I knew that my village hated me, but I didn’t think they would take it as far as to sacrifice me. Over the past seven generations, every twenty to thirty or so years the Alpha Kings bloodline declares it needs a witch. That witch never comes back, and no one knows what happened to them. The thought made me anxious, I was sure I was going to get killed, I was a useless witch after all.
Of course though I wasn’t the only witch in my family to be doomed, for multiple generations almost like we were cursed each member had been born with little to no magic energy. I looked down at my hands, they were pale, my fingernails were clipped, and I had multiple scars across the palms of my hands try to do spells. No of them worked, no of them at all. So again, I shouldn’t be too surprised that the village would want to send me away. They were probably trying to stop my bloodline from continuing. I had no siblings, I had no parents. Orphaned from a young age, when my father and mother took me camping to see the stars that us witches descend from. A vampire passing by wanted a meal, probably thinking that they were easy targets separated from the village. My father, who had some magic power descending from a desperate bloodline then my mother, tried to protect the both of us by casting a protection spell. He only had enough magic to shield me, and my mother also died trying to protect me. The vampire didn’t even try to attack me, just walked away with a smirk on his ugly face. I had nothing against werewolves. There kind was actually the backbone of this land, they multiplied easily and they had the very Moon Goddess watching over them. The Alpha King, his bloodline, had been chosen by the Moon Goddess eras ago. I wondered why they needed a witch. “Ares!” A curt call of my name, I turned my head peering over my shoulder. It was one of the werewolves sent to collect me. He was brutish, with a shaved head and a deep frown. “Hurry up witch!” He called it out like it was an insult. Just because I had nothing against werewolves didn’t mean their kind like my kind. I rolled my eyes and continued packing. I wasn’t sure how long I would be gone, or if I was even coming back, so all my valuables were going with me. These valuables were what made a witch a witch, a spell book, I sighed realizing that was really my only thing of value. My spell book had been passed down for generations, each time it passed hands it took on a different appearance. Mine was old, with a moon and stars carved into the leather bound cover yet a heinous three marks were dug into the cover ruining it. Ropes bounded the pages together and the pages were old, yet firm and sturdy as if they weren’t as aged as they let on. Inside the spell book was a number of spells, however I didn’t have the magical power to cast most almost all of them. Pushing the rest of my clothes inside the suitcase, I turned around heaving it to my side. Before I took a single step forward I looked in the mirror by my door. My black hair was long, coming down to my waist. My eyes were a dark grey, my face was average, and a small smile found its way on my lips. I was wearing a magic resistant robe overtop my clothing, hiding away my outfit, the robe was dark black with gold runes sewn into the fabric it even had a hood which I had pulled over my head. The robe fell all the way to my feet, but wasn’t long enough that I would keep stepping on it. I wondered if I looked like a capable witch. “Any help?” I asked. The werewolf scoffed. “Just cast a spell.” Obviously he wasn’t made aware that I wasn’t a capable witch at all, I wondered if I even had the right to call myself a witch. Once again I rolled my eyes, I moved forward dragging the suitcase behind me until I reached the wagon. The wagon on the outside looked normal, just a wooden base and frame painted silver along the frames while the base was a dark red. A pack of wolves was pulling the wagon, they bore their teeth and growled at anyone that passed by them. Surely only a werewolf could only tame them. I felt like I used all my strength pushing my luggage up inside the wagon, with one last heaving breath I pushed myself into the wagon as well. The oaf of a werewolf pushed himself into after me, taking a seat only a foot away. His arms crossed and his expression grim. Inside the wagon was different from what a regular one would be like. The King must have money to spare. There was a mirror across from my seat, which slid open as a means of communicating with the driver. The seats were lined with a plush red cushion, and the wallpaper was a pure silver color. At least the doors had been removed, making for a nice breeze as the driver clicked for the horses to go. “Be on your best behavior in front of the King.” The oaf barked at me. He was looking out the open door way, watching the passing city and trees. I could see people gathering to watch the wagon pull away, their expressions happy and relieved. I could even hear some cheering. “Why do they hate you so much?” The oaf asked, seemingly his curiosity had gotten the better of him. He must have seen more than he had let on. “My father said when we take a witch it’s like pulling a tooth, why are they giving you up so easily?” I looked forward, peeling my eyes away from the open doorway. “Who knows?”I’ll keep my mouth shut for now, I don’t have an exact reason for doing so it was just a gut feeling that ran through my body. I knew. I was less then capable, always the outcast. Incapable of performing any spells that was over an easy difficulty. No matter how much I had trained, or worked tirelessly to change that my magic power wouldn’t grow. We remained in silence for the rest of the ride. From the witches village to the Palace of the Wolves was only half a day. When we arrived I was in awe. The werewolves had made a name for themselves, and a beautiful dwelling. Their city was large, hidden behind walls that towered over the tallest being, the shape of their capital was a circle mimicking the full moon when they are at their peak. In the center of the city, a large palace, bigger than anything I had ever seen before, its build seemed to be made out of moonstone. Its color was white, and yet in some places it seemed to be giving off a shining blue light almost as if it wa
