Elsewhere, at the same timecopyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnbFCyRXP5

A gust of wind rushed eastward carrying with it the dust which had risen off the ground. The barren land was getting eroded continually and the people who owned it cared two hoots about it. They didn’t want to grow anything there. They had a very different agenda.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dHCEilOwe

A small village had been created by these owners and a small self-sustaining economy had been established. The central aspect of the village was a huge, forbidding skyscraper. There was a large signboard on it, which didn’t mince any words saying, ‘FLO23. Residents’ entry to the side’.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBKNCTRSLI

It was around sixty floors high. One would have thought that people would notice when a building suddenly popped up out of nowhere a few years ago, but none of the villagers even knew that the building existed.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgSbWCQU4P

Needless to mention, it was the work of the mages. It was rather a simple chant for them. The chants had different levels and the more powerful a mage was, the higher the level of chants she could use. But it was also true that the more the practice with higher level chants, the easier it was to become more powerful.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡay1k4VKuhJ

And so the building stood protected from prying eyes. If they couldn’t see, how could they question?copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJKwN1w9wh

At that moment, the air a few feet from the entrance shimmered, and the air seemed to open in that spot. A leg popped out of the opening, a hand and then a body. It was a girl who looked barely fifteen or sixteen. Another leg stuck out, and another body exited. It was a boy who looked only slightly older than the girl. The boy was a space-dominant mage. He was responsible for all the magic relating to space like teleporting. Once he created a portal to this village, all his comrades could arrive there.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYRaOB1rqI

More people came out in a constant stream. Nearly seventy people gathered in front of the building. The girl who came out first went forward, leading the group. She glanced around at the big bunch and nodded grimly, looking too mature for her age. She gestured for them to follow and the group complied.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51l112FMwZ

The boy walked forward and muttered a chant that allowed him to get through the invisibility barrier. Once the group crossed the barrier, the building came into view. They walked to the side of the building.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJk90DqVmK

‘RESIDENTS’ ENTRY’, a board hung above the steel door. The girl pressed her hand against the door. The door broke into two panels which slid to either side. One by one, they walked in. Once inside, the boy who came out second said, “Steady.” His staff appeared and a second later, they were in a large hall which was bustling with activity.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxMHxbTWsE

There were two prominent elements in the hall; on either end was what looked like a reception counter. The girl and rest strode purposefully to the left end. “Reporting,” she said.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo7MFKkzk0

The man behind the counter looked at them lazily. He looked quite average, but he had a distinct mark on his left temple which resembled an ancient sign. That made people hard to forget him. “Name?” He drawled.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw473WbJfa

The group was immediately irked by his attitude. The girl gritted her teeth and replied, “Gwen—”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FgsoCEIRw

“Not yours, rookie, the name of the motley crew you can barely call a squad,” the man continued in a bored tone.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7VXDXUHUo

The air was suddenly filled with growls and hisses. The vampires bared their fangs and the werewolves’ eyes changed colours.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRHl4ZwwH1

Suddenly, the man sat up straight. Gone was his languid demeanour. In its place were sharpness and vigour. His eyes gleamed strangely. He stared at the girl whose hand trembled a little. His eyes swept past the group. “Name, rookie,” he said in a low voice.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOQUcfs3Y2

“D-Dawn Guard,” she muttered, hating that she stuttered.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0POmxspYE

“Dead?” The man asked bluntly.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLx69essOq

The girl widened her eyes. “Six,” she whispered.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOPwdvG1lH

“And how many were you?”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6cmWjYSsa

“Seventy-five,” her head lowered until it couldn’t lower anymore.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYGUYgKXY0

“The dead are gone and it was because they were weak. Incompetent. Inattentive. Just as I expected from you lot,” he sneered. This time, they didn’t dare to be hot-headed. From his aura, they identified him as a high-ranking person from one of the top floors.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEW7Y25OpU

Gwen, the girl, did have a strong sense of responsibility. She explained, “We were conducting the exercise in Wanderer territory. As we progressed, we didn’t realise that we had neared royal pack’s border,” she said earnestly.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR5NezgFO6

“The royal pack’s border,” the man echoed, staring at the lot of them. “What gave you all the courage to go even fifty kilometres near the royal pack when you can’t even hide your scent properly?”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCkSt1QeKk

“B-before we noticed, the tracker had already traced us. We were only a few seconds late to react before the regiment arrived and charged at us,” she paused. “We were taken off-guard but we responded almost instantly. Most of us were racking up kills well, but those... six lagged behind. They were too slow and got themselves killed,” she ended her account firmly.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡki7U6wRdm0

The man stared at them impassively. “You will know the results of your performance in two and half hours. Until then, you’re permitted to rest,” he informed them.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiOYi84QEy

Their taut bodies sagged with relief. Some of them even began to smile. The man turned to leave, creating an opening in the air, a portal. Before entering it, he turned back and said casually. “Oh, and prep your bodies for the chambers.”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIcVqgUuwT

He entered the portal and vanished from their view, but not before seeing their aghast expressions.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡifF7TkW8zm

