I felt the pain all at once. Erin’s pain and my own. I could feel my head spinning and my heart throbbing painfully. Why is it that fate was always cruel to me? I tried to be strong. I tried so hard! So why do I always have to keep suffering?
Even in my original life as the author of this whole world, I felt the world against me and just when things were starting to look up for me, I died so suddenly. Now, even in this world, I reincarnated to still be in pain!
I stood up and pushed them all away. I grabbed the sword from one of the knights and pointed it at them. I finally broke down and cried out, “Why? Why should I just die so helplessly? Why can’t I live? What’s so wrong with wanting to live?”
“You’re a cursed child.” Eunice snickered, “As long as you live, we are bound to misfortune when the blood moon comes. You are destined to die, sister. Accept it.”
The blood from my mouth drips to the ground and I saw my red hair cut so horribly. Tears fell down my cheeks but I scoffed, “Well, I have some bad news for you, sister, because I will continue to live my life regardless of what consequences it brings. I will carry the burden of being alive because I want to live!”
I remember now. My character, Erin Lockheart, died on her 18th birthday not by accident or anything else. It was suicide because she’s had enough. I wrote her character back when I... was giving up on life too. I clenched my fist and argued, “Is wanting to be alive so wrong?! Is living so damn wrong?”
No one really wants to die. Not really. Everyone just gets tired of living that way and they feel trapped with thinking that death was the only way out.
I remember now. Erin Lockheart was a character I wrote as a reflection of who I was. I wrote her character to share my burden. It got me out of that dark abyss and now, I... will make sure Erin lives too. I will save her too.
Eunice snickered, “You’ve gone mad. How dare you point your sword at me? That’s an act of treason. I am a princess and you are nothing but a lady.” As the moonlight shone upon her, she turned into a werewolf and started to attack me.
He golden brown fur shone ever so brightly and her green eyes looked so intimidating yet graceful. Everyone surrounded us urging us to fight.
I swung my sword to protect myself but she was so much stronger and faster. I wielded the sword just enough to keep myself safe from their critical attacks but I had scratches and bruises all over. I fell to the ground after finally losing my remaining strength. I couldn’t move at all but just as I thought death had come way too early for me, I saw that familiar white fur and blue eyes.
The wolf fought defended against my sister and everyone backed off. Eventually, he turned back to his human form. It was Cadmus. Cadmus said, “Who told you all you could cause trouble at the night of my return?”
"Cadmus." I muttered softly as I was holding on the last ounce of my strength. I felt physically and emotionally weak. He looked back at me with the same gentleness I've always known and he opened his mouth to say something but he held himself back.
Eunice retreated and reasoned out, “It wasn’t my fault—“
"Oh, leave it, young Emperor." Some of the snickered, "We're werewolves, it's what we do. We fight with each other to release some steam."
"Yes, but lady Erin is not like us." They giggled, "She's weaker. Nothing but a plaything."
“I don’t care who’s at fault and not.” Cadmus glared, “I am your alpha and emperor, I order you all to leave.”
It was one of the alpha’s ability. To make everyone follow his orders helplessly and without complaint. Soon, everyone started to leave and Cadmus carried me back to his quarters. He didn’t say a word but I asked, “Why save me? I thought you hated me.”
"Erin." Cadmus softly muttered.
"That's the first time you called me by my name after a long time." I couldn't help but smile a little, "Do you hate me a little less since I'm badly hurt?"
“I never said I hated you.”
“You didn’t have to.” I muttered softly
“Just rest and I’ll have your wounds treated immediately.” Cadmus remarked as he gently placed me at his bed. He didn’t have any servants. It was just him and he treated my wounds himself. He patiently cleaned the blood off of my face and he even asked permission to cut my hair properly after the girls had ruined it.
“Why is that you’re being kind now but not earlier?”
“Do you prefer that I’m rude towards you?”
“So stingy.” I protested but Cadmus continued to cut my hair evenly and said, “The cut here is too short so you are going to have to live with bangs for a while.”
“It’s just hair, it will eventually grow.”
“For a woman, hair is their crown.” Cadmus said, “And that a princess must not have scars on her face.”
“I am not a princess, young Emperor. You know it too as much as everyone else does.” I continued, “I was demoted to being only a lady as soon as my sister was born. I guess they had no use for me anymore.”
Just as I glanced outside at the garden, I suddenly remembered why I was there at the first place. Luna! I grabbed Cadmus’ hands and said, “Come with me, there is someone you must meet.”
