~*~
Just like any other day. I wasn't that much bothered with what the oracle warned me about. She told me i only have one year left to live without my emotions. I didn't think much about it, i thought it'll be fine to live like this until the day i die.
But it looks like i can't do that, my mom wouldn't be happy if she saw me sooner than expected.
I remember what she said about the other prophecy.
"The second prophecy i saw is... horrifying."
"Oh? So i'm going to die because i don't have my heart essence?"
"Not exactly, You weren't exactly dead on the dream i saw...You were dying, you laid on a thick snow bed that you covered with blood dripping from your chest- My visions usually don't pertain to deaths. and it usually doesn't blur out any person. But the person that was with you at that time, i couldn't see his face! I still can't tell if it's because of your heart essence or you were physically wounded on the chest. The vision doesn't let me see everything."
"... So that's why you thought it's about my heart essence? well it seems connected."
"I'm warning you about your heart essence since i recently found from a record decades ago. A similar case like yours, the boy was half-werewolf and half-witch, also eighteen. He gave his heart essence away and died in one year. The boy even had a diary, he described how he lived without his emotions, he wrote that it gets worst as time goes by, the last thing he wrote was he knew that he would die that day. There was some blood over the page. And it was the exact date that his death was confirmed in his pack records."
"Fine, i'll do what you say."
"That's great! Now, If you found him, you don't need to worry about anything. Your emotions would naturally flow back to you as long as you stay by his side. Remember! physical frequent physical touch is needed to transfer your essence back to you!"
~*~*~*~
Swinging my elbow sideways, i knocked down Ryan on the ring in one swing. I gasped slightly, acting like i didn't see him there.
"Oops, sorry i dozed off." I smiled.
He held his nose and groaned in annoyance, "What came over you that you decided to duel with me? You just want to humiliate me in front of these kids huh?"
I looked over the ring and noticed people observing us, most of them laughed at Ryan and cheered for me. It was kind of amusing to see them acting cocky, so when i taunted for them to come inside the ring, they bluntly refused me on the spot and ran away.
"What? no one wants to challenge me?" I tilt my head.
Ryan stands beside me, "You asked me to spar with you but you've been out of it for a while now. What's going on? What did Shaka tell you?"
I turned to him, "How about you? what did Shaka tell you?"
He chuckles, "I accepted the mission."
Realizing that his mate would pester me again, my fist unconsciously made its way on his stomach. He kneels down in pain and cursed. "What the hell?!"
"Why did you accept it? Didn't i tell you not to? That was a mission for a top-ranker like me. You had no right to agree."
He stands up again, holding his side in pain. "Look, i know you mean well by saying that. But i can't just send you to such a scary pack, not when you haven't lived your life normally yet."
What a load of crap.
And again, i intentionally punched his stomach this time. He goes down at the second time with eyes wide open, "What did you do that for again?!"
Why he say? People aren't grateful for things like this the last time i observed. Displaying anger to a friend who ignored my intentions was normal. And i knew, i just can't send him off away just like that.
"It has to be me."
"No." He firmly rejects.
"You're disobeying me? i rank higher than you."
"Shaka ranks higher than you." He rolls his eyes, "Whatever, just let me do the mission and shut up okay? Just enjoy your birthday for once Venus."
Looks like there's no other way.
I took a few steps back. I was wearing a sports bra, and since i knew i'd get tired of beating this ass half-dead, i just had to remove my shirt. When i did that, Ryan knew what was to come since something like this happened before. It was the first time we sparred, he stayed on the hospital bed for 2 weeks even with great regeneration abilities as a werewolf.
His mate might also murder me for this but at least she can be beside him, right?
"Wait- No! Venus stop! Shaka will scold us both!" Ryan gasps in horror.
Clicking my knuckles, i smirked. "Goodnight, Ryan."
~*~
I felt sorry for leaving Ryan half-dead in the training room ,but sending him to Crescent moon? i just knew i didn't make the wrong choice.Since everyone wanted me to spend my day over fun things for my useless birthday, i decided to visit the ongoing festival near our pack Territory. It was the first festival ever held by the Dark Moon Pack. Since they were known for being anti-social, i thought it'll be less noisy. But it took me to a surprise when i saw several kids running around and werewolves from different packs scattered throughout the place.
It looked like a normal festival
"Well this is odd," I muttered.
