"A designing contest?" Raymond cocked his eyebrow at Theo, who stood straight and ignored the glare from Dominic on his side."Element has never dabbled in fashion and jewelry before," Theo continued, "and I think a competition is the best way to determine who's worthy."Raymond's eyes darted to Dominic tauntingly."I don't mind exchanging one or two moves with you!" Dominic grunted at Theo, his ears turning red."I'd love to kick your ass," Theo answered politely, "but I meant between the potential candidates that want Element's investment."Dominic turned to Raymond with a furious look, but Raymond just chuckled, playing with his pen with his lips pursed. He knew Theo went to see Evelyn, and after hearing Theo's sudden change of heart and new plan, he knew pretty much that this idea came from that evil elf."K-line is the biggest company in the field!" Dominic realized Raymond wasn't going to take a side, "Isn't that enough qualification?!""I'm sure it is to laypeople like me," Theo
Never had Evelyn expected to be so busy, but after squishing Edward AND Theo in her first day lunch hour, Evelyn successfully managed to be late to her Mage History half hour late.Though being late she didn't hate -- It sounded like a boring class with even the professor's name something boring as "Rossel Fendley". It was like he came out of a history book.Being a general course, the classroom was one of the big ones. Evelyn sneaked in from the back door and kept her head low, but to her surprise, there weren't a lot of empty seats--Actually, the whole classroom was full.And she heard the boring classes in college are always empty.Having a plaint about her bad luck in her mind, Evelyn stopped and looked around, trying to spot a seat when she heard the teacher's loud voice come through the microphone--"Glad to have you finally join us."And Evelyn froze at that voice before she slowly turned around in disbelief, and the taunting voice kept on--"Please, there is a seat in the fro
Sarah was a witch.Hybrids take one of their parents' special features, and Evelyn had magic when she was born.For years she had been hiding that because -- the Stones were two werewolves. They couldn't have given birth to a witch's daughter. All Evelyn knew was that she couldn't let anyone know this, or being abandoned by her parents would be the lightest outcome--They just might kill her.Evelyn never knew whether her loving mother would still love her if she knew Evelyn was a witch, and now she would never have to find out because the car accident took them away from Evelyn, and Evelyn came to the Blacks.She had kept her little secret successfully for a while before Scarlett found out about it.Scarlett was Sarah's twin sister, and they were considered the gifted Gemini -- it was very rare to have both children from one family have magic in their blood, and even more so when they are twins.It almost never happened, and that wasn't just a rumor --Almost all great mages were twin
"Unbelievable! Nyx from Nightingale?! Are you kidding me?!"A shout pulled Evelyn's mind back, and she nearly jumped up before she realized that that shout wasn't directed at her. Acting calm, Evelyn took a sip from her glass, hiding the fact that she let her mind wondered sitting at the bar in Bombay Sapphire--Edward was meeting her here, and while Evelyn had no good memory about this place, she did take solace that Raymond was out of town and she won't come across him here by any unfortunate accident.She didn't make up her mind about the assistant job yet. It felt like Raymond was just trying to give her money, with a lousy excuse no less. But Evelyn couldn't figure out why he did it."No way! K-line didn't!" Two girls were giggling and chirping with their heads squeezed together at their phones -- her friend was the one who shouted."They sure did!" The other girl exclaimed with excitement all over her face, "Element is hosting the biggest designing contest, and K-line called ou
"YOU are the one behind this K-line thing?!" Evelyn gasped in shock, staring at Raymond with disbelief in her eyes. She knew Raymond was rich and powerful, and she knew he was a bit controlling, like every self-made man in the world, but never did she imagine him to be just like the rich a-holes who would bully people with money."It's not like that..." Theo hasted a step up but only got to halfway before Raymond rose a hand and stopped him.It was exactly like that.Raymond got jealous and went after Edward, and Raymond felt ashamed admitting to that because he didn't even have a stand to protest against Evelyn's choices."What is it like then?! I can't believe I helped--" Evelyn snapped at Theo before she bit her lips all of a sudden and swallowed the rest of her words. Mad as she was, she didn't want to get Theo in trouble for talking to her about K-line.Tattletale just wasn't her thing."I'm sorry, but--" Theo started, but didn't get to finish--"Sorry for what? For taking her adv
"Are you mad at me?" Edward asked in a small voice, driving Evelyn home. He was surprised that Evelyn didn't refuse to get in his car -- well, actually, he was surprised that Evelyn didn't try to rip his head off.But she hadn't talked throughout the journey.Evelyn let out a frustrated heavy sigh."I'm sorry..." Edward apologized quickly, peering at Evelyn from the corner of his eyes like a child who knew he did wrong."Are you?" Evelyn glanced at Edward with a sarcastic look."Not for irritating him! But I AM sorry that you got hurt in the middle of this, truly!" Edward took his chance to talk, happy that Evelyn was still willing to talk to him, "I knew he's a jerk, but I didn't think he would go that far! You are better off without him!"Evelyn sighed again.As if it wasn't bad enough that Raymond rejected her two years ago, she had to live with Edward who constantly reminds her of that by claiming that he would "avenge her" for it.Evelyn knew Edward didn't like Raymond, partly bec
