William, hit the ribs ...! Cried a knight who was climbing the stairs, and who, with his hand outstretched to his eyes, was struggling to see through the visor of his helmet his companion, who was struggling with bleeding flesh, who had been terribly pierced to the bone and streams flowed through the plates of armor. of blood, dripping incessantly on the cauldron of St. Peter's Square, yet with the stained cuirass, clinging to his foot like a wet towel, the knight had refused to cease fighting, even though the seniors expected this brave man to stagger to his feet. and to collapse in front of the world, but especially in front of the young d'Ampezzo who already seemed to be the only one of victory.
- William, hold on! For God's sake, do it for your son! He said again, animatedly, coming down from the saddle, and leaning against the parapet that separated the arena, and showing his excessive concern for his friend who came back limping, pale, biting his lips in pain, and pressing with despair of the foot, so that at his insistence the others agreed to relieve him of the weight of armor and shields loosened the straps so that the trousers covered at the wrists were much too sought after by the painters, that dark red from which the Renaissance capitalized on them in their paintings famous.
The short break was coming to an end and the two returned, tugging at their swords and twisting them to create the wonderful impression of the ladies who chose their favorite with handkerchiefs waving and smiling, hiding their smiles behind the veils of their dresses or their wide sleeves, embroidered with talent to he stared during the battle of the knights who hid their eyes behind the metal chipped edge of the shield.
Sir William, who was on the edge of the abyss, was staggering, and could scarcely have the strength to hold the shield, which slid across his chest, yet those on the edge cried out to be the same William of old again, and these words seemed to enchanted, coming from the throats of the comrades who wanted to see him again the same swordsman worthy of the knightly girdle, immediately the sharpest eye would have seen a murmur of encouragement floating on William's lips, and a fierce light in his eyes, which aimed his eyes d'Ampezzo who avoided their way.
At the first touch of the swords, William retaliated briskly, and the spectators began to murmur quietly about the new champion, at the second touch William was already attacking him safely, and his trembling sword in his hand made its way through simple defense. d'Ampezzo's, the ladies immediately changed the favorite, but William cringed worse, and with one last effort his sword slid over the other's edge and d'Ampezzo was touched in the shoulder to avoid a touch the young knight pulled the shield with torment, and the point of the sword passed through his shoulder, William took two steps back, one leg had already yielded and trembled, looked at those who accompanied him, and collapsed as long as he could over d'Ampezzo, who screamed in fright of pain, trying to he drew his sword from the blood-red handle, from which streams flowed on the glove chains, but not a moment passed, that the crowd of spectators, of merchants deep in dreams on the edge of a part of the chariot, or others in the saddle, found themselves pushed by some swords guard guards, who appeared at the unexpected moment of the duel and who stared at the count's riding eyes and with a few spurs in the ribs of the horses shouted for them to make room for them, yet with swords in hand and sharp glances on their faces crowded into the crowd frightened, pushed aside by a few lashes, they tried to frighten the world, the knights of the count understood that they were wanted, and the king arrested the whole suite for breaking the message, omitted by Count William in the duel with the young Ampezzo, Robert sprang out of the saddle, with a frightened look, pulled the earl's horse into the arena, and with two valets he mounted the earl in the saddle, tied his legs to the stairs, and mounted his horse, gave some orders to the other comrades, and grabbing the bridle of the horse on which the wounded man was placed, he ran towards the first gate coming out of San Pietro, some of the senior pursuers shot with crossbow arrows, others tried to encircle the square e, the mud jumped in the chase of the hooves that scattered dust on the narrow roads near the big square, it was not possible to escape, not to fight at all, then Robert had a crazy idea and leaning with one hand on the horse's rump he looked with an ironic and defiant smile to those in the rear who stopped, thus stopping that chase, which the king's swordsmen were trying to track down, entered a stone barn, and mounted the horses on the bridge where the hay was placed for the winter. hidden upstairs, they waited for the pursuers to pass.
At one point, Robert broke the silence and with a suspicion that could not be read in his eyes, he looked at Stomerville, who had not yet given up his Norman helmet, and the nose guard only had the much-desired effect.
"He should have been on the side of the road for a long time ... you can still hear the roar of a horse," he said in a whisper.
"Then he shouldn't be here ..." Robert said through gritted teeth, wailing uneasily.
A horseman strode leisurely and stopped in front of the barn entrances, staring at her as if the first time he had passed her was just a hallucination, he looked at the seemingly deserted interior, the empty ponds, no harness on him. He pushed the horse in with a few kicks to the ribs, but looking up, he hadn't even had time to shout, as Stomerville shot with his bow and the arrow pierced his collarbone, collapsing with his arms at his stallion's feet, and the horse moaned. scared and trotted restlessly, the barn.
The captain of the swordsman was at the end of the traffic jams, and looking back as the horse left without a rider, he shouted in a broken Italian, slammed from a dry throat.
-There, gentlemen ...!
