Damien
I refused to declare my beloved aunt dead. This was surely a nasty joke of the universe. A cruel prank from the moon goddess. I released a bitter laugh because nothing made sense.
I shook her body, begging her to come alive, but she remained still, peaceful,as if to mock the agony in my heart. As if she was playing a prank on me from beyond.
My trembling fingers shut her vacant eyes, shielding her from the harshness of the room's light and my arms cradled her delicate body.
It was too much for me to bear. Rocking her back and forth, I hoped that somehow, moving her would jolt her back to life.
My aunt was gone and her death was my fault.
Hera never fell sick. She was a healthy and robust woman, who went about her activities peacefully. She never liked to burden others with her problems; instead, she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders.
I couldn't bear to lose her. She was my only remaining family after the loss of my parents. She had been a powerhouse of strength and activity, so her sudden death was a shocker, my heart banging harshly.
"Hera! What are you doing?" I let out a strangled sob. "Why are you doing this to me?"
My hands gripped hers tightly as if by sheer force of will, I could bring her back to life.Paralyzed by hopelessness and guilt, my entire body felt icy and numb. Regret washed over me, and I blamed myself for her death.
I should have visited her more, called to check on her well-being, and been there for her before illness tightened its grip.
But the deepest regret stemmed from a crucial mistake—I shouldn't have let her bite my omega mate. That decision took her life.
Katana stood in the background, trembling, her mouth opening like a fish as she took in the sight of Hera's still form. I wanted to yell at her, to blame her for Hera's death, but I couldn't bring myself to do that.
My hands trembled as I carefully disconnected the wires from her body and lifted her as if she were a baby. It was a cruel irony that I had Katana in my arms, barely alive, into this room just minutes ago, and now I was carrying Hera, lifeless, out of it.
Katana blinked rapidly, rooted to the spot. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she rubbed the back of her neck.
My feet thundered on the staircase rapidly as I ran down the stairs, my heart pounding with grief, where Xena waited at the bottom.
"Damien, what's going on?" Her voice trembled. "What's wrong with Hera?"
"She... she's not breathing. I don't understand. I need to take her to the hospital," my voice came off in fragments.
Xena shrieked, her eyes bulging like two boiled eggs, horror written all over her face. Hera's maid screamed, and Katana's mother's hands flew to her mouth while her daughter rushed into her arms.
"I need to be sure," my voice choked with unshed tears. "I'm taking her to the hospital."
"Oh no," Xena cried. "This is a nightmare."
Hera's maid threw herself to the ground, her sobs wracking her body. My throat tasted like bile as I rushed outside, cradling Hera.
Katana held her mother tightly, the two of them clinging to each other like shipwreck survivors on a deserted island, trying to hide from the fear that surrounded them.
"Get in the car," I snapped at them. Her mother looked so guilty like they were responsible for Hera's death.
My hands were in a tight grip on the steering wheel as I drove at breakneck speed, my foot pushing the accelerator to the floor. The wind whipped past the car, and I felt the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins.
Beside me, Xena sat wiping away her tears and the sound of her soft sobs filled the car.
Katana and her mother sat huddled together in the back, not daring to move. I kept my eyes fixed on the road, my grip tight on the steering wheel.
Xena's voice echoed through the mind link, "Do you think that the effect of the bite killed her? Oh gosh, Damien. This is all my fault."
"I don't know what to think. I feel like a demon right now. She was sick before we got there, so I guess the bite weakened her immune system."
"Shit," Xena whispered.
We arrived at the hospital, and I quickly turned off the engine. Nurses dressed in crisp white uniforms rushed out, pushing a stretcher toward us. I lifted Hera's lifeless body out of the car, and the stretcher wheels clattered against the pavement.
"This is urgent," I yelled at the doctor on duty. "Please, do everything possible to bring her back."
The doctor's face was grave, and deep down, I knew that nothing could be done to bring Hera back to life. But I still waited outside the room, my heart beating fast with hope.
"I'm sorry," the doctor shook his head. "We're pronouncing her dead on arrival."
Xena rushed to hug me, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry, Damien," she cried. "I'm so sorry."
Blinking back tears, I moved away from Xena, walking back and forth in the hallway like a lunatic. My heart felt like a fragile glass figurine that had been shattered into a million pieces, and the weight of my loss was crushing me into the ground.
Katana and her mother stood behind me, their faces filled with fear. Katana's mother's grip on her daughter's arm was so tight it looked like she was holding on for dear life.
Leo and Grey, my Beta and Gamma, rushed into the hospital, their faces pale with shock.
