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
Kael’s presence lingered beside me as the silence stretched between us. The courtyard, once filled with tension, now seemed to hum with a quiet sense of possibility. I could still feel the faint echoes of magic beneath my skin, a reminder of what I had just accomplished. It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress.We had been standing like this for a few minutes, my magic was humming underneath my skin ready for me to try again. “You’re quiet,” Kael said after a moment, his voice breaking the stillness. “What’s on your mind?” He was kind, something that others probably didn’t see that often. I hesitated, unsure if I should share the turmoil inside me. But something about his steady gaze made me feel safe, as if he could bear the weight of my fears without judgment.“I’m thinking about Nyx,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s hard not to feel like I’m walking the same path.”Kael’s expression softened, the stern edge in his features giving way to something more tender. “Y
The images slowly faded, leaving me with a lingering ache in my chest. I sat on the bench, my fingers trembling as I tried to steady my breathing. The courtyard, once a place of focus and possibility, now felt like a haze of confusion. My thoughts kept drifting back to the memories—Nyx’s memories—that had invaded my mind.I watched Kael and the others as they trained, their movements fluid and precise. But my attention wasn’t on their sparring; it was on the whispers of a past that didn’t belong to me. The fragments of Nyx’s life, her emotions, her love, her heartbreak—they had seeped into my consciousness, and I needed to know why.I needed to see her spell book again.Pushing myself up from the bench, I crossed the courtyard to where Kael was finishing a sequence. He noticed me approaching, his expression softening as he lowered his stance.“Ares?” he asked, wiping his brow. “Everything alright?”“I need to see Nyx’s spell book,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me
As I traced my fingers over the delicate runes, the warmth beneath my touch deepened, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. The magic thrummed softly, inviting, as if it recognized me. I let my hand linger on the page, drawn into the intricate patterns that seemed to shimmer in the dim light.Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and my vision blurred. I closed my eyes, the world around me fading into darkness. When I opened them again, I wasn’t in the library anymore.I was standing in a moonlit clearing, the soft rustle of leaves and the chirping of distant crickets filling the air. Before me stood Nyx, her dark hair flowing freely, her eyes alight with joy. She turned, smiling warmly at the figure beside her—Harrison.He was watching her with a tenderness that made my chest ache, his hand entwined with hers. The love between them was palpable, a bond that seemed to glow in the cool night air.“I have a surprise for you,” Nyx said, her voice soft and filled with exci
As Kael and I continued studying the spell book, a soft knock at the door drew our attention. A maid entered, carrying a tray laden with an assortment of dishes—freshly baked bread, roasted vegetables, and a steaming pot of tea. She set the tray on the table with practiced grace, offering a polite bow to Kael.“Lunch is served, my lord,” she said before turning to me with a gentle smile. “Miss.”I nodded, murmuring a quiet “thank you,” but my mind was already spinning. As the maid left, I glanced at the tray, then at Kael. The contrast between our worlds was suddenly stark and undeniable. He was accustomed to this life—fine meals delivered with care—while I had grown up with far less.Kael must have noticed my hesitation because he leaned in, a curious smile tugging at his lips. “What’s on your mind?”I hesitated, then sighed, feeling a little embarrassed. “It’s just… all of this. The food, the service. It’s so different from what I’m used to. I come from a place where meals like this
The Stars never lied, at least they had never lied in Ares experience.For as long as witches had walked the earth, they had looked to the stars for guidance. The heavens, vast and infinite, were believed to be the ultimate map of fate, each constellation a marker on the path laid out for every soul. Witches of old taught that the stars did not merely predict the future—they shaped it, their light weaving through the fabric of time and destiny. They whispered secrets to those who could hear them, offering glimpses of the trials and triumphs to come.Ares had grown up hearing these tales, the idea that her life was written in the stars both a comfort and a burden. She had always been told that while witches could wield immense power, they were ultimately bound by the celestial threads that connected all things. No matter the choices made or the paths taken, fate would always guide them back to where they were meant to be.Lately, Ares couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking in
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