Karica's POVAmal was the most adorable baby ever. With every passing day, his cheeks were becoming fluffier and fluffier. He wasn't fussy and only cried for milk. I loved spending time with him, playing and cooing him when I was not training. Everyone in the pack adored the cute little guy, everyone wanted to hold him. He was a celebrity and didn't even know it. A month had passed and life had taken a very different turn. I was practising daily with Arasia and had awakened all the elements. I could control them in small succession, and even use them for level-one attacks except the fire element. It was very different from all other elements and Arasia didn't possess it, so she was only able to guide me on it. Arasia didn't possess the electric element as well but I was able to handle the electric element better than fire. There were five levels when it came down to witches' attacks and spells. Level one was the weakest and level five was the strongest. But Arasia was super impre
Karica's POVThe blinding pain made my knees buckle and my mind was going hazy when Gamma Aegir's words hit me. "I, Gamma Aegir being the third in command, seize and restrain you with this silver cuff on the suspicion of poisoning and endangering the life of our Alpha. You will be thrown into the dungeon and will await your trial. Be thankful we are not killing you because our alpha will have that honour once he recovers. Just pray he does or Selene helps you." The silver cuffs were used for witches, werewolves and lycans. For witches, the long spikes tapped into their blood releasing an anti-magic element which restricted their magic. For werewolves and lycans it separated them from their wolf, they couldn't shift, reach out to their wolf or heal. For me, it worked both ways. I wouldn't be able to shift or use my magic. But that was the least of my worries, my heart ached and bled for Xynathius. I couldn't even feel Laila's emotions and yet the feeling was strong. "Aren't you goi
Karica's POVI restlessly waited in the bone-numbingly cold cell. The physical and emotional pain mingled tattering my body even more. My right arm was numb due to the silver cuff, I could no longer feel it. The freezing temperature was dropping by the second, my fingernails were fast turning blue. I rubbed my left hand all over my body to warm myself up. Hours passed, maybe a whole day when I heard someone approaching my confined space. I lifted my head only to find Beta Kamryn and Luna Nashia standing there, seeming exhausted. While Beta Kamryn seemed perplexed, Luna was on the verge of losing her mind. Her eyes gleamed with hatred and disgust. Her sharp lips were upturned in annoyance and her hands had elongated into claws. "Open the door," she thundered, and the guard quickly obeyed. I staggered to my feet seeing them. "How is Xynathius? Please tell me he is out of danger," I asked in exasperation as Luna Nashia barged inside. ~Thwack~She struck me hard across my face and I
Adiyan's POVIt was almost three months since Karica was taken from my arms and since that moment my life was toppled as I knew it. Both of us weren't ordinary humans, we were supernatural beings and the most cliche ones too. She was a werewolf and I was a witch who could shoot fireballs from my hand, spit fire like a dragon from my mouth and form a fiery shield to protect myself. These were the cool new powers I had learnt from my grandmother who turned out to be a powerful witch. At first, all of this registered as a shock but the more I dwelled on it the more I learned. Grandma was correct, Xynathius was indeed her fated mate. I confronted her brother about it and he confirmed they were werewolves indeed. However, he requested not to tell my brother. We had decided to guard him from this world as much as we could. Then why was there a connection I still felt with her? As if she belonged to me and him. Grandma had said her aura was unique, something she had never observed befor
Xynathius's POVEvery inch of my body was burning as if I had been dipped in lava. My insides squelched as I drifted between consciousness and unconsciousness. My throat was scalded like someone had poured acid down it. I had no clue how long my condition persisted. I remembered screaming and trying to claw at my throat. My arms were chained at some point. At times I couldn't even sense Zilver. Finally after battling between life and death for who knows how long my eyes opened. The world seemed hazy and too bright as my eyes adjusted. "My gracious Selene, my son is awake," Mom Nashia's enthusiastic voice greeted me and her shocked face came into view. Tears of joy were streaming down her face as she rushed to hug me. "What happened?" I tried to speak and my voice came out broken and hoarse. I remembered drinking that smoothie and then the unimaginable pain had gripped me. I looked around and there were silver chains all around my bed. I guess they had to bind me. "Doctor," she y