Since i was already here, i just blatantly decided to do some 'fun' things that people tried as i observed them. I approached one of the stands and looked at the vendor who explained at the young kids beside me.
"Okay kids, all you have to do i find the ball underneath each of these cups! if you do, you get a prize!"
They all cheered, yet such a stupid game made my eyebrow raise. The vendor finally started, he switches the cups around in an unbelievable speed, that even werewolves won't be able to follow it easily.
Even my senses as a half-werewolf wasn't able to follow it and my healing abilities as a witch can't contribute either.
But as a top-ranker of my pack, i wasn't going to back down so easily.
"It's the third cup."
DEREK's POV"I didn't expect this to be so.. cozy and noisy." I grunted.
Considering my friendship with the Alpha of Dark Moon, i decided to visit the festival he bragged all night about. He just ascended to that position and he already changed most of the pack's customs just because he felt like it.
"What? it's a festival." Seff replied with a smile. "It's supposed to be fun and noisy, isn't it?"
"For Dark Moon? noisy and fun is out of the picture, you must've gotten your ass beat up by your seniors for these."
"Damn right i did!" He laughs alongside me as we took a stroll inside the festival.
It was packing with different werewolves, from children to elderly, i couldn't fathom just what kind of invitation this bastard sent, that all of them came like this without fearing the pack's name.
Dark Moon Pack is similar to my pack, it's a strong and cold-blooded pack. Only that we don't interact with others for benefit unlike them. They usually interact with underground creatures but never with citizens that wouldn't benefit their pack.
Seff really endangered himself this time, though i'm not also free from danger at the moment.
"Anyway, how about you? Weren't you planning to take warriors from outsiders? did your seniors tried to murder you?" He tells in sarcasm.
They did, so much that even when i sleep at night they would send people to kill me. I just kept my mouth shut thinking that there was no need for Seff to know since he was a guy that would do anything for his friends.
Who knows what this two-faced guy would do to my elders?
My ears perked when i noticed an unusual rise of noise around me. On the side of my eyes, i noticed that people were crowding on one spot that even Seff noticed it soon after.
"Looks fun over there, let's go take a look!" Seff says and drags me to the crowd.
Since we are new alphas, not many people knew our faces. Maybe that was why it was easier to blend into the crowd. They didn't avoid us like how our pack members did. Upon finally seeing the commotion, my eyes widened when i saw a woman wearing a suspicious cloak that covered most of her face.
She was playing one of the vendor's games, 'Who's the strongest?'
Without breaking a sweat, she defeated her opponent in arm wrestling. I couldn't describe her physique since she was wearing a cloak, but she looked like a warrior from her behavior. Which was unfair to her opponent since the people playing around was usually citizens from various packs.
"Woah! Miss won for the 6th time already! her prize pool just continued to grow! who will defeat her and be the strongest of them all!" The vendor shouts, "Tell me miss, what's your motivation for winning every round?"
"...Umm i don't know, it's my birthday?"
"Your birthday! Happy birthday to you miss! Do you have any wish that you could share with us?"
"What's the use when it cannot be granted?"
Because of her insensitive and cold remark, the crowd went silent and she seemed unbothered by it.
At that moment, there was a strange tingly feeling i felt as i continued to stare at her. I couldn't describe it but only felt curious about it.
"Someone's horrible at showing emotions," Seffs says ironically.
"What do you see in her?"
"That is the problem my friend, i can't see anything on her. She's hard to read. I mean that literally, look how she's wearing a hooded cloak under broad daylight." Seff chuckles.
"No, there's something strange about her. My instinct is telling me something."
"Then maybe you're not wrong, Why don't we test it?" He smirks.
Just when i was about to stop him, he dodged me swiftly and went ahead to throw the apple that he snatched from a kid beside us. The she-wolf successfully caught it with her left hand, not even giving us a look in return.
"You idiot! what was that supposed to do?!" I said as i grabbed his shirt in anger.
He points his finger over the stage.
"What's this? Looks like someone wants to challenge our champ! go ahead!" The vendor swoons over the crowd as if to find the culprit.
And Seff, being the asshole he was, he pushes me out of the crowd.
Shit.
"We got an excited one!" The vendor laughs through the mic.
I swear, if i he wasn't my friend? i would've killed him by now! My jaw clenched as i glared at him through the crowd. He just signals a peace sign back as if to mock me.
