Luca blinked, clearly taken aback. “She did?” The surprise in his voice was unmistaken and sweet.I nodded. "Hmm-mm"“Well… I guess I should thank her for saving my ass,” he chuckled dryly, scratching the back of his head. “But, I still wanted to be the one to tell you. I owed you that.” he said looking all serious but I knew not to fall for that.I didn't respond. There was a quiet pause. Then, with some more boldness, he stepped closer.“You know,” he began with a sly smile, “For you to have waited for me, it showed you cared and had already forgiven me. Della did a good job of watering the garden for me to come planting." He said feeling funky.I raised a brow. “I was walking on my own. You asked me to wait for you and you just happened to catch up.”“Still counts,” he said with a grin.He walked beside me as we continued the little journey towards the habitable parts of the village.The sky was already getting dark with taints of soft purple and orange hues, colouring the entire s
I jolted and sat upright in bed... my heart was pounding like a war drum, my chest going up and down like tidal waves. The room was dark, save for the pale moonlight sneaking in through the wooden slits of the window. My skin was clammy, and eyes unwilling to close back to sleep again.I touched my face in panic. Hot? cold?A part hot and the other cold. Literally hot, like I had been physically exposed to raw fire and cold—like I had been dipped in ice or frozen.That dream—it felt too real. I panicked.The man… the seal… his eyes. I could still feel his stare lingering in the corners of my room like a stabbing dagger waiting to take me alive... a nonexistent shadow yet I couldn’t shake it off.I rose quietly and walked to the window, pushing it open and pulling the curtains aside just a little.A rush of wind came blowing in, taking up my hair in the air. I listened, the village was wrapped in silence, save for the occasional whisper of wind. It was quiet, asleep. Peaceful. But I
Who could the man in my dreams be? The Rogue Alpha? The nine elders? Why would he appear to me? Or they?The fire, the seal, the sword—everything seemed tangled. And it all led to the same root. The Aurora’s Seal. The one I had seen in the man’s hand, and now, the very sword Luca wielded too.I closed my eyes, rubbing my arms as the night wind brushed past my skin.A twig snapped behind me.I turned quickly, my body on edge—but I relaxed the moment I saw him.“Nathan?” I sighed, surprised.He walked up to me, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat, his eyes possibly wondering why I'm out here. Why was he out here?“You’re out here again tonight?” he asked, a quiet concern in his voice.I dropped my gaze, ashamed at how predictable this had become. “Yes… again.”He gave a short sigh and stepped closer. “You haven't been sleeping well for the past few days, Mira. You need rest.”“I know,” I said, more bitterly than I intended. “But I can't help it.”He watched me. "Why? What's t
Cara smiled—a knowing smile, one that didn't reach her eyes. “I didn’t have to find out, I know,” She smiled, but her face was still straight. “Luca keeps watch over the village most of the night." She said softly."Oh!" I pinched myself. "I did not know." I muttered. "I get it, that's why he is so pissed at me.""Yeah but also, you... I feel your energy’s been… mixed lately." She sighed."What do you mean?" I asked with furrowed brows."You're carrying pieces of someone else's emotions, Mira. Someone who shouldn't be that close to you.”I wore a frown, confused. “What are you talking about?”She edged closer, her eyes narrowed slightly as if she was trying to see beyond me. “You’re being pulled in too many directions, Mira. The seal... the dreams... Nathan… and now Luca. It’s unraveling something inside you. Can’t you feel it?”I gulped hard, lowering my gaze. “I don’t know what I feel.” I muttered. "I just know sometimes I feel restless and can't sleep at night or when I do, I ge
I wanted to scream the words in his face, wondering if that would make a difference.But I didn't!I bit my lower lip, trying to hold in the guilt that was creeping into my chest.“I trust you, Mira,” he continued. “Not just as a guardian of the seal but as… someone I thought I could be real with. But every time I see you with him, it’s like he's slowly taking my place and I don’t matter to you anymore.” His words pierced my heart like a sword, sharp and deep, tears pricked the corners of my eyes. “Luca, that’s not true. You mean something to me. I just… I’m confused. There’s so much happening, and—”“No.” He started walking backwards, hands raised slightly like he couldn’t take any more of my words. “I don’t want to be an option, Mira. I won’t stand in the shadows while you run back and forth between us.”A heavy pause settled.He turned his gaze toward the woods. “If you’re going to keep seeing him… then don’t come to me anymore.”My heart stilled.“Luca—”“I mean it,” he said, voi
“Ethan held her hands, then engulfed her in a warm hug. No anger. No blame. He just held her.Awwwwwn. I wish for a life as theirs. I couldn't hold back a giggle.‘“Let’s figure this out together.’ He whispered. She slowly broke free from his embrace and stared up at his face. Her eyes locked in his as if she was looking for answers there. ‘I don’t care how long it takes. Just don’t run away from me again.’ he said, his voice warm and soothing. He wrapped his arms around her and engulfed her in his arms again.”I blinked repeatedly, trying to keep my tears at bay and emotions in check.“From that day,” Della said softly, “They started again. And soon not as mates. Not only as Luna and Alpha. But as two people… who chose to try. And love bloomed the way... it always does—in quiet moments, in laughter, in the way they protected each other when no one else would.” She smiled at the memory.She allowed silence to sit with us for a while, then added, “They were far from perfect, but they w
“Is this true?” The Head of the council asked, leaning forward, his voice was livid and strict.Thane could only shake his head, his lips open but no words were coming forth, his eyes begging for mercy. “Thane, speak!” the head exclaimed, loosing his cool over Thane's childish character.Thane's fist clenched and his jaw tightened, his face reddening when the pressure became unbearable and worse of all—they didn't see him suffering. They didn't see what she was doing to him, to them. And those that knew, the guards… she had them all wrapped under her fingers like a thread. Now she was here making him look like a fool in front of all of the council members and the people! Couldn’t they tell? Had he ever behaved this way before?She was playing all of them like a pack of cards!All heads turned to the dark haired man. His fists clenched violently on the table.Inside, Thane burned with fury.He wanted to scream no! To tell them Alexa was twisting everything. But she had him trapped.
