CALANTHA “Alright, everyone! You know the drill!” our supervisor called out, clapping his hands together.Around him, the other students stood motionless, their expressions dull and uninterested. Today was community service, and our task was to clean the pack’s beach. Dressed in simple sportswear, none of the students looked particularly excited about it.“Make sure the entire area is spotless,” he continued. “Every semester, our academy gives back to the pack by helping with sanitation. We can’t slack off now. Let’s make Redwood Pack proud!”He pumped a fist in the air, clearly hoping for some enthusiasm. Instead, the students muttered among themselves, their moods just as low as before.Awkwardly clearing his throat, he dropped his fist. “Your time starts now. You have two hours to finish up!”A wave of grumbles and sighs swept through the group as students split off into smaller clusters. I walked away with Eloise and Nyx, both of whom looked just as miserable as the others.“I h
CALANTHA TWO HOURS LATER As Lysandra animatedly recounted a childhood memory about Kaiden, I found myself grinning ear to ear, completely drawn in. “And then, you know what I said to him?” she continued, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I told him, ‘You’re as cold as a fish straight out of the ocean. We should stop being friends.’” I let out a chuckle. “And what did he say after that?” We were finishing up collecting trash, making our way toward the dumpster truck with Eloise and Nyx trailing behind us. Lysandra smiled as she reminisced. “He pulled me into this hug… so tight I thought he’d squeeze the life out of me. Then he said that from that moment on, he would never be cold toward me again… and that I would be the only one who gets to see his warm side.” “That’s… actually really sweet,” I admitted, laughing lightly. But deep down, a feeling of slight jealousy burned in my heart, no matter how hard I tried to stop it. I knew I had no reason to feel this way. I had only jus
CALANTHAThat evening at dinner, I couldn’t stop watching Kaiden as he ate at the center of the grand dining table. Queen Adeline and I sat on either side of him, but my mind was elsewhere.“Calantha… Lysandra and Kaiden dated two years ago.”Eloise’s words echoed in my head over and over, making it hard to focus on my food. My appetite had almost disappeared entirely.Jealousy. That was exactly what I was feeling. Strong, irrational jealousy, even though I had no right to.Lysandra and Kaiden had dated.The thought alone made my chest tighten. They were both perfect —attractive, elite, and from prestigious families. A flawless match, if you’d ask me. So why did they break up? What could have possibly gone wrong?As Kaiden calmly ate, my gaze drifted to his lips. More jealousy washed over me.Did they kiss? Of course, they did. Duh! They were a couple, after all.But… did they do more than that? Something like sex…"Calantha."Queen Adeline’s voice jolted me back to reality. I quickl
KAIDENMy eyes stayed locked on her, unblinking, as she hesitated before slowly slipping out of her clothes. Her movements were shy and almost uncertain, until she was left in nothing but a pink lacy bra and matching panties.My breath caught slightly at the sight of her. She was perfect —curves in all the right places, soft skin that begged to be touched. Medium sized breasts that would fit perfectly in my hands. A perky, round ass and hips that could drive any man insane.The only thing saving me from complete exposure was the water. It hid the thick hardness pressing against my briefs, which was an undeniable evidence of how much I wanted her.She wrapped her arms around herself as she stepped closer to the pool, clearly nervous. But that only made my blood burn hotter. Her innocence... fuck. It brought out something dark in me, something that wanted to claim her and devour her inch by inch.When she reached the edge, I took her hand and helped her into the water. “It’s so warm.
