**Elena’s POV**The rain started to fall gently as I sat by Enzo's window, the soft pattering against the glass sounding like nature's own symphony. Each drop felt like a whisper of worry. The air shimmered with an unease I couldn't shake. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to stay grounded in this whirlwind of uncertainty as I thought of Winter. She had always been the brave one, always rushing headfirst into danger to protect us.I glanced over at Jake, who was pacing the room like a caged animal, his restlessness mirroring the anxiety pulsing through me. “Elena, you sure you’re okay?” he asked, his eyes flicking to mine with genuine concern.I nodded, though the vision had left me shaken, its remnants clinging to the edges of my mind like shadows. “I’ll be fine, but I can’t stop thinking about Winter, about what could be happening to her.”Jake stopped and ruffled his hair, frustration etched into his features. “I should be out there with them. Instead, I'm here, waiting.” His
**Elena’s POV**The forest felt alive, its energy pulsing like a heartbeat as Jake and I stepped out of the car. The rustling leaves whispered secrets I couldn't quite catch, and a shiver of anticipation ran down my spine. This wasn't just any forest; this was the gateway to the wolf's world, the place Winter called home. As I looked over at Jake and watched him take in the towering trees and wild terrain, I could see the awe in his eyes."Is this... what it feels like for you guys all the time?" Jake asked, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and hesitation.I smiled, trying to offer reassurance. "It's a bit different for a fairy without wings," I replied, a teasing note in my words. "But don't worry. I've got your back. I won't let anything happen to you." My words hung between us like a promise.We began to walk, the path weaving through towering trees that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. As we moved deeper into the forest, Jake's barrage of questions began. "So
**Elena’s POV**As Winter's father's suspicions simmered, I felt a wave of determination crash through me. No distractions, I reminded myself. I had to stay focused on finding Winter and Lily. The man's voice cut through the room again, commanding and authoritative. "I am Alpha Rykor of the Crest Moon Pack," he declared, stepping away from the shadows. Instantly, a pang of disappointment washed over me, mingling with an attraction I couldn't deny. This was the man Winter's parents wanted her to marry. Yet, something in his eyes spoke of strength and understanding.I held out my hand, trying to remain composed. "Thank you, Rykor. I'm Elena."His grip was firm as he clasped my hand, bringing it to his mouth. "I promise to protect you with my life," he vowed, pressing his lips gently to my hand. A jolt of electricity shot up my arm, and heat bloomed across my cheeks. Our eyes locked, and the world fell away, leaving just the two of us suspended in that moment.Jake’s awkward cough broke
**Enzo's POV**The sky was a mantle of grey as I arrived at the gates of the Elders' place. Each step brought me closer to the threshold of the forbidden, where thick iron bars loomed taller than any creature that dared trespass. I paused, letting the moment stretch longer than necessary. Memories flooded my mind—years of silence, estrangement from everything magical and wild. I had turned my back on it all but now stood before the echoes of a past I couldn't escape.I shifted back to human form, my fur retreating into skin with a ripple of power. The cool air kissed my bare flesh, an unwelcome reminder of vulnerability. A robe, tattered and badly frayed, hung near the entrance, left for wolves like me who had forgotten what it was to belong. I slipped it on, the fabric rough against my skin, and pushed open the gate.Inside, the air was stagnant, heavy with a coppery scent that clung to my senses like a shroud. My heart thundered in my chest as I took in the horrors that awaited bodi
**Winter's POV** The instant I hit the water, I understood how small and powerless I truly was against nature’s sheer force. The waterfall was a beast, dragging me under with merciless fervour. My world became a torrential blur of bubbles and darkness as the icy water encased me entirely. Panic clawed at my mind as I fought against the current, my limbs flailing in desperation. The relentless pull made it almost impossible to know which way was up. My lungs screamed for air, and the need for breath overrode every coherent thought. I kicked harder, my resolve unwavering though my strength ebbed. Finally, after what felt like an eternity trapped beneath the surface, my head broke free of the turbulent waters. I gasped, drawing in a much-needed breath. But the struggle wasn’t over yet. The waterfall continued its assault, the chaos of sound and motion enveloping me as I was tossed about in its fury. I forced myself to focus amidst the fear-driven haze, seeking any refuge I could find
**Enzo's POV** The night air was cool, and I could smell Winter’s unique scent. It wrapped around me like a warm blanket. Her aroma made me feel complete, something I deeply craved. Each breath filled me with urgency, pushing me to act. As I moved through the forest, my instincts were on high alert. I felt aggressive and protective, driven by a strong need to keep Winter safe. Every shadow seemed dangerous, and every sound made me tense. But I kept going, focused on finding her. Then, I heard voices cutting through the quiet night. They were filled with frustration and anger. "Find her; she can't be far!" one voice yelled, its anger stirring