Lyria's POV Ivy lay on the ground, writhing in pain as blood pooled beneath her. Her face was pale, and her breaths came in shallow rasps. My hand shot to my mouth as the horror of what had just happened weighed down on me like stone. Hood's roar of anguish cracked through the air as he charged at Garrick like a storm, but before he could reach him, Soren stepped forward with startling speed and strength."No!" I gasped.Soren’s arm lashed out, catching Hood by the shoulder and spinning him around before slamming him to the ground with terrifying force. He pinned him there with one knee against his spine, his fingers curled tight around Hood’s arm. His grip was like a vice."See where your loyalty to the wrong person has ended you," Soren told him with a devilish smirk, his voice slow and mocking.Hood growled beneath him, his body straining against the hold, his eyes still burning with the fire of vengeance. But Soren was stronger—a brutal kind of strong that didn't just crush bone
Kael's POVThe moment Lyria spoke, her voice was not the same gentle one I had grown accustomed to. It wasn’t even hers anymore—not entirely. It thundered, laced with something ancient and commanding, something that sent tremors into the marrow of my bones."I am Lyria Voss, daughter of the lost bloodline, heir to the throne of the Nightborne Clan. And today—I reclaim what was stolen."The ground itself pulsed beneath us, as though the earth recognized the name and the bloodline that had spoken it. The air thickened, and every heartbeat felt like a drum pounding in my ears. I felt the world shift, not in metaphor, but in truth.Above us, the sky darkened into a heavy twilight. The moon, once silver and soft, flared crimson. Blood-red—something that had never happened before. And everything stilled.My breath caught. It wasn’t fear that clenched my heart—no, it was something deeper, older. It was recognition.Lyria wasn't just my mate.She wasn't just the omega I once believed I had t
Kael's POV The clash of claws between Hood and Garrick echoed through the darkened field like the clash of thunder against the sky. The fury between them was relentless, but Hood—despite his fury—was beginning to falter now. Garrick landed blow after blow, each strike more savage than the last. Blood matted their fur, and yet they didn't stop. Hood's cries were pained, but his determination burned on like a fire refusing to be extinguished.But while their battle raged on in a brutal dance of fury and blood, my attention—like the earth itself—gravitated toward Lyria and Soren.Lyria’s voice cut through the air like a sword drawn from its sheath. "You lie, Soren!” she snapped at him, her voice layered with a power older than time. “I am the rightful Queen to that throne!" And I will never let you have it!"The air seemed to shiver in response.Soren’s expression twisted into something demonic, as though her words clawed into the very rot at his core. His eyes darkened with rage, and
Lyria’s POVMy breaths came in ragged gasps as I tried to keep my head above the surface of the deep, cold, and relentless river.I forgot how to catch my own breath the moment I watched my mum’s body gradually sink deeper. Desperation coursed through my entire existence as I struggled against the current.“Hold on, Mom, please!” I cried, reaching for her.After what felt like a lifetime, I was happy that I had almost gotten to her. Albeit unsettling that her head was now dangerously below the water and she wouldn't last long there, her struggling hands above it still offered me a glimmer of hope.In no time, I covered the little gap left between us, only for me to try and connect my hand with hers, and then—my fingers brushed nothing but air.To my utter bewilderment, she didn’t even drown. She just vanished.My loud scream was met with derisive laughter as I jerked back to life. To reality.I wasn’t dreaming anymore, yet water dripped down my face in a slow, steady trickle. My mat
Lyria's POV The first hint of dawn touched the sky, spurring the still village into motion once again. The large Elder's compound was bustling than usual as pups ran around, their eyes alight with laughter and adventure. None of them cared a hoot about how early it was to be running around. The only thing that mattered to them was that the long awaited Red Moon Festival was here and they couldn't contain their joy. While some adults were also gallivanting, some busied themselves with last-minute preparations for the festival tonight. But as always, I was the one doing the most. Everyone else was excited as though the moon goddess herself was descending tonight, but for me, I wasn't seeing the lure. I would just do what I have to do and leave.On my way to fetch a mop from the store, I caught snippets of two apparently unmated adult girls of my age discussing. “You must be joking to think you can outshine me,” one said to the other playfully. “ By the time I get dolled up, and t
Lyria's POVA strangled gasp tore from my lips as I scrambled to my feet and bolted.Branches slapped at my face, twigs snapped under my feet, but I didn’t dare stop.I had done what my instincts told me to do by running. But I hadn't gotten far when realization dawned on me that I could never outrun this beast. Not when I couldn't even shift. Not when my wolf is latent and weak. I was exhausted, and far too slow.Desperation clawed at my chest as I skulked my way into a thick bush, crouching as low as possible to avoid being detected.The lion skidded to a stop just a few feet away, scanning the area with narrowed eyes, looking confused. The confusion was replaced by anger as it let out a powerful roar.Powerful enough to make me cower even more with my heart racing to an alarming rate, but not powerful enough to make me stupidly come out of hiding, throw my hands in the air and offer myself as a living sacrifice. It couldn’t see me. But I could see it through the tiny space the