Thane sat quietly in his room—speaking was something he could no longer do anyways.He sat still, unable to believe that his own people could turn on him. The council members, his father. No one cared to look his way or believe him. None of them read the signs he was trying to pass, signaling them that all was not well.Marrying Alexa had become a very expensive mistake. Sadly, he was only beginning to realize this. She was turning his own people against him in order to ride on—undisputed with whatever agenda she had in mind.His amber eyes glowed faintly in the dark, his mouth magically sealed by Alexa, punishment for trying to defy her.He wasn't the same again, well... not after seeing her consume all those people's energies from their core and render them as good as lifeless.She could seal his lips and they could take away his powers and position but he wasn't completely powerless. He wasn’t going to sit here doing nothing. His wolf was awake.He glanced upwards towards the glass
“Mum…” I protested, gasping for air and freedom. She loosened her grip and apologized, planting a soft kiss on my forehead.I loved it—I loved hugs, I loved being in her arms—but something about today felt different.It felt like a goodbye.I was scared.She took me to my father. He came closer and stayed in front of us while she carried me in her arms. He looked at me with worried eyes.“My princess,” he said, as he fondly called me, pressing his forehead unto mine. “I love you.” he muttered.I smiled and held his face playfully, pulling his blonde hair. "Ouch!” He feigned a look and chuckled, but there was something about his laughter.It wasn’t excitement. It wasn't free, it wasn't wholesome. It was bitterness laced with something else.Something deeper.“What’s going on daddy? Mummy?” I asked, sensing the tension between the two of them. They exchanged glances—a look that said more than words could ever—then mother broke down in tears. She collapsed into father’s arms, sobbing
Luca returned, armor strapped, sword in hand. He went to Della’s side. “What now?”“I’m going to try to reinforce the barrier,” she said. “But we’ll need time. If she breaks through before I finish... there will be no hiding anymore. We will have to fight back! Protect Mira with all you have. She is our only hope for redemption.” She instructed.Luca gave a nod. He turned to me, “I told you before. Stay behind me.” I gave a sharp nod like my life depended on it.He held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.We have no idea what was going to come after now but this was war.Back at the center of the village, Cara rallied the others—warriors, magicians, even those who had long forgotten how to fight.They all knew: the end of hiding meant the beginning of war.I stood between Luca and Della, my heart out in my palms. A thousand thoughts swirled in my mind, but one thing was clear. My presence here had brought the threat to our doorstep. I couldn’t run anymore.“Della,” I said, my voice
His toned chest was likened to that of an athlete, the water trailing down his sculpted form. I imagined my hands brushing over his torso, my lips kissing off the wetness—desire.Suddenly, I seemed to forget how to breathe.Goodness, he’s beautiful! I gasped between breaths, biting my lower lip unconsciously.“Mira!” he snapped his fingers in her face, voice sharp and weighty.I blinked hard, caught red-handed in my daze. “Yes!” I replied quickly, my voice soft barely a whisper—too soft, like a submissive partner.He paused, his jaw tightened. He held a breath and closed his eyes, groaning inside, trying to bade away the thoughts, his well built flesh responding to me, hardening. His body responded to my eyes, too well—but now wasn’t the time.He left me, else he might just lose his mind and lose control. He ran to get himself cleaned and got dressed.He turned, running a hand through his wet hair, trying to banish the rising heat. He needed control. He needed to banish the thoughts
Alexa narrowed her eyes, lips pressing into a thin line. This chase was growing tedious. She refused to let it spiral into a game of chance, going round in circles because of a powerless girl. It was time to shift tactics.She raised both of her hands. Dark, shadowy energy began to swirl between her fingers like a round ball, forming a massive orb of glowing violet flames, black and unstable, thrumming with menace. She whispered incantations, low and incomprehensive. They escaped her lips, ancient and intelligible, not meant for mortal ears.The orb hurled with sharp thrust towards the forest.It streaked violently across the sky, leaving behind a glowing trail of destruction, it came down quickly and tore through the trees as it homed in on its target—guided by magic, rage, and a name etched into it's very soul:Mira.As the violent trail of energy scorched through the forest, carving a burning path through it. Trees bent and splintered in its fury, animals fled, and even the wind s