They did not even manage to knock on the door with the two wings, for a few stray arrows aimed at their chests seemed to say goodbye to them in that chase, three horsemen fell petrified on the stone floor and Englishmen led by Robert clenched their swords, the captain was about to cut off his head, if Stomerville was not stationed with a crossbow, it would certainly have been, with the sentence above his head, which you hold to the captain's neck, and from here the gun pulley will continue the natural story that will trigger at each press of the bark and long trigger for that time.
Robert had not been careful again, and a last rider, in the chase of the horse, pushed him into a manger with oats, with which he collapsed without too many guests into the dry fodder, but rose quickly, as the rider did not even notice him. , was above him, he used the opportunity to stab the horse in the stomach and the fallen swordsman stood up to throw the glove like his runaway partner and at the first gust of wind cut by Robert's sword, which was already lying to his knee after the first attack , the swordsman contented himself with a twitch of his legs, the blade of his sword struck Robert's rib, which tried only a small parry to the blow with the side of the sword, yet it had been served precisely in the helmet whose blow had been smashed, hit over another friend of the sword fell and stumbled on his feet, stumbled over his dying companion, and fell into the watering-place of the horses which rolled over him with all the dirty water full on the bottom of the damp, green mud, which ran down his head. There were streaks on his face, which blackened his face, rose black on his face, his clothes wet, and went to the knight who pushed him so naughtily, struck with both hands on the handle the sword of the bold, who contented himself with forcing the Robert, then each tried his best to knock the other to the ground, his hands trembling, his swords crossed over his head, the Italian adjusted with one hand his sword and with the other he drew a dagger from his belt and struck Robert in hip, but he had links, and with a vengeful grin he pushed the Italian, who was rising quickly, to the ground, but Robert with a fierce blow from under his sleeve, with his sword coming from the wet folds of his trousers, split his chin and with a mischievous laugh He turned to Stomerville, his hands raised with a puppy of joy, shouting with all his might, yet an arrow pierced his links, and he fell as long as he could at the feet of the fallen, with his shoulder blade sifted by the other arrows that marked his back. moments later, Stomerville had shouted to Gray, another knight, the earl's aide-de-camp, to run away with the count through a crack in the barn, Stomerville took a bow looking up and with the four arrows killed four other swordsmen. Alison, after his sword had been struck in the throat, shouted as hard as he could.
- On horses, retreat, on horses!
And with his club he had crushed another's head, got on his horse, and hurriedly stopped under the balcony where Stomerville was, who, jumping, sat on the horse's rump with his back to Alison, the others already running out of the barn through the crack, and Stomerville on the horse's rump. Behind them, with their backs to Alison, he released arrows even as they came out of the barn into the heads of the pursuers who found the floor of the barn empty like Girolamo's fencing deck, Gray at the head leading the escape, holding the count's horse by the bridle. stairs, wounded he leaned against the horse's mane with his shoulders and mouth open, spit drops of blood between his teeth, which gave him a bitter taste all the time, then followed the other three, the Knight of Suffering, the old Thomas Vierone, the guide and last on one fast horse, the great Alison and the archer Stomerville who in the vanguard with the bow ready, prevented the king's swordsmen from reaching them.
Leaving Rome was impossible for the fugitives during the day, but Gray had only heeded the guards at the gate and with his sword drawn, slammed hard on any brave spearman in his path, Stomerville turned and his trunk twisted over his eyes. three crossbowmen loading their weapons on the walls of the barbican trying to shoot through the embrasures under the gate, Gray untied the line and entered three spearmen, who did not even see the horses, but who came out ahead, one of them hit him in the armor of chains, Gray he staggered out of the saddle, but got up, and Alison, with the club, had made sure that the bold one reached the green lens of the ditch with the broken helmet like eggshells and the bloody skull where he would drown in the muddy water that would pull him to the bottom.
.............. .............. ....
Two weeks later, near Tordimento, in an abandoned cattle shelter, in a valley without any trees, if you could see the sights, they were sitting at a table without a leg, leaning on a log, Alison looking amazed. to the small bottle of wine, which old Vierone shared with feigned stinginess, Soufrire watching over one of the broken stone walls, on a stone that had once been drinking, Gray sharpened his dagger and carved a few arrows, and Count William on a bed, made in a hurry, rested with its bandaged foot and a few rags, a linen shirt wet after the last rain, when it could only take shelter under some bushes, Alison suddenly looked inquisitively among the planks facing spring, whence came with the horses a man dressed like the others, in a dirty shirt, the Duke of Palermo, the guide who led them to the kingdom of old France and who entered the shelter anxiously and spoke sadly in English:
-My dear count, it seems that the riders have tracked us down again ...
-How so? said Gray hurriedly, raising his head now bent over the knife and looking carelessly.
"Look at Stomerville!" Alison said in a voice after turning her gaze fearfully on the lonely ridges, to her exclamation everyone turned their heads to a rider who with a large bow in his back, galloped down to the shelter and who, as mentioned, began to shout in front. to the others who, with their faces torn apart by the plague, bowed their heads with unspeakable pain and regret, which had taught them to be angry even at the last pitcher that came their way.
