CelineWith my wolf fully awoken, I am easily the most powerful person in the room. It is a drastic change, from the obvious least powerful to being the person in command of the room. I have gathered the females of the pack house together because I figured there are some things that I won’t allow to continue to stand. “The side talks end here.” I say, slowly pacing to one end of the room while they watch me. “The ridicule, the mockery, the snickering and the gossips that I do not belong here, they all end here. I have been chosen as Alpha Lor’s mate, and there is nowhere else I belong if not by his side.”I stop and look each of them in the eye. “Needless to say, to anyone found spreading unsavoury rumours about me, I will assume that as a challenge to my authority and we shall hold a duel.” It is obvious who will win. My power is on a different league from theirs. “We must be united, or the entire pack is a joke. There are enough enemies waiting to find a single chink in our armo
CelineWhen I see her, all the rage I have been bottling up explodes and I yank her up, not caring that she’s pregnant. “What did you do?” I ask her, slamming her into the wall easily. “Celine!” Dan squeaks and flutters at my side, anxious about Emma. I don’t let go of her throat. If she is strong enough to stir up evil, she is not as delicate as she appears. “Let her down.”I shake her instead, satisfied when her head thunks into the wall. “I said, what the fuck did you do?” I growl in her face. “How dare you?” She grits out. “How dare you march in here barking like a dog? You will pay for your insolence.”She brings her hand up and I glance at it for a second, expecting the usual taste of pain. I feel nothing. ‘Never again.’ Estrella growls. ‘She will never feed us with her fowl magic again.’She is shielding us from the brunt of Emma’s power. I don’t know how she’s doing it but I’m grateful. ‘Thank you.’ I tell her and she sends waves of reassurance my way. “What-?” Emma’s l
Celine“What do you think?” I ask, meeting Nessa’s eyes in the mirror. She looks at me from head to toe slowly. “It’s perfect.” She says and my anxiety lets off a little. I smooth a hand down the pearl white gown and feel a flutter of nervousness again. It’s insane because it’s just Lor, and I’m becoming his Luna this evening and yet I feel sick with the hives. Nessa steps up, sensing it and places a hand over my shoulder. “Do you love him?” She asks and I snicker. “I mean, it’s only natural to as he’s my mate.”“Yes, but do you?” She asks. “Yes.” I whisper. “I love him so much it scares me. I have never loved anyone this way.”She smiles and pats my shoulder. “Then you are making the right choice. Today is all about you and the Alpha, so many people are here solely because of you two so relax into it and enjoy every minute.”“Yes mom.” I say and she slaps my ass.“I’ll see you outside.” She says and leaves and it’s only me again, with my anxiety. The sound of faint music trai
EmmaThree hundred and ninety six years agoThe last I saw of them was when they threw me into prison like a criminal and shut the doors behind me. I watched helpless as they all exited the room, each as stiff as the last, not taking it lightly that their fun was cut off prematurely. Without saying, I know they are now deliberating on what will happen to me. What a pathetic twist of fate I’ve found myself in. Mated to Lent, of everyone. Of course my input is not being asked. If they did, I would reject him immediately but no, it is only his opinion that matters and so they are outside, deliberating on my fate like I’m not here at all. I bang my forehead against the far wall, rewarded with a thunking sound that distracts me from my thoughts for a moment. I do it again, and again. My fate is in my hands, regardless of whatever they decide. Even if they agree that Lent should mate with me which is unlikely, I will turn him down. I revel in the expression I imagine will be on his face
EmmaThree hundred and ninety six years agoI regain consciousness slowly, never even having a moment of disorientation about my location. The prison floors are ice cold and they would bother me a day ago, before I became immortal. Now, I sit up and curl my knees into myself, wondering what is taking them so long. I can no longer hear or feel them and I assume they went beyond my range of power.There are no more rats, at least not alive. There are a few rat bodies strewn around, some of them that were not strong enough to endure the mental onslaught of earlier. It’s sad that there are only rats to practice with, I wouldn’t have minded a go at the bastard that put me here in the first place. If I succeed, he will fear me like he has never feared anyone, and if I fail... well I’ll die painfully I suppose. My resolve hardens and I take a deep breath and gather my power, inviting the hundreds of rats again. They come eagerly, streaming into my cell and filling up every single inch of
EmmaThree hundred and ninety six years ago“There you are.” Alpha Reenan says. I look behind him immediately, watching the six other males that come in after him and none of them is Lent.The door to the prison chambers shuts decisively after them and so does my hope of being saved by Lent. Bitter anger crawls is way up my throat. Can I not expect the bastard to step up and save me once?“I never expected a mate to be something so disgraceful.” He says and I raise my chin and glare defiantly. Fine then. I’ve always fought for myself anyway. I shouldn’t expect anyone to save me now.“For the first time you and I share the same sentiments.” I say. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve talked directly to him like this but I feel no fear. The knowledge that I have a sweet weapon gives me strength. If the worst happens, I will shatter all of their minds, even if it means I will perish with them. His eyes narrow on me. “What did you say, you wench?” He asks and I laugh. “You did
