Kira struggled to make sense of what he meant now. "What was he talking about again?" She asked herself before asking him. "Remember what?"Dave's response to that initially was his face softening, as if he was savoring a private, twisted memory. Then there came a slow, affectionate smile that spread across his lips as he raised his hand from her arm, and reached up to gently caress her cheek."My sweet," he murmured.Kira instinctively turned her face sharply away from his touch in disgust, leaving his hand hanging in the air for a moment. "How stubborn." Dave said as he let out a soft chuckle while staring at his hanging hand. "Tsk, tsk," he shook his head, disapproving of her behavior. Suddenly, he grabbed her face roughly, making her wince, his fingers digging into her skin as he forced her to look at him, "You are pushing me," he said to her, "But, I won't budge."Then he smiled, a smile which reflected his obsession and madness."Now, I would like to continue with what you se
Back at the quiet structure where the Alpha twins and Ryker were, Bryan and Aiden had thought about what Ryker had said, believing he was right.The three of them stepped outside, and Aiden immediately called out to the warriors who were guarding the place."Alpha!" They answered in unison, straightening up."Fan out and search the perimeter," Aiden ordered, his voice ringing out with no hesitation. "Look for anything. I do not care whatever it is, make sure you find something. Broken branches, torn clothes, footprints—anything at all that will lead to where our beloved is... Find it… Find Her!""Yes, Alpha!" The warriors responded and dispersed, moving quickly into the surrounding woods.After issuing the order, Bryan, Aiden, and Ryker shared a brief look and nodded at each other before turning to search as well.Deeper in the woods, Kira's heart raced as she was being dragged further away by Dave. His hold on her was like an iron grip, forcing her to walk. "If you won't use those l
Feeling the cold blade pressed against her neck, with the metal biting at her, Kira felt some fear creep in and a shiver down her spine, her breath hitching. Dave was indeed unpredictable as she watched him snarl at Bryan, Aiden, and Ryker, warning them not to come closer, his eyes wide with madness.Kira's entire body tensed, muscles locking in place as if she had become a statue. She would rather not move even if it was a little, considering how dangerously close the knife was at her neck, making an involuntary gasp escape her lips."What are you doing?" She forced out, questioning Dave."Put the knife down Dave, this is not like you. Yes, yes, no one else will have me and I know I can be quite stubborn, but I never thought you would hurt me. It breaks my heart," Kira said to him, trying to reason with him and maybe soften his heart?"Shut up, woman," Dave hissed at her, pressing the knife closer as he muttered, "Your little tricks don't work on me, so shut up. You broke my trust on
The knife that Dave once gripped tightly in his hand, clattered to the ground as he screamed. His pupils dilated as the sharp pain coursed through his arm, his wrist snapped back at an unnatural angle— a sickening crack that was both loud and visceral. His hand, still holding the knife moments before, now dangled uselessly by his side.Dave's breath hitched as he looked at his broken hand with wide eyes, his eyes already watering."Arghmm," he let out— a pained groan escaping his throat as he could not believe his eyes.Bryan and Aiden smirked and got back up as a woman emerged and stepped forward."Il durezhe nakrath," she muttered, her gaze fixed on Dave's twisted hand. She also had a low, satisfied smile creep onto her lips as she said to Dave, "You shouldn't have done this."But Dave was in too much pain to understand what she was saying as she gave him more."Firaate zeroth naar kevalti," she whispered and with a swift motion, she stretched out her hand toward Dave and flicked he
*Flashback : Earlier at the Pack*Morane sat alone in her home, satisfied that she had been able to help find out where Kira was. As she stood up to arrange her things back to their proper places, suddenly, the hair moved.At first, she thought she had seen wrong , then it moved an inch, then another, and soon it was moving a bit faster."What's happening?" She asked herself, staring at the map. "It's moving, that means…"Immediately, she grabbed her bag, stuffed the map inside carefully, making sure the hair remained attached to the map as she left her house. She thought to reach out to Bryan and Aiden, but they had already gone and calling them was of no use. She would have to go there herself.She could have stayed and directed them through a phone, but something just made her want to go herself, and so she walked to a small car she owned, got in and drove off.Following the map's direction, which she had seen earlier, she got to her location and parked her car close to where Bryan
As the engine of the cars silenced, the doors opened. Kira was the first to step out this time, taking a deep breath of the familiar scent."Mmmm," she let out as she looked around. "I may have been gone for a little while, but how glad I am to be back," she murmured to herself."Alright, let's go in. I am hungry," she announced, turning to face Bryan and Aiden, who had relief washed over their faces."Yeah sure, food," Aiden muttered, agreeing with her. "Give me a second," he informed her and then turned to the warriors who were gathered behind them, waiting for an order. "Take him to the dungeon," Aiden ordered, nodding toward Dave, who Ryker held painfully tight and whose face was a mask of pain. "And Ryker, come in with us.""You don't have to tell me twice," Ryker responded and pushed Dave toward the two warriors who had stepped forward. The warriors' expressions were stoic as they gripped Dave under his arms and dragged him away. With the rest of the warriors now dismissed, a
Aiden stepped off the last stair, his grin still in place from teasing Ryker as he walked into the dining room. "Family," he greeted and took his seat at Kira's side with Bryan at the other and his father sitting across from them."It feels good to have everyone under one roof again, doesn't it?" He said, a playful note in his voice."I agree," Bryan responded while glancing at Kira as he reached for her hand under the table, squeezing it softly with a gentle smile on his face. "It feels like we can breathe again," he said, the relief and affection clear in his voice.Kira turned to him and smiled back as she let out a satisfied breath. "It really does," she muttered."It's moments like these that remind me what matters most," Orion added, his expression softening as he smiled.Moments later, Ryker walked into the dining room, his hair still slightly damp and a playful scowl on his face. The others turned to him, and Kira chuckled at his disheveled look."What's up with him?" She aske
Orion, seated, leaned back in his chair, observing the triad, while chuckling under his breath, as he turned his attention from them, glancing at his wife, Elara with a knowing smile."You three are still new to all this," Orion stated, teasing Bryan, Aiden, and Kira. He then shook his head and reached for a piece of chicken, putting it on his plate. "I will show you all how it's done," he told them as the others laughed, clearly enjoying the moment, as they watched him turn to his wife.He leaned in, smiling widely as he picked up a piece of chicken and held it up to Elara's lips. "Here, my darling, tastes delicious. Specially from your darling, loving husband," he said, and still mimicked the tone Bryan and Aiden had used earlier."Ughh, Father please," Bryan and Aiden both scoffed, shaking their heads at the unbelievable thing that was happening right in front of them."Ignore them, my darling," Orion said to Elara and held his fork which had the piece of chicken on it closer to h
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