58JANETI’ll never forget the day my father first spoke to me about choosing a mate. It had been a crisp autumn morning, the kind where the air is just cool enough to sting your cheeks but the sunlight makes everything feel warmer. He stood in the doorway of our family hall, his eyes scanning the distant hills like he was searching for something beyond the horizon.“You’re of age now, Janet,” my father began, his voice deep and steady. “You must think about the future of our clan. You’ll need to pick a mate soon, someone who will help you produce the next alpha.”I had always known this moment would come. It was the responsibility of the alpha’s daughter to secure the line of leadership. But even as he spoke, my mind drifted to Marcus. I had already made my choice, though my father didn’t know it yet. Marcus had captured my heart, and I had fallen for him in a way that I couldn’t explain. His charm, his presence—it had all consumed me, and I had allowed myself to believe that he was
59JANETFLASHBACKI stood in the middle of the clearing, my chest heaving, my heart pounding in my ears as I waited for Marcus to show. The moon hung heavy in the sky, casting an eerie light over the woods, and the wind carried the scent of pine and earth. It was the place where we used to meet, where everything between us had felt so real, so pure. But now, that purity was gone, shattered into pieces I couldn’t pick up.When Marcus appeared, his figure cutting through the shadows, I could barely look at him. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, betrayal, heartbreak. How could he? How could he lie to me, deceive me so easily, and make me believe that what we had was true?“Janet,” his voice broke the silence, soft and pleading. “I know you’re angry, but please, listen to me.”I met his gaze, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. “Angry? You think I’m just angry, Marcus? You knew who I was from the very beginning, didn’t you? And you didn’t care.”He took a step toward me, b
60JANETFLASHBACKThe battlefield was quiet now, but the silence felt more ominous than the chaos of battle. The scent of blood hung thick in the air, and the cries of the wounded echoed in the distance. I stood at the edge of the clearing, watching the remnants of Marcus’s forces retreat into the woods, defeated again.My heart ached as I thought of all the lives lost—my parents, warriors from my pack, even Marcus’s own brother. All this death, all this destruction, and for what? Power? Revenge? It had consumed Marcus completely. He wasn’t the man I had once known, once loved. That man had died long ago, replaced by a monster driven by hatred.My pack had triumphed today, as they had so many times before. We were stronger, smarter, more united. But victory no longer felt sweet. It felt like a hollow, bitter thing, one that left me with nothing but grief.The war between our clans had been raging for years now, ever since that fateful day when Marcus killed my parents in cold blood.
61ANNALISEThe air was thick with sorrow as I stood beside Janet. The battlefield was quiet now, but the silence felt louder than the clash of swords had. I could feel the weight of her grief pressing down, but I also felt my own, a burden I had carried for too long. Marcus was gone, banished to the realm of utter darkness, but the scars he left behind would remain forever.Janet stood there, her eyes distant, her body trembling with barely contained pain. She had lost so much—her parents, her trust, her innocence—and I could see that she blamed herself. I understood that feeling all too well.I reached out, resting my hand on her shoulder. “Don’t do this to yourself, Janet,” I said, my voice soft but firm. “Marcus never loved you. He wanted to use you for a purpose, one that had nothing to do with love.”She turned to me, her eyes red and swollen from crying. “But I should have seen it,” she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. “I should have known who he was, what he was cap
62ANNALISEThe air around us was heavy with anticipation. Janet’s words echoed in my mind—Marcus had become more powerful, more dangerous than we could have imagined. He was no longer just a threat to our realm, but to the earth realm as well. The chaos he had unleashed was spreading, and I could feel it in every corner of our world.Janet stood across from me, her face hard, but there was a glint of determination in her eyes. She was ready to fight, but I knew that this fight wouldn’t be easy. Marcus wasn’t the same as when we last encountered him. He had grown in strength, his dark energy feeding on the mayhem he had caused.I crossed my arms, feeling the weight of the decision that lay before me. My powers, once a force to be reckoned with, had weakened over the years. The connection to the energy that had once flowed through me had thinned. Janet believed I could take Marcus down, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t as strong as I used to be. Not without regaining what I had lost.“I’
63ANNALISEThe air was thick with the scent of pine and earth as I stood in the clearing, watching the sun begin its slow descent behind the mountains. The sky was painted in hues of orange and gold, but my mind wasn’t focused on the beauty of the evening. My focus was entirely on what lay ahead. Training. Regaining what I had lost.I flexed my fingers, trying to remember the sensation of the raw energy that used to flow through me. It had been years since I’d felt that power, that connection to the realm’s energy. Now, I was nothing more than a shadow of who I had once been. And if I was going to defeat Marcus, I needed to become that warrior again.Janet stood nearby, her sharp gaze watching me closely. She had been patient with me, but I could sense the urgency behind her calm demeanor. There wasn’t much time. Every day that passed, Marcus grew stronger. And every day, we were one step closer to disaster if I didn’t recover my abilities.“Breathe deeply, Annalise,” Janet’s voice c
