《His Lost Tribrid Novel》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 21 Years Later... Ruby POV "Again," Maggie ordered sternly as she paced in front of me, annoyed that I had allowed myself to be distracted.I huffed but didn¡¯t argue as I pulled myself off the floor. This was always the least favorite part of my day. Magic came too easily to me.It was an effort just to keep my concentration. I preferred practicing my vampire abilities or running through the forest as my wolf, Ada. But there was never any point in arguing with Maggie. The oue was always the same. She raises her hands up at her sides as electrical currents dance from one hand to another and her eyes cloud over with a white fog. I focus my mind on her magic, seeingponents of vibrant colors that made up the chemicals in her spell. Apparently, it was a very rare gift I have along with a few others. To be able to see and feel each element of magic before it was used. Through her rigorous training over the years, I learnt how to identify what would be needed from me to block any spell and sometimes I could manipte her energy and use it against her instead. She releases the ball of static electricity towards me and with my gaze alone, I stop it in its tracks before sending it hurtling back towards her. She shields herself with an invisible barrier and the small bomb explodes into the air, sizzling around us. This time, it is her turn to fall to the forest floor, her eyes blinking rapidly. "Maggie! Are you okay?" I run to her side and hold her arm to help her up. The color has drained from her face but she waves me away. She hated "I think that is enough for today''s child.l am going to go and rest," she stumbles away, her frail body hunched over in pain. Over thest few months, she has been growing weaker and weaker by the day. Something is wrong with her but she refuses to confide in me. Her mess of beautiful red curls bounces as she makes her way into our little cottage. I hate it when she calls me child.I may have been a little girl when she became my guardian, but I was definitely not that anymore. Tomorrow would be my 21st birthday and no matter how hard I tried, I could not bring myself to feel excited. It would be pretty much the same as any other day.I sigh deeply, wandering through the enchanted, colonial giants of trees that actively move from my path and wave their branches like limbs time as I pass. The forest is such a light shade of green that it almost blinds you when the sun is at it¡¯s highest in the sky. The floor bed is covered with fluffy moss and wild flowers of vibrant colors, some the size of my head. The scene was as soft as cotton to the naked eye and I know I shouldn¡¯tin. This ce was a utopia of wonder and I had never known any different. Yet, it still didn¡¯t change the fact that none of it was real. It was all a fantasy made from Maggie¡¯s own magical gift of dimensional creation. Everything around us was an illusion. None of it was real. Asa child, I basked in its enchantment and the beauty that it held, but there was only so much to do in a magical realm that had been created solely for the purpose of my protection. No one else could enter and no one could leave. It was just Maggie and I. It¡¯s the way it has always been. But my days were bing more and more tedious. Especially as I grew older and my powers thrived.I was now far more advanced than Maggie, but I humored her all the same. Our daily routine consisted of farming the crops (we could just create food from magic but it gave us training programme with Maggie as my teacher, fighting illusions Maggie created to train me inbat in wolf form and using my vampire abilities. And then I would have time for myself in thete afternoon to meander through the woods before I headed back for dinner and my nightly ss of Maggie¡¯s blood. Some nights we would sit and read and other times we would y games like scrabble and chess using magic, of course. The next day, we would repeat it all again. Maggie had transported some books from the human realm for me to read and I must know every word by Austen, Fitzgerald and J.K. Rowling off by heart by now. I loved getting lost in their worlds. What I would do to go to elegant parties like Daisy Buchanan for just one day or perhaps be Elizabeth Bet and meet my very own Mr Darcy. But I badgered her on a daily basis for real stories of the human realm and she would often give in and tell me about their way of life and the super naturals that lived amongst them. Maggie has always been tight-lipped about the dangers that lurk there though. All I know is that I am the only one of my kind. A tribrid. And because of that, a lot of people want me dead. My parents died protecting me against some higher council and Maggie took me into her care. We have been hidden away in a pocket of creation for as long as I can remember. Come to think of it, I have no memories of my former life. Of my parents. Perching on a moss-covered rock, I took in the golden waterfall that shimmered like glitter before me as a rainbow came into view behind it. Beautiful but not what I was in the mood for. I closed my eyes and created a scene in my head before muttering the Latin creation spell to bring it to life. When I opened them, a bustling bar that looked hriously out of ce inside moving around and the music that boomed through the windows made me smile mischievously. Time to let my hair down! l opened the ss door to the packed room and the smell of sweat and arousal wafted into my nose. It¡¯s how I imagined bars to smell, but what did I know? I walk up to the counter and a hairy man with a rounded belly turns around and nods at me. "A ss of wine please," I said confidently. Sometimes I get so immersed in my own illusions that I forget that it¡¯s not real.It¡¯s all I wanted. An escape from my reality. To be in the real world, with real people. He pours the red liquid carelessly into a ss, spilling some onto the wooden bar. I wonder where I got this character from. Most likely, Hagrid. "Thank you kind sir," I grinned and he grunted before walking off to serve the next fictional character I created from my subconscious. I shifted on the stool and looked around the room as I took a sip of the liquid. At least the alcohol was real.I chuckled to myself as I cheers to the air. "Happy birthday to me!" I shouted. "Where have you been all my life beautiful?" A deep voice made me spin on my stool.I took in the tall, dark-haired man, looking him up and down, not hiding my obvious disappointment. He was alright to look at but not who I was hoping for. "Where I will be for the rest of your life- in your wildest dreams.Or more likely stuck in this hell hole." His face dropped as he thought carefully about my answer. I didn¡¯t have time for this.I waved my hand dismissively and he disappeared into thin air.I jumped off the stool and made my way to the dance floor.I bounded around like a crazy person to the music, not caring about how I looked because, let¡¯s face it, none of these people gave two sh*ts. The song eyes locked with those hypnotizing green eyes and I smiled. There he is. I waltzed up to him as he leaned against the bar on one elbow, his ashy blonde hair falling slightly into his eyes.I have no idea where my imagination thought this guy up but he was always my favourite