Calista “I…I'm sorry, Your Highness, forgive me,” I pleaded as my knees dropped to the ground. My hand shook uncontrollably. “It's the first time I've heard a maid talk. Didn't Ysara warn against that?” he asked. My mind exploded. Of course, she had said we mustn't speak to the Alphas.I tried to shut my mouth as tears began to run down my cheeks. Then, he started laughing. My heart pounded even louder. Why was he laughing? This man had truly lost his mind. He stepped closer. Each footfall pounded like a death drum in my chest. “You need not be scared. If I were my brother, then you truly would be in trouble,” he said, his voice calm, almost teasing as he reached to pull me to my feet.His touch sent a jolt of electricity throughout my body. Brother? That explained the softer tone. Oh, thank you, Freya. This was Asher. I raised my gaze, and our eyes met. He was the replica of Azazel. I almost lost my breath, his eyes were a dark emerald green, pulling me in like an endless voi
Calista The rage in his eyes almost killed me. I didn't know if I should remain still or stand while the whole crowd was watching. “Would you get on your feet and clear this mess!” Madame Ysara yelled at me. I turned to her, the death stare she was giving me made my stomach twist. She was looking at my neck, and I knew what that meant. The scarf on my neck must have fallen, leaving my scar open. Her words recoiled in my mind, “If I ever see that scar, I'll give you another!” I struggled to move, but I couldn't. I had no ounce of energy left in me. I also tried to apologize, but I couldn't form the words. My eyes fell back on him, his gaze moved to my neck. Though he looked angry, I could tell something was off. “Somebody get her out of here!” Madame Ysara yelled at the guards. Then, he cracked a smile out of nowhere. “Enough, Ysara!” his voice came in cold but calm. A sense of ease rushed through me. I hadn't noticed earlier, but now the slight softness of his voice made me r
Calista “Wait, how did you…” I started before he cut me off almost immediately.“You talk in your sleep,” he responded before pulling away. Then his eyes moved to my neck. “That claw mark on your neck—was that my brother?”I froze. Why would he think that? I haven't seen Azazel since the night we got our assignments. “I know my brother has his habits, I just want to be sure you're safe,” he continued.Habits? “No, your highness. I had it before I got here.” I responded subtly.“Well, that's good,” he said before releasing a breath of relief. “You had a slight fever, but it broke over the night.” He continued as he walked towards the door. “You should eat more and drink enough water,” he said finally before shutting the door behind him. Nyx’s words tugged at me again. She couldn't hold on for long! I have to find a way to leave Warhaven. The door opened slightly, and Ophelia walked in. Her brows were furrowed, and she didn't have her usual smile. “Ophelia…” I called out as s
CalistaI had never truly felt loved, not even by the mother who helped raise me after I was found by the Luna of our pack. But I had him. Armin, the Alpha’s son. My soon-to-be mate.“Calista!” my mother's voice pulled me back from my thoughts. She sounded impatient—but I knew who it was, it had to be him. I was already dressed. I left the clothes I was folding in a heap and ran downstairs.“Hi, gorgeous,” Armin grinned the moment he saw me. I ran into his arms. He lifted me easily, twirling me around like he always did, and kissed my cheek.“I’ve missed you,” he whispered, his lips brushed against my ear. I giggled. That was Armin—always sweet. Always mine. “You saw me yesterday,” I teased, my cheeks already burning. “Lovebirds,” my mother muttered, snapping me back to reality. Armin had always visited, and she was fond of him. But she never failed to caution me about getting too attached.“Remember his wolf has to choose you,” she would say, always out of nowhere. “Mum, please ca
CalistaI could feel my breath stuck in my throat as I collapsed to the floor.Screams filled the air. “Calista, breathe…” came a voice as they shook me. “Help her! Somebody help!” Then everything went black. I felt the warmth of a towel easing the fever I had. “Calista, can you hear me?” a familiar voice called as they cooled my face with a wet cloth. My eyes flickered open, and I wished they hadn’t. My heart thudded, heavy and loud in my ears. The world felt different—emptier. Luna Lola sat next to me. “Where's Armin?” I asked slowly as tears began running down my cheeks again. “Calm down dear, he hasn't returned home since last night.” “Last night? Why?” I sobbed, the pain clawing up my throat. “Why didn't he choose me, why?” The ache in my heart grew heavier. Numbness filled my limbs as she pulled me into a tight cuddle.“Oh, you poor thing,” she said softly, her voice laced with pity. “Even though things don't go in our favor sometimes, we have to be sure that Freya kn
Calista By the time my eyes opened, it was already dark. I was still alive. He must have missed my jugular vein, but I couldn't say the same for my trachea.“Freya, please help me…” I mouthed blood gushing from my mouth, almost choking me. My voice was inaudible, but I knew she would hear me.“Please…,” I begged, sobbing as I looked up at the sky.I could see the blood already pooled around me black and almost dried. But I couldn't feel anything. The pain tugged again in my chest as my heartbeat slowed. I could feel my soul leaving my body. Was this it? Was this the end?I don't want to give up, I had to keep the promise I made to Armin. He had failed to kill me, so I must end him. I folded my fist as hatred knotted in my heart. If only I could shift into my wolf. I wasn't up to eighteen yet so I couldn't call her forth, but I had to try. “Please!” I begged, biting my tongue as hard as I could. I shut my eyes, trying to cling to life. “Freya, please!!!” I mouthed. The hatred
Calista The bucket dropped instantly to the ground. “Ma'am, you have to be careful,” her slightly weird voice came as she ran towards me."Ma'am?" That was new. Since when did Maria sound so formal?"You do not want to be caught tainting your body... or sneaking out of ze bed, like a naughty one, oui?” Her voice came again as she assisted me up from the ground and slowly led me to the bed. I grabbed the towel instantly and covered my exposed body. There was something off about the way she spoke. The Maria I knew spoke more fluently. I tried to call her name, but it came out as a whisper, “M-Ma…ria…”—barely more than a breath, my throat too raw to give it strength. "Do not strain yourself any further, your throat must 'urt very badly.” She said.Urt? What's that?And what about my throat? I had been so disoriented when I woke up I forgot my throat had been torn open just a few days back. I touched my neck instantly and there was a large scar on my neck. Three massive claw mar
