Chapter 56|| ALEXIS'S POV ||The evening air in the distant woods was thick with quiet, broken only by the whispering trees looming above me.I had not been here in years. The woods were alive with memories—some precious, some haunted.The elders waited. My only remaining blood relatives—my grandfather and his three uncles—were fierce werewolves, men who had seen centuries and the collapse of empires. Their home, built of old stone and wood, was secreted in a clearing like a forgotten secret only time remembered.After loosing my family, they were the only family that I had left. Honestly, I hated this meeting because they seemed to put all hopes on me. I felt like a burden sometimes.The scent of seared meat and herbs drifted into my nose long before I stepped inside. Even if this was a serious meeting, the elders still had their ways. Supper first. Question later. I could feel that something was going on their minds. The worse part was that I couldn't hear their thoughts like others
|| ALEXIS'S POV || Cold wind stung my face as I sprinted through the woods, shifting from human to wolf with ease, searching for the faintest clue. But Liam was nowhere to be found. I snarled low, walking through thick fog, my breathings puffing out in hot, angry puffs. There was no scent trail, no broken twig, no sound to follow. Liam was more than a hybrid; he was trained. Hunter. And worst of all—unpredictable. Alberto emerged from behind me, his own calm demeanor shattered by worry. "Still nothing?" I shook my head. "He's vanished. Not even a damn leaf was out of place." "Impossible," Alberto muttered, running his hand through his hair. "He attacked a royal member. He left bodies in all mess. How is he just supposed to vanish?" I clenched my fists. "Because he's not a monster. He's a hybrid, worse than a monster. One is taught to disappear, to become nonexistent." Alberto's face fell into a frown, grim. "So we need questions answered by someone who knows hybrids better than
Chapter 58|| ELINDA'S POV ||The night air was thick with secrets and salt, whispers from the disturbed sea that surrounded the island. I was near the edge of the cliff, my eyes taking in movement below.I couldn't fall asleep with Liam's shadow following me always. One hand, I felt guilty for attracting Liam to me. Perhaps I should have just stayed home like other royal girls. I shouldn't have wanted a life like a pride woman. Moonlight spilled over the scene, creating shadows of wolves—wild ones. At least a dozen of them, their fur matted, their eyes dulled with fear and confusion. They weren't wild. No. They were caged.My heart ached at the sight.What were they doing here?This was no good place for them. The fencing was thick with iron and rune carvings, designed to suppress attack and magic. These were not visitors. They were prisoners.A bitter taste welled up in my mouth.Alexis had sworn to protect his own kind. But now I wondered if he was any better than the rest. Was th
Chapter 59|| Elinda's POV ||I didn't sleep. Not after what Alexis's grandfather had said. His words lingered in my mind, echoing in my mind like a constant curse I couldn't escape. " Act like a guest and don't interfere in our business ." Those simple words had shattered all that hope I'd been hiding inside.I thought. Foolishly thought that perhaps, just perhaps, Alexis and I were reunited for something greater. Something greater than politics and royal bloodline. But now I know how mistaken I have been.I sat on the edge of my bed, looking out at the ocean from the glass balcony. The moonlight caressed the waves softly, taunting the tempest within me. My heart hurt, but I knew what I must do.I clutched my phone and phoned Alberto."Princess?" His voice came back right away, tinged with concern."I want to go to the mate-matching thing," I said, attempting to sound calm.There was a pause. "Are you sure?""Yes."He did not question me about it. "I will make it happen."And with th
Chapter 60|| ALEXIS'S POV ||The moment I stepped off the boat, something was off. The salty air that usually soothed me now had a bitter edge—fear. And my wolves, the ones who stood at the gate to welcome me, were not there. No guards. No howls. Silence. Too much silence.We always tamed the wild wolves to strengthen our power. In this Mafia world, people who had more wild wolves, they were regarded more powerful. Only my pack had the power to control wild wolves from our bloodline.Marcus sprinted down the path from the main house, his face pale, his steps hurried. "Alpha, it's bad."My jaw tightened. "Tell me.""They're gone. All of them. The wild wolves… the ones we had caged."Impossible!!!No one had the power to control them. How could they be gone?I didn't believe him—at first. Not because I thought he was lying, but because it should've been impossible. We had set those cages with iron-laced steel and runes from the oldest blood witches. Even a seasoned rogue couldn't get
Chapter 61|| ELINDA'S POV ||I sat stiffly on the silk-covered bench within the ceremonial hall, my clammy hands hidden by the silk gloves. My heart thundered like the rhythm of a man sentenced to death awaiting judgment. The runes against the walls glowed softly as an echo of the divine energy called upon by the priest. Alaric stood beside me, calm and composed as ever, but I could feel tension beneath his skin. He was trying to be patient. Trying to be kind.Alberto stood in front of me, arms folded, eyebrows furrowed in frustration and concern.He had yanked me out the moment the priest had questioned me beforehand."Who was your partner?" he asked again, this time more gently but no less urgently.I avoided his gaze. "It doesn't matter anymore. It happened a long time ago. It's over.""Elinda," he said, and I hated the disappointment in his voice. "Done or not? You're hiding something from me. What are you keeping secret?"I clenched my fists together in my hand. "I'm not keeping
