Marcus POVThe room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn, allowing just a sliver of moonlight to creep in through the gaps. The air was thick, the kind that pressed against your skin, making you feel like you were trapped in a space too small, too tight. But I was used to it.I sat across from the priestess, her calm demeanor barely hiding the sharpness in her eyes. She was beautiful in a way that made people forget who she truly was, but I never did. I had seen what she could do, the kind of power she held beneath that serene exterior. And I knew, deep down, she was just like everyone else in the council—a tool to be used, a pawn in a game far bigger than any of us realized.“What’s the status?” I asked, my voice quiet but firm, the kind that demanded attention even in the silence of the room.The priestess didn’t look up from the altar in front of her. Her hands moved delicately over the old texts, her fingers brushing across the ancient symbols, as if they held some kind of secr
Priestess POv Tesla, lying on the altar, was still, save for the rise and fall of her chest. She had already given so much—her body, her spirit—everything that was needed to bring this moment to life. But even with her power, I could sense she was nearing her limit.Her face was pale, beads of sweat clinging to her forehead as she clenched her teeth, her hands gripping the edges of the altar. The ritual’s magic was coursing through her, but she was fading, her strength slipping away faster than I had anticipated.I glanced over to the table where Marcus stood, watching with that insatiable hunger in his eyes, the same hunger I had seen in countless others before him. The hunger for power, for control, for more than they could handle.“This is it,” I whispered to myself, even though I knew it was a lie. This was only the beginning. But the child. Tesla’s child. She was the key to everything, the reason we had gone through all this trouble. I could feel her stirring, already reachin
Marcus POVThe air in the chamber crackled with tension, as if the very walls could sense the turmoil unfolding around us. I had spent too long preparing for this moment. The ritual, Tesla’s sacrifice, everything. It was supposed to be clean, controlled. But now, everything felt like it was slipping through my fingers, the power of the child an uncontrollable storm.I barely heard the knock at the door. It wasn’t the sound of an intruder, but of a messenger, and I was already too far gone in my thoughts to notice the difference. Still, I couldn’t ignore the urgency in his voice as he rushed inside.“Lord Marcus!” The messenger gasped, out of breath. “They’re coming. The enemy. They’ve crossed the border.”I froze. My pulse quickened, and for a brief moment, the swirling magic in the room faded from my focus. Enemies? It didn’t make sense. The city was fortified, its defenses unbreachable. And yet, here we were, being attacked in the middle of everything.“Who dares?” My voice was cold
Marcus POV but before I could finish him off, he managed to break free with a violent thrash, his claws slashing through my side, just grazing me. I recoiled, blood seeping from the wound, but the pain only fueled my rage.I growled, my eyes locking onto his. This wasn’t just a fight—it was a statement. A statement that I was the alpha. I was the one in control, and no one—not even Henry—could take that from me.“You’re finished,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous.With a final surge of power, I tackled him to the ground once more, pinning him beneath me. He was no longer fighting back, his body trembling with the effort to stay conscious. I had him. There was no escaping it now.“You will never take anything from me,” I whispered, my breath hot against his ear. “Not now. Not ever.”The moment my claws dug into Henry's throat, I felt the rush of power surge through me, and it was intoxicating. His struggles weakened with each passing second, and I could hear the ragged breaths te
Kael’s POVThe air grew heavy, thick with the tension of a fight that had gone on for far too long. Marcus was on the ground, blood staining his fur, his breaths shallow but defiant. Henry and I stood over him, panting but resolute. Victory was within our grasp, yet I couldn’t shake the sense that it wasn’t over. Not yet.Just as I prepared to deliver the final blow, the world shifted. The sun, bright and unyielding, dimmed. Shadows stretched across the battlefield, and within moments, the day plunged into darkness. A solar eclipse.A piercing cry broke through the unnatural silence—a baby’s cry, sharp and filled with a power that made my fur stand on end.Marcus, beaten and bloodied, began to laugh—a low, menacing chuckle that sent chills down my spine. He shifted back into his human form, his dark eyes gleaming with something that could only be described as madness.“Yes,” he hissed, rising to his knees despite the weight of his injuries. “Yes! It’s happening. Finally, it’s happenin
Marcus’s fury was palpable. “Cowards!” he roared at his men. “You dare betray me? After everything I’ve done for you?”One of his soldiers, a burly man with a scar running down his face, stepped forward. “We followed you because we believed in your strength, Marcus. But now? Now we see you for what you are—a man blinded by his own arrogance.”Marcus’s face contorted with rage, but before he could respond, the baby’s cry echoed again, louder and more insistent.“What is that?” Henry demanded, his eyes darting toward the direction of the sound.Marcus’s lips curled into a sinister smile. “That,” he said, his voice trembling with excitement, “is the future. My future. And no matter what you do, you cannot stop it.”I stepped forward, my gaze locked onto his. “You’re wrong, Marcus. We can and we will. Whatever dark power you’ve unleashed, we’ll find a way to stop it.”He laughed again, but it was weaker now, his injuries catching up with him. “You’re a fool, Kael. Always have been. Always
