Darren's POV
I looked around. This place looked like a shit hole.
The bar was dimly-lit with the pungent odor of stale beer and unwashed bodies. The smell plainly hit me like a freight train.
The patrons were a motley crew of disheveled characters, their faces twisted in various stages of drunkenness and rage. The cheap, disgusting alcohol flowed freely, fueling the chaos that swirled around me. The air was thick with cigarette smoke, and the walls were coated in a layer of grime that seemed to have accumulated over many years. The tables and chairs were mismatched and worn, some missing legs or arms, others so rickety that they threatened to collapse at any moment.
I couldn't help but notice the poor souls slumped over their drinks, their eyes glazed and unfocused. A group of men in the corner were arguing loudly, their voices slurred and angry.
"Fuck you, Billy!" a man shouted. "You're possessed by that fucking brunette at Damian's fu
Leah's POVAs I walked into the Green Point Inn, everyone's head was turning at me.I ignored the whistles and lewd talks, walking directly to the bar."I need Green Rabbit Old Ale," I told the bar attender."You don't belong here, young lady. Go back to where you belong." The bar attendant said without lifting his head. "We've got enough trouble for tonight.""I'm not looking for trouble," I said. "I'm Uma and Damian's friend. I was at their funeral earlier this morning."The bar attendant raised his eyebrows to look at me.He was in his sixties. His face was etched with deep wrinkles that spoke of years of experience and wisdom. Despite his age, his eyes still sparkled with a keen intelligence that hinted at a life well-lived. His crisp white shirt was neatly tucked into a pair of dark slacks, and his polished leather shoes gleamed in the dim light."They died because of me. I have to do something," I held the edge of t
Leah's POVJust as the headless zombie was about to knock us down, I heard another gunshot.Almost at the same time, the zombie dropped to the floor like a defalted doll.Darren stepped forward and kicked it away. It rolled on the floor for a few seconds until it was stopped by a man's boot.I looked up and saw a tall, tanned man standing right in front of me.He was tilting his head, checking on the dead corpse, holding a shotgun in his hands.As I looked at his dark tanned skin, I couldn't help but be drawn to his rugged, masculine features. His chiseled jawline was accented by a hint of stubble, and his piercing eyes are a deep shade of brown that seem to hold a hint of mystery. His muscular physique was nothing short of impressive - each bulging muscle seemed to ripple under his skin as he moved. His broad shoulders tapered down to a lean waist, highlighting his powerful chest and abs. His arms, thick with sinew and veins, lo
Leah's POVOK, great. As I expected, Darren abandoned me for another woman. And now he risked his life for this woman again without even considering my safety."Does this woman have a name?" I folded my arms and asked."Leah, please..." Darren whispered to me. "This doesn't concern you. It's my own business. I shouldn't have got you involved.""Darren, you've heard me. What is this woman's name?" I said."Her name is Josephine Solis," Diego replied.I opened my mouth and closed it again.I was completely shocked.Josephine?! The Josephine who had abused me in the past five years?! The love of Lucas' life and the apple of his eye?!Josephine?!Didn't Lucas banish her?!Why would she come back and haunt me like a ghost in my life?And why Darren was trying to save her instead of me?!I felt so confused and shocked at the same time that I couldn't even say a word.At that time,
Leah's POVJust as my mind was racing fast, I heard Josephine's quirky voice -"Leah Lewyn, did someone send you here to pry on what we're doing?"I stared into her eyes and said, "I've got no idea what you're talking about. I'm here to ask for your assistance in protecting innocent people's lives. I didn't expect that you guys wanted to create chaos, which would result in thousands of people in Mediland losing their lives."Then, I turned to Darren and asked, "Are you in this as well?"Darren looked shocked and hurt at the same time."Leah, after all this time, I can't believe that you would have such a low opinion of me." He said in a low voice. "I just wanted to come and take Josephine away. She's completely consumed by her anger.""And then, what?" I asked.Darren clenched his fists and lowered his head, "I'm planning to hide her away from the public for a while.""Hiding...?! Are you kidding me, Darren?!
