I tightened my grip on the reins, my knuckles white as I continued to ride towards the Virethorn Glade. The wind bit at my face, but I barely felt it. All I wanted was to get through the cursed ride in silence. Caleb, Kaliyah, and the others were behind me, but I needed space—to be alone with my thoughts. Not that being alone was helping much, though.Kyrax had been in my head all week, relentlessly screaming, and it was getting harder to zone him out.*You disgust me, Kovu. Cheater. Betrayer. You're weak. You’ve tainted the bond with our mate!*This had been his anthem for the past week or so, berating me about the incident with Zelena. I always wanted to argue back, but what could I say in my defense? He wasn’t wrong. I had screwed up. But it wasn’t like I planned it. Zelena ambushed me, and before I could realize it, it was already too late. The damn witch had caught me off guard during her heat cycle, casting a drowsiness spell that left me completely at her mercy. I didn’t stand
Kovu's POVThe world around me blurred as I launched myself into the air. The filthy stench of the rogues filled my nostrils just as we clashed midair. He snarled, baring his rotten teeth at me, but I was faster.My claws extended, glowing with the flicker of red mana as I summoned my energy. With a savage growl, I slashed downward, ripping through the rogue’s chest with the force of my strike. Blood sprayed into the air, and the unfortunate beast let out a gurgled screech before plummeting to the ground, lifeless.One down.I landed in a crouch, claws digging into the earth, but before I could catch my breath, another rogue snuck into my blind spot and lunged at me. The snarl behind me gave him away, and I pivoted just in time. His jaws snapped shut where my neck had been, but I spun around and drove my elbows into his ribs. The impact sent a satisfying crack that echoed through the clearing, and the rogue howled in pain. But I wasn’t done yet.I summoned even more mana, channeling i
Kaliyah’s POV*Did you see that? Did you see the way we saved our man back there? Our man! Our mate!! That rogue didn’t stand a chance.* Akira had been bugging me about this repeatedly ever since I cut down that rogue earlier.I sighed, rubbing my temples, which were beginning to ache badly, as I began setting up my tent. *He’s not our man, Akira. And I didn’t save him so you can be all happy and smug. I just didn’t want him to get wounded so early in the mission.**But if you didn’t want him to get wounded, that means you care for him, right?* Akira purred.*That’s not...* This Lycan was crazy as hell. Why would she think I cared for that self-centered fool?*Come on, admit it. It’s not like it’s a bad thing. He’s our fated one. Our mate,* Akira continued, undeterred.I clenched my jaw and forced myself to focus on my tent. The fabric resisted a bit as I yanked it from the saddle, and I distracted myself with the motions of setting up camp, ignoring Akira's constant rambling. She
I sat by the dying fire and fixed my gaze on the crescent moon above. Zelena’s words kept ringing in my head, over and over, like an annoying tune.“The only way you can achieve Bloodlust Ascendancy is by marking and accepting your mate fully.”The idea of it, its very concept, seemed absurd on paper. But I could understand why it caused a dissonance between Kyrax and me, leading to our regression in the Bloodlust Ascendancy. He wanted her; I hated her. This entire situation favored him, and to be honest, I was starting to get sick of him and this whole mess.Could I fake it then? Could I pretend that I accepted her just to gain the power I needed? I questioned myself but quickly discarded the thought. If there was one thing I had learned with the mate bond, it was that it didn’t take kindly to deception. I couldn’t fool it, nor could I fool Kyrax, my Lycan.In frustration, I kicked up some dirt into the air. Each passing day that I spent with her, the mate bond made me want her, crav
Kaliyah's POVThe water was cool against my skin as I floated, letting the river wash away the grime and sweat of the day’s events. It felt nice to just stay there, adrift with nothing to worry about. No battles to plan, no mate bond to fight. Just me, staring up at the full moon, enjoying the serenity.Oh… he’s here. Akira squirmed in my head, excitement bubbling up. I frowned. What could she mean? Then, I felt it—the sensation of being watched.I tensed and turned swiftly, only to see a wide-eyed Kovu ogling at me.Kovu? *Here?*My heart leaped into my throat. For a moment, I thought I was imagining things, but no… he was standing right there, his eyes fixed on me. On my bare, naked body!I wanted to hide, to feel disgust. I should have felt something—probably throw something at him or scream—anything that would be a normal reaction in a situation like this. But instead… I felt heat. No, not the kind of heat that comes from embarrassment or rage. The kind that comes from *wanting* t
Kaliyah's POV I raced alongside Kovu, pumping mana through my limbs as my paws pounded against the forest floor. The name *Darius* reverberated through my mind like a dark omen as memories of the last time I saw him in battle resurfaced. He was Asterion's Beta. A force of pure, unyielding brutality. Cold. Merciless. A powerful old werewolf who killed without hesitation or remorse. The last time I… no, the previous Kaliyah… encountered him, Darius was leading a section of the Eldrath pack, gruesomely killing members of the Volkov pack. He had been the one to keep Kovu at bay, preventing him from supporting me when Asterion overwhelmed her. If there was one thing I knew from those memories, it was that Darius was stronger than Kovu. **Look alive, Kaliyah! The campsite!** I barely had time to register Akira's voice before the camp came into view. The scene ahead sent a cold chill down my spine. Six werewolves, all in their monstrous beast forms, brimming with ominous mana, towered o
