ANMELDENVIOLET“Good morning.”How do you act normal and fine when you’re hiding a secret that could set everything into straight chaos?I stared at the empty bed space, my heart churning once again.The morning had arrived too quickly. Memories of last night lingered in my head unending, and for the second time that morning, I was filled with the urge to just slumber forever.Morning had slowly crept its way into my room, the streaks of light almost unwelcomed as they illuminated the whole place. Even the very ceiling I’d spent the whole night staring up at.I’d been stupid to think I’d be able to get some sleep. It didn’t help that Lucian had been right beside me all this time. Sleep had come only in small fragments. A good amount of time, it had been brief, restless moments. Often it would be interrupted by the echo of Tristan’s voice in my head.I just want peace.Was that really all there is to what he actually wanted? Peace? Just peace? The weight on my own decision seemed to press heav
VIOLETYou’d think I’d learnt my lesson by now. But what doesn’t kill you comes back to finish the job right after.The letter arrived just before dusk.I knew it was important the moment the knock came at my door. It had been soft, hesitant, the kind that carried unease and uncertainty with it. I was seated near the window, watching the sky slowly bruise into shades of purple and grey. My thoughts were drifting in slow, heavy circles I wasn’t sure I could escape even if I wanted to“Luna?” It sounded like a male.The guard called quietly from the other side of the door when I didn’t answer immediately. “There’s… something for you.”Something.Not someone. Not a message from Lucian. Just something. My fingers curled slowly in my lap before I finally found the courage to stand up. “Come in.”The door opened, and the guard stepped inside the room. His whole form was rigid and uncomfortable, like he would much rather be anywhere but here. He didn’t meet my eyes as he extended a sealed e
VIOLETPain was something I’d long since learned to live with. It wasn’t something I was so unfamiliar with. For the longest time, it’s been all I’ve known too.“Just breathe,” I mumbled underneath my breath.That didn’t help anything. It never did. But the longer I went at it, maybe I’d be able to convince myself that it actually did something.Another wave of pain tore through my chest, making me wince hard. It wasn’t supposed to feel this way.Pain had been my constant companion for as long as I could remember. It came from any and every one. It didn’t even have to be physical. It followed like a forlorn shadow, hell-bent on sending me to damnation.Back at West Creak, it had come from every direction possible. Sharp words, cruel hands, the ache of rejection that still lingered like a bruise beneath my skin. Was there ever a time that I hadn’t felt this way?At some point, I’d gotten used to it. Saw it as something of second nature even. You tell a mutt she’s useless long enough, a
LUCIANWar wasn’t something I was a stranger too. I’d fought many of it, partook and even stood at the very spearhead of everything. I’d been at the vanguard of fights, clawed my way to blood soaked soil.This wasn’t my first war.But one thing I’d never completely shake through was the blood that always clung. The blood that feels like it’s somehow permeated its way into your nails. The kind that hugs your very hands like a shadow forever damned to unrest.I hate it.But to hate and still be aware of your very incompetence in such a matter is something of a curse I’m all too familiar with.Letting out a breath, I pushed the door to the war room open and immediately headed to the head of the table.“Update.” I growled.Feylin came up to my side. “He hit two of our standpoints, body count at both totals fifty.”My chest tightened at his words. I should have expected the worst from this situation really. But hearing him say this didn’t make me feel the slightest bit better. I shoved the
VIOLETI should get used to the sun filtering right onto my face from the window. Lucian liked the view. You look so nice when you are sun kissed, he’d say.But these days, I barely even got to look at his face before he was already up and off. He was so busy. And me, I’d cried my eyes out last night. So much so that I could feel how puffy they were.“Damn it.” I cursed.Even something as simple as forcing myself out of a bed felt like a such a chore. Whenever I shut my eyes, all I could see were their faces.Faces of my pack members back at West Creak. The way they’d leer and glare at me like I was gum underneath their shoes. And when I tried to shut my ears, all I could hear were DarkMoon members, all of them screaming for me to be given back to Tristan.Give her back.She’s the reason behind all this.We shouldn’t have to fight this war because of that bitch.She should just die.“Stop it.” I forced my hands over my ears, tears already stinging my eyes.It was way too early to star
VIOLET“And how many rounds have you made today?”The chief patrol officer gave me a salute. “The usual routine number, Luna. Although, things are much more stringent now due to the…preparations.”I nodded, taking note of somethings. It had been exactly four days since Tristan’s declaration, and as anyone would have guessed, the whole region is scrambling for preparations. One would think the bastard would have launched some attack since he’s the one who actually decided to start the war.Seriously, you’d think he knew better. I had half the mind to just downright smack him straight in the face, but was it even worth it?No, it definitely was. I’d save it for when I eventually caught him. For now, I’d do enough practice to ensure I get right in the noggin.The officer saluted once more before moving back to his colleagues. It was hard to miss the furtive glances they took my way. I knew what their eyes said even before they spoke. That much was obvious taking in everything that had be
TRISTANI’d been really patient. And it pissed me off to no end that they didn’t understand how hard I was trying for them.“What do you make of everything then?”I turned to fix a stare at the Elder. He’d thought it appropriate to come bother me in the early throes of the matter.“What do you want
VIOLET“Come on, come on…”The words were more or less a mumble as they left my mouth. I’d dialed Suna’s line about four times that morning alone but he’d refused to even pick up.The summit was the next day and a small part of me was sure something was going to happen. Things rarely ever panned ou
VIOLET“An annual summit?”Lucian nodded, taking out his marker and gesturing to where he’d written annual summit on the whiteboard.“Yes,” His eyes lingered on the people present.To his credit, Zayn was listening attentively, even with his head pressed against Reese’s cheeks. Honestly, their clin
LUCIAN“How does that even work?”For the last ten minutes, I’d been trying to wrap my head around Violet’s explanation of how water wasn’t wet. This wasn’t the first of such arguments she’d be having with Reese. But this time, she’d taken it upon herself to have the discussion with me while we wa







