NARAH'S POV My mind refused to process the shocking information at first; It was utterly unbelievable. How could the same man Anakiyus had worked for be the one who had given Liora to him eighteen years ago?Eighteen years ago Ankaiyus had started searching for the Moon jade, causing chaos wherever he went, all for a gem that was in Alpha Van's possession.“He betrayed his Pack exactly eighteen years ago when he said I was sent to him. He left me with a woman named Stella and would often visit. He used to lead the rogues even before he became one,” Liora said. “When his wife died three years later, he murdered some people and was banished.”Since the gem could resurrect, why did he need it even before his wife's death? He was never the one who needed it to begin with; his need for the Moon jade only grew after his wife died. The weight of the revelation pressed down on me, a suffocating haze of confusion and dread that enveloped my thoughts like a thick fog that refused to lift.I w
NARAH'S POV The long drive to the Woodwick's Pack territory made matters worse for me. Why did it have to feel so endless? The constant replaying of the phone call swirled in my mind, and I couldn't help but think: would he be alright?My heart raced as I imagined the worst—Alpha Van struggling for breath, the urgency in Kacy's voice echoing in my ears. “You don't have to worry too much about him,” Chris said over the line. “It's just the effect of the enchantment. Just like his seizures. It'll get worse from time to time until the enchantment wears off or he breaks free.”“Why is it taking so long?” I asked, tears threatening to spill.“The enchantment is really strong. Whoever enchanted him is powerful.”Gina! The name ignited a fire within me. I'd make sure she understood the consequences of her actions. I bet she didn't care about Alpha Van’s pain. She must be laughing and enjoying the whole scenery.Why did I love him so much? I never intended to form such a bond, but somewher
NARAH'S POV “Who's it?” Alpha Van asked.“Van, it's me,” a female voice responded. I recognised who it was at that instant. “It's Corolla,” she finished and knocked once more.I… for a moment felt nothing but pure embarrassment, forgetting everything else. Quickly, I stood up from the bed and began to put on my clothes as fast as I could, while Alpha Van just slipped on a pair of black shorts and a white polo from his closet.“I'll be right there,” he replied, waiting for me to tuck in my shirt, which I did roughly, then gave him a signal to open the door.The time we wasted only to open a goddamn door, I was pretty sure Corolla would be suspicious. Did she hear the ransacking noise and little jumps we made as we fitted into our clothes?“Wait, wait a minute,” I called Alpha Van in a hushed tone as he walked toward the door. “You should be in bed while I answer the door.”“Ahhh, that's right,” he agreed, nodding. Then he pecked my cheek and went back to bed.Immediately he covered hi
NARAH'S POV The small changing room was a cocoon of silk, lace and white fabric. There was enough space to move about and a large mirror stood behind me. The air was thick with the scent of fresh fabrics and sweet scented air freshener.“Reina, is that you?” the woman asked shakily, her voice trembling more than her hands.“I'm–I’m Narah,” I stammered.Realisation seemed to dawn on her face, and she shook her head. “Oh!” she exclaimed. “I'm so sorry. You just look so much like my cousin, Reina. I'm Dahlia, I'm to assist with your dress fitting.” “Okay, nice to meet you, Dahlia,” I replied, smiling.I swallowed hard, fighting the tightness in my throat as I began to undress. Dahlia helped me fold my clothes and hang them at the corner of the room, her movements swift but careful.“Gosh! The resemblance is uncanny,” she said, closing the little distance between us.“Is it?” I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady.“Yes, it is,” she said.A wave of nostalgia washed over me as she co
NARAH'S POVWhat if something bad had happened there? It was obvious Liora and Isolde were in danger and I needed to save them.My heart pounded heavily out of my chest as my feet slammed against the cold, tiled floors, each echoing step blending with the distant thumping of music and the eerie screams that reverberated in the air.I shouldn't have let Liora or Isolde go in there alone. It would be my fault if anything happened to them. What would I tell Zander if something happened to his sister? What would I tell Anakiyus if Liora got hurt?The corridor stretched on before me, narrow and dimly lit, shadows clinging to the walls like a sinister mist.I finally reached the door to the main room, and suddenly there was quiet. The music that had been vibrating and the eerie screams that had engulfed my mind a few seconds ago all seemed to have stopped now, replaced by a deafening silence.“Liora, hold on. I'm coming,” I mumbled, reaching for the door handle, my breaths ragged.As I ope
GINA'S POV “You failed your father miserably. How could you?” my mother snapped, anger edging her voice, biting into her words as they struck me.The scent of her perfume filled the air, making my stomach turn. I didn't know what the f**k to say to her, or if I could even think of anything to say at all.“This is all that stupid girl's fault. That whore, Narah,” Ria groaned bitterly.Was it really Narah's fault that my life was a f**king mess? My father wouldn't even speak with me, let alone see me. I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing larger. What was there to say?“I'm sorry, mom...I just need more—”“More what?” “...” Panic surged through me, and my voice shuddered in my throat, locked up by fear and shock. I'd fiercely wished that I had the courage to defend myself right now, but I cowered like the coward that I was at the mention of my father.I wished I could find the f**king courage to defend myself, to scream at her that I wasn’t the one who had failed—I wasn’t t
NARAH'S POV“I'll rather take a sip,” I said, looking away from James. “I'm going to take a sip, people.”I took a cup of alcohol and downed it in one gulp, feeling the burn slide down my throat. Disappointed gasps echoed around me. They’d been waiting for me to finally do a dare, to break out of my shell, but this—this wasn’t what they had in mind.“You’re getting married tomorrow, Narah,” Kacy teased, laughing. “Have fun now, while you still can.”“I knew she wouldn’t kiss him,” Sharon murmured, resting her head on my shoulder, her voice tinged with something like pity or amusement.I thought I saw the lights flickering—then they went off, only to instantly turn back on. I looked at James, his expression unreadable for a moment before he forced a smile— awkward, and tight as if he were hiding a pain only he could feel.My heart twisted.“I can't kiss a married woman. She's married already,” James said.“That's tomorrow, dude. She's not married until tomorrow,” Isolde quickly added.
NARAH'S POVMy heart was pounding in my chest, and my breath came in shallow bursts. I wondered how this empty room had become a forest. The nowhere zone felt more like the “not making sense” zone.Whatever it was, it was making my skin crawl and it pricked every damn nerve. Gosh! It wasn't a good feeling.“When you learn the truth, find me and defeat me. Then you can get your wolf back,” the voice echoed, its words fading into the distance like a haunting memory.“What truth am I supposed to…”Before I could finish my statement, the door slammed shut behind me. The room was plunged into complete darkness. I couldn’t see a thing any longer. Not even my own hand when I waved it in front of my face.“Please, wait, come back,” I screamed, spinning toward the door, but realising it had vanished.Then, without warning, the lights flickered back on. But this wasn’t the soft glow of overhead bulbs. It was the natural light of the morning sun, pouring through the canopy of trees that now surr
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