The Alpha's Halo

By REVERIE KNIGHT

Naviska, the self-governing celestial being, is quite adamant about not allowing anyone to manipulate her when it comes to love. Instead, she always chose to follow the natural rhythm of her own heartbeat. However, all bets are off with the sudden appearance of Alessandro in her life. He causes a
complete shift, and the transformations that follow to her life are far beyond what she had anticipated.

The air crackled and became charged. In a second, Alessandro knew he had found her. His wolf wanted to claim her in the very spot she stood. However, his mate wasn't having it. No worries, Naviska can run, but there is no escaping destiny.

When these two powerful beings join, those who lurk in the darkness take notice. Now, Naviska and Alessandro must navigate the treacherous world full of celestials, demons, werewolves, witches, grimoires that are alive, and a plethora of other mystical creatures to protect their lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: After Hours Publications
• Release date: May 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224822102

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

NAVISKA

A re you going to tell me who sent you? I demanded, my heart racing as I paced back and forth in my apartment. The intruder had broken in, and I was filled with frustration and anger. I have no idea what you’re talking about, the man grunted, straining against the magic restraints that held him in place. The sound of his struggling filled the room, mixing with the sound of my own breathing, which was coming in short, panicked gasps.

The air was dense with the smell of sweat and rage, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. My hands were shaking, and I could feel the cold metal of the charmed weapon I held in my grip.

I glared at the intruder, my eyes flicking over his face as I searched for any sign of recognition. But he remained stubbornly silent, and I knew that I was going to have to find another way to get the answers I needed.

Looking into his mind, I can only see the mortal fragility within. Perhaps he was just a common criminal, or perhaps an otherworldly being had clouded his mind to make it appear that way to me. 

Why are you here, and why did you choose my apartment? She lived a humble existence during this mission, residing in a modest apartment without any frills or extravagances. Staying unnoticed was crucial to the success of the mission.

If I tell you, will you let me go? He swallows hard before speaking. With a nod, she affirms. My sparsely lit apartment smells of ancient texts and the sound of rain tapping against the window fills the silence. 

A man in a red cape approached me and offered me one hundred dollars to come to this address and find a vial filled with a purple liquid that glows. He spoke in a low, gruff voice that sent shivers down my spine. According to him, the liquid will give a cold sensation when touched, and it glimmers in the dim light of the room, almost as if it’s alive.

Ah, okay. Was there anything written down, such as the address or directions, for you to follow? I asked. No, it’s kind of weird, he replied, his voice tinged with wonder. When he touched my forehead, I felt a sudden rush of warmth spread through my body. The air around me felt charged with electric energy, and I could hear my own heart beating rapidly in my chest. And then, just like that, I knew where to go.

Looking around the faintly lit room, I noticed the mortal sitting in front of me, uncertain and flustered. The sound of his fidgeting and the scent of nervous sweat filled the air. I asked him his name, but he stuttered and stammered, his mind seemingly blocked by the entity.

Young man, I know this might be hard, but I need you to trust me. Are you referring to me as young man? he asked, raising his eyebrow. You look way younger than I do. If only he knew the vast difference in our ages, with me being centuries his senior.

I approach him with an elixir in hand, the warm steam rising from the cup. Drink this, I urged him, offering the vessel. With gratitude in his eyes, he thanked me for untying his hands, and I handed him the cup. Do you want to remember who you are? I asked, sensing his hesitation. He nodded uncertainly, and I urged him to drink without arguing.

As he brought the cup to his lips, the pungent aroma of the potion filled the air, and he winced as the piping-hot liquid burned his lips. With a deep breath, he turned the cup up to his mouth and drank it down. Nicky, is yelled out as he sweats profusely. My name is Nicky. Alright, Nicky, where’s the red-robed dude asking you to meet him with the vial? 

Wait a minute, what are you, and what is he? Are you aliens? Holy crap, did you abduct me? Well, it finally happened. Y’all got me. I grab Nicky and slap the shit out of him. Then I pass him a blunt. Take the first hit and chill the fuck out, man. He takes a few hits and plops onto my beanbag. Girl, what the fuck is in that weed? See, I knew you were an alien or some other shit. 

Oh shit, he’s tripping. I go over to him, take back my blunt, and take a drag. Um, hum, he’s right. This is demon cannabis. It won’t kill him, but he’ll be high for a week or so. I’ll have to keep an eye on him. I splash cold water on Nicky’s face, hoping to bring him back to reality. He blinks a few times and looks around, his eyes still unfocused.

