DominicusEllen’s cheerful voice floats out from the diner, breaking me out of my reverie, as Diana steps through the door, her laughter bubbling over like sunshine.I quietly slip my phone back into my pocket.“I know you’re not ready to come back just yet,” Ellen teases, shooing her away with a wave of her hand, “but I figured you needed a little something to take your mind off things for a while. Now that the rush has died down, we can handle the rest just fine.”Diana tries to protest, but Ellen won’t hear of it. “Go! It’s a beautiful day, why don’t you go out and enjoy the weather with your fiancé. You’re welcome to come back anytime, but today? Take the rest of it off.”Ellen looks past Diana to me, her eyes twinkling with playful mischief. “You, young man, better take this girl out and make sure she has fun.”Young man… the words nearly make me laugh. I’m well over a hundred years old and nearly twice her age…I nod solemnly, a faint smirk tugging at my lips. “Understood, Ma’am
DianaDominicus grins, stepping out of the car and moving to open my door. “Surprise.”I can’t stop grinning back as I step out of the car. The lights, the sounds, the tantalizing smells—all of it hits me at once. It’s overwhelming in the best way. My eyes widen as I take in the colorful booths, the flashing rides, and the laughter that seems to fill the air. The fair is alive, buzzing with excitement, and it feels like stepping into a dream.“I’ve never been to a fair before,” I say, turning to Dominicus, my voice tinged with awe.He smirks, slipping his hand into mine. “Then let’s make sure tonight is unforgettable, dulcis.”The first thing that catches my eye is the Ferris wheel, towering over the rest of the fair, its glowing lights reflecting in my eyes. I tug on his hand, practically bouncing. “Can we ride that first?”“Anything you want,” he replies, his deep voice warm and indulgent.The ride is magical. As the wheel turns, we’re lifted high above the fairgrounds, the world st
DianaHe takes a deep breath, his hold on me tightening just a fraction. “I had someone investigate your past,” he begins, his voice steady but low. “Specifically, how you came to the Zervos pack.”My heart skips a beat, and I stare at him in confusion. “Came to the Zervos pack?”I wasn’t originally from there?!He nods, his gaze unwavering. “I also found out about your mother.”The words hit me like a jolt, and I’m suddenly very aware of my own heartbeat. My parents…I’ve always known they were gone. Orphans don’t hold onto fantasies of reunions with parents they’ve never known. But to hear him say it so plainly—to bring them into focus as real people, not just vague figures—makes my chest ache.“What did you find out?” I ask hesitantly.He’s quiet for a moment, as if weighing how much to say. Finally, he speaks. “Your mother appeared at the Zervos pack twenty years ago. She was gravely injured, carrying two newborn babies—you and your twin brother.”Apollo.That name brings a rush o
Diana“They weren’t like the Amadeus,” he says. “Where my pack was blessed with overwhelming physical strength, agility, and reflexes, they were… ordinary. At least in terms of strength.”“Then what made them important?”He shakes his head. “I don’t know. But whatever it was, it was vital. So vital that they went into hiding to protect it.”“Hiding?”“They erased their existence from history. No one knew where they were, not even the Amadeus Alphas. It was said they held the key to the survival of the supernatural world—and perhaps even the human one.”I stare at him, trying to wrap my mind around it. “But wouldn’t it have been safer for them to stay with the Amadeus? To have your pack protect them?”“No,” Dominicus says firmly. “Who’s to say even the most honorable wolves couldn’t be corrupted one day? If an Amadeus decided to take what they had, who would protect them then? They couldn’t take that risk. So they hid.”My voice is barely a whisper as I ask, “What was the name of this
DianaOur eyes meet, and I see it—the same grim conclusion reflected in his golden gaze.Only if they’re all dead.The words echo in my mind, cold and final. A shiver runs down my spine as the weight of that possibility presses against my chest.After all, isn’t that what happened to Dominicus’s pack?But the Amadeus pack… that had been a singular, devastating incident. Could there really be another pack that suffered the same fate of being wiped out completely?Dominicus doesn’t speak. His jaw clenches tightly, his expression unreadable. I know he’s thinking it too, even if he doesn’t say it out loud.Finally, the silence becomes too much. My voice is soft, but it trembles with conviction. “The only way… would be if they’re all gone.”He looks at me sharply, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. “We can’t be sure,” he says, his tone strained. “Maybe there’s some other… extenuating circumstance. Something we can’t imagine.”But even as he says the words, I can tell he doesn’t
