Jax's POV"Who's Jessabelle?" I asked, hearing Devon say the name. "She is my girlfriend, Ivanna. Not Jessabelle you've referred to."Devon seemed to shake his head slowly as if he couldn't believe his hearing and seeing. His face then spread a smile, looking sad. "When did you guys start dating? She's still as beautiful as ever."Devon no longer said anything but looked at the photo with a hurt smile. Was it possible that he was referring to Ivanna in her previous life?"Just now. She was born twenty-six years ago and has only been a vampire for a few months," I explained."You... changed her?" asked Devon without taking his gaze off the flat object of his hand. "How is it possible for two people to have the same face? Jessabelle and your girlfriend.""Who is Jessabelle?" I asked. The man in front of me leaned back and massaged the bridge of his nose.Devon closed his eyes as if he was trying to forget the image of the woman named Jessabelle, but he seemed to fail, so he straightened
Jax's POVI was still staring at the large tube in front of me. Ivanna was there, having undergone the procedure Gabby had prescribed from the start. Some maids cleaned Ivanna, and then Gabby injected her with a serum to maintain her life and regeneration of Ivanna's cells while preserved."We will inject further serum periodically every few days," Gabby said, then injected the liquid into the tube that made Ivanna's body slowly float.I placed my palm on the surface of the tube as if I could touch Ivanna, who was now in an unconscious state. Gabby deliberately put Ivanna in this condition so that she could save her from death because Jason had revived Bethany."How long do we have to wait?" I asked. Gabby shrugged."Just be patient, Jax. I'm trying my best. And your baby, if it's possible, I'll get him out immediately." Gabby returned to her desk, and before long, she called out to me. "Look at this, Jax. Your baby is in good health."I couldn't help but smile as I stared at the tiny
Jax's POV"What? Do you want to meet Jessabelle? You promised me not to bother our life, Jax. Why do you want to see her this time?" asked Devon, who didn't expect me to demand he bring me and his girlfriend together. Or maybe it would be more appropriate to call them ex-lovers. "You were just setting me up. You promised you wouldn't disturb Jessabelle or bring this up."I shrugged as I spluttered. "I changed my mind. I need some information to confirm that Ivanna and Jessabelle are not related. Especially since you don't believe humans or vampires can be reborn, right? Let's prove it."BRAKK!Devon got up and lunged. He pinned me against the wall with his arm pressed against my windpipe. "You don't mess with me, Jax. Even though I and my clan aren't as strong as you and Alisterix, I can grind you to dust!" he snarled. However, I didn't feel daunted by his threat. Instead, I chuckled, which made him look furious. "You won't be able to laugh like that when I cut your throat, asshole!"
Jax's POVAfter traveling for three days, we finally docked at Southwest Island, where Devon had exiled Jessabelle and her pups. The image I had when I landed was of an uninhabited island where there was only Jessabelle and a few children who were Devon and Jessabelle's flesh and blood.There would be no other inhabitants because all I knew about Southwest was that it was an empty island that was an asset that Devon had owned for a long time.From what I remember, he had wanted to unite North and Southwest Island, but due to some considerations, he failed to do so. And it seems that what is happening now is the wisdom of his rashness. I admit, Devon is indeed a considerate leader, although sometimes his attitude brings losses, but it certainly won't be worse than if he were reckless.My steps stopped when I had just set foot on the island's mainland. Some people welcomed us with flower garlands that they draped around our necks. Others carried a tray like the one they used for worship
Jax POVI rushed back to the ship and found the tube where Ivanna was located emitting flashing lights that made me panic, as well as the atmosphere depicted in the room where Gabby and Ayden were and looked busy."What's going on?" I asked after rushing into the room, especially seeing Ivanna's condition, which constantly seemed convulsing like she was about to die. "Why does the tube keep lighting up, Ayden? Gabby, say something!""Calm down, Jax. We're concentrating on getting the baby out.""No, Gabby! Tell me, what's going on?" I reluctantly came out despite Gabby's attempts to push my body away from the tube, but I didn't want to leave Ivanna alone."We're going to operate on Ivanna to get your baby out. We'll do our best. So, you'd better wait outside!""No, Ayden! I have to stay with her. I have to make sure that she gets through this. Let me be inside, please!"Gabby and Ayden looked at each other, then nodded and let me be in the other room adjacent to the room where Ivanna
Jax's POVI returned to the ship and intended to inform Ayden and Gabby that we were going on another trip. However, when I arrived at the ship, something interesting made me disbelieve. Ivanna had been lying on a patient bed, not in the tube protecting her from death, for the past few days because it was likely what Ayden had said was true. However, why today...I searched for Ayden and Gabby's whereabouts. They must take responsibility if anything happens to Ivanna; I will certainly not spare them."Ayden, Gabby, where are you?" I walked out of Ivanna's room and tried to find the pair of crazy doctors who had left my girlfriend outside the tube. However, I couldn't find them anywhere. With agitated steps, I returned to the room in case they had returned. "Ayden! What did you guys do to Ivanna? She could be—""Jax... is that you?" a voice interrupted my already tension-filled speech. And, of course, I knew the voice well. But how could it be?I rushed back into the room and found Iva
