CIRI The Lost Tribrid Princess

SHELBURNE, VERMONT

Cirilla's point of view

Firmly, I adjusted the black boxing bag gloves around my wrists. I get my stance right by standing with my feet at shoulder-width apart and my front foot facing the punching bag. I do not hesitate in unloading my punches, making sure I throw powerful and snappy punches at the punching bag. I plant my feet firmly when throwing the punches and when I'm not throwing punches I move around on my toes. My breathing laboured. I've been at this for probably an hour or maybe more. I can't exactly tell. Suddenly, I'm getting bored by the exercise. It would have been a little more fun if I was sparring against an opponent. Now that would be entertaining.

I absconded the boxing bag gloves. My long and thick black lashes pressed firmly together and the gate of my eyes shut closed. I inhaled deeply and calmly. And as usual, my subconscious formed a well built and sturdy figure. It looked virile and manly. He wore black leather pants and a black tacky jacket that looks like one forged from the heat of battle in the medieval times. His face was covered with a silver mask. But the color of his eyes were as dark and dangerous. The conviction in his eyes were as firm as always. To kill.

I smirked to myself. My electric blue eyes hardened and so was my conviction to protect myself as always. He balled his hands into fists and pulled them up in a fighting stance. Eagerly I lunged at him, striking him. He blocked and sent a swing at me, which I was swift to avoid. I kept my eyes closed to avoid breaking off my connection and losing this imaginary character my mind always created to escape my very own hell of a life.

Everything was going well. I was still standing strong even after countless minutes of our heated combat. Abruptly, I felt a mighty force of wind which forced me to pull from my subconscious. My eyes flung wide open. I scanned the slightly huge gym I worked at after school hours. The doors were shut, and so was all windows and anything that could pull in the cold air from outside.

"Hello!" I called out to the faintly dark silence of the gym. "Is someone there?" It couldn't be Jim, the gym instructor who usually camps in the gym throughout the night. He wasn't even in town, so I decided to have the gym all to myself. Believe me, it was damn better than spending the night home with the chances of being deafened by the loud moans from sensual sex and repeated banging on the bed. Sometimes I feel the little exercise even gets done on the wall of the room next to mine in a hellhole called 'a home'. What an irony. Home is usually a teen's safe haven, a personal space where you belong and feel loved. But mine was a constant hell that I was willing to take whatever bus I could find to make an escape.

I didn't get a response. With a cautious last scan of my surrounding, I resolved to return to my training when I heard the unmistakably loud thud of the door, which I'm well damned sure I locked when I got here after escaping from home.

I was alarmed, but not terrified. I had a lot of scary shit going on in my life to be terrified of a little invasion. I picked up a long metal stick. Whatever or whoever the unlucky bastard was trying to break in picked an awful night for that.

I headed to the entrance door, and like expected it was opened. I checked around but there was no one. My eyes caught something strange on the door. It was some kind of a scratch. I trailed it with my fingers. It seemed like a work of anything but art done with the nails. But that was an impossible theory. Each scratch marks were few inches apart from the other. It couldn't be a human, probably some wild cat that lost it way or something.

I dropped the metal stick, taking a step outside into the cold unwelcoming night. I scanned the surroundings, into the deep woods miles away from the gym. But there was nothing out there. The Moon was up in it's abode as usual, and smiled up at it. In my seventeen years of existence, that shimmering work of nature up there have always been something that intrigued me.

I felt the biting cold already feasting on my poor skin, since I had only a light long-sleeved round shirt on. I was about to head back in when I felt the rustling of trees around. Now that was creepy. Hastily, I marched for the door. Before I could grab it knob, I felt myself being lifted roughly and dragged away into the woods in a speeding motion. I didn't know by who or what as the hold around my waist was sharp and piercing. It was dark and the more I was carried deeper into the woods, the Moon's protective ray on me slowly disappeared due to the canopy trees that shielded the woods.

Fuck! I was already in the woods, with my head upside down. I wriggled free from whatever hold that held me, crashing against the slightly wet earth and dirt. I was on my feet quickly, running towards the direction I was pulled from, hoping to get back to the gym.

Something didn't feel right. Especially not with the loud animalistic, and unseen noises that kept hounding me. My boots kept diving deeper into the moist earth, leaving a trail. And the emotionless crisp air was against me as well. I was forced to halt in my tracks when I was blocked by someone, or something.

It was awfully dark, and I couldn't see a thing aside from the blinding red eyes that bored down at me from where I stood. I visibly gulped as an army of several emotions I couldn't make out ran down my spine and every vein in my body. I felt the heat of breath fanning my face. It wasn't human. An animal of some kind. It gaze held a dark and crystal clear conviction to attack.

My survival instinct that had always been birthed within me kicked in, and I had to save myself. For just today, I chose flight rather than my usual theme for fight. It was sheer lunacy to fight that which wasn't human.

