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2024-11-09 18:39:41**Chapter 4: Fiona's POV**
"A Night to My Big Day" As the sun rose over Ashford's elegant estate, joyful anticipation filled the air. The fragrance of fresh flowers mingled with the aroma of baking pastries and the hum of activity. Laughter and the sound of last-minute preparations echoed through the halls as the estate buzzed with life. I stood by the grand windows, gazing at the flurry of activity outside. Cars pulled in and out, delivering decorations and guests. The estate, lined floor-to-ceiling with festive decor, felt alive with energy. A soft beep from my phone drew me away. I picked it up, my curiosity giving way to confusion as I scrolled through the messages. The words blurred, but one phrase seared into my mind: "Jason Frostwood affair!" My breath caught, and the room began to spin. Jason—my loving fiancé, my childhood companion. This couldn't be true. I had to know more. Summoning Maeve, my closest confidante, I paced the room until she arrived. Her grey skirt and light-blue chiffon blouse swayed as she walked in, her jet-black hair brushing her shoulders. But before I could speak, Maeve's trembling voice broke the silence. "I need to tell you something," she said, her eyes clouded with worry. "What is it?" I whispered. She hesitated, then admitted, "There are rumors about Jason... having an affair. I didn't want to believe it, but... I saw the pictures." My world shattered. Laughter, tears, promises—all felt like lies now. Questions raced through my mind. Was it true? Had Jason betrayed me? How could this happen on the eve of our wedding? A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I called, my voice strained. The door creaked open, and my brother Ethan stepped in. His concern deepened as he saw my tear-streaked face. I nodded to Maeve, and she left us alone. Ethan sat beside me, pulling me into a comforting hug. "What's wrong?" he asked gently. "Rumors about Jason... and a mortal," I stammered. Ethan's face darkened. "Don't believe it," he said firmly. "Jason loves you." I was surprised by how much confidence he had in Jason—they weren't that close to each other. And most times I thought he misunderstood Jason. Even so, his willingness to stand up for Jason made me question if there was more to Jason than I had given him credit for, or maybe he just wanted me to be happy... Yes, that was it. "How do you know?" I questioned, my voice cracking. "What if it's true?" Ethan's expression softened. "Then we'll face it together. Don't let rumors ruin your happiness. Trust him." His words soothed my turmoil, and I found myself recalling Jason's kindness, support, and our shared laughter. Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "You're right, Ethan. I trust him." "That's my sister," he said, smiling. "Now get ready for tomorrow's big day." I managed a laugh, feeling a flicker of hope. As Ethan left, I changed into a cozy sweater gown and headed downstairs. The warm aroma of breakfast greeted me, and I joined my family around the table. Conversation flowed easily—laughter, stories, and wedding plans lightened the mood. Yeah, everything was bright and sunny until someone suddenly spoke up, bringing back the shadow of the earlier news and dampening my spirits instantly. "What is this I hear about Jason?" Lucien questioned, his voice suddenly turning serious from the previously relaxed and festive tone. "What is it you hear?" I questioned in return, wanting to tread carefully. Dad wasn't someone to go about on social media, and definitely not the one to call me out on random rumors he might have heard somewhere online. He had ministers of information and reliable sources to get everything he acted on from, so for him to be speaking, well, there might be something to it. "Jason and someone else," he started quietly, taking a sip of his drink before looking at me and raising an eyebrow. "What's more—" A pause. "—a human." I choked on my drink, but he wasn't done yet. "I'm just saying this because I want you to know that I'm here for you," he continued. There was a certain danger in his voice that made the entire support thing not so warm anymore. "If Jason so much as hurts you at all or deviates from the plan, he'll face my wrath!" Being the overly protective brother that he was, Ethan Looked at me with worry in his eyes. Maybe I was a little more distraught than I thought because he turned and glared at father. "Dad, how could you?" he stuttered. "My bad," he said coolly. "I shouldn't plant such thoughts in your mind at a time like this." He continued, "I just thought you should be ready for anything." He paused before looking at me frankly. "Maybe even heartbreak, a fight..." "Jason would never do something like that to me!" I perked up, glaring at him and almost rising from my seat. It was extremely rude of me to yell at the Alpha like that, but I couldn't help myself. I couldn't be sure whether it was my insecurity speaking or my love for Jason acting up—and that fact bothered me to no end. Tension filled the room as I waited apprehensively for his reaction before deciding to dissolve anything before it started. "I'm sorry," I said in a small voice. I was about to start brooding when my mother intervened. "The designer is waiting. Let's do the final fittings," Mother said with a chirpy voice. Though it was hard to wipe away the impending feeling of doom, I forced it out of my mind, or at least into a corner. I wasn't letting anything spoil this. Nothing at all! The rest of the morning was a whirlwind of trying on gowns. Each dress was more stunning than the last. Hours passed as we deliberated between two final choices. Finally, I made my decision—a shimmering gown with flowing skirts and delicate straps, perfect for my special day. Exhausted but exhilarated, I changed into comfortable clothes and collapsed onto the plush couch. My mother brought me a soothing cup of tea, her warm smile reassuring me. "You've had a long day. Rest now," she said. As I sipped the tea, the chaos of the morning began to fade. I retreated to my room, slipping into bed as the calming scent of lavender enveloped me. My thoughts drifted to Jason—my trust, my doubts... With a deep sigh, I let exhaustion take over, hoping tomorrow would bring clarity and joy. It didn't!Related chapters
Howl of the unchosen 5
Chapter 5: Jason's POV I was a mess, tangled in my thoughts. The events of the previous night kept haunting me, gnawing at the edges of my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that I had crossed a line, and now there was no going back. I had a responsibility to fulfill—a promise to Fiona that I couldn't break, yet I let myself go through with it that night. I unfettered myself and gave myself to another, and in such a way that there was no coming back. Her eyes now haunted me—Lena's. The crystal beauty that I still couldn't place a finger on. I couldn't get her image out of my mind. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, the sound of her laughter filled me with a warmth I couldn't explain. Every glance, every touch, felt electric, like sparks of life igniting within me. My attraction to her now was out of control, the feelings I had impossible to ignore. I tossed and turned on my bed, plagued with confusion, overloaded with arousal. With Lena, everything was raw—uncontrollable, passionate.