CALANTHA“Why is he taking so long to get here? He said he’d be here in thirty minutes, but it’s been almost an hour, and he…”Eloise’s voice faded into the background as I ran my fingers over my lips for what had to be the hundredth time. My cheeks felt warm and my stomach fluttered as last night’s events replayed in my mind.The kiss.Kaiden’s lips on mine. The way his mouth claimed me, his tongue pushing against mine, demanding entrance. The heat of it. The way he let me touch him and didn’t stop me. The way we moaned into each other’s mouths, completely lost in the moment…“Calantha. Calantha! Are you even listening?”Eloise’s once distant voice finally cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality.I blinked, quickly pulling my fingers away from my lips, only to find both Eloise and Nyx staring at me, their expressions filled with concern.I forced a small, apologetic smile. “Sorry, guys. I completely zoned out.”“No kidding.” Nyx frowned. “You’ve been zoning out for the p
CALANTHA"You seem very interested in my throne, don’t you?" Kaiden said just as I looked up at him. He was wearing a pair of sunglasses and a simple T-shirt that clung to his broad chest and muscular arms. Even though he was dressed so casually, he still looked like a model straight out of a runaway.Ryker's lips curled into a fake smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Cousin,”he greeted, his gaze locked with Kaiden's in a silent challenge. "What brings you here?"Kaiden let out a slow breath, his grip on my waist firm but not rough. "I was driving around for some fresh air. Didn't expect to run into my overly ambitious cousin, forcing himself on my Luna."Ryker chuckled dryly. "Oh, I think you’ve got the wrong idea, Kaiden." His voice was cool, but his eyes remained cold. "I own this building and your Luna came to buy it. I had no idea she was the client I was meeting with.""Oh, is that so?" Kaiden raised a brow, his lips curving into a faint smile that didn’t match the icy sharpne
CALANTHA"Get… out… now.""What?" I stared at Kaiden, completely confused and shocked.His eyes remained locked on the road and his grip still tightened on the steering wheel. His whole body was tense. So tense it looked like he was on the verge of convulsing. At first glance, someone might think he was possessed.But that was impossible. Kaiden was strong and untouchable. He was the Lycan King. "Tell me what’s wrong, please." I pleaded, reaching out to touch his shoulder.The moment my fingers brushed against his skin, my eyes widened even more in shock. He was burning up, hotter than any normal temperature. My fear spiked at once."You’re scaring me, Kaiden."Another deep, guttural growl rumbled from his throat. His jaw clenched even harder, and suddenly, he jerked the steering wheel to the side.I gasped, gripping my seat as panic flooded me. The car screeched to a stop by the roadside."G-get… o-out…" His voice was strained and barely understandable. It sounded like it took eve
CALANTHA The moment I stepped out of my room, I spotted Bradley standing in the hallway with Hana, deep in conversation.I quickly stepped back, pressing myself against the doorframe and straining to listen. Their voices were hushed, but I caught enough.“How bad is it?” Hana asked quietly.“Pretty bad,” Bradley muttered. “He couldn’t hold it in this time.”Hana exhaled sharply. “And the Queen?”“She’s restless. I’m doing my best to keep her away from him,” Bradley replied, then added, “I have to check on him now. Keep watch, okay?”“Okay.”Then, to my surprise, he pulled Hana into a quick hug before kissing her.Oh. So, they had something going on. But that wasn’t my concern right now.Their conversation had increased my fear. Kaiden wasn’t just stressed. Something serious was happening that he couldn’t control.My mind screamed at me to go back to my room, to stay out of things that weren’t meant for me. But my heart wouldn’t let me.I needed to see him.I watched as Bradley and
CALANTHA I didn’t know how long I stood frozen, locked in a silent staring match with the group of masked intruders.But I was the first to snap out of it. Without even thinking twice, I turned and ran.“Stop her!” One of them yelled, and the rest immediately started chasing after me.My heart pounded hard in my chest as I pushed myself to run faster, my legs burning with effort. I just needed to get away, and make it back.But of course, I wasn’t fast enough.“Get back here, you little…” I felt someone grab the back of my hoodie and yank it. The hood slipped off, and panic flooded me. I twisted and struggled, trying to break free, but the man flung me aside with ease. I hit the ground hard, scraping my hand. A sharp pain shot through me, and I let out a low grunt.“Who the hell are you?” I demanded, backing away on the ground as the group circled me. They all wore black, their faces hidden behind masks, their eyes cold and cruel.“The Luna,” the one who had shouted earlier said as
CALANTHAThe woman was running, holding a baby tightly in her arms. She was breathing hard, glancing back with fear in her eyes. I could see everything through the eyes of the baby she was holding, even though the woman’s face looked a bit blurred. She ran through the woods, stumbling over branches but quickly getting back on her feet. Her long white dress dragged along the forest floor as she moved, her face wet with tears and panic.Behind her, a group of incredibly tall men dressed in white robes chased after her. They held long staffs, and they looked terrifying.The woman turned her head again, gasping for breath, her eyes wide with fear. But just as she looked forward again, the hem of her dress caught on a broken branch.She fell to the ground with a heavy thud. But even as she hit the earth, she protected the baby in her arms, cradling the child’s head so it wouldn’t get hurt.“Give us the child,” one of the men ordered. They stood over her now, their staffs raised like weapo
