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
Ardan’s hands were warm and I hadn’t realised that I longed for his touch ever since.“You shouldn’t be here,” he whispered.“And let you suffer alone?” I said softly, brushing a strand of hair from his face. “Not a chance.”Ardan’s eyes locked onto mine. “Dominic is dangerous, Serena. He’s not just playing games. He’ll kill you if you stand in his way.”“I know the risks,” I replied, squeezing his hand. “But I’m not leaving without you.”“You’ve always been stubborn,” he murmured as he smiled.I smiled back. “And you’ve always worried too much.”His expression grew serious again. “I’m not worried without reason, Serena. This place—it’s crawling with Dominic’s loyalists. And Sylvia…” He paused. “She’s just as dangerous in her own way
Dominic’s voice was low as he leaned against the edge of the table in his chambers with his sharp eyes locked on me. The tension in the room was clearly suffocating.“Do you even know what it means to be a rogue, Serena?” he began with a hint of bitterness in his tone. “Do you understand what it’s like to be cast aside? To be hunted and branded as a monster, no matter what you do?”I stood rigidly across from him with my hands clenched at my sides. “I know they’ve been wronged,” I said carefully, refusing to let him see the discomfort his intensity caused me. “I know their suffering is real. That’s why I’m telling you there has to be another way.”Dominic laughed bitterly. “Another way,” he repeated mockingly. “You sound just like Zone. Always the optimist, always looking for the “peaceful” solution.”The mention of Zone caught me off guard, but Dominic’s expression darkened as he continued.“We weren’t always enemies, you know,” he said, with his voice softening for a moment. “Zone a
Serena’s POVThe silence that followed was unlike any I had ever known. I lay my head against Ardan’s chest. It was warm and it soothed all the emotions I had carried for weeks. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I felt safe.Ardan’s chest rose and fell steadily beneath me, but there was a tension in his body I couldn’t ignore. His muscles twitched and his breaths was uneven as though something deep within him had awoken.“Serena,” he whispered.I tilted my head up to meet his eyes as I traced my fingers along his chest in small, comforting circles. “Hmm?”His next words came slowly, as if he could hardly believe them. “My wolf,” he said. “He’s back.”I sat up slightly, excited by the news. “Back?”He nodded, and the disbelief and wonder in his expression brought tears to my eyes. “I can feel him,” he said in a shaky tone. “He’s… strong. Whole.”I smiled. “The mate bond,” I murmured with a surprised tone. “It worked.”I watched as Ardan closed his eyes with the faintest
Evelyn’s PoVOur kiss had transformed into something more. One thing led to the other until I found him on top of me, on the bare ground and completely naked.“Do you want me?” Marcus grinned. He could tell I couldn’t resist him.“No.” I joked but Marcus could tell it was all a lie. I tried to let myself out of his grip jokingly but he pinned me down to the ground gently.“You’re mine, Evelyn. I love you.” He whispered into my ears.“I love you too, Marcus.” I whispered scared that I was going to give him all of me. I mean I wanted to but then again… my mum.“Can I?” He asked politely.“Uh-huh.” I whispered, nodding my head.He went in and at first it was painful but after the first few thrusts, I was having the best time of my life.“Is this your first?” I asked. Marcus hesitated to answer and I laughed.“You’re like seven years older than me of course you have.” I said as I moaned in between. “You’re so good.” I moaned.“I could say the same about you.” Marcus grinned, breathing hea
Author PoVCouncil room tension remained strong and difficult to breathe. The golden flames in Serena's eyes made her tighten her fists when she turned against Rachel and Ardan."You failed to defend my daughter when they sentenced her." Her voice broke in two from feeling betrayed when she spoke. She was really angry as she confronted Rachel and Ardan through her words.The pain of her loss made Rachel's face immobile. "She took Zone's life," she spoke plainly to them. “The damage she caused doesn't matter if it happened by accident. He’s dead because of her.”Serena’s breath hitched. She repeated her defence by saying it was not Evelyn's responsibility. “She wasn’t in control. You should recognise how Gloria influenced her. Evelyn would never—""Would never?" Rachel scoffed. “She already did.”Ardan interrupted with his measured tone before Serena could respond. He studied her showing deep emotions Serena could not recognise. “The moment Caden exiled me you stood by silently. And I
Author PoVJosephine had to be patient, as she knew that the truth, when used effectively, could cut deeper than claws or teeth. She had spent weeks spying on him, biding her time for the right moment to act. When she came upon Isiah alone, she drew closer with an air of casual interest, getting into some small talk about the current tensions in the pack. It wasn’t much to get him to let his guard down—he had always loved a good conversation.He hesitated the moment she mentioned Zone, but Josephine prompted him to continue, managing to play along with some sympathy. She had assured him that once the truth would set free, it would give all relief to those who needed it. Then he finally broke the silence she had been wishing for when he told that, during the battle, Evelyn had been the one who had killed Zone. It hadn’t been with intent, but still, it was true.Josephine felt no surprise. She had had her suspicions since Luca mentioned it to her. The moment she left Isiah, she made her
