NeemI have gotten better at acting. I had to, since it did not get easier to be fed from. Something else that has not stopped is the hungry eyes on me. I hear the whispers going around, the cupbearers before me were game to any of the officials that cared to feed. They lived exponentially worse lives than I do, sometimes being fed from so exhaustively the meat is peeled from their bones. They whisper that I’m different, and they want nothing to do with me. What feels like ages since I stepped foot in the palace, Mia is still my only friend, if I can call her that. I’ve not seen or heard from her at all, not since Prince Ismir escorted me back to my chambers and we ran into her in the hallways. There was a look on her face, something she quickly stifled and something I only noticed because I was paying her that much attention. I’m not sure but I wonder if she really does like the prince and feels possessive of him. If so, I don’t have the chance to explain to her that there is nothi
Neem“From here onwards, you must be quiet.” The prince says and my eyes widen with anticipation. I nod my head enthusiastically and sign. “I’ll be as quiet as a mouse.”“Remain close to me and we must move without being seen. Do you think you can do it?”I’m smiling wide as I nod. I’m so excited I could jump but I settle for taking his hand, right before I realise I just touched his royal body without permission. I freeze and drop my hand, berating myself but he suddenly takes it back, interlacing our fingers.“Let’s go.”He pushes the door in and we make our way inside. The first thing I notice is the deathly silence and immediately, my eyes feed on sights that I’m sure are forbidden for me. The cells are made of unbreakable glass which appears to be one way. The first one has a cheetah pacing restlessly in his cage and I look at the prince in question. “Our scientists have tried to engineer the gene that allows us to shift. Thanks to the power of the Mizuki crystals, there have
Neem“Who put you in there?!” I try to ask, dropping to my knees in front of him but only a croak comes out. I’ve never regretted not having a tongue as I do right now. His little face is stained with tears from his brilliant green eyes but he stops crying and cocks his head. No way... did he hear me? I wave frantically at him but then I remember the glass is one way, that is why his eyes are not focusing on me. He sniffles as if concluding no one is with him and more tears pour down his face. His little face breaks down into tears again and my heart hurts. With everything in me, I want to hold that little boy close and comfort him. “Hey!” I croak and pound on the glass. Can he hear me?His cries cut off again and he looks around in confusion as if to locate the sound. He must have some really sharp hearing because I’m sure the glass is sound-proof. I pound harder on the glass and he startles, his eyes sharpening. He peers into the glass and raises a palm to rest on the smooth sur
LorI walk away from my Luna’s screams that seem to ricochet down the hall. On the first day, her screams couldn’t be heard. She was chained underwater and she drowned as many times as she revived, her immortality saving her each time, only to welcome her into fresh torment. Her screams could be heard on the second day when the drill started on her toes. Today, her screams are even louder. Three days for the three days that my mate has been unconscious thanks to her scheming and her betrayal. Killing her may be impossible but I wasn’t joking when I said there are worse things than death. I’m on my way to my chambers, where I’ve had Dan relocate her to when Tate falls in step beside me.“Alpha, your attention is needed.”“Speak.” I say without breaking stride. “Alpha Reenan has asked for an audience.”I come to a stop and glare down at my beta even though he is only the messenger. “Tell him he should have thought of that before he dared to surround my men on my territory. He will lo
CelineI jerk upright in bed and for a second, my head takes a dive for the ground.“You’re awake.”I startle and look to the side to find Dan, the head physician looking down at me with a smile. A few other physicians flutter around the room. Where is Lor? I remember the last thing I felt before going unconscious, pain that did not begin or end, pain that crippled me. My mind shies away from fully remembering that, it must be as bad as I remember if I needed this many physicians. “Where am I?” I ask, looking at my strange surroundings with awe. “In the Alpha’s chambers.” She says. This is my first time being in here and the grandeur of the bed chamber alone surpasses my imagination. “Where is he?” I ask. The door bursts open in that moment and while Dan backs away, he crosses the room to me in long strides. “Lor.” I whisper, tears springing to my eyes at the sight of him. I’ve been holding it together through sheer will but seeing him here after I wished so fervently for him ma
EmmaI grin, my little legs pumping as I race for home. The little sea shell is clutched in my chubby hands and I can’t wait to show them to Ma. I found it! One of the treasures of the sea. For as long as I can remember, the sea has always called to me. I’m just like Ma in that. Werewolves however, have no business on the sea so we stay here on land. Father says we can be protected here on land, amongst the pack. I hate the pack. They look at me strange, and they don’t like playing with me. I prefer the sea anyway. Ma says I should be patient and grow strong first. When I do, I’ll show Father I can protect all of us and we can finally go to the sea. Today, I finally found my first treasure and I can’t wait for Ma to see it. I turn the corner and run towards home. It’s at the end of the street, and other wolves refuse to live close to us so we’re the only ones on the street. I like to pretend Ma and Father are just so rich they bought the whole street. “Ma!” I’m yelling long before
Celine“Are you sure you’ll be okay here?” Nessa asks, casting a glance around my room and finding it wanting. “I think you’ll fare better in the Alpha’s chambers.”“You have nothing to worry about, Lor took care of everything. In this room is a door to a secret underground chamber that I’ll go to if I feel threatened. It even leads to Lor’s chambers. Go on and stop being such a worrywart.”She huffs. “Fine, but keep the door locked.”“Yes mom.” I say and she laughs and shakes her head. “Don’t let me keep you from chasing the man of your dreams.”“Ken? He’s hardly the man of my dreams.” She says with a laugh. “But the male can fuck, so I’ll guard him jealously.”“Well then don’t let me stop you from getting laid good.” I say and bid her bye. I close the door behind her, high on the thrill of the coming full moon. It is not even night yet and I can already feel its power in the air, working to strengthen my limbs and sharpen my mind. I must hurry or lose my chance to free that male. N
Neem“I’ll be fine, take me to my room.” I sign to the prince but he pretends not to see me. We pass by so many servants on the way, and the entire time my heart is beating so loud it deafens me. We have long left the servants’ wing and we are surely headed to his chambers and despite myself, I wonder what the others think. The prince is carrying me in his arms, and people bow and curtsy to him as he passes, their silent judgement following me. For some strange reason, I want to defend myself. I never asked him to carry me and I surely never asked him to bring me to his quarters. We enter his chambers and the weight finally lifts off my chest. I don’t know what I would have done if we came upon the king. I don’t want to find out how much of a capital offence it is to have the prince carry me, a mere servant in his arms. He carries me into his bedchamber and puts me on the bed but I stand right back. “I can’t.” I sign. I’m his servant, not his equal. “Lie down. I insist.” He comm