Jax's POV"You're not seriously going to do this, are you, Jax?" asked Devon, Ayden, and Gabby almost in unison. At the same time, I didn't respond immediately but prepared to travel alone to the south island.I knew the risks, especially since, according to some of the crew members who witnessed the creature's appearance, many strange things happened to them after seeing with their own eyes what the creature looked like. I am undaunted and will do everything for my loved ones and those who have supported me."Jax, answer me!" Devon seemed the most upset when he heard my plan to go ahead of them to meet the mythological creature that was said to be dangerous and carrying a curse."What answer do you want, eh? Do you want me to cancel my plans and curl up in a blanket while the others try to save me and my loved ones?""But not with this stupid plan, Jax. We can organize it together; we will face it if it is indeed a dangerous creature.""No, Devon. I won't trouble anyone anymore." I s
Ivanna's POVWa wa wa!"Ssh... don't cry, my love. Mommy's here. We'll be fine." I tried to calm Ashton, who had been crying as if he could sense my anxiety over his father—Jax's departure.What happened to Jax down there? Is he okay? Why had almost an hour passed, and he hadn't returned?I put Ashton back in the basket, then poked my head into the water, hoping to see something there, but nothing. It was just a dark pool of water and impossible to see.I couldn't control my feelings at the moment. Perhaps I had done something foolish by bringing Ash. If I hadn't brought him, maybe now I could help Jax overcome whatever he was facing right now."Jax, where are you?" I muttered, which only made Ashton cry harder. "Calm down, baby. Your father will come back."I picked Ash up again and held him. I was hoping that this way, the feelings that kept gathering in my chest would disappear by themselves. However, while trying to calm Ash down, a creature appeared before me. It surfaced and was
Jax's POVI could feel the nagamaki that pierced Jason's back, tearing his body apart, including mine. Jason pulled me close, and it was as if he wouldn't let me live while he had to end up in the hands of a woman he had always considered weak.Ivanna managed to conquer what had made her afraid. Meeting Bethany and Jason was the scariest thing for her. And she beat the fear.Jason held me for a long time. His gray eyeballs looked at me with a fierce, hateful gaze. I still remember his words that sounded like a threat, as if I would be afraid and choose to side with him."You can never run, Jax. I will continue to hunt you and your descendants in my next life," he said, then smirked."Perhaps. If you are reborn, I will gladly face you and kill you with my own hands," I replied before pushing Jason away and trying to support myself from falling.I still wanted to live longer and watch Ash grow up, spend thousands of years with my beautiful Ivanna, and never-grow-old time with her. It's
Ivanna's POV I still didn't understand, but I tried to forget about it for a moment and nodded in response to Ivory's words, then got up and hurried back to the building where Jax and the others were. I arrived at the building and witnessed the inevitable fight between Jax and Jason, as well as Gabby and Ayden against Jason's men. Jax looked battered, as did Jason. While they were still attacking each other, Bethany lunged and was about to hurt Jax, who was caught off guard. I quickly found a way to prevent her from attacking Jax by breaking through the crowd of Lycan and vampires fighting each other. I could no longer tell who was a friend and a foe. I really couldn't tell the difference, but it no longer mattered. Jax would have almost died if I hadn't distracted the wild creature immediately. I whistled, which made Bethany turn to me and cancel from almost biting Jax. She approached, and to protect myself from her attack, I removed the iron claws from the gloves I was still wear
Ivanna's POV Gabby looked at me with a gaze that I couldn't translate. What was she thinking right now? Why couldn't I read her mind? My mind seemed unable to pick up her signals. Is it because I'm in a state of turmoil? Gabby looked nervous and couldn't give me an answer or comply with Jason's wish to give Ash to Bethany, who already looked so hungry. "I-I need to use the restroom," Gabby said, which took my breath away. Did she intend to run away amid the mess she had made? Jax told me that Gabby had intended to betray us. Was this one of them? Hearing Gabby's words, Jason smiled mockingly. "You want to trick me, huh?" Gabby shook her head. Even when Jason finally grabbed her face, she offered no resistance. Ayden looked furious and tried to break away to be able to save his girlfriend, while me and Ash, our lives, were on the line now. "Get your hands off her, you bastard!" growled Ayden, who then managed to get up and knock Jason to the ground, as well as himself. However, Ay
