THE WEST TOWER IN THE DARK PALACE, SOMEWHERE IN THE EAST CENTRAL."Hmmm," I moaned, settling deep into the hot water that covered my skin. I felt the steam seeping into my bones and I loved it. I love the warmth that covered my massive chamber, and the blue candlelight that was lit in every corner of the room was seductive. My golden eyes squinted, watching the beautiful woman that lay half-naked on my bed, she was regarding me seductively from the bed. Her stares made my member harden the more.In my six hundred years of existence, no one had made me feel this way, this alive. She was mine to have and to keep. I watched her move from the bed, placing her slender legs on the ground. She knew exactly what she was doing to me, and I couldn't help but smirk darkly.Slowly, she pulled from the bed, taking careful steps towards the tub. Her long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, covering her face as usual. She only had a transparent sleeveless dress on her, which barely covered anyt
Killian's point of viewI dismissed the meeting, leaving with everyone. To my surprise, I had forgotten to close the general link between the pack and me, and now the entire pack knows everything. They were aware of the situation that Thea wasn't the gifted one, and that Sheila could be the one we had been searching for. I moved in a hurry back to my chamber where Sheila was. Brielle was with her, and as soon as she saw me, she lowered her head."How is she?" I asked her, moving to the bed."Still the same, Alpha. But I think she's in pain, and her body is still fucking hot." Brielle said and I nodded to her words.After some time, she left my chamber, leaving me alone with my mate. I snuck into bed, laying right next to her. My large hand fell on her soft round face, and Brielle was right. Sheila's temperature was rising every second.I cradled her softly into my arms, stroking her brown hair. She looked so fragile. I couldn't stop the tears that rushed from my eyes. This was all my
Sheila's point of viewArrgghh!I groaned internally in pain. I felt sore all over and there was a murderous ache in my head that kept pounding mercilessly, and tirelessly in my skull.My whole body felt like it was in flames, I could feel the enormous surge of magic that flowed within me. It was very familiar."Sweetheart," I heard a familiar, yet foreign voice call out to me. "Wake up," a warm hand touched my body, "It's time to wake up," the voice sounded again, more urgently.Reluctantly, I tried to pull my eyes open but I failed as soon as another ache banged against my skull. It was getting worse and more painful. I could feel the unsettledness within me."Sweetheart, wake up." The voice sounded again, encouraging me to break free once more.I groaned again and using all my strength, I pulled my eyes open. Everywhere was bright. So bright that I squinted my eyes, but still I couldn't see anything. All I could make out were distinct voices, near echoes, and some familiar whispers
Sheila's point of viewI stood frozen, unmoving as my gaze stared at the name written boldly on the castle walls.The Black Blood Pack.Confusion hit me harder. Why was I here?Nothing made sense. Now more than ever, I needed to know exactly what was going on. I was so fucking curious to find out who truly these people were, and why wasn't the man whom I have always known as my father, not in the picture.The blue flames around me died instantly, I walked through the castle doors. I found myself in the large main room. My head turned right as loud noises echoed from there. I began to move through the golden hallways. The more steps I took, I saw several of my younger self racing through the hallways.I felt a piercing ache as I remembered memories of myself racing through these hallways. Soon, I reached the large dining court. It was filled with so many people. They were members of the pack, all having dinner around several tables.I moved closer to where my younger self was seated.
Sheila's point of view"Sister?"The words echoed loudly in my ears, I could feel my insides become still. The cold that feasted on my bare feet traveled through my bones to my chest. I held my breath, as my body began to swerve around slowly.I turned around, and immediately, I was welcomed by those piercing deep blue eyes that were identical to mine. I couldn’t push back the tears that formed at once just staring at the deep crystals of my older brother, Leonardo.My lips trembled against each other."Sheila," he said in a low tone, as his eyes regarded me cautiously in disbelief, and maybe confusion.I abandoned the traitorous words that failed to leave my lips, and without holding back, I pushed my legs in motion and closed the lonesome gap between us.I raced into his arms, clutching my arms around his neck. It took him a second before I felt his warm hands envelop me."Brother," I broke down in tears as the word left my lips.Leonardo held me tightly, almost molding me against h
Sheila's point of viewI couldn't breathe properly, and the vibrations were only getting worse."Get away from her, you two. This is your fault, Kai," Denise made her way to me, pulling me into her arms. She began rubbing circles on my back, whatever she was doing was really helping. Soon, I felt myself calming down, and the vibrations from the earth stopped.I pulled away from her, "Thanks,""I am sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," Kai was by my side. I couldn't blame him. He had lived these years remembering that night, and the tragedy that befell us, while I had forgotten."We need to ensure more control of your magic, after what happened tonight, the Dark Circle will be after you, again," Leonardo said, and I nodded with him in agreement. I needed to put a leash on this uncontrollable energy within me. Mother had always been worried about this, but she always believed I was strong to control my magic, even at a young age."But how?" I asked, "There is no way I can do this alone."
