Cecilia’s POVI leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. Something felt… off. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it had been clawing at the back of my mind all day. A nagging feeling, a whisper of something wrong.I shook it off and grabbed the radio on my desk, pressing the button.“James, get to my office. Now.”A second of silence, then his steady voice came through. “On my way, Alpha.”I set the radio down, running a hand through my hair. The Moonlight Festival was coming up fast, and I should’ve been focused on finalizing the last details. Instead, my thoughts kept circling back to Auren.Auren was strong for his age—faster than the other pups, sharper. He had the instincts of a warrior, but he was still a child. My child. And I wasn’t about to take any risks, especially not now.A sharp knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.“Come in,” I called.James stepped inside, closing the door behind him. His expression was calm, focused, like always. That’s why I trusted him.
Cecilia’s POV“Yeah,” I muttered. “Be careful.”James gave me a smirk. “Cecilia’s dangerous, but she’s not that dangerous.”I narrowed my eyes. “Don’t underestimate her.”James chuckled, heading toward the door. “Noted.”As he walked out, I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.Something was coming.I could feel it.I’ve been watching Cecilia for days now, tracking every move she makes. I don’t know exactly what she’s up to, but one thing is clear—she has a routine. And tonight, she’s sticking to it.Every night, around the same time, she leaves the pack house. Never too early. Never too late. Always slipping out when most of the pack is settling in for the night.Tonight, I’m gonna find out why.I move silently, keeping my distance as she makes her way through the darkened paths of the territory. She’s careful, checking her surroundings every few steps, but I’m better. Years of tracking have trained me to move like a shadow, blending into the night.She walks with purpose, never h
James’s POV All I wanted to do was get back to the pack and tell Alpha Ezekiel everything I had found out. Every single detail mattered, and I knew he needed to hear it as soon as possible. My heart was pounding as I made my way back to the packhouse, my legs moving fast as if my urgency could somehow make the Alpha’s meeting end quicker. The moment I stepped inside, I didn’t waste time. I went straight for Alpha Ezekiel’s office. The guards at the door straightened the moment they saw me. “Beta James,” one of them greeted with a nod, as always. “Is Alpha Ezekiel inside?” I asked, already knowing the answer but still hoping for a miracle. “He is,” the other guard confirmed. “He’s in a meeting with some other Alphas. It’s a serious discussion, so we can’t let anyone in.” I clenched my jaw. “Shit,” I muttered under my breath. This was important, but I knew the rules. No one was allowed to interrupt Alpha Ezekiel once he was in a meeting. Not even me. “Let me know the second he’s do
James’s POV Before I knew what was happening, a deep, sharp pain tore through my stomach. It wasn’t just a normal ache—it felt like something inside me was twisting, burning, eating me alive from the inside out. I barely managed another step before my legs gave out, my whole body suddenly weak. My hands clutched at my stomach as if I could physically hold back the pain, but it didn’t help. Nothing helped. “Shit,” I breathed, my vision swimming. Ahead of me, I saw Alpha Ezekiel and the other elders leaving the office, their voices blending together, distant, like they were underwater. I tried to call out, but my throat tightened, my voice barely more than a whisper. My head spun. The hall around me blurred, the walls shifting in and out of focus. My knees wobbled, barely keeping me upright. I was losing it. A fresh wave of pain hit me, and I nearly collapsed. I gritted my teeth, breathing hard, but even that didn’t help. My insides felt like they were being torn apart. A sharp, bu
Ezekiel’s POVEverything just happened so fast and sudden. One moment, I was finishing up a meeting with my elders, and the next, James was about to say something when he just collapsed.I stood there for a second, completely stunned. James never—never—fell sick. Not once in all the years I’d known him. My Beta was as strong as they came, a man who could take down three warriors without breaking a sweat. But now? He was on the floor, completely still, his breathing shallow. My heart pounded.“Get the healer! Now!” I ordered, my voice sharp, cutting through the stunned silence.The warriors in the room moved immediately, two of them running out while the others gathered around James. I knelt beside him, shaking his shoulder. “James! Wake up!”He didn’t move.A sharp anger bubbled in my chest, but I pushed it down. Anger wouldn’t help him right now. My eyes scanned his face—he wasn’t sweating, but his skin was too pale. I clenched my jaw. Was it something he ate?I stood up, turning tow
Ezekiel’s POVI was still all fuming in my office, my hands clenched so tight my knuckles turned white. My jaw ached from how hard I was grinding my teeth. I couldn't take this shit anymore. James was lying unconscious, and I needed to know what the hell had been done to him. Someone had to pay.I slammed my fist on my desk, the loud thud echoing through the room. The guards standing at attention barely flinched—they were used to my temper by now."Get all the maids. Now." My voice was sharp, cutting through the tense silence.The guards exchanged a glance, but they didn't question me. They knew better. Within minutes, I heard the hurried footsteps outside, whispers of fear trailing in the air as the maids were gathered. The door swung open, and they were ushered in, their faces pale with dread.I rose from my chair slowly, letting my burning gaze settle on each of them. Some were trembling, others had their heads bowed so low their chins nearly touched their chests."One of you put p