Chapter 62|| Elinda's POV ||The door snapped shut behind us.The obvious silence was hanging between us!I was in the center of the room, surrounded by riches that meant nothing to me. Velvet curtains, crystal fixtures, gold trim along the crown trim—all of it melted away to nothingness as my heart thundered inside of me like an animal trapped. My hands were damp, my mouth faking a big smile always.And Alexis was standing there, some feet between us, as if he were the man I once trusted with every part of myself—and now couldn't even understand."You lied," I gasped, the words trembling with rage and something I did not dare to call. "You said you broke the bond. That it was done.""I did," Alexis replied, her voice low and soft, "I tried.""Tried?" I laughed, harsh and empty. "What the fuck do you mean you tried? That's not how this works. You don't try to break a mate bond, Alexis. You do, or you don't."He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my eyes, and for the first time in days, h
Chapter 63|| Alexis's POV ||I glanced down at my phone, my thumb hovering over the screen as I considered whether to answer or not. It was Alberto—my best friend, but also the one who made it painfully clear that my feelings for Elinda were a problem. I sighed and pressed the green button."Alexis," Alberto's voice cracked through the speaker, sharp and to the point. "Have you found Elinda's previous mate yet?"The words hung in the air, and I knew what he was really asking. Alberto was so desperate to find out who had hurt Elinda, and I knew why. But the guilt twisted in my belly as I prepared to lie to him."No," I said, my voice was calm even though as I seethed inside. "I haven't found out yet. She's hiding it, and she's not making it easy."There it was. The lie. The simple words that made the reality of the situation easier. Alberto had no idea that Elinda's mate was me—that it had always been me. I was not going to admit that, not to him, not to anyone."Well, you know how mu
Chapter 63|| Alexis's POV ||I glanced down at my phone, my thumb hovering over the screen as I considered whether to answer or not. It was Alberto—my best friend, but also the one who made it painfully clear that my feelings for Elinda were a problem. I sighed and pressed the green button."Alexis," Alberto's voice cracked through the speaker, sharp and to the point. "Have you found Elinda's previous mate yet?"The words hung in the air, and I knew what he was really asking. Alberto was so desperate to find out who had hurt Elinda, and I knew why. But the guilt twisted in my belly as I prepared to lie to him."No," I said, my voice was calm even though as I seethed inside. "I haven't found out yet. She's hiding it, and she's not making it easy."There it was. The lie. The simple words that made the reality of the situation easier. Alberto had no idea that Elinda's mate was me—that it had always been me. I was not going to admit that, not to him, not to anyone."Well, you know how mu
Chapter 62|| Elinda's POV ||The door snapped shut behind us.The obvious silence was hanging between us!I was in the center of the room, surrounded by riches that meant nothing to me. Velvet curtains, crystal fixtures, gold trim along the crown trim—all of it melted away to nothingness as my heart thundered inside of me like an animal trapped. My hands were damp, my mouth faking a big smile always.And Alexis was standing there, some feet between us, as if he were the man I once trusted with every part of myself—and now couldn't even understand."You lied," I gasped, the words trembling with rage and something I did not dare to call. "You said you broke the bond. That it was done.""I did," Alexis replied, her voice low and soft, "I tried.""Tried?" I laughed, harsh and empty. "What the fuck do you mean you tried? That's not how this works. You don't try to break a mate bond, Alexis. You do, or you don't."He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my eyes, and for the first time in days, h
Chapter 61|| ELINDA'S POV ||I sat stiffly on the silk-covered bench within the ceremonial hall, my clammy hands hidden by the silk gloves. My heart thundered like the rhythm of a man sentenced to death awaiting judgment. The runes against the walls glowed softly as an echo of the divine energy called upon by the priest. Alaric stood beside me, calm and composed as ever, but I could feel tension beneath his skin. He was trying to be patient. Trying to be kind.Alberto stood in front of me, arms folded, eyebrows furrowed in frustration and concern.He had yanked me out the moment the priest had questioned me beforehand."Who was your partner?" he asked again, this time more gently but no less urgently.I avoided his gaze. "It doesn't matter anymore. It happened a long time ago. It's over.""Elinda," he said, and I hated the disappointment in his voice. "Done or not? You're hiding something from me. What are you keeping secret?"I clenched my fists together in my hand. "I'm not keeping
