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
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 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
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
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
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
PrologueIt was one of those dull, cloudy mornings in Dark Slayer Pack — not quite raining, but the kind of grey that made everything feel a bit heavier. Jolene sat on her bed, legs tucked under a blanket, flipping through the final pages of her well-worn vampire novel. Her heart raced with anticipation; she was getting close to the climax.Forbidden books always hit harder. Especially vampire ones, completely banned in the werewolf realm. That only made her obsession with them more delicious.“Jo!” someone shouted from outside her room.“Damn it,” she muttered under her breath. She quickly dog-eared her page and slid the book under her pillow just as the door burst open.“Our Alpha’s expecting important guests soon,” said Polly, practically bouncing with excitement. “We have to start the preparations!”Polly, her black hair swishing as she moved, clapped her hands like a child on sugar. She was Jolene’s roommate — and perpetually high on life.“Oh! And the warriors are returning today
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