For Centuries the Realm of Khisfire had inhibited creatures of all kinds from sirens, banshees,centauries, leopards, mermaids, and all the mythical creatures that one's imagination instilled where in each fought for their dominance to rule.With vast land used as territory and abundance of it unofficially inhibited but used as region of settling down for any of its dwellers. However, out of all these creatures only two species had been able to establish their presence in the Realm of Khisfire. For centuries and more vampires and werewolves being the most abundance in numbers and unequaled in strength fought. The two species were mortal enemies as far as the historians had testified, their rancor was to no species other than one another. Thousands of battles fought, blood of the innocent and guilty shed, betrayal amongst those who believed could be trusted, and only the remaining survivors went to rebuild and repeat the duty of their forefathers. As time passed they each established their kingdoms with each distinguished ruler over time the regions were split into two known as the Land of the Vampires and the Land of the Wolves.
Looking at the written parchment that contained such knowledge, " Random useless shit I already know." Brianna muttered under her breath as she stared at the lines in the book.
As Brianna closed the book she had read for the past three hours she pinched the bridge of her nose as she wanted to know where in the Palace/ Mansion had everyone been. Yes, Brianna Princess of the Vampires had no formal duties to attend to at this point and had the freedom to be left about my own devices, however where was everyone?
Brianna sighed as she looked down at her wrist as her fingers trailed over my mark as she had it since the moment of birth. This mark signifies the person who is supposed to be her mate, her beloved, her love. It is known that the other individual holds the same mark somewhere on their bodies as well. It had been about a hundred years since my birth and yet still nothing. But at the bottom of my heart she knew he was alive, she knew he was a bit older, and sometimes she could hear his voice if her heart truly desired.
Then something hit her as if someone had kicked the wind out of her. She could sense him, he was here. He was near here. Brianna could almost hear him, and smell his scent. Her heart palpitated as she had the need to see, to be beside him. She need to seek him.
Brianna began to run as her dear friend Adelaide walked in as she pushed her aside as she ran down through the halls.
" Brianna!" Adelaide squealed as she ran after me. " Brianna, stop!"
As I stopped to face her as I hiked up my dress.
" Brianna what is wrong? You never acted like this-." I interrupted her as I held her hands.
" He's here. I need to go and see him." I confessed as I ran.
" Who?" She questioned as she attempted to catch up with me as I ran.
" My mate, my beloved. He's here. I just know it." I informed as kept running.
" What? He is? You feel it. " Adelaide questioned as I smiled.
" Yes, I can. I know his here. I can feel him, sense him." Brianna stated as she ran faster as she approached the grand hall before bumping into an invisible wall.
Brianna stepped back as she went forward only to be blocked once again.
" What is this. I don't understand. What is blocking my path?" Brianna stated as she began to hit the barrier.
" I don't know." Adelaide replied as she attempted to help.
" Stand back, nothing a little magic can fix." Brianna smiled as she began to chant as she paused as she once again moved forward but atlas no result. Brianna felt the fire in his stomach simmered as she began to hiss. She couldn't stand being this closer, yet so far from her mate. She growled in frustration as she banged her fist as they turned red.
" Bri, stop." Adelaide held her back as tears ran down her face.
" No, I have too." She protested as she fought back as she wiggled out her arms as she was stopped by the force field from going beyond.
Meanwhile, in the grand hall where Michael awaited for the Vampire King and Queen his heart shifted as he clutched his shirt. For the first time in almost two hundred years, he had finally sensed his mate.
" She's here." Michael suddenly spoke as he felt every instinct in his body tell him so.
" What?" Eli his best friend asked as he furrowed his brows.
" She's here, my mate. My beloved. She's here. I can sense her. Her pheromones." Michael clarified as he looked all over the room.
" That's impossible, there are only vampires here." Eli pointed out as Michael clutched his fist.
" I need to find her." Michael said determinedly as he stepped forward only to be stopped by an invisible barrier.
" Michael!" Eli called out as he joined him.
