Eleanor’s POVWe emerged from the forest into the biting night, where an ambulance waited to carry us and Sebastian's body back to the palace. The air was so cold it felt as if it cut through our very bones, and even the ambulance's heater struggled to chase away the chill.Inside the ambulance, the mood was heavy and quiet. Faces were drawn and full of worry, and many eyes were fixed on the floor. I could sense that deep inside, anger and thoughts of revenge were simmering. The desire to lash out at those who had brought such pain was strong, but I knew that striking back would only lead us into more trouble. Our realm was still healing from the Great war, and we could not afford another conflict now.When we finally arrived at the palace, the royal physician was waiting with a troubled look on his face. They quickly took Sebastian’s body away to the royal chambers, where he was examined with careful urgency. I paced outside the room, my heart heavy with worry and uncertainty.After
Ryker’s POVI stood at the edge of the forest, gazing out at the endless stretch of trees that reached toward the horizon. I was on the ninth island on our list—my last hope of finding any sign of the Capris Coven. The air was thick with the smell of wet earth and decaying leaves, yet I detected no hint of werewolf scent, no trace of a pack’s presence.The island was a tangled maze of forest, with vines and creepers twisting around ancient trees. The heavy canopy above filtered the sunlight, casting the forest floor in a dim, emerald glow. I had to push carefully through the underbrush, using my keen senses to navigate the dangerous terrain.As I walked, I searched every tree for a sign of werewolf habitation. The rural werewolves, like the Capris Coven, were known for marking their territory with intricate carvings. They would cut delicate symbols into the bark of trees using both their claws and magic. These marks, known as the LunaSeal, were believed to hold the power of the moon a
Eleanor's POVI stood by the window, gazing out at the quiet, moonlit garden below. The night was still, and the soft silver light of the moon made the flowers glow. Yet, my heart was filled with turmoil. Thoughts of Sebastian weighed on my mind. I remembered the pain he had caused me, and a dark part of me even wished he would finally be gone. But a kinder, wiser part of me knew that saving him was essential for the peace of our realm.I had the power to heal him, but the cost frightened me. Every time I used my power, I felt a deep drain in my strength. I was still learning to control these gifts, still piecing together the mysteries of my own past. The fear of the unknown made every decision harder.With my heart heavy, I called for Nathan and asked him to join me in my private chambers. When he arrived, I wasted no time and said, “Nathan , do you know of any healer in our realm who might help Sebastian? Even if it means seeking help from a witch?”Nathan looked at me with a seriou
Alicia's POV I paced back and forth in my room, my anger growing with every step. Three long days had passed since Sebastian’s body was brought to the palace, and Klaus was still nowhere to be seen. I had expected him to appear with his guards, to claim his rightful place as the new Lycan king and punish Eleanor for what had happened to Sebastian. Instead, silence and inaction filled the halls.Every day, I heard from one physician after another. They all said the same thing: Sebastian lay in a deep coma, and none of their skills could bring him back. This endless stream of bad news made my frustration burn even brighter. I could not understand why Klaus was delaying. Had he lost his nerve? Or was he simply too afraid to act? I began to doubt his strength and his plans, wondering if he was planning with the heart of a coward.Standing by the window, I watched Eleanor walk slowly with Nathan and Ryker. My heart pounded in my chest as my mind raced with worry. What if they discovered a
Eleanor's POV As we stepped into the old library, a musty smell hit me like a heavy blow. The air was thick with dust, and cobwebs clung to every shelf. I shivered as I saw tiny creatures scuttling across the creaky wooden floor. I feared that any clues we needed might have been chewed by rodents or lost to the decay of time."This place is a treasure trove of dust and decay," Ryker whispered, his voice soft and low, almost lost in the sound of the old shelves creaking under the weight of years.Nathan, however, seemed not to notice the state of the room. "Let's spread out and search for any texts or scrolls that might hold the key to reviving the Lycan King," he said, his eyes darting from shelf to shelf as he began his search.I shared a quick, knowing glance with Ryker. We both understood that our true goal was not to find a way to revive Sebastian. Instead, we were here to look for any clues that might lead us to the Capris Coven—a secret that could change everything.Keeping our
Eleanor’s POVAs I stepped into the room, my eyes were immediately drawn to Leila. Her beauty was undeniable, like something carved from the moon itself. The silver-grey waves of her hair cascaded down her back, shining softly in the dim light. Her eyes, too, were striking—piercing blue, radiating both warmth and quiet confidence. At that moment, they seemed to spark with an understanding, as if they could see right through me. Her lips, full and inviting, curved into a gentle, knowing smile that made my heart flutter uncontrollably. And though her frame was slight, Leila carried herself with a serene but unmistakable aura of strength. I’d heard about her, of course. Mary had spoken of her often, and I’d read letters she sent to me when I was struggling under Sebastian’s cruelty. Leila had always been a comforting and encouraging presence, someone who told me to stay strong, even during my darkest moments. But seeing her now, standing right before me, was an entirely different experi
