ETHAN'S POVWorking with Avery turned out to be far more engaging than I had anticipated. She was brilliant, always one step ahead, calmly providing solutions while I focused on empowering the army. Together, we established our defenses and positioned our troops, ensuring every detail was meticulously arranged. Now, we were only waiting for the Mages to complete their intricate enchantments and wards. Avery’s mind worked like a finely tuned clock, each suggestion she made fitting seamlessly into our overall strategy. We had just finished inspecting the fortifications when she turned to me, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Everything is in place. The Mages should be done soon."I nodded, casting a glance at the distant figures of the Mages, their hands weaving complex patterns in the air. "My two hundred soldiers won't be enough to carry all those materials," I said, eyeing the vast expanse of equipment and supplies that needed to be transported."I know," Avery replied, a knowi
Aunt Agatha hesitated for a moment, her eyes filled with regret. "She... she traveled down to the ancestral spirit world," she said softly.The words hit me like a sledgehammer. "What!!!" I roared, standing up in a fury. "How could you let her do something so dangerous—""Quit shouting if you want her awake," Aunt Yennefer cut in sharply, her voice slicing through my anger. I swallowed back my words, forcing myself to calm down, though my insides churned with fear and frustration.Taking a deep breath, I turned back to Aunt Agatha. "What exactly is wrong with Sel? Is she still there?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mix of hope and dread.Aunt Agatha nodded, her expression grave. "Her spirit is trapped in the ancestral realm, she came back but passed out, she was dragged back in.The memories was too much for her to handle. She’s caught between our world and theirs, unable to return on her own."My heart sank. "Memories?... She entered the memory world?!". I couldn't believe my ears
"I'm not her... No! I'm not her!" Selene's voice echoed through the mist, her words a desperate mantra."Sel!" I called out, my voice tinged with urgency. "I’m here! I’ve come to take you back!"But she didn't seem to hear me, her eyes wide with fear as she looked at me. I knelt down beside her, ignoring the chill of the spirit world against my skin."Sel, it's me, Claud," I said softly, reaching out to touch her trembling form.She stopped speaking abruptly, her gaze locking onto mine. There was a flicker of recognition in her eyes, a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil."Claudio?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the howling wind."Yes, it’s me," I replied, inching closer but mindful of her fragile state. "We need to go back. Together."Her eyes clouded with uncertainty, tears glistening like diamonds on her cheeks. "I'm not her," she insisted, her voice trembling with fear."I know," I reassured her, extending my hand in a gesture of solidarity. "But we have to leave now
For a moment, there was no response, and fear clenched at my heart like a vice. But then, slowly, Selene's eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes that were filled with confusion and uncertainty."Claudio?" she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.Relief flooded through me at the sound of her voice. Without hesitation, I reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her close as if afraid she might disappear once more."Sel," I said, my voice choked with emotion. "You're back. You're safe."Aunt Agatha rushed forward, her eyes brimming with tears as she embraced Selene tightly. "Oh, my little flower, you had us so worried," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.Selene buried her face in Aunt Agatha's shoulder, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice muffled against the fabric of Aunt Agatha's robe. "I didn't mean to cause so much trouble."Aunt Agatha pulled back slightly, her hands cupping Selene's face as she looked into her eye
Lucian's eyes flickered with amusement as he straightened. "The honor is mine, Crown Prince. I understand the urgency of the situation. We are here to provide whatever assistance is necessary.""Right! Let's get to work," I replied curtly."Let me fill you in on our progress," Avery said, her tone calm and composed. Lucian nodded, his sly smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Thank you, Princess."As Avery began to walk him through our efforts, Lucian's demeanor shifted. His smile dropped, replaced by a keen, assessing gaze. "I see no sign of the wolves!" he exclaimed, his voice sharp and authoritative.Avery chuckled softly, the sound incongruous with the tension in the air. "Look well, Lucian. Their bones are buried in the sand beneath us," she said, her words dripping with dark humor.I shot her a cold glare, my patience thinning. This was no time for games or macabre jokes.Lucian's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. "What is that supposed to mean?" he asked, his tone icy. It
Selene continued, her voice firm and unyielding. "Reinforcements have arrived. We'll mend the border swiftly and efficiently, without any delay."Hearing this, I couldn't help but smirk, realizing Natalie had successfully delivered my message to Selene's father."Your Highness, it's done," Natalie whispered as she appeared behind me. I nodded, making a mental note to reward her later.Understanding the gravity of losing so many wolf soldiers, I knew something had to be done to prevent further chaos. I had sent Natalie to inform the Alpha of Blood Moon about our dire situation, urging him to send another two hundred wolves to support Selene. It seemed Selene had met them on the way—perfect timing.The shock on Avery's face was priceless. "How did you—" she yelled, utterly astonished.Lucian chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Hahaha, as expected, you are just as my mother praised," he said, complimenting Selene and letting everyone know how highly his mother, Alicia, regarded