Since i was already here, i just thought it'll be a good chance to see her up close and to see what my instincts were telling me. I sat on the opposite side of hers and was finally able to see her up close.
My eyes widened.
It wasn't my intention to gawk at her, but she was just too beautiful to describe through words. But what struck me the most was when her purple eyes stared back at me. It was an unusual color, not an eye color you would see much in our continent, especially not with a werewolf.
I gulped as i felt goosebumps forming all over my skin. Even facing her, i still couldn't tell why i felt somehow attached to her.
But she wasn't my mate, i knew i could tell if she was my mate just through her scent. But i couldn't smell a thing.
"What?" She says with a blank expression. "Do you not want to do it?"
I snapped out of it when she said that. When i looked around, I noticed all of them looking at me, even the vendor was giving me a confused look.
"W..What?"
The vendor answers, "I already announced the game instructions and said to start, are you having second thoughts to participate?"
Damn, i got too preoccupied. I could already hear Seff laughing at the corner of my eyes. Oh how i wish i could send a flying dagger to his face.
"No, i'll participate." I said and placed my elbow on the table just like hers.
This time, i focused on studying her expression just like i've always done to others, but there was nothing to read. She was as plain as a white paper.
"The game starts now!" The vendor announces.
She had a stoic face until our competition finally started, when our hands touched each other, her expression changes for a second as she placed a palm on her heart.
"Ah!" She screams and lets go of my hand.
VENUS's POVWhat was that?I was left shocked for the first time in 12 years because of what happened. The spark that i had long forgotten creeps itself way back into my skin. I knew it was the same feeling i felt when i used my heart essence back then.I looked over to my palm and noticed it trembling a bit."What's wrong?" He says with sarcasm. "Do you not want to do it?"For some reason, i felt something boiling inside of me. I couldn't explain it, but it felt like i wanted to slap this guy's face. His golden eyes, strangely making my stomach turn at the sight of it.I don't know what i felt at that moment, but i knew others c
Mine?It only took him a second before he snapped back. He held his head in agony and hesitantly took a few steps back.What is he doing?He chuckles bitterly, his eyes filled with venom. "I never thought I'll meet my mate like this. You actually dare to kill me?"Mates?My eyes widened.I can't believe it. My mate is Alpha Derek! But wait..Why did he only sense it now? We met at the festival but he acted normal.. so what gives?I've heard the stories of other people countless times. As a teen who just turned 18, I knew I would be exposed to my mate sooner or later. However, I couldn't sense the
I thought Derek was bluffing when he said she was strong enough to handle three men simultaneously, but when she landed a swift back kick towards my neck, my elbow almost went numb from the pain.I slid back and smirked.She's fast. If I had reacted a little slower, then it'd be the end of me."Want to kick my head off? Not happening. Though you are strong, you're not strong enough to overpower a man's strength.""Hah." She snorts. "That's a bit sexist, don't you think?"She tried to lunge at me for the second time, but since I already expected her to move, I swiftly dodged all her attempts to knock me down. Her pace was speeding up, but it wasn't a problem to me.
*VENUS's POV*It was weird, really. The moment when he kissed me, I felt a sudden surge of energy enter my body. I've watched people do these intimate things to their partner but being in the exact position as them now, i never thought it would feel this good, though it was only me who had this ability to suck out energy from others.I could already tell that this ability was related to me being a half-witch.Since I noticed that I get more energy when I touch some of his sensitive spots, I randomly decided to get nasty. I told him I'd suck him dry, but I don't precisely know-how.I pulled down his pants, and his dick sprung up.I glanced at him and noticed how fl
*DEREK's POV*In the far area behind the arena, I was busy inspecting the competitors that came in. Carefully, I observed any movements that may look suspicious. And so far, none of them have surfaced yet.It was just last night that an assassin tried to kill me again, but this time- she was my mate. It was that fact that made everything complicated. Even when they searched for her until dawn, she just completely disappeared.I closed my eyes in frustration. I can still remember how vague the connection felt through my bones.It's more potent than I thought."Alpha," Easton calls out."Easton, did you get enough information?""You mean?""Venus, the competitor.""Yes, Alpha. From what we gathered, Venus is indeed one of the SunDale's wolves. Her original profile coincides with what she wrote in the registration form. Though she is the right henchman on Alpha Shaka, she's strangely absent in every impo
The queries didn't last long. Although some guys tried fighting their way out, everything eventually played out when Alpha Derek appeared in front of the crowd. No one was able to complain anymore at that point.His dominating alpha aura was enough to make everyone silent. He didn't even need to speak to shut the noisy ones. But before he left, he sent me one last glare that made me somehow smile.At least he's not ignoring me that much?Facing the notorious Arndon Woods, everyone around me was nervous or worried about their lives. I saw some weird dudes getting excited- while here I am bored as hell.I groaned. "Just when will this start?""Hey, shortie."I turned at the voice behind me and saw a tall guy with blonde hair staring at me with an amused expression. And because I was a great actress, I immediately smiled upon locking eyes with him."Me? Shortie? I'm 5'6.""Well, I'm 6'2, so you're short on my perspective."
