Chapter 1

Isabella

"Kill him! He is dangerous, shows no mercy." A roar of loathing consumed the mountains at the instruction, as they charged towards the man approaching at top speed on a motorbike - Ecosse Spirit ES1. He was covered with a helmet but long jet black hair protruded down his neck, making me wonder if it was a woman. Nonetheless, his appearance made it impossible for it to be a woman. His tank top left his big strong muscles exposed.

I held my chest in panic, as I watched like a hawk in shock at the horror before me. Hundreds of vampires raced to him, sneering with angry growls. He halted with a stunt, his motorbike circled in its spot, generating a whirlwind of dust that created a fog around him. He ducked as countless vampires lunged at him, causing them to fall on their faces.

The sound of their growl echoed through the mountain. The man pulled off his helmet, using it to defend in a circular motion, instantly breaking the head of many vampires simultaneously. Blood gushed out, soaked the ground with the similarity of water gushing through a pipe. I kept myself hidden behind the trees, making sure that I wasn't seen.

Hordes of mages joined the attack. They seemed to be united against a common enemy. The man took to his heels, his face covered with his long black hair, his physical features undeniably tough.

A vampire lunged at him. His speed increased, just before he turned into a beast. No, a werewolf. He was taller, bigger, and stronger than anything I've ever seen. Charcoal Black fur covered him with tick claws. He tore the throat of five vampires together. Fear dribbled around me as the man continued his defence around the creatures surrounding him. He was fiercer than before, and one by one, the creatures fell before him. With a growl, he thrust into the chest of the last creature. A mage.

Terror stroke as I watch him rip out the heart of the Mage. Instantly, he changed to human form, behind some trees. His big muscled shoulders were exposed. His lower body was hidden behind a tree. He used his bloody hand to push the strands of hair from his face, revealing a pair of dark glowing red eyes, focused on me.

A shiver ran through me as I took to my heels, stumbling and falling on my face, thanking the dry leaves for cushioning me against the hard floor. Slow steady steps halted behind me and I held my breath, pretending to be dead. A big strong hand pressed the back of my neck, a shrill tore through my throat.

"Isa, wake up. Isa," Cassandra's voice pulled me out of my nightmare making me quiver in anxiety, I hugged my body. Cassandra was sitting beside me with a wet towel in her hand wiping the sweat that surfaced on my face. Her touch was soothing, it made me relax.

"My child, you have been screaming in your sleep," Cassandra's voice was filled with worry and concern. She has been my nanny for the past sixteen years. Incoherently, I would have called her Mum if not for the warning of my father, the Mage King.

"It's the same nightmare but this time, it was so real. I almost died, Cassandra." My heart whacked with every word. The same nightmare troubled me every night.

"Not in the name of the moon goddess will you die." As soon as the words left her tongue, she covered her mouth with her palm. "Tell me you didn't hear that," she said with a guilty look.

"Fortunately, I did. Who is the moon goddess?" I asked. The topic piqued my interest. So much has been hidden from me. I grew up in this castle under the watch and training of my father, the Mage King with strict rules. I am never allowed to step out of here.

"Don't be silly, my child, there is nothing like that. It's just a myth and this nightmare you've been having. Is it the same person you see all the time?"

"Yes. Jet black hair, strong jaws, except his eyes were glowy. They aren't just read as usual but dark glowing red. He looks quite beautiful in human form." I could feel blood climbing my cheeks with the description of him. How can a man be attractive yet fearful? This is just another stupid nightmare.

I noticed Cassandra stiffen at the description. She smiled but I could see it was forced. "You are so silly, my child. A man can't be described as beautiful."

She paused and stared at the door as if making sure no one was eavesdropping.

"It isn't just nightmares you've been having. Everything you described is about the war. The man in question is Alpha Jade, the Alpha of the Moon Star Pack. I have a feeling the Mages will lose just like the other packs and vampires. Alpha Jade is a walking killer machine." She stopped when she heard footsteps approaching. "Let me get you ready. Your father is coming over to see you."

I jerked out of bed at the knowledge so abruptly, I almost tripped over. I wanted to ask more questions as the information stilled my insides, aggravating my fears. My father never comes to me. It's always the other way round. Somehow, I don't feel comfortable about it.

