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2024-11-27 05:50:05# Chapter 9: Jason's POV
It 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 the rest of them to know also, I told myself internally as I walked right up to her. Despite everybody shouting in the background and a couple of people even fighting, I had my hand on hers firmly the moment I reached her before looking into her eyes and asking her the crucial question that would determine everything. Of course, I loved her very much and wanted to be with her. The wedding could be changed from Fiona's to Lena's if only she would agree. If she didn't agree, there was nothing I could do. I couldn't force her to marry me after all, but then all the sacrifice would be for naught. I personally thought that I had proven my love to her enough by making this one sacrifice out of the blue, even though there hadn't been any confessions yet. So, it should be enough. But if that wasn't it, if she still didn't trust that I loved her enough, then, well, I would really be broken and I would pay for this mistake without any compensation whatsoever. A tear dropped down from her eyes as I held her, looking straight into those crystal blue eyes and feeling a strong sense and conviction that I had never felt before. The force of attraction between us was greater than the pull of a magnet, far greater than gravity also. It was something I didn't know existed, something I couldn't comprehend. "Stop this nonsense this instant," a loud voice suddenly sounded. The voice was powerful, like the raging of an ocean, and at the mere sound of it, suddenly all the commotion ceased and all the noise became quiet. The clashing swords I had heard before of the different soldiers from Fiona's family and the Frostwood Pack also suddenly stopped, and I turned around to see a man towering over every other person, the very alpha of the Frostwood Pack: Marcus, my dad. He was glaring at the spectacle— the absolute breakdown of order, with the most disgust in his eyes. I thought he couldn't look any more disgusted, but then his eyes came to me. I didn't know whether I had ever seen him that disappointed in anyone in my entire life, but this was definitely something deep. I felt like I had let him down as he stared right at me, his eyes stabbing me into a thousand pieces. He turned from me to look at the people that had turned it upside down. "This is a wedding ceremony and not a war," he said, raising an eyebrow and looking around at people from the Ashford Pack. Nobody from there spoke a word, making me feel apprehensive. Just as I thought Marcus was about to continue, Alpha Lucian stood up, his voice booming and completely matching the tone of Marcus. "What is the meaning of this?" he questioned. "We came here for the wedding of Jason to Fiona and why on earth is he saying something else right now?" He wasn't even looking at me or asking my opinion. No, he was looking straight at my dad, as if to ask him why he couldn't keep his own son under control. My dad, on his part, didn't seem to be concerned by that at all, as he looked straight at Lucian and squared up to him. "That doesn't mean anyone should resort to violence now, does it?" he questioned, glaring at the soldiers and everybody in general. "It's just a wedding, and we all came here in peace for the festivity. There's no need for a fallout right now..." "Oh, there will be a fallout alright!" Lucian interrupted, almost immediately glaring at him. "This is completely uncalled for, and this is humiliating. You are tearing the alliance apart that we have supposed to have completed today. The agreement is going to be destroyed, and you are going to be sorry for it." Marcus seemed like he was about to speak, like he was about to defend me the way he had just a moment ago. Honestly, I couldn't understand the rationale behind it, why he would defend me at all, but he seemed to have his own reasons. I could see it in his eyes that he completely agreed with Lucian. He wanted me to marry Fiona and make sure the contract was sealed. But he couldn't afford to dishonor his own name, and as much as he would love to grab a beer with Lucian and talk over my disappointment happily, that would simply be washing dirty linen in public. He had an obligation to the Ashford Pack, of course, but an even greater obligation to his own pack, and he couldn't bear to see them humiliated. It was probably because of that feeling that he spoke his next words carefully, but firmly.Related chapters
Howl 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 : 2024-11-29Howl of the unchosen 14
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
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Howl of the unchosen 15
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
Last Updated : 2024-12-02Howl of the unchosen 16
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
Last Updated : 2024-12-02Howl of the unchosen 17
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
Last Updated : 2024-12-02
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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