" What the hell is this?" Michael yelled as he pounced and asked the barrier however was unsuccessful.
" I don't know, magic?" Eli pondered as he attempted to help.
" Why why can't I see her? Just once." Michael desired as he kept punching as his claws began to form as his bluish eyes formed a grey ring around them.
" Michael, relax. We cannot afford to make this look like an attack. Besides, everyone here is a vampire, it is impossible. Even if they had a human in here we cannot take her to seek war. Please I know how hard this must be, but I beg of you. Please don't." Eli begged his alpha as Michael took into consideration all the hard efforts of his father and mother as he reluctantly stepped back as his claws retracted as his eyes returned to their normal hue.
" Thank you ." Eli sighed as they returned to their positions.
Michael's eyes didn't even meet him as he rubbed his chin. As the Queen and King of Vampires and Wolves walked out as they bowed their heads out of respect for his father and the royals of the Vampire Clan.
" Is everything alright?" Cornelia spoke as she looked at her son.
" Yes, mother. Everything's fine." Michael lied as his mother saw through his deception as she caressed his cheek.
" We'll talk about it later." Cornelia affirmed as she turned her attention to the others.
" Hello, Prince Michael." King Silas welcomed as he gave a sincere smile.
" Hello, your majesties." Michael replied as he bowed as Queen Lucia carefully placed a hand on his shoulder as Michael looked at her slim hand.
" It's alright, Michael. You don't have to bow." She paused as she removed her hand. " From what we hear you are already an alpha, that makes you a leader of your own. No need to bow from now on." Queen Lucia smiled as he nodded.
" Well we have discussed everything needed for the next meeting." King Zane spoke as Michael furrowed his brow pondering what they talked about.
" Until then, we will see you out." King Silas agreed as they walked towards the entrance of the palace and left. As soon as the door closed Michael transformed into a wolf as he ran faster and further.
" Michael, stop." His father called out as he ignored his orders as he delved further to the forest.
As Brianna had felt disappointed she ran off as Adelaide ran after her.
" Don't, I want to be alone." She commanded as her word bonded Adelaide in her place as she ran out of the palace into the words as she ran as branches, trees, and leaves would either hit or spatter over her . She could hear her tree being torn and ripped apart from the speed she was going as she finally arrived at a river. She stood there all dust, flustered as tears rolled down her eyes as she squatted down.
"Why? Damn, why? I just -I - can't. " Brianna stuttered as she caught her breath as she ran her hand through her hair. " I've been alone for one hundred and forty years."
"There's nothing I can do about it. Geez." Brianna thought as she looked at her clothes and dirty bloodshot face in the reflection of the water. " Let me take a shower." Brianna spoke to herself as she removed her clothing as she put her foot into the water testing the temperature.
" Perfect." Brianna stated as she immersed herself as she swam around.
She felt her heart tighten as she felt him near but knew it was just an illusion. She closed her eyes as she told herself as she went to the body and stayed there.
As Michael ran through the woods he could feel his beloved call out for him. He could feel her pain and disappointment of not meeting one another. He wanted to embrace her. The floor became more rocky as he slowed his speed as he noticed a river nearby as he felt his parched dry throat in need of water. He walked up to the riverbed as he took a sip as he backed away spotting a dress. He walked a few paces forward as he smelled the piece of cloth as it intoxicated him with his mates scent. This was hers. He was sure of it. He smelled it some more to see if he could sense her near, which his instinct told him it was. He removed his nose as the way began to splash as a female appeared from within.
Brianna finally lifted herself as she washed the water from her hair as she noticed the presence of another when she looked to her right as she spotted the wolf. Both remained at a standstill as they were conscious of their species. They were enemies.
Michael slowly backed away as Brianna called out for him.
" Wait, don't go." As he was compelled to stop in his tracks.
Michael thought, " What are you doing? She is a vampire. She can kill you. But would it be so bad if I stayed."
" I'm not going to hurt you." Brianna broke his thoughts as she neared the river bed. " I have no weapons, and I will not fight you. I do not want to fight anyone anymore."
