The Council"No!" Hezell hissed as he jerked up from the bed. His hands immediately went to his abdomen where he had been stabbed. "Look who's up." He heard someone yawn lazily behind him and turned to see who it was. "Rose." He called out, recognizing her from one of..."Yeah. Sarah did say something about you magically knowing who everyone is. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised you know who I am too." She shrugged and got up. "I need to speak to speak with someone. Cleopatra maybe." He shook his head and tried to get off the bed, but realized he couldn't. He glanced at his free hands, then at the floor where he expected to see a white circle, but saw nothing. "I'm guessing you do not know everything then." Rose said when she realized he didn't know how he was being kept to the bed. "No, you don't understand, Rose. I need to speak with someone. This is about Freya and very important." Hezell exhaled heavily, turning his eyes to her. "What happened to Freya?" Cleopatra asked a
"Father?" Cheyenne feigned surprise, entering the living room with Jeremiah.The middle-aged man, Jerome Nichols, clad in all white with a cap perched on his head, turned towards his daughter.He had various security companies across the globe that specialized in safeguarding politicians and very important persons. However, his primary business involved hunting mystical creatures and selling their claws and fangs as rare artifacts, especially focusing on werewolves due to the deadly poison that came from their claws and fangs.He had even managed to sway the government and many into believing his actions were for the greater good as Werewolves posed a threat to their lives."Cheyenne," he greeted in a dispassionate tone.His lack of warmth didn't surprise her; she was accustomed to it."Why are your men tearing my house apart?" Cheyenne inquired, approaching him."For your safety," Jerome replied curtly, not sparing her a second glance."You can't barge into my home and claim it's fo
"He kept insisting he wants to see you," Hercules said as he pushed Hezell into Cleopatra's office.Cleopatra paused, setting aside the report in her hand. She rubbed her eyes, then looked up at the intruders."It must be traumatizing, going from captivity for 19 long years to freedom for just three days, only to be captured again," she said dispassionately, studying him closely.Hezell's hand found its way to his neck, where he uncomfortably tugged at the invisible collar."The witches ban black magic because it's dangerous, not just for the user but for everyone around them," he muttered, locking eyes with her. "You should get Syren to remove it.""Sarah informed me about the 400 members of the Blackwood Pack you massacred. If it weren't for your connection to the Vause family, I'd have ordered your execution the moment you came into my custody," Cleopatra said, her expression hardening."My father and Braeden Vause were close, but not everyone approved of their friendship. In all h
With Cleopatra's assurance that she was taking care of the captured teenage werewolves problem and the Werewolf Hunters, most of the Council residents gradually began to relax and return to their daily routines.Mariah stepped into the corridor leading to the kitchen and intercepted a girl walking out of it wheeling a food cart. She was holding a glass of orange juice as she walked towards the girl. And acting like she didn't see her, she bumped into the girl, spilling the orange juice all over the girl's white top. "I'm so sorry." She immediately apologized, dropping the glass on the floor and helping her to pat away the orange juice, but her help did nothing but make the situation worse. "It's no use," the girl muttered, her expression tight with irritation from the unexpected encounter. However, her annoyance disappeared when she looked up and recognized Mariah. "Mariah Armstrong?""Yeah, I'm sorry. I wasn't looking," Mariah offered a sheepish apology, pressing her lips together
Mariah stood rooted to the spot in trepidation as a thousand and one thoughts ran through her mind. She clenched and unclenched her fists numerous times in order not to freak out. Keeping the nervousness off her face, she glanced at Sawyer briefly before leaving with the Council guard. She slowly pushed the food trolley towards Cleopatra's office. When she got there, she left it behind and walked towards the door.She knocked once and heard a hum of approval before turning the doorknob and walking in. "You asked for me, ma'am?" She exhaled lightly, sinking her nails into her palm. Cleopatra smelt the blood and dropped the paper she held before looking up at Mariah. "Mariah Armstrong." She said the name with a blank look. "Yes, ma'am. I'm Freya Armstrong's sister." Mariah quickly nodded with a light smile. She couldn't deny the fact mentioning Freya's name had saved her more than once from some problems. The corners of Cleopatra's lips spasmed upon hearing her. Now that she thou
Steele and Neon got to the Human City in two hours, an earlier faster than Neon planned. The two hadn't said a word to each other since they left the Council and with their eyes fixed outside the windows, they didn't look like they'd be speaking with each other any time soon. Neon led him to a nearby garage where she handed a man there some money and took a car key. The man opened the garage's gate to reveal numerous luxurious cars. The headlight of a Lamborghini flashed twice as Neon got close to it. She got into the driver's seat anf Steele got in after her. She opened a compartment in the car and took out a cellphone. As soon as she turned it on, she immediately went to Google and searched the name 'Cheyenne Nichols'. "Cheyenne Nichols is still here in the Human City. But no one knows her whereabout. But her driver has been Jerome Nichols' driver for the past few days." She scoffed after three minutes of scouring the net. "Some people say she's taking a break from everything
