Chapter: 16 ****** TALON: The darkness of the room was still thick when I was jolted awake. A soft, melodic chime pierced through my dreams, followed by a soothing voice that filled the space. “Good morning, Talon,” Zora said, her voice smooth and warm, like a gentle breeze on a spring day. “It is now five o'clock in the morning. Time to get out of bed.” Who wakes up at five in the morning?! I blinked, disoriented for a moment. Glancing around the room, I noticed the dim light from the digital displays casting a soft glow. Reality rushed back to me, and with a groan, I pushed myself up, the remnants of sleep clinging to me like a fog. “It’s orientation day; you don’t want to be late,” Zora informed me, and Lira’s words from yesterday echoed in my mind. “You have thirty minutes to complete your morning routine. Please proceed to the closet for your training uniforms.” I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, still trying to shake off the remnants of my dreams. “How do I–?” I murmure
Chapter: 17 ****** TALON: My heart sank, the weight of their hatred crashing down on me like a tidal wave. I stood frozen, bile rising in my throat as I heard words that cut deeper than any blade. Memories of the world I had tried to escape flooded back, filled with the pain of rejection and the fear of being hunted. I felt utterly alone, surrounded by a sea of hostility that seemed to engulf me. “Silence!” Knight’s voice boomed, but it was drowned out by the jeers and shouts. “You all need to listen!” The crowd continued to shout, their emotions raw and furious, and my chest tightened. I could feel the weight of their disdain— a palpable force that made it hard to breathe. I had hoped for acceptance, for a chance to prove myself, but instead, I stood as a target, the embodiment of their worst fears and prejudices. Then, as if summoned by the chaos, Knight shifted. In an instant, the Beta transformed into his massive wolf form, his fur rippling like shadows beneath the mornin
Chapter: 18 ****** TALON: As I lay there, the sounds of the pack faded into the background, replaced by the pounding of my heart and the quiet rustle of grass beneath me. I struggled to catch my breath, the weight of my failures pressing down harder than ever. The trainees' laughter felt like a distant echo, and I was left alone in my thoughts, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy surrounding me. “Get up, Talon! You can’t stay down forever!” Knight’s voice cut through the haze, filled with a mix of urgency and encouragement. I glanced up to see him approaching, his expression a blend of pity and anger that made his features twist into an unrecognizable expression for a moment. “Come on! You have to move!” Knight reached out and tugged at my arm, gently encouraging me to get up, but it wasn’t enough to pull me from my spot on the ground, not really. Especially since he pulled on the shoulder that I had just twisted when I fell. “I... I can’t,” I admitted the words escaping my li
Chapter: 19 ****** VALE: Forced apart and separated from my other half, they attempted to seal me away forever, ensuring I would never be part of Virgil’s life. They may have succeeded in tearing me from Altair, but they cannot keep me away from Virgil—he is my destiny. I found him long before I was reborn into this world, and I hate them for what they have done to us. Now, I cannot return to my body because of the bonding runes that loom over Altair, a poison keeping me at a distance. To protect Virgil, I must remain close to him. Where he goes, I must go. Even without a body or the means to use my runes, I floated on the sea alongside him, leaving my physical form behind. Only Virgil matters; he is the reason I am here. If he isn’t a part of this world we have just come to know, then that means I, too, cannot exist in it. For days we floated, and I began to fear that I had lost him—that he might never wake up again. But my will was stronger than any doubt. A spirit wolf is gi
Chapter: 20 ******* TALON: I drifted in and out of consciousness, the world around me hazy and indistinct. Flashes of light pierced the darkness, and I could hear muffled voices that felt far away like whispers carried on the wind. I wanted to reach out, to grasp the threads of reality, but my body felt heavy, as though I were submerged in a dream. At some point, the darkness began to recede, and I found myself lying on a soft surface. The scent of antiseptic filled my nostrils—sharp and sterile. I blinked slowly, trying to focus as my surroundings came into view. The room was dimly lit, punctuated by the faint beeping of machines surrounding me, monitoring my every breath. “—needs more nourishment. He can’t recover without it,” a voice came from nearby, clear and commanding. I turned my head slightly, my muscles protesting at the movement, and saw a woman in a white coat leaning over me. Her brow was furrowed in concentration; I recognized her as Dr. Larkin, the camp's chief p