He moved me up to the highest tree that he could find and settled there. Strangely, the spider was also out of my tail.I glanced at his mask.The only problem left was to deal with Alpha Derek, who was wearing a mask and dark casual clothes that made his muscles pop.Or maybe I am the dangerous one here?When he carefully placed me down, I took that moment to wrap my arms around his neck. His eyes widened, and I felt his body stiffen in shock."Let go of me." He says in a low voice.At that moment, I realized that it was the perfect chance to use my ability to make him submit to me. Yet all hopes got lost when I couldn't suck a single grain of energy from his body.Is my ability not working on him?I bit my lower lip in irritation, "Why is my luck worst whenever it's you?""Get away from me, or I'll throw you from this height." He threatens."Do it then. Who's the idiot who'll save a person than kill them later o
* SHAKA's POV*"Alpha, did you really let her go just like that?" Ryan asks, his forehead knitted in worry.It's only been a few hours since she escaped us, Ryan just woke up from consciousness, yet he still had the energy to barge in here to ask for her wellbeing. He still wore hospital clothes, his chest rising up and down from exhaustion.It looks like you made a good friend, Venus.I shook my head in vain, "Let her go? You don't get to choose to set her free. If Venus wants to go, you know no one can stop her.""What? Then why did you have to go all the trouble to scold her?"I sighed.
*DEREK’s POV**8 hours ago*I felt my heart drop when she closed her eyes. Memories of the past haunted me, and my whole body shook in fear as I carried Venus’ lifeless body in my arms. Agony, despair, or grief... whatever it is, it was all the emotions I felt when I saw blood gushing out of her body."No... no please!" I have to save her!I slit my wrists open and was about to make her drink my blood if it wasn’t for someone stopping me midway. I looked beside me and saw the witch, her face flustered as she breathed heavily in worry."Don’t! She’s not dead yet! What are you trying to do? Out of all the people you know how catastrophic this method was for both of you! "My eyes widened. "She’s... not dead?"She nods, her chest rising up and down in exhaustion. "You’re being delusional. You can hear it, right? Her heartbeat is still there. "I glanced down at my mate’s body, and she was right. Her heart was still pumping continuously, and it made me almost collapse in relief. I buried
Everyone gasps at the sight, and I staggered as I felt my blood gush out from the big wound he inflicted. Easton tried to go to my side but i just told him to go farther away, and that also applied to everyone around us. I huffed and I tried my best to stay awake.I can’t lose to this injury right now, returning Derek back to normal comes first.Easton was telling me to run but that wasn’t a choice. I still have to hear his explanation. I have to ask him what kind of stupid idea was he thinking when he fought the enemy all alone that he reached this crazy state.Was he pushed to use this method to stay alive?Just thinking about it makes me so angry.Derek’s wolf stood at the boundary, it didn’t know what to do whether it is to attack me or probably kill me. His whole body was holding back and I noticed how his hostility levels were spiking at a random pace. From the corner of my eye, I suddenly
*VENUS’ POV*Cheryl told me everything about how Derek had lost his parents. There was also much unnecessary stuff where I wouldn’t care less about how they met or whatsoever but still, the thought that Derek was beyond recognizable through her stories was beyond me. I never thought that the reason why his eyes were injured that day was that he had done it himself.Just how much did he suffer that day? To think that we both suffered the same fate that day made me want to curse the Moon Goddess.I knew I had to go to his side.I have to. Even if everyone discovers my real identity. I don’t care anymore.With that in mind, I shoved Cheryl out of the way. She tried to stop me from going out
I didn’t like him back then. He always thought that he was superior to anyone else. As if he had already passed the age of playing around with people that match his age. It was amusing how he could make everyone disperse as easy as breathing. And so, I took that as a challenge. It wasn’t easy at first, but in the end, he ended up accepting me after a few beatings I took for annoying him multiple times of the day. It was fun, and I realized that hanging around him amuses me to the point that I didn’t have to wear a mask every day just to get along with him. And once you get to know him, you start to realize how perfect his life is. He always got excellent marks in class, matured for his age, and had a perfect family that made me jealous to the point that I would go to their house every day so I could feel the warm
