VALERIE There was no lie about it. I would leave the Pack the moment the Lycan prince steps out of his chambers. What was worse and terrified me the most was the judgment he might pass on me. Perhaps, death? I slipped down to the ground and dropped my head into my wet palm, thinking of ways to escape death and also get into the Isle of the Blessed. The only idea that crept into my mind was to run off before he caught me. I bit my lips, knowing that would be the only choice even though it was a dumb idea. What would happen to the girl and Jasmine? Renee would use my disappearance as an opportunity to kill the girl and have Jasmine take the fall. A step out of the Pack will lead to uncertainty of finding the Isle of the Blessed. I scrambled to my feet and began to sneak out of the hallway, still pondering the thought of running away. I had to make up my mind as soon as possible if I wanted to survive. I made for my room, my feet shaking violently as Zelda's words echoed in my hea
VALERIE I swiftly turned around, my eyes widening in horror. Jasmine stood by the door, her hands on the wall as she stared at our faces in confusion. "What secret are you two talking about?" Jasmine asked as she walked fully into the room I darted my eyes from Victoria to Jasmine, thinking of a lie I could tell to cover up my secret. Jasmine should be the last person to find out about what I had told Victoria. "Valerie is thinking of going to the Isle of the Blessed tonight," Victoria spoke up and my eyes widened. That wasn't what I planned to say to Jasmine at all, but I didn't know what to say to her either. Jasmine's jaws dropped and she huffed loudly, disbelief flashing across her eyes. "You promised you wouldn't go there!" Jasmine snapped, making my heart skip a beat. "I didn't promise, Jasmine," I replied in a calm voice. She scoffed loudly and shook her head, tears gathering up in her eyes. Did she feel betrayed by me? "There must be an important reason for her to g
VALERIE My heart skipped multiple beats and my hands began to tremble. I was doomed, I needed no one to tell me that whatever meeting the Lycan prince was calling was for me. He was going to call me out in front of all the women in the manor and have me either thrown out or killed. I shivered at the thought and gasped loudly, bringing my despair to Victoria's knowledge. Her brows raised in surprise when she darted her eyes towards me. She moved away from the window and rushed towards me then took a seat beside me. "What is wrong? Are you scared of going to the Isle of the Blessed?" She asked, her eyes filled with concern. I shook my head, still trembling in fear of what the Lycan prince could do to me. I swerved my head in Victoria's direction and gripped her hand. "Do you… do you think the Lycan prince will have me killed after finding out?" I asked. Her jaws dropped in dismay and she clasped her hand against her mouth, gasping loudly. "He knows about it, right?" She mutter
VALERIE "Huh?" I gasped, my heart constricting. His frown deepened and from the corner of my eyes, I watched his fist clench. "What are drops of blood doing on your chin?" He snapped, almost making me jump. I raised my hand to my face and grazed my fingertips over my chin which seemed to be swollen. The moment I touched it, the memory of the Luna Queen sinking her nails into my chin flashed before my eyes. I gulped hard and avoided his questioning gaze, finding it difficult to tell him that it was done by his mother. "You won't answer?" He groused, huffing loudly in anger. I surreptitiously glanced at Victoria, still confused about the situation. Shouldn't he be telling the entire Pack about my betrayal and lies? Why does he care so much about the bruise on my chin? "It's that witch, Renee, isn't it?" He spat. My throat knotted when he referred to her as a witch, making me wonder if he knew about the secret she was hiding from the world. If he knew about it, she wouldn't st
VALERIE I stared at the crescent moon that hung in the sky which shed light and shadows on the earth. There was no sign of stars in the sky, just the moon. I had just a few hours left to leave for the Isle of the Blessed. In a few hours, I would be left alone to face my fears, just like the lonely moon in the sky. I felt a familiar presence on the rooftop and swerved my head to the side, shifting my eyes away from the crescent moon. Jasmine smiled from the door and waved her hand before trudging fully into the rooftop. She sat down next to me and folded her hands under her knees. She followed my gaze to the moon hanging above and stared at it too. "You must be nervous," she muttered. "Yes, I'm about to go and face death in the next few hours," I muttered. She sighed and gripped my hand, kissing the back of my palm. "I trust you will return," she whispered, smiling lightly. I sighed, my throat knotting in pain. "I don't know if I will get to return to the Blood Moon P
VALERIE The knock on the door sounded soft and almost silent. I jolted up from the bed and brushed my hair back, before getting out of the bed. I shuffled to the door and with a heavy heart, I pulled it open. Jasmine raised her head and tugged on the hat on her head before sliding into the room. "Are you ready?" She whispered like there was someone else who would hear us. "Yes," I replied. She sighed and pulled off the hat, slumping down on the stool at the foot of the bed. "My heart isn't ready to lead you to the Isle of the Blessed," she muttered in a quivering voice. I could tell that there were tears gathered in those eyes hidden in the darkness of the room. Only aided by a little stream of moonlight, I shuffled to the box of clothes and pulled out the shirt and pants that I wore to the Pack. I untied the rope of the gown I wore and slipped it down my body, shivering as cold air from outside brushed against my bare skin. "I don't think I have seen anyone ready to sacrif