I’m not an alien, Nicky, I say urgently. I need you to tell me where the red cape guy wants to meet. I know you ain’t an alien mama. You’re my mommy. Nicky blinks again and shakes his head as if trying to clear his thoughts. I can hear the sound of his wet hair dripping onto the tile floor. The room is quiet except for the sound of Nicky’s breathing and the occasional drip from the faucet.

Oh, my freaking goodness, Nicky! I yell, my frustration mounting. Snap out of it enough to tell me where the man wants to meet. I can feel my heart racing as I wait for Nicky’s response. The suspense is almost visible, and I can feel the tension in the air. 

I glance at the clock on the wall, willing Nicky to hurry up and answer so I can get to the meeting place before it’s too late. He’s expecting me to meet him at the abandoned warehouse on Sixth Street. I need five more minutes, Nicky mumbled groggily. I carefully observe Nicky’s distinct features and remember his husky voice before getting on his motorcycle and heading to Sixth Street.

The building was shrouded in darkness except for a faint light coming from inside, where I could see people moving about. I walk in and immediately make my way to the bar, and I order a whiskey sour. A sketchy man in a red cape with a stern expression sits down next to me and says, You’re late. I didn’t know I was being timed. Shut up, mortal boy, and give me what I asked for, he snaps. You mean the vial? I ask loudly, not realizing the depth of Nicky’s voice. You want to pay me just a hundred dollars to steal?! 

As I stood before the bar’s mirrored wall, I couldn’t help but marvel at how Nicky’s chiseled jawline contrasted sharply with his intense eyes. Perhaps morphing into his doppelgänger has given me a new perspective. The softly lit place was filled with the acrid aroma of alcohol and tobacco smoke. The clinking of glasses and the murmur of conversations filled the air, creating a cozy ambiance. I ran my fingers over the cold, polished surface of the mirror, relishing its smoothness.

Please refrain from playing games with me and simply hand over the vial. I left it on my bike outside for security purposes. I have my doubts about whether you will keep your promise. We exit the abandoned warehouse, which served as a modern-day speak-easy, with me following closely behind him.

Once we reach the motorcycle, I pull out a vial from the saddlebag. Is this it? Did I steal the one that I was supposed to? Time to hand it over, human! He says with excitement. With it pressed against my chest, I question what makes him want it so badly. 

He approaches me with narrowed eyes, anger, and frustration in his gaze. Give it to me, mortal. This is none of your concern, he says. I open the vial, and he warns me to be careful. Why, though? I ask sarcastically, maintaining eye contact.

Okay, okay, mortal, he says, his eyes fixated on the vial. I need to take it to my boss, he said, moving closer to me. So, who’s your boss? I asked the question, and his eyes bore into mine with a desperate intensity. My hand trembled as I held the vial, ready to pour its contents out. 

Why so curious? His claws are bared, and he stands tall, trying to intimidate me. His scare tactic falls flat on me, and I can sense the fear in him. Baring his elongated canines, he attempts to conceal his fear. With a steady gaze, I repeat my question, demanding to know the identity of his superior. As he tries to run, I realize that he has finally figured out that I am not the human I appear to be, and I am relieved that this game is coming to an end.

As I began to peel off my skinsuit, I heard the rustling of leaves and turned to see the red-capped man transforming into a fox. The sight was both mesmerizing and unsettling.

He darted behind a nearby tree, his fur blending seamlessly into the foliage. I followed silently, my heart racing with anticipation. The damp earth and decaying leaves underfoot let out a satisfying crunch with each step I took.

As I approached the tree, I could smell the musky scent of the fox mixed with the earthy aroma of the forest. The sound of his quickened breathing filled the air, and I could feel the tension in his body as he prepared to make a run for it. But I was one step ahead of him. I swiftly placed the vial next to his back, and within seconds, he was sucked into it like a vacuum. The sensation of the vial pulsating in my hand was both exhilarating and eerie.

Once back at my apartment, I wasted no time in grabbing Nicky and heading out, well aware that the mission was no longer secure. As he couldn’t break through my protective wards, he’s now sending shifters to recruit mortals to do his bidding.

CHAPTER 2

My father has been lecturing me for a whole week for bringing a human to our realm. Now look at him, playing spoons with him and the rest of the glory. Father, I would like to have a word with you, if I may? He is simply marvelous. I vote we keep him. What do you say? Father, he is a mortal, not a pet. What is it? Naviska. As he studies my face, he recognizes the seriousness of my expression.

