The sun was up as we made our way to the canyon. Dominic led the way. Zone followed close behind with his hand resting on his sword. Rachel and Gilly were at my side. Gilly was leaning on Rachel for support as she regained her strength.The air felt heavier here, every sound was amplified and echoing off the rock.“Something’s not right,” Sally murmured in my mind.“I feel it too,” I replied with my senses sharpening as I scanned the cliffs above. The silence was unnerving.“We should move faster,” Zone said in a low but urgent tone.“Relax,” Dominic called over his shoulder, his tone infuriatingly casual. “This path is clear. I’ve used it dozens of times.”Zone’s growl was barely audible. “And how do we know you’re not leading us into a trap?”Dominic turned, walking backward with a grin. “Like I said, If I wanted you dead, you’d already be dead. Trust me, big guy.”I clenched my fists. “Keep moving. We’re too exposed here.”Dominic smirked but complied, turning forward again.Then a
The next morning, Zone and Dominic’s bickering had started again before we even broke camp.“You’re leading us into another trap, aren’t you?” Zone growled with his arms crossed as he faced Dominic, who leaned lazily against a tree.Dominic smirked, completely unbothered. “You’ve got trust issues, big guy. Relax. If I wanted to betray you, I’d have done it already.”“You’d say that whether you planned to or not,” Zone shot back with a sharp tone.“Enough,” I snapped, stepping between them. My patience was wearing thin, and I couldn’t afford to let their constant tension derail us. “This isn’t helping. We’re all here for the same reason—to find Ardan. Keep that in mind, or we’re not going to make it.”“No, you, are here to find Ardan. I’m done. I am telling you, Dominic is leading us into some trap I cant trust him.” Zone cried.“I saved you, I saved Gilly and I saved Rachel. I didn’t ask you to come with me. This is my fight and my fight alone. Do you think I trust Dominic?” I asked s
The camp had been unusually quiet that morning, but my thoughts were anything but still. Gilly was stronger now—more alert, more alive than she’d been since her rescue—but I couldn’t help noticing how Dominic avoided looking at her. His usual smirk was absent, and he kept his eyes away from from hers.Gilly seemed to notice, too. She stood a little apart from us, leaning against a tree with her arms crossed and her eyes fixed on Dominic as if she were trying to solve a puzzle.“Gilly,” I said softly, walking over to her. “How are you feeling?”“Better,” she said. “A lot better, actually.” She hesitated as her gaze flickered toward Dominic. “But something’s off with him. He keeps avoiding me.”I followed her eyes, watching Dominic as he checked his weapons with meticulous precision. “That’s just how he is,” I said, though I couldn’t deny the unease creeping into my chest.“Serena,” Gilly said quietly with her voice almost a whisper. “He feels… familiar. I don’t know how to explain it,
My wrists ached from the tightness of the chains binding me. Sylvia had dressed me up in a maids costume just so she could mock me even more.“This was exactly what Gloria talked about. Gilly, Zone. They all warned us but we were blinded by it all.” Sally snared furious at being subdued.Sylvia sat across from me, lounging on a plush chair with a cruel smirk playing at the corner of her lips.“You’ve grown weaker, Serena,” she said, tracing a finger along the armrest. “Pathetic, really. And to think this room once belonged to you.”I blinked, glancing around. This truly was once my room.Sylvia’s laughter broke the silence. “Ah, so you do remember. Don’t worry; I’ve made a few improvements since then.”“You’re delusional if you think this changes anything,” I snapped.Sylvia leaned forward with her eyes narrowing. “Why are you doing this?” I asked, keeping my tone steady.She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Why?” she repeated. “Are you really asking me that, Serena?”“Humour me,
Sylvia found me in the dungeon with Ardan and Dominic. She lunged at me, wanting to hit me when I stepped back and she fell on her face.“Go back there, now!” She demanded but I refused to move. “Dominic, tell her to move!” Sylvia demanded but Dominic chuckled. He told Sylvia to get out.“Get out? Pardon me?” Sylvia asked confused.“Don’t make repeat myself, Sylvia.” Dominic threatened and with her head low, she walked out of the dungeon.I then stood behind Dominic, watching Ardan’s battered body writhing on the stretcher. His wounds festered with angry red streaks spreading over his skin. I heart broke by just merely staring at him.Dominic stood tall in front of me. He turned his head slightly, as he looked over Ardan with indifference. “He’ll survive—hopefully,” he muttered.I stopped myself from lashing out. Sally was furious. She hated the way I was still even in this circumstance. But I couldn’t risk it. Not yet.Ardan’s eyes landed on me. His voice was hoarse. “Serena… what ar
