Third Person’s Point of ViewHale was silently watching as his brother doomed himself to a probable lifetime of loveless mateship. Maybe not loveless, but definitely not as good as he has with his Carmela. He doesn’t agree with his youngest brother’s plan to force his mate, though he couldn’t really blame him for resorting to force. If Carmela didn’t willingly come with him, Hale was sure he’d do the same thing as his brother was doing. He couldn’t imagine a life without his beautiful Carmela, who was the only perfect mate that matched Hale. Maybe that's what Heli was feeling, so he couldn’t let go of Akiro even though their connection wasn’t as deep as when Hale was just courting his mate. Though it was pretty clear to him that his brother had fallen so hard already that it led him to do impulsive things. Hale could see that Akiro likes his brother too, but it seemed his familial love is his priority. That’s why, despite looking so disappointed that they really couldn’t bring his g
Akiro’s Point of ViewAs soon as we landed somewhere in their world, Heli wasted no time in pulling me away. He dragged me faster than I could’ve cursed him. I didn’t even see the faces of the people in the place we landed on! There are lots of them, and I could only assume they were Heli’s family.Heli’s pulling with his vampire speed, completely forgetting the fact I am not a vampire. It’s only a miracle I haven’t slipped or fallen on the carpeted floor. He’s moving too fast and we just traveled from another dimension. My stomach starts churning uncomfortably. “You can’t even let me recover?! That was nauseating!” I furiously yelled at Heli who was still dragging me away to who knows where, oblivious of my current predicament. This jerk! He’s been so attentive, caring and a gentleman to me in the past months. How the hell did he suddenly lose all of that?He didn’t answer, nor did he even react much to my annoyance. I tried pulling away from his hold, but it was too late. We had al
Heli’s Point of View“Conditioning yourself for the worst?” I didn’t have to look up to see who it was. I already heard them coming from a distance. “No. Just calming myself down,” I replied. “I had to fucking restrain myself from the effects of marking him up. It wasn’t fucking easy.”All my siblings took a seat on the couch in our private sitting room, surrounding me. Their expressions varied from worry to serious to curious. I mentally rolled my eyes, already having an idea why they’re here and who made them do this.I shot my eldest brother a glare. He raised both his hands, as if surrendering. “You’re tough, brother, but it’s your mate who spoke those painful words. I think this gathering is warranted.”“I’m fine,” I grumbled, averting my gaze from them. But they’re scattered around the room, so I still ended up looking at one of them. My eyes met Heather’s red-doe eyes. It visibly softened upon meeting my eyes, and I couldn’t deny how that look made my heart clenched painfully
Akiro’s Point of ViewI woke up blearily, feeling like I had been hit by a full brick on the head. When I tried to stretch as I yawned, I realised then that I couldn’t move my body. For a moment there, I paused, recalling what I did to be this exhausted to the point K couldn’t move my body.And then suddenly, the memories of what happened yesterday came crashing down my mind at once. I wasn’t prepared for the sudden landslide of memories, so I crumpled on the bed, holding my head as I tried to regain my normal breathing.“Sssh, it’s alright, darling. That’s right, follow my lead...”Despite my confusion, I still followed the voice I heard. The hand raking through my hair helped to calm me down. It took a few more seconds before I regained my normal breathing. I blinked several times, my eyesight cleared up. Only then did I see it wasn’t just one person who was there with me.There were seven other people with us. Three men and four women. The one who helped me was a woman with red hai
Heli’s Point of View“Chill down, Heli. You know Alter is your sister’s mate, right?”I glared at Tristan who was sitting beside me. “I fucking know, you don’t need to remind me.”“Then stop glaring at him as if it’s his fault that your mate’s avoiding you,” Tristan sharply whispered, careful not to let the others hear us. Except, he was heard by his very attentive mate beside him. “Who are we avoiding?” Harrison asked in a whispered voice, leaning closer in our direction.But Tristan pushed his face away. “Shut up and just eat your food, Harry.”My brother shot him a puppy look which made me grimace, then he fucking pouted like a petulant child. Tristan rolled his eyes, looking so done with him. I just shook my head before returning my gaze to where I was looking at a while ago. I’d rather stew in this petty jealousy I’m feeling than watch my usually chill and cool brother act stupidly in front of his mate.Then I met Helena’s eyes. She arched an eyebrow at me, which made me flush i
Akiro’s Point of View“Something’s wrong with Heli.”I lifted my head and met Carmela’s eyes. “What?”“Haven’t you noticed? He’s acting strange. Even his siblings noticed that something was going on with him.”“I wouldn’t know. I really don’t know how he really is. I’m not sure if the Heli I have known for the two months I’ve been with him is the real Heli, or if it was the man who threatened me on my birthday.”My words were met with silence. Carmela, Tristan and Divine exchanged glances. I averted my gaze, choosing to ignore the silent conversation they shared.I know they understand why I’m acting like this, and that they don’t begrudge me for it. But I also know they understand Heli, and that they’re not condemning Heli the same way I do.Not that I wanted them to do that to Heli. He’s closer to them than I am, and he’s more like a brother to them. I’m just happy they understand me and that they’re staying with me. I don’t think I would remain sane if I had no one here in the pala