I dashed in the opposite direction. I could hear the aggressive drumming of my traitorous and frightened heart in my ears. Before I knew it I was thrown back off guard. I winced. Pulling my back off the muddy surface of the earth. I was surrounded by three of the wild beast. They had murderous red eyes as they bored down at me.

I scrutinized my surrounding and grabbed an wood stick laying idly on the wet surface of the earth. Instinctively, I swing at one of the creatures, and from the other side I was attacked by another creature. I felt a sharp pain from my side stomach. It wasn't deep, but it hurt like hell. From another angle I was hit, the impact was strong as it swept me off my feet and I landed harshly against the truck of a giant tree.

Cold crimson fluid flowed from my head, I was bleeding. I tried to move as the three creatures moved closer to me, seeming pleased at themselves. My vision went hazy, and my body slowly went numb. They were already at me when from utterly no where one of the creatures was thrown away. Immediately, a small fire broke around, circling me as if protecting me from my attackers. I heard a piercing sound and a dying groan. It alarmed the other two creatures. Whoever came to my rescue lunged at them. Everything moved so fast, and soon the creatures were killed.

From the corner of my vision, I saw someone racing to my side. The figure was that of a man. It was a man. My heart nearly stopped as he approached me. His body blazed in a streak of yellow and orange flame. It seemed like it didn't hurt him... almost as if he was extremely comfortable... fucking hell he was.

He wasn't human either. My vision almost gave up when he reached for me. His arms capturing me and I felt a warm feeling in them. His eyes were.... were.... something... something between flaming yellow and shady green. It was terrifying, yet comforting. This had to be a dream. I totally drifted into darkness.

SHELBURNE, VERMONT

Cirilla's point view

I curled up on my bed. My head throbbing against my skull. The thin line between my eyes was glued tightly together. The depth of my soul had wandered far away, pulling me into a warm fuzzy dream. I was at a place I had never been. The air around was calming and welcoming, and the feel of the soft, sandy soil beneath my bare feet was a sweet pleasure. Suddenly darkness covered the earth and there was only chaos around.

I heard the faint sounds of screams, and the foul stench of death invaded my nostrils. My heart pricked with fear, as a cold, deathly feeling clamped around me.

It was suffocating.

I tried to abscond it but that was impossible. The cold, deathly feeling seeped into my bones and spread within me. I felt myself slowly slipping away when bright, crystalline blue eyes flashed within the storm of insanity stealing me away. Those perfect and immaculate blue gaze were so foreign, yet they held a striking familiarity. I had never seen them before, but boring right at it felt like staring deep into my own soul. I could see a reflection of myself in them. In a flash, my vision was covered with absolute darkness.

I yanked up from the bed. I held my head protectively with both hands in a poor attempt to quell the immense ache that banged heartlessly against my skull. It was morning already, and I was in my room. With a splitting headache, and insane pains in my bones, I grabbed the scattered sketchbooks that laid in a slothful manner on the bed, dumping them on the wooden table beside the bed. I was about to push out from bed when my electric blue eyes caught a glimpse of my hand.

My eyes shot open in panic. My heartbeat had tripled, pounding violently against my chest. I inspected my hands. They were covered in blood and muddy dirts.

What hell! My whole body was covered in dirt. I jumped to my feet, racing to the tall mirror hanging across my small room. I was left agape, staring at myself in total horror. My long blonde hair was covered in the earth's dirt, and a reddish stain at the side of my head, like I had crashed it into something and bled out. The same dirt stains smeared my shirt, black skinny pants and my face. There was a dried, reddish dark stain at the side of my shirt. It looked like blood. I pulled up my shirt, my index finger trailing the slightly fresh cut at the side of my stomach.

What the hell happened to me?

I tried to recall everything that happened last night, but no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't remember. Like there was a vacuum imbedded in my memory. The last thing I remembered was slamming my door shut when mum had brought in one of her usual manwhores for the night. I forced myself to remember, but I couldn't. I felt a deep cavity in my memory. Something was missing, and I was on the verge of hysteria. I picked up my boots, it was smeared with mud and dirts. I was out last night, but why the fucking hell can't I remember?

I ruffled through my hair, pricking at my memory. But there was nothing. I made another attempt when I picked up subtle whispers. I gently pulled open the door, glancing around the tiny living room and attached kitchen. There was no one there, the whispers seemed to be escaping from mother's room, across the living room.

I was exasperated already to get mixed up in her lovers squabble, which will most definitely end with either one of us almost killing each other. I meant that literally not figuratively. My mom and I don't see eye to eye. We don't exactly have the best mother and daughter relationship.

Truthfully, it's not my fault. It's more of her fault, and largely more of the imbecile father that abandoned us before I was even born for another woman who I hope lives her life in outright misery. I really don't know the details. Mum never saw the need to share, but she always never missed any opportunity to blame me for her miserable and pathetic life. She blames everything wrong in her life on me, only if she could open her eyes and realize she didn't need any damn help from me to destroy her already miserable life.

