I was nearly finished with my meal when a tall, awkward man walked into the dining room. His presence was hard to ignore, not just because of his height but because I had met him before—inside Hades’s private bedroom. Carlos Bakers. I remembered thinking he was a coward. After all, he had entered the Alpha’s quarters despite knowing it wasn’t permitted. That alone told me that either he was reckless or that he had a purpose worth risking punishment for. Whatever it was, I didn’t let my thoughts show. Instead, I smiled quietly and gave him a small nod. "Miss Celeriac, I am Carlos Bakers, Alpha Hades’s Beta. It’s a pleasure to meet you." His voice carried a forced politeness, though his eyes betrayed his unease. I merely acknowledged him with a glance. "Alpha Hades wants you to come with me. He’s waiting for you in Kjern Hall." "Kjern Hall?" I echoed, my fingers lightly tapping against the edge of my plate. Carlos gave a curt nod. "Yes. Please follow me." I didn’t hesi
Gamma Celeriac,I had searched every possible place, exhausted every lead, and still, my daughter was nowhere to be found. A mission? Elysia was not foolish enough to accept a mission without informing me. She wasn’t the kind of person to trust anyone blindly, nor would she act recklessly without reason. Something wasn’t right. I could feel it. The air in the cottage was tense when Aurora entered, her expression grim. "Master," she addressed me formally, her voice tinged with urgency. "One of my people reported seeing her last in the woods. She had something with her." I turned to face her fully, my body rigid. "Something? What was it?" Aurora hesitated for a second before answering, "We’re not entirely sure. The report states that Lady Elysia was seen speaking to a creature with an immense mana presence and a dark aura. It appeared to be in an infantile form. The strangest part—it masked her scent completely, which is why we couldn’t track her." A sharp frown creased
Hades,It didn’t take long to discover who had shot her. The arrow’s design was almost identical to my own—broadhead, sleek shaft—but the craftsmanship? A mockery. A pathetic, laughable attempt at copying my work. Whoever had orchestrated it thought they could frame me. Idiots.What made it worse? The foolish attempt to poison me, to stack various toxins and hope that something would take me down. As if I were some mere mortal who would crumble beneath a few deadly plants. As if I wasn’t born with the resilience of a thousand warriors coursing through my veins. Pathetic.But the worst part? It worked on her. She had barely survived the attack. The mixture of toxins had worked its way through her system, draining her strength, leaving her vulnerable. And that was what irritated me the most.I never intended to touch her. In fact, I loathed her scent, the sharp, enticing fragrance that seemed to wrap itself around me no matter how hard I tried to escape it. But despite my deepest atte
Elysia,The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. I blinked awake, the events of last night replaying in my mind like a relentless storm. After the confrontation, I was certain Hades would send me to the dungeons, locked away like a true prisoner. Instead, I was placed under Halia’s watch—a surprising mercy. Staying with her gave me an opportunity, a window of freedom. If I wanted to, I could slip away unnoticed. Run. Disappear. But I wasn’t going to squander this chance. I needed to have a conversation, a real discussion about the war between our packs. If there was even the smallest possibility of preventing it, I had to try. However, there was another complication—one I had nearly exposed last night. My bond with him. If I had let it slip that we were mates, everything would have changed. I had no intention of confessing. It was better this way. He didn’t know, and I would ensure it stayed that way. "Last night, he was angry
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Luna Wraithborn set down a delicate porcelain cup onto the table. The sound was soft, almost gentle, but there was nothing delicate about the woman before me. With an unreadable expression, she pushed the book I had been reaching for across the polished wooden surface. Her fingers barely lingered on its worn cover before she leaned back into her chair. "So—" her voice was smooth, almost amused. "My son kidnapped you?" I glanced at the book before meeting her gaze, my face composed, my tone even. "Well, I’d rather say I accidentally trespassed the border, and he found me." Her lips curved ever so slightly—not a smile, but a knowing expression. "Accidentally?" She tilted her head, eyes sharp. "I don’t think it was an accident." "It was," I responded without hesitation. "I was patrolling the woods when I ended up near the ocean. I love the ocean." I rubbed the back of my neck, feigning an air of nonchalance. Luna Wraithborn
Hades, The air reeked of blood. Thick, metallic, suffocating. It clung to the damp stone walls, soaked into the dirt-covered floor, and dripped sluggishly from the chains overhead. The dim torches flickered, their weak flames barely cutting through the oppressive darkness that hung in the underground chamber like a death shroud. The prisoner groaned beneath me, his back flayed open from the whip in my grip. Red stained my hands, my arms, even the edges of my boots where his blood had splattered. The sight should have satisfied me. It usually did. But not tonight. Tonight, my mind was elsewhere. On her. Elysia. A mistake. She had called it a mistake. The whip cracked through the silence once more, splitting through torn flesh. The man barely had the strength to scream, his body jerking weakly against his restraints. My lip curled in frustration. She thought herself so untouchable, so resolute. As if she hadn’t trembled in my grasp, as if her body hadn’t sung