EmmaThree hundred and ninety six years ago Everything speeds up after that. I remember him turning to me, the smile on his lips so alien it made me wary. I remember saying thank you and I remember being escorted out of the prison, free at last. The next thing I know, I am being stripped by servants for the first time ever, even though I insisted I can take care of myself. My head rings and everything feels off. It is really happening. There will be no mating ceremony of course, even though there should be because Lent is a Alpha Kristen’s second son. It’s a little much to ask everyone to pretend to be happy for me when they obviously feel anything but. This is Alpha Reenan’s first way of showing us where we belong, how below his graces Lent has fallen for being with me. As for my mate, I have not seen him since he escorted me into one of the below chambers, usually reserved for the respected members of the pack and told me to get ready for the mating. The incessant chatting of th
Celine“Are you sure about this?” I ask Nessa and she nods, even though she looks unsure. “I think so...” she begins. “The woman claims to have known Emma personally and I don’t know how much truth there is in that. Even we don’t know much about her past and we are her pack members.”I nod. “Lead the way.” I tell her and she starts. Earlier, I sent for Quinn and asked her to tell me everything she knew about Emma. If anyone was to know any scoop at all about her it would be Quinn and even she had only the bare minimum to say about her. It was almost like she had no life before she entered the pack, nothing but the strange rumours of being a feared demonness that followed her here. Alpha Reenan is out of question and Emma will not provide any information on herself so I sent Nessa out. I told her to go far and find any information at all she could about Emma and this is our only lead. I hope it pans out. Getting here took hours, even though we were loping the entire time. “Here we
Neem "I thought you would be done dressing up. We are going to be late." I tell Aden. "These buttons are hell." He mutters. "There should be about a hundred buttons on here.""Hardly." I say, amused. "There are only fifteen."Our clothes in Lyria never had buttons and it's always amusing that something so simple always gives him so much trouble. "Might as well be a hundred." He mutters and shaking my head, I go to help. He stares down at me as I work one button to the next. "You are staring.""I can't help it, you're beautiful." He says and I smile. "One would think you were only seeing me for the first time.""It feels like that sometimes." He says. "Sometimes I wake up amazed to have you by my side.""Only sometimes?" I tease him and he laughs. "Come here." He pulls my lips to his and kisses me and I forget about the buttons as I hold on, revelling in the movement of his lips on mine. I moan when his tongue darts in to taste me and his hands clench conclusively on my ass. "D
EmmaOne of the creatures runs at us, foaming at the mouth and bleeding from a dozen cuts. Celine intercepts him and kills him and I stare at her. “They said you controlled these creatures. Control them and end this wretched war.”She shakes her head. “It’s not that easy anymore. I was able to control them when my cat was dominant, when they absorbed my wolf. Someone donated her energy to bring back my wolf, but she neglected to mention that I would lose control of the soldiers when she is restored. I wouldn’t have it any other way anyway.”I sneer. “How pathetic. Of what use are you with your wolf then? You should sacrifice her to save hundreds of lives if need be but you are nothing but selfish as ever.”Her brows rise. “I’m not receiving a lecture on selflessness from you, am I? Now I have seen it all.”Behind us, Lor finally rips the king’s heart out with a roar. The war seems to stop for a second, everyone watching as he twists his head off his throat and sends it flying. And t
Celine They are unending. It is as if the entire world has moved against the Island. My soldiers are not enough, and so people of Lyria have joined, fighting against the enemy but they are lacking in spirit. Perhaps because they have been broken down by the economy but they fall like corn stalk against the enemy. I keep soldiers on their leader constantly, but he is not the only one to be worried about. My soldiers tear into most of the soldiers before they have a chance to defend themselves but too many of them are experienced killers, cutting through our numbers in swaths. I glance behind me but the king and the Whisperer are now gone from their perch, and then finally the harpies are released. Terrible terrible creatures that can ice the blood in your veins with a touch. Where they go, death follows, immortals shrivelling up and dying in numbers. And yet more of their army comes. There are about ten of the harpies and I’m surprised when one of them streams from the ground right i
