Conquest: First Blood Novels & Stories

“Because I know what it’s like to be watched by everyone.” The words cracked something in me. The arrogance was gone for that heartbeat, stripped bare to something raw. I didn’t push. I just turned back to the shelves. And then I saw it. A yellowed page was tucked between the heavy books, its faded ink still clear enough to read. My hand shook as I pulled it free. The title was scrawled at the top in jagged letters: First Blood. My eyes scanned the words, fragments only. Before wolves, before oaths, there was the First. Blood that commands, blood that binds. Not beast, not man, but both. The source. The curse.

The Emperor eats the assorted dish while blood continues to seep out of the rapidly cooling bodies on the floor. When all the diplomacy is concluded, a new Governor appointed for the conquered Kingdom, the Emperor and his Generals trot up the hill on their horses, where they can see the city of Dion. Wind whips the golden locks of the Emperor’s hair as he watches the next city in line to be conquered, while the sun set. His General sidles up next to him. His golden armour gleams, the rays of the setting sun make it seem like his locks are on fire.

Cammie said, "You own them. You live with them. They can't control you if you don't let them." But I couldn't ignore her beating pulse, fully aware of my throbbing razor-edged teeth begging me to bite her, right in the throat where her vein promises worldly pleasure. My head slowly went down to the crook of Cammie's slender neck. Her scent was getting sharper as my nose traced faintly over her smooth skin. Hot saliva flooded my mouth. I could feel her heartbeat against her chest. It made my mind twirl. I just wanted to bury my aching teeth in her vein, drinking her fresh youthful blood to my heart's content. But Cammie still didn't make any effort to stop me.

Roman pointed out. "Whatever! I still can't believe a sourdre de sang wouldn't know how the bar of the invisible works." "Bar?" Roman mocked. "A hotel. Hotel." Rose scrunched up her face. Roman pursed his lips. Reserving his words. "Whatever." Rose shrugged, "Say the words and stamp your foot twice." "That simple?" Roman asked. "Simply for pure bloods." Rose shrugged and went in ahead of him. With his shoulders all scrunched up, Roman muttered to himself, "What are the words again?"

You need to learn your lesson this time. Rage filled me until I tasted blood. Like a madman, I broke free from the men restraining me and finally snatched back what remained of my daughter's body. The black dogs had been eating eagerly. Suddenly robbed of their meal, they bared their teeth at me. Serena frowned and had someone take the dogs away. Her patience with me had run out. She refused to look at me any longer and turned to leave, pulling Cain along with her. I shouted at their retreating backs, "My child is dead, and yours won't survive either!"

He thought he had hidden enough, but he couldn't believe that his eyes had accused out. Jame's hands clenched my neck, despite the thin skin peeling off. I made a successful bet. Jame had a love for King David. He's a brave Alpha and will fall in love with another Alpha. Or rather, he's just like me. It's all alpha masquerading, not purebred wolves. I realized this every time the king invaded the territory. James alone is allowed to take care of David. He kicks everyone out. More importantly, every time looks at David, Jame always exudes cheerful pride. It is not the same as the feeling of worshiping the superior.

I thought of the world that was currently waking up to a silence it didn’t understand. But as I felt that tiny, second heartbeat pulse against my palm, I didn’t feel like a fugitive. I didn’t feel like a victim of a global conspiracy. I felt like an Architect. The first book was about the blood. It was about the betrayal and the breaking of the old world. It was about the trauma of the glass and the roar of the mountain. But the second book? The one we were starting right now, in this quiet French valley? That book was going to be about the Home.

"Ava made a bone flute with my wolf mom's blood and bones. Go beg her instead. After all, Noah said she's a hundred times better than me." I no longer listened to his persuasions. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. I blew the bone flute with all my strength. A loud wolf howl pierced the sky. John's face turned pale. "It's over…" A few minutes later, loud thuds hit the front gate. Bang, bang! The gate was broken open. Through a cloud of yellow dust, a pack of wild wolves appeared—all of them towering over men, howling in fury.

She turned to notice her environment as she soon noticed a lot of eyes were on her. She was lying in the center of what seemed to be like a square. Children, old men and women and youths were all gathered. Beside her, was her alpha. She scotted over to touch him. She noticed her had markings and blood drawn over his body. She lifted her head and placed her gaze on Nuna. "What happened to him and what are you doing to him?" She asked, her words, softly spoken. "we are doing the same thing we did to you, except, we did not need blood for yours. It is called the ingkali." Someone from the crowd answered.

"My mother isn't just trying to void the bond. She’s trying to reclaim a throne that was never hers. The Shadow-Pack has been waiting for someone with the First blood." "The First blood is a death sentence for this pack," Harrison snapped. He slammed his fist into the table, the wood groaning under the impact. "If the Council of Twelve believes you are a claimant, they won't just exile you. They’ll glass the entire North. My people are already scenting the air, Madeline. They smell the change in you. It tastes like ozone and war." The heavy doors at the end of the hall swung open, the hinges screaming. Grant Lawson, the Cole pack’s lead investigator, marched in. He smelled of old paper and f