Elysia,The quiet of my room enveloped me as I sat on the edge of the bed, the book open in my hands. The scent of ink and old pages swirled in the air, a comforting presence that calmed my restless mind. Grandma Aurora’s words from the past lingered in my thoughts as I turned the pages slowly.Everyone is extraordinary in their own world. They create their own universe, define their own truths, and find their paths to fulfillment, happiness, and peace. Her words had always been a guiding light, reminding me that not all things were as they seemed. Even within the darkness of the Wraithborn family, there was a world where we each held our purpose. I couldn’t deny that their world, though complex and shadowed, was driven by something deeper—something I hadn’t yet fully understood.A sharp knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door swung open, and Halia entered, her expression knowing."Still reading?" she asked, her tone laced with amusement as she c
Hades,The half-hour before the ceremony was filled with an uncomfortable tension, one I could never quite shake. Halia’s voice had cut through the stillness of my thoughts, her tone light but filled with mischief. "I have a surprise for you, Hades."From childhood, “surprise” was always a loaded word when it came from her. It meant frogs in my lunchbox, lizards hidden in my birthday cake, or insects shoved into my meals just to see my reaction. I could already feel my irritation building, preparing myself for whatever ridiculous thing she had planned this time. I was used to her pranks, but that didn’t make them any less annoying. I wanted to have a perfect celebration without any interruption. It was a huge moment and I needed to do the best. Yet, when she arrived, it wasn’t what I expected.It was her.Elysia Celeriac.The ceremony began, but I barely heard the words. My eyes locked on her once more. She was sitting in the corner of the second floor, a good distance away, but her
Hades,“Take care of Ruby. I will return soon.”That was all she left behind. After translating it that was all I got from her note. One short line, scrawled in her unmistakable handwriting. No explanations. No details. No clue where she was going or why she had to leave so suddenly. I held the note in my hand, staring at it until the ink began to blur. The words looked simple—innocent, even—but I knew better. They were heavy. Laced with finality. And that terrified me more than anything.Elysia was gone.There was no sign of her presence in the house. Not even the faintest trace of her scent. Her aura, usually woven so thickly into the walls that I could feel it even in sleep, had vanished. She’d covered her tracks well. Too well. The last footage of her stiffed movement before she entered in my study was the only thing I could find.She didn’t just leave.She disappeared.And she took three parts of the Knowledge with her. The Knowledge wasn’t something you simply took and walked
Hades,The moment the flickering lights of daylight hit my eyelids, I opened my eyes. A smile spread over my face when the moments of last night suddenly rushed through my mind unexpectedly. Her touch, the way her body curled against mine, and the quiet comfort of her breath against my neck—it all came back like a warm breeze. Assuming that my little mate would be next to me, I turned.But instead of seeing the sight of my little mate, I felt a cold, empty side next to me. The sheet was still slightly crumpled, her scent faint but lingering like an afterthought. A low chuckle escaped my throat. She was an early bird and I underestimated her. It was so like her to wake before me and slip out quietly.Throwing the blanket away from my body, I decided to head to the bathroom first and then to the kitchen or the gym. However, as the blanket hit the other side of the bed, a soft crinkle caught my attention. My vampire instincts, sharp and ever-alert, instantly honed in on the unfamiliar
Hades, Her pulse It thrummed beneath her delicate skin, a steady rhythm that sent shockwaves through my body. Each beat echoed in my skull, syncing with my own erratic heartbeat. The scent of her blood curled through the air, sweet and intoxicating, igniting a hunger so raw that it clawed at my throat. A primal need crashed over me. Instinct. Hunger. Desire. It overrode everything. I forgot that I wasn't only a werewolf, I was something else too. Something dangerous. Ruby stiffened beside her mother, her sharp instincts picking up on the change. Her bright eyes flickered to me, widening slightly, cautious and wary. Elysia, however, remained unaware. She reached out, her fingers grazing my shoulder, her eyes filled with pure concern and worry— But I snapped, “Don’t touch me!” The words ripped from my throat, harsher than I intended. I jerked away from her touch as if burned, my entire body rigid with restraint. Elysia blinked in surprise, confusion flickering acr
