Chapter 24Shadow Of The BeastFiona's POVThe wind roared in my ears as the monstrous wolf lunged at us, its jaws snapping shut with a sickening sound. Quinton’s body collided with mine, pushing me out of its path just in time. We tumbled to the ground, his warmth engulfing me, but the adrenaline surging through my veins left no time for comfort. We had to move.I scrambled to my feet, my heart hammering wildly against my ribs. The massive creature stood before us, its glowing red eyes locked on me, its breath hot and rancid as it snarled. I had never seen anything like it before—it was ancient, primal, radiating a power that sent chills down my spine.My wolf howled within me, ready to fight, but there was a hesitation, a sliver of doubt that wasn’t usually there. I glanced at Quinton, who had shifted back into his human form, his chest heaving with exertion. Blood smeared his skin, and I knew he was barely holding it together, but his eyes—those deep, burning eyes—were focused, det
Chapter 25The Mark Of ShadowsFiona's POVThe moment the wolf crashed into the cabin, time seemed to slow down. The sheer size of the beast was overwhelming, its red eyes glowing with a malevolent hunger that sent a shiver down my spine. It was no ordinary wolf—its fur was mottled with darkness, tendrils of shadow clinging to it like smoke. Every movement it made rippled with unnatural power, as though it was not merely flesh and bone but something far more sinister.Quinton stood in front of me, his stance protective, ready to fight despite the impossible odds. I could feel his tension, his breath coming in short, shallow bursts as he prepared to defend us. But I knew, in that split second, this was a battle we couldn't win head-on.The beast lunged, its claws extended, aiming for Quinton. He dodged with lightning reflexes, grabbing a piece of the broken wooden beam and swinging it at the wolf with all his strength. The impact sent the beast staggering back for a moment, but it quic
Chapter 26Whispers Of The UnknownQuinton's POVThe darkness that surrounded me was not the comforting silence of sleep but a suffocating void that pressed against my chest, heavy and stifling. It felt as though I was drowning in it, unable to claw my way back to the surface. The weight was unbearable, and yet, I couldn’t wake up. My body felt distant, almost numb, as if it no longer belonged to me.Then, gradually, there was a faint sound. A soft voice that pierced through the fog, a whisper that pulled me from the void. It wasn’t a voice I recognized, but it was calming, familiar in a way that made no sense. It grew louder, urging me to fight, to wake up.I jerked awake with a sharp gasp, sitting up so fast that pain shot through my chest. My breath hitched, and I winced as the memories of the attack flooded back. The wolf—no, the monster that had torn into me, its eyes glowing with that unnatural light. I’d fought it, but I hadn’t been strong enough.“Fiona!” I called out, my voic
Chapter 27The Gathering StormQuinton’s POVThe ash swirled around me, thick and suffocating, as I stood frozen in place, staring at the charred remains of what had once been our safe haven. The cabin was gone, reduced to rubble and smoldering debris. But none of that mattered. Not the destruction, not the fire that had ripped through the woods. All I could think of was Fiona.My chest tightened with a panic I couldn’t control. She was nowhere to be found.“Fiona!” I shouted, my voice hoarse as I ran forward, ignoring the heat that radiated from the embers beneath my feet.I could still feel her. She was alive, but her presence was weak, distant. The bond between us pulsed faintly, like a dying heartbeat, and it terrified me.I stumbled through the clearing, my eyes scanning the wreckage for any sign of her. But there was nothing—just ash and smoke. My hands shook as I sifted through the debris, frantic. She couldn’t be gone. She couldn’t.“Where are you?” I muttered under my breath,
Chapter 28The Beast WithinFiona's POVThe wind howled through the clearing, whipping the leaves into frenzied spirals as I stood frozen, heart pounding in my chest. The massive, black-furred creature loomed before us, its eyes gleaming with a sickly yellow light that sent chills down my spine. I could feel its power radiating, heavy and suffocating, unlike anything I had ever encountered.Quinton’s presence next to me was a small comfort, but even he seemed tense, his body coiled and ready for a fight. This creature—it wasn’t like any werewolf I had seen before. It was something darker, more primal. My wolf stirred anxiously inside me, growling at the intruder, but even she seemed wary of this monster.“Stay behind me,” Quinton growled under his breath, stepping in front of me protectively.I wanted to protest, to stand and fight beside him, but something about the way this creature moved—its sheer size and the malice in its glowing eyes—made me hesitate. I wasn’t sure if we could t
Chapter 29The Rising TideFiona's POVThe forest felt alive with danger. Every breath I took seemed to vibrate with the ominous energy crackling in the air, and I could feel it in the pit of my stomach—a storm was coming, and we were standing right in its path.The howl that had pierced the night moments ago still echoed in my ears, a haunting sound that sent chills down my spine. I tried to focus, to steady my breathing, but the fear gnawing at my insides wouldn’t relent. Quinton was right beside me, his presence grounding in a way I desperately needed right now. Yet, even with him here, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were walking into something far beyond our control.“What do we do?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. It felt like the darkness around us was listening, waiting for a sign of weakness.Quinton’s eyes scanned the tree line, his jaw tight with tension. “We need to move, now. Whatever’s out there, it’s getting closer, and we can’t be caught out in the open.”I no