fantasy. "Shall we dance?" I said and he shook his head. I frowned. "Why not?" "There is something I want to show you," his husky voice oozed s*x appeal and I licked my lips. He is so yummy. "Oh yeah? And what might that be?" He held his fist out in front of me and turned it over. Opening his fingers, I gasped when I saw a beautiful gold bracelet with a red ruby gem as the centre piece. N?velDrama.Org holds ? this. It was beautiful.I narrowed my eyes, inspecting it more closely. It seems somewhat familiar, but I can¡¯t ce it. "It¡¯s stunning," I said, looking up into his almond-shaped emerald eyes. He smiles back, before closing his fist and putting it back in his trouser pocket. "Hey! I thought that was for me," I shouted, pouting. He chuckles, "I never said that." "You never say a lot!" I argued. It was true. In every illusion I create to help me pass the time here, he always appears, but he is a man of very few words. And he never reveals his name, which infuriates me beyond belief, especially when he is a fragment of my own imagination. It always feels as though it is on the tip of my tongue, but it just won¡¯te to me.I don¡¯t even know why I let it bother me. He isn¡¯t real. "I thought it might have been my birthday present.You know it is my birthday tomorrow?" His vibrant eyes twinkle. "I know." I sighed as I leaned my head against his shoulder. "And I will be ¡° "You aren¡¯t alone.You are with me." There was something about his words that caught me off guard and made my stomach flutter. I found him so...intriguing.I raised my head and looked into his eyes once again. "Who are you?" I whispered more to myself than to him. All he does is smirk. Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Ruby POV Staring into the mirror that hung on the wall of my bedroom, I narrowed my purple eyes and studied my face. Twenty-one. I didn¡¯t look different. My long, thick ck hair fell down my back in waves, my creamy skin clear and smooth, and myrge lips still pouted as I frowned. My body is bing fuller as I grow older and I have to say I quite like myrger boobs and broader hips. They make me feel grown up. Womanly. But none of this had happened over night. However, what I couldn¡¯t put my finger on was how I felt...different. There was this overwhelming sense of something toe.My body was on high alert.My skin tingled with the anticipation.Of what, I am not so sure. Perhaps I was just excited about my birthday after all. Racing down the stairs, two at a time, I barreled into the quaint and cozy kitchen expecting to be met by Maggie¡¯s smiling face at the very least. With my hand gripping the doorway as I spun into the room, my disappointment caused me to stop dead. The room was empty and everything was much the same as it was leftst night. When I came back for dinner, Maggie seemed more subdued than usual. We ate our dinner in silence and when she finished, she excused herself for bed without even a mention of my birthday tomorrow.I wanted to go after her and check if she was okay but something stopped me. She would talk to me when she was ready. Yet, faced with the reality that she had not even bothered to get out of bed to celebrate with me like she had always done before, I knew I could not let this go. Marching towards her room, the irritation I was feeling grew.It was thepany of others, I have epted that this is my fate. So, the least she can do is bake me a cake! When I reached her room, I opened the door without knocking and stormed inside. My anger quickly dissipates when I see her small, fragile frame in her bed.Her sad eyes lock with mine and all I see is pain in them. Running to her side and taking her cold hand in mine, I scanned her face with worry.She was gaunt and pale, more so than yesterday.She was sick. That much was clear. "Happy Birthday child," her voicees out like a broken husk, and she coughs frantically. "What¡¯s wrong? What is happening?" I asked, panic in my voice. It wasn¡¯t like we had ess to a hospital or a doctor, though I could use my magic to heal her if she told me what the problem was. "I am afraid my time is running out," she muttered with a small smile. Her scarlet curls, spread around her pillow like a halo and my dark eyebrows pulled together in confusion. "What do you mean?" "I mean I am dying, Ruby.My time on this Earth is nearly up and! am sorry that I have failed you," she whispered, and her eyes started to water. I shook my head. What is she talking about? She is an Elder witch! She can live for centuries! "What is making you sick? Maggie, tell me and I can heal you!" I scanned her body for any obvious signs of injury or illness but I saw none.She reached up one hand to my face to calm me and when my eyes locked with hers, I froze.There was more pain, sorrow and regret in them then I had ever witnessed before knew this would be how it ended but I thought I had more time," she smiles as she drops her hand back over her body, unable to hold it up a moment longer. This made no sense. "Child.I have not been totally honest with you.I lean back and sit on the balls of my feet as looming dread makes my stomach drop.The feeling was back.The feeling that everything was about to change, only this didn¡¯t seem to be the change I hoped it would be. Suddenly, the flowered wallpaper of the room around us started to vibrate and warp. My head whipped around and eyes dted as items started to fall from the chests of drawers and frames shook on the wall.Was this an earthquake? "Ruby! Pay attention child.My magic is fading.When I created this realm 11 years ago, it took a huge amount of my power and energy.To keep us hidden and the realm untraceable, it has been feeding from me slowly.Draining my soul.The day would alwayse when I had nothing left to give, but I hoped to have prepared you enough before it came." She winced as she clutched her chest. "Maggie! What is happening? I¡¯m scared!" I shouted and her eyes snapped open. "That is one thing you must never be, Ruby.Scared.You y an important role in the prophecy.You have the power to destroy or save the human realm.I have trained you the best I can but you will need to find your own path." I screamed as the ceiling started to crack and crumble above us. "I am sorry for what I had to do, Ruby.But it was the only way I could dy the prophecy froming true.But it seems I have failed.I could never have killed you, my child.My loyalty was always with Cora.She has always protected me.And who is Cora? "Take this." She handed me a ck bag and I stared at her perplexed. "I will use thest of my power to open the portal.You must leave before this ce turns to dust." "What? No! I am not leaving without you.None of this makes any sense! What am I supposed to do?" I cried as the tears started to run down my face. "You must be brave.You are extraordinary and I know you will do what is right.Now go.It is time," She pushed me away and I stood shaking my head.She lifted her hands as her eyes zed over and a swirling blue liquid pattern appeared behind me. I nced back at her in bed and she nodded. "Find the Vampire King Arius.He can give you back your memories.Just know that I am sorry," was the last thing that left her lips before she released a ball of energy into my chest, knocking me backwards. I fell through the portal andnded on my butt with a thump. The portal