It was surreal. To see a Royal legacy standing right before her eyes.Lucy had only read about the Warrior packs and the Royal Kingdom in the dusty old history books back in high school. Stories that traced back to the Moon Goddess’s first creation — when she gifted four brothers with elemental powers: Fire, Ice, Wind, and Sand.But peace didn’t last. Power always bred war.The Fire Warrior Pack crushed the Ice Warriors, eradicating them from history. Wind and Sand went neutral, refusing to pick sides.Decades later, rebellion spread across the packs, and strange vampire attacks followed.The history books became vague after that — but one thing was clear: Alpha Ian’s mate, Sarah, was Moon Goddess’s daughter. Gifted with all four elements, they defeated the Vampire King and crushed the rebellion. And so, the Royal Kingdom was born.Crowned by the holy cathedral shrine itself, no pack dared rebel again.*Mate is staring at us. Lucy, do something! Emery whined.Lucy snapped out o
Disclaimer: Flashback contains disturbing scenes. Please skip if you are sensitive to dark content."Caleb? That silver-haired royal general?" Jo asked, blinking in disbelief as she dabbed at the tea stain on the blanket with a cloth. The stain was stubborn — just like the news Lucy had dropped on her."Yes, him," Lucy answered quietly. "We just found out we’re mates last night… after an unfortunate incident. He accepted the bond and proposed." She hesitated. "But I've decided... I'm going to reject it."Jo froze, the cloth limp in her hand."Lucy," she said carefully, "you know how sacred mate bonds are to you — I mean, to us werewolves.""I know," Lucy said, her voice small. "But given my past... the accusations, the whispers... I'm not worthy of someone like Caleb." She was only telling part of the truth. Deep down, she was doing this to protect Jo. If the truth about Jo's scent ever surfaced, Jayden’s wrath would rain down on them both. Lucy couldn't let that happen — not when J
‘Why are you hiding behind me?’, Lucy asked, confused as they stood outside Dante’s guest room.‘Oh no, I was just fixing your hair and oh my, what a gorgeous blonde hair you have. Go on, knock the door. Don’t be shy,’ Jo encouraged as Lucy frowned at her weird behaviour and knocked.Within a couple of moments, the door flew open as a wet-haired Dante stood before them. Water dripped from his hair and slid down onto his perfectly toned abs. And both the girls avoided his gaze after they realised he had only one towel wrapped around his waist.‘How may I help you ladies?’, he asked smoothly as he noticed Jo was hiding behind Lucy. Did she remember last night? His heart warmed up thinking about how gently she sobbed on his shoulder over a fictional character. Truth be told, he was a little jealous of the Drake guy, he was not even real but already got Jo crying over for him.‘Good morning, General. We wanted to check in and see if you required anything at all?’, Lucy replied without miss
It was total chaos in the Dark Slayer Pack. Tension hung in the air like a storm about to break. Jayden, livid beyond reason, had sent a summon to the elders of the holy Cathedral Shrine. It would take them at least a few days to arrive—the shrine was nestled deep in the highlands, far from any pack border.No one could get through to Jayden—not even his father, the former Alpha."Son, let’s not escalate this further. Why don’t we release the General and have a proper, civil conversation?" the former Alpha suggested carefully, trying to steady his son’s temper.Jayden’s glare cut like a blade. “He will NOT be released,” he growled. “I don’t care if he’s a general from the royal kingdom. Leo wasn’t just my Gamma—he was my childhood friend. So, with all due respect, Father, he stays in that dungeon until I say otherwise.”The former Alpha fell silent, taking a step back under the weight of his son's wrath.“HAHAHA, so much for keeping a low profile,” Caleb chuckled as he strolled up to t
Day Five of the Royal VisitDante had been locked in the dungeon for nearly three days, and Jo was starting to lose her mind.She didn’t understand it. He was a stranger. A royal general. A man she barely knew. And yet, her stomach churned with anxiety at the thought of his trial. She could still picture the way he stepped forward without hesitation, how his voice had thundered across the training ground. He hadn’t just protected the fairies—he’d made a statement.Leo’s death didn’t haunt her. It satisfied her. That brute Gamma had harmed too many innocents for too long.But now Jo had more than Dante to worry about.Mina and Daya had confessed they weren’t just wandering fairies. They were escapees—runaways from the Fairy Realm, captured by Dark Slayer warriors before they could cross into human territory.Which meant Jo was no longer planning an escape for two. She was planning one for four.And if even a single step went wrong, Jayden wouldn’t show mercy. He wasn’t the kind of Alpha
Jo watched Dante’s eyes in amusement, the golden melting completely into silver now, swirling like twin storms. It was almost as if something—no, someone—had taken over."Mate," he breathed again, voice raw and unsteady.A strange pull tightened around Jo’s heart. Without meaning to, she echoed him, almost under a trance. "Mate."Dante smiled faintly, heartbreakingly, as he brushed his fingers along her cheek with reverence. Like she was made of porcelain. Like she could disappear.Jo didn’t realize she was leaning into the touch until it vanished.She tried to reason with herself—this wasn’t real. She had read about mate bonds. She knew how dangerous they could be. Jayden had proven it. She couldn't survive another false hope. Another curse wearing the face of destiny."You’re mistaken," she said hoarsely. "I can’t be—"Dante silenced her, gently pressing a finger to her lips."I’m glad," he whispered. "I'm glad it’s you. I wasn’t sure before... but now, I am."Her heart gave a p
