Mia's PovFor the record, I knew that sparring with Martha was a bad idea. And because I knew that - and could bloody well recognise it even through the thickening haze of anger and resentment that threatened to swallow me whole - I forced myself to calm down and take a step back. "Martha," I said as coldly and as calmly as I could manage. "I am not weak. Please leave."Martha's gaze turned downright venomous and her features twisted into a rictus of anger."You fucking lie!" She exclaimed, jabbing a finger at me and making me jerk back in surprise. "You two-faced, pathetic liar! If you were not so pathetically powerless then Maya would be alright!"My fists clenched at my sides as Martha's words dug into me like splinters. I knew that, and I did not need anyone to remind me about it. I reminded myself about it enough...It seemed like a low blow for Martha to drag that out."Mia, you have to face the truth," Martha's voice sliced through the air, sharp and accusatory. " Or would you
Mia's PovRound after round, blow after blow, we battled on, locked in a deadly dance of violence that seemed to stretch on for an eternity. Each exchange of blows was a testament to our resilience, a testament to the indomitable spirit that burned within us both.And then, just when I thought I couldn't take anymore, Martha delivered a final, devastating blow that sent me crashing to the ground, my body a mass of agony as I lay there, gasping for breath. Every muscle screamed in protest, every nerve ending ablaze with pain, but still I refused to give up.This was just round one.....I would argue that I knew what I was doing. And in a way I did. I was losing. Badly.Martha sneered at me as I slammed against the wall and doubled over. Through the haze of agony, I saw Lycidas watching us from the bed, his eyes inscrutable as he bore witness to the spectacle unfolding before him. Shame burned hot in me."Are you sure you don't want to draw your claws?" I wheezed. Martha scoffed. "You
Mia's Pov."I was not worried!" Martha growled at him.Lycidas did not spare her attention. Instead he walked up to me and held my arm gently."Are you okay?" He asked."Yes," i answered, wincing at the bruises I had sustained. "For the most part at least.""Who has this room?" Alpha Fenrir asked, looking about like he truly did not know who had been assigned the room. I made to speak but Alpha Fenrir turned to Martha."Martha?" He gently called. "Mind telling me?""It is Mia's," Martha said through gritted teeth."Is that so? Well, it has been quite a day and everyone is tired. Why don't you go ahead and rest first? Perhaps you would feel less worried when you wake up."Martha kept silent for a while and I had the fleeting thought that she was going to refuse but instead she nodded meekly and stepped out of the room.Fenrir watched her go then turned his attention towards me then, his gaze penetrating as he regarded me with a mix of curiosity and assessment. "And you, Mia," he said,
Amelia's POVAs I made my way through the corridors of our pack's territory, the weight of the letter clutched tightly in my hand felt heavier with every step. Alpha Gonzalez's study loomed ahead, a place I had visited countless times, yet today it held a vague air of foreboding.Why had Alpha Fenrir sent a letter? The thought gnawed at me, twisting my stomach into knots. It couldn't be good news. Fenrir was not one to send correspondence without reason, especially not to Alpha Gonzalez.My mind raced with worry for Lycidas. Was he alright? Had something happened to him? I pushed the anxious thoughts aside, trying to focus on the task at hand.Reaching the door to Alpha Gonzalez's study, I paused for a moment to gather my courage. Taking a deep breath, I knocked softly before pushing the door open and stepping inside.Alpha Gonzalez looked up from his desk, his sharp eyes meeting mine. "Ah, Amelia. What brings you here?"I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "Alpha Fenrir sent a le
Amelia's POV I wandered through the forest a day later, the sunlight filtering through the trees, and my feet guided me mechanically to a spot teeming with memories, both sweet and sour. The leaves rustling in the breeze whispered tales of days gone by, wrapping me in their comforting embrace.In little time I found myself beneath the grand oak, its roots digging deep into the earth like the fingers of some ancient guardian. This was our spot, Lycidas' and mine, where we had often escaped the noise of the world and found solace in each other's company.Shafts of golden light pierced through the canopy, painting the ground in shifting patterns of light and shadow. It was here, under this tree, that Lycidas and I would laugh and talk for hours, the sound of our voices blending with the melody of the forest.In my mind's eye, I could see us sitting there, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. Lycidas's eyes, as blue as the sky on a clear day, were fixed on mine with a tenderness t
Amelia's POVI often found myself wondering just how it was possible that some mere animals could be as intelligent as a person. Lycidas himself had not had any idea but he also rarely pondered such things too. Perhaps they had come across some unnatural powers deep in the woods or maybe they were just simply blessed by the moon goddess. At least more blessed than the average wild life.Anyway, as the mouse enjoyed its impromptu feast, I couldn't help but wonder about Lycidas. It had been some time since I'd last talked to the little mouse and I could not shake the feeling of unease that had settled over me in the meanwhile."Say, little friend," I began, turning my attention back to the mouse, "have you seen Lycidas around lately? I've been missing him something fierce."The mouse paused mid-chew, its bright eyes fixed on mine with an almost knowing expression. Then, with a series of rapid squeaks, it launched into what sounded like a detailed account of its recent adventures.I lis
