Celia“How about a dance of the four races? To symbolize harmony?”Jasper spoke and I wondered what was going on in his mind. Sure enough, we all belonged to different races but what was the point of coming up aggressively on the dance floor and bringing Nymeria along?The revelers once again turned to look at us as everybody’s eyes turned to Ivan. Meanwhile, I looked at Nymeria with a million questions in my mind.I so wished that she was a werewolf from my pack because that way I could have mind linked with her.Ivan looked at his watch, while my gaze flitted to the giant one on the wall opposite of me. it was twenty minutes to midnight.“Sure enough, in twenty minutes we start the Midnight Masquerade”Huh?Then what had we been doing all this time? I thought the party had already started.I shook my head as Ivan answered Jasper, “Sure enough. To harmony and peace”He spoke and slid his hand into mine. I saw Jasper tighten his hold over Nymeria’s hand as he turned her around to face
CeliaIvan seemed to have noted that as well for his smile faltered just a bit but he quickly regained his composure.Scratching the back of his head, Ivan replied, “Oh, how silly of me. Of course, as this is a hunt, there are people vying for something important to you. So, it is pretty simple. You have to claim your property before anyone else does or you forfeit your right to the property in the game. Protect your property and prove that it is solely yours…”Ivan had been walking on the stone platform and he took a deliberate pause to look Jasper in the eye.“The property, in this case, is your partner or your mate…whatever the word for your most precious person is”I wanted to twist Ivan's neck and kill him right there on that stone dais and make him bleed until all of his vampires swarmed him, draining him of every last bit of blood.Jasper told me that the hunt was an extremely old and long-forgotten tradition of the vampires and that he did not think that Ivan would bring it ba
CeliaI was ushered into the forest as I looked back, trying one last time to find Jasper. But my eyes fell on Ivan who was standing on the stone platform with his hands folded behind his back, a malevolent glint in his eyes.I walked in through the trees as the crowd slowly disappeared behind the trees. I suddenly felt a lot more confused and terrified than I should have.“It is just a game,” I told myself and kept walking in. I had no idea of how much time had passed but Charles had told me that they would sound a gong when the others would enter the forest.I tried to look around and find a nice spot to hide myself. I decided to make myself as inconspicuous as possible and hide in a spot nobody would even think of looking at.My heart pounded in my chest as I raced through the dense forest, my eyes darting around for any sign of my pursuers. I had a sinking feeling that the Wild Hunt was a dangerous game, but I had never expected it to be this intense.I could hear the howls of wer
CeliaI did not think I had ever run so much in my life. The laps I had done back home every morning when alpha Kyle trained us or even the way Jasper had trained me hard, wanting me to be strong enough to eliminate any threat had made me have a false bravado.And now it was crumbling down. I feared this was the day I was going to die, that this was how my life would come to an end, being hunted by the others just for the fun of it.Even if Ivan had restricted extreme violence and killing, I think I had not read the fine print. Based on the way I was being chased, I did not think that they would hesitate to injure me a bit and maybe scare the hell out of me as long as I was alive.I hated to be this weak but then I really could not do anything against so many people chasing me. All I could do was hope and pray that Jasper came to me soon.My heart was pounding in my chest as I ran through the dense forest, my feet pounding against the hard ground. I could feel the thorns and branches
CeliaThe witch gave me a long, considering look when I did not add more words to my answer. I had to stay clear headed if I wanted to escape alive from here. But then a memory I had been ignoring popped into my head again. I had seen a similar hooded figure before as well.“Have we met before?” I asked and observed the witch’s reaction.“What makes you think so?” came the sharp reply.I decided to be honest and see what more reaction I could elicit from this witch. “Someone, I did not earlier who exactly, but now think that it might have been a witch, paid me a visit while I was traveling to this vampire stronghold.”The witch raised his head, “And?”“And, the witch too did not think very highly of me. But somehow also gave me an acorn to seek her help in dire emergencies. However, it was just an illusion as she disappeared shortly”“Girl, you have no idea the chain of events you have initiated. I have to go back and inform…”He stopped short as if he had forgotten I was still around
CeliaI kept holding on to the lycan prince as we stepped out of the bushes. The shadowstalkers looked at him and he gave them a nod. And as if they had completed their duty and their purpose was served, they all turned back and returned to the forest.Now that the fight was over, I felt Jasper’s weight on me. He was limping a bit, there were a dozen cuts or so on his body and the bleeding had stopped but his clothes were smeared with blood.Somewhere far away we heard the toll of the bell as dawn arrived. The sun was finally above the horizon but it was still early in the morning.The howls and growls of the pursuers had stopped and it was quiet again. “Where were you all this time?” I asked, my tone carrying a bit of hurt and resentment.But he only said, “I will tell you later, first let us get back to the castle”We shortly walked out of the forest and reached the castle grounds. And to my shock, the ground was covered in dead bodies.There were people of all races, faes, witches,
