The wolves snarled getting ready to attack, come to think of it, it has been a while since I had last exercised. I held my walking stick excitedly.Claudio tapped me and said excitedly, "Sel, remember the games we played when we were kids?".My lips curved into a smirk on hearing this, "I'm in, whoever kills the most gets to ask the loser for anything they want"."Let go then". Claudio shouted before leaping into the air.Seeing him floating in the air and taking out wolves like he was playing a game, I felt the vigor.Looking at my walking stick, I twisted the jade head and a sharp blade like a sword appeared. The day Father gave this to me, Mother secretly told me he had Agatha make it with the best Jade and the strongest blade. Now that I think of it, it was all to protect myself. I didn't waste any more time and began slicing those wolves, just like I expected their wounds healed quickly and they were stronger than normal."Rip their hearts out!!!!". I yelled as I bathed in hybri
After running for a while, I stopped and dug my paws into the ground, the rumbling of the wolves startled me.'Just how many are they?!', I listened well to the rumbling and detected the silent area with no wolves, 'West'.I turned left and ran at full speed, 'Hold on! Why does it seem like I have been here before ?'. I looked around carefully, 'I have been here before'. Seeing my countless paw marks I realize I have been running yet arriving at the same position, 'This is insane! I'm trapped in a mace!'.ETHAN'S POVSurrounded by a pack of hybrids I was more than ready to take them down. With my speed clearing them out was easier, I couldn't help but steal glances at Selene, her white T-shirt was dripping blood but I sighed in relief knowing it had to be the hybrid's blood. Her golden curves swayed with her every move, Now I see why her name is known far and wide... Her courage is on another level. I suddenly noticed the more we killed these wolves more kept coming like they were f
SELENE'S POVHow to come out of this mess?, just when my head was racking out ways to escape this strange mace I heard Claudio's voice calling for me."Sel!!!".Awooooooooooooooo! I howled as a signal.Seeing him I transformed back to my human form, just that I was stark naked. I am not embarrassed in the slightest after all it is a normal thing for werewolves, but it looks like Claudio isn't okay with it."Cough! Cough!!!!", He coughed hard and hurriedly turned his back to me, "Sel!!". He yelled.I chuckled before saying, "Yo! We used to have our bath together when we were kids!!". I yelled back."That was when we were kids Sel!". He yelled before snapping his fingers.The White T-shirt and Jeans I was putting on earlier suddenly appeared on my body. I smirked slightly, "Merits of having a wizard as a friend"."Tell me what did you find?". He asked."There is something wrong with this place... It is like a mace, I have been running for hours yet I keep arriving at the same spot". I
"Selene!!". I yelled forgetting formalities.Seeing Claudio checking her pulse, I quickly asked, "How is she?". "Drive! She is fine, she just needs rest". Claudio replied. Without thinking twice I stepped on the accelerator and drove like my life depended on it Getting back to the headquarters, Claudio hurriedly carried her down and took her upstairs to her room.Looking at her pale yet peaceful face I realized something, for the first time I know what it feels like to be afraid of losing someone. 'I'm scared... I don't want to lose you, Selene... What a beautiful mess I'm in '."Prince Ethan". A guard called me snapping me out of my reverie."What is it?". I asked."Master Odius calls for you at the meeting room". He said and left after a slight bow.I took in deep breaths before heading to the meeting room.Crink!!!!The door opened and I walked in to see Odius and some other Elders, they were all human... Is this the Human Council?Odius stood up upon my arrival, "Prince Ethan, t
"We should head back home and send troops to guard here instead because we are of no use here... Our clan needs us more". Ethan said without batting an eyelid destroying the hopes of the Elders.I wished to comment but I ran out of words, and my head suddenly became blank."Alright then, you both should return, the matter on the ground is greater than we thought, staying here is not the solution... I'm sure we will overcome this!". One of the Elders said. Come to think of it, throughout the discussion this Elder didn't say a word he just watched and listened to the extent that I almost forgot he was in the room and now that he spoke up the other Elders nodded and agreed with him, he must be their chief. [It looks like we will be going back home soon] I said inwardly.[We will be fine] Lena replied.Just when I was trying to calm myself down I heard him say, "I will be leaving tomorrow". It felt like a huge rock was thrown on my chest, I found it difficult to breathe."Why so early?".
