The sound of sharp coughing made my steps falter. I rushed back inside to find that blood had spluttered all over her clothes and bed sheet staining them. I rushed to grab a wet towel and helped her to a sitting position before wiping off the blood from her face, “What in the world did you do to end up in such a condition? You are practically invincible right?”
She smiled that weak, natural smile that could tug at the strings of my heart. In that moment, I realized that I was just deluding myself. I was never going to hand her over to the Lycan King.
“Who told you that I was invincible? I might be stronger than everyone but that doesn’t mean I can never be hurt. I won’t die but that doesn’t mean I am free from all the sufferings in the world,” she managed to stutter, stifling her urge to cough.
I
The next thing I know, I was the one lying on the bed and Hera was sitting beside me, holding my hands. Rubbing my eyes groggily, I questioned, “What just happened?”“I think those raisins were laced with wolfsbane.”“Wolfsbane? Why would they be laced with wolfsbane?” I stuttered as I tried to think. The throbbing in my head made it impossible to form any coherent thoughts. So, I looked at Hera, hoping that she could give me an explanation.“They must have grown raisins on the same land as wolfsbane.” She shrugged before brushing the strands of my hair lying on my forehead. In that groggy daze, I recalled that such an error was impossible because they were deliberately injected with arsenic.My heart almost stopped beating as the realization hit me like a zapping meteor. It was all a part of Melinda’s master plan. The raisings weren’t poisoned with wolfsbane; it was the fumes. I had heard from m
It had been two days since I got poisoned with those fumes. I was supposed to be dead but I wasn’t. I was very much alive; feeling every bit of exhaustion as we continued to walk along the stony path.“Isn’t Dreki coming along?”“No, he left.”“Left? Where did he go?”“I don’t know. He didn’t tell me.”“I thought you were his master. Dreki doesn’t seem like someone who abandons his master.”“I did something that upset him,” she said, twirling the ring around her finger. Her action drew my attention to it again. I had always wanted to ask her about it, “That is a very unique ring. Is there a story behind it?”Her steps faltered a bit and her movements froze, “It does have a sto
“Why are you here, Justin? I thought you had gone your own way.” Hera said without turning to face me. I was still several meters away from her and had just caught a glimpse of her silhouette yet she could recognize me with such precision. Conning her wasn’t going to be easy.Drawing in a few deep breaths, I walked over to the rock she was seated on. She continued to look at the sandy ground underneath, tracing circles with her feet absentmindedly.I dropped to my knees, trying to make my expression as pitiful as possible, “I… I am here to confess, Hera.”She finally looked at me, “Confess?”“Yes… I… I know that you will probably kill me after hearing my confession but I can’t keep this secret anymore. It is killing me.”Her eyebrows raised, “You are underestimating my powers, Justin. There is nothing about you that I don’t know.”There it was, that pride, arrogance. I must have been blinded earlier to be attracted to such a snobbish woman. My fingers dug into my thighs as I struggled
When we reached the Western Raven Courtyard, the vampire king, Andres was already waiting for Hera. Their eyes met and something fleeting passed between them. There was an odd sense of familiarity between them.“King Andres,” She greeted with a mock bow. “You are already here.” Her lips lifted in a vicious smile, “Seems like my technique worked.”He narrowed his eyes, his expression growing colder, “If anything happens to them, I swear I will rip you to so many shreds, you won't be able to count.”Hera snorted, “I have already made the magical pact. Why are you still so worked up, King Andres?” She walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder, “This duel will be just between you and me.” The smile she gave him, sinister yet alluring. Damn! It made my skin cra
“Is it really that necessary to fight and kill?” I asked, my lips curving downwards.“Did you think you had fallen in love with a saint? If you are with me, you will have to see me massacring people by hundreds. I am not going to change just because a wolf pup fell in love with me.”“It doesn’t bother me; the killing part. Being an Alpha’s son, violence has been an indispensable part of my life….” I looked into her eyes, “It is just that….” I stopped walking, forcing her to halt too. “I know that you are very powerful yet this foolish heart can’t stop worrying about you. I am afraid of seeing you suffer.”“Oh, Justin….” Her voice got choked and conflicting emotions flitted across her features. She grabbed the nape of my neck and
“I can’t believe you failed,” my father’s disdainful voice dripped in my ears like acid. “Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to get this opportunity?” He gave me a light push, “You are really good for nothing, aren’t you?”“I did try my best, father,” I replied in a meek voice, hanging my head.“You? Tried your best? Is this a joke?” His voice grew louder with every word he spoke, “Melinda gave me a detailed report about everything that happened. If it weren’t for her, you would have long been dead.”My mind veered to the time Melinda had given me the poisoned raisins. She did help me initially but she was more dedicated to her mission than saving me. She would have killed me if she were alive. Hera had indirectly saved my life by kil