Sheila's point of viewI watched Killian's reflection through my glassy eyes. He pulled me into his arms, fear crippling his facial features."Hey, I don't like seeing you like this, we could talk later, you need rest right now, you need to sleep," Killian said, placing me down on the bed. He crawled in beside me, pulling the covers over us.I rested my head on his chest while his large arms swallowed me completely as he pulled me to sleep. I didn't know when the exhaustion took over and I fell asleep.I found myself in the darkness, crying with blood over me, and before my eyes I watched my mother die in the hands of that man, Nell Reid. Her blood splattered everywhere, smearing the bloody lips of the feral beasts. And his dark murderous eyes fell on me.I jerked up on the bed, falling into Killian's arms that were ready to receive me. He pulled me into his arms, trying to calm me but I couldn't stop the vibrations that made my body tremble. I gripped him tightly, trying to breathe h
Sheila's point of view"That's not the worst part, love," Killian said with sad and serious eyes as I listened to him. "The crescent moon rising is barely three weeks away and we just found out we still don't have the gifted one," he paused, gazing at me intently. "Thea isn't the gifted one."My body froze in Killian's arms. "What?Thea isn't the gifted one. Those words echoed over and over in the walls of my mind. Even Adie was as shocked as I was.I could have been expecting anything but this. I hadn't seen it coming. But wait, something was wrong. "How is that even possible?" I asked. From what I knew, everyone was sure Thea was the gifted one, even Killian had seen her in his dreams. So, how on earth could she suddenly not be the gifted one?"I don't know. But Valerie confirmed it. The cleansing ritual with Thea's blood didn't work," he explained it all to me.While Adie was exploding with subtle joy, I couldn't help but feel sadder. This news brought me no joy in any way. If Kill
Sheila's point of viewI adjusted the little bundle of joy in my arms, feeling his tiny warmth against my body. He was simply beautiful, sleeping peacefully in my arms as I fiddled with his baby fingers.My lips curled into a small smile, and for a second, I couldn't hide the elation that swirled within my chest just looking at his adorable little face. Slowly, I walked to the beautiful wooden cradle and gently placed Wren in it.Staring at his beautiful face, I couldn't stop my mind from thinking about my dreams that had been constant for a week now. At first, it confused me, because even after the war and everything, some things had still not made sense to me. Like the visions I had seen from Amelie's crystal ball. She had been lucid with her words that my choice would decide whatever future was to come.At first, I had thought my death would be the way out to save everyone I loved and ensure a future where everyone survived. But it wasn't supposed to be so, my death would have ruin
Killian's point of viewI held Sheila's body in my arms. She was fucking cold, and her heartbeat was getting slower by the second. I clutched her tightly to myself, my amber eyes moving up ahead to where Zeriyah, Valerie, Lorenzo, Zena, Gwen, and the few witches that didn't join the war at the Council were. They were all moving as fast as they could, trying to get everything needed for the ritual in order.My amber eyes drifted off to Leonardo who was with Vladimir's unconscious body not far from us. I sighed, bringing my gaze back to the binding around Sheila's neck. Zeriyah said it was to buy us enough time to get ready for the ritual and slow the dark magic from completely taking control of Sheila. We needed Sheila to be in control for this to work. My eyes rounded when I noticed that the silver binding around Sheila's neck had begun to melt. She was fucking cold, and yet the silver brace was melting."The silver is melting," I said quickly, and Lorenzo hastened to my side."Her ma
Killian's point of viewFrom the top mountains, we could already see the troop of warriors from Vladimir's army roar their way into North Central. I heaved a deep sigh, holding tightly onto my horse's reins, feeling my blood turn dreadfully cold. This was it. The time we battle for our lives, and either win against fate or lose.My deep, worried amber eyes lifted to the dark sky, and the giant full moon in it. Sheila has escaped, and right now, almost half of the Council's army were searching for her. They were all scared, believing the darkness had taken full control of the vessel.I sighed again, wishing that wasn't the case and I hoped Valerie and Lorenzo were having better luck than we were. Zeriyah had called for them urgently, requesting their presence immediately. It had something to do with Shota's magic. I wanted to be there as well, but Sheila was still missing, and we had to find her, hopefully before the war ended and the full moon turned red.I took in a long breath, gla
