DAMIEN Deirdre's soft laughter vibrated against my chest, a melody that soothed the storm inside me. “You’re holding me so tightly, Damien,” she murmured, her voice tinged with gentle humour. “Are you sure you’re okay?”I pulled back just enough to look at her, searching her face for any trace of deception, any sign that this was another cruel trick of the throne or my own fractured mind. But there was none. Her eyes held nothing but love and warmth.“I don’t want to let go,” I admitted, my voice raw. “Not after what I’ve been through. I can’t lose you again.”Her expression softened, and she reached up to brush her fingers along my jawline, her touch featherlight. “You’ll never lose me, my love. I promised you that a long time ago, didn’t I?” She smiled, her thumb tracing the edge of my cheek. A mischievous glint lit up her gaze, and her lips curved into a teasing smirk. “Did you forget who I am?” she said, her tone a playful
DAMIEN Exhaustion hit me like a wave. I slumped down on the bed next to her, my body heavy and unsteady. A sharp, draining sensation tugged at my core. I felt hollow, as though something vital was being siphoned from me.The wolf paced restlessly beside the bed, its now golden eyes flickering between Keilah and me.“Sit your furry ass down,” I muttered, my voice hoarse and low. “She’s fine now.”The wolf hesitated but finally lay down beside the bed, resting its massive head on its paws, its gaze never leaving her.I closed my eyes briefly, trying to steady myself. The sharp pull of exhaustion still gnawed at me, but a prickle of awareness shot through my mind like a lightning bolt.Seth.My eyes snapped open, their natural hue giving way to a darker, furious abyss as rage flooded through me. He was here—inside my house.Before I could think, I moved. In a blink, I was downstairs, my body a blur of raw energy and fury. I slammed into him with all my weight, knocking him clean off his
SETHThe air felt thick with rage as I leapt through the night, the weight of Draven’s anger hanging over me like a suffocating smoke. I could still feel the burn in my throat from where his hands had gripped me. King Draven had never looked at me that way before. Never with such ferocity. I had seen him angry over the years, but this... this was different. It was like he was seeing me as a stranger—someone who betrayed him, who threatened what was most precious to him. And it was all because of her. Keilah. That damn human girl. She had become a thorn in my side, and my patience had finally snapped.I could feel the burn of my fangs, the ache to feed, to rip into something, anything, to calm the fire within me. I pushed my speed harder, my surroundings blurring around me, until I reached the edge of the mountains, where the wild creatures roamed freely.Without hesitation, I launched myself into the woods, the familiar rush of bloodlust flooding my senses. My eyes narrowed as I caugh
KEILAH “What do you mean by that? Why does it want to stay here?” I asked, confused. Why would Ralph’s wolf refuse to leave when Ralph himself might be searching for it? I sighed. “Why do I even care about him reuniting with his wolf?” But then again, his wolf is a part of him. He must feel incomplete without it. Helping him reunite with his wolf—it’s the least I can do, right?I didn’t catch what Damien was saying because I was too lost in my own thoughts. My focus snapped back when he brushed past me, heading upstairs. His eyes moved as if tracking something unseen, and I knew he was following Ralph’s wolf.I followed him closely, noticing the tension in his jaw. He clearly wasn’t thrilled about this, but he was doing it because I asked. When he reached my room, he stopped abruptly, his gaze narrowing at the wall.“What is it doing?” I asked, following his line of sight.“It disappeared through the wall,” he replied.I stepped in front of him, my breath catching as I looked up. Hol
KEILAH The hum of the car engine filled the silence between us. Outside, the landscape rolled by in an endless blur—twisting roads, shadowed hills, and darkening skies that stretched on and on. It was the kind of silence that felt heavy with unspoken words and the weight of secrets neither of us wanted to touch yet.Damien sat in the driver’s seat, his tall, broad frame looking perfectly at ease. One hand gripped the wheel with an easy firmness, the other resting against his knee. His face, illuminated faintly by the glow of the dashboard lights, was carved from stone—sharp angles, impassive features, and those eyes. Even though they were fixed on the road, I knew they missed nothing.I shifted in my seat for what felt like the hundredth time, unable to get comfortable. Ever since I got in the car with Damien, my neck burned with an irritating itch—a deep stinging sensation that I couldn’t ignore. I scratched at the spot absentmindedly, fingers brushing over the mark. It wasn't the
KEILAH The woman’s voice cut through the thick silence again, cold and deliberate. “Aren’t you starving? Isn’t that what got you where you’re not supposed to be?” I stood there, utterly flabbergasted, my mind racing to catch up with her words. Shock, confusion, frustration—all of it churned within me, but what I was most aware of was the pounding of my heart and the irritation of Damien’s mark. It itched, stinging in a way I couldn’t ignore.The woman’s eyes never left me, her gaze unwavering as she spoke again. “Come, get something to eat before I change my mind. As for your friends, they’ll be fine that way.” She motioned lazily toward the group, who stood frozen. “Now, come.” I stayed rooted to the spot, uncertain of what to do. The group surrounded me, still and stiff, their protective postures making it feel impossible to move without brushing against one of them. It was like they were keeping me trapped in place, yet I had no idea how to get out of this. The woman’s expre
