LOGINMalric’s POV “One of my… disciples,” Sarah said, lifting her phone slightly. “One of them just reported to me.”My brow furrowed as I studied her.“Aren’t your disciples meant to remain pure?” I asked dryly, already turning away to scan the shelves.“That’s why I’m annoyed too,” she replied from behind me.I exhaled faintly. “I’m not going to meddle in that. Deal with it as you see fit.”Becoming a disciple of the temple was a choice, but one that came with strict vows. Purity above all else. No attachments. No indulgence. Once taken, it wasn’t something to be treated lightly.“I will,” she said.My eyes moved over the rows of books, scanning titles without really seeing them.“Have you found anything on King Darius?”“Yes…but nothing detailed enough.”She handed me a few books. I flipped through them briefly, but none touched on what we were looking for.“Let’s check the archives,” I said. “Old records. Scrolls.”“I already did,” she replied. “But you’re free to go through them agai
Sarah’s POVI was baffled when Malric told me he had severed the bond with Emily, only for it to reconnect again.That was impossible.Once a bond is broken, it should never reform.The only case I had ever come across was in history… King Darius.Still, as unusual as it sounded, it didn’t mean anything as serious as Malric was making it out to be.Emily’s identity had already been verified. She was no healer. She could never be.She was the daughter of one Rachael Harper, who once served the Ravenwoods before her death. Rachael had been an omega, and from what I uncovered, her mate had been one too. There were no exceptions in that bloodline.No hidden power and certainly no miracle waiting to happen.Sharina, on the other hand, came from a lineage of Luna healers. The last recorded one had been her mother’s twin sister.The truth was clear. Everything pointed in one direction.Malric simply refused to see it.I paused beside one of the towering shelves, running my fingers absently o
Malric’s POV “She…she didn't tell me.” Emily said.My grip tightened around the card.“I'll need your approval to attend the programme…”“No.” I cut her off immediately.“Why? The GSC series is a rare opportunity. I’ve been praying for this…it’s like a dream come true.” she protested.“I need to talk to Sharina.” I said instead, already walking away to look for her.The Gourmet Skills Challenge is a cooking competition where winners are exposed to special opportunities and privileges. It was an annual programme, mostly sponsored by humans.But that wasn’t the issue.Entry didn’t come cheaply, it required high-level connections.So how did Sharina secure a slot?Emily kept protesting behind me, but I didn’t listen.Fortunately… or unfortunately, I met Sharina on the way.“This.” I lifted the envelope between my fingers like a blade. “How did you get this?”She paused, her posture stiffening slightly. “Have I done something wrong by presenting an opportunity to her?”I exhaled sharply,
Malric’s POV “In a few weeks, you’ll be marrying Sharina under the Goddess’s presence. So, what will become of Emily?”“You carry Sharina’s mark. Everyone knows what that means. You can no longer give her what she wants, so why do you keep holding onto her?”I paced my room, thinking over Lucien’s words over and over again. It was hard to accept the bitter truth. I couldn’t give Emily what she wanted anymore. It felt like a fist had driven straight into my chest, crushing everything inside.Then the most upsetting words of Lucien rang in my head like a challenge.“I’m going to claim Emily. I'm going to give her what she deserves.”“Arghhh!” I growled into the air, clenching my fist.He dared not…“....what will become of Emily?”My knees gave way, and I dropped to the floor, pressing my fist against the ground until it cracked beneath the pressure.A mindlink came through, one of the guards at my door reporting that Sarah was waiting to see me.I didn’t want to see anyone. I wanted
Emily’s POV “What's wrong?” I asked, surprised by his sudden shift in mood.Irene had stepped away from him, confused as well, and visibly trembling.Lucien groaned, pulling off his black tank top and pressing it against his neck.“What did I ask you to bring, and what the fuck did you bring?” His voice was sharp.“I… I brought what you told me to…” Irene stammered.“This is a heating balm,” he snapped, his tone dark. “I told you to bring the one with less menthol. What are you using your head to think?!”Irene flinched hard at his voice, losing her balance as she stepped back.Lucien reacted on instinct, catching her by the waist before she hit the floor.For a brief moment, he held her steady. Irene’s gaze lingered on Lucien for a heartbeat longer than necessary.Then, just as quickly, Lucien released her immediately.She stumbled back down to the ground, and his attention had already shifted away from her.My brow furrowed at the sudden shift again. Why did he catch her… only to r
Emily’s POV For a split second, I saw the boy from my dream in Malric’s face… and then it was gone. It vanished just as quickly.I didn’t even have time to process it before anger surged through me at the sight of Lucien’s condition.Malric let go of him and walked out of the gym without a glance back.I rushed to Lucien’s side. “Why did you let it get this far?” I scolded, frustration slipping into my voice. He knew his brother’s temperament too well to let things escalate like this.He only smiled faintly, rubbing at his reddened neck as if it were nothing more than an inconvenience. “I’m fine. He can’t do more than that.”“He could have,” I said, frowning. My gaze flicked briefly to his neck again, the faint marks still visible. “I saw what he was doing. If I hadn’t stepped in when I did… this might have ended very differently. Goddess forbid.”Lucien tilted his head slightly, studying me like I was overreacting—like he knew his brother too well to believe he would really harm him
Sharina’s POV (Two weeks ago, after the bloodbath) The doctor said Malric and Lucien were already out of danger. They'll live. I walked out of the royal infirmary. The scent of blood still lingered in the air, thick and metallic. The chaos had settled a little, but not enough for anyone to truly
Emily’s POV My eyes fluttered open, but a blinding white light flooded my vision, forcing me to shut them again. For a few moments, I couldn’t see anything.Slowly, the brightness began to fade.I thought I was still with Velmora, but the light here… it was different. Softer. Less overwhelming tha
Emily’s POV (Before she collapsed)I didn’t care if I was going to bleed to death. But I couldn’t stand there and watch Malric die like this.Without thinking, I challenged the beast.It recoiled again, just like before, and I couldn’t understand why.That hesitation… it felt unnatural.Driven by
Emily’s POV I was sure I heard the name “Velmora,” clear and distinct, like someone had whispered it right beside my ear.I thought it was a maid, but when I spun around, there was no one there.The room was empty. Of course, no maid would have come here at this hour. Past midnight.Then the name







