That awful dream clung to me like a lingering mist, haunting my thoughts relentlessly. The desire to see my little goddess, to ensure her safety and well-being, gnawed at my every waking moment. But alas, duty called, and I found myself summoned to the palace by Father the minute I awoke. Promising myself to send her a letter as soon as I returned, I reluctantly donned my royal attire and made my way to the palace.Dressed in garments befitting my status as a vampire royal, I exuded an air of dominance and authority as I approached the palace gates. The guards, their eyes filled with apprehension, quickly swung open the doors, granting me entrance with a mixture of respect and fear.As I strode through the grand halls of the palace, my presence commanded attention, each step echoing with purpose and determination. I was the epitome of power, a force to be reckoned with, and none dared to challenge my authority.I noticed Father seated upon his throne, his expression unreadable as he r
As the evening descended, the grand hall of the palace came alive with the flickering glow of torches and the sound of merry chatter. Nobles and dignitaries from far and wide had gathered to celebrate my newfound ascension from a nobody to the crown prince.With a forced smile plastered on my lips, I mingled amongst the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and feigning interest in their trivial conversations. But beneath the facade of camaraderie, a simmering tension lingered in the air, a silent reminder of the power struggles that lay beneath the surface.At my side, Natalie, a trusted subordinate and friend, offered a reassuring smile, her presence a welcome distraction from the political machinations that surrounded me. Her loyalty and support were valuable assets in the treacherous world of palace politics. I have agreed to her requests I bought her from Lyria, and now she has nothing to do with the Nivian clan again.As the feast commenced, I watched with detached interest as the nobl
As we approached the hall, my heart raced with a hint of trepidation. The arrival of envoys from the Human world was a rare occurrence, and it often heralded significant developments or challenges.Entering the grand hall, I noticed the solemn faces of the elders gathered around a large circular table, their murmured conversations falling silent as Father and I entered.The envoys, dressed in formal attire befitting their status, stood at attention as we approached. Their presence was a stark reminder of the delicate balance between our world and theirs, a balance that could easily be disrupted by misunderstandings or miscommunications."Welcome, esteemed envoys," Father greeted them with a nod of his head, his tone courteous yet authoritative. "What brings you to our pack lands?"The lead envoy, a distinguished-looking man who I recognized to be Arthur Hunter, with black hair and piercing eyes, stepped forward, his expression grave. "Alpha, Princess," he began, his voice carrying the
The next day, the meeting hall was a cavernous space filled with the murmurs of whispered conversations. Despite sitting beside Father, I felt as though I inhabited a world of my own, a realm where the weight of my thoughts eclipsed the proceedings unfolding before me.My eyes, swollen and heavy with exhaustion, betrayed the sleepless night I had endured. The stress etched upon my face was a testament to the torment that had plagued my dreams.Father's voice, a distant echo in the sea of noise, blended seamlessly with the drone of conversation as he engaged in diplomatic discourse with the envoys. His measured words fell upon deaf ears, my attention stolen by the ghostly apparitions that haunted the recesses of my mind. Arthur's appearance only served to worsen my inner turmoil.Last night I couldn't sleep a wink, my head was a mess, a journey through the twisted corridors of my mind where reality intertwined with the surreal. I saw her, the woman I met in my dreams before I regained
As Arthur opened his mouth to speak, the door suddenly swung open, and Aunt Agatha swept into the room with an air of purpose."I will go with the princess and ensure her safety," she declared, bowing respectfully to my father and the elders assembled in the hall."Aunt Agatha!" I exclaimed, surprise mingling with gratitude in my voice.She turned to me with a reassuring smile before addressing my father. "Alpha, please allow me to go with the princess. I conducted some research on the mysterious hybrids, and according to my findings, they are humans transformed by a dark warlock with both vampire and werewolf blood coursing through their veins."Her revelation sent shockwaves through the room, leaving us all speechless. "A Tribrid?!" Arthur exclaimed, his disbelief echoing my thoughts."But tribrids have been extinct for centuries... How is this possible?" one of the envoys interjected, voicing the questions swirling in all our minds."Not all," Aunt Agatha countered, her voice calm
