My heart was racing as I was left just staring at the letter. Fresh blood was found on the parchment. Its source of blood puzzled me. Did Dal own it? As I kept thinking about it, I became agitated.
Is it true that he killed my leopard? Despite my immediate desire to meet Dal, something about the letter piqued my interest. Perhaps it was my eagerness to see what he had in store for me, or perhaps it was just the power of our shared tie at work.We hadn't even been together for a day when I started to feel defeated. I thought about going to Lawrence and asking him to speak with Lucian and give my leopard back. I didn't want to take the chance, despite how alluring the concept appeared. If I didn't follow his orders, what if he did something awful to Dal?Even simply thinking about it made my head hurt. Already, I was so frustrated. Again, I knew that he wouldn't just hand me my leopard so easily, but I still wanted to approach him and ask him for it. He seems to enjoy playing games, therefore he was likely playing one with me.
Did you locate Dal? My mother questioned me about my breakfast routine."No," I cried out.
"That's alright. More wolves are being sent out by your father to search for him. That would be okay, "She made an effort to reassure me, but I could also sense her anxiety in her voice.
Since Dal had never vanished in this manner before, I was aware that she was also terrified and concerned about the situation. He was really special to us, and if something happened to him, we would be crushed.
I shifted on my seat hesitantly and said, "Er... mom." She glanced at me as a result. She joined me for breakfast, although she appeared rushed to get to a meeting with other witches. I debated whether or not to tell her about Lucian right now."What is it, sweetie?" She questioned me sternly while showing concern on her face.
She was looking at me very thoughtfully as I cautiously began, "I... I wanted to tell you something."She looked away from all the parchments and said, "Go on, I'm listening," before completely turning to face me. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I'm not sure why, but I had this peculiar feeling that prevented me from speaking about it aloud. Every time I wanted to discuss it, I felt as though I was at a loss for words."I — it was," I tried to speak, but nothing came out. The words were straining to escape my lips, but once more there was some odd force preventing them from doing so. My mother's concern only increased as she watched me have a hard time speaking.
Never before had I had trouble telling her something. My mother and I used to be able to talk about everything, but now I was unable to talk to her about the thing that mattered the most to me. It confused me."Yes, sweetheart, I'm listening. Give it some time. I'm here to help "She prodded me while encouragingly touching my shoulder, but nothing came out.
Sighing, I gave up. "I believe you are running late. When you get back from work in the evening, we'll discuss this "I informed her sourly before taking a sip of my tea. She remained silent but observed with intense worry.
"My priority for you, baby, is greater than my work. I can see that you are bothered by something. Just describe it to me. Are you worried about Dal? If so, your father and I would do everything in our power to assist you. Baby, your father will bring him to you "She made an effort to calm me down, but I became even more angry.
I had the impression that I was a dam, containing a whole river. I desperately wanted to tell her everything, but something kept stopping me and making me feel worse and worse every time I tried.
"Mom, it's all right. We'll speak once more that evening "I told her. Before kissing my forehead as if I were still a toddler and departing for work, she gave me a very worried expression. Soon after, I left for work, but the bloodied note from Lucian kept me from doing so for the majority of the time.
I couldn't help but keep returning to it and then thinking of Dal. I questioned his whereabouts and his health."What took place to you?" While we were practicing, Locros said to me, "You seem lost today," and then he said, "Is there any news on Dal?"
His inquiry was answered by the desperation that hung on my face. By now, everyone was aware that Dal was missing."Don't worry, Athena, my father is aware of it, Embry assured me. He has dispatched additional wolves to search for Dal. He would soon be located!" He made an effort to cheer me up as well. I attempted to smile forcibly and return to my job. Everyone was looking for my leopard, but I knew exactly where it was.
It was with Lucian, but once more, I was prevented from discussing it with anyone by this odd power. Otherwise, Dal would have been discovered by now, I was confident. I was left with nothing to do but wait till dark. I waited, and then I returned to the freezing woods once the sun had begun to set beneath the horizon.
I was more reminded of my leopard by this. I was never by myself in the woods. He was always like a shadow beside me. I felt shadowless without him by my side, like those lifeless things that dwell in the abyss. Without my Dal, I felt as lifeless as they did.
