Elixir’s POVDarkness.It curled around me like a living thing, tendrils wrapping around my limbs, pressing against my skin like ice and fire woven together. It wasn’t just an absence of light—it was something deeper. Something ancient. It called to me, whispering my name with a voice that wasn’t mine, yet I knew it. Knew it like I knew my own breath.Victor’s voice cut through the void, low and firm. “Do not fight it, Elixir.”Lucian’s grip on my wrist tightened. “Don’t listen to him.”I looked between them. Lucian, wild-eyed and protective, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might shatter. Victor, calm but unyielding, watching me like he already knew what I would do.And then there was me.I had spent my whole life running from what I didn’t understand. From the curse in my blood. From the power waiting beneath my skin. But now? I couldn’t run anymore. The shadows had found me. The only choice left was whether I controlled them or let them consume me.My breath shook. “Tell me
Elixir’s POVThe torches flickered and then went out completely, leaving the courty⁶in ⁸⁸⁹in total darkness. I felt a heavy lump in my throat as everything faded away, the last image stuck in my mind—my father's twisted smile, his empty eyes, and that unnatural chill that seemed to wrap around him.I couldn’t budge. It felt like my body was made of stone, and my heart was racing in my chest. My mind screamed that this wasn’t real, that it couldn’t be true. But deep down, where the dark thoughts lingered, I knew better.I had brought him back.Lucian was the first to react, moving in front of me, his growl low and dangerous. “That’s not him.” His voice was strained like he was pushing the words out through clenched teeth. “Whatever that is, it’s just using his face.”Soren quickly drew his blade, the moonlight glinting off it. “How is this even happening?” His voice was louder than a whisper, but the disbelief hung heavy in the air.Ewen stepped forward, his sharp gaze fixed on the fig
Elixir’s Point Of View The moon hung heavy in the velvet sky, a silent spectator to my misery. Its silvery light streamed through the cracks in my attic window, illuminating the meager space I called a room. The scent of damp wood and dust filled the air, clinging to my skin as I sat on the creaking mattress. My body ached from the day’s work, scrubbing floors, hauling firewood, and preparing meals for people who barely acknowledged my existence. I was exhausted, but not just physically. My soul felt tired, like an overworked thread fraying at the edges.Ever since my father’s death, my life had become a cruel caricature of the promises he made me believe in. “Elixir, my love,” he used to say, “you’re destined for greatness. You’re special.” Those words were now a distant memory, buried under the weight of his widow’s cruelty.*Flashback begins*His breathing was labored, every exhale sounding like it would be his last. I sat by his bedside, clutching his frail hand in mine. My stepm
Elixir’s POVThe woods had become my prison and my refuge. For three years, I had wandered these endless trees, my only companions the sounds of rustling leaves and distant howls. The moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting an eerie glow over the forest floor as I scoured for food. Hunger clawed at my insides like a restless beast, but the ache was familiar. Survival in exile was nothing new.Three years. That’s how long it had been since the day I was cast out, burned in the most literal and figurative sense. My stepmother and Amaya had been the first to call me a monster, their screams fueling the pack’s rage. It hadn’t mattered that I didn’t understand what was happening to me. My half-shifted form, the raw, untamed power surging through me, had been enough for them to judge me unworthy of the pack.So here I was, nothing more than a shadow of the girl I used to be, wandering the edges of a world that no longer wanted me.I tightened the tattered cloak around my should
Lucian’s POVThe soft crackle of the fireplace was the only sound in the room, but it did nothing to ease the storm raging in my head. I paced back and forth, each step a futile attempt to shake off the tension coiling tighter in my chest."What the hell were we thinking?" I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my hair. My boots scuffed against the wooden floor as I turned sharply, my eyes darting to the unconscious girl lying on the bed.Soren sat beside her, his chin resting on his hand, studying her face like she was some rare artifact. Meanwhile, Ewen leaned against the far wall, his arms crossed and his expression as unreadable as ever. The man could remain calm in the middle of a damn hurricane, and it drove me crazy."Lucian," Ewen said, his voice steady and deliberate, "if you don’t stop pacing, I swear to the gods, I’ll tie you to that chair."I glared at him, my fists clenching at my sides. "How the hell are you so calm right now? We don’t even know if she’s the
Elixir’s POV"You have to eat something," Soren said, his voice calm but firm, like he was talking to a stubborn child. He gestured to the plate of food he’d placed on the bedside table earlier. "You’ve been through a lot. You’ll need your strength."I sat cross-legged on the bed, staring at the food but unable to stomach the thought of eating. My throat felt tight, my chest hollow. Everything that had happened was too much, too fast.Three men.. no, three Alpha's had taken me from the woods and brought me here, claiming I was part of some prophecy. It sounded ridiculous, like something out of a bad story, and yet… my body still ached from the transformation I couldn’t explain. The symbol, their words, the way my very essence had responded, it was all too real."Who even are you people?" I finally managed to ask, my voice hoarse.The dark-haired one with an air of authority that made the room feel ten degrees colder, stepped forward. His movements were deliberate, his gaze piercing. "