Chapter 60|| ALEXIS'S POV ||The moment I stepped off the boat, something was off. The salty air that usually soothed me now had a bitter edge—fear. And my wolves, the ones who stood at the gate to welcome me, were not there. No guards. No howls. Silence. Too much silence.We always tamed the wild wolves to strengthen our power. In this Mafia world, people who had more wild wolves, they were regarded more powerful. Only my pack had the power to control wild wolves from our bloodline.Marcus sprinted down the path from the main house, his face pale, his steps hurried. "Alpha, it's bad."My jaw tightened. "Tell me.""They're gone. All of them. The wild wolves… the ones we had caged."Impossible!!!No one had the power to control them. How could they be gone?I didn't believe him—at first. Not because I thought he was lying, but because it should've been impossible. We had set those cages with iron-laced steel and runes from the oldest blood witches. Even a seasoned rogue couldn't get
Chapter 59|| Elinda's POV ||I didn't sleep. Not after what Alexis's grandfather had said. His words lingered in my mind, echoing in my mind like a constant curse I couldn't escape. " Act like a guest and don't interfere in our business ." Those simple words had shattered all that hope I'd been hiding inside.I thought. Foolishly thought that perhaps, just perhaps, Alexis and I were reunited for something greater. Something greater than politics and royal bloodline. But now I know how mistaken I have been.I sat on the edge of my bed, looking out at the ocean from the glass balcony. The moonlight caressed the waves softly, taunting the tempest within me. My heart hurt, but I knew what I must do.I clutched my phone and phoned Alberto."Princess?" His voice came back right away, tinged with concern."I want to go to the mate-matching thing," I said, attempting to sound calm.There was a pause. "Are you sure?""Yes."He did not question me about it. "I will make it happen."And with th
Chapter 58|| ELINDA'S POV ||The night air was thick with secrets and salt, whispers from the disturbed sea that surrounded the island. I was near the edge of the cliff, my eyes taking in movement below.I couldn't fall asleep with Liam's shadow following me always. One hand, I felt guilty for attracting Liam to me. Perhaps I should have just stayed home like other royal girls. I shouldn't have wanted a life like a pride woman. Moonlight spilled over the scene, creating shadows of wolves—wild ones. At least a dozen of them, their fur matted, their eyes dulled with fear and confusion. They weren't wild. No. They were caged.My heart ached at the sight.What were they doing here?This was no good place for them. The fencing was thick with iron and rune carvings, designed to suppress attack and magic. These were not visitors. They were prisoners.A bitter taste welled up in my mouth.Alexis had sworn to protect his own kind. But now I wondered if he was any better than the rest. Was th
|| ALEXIS'S POV || Cold wind stung my face as I sprinted through the woods, shifting from human to wolf with ease, searching for the faintest clue. But Liam was nowhere to be found. I snarled low, walking through thick fog, my breathings puffing out in hot, angry puffs. There was no scent trail, no broken twig, no sound to follow. Liam was more than a hybrid; he was trained. Hunter. And worst of all—unpredictable. Alberto emerged from behind me, his own calm demeanor shattered by worry. "Still nothing?" I shook my head. "He's vanished. Not even a damn leaf was out of place." "Impossible," Alberto muttered, running his hand through his hair. "He attacked a royal member. He left bodies in all mess. How is he just supposed to vanish?" I clenched my fists. "Because he's not a monster. He's a hybrid, worse than a monster. One is taught to disappear, to become nonexistent." Alberto's face fell into a frown, grim. "So we need questions answered by someone who knows hybrids better than
Chapter 56|| ALEXIS'S POV ||The evening air in the distant woods was thick with quiet, broken only by the whispering trees looming above me.I had not been here in years. The woods were alive with memories—some precious, some haunted.The elders waited. My only remaining blood relatives—my grandfather and his three uncles—were fierce werewolves, men who had seen centuries and the collapse of empires. Their home, built of old stone and wood, was secreted in a clearing like a forgotten secret only time remembered.After loosing my family, they were the only family that I had left. Honestly, I hated this meeting because they seemed to put all hopes on me. I felt like a burden sometimes.The scent of seared meat and herbs drifted into my nose long before I stepped inside. Even if this was a serious meeting, the elders still had their ways. Supper first. Question later. I could feel that something was going on their minds. The worse part was that I couldn't hear their thoughts like others
Chapter 55|| ELINDA's POV ||The following morning, the sun crept in through the window, casting golden streaks on the wooden cottage floor. I had not slept much, my mind still weighed down by everything that had happened in the North. The argument with Alberto, the slap, Alexis's declaration that I was his—it all lingered in my mind like a haunted melody that would not fade. I had not seen Alexis since we got back to the island. He'd retreated to his study, as he typically did following angry shouting matches. I didn't push.A tap at the door startled me. My heart skipped a beat as I called out, "Yes?"The door opened and one of the guards stood before me. "Lady Elinda, your brother Alberto has come."Alberto? My heart skipped a beat, and I stood up hastily, smoothing my dress and dabbing at my reflection. I had not seen him in what seemed like forever. For all that, Alberto was a breath of peace—one of the few people who made me feel loved.I rushed to the principal lounge, where