C.K Hawksの小説

“Hahaha… You’re more destructible than I envisioned.”Julius' voice cracked into a ghoulish tune. The men below shuffled backwards, alert as the man commanded more shadows. When he unleashed them, it was each man for himself. A flick of his hand sent shadows tearing through flesh and armor alike.“Sephire. Eldrosk. Malachi.” He remembered those who taught him well. He spoke their names like a prayer and a curse. “Do you see them? How they tremble when I so much as blink?” He inhaled deeply, drawing in the fear, the despair. It fed him - fattening his spirit.“You must be so proud of your little weakling.” His eyes went pitch-black.Many made attempts at him when he leaped down, but the beta proved to be nothing but brutal and chaotic. Invisible in plain sight. Most of the beastmen and paranormals who dared attack him didn’t last long. Julius’ movements were wild and erratic - feral. He devoured souls to prove a point. Every strike shattered bone, every breath drew blood. Julius pau

Theoden’s confusion cleared after setting eyes on the reason why his first son turned against him. He became baffled that the rest of his family were doing the same.“Arlen, Prince of Ingram. The only descendant of Pandora and the flower of the Braddock clan,” Julius tightened his features as his eyes met Arlen’s.Another round of murmurs captured the moment. Many failed to believe they had been hunting down an omega - a gender that could easily be controlled.Zavian recognized the omega from before. And with Axel’s presence, he began to believe David’s words. But seeing the person that terrorized his people, he refused to put down his arms and demanded that Julius surrender himself.“Do not believe this man, he is in cahoots with that omega, Arlen,” Theoden still wanted his agenda to prevail. Some agreed with him, but others began to question their decisions upon making the comparisons.“You knew we were dealing with an omega all this time?” Rollo was in disbelief. “Why didn’t you sa

Zavian counted the seconds before the circle of flames went out, grunting low in his throat. Heat rippled across his face, the air thick with the smell of burning fur and iron. When the fire finally died, the soldiers burst outward in every direction, hungry for a kill. Steel flashed, teeth bared, each fighter desperate to take their pound of flesh. The battlefield roared to life.Zariah’s warriors swept anticlockwise around the smoldering ground. What looked like chaos was, in truth, a deliberate design - a maze with five layers and a core: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The outer movements were fluid, shifting just enough to bait the enemy into the trap.Fire struck first, meant to rattle their enemies - to scorch their courage before the real assault began.The second ring, Metal, stood as a wall of lightly armored phantom warriors, swift and hard to kill, absorbing the brunt of the beast-men’s charge. Behind them came the Wood contingent: beta archers hardened by years of tr

Arlen’s red eyes quivered as he boldly embraced Roxanne. “I’m sorry,” he bowed sharply after letting go. The tears came on their own, without his permission.Roxanne patted the drops away with a handkerchief. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. You did what you had to. I, on the other hand, contributed to your suffering for years. Can you forgive me?”“Only if you won’t scold me for dropping out of school and eloping with an alpha.”“In your defense, you did get locked up in prison for something you were innocent of… and he was an alpha who loved you beyond sentiment,” Roxanne smiled. A burden melted away as she got to hold the young man again.“Lady Maren…” Rufus bowed to her.“I’m only here because of my father and my brothers,” Maren avoided his eyes.“I understand.” Rufus felt the lie in her voice, and it stirred something fussy in his chest.“Prince Arlen, we have to get to your father at once if we wish to end this war. My aunt and I will vouch for your innocence.” Axel’s kind s

Zavian and his group were the first to enter the city. Their role was to create a major diversion, so Theoden and the rest could sneak into the southern castle gates, from where the pressure would be less. But again, this place was weirdly empty. As they advanced forward, there was finally some sign of life: scores of soldiers standing guard at the entrance.Leading the men, Zavian charged at the disciples who appeared to be unmoved by their aggression. Once their swords struck the enemy, they disappeared into thin air.“Huh?” Zavian scrunched his face in awe. He shrugged off the feeling and gave the signal to keep moving. Carrying forward, they saw a different set of troops, leading them away from the main castle walls, towards the coast to another fort. Like blind mice, they attacked again. Killing them did not work because they too vanished upon contact.This left the invaders confused and highly spooked. They began to murmur amongst themselves, slowly falling into the trap by taki

