Chapter Forty-fiveDeclan’s POVAfter our intimate encounter, I quietly slipped out of Kendall’s room, feeling both exhilarated and conflicted. My thoughts raced as I made my way to the room where Caden lay sleeping.As I peeked in, relief washed over me to see him sleeping peacefully. But even in the presence of my best friend, my mind kept wandering back to Kendall.Unable to resist the pull any longer, I found myself back at Kendall’s door. It was like I was being drawn to her, unable to resist the magnetic pull she seemed to have over me. I entered her room, finding her asleep in bed. I should have gone to my own room, but I couldn’t tear myself away from her.I watched Kendall sleep, her face serene in the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the curtains. My fingers itched to reach out and touch her, to wake her up and pull her into my arms again. But instead, I stayed rooted to my spot, simply observing her.Feeling parched, I reached for the glass of water on the bedside ta
Chapter Forty-sixDeclan’s POVThe next morning, I woke up with a bitter taste in my mouth, still reeling from the betrayal I had discovered the previous night. I glanced over at Shannon, who was still fast asleep, her peaceful expression mocking meI wanted to wake her up, to confront her about what she had done, but something held me back. Instead, I got up and prepared for the day ahead, my mind consumed with thoughts of Kendall and the betrayal I felt.After I dressing up, I left the room and went straight to see how my friend was holding up that morning. I entered the room and saw Caden still sleeping, it didn’t seem as if he’d woken up since yesterday even though he looked stable laying there peacefully.I sat there with him for some minutes and then decided to leave so I could check things in at the boarder. When I returned after an hour, as I entered my office, I saw Kendall sitting at the desk, buried in paperwork. Without a word, sat down too, then handed her a stack of pape
Chapter Forty-sevenKendall’s POVI couldn’t believe what had just happened. Declan’s accusations had left me reeling, and I couldn’t comprehend why he thought I would ever betray him like that. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I tried to make sense of everything, but the more I thought about it, the more confused and hurt I felt.Suddenly, the door burst open, and Declan stormed into the room, his expression dark and filled with rage. Before I could react, he grabbed me roughly, his grip tight and unforgiving.“Let go of me!” I cried out, pushing against him with all my strength. “I’m not your slave! I’m not your sex toy!”But Declan’s grip only tightened, and no matter how hard I struggled, I couldn’t break free. He forced me onto the bed, his movements aggressive and filled with anger.I fought against him, desperate to resist his advances, but he was too strong. With each passing moment, I felt more powerless and defeated.As he forced himself upon me, I despised every moment of i
Chapter Forty-eightKendall’s POVI didn’t know how long I lay on my room floor bemoaning my fate but I was certain it spanned for more than an hour.When I woke off, feeling exhausted and drained of all my energy, I groped my way towards the bathroom to clean up. While doing this, I purposely ignored looking into the mirror but curious to see my current look, I had no choice but to have a peek of myself.On seeing my disheveled face and the bruises I had sustained, tears began to roll down my cheeks. For the next few minutes that followed, I was sobbing silently.Right now, I really wished I could run away but I was trapped.Even if I had the opportunity to run off like I was in a dire need of, I had no idea on where I should head to. My home which was supposed to be my haven was going to reject me.If only my father hadn’t forced me into this I wouldn’t have been in this mess in the first place — I said in my head as I wiped my face with the back of my palm.After cleaning up, I mad
CHAPTER FOURTY-NINEFEW DAYS AGOCADEN'S POINT OF VIEWI scanned the streets and there was an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, a sense that something wasn't quite right. But I pushed the feeling aside.My instincts pointed my attention to a certain corner. My eyes narrowed as I stared at it — I decided to go there and survey.I rounded the corner but as I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. I glanced over my shoulder, but there was nothing and no one there. Still, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.I paused, my senses tingling. There was a faint scent in the air, unfamiliar and unsettling. I took a deep breath, trying to pinpoint its source.With caution, I continued moving as the scent was coming from where I had initially been suspicious of.Suddenly, a noise broke the silence. I froze, my muscles tensing as I strained to listen. There it was again, a soft rustling in the bushes nearby.I approached cautiously, my hand hovering near my
CHAPTER FIFTYPRESENT TIMEKENDALL'S POINT OF VIEWI let out a sigh as I threw away a rumpled up paper for the umpteenth time. I took out a fresh paper and stared blankly at the crisp white sheet of paper before me.What could I possibly say to my father?I had to write this letter to him, but I had absolutely no idea what to say. I picked up the pen, my fingers trembling slightly as I poised it over the paper.But as I tried to form the words, they seemed to elude me, slipping through my grasp like water through clenched fingers. With a frustrated sigh, I dropped the pen back onto the desk.I sighed again, burying my head into my palms. With another sigh, I raised up my head and chewed on my lip.I had to think of something.I reached for the pen once more and this time, I forced myself to put pen to paper.Yet as I wrote, it seemed like my words were inadequate, meaningless. I paused, reading over what I had written, and shook my head in frustration. It wasn't right, it wasn't enoug