up my own. Another voice, closer, warned, "The boss will be mad if we fail." A powerful rage surged through me, like a volcano about to erupt. The thought of anyone wanting to harm Winter was unbearable, awakening the beast inside me. Without thinking, I dropped to all fours. My body changed, turning into fur and muscle with sharp teeth. This
**Winter's POV**For what felt like the first time in forever, I allowed my body to surrender to weakness and let Enzo's warmth envelop me. His presence was like a beacon, a lighthouse guiding the lost ship of my soul back to safer shores. The air around us seemed to change, charged with something that transcended the physicality of the world—our bond.At that moment, everything else disappeared. The fear, the tiredness, the constant worry vanished, leaving just the two of us. He smelled of pine and earth, a grounding scent that made me feel safe amid the chaos in my mind. I held on to his shirt and finally released a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding. "Winter," he said, his voice deep and comforting, "I was so scared I’d never find you." I looked up at him, wanting to say how grateful I was, and also to talk about the dangers still out there and our friends I had left behind. Instead, all I managed to ask was, "How did you find me?" He laughed softly, a comforting sound li
**Winter's View**The morning sun peeked into the cave, casting gentle colours on the walls. I woke up cradled in Enzo's arms. His breathing was calm, his face peaceful. Watching him like this felt perfect, but I knew it wouldn't last. Inside me, a storm was building.Carefully, I slipped out of his arms, making sure not to disturb him. The sounds of the forest grew louder as I moved, reminding me of all the things left undone outside.Ignoring the guilt creeping in, I hurriedly put on my clothes while watching Enzo. He moved a little but stayed asleep. As I put my bag over my shoulder, the weight of my choice hit me. I wanted to stay with him, but I had to find Lily. Our bond, though forbidden, was pulling me toward the problems we hadn’t solved yet.I was almost at the cave entrance when I heard his sleepy voice break the quiet. "Winter, where are you going?"Surprised, I turned to see Enzo awake, confusion and sadness in his eyes. His vulnerable look touched me, but I stayed firm.
Elena's POV I looked out over the lifeless bodies, each fallen from a silent reminder of the impending threat that loomed larger than we had realised. The air was thick with tension, every breath a struggle against the grief swirling around us.Lily's voice was a mix of anger and desperation as she pleaded, "We can't just let him go alone! We need to help Enzo!" Her words trembled on the edge of an emotional maelstrom, as if sheer will could bind us together against the darkness threatening to tear us apart.Her plea tugged at something deep inside me, a flicker of the bright, hopeful soul I once was. Yet that light had dimmed, thinned by the endless shadows of loss. Winter’s absence had carved a hollow space within me, a chasm I couldn't bridge, even for friends like Lily.My silence must have felt like an abandonment to Lily, and I could feel her frustration pressing into the air between us. "Elena, you can't just walk away," she shouted, her voice splintering through the sombre at
Moonlight filtered through the broken windows of the old warehouse, casting fractured patterns on the dusty floor. I returned to the last place I'd caught Kenny's scent—a point where all the dark threads of my life seemed to converge. Oddly, I wasn't alone on this journey; a strange new scent lingered here as well, something neither human nor wolf—something entirely alien.I stood in the middle of the empty expanse, tension singing through my veins. The warehouse was silent, filled with the phantom echoes of past atrocities, a place where fear had its own scent. I was certain Kenny had been here, that his relentless chase for power left fragments in places even he could not erase.But there was more lurking than just Kenny's touch—another presence that defied definition. The scent was unsettling, steadily gnawing at the edges of my instincts. Whatever it was, it held embedded markings of magic far older and stronger than I imagined.Suddenly, the grinding sound of the warehouse door r
Enzo pov as i walked away i heard someone coming after me, i didnt slow my pace i couldnt process the chaos unfolding around me. Instead, I pushed onward, driven by the realization that there was more at stake than just Winter's memory. The trees blurred past me, their branches clawing at my thoughts like the doubts that had taken root since Winter's death."Enzo, wait!" a voice called from behind, urgent and pleading.I stopped, my mind knowing the voice even before I turned. Sariah appeared before me, breathless and desperate in the orange glow of the setting sun. Her presence held an air of determination that matched the turmoil in my heart."Sariah now's not the time," I began, willing my voice to be stronger than the uncertainty gnawing at me. The ache of Winter's loss hung around my neck like a yoke, growing heavier at every reminder of her absence."No, you need to hear this." Sariah's voice was firm, cutting through my defences with an edge of certainty I couldn't easily dism