Ardan’s PoVMy surroundings came back to me in pieces. I felt a grave amount of sharp, unrelenting pain, as the scent of antiseptic burned my nostrils. My head throbbed with each breath, and I struggled to open my eyes against the blinding white light.The first thing I saw was a familiar figure standing over me, Micheal. His hands were steady as he cleaned and dressed the wounds that filled my body.Michael, once a trusted family friend and the royal wolf doctor—someone I’d thought of as a brother. Now, standing in this enemy-controlled space, tending to me under Dominic’s command.“Michael,” I said hoarsely with my voice barely above a whisper.His hands were still, but he didn’t look up. “Save your strength, your majesty,” he said softly with a professional tone.The title hit me like a slap. It felt hollow coming from him, reminding me of what I’d lost. I was angry and my anger
The heels of my shoes clicked against the floors of the entrance of the mall, a sound that got on my nerves with every step and not to talk about the tight skirt Dominic had forced me into that left little room for comfort or dignity. The fabric kept on clinging to my skin. Beside him, Sylvia clung to his arm with her whiny voice filling the air.“Do we really have to bring “her” along?” Sylvia complained, throwing a pointed glare in my direction.Dominic, disguised as Ardan, didn’t spare her a glance. “She stays,” he said abruptly with his tone leaving no room for argument.Sylvia huffed, stomping her feet in protest. “Fine. But don’t expect me to enjoy this.”I didn’t hide my lack of interest in their shopping excursion either. The thought of spending hours trailing after them while they indulged in trivial luxuries was nauseating. But Dominic noticed my quiet displeasure, and his grip on
The hall was alive from murmur of voices from different corners of the room to the clinking of crystal glasses. My reflection stared back at me from a gilded mirror in the corner, crown on my head felt heavier than it should and the gown Dominic had chosen for me felt like chains instead of fabric.The royal banquet was for me or rather, for the version of me Dominic had paraded before them—the returning queen, the picture of grace and power. My face was painted into a mask of composure, but inside, I was breaking.“Chin up, Serena,” Dominic said in a low and commanding tone as he leaned in close. His hand rested possessively on the small of my back, making me irritated. “You’re a queen now. Act like it.”I bit the inside of my cheek to keep me from snapping at him. Every part of me wanted to rebel, to wipe that smug expression off his face, but I couldn’t afford to act recklessly. Not yet.With a firm grip, he gu
Serena PoVI walked into the medical wing and the scent of medicine hit my nose. Rachel stayed silently at her workstation blending medicinal salves while Marcus sat alone on his cot, looking determined though he didn't feel well. Luca kept his head down while sitting on a chair, picking at the edges of his shirt.Marcus looked at me right away while holding his injuries despite the pain. He spoke to me quietly, saying, "Serena," while struggling to speak clearly.I moved my chair close to his hospital bed and gave him a warm look. “Marcus,” I said softly. “Tell me everything.”Despite what had happened, Marcus spoke to me calmly about it. He told me how he entered Caden's camp with Luca, tried talking to Evelyn, and how Caden clawed at him.Marcus told me how Evelyn pleaded with our enemy to free them. “She struggled her whole way through to keep me safe.” He said, talking about Evelyn.Instantly, Luca ag
Evelyn PoVMy past choices pressed heavily on me during my walk through the camp. Every move I made was accompanied by the memories of my victims and the people I harmed. Gloria's comments sounded louder than ever in my thoughts with her gentle and convincing tone. She assured me that I possessed the potential to achieve great things.Her pledges started to break down under pressure.As I gazed at the night sky Gloria softly noted "Your power comes from our bond. Without me, you’re nothing. Remember that, Evelyn.”Her words initially, would have provided me comfort and guidance toward my goals. But now it felt like I was in a prison since she held me in her grip and kept me from making free decisions. Gloria took advantage of me just like Caden did.I clenched my fists. Did the pursuit of power need to destroy lives this way?“You didn’t need to scare my mother away. I think I’m getting the hang of it now. My mo
Serena PoVThe room was filled with tension. On the table, the map was spread with Ardan and Alpha Joachim facing each other while arguing about their next military move. I rested my back against the wall with my arms folded while my head itched from the mounting stress.“I think we should make our first move from this area.” Ardan proposed, circling an area on the map. “Striking this location will split the the red blood moon pack’s military divisions.”Joachim shook his head. “Ardan you fixate solely on using power in your approach. Caden's wolves learn to handle strife during physical confrontations. Our strike must be slow and deliberate to reach Evelyn since moving too quickly would cost us many wolf lives.”Evelyn. I remembered how our last conversation went. My love for her hurt deeply but I couldn't find a way to be with her. Gloria took complete control of Evelyn's mind and every time I thought about her
