When we arrived at the house, Lucia greeted us at the door, wearing a startled expression on her face when she saw Gina’s state.“What can I do to help?” she asked, her tone etched with worry.“Get the doctor,” I said to her as I raced up the stairs. During the walk back, Gina passed out in my arms due to the pain coursing through her body.When I got to the room, I placed her gently on my bed and quickly dressed myself. Standing by her side, burning anger surged through me when my gaze fixated on her wounds. I would’ve kept her attacker alive and made him suffer for what he did to her, but in the heat of my rage and overcome by bloodlust, I lacked the patience and sanity to spare a life.A knock on the door echoed through the room before the door swung open. Liam and Wilona walked in, accompanied by the pack’s doctor. He was a stern man, sporting a full head of gray hair, and his movements were hindered by a bad leg.“She’s badly injured,” he said as I watched him bring out a pair o
It had been two days already and Gina hadn't woken up. Surprisingly, her wounds were healing faster than I expected them. When the doctor came to re-dress the wound on her arm, it had already healed enough, and he removed the stitches instead.I could barely get enough sleep myself, and whenever Lucia brought food to my room for me to eat, I would dismiss her because I didn't have an appetite yet. I would watch over Gina all night, slouched in the chair by the bedside, hoping she’d wake up. With every passing moment, my heart ached painfully and though she never left my room, an overwhelming sense of loneliness consumed me.I knew she found refuge in the deep slumber, trying to escape the harsh reality. I honestly couldn't blame her; grief was an unbearable pain.That night, as I leaned in the chair by the bedside, my hand holding her hand, she stirred and began to mumble.My eyes widened, as I tried to make sense of the words that came out of her mouth.“P-Pra-ya.”My heart sank.“M
GINA’S POVI was sinking into darkness, suffocated by the shadows closing in as I delved deeper into the abyss. My heart pounded with unbearable pain as I struggled to breathe. I thrashed around, but my limbs remained frozen, as if an unseen force held my body down, and pushed me further into the surrounding darkness. I tried to scream but I felt something lodge in my throat. It pushed back and deeper, burning as tears forcefully sprang out from my eyes. I stopped struggling when I realized there was no use. I was getting swallowed into the abyss pulling me in, and there was nothing that could be done. No one was coming to rescue me; I realized that now.As I closed my eyes, bracing for whatever awaited me in the darkness, I heard a gentle voice call my name.I opened my eyes, finding hands outstretched towards me. I heard my name from above, like an echo, and the will to survive surged through my veins. Suddenly my body could move as I reached out, stretching my hands towards the
“Let’s get you out of these clothes.”A scowl crept onto my face, and I suddenly clutched my torn clothes, realizing that I was naked underneath the thin fabric."I'm pretty sure I can do that myself," I said to him, and I watched as amusement danced in his eyes. For the first time, my gaze fell on my arm, and I was surprised to find the gruesome wound gone.“You’re still recovering, so you shouldn’t do a lot of things yet till you’re completely better,” his voice was firm but gentle.I crossed my hands across my chest as I pouted my lips, “Is that just an excuse to see me naked?”“I’ve seen you naked countless times. The image is already imprinted in my mind,” he deadpanned as if it were a normal, casual, and appropriate thing to say. Heat crept on my cheeks and I quickly turned my gaze away so he wouldn’t see. Our bodies were so close and I needed as much distance from him so I could think properly.Sensing my retreat, he lifted me into his arms gently and swiftly. The unexpected m
We were seated at the dining table at our usual spot before Raven came to ruin the arrangement. Things had changed ever since Raven left. It was like her presence had been the catalyst for a change in our once-normal daily lives. Staring at the food placed in front of me, my mind drifted away, recalling the time when Raven had tried to poison me. The vivid image of Praya swinging the plate on Raven’s face replayed in my mind.Praya.She saved me that day. If she hadn't been there with me, I would probably be dead by now. And perhaps, if I had died then, she wouldn’t have died saving me from her siblings. She would’ve been alive, as she was supposed to be. I never hated living more than I did now.Tears welled in my eyes as I rubbed my hands in my lap. My heart ached painfully in my chest, and breathing into my lungs became difficult. I never truly understood what grief was until I lost Praya that night. Though I lost my mother, I was too young; I never really knew her, so grieving he
DEVYN’S POVWhen Gina was done eating, I let her take a glass of water herself. I watched her carefully, my heart beating against her back as I pressed my body into hers. I know I was invading a lot of her personal space but I couldn't care less. I wanted her close to me, I needed her body pressed against mine, whether she wanted that or not. I wasn't joking when I told myself I wasn't going to leave her or let her leave.The death was taking a toll on her, more than I thought it would. She seemed lost in her thoughts most of the time, and her eyes would get glassy occasionally as she tried not to cry. I wanted to comfort her but I knew I wasn't doing it right. I wasn't good at comforting people or good at showing concern at all. I wasn't raised to show my emotions, because it was a weakness, and I had grown with the notion all my life.I still held her firmly on my lap, although she was already done eating. I couldn't let go, and she didn't complain anymore, because she liked this a
