CHAPTER FIFTEEN (WAXING CRESCENT) Chapter 15: New House Trevon brought them around the pack and introduced the important parts and on which building they should go or specific reasons. As they go around looking at things, the two can’t help but marvel. It was truly bigger than their pack. It was bigger than Mallory had ever seen. Everything looks and feels so organized, and Trevon did a good job explaining everything to them. Mallory can’t help but think that she’ll adjust better than she had ever done. ‘Though I really have no other choice but to get on my feet fast,’ she said to herself ruefully. Mallory thought of the future ahead and felt her shoulders droop for a bit. She immediately fixed her mood and realized that they were already crossing the bridge she had seen earlier. It was a short bridge, and they crossed it in a matter of seconds. What awaits them on the other side of the bridge is another row of houses, but Mallory noticed that they were a lot more clustered and
CHAPTER SIXTEEN (WAXING CRESCENT) Chapter Sixteen: First Day Mallory lay on the bed, looking at the blank ceiling. The oil lamp hanging next to the window burned silently, flickering when the wind blew. She can hear the distant noises outside, constantly reminding her that she is in a place where people can freely move. A place where they don’t need to be sleeping with half of their body awake. She felt her body relaxed. As soon as she relaxed, Mallory realized how tense she was. She had never released all the tension she accumulated from the travel and the lurking danger in the forest even after entering the huge walls of this pack. She felt like everything was moving so fast, and with this rest as a buffer for the next steps she needed to do, Mallory finally gained the time to think. Without any warning, a blue-haired Damian and Melita’s smiling faces entered her mind. Sadness immediately overwhelmed her. Mallory shifted to her side, facing the wall. Aside from that night, Ma
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (WAXING CRESCENT) Chapter Seventeen: Job Application In this pack, you can get contributions by completing tasks or missions that are handed out in the General Application House at the Town Hall. There are a lot of different things to do, and Trevon introduced them to some. One is helping to mow the field or to help plant vegetables and grains on the field. Two are attending to the animals, feeding them on a daily basis, milking the cows, and many more. There are also tasks or missions that need to be done outside the pack. Such as foraging fruits and spices because there is not enough especially since the village is growing bigger. Or finding minerals and ores for the forgers to create weapons or tools. Very rarely, there will be a mission just like Hazen’s unit did. A mission that needs to be done outside the safe zone, or venturing in the outside world to gather information. It’s risky, so sometimes, they need to train others first before deploying a team. Ma
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN (WAXING CRESCENT) Chapter Eighteen: A New Pack, the Same Hobby “You have a school here?” Mallory couldn’t hide her surprise. “Yes,” Hazel said, not concealing the proud look on her face. “And a library too!” “A library…” Mallory repeated the word without knowing. Finally, she has seen a speck of light. Mallory was a bit lost about how to find any clues about the Goddess’ Blessed, but with this, she can finally start somewhere. The school is not important for her, but if she can access the library… “Can someone–outsiders like us enter?” Oddny’s meek voice dragged Mallory out of her own thoughts. She looked at her and saw the unhidden anticipation in her eyes. Mallory’s eyes glint in happiness. If she can enter the school and associate herself with others, Oddny might adjust a lot faster than just staying at home. “Of course,” this time, it was Harper. She said seriously. “It’s pretty much mandatory for everyone to attend school. The school not only teaches us
CHAPTER NINETEEN (WAXING CRESCENT) Chapter Nineteen: Meeting Again She immediately got on her feet, tucked her equipment with her, and looked around once more. There was literally no one around her, she was alone. Mallory’s heart thumped wildly. The lapping of the water and the gentle whispers of the wind sound so distant. She looked at the horizon; there was still a lot of time before the sun dipped on the horizon. Maybe they just went somewhere to rest. Mallory tried to think positively. She calmed her anxious heart and walked towards the bank where her companions were. She saw their traces trailing towards the forest. Mallory looked and stared. There were no obvious movements inside the dense trees and bushes. She can’t hear their voices, and can’t see any trace of them. She gulped and said with finality. “They left me.” That was a fact she dreaded to learn. She remembered the way their captain looked at her and remembered how the others treated her—like an air. ‘The area
CHAPTER TWENTY (WAXING CRESCENT) Chapter Twenty: For the Second Time “Is it your first day at school?” Malloy noticed the small bag on the table first thing when she went out of their room. The aroma of cooked food assaulted her nose. “Yes,” Oddny replied shortly then sent a spoon of food in her mouth. Mallory approached sleepiness still not shaking off from her. “That looks good!” Oddny looked up at her, smiling. “Thanks.” She smiled as well, her heart lightening. She’s finally slowly getting back to her old self. Mallory reached for her head and rubbed it. “Learn well.” “Where are you going?” Mallory stopped and looked back, raising her bucket. “Bath.” “Why?” Oddny placed the spoon on her plate, leaning towards her direction. “Do you have somewhere to go?” “Uh,” I forgot to tell her. Mallory laughed awkwardly and answered. “… Fishing?” Her brows jolted up, but fortunately, she quit asking. “Okay, good luck.” “Thank you.” Mallory then went out. Baths are done quickly a
