Royal Secretary Ivor’s Point of ViewNever before had I felt so insignificant as I did moments ago, sitting at that restaurant table.To be so utterly dismissed, so blatantly ignored, was a new and unwelcome experience.Damn it! Had I possessed even a sliver of foresight that mates could be this annoying, I would have vehemently refused to offer myself to that witch. She had humiliated me in the worst way possible, shamelessly ogling the Beta as if I were invisible. And all of it had transpired before my very eyes!My fists clenched, the knuckles turning white. It was a Herculean task to restrain my temper.She had acted as if I wasn’t there, as if my presence meant nothing. No self-respecting wolf would tolerate such blatant disregard from their mate.Was she testing me? Did she think she could push me around, set the terms of our bond, dictate how things would go between us? A foolish notion. Whatever she had hoped to accomplish with her audacity, it was wasted on me. I couldn’t car
As the car rolled into Woodcrest, a startling realization gripped me like a vice.Something was definitely wrong here!I inhaled sharply, expecting the tapestry of scents, the layered musk of wolves, the defining signature of each pack. But nothing happened.My pulse spiked. I could no longer tell them apart. The intricate knowledge I had relied on, the subconscious recognition of scents tied to territories and packs, was completely gone.Damn! My breath hitched.This had to be the potion’s effect. Lilias hadn’t warned about this. But I now knew that just as others couldn’t detect my Lycan, I was stripped of the one crucial tool I needed to navigate enemy ground.Sweat pricked at the back of my neck. My only advantage, my ability to discern friends from foe, was wiped out.This was bad.It made things dangerously complicated. How was I supposed to find Zela now? I forced my breathing to steady while I consoled myself.No panic. No hesitation. I needed another way, another method to id
In the calm of his room, Ivor paced anxiously, the rich decor becoming a hazy backdrop to his restless thoughts. He replays his meeting with Alpha Nerville, a nagging suspicion clawing at his thoughts, had the man betrayed Raul? If so, it was a reckless act, one Raul would never let slide without dire consequences. The evening's festivities loomed close, organized by Beta Aren, and Ivor knew it could be his only chance to find Zela.With resolve tightening within him, he activated the mind link with the Crown Prince.‘Ivor! Have you found her?’ Raul immediately asked with urgency.“I’m already in but haven’t seen Zela yet,” Ivor admitted, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “But listen to this. Alpha Jermain is marked and mated to a she-wolf named Chrissy. She doesn’t match Zela at all, and the bond they share feels genuine.”Raul’s confusion rippled through their connection. ‘What? Are you sure you’re not missing something? You need to be alert. Where could she be?’‘I’m
Ten minutes before midnight, the grand hall of the Eclipse Moon packhouse buzzed with energy, filled with whispers and the clinking of champagne flutes.The air was thick with excitement, as the rich scent of expensive colognes swirled around sharply dressed unmated Alphas and Alpha’s sons. They moved through the crowd like predators, their eyes shining with a hunger that clearly had nothing to do with the fancy hors d’oeuvres on the table. An electric tension hung in the air, hinting that the night was about to unfold its mysteries in a clash of power and desire. It was the night before my eighteenth birthday, the moment I was about to find my fated mate.I leaned against the bar, arms crossed, watching the posturing spectacle with a smirk tugging at my lips. Beside me, Andrea and Lilias were in stitches, barely able to contain their laughter as we surveyed the so-called crème de la crème of werewolf society. “Did you see how Victor from Silver Fang Pack adjuste
The morning sunlight streamed through the expansive windows of the packhouse, bouncing off the polished wooden floors.I was just fastening the delicate silver clasp of my travel cloak when my father, Alpha Gene, strode into the room. His presence was impossible to miss, handsome, broad-shouldered, with an air of authority that could silence even the rowdiest pack member.“You’re awfully calm for someone who failed to find her mate last night,” he stated curiously.I turned to face him, feigning an exaggerated pout.“Failed? Oh no, Father, how will I ever live with myself knowing that Victor from the Silver Fang Pack won’t be claiming me as his mate?” My voice dripped with sarcasm, and I saw the corner of his mouth twitch, though he quickly masked it with a frown.“Zela,” he began, his tone stern. “This is a serious matter. Any she-wolf would be overjoyed to meet her fated mate.”I raised an eyebrow.“Serious? Father, most of the Alphas last night were not my type or acted as though t
Throughout the dinner, eyes clung to me like a second skin, whispers trailing in my wake.I kept my chin high, ignoring the suffocating attention that came with being Alpha Gene’s daughter. This was nothing new. But tonight felt different, charged with an energy that sizzled beneath the surface, an unseen storm brewing I couldn’t quite place. While my parents were engaged with the Royal couple, I focused on the extravagant meal in front of me, each delicate dish a masterpiece of culinary art. The Royals had outdone themselves, and they had succeeded in making it count.As the banquet transitioned into the evening reception, I moved through the glittering crowd, feigning ease while my insides churned. The opulence around me, golden chandeliers, cascading silk drapes, an orchestra playing softly in the background, was a backdrop I had experienced countless times before. Yet, now, unease coiled tight in my chest, a cold serpent stirring in the depths. My gaze flicked to the dais, drawn
By the time the first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, I had reached the borders of Silver Bow, every muscle in my body aching from the relentless run. The woman was incredibly helpful; without probing too much, she drove me to the Silver Bow turnoff. As we parted ways, she gave me her phone number and encouraged me to reach out for any reason.The familiar scents of Silver Bow’s territory welcomed me, offering a fleeting sense of safety. Andrea’s family had granted me unrestricted access to their lands long ago, and although the border patrol undoubtedly sensed my presence, I knew they wouldn’t report it to Alpha Zenic. They trusted I would do so myself, a formality I’d skip this time. Staying in wolf form, I crept through the shadows, weaving between trees to remain unseen.The packhouse loomed ahead, its grand silhouette outlined against the lightning sky. I stopped beneath Andrea’s window and looked up. Era stirred within me, exhilarate
