Zelda’s POVI remained seated on the floor, utterly shocked by the recent turn of events, my hands compressed over my mouth. In a matter of seconds, James rose to his feet, and promptly, Carter and two other warriors emerged on the scene. They gently lifted Alpha Nicholas's lifeless body from the floor and placed him on a stretcher. Meanwhile, one of them cleaned the bloodstains from the floor with a mop and bucket, while the other carefully carried Nicholas away."Alpha, are you alright?" Carter inquired, offering James a handkerchief."How can you ask him if he's alright after he's just killed Alpha Nicholas?" I said to Carter, but my words seemed to fall on deaf ears as he completely ignored me. Frustration bubbled up within me, and an annoyed groan slipped past my lips.James used the handkerchief to clean his hands and then nodded towards the dungeon with a subtle gesture of his head. "Let her out," he directed.Carter took the dungeon keys from one of the warriors and approached
Zelda’s POVFear gripped me, and I trembled as I gently slid out from under the bed, adjusting my dress. My gaze fell upon James and his girlfriend lying next to each other beneath the covers."I…" I began, but James swiftly rose from the bed, looming before me. His hand closed around my throat, his eyes darkening as they locked onto mine."Did you think I wouldn't realize you were under the bed? Come on, muffin, you're my personal maid, and I know your scent," he stated coldly, his hot breath brushing against my face as he maintained an intense stare.I tried to speak, but his finger silenced me. "Shh, no need to say anything. If I had known you were in the room, I wouldn't have revealed so much. But since you're aware that your son is quite special and a pawn in my game," his grip on my neck tightened.My face reddened, struggling for breath. "If you were someone else, I'd have ended you. However, I won't... because you're powerless, and you can't save your son. Now, get out of my r
Zelda’s POVAs darkness enclosed over the packhouse, I moved the laundry cart through its corridors. Another maid, mysterious to me, gathered clothes from each room and placed them in the cart. Many of the clothes reeked of the mingled scents of sperm and alcohol, a reminder of werewolves' keen sense of smell.I let out a frustrated groan, scrunching my nose in disgust as I continued pushing the cart. "That's the last of it. Let's head to the laundry room," the unnamed maid declared, pressing the final batch of clothes into the cart and removing her rubber gloves.She leaned against the cart's edge, and I kept pushing it toward the laundry room. James had been absent since breakfast, and I enjoyed a day free from encountering his annoying presence."Stop, we're here," the maid announced, positioning herself in front of the laundry room. She pulled the cart inside as I followed suit. The room housed washing machines on all four sides, with open windows inviting the cool night breeze an
Zelda’s POVApollo's anguished groan echoed through the courtyard as a sharp ache struck my chest. My head snapped in his direction, finding him wide-eyed and his hand clutching the back of his head. Shock coursed through me as I saw a warrior holding a blood-streaked iron rod behind him. Apollo staggered and crumpled to the ground, the chains still restraining him."What have you done to him?" I exploded, my voice sharp, as I attempted to run towards him. James, however, seized my wrist, his grip stubborn."Settle down, muffin. He'll recover," James assured, his hold unmovable as I fought to break free. My gaze remained fixed on Apollo as the warrior removed his chains."Don't try to act smart, muffin. You are powerless to protect him. Weak as he is now," James sneered, pulling me against him. His arm encircled my waist, and his face nuzzled into my hair as he inhaled my scent."Observe the van, muffin. What do you see?" James demanded, his tone dripping with evil. My eyes landed on
Zelda’s POV"Carter, please! Don't do this! Remember, Apollo was like a friend to you," I begged desperately, the pain in my chest growing stronger. Dizziness clouded my senses, but I pushed through it and stood up from the sand, gripping onto Carter's shovel. The casket was being lowered into the pit by the other warriors."Let’s go, Zelda. You know you can't change this situation," Carter's voice broke through the tension as he forcefully took the shovel from my hand."Stop meddling where you shouldn't, and maybe you should be thanking us for what we're about to do. We're about to bury the man who caused you and your child immense pain," Carter's words were cold, lacking compassion. His gaze was fixed on the hole as the casket descended."That's it, just like that," Carter nodded in approval, gesturing to the others as they began climbing out of the pit. Tears blurred my vision as they started filling the hole with sand, the weight of it matching the pain in my heart. With each moun
Zelda’s POVSeth laughed. "That was a pretty weak attempt to sway me. I don't care about your offers; I'll stand with my Alpha till the end, even if it costs me my life," he said seriously.Alpha James burst into laughter. "Impressive loyalty, I must say. Cut the nonsense and tell me if you're willing to join forces. You'll have all the privileges you can imagine," James stated, resting a hand on Seth's shoulder, which only fueled Seth's anger."I have heard some rumors about your infatuation with your mate, but she doesn't want to be with you. What's her name again?" James snapped his fingers, summoning Carter back into the living room."Halsey," Carter replied."Halsey," James repeated. "I can arrange for her to be yours, make her love and accept you. Just become one of us, and I could use your fighting skills. Besides, your—" Seth cut in."I don't want to join forces with you, and secondly, Halsey is no longer my mate. She rejected me a long time ago, and I have a new mate now," Se
