DEREK'S POV.I stood there waiting till King Sylvester went back into the castle. When he eventually did, I headed to where Vera was sitting.As I walked towards her, I began to doubt myself . My palms grew really sweaty, and my legs felt heavy and difficult to lift. But I know I must reassure Vera of my love and show her that my love is unwavering and unchanging. She still looked as beautiful as she was, if not more beautiful. As I walked to her I admired her eyes and smile. Vera was a goddess and I couldn't afford to lose such beauty.Vera looked up at me, she seemed surprised. She didn't look excited seeing me. Instantly I started having double thoughts but I went on still.“Hey love, happy to see me?” I said smiling. “What in heaven's name are you doing here Derek I thought you escaped from the castle already” Vera said with a rather serious tone. She didn't just say this to me, did she? What has come over her? I thought. I stood, confused on what to reply. She has never spo
Vera's POVThe alleyway was desolate; all that could be observed were some scattered debris and a few dim, feeble lights. Looking towards the sky, I saw only one single silver moon and its soothing rays. Shadows stretched into the darkness, appearing to avoid the city lights and hanging from edges like quiet, living voids. It felt like it had been some time since I’d say something so hopelessly dramatic. There was so much so I had begun to walk without a purpose giving my back over to the harrowing silence.One could say it was a gloomy day if you envisioned it in a conventional light ~ because it was not a day at all; it was night. The time had come for me to leave the house and heed the advice of my brother Niko, throughout the day I had been feeling quite anxious, almost into the extreme. The whole world seemed to betray me - shadowy figures moving behind the shadows, watching with an eye that only existed in the depths of a dream.Until suddenly, my inebriated thoughts were sha
(Sylvester’s POV) Last night’s memories depress me because I know how difficult it is for Vera. That will always be the last mug shot I get to see as a host! In all the chaos of rescuing Vera, I was surely in fight-or-flight mode, and the moments after the incident are now coming to light.Indeed, trust worthy was Vera. Unlike Annalise’s betrayal which cut like a knife. There was no wonder what I had to do now. “Annalise, there is no way I am going to overlook your actions,” I warned in low tone that held no threat.“From this moment on, you are prohibited from setting foot into the kingdom anywhere.” Annalise visibily angered violently turned her head away, but I did not move. “You There, take her out.” ‘Just as I ordered warm bodies, escort her out! Focus concentrate focus!’ This is why Annalise was important.Now I will concentrate on the single person that matters to me the most – Vera. As I came closer to vera, my heart was all in everywhere tell my excuse to her.“Vera, I owe
(Vera's POV)That night saw the night sky morph into a giant canvas of sparkling jewels with the full moon throwing its silvery rays onto the palace gardens..The tension in the air was really tangible as our guests waited for the Lunar Ceremony to begin. They grumbled amidst themselves silently beneath their breathe. To my left stood Sylvester, his eyes sparkling with tears of love. He was so overwhelmed. It was so obvious. The both of us stood side by side facing the Lunar Altar, polished to show ancient symbols. “Under the light of the moon, we have assembled to unite Vera and Sylvester in a sacred bond.” A chant began to pick up in the atmosphere, saying that energy from the moon was rushing through me. “Sylvester, share your vows with us again,” said Eliana. He did so, his voice trembling with emotion. “Vera, from the first moment I laid my eyes on you, I knew it; you are my fate. I pledge to love you and keep you safe — through all shadows and lights. I promise to be there fo
*VERA'S POV* As dawn broke, Sylvester and I sat on our balcony, hands intertwined. The kingdom stretched before us, bathed in golden light."Our journey's been fraught with danger," Sylvester said, his eyes reflecting on our past. "But our love remains unshaken."I smiled, my heart full. "Through every trial, our bond grew stronger."Sylvester's eyes burned with passion. "Forever and always."In that moment, our love shone brighter than any star. The world faded into the background, leaving only us. As we gazed out at the kingdom, I knew our future held promise. Our love would be the foundation upon which we built our reign..."Imagine our children," Sylvester whispered, "growing up in a kingdom at peace."My heart swelled with joy, visions of laughter and family filling my mind.But as we basked in our happiness, a faint rumble echoed in the distance."Thunder?" Sylvester frowned.I sensed it too – a darkness gathering on the horizon.And then, a figure emerged from the shadows."De
*VERA’S POV*But before I could ask any more questions, Shaun grabbed my arm and started pulling me away. "Come on, Vera. We need to be going."I stumbled after him, feeling like I was being swept up in a tornado. What was happening? Why was Shaun being so desperate?And what did he mean by "save my life"?Shaun's words cut through me like a knife. They shook my emotions like an earthquake.. "Vera, your mom wasn't killed by rogues. She was killed by Sylvester's guys."I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. My world was turned upside down. I stumbled backward, my eyes fixed on Shaun's face. I can't believe what I'm hearing. Is this real??"What...what are you talking about?" I stuttered.Shaun's expression was grim. "Your mom was a Lycan, Vera. She loved and wanted to live with werewolves after your dad's death. But Sylvester's guys didn't want that. They saw her as a threat, so they killed her."I felt like I was living in a nightmare. This couldn't be true. Sylvester wouldn't do tha
