I briskly rummaged for a new coat and proceeded to the hall of the palace. I enter, I walk, and I keep my glare fixed on Luna Maia who's sitting, as usual, in the circle of couches. This hall seems how it usually has been ever since the beginning. The only difference today is that all werewolves, except Luna Maia, are bowing their heads at me as I cross their spot. "Luna Maia, I need to talk with you privately." She gave a sign for the werewolves to leave us in this circle. I sat in front of her and threw questions without further ado. "Was it your plot to cage us inside a room for the rest of the night?" "..." She leans her back, elegantly sitting with her legs crossed. "It was. I lent her the help she needed to gain your love and trust. I hope you're aware of how dedicated she is to be the next Luna. Have you two reconciled?" "We did. That could be the only good news I brought for you today, Luna Maia. I've wasted so much time cooperating with your traditions knowing that I have
We've run miles in wolf form until we reach a train station. It's an isolated waiting shade beside the railway and few people are waiting there, covered with their thick winter clothes. We both shifted into humans again before we approached the station. Matheo said that this will take us straight to the metropolis of Lanbarc. We shake off the snow from our clothes while waiting. "Mr. Matheo, you sure are an extraordinary explorer." He laughs at the idea. "You'll understand if you become a lone wolf. You can travel or run wherever you want!" "Have you met werewolf hunters?" "A lot." The steaming train is ringing. All the waiting passengers fall in line. After the train releases passengers inside, the conductors collect the tickets at the threshold before we enter. I'm wearing the coat Cormelio gave me that turns my skin dark. And as I observe among the passengers, people with dark skin aren't treated as slaves, some of them were privileged to work here. The situation in Lanba
Now that the snowfall has been tamed, I gaze at the stars in front of the garden dome, leaning my arms on the flimsy fence of the farm. The moon is so beautiful in my eyes. A beauty that still cannot fill the emptiness I'm feeling. My eyes must be looking for a different beauty. The street is dark and silent when the light coming from the garden dome illuminates the road for a second as the door opens. I didn't look back for there's no need for it. Cormelio leans his arms on the fence, too. "Why are you here contemplating the unknown in a summer outfit?" He raised an eyebrow at me. I look at my thin sleeveless shirt, then giggle. "I don't feel cold at all." The emptiness I'm feeling makes me cold already. Snow has nothing to do with my drama. He speaks like a wry neighbor gossiper. "I've always been curious... You said you traveled all the way to Asfara. Have you not met a girl that," he playfully made a consecutive sound of smack kisses, "the adolescence out of you?" My mouth
The raging fire is trying to push me back. Residents are evacuating towards the metropolis, some remained outside the hazard zone because of missing loved ones, children weeping, and the crowd huddling; these are the situations. Men are pouring snow scooped from the bucket they have and working together to diminish the fire. The cold weather helps, too. The different kinds of smells are swirling around me but I'm only looking for Cormelio. Bewildering. When I failed to find him I undoubtedly rushed through the fire until I heard a scream, "HESSUEL! OVER HERE!" I look back to where the voice came from—in the crowd—then I heave a sigh of relief when I found him with Amos under a tree. His right leg is injured but doesn't have any sign of burnt. Meanwhile, Acro is resting on his lap. "What were you trying to do!?" "I thought you were in there!" I pointed at the fire. Rescuers from the metropolis responded immediately to the case. The crowd gave way to the firefighters. "What happened
I met Matheo on my way outside the clinic. He asked me where I'm headed and I answered with honesty: I will not allow Mraz to stroll around without recompensation for the appalling incident he launched in my village. He tried to convince me otherwise so I promised not to involve people. I lent him my coat and walked away with my hands inside my pockets. He said that Mraz can't have the chance to leave this metropolis right away because of the ingredient Matheo poured into his drink. As a bar owner, he's aware of what will harm a werewolf's stomach. Additionally, Mraz is staying in an inn. I make steps straightway to that destination with my eyes closed, not a dot of care for people who see me. The sidewalk may be busy with people walking in both opposite directions. My sense of smell leads me to Mraz. I only stopped stepping when his scent was pervading right in front of me. My eyes opened to behold the facade of the inn. I'm standing in the narrow space between two buildings. The
