noun ~ a decorative object awarded as a prize for victory or success

I didn't like the look in his eyes as he opened the door. It made me uncomfortable. When I didn't enter behind him, he spun around to grab me by the back of my neck. Pulling me forward, he dragged me into the room.

Stumbling with my head to the ground, he dragged me past some chairs. My nose became overwhelmed with many unique perfumes. The room filled with murmurs that whispered past my ears, deep mumbles barely audible through my human ears.

We came to a stop at the foot of a grand table and Master released me harshly, causing me to fall to the floor. I landed in a huff, grimacing as my knees took the impact. Catching my breath, I used my hair as a barrier between me and this meeting.

"Thank you all for coming." Master announced, the room falling silent. "We are here to discuss the plan."

Plan?

I raised my head in curiosity, finding the back of Master's suited legs. He stood in front of me, purposely blocking me from the wandering eyes. I peered around him, counting six people sat at the table. All male.

Two caught me looking as I peered around his legs. Both had scrutinising expressions. One was pale skinned, eyes a deep red with seemingly golden hair. The other held an olive skin tone, deep brown eyes, and a long sharp nose. I felt... gross under their gazes, a thousand goosebumps crawling upon my skin. I decided hiding behind Master's legs was the better option.

"As you can see, I have secured the highest score." Master continued. "I captured the most prestigious prize and therefore I am in charge of how this goes."

Prize? What was this place?

One man grumbled. "Why should I take orders from a hybrid?"

"I can beat you with one hand." Master snapped.

I flinched at his tone. He portrayed the venom behind his words clearly. My mind swirled with possibilities, however. He was a hybrid, so was he witch, wolf, or other? It explained how he could eat meat as well as require blood...

"Anyone object with rules, know the consequence." An elder voice announced, filling the tense space.

Grumbles followed him. The angry voice from before did not speak up again. I stayed quiet, steadying my breathing.

"As I was about to say, the female has her wolf subdued. She is as worthless as a human for now." He spoke clearly, causing me to raise my head in realisation.

They were talking about me.

"She does not look like she does in her picture." Brown eyed man hummed, glancing at me.

I narrowed my eyes on him, but he only quirked an eyebrow. He smirked at my defiance, and something about it reminded me of back home. My heart thumped in my chest and I looked away from his brown eyes with a frown.

"She has not been very well." Master admitted. "Her body is not adapting to the cold."

"Then put her somewhere warm." Brown eyes commented.

"And let her live as a princess?" Master scoffed. "She has been nothing but disrespectful and running her mouth when she has no permission."

"A feisty challenge."

Another spoke and I looked to see a man with light brown hair and blue eyes grinning in my direction. He was the male that spat at Master for being a hybrid. I shall call him grumpy. Looking at two other men, I found one blonde with blue eyes, and one bald with blue eyes. Baldy was the older voiced gentlemen, noticeable by his many wrinkles and greying beard.

The last man also had deep red eyes, his hair a deep black. He reminded me of something out of twilight or the vampire diaries. Dressed in a leather jacket, jeans and large boots under the table, he painted his eyelids a dark black.

Twilight caught my gaze, but did not show any flicker of emotions. I dropped my eyes back to my lap, deciding I would just shut up and listen. I could dig up some good dirt here. Master may not realise that dragging me here could backfire massively on him.

"You need to dress her warmer for a start." Brown eyes shrugged. "Feed her up a bit. What have you been feeding her?"

Master growled under his breath. "She has been eating what I have eaten. Clothes are a luxury."

Brown eyes growled back, twice as harsh. "She may be a prize in this god-forsaken thing, but you need to treat her better."

"Why should I? She is just a blood bag!" Master snapped. "She will make me rich!"

My head snapped up, and I stared at him with shock. I didn't realise how easy it would be to get answers. I rather enjoyed coming in here now.

"And when she expires? Or dies from the lack of blood and nutrition?"

My gaze snapped from Master's head to find it was Twilight who spoke. He licked his lips, leaning forward in his chair.

"You will drain her if you keep taking it through the needle." He continued. "I give her a year tops before you end up draining her."

