# Chapter 10: Fiona's POV
"I know that this is completely unexpected, but trust me, it's as surprising to me as it is to you," he said slowly, looking apologetic; all the fiery demands from before seemed to be gone, but that didn't do anything to assuage the rage fueling me from within and threatening to erupt at any moment. If only my strength were back, but it wasn't. I still felt weak from the betrayal, still felt utterly wounded and shattered to pieces inside. I knew that if anybody talked to me about it at that moment, I wouldn't shout or fight, no. Instead, I would simply cry, and that was pathetic. I needed to be strong. He had done this to me, and it was none of my fault. This was completely unexpected like Marcus was saying, but it didn't mean I should be a baby about it. If anything, I should pick myself up and teach him a lesson. He couldn't just mess with me like that. Even as I was still thinking about it, a tear dropped from my eyes, and all my supposed bravado immediately crumbled as I started shuddering and weeping uncontrollably. Just the thought of Jason alone was enough to make my heart bleed. Revenge! Yes, that was what I was supposed to be thinking about, but instead, I found myself feeling depressed. I didn't believe that he could hurt me like this. It wasn't even possible that he could suddenly say such a thing to me. After everything that had happened and all the years I had spent with him, knowing him, being good friends with him and finally loving him, I knew that it was unlike him to act like this. Something was pushing him from inside, or maybe it was even external... I glanced at the crowd. Though my tears made my vision very blurred, I focused as much as I could and stared intentely, trying to locate him in the crowd. I didn't even know when he had left, why he wasn't by my side, now comforting me even though I would probably slap him instead of letting him touch me. I wanted an apology as much as it wouldn't help, but he wasn't even doing anything at all. He didn't care, and that was the biggest wonder of all. He had hurt me so badly, but he wasn't acting as if it was by force, like he had no choice. The Jason I knew would never hurt me unless there was no choice for him. In fact, even when there was no choice, he would still not hurt me at all. I finally found him holding hands with the mortal from before and looking into her eyes with a look I had seen a lot of times now. It was a look that I completely recognized, one that meant true love when it was coming from Jason. I felt like my heart was being stabbed by a million pieces of glass when I saw the way he easily replaced me. That was the look he gave me, but now he was giving it unconditionally to someone else. In fact, if I looked at it closely, I would notice that it was even more passionate than it was when he looked at me. It was like he loved her far more than he ever did me. All of a sudden, without any explanation for it whatsoever, without any sign—how long had they known each other? A couple of weeks? Months? Even if it was like that in contrast to the information I received, which said it was just a couple of days, that couldn't match at all to the amount of time he had spent with me, knowing me, loving me! I couldn't imagine how he could make such a decision so spontaneously, how he could be so reckless, and finally how he could betray me at all and not even care about it. I felt a tap on my shoulder and saw my brother looking at me in concern. It was then I started hearing again what was being said. Jason was the one speaking: "This is the person I'm going to marry today." He spoke, his voice reverberating across the entire room, filled with confidence and determination. Clearly, he was not going to change his mind about this, especially after he had gone to such lengths disrupting the entire wedding and everything just to make this happen. I felt a lump in my throat as he held her hand and brought her forward slowly. I took a look at some of the people watching and saw them staring in awe at him. Honestly, it was insane how he could make such a decision with so many people against it. In fact, nobody was on his side at all. Both his family members and my family members were against him, and if a fight were to ensue now against his cause, nobody would likely support him at all. The amount of pressure on him had to be unfathomable, yet he still chose to make the decision against all odds. I wanted to hate him for it, wanted to scream that he was a fool and also wanted him to tell me exactly why he would do such a thing, but I just couldn't. As much as I hated what he was doing, I knew the reason why. He's Jason... He was just not one to compromise because of a multitude. Even if the whole world were to stand against him, he would continue going about his decision as long as he had at least one person on his side and as long as he loved that person more than anything in this world. I knew personally because I had experienced it when he loved me. He would have done anything for me, but apparently it wasn't me anymore. It was this mortal girl that he was infatuated with, just like he had been with me, he would give up his entire world, disappoint everybody just for her sake. With another lump in my throat, I realized that "everybody" included me. Yes, he would stand me up and completely reject me for her sake now. Tears streamed down my eyes as I watched him stand against everybody in his way. I couldn't accept it but there it was. He wasn't changing his mind about this. Not anymore.