"This aura..." Lucy murmured, stopping in her tracks and sniffing the air. "It feels different... and so powerful.""Lucy, keep running! We don’t have time to spare," Jo snapped, reaching out to tug her forward before murmuring a rushed apology.After Dante had been dragged away for his trial, Jo had gathered herself — and the girls. While chaos erupted back at the training grounds, they ran, heading east without looking back.The patrols had thinned, reduced to just two warriors posted at the edge due to the trial. It was the break Jo needed.She nodded at Lucy. Time to set the plan into motion.Lucy approached the two warriors guarding the post, feigning confusion."What do you want?" one of them grunted."Um... I'm a bit lost," Lucy said, trying to sound innocent."Lost?" They snickered."You went to our school, didn’t you? Always getting top scores — even in forest hunts," one of them said. Lucy blinked, recognizing them now. Mason, with the brown hair, and Taz, taller, with ma
Watching her werewolf mate snap the demon’s neck with ease did nothing to her. How could it?The dead look in his golden eyes when he had rejected her — without a flicker of hesitation — was burned into her memory. She refused to be swooned again by his kind voice, his magnetic pull. Werewolves were all the same in the end. Most craved power above all else, worshipping rank, bound by primal instincts.Still... Jo shivered slightly at the riddle left behind by the dying Aamon demon. It might have sounded cryptic to others — but to her, it was clear as day. The darkness... the seek...She forced herself not to think about it.As Dante stood, wiping blood from his hands, he turned — facing her once more. Those golden eyes locked onto hers, steady and piercing.Jo swallowed hard, her body betraying her. Those eyes... At first they lured you in, bathed you in warmth — the silver swirls whispering promises of safety. But the moment you dared to trust them, you realized their true
Jo walked through the eastern corridor, the conversation with Alpha Don still echoing in her mind. His words, his offer—the mention of Malrik.As Jo rounded the corner near the older omegas’ wing, her steps slowed.Low voices filtered through the open archway ahead—maids, maybe three or four of them, their arms full of linens, speaking in hushed but eager tones. They didn’t see her.“…I don’t care if she’s his fated mate,” one of them hissed. “She still acted like the other woman.”Jo froze.“I know!” another whispered. “Kissing the Alpha King like that, right after the courtyard was still burning? Alpha Don was barely breathing! And she’s off playing tragic romance under the moonlight?”“Shhh,” a third warned, but her tone was laced with delight. “Someone might hear.”“Well, someone should say it,” the first one snapped. “Queen Olivia wouldn’t be caught dead behaving like that. She had grace. Power. She didn’t throw herself at him like a siren temptress.”Jo’s spine stiffened.“She i
The Royal Healers had finally returned from the Ice Pack.Jo felt their presence before she saw them—calm, collected energy seeping through the palace like mist.But Jo couldn’t settle. Her dream still clung to her like sea spray. That light. That voice.She wandered outside, breathing in the cooler air, and found herself near the training barracks again.“Jo,” a voice called.She turned to find Alpha Don, the Wind Warrior leader, standing a few paces away, his cloak fluttering slightly though there was no breeze. Tall, graceful, and still with the scar on his face.“Alpha Don,” she greeted politely.He nodded. “You don’t look like your fiery self today.”“I’ve had trouble sleeping,” Jo admitted.His eyes lingered on her, searching. “There’s something strange about you,” he said suddenly. “Like the air shifts when you’re near.”Jo raised an eyebrow. “Get in line, you are definitely not the first one to call me strange”He blinked, as if startled by his own honesty. “I... didn’t mean i
The Royal Healers had finally returned from the Ice Pack.Jo felt their presence before she saw them—calm, collected energy seeping through the palace like mist.But Jo couldn’t settle. Her dream still clung to her like sea spray. That light. That voice.She wandered outside, breathing in the cooler air, and found herself near the training barracks again.“Jo,” a voice called.She turned to find Alpha Don, the Wind Warrior leader, standing a few paces away, his cloak fluttering slightly though there was no breeze. Tall, graceful, and still with the scar on his face.“Alpha Don,” she greeted politely.He nodded. “You don’t look like your fiery self today.”“I’ve had trouble sleeping,” Jo admitted.His eyes lingered on her, searching. “There’s something strange about you,” he said suddenly. “Like the air shifts when you’re near.”Jo raised an eyebrow. “Get in line, you are definitely not the first one to call me strange”He blinked, as if startled by his own honesty. “I... didn’t mean i