I feel bad for looking at them in disgust! Matheo is raising his arms at us trying to stop us in the middle. "Please! I beg you not to harm each other!" "Stay away from him," Amos said and pulled Matheo behind him. "He's dangerous. His prey is his prey whether it's a friend or not." I spread my fingers tightly while unleashing my silver claws. My glare at him is out of my control. They are all the same. They praise themselves like saints by demeaning me as the villain. "Hessuel! Give room for my chance to explain myself," Matheo supplicated. His quivering, poignant expression softened me a bit. The texture of my silver fangs rubs my lip as I question with my chin up, "You knew him all along? ever since we came here? Then why didn't you tell me?" The impact of that betrayal broke my voice when I spoke. But Amos replies confidently when Matheo's tongue is unable to spill words, "We had a deal. For the salvation of Asfara." "... Mr. Matheo... of all people... why you?" I'm afrai
None of the victims of rabid dogs survived. Acro informed me. I rushed to the clinic with Sherizzah only to find out that Cormelio is already covered with a white blanket and all I can do is to hug his pale and cold body. Sherizzah consoled. The government provided the graveyard for free for those who died in the rabid incident. I sat the whole day in front of Cormelio's grave. Curt, my patron, lost a child. People in my hometown were weeping anywhere I cast my eyes. I felt cold not because of the snow, but because I felt the same before: the day I lost my kind. One emotion is ruling me. I stand on my feet when my knees feel cold from the snow. Looking at the gravestone in front of me, I form my determination. I am a werewolf from the past. I wouldn't be here in the future if it wasn't for the tragedy... if those black wolves never overdosed themselves in pride. They took and are taking everything away from me. All those lifetime cynicism is because of them. For the person lying b
Later on, an enraging white fat wolf attacks her. She pushed Tanya away from me and defended the boundary between me and her. Zaeramil arrived next and removed the spell from me. ["Alpha, are you alright!?"] ["What's wrong with this wrench!?"] Tanya growled and rolled her eyes. Zaeramil says rapidly, "I know the way out of here but first, we have to go back to our seats!" Acro came after them when I've fully regenerated. ["She's telling the truth,"] she said. I look at Tanya again, and she's sitting confidently. ["I told you I'm not lying. Your lad enchanter proved it."] I get up on my feet, stretch my shoulders, and walk away. "Then sorry to kill your excitement instead. I'm not going to kill you anymore," I gave her that answer. "Let's go." ["Wait!"] she howls. ["At least tell me your decision about the invitation of my Alpha! That way, I'll know what to do as well."] I stopped, removed my necklace to tangle it on my right hand, and presented to her the hanging pendant on
If you’re here because you’ve finished reading the book, you have my deepest gratitude. To anyone who gave their best to read this book, in any legal way (or not through a 3rd party beneficiary), I salute you. Will there be a book 2? -None. Please? -No. This is the end of Hessuel & Dandeline’s story. Seriously, I just tried a werewolf genre and finally proved to myself that this isn’t my cup of tea. We Asians prefer vampires. *chortles* Will the twins have their own book? -No. They will stay kids in your imagination. Will Hrista & Andrew have their own book?-Yes. Their book is part of the contemporary romantasy series I’m building. Which means this book is a side story of that series. It wasn’t the plan at first, this was planned to be a stand alone book, but midway I fell in love with the characters of this book & decided to connect them to the universe of this beloved series. I have big dreams for this series & I want this book to be part of it. Meaning, some of the scene
At the hotel, I remove my outer garments and tight clothes, loosen my shirt and lie down prostrated on the huge bed. All night digging for the newlywed's honeymoon isn't real! I'm too tired throughout the preparation and the whole day of the great day! Dandeline is taking her time in the bathroom and I nap while I wait.But, my waiting took longer than her time inside the bathroom, the squint of sun rays was coming inside the room already! I fell asleep facing her, she fell asleep facing me. I stare at her face for a while, then reach for her nape and hair. She woke up with my touch."Hey…""Why didn't you wake me up last night?" I asked."You seem so tired I don't want to disturb you, so I postponed my plan." She stretches her arms and thighs shortly.