Sheila's point of viewI had no way of knowing exactly how many hours had gone by since my mother's spell room was located underground in the castle. But I knew with the long, torturous hours that had wandered by, it had to be dusk by now.I inhaled, resting against the wooden frame of the bed. Killian still hasn't returned, and I haven't seen Kaiser nor Valerie since I had woken up. The only people that had wandered around were Lorenzo and Zena when they came to fetch my blood, and I could feel Leonardo's presence behind those doors, but he couldn't muster the strength to face me again.I closed my eyes, and tears rolled out. They never stopped coming, even so now that I could feel the end was near. I had made a choice already, one Killian would never forgive me for, but I would never forgive myself, knowing I was the cause of so many deaths including my family. I had chosen to just let go. To stop fighting, to stop trying, and for once accept my fate.I burst out in tears; I couldn'
Sheila's point of viewI couldn't stop groaning in pain. This time, the pain came from everywhere, tearing me up inside. I groaned again, curling up against a warm softness. My head felt lightheaded, my eyelashes felt so heavy to pull open, my bones aching against their joints, and my energy completely drained.With so much effort, I pushed my eyes open, fluttering them consistently to keep my vision clear and steady for a second. The instant I got a clear view of the blank air, memories of my conversation with Amelie flooded my mind mercilessly, all at once, that caused my breathing to become rough and erratic and the tears from the deep sadness I felt drowned my blue ocean gaze and I couldn't stop it as I was reminded of my reality. I was the end for everyone and the war was in two days. I had to tell everyone.I tried to pull myself up but I couldn't, it was then I took notice of my surroundings. I was on a bed, but the last thing I remembered was leaving the Council, and then, the
Sheila's point of viewI screamed back to reality, jerking away from Amelie and her black crystal ball. My eyes were completely blurry with tears, and they never stopped rushing down.It couldn't be. I shook my head, as my teary gaze met with Amelie's dark hooded ones. She was staring at me with tears in her eyes as well."It can't be me. I would have known," I couldn't stop shaking my head, as more tears rushed down. I had wanted desperately to know exactly what was wrong with me. I had even considered this possibility, but now it was difficult to believe that I would be the end of every one. I killed poor Cora, and everyone was next.Amelie inhaled deeply, also in tears. She shook her head gently. "Everyone has a part to play," she muttered, slowly. "The end for everyone is coming with the war. In two days. You can destroy us all, and save us as well. Be prepared to make a choice, Sheila, and do what you must.""What choice, Amelie?" My broken voice sounded in a whisper."You will k
Sheila's point of view"Hello! My name is Sheila. Welcome to the Crescent North Pack," I said with a warm smile, holding out my hand to the new family that just arrived at the pack. "You must be exhausted, so I'll take you straight to your chambers, so you'll get settled in," They were part of the survivors from the West regions that were forced into hiding when Vladimir began to make attacks on the regions.These last few days, the pack had opened its territories to anyone needing refuge during the war. We had no idea how or when the war would be, but we were ready.I led them to one of the vacant quarters near the Packhouse. I showed them to their chambers and helped them settle in, before leaving.I kept catching Killian staring at me, now and then. He hasn't left the Pack today. He's been training with the warriors from our pack and the Grey Wolf pack, but I knew he was only keeping an eye on me and that was beyond frustrating.Even with the few tasks I had been using to try to ke
Killian's point of view"No, fucking no," I was completely still, unable to move, think, or breathe. "Sheila can't be the vessel," I muttered. Hearing the words leave my lips, I realized how badly I had hoped this wasn't the case. I had hoped this was just one of those silly thoughts.I watched as Lorenzo slowly fell on a chair; his hands clasped firmly against each other."How can you be so sure?" I moved closer to him."I did the spell over and over again. Sheila's blood has an anomaly, Killian. It's tainted with dark magic," Lorenzo spoke slowly and his every word was like a stab to my chest."No, Lorenzo. Sheila cannot be the vessel. She can't be. It's not possible, she's a fucking white wolf!" I leaned on the table for support, gazing deep into Lorenzo's eyes."I don't know how it happened, but that darkness has been in Sheila all this time, and it managed to stay hidden. Sheila has been the one preparing for the blood ritual."I groaned internally at the pain that tore through m
Sheila's point of viewI still haven't recovered from the shock from earlier when I was at the Council. The dagger had burned me. But why?Adie came up with the umpteenth reason why, but none of it made sense why the dagger burnt me. I plopped down on the bed in Killian's chamber. I had left the Council and came back home to prepare for the ritual tonight. Even though deep down, I knew that was just a lie, and I could tell Valerie suspected it. At that time, I just wanted to leave that place.My eyes shifted to the darkness already lurking outside the window. I should be on my way to the Council now, but all of a sudden, I didn't want to. I didn't understand my sudden fears these days, it was so unlike me, but I had to admit. I felt so frightened deep down, and I had no idea why. I just didn't want to go for the ritual all of a sudden.Maybe Killian was right. Maybe I needed some rest.I contemplated going to Lorenzo, but I knew the spell he was working on wouldn't be completed by now