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Howl of the unchosen 6
Chapter 6, Jason's POVI walked into the large wedding hall feeling very small myself, just because of its size. My confidence reduced a little when I saw how many people kept moving around and especially when I noticed that a couple of them had their eyes on me. Yes, of course, Dad didn't want anything to go wrong, so he naturally sent some people to make sure that I didn't carry out any crazy ideas.I felt super annoyed to be monitored closely by them but decided that it was probably for the best. The time I spent locked up in my room until today was enough time for me to think about everything in depth, and now I was pretty sure that he was right. I needed to do what was required of me. That was the way things worked, the honorable way to go.I knew all the laws of the land and I also had all the unwritten laws memorized. It was one thing if I decided to break the betrothal and reject my mate that had been picked for me since I was a boy, but it was another thing entirely if I want
Last Updated : 2024-11-26Howl of the unchosen 7
### Chapter 7: Jason's POVI scanned the crowd for Lena, desperately needing to speak with her. It felt as though I could do literally anything for her, and I knew her words would play a significant role in my decision. I wasn't sure if she loved me as much as I loved her—or if she loved me at all—since neither of us had made any confessions yet. We hardly even knew each other. Still, I was certain that if I could get her to advise me to follow through with what was arranged, it would make everything so much easier.That was, of course, if she would advise me in that direction in the first place. For all I knew, she could be in love with me just as I was with her. And if she told me to reject Fiona, then it would be ultimate— the last straw. Because I was sure to do it.No matter how I looked, I couldn't seem to find her. So I decided to go on a higher platform in order to search. I did so, climbing up the terraced stairs where the altar was for the wedding to commence. It hadn't sta
Last Updated : 2024-11-26Howl of the unchosen 8
Chapter 8, Fiona's POVI let all the doubts wash away as the preparations were being made to perfection. The day was here already, and the time was just a couple of minutes away. I was in the bride's room with my bridesmaid, Maeve, who was still at work making me pretty. Honestly, did that never end? All the things she had said, all the rumors were still at the back of my mind, but I hid them from my physical appearance, blocking them behind the facade of a smile. The truth would come out in the end, but I was already confident that they were all just rumors. Jason loved me more than anything in the world. He had confessed it over and over again, about a million times now, and he wasn't the kind of person to go back on his words. He wasn't the kind of person to break his promise to me. I knew how much he wouldn't want to disappoint me, and I had seen the desire in his eyes when he looked at me. He was going to go through with this, so I didn't have to worry about anything. I woke up
Last Updated : 2024-11-26Howl of the unchosen 9
# Chapter 9: Jason's POVIt was like an eruption and that of a powerful volcano. The pandemonium that ensued after I gave my decision was something I couldn't have anticipated no matter how much I thought about it. I took in a deep breath and maintained my composure, finding the calm in the one person that had made me do this in the first place.Just staring at her alone, I felt like I could overcome anything. As long as she was with me by my side, I could do this. I could find my own happiness and break free of the restraints of everybody and their expectations for me. She was staring right back at me. Her eyes fixated. Her spirited look was a little melted this time around. She didn't look all so fierce for just a while. No, she looked lovely and touched at the same time.She knew why I did this. That it was all because I wanted to be with her instead. I didn't know whether it was right or wrong, but I knew that she appreciated it and that made it all worthwhile. Well, it's time for
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Howl of the unchosen 10
# 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 immediate
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Howl of the unchosen 11
# 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Howl of the unchosen 12
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
Last Updated : 2024-11-28
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Howl of the unchosen 120
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
Howl of the unchosen 119
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
Howl of the unchosen 118
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
Howl of the unchosen 117
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
Howl of the unchosen 116
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
Howl of the unchosen 115
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
Howl of the unchosen 114
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
Howl of the unchosen 113
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
Howl of the unchosen 112
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
