~.NOVA.~Under the moon's watchful gaze, we had on the grass hidden from the tributes we saw earlier.Suddenly, a distant sound reached our ears—a haunting melody that echoed through the night. We exchanged wary glances, recognizing the tune as a signature of the Hunger Games organizers."It's the anthem," Horia whispered, her voice tinged with dread. "They're showing the fallen tributes."We looked up at the sky. There, illuminated by the moonlight, were the faces of the fallen tributes, their images projected like ghostly apparitions.Each tribute's face appeared in turn, a reminder of the deadly nature of the game we were trapped in. Some faces were familiar from our brief encounters at the Cornucopia, while others were strangers whose stories we would never know.The anthem played on, a mournful melody that hung heavy in the night air. It was a grim reminder of the price of failure in the Hunger Games.As the last face faded from the sky, we remained silent, each lost in our though
~. .~"The royal infirmary will dispense medicine to the capital soon. " Velia bursts into the throne room to see Prince Adrian sitting on his designated seat attending to palace affairs.The werewolf bowed, "Thank you, Your Highness." with that he left the room."What do you think you're doing?" Princess Velia asked with a scowl on her face. "Tending to palace affairs.""You don't have to. "She said pointing at the huge brass doors. "I don't have to? But you kept telling me how I should be here and now you don't?"In the dimly lit throne room, tension hung in the air like a heavy fog. Prince Adrian, his expression somber, watched as Princess Velia took her seat beside him. The exchange of words had clearly left an awkward atmosphere between them.He leaned slightly toward her, his voice softening. "Velia, I only wanted to help, to be by your side during these challenging times."Velia sighed, her gaze fixated on the scrolls before her. "I appreciate your intentions, Adrian
~. .~As soon as Jannah had disappeared from the arena and materialized into the real world, her mate, Mobali's Gamma, Nate rushed to find her.Mobali and the rest followed him as they burst into the infirmary where all the fallen participants were been treated."WHERE IS SHE?" Nate's voice thundered as he grabbed onto one of the healers. Trembling in fear the healer asked, "Who is she, sir?""Get a hold of yourself, Nate." Mobali growled at him using his Supreme Alpha Authority as he released the healer from Nate's grip. "The Supreme Gamma Female."The healer immediately directed us to a private room where Jannah was being treated. "Jannah!" Nate yelled as he rushed towards her, falling at her bedside. She was in her wolf form, unconscious and dried blood patched on her fur."What is the meaning of this? Why are you not attending to her?" Nate barked as the healers trembled at his voice."Apparently, her highness was weak so she shifted into her wolf form to preserve her life, but we
~.ARET.~The forest fairy's emerald eyes locked onto me, her gaze intense as she processed my wish. For a moment, I felt a shiver of uncertainty. Would she grant such a request? But then, her lips curled into a small smile."Very well, Luna Aret," she replied, her voice carrying an ethereal quality. "Your wish shall be granted. You shall have the opportunity to communicate with Your Alpha."Relief washed over me. It was a chance I couldn't afford to miss. The Hunger Games had separated us, and I needed to know if Mobali was aware of our situation and if he could offer any guidance or assistance."Thank you," I said, my gratitude sincere. "I appreciate your kindness."The forest fairy nodded, her demeanor regal yet gentle. "Remember, Luna Aret, the rules of the Hunger Games still apply. Your communication will be brief, and you must use this opportunity wisely."I understood the limitations, and I knew I had to make every moment count when I contacted Mobali King.With a wave of her sc
~.VELIA.~"Wow, princess, your wolf is so big!” the pups complimented as we sat in the middle of a clearing in our wolf forms.“Will our wolves ever be as big as yours?” My wolf felt pride from all the compliments she was given. “Of course, you just have to eat well and grow up.” Their attention shifted from me to someone else and I rolled my eyes.“Sorry I'm late, pups,” Adrian said as he walked in with his head high, he was in his wolf form and the pups stared at him like they had seen a god.“Having fun, A?” I asked pushing past him and the pups followed as we went for a run around the clearing.An hour later they lay on the grass, still in their wolf form, exhausted from the training. “Take them in for a shower and meal, then make sure they all get home.” The maids bowed as they picked the pups and headed for the castle.“Thank you, Your Highness.” The pups said in unison, their little sleepy voices echoed making me smile.“A-” I turned to see that my brother was long gone, with a
~.NOVA.~I gasped as my eyes fluttered open, and I found myself lying on soft grass. The memory of sinking into the quicksand is still fresh in my mind.I composed myself, lifting myself to my feet as I looked around, Horia and Aret starting in different directions."Aret! Horia!" I called out to them but to no avail. "Nova." I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. I heard my name, clear and distinct as if carried by the wind. My breath hitched as I felt a cool breeze on my skin, and goosebumps rose. I closed my eyes, hoping it was a trick of my imagination, but the presence was undeniable."Won't you look at me?" My heart broke as I heard those words, I must be delusional, Hearing the voice of the dead.Or I must be dead too. But I didn't feel dead, I didn't feel hollow or empty. I could still hear my heartbeat."Nova," the presence called out to me again as I turned, I clamped my hand over my mouth as tears flowed."Daddy?" My voice quivered as I took hesitant steps toward him. I
~.ARET.~"Nova! Horia!" I called out, my voice echoing through the dense fog. Panic threatened to overwhelm me as I realized I was separated from my friends in this disorienting place.Suddenly, I felt a gentle tug on my arm, and I was pulled into a different space. When I opened my eyes, the fog had dissipated, and I found myself in a familiar clearing. The trees, the scent of the forest, it all seemed so real."You get startled a lot."I blinked, my heart still racing from the confusion and fear. Standing before me was Lorraine, my older sister who had passed away tragically half a year ago. Her playful grin was as familiar as ever."L-Lorraine?" I stammered, unable to fully process how I had gone from the eerie fog to this comforting scene.She chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You look like you've seen a ghost, Kaerlia."I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "b-but you are a ghost."Lorraine's expression softened, and she placed a hand on my shoulder. "
~. .~"The Hunger Games will conclude today with the finale," she mused at his words, a sense of anticipation in the air.Adrian, however, seemed distracted. "How do I look? Do you think I should make my debut?" She expected a compliment on her outfit, but his response was far from what she had hoped for."Debut? What are you talking about?"Frustration laced her voice as she replied, "Don't tell me you forgot.""Forgot what?"She leaned in closer, her tone sharp with impatience. "Don't you want to execute our plans?" Adrian's expression shifted as memories flooded back, and he realized his lapse in focus."It slipped my mind.""Slipped your mind?" Her tone was incredulous. "Adrian, it seems you've given up on her. It's good you acknowledge that you two don't belong together." She nonchalantly placed an arm on Adrian's shoulder, her words cutting like a blade."No! It's not that," he protested, his hand instinctively reaching for his temple as if trying to clear his thought