Michael hesitated as he didn't know whether this was wrong or right. He was an alpha; he couldn't just see a vampire and not obey his rule.
" I know you're an alpha. And I know it's law if you see a vampire kill it." Brianna announced his thoughts as he was amazed. Brianna slowly placed her head over her arms as she moved her hair over to her left side as she revealed her neck. " No "
Michael felt awed as this tradition was extremely sacred specially between mates. The female would expose her neck as a sign to the male her loyalty and that she was his. She was a vampire though. Could he trust her? He didn't want to start an unnecessary war when they were on the edge of a peace treaty. So without telling his body he moved forward tenaciously and looked at her waiting for any sign of threat. She never moved as he near her body as he near her neck he took a whiff of her scent which immediately brought comfort and pleasure. It was similar to his beloved as he snuggled into her neck as she giggled.
Brianna finally lifted her head as she came face to face with the wolf. She had come face to face with countless wolves before, however that was when they were attacking her or someone she loved. They were in rage with anger and blood lust she could never observe them.This one however was completely docile as she examined him. He was bigger than any other wolf, clarifying their role as alpha. He's fur was completely raven as his eyes were ocean blue complimented with the grey iris.
" You're beautiful." She slipped out as she placed a hand over her mouth realizing she had said it out loud.
Michael's heart jumped by the mention of the word beautiful. Although he was a male, he didn't mean the compliment as he felt his cheek's redden.
" Wait, are you a male?" Brianna realized she should have said handsome instead as Michael nodded. " I'm sorry you're very handsome ." She corrected as she giggled.
Seeing her giggle made him want to as well. Michael didn't understand why he was compelled to do so but everything about this girl made him do so.
Brianna reached out her hand before retracting it, " May I pet you?"
Michael didn't even hesitate as he laid down as she carefully placed her hand on him. Her skin was smooth, soft, and supple. Her touch was caressing and caring as she rubbed his jaw. Brianna was in luxury as this was the first time ever touching a wolf. His fur was softer than silk. As she proceeded Michael took the chance to look closely at the girl. He first noticed her long what appeared to be waist length chocolate dark brown hair which were complimented by her coffee brown eyes that contained gold rings within them. She had a cute button nose, with lips not too big or too small. Upon further realization, her skin was as fair as any vampire however he could see the pinkish hue realizing she might not be a full vampire. She was different from them. Could he ever be with her ? Michael snapped out of his thoughts as he realized what he had just thought. He would be cheating on his beloved.
" Your mate must be so lucky." Brianna broke his thoughts as he wondered how she could do that. As he rubbed his head in her hand. He felt saddened by this comment as he did have a mate but could not see her. " You must want to return to her badly, and be with her. You should cherish her for as long as you can." Brianna advised as tears ran down her face. Michael was shocked by her reaction, vampires were known to be cold emotionless creatures, the worst of all. But this girl kept proving him wrong. He neared her as he started to lick the tears away as she chuckled. " I'm sorry, I just have been alone for so long and I finally thought that I was going to meet my mate, but for some reason I couldn't."
It had hit him that she had been going through the same thing he went through with his beloved. She understood his pain of being lonely and alone for years without having someone to truly understand you and stand by your side. He had his father, mother,sister, his best friend, and his tribe but no matter how much affection they give it does not compare to your mate. Your mate is the only person in the world who could possibly recognize and truly feel all your pain, anger, love, anything and everything the other felt. It was truly amazing that this girl who is supposedly his natural born enemy understood everything he thought and felt.
" Two lonely hearts." Michael wondered as he looked at her.
" I wish we could end this stupid war. I wish we could be friends. Vampires and wolves alike. I think it would be better for future generations." Brianna confessed as she looked at him.
What Brianna had said was very true, she was born into this world of war and conflict because of predecessors deeming it as the only way to survive. But in truth this didn't resolve anything. For a hundred and forty years she had been in this nonsense of a war she partook in because of her duty but found no pleasure or victory in this.
