Stop!" Shiro shouted, his voice raw, tears in his eyes. But they kept taunting, circling closer. He could feel the energy building inside him, it was getting out of control. He had never felt it like this-so wild, so powerful. He couldn't stop it. Shiro always thought he was just an ordinary boy, weak and powerless. But everything changed that day. He discovered he was part of a world he never knew existed-a world where he could control the elements, a world where he was destined to be a hero. Serevaal is in danger. The Dark One has returned, stronger than before. The people need a savior, but Shiro isn't sure if that could ever be him. He's just a boy, not a warrior. With new powers he barely understands and allies he must learn to trust, Shiro must face impossible challenges, uncover buried truths, and fight an evil far greater than he imagined. Betrayal. Sacrifice. Destiny. Will he rise and save Serevaal, or will he fall before the darkness consumes everything?
The first punch landed hard on Shiro's stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He staggered back, breathless, the laughter of his classmates filling the air. Before he could react, a second punch caught across his jaw, sending him falling to the ground. The familiar wave of shame twisted in his chest, but beneath it, something darker stirred.
" Come on, freak !!" one of the bullies sneered. "Show us your powers! Do something!" Shiro clenched his fists, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
They didn't understand him so did he. He had always known he was different. Since childhood, strange things had happened to him and around him ; a cup shattering when he was angry, the air going cold when he was scared, his classroom becoming so hot when he's sad...even having dreams that seemed a little too real and familiar. And lately, it had grown stronger, harder to control.
He felt it now, bubbling just beneath the surface. Heat prickled at his skin, and the earth beneath him trembled ever so slightly, responding to the storm inside him.
" Stop!!! " Shiro shouted, his voice raw, tears in his eyes. But they kept taunting, circling closer. One of them shoved him hard in the chest, and he stumbled, his body scratching across the rough pavement.
And that's when it happened.
The ground beneath his feet rumbled, harder this time. Stones and bits of pebbles began to rise into the air, swirling around him. The bullies froze so did everyone, their faces twisting in confusion and fear. They had wanted to see his power, and now they were.
Shiro could feel the energy building inside him, it was getting out of control. He had never felt it like this -- so wild, so powerful. He couldn't stop it. His heart raced as the ground beneath him split, a crack shooting across the concrete, towards where the bullies stood.
The air crackled with electricity, and his skin buzzed with an otherworldly charge.
His mind screamed at him to get control, but the power surged beyond him.
"Run !!" one of the bullies yelled, stumbling backward as they ran away.
Shiro' instincts took over, and he turned, his feet pounding against the concrete. He had to get away too -- away from them, away from the chaos he had unleashed.
He sprinted down the school gate, his heart racing, sweat pouring down his back. His mind swayed, trying to make sense of what had just happened. He knew he had this power-he had known for years. But never like this. Never this powerful.
Buildings blurred past him as he ran, his breath ragged in his throat. He could still feel the energy crackling under his skin, surging through him like some electric current. He had to calm down, had to find a way to stop it before it got worse.
But the panic was too strong. His legs felt heavy, his vision dizzy and blurry. He ran through alleyways, past rows of buildings and streetlights, but no matter how far he went, the power inside him wouldn't quiet.
Then, it all hit him at once as he fell to the floor. His legs buckled beneath him, the strength in his limbs vanishing. He collapsed onto the cold ground, gasping for breath, his mind racing.
The world spun around him, and darkness crept in at the edges of his vision. The last thing he felt before losing consciousness was the gentle patter of rain on his skin and the distant rumble of thunder, echoing in the sky.
**********************
Shiro woke up with a start. His body ached, and his clothes clung to him, soaked from the rain. The alley was empty, silent except for the occasional drip of water from the rooftops. Slowly, he pushed himself up, every muscle protesting in exhaustion. He had no idea how long he had been lying there, but it was dark now, and the streetlights cast long.He needed to get home.
When he reached his front door, he hesitated. He knew what was waiting for him inside-questions, accusations, more disappointment.
He pushed the door open, and his mother's eyes widened as soon as she saw him.
"Shiro, what happened to you? " she asked, rushing over. "Your school called and they said......you ran off" she held his hands looking sad.
Before he could answer, his father appeared, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. Behind them, the usual voices of his relatives echoed from the living room. They never missed a chance to judge.
"I'm fine," Shiro muttered, his voice low. "Just got caught in the rain."
His mom helped him to the couch, her hands gentle, but her eyes were worried. "You don't look fine. You're drenched, and you look like you've seen a ghost. What happened in school???"
"I'm good, really and nothing happened," he insisted, avoiding her gaze. He wasn't ready to explain the chaos that happened earlier -- or the fact that he wasn't sure how he'd stopped it. It's not like they would believe him or anything.
"People are talking, Shiro," his father said, arms crossed, voice hard. "You're drawing attention again."
Shiro clenched his jaw, biting back a retort. What did they expect? He couldn't control what was happening to him. He hadn't asked for this power, this... curse, as they liked to call it.
"He's cursed," one of his aunts muttered from the back. "That's the only explanation."
Shiro felt his anger bubbling up again, but he pushed it down. There was no point arguing. They wouldn't understand. They never did.
His mother touched his arm gently. "Just get some rest, Shiro. We'll talk tomorrow."
Nodding, he stood and dragged himself up to his room.
As soon as he hit the bed, his mind started racing again. He thought about the crack in the ground, the way the power had surged through him like it had a mind of its own.
What the hell was happening to him?
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Sandra Hill, the long-lost real heiress of the Hill family, was shunned by her own kin. Instead of embracing her, they bestowed their affection upon an impostor. They even arranged her to marry a vegetative man in place of her so-called “sister”. Sandra sneered, refusing to put up with this humiliation, cut off ties with the Hill family immediately and ran into the flash marriage with Wesley Cooper, her unconscious billionaire husband. With her incredible medical skills, she defied the odds and revived him. Little did she expect that her husband spoiled her with all his love... A medical genius, a computer prodigy, a national treasure in painting, and a racing legend... Her husband revealed her various identities, leaving the Hill family regretful. Her father came pleading, "It's Dad's fault. Please come back." Her mother wept, "Mom will protect you from now on. Please come back." Even her five brothers knelt before he, begging for forgiveness. Yet, Sandra's smile held a hint of mockery as she vowed, “Never!”
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
Five years ago, he upped and left his wife without informing her. He had always felt unworthy. As a result, he decided to go and become a better man. It took him five whole years of daily hard work. When he was satisfied, he returned as a powerful and honorable man. He intended to start a family with his wife. But he got back to meet the greatest shocker of his life. He actually had a daughter!
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”