Leo paced restlessly in his room, his thoughts consumed by Anna's sudden disappearance. He had searched every corner of the palace, desperate to find her, but she seemed to have vanished without a trace. Unable to ask others for help, as he didn't even know her name, Leo felt the weight of his helplessness bearing down on him.He decided to search for her again. After what felt like an eternity of fruitless searching, Leo's spirit began to waver. He considered giving up, resigning himself to the idea that he might never see her again. But just as he was about to abandon hope, a flicker of movement caught his eye. Leo's heart leaped in his chest as he rushed toward her, stopping her in her tracks. "Stop there!" he exclaimed, "I've been searching for you everywhere."*******My eyes widened in surprise as Leo stopped me. "You were looking for me?" I asked, my voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty.He nodded, a sheepish expression on his face. "Yes, I... I want to apo
When I was done cooking, the aroma of the midnight snack filled the air, making my stomach grumble in anticipation but unfortunately, I won't taste out of it. With a tray in my hands, I quietly made my way down to Leo's room. As I approached Leo's room, my steps slowed, and my heart skipped a beat. I wondered why I felt that way. Pushing the thoughts aside, I reached the door and gently pushed it open. The soft creaking noise reverberated in the silence of the room.To my surprise, Leo was engrossed in a book, his attention entirely consumed by its pages. I had expected him to be asleep, but seeing him wide awake brought mixed feelings. I didn't want to interrupt his reading, so I silently placed the tray of food on the nearby table. But just as I turned to leave, Leo's commanding voice broke the silence."Put it on the side bed stool, Anna," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.Caught off guard, I carefully moved the tray to the indicated spot, all the while feeling hi
As I lay in my bed, overwhelmed by the depths of slumber, a terrible dream swept over me like a hurricane. In my nightmare, I found myself standing amidst a raging inferno. The flames destroyed everything in their path, their searing heat blistering my skin. But it wasn't the fire itself that shocked me to the core; it was the agonizing cries that pierced the darkness.Through the rising smoke, I saw the forms of my parents, engulfed in the flames, their anguished shouts reverberating in my ears. They pleaded for mercy, their tear-filled eyes yearning for a savior amidst the pandemonium. My mother's voice, strained and desperate, broke through the roaring fire, shouting out my name, asking me to save her, to avenge her.My heart raced with terror and sorrow as I frantically strove to rescue them, to remove them from the jaws of the terrible blaze. But no matter how hard I tried, my efforts were in vain. The scorching heat forced me back, the flames dancing viciously between us, an imp
I made my way through the huge corridors of the palace, my white apron fastened firmly around my waist. My day, like any other, had began early with my morning chores as a maid. Dusting the great chandeliers, straightening up the beautiful sitting rooms, and ensuring everything was in its place dominated my mornings.As I was fixing the drapes in one of the guest bedrooms, a colleague maid appeared at the door, her eyes bright with panic. "Anna," she said, "Leo has requested your presence in his room."My heart accelerated its pace at the mention of his name. What could he possibly want from me? I followed the maid down the corridor. We reached Leo's door, and she gestured for me to enter.Leo sat on a chair near the window, his dark eyes impenetrable as they met mine. The room was softly lighted, casting fascinating shadows across his features. My heart raced as I approached him."Anna," he began in his rich, silky voice, "I observed something unusual last night. You didn't deliver m
The soft light of early morning streamed into the cave, sending dappled shadows across the rocky floor. I treaded the familiar path to our training grounds, the sound of my footsteps echoing in the quiet solitude of the forest. Our training began with the rhythmic clash of wooden practice swords. The resonance reverberated off the stone walls, a testament to the countless hours we had spent in perfecting our combat skills. Beads of sweat formed on my face, and the strain in my muscles was a welcome reminder of the progress I'd made under Master Cyrus's watchful eye.Lowering my practice sword, I turned to Master Cyrus. "Do you think there's a way we can interrupt the anniversary, Master? To reveal the Alpha's true colors to the pack members?"Master Cyrus regarded me carefully, his practice sword now sheathed. He leaned against the cave wall, his piercing blue eyes focused on a faraway point. "Anna," he began, his voice low and measured, "vengeance is a dish best served cold. Since L
The pack anniversary, a time of celebration and revelry that energized the entire palace, was rapidly coming. All hands have been on deck for days, and the palace is humming with bustle in every nook and cranny.As one of the palace maids, I had always had a busy existence, but the anniversary preparations added a whole new level of busyness. There was nowhere to take a break or pause to collect one's breath. Every nook and crevice of the palace needs to be decorated, making it sparkle with the occasion's enthusiasm.I was scurrying around with the other maids, draping colorful banners, laying the tables, and carrying armfuls of flowers like busy ants. In addition to the subtle hum of whispered directions and the rustling of silk garments, the aroma of fresh flowers filled the air. Every aspect had to be ideal, and each arrangement had to arouse the sense of grandeur that was appropriate for such an event.The lofty ceiling was draped with chandeliers that produced a cozy and welcomin
Finally, the eagerly awaited pack anniversary day had come. The air we breathed seemed to glitter with anticipation as the palace was alive with a vivacious energy. The entire pack came together to rejoice and thank the Moon goddess for another year of harmony, power, and prosperity on this day of thanksgiving.The enormous hall, which had undergone a painstaking transformation, was breathtaking. It was covered with glittering banners and exquisite decorations as a result of the persistent efforts and commitment of my fellow servants.Like any other day, mine had started with errands and obligations filling the hours. However, there was a sense that today was different from the rest, and excitement could be felt permeating the palace. Knowing that the party was waiting for me at the end of the day gave me new energy as I tackled my tasks.I moved into the center of the crowd, where the party was in full swing. The moon hung like a brilliant jewel in the bright night sky. The features
My small room was illuminated by the sun's first rays as they entered through my window. I woke up with an odd sense of renewal and vitality, along with a deep-seated sense of gladness. I felt something that I hadn't felt in a while, and it made me grin.The planning for the pack's anniversary celebration had taken up all of my time for several weeks. I had little free time because I was one of the palace maids and had a lot of responsibilities. But now that the celebrations were over, I had a rare opportunity for rest—a chance to take a deep breath, to think, and to reconnect with a part of myself that I had put on hold.I carefully snuck out of my room. At this early hour, the palace was empty, a tranquil haven of calm before the hustle of the day started. The familiar aroma of the forest welcomed me as I walked further into the pack's domain, calming my senses. I eventually arrived at the cave we normally practice. Master Cyrus was waiting for me. As I got closer, his keen and a