BLOOD OF THE FIRST

CHAPTER 08

“Kiara. This is Rob; he’s going to be our new brother.”

“Kiara, I promise I’ll be good.”

“Kiara, see… my wolf got new stripes.”

“Kiara! Kiara!! Come watch me race brother.”

“I love you, Kiara. I love you, Xander. You guys are the best family.”

I scoffed, watching the little bastard smiling smugly. I’d give anything to wipe that ridiculous smile off his face. I struggled against Adams and Flinn, who pinned me down hard.

“Stay still, my lady. I don’t want to hurt you,” Flinn said, a look of pity on his face.

Traitors!

I spat in his face angrily, “You already hurt me when you joined hands with that conniving little bastard.”

My voice and strength failed me when I broke down in tears. I brought this upon myself. I shouldn’t have trusted Rob; I should have listened to my brother. I should have been stronger.

“I’m sorry I failed you, brother,” I mumbled quietly amidst tears.

We had won the war. Took captives, slaughtered the Lycans. Together, we had done it. I went to what used to be my room; I was celebrating. I gave orders for my people to celebrate. Rob had to discuss things with Rhea, the only weremage we had, and finally, I thought we did it. I thought I made the right decision, until Adams and Flinn came to drag me outside.

I used to be a very powerful werewolf—feared and highly respected. I fought alongside my brother. But one day, I took a poisoned arrow that was meant for Xander. It took twenty weremages to cure me. I was supposed to die, but instead, I lost my powers. My wolf became weak. No matter how hard I trained, nothing changed, so I trained my human body instead so I won’t be completely useless.

My struggles were futile against them, though, as I was easily overpowered. I’ve never felt more useless.

I watched in confusion as people gathered while I was made to kneel at the center. My head was spiraling with different things. These are my people, so who could be the orchestrator of this?

That was when he came out, with Rhea beside him, walking gracefully like they owned the place.

I know I was skeptical about Rob, but it didn’t stop my heart from breaking into a million pieces. I couldn’t keep the shock and hurt from my face.

“Come now, sister, don’t give me that look. We both know you never trusted me from the onset. Now, did you?” he asked with that look I now hate so much.

I was too stunned to speak, tears flowing down my face uncontrollably.

“You know, I thought you were the smart one. And you really had me going, honestly. But here we are now. Xander is NEVER coming back. And I’m in charge now,” he said, loud and clear for all to hear.

“No one is ever going to support you,” I said with confidence.

Rob laughed at me like I’ve gone crazy, and that was when it dawned on me. He has already controlled everyone. How was I blind to all this?

“You’re right, dear sister. I did have those who are blindly loyal to you,” he said as he nodded to someone in a corner I couldn’t see.

Two masked men dragged in Cora and Aiden. They’re siblings, but you’d mistake them for twins—my very good friends. A stubborn look was plastered on their faces.

“Now you will see what standing against me feels like,” Rob said as he turned to Rhea, who had been quiet all along. She, in turn, removed her fancy gloves.

“No, please. Don’t hurt them. Please,” I begged.

“Don't worry, Kiara, it will soon be your turn,” she said to me.

I wasn’t surprised at her attitude. She’s utterly obsessed with Rob, so it’s only natural that she stands by him. I haven’t seen Raya, but I’m sure she’ll also stand by her sister; can’t blame her, though. They’re twins after all.

The atmosphere got dark with powers I have witnessed before. Whispers spread around the crowd, and I guess we all felt the same thing.

FEAR.

When did Rhea get this powerful?

She conjured an orb from both her hands, and both Cora and Aiden screamed in pain. The scream was chilly; as I felt it deep in my bones, whatever she’s doing to them was deeply painful.

I screamed with them, “NOOOO!!”

They started looking dried up, like their core was being extracted, and within seconds, they fell to the ground, dead.

Rhea turned to Rob for validation, and he gave her just what she needed.

“You are amazing, my lady,” he said sweetly.

She gracefully walked back to her place beside him and turned toward me with a smirk.

Rob walked closer and said loudly, “Does anyone else want to oppose my leadership?”

Everyone moved back in fear.

Cowards!

All of them!

“I’m going to make you pay!” I told him.

“No, you are not. You don’t even have the strength. You’re a weakling standing on the name of your so-called brother. Where is he now? Huh? ANSWER ME!” he thundered.

“He will be back, I promise you. My brother will be back.” I knew it deep within me.

“Bow before your new Lord,” he said, spreading his arms wide as everyone fell on one knee, one after the other, bowing their heads.

Same thing with the two traitors holding me.

I used that opportunity to stand up and strike him unaware.

“I will NEVER bow down to a coward and traitor like you!” I spat out, looking at him disgustedly.

Adams and Flinn rushed up to hold me, but he signaled them to stop and wiped the blood off his lips.

“This could have been easy, SISTER!” he said spitefully.

Then he signaled to Rhea, who had an angry look on her face. Love-struck fool doesn’t realize she’s been used.

“Make her bleed. Make her feel pain,” he commanded.

“With pleasure!” she said, looking at me with so much disdain, and I couldn’t help the shiver that went down my spine. She looks more terrifying now than when I saw her earlier.

I moved back in fright as her balls of lightning cackled in her palm.

“You might want to brace yourself, my lady,” she said mockingly, so I did exactly as instructed.

I closed my eyes and steadied myself, but the pain was unlike anything I had imagined. I fell down to my knees and screamed my lungs out. I could feel my wolf stirring to shield me, but our powers combined couldn’t withstand the pain.

“She’s not bleeding, Rhea,” Rob said, and Rhea doubled the pain. I felt it in my nose first before I coughed up the blood. I feel life draining from me.

Images of my brother filled my vision as I smiled sadly.

“If only you were here.” I closed my eyes and gave up fighting entirely.

“I think you’ve had enough fun, sister,” a voice said.

My head hurts, every part of my body hurts, so I couldn’t quite place the voice. But then a figure appeared before me, touched my forehead, and the pain left.

My vision was still blurry, but I managed to open my eyes, and through the hazy image, I saw white bangs, a crescent moon, and stars.

Who’s this savior?

“I’m sorry I came late, my lady.” Then I placed the voice.

Raya.

My savior is Raya.

But how? Why?

I didn’t get to ask the question before I blacked out.