Ellie.Darkness consumed my mind.Vast darkness that made me feel I was falling into a void to be lost forever.At that moment, my life flashed before my eyes. The painful and horrible moments I experienced; seeing the anguished faces of my parents and fellow pack members as the witches destroyed our pack before Vito came to take whatever was left of it. I saw vividly the mocking expression on his face as he forced me to watch him fuck Nadine. Then the look on Nadine's face when they sold me out as a cheat, so they could be together. Then the hardened expression on my second mate's face every time he told me he would never accept me, because I was nothing more than an omega.My chest tightened, and my anger flared at the painful memory, but that was my life. I lived a life of complete misery. I lost the only family that loved me and entered into a world where no one loved me. I was around people, but I was alone.I deserved to live a better life. I deserved even more than others to li
Ellie.I scrambled around with Archer’s shirt, trying to cover myself, but there was no point because she’d already seen everything.“Who is she? What’s she doing there?” I turned to Archer, but he let out a breath before taking off his shirt and covering me with it.I wasn’t a prude, or new to sex. Hell, up until a few months ago, I was forced to watch my mate have sex with another, so I wasn’t new to it, but there was just something about someone else watching the act that made me feel like banging my head against the wall.“You don’t need to feel so embarrassed,” Ru said, “she’s a witch, and lord only knows what she’s seen in her lifetime.”Ru’s words helped with the embarrassment, but they didn’t take it away completely.“I regret showing myself to you,” the with said, but she was speaking to Archer. “If I had known you’d bind me like this, I would’ve never done it,” she was bitter with regret but she didn’t seem violent. But that voice… I recognized the voice from earlier.“This
Archer.“Ellie! Are you okay?” Julie ran to Ellie, pressing her body against hers in a binding hug.“Y-yeah,” Ellie managed to respond with gritted teeth. They both were outside the building, but still in the area.“Oh heavens! You have no idea how worried I was when Theo said you went to the borders! What were you even doing there?” Julie asked, and Ellie passed me a look over her shoulders.“He sent me there,” she muttered with one finger pointing at me.Fresh annoyance bubbled in me.“Take her in, and fix her up.” I broke their little discussion, my eyes set on Julie, who nodded before taking Ellie’s arms in hers. I was seething, filled with rage and anger that anything could’ve gone wrong that would cost Ellie her life, and worse, someone was behind it, using my name to lie.“Your Majesty, you called for me,” Theo arrived and bowed, blocking my view of Ellie and Julie as they walked away.“Find out who gave her the command,” I ordered, but he didn’t make any move.“I already have,
Ellie.I was more than surprised when Victoria came to me early this morning to apologize, saying that she was behind sending me out of the palace, and was taking responsibility for all that happened to me.I sensed quickly that Archer had a hand in her action because Victoria I knew would never do such a thing. After her apology she left, without letting me say a word. Julie and I had exchanged the same confused look, but I realized I had been wrong in thinking Archer wanted me gone.Since my arrival at the Palace four days ago, I hadn’t gone close to my small apartment, Julie didn’t let me, saying something about strict orders she received to take me into the palace and to the room directly below Archer’s if she didn’t want her eyes pulled out of their sockets. I lived in the palace since then, with Julie by my side, and frequent visits from Archer.“You know, I’ve been meaning to ask, but I didn’t want to overstep,” Julie sat beside me on the bed, with a cup of ice cream and a spoo
“Theo?” I tilted my head to the side, pointing at him. Julie said nothing from beside me. She was starstruck, staring at him like she’d never seen him before.“Mate.” She whispered and my heart leaped for joy. We had briefly gone into the discussion about mates once when we were still at training camp, and while Julie didn’t express any eagerness to meet her mate—because if she didn’t meet him, her family would arrange a match for her—she claimed she was quite opened to it, and now she’d met him, in the most casual way ever.Theo on the other hand, had an expression on his face that I never thought was possible for him since he was always spotted with a frown—just like his master. He had a little smile on his face, but his ears and cheeks were crimson.“I—”“I—”They both started and stopped, breaking off after they heard the other’s voice with a gentle smile.I felt as though I was watching a scene from a movie, but I was also aware I was third-wheeling.“You know, you guys can talk
Ellie."I'll do it."I stared star-struck at Victoria, then at Julie, who also couldn't believe what she'd just heard."That's what it'll take right? I'll do it," Victoria spat again, hatred brimming in her narrowed eyes.I nodded and watched her leave, but I couldn't believe she'd just agreed to be my maid for a day, all because Archer asked her to. I was beginning to wonder what dirt Archer had on her to make her agree to do such a thing.In any case, I didn't feel too good about it, because it felt like I shot myself in the leg. I wasn't sure I could spend a whole day with Victoria without either of us killing the other."I think she's possessed by a witch!" Julie sat beside me on the bed. I nodded my head in agreement because it was the only plausible explanation."Either way, I wish you good luck on your little date tomorrow. I'll not be joining 'cause I want you both to fully enjoy your time together," she said in a teasing tone, wiggling her brows with a sly smile.Julie left m
