Avery’s Point of ViewAliyah took a deep breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Avery… your father is dead.”The words hit me like a physical blow, and for a moment, the world seemed to tilt on its axis. My grip on her hand tightened as my breath caught in my throat. “What…?” I whispered, the single word filled with disbelief.Aliyah nodded, her own tears threatening to spill. “I’m so sorry, Avery. I didn’t know how else to tell you.”My vision blurred as the truth sank in, and a deep, gut-wrenching grief overwhelmed me.Even though he had been far from the best father, distant and strict to the point of cruelty at times, he was still my father. The news of his death weighed on me heavily, and I found myself grappling with emotions I didn’t fully understand.Aliyah’s hand remained on mine, offering silent comfort. “Avery,” she said softly, breaking the silence. “I know your relationship with him wasn’t easy and far from the best, but losing a parent… it’s never simple.”I nod
Maya’s Point of View“Arghh!” I screamed, my voice echoing off the walls as I grabbed the nearest bottle from my vanity table and hurled it across the room. The glass shattered against the wall, the sharp sound only fueling the fire raging in my chest. I didn’t stop there. One by one, I swept everything off the vanity, perfumes, brushes, and jewelry sending them clattering to the floor.How could he? How dare he?My breath came in short, furious bursts as I paced the room, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug painfully into my palms. The scene from the party played over and over in my mind like a nightmare I couldn’t escape. Kaiden, my Kaiden, had humiliated me in front of everyone, because of her.That lowlife. That nobody.I gritted my teeth, my jaw aching from the pressure as I fought to contain the whirlwind of emotions tearing me apart. “He made me kneel,” I muttered under my breath, the memory igniting a fresh wave of fury. “In front of everyone… for her.”Who the hell
Maya’s Point of ViewThe world seemed to shatter around me.I stumbled back, my knees giving out as I fell to the ground. My breath came in shallow gasps, my vision blurring with disbelief. My mind screamed that this wasn’t real, that it couldn’t be.‘He’s never kissed me’The thought was like poison, seeping through my veins as a bitter memory surfaced.It was months ago, in Kaiden’s chambers. I’d gone there under the pretense of spending the night with him. I’d thought that maybe, finally, we could be closer, that he might see me the way I’d always wanted him to.I had leaned in, my heart racing, desperate for a kiss, a connection. But before our lips could meet, he pushed me away, his expression cold and unyielding.“Don’t.” His voice was harsh, almost cruel. “I don’t want this, Maya.”The sting of rejection had burned, but his next words cut even deeper.“You should leave.”The memory was like a slap in the face, bringing me back to the present. My gaze snapped back to the stables
Avery’s Point of ViewI was brushing Star’s coat, humming softly to myself, when I felt a light touch on my shoulder. Startled, I jerked back, nearly dropping the brush. Spinning around, my breath caught.There, standing just inches away, was Kaiden. His piercing eyes held mine, a playful glint dancing in them. How did he get so close without me noticing? My mind raced, but my body betrayed me, freezing under his intense gaze.“Kaiden?” I managed to whisper, my heart pounding.He smirked, the curve of his lips sharp enough to slice through my resolve. “Miss me, Snowy?”Snowy. That nickname always sent a strange flutter through my chest, no matter how much I tried to ignore it.“What are you doing here?” I demanded, clutching the brush like it was some kind of weapon.“Isn’t it obvious?” he said, leaning casually against the stable door. “I came to see you.”I gaped at him, struggling to form a coherent thought. “You… You shouldn’t be here. What if someone sees us?”Kaiden’s smirk deep
Kaiden’s Point of ViewI smiled faintly as the memory of the stables played in my mind. Avery’s laughter had been soft, genuine, and the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled, it was something I couldn’t forget. The feel of her lips on mine sent a wave of warmth through me, making me exhale deeply."You’re thinking about her again, aren’t you?," Slade’s voice echoed in my mind, teasing and smug."Not now, Slade," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose."Oh, no, no, no, no. We’re talking about this, you don’t get to shut me out. You kissed her, Kaiden. How does it feel to hold our mate, hmm? To taste her lips?"I groaned, wishing I could shove his voice out of my head. "She’s not our mate."Slade snorted. "Keep telling yourself that, you stubborn fool. That bond you’re feeling? That pull? That’s not just some fling, Kaiden. That’s fate.""It doesn’t matter," I replied sharply. "Even if there’s something there, she’s not marked, and I can’t…..""You’re scared," Slade interrupted, hi
Avery’s Point of ViewI sighed as I walked down the dark path, the crisp night air biting at my skin. I had just left Aliyah’s place, a familiar comfort in her cheerful chatter still lingering in my mind. But now, as the silence pressed in around me, I couldn’t shake the growing unease settling in my chest. Shadows stretched ominously across the ground, and the silence seemed to weigh heavier with every step I took.The moon hung high, casting a faint silver glow over the dirt path. Shadows stretched and shifted as I moved, but it wasn’t until I heard the faint sound of footsteps that my heart jolted.I froze, my breath catching in my throat. Slowly, I glanced back, squinting into the darkness. Nothing. The empty path stretched out, bathed in moonlight, but there was no sign of anyone.I let out a nervous chuckle, shaking my head. “Get a grip, Avery. You’re just imagining things.”But as I took another step forward, I heard it again, closer this time. The sound of heavy, deliberate fo
