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“Apologise to her,” Isolde demanded, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife.“There’s no f**king way,” Gina scoffed, defiance flickering in her eyes. “Come on, Gina,” Zander interjected, his voice softer, but the authority in it was unmistakable. “This is a public place. You can’t just treat people like this. You owe Narah an apology.”Well, technically she didn't because I had spilled the drink on myself on purpose.Gina inhaled sharply, her body rigid with agitation. “I don’t owe her anything.”My heart raced at the sight of her unyielding resolve. This wasn't just about a drink.It’s about respect. Something Gina clearly didn't understand. It was about control, power, and the lengths we were willing to go to reclaim them.“Then you’ll keep looking like the villain here,” I shot back, gesturing to the crowd around us. “This is your chance to show everyone you’re not just some cold-hearted b**ch.”I could hear the hushed murmurs around us—people loved a spect
NARAH'S POV “Chris told me he's Alpha Van's doctor,” she continued. I nodded. “What about it?” Deep down, I felt I knew where this was going. “Kalimora Akila… It's Nuvolish. it's a name given to a potion that can enchant a werewolf, and I found it with him.” I felt a knot twist itself inside my stomach, tightening with every word Liora uttered while I, myself, was unable to say a thing. Disbelief gnawed at me like a friend I had come to know too well. “Your brother has been enchanting Alpha Van. He wasn't helping,” Liora choked out. “He never was.” I couldn't stare the truth in the eyes even when it gawked at me. My hands were shaking; I tried my best to contain how hurt I was feeling, but Liora saw through it. Something told me that Chris couldn't have done this even if he wanted to. What grudge did he bear against the Alpha? Absolutely none. My intuition told me that Gina was behind this enchantment, just as much as she was behind my murder. Finally, I found my
LIORA’S POV “Wait, you can mask your witch's aura, right?” asked Narah, her tone edged with urgency. I offered a condescending smile and nodded. “Is that an insult or what? Even the simplest of witches can do that.” Pride oozed from me like booze. “I've been doing that for as long as forever. And besides, it's called Velori.” I twirled my left index finger in my hair, smiling. Narah twisted her face, her brows knitted in confusion. “That's Nuvolish?” “Yes. Chris does it too. It requires moonpetal, starlight salt, Dreamweavers moss, and essence of celestial water, but in a pinch, wolfsbane will suffice. Then you say the spell.” Narah’s gaze narrowed, as if trying to read my thoughts. “The incantation?” She pressed. I shrugged, settling down on the cold living room floor across from her. She shifted uncomfortably, keeping her focus on me. “Astra velare, auras celare Mea essentia, tenebrae fare Luna's grace, mea aura celare In tenebris, mea forma fare.” The words fl
LIORA’S POV Isolde held me close, leading me away from Jeremiah until we reached right beneath the podium. “What are you doing?” She scolded, taking a seat at the first table. I didn't know what had come over me. I apologised, and sat next to her. I recognised two of the she-wolves who had attacked us the other day. They were sitting with us. Narah had told me their names: Kacy and Rachael. Isolde casually introduced me to them. Anakiyus wasn't here yet. Bryan, the boy I had wounded, came to sit with us. He turned to me, flashing a wide smile. “Hell—hell–hello,” he stammered. Kacy and Rachael laughed out loud, mocking him. His face flushed with embarrassment. “Bryan only stammers when he's nervous. You're beautiful, and it's making him nervous,” Kacy said, ruffling Bryan's hair. Rachael leaned in, covered the side of her face with one hand and whispered, “Don't worry, he's seeing a therapist for it. He's actually gotten better.” I waved shyly at him and said hello,
ALPHA VAN'S POV(A few hours before the rescue)Muscles tightened around my heart as I entered the dungeon, my least favourite place in the estate. The air was thick with a damp, metallic scent that clung to my skin like grease.I struggled to recognize Anakiyus in his current state, barely resembling the friend I had known or the rogue that had loomed over us.My father once told me that before my grandfather built this place to be the Packhouse, it was merely a gaping hole in the ground, a void that craved the souls of those who dared to venture near.Centuries ago, precious stones had been mined here, but the most treasured was the moon jade—the rare gem that allowed mages to summon the Moon Goddess and create the first werewolves of Vaelothor.Once the werewolves were born, this mine was converted into a dungeon where rogues endured unimaginable torment, bound by cursed chains that suppressed their healing abilities.Jeremiah's muscles flexed as he drove his fist into Anakiyus's s
NARAH’S POVI was born an Alpha's daughter. My life as Narah back in Lystvair faded to a blur once I remembered who I was. I'd never served a day in my life before everything I knew and was was taken away from me.Deciding to be a maid at my enemy's pit wasn’t just for the fun of it. Now that I understood their weaknesses and how their minds worked, I could use that to my advantage. Rescuing my opponent’s enemy was just the start of getting under their skin; part of it was actually helping a friend save a friend.I’d learned from Cindy about the mine in the Packhouse, rumoured to be a dungeon, and my best guess was that Anakiyus and Nas were held up there.Accepting Zander as my mate was just another step I had to climb. To reach a foe like Gina, I had to be at equal height and above her.I promised myself I would make her confess about what happened eighteen years ago, no matter the cost.“Are you alright, my love?” Zander's voice called me out of the thoughts that captured my mind.
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