64ANNALISEThe morning air felt crisp and fresh as I stepped out of the tent, the sunlight spilling through the trees like golden syrup. Today was different. I could sense it in the way the wind rustled the leaves and how the birds chirped cheerfully, as if they knew something I didn’t. Janet had told me she had a surprise for today, and I was both excited and anxious about what that might entail.“Are you ready?” Janet stood beside a woman I had never seen before. The woman had long, flowing hair and wore a robe that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. Her presence radiated a sense of calmness that drew me in, even though I felt a flicker of doubt.“What’s happening?” I asked, my heart racing.“This is Selene, a spiritualist. She’s here to guide you today,” Janet explained, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. “I thought it might help you find some peace and focus on forgiveness.”“Forgiveness?” The word felt heavy in my mouth. I didn’t know if I was ready to forgive anyone, least
65ANNALISEThe sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the dining table. It felt good to finally relax. I sat at the table with Adrian, Janet, and Molu, surrounded by the scent of grilled meat and roasted vegetables. We laughed and shared stories, the kind of moments that made everything else fade away, even if just for a little while.“Do you remember the time you tried to cook that fancy dinner for me?” Adrian’s voice was teasing, his eyes sparkling with mischief.I groaned, pretending to cover my face in embarrassment. “Don’t remind me! I almost burned the kitchen down.”Janet burst out laughing, her laughter ringing like music. “You almost burned the water! I still can’t believe you thought boiling water was a cooking technique.”“Hey, I was trying to impress you!” I shot back, a grin creeping onto my face. “And I thought boiling pasta was a good start.”“Boiling pasta is definitely a start,” Adrian chuckled, “but you forgot the sauce. All I got was plain noodles. I f
90JANETThe night felt endless as I tossed and turned, caught in a whirlpool of nightmares. Each time I closed my eyes, Marcus’s screams echoed in my mind, piercing the dark like a knife. His face twisted in terror, eyes wide with panic. I could feel his fear wrap around me like a cold fog, suffocating and real.I jolted awake, my heart racing. The remnants of his screams clung to the edges of my consciousness. I tried to sit up, but my body felt heavy, as if I were dragging a weight behind me. The bed sheets were tangled around my legs, and I fought to free myself, but the dream lingered, making it hard to breathe.As I finally pulled myself upright, I felt a sharp heat on my shoulder, and instinctively, I pressed my fingers against the spot where Marcus had marked me. It burned. The area felt hot and red, a reminder of his twisted claim on me. I shivered, recalling his words echoing in my mind: *You will forever partake in my suffering and pain.*The bitterness of those words twist
89ANNALISEI stood in the clearing, the remnants of our victory still echoing in my ears, I turned to face Janet. The moment felt monumental, heavy with the weight of our shared past. I had witnessed her strength, her courage, and I knew she was ready to lead the pack into a new future.“Janet,” I began, my voice steady. “I am handing you the leadership of the pack. You are their alpha now. You have the strength and wisdom to guide them.”Her eyes widened in surprise, a mix of joy and disbelief flickering across her face. “Annalise, I… I don’t know what to say.”“Just accept it,” I encouraged her, a smile creeping onto my lips. “You’ve earned this. They need you, and I trust you to lead them well.”Janet stepped forward, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Annalise. I promise I will do my best.”I nodded, feeling a swell of pride. “I know you will. You have always been stronger than you think.”As I turned to leave, Janet called out to me, urgency lacing her words. “Annalise,
88ANNALISEThe air was charged with energy, and I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on us. I stood before Marcus, my heart pounding in my chest. This was it. I had to make this choice—not just for myself, but for everyone who had suffered under his cruel rule.“Marcus Blackwood,” I began, my voice steady despite the fear bubbling inside me. “You have brought chaos and destruction to this realm. Your actions have hurt so many, and now, you will face the consequences.”He sneered, his bravado still intact, but I could see the cracks in his facade. “You think you can banish me? I am stronger than you can imagine!”Ignoring his taunts, I raised the totem high above my head. The ancient symbols glowed bright, casting an ethereal light across the clearing. “By the power vested in me, I pronounce your banishment into utter darkness!”The energy crackled around me, and I could feel the pull of magic surging through my veins. The air thickened, swirling around us, and a deep,