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE KENDALL'S POINT OF VIEW The sight of his glowing eyes filled me with a primal fear, one that seemed to seep into my very bones."Declan, please," I pleaded, "You're scaring me."But he didn't seem to hear me, lost in the grip of his own rage. His fists clenched at his sides, his entire body vibrating with barely contained fury.He got up from the bed and then, in a sudden burst of movement, he lunged forward, his hands closing around my shoulders with a vice-like grip. I cried out in pain"Tell me the truth, Kendall," he snarled, his voice a low, guttural growl. "Or so help me, I'll make you regret it."Tears welled in my eyes as I stared up at him, my body trembling with fear.He shook me violently, “Tell me!" he roared, "Tell me what you know about that night!"Tears streamed down my cheeks, mingling with the fear that clenched my heart in its icy grip. I shook my head frantically, my voice choked with sobs as I pleaded for mercy.“Please, Declan….let go of me.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWOKENDALL'S POINT OF VIEW As the guard pulled me away, I watched as the others restrained Declan's wolf form with chains. His struggles were fierce and desperate and he continued to fight against the chains.But despite his best efforts, the chains did not budge. Eventually, Declan's struggles grew weaker, his movements slowing as exhaustion began to take its toll.His snarls turned to pained groans, his body sagging against the chains that bound him.Finally, with a final, weary sigh, Declan shifted back into his human form, collapsing to the ground. His chest rose and fell with each ragged breath and his eyes closed.I felt a pang of sympathy for himm. Despite the danger he had posed, despite the fear he had instilled in me, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sorrow.The guard that held me turned to me with a look of concern in his eyes. "Let me escort you inside, ma'am," he said gently.I nodded, “Yes please.” I said and he also nodded, leading the way. I was hu
EpilogueWith their love reaffirmed and their bond stronger than ever, Declan and I embarked on a new chapter of our lives together. In just a few short days, surrounded by our loved ones, we exchanged vows and pledged our hearts to each other in marriage. It was a day filled with laughter, tears, and overwhelming joy, as we celebrated our love and commitment to each other.And then, four months later, our joy knew no bounds as I gave birth to twin boys, healthy and strong, who bore a striking resemblance to their father. Holding them in my arms for the first time, I felt a sense of completeness wash over me, knowing that our family was now complete.A week later, as the moonlight filtered through the curtains of our quarters, causing a warmth over the room, I stood watching our twin boys sleep peacefully in their crib. Their tiny chests rose and fell in perfect rhythm, a sight that never failed to fill my heart with warmth and gratitude.Suddenly, I felt Declan’s presence behind me.
Chapter 150Declan’s POVAs the sun painted the sky in colors of red and orange, our pack returned to our home, weary but victorious. With Kendall and her mother by my side, we made our way back to the safety of our camp, the weight of our recent battles slowly lifting from our shoulders.That night, we gathered together for a feast, a celebration of our hard-won victory. The air was filled with laughter and music as we ate and drank, the scent of roasted meat and spiced wine mingling in the air.Around the fire, our pack members shared tales of bravery and triumph, their voices raised in joyful celebration. Kendall’s mother, her face illuminated by the flickering flames, shared stories of her own, her words a testament to the strength and resilience of our pack.As the night wore on, the tension of our recent battles faded into the background, replaced by a sense unity. For the first time in what felt like ages, we were able to relax and enjoy each other’s company, free from the con
Chapter 149Declan’s POVAs the excitement and rejoicing of our victory began to fade, I knew there was still one matter that needed to be addressed. I gathered everyone in the camp, their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.“Friends,” I began, my voice carrying across the clearing, “we have emerged victorious from this battle. But there is still one question that remains unanswered: what should we do with him?” I asked, pointing to my father-in-law bounded in chains.A murmur of voices erupted from the crowd. Some called for mercy, while others demanded justice. But as I looked around, I could see the steely determination in their eyes. They knew as well as I did that Kendall’s father was a threat that could not be ignored.Turning to Kendall, I sought her counsel, knowing that her opinion held weight among our people. “Kendall,” I said, my voice gentle yet firm, “what do you think we should do?”Kendall’s gaze was steady as she met mine, her expression