Ever since that night Evelyn had been avoiding Edward, and knowing her well, Edward only called her once on the next day before he connived at her silence.He knew she needed time.Evelyn asked Ivy who gladly took the junior position Evelyn so bravely took in front of Raymond, and Edward played along with excellent tacit understanding.He did know her well, better than most people.Evelyn spent the rest of the week as a mess when she couldn't sit down for anything. She couldn't seem to set her mind at ease ever after Edward's sudden confession, the keep-on-coming quarrels with Raymond certainly didn't help, and the steady, continuous approaching of Friday that nothing seemed could drag down was the topping that officially made the week hell for her. The day of her first ever class of Human VS Wolf...with Raymond.Friday would definitely be a nightmare. To go or not to, it is a question.Struggling in bed till the last minute, Evelyn decided to grab her stuff and head out with deep, da
"Never have there been such a training in our community...that I know of," Raymond's class was completely in freestyle as he leaned on a pile of cushions with one shoulder with his hands in his pockets, talking to the class which he allowed to sit on the floor as they pleased, "but I guess never has our species got so close and deep into the human society that makes this class necessary before."Never had Evelyn ever seen a class with ALL its student's attention solely on the professor. Besides the smitten faces that were obviously daydreaming about the charming CEO that's giving the lecture, the rest are all in utter awe and worship.That's what an Alpha can do. They are born to be powerful, and they learn to be leaders. And once learned, they usually get the power that makes people willing to die for them."Well, since there is no history that I can tell you, why don't we start with the main course?" Raymond clapped his hands to get the students off the ground before he unbuttoned h
Raymond has been working overnight for days.[Eve, why was the big bad wolf working late again last night? I miss him!] Willa nudges Evelyn in boredom, demanding. Like Evelyn missing Raymond, Willia misses Sysiphus and maybe more. The spell's breaking restored the memory of Scarlett, James and Raymond, and Evelyn suddenly got all her family and friends back with no life-threatening risk hanging over her head.But that isn't the case for Willa. She is clean like a newborn baby and the only one she knows now is Sysiphus. Not to mention, Sysiphus adores Willa like no one else. Willa would only talk to him and Evelyn, not even Raymond.Things were so great for a month or two after Sysiphus marked Evelyn, but then he suddenly got busy, and so did everyone else. Though they see each other at breakfast, that had been their only chance to see each other in a whole day.[I'm sure we can see him tonight, it's Friday after all,] Evelyn rubs her forehead, getting a headache from the baby that had
Raymond came early.He didn't dare take more people against Killian's request, but he sent men to monitor all the mages in the city when he came to the warehouse hours early and lurked around. When it was reported to him that several important members of the coven disappeared, he knew something was wrong.So he woke up Sysiphus and came close to the house, only in time to hear Killian's words.Killian: "I can explain..."But Sysiphus wasn't in the mood to hear.[You can't go in rage right now!] Raymond was watching Sysiphus carefully in his mind, ready to take control at any moment, [I told you she would be in a bad condition, and you--][I have learned my lesson, Raymond, I won't lose it. I went into deep sleep because I was worried about the witch's mate bond spell, but not now when I see my mate with my own eyes.] Sysiphus answered calmly, his eyes landing gently on the white wolf floating in the air.The shade of cocky that had always been in his voice was gone, replaced by an earn
Killian persuaded Ava to use the same warehouse where she peeled off Mathilda's wolf.He saw real fear in Ava's eyes and he knew to Ava, the moon goddess truly existed and that Ava really believed she wouldn't be protected in that warehouse by her goddess.But why stains two places on the earth when she obviously enjoyed peeling off wolves, right? She might do more in the future. This logic persuaded Ava.Right now there they were. Ava and Killian, standing in the dusty, empty, abandoned warehouse, with Evelyn between them in a magic bubble, covered in burnt scars, barely alive.There was only one beam of moonlight throw the window, and Killian put Evelyn right under it.Ava kept her distance -- she had developed a moonlight-phobia since Mathilda. Killian glanced at his watch before he bowed to Ava: "Would you want me to do the honor?"Ava shook her head. It was so scary last time, and she couldn't even imagine how she pulled that off all on her own. But this time she felt a frantic
For four days straight Evelyn was kept in a magic bubble, naked.Fire would burn her skin crispy before ice froze her limbs. Then again, and again. Until she was at the edge of death, and that was when the mage guarding her would heal her wounds to prevent her death.And then a new cycle of fire and ice.Every day Ava would come visit Evelyn with only one question: where is your totem?Ava saw Evelyn's power. It was a much more pure and strong magic than anything Ava had ever seen. Maybe Killian's was stronger, but his power wasn't as pure.Ava wanted Evelyn's power. She had been stealing from Evelyn all her life -- she stole Evelyn's mother, father, identity...Everything! Why not this one more thing? Sara stole Scarlett's power successfully!But Evelyn wouldn't budge. Even at the edge of death she never begged. There were a few times when Evelyn tried to take her own life, and Ava had to add more men on guard just so they wouldn't kill Evelyn by accident.Evelyn really wanted death.
