Avery’s Point of ViewHis words made me pause, my heart skipping a beat. There was something about the way he said it, the conviction in his voice, that made the air feel heavier. But it wasn’t just the words—it was his gaze. As he spoke, his eyes locked onto mine, and his intensity was almost too much to bear.I felt a chill run down my spine, the kind that was both unsettling and thrilling. For a moment, I swore he was trying to tell me something without saying it outright. But I quickly shook the thought away, laughing nervously to break the tension. “That’s… nice,” I said, trying to sound casual.He tilted his head slightly, still watching me, but he didn’t say anything else. Instead, he gestured toward the door. “Come on. You should rest.”We walked back into the house, and as I admired the grandeur once again, I couldn’t help but feel like I was stepping into a different world. The silence between us felt charged, as if there was something hanging in the air, but I didn’t dare p
Maya’s Point of ViewThe night was suffocating, thick with a silence that pressed against my ears like an unwelcome guest. Sleep evaded me, no matter how much I tossed and turned. My thoughts were haunted by Dren’s lifeless eyes and the lingering problem that was the dungeon guard.I knew it wasn’t over. His silence wasn’t guaranteed. He could talk, spill everything to Kaiden… and if that happened, I was as good as dead. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see Kaiden’s face contorted with rage, his piercing emerald eyes bearing down on me with betrayal.I sat up in bed, running a hand through my disheveled hair. My mind wouldn’t quiet down. Maybe some fresh air would help. I grabbed my shawl, wrapped it around my shoulders, and stepped out of the house.The night air was crisp, a slight chill biting at my skin. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the vast land surrounding the house. I wandered aimlessly, hoping the cool air would calm the storm brewing inside me.
Maya’s Point of ViewBy the time the sun began to set, I could no longer sit still. I needed to see Kaiden. He was the only one who could put an end to this if I played my cards right.I changed into a simple but elegant gown, one that showed just enough skin to remind Kaiden of what he was missing. Maybe, just maybe, I could charm my way back into his chambers. If he would only listen to me.The walk to the Pack House felt longer than usual. The guards stationed outside his chambers came into view as I turned the corner. Taking a deep breath, I straightened my posture and walked forward with confidence.But the moment I reached the entrance, the guards immediately crossed their spears in front of me, blocking my path.I frowned. “Step aside,” I ordered, my voice laced with authority.They didn’t budge.“Did you not hear me?” I snapped. “Move!”One of the guards, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward. “Miss Maya, you are not permitted to enter.”My patience
Maya’s Point of ViewI had to leave. I had to get away before my life spiraled further out of control.I took a step forward. Then another.But before I could take a third step, a strong hand shot out and grabbed my arm from behind, yanking me to a sudden halt.I gasped, spinning around, my eyes blazing with fury. “Who the hell……”My words died on my tongue when I locked eyes with him.A tall, broad-shouldered man stood in front of me. His build was strong, but he wasn’t as imposing as Kaiden. His skin was a smooth tan, his hair jet black and slightly tousled, and his piercing hazel eyes bore into mine with an intensity that sent an unexpected shiver through me. His chiseled jaw clenched, as if he was holding something back, and his breathing was slightly uneven.Then he spoke.“Mate.”A single word. One that made my entire world stop.My chest tightened. My heart pounded violently against my ribs. My vision blurred for a moment before I forced myself to focus.I took a sharp step ba
Maya’s Point of ViewBut even as I stormed out of the Pack House, I could still feel the weight of his gaze on my back. And deep inside my mind, Cinder howled in anguish.‘I did the right thing’, I told myself. ‘I don’t need a mate. I already have everything I’ve ever wanted.’But as I walked, I noticed something.Footsteps.Soft but deliberate.I clenched my jaw, my wolf instincts prickling at the realization. He’s following me.I growled lowly, a warning. It wasn’t loud, but it was firm. A clear message: Stay away from me.Yet, the footsteps didn’t stop.I came to an abrupt halt, spinning on my heel. Sure enough, there he was, Lucas, standing a few feet away, his hazel eyes locked onto mine, an infuriatingly calm expression on his face.I narrowed my eyes. “Why are you following me?” I demanded, my voice sharp.Lucas only smiled. A small, knowing smirk that made my blood boil. “Nothing,” he said casually. “Just wanted to know my mate more.”I felt something inside me snap. My hands
Maya’s Point of ViewNightfall had arrived, and with it came the final stage of my plan.I stood in front of my mirror, staring at the woman reflected back at me. A woman dressed to kill—literally.The dress I had chosen was black, silk-like liquid against my skin, hugging every curve in a way that screamed temptation. The plunging neckline barely covered my chest, and the high slit exposed a sinful amount of leg. Underneath, I wore nothing. Not a scrap of fabric. Just as he had requested.The fool.I reached for my most expensive perfume, the one that made men weak in the knees, and dabbed it along my pulse points—my neck, my wrists, the valley of my breasts. The intoxicating scent filled the room, wrapping around me like a seductive spell.One special thing about this perfume was that it didn’t just make men weak in the knees, it concealed my scent entirely. A rare, potent blend crafted from moonshade flowers and wolfsbane, designed to seal the wearer's natural smell. No wolf, no m
