ETHANThe pictures and memories lurking last night went on pretty late and now my back hurts. No one tells you this but getting old sucks. Hazel fished out pictures of Arnold and I since we were little and to be honest, it didn't go how I expected it to go. I have asked our parents for the pictures and they lied about it, knowing Arnold, he would not steal it. I was hoping to be bitter and act like an asshole but Hazel's presence, her grace and her beautiful demeanor did nothing but uplift my spirit. I was all smiles when it happened. "Acting king Ethan, your attention is needed." Hazel's voice fills the room as she walks in with a tray of food.As the days have been passing by steadily, filled with adventures and bonding moments with Hazel. "So, what exactly do you want us to do to pass up time?" I fall into the couch, letting the softness take me in. "Okay, first things first, we will cook and eat. After a properly eaten food and rest, we will go to the arcade and play
HAZELI find myself standing in the middle of a dense forest, and the air thick with the metallic scent of blood. My senses are assaulted by the sight of mangled bodies which look like they were thrown across the forest floor, their limbs twisted at grotesque angles, their lifeless eyes staring into nothingness. I stumble backward, my stomach churning with nausea as I realize that the bodies belong to my old fellow pack members, the maids and the head taskmasters. The sight is too much to bear, and I feel bile rising in my throat as the horror of it all threatens to overwhelm me. What kind of sight am I looking at? But then, it feels like I’m then drawn by some unseen force, and so I find myself drawn toward the center of the clearing where a figure stands amidst the carnage. It's a creature, tall and scary, with blood red eyes that seem to pierce through to my soul. Of course, this is just a dream. I sigh in relief. No matter how much those people hurt me, I will never stoop t
ARNOLDAfter days of relentless, unending research and sleepless nights, I finally come to a decision. "Sir, we know the last hunt that we put you on was not as successful as we had hoped but things are starting to get a better feel." One of the medical researchers said. "I know, you guys tried your best to get a good feeling about it and it was great for me. " I say patting him on the back, giving him the approval that it seemed like he needed. I knew it is the right time, the right time to reach out to Ethan and update him on the situation here at the Serene pack. He deserves to know the truth, no matter how bad it may be. I sit down at my desk, a sense of urgency coursing through my veins as I begin to compose a letter to my brother. The words flow easily, fueled by a mixture of determination and desperation. I don't know how he is going to take it, I hope he takes it well, I trust him.-"Dear Ethan,I hope this letter finds you well. I apologize for the silence these past
ETHANI stare at the letter in my hand, the words blurred by the tears welling up in my eyes. Arnold has written to me again and once again I can only imagine how concerned he is for our pack's well being, and for Hazel. Even his handwriting shaky, and the thought of the possibility of my brother needing my help but not asking for it crosses my mind. I can't help but feel a pang of guilt in my chest. Arnold has always been the responsible one, the one who shoulders the burden of leadership with grace and determination. And here I am, thousands of miles away, unable to offer him any real assistance in his time of need. Just to stay out and try my best to look out for both our kingdoms. But I can't dwell on my own shortcomings. Arnold needs me to be strong, to support him from afar as he faces the challenges that threaten the survival of our kingdoms, because anything that affects his kingdom affects mine too. I wipe away the tears from my eyes and keep myself strong for the task ah
ETHANI have felt a great amount of negative emotions in my lifetime. Loneliness, anger, shame, regret, but the fear that has overcome me is something that I cannot express fully in words, or even fathom to begin with.I had to leave Hazel, and return to my kingdom to address the issue that has been threatening to take over, as the illness is not something that is happening between that one pack. This was something that we thought— we hoped, would be under control. Arnold had assured me that he would ensure that it would be under control on a few weeks at most, and then return. He didn’t return, and the situation only became worse. I grit my teeth in annoyance as I wonder why some of the inhabitants of our kingdom do not like to listen to simple instructions. For this disease to spread so far, it only means that some werewolf or a group must have found a way to sneak into the affected pack to spread. And that must have been after the law was made for no one to go into the place les
ETHANI am sitting at my desk, with a pen in my hand as I can only think about what is going on in the kingdoms. I decide to write a letter to Arnold, letting him know about the situation.The weight of responsibility is pressing down on my shoulders now more than ever, and it is not helpful to know that every word I write could mean the difference between life and death for our people. “Dear Arnold.” I start, the words flowing from my mind to the page. “I hope this letter finds you well, and that you’re doing better than last time. I didn’t want to disturb you, but it’s important, and I fear the news I bear may not make you very happy.” I pause, my frown deepening as I consider how best to let him know what is going on without causing unnecessary panic. “The illness continues to spread and people have died, not just in your kingdom, but in mine and the others.” I write, my hand trembling slightly in spite of my efforts to remain steady. “The symptoms are becoming more severe, a
ARNOLDAs I stand at the window of my given chambers, gazing out at the kingdom I've sworn to protect, a heavy weight settles in my chest. The spreading illness, the fear in my people, and the thought of Hazel's safety weigh heavily on my mind. I know I cannot stand idly by any longer. With a deep breath, I make the difficult decision to return to my kingdom.The journey back is fraught with worry and anticipation. I wrestle with my thoughts as I leave, but deep down, I know it's the right choice. Hazel needs me, and Ethan cannot face this crisis alone. And to be honest, neither can I. Once I get home, I take in a deep breath and the familiarity of the palace grounds brings a bittersweet comfort, only, there is no time for sentimentality. I find Ethan in my study, poring over maps and scrolls with a furrowed brow. "Ethan." I say, my voice betraying my anxiety. "We need to talk." He looks up, his expression going from shock to excitement as he hugs me and asks me about everything
HAZELEver since Arnold returned to the palace, our days have been a whirlwind of worry and uncertainty. Arnold and Ethan work tirelessly to find a cure for the sickness plaguing our kingdom, and I do everything I can to support them. We spend our days poring over scrolls and consulting with experts, but despite our best efforts, the sickness continues to spread unchecked. Arnold and Ethan may be kings, but they are also my mates, and I cannot stand by and watch as they shoulder the burden alone. The only thing I can do is to try my best to take care of them, and making sure the cooks make their favorite meals and making sure they get enough rest. In return, they do the same for me, offering words of encouragement and comfort when I need them most, and giving me routine massages. But no matter how hard we try to maintain a sense of normalcy, the weight of the situation hangs heavy over us. Some nights, when the palace is quiet and the weight of the world feels too much to bear, I ca