73MARCUSThe alley was dim, lit only by the flickering streetlight above. I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, waiting for Spencer to show up. He was always anxious, always worrying about something. I could feel it in the air. He rushed into view, his face pale and his breath quickened.“Marcus,” he said, glancing around as if the shadows might swallow him whole. “We need to talk. Annalise is up to something. She’s gathering support in the other realm.”I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “And? What of it? Does she think she can actually threaten us?”Spencer stepped closer, his eyes wide with concern. “You don’t understand. She’s more powerful than she looks. If she gets enough support, it could mean serious trouble for us.”“Trouble?” I scoffed. “What kind of trouble? She doesn’t have what it takes to challenge me. She’s all bark and no bite. You’ve seen it.”“She’s not alone anymore. She’s got allies,” Spencer insisted, urgency bleeding into his tone. “This isn’t just about her.
74SPENCERThe alley felt suffocating, shadows closing in as I faced Marcus. The tension was palpable, a brewing storm that mirrored the turmoil in my gut. Betrayal hit harder than any punch I could’ve taken.“Why, Marcus?” My voice trembled, laced with anger. “Why would you deceive me like this? I trusted you.”Marcus leaned back against the wall, a smirk plastered across his face. “Trust? Spencer, you’re so naive. You should know better by now. This was never about trust; it was about power.”“Power?” I echoed, disbelief washing over me. “You promised me the guardianship over our realm. You said I would lead. What happened to that?”“Guardianship?” He chuckled, a low, mocking sound that cut deep. “In the grand scheme of things, there should be no guardian. I will be the only guardian in all the realms. That’s the plan.”“No,” I breathed, shock gripping me. “You can’t be serious. You’re throwing away everything we fought for! You’re betraying me!”“I’m not betraying you,” Marcus repl
75I stood at the edge of the sacred cave, the air thick with anticipation and the distant rumble of thunder echoing in my ears. Adrian was beside me, his eyes filled with worry, searching my face as if trying to read my thoughts. The weight of what was coming hung heavy between us, a looming shadow that threatened to engulf everything we cared about.“Are you ready for what’s ahead?” he asked, his voice low and steady, but I could hear the tremor underneath. I knew he was trying to mask his fear, but it was there, lurking just beneath the surface.I took a deep breath, looking out into the darkness of the cave, the shadows dancing as the light flickered from the torches. “I am,” I assured him, though uncertainty lingered in my heart. I had to be strong, for both of us. I had come too far to back down now. “We have to face Marcus and his pack. It’s time to end this.”Adrian’s brow furrowed as he stepped closer, his expression turning serious. “Annalise, I—” He hesitated, searching for
76SPENCERI crouched low behind the thick trunk of a tree, the cool earth beneath me grounding my thoughts. Annalise was out there, walking through the woods, unaware that I was watching her. The shadows cloaked me, hiding my presence as I studied her. She moved with a grace that was almost ethereal, but the weight of her world was visible in her posture. I had to be careful; my heart raced, not just from the thrill of following her but from the heaviness of my own choices.I had made mistakes—grave ones. But I wasn’t the monster Marcus painted me as. I wanted redemption, a chance to prove I wasn’t just another pawn in his game. I had to find a way to get through to Annalise.She paused suddenly, her head turning slightly as if she sensed something. I held my breath, tension rising in my chest.“Stop hiding and reveal yourself!” she called out, her voice steady.Damn it. I stepped out from behind the tree, revealing myself. The moment her eyes locked onto mine, I saw a flicker of ang
77ANNALISEI crossed my arms, studying Spencer as he paced in front of me, his mind racing. It was hard to believe I was even considering his request. This traitor wanted a chance to prove himself, but I had my doubts. After everything he had done, trusting him felt like a gamble I wasn’t ready to take.“Lure Marcus into the realm,” I finally suggested, my voice firm. It was a risky plan, but if it worked, we could have the upper hand.Spencer stopped dead in his tracks, a look of disbelief washing over his face. “Marcus would never come into the realm. He’s too afraid. I’ve tried to convince him before, but he fears that his mortal wound will weaken him. He knows it’ll make him less powerful against you.”Frustration bubbled inside me. “Then what’s your plan? Either bring Marcus to me, or go back to him and wait for your destruction.”Spencer’s face darkened, and I could see the anger boiling beneath the surface. He turned away from me, his fists clenching at his sides. “You don’t g
78ANNALISEI approached the banished quarters, my heart pounding in my chest. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel the weight of what I was about to share pressing down on me. Janet and Adrian were gathered inside, their expressions serious as they prepared for whatever was coming next.As I entered, I found them deep in conversation, their voices low. They looked up when I stepped into the dim light, and I took a deep breath, ready to reveal what I had learned.“Listen, everyone,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady. “I found a way to bring Marcus into the realm.”Janet’s eyes widened, disbelief washing over her face. “You’re joking, right? Marcus would never agree to that.”I shook my head, determination filling me. “Spencer is going to bring him. He’s desperate to save himself.”“Desperate? He’s a coward,” Janet retorted, crossing her arms. “You really think Spencer can persuade someone like Marcus? It’s impossible.”“Spencer has everything to lose. If he doesn’t a
79ANNALISEI stood outside the banished quarters, the cool night air biting at my skin. I felt a knot tightening in my stomach, a mixture of determination and dread. I had just agreed to let Spencer play a role in bringing Marcus into our realm, and I couldn’t shake the unease that came with it. It was hard to trust someone who had betrayed me before, but I was desperate.Adrian met me at the door, his expression serious. “Annalise, we need to talk.”I nodded, knowing what was coming. “I know. About Spencer.”“About Spencer and about you trusting him,” he replied, frustration creeping into his voice. “Why would you put yourself in that position again?”“I don’t have a choice, Adrian. We need Marcus to come here. Spencer is our only option.”“Only option? Really? You think he’s changed?” Adrian crossed his arms, pacing slightly. “After everything he did to you?”I felt heat rise in my cheeks. “I’m not saying he’s perfect, but he can help us.”“He’s a snake, Annalise. You know that. Ho
SPENCERPacing the floor of my living quarters, I felt the weight of my anxiety pressing down on me. Each step seemed to echo in the silence, a reminder of the tension coiling within me. The room felt too small, too confining. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the heat of uncertainty creeping up my spine. The knock on the door startled me, and I paused, taking a deep breath before opening it.Five members of the Blackwood pack stood before me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and authority. Marcus had summoned them, and I knew it was time to put my plan into action. “Welcome,” I said, stepping back to let them in.Nula, one of the royal members, stepped forward. “Spencer, what’s this about? Why did Marcus call us here?”I closed the door and turned to face them, my heart racing. “Marcus summoned you to discuss the war that lies ahead. There’s a lot at stake, and we must prepare.”“But what’s the real reason for this meeting?” Nula pressed, her eyes narrowing.I hesitated, know