As the swirling colours of the portal enveloped us, Aunt Agatha and I emerged on the other side, greeted by the sight of the barrier looming before us. The air crackled with energy, a palpable sense of tension hanging in the air as we approached our post.Glancing at Aunt Agatha, I found her expression unreadable, her eyes scanning the horizon with a sense of vigilance that mirrored my own. Despite the gravity of the situation, I couldn't shake the image of Ruby's tear-streaked face from my mind, her words echoing in my ears like a solemn vow.But as we surveyed the desolate desert landscape, a sense of unease crept over me. Where were the werewolves we had sent to protect the barrier? There was no sign of them anywhere, their absence like a gaping hole in the fabric of our defences."Something is not right," I murmured, my confusion mounting. "I sent two hundred wolves to protect the barrier. How come none of them are present?""I know," Aunt Agatha replied cryptically, handing me a
The dust settled and the echoes of battle faded into the night, a heavy silence descended upon the desert landscape. I stood amidst the aftermath, my chest heaving with exertion, my sword slick with the blood of my fallen comrades."How do we bring them back to their senses?". I turned to Aunt Agatha. The weight of Aunt Agatha's words settled over me like a suffocating blanket, despair threatened to consume me. How could we be powerless to save our comrades, to bring them back from the grip of darkness that held them captive? Anguish clawed at my heart as I grappled with the harsh reality of our situation."We can't!" Aunt Agatha's voice cut through the silence, her words a bitter truth that I struggled to accept. My eyes widened in disbelief, a sense of helplessness washing over me like a tidal wave. "So we are going to lose 200 wolves like that?" I demanded, my voice rising with desperation."Their souls have long been burned. There's nothing we can do, Little Flower," Aunt Agatha'
I stood in awe as the cottage came into view, its weathered walls and thatched roof bathed in the gentle glow of Aunt Agatha's magic. As Aunt Agatha led me into the cottage, I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation that tingled in the air. The cosy interior enveloped us in a sense of warmth and tranquillity, yet there was an underlying current of mystery that left me on edge.Suddenly, a voice echoed through the room, its timbre ancient and wise, yet tinged with a hint of mischief. "You are finally here!" it exclaimed, and I couldn't help but glance around in confusion, searching for the source of the sound.To my astonishment, there was no one else in the cottage besides Aunt Agatha and me. Where could the voice be coming from?"Yes, sorry to keep you waiting," Aunt Agatha replied, her tone betraying no hint of surprise. It was as if she had been expecting this all along."I see you brought her... She has grown," the voice continued, and a shiver ran down my spine as I realized
The thick, metallic liquid flooded my mouth, and I drank greedily, the fire in my veins momentarily quenched with each gulp.Maxwell continued pulling blood bags from the bag, lining them up beside me. I drained one after another, each one barely dulling the inferno inside me. The room spun, my vision fading in and out as the primal need began to fade, replaced by heavy, oppressive exhaustion.“More…” I rasped, reaching weakly for another bag. Maxwell handed it to me without question, his face set in a mask of grim understanding.I drained the last one, the empty bag slipping from my fingers as my body finally began to succumb to the overwhelming strain. My breaths slowed, ragged and uneven, as my head lolled back against the wall.The hunger was gone, but so was everything else. A heavy darkness pulled at me, dragging me down into its depths. My limbs felt like lead, my mind clouded and sluggish. The last thing I saw before the blackness claimed me was Maxwell’s face, his expression
Veins bulged along my arms and neck, their pulse erratic, as if liquid fire coursed through them. My breaths were shallow and ragged, each one a struggle against the growing weight pressing down on my chest. The transformation clawed at me, demanding control, but I refused to yield. My trembling hands gripped the desk like a lifeline, but even that began to splinter beneath my strength.“Not now,” I hissed, my voice low and desperate as I clenched my teeth against the pain. My vision blurred, the room warping as the migraine clawed deeper into my skull. It felt as though my head would split apart, the pressure building to unbearable levels.“Not now!” I growled again, more forcefully, my fangs fully extending, and my voice echoing with a monstrous undertone that wasn’t entirely my own. My fingers dug into the desk, carving grooves into the wood as I clung to the only anchor I had left: Selene.Her image burned in my mind, her smile, her voice, her scent—a fleeting reminder of sanity.
