Matilda's future was written as soon as she was born. However, she has no idea of her true role and the only thing she knows is- she needed to stay in the mountain until her eighteenth birthday. Knowing the freedom is in the corner, Matilda gladly played the assumed role... she offered in the mountains and prayed fervently. But then... In the middle of her prayer, she heard a series of howling. Scared for her life, Matilda ran as fast as she could. But her effort is in vain because in the end she is captured by the unknown abductor and wakes up in a dark place. "Now that your awake, play your part... Undress and give your untainted body to me!"
"Mother, do I need to make an offering in the mountains?" Matilda asked her mother while glancing at the sky. At the moment, the sun is about to set. If her mother insists, she needs to walk in the forest in the middle of the dark alone.
"You've been doing this for six years. Are you still scared now?" Matilda's mother responded with raised eyebrows. She handed the basket full of offerings to Matilda and added. "If the villagers find out that we did not make the offering, they will surely blame us for the disasters or calamities that may come to our town!"
Matilda let out a deep breath, a sign of her resignation. "Mother, calamity is part of human life, so they can't blame us if it comes to our village!" she reasoned while being forced to reach the basket full of offerings.
From the time she reached the age of thirteen, it became Matilda's obligation to give offerings to the mountains. For the previous years, she had no complaints. She was also not afraid of walking in the middle of the night, but something was not right this year. She senses something is different this year. That's why she has been begging her mother for several days that, if possible, she would not be the one to make the offering.
"Don't complain because this is the last time you need to do that..."
Matilda halted on her way out of the house, immediately turned to her mother with wonder in her eyes.
"Well... You're turning eighteen at midnight, and I wanted to tell you about my surprise tomorrow... but I don't want you to greet your birthday with a frown..."
Matilda caught her breath with intense anticipation... She is excited about what her mother means. Nonetheless, she already has an idea of what it is. Matilda's been nagging her mother to allow her to go to the City because she has never been there. Since she was a child, Matilda was not allowed by her mother to leave. The chance that she reached the village could be counted on the fingers.
"I talked to your uncle, and he agreed... He will pick us tomorrow." The uncle referred to by Matilda's mother lives in the city itself. "Technically, we are scheduled to leave this mountain after securing the transfer of obligations. But since the mother of your replacement is from the clan, we don't have to."
"Mother! Are you for real?" Matilda screamed in delight. In joy, she rushed to her mother and gave her a tight hug."Thank you!" she uttered while suppressing her crying.
"I should be the one thanking you... For the past eighteen years, you were imprisoned by the obligation of our family and I am sorry for that..."
Matilda shook her head and broke free from her mother's tight embrace. "Mother, don't be sorry... It's not your fault. I know you were forced just like others before us," she said and sighed as she gave her mother a wide smile.
Generation by generation, their clan was assigned to do the offering. The girl born in the New Moon must live at the bottom of the mountain and at the right age, she will perform the offering. The only consolation is that their obligation ends when they reach their eighteenth birthday. At least, that's what Matilda knew. Since her mother never explained to her the complete details.
Because of the good news given by her mother, Matilda left their home with a big smile on her face.
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The silence in the forest is deafening. The only thing that can be heard is the rustling of the wind that hits the leaves of trees and plants, the chirping of crickets hiding in the thickets.
"It's ok... Matilda, you're doing just fine!" She uttered to herself as she stepped carefully. The only light on her path was the light coming from the torch she was holding. Then she looked at the sky and frowned. The moon was covered by thick clouds, "Huh! It's fine! I don't need your help! Hide for all I care! This is the last time I'm going to this mountain! After this, I'm free!"
After a few minutes of walking, Matilda reached the enormous tree on the edge of the cliff. Seeing this, she let out a smile. "Finally!" Matilda uttered while observing the tree. She couldn't help but be amazed while staring at it. According to her mother's story, this tree was already standing before civilization was established.
"This is goodbye..." Matilda uttered and began to take out the offering in the basket. She arranged them in front of the tree. She also placed candles around it before kneeling down and starting the ritual.
In the following moments, Matilda's mind became occupied with prayer, because this was the last time she would perform the ritual. Her prayer became solemn. Although she hated the idea of doing this, Matilda still believes that their prayers help to ward off disaster in their city.
