Chapter: 44 ****** ALTAIR: With the details of our plan finalized, we emerged from the closet, ready to set our scheme in motion. However, as we stepped back into my room, Bryn’s curiosity sparked a question lingering in her mind. “Al,” she said, placing her hands on her hips and furrowing her brow in thought. “Why are you so interested in this vampire? I mean, we’ve never met him before, and suddenly you care about him so much. It doesn’t make sense!” I paused, caught off guard by her inquiry. It was true—my feelings for Talon felt overwhelming and inexplicable. “I don’t know, Bernie,” I admitted, my voice unsteady. “There’s just something about him. When I found him in the forest… it was like I could feel his pain—deeper than that, even. It was scary, but I knew I wanted to help and protect him. I may be small, but that didn’t matter. I didn’t even think; I just acted. And now, it’s like he’s more important than my own Birth Omega.” Bryn’s eyes widened in mock disbelief as
Chapter: 45*******ALTAIR:The opulence of the bedroom felt stifling, its rich mahogany walls adorned with tapestries that whispered of history and luxury. Yet for Dirk, the space seemed to shrink into a suffocating box, the weight of his turmoil pressing in on him. He sat on the edge of the grand bed, his head in his hands, tears streaming down his face—a testament to the maelstrom of emotions raging within.“Dirk,” Kurt’s voice sliced through the silence, sharp and laced with authority. “This is madness! You can’t punish him for defending himself.” Kurt squared his broad shoulders as he paced, his heavy footsteps echoing against the polished wooden floor. The tension radiating from him was palpable, each step a reflection of his frustration.“Madness? You call this madness?” Dirk shot back, his voice cracking under the strain of anger and fear. “Talon is a vampire! We’ve all witnessed what they can do. How can you expect me to sit idly by knowing that my son was around that monster
Chapter: 46******ALTAIR:“Why would I ever put Altair in danger?” Dirk’s mind raced, his heart aching at the thought. “How can I allow him to be near Talon when the very essence of a vampire was responsible for my suffering? My own flesh and blood could be torn apart simply because of who Talon is.”He could still see the glint of malice in Floridia's eyes when she had betrayed him, the way she had laughed while he crumbled beneath the weight of her betrayal. It was a memory that clawed at him—a reminder that vampires were not to be trusted. They were creatures of darkness, and in the back of his mind, a fear whispered: What if Talon was just like her? What if he turned on Altair when he least expected it? He had proven his fears right three times.Dirk’s gut twisted painfully as he thought of his son. Altair was all he had left, the light in his life, the very essence of his being. The thought of losing him was unbearable. Dirk had fought too hard to protect him, to keep him safe f
Chapter: 47 ******* TALON: As I stood beneath the towering arch of the university, a wave of emotions crashed over me. The sun cast a warm glow across the campus, and the air was thick with excitement. It was graduation day, a milestone I had anticipated for years. Yet, as I adjusted my cap, a familiar heaviness settled in my chest. I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the faint aroma of blooming flowers. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, yet I felt an unsettling emptiness. Around me, graduates in their caps and gowns laughed and chatted with their families, the sounds of joy echoing in the air. I scanned the crowd, searching for familiar faces, but found only the vibrant laughter of my peers celebrating with their loved ones. The realization hit me hard: I was alone. I had walked this path for years, and while I had forged friendships that became my family, the absence of my mother was a wound that never fully healed. She was the one I lo
Chapter: 48 ****** TALON: The memories rushed back like a tide, each wave crashing over me with a force that left me breathless. The day Lira graduated from Camp Elysium was etched in my mind, vivid and haunting. I could still picture the sun shining brightly, casting a golden hue over the campus as the ceremony unfolded, a perfect backdrop for such a bittersweet occasion. Lira had been like a big sister to me, a guiding light in the dark corners of my life. Her laughter, warm and infectious, filled the air as she donned her cap and gown, the fabric fluttering like the wings of a butterfly. I remembered how proud she looked, her smile radiant as she walked across the stage to receive her diploma, a moment that felt monumental. But beneath the surface of my joy, a storm brewed—a swirling mass of fear and uncertainty. After the ceremony, we found a quiet spot beneath the old oak tree, its branches heavy with leaves that danced in the gentle breeze. That was where I lost the battl
Chapter: 49 ******* TALON: A week had passed since graduation, and with each day, the silence in Camp Elysium grew heavier, wrapping around me like a suffocating blanket. The laughter and companionship that once filled the air had faded into echoes, leaving only memories of what had been. My friends had left one by one, each day marked by tearful farewells and promises to visit. Kieran, Jace, and Nara had all urged me to come see them in their respective Packs, their eyes filled with hope for the future. But I felt like a ghost, fading into the shadows of a life I no longer belonged to. If only I were allowed to visit, but even if I were, I didn’t want to. Altair needed me within the Pack, and I couldn’t leave, no matter what. I followed each of them to their cars, standing on the gravel driveway as they loaded their bags and climbed in, my heart heavy with sorrow. “Promise you’ll visit,” they’d said, their voices mingling with the sound of engines starting. I nodded, forcing a s
Chapter: 50 ****** TALON: As I entered my room, the familiar scent enveloped me like a warm embrace. The walls, adorned with memories, seemed to whisper stories of my past. My small, modest space—one I had called home since I was fifteen. I was a boy, uncertain and lost, but now I stood as a man, carrying the weight of decisions and responsibilities. Yet, as I looked around, I couldn't shake the feeling that, despite the years that had passed, nothing had truly changed. The bed, unmade and slightly sagging in the middle, still bore the same faded blue quilt that Zara had gifted me on my nineteenth birthday. The walls, once vibrant with posters of heroes and fantasies, now felt muted, as if they too had aged alongside me. I took a deep breath, letting the nostalgia wash over me, but with it came a pang of sadness—a reminder that I was about to leave this sanctuary behind. With a heavy heart, I walked to the closet and pulled open the door. Inside, my modest collection of clothes
Chapter: 51 ****** TALON: The East Wing was an exquisite setting, adorned with vibrant flowers and lush trees that enhanced the building's charm. The prospect of residing in such an environment began to seem quite appealing. As I approached my new living space, I encountered several familiar faces. “Hey, Talon!” said Rosa, a fellow instructor, her hair a wild cascade of curls. She approached with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with warmth. “I heard you’re moving to the East Wing. That’s quite a step up!” I returned her smile, feeling a twinge of gratitude for the warmth she radiated. “Yeah, it’s a big change, but it’s time.” “Just don’t forget us little people!” she joked, nudging me playfully. I chuckled, reassured by the friendly banter as we exchanged pleasantries with other staff members. The warm welcome from fellow instructors felt good, a reminder that I wouldn't be alone in this transition. Finally, as I approached East Wing, my heart raced with excitemen