Kovu's POV“Who is that?” I growled as a persistent knock rattled my door, dragging me from the shallow pit of sleep I managed to find. I groaned as I forced myself up. Last night could be ranked up there with one of the worst nights of my life. Not only did I not get the chance to settle things with Kaliyah once and for all, but I'd also spent the better part of the night trying to drown out Kyrax's growls and snarls. Long story short, I barely slept.The knocking didn't stop; in fact, it grew more insistent as the seconds passed. A vein popped in my head, and my patience snapped.“What is it?” I marched towards the door and yanked it open.An omega stood there, trembling in fear, sweat dripping down from his forehead. He looked like he'd rather be anywhere else but here, which was an accurate analogy considering I looked like I was about to eat him alive.“Speak!” I thundered at him, which made his trembling increase.“The Alpha is… is requesting your presence in the pack's meeting
Kovu's POV He continued, “Now, to the matter at hand—Asterion Maverick. The new Alpha of the Eldrath pack has proven to be a ruthless adversary. He’s been recruiting rogues, swelling his numbers. As of our latest intelligence, his forces are nearing ten thousand and rising. This is no ordinary enemy we face.” “Rogues aren’t ones to be controlled. They are feral, uncontrollable beasts,” one of the generals, Viktor, added. “Yet Asterion commands them with an iron fist. We suspect he’s using some form of dark magic to bind them to his will.” A deafening silence descended on the meeting hall when the words “dark magic” were spoken. It was a serious taboo in the packs to use or even consider the use of dark magic. The only race that relished the use of dark magic and used it without abandon was the shamans. “Uhm… I have something to say.” Kaliyah cleared her throat and raised her hand, seeking permission to speak. “You may proceed,” my father granted her the floor. “Wh… when I f
Kaliyah's POVThe strategy meeting unfolded, but I barely paid attention as I was boiling with rage. Each time Asterion's name was mentioned, my hand would clench into fists beneath the table, and my nails would dig into my palm. Keeping my emotions in check became a chore.The memories of how the bastard killed me in my previous life, puncturing a hole through my heart, were still fresh in my mind. Combined with the memory of how he had slain the previous owner of this body, it was safe to say that my anger had reached a frightening crescendo.*Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill*Akira's words played on a loop, growing louder with each passing moment, and it was a struggle to keep her in control. I was barely able to focus on the discussions of terrain, ambushes, and alliances. All I could think about was Asterion and how he had taken everything from me.“But if Asterion comes out like last time, leading the charge himself, who will face him?” I heard General Magnus pose the question.Ther
Kaliyah’s POV Alpha Torino rose from his seat and swept his gaze across the room. The generals, who had been watching the exchange with bated breath, remained silent as they waited for his decision. Even Akira had surprisingly fallen silent. Torino’s gaze landed on me, and his eyes softened a bit before he opened his mouth to pass his verdict. “Kaliyah,” he began, “I acknowledge your passion, your drive to end Asterion’s reign. This fight is obviously personal to you; it's gone beyond a sense of duty or honor. It's about vengeance.” He paused, and I held my breath, my heart pounding against my ribcage as I waited for his next words. I had already decided to take matters into my own hands in case he rejected me, but still, his acceptance would make things really easy for me. “But,” his tone turned sterner, “Asterion is no ordinary enemy. He is a hybrid, a force of destruction, a beast who has taken countless lives in his quest for power. I cannot, in good conscience, allow you
Kaliyah's POVDigging my claws into its chest, I ripped through the coarse material like it was paper. I slashed the dummy again and again, letting out my pent-up emotions in the process.I could have easily destroyed it in one go, but I needed it to last longer, to suffer, to endure my strength. My claws slashed through its arms, its legs, and its neck, tearing it apart piece by piece. The material began to fray and shed under my relentless assault, yet it wasn't enough—it needed to endure more.Suddenly, I imagined the dummy as Kovu and Asterion, and my mana flared out of control. I plunged my claws into the dummy's torso and released the energy. My mana burst out like a wave, exploding from my core and tearing the dummy apart. Its pieces flew everywhere like leaves in a storm, but I was still left feeling extremely dissatisfied.“Urghh,” I grunted, looking around the training ground. I needed more, I needed another target, something else to destroy and tear apart, or better yet, a
Kaliyah's POV“Too slow,” Calum sneered, sidestepping my attack with ease and countering with a vicious jab to my ribs. The impact was akin to being struck by a carriage, and I grunted in pain, staggering back and barely managing to keep my footing.Before I could recover and lunge at him again, he was on me. His movements were as fluid as a river as he danced around me, landing blows and dodging my every attempt to counter. It was either he knew exactly what I was going to do before I even did it, or I was just too slow.“Urghh,” I grunted as I tried to channel my mana into a more focused attack, recalling a technique from the previous Kaliyah's memories—an explosive burst of speed combined with a mana-infused claw strike. I launched myself at Calum, trying to execute the technique, but the energy scattered, slipping out of my control like sand through my fingers.I gritted my teeth and landed a punch against Calum's shoulder. To my utmost dismay, it did little more than push him bac
Kovu's POV"What the hell happened to you, Kaliyah?" I leaned against the nearest tree with my arms crossed, watching as Kaliyah picked herself up from the ground. That sparring match with Calum had to be the most shambolic display I had ever seen from her. She had always been a relentless warrior who never backed down from a fight. Heck, she could even give Calum a run for his money on a good day, but today? She was a shadow of that.“Well, well, if it isn't the mighty Kaliyah getting her ass handed to her,” I called out, intentionally mocking her. I wanted to see that fire in her again. I refused to believe that the warrior who had just been one-shotted by Calum was Kaliyah. Impossible—it wasn't her.Kaliyah shot me a glare, and I expected her usual vicious comebacks, but there was nothing. Only silence from her and a flicker of something in her eyes. Defeat? Resignation? I didn't know for sure.“Lost your edge? Or did that near-death experience with Asterion take a bigger toll on y
Kovu's POVI exhaled deeply, trying to steady my nerves as I reached out to Kyrax. We had done this countless times before, merging our minds and bodies until our energies flowed in perfect harmony. I knew this stage well—perhaps too well. It had become almost second nature to us.*Ready?* I asked, though I already knew his answer.*Always,* Kyrax growled in response.I closed my eyes and centered myself as I began the process. My breathing slowed, and I could feel the mana around us as I synchronized with Kyrax. Our spirits aligned, and our thoughts became one.The process was going smoothly, but just as we were about to fully merge, a sudden jolt tore through the connection. It was as if something had slammed into us from the inside, throwing us into chaos.*What the…* I barely had time to react before the backlash hit. Pain like never before crashed through me, searing every nerve, every muscle, every bone in my body. It was as if I was being reduced to atoms and reconstructed agai
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