Serena’s POVThe forest air was thick with the scent of damp earth and rotting leaves, a reminder of how far we were from any place of comfort or safety. The sun had long since disappeared behind a thick canopy of twisted branches, leaving only faint shafts of light to guide our way.My senses were sharper than ever. Every shift in the wind, every crack of a branch, every faint scent carried on the air seemed amplified, as though the forest itself was whispering to me.“She’s close,” I said with my voice steady but low.Zone tightened his grip on his weapon and his jaw clenched. “I hope so,” he muttered. “I’m tired of chasing shadows.”Ardan placed a reassuring hand on Zone’s shoulder with his steady presence a calming force. “If Serena says she’s close, she is,” he said simply.I nodded as my Wolf mother instincts guided me. This power was still new, its limits and purpose unclear, but I trusted it.“She’s been here for a while,” I said as my eyes scanned the forest. “There’s magic e
THE BREAKING POINTThe air in the library was suffocating and I all I could smell were the old books Rachel had managed to source. Rachel and I had spent hours combing through every tome, scroll, and scrap of parchment we could find, searching for something—anything—that might help wake Gilly from her coma.“Anything yet?” I asked tiredly.Rachel didn’t look up, her fingers just kept flipping through the brittle pages of an ancient book. “Nothing,” she muttered with her frustration evident.I sighed, leaning back in my chair and rubbing my temples. The silence of the library, which was usually comforting, now felt oppressive.“Keep looking,” I said, though my words felt hollow.Rachel glanced at me with her face pale and drawn. “Serena, we’ve been at this for hours. If there was something here, we would have found it by now.”“We can’t stop,” I said firmly. “There has to be an answer.”Rachel hesitated before nodding, though I could see the doubt in her eyes.The sound of something cr
The council chamber was silent as I stood before them with my heart heavy but resolute. Members of Derek’s pack sat in a semicircle with their eyes filled with worry and confusion. Tobias was beside me and his brow furrowed as he glanced my way. He didn’t know what I was about to say, but I had no doubt he suspected it wasn’t good.I took a deep breath, letting the weight of my decision settle over me. “Thank you all for coming,” I began with my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.The wolves murmured quietly, their unease was palpable.“I’ve come to a decision,” I continued, looking out over the gathered wolves. “The witches are targeting this pack because of me. Every attack, every loss—it's all because I’m here. They won’t stop until they get what they want.”Tobias shifted uncomfortably, but I pressed on before he could interrupt.“I can’t allow more innocent lives to be lost because of me,” I said with my voice growing firmer. “That’s why I’ve decided to leave. Tobias will
Ardan’s hand was steady in mine with his warmth grounding me as I prepared to dive back into Gilly’s mind. Sally felt uneasy and her instincts warned me of the dangers ahead, but I pushed the fear aside.“You’re sure about this?” I asked Ardan, glancing up at him.He nodded, determined that what we were about to do would work. “If siphoning my strength will give you what you need to face the witches, then do it. You’ve already risked so much, Serena. Let me help you.”I swallowed hard as my grip tightened on his hand. “If this doesn’t work—”“It will,” he said firmly. “We’re in this together.”Rachel stood nearby with her brows furrowed with worry. “Be careful,” she said. “Whatever happens, don’t push yourself too far. We can’t afford to lose either of you.”I nodded, closing my eyes and focusing on the bond between Ardan and me. It was like reaching into a river of energy, his strength flowing into me in a steady, powerful current.The world around me faded, and I was back in the dar
When I opened my eyes, I was back in the medical wing with Ardan’s hand still gripping mine. His eyes searched mine and his worry was evident.My chest heaved, and my hands trembled as I clutched the edge of the bed. I turned to Gilly, watching her lay motionless beside me, her pale face was twisted in silent agony.“Serena” Ardan’s called with his hands still gripping my arms to steady me. “What happened? What did you see?”Rachel and Zone were beside him with their expressions a mix of concern and urgency.I took a shuddering breath, meeting their eyes. “It’s all a lie,” I said with my voice shaking but resolute.“What do you mean?” Rachel asked, stepping closer.“The witches,” I said with my jaw tightening. “They’ve been tricking me all along. They made it seem like my sacrifice would save everyone—my pack, the rogues, the innocent. But it’s not true. After I sacrifice myself, no one will be saved. They were never planning to liberate anyone. They’re planning to take control of eve
The castle was right in front with its dark and ruinous castle towers standing tall above the stormy sky. A dreadful smell of blood helped us fathom what sort of creatures we had to slay to reach this particular point. Fighters were heard from the back where Zone took the lead amongst warriors and was fighting to keep the last wave of monstrous beasts back.“Go!” Zone shouted with his voice cutting through the chaos. “We’ve got this!”Ardan grabbed my hand, pulling me forward toward the castle’s entrance. “Stay close,” he said in a low but commanding voice.I didn’t need to be told twice. The closer we got to the castle, the heavier the air became. It wasn’t just the harsh atmosphere—it was the magic. Dark, ancient, and malevolent, it radiated from the very stones of the structure, coiling around us like a living thing.As we stepped through the big and heavy iron doors, the sounds of the b
Gloria sat tied up in the centre of the room with her hands shackled with reinforced silver cuffs and her dark robes torn and bloodied from our earlier battle. The usually smug and cruel gleam in her eyes had dimmed and it was replaced by a simmering hatred that sent chills through me.Even though we had captured her and brought her back to Derek’s pack, the tension hadn’t lifted. It was hard to believe that, with her imprisonment, the constant attacks from rogues and witches might finally stop.“You brought her back to the pack? What’s stoping you all from burning her alive?” Tobias asked as I led him to where we kept Gloria hostage.“We need answers and we need to unlink her from Gilly.” I replied.“Well, our people mustn’t know about this. Gloria’s defeated. That’s how it should be.” Tobias instructed and I nodded my head in agreement.I stood by Ardan’s side as both of us watched Zone pace back and forth like a predator waiting to strike. His anger was palpable and his wolf was ju
The journey back to Ardan’s pack was long but it felt lighter than any journey we had taken. Gloria who was held tightly with silver chains, rode in a separate cart with her mouth gagged to prevent her from casting any spells. Despite her subdued state, I couldn’t shake the sense of unease that prickled at the back of my mind. Her presence felt like a shadow, dark and cold and trailing us no matter how much distance we put between us and Derek’s pack.Ardan rode beside me with a sharp and watchful expression with his eyes flickering constantly toward the cart. “She’s too calm,” he murmured with his voice low enough that only I could hear.“I know,” I replied with my own unease matching his. “But we’ve taken every precaution. She can’t escape.”“I really do hope you’re right, Serena,” he said, though from his tone, it was pretty obvious he wasn’t convinced.Zone rode ahead with a group of warriors, leading the way through the winding trails that marked the border of Ardan’s pack territ
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