"Then I will make her breed." Master snapped. "I will use one of my wolves and produce offspring. Make it sustainable."

My heart hammered in my chest, and I couldn't help but gape at him. I never realised he thought so little of another life. He was moody at the times I had met him, so maybe his mind was disconnected from his emotions. There was no other reason for people to be so sadistic, right?

Twilight laughed, shrugging his shoulders, and leaning back in his chair. He didn't comment further, allowing the room to fall silent. I could hear Master's heavy breathing, along with the whooshing of my breath as I finally inhaled.

Suddenly, a pale hand came and grabbed a hold of me. I shrieked as they pulled me to standing, my knees banging against each other. I was held by the throat with unfamiliar hands. Looking at the man before me, I found it was grumpy. He sneered at me, lifting me up onto my tiptoes by the throat. My hands came to grab at his arm, scratching for him to let go.

Growls and shrieks sounded through the air and his eyes glowed a brilliant red. I gasped for breath, my lungs screaming for air. His mouth opened to reveal sharp, white fangs, and I flinched as his face grew closer.

As quickly as they grabbed me, I was knocked backwards. Grumpy's hand was torn from my neck, and they forced me against the back wall with a cry. My head bounced off the wall, my teeth clattering against each other.

There was a blur of colour before me, and I blinked to clear the haze. A warm hand came to cup my knee and as my vision cleared, I found the gaze of brown eyes before me. He frowned, helping me to my feet. I shakily stood, my chest heaving with effort.

"You dare try to take what is mine!" Master roared.

I winced as I caught the sight in front of me. Between the bloodied fists and faces were low hisses from the pair as both vampires fought for their ego.

"You have not even drunk from her! You have no right to claim." Grumpy snapped.

"Fine! If that is what it takes for you pathetic fools to back off!"

My eyes widened with terror as he turned around to face me. Brown eyes tensed beside me, his hand on my elbow grew tighter. Master was in front of me in a flash, dragging me away from brown eyes all too quickly.

With a terrified cry, I tried to push him away, slapping him across the face. He hissed at me, gripping my hands in one of his. I took the next move and went to bring my knee up into his groin again, but he blocked it, knocking my legs out from beneath me.

Falling backwards, he caught me by the neck and held me against him. My chest was heaving with panic, trapped by a predator. He growled at me, his mouth opening wide to reveal white, sharp fangs. I shook, trying to scurry away, to no avail. I flailed in his arms, tears flooding my cheeks.

Master held no regrets, no remorse in his face as he stared at me. Unable to react, the sharp piercing feeling of his teeth in my throat had my scream die in my throat. A fierce burning enveloped my skin, the sharpness of his teeth cutting deep. I could feel my blood rush to the wound, seeping down his throat.

A small cry of pain escaped my lips as he held me against him. My arms felt heavy, legs weak with lack of energy. My head swam, the nausea creeping back up on me. As my vision swirled, the lights above me swayed like they were on a pendulum.

I didn't feel him retract his fangs, only saw the colours of his head as he moved away. I felt hot and sticky, my neck wet with blood. A weak groan left my lips, and I felt myself grow tired. I forced my vision to focus and saw the brilliance of Master's eyes above me. He breathed deeply, licking his lips before looking back down at me.

A strange sound escaped my throat as my eyes rolled. I felt myself dropped to the floor harshly, and I lay there as the pins and needles overtook my skin. A high-pitched ringing sounded in my ears, making my headache worse.

"There. Now you can see that I have taken my prize physically." His voice filled the noisy air.

A whimper left my throat, and having no strength to fight anymore, I let myself slip into the darkness.

***

When I woke, I wasn't in my cell. I frowned, looking around in confusion. I was... back in my family home? How did I get here? I stood at the foot of the staircase, the light through the window dull. It was sunset, or sunrise, I wasn't sure.

Pitter patter of footsteps met my ears, and I spun around to see the back of mine and Pollux's heads run down the stairs. I was in a vision? How?

My mind was foggy, and I found myself unable to remember what had happened. Was I sleeping? Did I drift into a vision as I slept?

"Mumma! Mumma!"