Elixir’s POVThe full moon loomed high above, its silver glow casting long shadows across the room where I sat, hands clenched tightly in my lap. My heart thudded in my chest as the reality of my decision sank in. I had agreed to something that seemed impossible just days ago: to become their queen.The door creaked open, and Lucian stepped inside, his expression as unreadable as ever. Behind him, Soren and Ewen followed, their faces a mix of curiosity and calm calculation. Despite their different demeanors, there was an unspoken intensity in the room that made it hard to breathe.“You’re sure about this?” Lucian asked, his voice low and firm. He crossed his arms, his dark eyes fixed on mine.I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I’m sure.” My voice sounded steadier than I felt, but my resolve remained firm. “If this is what it takes to bring peace and… to belong, then yes.”Soren stepped forward, his expression softer. “You’re braver than you think, Elixir. But this isn
Elixir's POVThe night was way too quiet. No crickets chirped. No leaves rustled. It felt like the forest was holding its breath. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to wrap my head around everything. My bond with Lucian, Soren, and Ewen wasn't just a feeling. It felt real, like a soft thread connecting us.A sharp knock pulled me from my thoughts. I jumped up and called, "Come in."Soren opened the door. He looked serious like he had been running his hands through his messed-up hair."Can't sleep?" he asked as he shut the door.I shook my head. "There's too much going on."He sat at the edge of my bed, making it dip a little. "That makes sense. Tonight was a lot."I looked at him, unsure of what to say. His honest gaze tightened my chest. "Do you ever doubt it?" I asked. "The prophecy? The bond?"Soren leaned forward. "All the time. But it's not just about fate. It's about choice. I choose to trust you, Elixir. I choose to trust this."His words warmed me, but I barely had t
Elixir’s POVThe torches flickered and then went out completely, leaving the courty⁶in ⁸⁸⁹in total darkness. I felt a heavy lump in my throat as everything faded away, the last image stuck in my mind—my father's twisted smile, his empty eyes, and that unnatural chill that seemed to wrap around him.I couldn’t budge. It felt like my body was made of stone, and my heart was racing in my chest. My mind screamed that this wasn’t real, that it couldn’t be true. But deep down, where the dark thoughts lingered, I knew better.I had brought him back.Lucian was the first to react, moving in front of me, his growl low and dangerous. “That’s not him.” His voice was strained like he was pushing the words out through clenched teeth. “Whatever that is, it’s just using his face.”Soren quickly drew his blade, the moonlight glinting off it. “How is this even happening?” His voice was louder than a whisper, but the disbelief hung heavy in the air.Ewen stepped forward, his sharp gaze fixed on the fig
Elixir’s POVDarkness.It curled around me like a living thing, tendrils wrapping around my limbs, pressing against my skin like ice and fire woven together. It wasn’t just an absence of light—it was something deeper. Something ancient. It called to me, whispering my name with a voice that wasn’t mine, yet I knew it. Knew it like I knew my own breath.Victor’s voice cut through the void, low and firm. “Do not fight it, Elixir.”Lucian’s grip on my wrist tightened. “Don’t listen to him.”I looked between them. Lucian, wild-eyed and protective, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might shatter. Victor, calm but unyielding, watching me like he already knew what I would do.And then there was me.I had spent my whole life running from what I didn’t understand. From the curse in my blood. From the power waiting beneath my skin. But now? I couldn’t run anymore. The shadows had found me. The only choice left was whether I controlled them or let them consume me.My breath shook. “Tell me
Elixir’s POVFrigid air hit me hard as I sat up, my whole body shaking from the lingering effects of the darkness. Lucian’s hands were solid on my shoulders, keeping me from totally losing it, and I could feel his heart pounding just as fast as mine.“It’s gone,” Soren said, but there wasn’t a hint of relief in his voice, just a boatload of worry.Ewen cleaned his sword, his eyes darting around. “No body, no blood.” He ground his teeth. “That wasn’t a normal spirit.”I gulped. “That wasn’t a spirit at all…”The room went silent, heavy like a wet blanket. The truth hung in the air. He-or whatever it was pretending to be him—was connected to me. I could feel it that way the shadows stuck to me, whispering things only I could hear. It was like some sick cosmic joke.Lucian squeezed my shoulders. “We gonna go. Now.”Soren nodded. “Can’t fight what we don’t get.”Ewen paused, then gave in. “Okay.”I took a wobbly breath and forced myself to move. Every step away from that creepy place felt