Tesla's POVThe heat woke me. It wasn’t scorching, but it was stifling enough to make me stir. My eyelids felt heavy, and my limbs ached as I shifted on the soft surface beneath me. For a moment, I thought I was still in the labor room. Hadn’t I just given birth?My heart jumped at the thought. The baby. I had given birth before the pain overtook me and darkness swallowed me whole.I forced myself upright, the ache in my body protesting every movement. The room was dimly lit, with a faint flicker of firelight dancing on the walls. It smelled of herbs and something earthy, unfamiliar. My surroundings were sparse but cozy. Then I heard it—the soft clicking of pots and the faintest coo of a baby.My baby.I turned my head toward the sound and froze. Kael.He stood by the fire, cradling the baby in his arms. His movements were gentle, deliberate, as though he feared the slightest wrong step might harm the tiny life in his hold. The sight struck something deep within me. Kael, the hardened
“You’re a stubborn little thing,” I murmured, my voice softer now. She gurgled in response, her laughter fading into soft coos.I sat beside the makeshift cradle, watching her slowly drift off to sleep. Something in my chest tightened, an unfamiliar ache that made it hard to breathe.“Guess we’re stuck with each other, huh?” I whispered.The sound of a saw cutting through wood snapped me back to the present. I reached the factory gates and nodded at one of the workers as I entered. The men here were rough, their lives shaped by hard labor and harder circumstances. But they didn’t ask questions, and that was exactly what I needed.I swung the axe off my shoulder and got to work, each strike a release for the thoughts swirling in my mind. Tesla was probably awake by now, maybe even glaring at me for keeping her in the dark. She didn’t trust me, not fully, and I didn’t blame her.Then there was the child. Henry’s blood. That fact gnawed at me like a thorn in my side. Protecting her felt
Henry’s POVMarcus’s massive paw pressed against my throat, cutting off my air as I struggled beneath him. His crimson eyes gleamed with triumph, his voice rumbling with satisfaction.“You thought you could control me?” Marcus sneered, leaning closer. “You’re nothing, Henry. No one can match me. No one.”I clawed at his arm, gasping, but his strength was overwhelming. My vision blurred, and I felt my wolf cowering within me, retreating.“All the territories,” Marcus continued, his voice cold and calculating, “will fall under my rule. Your petty little packs will bow, or they’ll burn. Starting with you.”Suddenly, a howl echoed through the chamber, cutting through Marcus’s gloating. His head snapped up, and he released me, allowing me to collapse to the ground, coughing and gasping for air.He turned toward the source of the sound, his lips curling into a mocking grin. “Well, well,” Marcus said, his tone laced with amusement. “Kael’s wolf. You’ve claimed it back, have you?”I followed
Henry’s POVI leaned against the cold stone wall, the cries of the infant echoing through the room like a sweet melody of triumph. The scent of blood and despair lingered in the air, thick and intoxicating. It was over. Finally, after all the scheming, after all the sacrifices, I had the child. The ultimate weapon.Tesla stirred on the cot beside me, her lashes fluttering as she began to wake. I crouched down, waiting for the moment her eyes opened.“Ah, Tesla,” I murmured as she blinked in confusion, her disorientation palpable. “Welcome back to the land of the living.”Her gaze darted around the room, and I saw it—the moment she realized where she was. Then, her eyes landed on me. Hatred. Fear. A dash of sorrow. It was all there, written across her face.“Where is he?” she whispered, her voice hoarse.I grinned, savoring the question. “Oh, Kael? Right there.”Her head whipped around, and her breath hitched as she saw him. Kael stood at the far end of the room, his arms tied behind h
Kael's POV I tightened my grip on Jarek’s arm as we crouched behind the cluster of crates. Marcus’s massive wolf form prowled through the ruined alley, his growls reverberating through the air like a storm about to break. Jarek’s breathing was ragged, his fear evident as he glanced toward the hospital in the distance. “We can’t keep hiding,” Jarek whispered, his voice barely audible over Marcus’s snarls. “He’ll find us.” I nodded, my mind racing. There was only one way out of this, and it wasn’t one we could both take together. “Listen to me,” I said, keeping my voice calm despite the chaos. “You’re going to run to the hospital. Now. I’ll distract him.” Jarek’s eyes widened in disbelief. “No! Are you insane? He’ll kill you!” “Jarek,” I snapped, grabbing his shoulders and forcing him to look at me. “I’ve faced worse than Marcus. I can handle this. But if you stay here, we both die. You need to go.” He shook his head, his resolve wavering. “I can’t just leave you here—” “Yes, you