GINA’S POVPraya’s mother’s words still lingered in my thoughts and I couldn’t just stop thinking about it. Her last words to me before she left haunted me.As I knelt by Praya’s resting place, I found comfort as I spoke to her, as if she were still beside me. I could feel her presence enveloping me, radiating warmth over my heart. It brought me to tears when I realized she was never going to be there.Praya’s mother had suddenly caught my attention when she knelt beside her.“Praya wasn’t my biological daughter.”Those were her first words and they hung in the air surrounding us. I turned to look at her, trying to conceal the surprise etched on my face. I didn’t speak, I just waited for her to keep talking.“Her late father found her by a lake, without any clues about who might have left her there.”A wave of shock surged through me. Could it be the same lake where we spent time together? Had that been her origin all along? That would explain why she was so drawn to it.I had so man
I couldn’t believe my eyes. Kristen was here. My best friend was here, in the living room, on pack grounds.She was here in flesh and I actually pinched myself to make sure I wasn't losing my mind. I stood, scanning around me as if searching for answers. Liam and Wilona were grinning from ear to ear when my gaze fixated on them.“Did you plan this?” I asked them, “How?”I still couldn’t get over the shock of everything. Kristen was her in the flesh, in reality, and she was standing right in front of me.“Actually, he did,” Wilona said as she pointed a finger in a specific direction. Following her gaze, my heart sank as I spotted him. Seated at the dining table, his hard gaze fixated on me. He had the usual nonchalant look On his face, like he just did the most common thing.A wide smile graced my lips, one that reached my eyes, “Thank you so much, Devyn.”He didn’t say anything, and I didn’t need him to. This was enough for me. Averting my gaze back to Kristen, the shock surged throug
Six years later.As I open the fridge to get my orange juice, my heart almost leaps out of my chest as Conri jumps out of the fridge. “Boo!”“Oh my goddess! How the hell did you even get in there?” I shriek as I place a hand on my racing heart to calm it down.”Language,” Conri yells, giggling like he just did the funniest shit in the world. He tries to run but I grab his cheek and pinch as I scold him.“Ow! Dad! Mom is hurting me,” he screams as he manages to free himself out of my grasp and run to the living room. Feeling frustration and a headache coming in, I rub my temple as I exit the kitchen, completely forgetting my orange juice. When my gaze falls on Devyn and Praya, I feel warmth creep into my chest. He lifts his gaze and stares at me with admiration and love in his icy blue eyes. As I walk closer to him, I giggle when I see what Praya did to him. He has a large pink bow in his hair, and he’s seated on a stool as Praya paints his nails, her focus unwavering.I cross my arm
GINA’S POVI found myself in a field, lying as I gazed at the skies. I wasn't sure where I was, but it felt and looked like paradise. The moon’s gaze met and I felt a sense of serenity. A hand suddenly caught my attention as it reached out to me. Without hesitating, I took it and I was pulled off the ground. As I stood on my feet, my breath hitched when Praya stood in front of me.My heart warmed as I pulled her into an embrace. “I missed you so much. I’m here now,” I whispered into her neck, breathing in her scent. She was real because I could feel every part of her; from the beating of her heart and the warmth radiating from her body. When I looked in front of me, my mother was standing there, waiting, with a genuine smile on her face. We pulled away from our embrace and Praya held my hand, guiding me further into paradise as she spoke, “Now we can be together.”I followed, my heart radiating with joy. When I reached my mother, I wrapped my arms around her and sank my face into
DEVYN’S POVMy whole world stopped as I held Gina in my arms. It all happened in a flash. With shaky hands, I pulled the blade out of her heart, and my heart sank deeper when she bled more. I pressed a hand to her bloodied chest, trying to stop the bleeding while I caressed her hair with my other hand.“Stay with me, please, stay with me,” was all I kept mumbling. Her amber gaze held mine, but she wasn't there… she wasn't looking. My heart twisted painfully as I felt her heartbeat slow against my palm. Standing on my feet, I carried her in my arms. She felt heavier than usual, her head fell back and her arms sagged lifelessly as I ran. She was still alive, though her heartbeat was faint. There was still a chance to save her. The fight had stopped as the monsters fell dead, probably because their master was dead, but I couldn’t care less… reviving her was the only thing on my mind. I never took my eyes off her face, hoping for some sort of miracle, to see those eyes come back to lif
The energy flowing through me was like nothing I had ever felt before. It rushed through my veins, sending power to my heart. When I looked down my hand, it completely healed, like I was never wounded. The pain in my back and my head was gone, and I felt fucking alive.My eyes fell on the dagger on the ground. It was at a distance but I could see it clearly like it was in the palm of my hand. I walked to it, and in a split second, I had the dagger in my hand. Eyeing the dagger, it grew in my hand until it became a sword.Perfect.I walked towards Wilona until I stood in front of her. Though she was bigger than me, I felt like a giant as she cowered.‘Fuck you!’ she growled and clawed my face, only because I let her. My blood stained the ground, but immediately, I felt my wounds close up.When she saw she was no match for me, her panicked voice shrieked in my mind.’Get away from me!’Rage coursed through me, as I recalled everything she did.“I won’t let you live for all you’ve done.
