CHAPTER THIRTY (WAXING CRESCENT)
Chapter Thirty: Aftermath
Hazen and Harper’s parents… Are dead?
Mallory and Oddny looked at Hazen’s back with wide eyes. She saw her flinch and slumped her shoulders before she regained her strength to straighten them again. She stared at Muller really, really hard. Not a second did she break contact with the man.
Muller started to break out into sweat. Instinctively, he stepped back. His eyes are still on her, appearing that he doesn’t want to break eye contact. But that’s not because of that. It’s because he can’t escape from her eyes.
Muller stuttered. “W-what are you staring at me like that for?!”
“Muller, you know that you constantly get on everybody’s nerves, don’t you?” Hazen coldly said. Mallory looked at her back, not recognizing her for a second.
Muller couldn’t utter a single word
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Thirty-One: Voices“Mallory, Mallory!” Oddny called many times as they walked into their house. Mallory unconsciously ignored her until Oddny caught her arm and stopped her. “Hey, listen to me!”“Sorry—what is it?” Mallory stopped and looked at her.“Tell me what happened,” Oddny pressed, her hand gripping her arm tightly. “The atmosphere there is weird—and, where is Hazen? She saw us earlier! And blood on the wall—what happened?”Mallory couldn’t stop the pity in her eyes from coming out.Hazen’s Blessing is not simply brainwashing. It seems like she can directly alter one’s memories or the way they think. Just this time, she did it unconsciously…Although she’s a friend, she agrees with everybody’s words.It was a terrifying Blessing.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Thirty-Two: Unforeseen SituationMallory had to double-check again if anyone heard that.She couldn’t hear anything from the beat of her heart that was causing havoc behind her ribs. It feels like she’s on the verge of having a heart attack.‘How did they know about that?’ Panic is rising up in her throat. She thought against following the voice anymore, but then since whoever was doing this knew about her secret, there’s no telling if they’ll tell everybody if she turns her back now. ‘I-is the ‘leading to the twin’ a trap?’Mallory suddenly felt terrible.“What are you doing?”“Follow.”“Stop just standing there and get your feet moving!”“What are you stalling for?”The voices gradually started going fainter as the voices took turns.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Thirty-three: AlaricThe moon hung silently on the black sky. Aside from that, no stars are out for the night, making the whole sky look like an empty canvas—a void.A tall, gothic palace built far, far away from where the werewolves lived, stood in between small houses surrounding it. Streets were long and wide, connecting one street to another, like a spiderweb. The candles illuminated each house, giving a yellow-orange hue to each window.Inside the palace, deep in the throne room, there sat a young-looking man. His face was pale, eyes red as blood, and face as cold as winter. No emotion could be seen on his smooth face, like a stone statue frozen in time.The face known by every vampire, whose name could make them tremble from fear and exhilaration.The ruler of the vampire, Alaric.Next to him, the elder vampire who keeps an eye on their ruler when h
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Thirty-Four: Days Before Her BirthdayMallory’s birthday was coming.For the past few days, she couldn’t focus on her own birthday. The sudden departure of Harper and the imprisonment of Hazen gave her a lot of stress. Oddny and her tried their best to ask where Harper went or if they could speak with Hazen, but they couldn’t get any result.In the end, they can’t do anything but just give up with it.“Everything will be fine,” Mallory heard herself assuring Oddny one day. “Hazen will be out in no time, and Harper will come back safe and alive.”She said that to Oddny, but at the same time, to herself.Mallory found Hazen’s presence sometimes too much. She’s overwhelmed by her, but she can’t deny the comfort she gave to her, especially with adjusting to the pack.Now that they’r
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Thirty-Five: No WayWhat she had in her mind when it came to birthdays, was—to do nothing.In her previous packs, with her mother, they always just eat just a bit better food and then, nothing else. When she was gone and her first birthday in her previous pack was stale and cold, but when she’s supposed to have a warm birthday with Oddny, Damian, and Melita, the vampires stole it from her. Again.When she went here, she didn’t think of it that much. But with Hazen and Harper as ‘additional’ to their family, she thought of somehow celebrating with them…Then…Mallory just doesn’t want to think about it at all.Something bit her bait.Mallory stirred from her thoughts, and she immediately stood up and pulled. After a pull, she looked at the struggling fish on her hook. It was a big catch.Mallory is in her usual fishing job.Since she had no plans for the day, she just went out as usual. And it seems like Oddny forgot about her birthday too,
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX (WAXING CRESCENT)Arc Four: RejectionChapter Thirty-Six: He is the Alpha’s SonLeofric is the Alpha’s son.Mallory’s mind refused to accept it. But her memories slowly recapped and she remembered subtle hints about his identity, but she didn’t notice.Everyone just flocks towards him like it is natural.His natural leading capability.How others reacted when she was with him.How those nasty stares they got disappeared as soon as he said he’d do something about it.And… Benedict. The way Benedict laughed at her.That was so obvious. She should have asked. Pressed for answers. Who is Leofric? Why are you all acting like that? Is he important to the pack? How important?But she didn’t.Now, she has to suffer the consequences of her own actions.Mallory could clearly see the betrayal etching in Oddny’s face. She could practically see her temper rising.She’s about to blow up.“Oddny—”“Mallory,”Before she could say anything, Oddny cut her off. She called her name, an
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Thirty-Seven: Selfish“Mallory!” He called out, his smile reaching his ears. “I’m so glad to see you!”“Hello, sir.” She said politely, and briefly, remembering how he just laughed at her while knowing the truth behind Leofric’s identity.Benedict seemed not to notice her coldness as he tapped her shoulder. “Are you here to pick a job? Are you fishing finally again?”“Finally…?” Mallory asked, then her eyes looked at the officer behind the desk. He looked away.‘Were they talking about me?’ Mallory wondered before answering him. “No,”She saw him visibly frown. “Why?”Mallory had long prepared an excuse for it. “I need something new to try… I’ve been fishing since I came here, so.”“I thought it was your hobby,” Benedict said, a slight disappointment etching in his voice. Mallory thought she could get away already when the light in his eyes flashed again. “No matter. Mallory, I would like to assign you to fish!”Mallory was flabbergasted.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Thirty-Eight: Invitation“School?” Mallory asked, wondering if she heard right.“Yes,” Leofric answered while brushing away a branch from her face. He looked at her and smiled. “I thought that maybe you wanted to go to school. “I wondered if you also wanted to get into it.”“I can’t. I don’t have enough time.” Mallory said, remembering what he told her.“Why?” He frowned.She explained. “You said that everyone graduates the moment they’ll be having their Blessing Ceremony, and I’ll be having mine next week so…”She saw his eyes increase in size. Mallory embarrassedly asked. “I… I didn’t tell you?”“You didn’t!”“But you came to my birthday the other day…” “Oh, yes. But I still didn’t know.” he paused and thought how stupid he was before bursting out in laughter. “Well, now I do. I guess school is not an option. It doesn’t matter. You’re only interested in the library, anyway. I’ll grant you access to higher books in…
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