Elena’s POVMy chest was still feeling heavy, and anger was accumulating in my heart. Then, I felt another squeeze of comfort in my hand.Looking up, I met Prince Deacon’s eyes filled with determination and promise. “We’ll expose her, Elena. And when the truth comes out, your grandfather’s name will be cleared.”Taking a deep breath, I let the weight that filled me lose a bit.I nodded my head and was finally able to let out a small smile.After a few minutes of comfort, we finally ease up.Looking outside, we realized that it was already late.“Do you want to dine here?” he asked, motioning toward the table.Standing up, I shook my head. “No, it’s alright. I want to have a rest as well.”“Then, I’ll walk you back,” he added as he pushed the tent’s fabric door out of my way.Giving him a smile, I assured him, “I’ll be okay, Prince Deacon. Thank you, but I really want to have some alone time for a while.”For a moment, he stared at me as if reading my eyes to see if I was really fine.
Elena’s POVGlenda’s eyes blazed with fire as she sent me a glare. Her chest rose and fell heavily, in sync with her ragged breath of fury.After hearing my words, she became even more mad. Losing control, she raised her hand and pointed a finger at me, accusing me almost desperately, “Don’t you dare deny it! I saw the way he looked at you during the fight. And now, here you are, alone together. What else am I supposed to think?”An involuntary sneer escaped my lips. Oh, so now, how her husband has acted has become my responsibility?I wanted to shake my head at how ridiculous she was being.Raising my brows, I tilted my head and smirked. “Think whatever helps you sleep at night. But don’t drag me into your insecurities.”“Glenda, it’s not what it looks like. I was just…” Bryson rushed between us and held Glenda by her shoulders, but Glenda’s fierce eyes only focused on me.Without butting an eye, she angrily pushed Bryson away and stepped forward to approach me.“You’re nothing but a
Elena’s POV“A one-on-one combat?”“Did I see it right?”“Are they seriously doing it?”“Wow!”“I never saw anyone lasting more than full minutes with Prince Deacon. Can a girl like her handle the god of war?”“General Glenda is one thing, but the Prince…”Murmurs filled the training area when the warriors surrounding us noticed Prince Deacon entering the combat platform.We felt everyone halting from their training and approached the ring one after another until a crowd formed around us.All of them had their opinions voiced out, filled with surprise. But none of them seemed to think that I could win against Prince Deacon, much less last for three minutes.“They have so much belief in you,” I pointed out as I glanced at the crowd and positioned myself in a combat stance like he did.Smirking, he responded, “You think you can break that?”I replied to his remark with a smirk before I started sending a strike in his direction that he easily avoided.My eyes narrowed when he smirked at
Elena’s POV”What is it?” Prince Deacon asked face turned serious.“It looked like the Rogues were making more movements. They were furious by our last attacks. They are preparing,” Tyson replied and handed him a note with hand-drawn maps of tactics on it.Prince Deacon accepted and observed it before questionably looking at Tyson.Clearing his throat, Tyson replied, “It’s from the perimeter warriors. They keenly observed the movements on the borders and the surroundings.“Excellent.”After his praise, Tyson left.“Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day.”Standing up, I let out a sigh. “I’m sure it will be.”After that, we parted ways.When I woke up, it was still dark outside. Today would be the last war we would wage in this region—the North. If everything goes as planned, this will be the end.Since it's a crucial battle, I intentionally woke up early to stretch out and train a little before we made our strike. Surprisingly, when I stepped out of my tent, I wasn’t the only one
Bryson’s POVStanding behind the main troops, all my focus was fixated on Elena, who was staring admiringly at Prince Deacon as he gave his starting speech in front.My hands clenched beside me. Those deep, admiring eyes she was wearing right now and giving another man used to sparkle only when I was in the room.Realizing how things had changed, I felt pain and bitterness creeping into my heart.Pain, bitterness, regret, guilt… Whatever was that unknown feeling that kept bothering me since she left my life, I’d sort that out at a later time. Right now, all I worried about was her safety.Since I knew her, she had been my Luna. She didn’t have proper training, and she wasn’t used to the battlefield. Though I saw firsthand that she had skills, being in an actual battle was way different.‘I’d protect you, Elena…’ I silently vowed as I followed, running after them.However, all my determination to help and protect her popped like a bubble as I stood frozen a few steps away from her and
Elena’s POVMy chest rose and fell in a heavy breath as I watched a ridiculous scene before me.For someone being arrogant and proud as the first female general, Glenda surprisingly could get even lower than I see her to be.She’s acting like a toddler throwing a tantrum after not receiving a candy she was crying about, causing chaos and calling out unnecessary attention.My eyes wandered around as I heard the restrained grasps from our surroundings and saw the other generals, who were busy fighting earlier, were not half-distracted. Their furious eyes were now following Glenda’s reckless movements.I pursed my lips and menacingly glared at Bryson, who was shocked to meet my eyes. “Can’t you even put a leash on your shrewd Luna?”His jaw dropped. He blinked in shock and opened his lips. I didn’t know if it was to explain or protest, but I couldn’t care less.Walking past him, I pushed my way through Rogues and other warriors, moving swiftly until I was close enough to where Glenda was