I still woke up late when I am supposed to be the one waking up early! A folded bathrobe is prepared underneath my feet. Wearing that, I squinted in the living room and found Hessuel getting himself ready to leave while holding a bouquet."Where are you going?"He is too occupied. He turns his face to me before looking with his eyes. "I have an errand~"I skip steps and help him fix himself, but then he requests me to hold the bouquet while he fixes his shoes. He seems lively, probably because that's what it feels when money is expected on the way."Where are the twins?""Back to school.""Ugh, sorry, I woke up late."
The day finally came when I sealed the spellbook that contains the power of the moon in front of the pulpit of another mage school. My strength is even lesser now, but it doesn't bother me if this is equivalent to an increase in time with my boys."Is this your final decision?""Yes.""From now on," an enchanter declares, "you are a retired moon priestess. Your name shall remain eminent throughout the mages' history. You have done a good, and quite risky job. Hence, we are grateful for your services." He made me sign the declaration which all the witnesses in this chamber have signed as well.Shortly, I left the solemn room and met Lanasia waiting outside. At first, she taps my toga, and then she hugs me tight. "I'm gonna miss you on duty! You have no idea ho
Afvshaganifs is imprisoned in the main forest castle in an empty room guarded with tough magic. The door is only a messy sketch on the wall and only my power can make it work. I expect to be surprised since it's the captain who's inside. But not at this level— "What the..." Supposedly, the room should be completely empty but she provided a royal chair, a gallant coat dress paired with a big hat, and eye shades for her own while sipping a luxurious wine in front of her levitating spellbooks! "Great. You look more like a lady now. Do you have to dress like that in prison?" "What, would you rather see a hot captain than a glamorous queen?" she replied with the flickering of her painted nails. Her dead personality somewhat mismatches the fashion. The confidence blinds me! "I just hope this has nothing to do with Tanya's influence. Anyway," in front of her, I flipped my skirt first and then sat in the air as if there was a visible couch, "I came here for confirmation after I prosecu
"You're gay?" Hessuel asked."No. A real woman." He magically makes his hat appear in his hand and wears it, later, his tied hair grows longer and as he crosses his legs, his features change into a woman. "I am not a queen of pirates for nothing," she said and her voice was an actual woman!Unable to close my mouth, I can't believe a woman has been flirting with me! She adds,"But I became converted to my male version that even in this body," she approaches me and smells my hair, "this woman in front of me still attracts me.""Shoosh!" I drove her away like a fly!Hessuel pulls me behind him. He is calm compared to me. "Then it means you killed my mother to claim my father? Because of jealousy?" he questioned. I looked at his
(Dandeline's POV)"What? Lanasia is not here!?""She's not in your house? All I know is she visits Hessuel to have his statement regarding the ongoing investigation.""She's not. All of them are gone.""That's alarming."Eventually, instead of Lanasia, I brought Matheo to their old house to ask for his help in the gateway. He opened the door of the dark cellar and told me that "Unfortunately, I am not the guardian of this world anymore. What is your intention there?"Pinching my chin, I stare at Acro in case she can give me an answer. Unless I see them safe, I will not be at peace. Hessuel is not in the condition to go anywhere without me. Perhaps I shouldn't have left those dogs!
A candle is the only light inside. In a blink of that sudden darkness, he turns into an adult again. An ax is hurled at me coming from the darkness and I tilt Lanasia with me to dodge it."Good reflexes," he praised. The ax flies back to his hand. He stretches his hand and grips his clench. I felt a powerful hand strangling my throat and I was pulled onto the table. I am far beyond the reach of his hand but its shadow on the wall—because of that candle—reaches me."Stop this! This isn't going to solve anything!" Lanasia slams the table, and when she is about to do magic, Afvshaganifs casts her out of the room and locks the door.Given that idea, I pushed the table until he was dragged and jammed into the wall behind him. I ran to him on the tabl
I'm lucky to find records about the pirate in my father's journal here in his office. I've spent hours reading to my advantage during our travel whilst the pishnies have been counting my yawns."Look! A big fish~!""Get him!""Hed! Danteleon! Don't jump through that window!"My father and the pirate are indeed friends for a long time ever since their school days up to their mage career. The most helpful record is my father's gift to the pirate in exchange for a reviving spell because this is what we've been looking for. A pishney gave me the blueprint of the architectural design of the ship."Kids! Stop—!"I heard a splash of water.