Chapter: 21 ******* TALON: The weight of the world pressed down on my chest as I lay in bed, the familiar scent of my sheets mingling with the metallic tang of my tears. I didn’t care that I was ruining them; I barely cared about anything anymore. All that mattered was this suffocating grief that wrapped itself around me like a shroud. I let the tears fall, my face buried in the fabric, wishing that if I cried enough, I could wash away the memory of that fateful afternoon—the moment I had bitten into Altair. Regret clawed at me, a relentless beast gnawing at my insides. I should have known better. I should have fought harder against the instinct that drove me to him. If only I had turned away, if only I had resisted the urge, maybe I wouldn’t be drowning in this sea of anguish. The blood on my cheeks was a harsh reminder of my choice, each drops a witness to my weakness. The weight on my chest grew heavier still, threatening to crush me from the inside out. My hands shook uncontr
Chapter: 22 ******* VALE: I hovered quietly beside Virgil, watching as he lay on his bed, lost in a world of despair. Moonlight filtered through the thin crack in the curtains, illuminating his face, which was marred by blood tears that glistened against his pale skin. My heart ached at the sight—a sensation that felt foreign in this dainty existence. I longed to reach out, to wrap my spirit around him and offer some semblance of comfort, but I was bound to this realm, a mere whisper of what I once was. He cried softly, the sound breaking my heart. I felt the weight of his burdens pressing down on him, manifesting as a heaviness that filled the room. I wished I could tell him that he wasn’t alone, that I was still with him in some way, but my voice couldn’t pierce the veil between our worlds. All I could do was watch as he wiped away his tears, the blood staining the sheets. If only I hadn't pushed him to Altair that afternoon, I thought, my spirit twisting with regret. I had w
Chapter: 23 ****** TALON: --- The world around me melted away, replaced by a dense fog that clung to my skin like an unwelcome shroud. I felt my consciousness slip, not into sleep, but into something deeper—a dream that was not entirely mine. Shadows flickered at the edges of my vision, whispers of a time long forgotten. And then, like the snapping of a twig beneath a heavy foot, I was thrown into another life. I stood not as I am now, but as the rogue I once was in a dense forest, the scent of pine and earth thick in the air. The trees loomed above me, their branches entwined like guardians, cloaking my presence in a veil of darkness. I could feel the cool evening breeze rustle through the leaves, but it was not the chill that sent shivers down my spine; it was the pulse of danger thrumming through the ground beneath my feet. A primal instinct surged within me, alerting me to the boundary I had unwittingly crossed. I was not alone. Beside me, two companions moved with
Dear Readers, I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to reach out and share that I recently experienced a very severe asthma attack that required emergency care two days ago. Unfortunately, this has kept me from writing, and I sincerely apologize for the delay. Your understanding and support mean the world to me, and I promise to get back to my writing as soon as I’m able. Thank you for your patience and love during this time. Warmest regards, AlphaKelly
Chapter: 129 ****** THIRD PERSON: Sensing his friend’s distraction, Ryan instinctively knew how to pull Marcus back into the moment. He tapped Marcus's arm twice and made a playful knock-knock sound with his mouth, a familiar gesture that always managed to break through Marcus's introspection. “Hey, man! Mind if I join in?” Ryan asked, waiting for Marcus to turn his attention. “Sure, I’m just trying to unwind a bit,” Marcus replied, forcing a smile as their eyes met. It was puzzling how well Ryan could read his emotions; even Evelyn struggled to discern when he was locking himself away or merely pretending to be fine. “You okay? You seem a bit… off,” Ryan observed, shifting his tone to one of genuine concern. Marcus sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “Yeah, I guess I’ve just been lost in thought. It’s been a whirlwind lately.” Ryan leaned in closer, his curiosity evident. “What’s really going on? You’ve seemed different since you reconnected wi
Chapter: 128 ****** THIRD PERSON: The drive to the familiar club felt unusually lengthy, but Marcus welcomed the extra time. It provided a much-needed escape from the relentless thoughts that had been plaguing him lately. Ryan was the perfect antidote to his worries; there was never a dull moment with that larger-than-life character. By the end of the night, Marcus knew he would be in a far better mood than when he started. As he navigated the streets, his mind drifted back to the darker days of his youth. There was a time when he believed he would face life alone, a thought that weighed heavily on him. That bleak outlook might have become his reality if it hadn't been for one bright light in his life—Evelyn. She was his neighbor in their impoverished community, yet her life was markedly different. Evelyn had a mother who genuinely cared for her, going to great lengths to ensure she received an education and the nurturing she deserved. In stark contrast, Marcus's own upbringing w