Leila’s POVWe were kindred spirits in our own ways—bonded by the terrible turns our lives had taken. But where to begin? What should I say? How could I show her the depth of what had happened to me, to all of us? I felt my heart tighten. Everything I had once known seemed unrecognizable, twisting and changing before my very eyes. But I knew I had to say something. The worst, however, had come after the meeting between the elders of both packs. I remember that day vividly—a day marked by a strange, heavy feeling in the air. My father and Eleanor’s father met, and the arguments that followed were intense. I could hear angry voices, fists banging against the walls, things being thrown. Something had happened. But what, exactly? The tension of that day set the course of everything that followed. Father had already been grieving Francis’s sudden death, yet he said nothing to us about the meeting. And when he walked out that door—after everything had shattered—I saw a man who wasn’t the
Eleanor’s POVI listened with my mouth agape as Leila told her story. I had never thought about these events in such detail before. Up until now, I had known only bits and pieces—just enough to hate Sebastian. All I had heard was that his cousin, Leila White, had left in tears, swearing never to return after he had ordered her lover beheaded. No matter how hard I tried, I could not find any reason to justify his cruel actions.As Leila continued her tale, I began to understand that there was more behind Sebastian’s anger. He had not always been the bitter, ruthless man he had become. Leila described a time when he was smiling, happy, and full of life. I tried to picture him in that light, imagining the kind and gentle Sebastian I had once heard about. It became clear to me that he, too, was a victim—his transformation was not solely his own doing, but also the result of his father’s harsh influence.My heart ached for him, and I felt deep sympathy for Leila as well. Gently, I reached
Klaus' POVThe boat rocked beneath my boots as I dragged Eleanor away from that blood-soaked cabin, her beta sprawled on the floor like a broken toy. Ryker’s chest barely rose, his breaths shallow and ragged, his worthless blood staining my pristine Selene. That idiot, he’d dared to fight me, dared to defy me, and now he was a mess of torn flesh and fading growls. I smirked, kicking the door shut behind us. Good riddance.Eleanor didn’t resist as I pulled her across the deck, her steps steady despite the chains rattling around her wrists. She couldn’t fight back, not with the poison I’d been slipping into her meals for days, sapping her strength, dulling that wild power I’d seen her wield. She was mine now, a tool to bend or break. Either she’d lead me to the Capris Coven, or I’d haul her back to the Crescent Moon pack and force her to my will. No more games.I shoved her hard, and she hit the deck on her knees, her auburn hair spilling over her face like a curtain.“Get up,” I snarle
Ryker’s POVI was trained to protect Eleanor, not to blindly obey her every word. That distinction had guided me through years as her beta, my duty was her safety, her life, above all else. So when the door burst open with a splintering crack and Klaus loomed in the threshold, flanked by two hulking guards, my instincts took over. My switchblade was already in my hand, its weight familiar and steady, and I thrust it forward, the steel glinting in the dim lantern light.“Don’t you dare come in,” I warned, my voice a low growl, edged with the promise of violence.Klaus’ dark eyes flicked to the blade, and a harsh, mocking laugh rumbled from his chest. “You plan to stop me… with that?” His tone dripped with contempt, his lips curling into a sneer as he took a step closer, his broad frame filling the doorway like a storm cloud rolling in.I didn’t care what he thought. I’d fight tooth and nail, hell, I’d tear this ship apart plank by plank, to keep Eleanor safe. She stood behind me, her v
Klaus' POVMore than anything, I despise being made a fool. The sting of it burned hotter than any wound, a festering humiliation that drove me from Alicia’s cramped cabin with a snarl still twisting my lips. My boots pounded the deck as I stormed toward the helm, the sea air sharp and briny in my lungs. I needed answers, and I needed them now. Ryker and Eleanor had strung me along for six miserable days, and I was done playing their game.I found the sailor hunched over the ship’s charts, his gnarled fingers tracing lines I couldn’t decipher. “Where are we?” I barked, looming over him. “Tell me exactly where this damned boat is!”Torin flinched, his eyes darting up to meet mine before dropping back to the parchment. He muttered something under his breath, then pointed to a looping pattern on the map. “We’ve… we’ve been circling, sir. Same stretch of sea for days.”The words hit me like a fist to the gut. Circling. My worst fear confirmed, laid bare in ink and cowardice. Rage surged t