I was about to shut my door close when my pretty effective ears heard a loud thud. I scrunched my brows, gaiting across her room. The door was slightly left ajar, even still I couldn't see a damn thing. Mum was certainly not having a squabble with her night conquest. I heard an unfamiliar voice of a woman. That surprised me. Mum wasn't exactly the friendly type who easily made friends, unfortunately, I inherited that from her. But I'm definitely not a loner.

In my seventeen years of existence, we've moved around the world more than I could count. We are constantly on the move. That's not just weird, it's sick! It's not like someone was after us or something. Mum doesn't care to give any explanation, and I stopped bothering myself to ask. The outcome is always the same. We fight intensely to the point I think one of us might lose it, snap out and kill the other. Maybe I'm just exaggerating the whole thing, but the energy between us is bad. Sometimes I feel I don't know my mum at all.

I kept trying to poke my head. A woman in a long black cloak appeared from a corner in the room. She was unfamiliar with a hood above her silvery long hair, making it difficult to see her face. Then my mum appeared from another corner, I could see them both. They were obviously arguing and the woman seemed pissed, and my mum was angrier. They looked like they were about to devour each other, but there was something about the woman in the black cloak. Something different, dark and slightly dangerous. The manner she moved around, and swung her fingers in the air probably trying to prove a point was something. I felt the hairs on my skin stand unpleasantly.

Instantly, their hush whispers halted and before I knew it, mum pushed the door open.

Fuck! I didn't prepare myself for that. She tossed her usual spiteful and irritating look at me. I was used to that so it didn't faze me out. I was more interested in the woman who intentionally had her back to me. Mum blocked my view, her sandy brown eyes locking with my blue ones. It wasn't a secret I inherited none of my looks from my mother. I'm most definitely certain I looked more like my disaffected father, that can only explain my looks. Maybe that's why she despised me so much, because I reminded her of the man that hurt her and abandon her for another.

Mum and I had nothing in common. It's safe to say we can pass as strangers with no blood ties at all. She had a sandy brown eyes, long ebony black hair that was never well taken care of or shown good days. She was tall and slender, good figure and had an injured leg, probably from an accident a long time ago. I don't know anything because she never tells me anything about herself, or relatives. I guess we had none, we were totally outcasts. I, on the other hand had long blonde hair and blue eyes, see complete opposites.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

I crossed my hand against my chest at her fierce outburst.

"I thought I heard you arguing with someone" My gaze voluntarily moved to the silver haired woman. It lingered on her for a while, but she didn't bulge at all. I wanted to get a good look at her.

Mom was about to say something, but she halted halfway. Her fury fused sandy brown eyes examined me and I became aware of my own state.

Damn I forgot to clean up. Mom's nose flared up, and I could literally feel the blazing storm heading my way. Mentally, I prepared myself for it. I had to be ready.

"Where the fuck have you been brat?!" She flared up, grabbing my wrists roughly. At Mum's dramatic outburst, the woman dressed in black cloak swerved instantly. Panic and intense emotion of fear was registered in her dark purple eyes. I grabbed the opportunity to explore her facial features. She was quite a beauty, having a unique, yet dangerous purple eyes. Slender cheekbones and thin lips. She had strained dark circles on the skin around her eyes. It looked like it was formed from stress or maybe, tiredness. Honestly, I couldn't tell. Still she was a beauty. Her deep purple eyes locked with mine. I held her stare and she had masked all emotions in them. But the intensity of her stare was extreme, as if demanding I cower in fear or looked away, but there was a stubborn voice in my head that yelled otherwise. So I stuck with that stubborn voice as always, boring hard at her.

"Where have you been Cirilla?" She yanked closer dramatically. I wish I also knew the answer to that question.

I flinched at her sudden hysterics. It was worse than when I first snuck out of the house. I was only fourteen. My childhood was different from most children at my age. I was never allowed to leave the house, even have friends. I was like a doll locked up in a dollhouse, but younger me liked to think I was rapunzel locked in a tower. Silly thoughts.

Occasionally, when she had her usual extreme mood swings and cursed at her life, she would beat me up to pulps when I was still younger. It happened till I turned fifteen and realized that I shouldn't put up with it. I learned to defend myself against Mum and those manwhores she kept bringing home for a night stand.

I jerked my wrist away from her hurting grip, my deep eyes bulging at hers.

"I was out running, I tripped and fell" Those words flew right out of my lips automatically. That was an outright flat lie. But I didn't care if she bought it or not. I felt my skin burning under their inflaming stares.

She certainly didn't believe me. Even I wouldn't believe myself. The woman in black cloaked ambled closer, directing fury glares at my mum. It was obvious she was holding herself back from pouncing on mum. Mum stared back at her, there was an uncomfortable silence in the air. I looked from mum to the other woman. They gazed thoughtfully at each other, as if their stares were having some kind of conversation.

Mum's sandy brown eyes met mine, holding the usual emotions she always sent at me. Rage and spite. I wasn't bothered by that, but I was definitely bothered by the next words that strolled like nothing from her lips.

"Pack up, we are leaving!"