" What do you think? Maybe, one day we could be friends?" Brianna asked him as Michael stood in thought.
Michael had been around longer than she had experienced more bloodshed, the adrenaline of every time he would hunt and kill a vampire, the faces of how they would plead for their life haunted him every now and then.He never wanted this, he was born into this as she was as well. They weren't enemies because of betrayal or hurt but because rules said so. Why were they still following these ancient rules?
He was soon taken out of his thoughts as the howling of his beta didn't far behind. Brianna noticed this as she knew he was near.
" I guess that's your pack." Brianna stated as she quickly got out of the water as Michael saw her bare body as he quickly looked away. He felt his body react as he felt flustered. It wasn't anything new to see a woman naked it was natural to him as wolves both male and female, tended after transformation to be in their birthday suit with the exception of his mother, sister, and elders. But this was different; she was not a part of the pack, she was a vampire who shared other customs. There was part of him that wanted to look, but the other part respected her privacy. He never thought he would respect what a vampire wanted, but she was no regular vampire.
" Oh, aren't you a gentleman." Brianna complimented as she buttoned the last of her buttons on her dress. " I thought wolves were used to self exposure." She joked as she carefully walked towards him as he looked away. " It's alright I'm dressed."
Michael slowly turned as he realized she told the truth as he saw her disheveled dress. Brianna carefully kneels down as she planted a kiss on his head. This was the first time Michael had experienced this gesture of intimacy from a female besides his mother. This was more surprising since it was a vampire. He felt his mind blurry a bit from this interaction.
" I hope I don't make your female jealous." Brianna smirked as she got up and turned the other way as she paused before turning her head. " I hope we can see each other again." As she then ran off. Once she was far away to the point he couldn't sense her, his beta appeared.
He turned to his beta as Eli spoke.
' Hey, what the hell you run off like that?'
Michael moved forwards without response as moved until he was at top of the hill wondering if he could spot the girl. Eli, his beta followed him as always. Eli wasn't too fond of Michael's spontaneous adventures or unexplained wandering of his own because it left him to keep it together.
" Hey, man, you really scared me. You ran off without saying a word. Your mother and father are concerned."Eli informed as he looked at him.
" Where are they now?" Michael spoke, still looking for a sign of the girl.
" They're back in our land. We should go back soon, it's not safe here." Eli warned as he attempted to look at the direction Michael looked in. " What are you looking for?" Did he kill something? Was a vampire near?
" She's gone." He thought as he smiled internally. " Nothing, let's head back." As he ran off with Eli following. They ran as fast as they could as within minutes they crossed the barrier and border to their land. In contrast to the vibrant land of the Vampires the Land of the Wolves was much more natural. Filled with the beauty of nature and everything wildlife. This was meant to remind the wolves where they came from. From the freedom and essence of being bound to nothing. An omega wolf came to greet them as they soon transformed as they headed inside the mansion as a servant came with robes as they covered themselves.
" Wait, Michael." Eli attempted to keep up as they walked into his bedroom. "Is this about your mate?" Michael stopped as he turned to him. " It isn't. Did you find her?"
" No, I didn't. All I can do is sense her, but I don't know why I can find or see her." Michael explained as Eli narrowed his eyes. Michael
" Well it's good that you at least didn't kill a vampire because that would have made our treaty deal go to shit." Eli joked as Michael chuckled as he leaned on his desk.
They heard a knock on the door.
" Come in." Michael stated as the door opened to reveal his mother. " Mother."
" Your Majesty." Eli bowed his head .
" Eli, will you please excuse us? I would like to talk to my son for a moment." Queen Cornelia asked as Eli sought his way out of the room as Cornelia sat on the bed as she faced her son. " Michael."
" Mother." Michael said in a sarcastic tone as he looked out the window.
" My son, what is wrong?" Cornelia worried as she scanned his face.
" What makes you think there's something wrong?" Michael replied as he ran his hand through his hair. As he looked at his mother who seemed almost his complete opposite with honey blonde wavy hair with green eyes, and fair skin while he tended to look more like his father.