VALERIE The fire spread so fast across the tunnel, causing panic to set into my body. I cried out in fear and cringed back to where Jasmine lay.I gripped her hand, panting heavily, my eyes still glued on the spreading fire that had lightened up the dark tunnel. "Alexander?" Jasmine's horror-stricken voice waved into my ear, forcing me to swerve my attention away from the fire. A knot formed in my throat as I stared at the face that glared down at us. "What are you two doing here?" He growled in anger, causing me to shiver in fear. I exchanged glances with Jasmine, both of us expecting the other to speak up. "I can't believe this," the lycan prince whispered, swerving his head. "The two of you are under arrest for breaking one of the most important rules of the Pack! He snapped and bent over, reaching for our wrist. I snapped my head in Jasmine's direction, alarm laced against my face. She had the same expression too, and her skin was as pale as that of a ghost. I had to do
VALERIE I sprang up, glaring back at Alexander who stood outside the cell. "Are you here to take us away to be killed?" I snapped. He remained stiff, not saying a word as he watched us."You won't say anything?" I snapped, gnashing my teeth in anger. I expected Jasmine to stop me from yelling at him but she did nothing. "What are you going to the Isle of the Blessed for?" He asked after a long stretch of silence. My throat knotted and I blinked severally in surprise. Jasmine jerked up in surprise, hovering behind me. "The– the Isle of the Blessed?" Jasmine gasped, tugging on my sleeve. "Tell him about it quickly!" She whispered. I slowly slipped back into reality and parted my lips to speak. "I have to get the antidote kept in the dark tower of the Isle of the Blessed," I said. "Someone that I love is dying. I have to save him."His lips twitched up in disgust and he scoffed, narrowing his eyes."You are doing this because of a man?" He groused, disdain scrunched up on his
MICHELLE I gasped and snatched my hand out of her strong grip."Why… why are you like that?" I snapped, filled with shock. She glanced around as if searching for someone before gripping my hand again. "You have to help me hide away from the Pack's doctor!" She snapped, her eyes filled with fear and desperation. I looked around the empty hall and then back at her, raising my brows in question. "What are you talking about? Why in the world will you be afraid of that doctor?" I scoffed.Her blood drained and her eyes got wider as dread clouded her eyes."She has an incense that could bring out a demon fully. She knows that I have a demon in me!" She blurted out.My jaws fell and I swung my head around, wondering what I should do. If the Lycan kings find out that I helped her hide, then it would be a disaster for me."I'm sorry, but I can't help here," I muttered, trying to shake her grip off my wrist, but she held on tight, glaring at me."You won't help me?" She snapped, sinking he
MICHELLE I stood at the edge of the crowd, forcing a smile as Adriana danced with her sister, Arlene. My heart would always skip a beat every time she turned to look at me with an evil glee in her eyes.I needed no one to tell me that she planned on exposing me, but what I feared was the time she planned to do that.The music stopped playing and the Luna Queen grabbed a glass of wine, hitting a spoon against it.Everyone stopped what they were chattering about and focused on her.The Luna Queen smiled so happily, making my heart bleed. Whenever I saw her on that podium, I would always be reminded of the sadness on my mother's face before she died. That should have been my mother's throne, that should have been her place.If Luna Jasmine hadn't killed my mother back then, perhaps everything would have still been right. I wouldn't have to be intimidated by her mannerless daughter."It is time for the cutting of the cake and the announcement of a new age!" She announced and a loud ovat
VALERIE I walked into the large grand hall alongside Bianca, holding my head up high. A gasp slipped out of my lips the moment I stepped into the hall. It gave a charm that noroom had ever given. The ballroom stretched wide, its polished marble floor gleaming under the light of massive crystal chandeliers. Ornate gold-trimmed walls rose to meet a vaulted ceiling painted with delicate frescoes, while tall arched windows let moonlight spill across the room. Velvet drapes framed the windows, and soft classical music floated through the air, echoing the elegance of the atmosphere."Bianca, why does this place look so lovely?" I whispered, my eyes gleaming.She chuckled and nudged me playfully, a smile on her face."This is the grand hall of the Blood Moon Pack where every royal ceremony and gathering is held. Perhaps in the future, you and the Lycan kings will get married in this hall," she muttered and the smile on my face dropped."What?" I gasped.Her brows raised in confusion and