CelineI feel it when Ismir dies, like a lance directly into my heart. I scream in pain and my attack falters. No. I look back, knowing I will not find him at he balcony he once occupied with his father and the Whisperer. My eyes meet his father’s and I wonder if he knows. My distraction costs me. Strong arms wrap around me from behind and I’m plastered hard against a male chest. “Stand back.” He orders the creatures, keeping them in front of us and me as a shield between them. They angle and pace, the front liners reluctant to attack and skewer me. “What do you think you are doing?” I grit out, trying to break out of his grip but he’s too strong. “You’re coming back with me.” He says, shuffling back. I burst into laughter, a little hysterical. “Are you daft as fuck? You want to leap through the barrier to freedom? The both of us will die before our next breath.”“I passed through the barrier to get here.” He says, his voice resolved. “By some freak accident. You will not be so
EmmaHe has grown so much in three days alone, this baby that has become my last surviving shield.“Dan!” I snap, heading to the balcony. “Yes, Emma.” She says from where she balances precariously on the ledge, not even bothering to look up. I thought the female stuck to my side because she had grown a soft side for me, as I have worked hard to lower her guard. I should have known better, she is an omega herself, an emotional fortress. Since the end of the three days that we raised Alaric, she has completely withdrawn, not even bothering to stand for any other person but the little brat. ”You said the three days were all we needed to ensure his survival.”“Yes. Your boy is stronger than a horse.” She says, raising her face to the sun. “Mama!” The culprit comes toddling out, holding chubby little hands out to me with a grin. I stare at him, my face going sour. “So why the hell does he still follow me around everywhere?!” I ask in dismay. I can’t look across a room without finding h
Neem“You found the source.” He says. His voice is cold and the way he is looking at me scares me. I affect a light tone. “Prince Ismir-““I cannot allow you to live.” Chills race down my spine and I laugh awkwardly. “What are you talking about?” I say, my voice pleading. I always knew my inquisitiveness would land me in trouble one day. I cannot believe the day is finally here. “Why do you always have to go around snooping and putting yourself in situations you have no business being in?”“I’m sorry!” I say, taking a step forward. “I’m sorry okay? This will never happen again.”“You are right, it won’t.” He says and then he shifts. I scream and dive to the side as he leaps, coming up on my knee and watching him nearly crash into the crystals. He sidesteps them in a precarious move in the last second and spins around, furious. I’ve never seen him shift, and for good reason, I realise. That is no wolf, he looks like he belongs amongst the deformities on the front line. He is thre
NeemI burst into the library, unconcerned about the racket I’m making as I race through the shelves to the back. Maria is reading a book and doesn’t bother to put it down. “Ordinarily, you should be banned from coming into the library.” She says placidly. “Outside.” I say urgently. “They are engaged in a fight. Celine and-““I know.” She cuts me off, not taking her eyes off the book. I gape at her. “You do? Then how can you be so calm?”“I am calm. I would recommend some to you too. What concern is it of mine if two idiots want to kill each other?”She’s right, she doesn’t give a fuck. She has said it enough times and yet she was the first person I thought of when I needed help.“I need your help.” I say and she finally puts the book down and pins with a stare piercing enough to make me squirm. “I see you got your tongue back.”“I need your help.” I say again, refusing to be redirected. “No.” She says, making me gape again. “No? But you don’t even know what I want to ask.”“I d
Prince Ismir“How did he come through the barrier?” Father snarls, finally thrown off his feet by the unexpected happening. “I don’t know.” The Whisperer says, my first time hearing him utter those words. “It should be impossible.”Apparently not, if he’s right there. “What do you know about him?” I ask. There is something about him that has my hair standing on end. It is simply my most primitive instincts recognising a threat, a major one.“Nothing,” The Whisperer says. “But judging by his power and the fact that he entered the barrier unscathed, there are only a few people that come to mind. I believe that is her mate, the one commonly known as the demon wolf.”“What?” I say, startled out of the blue. Is that where the sense of familiarity comes from? Am I feeling her familiarity with him? “She does not look like she recognises him.” I say, tracing her location.“Not with the the amount of poison we had to pump into her system.” He says. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t ev
LorFor the umpteenth time, I put a hand on the barrier and it goes straight through. My hand curls into a tight fist and I punch it hard. Nothing. It is just air. The demarcation that shows the island of Lyria, a slight shimmer in the air is quite obvious if you know what you are looking for. Otherwise, your eyes would probably skip right over it. We have besieged this perimeter for two days now and to my frustration, we have nothing to show for it. Not a soul has stepped out of it, and neither can we step inside either. If I didn’t have a strong gut feeling that she is behind that barrier, I would have believed that it is all a conjecture of my deranged mind.Maddilla comes to a stop beside me and peers into the barrier. It is not just Bloodbound pack but nearly every damn pack this side of the world out here. There are more than a hundred and fifty packs here, each one of them as eager and enthusiastic to pierce the barrier of the island as the next. I didn’t have much convincing