Midnight, a warehouse.Killian stood in the darkest corner of the warehouse where Mathilda's wolf was peeled off her, waiting.Raymond slipped a piece of paper into his collar when Raymond grabbed his collar before punching him in the face. He only realized that when Raymond patted over it. On the note were these words--[Midnight, THE warehouse]Even now Killian was still shocked at how far Raymond really could see.Raymond saw through Ava's whole plan when he didn't even have magic! He tricked everyone when he accused Ava of the crimes Evelyn was supposed to have done, so they all thought Raymond was only there to clear Evelyn's name when--What Raymond wanted was to meet Killian without anyone's attention!The depth of Raymond's plan made Killian's blood run cold. Once again he felt fear for what an awful enemy Raymond would be.No doors moved, nor any windows. But suddenly Raymond walked out from a shadow into the center of the room. His head held up high and he was looking at the
Ava never loved Raymond, but it didn't mean that she didn't want to conquer him. The man who every girl in the city admired, how could Ava not want him?! But all he ever gave her was insult and humiliation! Finally she got power and she even stole Evelyn from him, but this man just wouldn't submit in front of her! How dare he?!"You kill me now without me accepting your rejection, then you can never have another mate in your life," Raymond threatened with a serious tone, but instead of looking worried, Ava lay back with a cocky smile.Raymond curved his lips."What are you laughing at?!" Ava's face twisted -- the annoying Alpha! She hated his arrogant confidence!"I'm laughing at how simple you are. It's so easy to read you," Raymond shook his head slowly, taunting Ava with a smirk, "I just threatened you with a life of no mate, yet you don't look afraid at all. You should at least act, because now I know--"Ava held her breath without realizing it because she was nervous that Raymon
Raymond finally woke up on the fifth day after Sysiphus went in rage.Mathilda dropped the glass in her hand when she noticed his finger twitching: "Raymond? Raymond! Oh my God! Someone! He's awake!!!"James came first, followed by Emma and Scarlett. Theo was called to the Alpha house later that day, but Mathilda didn't let him in until Raymond's mind cleared up late in the afternoon.Raymond wasn't in a good shape though--Sysiphus was still in rage, trapped in deep sleep. Sysiphus was hurt too badly and couldn't wake up, but somehow he managed to give control before he went into deep sleep to heal. Or else Raymond couldn't have woken up yet."Where is Evelyn?" Raymond asked James, his tone calm with a shade of desperation.He knew a lot of horrible things would have been happening to Evelyn while he was trapped, but he had to face it.Sysiphus took the most hit, yes, but Raymond was the one suffering the most. He saw through the situation earlier than anyone, and yet he was trapped
Suffered through so much: getting a rejection, refusing a rejection, and then watching his beloved little sister suffering the devastating scar, but none of them hurt Sysiphus more than Evelyn's few simple words.Evelyn didn't expect that in the end, it was her own words that pushed Sysiphus into rage!Bursting into a painful growl, Sysiphus lost it and shifted under rage. He charged in Evelyn's direction and instantly everyone reacted. The mages shot all colors of beams at him while his own wolves followed him and tried to stop their Alpha -- their most powerful warrior in rage.Of course they failed.Werewolves flew out from Sysiphus's hits like leaves in the autumn winds, and the beams shot by the mages didn't seem to even get Sysiphus's attention.With a loud growl, James shifted the same time Sysiphus did and jumped in front of Evelyn and finally he stopped Sysiphus inches before Sysiphus could reach Evelyn.[Leave! He can't think!] James mindlinked Evelyn, [He could hurt anyone
Evelyn froze where she was before anger burst into flames in her chest."You did what?!" Evelyn hissed under her breath, not sure if she heard Ava right. Her voice and her body shook under anger, too. She knew Ava was evil, but she never thought Ava would commit the worst crime there is!Peeling off the wolf spirit from a werewolf! It's like castrating a soldier captured in a war, like raping an underage girl in front of her family. You don't do that, not even in a war!How dare she?!Tears of pain burned Evelyn's eyes, and for the first time in her life she felt the urge to kill. She wanted Ava dead! She wanted to see regret and horror in those vicious laughing eyes and she wanted to inflict pain!Ridiculous that Ava did all this just to reveal that she had magic, but if that was what Ava wanted, then fine! Evelyn raised bother her palms and walked up to face Ava, like the death goddess with the power of life and death in her hands!Ava curved her lips, but she avoided Evelyn -- she