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2024-11-09 18:40:09Chapter 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. But with Fiona, it felt like I was playing a role, like I was bound to a script I never wrote. It wasn’t a life; it was a performance! I loved Fiona too, no doubt. I would die for her if it meant keeping her safe, because our bond stemmed from deep within me from the moment I became friends with her. But Lena was someone I couldn't do without. It felt like we had known each other for years before I was even born, like our collision was meant to be. I stood up, deciding that I had to do something about this. It was set in stone, but it had to change. No one was coming to clear up the confusion. If I didn't set things in motion now, I would be trapped forever with no escape, and as resilient as I was, eventually I would break. I could only keep up my facade with Fiona for so long. Things had changed within me; it was high time they started changing without. The walls, lined with dark wood paneling, seemed to stretch endlessly upwards, the high ceiling arching like the inside of a cathedral. The faint scent of polished wood and rich perfume lingered in the air, thick with the weight of impending tradition. Dad was in the wedding hall, organizing some of the preparations. The sight of him alone made me want to turn back. The Alpha wasn't supposed to be involved personally in things like this, but for him to be, it showed just how much it mattered to him—enough indication that this was a failed mission before it even started. A smile blossomed on his lips when he saw me, and he spread his arms for a hug. "My son! The strength of my days and the star of our future!" I felt uneasy at the praise. I really should keep my opinions to myself, but I was here already and I wasn't going back without delivering my message. "I'm not going through with it," I announced. "What?" he asked, looking uncertain and confused. "Dad, I know you arranged this from the time I was born, and you have your good reasons. But I don't want to marry Fiona anymore. I found someone else—a girl called Lena. I'd like for her to be my bride tomorrow instead." His smile transitioned into a perpetual frown like dew when morning progressed to noon. The blazing sun was next as he assaulted me violently with his words. "You must be out of your mind!" His face twisted with rage, his voice rising to a crescendo. "How dare you spring this up suddenly when it's 11 o'clock? The wedding is tomorrow, and you are suddenly getting cold feet? This isn't the boy I've raised!" "It's not cold feet," I interrupted, feeling he was misunderstanding me. "I love Fiona, but not in that way. She's a sister to me. And I don't want her to get hurt, but my own happiness is at stake here. Lena is my true love, the one I want to have children with." My father's jaw clenched, a muscle in his neck twitching as he took a step forward. "This isn't love, Jason. It's selfishness. You want to toss aside generations of sacrifice for what? A fleeting crush? What about the pack? The Ashford alliance?" "I can't pretend with Fiona anymore, not after everything we've shared. I never wanted to hurt her, but my heart belongs to Lena. Don't you understand what this means—for both of us?" I straightened my back, though a cold chill of dread crept up my spine. He had a good point: this wasn't just for me. I had to consider that before I made my decision. But how could I choose between my duty and the love that consumed me? My heart beat erratically, the weight of this decision sinking deeper into my bones. He made the priorities pretty clear with his next words: "You're a werewolf, Jason! You don't have the luxury of emotions like this. You have a duty—a duty to the pack, to the future of our kind. Marrying Fiona isn't just tradition; it's survival. Do you understand that?" I wanted to argue, to fight back, but I couldn't. The words stuck in my throat. I couldn't refute anything he said because it was true. I was disarmed completely. Frustration surged within me, hot and sharp. My fists clenched at my sides, and I had to fight the urge to scream. He noticed that I was still uncertain, that I hadn't given up yet, and shook his head in disappointment. "You will do what you have to do," he proclaimed and gestured with his hands. As the guards moved in, their hands steady but firm, I could feel the weight of their gaze, their eyes betraying the faintest hint of pity. I didn't resist as they led me from the room, but every step felt like a blow, a nail driving deeper into my chest. I had a sinking feeling that pulled me over the edge. This was it—my fate was sealed.Related chapters
Howl 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 : 2024-11-28Howl of the unchosen 13
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
Last Updated : 2024-11-29
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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