Elena’s POVSaige looked at me like I had just grown another head on my neck. “Is that even a question?”She angrily tied her wound with her ripped sleeve. By the black mark on the surroundings of the wound, I’d guess that she was struck by a silver weapon as well.“That annoying mistress of your ex is getting on our nerves! She’s making us all clean up the mess she created!” Maige shouted madness as she grabbed the closest Rogue in front of her and kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying a few feet away.“I need to relieve some stress.”“Me too! I need to vent it out: I have never had a woman since I got out of Custodes! She’s a menace. If this war doesn’t kill her, I just might.”They both uttered one after another.I let out a small laugh as I knew it was a small thing for them. They were stronger than that to be bent down by a wound. They were more annoyed than actually in pain.“Focus on the rogues. We can’t afford to let her distract us,” I replied seriously, nodding to th
Elena’s POV"How much longer are we going to sit here, Elena? Glenda’s out there, captured, and you’re just—""Strategizing, Bryson. You should try it sometime,” I sarcastically interrupted Bryson as I slammed my hands on the table, slightly moving everything on it.One of the warriors immediately and attentively reorganized it while I stood up properly and took a step back, calming myself from the anger building up in me.We would have won this fight so easily and ended it once and for all as planned, but no, Glenda just had to be a pain in the ass and ruin everything we had prepared for. So now, instead of celebrating, we were here in a makeshift camp near the battlefield, tending to the wounded soldiers and coming up with a plan on how to rescue Glenda who had been taken by the Rogues due to her arrogance and foolishness.I was already furious at Glenda’s actions, and here Bryson was acting like a sick puppy for losing his useless bone, approaching me with reckless anger and ridic
Elena’s POVPatrolling the borders of the newly reclaimed lands with Saige, Maise, other Warriors, and some Omegas, we analyzed what must be done to rebuild and restore the land.The sound of hammers and saws filled the air as Warriors, Omegas, and newly arrived laborers worked to rebuild the border posts that were destroyed during the war. Despite the end of war, Rogues still exist and it’s better to be prepared that sorry later.Soem of the posts were already rebuilt but despite the progress, it was still far from finish, making me still head on work.“Make sure the eastern tower is reinforced before the rains come. We can’t risk another collapse. And send supplies to the other barracks in the south side, those men haven’t had a proper meal in days,” I indicated at one of the warriors besides me whose keeping tabs of my orders.Maise stared at me with admiration, making me take a step back and asked with a narrowed eyes, “What?”She shook her head and proudly pointed out, “You soun
Third Person’s POVThe news of the victorious war in the northern zone spread across the kingdom like wildfire, reaching every corner of the kingdom. Every newspaper, article, poster, broadcast, and post was related to the successful fight against the Northern Rogues and the reclamation of the kingdom’s lands.Together with the king’s overjoyed and proud declaration of the historic moment for the kingdom, every media outline of every form buzzed with reports of the heroic deeds of a female general who had fought alongside Prince Deacon in reclaiming the lost territories along with great warriors.Names of warriors who made significant contributions were being whispered from pack to pack, member to member, but all were speculation as no names had been released yet.However, being the only known female general in the kingdom, everyone assumed the female general was Glenda.Meanwhile, in the Swiftridge Pack, the Bryson family’s main residence was bustling with preparation for a grand ban
Elena’s POVUpon hearing my question, Prince Deacon nodded his head slowly, replying, “They will. They have to consider their pack’s survival, after all.”He looked outside and meaningfully said, “The northern war might have ended today, but the war between the Rogues and the kingdom isn’t over… not entirely. For now, they’ve avenged their Alpha’s son without exposing the truth behind his death. If that ever comes out, they’ll have a stronger claim to loyalty—they’ve already paid the price for their betrayal.”I tilted my head, watching his expression carefully. His eyes looked distant, his brows furrowed, and his lips formed a frown.A small smile formed on my lips, seeing how he felt compassion even for those who committed treason. “And you’re frowning because you’re still worried.”He blinked out of a trance, looked back at me, and let out a soft laugh. Looking at me with admiration, he commented, “You know me too well.”Leaning closer to his seat, I reached out and briefly squeeze
