Understanding Kira, Lythari let out a soft breath and nodded. "I understand." Then, after a pause, she gave her an answer. "You are a hybrid. Half wolf, half witch. You are also the first of your kind. Baba Razz knew this, and that is why he sent you to us—to help you find yourself.""But my parents… they were both werewolves," Kira said, searching her mind for any clue, anything she may have missed. "As far as I can remember, they showed none of that witch trait.""Are you sure about that, though?" Lythari asked carefully, understanding that it was a lot for Kira. "Baba Razz said you are the first of your kind. Which would mean no one else, even before you had been like this. It is also possible that somewhere in your lineage, someone had witch blood in them or was a witch.""Then, how am I the first? Someone should have been a hybrid before me," Kira said, taking a deep breath as she could feel the exhaustion creeping in more in her mind and every part of her body."Let me explain,"
The days passed quietly, and Kira spent most of her time indoors.Sometimes, she would step out only for some fresh air or short walks as Lythari had recommended, and occasionally, Lythari would also visit and take it upon herself to show her around the elven lands. But despite all that, there were times when Kira would want to be alone, as the solitude somehow helped her.By the end of the week, Kira's mind felt clearer, and she felt stronger both emotionally and mentally. It was like now she could finally control herself.On the morning of the new week, a knock came at her door, and when she went to answer it, she saw that it was Eldrin, holding a few neatly folded garments."Lady Kira," Eldrin greeted with a respectful nod and stepped inside when Kira asked him too."Good thing you are here," Kira said while she watched him set the clothes down on the couch. "Lythari had offered me some of her clothes, and sincerely I loved it, but I also could not wait to have mine before I use u
Clenching her fists, Kira tried again, and again, and again, and each time, she failed to lift the bottle or even make it shake, and that failure was beginning to get frustrating."Can we just do something else today?" She asked Lythari, feeling the frustration slowly bubbling under her skin. "I need some kind of stress reliever right now, like combat. This. This is stressing me out a lot.""I don't see how that is any of my problem," Lythari stated, her voice in no mood for a debate. "Again.""Lythari," Kira called out. "I need some time before this.""Again," Lythari ordered, ignoring whatever Kira was saying. "All you have to do is lift the bottle. You say you are strong. You said you would lift it, and yet you cannot. Was it just an illusion?""It is not about that," Kira defended, her fists clenching as she tried to keep it together. "I just don't feel it, okay? I don't feel any power in me whatsoever.""Weak," Lythari scoffed as she stared at Kira so intently. "You. Are. Weak."
*Five Years Later*The sound of polished shoes resounded against the floor as Bryan and Aiden walked side by side, their clothes perfectly ironed and neat."Any updates?" Aiden asked Ryker, who was just a step behind, without looking back."There is something you need to see," Ryker told him and stepped forward, now walking side by side with them as he handed a file to each of them. Bryan and Aiden took the files as they walked, flipping through the pages as they carefully went through what they were seeing.The deeper they read, the slower their pace became. Something was obviously wrong, and the numbers weren't adding up. Bank transfers that shouldn't exist, and the discrepancies were hidden well, and it was hidden all too well.Bryan and Aiden both came to a stop at the same time, Ryker stopping beside them as they turned to face each other."Who is it?" Aiden asked, his voice sharp and his tone unfriendly."Someone in our pack," Ryker said, flipping open another file and handing
Hendrick was still kneeling, his whole body shaking and trembling from fear, as his hands remained clasped together in a plea to be forgiven.His face was sweaty, the sweat mixing up with the blood that stained his nose. He tried to form some words, to beg some more, but his lips quivered so much that he couldn't get anything out.Aiden, on the other hand, watched him for a moment, enjoying how frightened he was, but then he exhaled through his nose, finding the entire display boring.Without warning, not that he needed to, he reached down and gripped the front of Hendrick's shirt in one hand, making Hendrick gasp from shock that nearly gave him a heart attack.Aiden yanked him up like he weighed nothing, his fingers tightening every second as he pulled Hendrick close, their faces only an inch apart."Alpha, please. N-no, p-please," Hendrick stammered and shook his head, trying to breathe properly. "I'm s-sorry.""I know," Aiden said with no life in his voice, making Hendrick's stomac
