The party was supposed to start at nine, when the grand hall of Bombay Sapphire was crowded since seven that night -- Raymond was too important for people to miss the chance of getting close to him, even outside the werewolf community. "Thanks for coming, I appreciate it," Raymond rose his glass to greet yet another business partner, and only did he take a sip from his glass. He would have been drunk by now if he empty his glass every time someone comes up to him for a short chat. "Happy birthday, Mr. Reid," Edward came up to Raymond with an annoying smirk, "Thanks to you, Nightingale's popularity is off the chart recently. Have you seen our newly launched items today? Sold out with in 30 seconds after we put them up." It was the necklace Evelyn designed. "I don't care for vulgar jewels," Raymond snorted with his voice low and his faux smile on, "I heard that you lost your designer for the contest? You may leave if you want, save us both some embarrassment." "Miss Evelyn is busy a
"What the hell did you do to her?!" Raymond growled at Killian, not able to control his anger. [She stinks of Magic!] Sisyphus roared, pressing to the surface before he nailed his beasty eyes on Killian with an ever louder roar, "How dare you, mage?!" "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Killian rose both his hands, still with that calm smirk, except the top of his cane now shine a cold blue glare dangerously, "With all due respect, Alpha, I'm only delivering what you asked for!" "Say that again?" With a dangerous grunt, Raymond managed to take back control, his arm around Evelyn's waist to support her when she seemed having trouble standing up straight. "You are bothered with your mateless fate, and you turned to my magic for help," Killian curved his lips evilly, "is it not true, Alpha?" "Put away your word game, Rumplestiltskin!" Raymond huffed angrily, "I asked if you can find my mate with magic, and that's far from compelling an innocent girl with your evil power!" "I merely used a simple mi
"Whether Sarah White commited the crime you are accusing her of," Raymond looked down at Evelyn and gripped her wrist to avoid further damage -- and by that I meant further tempt, "Evelyn is not to be touched. Her mother's crime doesn't concern her." "I have no interest in her whatsoever, I did just handed her to you, Alpha." Killian curved his lips into a perfect smile before he stood up and held out a hand to Raymond, "But I do hope the knowledge of Sarah's crime void my crime against your soon-to-be pack member?" "And why is that?" Raymond frowned. "I do believe by owning her mother," Killian nodded his chin at the kitten yawning in Raymond's arms, "I have the right to present her to you, as a gift." "I'm sure you are familiar with the peace treaty between the werewolf and mages about the descendent if our speicies were to be mixed." Raymond suppressed a growl from Sisyphus when Killian said he "owned" Evelyn, "They belong to the side they share the features of, meaning, Evelyn
Raymond didn't break the air ball, and Killian smirked. "So, what's your plan?" Raymond ignored Killian's deriding face, but he stopped Evelyn's hand when it was reaching down to the danger zone. "It depends, actually," Killian leaned in, eyes fixed on Raymond's as if he's trying to read Raymond's thoughts, and instantly-- "Back off, mage!" Sisyphus pressed to the surface, making their eyes flicker madly, "Use your filthy magic on me again and I'll tear you into pieces!" Though not able to use magic, werewolf can smell it, and that's how they survive against mages, and maybe even win in such a battle. Killian was trying to cast a spell on Raymond, and that was rather rude to an Alpha, the same like if Raymond used his Alpha Aura on Killian to try to bend his will. "My bad," Killian rose both his hands when his eyes indicated that he was not sorry at all, "sorry for being so cautious, but the hybrid weighs a lot to the coven, fate-deciding weight, if you may." "Show your respect,
"I knew you liked her!" Killian grinned brightly as he held a hand at Raymond, "Should we shake on it?" "This is the last time I'm giving you a pass on making a move at her, or any of mine," Raymond stood up and towered over Killian, "we shake, and you will keep your distance from mine. Do you comply, mage?" Though the intimidation effect was cut in half when Evelyn attached herself to Raymond with her arms around his waist. "All but Ava White," Killian grabbed Raymond's hand for a firm shake, "and I hope you wont' go back on your own words." "That would be the easy part for you," Raymond snorted indifferently. Though powerful and capable himself, Raymond never warshipped power when he respects dignity more, and he had little interest in Ava's power when she appeared lacking the latter. "By the way," Killian returned to the annoying, careless playboy manner, "the spell would wear off in 12 hours even if you don't crumb the air ball, so... mind your time, Alpha." "Get lost, mage,
Arthor Yeager was Edward's best friend, and also Ivy's brother.And it was Edward who asked Author to get Ivy out of the contest, and it was also Edward who asked Author to say it was Raymond's request.Edward knew Evelyn too well, and he knew Evelyn would help if she felt he was bullied.He wasn't gonna play fair with Raymond."Would you really go to war with Raymond for me?!" Edward cheered like a child, his eyes sparkling as he stared at Evelyn with a huge grin."With K-line," Evelyn corrected Edward, rolling her eyes.Evelyn was shocked to hear that Raymond would pull such a cheap shot to undermine Nightingale, but with Ivy backing up Edward's story, she knew she had to help."You know who is really behind K-line though," Edward smirked, enjoying his win, "he won't be happy about you fighting my war for me.""I'm not happy fighting this war either," Evelyn huffed in frustration. Being caught up between her best friend and the man she loved wasn't the best day for her, not to mentio
Evelyn felt very embarrassed right now, but not just because she was bad at dealing with the media, it was because--[Eve, what are you doing on TV? I thought you hate these stuff,] James mindlinked her not minutes after she was presented as one of the "24 warriors". Though James wasn't exactly happy to find out that it was a contest thrown by Raymond, he WAS pleased to see that Evelyn didn't join Raymond's pack--Else he wouldn't be able to mindlink her.[Long story...what's up, bro?] Evelyn sighed and lowered her eyes to her feet so no one would catch her eyes flickering, though with so many flashlights blinking at them, she doubted if anyone could.[I was told that my little sister went on TV,] James huffed with faux anger, [and I'm giving you a chance to help me hear that from you.][Hey, I'll be on TV!] Evelyn put up an innocent cheering tone, [Proud of me, Big Brother?][I'll pretend that wasn't sarcasm,] James snorted, but despite his effort, he still laughed at Evelyn's naught
[What the hell?! Who's he calling kit--] James burst into flames and Evelyn cut the mindlink instantly, and froze where she was -- she had no idea why Raymond would call her out on such an event.Evelyn's red lips slightly parted under shock, glittering under the blinding bright lights that focused on the stage. With a light frown, she glanced around, blinking as she tried to understand why all the attention was gathered on her.Gazing into the kitten's lost face, Raymond chuckled in a light mood."Please," The man said with his hand held out to her, and Evelyn bit her lips, not too sure whether she should take his hand because she didn't know what she was being asked of. It was all James's fault! Otherwise, she wouldn't be lost on such a huge event when she hated the cameras in the first place!Raymond grabbed the tip of her fingers as she struggled to finish reaching him for the last few inches, and led her across the designers on stage. Her heart thumped hard in her chest, and Evely
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