Chapter 1

~Emily~

“Emily!! Emily!”

My mother's voice echoed from outside the house as she ran inside, gasping for breath.

Her face was covered with sweat and her breathing tensed as she struggled to catch her breath.

“Mother,” I called, my voice laced with worry as I approached her.

I just clocked twenty and as per usual tradition, I was tasked with taking care of the newborn in my small village.

“Where's Steph?” She asked, her eyes darting back and forth as though she was searching for something.

Stephanie or Steph as she was fondly called was my twin sister, even though we were barely identical and always at opposing sides.

“Where's your sister? Fetch her immediately,” my mother, Rose, sparked, making me flinch. I had never seen her this way before.

“What's going on mother?” I asked, my brows creased, a look of confusion etched on my face.

“Get your sister Immediately,” she snapped, her voice filled with rage. “Now!” She roared.

I dashed out immediately, my heart pounding in my chest as I went in search of my sister.

“What could be the matter?” I wondered.

My village, Riverdew, known to harbor peaceful and peasant fishermen was a small village hidden deep in the woods.

For years, we had maintained peace and unity by staying low and not meddling in the affairs of other scary creatures, like the werewolves and vampires.

My father, Chief Raven, had ruled as the chief before his death. Even though the cause of his death was still unknown as his body was never found.

“Steph! Steph?” I screamed my lungs out, my eyes darting back and forth as I scanned the vicinity in search of her.

The air was filled with the smell of decayed fish, which was the usual in Riverdew. “Arghh!” I groaned, stomping my right foot angrily as the rays from the scorching sun were beginning to get to me.

“Where the hell could she be?” I wondered, my face twisted in a frown.

Although we were twins, Steph had very opposing characters compared to me.

I was fondly known as the humble and cool headed one. Steph on the other hand was indifferent, she believed in going toe to toe with everyone, even our mom, they never get along.

“Steph!” I shouted again, already visibly pissed. The sun was boiling hot and I could no longer withstand it.

“Lycans! They are here!” Someone screamed, panting from afar as he ran past me, almost running me over.

“Run for your lives,” the crowd suddenly shouted as people scampered in different directions, screaming for help while they gathered their loved ones.

“What's going on?” I muttered, my voice trembling as I spoke. “Run girl! Run!” A woman barked at me, her face twisted in disgust.

I cowered stealthily, still heading deeper into the market. “No matter what happens, I can't leave her,” I muttered underneath my breath.

The thought of Lycans being real sent a wave of shock down my back. I had taken it as a mere fairy tale parents tell their children to keep them away from the boats at night.

Unlike humans, Lycans were said to be stronger, more intelligent and definitely more attractive, their only flaw was their intense rage and lust for blood.

But if my childhood stories were real, then it meant only one thing, doom.

“Emily, wait up!” Someone shouted my name from behind, making me turn immediately.

There she was, Steph, dripped in mud as she ran towards me, balls of sweat all over her face.

“I'm sorry…….” She started to say but I cut her off. “Just shut up and run,” I snapped, pulling her arm.

We had barely run a distance before the cries of villagers began to fill the air. “The blood suckers are here!,” They shouted, scampering away in their numbers.

“Look, Emily, behind you,” Steph shouted, looking behind as her eyes widened in shock.

“Holy moly!” I exclaimed, my mouth slightly ajar as I looked back. “Hold me tightly,” I muttered, staring at the gory scene in front of me.

The Lycans were in their hundreds, riding on beast-like horses as they slaughtered anyone within their reach.

I gulped down an invisible lump in my throat as I watched the villagers run back and forth, in a bid to hide themselves.

“Where's mom?” Steph suddenly asked, her eyes narrowed as she stared at me.

“Fuck, mom!” I screamed, dashing with pace quickly as I ran towards our house.

I had been so engrossed with the gory bloodbath happening in front of me that I forgot about my mom.

Steph was behind me, panting loudly as she struggled to keep up. My legs ache badly but I couldn't stop, I had to keep running if I wanted to remain alive.

After about ten minutes, we finally arrived as we sprinted inside the house, not minding the deafening silence that plagued the air.

Our house or cottage as it seemed to be, was the typical village nest, made with red bricks and bamboo, nothing special.

“Mom!” I called, my voice trembling in fear as I barged into her room, even though it was empty.

“Where could she be?” I wondered, my heart beating faster than normal

“Mom!” Steph called, her voice laced with worry but a deafening silence followed.

“Let's check the back,” Steph said, running towards the back as I followed, my heart pounding in my chest.

We ran to the back, my heart beat increased with each step I took. My mom was my only family left after Steph, I couldn't afford to lose her.

The back was close to the woods, so it was usually my mom's place of solace as she also served as a healer.

As we reached the back, I couldn't help but stare in shock at the scene in front of me.

“What happened here?” I whispered, my eyes widened in shock as I stared at the garden which was always meticulously taken care of by my mother now trampled upon and in ruins.

It was as though Steph read my mind immediately as she also ran towards me, her eyes clouded in sadness. “Something is wrong,” she muttered, her voice trembling.

“Relax, Steph, let's just keep searching,” I replied, nodding my head slowly in affirmation.

As much as I wanted to act tough and positive, I couldn't shrug off the eerie feeling I felt, something was definitely not right.

Suddenly we heard a faint noise from inside the woods. “Let me go.”

“Huh! Did you hear that?” Sheph shrieked, her face lit up a little. “Did you hear that?” She repeated.

“Shh, listen,” I muttered, waving my hand dismissively. “Let's not get too excited, something is wrong,” I added, taking a step closer.

As I walked deeper into the woods, my eyes darting back and forth for any sign of the Lycans, someone tapped me from behind.

“Em….” My mom stuttered, blood dripping from her mouth. “Mom!!” I shrieked, my voice trembling as I stared at her in shock.

“What happened?” I asked, trying to touch her. But just before I could touch her, she shrieked, her eyes widened.

“Run,” she whispered, before dropping to the cold floor, her blood dripping from her back.

“Mom,” I cried, running towards her but someone held me from behind. His towering figure sent chills down my spine.

“Gotcha,” he smirked, laughing hysterically. “Let me go,” I cried, gripping and biting my way out but I was no match for him.

I raised my eyes up a little, my mouth slightly opened. Right behind me, was the most terrifying mortal I had ever laid my eyes on.

He had just an eye, with a large scar on his forehead. His green eyes pierced into me, as though he was searching through my soul.

I took a step back, my eyes darting back and forth in search of Steph. But it was too late, she had already been caught.

“Tie them up,” the guard shouted, his voice low and menacing. “Zayne will be pleased,” he added, laughing hysterically.

And that was the beginning of my unending suffering.