closed and I breathed rapidly. Jumping to my feet, I tried to summon all my power to open it again.Perhaps if I could just jump through for a few more seconds, I could get to her.I could save her.But I can¡¯t. The magic of the realm is gone. As if it never existed in the first ce.I screamed in frustration as I fell to my knees, tears streaming from my eyes. ncing down at my hands in the dark green grass, I ran my fingers through it. It felt different to the grass back home.Spikier and harsher. Suddenly, several powerful howls echoed in the woods in front. Wolves. Wherever I was, I was no longer alone.I needed to get out of here.I needed to run. Using my vampire speed, I zoomed through this strange but had outrun them easily.I spun on my heels taking in the breath-taking scenery. It was better than I had ever imagined. The rugged mountains rose up to the heavens and the bluestke waters reflected the calmest summer''s sky.I needed a moment to catch my breath. A moment to get my head around everything that had just happened. A loud, raucous noise made me jump as a strange machine came hurtling around the corner up the mountain track. A car. I had read about them in books but never seen one in real life.I sprang back from the road as it whizzed past me, sending a flurry of dust and mud up in the air. It stopped suddenly a few meters away and as the earth settled, I saw a man step out of it. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. A living, breathing man. His deep red hair reminded me of Maggie¡¯s as it shone in the sunlight. "Hello? Are you lost?" He shouted, squinting his eyes from a distance.He started to walk towards me and I panicked. I turned and raced into the forest, using my vampire speed to climb a prickly, narrow tree.I held my breath as I heard the car door shut again and the machine growl. It sped off into the distance.I settled back against the trunk of the tree and stared out at the glorious mountains. The view from way up here was even better. I may as well stay here until I work out what the hell I am going to do next. "Happy birthday to me," I whispered as the tears fell. I wrapped my arms tightly around my chest.I am all I have left. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Ezra POV I disentangle my sweaty body from the long, toned limbs ofst night¡¯s entertainment and climb from my bed, being careful not to wake them. Their beautiful naked forms, only half covered by a thin sheet, and their long dark hair sprawled all over the pillows should make me want to crawl back in and have some fun with the three omegas. But the thought doesn¡¯t even slightly appeal to me. It had happened again. Last night, Nico and I were in the pack house bar celebrating myst night as a 20-year-old and free from the Alpha responsibilities my father was about to shove down my throat in order to prepare me for his position one day. The night started the same as any other, a few drinks at the bar followed by a run as our wolves to check the border patrols. When we returned to the bar, shirtless and sweaty, the omegas eyes roamed us shamelessly and swarmed around us like wasps at a pic, hoping to be the ones picked for a night of pleasure. After too many drinks and outrageous flirting, Nico had showed an interest in one luckydy and headed up to his room, leaving me to decide between the other three. I was never one who liked to disappoint, so I offered them all to join me. However, I only ended up disappointing myself like I always did whenever I tried to get intimate with a girl. The girls started to put on a show for me, kissing and caressing each other¡¯s bodies and I felt my d*ck grow hard. Getting turned on was never the issue. But as soon as they moved their attention to me, everything started to change. Their hands caressing my body did nothing to arouse me and when one of them took pleasure into my mouth as the third f*cked her with her fingers, I felt myself tense. I got stuck in my head and felt myself losing my erection. Masking my embarrassing situation quickly, I stood up and told the girls to give me the best show possible.I would reward them appropriately and if they were up for the challenge.I stood at the end of my bed as I pleasured myself, watching what they were doing to each other and bringing myself closer. When I was ready, I screwed my eyes shut as the same vision that had tormented me for years came to mind and I exploded all over my own stomach with a groan. Their faces dropped with disappointment. "Sorry girls, you were all just too damn sexy.I couldn¡¯t help it," I grinned at them cheekily and watched as they swooned. I am not aplete ass.I gave them pleasure with my tongue and fingers until they were spent and I could fall asleep in peace.I still had a reputation to uphold. Walking naked into the bathroom attached to my room, I grabbed a towel from the rack, tying it around my hips lowly as I heard my bedroom door open. Aloud, an awkward cough cleared my mother¡¯s throat and I heard the girls wake up with a start, scrambling to get their clothes on. "Sorry Luna," they mumbled sheepishly as they scuttled from my room and my mother rounded the corner leaning against the door frame with her arms folded. I smirked at her as I brushed my teeth, leaning over the sink. "You know, one of these days you are going to meet your mate and you will wish that you had never even touched another girl," her green eyes, that everyone said I had inherited, narrowed with judgment. I spat out the toothpaste and gave her my most charming smile. "If of pleasure as possible.I am only getting the practice in whilst I can," I answer cheekily, and she shakes her head but a slight smile ys on her lips. She could never stay mad at me for long. Little did she know, I had only ever gone all the way with one girl and that was the first time I had my vision of a future s*x session with the mysterious woman that I worshiped in my head. The only reason I managed to finish at all was by keeping my eyes shut the entire time and imagining it was this fantasy woman with no face and not Nelly, my father¡¯s highest ranking warrior¡¯s daughter. If Joseph ever found out that I had slept with his daughter, I am pretty sure we would have an epic fight on our hands. I am confident that I am the only wolf in my pack who could take him down apart from my father, of course. Luckily, Nelly is cool and just wanted to lose her virginity as much as I did at seventeen. It was a no-strings attached business deal. But ever since then, I just can''t seem to bring myself to want or feel desire towards another without closing my eyes and allowing my vision toe to the forefront. "Happy Birthday my darling," she raised herself up on her toes to ce a kiss on my cheek. "Thanks," I groaned and gave her a hug. "What ns do you have for your birthday today?" she asked carefully, trying not to let the concern dominate her voice. It was like this every year because I refused to celebrate it anymore.It was a day I dreaded. My birthday. Forever tarnished with that painful memory of losing two of the people we all loved so dearly. Maddy and my best friend, Ruby.It was also the night I realized I shared my mother¡¯s gift. The gift of foresight.Although, I wouldn''t call it a gift. It''s more of a curse.I had seen the whole horrific scene as a dream