CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE (WAXING CRESCENT)
Chapter Thirty-three: Alaric
The moon hung silently on the black sky. Aside from that, no stars are out for the night, making the whole sky look like an empty canvas—a void.
A tall, gothic palace built far, far away from where the werewolves lived, stood in between small houses surrounding it. Streets were long and wide, connecting one street to another, like a spiderweb. The candles illuminated each house, giving a yellow-orange hue to each window.
Inside the palace, deep in the throne room, there sat a young-looking man. His face was pale, eyes red as blood, and face as cold as winter. No emotion could be seen on his smooth face, like a stone statue frozen in time.
The face known by every vampire, whose name could make them tremble from fear and exhilaration.
The ruler of the vampire, Alaric.
Next to him, the elder vampire who keeps an eye on their ruler when h
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Thirty-Four: Days Before Her BirthdayMallory’s birthday was coming.For the past few days, she couldn’t focus on her own birthday. The sudden departure of Harper and the imprisonment of Hazen gave her a lot of stress. Oddny and her tried their best to ask where Harper went or if they could speak with Hazen, but they couldn’t get any result.In the end, they can’t do anything but just give up with it.“Everything will be fine,” Mallory heard herself assuring Oddny one day. “Hazen will be out in no time, and Harper will come back safe and alive.”She said that to Oddny, but at the same time, to herself.Mallory found Hazen’s presence sometimes too much. She’s overwhelmed by her, but she can’t deny the comfort she gave to her, especially with adjusting to the pack.Now that they’r
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Thirty-Five: No WayWhat she had in her mind when it came to birthdays, was—to do nothing.In her previous packs, with her mother, they always just eat just a bit better food and then, nothing else. When she was gone and her first birthday in her previous pack was stale and cold, but when she’s supposed to have a warm birthday with Oddny, Damian, and Melita, the vampires stole it from her. Again.When she went here, she didn’t think of it that much. But with Hazen and Harper as ‘additional’ to their family, she thought of somehow celebrating with them…Then…Mallory just doesn’t want to think about it at all.Something bit her bait.Mallory stirred from her thoughts, and she immediately stood up and pulled. After a pull, she looked at the struggling fish on her hook. It was a big catch.Mallory is in her usual fishing job.Since she had no plans for the day, she just went out as usual. And it seems like Oddny forgot about her birthday too,
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX (WAXING CRESCENT)Arc Four: RejectionChapter Thirty-Six: He is the Alpha’s SonLeofric is the Alpha’s son.Mallory’s mind refused to accept it. But her memories slowly recapped and she remembered subtle hints about his identity, but she didn’t notice.Everyone just flocks towards him like it is natural.His natural leading capability.How others reacted when she was with him.How those nasty stares they got disappeared as soon as he said he’d do something about it.And… Benedict. The way Benedict laughed at her.That was so obvious. She should have asked. Pressed for answers. Who is Leofric? Why are you all acting like that? Is he important to the pack? How important?But she didn’t.Now, she has to suffer the consequences of her own actions.Mallory could clearly see the betrayal etching in Oddny’s face. She could practically see her temper rising.She’s about to blow up.“Oddny—”“Mallory,”Before she could say anything, Oddny cut her off. She called her name, an
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Thirty-Seven: Selfish“Mallory!” He called out, his smile reaching his ears. “I’m so glad to see you!”“Hello, sir.” She said politely, and briefly, remembering how he just laughed at her while knowing the truth behind Leofric’s identity.Benedict seemed not to notice her coldness as he tapped her shoulder. “Are you here to pick a job? Are you fishing finally again?”“Finally…?” Mallory asked, then her eyes looked at the officer behind the desk. He looked away.‘Were they talking about me?’ Mallory wondered before answering him. “No,”She saw him visibly frown. “Why?”Mallory had long prepared an excuse for it. “I need something new to try… I’ve been fishing since I came here, so.”“I thought it was your hobby,” Benedict said, a slight disappointment etching in his voice. Mallory thought she could get away already when the light in his eyes flashed again. “No matter. Mallory, I would like to assign you to fish!”Mallory was flabbergasted.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Thirty-Eight: Invitation“School?” Mallory asked, wondering if she heard right.“Yes,” Leofric answered while brushing away a branch from her face. He looked at her and smiled. “I thought that maybe you wanted to go to school. “I wondered if you also wanted to get into it.”“I can’t. I don’t have enough time.” Mallory said, remembering what he told her.“Why?” He frowned.She explained. “You said that everyone graduates the moment they’ll be having their Blessing Ceremony, and I’ll be having mine next week so…”She saw his eyes increase in size. Mallory embarrassedly asked. “I… I didn’t tell you?”“You didn’t!”“But you came to my birthday the other day…” “Oh, yes. But I still didn’t know.” he paused and thought how stupid he was before bursting out in laughter. “Well, now I do. I guess school is not an option. It doesn’t matter. You’re only interested in the library, anyway. I’ll grant you access to higher books in…
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Thirty-Nine: Blessing CeremonyShe couldn’t find any clues. Not at all.However, she discovered a lot of things in a span of one week. And she also accidentally discovered the secret of the pack.One day, when she got so frustrated about her fruitless labor, Leofric noticed and offered her to enter the restricted library. She wasn’t polite and immediately agreed, but, just like the past few days, she couldn’t see anything. She can’t help but create a conclusion.‘Goddess’ Blessed… Am I the first case?’ Mallory can’t help but feel a forbidding feeling. If that’s the case, then she can’t have any guides to follow at all!The future is looking bleak, but she can’t give up.Mallory had to remember everything she and the other werewolves had to go through, and it immediately filled her determination. While reading, slowly, she realized something. She closed the book, and with a complicated look, she called Leofric. “Uhm,”Leofric raised his he
CHAPTER FORTY (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Forty: Ceremonial DanceThere are already a lot of werewolves in the square; unblessed and blessed alike. The unblessed were already near the fountain, circling it while chatting with each other. Mallory looked to her side where Oddny was, but she wasn’t there anymore.She looked for her, but couldn’t find even the hint of her shadow, so she decided to just let it be a concentrate on herself.Mallory looked closely at the fountain, especially at the statue.It was her second time seeing it, but the first time she saw it up close. The details of the statue were really marveling, and one can see how the artist dedicated his time and talent to making the Goddess statue and her jar.Mallory gulped. The anxiety not related to her identity slowly crept up to her. It was something she felt because, finally; it was her time.Since she had ravings blaring in her mind every full moon, she couldn’t see a ceremony. Not even once. Now, she had to experience
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE (WAXING CRESCENT)Chapter Forty-One: Fated MateThe hidden rune and ancient patterns on the square grounds lit up as well, engulfing the unblessed standing on top of them.Their parents, loved ones, relatives alike watched from the distance. Nervousness can’t help but hold their hearts suspended.They were afraid—what if a newly blessed werewolf lost control and went on a rampage? The elders and the Alpha were here to stop that from happening, but what if they’re not fast enough?Such dark thoughts made them close their eyes and bring their fists on their mouth and silently prayed to the Goddess, asking Her to look closely for them.Mallory’s random thoughts immediately wiped out of existence the moment the light surrounded her. She felt warm and light, and she could feel the surging power from within.She closed her eyes to nudge it. In the darkness, she could see gentle bulbs of light floating around in a vortex. They were like creating something straight; a line,