Karica's POVI seemed to have been gut-punched by his revelations and insensitive words. He claimed he had never been with another woman, then who was this girl? I remembered meeting her and wondered who she was. Was she his girlfriend? Or someone he had chosen as a temporary mate. She remained rooted to her spot at his command and reluctantly glanced in my direction, confusion evident on her face. I just wearily stared back with my hands clutching my coat and Laila restlessly pacing in my head. This had driven her to the edge. "Selia, do I need to repeat myself?" he casually asked, his ripped body glistening under the pale light of his room, his blackened orbs were fixated on me. They held not a fraction of warmth and this made my spine tingle. I knew he was punishing me because of the way he had found me with Adiyan, semi-naked and he already believed we had fucked. And now he was about to put me through excruciating pain.Seeing your mate being intimate with someone else brought
Karica's POVThis never-ending night was a torture and I needed a distraction after everything I had been through in the last 24 hours. Instead of fleeing to my room, I headed for the kitchen while trying to hook in the emotional storm my mate had stirred up in me. The kitchen was dark and quiet and I didn't need to turn on the lights to make my way to the glass cabinet where they kept wine. Grabbing open the cabinet door I extracted the strongest bottle and clutched it to my heart. For once I needed this pain in my heart to lessen, for this guilt consuming me whole to vanish. A temporary refuge was what I sought tonight and alcohol was the ultimate solution.I was a bad drinker, I drank very little so I had a very low tolerance for alcohol. And today I wanted to drink till I would pass out and forget this dystopian world around me. Tip-toeing back to my room so I wouldn't wake anyone up, I opened my room's door. Placing the bottle on the bed I took off the heavy coat and my dress a
Karica's POVCotton would occasionally sniff and lick me and every time he did, it would calm my raging nerves and in return, I stroked his fur, his tail wagged in approval.His eyes roamed all over my body and then were fixated on the half-full bottle in my hand. "Yeah! This girl needed a drink. The brooding alpha has been an ass," the words were out of my mouth before I could stop them so I offered him a sheepish grin. "Shhh! Don't tell anyone but I stole this from the kitchen," I winked at him and slurred while taking another sip of the bitter-tasting wine.To my surprise, Cotton nodded in approval and that made me giggle. This beautifully hypnotic creature was on my side. His head moved closer and he rubbed the top with my face as if intrigued by my laughter. He was so huge, he playfully leapt on me and pinned me under him, nestling in my belly and I cackled as he tickled me with his nuzzle. I didn't remember laughing since I had arrived in this pack. Cotton slobbered my face
Karica' POVThis was going to turn awkward, I knew she wanted to talk about last night and whatever they had going on, but I certainly didn't yearn to be in the middle. She had finally lifted her head and met my gaze, her eyes were red, and I knew she had been crying. "Selia, whatever it is. It's between you and the Alpha, keep me out of it," I firmly told her before she could get any funny ideas that I was going to make her life miserable or she would think of making mine. I had enough problems to deal with and had no time for hers as well. Melsine sensed the tension between us and she shifted uncontrollably in her seat, seeming a little guilty but keeping quiet. I placed the spoon down, my appetite was gone. "I only wished to apologise, I didn't know you were his mate. Everyone told me you were a new maid. I don't know the reason why he is treating you the way he is but I was only following orders. It's not my intention to hurt you or cause a rift between two fated mates."Her
Xynathius's POVKarica left me extremely frustrated and horny and Zilver's growing obsession with her was making matters worse. The sexual tension between us had tripled once I had her pinned to the wall and dry-humped her. I knew the bond not only affected me but also birthed desires in her as well. The scent of her arousal almost made me lose control and there was nothing I desired more than to tear away her clothes and bury myself to the hilt. My trousers were twitching from the hard-on. My hand moved of its own accord and slipped inside her panties, itching to feel those silken folds of her. But that pleading look on her face and broken voice always hit directly in my heart. As much as I wanted to punish her I let her go and escaped to the bathroom to relieve myself using my hands. 'You happy now? Why didn't you let Selia do this? Your precious Karica will never do this for us?' I complained to Zilver, as I pumped harder and faster with my right hand, my left slammed onto the
Xynathius's POVSoon she fell asleep, her chest rose and fell as it was pressed with Zilver's body. 'We should get her inside, it's freezing out here,' I told Zilver but he only groaned, not wanting to let go of her. Her bare legs were intertwined with his and he was tracing them with his paws. Zilver was completely enthralled by her and Laila. We knew we might not get such a chance where she would willingly sleep in our arms. Although I didn't see that happening any time in her sober state, something was telling me she might ease up to Zilver long before me.Her eyes groggily opened and it was Laila. 'Karica is sleeping. Thank you for being there for her. I didn't tell her it was you, her brain only took you as someone who comforted her. So let's keep it that way, I am sure she will forget it by morning. Let's give her one night of peace.' She murmured to Zilver and he pressed his snout to her sharp nose, nodding in approval. 'Thanks, Xynathius. I know you can hear me. Forgive h
Xynathius's POVWe arrived at the Lycan Council building. The lifeless grey structure in the shape of a crescent moon always seemed a bit unsettling to me. Maybe the fact all old geezers that dwelled there had nothing else to do than to issue orders and make the lives of others difficult. "Here we go, I want to get this done with and get out of here as soon as possible," I declared, getting out of the car. Kamryn did the same. We made our way inside, meeting the people along the way. "Alpha Xynathius! What a pleasant surprise," the gravelly voice of Alpha Romero irked every part of my body. Halting in my steps, I plastered a fake smile on my face before turning back to face the loathsome man. And without a surprise he had two beautiful lycan girls clinging to him. Alpha Romero was one of the most powerful Lycan Alphas alive and the lucky bastard had been blessed with a fertile mate. What made me detest the man was the fact that he wasn't loyal to her. Always brought different girls
Xynathius's POVMy answer seemed to have touched a nerve. A murmur went around them as Thadieus sheepishly smiled and bit his lower lip to refrain from laughing out loud. Borgia had a grim look on his face and he was far from being amused. "It doesn't remain a private affair when your mate's name was all over the media, a man claiming her as his girlfriend and hurling accusations. You thought we wouldn't know just because you did damage control. It was too late," his condescending tone did nothing but fuel my anger. "She is my mate and I have it handled. No need for the council to get involved," I tried to answer as calmly as possible. But I was shaking inside. "She broke laws, put our existence, put all of supernatural existence in jeopardy by hiding among humans and letting that boy issue such a statement. She needs to be penalised. Fifty silver lashes will do," the cynical old man who enjoyed inflicting physical pain for he was twisted in his ways sneered, challenging me with hi
(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