Kailey’s POV Kailey went back to her room, still in shock. She always knew Cecilia was cruel, but poisoning someone? That was a whole new level of evil. She paced back and forth, her hands clenched into fists. She had to make sure Ezekiel got rid of Cecilia before it was too late. If she didn’t do something soon, her son, Auren—the rightful heir to the throne—might not survive Cecilia’s wickedness.She let out a deep sigh and sat on the edge of her bed, her mind racing. "This has gone too far," she muttered, shaking her head. "If Ezekiel doesn’t stop her, who knows what she’ll do next?"A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. She frowned. "Come in."The door opened slowly, and Elyra stepped inside. The mage wore her usual flowing robes, her silver hair resting over her shoulders. Her sharp green eyes studied Kailey with concern."Kailey," Elyra said calmly. "Your emotions are all over the place. What happened?"Kailey exhaled sharply. "It’s Cecilia. She poisoned Jame
Kailey’s POV I went back to Ezekiel's office. As soon as I walked in, I saw him sitting with a group of people, deep in discussion. From what I could pick up, they were talking about his upcoming trip for the festival preparations. Their faces were unfamiliar—I’d never seen them before. But judging by the way they were dressed, they looked like royalty.I froze, realizing I might have interrupted something important. “Oh, sorry for barging in,” I said quickly, turning to leave.Ezekiel’s head shot up, and he stopped me before I could take another step. “No, Kailey. Come in.”He stood up, walked over to me, and gently took my hand. Without saying a word, he led me further into the room. His grip was firm but comforting. Then, right there in front of everyone, he placed his hand on my waist and pulled me close to his side.“This is Kailey,” he said, his voice loud and proud. “My Luna.”Warmth spread through me instantly. The way he said it, the way he held me—it made my heart race. I c
James pov. We have been in the forest for a long time but still there was no sign of Lydia and Auren.However the sun was starting to sink behind the hills when we finally saw it, a large, dark hole in the side of a rocky hill. I slowed my horse and raised my hand, signaling for everyone behind me to stop.“That’s it,” I said, staring at the cave. I didn’t know how I knew. I just... did. My heart was pounding in my chest. My instincts were screaming at me, Lydia was here.Jon rode up beside me. His face was serious, his dark eyes scanning the entrance. “You sure?” he asked quietly.I nodded. “I can feel it. She’s been here. I know it.”Jon didn’t argue, he trusted me, the same way I trusted him.The rest of the warriors waited behind us. Some of them looked nervous. Others just looked tired. We had been searching all day, riding hard through the forest and hills. However now, standing here, I felt a new rush of energy.“She’s close,” I said, tightening my grip on the reins.Jon l
James pov As we rode, I kept thinking about Lydia. I remembered the way she had smiled, the way she had looked at Auren like he was her whole world.I wasn’t going to let anything happen to them. Not on my watch.We had both promised Kailey and Ezekiel that we would protect and keep Auren safe. Though Auren wasn't safe, there was still a chance he was with Lydia and all I needed to do right now was find them and bring them back home to the pack house safe and sound.The tracks led us over hills and through narrow valleys. More than once, we had to stop and search when the trail grew faint.Each time, Jon was right there beside me, helping me pick up the scent again.“They’re moving fast,” Jon said after a while, wiping sweat from his forehead. “But not too fast. They’re slowing down.”I nodded. “They’re tired. Hungry, probably.”“And scared,” Jon added quietly.I didn’t like hearing that. Fear could make people careless. Lydia was smart, but if she was tired enough, scared enough, s
James pov. The whole place have already been cleaned up l, the warriors, guards and maids have done a very good job, the pack wolves too have put heads to getter in helping to make sure the pack house was back to the way it was before Although there was no way it could go back to the way it was in just a day of cleaning, it had improved.The blood on the walls of the pack house has been cleaned, the casualties l, dead bodies had been taken away, the whole place now looked like there was neve a battle at the pack house. However, the only thing that gave away the fact that there had been a battle, was the broken walls of some of the buildings around including the pack house. That was something that had already been looked into and should be in order in three to five days. Right now, I stepped out of the pack house, the cool air hitting my face. The sun was already high, but it didn’t do much to warm the uneasiness sitting heavy in my chest. Oh yes,I had a lot in my chest m, a whol