CeliaThe tension in the room was palpable.Ivan, who had been silent all this time, added, “It is not as if I am loving this solution either. And call me blunt or harsh but the bodies of your loved ones are decaying. I can only use them before they go bad. I want vampires not zombies in my army”His words made people angrily yell and bicker once again. I shook my head as a headache began to crawl up in my mind. The tension was just escalating and it looked like they would be at each other’s throats again.I got up from my seat and asked, “If you all would care to listen to me, I have a suggestion to make”Everybody’s eyes turned to me and I cleared my throat. Jasper had been slouching a bit but even he straightened his back and placed one hand on the knee, paying attention to what I was going to say next.“How about you sign a pact or treaty between you all? Lord Ivan is right, he needs a bit of army as he took the highest beating. In no way does it feel nice to see your loved ones
CeliaI only blinked and he clapped his hand. A servant appeared and he asked him to get something for me.The servant returned a moment later, holding a glass of something in a tray.Taking the glass from the tray, he held it in front of me.“Here, take this. I promise it does not have blood or anything gross”I took the glass and sniffed it a little. It smelled of herbs and chocolate and something else.It tasted quite delicious too. I finished it in one go and immediately felt a bit more energized.I drank the entire glass and then set it on the tray he was holding and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “So now that you feel a bit energized, would you want to walk or would you still like to lay in the bed and catch some rest?”He inquired setting the glass on the table and I thought about it. Somehow, it felt odd for me to be in a closed space with me on the bed and for him to be so close to me.So I shook my head and decided to step out. I did not have the need to kill him…
To all my lovely readers, I cannot thank you enough for staying with me on this wild roller coaster of emotions until the end. You cannot pick a favorite child but writing this book was magical, simply because, I got so many of you who were invested to read. I sincerely hope I've improved as a writer when compared to my old books and continue to write stories that touch your hearts. Last year was especially tough for me with fighting depression and a few other issues that I do not want to make public. Some of you loved the story, others not so much. But I want to thank every single one of you for giving this story and this author a chance. If my story managed to provide a temporary escape from reality or simply added a sprinkle of joy to your day, then my mission as a writer is complete. And to those who patiently endured the plot twists – I promise, I only did it because I love you all. Okay, maybe that is not the complete truth. Perhaps there was a hint of mischief in the twis
Jasper I turned my head to look at her from a distance. I could see the nervousness in her gaze, in her body language. My gaze flicked to the guests, all of whom were looking at her. She cleared her throat, “Today is going to be a big day of my life. But before I take that step…I…I wanted to tell you all something.” Her gaze found mine and I only smiled at her. Before she could speak another word, one of the many people in the crowd placed a hand on his chest and bowed down to her. Celia was stunned and watched him In surprise. Behind her, Nymeria, Xenos, and Vasil were slowly descending the stairs too. Following the first person, a few more did the same- place a hand on their chest, their heart to be precise, and bowed to her, going down on one knee. “What is going on?” She asked In a low voice. Soon, everybody followed suit. In a matter of minutes, the entire crowd was on its knees, bowing to her. Her eyes flicked to me and I too did the same gesture. Placing my hand on my
JasperI cleared my throat and looked down at the crowd of people who had come to witness the wedding. There had been no happy event or celebration in the palace after my birth.That day had been a day of celebration but Isadora had turned it into a nightmare. And after all those years, finally, we were having a moment to rejoice.But as I watched the hopeful eyes of the people surrounding me, I could not shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at me.I had to get rid of it. And the only way to do that was to be honest.For a confused moment, I stood on the stairs, looking at the excited faces of the people around me.My gaze flicked to my father and brothers, all of whom were smiling proudly at me.“Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention please?” I asked in a loud voice, turning even those heads that had been momentarily distracted while looking at the grandeur of the palace.“First of all, I would like to thank you all for being present today. Frankly, I did not expect so many of