- Gentlemen, to defend, here we can't defend ourselves, we are in the throes of the bows ... Palermo drew a conclusion, giving from the chin that he had supported so far in the head of the chest and that had left on the poor shirt some traces, which the traveler did not he had endured washing it.
Suffering rushed at Alison, who couldn't help but spit out the straw she was chewing through her angry teeth and looked around angrily;
- Are we running? That's not good either, we've only been here one night and the bastards tracked us down and, surrender, Alison? He shouted at Alison after slapping her on one of his shoulders, which he was squeezing tightly, and Alison, with a look of contempt usual at warriors, squeezing her nose and forcing the corners of her mouth to give the exact note of annoyance, managed to say a good note to note for that news;
- Rather than be beheaded and taken like an English dream through the square, I'd rather run and die like a dog ...
-Count, it looks like we've made up our minds! Robert de Palermo said, biting his lip, hating the moment when the anger of the others restrained William's eyes, who neither lay nor saw when he lay down.
On the ridges of the valley, two research horsemen had appeared in Stomerville's footsteps, and with a horn the assembly rang, the count tried to get up, Stomerville rushed to the horses, Palermo lifted the count, who was weak, but did not even manage to put him in as a rain of oiled arrows plunged into the dry, black straw of the rain, and the roof of the shelter burned to shreds, falling on those inside, Alison rushed to Palermo, and with her mad cry broke out at the last stray. ;
- For God's sake, get out of there ...!
-I think Soufrire didn't even breathe through those beams.
He was amused by Gray, who was already on horseback, amused, but Alison had hit him with the riding glove over his face and looked at him vengefully, then threw himself into the fire to save Soufrire as Gray swore at the square. and he shouted to Stomerville, who turned his head to make sure that no enemy called him, but he did not turn his head either, as a new rain of arrows swarmed the sky and he jumped, throwing himself over Gray with his shield, which fell under his horse. with his back broken, while Stomerville had scarcely had time to cover himself, sages of arrows were burning with small flames on the fat grass, the shelter was burning like a fire of mad madness, and the countenance had been removed with difficulty by Robert panting with his mouth open. he threw himself on his knees on the grass, put his hand round his neck, said a few or three prayers in a hurry, then fell on his back, laughing happily, for the count had not drowned in the smoke, and Gray and Stomerville were looking at each other with an ironic giggle. and bending his elbows, amused himself At that moment, however, Stomerville saw three horsemen hurrying north on the road, trying to leave the valley. Stomerville, and looking back they saw Stomerville and Gray, shouting at them, they reluctantly returned, seeing that their comrades no longer had saddles, not to mention horses that were dead, while the oil of the arrow the skin of her belly sizzled with sparkles, next to the embers and ashes of the burnt shelter, which collapsed with the black beams over the hearth that had been planted for a short time.
Blue Star
West Mountain Cemetery, Crystalove City.
A woman stood before a freshly erected tombstone, silently paying her respects and bidding farewell to the deceased.
The tombstone bore the name of the departed: Sebastian, who had passed away at the age of 29.
The woman's name was Isabella, a senior in university to Sebastian.
She silently stood before the tombstone, gazing at the photo of the departed. In the photo, the late was handsome and bright, with eyes like a shining star.
Isabella stared at the picture, lost in thought.
A cemetery worker approached, pushing a cart with a dark ebony-colored urn.
"It's time for the interment, madam. Would you like to do it yourself, or shall we?" the worker reminded.
"I'll do it," she said."
Isabella, with a heavy heart, approached and carefully placed the urn into the small square pit beneath the tombstone.
"Didn't expect that after all these years of not seeing you, our reunion would be under these circumstances," Isabella muttered, her eyes misting with tears.
Her voice quivered, unable to hide the grief within. "You, of all people, believed those liars back then. Your future was so bright in 'Wild Valley World,' but you fell for their deceit. It's such a shame... Well, it's all in the past now."
"Madam, it's time to put the belongings of the departed in," the cemetery worker reminded.
Isabella nodded and, with teary eyes, placed the last memento left by Sebastian into the pit.
Suddenly, she remembered something and hastily retrieved a recording pen from the belongings.
The pen had a note attached to it with a small message: "Isabella, open this when I'm buried."
Isabella had kept it in mind but had been too overwhelmed with sadness just moments ago to recall.
With the pen in her hand, Isabella chose to play it, and an audio recording began.
"Hey there, crazy lady! It's been a while, huh? Haha, I bet you never expected this. I've already become an immortal and I'm about to ascend to the heavens. This might be the last time we get to chat, and I'm sure you must be missing me terribly. So, here's a recording for you..."
The voice in the audio was cheerful, without a hint of the seriousness or sorrow usually associated with farewells. Sebastian even joked about his own death, comparing it to achieving immortality.