Cheyenne hadn't gotten far when she heard some voices."The cabin isn't far from here. We should go on foot otherwise she'd hear us coming.""Let's hurry. Mr. Nichols said to bring her back before he leaves. He doesn't want her thrashing the auction like the last time.""If she was around here, then she'd have already heard you two. Idiots!"It was getting late, and fewer people were passing the alley leading up to the woods where the cabin was located.Cheyenne looked ahead of her and saw the three shadows hurrying towards the cabin and quickly hid behind a trashcan.She waited with bated breath for them to pass. But how could she have known the trashcan was empty as she rested too hard on it and it fell over, attracting the attention of the men.They quickly took out their flashlights and flashed it towards her direction."Don't let her out of here!" One out of the three men yelled and rushed towards her.Cheyenne quickly got up and contemplated what to do. She couldn't run back to
The Council.A moan escaped Sarah's lips as Rose had her head in-between her legs. "Mmm...Ah...I can't.." Were words Sarah repeated over and over again in ecstacy until Rose lifted her head and fell beside her on the bed. She had a small smile on her face as she stared at the ceiling. "I'm glad the Werewolf Hunters didn't take you." "They almost did." Sarah retorted through bated breaths. "Freya heard them coming and had us hide behind a tree." "Freya?" Rose mused, her smile broadening as she propped up herself with one hand. "I didn't think you two were on talking terms." Turning to her side, Sarah chuckled. "We weren't. But we settled our differences when we were forced to rely on ourselves." "Makes sense." Rose shrugged lightly and touched Sarah's face gently. "I'm really happy you returned to me safe and sound." "I told you I would, didn't I?" Sarah exhaled in relaxation and snuggled up to her. They stayed in that position for a few minutes before Rose recalled something.
Jerome Nichols' House,"We've gunned down every werewolf we know about, and for those we are yet to find, we're doing our possible best to bring them in," a Werewolf Hunter stood opposite Lance and reported."What the hell do you think you're doing?" Jerome Nichols yelled at his son as he rushed into the house.Lance dismissed the Werewolf Hunter with a wave of his hand and walked up to Jerome. "Just taking care of business, Dad.""Taking care of business? You're tearing apart everything!" Jerome seethed and looked around him. "Where's Hezell? Why didn't he stop you?"Lance adjusted his tie with a stoic gaze. "Hezell... isn't here."Jerome spun around in disbelief. "Where did he go? And who authorized you to do this then?""He had something to take care of and left the house to me. But then the man he left behind passed on an instruction he had received to me," Lance said and leaned towards his father's right ear. "He said we were in great danger if he didn't call the house seven hours
“What?” Sarah straightened up seeing Joshua and the four other witches step backward. “The barrier is opening up on its own.” He glanced at her warily. Knight, Landon, Adley and Kourtney got serious recalling what Joshua had said before he began trying to reopen the barrier. “Why do you all look surprised? Did you really think they stood a chance against Hezell just because they were Alphas? Bless your delusional heart.” Mendoza's mocking voice came from behind them. “Release me and I'll consider talking to him to at least keep one of you alive. That's the great length I'm willing to go just for old times’ sake.” However, the group ignored her and armed themselves with the guns her pack warriors had taken with them. “Those things you're holding won't deter him.” Mendoza stated the obvious. “I swear if you keep talking you won't be alive to witness what would happen in the next one minute!” Adley glowered, glancing behind her shoulders to look at her. Mendoza frowned and as muc
Hezell suddenly laughed. “I didn't think I'd ever be captured again, but just to be safe, I left a few orders that should be carried out if I don't call Jerome Nichols’ house hours after leaving.”“I never should've let you out of the Council for any reason whatsoever,” Cleopatra clenched her fist tightly.“It's not your fault. He just has a way of getting to people,” Nebra exhaled, glancing at her.“This isn't something that can't be taken care of. A quick trip to the Council should solve it once you return with Council guards,” Steele uttered calmly.Cleopatra looked away from him guiltily. “I sent half of them to the human city to help Hezell out in searching for you since he told me you were captured by Hazel.”“You… how do you come up with these things? You make life hard for others even when you're totally powerless,” Neon sighed, glaring at Hezell.“You can't blame me for trying to stay alive,” Hezell shrugged and looked down at the chains on his wrists. “The massacre will cont