Tesla's POVMy lungs burned as Ana and I sprinted through the narrow hallway, her grip on the baby firm yet protective. The service exit Serena had mentioned was in sight, but the echo of heavy boots and snarling voices behind us reminded me that Henry wouldn’t let us escape so easily.“Faster, Ana,” I urged, my voice hoarse with desperation.“I’m trying!” she hissed, the baby starting to fuss in her arms.We burst into the dimly lit alley, but the moment we did, Henry’s imposing figure materialized from the shadows ahead, blocking our path. His smirk was sinister, his presence suffocating.“Going somewhere?” he drawled, tilting his head mockingly.Ana stumbled to a halt, clutching the baby closer to her chest. “Stay back!” she spat, her voice trembling but determined.Henry ignored her, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto me. “Tesla, Tesla… running doesn’t suit you. It’s pathetic, really.”I stepped in front of Ana and the baby, my body trembling but my resolve unshaken. “Leave th
Serena’s POVThe sound of Henry’s voice brought me to a standstill. I froze for a heartbeat, then quickly turned to face the hall where the heavy footsteps were approaching. I could feel Tesla tensing behind me, and Ana instinctively pulled the baby closer to her chest.“Well, well,” Henry drawled, stepping into view with his men flanking him. His piercing gaze landed on me, a smirk curling his lips. “Serena. I expected better from you. By my side, doing as you were told. But no, here you are, busy siding with Tesla. How disappointing.”“I’m not here for you, Henry,” I said firmly, standing my ground.He chuckled, his eyes glinting with dark amusement as he shifted his gaze to Tesla. “Tesla, you look… good. A little worse for wear, perhaps, but still stunning.” He blew her a kiss mockingly, and my blood boiled. “If only you’d accepted my offer. I would’ve given you everything—protection, power, your child’s future secured. no, you turned me down. And now, well…” His smirk widened. “I
I blinked, taken aback. Leave? What was she talking about?“What do you mean, leave?” I demanded, pushing myself up from the bed. My body screamed in protest, but I ignored the pain. “Why are you here, Serena? Aren’t you with Henry?”Ana stood up, protectively positioning herself in front of the baby as though instinctively sensing the shift in tension. Serena raised an eyebrow, her gaze hard.“I’m not here to explain myself,” Serena said, her voice growing more insistent. “Henry knows you’re here. He knows about this place. And he’ll be coming for you.”I felt a cold shiver run through me. Henry? How could he possibly know? This wasn’t the first time I’d escaped his reach, but if he was after us again...“How do you know that?” I asked, my voice trembling with the gravity of the situation.Serena looked over her shoulder, her expression cautious, almost paranoid. She closed the door behind her, ensuring no one else was around before she stepped closer to me, lowering her voice.“It d
Kael’s POVI felt the hair on the back of my neck rise as Marcus smiled, his eyes flashing with an unsettling gleam. Without warning, he dropped into a crouch, his body trembling with energy. And then, in a moment that happened so fast I almost didn’t catch it, his form rippled and shifted.In an instant, he wasn’t human anymore.Marcus had transformed into a massive wolf, his fur bristling with power. His glowing eyes locked onto mine, filled with a feral hunger. My heart pounded in my chest, but something was wrong. I didn’t feel the usual pull to shift into my wolf form. My body refused to cooperate. It was as if my wolf... was gone.I snarled inwardly, trying to force the shift. But nothing. My wolf didn’t respond."What's wrong, Kael?" Marcus’s voice rumbled from the giant wolf’s mouth, the words almost mocking. "No transformation? Looks like living the peaceful life comes with a cost."I gritted my teeth, frustration building in me. This was impossible. My connection to my wolf
Kael’s POVThe quiet hum of the room was almost soothing as I stood there, watching the doctor carefully adjust Tesla’s unconscious body on the bed. She was pale, her chest rising and falling shallowly as the doctor worked with an air of practiced calm. It was frustrating to see her like this—weak, vulnerable. But I knew she’d survive. She was strong, stronger than most. The doctor had assured me of that, but it didn’t make the sight of her any easier to stomach.“You’re sure she’ll be alright?” I asked again, my voice low, a tone of disbelief still lingering in the words.The doctor didn’t flinch, his hands moving expertly as he checked the IV line he’d just set up. “She’ll be fine, Kael. She’s just exhausted. Give her some time to recover, and she’ll be back on her feet.”I nodded stiffly, eyes never leaving Tesla’s still form. I wanted to believe him, but I couldn’t. Not yet. Not until I saw her open her eyes again. I clenched my fists at my sides, muscles tense.“Take care of her,
I pushed further into the factory, each step calculated, cautious. My eyes flicked around the room, looking for anything that might give me a clue. The place was littered with broken crates, empty wood piles, and rusted equipment. But there was one thing that caught my eye—the remnants of a struggle. Some marks on the floor, scratches in the wood—some kind of evidence.I sniffed again, honing in on the source.Kael had been here.I knelt beside the marks, tracing them with my claw. The floor had been disturbed, the wood gouged deep. Whatever had happened here was messy—too messy to ignore. Something told me I was getting closer. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I stood again, my senses sharp, my body tense.I turned toward a set of stairs leading to an upper level. My instincts screamed at me to climb, to get higher and get a better view of what was going on. With one swift motion, I bounded up the steps, my claws scraping against the metal.The air on the upper level was t