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Chapter 25
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Divided Chapter 26
I sighed with contentment as I ran my fingers through the lush grass. The afternoon sun shone across the castle gardens. The heat of the late summer day had reached its peak and bathed the area in a drowsy warmth. I rested against the rough bark of an apple tree. The blooms had given way to a multitude of fruit that was almost ready to harvest. I glanced up toward the main building to see if my absence had been noticed yet, The window’s as I left it, so I probably have at least an hour before anyone starts looking for me.It had been nearly two months since the ceremony where Lucas had formally introduced me as a blood slave to the Anerchmeno Astri pact. After that night Lucas moved me into his room. We were supposed to spend as much time as possible together to strengthen the bond between us. Eskal had said it had something to do with Lucas being of both vampire and werewolf descent. I had been shocked and relieved when Lucas continued to feed from the other girls in his harem, howev
Divided Chapter 1
Rain poured down from the gloomy March sky. The panes of my window wept under the onslaught, thunder rattling the loose glass with each boom. The warped wood of the frame was soft with rot. The pile of rags I slept in was quickly becoming damp from the growing puddle on the cracked linoleum. Sometimes I wish I’d never survived. I blinked twice before selecting the two worst rags from the pile and used them to mop up what water I could in an effort to salvage the remainder of my bedding. Using the soaked rags I did my best to create a barrier around the puddle. It would at least slow the inevitable. The closet I called a room was barely wide enough for me to lay down in, a mere six paces wide and only four paces across. I knew I would be soaked in the morning when I awoke; I only hoped this time I wouldn’t become sick as I had in the past. The family I lived with, the Liviers, tried to be understanding whenever I became ill. However, without their supernatural healing abilities, I re
Divided Chapter 2
Wan sunlight filtered through the thick glass of Darrien’s window. It spilled across the bed where I lazily blinked the sleep from my eyes. Darrien snored softly beneath me, my body rose and fell with his breath. Courageous in the morning light I ran my fingers through his grey pelt. I desperately wanted to lay against his wolfen form for the duration of the day; however, I knew there was much to be done in preparation for the festival, nor did I fancy beginning my day with a beating for being lazy. I sat and stretched the sleep from my limbs before getting to my feet. I glanced over my shoulder to see if I needed to wake Darrien. His wolf eyes watched me; a yawn revealed his sharp teeth. I suppressed the urge to shudder at the sight of his gaping maw, and found myself chuckling instead when Darrien finished his yawn by licking his nose. Sparing me a grouchy glance he shook out his coat and transformed back into his human state. “Darrien!” I shrieked, turning away and covering my fa
Divided Chapter 3
I wandered through the back streets away from the multitude of boutiques that lined the main roads of the pack’s village. Despite having been ordered to find something nice to wear while visiting packs were present I couldn’t bring myself to enter any of the chic window shops that lined the market area of the village. So instead, I settled for schlepping flowers to the festival grounds while doing my best to stay out of sight. As I was carrying my third basket laden with lilies, daisies, and tulips Darrien caught up to me. “Em,” he called. I did my best to pretend I hadn’t heard and kept walking toward the garland makers' booth. I heard him jog to catch up with me and felt his grip on my shoulders. I stopped walking, still, I refused to look at my adoptive brother. “Emilia, please, we need to talk.” He stated as he tried to take the basket from me. “I have nothing to say, Darrien,” I replied. I refused to relinquish my grasp on the handles. “I’m working.” “Yeah, I can see that; an
Divided Chapter 4
I swallowed thickly, unable to shake the feeling that I was in the same position as a fly caught in a spider’s web. “Sure, but Ava-“I was cut off with a wave of her manicured hand. “I’m doing this for myself as much as I am for Darrien. I know we’ve never really talked in the past, but I promise I’m not going to try and swindle you out of your wages.”I nodded hesitantly, “What do you mean, exactly?”She had been sorting the items into stacks of tops, bottoms, lingerie sets, and evening wear; but paused when I asked about her intentions. With a wistful sigh, she turned back to me, “Darrien is strong and he’s a great guy, but my family won’t let us be together unless he passes the warrior exam and begins his official training. Here, try this on first.”I took the clothes she offered; a simple black turtleneck with dark wash jeans and a black lacy underwear set. I opened my mouth to protest. The jeans and turtleneck I might do, but new undergarments were out of the question as far as m
Divided Chapter 5
“There’s no way,” I retorted, “It was over a thousand dollars when you first rang everything out.” Ava grinned at me cheekily, “It’s my shop. Besides, you can’t honestly tell me you’ll be back in three months to use your birthday discount.” “Well, I- I mean, well- th-that is- I” My mouth snapped shut when I felt my words begin to catch in my chest as I became more flustered. Ava smiled kindly, the warmth of her smile made her hazel eyes sparkle. “Exactly,” she said softly, “truthfully Emilia, it’s no secret that you’re planning to leave when the pack recognizes you as nineteen, and I don’t blame you. I couldn’t imagine having to live among those who weren’t my own kind. Let me do this, please?” “Okay,” I consented. I pulled out my pack ID and tapped it on the reader. Relief that I was only losing a week’s wages allowed the tension in my shoulders to dissipate. A small ding from the register let me know the transaction had gone through. “Why don’t you go change into something and
Divided Chapter 6
The rest of the week passed in a blur. I did notice a few new faces among the streets and within the dining hall’s kitchen, but nothing substantial until three days before the equinox. It began that morning while in the kitchen. I overheard an argument between Willow and some unknown male.“This is my kitchen!” Willow growled, “and I will not serve undercooked food. I don’t care how the lord prefers it, the lowest I will cook it is rare.”“This is simply unacceptable; you knew we were coming.” The man replied, “Alpha Lucas brought his own blood slaves, as your pack requested. Out of courtesy, he is making a point to join your meals.”“So you want me to slap a completely raw steak onto a serving platter and give it to him?” Willow challenged, her hands balled in fists on her hips, and her lithe frame looked ready to pounce at the slightest provocation.The man sighed and shook his head, loose honey-blond curls bounced around his face as he did so. “Will you at least have one of your co
Divided Chapter 7
I had just finished the arrangement of tulips and lilies for the next garland when he found me. It was the cheerful tune he hummed that pulled my attention away from my task. I glanced up to see a newly familiar face with a sweet smile that revealed his elongated canines, just as it had this morning. He commented pleasantly, “There you are! I’ve been searching for you since that incident at breakfast, I never imagined they would squirrel you away out here.” “I don’t know what you mean.” I replied respectfully, “I’ve been assisting with the flower arrangements for the equinox since preparations began.” “Oh?” He inquired, an eyebrow arched gracefully to show his disbelief. I was thankful when he didn’t press the issue, instead, he informed me I was needed for the noon meal. “I apologize, sir-“ “Eskal,” he corrected. I paused cautiously before I continued, “I apologize Eskal, however, Willow has instructed me to assist here until she calls for me.” The smile Eskal was sporting vani
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