AEMOND'S POV“Finally, it is gradually coming through! You think of me as a fool! A sheep destined to be led all through life. I have worked my ass off, my sweat, my blood, yet you keep taking credit for all! No acknowledgement! Wait till I take everything from you and have you stripped on the street,” I spat venom at Leo in my head, still maintaining a submissive look. I nodded with my gaze fixed on him, with a forced smile, while I tightened my fist away from his view.“I am happy you're beginning to see reasons with me, your Grace. I'd reach out immediately to Zephyr. I am certain he would be able to give me more insight about the pendant,” my voice rang with so much excitement as I stood up to exit the bar.My phone buzzed in my pocket, I reached out to see it was Ella. I took a sharp glance at Leo. Luckily his face was buried in his phone. Clicking on the message icon, I realized it was Ella.I AM YET TO GET AN UPDATE ON THAT BITCH. WHY IS SHE STILL BREATHING? JAKE ALMOST BUMPED
LYRA’S POV"Stay here, baby, and remain quiet. Do not make a sound”. My mother whispered, her voice trembling. “Yes mama”, I replied. My voice, a fragile whisper. She stretched out her pinkie finger and I interlocked mine with hers- that was our secret way of sealing our promises. “Good girl”, she said, forcing a faltering smile. Leaning in, she placed a warm kiss on my forehead which contrasted her cold, shaking hands as she tilted my chin up a little with her finger before sweeping my hair behind my ear. “I love you Lyra”, she said. Her icy blue eyes reflected with a mixture of love and terror. “I love you too mama”. I managed to voice out. My heart thudded heavily and loud in my chest like a clanging bell in a cathedral. I watched through a crack as mum paced protectively, ready to fight. The noise outside intensified. The screams, the vicious snarls and the sound of jaw- snapping smash sent a bolt of terror running down my spine. Suddenly, the door exploded open.A tall mascu
LYRA’S POVWelcome to Howling Hills Central Park! The signage read as Dad pulled into the parking lot.He parked the car and stretched, his grin as broad as ever. "Ready to enjoy your big day, Tinkerbell?"I scoffed at his nickname. "I am 18, Dad. Perhaps it's time for an upgrade?"Never," he answered, patting my hair with a kind smile. “You'd always be my tinkerbell”.As I stepped out of the car, the warm wind brushed over my skin and hair, delivering the pleasant aroma of the blossoming flowers right into my nostrils. The park was brimming with activities. Joggers ran along meandering routes, and street entertainers entertained a small throng with cheerful melodies. As we stepped in, my nostrils were filled with the smell of cotton candy- I had always loved them. The park wasn't a bad idea after all, I thought.“Look who we have here! The birthday girl”. Emily exclaimed. Her blond curls bouncing in her shoulders as she rushed over to hug me. “Happy birthday Lyra”, Greg added befo
JAKE POVThe hum of the V16 engine of my sleek SUV filled the air as Ryan maneuvered through the winding road that cut through howling hills. Damien, my beta, sat beside me, scrolling through his iPad with his typical intensity.“Do you think life has a way of playing tricks on us?” I asked in a half-joking manner peering out the window and adjusting my collar.“You mean like having us drive out here for a meeting that could have been sorted out over a ten-minute phone call?” Damien, my beta, responded with a smirk on his face, his face laced with irritation as he scrolled through his iPad, sorting out the business proposal for the meeting.“The Alpha Council wants face-to-face negotiations. Without this treaty, we risk losing the eastern borders to Draven’s pack. We need this alliance!”. I rolled my shoulders, trying to ease the tension that had been building for weeks.Damien's expression softened though with a wry smile. “ I hope their hospitality includes some good bottles of whis
JAKE'S POVRyan screeched the car to a halt in front of the pack house. I flung open the door and stepped outside, her unconscious body in my arms. Her blood soaked into my shirt, warm and sticky, but I barely noticed. All that mattered to me was the faint, fragile breath I could feel against my chest.Damien dashed out of the car a second later, his face a puzzled, worried expression. “Jake, what are we going to do?”. His face and tone were a mix of concern and confusion.“Find the head guard. Tell him to get Selene here right away,” I ordered. “Let her know the urgency of the situation.” My tone brooked no argument.Damien’s footsteps were a blur behind me as I bolted up the stairs to the pack houseDamien nodded sharply and set out to the security post.Looking down at her pale face with dark, tangled hair framing it made my heart tighten. I balanced her weight on my arm as I climbed the stairs up into the house.The door swung open ahead of me, two junior guards stepping aside as
LYRA'S POV A bright light blinded my vision as I fluttered my eyes open. The sting of it made me wince, forcing my lids shut again. Slowly, I tried a second time, squinting until the room around me came into focus—blurry edges sharpening into unfamiliar shapes.The room was large- a curious blend of elegance and mystery. Paintings lined the wall, the chandelier hung like a frozen waterfall. Its crystals reflect shiny glitters. The room gave the antique setting of a 1960 movie, but this wasn't a movie and it was certainly not my room. My heart pounded as I panicked, Where was I?“You’re awake.”A deep voice startled me, cutting through my thoughts as I turned towards a man opening the door with a broad smile. His striking features were sharp and commanding. He was dressed simply in a blue sweatshirt that did little to hide his broad shoulders; his gray eyes were enchanting all at the same time. As he approached me, my breath hitched.“You’ve been out for three days,” he said calmly,