I heard wrong right? I ought to have, it just can't be happening, again.

"Are you deaf? Pack up, we are leaving this fucking town!" She yelled at my face when she didn't see me move.

I was aghast. "Again?" My blonde hair was literally on fire. "It's barely a fucking year we moved here...."

"And thanks to you we are moving again" She spat, and I couldn't take it. How the fuck is it my fault? I glanced furiously at the silver-head woman. This had definitely got to be her fault. Her stare told me she knew exactly what I was thinking.

"How the fuck is it my fault? I just settled in school and I even got a job" She stared at me like I was spilling total rambles. "I'm not leaving mom!" I practically yelled it at her face. Her face contorted, and she moved closer, as if daring me to speak again.

"Don't test me you ungrateful bastard of a child" It came out in a whisper, but her words caused me to loose my words. Strangely it had hurt something deep within me. How could a mother hate her own daughter so much?

Before I could recover, I was shoved away with the hard slamming of the door. I stood there for awful long seconds, I didn't know I had balled my fists. I inhaled and exhaled, calming myself, reminding myself as I walked to my room that in few months I'll be eighteen, I'll be responsible for myself and be out of this hellish life. That was my goal and my redemption.

I gave a carefully look at myself in the mirror. There was a missing page in my memory. Something happened last night Cirilla. I whispered to myself, trailing the cut on my stomach. Why can't I remember?

*******

She laid on the rugged mattress, as john doe was on her. She didn't know who he was, and frankly it didn't matter to her. All Jasmine needed was a good time and he was doing just that to her all through the night, and she still craved more he had to offer. His rough manly hands moved skillfully on her body, clamping her hips strongly, as he kept grinding his to hers. She flung her head back on the pillow, releasing series of moans, she loved how the bed creaked, moving inconsistently to their rhythm.

She loved how this man handled her. She could feel the pleasure building up in her core, her hands clasped his hair tightly, and the man seemed to be loving it. They had almost reached their peak when a purple gust of smoke appeared, accompanying a woman in black cloak and a hood on her head. She stared at the activity on the bed, unconcernly, her eyes boring angrily on the woman precisely.

"What the crazy fuck!" The man pulled out of her, grabbing the slightly moist sheets to them. The woman with sandy brown eyes groaned at the unexpected visitor. The purple eyed woman snapped her fingers and instantly, the man on the bed vanished.

Jasmine sighed, clearly not bothered at what just happened. She picked up her dress from the cold floor.

"Gosh Emily! Can't someone have some privacy" She choked out for who it was intended to.

"We have a problem Jasmine" The purple-eyed woman, Emily, cut to the chase, her orbs not leaving the sandy brown-eyed woman, Jasmine.

Jasmine's face fell, contorting in fear with the rush of several dangling emotions. "What now?"

"Unknown group came into town...." before Emily could finish, Jasmine hurriedly cut through.

"Is it him? Could it seriously be him?" Her words were spiteful and sharp, but even Emily could feel the fear in them.

"I doubt it. If it was the Alpha Hybrid, I wouldn't be here, neither you nor the child" Emily wrapped her hands against her chest. "They were searching for her!"

Jasmine knew exactly where this was heading to. A little anger brewing within her bones. "And how can you be so sure? It could be totally unrelated to her"

Emily flashed with rage. "Don't be stupid. You might have lost your significant other part, but that doesn't mean you lost your common sense"

Fire torched in Jasmine sandy brown gaze at Emily's words. "Fuck you Emily!" She was enraged, but she knew better to attack the infuriated siphon witch before her. She recognized the similar look in Emily's eyes. It's almost similar to the one she had carried for a decade and seven long years. The skin around Emily's eyes were crippled and worn out. Jasmine wasn't sure if it was from the years that went by or from the frustration that seemed evident on her.

"They are after her. I'm yet to know why, but it's something big. Now more than ever, she needs to remain hidden. She is slowly coming of age, and the spell on her is slowly weakening. I can feel it" Emily words caused Jasmine to think of the Alpha Hybrid.

"Then do the fucking spell over again, if the binding spell on her weakens, she'll have access to her powers and those fucking leeches will be able to find me and then find her" Jasmine yelled.

"Don't worry about that. As long as the child stays with you, they can't find you. If they could they would have all those years ago" Emily rested her fingers under her chin. "Remember, her powers are linked to your beating heart. If you die, her powers will unbind."

Jasmine scoffed. "Die? As if" She picked up the clothes of her night's conquest, tossing it to a corner. "There's not a chance of that happening."

Emily pulled up an almost unnoticeable smile. "Then you have nothing to worry about. The cloaking spell on the child is channeled from her very own magic. As long as she's with you no one can find you. You can't be tracked, traced or even identified as Jasmine." Emily chuckled. Jasmine could tell Emily was impressed by herself and the work of magic she had manipulated to achieve her desired goal.

"If I can't be found, then why are there still people after me?" She kept her voice at minimal.

"I'm digging into it." Was all Emily said.