Calista “Get in line!” a voice growled from the end of the hall, pointing toward the other girls in the room. Ariel, who had just finished dressing me, let go of me at the sight of her, “Good luck, 529S,” she whispered before she turned and walked away. That must be Madame Ysara, she had a commanding aura to her. I hurried inside and stood behind the last girl. We were all dressed the same and had tags bearing our numbers in front. The only difference was our hair. Mine was bright silver and most of them had black and brown hairs. “I will make this simple,” Madame Ysara started as she stood on a block, making her taller than everyone. “You do not speak unless spoken to. You do not dare to breathe without my consent. I hold your life in my hands, and you damn do as you're told,” she said, scanning the room. We all lowered our gaze. “Lastly,” she continued, her tone increased almost immediately. “You do not talk to the Alphas!” Now that last rule felt like it held more power.
Calista “Wait, how did you…” I started before he cut me off almost immediately.“You talk in your sleep,” he responded before pulling away. Then his eyes moved to my neck. “That claw mark on your neck—was that my brother?”I froze. Why would he think that? I haven't seen Azazel since the night we got our assignments. “I know my brother has his habits, I just want to be sure you're safe,” he continued.Habits? “No, your highness. I had it before I got here.” I responded subtly.“Well, that's good,” he said before releasing a breath of relief. “You had a slight fever, but it broke over the night.” He continued as he walked towards the door. “You should eat more and drink enough water,” he said finally before shutting the door behind him. Nyx’s words tugged at me again. She couldn't hold on for long! I have to find a way to leave Warhaven. The door opened slightly, and Ophelia walked in. Her brows were furrowed, and she didn't have her usual smile. “Ophelia…” I called out as s
Calista The rage in his eyes almost killed me. I didn't know if I should remain still or stand while the whole crowd was watching. “Would you get on your feet and clear this mess!” Madame Ysara yelled at me. I turned to her, the death stare she was giving me made my stomach twist. She was looking at my neck, and I knew what that meant. The scarf on my neck must have fallen, leaving my scar open. Her words recoiled in my mind, “If I ever see that scar, I'll give you another!” I struggled to move, but I couldn't. I had no ounce of energy left in me. I also tried to apologize, but I couldn't form the words. My eyes fell back on him, his gaze moved to my neck. Though he looked angry, I could tell something was off. “Somebody get her out of here!” Madame Ysara yelled at the guards. Then, he cracked a smile out of nowhere. “Enough, Ysara!” his voice came in cold but calm. A sense of ease rushed through me. I hadn't noticed earlier, but now the slight softness of his voice made me r
Calista “I…I'm sorry, Your Highness, forgive me,” I pleaded as my knees dropped to the ground. My hand shook uncontrollably. “It's the first time I've heard a maid talk. Didn't Ysara warn against that?” he asked. My mind exploded. Of course, she had said we mustn't speak to the Alphas.I tried to shut my mouth as tears began to run down my cheeks. Then, he started laughing. My heart pounded even louder. Why was he laughing? This man had truly lost his mind. He stepped closer. Each footfall pounded like a death drum in my chest. “You need not be scared. If I were my brother, then you truly would be in trouble,” he said, his voice calm, almost teasing as he reached to pull me to my feet.His touch sent a jolt of electricity throughout my body. Brother? That explained the softer tone. Oh, thank you, Freya. This was Asher. I raised my gaze, and our eyes met. He was the replica of Azazel. I almost lost my breath, his eyes were a dark emerald green, pulling me in like an endless voi
Calista I had been so lost in fear that I didn't hear the assignments of the other girls. The girl who stood next to me pulled me by the arm the moment Madame Ysara spoke again. “That's all you need to know. Now, do your jobs before I make you.” I turned to her, confused—I hadn’t heard a single word before that, and I think she knew that. “Come with me,” she muttered as she pulled me toward the east wing. “I didn't hear…” I hadn't finished what I was about to say before she cut me off.“I know, I've been looking at you this whole time,” she said as we walked down the large halls. “The other three girls have been assigned to Master Asher's Chamber in the west wing, you and I both work at the east wing.” Of course, why wouldn't I be unlucky?I looked at the number on her tag, 540S. This technically would mean I was at Slaver's Bay before her. “What's your name?” I asked curiously. “Ophelia,” she responded with a smile. Her smile lightened me—just a little.“I’m Calista,” I resp
Calista “Get in line!” a voice growled from the end of the hall, pointing toward the other girls in the room. Ariel, who had just finished dressing me, let go of me at the sight of her, “Good luck, 529S,” she whispered before she turned and walked away. That must be Madame Ysara, she had a commanding aura to her. I hurried inside and stood behind the last girl. We were all dressed the same and had tags bearing our numbers in front. The only difference was our hair. Mine was bright silver and most of them had black and brown hairs. “I will make this simple,” Madame Ysara started as she stood on a block, making her taller than everyone. “You do not speak unless spoken to. You do not dare to breathe without my consent. I hold your life in my hands, and you damn do as you're told,” she said, scanning the room. We all lowered our gaze. “Lastly,” she continued, her tone increased almost immediately. “You do not talk to the Alphas!” Now that last rule felt like it held more power.
