Ruby gave me one last look, her eyes filled with both concern and affection, before excusing herself. "I'll go help Luna with dinner, my lady," she said softly, giving me a small bow. "Thank you, Ruby," I replied, watching as she quietly left the room, closing the door behind her. The room felt emptier without her, but I knew she was just as eager to make sure everything was perfect for my first meal since waking up. With Ruby gone, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. My thoughts immediately drifted back to the letters waiting for me, tucked away in that secret compartment. My heart swelled with anticipation. I could almost feel Ethan’s presence through those letters, the connection we shared bridging the distance between us.I took another bite of the fruit, savoring its sweetness as I imagined what his letters might say. His thoughts, his worries, his love—all there, waiting for me to discover. A part of me itched to dash to my room and read them all at once, but I
My ears perked up at the mention of this, "Mundonile", I muttered, Father nodded and continued, "Yes, Mundonile, Legend says it has the pure essence of the moon goddess herself, Agatha said if we could find it, then your mother could be healed and she will be able to conceive", Father paused again, he took in deep breaths and continued, " On hearing this news I was overjoyed along with the pack, I sent wolves out to find it but our efforts were fruitless, I went to all the clans on the search of it but still no good news, worry gripped me I thought maybe the flower is just a legend after all in the past decades no one has ever seen or used it, I started to lose hope, just then I realized I have searched the whole of the supernatural realm but not the mortal world, so I went to the mortal world and I found leads to the flower, the Hunter Family, Mundonile is their Family Heirloom, passed down from generations to generations ".My eyes widened in shock on hearing this, "Hunter Family?!
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
"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
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
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
"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
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
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