Cecilia's pov. After the chit chat with Damon, we came to a conclusion that we would carry on with the plan. Right now, The morning air was cold as I pulled the black mask over my face. The mask was part of the plan as we needed our identity hidden from the elders. I could feel the dampness of the forest around us, the ground still wet from last night’s rain. Birds chirped softly in the distance, but their songs did little to settle the nerves crawling up my spine.I looked to my left where Damon adjusted his own mask. His sharp eyes met mine for a moment, and he gave me a small nod. It was time, he didn't voice it oh yeah but I could read his expression.Behind Damon, six of his men moved silently through the trees. They were all dressed in dark clothes, their footsteps quiet on the muddy ground. I followed close behind Damon as we made our way toward the old trail that led into the deeper parts of the forest.“They should be coming around the bend any minute now,” Damon whisp
Cecilia's pov.I felt a soft touch on my hands and I jolted up immediately, my eyes wide open however, I was blinded by the sun momentarily and I couldn't see who or what was standing above me. “Cecilia” a familiar voice called, still touching my shoulder. It was at that time that my vision began to adjust to the sunlight. I narrowed my eyes as I sat up l, my back resting on a tree. “Damon?” I muttered. Damon nodded, slowly helping me back to my feet “that's right”. Immediately I stood on both feet, a sudden pain shit through my head, “ahh!” I yelled,grabbing my head with both hands as I crouched down a little It was at that exact moment that all that transpired the previous night became rushing back to my head.I had been involved in a fight with Lydia and somehow I had tried and fell, and that was the only thing I could remember, I had no idea what happened after that. I looked up at Damon, my brows furrowed “where is Lydia she is with Auren did you see her” Damon sighed, “I
Kailey’s POV, My heart still raced, and fear still crawled up my spine like cold fingers, but I turned around. I had to check,if that was my chance to find the relic, I wasn't going to miss it. And with the newly found courage, I Slowly walked back toward the sound.The trees seemed taller now and thicker, the sky above was hidden behind black leaves, and even the birds were quiet. The only sound was my breathing and the soft rustle of my steps. Then I heard it again.The loud growl. It was louder now, and closer than ever.i gulped,I had already made up my mind, and I was going to stick to my decision.I ducked behind a tree, trying to steady my breath. The growl wasn't just noise anymore, it had a strange weight to it, like it was shaking the ground. This only made it even more scary and horrific than it should have been. However, even with all of this, I refused to retreat, I had only one goal.in my head. To find the relic. I crept forward, slowly, carefully. Every step I too
Kailey’s POV.I left the area where the blood red flowers had been as fast as my legs could carry me, something at the back of my mind tells me that the illusion had to do with the area, had to do with the blood red flowers. The illusion was totally different from the ones I had when I first entered the forest.This was totally real,like I was there, like I was living another life. The whole thing played on my head once again, Ezekiel confessing to Cecilia, telling her how much he loves her, telling her how much of a mistake Auren and I were. I shook the thought to the back of my mind, I wasn't going to let an illusion cloud my judgment. All I needed to do right now was to find the relic. I couldn't help but wonder where it was. I have already lost track of time. I have no idea if Ezekiel was alright. I could help but wonder if he was still sane, if the curse hadn't turned him into a complete monster.I shook my head, noticing the wetness in my eyes. No, I wasn't going to shed te
LYDIA'S POV. Together, Auren and I cleaned the fish with a sharp rock and placed them on sticks to roast over the fire.The smell of cooking fish filled the cave, and Auren’s stomach growled loudly, causing the both of us to laugh rhythmically. When the fish was ready, we let it cool for a moment and then ate. The meat was soft and smoky. It wasn’t a lot, but it was warm, and it helped.After he finished, Auren wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and looked at me.“Lydia… where are we going now?” he asked. His voice was small, uncertain.Auren was the type who was brave and always outspoken, he wanted to be involved in fights and all of that.However I noticed that all the happenings lately had calmed him down, I had no idea if it was fear or maybe this was because his parents were not around.But still I didn't know if this was a positive or negative effect.I looked into his eyes, he was scared. I could tell he misses the pack house, he misses James, he misses his parents.A
Lydia's pov. I opened my eyes slowly and for a moment I didn't move, I just laid on the ground, I didn't move, my eyes and ears open as I listened to my environment The cave was quiet except for the soft dripping of water deep inside. I felt the cool earth beneath me, it was rough but better than the night before, it was better than how cold it had been the night before.The smell of damp stone and leaves filled the air.I raised my head and could see how vines covered the entrance of the cave. I watched as they moved slowly with the morning breeze. We made it here last night. I was grateful to the moon goddess for providing a shelter for Auren and I. I wonder where we would have slept if we hadn't come across the cave. We were already tired at the tone, exhausted and I knew just as I couldn't move further, Auren also couldn't. This little cave had been like a gift from the Moon Goddess. It wasn’t much, but it kept us safe.I turned my head and looked at him. Auren was still asl