Cyberpunk Altar Novels & Stories

Controlled. Very him. “This is…” I trail off. “Too much?” he offers. “No,” I admit quietly. “Just… unexpected.” He nods once, like he understands more than I said. “There are cameras on every entrance,” he says as we walk in. “Private security downstairs. Panic system built into the walls. If you press this—” He gestures to a discreet panel near the entrance. “—it locks the entire floor.” I stop walking. “You planned this,” I say softly.

Slashes of red like knife cuts stains the edge of the canvas, and then the sunlight seeping in through the window catches sight of my piece — the dark face of a man. A man who shall not be named. It is the first time I have painted a face and this reality disturbs me. A sharp knock resounds on my door as I gather my art supplies and neatly arranged them at a corner of the room. I go to open the door, flinching when I come face to face with Rayne. "You are not dressed, Lilith," he says, regarding me with his signature cold stare.

The air was charged, every scent, sound, and sensation amplified, the night itself holding its breath in expectation. Gideon turned to face Avla, his eyes locking onto hers, a silent promise exchanged. It was time. He removed his clothing, leaving them in a pile at his feet. Slowly, he began to transform, his body writhing, muscles contorting and reshaping, a spectacle that was both awe-inspiring and intense. His skin rippled, the texture changing, human features giving way to something more primal and wild. Bones cracked and shifted, the sound echoing in the still night, a symphony of change that was both beautiful and unsettling.

However, the meeting happened unexpectedly between Delmom and Brenda, who had managed to escape from her father. “Delmom, I really need to talk to you before it’s too late.” “What are you doing here, Brenda? — Yes, I don’t have much time, but everything bad that’s happening is my father’s fault, be careful with him!” Brenda disappeared into the mist, becoming a beautiful omega and ran through the mountains. Soon Delmom, transformed into an alpha, but with a broken heart, was looking for prey to feed on. Delmom’s hunt was so intense that all he could see in his eyes was red blood.

If I don't, I'm a goner. Boots scuffle through my blurred vision. I try to push myself off the cobblestones, but it's no good. Heather laughs, and the other girls titter with excitement. They think they've won. But they haven't. Not yet. I might be down, but I'm not done for. Darting my hand out, I grab the first ankle I can and yank. The girl falls to the ground next to me. There's a clatter and Heather's talisman rolls away down the alley.

The doorman announced, and the entire crowd followed the instruction which I failed to do. I scoffed at the title given to him and the announcer caught my reaction. I wasn’t going to bow. He is not in my list to give respect, let them take it as disobedience. They are going to kill me anyways. “Enters, Alpha Xavier Knight and the Heir of Seven territory Alpha Orion Knight.” The mention of Xavier made my ears turn into the direction of the gate and my jaw dropped into the depth of the ground. “Why isn't he dead?” Serena asked me when she saw him walking on two fine legs. She sneered in anger and her body trembled making her furious as ever.

He choked, his body convulsing as I severed his connection to the pack bond. He collapsed. Theron stared at me, breathless. “You didn’t—” “I didn’t kill him,” I said quickly. “Just… disconnected him.” Theron swallowed, nodding. “Let’s move.” We reached the chamber doors. The altar pulsed inside, a monstrous thing made of stone and old magic, runes carved deep into its surface. The moment I stepped inside, the air shifted. He knew we were here. The walls trembled. And then— A slow clap echoed through the chamber.

I nodded and moved my hair out of my face to tie it at the back of my head. “UP NEXT IS ALPHA XANDER AND ALPHA XAVIER!” Announced the commentator. This was a lot like an Arena but underground. I walked out and the crowd roared. Xander appeared from the opposite side. In the middle of the battleground was a raised platform. The whole fight would end if one of us fell from the platform and hit the ground.

Maya continued. “The name on the record wasn’t Lina’s.” Clara’s confusion turned into concern. “What do you mean?” Maya slid the paper closer. “The name used was Lara Stone.” Clara looked back at me again. “Lina?” I still couldn’t bring myself to speak. Maya’s voice stayed calm. “But the ID number attached to the file belongs to Lina.” Clara stared at the paper. “What procedure was done there?” Maya finally said the word. “Termination.”

There was a metallic sheen to my sweat, obvious signs of silver poisoning. The child before me was curled up, alone on the dirty kitchen floor. A fresh bruise bloomed on my arm, the shape of a hand. Delta Hester, no doubt. But as I shivered in the muck, a shadow fell over me. Alpha Snow. His face twisted in disdain, but a flicker of something else in his eyes. He knelt. He knelt?! The Alpha of Snow Pointe knelt before an orphaned, weak omega child? I didn’t remember this.