Klaus' POVThe sixth day at sea stretched before me like an endless galaxy, the horizon a mocking line of unbroken blue. Not a whisper of the Capris Coven, not a shadow of land, just the ceaseless slap of waves against the boat and the briny tang of salt stinging my nose that I was already getting tired of. I stood at the deck, gripping the weathered railing, my patience wearing thin with every passing hour. And Ryker,damn him, his presence grated on me more with each day. I have been catching strange feelings from him for a while now, a quiet unease that coiled in my gut like a serpent.We had no reason to like each other, that much was clear from the start. But this? This was different. He moved through the ship like a ghost, detached, his eyes darting away whenever I tried to pin him down. He acted as though he hadn’t just crawled out of the Capris Coven’s habitation a few days ago, as though he wasn’t the one who’d sworn he knew the way. And Eleanor, since that strange night when
Sebastain's POVI watched Leila’s face shift as the weight of my revelation settled over her like a storm cloud rolling across a clear sky. Her hazel eyes widened, then narrowed, her lips parting slightly as if the words she wanted to say were caught in her throat. The dim light of the lantern flickered across her features, casting shadows that danced with her confusion.“She’s pregnant?” Leila’s voice cracked, disbelief threading through every syllable. “How could you not know?”The question stung, sharp and accusing, though I knew she didn’t mean it to wound me. I swallowed hard, my throat dry as ash, and forced the truth out. “I only just found out she’d been using wolfsbane tincture.”Leila’s brow furrowed, her frown deepening as she tilted her head, studying me like I’d spoken in a foreign tongue. “Wolfsbane tincture? That bitter mixture—doesn’t it weaken a wolf’s abilities over time?”“What do you mean?” My voice trembled, betraying the dread coiling tighter in my chest.She lea
Leila's POVThe moment Nathan’s urgent message reached me, scrawled in his hasty hand on a scrap of paper, I leapt into action. I lashed the reins of my carriage, urging the horses into a frantic gallop toward Bloodmoon Pack. The wind tore at my hair, the wheels rattling over the uneven road, but my mind was a storm of its own. Eleanor, pregnant with my brother’s child, had vanished on some reckless voyage to uncover her roots, without a word to Sebastian. And he, predictably, had gone berserk. The note was cryptic, lacking on details for security’s sake, but it carried a weight that sank into my bones. I didn’t understand it all yet, not fully, but I knew one thing I had to get to him before he went completely wild.The journey stretched across a full day, the sun climbing and sinking as the landscape blurred past, rolling hills giving way to dense forest, then the rugged outskirts of Bloodmoon territory. The horses frothed at the mouth, their breaths heaving in clouds of steam, and
Eleanor's POVThe nightmares didn’t relent. Night after night, they clawed at me, vivid and merciless, peeling back layers of truth I hadn’t been ready to face. The pain was a constant now, a dull ache that throbbed in my chest and temples, but I’d grown accustomed to it, numbed by the burning need to uncover the full details of the betrayal surrounding me. Each vision was a rough piece of a puzzle, and by the third night, the picture was complete, its edges sharp enough to draw blood. I woke that morning with the taste of anger on my lips, the echo of thunder still rumbling in my skull, and a clarity that felt both liberating and suffocating.After a sparse breakfast, bread and a sip of refreshing water that did little to settle my churning stomach, I summoned Ryker to my cramped quarters. The boat rocked gently beneath us, the sea deceptively calm beyond the porthole, its glassy surface mocking the storm brewing within me. I sat on the edge of my bunk, my hands clasped tightly in m
Sebastain's POVCapris Coven.The name alone sent a shiver racing down my spine, a cold dread that coiled tight around my chest. Eleanor was headed there, chasing some fool’s errand with our pup growing inside her, our pup, a secret she kept from me, a wound that festered deeper than I cared to admit. The last and only time I journeyed to that forsaken place, I had been a boy, barely old enough to understand the world beyond my pack. It was a nightmare etched into my bones, a blur of terror and misery that still haunted me decades later.I had been small then, clinging to my father's side as we sailed across a sea that seemed endless, its expanse swallowing the horizon. I didn’t know the route, only that it took days, each one worse than the last. The waves had tossed our rickety boat like a toy, the air thick with brine and the sour tang of my own vomit as seasickness wrecked my young body. I retched over the side until there was nothing left, my stomach a hollow pit.. I hadn’t under
Eleanor's POVThe secret of our pup, a fragile life growing within me, I had it kept locked away, hidden with lies about this journey. I had told him I needed to master my powers to understand it, when really I was on a journey to a land I didn't know, a people who were thought to be wiped from this realm. My deception didn’t absolve his, but it muddied the waters, blurring the lines between victim and villain. We had both wielded knives, and we had both drawn blood. None of us was innocent of hurting the otherBut Klaus and Alicia, those two were a different breed of poison. Their betrayal wasn’t born of love tbat turned sour for a moment or promises broken, it was calculated, cold, a blade aimed at my heart with no remorse. I didn’t need more visions to fuel my resolve. The ones I had seen were enough, their revelations shattering everything Ibelieved. My mind lingered on the Great War, a memory not from this life but etched into my soul by the visions. It hadn’t been the necessary