Elixir's POVIt was dark all around me - not just dark, but like being stuck in thick mud. Each breath felt like trying to suck air through a straw, and my lungs were screaming. The darkness felt alive, sucking the air right out of me.This can't be real. Please, no.But then I saw it. Standing right there in front of me was a figure with my dad's face. It was him, no question.Think you could just get rid of me by dying, huh? The voice was soft, but it cut like ice, wrapping around me like smoke.I couldn't stop shaking. My heart was going crazy, banging against my ribs. You're not him, I choked out, my voice shaky. He's gone.His face twisted into a slow, mean smile, and his eyes... they were totally empty. The kind, warm light that always showed on his face was nowhere to be found. Really? he whispered, taking a step closer. Or are you just now finding out the truth?I stumbled back, every part of me screaming to run. But my feet were stuck, frozen in place. The air felt heavy, and
Elixir’s POVThe instant I walked into the war room, the heavy quiet hit me, like the air before a thunderstorm. The fire in the fireplace was jumping, casting freaky shadows on the stone walls. Lucian, Soren, and Ewen were standing around the table, looking super serious. Maps and scrolls were all over the place, but they weren't looking at them. They were staring at me.I swallowed hard. What's up?Lucian's jaw tightened. His dark eyes locked on mine, giving me the chills. Another attack happened. Not by those rogue guys this time. By something else.My stomach did a flip. Something else?Ewen crossed his arms, looking grim. Wraiths. More of them than before. And this time, they didn't just attack— He let out a sharp breath. They left a message.Soren slid a piece of parchment across the table to me. My hands were shaking as I picked it up. I gasped when I read the messy, scrawled words:Give back what you took, or we'll take her instead.My blood turned to ice. What was taken? I as
Elixir's POVEverything around me shakes crazily. Light and dark twist together, fighting each other. The air is heavy with so much power that I can feel it pushing on my skin and getting into my bones.Soren is next to me, not backing down, every muscle tense. The gold figures stand there, their empty eyes staring at me like they're waiting for something.I grab my chest, breathing hard. The power under my skin feels alive. It squirms; it needs something.You have to pick, the woman who looks just like me whispers.My head became heavier. I know that the second I walk toward her, toward that gold place, there's no turning back. I'll become something scary or maybe unpredictable. Something not connected to the world I fought so hard for anymore.But if I stay… and I fight… I don't even know if I can make it through this. A scream cuts through the air. Soren jumps, quickly turning his head toward the sound. My stomach dropped.That voice, I know that voice.Lucian.The air shifts al
Elixir’s ViewWe're falling, It feels like it's never going to end, like the void swallowed has us whole. Everything just poof disappeared. The shiny gold people, the super bright light, even the little voices from that weird world I never belonged to. Gone.I can't even scream or take a proper breath.The only thing keeping me together is Soren holding onto me like crazy. His fingers are digging into my wrist, and he’s squeezing so hard. I can feel his arm shaking like he’s putting every ounce of strength into keeping me from falling into this dark pit.But it's probably not even enough.This dark pull is way stronger than I thought. For a split second, my heart drops because his grip goes a little loose.Oh no.I freak out and grab his arm with my free hand, digging my nails into his skin.Hold on! He manages to yell, but the wind is so loud I can barely hear him.I feel myself losing it.This unseen thing is dragging me down with no mercy.If I let go now, I'm never coming back.I
Elixir’s POVThe area between the gold statues and Soren feels like a tense standoff—quiet but about to blow. You could cut the tension with a knife.My heart's hammering in my chest like crazy, warning me. I try to move, to get away from whatever's holding me here, but I can't. The gold woman—the one who looks just like me—is staring at me blankly.You don't get it yet, she says, her voice smooth. But you will.I feel a weird tingle under my skin when she says that, like I should know her. But I don't. And I don't want to.I don't belong here.Soren takes another step, and the darkness around him looks like armor. His face is set, and you can't read what he's thinking, but I can feel him. He's ticked off but determined.I said, let her go, he says, his voice sharp.The gold figures don't move, and their presence just crowds the space, makes it hard to breathe. They aren't scared of him. But they should be.A low hum vibrates through the place, making my skin crawl. It's not a languag
Elixir’s POVThe second my foot touched that bright ground, everything flipped. I felt this jolt of something old shoot right through me, something that felt like it shouldn't even exist. It was just raw force. No holding back. It didn't just hang around inside me; it took over, like this thing that had been waiting for me to come back finally had what it wanted.I tried to catch my breath, but the air was thick with voices. They weren't far off anymore; they were right there, all around me, speaking some language I couldn't make out. And yet, somehow, I knew what they were saying.Welcome home.My body felt like it weighed nothing, but at the same time, I felt this pressure, like a thousand lives were pushing in on me. Then came this wave of images, none of them mine. They flashed by so fast I could hardly make them out.I saw this seat made out of bone, empty.There was this battle, all fire and shadow. A whole place in trouble, begging for someone to save it.And a lady who never