# Chapter 11: Marcos's POVI had looked at the disappointment of a son in front of me acting childish and rebellious in the most critical of moments. "What is this witchcraft?" I questioned, storming up to him and glaring at him with such intensity that I felt that he should suddenly apologize and say it was a misunderstanding. But he didn't. No, he just stared right at me, squaring up to me defiantly and not saying a single word.I turned from him to the girl, not knowing why I was about transferring my anger to her. One snap of my fingers, one quick and deadly move, and this would be all over. Yes, I could end her in the blink of an eye before anybody could react, not as if anyone would want to react in the first place because she was simply disrupting everything that had been planned to take place for a couple of years now.Oh yes, there was one person that would react—no, he would try. But it wasn't going to be enough. He was strong, yes, stronger than most soldiers, but not stron
Chapter 12: Lena's POVHe fought like a tiger. Honestly, that was all I could think of as I watched him dashing through the opponents and cutting them down as easily as he would cut through a cake. It was a wonderful sight to behold—the bravery of this man that had captured my heart from the first time I met him. I could see the same person I saw that day: calm, collected, and determined against all odds. He was fighting for what he believed in, fighting for me. There was nothing that could be more heartwarming than that.I didn't fail to realize the gravity of my current predicament however. I knew I was in danger, more danger than anybody in this entire hall. They were all against me—people from the bride's family and people from Jason's family too. Everybody wanted Jason to start acting the way they wanted him to, according to their expectations. I knew without a doubt that some of those people were already targeting me, knowing that I was the cause of it all.To be fair, I didn't
Chapter 13 - Marcus POVFinally, order had been restored. I stared with a rigid expression at the people before me, awaiting judgment. There was my son, Jason, finally helpless for me to decide what to do about all this. The nonsense and outrage had finally come to an end, and maybe now he would start to think clearly and realize just how much he needed to do what we wanted, how he needed to follow along with the arrangement that I had made a long time ago so that peace would ensue.I didn't have to look up to see the people seated on their seats and waiting for my verdict. The alpha of the Ashford Pack was there, his eyes piercing into me, literally commanding me to call my son to order and force the marriage to happen the way I wanted it to. It wasn't just him; even my people, the elders of my very pack, were outraged by the abomination, and they wanted me to be very strict and do what I would have done in a normal situation.What's more? I felt like doing it myself—killing the litt
Chapter 14 - Jason's POVMy heart was beating so loud that I thought it might fall out of my chest. It was futile from the start, but I had fought. I fought as hard as I could, hoping that it would change anything, but it didn't. In the end, I was held tightly, and the girl I loved was kneeling, ready to be executed. I looked ahead to see a guard holding a sword above her head, already overly enthusiastic about it. This guard hadn't even commanded anything concerning that yet, but he was already ready to carry out the instruction, confident that it was coming.I wanted to beg, but I couldn't manage it. My alpha pride was still in my way, and I hated myself for it. Yes, it was going to seem pathetic, but if there was anything I could do to change his mind, I would do it. My dad had never seen me beg for anything before, and maybe he might consider it. I opened my mouth to say something, seeing that he was about to make a decision. At that moment, all my pride vanished as all that I saw
Chapter 15 - Jason's POVThe marriage carried on well from there on, at least for me. I could see a lot of disapproving looks on the faces of the elders of the Frostwood Park, and at the same time, there were a lot of angry faces in the Ashford Park, but I couldn't care lsss. Something I cared about, however, was Fiona. Her eyes were strewn with tears, even though her face was covered by a veil. She didn't take it off, even after walking back to her seat and taking a place among the people from her pack to watch the proceedings. Ethan did the same, but not after glaring at me—a look that sent shivers down my spine.I knew I hurt her, and I wanted to apologize, but I knew at the same time how difficult it was for her and how she would reject my apology. Doing it publicly would probably be nice, even though she would reject it, I thought to myself, wondering whether I should go over and confront her to offer my apologies. But then I decided that it would make me look a little less confi
Chapter 16 - Ethan's POVI waited patiently for Lucian to call his son to order. He was the alpha of his pack, the dominant ruler, and whatever he said goes. If he didn't force his son into the marriage, then it meant to show that he was just as bad as him. And by condoning it, I took it that he was soft like his son and also an oath breaker. The agreement was simple, and it was set in stone from the beginning of their lives, but now the son of a bitch was trying to annul it, thinking it was easy. His father had the power to stop him, to force him, and he wouldn't be able to change anything. But the man just didn't do so.I felt so angry that my hands balled into fists at my side, repeatedly watching the rest of the proceedings as it went on like nothing had happened at all. Okay, it wasn't all that normal—there was tension in the air, palpable tension between my pack and theirs. I could see a war coming, a very brutal one, because of this. Maybe that was something our father Lucian d