He was silent for a moment, not a single person in the room dared to make a noise until he spoke. “I am the Alpha King of the Werewolves, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself, my name is Kael, will you do me the honor of breaking my curse?” It honestly didn’t sound like he was asking more like demanding. Kael. That was a nice name, and obviously respected. Finding a little confidence, I used my hands to grip at the fabric of my robes. “Before I accept, may I know the curse?” My head was still looking down, but I could hear the silence in the room following after my voice. It was unsettling and bone chilling. King Kael spoke again. “I suppose the witches wouldn’t know since after my family took one, no of them has returned.” He sounded almost amused for a second before continuing. “I will do you the honor of telling you the entire story, if you will follow me?” I nodded my head, not daring to look up from the floor. I could hear small movement, and then the foot steps over to
I tilted my head to the side. “No magic energy? Why have a witch then? What’s the curse?” “I will show you.” He pressed his hands against the table and pushed himself up and walked over to a glass case I didn’t notice. Inside there was a book, spread open to a certain page with blood smeared across of it. He opened the latch and slide the glass open, he carefully lifted the generational old book and brought it over to me. Sitting it down with such care. “This is her spell book, my ancestor stole it from her.” My eyes widened. Stealing a witch’s spell book was the same as stealing her power, her family’s power, they would be worthless. Something felt oddly familiar about that idea. The pages were ancient, old and yellowed with tears. Something about it was strange, like it was radiating magical energy, but it wasn’t normal energy more like a magnified radiation of it. “Only a witch can read a spell book, but I’m afraid that none of the witches my family enlisted have been able
“I’m fine, I just thought I saw something.” I shook my head. “Must be my imagination.” Yet something deep inside was telling me I couldn’t leave Kael, that I had to help him. Kaels lips pursed for a moment before he let out a sigh. “Don’t push yourself, if you need anything let me know…. Hey, tell me what was your name again?” “Ares.” I answered with a small smile. “I’m not pushing myself I want to help you, even if I’m not that great of a witch.” Kael’s head tilted slightly, his face unreadable. His eyes were hidden beneath the shadow of his hood, but I could still feel his gaze on me. It was unnerving, not knowing what emotions lay behind the veil of darkness. Was it suspicion? Concern? Or something else entirely? “Ares,” he said, my name slipping from his lips like a soft command. “You might not think you’re great, but you’ve done more than you realize. I wouldn’t have made it this far without you, or your kind.” The words hung in the air between us, heavy with meanin
“That’s not what I meant.” The vampire chuckled. “Think about it though, I will be back in one month with some friends, if you haven’t lifted the curse by then.” He’s giving us a time limit? Only one month to do something that witches couldn’t do over the course of years? Even if Kael said the curse didn’t necessarily need magic it didn’t mean that I was going to be able to break it. I was doomed. But I didn’t want the vampires to win, no their kind had taken too much from my own and from the werewolves.I turned to Kael. Should I tell him about the vision? Especially if the vampires are trying to hunt Nyx down? But what did that vision mean? Was I somehow tied to Nyx and didn’t know it? The curse she created would have drained her bloodlines magic considerably. The vampire said that they had already found the reincarnation. Was it me? Was I the way she would come back? I didn’t see myself giving into her but she was powerful. I don’t know when she would try to strike for my body
The two guards flanked me, their towering forms making me feel smaller than I already did. Without a word, they began to escort me down the dimly lit corridor, the air heavy with tension. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the stone walls, a steady reminder of their presence and purpose. As we walked, I couldn’t help but steal a glance at the guards. Their faces were set in grim expressions, eyes scanning every shadow and corner for any potential threat. Despite their intimidating appearance, they seemed more focused on ensuring my safety than anything else.They were werewolves, following the pack leaders orders, following the Alphas orders. Kael commanded it and they followed through. I wondered just how strong an Alphas order was. But at the same time I hoped I would never find out. We reached my room sooner than I expected. One of the guards opened the door, holding it wide as the other gestured for me to enter. I stepped inside, the familiar warmth of the room doing little