ETHAN'S POV"I will be leaving tomorrow". "Why is that? So early?". Odius asked but I couldn't tell him the real reason,"The earlier the better don't you think". I said."At least you will be able to attend tonight's celebration". One. Of the elders said."There is a celebration tonight?". I asked confused."Yes, tonight is the crossover night to a new year, we will be holding a gathering, thank goodness you will be able to attend. You and the princess must not miss it". Odius said.I turned to see Selene only to discover she was not in her seat anymore."It seems like the Princess was feeling unwell so she excused herself". Odius said."It looks like we will have to burden you with the task of informing her". Another Elder said."No problem". I said and stood up instantly as I headed to her room.Knock! Knock!"Princess Selene", I called out but no answer, thoughts were getting the worst of me I patiently called out again."Princess Selene?"."Hold on a sec". I finally heard her vo
8 pmETHAN'S POVSoft yet classy melody filled everywhere, I gently went downstairs, the once white background had now changed to a festive background bringing life to the hall.Everyone wore a beautiful smile on their face as they gulped down their glasses, just then I discovered something, not only humans are in this hall, but there are also witches and other vampires and werewolves. Seems like they are the exiled members."Prince Ethan". I heard my name and turned to see Odius with the other Elders dressed in suits making them look charismatic. "It is a good thing you are here, the more the merrier". Odius laughed."Speaking of which, where is the princess?". Elder Luke asked and I looked around,"She's probably still dressing up, you know Women". I said and they all burst into laughter."I will go get her". I said."There's no need for that, there she is". Odius said and pointed at the stairs.I turned and I saw her, a true Goddess.Her golden brown curls were packed in a low bu
"What!!! Who? What are you saying Sel?". Claudio exclaimed."Ethan... Ethan is my Mate Claudio, I don't know why this is happening to me. He is a hybrid and his wolf isn't awakened yet but Lena can feel the mate bond and I think... I have fallen for him too. I don't know what to do". I busted into tears, I think I have held it in for too long."Shhhhhhhhh... Please don't cry, you know how much I hate it when you do". Claudio said as he embraced me."I don't know what to do!". I cried harder."Please stop crying, I know we will sort things out okay... Please just stop crying ". He wiped my tears immediately and I tried my best to stop crying."What about him? Does he know? Have you told him?". Claudio asked and I shook my head."No, not at all...I don't think I have the guts. Even if I tell him what can he do about it?". I asked and tears welled up in my eyes again as I tried my best to hold it back in."Claudio, I am the next Alpha of the blood moon pack, and he is the son of Nicholas
Blood. Smoke. Screams.The battlefield was chaos incarnate. A blur of blades, claws, and death.Hybrids surged in wavesโdark, snarling creatures with eyes glowing like cursed embers. They didnโt tire. They didnโt retreat. Every time one fell, three more took its place.My sword tore through flesh and bone, spirit energy pulsing with each strike, but still they came.โSelene, left!โ Ethan shouted.I spun just in time to see a hybrid leaping at me, its claws ready to rip into my sideโbut Ethanโs blade was faster. It slashed through its midsection, black blood splattering across the ground.Our backs met.Our rhythm was a deadly danceโswing, duck, parry, strike. Two hearts. One beat. One blade.We moved as one.He covered my blind spots. I watched his flanks. The battlefield bent to our pace, enemies falling with each pass. The sky thundered above us, ash raining down like cursed snow.Across the field, Rubyโs arrows flew like guided lightningโeach one landing with deadly precision. Eira
The ringing in my ears faded into screams and the pounding of terrified footsteps. I pushed myself off the ground, my heart thundering as my eyes searched through the smoke and flames."Selene!" I heard him before I saw himโEthanโs voice tearing through the chaos like a blade.I turned just in time to see him rushing toward me, dust and worry etched into every line of his face. I ran to him without thinking and threw myself into his arms. He caught me, holding me like I was air and heโd been suffocating."Are you okay?" he asked, his voice raw, desperate.I nodded quickly, trying to mask the shaking in my limbs. "Help the children," I whispered against his chest.He nodded without question and turned away, already barking orders and shielding the small ones caught in the confusion. I spun around, grabbing a dazed woman by the arm and guiding her behind the larger tents for cover. Another explosion sounded, this one farther away, but no less terrifying.My eyes darted around the crowd.
