(Raya’s POV)Orthros? Why is that name familiar?Wait, isn’t that…the two-headed lycan? I did meet him, very briefly, after the festival and he was courteous and kind, but I was not able to focus much during the conversation because of my pounding headache. He seems rather normal as a human and I had been too focused on Kaan during the festival to notice anyone else, really.I vaguely remember his human face. He looks to be just slightly older than Kaan. Slightly built, looks more like a dandy than a warrior, really, although Kaan told me Orthros is actually an important elite warrior under the King’s command. I tiptoe to see from behind Kaan’s shoulder and I see a tall, elegantly dressed man with dark brown hair and coffee-colored eyes. Kaan told me that as a child he was brought to King Wayan from a small island in Greece but I would have said he’s a perfect English gentleman from the way he dresses.Kaan and I stand up to greet him and he instinctively steps protectively in front
(Raya’s POV) When I next open my eyes, the first thing I see is the color green. That’s weird…I thought for sure heaven is blue with white clouds while hell is— Wait, did I really die!? The last thing I remember is the car spinning out of control and then a sharp thud…followed by… nothing. I blink several times as I try to feel my own body to make sure everything is in working order. I can definitely feel my fingers…so my hands seem ok. It takes me a few extra seconds to find my legs but I sigh with relief as soon as I am able to raise one knee, followed by the other. Nothing is painful, really but everything feels foreign, the sensations muted, as if in a dream. I turn my head to my left and I see more green. With a frown, I focus my eyes better to see that I am lying on a grassy field. I look up again and my blurry eyes take a little bit to adjust from the distance but the green things above appear to be…leaves of the branches of a tree I’m lying under. Where the heck am I!? S
The day before, at the office with Sir Orthros…(Kaan’s POV) “Sylvana is still MIA. I haven’t been able to contact her for days. What do you mean she told you to come to me? Where is she now?” Sir Orthros blinks. “I don’t know. She only came to me in a dream.” I rub my face with both my hands, trying to fight the dread spreading all over my spine. Did I send my cousin to her grave? I can’t ever forgive myself if I did. And I sure as hell will wreak havoc upon those who did her any harm. But let’s not get too hasty. Just because this man claims to have dreamed of her doesn’t mean she’s…damn it, I don’t even want to think about it! I clear my throat. “What exactly did you dream about, Sir Orthros?” The man frowns thoughtfully. “It was the festival. At first, I thought it was a memory, but my wolf Levi assured me that it is not. She intruded into my mind during the night and told me that you needed help. That your mate is no longer safe and you must take her away, far away. Where n
(Kaan’s POV)“My Cynric. How wonderful to see you again…”My wolf’s emotions were overwhelming and I had to reign him in because he was so happy to see his mother. As it was, I bowed low in sign of reverence and it seemed to delight her because she laughed, the sound like delicate silver bells that I would never forget as long as I lived.“Lakàn, dear child. You have finally found what you were looking for, I see. I am glad.”I dared to raise my eyes again. “Moon Goddess…never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that you would be visiting us…” She smiled. “As it should be. It is only during these rare eclipses that I can visit the earth and I am only visible to those of the line of kings and their mates. These meetings are kept secret because I need to remain incognito and maintain some kind of mystery for things will become uninteresting without the desire for the unknown, which makes it a precious thing. Also, having something that only you know about is always preferable, don’t you
(Raya’s POV) “Aw, come on, that’s hardly an answer!” I become distracted by a sudden gust of wind blowing and I look around to see that the sun is now being smothered by some clouds. I look back at the Moon Goddess and she doesn’t seem to be bothered by the changes so I figured, maybe it’s normal. She takes another sip from her cup and puts it down before turning to the wolf. They seem to have a silent conversation—or maybe she’s just thinking really hard while staring at the wolf—and then she stands up and looks up to the sky, staring pensively at the clouds. “Is this real…or is this all in my head?” “A little bit of both, I suppose,” she answers quietly. “Who can tell, really? But here’s a question for you, chosen one…” she murmurs. “What would you do with a broken wolf?” “I’m sorry?” Is that a trick question? Or is it a genuinely curious question? Perhaps a bit of both. I feel my heart beating fast, the thought of having my own wolf suddenly seems daunting but also very excit
(Raya’s POV) “Sylvana!” I have finally been released from the hospital after a week and I have just returned home to Kaan and I’s apartment to find Sylvana is sitting on the couch, looking tired but relieved. She gives me a weak smile. “I was told I have you to thank for finally being fished out of that horrid, rat-infested place.” She shudders at the memory. “Oh, dearest, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” I sit beside her, holding her hand. “I am now, thanks. But I never want to go through that again.” She leans back and closes her eyes. Kaan closes the door behind him and places my bag from the hospital on the breakfast table. “Don’t worry, cousin, I promise you, it won’t happen again. The tribunal is set in three days time. I already told them that I intend to make sure they will pay for what they have done to you.” Sylvana grimaces. “I don’t know, little prince. I have been found trespassing and by law they had the right to…but I—” She rubs her face with both hands in frustration
(Raya’s POV)We both turn to look and hope blooms inside me when I see the dark wolf standing several feet away. “Well, sister. I am here because of your request. I can see why you think this human is worthy but…can you let go of him, after an eternity of haunting each other?” Another wolf appears, a few yards away from Lethe. This one is gray and has yellow eyes. It must be Sir Orthros’s other wolf Levi.The black wolf and the gray one stare at each other for a long while. “Lethe…” The gray wolf murmurs, his voice almost pleading. “Levi, you have to let me go now…” “Tell me why I should, when you have not forgiven me yet for what I have done?” The black wolf shakes its massive head. “You are mistaken. I have forgiven you long ago.” “Why did you stay, then?” Lethe makes some kind of sneezing sound. “If you can’t tell, then I can’t help you.” “If it’s what I think it is, why are you leaving me now?” “Because…it could never be and now it’s time to move on.” “You’re choosing t
(Raya’s POV) “Star light, star bright, First star I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might Have my wish come true tonight.” I’m standing on the terrace of our new home. The King and Queen have graciously gifted us with a new villa of our own as a wedding gift and it’s so beautiful! I love everything about the place. The villa is straight out of a fairy tale and there’s a garden filled with all my favorite flowers and even exotic ones I don’t recognize but already love. It has a surrounding woodland where we can let our lycan forms run free and its own little farm where we can cultivate our own vegetables or raise whatever animal we want. The air is fresh and it is peaceful, the ambience stress-free. But the best thing I love about it is that because we are quite far away from the city lights, the stars are so much more visible and brighter out here. I close my eyes as I make another wish. Kaan embraces me from behind and I smile as I lean back and he kisses me on the cheek.