*1000 years Earlier : Continued*Dahlia's body jerked violently from the sudden release of pressure. She let out a strangled gasp as blood gushed freely from the open wound.The second leader then rose to his feet, satisfied with his actions. He turned to the warriors and gestured toward Dahlia's limp, bloodied form."Pick her up," he barked coldly. "We are taking her back to the clearing. Everyone should be present to watch the end of the one who took our children and made us suffer."Without hesitation, two warriors stepped forward and grabbed Dahlia roughly without care for the deep wounds scattered across her body. Now taking her to the clearing where she would meet her demise, she winced as her injured legs dragged across the ground.Her body was battered, weak and sagged like a rag doll, but the warriors showed no mercy. The world around her blurred with every move, blood dripping steadily from her wounds. Dahlia gritted her teeth, refusing to let them hear her pain.By the time
*Present Day*Bryan's thumb idly rubbed the rim of his teacup as he sat with his legs apart, head tilted slightly. The old man, Baba Razz, had served them some tea as he told them about the origin of their kind, and now Bryan was so calm, trying to process everything Baba Razz had told them."And that… is how our kind came to be," Baba Razz finished, placing his own empty cup on the table with a gentle clink.For a moment, there was this heavy silence in the room before Aiden finally exhaled through his nose and leaned forward. "So…" he said slowly, trying to find the right words to ask what he wanted to ask. "So, you are telling me… No, you mean to tell me that the evil witch Dahlia is…the moon goddess?"Bryan, who also had this question in his mind, lowered his teacup but said nothing. His brows furrowed as he patiently waited for Baba Razz to confirm or deny it.Baba Razz hummed deeply, already expecting this question. "Many have asked that same question, and many believe they know
Bryan moved closer, leaning in. "I can't believe it," he muttered, staring intently at the mark on Baba Razz's arm. "It's identical and exactly at the same place and arm."Aiden tilted his head for a moment, wondering. "How is this even possible? Are you…are we…" Then he chuckled confusingly. "Who are you talking about?" Baba Razz asked them, his expression shifting from confusion to concern. "Our mate, Kira." Aiden answered, sharing a quick glance with Bryan. "She has a mark just like yours.""That's… peculiar," Baba Razz said slowly, letting out a deep breath, and then asked them. "Is it truly the same mark? Are you sure?""Yes! Absolutely." Bryan insisted. "We are not sure what to make of this. What does it mean?" "Can it be a coincidence?" Aiden asked Baba Razz, "I also can't help but feel it is not a coincidence with everything you have told us about the mark.""Unbelievable," Baba Razz murmured, shaking his head. "I need rest.""What do you mean, you need rest?" Bryan pressed
The door opened, and he stepped in, holding a file folder. He greeted with a small nod of respect and a smile, "Luna."Kira smiled back warmly. "Hey, Ryker. What do you have for me?" she asked, gesturing for him to sit across from her at the desk. They were currently in the main office, downstairs. Ryker took the seat and flipped open the folder. He had been the one guiding her on how things worked, teaching her and showing her so many other things since Bryan and Aiden went on their business trip. Kira was genuinely grateful for his support and help, she truly wanted to do good."I wanted to go over the housing situation for new members," Ryker began, spreading some kind of chart in front of her. "We have had a few new wolves join recently… refugees from neighboring packs, and they need permanent places to stay. The Alphas are also aware of this but because of their meeting, a decision concerning this has not been made yet.""How many are we talking about?" Kira leaned over, scannin
The young man immediately with widened eyes raised his hands, palms open like he was surrendering. "I am so sorry, so, so sorry! I thought you were someone I knew, my girlfriend. You both have the same body type," he stammered."Please Luna… I did not know it was you. Please forgive me. I would never." He begged and knelt down before her quickly, bowing his head. "Please, I'm sorry."Kira looked at the young man and scanned him closely. His voice sounded soft yet strange at the same time, and his apology did not feel natural. It was like he was trying too hard to convince her or something. "Body type as your girlfriend?" Kira raised her brow and scoffed in her mind. "I see," she thought, still watching the young man as he pleaded for her forgiveness.She then took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a second, thinking of what to do. The young man was obviously overdoing it, but she kept her expression blank. "Get up," she said when she opened her eyes, giving him a neutral look. H
Kira was all alone now as she reached for the small bowl of sauce beside the burrito. She had even forgotten that the burrito came with a rich, brown chipotle sauce. As she took the sauce in her hand, she carefully poured it over the warm wrap.The sauce soaked into the burrito as it darkened the tortilla, making Kira gulp from want. She was already licking her lips and as soon as she was done and satisfied with the amount of sauce she had poured on the burrito, she set the bowl down."Come to mama," She whispered, flexed her fingers, and then picked up the burrito with both hands. "Ouu."The burrito felt so warm and soft against her hands, and the first bite was everything. "Mmm!" She moaned out as her teeth sank into the slightly toasted tortilla, the seasoned meat, sautéed peppers and melted cheese, all coming together in her mouth. She enjoyed how the fillings burst onto her tongue."This is so good," Kira sighed from satisfaction.She hummed softly in appreciation, taking her tim
Thud! Bam! Bam!Kira's fists collided with the heavy bag, the impact echoing through the training ground. THUD! BAM!She exhaled, her breath coming in sharp bursts. "Hah! Hah! Oof"As her fists collided with the heavy bag, she steadied her stance before throwing more in combination. Her muscles burned, but she didn't let up.Smack-thud-smack!Her legs shuffled as she pivoted, her fists flying. One jab, then a hook, followed by a cross. "Huuu" She breathed out, while bouncing on the balls of her feet. Kira drove her energy into every punch as sweat dripped down her temples, stinging her eyes, but she ignored it, too focused to stop. She wanted a different style for her hair today and wore her hair in a tight, fighter's braid early in the morning before going for training.Today they were training in the boxing area, which had all the equipment they needed—reinforced mats, multiple heavy bags and so on.Ryker stood nearby with his arms crossed. He watched Kira closely as she trained
The young man's grin widened, making Kira a bit surprised because how does his grin keep getting wider?"My name is Dave," he answered.Kira gave him a polite but dismissive smile. "Thank you, Dave. But I am sorry, I don't have any work for you right now." She inclined her head slightly. "Goodbye."Without waiting for his reaction, she stepped aside and walked away. "He is so weird," Kira thought while she walked away.The happy smile on Dave's face slowly crumbled. He now had a tight frown on his face, his jaw clenching, and his breath growing heavy. "Did I do anything wrong?" He asked himself. "I was being very nice to her. Does she not like nice?" He asked himself again as his hands curled into fists, nails digging into his palms. "How could she reject me? How could she reject my offer?"As he kept talking to himself, his rage grew. "I only want to care for her. She needs me just as much as I need her."Immediately, he turned and followed her, making sure to catch up with her. Be
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