[Clyde] “With all due respect, Elder Felix, how are we to believe that what you are saying is the truth?” I asked, ignoring the heavy stare coming from my sister. “It’s not recorded anywhere and if we are to believe the…existence of this mage wolf, then why doesn’t the werewolf clan talk about her? Or the mages?” I continued. Elder Felix smiled gently. “I know it is tough to believe since there are no written records, especially after The War where mages were killed and the Mage Queen gave up her life. Manuscripts and scrolls were burned to ashes, but you can ask Mage Elias, he might have answers. However, he is very young, and this phenomenon happened before the mages were treated like dirt as I have already mentioned.” I let out a shuddering breath. It might have happened like 2000 years ago probably and I had no way of countering whatever she just said. Madame Xiuying and the mage wolf lady were mates? Not that I am opposed to it but why would the mage wolf be killed? Or what

[Valerie] I expected to feel indifferent and maybe feel like I had felt before discovering he was my mate, but no, my life was never easy. Therefore, when our gazes clashed, all I felt was longing and hurt. He stared back impassively as if silently reproaching me for creating a scene during the Challenge. I looked back defiantly. But I still felt what I had felt that night near the cliff before rejecting him… the yearning… the pain. I didn’t know why but Goddess Diana had a way of reminding us mortals that we had the opportunity to feel the love that she had felt once for a shepherd boy, that we were given the opportunity to at least fulfil our love and be with our other half as long as we breathed. However, we let go of the opportunities, sometimes due to situations and sometimes… “What are you doing outside?” Dad’s voice made me tear my gaze away from Clyde. I shifted my attention toward him. “I was getting bored.” I hoped no one noticed our stare-off. But then I glanced at Viola,

[Clyde] The dinner was a quiet affair with an anxious Alpha King trying to look put together and Queen Erica remaining absent. Mage Elias ate little, seemingly wishing the dinner to get over. I felt the same. Fionna was feeling restless, more often than not letting out an almost audible sigh. Everyone seemed to be a sort of relieved, and I couldn’t even blame them. ‘The woman has to create a chaotic scene every time we meet, doesn’t she?’ I thought. I wondered what triggered her to transform, but that piece of information could wait. Fionna almost cornered Mage Elias as everyone began to murmur goodbyes and retire to their respective quarters or houses. “Elias,” she called. The said man gave a strained answering smile. He turned to Alpha Xavier and said, “I need to speak to them if you don’t mind, Your Highness.” I could see a silent conversation being exchanged before Alpha King nodded reluctantly. I understood that the esteemed Mage would hardly share any real information t

[Clyde]I don’t know what I was expecting, but silence and shock were at the very bottom of the list. I swept my glance around the room. “It is… true. That is why she could breach the barrier in the first place and maybe also because she is…” I had never felt so awkward and so out of depth, not since I was called by my mother who informed me that I would take over the dragon clan. I clasped my hands behind my back and waited for them to speak. “You are… Valerie’s soulmate? But dragons find their mates when…” Elias trailed off. “Yes, many think we find our mates much later in life since our dragon takes time to mature and grow,” I said. “Your Highness, why did you not tell this earlier?” the lady who had been quiet until now asked. She sounded tense. I pursed my lips. “Because we mutually rejected each other.” This time, instead of silence, the room reverberated with a growl. Alpha King stood up from his seat, his eyes' irises resembled twin flames. “What? She…rejected you or is i

[Valerie] Clyde nods and dismisses them. I begin to tremble without even realising, not until Clyde murmurs, “Calm down. If you feel scared, then they will intimidate you even more.” How would you know? I wanted to ask but bit back my words. What’s the use? He will be helping me, so annoying him won’t be wise. I nod curtly as we leave the room. As we walk down the corridor, I spot Fionna who begins to approach us as soon as she notices us. She stops Clyde but I keep walking and catch her asking, “Are you sure about this?” I don’t hear Clyde’s answer. ~~~~ Two Elders are waiting in my father’s office, or so I am told. Sarah’s mom is there as well. My palms sweat as I wait outside the office. My eyes dart towards the entrance and I almost convince myself that Clyde won’t be coming, that he has changed his mind but then he enters and I find myself feeling relieved. Clyde and I enter the office. Sarah’s mother glares at me while the two Elders – Alpha Jeremy and Alpha Griffin, s