LYRA’S POVI sat in front of the mirror as Abigail, one of the maids worked on my hair. My heart, racing with thoughts of the evening ahead. Jake had earlier informed me I’d be formally introduced to the pack council. As if it was not overwhelming enough, he added I’d be meeting his mother. Just yesterday, I lost everything dear to me and almost my life. And now, I’m about to be introduced as Luna - well, a rather useless one. I can't even shift into my wolf. Of what use would I be? Oh goodness!I exhaled..“Do you like this hairstyle ma’am?” Abigail asked. Her words literally drew my wandering thoughts back to the present. She had chosen a stunning Chignon hairdo with finely woven braids with loose ripple curls framing my face.“It’s gorgeous”, I said half heartedly, trying to sound calm. I watched her fasten a diamond encrusted necklace around my neck. Jake had gotten it for me earlier today alongside my dress for the evening. He sure does have an eye for fashion to compliment br
LYRA'S POV I scrambled to my feet, my heart was beating so fast that I was gasping and exhaling long breaths almost simultaneously. Leaned against the wall waiting for the unsettling murmurs in the kitchen to slowly die down. Moments later, it was replaced by clattering of utensils and footsteps shortly before the switch was turned off. This was a cue I had to leave immediately before anyone saw me.I quickly made my way back to my room with my thoughts racing with what I just heard. He murdered his mate? That couldn't be possible or could it? .I badged into my room, quickly shutting the door behind me. My palms were sweating and my hands trembling. Could it be true? I wondered. But then, what do I truly know about him? He was an alpha, a leader forged in ruthlessness. Secrets were bound to exist.The meeting with the council members had already left me shaken, and now this? It was a lot to process. I laid on the bed, sleep refusing to come until darkness overwhelmed me. *****I wo
AEMOND'S POV“Finally, it is gradually coming through! You think of me as a fool! A sheep destined to be led all through life. I have worked my ass off, my sweat, my blood, yet you keep taking credit for all! No acknowledgement! Wait till I take everything from you and have you stripped on the street,” I spat venom at Leo in my head, still maintaining a submissive look. I nodded with my gaze fixed on him, with a forced smile, while I tightened my fist away from his view.“I am happy you're beginning to see reasons with me, your Grace. I'd reach out immediately to Zephyr. I am certain he would be able to give me more insight about the pendant,” my voice rang with so much excitement as I stood up to exit the bar.My phone buzzed in my pocket, I reached out to see it was Ella. I took a sharp glance at Leo. Luckily his face was buried in his phone. Clicking on the message icon, I realized it was Ella.I AM YET TO GET AN UPDATE ON THAT BITCH. WHY IS SHE STILL BREATHING? JAKE ALMOST BUMPED
LEO’ S POVWhy are younger siblings so difficult to handle? I thought, tearing through rogues coming at me from the front gate. I had no idea who they were and why they were attacking. All that mattered to me at this point was to hurry off and get Lyra out of this before she got hurt or worst of all, taken.I disabled the last rogue coming at me before racing off to find Lyra. “Lyra!” I called out, darting through the woods with branches and leaves, slapping and tearing my chest as I ran. All I heard was the sound of dry leaves crushing under my feet as I raced till I heard a scream, my heart stopped. “Lyra!” I whispered, my eyes popped out in fear. “No no no,” I growled, changing my direction towards the east wing.What my eyes saw made me halt in my tracks. I lost my breath for a minute. Bodies littered all over the place. “What the hell happened?” I whispered to myself, my eyes darting from left to right when I spotted Tara, standing on a hill.Her thick white fur was stained with
LYRA’S POV“Tara! Tara! Stop!” I yelled, my heart racing. I couldn’t control her, all she wanted to do was to tear out of me and attack. As the protector of the pendant and the bearer, Tara would never take any chances with anyone who posed a threat to me, even if it was my brother.YOU NEED TO STAY BACK AND LEARN HOW TO CONTROL YOUR WOLF AND YOUR ABILITIESMy mind reeled back to what Selene had told me back in ShadowClaw. Maybe I should have listened. Ever since Tara returned, she was no longer the sweet little pup I used to know. Though she was still sweet, but, a lot of chances had taken place. Changes I couldn’t control.“What are you doing, Lyra?” Leo asked, his voice trembling as his gaze faltered. “I don’t know Leo, just drop the damn pendant!” I yelled again, this time I felt Tara connecting to the Pendant. “Wha…What are you doing?” I muttered inaudibly. Tara’s body began to heat up inside of me. I knew what she was doing. “Arrh! Leo’s voice echoed into the night with a loud