Mia's PovAs I followed Mabel through the forest, the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy overhead cast shifting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor. Mabel was leading me somewhere though I didn't exactly know where. The earthy scent of damp soil mingled with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers, and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze provided a soothing backdrop to our conversation. We had been talking about some obscure herbs and the like Mabel knew of but the conversation had fallen I to a brief lull and had finally petered out."So, Mia," Mabel began again, her voice gentle yet probing, "I heard you and Martha got into a bit of a tiff. Is everything alright?"Her words caught me off guard, and a flush of embarrassment crept up my cheeks. "Yeah, we had a disagreement," I admitted reluctantly, trying to downplay the severity of the situation."And I heard you got roughed up pretty good," Mabel continued, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Care to s
Hazel's povAs I strode down the dimly lit corridor of our pack's stronghold, the sounds of my footsteps echoed off the stone walls, sending shivers down my spine. It has been almost a month since I met Alpha Phelan and I have not been idle. I pushed open the heavy oak door at the end of the corridor and stepped into the room beyond and I was greeted by a scene straight out of a nightmare. The room was suffused with an eerie glow, emanating from the various alchemical apparatuses that lined the walls. Glass vials and beakers bubbled and hissed with unknown substances, their contents casting strange, shifting shadows across the room.I had little idea what they were but the team of physicians I had working here had requisitioned them and so I had provided.At the center of the chamber lay the operating table, a crude and blood-stained slab of wood surrounded by a tangle of ropes and chains. Strapped to the table was the corrupted wolf, its grotesque form contorted in agony, patches o
Mia's POVA stone struck true, pulverizing the creature's eye with a sickening crunch. With a howl of agony, the wolf collapsed to the ground, its lifeblood staining the earth beneath it. As the last vestiges of life faded from its eyes, I breathed evenly and transformed back. Running up quickly, I jumped and kissed my mate. The flames on his hair were hot but they were not unbearable and they died down as he held me and kissed me back. It took all my willpower to break free from him and let us breath. Strands of sticky saliva trailed our lips as we parted and I was flushed up to my ears, breathless."Mia?" He breathed, looking at me in surprise.I would have grinned at him if I were not too busy being stunned."Xavier?!" I exclaimed. "What in the world?! How? I thought...""You never did see me without my turban," he teased. And he was right come to think of it."So the memory loss...""I did lose my memory," he said, shaking his head. "But I guess could say that an eyeball helped me
Mia's POVHe was no corrupted - he was much worse.In a desperate bid to end the chaos, I shifted into my wolf form, my white fur shimmering in the dim light of the throne room. With a newfound agility, I darted around the monstrous creature, my speed unmatched as I evaded its savage blows.But Hazel was relentless, his attacks coming fast and furious as he sought to overpower me with sheer brute force. With each passing moment, the battle grew more intense, the clash of claw and sinew echoing throughout the chamber.I ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding each blow as I fought to keep the creature at bay. But despite my best efforts, I could feel my strength waning, the relentless pace of our battle taking its toll on my weary body..The battle raged on, each blow striking home with deadly precision as I fought to bring Hazel to his knees. With a primal snarl, I launched myself at the creature once more, my claws tearing through its flesh with savage ferocity.With one final, decisiv
Mia's POV"Yeah," I grinned at her. "Now please someone tell me what is going on? How did everyone get here?""There is little time for that," Amelia said, a scary amount of hope alight in her eyes. "Alpha King Hazel has gone mad and he is turning people left and right corrupted." I could see that everyone was surprised to hear this. But the forest itself whispered to me that she spoke the truth. "But he also has a way to cure the corruption. It is a wand in beneath his throne."I smiled at her and gazed out at the Sulfur Hands gathered. I did not see Lycidas but that was not a problem. I was certain he was alright."Well guys, it is the night of the blood moon. I have to tell you that I've got a castle to storm so come on out all of you and get away already. You've all done your part for me. Let me do mine for you."I saw them off and turned to face the vague direction of the palace.The eyeball (I could not get its name) had told me; Blood Moon prophecy Layer 5: The Inheritor shall
