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
As I forced my heavy eyelids apart, the pounding in my head matched the relentless drumming of rain against the windowpane. Disoriented, I scanned the unfamiliar surroundings, only to realize I had passed out in the bathroom, clothes clinging uncomfortably to my skin like a second layer of regret.Dragging myself up from the cold, hard tiles, I shed my sodden attire with a sharp, decisive motion, each movement sending a jolt of pain through my throbbing skull. With trembling hands, I seized the shower knob, demanding the icy sting of the water to jolt me awake from the hazy fog of last night's excesses.With every passing moment, the chill of the water seeped deeper into my bones, a stark reminder of the emptiness that gnawed at my core. But amidst the biting cold and the relentless ache, there was a flicker of something else_ Regret.The icy water rolled down my skin, each rivulet a cruel reminder of the chaos that had consumed me the night before. Memories flooded in with merciless
At the training ground, I made a beeline for the battle drum, a massive instrument that stirred the spirits of warriors. With determination, I pounded the drum, the resounding beats capturing the attention of every warrior on the field. "Greetings, Crown Prince!" they bellowed in unison, and I nodded in acknowledgement before delivering Father's orders to them. Initially apprehensive, their fear gave way to excitement upon learning that I would be leading them into battle. Their newfound enthusiasm bolstered my own courage. After giving them time to gather necessities, we set off on foot. With our numbers, using the portal stone wasn't an option. It would be a long journey, and we anticipated reaching the barrier around noon tomorrow. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but we were prepared to face whatever challenges awaited us. We marched through treacherous terrain, and the once-familiar landscape became cloaked in an eerie stillness, broken only by the haunting whispers of the wind
Blood. Smoke. Screams.The battlefield was chaos incarnate. A blur of blades, claws, and death.Hybrids surged in waves—dark, snarling creatures with eyes glowing like cursed embers. They didn’t tire. They didn’t retreat. Every time one fell, three more took its place.My sword tore through flesh and bone, spirit energy pulsing with each strike, but still they came.“Selene, left!” Ethan shouted.I spun just in time to see a hybrid leaping at me, its claws ready to rip into my side—but Ethan’s blade was faster. It slashed through its midsection, black blood splattering across the ground.Our backs met.Our rhythm was a deadly dance—swing, duck, parry, strike. Two hearts. One beat. One blade.We moved as one.He covered my blind spots. I watched his flanks. The battlefield bent to our pace, enemies falling with each pass. The sky thundered above us, ash raining down like cursed snow.Across the field, Ruby’s arrows flew like guided lightning—each one landing with deadly precision. Eira
The ringing in my ears faded into screams and the pounding of terrified footsteps. I pushed myself off the ground, my heart thundering as my eyes searched through the smoke and flames."Selene!" I heard him before I saw him—Ethan’s voice tearing through the chaos like a blade.I turned just in time to see him rushing toward me, dust and worry etched into every line of his face. I ran to him without thinking and threw myself into his arms. He caught me, holding me like I was air and he’d been suffocating."Are you okay?" he asked, his voice raw, desperate.I nodded quickly, trying to mask the shaking in my limbs. "Help the children," I whispered against his chest.He nodded without question and turned away, already barking orders and shielding the small ones caught in the confusion. I spun around, grabbing a dazed woman by the arm and guiding her behind the larger tents for cover. Another explosion sounded, this one farther away, but no less terrifying.My eyes darted around the crowd.
