Novels by Victory Insights

ASTRIDEarly in the evening, one of Atlas's pack members approached me and offered to braid my hair. Initially, I was surprised but told her not to worry because I had someone for that. Samantha was capable of tending to my hair if I needed to. The lady insisted and said she was very good at working on hair.After trying to dissuade her, I finally let her braid me. A few minutes in, I appreciated her work. It was terrific, and she used an oily sap on my hair, making it smoother and straighter as she braided.“Where did you learn to braid like this?” I asked her.She chuckled. "My grandmother. She always braided us when we were younger; most neighborhood children came to her. She didn't charge them."“She sounds like a lovely woman,” I said, smiling at the girl. “Where is she now?”"She passed on," she said, pursing her lips for a long time. For a few minutes, she didn't speak but silently worked on my hair. I didn't talk too because I didn't know what to say then. I could tell she mis

MAGNUSWe found Atlas waiting outside when we returned from our little run. He was fidgeting and talking animatedly and pointing around. He seemed like a man on the verge of losing everything and was eagerly trying to save the little he had left.Astrid and I slowly approached him. I could feel Astrid's anxiety as she walked beside me. It made me feel bad that she felt that way—as if she was afraid of upsetting Atlas. I wished I could turn off the bond so I wouldn't have to suffer inside knowing that she felt like that.When Atlas noticed us, he dismissed his guards quickly and came running. When he reached us, he pushed me aside and grabbed Astrid by the arm. "Are you okay? You've been gone for long, and I was worried about you!"Atlas was all over Astrid, and it made me feel like tearing his skin off his bones. I could sense his possessive intentions, which didn't sit well with me.Astrid nodded and looked up at him with a smile. “I’m fine. I wasn’t in any danger.”Still, Atlas cont

ASTRID"Do you miss anyone back home? Samantha, perhaps?" I rolled my eyes and ignored Magnus like I'd been doing since he walked up to me in the garden.“Of course, I miss her,” I finally replied, feeling the nostalgia wash over me. “I'm just trying to think of myself first before anyone else, for once.”"That's a good thing, Astrid. I've always wanted that for you," he said, and it sounded very genuine. "I want us to go back home," he added, and I immediately stood up from the bench and began walking away."Astrid," he called out, and I felt goosebumps cover my skin.“I'm sorry that I keep bringing it up,” he said as he trailed after me."No need to apologize; just stop doing it."“I can't,” he replied. “I don't like living like this, like a fugitive.”"Well, you made the bed, so lay on it." I retorted as I quickened my steps."What is so special about these people anyway? Besides the Vampire.""The people love me," I answered honestly. "They treat me well, and they've accepted me a

MAGNUSI leaned back against the rough wooden wall, wincing as the movement tugged at the wound, still wrapped in thick layers of cloth. The scent of herbs and dried blood lingered in the room.I tried to focus on the room's warmth and comfort, but my thoughts drifted back to her. It was as if every time I closed my eyes, I could see her standing there, dressed in that damn bright yellow dress that clung to her curves in all the right places.I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, but it was useless. She was all I could think about. That dress...it was almost too much. The way it hugged her waist, the soft material brushing against her thighs as she moved. My heart had nearly stopped when I saw her walk in.And her lips. Gosh, those lips. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't take my eyes off them. Full and pink, they called to me, begging to be kissed and claimed. I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the desire building up inside me."Magnus," her voice broke through my th

ASTRIDI stood hesitantly outside the small room where Magnus was recovering, my heart racing with mixed emotions.It had been a few days since our last conversation, and I had been steadily avoiding another one with him.And it was because I couldn't bear the mournful look in his eyes whenever he looked at me.Whenever I felt like checking in on him, I'd pause like I was doing right then, utterly unsure how to navigate the meeting without feeling terrible afterwards.Ayla had refused to talk to me for three days; no matter what I traded, it was as if she wasn't even three, and the silence made me feel even worse.I wanted to turn away and return to my room, but I had to talk to him.I breathed deeply and nodded to myself before knocking twice and then pushing the door open."I knew you were out there," he stated immediately after I entered the room."Why aren't you wearing a shirt?!" I burst out as I eyed his naked torso crossly.He shrugged as he sat down on the bed. "It's boiling o

MAGNUSI woke slowly, like a man climbing out of a deep, dark hole. I forced my eyes open and winced from the sun's rays as I groggily took in my surroundings.“I’m glad you are finally awake.”My weak heart sputtered and leapt when I heard her voice before her face appeared above mine.She smiled warmly at me, even though I could see the tears shining in her eyes as she lowered beside me.I turned my head to the side, watching her. I wanted to speak, but my tongue felt like it had been glued to the top of my mouth…and my mouth felt like I'd eaten nothing but wormwood for weeks.She must have noticed me struggling to speak because she pressed a gentle hand to my chest and shook her head, "You need to rest."I didn't listen; I had so much to say…so I took a deep breath and tried to speak again."Where…am I?" I began, sounding and feeling like my tongue was rolling around in my mouth."You are in another pack," she replied, then pressed a finger to my lips when I made to speak again. "Y