Hendrick sat slumped in the chair, barely able to hold himself up. His chest rose and fell rapidly as his mind was still trying to process what had just happened, even though he knew very well what he had just faced. He coughed violently, his throat sore and his eyes closing. He felt like he was either about to faint or go meet his maker when a sharp, brutal slap landed across his face, snapping his head to the side from the force.That opened his eyes instantly, bringing him back to the reality of things, and before he could react, Aiden gripped his jaw tightly, forcing him to look up as he purposely dug his thumb into Hendrick's cheek to inflict more pain on him."You know damn well not to piss us off," Aiden said lowly and deadly, his eyes turning darker than they already were. "I could kill you right now," he muttered and increased the pressure of his grip as Hendrick just sat still, whimpering and knowing better than to resist, his eyes wide and bloodshot."Aiden," Bryan calle
It was almost dark.The training ground was quiet except for the steady rhythm of her breath. She stood poised, her hair pulled into a tight bun with just a few loose strands sticking to her sweat-slicked skin as she focused on the row of targets ahead.She lifted her bow, fingers steady as she nocked an arrow.Deep breath. Sharp exhale.Release.The arrow whistled through the air, piercing straight into the center of the wooden target with a solid thud.Without missing a second, she rolled into a low tumble, reaching for a dagger at her waist.The instant her feet met the ground, she snapped her wrist, sending the blade flying at her other target, which it met, buried right at the heart of the target.Already in motion, another dagger and another throw, a spin, and a perfect shot, her body deadly and fluid.The last blade left her fingertips, slicing through the air and embedded itself into the final target's throat.The moment it hit, she heard a slow clap.Kira didn't need to tur
Kira and Lythari had decided on matching dresses for tonight. Kira's dress was a soft rose color, flowing and elegant with sheer sleeves that draped gracefully, while Lythari's dress was the same design but in a soft green shade that complemented Kira's perfectly. Both dresses were beautifully made, and now they were fully dressed and stood before the large mirror in Kira's room, admiring themselves.Kira smoothed her dress and turned slightly, checking how it flared when she moved, Lythari beside her, doing the same."We look absolutely stunning tonight," Lythari declared with a satisfied nod."Of course we do," Kira grinned, and suddenly, Lythari grabbed her hand and instructed, "Twirl for me."Laughing as Lythari took a step back to get a better view, Kira obliged and spun lightly on her toes, her dress flaring out. She stopped with a soft giggle and said to Lythari, "Your turn.""Gladly," Lythari curtsied dramatically before twirling for Kira, her hair moving with her."Gorgeous
Once again, the silence fell heavily on them after Lucinda was done talking, and Kira closed her eyes for a little moment, taking in a deep breath and letting it all out.Her chest rose and fell slowly as she absorbed everything, right from the pain she saw in Lucinda's eyes, the loss, her bloodline, and everything else. She didn't rush to speak. Instead, she let the silence stretch a few more seconds as she grounded herself and also wanted to find a way to reason with Lucinda.After the few seconds passed, she opened her eyes, her gaze locked onto Lucinda's, who was currently watching her with a blank expression. As for Kira, her eyes had no anger, just calm, and a deep, aching empathy.She couldn't lie, she understood why Lucinda was doing what she was doing, but for Bryan and Aiden to suffer for it also didn't seem fair to them."I am truly sorry that you both had to go through all this," she started, her voice warm and gentle. "I know my words aren't enough to heal you from that
Kira's face, which initially had the expression that she had guessed right, twisted to shock and from shock to visible confusion, her brows drawing together and her eyes darting over Lucinda's form as though she was trying to put the pieces together.There was a long stretch of silence between them, which Kira broke as she asked a question slowly and unsure. "I don't understand. Her twin sister?""Yes," Lucinda answered simply, watching Kira's confused state.Kira gave a short, humorless smile, not one out of amusement, but the one that was more like one of those reactions when something becomes too complicated to make sense."Even though you are her twin sister," she said. "I still do not understand how you are here. What exactly is going on? And why are you here?""I know that you know the answer to that question, and what you are thinking is right," Lucinda confirmed. "This is my revenge for my sister."For a good three minutes, Kira didn't say anything and just stared. Then she
At the first light of dawn, Kira's eyes opened, and she got up from her bed.The night before, after leaving the living room, she had headed upstairs, but then remembered she had to go get her weapons, and so, she made a quiet detour and went out to go see her horse."Hey," she whispered as she brushed her hand along his mane, smiling gently while looking at him.Kai responded with a low grunt and nudged her shoulder, happy to see his rider.Tied to his saddle, was a dark leather roll—her weapons pack.A warhorse like Kai didn't just carry a rider; he was also trained to carry a small arsenal for her, and Kira was genuinely grateful that no one had touched her stuff, as she rubbed Kai's mane for a little longer before taking what she needed.The leather roll was fastened to the side of his saddle, just behind the stirrup. It contained her bag of knives, her quiver of arrows, and her sword.Kira unhooked them carefully, one by one, checking each with her hands in the dim, stable light.