Calista The bucket dropped instantly to the ground. “Ma'am, you have to be careful,” her slightly weird voice came as she ran towards me."Ma'am?" That was new. Since when did Maria sound so formal?"You do not want to be caught tainting your body... or sneaking out of ze bed, like a naughty one, oui?” Her voice came again as she assisted me up from the ground and slowly led me to the bed. I grabbed the towel instantly and covered my exposed body. There was something off about the way she spoke. The Maria I knew spoke more fluently. I tried to call her name, but it came out as a whisper, “M-Ma…ria…”—barely more than a breath, my throat too raw to give it strength. "Do not strain yourself any further, your throat must 'urt very badly.” She said.Urt? What's that?And what about my throat? I had been so disoriented when I woke up I forgot my throat had been torn open just a few days back. I touched my neck instantly and there was a large scar on my neck. Three massive claw mar
Calista By the time my eyes opened, it was already dark. I was still alive. He must have missed my jugular vein, but I couldn't say the same for my trachea.“Freya, please help me…” I mouthed blood gushing from my mouth, almost choking me. My voice was inaudible, but I knew she would hear me.“Please…,” I begged, sobbing as I looked up at the sky.I could see the blood already pooled around me black and almost dried. But I couldn't feel anything. The pain tugged again in my chest as my heartbeat slowed. I could feel my soul leaving my body. Was this it? Was this the end?I don't want to give up, I had to keep the promise I made to Armin. He had failed to kill me, so I must end him. I folded my fist as hatred knotted in my heart. If only I could shift into my wolf. I wasn't up to eighteen yet so I couldn't call her forth, but I had to try. “Please!” I begged, biting my tongue as hard as I could. I shut my eyes, trying to cling to life. “Freya, please!!!” I mouthed. The hatred
CalistaI could feel my breath stuck in my throat as I collapsed to the floor.Screams filled the air. “Calista, breathe…” came a voice as they shook me. “Help her! Somebody help!” Then everything went black. I felt the warmth of a towel easing the fever I had. “Calista, can you hear me?” a familiar voice called as they cooled my face with a wet cloth. My eyes flickered open, and I wished they hadn’t. My heart thudded, heavy and loud in my ears. The world felt different—emptier. Luna Lola sat next to me. “Where's Armin?” I asked slowly as tears began running down my cheeks again. “Calm down dear, he hasn't returned home since last night.” “Last night? Why?” I sobbed, the pain clawing up my throat. “Why didn't he choose me, why?” The ache in my heart grew heavier. Numbness filled my limbs as she pulled me into a tight cuddle.“Oh, you poor thing,” she said softly, her voice laced with pity. “Even though things don't go in our favor sometimes, we have to be sure that Freya kn
CalistaI had never truly felt loved, not even by the mother who helped raise me after I was found by the Luna of our pack. But I had him. Armin, the Alpha’s son. My soon-to-be mate.“Calista!” my mother's voice pulled me back from my thoughts. She sounded impatient—but I knew who it was, it had to be him. I was already dressed. I left the clothes I was folding in a heap and ran downstairs.“Hi, gorgeous,” Armin grinned the moment he saw me. I ran into his arms. He lifted me easily, twirling me around like he always did, and kissed my cheek.“I’ve missed you,” he whispered, his lips brushed against my ear. I giggled. That was Armin—always sweet. Always mine. “You saw me yesterday,” I teased, my cheeks already burning. “Lovebirds,” my mother muttered, snapping me back to reality. Armin had always visited, and she was fond of him. But she never failed to caution me about getting too attached.“Remember his wolf has to choose you,” she would say, always out of nowhere. “Mum, please ca