Kael's POVWhen I told Garrik I suspected that something or someone was in the foliage, Garrik didn't waste time aiming his bow, his muscles taut, ready to release the arrow into whatever—or whoever—was lurking there. “Just leave it to me your majesty,“ he said to me. I couldn't have chosen a better head enforcer. Apart from being my best warrior who trains the other warriors in the pack, he's also skillful with the bow and arrows. And most times, that's the advantage he has over my playful beta who can put up with him to some extent when he doesn't use his bow and arrow.Just as Garrik was about releasing the arrow, a voice suddenly cut through the moment like a razor, making us pause. “Alpha!”Talk of the devil. There was my Beta, Hood, striding towards us as I turned.He was wearing that ever-present smirk of his. As my personal assistant, Hood had an uncanny ability to show up at the most inconvenient moments."It’s time to start preparing for the Blood Moon Festival," he remin
Lyria's POV The music, the frenzied dance, the squeals of excitement, the lively chatters and every other activity going on at the festival became irrelevant to my senses as I knelt down beside the grand vacant chair of the king, awaiting his arrival.My head was bowed low and I had my eyes fixated to the ground, just as instructed. I had no liberty to partake in any of the activities or even look elsewhere but at the ground throughout, whereas everyone else were having the best moment of their lives. I could feel the eyes of some of the elders on me as if trying to make sure I did nothing else but what was required of me. “Hey Slave,” the chief elder called out to me. I like that I had been instructed not to raise my head up or look anywhere else but at the ground unless told otherwise. That aided my pretense not to know I was the one he was referring to. From the corner of my eyes, I saw him marching down toward me, displeased with how I made him speak to the wind. Having endu
Kael's POV The clash of claws between Hood and Garrick echoed through the darkened field like the clash of thunder against the sky. The fury between them was relentless, but Hood—despite his fury—was beginning to falter now. Garrick landed blow after blow, each strike more savage than the last. Blood matted their fur, and yet they didn't stop. Hood's cries were pained, but his determination burned on like a fire refusing to be extinguished.But while their battle raged on in a brutal dance of fury and blood, my attention—like the earth itself—gravitated toward Lyria and Soren.Lyria’s voice cut through the air like a sword drawn from its sheath. "You lie, Soren!” she snapped at him, her voice layered with a power older than time. “I am the rightful Queen to that throne!" And I will never let you have it!"The air seemed to shiver in response.Soren’s expression twisted into something demonic, as though her words clawed into the very rot at his core. His eyes darkened with rage, and
Kael's POVThe moment Lyria spoke, her voice was not the same gentle one I had grown accustomed to. It wasn’t even hers anymore—not entirely. It thundered, laced with something ancient and commanding, something that sent tremors into the marrow of my bones."I am Lyria Voss, daughter of the lost bloodline, heir to the throne of the Nightborne Clan. And today—I reclaim what was stolen."The ground itself pulsed beneath us, as though the earth recognized the name and the bloodline that had spoken it. The air thickened, and every heartbeat felt like a drum pounding in my ears. I felt the world shift, not in metaphor, but in truth.Above us, the sky darkened into a heavy twilight. The moon, once silver and soft, flared crimson. Blood-red—something that had never happened before. And everything stilled.My breath caught. It wasn’t fear that clenched my heart—no, it was something deeper, older. It was recognition.Lyria wasn't just my mate.She wasn't just the omega I once believed I had t
Lyria's POV Ivy lay on the ground, writhing in pain as blood pooled beneath her. Her face was pale, and her breaths came in shallow rasps. My hand shot to my mouth as the horror of what had just happened weighed down on me like stone. Hood's roar of anguish cracked through the air as he charged at Garrick like a storm, but before he could reach him, Soren stepped forward with startling speed and strength."No!" I gasped.Soren’s arm lashed out, catching Hood by the shoulder and spinning him around before slamming him to the ground with terrifying force. He pinned him there with one knee against his spine, his fingers curled tight around Hood’s arm. His grip was like a vice."See where your loyalty to the wrong person has ended you," Soren told him with a devilish smirk, his voice slow and mocking.Hood growled beneath him, his body straining against the hold, his eyes still burning with the fire of vengeance. But Soren was stronger—a brutal kind of strong that didn't just crush bone