My heart pounded against my ribs and my breaths became increasingly labored as I walked along the path; concealed by the shadows. There was an order forbidding me from entering the Lycan Palace. If I was caught, I would surely be punished.My steps faltered, seeing the guards stroll the doorway, with steady, alert steps. My gaze wandered over the palace slowly. There were at least a hundred of them, visible at different locations. God knows how many were hidden. Why was it guarded so heavily tonight?My eyebrows furrowed. It was impossible to get inside without getting caught. But, I had to try. I threw a few stones in two different directions to draw the attention of the guards. The moment they moved away from the doorway, I made a bolt for the door.Unfortunately, there was a third guard, concealed behind the door. He nabbed me faster than a lightning bolt. Pressing my face down against the wall, he twisted my arm on my back, “Who are you? Why were you t
“I know what you are thinking. But, it was your father who begged me to let you go. I never forced you.”I lowered my gaze, “I had my own reasons for volunteering. I will never hold it against you.”He raised his eyebrow, “I wonder what that reason was?”“M..my mother was killed by the wereheretic. So, I wanted to avenge her death.”Something flashed in his eyes, “Ayame was killed by the wereheretic? How do I not know anything about this?”“Did you know my mother?”“Not really. I just heard about her from your father.”This was a surprising piece of news for me. I never knew that my father was close to The Lycan King. It was rare to get an opportunity to even talk to the king. The way he spoke about my mother ga
Alpha Azarel was the one who had held me captive; he was the one who killed my mate. He was the one I had been running from.My gaze drifted around the study. This was the same place Alpha Azarel and Victoria had abused time and again. My entire body broke out in a cold sweat and I started panting; overwhelmed by the sudden barrage of emotions and memories.My chest grew stuffy as all the air in my lungs got sucked out. I couldn’t stay here any longer. Scrambling to my feet, I zapped out of the house stopping only after I reached the meadow I frequented with Cassius.My steps faltered, and I came to an abrupt halt; my gaze drifting over the meadow restlessly. This place, this was the meadow next to Layman’s cliff. No wonder I felt a connection when I saw it for the first time.The moon shone brightly, bathing everything in a dim silvery glow. The chirping crickets, rustling grass, and screeching bats created a deep, dark symphony; a perfect reflection of my thoughts at the moment.I w
He stood there like that for a few moments before approaching me slowly; his hands raised in the air, “Are you okay?” I pulled myself to a sitting posture and nodded. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he knelt beside me. He lifted my chin gently and gulped, “I am so sorry, Omega. I am sorry that I couldn’t do anything about this.”I shook my head and waved my hands, trying to tell him that this wasn’t his fault.“I am so silly, right?” His dejected voice sounded as he pulled out a small box from his pocket. “I am asking you if you are okay…. How can someone be fine in this hellhole?”He applied the medicine to my bruise; his fingers moving along my skin with a feathery movement. “It is all my fault, Omega. I should have helped you escape long back; maybe the first time Alpha Azarel laid his hand on you.”He cupped my face, his lips pressing into a thin line and his eyes brimming with guilt, “I am sorry that I couldn’t stand up for you….” His voice cracked with emotions as he continued,
“Where is that bitch? Is she still sleeping?” A harsh voice resounded in the background, piercing through the darkness surrounding me.“Yes, Alpha.” Another sickly sweet voice sounded, “Now that she is going to turn eighteen, she has sprouted wings. She thinks that a charming mate will appear magically and save her.”“Omega!” The harsh voice sounded again, this time louder with a tinge of controlled anger. “Come down this moment!”I groaned and tossed to my side, covering my ears. Why were they shouting so loudly? Another groan left my lips, followed by a whimper.“Omega! If you don’t come down in five seconds, I will kill you!” The voice held such vehemence that it shattered the darkness around, bringing forth flashes of memories.My eyes snapped open, and I sat up with a gasp. He was calling for me. I was the omega of this pack. The momentary effect of adrenaline ebbed a bit soon, and I was made aware of the bone-breaking ache that consumed my body. My entire body seemed to be burn
