Novel-novel oleh Daniel Paul

Jax’s POVThe nightmares had started a few nights ago, creeping in no matter how exhausted I was, no matter how tightly I tried to block them out. In the last few days, I had been drained, physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. Handling the affairs of the pack due to Manny's illness and my love for Lexi too, seeing her tending to Manny always made me vexed but I kept masking it hoping and waiting. Psychologically, dealing with the return of Clara too had it's toll on me and I had suddenly become paranoid. Each time I had the dream, the vision was the same, Serena lying in the center of the exorcism circle, light flickering weakly across her skin, shadows writhing around her, and Clara’s laughter, cold and triumphant, echoing in every corner of my mind. I woke drenched in sweat, trembling, unable to breathe, and every time I thought it was over, sleep brought it back, I had the dream about four nights in a row now and I had to let someone know.That morning, I c

Danny’s POVIt had been days since I made the choice to return to the pack, days filled with quiet dread and the weight of Kiran’s shadow lingering in my veins. The first morning back, the sun barely rising, a pair of guards blocked my way as I stepped onto the porch of the packhouse. They eyed me carefully, concern evident in the way their brows furrowed.“Where have you been, Danny?” one asked, his voice low but edged with worry. I could feel the undercurrent of suspicion, the tension in their posture.I forced a weary smile, hiding the turmoil in my chest. “I went to see someone,” I said casually, shrugging as if it were nothing, though every word felt heavy on my tongue. “Nothing to worry about.”Their eyes searched mine, uncertain, and for a moment I could almost see them picking at the truth, sensing the lie. I let them linger in that confusion for a heartbeat too long before moving past them, pretending ignorance, walking into the house as though nothing had changed.Inside,

Sophia’s POVI had been lingering near Manny’s room when the commotion began. At first, I thought it was some sort of spell misfire or perhaps Jean losing control of her magic, but the energy was wrong, dark, consuming, deliberate. I pressed myself against the wall, listening. The air shimmered with power, and then I heard it clearly, Manny’s weak cries, interspersed with a cruel, melodic voice that chilled my blood. Clara, fully resurfaced and openly talking to Lexi. The realization hit me like a blow. Jean was now completely gone.And in her place stood Clara, alive and thriving within that body. The implications twisted through my mind, and a cold thrill ran through me. I could sense her power radiating outward, like tendrils of smoke.My first instinct was fear, but I masked it, replacing it with determination. If she had returned, I needed to control the situation, or risk being consumed like the rest would be. I stepped away from the wall, smoothing my robes and composing m

Lexi’s POVThe sound of Manny’s cough cut through the quiet of the room like a blade. Each time he coughed, thick, black flecks filled the air, coating his lips and chin. And it only got worse and louder. I froze, staring at him, dread gnawing at the edges of my mind. What was happening to him? My hands trembled slightly as I helped him sit upright, pressing a damp cloth to his lips.I wanted to scream and to call someone, but fear held me still. “Lexi…” Manny croaked, voice strained, eyes barely meeting mine. “I… I feel…” His words choked off with another violent cough, and I watched in horror as more of that dark substance rolled from his throat. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it wasn’t natural. My stomach twisted, panic threatening to consume me, and I felt utterly helpless.I sank into a chair beside him, gripping the handle tightly. “No. I… I can’t wait any longer,” I whispered to myself. I had to do something. I couldn’t just sit here and watch him waste away. He was

Jax’s POVThe vibration of my phone drew me from the quiet of Manny's room. Serena’s name flashed across the screen. It was a single message: Come over. Now. I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed my keys, the urgency in her words tightening something deep inside me, a sense of inevitability I couldn’t shake.I paused at the door, glancing back at Lexi, who was tidying up the table where Manny had left his breakfast untouched. “I’m stepping out for a while,” I said casually, though my eyes betrayed the unease gnawing at me.“Going somewhere?” she asked, looking up with a faint smile, but I caught the worry in her gaze.“I need to handle something. Quick in, quick out,” I assured her, trying to sound lighter than I felt. “I’ll be back soon. Watch Jean while I'm away, that's my job, but I have more pressing things.”Her eyes narrowed slightly, perceptive as always. “Sure, no problem, just don’t get yourself killed,” she said softly, almost a whisper, but the weight behind it hit me harder than

Danny’s POVI followed Kiran through the dense forest, the canopy above filtering strands of sunlight that danced across the ground in uneven patterns. Each step I took felt heavier than the last, not because of the weight of the pack beneath my boots, but because of the weight of the choices ahead of me.I wanted to turn back and walk away from all of this, but there was something magnetic in Kiran’s presence, a gravity that made it impossible to pull free. He moved with a fluid confidence, his scarred hands brushing past branches, eyes alight with a fire I both feared and envied.“You know why you are here, don’t you?” he asked, his voice low but certain, threading through the forest like smoke curling toward the sky. I stopped mid-step, hesitant, uncertain if I even wanted to answer. “I… I don’t know if I should be here,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper, though the air seemed to carry it effortlessly.Kiran’s gaze locked onto mine, unflinching, and he tilted his head