โI should get ready,โ I said, brushing my fingers gently down his cheek.He nodded but didnโt move to let me go. โIโll walk you back.โWe walked hand-in-hand regardless of the eyes on us, the soft grass cool beneath our feet, until the lights of the pack grounds began to shimmer ahead of us, little orbs of amber and gold floating through the air like fireflies. Music thrummed faintly in the distanceโdrums, flutes, laughter, and the sweet scent of roasted honey fruit and grilled spice meat drifted through the air.The Night Festival had begun.He left to get ready while I also prepared.By the time Ruby came to get me, I had already changed into the dress Imara picked for meโdeep emerald green with silver threads woven through the fabric like whispers of starlight. It flowed around me like mist, soft and regal.โMy lady,โ Ruby breathed as she fixed the last flower in my hair, โyou look breathtaking.โI gave her a small smile and nodded. โThank you, Ruby.When we arrived at the heart of
"My lady, you have not had rest since you left your room this morningโyou look pale," Ruby said, her voice laced with concern."My lady, just let us do the rest," Eira chimed in gently.Imara gave a small, firm nod beside her.I smiled at them, warmth blooming in my chest. Their loyaltyโฆ it always amazed me."Thank you for your care," I said softly. "Iโm fine. You all can go and prepare for the night festival." I paused, glancing at Ruby with a knowing look. "Let me know when itโs almost time.""Yes, my lady," they said in perfect unison before walking off, leaving a quiet hush in their wake.I turned and made my way back to Serene Lake.And thenโI saw him.โYouโre back,โ he said, and just like that, the tension in his shoulders melted. His eyesโthose deep, storm-touched eyesโlit up like a dawn I could only dream of.I smiled, a real one this time, from somewhere deeper than my bones. I nodded, and before I could say a word, he was already on his feet, wrapping me in his arms.His hug
The second I saw herโher long silver robes flowing like moonlight, her steps slow but full of purposeโI broke composure and ran.โAunt Agatha!โI threw my arms around her before I could stop myself.She felt thinner than I remembered. Her once-strong frame now felt like delicate twigs beneath soft velvet. Her scent was familiar, earthy and warm, but there was something differentโfainter, like a flame struggling to stay lit.She stood stiffly, but her hand reached up and gently patted my hair, the motion careful, calming.โMy little flower,โ she murmured.I pulled back just enough to look into her face. Her eyes, once sharp with mischief and magic, were shadowed by fatigue. Her cheeks were hollow, her skin pale beneath the soft lines of age and wisdom.โAunt Agatha, are you alright? You look unwell.โโIโm alright, little flower,โ she said with a smile that didnโt quite reach her eyes.I didnโt believe her. But I nodded anyway.Now wasnโt the time to argue.โI need the barrier strengthe
SELENE'S POVEthan is rightโnobody is ever truly ready for war.The thought echoed in my mind, sharp and undeniable.His words hadnโt just settled inโthey rooted themselves in my chest, heavy and unrelenting. The truth of what was coming was no longer some distant threat. It was here. And it was hungry.But my fear wasnโt about war alone.It was about him.My mate.My Ethan.My heart clenched painfully as the image of him flickered in my thoughtsโhis eyes dimmed by something that did not belong to him, his voice edged by a force older than memory. I had felt it myselfโฆ when I touched him. A shadow, ancient and relentless, coiled beneath his skin.And now I understood.Irisโs fear hadnโt been overblown or dramaticโit had been real. And now, it was mine too.But there was something elseโฆ something I could control.I could suppress the darkness within himโstill, it, quiet it as a mother calming a violent storm cradled in her childโs soul. I couldnโt remove itโฆ not yet. But I could hold i
The moment I swore those words, the air around us snappedโcharged, alive. The wind stirred unnaturally, rustling the trees in a sudden gust. A strange pulse rippled through my chest like a silent drumbeat.Then came the burn.Subtle at firstโlike static crawling beneath my skinโbut it quickly intensified. My breath caught. A pressure built inside me, raw and ancient, tightening around my lungs.But I didnโt let go of her.Not yet.I ground my teeth and forced myself to stay calm. I wouldnโt show weakness. Not in front of her. Not when she needed my strength.But I felt itโsomething inside me shifting. Unfurling. Watching.A presence that did not belong.I drew in a sharp breath and finally released her, rising to my feet. The earth trembled beneath me, only slightly, but I felt it. Power thrumming just beneath the surface of my skin. My hands were shaking, not from fearโbut from the sheer force of what was clawing its way to the surface.โSelene...โ I turned from her, holding out my h
I clenched my fists so tight that my nails dug into my palms. The words came out in a low, jagged rasp, each one heavier than the last. "A force on par with the celestial realm. The maker of the mutated hybrids that terrorized our realm... and the human realm. The dark overlord." The weight of those words seemed to settle over the room, thickening the air, and I could feel my chest tightening as if the mere mention of that name might bring terror to it."Alexander the First," Alpha Lucas completed, his voice colder than usual. His expression matched the gravity of the situation, something I'd seen beforeโa reflection of deep worry masked by controlled composure.But then my gaze turned to Selene, and everything in me stilled. She was sitting there, poised as always, her fingers curled around her teacup with quiet elegance. There was no sign of shock, no flicker of fear, nothing that should've been there when faced with such a threat. She was... calm. Too calm.And then she smiled.It
Natalieโs knock was soft, almost timid. "Your Highness, Alpha Lucas summons you." Her voice pulled me from the wreckage of my thoughts. I stood slowly, my limbs aching, my mind a haze of guilt and regret. The room still reeked of her scentโfaint now, like a ghost clinging to the edges of my soul. I opened the door, and Natalie stood there, her expression tight with worry. Her eyes darted to the blood on my sleeveโI had missed a spot. "Find Claudio," I said quietly. "Tell him to please check up on her." She gave a small nod and turned without a word. I shut the door and leaned against it for a second, exhaling shakily. My heart thudded dully against my ribs. I didnโt want to face him. I didnโt want to face anyone. Not when my hands had nearly taken everything from me. I dragged myself into the bathroom. The mirror above the sink was crackedโmocking me with jagged reflections. I couldnโt even look into my own eyes. I washed my face in silence, scrubbing harder than necessar