DAMIEN I glanced down at the damn rock, now sealed tight, its magic flickering out like a light being abruptly cut off at night, leaving entire neighbourhoods in darkness. And just like that, I was left in the dark, too. The only thing it confirmed was that the witch I’d been tracking was somewhere in this town. The question was, where do I begin?I looked up at the chaotic bar in front of me. Stepping inside, I immediately felt it—an overwhelming surge of energy in the air. I pushed through the crowd, the noise of the bar buzzing in my ears, the thick scent of alcohol and sweat hanging heavy in the air. Magic crackled all around me, a low hum that made my skin crawl. She was close. I could feel it. Whoever this witch was, I was getting closer to her. But then a shadow loomed in front of me, broad and blocking the way. The guy was taller than me, and built like a brick wall. I could already sense it—the weight of his presence, the raw power he radiated. "Vampires aren't welcome h
DAMIEN I stared at him for a moment, my mind racing to make sense of the situation. The man didn’t flinch under my gaze, his eyes unwavering as if he were the one in control here, which was the truth. This was his territory. "You’re looking for the witch, I assume?" he said, his voice smooth, almost mocking in its calmness.I narrowed my eyes. "I thought witches were women," I muttered, more to myself than to him.He chuckled a low sound that seemed to carry some hidden meaning. "Assumptions can be dangerous," he said, his grin never faltering. "Not all magic wears the shape you expect."I wasn’t sure if I was more confused or intrigued. My focus sharpened, sensing something ancient, powerful, and completely unyielding about him. He might not be the witch I was expecting, but he knew something—something I needed to know."Who are you?" I demanded, my voice firm, though I couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling in my gut.He tilted his head, considering me for a long moment, before rep
DAMIEN The crowd held its collective breath, and for a moment, the world seemed to freeze. Every eye in the field turned toward me, a weight pressing on my chest as I felt their gazes like flames on my skin. The woman beside me muttered under her breath, her voice trembling slightly as she whispered, "Holy God, I can't believe this."But I didn’t even hear her. My eyes were locked onto Keilah, every inch of me drawn to her, my breath shallow. She was there, real, in front of me. I could see her trembling slightly, the magic around her still buzzing with energy. Her eyes were wide, searching mine, and for the briefest moment, it felt like everything else in the world faded away.The Queen's voice broke the heavy silence. "Young man, step forward," she commanded, her voice soft but filled with authority.Without hesitation, I moved, the pull to her undeniable. The woman beside me—who had bound herself to me—took a step back, following behind as the others in her group murmured, but the
RALPH The moment I hit the ground—or whatever the hell this was—I knew something was wrong."Son of a—!" I barely got the words out before I was yanked down again, thick vines wrapping around my arms and legs like living chains. No, not vines. Roses.Giant, deep red, glowing roses.I thrashed, trying to pull myself up, but the damn things had a grip like iron. Every time I moved an inch, they sprawled higher, coiling tighter, dragging me deeper into their grasp. Their petals looked soft, almost beautiful—until I saw the teeth hidden beneath them, snapping dangerously close to my skin."That woman said the fae world isn't a joke!" I growled, struggling harder. "But she failed to mention the motherfucking sea of carnivorous roses!"A thorn sliced into my arm, and I hissed. Great. These things weren’t just strong; they were sharp as hell too.I twisted my body, trying to reach for the knife I stole from that fae’s house in Uganda strapped behind my back. My fingers barely brushed the ha
DAMIEN I blinked, my head spinning as the world around me came into focus. A crowd surged forward, their excitement pressing in from all sides. The golden gates ahead towered impossibly high, stretching so far up they seemed to dissolve into the silversheen skyline. Laughter and murmurs swelled like a tide, the energy crackling in the air. I turned sharply to the woman clutching my arm like an iron shackle. Her grip was too firm, too sure, like she was bound to me by something more than just flesh and bone. It was unnatural. My patience snapped. “What the hell did you do to me?” I hissed, keeping my voice low. “Dragging me here without me even realizing?” She barely reacted—just smirked, her amusement infuriatingly effortless. “No questions,” she said smoothly. “We’re heading inside. After watching the queen’s granddaughter, we can talk about you.” I ran a hand through my hair, frustration prickling at the edges of my mind. I should’ve been furious. I wanted to be. But somethi