The werewolf charged at me without a moments hesitation. I raised my hand in defense, a small weak barrier pulling itself out of thin air to surround me. It was a solid shield, light red in color that pulsed with my heartbeat. The werewolf crashed into it, a small crack going down the center of the shield. "Enough." Kael ordered. The werewolf backed off, taking a relaxed stance to the side. "Ares, if you are to survive getting attacked by vampires you need to create a stronger shield." I looked down, I didn't know what kind of face to make. This was the strongest my magic could get. Kael’s gaze was sharp as he observed me, but there was no anger in it—just a cold, assessing focus. "Your barrier is weak because you’re thinking too small, Ares. Magic isn’t just about creating something physical. It’s about shaping your intent into something that is beyond what you can see."I clenched my fists, frustration simmering beneath my skin. I’d been training for months, struggling to reach m
I swallowed, feeling something crack inside me. The shield had been a reflection of my own uncertainty. If I was ever going to get stronger, I had to stop holding back—not just my magic, but myself.Kael stepped closer, not quite touching me, but close enough that I could feel the weight of his presence. “You have the power to face whatever comes, Ares. You just need to stop doubting it.”My hand trembled slightly, and I could feel the familiar pulse of magic beneath my skin. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to trust it fully, but if there was one thing I knew for certain, it was that I couldn’t keep running from myself.“Then- Then why don't you show me,” I said, voice small but growing in conviction. “Show me how to stop doubting.”He had so much knowledge about witches, I knew it was from the journals of his ancestors, he probably read those journals a hundred times or more when he was growing up. I don't know why I changed my mind, it was almost as if I would try anything he would su
Ares lingered in Kael’s arms for a moment longer, the warmth of his embrace grounding her as she tried to steady her thoughts. But as much as she wished she could hold onto the quiet peace between them, Kael pulled back slightly, his expression shifting, more serious now. “Ares,” he began, his voice low and purposeful, “there’s something I need to tell you.” She tilted her head, sensing the change in his tone, a knot of concern settling in her stomach. “What is it?” she asked softly, already fearing the worst. Kael took a slow breath, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of determination and caution. “My scouts—some of them were out near the borders today, watching for any unusual activity. And they reported something strange. There were a few vampires in the area. They didn’t engage, but they were circling the territory. Watching.” Ares felt her heart skip a beat, her pulse quickening as she processed his words. “Vampires?” she echoed, dread creeping into her voice. “What were
Kael hesitated for a moment, his hand still resting gently on the back of her neck as if to keep her close. His gaze softened, and the intensity that had been there just moments before seemed to fade, replaced by something more tender. He looked at her, as if considering how to phrase the words that were on his mind.“I wanted to make sure you were alright,” Kael said, his voice quieter now, almost as if he were testing the truth of the words as they left his mouth. “I know you’ve been through a lot, Ares. And I know the burden you’re carrying isn’t easy to bear. I just—” He paused, his lips pressing together for a brief moment. “I wanted to remind you that you’re not alone in this. That I’m here, and I’ll be here no matter what happens.”Ares felt the sincerity in his words, and her heart warmed with the truth of them. The weight of the world seemed a little lighter now, knowing that Kael’s presence was a constant she could rely on. Despite all the fear, the uncertainty, and the curs
Ares gazed up at Kael, her heart racing in her chest, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She could feel the warmth of his touch lingering on her face, a silent reassurance that made her feel both safe and terrified at the same time. There was something raw about the connection between them, something she hadn’t fully understood before but now seemed impossible to ignore. It was as if their fates were intertwined, the very air between them charged with a force neither of them could escape.“I…” Ares began, but the words failed her. She opened her mouth again, trying to find the right thing to say, but she couldn’t. Her heart pounded, and her thoughts were tangled in a mess of fear and desire. What was this? How could she possibly navigate the weight of this moment when every part of her felt like it was on the verge of breaking?Kael’s thumb continued to trace gentle circles on her cheek, grounding her in the moment, pulling her focus back to him. She could see the sincerit
