(ELYN) (A week later…) It was calm. But the calm wouldn’t last. The whispers were coming once again. The darkness was waiting. And I knew. We knew it wasn’t over yet, but this time, we didn’t want to wait. We found out from Rebecca that the dark vampires had holed up in the woods of Dorchas. "Let’s go.” I looked at Zien and he smiled. “It seems like the others have abandoned Lord Coulton.” “It seems like that. I told you we can trust Rebecca,” I said to him and he gave me a look and rolled his eyes. “And the sexual tension…” “What sexual tension? Shut up,” he said, but I saw the look in his eyes and smirked to myself and Ares shook his head, poking a finger against my head. ''I am leaving." Rebecca came back from talking with Meli. She stopped as she looked at me. "If you can talk some sense into him... not all of us are bad. Assuming that doesn't make him better than them," she mumbled under her breath as she watched Zien with a frown. "We can't withstand another war." I did
(RAVEN) I couldn’t sleep. How could I, when I knew my friends were out there, and fighting for their lives? I couldn’t stop thinking about Zien and Elyn and the other wolves. Somehow, they had become a part of my life, too, and I didn’t mind they had. When I first walked into this pack, I only had disdain, but now, I loved everyone here. Especially… I shook my head and jumped up from my bed. This was going to be a long, sleepless night and I was already thirsty thinking about Brian and how it felt when we danced together. I smiled a little as I walked out of my room, thinking about what Azalea said. She was awesome, and I wanted her to be my daughter, too. I knew it was greedy, but I couldn’t stop wanting for things that didn’t belong to me. Brian had slowly become himself and I could see how handsome he looked now that he wasn’t only covered in bones. “You alright? Can’t sleep?” I turned to see Vincys sitting at the table, drinking water. He motioned me to sit with him. I took
(ELYN) Zien looked at me. “I am sorry I had to ask so much of you. I wish I didn’t have to.” He looked apologetic as Storm and the other Lycan warriors walked inside. "It is hard, but I think I will survive this, because I have all of you, and this is my responsibility, too. You didn’t ask me more than I had to give. This is my war, too. The Vampires made it so. I was wrong to say it is not my war.” "You are not really wrong. It is not really your war, but you are part of all of this, even if you don't want it. I am sorry," Zien said. “Somehow, our destiny is tangled.” “The stone and dagger came to me. And now, I truly did trust that it was my destiny. So, Vinc- dad…” Vincys looked at me with wide eyes. He looked surprised, but there was also a hint of a smile on his lips as he looked at me with a nod. We walked inside, but it was so quiet inside. Something didn’t feel very right. "This is- this doesn't feel right," Nix said, looking agitated. “Something is so wrong. Everything
(ELYN) They didn’t let me stand up. My body ached as Coulton kicked me again, and then followed it with a kick and another. My jaw hurt like hell. I used my magic to deter them, to heal myself, but mine was so weak right now when compared to theirs. It was as if their magic was feeding off their anger. "Goddess, please..." I whispered. Robert hissed as he kicked the side of my chin. My jaw felt like it was one fire. "My father was right. We should eradicate abominations like you. You shouldn't have been allowed to live, not even after you lost your power. They should have just killed you all and be done with it. Because you are roaches and you come back to life again and again. I will crush you beneath my feet and then our world would be free.” "You aren't escaping this time, bitch. You hurt my father, and you will pay for that. You will pay for it with your own blood and pain." Robert hissed. Lord Coulton looked at his son, a proud smile on his face. "Lord Coulton, you and
(TWO YEARS AGO) (ARES KINCAID) A loud, shrilly scream filled the dark, quiet forest. Birds resting peacefully flew away, flapping and squawking, as my Lycan wolf growled inside my head. "FIND HER!" His voice was a loud snarl. He was using his Alpha voice on me?! "I am not really in any shape to be a hero tonight, Storm! I am dead drunk," I slurred as I walked inside the dark forest following the scent. Storm snarled. I didn’t know why he felt so overprotective right now of this girl. We didn’t even know who she was. "GO!" I started running into the woods and a loud growl made me pause for a second, and my heart twisted when a small whimper followed the growl. I could now see the massive wolf standing over the tiny girl. Her body was trembling in fear, but even when she knew she was going to die, there was also a spark of anger in her eyes. A touch of fire. My heart gave a mighty tug as I looked at her. I knew I had to save her. I couldn't let her die in this cold forest, al
TWO YEARS LATER... (ARES) "No, Brian. Stop. It is me..." But he clawed and growled. My heart twisted when I looked at the way Brian's neck fell limply to his side as the doctor injected him with the mixture of watered down aconitum, nightshade, and valerian root extract to weaken his wolf, and concentrated extracts of madwort and yarrow seed to keep him sedated. Doctor Riker had come up with this concoction especially to help my brother sleep and help his Lycan wolf calm down. "Will he ever get better, doctor Riker?" Doctor Riker shook his head, scratching his chin, his eyes grave. "We will never know. I am doing everything I can, Alpha, but it has been two years," the doctor said. "I will leave you with your brother, Alpha." Brian looked nothing like the man I once knew. Happy, kind, strong. He was THE ALPHA, and now, he was reduced to this- this animal, who only scratched and howled. "Come back, Brian," I whispered. "Azalea needs her father, B. She is already growing up
(ELYN) THIS IS HOME. SWEET FUCKING HOME. This was my home, with the Luna lording over me, an Alpha father who barely had time for me, a mother who lived in shame and silence. This place was a reminder of everything that was wrong with me, my life. It was not my fault that I was born, but as far as everyone in the pack was concerned, it was MY fault. I shouldn't have been born. My mother was not the Alpha's mate. He strayed, and I was paying for it everyday now. I hated everything here, except two people. My half sister, Reyna, and my best friend, and the love of my life, Liam. As long as they were there, even this hell would be worth it. *** The pack land was decorated with lights and lanterns. The sound of a soft piano floated in the air, and the melodious voice of a woman singing a song about magical destinies and goddesses softly entwined with the piano chords. Everything looked beautiful. Breathtaking. Reyna turned eighteen today, and no expense was spared for the birthda
TWO WEEKS AFTER ELYN WAS KIDNAPPED... (ARES) Elyn, without a last name, was the most infuriating creature I had ever had the pleasure of meeting. My men had royally messed up and now, that little problem was taking over my whole fucking pack. There was no peace. No place was safe. I came to the library for a moment of peace, but what did I find? Her! Elyn and my fucking best friend were nestled together, laughing at something like they were old friends. The traitors in my pack were all besotted with her. I didn't know what she did, but I was almost positive it was black magic. I slammed the door shut, and she looked up, startled, the big book raised above her head like a weapon. "Do not throw it," I growled in warning and she looked at me and the book, like she wanted to do what I told her not to. After a while, she put it back down, sighing. "Kai? Don't you have something else to do?" "What? I have nothing else to do," Kai said as Elyn looked at him with a knowing look an