After the recent attacks on Bluebay Island, The cold ones must work together with Mayor Jackson to rid their homes of the fear, tragedy and terror wreaked upon them. They soon learn that what they have already suffered was only just the beginning.... Love, trust and bonds are tested as they all once again find themselves at the mercy of the hunters war.
Kyan's POV:
It was in the air.... the stench of loss! Our pride, our determination and our lives felt broken. The last time it felt like this here was when my mother died.
My father was grieving over Hyvan, a dear friend who he had known since they were just boys. I could see that all the loss he had suffered for so many years was starting to wear him down.
Vivian had died from two silver bullets, leaving Vaughn flipping out in the training room, then having a breakdown soon after. We tried our best to console him, but after being in love with her for fifteen years... that pain will be with him for good!
I sat by Ellie's bedside watching her chest rise and fall with every breath she took, willing with every minute that she would wake up. Our physician did his best and as soon as my father had spoken to Mayor Jackson, he left Bluebay and personally hand delivered more medical equipment to keep Ellie stable. "Whether she survives this or not, is up to her now, it's up to her body to decide". Our physician had told us after he did all he could to save her. Since then, I've barely left her room. Every time I walk out of her door, the fear of her waking up alone or taking her last breath stops me from leaving her side.
I'm not a patient man. I never have been. Every day I demand she wakes up. I tell her she has too. I ask as politely as I can, I beg! But still she gives us nothing.... no flicker or movement to let me know she's staying with us, that I have nothing to fear.
I couldn't stop thinking about her lying in my arms that day, finally being able to hold her, only to watch her slipping away. I could crush that hunter's bones all over again and again and again, until she wakes up. She has to wake up... if not for me, then for my father. The guilt he carries with him because she protected him, instead of him protecting her, keeping her safe, just like he always promised.... just like I had always promised! Sweet Ellie! I murmured in my head. We've become too attached to you, please stay... please wake up! I pleaded for the hundredth time as I held her soft hand in mine.
"Anything?" Father's voice spoke quietly from the doorway.
"No, nothing". I replied, watching his shoulders sink again as more guilt weighed him down.
"I think I'll go and sit with Vaughn, he lashed out again this morning". He told me just as he turned to leave.
"Any news on Zekan?" I asked, hoping he'd finally heard something.
"No. Neither Zekan or Lyra have been seen at Shelter Island. Donny made some calls to further shelters, but no one has seen them". He said, his expression completely bleak, as if he was trying to accept that perhaps they were already dead and the moment we knew that they had never made it to Shelter Island several days ago, it tore at me to think of the hunters catching them before they left.
"He'll be ok father. We'll find him. For all we know, they're just keeping their heads low so you don't try and chase down Lyra". I said, in an attempt to ease his worry.
"None of that matters now, my son. I just want him home". He spoke in a sullen tone.
We needed something... we needed something good! I wanted Ellie to wake up and Zekan to walk through the doors. I wanted my father to feel some joy, and I wanted my brother and our sweet Ellie back.
When Mayor Jackson had come here to help Ellie, he also got to see for himself that we too had our own share of enemies and that we grieved just the way his people did. I have to admit, it seemed as though he wanted to do his part to look out for us. He stayed longer than I expected to help clean up all of the mess and remove all the hunter's dead bodies. He helped our physician see to our injured and tried to console my father when he found Hyvan's body under a pile of debris. He had promised us, he would announce to Bluebay of our own sufferings in hopes of reassuring them that we had nothing to do with the attack on our town.
Me and Kiko went to that announcement yesterday, whilst father sat with Ellie. Of course, we stayed hidden, but despite the mayor's best efforts, there didn't seem to be many of them that believed him. We could hear the shouts and demands coming from the crowd in front of him, telling him to 'get rid of us'. They were still adamant that we were to blame.
"Hi". Kiko whispered as she came into the room. "How is she doing today?"
"No different than yesterday, or the days before that!" I sighed.
"She'll be ok Kyan, she just needs time. Remember, humans don't heal within minutes like we do".
"But Dr Singh said she could go either way".
"Well, I think she's not quite done yet. She'll wake up, I guarantee it!".
"I hope you're right. She's too young to die, she's barely lived a life yet!"
"Are you going to tell her how you feel when she wakes up?" She asked as she carefully sat on the edge of the bed.
"How I feel about what?"
"Are we really going to do this? where I probe and you deny? And we just go around in circles. Or you can just cut the crap and just be honest".
"Kiko, it's not just as easy as telling her how I feel. The last thing she needs if she wakes up is for me to scare her off, or make her feel uncomfortable being here".
"But what if she feels the same?"
"I really doubt that, Kiko".
"Kyan! I've known you for over ten years and this is the first time I've seen you so attached and protective of someone. So doesn't that make it worth knowing?"
"I wouldn't even know how to tell her".
"Well, when the time comes, it'll just feel right and all you have to do is be honest! Please Kyan! If you love her, then you have a chance at really being happy with someone, after all of these years. All I'm asking is that you be honest with her".
"Are you done grilling me?" I asked with an amused smile.
"Actually... yes I am! The main reason I came in here is to let you know that while me and Del went out for a hunt today, we found claw marks on two different trees".
"Ok, well, did they look like bear marks or of another animal?"
"I'd say they were more slashes than marks. Like something or someone was in a fight".
"How far from here?"
"About a mile and no one left the castle when the hunters came, so....".
"You think it could be Zekan or Lyra?"