Evelyn PoVI stood in Caden’s war room with tension thick in the air and my hands shaking at my sides. Territory maps of various packs, slashed through in red to show how many we’d been able to bring under our control, were spread across the table. At the head of the table, my father, Caden gripped the map with his shining bionic arm as he laid out our next move.“After we claim the Eastern moon pack,” Caden said coldly, “we will have power over all major territory in a hundred-mile radius. The rest will be compelled to fall in line.”I couldn’t take my eyes off him; I was disgusted. “And if they don’t?” I asked, though I knew the answer.Caden turned to me, narrowing his eyes. “Then we crush them. No one defies us, Evelyn. This is what it takes to unite the wolves and ensure peace.”“Peace,” I repeated bitterly. “Is this what peace feels l
Evelyn’s PoVI was standing at the forefront of Caden’s soldiers, with my father staring me down from across the battlefield. His words from earlier rang in my ears: “This is not just another battle, Evelyn. It’s about sending a message. We have to make them understand that whoever dares to side with Ardan cannot withstand us.”I realised that it was not merely a matter of asserting one’s authority - it was much more personal. And now, I was leading the charge.I was afraid. My hands shook slightly and I had to hide it. Gloria’s whispers had decided to take a break but I know I was doing this on my own accord. Her whispers or not, Gloria was forever present.“Ready, Evelyn?” Caden asked in a commanding tone.I simply bowed my head, swallowing the disgust that rose from deep within my heart. “I’m ready.”The attack started off as being vicious and unrelenting. Wolves foug
Evelyn’s PoVThe night was dark, and the atmosphere was rather oppressive, as if everyone was expecting a fight. I was by my father side, Caden, at the forest and across from us was the rogue pack which we were enemies with. We had encroached their territory and we wanted war. I felt my pulse quicken, but it was not due to any kind of apprehension. It was something else—a feeling of anxiety intertwined with adrenaline and Gloria’s spirit was all I needed to charge up.“Are you ready?” Caden asked.I could not escape the doubt I felt but I attempted to mask with a nod. Was I truly ready? Is this the road I am to travel?“This isn’t just about war. It’s about making sure our pack is going to be safe from threats that may exist in the future. If left unaddressed, ‘they’ will be a constant thorn in the side of everything we are trying to construct here.”I forced myself to believe him, a
Serena PoVI had learned about the changes that took place in Evelyn and the revelation was eye-opening for me. My daughter—the one I had wanted to shield from the reality of the world—was now a part of an immeasurable force. But it was not only power, it was power stained with blood. Caden had manhandled her and had exploited her strength for his own gain. Worse still, the spirit of Gloria had successfully taken over Evelyn and is determined to finish her off as well.I sat in my room, with the curtains drawn and my mind tormented by guilt and sorrow. How had it come to this? Evelyn was meant to be protected, enveloped in affection, but what I had offered her was anything but that. Now she was beyond my reach, entangled with Caden and manipulated by Gloria.I tried to reach her. With my eyes shut tight, I focused on our connection and communicated with her via my wolf mother link.“Evelyn,” I said through our telepathic connection. “It’s me, your mother. Please, talk to me.”At that
Evelyn’s PoVThe change that happened in me was not sudden like a snap of the fingers; it was a slow process like the encroachment of night over day. At first, it was subtle: was always accompanied by a keener sense of presence, a liveliness that surged through me, making me feel as though I were unstoppable. But as days turned into weeks, I began to know other things.Although, when I concentrated, I realised that I could control the wind. I could also feel with my mind the thoughts and intentions of people around as if they were exposed to me like an open diary… something akin to what my mother can do. It was rather daunting, but at the same time, it was liberating.I first felt this transformation while going through an attack with pure wolves like my mother and me. We were caught off guard while patrolling the outskirts of the territory. Caden had taken me along with a group of his pack to check on my commitment and ability to survive in his pack, which was a pack of killers.Our
Evelyn’s PoVIt wasn’t long before Caden came to pick me up. His rogue wolves stood next to him, their faces cold and emotionless. My mother, Serena, stood firm in front of me, her aura protected me and prevented the wolves from coming any closer to me.“I will personally cut your genitals off if you dare to lay a finger on her,” she snarled.Caden smirked, unfazed. “Relax, Serena. She’s my daughter. I am taking her to her rightful place.”“She is my daughter too,” Serena replied heatedly her eyes burning with anger. “And I’m warning you, Caden. Evelyn is more than what meets the eye.” Then she lowered her tone. “Evelyn is in contact with Gloria. Someone like you can use that to your advantage but not when my daughter’s life is at stake.”Caden’s expression turned from one of annoyance to a cool one. “You worry too much, Serena. I’ll handle it.”“Caden, this isn’t some joke!” My mom yelled.I placed a hand on her arm. “Mom, it’s okay. I’ll be fine. I promise.”She relaxed her eyes. “P