NARAH'S POVWhy was Alpha Van here to see me? Suddenly, a pang of distress caught me off guard. I hastily wiped my face with the back of my hand, feeling Corolla's eyes on me the entire time. Then she stood up, stretching out her right hand to help me up.I looked at her outstretched hand; she was slimmer than I remembered, and her black long-sleeved shirt was carefully rolled up to her arm. I then looked up at her face. She gave me a small smile, and without thinking any further, I grabbed her hand, and she gently pulled me up from the floor.As I unlocked the door, my mind raced with an intense sense of worry, with instant guilt surrounding it. Hanadin and James must have called Alpha Van here since I had refused to open the door for them.Immediately, as the door swung open, Beta Bernard shot a warning glare at his daughter, who accepted his disciplinary gaze with an unapologetic grin, seemingly unfazed by the reprimand. Alpha Van was at the forefront, his eyes reflecting concern.
NARAH'S POVI took a deep breath, almost bumping into James as I stepped outside the mansion. “Wow! Narah, you look– absolutely gorgeous,” he said, staring in awe at me.I flashed a pleasant smile. “Thank you.”He didn't ask any questions about how I got the dress or what prompted me to come back to the party, especially dressed as I was. He politely offered to walk me to the hall, and I accepted.As we descended the stairs, the sound of laughter and music grew louder with each steady step. The velvet gown and makeup gave me a new identity, and each step I took, the sway of the dress commanded respect and power.I was equally as scared as I was excited. As we reached the bottom of the stairs, I felt strange when all eyes turned to look at me. Their gasps echoed through the hall, disbelief and recognition settling in the eyes of those who had mocked me earlier.I saw Gina and Luna Tauriel making their way to me, their eyes flashing red like a warning as they approached, steaming with
NARAH'S POV(One month later).Indeed, life did get difficult ever since the party, but it wasn't something I couldn't handle. Thankfully, Luna Tauriel had finally left the house, and it was a great cause for celebration among us, except for Gina, who obviously didn't want her mother to leave.Sharon had popped two bottles of champagne to celebrate her departure. Out of everyone, I was the most relieved. My entire life, I'd never been so happy to see someone leave.As the champagne bubbles faded and the celebration died down, a new sense of unease settled over me. It had been a month since the party, and while Luna Tauriel's departure had brought a sense of relief, Gina's increasingly secretive behaviour had me on edge.My workload had doubled, and as a result, I had found myself working harder and getting closer to her personal space. During this time, I discovered the envelope I had seen with her a few weeks ago was filled with money.Someone was extorting her. Yet, the identity of
NARAH’S POV The cold, clammy hand that covered my mouth was surprisingly gentle, but it sent a shiver down my spine. I struggled slightly, my breath muffled against the invading palm as my heart raced with fear. Suddenly, I heard Gina's footsteps retreating.“It's nothing. I guess I was just being paranoid,” she said.The hand withdrew. Slowly, I spun around and the shadows revealed a face I recognized— Chris. His expression was a mixture of urgency and concern. “Shh, Narah. It’s me,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.My initial panic subsided into confusion and a glimmer of relief. “Chris? What are you doing here?” I said in a hushed tone.Once again, Gina's wet moans began. The colliding of her body with the man's began almost immediately.Chris glanced around nervously before answering. “I knew you were investigating Gina. You'll be in danger if you keep doing that.”My mind raced with questions. How did he know I was onto Gina? I gulped down hard on nothing.“But I—”“We nee
NARAH'S POVSharon and I sat in silence for a few minutes. When she started to yawn, I asked her to go to bed. She didn't hesitate; she tiredly mumbled some gibberish, then finally said goodnight and staggered upstairs.I tried my best to get some sleep, but my eyelids refused to stay shut, even for a moment. My mind reeled with wild thoughts. Finally, I figured out how to get some sleep; the thoughts of Alpha Van naked was like a lullaby.Despite being overwhelmed, I smiled shyly at the memory. I remembered those strong arms that spun me around. Lips that passionately burned through mine.A broad back and chiselled jaws that could bend a knife. Hazel eyes that pierced through my beating heart, and finally the member that stood between his legs, leaving me scarred for life.I yelped out in excitement, my voice sounding like a teenager who had just met her crush. The image was stuck in my memory, and occasionally, I found myself revisiting it, perhaps even dreaming of it.Gina didn't g
