Serena
Alicia's hands moved gracefully over the well-used cards, each shuffle making my heart race. The afternoon sunlight touched her weathered features, giving her an otherworldly glow, almost ethereal. As the cards were laid out, their edges showed the marks of time. Alicia’s eyebrows creased as she continued to lay out the cards one by one."Be cautious, Serena," Alicia spoke softly. "If you choose the path your heart desires, a challenging journey awaits. Loss will linger in the corners of your life, sacrifice will be your guiding light, and death will follow your every step."The shabby hut seemed to absorb her words, and a chill settled within me. The air held a sacred silence, interrupted only by Alicia's deliberate words. "Yet, if you face the challenges bravely and move through the shadows with determination, a reward beyond mortal understanding awaits you. A love that goes beyond the limits of time and space, destined to echo through a million lifetimDamonI stared into the crackling flames of the bonfire, my mind still clouded with frustration at myself for how I had acted earlier. I knew I shouldn't have lashed out like that, but the unwanted jealousy always seemed to rear its head whenever Serena was around another wolf, especially Alexei. It was a struggle I hadn't fully come to terms with yet. I always lose myself whenever I saw my wife talking to him.Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice my Dad approaching until he stood beside me."Mind if I join you?"His eyes reflected understanding and I scoohed sideways to make room for him. In his hands, he held a mug of beer, offering it to me in a silent gesture of companionship. I accepted the mug, taking a sip as the warmth of the beverage eased some of the tension within me.“You know, your mom and I had a rule when we argued. We vowed not to let our misunderstandings last. We figured out how to be humble and fix things, making sure we didn't let a
SerenaAs I opened my eyes, Damon sleeping peacefully beside me. The room was dimly lit, and I could feel the weight of worry hanging in the air. Alexei and Ashford were nearby, their expressions a mix of relief and concern as they smiled upon seeing me open my eyes. I tried to shake off the grogginess as a sharp pain throbbed in my temple, struggling to piece together the events of the previous night that led me to this room.Damon stirred from his sleep, and his eyes widened with relief as he noticed me awake. A broad smile spread across his face."Serena? Thank goodness you're awake!" he exclaimed, his happiness evident. He reached for my hands, holding them gently, and planted a gentle kiss on them, as if reassuring himself that I was truly okay. His touch felt nice and made me feel a bit better. His smile showed he was happy to see me, but there was also a hint of worry in his eyes.“W-What happened?” I whispered as I held my head in my hands. Fragments of memories flashed before
SerenaThe morning sunlight streamed through the forest, casting a subdued warmth over the breakfast table. The four of us—Ashford, Alexei, Damon, and I—sat in heavy silence, each lost in our own thoughts. The clinking of utensils against plates was the only sound, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere that seemed to stretch the limits of our hidden emotions.I glanced at Damon, his eyes distant as he mechanically moved food around his plate. A knot tightened in my stomach as I gathered the courage to break the hovering silence."Damon, can we go to see our baby's grave today? I... I want to see it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Since the death of our baby, I hadn’t been able to see its grave. Admittedly, I lacked the necessary courage to do so, yet today, I mustered enough to ask my husband about it.Damon's gaze met mine, but there was a distance in his eyes. His detachment sent a shiver down my spine, a constant reminder of the growing rift between us. Since the attack,
DamonMy hands struck the rough surface of the old, dried-out tree, each blow driven by a fierce anger that echoed in every breath I took. The cool air felt heavy as I envisioned Romin's face, the person who caused the profound sorrows I had experienced in my lifetime. Losing my mother, father, and unborn child burdened my heart—a sad tune that played continuously in my thoughts.I could feel the warmth of my blood mixing with the dirt under my tightly closed fists, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the torment engraved in my spirit. Each hit on the tree represented the revenge building up inside me, an unstoppable storm searching for a way to re
SerenaThe walls of our home seemed to close in as I waited for Damon to return. My nerves were on edge, suffocating me with each passing moment. The clock's monotonous ticking echoed my growing unease. I needed to reach out, to let him know what I felt, but the weight of his troubles seemed to barricade him away until I no longer knew how to reach him. I knew I had to talk to him. It was now or never.Finally, the entrance of our tent flapped open. Damon walked in, wearing his melancholic demeanor, a weary shadow of the man I loved and married. His shoulders slumped under the invisible burden, and his eyes, once full of life, now harbored a darkness that sent shi
SerenaAs soon as I heard the question, I already knew it was Ashford’s voice. I turned around, and sure enough, he stood there with his arms crossed. Behind him emerged Alexei, looking a little surprised as his gaze checked the bag I was carrying. Unlike Ashford, he chose to remain silent.Trembling, I asked, “Are you going to tell Damon?”Ashford heaved a sigh. “Do you really have to do this?” His concern was evident.I didn't say anything. I just bowed
DamonThe sweat dripped down my face as Ryan and I sparred. I could feel my mind wandering, clouding my focus. Thoughts of Serena filled my head as the weight of her pleas from the previous night settled over me. No, I couldn’t just turn my back on everything. The only way for me to return to the way I was was to kill Romin and bring justice to my family.Ryan called out my obvious distraction."You're off today, Damon. Mind's elsewhere. What's going on?" he asked, blocking one of my half-hearted jabs.
DamonAs expected, it took me half an hour to reach the designated place.The location mentioned in the secret message was an old loggers' cabin known as Artemis Inn, a mere half-hour run from the Wild Fang camp. Its name is derived from its proximity, offering historical shelter to those wandering the woods.Artemis Inn stood small and quiet, ideal for a restful night after exploring the woods outside the Blood Rose territory. The structure, entirely crafted from wood, boasted a 500-year history, giving it a rustic yet cozy charm.Upon arrival, I was greeted by a wraparound porch and a pair of wooden bear sculptures beside the entrance. This inn stood apart, decent in appearance compared to others, featuring a hall bookcase filled with interesting books and a brick fireplace."Welcome to the Artemis Inn. What can I do for you?" greeted the kind, old lady at the front desk. I smiled and handed her the paper I received from Council Ed. After discreetly examining it, she handed me a key