Leah's POVJust as I was about to ask more questions, a man rushed in and said desperately, "Diego! Cole and his soldiers are coming!"Frank Skakel heard this and immediately said to me, "Miss Lewyn, go to the back of this bar. There's a tunnel underneath the end of the corridor, which leads to the port. Hurry up before you miss the last ferry."I stretched out my arms toward Darren and said, "Darren, let's go!"Darren looked at me and then took a glance at Josephine. I could tell that he was hesitant."It's OK, Darren. Go ahead with her. Diego will take good care of me. He's like a brother to me." Josephine said.Despite saying this, her hand was still holding Darren's arm tightly.Darren lowered his head. Josephine stared at me with an evil smirk as if she knew Darren would choose to stay with her instead of running away with me."Come on, Miss Lewyn, this way! When the soldiers see you, they'll hurt you!" Frank said anxiousl
Leah's POV"They called it off for technical reasons?! Do you mean that if they had solved the technical reasons, they would have carried on with that project?"Darren sighed and said, "Miss Lewyn, I really don't think we should start a debate about this...""It's unethical! We can't just play god like this and treat our own people like rats in the lab!" I said."They are not our own people, Miss Lewyn. They're rogues and outlaws...""They have family and friends! They settled down in Mediland and they chose to live a peaceful life. Only human beings are stupid enough to believe that one race is superior to the other I don't know wolves can be this stupid!" I said.Darren remained silent. His indifference over this issue angered me.I kept on going, "Think about Frank. He's a rogue. He's got five children and he used to be a gardener. Can you imagine subjecting him to some mad scientists' crazy thoughts and plans? How about Uma and Da
"Shut up, Josephine!" I urged, grabbing her shoulders."Oh, no! Leah's going to kill me! Help me, Darren! Please..." Josephine didn't finish her sentence, because I bumped her head against the floor and knocked her off."What have you done?!" Darren rushed forward and held Josephine in his arms. "You almost killed her! Her head is bleeding!""She was too noisy and I'd wanted to do that for a really long time." I shrugged.Darren was holding Josephine tightly, wiping the blood off her face with his sle
Leah's POVThe boat was swaying along the ocean waves in a tiny bay area on the far side of the dock.As I approached, I saw bodies of soldiers floating up and down next to the boat."Did you kill all of them?" I stared at Darren.He didn't answer and put Josephine, who was still unconscious, onto the berth inside the cabin.I learned sailing from my Father, who used to be a Navy Admiral when he was young. So I swiftly
Jalin's POVBlood trickled down his cheeks, but he didn't even bother wiping it away.He seemed more conscious now, yet he remained silent, sitting there quietly on the bed, his face devoid of emotion.His silence only fueled my rage.I yanked his hair and dragged him off the bed, slamming him against the floor.Shards of glass embedded into his flesh.He didn't seem to notice the pain at all.I despised the way he absorbed the pain as if it were nothing.He looked exactly like his father.That old bastard would torture me, then sit in a chair with the same expression, looking at me as if I were nothing.All those memories flooded back, and I unleashed my fury on him.He endured it without a sound, just as I had when the old king beat the life out of me.Whatever horrors that old fuck put me through, I would exact tenfold on his precious son.I poured myself a drink, then settled into a chair,
Darren's POV"What the hell are you doing? Get the cart over here!" a soldier barked at me.I complied, but one of them still kicked me in the back."Stupid rogue," he hissed.I could tell they were Moon Growlers.One came forward, lifted the sheet, and frowned. "What the heck is this? I need a second opinion."Another stepped up and exclaimed, "What the fuck happened to her face? And where are the rest of her legs?""I found her like this. Must’ve been some predators," I said."Shit! We’re screwed!" The one who kicked me looked genuinely terrified. "I told Jalin we had the girl. Now we have this… this mangled corpse. That psycho is going to tear me apart!""Stop panicking," another soldier tried to reassure him. "Look at her belly. She’s pregnant. About the same size as Her Highness Leah. This must be her.""Alright then, you tell him that and see how he reacts!""Well, sorry to in
Lucas' POVAs I trudged into the Court, the first thing I heard was the sorrowful voice of Lucian."With a heart burdened by profound sorrow and overwhelming conflict, I write the obituary of my father, the Lycan King. As his son, I, Lycan Prince Lucian, have been torn apart by his passing. Yet, in the name of truth and honor, I must recount his life in all its reverence and complexity..."What is he doing? Is he about to reveal the truth of the Lycan King's deeds at his own father's funeral?! Has he lost his mind?!Upon entering the ceremonial chamber, I saw Jalin Cleary standing beside Lucian.Why is that bastard still alive and why is he next to Lucian?!The moment he spotted me, Jalin's eyes narrowed.I recognized the smug grin on his face. It was the look he wore when he was up to something deceitful.My mind raced.Leah. He must have Leah. He must be using her to threaten Lucian.The instant Leah crossed my
