_Alina's POV_The stairs led to a small, dimly lit room, and as I stepped inside, the air seemed to grow heavier. The only thing in the room was a large, ornate mirror standing in the center. Its frame was made of dark wood, intricately carved with symbols that mirrored the ones I had seen throughout the maze. The glass itself was clear, but there was something about it that made me uneasy. It wasn’t just a reflection—it was more than that.I approached the mirror cautiously, my eyes scanning its surface for any clues. The dim light made it difficult to see clearly, but as I moved closer, my reflection began to take shape. For a moment, it was just me—tired, a little worse for wear, but still me. Then, something changed. The reflection started to shimmer, and I felt a strange pull, like an invisible force tugging at me, urging me to get closer.“Athena?” I whispered, hoping for some guidance. But for the first time since entering the maze, Athena was silent. It was just me and the mir
_Alina's POV_I felt something stir within me—a spark of strength that I had forgotten in the face of my darkest fears. The dark version of myself sneered, her mocking smile faltering as she sensed the shift in me.“Alina,” she hissed, her voice laced with venom. “You can’t escape this. You know that I’m right. You’ll always be weak. You’ll always be nothing.”But her words no longer held the same power over me. I stood up slowly, my legs shaky but firm beneath me. The walls of the room seemed to pulse with the same dark energy, but I could feel it receding, losing its grip on me as I focused on Alaric’s voice, on the love and strength that it carried.“No,” I said, my voice stronger now. “You’re wrong. I am not weak. I am not nothing.”The dark Alina’s eyes narrowed, and she lashed out, her form shifting into a swirling mass of shadows that shot toward me like a storm. I braced myself, feeling the force of her attack, but instead of crumbling under it, I stood firm.“I am Alaric’s Lu
_Alina's POV_As I stepped into the chamber, my breath caught in my throat. The golden light that filled the room was almost blinding, but it wasn’t harsh—it was warm and comforting, like the first rays of the morning sun after a long, cold night. The air here was different too, carrying a soft, almost musical hum that resonated deep within me. It was as if the very walls were alive with energy, pulsing gently with the beat of my heart.In the center of the room, the circular platform drew my gaze, its intricate designs glowing with a soft silvery light. The symbols etched into the stone were similar to those I had seen before, but these seemed more complex, more ancient. They felt like a language that I had always known, yet was only now beginning to understand.And then I saw it—the figure in the center of the platform. My heart skipped a beat as I took in the sight of the large, ethereal wolf standing there, its form shimmering like moonlight reflected on water.The wolf’s fur was
_Alina's POV_The night air was crisp, the kind that bites at your skin and seeps into your bones. I sat by the campfire, staring into the flames as they danced and flickered, sending sparks into the dark sky. The warmth of the fire barely reached me. No matter how close I leaned in, the cold seemed to wrap around me like a shroud.Juliet’s smile flashed in my mind, bright and full of life. The way she used to laugh, the way her eyes sparkled when she saw me. The image was so clear, so vivid, that for a moment, it was like she was there with me. But then, just as quickly, the memory twisted, the brightness fading, leaving only the hollow ache in my chest where she used to be.I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms until I felt the sharp sting of pain. It grounded me and kept the tears at bay. I couldn’t afford to break down now. There was too much at stake, too much I still had to do. But the pain, the grief, it was always there, lurking just beneath the surface, ready to
_Alina's POV_The journey to Caleb’s pack was long and exhausting. The terrain grew rougher with each passing day, and I could feel the strain in every muscle. But I pushed on. I couldn't stop now, not when I was so close to my goal. I had to defeat the witch and put an end to this nightmare once and for all.As I neared Caleb’s territory, something felt off. The air grew thicker, heavier, as if the very land itself was tainted by dark magic. When I finally arrived, the sight that greeted me sent a chill down my spine.The pack's territory was shrouded in darkness. The trees were bare, their branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers. The ground was littered with debris and the stench of death hung heavy in the air. The packhouse, which should have been bustling with life, was eerily silent. I crept closer, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reached the clearing, I saw them—witches and rogues, patrolling the area like they owned it.The wolves that were left were mere shadows
_Alina's POV_I crouched low among the trees, the night air cool against my skin as I moved silently through the forest. Every sound, every crack of a branch or rustle of leaves, set my nerves on edge. I knew that I was being hunted. I could hear the rogues behind me, their snarls and footsteps growing closer.I darted through the trees, using every bit of my knowledge of the forest to stay ahead. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears. I had to lose them and I had to find a way to get back to Caleb. I needed to free him from the witch’s control.I pushed myself harder, ignoring the burning in my lungs and the exhaustion weighing down my limbs. The trees blurred as I picked up speed, weaving in and out of the dense foliage. I could feel the rogues closing in, but I knew these woods better than they did. This had been my territory in the past and I wasn’t about to let them catch me.Finally, after what felt like hours, I managed to shake them off. I slowed down, cat