KAIDEN“The tournament organizers, led by the High Priestess, have begun preparations,” Bradley reported calmly. “From what I’ve seen in the mails sent to you, several high-ranking figures will begin arriving in our pack starting tomorrow. The Vampire King is among them. His crowned prince will be participating in the tournament as well.”My hand froze mid-sentence, the quill pausing just above the paper. I had been drafting formal invitations to other royals across the realm, but Bradley’s last words caught my attention.“The Vampire Prince?” I asked, glancing up at him with a slight frown. “Didn’t he take part in the last tournament with me?”Bradley nodded. “Yes, my King. Like you, this will be his second, and final tournament.”“Interesting.” I muttered, eyes returning to the letter I had been writing.Back then, the Vampire Prince had proven himself a worthy opponent. He was tactical, fierce, and unpredictable. He had made the games challenging, not just for me but for the entire
LYSANDRAI took a deep breath, a soft smile spreading across my face as I sipped my tea. The warm scent of flowers and herbs from the garden surrounded me, wrapping me in a calm I rarely found anywhere else.It was early morning, and the academy was on a short break for the next two days. That meant I could spend time in my favorite place. The garden.The break had been given because of the upcoming tournament. Preparations had already started, and soon the pack would be buzzing with important guests from different packs, clans, and kingdoms. But for now, everything was still and quiet.Days like this were the ones I treasured the most. Sitting here, away from all the noise, just watching the flowers sway in the wind, the butterflies flit around, and the squirrels chase each other with tiny nuts. It felt like a little piece of heaven.My smile faded a little as my eyes caught a squirrel struggling under a low shrub. I leaned in for a closer look and noticed its leg was injured. It loo
NYXMy eyes widened in shock and fear. My heart thumped wildly as I stared at the broken pieces of the vase I had just smashed against his head.He lay on the floor, groaning in pain, a small trail of blood trickling from the side of his head. At least he was still alive. For a second, I had thought I killed him.“You…” he groaned, trying to crawl toward me, reaching for my foot. But before he could get close, I turned and ran—bolting out the door and down the hallway, my torn nightie flapping behind me, barely covering my body.I didn’t stop. Not even when I passed Aunt Diane, who was sitting in the foyer, lazily smoking her pipe. She sat up fast, sensing something was wrong. But I didn’t wait for her to ask. I just kept running.Because I knew that attacking an elite meant so much trouble for me. I was so done for. Once I burst through the gates and out onto the road, barefoot and shaking, I stopped in the middle of the street, my chest heaving. My ears rang with the sound of rushi
NYXTrigger Warning: This chapter contains scenes of attempted assault and may be distressing for some readers. Please proceed with caution.~~~~After a while, I finished showering. The cold water stung the open cuts on my back from Aunt Diane’s whip, making me flinch every time it touched my skin. I bit back the tears, trying not to cry as I washed the blood away.Once I was done, I changed into the usual lingerie I wore on nights like this—thin, see-through, and short. It stopped just above my thighs, showing the lace panties and bra I wore underneath. I hated it. But I didn’t have a choice.I sat in front of the mirror, spraying some perfume on my neck and wrists. The smell filled the air, sweet and heavy. My stomach twisted, and I felt sick. My eyes were full of tears, but I held them back. I just stared at the broken girl looking back at me in the mirror.This was when I always blamed my mother. The anger inside me burned. If she had been a real mother, none of this would be hap
NYXI didn’t miss the way Eloise kept glancing at me with concern during the entire car ride from the academy. Her silence spoke louder than words. Every time I felt her eyes on me, I looked away, pretending to be interested in the scenery outside the window, pretending everything was fine.When we finally arrived at my aunt’s mansion, I opened the door and stepped out quietly, shutting it behind me. Just as I turned to leave, her voice stopped me.“Should I come in with you?” She asked through the rolled-down window, her tone gentle but filled with worry.I forced a small smile onto my face as I looked up at her. “It’s fine. You don’t have to.”But the moment our eyes met, she caught the fear behind my mask. I saw it in her face—the way her expression shifted. She opened her door and got out at once. “Come on,” she said, reaching for my hand. “Let’s go in together.”“I already said it’s fine.” I pulled my hand back softly, not harshly, but firm enough that she understood I wasn’t g
CALANTHA“I remember my name now!” The timid boy said as we lay on the ground, breathing hard and trying to recover from the adrenaline rush. A small, relieved laugh escaped his lips. “Oh, gods… I actually remember!”“I remember too!” Eloise gasped, turning her head quickly to look at me. A wide, happy smile lit up her face, just like his. “Calantha. I remember now. Damn, I thought I was going to lose my mind back there.”I laughed softly, still catching my breath. It felt so strange that just a few minutes ago, I couldn’t even recognize the girl beside me as my best friend.This trial was definitely the hardest, scariest, and most confusing thing we had ever faced. And honestly, I would give anything not to go through the main tournament after this.“Come on. Let’s go find Nyx.” Eloise said, pushing herself up and reaching a hand out to me. I took it and stood, brushing dried leaves and dirt off my clothes. The others got up too, and I looked around.Other participants were stepping
CALANTHA As everyone started to panic, shouting things like “Who are you?” and “Why are we here?”, I took a step back and let my eyes roam around the strange room that had trapped the five of us together.The walls were tall panes of silver glass, stretching out in every direction like an endless mirror maze, reflecting our confused faces a thousand times over. A soft hum echoed through the room, and suddenly, a glowing clock appeared on one of the mirrors.00:10:59.An eleven-minute countdown.Fear climbed up my throat. What were we supposed to do?Beside me, the timid-looking boy stepped closer to the mirrors, frowning as he studied the clock.“We’re being timed.” He said quietly.“Timed?” The girl with soft cherry-brown hair echoed, stepping forward to see for herself. Her forehead creased with worry.As everyone started pacing in confusion, trying to make sense of the place, I moved closer to one of the mirrors and stared into it.My breath caught in my throat.My reflection didn