Kira folded the small paper and slipped it into her trouser pocket before she took one last glance around the marketplace, which was now busy again.Everything and Everyone had returned to normal, and with nothing much to do there, she walked, leaving the place.The boutique door swung open, the chime sounding above as she stepped inside, her eyes looking for Elara, who she finally saw near a display of long coats, holding up a deep burgundy one and checking herself in the mirror."There you are!" Elara called when she turned at the sound of the door and saw that it was Kira. "I almost went looking for you," she said, half laughing and half worried.Kira smiled and walked toward her, leaning in as she gently pecked Elara's cheek, a soft, affectionate gesture."I'm sorry, Mum," she said sweetly, brushing Elara's arm. "I'll explain everything later. Promise.""That's alright," Elara nodded, although she was clearly curious. "As long as you're okay.""I am," Kira assured her. "Now let's
The first boutique Elara and Kira had gone to was a cozy one in a quiet spot tucked between two larger stores. It was the kind that smelled of fresh clothes, freshly printed tags and soft perfumes. It wasn't too big, but it was a lovely place to shop in.Elara was currently admiring a dress she had found, twirling in front of a mirror, while Kira, who had gotten most of what she wanted from the boutique, carefully folded the items into their shopping bags.As they rounded up, they made their way to the door, their hands full of what they had bought. Taking a deep breath, Kira let the outside air clear her head—the gentle breeze needed.She was about to close the boutique door behind her when something, or rather someone, caught her eye.She noticed that it didn't sit right with her and that someone was watching them, but she didn't let it show and pretended to know.She remained calm, not bothered, and was simply observant of the person watching them as she dropped the bags into the
Kira, who was already done with her meal and was taking the last bite, paused, her expression shifting."He's dead," she said, setting her fork down."But how?" Aiden inquired. "He was old but didn't seem like someone who could be easily killed.""Well, he was killed. Easily," Kira chuckled sadly and then went on to tell them everything from when she first met Baba Razz to how he died, how he was nice to her, and his role in her meeting the elves."I felt strangely comfortable around him," she admitted. "I'm not sure how to explain it, but I don't know. His death was painful, and I did blame myself, but I knew he wouldn't want me to do that, so… yeah.""I'm sorry," Aiden muttered as he and Bryan leaned in on each side and pressed a gentle kiss to the side of her head."May his soul rest in peace," Elara added quietly. "And I'm sure he will be very proud of who you are today."Blowing Elara a kiss, Kira agreed and decided to change the topic, not wanting their happy moments to be sour.
Stepping out of the room after getting dressed, Kira felt very comfortable in the oversized clothes Bryan had given her.She had also noticed the difference in the clothes—how the shirt smelled like Bryan, while the shorts were definitely Aiden's.She wondered if they had debated over if she would wear Bryan's clothes or Aiden's before coming to the conclusion of mixing them and giving it to her.The thought was so funny that she couldn't help but giggle as she made her way down the stairs, her hair packed in a messy bun."Sorry for keeping you all waiting," she said when she walked into the dining room, everyone already in their seats waiting for her."Oh, nonsense, sweetheart," Elara said, waving for her to join them. "It's completely fine.""Yeah, it's not like we were starving or anything," Aiden added with a smile.Bryan gave him a look and just smiled while shaking his head before turning back to Kira. "Come on, sit. Quit acting like a stranger.""I am not acting like a stranger
Kira, Bryan, and Aiden walked through the pack lands, accessing the pack to ensure that everyone was safe and everything was still intact or not too bad. It had been years since she had set foot around the pack, and as they moved, they could hear the whispers from the pack members. Elders, warriors, and even children stared at her in surprise before approaching."Luna Kira, child, how have you been?" An elderly woman with gray hair that was braided neatly asked, placing a gentle hand on Kira's arm. "It is so good to see you again.""I'm very well, thank you," Kira answered while smiling, her tone soft and warm. "And how about you? How have you been holding up? Are you okay?""Yes. Yes," the woman answered, smiling back at Kira as she patted Kira's arm. "And we thank Goddess for you coming today. Everyone has heard of how you helped. We are truly grateful, Luna.""Oh, please, you don't have to thank me. It is my duty as Luna," Kira said sincerely and rubbed the old woman's hand. "Take
As the elves disappeared into the portal, Kira turned to face Bryan, Aiden, and Ryker, giving them a small smile. She was going to miss El'fiannor, Lythari, the friends she had made, the trees, every single thing, but she was also happy to be back home."So...this is Kai, my horse," she announced as if she was introducing an old friend. "Say hi," she urged them."Oh yes, hi," Bryan said quickly, laughing softly right after. "Hi Kai, very fitting name," Aiden added, laughing as well. "You suit... your rider too."Ryker, however, eyed the horse, thinking about something. "Well, he will need a proper home," he said. "I'll take him to his new place. There's a building we can turn into a stable for him.""That sounds perfect," Kira accepted and extended the reins to Ryker, who took them with ease before leading the horse away.Watching as Ryker left, Aiden turned back to Kira with a warm, eager expression. "Come on," he said, "I'm sure Mum and Dad would be very happy to see you.""As w