Chapter 30Dark HorizonsFiona’s POVThe world faded back into focus, and the first thing I noticed was the cold. I blinked, trying to shake off the dizziness that clung to my senses, but the chill bit through my skin like icy tendrils. My surroundings were unfamiliar, a stark contrast to the thick, vibrant forest we’d just been in. Instead, I stood in a dimly lit, cavernous space. Stone walls loomed high, casting shadows that seemed to move on their own.The man—no, the monster—who had kidnapped me still had his hand wrapped tightly around my arm. His grip was firm but not painful, as though he knew I wouldn’t—or couldn’t—run. I wanted to shift, to break free and tear into him with my wolf’s teeth, but my body wasn’t responding. Something about this place sapped my strength, leaving me disoriented and vulnerable.“Where are we?” I forced the words out through clenched teeth, trying to keep the fear from showing in my voice.He didn’t answer immediately, instead releasing me with a ca
Chapter 31Shattered EchoesFiona's POVThe cavern walls pressed in on me as I made my way through the passageway. Every step echoed against the stone, the oppressive silence only amplifying the sound of my rapid heartbeat. The air was colder now, and with each breath, I could see the mist escaping my lips. My mind raced as I tried to process what had just happened, but the harder I tried to make sense of it, the more tangled it all became.Alpha bloodline? The very idea seemed absurd, but Elian’s words clung to me like a shadow I couldn’t shake. What if he was telling the truth? What if everything I knew about myself—about my family—was a lie?I needed answers. And more than that, I needed to get out of here.The further I walked, the narrower the tunnel became, and I started to feel trapped. I hated enclosed spaces; it made my wolf restless, desperate to break free. My claws itched beneath my skin, and I had to take a few deep breaths to keep myself from shifting. If there was one t
Chapter 82A Dangerous GambleQuinton's POVAs we left the clearing, I could feel Fiona’s anguish radiating through every step she took. Her brother, Caleb, being alive was a twist none of us had anticipated, and it cut deeper than anything Lilith had thrown at us so far. But it wasn’t just that. The real wound was seeing him twisted, loyal to the very enemy we were trying to stop. I wanted to say something to comfort her, but I knew words wouldn’t help now. What Fiona needed was action—and answers.“Do you think he’s too far gone?” she asked quietly, barely above a whisper.I looked over at her, unsure of what to say. Caleb’s eyes had been empty—cold. I wasn’t sure what Lilith had done to him, but it felt like she’d stripped him of something vital, something human. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “But we’re going to find out.”We pushed through the underbrush, the night air thick with tension. I had to focus on the immediate problem: how to deal with Lilith’s growing power and Caleb’s in
Chapter 81Revelations UnveiledFiona's POVThe shock of seeing my brother standing beside Lilith sent my mind into a whirlwind of confusion. For years, I thought he was dead. Killed when we were children, lost to a tragedy I could barely remember. But there he was, his eyes gleaming with that same dangerous light I’d seen in my own reflection recently.My breath hitched, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak. It was as though all the air had been sucked from my lungs. "Caleb?" I whispered, taking a cautious step forward.He didn’t respond, his gaze cold and emotionless, like a stranger wearing my brother’s face. The Caleb I remembered had a kindness in his eyes, a warmth. This man... was different. Darker. I couldn’t feel any of the sibling bond we’d once shared. Instead, I felt the same oppressive energy I’d always sensed from Lilith—only now, it was doubled."Surprised to see him?" Lilith’s voice was like silk, dripping with malice. "He’s been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Chapter 80A Dark RevelationFiona's POVThe darkness that swallowed the cave was absolute, suffocating. I couldn’t see Quinton or even hear him. Panic began to bubble up inside me, making my chest feel tight. My heart pounded wildly, each beat echoing in my ears. I reached out, blindly, desperate to find him.“Quinton!” My voice cracked in the overwhelming silence.No response.My pulse quickened as I realized how alone I felt in this void, but I couldn’t afford to lose myself to fear. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to focus. I could still sense Quinton’s presence somewhere near me—his energy, that raw and protective aura, flickering through the dark. It was faint but there. I had to find him."Fiona..."His voice, strained and faint, came from somewhere close but distant, like he was calling from deep underwater. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived.Lilith was still out there.My fists clenched, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm the wild thrum of magic bene