Hades,"Master!" Dallas stormed into the room, his face burned and his body tense. He looked around, scanning for threats or disapproval, but his discomfort was obvious. At the low table, Ruby had been occupied with her crayons, coloring something with deep focus. At his sudden entrance, she froze mid-stroke. Her wide, bright eyes landed on him, flickering with curiosity for only a brief moment—before twisting into rage. "You evil woman!" Her tiny voice rang out like a battle cry. The air around her crackled, and without warning, a small burst of fire shot from her mouth, aimed directly at Dallas. Dallas barely had time to react. He flinched, stumbling back in surprise and immediately darted behind me for protection. Elysia let out an amused chuckle but moved quickly, wrapping her arms around Ruby and pulling her close. "Calm down, Cupcake," she murmured, pressing a reassuring kiss to the top of her head. "It’s not the bad woman. It’s your brother, Dallas." Ruby blinked
Elysia,The city lights flickered beyond the tall windows, their glow casting elongated shadows across the room. I lay in bed, my body burning with fever, every limb aching from the poison coursing through my veins. The dull roar of the bustling streets below felt distant, almost like a memory I couldn’t quite grasp. Beside me, Ruby slept peacefully, her tiny chest rising and falling in steady rhythm. It was astonishing how much power she wielded. To have taken down a female beta wolf without a single scratch was something even seasoned warriors couldn’t claim. And the teleportation—swift and precise—was proof of her immense strength. I should have expected nothing less, but even so, her abilities left me in awe. Yet, despite all that had happened, a nagging question remained in my mind. How had they found us? Hades had been tending to that woman since earlier. I had never seen her before, nor did I care to know her, but she was clearly of some importance. I could only assume sh
I ran as fast as my small legs could carry me, the weight of my mission clear in my mind. The woman had hurt my Mommy. She was so strong, so terrifying, yet now, she would face me, Ruby—the little dragon who would protect my mother at any cost. Mommy… She was in danger, but I was going to save her. "Mommy!" I called out. I burst into the room, my eyes frantically searching for her. And then, there she was. Mommy’s eyes fluttered open as soon as I entered, her gaze filled with emotions I couldn’t quite read at first. But there was something warm, something deep in her eyes that made the world feel right again, something that softened the ache in my heart. “Ruby!” she whispered, her voice weak, but full of love. “My star…” Her arms reached out toward me, trembling, but they were still strong, still loving, even though she was in pain. I rushed to her, my little body colliding with hers as I wrapped my arms around her, pressing my face against her chest. “Mommy! Are you okay? A
Ruby,I followed the scent, my tiny steps quick and purposeful. It was faint, but unmistakable—the lingering trace of the woman who had dared to hurt my Mommy. My tiny fists clenched, my heart pounding with fury. I would find her. I would make her pay.The night was still, the usual sounds of nature silent as if the world itself was holding its breath. But not me. I was too angry, too determined to be still.As I ran, my feet barely touching the ground, my mind was clear. No distractions. No thoughts except the image of my Mommy, weak and helpless and covered with blood. It burned in my chest.The scent led me further into the forest, and after what felt like an eternity, I caught sight of her. The woman was walking slowly, unaware of the danger behind her. She was in her human body. Perfect for me.I crouched low, just out of sight, my heart pounding in anticipation. She was mine.Stealthily, I approached, moving swiftly through the trees. I didn’t need to be silent. I didn’t need to
Dallas, The earliest memory I had was standing on the riverbank, watching my siblings transform into fish. Their bodies shimmered under the morning sun as they disappeared beneath the surface, their movements seamless, as if they belonged to the water itself. I didn’t know how to do it. My sister, whose face I could no longer recall, grabbed my arm. Her touch was firm, her voice insistent. "Concentrate," she urged. "Think of yourself as a fish." I tried. I truly did. But all I remembered was the overwhelming rush of water engulfing me. I was swept away, tumbling, drowning, falling into something unknown. When I woke up, I was no longer myself. I didn’t recognize my form. My body felt foreign, my limbs unfamiliar. I couldn't remember what I had been before. I only knew one thing—I could change. Into anything. Into anyone. That was how my life began. Then, I met her. She kept me in a vast room, a library filled with endless books. Shelves stretched high, packed with stori
Elysia,The distinct bitterness of oleander still lingered in my mouth, coating my senses with its deadly essence. It was the second poison I had recognized, almost immediately after the first. Oleander was ruthless—it weakened the heart, slowly breaking down its strength until it faltered completely. Heart attacks, heart failure, an excruciating end that left no room for recovery. Yet, I was still here. Maybe my father had been right when he claimed we were immortal, something beyond the reach of death’s cruel grasp. But I didn’t feel that way. I could sense it in my chest—the way my heart struggled, the faint numbness creeping through my veins. I felt weaker, more fragile than ever before. But I wasn’t afraid. Hades knelt beside me, his hands steady but his expression filled with concern as he finished treating my wound. He was a strong healer, one of the best, and I could no longer feel the sharp sting in my stomach. The pain had disappeared under his careful touch, leaving b