Bryan and Aiden left for the secret room. Aiden had said it was much more befitting for what they were about to do."You are really sure this is going to work right?", Bryan asked him again, "Just making sure.""It will", Aiden assured him.Aiden lit some candles while Bryan set a table in the center of the room and placed a bowl on it, according to what Aiden had told him to do.When Aiden finished with the candles, he and Bryan stood on either side of the table."What now?", Bryan asked."Now we mix our blood together." Aiden answered and carefully held the bottle of Kira's blood, his eyes with purpose as he poured it into the bowl.With a determined nod, he took the ceremonial blade and made a clean cut across his palm, allowing his blood to mingle with hers. Bryan did not even want to know where Aiden got the blade from."This better work," Bryan warned, and took the blade from Aiden right after Aiden was done, making a clean cut as well and letting his blood mingle with theirs."
*Moments Earlier…*Kira had finally found a library with the help of a maid in the mansion. And as for the feeling that someone was watching her, she just concluded it was all in her head, since she found no one. "I guess I was just being paranoid", she had said to herself.But still, she checked a few times after turning around and shouting, who is there? But she still saw no one. It was a bit weird but whatever.Kira was glad after all the suspicions to see a face she knew, which belonged to one of the maids. She felt more relaxed and asked the maid if she knew where she could find books to read.And now, she was alone in this wonderful library, with some snacks. "This is nice. Never knew they had such a room", Kira complimented in satisfaction as she relaxed on a comfortable chair which she also found in the library.She had picked up a book that looked pretty interesting and dived into it.Kira focused on reading and enjoying her snacks, with the soft rustle of pages and the pe
Bryan and Aiden headed back home, feeling relaxed that even had gone as planned, even though there was a mistake."Let's go check on Kira, see how the bond is feeling," Bryan suggested."She must be asleep right now, though. I am sure the door is locked," Aiden said."Which is why I have the key to her room door. I got the spare keys, I think that would be much better than removing the door totally", Bryan chuckled."Smh, you are something else." Aiden told him as they left for her room.On getting there, they decided not to knock. Just in case, she was asleep because it was already very late at night.They tried opening the door with the spare key but found out it was not locked, and so they got in thinking Kira would be asleep on her bed, only to find out that she was not on her bed or even in the room."Kira?", Aiden called out as he went to check the bathroom, but she was not there either."She is not in there?", Bryan asked him as he came out.Aiden shook his head, "Where could s
Night sky… The moon shone so bright. The thick canopy of trees overhead, blocking out most of the moonlight, casting eerie shadows across the forest floor.Her breath came in ragged gasps as she sprinted through the woods, her heart pounding like a war drum in her chest. Leaves crunched underfoot, and the sharp scent of like filled her nostrils, mingling with the coppery tang of fear on her tongue.Moving through trees, she could not shake the feeling that they were right behind her, that any second she'd feel their hands on her, dragging her back and stopping her from freedom.The pack was located in New Orleans deep within the woods, away from humans. She just needed to keep moving, she could make it.As she kept running, her foot caught on a root, sending her sprawling to the ground with a muffled cry. She wrapped her hand around her mouth as hard as she could, to stop herself from making any sound that might implicate her.Immediately she pushed herself back up, despite the ache