Everything happened in a flash. Wilona charged towards me and just as she was about to lunge at me, Liam jumped in and clashed into her. They fought, their bodies crashing into the ground and against the walls as they bit and clawed at each other.‘I don't know why you're doing this, but I’m not going to let you kill her!’Liam’s voice boomed in my mind just as he dodged a claw attack from Wilona, and sent her crashing to the ground.‘What do you even have for her that you’re willing to protect her? That you’re willing to lay your life for her?’ Wilona responded as their conversation echoed in my mind.‘Because it’s my duty and I'll protect her till I die.’His words made my heart thump.Wilona circled him, as she snarled, ‘Then die.’She surged forward, and slashed Liam across the face with one vicious swipe. My breath caught at the sight of his blood splattering on the floor. My gaze fell on Kristen who watched everything from a corner, her body trembling visibly.I had to get her o
My head ached as I regained consciousness, and when my vision adjusted to my surroundings, I found myself lying on a bed. Turning, I saw Kristen by my side, her eyes filled with concern.“You’re awake, thank goodness,” she exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. As she held me, her body shook and I realized she was sobbing.Looking around, I realized we were being kept in a well-furnished luxurious room, surprised we weren't locked in a dark dungeon. I recalled the events before I passed and when Damien’s face flashed in my mind, my blood boiled with rage.“I’m scared, Gina. I can’t even remember how I got here,” Kristen’s voice made my heart sink. When I looked at her body and the cuts on her body, my anger intensified even more.I clutched her face in my hand, and wiped her tears with my thumb, “I understand how you feel. I’m so sorry you got dragged into this, but I promise, I’m going to get us out of this shithole.”She nodded her head, and I was glad she had faith in me. I walked
It didn’t take more than an hour till I got to my destination. Immediately we drove through the gates, there was an uneasy feeling that washed over me. I peered through the window, observing my surroundings. Everything seemed and looked normal, yet, it was far from it.When the car came to a halt, the driver who had been silent the entire ride opened the door for me, and I stepped out reluctantly. When I looked up, I found myself standing in front of a huge dark mansion. I would’ve admired the remarkable architecture if not for the feeling of anxiety creeping down my spine. There was something thick in the atmosphere that made my skin crawl and I couldn't understand what it was.I took a deep breath as I walked ahead, being led to the mansion’s entrance by two large men. As the door opened, we stepped into the mansion, walking through wide long halls. When we reached the next doorway, the door swung open, revealing a majestic dining room. The interior was breathtaking with golden re
GINA’S POVAt the mention of his name, my body went stiff as rage coursed through me. He not only attacked our pack while we were gone but also had to kidnap my best friend.Devyn snatched the phone from Liam and put it to his ear.“What are you playing at, you fucking bastard?” he spat out, his voice filled with venom. As the conversation went on, all I could think about was the horrible things he could do to Kristen. We knew just how evil he was, but didn’t know what he was capable of doing.Devyn looked frantic, and for a second, I thought he was going to toss the phone away. Reluctantly, he handed me the phone.“He wants to speak to you specifically.”Wasting no time, I grabbbed the phone and placed it against my ear.“Put it on speaker. I want to hear what he says to you,” Devyn instructed and I obeyed as I pressed the speaker button.“Gina.”Chills went through my spine, leaving an uneasy feeling within me. I hated the way he said my name, and I wished he’d never say it again.
DEVYN’S POVAs we walked out of the church, Flora along with the other witches was underneath the tree, waiting. The moment we were out, they walked towards us. I had a hand on Gina’s waist, guiding her protectively.After the ritual, she was different. She was more tender, and quieter, and her scent had changed too. She normally smelled more like a human, but this time she smelt more like a wolf, but not completely one.“I see it was successful,” Flora chimed as a triumphant expression etched on her face, “And quick too.”Gina nodded lightly and I couldn’t help but feel pride. She was special, and it didn’t just have to do with her destiny and her abilities. She was brilliant, a quick learner and unique.“Now you’re going to face what’s ahead of you. Are you ready? You’re going to fight the real fight now,” she said, directed to Gina.I could feel Gina’s emotions even as she tried to hide her uncertainty and anxiety. I couldn’t blame her. She never got to fight, and now she was goin