Avery’s Point of ViewThe house was too quiet.The kind of silence that made every creak of the floorboards sound like a whisper in the dark. The kind that pressed in on me, wrapping around me like a heavy cloak. I sighed, stretching my arms over my head as I lay on the plush couch, staring at the high ceiling. The chandelier above twinkled softly, casting golden patterns across the walls, but it didn’t make the emptiness feel any less suffocating.Kaiden had left earlier that morning, saying he needed to return to the pack to handle some things. “To avoid suspicion,” he had said. Right. As if anyone would suspect anything if he just stayed with me a little longer.I huffed, rolling onto my side and clutching a pillow.“How long does it take to handle pack matters, you jerk?” I muttered under my breath.I wasn’t even sure why I was so annoyed. It wasn’t like I wanted him around. Right?A name flickered in my mind like a whisper carried by the wind.Lynexia.I froze.That dream. The o
Kaiden’s Point of ViewThe meeting had been dragging on for far too long.I leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming against the polished wood of the table. My patience was wearing thin, and Dalton—gods, Dalton wouldn’t shut up about the new defense strategies he was proposing."We need to reinforce the eastern border," he was saying, his deep voice laced with caution. "There have been rumors of rogue movements……"I barely heard the rest.Beside him, Caspian sat with his usual calm demeanor, flipping through a list of names. "Five packs have broken the rules this month alone," he muttered, his tone exasperated. "Three failed to pay their tributes, one harbored a fugitive, and another had the audacity to….."I sighed, rolling my eyes. I don’t have time for this.All I wanted was to go back home.To her.To Avery.‘Since when has our well-behaved Alpha started behaving like a lovesick boy?’Slade’s amused voice rang through my head, and I groaned inwardly.‘Keep on teasing me, you o
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewBlood dripped from my fingertips, soaking into the grass beneath me. I didn’t even remember when I did it. Didn’t even feel it when my claws tore into my own flesh. I only knew one thing, I’d rather die than be the one to hurt my mate.The pain, the self-inflicted wounds, were nothing compared to the war raging inside me. I had thought that staying away would keep her safe. That keeping my distance would be enough. But the bond… The fucking bond. It refused to be ignored.I had pushed. It had pulled. I had fought. It had clawed back. Now here I was, slumped against a tree, my breathing ragged, my vision blurred.Weak.Pathetic.I closed my eyes, but then a scent… Her scent. It crashed into me like a tidal wave, invading every cell in my body.Fresh roses… soft and delicate.Vanilla… warm and intoxicating.And something else… Almond, honey, and wild fruits.A scent so uniquely hers, so dangerously addictive that it made my pulse skitter. Slade, stirred. His restl
Avery’s Point Of ViewWould he feel the bond now, the same way I did?Would he be searching for me, too?The idea sent my pulse racing, my heart hammering wildly in my chest. I had to try… I had to do something.The pull was unrelenting. I didn’t know where I was going, but I trusted it. I trusted the bond. I stepped outside, the night air cool against my skin, and for a moment, I hesitated at the entrance of the house.This was reckless.This was dangerous.I should have stayed inside, should have thought this through, should have done anything but this. But… I needed to find him. My heart pounded with every step I took, my feet carrying me forward as if they already knew where to go. I didn’t question it. I just followed.The pull was faint at first, like a whisper in my veins, a tug in my chest that urged me forward.And then it intensified. The further I walked, the stronger it became, until it was an undeniable force, guiding me into the heart of the forest.The towering trees st
Avery’s Point Of ViewMy breath caught. A memory flashed… The vision… The pain… The wolf… The word that had left my lips. Mate. I gasped.And the voice finally spoke the words that shattered my reality.‘I am your wolf, Avery.’‘I’m Lynexia.’ The room spun. I staggered back, my breath hitching, my hands trembling.My wolf?No. No, that was impossible. I had never… I never shifted. I had lived my entire life believing I was nothing.But this… This wasn’t normal. I could hear her… Feel her. Like a second heartbeat inside of me. A part of me. My head spun, the walls around me seeming to close in."You’re lying," I rasped, shaking my head violently. "This can’t be true—this can’t—"‘It is true,’ Lynexia cut me off. Her voice was calm, but there was something beneath it… something ancient. Something powerful.‘You are not just human, Avery.’I clenched my fists, trying to breathe. Trying to think. Trying to understand. But it was too much. Too damn much. "You’re wrong," I whispered. "You h
