Thank you for reading!
RIC THE DICK. “I want them to feel the pain,” she murmurs, staring ahead. “I want them to feel the pain I was in as they held me against my will!” “Oh?” I ask. I don’t trust her fully. Not after she’s been with them… Never underestimate your enemy. We are on the way to the Arden mansion at her request. She thinks as the rightful next Alpha, it’s my duty to be there, for my pack and people. And of course, I think it’s very important for them to know I am in charge. I rang ahead, commanding them to secure the place and making it clear Royce is not to step onto Shadow Wolves' ground. She’s touching me, but that spark between us has lessened. It’s strange, but these days I don’t really feel my wolf anymore. An odd wave of regret washes over me, he is- was a part of me, his emotions and mine mixed… Now I wonder if he’s simply closed off or is dying. He fought the powers given to me by Apophis, and I had to shut him down. He wasn’t strong enough for me! I needed more! I look down
SKYLA. Fucking worm. The only thing keeping me sane is the fact that I need to make sure I’m successful in this act. Once he’s inside that building, our spells and everything will secure him there. Just a bit fucking longer. Last night I told Dante about the plans for the engagement. It is the perfect way to lower this loser’s guard a little. Even when he hit me across the face, I acted like it didn’t matter, despite the fact I wanted to rip him to fucking pieces. I’m biding my time and I am going to bitch slap him into fucking tomorrow. I look down at my arm, as one of the two makeup artists covers my tattoo up. She-wolves that he didn’t seem to care to not check out in front of me when he had first told them what he wanted from me. He’s fucking sick, like he’s chosen an outfit that will cover me from neck to fucking toes, saying I’ll look like a lady. Yet, he is happily allowed to check out and enjoy looking at other women with skin on show. I can’t stand him. Danielle and
SKYLA. I’m about to say something when I feel a wisp of air swirl around me. She’s leaving! Although I know she’ll remain in a way, I won’t ever get to talk to her again and oddly, that fills me with sorrow. ‘I won’t fail you.’ ‘I believe you won’t. I have faith in you, my Lioness.’ Her words seem to echo inside of me and my eyes flash as I feel something like a sharp zing rush through me. It affects my arms, and my head and it’s intense on my stomach and back. My eyes blaze and I stare in the mirror at my now cat-like eyes before I close them, not wanting the women to notice them. I won’t fail you like your people, Bastet. She’s gone. The moment I felt that touch, I felt it. She’s still with me, but not in the way she has been until now. Now all I have left is what she has given me and hoped for from me. I won’t fail her. “There, we are all done,” Lenora says, I stare in the mirror. The woman in front of me is not me, but an image of the ideal woman in the eyes of Aleric.
SKYLA. We reach the venue soon enough, and it is as beautiful as its name. The entire building is made of mainly crystal glass, with pearlescent pillars and beams. The witches are surrounding it, blending into the shadows of the trees and archways. Most are outside… Perfect. ‘The witches think the attack will come from the outside, don’t they?’ I say through the link as the doors shut behind us. ‘Yeah, and it fucking will for the most part, but once we’re in those outside will be locked out and those inside, inside. No fucking witch can stop us from crashing that fucking engagement,’ Dad’s growl comes. I can’t help but smile slightly. Never have I been happier to hear Grump Bear’s growl. ‘Care to share why the fuck you sprung the idea of getting engaged to him? A tad fucking extreme, don’t you think?’ he asks. ‘Because Gherkin Dick is conceited. I needed something extreme to make it more believable.’ I reply. ‘I’ll see you guys soon,’ ‘Soon.’ Kataleya’s soft voice comes as I
SKYLA Aleric and I both turn sharply. My stomach does a flip when I spot him. There he stands, the Solaris Sword of the king, in the hands of the Solaris King himself. There’s my man. My Reign. My Alpha. My Fucking King. He’s wearing a white formal shirt that hugs his muscles and grey pants. A murmur ripples through the room as a sharp wind blows around him and he strides across the hall, cutting through the crowds as he reaches the dais. A few witches jump forward, but his shield of violent wind is impenetrable. “Royce!” Aleric snarls, raising his hand, flames rippling around his hand. Royce doesn’t reply as he steps onto the dais, skipping the three steps and reaching me in seconds. His arm snakes around my waist, and he yanks me against him, making me gasp. My heart pounding, as every ridge of his body moulds against mine. Oh so perfectly… “ROYCE!” Aleric thunders. Royce simply raises his sword, forcing him to keep his distance, his eyes on me. ‘One night without you
ROYCE. Alejandro catches Magdalene’s body before she hits the ground, laying her on the floor. A wave of sadness washes over the room, and I lower my head for a moment in respect. She took a stance against her goddess. The other witches stare at her, shocked, a few rushing to her side, where she lays dead. “High Witch!” “Magdalene!” She gave her life to speak the truth… Despite her stubbornness, she had her heart in the right place. I turn my attention back towards Aleric, ready to end this once and for all. “If you need any more proof, you are fools…” Skyla says to the people as a whisper of confusion spreads across them. “Everything I said against my family, and Royce was at his command. Ask yourselves if you really think I’m lying, or are you simply scared to admit that you have made a grave mistake by believing him? He is his father’s son!” There is hesitation in the crowds, but it isn’t because they don’t believe her. They know they’re in the wrong and they don’t know w
SKYLA. Aleric makes the first move, sending a blazing ball of fire right at Royce, who instantly blocks it with his own flames, clearly making Aleric angrier. The witches begin chanting, their voices getting louder, their power rising and it’s becoming suffocating. “Those who cannot fight, fall back!” Dad’s command rushes through the room. ‘Three serpents have appeared, and they are huge.’ Dante’s voice comes. ‘Make that seven…’ ‘You can see them?’ Dad asks him sharply. ‘Yes… we’re handling them. Another two,’ Dante says, sounding as relaxed as ever. ‘Leo’s going all out. I can assure you, Dad, if your pack and his pack went to battle… we’d lose.’ ‘That much confidence in your brother?’ ‘Absolutely.’ Dante replies. ‘We’ll have reinforcements sent.’ Dad says. ‘Anyone on the outer perimeter, assist with the serpents. Use the coloured smoke bombs to help make them visible!’ A flurry of replies come in and I look at Royce. For now, he’s got this… I should be out there. The groun
SKYLA. I slash through another serpent, the sword itself holds power… I can feel it pulsating up my arm. “Ri?!” Mama’s voice comes. “She’s here.” Mama Red’s voice comes, she sounds in pain… “Where are you?” Granddad El growls. “We’re trapped. Sephora caved the walls on the left, near the kitchens. She put something in the air to weaken us, but we’re both fine. I’m healing, and she and Raihana are fighting…” Mama Red trails off. There’s more to it, but she’s not saying it. I’m fending them off, moving with more speed and agility than ever, unable to reply anymore. My aura is keeping them away, and although they come close, they are unable to attack me directly. It doesn’t deter them, as they continue hammering against the roof, clearly knowing I can lose my balance. With every passing moment, that darkness is growing. I jump up and land lithely, slashing into one of the snakes. The smell of blood is strong in the air, mixed with the smell of dirt, ash, and smoke. I’ll know