Mia's POVWith a surge of adrenaline, I plunged the knife into the creature's main body, my hands steady despite the trembling of my limbs. The blade sank deep into its flesh, eliciting a guttural roar of pain as the creature thrashed and writhed beneath me. Each movement was a dance of desperation, a desperate bid for survival against an opponent that seemed unstoppable.But even as I fought with all the strength and skill I could muster, I could feel the tendrils of exhaustion creeping into my limbs, sapping my strength and clouding my thoughts. How many times had I faced this creature? How many times had I died, only to wake and face it once again?The creature's death throes were violent and chaotic, its massive form convulsing with the last vestiges of life as it fought against the inevitable. But I was relentless, my resolve unshakeable as I drove the knife deeper and deeper into its flesh, refusing to let up until the creature lay still and silent beneath me.With a final, ragg
Hazel's POVAs I stand in the dimly lit chamber, the vial of corrupted blood held delicately between my fingers, I can feel the weight of expectation bearing down upon me. Zion's eyes bore into me with a pensive gaze, his expression unreadable as he observes my every move. The air is heavy with anticipation, charged with the possibility of what is to come.With a steady hand, I bring the vial to my lips and drink deeply, allowing the thick, viscous liquid to slide down my throat. The taste is metallic, tinged with a hint of something dark and otherworldly. But as the last drop passes my lips, I feel no surge of power, no sudden transformation. I am not surprised.I never expected the corrupted blood to grant me any sort of supernatural abilities. My purpose in drinking it was not to gain power, but to align myself with the prophecy, to force my way into its narrative. And in that regard, I believe I have succeeded.As I lower the vial, I meet Zion's gaze with a sense of calm resolve.
???'s POV Amidst the vast expanse of the celestial realm, I found myself floating among the stars, my consciousness adrift in a sea of cosmic wonders. Suddenly, a commanding voice reverberated through the void, pulling me from my reverie with its otherworldly resonance."Little thing," the voice called out, its words echoing through the cosmos like the distant rumble of thunder. Startled, I responded tentatively, my voice barely a whisper in the vastness of space. "Who... who's there?"I was ignored as the voice continued to speak. I listened intently as the voice spoke of the troubles that plagued mortals, of the ebb and flow of life, and of the chaos that reigned in the mortal realm. The voice seemed to ramble on for a while, its words swirling around me like a whirlwind of cosmic energy. It spoke of mortals and their endless troubles, of how they always seemed to find new ways to bring chaos and destruction upon themselves. It seemed rather easy to notice that it was the 'eyeball'
???'s POVI opened my mouth to protest, to demand answers to the questions that burned within me, but she cut me off with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I don't want to hear it," she said coldly, her gaze hardening as she turned away from me. "Just go. Leave me alone. Go do whatever you want to. I don't care. My Lycidas is not here. Please, just... Stop. You truly are not Lycidas. I do not know who you are, but you are not my beloved."I stood there in stunned silence, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air between us. Part of me wanted to press her for answers, to demand to know what she meant by all of this. But another part of me knew that it was futile – that she would not deign to repeat herself. And even though I could not claim to know much else, I knew somehow that she was hundred percent certain that I was not Lycidas. And not in a character or behavioural kind of way. As in, I was fundamentally not Lycidas.With a heavy heart, I turned and walked away, the sound o
Lycidas' POVThe soft glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle illumination over Mia's room as I sat by her bedside, my fingers intertwined with hers as if holding onto a lifeline. The rhythmic rise and fall of her chest was the only indication of life, her face serene in slumber as she lay unconscious before me.I never realized how much I would miss her until now – the absence of her laughter, her vibrant energy, leaving a gaping hole in my heart that seemed impossible to fill. And yet, here she lay, so close yet so far, trapped in the grasp of an unknown darkness that threatened to consume her whole.I squeezed her hand gently, willing her to wake up, to return to me so that I could see the light in her eyes once more. But no matter how fervently I wished for her recovery, she remained still, her breathing steady but shallow, a silent reminder of the fragility of life.My mind drifted back to that fateful night when the ritual had gone awry, the memory of t
Amelia's POVI sat in the room with Alpha Gonzales and the injured Alpha Fenrir, my mind consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts and worries. The conversation between the two Alphas drifted in and out of my consciousness, the words fading into the background as I struggled to focus on the present moment.My thoughts kept returning to the letter I had received just before setting off with Alpha Gonzales—a missive that had filled me with a sense of foreboding unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The words were etched into my mind, haunting me with their ominous implications.In my mind's eye, I saw the image of the small mouse, my faithful messenger, as it hurried into my room with urgent purpose. Its tiny paws had trembled as it presented me with the letter, a sense of urgency emanating from its very being. With trembling hands, I had broken the seal and unfolded the parchment, my heart sinking as I read the words inscribed upon it.The once cryptic message had become alarmingly