"Why?" I asked, just as Cassandra undressed me and led me to the large bathtub. A maid walked in to whisper something to Cassandra. Turning to me, she bowed her head slightly and left.

"Well, it must be very important then," Cassandra says, not hiding her anxiety too. She dressed me in my long casual dress after bathing for me. It's always been like this. I'm never allowed to do anything.

I couldn't help the fear rising in my heart when I gazed into my father's green eyes especially after what Cassandra had told me. I knew there was more and was bound to find out. My father was dressed in his battle attire. It wasn't the first time I'd seen him dressed like that but it was the first time I felt this tension.

Knowing that I won't be able to discourage him from going, I took what was mine, hugging him tightly. "Be safe, father." My voice came as a whisper.

"I will return, Isabella," he assured me but I was still sceptical. The feeling wouldn't go away. "Is that a promise?"

"Yes. No one can kill me. Very soon, I will reign as Supreme King. You don't have to worry." The coat of confidence in his voice gave me hope but the fear wouldn't go away. My father is the most powerful Mage King to have ever lived but if he was going to face the man I saw in my nightmare, then I couldn't guess the outcome. After a short silence, I found the courage to break the hug. "I believe you," I muttered.

I watched the back of my father as he disappeared around the doorway. I believed him and I knew he would come back. He will reign as Supreme King.

Days turned to weeks, weeks to months. The battle was blustering. I could hear screams of terror but no one allowed me to go out, and neither was I allowed viewing from the window. I bathed in tears and allowed them to wash my face clean. There was no one to pacify me. Even Cassandra was away taking care of the injured.

It took a long time before the screams ceased, giving way to cheers and growls. I couldn't tell which it was that belonged to the Mages but it wasn't long before Cassandra appeared, her form horrifying. The middle-aged woman had blood stains all over her clothes with a grim expression as she mustered me to my father.

"He is back! He's alive!" I rejoiced, ignoring Cassandra's sad form. My two legs carried me to my father's bedroom where I was icebound in a stupor when I reached the doorway. Suddenly, every step felt painful as if I was walking on needles. My father was alive but in a terrible state.

He kept his promise to me. He came back alive but would he be able to reign as the supreme King? He was so damaged, there was no hope for survival. The most horrid part was the wound on his neck. It was almost as if his windpipe was ripped off. He has refused treatment because he knows he will never be able to make it.

My heart broke, seeing him in this state. I was blinded with tears, my knees weak. Everything turned blurry but I didn't want to give in to weakness. I didn't want to wake up and not see him anymore. I wiped my tears with trembling hands, as I threw myself beside him on his blood-soaked elegant king size bed.

"Isabella," I turned to face my father, hearing his low and hoarse voice. As a Princess, I was supposed to be strong and hold it in but I was losing it right now. My throat felt bitter, my heart raged, seeking revenge. "Who did this to y..?" My last words were swallowed by my tears.

"Listen, Isabella," his voice was almost a whisper now. Life was draining out of him and I had to strain my ears to hear him.

"This is - Prince Marcus. He will - marry - you and - make - you - queen." I had to strain my ears to hear his last words.

My eyes watered. I hadn't noticed another presence before me. A man stood from his sitting position, tall and attractive but also powerful. This was the first time I had been close to any man except my father but he resembled my father so much, it was almost as if he was a younger version of him or maybe, I wasn't seeing well. It might just be my stupid tears or perhaps, I was hallucinating.

"Do you have anything to say?" Prince Marcus asked me. His countenance showed dispassion, his voice was devoid of warmth but pleasing to my ears.

"No. I agree to this arrangement," I responded immediately, looking into his deep green eyes. I wanted my father to rest in peace. I couldn't be selfish to ask for time to think about it. He should know that his kingdom will be safe in his absence.

"As you wish, my King," Prince Marcus said to my father but he gave no response. There was no movement in his chest. My knees sank to the floor as I shook him vigorously. My tears turned silent, as no words would come out of my mouth.

However, I was gripped with fear when the realization slammed me. Today was my 18th birthday. My sorrows turned to horror. How could I lose her father on my birthday? I couldn't take it anymore as darkness swallowed me...