Rake's POVI stood outside of the room with a smile on my face. Mima was probably going to be pissed that I kept this from her for so long, but she would be happy, too, and if she was angry, I'd just find a way to appease her.My mind went back to how enthralling she had looked earlier and my heart raced.“Alpha. I'm sorry but I would like to have a word with you.” One of my subordinates called out to me. I nodded at him and followed him to one of the equipment rooms.“We finally got wind of the people that you had described.”At the mention of his words, my face immediately turned into a frown.“Tell me.”“They don't exist on the map.” He said before sucking in a breath and gauging my reaction.“What?! What do you mean by they don't exist on the map?” I asked fuming.“We couldn't find any trace about them from anybody. They didn't have a specific location. I asked around and some people did know them. Some had seen them lurking around in the shadows of their pack or walking in broad
Mima's POVI woke up to find that I was alone in my room.Rake must have left to do some work. I felt better, my nightmares had even reduced. I could think straight without remembering my past and I was enjoying my stay in this pack.Everything felt just like how it was before my parents died. I felt a whole lot better.I got out of bed and looked out the window. It was nighttime, and the moon shone so brightly into my room.The moon was beautiful tonight, and I just couldn't take my eyes off it. Then I heard it.“Child.”“Who is there?” I said into the empty room. Was I about to be kidnapped again?I looked around and almost turned my room upside down looking for the voice. By the time I was done, my room had looked as though a tornado had come through it.“Be calm child.”“Stop playing tricks on me, who are you?” I screamed. “The lake, come to the lake.”“No, no you're trying to kill me. Rake wouldn't like it; Rake would be mad if I went again, and he wouldn't listen to me. He woul
Mima’s POVCold.It wrapped around me like a firm hand, squeezing the breath from my lungs. My limbs refused to move, trapped in the unnatural pull of the lake. Panic clawed at my chest. I tried to fight or break free, But I couldn't.My body wasn’t mine anymore. My fingers twitched uselessly as the water dragged me deeper. The glow beneath me pulsed, silver and hypnotic, swirling like something alive.The Moon Goddess said my powers were sealed. Was this them breaking free?I opened my mouth to scream, but only bubbles escaped. Suddenly, the light exploded.A force just like I had felt that night surged through my body, burning and freezing at the same time. My skin prickled, my veins pulsed with raw energy, and my head snapped back as pain lanced through my skull.A voice whispered through the water. "Awaken." The world around me shifted.I wasn't in the lake anymore.I stood in a vast, silver-lit void. The ground beneath me wasn’t solid, but I didn't sink. My breath came in sharp g
Mima’s POVWe heard rustling in the forest and we both froze where we stood.The rustling grew louder. My body tensed, every sense on high alert.Daria edged closer to me. "Luna, something's out there."I nodded, scanning the treeline. My heart pounded, but the overwhelming power I had felt beneath the water was now just a faint hum. I didn't know if I could call on it again.A low whimper broke the silence. It sounded like an injured animal but I couldn't tell.A whimper sounded again and then I heard it clearly. A child.Daria gasped, rushing forward before I could stop her. "Wait!" I hissed, but she was already kneeling beside a small figure half- hidden by the underbrush.I stepped closer and froze. Aboy.He was curled up, his frail body shaking. His clothes were torn and dirty, and his arms were covered in cuts and bruises. He couldn’t have been older than ten. His dark hair was matted with blood, and his breathing was shallow.Daria reached out hesitantly. "He's hurt."I crouche
Mima's POVThe boy was locked up.I stood outside the iron doors of the cell, my fingers tightening around the tray of food in my hands. The dungeons reeked and this place was most definitely not suitable for a child.He sat curled in the farthest corner, knees drawn to his chest, arms wrapped tightly around himself. His dark hair, still matted with dried blood, clung to his forehead. He hadn’t moved since the warriors shoved him inside.“Here,” I said softly, kneeling by the bars. “You need to eat.”His eyes flickered to me, then to the food before looking away. He ignored me.Daria knelt beside me. “He’s scared.”“Of course he’s scared,” I muttered. “He woke up in a cage.”The guilt I felt grew stronger. I had carried him here, thinking I was saving him, but now he was locked behind bars as if he were some kind of criminal.Rake’s orders.I had fought him, of course. Had stood there, shaking with fury, demanding he let the boy go. But Rake had already turned away, shutting me out as
Mima’s POVI barely spoke for days.Daria tried, at first, asking questions like how I found the weather or how I liked my meal, bringing up small things to get me to engage. But I gave her nothing. Eventually, even she stopped trying.The only people I acknowledged were Kai and, occasionally, Daria.Rake kept his distance. He didn't ask about the letter, although I am sure Daria must have told him that I burnt it. We barely crossed paths, mostly because I stayed in my room most of the time.My nightmares, which had momentarily stopped, came back. They weren't the weird men but they went back to Dylan and Stephanie.They came like they always did, dragging me back into places I never wanted to return to. Dark dungeons, my old room and in each one, Dylan's face appeared, especially that night he tried to sexually assault me.Every time I closed my eyes, I was there again.I woke up gasping and shaking, my heart pounding so hard it hurt.And every time, I found Kai awake too, watching m