“Let me see your wounds,” I said, reaching for the towel on a flab beside the tub and a small jar of healing herbal ointment I found there as well, he must've kept them there to use them on himself. He lifted his arm first—scratches, a gash on his side, purple bruises forming along his ribs and collarbone. I bit the inside of my cheek as I gently dabbed at the injuries, cleaning them with care.Then his back.“You know,” I said quietly, focusing on the gash near his shoulder blade, “you didn’t have to fight him because of me. I was already going to stop talking to him. Besides…we are just friends. I bet he fought you to spur you.” I didn't know when I chuckled to myself.A spark of frustration flickered in his tired blue eyes as he turned his head to look at me.“You don’t see what I see, Mira,” he said in a hush whisper. “He was slowly winning your heart. I couldn’t just wait around and watch that happen.”I sighed, pausing for a second before resuming with the ointment. “No. But y
She said the words I so much dreaded, and my heart stopped."Luca and Nathan are fighting over you!” She blurted out.“What?” I half yelled in surprise. “Why?” I asked.She shrugged, “I don’t know—I bet over who should be your mate!” She replied.“Oh my god!” I exclaimed, feeling so ashamed on their behalf. I lunged myself into any outfit I saw. “Where?” I asked, ready to go.“By the clearing, hurry!” she yelled, snapping her fingers at me and I jumped into a coat and a boot and headed out with her dragging me along.“Calm down, Cara.” I begged but she heard none of it.We pushed through a crowd of ready watchers and my eyes dilated when I saw them, my jaw dropped and I could only use my hands to cover them.“Stoppppp!” I yelled. My voice thundering across the clearing like a wounded kitten. Snow flurried around me, my eyes glowing with disappointment and shame.The air crackled, they both turned to me. Neither of them moved for a moment. Then—slowly, their hands dropped away from e
I looked away and exhaled softly, "Doesn't matter what I want, I just want peace. I don't want any trouble.” I spoke, putting myself in an innocent position. I was indeed innocent, I didn’t have to be dragged into their boyish fight.“Okay.” he nodded slowly and turned to go.I stood still, winter chills brushing over my skin, my chest began to tighten with unspoken words. “Nathan…” warm air escaped my lips.I could tell he was hurt, by me? Or Luca’s new orders.I was the only person he was close to since being brought here and even I was pushing him away now.He didn’t look back. He just walked into the midst of the field and kept going, his shoulders a little hunched, like he was carrying a heavy load .Where was he going?I had no ideaBut the way he moved—the way he didn’t even glance back at me—told me he wasn’t okay. He was deeply hurt.Probably he would confront Luca.Or maybe… something else was stirring inside him.*NARRATOR The sky burned orange against a steel-gray horiz
Thane sat quietly in his room—speaking was something he could no longer do anyways.He sat still, unable to believe that his own people could turn on him. The council members, his father. No one cared to look his way or believe him. None of them read the signs he was trying to pass, signaling them that all was not well.Marrying Alexa had become a very expensive mistake. Sadly, he was only beginning to realize this. She was turning his own people against him in order to ride on—undisputed with whatever agenda she had in mind.His amber eyes glowed faintly in the dark, his mouth magically sealed by Alexa, punishment for trying to defy her.He wasn't the same again, well... not after seeing her consume all those people's energies from their core and render them as good as lifeless.She could seal his lips and they could take away his powers and position but he wasn't completely powerless. He wasn’t going to sit here doing nothing. His wolf was awake.He glanced upwards towards the glass
“Is this true?” The Head of the council asked, leaning forward, his voice was livid and strict.Thane could only shake his head, his lips open but no words were coming forth, his eyes begging for mercy. “Thane, speak!” the head exclaimed, loosing his cool over Thane's childish character.Thane's fist clenched and his jaw tightened, his face reddening when the pressure became unbearable and worse of all—they didn't see him suffering. They didn't see what she was doing to him, to them. And those that knew, the guards… she had them all wrapped under her fingers like a thread. Now she was here making him look like a fool in front of all of the council members and the people! Couldn’t they tell? Had he ever behaved this way before?She was playing all of them like a pack of cards!All heads turned to the dark haired man. His fists clenched violently on the table.Inside, Thane burned with fury.He wanted to scream no! To tell them Alexa was twisting everything. But she had him trapped.