Love above Stories의 작품

Mona's POVThe Shadow Walker moved faster than thought. One moment it stood at the edge of the circle, the next its claws were inches from my throat.Derek's wolf form slammed into it mid-leap, but passed right through as if the creature was made of smoke. The Shadow Walker solidified just in time to backhand him into a tree with a sickening crack."Derek!" I rushed toward him, but Marcus grabbed my arm."Don't! Physical attacks won't work. Only phoenix fire can—"The Shadow Walker's hand wrapped around my throat, lifting me off the ground. Its touch was ice, burning cold that made my flames sputter."The Shadow King sends his regards," it hissed, breath like rotting meat. "You will make a fine addition to his collection."I grabbed its wrist, channeling phoenix fire through my palms. The creature shrieked, dropping me, its arm dissolving where I'd touched."Impressive," it snarled as shadows reformed its limb. "But you're untrained, uncontrolled."It was right. The fire came in spurt

Mona's POV The glow spread from my core outward, turning my skin translucent like living flame. Father jerked back, but kept the knife at my throat."Impossible," he snarled. "The collar—""Can't stop what's already inside her," a woman's voice rang out. A figure in Academy robes stepped forward, her silver hair gleaming in the moonlight. "Phoenix tears, I'm guessing? Clever girl.""Professor Aria," Derek breathed, relief evident in his voice.The woman's violet eyes fixed on me. "Happy birthday, little phoenix. Your true awakening begins now.""Stop!" Father pressed the knife harder, drawing blood. "I'll kill her before I let her become—"His words cut off in a gurgle. Everyone gasped.Leon stood behind Father, his own knife buried in our father's side."Enough," my brother said quietly. "I've watched you torment her for eighteen years. No more."Father stumbled, releasing me. But as I pulled away, he grabbed the collar around my neck and twisted something. A hidden mechanism clicke

Mona's POV I woke in chains.Not ordinary chains - these burned against my skin, etched with runes that pulsed with sickly green light. The collar around my neck was worse, a constant weight that made breathing feel like drowning."Ah, sleeping beauty awakens." Selena's voice drifted from the shadows of what I recognized as the pack's underground prison. "Three days you've been out. Almost missed your own birthday."Three days. My eighteenth birthday was tomorrow."Where's Grandmother?" My voice came out raw."Dead." Selena examined her nails. "Father had to make an example. Harboring a Phoenix Wolf, teaching it to use its powers - treasonous acts against the pack."Rage and grief warred in my chest, but when I tried to summon my fire, nothing came. The collar hummed, absorbing every spark of power."Ingenious, isn't it?" She tapped the collar. "Made specifically to contain Phoenix Wolves. Father bought it years ago from a witch, just in case you ever... manifested. Cost him half the

Mona's POVThe burning under my skin kept me awake all night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that phoenix symbol glowing on the pack stone, and Derek's storm-gray eyes boring into mine.*A caged phoenix.*By dawn, the house was in chaos. Father had called an emergency pack meeting, and through my thin walls, I heard him raging about "threats to the pack" and "dark magic.""Mona!" Mother's sharp voice cut through my thoughts. "Get down here!"I found them in Father's study - him, Mother, and Selena. Leon stood by the window, my older brother's expression unreadable."You did this," Father snarled the moment I entered. "That symbol appeared right after you humiliated your sister.""I was in the kitchen—"His hand wrapped around my throat, slamming me against the wall. "Don't lie to me, you little witch. What dark magic are you playing with?""Marcus." Grandmother's voice came from the doorway, quiet but firm. "Release her.""Stay out of this, old woman.""Release. Her." Grandmother

Mona's POVThe copper taste of blood filled my mouth as Father's fist connected with my jaw. Again."Worthless," he spat, towering over me as I crumpled against the kitchen wall. "Can't even set the table properly for your sister's engagement celebration."I wiped the blood from my split lip, keeping my eyes down. Speaking would only make it worse. It always did."Marcus, leave the creature alone," Mother called from the dining room, her voice dripping with disgust. "Selena's guests are arriving. We can't have them hearing... that."That. Not her. Not their daughter. Just that.Father's boot caught me in the ribs one last time before he straightened his jacket. "Clean yourself up and stay in the kitchen. If I see you near the celebration, you'll sleep in the forest again."The forest. Where they'd left me three nights ago during a thunderstorm because I'd accidentally bumped into Selena's suitor at the market.I waited until his footsteps faded before pulling myself up, ribs screaming