My heart sank as I realized the cruelty of their confinement. The silver wall acted as an impenetrable barrier, separating the two lovers and rendering them powerless against its formidable presence. I could feel the intensity of the silver's touch, its malevolent energy pulsating through the air like a tangible force of oppression. As I gazed upon Iris and Xander, trapped within their respective cells, a surge of anger and sorrow welled up within me. How could such a vile act be perpetrated against two beings driven by nothing but love? It was a cruel twist of fate, a mockery of the very essence of their existence. With a heavy heart, I approached the silver barrier, reaching out to touch its surface. But as my fingers made contact, a searing pain shot through me, a reminder of the deadly power it possessed. Yet even in the face of such adversity, I refused to back down, my determination fueled by the unwavering belief that love would triumph over all. I looked at Iris and a wave o
I held my breath, willing the moon goddess to heed his cries, to show mercy in the face of such agony. But her response was not what I had hoped for. With a single glance, cold and indifferent, she silenced Xander's pleas, her gaze unwavering as though unaffected by the anguish before her. For a moment, the dungeon seemed to hold its breath, the silence broken only by the sound of Xander's labored breathing as he stared at the goddess in disbelief. But as the reality of her indifference sank in, a sense of resignation washed over me, extinguishing the flicker of hope that had briefly ignited within my chest. In the presence of such divine authority, there was little room for mortal pleas or appeals to mercy. With a heavy heart, I turned away, unable to bear witness to Xander's anguish any longer. In the depths of my soul, I prayed for a miracle, a glimmer of hope to pierce the darkness that surrounded us. But in this cruel and unforgiving world, miracles were few and far between.
"Who in the name of the goddess is this lady!" I exclaimed, my voice tinged with a mix of surprise and suspicion. She was draped in a luxurious purple cloak that billowed around her like a royal mantle. Her slender fingers, adorned with intricate jewelry, were entwined around Xander's neck, and her head was nestled against his chest, concealing her face from my view. Xander remained stoic, his expression unreadable as she clung to him. His silence only fueled my curiosity, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anger at the intimacy between them. "Who is she?!" I demanded again, my tone edged with urgency and intrigue, but there was no one to answer me, so I had to wait. The atmosphere grew dense with unspoken tension as the lady in purple continued to embrace Xander, her cloak cascading like a waterfall over his shoulders. I watched, unable to move or speak, as the connection between them grew clearer. There was a tenderness in her touch, a longing that hinted at a deeper story, o
"Iris, are you okay?" Xander asked, his voice gentler than a whisper. The warmth in his tone was a stark contrast to the coldness he displayed when speaking with Yennefer. Iris struggled to open her eyes, her lids heavy as if weighed down by an invisible force. She took a shallow breath, then spoke with a fragile edge, "I'm okay... You should have left with her. At least I'd be at ease knowing you were safe." Xander moved closer to the bars, his knuckles turning white as he gripped them. "I could never leave you, Iris. Not for anything," he replied, his words filled with unwavering conviction. Iris's weak smile faded as she forced herself to sit up. "You should have," she muttered, her voice frail but tinged with concern. "I don't want you to suffer because of me." I turned to Xander, waiting for his response. He chuckled loudly, a sound that echoed through the dungeon with a hint of mischief and warmth. "Stupid girl," he said, his voice carrying a teasing edge. "Ever since that da
And to my greatest shock, the Moon Goddess replied, "My apologies for the harsh treatment." "What in the world is happening?!" I shouted, unable to contain my disbelief. Did I stumble into the wrong memory, or was this truly happening? "This is not the first time, Mother," Iris retorted, her voice laced with anger. "I'm starting to get used to it." Her eyes narrowed with resentment as she continued, "Why must we be treated like this, Mother? Why must I be treated like this? It hurts, you know! Every single time, knowing I have no power over my fate! And this is all your fault!" Her voice rose with each word, her emotions bubbling over. "Don't you dare blame me for your mistakes!" the Moon Goddess shot back, her tone colder than ever. "You know very well that loving a vampire with the blood of a werewolf running through his veins brings nothing but disaster! But you ignored it and went ahead with it! How foolish could you be? Do you realize you're not only putting yourself in danger
They were crossing a threshold, stepping into a new world with no idea what awaited them, but they knew they had each other. Just as they reached the gate, Iris paused, turning back to face the Moon Goddess. She took a deep breath, her voice soft yet clear. "Thank you, Mother," she said sincerely, her tone carrying genuine gratitude despite everything that had happened. The Moon Goddess's expression didn't change. Her eyes were as cold as the stone beneath their feet, her lips a thin, tight line. She didn't acknowledge Iris's words; instead, her voice cut through the air like a knife. "Don't thank me," she said, her tone as sharp as ice. "This choice you've made comes with a price, and you have no idea what's waiting for you out there. It's not a fairytale, Iris. The dangers are real, and you will face them without the protection I offered you." Iris's shoulders slumped slightly, the weight of her mother's words sinking in. She knew this path wouldn't be easy, but hearing it from th
The force of the impact left her sprawled on the ground, a trail of blood spreading from where she landed, the harshness of Yennefer's attack shocked me; her mourning dress couldn't hide the intensity of her anger, nor could her tears mask the hostility in her gaze. The scene unfolded in slow motion, the violence of Yennefer's spell stunned me. As I watched Iris struggle to get up, pain evident in every movement, I couldn't help but wonder what had driven Yennefer to this point of viciousness.The forest, once eerily silent, was now filled with the echoes of conflict and despair. It was as if the very walls were absorbing the pain and anguish, amplifying the darkness that seemed to seep from every corner. Yennefer's sudden arrival and her brutal actions raised questions I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answers to. Yennefer paid no heed to anyone or anything as she lunged for Xander's body, hugging him tightly as her sobs grew louder and more anguished. It was as if the pain of los
ETHAN'S POV After walking for three days and nights, we finally reached the barrier at midnight. The air was cooler, but the silence around us felt unnerving, like the calm before a storm. As we approached, I noticed something strangeโdried blood and old skeletons scattered across the ground. The desert sand had almost covered them, but enough remained to catch my eye.I knelt down by one of the skeletons, my fingers brushing away the sand to examine the tattered remains of its clothing. A chill ran down my spine as I recognized the distinctive red crest on the fabric. It belonged to the Red Moon Pack. I stood up, my heart racing. The presence of their remnants here meant something had gone terribly wrong.I signaled my army to halt, my senses alert for any sign of danger. The barrier loomed ahead, a shimmering field that marked the boundary between our world and something unknown. The skeletons told a grim story of what might have happened to those who dared to cross it.I knew I ha
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