I breathe in the sweet, salty air as soon as I step onto the island. I have been away for far too long and have almost forgotten what it feels like to be here. However, the island is—fundamentally different. Children are running about, playing, and laughing. There is the smell of grilled fish and tropical fruits.My gaze goes to the tall trees that line up the beach. They are the same trees I have seen so many times before. But now, they seem taller, lusher, and more alive. Or maybe, it’s the residents that are more alive.“General Brandon, I didn’t know you would visit today,” one werewolf remarks.It’s Roscoe, one of the adult werewolves in the hunting park. He shifts his eyes to me, and a look of recognition passes over his features.“Kaiya!” he exclaims. Abruptly, he encloses me in a bear hug that almost takes my breath away. “You are back!”“I am,” I say, not quite believing what I am seeing now.“You look different now,” he says. “Cleaner.”“I live in a castle and am forced to t
The shore is a busy place. Pitchford warriors are preparing to leave while General Brandon is talking to other werewolves. Klevon stands beside me, quiet and just silently taking in the scent of the sea and nearby flowers. I feel sad about leaving Nowra again. I shift my attention to her and reach for her hand. We exchange a sad, knowing smile. We’ve been inseparable ever since I arrived on the island. “Kaiya, they are calling for us,” Klevon whispers. I embrace Nowra tightly, and she whispers, “I promise we will meet again. I will do my best to pass that exam.” I nod and step back from her. Her eyes are glistening with unshed tears. Her eyes shift to Klevon, and she says, “Well, Klevon, for the past few days that you’ve been tailing Kaiya, I know you like her. Unfortunately, you won’t have a chance with her.” “I am born persistent,” he says. She smiles. “I’ve been born persistent, too. And I am telling you to just take me in,” she says and winks at him. “You will not be happy w
“It’s dark now,” Theo comments and offers his hand to me. “I will walk you to your quarters.”I place my hand in his and smile. I allow him to lead the way. And before I know it, we are already standing in front of my door.Theo and I have been spending a lot of time together for the past few weeks. There may be a few kisses and touches here and there, but that’s it. We mainly focus on our conversation rather than on our desire. Although, as days go by, it is me whose desire is getting more and more uncontrollable.“Seems like you will get another promotion soon.”I nod. I look into his eyes but I can’t help but wander on his lips. I want to kiss him, however, there is a hesitation. Should I allow us to be together now?As if sensing my need, he leans towards me, and I close my eyes as he presses a kiss on my forehead. I want to feel him more and much longer.“Kaiya?” he calls.I open my eyes. He is peering at me. I flush scarlet at being caught enjoying his kiss.“The others helped a
I am lying in bed in a state of half-filled dreams and half-awakened consciousness. I feel a presence beside me and hear the gentle sound of my name being repeated. It sounds like Theo, who should be doing his work as a King, but instead, he is staying in my room. Then I notice the ceiling. This is not my quarters. This is Theo’s room.“I am trying my best to take her out, but she keeps slipping,” Inanna says. There are bags under her eyes, and she looks thinner than the last I’ve seen her.“But you said that the Moon Goddess failed to reap her...” Theo whispers. He looks so helpless, as if he’s trying to carry the pain in my body on his shoulders.Wait... pain? I feel weak, but there is no more physical pain. My mind is exhausted, and I remember Inanna trying to take me out of my dream state.“Theo...” I whisper.Instantly, Theo moves towards me. A look of grief on his face. “I am so sorry, Kaiya,” he says softly, brushing a stray strand of hair away from my forehead. “It’s all my fa
With a sudden flurry of conflicting emotions that races through me, I run outside, away from Klevon, who doesn’t make any move to stop me. My heart pounds with an intensity that I had never felt before. My mind is a jumble of thoughts, my hair flowing behind me like a flag as I run.Outside, the night is calm and peaceful. The air is crisp and clear. The full moon above cast its gentle glow on the landscape, but it doesn’t mirror what I feel now.I run towards the tree where Theo gave me a ring with the Pitchford crest. I want to be near him. I want to feel his embrace and to know that whatever we had was real. That this disgust I am feeling over myself can still be cleansed.I am relieved when I see him leaning over the tree. He stands up upon seeing him.“Kaiya,” he says. “Is it done?”Instead of answering, with a sudden rush of emotion, I run towards him, and like an animal, I attack him with a flurry of kisses. He is taken by surprise that he stumbles backward with his arms around
I enter Inanna’s simple room. It smells like there is an ongoing ritual—floral incense, herbs, and woodsmoke. A small fire is also burning in the fireplace which fills the room with a comforting heat.“Welcome to my simple abode, Kaiya,” Inanna greets. She is lying on her bed, thin and weak. Her eyes are unseeing, but sensing my presence all the same.“I didn’t know that you—”“—got almost defeated by the Moon Goddess? And all I’ve done is temporarily keep her away?” she asks, her head turned towards me.She tries to sit up, and I help her up. “I am sorry. I am giving you such trouble, ain’t I?” I ask.Inanna smiles weakly. “I heard from Gezer and Ninus that you couldn’t copulate with Klevon.”I nod. “I was hoping there is another way.”“There is none.”“Then—”“Kaiya,” she starts, her tone admonishing. “Have you talked to Klevon after that? Did you explain to him why it’s hard for you to do it?”I shake my head. “I think he already knows why, and besides, I left in a hurry...”“... a
I knock on Klevon’s room. When I hear his faint, “Come in,” I push open the door.I swallow as I watch him sitting against the wall. He is absently caressing his bottle of liquor. His eyes are on the window on his right, watching the rainwater run down against the windowpane.“Welcome back, Kaiya,” he whispers, shifting his attention to me. “Ready for another round?”He stands up, places the bottle on the table, and undresses before climbing onto the bed. I move towards him and sit on the side of the bed.Removing my clothes, I say, “You will need to tie me up on the bed, Klevon.”“What?”I look at him. He is completely naked. He really is a huge, muscular man. I am sure that other women will find him attractive. I just hope that I can do it now that I no longer have the mate bond with Theo.Completely baring myself to him, I sit before him on the bed. I glance at his crotch. Even without doing anything, he is already erect.“You need to tie me up on the bed so I won’t run away from y
My gaze lingers on Seth, admiring his handsome features and feeling my heart quicken with an undeniable desire. I hate myself for succumbing to this. It feels so wrong, yet I can’t help but be drawn to him. No! I’d instead mate with Klevon rather than this flippant guy! I need to put an end to this fast! “I, Kaiya Pitchford, am brea—” “Wait!” he screams. “Why are you so fast in trying to break a mate bond with me?!” “I am breaking—” “I said stop!” he screams as he runs towards me and clamps his hands on my mouth. A sense of electricity runs through my veins at the contact of our skin. Desire. Just as heightened as I felt with Theo. It is making me angry! “Oh wow, that’s amazing. I had never felt such a desire for a woman. Are you feeling this too, Kaiya?” he asks. I want to deny it, but something inside me screams out for him. I can feel my heart wanting to burst from my chest with the desire to touch him as if a beast in h