Zelda’s POV"Allow me to introduce Alpha Justin, Zelda. He is one of the Alphas who agreed to assist Apollo, and he is the only Alpha who came in person; the rest sent their warriors and betas," Seth clarified, while the old man continued to scrutinize me with his sharp gaze."If I were Apollo, I would have chosen my daughter," he added, and his daughter nudged him lightly."Stop it, Dad. She is beautiful. I understand why Apollo likes her, and I believe we shouldn't waste time. Let's go and capture James from the room," Amelia said."Yes, let's go," Seth agreed, and more warriors joined us in the corridor as we made our way to James's girlfriend's room, with me leading the way.I grabbed the doorknob and kicked the room open. We all entered the room, and to our astonishment, only his girlfriend was on the bed, passed out like the other warriors."Check the bathroom; we can't leave any stone unturned," Alpha Justin ordered.The warriors scattered across the room, searching the bathroo
Zelda’s POV"This is it! This is it!" I yelled, struggling to get out of the car in the windy desert. I shielded my face from the blowing sand and ran toward the signboard that Carter had left on the spot."Zelda, be careful!" Amelia yelled as they all got out of the car. I stopped near the signboard, squinting my eyes as I looked at them on the other side of the desert. The warrior opened the back trunk and took out three shovels and a small toolbox.The wind was strong, but my eagerness to save Apollo was stronger. I had a powerful feeling that I needed to know if Apollo was still alive, as Seth had said. I held onto the hope that he was still alive, deep inside me."I have a bad feeling about this, Zelda. I don't think he's still alive; we felt it, didn't we?" Lexa asked."We still have to find out," I replied bluntly as Amelia and the others caught up to me. She grunted, struggling in the windy desert alongside the others. She dragged her heels across the sand, forcefully pulled t
AUTHOR’S POV THREE YEARS LATER, The bright sun beat down mercilessly on the crowd gathered outside the grand university hall on graduation day. The excitement was evident in the sea of students, all dressed in wine and yellow graduation gowns. August, Lucas, Henry, and Sophia were eagerly anticipating receiving their well-earned certificates. However, there was a problem – Violet was nowhere to be found. August scanned the mass of graduates, sweat trickling down his forehead. Worry began to gnaw at him as their turn to receive their certificates neared. Lucas and Henry stood behind him, equally concerned, searching for their missing friend. Sophia, the most anxious among them, couldn't stand still. She paced back and forth, her face etched with worry. "Where the heck is Violet?" August muttered, his fists clenched. "We can't leave without her." Lucas's frustration was evident in his voice. "I have looked everywhere. She is not in the crowd or the hall. I don't understand. What c
AUTHOR’S POVEzra's heart pounded in his chest as he raced across the field on his horse, his eyes fixed on the struggling figure of his father on the ground. The sickening sound of fists striking flesh reverberated in his ears. As he drew nearer, he could see the twisted smiles on Apollo and Ryder's faces as they relished in the torment they were inflicting on his father."Enough!" Ezra's scream tore through the air, his voice quivering with anger. He lunged towards them, stopping his horse close by and then leaping down to rush to them."Stay away from my father!" he yelled, pushing Ryder forcefully, causing him to fall a few inches away."What the hell do you think you are doing, kid?" Apollo demanded in irritation. But Ezra paid him no attention and rushed to his father's side. He dropped to his knees beside James, who lay on the ground, his face pale and streaked with blood. James coughed violently but managed to meet Ezra's worried gaze."Kill... them," James choked out, blood t
AUTHOR’S POVSmoke and dust filled the air as the packs closed in on each other in the battlefield. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting its early morning light on the scene in the heart of Gianttooth pack territory.Alpha Apollo, his hair flowing over his shoulders, rode a sleek white horse with an air of confidence, flanked by Alpha Ryder. They shouted commands and pointed their swords toward James's pack, their warriors running on foot behind them, armed and resolute. Swords gleamed in the morning light as the warriors' faces reflected their determination to fight to the end. Alongside Apollo and Ryder, Zelda, Seth, and Amelia were also prepared for battle.On the opposing side, Alpha Ezra led the Stardust Runner pack on a dark plain, his blond hair blazing like fire. Alpha James, confined to his wheelchair with weapons attached to each hand, displayed a menacing and furious presence."Attack!!!" Apollo's commanding voice echoed across the field.Amelia and Seth sprinted thr
