Kalista rushed up the path that led to her home and knocked wildly on the door. "Mother",she called frantically, her voice shaking with fear. She stole a glance behind her, her eyes searching the dark forest."Mother, open the door",she cried and pounded on the door desperately.The door was yanked open and her mother stepped outside holding a lit lantern. She was a petite woman with a mop of light brown hair and brown eyes."Kalista, dear child. You will give me a heart attack someday",she quickly placed her arm around Kalista's shoulder and led her inside the cozy cottage. Kalista stepped into the warm living room and made her way straight to her room. The smell of baked bread and roasted beef wafted through the entire cottage, making her stomach growl hungrily, but that was the least thing bothering her that moment.She still couldn't fathom what she just experienced in the woods.Without saying a word to her mother, she stepped into her room and shut the door.Making her way tow
Kalista's heart shattered as she gazed upon her mother's trembling body, as if someone had stabbed and shredded her heart into pieces. Unaware of the burst of blue energy emanating from her body and shooting skyward, she fell to her knees and crawled toward Maria."Mother!" she screamed in agony. Her hands trembled violently as they hovered over the bloody claw wound on her mother's face.Her cries intensified as she delicately cradled her mother's head in her lap. Thunder roared, lightning bolts zigzagged across the night sky, and the moon appeared to boil in anger, its silvery glow intertwining with the blue light.Maria struggled to open her eyes, tears blurring her vision as the realization of her impending death set in. Kalista's face appeared hazy as she stared up at her and attempted to speak."Ka... Kalista..." she sputtered, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth."I'm here," Kalista whispered, closing her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks. She grasped Maria's hand
Confusion intertwined with concern as Jade struggled to comprehend the significance of the startling revelation. Meanwhile, Kalista instinctively clutched her bleeding shoulder, wary of the white beast even though it appeared to have a protective inclination towards her. She couldn't afford to let her guard down.Unbeknownst to her, her wound slowly closed, healing instantaneously as if time itself had reversed.Jade, observing her wound heal, found his suspicions confirmed. Kalista wasn't merely human as he had presumed. The question now remained: What was she? And why did the persistent blue glow persist around her, even in the absence of the Soul Gem?Amidst his overwhelming confusion, Jade's instincts implored him to safeguard her and remain by her side. The thief who coveted the gem might return, and there was no telling if he would succeed in harming her.After an internal struggle, Jade made his decision. He approached Kalista slowly, allowing his lycan form to recede, revealin
Alpha Xerxes paced restlessly within the confines of his chambers, his countenance etched with worry and fear. On the grand bed, a tray of delectable dishes remained untouched, a stark reminder of his preoccupied mind. Even the occasional rumble of thunder failed to capture his attention, for his thoughts were consumed elsewhere.His concerns centered on his son, Jade, who had embarked on a perilous journey a year ago in pursuit of the Soul Gem and to avenge Izabelle's tragic demise. Yet, since his departure, there had been no word from him, leaving Alpha Xerxes in astate of agonizing uncertainty. He could not fathom what might have befallen his son, and the absence of communication intensified his apprehension.However, as soon as the thought crossed his mind, Alpha Xerxes shook his head, admonishing himself for succumbing to needless worry. He knew the mettle of his son, having personally trained Jade from a tender age. The warrior within him was strong and resilient.But still, wh
"I saw something I never should have seen," Kalista whispered. "It was a Gem, the same Gem you are searching for. I saw it that day you saved me"Jade said nothing and just allowed her to continue at her own pace. "I think he buried it to keep it hidden, but I saw it," Kalista continued. "And then... something strange happened""What happened?" Jade asked gently, his eyes never leaving hers."The glow from the Gem went into my body. At first I was so confused because it was something I've never experienced," Kalista rushed on. "When you asked me why he had attacked me, I was scared and confused. I didn't know how to tell you, and I didn't mean to lie...""The Gem's glow disappeared into your body?" Jade asked, not sure if he heard her well."Yes," Kalista nodded slowly. "Also, after I left you at the inn, the man attacked me again in the forest, but then the most shocking thing occured. I used the powers of the Gem to protect myself""You harnessed the Gem's powers?" Jade's frown dee
The next morning, word had gone round the kingdom of Northville about Kalista's home. Rumours spread that a wild animal had broken into the house and attacked Maria, but Kalista had escaped luckily.People gathered around the ruined cottage, some huddled in different groups as they gossiped within themselves. Among these humans was Kyle. He stood a little distance away from the cottage, eavesdropping on the humans as they gossiped and tried to gather information.According to what he heard, Kalista hadn't been found yet. People wondered if the wild animal had chased after her and killed her also while others covered Maria's lifeless body.Kyle remained where he was for a long while, listening to the humans gossip foolishly. He knew where Kalista was. She would be with Jade, and since Jade was still at the inn, he concluded that she would be there.Without a backward glance, he turned and walked away.His mind was a flurry of thoughts. Jade must have discovered that Kalista was a half
The sharp rays of sunlight filtering into the room roused Kalista and she opened her eyes. For a moment she appeared confused, wondering where she was and how she got there. And then the memories came. She remembered what occured the previous day. So it hadn't been a dream, she thought. Everything had actually happened.Her mother was gone forever. Jade was a werewolf, and she was a half-blood, with the powers of the Soul Gem.At the thought of her late mother, tears welled up in her eyes and she cried. She sobbed quietly for a moment, mourning the loss of the woman that had taken her in and raised her as her own. She would forever love Maria, but now she had to find out who her real parents were.The first thing she had to do was to unravel the mystery surrounding her birth. Since she was a half-blood, it meant one of her parents had been a werewolf and had fallen in love with a human. But why had she been abandoned? Didn't they want her?Her head hurt from thinking too much and sh
Kalista felt her heart slam against her chest as Gregory's words registered within her. He knew? How did he know Jade wasn't human? Had he been there that night?"That can't be true," she shook her head. "Jade is human. What makes you think he's not?""It is a long story," Gregory continued, oblivious to the shocked look on Kalista's face. "I wish I can explain how I know, but it doesn't matter"He then gripped her arms and peered into her eyes. "I'm sorry Kalista, but you must stay away from him," he said worriedly. "I fear he has a hand in your mother's death. Their kind hasn't mingled with us for years, thus it is strange that he would show up here. I plan to expose him, that's why I don't want you to be associated with him when I do"Kalista's heartbeats increased with each word that emitted from Gregory's mouth. She couldn't let Jade's secret be discovered. She had to do something"Sir Gregory," she began hurriedly. "I was with Jade all through the night. He isn't what you think