Chapter 79In The ShadowsFiona's POVThe cave’s air was thick with tension, as if the forest outside held its breath, waiting. I knelt beside Quinton, trying to stem the bleeding from his wounds. His skin was pale, far too pale, and his breaths were shallow. My heart clenched as I worked, pressing torn pieces of my shirt to his chest, wishing I knew more about healing."You’ll be okay," I whispered, though my voice trembled. I had to keep it together. For him.Quinton’s eyes fluttered open, glazed with pain but still sharp with concern. "We don’t have time to stay here long.""Shh. Just rest," I insisted, but even as I said it, I knew he was right. That stranger wasn’t done with us, not by a long shot. The fight was far from over, and the way the stranger had looked at me, like I was some kind of... weapon, sent a chill down my spine.I glanced toward the cave entrance, half-expecting to see a shadow creeping toward us. The night outside was pitch black, and though we had some time t
Chapter 78The Edge of ControlQuinton's POVPain shot through my body as the stranger’s hand pressed down harder on my chest, pinning me to the ground. I growled, baring my teeth, but it was no use. Whoever this new threat was, they were stronger than anyone I’d ever faced. Fiona’s scream rang in my ears, but I couldn’t focus on her right now. I had to break free, had to fight. But the stranger’s strength was overwhelming, their eyes cold and calculating as they gazed down at me, almost amused by my struggle.“You really thought you could protect her?” the stranger taunted, their voice dripping with mockery. “You don’t even know what she’s capable of.”My muscles burned with the effort as I tried to push them off, but they didn’t budge. I could feel their claws digging into my skin, sharp and unforgiving, and I knew if I didn’t act soon, they’d tear me apart. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Fiona standing there, her hands raised, her eyes glowing with that strange, uncontrollabl
Chapter 77Tangled FatesFiona's POVThe air crackled with lingering energy as I collapsed into Quinton’s embrace, the force of the power I’d just unleashed still thrumming through my veins. My head swirled, a strange combination of exhaustion and exhilaration. The stones in the clearing had responded to me in a way I hadn’t expected—like they had been waiting for me, for this moment. “What just happened?” I whispered, trying to make sense of the chaos that had unfolded. Quinton held me tightly, his heartbeat slowing as we stood in the eerie silence that followed the blast. The forest around us was still, as if the earth itself was holding its breath, waiting for what would come next.“I don’t know,” he admitted, his breath warm against my ear. “But whatever you did… it worked.”I looked up at him, my eyes searching his for any reassurance. “This power—I didn’t even know I had it. It’s like… it’s like it’s growing, and I don’t understand it.”Quinton’s gaze softened, his hand cuppin
Chapter 76Echoes of DeceptionFiona’s POVThe clearing was silent, save for the rapid beating of my heart. My breath came in shallow gasps as I watched Gabriel vanish into the shadows, leaving Quinton and me standing over Victor’s barely conscious form. Quinton looked at me, concern etched into his face, but there was something deeper, something unspoken between us. He wanted to protect me, to shield me from all this danger, but he knew just as I did—there was no turning back now. We were in this together, for better or for worse.“Are you okay?” His voice was strained, as if speaking the words took effort.I nodded, still catching my breath. “I’m fine. Are you?”He grunted in response, clearly hurting from the brawl, but he wouldn’t let it show. Quinton’s strength was both his greatest weapon and his biggest weakness. He carried the weight of every battle, every danger we faced as if it was his sole responsibility. And now, standing in the aftermath of another close call, I could s
Chapter 75Shadow of BetrayalQuinton’s POVThe moment Gabriel led us deeper into the woods, I felt the tension in my chest rise. Something wasn’t right. Everything about this situation screamed danger, but Fiona and I had no other choice. Lukas had the upper hand, and this was our best chance of stopping him. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Gabriel was leading us into a trap.“Stay close,” I whispered to Fiona, my hand resting protectively on her lower back. She nodded, her eyes sharp and focused, but I could feel the nervous energy radiating off her.Gabriel walked ahead of us, moving with a fluid grace that unnerved me. He was too calm, too collected. The forest was still eerily quiet, and it felt like the trees themselves were watching us, waiting to see what would unfold.I didn’t trust him. Not for a second.“Are you sure about this?” Fiona whispered, her voice barely audible.I hesitated before answering. “No. But we don’t have much of a choice, do we?”Her eyes flicke
Chapter 74The Edge of DarknessFiona’s POVGabriel's words hung heavy in the air, lingering like a dark cloud over Quinton and me as we stood in the clearing. The forest was quiet now, unnaturally so, as if it was holding its breath, waiting to see what would happen next. I felt my chest tighten with the weight of everything. Who was this Gabriel? Could we trust him? Every part of me screamed no, but what choice did we have?Quinton's body was tense beside me, his wolf instincts on full alert. I could feel his need to protect me radiating off him, but I also knew that something about Gabriel intrigued him. Maybe it was the chance to gain an advantage over Lukas and Lucian, or maybe it was the desperation we both felt as we realized we were being hunted."Why now?" I asked, my voice cutting through the thick silence. "Why reveal yourself to us now, Gabriel?"Gabriel's eyes flickered toward me, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw something—pain, or maybe regret. But it vanished as