“What? You're still hurt and you need to rest first-”
“I’ll live and I'll explain it later! First, you have to trust me.” I was hesitant but I didn’t really have much of a choice. I checked the time and it was only 11:50, I still had time before this day ends! I grabbed his hands and headed to the garden.
I pratically dragged him outside, I could still feel my entire body ache from earlier but I don't have much time. I searched everywhere for Luna but she was nowhere to be found. Still, I continued to frantically search everywhere at the garden.
Perhaps, she already left because of the commotion earlier? Ah this is bad, I was starting to feel unconcious. I must have overexerted myself. I can't just give up! This is the only way I get to live. Call it desperate or whatever, but I have to find Luna.
I continued to walk to the town and left Cadmus. I needed to find her first. Suddenly, I felt someone sweeping me off of my feet. It was Cadmus and he carried me on his arms, he said, "Must you always be this stubborn and make me worry? You're like a child."
"But you have to meet her." I said, "She's someone important."
"I get to decide who's important to me."
"But I want to live." Maybe it was the desperation in my eyes that made him flinch and waver a little or something else entirely but he replied, "You know, as the alpha, I get to read every thought every werewolf in our pack has but not yours."
"I get it. It's because I'm not one of you."
"What I mean is, I can't figure out what you're thinking about and it bothers me."
"Why?"
Cadmus shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know."
"Then just ask me." I smiled gently
"Then, did you miss me, Erin?" Cadmus asked so boldly that I flinched but I could see his ears all red. I could say that he mustered all the strength he could to ask that so I ended up laughing. He protested, "Hey, did you just laugh at me?"
"No." I fought the urge to laugh even more, "I didn't miss you, you're rude to me and at some times, you're nice to me. You're the one I can't read. Why do you detest me so much?"
"You're stubbornly annoying who do everything that pleases you without any regards for the consequences."
"Hey--" I started but he continued to list down reasons as to why he doesn't like me, "Also, you're stupid and clumsy who always get yourself in trouble."
"That's enough, I get it!"
Cadmus added, "I hate the way you talk to me or stare at me with such boldness, you always forget your place and you annoy me. I also hate it that you're such a crybaby and childish. Should I say more reasons?"
"You know, that's the most you've said to me in the years we've known each other." I rolled my eyes and I protested, "You could list more reasons of why you hate me than your speech!"
"Maybe."
But somehow, I was relieved that none of the reasons why he hated me was because of my curse. I guess, Cadmus is nice after all. I smiled a little. Maybe meeting Luna could wait until tomorrow. Perhaps, I could be a little selfish tonight.
Can I?
Each morning since that chaotic night, I woke up with one thought in my mind: I was still stuck in this world. I came to the conclusion that all of this wasn't a dream and that this was, indeed, my life now. Everything was as is. I still had the same green eyes and red hair. I still have these memories of the book and the plot and my death in my original life but they are slowly fading away each day. I tried to write them down but almost too magically, it just disappears the next day. Plus, now, there was only three more days until my birthday and well, my death. I have to search of other ways to make Cadmus and Luna meet before then. Time, for me, was literally running out. Just as I got ready and was about to leave, I opened the door and saw Cadmus standing outside as if he was about to knock. Cadmus looked regal as his blue eyes stares directly into mine. There is a pause then he cleared his throat before saying, "Good morning Lady Erin, unsightly as ever," he cleared his thro
So with that, I immediately left the palace and headed downtown with my plain dress and shoal to blend in among the people and hide my standout red hair. I searched everywhere for Luna's flower shop and after a while, I saw it. I saw her gently tending her flowers. Her delicate cream dress fits her perfectly. That pastel pink hair and aqua blue eyes definitely stands out in a good way. In a way that mine doesn't. Our eyes met and she smiled at me, "Are you searching for flowers, my Lady?" I cleared my throat. I was completely flustered, "I, uh, was wondering if you could recommend me some?" "Sure! I'd love to." Luna smiled as she asked, "For what occassion are the flowers for?" "Just... a love interest perhaps." "Is it a one-sided love?" I flinched as I heard that. I immediately denied, "No, I, uh, I... It's not for me." "Oh, I see." "Just..." I looked around the flower shop and one stood out the most for me because for some reason, it reminded me of him. It reminded me of Cad