DAMIEN A soft breeze rustled through the glowing leaves, carrying a scent both floral and unfamiliar. The air was thick with magic, an energy that pulsed like a heartbeat around me. Every breath I took felt charged, as though I had stepped into a world that was alive in ways I couldn’t comprehend.I straightened, brushing off the damp moss clinging to my clothes. Ralph was nowhere in sight, and I had no idea how far we had been separated.I turned slowly, taking in my surroundings. The trees stretched endlessly into the sky, their bark a deep shade of violet, their leaves shifting colours with each passing second. Strange, bioluminescent flowers bloomed at their bases, casting a faint glow onto the forest floor. The ground beneath me felt oddly soft as if the earth itself breathed beneath my feet.I needed to move. Standing still wouldn’t get me any closer to Keilah.A distant chime-like sound echoed through the trees, almost like laughter, but distorted. I tensed, scanning the shado
KEILAH Before I could even begin to think about what this meant, the door opened again. Two beautiful women entered, their dark hair flowing smoothly behind their backs. They wore elegant gowns, their movements graceful as they stepped forward and bowed lightly. One of them lifted her head and spoke softly. “Please follow us.” I hesitated. “Where?” “It’s the queen’s orders,” the other woman said gently. “We are to get you both ready.” I glanced at Garbie, still feeling the weight of the queen’s words pressing down on me. But I had no choice. With a deep breath, I stood and followed them.One of the women gently took Garbie’s arm, leading her in a different direction, while the other woman motioned for me to follow her. My heart pounded as I was guided down a long corridor until she stopped before a door and pushed it open. I gasped. The room before me was like nothing I had ever seen. The ceiling was a massive glass dome, revealing an endless, mesmerizing underwater world
KEILAH The queen reached for my hand again, but I quickly pulled back, pressing it tightly against my chest. "I’ll walk myself," I said firmly. The queen only smiled. "Alright, follow me." She turned to Aaron, who was still bowing. "You too, young man. Follow me." I reached for Garbie’s hand, gripping it tightly as we followed the queen. Aaron walked behind us, leading Varion. As we stepped forward, my jaw dropped. A long, gleaming walkway stretched before us, leading straight to the most breathtaking castle I had ever seen. The path was made of smooth, silver-white stone, polished so perfectly that it reflected the sky above like glass. It felt unreal, like stepping into a dream. On either side of the walkway, lush gardens bloomed with flowers I had never seen before—petals shimmering in iridescent colours, shifting as if they were alive. Glowing blue vines twisted up golden trellises, their faint light casting soft patterns onto the ground. A crystal-clear stream ran al
DAHLIA The air in the living room felt heavy as the door closed behind them. I sat down on one of the dark brown leather couches, crossing my legs, my mind racing.Jay sat next to me, his presence calming. He smiled at me, then gently kissed my cheek. It made me feel warm inside, and for a moment, I allowed myself to relax.“You okay?” he asked, his voice soft.I nodded and smiled faintly. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just... thinking about everything.”He studied me for a moment, then asked, “Do you think she’s Keilah’s mom?”I thought about it. The woman looked a lot like Keilah, but something about her didn’t seem to add up. She was too young to be Keilah’s mother, but... anything was possible.“I’m not so sure,” I said, shaking my head. “She looks young, but... it could still be possible. We can’t rule it out yet.”Jay leaned back on the couch, resting his arm behind me, his eyes drifting toward the hallway where Damien and Ralph had gone. “Do you think she’ll be able to help Alpha and Damie
DAMIEN Knowing exactly who Dahlia was talking about, I didn’t hesitate. I moved swiftly, making my way to the reception area. The atmosphere in the lobby was quiet, the hum of conversation low as I approached the desk. The receptionist gestured toward the guest area, and I followed the path, my mind racing with questions. When I reached the designated space, I saw her. The woman stood up as soon as she spotted me, her eyes sharp, assessing. Before I could say a word, she spoke. “We need to talk, but not here. If it’s possible, let’s go to my house.”I nodded, not wasting time. “Alright, but I’m not alone in this. As you saw yesterday, there are four of us.”She went quiet for a moment. After a long pause, she said, “Fine. If they’re trustworthy, you can all come.”I motioned toward the reception. “Give me a few minutes to clean up.”She shook her head. “I can’t wait here. Whenever you’re ready, find me at my house.”With that, she turned and walked past me. I watched her leave, eye
DAMIEN The moment I turned, my breath caught in my chest.The woman standing beside Isaac had long, dark braided hair and a slender frame. Even in the dark, I could see her features clearly. My heart pounded hard as I took in her face—she looked exactly like Keilah.My mind raced with the possibility—could she be Keilah’s mother? That thought sent a jolt through me. But I had heard that Keilah’s mother was dead.I glanced at Ralph, and when our eyes met, I knew he was thinking the same thing.The woman spoke in the local language, her voice sharp and questioning as she looked at Isaac. Her tone carried suspicion like she was demanding an explanation.Isaac responded calmly, gesturing toward us as he spoke. But whatever he said didn’t ease her anger. She replied in a harsher tone, shaking her head firmly, her expression set like stone.Isaac turned back to us with a sigh. “She’s not happy about us showing up at her house in the middle of the night,” he explained. “I told her what you