before it had happened about to come true. I had scrambled out of my bed and ran towards Ruby¡¯s room to protect her.Now I realize what a terrible idea that was. A ten-year-old boy who hadn¡¯t even gained his wolf yet, trying to fight two elders. But I didn¡¯t care at that moment, all I knew was that she was in danger. But when I got there, her mother, Maddy, was already inside her room. She screamed at me to get Arius, her mate, and mmed the door on my face just as I saw that monster race towards her. The panic I felt as I shook Arius awake and the look on his face when he knew something was wrong has never left me. But I was toote. He was toote. The damage had already been done and I watched from their bedroom window with tears in my eyes as my childhood friend vanished with that witch. And we never found her. Everyone had given up hope by now apart from Arius.He believed she was alive. A part of me did too. The guilt still ate away at me today. The feeling of knowing what was toe but unable to stop it.I should have done more.I should have saved them both.I had confessed just as much to my mother the next day and she was surprised to hear that I shared her gift. The gift that was bestowed upon her when she was pregnant during a Blood Moon ritual.I will never forget the pity in her eyes when she realized I would have to live with this like she does. "Nothing much.I''ll do a border patrol and then head to the training grounds.I might pop down to Miles¡¯ shopter as he has a big ordering in and I said I would be around to help.Then I will meet with dad.He said he wants to ¡®sit down with me and have a serious discussion about my future¡¯," I put on a deeper voice to mimic my dad, trying to lighten the mood. It does the trick as my mother bursts outughing. I loved my father very much. He was a fantastic leader and, under the Uncle Darius was more on my level as I could banter back and forth and never have to worry about being scolded if I took it too far. Owned by N?velDrama.Org. "Well, I am afraid the time hase for you to start taking on more of the responsibility of this pack, Ezra." She walked out of the bathroom and back into my bedroom, picking up my clothes off the floor and making my bed. I hated it when she did that. Still treating me like a child, but I knew she was just busying herself to avoid the sorrow that she felt. That we all felt on this day. "Ah! Another day ruined by responsibility," I smirked, and she gave me a sideways nce. "I am only joking. I am looking forward to it.I¡¯m more than ready." She strolled over to me, cupping my defined, stubbled jaw in her hands, "I know you are." A woman''s scream echoed through my open window from the woods and her hands dropped down as we both raced to the window. "What was that?" she mumbled, staring out into the trees. For some reason my heart was racing from the sound. I heard the patrol warrior¡¯s howls in the distance and turned on my heels to grab some clothes to join them. My mother¡¯s eyes had turned ck as she mind linked with someone, and her arm gripped mine tightly before I had a chance to leave. "It¡¯s okay.No threat and not one of ours.It was a young woman. She¡¯s gone." She turned and looked up into my eyes. There was something about her expression that made me uneasy. "Did you have a vision?" I asked but she shook her head. "No.But something ising. Something big, I can feel it in my bones.¡± Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Ruby POV I had walked for miles without seeing much of anything apart from the breath-taking rockyndscapes. What struck me the most was how big this realm was! Back home, every path I took through the enchanted forest would always magically loop me back around to the same spot. But here, the further I walked, the morend there seemed to be! After a few hours, the trees started to be sparse and far between and the paths grew wider and more stable under my feet. More of those cars started to rocket past me and seemed to be heading in the same direction. A town. I stopped on the path by a sign that read, ¡®Wee to Hood River, Oregon¡¯. What a strange name. As I looked up, I spotted figures of people strolling along the streets and my heart began to race. Humans. Other people. Were they friendly? Would they help me find this Vampire King Arius? From everything Maggie had told me about them, I was certain that I would be able to find at least one person who would be willing to help, although I should probably refrain from using any of my abilities whilst in their presence. The whole reason I am in this mess in the first ce is because of what I am. Out of nowhere, a tall human man with grey hair barged past my arm and I shrieked. He turned and red at me, looking me harshly up and down as he stormed past.He muttered angrily, "Damn Satan worshiper.Out my way." Satan worshiper? Like the devil? What did that mean? Does he know I''m part vampire? Sh*t. I was already risking my safety and I hadn¡¯t even stepped foot in the strange little town yet.I ducked behind a tree and took my eyes, I focused on the smell of that human and masked my own scent with his.I would be less suspicious if smelled like a human. Making my way through the narrow streets of this charming town, I found myself taking in every little detail with fascination. The sweet scent of flowers mixed with the deliciousness of freshly baked bread and pastries filled the air. I bent down to study some of the vibrant blue flowers that were sitting inside a pot rather than growing from the ground, when I felt the cool shade from a figure hovering above me, blocking the warmth of the sunlight.I peered up, squinting my eyes to see a rather beautiful woman with dark skin and long tight brown curls cascading over her shoulders. "Are you okay there?" she asked with a look of concern and uncertainty on her face. She must have been about my age, maybe a few years older, but her scent was definitely not the same as that human''s. I stood up slowly and her light brown eyes looked me up and down suspiciously.I swallowed before speaking. "Er...yes.I was just admiring your flowers.They smell amazing." The corners of her lips turned up into a sideways smirk and she c*cked her head to the side, folding her arms. "Well, thank you but I can¡¯t take any credit for them.I didn¡¯t nt them." She looked amused as she took in my ck dress.I looked down at it as well, feeling suddenly self- conscious about my appearance.She was wearing a colorful cotton woven, floor-length dress and beautiful jewelry that matched her outfit perfectly. A thick ne made from gold and dangly coral earrings.She looked exotic and beautiful. I, on the other hand, was wearing my long sleeved, off-the-shoulder corset dress, that fell in ragged material just above my knees.It was my own design.I made all my clothes back home with the hem of my dress nervously. "Um, no, not exactly.I am visiting.Actually, I am looking for someone.I wonder if you could help me?" She didn¡¯t seem threatening so I was willing to take the risk, but by the way she was staring into my eyes intensely, it started to make me ufortable. "You''re eyes! They are magnificent.What are you?" She stepped forward closer to me and inhaled.Her face screwed into a tight frown. "I¡¯m..er...human," I said, not as convincingly as I intended. She chuckled