"There was a ruckus at the palace. I had to wait for a few days for things to quiet down before coming," the creature on the other side explained."I meant tonight, you arrived late," he corrected.This was his informant, his contact person at the palace on plane Woede. Over the weeks since they had partnered together. The creature had refused to reveal its real identity. Only contacting him through proxies, choosing this place as their rendezvous point and taking precautionary measures to remain anonymous.There were no telltale signs to give an inkling as to whom he was dealing with. The creature, male or female, wolf or any other species, always arrived on time and was already seated in booth six before he came. Also, it always waited for him to leave, before exiting. One thing he was assured of, was that it had to be a werewolf and of pure blood, for it to serve in the king's house.He had recruited this invaluable resource from an agency that catered to mercenaries. Though the te
"Oh my gosh, I’m so fucking freezing!" Bernice exclaimed as she hugged her arms underneath the winter jacket she wore.Rojan, who was walking in front of her, turned around and gave her a look that said 'I told you so.'Well, she knew he had nagged her non-stop and tried to dissuade her repeatedly. But nothing, absolutely nothing could have prepared her for such extreme climate conditions.Even though, Sabine had etched some runes into their skin using an unknown ink, claiming the runes would help them breathe and survive the harsh atmosphere of planet Uranus. To her, the runes had little or no effect against the negative degrees.This place was dark with a perpetual night sky and lots of thick clouds swirling across it, a constant blizzard blew throughout. They had entered this horrible planet through Sabine's door in her living room.Yeah, you heard right.A freaking door that shimmered with light brought them to this planet called Uranus. Not a plane, a rocket, or one of those fanc
He waited for a few more minutes after the second group had passed, before slowly removing his hand from her mouth and taking a step back."What's going on?" Bernice asked, trying to peer at him through the dark "I thought this place was supposed to be inhabited, empty even. Who are these people?"Still in the darkness, Rojan answered "It seems the man that sold the information to us, also went about selling it to others," he hissed "Wayne paid him handsomely to keep the information confidential, that backstabbing weasel.""What do we do now? Should we return back home?" She asked worriedly."Going back home is not an option. If anything, I am more determined to get to it before the others.""But there are ghouls and other bounty hunters searching for the dragon's remains. It has become dangerous for us to continue our search," she said to the darkness, unsure of where he now stood.After a few shuffling in the dark, bright beams of light shone from a small battery torch Rojan held in
He knew trouble when he saw it.This man right here looked like trouble.And he didn't have time for this.Without turning back, Rojan answered "I don't think I know you," he muttered and took another step.Two of the leader's men breezed forward and were in front of him in a second, preventing him from leaving."You are the beta, second in command to the notorious King Wayne, aren't you?" the leader said from behind them.His mind began calculating as he eyed the two men in front. They had black spots in a shape of rosettes, tattooed all over their body and with the exact same bald haircut, as their leader.From how they were dressed, even without the hydrogen sulfide masking their scent, he knew they were Jaguar shapeshifters. That sect of shapeshifters enshrined the Samurai way of martial arts. Sleek and fast, utilizing double swords.They were usually hired as assassins. Whoever sent them on this bounty hunt, must really want the dragon's remains.Just like he did as well.He coul
The door to the restaurant swung on its hinges and Jason walked into a familiar place.He looked around, as usual the place was teaming with different folks, eating and chatting.Sally's restaurant was a small place, so it was not hard to find his twin brother, seated at a corner drinking from a jug and smoking his pipe.He strode over to the table and sat down "Getting high in the middle of the day, are we?"Jordan didn't answer immediately as he first let out a cloud of smoke from his mouth before saying "Care for some?" He held up his pipe, offering it."No thanks," Jason declined. Then drew back to stare at his brother "Why did you request to meet me here?"Watching his brother closely, he started to notice the dark shadows under his eyes, the worry lines that spanned his face and the fine lines around his mouth. His short brown hair was tousled and he looked like had aged significantly, even though they were of the same age and identical in every respect.With the way his shoulde
Candice stretched her limbs as she rolled over on the bed, her lashes fluttering as she pried them open.The morning sun filtered in through the curtains, blinding her eyes. She closed her eyes and turned over, trying to get to the other side of the bed.An object was in her path, preventing her smooth bed roll. Disoriented, she opened her eyes to see what was blocking her way and her heart skipped at the sight.Wayne was sleeping soundly beside her, as usual, he was naked and had the sheets tucked around his waist, leaving his upper body bare and visible.Her hungry eyes washed over him, greedily, gulping in the view. She could remember the first time she had woken up beside him, she had been alarmed and terrified to find herself in his bed. Now, a sense satisfaction enveloped her. She felt…happy to be with him in his bed.Ever since she had been revived from that deathly poison, Wayne had insisted she slept in his room with him every night. If he was to go into the city for meetings