Karica’s POVI was still huddled up in my morbidly chilled cell. My throat was parched like the soil devoid of rain for months. My tongue was stiff and it took a great deal of effort to move it. The slash wound on my face and neck hurt a great deal. My body was shivering uncontrollably. It seemed like soon my blood would freeze over in my very veins putting me out of my misery. I missed Laila, at least I wouldn't have been so alone. The noise of shuffling footsteps had me lifting my head. It was Xu and Gamma Aegir, standing outside my cell. While the former held pity for me the latter only had contempt. “Open the door,” he commanded the guard. He unlocked it and the door creaked open in the stillness of this forsaken dungeon. Xu walked inside carrying a glass of water and all I could think about was gulping it down. She quietly sat beside me and offered me the drink, I ravished it with gratitude brimming in my eyes and downed every last droplet.“Thank you,” I whispered and she me
Karica’s POVI closed my eyes at her revelation. It was the truth but it will surely be used against me. A hushed murmur went around the crowd and Luna Nashia clenched her jaw. “Did you discuss this with anyone else other than Alpha and Karica?” he asked next.“I did not,” she firmly answered. “Why is she undergoing training with you? She is a werewolf, what has she got anything to do with a witch,” he sarcastically questioned, his hands clasped in front of him. “I am afraid I can't disclose that information. I am under oath with Alpha Xynathius,” uneasiness in Arasia’s voice was becoming apparent with every passing second. “You understand what condition he is in. She is the cause of that, you can't withhold information like that from us,” he groused, getting angrier by the second. They wanted to pin it on me and get it done with. “Apparent cause and I can't discuss it. I take my oaths very seriously. Maybe you should wait for Alpha Xynathius to regain consciousness before decidi
Xynathius’s POVMy claws grabbed Kamryn by the collar and I lifted him off his feet, he struggled against my hold but was no match for Zilver’s sheer strength. “What did you people do? Is she even alive?” I demanded, the rage and pain mingled bringing forth a deadly storm which was about to sweep all of them away. “She is, let go and just use your brain to understand what happened first,” he strained, his face still miserable. His whole stance was just pitiful. “Take me to her Kamryn and don't you dare refuse me,” I thundered, wild thoughts ran through my brain. What had they done to her? They didn't understand her like I did now. Besides Laila always told me the truth, my pack was unaware of this fact. The door was thrown open and Mom Nashia rushed inside followed by my Gamma. “Put him down, let's talk first and then you can decide if we punished her right or not,” Mom Nashia instructed, tugging at my arm. “I will see her first and then talk to anyone. Tell me where she is,” Zi
(Three years later) Author’s POV “Mommy! look, butterfly.” Minerva pointed to the blue butterfly that was slowly flapping its wings over the multitude of flowers. The apple pendant rested peacefully around her neck. Karica sat on the fresh grass and happily watched her four-year-old daughter play in the small meadow that used to belong to the witches of Black Forest. Most of them were buried nearby after Vildus’s attack had killed them. Including two of her mentors, Gwardia and Arasia. The efforts of reconciliation had failed between her and Xynathius and she had moved here two years ago. He visited every week to meet Minerva and carrying hopes that Karica might decide to return but she never did. This place calmed her down, she could sense powerful magic running deep into the very ground and air. It pulled Karica and Minerva too. Her daughter was already showing early signs of possessing magic and this place helped channel that in a peaceful environment. The protection charm
Karica’s POVReturning to my former pack and going on a limb to talk to the man I thought was my father all my life, was not easy. With my state of mind, I just wanted to get this over with and he needed to hear me out. Kaina was overjoyed to see me and so was Selia. We hugged and sat down to talk. “We were so worried about you. It was a relief when news of your return arrived.” Kaina held me close and I sat with my head resting on her shoulder. Selia was holding my other hand. “Yes, indeed. And Kilran told me about Adiyan. I am sorry your friend is gone,” Selia sympathetically said not knowing he meant so much more to me and I was no more afraid of talking aloud about him. “He was also my mate. I am a part witch and so was he. Adiyan was the best thing to happen to me and I lost him because I didn't value him enough.” I spoke my truth and both girls were a bit taken aback. Two mates were unheard of and I didn't want to burden them with the likes of Vildus. He was no mate to me.