Elena’s POV“What, you don’t like it?” I felt Prince Deacon’s warm hands landing on top of my shoulder, giving it a little squeeze as he leaned his face down near my cheek, asking.I swallowed with difficulty as I palpated from how close he was to me.Blinking a couple of times in disbelief, I stared at what was in front of me once again, making sure that what I was seeing was really what it was.In the middle of the back lawn of the camp, there was a newly set up medium-sized tent. He opened the door for me, and the amazing aroma of meat greeted me. A meat!After months of being here with only dry foods and ready-to-eat meals, I never thought I’d be able to eat meat again. At least not while we were here.I salivated with desir,e and my stomach crumbled at the sight of well-presented medium-rare steak in front of us.“Are you kidding me? Is that even a question?” I asked with excitement as I gestured to the food inside.Prince Deacon laughed wholeheartedly as he stepped forward and
Elena’s POVI kept my cool and stared at Bryson as what I imagined would be Gelnda’s reaction unfolded before me.“I…” In panic, Bryson immediately shook his head and defensively replied, “I didn’t bring her. She... she followed me.”I let out a scoff as I looked at him dumbfoundedly. What a coward!Hearing that, Glenda snarled despite her weakness and clawed Bryson on his arm, but it didn’t go deep and immediately healed. “Don’t lie to me! You let her in... and make me face humiliation!”She looked at me and growled. “What now? Are you letting the other in and humiliating me even more? Because I’m sure that’s what you want. Isn’t –”Tired of this ridiculousness, I cut her off, “This isn’t about you, Glenda. This is about the truth. We already had a meeting with James Stewart, Alpha heir of the Moonblake pack and current leader of the Rogues. Peace had been made. It’s time to come clean, Glenda.”Glenda froze as her hand turned into a fist.Bryson, on the other hand, stared at Glenda’
Elena’s POVI stared at Bryson as images of the dead bodies of my family and pack members flashed before my mind countless times.Socffing, I thought, “How could I know?”Because both James and I lost the people we love due to injustice…He knew as I do that death wasn’t a real punishment for those people who sinned so gravely like Glenda. And unlike me, who goes by the rules and respects the rules, someone like James, I’d assume, goes by “A tooth for a tooth, and an eye for an eye.”Just like what happened to Kurt, he probably wanted to break Glenda. He wanted to strip her of her dignity and reputation and force her to the edge until she decided to commit suicide,e just as how she pushed Kurt to his own death.Instead of explaining it to him, I’ve chosen to reply. He wants her broken. That’s worse than death for someone like Glenda."Bryson’s eyes widened, and that’s when I realized that I had failed to hide the venom in my voice.He stared at me for a long time as if reading me thro
Elena’s POVBryson looked back at James. His eyes fluttered for a while before he narrowed his eyes and made his eyes more stern, replying, “Keep on telling lies. I’ll only believe my mate.”What a fool!If I could just slap him so hard, crack his head open, and reboot him to sanity, I would have done it long ago. How could someone like him, who easily threw me at the side when he found another woman, be so foolishly devoted?In the end, I just shook my head as James, Prince Deacon, and I looked at each other in disbelief.Since the private conversations were already done, Prince Deacon already called the warriors, and they followed us, lining up properly behind us.As they arrived, Bryson was already walking up the mountain. Seeing that, one of the warriors took a cautious step forward and whispered to me, “General, should we follow?”He gestured to Bryson, who was going alone.Seeing his back and weighing what they might witness, I immediately shook my head and raised my hand to tel
Elena’s POVJames’ right… It could never be forgotten. The pain and the wounds that those deaths brought to us will always be engraved in our hearts. It would be like a thorn in our hearts that would make us bleed every now and then.But all we could do was live with it.A bitter smirk formed on my lips as my eyes glistened with suppressed tears. “I guess we aren’t so different, are we?”Shrugging my shoulders, I shook my head slowly as I bit the inside of my cheek and clenched my fist. “You lost your brother, and I… I lost everyone. The pain may never fade, but it has shaped us both.”Seeing the pain and sorrow building up in his eyes, his body tensed, and his shoulders slouched, I opened my lips with hesitation and softened my tone as I spoke with empathy, “I know that I am not qualified to apologize for what happened to Kurt. But know this, the agony you and I feel today is something we will always carry. As much as it broke us, it molded us to be stronger.”Those words seemed to h
Elena’s POVBryson trembled in anger as he took a step forward, looking at me with blazing eyes as if he wanted to send a laser right through my head and kill me. With a shaking voice filled with rage, he spoke, “You’re cold, Elena. You always have been since everything happened. Is this the revenge you plotted for what happened between us? For Glenda taking—”Every word he said, he would take a small threatening step toward me. Just as he was about to reach me, I was planning to teach him a lesson. However, Prince Deacon already took action.Without warning, he stepped in front of me, blocking me from Bryson, and pushed him on the chest, commanding, “Enough, Bryson. If you can’t control your mouth, leave this discussion to those who can.”Prince Deacon’s jaws were clenched together, and his hands were balled into fists. Peaking from behind him, I could see his menacing eyes and dimmed expression.Seeing that he might lose control and attack Bryon if he made another remark, my hands v