The air in Andrea’s room bristled with a tension that made my skin prickle, as we awaited Lilias arrival.She didn’t disappoint us, like a shadow she stepped into the room, causing us to exhale in relief. She moved with an urgency that spoke of unseen threats, her eyes, usually bright and knowing, now clouded with a deep concern.In her hand, she held a small, intricately carved vial, its contents shimmer with an otherworldly glow.“This is it,” she stated, holding the bottle up to my face. “The stronger potion. It will mask your scent, but Zela, understand this. It is not a shield against the bond. He has felt you and that bond is a part of you now, woven into the very fabric of your being. Your destiny is already intertwined.”Her warning was on deaf ears, all I could think of is the desired elixir, a viscous liquid the color of twilight, its scent a strange, heady mix of herbs and something ancient, something wild and untamed. It pulsed with a faint, inner light, as
In the calm of his room, Ivor paced anxiously, the rich decor becoming a hazy backdrop to his restless thoughts. He replays his meeting with Alpha Nerville, a nagging suspicion clawing at his thoughts, had the man betrayed Raul? If so, it was a reckless act, one Raul would never let slide without dire consequences. The evening's festivities loomed close, organized by Beta Aren, and Ivor knew it could be his only chance to find Zela.With resolve tightening within him, he activated the mind link with the Crown Prince.‘Ivor! Have you found her?’ Raul immediately asked with urgency.“I’m already in but haven’t seen Zela yet,” Ivor admitted, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “But listen to this. Alpha Jermain is marked and mated to a she-wolf named Chrissy. She doesn’t match Zela at all, and the bond they share feels genuine.”Raul’s confusion rippled through their connection. ‘What? Are you sure you’re not missing something? You need to be alert. Where could she be?’‘I’m
As the car rolled into Woodcrest, a startling realization gripped me like a vice.Something was definitely wrong here!I inhaled sharply, expecting the tapestry of scents, the layered musk of wolves, the defining signature of each pack. But nothing happened.My pulse spiked. I could no longer tell them apart. The intricate knowledge I had relied on, the subconscious recognition of scents tied to territories and packs, was completely gone.Damn! My breath hitched.This had to be the potion’s effect. Lilias hadn’t warned about this. But I now knew that just as others couldn’t detect my Lycan, I was stripped of the one crucial tool I needed to navigate enemy ground.Sweat pricked at the back of my neck. My only advantage, my ability to discern friends from foe, was wiped out.This was bad.It made things dangerously complicated. How was I supposed to find Zela now? I forced my breathing to steady while I consoled myself.No panic. No hesitation. I needed another way, another method to id
Royal Secretary Ivor’s Point of ViewNever before had I felt so insignificant as I did moments ago, sitting at that restaurant table.To be so utterly dismissed, so blatantly ignored, was a new and unwelcome experience.Damn it! Had I possessed even a sliver of foresight that mates could be this annoying, I would have vehemently refused to offer myself to that witch. She had humiliated me in the worst way possible, shamelessly ogling the Beta as if I were invisible. And all of it had transpired before my very eyes!My fists clenched, the knuckles turning white. It was a Herculean task to restrain my temper.She had acted as if I wasn’t there, as if my presence meant nothing. No self-respecting wolf would tolerate such blatant disregard from their mate.Was she testing me? Did she think she could push me around, set the terms of our bond, dictate how things would go between us? A foolish notion. Whatever she had hoped to accomplish with her audacity, it was wasted on me. I couldn’t car
"Raul, why don’t we just storm that pack and take your mate with us? That Alpha and his lousy members could never be stronger than you and me. We’re Lycans, for Selene’s sake!"Yeah, I’d seen this coming, Ivor couldn’t keep his composure as he watched his mate sneak glances at the handsome Beta seated two tables away.The man sat there with an infuriating calmness, focused entirely on his meal.He didn’t even acknowledge the group of women attempting to catch his attention, some of whom had leaned provocatively closer to him, offering their company with bright smiles. None of it fazed him. He refused each advance politely but firmly, keeping his eyes locked on the plate in front of him. The sight of his piled chicken and burgers mirrored our own plates, but unlike us, his cool detachment stood out even more among the lively crowd."I wanted to do that the night we realized she was gone from Alpha Jermain’s house in Human Town," I replied steadily, though my frustration lingered just b
As soon as we entered the fast-food restaurant in Human Town, I was overwhelmed by the delicious smells of greasy and sugary food. The sound of people chatting filled the air, a sharp contrast to the tense silence we had in the SUV. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten a decent meal in a long time.Ivor pointed to the long line at the cash register.There were many humans waiting, mixed with a few wolves trying to blend in. Everyone was eager to get food during their lunch break."Looks like it’ll be a while," he sighed with a hint of impatience. "I should get in line and order before it gets too crowded."Lilias chose a massive salad that was vibrant and fresh, standing out against the greasy options on the menu. She also took a slice of apple pie and a healthy smoothie. Although I found the peculiar eating habits of witches somewhat intriguing, the notion that her obsession with vegetables was a way to stay connected to nature struck me as absolute nonsense.