Heli’s Point of View“Then drink from me.”I literally froze. My heart skipped a beat.I stared back at the ocean-blue eyes of my mate, who is kindly offering his blood to me when I told him I’m suffering from blood dehydration even though he’s still fucking mad at me. My mate who I betrayed because of my selfishness. My mate who is suffering silently because of what I did.If it’s just me hallucinating, I hope I wake up to reality right now. And my fucking mind, if you want to mess with me, don’t use this kind of trick fucker! It’s not funny!“Heli. Are you alright? Can you hear me?”But then Akiro’s soft voice sounds so real. Not even my own mind can imitate the music that is Akiro’s voice. So this must be real. This is the reality.And in reality, my beautiful and kind mate is offering his blood.Fuck.“Heli? Hey. Don’t die on me, you jerk!”I shook myself out of my stupor, turning my attention back on Akiro.“You d-don’t have to do this, Aki. You know w-what will happen if I bite
Akiro’s Point of ViewI stared at the flowers spread out in the palace garden, admiring their beauty, then I zoned out once again.It’s been a frequent occurrence for the past weeks. I keep drifting in and out of life, as if someone’s pulling and pushing me to consciousness. I didn’t even know I was zoning out in the middle of a conversation. I just found out about it whenever any of my companions would shake me out of my thoughts.I feel bad whenever I unconsciously do it, but the others don't seem mad or offended. In fact, they even looked concerned, but I just kept brushing off their questions.Because really, what can I say that they don't know already? They know what I feel, but they can’t do anything about it, right? They can’t help me. Their false placation doesn’t help anymore in easing the pain in my chest. No reassurances that they will help me adjust to this life or that I have someone who still cares for me can make me feel better.Everyday, I feel like I’m withering away
Third Person’s Point of ViewAkiro sometimes hates himself for being so... compassionate. It drives him insane whenever he’s putting someone else’s comfort before himself, but he keeps on doing it anyway because he can’t bear the guilt of putting his own comfort first over someone who’s clearly in trouble.Like right now.It’s been two hours since Heli left and he still hasn’t returned. Akiro’s bored out of his mind in the first hour he’s alone, but the next hour that follows suddenly made him nervous and anxious.He doesn’t know what is troubling Alliah and why it’s taking them quite a while, but it makes Akiro nervous. As to why he’s feeling that way... he’s not entirely sure. Is it because of Alliah’s tone when she was asking for Heli’s help? Or is it because Heli and Alliah have been together again for the past two hours? Akiro really didn’t know. Maybe it’s both.It was when another hour had passed that Akiro decided to leave the room in an attempt to search for his mate. But he
Third Person’s Point of View“So you mean to say that werewolves have their own way of getting their own mates? Like how vampires have the Crystal of Fate?” Akiro asked his werewolf acquaintances.“Yup! In our case, it is believed to be the Moon Goddess who gave us our fated mates,” Savannah responded. “And unlike vampires, where there’s a Crystal that would show them who their mates are, werewolves just have to hope they cross paths with theirs.”“One way to know who a werewolf’s mate is when a certain scent gets too strong. They’ll know immediately what it means when, among a crowd of mixed scents, there’s a certain one that you smell so clearly and profoundly,” Pierce added. “Their wolf’s instinct would move on its own when they sense their mate is around.”Akiro nodded in understanding. “That’s kind of... uh, how do I put it in words? Difficult? Because you’d have to be lucky to cross paths with your mate then. Is there any case where a werewolf never meets their mate?”“Lots,” Wa
Third Person’s Point of ViewHeli was never the friendly type. He can count on one hand the number of people he considered friends. The rest were just acquaintances or just mere beings living in the same space as he is.One of his friends he considered was this woman clinging on to his arms. “— and it was so annoying, Helios! Alphas are just so infuriating, you know? All they want is a hole for their disgusting knots! I don’t want that! I’m not just an omega they can bed!”“Was it really disgusting?” Heli replied dryly. “I remembered you telling me before how you love being knotted.”Alliah glared at him, though her cheeks were tinted red. “Of course, it is! You know it’s only the heat talking.” She scoffed.Helios snorted at that, totally not believing it. Alliah pulled away from him, much to his relief, because he didn’t have the heart to push her away. “We haven’t seen each other for months and this is how you’ll treat me? You are so mean!”The vampire rolled his eyes, looking ex