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE (WAXING CRESCENT) Chapter Twenty-One: Unknown, Subtle Changes She regretted it, but since she had already talked, she braced herself up and continued. “They expected me to at least catch twice as I did last time.” He stared, then laughed after some time, showing his perfect smile. It was contagious. ‘That must have been the reason why they flock to him,’ Mallory deduced in her mind, trying so hard for her lips not to lift up. “That’s great!” He grinned at her and gestured to the river. “Join me, then.” She couldn’t say no. It would sound stupid after she just told him—indirectly told him that she’ll stay to fish with him. Meekly, she nodded her head, and they both traced back down the path towards the river. They sat a bit further from where they did the day before. “There might be no more fish there. Maybe others had warned them that there was a werewolf hunting for them.” Leofric reasoned out. Mallory humored him and went along. After sitting down
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO (WAXING CRESCENT) Chapter Twenty-Two: Liking Each Other’s Company “You came,” Mallory greeted as soon as she saw him walking towards her, with the usual fishing rod and bucket in his hands. Leofric grinned. “Of course, I can’t leave you hanging.” “We didn’t agree on anything,” Mallory said, smiling despite that. “Still,” he sat next to her. “I don’t want to leave you alone.” Mallory smiled and said nothing else. So, is he accompanying her in this out of pity? If yes, she doesn’t mind. She enjoys his presence very much. And just because he’s doing it out of pity doesn’t change that fact. Although it does hurt her a little, that doesn’t mean anything. “Do you,” sometime later, Leofric spoke. “Not get tired of this?” He gestured to the river and the rod. “Are you tired now?” She asked back. “No, I mean, I was simply curious.” Leofric appeared to be flustered by her question. Awkwardly, he laughed. “Sorry if I offended you somehow.” Mallory silently sighed
First QuarterChapter Ninety-Five: RevelationAn urgent meeting was held in the throne room.The elders were present, as well as the two Alphas. Their faces were grim and dark, yet it everyone noticed how pale Leofric was.“How did they know about this place?” Without waiting for anyone to talk, an elder immediately raised his doubts. “How did they break through the barrier?”Another elder mirrored his doubt. “Did they discover it by chance? Or…”He didn’t continue talking, so elder Ester said instead. “Or someone told them.”Her words were like blizzards, freezing the bloods of everyone in the room. They looked at each other suspiciously, their eyes glaring with warning.With the tension in the air so high, the servants and guards held their breaths, wanting to remain invisible all through out the meeting.Alpha Ragnarr sighed. This took their attention, and the tension eased a bit.“Let’s not set ourselves up.” Alpha Ragnarr stood up. He walked down the stairs and stopped just a cou
First QuarterChapter Ninety-Four: FireMinutes before the disappearance of the barrier…Mallory ran like her life depended on it. She never looked back, and before she knew it, the house she used to live in appeared in her eyes. She stopped moving and looked at it when she detected movement inside.Immediately, she frowned. She looked to the west and saw the moon hanging in the sky. It descended slowly, but the morning will surely come.“Is she awake?” Mallory asked herself. After thinking for a while, that was the only plausible explanation she could think of. She looked at the door and finally made up her mind to knock.Knock, knock.The movement inside the house paused, and then after that, she could see a silhouette walking to the door.Then, the door opened.Mallory met Oddny’s surprised eyes. Then, her surprise was immediately hidden. She looked at her up and down, and Mallory couldn’t hide the bags on her side. Just at first glance, one could tell that she had packed up to lea
First QuarterChapter Ninety-Three: Broken Barrier[Mallory!][Wake up!][Pst!]The blessed souls who she talked to earlier to wake her up before the sun rose yelled loudly in her ears. Their voices successfully woke her up.Mallory forced herself to get up. She could feel her body throbbing painfully. She did no strenuous activity, yet she felt like she exercised for a long time before sleeping. But there’s no way one could exercise their heart.Out of everything on her, her heart felt the most painful.Mallory decided to ignore that and forced herself to not think of a certain person.“What time is it?” Mallory asked, her voice slightly hoarse.[Two hours before sunrise.][Quickly, hurry!]Hearing that, Mallory dragged her body out of her bed. She looked below and saw the bag she packed. Mallory took it and then changed into more comfortable clothes. She slipped in h
