[Ivan’s POV]I watched as Arissa slipped off the formal attire she had been wearing for meeting the nomads and began to rummage through the closet for something more comfortable. Fuck the woman was enticing and the urge to attack her began to shadow any other thoughts."Don’t think about it, Ivy." Arissa giggled, pulling out a simple black dress and holding it against her chest. "Do you think this is acceptable for a banquet?"Standing up, I approached Arissa and yanked the far too short dress from her grasp. I didn’t know what she was playing at, but I wasn’t about to let any man see her in something so damn revealing."I think," I began, reaching around her and rummaging. "This is a better choice."Giving a tug, I pulled out a blue number with long sleeves and a floor-length skirt. Though the bust line was a little too low for my liking, it was much better than the one she was trying to wear."That grandma dress?" Arissa puffed, eyeing the garment in my hand. "I don’t understand why
[Arissa’s POV]The next day, I stood in front of the old holding cells where my mother had been banished after being brought back to Ivan’s pack. For a year, she had remained in this place, alone and away from the world. Not once had I bothered to come visit her, but despite my insistence that I didn’t care what came of her, the servants regularly informed me of her whereabouts.After what happened the night before, I didn't have the energy to argue with Ivan's suggestion, so I allowed him to bring me here. Now, I was regretting my decision and wishing that I had fought a little harder to not come.Letting out a frustrated growl, I looked over at Ivan as he spoke with the guard that watched over her during the day. I didn't know what they were talking about, and I didn’t care. However, before long, the guard was unlocking the door that kept my mother away from the rest of the world."Do we really have to do this?" I asked Ivan as I peered inside the dark building. "There are other way
[Ivan’s POV]"Are you alright?" I asked once Arissa and I were back in the pack house. "You’ve been really quiet.""Are you saying I talk a lot?" Arissa countered, attempting to put up a strong front."You know what I mean." I sighed.Even though this type of response was typical for Arissa, it didn’t mean I liked it. As her mate, I was more than willing to destroy anyone she asked me to, even if it meant destroying the moon goddess herself. I would do anything to see her smile and to know that she was happy and had everything she could ever want.‘Such a romantic.’ Bastian chuckled, sending waves of annoyance through me.‘Shut the hell up.’ I hissed, pushing him back to where he came from. ‘Stay out of this.’‘She is our mate.’ Bastian pointed out. ‘Therefore it involves me too.’‘Rosario is yours.’ I countered. ‘Arissa is mine.’‘I’m no ones.’ Rosario growled, causing Arissa to freeze mid-step and shoot me a glare."Are you discussing me?" She demanded, narrowing her gaze.Shit, I w
[Arissa’s POV]"Ivan," I whispered, trying to get myself together. "We need to move."The one that cursed me was near, and while we were sitting here staring at a note and a body, they were getting away. Fuck that. I wasn’t about to let that happen. Especially if letting the person go meant having to see more of those dead children, and now even my father.Jumping up, I began to move, ignoring Ivan’s protests as I located a window and launched myself through it, sending glass spraying towards the ground as I fell. Landing on my feet, I sniffed the air, trying to locate the intruder. When I managed to catch onto a faint scent, I began to move.‘Is this a good idea?’ Rosario asked as I began to make my way into the woods beyond. ‘Something doesn’t feel right.’‘Do you have any other suggestions?’ I huffed, stopping long enough to hunt for the scent I was following once more. ‘Should we just let this bastard get away?’‘No, but don’t you think it is weird that Ivan couldn’t locate the pe
[Arissa's POV]"Arissa! Where the hell are you?"A wave of relief rushed through me as Ivan’s worried voice reached my ears. It seemed that I was saved."Over here!" I called, trying to not look at my gashed up arms. I wasn’t sure if this was just a trick of the jinn or if I was actually this damaged, but for now, getting free of these fucking ghosts and branches was the biggest priority."What the hell?" Ivan hissed once he managed to reach me. "How did you manage this?""Magic. Could you please help me out?"I watched as the ghost children began to fade with each branch Ivan managed to break away from me. Once I was fully freed, they had managed to disappear entirely, leaving only Ivan and I in the middle of this godforsaken forest."Thanks." I sighed as Ivan yanked my feet free from the roots that were holding them. "You showed just in…""What the hell were you thinking?" Ivan demanded, cutting me off entirely. "Throwing yourself out of a window and running head first into danger?"
[Arissa’s POV]Later that evening, I stood on the balcony that was attached to mine and Ivan’s room, staring up at the moon that was getting dangerously close to red. The blood moon was coming soon, and with everything that had happened in the past few days, I almost forgot about its existence. However, thinking on it, since I was pregnant, would it even affect me? I didn't know, but I guessed I would find out soon enough.Letting out a huff, I hoisted myself up on the banister, throwing my legs over so I could have a better view of what was happening below. Now wasn’t the time to focus on the blood moon. After all, that bastard that cursed me was still out there somewhere.Narrowing my gaze, I peered into the forest where I had managed to get trapped and found myself wondering where the person had gone. They definitely were close when they were luring me. Did they stick around to watch or did they run?"Contemplating suicide?" Ivan’s voice called from behind. "Is the thought of havin
[Ivan’s POV]"NO!" Arissa's agonized voice pierced through the darkness of my sleep. "Please...""ARISSA!"Prying my eyes open, I sat up and looked at where Arissa struggled and groaned. However, the way she was reacting wasn’t the thing that turned my blood cold. Instead, it was the fact that her throat was slit and blood was quickly soaking the bed beneath her."What the fuck happened?" I growled, ripping the blanket and quickly wrapping it around her wound. "Arissa, baby, wake up."I could feel my heart beginning to beat erratically in my chest as Arissa’s eyes remained shut and her mouth moved, forming soundless words. Why wouldn’t she wake and what was she experiencing? I couldn’t let this continue, but how was I supposed to fight an invisible enemy?"Arissa, please open your eyes." I begged, lifting her into my arms and beginning to move. "Please.""I..van," Arissa whimpered, curling in on herself. "Help…""DAMMIT!" I roared as whatever struggle she was going through seemed to c
[Ivan’s POV]I watched as Arissa’s body jerked and then began to fall. Jumping up, I prepared to catch her, but was beat to it by Nazhoni, who had a look of shock on her face. Slowing my movements, I came to join them and gently pulled Arissa from Nazhoni’s grip."I’ll take it from here." I murmured, pulling Arissa against me."I can do it, you know?" Nazhoni pouted."Not a chance." I sighed, fixing my gaze on Arissa’s face as her eyelids began to flutter."Da…" she gasped, her eyes flying open. "DAD!""Hey," I whispered, as she frantically began to try to sit up. "Calm down, it’s alright.""I-van." Arissa murmured, meeting my gaze. "Why am I?"Letting out a long sigh of relief, I pulled Arissa closer to me, ignoring her immediate protests."What are you doing?" She demanded, attempting to break free. "Why are we here?""Because you weren’t you." Nazhoni offered, ruining my moment with Arissa. "You were some weird vampire.""Huh?" As Arissa attempted to process Nazhoni’s words, she bi