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 SIX-THORIN-I had underestimated the Lycans' ability to throw a party. At Rashida's celebration, things were slow for the first few hours as people chatted and mingled. Many were intrigued by me and bombarded me with inquiries about my journeys and the different languages I could speak. I felt more like a prized object to be admired than a real person. Rashida reassured me that everyone treated immensely well because I was a werewolf from Croicia, who happened to be multilingual, and was fulfilling my papá's last wish of traveling the world.
[WARNING: This episode involves forced relations! If you find it uncomfortable, please be caution!] CHAPTER SIX -THORIN- Rashida leaned closer, her lips barely an inch away from mine. Her breath was warm, the scent of sugar and spice enveloping me. I was falling into a heady trance, her words swimming in my head, her touch igniting a fire within me. "I want to show you a world of pleasure beyond anything you've ever imagined." she whispered, her tone intoxicatingly seductive. She brushed her lips against mine, a gesture so feather-light it could have been a figment of my imagination. With a sudden burst of energy, Rashida took my hand, her grip was firm yet gentle, and she led me back into the blurry sea of color and noise. The world around us seemed to morph and twist as if it were a living entity. I felt like we were wading through a moving p
CHAPTER SIX-THORIN-My eyes fluttered open, the soft glow of morning sunlight trickling in through the window. I squinted, my eyes taking a moment to adjust to the light. The room was filled with the smell of fresh linen and something herbal - sweet yet subtly bitter. My body felt heavy but in a different way from before; like a deep, restful lethargy rather than the paralyzing grip of poison. I tried to sit up, and to my relief, I found it considerably easier. My limbs felt sluggish but obedient to my commands.The memory of last night hit me in waves. Rashida. The Nightsh
CHAPTER EIGHT-WILHELMINA-The morning was delightful, with no clouds in the sky and the sun shining brightly. It was a beautiful day. To add the final touch to the fantastic day, everyone was eagerly anticipating the Moon Goddess' Ball tonight. I couldn't contain my excitement.Not only was this my debut as the Gravemaw Hounds' future Luna, it was also a chance to solidify my alliances. Trisha had extended invitations to all the neighboring packs, and even some nobles from the Lycan Empire were expected to attend.A sof
CHAPTER EIGHT-WILHELMINA-It had been a few days since I had confronted Boris about his decision to take Severa as his second wife. I was tired of his selfish decisions. He could do as he pleased with me, but I didn't want him to put another woman through the same pain and suffering I was about to endure.I was well aware that my threats to him were bold, but they were also completely genuine. I was determined to destroy Boris. He would pay for all the pain and suffering he inflicted on me, Severa, and our families.Bei
CHAPTER SEVEN-LEON-Her eyes widened ever so slightly, a tiny crack in her otherwise pristine facade. "A divorce," she echoed softly, the gravity of my words sinking in. "Is that what you believe the solution is?""Yes." I said, standing firm in my decision. "I cannot and will not allow you to harm our children with your twisted ideologies. It ends here, Trisha." The words hung heavy in the air, a palpable tension building between us.A sardonic chuckle slipped past her lips as she turned back to the window, he
CHAPTER SEVEN-LEON-Despite being aware that Hiro would be fully healed by tomorrow, I left him in the care of the manor's salutary. His confession had left me reeling, a whirlwind of emotions spinning within me. Betrayal, anger and fear crept into my heart like unwelcome guests. I had always been aware of my wife's deceitful tactics to achieve her desires, but I never could have fathomed the idea of manipulating her own daughter into a relationship.Why would Trisha do something like this, I thought. She had alway
CHAPTER SEVEN-HIRO-But then, suddenly, amidst the deafening roar of my pain and fear, a new sound punctured through the chaos - a growl. It was primal, animalistic, the sound of a beast cornered and threatened. I thought it was Boris, but then I realized it was someone else. Boris ceased his assault."What do you think you are doing?" It was our father. The voice was like a whip crack in the silence that followed. My father stood at the doorway, a terrifying silhouette against the flickering hallway lamp. His eyes, icy and hard, were locked onto Boris, his tall frame rigid
CHAPTER SEVEN-HIRO-The rough, calloused hand on my shoulder felt like the icy hand of death itself, a chilling reminder of the power my elder brother wielded. Boris's grip was unyielding, his eyes as cold as the winter. My heart thumped wildly in my chest."What were you thinking, Hiro?" he growled, steering me down the corridor with a firm grip. "What did you think you could accomplish, getting in the way of our mother's plans?" His voice echoed ominously off the cold walls.
CHAPTER SEVEN-ERIS-When the dinner was finally over, everyone excused themselves, heading off in different directions. Kinnison and I escaped to the sanctuary of the estate's moonlit garden. The air was thick with the scent of radiant azaleas, blooming roses, and honeysuckles, a perfect backdrop to our quiet conversation.Underneath the glowing moonlight, Kinnison held my hand gently, his touch as soft as the petals of the flowers surrounding us. With each breath, I took in not only the fragrant perfume of the blossoms but also his sweet, familiar scent that was now interw
CHAPTER SEVEN-ERIS-I noticed Boris's sly grin from across the table. His eyes twinkled mischievously as they met mine; he knew something, something I didn't understand. The scent of citrus became stronger, clouding my senses, making me feel like I was floating on an orange sea. Where is that smell coming, I thought.Looking around the table, I met Prince Kinnison's gaze. His icy eyes were no longer filled with unyielding coldness but softened, like the first light of dawn breaking across a frost-laden fiel
CHAPTER SEVEN-ERIS-In less than twenty minutes, the dinner would start, and I had spent the past hour and a half preparing with the maids. My mother checked in occasionally to ensure my appearance met her expectations.The silver-gray dress I was wearing, adorned with threads of gold, was chosen by mother herself. It hugged my figure and perfectly highlighted the dark shade of my hair and the yellow color of my eyes.Each time, her eyes scrutinized every detail, from the dress I wore to the way my hair was sty