Chapter: 127 ****** TALON: The mansion was nothing short of magnificent, each room resembling an ancient museum rather than a typical living space. It was clear that the owner had traveled extensively, bringing back souvenirs from every corner of the globe. Each item bore a label indicating its origin and the date it was acquired, creating a fascinating tapestry of memories. I found myself captivated by these treasures. The art pieces adorning the walls looked like they could fetch a fortune, and some seemed far too exquisite for an ordinary person to possess; yet here they were, proudly displayed in every room. As I stepped into another room, I was enveloped in darkness, the lights off and the curtains drawn tightly. I fumbled for the light switch, and when I finally found it, my eyes were drawn to a large portrait of my mother. She wore a stunning red gown, her lips painted with her favorite shade of lipstick. The memory flooded back of her painting my lips one afternoon as I st
Chapter: 126 ***** THIRD PERSON: The luxury car glided through the bustling city, its gentle hum a stark contrast to the tempest of emotions swirling in the back seat. Liam sat in silence, his eyes trained on the fleeting scenery outside, while his thoughts wandered far beyond the steel and glass. Beside him, his twin sister Ella fidgeted with the hem of her dress, her gaze fixed on the passing buildings, seeking an escape from the weight of the moment. Her brother, Liam, occupied the space next to her, his attention focused on his hands, lost in contemplation. “Do you think he’ll be angry?” Ella’s voice barely pierced the quiet, a whisper laced with apprehension. She bit her lip, a clear indicator of her unease. Liam shifted, searching for the right words to offer comfort. “I don’t know,” he replied honestly, a frown etching itself on his face. The image of their grandfather’s stern expression loomed large in his mind. “He’s been looking forward to seeing us, especially si
Chapter. 125 ****** TALON: Jake turned back to me, a grin spreading across his face. “He’s fired, though, from the job I had just gotten him. Can you believe that? He suddenly disappeared in the middle of work without giving any reason! Now the boss is not only mad at me but also doubled my shifts. I worked two days straight because of him! I’m going to kill him!” I couldn’t help but laugh at Jake’s exaggerated frustration. “I promise you, he’s not the type to mess things up.” "Sounds like you’ve known him a while?” Jake said, his expression thoughtful as he leaned forward, genuinely curious. “I suppose you could say that,” I replied, a smile playing on my lips. Jake raised an eyebrow, skepticism mixed with amusement. “Well, as long as he’s not dragging you into anything dangerous, I guess it’s fine. Just don’t let him sweep you off your feet too fast; you don’t want to end up as one of those cautionary tales. I don't even know what I am talking about anymore.” I c
Chapter: 124 ****** TALON: A small smile played on my lips as I watched Vale breathe deeply, his chest rising and falling steadily. I lifted my arm, running my hand along the length of his muscled body. I wanted nothing more than to stay there forever, wrapped up in his embrace. “The moment I get the chance, I am going to fuck your brains out twice as hard as you've fucked me,” Vale muttered sleepily before he nuzzled his face in the crook of my neck, his lips grazing the sensitive skin of my throat, causing goose bumps to rise on my skin. “Well, you can always count on that,” I chuckled, planting a soft kiss on his chin. I rolled off him and turned back to face him. “Just stay right there; I’ll get the bath running for us.” As I started toward the bathroom, a flicker of light caught my eye—the screen of my phone flashing on the table. I quickly checked it to find a message from Evelyn, reminding me of the kids' upcoming visit to their grandfather, my supposed father. With a
Chapter: 123 ****** TALON: I pulled away from the kiss and pressed him down on the wood, then I moved lower until I was nestled between his parted thighs. The tip of my tongue traced a path along the ridge of his erection before I wrapped my lips around the head, sucking it gently, letting my teeth graze the crown. I felt him twitch underneath me, and his hands gripped the wooden edges desperately as he tried to ground himself. I loved how he let me control him, how he trusted me completely, and I took full advantage of the privilege. I could do whatever I wanted to him and he would never say no. His cock aching and twitching begged for my attention, and as I licked the shaft I gave it freely, allowing my tongue to swirl around it and tease it with the barest touch before I sucked hard, letting his hips lift off the wooden surface as his body jerked wildly under my ministrations. His cock pulsed and strained in my eager mouth, begging to be released and freed from its confineme
Chapter: 122 ****** TALON: I slowly woke up, my senses gradually absorbing the surroundings of the room I found myself in. The soothing scent of the pheromones in the air enveloped me, instilling a profound sense of calm as my gaze wandered around. A feeling of contentment washed over me; I was home. For me, home was wherever they were. Nestling deeper into the strong arm beneath me, I pressed a gentle kiss against Vale’s bicep, and I was met with a warm chuckle from behind. “Hey there, beautiful,” Vale greeted me, his voice low and tender, followed by a soft kiss on my neck. The warmth of the pheromones seemed to intensify, wrapping me in a cocoon of safety from any unseen threats. “Hey, Altair,” I replied, feeling a wave of affection swell within me. (“Did you sleep well, baby?”) he asked, his tone soft and caring. (“You were out for quite some time,”) I nodded, a smile gracing my lips as I kissed his arm again. My eyes roamed the room once more, landing on the familiar s