Isabella wasn't surprised at all because the Sebastian she knew had always been this optimistic and sunny.
The recording continued.
"I actually want to apologize to you. If only I'd listened to you earlier. But it's my own fault, I can't blame anyone else. I'm sorry, my dear Isabella, next time, if we have the chance to meet again in our next lives, I'll continue to be your punching bag and let you bully me... Hehe... Well, it's time to say goodbye..."
At this point, Isabella couldn't hold back her tears, marking the second time she had cried in her life. The first time was when Sebastian had misunderstood her and cut ties with her.
Her tough and resilient demeanor was shattered by Sebastian, who broke through her defenses.
But in the next second, the tone of the audio drastically changed.
"Whoa! Where am I? Why is it so dark here?"
"I was supposed to become an immortal, so why am I stuck in this little box? Help~"
"Is there anyone who can rescue me? I'm scared~ Yakety yak~"
"Dare mo dare mo! Dare mo yo~"
A few nearby cemetery workers couldn't help but burst into laughter. They had never seen such a bizarre farewell message.
In their line of work, they were trained not to laugh.
"Chuckle."
Isabella also laughed while wiping away her tears and scolded the late owner of the grave, "Sebastian, you rascal!"
....
Ding ding dong dong...
A ringing phone woke up Sebastian, who was sound asleep.
"Ugh, my head hurts so much."
Sebastian, clutching his head, opened his eyes, and he was surrounded by an unpleasant smell of alcohol and the stench of vomit, both on his body and in his breath.
Looking around the room, which felt both unfamiliar and strangely familiar, Sebastian's brain momentarily short-circuited.
"Wow, where am I? Why does this room look so much like my college dorm from back in the day?"
"Wasn't I supposed to be critically wounded by the Transcendence Realm BOSS Black Dragon King and meet my end, and yet here I am alive?"
"Hey, where's my storage ring? Where's my Immortal Mansion? Why do I have nothing at all?"
...
Ten minutes later.
After several confirmations, Sebastian finally understood. He had been reborn. Back to ten years ago. That year, he had just finished the college entrance examination and was about to start his freshman year. Nineteen years old, full of youthful vigor.
As for why he had been reborn, Sebastian recalled carefully. If he guessed correctly, it was related to the jade pendant he had taken from Black Dragon King's cave.
As soon as Sebastian got his hands on the pendant, it disappeared. However, in the last moment before his death, he vaguely remembered seeing the pendant again, emitting a dazzling light.
Immediately after that, he found himself back in time, ten years earlier.
Sebastian pondered for a moment and remembered. Before the integration of "Wild Valley World" into the real world, there had always been a rumor. The most powerful Transcendence Realm exotic beast, Black Dragon King, possessed a supreme artifact called the Gemini Pendant, which could comprehend the laws of the heavens. No one had ever obtained it. After being framed, he had accidentally fallen into the Black Dragon King's cave. The jade pendant he had obtained was most likely the legendary Gemini Pendant.
Unbelievably, this legendary artifact had given him a second chance at life.
"Since fate has given me another chance, Damian Blackwell and Selena Venom, you two villains! In this life, I will make you taste the bitterness of betrayal and solitude!"
Sebastian stood up and walked to the mirror in the dorm. He looked at his reflection, his eyes filled with a cold and bone-chilling determination.
Before this rebirth, he had experienced the most miserable and desperate time in his life. His beloved girlfriend, Selena Venom, had betrayed him after ten years of love and got together with his most trusted friend, Damian Blackwell. The two of them even conspired to cheat him out of his accumulated wealth, elixirs, magical treasures, and finally lured him into the depths of the Black Dragon King's lair to die.
Even though Sebastian was already a Great Vehicle Realm powerhouse, the top mage in the world, he was no match for the terrifying Transcendence Realm exotic beast, which had ultimately left him critically injured and barely escaping. Due to his severe injuries and the lack of healing resources, he had soon met his end.
Recalling his previous life, Sebastian realized that he had lived a complete tragedy. He had made a series of wrong choices, even though better options and genuinely kind people were available to him. His stubbornness and overconfidence in his own judgment led him to reject the girl who truly cared for him and embrace the treacherous woman, ultimately betraying his trust.
Thinking about it, Sebastian found his previous self to be quite ridiculous. He believed that, given the chance to return to his past life, he could rectify all the wrongs, make amends to those he owed, and not waste the precious early game time he missed.
Even if he started with the same lousy talent as in his previous life, Sebastian still had full confidence that his knowledge of "Wild Valley World" and ten years of expertise would allow him to outpace everyone, aiming to become the most powerful cultivator in the entire "Wild Valley World."
The game had been running for ten years, but if you subtract the time it took for the world to merge, it had only been operational for five years. Sebastian had only played for four years.
He had joined the game during the second year of public testing. His start was rough, and he received a rather mediocre talent. Despite that, he managed to catch up with most players and squeeze into the top ten of the "Wild Valley World Leaderboard."