I followed the sound of Pollux's voice, finding the twins hurrying to my Mother's side. Her face was pale and blank of emotion. However, just by looking at her, I could feel the fear. She was scared, but of what?

"Inside, quickly, get in there. Lock the doors." She breathed.

"But Mumma-"

"I will be back in five minutes, okay?" She cooed, kissing Pollux's cheek.

"Cassie. Look after Pollux, okay? Pollux, make sure your sister doesn't wander off." She muttered.

The two of us nodded and allowed her to push us into a small room. She shut the doors, pulling a large plank of wood across to barricade us in. She inhaled deeply, her head falling upon the wood.

Sounds in the far distance filled my ears, and I tuned in my hearing to hear the nasty growls of wolves approaching. Mother stared at the back door from down the hallway, watching, waiting. I licked my lips nervously, waiting for her next reaction.

The sudden approach of my father's stern expression had my mother falter in her poker face. His hands trailed up and down her arms before cupping her wrists. He bent forward to place a kiss on her nose before securing her lips with his own. I couldn't help but glance away, feeling like I was intruding on such a bittersweet moment.

"They're coming." Father warned. "I need you to be safe."

"Don't be silly." My mother scoffed. "I can fight just as well as anyone."

Father shook his head, staring down at her with amusement. I knew that look; it was one Phoenix often gave me when I tried to defy him. Mother would not back down, and he knew it. He sighed before kissing her forehead and muttering an okay. He cupped her hands with his before shouting for other wolves to rally up.

"Get the women into the bunker." He rushed.

"Be careful." She sighed, kissing him once more.

He ran out of the back doors, and a mass of footsteps followed them from the house's surroundings. I watched as my mother ran past me and back up the stairs. I paused, wondering which way to go. Who had created this vision? Or had I made it up myself?

I followed my father, wanting to see what was happening. My footsteps were light on the floor as I made my way to the dark back door. A curtain covered the glass of the back door and I brushed it to the side to find my father in a stand-off.

I swallowed nervously, pulling the door open. It creaked slightly but no-one noticed, and I quietly stepped onto the patio.

"Turn around. No one has to get hurt." My father spoke with determination.

"Not going to happen." A familiar voice snapped.

It was the leader of the rogue pack, the one that forcefully mated Calida.

Maxwell, otherwise known as greasy spit ball, stood facing my father. A good hundred yards were between them, both parties full of wolves and ready to battle.

"We have no qualms with you and your people. We do not get involved in any of your matters." My father pleaded.

The wolves were bristling, communicating through low growls and huffs. Maxwell laughed, shaking his head.

"It is what follows from your family, Hala." He spat. "Your kind are too prideful and werewolves should be on top."

"We do not engage in wards. We are kind folk." My father shook his head.

"That is going to change today." He sneered. "You and your family shall perish. I have witches and fangs on my side. You have no chance."

Hyena-like snickers filled the air, and I tensed as vampires flooded the gardens. This was it; the moment my parents died.

"Then we will give it our best shot." My father growled.

It was instant then. Wolves and flurries of colour charged from both sides. My father stayed standing as the warriors surrounding the house all charged towards the enemy. Snarling and howling filled the air and I flinched as teeth met fur and heads rolled.

I stood in horror as the gardens turned red, as the smell of blood hit my senses. Fires spontaneously started, vampires and wolves being burnt to a crisp. As the numbers decreased, Maxwell began to charge. My father cast a long look behind him, through the window, before he braced himself.

As Maxwell reached the bottom steps, my father shifted to his fur. His teeth clamped down on Maxwell's arm and shook. Maxwell snarled, bringing his other elbow down onto my father's snout. Maxwell soon shifted, and they met in a blur of brown and black fur.

The ending blow was Maxwell flipping my father from his back and sinking his claws into his stomach. He tore into my father's flesh, tearing his skin open like butter. I gasped in horror as he left him to die bleeding, a long howl of success filling the air.

Wolves on our side all charged, leaping at Maxwell as he ran away. I watched as my father shifted back to skin, crawling up the two patio steps before collapsing at the top. He rolled onto his back so close to me. I had to fight the urge to hurl from the sight of him.