and stepped back. "No human answers that they are human.You may smell like a human but you¡¯re not fooling me," she held out her hand in front of me. "My name is Calliope but my friends call me Calli." I took her hand and she shook it firmly. "My name is..." I was hesitant to give her my real name without trusting her intentions.I frantically nced over her shoulder to look for inspiration. Seeing a sign above a shop that read, ¡®Lily¡¯s florist¡¯, I quickly replied, "Lily." Her eyes narrowed slightly but she smiled warmly. "Ok Lily, you said you were looking for someone?" "Yes, Iam looking for the Vampire King.His name is Arius?" I noticed her face contort into a look of shock and perhaps fear at the name. She nced over her shoulder to check no one heard us and grabbed me by the upper arm aggressively, pulling me down a narrow passage just off the main street. "Are you crazy?" she whisper-yelled, her eyes wide and filled with rm. "What?" ¡°I pulled my arm from her grasp and stared at her dumbfounded they know the vampire King! Are you trying to get yourself killed?" she growled and I frowned. "Nom actually trying to do the exact opposite!" I argued back and she huffed, cing one hand on her hip. "Look.I don¡¯t know who you are or what rock you have just crawled out of, but you cannot ask humans about super naturals and especially not about the most ruthless and terrifying hybrid in existence.We have rules here." "Hybrid?" I presumed the vampire king was a vampire. By the look on Calli¡¯s face, it just proved to her even more that I was a clueless danger to society. "Oh wow.You really don¡¯t have a clue, do you?" she pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers and closed her eyes. "What am I getting myself into?" she mumbled. I stood quietly, watching her with a look of pure confusion on my face. After a few moments, she opened her eyes and released a deep breath. "Right.If I am going to help you, which I really think you should take me up on, if you want any chance of not being taken to the council before the day is out, then I need you to start being honest with me.Panic started to rise in me as I realized the questions were about to start.This was the first person I''d interacted with and she could already see through my lies! I was doomed. But she mentioned the council, the people I have been hiding from all my life. They were the ones who killed my parents. Maybe I really did need her help. But could I trust her? She seemed nice enough, but Maggie had warned me that the people in the human realm are not always who they appear to be. When I hadn¡¯t made any attempt to respond, she sighed. "Look...Lily" "I know you are a witch." My mouth dropped open in surprise. "How do you know that?" "Only witches have purple eyes.Normally, when they are using their magic.But you should really try and disguise them when you are around humans.Humans do not know about our kind.There is a very strict rule in this world, that we must keep our species hidden from the humans unless absolutely necessary," she exined calmly. "What do you mean ¡®our kind¡¯? Are you a witch too?" My violet eyes widened as I made the connection with her scent and aura. Now I knew, I could tell that it was simr to Maggie''s.She smiled proudly. "Yes I am.So you can trust me, okay? We are on the same side here." I nodded slowly. What other choice did I have? She was right.I knew nothing about surviving in this realm and I would need to take a leap of faith if I wanted to find the Vampire King. Happy that my identity was still a secret but I hadn¡¯t exactly lied by revealing I was a witch, I closed my eyes and focused on a disguise spell. When I opened them again, I hoped they were an icy blue like the colour of that stunningke in the mountains. "Okay.I trust you.Are my eyes better now?" I asked and she nodded. "Beautiful! So firstly, why do you need to find the Vampire King?" I still detect the fear in her voice as she says his name. "It¡¯s a long story and one which I am still trying to unpick myself, but apparently he will be able to give me my memories back," I said honestly. I still don¡¯t understand what that means.What memories? "You lost your memories? Oh well, that exins A LOT!" she chuckled, but I remained quiet. I think that might have been an insult. "Well, good people." "Why?" I asked curiously. She sighs deeply. "That is also a very long story and one for another time.You know you could make life a lot easier for yourself and just get another powerful witch to give you back your memories.I know a few that have the ability?" she said kindly, but I shook my head. "No, but thanks.It must be him.That¡¯s what Mag- my friend told me," I said quickly. "Okay well, he is not an easy man to track down.His castle isin Ennd but I heard he is rarely there.He spends most of his time tracking and torturing innocent witches and warlocks." "What! Why?" "Like I said, it''s a long story.But first we need to get you something a little more conventional to wear if you are going to blend in..." her eyes roamed my body once again and I blushed. "I made this myself...don¡¯t you like it?" I was really proud of all my designs and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a little hurt that she didn¡¯t like it. "It¡¯s amazing! Honestly, you look incredible.The way that corset pushes your t**s up to your chin and the fabric is to die for!" she stroked thece material and I smiled. "But it is a tad racy, gothic and peculiar for this town.Did you not notice all the stares you were getting from men and even some women?" she winked at me and I shook my head. I had been a bit preupied with my surroundings to notice anyone looking at me. "If it was October, you would probably get away with it, but unlucky for you that was months ago." My eyebrows creased, "October?" "Halloween.Everyone dresses up like this...for fun!" She looks over sort some things out and let some people know I will be gone for a few days.Will you be okay to go shopping on your own? She looks at me as if! am a child that she shouldn¡¯t really be letting out of her sight. I smiled at her. "Of course! Shopping.No problem." "Okay, well, this whole street is full of clothes shops so just go and have a mooch around and buy a few items and I wille and find you.I take it you don¡¯t have a phone?" "A what?" I asked innocently and she shook her head. "I thought as much! Please tell me you have money?" l opened the ck bag that Maggie gave me and showed her the contents.It was full of strange notes with faces and writing saying 100 dors and 50 dors. "Is this money?" I asked. "Wowza! You are going to get a whole new wardrobe with that! I will meet you in the end shop called ¡®ir¡¯ in an hour, okay? And remember, no talking about super naturals in public!" I nodded as she turned and walked away. OK, that wasn''t so bad.I have made a friend. If everyone I met was as nice as Calli, I couldn''t see this being much of a problem. Turning back onto the main street, I started to notice all the heated stares from human men, some even whistled at me. The women gave me hostile looks, taking in my dress, and I started to feel really overwhelmed. My new blue eyes darted nervously at every face I walked past and when it became too much, I quickly scrambled through a door into a quiet shop to get away from the