Ares stepped out of her room, the cool air of the hallway hitting her with a shiver. The shadows seemed to stretch longer than they should, and the silence felt heavy around her, as though the house itself was holding its breath. She hesitated for a moment, her hand lingering on the doorframe. It was almost as if she could feel the weight of her uncertainty hanging in the air, a tangible force pulling at her chest.She took a deep breath and pushed forward, her footsteps echoing softly in the hallway. The castle was eerily quiet at this hour, the servants no longer bustling about, the usual chatter and clattering of dishes replaced by a stillness that made her feel even more isolated.Kael. The thought of him brought both warmth and a pang of fear. Was he really waiting for her in the study? Or was it just another part of the nightmare she had woken from? What would he say to her now that she felt so fragile, so full of doubt?The closer she got to the study, the more her nerves seeme
Ares woke with a sharp gasp, her heart racing, eyes wide in the dimly lit room. The lingering shadows of her nightmare clung to her, vivid and raw. She could still feel Nyx’s mocking voice, the cold, cutting words. Kael’s rejection echoed in her mind like a haunting refrain.She sat up quickly, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she looked around the room, her heart pounding harder with every passing second. The sheets around her were tangled, as though she had been thrashing in her sleep. But Kael was nowhere to be found.Her hands trembled as she reached for the side of the bed, her mind spinning. He’s not here.Her stomach twisted at the thought, the sudden loneliness pressing down on her chest. She had felt his warmth just hours ago, his arms around her offering comfort and a promise of safety. But now, in the cold silence of the room, it felt as though that reassurance had been a fleeting dream, a fleeting moment of peace she couldn’t hold on to.Ares swung her legs over the s
The darkness of the night was thick, oppressive, and Ares tossed and turned beneath the covers, the sheets tangled around her body as she fought against the pressure closing in on her chest. Her dreams were no longer peaceful; they had become something darker, more twisted. Tonight, it felt different—heavier.She found herself standing in a vast, empty void, an eerie, suffocating silence surrounding her. The air was thick with magic, but not the kind she was familiar with—this was darker, malevolent. As she took a step forward, she saw her reflection in the stillness, but it wasn’t her. It was Nyx. Her face, her eyes—everything about her was a perfect mimicry, yet Ares could feel the coldness emanating from the image.Nyx smiled, but it was empty, chilling. “You think you can escape your fate?” she asked, her voice smooth, almost seductive. “Your body will be mine soon enough, just like it was always meant to be. The bloodline will fall. The Alpha King’s reign will end with your hands
Ares moved toward the bed, her body aching with exhaustion. The soft rustle of her nightdress against her skin was the only sound in the otherwise quiet room. She reached for the edge of the blankets, about to pull them back and finally rest her weary body when something caught her eye.A small, folded piece of parchment was lying on the floor next to the bed, as if it had been slipped under the door without her noticing. The paper was pristine, its edges sharp and unruffled. It seemed out of place, too deliberate in its positioning. Ares frowned, her heart suddenly picking up pace.She bent down and picked it up, her fingers brushing against the paper’s smooth surface. Without thinking, she unfolded the note, her eyes scanning the words written in sharp, black ink.“Stay away from Kael. He is not yours to claim.”A chill ran down her spine, and the words seemed to blur for a moment, the weight of them settling heavily in her chest. She read the rest of the note:“You are trying to st
The light from the flickering candles cast a soft, warm glow over the room, but to Ares, the shadows seemed to stretch longer with every passing minute. Her eyes were heavy, her mind thick with the swirling weight of the day’s failures. She could barely keep her focus on the pages in front of her anymore. Each word seemed to blur together, and her body felt like it was shutting down, unable to keep up with the mental and emotional strain.Kael, too, was showing signs of exhaustion. His normally sharp eyes were clouded with fatigue, his shoulders slightly hunched as he leaned over the spell book, his focus wavering. He had been silent for the past few minutes, and Ares had noticed the subtle tension in his movements—his fingers tapping lightly on the book’s edge, his breathing just a little more shallow.Finally, Kael let out a soft sigh and closed the book, the finality of the motion lingering in the air. “I think we’ve hit a wall for today,” he said, his voice low but gentle. His han
The hours stretched on as Ares and Kael pored over the spell book, its yellowed pages heavy with the weight of ancient knowledge. The words blurred in Ares’ vision, a jumble of incantations and symbols she couldn’t quite make sense of. She had been so sure that this was the way forward, that breaking the curse would be as simple as deciphering the right spell. But the deeper they dug, the more elusive the answers seemed.Kael sat across from her, a furrow in his brow as he flipped through the pages, his eyes scanning each line with a kind of intensity that made Ares’ chest tighten. His focus was unwavering, but even he was starting to look frustrated. Ares could feel the weight of his frustration, the tension hanging between them like a storm cloud. Each failed attempt to break the curse felt like a personal failure, and the pressure was mounting.Ares leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. The symbols swirled in her mind, and the words of the spell felt more like a riddle tha