I shift parts of my body into wolf form and try to hold my own against Bryer. It proves to be more challenging. I growl and snarl at him, using both magic and human combat, but it’s no use against him. His strength is just too great. Bryer laughs as if taunting me, “As long as Brandon Stine is here, you are doomed even before our fight begins!” I glare at him. I am aware of it. The mere presence of General Brandon here is strengthening Bryer. I need to do something, or anything, to get past this hurdle. “Kaiya, I think you need to kill me for this to end. I am useless for a battle right now,” General Brandon whispers. “Thank you for saving me, though.” I turn my attention to him to check if he’s not doing anything stupid like taking his own life. “No,” I say. “But Stine Kingdom is no more.” “You are still a Pitchford general, even if you are injured right now. Besides, if it’s that gone from you, it doesn’t matter. It’s merely a title.” And then we hear screeching. From outside,

Klevon’s arms are around me as we watch the fading view of Stine Kingdom. He is warm, and as we spend more time together, I feel more and more familiar with his touches, as long as he won’t go overboard.“Miss Kaiya and Klevon.”I spin around to see General Brandon standing behind us. His gaze is stern and disapproving, especially at how Klevon’s arms are draped on my shoulders.“The two of you are being too close,” he remarks. He has a look of displeasure on his face.“Leader, we are just taking in the beauty of Stine Kingdom.”“There is no such thing as beauty when referring to my birthplace.”Klevon shrugs and asks, “More importantly, why do you need to come with us? Isn’t your Kingdom destroyed? You should help rebuild it,” Klevon says.“My presence in the castle is unneeded. My cousins can be be royalties for all I care.”“Brrr,” Klevon says, acting as if it’s freezing. “You are so cold, leader. Your family members died, you know.”“They are my family by blood and name only.” He

The shore is a busy place. Pitchford warriors are preparing to leave while General Brandon is talking to other werewolves. Klevon stands beside me, quiet and just silently taking in the scent of the sea and nearby flowers. I feel sad about leaving Nowra again. I shift my attention to her and reach for her hand. We exchange a sad, knowing smile. We’ve been inseparable ever since I arrived on the island. “Kaiya, they are calling for us,” Klevon whispers. I embrace Nowra tightly, and she whispers, “I promise we will meet again. I will do my best to pass that exam.” I nod and step back from her. Her eyes are glistening with unshed tears. Her eyes shift to Klevon, and she says, “Well, Klevon, for the past few days that you’ve been tailing Kaiya, I know you like her. Unfortunately, you won’t have a chance with her.” “I am born persistent,” he says. She smiles. “I’ve been born persistent, too. And I am telling you to just take me in,” she says and winks at him. “You will not be happy w

I am lying in bed in a state of half-filled dreams and half-awakened consciousness. I feel a presence beside me and hear the gentle sound of my name being repeated. It sounds like Theo, who should be doing his work as a King, but instead, he is staying in my room. Then I notice the ceiling. This is not my quarters. This is Theo’s room.“I am trying my best to take her out, but she keeps slipping,” Inanna says. There are bags under her eyes, and she looks thinner than the last I’ve seen her.“But you said that the Moon Goddess failed to reap her...” Theo whispers. He looks so helpless, as if he’s trying to carry the pain in my body on his shoulders.Wait... pain? I feel weak, but there is no more physical pain. My mind is exhausted, and I remember Inanna trying to take me out of my dream state.“Theo...” I whisper.Instantly, Theo moves towards me. A look of grief on his face. “I am so sorry, Kaiya,” he says softly, brushing a stray strand of hair away from my forehead. “It’s all my fa

I enter Inanna’s simple room. It smells like there is an ongoing ritual—floral incense, herbs, and woodsmoke. A small fire is also burning in the fireplace which fills the room with a comforting heat.“Welcome to my simple abode, Kaiya,” Inanna greets. She is lying on her bed, thin and weak. Her eyes are unseeing, but sensing my presence all the same.“I didn’t know that you—”“—got almost defeated by the Moon Goddess? And all I’ve done is temporarily keep her away?” she asks, her head turned towards me.She tries to sit up, and I help her up. “I am sorry. I am giving you such trouble, ain’t I?” I ask.Inanna smiles weakly. “I heard from Gezer and Ninus that you couldn’t copulate with Klevon.”I nod. “I was hoping there is another way.”“There is none.”“Then—”“Kaiya,” she starts, her tone admonishing. “Have you talked to Klevon after that? Did you explain to him why it’s hard for you to do it?”I shake my head. “I think he already knows why, and besides, I left in a hurry...”“... a