Chapter 17 - Jason's POVI felt incredibly disturbed. What was he talking about? A war? The words kept on ringing in my ears. Why would he suggest something like that? Did he know something? But he was just bluffing to make me feel scared. I hadn't been watching him, so I couldn't tell if he had spoken at all with his father. If he had, then I would probably be sure that he was for real, but now I didn't really have anything to work with.A war was something I wanted to avoid at all costs. If the break out between my pack and theirs was so severe, then was it worth my deeds, or would I change it if I got the chance again? I glanced at Lena, speaking with her parents at the back, and decided that I would do it all over again, no matter what happened. I wouldn't change a bit of what I did, except maybe how I handled Fiona. I really needed to go back home and think of that, think of what I should have said and done instead."Not a single apology," something in me chided as I walked towar
Chapter 18, Fiona's POVA week after the wedding, I was still brooding. Basically, I had locked myself up in my room, trying to pick up the shattered pieces of myself as much as I could. A couple of people came to visit, but I didn't let anyone see me except the people I had no choice but to let in. Dad came and offered his condolences, then my brother had come also to do the same.Although hinting a lot at revenge, I tried not to think that way, not wanting to turn into the monster he was for doing this to me by retaliating. But honestly, it was a bit appealing to the extent that half the time I was there crying, I was also plotting, wanting to do something about it all. The words he had spoken rang in my ears, even now that I was sitting on my bed, having no more tears to cry out."Crying won't help anything, it won't make you feel better. Revenge is the only thing that's going to soothe you a bit," he had said.I took in a deep breath, deciding to face reality. I wasn't getting bet
Chapter 120: Fiona's POVDespite my determination, something had been eating away at the edges of my confidence. I wasn't scared of Mara. No, I had stared down danger before, had dealt with enemies trying to destroy me and my family, my pack. And I had always won out in the end. But this time… this time was different. This woman was not only powerful — she was primeval. Her magic felt like it infiltrated the soil beneath our feet, so that everything felt heavier, more oppressive.Tightening my fists as fiery rage pulsed in my veins, begging me to do something. I had to defend everything — my house, my family, people I loved. And then, just out of the corner of my eye, I saw him.My father.The patriarch of our family, Lucian Ashford, entered the courtyard. When I first saw him, my breath caught in my throat. He had this calming effect on me in the chaos, his presence an anchor in the storm. He was strong, he was powerful, and yet in that instant I was suddenly inundated with vulnerabi
Chapter 119: Author's POVMara cackled, her voice ricocheting off the cold, the courtyard as Fiona tried to fight through her magic. It was almost too hilarious — the belligerent young wolf, full of fire and fury, attempting to hold her ground. Mara had seen this all before — the resistance, the defiance, the faith that sheer will could do battle against centuries of power. But it was always the same. They never learned.“This is the best you can do little wolf? There was a note of mocking amusement in Mara’s voice. She watched Fiona struggle against the magic, and her age-old eyes sparkled with triumph. “Little flames of yours aren’t going to cut it. There is no fire that can kill me now."Fiona’s hands were still up, the flickering orange of fire dancing around her fingers, but Mara could feel the energy ebbing out of her. She was old—older than most of the men who crossed her path—but not old enough to beat Mara’s decades of practice. Fiona’s flames might roar for attention, but Ma
Chapter 118: Fiona's POV“She’s older than I thought,” I said, my voice steady in spite of the fear snaking up my spine. “Maybe 400 years or more. Her power is not merely about natural talent. It’s honed. Ancient.”Ethan’s gaze flickered to mine, the intensity in his eyes matching the weight of my words. “That’s how she’s been able to manipulate so much so quickly.” She has had time to hone it.”As the crowd began to disperse, the estate buzzing with uncomfortable whispers. My parents were still shaking, their faces looking pale, their eyes flicking to my direction, as if trying to comprehend what had just happened. I wanted to comfort them, but there was no time.But before I took another step, the very atmosphere around me changed. It was subtle at first — a ripple, a hum in the air that raised the hairs on the back of my neck.And then she was back.Mara’s shape coalesced in the center of the courtyard, dark and imposing. This time, she didn’t bother with illusions. The real her wa