NARAH'S POV “You haven't fixed my bath water, and you lost my f**king cat,” Gina snapped at me, her voice sharp as broken glass.I tried to explain calmly that she was still asleep when I arrived, and I had made sure the door was securely locked when I left, but she wouldn't give me listening ears. Frustrated, her eyes kept darting around the room, from one corner to the next, searching for her pet.Gina’s frustration was evident as she crouched, checking under the bed. She said, “I have no one to blame but you. It’s your f**king fault Rufus is gone.” She raised her head, her eyes, burning with anger, met mine. “And why the f**k are you just standing there?” she snapped. Standing up, she closed her eyes and clasped her hands together in a desperate prayer. “Rufus, my baby,” she whimpered, her voice cracking with anguish, “I will kill this maid in front of me if anything happens to you. I'll make sure this maid pays. May the moon goddess bear me witness today.”Her threat was chillin
ALPHA VAN'S POV“And what are we to have here? Alpha Van, the ruthless now turned what?” Jeremiah’s voice cut through the air, laced with sharp contempt and a hint of sarcasm.I chuckled, meeting his gaze. There was the same fierce light in his eyes that I remembered from our youth. Jeremiah had been primed to be Alpha, but had gently stepped aside, leaving me in his stead.“The prodigal son finally returned home,” I said steadily, a touch of melancholy in my voice.“And I heard that the ruthless Alpha is not so ruthless anymore, or is he?” Jeremiah’s tone was both mocking and curious, as if he were testing the waters of our old friendship.I glanced back at the distant figures inside the hall, then turned my attention back to him. Despite the tension, I couldn't suppress a genuine smile. “I've missed you,” I admitted, the words feeling heavy with unspoken history.Jeremiah stepped closer and embraced me, his frame towering over mine. There was a solidity to him that I had always admi
NARAH'S POVThe girl’s amber eyes glinted with an unsettling mix of curiosity and amusement, she said, “It took you so long to hear my call.”The music had ceased abruptly, leaving only the faint rustling of leaves and my quickened breaths filling the clearing. I asked, surprised, “What do you mean?”As she started to walk closer toward me, I stepped back and picked up a stick, holding it straight ahead like a sword, trying to warn her that I was dangerous. The scenery only made her laugh. “Is that supposed to make me steer clear?” She asked. I nodded. “Well, It’s not going to work, I assure you. I’m Liora.”I became highly alert and prepared to confront her as she extended her hand for a handshake. She didn’t appear scared and maintained her composure, continuing to offer her hand, which I dismissively rejected with a stern look.“No?” She asked. I shook my head and she shoved her hand back into the pockets of her dark hoodie.“How do you know my name?”“The night of the hunt. I saw
NARAH'S POV Standing face to face with Van's direwolf, my heart leaped for joy. As my hands slowly trailed over its soft, stunning black fur, it growled tenderly, leaning its head on my arm.Suddenly, with the speed of light, Beta Bernard grabbed me from the side, lifting me into the air, his laughter cutting through the atmosphere like a blade.“Let me go,” I shouted, the wisps of my breath curling in the air as I wriggled in his arms. I could see Alpha Van's wolf running after us, its gaze drifting toward the sky now and then. I didn't even get a moment more to rejoice at his breaking free.Although I had initially wanted to get to Beta Bernard, now that I was soaring about twenty thousand feet above the ground and knowing he had the power to throw me off at any moment, I had a change of heart.“I'll show you what real power looks like,” he said, focusing above as he rose higher.My heart was pounding rapidly, my stomach churning with every gust of air I breathed in. “Murdering p
NARAH'S POV I wiped my tears, smiling and nodding, but it was only for a split second before the creature pounced on me, pinning me to the ground. It seemed to be fighting with the voices in its head, staggering back, growling, and throwing punches at its own head.My heart hammered in my chest as my shuddering legs managed to find the strength to support me. Frantically, I dashed through the clearing once more. However, Beta Bernard was no longer in sight. The creature—Van— was hot on my heels again, a twisted shadow of the man I loved. Each desperate step felt like it could be my last, but there was no time to stop.No! I couldn't stop. Not now, not when Beta Bernard was still out there, controlling everything and planning to destroy people's lives.I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see Alpha Van stumble again, his paws pounding the earth, his body fighting against the unnatural force that gripped him.It was as if a part of him, deep inside, was beginning to take charge,
NARAH'S POV The monsters surrounding us snarled, their eyes empty of recognition, all of them bound by the same cruel will. “So that which was cursed may never be cursed again,” witch Verusia whispered, staring at Jeremiah. Then I understood what she meant. The reason Jeremiah hadn't changed along with the others was that he had been cursed by the Moon Jade, and now the curse Beta Bernard had placed on the other werewolves could not touch him. The air grew thick, making it difficult to breathe, as we shifted back slowly while the creatures approached. My eyes were locked on them, thinking of how to win this battle without hurting them. “Beta Bernard is controlling their minds,” I said, my voice firm. “I'll see how I can get the Moon Jade from him, while you guys handle our friends.” “Our friends?” Liora snapped. “Look at them. I bet all they want is to sink their teeth into our plump flesh and use our bones as toothpicks.” Jeremiah sneered, his eyes flashing with defiance.
