Chapter 32Lurking ShadowsQuinton's POVThe night air was thick with tension as I paced in front of the cabin, my thoughts a tangled mess of frustration and worry. I could feel the weight of the moon above, not yet full, but enough to send ripples of power through my veins. The wolf inside me was restless, prowling just beneath the surface, and the longer I waited, the more impatient it grew.Fiona should have been back by now.I clenched my fists, trying to rein in the growing unease gnawing at me. She was strong—stronger than most—but something about this whole situation didn’t sit right with me. Ever since Elian’s cryptic message, I’d had this gut feeling that we were walking into a trap, and now, with Fiona missing, that feeling had only grown worse.“Where the hell is she?” I muttered under my breath, my eyes scanning the surrounding woods. The darkness seemed to press in on all sides, and even with my heightened senses, I couldn’t pick up any trace of her scent. It was as if sh
Chapter 34The Edge of ControlQuinton’s POVThe sight of Fiona crumpling to the ground beneath that beast haunted my every step. Blood trickled from her shoulder, soaking the earth as I ran toward her. Time seemed to stretch, but I reached her in a heartbeat. My wolf growled and howled within me, urging me to destroy the creature that had dared harm her.With a savage roar, I launched myself at the creature still hovering over her, my claws raking its side. The thing barely registered the blow, turning its glowing eyes on me. It didn’t seem alive—it was like it was possessed by something darker, something that had already claimed its soul. I tore into it with everything I had, letting my rage fuel me. The creature screeched, a sound that made my ears ring, but it finally went limp beneath me.I barely noticed. My attention was only on Fiona, whose body lay motionless at my feet."Fiona!" My voice was rough, desperate.I dropped to my knees beside her, brushing her blood-soaked hair f
Chapter 35Shadows Of The PastQuinton's POV As I stood over Fiona, the weight of the bond thick in the air, I could feel something pulling—dragging us deeper into a space I didn’t recognize. My wolf stirred, agitated and restless. The connection between Fiona and me had always been powerful, but what I was facing now was different, darker. This wasn’t just about saving her. It was about something larger, something ancient that had been awoken by the darkness.I clenched my fists, trying to ground myself as the sensation of burning coursed through my veins. My father’s voice echoed in my mind, instructing me to hold the bond and pull out the poison. But it wasn’t just poison. It was a curse.The darkness inside Fiona wasn’t simply from the bite of that creature. It was tied to something else. The moment I tapped into her essence, I saw fragments of her memories—ones she didn’t know I was seeing. Dark flashes of a time long ago, of blood and pain, of a pact made in desperation. I cou
Chapter 35The ConsequencesQuinton’s POVThe moment Fiona stepped forward, my heart sank. I didn’t know what she was choosing, but whatever it was, it felt like the ground had just dropped from beneath us. The air around us grew thick, charged with something dark and ancient, like the forest itself was holding its breath, waiting for the inevitable.The woman—this strange figure who’d appeared out of nowhere—nodded in approval, her lips curling into a smile that chilled me to my core.“You’ve made the right choice,” she said, her voice smooth but laced with something predatory. “Now we can begin.”“Begin what?” I growled, stepping closer to Fiona, my hand brushing her arm as if touching her could tether her to reality, to me. “What the hell did she choose?”The woman’s eyes gleamed in the moonlight as she glanced between Fiona and me. “That is not for you to know, Quinton. Not yet. This is a journey Fiona must take on her own.”Fiona flinched at the woman’s words, and I could feel th
Chapter 36Descent into DarknessFiona’s POVThe world felt distant as my vision blurred. I wasn’t fully conscious of what was happening, but the thick tension in the air was impossible to ignore. Quinton’s voice called out to me from the edge of consciousness, his touch anchoring me, but the more I tried to respond, the further I felt from reality. I was stuck in the space between waking and a nightmare, tethered to something that refused to let me go.I could feel it—the darkness inside of me. It pulsed, alive and sinister, feeding off something deeper within my blood. It was as though it had always been there, lying dormant, just waiting for the right moment to rise. The idea of a prophecy tied to my family made no sense, but the truth was undeniable now. There were secrets buried in my bloodline that I never even imagined.The pain in my chest was sharp, spreading outward as if something was clawing its way through my veins. It wasn’t just the wound from the attack—it was more, so
Chapter 37Shadows Of DestinyFiona’s POVThe room was a chaotic mess of shadows and shifting light. The aftermath of the battle had left its mark—furniture was overturned, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and fear. My heart raced as I tried to grasp the enormity of what had just happened. My mind was a whirlwind of confusion and dread. I had unleashed a power I didn’t understand, and now I was left trying to piece together the fragments of reality that had shattered around me.Quinton’s father stood in the middle of the room, his expression cold and unreadable. Quinton, still in his human form, was pacing back and forth, his face a mask of worry and frustration. I felt the weight of their eyes on me, the silent question of what came next pressing heavily on my shoulders.I could still feel the residual dark energy coursing through me, a subtle reminder of the power I had tapped into. The sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying. It had been a reflex, a desper
Chapter 38In The Shadow Of The ProphecyQuinton’s POVThe weight of the recent events pressed heavily on me. Fiona was struggling to come to terms with her newfound power, and every day felt like a race against time. The darkness that had been unleashed within her was something we had to confront, and the threat of the creatures that hunted us loomed ever closer.The study had become our command center. Fiona, with her newfound determination, was diving deep into the ancient texts, while her father and I worked on fortifying the house. Protective wards and enchantments were being laid down, but it felt like a temporary solution to a much larger problem.I watched Fiona from across the room as she pored over the manuscripts. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, her eyes scanning the pages with an intensity that I admired and worried about in equal measure. She was stepping into a role she never asked for, and I could see the strain it was putting on her.“How’s it going?” I asked,
Chapter 39Shadows at DawnQuinton’s POVThe days seemed to blur together in a haze of preparation and tension. The rituals had become a regular part of our lives, each one bringing Fiona closer to understanding and controlling her power. The study was littered with ancient texts, magical artifacts, and protective charms, a testament to the gravity of our situation.As the first light of dawn crept through the windows, I could see Fiona’s silhouette hunched over one of the manuscripts. She had been working tirelessly, her determination unwavering. I admired her strength but couldn’t ignore the toll it was taking on her.I approached her quietly, careful not to startle her. “How’s it going?”She looked up, her eyes tired but resolute. “I’m making progress, but it’s slow. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.”I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You’re doing great. We’re all in this together.”She gave me a small, appreciative smile. “Thanks, Quinton. I ju
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