Third Person’s Point of View“So... why haven’t you marked that bull-headed vampire yet?” Akiro abruptly turned around, eyes wide at Savannah’s question. “Uh, what?”“Come on! Don’t act clueless, cutie. We can smell him on you, but we don’t smell you on him,” the blonde said. “Not that your scent is strong. Humans do have weaker scents than vampires and shapeshifters, like merfolks. Well, merfolks smell like saltwater, so I don’t think that’s the right comparison.”Akiro just got even more confused by the blonde’s rambling. “I’m not acting clueless. I’m just quite surprised at how forward you are considering this is the first time we met.”The blue-haired man laughed loudly, while the other two just chuckled at the pouting Savannah. “He got you there, Sav,” the blonde man said.“Not even an hour since you met, and you have already asked him a personal question,” the blue-haired man shook his head. “It’s not my fault! I’ve been dying in curiosity when I saw Helios’ neck was still un
Third Person’s Point of View“This is all good and fun, but can anyone introduce that handsome man right there to us? He looked extremely delectable just standing there by himself.”Almost immediately, all attention was on Akiro. He instantly blushed as several pairs of eyes watched him awkwardly stand there, avoiding everyone’s gaze.“Shut the fuck up.”Akiro felt goosebumps all over his body when he heard his mate’s cold voice. His tone was harsh and sharp as he glared at the man who spoke. The blonde-haired man merely raised an eyebrow at Heli, unfazed by his tone and glare.“What? I just wanted to know his name,” the blonde said.Heli growls viciously at the man and, in a blink of an eye, was already on Akiro’s side, arms wrapped possessively around the confused human. “Helios?” Alliah looked so confused as she looked at Heli and Akiro, a frown on her face.But for the first time since they arrived, Heli ignored her. He continued glaring at the blonde man as he spoke. “This is my
Third Person’s Point of ViewAkiro was expecting days of traveling on a carriage or horse when they said they would travel to another kingdom. He was expecting days of seeing new places and scenery and meeting new vampires. He was expecting to rest in an inn or what after hours of traveling.It didn’t occur in his mind that they would arrive in the middle of the Kingdom of Regia Luximere’s courtroom in a matter of a few seconds once they all exited through the secret backdoor of their kingdom.He completely forgot that one of the Lancaster siblings has the ability to teleport to other places, which means an easy and quick travel without the hassle of carriages and coming to stop at some rest stops. Akiro wanted to facepalm as he forgot once again how different this world was, and how the vampires' abilities are so convenient to their way of living.He wondered if it was so easy to travel to different places, then why can’t he just go home after the meeting to check on his grandparent
Third Person’s Point of View“Grandma? Grandpa?” Akiro knocked on his grandparents’ door before he slowly opened it. He saw the two were just sitting on their bed with their backs leaning on the headboard. They were both holding a book.“Akiro. Come in, son,” his grandfather greeted him warmly.He smiled at them before approaching their bed.“What brings you here, Aki?” his grandmother asked.“I’ll leave later for the monthly meeting with the allied kingdom, remember?” The old couple frowned for a moment, as if remembering, before recognition flashed in their old eyes. “Ah. So it’s later.”Akiro nodded. “I wanted to spend time with you before I left. The next three days, my friend Shiro— you know him, right?” The old couple nodded in response. “He’ll be the one to bring your meals here. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to tell him, alright? And if you want to walk around the palace garden, just tell him as well. He volunteered that he'd escort you along with a few knights if you
Third Person’s Point of ViewAkiro woke up early the next day despite sleeping late, though Heli was already gone when he woke up. He assumed Heli was in the training room like what he usually does in the morning. After washing his face, Akiro went down to the dining hall for breakfast. Shiro was usually asleep this early in the morning so he decided to eat with the others today. There were already a lot of them inside, just chatting idly with each other. Heli wasn’t there, which means he’s not yet done in the training room.Akiro sat beside Carmela and Alter who were silently talking in the corner. “Good morning.” He greeted them.The two immediately turned to him. “Good morning, Aki. What a miracle that you joined us here,” Carmela teased him, which made him blush.“Well... Shiro’s still asleep so...”“It’s no problem, Aki. You don’t have to explain to us,” Alter gently said.Among all the Lancaster siblings’ mates, Akiro feels the most comfortable with Alter. He didn’t know if it
Third Person’s Point of ViewAkiro sat quietly on the chair beside Heli. The whole family was gathered in the private sitting room, which is their first gathering since the Lancaster men had returned from the fight. Despite knowing he didn’t do anything wrong, Akiro can’t help but feel nervous as the room slowly fills in with the family members. He glanced at each of them but no one looked as nervous as he was. It just made him even more nervous, which of course, Heli noticed.He slid an arm on his waist as he leaned closer. “Don’t be nervous. The King and Queen just have an announcement to make.”“What announcement?” “Our engagement.”“WHAT?” Akiro stood up in surprise, his blue eyes widened comically. Heli laughed at his reaction, followed by the others who seemed to hear their conversation.Akiro blushed so hard he felt like his face would explode any second by now from how hot it feels. Damn Heli!“I was just kidding. Sit back here,” Heli said, still grinning.Akiro glared at h