Simon Dragos
All this while, I though a place like Esmien was too good to be true. I had only read about it in my mom's books, and from Denora's explanations.
But now, I was here. In Esmien. On the grass, with Denora passed out beside me.
The wave of her power outburst. It caused my glasses lens to crack. My ears were ringing.
She is really powerful. The explosion went all over the realm, causing the previously dark sky to appear bright.
I got up, barely. Scanning the area. Two couples on the altar, currently on the floor form the impact.
Did she say the guy was Victor? Why is he getting married to someone else?
"Denora? Denora." I called her name touching her right arm.
"Wake up Denora." I said once more, trying to lift her up.
She was unconscious.
The people around me were screaming in fear, some in shock.
They whispered amongst themselves
"Look! It's princess Denora. Where has she been?"
"Are you sure it's her? It can't be!"
"Who is the guy with her?"
"Isn't she the vampire's mate?"
I could see unique animals, creatures that resembled fairies, and a newly wed groom running from the altar within seconds till he arrived near Denora.
He knelt down, carrying her into his arms, then turned to face me.
"Who are you?" His blue eyes turned cold. I could see them pained, filled with regret.
"I'm Simon Dragos, from the human realm. I paused, studying him. He was whispering to her, while his new bride was calling him from the altar.
Then I gave him a piece of my mind.
"I came back with Denora. Are you Victor? You know she talked a lot about you— she— she loves you man. Did you marry someone else? Did you betray her?"
His expression changed into a sad one. Then he parted his lips to speak, flashing his shiny white fangs.
Just as his words were about to flow, 6 guards stormed into the hibiscus garden, dressed in the shadows of their midnight-black uniforms, an enchanted silk tunic beneath a sculpted obsidian chestplate carved with protective runes. A silver crescent, the royal crest of House Seigfren, shimmered over their hearts, pulsing softly with magic.
Their shoulder armor flexed with each movement, and a long velvety cloak cut in wolf fur swept behind them, fastened with a silver moon brooch. Black leather trousers and steel-toe boots completed the look, every stitch designed for both elegance and war.
At their sides hung deadly weapons I had never seen before, didn't know the names, soul-bound and deadly. Their helms, shaped like a snarling wolf with a crescent visor, masking their features—making them less of men, and more of legends.
"Who are you? speak!" A guard asked, pointing a weapon at me.
Three other guards faced the guy holding Denora. Victor I presume.
His voice was inaudible, but they all turned to look at me at the same time.
My head began to spin. Then my eyes sharpened, my vision clearing in ways I never imagined. I took my glasses off. My sight was even better without them. I looked around, it felt like everything was visible to me all at once. Everything sparkled, the hibiscus flowers, the veins of Denora's wrist, including the hint of worry in Victor's eyes. It was all so clear, and I had no clue of what to do with such discovery.
Wow. That's new.
Then I heard whispers, growing louder.
"So you made it here you dork. I'm impressed!"
A voice thundered. Authoritative, bold.
I got confused, turning to my right, then my left.
No one.
Just the angry palace guards, questioning me, asking where I came from.
"Who said that?" I shot back, dodging the aim of the enchanted weapon a guard aimed at me.
"It's me silly, your wolf remember?"
What did it mean by wolf? Was it me?
"What do you mean? I have a wolf?" I asked in confusion, moving backwards to escape the guards.
But they moved closer.
"Intruder! SEIZE HIM!" The leader yelled,
"You're a hybrid from Esmien you dork. But I don't have time for this. No one bullies Xavier, especially not some low life omegas!!" The voice yelled in my head, making me growl at them involuntarily.
My hands began to tremble, a surge of power moved through me, causing my veins to become visible all over my arms. I glanced at my fingernails. They had darkened, grown even longer.
My spine arched upward, cracking down in the middle, pain came right after, laced with a rush of adrenaline. It felt like my body was made for this, like it was patiently waiting, for a moment, just like this one.
I was confused, what was going on?
The guards moved back in fear, speaking in a language I wasn't familiar with.
"Mede ri kaista likianto!" One yelled. Another spoke right after with "Estiana! It's awakening!" I didn't know what the words meant, but I knew they were scared of me.
I got down on all fours, my heart racing faster. I could hear the rhythm in my ears, louder than ever.
My mom used to tell me that my dad was a werewolf, but I never believed I inherited one.
Not until today.
"Xavier? Is that your name? What is happening to me?" I asked barely through growls, my hoodie tearing slowly on my body.
"We're shifting dorky Simon. I need to teach these rude omegas a lesson."
"No, that's a bad idea. They— we already look like intruders. If we hurt anyone, they'll kill us."
What would they think of me? And Denora, if she woke up and saw what I had done, would she recognize me? Would she even want to come anywhere near me?
The voice started again.
"Kill me? No one has ever killed me. Not even the moon goddess. I've been quiet for too long. I'll rip off their heads, I'll rip all of their heads!
"No!" I yelled out, fighting the hold he had over my body.
"You'll do no such thing Xavier." But his will, the dominance he possessed on my body. It was too strong.
"Do you know what they said about us in that language? They want to KILL us Simon. So why don't we take the lead and do it first?"
"That doesn't mean we should think the same way."
I protested in lound groans, digging my nails into the dirt as I tried my best to contain the shift.
A guard threw a bottle on the floor and it broke instantly. Pink smoke followed, and my sight became cloudy. Xavier's voice faded slowly, causing my body to go numb as I collapsed on the floor, shaking violently.
Esmien caught me by surprise.
What on earth had I wished for?