Chapter 43
The Werewolf Realm.
Micha's Pov.
As Michelle and I entered the house, a warm, strange energy hit me immediately. The atmosphere felt lighter—as if relief and joy had spilled through every corner of the home. For the first time in years, I sensed something close to hope.
Yet beneath that happiness was a lingering tension, a thick heaviness that refused to leave.
I swallowed hard. I felt guilty. They had told me everything earlier… but I refused to believe. I shut them out. And now that I knew the truth, standing here with her beside me, the guilt pressed harder.
Before I could gather the right words, Michelle—no… Erin—switched into her bright, playful mood.
"Heyyy guys! We're back!" she announced, her voice carrying its usual spark. "And before you all ask—yes, Micha believes me now. Crisis averted. We're officially cool again."
Everyone practically sagged with relief.
Kate stepped forward first, smiling widely.
"Great. That's really good. I even made your favorite food."
Michelle blinked in surprise. "You did?"
"Yes," Kate said, raising a brow. "Why do you sound shocked?"
Michelle coughed lightly, an awkward smile forming.
"Um… well… my taste buds are kinda different now. You know, vampire stuff. I'm sorry, Kate, I really am—but I can't eat normal cooked food anymore. After tasting blood for the first time, everything changed. If meat isn't at least half raw, I'll throw up. My body can't process it the old way."
Kate wrinkled her nose dramatically.
"That's cool… but also disgusting. Why do vampires enjoy blood? I can't imagine drinking it."
Michelle laughed at her expression.
Zaki chimed in, smirking. "I hope you won't come sucking my blood in the middle of the night?"
Michelle rolled her eyes.
"No offense, but werewolf blood is gross. Bitter. No vampire wants that."
"HEY!" Zaki gasped.
"I'm being honest," she insisted. "I'd literally give you blood for free," he joked, touching his heart.
"No thanks. Keep your precious blood." She flicked her fingers dismissively.
Everyone laughed.
Kate left briefly and returned with a plate of freshly cut, completely uncooked beef.
"For Queen Erin. Do you want it like this, or should I cook it a little?"
Michelle brightened noticeably.
"Just like this. Perfect. Thank you!"
I smirked proudly.
"My sister eating raw meat. I'm impressed."
She lifted her chin.
"You should be. Do you know how powerful I am now? And I haven't even unlocked everything yet."
Kira smiled softly.
"You must be incredibly strong, then."
"Very strong," Michelle replied with a hint of arrogance. "If I spar with Micha, I'll defeat him."
I stood so fast my chair scraped the floor.
"That is a lie. There's no way you can beat me."
She tilted her head, crimson eyes flashing.
"Then don't see me as Michelle. See me as Queen Erin. And give it your all."
Her confidence made my stomach twist. For the first time since she returned, I wondered if I was underestimating her.
She wiped her hands, stood up, and gestured toward the backyard.
"Let's go."
Excitement instantly lit up Kate, Zaki, and Kira's faces.
Of course they wanted to watch me lose dignity.
We stepped into the vast backyard, the same training ground where my father used to push me until my muscles tore. The sun had baked the earth dry; memories clung to every grain of sand.
Erin inhaled deeply.
"This place holds a lot of memories."
"It does," I admitted.
She cracked her knuckles.
"Ready, brother?"
I took my stance, determined to show her I wasn't weak.
But the smirk on her lips… that wasn't Michelle.
That was Erin—the creator of the Goldrens, the princess of the Vampire Realm.
She lowered her body into a perfect offensive posture.
I charged, aiming to overwhelm her quickly. But she twisted elegantly—too elegantly—her golden hair shimmering like sunlight on water. A golden rod materialized in her hand, its red gem pulsing like a heartbeat.
I froze mid-step.
A conjured weapon? Just like that?
Her lips curled. She had successfully distracted me.
Before I could dodge, the tip of her rod touched my chest.
It was cold. I felt the chill burrow into my bones.
She whispered a spell—soft but powerful.
And BOOM.
My world exploded.
I soared through the air—hundreds of meters, maybe more—slamming into the ground far from the house.
I stood up, dazed, and super-sped back.
She hadn't moved.
Not a single hair was out of place.
No sweat. No strain.
This… wasn't my little sister.
This was a goddess.
She approached with a faint smirk.
"You lost, Micha."
Then—arms spread—
"And I won! I actually beat you!"
She laughed happily… genuinely proud.
And for a moment, I realized something painful:
This must've been how she felt her whole life.
Watching me grow stronger while she stayed weak.
Depending on me for everything.
Now she stood tall, powerful, shining, unstoppable.
Maybe I was the weak one all along.
Zaki burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha! You were BLASTED!"
"Shut up, Zaki," I snapped through clenched teeth.
Kate giggled behind her hand.
Kira tried to hide her laugh but failed miserably.
"Sorry, love… It's just—you were so confident and then—"
She burst into laughter. "You flew like a rag doll."
I groaned. "Even you? Aren't you supposed to support your mate?"
"I am… but that was hilarious."
She patted my shoulder. "Next time don't underestimate your opponent—especially if she's a queen."
Zaki added with a grin,
"The tip of her rod touched you and BOOM—brother gone."
"I'm telling Levi," he said playfully.
Every smile vanished instantly.
Erin's expression darkened. She walked up to him slowly, voice low.
"Didn't I tell you not to tell Levi?"
Zaki winced.
"I know, I know! I forgot! I won't say anything!"
"Good." She turned away.
I raised a brow.
"Why must Levi not know?"
She glared at me.
"Because I don't want to talk to him. Not yet."
Before I could respond, the doorbell rang.
"Oh," micha said innocently, "that might be Levi. I texted him earlier."
Erin froze.
"You did WHAT?"
"You didn't tell me not to," I said in defense.
"He's going to find out sooner or later," I added. "Just deal with it now."
"Easy for YOU to say!" Erin hissed.
"You're not the one who was rejected!"
The doorbell rang again.
Zaki—grinning wickedly—called loudly,
"COMING!"