AUTHOR’S POVThe morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the entwined bodies of Alpha James and his wife. Their heavy breaths filled the room, accompanied by the soft sound of kissing as they engaged in a passionate make-out session on their ruffled bed. Their hands explored each other's bodies, and their faces were locked in an obsessive kiss.James took the lead, gently pushing her onto the bed, poised to join her. However, the romantic moment was abruptly shattered by the sharp chime of his phone. He reluctantly pulled away from the kiss and made a move to get up, but she clung to his hand."Don't go, dear. Work can wait. It's been too long since we have had quality time together," she pleaded, her eyes filled with longing. He withdrew his hand from her grasp and got out of bed, completely naked.Reaching for his phone on the nightstand, he picked it up and unlocked it. His heart raced as a message appeared on the screen. It was from Alpha Apollo. James
AUTHOR’S POVViolet lay in her bed, her eyes wide open in the darkness, hooked on the ceiling. Sleep avoided her no matter how hard she tried. The thought of Sophia and Lucas, still trapped and possibly suffering in that room, weighed heavy on her heart."I just need to calm down and try to sleep," she whispered to herself, closing her eyes tightly. But Sophia's distressed face kept flashing in her mind, and she couldn't shake the worry.She slipped out of bed and tiptoed out of her room, determined to do something about the situation. In the quiet hallway, she stood, taking in the eerie moonlight shadows on the walls. Barefoot, she proceeded carefully towards the room where her friends were held, determined to be as quiet as possible.As she approached the door of the room, her heart raced, but she pushed aside her fears and gently pushed the door open. Peering inside, she froze at the scene before her.In the room, Alpha James and Ezra were both present. Ezra was helping Sophia drin
AUTHOR’S POV The scorching sun beat down on an open field in the Grim pack away from the packhouse. Apollo and Ryder stood side by side, their muscles glistening with sweat. Their warriors sparred with each other, their fake swords clashing in a rhythmic dance. Battle cries filled the air, echoing through the space. Apollo gracefully spun around his sparring partner, effortlessly evading the strikes coming his way. His partner grew tired, unable to match his Alpha's speed and strength. Ryder, too, was in the midst of an energetic training session with his partner, engaging in a series of fierce fights. They all paused, catching their breath. Apollo and Ryder made their way to the stands, where the maids had set up a refreshing spread of water under large umbrellas. The cold liquid quenched their dry throats as they drank from the bottles. Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere shattered as multiple cars roared onto the field. Apollo narrowed his eyes and discarded his empty water bottl
AUTHOR’S POV Violet walked down the hallway, following the source of the noise. The sound grew louder with each step, and she stopped in front of the room from which it emanated. The room had a worn-looking door with a bit of dust on its surface. While she was aware that there were many seldom-used rooms in the packhouse, this one had never caught her attention. She leaned in, pressing her ear to the door, and shielded her face from the dust with her hand. Her heart raced as she heard muffled cries and struggles from within. Stepping back, she took a deep breath and, overcoming her hesitation, grabbed the grimy doorknob. With a swift motion, she flung the door open. As she entered the room, her eyes widened in shock. In the center of the dimly lit space, she saw Sophia and Lucas, both bound to chairs with their hands and mouths securely taped. Relief and fear flickered in their eyes as they noticed her presence. Rushing to Sophia's side, Violet gently removed the duct tape from he
AUTHOR’S POV Alpha Apollo entered the dimly lit bar, his mere presence sending a chill through the spines of the pack members who had already gathered there, engaged in drinks and conversations. Alpha Ryder and a group of their warriors approached him, each carrying bags of money and weapons. The two alphas found a corner table by the window, while the warriors settled at a nearby table with the clinking of their arsenal filling the air. Apollo's gaze swept over the curious pack members who were secretly observing them. "Have any of you never seen your Alpha in a bar before?" he asked loudly. The pack members quickly averted their gazes, returning to their own activities. Ryder leaned in and asked, "Should we order some beer while we wait?" Apollo's sharp gaze met Ryder's for a moment before he grunted in response. "We are here to retrieve our children, not to have fun. We must stay alert. I'm certain this is some sort of trap because James is taking too long to show up with our
AUTHOR’S POV The early morning sunlight bathed Apollo's office in a warm golden hue. He and Ryder stared intently at the large TV screen in the room, their eyes filled with anger as they watched their children tied to chairs, their small forms limp and unconscious, while James's menacing laughter echoed in the background. "What the hell have you done to our kids?" Apollo shouted, his voice seething with anger. James smirked and let out a chilling chuckle. "Oh, come on, Apollo. It's just a little game I have devised. You are not the only one skilled at kidnapping loved ones. In fact, I'm much better at it." Ryder's fists clenched in frustration. "What do you hope to achieve by kidnapping our children? Do you think this is fair? We had already decided to leave you alone because you are a sick bastard. You have crossed the line." James mockingly laughed. "Don't lie to me. I know you guys are planning a new war, and you have caused enough damage to my pack. I need more time to get my