Ellie.I removed my face from Archer’s hold and took a step back, putting some distance between us.So many things had happened to us and between us but we were somehow right where we started.I sucked in a breath, praying that the tears that had gathered in my eyes would stay put as I looked at him.“Ellie please, arguing with him won’t do us any good,” Ru cried out.“So is being his mistress. Our mate wishes to marry another while keeping on the side as his mistress, and I refuse to be that!” I told her, but she whimpered and shut me out.Archer’s heated gaze didn’t leave my face even as I conversed with my wolf. His anger was hot and sizzling, even from where I stood.I bit my lower lip and looked away from him, ready to leave his office, but as I turned my body, I stumbled. Archer reached out to me almost instinctively, his strong and warm arms holding me still against his wide chest with no words said, just steady breathing.I should’ve swatted his hands away and left, but when I
Ellie.It wasn’t until we arrived that I realized that Archer had changed Gilly’s hideout spot. I’d been following Theo blindly until we arrived at one of the rooms in the quarters—where I was supposed to live before I was taken back to the palace.GIlly’s room, however, was on the basement floor of the building. It was also the only room there, with moderate furnishings, like a bed, and a small couch and that was it.I don’t know why I half expected Gilly to still be bound when I arrived, but I was happy she wasn’t. Her eyes lit up when she saw me.“Ah, if it isn’t my most prized discovery,” She said with a smile, causing Theo to tilt his head in confusion, looking between us. I understood his confusion. He wasn’t there when I shifted into my wolf, and no one had spoken about it since then, so much that if it wasn’t that it happened to me directly, I wouldn’t have believed it happened.“Are you here to take me out of here?” She asked, standing to her feet, but I passed her a small sm
Ellie.I had been feeling different for weeks now. My appetite changed, my energy fluctuated, and lately, even my wolf seemed quieter than usual. I suspected the truth but hadn’t dared confirm it. Not until this morning.Standing in front of the mirror, I pressed my hand against my lower abdomen, feeling the faintest of curves. A small smile crept onto my face. There was no denying it now—I was pregnant. My heart fluttered with excitement. Archer had always wanted children, and now, the thought of telling him made my pulse race. But I knew I wanted to tell in a way that would make the moment special, so I went in search of my friends.“Julie! Gilly!” I whispered as I rushed into the room where they were chatting. Both of them turned to me with curious looks.Julie’s eyes widened, immediately sensing something was different.“Ellie, what’s going on?”“I think…” I began, but then corrected myself, “No. I know. I’m pregnant.”Gilly gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.“Oh, Ellie! This
Ellie.Archer’s eyelids fluttered open slowly, the usual sharpness in his gaze softened by tiredness. Relief flooded through me as I smiled down at him, a warmth spreading in my chest.Without thinking, I hugged him, wrapping my arms around his neck tightly. His body was still weak, but his arms managed to slip around me, holding me close.He smirked, his voice low and slightly hoarse.“I really don’t know how I could ever live without you, Ellie,” he said, his lips curving into a half-smile, “You’ve saved my life more times than I can count.”I leaned back just enough to look into his eyes, brushing a few stray strands of hair from his forehead.“That’s only because you saved my life countless times when I was an omega,” I replied softly, my fingers still lingering on his skin.“Do you know… if you hadn’t taken me away from Crimson Pack that day, Vito would’ve killed me.”His brow furrowed, a shadow passing over his expression.“I meant what I said when I told you Vito and Nadine dru
Ellie.Archer stepped forward, fists clenched at his sides, muscles tense.“What do you want, Seraphina?” His voice was low, brimming with barely contained rage.She laughed softly as if we were sharing a joke, “Oh, I have so many plans,” she replied, a hint of malice lacing her words, “But most importantly, I’ve discovered something extraordinary during my time, going around,” her sinister smile intensified as she gestured to the far side of the room.I followed her gaze and felt my breath hitch. There, carved into a stone, was an intricate seal that pulsed with a dark, ominous energy. It seemed to throb with a life of its own, casting a strange glow that began to illuminate the room.“Behold,” Seraphina said, her voice dripping with excitement, “the seal of forbidden magic. A power so great that it could change everything.”“What are you planning?” I asked, my heart racing. I could sense Ru’s agitation, a low growl reverberating through our bond as we moved closer, studying the seal