NARAH'S POV I could see the feral grin on his face as he rose from the ground like a phoenix rising from its ashes. I expected nothing less. Beta Bernard's appetite for power seemed to know no bounds. His eyes blazed with an intense white light that radiated like a flashlight pointing in all directions until they finally rested on me. I caught Liora's body in midair just before it slammed onto the ground.“Oh my! Thank you,” she mumbled, catching her breath, disbelief etched on her face.“Are you okay?”She nodded instinctively; then her eyes darted toward Beta Bernard, scanning the clearing. His guards were getting back on their feet, along with Luna Tauriel. The flames they had held were now extinguished and the sticks tossed aside.“That old man just won't quit. Motherf**ker!” Liora cursed bitterly, glaring at him.“He looks pretty mad and happy at the same time,” I retorted.Instantly, Liora's amber eyes grew large with surprise as they focused behind me, gawking at something—or
NARAH'S POV When I created a portal to lead us to where Liora and the others were, I thought I had conjured the right destination. I was dumbfounded when it led us to a part of the woods where I saw Gina. She was holding on to dear life…barely.It broke my heart to see her like that—battered and broken beyond saving. I could sense the silver mixing like a drug in her blood. It pulsed through her veins like the rhythm of a mourning song.When I held her, the things she had done since my return were quickly erased from my mind, replaced by a gaping wound of regret and sorrow which scared my heart deeply.For the first time, I caught a glimpse of the sister I had once known and loved. The Gina that had filled my childhood with her elegance. Her sultry green eyes had lost their sparkle. They were bleary with tears, and her pupils were dilating.For Corolla—I didn't exactly know what to feel. Hurt, betrayed, and beneath it, a genuine love for a friend whom I had thought was true. What a t
GINA'S POV “How pathetic! You think you can fight me?” Corolla spat, “You should just go back to your stupid, glittering life, being pretty and useless.”I scoffed, the sound tearing from my throat like a challenge. “I don't care what happens here, but I won't let you go, not after what you did to Liam.”I held back tears as I recalled how my Liam had died in Corolla's cruel hands. For a moment, I let the memories wash over me—the pain, the unbearable grief, the anguish. There was no way in hell or on earth that I'd let her live even if it would cost me my life. I'd fight until the very end.“Do you think father would be proud to see us at war?”“I don't f***king care what he thinks.”“What about your mother?”“Go to hell, Corolla.”Corolla's laughter filled the night's air. I felt a shiver run down my spine. Still, I remained bold and alarmed in case she would pull one of her dubious moves.“How could you work with our enemies? You f**king traitor.”“They're not my enemies. My only
NARAH'S POV“I might know a way to get there faster.”“Is there a shortcut?”“You can call it that. I’ve just never tried it before, but I think I might be able to do it,” I mumbled doubtfully. “I know you're thinking of creating a portal,” Minisi said. “Since you have witch's blood in your veins now, I'm sure you can give it a try. But don't forget that creating a portal is a complex and unpredictable magic. If you lose control, it could rip apart the fabric of space and time, or worse, trap us in a never-ending loop of dimensions.”“Wow, thanks a lot for reminding me of the consequences if I fail. It's a nice way to say ‘don't do it, but hey, might as well go ahead and doom us all,’ Yeah, thank you,” I quipped, releasing a gush of air and blowing a strand of hair out of my face.“I'm just saying,” Minsi added. “I’m glad you understand, though.”“I want to create a portal,”I said to Alpha Van. His brows furrowed and his eyes narrowed.“A portal? I've read of powerful witches creati
NARAH'S POV The music stopped at once, and the musicians ran haywire behind the curtains. The guests watched in horror as the intended sacrifice was released from the trap they had captured her in.Corolla's eyes were dark and her brows furrowed in anger and confusion. But before she could react, a deafening crash from the side of the building echoed through the walls.Gina, flanked by Zander and Isolde, strode into the hall, their eyes scanning the room until they settled on me and my rescuer—Alpha Van, my love.It was he who drew the blade out of my chest. He had managed to come from behind the stage just before Bryan even finished climbing up the stairs. Bryan approached, disbelief masking his features as he accessed us. My glowing eyes reverted to their ocean blue as they locked onto Alpha Van’s. How did he get here? Corolla had been expecting him, and here he was, without her knowledge, I presumed. Here he was— saving me.He scooped me into his strong, muscular arms and lowered
NARAH'S POV I felt a strong wave of dizziness wash over me, and my stomach churned with nausea that seemed to come with cramping that came out of nowhere. “Reina, I don't know how much longer we can go on like this before… Reina” “Please, Minsi, don't give up on me now,” I groaned. My skin was deathly pale, and my eyelids could barely lift. It was too much of an effort to even try. The air was rich with the scent of delicacies and a mixture of various colognes. It felt as if I was being pricked by a needle, and as if blood was rushing to my brain. I felt bad for having to put Minisi in this situation just when she finally came back. “I have to protect you at all cost,” she said, her voice coming in soft murmurs. “If we can get the dagger out, we can easily break free from these cuffs.” “But my hands are bound. How can I pull the dagger out?” How long had it been since Corolla drugged me? Just then, a beam of what felt like sunlight projected into my partly opened eyes