His words were light and simple, so why did it sound like a groan to her ears and why did her nipples immediately grow hard at his smile?She saw his eyes dip to her chest; she knew her nipples were visible through the transparent red lingerie she was wearing. Recently, she had been dressing provocatively to bed, trying to seduce him.A flash of blue crossed his irises and he shook his head as if to clear it.There went her hope for a passionate morning of lovemaking. How long could she continue to endure this?"Wayne?" She asked gently."Yes, my kitten," he answered.He had begun calling her that endearment word ever since she woke up. Somehow, the nickname had started to grow on her."Do you…" she started to ask but trailed off. Too embarrassed to ask if he found her attractive or not."I just wanted to know if you had any plans this morning," she said instead.He gazed at the ceiling, avoiding to look at her "I have a meeting with the committee assigned to the hinterland relief dis
He rose from the bed.The blanket fell from his body.He stretched his limbs, his muscles taut and hard. All his cords and tendons ached from head to toe. His joints squeaked and cracked as he flexed them.The few days that had proceeded after the incident with the wolfsbane had been nothing but pure torture.His wee mate was a wicked temptress.Another peculiar side of her, he was only just discovering. She was giving him all the green lights that she wanted him, needed him to pleasure her.But he couldn't.At least not right now.Firstly, he needed to make her an amortal first, turn her into a wolf halfling. That was the top priority on his list at the moment. The terror he had felt when she lay in his arms lifeless, crumpling into a dry pile of flesh, gave him a scare like no other.Pandemonium.His emotions were in turmoil. His sense of clarity had become twisted and complicated.The thought of using her for childbirth and then relegating her to the background did not appeal to hi
He paused for a few minutes.Not that he expected a response. For the beast to speak would mean that its sanity had returned and Wayne had once again taken control.But all he got was silence."I know you are in there somewhere listening to me, so I am just going to talk to you for a while before I go up to your office to finish up some paperwork,'' he added.Then he relaxed on the chair and let out a scoff. "All I do is work these days. All day and every day. Having free time on my hands has become an imaginary luxury. One that seems impossible to achieve," he folded his arms and continued "I don't remember ever saying I wanted to be King. The position is too tasking. I have to make all the decisions, both ones I like and dislike. I always have to consider the bigger picture and take actions that benefit the entire populace. Taking into consideration the younglings, the elderly, the youth, the employed and unemployed, and the half breeds across the border."He ran a hand through his
Rojan strolled into the mansion's living room.Earnest immediately came forward to welcome him.Today, just like every other day had been hectic and he had just rounded up the day's activities.He usually ended his day by coming home to Wayne and spending the night at the mansion."How is he faring today?" He asked Earnest."He has remained calm today, there were no mad outbursts so far today," Earnest replied, receiving his briefcase."Did he eat his meals?" He inquired."Barely touched anything, but we do well to offer him the type of food he likes," Earnest reported."I want you to continue to warn the staff to keep their mouth shut about his presence in the house," Rojan instructed."I have warned them repeatedly, yet the rumors continue to spread," Earnest explained, then whispered low "It is not something that we can continue to hide, his roars are loud and he constantly bangs on the walls, trying to free himself.""But his lucid moments are increasing with each passing day. Jus
Rojan exhaled an exasperated breath.From what Earnest had explained to him when things had calmed down, Candice had run away with Everette, her maidservant because she discovered a second contract Wayne prepared for her.Secondly, Everette was a traitor and had probably lured Candice into a trap set by Waylon.Hmm, he knew that Wayne's rejection of his mate would lead to a sour end.No doubt, Wayne's wolf had come out to grieve and lash out in anger due to the loss of its mate. In the process, it disrupted Wayne's sanity and emotional balance.It was really a messed up situation."Candice is traveling alongside our king, they are spending quality time together," Rojan lied."I doubt you are telling the truth, because a little birdie told me they saw her and her maidservant travel across the central portal alone," the third elder interjected."Really, where is Candice? Where did she go?" the second elder repeated."Why do you pester me for Candice when I am the Beta here, the second i
