NARAH'S POVHow could Liora come to the mansion? She should know she'd be in danger if she dared to show her face here. I didn’t think she’d be reckless enough to leave Chris’s place.The guards began to roam the room, scanning for anyone suspicious. I was certain Liora had masked her witch’s aura whenever she came to town just like Chris had been doing, but anxiety gnawed at me. What if she hadn’t?The compass in Jeremiah's hand must be guiding him to where Liora should be in the hall. My heart pounded as I navigated through the nervous crowd, inspecting their anxious faces for a glimpse of her.Jeremiah moved through the gathering, his gaze sharp as a hawk hunting for a doomed prey. “Remain silent!” a guard barked, striking a pack member on the back.“Be still. No one moves. Stay where you are,” Jeremiah commanded, his voice resonating in the tensed hall.A hush fell over the room, amplifying the sound of my heartbeat. I edged closer to the front row, hiding behind a few pack membe
NARAH'S POV As Chris and I stepped outside the estate, my heart pounded in my chest. Did Bryan actually know something, or was he just being suspicious of me? The weight of his probing questions lingered in my mind, gnawing at my nerves.“I’m glad you’re okay,” Chris said, glancing at me with that familiar intensity that made my heart race. “I was worried.”“Thanks, Chris. I appreciate it,” I replied, trying to steady my voice. Yet, the tension from the council meeting felt suffocating, tightening around me like a noose.We reached his car, and Chris leaned against it, his expression shifting to something more serious. “Narah, I found Liora.”My breath hitched. “What? Where is she?”“She’s at my place. She told me she went out to get some fresh air in the woods.”Relief washed over me, quickly followed by a wave of concern. “Is she safe? Does she know about the council meeting today?”What was I thinking? How would she know? Even I didn't know about the meeting until Cindy told me ab
NARAH'S POV Mate?Did he just call me that?I stood in stunned silence, trying to process Alpha Zander’s unexpected declaration. I heard Cindy gasp and it brought me out of my head and back into—I didn't know if I should call it reality because it was so freaking hard to believe at that moment.Zander’s piercing gaze felt like a magnetic pull, tugging at something deep within me.“Mate,” he repeated, his voice low and confident, the smirk still lingering on his lips.The word sent a shockwave through me, a mix of exhilaration and fear. The scent from him—could that be me sensing a mate bond, but too busy to notice?“Wait,” I finally managed to say, shaking my head slightly to regain my composure. “Who are you?”Like I didn't already know his name.Zander’s expression shifted to one of intrigue. “Zander Cage. I'm surprised you don't know.”I definitely wouldn't have known that if it weren't for a girl in the hall who had gossiped about it to me. Cindy cleared her throat and asked to b
ALPHA VAN'S POV My mood was sour throughout the entire day after seeing the woman that I loved with another man—not just another man, but Zander. Zander, for crying out loud. We had a history that I would rather not talk about. I knew there were things I never spoke of. My father was one of those things I had shoved on a shelf and locked up. Dead as he was, he was dead to me before he even died.My mother was another because I didn't like to remember anything that concerned her. Even though she still walked the earth freely and breathed air, she was long dead and forgotten, just like she forgot about having children. I paced around my office, the sharp scent of leather mingling with the stale air. The tension in my chest felt like a weight, pressing down with every step sharper and more painful than the last.With a surge of rage, I slammed my hands across the table, scattering the files onto the cold floor. The papers floated momentarily, catching the dim light before drifting dow
NARAH’S POVThe soft glow of the morning light filtered through my window, and slowly, I opened my eyes and thought, was it a dream?I opened my eyes wide when the realisation hit me—it wasn't a dream. No, it really wasn't a dream.I hurriedly sat up, searching my body for marks. I knew Alpha Van had been in my room last night; his scent still lingered in here and on me. That's how I knew. And gosh! The throbbing in between my legs.“What have I done?” I cried in a soft voice, my heart racing as my mind replayed the events of last night.“He marked me,” I whispered under my breath, not completely stunned as my fingers ran over the bite behind my left shoulder.I had let Alpha Van mark and claim me. I wasn't so completely different from Gina now, was I? A tear rolled from my eyes. Why did something so beautiful hurt?Was it the fact that he wasn't mine and I had given him this chance despite what had transpired between us in the past?Or was it the fact that I was actually in love wit
GINA'S POV “What was Narah talking about you killing your sister?” Van asked, slamming the door behind us, the sound bouncing off the walls in my room like thunderclap. “I don't know what she was talking about. She was falsely accusing me of something she didn't even know. She just wanted to provoke me.” “To provoke you by accusing you of murder? Of all things, Gina, MURDER!” His voice echoed as he punched the wall behind me with a great thud, almost grazing my face. I quivered beneath him. “Does that even make sense to you, Gina?” he continued. I pushed him off and started to pace back and forth, replaying the scene from the living room. How the f**k did that serving b**ch know about Reina. How did she know that I murdered her? I'd never spoken about it with anyone and besides, Narah wasn't born in Vaelothor. She's from another town, so how did she know? The night of Reina's Lunar bonding flashed through my mind. I bit my lower lip, trying to keep calm. Yes, I murdered her
NARAH'S POV The sun reflected the gold in Zander's hair, casting away the shadows, and his smile radiated as his eyes sparkled like diamonds. He seemed so energetic, and I didn't want to spoil his mood with my gloom, so I faked a smile. Was he always this lively? Zander was wearing a white T-shirt and black denim trousers. His shiny black shoes completed the look perfectly. God! He looked dashing from every angle, and he smelled great too. He helped me pull out a chair and ushered me to sit like a gentleman before sitting down himself when we arrived at the café. I gulped hard as he took off his black leather jacket, revealing his muscular arms. “Are you good?” He asked. “Yes, thank you. I appreciate that you agreed to see me. Thank you so much,” I responded. And thank the heavens that you had arrived in time to pick me up. It would have been embarrassing had I walked all the way to the gate, I thought, but didn't say it. “Babe, I'm all yours, and you're the reason
GINA'S POV The café buzzed with chatter and the rich aroma of fresh coffee enveloped me, but I barely registered it as I slipped through the front door. I was here at that bastard's beck and call, just like every other time, caught in the web of my past choices. He had called at the wrong moment, and suddenly, I was reminded of everything I’d tried to bury. If only I hadn't been so f**king careless eighteen years ago, Arthur wouldn’t have known about Reina's death or Van's enchantment. Just because he had attached himself to me like a leech, sucking me dry for years, he was able to discover my affair with Liam as well. Arthur knew basically everything that could implicate me. He held the threads of my life in his hands; he knew about my involvement in the dark choices I had made. He knew I had enchanted Van to reject Reina and choose me as his wife and Luna. He knew I had poisoned her before the Lunar bonding ceremony so I could take her place. (Flashback) (Eighteen
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