Reed packed light for the journey - just enough to keep them warm in case they couldn’t reach the next town. It was a dicey gamble, but he pinned his hopes on going south. Wandering into the vast unknown of forestry was far from ideal, yet it was a better option than heading for the borders where clans lay in ambush. It wouldn’t be safe.Seeing Julius so calm and composed made the alpha want to protect him with his last drop of blood. Julius did not complain or fight back as they walked the path to freedom. But after hours of trekking, Reed noticed his companion was starting to slack behind.At first, he believed Julius was simply hesitant to leave, but then he saw a change in the beta’s breath - and the tired look in his eyes. Reed hadn’t realised the talisman could drain Julius like this.Reed levelled with him, took the beta’s hand without warning, and draped it over his shoulder.“What are you doing?” Julius’s cheeks reddened as the alpha crouched slightly and lifted his weight.“

FlashbackIris was eight when she truly learned her siblings hated her.It began with Olivia’s usual mischief. She snuck into Iris’s room with a jug of water and poured it slowly onto the mattress, soaking the sheets. Then she raised her voice, calling for the others.“She wet the bed again!” Olivia’s song pierced the quiet hall. “I didn’t!” Iris protested, clutching the dripping fabric as she hopped down. “Look, it doesn’t even smell. It’s just water.”Charlotte arrived first, already smirking, already rehearsed on her blame game. “Ugh, she reeks. What do think Baron? She’s always making excuses.”Baron leaned lazily against the doorframe, his arms folded. “Pathetic. Father should send you to sleep in the stables. At least the horses won’t complain.”Their laughter invaded the air.“It’s not true!” Iris’ voice broke as she shook her head.Charlotte lurked forward, circling her. “Doesn’t matter what’s true. It matters what we say. And everyone listens to us, not you.”“Not Father. He

When they were done, Jake and Larry insisted on handling the cleanup. Iris didn’t argue. She simply rose, taking Abigail with her.“Come. Bath with me.” Iris said when they got to the guest room.Abi followed, dragging her feet but secretly pleased. In the wide tub, steam curled around them, Iris leaned back against the edge, her hair pinned up.Abi swirled her fingers through the bubbles. “You don’t have to look at me like that, you know. Like I’m going to break.”“You already did today,” Iris said flatly. Then, softer. “And you’ll break again, if you don’t learn to be stronger.”Abi pressed her lips together. “Easy for you to say. You’ve always had Apollo. Someone watching, guarding. He was your shield. I don’t have anyone like that.”Iris sighed once before speaking. “I can be strong for the both of us, but even I won’t be here forever Abi… If you want an Apollo, I can get you one. He’ll follow you like the air you breathe, grant your every whim, never let you trip on your own shad

Abigail was worried by the tone of her sister’s voice.“Are you alright?” she asked.Iris only lifted her hand in dismissal; her expression carved from stone. “Larry. Take Abi to your game room, would you? I need a moment.”Larry didn’t argue - he never did when Iris used that tone. He just gestured for Abigail to follow. “You like games?”“Some,” Abi said, her voice cautious.“Good. Ever played Deadlights IV?”Her eyes lit up immediately. “Wait, the zombie one? With the flamethrower glitches?”Larry grinned like a proud uncle. “The very same.”“No way! That game’s banned in three countries.”“Which makes it better,” Larry said, already leading her down the hall. They were laughing before they even reached the console. Within minutes, the two of them were yelling at the screen, cheering when they blew apart a horde and groaning when Abi accidentally torched herself with her own Molotov.By the time Iris rejoined them, the room echoed with the kind of chaotic joy she usually despised.