VERA’s POVI trudged through the forest, my mind was a jumbled mess. I mean, I'd just found out my mom was killed by Sylvester's guys. And that I was a Lycan. Like, what even is that?I felt like I was stuck in some kind of crazy dream. Like, I'd wake up and it'd all be over. But deep down, I knew it wasn't a dream. It was my reality. And it sucked. This was too much to fathom.Shaun walked beside me, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. He was being super quiet, which was kinda freaking me out. I mean, I knew he was trying to be all supportive and stuff, but seriously, a little conversation would be nice..."Hey, Shaun?" I said, trying to break the silence.He turned to me, his eyes questioning. "Yeah?"I hesitated, unsure of how to ask what I wanted to ask. "Do you think...do you think Sylvester knew about my mom?"Shaun's expression turned grim. "I don't know, Vera. But I do know one thing - we need to get out of here. Now."I nodded, feeling a surge of fear. What if Sylvester's guys f
VERA’s POVI trudged through the forest, my mind was a jumbled mess. I mean, I'd just found out my mom was killed by Sylvester's guys. And that I was a Lycan. Like, what even is that?I felt like I was stuck in some kind of crazy dream. Like, I'd wake up and it'd all be over. But deep down, I knew it wasn't a dream. It was my reality. And it sucked. This was too much to fathom.Shaun walked beside me, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. He was being super quiet, which was kinda freaking me out. I mean, I knew he was trying to be all supportive and stuff, but seriously, a little conversation would be nice..."Hey, Shaun?" I said, trying to break the silence.He turned to me, his eyes questioning. "Yeah?"I hesitated, unsure of how to ask what I wanted to ask. "Do you think...do you think Sylvester knew about my mom?"Shaun's expression turned grim. "I don't know, Vera. But I do know one thing - we need to get out of here. Now."I nodded, feeling a surge of fear. What if Sylvester's guys f
VERA'S POVThe warm sunlight streaming through the windows of the small cottage highlighted the joyful atmosphere of our little family's lunch gathering. Kevin, Astrid, Apollo, and I sat around the wooden table, laughing and chatting as we savored the delicious meal Sophia, my boss at the bakery, had packaged for us in a box as a token of her benevolence. Kevin, ever the attentive listener, asked the twins about their morning's adventure, and they eagerly shared stories of their exploration of the nearby woods. I smiled, watching my children's faces light up with excitement, feeling grateful for this peaceful moment amidst the chaos that had been brewing in our lives.As we finished our meal, Kevin's expression turned serious, and he leaned in, his voice low. "I have some news," he said, his eyes locking onto mine. "I received a message yesterday from my guys, I mean my childhood friends back at the castle. It seems that Sylvester, Uncle Ryan, and Sigurd are at war, each vying for co
(VERA’s POV)The guards watched in awe as the two men fought on, their swords clashing in a flurry of steel and sparks. It was a duel for the ages, a battle of strength and skill that would only end with one man standing.As the duel raged on, it seemed that neither man could gain the upper hand. They were evenly matched, their swords striking each other with a force that sent shockwaves through the air.But slowly, Sigurd began to gain the advantage. His sword sliced through Briggs' defenses, striking him with precision and skill. Briggs stumbled backward, his eyes wide with fear as he realized he was beaten.And then, in a final, desperate bid to turn the tide of the duel, Briggs lunged forward, his sword flashing in the light of the throne room. Sigurd parried the blow, his own sword striking Briggs with a force that sent him crashing to the ground.As Briggs lay there, his eyes wide with shock and pain, Sigurd stood over him, his sword raised for the killing blow. And with a swift
(VERA’s POV)As the two armies clashed, the battle raged on for hours. Sigurd fought bravely, his sword slicing through the enemy ranks with deadly precision. Grimbold fought by his side, his axe swinging in great arcs as he cut down anyone who dared to get too close."Sigurd, we need to push forward!" Grimbold shouted above the din of battle. "We can't let them gain the upper hand!"Sigurd nodded, his eyes scanning the battlefield. "I see Uncle Ryan's standard," he said. "Let's make a push for it. If we can take out Uncle Ryan, we might be able to break their morale."Grimbold grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let's do it!" he shouted, charging forward into the fray.As they fought their way through the enemy ranks, Sigurd and Grimbold finally reached Uncle Ryan's standard. But to their surprise, Uncle Ryan was not alone. He was surrounded by a group of heavily armed guards, who looked like they would stop at nothing to defend their leader."Uncle Ryan, you're a hard man t