First Quarter Chapter Ninety-Two: Broken “The Luna?” A glint flashed in his eyes before it settled down. “Why?” Leofric pursed his lips. Why? Why indeed? A small smile unconsciously surfaced on his lips. “… She finally let me see her.” He could feel his eyes on him, but Leofric didn’t withdraw his smile. After staring for a while, Alpha Leofric nodded his head. “Very well. Then, I will find someone for you.” Delight crossed his eyes, before bowing his head. “Thank you very much.” “It’s nothing.” Alpha Ragnarr laughed. “Then go. I’m sure you have a lot to prepare.” - Two hours before the ceremony starts. The moon was slowly rising in the sky. The sky itself was dark, and if not for the stars loitered on it, one would think they were staring at an endless void. The pack was lively. No one rested, as they went back and forth in preparation for the ceremony. Far from the lively celebration, Mallory walked through the dense forest. Her mind kept the direction in her mind, and
First Quarter Chapter 91: Full Moon “—It’s necessary!” The first voice was Harper’s. As usual, her voice was calm and collected, the exact opposite of her twin. “I don’t understand!” Even though their voices were deliberately suppressed, Mallory still heard it thanks to her enhanced hearing. “Why must I hide while you—” Mallory then entered their sensing range. They collectively looked at her, one shocked while the other had unfathomable eyes. Look is not the right word. Containing her shock, Mallory stared intently at Hazen. Her eyes were covered with a blindfold. She only knew that Hazen had turned to her in shock as her mouth gaped open. ‘This might be her punishment before getting freed.’ Mallory concluded; her heart can’t help but feel pity. ‘To not be able to see until says so.’ Her eyes are okay under that blindfold, but she can’t take it off until she controls her blessings. It was a great countermeasure. Her blessing is destructive, after all. She looked at the twins
First Quarter: Chapter Ninety: She's Back Somewhere in the middle of the forest. Night had come, and the moon was hanging high in the sky. Thick clouds glided smoothly into the sky, and the cold wind slowly pushed it forward. Inside a cave, Oddny was kneeling on the stony ground, the pebbles digging into her flesh. “Hmm, did you figure out where they put them?” General Mabel looked at her and a small grin couldn’t be suppressed from her face. “No,” Oddny answered curtly. Disappointment dawned on the general’s face. She sighed, and the sigh echoed throughout the cave. This caused the other vampires to shake on their knees. Even if they were not the subject of her disappointment, their hair still couldn’t help but stand up. “It’s been days.” She said, her eyes looking all over her body, and stopping on her neck. Oddny bowed her head even more. “… I apologize, I find them soon.” General Mabel swatted her hand, placing a palm over her forehead. “No matter. I am in no hurry. Go
First QuarterChapter Eighty-Nine: Mysteriously DisappearingA knock interrupted their conversation. Both turned their heads and looked at the wooden door. It creaked open, and a head peeked out of it. “Is physician Manon here?”“Here!” Manon stood up. “What is it?”The door opened wide, and a man and a boy entered. The boy was clutching his hand, his face showing complicated emotions.“What happened?” Manon asked, then took the boy’s hand. “You broke your hand?”“Yes, he was playing with the others earlier, but he had a bad fall.” The older man, who looked like the boy’s brother, explained. He then sighed. “I don’t know what to do with this kid. He has been causing trouble these past few days.”Manon chuckled. “It’s normal. Sit down—ah!”Manon looked at Mallory and spoke. “It seems l
First QuarterChapter Eight-Eight: Physician Manon “I—”“Hush it, I’m not listening.” True to her stubborn nature, she swatted her away like a fly. Then she took a medicine leaf out of her box and applied it on the arm. Then she covered it with the cloth. “If I see you injured again, I will lock you up in the basement. Try me.”“Okay, I’ll try my best to be careful.” Mallory lied smoothly.But she’s no match for a person who had lived for a hundred years earlier than her. Elder Ester gave her a look and shook her head. “Look, I know that you are eager to develop your capabilities more, but you have to take care of yourself not to get overboard… You might not like the outcome if you do.”“…” Mallory was touched, but that’s the whole reason she wants to develop further.Vampires.She knew that they had been very aggressive in the past few days. And that only fueled her desire to learn and develop even more. The treatment continued, and then Mallory asked a question she’d been itching
First QuarterChapter Eight-Seven: Elder EsterA few days later…“In this month, we already had four casualties. We made the guards stop patrolling individually outside the border and tightened the security inside the barrier.” A man clad in his guard uniform reported with a grim face. “After that, no deaths have been reported.”“Damn it, they’re playing with us for sure!” An elder couldn’t help but slam his hand on the table, breaking it. It wasn’t just him who displayed their anger. The other elders couldn’t hide their emotions as well.“They’ve killed a lot already,” one said weakly. “But we haven’t seen even one vampire at all.”"They’re looking for our pack,” someone said with confidence. “And they somehow knew that it’s near here.”“But we don’t have to worry about them discovering it.” Another one chimed in, looking at the person sitting on the throne. “The Alpha’s blessing will protect us all.”In their heart, they collectively agreed. Hundreds of years had passed, and the Al