DianaFor the next hour, I sit curled up in Dominicus’s lap, his arms wrapped around me, holding me securely against him. At some point, he lit a fire in the fireplace so the room is warm and toasty. The room is quiet, save for the soft sound of our breathing. The warmth of his chest against my back lulling me.I sluggishly replay his words over, trying to come to terms with everything I’ve just learned. My mother… brave and desperate, staggering into Zervos territory with two newborns in her arms. What were her thoughts during her last moments? Was she scared? Angry? I wonder what she looked like. Do I look like her or like my father. My father… what kind of person was he? What kind of Alpha was he? Castellanos… a name I never knew carried such weight. A pack that might not even exist anymore.My chest tightens as my thoughts shift, unbidden, to Apollo. My twin. My blood. The boy I once clung to for comfort. The boy who abandoned me time and time again.I blink back the sting of tea
Dominicus My footsteps are the only sound, crunching against the forest floor as I walk deeper into a place I rarely visit. I don't shift. There's no need. My steps are measured, deliberate, the journey giving me time to temper my thoughts. The ancient structure looms before me, old, nostalgic, and hauntingly beautiful- the ruins of my old home. The moonlight slipping through the dense canopy in silvery streaks cast a glow on the structure and I let myself take a moment to take it in. But this is not what I came for tonight. I turn and take another path to the right and walk deeper. The trees grow denser, the underbrush thicker, until the landscape opens to reveal a dark, moss-covered structure buried deep in the earth. The entrance is a jagged, weathered doorway that leads underground, the faint scent of damp stone and decay wafting up as I descend the narrow, winding steps. The Prison, or as the pack kids used to like calling it- the Dungeon- hasn't been used in nearly a centu
Dominicus As I stand in the dim cell, staring at the broken man before me, my jaw tightens. His disheveled appearance, the trembling in his limbs, the chains biting into his flesh —it all cements the truth of the phone call I received days ago. The words replay in my head, clear as day. Flashback "And who was it?" I demand, my voice sharp. "An acquaintance of yours. Billy Myricks." "Billy?" I repeat, the name echoing in my mind. My thoughts immediately go to the man I saw at the Council hearing-sturdy, protective, and kind-hearted. It makes sense. Somehow, it makes too much sense. "Find a way to get me in touch with him. Immediately," I order, my grip on the phone tightening. The response is calm, almost too calm. "I anticipated that, Alpha. That's why l've already reached out to Gamma Billy." My irritation flares. "You've overstepped. That wasn't your order." The reply is polite but edged with subtle amusement. "Wasn't that going to be your next order though
DianaAlaric glances at Dominicus with a worried frown. “The present Amadeus pack used to be the Council Army, and if my information is right, then they should have only about the same headcount as my own Grimmholt pack.”His words are concerned, “It’s a fairly considerable number, but still… that is only the population of a single pack. There are even other packs with numbers higher than mine.”Dominicus gives a small nod, his face unreadable. “That’s true.”For a moment, the tension in the room seems to rise once more.“Will it really by okay? Won’t the Amadeus pack be overwhelmed?” he asks.It’s Eleanor who answers.Her soft, lilting voice fills the space. “Witches, as a whole, have never been a numerous race,” she explains quietly. “And after the war, our numbers were drastically reduced. Compared to the werewolf population, the ratio is roughly… ten to one.”A quiet murmur ripples through the room.Eleanor’s serene expression doesn’t change. “The gods maintain balance. The more p
Diana “Well then, if you’re sure, Alpha Stefan…then sit”. Dominicus’s voice cuts icy, and sharp. Stefan flinches. But then, like a death row prisoner who’s just been granted amnesty, he gives a jerky little nod, quickly dragging his chair over and dropping into it with almost comical urgency, as if afraid the offer might be snatched away if he hesitates. The two Alphas beside him shuffle back toward the table as well, their chairs rolling softly on the polished floor. Dominicus leans back slightly, his eyes cool as they sweep the room. “I believe,” he says smoothly, “that should have convinced you — all of you — just how grossly unmatched any of you would be against a dark witch. And, of course…” His gaze flicks lightly to Eleanor, who smiles pleasantly, “…that you are all sufficiently convinced of Eleanor’s competence.” A moment of strained silence — and then, the polite Alpha seated beside Stefan clears his throat. “Yes, Alpha,” he says quickly, his voice respectful but calm.