"What a lovely way to start my day," I muttered with a rare smile, carefully holding Selene's letter. Her familiar scent of grapes and lavender still lingered on the paper, driving me crazy.Just as I began to read it again, a knock at the door disrupted the peace of the moment. My smile faltered slightly, but I immediately recognized the faint scent of metals; it could only be her."Come in, Natalie," I said without looking up, my voice calm but firm.The door creaked open, and Natalie stepped inside, her graceful movements and steady demeanour as composed as ever. She was one of the few in the empire who dared approach me unannounced. Her sharp eyes scanned the room before settling on me, and a faint smile tugged at her lips."Good morning, Your Highness," she greeted, her tone polite but laced with curiosity. "I see you've received something… interesting."I folded Selene's letter, "What is it, Natalie?" I asked, keeping my expression neutral. I wasn’t in the mood for small talk, n
ETHAN'S POVThe clash of swords rang in my ears, but my mind wasn’t in the fight. Every movement, every swing, every parry felt hollow, mechanical. I could tell Valdemar, my sparring partner, was growing frustrated. His strikes became sharper, more precise as if he was daring me to retaliate with the ferocity I was known for.But I didn’t. My thoughts were elsewhere—on her.Selene.She hadn’t replied to any of my letters. I’d sent so many, each carefully crafted yet desperate, hoping for some sign that she was okay. The silence gnawed at me like a huge rock was placed on my chest.“Crown Prince Ethan!” Valdemar’s sharp voice cut through the haze in my mind. His blade hovered a hair’s breadth from my chest. I hadn’t even registered his approach.My eyes narrowed, meeting his steely gaze. “What?” I snapped, my voice cold as ice.“You’re distracted,” he said bluntly, lowering his sword. “If this were a real fight, you’d be dead.”I sheathed my blade with a deliberate motion, the scrape o
"Sel," Claudio began, his voice steady but heavy with concern. "The celestial power sealed within you is breaking down. Your body can withstand it, but it will take time—and a lot of meditation—to adjust. As a result, you may experience temporary blindness whenever you tap into the celestial power."His words struck me like a thunderclap, silencing the thoughts racing through my mind. I swallowed hard, my voice trembling as I asked, "You’re saying every time I use the celestial power, there’s a risk of losing my sight?"Claudio nodded solemnly, his eyes meeting mine. "Yes. Today, I was able to cast a rejuvenating spell to help you find balance. Without it, you would have been without your sight for at least twenty-four hours.""A whole day…" I repeated, the weight of his words settling over me. I forced a sad smile, trying to mask the growing unease in my chest. "Well, that’s not as bad as I thought." I hesitated, glancing down at my hands before whispering, "For a moment, though, I t
My heart dropped again at my own words, the weight of them crashing down on me like a tidal wave.The darkness pressed in, thick and suffocating, wrapping around me like an old, cruel companion I had hoped to never meet again. It was the same as before—the endless void, the familiar feeling of weakness and helplessness. My body froze, unresponsive, while my mind spiralled into a panic."My lady!" Ruby's voice broke through the oppressive silence, sharp and filled with worry. I could hear her footsteps rushing toward me, the faint sound of paper rustling as the writing materials were pushed aside.My trembling hands rose to my face, my fingers brushing over my eyes. I blinked—once, twice—but the darkness remained. My chest tightened painfully as dread clawed its way up my throat."I… I don’t understand," I muttered, my voice barely a whisper. My words trembled as much as my hands.Ruby knelt beside me, her hands gently cupping my shoulders as she shook me lightly, trying to draw me bac
I didn’t want to make them worry again, so it seemed best to head back to my quarters. And yet, my heart ached with anticipation to read my Mate's letter. Just the thought of it warmed me in ways I hadn’t realized I needed. "I’ll send word to them," Ruby said, her voice steady, and I nodded in agreement. Hand in hand, we made our way back to my quarters. As we arrived, I noticed the six wolves guarding the gate. I recognized them instantly. They sensed my presence before I could even speak, their deep, resonant howls filling the air in unison. The sound was a song of reverence, a celebration of my return. Their fur shimmered under the moonlight, their eyes glowing with recognition as they stood in their full, imposing forms. The moment I approached, they howled again, softer this time, as if acknowledging my return. Their joy was palpable, and it lifted my spirits more than I could have imagined. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, warmth flooding my chest at the sight of th
"Oh, what would I do without you?" I asked, shaking my head, the faintest trace of amusement in my voice.Claudio grinned, his confidence shining through as he replied without missing a beat, "Nothing."I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound breaking through the lingering tension like sunlight piercing through storm clouds. He joined in, his deep chuckle blending with mine, and for a moment, the heaviness of everything we faced felt a little more bearable."You’re insufferable," I said, still smiling."And yet, you’d be lost without me," he teased, his tone light but his gaze warm and steady.I rolled my eyes, but my smile didn’t falter. "I hate that you’re right.""Get used to it," he said with a wink, leaning back against the nearby tree.As the moon continued to cast its soft glow over us, I realized that no matter how hard the road ahead would be, I would always have Claudio by my side. I silently thanked the Moon Goddess for our friendship.But then, a prickle of unease crawled up
Mother taught me sword dance because I had no other hobbies except fighting, she didn't want me to grow with only fighting in my head so she taught me sword dance, a unique way of combining violence and peace, the best way to relieve and express myself, it's a pity I have been too busy with the Hybrid attack I forgot about it.Claudio waved his hand, and a drum appeared in his hands; he sat down calmly, ready to beat it. I smiled happily; it has always been like this: he drums, and I dance.Excitement surged through my body the minute his hands started to beat the drum majestically. Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum.With my twin swords in hand, I let the rhythm guide me, each beat coursing through my veins like a long-lost melody. I moved gracefully, my feet gliding across the earth as if I were dancing on air. The blades became an extension of myself, slicing through the wind with precision and elegance, their sharp edges catching the light of the moon.I twirled, leapt, and spun, the sound of C