CHAPTER FIVE
-DERMON-
Mina and I made our way downstairs. Seated in the living room, our mother, father, and Weldon anxiously awaited Mrs. Parella's arrival. Their gazes shifted to us as Mina and I descended the stairs. The worry lines on their faces disappeared upon seeing Mina's now confident demeanor.
Our mother stood, rushing towards us with outstretched arms. She took Mina into a warm embrace. "My brave girl," she whispered into her hair.
"I see you've managed to give her some courage," Weldon remarked.
CHAPTER FIVE-WELDON-It had been a couple of days, and I had gathered all the details about Maximus Arnet, the werewolf, and Elina Arnet, the Lycan. They resided on the border of the Gravemaw territory with their granddaughter, Maria Arnet. Mina and I were headed towards their residence. The drive was quiet. Mina appeared lost in thought, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. She didn't seem interested in starting a conversation.A scent, delicate as a whisper, began to permeate the air. It was vaguely familiar - a sweet, comforting aroma that brought fo
CHAPTER FIVE-WELDON-I gestured for Mina to approach us, and she walked over from where she was standing by the car. I could feel Maria's hand squeeze mine a little tighter as she watched Mina. I couldn't shake the feeling that she was apprehensive about Mina, as if she suspected we were romantically involved."This," I said, looking at Maria and then her grandparents, "is my younger sister, Wilhelmina Growler." She sauntered over, her red eyes glinting in the soft evening glow, her snow white curls bouncing with each step.
CHAPTER FIVE-SEVERA-I heard a gentle knock on my bedroom door in the afternoon."Come in." I called.My parents entered, their faces filled with worry. In my mom's arms, Ariston slept peacefully. "Severa, I have received a call from Trisha," my dad began, his voice filled with a gravity that made my heart sink.I eyed them warily, a gnawing unease creeping up in the pit of my stomach. "About what?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.
CHAPTER FIVE-SEVERA-I had driven to the Gravemaw Mansion. The journey was quiet, only accompanied by the faint hum of the car engine and Ariston's soft snoring in the backseat. The mansion loomed over us, its intricate Victorian architecture silhouetted against the sunset. Its stone walls, weather-beaten by time, seemed to groan under the weight of secrets they held within.Ariston clung tighter to me, trembling slightly."Shh... It's okay, Ariston," I whispered to him as we approached the grand entrance, "Rem
CHAPTER FIVE-SEVERA-We arrived at the meeting door at the end of the corridor. Boris opened the door and stepped aside, motioning for me to enter. I walked into the room. I couldn't believe what I was seeing - the sentinels were holding my parents down. Meanwhile, the Luna Mother and my grandfather sat calmly at the meeting table, seemingly unperturbed by the situation taking place involving my parents."What are you doing? Let them go!" I demanded.Boris just laughed his gravelly laugh again and moved to join
CHAPTER FIVE-WELDON-An hour had passed since Wilhelmina and I were welcomed into the Arnest's farmhouse. Maximus and Elina were eager to get to know us better. I sat beside Wilhelmina, with my mate Maria on my other side. We all sat around the large oak dining table, the wood scratched and worn from decades of use. An open fireplace crackled merrily, filling the room with a warm, comforting glow. As the conversation flowed around us, my gaze never strayed far from Maria. Our eyes often met and we couldn't help but smile at each other. We both knew our mate bond was strong.