As I made my way further into the woods, my heart was thumping in my chest. I was constantly very vigilant. The trees silently observed me as I passed them, and the brisk wind fluffed my hair as it passed my shoulder. It wheezed past my ears in the dark, whispering about the perils the woods held, sending a chill down my spine.
I made a turn and headed farther into the forest in the direction of the prohibited forests. If I had the option, I would never have visited that location.
There's a reason why the area is known as the forbidden forests. When Zeifa hadn't been cursed with infertility, the area used to be a small community. It was stated that the entire village burned down with all the women imprisoned in the homes when Bladu cursed Zeifa with infertility.They are rumored to still be present in the forbidden forests, their souls still cursed. The area was the darkest in Zeifa. I had just been there for the second time, and I wasn't really excited to return. When we were younger, I had already visited with Embry, Jacob, and Locros.
We went to look at it one night since we were so inquisitive. The four of us continued to have nightmEmbry from it occasionally despite it being the darkest night of our lives. My entire being shuddered at the mere thought of it. Even though I had no desire to go there, I had to for my Dal. I would have gone to the forbidden forests if it meant getting him back.When I at last saw the dead willow tree that stood tall amid the other trees, brooding and indicating the beginning of the forbidden forests, I took a sharp breath. The woods here were far deeper and darker, and strange animal noises floated through the air. Even though I was doing this simply for my snow leopard, I couldn't help but feel afraid.
I was only willing to pay that amount for my Dal. I moved passed the dead willow tree and into the forbidden woods, thinking about getting him back. The tree hissed at me, and I recoiled in terror.
I then became aware of how frightened I was throughout my entire body. I forced a firm swallow before moving further into the forbidden forest. Even my werewolf sight couldn't help me see clearly because of how dark it was here."Dal?" When a mysterious sound made me too afraid to continue, I yelled loudly for my leopard. I reached under my cloak and cupped my hands around my sword's handle. Nothing happened, which made my heart sag even more.
"Dal!" I yelled once more. However, this time, something responded by encircling my leg and dragging me into a pitch-black abyss. The only thing to emerge from the blackness was my scream.
-HER- As I continued to fall and fall into the pitch-black hole, I yelled at the top of my lungs. The strange thing was that my scream did not resound. I don't remember how long I fell, but it seemed like an eternity. As gravity seized me, I had my eyes tightly clenched and the wind was rushing past my ears. I had given up shouting because it didn't seem to help.However, at one point I felt someone restraining me and the wind stopped swooshing past my ears. I understood the fall had been broken, but how?I quickly sensed the same presence from last night—a very strong presence. I quickly became aware that I was being held by two arms. I wrenched my eyes open and was met by a pair of brilliant golden-brown eyes. My already pounding heart accelerated as my breath became lodged in my throat. The more I looked into his vivid, dark-hued golden brown eyes, the shinier I became in his arms.Before they eventually let me down, they gave me a few blinks. As soon as my feet landed, I widened
-HER- For the second time today, I stumbled. Before the portal closed behind him and made a crackling sound, Dal jumped out of it. I sat there for a while, my mind trying to make sense of everything that had transpired up to this point as my heart raced in my chest. Dal was happily rubbing himself all over me while licking me clean. He seemed relieved to be back with me. I threw my hands around Dal and gave him a strong hug as I sobbed once everything finally hit my brain and I regained consciousness. I had truly missed him. I had been so anxious for him. Although I was relieved that my leopard was unharmed, I didn't enjoy how Lucian and I ended up getting along.I had no interest in him at all. Even my wolf felt something off about him. First of all, he was distinct from me. My type was inferior to his, and they ruled with far more ruthlessness. I was aware of his administration's treatment of women. They were in an unsafe environment there. I suppose that now that I've personally m
"What do you say?" I asked Lawrence as I looked around the crowd from the royal balcony. I was looking for a certain dark she-wolf with unusual features. There was always something about her that interested me.I didn't think it was the mate bond. It was somethi1ng different—a curiosity, an interest, a strong desire to know everything there was to know about her.When I didn't see her in the crowd, especially among all the Princes here tonight, I started to frown. I thought about where she was."My General doesn't like it very much," Lawrence said. I looked at him because of this. He gave me a grim look before saying, "He doesn't want his wolves to fight proxy wars."His words made me look at Lawrence for a second longer. I couldn't help but look at his partner, who was standing next to him and looking down at the crowd. She changed Lawrence so much that I never liked her.Lawrence was someone I'd known for a long time. He wasn't always like this. He wasn't the type to take things eas
Athena's POVAs I looked down at the women in front of me, I leaned back in my throne. As I looked at all of their faces, the thought of getting a headache danced on my forehead. With each face, I felt more and more upset.As Amoux brought more women into the room, a small crease began to form between my eyebrows."What is it?" I asked with a mix of anger and irritation in my voice. Seeing all these faces I didn't know made me mad. I hated being in a crowd.Amoux frowned when I asked him my question, and then he looked at the women, confused, and then back at me."Why? Didn't you tell me to bring them?" He asked in a hurry. I could also tell that he was upset by the lines on his face. We were having more trouble than I thought because of this.All because of that stupid bond between mates.I took a deep breath to get myself back together. I was about to lose my cool. I didn't realize how hard it would be."I told you how I wanted them, the women," I said, glaring angrily at the women.
