First QuarterChapter Seventy-Seven: SearchThat led to them here.Now, aside from looking for the Luna, they were retrieving the intact corpses of their people.Trevon followed Leofric towards where he found the corpses of Mallory’s squad.Near a tree, they saw a female corpse together with a pile of ash. Trevon looked at Ada’s corpse with a complicated expression. She killed the vampire, but at what cost?Trevon and the others looked around and found more and more corpses. The atmosphere became graver as time went by, making them feel suffocated. They silently collected the corpses and loaded them into the wagons, then murmured a brief prayer.Trevon helped, his guilt eating him up from the insides. He could feel the glares behind him and knew that even without asking, they blame him. He understands. Trevon blamed himself, too.“Damn it,” a whisper broke the silence. Everyone shot an eye towards the man, yet he ignored them all. He gritted his teeth, looking at the corpse of a young
First Quarter Chapter Seventy-Eight: Meeting Mallory woke up with a start. She immediately sat up, realizing she had fallen asleep while waiting for Oddny to return. Her eyes were frantically looking for her, and it felt like a thorn was pulled out of her heart when she saw her sleeping next to the now-extinguished bonfire. She was sleeping on top of the makeshift bed and her blanket was half covering her body. Standing up, Mallory walked near her and fixed it, not wanting her to get cold. A fortunate thing was Oddny carried a bag with blankets, a knife, and flint inside. It was a great help during their stay there. She didn’t know how many hours had passed since she accidentally fell asleep, but Mallory’s stomach growled. “… I guess I have to make our breakfast now,” Mallory said to herself and was about to go when her eyes caught on something. A book, lying silently beside Oddny. Mallory looked at the book, her eyes strangely attracted to it. “… What’s that?” Just asking won’
First Quarter Chapter Seventy-Nine: Meeting (2) “They’re near.” Leofric, who was leading the search, said. Trevon heard that, and as the assistant, he ordered sternly. “Widen up the search. Don’t let your guard down! It has only been days; we don’t know if the vampires are not here anymore!” “Yes, sir!” The werewolves were fast on their feet, disappearing towards the woods. “Alpha,” Trevon walked towards Leofric's side. “Please, rest.” “No,” Leofric ignored him and then continued his search. Trevon watched his back and sighed. As expected, the son of the Alpha is as stubborn as he is. He has been searching for traces without rest, claiming he felt them near, but the day has almost passed, and they haven’t seen them yet. By now, he could see the lowered morale of the others they brought with them. Every time they move, they always see a corpse of their kin. Before they rot, they send them back first to the pack. It was a sad sight. Guilt once again ate Trevon’s heart. But not
First QuarterChapter Eighty: Going BackTheir hideout was bigger than he thought.The cave was spacious, and the ceiling was high up. Flowers were blooming on the soil even though there was no direct sunlight. There was a mound near the center and a withered, unusual flower. There were spots where flowers didn’t bloom, and they put their makeshift bed there. Not so far away was the place where they cooked.Oddny was stirring the pot when they arrived. When she saw them, she jolted up and looked at them with wide eyes, totally forgetting about the food she was cooking.“You’re here!” She said, not containing her joy.“We’re truly sorry for not arriving earlier,” Trevon responded politely. “But we don’t have time. Please, as soon as possible, pack up. We will be leaving tomorrow.”Seriousness immediately dawned on her face. Nodding her head, she listened to his words and packed up.“I’ll help.” Before anyone could stop her, Mallory had squatted down to help Oddny.Oddny merely glanced
First QuarterChapter Eighty-OneA satisfied sigh escaped from Mallory’s lips as soon as her back hit the soft mattress of her bed. It was small and thinner than she usually used in the mansion, but it was better than the makeshift bed in the cave.She stared at the ceiling for a while before curling on her side, gathering the fresh blanket in her chest. Mallory closed her eyes, wanting a quick nap. Soon, her consciousness drifted.She thought she would have another dreamless night, but instead of seeing pure darkness, she saw a lot of blood.Familiar faces—dead or alive—appeared in her mind. Blood covered their bodies, faces contorting in pain, tears streaming down their faces. They’re different persons, yet they all were screaming the same thing.“You are useless!”Mallory abruptly opened her eyes. She sat on her bed, panting hard.It was a nightmare. A terrifying one.A nightmare? Mallory bitterly smiled.The reality-induced nightmares. And the words they said were… Not entirely wr
First QuarterChapter Eight-Two: Back Again“You don’t need to be reserved.” Finally, Oddny looked at her. Her eyes contained nothing but calmness. It was unbelievable that someone younger than her could control her emotions that much. Oddny continued. “I don’t like him anymore.”Mallory said nothing. Because what she said was already the truth. Would she mate with him when they arrive back in the pack? No. She wouldn’t. And that is already set in stone. No one can change her mind. In the end, Mallory merely smiled at her and said nothing more.The travel back to the pack took two days. Mallory thought that something would happen along the way. Fortunately, nothing did. They passed by the protective barrier of the pack safely.They were in haste, and when they arrived, the enormous gates immediately opened.Horses and wagons dashed inside, greeted by a mass of people.But instead of cheering for their safe return, wallows of cries rang in the air.They had arrived with another batch
First QuarterChapter Eighty-Three: Speculations“Did the king of the vampires order them?”“Why would he use them now?”“To… Look for the Goddess’ Blessed?”“That’s absorbed! It’s been 18 years, and they only used nobles to look for her!”“I know, but—”“I apologize for interrupting.” At once, all eyes turned to Leofric.Leofric, not intimidated by their stares, stepped forward. “However, I seem to forget to mention one odd thing while in search.”“Odd thing?” Alpha Ragnarr’s eyes sparked in interest. “Do tell.”Leofric looked at Trevon, who bowed his head to him and went out. Not long after, he came back, carrying a wooden box.The elders, as well as Alpha Trevon, looked at it curiously.Without making them wait, Trevon placed the box on the table and stepped away. This time, it was Leofric. He placed a hand on the box and opened it.Once all eyes saw what it was, they all paled, their eyes widening.It was a severed head. Its eyes were wide open, and its mouth slightly gaping.Red
First QuarterChapter Eight-Four: QuestioningWhen she arrived in the basement, she saw Leofric there already. Alpha Ragnarr was also there, speaking with one another.They stopped when they saw her descending the stairs. Alpha Ragnarr came forward to greet her with his usual warm smile.“Welcome.” He spoke.“Hello,” Mallory greeted back, observing Leofric at the corner of her eyes.Though, it seems like Leofric wasn’t paying attention to her. The corner of her eyes involuntarily twitched. Is this what he meant by someone proposing the mating ceremony?‘He probably said it on the spur of the moment,’ Mallory told herself. ‘Maybe he was pressured, that’s why.’Mallory decided not to think about it anymore. She shook her head and finally noticed what was inside the basement.There were wooden shelves that were filled with jars, books, and herbs. There were also broken weapons and gears. It was like a storage room. Next to the shelf was a pot of flowers. In the center of the room, there