I have to return to earth 1 and take Nicky back home. Be on high alert if my other half finds you once he can again. With a nod to my father, I signal to Nicky that it’s time to depart.

You can’t just abandon me like this without a word of explanation. For the past two weeks, every day has been a kaleidoscope of magical experiences. The discovery that magic is real was just the beginning, as you took me on a journey to a universe that seemed to leap out of the pages of a fairytale. The sight of luminous, glittering creatures flitting about, the sound of tinkling bells, the smell of sweet, fragrant flowers, and the feeling of wonder and excitement permeated every inch of my being - all of it felt too surreal to be true. But now, as you leave me behind on earth, I’m left with a million questions and a desperate longing to know who you and your incredible magic friends really are.

You are too deeply involved in this already. Your memory will be completely erased, and you can go back to living a normal life. You can’t be serious! His voice booms as he gets closer and closer until he’s right in front of me. To be honest, I’ve never had a normal life. Since I was young, I have felt the presence of something greater than humanity.

Hey, Nicky, I say as I sink into the soft cushions of his sofa. Grab a bucket of buttery popcorn because what I’m about to tell you has never been disclosed to any mortal. The sound of my voice echoes in the room, mixing with the gentle hum of the air conditioning and the distant chatter of neighbors outside. The scent of freshly popped popcorn wafts through the air, filling my nostrils with its delicious aroma. 

Nicky’s gaze is fixed on me, his eyes full of curiosity and concern. I can feel the weight of his attention on me, like a warm blanket on a cold night. Taking a deep breath, I prepare to open up to him completely. Despite the gravity of the situation, a small smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I realize how good it feels to tell someone.

I am a halo. Granting angels’ control over their powers proved to be a double-edged sword, causing problems. The Godheads concluded that they needed to locate a new means of regulating that power. They harnessed the power of angels and crafted it into halos. I’m the halo of the most powerful fallen angel. As she tells her story, he chomps on popcorn, listening closely and nodding in agreement.

The fallen angel me and my family refer to as the rogue was once a collective entity that everyone you met in my realm was a part of. My siblings and I were all a part of him: my sister Julep, who gave him flight as his wings; my brother Armor, who protected him as his armor; my brother Vatel, who was his, fight as his sword; and my sister Sabaton, who outfitted him as shoes and gloves. My brother Neathall was his strength, was his dragon. Me, I was power. He cannot find his way home without all of us, so he tries to use gifts to get us on his side. Regrettably, a few of my siblings were taken in by his cunning schemes. He alternates between gifts and warnings, attempting to frighten us as though he possesses any real authority. Whether it’s a magical creature or a mortal, he knows how to manipulate them with his false promises. By falling for his lies, individuals give him his power. We all were considered good, so we fell off of the rogue, as did his goodness, which is my father.

She explains to him how the rogue divided into two parts - one considered good and the other considered evil. She and the others were in their infant form, developing their powers as they grew older, while his good part was already in an adult form with many intact powers. 

Until they were old enough to join him in the fight against evil, Nesbit, aka the good part of the rogue, raised and protected them within their realm. They spent their whole lives training to battle the malevolent forces that the rogue unleashes on the Earth, the only realms he can enter besides his own.

Whoa, that’s mind-blowing! Mind if I ask a question or two? What’s the story behind your physical forms? So, religion and stuff, which one is the right one? 

Much of what humans think is inanimate is animate. We have retained the same forms we had at home. We do not know why we fell as babies and fathers fell as an adult. When necessary, my siblings and I assume the forms we were assigned and shape-shift accordingly. We, along with our father, are referred to as the glory. Mortals did their best to decipher religion with the information available to them. Mortals often encounter religious documentation that has been altered, had a lot left out, and is open to interpretation. Who’s right or wrong is not my decision to make. I have friends from different religious backgrounds, and they all really believe in their faith. My life is filled with obstacles that I must overcome. I was forced to leave my home despite not having committed any offense.

I understand, he said with a nod. Their conversation continued until the city was swallowed up by darkness, and the moon rose high overhead. Through this embrace, I am enveloping you with my protective shield, Nicky. You can rest assured that you are completely safe from any harm, whether it be natural or supernatural. He places a gentle kiss on her cheek and says goodbye,