A New Dawn"Flora, trust me, what has happened?" Adrian's voice sliced through the celebratory noise as he pushed his way to stand by her at the side of the great hall."Adrian, I can still barely believe it," Flora replied, her voice a blend of cautious joy and ongoing incredulity. "The King's Edict. It's altered everything for us and for the pack.""Yes," Adrian took a breath. "I surrendered my Alpha status for you, for our future, and now it seems the impossible has become our reality."Flora's voice shook with hope and fear. "A future where we can love without betraying our duty, where our hearts are not sundered by ancient canons. But at what price, Adrian? Can our love really overcome the weight of centuries of tradition?"Adrian's eyes glimmered. "I know that the sacrifices were immense, and the wounds sliced deep. I recall every instant of regret, every tear you cried as I lusted after power. But in this moment, with you by my side, I feel the promise of a new dawn."Flora stu

The Edict of the Lycan King " Adrian, to the throne room incontinently," growled a commanding voice in the corridor speakers. Adrian's strained, low voice replied," Yes, Captain Morales. I will be there in a moment." Moments later, in a hushed expectation room, the Lycan King stated" Adrian, you've submitted your repudiation letter, right? Adrian cleared his throat, the tone establishment yet laced with fear," Yes, Your Majesty. I've surrendered my Alpha status, for I realize that my path now must be mandated by nothing but the issues of the heart, not the suffocating weight of obligation." The King's deep voice thundered," Your adoption has not been given without consideration. Tell me, Adrian, what led you to make this most vainglorious decision? Adrian took a conscious breath before responding," Sire, for times I've carried the burden of my once — my miscalculations, my failure and it has brought me further than any crown ever could. I lost the love of my life, an

A New Daw Flora's answer was conservative," I'll consider your offer, Adrian. But this I do know if our life together is to be but a deeper pain, I'm not willing to immolate the loss of myself, my responsibility, for a love that may yet be too weak to survive." Unshed gashes filled Adrian's eyes as he rumored," Flora, I understand your fear. I know that our history is full of pain, but I believe if we do this together, we can forge a new path. One where every immolation is not a loss, but an pledge — a pledge to make a future that honors who we are." Flora's voice shook," And what if our pledges break under the weight of our old injuries? What if our marriage, refashioned by love and duty, is n't enough to heal the ancient injuries of treason? Adrian's voice held a blend of despair and stopgap," also we will face that ineluctability together. I'm willing to risk all on the possibility of redemption, on a tomorrow when we might be free at last from the ghosts of our h

A Bold Offer " Flora, we need to talk," Adrian said, his voice rough and pulsing with genuine determination. " Adrian, I am harkening," Flora replied, her voice cautious but with a touch of craving. " Every night I lie awake allowing about what we lost, and I can no longer tolerate this silence," Adrian continued. " Silence, yes, but remorse as well," Flora answered, her voice slightly above a tale." I still flash back the dreams we pictured, the moments when we believed nothing could pull us apart." " I know," Adrian said vocally." I flash back the nights beneath the stars when you laughed, when our dreams were unencumbered and simple. But also I let my duty, my ambition, get in the way." Flora's tone turned cold," You allowed ambition to take priority over our love, Adrian. I constructed my life upon the oath of a participated future — a future that now appears so far down. " I offered my title, my power, everything for the pledge of that future," Adrian contend

A Union Readdressed " Adrian, please?" Flora's tremulous but strong voice pierced the muted hum of the command center as they entered a quiet alcove out of sight of the inquiring eyes of their classmates. Adrian drew in near, his tone soft and counted with anguish." Flora, I know our lives have gone so far in contrary directions, but I've to ask — do you ever still dream of us? Of a life where our love is n't measured only by duty?" Flora's eyes flashed both wistful and guarded pain." I did, formerly, Adrian. I allowed once that there was going to be a future in which I just was Flora not a title, not any prospects just us. But whenever I try to flash back it, I get hit with all the offerings that we made and the scars that still shape us." Adrian's tone dropped to a husky tale." I will relinquish everything, Flora. I relinquished my title, my power, because I wish for a chance at that future with you. I want a normal, loving family life with you. I understand it'll be

Sacrificial Promises " Flora, I must speak with you — now," Adrian prompted, his voice coarse and pulsing with resoluteness as he walked toward her in the vacated corner of the command center. Flora's tone was peaceful but miserable." Adrian, I know what you are going to tell me. You have one chance to make this right.". Adrian's reply was nippy," I have made my decision. I can no longer be Alpha, not when my heart is broken because of my miscalculations." Flora's face tensed as she asked," You relinquish your Alpha status? Do you have any idea the cost that comes with it, Adrian? " I get it, I know," he contended," and I would pay that price if it would allow me to be with you, if it would allow me to rebuild what we lost and make a future together as a family." Flora's voice shook with stopgap and sadness," Adrian, you understand that stepping down is not just a selfish act it will shake the roots of our pack. Your position was a source of strength and leadership.".