Karica’s POVHow I made it from the cemetery to his home was all blurry. Xynathius held me all along but he didn't say much and if he did, I didn't remember. His family was kind enough to let me go to his room. I slowly opened the door and lingering whiffs of his scent blanketed me. I paused, closed my eyes and got hold of my emotions. Flicking on the light switch, I let my eyes roam his sanctuary for one last time. Everything was immaculately laid out, neat and in its place. His bed, where we had cuddled so many times. His gaming area, where we had endlessly played video games. His closet filled with his clothes, ones he would never get a chance to wear again. I traced my fingertips on everything he had owned while heavily sighing. The empty feeling in my chest grew. The echoes of his laughter still persisted from the moments when he used to tickle me. All that was just reduced to his loving memories. Stepping closer to his bed, and there between his pillows, I found the wolfie st
Karica’s POVXynathius’s words were like gasoline on my already raging self. The loss of Adiyan had torn my heart into so many pieces that I couldn't put them back together anymore. Every breath was torture for I was reminded of him. I had no clue how to cope with such stifling emotions. Barely holding on and now this revelation further shattered me. Adiyan had felt me, he had reached out to me but Xynathius never even gave me an option to choose. He knew I would choose him. I silently shook my head at Xynathius so disappointed. He had not only taken my free will he even snubbed my rights to choose my mate. His presence and scent which should soothe me in such a moment was nothing but torture. “Because I am selfish when it comes down to you. I wanted you all by myself. It was wrong, I admit it but I was desperate. Sharing you was something I could never do.” His words blazed me and I flipped. All the pent-up anger inside me emerged like a poisonous snake and bit him. “It was not y
Xynathius’s POVVildus was gone from our lives as well as our world but so was Adiyan. The prophecy was completed and fulfilled, leaving my mate broken. She wouldn't let go of Adiyan’s body, she wouldn't hear me, Laila or Zilver. Everyone had been shut out as she mourned the loss of her mate. I touched her shoulder letting her know I was there for her but she just sat there dazedly, staring blankly at his face. The guilt dug its tentacles deep into my heart. Adiyan was a better man than me in every aspect and he would have made an exceptional mate to her. Karica was right about him when she first met me. And yet he was gone and I was partially responsible. The guilt will never fade. I owed my life to him, he died protecting us and this was a kind of debt which couldn't be repaid. She bent down and kissed his lips and then his forehead. Her lips stayed there in a final goodbye as she hugged him to her chest, a scream and a tremorous wave of energy burst through her and hit us all
Karica’s POVThe most horrendous scream escaped me as my body jerked forward, the whole world blurring around me. All I could hear and focus on was Adiyan’s slowly beating heart. He was still alive but for how long?My own seemed to have been crushed under a boulder and there was only one thought on my mind. I had to save my mate. I slowly watched Vildus reaching out to him, the time seemed to be progressing at a snail’s pace for me. Vildus was about to slit his throat. “Noooo,” I cried out in desperation as a surge of spiked air with frozen thunderbolts shot out and were hurled in Vildus’s direction. His hollowed-out laugh erupted and clung to my sides as he disintegrated into bats and tried to fly away again. “No, you won't,” I screamed out with all the disgust and rage I carried. Halting, I converged my hands together, the blackened energy I carried inside rushed out in gigantic swirls and wrapped themselves around Vildus’s bats like writhing snakes. This was my piled-up hate f
Karica’s POVAdiyan’s words took away my ability to form words. The blood in my veins stood frozen at his revelation. ‘Mate?’ We were also mates, but how? I was already mated to Xynathius. How could I have two mates? Or if I was to believe Vildus’s claims. Three. It didn't make sense but it never did when it came down to me. Two years ago hybrids didn't exist as well and here I was. No, cross that out. I was a tribrid with a vampire gene in me as was revealed yesterday. Both of us shared the element fire and among witches, having the same basic element raised one’s chances of ending up as mates. Now it was becoming abundantly clear. The attraction I felt for Adiyan. Why I never forgot him even after finding Xynathius. How a part of my heart seemed to have been crushed the day I left Adiyan. Why I thought of him when I was wrongly accused and imprisoned. He was mine too and I was his. And here he was to prove it. I had so many questions to ask him but circumstances were not favou
Xynathius’s POVThe continuous blasting of spells by our witches resulted in burning away the cloaking spell and the dismal-looking castle came into full view. Howls of victory went around as witches cheered. Adiyan seemed proud of himself as I saw him running towards the castle. He was going for Karica. As much as I wanted to, I needed to hold the ground here and lead everyone. We fought the hellhounds keeping them away from the witches when Vildus released his army. It had mind-controlled humans which were nothing short of zombies. Their eyes were dazed as they slowly walked towards us. ‘Don’t kill the humans,’ I mind-linked my group as we tore apart the hellhounds. Witches and vampires followed the humans but their number was not too big. I saw Xui Lin taking charge and Aegir growled beside me. ‘She is mine,’ his angry voice floated through the mind-link. ‘Bring her down, but be careful,’ I advised while dodging a spell from one of the witches. Aegis leapt towards her while sh
Karica’s POVAll my thoughts and feelings were jumbled up, turning me into an emotional wreck. Hearing that the man who turned out to be my biological father actually tried to help me.When Vildus wrenched his heart out, it hurt. It made me wonder how different the situation would be if we didn't live in a dystopian society but an ideal one. I would have a loving father and so much suffering could be avoided. But that was not the reality, this was where I tearily watched my biological father lying dead in his pool of blood. Vildus grabbed my arm and steadied me. “Let’s go, we need to leave, this place is no longer safe.” His eyes flashed with anger but before he could take me anywhere, the whole castle shook as if something like a cannonball had hit the castle walls. “Damn witches! They are here” Vildus growled in annoyance. When Xui Lin came running, her face aghast and her horrible hair flying in all directions. “We are under attack, they found us and are trying to bring down t