"Because my son, and I know when you're lying." Cornelia smiled as Michael shook his head.
" I sensed my beloved today." Michael confessed as Cornelia stood up as she walked towards him.
" Are you serious?" Cornelia asked as her eyes lit up.
" Yes. When we were back at the vampire mansion. I sense her. I could feel her near."
" At the vampire mansion? That would make no sense. Unless you're insisting your mate is a vampire. That can clearly never happen." Cornelia stated.
" I know mother, that is why Eli suggested she must be a human trapped somewhere inside."Michael informed as he mother made an o face.
" That makes more sense.As if a vampire and werewolf could fall in love." Cornelia chuckled at the thought while Michael didn't see it as impossible anymore.
" By the way, what were the talks of a peace treaty?" Michael changed the subject as he looked at his mother.
" Oh that's just pure entertainment. We'll act peaceful for a while before attacking them." Cornelia admitted as she looked at her fingertips scanning for dust.
Michael was taken back, he actually believed that his parents were sincere in their plans of peace for not only the wolves, but vampires alike. Then he remembered the words the girl asked " What do you think? Maybe, one day we could be friends?" The voice echoed in his mind as he was called out by his mother.
" What do you think about it Michael?" Cornelia wondered as she cocked her brow.
"Do you think it would be that bad just to have peace for once." He questioned as he faced his mother.
She broke out in laughter, " Yes, yes. It would be, but you as well as I know that those bloodsuckers aren't thinking the same thing. They're probably thinking of their own plan as we speak. Besides, they're our enemy."
" Yes, because of some ancient rule that said so. We're in 2021 for god sake even humans have learned war has brought nothing good." Michael sighed.
" True, however vampires in general are against the law of nature. They're undead. It would just be serving them just to rest in peace." Cornelia clarified as her eyes twinkled a more golden tone as she felt passionate about it.
" Yes, but so should we. We're more than two hundred years old. And I'm just so tired of this fighting and bloodshed for what an endless war." Michael opposed his mother as he turned his back.
" Yes, but we don't eat humans. Everyone who fought, fought for honor and loyalty to our pack." Cornelia began as she walked in front of Michael, " Besides,once this is over we can get your beloved, and be happy my son as King. "
" King? What about father?" Michael asked as the thought never appeared.
" Your father and I have been talking and you're a natural born leader and have been for over two hundred years. Once this is all over we plan to retire and hand over the throne to you. The counsel has already been made aware of this. I don't know why you're surprised about this, you knew this was always going to happen one day." Cornelia stated as Michael thought. " Well, I leave you to your thoughts . I'll see you later for dinner." As she walked out leaving Michael contemplated on what to do next.
Meanwhile Brianna had rentered the mansion as her parents spotted her.
" Brianna. Where have you been?" Silas questioned his mother and he walked forward.
" Adelaide told us that you ran off into the woods because you were distraught. What could have caused this?" Lucia added as Brianna bit her lip as she felt horrible for leaving her childhood best friend stuck in the middle of the hallway worried for her without the freedom of movement as she made a mental note to apologize at once.
" It's nothing. I'm better now." Brianna lied as her parents rolled her eyes.
" We know you're lying." Silas made known as he rubbed his temples.
" And why do you look disheveled? Did a wolf attack you?" Lucia mentioned as his eyes flashed their red silver tone.
" Wolves? No, I was running like a mad man and ripped my dress through the trees and branches." Brianna clarified as she looked at her parents.
" Oh, thank goodness. I might have just had to kill them if they dare lay a finger on you." Silas said fiercely as he clutched his jaw.
" Wait, what is this thing about wolves? Were there wolves here at the mansion earlier?" Brianna asked as she looked at her parents who looked at one another. " And don't lie to me."
" Well, yes actually, The royals of the wolf clan were here." Her mother told the truth.
Brianna's eyes widened, " And what were they doing here?'
" In talks of a peace treaty." Her father claimed.