Crown Prince Raul’s Point of View The sight of Ivor and Lilias glued together was nothing short of unsettling, igniting a burning jealousy within me that I had never felt before.This witch had practically claimed my Secretary as her prize for aiding us in our covert infiltration of Woodcrest, and then they had disappeared into the forest, laughter and whispers flowing between them like they were destined mates. She had requested some rare herbs only found in our woods, and after a dramatic inspection of our kitchen, she ultimately declared it suitable for brewing her potion.From my father’s office window, I observed them with a growing sense of envy.Ivor, usually as stoic as a stone gargoyle, had his arm possessively draped around her waist, defending her like a sacred treasure. This all left me dumbfounded. I had always known him to be attracted to fragile, chestnut-haired beauties, those delicate flowers who seemed like they’d crumble in a gust.Bu
"Zela, what’s going on with your scent? Something’s different. I first noticed it on your birthday, but now that you're closer to me, it's unmistakable. It’s not the same as it used to be.”I cleared my throat, stalling for time to come up with an appropriate answer.The potion hadn’t merely weakened the mate bond, it had diminished my own ability to scent other wolves too. Ordinary wolves wouldn’t be able to detect me as one of their kind anymore, but sitting next to me was an Alpha, one from an elite bloodline at that. It was inevitable that he would notice the change.And of course, I couldn’t tell him the truth.My mind raced to find a suitable explanation for his question.“I don’t know what you mean, Alpha,” I replied calmly. “Perhaps it has something to do with the humans or my coming of age. Both my wolf and I are adults now, and hormonal changes come with that.”“Stop making up nonsense!” a sharp remark came from behind. “I turned eighteen too, and my scent hasn’t changed. Th
As we stepped into the dining room, Chrissy already awaited us.With her sharp eyes first locked onto the Alpha, a silent, tense exchange passing between them, before turning to scrutinize me, her gaze passing on every detail.“Zela, are you scavenging for the crumbs I left behind?” she quipped, her tone laced with undisguised malice. “Trust me, I never leave anything unfinished. He won’t be able to satisfy you today, or any other day.”I ignored her barbed remark, sinking into a chair with nonchalance.I watched with detached interest as she claimed her place beside the Alpha at the head of the long, massive table. Her proprietary air, the way she settled into her role as the Alpha’s mate, did not bother me a bit, she could have him for all I care. The Alpha belonged to her in every way I had no intention of contesting, a fact I intended to make abundantly clear to everyone.The aroma of the dishes wafted towards me, a tantalizing blend of spices and roasted meat, and my mouth watere
A sharp knock at my bedroom door startled me awake in the early hours of the morning.I groaned, still heavy with sleep, my body unwilling to relinquish the last remnants of slumber. Rubbing my eyes, I tried to shake off the lingering fog of night.“Sweetheart, it’s me. Open the door,” came the Alpha’s low, familiar whisper from the other side. “There’s a button on the wall, you don’t even have to get out of bed.”I glanced over to find a set of buttons above the bedside table, just as he had mentioned.The adjoining screen clearly displayed the security system. Even though I now had the means to let him in without physically moving, the thought of having him here in the bedroom while I lay defenseless in bed made me shiver. So, I threw off the warm covers and reached for the bathrobe I’d found in the walk-in closet the night before. Its soft fabric offered some comfort, but I felt anything but secure as the lock of the door clicked open.The Alpha entered quickly, his eyes scanning m