Chapter 5 The Return

The moment I laid my eyes on Castillo again, it felt like my heart shattered into pieces. Not because I still loved him, but because the man standing there wasn't the one who I had once had my eyes on.

Northwood warriors grumbled as Castillo walked closer, but he didn't blink. He had this arrogance about him, chin held high, surrounded by his sleek Southern guards. But his gaze- was locked on me.

"May," he called out, his voice a mix of coldness and desperation. "Come home. I... I made a mistake."

The silence was almost suffocating.

Aether stepped down from the wall, moving like a shadow. He didn't even look at Lucien. His focus was on me.

"Is this the Alpha who rejected you?" he asked, his tone flat.

I was speechless, my throat felt heavy.

Castillo jumped in, interrupting "Yes. But it wasn't forever. May, I didn't know the truth about you, about your power."

"My power?" I muttered without any clue of what he was saying

What on earth are you talking about? I inquired inquisitively

Aether raised an eyebrow. "You think you can just take her back because you've changed your mind?"

"She's mine," Castillo yelled. "We are Fated."

Aether's expression didn't budge. "She's not your property. And she's not going anywhere."

My heart skipped a beat.

Castillo stepped closer, but the Northwood warriors blocked him.

"You don't get it do you?" he snapped. "May has a mark that hasn't been seen in a hundred years. The Moon Priestesses confirmed it-she's a vessel."

My blood ran cold. "A what?"

"Your dream-talking, the mark, the connection between us. It wasn't just a bond. You're tied to something ancient, somewhat sacred. The Council wants to protect you and train you with me." Castillo explained as his eyes softened a bit

"No," I whispered, my voice shaking . "You want to own me. Just like before."

"You're being manipulated," he insisted. "Northwood is using you."

Then he turned his gaze on Aether.

"You're letting her think she's free, but you're just claiming her for yourself."

Aether's voice raised commandingly. "Do you want to test me, Southern boy?"

Tension buzzed in the air as I stood between two Alphas. One who had broken me, and one who seemed terrific and a bit strange... but never lied to me.

Castillo extended his hand.

"Come with me, May. I'll fix everything. We'll be stronger than ever."

A month ago, I would've run to him without a second thought, but now?

All I could see was control wrapped in sweet words.

"I'm not the same girl you rejected," I said softly.

He took a step closer. "May?"

"No," I snapped, louder this time. "You didn't want me when I was small and nothing more than an apprentice healer. You don't get to want me now that you realize I'm something more."

His face turned moody in frustration. "You're making a mistake."

Aether's voice sliced through the air.

"She already made one. By choosing you once."

The guards flare up in anger. I could see Castillo's wolf stirring in his eyes, glowing faintly.

For a split second, I thought he might shift.

But then Aether moved towards me, slow and steady. He didn't touch me, but his presence felt like something more than a cover, like some sort of barrier.

And I made my choice, I turned my back on Castillo

–––

That night, the moon rose a deep blood-red, putting everyone in utmost perplexity as the wolves paced in confusion. The elders gathered at the temple yard. I stood alone on the cliffs, as the winds caressed my hair, watching the blood moon hang like a warning.

Aether joined me in silence.

"I felt it," I whispered. "Something's changed."

"I think it's the old magic," he said. "Something has awakened it."

Then he turned to me, his voice low but steady. "You didn't go with him."

"No."

"Why?"

I looked up staring at him, my heart racing for reasons I couldn't quite fathom.

"Because I'd rather be nothing here... than be owned and caged there." I finally said.

His gaze dropped to my lips. The moon goddess has blessed me with very full plump lips and I notice him staring lustfully

And in split seconds, he leaned forward and attempted to kiss me. I immediately resisted and stepped back

Blinking his eyes repeatedly, I could sense the embarrassment on his face.

"I didn't mean to..." he tried to explain

"It's okay, I replied hastily

"You should rest," he finally said, adjusting his shirt, his voice calm and soothing. "This blood moon will stir up things hidden."

"Aether" I whispered, feeling a strange urge for him to stick around. "I'm scared."

He glanced at me for a second, like he had something really important to say.

But before he could, chaos was breeding. We heard a loud sound from the southern gate. And then came an uproar, it was a sound that felt half wolf... and half something else entirely.

We walked down the cliffside, and Northwood warriors rushed out of the barracks.

At the gates, we peeped and there was this creature hunched in the snow-we saw it pacing like it was looking for something or someone, its skin shredded, and eyes glowing red, like a nightbound that has a monstrous figure. And then in a flash, Castillo banged towards the gate, and luckily for him, it swung open as he rushed in and fell to the floor.

He looked half-dead, and blood covered him. He was barely clinging to life. Everyone wondered if he was wounded by the creature and we wanted to hear him speak but he couldn't

Then the creature turned... and its gaze locked onto me. It mumbled some words softly, and then with a louder voice that sounded like gravel it echoed

"Vessel!