" Are you really considering it?" Brianna pondered at the earlier memory by her by the lake with the wolf.
" Dear, have you lost it!" Lucia alleged as Brianna jaw dropped.
"This is a plan my dear, you know keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer." Silas spoke as his coffee eyes glistened with the killer intent.
" But wouldn't it be good to have peace for once. I mean grandfather, uncle, and many others have died and we're still in this war for what. You already have power, leisure,luxury, everything we could ever want." Brianna explained as her parents shook their hand.
" Yes, but not peace of mind. Countless of our brethren have died because we trusted them. We can never have peace unless they are dead." Mother clarified as Brianna sighed.
" My dear it's the only way." Silas justified it as he tilted Brianna's chin up. " It is the only way to keep you safe."
" Indeed, we cannot even bear to imagine what we would do if they laid a finger on you." Mother contemplated as she grabbed my hand.
" You are our life. Our most precious gift we could have ever received." Her father spoke with such emotion as she hugged them.
" By the way dear you should get changed, you look like a beggar." Mother joked as they all laughed as she parted from them as she headed to her room where she stood her blonde friend standing outside her door.
" Brianna!" Adelaide exclaimed as she jumped to hug her friend as Brianna reciprocated her hug.
" I'm sorry for leaving you stranded under my command." Brianna apologized as she pouted as Adelaide waved her hand.
" Oh, it's fine, I guess it's payback from when we were younger, but I will complain to Eliza about what you did to me. I hope she turns you into a fish." She joked as Brianna smiled knowing her other best friend who was her other lady-in- waiting was somewhere swimming in the ocean.
" I'll be a beautiful fish, but you will be an ugly whale." Brianna retorted as she opened the door.
" At least I could kill you."
" Oh you wish."
" Where on earth were you?"
Brianna ignored that question as she went into her bedroom as she slowly undressed.
" Please get a bath ready for me." Brianna requested as Adelaide nodded.
" Don't change the subject!" Adelaide yelled from the other room. " Oh and the bath is ready.'"
Brianna rolled her eyes as she walked in and slowly placed herself in the tub. As Adelaide helped her clean her hair.
" Bri."
" Oh fine. You don't know when to give up." Brianna sighed as Adelaide giggled.
" Never."
" I just ran out into the forest and ran like a mad wolf." Brianna said as she let the forbidden word out.
" That's all."
" What did you expect?"
" I don't know, maybe you were crying like a baby while you kicked some trees down. Adelaide suggested as Brianna laughed.
" Doesn't seem like me."
" Oh that's very much like you Princess Warrior Brianna of the Vampires.' Adelaide announced as they broke out into fits of laughter.
" Oh stop that you!" Brianna said as she bathed her legs.
" But seriously, can we talk about it earlier. You said you sensed your mate was near, but the only guests I heard were here were the royals of the wolf clan." Adelaide pointed out as Brianna knew where she was headed. " I don't know if what I am about to say is correct but you can be implying that a wolf is your mate."
" Adelaide, swear to me you want to tell a soul about this. Not even to my parents." Brianna stressed as Adelaide reluctantly nodded.
" But do you really think it could be a wolf? They are the greatest enemy and-." Brianna interrupted Adelaide.
" Don't you think I know that? But to be honest I do not know. But you must promise me you cannot tell anyone about this incident."
" I promise." Adelaide promised as they changed the subject.
After she had given Adelaide permission to depart as she dried her hair, Brianna walked over to the window as she examined the heavens. It was quite foggy as the clouds covered the sky as on cue the heavens opened up and revealed a beautiful crystal full moon. Today she was at her peak as she gave rest, conform, and shine to everything in sight.
" So beautiful." Brianna stated as she heard howling in the distance. It reminded her of that handsome alpha wolf she met earlier. " I wonder where you are?" She was memorized by those beautiful ocean eyes and that perfect black fur.
" What lucky she-wolf." Brianna sighed as she walked towards the bed as she grabbed the book she read earlier until she fell asleep.