My mother's cry filled the air as she came stumbling through the back door. She collapsed to her knees, her hands fretting above him.

"Tell me what to do." She cried.

He shook his head, his skin turning ash pale. "Nothing you can do, Isabella."

She sobbed, her shoulders shaking. There was an enormous crash inside the house, followed by shouting and screaming. My mother's head snapped towards the house and she growled.

"Guards!" She shouted.

Wolves snapped to her attention, charging into the house. I could smell burning wood and knew that the house was burning to its end. The guards running inside must be helping the people hidden somewhere near. My father mumbled something, causing my mother to turn her attention back to them.

"Save the children." He muttered, his hand cupping her face.

She shook her head, her tears dripping down her face. "I can't lose you."

He smiled. "It is my time. The children are the future, save them, my lovely. They need you."

My love.

My heart panged in my chest at the nickname, reminding me so much of Phoenix. I missed him so much. As my father took his last breath, my mother held onto his hand with defiance. We both knew that she would have to move or she would be injured.

Two of the guards from before came, myself and Pollux in tow. Mother covered the sight of father's body, pulling our small frames into her arms.

"It's okay. It's okay. Daddy has gone somewhere better. He is safe now. We need to leave, okay? We need to leave." She mumbled into their ears.

I felt tears build in my eyes as my Mother gave the house a last look before taking our hands. She pulled us through the battlefield of blood and bodies, the guards around us taking out any enemy that came near. I followed behind, a silent whisper through the noise.

One vampire suddenly got too close, the guards preoccupied. My mother forced myself and Pollux to keep running as she fought the rogue that came for her. She threw punches; her face harsh and determined. She broke the front leg of the rogue, but just as she did so, a vampire tackled her from behind.

She fell to the floor, the younger version of me calling out for her. The vampire bit her, drawing her blood into its mouth. I watched with a grimace, my hand trailing up to my own neck, where vivid images of fire burning through my body flashed through my mind.

A guard tore the vampire off her, and she pushed away his worries before running back to the twins. Breaking through the trees, I swallowed as I recalled the next events. How many times would I have to relieve this vision? How many times of this pain would I have to go through?

We eventually came to the clearing, and I watched with sickening despair as my mother met her doom. The all too familiar scenes played out like a torturous cinema as the trees flared with fire.

As Gaia disappeared with Pollux and Raven in tow, I sighed and turned back around. This was usually the part where everything disappeared, but it didn't this time. I wandered carefully through the trees, taking in all signs of life.

A crack of twigs, the crunching of leaves, met my ears. I paused, turning around to gage what was happening. The white wolf stepped through some bushes, its head hung low and ears forward.

It stopped not so far away, and I held my breath for what was happening next. A shimmer enveloped the wolf and I watched with fascination as the fur turned into skin. My breath hitched as I caught sight of bare flesh and familiar brown hair.

The man stood to his full height, inhaling deeply. His hair was longer, reaching below his shoulders. His eyes blinked up at the sky, mouth open as it began to rain. When his head dipped back down, I tensed in surprise.

Familiar dark eyes searched their surroundings, and his gaze travelled over my location. My mind blanked, my chest constricting. Had he been in on this the whole time? He was the white wolf? He was the one Gaia said would lead to the downfall of his kind? Was he a double agent, working for the rogues and the King?

I had so many questions.

But the first one on my mind was the most important.

What did Cors have to do with all of this?

Without another glimpse, I slipped back into consciousness. Whilst my eyes remained closed, I felt my body hum with energy. Pain rippled down my spine, my head throbbing in sync with my pulse. I groaned, rolling over onto my side as I vomited onto the ground. I didn't last long before I fell into a deep sleep once more.

••••

hey everyone, i know it feels like its a long time since phoenix is coming, but this little day is important for nova. i dont wanna jump into action and leave out all the good parts of the book i love to write. characters gotta develop and things gotta be revealed before the action!

Hope I keep you on your toes tho!

wc: 2396

Question of the Day:

If I was to publish this series, would you buy it?
The dream is to have my book in stores, or even a tv series, but even a small published hard cover on amazon would be amazing!