And now, the date was August 7, 2040.
The "Wild Valley World" public test was scheduled to start tonight!
Sebastian took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, and looked into the mirror, breaking into a grin.
In this life, he wanted to start anew, seek revenge, and make amends.
In this life, he was determined not to squander a whole year, the most precious initial game time.
Even if he started with the same talent as in his previous life, receiving nothing but a lousy talent, Sebastian had complete confidence that his ten years of experience and in-depth knowledge of "Wild Valley World" would allow him to surpass everyone and become the ruler of the "Wild Valley World."
Ding, ding, dong, dong...
The phone rang again, waking up Sebastian from his thoughts. He picked up the vintage Huawei Tianwen phone from ten years ago, and the caller ID displayed: "Crazy Girl."
Seeing this name, Sebastian couldn't help but smile brightly and immediately answered the call.
"Sebastian! Why did it take you so long to answer my call? Something big is happening, and I need to tell you this groundbreaking news. You have to stay strong!"
From the other end of the line, a spirited and youthful girl's voice came through.
Sebastian, however, wasn't concerned about the content; he was simply relishing the sound of this voice. He hadn't heard it in such a long time, exactly ten years.
Yet it remained so familiar and comforting.
"Sorry, Crazy Girl," Sebastian whispered suddenly.
"Huh? What are you apologizing for?" The voice on the other end clearly didn't understand.
"Nothing, just a sudden thought," Sebastian replied, with a playful smile, brushing it off.
In this life, he had a lot to make up for, especially to Isabella, who was one of the two girls he felt he had wronged most in his previous life.
Chapter 1
Reign of the forsaken Luna
"I, Alpha Justin Blackwood, formally reject you. I reject your bond."Justin marched forward, breathing with anger. "I reject your existence as my mate."
It was not just his voice I heard. But the tension.
The cold of Oakhaven's woods always found its way into my bones, even inside the Moonstone Pack House. It wasn't just the damp Pacific Northwest air. It was the constant presence of fear.
I was just myself—Elara Vance, a twenty-two-year-old omega, and my life was a study in invisibility. Small, quiet, I moved through the pack house like a ghost, hoping no one would notice, no one would bother.
My oversized, worn clothes were less about comfort and more about mere covering. They hid my small frame, made me blend into the faded wallpaper.
It was safer that way.
Every sudden noise, every raised voice, sent a jolt of terror through me, a familiar flinch I couldn't control.
Even my aunt considered me as a worthless Omega.
Today, the fear was a living thing, a predator in my mind. Alpha Justin Blackwood had announced the compulsory Mating Ceremony afterwards. He was with authority and something colder, heavier, hung over everyone.
Alpha Justin.
His name alone sent shivers down my spine. Thick black hair, sharp pale blue eyes that missed nothing, a lean, powerful build. He moved with a scent of dominance that made every wolf bow. He treasured power.
Everyone else was a tool.
I heard wolves discussing the ceremony in hushed tones. "Who do you think he'll choose?" a young wolf female asked, her voice filled with excitement.
"Someone strong, surely," another replied. "Someone who can truly lead. Lyra Thorne, perhaps?"
Lyra.
Lyra Thorne was the Alpha's daughter. Flawless blonde hair, sharp, calculating blue eyes, always in expensive pack clothes. Vain, wicked, and very jealous. She believed she deserved to be Luna. She was always trying to undermine others. Especially me, though I tried so hard to be unseen.
I walked past a group of wolves, the females, heading for the kitchen.
Maybe I could grab a stale piece of bread, then disappear into my tiny, dusty room in the omega quarters.
Just survive.
That was my only goal. Survive today. Survive the ceremony.
A voice, sharp just a wolf's, made a breaking noise in the silence. "Elara! Where do you think to?"
My shoulders tensed.
It was Britta, a Beta's daughter, always eager to assert her voice. I turned slowly, my eyes still downcast. "Nowhere important, Britta. Just... to my room."
"Oh? Avoiding the ceremony?" Her voice was laced with a mocking sweetness. "Everyone is required. Even omegas." She stepped closer, her scent—sharp and dominant—holding my nose. "Unless you're planning something?"
My heart pounded. "No, Britta. Of course not. I wouldn't. I'm just… I'm getting ready." My voice was a whisper, as always.
"Getting ready?" She laughed, a brittle sound. "For what? To be rejected by everyone, as usual?" Her words were a familiar blow, but they still stung. "Don't bother trying to hide, Elara. We all know you'll be there. Justin will make sure of it." She leaned in, her voice dropping. "It's a requirement to have all pack members present. Especially the unwanted ones. It makes his power feel stronger."
I flinched. Britta's smirk widened. She walked past, leaving me trembling. Everyone knew. This ceremony was a spectacle. A show of power for Justin. And a ritual humiliation for me.
I didn't really know how I reached my room that fast. There was no lock on my door anyway. My room was bare—a thin mattress on the floor, a single shelf holding my worn clothes. It offered no comfort, no escape.