Ivanna's POV"We won't let you touch Ivanna!" growled Gabby, then lunged at Jason, who nimbly managed to dodge. Then it was Ayden's turn to attack. The two were evenly matched in strength, but Jason was a cunning man. He used Bethany as a weapon to deter and complicate Ayden and Gabby's position."You have to finish her, Ayden. We have to save Ivanna." I could still hear the sound of the two of them talking as I occasionally heard metal clinking.Meanwhile, Jason, who felt that he no longer had a burden because he had left the task of fighting Ayden and Gabby to Bethany and the feral who came with him, now approached me."Hand over your baby, and I promise to let you and Jax live happily."I shook my head. "Don't dream, Jase! You're the one who destroyed Bethany by sucking her up. You knew you'd never match Beth's DNA, but you were desperate. And now you're trying to destroy me, Bethany's reincarnation, to bring her back to life."The man laughed. He still stood where he was, no longe
Ivanna's POVDuring the chaos, the last thing I saw was the figure of my lover, who was ready with his best friend, the nagamaki, that was always pinned behind his back. If Jax had tightened his grip on the end of the nagamaki's handle, it meant that a big fight was about to happen. And the number of Feral coming, I forgot exactly, but I knew that they weren't just one, two, or ten. Hundreds, if I may estimate. Would Jax and Max be okay facing them?Ivory pulled me by the arm and led me to flee at the same time as the horde of feral creatures came. I felt lucky I wasn't the only one there, but Ayden and Gabby met us at an intersection. Luckily, Ash was never far from me. He was still in my arms after getting his membership mark."Ivy, where are you taking us?" I asked, following the woman's pace. Ivory was very elegant and agile. She seemed used to fleeing the enemy's pursuit and was certainly familiar with their territory."Taking you to a safe place. Your comrades are also coming wi
Jax's POV"Jax, are you out of your mind?! I told you that Ash is in danger. You agreed to go with them!" Ivanna protested when she heard my request for us to pack immediately. "I didn't expect you to take my word for it.""I never thought so, Ivanna. Please, understand." I grabbed the woman to face me. "Ivanna, listen to me. We have no army, and Jason could attack at any time.""Devon already gave up his clan for you, didn't he? We can start if you want."I shook my head. "It's not that easy, Ivanna. We have much to do and prepare to form a strong clan. We are no match for Jason unless he dares to duel against me; then, I am sure I will win."Ivanna looked agitated. Her pale face, usually still flushed, now looked even paler. She looked exhausted after what we had been through over the past few days. I didn't want our suffering to continue."Ivanna, if you want to keep Ash, this is the way. We must ally ourselves and get protection from a large group with more power than Alisterix."
Jax's POVI brought Ivanna to come with me to the basement. I had already told her, although this matter wasn't a secret, and Max didn't even forbid me if I wanted to tell Ivanna, we shouldn't come to the basement at night like this. The feral power would increase at night, and I didn't want to create a mess because of my lover's stubbornness. However, what can I do?I let her look around, where several lycans were locked under normal conditions. Ivanna seemed interested in what made Max and the pack members decide to imprison them."It must be because of a big enough problem that they get punished as a deterrent," I replied when Ivanna seemed unable to contain herself, and before she thought that Max's government was too strict, I gave her an explanation.Arriving at a cell that looked different from the others, my steps halted, and she did the same. The room with the silver door was still lit and would continue to be lit to contain the power inside, so Max said. There wasn't just on
Ivanna's POV It amazed me seeing the entire contents of the building where we were going to live and settle down next. And one thing I just found out is that this building is the long-abandoned residence of the Reynz family. I must admit, the Reynz and Alsen family seem to have a lot of power. They're even willing to lend a few pack members to help us out here until Jax finds some people he needs. I can't say much other than to accept their help and kindness. "Ivanna, I hope you don't mind and don't take offense at what I'm doing. Really, we want nothing more than to give you a little help." Ivory said. "I hope you don't take offense at my questioning either, Ivy. Why are you being so nice? We didn't even do anything for you guys," I replied. Ivory, who had been smiling a lot, immediately faded her smile and turned around. "I've been trusting people easily, Ivanna. Even the people I trusted ended up betraying me. However, meeting you, I can't deny the feelings that drive me to do
Jax's POV "What are you doing here, Max?!" Ayden asked Max, as if they had known each other for a long time. Max finally embraces Ayden after being frozen. "Ayden, my man! Where have you been? I thought you were dead from that vampire attack!" Max said, making Ayden turn to me while I was still silent. Was this discussion referring to the night I bit Ayden and sucked out his blood? If it was, let's hope this guy didn't say anything about it to Max. I need Max and Ivory's help to take the ship to the south island because the skipper and other crew members are not there anymore. The Feral could be the change of the skipper and others after the Feral bit them. "We'll talk about that some other time, Max. Right now, we have the most important thing." I turned to Ayden and Max, who were walking towards me, who was now in the control room. "They've all turned into Feral. We no longer have anyone to control the ship." We looked at each other, then Max smiled. "Come on... don't be so up