Lucas' POV"Alpha, we’ve found a woman lurking around. She demands to see you. She claims she has something you really need to know," a soldier reported to me, his voice tight with urgency."Bring her in." I set the phone down and exhaled deeply. I had exhausted all my resources. Leah was nowhere to be found, and she wouldn’t respond to my mindlink. Time was slipping away with only ten hours left.I hadn’t slept in three days, and without Leah by my side, my focus was shattered."Alpha Lucas," a woman entered my office, cloaked in a voluminous medieval hood."Who are you, and why are you here?" I demanded, narrowing my eyes as I tried to pierce the shadows concealing her face. Despite the obscurity, she felt oddly familiar."Every werewolf knows my name. I have come to answer your call," she intoned, bowing slightly before throwing back her hood, revealing silver-white hair that glittered like stardust. Her skin shimmered l
Lucian's POVSurrounded by mournful faces, I felt completely isolated and helpless. My father had spent his life punishing, manipulating, or killing these very people. Yet, they were the only ones who showed up for his funeral."Where is your Beta? Jalin, is it? Such an admirable young man. I haven't seen him lately," Alpha Siluria of the Ocean Howler Pack leaned towards me and inquired.He was almost as old as time itself, having served three kings in a row. Now, he was about to serve me. I wondered if he would live to see my funeral."Alpha Siluria, it's always a pleasure to talk with a loyal subject like you," I responded curtly.Just then, chaos erupted in the crowd. People stepped back, revealing Alpha Mick striding into the graveyard, carrying a severely mutilated woman’s body in his arms. For a heart-stopping moment, I thought he was holding Leah, and I nearly leaped from my chair. But as Mick laid the body on the ground, the woman's head lolled
Lucian's POV“I am here to express our condolences to Your Highness on His Majesty’s passing…"“We are deeply sorry…"Their voices blurred and faded to a distant echo in my mind. I couldn’t focus on anything. The only thing consuming my thoughts was Leah.Where is she now? If Lucas’s plan had succeeded, she would be with Darren, fleeing to the north.The plan involved enhanced Darren killing Mick and secretly sending Leah to the north. Publicly, we’d claim that Leah, grief-stricken by my father’s death, had taken her own life. In this way, I’d eliminate Mick and seize the throne simultaneously.When Lucas first proposed the plan, I thought he was mad. No one had ever schemed like this before. No one had ever dared to deceive the Moon Goddess. Since yesterday, a troubling unease had crept over me. I didn’t like it one bit. It was the same bitter taste I’d fe
Darren's POVJosephine's stern gaze pierced through me. I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of the decision I had to make. The life of Leah's unborn baby was in my hands. If I gave the go-ahead, the baby wouldn't survive, and Leah would never forgive me. But if I didn't, Leah would die.“Continue,” I instructed the doctor, my voice steady.“Are you sure...?” he questioned, hesitant.Josephine covered her mouth to stifle a scream. “Do it. Now,” I repeated firmly."I can't watch this," Josephine said, her voice breaking as she stormed out of the room.I was left alone to face the grim reality. Dr. Jafar bent back over Leah, resuming the delicate operation. After what felt like an eternity, he finally removed the last fragment and collapsed into a chair, utterly spent."Is she going to be okay?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice."She's in critical condition. I’ve done everything I can. The
Darren's POV"What's happening...? What the hell?!" Josephine gasped, her eyes widening as she saw Leah cradled in my arms."Leah's in danger. We need a doctor," I murmured, laying Leah gently on the sofa."If you need a doctor, you’ll have to go to a clinic! Not to me!" Josephine snapped."I can't take her there. There are soldiers everywhere," I replied urgently. "She's dying, Jo. The blood won't stop."Josephine's face twisted with hysteria. "What do you expect me to do? We can't help her! Didn't you see those soldiers on the street? They're hunting for her! If they find her, we're both dead!"Ignoring her, I tore through the linen closet, grabbing anything that could help staunch Leah's wound. Josephine tried to pull me back."Darren! Are you listening to me?!""I hear you, Jo," I said softly, but firmly. "But I have to save Leah. She took a bullet meant for me. If it weren’t for her, I’d be the one bleeding out."
Leah's POV"What's the hurry?" A voice echoed from the doorway.Mick Toussaint?!What on earth was he doing here?"Ah, we've crossed paths again, Miss Lewyn." Mick's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes narrowing with intent. "Allow me to introduce you to my Luna and wife. I assure you, this reunion will be nothing short of spectacular."Clara's face materialized next to his.It was as though my worst nightmare had clawed its way into reality. They stood together, each an abomination that had finally found its twisted match."Leah, you conniving wench! At last!" Her lips curled into a cold, vindictive smirk as she slammed the door shut. "We're going to have such a delightful time.""Get out of my room!" I shouted, desperation hitching my voice. My legs were numb, unwilling to obey, while I knew exactly what this deranged pair had in mind."You look like one of the Swanson boys." Clara purred, flicking her gaze to Darren. "The Swansons have always been so... delectable. Care to join us?"D