I was on the floor. The memory of past rejections, small ones, but each a cut, flooded my mind.
No one wanted an omega.
No one wanted me. But this. This was different. This was the Alpha. His rejection would be public. Formal. It would be a final tearing of my already tattered soul.
I thought about the mate bond. Other wolves talked about it with reverence, with yearning. The pull, the fated connection. For me, it was just another source of dread. What if I felt it? What if he felt it? And what if it was Justin? The mere thought made me shiver. He was a force of nature, a terrifying storm. His ambition was cold, his control absolute. He saw mate bonds as a weakness unless they served his power.
Hours later, the pack house began to hum with activity. Wolves dressed in their finest attire moved through the halls. I could hear their excited chatter, their laughter. It was almost time. I pulled on the cleanest, least stained of my oversized clothes — a faded grey tunic and worn trousers. I wished I could disappear, become truly invisible.
Then, I rushed to the great hall, my heart a repeated drum beats against my ribs. The air was thick with the scents of many wolves: pride, excitement, meaning nervous hope from the un-mated.
My own scent, usually muted, felt like it was voicing out my fear.
The hall was already crowded. Wolves stood in neat rows, waiting. I made sure I was hiding.
"Just make sure you get through this." I muttered to myself. Just survive."
A hush fell over the hall. Alpha Justin Blackwood entered, his powerful presence silencing every whisper. He moved with majestic steps as his features glowed. His white ceremony tunic seemed to amplify his authority. He truly embodied power. Lyra Thorne stood beside him, preening, her blonde hair perfectly styled, her blue eyes sharp with self-importance. She looked like a Luna already.
Justin took his place on a raised dais. The air grew heavy, almost suffocating. He began to speak, his voice deep, resonating through the hall. "Tonight, we honor our traditions. Tonight, fated bonds will be revealed. New paths will be forged. The Moonstone Pack grows stronger with each connection."
I pressed myself further into the shadows.
My head was raised, my gray eyes wide with disbelief.
The mate bond.
It was impossible. Unthinkable.
My breath hitched.
The pull was drawing me, guiding my gaze through the crowd, past rows of anxious wolves and eager warriors.
It led me straight to the dais. To him.
Alpha Justin.
His head turned slowly, his pale blue eyes, initially surprised, now fixed on me.
Whispers erupted, loud and shocked. "An omega?" "No!" "It can't be!"
My entire body trembled. Hope, fleeting and foolish, died a brutal death. My worst fear had come true.
He was my fated mate. And he looked at me like I was something
I recalled.
And I flinched.
Then, with eagerness, Justin drew a small, glowing object from his belt. And he got me shocked...
A smooth dagger
Chapter 5
Sword of destiny
It was 7 in the evening, and trees began to lost their leaves. Winter is almost coming. I walked outside the cafeteria and everybody bid me goodbye. I can feel my body pulling me down...
I saw people preparing for winter. Old steel barrels were filled with firewood, some people gave homeless people sweaters and any clothes to fight the harsh cold winter.
I almost came to a stop when I saw a little girl in front of me. She was wearing this brown ragged clothes, and an old shoe that was bigger than her feet.
"Hi, merry Christmas" she lively said as she was looking at me with a smile.
I bent my knees down so I could see her better. She has this amber eyes, a beautiful long red hair and red lips and cheeks.
I smiled at her and replied, "Hello, Merry Christmas too. What's your name?"
"I am Aaliyah, would you want some candy cane?" she said me as she offers me some.
I picked the smaller one in her hand, "Thank you, you're very kind."
I was about to give her some coins but she refused, "I am not selling this. You looked like my sister"
"Where is she?" I asked her.
She turned silent as she bow her head down, "I-I don't k-know..."
"Aaliyah!" a soft toned voice called her, she raised her head to look at the person who called her. I looked at a woman about 30s in age, she's wearing an old jacket reaching down to her knees.
She looked at me, "I apologize for my daughter's..." she didn't finished what she's saying when I stood up and smiled at them, "She didn't do anything. You have a very kind and caring daughter". I brushed Aaliyah's hair, "I better get going now."
I missed my mom. I started to walked again but not far enough I turned to take a glimpse of them, "Thank..."
Their gone, maybe they went to inside the dark alley.
I just came home, almost exhausted. I just came home from my part time job, I sat down on the couch and I put my bag on it. I never imagined I will be inheriting such enormous house.
It has three bedrooms that are on the second floor, two bathrooms, a spa room that is located near my bedroom, a library and an office, a swimming pool which I rarely use, two living rooms, a gorgeous kitchen and a garden.
I stood up and walked to the kitchen. The walls were painted light yellow, the floor was covered with dark brown carpet.
I opened the steel door of the fridge finding only a bottle of milk and a couple of chocolates. I heave a sigh at the sight. It's been a long while since I saw my fridge full of supplies, but now it was empty. I never noticed it since my schedule was loaded.