Mima’s POVRake’s lips moved against mine, sending a shiver down my spine. His hand rested on my waist, his fingers pressing just enough to make my skin tingle. My heart pounded in my chest, as I felt him thrust his tongue into my mouth, sucking on mine.I was kissing him.My mate.I let myself sink into it for a breath, two, before reality hit me. I came here for a reason.I placed my hands on his chest, pushing lightly. “Rake.”He didn’t pull away immediately. His darkened eyes roamed my face with a small smile on his lips before he finally exhaled, his forehead dropping against mine.“I need to tell you something,” I murmured.His thumb traced slow circles on my waist, a silent urge to continue. I swallowed, forcing myself to focus.“I’m going to the wedding.”Rake stilled. His grip on me loosened slightly. “You’re sure?” “Yes.”He nodded once as if accepting it, but his gaze flickered back to my lips. He tilted his head, his hand moving up to my jaw. “Then let’s finish what we sta
Mima’s POV“You’re taking him with you?” Rake said as he stared at me. His voice was calm as he spoke, and it helped to calm my racing heart, expecting his refusal.I met his stare, my arms tightening protectively around Kia. “Yes.”Beck shifted beside him, looking ready to intervene, but Rake didn’t break eye contact with me. Then, to everyone’s shock, he exhaled and nodded. “Alright.”A beat passed.Zahra let out a loud, exaggerated gasp. “It’s the kiss, isn’t it?” Heat shot up my neck. “Zahra—”She burst out laughing, and Beck followed suit, clapping a hand to Rake's back dramatically. Even Daria snickered behind her hand.Rake arched a brow, then smirked. “Maybe.” I gaped at him.Zahra collapsed onto the bed, gasping with laughter. “Oh, this is the best day of my life. Who would have thought I'd see a day like this? The big bad lycan king and my sweet childhood best friend”I scowled, picking up a pillow and chucking it at her head. “Pack faster before I leave you behind.”She on
Mima's POVI walked through the dark halls of the hospital.I needed to check up on Julia. It had been a week since my visit to the gods' realm, and despite our best efforts, we had made little progress on training Kia. I had thought it would be simple, considering we had the book as a guide.But the wording and diagrams were cryptic, layered with meanings that twisted upon themselves. Every sleepless night I spent trying to decipher them had left me frustrated and exhausted.And about the news concerning Ria and Kian? We have got nothing. The only good news is that the soldiers are working hard enough that they can now almost beat Beck and Zahra in a one on one. Their group battles aren't strong yet though…My boots echoed against the polished floor of the hospital. The nurses on duty were few, and from my inquiries, it turns out that the doctor is on his break so the whole hospital is just quiet.I reached Julia’s room, pausing for a moment before slowly pushing open the door. The r
Mima's POV My ears were ringing when I slowly opened my eyes to look up. Someone was carrying me in her arms and I couldn't make out who it was. Her long delicate fingers slowly dropped me to the ground and I saw Kia on the other side of her.I kept willing the ringing to stop but it only got louder. I placed my hand on both sides of my head and after a while, the ringing stopped. I raised my head to look up to see the goddess facing the god of destruction head on and from the look on his face, he was scared? The god of destruction's expression flickered between anger and feigned amusement, his dark eyes narrowing at the radiant figure before him. The goddess stood tall, unfazed by his presence, her very being emanating a power that seemed to press against the fiery air of the realm.“You were going to let them leave?” The goddess asked, her voice was calm but there was an underlying annoyed tone. The god of destruction let out a deep, dark chuckle, though the amusement didn't qui
Mima’s POVWe appeared in another realm and it was dark and gory like. There was fire everywhere or was that Lava? The walls seemed as though we were melting and a thought crossed me that it seemed this was a volcano like environment. Perfect habitat for one of destruction. The heat was unbearable and I felt extremely hot but all my focus was on saving Kia. I thrashed against the guard that was holding, my wrists aching from his strong grip. “Let us go!” I growled, struggling harder.The guards ignored me and forced us forward, marching toward an enormous door. The doors pulled open on their own and we walked through. I was still looking around, trying to gauge where we were and the level of danger we were in when they shoved me and Kia to our knees.I instinctively reached for Kia, pulling him close to my side as the towering figure seated on a throne stared down at us.The god of destruction and punishment.His presence alone was suffocating. His dark robes rippled like living sh
Mima's POVThe man stepped forward, his handsome face on display as he moved. He had a cream and blue apparel on, and his hair was in long dark locs that fell below his shoulders.His pasty skin, the same shade as Kia’s, glowed in the dimly lit prison.“Kia,” he breathed, his voice deep. Kia took an uncertain step forward, his small fingers gripping my hand tightly. “Daddy?” he whispered, as if afraid the image before him would disappear.The man nodded, his expression softening. “Yes, my son. I’ve wanted to see you for so long.”Kia’s fingers twitched in mine, and I knew he wanted to run to his father, to embrace him, but the thick golden bars separating them made it impossible. His father knelt before him, leveling his gaze with Kia’s, and reached out to touch the barrier, his fingertips shimmering against the energy that crackled in the air.I cleared my throat, breaking the moment. “You called me here for a reason,” I said, trying not to show how intimidated I felt by his powers.