relentless attention.I hadn¡¯t even noticed what type of shop I had entered and the first thing that hit me was an earthy, masculine smell of nature. The door beeped loudly as it shut and made me jump a mile towards me with a warm smile and friendly eyes. He was wearing some kind ofbat trousers with strange patterns all over them and a ck top.He looked a little taken aback by my appearance but recovered quickly. "Oh um, I am just looking for some clothes," I said awkwardly, starting to walk in between the racks of trousers that looked like the ones he was wearing. "Okay.For any particr reason?" he asked, leaning against the rail. "Um, just to wear.You know on my body," I said shyly. He chuckled, "I mean what do you need them for? Hiking? Camping? Rock climbing?" My nerves went into overdrive as I scrambled my brain to try and make sense of what he was saying.His strange scent was oddly familiar.He was a werewolf. But what was a werewolf doing working in a shop in a human town? Luckily, two stunningly beautiful young girls came running out from the back of the shop and distracted us. They were identical with brown wavy hair and dark brown eyes. They had tanned skin to match and I was momentarily struck by their beauty and innocence. Children. It¡¯s the first time I have seen any! "Daddy! Isabel won¡¯t let me choose the next show.She has hogged the remote for ages!" one of the girls stomped her foot while looking up at her dad with angry eyes. "Not true! You got to watch your stupid doll show this morning and now it¡¯s my turn to choose!" the other argued and I smiled at them both. "Girls.I have a customer here.Please just go out the back and try not calmly to them whilst ruffling one of the girl¡¯s hair.They both nced up at me, suddenly realizing there was someone else in the room. "WOW! You are really pretty!" one said with her mouth hanging open. "I love your dress!" the other one chirped, skipping up to me and dancing around my skirt, touching the fabric. "Imogen! Leave the poor woman alone.I¡¯m so sorry about this," he replied as he tried to grab the girl¡¯s hand to pull her away. "No, really it¡¯s fine.I like children," I said with a smile. "Perhaps the girls can help me pick out an outfit?" Their eyes lit up at my words and they started to jump and dance around excitedly. "You have just made two 10 year-olds girls very happy!" he chuckled. Iughed at their infectious happiness and they each ran up to me and grabbed one of my hands, pulling me down the aisle towards the women¡¯s clothes. "Just give me a shout if you need anything or if they be too much!" The man called with a broad grin stered on his face.I nodded as he walked away to the desk. "So, what do you need? Trousers? A coat? Wetsuit?" the one on my left that I think is Isabel asked in her most grown-up voice. You could tell she was in her element. "She doesn''t need a wetsuit fart face!" ¡°I mogen barked and Isabel stuck out her tongue.I quickly intervened before another argument broke out.I mogen, you could find me a nice top to go with it?" They nodded and dashed off in different directions. After far longer than intended to spend in this shop, I had been persuaded to buy two pairs of what they called ¡®cargo pants¡¯ and a few different tops. Allin ck, of course, as it was my favorite color. As I was collecting all the items from the changing room, I noticed the girls whispering in each other¡¯s ear and looking at me. "Lily.Are you a witch?" Imogen asked boldly and both their faces stared at me curiously. I looked over to see their dad busy at the desk serving another customer and crept over to them, bending down at their level. "Do you think I am a witch?" I whispered with a smile. They looked at each other and nodded. "You dress like a witch and we have never seen anyone as beautiful as you!" Isabel stated and my heart melted. "You are very kind.But you are also wrong.You are both far more beautiful than me," I turned and their lips turned up into the cheekiest grins. "Can we have a picture with you?" Imogen asked, pulling out some strange-looking device from her pocket. Isabel pulled me to sit in between them on the chair while Imogen held the thin ck box up in front of us. "Say cheeseeee!" they shouted and I copied the word as a bright light shed in my face. "Girls. I am sure your friend has plenty more things to do today.Let¡¯s get these items sorted for you," their dad came over and grabbed the clothing from the changing room and took them over to the checkout really sure what I was supposed to do now. I watched as he scanned each item with a red light and ced them in a bag. "Thank you for being so good to my girls.They are a handful but they mean well and you entertained them long enough for me to get some work done, so thank you!" he smiled warmly at me and I caught him staring at my face a little intensely. "It was my pleasure.They are wonderful.You should be very proud," I said, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks from the way he was looking at me. "I am.Very.My ma...partner and I love them dearly.I¡¯m sorry.I know I am staring but I¡¯ve never seen you around here before, yet you seem somewhat familiar." His brown eyes studied my face and I looked away ufortably. "No, I am not from around here.I am just visiting a friend." I said quickly and he nodded. "My mistake.Sorry if I made you feel ufortable," he held out the bag for me and I took it with a smile. "Well, thank you.Bye," I said, going to walk away. Owned by N?velDrama.Org. He coughed loudly and I turned back around. "Do you mind paying for that?" he asked with amusement on his face. I felt my cheeks burn bright red as I walked back to the desk. "Oh yes! I am so sorry! Money," I said, opening the bag and starting to grab the dor notes and put them on the counter. "Woah! Woah!" heughed, stopping me in my tracks. "It¡¯s only $200.You can keep the rest." I froze as he picked up two $100 notes and pushed the rest back to me. The embarrassment could swallow me whole, I swear. "Sorry," I muttered, quickly pushing it back into the bag. "Well, thanks again." I turned and heard him call after, "No problem.Have a good day!" "Bye Lily! You wille back to see us, won¡¯t you?" Imogen raced to my side, hugging my leg. "Of course! Be good for you daddy!" I smiled at them both before exiting onto the now bustling street.I saw Calli marching my way with an angry look on her face. "Where have you been? I¡¯ve been standing outside ir¡¯s for ages! I nced up at the shop that I had just spent over an hour in and read the name on the banner. ¡®Cole & Co Outdoor Adventure" "I was shopping in here," I replied innocently. She grabbed the bag from me and peered inside and then up at the shop. "A hunting shop! Cargo pants! Oh give me strength!" she shouted in exasperation and I giggled. I couldn¡¯t help it, she looked so stressed. "Come on Lara Croft.Let¡¯s find you something decent to wear!" Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Ezra POV "Miles! Emma!" I bellowed as Niko and I walked through the warehouse out the back of his adventure shop. We had often shown up on delivery days since we were teenagers, helping to carry the heavy equipment and hunting supplies through to the shop. Normally, this ce ran itself and Miles had employed humans to see that it was all ticking over smoothly, but on delivery day, he needed the extra muscle. "Ezra? I¡¯m out front," his friendly voice boomed from the shop floor. Miles was about the most stand-up bloke you would ever meet. He rarely said a bad word about anyone and seemed to breeze through life living off positive vibes and a can-do attitude. It was admirable and I looked up to him a lot. All the men from the inner circle would often go on camping weekends and, over thest few years, Niko and I have been tagging along. Nothing quite beats waking up to the sound of nature and the sun rising over a mountain top. Niko and I strolled through the warehouse and into the front of the shop that was set up for customers looking for anything from torches to shooting rifles. It was a haven for adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers of this world. "Ezra! Niko!" Two little munchkins came racing towards us, Immy jumping up at me while Izzy went straight to Niko. They never tried to hide who their favorites were.I flung Immy over my shoulder, her hair trailing down my back, and spun quickly. "Where¡¯d she go? I swear I heard the twins? Niko?" and acting just as clueless as me. "How strange...we must have lost them!" The girls screamed and giggled as we continued to spin from side to side, pretending to look for them. "Happy birthday Ezra! Thanks foring guys.Today¡¯s delivery is a heavy load so I could do with your help," Miles said, smiling at his girls as we ced them back on their feet. "No problem.Happy to help," Niko said whilst walking over to look at the inventory list. "Ezra! Ezra! We made a new friend today! Her name is Lily and she is the most beautiful girl in the entire world,"Isabel gushed and put her hands under her chin, fluttering her eyshes. I smirked and pinched her nose. "I don¡¯t believe you.No one can be more beautiful than you two!" "That¡¯s what she said!" Imogen shouted excitedly. "But she is! And she was so cool.She had a wicked dress and she was a witch!" I raised my eyebrow over to Miles who was smirking behind the counter, checking the cash register. He caught my eye and shook his head. "No, she was human.But they were right about one thing.She was very pretty although a little odd.I would have guessed around your age as well," he replied, giving me a suggestive look. "Who was very pretty?" Emma interrupted with a teasing tone.She saddled up to him and his whole attention turned to her. He only ever had eyes for her. "Just a young woman who came into the shop today and befriended our little rascals.But you, my love, are out of this world!" he wrapped his arms around her waist, grinning like a cheshire cat. Emma rolled her eyes but beamed nheless to y. ¡° I¡¯ll see you tonight," she gave him a kiss on the lips that ended up turning into the longest, most inappropriate songfest. Honestly, I was used to it by now. All our parents were like it. It was a mate thing. "Urgh.So gross," Imogen stuck out her tongue and pretended to be sick. "Look, do you want to see a picture?" Isabel asked me, pulling out her phone. "A picture of what?" "Of Lily!" she rolled her eyes as if it was the most obvious answer. The girl had so much sass, just like her mother. "Go on then," I said, only mildly interested as I peered over Niko¡¯s shoulder to check how much we would be lugging around teday. By the looks of the long list, it would be a few hours until I make it back to meet with my dad.But I¡¯m sure, between Miles, Niko and myself, we could get it all done in an hour. A phone being forced into my hand, pulled my attention away and I looked down at the picture. I froze.My heart stopped beating just for a second before it started to race. There on the screen, squashed between the smiling twins, was indeed the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her long ck hair, parted in the middle, cascaded down to her hips in soft waves. Her porcin skin looked wless. And her lips. They were the fullest, most delicious things I had ever seen.I immediately imagined what they might taste like and my d*ck twitched. She was wearing a strange-looking dress that made her waist seem tiny but revealed such tempting cleavage that my mouth was actually watering. F*ck she was stunning. A strange image shed into my mind of a young Ruby, running through the forest with me as a child. Her ck hair blowing in the wind times and stared down at the picture again. My mind was ying tricks on me. This could so easily have been an older, much more beautiful Ruby except for her eyes. This woman had the lightest blue eyes, like the colour of a shallow tide. Ruby¡¯s eyes had always been a magical magenta. I don¡¯t know how long I had zoned out for, staring at the picture in my hand, but Miles¡¯manding tone snapped me out of my trance. "Ezra! Come on man, give her back the phone before I have a full blown meltdown on my hands." I looked down at Isabel who was close to tears, trying to jump up and grab the phone from my hands. I didn¡¯t want to give it back.I never wanted to stop looking at this woman. Lily. Reluctantly, I bent down and handed the phone back to Isabel. "Sorry Izz, I zoned out for a minute then.Thank you for showing me.You were right, she is gorgeous," I said quietly and her little face lifted into a small smile. "Can you send me that picture please?" I whispered, not wanting Niko or Miles to overhear. Luckily, they had already headed out the back to start on the delivery. "Okay.But she¡¯s our friend.Not yours," she huffed as she sent the picture to my number. I smiled and ruffled her hair before joining the men outside. Once we were finally through with the delivery, Niko and I hopped into his car and headed back to the pack. It was a steep, bumpy ride up the mountain and, with Niko¡¯s reckless driving, a bloody dangerous one too. I pulled out my phone and opened the picture Isabel had sent me. Even during the time I was heaving boxes through the warehouse, the am not even sure what this feeling is or why I feel so strongly about this woman when I¡¯ve never even met her, but I knew that no other woman would everpare. I was drawn to her in a way that I couldn¡¯t describe. "Penny for your thoughts, brother?" Niko asked, giving me a sideways nce from the driver''s seat as I leaned against the car window, staring at my phone like a love sick puppy. Niko isn¡¯t my blood brother but he may as well be.He has always been there for me since I was born and my parents treat him as one of their own.His father died in some tragic battle between the vampires and werewolves years ago, saving his life and my mother''s.His mother, Fiona, is still alive but barely. She could hardly care for herself and Niko often checked in on her numerous times throughout the day to see if she had eaten or to try and make her leave the house. I felt bad for him, dealing with it on his own, but he didn¡¯t want to burden anyone else. It had also made him hard. Not just physically, because he was a huge wall of muscle, but emotionally and mentally. He never seemed to let things get to him. I knew it was just a coping mechanism and on the few asions he had broken down in front of me, I was relieved. Relieved that he did feel things even if he didn¡¯t always know how to show it. Our bond was strong.I knew I would give my life for him in a heartbeat and vice versa. So yes, he was my brother. "Do