I get the milk and sip a little. By the way I am Catherine, 19, student and a part timer.
I worked at the café near the university where I study. I worked for five hours during weekend, and an hour during weekdays.
I never knew my parents because I grew up in an orphanage, and was adopted by Mrs. Hilda Matsumoto. I usually reminisce the days I was with her, especially the day of my adoption.
"Aren't they adorable, ma'am?" the young clerk at the orphanage asked the middle age woman with black, medium length hair.
She looked at the little girls that were inside the classroom, she was observing them at the back of the classroom.
She squinted her eyes, as she clasped of her hands. With a serious yet soft tone she looked at the clerk she's with and asked, "What is the name of that girl with coffee brown hair, third row second to the left."
The clerk followed her sight to the girl she's talking about and replied, "Oh, that is Catherine."
The woman looked straight, "I want to see her documents, please."
The clerk nodded, "This way, please."
The woman followed her to her office and went straight to the filing cabinet beside her table.
"Mrs. Matsumoto, this is her file." She gave her the folder and Mrs. Matsumoto checked it.
"Catherine Thompsons, 5 years old…" she scanned the documents thoroughly and looked at the clerk.
"What are the procedures and requirements to adopt Catherine?"
The clerk smiled and prepare the papers for adoption.
She has a son whom she had before me, he was Hajime. They were already successful in their business, and it was still growing. Yet Mrs. Matsumoto really wanted a daughter. I was elated when I knew I was about to be adopted.
I feel everything was perfect because we were always happy...but I was wrong.
One snowy morning of December, Mrs. Matsumoto felt a sharp pain on her chest.
"Cath, call an ambulance now! Mom, hold on." Hajime panics, screaming. He placed her on the couch as he rushed to the fridge to get a glass of water for our mom.
The ambulance came immediately and we rushed her to the hospital. We were both worried as we sat at the bench outside the room.
Hajime can't contain himself, he walks back and forth. He was already biting his thumb nail. Then he would sit and his foot will tap relentlessly.
The door to the emergency room opened and the doctor came out, Hajime and I stood up, "Doc, how's our mom?"
The doctor called Hajime and whispered on him. The doctor looked at me worriedly then back to Hajime. Then, the doctor left him with a tap on Hajime's shoulder.
He returned to the bench, he dropped himself and he was staring blankly, his tears flowed. I was curious and very worried, "Hajime, what did the doctor say?" he didn't look at me, he just slowly shook his head 'no'. He covered his hands to his face.
My hands closed my mouth and suddenly my tears flowed. He looked at me then, held my hand and hugged me, this was the first and last memory of my brother who calmed me.
Few minutes passed, mom was brought to the morgue. Hajime called mom's secretary to fix mom's wake and burial.
On the day of her wake, almost all of mom's visitors were her employees and few friends. Her relatives didn't promised us that they can come, because they are all in abroad and it may take awhile before they reach us here.
I was just sitting on a couch, in front of me was mom's casket. It was silver and gold in color, mom's favorite flowers were roses and chrysanthemum.
The candles were floating around her casket, vanilla and lavender scented candles were lit, and its smell rotates in the room. It was relaxing.
One thing that I noticed was that everyone's wearing white clothes while Hajime and I wore black.
I remembered that it was one of her wish, everyone should wear white when she dies. I talked to Hajime regarding mom's wish, so we changed our clothes to white.
It was only three days, before we sent mom to her place. Hajime stayed beside me. We couldn't believe that this happened. We were still shocked, we tried to comfort each other and together we greet mom's friends and employees who came at her wake.
Days later after the burial, an attorney came, to legalize and transfer the properties.
Almost everything was transferred to me. In short I inherited everything, the 2 storey, 400 sq./m house and its items including the antique cabinet in her bedroom, the garden filled with chrysanthemum and orange roses that she used to tend (I now have someone else to tend it), I also have the silver AUV that was registered as a courier, and the whopping $2M.
On the other hand, she gave her company to her only son, Hajime. He inherited the two door condominium that she bought for him and the $3M. Hajime and I always visit our mom. We rarely see each other. Hajime was a silent one, he was very alike to Mrs. Matsumoto, however he was a lone wolf. I think he is a sort of introvert...
But it's okay and Hajime is not jealous since he has the company to monitor and maybe, he has a big salary aside from the money he inherited.
Jealousy is out of our vocabulary.
As a matter of fact, I can survive without working, I have a monthly allowance of Five thousand dollars, but still I prefer to work. I want to earn my own money, so I could learn how to spend and save.
Its been 2 years now, I earn well in my part time job and sooner I may be a part of it.
I opened an account in the bank where they can put the monthly allowance. I never spent a single penny there... I might use it someday but not now.
Well, I got home a bit early and as usual I am alone in this enormous house, no one to talk to, nor a pet to cuddle…
As I walk the corridor I felt very sleepy, don't know why..
My sight became blurry...