Kovu's POVI stood there, my gaze locked on Darius, who still had that smug, infuriating expression on his face, and racked my brain for the next course of action.*We can't let him touch her! Nothing must happen to our mate!* Kyrax boomed inside my head, disrupting my thoughts.*She can take care of herself, damn it! We can't protect her forever,* I shot back at him as my eyes darted to Kaliyah beside me. She was by no means weak, but still, this was a dangerous situation. Six powerful werewolves, with Darius added to the mix, wasn’t an easy battle at all, even for us.My mind raced back to the memory of the last time we battled. He nearly overwhelmed me back then, with strength and cunning that was only second to Asterion’s. Normally, a Lycan was stronger than a werewolf, but werewolves made up for that gap in strength with sheer numbers. Plus, Darius wasn’t just any werewolf. He was centuries older than me, an experienced predator who had probably seen and survived more battles tha
Kaliyah's POVThat idiot. That one sentence kept repeating in my mind as I ran like crazy through the cursed forest. Mana surged through my limbs as my paws tore through the underbrush.That fucking idiot! He thought he could handle Darius all on his own after what happened last time? There were moments when his arrogance astounded me. Yet, even though I was pissed to my very core, I felt a faint sense of trust in him and his strength.For all his idiocy, Kovu was strong. Stubborn, yes, but he wouldn’t go down easily. He never did.*Why did you leave him behind?* Akira growled in discontent as she pushed for control.*This was his idea, why are you blaming me?* I snapped back at her, forcing her down with a firm mental shove.I could feel her bristling with rage, but she knew I was right. Kovu needed space to fight Darius, and normally, two of us should have been enough to handle him and some of the wolves. But I wasn't exactly at peak strength like the previous Kaliyah. I had been tr
Asterion's POVI waited, reclining with ease in the hot tub until the guards dragged Darius into my chambers. He was barely recognizable, his once hulking form now broken and battered, covered in blood and grime. He was slashed open in so many places it was a wonder he hadn’t bled out before reaching me. His wounds were healing, but his mana reserves were low, meaning it might take weeks before he could return to his optimal state.“My lord.” Darius managed a hobbled bow.I lifted a hand, dismissing the girls. They left without a word, and I watched as Darius hobbled unsteadily, barely managing to stay on his feet. The fool looked dreadful.“Explain yourself,” I said coldly.Darius sucked in a deep breath, and then the words started spilling out in a panicked, desperate rush. “I almost had them, my lord! I had Kovu on his knees, and Kaliyah—she was within reach, weakened. But then they used the beasts from Virethorn Glade. They overwhelmed me, tore my men to shreds. It was... ”“Enoug
Asterion’s POVThe hot water enveloped my body as I reclined in the vast hot tub. Steam rose in lazy tendrils, and my muscles unwound as I sipped from a glass of red wine. Its taste was as rich and bitter as the realm I sought to rule with an iron fist.All around me were women who wore next to nothing or revealing clothes, catering to my every need. One held a cluster of grapes, feeding them to me slowly, another held a bottle of wine, ready to refill my cup when it was empty.I grasped the woman closest to me, pulling her into my arms. She gasped as I let my hand trail down her chest, kneading her breasts and pinching her nipples. She gasped again, continuing to feed me the grapes as I indulged myself.The doors of the chamber creaked open, and General Vorn entered. I had mind-linked him an hour ago, after he’d arrived with my army from another conquest, instructing him to come and give his report. His armor was covered in the dust of battle, and in his hands, he held a thick scroll
Kovu’s POVKaliyah stopped in front of me with an unreadable expression. “Are you alright?” she asked sharply.I opened my mouth to retort, but no words came out. Her coldness surprised me, which shouldn’t have even been possible. I was supposed to be used to it by now, but why did I feel a searing pain in my chest just because of something that should have been the norm?Before I could gather my thoughts, Kaliyah knelt beside me, her hands moving to arrange the Irlai leaves around my wounds. They had come loose, barely clinging to my torn skin. I gritted my teeth and moved back slightly.“I don’t need your help,” I muttered.She ignored me entirely, securing the leaves with calm efficiency.“Just let her do her thing,” Calum sighed, rolling his eyes. “You’re in no shape to be stubborn.”“Shut up, Calum,” I retorted, clenching my jaw as I glared at her. She avoided my gaze, still silent as she reached for a small leather pouch on her belt. From it, she pulled more fresh Irlai leaves.