Jasmine sighed, still not feeling calm. She was about to say something when she felt the presence at the door. Her eyes darted from Emily to the door. Furiously she pulled it open, her sandy brown eyes fell on the that of her only child, Cirilla.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!" Jasmine yelled as Emily backed away.

Jasmine noticed her daughter's blue eyes on the woman in the room. She blocked her view, her eyes holding Cirilla's blue ones. Only heaven's knew how much she hated those gaze. Staring at Cirilla felt like staring at the blue eyes of her worst enemy, the bitch who ruined her life and every chance of the happiness she would have had. She hated her so much that she couldn't keep the hatred locked up in the well of her heart the past years. Her only hope and consolation in everything was that bitch would be more miserable than she was.

Jasmine lips parted to speak when her eyes noticed the bloody state of her daughter.

Rage swelled in, mixed with fear. But Cirilla couldn't see it. "Where the fuck have you been brat?"

Jasmine words forced Emily to spin around, her purple eyes scanning Cirilla's body, till her eyes met with that of the child.

"Where have you been Cirilla?" She yelled again dramatically.

"I was out running, I tripped and fell" Cirilla defended.

That was a pathetic excuse of a lie, and both women knew this. Something happened. Something Cirilla wasn't saying.

Jasmine felt the angry gaze that bored at her. She knew exactly what Emily was thinking at the moment. And sadly, she was right. It seemed this place was no longer safe. "Pack up, we are leaving!"

"Again?"

Jasmine gaze sparked at her daughter's instant reaction. A wave of angry storm swirled around Jasmine. "And thanks to you we are moving again!"

"How is it my fault?" Cirilla shot back, matching her mother's raging voice. She glared at the unfamiliar woman in the room. "I'm not leaving"

"Don't test me you ungrateful bastard of a child!" Jasmine spat.

Instantly, she slammed the door right in Cirilla's face. Her dark sandy eyes swirling on the Emily, frantically pacing the tiled floors in fury. Emily's crystal purple stones ignited with flames as it fell on Cirilla's mom.

"They found her! They fucking found her!" She kept her voice at minimum, but Jasmine could still feel the intensity of her flame.

She didn't say anything, plopping on the edge of her rugged mattress. Burying her face in her rough palm. "You were right Emily. This town is no longer safe. We are no longer safe. We are leaving before the sun sets."

°°°°

'Please don't forget to leave a comment'

BEAVERTON, OREGON

Cirilla's point of view

I hum to the rhythm of the music playing loudly in my ears, trying to get distracted by the music and my drawing. Even though my efforts have been futile. The recent days have been unpleasant for me, coupling with the weird and bothersome dreams, more like nightmares I've been having. Flashes of nonhuman creatures hounding me. At first I thought it was just a dream, but now I'm not certain of that anymore. I'm starting to rethink that theory, I feel like it's more than a mere dream, like they are missing pieces from my memory. But that's impossible, maybe I'm just being paranoid with the fact that I still can't remember what happened the other night.

I placed the black colored pencil on the bed, gripping the yellow colored pencil, bringing it to the sketchbook. I skillfully mixed it with a shade of orange, after a while I was done. Pulling it up, I stare intently at the image I had drawn. It was a picture of a figure. A man. He was unique, and somewhat familiar. But I have never seen him. What intrigues me most about him was the fury flames that danced on his skin, and it appears like nothing to him. I couldn't make out limpid features of his face. The flames made his face hazy and unclear. His gaze were a bright shade of piercing yellow, or was it golden? It was difficultly hard to tell. I've never met him, but yet that imaged had managed to stalk my dreams these past days. There was a certain familiarity that I couldn't begin to fathom.

I broke my gaze from the image. Staring at my phone. I gaped at the time in horror, I was fucking behind the clock and running late on my first day in school.

I clutched my bag. Diving my books, sketchbook, purse and phone into it. I buzzed to the kitchen and grabbed a muesli bar and a banana. Hastily exiting the house. It was a blessing mum wasn't home. I didn't even know when she left this morning. It's been a week now since we moved to Beaverton town. So far, it's just there. I haven't really had the time to explore the town. I had more important things on my mind, like admitting myself into the town's high school, finding a job to support myself as usual.

I munch down the last bite of my breakfast, then my phone vibrated. Message notification. I scrolled through my messages, going through my unread messages. An interview schedule pop up on my screen. It was at a bar I had stopped by two days ago, and I'm scheduled for an interview with the manager right after school.

As soon as I reached school, I went through the hallways. I find the admin office and walk in.

The lady on the desk, tilted her head and eyed me up from beneath her long lashes.

"Yes?"

Well, that was polite.

"I'm Cirilla Bane, it's my first day" I told her.

Lazily, she shuffled through her occupied desk and pulled out a map and class schedule. She hands it to me and without saying anything, she goes back to her more important job of filing her nails.

Thanks for the damn hospitality!

I can't believe they actually pay her!