Jake’s body screamed at him to stay pressed against her. Having Iris beneath him, her breath brushing his cheek, made every nerve in his skin come alive. He wanted to touch her everywhere - wanted to know what she looked like when she came undone in those tight pants. He itched to leave her trembling in ways she wouldn’t forget.But the other part of him - the part that respected her, the part that knew she was sick - fought to hold back. She deserved more than him taking advantage of her while she was weak.“Jake, are you planning to sleep there?” Iris’ voice broke the silence. Commanding, yet tinged with amusement. “Sorry,” Jake muttered, pushing himself up quickly, awkward as hell. “I brought you food.” “If you plan on feeding me here like a prisoner, I’ll pass.”“I-”“I’d rather eat downstairs.” She rose without waiting for him, brushing past him and through the door.Jake followed with the tray. He was astonished to see her settle in the couch - legs crossed, remote in hand. Fo

“Welcome home, Miss Abigail.”Apollo was waiting in the driveway, hands behind him. But instead of answering, the teenager tossed her bag higher on her shoulders and ran inside. Normally, he would have ignored her sulks, but after the recent attack, he maintained a close watch on her behavior. Today his gut told him something was wrong.And he wasn’t far from the truth. Upstairs, Abigail collapsed face-first on her bed and broke into sobs.Earlier, after school, she had gone to the sports complex. Noah was already there with a group of students lounging on the grass. When the coach called for pairs in a bonding activity, no one wanted her. Every student avoided her gaze, shuffling closer to someone else, leaving her stranded in the middle of the field.Noah stepped in, forcing the issue. “You, partner with Abigail.”Reluctantly, a girl walked over. Abigail’s chest swelled with a fragile hope… until halfway through the drill, the girl let go. Abigail stumbled and fell hard. But that pa

The aura was different from what she was used to. The bed was still a lonely place to be, but at least she was surrounded by the softest pillows. Iris took a calm breath as she opened her eyes. The air felt light, laced with a sweet floral scent.Her body was less tense, and the headache from last night was almost nonexistent - that was until she put her feet down and stood up. She spent a brief moment in the bathroom, brushing her teeth and taking a quick shower.Soon, she rummaged through her luggage for the neatest clothes she could find, tied her hair into a sleek bun, and put on a hat to hide her hollowing appearance. The second she opened the door, the man in the hallway turned sharply, making direct eye contact.“No, no, you’re not doing this today.” Jake guided Iris back into the room and banished the hat to the floor.“What are you doing?” Iris asked nonchalantly as the clothes she had worked so hard to put on were soon pulled off her skin.“You need to rest.”“I have a compa

Derrick texted on her day off.‘Can I come by?’Valery stared at the screen for a long moment before answering yes.When he arrived, she let him in. She even offered him a drink to lighten the mood. They sat across from each other, silently.“You look well,” Derrick said finally. His voice was careful, measured.“I’m managing,” she replied, staring at her hands.“Valery…” His eyes searched her face. “Forgive me.”She shook her head. “No. I should be the one apologizing to you.”“Why would you say that?”“Because I pushed you too hard with my actions. Maybe I shouldn’t have let what we had drag on for this long.”He leaned forward, desperate. “No. Don’t do that. Don’t twist this into your fault. We’ve both suffered. But couples survive worse, don’t they? We can survive this.”Her throat felt tight, as if the words refused to come out. “You make it sound easy.”“I’m not saying it’s easy,” Derrick said quickly. “I’m saying it’s worth it. You and me - we’ve always been worth it.”Valery l