Lyria's POV Ivy lay on the ground, writhing in pain as blood pooled beneath her. Her face was pale, and her breaths came in shallow rasps. My hand shot to my mouth as the horror of what had just happened weighed down on me like stone. Hood's roar of anguish cracked through the air as he charged at Garrick like a storm, but before he could reach him, Soren stepped forward with startling speed and strength."No!" I gasped.Soren’s arm lashed out, catching Hood by the shoulder and spinning him around before slamming him to the ground with terrifying force. He pinned him there with one knee against his spine, his fingers curled tight around Hood’s arm. His grip was like a vice."See where your loyalty to the wrong person has ended you," Soren told him with a devilish smirk, his voice slow and mocking.Hood growled beneath him, his body straining against the hold, his eyes still burning with the fire of vengeance. But Soren was stronger—a brutal kind of strong that didn't just crush bone
Lyria's POV I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. The moment Garrick pressed his claws harder against Ivy’s throat, a low, guttural cry tore through her lips. My heart felt like it cracked, splitting in two as her voice echoed in the bloodstained field. Her eyes—wide and glistening with panic—locked onto Hood, pleading. Not just for her life, but for their unborn child.I would have blamed Ivy for not staying indoors with Mira. For coming out to endanger her life and the one growing inside her. But then, I know what a mate bond is capable of. I know just how much one won't be at peace until you are with your mate and you're sure your mate is okay."Finish what I started, Hood!" Garrick shouted, his voice soaked in venom. "Kill the king. Kill his mate. Or I’ll slice her throat right now."My fingers curled into fists at my sides, my chest rising and falling rapidly. Kael was still bleeding, resting against the rubble behind me, his breaths shallow, but his eyes burning with fury. Garr
Kael's POV My breath caught in my throat as I stared down the tip of Garrick’s arrow. The tension in his bowstring mirrored the taut pull of betrayal in my chest. This wasn’t just war anymore—this was personal. This was Garrick who I had known for years and I had taken as a brother alongside Hood. And he was about to kill me.For a moment, I wondered if he could do it, but then I slapped myself mentally for my scepticism. Garrick was the man who just stabbed me now and the resolve in his eyes didn't show that he was going to back down.The cold bite of the arrowhead aimed directly at my heart was nothing compared to the ice crawling through my veins. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak. My limbs refused to obey me. The moment suspended itself in time, reality slowing to a crawl as the horrifying truth struck me harder than any weapon ever could.Garrick had chosen this path and he was intentional about it.Lyria’s voice cracked through the thick silence beside me, trembling with disb
Kael's POVI barely noticed the chaos around me anymore. Despite how I suffered bites and cuts from the enemy wolves who did not fail to leverage my distraction as I tried to fight my way out, my gaze remained fixed on Lyria and my concern for her burgeoned with every passing moment. I had noticed how she had changed earlier and she gained the upper hand in the battle with Soren. But her moment of winning was only short lived. And each of the time I watched Soren cut her, bite her and even hurl her, my heart clenched so tight. Now, every movement she made was full of fire and desperation, but she was holding her own. Against all odds, she was still standing.But for how long?I saw Soren moving toward her, his grin wide, wicked. That bastard had almost knocked her out tonight, and I could feel my rage spike just thinking about it. I needed to get to her now.Nothing else mattered, other than getting to her.I didn’t feel the pain from the wound on my arm. Didn’t care that I was limp
Lyria's POVThe sharp, burning sting of silver against my throat pulled a small whimper from my lips, though I bit down the sound with all the strength I could muster. My body trembled beneath Soren’s weight, his frame towering over me like a demon risen straight from hell. The blade glinted in the moonlight, cruel and cold, promising death with the slightest push.I heard Kael’s voice, raw and desperate, slicing through the noise of battle. He was calling my name. Roaring it, as if the force of it could carry him to me. My eyes scanned the battlefield wildly from my prone position. I saw him, far off, his dark form surrounded by a horde of enemy wolves. They clashed against him like a tide crashing over a cliff, but he tore through them with a monstrous rage. His claws, drenched in blood, his fangs bared, his eyes glowing with a fury that terrified and thrilled me. Yet for all his power, he was too far.I shifted my gaze, hoping for another miracle. Garrick. He was closer. My hear
Kael's POVI didn't even get the chance to admire how beautiful Lyria's wolf form turned out—sleek silver fur rippling like moonlight on water, eyes burning like wildfire, fangs bared in raw fury. It was the first time I'd seen her shift, and if we weren't neck-deep in chaos, I might have been awestruck. But the weight of Soren's revelation still rang like iron in my head: he was the one who framed Lyria's parents, causing their death indirectly. And now, with a smirk like death itself, he stood there as though he hadn't just shattered a life.While it took me precious seconds to snap out of my shock, Lyria had already reacted. She shot forward with a furious growl, her claws tearing into the ground as she launched herself at Soren like a comet. Her momentum slammed into him with brutal precision, her claws ripping across his face, drawing blood.Soren staggered backward, and for a breath, I thought she'd managed to shake him. But his snarl twisted into a grin, dark magic sparking a