Kaiden’s Point of ViewThe blood surged through my veins like a storm, a relentless tide that threatened to drown me. I could feel it thrumming beneath my skin, pulsing with a dangerous rhythm that demanded destruction. My breaths came in jagged pants, each inhale sharp and painful.I stared down at the broken chair beneath my hands, the splintered wood a reminder of how little control I had left. The curse was winning. The urge to kill, to destroy, clawed at my mind like a beast trying to break free. I knew if I stayed, the pack would be in danger.“I can’t stay here,” I muttered, my voice a low growl. If I stayed, someone in the pack would die. I knew it, and so did the beast clawing at my mind, urging me to let go.I stormed out of the pack house, my feet carrying me into the woods. The towering trees loomed above, their dark silhouettes casting shadows that matched the chaos inside me. The farther I ran, the louder the mantra became, a sinister whisper that grew into a deafening r
Kaiden’s Point of ViewI carried Avery back to my chamber, her fragile form cradled in my arms. Her skin was pale, her wounds deep, and every labored breath she took sent a pang through my chest. I laid her gently on the bed, brushing the hair from her bloodied face."You're safe now," I murmured, though the words felt hollow. Safe, but broken because I had failed to protect her in time.I fetched warm water and clothes, cleaning the blood and grime from her body. My movements were meticulous, careful not to hurt her further. She didn’t stir, her breaths shallow but steady. My gaze lingered on her face, even as the scene from the woods replayed in my mind.Her face. Her voice.It had been her…. only her that allowed me to fight the curse. The beast that had consumed me time and time again, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake, I killed anyone and anything in sight, but she made me stop.When I finished cleaning her, I bit into my wrist, the sharp pain a small price to pay. Bloo
CHAPTER NINETY-TWOKaiden’s Point Of ViewThe weight of the Elders' eyes pressed in like a tide, steady and ancient. Their bows lingered, but as I gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment, they slowly straightened, murmuring among themselves.“Your Highness… truly,” Elder Varo said, his voice a rasp of disbelief and reverence. “After all this time…”“You grace us,” another added, placing a palm against his chest. “The Pack is honored by your presence once more.”I sat atop the throne, shrouded in shadow, one leg crossed over the other, forearms resting lightly on the golden arms of the seat. My presence demanded silence and they gave it, trembling beneath the weight of it.Only once the final syllable of their greeting faded into the air did I speak, voice low but steady, each word dipped in command.“You may rise.”One by one, they shuffled to their designated seats in the stone semicircle, robes billowing behind them like fading shadows. Their movements were precise, dignified but I coul
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewI stepped onto the main path of the pack and immediately felt the shift in atmosphere.The air buzzed not from power, not even from anticipation, but from the sheer awareness of my presence.Eyes turned. Whispers started.The moment I passed by the warrior training field, every single one of them halted mid-motion. The clang of swords stopped. Feet paused mid-stride. Heads turned. “Your Highness,” a young she-wolf stammered, dropping into a bow. The others followed suit, some in shock, others in stiff, respectful awe.I gave them a short nod, acknowledging their greetings, and continued towards the Pack Hall. But none of them moved until I was already halfway down the path.Even in my absence, the pack was in perfect shape… buildings maintained, patrols running in rhythm, no air of disarray or neglect. I knew who to credit, even if my pride didn’t want to admit it. Caspian.He’d held it down like the true beta he was. Efficient, strict, and downright obsessive a
Avery’s Point Of View“Time they see that you’re alive.”I stared at him, my breath catching in my throat. “You’re not a secret. You’re not hidden. You’re mine, Avery. And it’s time the whole world sees that.” My fingers trembled in his grasp, and for a long second, I just blinked at him, the words echoing in my ears like a drumbeat.“Kaiden…” I whispered, my voice barely there. “And also,” he added, his voice dropping into something deeper, something almost primal, “it’s time they know you’re my mate. My Luna.”I felt the world pause.My chest tightened, lips parting in a small gasp as the full weight of his words slammed into me.“Your… Luna?” I echoed, wide-eyed. He nodded slowly, his thumb brushing over the back of my hand. “It’s not just about going back. It’s about announcing it. All of it. You. Me. Everything they never expected.”I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. Not just alive. Not just returned. But standing at his side as his equal. As the Luna of the pack th
