“Yes, I am a Hearteater myself…” I read silently, disregarding the knitting of my brows. “…and so I must continue our bloodline, the original Hearteater’s bloodline as what my Hearteater father suggests—commands.” ‘Oh, Selena!’ I huffed. Even though I badly wanted to crawl beside Tyler and sleep, I must know more. Perhaps that’s why Rowena—Eliane—whoever that is, led me to this journal that still reeks of dried blood. I bowed my head, letting truth after truth just crowd and swirl within me. Even Rowena has secrets. Maybe even Tyler has secrets, too. “With my life,” her handwriting becomes different this time. From bold to cursive, I knew this part will be more emotional than the rest. “I could only grasp the remnants of the dreams me and Mikhail wished. I never fail to miss the gratitude that softened in his eyes. But life is no fairy tale, and light eventually left Mikhail's eyes in the hands of my father, Rowan—the first and leader of Hearteaters.” I was

Several full moons have passed, distress is still whispering in my mind. I have finished reading Rowena’s journal as far as I can remember—before the moment my eyes burned upon Tyler seeing a bloody blade in the trash, forcing me to make up excuses believable enough for a pregnant, powerless eighteen-year-old woman like me. I never felt sadder than today. It felt like, since I already knew enough from Rowena’s journal, I no longer felt the need to live. And I…I remained prepared for whatever unexpected might happen. What unexpected things I might let happen. I stared at the she-wolf doctor’s face. She’s calm and gorgeous compared to me. I might still look beautiful on the outside. But deep inside, I’m panicking. Quivering and anxious about what may happen in any minute now. I’m ready to die, yet still afraid of death. “You must be extra careful, Elaine. Since you’re in your final trimester, you’r

Tyler’s POV The smell of burning flesh flooded the air, choking me in desperation as I watched my wife burn. My wife. My mate. “My Elaine…” ‘You love her?’ Remus asked. I continue to watch flames erupt from her and burn the nearby grass. “Yes,” I muttered loudly. As loud as Elaine’s shrieks, whose bones are probably melting this very second I hesitated. ‘Then save her.’ Hesitation flooded my face and mind. But this is not the time to cower. No, I have been a coward long enough. It’s time to make little sacrifices of my own. I forced my body and soul to crawl near her, disregarding the tears that tried to hinder my sheer sight. Elaine sacrificed herself for us—burned herself for us, even killing our child in her womb. This is wrong. Utterly wrong. Minutes ago, I imagined her killing myself—drowning her into the very spring where I used to bathe to clear my thoughts.

Luna Elaine and I got into a fight an hour later after that. I was ready to prepare for a war. I trained my pack like an army, where death sweeps to wherever we fought alongside each other. Those who want to be part of our journey will sign up voluntarily, those who don't want to, they can freely not. I’m not an authoritarian leader, so it’s up to the choice they will make. However, all men signed up. No one backed down. “Elaine…” I sighed, looking at her tucked up in our bed. She’s been like this for the past few days. I was so busy with the pack that I could only check her up in the evening. Tonight, I couldn’t hold the deafening silence between us anymore. “Please, my wife, don’t be like this.” No response was heard a heartbeat later. “Can you just support me?” I heard her muttering a heavy sigh before turning at me. “Why will I support someone who wants to be a killer? You’ll be no different compared to the Hearteaters.” My jaw moved, and I couldn’t help but to look awa

Jason’s face crumpled and stared at the wounds on his body. “Don’t you think it’s weird?” “What?” “I’ve been kidnapped, but they treated my wounds.” “Yeah, I agree. What else could be the reason that they were keeping you alive?” Jason scratches his chin and looks at the ceiling seriously. “I don’t know…” He continues, “They’re trying to get something from me.” His jaw locked. We fell in silence. He looked at me again. “Where’s Elaine by the way?” I blushed. “She’s out to get me food.” I lied with a poker face. “Oh,” he nodded, “you’re hungry…” “Yeah. I crave something… sweet.” He fell quiet. “Let’s just wait for her.” Both of us agreed to ‘wait’ for Elaine before we escaped to my white mansion. Elaine has been kidnapped by them, and I woke up in my mansion after that with my brother pounding on the doorstep. However, a blaring sound of an alarm echoed inside, and a monotone and robotic voice spoke on the speaker. “Code 134. Code 134. Code 134. An alien got into the hospita