The Werewolf Realm
While Erin reunited with Kate, Zaki, and Kira on the other side of the territory, Levi and Micha remained in their shared study—facing the Living Book.
It floated above the table, its ancient golden letters swirling across its surface like flowing fire.
"Dearest reader… let us begin," the book hummed, its voice echoing softly through the room.
Levi and Micha sat down opposite each other, bracing themselves. Every session with the Living Book revealed something darker than the last.
"We shall continue where we stopped," the golden letters wrote across the open page.
Levi frowned. "Where did we stop again?"
Micha scratched the back of his neck. "I think it was about Eloise's mate."
Levi snapped his fingers. "Right—the part where he died."
"When Eloise returned to the Vampire Realm and found him dead," Micha added.
"Yes. That's where we ended," Levi confirmed.
The letters dissolved, forming new ones.
---
Eloise's Diary
> I arrived in the Vampire Realm only to find my mate—my Raphael—in a pool of blood.
Our meeting spot. Our sacred place.
Now tainted with death.
> I dropped to my knees, my cries choking me, my heart tearing apart.
"Who did this?" I kept asking. "Why?"
> Then I heard footsteps behind me.
> "So you're the little elf who sneaks off to meet Raphael," a cold voice said.
"Too bad he's dead. I killed him myself. Slit his throat clean."
> He smiled.
> I gathered my power, ready to strike.
"Why did you kill him?"
> "Orders," he said.
"Someone above my rank wants him gone."
> "Who?" I demanded.
> But before he answered, darkness swallowed me.
Shock? Fear? I don't know.
I just fainted.
> Yet when I woke, I kept my eyes closed—pretending I was still unconscious.
> I heard them whispering…
> "King Roosevelt ordered it. He said Raphael was a threat to the throne."
> "They're related, aren't they? Still… Raphael was more capable. Roosevelt fears him."
> "Lower your voice! If anyone hears—"
> "What a waste of talent…"
> That moment… my heart burned.
Raphael never told me he was related to Roosevelt.
But that wasn't why I was angry.
> Roosevelt killed him out of jealousy.
He killed my mate.
The father of my unborn child.
> I swore then—Roosevelt would pay.
He would drown in misery.
I would give sorrow a home inside him.
I would make destruction his only companion.
> I stood, shocking the men.
> I ordered one of them to drink my blood—so it would look like a vampire forced himself on me.
"Be rough," I said. "Use your claws."
> He stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
> I had to beg him.
> When he finished, I said, "Now slap me."
> "You're insane," he muttered.
"First your blood, now this?"
> "Please. I need it."
> He sighed. "Fine. But only once. Brace yourself."
> The slap made my head spin. Blood spilled from my lips.
> I smiled at him with bloody teeth and whispered, "Thank you."
> He left quickly—disturbed by me.
No matter.
My plan was ready.
> Revenge on Roosevelt would begin.
—End of Diary. For now.
---
The golden letters faded.
Micha blinked. "Um… why did you stop? Ancient Book?"
"Because I have limited knowledge about deeply personal events," the book replied.
Micha leaned forward. "Then tell us what you do know."
"Very well."
Golden letters spiraled upward.
---
Truth Beyond the Diary
"You have not heard Roosevelt's side of the story," the book wrote.
"And you will not hear it today."
"Why?!" Micha groaned dramatically.
"It is not yet time," the book responded.
Levi rolled his eyes. "It's never time. This suspense is torture."
The book ignored him.
"I shall reveal some truth. But not all."
Both men straightened.
"First truth: Roosevelt did not send anyone to kill Raphael. He saw no threat in him—for Raphael was not worthy."
"What?" Levi muttered.
"Second truth: The one who ordered Raphael's 'death'… was Raphael himself."
Both men shot to their feet.
"WHAT?!" they shouted in unison.
Micha slammed a palm on the table. "How is that possible?!"
Letters glowed brighter.
"Raphael was a cunning manipulator. He was not Princess Eloise's mate."
"…What?" Levi breathed.
"He used a spell. A charm. He forced her to fall in love with him."
Levi and Micha exchanged horrified looks.
"Why would he do that?" Micha asked.
"To steal the throne.
He wanted to start a war, shift power, and take control while Roosevelt was occupied."
"Insane…" Levi muttered.
The book continued.
"Raphael's schemes caused your suffering.
Had he not initiated conflict, the werewolves would not have attacked the Queen. She might have lived. And your world might never have drowned in war."
Silence.
Micha swallowed. "So… he wasn't dead that day?"
"No," the book replied.
"He stood from his own blood. It was theater.
He played the innocent victim.
And when the werewolves killed the Queen, he watched.
He did nothing."
Levi clenched his fists. "He betrayed everyone."
"Yes. He intended to seize the throne through chaos."
The book slammed shut.
"That is all for today."
Levi and Micha both exhaled shakily.
Micha opened his mouth to speak—but his phone rang.
Kira's name flashed on the screen.
"Hey," Micha answered.
Levi's sharp senses caught every word of her excited voice.
"I've got REALLY good news for you! Come quickly—it's about Michelle!"
Levi froze.
Michelle?
Good news?
He knew Micha wouldn't tell him. Not now. Not when the topic involved Michelle.
Micha stood abruptly. "Levi, I need to go. Kira said she has news. I'll see you later."
"Sure," Levi replied calmly—though his insides twisted. "Take care."
The door closed behind Micha.
Levi stood alone.
His heartbeat picked up.
Good news about Michelle…?
What news?
What reason would make Micha rush out like that?
Levi's thoughts spiraled with possibilities—none comforting.
He showered, trying to force his mind to quiet, but it didn't work.
Michelle's memory lingered.
Her scent.
Her smile.
Her disappearance.
He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
And slowly… exhaustion pulled him under.
He fell asleep with one name echoing in his chest—
Michelle.