Without a word, Bryan brought her down to her feet and tossed her inside. She hit the cold, hard ground with a thud, the strong impact almost knocking the air from her lungs.Pain shot through her side as she landed on the stone floor, a sharp gasp escaping her lips. Kira's hands scrambled against the rough surface, trying to push herself up as tears stung her eyes.As panic surged through her, she scrambled to her feet immediately, wanting to escape. Kira ignored the ache in her body, and bolted towards the dungeon gate before Bryan could slam it shut."Please…", she uttered softly.But before she could reach the opening, the gate crashed shut with a thunderous clang.Due to her behavior, Bryan slammed his hand against the iron bars, his voice showing how much he was frustrated."ENOUGH!" he bellowed, the force of his voice reverberating through the walls.Kira's heart pounded in her ears, her body rigid as she stared up at him in shock. The way he yelled at her and slammed his hand
The next morning, Kira was woken up by the sound of her cell gate opening. She opened her eyes softly, trying to see who it was."Good morning, Luna", The figure bowed. "I have come to get you, by the Alphas order."Kira rubbed her eyes, getting her head in order while she stood up."Good morning", she responded softly, "Are you the one who came yesterday to give me the blankets on the Alpha's order?""Yes, Luna", the man who is also a guard answered."Thank you," she said to him."It is my pleasure, Luna."Kira went on to pick up the blankets and arrange them, but the guard stopped her."Someone will take care of it," he informed her."Ohh, okay then," she said, dropping the blankets and other stuff back on the ground.As they left the dungeon, Kira could not help but be curious."Do you know why they sent for me?", she asked the guard, still adjusting her eyes to the sunlight.The guard shook his head, "Alpha Bryan and Alpha Aiden didn't disclose any information.""Ah!… okay", she n
"Missed me already?" Ryker teased, sliding into an empty chair beside Aiden. "I'm sure you two were doing just fine without me.""Oh please", Bryan scoffed."He wishes," Aiden said to his brother.Bryan just laughed, "Agreed."Ryker chuckled, "I know you guys did, no need to pretend.""Good to have you back Ryker!", Orion said interrupting the boys' teases with a proud smile as his wife concurred."It's good to be home", Ryker smiled back.Kira, on the other hand, had no idea what was happening. Her gaze flickered to Ryker, studying him from beneath her lashes. She tried not to make it known that she was trying to figure out who he was."Who is this person?", she thought to herself. "And why do they seem so comfortable with the Alphas?""So, how did everything go?", Aiden asked but then as soon as he asked, he changed his mind about bringing up that topic, "Scratch that. We will talk about it later in the office. For now, please dig in.""You do not need to tell me twice", Ryker rubbe
Aiden briefly paced around the office, thinking of the right answer to that question, even though there wasn't one at the moment."When the right time comes, we will tell her. Telling her now might scare her off, we just need her to not hate us, and maybe then she might understand more when we tell her." "Hmm…" Ryker hummed. "I understand.""So, speaking about the curse, Did you find anything?"Bryan asked him.They had sent him on this so-called business trip to actually see if he could find answers about their curse."Sadly, nothing," he informed them, "Not a single clue or head start. It's as if this kind of curse does not exist and exists at the same time.""This is really weird", Aiden pondered. "It really is weird."They all agreed.There was no clue about the curse or where it could have come from—just nothing. They needed a head start or a clue to actually know how they were going to break it, but every time they found nothing.Even if they found something, if it was not stron
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."