Kovu’s POVI swung my mana-infused claw toward Darius, but he was always faster and one step ahead. The clash still rang in my mind as every attack he landed sent shockwaves through my body. I gritted my teeth, pushing through the pain, refusing to give up.But then… everything stopped.My world became nothing but a blur of agony. My body started to convulse, writhing in pain. Darkness. Heat. Cold. My pulse pounded in my ears, and I couldn't even tell if I was still alive.Then, suddenly, I gasped, and my eyes snapped open. It took me a moment to adjust as I shifted on the rocky ground I lay on. The searing pain in my body didn't relent, but I forced myself to breathe through it.When my blurry vision finally cleared, the first thing I noticed was the sky. The sun was setting, painting the sky in glowing red rays that spread across the horizon, far from the dim gloom of the Virethorn Glade.I shivered a bit as a cold wind blew, but I realized I wasn't freezing.I looked down, seeing a
Kaliyah's POVMy breath hitched as I clung tightly to Calum's fur while he raced like a madman through the dense undergrowth of the Virethorn Glade. His body moved with a frenzy, darting and weaving past the grotesque creatures that lurched out of the shadows and away from the ones pursuing us from behind.He's hurt, our mate! He's hurt! Akira's voice echoed in my mind, moaning in pain as she called out to Kovu.My grip on Kovu's unconscious and still body tightened as I stared at him. Blood soaked his clothes, and his wounds were too deep and numerous. To make matters worse, his regeneration was slow to kick in. I had to place my hand on his pulse numerous times to ensure he wasn’t dead, as my mind swirled with one question:Why would Kovu, of all people, sacrifice himself to save me?It wasn’t logical—it didn’t even make any sense. We were sworn rivals, enemies even. He had always regarded me with such potent hatred that I doubted whether the mate bond had any hold on him. But now…
Kovu’s POVHis claws hovered above me, gleaming with deadly intent. I could barely breathe, struggling to keep myself conscious as I braced for the end. This bastard was going to finish me off, and there was nothing I could do to stop him.I gritted my teeth, my mind flashing with the image of Kaliyah. I was about to be killed, but at least I had stalled Darius long enough for her to escape. I stared at the claws, shining under the moonlight as dark mana swirled around them, and I closed my eyes, waiting for death.*We had a good run,* I reached out for Kyrax, bidding farewell to my Lycan. He responded with a reluctant, tired growl, accepting the fate that was about to befall us.Just as his claws descended, a sharp howl pierced the air.I opened my eyes in shock, and Darius paused, his claws freezing mid-air as his head whipped toward the direction of the howl. Another howl followed, then another, and suddenly the entire forest was alive with grotesque, bone-chilling howls—deep and r
Kovu’s POVHis claws hovered above me, gleaming with deadly intent. I could barely breathe, struggling to keep myself conscious as I braced for the end. This bastard was going to finish me off, and there was nothing I could do to stop him.I gritted my teeth, my mind flashing with the image of Kaliyah. I was about to be killed, but at least I had stalled Darius long enough for her to escape. I stared at the claws, shining under the moonlight as dark mana swirled around them, and I closed my eyes, waiting for death.*We had a good run,* I reached out for Kyrax, bidding farewell to my Lycan. He responded with a reluctant, tired growl, accepting the fate that was about to befall us.Just as his claws descended, a sharp howl pierced the air.I opened my eyes in shock, and Darius paused, his claws freezing mid-air as his head whipped toward the direction of the howl. Another howl followed, then another, and suddenly the entire forest was alive with grotesque, bone-chilling howls—deep and r
Kovu's POV*That little power boost still won’t save you,* Darius's voice rang through the mind link. *I’ve crushed Lycans stronger than you, Kovu. You should’ve stayed back at your pack like a good little pup and waited for your downfall.**Shut up!* I growled in fury. Without wasting any more time, I lunged forward with blinding speed, flooding my limbs with mana, activating Flash Step in the process. The ground cracked beneath me from the force of my launch, and I aimed my claws directly at Darius’s throat, my claws simmering with blood-red mana, sharp enough to slice through bone.Darius reacted just in time, bringing his front paw up to block my strike. His mana hardened around his paw into an impenetrable shield. My claws collided with his front paw, and sparks flew as our energies clashed, the force sending a shockwave rippling through the battlefield. I snarled, pushing harder, but Darius held firm, his muscles straining but unyielding.*Too weak,* he barked as mana flooded in
Kovu's POVThe first step to activating Bloodlust Ascendancy was to become one with Kyrax. It was a merging of our minds and bodies until we were a single unified entity. I had always crossed this stage before, but recently, I couldn’t even get through this stage without a painful backlash wreaking havoc throughout my body. Now, though, as I prepared to activate the first phase, something felt different. The connection between us merged seamlessly into something deeper and stronger. Something different.It snapped into place with a fluidity I hadn’t felt before. My muscles coiled with newfound strength as our energies began to merge, slowly at first, but then with increasing intensity. Kyrax’s instincts melded with mine, sharpening my senses, enhancing my strength, and perfecting my control over mana.The mana around me thickened, taking on a crimson hue, and flared to life like an inferno.*Kyrax* I called for him, my voice merging with his deep growl. This is unlike anything I had