as well, showing her that
*Solveigh*I walk through a path of tall and untamed grass. Wild dandelions fly as I walk by them, and the sun shines at its peak, yet its heat is soothing, not overwhelming. The wind blows on my face, and there is pure peace embracing me.Am I dreaming?No, this is not a dream, it is so real. I feel the grass at the tip of my fingers and I sense the texture of them. I see a cabin, a very old one, and a scarecrow that is standing in the middle of the empty land. I frown as I notice that there are no crows nor any animals around us.Everything seems so eery and quiet. Too quiet.As the seconds pass and I keep walking, I get worried, something is about to happen or is happening. I am not sure what it is, even though I keep looking all around me, but something doesn’t fit. Is like I am inside a painting, a living painting.It is when I open my mouth to talk, that I realize that I have no voice as well, and now, I know this must be a nightmare.‘Seth, can you feel me?’ I try to reach for
*Caleb*I watch as Aen handles the elementals calmly. It is not an easy task, yet his experience in battle allows to use his command voice with every one of them. It is something out of an epic story, and yet we find ourselves helpless while we wait.Ebony and Ivory are having a small talk with Sol, the angels like her a lot, which ensures her protection. Is not like she would need so much of it, she is her own worst enemy. But to know they are fond of my daughter just makes me happy.“Where are your thoughts?” Amra asks me as I keep staring at my daughter and the angels.“My thoughts are a bit drifting, I don’t like the idea of coming to a war unprepared,” I admit to him. I know he is also worried, although he shows himself much more calm and collected.“I understand that, and it does bring me worries. I like to be in control of the situation, but nothing that is happening is under our control… in fact, I think the only thing under our control is the lack of actions.”I sigh and shak