KILLIAN I walked down the dark hallway, swinging the blade in my hand and a cigarette stuck between my lips. I reached a door and punched in the passcode. The door rolled open and I walked into the room. The lights turned on, and my lips stretched into a smirk when my eyes fell on Alpha Cameron, who was struggling to remove the tapes tied around him. "Alpha Cameron, long time no see!" I laughed loudly, waving the blade in the air. He murmured but his words weren't delivered due to the gag on his mouth. "You want to say something?" I asked, grinning. He nodded his head, his eyes pleading. I chuckled and covered the spaces between us, then tore out the gag. He gasped in relief and sucked in some air, muttering words of gratitude. "A low-ranked alpha like you tried to step up to me? That is crazy!" I said, huffing loudly. He panted, refusing to say a word. I took a long drag at the cigarette and bent down, grabbed his hair."Tell me, who sent you?" I asked. He raised his eyes
MICHELLE "Your bath is ready, my lady," my maidservant said as she trudged into the bedroom. I smiled lightly and got off the chair that I was sitting on then shuffled into the bathroom. "Any news?" I asked her as I dipped my body into the warm water. "Did you prepare my gift?" I asked. "Yes, my lady," she responded. I smirked and took the body scrub, lathering my body with it. I would give Adriana a kind of gift that she would never forget. Not just her but everyone that would attend the birthday party that would be held tomorrow evening. "Your dress for the birthday ceremony has been delivered, my lady," the maidservant poked her head in and said. I smiled lightly and hummed in response, dipping my head into the water. Perhaps I could fulfill my mother's wish of finishing what she started and still be with the ones that I had always dreamed of being with. That would be killing two birds with a stone, and that was a method I had always been perfect in, even when I was a ch
ADRIANA My eyes batted in confusion and my lips trembled. "How can I argue with a dead woman? That's crazy!" I blurted out, unable to understand her words. Noah leaned closer, his eyes fixed on Diana. "Look here, Diana, I don't think it's the same woman. The woman behaved like every normal living being, she isn't—" "Hold on!" Diana said and took the phone, zooming the video. "Here, do you see that mole? That woman had that mole," she muttered, pointing at the small mole on the woman's face. "Who is this woman to you?" Noah asked while I replayed the video, searching for clues that would prove Diana either right or wrong. "She was my homeroom teacher in middle school. I attended her funeral with my parents," she muttered. "What killed her?" I asked. "Influenza," she mumbled. I peered closely and finally realized something strange about the woman. "Why is her skin tone different?" I muttered. Noah and Diana stopped talking and swerved their head in my direction. "What?" I
ARIANA Noah sighed and followed me out, laughing mockingly behind me. "Can you stop?" I snapped when I got to the parking lot. "Don't tell me that moron is your boyfriend—" "Was!" I corrected him, "Besides, I was just helping him become relevant." Noah stared at me in silence, his head tilted to the side while I fumed."You are pained, aren't you?" I scoffed and shook my head. "The only feeling I'm having right now is regret. I can't believe I let that leech go after the money I've given him. He'll pay for it all," I snarled, smirking sinisterly. "Now I know why you didn't break his skull in there," he chuckled and lit a cigarette, leaning on the car, beside me. My phone rang and I cursed loudly, bringing it out. I narrowed my eyes when Diana's name flashed across the screen. I accepted the call and placed the phone to my ear. "Are you in town? Let's meet up at our spot," she said. I felt relief wash over my body and I hummed in agreement. "I've had a terrible day, this i
ADRIANA I kept complaining about the blind lady as I marched out of the restaurant, swinging my bag in my hand. "Calm down, Ari, calm down!" Noah groaned as he trailed after me. I huffed and leaned on my car, filled with anger. "I need to go to an apparel store. I need a change," I muttered and slipped into the car. "Should I come along?" Noah asked as he stood by the door. I looked at him and hissed loudly. "Do you want to leave me alone?" He chuckled loudly and threw his hands in the air, strolling over to the other side before getting in. I ignited the car and drove off, still fuming in anger. "That trash had to get in when we were in the middle of something important," I complained, stepping on the acceleration pedal. "Come on, I've told you to let it go—""Don't tell me that shit, Noah!" I snapped. He shrugged lightly and sighed, reaching for his seatbelt. "How's Arlene?" He suddenly asked. I scoffed and twitched up my lips in disgust, feeling a slight pain in my ch
MICHELLE "You?" She gasped and sprang up. Before I could part my lips to defend myself, she slapped me hard on my cheeks. A sharp sting washed through the cheek she slapped and my eyes slammed shut. "You wench!" She spat and grabbed the cup of chocolate, emptying the rest of the chocolate drink on my body. "Adriana, I think that's okay," the young man pleaded, striding towards her. "No, it's not! This dress costs 3000 dollars! I doubt if she has ever earned that much before!" She snapped, glaring at me. I gulped hard and bowed slightly then picked up my face cap. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bump into the waiter," I muttered. People had already gathered around and some were even recording a video. "Sorry? You ruined my dress! How are you going to make up for it?" She snarled curtly. "I'm sorry!" I repeated, unable to come up with another word. "Stop saying the fucking sorry!" She yelled, stomping her feet on the ground. I flinched, staggering back while surreptitiously gl