Chapter 148Declan’s POVAs the battle raged around us, I caught sight of Kendall’s mother among the chaos. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, a sense of dread flooding through me.What could she be doing here? I asked myself. Before I could approach her, she met my gaze with an expression. She approached me, her eyes filled with a fierce determination.“I can help weaken them,” she said, her voice steady. “But I need your men to attack fiercely when the time is right.”I nodded, understanding the gravity of her words. Even though she appeared weak and powerless, Kendall’s mother was a force to be reckoned with, her unique blend of werewolf and witch abilities giving her a power unlike any other.As she began her chants, I watched in awe as the magic began to take effect. The rogues fell to the ground, their movements sluggish and uncoordinated. The rest of our warriors seemed strengthened by the rogues’ weakness, their attacks more focused and precise.With a renewed sense
Chapter 147Kendall’s POVI sat in the small tent, my heart heavy with worry and fear for Declan and the men at war. The sounds of battle echoed in the distance, every sound sending shivers down my spine.As I prayed for their safety, a wounded warrior stumbled into the tent, his face pale and painted with blood. He gasped for breath, his words tumbling out in a rush.“We’re losing,” he said, his voice trembling with fear. “Your father… he’s using the rogues. They’re tearing through our men like… like nothing I’ve ever seen.”My heart sank at his words, a cold knot of dread forming in the pit of my stomach. I knew what it meant if my father succeeded in taking over our pack. We would become slaves, forced to bend to his will or face the consequences.The others in the tent looked at each other with wide eyes, the weight of the news sinking in. We were facing a force unlike anything any of us had ever encountered before, and the possibility of defeat seemed all too real now.But even i
Chapter 146Kendall’s POVOver the next hours, the palace courtyard buzzed with the energy of warriors readying themselves for battle. Guns were loaded , swords sharpened, and strategies were whispered among the ranks.Declan had ordered all women to stay back, to tend to the wounded who might make it back, but I had no intention of staying behind.Declan stood before me, his eyes filled with worry. “Kendall, you need to stay back with the others. It’s not safe for you and the baby to be out there.”I shook my head. “I can’t do that, Declan. These are my people. I can’t just sit back and watch them suffer the consequences of my father’s actions.”His face hardened with frustration. “It’s not just about them. It’s about you and our child. I can’t lose you, Kendall.”“I understand that, but if there’s going to be a war, I need to be there. I need to try and save as many people as I can. I’ve known these people all my life. I can’t abandon them now.”Declan sighed, running a hand through
Chapter 145Declan’s POVBack at the palace, the weight of Caden’s betrayal pressed heavily on my mind. Kendall and I couldn’t shake the horror of the things we saw, along with knowing that my best friend had been working with the enemy all along.We sat in the guest room given to us. Kendall’s eyes reflected my worry, her presence both a comforting and a reminder of the gravity of our situation.I had always relied on Caden, counted on him to have my back, and now that foundation had been destroyed by his greed and betrayal. I suspected Kendall’s father promised him control over my pack in exchange for his alliance.“I can’t believe it,” Kendall whispered softly. “How could he do this to you? To the pack?”I shook my head, the anger and hurt boiling within me. “I don’t know, Kendall. I thought I knew him, trusted him with everything. But now…”“I trusted him too, I sincerely thought he was my friend.” Kendall chimed in.My voice trailed off as I clenched my fists, trying to contain
Chapter 144Declan’s POVMy mind raced as the gravity of what we’d uncovered settled in. Turning humans into Lycans and placing them under his control—Kendall’s father was trying to resurrect an ancient power for his own gain. The implications were deadly.Just as we were about to leave, we heard footsteps through the corridor. We exchanged a panicked glance and quickly sought cover behind a large machine. The outside door creaked open, and my heart nearly stopped when Kendall’s father walked in.“Stay quiet,” I whispered, barely moving my lips. Kendall nodded, her face pale with fear.We peered through the gaps in the factory, watching as her father surveyed the lab with his men. He moved with a confidence that showed his confidence in the security of this place. He approached the table we had been examining and began rifling through the papers, humming to himself.“He has no idea we’re here,” Kendall mouthed, her eyes wide. I nodded, grateful we had locked the door when we entered.
Chapter 143Kendall’s POVThe atmosphere of the basement was thick with dust too, and the echo of our footsteps was the only sound in the emptiness.It looked like a factory, with machines and equipment, more sophisticated than the ones we saw above, spread around.“This place is huge,” I murmured almost to myself. “It feels like we’re in the wrong place.”Declan’s brow furrowed as he scanned the room. “We might not be. The spy said this was the place. We need to figure out what is going on here.”I couldn’t shake the feeling that we might have been led into a trap. “What if he set us up, Declan? What if my father knew we were coming and had the spy mislead us?”Declan shook his head, his eyes sharp and focused. “I don’t think so. I can sense something. There’s more to this place than meets the eye.”I nodded, trusting his instincts. We began to search through the factory, moving cautiously through the huge space.As we moved deeper, I noticed a section of the floor that looked differ