(VERA’s POV)But the woman's next words were ominous. "However, the lion will not last as the king of the jungle," she said, her eyes glinting with a knowing light. "A new power will rise, and the balance of power will shift."Sigurd's face was set with determination. "I will not let that happen," he said, his voice firm and resolute. "I will fight to the death to defend my kingdom and my people."Meanwhile, Sylvester was experiencing a terrifying dream. He saw himself choking in his own blood, his eyes bulging out of his head as he struggled to breathe.Sylvester woke up with a start, his heart racing with fear. He was drenched in sweat, and his sheets were tangled around his legs."What's wrong, my lord?" Victor asked, rushing to Sylvester's side.Sylvester's face was twisted with fear. "I had a dream," he said, his voice shaking. "I saw myself choking in my own blood."Victor's face was expressionless. "It's just a dream, my lord," he said. "It doesn't mean anything. It could be a
(VERA’s POV)They knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but they were ready. They were ready to fight for their freedom, for their rights, and for their very lives.As the three leaders - Sylvester, Sigurd, and Uncle Ryan - began to gather their forces and prepare for war, the kingdom was thrown into chaos. The people were caught in the middle, unsure of what the future held or which leader to support.The air was thick with tension, and the sense of unease was palpable. Everyone knew that war was coming, and no one knew who would emerge victorious.As the darkness gathered, the kingdom held its breath, waiting for the battle to begin. But for now, the three leaders simply watched and waited, in full guard and alert, each one waiting for the others to make the first move...******As the days passed by, the tension in the kingdom continued to build. Sylvester, Sigurd, and Uncle Ryan were all gathering their forces, preparing for the battle that was to come. One man sought to pu
(VERA’s POV)Sigurd nodded, his mind racing with thoughts and strategies. "I agree," he said. "Let's gather as much information as we can and then make our move."The room fell silent, each of Sigurd's allies lost in their own thoughts. They knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but they were ready. They were ready to follow Sigurd into battle, to fight for their freedom and their rights.As they sat there, a loud noise echoed through the castle, followed by the sound of shouting and clashing steel. Sigurd's eyes snapped towards the door, his hand on the hilt of his sword."What's going on?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.Grimbold got up and went to the door, peeking outside. "It's Goro and his men," he said. "They're attacking a group of rebels."Sigurd's face was grim. "It's starting," he said. "Sylvester's making his move."The room fell silent, each of Sigurd's allies lost in their own thoughts. They knew that the battle was coming, and they were ready. They were ready
(VERA’s POV)But little did Sylvester know, the tide of public opinion was beginning to turn against him. More and more people were beginning to see him for what he truly was: a cruel and ruthless tyrant.And as the resistance continued to spread their message of hope and freedom, the people of the kingdom began to rally behind Sigurd and his allies.***Sylvester's face was twisted with rage and desperation as he paced back and forth in his throne room. His guards and Victor stood before him, waiting for his orders."We need to crush this rebellion once and for all," Sylvester spat, his voice venomous. "I want you to round up every suspected rebel and throw them in the dungeons. I want you to make examples of them, to show the people what happens when you dare to defy me."Victor nodded, his face expressionless. "Yes, my lord," he said. "We will see to it immediately."Meanwhile, Sigurd and his followers were busy making their own plans. They knew that they had to act quickly, before
(VERA’S POV)The guards and advisors nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination. Sylvester smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction and power."I want you all to know that I will stop at nothing to crush our enemies," Sylvester said."I will use every trick in the book, every tactic and strategy at my disposal. And I will not rest until Sigurd and his followers are defeated and destroyed."The guards and advisors cheered, their voices echoing off the stone walls of the throne room. Sylvester smiled, feeling a sense of pride and power.But as he looked out at his loyal followers, Sylvester couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was a traitor in their midst, someone who was secretly working against him.Sylvester's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with suspicion and paranoia. He knew that he had to be careful, that he had to watch his back at all times.And so, with a sense of caution and unease, Sylvester began to make his
(VERA’s POV)He knew that eliminating Sigurd wouldn't be easy. He was a strong young warrior, hefty and known for winning wars. Someone who was called Sigurd the hound by his kinsmen because of his ferocity at taking down opponents. He was well-liked and respected by the people, and he had a loyal following among the guard. But Sylvester was determined to crush him, to eliminate him as a threat to his rule.As he paced, Sylvester's eyes fell on a large map of the kingdom that hung on the wall. He studied it intently, his mind racing with strategies and tactics.He knew that Sigurd would likely gather his allies and prepare to defend himself. But Sylvester was confident that he could outmaneuver him, that he could crush him and his followers once and for all.With a cold, calculating smile, Sylvester continued to pace and plan, his mind consumed by his desire for power and revenge.Meanwhile, in a secret underground chamber deep in the heart of the kingdom, Sigurd was gathering his own