The air held its breath as the tension in the clearing coiled tighter. I turned slowly, my heart hammering against the shroud of uncertainty that had settled around us. There, emerging from the tree line, was Sariah. "I said," she repeated, her voice a quiet command that transcended the chaos, "this is not the work of a witch."Winter's father, his face etched with suspicion and despair, glared at her. "What do you know of this, witch?" he spat, brandishing the word like a curse, his grief turning him into a wary adversary."No witch would ever be stupid enough to use a spell on the dead. The things it causes are something that we as witches wish to forget." Sariah's voice was steady, exuding calm as she stepped forward, placing herself between Lily and the simmering storm of accusation. Her presence was like a cool breeze, offering clarity amidst the turmoil. "This grave wasn't dug up. Someone, or something, has dug their way out. Are you sure it was Winter that you buried here?"My
Enzo's POVThe moon hung low, its silver glow weaving through the trees as Jake and I returned to the sacred grounds of Winter's pack. The journey had been both a welcome distraction and a solemn reminder of the purpose that stirred my resolve. The soft rustle of leaves underfoot was the only sound accompanying our silent pilgrimage, the night a silent witness to our unsaid resolve.A fog of anticipation enveloped me as we approached the clearing, the towering shadows of the trees mirroring the uncertainty cloaked around us. The pack's territory stood like an ancient guardian, whispering tales embedded within its secrets—tales I feared to unravel yet could not ignore.I caught sight of Lily first, a solitary silhouette against the fading twilight, her expression hidden in shadow and suspicion. Her eyes flicked towards mine, revealing a depth of worry that gnawed at the edges of my focus. Whatever brought us back here held an ominous significance, one that demanded unearthing. Jake wal
Enzo's povThe cityscape blurred past me as I drove, my thoughts tangled in the web Jake's call had spun. What could possibly be important enough to warrant this abrupt meeting? The tyres hugged the turns as I sped towards my club, the streets a buzzing reminder of everything that went on around me, oblivious to the tumult within. Hatred mixed with anticipation, a volatile cocktail that fueled my pursuit of revenge. Each tick of the clock was a swing of the pendulum, time measured by heartbeats filled with simmering rage.The club stood as a lonely monument when I arrived, its façade a ghost of vibrancy it once held. A month or maybe even more had passed since it had seen any life, and the dust that shrouded the windows seemed to weigh heavy, like the grief that lingered in my soul. The once inviting place now felt abandoned—a hollow echo of happier times when Winter's laughter danced in the air, a melody of life that was all too final.My heart lurched at the sight of the front door
Enzos povTwo weeks laterThe house creaked with the weight of silence as I entered, the faint aroma of aged wood mingling with the remnants of smoke on my clothes—a testament to another wasted hunt. The dimness of my refuge offered little comfort now, every shadow a reminder of the darkness lurking within me. I couldn't even bring myself to go into my bedroom because every time I did, all I saw was winter.I threw my keys onto the table, their clatter punctuating the stillness. The primal satisfaction of ending those who followed Kenny clung to me, yet a scalding emptiness pervaded beneath the surface. I was hollow—a predator driven by instincts that provided little satisfaction beyond the fleeting.Striding to the sink, I ran the tap, watching the water swirl and disappear, mirroring my thoughts. My reflection—a stranger with wild eyes and a face marked by untold grief—glared back. Winter's absence was a festering wound, a reminder of my failure to protect her.The shrill ring of my
Elenas povThe evening sun cast long shadows across the clearing as we made our way through the forest, the path more familiar than the lines on my own hand. Each step brought me closer to the sanctuary that had borne witness to countless secrets, whispered hopes, and forbidden friendships. I could feel the presence of those beside me—Lily's nervous energy, Jake's steady warmth, and Rykor's silent strength—as we walked, the world around us both oppressive and comforting in its natural chaos.The memory of Winter's funeral clung like a shroud, a heavy veil we wore even as we tried to celebrate her true self. The gathering earlier had not encapsulated the wild essence of Winter nor the choices that defined her. The fact that she was gone felt both surreal and undeniable, each breath imbued with the pain of her absence.We stopped at the edge of the clearing, the dim light of dusk painting the world in shades of memory. Rykor moved to construct a fire, and each piece of kindling was plac
Enzo's povI hadn't slept much since Winter died. Every time I dared to close my eyes, I saw her pain-filled face. The image of her eyes as she drove the knife into her stomach played over and over in my head like a cruel movie. Her sacrifice to save us from Kenny's dark grip only made me more hungry for revenge.Finding Kenny wouldn't be easy. He was on the run, as slippery as a shadow. But he was just a man, and men make mistakes. I needed to find the clue that would lead me to him and tear apart his lies.Going back to where we last saw him, I entered the tunnels under Elders Wall. They were dark, twisting around me like a snake, ready to squeeze out any hope I had left. These tunnels had a bad reputation for tricking tired minds, but I stayed focused. My need for revenge was stronger than any trick they could play on me.The air was damp and chilled as I stepped into the chamber where Winter's life had ended. Her blood still stained the stone floor, a red reminder of the love and