“I think it’s time, Alex,” Danielle said solemnly, buttering the bread with a knife. They sat at the dining table for breakfast. Andrew wasn’t present for the meal and Helena had exercised her privilege of having breakfast in bed. Alex sat at the head of the table while Danielle sat on an adjacent chair.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLoqPMsq9f

Alex nearly choked on his food. What was she trying to bring up now? He looked at her with a raised brow. Early that morning, he wore a black buttoned-up shirt and black pants. She, on the other hand, wore a new t-shirt he had bought for her along with beige capris.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7t4cxYwuL

“The lashes,” she said earnestly. “You said we would talk about the lashes, remember?”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdpV7ttpXR

Alex barked out a laugh. “I did no such thing. It was you who assumed,” he said, amused.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOQdVqbdV0

Danielle pouted. And at that moment, Alex got to say one of the rare sights in the world; his mate behaving like a child.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV4opatuvQ

Alex sighed. “Okay, what about the lashes?”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMlTSQCgpm

“Why do you do it?” She asked, seeming more curious than anything.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWzoTk177T

Alex frowned in thought, thinking about how to explain it to her. “It’s more than a punishment,” he murmured. “It’s about motivation, I suppose, to make sure everything runs smoothly. This is the most important pack of all, the centre of the werewolf kingdom. If it isn’t run properly, then I’m jeopardising the safety of millions.”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F9oP2hTPh

This got her thinking, as she moved on to having her Greek omelette. “I disagree,” she said finally. “What if you use rewards as motivation and taking away privileges as negative reinforcement? Wouldn’t that work too?”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2NVx4DmAp

Alex was startled first, then looked at her fondly. He was looking at her, but he wasn’t really seeing her. “Father used to advocate a lenient rule like the one you’re suggesting. Finally, his own gamma led him to the Wanderers who—” Alex abruptly stopped. It turned out that the Wanderers had become taboo in his own house.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4beag5rM6H

He cleared his throat. “Suffice to say that I believe keeping the pack on a tight leash will do the kingdom a great deal of good. At least that way, the chances of regicide are less,” he said matter-of-factly.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71l4R0k2pa

Danielle smiled, rather sadly in his opinion. “I can’t convince you of anything, it seems,” she murmured. Then she chuckled, saying, “Rather useless for a mate.”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGw0TyhAnP

She reached for the napkin and wiped her hands. Looking everywhere except at him, she rose to leave the hall. “Sit down, Danielle,” he said quietly. “Please,” he added.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1K2B0lu8K

Very cautiously, she sat down, absently brushing at her dress. The next second, she yelped as he dragged her chair towards him. When they were close enough to kiss, he held her hand in hers. It was much smaller than his, but not at all dainty. “I’m sorry I made you feel that way,” he said in a low tone. “You have no idea how much of an impact you have had on my life. I promise you that you’re more than a glorified assistant to the king.”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFmZ7jZVzr

Danielle had her head down, staring at their joined hands, so he couldn’t see her expression. “What is my role then? As the queen.”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeWUkFXP8r

“You can be whatever kind of queen you want,” Alex said as if it were obvious.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡODh32lS2DN

Danielle’s looked up incredulously. “And you would allow that?”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxioWoGcob

Alex scoffed. “There is nothing for me to allow or disallow. The queens of werewolves have always done what they want, and as their mates, we don’t much of a desire to stop you. A force of nature, that’s what you are.”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ14BhlzoC

Hearing those words, Danielle’s eyes glazed over, reliving a memory.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4kkReHNUi

Her body was on fire. Every inch of her body burned until she thought she was going to pass out. She grit her teeth and held on. She had taken the decision and she would follow through all the way. “Ugh!” she grunted as another searing lash landed on her shoulder. These were whips coated with silver. They were covered with spikes. And they didn’t show any mercy.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrJaaXVNQz

With a crack, the whip slapped her shoulder at the same place. At this point, though, she was beyond complaining.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXs17JDsCr

Whistle, crack! Whistle, crack! The man behind her was unrelenting and unsympathetic towards the girl tied up in front of him. He gazed impassively at the crisscrossed lines all over her body. With clear-cut precision, he raised the whip again and was about to crack down on her when he heard her hoarse voice, “Your symbol,” she said, “does it mean the god or the devil?”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnfqHkeOjs

The man froze. He slowly came around and lifted her bent head with her chin. The man who was known for being stoic was smiling at her. “You’ll go places, Danielle,” he said, “you’re a force of nature.”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7rODQgZcz

Danielle jerked out of her reverie and blinked. She looked at Alex whose face was contorted.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡg44MfNr4PL

“When were you planning to tell me?” he asked hoarsely.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjG0sAZgzC

Danielle was puzzled. “What?”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjffMxMOZJ

“That man, Danielle! When were you planning to tell me about him?” Alex raised his voice.copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7L0qqAURP

“What ma— oh goddess, no,” Danielle whispered. She quickly collected herself. ”Projecting my thoughts was an accident, Alex. I am not going to explain things. You already made a vow about this too.”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjOmzNDJRD

“You’re missing the point, Dani,” he said softly. “That man, I know him. I know who he works for. My question is, why do you, a youngster, know him?”copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡqceIEd9DV3

18.204.42.98