"Yes". She nodded with an anxious expression. "I just have a feeling".
"Then, I need to go and look for him".
"I'll come with you!".
"No!". I quickly forbade. "I need you and Del here. Guard the main hall in case anything happens".
"You can't go alone, Kyan".
"I'll take a few others with me, I'll go for two hours then come straight back if we don't find anything".
"Ok. Your father was on the phone when I came in. You'll have to tell him before you leave".
"I'll tell him now. Have Bianca and Constance check in on Ellie every hour".
"I will. Just don't trail out too far, we still don't know if its safe enough yet. No further than two miles, Kyan, I mean it!"
"Well, someones gotten even bossier!". I grinned at her.
"Too much has already happened, Kyan. Let's not add to it".
"I promise, ok?" I reassured her as I could see the worry in her eyes.
I looked at Ellie, still peacefully resting as I gave her hand one last squeeze and dashed out of the room before I changed my mind about leaving her.
Princess Aurelia of Northlaye lives in constant fear of her father King Edric. His sudden demand of her betrothal to prince Mallon of Ailingdale against her will is nothing compared to the cold, hard and brutal way his constant treatment is of her and the people of his own kingdom. Aurelia secretly tries to help her people from starvation and neglect in hopes her father will never find out. With her late mother no longer around to guide her, Aurelia must fight against her fear with her true confidant, the house servant Maude. A new and unlikely friendship and romance has Aurelia clutching to the hope things can get better, that is until King Edric hits her with his most ruthless blow of all. Will Aurelia keep her courage through all she has to face? or will her stone cold father keep her down for good?
Twenty year old Ellie lives in a quiet town on Bluebay island, with certain 'monsters' she has been taught that live deep within their forbidden forest, a threshold they're never allowed to cross. Respecting the peace treaty between their town and the land of the 'cold ones' Ellie goes about her routine life feeling as though she doesn't quite fit in and something for her is missing. Little does Ellie know that everything she believed about the peace treaty, about the cold ones and even of those close to her are all about to unravel right before her eyes and the ones she loves, the ones she trusts.... are all about to change.
Lelanna is a young warrior in training for her wolf pack, the Blue moon. Trying to hide her feelings for her close friend and soon to be Alpha, Lelanna tries to move on with the support of her friends and a sudden handsome stranger that walks into her life. But Lelanna's loving and happy world is soon torn apart when she finds she has enemies out to destroy her and those she loves the most. Our young warrior must face fear, loss, courage and mercy. Lelanna shows her true bravery, determination and how far her love truly extends as she sets out taking down every last enemy with the deadliest skills of a true warrior.
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Eight years ago, she thought he was a Money Boy at the club, and accidentally had a one-night stand with him because she was framed by her stepsister. Is $100 enough to buy a Money Boy for one night? The next morning, she casually dropped $100 and ran away. Eight years later, she returned with her genius son. Little did she expect to be "deceived" into the Noblefull Group by her beloved son. Her immediate boss turned out to be Mr. $100 from eight years ago! ... "Bad girl, how dare you humiliate me eight years ago, this time you will pay the price!" "Bad girl, one billion dollars, I buy your whole life!" "I just want to be a secretary. You already have several lovers. You are not my type." "But, I only have feelings for you, only love you." However, their relationship was not smooth. Due to a property dispute, his brother deliberately caused a car accident in an attempt to kill her and their son. Due to past grievances of the previous generation, his father held deep hatred towards him and sent assassins to kill them. There were also plots and attempts on their lives orchestrated by his girlfriend. On top of that, they faced oppression from rival factions of the mafia... This is a romantic novel about a billionaire and his secretary, involving several generations of love, hatred, and complicated relationships, and also involving the mafia, revenge...
Lucille was one of the most skilled female assassins, and on the previous night, she embarked on a top-secret mission. However, the mission's details were leaked, leading to her untimely demise at the hands of a traitorous companion. She never discovered the identity of the person who betrayed her before her death. But by some miracle, she was granted a new life, and was reborn as a girl with the same name. Determined to uncover the truth and seek revenge for her family, Lucille seized her second chance at life. She planned to avenge her loved ones. However, her plans were complicated by Joseph, an apparently frail man who was actually skilled in martial arts. And he seemed to fall for her deeply, now this newfound knowledge only added to the complications of Lucille's revenge plan...
I pressed my lips against his and stole his sweet, savory taste, not ready to end the sweet moment. I licked my lips seductively and whispered. "Despite your age, I love you." Sarah was obsessed with the man of her dreams, despite knowing that their love was forbidden and would be disapproved by her father and others. She held onto the many beautiful dreams she had of being with him, wishing for them to come true. She found herself in love with her father's best friend, a very handsome man who had been rejected by his wife. Her desire was to show him what true love really meant. When her father received a job transfer,Sarah saw it as a perfect opportunity to be with him. The situation improved even more when she realized they would be living under the same roof.
Jennifer Bennett, the rightful heiress to the Bennett legacy, fought hard for her family's recognition, only to be eclipsed by an impostor. Faced with false accusations, bullying, and public humiliation, Jennifer eventually gave up trying to win their approval. Vowing to rise above the injustice, she became the bane of those who wronged her. The Bennett family's efforts to break her only fueled her success, leading her to heights her rivals could only dream of. Someone asked, "Do you feel let down by your parents?" With a calm smile, Jennifer said, "It doesn't matter. In the end, power prevails."
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"