Mima's POV I walked through the halls to Zahra's room. Rake had gone to check the soldiers and also learn the new moves that Beck was showing them. Daria had holed herself up in the library looking for anything that could be of help.And Julia? She's still unconcious so we've not gotten any news from her. I had asked a maid who told me that Kia was with Zahra. It had been a day since I had come back from the goddess' realm to see Kia's father. I needed to wait a while before rushing into things.I swung the door open and walked in to see Kia and Zahra together on the bed, reading a book, with snacks around them.“Hi guys, am I free to join you?” They both looked up and Zahra nodded.“Mima!” Kia said, smiling at me with all his teeth. I smiled back at him and ruffled his hair as I sat beside him. “Hey kiddo. So there's somewhere we need to go. Want to come with me?” I could feel Zahra staring intently at the side of my head but I don't look at her. Kia nodded, enthusiastic to go
Mima's POVI closed my palm, extinguishing the fire, and Rake gasped."Wow... I mean, not that I didn't believe you but... wow... that's so impressive."He said, and I just laughed. It was actually impressive if I say so myself.Rake reached out, taking my hands in his, his eyes scanning my face. "And this is how you defeated them? How long have you known you had this power?""It has been a while now.," I admitted, squeezing his hands gently. I didn't know how he would take that information, knowing that I kept this from him for so long. "It's been revealing itself to me in pieces and I don't know if I've unlocked all my powers yet. But there's something more pressing I need to handle."His brows furrowed in concern. "What is it?"I hesitated. Telling him would only make him worry and dumping all that information on him now? but there was no avoiding it. I can't keep things from him for so long any longer. "I have to go to the goddess realm."Rake stiffened. "What?! The goddess' rea
Mima's POV It's the next person's turn and like the other, he attacked first rushing towards me with his fists balled. I knelt down, doing the same move as earlier and punching him.Moving him slightly backwards. He winced from the hit but regained his composure immediately. He came at me again but this time. I just held his hand and slowed the speed of his punch that was supposed to come at me. I imbued my powers in my palms to make it hot and he didn't flinch from it. I tried harder but he didn't show any reaction.“You too. Move to the right. Who's next?” I said to the line and another man stepped forward.This went on for a while and I was starting to think I was mistaken when the man I was holding jumped back, screaming.“You—” he looked at me with so much hatred in his eyes and I finally smirked.I pointed at two men from the right that I had cleared before. “Hold him.” They rushed out and held him down to the ground, watching him struggle. Three others from the line took th
Mima's POVWe walked back into the Arena with the guard behind us. “I was waiting for you.” Rake said but I just ignored him.“Why aren't you talking to me?” “Oh, now you're seriously asking me that? After you turned a deaf ear to me pleading for the life of the elders? I knew that they didn't do too well or even do good by disobeying you but taking their life is just too cruel of a punishment to give.” “Mima, please. They deserve this.” He replied and I just couldn't tell if this was the man I was falling in love with.Wait … what did I just say? I'm in love with Rake? I felt a blush crept up my cheeks and he looked puzzled staring at me.“I wouldn't sit here and watch you take innocent people's lives”. I stood up and walked away and Take rushed to grab my hand and spun me around, pulling me to his chest. “Fine, I'll do anything to make you happy.” And he pecked my forehead.“Release them.” He yelled and everyone turned to face him with wide eyes. “Throw them in the dungeons in
Mima's POV The whole pack sat at the designated seats for the crowd while the elders in front were paraded in chains. I could hear wailing from some people in the crowd but I chose to ignore them because if I looked at them I would have sympathy for all the things that the elders have done so far. I knew they would be the family members, their wives, husbands and possibly daughters and sons. None of them have the heart to challenge their Alpha.I felt bad about the whole thing so I turned it to Rake to see if I could beg on behalf of the elders, but the expression on his face told me to just mind my words and be quiet.The soldiers stepped out holding swords and spears, walking towards the elders one by one and standing in front of them. I liked at their faces one by one and took a breathe of relief when I found out that Rake's aunt wasn't included.“Rake.” I tapped Rake to get his attention. “Don't you think we should spare these people? I mean they made mistakes and anyone can