Chapter: 26 ****** TALON: Vale surged forward again, his laughter ringing out like a melody through the night as he darted into the open space before the clear river. The moon cast a silvery glow over the smooth grass, and I followed, exhilarated by the chase, my heart racing with every step. The world around us was alive—the gentle rustle of the trees, the soft murmur of the water, and the intoxicating scent of Vale that lingered in the air. But as I reached the small patch of grass, Vale stopped abruptly, and I couldn’t react in time. I collided with him, the impact sending us both tumbling into the soft earth. Laughter erupted between us, the sound bright and joyous, echoing in the stillness of the night. We rolled together, limbs tangled, the warmth of his body igniting a fire within me that I had never known before. “Careful there, Virgil!” Vale teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he wrestled with me, his playful nature shining through in every movement. I felt ali
Chapter: 27 ****** TALON: Zora's voice pulled me from a dream that felt more like a distant memory, echoing in my mind as I surfaced into reality. “You are ten minutes late for your first day, Talon, and Lira has been waiting at the door.” she boomed from the small panel on the wall, and I groaned softly, still wrapped in the remnants of sleep. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and shuffled to the bathroom. My morning routine unfolded like clockwork, the initial message about Lira at my door fading from my thoughts. It wasn't until I was halfway into my shoes that the memory jolted back to me. I nearly toppled over, hopping on one foot as I rushed to unlock the door. When I swung it open, Lira's bright face lit up the morning. She had styled her hair, the blonde strands looking even more vibrant in the soft light. “I like what you’ve done with your hair,” I said, stepping aside to let her into my room. “Thanks,” she replied, a warm smile spreading across her features. “H
Chapter: 28 ******* TALON: The tall boy stepped forward, extending a hand. "I’m Kieran. Welcome to the junior training center, Talon. “You… know my name?” I asked, raising my brows in surprise. Kieran laughed. “Of course! You were on fire yesterday, but it’s too bad you passed out, vampire!” “Just call me Talon…” I muttered, shifting my gaze to the ground. “What's wrong with ‘vampire’?” Kieran inquired. “Is it alright if I call you ‘wolf’ instead?” I shot back. “Why not!” he exclaimed, his tone lighthearted. “You can even call me ‘Puppy.’” He winked and laughed. “Let’s see what you’ve got!” He added, extending his hand for a shake once again. I shook Kieran’s hand firmly, feeling the warmth of his confidence seep into me. "Well, wolf. Just trying to find my footing here." "Don’t worry about it. We’ve all been in your position," Kieran assured me, glancing back at his friends. "This is Zara and Jace. They’ve been training here longer than I have, and they can be pret
Chapter: 29 ******* TALON: As I emerged from the shower, towel wrapped snugly around my waist, I joined the others in the hallway. Laughter and teasing filled the air as we made our way toward the cafeteria, affectionately known as the Howling Hearth. The rich aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the corridors, and my stomach rumbled in anticipation. “Hope you’re ready for a feast!” Jace exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “The food here is legendary—” He paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “You can eat, right?” I laughed. “Yes, I can.” “Okay, good! As a vampire, I thought you’d only drink blood, you know… but you’ll love the meals here! They’re finger-lickin’ good, I tell you!” I could practically taste the food already. “What’s on the menu today?” “Probably the usual favorites—grilled chicken, roasted veggies, and the best bread you’ll ever taste,” Zara chimed in. “And don’t forget dessert! They really outdo themselves with the pastries.” As
Chapter: 30 ****** TALON: The day had dragged on, each training session sapping more energy from me than the last. I felt an unmistakable weariness settle deep within my bones. I hadn’t fed in two days, and the hunger gnawed at me like a persistent ache. Lira had been good to me, keeping a cage in her room with rabbits she had caught for me. However, I had consumed the last of the food a day before she left for special training. She won’t be back for another two weeks, and I’ll have to manage on my own until her return. Since I arrived here, Lira has taken special care of me, all while keeping my secret—my nightly feedings on rabbit blood—hidden within the comfort of her room. Thanks to her, I have survived the camp thus far. Although I occasionally encounter those who hate me, I’ve managed to shield my small circle of friends from the bullying and threats I often face. However, after enduring two days without feeding, my weakness has reached its limit. If I didn’t find someth
Chapter: 31 ****** TALON: “Where do you think you’re going?” Rax’s voice was closer now, laced with an edge that sent adrenaline coursing through my veins. Panic surged as I realized I was cornered, the forest looming ahead like a dark abyss. I darted forward, instincts kicking in as I sprinted toward the trees. I had to move fast; I couldn’t allow them to catch me. The sounds of their footsteps echoed behind me, and I pushed myself harder, branches clawing at my skin as I plunged deeper into the underbrush. My breath came in ragged gasps, urgency driving me forward. I needed to escape. I needed to find a way to feed before it was too late. The forest, with its tangled roots and whispering leaves, became my only ally at that moment—a sanctuary where I could steal away into the night. I ran, as fast as my remaining strength would allow, and I was sure I lost them because I didn't hear them anymore. With each step I took into the woods, the familiar scents of pine and earth env
Chapter: 32 ******* TALON: Before Rax could recover, I turned to face Lucian and Fen, who were momentarily stunned by my sudden attack. “You think you know me? You think you can just push me around?” I said, my voice steady and fierce. “I’m not afraid of you!” Lucian sneered, pulling himself into a fighting stance. “You think that was impressive? You’ll have to do better than that.” Adrenaline surged again, my instincts kicking in. I could feel the power of my heritage coursing through me—the strength, the speed. I had been holding back for too long, letting their taunts define me. I didn't want to cause any trouble or give Knight an excuse to report my unruly behavior to my uncle. Most importantly, I had to prioritize Altair's well-being above all else. Because of this, I endured countless taunts and beatings from older kids who resented having a vampire among them. It's astonishing how deeply werewolves detest vampires. There were many times I wanted to run away from this c
Chapter: 33 ****** TALON: The world around me was a blur of darkness and pain, remnants of consciousness slipping away like sand through my fingers. I couldn’t tell how long I had been out cold, nor could I recall the moments leading up to my fall. All that lingered was a profound emptiness, a void that consumed me. But then, slowly, the darkness began to recede. A warm light seeped into my awareness, illuminating the forest floor and filtering through the branches above. I blinked against the brightness, my body feeling heavy and unresponsive. It took a moment for my surroundings to come into focus, and when they finally did, my heart raced with terror. Sitting beside me was a young boy, his dark hair falling across his eyes as he tilted his head to the side, his gentle gaze carefully observing mine. The stranger had an air of calm about him, but it was the sight of the boy’s wrist pressed against my mouth that sent a jolt of panic through me. My body reacted instinctively