87ANNALISEThe tension in the air was thick as Nula raised her hand. Her gesture was clear. Lemuel, the captain of the pack, stepped forward, his voice booming with authority. “We surrender! Lower your weapons!”The pack obeyed without hesitation, their eyes shifting nervously from Marcus to Nula. I could feel their fear, but it was a different kind of fear than before—this was the fear of the unknown. Would Marcus retaliate?Marcus transformed, his muscles rippling under his dark fur. He let out a furious roar that echoed through the clearing. The sound sent chills down my spine. With one swift movement, he charged at Nula, his claws extended.“No!” I shouted, but it was too late. Marcus scratched Nula with his paw and bit down hard. She went down, blood pooling beneath her, and my heart dropped.“Protect her!” I yelled, urgency racing through me. The pack quickly transformed, forming a protective ring around Marcus, but he was wild, thrashing against their hold.I clenched my fists
86SPENCERFLASHBACKThe grand hall of the Blackwood clan was filled with tension as I faced the royal family, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease. The dim light from the ornate chandeliers cast long shadows, highlighting the seriousness of our meeting. I could feel my heart racing, knowing the weight of what I was about to reveal. I took a deep breath, ready to expose the truth about Marcus.“Thank you for gathering here,” I started, trying to steady my voice. “I have urgent news about Marcus and his plans. What I’m about to share is crucial for the future of our realms.”Nula, one of the prominent leaders, leaned forward, her brow furrowed with concern. “What is it, Spencer? We can sense the gravity in your tone. Speak freely.”I nodded, gathering my thoughts. “Marcus is not just seeking power; his intentions are far more sinister. His plan is to cause chaos among all the realms. He wants to open the door to the utter dark realm to free the Blackwood alpha clan that was
85ANNALISEThe night was charged with energy, an electric tension crackling in the air as I floated above the two armies, suspended under the eerie glow of the blood-red moon. Below me, warriors lined up, their faces a mix of fear and determination. I could feel their anxiety swirling like a storm. Marcus and Spencer stood at the forefront, their expressions betraying their confidence.I took a deep breath, feeling the power surge through me, ready to speak the truth they had tried so hard to conceal. “The Blackwood clan has a secret desire. A desire to corrupt all realms, to make them bend to their will. You stand at the brink of destruction, facing a choice that could save you.”The murmur of disbelief rippled through the crowd. I could see Marcus’s eyes narrow, assessing the situation, realizing he could not ignore what I was saying. “You think you can sway us with empty threats? The Blackwood family will not yield to your whims.”I raised my voice, letting it echo through the nig
84ANNALISEI stood by the window, gazing out at the horizon. The sun dipped below the trees, casting a warm glow over the landscape. It felt like a moment frozen in time. Adrian stood beside me, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him. I didn’t want to look away, not now.“Isn’t it beautiful?” he asked, his voice soft, breaking the comfortable silence between us.I nodded, still lost in thought. “It reminds me of those days in the village when the sun would set, and everything felt perfect.”Adrian turned to me, his eyes searching mine. “Do you miss it? The village, I mean.”I took a breath, trying to find the right words. “Sometimes. But I think it’s not just the village I miss. It’s the feeling of safety, of knowing where I belong.”He shifted slightly, leaning closer. “You belong with me, you know that, right?”His words sent a rush of warmth through me. I turned to face him, our eyes locking. “I want to believe that. But everything has changed. We’ve both cha
83SPENCERI walked into Marcus’s office, and the air felt thick with anger. Marcus stood by his desk, his fists clenched, the tension between us practically crackling. I could tell something was wrong even before he turned to me.“Why did the royal family withdraw their packs into the realm?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.I took a breath, steadying myself. “They wanted to meet you in the realm, Marcus. They won’t fight alongside you unless you go there.”His expression darkened. “They’re betraying me at a time like this?”Before I could respond, he grabbed a wineglass from his desk and hurled it at the wall behind me. I dodged just in time to see it shatter, glass flying in all directions.“Do they think they can just abandon me when victory is so close?” Marcus’s voice dripped with fury.I had to keep my cool. “They have their reasons. They believe the earth realm limits their power. If we fight here, they won’t be able to harness their full potential. They need the bloo
82ANNALISEI needed to see Sumel. The thought consumed me as I paced the small apartment where Molu had brought us. I felt the weight of everything resting on my shoulders, and I knew that Sumel’s strength could make a difference in our fight.“Can you take me to him?” I asked Molu, my voice steady but filled with urgency.Molu nodded, his expression serious. “Of course. Follow me.”As we walked through the ancient corridors, I felt a strange mix of hope and fear. Sumel had always been a source of wisdom and strength. But the last time I saw him, he had been weakened by Marcus’s darkness. I had to believe that I could help him.When we reached the small chamber where Sumel rested, my heart sank. He lay on a simple bed, his face pale and drawn. The flickering candlelight cast shadows over him, making him look even more fragile.“Sumel,” I whispered, moving closer to his side.His eyes fluttered open, and a faint smile crossed his lips. “Annalise,” he breathed, his voice barely above a