Avery’s Point Of ViewI was still pressed against the wall, my body trembling, my breath shallow. My lips were swollen from his kisses, my skin hot from his touch.But it wasn’t just the way he had touched me. It wasn’t just the way his lips had devoured mine, the way his hands had explored every inch of my skin, leaving behind a trail of fire.It was what he had done.He marked me.A shiver ran down my spine, my fingers instinctively brushing over the tender skin of my neck.The bite was still fresh.The tingling sensation it left behind was impossible to ignore.But… why?I wasn’t his mate.I had known that from the very beginning.So why would he mark me?Did he finally accept me as his chosen mate? Did he want me as his Luna? My heart pounded in my chest at the thought, my fingers tightening over the mark. Then why did he run? The question hit me like a slap, knocking the breath from my lungs.Had he regretted it? Had he finally realized what a mistake it was? Had he finally reali
Kaiden’s Point Of View"Avery… please… please don’t leave me!"A bone-crushing pain exploded in my chest.And then, I was back.Gasping.Panting.The vision ripped away, but the terror still clung to me. My hands were still shaking as I ripped my teeth from her skin, staggering back.Avery collapsed against the wall, dizzy, breathless.Her violet eyes searched mine, dazed, confused."Kaiden?" she whispered, her voice weak.I stared at her, at the mark on her neck… At the faint trickle of blood. And all I could see was her lifeless body, drowning in red, cold blood.My chest tightened.My breath hitched.No. No, no, no."I… I have to go," I choked out, stumbling backward."Kaiden, wait…"I didn’t.I turned and ran.Away from her.Away from the vision that haunted me.Away from the terrifying truth that hit me like a dagger to the chest. If I stayed with her… if I let this fire consume me… I would be the one to destroy her. And that was a fate worse than death.My breath came in ragged
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewThe past week had been absolute torture.Avery was safe now. Alive, healed. But… she was different. More reserved, more cautious, as if she was still processing everything that had happened. She barely spoke unless spoken to, barely smiled—and it drove me insane. I wanted her to talk, to laugh, to argue, to be the fierce, defiant Avery that I knew.But what killed me the most? She barely noticed me. And the worst part? I was still on heat. And having her near me only made it worse.Every single time I caught her scent, that intoxicating, irresistible scent of wild roses, vanilla, and honey, it made my body burn.Every single time she brushed past me, I had to clench my fists, dig my nails into my palm to stop myself from grabbing her. From claiming her.I was in my room now, sitting on the edge of my bed, breathing heavily. Sweat dripped down my forehead, soaking my shirt. My entire body felt like it was on fire. And Slade, the damn wolf, wasn’t making things any
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewI barely had time to process what was happening.Avery’s glowing eyes, that blinding, otherworldly light were still locked on me, her body trembling with raw power. And then, before I could even think, before I could even breathe, Slade responded.His voice, deep, guttural, possessive shook through my very soul."MINE!"A wave of invisible force exploded through the room. The very walls of the house shuddered. The windows cracked. The air was charged, electric, humming with an overwhelming energy.But then, just as suddenly as it had come, the light vanished. Avery’s body collapsed against me, her frame trembling violently. I caught her just in time, holding her as she shook uncontrollably in my arms.Her body spasmed, her breath ragged, her limbs convulsing like she was fighting something inside her.I panicked.“Avery!”Her hands clawed at my shirt, her fingers curling into the fabric as if she were afraid I would disappear. And then, as abruptly as it started
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewI was in my office, deep in thoughts when I felt something sharp in my chest. The moment the pain struck, it was like a blade piercing straight through my chest.I staggered, clutching my shirt as my heart lurched violently, my breath coming out in short gasps. This pain, I knew it. I had felt it before.This only meant one thing.“Avery,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, yet filled with dread.Inside me, Slade stirred restlessly.‘Mate is in danger.’ His voice was a deep, guttural growl, filled with urgency. “Kaiden, quick. We need to get to her. Now.”I didn’t need to be told twice. Everything else faded. The documents on my desk? Forgotten. The business meeting I was supposed to attend in an hour? Irrelevant. The entire world? It no longer mattered.All that mattered was her.With a speed I didn’t even know I possessed, I burst out of my office, ignoring the startled looks from my warriors as I tore through the hallway. I shifted the moment my boots hit
Narrator’s Point Of View“Kaiden is not like his ancestors,” she continued, her voice carrying across the chamber. “He has fought for Aethoria time and time again. He has bled for it. He has given his life to protect the land we built, the people we swore to defend! And now, when he needs us the most, you all turn your backs on him?”The gods shifted uncomfortably, some looking away, others staring at her with impassive expressions.Hera leaned forward on her throne, her golden eyes locked onto Selene. “And what of the girl?” she asked. “You say he is the guardian, that he has the responsibility to bear the weight of Aethoria. But his mate…” She tilted her head. “She has not awakened, has she?”Selene hesitated for a fraction of a second.Hera’s lips curled.“Then she is the weak link,” Hera stated coldly. “The Dark Conclave knows this. That is why they targeted her. And yet you ask us to help a guardian who cannot even protect his own mate?”Selene’s eyes flared, but before she could