In a dimly lit room, Tanya stood before a crystal ball. Her gaze was fixed on the swirling images within it. The ball showed various scenes from around the city: the bustling market, the crowded streets, and most importantly, the water source that supplied the entire capital. Tanya frowned as she observed the Gamma Warriors guarding the water source, their vigilant eyes scanning the area for any sign of trouble.Behind Tanya, the witch was busy at her workbench, mixing various ingredients into a large cauldron. The room was filled with the scent of herbs and something more sinister, a dark energy. The cauldron bubbled and hissed, emitting a faint green light that bathed the room in an eerie glow. The witch smiled as she watched her potion take shape.“The last plague was only the beginning,” the witch muttered to herself, her voice filled with satisfaction. “This time, no one will escape.”Tanya turned away from the crystal ball and looked at the witch. “The water source is heavily gu
_Alaric's POV_I was deep in thought when Beta Thorian burst into my chambers, his face pale and his eyes wide with concern. I could feel his nervousness and I wondered what kind of bad news he had brought.“Prince Alaric,” Thorian began, his voice tight with worry, “something terrible has happened. Many werewolves in the city have suddenly fallen ill. The symptoms… they’re severe.”I didn’t need to hear more. Without a word, I pushed past him, heading for the meeting room. Thorian followed closely behind, his footsteps echoing mine as we made our way through the castle corridors. My mind raced with questions. What could have caused this? Had the last plague returned? And if so, why now?When we reached the meeting room, it was already filled with anxious faces. Several wolf doctors and senior officials were waiting for me. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel the weight of their fear pressing down on me.“Report,” I commanded, my voice steady, though my heart was po
A few days had passed since the burning in the square and the capital had begun to return to a semblance of normalcy. The people felt safer and their faith in Alina and Alaric was stronger than ever. To mark the victory and bring hope back to the kingdom, Alina and Alaric decided to hold a celebration.The square, where the execution had taken place, was transformed. Banners fluttered in the breeze, and tables were set up, filled with food and drink. Music filled the air and the people danced and laughed. Their fear was replaced by joy.Alina stood on a balcony overlooking the square, watching the festivities. She smiled, seeing her people happy and at peace. Alaric came to stand beside her, his arm brushing against hers."They needed this," he said softly, his eyes on the crowd below."They did," Alina agreed. "And so did we."Alaric turned to her, his gaze searching her face. "You seem different," he said, his voice gentle. "Is something on your mind?"Alina hesitated. She had been
Alina stood over the witch and watched the last of the dark magic fade from the room. This battle was over but she needed to make sure there would be no more from Tanya or the witch.Alaric came to her side. "What do you want to do with her?" he asked."We need to send a message," Alina said firmly. "To everyone. They need to see what happens to those who use dark magic against us."Alaric nodded. "We’ll take them to the capital. We’ll burn them in the square for all to see."Caleb, who had been leaning against a wall, slowly walked over. His face was pale, and he looked exhausted, but there was a fire in his eyes. "I’ll help," he said.Alina looked at him. She was grateful for his support. "Thank you, Caleb," she said. She turned back to Alaric. "Let’s get them ready. We need to do this quickly."The warriors moved quickly. They tied the witch’s lifeless body and carried her out of the ruins. Tanya, still bound and furious, was dragged along. Her eyes were filled with hatred and fear
Caleb looked up at Alina. He felt relieved. He hadn't expected her to find him but now that she was here, he knew that they had a chance."Alina..." Caleb started to say, but she shook her head, her focus entirely on Tanya."You can't win, Tanya," Alina said, taking a step forward. "Surrender now, and maybe we'll show you mercy."Tanya snarled. "You think you can just walk in here and take me down? You're nothing, Alina! Nothing!"Alina didn't flinch. She raised her hand, and the palace guards moved forward, their weapons ready. "This is your last chance, Tanya," Alina said. "Give up, or we'll make you."For a moment, it looked like Tanya might fight back, but then she glanced around, realizing that she was outnumbered. With a frustrated scream, she lashed out with one final burst of dark magic, but Alina was ready. She raised her hands, and a barrier of shimmering light formed in front of her, deflecting the attack.The palace guards rushed forward, surrounding Tanya before she could