you ever wonder if you will find your mate? That one true soul that makes you feelplete?" I asked and saw his jaw clench. I knew he hated talking about this stuff but he did ask what was on my mind. "No, you know how I feel about that.I hope I never find her.I would rather take a chosen mate," he said through gritted teeth. I wasn¡¯t surprised by his answer. He never wanted to find his mate lose them. We all have. You seem to go one of two ways. Be a shell of your former self, unable to function and feeling your life has no purpose like his mother. Or you be angry, set on revenge and destruction like Arius. Either way, it was a sad life that I wouldn¡¯t wish upon my worst enemies. "But don¡¯t you think you would regret never experiencing that feeling? That true happiness and love?" He shook his head. "No.Just look at Uncle Darius and Chloe.They are chosen mates and they couldn¡¯t be happier." I peered out the window and watched the acres of pine trees and rolling mountains zoom past. That was true but I swear they were an exception.I turned back to him.I wanted to challenge him on this even though I wasn¡¯t sure why. "Exactly.They love each other as well.Don¡¯t you think they would be devastated if they lost each other? I think love is love, whether it is fated or not." He didn¡¯t speak for a moment, as he contemted my words. "What is all this anyway? You turn twenty-one and you go all soft on me?" I scoffed and leaned back in my chair, looking at the photo again. If I was lucky enough to have this woman as a mate, it would be a blessing of a lifetime.But I couldn¡¯t get my hopes up. Miles said she was human after all, so the likelihood of her being my mate was rather slim. Perhaps I will never find her. Perhaps I would find her but we would have nothing inmon and it would purely be a physical attraction. Either way, just seeing her face on the screen was the best birthday present of all. "No man, don¡¯t be stupid.Thest thing I need right now is my mate showing up.We have too much going on.Talking of which, did you hear about the attacks happening on the vampire ns?" I asked. ¡°Look good on Arius¡¯ part, does it?" he gave me a knowing look and I chewed at my lip. No. It doesn¡¯t look good at all. Climbing out of the car, I nodded to Niko, who went to check in on Fiona and made my way into the pack house. "There you are! Your dad¡¯s waiting for you in his office," Darius'' loud voice boomed through the lobby as he exited the kitchen and headed my way.I smiled at my goofy uncle and he greeted me with a sharp jab in the gut. It was enough to make me wince but not enough to knock me backwards.I was the same size as him now, much to his annoyance. "Happy day of birth Pops!" I rolled my eyes and gave him a shove. Ah yes! The nickname. He gave it to me when I was just a boy because he told me that I would only be the strongest and fiercest warrior if I ate lots of spinach like Popeye. Obviously, I believed him and forced the kitchen chefs to only feed me spinach for an entire week before I fainted fromck of protein and carbs and my mother scolded him. He just thought it was hrious, the d*ckhead. "Has he been waiting long?" I asked, catching the eye of one of the omega girls fromst night. N?velDrama.Org holds ? this. She winked at me and twirled a strand of her hair around her finger. I gave her a tight smile but focused my attention on Darius. "Yeah, but he can wait a bit longer.I want to have a birthday beer with my nephew," He threw his bulky arm around my shoulders and dragged me towards the bar. I knew I couldn¡¯t refuse. He would think up some hideous prank to get back at me for running to my dad¡¯s beck and call. Uncle Darius was the only man I had ever seen stand up to my father. And what was even After my pint, I made my way up to my dad¡¯s office and took a seat in front of his desk. He was typing away on hisptop and nodded at me when he noticed me entering. I waited patiently for him to finish whatever he was doing and when he shut theptop, he released a long, exhausted breath. Our eyes connected and he grinned. "Happy birthday son,e here!" He stood up and walked towards me, pulling me into a firm embrace. "Twenty-one! How did that happen?" he chuckled before walking back around to his chair. I didn¡¯t bother answering, as I Knew it was a rhetorical question, and just returned to my seat. I wasn¡¯t sure what my new responsibilities would be in the pack, but I knew what I wanted them to be. From the moment I gained my wolf, Aero, I knew I would be a warrior. His power, strength and natural leadership over the other wolves was obvious from my first shift at sixteen. It wasn¡¯t a surprise that I quickly became the fiercest warrior in the pack with the baster gene and two pure alpha blood running through my veins. No one could match my speed or power except my parents. They trained with me separately, so they could actually challenge me and soon I was able to dominate them as well. So, by the age of neen, I took over training the pack from my father. Joseph was still his head warrior ofbat and Fredrik still his Beta, but I loved that I had a position other than Alpha¡¯s son. But now I want more.I knew I was ready. "Ezra, I have been trying to avoid giving you too much responsibility in this pack to allow you to enjoy your youth.I never got that chance and it was important to me that you did.But now, I must ask more of you." He said carefully and I nodded in understanding. "Things are bing...their own pack or n...we are not entirely sure.Your mother is having to spend a lot of time with the council due to this and I want to support her as well as keep the pack safe from any attacks.We have been lucky so far, but I know that it is only a matter of time." I listened intently as he spoke, still wondering how I can help or y a part in all of this. "So what I am asking of you is to step up.If I need to leave the pack or attend the council meetings with your mother, you will step in as acting Alpha." My eyes widened in surprise. As his Beta, Fredrik has always stepped into that role when needed. Sensing my hesitation, he continued, "Fredrik agrees.He is happy to support you in his position as Beta whilst I am away." "I would be honored.Really.I won¡¯t let you down," I said confidently. I had been training for this my entire life.I loved my pack as much as my father did and I would never let any harme to them. "I know you won''t," he smiled. "But that is not all.I would also like you to take over as head warrior of our army.Joseph has done an outstanding job and is happy to pass over the baton to you.He does not think it is right to give orders to a fiercer warrior than himself."My face broke into the biggest grin.That was what I had hoped for.To lead the wolves inbat.That was what I was naturally good at. "Thank you.That is...the second-best birthday present I have received today." His thick eyebrows furrowed. "What''s the first?" I was about to open my mouth and tell him about the girl from Miles'' shop but a knock at the door interrupted us. "Come in," my father shouted, and Fredrik poked his head round the door. "Sorry to interrupt Alpha but I wanted to let you know that we have a visitor." "Who?" My dad asked as we both stood up. Clearly, our meeting is over. "Arius." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!