Rojan stood in the middle of the assembly.He had done this several times for many years without considering it a chore. However, today he was weary.The last three weeks had been difficult for him."Where is the king?" One elder demanded."I have told you all already that the King is on a trip, he has some business to attend to across the realms," Rojan replied."You did not tell us anything, in fact we requested an audience with you on three occasions and you only grace us with your presence today!" another exclaimed."I have been busy since the king is traveling, I am saddled with his responsibilities. Nevertheless, I did send letters responding to your inquisition of the King's whereabouts," Rojan stated."Why has he not returned for three good weeks? Wherever he is, does he not care for the rumors that are being spread like wildfire among his people and across the realms?" a third elder asked."I am sure once he is done with what he is doing, he will return," he simply said.A fo
Her heart pumped hard in her chest as she tore through the woods.Mists swirled all around giving her the perfect cover she needed, but the hurried sounds of her feet gave her position away.Yet, she could not dare stop.She could hear their footsteps, hot on her trail. Two pairs of legs ran after her. As a nymph she was fast, but as werewolves, they were faster.The clouds of mist that was a blessing was also a curse, because it obscured her view. It seemed the mists seemed to get denser the more she ran deep into the trees.She had no idea the direction she was taking. Beyond Sabine's house, she was not familiar with the landscape. She barely knew her way around this plane. Whenever they left the house, she was always in Sabine's company.Not that she had gone out much, she spent most of her time crying and sulking the early days of her arrival.If she was thinking properly, she should be heading in the direction of the town. But right now, her head was messed up and she just wanted
Bernice felt her knees grind against the scorching sand.She had been shoved to her knees while the sorceress ordered two of her men to go after Sabine.The place on her neck where the knife had pricked stung, one good thing about her newfound amortality was that the cut would heal without a scar. She hoped with all her heart that Sabine was able to leave.It was sad that she had been caught, but better one of them, than both of them."What is taking you so long? You can't even handle a girl?" Zipporah snapped from her position on the ground, where she stood gazing up at the house.One of the men said from within the house "The halfling is gone.""What?" Zipporah's face creased in a frown."I don't know, one minute she was here and the next she wasn't," the man replied."I think she escaped through a portal that I saw her create, when I was up there with them," the man that was holding her down on her knees, told Zipporah.At his words, Zipporah slapped him hard, across the face."Inc
The third beetle flapped its wings and took flight, it snatched up one of the men and ascended up to the sky."Do something Zipporah, don't just stand there!" The man left on the ground to fight against the two beetles snapped at her."I am the one paying you, why should I do the work for you?" She yawned and put a hand to her mouth, looking bored."If we all get killed, of what good is your gold?" He retorted."Okay, I'll help you," she snorted and formed a large fireball in her hand and sent it to the sky to hit the beetle. The beetle lost its strength and began to fall to the ground.She made two more fireballs and threw one to each of the remaining beetles on the ground. They quivered and became weak.The beetle from the sky crashed to the ground a few meters away from the house clearing. Before it reached the ground, the man it was carrying had jumped to the side, allowing it to crash alone. The body shattered to pieces from the momentum of the crash.The two beetles left became
Cracks and fissures fanned across the walls of the house.She heard the squeaks of her building and the entire house wobbled.Sabine crawled back from the window.What was that fey doing here?The last time she had seen her was at her castle and she had absconded, leaving everything behind when Wayne had come after her.No one heard from her since then, Wayne had searched for her continuously and then finally gave up when he realized she was hiding in his uncle's fortress. The one place he could not breach because of the spirit of the dragon.So far, she had stayed away from her. Not attempting anything, because she knew that Wayne was her close associate.What had given her the temerity and the boldness to come out of hiding and attack her, on her plane, in broad daylight?Judging from the fireballs she was using instead of explosives; she was still treading with caution.Though her house was tucked away in the woods, just a few hundred meters away from the main town settlement, the
"Do you want to tell me what happened during your journey on planet Uranus?" Sabine probed.Bernice shook her head, no."But you should have known that Rojan is set on his principles. He has been that way for decades now," she said."I know," Bernice said and looked away, averting her eyes."You should have known he is righteously waiting for his fated mate," she added."I know," Bernice replied and wiped away a tear that slipped down her cheeks."Oh dear, why did you do this to yourself?" Sabine dropped her handbag and drew close to hug her."I thought I would be able to win him over, I thought I had a chance," Bernice cried as she hugged her tight "Now I know I will never compare to his mate. More so, now that I am a nymph.""Hey," Sabine drew back and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Don't feel bad for being a nymph. You are beautiful and the right man for you will love you no matter what you are.""I hate him, Sabine. I hate him so much for being so nice to me and making me fall fo