It took almost the entire day to get out of the wilderness. I was glad to have gotten some rest earlier. We emerged into another human market. This one more lively than the previous one. It was a nice change to see a place bustling with life and colors.People looked so happy, totally engrossed in their mundane lives; completely unaware that a killing machine had just entered. My teeth dug into my lower lip as this thought formed in my mind. Was Hera really a killing machine who massacred everyone for fun?She had spared me despite having suspicion. She even saved my life, twice. But, she killed that child. Arrhh! My head throbbed every time I tried to analyze her.She stopped in front of a pharmacist to buy something. I took this opportunity to find the closest candy stall. When I returned, she was waiting for me with her arms crossed over her chest, “Candy?”I gave her a sheepish look and held out my hand that held a few sweets. She popped one of them in her mouth wordlessly before

The next thing I know, I was the one lying on the bed and Hera was sitting beside me, holding my hands. Rubbing my eyes groggily, I questioned, “What just happened?”“I think those raisins were laced with wolfsbane.”“Wolfsbane? Why would they be laced with wolfsbane?” I stuttered as I tried to think. The throbbing in my head made it impossible to form any coherent thoughts. So, I looked at Hera, hoping that she could give me an explanation.“They must have grown raisins on the same land as wolfsbane.” She shrugged before brushing the strands of my hair lying on my forehead. In that groggy daze, I recalled that such an error was impossible because they were deliberately injected with arsenic.My heart almost stopped beating as the realization hit me like a zapping meteor. It was all a part of Melinda’s master plan. The raisings weren’t poisoned with wolfsbane; it was the fumes. I had heard from m

“Why are you here, Justin? I thought you had gone your own way.” Hera said without turning to face me. I was still several meters away from her and had just caught a glimpse of her silhouette yet she could recognize me with such precision. Conning her wasn’t going to be easy.Drawing in a few deep breaths, I walked over to the rock she was seated on. She continued to look at the sandy ground underneath, tracing circles with her feet absentmindedly.I dropped to my knees, trying to make my expression as pitiful as possible, “I… I am here to confess, Hera.”She finally looked at me, “Confess?”“Yes… I… I know that you will probably kill me after hearing my confession but I can’t keep this secret anymore. It is killing me.”Her eyebrows raised, “You are underestimating my powers, Justin. There is nothing about you that I don’t know.”There it was, that pride, arrogance. I must have been blinded earlier to be attracted to such a snobbish woman. My fingers dug into my thighs as I struggled

“Is it really that necessary to fight and kill?” I asked, my lips curving downwards.“Did you think you had fallen in love with a saint? If you are with me, you will have to see me massacring people by hundreds. I am not going to change just because a wolf pup fell in love with me.”“It doesn’t bother me; the killing part. Being an Alpha’s son, violence has been an indispensable part of my life….” I looked into her eyes, “It is just that….” I stopped walking, forcing her to halt too. “I know that you are very powerful yet this foolish heart can’t stop worrying about you. I am afraid of seeing you suffer.”“Oh, Justin….” Her voice got choked and conflicting emotions flitted across her features. She grabbed the nape of my neck and

My heart pounded against my ribs and my breaths became increasingly labored as I walked along the path; concealed by the shadows. There was an order forbidding me from entering the Lycan Palace. If I was caught, I would surely be punished.My steps faltered, seeing the guards stroll the doorway, with steady, alert steps. My gaze wandered over the palace slowly. There were at least a hundred of them, visible at different locations. God knows how many were hidden. Why was it guarded so heavily tonight?My eyebrows furrowed. It was impossible to get inside without getting caught. But, I had to try. I threw a few stones in two different directions to draw the attention of the guards. The moment they moved away from the doorway, I made a bolt for the door.Unfortunately, there was a third guard, concealed behind the door. He nabbed me faster than a lightning bolt. Pressing my face down against the wall, he twisted my arm on my back, “Who are you? Why were you t