At first, both Cassius and I were wary of Alpha Azarel but as time went by, we started trusting him more. Alpha Azarel told me more about the vampire kingdom, the Lycan king, his pack, and the witch covens. It was as thrilling as it was stupefying to know the ins and outs of the power structure in the supernatural world. Everyone was hanging on a thin thread of balance; each struggling to tip the other over the edge. We met several prominent members of the pack and talked to them. I even met a few alphas of other packs. He never stopped me from doing anything I wished. Just to test him, I tried to leave his pack’s territory with Cassius. He didn’t get riled up or flustered; instead, he offered to accompany me. That was the day he took me to meet the Lycan King. The Lycan Palace sprawled over hundreds of acres of land. Built in marble and red sandstone, it oozed elegance and grandeur. There was a large garden with an exquisite fountain in the fro
A sharp, burning sensation in my throat and lungs woke me up. Snapping open my eyes, I found that the room was filled with a strong haze of smoke.“Cassius! Wake up.” I called out in a panicked voice, shaking him up. “Our house is on fire.”He sat up, blinking, and then rubbing his eyes. He looked so adorable in that daze, but there was no time to admire him. I grabbed his arm and led him out of the house at vampire speed. We had just moved into the courtyard when Boom! The house exploded; sending pieces of debris flying in all directions.I spun around quickly, pushing him to the ground and covering him with my body. Pieces of cinder and rocks pelted my back, but I held on.“Miraya, Cassius, Don’t just stay here. Come with me.” Alpha Azarel’s voice sounded as he helped me up and led us both further away.My mouth hung open, and I gaped as the long tongue of flames flared brighter. There was another e
When I returned home, Cassius was pacing up and down the porch. His eyes lit up on seeing me and he ran to catch up with me. “Where did you go suddenly?” His concerned gaze raked all over me. “Do you have any idea how worried I was?”I laced my arms around his arms, and a ghost of a smile played on my lips. He was safe, and I hadn’t killed anyone; at least not today. I blinked my eyes to restrain those stupid tear drops, but they spilled over my cheeks, anyway.“Miraya? Why are you crying?” His breath hitched and his face grew a shade paler. “Please don’t hide anything from me, okay….”I nodded. “I am just glad to see that you are fine.”His expression darkened, and he pulled away, smacking his fist against his palm. “It is him, isn’t it? He threatened you again.” His jaws clenched and his eyes narrowed. “I am going to kill that fucking bastard!”“I don’t think Cassius has that kind of ability, do you, Miraya?” Andres’s voice sounded, making me jump. “Don’t tell me you are depending o
“Miraya?” I was still standing over that man’s body when Cassius’ deep and velvety voice sounded behind me.Startled, I spun around with a gasp. My eyes flickered between him and the man’s body, “H… How much did you see?”His eyes widened in horror as he took a step toward me. He raised his shaking fingers and touched my cheeks. “Is this still you, Miraya?”I took a step backward and wiped the blood off my lips. Raising my bloody hand, I burst into a peal of dry laughter. “What do you think? I just killed this boy lying here.” My throat constricted. “I sucked his blood until the light in his eyes died.”He shook his head vehemently, “I don’t believe you can do something like that.” He rushed over and held my shoulders. “I know you very well, Miraya. You are anything but a killer.”I looked into his eyes, brimming with emotions. Love di
“Miraya, please eat something,” Cassius said, and something brushed against my lips. “It has been an entire day since you put anything in your mouth.”I turned my head away, hoping that he would leave me alone, but he didn’t. He kept coaxing me. In the end, I blurted out in an annoyed voice, “I don’t really have any appetite, Cassius. Why won’t you just leave me alone?”He sat beside me and cupped my face; forcing me to look at him. “I am worried about you, Miraya. It hurts me to see you like this.”The frown on my forehead deepened, and I gulped. “Go back to your home, Cassius. Haven’t I already told you that I don’t love you? Why do you keep coming back like a pathetic dog?”His expression hardened and his jaws clenched. “This attitude is the reason you are alone, Miraya. Your parents must have been fed up with your attitude and that is why….”He got to his feet and stormed out of the room. The sound of receding footsteps echoed in the room and slam! The door was banged shut.Cassiu
“Where did you get the money to buy drugs?”“Who else in your circle takes drugs?”“Your father mentioned a breakup. Dis your ex take drugs too?”“Who is your dealer?“Do you have any links to the underground racket that was discovered two years ago?”My lips curved in an involuntary smile as the officer continued to question me. It felt good to be questioned like a normal person; not having to think about Andres or any of that crazy supernatural stuff.“What are you grinning about? Do you think you can escape the hands of the law?” He growled in frustration. This only made me smile wider. He turned almost purple with rage.His fist came slamming on the table. “Once your medical reports are here, I will wipe that smirk off your face.”Oh yeah! The medical reports. Once they are here, it will be proven that I didn’t take any drugs. I will have to