Our conversation was cut off short when a sudden earthquake shook the ground beneath us. It was a sign that things were getting worse. Judging by the direction where it was coming from, they may have already destroyed the borderline defense that was built to ward off intruders.And to my dismay, it didn’t take long before we saw a witch in front of us. Slowly approaching us with murder in mind. The sky darkened and I felt the bloodlust running rampant in the air around me. Goosebumps started to form on my skin and I felt the fear consume me as I make eye contact with him.The High Priest.“Where is the child?” The High Priest asks, and as always, he wore the usual white silk cloth that covered his body that reached up to his feet. It always made me barf whenever I see how he always dresses up like he’s as clean as white.When in reality, his soul was darker than any color in this world.I took a step back and glanced at the
“A witch out of the high priest’s control? What the hell are you talking about?” He asks, his eyes filled with curiosity.“It’s only natural. Venus, is after all, a half-witch, who grew up without the marks and the guidance of the Coven. Inherently, a witch is not really tied to the high priest. All witches under the Coven’s protection undergo a baptism that ties them to the high priest, and that’s why no one is able to go against him. There was only one exception. My sister. She was able to seal the high priest for a period of time.”“Where is she? That woman?”I frowned. “She’s dead.”He ran his fingertips through his hair in frustration, “Well, do we have other intel besides that? Anything helpful? If not, do you know how Venus exactly killed him?”“I told you. Only a witch could kill him. Venus is the only one who isn’t part of the Coven. Whate
*DEREK’s POV*“Stop there!” A voice not far from me appears behind me.I took the time to see who it was and was surprised to see the witch who I’ve hired to take care of Venus before. She was panting hard as she reached where I stood, a wave of confusion washed over me as I watched her concerned gaze.She says, “Are you planning to go there alone?”“What are you doing here? I did not call for you.”“I know what you’re trying to do. And believe me, it’s not that easy! If you go there alone, what if you even make things worse? Werewolves fight along with their pack members, so why are you going alone?”“It’s not your damn business to ask me those questions, witch,” I replied before proceeding to walk.I don’t care. Whoever it is, I won’t forgive anyone who hurts my mate. I'll make them regret even touchin
“I don’t trust that you’d keep your end, after all, you’ve been lying to everyone this whole time!” She refuted back in anger. She had a smaller frame than mine yet she tried her best to show that she wasn’t in fact, afraid of me.I smirked. “So you’re not that dumb, after all?”“What did you say?!” She shouts, her face turning red from anger. It was that moment where her expression changed as if she wanted to cry from humiliation. “I’ve had enough of your bitchy attitude! You don’t suit Derek at all! I don’t even see why he’s interested in you in the first place!”This human, if only I could rip her to pieces!I raised an eyebrow, “Why? How about you? It’s also questionable that he liked such a spoiled brat like you. You’ve been leading him all this time and now you’re acting like a jealous ex? Newsflash, he doesn’t care abo
I let out a sigh of frustration. Who am I kidding? This guy is too spineless to even face Alpha Derek. If I'm going to die, might as well do it with the intention of caring! With that in thought, I mustered all of my courage left and ran to get in the way of alpha Derek, which of course made him snarl my way.“What are you doing? Move out of my way.”“W…Where are you going? Are you going to the enemy alone?”He shoves me away without hesitation but that didn’t stop me as I trailed behind him closely. I kept telling him that I’d be dangerous but he still insisted to go alone. At that point I had no choice but to shift to my own wolf to hope for a little chance to stop him.I growled as he stared at my form. There wasn’t a pint of fear in his eyes that it made my wolf almost cower in the corner.‘This is seriously not what I had planned! Why can’t you just stop, alpha?!’He too