"Crick!" Sound of a broken branch.
Matilda stopped in the middle of her prayer when she heard the sound. He immediately turned in the direction from which it came. However, brought by the darkness, she found nothing. That's why she ignored it and continued praying.
"Ah-wow!!!"
Hearing this howling, Matilda couldn't stop the horror and shiver. "No... It can't be... God, please..." she uttered and quickly picked up the torch buried in the ground. Matilda knows the mountain is safe since no wild animals live here. But the howling from earlier indicates the opposite.
"Aw-wooh!!" The howling that rose from the mountain was exceptionally long and went on for some time.
Matilda was overwhelmed with fear, unable to think any further. She hastened away from the massive tree with speed. She persevered down the mountain, ignoring the sharp branches that ripped through her clothing and scratched her skin.
'What is going on? Why are there wild animals on the mountain? Matilda asked herself while looking behind her, checking if the animal followed her.
After making sure that nothing was following behind her, Matilda stopped running fast. She hid in a tree to catch her breath.
"This is bad... Probably this animal is a new inhabitant of the mountain. The people of the town need to know this," Matilda whispered. She took a deep breath again and prepared to run fast.
But before she could even step, something grabbed her mouth while a powerful force wrapped around her waist.
"Ugh!" Matilda moaned when her head hit the tree before completely losing consciousness.
"So, you're asking me to sacrifice my life, mother?" "And what of it? Are you so proud of your pitiful and disgraceful life? You are a blight and a curse! This is the only way you can redeem yourself!" "By dying?" Winona asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, by dying and performing a noble act to cleanse your sins and curses. Perhaps you might be blessed with good karma in your next life," her mother retorted harshly. Winona knew her mother would never wish her well. What good karma? Her mother would likely wish she had never been born in the first place! Winona cast a fleeting glance at her supposed mate, but his eyes were filled with hatred and... threat. It was as if he would rip her to shreds if she dared refuse to comply. Did he despise her that much? That was the moment when she began to accept the harsh reality that she was alone in this world. She had nothing and no one. She was despised by her own mother. Rejected by her mate. Mocked by her sister. Perhaps, she wasn't meant to be alive.
'I hate when people don't do what I say! I'll make sure you never go against what I say again!' Celine's dress was torn without any warning from Leon. As she covered up, Celine's eyes got bigger. Leon is so angry that it makes her feel uneasy. 'Leon, please...'begged Celine as she moved away... As she watched Leon take off his clothes, her whole body shook. Celine tries to get out of bed, but Leon is quick. He quickly pins his naked body to her, so Celine has no choice but to stay under him. 'You are mine!' Leon said, 'Those are mine!' and grabbed Celine's lips with force as his hand touched a sensitive part of her body. Leon is bigger and stronger than Celine, so her fight is pointless... 'Leon Bridgerton, I hate you! "I despise you!' Celine remarks. Because Leon bit her a few times, she can taste the blood in her mouth. 'You can hate me all you want, but you will do what I say!' Leon answers and then puts his hand on Celine's breast.
"You are mine, so you are not allowed to die!" Thunder declared. His eyes are glaring while holding Scarlet in his arms. "I wish I can do that..." Scarlet responded, trying to smile as broad as she can. Although the demon is taking over her, she wanted to assure Thunder that everything is okay. "I'm forever in depth to you..." Thunder hold her hand . "NO! I will save you!" After his remark, Thunder hug Scarlet tighter. Then the fire ignite. Thunder and Scarlet body envelope by the flame.
Belle Stone, a high school student at University, has endured constant bullying since she was a little girl due to her old-fashioned clothes and eyeglasses. Despite her embarrassment, Belle was happy with the help of her best friend, Audrey. Because of her appearance, Belle can't fulfill her dream... to be a member of a cheering squad Until that happens... That night, she almost burst into tears because of the embarrassment she received at the hands of her classmates. Belle went out crying alone, and there she encountered a wolf... The wolf bit her and tried to kill her. Fortunately, someone arrived and saved her. Despite her fear, she managed to return home. Belle returned home as if nothing had happened. Yet, when she awoke, she experienced some changes. Her sight began to clear. Her hearing sharpened. But one of the sweetest things that happened, the man who helped her the night she was embarrassed at school, became her neighbor— Zeke Hunter.
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.