Chapter 1 ‘

It was snowing.

Miniature frost of snowflakes pelted against the murky glass windows and my fingers reached out
to touch it ever so lightly. How I desired to gallivant around ‘Winters wood ‘but our kind was
endangered and forbidden.

“Aren’t you going to stop staring through those windows?’’

Faelyn inquired her voice astrid yet poised. My eyes flitted over to my twin sister who had an
acrid, distressed expression strewn across her pretty features. Her glacial blue eyes intensely
glared at me seemingly annoyed at my very presence.

I sighed involuntarily; exhausted from the back and forth bickering that was bound to happen
between Faelyn and me. The heavy oppression that seem to brood upon the air had become over
bearing for the past two weeks and I just needed some fresh air.

I sucked in a harsh breath before my body betrayed me and I hurriedly shot up snatching the cloak
from off the chair.

‘’where are you going Avelyn?’’ she demanded to know, her penetrating stare drilling holes into the
side of my head.

I curved my head into her direction and I took the time to study her troubled features.

Waves of ruby rose hair that we both inherited from our late mother were rested on her shoulder
casting her face innocently in contrast to her gunmetal fierce eyes. I found it quiet ironic, who
would have thought looks could be quite deceiving. “You know it’s dangerous,” she stated
arrogantly.

“Yet you still think it’s smart and finds it rather amusing to wander around the town square.’’ She
added her voice slightly rose in an octave.

I rolled my eyes at her remarks and her eyes narrowed in slits when she realized that I wasn’t going
to give into the satisfaction she desired. “Isn’t that so Avelyn?” she persisted mockingly with her
brows knitted together. I squinted my eyes at her and my breath came out labored and hot. I
wanted to scream at her, tell her that I also have a life and it’s not because who I am shall define my
fate. She cocked her head slightly with fraud amusement glinting in her eyes and rage brewed
beneath my surface.

“You are the one that thinks everything revolves around you Faelyn! I shrieked unable to keep the
hatred I had bottled up inside me for the past two weeks.

Tendrils of hair fall loosely from my bun and I was breathing heavily with my stance challenging
towards my twin. She rose from the chair across the room and her eyes intensified dangerously. I
was willingly to take her on despite that my powers hadn’t started to show call it that I was the late
bloomer of the family. Electrifying energy expelled from her finger tips and before I know it my
body was forcefully propelled into the wall. Agonizing pain swiveled up my spine and I bit into my
lips harshly to prevent the helpless sob from escaping my lips. Faelyn’s fingers were shakily
pointed towards my defeated form and under my lashes I saw her as the monster. Red aligned her
cheeks and her eyes glowed a luminous shade of red. I could hardly identify her anymore thus I was
fearful of my own twin. I feebly lifted myself from off the board floors with my cloak clutched
firmly at my side refusing to be weak before her.

“And here you are thinking that I am the bad guy!” I laughed incredulously jerking a thumb
towards myself.

“Mom would be so disappointed.” I muttered under my breath. At those words her eyes slowly
regained its natural shade of blue and guilt pooled around in them. I took it my que to slip on my
cloak before I trudged off into the freezing cold without looking back.

Thralldom of snow frost crunched beneath my footwear and my body instantly evoked goose
bumps at the sudden temperature change. . I hurdle my cloak firmly to my skin in attempt s to bring
some warmth and comfort from the assault of the freezing snow. After having an internal battle
the whole journey to the towns square, I blew out a foggy breath of relief when it came in view.
Winters wood was quite captivating for a small deprived place. Antique buildings that had
marvelous carvings in them were gracefully situated on the frosty pathway that camouflage small
snow covered houses. As I got closer to the market area obtrusive noises could be heard meddled
with the chatter of winter’s wood people. A small smile quirked at my lips and a sense of freedom
washed over me. My stomach grumbled at the savory jumbo sticks that wafted through my nostrils
teasing my senses. I knew were that scent was coming from and so my body directed me to Nipsy’s
famous stall. The sea of enthusiastic crowd swarmed around me and I clutched my cloak firmly to
my skin for disguise. I didn’t want to be seen or questioned for my presence in the town square so I
pushed through the crowd carefully but cautiously. Nipsy’s pale blue eyes found mine that flickered
with vague terror. My breath quickened at her new found appearance that always had a glittering
infectious smile and a curious inexplicable uneasiness rose to the surface. Nipsy hushed me over
with her chubby hands and my feet swiftly took me across to her stall through the exuberant crowd.
‘’ didn’t you hear”? She asked in a hushed tone, her eyes fearful and wary when I reached her stall.
Nipsy was unlike this and it harnessed anxiety because she was the only one I could rely on.

‘’What did you find out?” I begged to know desperately as my eyes searched her face for answers.
Nipsy gripped my hands and brought me closer to her frame, Her honey dew scent enveloping my
nostrils.
“They are here Avelyn, everywhere you should take your sister and leave the Hybrid Lord
orchestrated an annual vixen hunt, “she breathed out her expression overshadowed with feral fear,
my heart plummeted to my chest and I could feel hot blood pumping through my ears at the sudden
revelation. My lips were unable to form coherent words and my throat had suddenly become
parched as I stared at her disheveled figure. “I overheard from the market people,’’ She continued.

“ Avelyn please get away from here far away from Winters wood for good you and your sister and
find your father he is the only one who can help you.’’ She pleaded with a groggy voice and tearful
eyes. Tears threatened to stream from my eyes and cold ear whipped my distraught frame, I
couldn’t process all this at once. She took a small crumpled paper from her bodice and shoved it in
my hands discreetly.