Lucian's POVI couldn't wait for the next day to get here. I had never been so restless and angry all night, especially for such a small and useless goddess. I was so angry that to say I was mad would be an understatement.I was really, really mad at her. My cynical mind was already planning something to do to her or to help me get out of the mate bond. On the other hand, whatever was going on in my head didn't make my lycan very happy.He had always wanted a mate, and when we found her, he tried to claim her like other lycans would have, but I'm not like other lycans. I'm the leader of the werewolves.Having a partner would make me weaker, not stronger. My enemies would try to hurt her, and they weren't like most enemies.They had a lot of power and would do anything to hurt me and my kingdom. It had taken me many years of hard work and many sacrifices to get my kingdom to where it was today. I wasn't going to let a she-wolf and a goddess turn into a weakness for me.Either that she-
Lucian's POV"You could have just turned her down instead of bringing me here for this small matter," she said as if she weren't talking to the King of Lycans. I was already mad at her, and it seemed like she was doing everything she could to make me angry.My patience broke, and I ended up growling at her and shaking the ground where she was standing. This seemed to finally make her remember who I really was and how important what we were talking about was. I saw her take a small step back and heard her heart beat fast for a moment.She finally realized how much trouble she was in. She had very faint signs of fear on her face, and it made me and my lycan very happy to have hit the right note with her. I sat back a little on my throne, but I never took my eyes off of her. I never stopped looking at you.This time I said, "I don't like to repeat myself, Fowol. Do what I said," with more authority. My heavy, deep voice was filled with dominance and power that you could feel in your bone
Athena's POV"I don't understand why women can't go there. Is there something special there?" I asked him. He had already been to the Midwinter Festival. Except for me, the other three had already been there."Actually, no. In that way, it's very normal, but it's also very grand. Everything about it is very grand: the decorations, the people, the events, and everything else. Lucian seems very serious about it, "While Embry and Jacob caught up to us, Locros told me. They had been out for some runs in the snow."What is very important to Lucian?" When Embry joined us, he asked. Jacob was just a few meters away, putting on his training gear to get ready for battle.I said, "The Mid Winter Festival.""Oh, yes, that's a big deal for them," said Embry. "I wish that you could join us,"I told him with a smirk, "Well, I'm going." His eyes grew very big at once. He opened his mouth to talk, but Jacob said, "Hell, yeah!""But they don't let women in there!" Embry had said."Who says I'm going t
Athena's POVDuring the trip, my heart was always pounding in my chest, and my wolf was pacing inside of me. Everyone else around me seemed excited to go there, but I stayed quiet and moved around in my seat a lot."Why are you acting like that?" "Are there ants in Jacob's pants?" asked Locros. He asked, and Jacob gave him a look right away, while the others laughed.Jacob grumbled, "I gave her the newest set of clothes.""Still, she looks like she doesn't feel good," Locros said, narrowing his eyes at me. He was the one of us who paid the most attention. I didn't know if it was because of his skills or not, but he was very good at figuring out what people were thinking.He was always smart enough to figure out what was going on, so it was hard to keep things from him. I was curious about whether he knew anything about Lucian and me. I'd be damned if he knew, but the way he was acting told me he didn't know.He would have talked to me about this if I hadn't told him.I told him, "Er..