I navigated my way through the enormously large school. I got lost on my way to class. I found my first class, being twelve minutes late. I rushed in, apologizing and introducing myself to the teacher. He points at an empty seat at the back for me. I settled into my seat while dumping my bag on the ground.

The lesson begun, I barely paid attention to the teacher. Going through my class schedules. I study the map trying to get a head over it, to avoid the embarrassment of walking into class late.

I began scribbling meanings of some words taught by the teacher. I was engrossed in my action, but I felt it. It was hard not to. Growing up I tend to be sensitive and alarmed of my surroundings, and right now I felt heated gaze boring holes at the back of my head. I found that impolite and utterly annoying.

Slightly, I turned around, my eyes locking instantly with a pair of chartreuse eyes. They were deep and sharp. He had a well-defined jawline, and a brilliant yellowish hair that stood out. Falling messily in a perfect symmetry slightly above his shoulders. It gave him a manly, yet beautiful look. For a split untainted second, we bored at each other, never faltering our gaze.

His eyes twinkled. He pressed his lips together gently, the muscles around his cheekbones and jaw visibly relaxed and a small liptight smile cut through his lips.

I offer a smile of my own just to be polite. I pulled my gaze away, back to the scribbling on my book. But I could still feel his bothersome gaze on me.

I make it through few classes and was glad as hell it was lunch time. I had no appetite for that, lately everything that gets into my mouth tasted bland and ugly. Instead, I decided to explore the school so I won't embarass myself as I did earlier today. I found the venue for some of my classes, and even toured around the library, and the school gym. I still had some minutes before lunch finishes, not feeling like doing anything. I took out my sketchbook and sit out in the school lawn, getting soaked by the sun. I take the the chance to look around, I do notice an extremely large proportions of cute looking guys with perfect masculinity and the whole package. The girls were also a beauty.

Lunch time over. I get up and make my way to my next class. A hand suddenly grabs my arm. Instinctively, I spin around fastly, loosing myself from his hold. It was the weird guy from my class.

"Hi!" He stares at me pulling out a grin. A deep wide grin. His deep chartreuse eyes scanning me diligently. Before I could respond, he pulled my sketchbook out. "You dropped this" He had a rich, deep smile, and those eyes held mine cautiously as if intrigued and at the same time studying me.

"Thanks!" I collected my sketchbook, plastering a fake small smile.

"We take chemistry together"

"Yeah! I noticed you" It really hard not to. He gave me the weird vibes.

"I'm sorry for creeping you out in class. It's just that you're very pretty" He complimented with a bright brilliant smile.

Well that was bold. "Thanks"

"I'm Niko."

I nod, and he stares at me, expecting me to say something.

I mentally rolled my eyes. "I'm Ciri...Cirilla actually, but most people call me Ciri"

He smiles. "It a pleasure to finally meet you..." He paused, "...Ciri"

"Yeah. Thanks again" I make my way to my next class. Thankfully, I strut in before the teacher. I slumped into one of the seats beside the window.

I get a tap on my shoulder, tilting my head sideways I'm faced with the most beautiful girl I've met. Her lucent honey-iced, brown eyes complimenting her white, flawless skin and her long brown hair. If beauty had a face, then I swear it'll be her.

"Hi there! I'm Lyra" She chirps. Even her voice was sweet and melodious. She stuck out her hand.

"Cirilla" I grabbed her hand in a handshake.

"I've never seen you around here. Believe me I never forget a face"

"I'm new here. My first day actually" I told her, leaning lightly on the table to get a better view of her.

"Well then, welcome to Beaverton high" She flung her hands in the air, dramatically. I couldn't help but break a smile. She's cute.

"I know every damn thing around here, so if you want to know anything I'm the right girl to ask" Her smile was genuine.

I nod at her, smiling. The teacher roved in and began the class.

After class was over, I reached for the door and head to my locker. I stashed some books in it, locking it.

"Hi Cirilla!" I was stoned to see her again. Lyra.

"Lyra. Did you need something?" I ask unsure.

"No. Yes actually. I wanted to invite you out since you are new in town. I'm heading to the mall and it'll be nice if you come along" Her eyes fell expectantly on mine.

I didn't know how to say this without sounding like my usual blunt and bitchy self. "I'm sorry, but I have plans already" I say flatly.

"Oh" Her eyes drops, and then it beamed again. "I guess another time. See you later Ci" She kisses my cheeks and literally hops away.

I glanced at the time. Oh shoot! The interview. I scamper away.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Crescent Moon's Pack

Asher's point of view

Hmmm. I moaned. Gently moving my head buried in the pillow. I moaned deeper, loving the sensual sensation that paced up and down the skin on my back. I turned around. My eyes roaming down the naked body of the she-wolf next to me. She moved her dainty body to mine. Her bare skin rubbed against mine. She pinned her hips to my waist, slowly moving against me. I moaned at the intense sensual building down there. Her lips pressing on mine. I enjoy the sultry kisses for a while before retreating away. I didn't have the strength to take on more than I could handle. We had a couple drinks last night. One thing led to another and here she was completely naked in my bed. It was bright outside and apparently, I had over slept.