"Why? What is it? Lady Erin?" Tristan reached out his hand to me but I still felt scared. That vision definitely meant something. It felt all too real. He continued, "Lady Erin?"But I was frozen on the ground. I wanted to just vanish. The thought of dying in their hands sickened me. Those cold stares. I couldn't believe it. How could someone as gentle as Tristan stare at me like that? It was... impossible but then again, was it really?I heard Cadmus' voice among the crowd. It was faint and soft, almost hesitant. There was a hint of worry in those eyes. He muttered, "Erin?" He found his way back to us along with the flower I gave him.That was the second time he uttered my name. Such sorrow and gentleness with hint of deep regret. He really does remind me of a hyacinth indeed.Then again, Erin Lockheart died in the novel, perhaps, she was still meant to die and I still haven't changed anything yet? With my unclear mind, I ran away from Tristan. I took advantage of my small and petite
Erin Lockheart's POV For a while, I felt so lost that I thought I had to choose between this life but abandoning everything else or staying but eventually dying that I forgot that it was within my power to change my fate. Having only two options was an illusion, it's not always choosing one and losing the other. I'm a writer so I believe I could write my own fate. Be it a miracle or heaven, I got a second chance at life and I wouldn't waste it on running away. I don't plan on dying either so I will see this through. I wouldn't lie. I wanted to run away. It seems like the easy way out. There would be no complications and I could start a new life instead. Somewhere far away from my death but I realized I've grown fond of them. I've spent time with the people around me and they weren't just important to me because I have Erin's memories, if anything, Erin's memories were all happy memories, it was odd until I realized that most of those memories weren't real. The character, Erin, fak
Erin Lockheart's POVRight. Before worrying about something that would happen in two months from now, I have to deal with family matters first. I dressed decently for my family. I wore a navy blue gown with a corset that accentuated my waist laced with silvery and mirror-like silk for its layers. My hair was neatly combed and was decorated with silver hair pins.Charlotte sighed heavily and said, "Are you sure you'll be okay? The last time, your sister almost-""I'll be fine. It's just family matters as usual." I smiled trying to assure her. Honestly, I had no idea what could happen but after Cadmus' threats, I doubt that they would directly hurt me like the last time. I continued, "How do I look?""Prim and proper.""Great." I sighed heavily too and said, "Wish me luck."I, then, headed to greet my parents and my sister. They were all very displeased to see me, as usual, I greeted them with respect, dignity, and a curtsy, "Mother, Father, and sister, it's so great to have you here. W
Erin Lockheart's POV What was that about? I looked at Cadmus who was buttoning up his shirt and asked, "Who... was that?" He seemed extremely furious, his tone was aggitated when he answered, "That was Kai Griffin, you have no idea how dangerous that man is. He could have killed you. Kai is the Raewavell Kingdom's lone wolf. He's their emperor." Cadmus was clearly frustrated, "How could he managed to slip past the guards? Stay here." But almost too recklessly, I grabbed his hand and said, "I'm fine, Cadmus, I'm not hurt." "But you could have died, Erin." Cadmus said sharply, "You can't keep bringing people down with you. You're not a kid anymore so stop acting stupid." "I'm not stupid." "Then stop acting like one!" Cadmus continued, "If you had finished your reading like you were supposed to as a royalty, you would have known who he was and what he was capable of. If you weren't born a cursed-" He stopped as he realized what he was about to say. He saw the tears on my eyes falli
Erin Lockheart's POV After a few more hours, the grandmasters questioned me all about the books I have just finished reading, becase well, almost dying doesn't excuse me from my duties and that is to be pawn so my sister, Eunice, could have a better shot at marrying Cadmus and elevating the family status and power. Duty and sacrifice. Those in higher status have heavier burden. It's not all tea time and pretty dresses. "Excellent." The grandmaster scribbled notes in his paper and said, "You passed with only two mistakes but we can work with that. Get dressed for later, you will be taking lessons for social dancing for your birthday tomorrow." "Preparations are done by your mother, all you have to do tomorrow is impress them." I wanted to roll my eyes out loud but I can't be that immature. The grandmaster listed down all the names of whoever's coming tomorrow in trying to get my hand. He even mentioned a few powerful families likes the Damons, Ironhearts, and Chengs. Some of the o
Cadmus Hunter's POV Erin was always the unpredictable. Even her fate remains uncertain, but then again, so was everyone else's, still, Erin Lockheart remains a threat to the kingdom. I don't believe such useless prophecies but my opinion weighs very little at the matter. The prophecy of the cursed blood moon was believed way before our existence. Traditions and cultures are not so easily changed and even I cannot challenge that. Even so, without it, Erin remains a mystery and a curiosity for me. I cannot read her mind. I cannot fathom what she feels. Her actions are erratic. She is careless. At times, she is the bravest person I know, the other, she is breaking into million tiny pieces. She can be the most childish girl I know and then she would say things that even I could never attain the wisdom to say myself. How she does it beats me. I hated how she was like an equation I could never assess. So right now, how she's looking at me directly like that was a challenge. I wondere