SELENE'S POV"Are you okay?" The words, tender and laced with concern, rolled from his mouth. It was all it took to destroy the facade I had been nurturing for so long.If I opened my mouth to speak, nothing but a loud wail would escape, so I kept silent and hugged him as my life depended on it, letting my silent tears speak for me.I honestly didn't know where to start. The trip down my ancestral memory lane? The torture and realization of my origin? The realization of my agonizing future? Or when I got lost in the ancestral spirit world, hiding from enraged spirits trying to shred my soul apart?If not for Claud, I don't know how I would have survived. At that moment, I had already accepted death. I wanted its peace so badly... I wanted to not exist.Ethan tightened his embrace, his steady heartbeat grounding me in the present. "I'm here," he whispered, his voice a soothing balm to my shattered soul. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together."I took a deep breath, drawing strength fr
King Lockwood’s eyes closed in concentration as he channelled his ethereal energy through the thread. King Nicholas’s stoic expression softened slightly as his regal strength flowed into the circle. My father’s commanding presence bolstered the magic, grounding it with his unyielding resolve. Alicia’s mystic aura intensified, the green flames around her body flaring as she poured every ounce of her power into the barrier.I shifted my attention from the Elders to Arthur. His presence disturbed me to the core; I just couldn't shake that feeling off.[You suspect him,] I heard Lena's voice in my head, and my eyes swelled with tears.'Lena, you're back!' I squealed inwardly. 'I missed you so much.'[I'm so sorry I couldn't be with you. My consciousness was sealed away,] Lena said and I nodded.'I understand. As long as you're here now,' I replied. Truth be told, not every werewolf is lucky to have a wolf with its consciousness, but I am. I have Lena, my wolf with her consciousness, which
My heart clenched, disbelief roaring through my mind. “What?!” I gasped, taking a step back. “You… you dug out his heart?”.Iris let out a laugh that was hollow, twisted with grief. “After we left the prison, we tried to make a life together, staying in a small village, hidden from the world. I wanted to believe we could have peace. But then the news came. Mother had wiped out thousands of vampires—an entire generation—leaving only a handful who swore loyalty to her. The bloodline was decimated.“Alexander… he couldn’t take it. He snapped. Whatever control he had left unravelled that night. He went on a rampage, killing thousands in a single night—wolves, humans, and anything that crossed his path. He became the monster Mother feared, the very thing she cursed me to destroy.”Iris’s hands curled into fists, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion. “At first, he tried to hide it from me. He played the part of the loving mate, whispering sweet words while his hands dripped with bloo
Iris’s expression shifted, her mocking smile faltering as a shadow of sadness cast over her features. “Are you sure you want to know?” she asked, her voice quieter now, almost gentle, yet tinged with sorrow that made my chest tighten. “The truth is always bitter, you know. It has a way of unravelling everything you thought you knew, leaving you with nothing but the cold sting of reality.”Her words hung in the air_ heavy, but I refused to back down. My hands clenched into fists at my sides as I met her gaze, my own emotions a storm threatening to break free.“My life was built on lies, Iris,” I said, my voice trembling with the weight of my pain. “And it was far from sweet. So please…” I swallowed hard, forcing myself to hold her gaze. “Bless me with the bitterness.”For a long moment, Iris simply stared at me, her face unreadable. Then, slowly, she exhaled, “So be it,” she said, her voice no longer mocking or sad but steady. I braced myself for what Iris was about to reveal, but no
I woke up with a gasp, my heart pounding violently in my chest. Every detail of what had happened rushed back to me, slamming into my consciousness like a tidal wave. My hand instinctively flew to my neck, where I felt the sharp, stinging pain. I winced, my fingers trembling as they brushed over the tender spot."It hurts, right?"The voice came out of nowhere, echoing in my head and making my eyes snap open. I then realised I was not in my bedroom, I was back to that white place. Very familiar.The same endless white void where I first met that strange old woman—the one who had healed my eyes and told me things that surged my powers.I pushed myself up quickly, my legs unsteady beneath me. My eyes darted around, searching for the source of the voice."Come. I'm waiting for you," the voice called again, calm yet commanding, echoing as though it came from everywhere and nowhere all at once.I swallowed hard, trying to gather myself, but I felt disoriented. My body still ached, the pain