Leo gave Katana a dirty look, the sarcasm in his voice cutting deep. "I'm sure the Omega's disease killed that kind woman," his tone came off cold and unfeeling. "I told you, Damien, that this girl would cause trouble for you. Now see what she's done."
Xena snapped at Leo, her voice sharp and filled with resentment. "Stop it, Leo. Hera has been sick; don't traumatize the poor girl."
Katana's mum was sweating and shuddering with her eyes wide, darting around. Her body shook like someone suffering from an electric shock, while Katana stood beside her, her eyes flicking back and forth between me and Leo. I could almost taste the fear radiating from both females.
"Let me take you home," I muttered dryly to Katana's mum an hour later. The drive was quiet, with only the hum of the tires on the road breaking the silence.
"Alpha Damien, I'm so sorry," Katana's mum sobbed, sounding so broken. "I didn't know that this would have consequences. I feel like a murderer."
Katana perched next to her mum, her lips sealed tight. Whether it was the distant look in her eyes or the silence she maintained, I couldn't pinpoint it, but anger swelled within me. Her nonchalant attitude left me irritated to death.
"It's not your fault," I grumbled to her mum, using a carefully controlled tone and taking a slow, steady breath to calm myself. "There was nothing anyone could have done to prevent this."
The wheels of my car kicked up a cloud of dust behind me. The guards at the border, dressed in their uniforms, bowed their heads respectfully as I passed by.
With a quiet rumble, I killed the engine of my car. Katana and her mother emerged from the back seat. I frowned at Katana, unable to shake the feeling that I had made a mistake. I now had to carry the guilt of someone else's death on my shoulders, a weight that would never go away, all because of her.
Alexis "Shit. That was close. He rasped out, his eyes glowing like a wildcat's and bulging with fear. "These bastards are mean and are out for us." "What are we going to do?" I said to Craig with my voice trembling. Craig grimaced, glancing outside the window, and swallowed hard, trying desperately to form coherent words. "I have no idea. But we have to stay here for now and run for our lives when this blows over. It's only a matter of time before they find us." "Fuck," Zarek winced while I paced frantically. Zarek broke the silence. "Are these buildings connected? They could destroy innocent lives while searching for us." "We need help," I said with every fiber in my body trembling nonstop. "We cannot do this on our own. They have outnumbered us." Craig turned to face me, his face congested with fear "Alexis, you have to stay here for now. I don't want you to get hurt." "Stay here?" I gasped, my eyes doubling in size. "Are you kidding me? I can't and I won't leave your si
Alexis My heart was racing so fast. I heard Craig and Zarek coming up, and I composed myself, watching them enter the room, laughing. Craig came to my side and knelt in front of me, kissing my stomach, and Zarek looked away. "How do you feel now? Better?" Craig said, concerned. I shook my head in a no, and Craig frowned. "Do you want me to get you something?" I got on my feet. "Craig, I called my dad," I blurted. "He thinks we are not safe, and is on his way to get me." Craig cursed under his breath. "We need to leave," he said firmly. "I don't trust your dad." "Come on, Craig. My dad may be an enemy to you, but he's my father. He's going to help us." Just as I made that statement, we heard a commotion downstairs, as if a riot was taking place. My heart skipped so fast. "Did you hear that?" I whispered to Craig. My breathing became raspy, and my lips trembled with fear. "I think they are here," Craig trembled and grabbed the bag where the staff was. Zarek rushed to the windo
Alexis Dora had warned us to be very careful and lay low because Dimitri had informants everywhere. It was even dangerous for us to call her, as Dimitri could trace the call and hurt her. Craig couldn't sleep and kept thinking the worst. Zarek joined us the next day and my thoughts were filled with self-loathing and the nagging urge to ask for my dad's help tugged in my heartstrings. But it was very unlikely that my dad, a werewolf, would help Craig and the vampire king. The possibility was almost impossible. He was never going to hand that staff to me. I could sense the frustration in Craig's eyes. He was like a locked-up bull, searching for a means of escape. He had stopped smiling, answering questions with minimal responses, and kept sighing constantly. He seemed to prefer talking to Zarek more than me, and that infuriated me because he made me feel like I had betrayed him in some way. And he poured out his frustration when I asked Dora how Oliver was doing. "I've warned
Alexis Craig's lips kissed my throat up before capturing my lips, and our breaths fused into our mouths. I was in divine ecstasy, and my wolf almost threatened to come out of my body. Our kiss was raw, rough, sloppy, and filled with weeks of longing and a mountain of passion. He went hard, soft, then hard again, and I had no desire to back out. Burying my hands into his thick hair, I let him scoop me up, nibbling his lips. Our kisses were messy because of my tears and the world disappeared around me. I pulled away, staring into his eyes with so much love. "I can't believe I'm seeing you. I hope someone doesn't wake me up if this is a dream." "It's me," he said. His voice thickened with emotion. "I'm here in flesh and blood." A comfortable silence settled between us and we exchanged glances, smiling. His gaze was mad with lust and molten desire, and a raging beast of need was in his eyes. "I dreamt of this day for weeks,"he whispered, kissing my neck and making my knees loosen.