The dream returned.Same shore. Same call. Her feet drifted forward without thinking, the cool sand pressing between her toes as that sound—faint and familiar—drew her in. It was gentle, almost like a lullaby, but there was something sad buried in it. Like someone was calling her... and missing her at the same time.The waves rolled slowly and steady, their rhythm syncing with the tight, quiet thud of her heart.And then—suddenly—the light broke through.It wasn’t warm or cold. It was blinding. A pure white form emerged from the waves, and as Jo blinked against the glow, a figure began to shape.Someone familiar. Someone long gone.But before she could name them—before she could scream or fall to her knees—the dream shattered, pulling her back into darkness.Jo woke with a soft gasp, her body tangled in sheets, her heart racing like a war drum. The dream lingered like salt on her lips as if she really was just at the ocean, blinded by the light.What were these dreams? And why did th
Jo exhaled slowly, her voice a low murmur.“I don’t know why it failed.”Evie blinked. “You mean… it wasn’t Victor?”Jo’s eyes flicked to the firelight, shadows dancing over her scarred cheek. “I gave it everything I had. My intentions were real—raw, even. I didn’t walk into that chamber planning to lie, and I wasn’t afraid of the truth. That Goblet should’ve accepted us.”Sarah studied her carefully. “But it didn’t.”“No,” Jo said softly. “It didn’t.”The former Queen tilted her head. “So… you think it was him?”“I don’t know.” Jo leaned forward, bracing her elbows on her knees. “That’s the part that haunts me. Maybe it was Victor. Maybe it was me. Maybe it was both of us carrying too many secrets, too much shame. The Goblet doesn’t care about feelings—it cares about truth.”Sarah’s voice was quieter now. “Do you regret it?”Jo’s eyes sharpened. “No.”The room held its breath.“I don’t regret what I gave him. Or what I told him. I meant every word. Even the parts that scared me,” she
Jo had been wandering the hallways of the demon kingdom, lost in her thoughts, when she found herself outside Victor's room. She hadn’t planned on visiting him, but something drew her to the door. She hesitated, her hand hovering just above the handle. She could sense something was wrong. The air around the door felt thick with a strange energy, almost suffocating.She heard a low, pained whimper from inside. Her heart clenched.Victor? Without thinking, Jo pushed the door open and stepped inside.The room was shrouded in darkness, but it wasn’t just the absence of light. This darkness felt alive, pulsating, almost like it was breathing. And there, in the middle of it, was Victor, doubled over in pain, his hands clutching his head.“Victor!” Jo’s voice trembled with concern as she rushed to his side. She could see his body trembling, sweat glistening on his brow. He looked up at her, his eyes a mixture of pain and something else—fear.“Jo…stay back,” he managed to gasp out between brea
Jo sat stiffly on the edge of the opulent bed, her gaze fixed on Belial. The dim light filtering through the heavy curtains cast long shadows across the room.Belial's presence suddenly became commanding, his dark armor and intense gaze making the room feel even colder. There was only seriousness in the air now.He took a deliberate step closer to Jo, his voice dropping to a low, grim tone. "There is something you need to understand about the demon kings, Jolene. Victor killed Hades because his madness turned to the point of no return. Hades wanted Sea kingdom's most precious weapon, and Victor had a change of heart after meeting you. However, I am now worried about what this means for Victor.The madness is a truth that haunts every ruler who sits upon the throne of the underworld."Jo’s heart quickened, her thoughts racing as she tried to grasp the gravity of Belial’s words. "What are you talking about? What truth?"Belial’s eyes, sharp and unwavering, met hers. "The madness. Every d
Victor stared at Jo dangerously. If looks could kill, Jo would be six feet deep already. Before the siren could decently cover herself in front of the crowd that was now gathering, Victor snapped his fingers, and instantly the warrior next to her started grasping for air, his hands around his neck as if something invisible was choking him, robbing him of air. 'Victor, stop', the siren pleaded for the warrior who she knew was probably a victim of Pat's evil plan. 'Fuck this Jo', the demon king mumbled. 'You care about this warrior so much?'. Jo knew it was a wrong move because the warrior's body suddenly went still. She knew he was dead, so she dared not look at the body lying next to her. Tears were welling up in her eyes, this was not how she imagined her 18th birthday to have been celebrated. Damn it. She did not even want to have a celebration in the first place. 'Everyone who dares lay their eyes on my soon-to-be bride will have it ripped out of their socket. OUT!', Victor
Victor did not know when and how this has happened but Jo was the only one he could think of every single day. Before he even realised, he had fallen hard for the siren. Jo’s voice that sounded like melodies had drawn Victor to her, and he had fallen for her enchanting voice, her vibrant red hair, and the way her eyes held the depths of the ocean. But now, as Victor’s words echoed through the night, Jo’s world shattered. His confession hung heavy in the air, like a curse that could never be undone. He had killed his own father—the reigning demon king— Jo’s voice trembled as she whispered, “Why, Victor? Why would you do such a thing?” His eyes, once filled with tenderness, now bore the weight of guilt. “Because I love you, Jo. More than my own life. The former King Hades had ordered me to kill the entire royal family of the sea world on the day we were supposed to be married.” Jo’s heart clenched. 'Why would Hades want such thing and to wait till the wedding day? If he wanted to, he