Ellie.“This must be the doing of the witches,” Tristian said and I nodded.Since witches were known for experimenting with animals and even wolves, I believed it was possible.“Get ready,” Archer commanded, his voice steady and calm. His eyes flickered red, taking in every detail of the surroundings.Suddenly, the creatures appeared—animals twisted into monsters by dark magic. Their glowing eyes and grotesque forms lunged at us from the palace, snarling and snapping.Ru surged forward, and I shifted in an instant, claws tearing into the first beast that came at me. It was a tainted. I ducked as it swiped at me, saliva dripping from its mouth, I struck hard at its side, sending it skidding back. Its howl filled the early morning air, but it wasn’t done yet. It twisted back toward me, fury in its glowing eyes.Archer moved beside me like a protective rock.“Don’t let them surround us!” he shouted, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he cut down another beast, “Stay on the move!” He h
Ellie.The dawn was just breaking, casting a soft golden light over the assembled warriors.They had come from all corners of the kingdom in their large numbers, their expressions set in serious determination.Archer stood at the front, his presence commanding as he addressed them.“We are not waiting for the witches to come to us,” Archer’s voice boomed over the crowd.The warriors stood at attention, their eyes fixed on him.“We’re going to hunt them down. We’re going to seek them out, and we’re going to exterminate every last one of them.”A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd, the tension building in the air. It had been a week since we discovered the serum worked. I’d spent three days on lockdown, recovering after giving so much of my blood for the serum. It hadn’t been easy, but now, after my rest, I felt ready. More than ready. I needed to be out there with them.Beside me, Tristian shifted his weight, his gaze focused on Archer. He hadn’t wanted to leave Gilly’s side,
Ellie.“We found a way to make it work!”Archer and I exchanged a look, a slow smile forming on both of our faces. The tension that had been hovering over us for days seemed to lift just a little.“Show us, then,” Archer said, his voice calm but eager. He slipped his hand into mine as Julie gestured for us to follow her.We walked through the halls of the research center, the walls gleaming white under the fluorescent lights. The scent of chemicals and something distinctly metallic filled the air, making my nose twitch. My mind raced, trying to piece together how they’d done it—how they’d managed to do it.Julie led us into the main lab, where an animal—a sleek, muscular dog—stood next to a warrior wolf. The warrior looked calm, though I couldn’t help the slight edge of concern that rippled through me.“Is it safe to use a warrior for this test?” I asked, squeezing Archer’s hand a little tighter.Julie nodded, her smile not faltering for a second. “Completely safe. We’ve run simulatio
Ellie.In the following days, leading up to a week, I had a routine.Every morning, I’d submit more blood for testing, spend hours in the lab with Julie and the others, searching for a way to make it work, then I’d head over to the training grounds for training with the warriors.And Archer worried more with each passing day. I could see it in the lines forming on his face, the way his hands would linger on my shoulders, as if grounding himself to make sure I was still alive and well, when I returned.Today was no different. I had just returned from training with the other wolves, my muscles sore, when I found Archer in our room, waiting for me. His eyes flicked to the bandage on my arm before locking with mine.“This can’t go on much longer, Ellie,” he said quietly, standing from the chair he’d been sitting in, “If Julie doesn’t come up with something concrete this time, I’m putting an end to it.”I sighed, pulling my hair out of its messy bun and running a hand through it.“Archer,
Ellie.“Ellie, can I talk to you? Alone?” Archer asked, his voice was soft but firm.I nodded, following him out of the research lab. Julie stayed behind with the other seven wolves, their faces a mix of shock and curiosity.The door closed behind us, and the silence that settled between Archer and me felt heavier with each passing step. He wasn’t saying anything, his jaw tight, and I found myself pressing my lips together, wondering what he was thinking.We walked in silence through the halls until we finally reached our room and when the door clicked shut, and I turned to face him, the tension between us lingering like a storm about to break.“Are you angry with me?” I asked, unable to keep the question to myself any longer.Archer shook his head, but his eyes were serious as they met mine. He reached out, taking my hand, his touch soft despite the weight in his gaze.“No, I’m not angry, Ellie. I just… I need to know what your plan is.”I swallowed, my heart racing a little.“I’m wi
Ellie.As Julie and I walked out of the royal hospital, I could feel my heart banging loudly in my chest.But just as we stepped through the entrance, we encountered Jacob, who was making his way inside. He bowed respectfully, a warm smile breaking across his face as he greeted us.“Your Highness, Lady Julie,” he said, his tone a mix of formality and friendliness.“Jacob,” I replied, returning his smile. “How are things?”“Busy, as always,” he said with a slight chuckle. “But I can’t complain because everyone is going through it.”“You’re right,” Julie nodded.“Has there been any progress on your end? about Gilly?” I asked and he shook his head.“She wasn’t poisoned, so there’s no antidote she can be given. She wasn’t cursed, so there’s no ritual we can do to lift the curse. I think we just have to let her regain consciousness herself,” He said and I sighed.“Thank you, Jacob,” I told him and with a nod, Julie and I continued on our way, leaving the hospital behind.But even as we wal