I stretched from the bed. My eyes fell on the she-wolf on the bed. "Thanks for last night Zoey"

Before she could reply, I pulled away from the sheets. My naked ass head into the bathroom for a shower. I slid under the running shower. It races from my hair and soaks my body in one refreshing rush. I rub on my arms, chiseled bare chest and my torso attempting to rid myself of last night sweat. By the time I was out, Zoey was gone. I was glad she didn't need me to spell it out for her. Whatever happened between us was just plain sex and nothing more. No strings attached. I plucked out black jeans and ice blue v-neck shirt to begin the day. I had a heap of things to tend to today.

I strode out of the room, located at the top floor in the mansion. I ambled down to the kitchen, totally famished and in need of anything that could quell the insane hunger in my stomach.

"Good morning aunt Lizzy" I kissed her cheeks as she bustled past me heading to the Alpha's office in a haste.

"Morning sweetie!" She replies absentmindedly. So unlike her. Something was definitely up.

I tail behind her in a chase. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

She grips my muscular arm, tugging me into the Alpha's office with her. Everyone was gathered for a meeting. I made a quick greeting to everyone. I roved with her to where Uncle Xavier was seating. Aunt Lizzy, the Pack's delta-female took a seat and I stand behind her. Uncle Mitch, the Pack's beta was seated on the Alpha's table. Opposite him was the Pack's head Coven witch, Aunt Rhona. Next to her, leaning against the royal blue wall was the French quarter head witch, Uncle Benjamin. Aunt Gabi, the Pack's beta female, and Uncle Mitch's mate was seated on the long couch along with aunt Neela, a witch. And her chosen mate, uncle Declan, the head Vampire of the Eastern Vampire Coven. Aunt Allegra was leaning on the arm chair closest to the door. She was Uncle Benjamin chosen mate, and a vampire warrior. She's actually bad ass. Theo was pinned on the arm chair next to aunt Rhona's. As the day passes, he looks more like the future Alpha of the Crescent Moon's Pack.

Theo was the Alpha Hybrid's second child. Half vampire and half wolf. He also inherited some of the Luna queen witch's blood. But he is more inclined to his wolf and vampire part. Though, I am two years older than him, he had broad shoulders, and masculinity of a strong warrior. But still, he's like a baby brother to me. And I see why the Alpha Hybrid, and Luna queen always held him in high regard. I ponder involuntary, my thoughts dwelling on my father. Before I let sadness and resentment swim through, I was quick and smart to abscond it and the melancholy vibe it always brought.

"There's been another death" Uncle Mitch hoarse voice broke through. He wasn't one to beat around the bush.

There was a sharp intake of air, and quiet gasps.

"Who was it this time?" There was an uncomfortable, and eerie emotion that dangled on Uncle Xavier words.

"An Elder witch. Elder Elona" Aunt Rhona spoke up, quietly.

They all had frightful gazes, but not shocked. For some years now, there's been mysterious deaths occuring in the magical world. Whatever or whoever was behind this, unfortunately has been taking down powerful high ranking officials from different magical kind. A month ago, it struck the Faes kingdom. Two weeks ago it claimed the life of the black panther queen. And now an Elder witch.

I shook my head listening more.

"Her body had the same mark as the others." Uncle Mitch informed us.

"No one is safe any longer" Aunt Lizzy mumbled, but we all could hear her.

"The Luna is still at Wiscon. It seems like she found something from Cyrene. And a meeting have been called by the Circle" Uncle Mitch added again.

"Is the Alpha Hybrid aware of the meeting?" Uncle Benjamin's cool voice sounded. There was a short mute silence.

"I sent word to Carter and Blake to inform him. He has his hands full at the moment" Uncle Mitch rasped.

Everyone nodded, as if thinking of his last words. Uncle Cameron was the Alpha Lord of our kind. Also known as the Alpha Hybrid. Half Alpha, and half Vampire. He's respected as the Alpha of all Alphas. He was turned magically to a vampire by the French quarter witches at the age of six when the Pack was in some serious danger. But it's all behind us now.

I sighed, just thinking of it brought back feelings I didn't want to feel. It reminded me of my own unruly fate. The meeting was concluded. Aunt Rhona and uncle Benjamin would be attending the Circle's meeting in Nevada.

I strode out with Theo. My hands shoved into my jeans pocket. He seemed deep in his thoughts. His rich, and silky jet black hair hovering slightly above his thick black brows. His golden eyes staring blankly into space. He was a sculpted image of Uncle Cameron, and was growing more into him. He had aunt Davina's perfect and immaculate face. Upon the thought of the Luna Queen, her beautiful face conjured in my head. I smiled. The first few years I moved to the Crescent Moon's Pack, she made it bearable for me. She made the sadness of being tossed aside by my own father, and Alpha to the Black Blood Pack bearable. She was a pure blooded witch, who had experienced lots of pain and sadness. I was told she died many years ago during a war. But her mate, uncle Cameron turned her into a vampire and now she's part vampire but still has her witch's powers

"Things are getting more fucked up bro" Theo's voice pulled me out from my thoughts.