“I should get ready,” I said, brushing my fingers gently down his cheek.He nodded but didn’t move to let me go. “I’ll walk you back.”We walked hand-in-hand regardless of the eyes on us, the soft grass cool beneath our feet, until the lights of the pack grounds began to shimmer ahead of us, little orbs of amber and gold floating through the air like fireflies. Music thrummed faintly in the distance—drums, flutes, laughter, and the sweet scent of roasted honey fruit and grilled spice meat drifted through the air.The Night Festival had begun.He left to get ready while I also prepared.By the time Ruby came to get me, I had already changed into the dress Imara picked for me—deep emerald green with silver threads woven through the fabric like whispers of starlight. It flowed around me like mist, soft and regal.“My lady,” Ruby breathed as she fixed the last flower in my hair, “you look breathtaking.”I gave her a small smile and nodded. “Thank you, Ruby.When we arrived at the heart of
"My lady, you have not had rest since you left your room this morning—you look pale," Ruby said, her voice laced with concern."My lady, just let us do the rest," Eira chimed in gently.Imara gave a small, firm nod beside her.I smiled at them, warmth blooming in my chest. Their loyalty… it always amazed me."Thank you for your care," I said softly. "I’m fine. You all can go and prepare for the night festival." I paused, glancing at Ruby with a knowing look. "Let me know when it’s almost time.""Yes, my lady," they said in perfect unison before walking off, leaving a quiet hush in their wake.I turned and made my way back to Serene Lake.And then—I saw him.“You’re back,” he said, and just like that, the tension in his shoulders melted. His eyes—those deep, storm-touched eyes—lit up like a dawn I could only dream of.I smiled, a real one this time, from somewhere deeper than my bones. I nodded, and before I could say a word, he was already on his feet, wrapping me in his arms.His hug
The second I saw her—her long silver robes flowing like moonlight, her steps slow but full of purpose—I broke composure and ran.“Aunt Agatha!”I threw my arms around her before I could stop myself.She felt thinner than I remembered. Her once-strong frame now felt like delicate twigs beneath soft velvet. Her scent was familiar, earthy and warm, but there was something different—fainter, like a flame struggling to stay lit.She stood stiffly, but her hand reached up and gently patted my hair, the motion careful, calming.“My little flower,” she murmured.I pulled back just enough to look into her face. Her eyes, once sharp with mischief and magic, were shadowed by fatigue. Her cheeks were hollow, her skin pale beneath the soft lines of age and wisdom.“Aunt Agatha, are you alright? You look unwell.”“I’m alright, little flower,” she said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.I didn’t believe her. But I nodded anyway.Now wasn’t the time to argue.“I need the barrier strengthe
SELENE'S POVEthan is right—nobody is ever truly ready for war.The thought echoed in my mind, sharp and undeniable.His words hadn’t just settled in—they rooted themselves in my chest, heavy and unrelenting. The truth of what was coming was no longer some distant threat. It was here. And it was hungry.But my fear wasn’t about war alone.It was about him.My mate.My Ethan.My heart clenched painfully as the image of him flickered in my thoughts—his eyes dimmed by something that did not belong to him, his voice edged by a force older than memory. I had felt it myself… when I touched him. A shadow, ancient and relentless, coiled beneath his skin.And now I understood.Iris’s fear hadn’t been overblown or dramatic—it had been real. And now, it was mine too.But there was something else… something I could control.I could suppress the darkness within him—still, it, quiet it as a mother calming a violent storm cradled in her child’s soul. I couldn’t remove it… not yet. But I could hold i
The moment I swore those words, the air around us snapped—charged, alive. The wind stirred unnaturally, rustling the trees in a sudden gust. A strange pulse rippled through my chest like a silent drumbeat.Then came the burn.Subtle at first—like static crawling beneath my skin—but it quickly intensified. My breath caught. A pressure built inside me, raw and ancient, tightening around my lungs.But I didn’t let go of her.Not yet.I ground my teeth and forced myself to stay calm. I wouldn’t show weakness. Not in front of her. Not when she needed my strength.But I felt it—something inside me shifting. Unfurling. Watching.A presence that did not belong.I drew in a sharp breath and finally released her, rising to my feet. The earth trembled beneath me, only slightly, but I felt it. Power thrumming just beneath the surface of my skin. My hands were shaking, not from fear—but from the sheer force of what was clawing its way to the surface.“Selene...” I turned from her, holding out my h
I clenched my fists so tight that my nails dug into my palms. The words came out in a low, jagged rasp, each one heavier than the last. "A force on par with the celestial realm. The maker of the mutated hybrids that terrorized our realm... and the human realm. The dark overlord." The weight of those words seemed to settle over the room, thickening the air, and I could feel my chest tightening as if the mere mention of that name might bring terror to it."Alexander the First," Alpha Lucas completed, his voice colder than usual. His expression matched the gravity of the situation, something I'd seen before—a reflection of deep worry masked by controlled composure.But then my gaze turned to Selene, and everything in me stilled. She was sitting there, poised as always, her fingers curled around her teacup with quiet elegance. There was no sign of shock, no flicker of fear, nothing that should've been there when faced with such a threat. She was... calm. Too calm.And then she smiled.It
Natalie’s knock was soft, almost timid. "Your Highness, Alpha Lucas summons you." Her voice pulled me from the wreckage of my thoughts. I stood slowly, my limbs aching, my mind a haze of guilt and regret. The room still reeked of her scent—faint now, like a ghost clinging to the edges of my soul. I opened the door, and Natalie stood there, her expression tight with worry. Her eyes darted to the blood on my sleeve—I had missed a spot. "Find Claudio," I said quietly. "Tell him to please check up on her." She gave a small nod and turned without a word. I shut the door and leaned against it for a second, exhaling shakily. My heart thudded dully against my ribs. I didn’t want to face him. I didn’t want to face anyone. Not when my hands had nearly taken everything from me. I dragged myself into the bathroom. The mirror above the sink was cracked—mocking me with jagged reflections. I couldn’t even look into my own eyes. I washed my face in silence, scrubbing harder than necessar