I'm dizzy. I blacked out
(Silence overwhelmedord of destiny
Chapter 6
Reign
Gravity keeps pulling me into the depths of the ground. As I was falling, the fire was all around me, everything fades… I was in a dark place with only one small window illuminating the room. It was plenty to see the blood that was smeared all over the walls, it was cold and lonely. I was stiffened by ropes that were of ungodly power. Then the voice echoed, "Rosa, don't be scared, the destiny awaits you." I screamed and struggled to get out of the grip. I felt my voice diminishing, and my soul sinking into the darkness.
I woke up with a gasp as the bus stops and banged my head on the front seat. These blackouts are getting vicious and way too real. It puzzles me as no one has ever called me anything but Rose miller and the voice in my head keeps calling me Rosa it feels spiritual as if I have a strong bond with it, it soothes me, gives me a peculiar longing, I just don't know how to describe it, maybe it's my guardian angel or my mind made it up, I use to have them since I was a kid but they only grew stronger when I became an adult.
I have been traveling for 3 days, away from people I used to know. I left my aunt's house as I have enough money to get an apartment, get a job and live on my own; the situation is pretty bad all around the world after the pandemic, people are frustrated angry, and miserable. So many people lost so much. It's just awful. I needed a place to shower and rest for a while I didn't even know where I am because I slept for hours on the bus. I rubbed my eyes and looked outside the window it was a suburban area, there was a big motel in a distance, and right behind that was a beautiful big Mansion.
I got off the bus still feeling dizzy and lightheaded, hanged my bag on my shoulder just then I heard hushed footsteps approaching me, I turned around and saw a man about 25 years old with a tall and muscular built, tattoos covering up his arms and neck, he had a very cryptic presence, 'so, I wasn't the only one who got off the bus' I thought.
Are you going to the Motel too? He said as he was looking at me with a piercing look, he had the most chaotic energy but the empath in me is collecting the verve of a loyal friend and protector, but I was kind of scared, so, I tried to avoid him "Yeah I guess," I said. It was a little weird that he asked that because there was nothing miles away except for that motel. I started to walk towards the motel, and he paced up to me and started asking questions.
'so where did you come from?' I didn't answer. I started walking faster "hey hey…" he said as he chased me to be at my pace, at this point I was already planning to confront him if he tries something because I was genuinely scared that he might be dangerous.
He caught up to me, said in a soft voice "my name's David I am going to the motel too, I've been here for a week, have a whole group there don't worry we are friendly, so where did you come from?" He asked again.
After listening to him talk I wasn't even one bit afraid of him, his vibe was messy but not detrimental or dangerous.
"I have been traveling a lot" I answered dodging the question entirely.
"So, you're alone," he assumed as he moved closer to me.
"I didn't say I was alone," I said firmly as we keep walking on the road to the motel.
"Of course you are, you just said you've been traveling a lot and you're here In the middle of nowhere for a little while and you're thinking that you will move along like a lone wolf, tell me that I am wrong."
David said with a smirk on his face. I was annoyed with his smart-ass assumptions which were true though. He had a charming personality.
"I didn't catch your name"
"I'm Rose, my parents died 3 years ago when the pandemic started and now I'm out and about looking for a place to live and yes, you're right I am a lone wolf, and I can fight like one too..." I said firmly just to intimidate him.
"Hey I'm sure you can, we all are survivors here he said, raising his hands into the air. A lot of friends in our group was traveling alone before we took them as our friends and now we are like a family" David's voice starts to fade away as we arrived at the motel I got sucked into the vision when I look at the place up-close
' I have been here before I thought to myself, these old bricks, the corridors the pavement leading back to the mansion why does all of this look so familiar, where have I seen all this, I was stuck in a Deja vu as David broke my vacant stare.
"…or maybe, you would like to meet my friends they will be happy to welcome you as a new friend into the group he was observing me keenly as he finished his sentence "yeah sure," I said "great I will see you around" he went inside, I looked at the place one last time; the long bushes by the road and The eerie Silence of the place crept me out a little and I went in and looked for David but there was no one except a lady by the reception. 'Where did he disappear so quickly? I thought and went to the reception to book my room.
"Hi I would like to book a room for one night"
"Okay, room for one night it is," she said as she started typing on her computer, the lady was about middle-aged; she had her hair in a bun with a white buttoned-down shirt and a knee-length skirt.
I hate small talk with strangers but I couldn't help myself but ask "um... The mansion behind the motel is beautiful does anyone live up there"
"Oh yes dear, the owner of the motel lives up there, and don't you worry about the rumors."
"What rumors," I asked. "Oh, you know about the place being haunted and all. That's not true because I've been working here for years now and I can confirm that those are all lies told by some greedy kids on their YouTube channels for clicks"
"Sure…" I said as she handed me the keys "have a nice stay"
I took the keys from the receptionist and went into the hall. The interior is brown and wooden kind of like a western saloon but modern and sophisticated. Soft dark academia music was playing and tables were arranged nicely but there was no one there. So, I went to my room upstairs to get some rest and freshen up.