HAZELI wake up to the soft rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a warm feeling and glow into the room. I am not ready to wake up yet but with the intensity of the rays of sunlight, I realise that a lot of time must have passed.Stretching my legs, I feel a sense of contentment wash over me as I remember that it's the weekend, a time for relaxation, fun and sleeping in. Rolling over, I see Ethan still asleep beside me, his features softened in the gentle morning light, sometimes I wonder why he looks like that when he sleeps, like a cute baby, but when he is awake, he is all macho macho.With a smile growing on my lips, I slip out of bed, careful not to disturb him. Padding barefoot across the cool hardwood floor, I make my way to the kitchen. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee greets me as I enter, enticing my senses and pushing me further into the world of non sleepers.I set out my ingredients to make breakfast. As I prepare breakfast, I can't help but feel a gre

ARNOLD It has been days since I arrived at the Serene pack, and the situation hasn't improved. In fact, it has worsened. The illness that is currently plaguing the pack members is more severe than we initially thought. After much deliberation, we decide to involve the medical experts. After consulting with medical experts and conducting extensive research, it's become evident that we're dealing with a deadly ailment, a strain of virus that spreads rapidly and has a known cure, but like anything, the cure is very scarce. "So, what are you telling me? They are all going to suffer like this till they die? No form of help or solution?" I ask with a heavy heart. "We have no other option. The cure will not likely not be found, a search for it will just be effortless and stupid. No benefits from that." The chief of the Medical experts tell me. The gravity of the situation weighs heavily on my shoulders. Lives are at stake, and time is of the essence. I can't afford to sit idly by

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

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 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