Chapter 117: Fiona’s POVI wasn’t surprised.As soon as I arrived at the estate I felt her—dark, intrusive energy that didn’t belong. It made me creast, and boiled my blood that Mara walked through my house pretending to be me.It didn’t surprise me that Maeve, standing next to me, noticed the obvious: “She’s going to tell Ethan she’s the real you.”I grinned grimly, clenching the enchanted stone in my fist. “Let her try. Ethan will see through it.”Maeve arched an eyebrow, her faith in Ethan not as solid as mine. “You have a remarkably steady disposition if you’re being impersonated.”“Calm?” I scoffed. “I’m furious. But this is not the moment to hit the panic button. I have to catch her something that nobody can dispute.”Maeve crossed her arms with a twinkle in her eyes. “What’s the plan?”I raised my hand, allowing a small flame to dance on my palm. Waves come in, back out, suck it all back down for another run. “I will call upon elemental fire and bring her true face to light. Ma
Chapter 116: Mara’s POVI sat in her chambers — no, my chambers now. It was strange how quickly I’d settled into this space, how easily I’d commandeered everything that once belonged to her. My fingers rapped in measured time on the armrest of her chair. Servants moved about the estate, oblivious to the storm I was about to unleash on these walls. They believed I was her. Her parents were convinced, as was she. They had all accepted me, no questions asked, no doubts raised. They didn’t know the truth, nor did they need to.But then there was Ethan.Ethan was the problem.He was in the courtyard, pacing, as I had expected. He was never gone, always looking, always hoping for a slip, for something to tell him the truth. His suspicion had been building for days, ever since I had set foot on the property, and I felt it whenever his eyes landed on me, scrutinizing me, as if I were a problem he was determined to solve. It was maddening, but exhilarating. He was a challenge. And I always lik
Chapter 115: Fiona’s POVThe call with Ethan played in a loop in my brain, like a record that had skipped and wouldn’t stop skipping. The more I thought about it, the louder every word got. Someone was out there, wandering through my life, wearing my name, my face — living as me. It was not only unsettling; it sent a chill deep, deep into my bones. That thought clung to me like a second skin, cold and suffocating.Mara. She’d gone too far this time. Way too far.I sat by the fire, gazing into the dancing flames, but the heat did not comfort me. It was a jumble of hazy thoughts and fears I was afraid to voice. Next to me, Maeve quietly packed our things with an efficiency that was almost reassuring. She always knew what to do when the rest of the world seemed to be spinning out of control. Her calm steadiness kept me grounded when I felt like I was falling apart.“Maeve,” I said suddenly, shattering the leaden silence. My voice sounded odd even to me — hoarse and choppy, like it didn’t
Chapter 114: Fiona’s POVThe wood was disconcertingly silent, the sort of quiet that rubbed my frayed nerves raw. The fire crackled low between Maeve and me, the flames’ warmth no competition for the icy dread in my gut. The stars above us twinkled weakly, shrouded in thin clouds that echoed the haze of uncertainty that clouded my mind.My fingers traced the rough edges of the enchanted stone, the cool surface anchoring me. It hummed dully with energy, a slight suggestion of the link still kept with Ethan, however far away he was from us. He hadn’t replied before, and the lack of his familiar voice had made the pit of unease inside me sink deeper.Maeve shifted, her silver hair reflecting in the firelight. She kept her watchful eyes on me. “You’re going to call him back, right?”I nodded, swallowing the doubt that was choking me. “I have to. That’s not right, Maeve. If Ethan is able to hear me, I want to know what is going on.”She didn’t argue. “Good. If anyone can sort out this tang
Chapter 113: Fiona’s POVEverything in the forest had a life of its own; the breeze rustling the leaves and probably having a conversation of its own; the crickets never stinging still to voice their presence and every other moment the long-measured howl of a wolf that shivered down my spine. It was calm, yes, but not the kind of calm that comforts you. No, this was the kind of quiet where something seemed fishy, like the forest itself was holding its breath.I waited at the edge of the rogues’ training grounds, arms folded tightly across my chest, watching Maeve spar with one of the younger recruits. She was working with the thunderstorm — graceful and deadly. Her silver hair shone in the sunlight, the bright color catching the light every time she turned or crouched, which was not unlike the poor lad she was in training with. He was dirty, struggling to breathe as her blows fell on him. But he was clearly outmatched. Maeve did not give him an inch, honestly I didn’t know if she was
Chapter 112: Mara’s POVI walked through the grand hallways of the Ashford Pack’s estate, my steps slow, deliberate. The air was dense with their trust, their respect — a trust I hadn’t earned, but had surreptitiously plundered. They all thought I was Fiona, their beloved queen, the backbone of their beloved export. How quaint to watch them smile beatifically and bow their heads correctly as I passed. If only they knew what really lay under their fragile veil of loyalty.But not everyone was blind. Ethan. His look was the one scratch on my otherwise immaculate performance. I felt his presence, his eyes piercing, like all sharp silence, wherever I went. He stared out into the hall, observing, calculating, doubting — not like the others. And even though he hadn’t formally gone against me, the energy in his presence served as a reminder that I had to watch my step.I wasn’t going to let his scrutiny rattle me. No, I was Fiona in that part; I played Fiona to a tee. I listened to scouts dr