"Are you sure?". He asks; I guess he wasn't shocked by my actions. He just wanted to be sure I was ready. I nodded, and his left hand held my head in place from hitting the wall while his other hand was taking a stroll on my body, calmly removing every piece of clothing on me; his lips responded to mine as he sucked essence out of me.The feeling, the pleasure, it was all too overwhelming. I had to gasp for air."Don't forget to breathe". He teased before kissing harder.A ball of pleasure slowly bottled up between my legs. I squeezed my legs tight together, hoping it would ease me, but it only made it worse; my breathing was ragged."Mmh". I flushed the moment I realised this came from me, but it was a sign for him; before I knew it, he scooped me up in his arms and carried me to the bed; I couldn't care less; I was just lost in the moment.Desire burned in his eyes as he looked at me.His hands truly worked wonders, I was left with only a singlet and my panties on. Seeing his cloth
Father’s sharp gaze swept over the neatly arranged documents on his desk, his fingers brushing lightly against the edges. He looked up at me, his piercing eyes studying my face. “You organized these,” he said, his tone calm but probing. “Then you must have seen what’s inside.”I nodded, leaning back slightly in my chair. “Yes, I have,” I admitted, my voice steady, though worry weighed on me. “We’re in a vulnerable state, Father.”His eyes darkened, his jaw tightening as he absorbed my words. The silence between us grew heavy until he finally sighed, sinking into his chair.I couldn’t stop myself from asking the question that had been burning in my mind. “Why is the Crown Prince of the Vampire Empire here?” My voice was steady, but the curiosity—and worry—were clear.Father’s lips curved into a faint, ironic smile. “I’m not entirely sure,” he said thoughtfully. “But I’ll tell you this: he caused quite a stir. In front of his father, no less. Boldly requested to accompany me, claiming h
SELENE'S POVThe room felt still, the only sound being the rustle of papers as I went through Father’s stack of documents. My mind wasn’t entirely on the task, though. My fingers moved mechanically, sorting through the mess of reports, charts, and plan."My lady, are you alright?" Ruby's voice broke through my thoughts, gentle and concerned. She paused beside me, arranging the scattered papers across the table. "Ever since you left to meet the Alpha’s visitor, you’ve seemed... distant. Restless, even."I forced a smile, "It’s nothing," I said, burying myself deeper in the pile of paperwork. "I’m just worried about Father.Ruby’s eyes softened as she studied me, her lips parting to say something, but she hesitated. After a moment, she sighed and continued to arrange the documents. "It’s quite late, my lady," she said, her voice quieter now. "You’ve been at this for hours. Kael and the others are still outside. They refuse to leave, claiming they won’t rest until you do."I glanced up,
The air in the room grew heavier, as though Father’s words had drawn a dark veil over everyone present.Alpha Lucas’s easy demeanor hardened, his expression shifting into one of sharp calculation. “So, you’ve felt it as well,” he said, his voice low and guarded.“It’s no longer about sensing,” Father replied, his tone grim. “It’s here, spreading like a slow poison. The shadows grow restless, emboldened. The walls that once safeguarded us falter by the day.”Alicia’s silver eyes narrowed, her pride visibly prickling. “Are you insinuating this has to do with the breach we experienced when the barrier collapsed?”Father’s gaze locked onto hers, cool and cutting. “I’m not insinuating, Alicia. I’m stating a fact. That breach was no mere incident. It was a calculated move—a prelude to something far more sinister.”The silence that followed was oppressive, thick with unease. Even the most steadfast elders exchanged uneasy glances.“And the sudden surge in newly turned hybrids,” Alpha Lucas a
ETHAN'S POV I sat there, my back stiff, my gaze fixed on the elders as they exchanged glances, whispers of tension brewing beneath their composed facades. I waited, calm and deliberate, observing the dynamics at play, searching for anyone who might pose a threat to my Selene. Let them reveal their intentions first.Father began the meeting, his commanding tone slicing through the murmurs as he addressed the upcoming Annual Youth Contest. A grand tradition, meant to showcase the strength and unity of the clans, and for the first time, it would be hosted here in the vampire empire.Zeke, my older brother, had always been the one to represent us—his victories as predictable as the tides. But with his betrayal leaving him locked away in the dungeons, the mantle now fell to me. I didn’t mind. What did trouble me was the absence I felt in my heart.Her.My Little Goddess.Selene had dominated this contest four years in a row, her grace and power carving an unforgettable mark. But after eve
She stepped forward suddenly, and the sharp edge of my sword pierced her flesh. My eyes widened in shock. “What are you doing—?”She took another deliberate step, and the blade sank in fully. My grip faltered as panic shot through me. “Do you want to die?!” I shouted, my voice echoing in the still room.Her lips curled into a sad smile, tears glistening in her impossibly dark eyes. “I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered, her voice trembling with raw emotion. “When I heard you were back, I couldn’t believe it. But I still had to see for myself.” Her gaze softened as she stepped even closer, the sword embedding further into her. “Iris… you’re finally back.”Anger flared like wildfire in my chest at the sound of that name. “I’m not her!” I yelled, my voice cracking under the weight of my frustration. With a burst of strength, I yanked the sword free and delivered a swift kick to her chest, sending her sprawling to the ground.I expected to see blood, evidence of the damage my blade had