CHAPTER SIX-THORIN-Throughout my travels after high school, I had yet to find a place that compared to the spectacular Lycan Empire. The weather was always pleasant, and despite being a werewolf, I was welcomed by the friendly and open Lycan people. But it was their cuisine that truly stood out, surpassing any other I had tasted before. Moving from one domain to another was always a breeze, and it provided a sense of calmness.During my travels through the empire, I had lodged at several hotels and resorts. However, none could compare to the Viridian Baron, renowned for it
CHAPTER SIX-THORIN-That night, I found myself in unfamiliar grandeur, donned in clothes far more luxurious than anything I'd ever worn. The shirt was of a fine, white silk that shimmered subtly with every movement, and the breeches were made of a soft leather, dyed a deep burgundy. I felt out of place, yet oddly comforting. The clothes fit as if they were made for me, hugging my form in all the right places.The party was unlike anything I had ever seen. Lycan nobility from all around gathered to celebrate Rashida's 23rd birthday. There was a grand banquet with tables lade
CHAPTER THIRTEEN-WILHELMINA-From the window of Weldon's car, I observed the plane taking off in the distance. Severa was leaving with Maria, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Arnet. It would be some time before I saw them again. Weldon had suggested that I go with them, but I quickly shut down that idea. I was done being a helpless damsel; I would fight my own battles, with or without men by my side, even if one of them happened to be Antonio.Boris and Trisha were my adversaries. It was their actions that led me to this predicament, and now it was up to me to find a solution. A
CHAPTER THIRTEEN-BORIS-The arrogant Lycan actually believed he could steal my woman away from me! Who did he think he was? Just some pompous prince? That didn't mean anything to me!I stormed through the halls of Gravemaw Mansion, my fists tightly clenched. The servants wisely stepped aside as I made my way past them; they knew not to interfere with my seething rage."Boris," a familiar voice called out from around the corner. It was my mother. Her expression was unreadable as usual. "Follow me. We need to tal
CHAPTER THIRTEEN-SEVERA-Thorin kept his promise and brought me back to my family's home the next day. The drive there was quiet, both of us lost in our thoughts. I knew he could sense my anxiety.Thorin looked at me, his brown eyes softening. "Severa, you'll get through this," he murmured, placing a comforting hand on top of mine that was clenched on my lap."I know," I responded, trying to smile at him.My gaze dropped to his neck, where I had le
CHAPTER THIRTEEN-WILHELMINA-Maria and Severa stood close together, their arms locked. I stood before them like a shield, savagely determined to protect them at all costs."What do you want, Remus?" I asked.His laugh was a cold echo in the room, chilling me to my bones. "You're not naive, Wilhelmina," he chuckled. "You understand why I'm here. The Alpha demands the return of his fiancés.""We aren't going anywhere," I said, my voice low and threateni
CHAPTER THIRTEEN-WILHELMINA-It had been roughly a week since we uncovered that Trisha was responsible for the manipulated feelings between Prince Kinnsion and Eris, utilizing a Potion of Charm, while also pressuring Estrada into creating said potion.Antonio, Weldon, and Thorin had confronted Boris and Trisha about their criminal activities, sparking the beginning of an investigation. Antonio had also revealed our mate bond to them during the confrontation.Antonio warned us that there were spies from the Lyca
CHAPTER TWELVE-ERIS-We were now aboard a plane, en route to the Lycan Empire. The group consisted of myself, Hiro, Princess Alina, Kinnsion, Nora, and Estrada. The tension inside the aircraft was palpable, the air felt thin and suffocating, the silence echoing louder than the hum of the plane's engines.Hiro had originally been sitting across from me, but he eventually moved to sit across from Princess Alina. The two of them were now murmuring quietly to each other.Nora and Estrada were situated far from us, each engr
CHAPTER TWELVE-ERIS-Exhaustion consumed me. My head throbbed and my body felt like it had been run over by a truck. Even my emotions were worn out. It had been two days since Mrs. Arnet cured both Kinnsion and myself of the Potion of Charm. I could still remember the sensation of being cured so vividly.A cooling wave washed over me, erasing the shimmering illusion that had once trapped my mind. I remember looking into Kinnsion's eyes, seeing his love for me dwindle. Our love wasn't real. It was manufactured by a potion, by magic, nothing more. It left a hollow feeling in my heart
CHAPTER TWELVE-HIRO-Prince Antonio then turned to me. "Hiro," he said in a more gentle tone, "could you please explain how you came to be in the basement of the Alpha's Estate?"A slight chill ran down my spine as I nodded in agreement. I took a deep breath and began recounting the events that unfolded, starting from our mother's order to Eris and I."It all began a few days ago when Prince Kinnsion and Princess Alina came to visit," I explained. "Our mother commanded us to use the Potion of Charm to make them fall in
CHAPTER TWELVE-HIRO-Glancing around, I could feel the tense atmosphere in the room. Everyone seemed to know something that I didn't. I turned to Eris. She seemed uneasy, her usually flushed cheeks now drained of color. "What's going on?" I asked, bewildered by the sudden shift in mood.Eris remained silent, her gaze fixed on Prince Kinnsion. Her eyes glimmered with pain and sadness.Prince Antonio let out a heavy sigh, then turned back to me. "This could mean your father is involved in your brother's and mothe