Days later…Valery stood her ground with Jennifer, insisting she could finally return home. Two weeks of being coddled and nursed had drained her spirit more than the wounds themselves.“I swear, Jen, I’m healed,” she said, adjusting the strap of her handbag as though to prove she was fit to carry it. “I can’t just sit and sleep the day away. I miss work. I miss being me.”Jennifer frowned, arms folded across her chest, studying her younger sister with suspicious eyes. “Your mouth says one thing, but your body says another. You still look pale.”“I’m fine.” Valery forced a small smile. “If I don’t go back to my normal life, I’ll start feeling like an invalid. You don’t want that for me.”Jennifer sighed, exasperated but helpless. “Stubborn, just like Father. Fine. But don’t make me regret this.”When Valery stepped into her own house, the air felt different - lighter, freer. She was ready to sink into the familiar silence when a loud cheer nearly startled her out of her skin.“There s

PRESENT DAY...Valery felt Ryan’s smile press against her forehead. His breath was warm, too close for her thoughts to escape.“What’s tickling your mind?” she whispered in a low hum.Ryan lowered his eyes, lips spreading wider, like he was savouring a secret. “Do you remember when my brother was accused of starting some party and using drugs?”Valery winced, her nose twitching as if the memory itself was vague. “…” She gave a slow nod.“He was so afraid you’d get in trouble, he accepted those lies,” Ryan murmured.Valery tilted her head, caught by the seriousness on his face. His voice didn’t break, but it shook with something heavier.“Had my mother not pestered the school and made donations, they would have kicked him out. At that time, all Riley could think of was you. He was willing to lose being able to see you every day, than do anything that might cause you to lose face.”“I remember,” Valery whispered. “He got suspended for three weeks the following term.”Ryan’s throat bobbe

Hecate didn’t know what to expect when she showed up at the school. She went in calm, but the moment the matter was laid before her, she nearly choked on her own breath.“So, you’re saying my son - who’s never even held a cigarette - managed to sneak marijuana into a resort?” she asked. “Are you even aware Riley has a condition?”“Yes, Madam Hecate,” the headmaster said, voice stiff, “but that doesn’t change the fact that the substances were found in his bag.”Her eyes sharpened. “He doesn’t know how that got there. My son isn’t some trained liar you can pin this crime on.”The headmaster leaned back. “We’re not accusing lightly. And for clarity, it’s because of your reputation that we didn’t involve the police. Riley has never caused trouble here, but consuming or dealing with drugs is not tolerated. It could mean suspension…or expulsion.” The man explained. “And there’s more – allegedly we he didn’t sleep in his room one of the nights.”Hecate turned to her son. “Is this true, Riley

The airport lounge was quieter than it should have been for a group of teenagers. Teachers whispered sternly among themselves, throwing glances toward Riley and Derrick like they were lepers. Nobody wanted to sit too close, not after the spectacle last night. The words ‘drugs’ and ‘fighting’ still hung heavy in everyone’s ears like flies around a wound.Valery trailed behind the others, clutching her bag. She had wanted to defend Riley, but what good would that have done when every adult looked at him like he was already guilty?The line shuffled forward, and soon she found herself stepping onto the plane. Her eyes darted immediately, searching. There he was, Riley, slumped in a seat by the window. Relief rushed through her until she saw who sat beside him. One of the teachers, posture stiff as a guard dog, keeping watch.Riley lifted his head as though he felt her eyes on him. His lips twitched into the faintest smile, tired, broken. She wanted to run down the aisle and throw herself

The teachers woke up hazy and confused. When they stepped outside, the place was silent - unsettlingly so. Not a speck of dirt on the ground, and not a single student in sight. To their amazement, the children were already gathered neatly outside, waiting for the bus.It was the final day of the workshop. Certificates were handed out; connections briefly encouraged with professionals across various fields. The evening would be crowned with a black-tie dinner party.For a prestigious school like Lady Sarah Memorial, each student dazzled. The boys crisp in tuxedos, the girls radiant in modest dresses.Derrick was at the lounge adjusting his sleeves when Riley walked in, waves gleaming in his trimmed hair, his look sharp enough to cut. Instead of buses, limos waited to carry them to the event."You look okay, old man," Derrick said with a smirk."Not so bad yourself, pip squeak," Riley shot back, wincing at his own joke.Then Margret arrived, blooming like a sunflower in her yellow dress