His worrisome gaze met mine. Theo had never been one to talk so much. I literally watched him grow since he was three. It was sad to see the familiar sadness that had tormented me for years in his gaze. He usually masks it underneath his expressionless demeanor. Theo had recently turned sixteen. But he was matured in every aspect. I could see the heavy burdens he carried, and there was nothing I could do to help alleviate it.

Growing up I watched this same sadness in his eyes envelope uncle Cameron and aunt Davina. They had lost their eldest child many years ago. Or rather, she was stolen from them before she was born. It was some serious dark witchcraft. That sadness had dwelt with the entire Pack for seventeen years now. Frankly, no one knows if the lost princess was still alive or not. But they never stopped searching for her. Uncle Cameron spends every second of his existence scattering the earth in search for the people who took her and Theo had to step up at a young age as the next in line Alpha.

"Asher----" I turned to Theo.

"It'll be alright Theo." I try sounding optimistic. Finding it hard to believe my own words. I doubt things will ever be alright. How can we fight something that we don't know. What's worse is it's attacking high ranking officials. No one is safe. And I could understand Theo's worry. It's certainly called for. Aunt Davina often visits, but has been away in Wiscon with the witch Cyrene, a witch, blessed with the gift of foresight. Theo was just still a child who's worried about his parents while pretending he's strong.

Uncle Mitch and Aunt Gabi's son, Daryl and Carl joined us as we crossed the meadow and moved to the large training ground. Carl had a twin, Louis they were uncle Carter and aunt Lizzy's precious sons. We reached the training ground. The smell of sweat lingered around. Warriors from different supernatural kind sparring with each other. The Crescent Pack had an Elite team comprised of several warriors from different kind and races. That's the best part about the Crescent Moon Pack, it welcomes all supernatural beings irrespective of their kind or race. We had werefoxes, black panthers, were tigers, vampires, wolves, witches and many more.

I sighted Jesse and Malia training. They were only training, but Malia as usual fought with strong zeal and vigour. No wonder why she was the best female warrior, second best to Theo and I. And the adopted daughter of Uncle Benjamin and Aunt Allegra. She was a were-coyote and a member of the Elite team. In a second, she had Jesse, one of the finest warriors pinned to the ground.

I smirked at her.

"Geez. Someone please tell them this is a training ground and not a fucking motel!" I spun my attention to Shirley. Daryl younger sister. "Get a room you two!" She yelled over her shoulders to Louis who was literally sucking the face of a random she-wolf.

She joined us with Amy and Kayla. She was a replica of aunt Gabi.

"I can't believe he's your brother. How can you both look exactly the same but with two opposite personalities" Kayla plopped on Carl's laps. They weren't mate or even a couple, but they liked to flirt a little. Maybe alot. Kayla was Uncle Declan and aunt Neela's daughter. She was taken in by them after she lost her parents in the war.

Malia and uncle Xavier's son, Eric approached us.

"So do you have any plans for tomorrow birthday girl? Amy, the chirpy and quirky one asked in glee. Her eyes taking in Malia's every movements. She was Uncle Cole and aunt Rosalie's daughter.

All eyes fell on Malia. Though everyone knew exactly how the savage queen planned to spend her day, just like every other birthdays.

She was turning eighteen tomorrow. She was feminine in every way. She had the perfect curves, wide ass and full chest. But she hated things like parties, and every other girlie things the girls liked to engage in. She rather preferred to be locked up in the field training and getting butts kicked.

"Nothing special. Just the normal routine" She dropped, stealing a bottle of water from Eric's brother, Enzo. He was a vampire, adopted by uncle Xavier and his mate, aunt Sloane.

"Hey Mal. I was drinking that!" Enzo rasped, attempting to grab the bottle back.

"You can have it" She tossed the bottle back at him, after drinking from it.

Enzo scoffed. "That was mine to begin with....."

"You're welcome"

"Enough with the bickerings you two!" Amy shrieked. Those two were like cat and dog. Tom and jerry. Always at war with each other.

"Hmm. Hmm...."Kayla shook her head sideways in a disapproving manner. She was up from Carl's laps. "My dear savage queen. We will get you all dolled up and will be taking you out for a change."

Malia groaned. Standing to her feet. But Louis was quick to block her path, sending her back to her seat.

"A new club is opening tomorrow night in town." Louis smirked with a sheen.

"For a change, you are useful" Shirley chimed. Louis rolled his eyes at her remark. "Then it's settled. Party tomorrow night!"

Everyone giggled. But Malia groaned. I sent her an encouraging smile, my smile fading away as quickly as it came. I felt a churn deep within me, like a beast awaking from a deep slumber. Azalea. My demon counterpart. My fist clenched into a ball at his sudden words. 'Blood!!'

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