DianaEleanor’s smile is soft. Almost pleased. She lets him stew in his own sweat before she speaks.“Mmm… I think that should do.”Then, with a flick of her finger, the blade softens — the sharp crescent dissolves into formless wind, shimmering faintly as it coils around Stefan’s neck.I watch, breathless, thinking it will disappear — but instead, the condensed currents split, sliding smoothly along both sides of his throat, brushing the skin with the gentlest, most deliberate, and menacing caress, before they meet again behind his neck.There, in a heartbeat, the wind snaps back into form, reforming into a razor-fine blade.And then — faster than the eye can track — it whips across the room.CLANG.The windblade slices straight through a steel art sculpture standing by the far wall — a polished metal spiral about thirty centimeters wide — and cuts it clean in half.The halves clatter apart with a ringing sound, the edges gleaming sharp and fresh.The blade itself dissipates before i
Diana Inside, I sigh. He could’ve spared himself this trouble with a single question. One question and he would have been told that witches are masters of disguise and manipulators of perception. But no — this one has to bluster himself straight into a trap. And sure enough, Eleanor’s sweet smile only widens with every word. It’s a gentle, grandmotherly smile — the kind you’d expect from a woman who bakes cookies and knits sweaters — but the longer it lingers, the colder the air feels, until a faint, prickling thread of danger curls along my spine. Quietly, I inch a little closer to Dominicus. Eleanor’s been alive for thousands of years — and though she’s never told me exactly how old she is, one thing is certain: she isn’t the type to let this kind of disrespect slide. Finally, Eleanor tilts her head, her voice as soft as silk. “Would you like… a demonstration?” Alpha Stefan falls silent, his sneer sharpening, and makes a sweeping gesture with his arm — the smug, careless kind
Diana A low growl rumbles from Alpha Darius of the Plena Luna pack. His eyes glint with raw grief. “No. I will avenge my son. I’ll hunt down those bastards myself!” Dom’s sharp edge softens for the grieving father, though just slightly. His voice lowers, gentler, though still firm. “That won’t work, Darius. The best thing you can do — for your mate, for your pack — is live. The best thing you can do for your son is protect what’s left. If you rush out looking for a fight, you’ll only throw your life away. And that helps no one.” Alpha Darius’ eyes are red with rage and frustration. His trembling lips open and close for a moment before a strangled and pained sound is wrenched from him. Alpha Stefan however, is obviously not so easily convinced. He gives a sharp, sarcastic laugh. “You must be kidding me.” His eyes glitter with derision. “I’m not the kind of man who lets someone else decide his fate.” He sneers, gaze sweeping from me, to Dom, to Eleanor. “Especially not peopl
Diana Alpha Livia clears her throat delicately, her fingers tapping once against the table before she speaks. “So… as the Priest…” I lift my chin, my voice cutting clean through the room. “Priestess.” She pauses, a flicker of acknowledgment in her eyes, then corrects herself with a small nod. “Priestess. As the Priestess, how exactly would you seal the Dark Mage? Alpha Dominicus mentioned the Priest played a crucial role before — but he didn’t explain how.” And there it is. My stomach knots faintly. That’s the problem, isn’t it? I’m not entirely sure myself — not yet. But Dom and I plan to find out as soon as this meeting ends. Still, we had agreed beforehand: no hint of uncertainty, no gaps, no loose threads. We couldn’t risk sparking panic among the packs — or worse, letting anything slip that the dark witches might catch wind of. I part my lips, preparing to smooth over the gap, but Dom beats me to it. “Even if she explained it, you wouldn’t understand.” His voice is
Diana Her voice cuts crisply through the air. “The first time the Dark Mage was sealed… you said it took the Amadeus Alpha, the Primarch Arcana, and the Moon Goddess’s Priest.” Her eyes sweep the room, assessing. “Are you saying we’re going to repeat that now?” Dom nods once, calmly. “That’s right.” Alpha Livia’s brow furrows slightly. “And you, you’ll stand in for your ancestor?” Dom’s mouth curves in the faintest of smiles. “I will.” Her gaze sharpens. “That leaves the Primarch Arcana… and the Priest.” She casts a slow look around the table, then back at Dom again. “Until today, none of us even knew there was a Priest. Do you know where this Priest is?” Dom’s eyes flick briefly to me, and parts his lips to answer, “Yes. It’s-“ I finish for him. My voice quiet but clear. “-Me.” The room freezes. Every head turns. I keep my face composed, letting my voice carry evenly across the silent table. “Allow me to properly reintroduce myself. I am Diana Castellanos—Alpha o
Diana Suddenly, a voice slices sharply through the heavy silence. “We have to stop the ritual!” An Alpha halfway down the table shoots to his feet, his face flushed with urgency. His Beta, seated beside him, tugs lightly at his arm as if to steady him, but the Alpha shakes his head sharply, his eyes locking onto Dominicus. Dom doesn’t even flinch. His voice remains calm, almost weary. “Naturally.” He lets the word hang in the air for a beat, then tilts his head slightly. “How do you propose we do that?” The Alpha’s response is instant, raw with emotion. “Easy. We find them. We go to their coven and wipe them out—all of them.” Dom blinks once, slowly. Then gives a faint, almost pitying shake of his head. “Easy?” He leans in just slightly, his tone still smooth but edged with a dangerous undercurrent. “How exactly do you plan to find them? Don’t forget—these aren’t wolves we’re dealing with. They’re witches. You think you can find a witch who doesn’t want to be found?”
Diana The next Alpha my eyes land on pulls my attention instantly. He’s middle-aged, broad-shouldered, hulking—even among all these Alphas, he stands out as particularly powerful. His short-cropped hair and sharply cut features give him a severe, almost intimidating air. But what surprises me is the look on his face. Unlike the others, there’s no flicker of wariness, no veiled animosity in his gaze. Instead, he’s smiling. Calm. Almost amused, like he’s simply waiting for the meeting to begin, perfectly at ease. Intrigued, I shift my gaze to the third Alpha who stands out. And this time, I have to look twice. The Alpha, her Beta, and the two Gamma warriors flanking her… they’re all women. The Alpha meets my eyes directly—her expression steady, cool, unreadable. Then, with a small, polite nod, she acknowledges me before turning her attention back to Dom. All of this unfolds in seconds: quick assessments, sharp glances, the silent tension of predators sizing each other