VALERIA"My lord is just passing through; show me the best place to rest in this... peculiar little town," I heard from my position, surrounded by the King’s guards.It seemed he didn’t like to announce his arrival, which struck me as odd, considering how narcissistic he obviously was."Of course... right away, your lordship. This way to the finest inn in our town," the grinning man, nearly skin and bones, with a balding head that matched this decrepit village, immediately began guiding us.We walked along the cobblestone streets, and my gaze subtly wandered over the old buildings that barely stood upright.Poverty and decay loomed in every corner, with curious eyes peeking from behind dark windows.I had never been to this realm—were all the villages like this?Honestly, even the poorest pack in the Werewolf Realm was a paradise compared to this place."This is the best inn, and they also have a restaurant. Mr. Arthur makes the best broths..." he pointed to a two-story building at th
VALERIA"Three... three coins? I... I only have this, I can't pay that much! You know no one here can afford such an expensive tax!""Then complain to the King, not me. Get her out of here, and if she resists, beat her until she’s unconscious and shuts her mouth!" She kicked the woman’s hand before turning to leave, and the two tarnished coins she had been holding rolled across the ground.The poor, ragged woman lunged to gather them, crying, and immediately, those men—like predators—tried to drag her away from the door into an alley.When she turned, I saw the little bundle in her arms—it was a child, barely a year old, as thin as she was, just like the grinning man who had been guiding us, like everyone else here—except for that witch and her guards."Leave her alone!" I couldn't help but intervene, especially for the child. It was obvious they would beat her mercilessly, or worse.I pulled the woman into my arms, and when the men made a move to attack me, a threatening growl echoed
VALERIAThe inside of the small wooden house was just as warm as I had imagined, filled with flowers and the intense scent of medicinal herbs.A table stood at the center, where the mysterious woman was preparing herbs, surrounded by chairs.At the back, a fireplace with two comfortable rocking chairs, covered in colorful cushions, added to the cozy atmosphere."Oh, dear princess, don't just stand there so stiffly. Sit in the rocking chair, let's talk," she invited, and though I was wary, I did as she said, scanning my surroundings carefully."I was told there's only one healer witch in town. Why are you hiding? There's an innocent child in need of treatment, and that other witch refuses to help him," I couldn't help but question her."I know," she replied with a sigh, not stopping her grinding of the herbs in the mortar."This town is named as such because it was once home to a clan of White Witches. We are primarily healers, respectful of natural laws and the Goddess's will. But eve
VALERIA"I’m sorry, it seems... I had a dream," I said, filled with embarrassment, wiping my tears with the sleeve of my dress and standing up from the rocking chair."A dream?" she replies incredulously, holding a small vial in her hand. "That’s strange, because in my space, dreams are impossible.""What? But I...""Here’s your friend’s medicine. It will only keep her stable for a while, but princess, the cure for that hybrid lies with her mate," she interrupts my words, filled with doubts, and explains."When she receives the bite from her mate, whether it’s a vampire or a werewolf, the balance will stabilize."I’m shocked to hear that Celine’s cure isn’t even in my hands; finding a mate could be even more complicated."I... I don't want to take advantage of your generosity. Honestly, I have nothing to pay you with, but there was a child... he looked like he was dying. For him, could you give me something as well?" I ask, feeling ashamed, but I still make the attempt—I can't leave w
VALERIA"I'm feeling better, Quinn. The medicine Valeria gave me is working. In fact, it's the best I've ever taken.""Celine!" we both exclaim with obvious relief, and she smiles from the bed, still weak.I wipe the sweat from her forehead with a piece of my skirt and help her sit up."Thank you, Valeria. Quinn, what are you going to do?" she suddenly looks at her brother, and I do the same.The Lycan uncaps the small bottle and drinks it all at once. We both stare in shock."Problem solved. It tastes awful. I'm sure she gave you some crap to stabilize you for a day and make you come back, probably worse," he says with a shrug, as if it’s no big deal.In the end, we can't help but laugh, relieved to have gotten through the ordeal. I take the chance to tell Celine that only her mate can truly save her."I'm sorry, you followed me through something so dangerous, and I'm not the antidote to your illness," I say, embarrassed, but she takes my hand. It's rare to see her soft side."We nev
VALERIA"There was a legend that an unparalleled power was hidden there. However, the fools who ventured into the lake never returned."A terrifying, haunted place with certain death—that's exactly our destination, no doubt about it.So we gathered our few belongings and headed toward the Lake of the Dead, praying not to be the next ones on the list."Guys, you're always by my side," I took Celine's hand, and Quinn nodded beside her.We all made our way through the wild forest at night, pushing forward without stopping, through bushes filled with sharp branches under the thick canopy of trees that blocked the moonlight above our heads.As we approached the lake, the humidity and cold in the air intensified, and another unsettling detail sent shivers down even the bravest among us—there was no sound.Not the hiss of nocturnal animals, the flutter of owl wings, not even a single firefly floating in the air. Nothing. It truly felt as if life had been sucked out of this place.We emerged
VALERIAThe vampire soldiers were being attacked, dark claws treacherously emerging from nowhere.No matter how good their vision was, it was almost impossible to predict them.Screams echoed, and the scent of blood thickened in the air.“Damn it, Valeria, run! Run to the exit of this shit, or I’ll throw your flea-ridden friends to the first specter I see!” the Vampire King roared at me, and I did exactly that—I started running like a madwoman.My dress billowed, darkness swirled around me, they were chasing us—red eyes everywhere, shrieks, and fear.Amid all the blackness, I saw a brilliant light, like the crack of a giant door slightly ajar, and on the other side, salvation should be waiting.Even my ankles were being grabbed, the heels of my boots sinking into something sticky, and my arms were held by sharp claws.I had to fight several times; I didn't think that just because I was a Selenia, I would be completely safe.“We’re here! Run, guys, run!” I screamed to my friends follow
VALERIA"Valeria, what are we going to do? You can't give that psychopath what he wants, we...""Quinn, honestly, I can't promise that all of this will turn out fine, but I'll do everything in my power to save you," I murmured, keeping it vague due to the enemy's proximity.And because, quite frankly, I had no idea how to unlock the spell on those collars—I was going in blind, relying on the magic my mother left behind to protect me."Your Majesty, we're the only ones left," I looked back, shaking off my clothes, and was somewhat satisfied to see that only half of the vampires had survived.Some of them even had wounds—no one could leave this place alive."Good, I thought fewer would make it, so we're not doing too bad," he replied, as if talking about animals and not his own people.I don't even know why they keep following that bastard—probably out of fear, I suppose."It's time, princess. Let's go. You, keep a close eye on your little friends," he ordered, walking toward me. I clen