Alexis One week later My heart pounded like a frightened bird, racing to escape, as I ran through the night. The darkness was consuming, making the hairs on my nape raise with raw fear, but I moved swiftly along, ignoring my rising panic. Oliver confessed to Dora and agreed to help us. I was heading to a vampire coven, so I couldn't shift into my wolf. Several nasty thoughts kept flying in, causing me to get frightened beyond measure, but I put a fire under my feet, attempting to lighten my mood with the hope of seeing Craig tonight. "I'll see Craig tonight," I chanted like a mantra. I hastened because it was almost midnight. The hotel Oliver recommended didn't seem to be popular. I stopped to take a breath when I began seeing spots in my vision and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to regain control. A stray cat darted behind me, sending chills down my spine. I sighed in relief when I burst out onto a surprisingly busy street with half-naked girls and men who couldn't walk
Alexis I edged closer to Dora until our eyes met. Dora held her head high and a broad smile graced her lips.My curiosity heightened, wondering what she wanted from me, considering that we had only met once. There was only one way to find out, but something in me suspected Craig sent her, but why would he when we’d gotten back together? "Hi," I formed a cheeky smile, hugging her. "What a surprise to see you here." "Hello, Alexis, right? I can never forget your name, considering how my boy never stops gushing about you," she said and hugged me back. When she pulled away, she stared at me with kind, observant eyes. The clouds darkened and it began to drizzle."You might want to come into the hall," I said to her. We found a secluded corner in the empty hall and sat opposite each other. Silence settled on us like mist, filling the air. I waited for her to speak but she didn't, making me uncomfortable. "Does Craig know you are here?" I managed to say. She let out a soft chuckle
Alexis Confusion was an understatement for how I felt right now. My spirit was in chaos. I couldn't believe that Craig had asked me for my forgiveness and wanted me back, even though I ended up whacking his face, which I had the right to, after all, he'd put me through. Something was off, no doubt. Yet, I couldn't deny that I still loved him. Our brief relationship brought me back to life in ways I'd never imagined. I lay on Tara's bunk, staring off into mid-distance at the star design on her ceiling, lost in thought. I didn't want to be involved in a game of back and forth where I would be easily swayed by Craig's seduction. I wasn't that stupid. Tara didn't see a big deal in Craig wanting to come back to me. "It was bound to happen," she chuckled, scooping the last of her vanilla ice cream."I know you don't see it that way, but I knew his relationship with Beverly was not going to last." "I'm not buying that bullshit," I sighed. "I know something triggered him to ask for my f
Craig Days and nights passed, and I was still trapped in Bloodline Manor like a helpless butterfly, but I had completely healed and grown stronger. My desperation grew by the second. I wondered what was going on in the outside world. Dimitri hadn't come to threaten me in days. For sure, he was surely up to something sinister. My only companion was a damn diary where I scribbled all my plans to escape, waiting for the perfect time to hatch my plan. I was staring at a cow giving birth. The mother lay exhausted on the ground after pushing her calves far enough out. She was too weak to stand and the smell of its dung and blood was strong enough to kill, but the cows were the only distractions I had because I was so close to going insane. I loved video games and being with my phone. Not having that luxury was killing me. My ears perched when someone knocked on my door. "It's open," I said flatly. Anna, who was the only innocent person in this manor because she had no idea I was s
Oliver I winced, rubbing my stinging cheek. The force of Alexis's slap remained. I deserved it for being so stupid to think she'd jump on me like a lovestruck puppy after I asked for her forgiveness or be easily manipulated without questioning me. Rooted on the spot, I watched her walk away, cursing under my breath. The girl was petite but bold and hostile. Thanks to that bastard, Dimitri, I'd received an unwarranted slap. My shoulders sagged like a deflated balloon. Dimitri forced me to gather information from Craig's friends, including his girlfriend, about the staff of authority. I had two days to come up with something, and the consequences of not getting sufficient information would be brutal. But how could I ask them a string of questions without them becoming suspicious? Craig's friends, especially Zarek, were discerning and were beginning to sniff my fakery. It was a miracle that I hadn't gotten caught at this point. "Oliver, you're a man. I didn't raise you a coward!"