Mariah gasped and stumbled backward, while Freya sat up and proceeded to stand on her feet. Her previously pale face had brightened, and her dull eyes were now full and vibrant.“If you wanted to kill me, you should've done so on the podium. A knife into my abdomen without the boring words you said would've been just fine,” Freya stretched and glanced at Mariah.“You were unconscious just a few minutes ago. So how is it that you're suddenly so hale and hearty now?” Mariah asked and warily got on her feet.“I woke up two nights ago, but I discovered I couldn't move. It wasn't until this morning that I realized Lalisa did something that made me weak. When Hezell killed her, the magic began wearing off. But when your goon brought me here, meters away from Lalisa’s body, the magic wore off totally,” Freya explained with a shrug.Mariah didn't know when she swallowed nervously. This was the Freya she knew, but at this same time, she didn't feel like she knew this person in front of her.“A
"I know no one has ever told you this before, but you're misguided. You're doing things for the wrong reasons," Terry didn't to struggle with Hezell as he knew his attempt would only be futile. Hezell's eyes were cold as he tightened his grip on Terry's throat."Hezell," Freya called out to him weakly, her voice barely audible over the scuffle. He flung a half-dead Terry down the stairs before rushing to her side.By the time Terry reached the foot of the stairs, his eyes were barely opening, and his breath had become a raspy whisper. None of the heartstealers had the heart to help him as they feared it'd make Hezell see them as his enemy. Nebra, on the other hand, hurried up to him. She held his arm, ready to relieve him of some of his pain, but he stopped her with a feeble gesture."There's no need. I'm more than ready to finally meet my ancestors," Terry coughed weakly, forcing his eyes open, "And you shouldn't be so eager to help the man who almost sacrificed your cousin.""Us
While they remained outside, attempting to reopen the barrier, Nebra fell onto a pile of sand once she was inside the barrier. She groaned and rose to her feet. As she patted away the sand that had gotten into her hair and clothes, she raised her head and looked around.The sky was blue and crystal clear, almost like a painting. Just ten meters away from her were numerous rows of houses.She cautiously sauntered towards them, but much to her surprise, she didn't come across a single soul.She was still wondering if she was dropped in the wrong location when she heard shouts coming from a particular direction.At the same time, the sound of numerous hearts beating at once overwhelmed her.She zoned out of her wolf hearing and rushed towards the direction of the shouts until she walked into a town square filled to the brim with people."So many heartstealers," she mumbled in disbelief, staring at the people who she feared numbered more than two thousand.Her attention was drawn to an el
"Hezell... what a bastard!" Sarah seethed as she got flung backward by the barrier.She waited for a few seconds and didn't get an expected rebuke."What? You didn't find anything wrong with what I said? You don't find me wh... Neon?" She glanced around to see Neon was nowhere to be found."Steele and Hunter are gone too," Knight said, noticing his two competitors were absent."Nebra too," Kourtney scoffed."That's ridiculous. Where could they have gone?" Landon frowned. He refused to believe Nebra somehow made it into the barrier and he couldn't."If they aren't here, that only means they slid into the barrier just before it closed," Adley stated the obvious truth."I was at least a few inches ahead of Neon, so how could she have gotten in and I didn't?" Sarah hissed, waving Adley's words aside."Well, it's not that surprising given she's a beta and you're not," Adley retorted, meeting Sarah's enraged eyes."Beta? What's so good about being a beta? I'm going to be stronger than a bet
Joshua's brain momentarily shut down as he stared back at the man. He had every reason to believe they were serious, but for some reason, he was hoping they were just messing with him. However, one minute later, and they still had the same suspicious look on their faces."Cat got your tongue?" One out of the two men across from him raised his brows provocatively."Mr. Hezell won't take it lightly with you once he hears of this. But if you explain things to us, we might put in a good word or two on your behalf when we report you to him," the second man across from him added seriously.Realizing that what was happening wasn't a joke, Joshua slowly raised his hand, getting ready to mumble a memory-erasing spell when the man next to him suddenly laughed. He widened his eyes a little bit in surprise as the other two joined him in laughing."We totally had him fooled," one of the men across from him laughed."He was first confused, then horrified. I'll give anything to see that look on his
In the woods where Sarah's pack is located,"You took off the chains, but we're still pretty much your prisoners, aren't we?" Sarah hissed as she was pushed into a room by a pack warrior.She stopped talking, seeing the others in the room as well. "Tell me you dragged them in here the same way you did to me.""This isn't the time for one of your incessant whinings, Sarah," Neon hushed."So you think it's okay that I was dragged in here like I can't walk by myself?" Sarah asked provocatively."Hezell has been informed of Freya's whereabouts, and he's already on their territory. It'll only take him a few hours to get through their barrier," Mendoza's voice successfully drew their attention to the other end of the room where she was.Sarah looked away from her and glanced around the room, which turned out to be the armory room."You have guns. I take it you stole them from the humans," she commented, picking up a pistol. "Ouch!"She dropped it immediately when it burned her palm and glar