เข้าสู่ระบบGolden sunlight streamed down from the domed glass ceiling, warming the top of my head. It caught the dust motes dancing in the air and glinted off Gisela’s horn-rimmed glasses.I backed away, keeping the rough slab between us. There was a slight tang of blood coming off the surface of the stone, as if the recent sacrifice hadn’t stilled its hunger and it was waiting for more. “What makes you think he would die?” I asked Gisela. The stillness of the temple swallowed my words. It was as if noise had no substance in this place. No one would hear the screams.I shivered.“He will and I can only blame you for it.” Gisela replied, her voice solemn with certainty. “You aren’t supposed to survive this tournament, Erina. It’s inevitable.” She looked at me with a hint of sadness. “Magnus should have rejected you long ago. But no matter… I have the solution.”She stayed where she was, infused by the sunlight, while I backed away into the shadows.“Gisela, I don’t know what you’re up to. but you
ErinaMagnus’ stormy blue-gray eyes haunted me as I followed Elder Muller out of the castle. I felt guilty for not telling him earlier that I was supposed to go into isolation. Didn’t want to spoil our short time together, but unfortunately, not even that worked out as planned thanks to my brother.Before I went to join them in the office, I had gone to say goodbye to my baby. He was content sleeping in his crib while the dependable Helen watched over him. It broke my heart to kiss him goodbye, and it was even harder leaving Magnus behind. Especially when he looked as if I had mortally injured him by leaving. I would have given my soul to stay, but there was no other way. I needed to see this through to prove myself worthy.I didn’t know what to expect, having never seen the Temple of Selene. Something grand, perhaps. There were no actual depictions of it in the books our father had us study. Elder Muller and I walked down narrow cobbled pathways at the back of the castle. Our footste
MagnusWas it too much to ask for one day of privacy? I didn’t bother to hide my annoyance with Eric.“Couldn’t it wait?” I snarled at him, leaving my robe unfastened to let him know exactly what he had interrupted. My cock was a hard, angry spear, pointing accusatory at him.“I’m sorry, my king.” He flushed a deep shade of crimson and averted his eyes. “There has been a… development.”“Don’t mind him, Eric,” Erina tsked. “I’m sure it must be important.” She touched her brother’s arm in passing, smiling at him with affection.I left them in the lounge to get dressed. There were no formal appointments scheduled, but I expected the contestants to arrive soon.“Wait for me in my office.” I called out to Eric from the bedroom. “I’ll be there shortly.” An ominous feeling had taken permanent residence in my gut. My beast mirrored my dread, pacing restlessly in my mind.I wasn’t superstitious, but it wasn’t a coincidence that the date of the tournament coincided with the blood moon and lunar
MagnusTwo days to go, and I dreaded each passing second. Fritz rightly said Erina was a weapon. But not in the sense he meant. She was the weapon my elders and the High Council were using to destroy me. With her gone, it would be easier to control or replace me. They have skillfully pitted the wolves against her, using their prejudices to the council’s advantage. But I won’t let that happen, and I won’t let her die.“Never,” I whispered to her sleeping form. “I won’t let them destroy us, my love.” My beautiful mate. She looked so peaceful in sleep, her dark lashes kissing her cheeks, her ruby lips slightly parted. I could watch her forever, mesmerized by the gentle rise and fall of her chest with each soft breath.I let her sleep. She deserved to rest. These past days have taken their toll on her. But I admired her spirit, her resolve to prove herself. But I wasn’t about to let her kill herself to prove a point. She was stubborn and more like her father than she would admit. I hate
ErinaWhose devilish plan was this to make me fight against my sister? She was relentless. I saw my father in her, her fluid movements. She was supple like a cat. You wouldn’t say she had a baby two months ago. The advantages of being a werewolf, I guess. I had healed, but I still felt fat and sluggish.“Come on, Erina! Put your weight behind your punches. You hit like a girl!” Her angry screams did little to entice me.I was hot and tired. As if sensing my distress, the cows in the paddock let out low moos of empathy. At least they had their calves with them. My baby needed me. “I am a girl!” I yelled out of frustration.She was a killing machine. Our father trained her, not me. My purpose was to be a sacrifice, not a fighter.She snarled back, “You’re not! You’re a fucking werewolf. Own it!”She slapped me. Right across my face. Blood flew in an arc from my nose.The wolf inside roared for dominance. I felt her surge forward, filling me with strength.Daphne aimed a kick at my fac
MagnusI loathed every moment of subjecting her to this torment. But it was necessary. I watched her slumbering form. Exhaustion etched fine lines around her mouth and eyes. She was resilient, I must confess. Even after the grueling paces she still tirelessly cared for our son. Adamant to spend as much time with him as she could.It was only until Helen urged me to carry her to bed that she yielded. She had drifted off in the rocking chair while nursing Marcel. “My stubborn huntress,” I murmured as I lifted her into my arms. She sighed softly, nestling her head against my shoulder and wrapped her arms around my neck without waking. Marcel, a peaceful bundle, was fast asleep under Helen’s watchful eye.Erina needed rest. Tomorrow, I will have to push her harder. A thought that sank like a stone in my gut.“Link me if you have any issues. She’s not to be disturbed.”“Of course, my king,” Helen bowed her head respectfully.“And Helen, allow no one other than us in here.” I had deployed e
MagnusStretched out on Erina’s bed, I watched while she sat at her dressing table, brushing her fair hair. I enjoyed watching her; the contours of her naked back, the swelling of her breasts reflected in the mirror. She was a work of art, my personal Venus.“You should go.” She put down the hairbr
My heart sank to the floor. No, no… He wasn’t supposed to wake up. My hand stayed on the doorknob.“I asked you a question.” I heard him throwing the covers off and getting up.I turned around. He glanced at his cellphone on the bedside table and noticed his keys and wallet were missing.“I’m leavi
Magnus“You’re leaving? Now?” Elise came running after me. “Magnus… Where are you going?” The desperation in her voice stabbed at me.I turned around to answer her, taking her hands in mine and wishing I could feel something more for her than I do. “I’ll be back before the ceremony, Elise. This is
ErinaWaiting for Magnus to phone me back, I ate slowly, every bite a torturous effort because of the knot in my stomach. Even the clatter of cutlery as the servers cleared the tables set me on edge. Calm down, I told myself. Don’t draw attention to yourself. But the smell of various foods and the







