Karica’s POVEverything happened in a blur after that. My heart ached for my mate as my contractions became rapid and grew, my water broke and I was shifted to the labour room of the hospital wing in emergency. “Call Xyn, please. He can't miss the birth of his first child,” I lamented as mom Nashia held my hand and wiped away the tears from my face. “Stress is not good in this situation. Stop crying and focus on your child. We are contacting the Alpha, he will be here soon,” she tried to sate me but I knew they hadn't been able to reach him. “The baby is a bit early but it's time to start pushing, Luna. It's dilated enough,” Doctor Haily told me as my legs had been spread wide and she was constantly keeping count of my contractions. We had spoken countless times about this moment and he had been with me in every scenario. And when the time had actually come, he wasn't here. I wanted to lament so loudly at this but I knew it won't bring him here. I had to remain strong for my baby.
Xynathius’s POVThis had to be the happiest day of my life, the day my daughter was born. And just as I had wished for, my daughter had the same hair and eye colour as my mate. Zilver was over the moon. He wouldn't stop howling in my head. Wishing for the world to know that our baby girl was here. ‘I can't wait to give the little one some piggyback rides and play with her,’ his joyous growls were growing. My heart hadn't yet settled from the fact that I missed her birth. We had been in the dungeon, interrogating the rogue vamps. There was no cell phone service there so I didn't get Karica’s distress calls. Mom had called Shaline and she had gotten through to us. I rushed from there as fast as I could and once I was in range, I mind-linked Karica and tried to calm her down. Her pain and panic had begun to seep through the bond. For the first time, I had wished for wings so I could fly to her side. Kamryn met me as I arrived in the pack and brought me straight to the hospital.Taki
Karica’s POVOur little home was filled with laughter and merriment all day along and occasional tiny cries of Minerva. At times she would crunch up her cute brows together when she was hungry and we would laugh at her shenanigans. Dressing her up in cute little clothes brought me such satisfaction. Those balled fists of hers contained so much strength, that opening them was quite a task. I was playing with her in the nursery, singing her a summer song when someone entered the house downstairs. ‘Karica! Come downstairs!’ Xynathius's calm voice came through the mind link and picking up Minerva I hurried down. Kilran and Kaina were standing in our little living room, holding so many presents. Kilran had this huge white teddy bear in his hands as their faces split into joyous smiles. “Karica!” Kaina rushed to my side, placing the gifts aside and opening her arms wide. We hugged tightly. “I am so glad you are here,” the words almost got stuck in my throat as she took Minerva from my
Kilran’s POVI had arrived outside Selia’s pack. The Alpha of the pack was well-known to Xynathius so he had called forward to him to expect me. There was no one to receive me at the pack entrance. So I stopped the car Xynathius had lent me. Getting out I made my way to the wary-looking guards and introduced myself. They mind-linked inside and once they got the confirmation I was taken in. This pack seemed cold, barren and lacked the zeal which Warbringer Pack seemed to possess. People seemed too sullen and I didn't see anyone smiling. Grim faces of these lycans and hostile eyes were all I met. Their silverish, grey and light blonde hair added to their lacklustre. I wondered about my mate, was she as distant and cold as these people seemed? I was guided towards the Alpha’s office. We entered the lifeless-looking office with his permission. The burly alpha seemed like a small giant. His head full of white hair was like a cotton field. In his early forties, he was as rigid-looking a
Karica’s POVKilran returned as a content man. The happiness oozing out of him told me the meeting went well between them. “Big sis! My mate is so adorable and innocent. None of what happened was her fault and I am not going to let anyone hurt her anymore.” I affectionately hugged him and said, “I told you she is adorable. And I am proud of you for making a wise decision.” “Finally your incessant whining will cease,” Kaina joined us and thumped his back with a snort. “Yeah, yeah as if you never do whenever you see an unmated guy,” Kilran cutely glared at her. Kaina placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at him. “Ok, ok, don't fight,” I acted as the mediator between the two. They were leaving today. Aegir and Beta Kamryn were taking them first to Selia’s pack so Kilran would pick up his mate and then Xyn had lent them his jet which would fly them back home. Both of them kissed Minerva and then hugged me with promises that I would visit them soon. After teary goodbyes
Xynathius’s POVI was inspecting while the warriors were giving the last touches to the decorations for tomorrow’s event. Karica had taken Minerva home so she could sleep. Amal and Melsine had returned to pack house as well.Zilver became anxious all of a sudden, there was this chill I could sense at the back of my head. I glanced around but it appeared normal. Hardly a few minutes passed and the alarms we had set up in case of a breach began to blare in full volume. “We have been breached,” I yelled. My warriors instantly sprung to action while my mind went to my mate and child. Kamryn had sensed my agitation. “Go, make sure Luna and Minerva are safe, I will handle the situation here,” he gestured before wolfing out. The vicious snarls of hellhounds and sickening smells of those blood leechers hung prominently in the air as a bloody war ensued.I rushed towards my house as quickly as I could and mind-linked Karica. The danger bells kept tolling as the link connected and her extreme
Karica’s POVHis silvery voice unnerved me on so many levels. My legs shook so uncontrollably as his mysteriously chilled eyes scanned me, making my body go numb. I knew he was trying to put me under his hypnosis but I had been practising. “Get away from my daughter, you piece of shit,” I yelled in a half growl. Laila was in the forefront as my hand instantly formed a spear of ice ready to hurl it in his direction. The surge of energy inside me was huge as I was ready to rip him apart. “Now, now Karica, we don't want your daughter to get hurt. Do we?" The frigidity and underlying threat in his tone had me reeling as I helplessly looked at my daughter nestled in his arms and he clearly cashed on it. She had woken up and seemed extremely scared. Her small lips were wobbling, making my heart jerk in indescribable pain. Any power I would use against him could end up hurting her. Vildus seemed to be the kind of person who only cared for his own agenda. “What do you want? I am going to
Xynathius’s POVAdiyan, she had spoken about him before she was taken. Did she know something that I didn't? Why had she never spoken about this before? From the moment I had claimed her, she had stopped talking about that boy. But why did she say he had the key? I guess I had to contact him. A very grim morning dawned for us all. Every crevice of my mind screamed for our mate. What that fucker must be doing to her, even the thought made bile appear in my mouth from disgust. I knew Karica was strong but she had already gone through enough torture to last her a lifetime. I needed a plan and I needed it fast to get her back. Thadieus and Shaline were the first to arrive. Dismal and bleak, they exuded an air of despondency. They hugged me turn by turn and I wished to cry but held back my tears. “I am so sorry, Xyn. I can't believe this is happening. How are you holding up?” Shaline’s words prompted a deep sigh of frustration from me. “I failed. As her alpha, as her mate, as her pa
(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