LEO'S POV“Easy!” I winced in pain as the nurse gently wrapped medicated gauze around my palm.“Sorry sir,” the nurse responded to my reaction.I hadn't spoken to nor seen Lyra since the incident last night. “How bad is the burn?” I asked.“It is just a first-degree burn sir, you should be fine in a couple of weeks, with proper dressing, some analgesic, and antibiotics,” she responded, clipping the loose edge of the bandage.“Good morning sir,” Aemond greeted, walking in on me and the nurse. His gaze shifted to my hand in shock. “What the hell happened to you, sir?” He queried, examining my wrapped arm.“It’s nothing, I got burnt but it's just a mild scratch,” I responded casually, hoping it would stop him from asking further questions but Aemond was one inquisitive individual. “You may leave us now, Nurse Zoey,” I shifted my gaze to the nurse, who nodded, packing up her first aid box. Aemond and I just stared at each other for the period she was putting her things in order.“These a
JAKE'S POVI pushed through the entrance of the jewelry store, racing outside. “She couldn't have run that far!” I heaved deep breaths as I looked from left to right and right to left. “ Fucking hell!” I screamed, my nerves pushing against my skin around my neck.“Jake! Stop! You are embarrassing yourself! You are embarrassing me!” Ella scolded as she ran towards me, struggling to keep herself balanced on her heels.I spun around, my face contoured into a non friendly form. I stormed towards her as though I was going to take out my frustration on her. “Don't fucking tell me to stop! I knew what I saw!” I yelled at her face, saliva spreading into the air. “She was right there! I saw her! And thanks to your bullshit, I'm sure she saw me too! Gosh!” I clawed my finger into my head, holding it tightly. “If you hadn't insisted I accompany you to get some jewelry, I wouldn't be in this compromising situation.“I’m sure she'd be thinking we are likely getting married. You've always wanted h
LEO’S POVMy thoughts had constantly been haunted by Aemond's words. Just last night, I could barely sleep. What if he was right? Would giving in or somehow considering his proposal make me evil? This is what every Alpha yearned for! To be in charge, to be the controller of vast nations.“No!” I subconsciously barked out loud. “Do not turn yourself into a villain! Let this slide! Get a hold on yourself, Leo!” I spoke to myself, walking up and down the room with a glass of red wine in my hand.“What if Aemond was lying? On the contrary, what does he stand to gain from all of this? It's not like he is a power-thirsty individual. If he wanted this ability for himself, he wouldn't have informed me,” I gave voice to my thoughts. “I don't know about you, but I can't imagine possessing double the strength I have now! Double of my size and bite force,” Zeus, my wolf snarled in my mind. “I don't think you understand how powerful the legendary white wolf is! It is the raw energy of the moon g
LYRA'S POVI hurried up to my feet, swerving through the display glasses stationed at different points.“Hey, ma'am! Watch your steps! The angry sales attendant spat at me, as she picked up her merchandise from the floor, though I didn't stand to apologize. “I'm so sorry,” I whispered almost inaudibly in between my heavy gasps as I ran towards Caspian. “Sorry, excuse me!” I said, pushing through onlookers and those purchasing some items.What the hell was he doing here? He didn't even have the dignity to search for me. How long has it been since I disappeared? Here he is, splashing luxury on a traitor! How demeaning can this get? Jake will always remain Jake! A manipulator!“Lyra? Lyra, is that you?” Jake's voice came behind me.“Jake, where are you going? You can't be running after someone just like that! Stop embarrassing yourself! You are creating a scene!” A second voice came through. It was Ella. She also joined the chase but not to find out if it was truly me, instead, she tri
LYRA'S POVIt has been a rough couple of days for me since Caspian walked out on me at the hospital, not saying a word after overhearing the doctor mention my pregnancy. The cold look on my face, the disbelief, the disappointment etched on it was soul-shattering for me. No questions, no accusations, no goodbye—just silence and distance. That silence now filled every corner of my mind.I guess I should’ve told him. Maybe I should’ve been honest from the beginning, but everything was happening so fast. I was completely swept off by his charm, so deep I didn't pay attention to my head.I sighed, looking at my phone screen for the umpteenth time today before sliding into my pocket, straightening my shoulder, and stepping outside of the house.The wind gradually became cooler by the minute with dark clouds beginning to form in the sky. "I think it's going to rain today," I whispered to myself, taking a look at my phone again, hissing in disappointment. I blew into my hands, rubbing them
LEO'S POVI stood under the shade of the stone arch that framed the training grounds, the midday sun casting broken light through the dense canopy above. I was lost, totally torn between anger and confusion. What is he even saying? Lyra? How is that even possible? My mind was a jumble of thought that I didn't notice the condensed liquid of the energy drink in my hand, dripping down my wrist. "She was the vessel. The Moon’s Chosen. If you don’t take the power, someone else will. You deserve it. You’re their legacy. She’s just the bearer."The words he said somehow kept echoing in my head twisting inside my gut like a knife."How did you get to know?" I had asked him, curiosity etching in my tone. "How come my better now knows more than I do?"He'd smiled that sly, venom-laced grin of his and said, "When the men we had sent to abduct Jake's Luna brought her in, Zephyr had to take her with an enchanted collar. I'm sure you know what that means?" Aemond asked, raising his brows slightl