Caleb walked through the dimly lit streets. The night was heavy with an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. He knew that Tanya was somewhere nearby, hiding in the shadows, but finding her was no easy task. Dark magic hung in the air like a thick fog making it hard to track her scent.His mind raced as he thought about what had happened in the square. Alina had been strong, stronger than he’d ever seen her before. She had saved the werewolves from the dark magic and proved herself as a true leader. But now, they were facing a threat even more dangerous than the chaos in the square. Tanya was still out there and her power was growing. Caleb had to find her before she caused more harm.Suddenly, he heard a soft sound, like a whisper on the wind. He paused and listened. There it was—a low, almost inaudible chant. It was Tanya. She was close.Caleb followed the sound, his steps quickening as he made his way through the narrow alleys. The chanting gr
_Alina's POV_As the door closed behind us, the weight of everything that had happened finally began to lift. For a moment, I allowed myself to breathe, to let go of the tension that had been building up inside me. Alaric was still holding my hand and I could feel the warmth of his presence enveloping me like a comforting blanket.He turned to me. “Alina,” he said quietly. “I missed you so much.”“I missed you too,” I whispered. The truth of it hit me hard. We hadn’t had a moment like this in so long—just the two of us.Alaric stepped closer, closing the small distance between us. His hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin. “I was so worried about you,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Every moment you were gone, I was terrified that something would happen, that I wouldn’t be there to protect you.”I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes as I savored the feel of his hand against my skin. “I know,” I whispered. “But I’m here now. We’re together
_Alina's POV_Tanya was somewhere inside the Capital and I had to find her before it was too late. As Caleb and I entered the city, the signs of chaos were everywhere. The streets were empty but the air was filled with darkness.We made our way to the heart of the city where I knew Alaric would be waiting. As we approached, I could feel his presence growing stronger in my mind. He was nearby and I needed to reach him before the situation spiraled out of control.“Alina!” Alaric’s voice echoed in my mind. “I’m at the main square. Hurry!”“We’re on our way,” I replied while quickening my pace.When we arrived at the square, the scene was worse than I had imagined. Werewolves were on the brink of tearing each other apart, their eyes wild with fear and rage. The dark magic was strong here. Alaric stood in the center and he was trying to keep order, but even he was struggling against the overwhelming force of Tanya’s influence.“Alaric!” I called out as I reached him.He turned to me. His
_Alina's POV_As Caleb and I moved swiftly along the dark road, my mind was focused on what lay ahead. The capital was in danger, and every second counted. The night was quiet, the only sounds were our footsteps and the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. But I knew that this calm was deceptive. Something dark and terrible was waiting for us.We traveled in silence for a while, each of us lost in our own thoughts. But then, I felt a familiar presence in my mind. It was Alaric, reaching out to me through our mind link. His voice echoed in my heart, urgent and filled with worry.“Alina,” he called out. “I’ve found evidence of Tanya’s involvement. She’s here, in the capital, but the people… they’re blinded by fear and rumors. They refuse to believe that she’s the one behind this. Her influence is spreading and it’s causing chaos. Some of the werewolves have started to riot. The city is on the brink of losing control.”His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I could hear the desp
_Alina's POV_I knew that I had to return to the capital immediately. The urgency in Alaric’s voice echoed in my mind like a warning bell that wouldn’t stop ringing. The plague had returned and there was no doubt in my heart that this was the work of the witch. Tanya wasn’t dead, as I had once believed. She was still out there, and her influence was spreading like poison. The thought of her dark magic wreaking havoc sent a chill down my spine and I knew I couldn’t afford to waste any time.I turned to the rogues who had gathered around me. Their eyes were filled with concern and a newfound admiration. They had just been freed from the clutches of dark magic and they were still recovering from the ordeal. I could see the exhaustion in their faces, the lingering fear that had yet to fully fade. But I didn’t have the luxury of time to explain everything to them. They needed to rest and regain their strength. They had fought their own battles and now I had to fight mine.“Stay here,” I to
_Alina's POV_I stepped out of the room. My heart was still pounding from the battle with Caspian. As I moved into the open air, a chaotic scene unfolded before my eyes. The rogues, twisted by dark magic, were attacking each other in a frenzy. Snarls and growls filled the night as they bit and clawed at one another, their eyes wild with the madness that had taken hold of them.For a moment, I stood frozen, watching the carnage. These wolves, once proud and strong, were now reduced to mindless beasts, slaves to the dark magic that had consumed them. But then, I remembered the mission that had been entrusted to me by the moon wolf. I had the power to purify them, to free them from the darkness that held them captive.But I knew what I had to do. Closing my eyes, I reached deep within myself, calling upon the power that I had gained in the ruins. I felt it surge through my body. My mind and body merged with my wolf and I could feel her strength and courage flowing through me.When I open