JasperThe huge room suddenly felt too small and the air in the world did not seem enough to fill my lungs.Celia had spoken something, but I was too busy staring at her.My heartbeat was roaring in my ears as I took in her beauty that shone radiantly, nothing short of a thousand lanterns.Her face looked distraught and her eyes were red, her cheeks puffed up. Her makeup had smeared a little too.But despite that, she looked like an angel. A Goddess.I had only seen her in her usual gowns and training clothes, but this marvel…this was just for me.For a minute, I simply stood in front of her, drinking her features. How could she be so blissfully ignorant of what she was doing to me by just standing there in that beautiful dress?I took a step forward, and I saw a tear trickle down her eye.“Shh, don’t cry,” I said softly, reaching for her face and cupping it. And when I did, a surge of electricity rippled through me.My Lycan roared in my head, feeling exhilarated to see her all dolle
CeliaDread settled in my heart when Xenos and Nymeria revealed my life’s biggest secret. My whole life had been a lie?But then what about the people I grew up with thinking they were my parents?Nothing made sense anymore, and I only stared blankly at Xenos.“Is…is that true?”I asked, and he nodded. “There is a reason I never found the courage to tell you all of this earlier. And to be sure that I was not guessing it all wrong, I asked Nymeria to allow me to show her that memory, too. I touched her and with her permission, I looked through her memories…childhood memories, to be specific. There was no trace of me or Isadora in it.”My heart felt like it would break into a million pieces.“But then, how could I never do magic? I never sensed it and…and then why was I not able to fight her when she…she killed me?”I was sobbing hysterically and Nymeria’s face looked like she was cursing herself for ruining my day.She apologized over a thousand times that she did not want me to learn
Celia "Are you going to tell her, or should I?" Nymeria's question hung in the air like a storm cloud, casting a palpable tension in the room. I looked from Nymeria to Xenos, confusion and a growing sense of foreboding twisting in my chest. Their solemn expressions conveyed that something grave was afoot. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my heart beginning to race. "Tell me what?" I pressed, my voice laced with unease. Xenos, usually a man of few words, hesitated for a moment. His eyes held mine for a second longer than I expected, and I could see a mix of guilt and apprehension in them. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again, the weight of his unspoken words lingering in the room. Nymeria, her expression torn between sympathy and responsibility, finally broke the silence. "Celia, there's something you need to know." I felt a shiver crawl down my spine. The room, once filled with warmth and camaraderie, had now become suffocating with uncertainty. My thoughts raced as
CeliaThe grand lycan palace was alive with anticipation, every corner adorned with flowers and delicate decorations in celebration of our wedding day. Two weeks had passed in a blur since the night Jasper had proposed to me in front of my pack.And every day after that seemed like a dream to me. I would wake up and pinch myself, wondering if it was all my imagination.But it was true, every single moment of it…just like today.The air was thick with the sweet scent of blooming roses, and the palace echoed with laughter and the sound of joyous conversations.In my room, the one I used to live in before I moved in with Jasper, a sense of nervous excitement filled the room as I sat before a beautifully crafted vanity mirror, surrounded by my maids and my dear friend, Nymeria. Their skilled hands moved with grace, tending to every detail to transform me into the radiant bride I aspired to be.The maids began to braid my long, dark hair, weaving flowers and jewels into it.As their nimble
"Are you guys ever coming out?" Jasper called with a good-natured grin, standing a few paces away from the porch.He had his hands placed on the doorframe and looked at us with his eyes furrowed as he saw Vasil holding my hand which I gave a gentle squeeze.“Don’t forget what I told you. Think about it,” I added, looking at Vasil while getting up from the chair.Jasper folded his hands over his chest and asked, “What secret are you guys discussing?”Vasil too got up from his chair and gave my arm a light squeeze.“Of course. And just so you know, if he ever hurts you or makes you sad, you know where to find me.”“Ha ha ha, very funny, bloodsucker,” Jasper replied humorlessly and looked at me to indicate that he wanted me to come out of the room.Vasil outstretched his hand as if to say, “After you” and I looked at him with my eyes wide, “Why are you always mean to him?”Jasper grinned, “He tried to take you from me. Am I not great for letting him live?”Vasil, who was just behind me,
CeliaAs Jasper walked beside me, his very presence filled my being with warmth and comfort. His scent, a heady mixture of earthy woods and his own unique, intoxicating fragrance, enveloped me like a protective embrace. I observed him, my heart overflowing with gratitude for the incredible man who had become not just my love but my lifeline, my mate.Isadora had tricked me into believing Vasil was my mate but the true pull of the mate bond was poles apart from the confusion she had tried to insert in my head.It was as if whenever I saw Jasper, my heart filled with hope and the promise that if he was around, nothing would ever go wrong.Every time I recalled the way he had jumped up and down the floor when I called him my mate and the way he ran through the palace telling everyone excitedly that I was his mate, my eyes would grow moist.What had I ever done to deserve him? I barely tried to fight Isadora but he literally fought both the devil and the Goddess, just like he had promised