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
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 hand was raised as if whoever it belonged to was about to knock when Kira pulled the door open, and it nearly seemed like the knock would have landed on Kira's forehead if the person hadn't halted."Lythari?""Yes," Lythari responded, lowering her hand. "I was just about to knock.""Figured," Kira muttered and stepped outside, closing the door as Lythari moved aside to give her space. "So, what brings you here? I didn't think you would be coming to see me again today.""I forgot to tell you that part, and good thing you weren't asleep. I was hoping you wouldn't be," Lythari said while looking at her. "I need to introduce you to the Aethereian sisters.""Tonight? Like… right now?" Kira asked, not expecting any of that to happen so soon."Yes, right now," Lythari confirmed. "And before you start worrying about how you look, you are fine the way you are. Carry yourself properly, and even the dress will shape itself into your aura, or, is the better word, bend to your aura? Either way
Closing the door after the man she was expecting had come in, Kira turned to face him, an apologetic smile on her face for keeping him waiting."I apologize for keeping you out there for so long," she said, smiling softly as she also took in his look and realized that he also had those youthful features, yet still had the look of someone elderly, even the feeling."No, no, that's quite alright," the man shook his head, smiling back at her gently. "My name is Eldrin, and I am at your service," he said, his voice smooth and reassuring."I am glad," Kira muttered and then introduced herself. "My name is Kira, and it is an honor to have my clothes made by you.""That is very kind of you, Kira," Eldrin said, his expression softening and his smile growing wider as he was touched by her words. "So, shall we begin?""Of course," Kira nodded, and then found a position for them in the living room. "This is alright, right?""It is," Eldrin confirmed and set down his leather bag, unfastening its
Kira turned her head toward the bathroom door, wondering who could be knocking."Who could that be?" She thought and sniffed, quickly wiping her eyes with wet hands. "I am not expecting anyon- oh, the tailor."Then the knock came again, more insistent this time."I'm coming!" she called out, her voice slightly hoarse from the emotions she had just been lost in. "I didn't think he would be here so fast," Kira muttered to herself. "Or is it…me?""How long have I been in here?" She asked herself as she realized the water was already cold.Hurriedly, she reached for the soap and washed herself."Just a minute, please!" she added, splashing water over her face and rinsing her body, before standing up. "I'll be right there."With rushed movements, Kira stepped out of the tub, grabbed a towel, dried her body, and wrapped it around herself.She had gotten her hair wet but didn't mind it as she padded to the bedroom, and started getting dressed. The undergarment was not too fitted. It was in
Kira, shocked, stood frozen, her eyes locked on Lythari in disbelief. She watched as Lythari raised the key of the house in the air, holding it out to her, and that was when she realized it wasn't a joke… "But was it?" Kira asked herself inwardly, as she couldn't quite process it."Belongs to me?" She asked Lythari, feeling confused, or like she was missing something. "I don't understand," she muttered and glanced at the key, then back at Lythari. "I thought this was probably your house or a new house you wanted to move into, and you needed someone to tell you if it was good enough. I—""You thought wrong," Lythari interrupted her, and let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "You are an interesting one. This house belongs to you now, Kira. It is your new home.""But—" Kira muttered, still struggling to believe it. The truth was, she had actually fallen in love with the house, and now it's actually hers?"Take the key, Kira," Lythari said, holding out the key, her eyebrow raised a
After Queen Elyria had officially welcomed Kira, Kira bowed respectfully and thanked her."You are both dismissed," Queen Elyria said afterward, and on hearing that, Kira and Lythari exited the throne room and left the castle.Now as they stood outside the castle, Kira took a deep breath and looked around once again as she was beginning to feel more at ease."Kira?" She heard Lythari call, bringing her out of her quiet moment with her thoughts."Yes?" She answered."There is a place I would like to show you," Lythari said and then turned to her, her expression unreadable yet inviting. "I want to know what you think of this place.""Okay," Kira agreed with no hesitation. "Sure."Glad about Kira's response, Lythari started walking ahead, and Kira followed right behind her, her eyes wandering over the landscape as she followed Lythari.The next path they took was surrounded by tall trees, and the deeper they walked, the more beautiful trees Kira saw. And as they walked some more, she saw
As soon as the guards opened the immense double doors, Kira and Lythari stepped inside and afterward, the doors closed behind them with a slow, resonant boom.Instinctively, Kira turned to glance back, exhaling softly before she then turned forward again, following Lythari deeper into the castle.The inside of the castle was just as breathtaking as its exterior. The halls were stretched high and vast, with towering golden arches that curved so beautifully and elegantly towards the ceiling. It was expected for the inside to be just as magical as everywhere she had seen, especially with the soft golden light that now filtered in through a massive stained-glass window, casting patterns onto the polished marble floors.The interior design was magnificent. It wasn't too much or too little; it was just the right amount of perfect. As they walked, Kira could not help but admire the beauty around her. Every step they took showed her how grand and ancient the place was, but despite this awe