Evelyn’s PoVFor the last few weeks, both physically and emotionally, it had been an exhausting experience. The burden of my powers, my past, and that how much the pack disbelieved me weighed heavy on my shoulders. To this day, walking through that pack was no easy feat. I could feel the whispers, sideways glances, the fear unspoken. Nothing I could do seemed to work—I was somehow stuck with wounds too deep to heal.My mother, of course, had always picked up on it. She noticed everything.One evening, after the patrols had returned and the pack settled in for the night, she summoned me to her room. The way she had set herself at the wooden table, hands folded tightly, made me realise she must have something serious to talk by all means. Maybe Rachel had told someone about the truth of Zone’s death."Sit," she said gently, indicating the chair opposite her with her head.I did as I was told, and I could feel the air swell into some heavy tension that we both couldn't vocalise."You've
Author’s PoVJosephine waited while ever so patiently inserting her influence. She made sure that the pack was thoroughly prepared to follow her very soon. Little by little, a few calls here and there with the pack elders, appearance as the concerned mother in moments that would demand it, a strategically placed comment, this was how she slowly began to undermine Serena's standing.The birth of Dorian changed everything. He was Ardan's son; he was the legitimate heir. And Josephine saw to it that all in the pack understood it that way.Everything was being calculated.Josephine was at the centre of every pack gathering, dispensing advice as if that had always been her lot with the pack leaders. She reminded them how strong the pack had to be and how they could not afford to trust anyone compromised by dark magic. And when she was certain the time was right, she made her boldest move yet and questioned whether Evelyn had earned her place in the pack.This was during a pack meeting call
Ardan’s PoVTwo months later….A newborn screamed loudly in the room; disturbing silence everywhere it spread. Josephine lay on the bed, worn out though there was clearly a hidden shine of victory hidden in the background. She rocked the small bundle wrapped in rags and whispered reassuring words. My son.I swallowed hard.A son. My blood. My pride.I did not know what to feel.I stood stupefied, watching. It was as though an iron chain dropped onto my shoulder, and as much as I wished to deny it, this little one would turn my world upside down.Josephine looked at me. "Do you want to hold him?"I hesitated. My hands felt too big, too rough. But just as I was about to respond, she reached forward and carefully placed the newborn in my arms.His size surprised me. A soft ball up in little fists, the baby opened and clenched its eyes, squirming in discomfort before sleeping soundly. A son. I'd never thought I'd ever have one, I thought I’d never get to have my own blood yet here he lay,
Evelyn PoVI stayed seated on top of the wooden training grounds fence while I watched the fighters below lock together in combat. Weakness dragged down my body until it felt like an invisible burden I had to carry. I had abused my powers beyond what was safe since I could not stop myself.I needed to show my worth to my mother as well as Ardan and Luca and each member of the pack.Even though everything pointed at me badly the accusations persisted through the air like an intense burden.“She’s cursed."“She’s dangerous."The pack members even believed I should have died during the tragedy with Gloria.I clenched my fists.Taken back by a familiar tone I turned to see who spoke behind me.“You’re wearing yourself out.”Standing before me was Marcus who watched me with concern while crossing his arms. After studying me carefully with his dark eyes he kept looking at me but I stared elsewhere.“I can handle it.” I muttered.Marcus jumped after me as he joined me on top of the fence. “Y
Authors PoVAs Serena stood at the centre of the war room, the morning air was very cool. Maps were spread out on the wooden table before her. The tension in the room was thick, filled with murmurs of worry as the pack elders and warriors kept gathering.The scout conveyed disturbing intelligence indicating that a new pack under an unknown leader was regrouping. Where they had come from no one knew, but they were fast growing and did pose a direct danger to the very tenuous peace they were trying to establish.Serena exhaled as she looked from face to face around the room, many battle-worn and weary of the endless blood-shedding and survival. Their morale was low, and she realised that it was perhaps justified."We should be prepared," Serena said firmly, scanning the faces around the room. "Whatever their intentions, we can't afford to be taken unaware."There were some murmurs of agreement, but Serena could see doubt in their eyes. Some of them had already lost far too much.At the
Author’s PoVThe anger inside Luca kept growing until it became unbearable. The sensation persisted relentlessly from the first day it emerged thus steadily intensifying its strength as days passed. His mind showed his father's face whenever he tried to rest his eyes. Zone had continuously been present in Luca's life but his sudden passing left an unfillable space.The Red Blood Moon pack served as responsible culprits. Luca knew it. Since no one else had the courage to seek justice for his father's death Luca decided to take revenge himself.Under dark conditions Luca found a small assembly of wolves willing to seek revenge. These warriors belonged to the younger generation and showed impatience for violent conflict. They didn’t question his leadership. They followed without hesitation.The pack traveled deep into rogue territory using swift movements through the dense forest. Through diligent path observation, Luca had meticulously tracked down their patrolling routes for multiple w