Avery’s Point Of ViewI exhaled slowly, brushing my fingers along his collarbone, feeling the steady thrum of his pulse beneath my touch. His skin was warm, like sunbaked stone, and his body radiated heat even through the sliver of space between us.“I was having a peaceful moment,” I whispered. “And now you’re having me.” He caught my wrist and kissed the inside, slowly. “You were humming. Happy. I like you like this.”“I like me like this.”“I love you like this,” he murmured into my skin. The words hit harder than I expected. I blinked up at him, lips parting. He smiled, soft but wicked. “Don’t go all misty-eyed on me, Snowy.”“I’m not misty-eyed. I’m just…”“Falling for me harder?” he teased, nudging my nose with his. “Already done. You were asking to be kissed.”“Was I?” His voice dropped, dark and dangerous. “You always are.” I laughed and smacked his chest, but it was hopeless. My heart was a mess of fireflies in a jar, wings fluttering with no rhythm, just wild chaos.Something
Avery’s Point Of ViewThe soft bubbling of stew filled the kitchen, a gentle, almost hypnotic rhythm that echoed my heartbeat. I stood barefoot in front of the stove, humming an old melody I didn’t even recognize. The tune danced lazily from my lips as I stirred the pot, watching warm steam curl around me like a misty lover wrapping itself around bare skin.The scent of roasted garlic, wild onions, herbs Kaiden had handpicked himself from the garden... it all mingled into something intoxicating. Comforting. Like home. Like a life I never thought I’d be allowed to have.Sunlight streamed through the wide kitchen windows, golden and thick, kissing the countertops, slipping over the wooden floors, and catching in the coppery strands of my hair. The beams painted streaks of honey across my skin as I moved, sleeves rolled up to my elbows, the hem of Kaiden’s shirt brushing dangerously high up my thighs.His shirt.It drowned me, and yet I felt more naked in it than I ever had wearing nothi
Sophia’s Point Of ViewThe door slammed shut behind me with a finality that echoed through the silence like a death knell.My back hit the door as I collapsed against it, gasping for breath like someone who had nearly drowned. My chest ached… physically ached as if something vital had been ripped from within me. I clutched the fabric over my heart, hoping in vain that the pressure would stop it from breaking further.But it didn’t, and then the tears came. Hot. Silent. Devastating.I slid down the wooden frame, my legs folding beneath me like a marionette with its strings cut. My body trembled uncontrollably, fists pressed hard into my eyes, as if I could block out everything, his cold eyes, his cruel voice, the feel of his hands on my skin… not like before. Never like before.“Why…?” I whispered, my voice barely audible. I rocked slightly, the room spinning around me. “Why did you change like that, Julian?”The name alone cracked something deep inside me.“You weren’t like this,” I br
Julian’s Point Of ViewI stood at the far end of my office, the dim light of the overcast sky filtering in through the arched windows, casting long, mournful shadows across the hardwood floors. The invitation in my hands was heavy, both in weight and in meaning.Thick, gilded parchment, marked with the black crest of the Alpha King himself. He had the audacity to invite me. My jaw clenched as I read the words again, every syllable drenched in arrogance.“You are cordially summoned to the Grand Summit of Aethroria. Attendance is not optional.”Of course it wasn’t.Not when the sender was the same monster who razed half of Krypta to the ground. The same bastard who stood in the blood-soaked ruins of my pack and called it a necessary sacrifice, all for what? For a little offense I committed. He had turned Krypta, once the fiercest, most respected clan of warriors, into a ghost town of silence and ashes.Half my people were dead, the other half were scattered, broken. And I was supposed t
Maya’s Point Of ViewI blinked hard, my mind rejected the words, spat them out like poison, refusing to digest the meaning behind them.‘If Kaiden wanted you to know, Maya… you’d already know.’No. No, that couldn’t be true.That wouldn’t be true. “He wouldn’t…” I muttered under my breath, pacing a tight circle in front of Caspian’s desk. “He wouldn’t just leave me in the dark like that. Not him. Not Kaiden. He’s not like that.”But Caspian didn’t respond. He just stood there, relaxed and silent, swirling his drink like he wasn’t the one slowly ripping the ground out from under me. Like my pain was nothing more than background noise to his neat, calculated world.My hands curled into fists.He was calm. Too calm.His eyes were emotionless slits behind the amber gleam of his glass, and that only made my rage boil hotter.“I said… he wouldn’t leave me!”Nothing.Not a twitch. Not a blink.I screamed.In fury, frustration, humiliation, every raw emotion surged to the surface at once, and
Maya’s Point Of ViewI met her stare without blinking. “It’s best I discuss it with him personally.” Laura gave a soft, mirthless laugh and began to close the door. “Then it’s best you leave.” Her hand touched the brass knob, and the door started to swing inward.I was one second away from being dismissed like a beggar. “I wanted to ask him about the Alpha,” I said, my voice slicing through the closing space like a dagger.The door stopped.Laura’s body stilled. She turned back, slowly, her eyes scanning my face as if to confirm what she heard. “What about him?”I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to. Laura's gaze shifted, something calculating flickering beneath her lashes. She turned to the maid with a calm, quiet authority that chilled the air. “Put a call through to my husband.”Betty nodded and scurried off like a shadow melting into the house. I remained standing at the doorway, back straight, chin high. Waiting. Burning. I might not be Luna yet… but soon, they’d all know better than