Serena's POVThey said life comes at us in different ways. Sometimes you lose, some other times you will win, it doesn't have a pattern, either of the two could come first. It depends on how fate wants our journey to be.Within a short period, my nightmares turned into sweet dreams, ones that I'd never want to wake up again. It became nights of bliss and days of sunshine.My early days in the palace were from one humiliation to another, and I was an object of bully. No one has spared me from their trap and insults.Upon my journey into the royal training, I have experienced warmth within this short period more than I can attest to throughout the journey of my existence up until this moment.I felt closer and closer to Arden, he was now soft and gentle with me, and I could now look into his eyes when I spoke to him. He was now looking out for me.I now have a friend who I could refer to as my sister. A warm companion who I could rest on her shoulder. Rachael was indeed lovely.With an
Serena's POVI woke up to the sun shining brightly and birds using their beautiful songs to usher in the new day. Activities of the day was already on full swing which prompted me to get ready for my own day. The day of my last task.I got myself prepared for the day thinking about how far I've come. I wasn't a helpless weak palace servant anymore. That's all behind me now.I got a message from Rachel wishing me good luck with the task today and I smiled. I know I might probably have to take on Rachel or Alpha Zone truly, they have been more than friends to me. I would have lasted another agonizing day without them.I wore my training clothing and I looked in the mirror satisfied with what I saw then I made my way to the palace.The palace was packed full with people who were going to watch today's last task. My heart raced with both anxiety and excitement but I couldn't tell which was more.I met up with Rachel and she looked ready as ever and completely calm."Today's the big day."
Serena's POVAfter the task, I went to the locker room and freshened up. I was given a guard uniform to wear and I never for a million lifetime would have thought I would be Adren's personal guard. It's like I was doomed to forever be bound to him. I got into the academy to be free from him. Now, I'm even closer to him than before.I am glad Alpha Zone helped me out but this was not the reward I had in mind. For all it's worth, I'm no longer a lowly slave but a higher authority that still objects to these orders and commands.I came out in my uniform and I admit I look very nice in it but I certainly didn't feel that way. Both Rachel and Alpha Zone were also given uniforms also and we were to report to the Adren."Hey, are you okay?" Rachel whispered as we walked."Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I be?" I let the lie flow like water but I know she can tell I'm not okay."Even deaf humans can tell you're lying." Alpha Zone said with his voice even and eyes front. It looks like he is as up
Serena's POVWe sat in silence and I kept looking outside the window to avoid any form eye contact with him. I tried my best to look as formal as possible but I couldn't help but think that he was sitting in front of me, with very little space between us and there's no much a girl can hold on to.I snapped out of those thoughts. Rachel and Alpha Zone said I should stay away from him or at least be as official as I can be with him."Why are you always looking out the window?" I asked."Pardon?" I asked like I wasn't listening to him. All a ploy to act like I'm uninterested in him."Why are you looking out the window?" He asked again."Looking out for rogues. We might never know when they'll plan to attack." I said firmly.He barked out a loud and long laugh. "It's so funny how you have been beaten more times than I can count and you are acting all big and tough." He said."I apologise for not seeing your safety as a funny game." I said with my tone as dry as possible."Touche" he said.
Serena's POVAs soon as we got down from the carriages, Sylvia excitedly walked up to Arden and planted a long kiss on his lips. It's either she did it to spite me or she is truly deeply in love with him. I believe it's the former.She eyed me carefully, probably wondering why I was here and, most importantly, why I was in a guard's uniform."Serena, Zone, I want to personally congratulate you on your successful course in the academy." She said she was a saint.Alpha Zone and I simply bowed in response like we already practised how we'd respond to her."Shall we?" Arden asked."Not yet, my darling." She said, then walked to me. She held my hands like we had a previous rapport, and she would like to rekindle our friendship."I know I haven't always been nice to you, I am truly happy for your progress and success." She said, but I could feel everything she said was a lie. This was all a facade.I forced a smile. "Thank you for your kind words." I said as nicely as possible."When do you
Serena's POVI listened to Alpha Zone attentively as I am fed up with all Arden put me through and as for what he did tonight, I am getting fed up with and there is so much I can take even for a resilient person. So if he knows a way for me to leave this place for good, I will be more than willing to take my chances."You have the opportunity to get out. All you need to do is complete your three year tenure." He said.I sighed in frustration. "Three years. That's a lot of time.""But at least you're not a servant anymore."He made a fair point, but I was thinking I would be able to get out as soon as possible.I don't understand Arden. He prevented me from leaving when his mother granted me permission to leave. Now this? This is getting too frustrating."Crap! I am always this close," I walk up to him and hold my forefinger and thumb close with very little space in-between them. "This is close. But he ruins everything for me. It's getting so unbearable." I ranted."But there's a brigh
Serena's POVAfter what felt like hours, I finally heard the door click. I stood up from where I was sitting and stood upright. I waited for a while but no one came out of the room.This is the most impossible job ever.My feet hurt from standing for so long. I've endured training exercises that can be really exhausting but it's better than standing here and enduring the sounds of them while having to be uncomfortable all the while it happened.I heard footsteps in the room and low mumbles but I didn't know what exactly they were talking about and if I'm honest with myself, I'd rather if I didn't.I wish I had my phone with me. I would love to do something to keep me busy and also to know what time it is. But from the moonlight, I can tell it's somewhat around 3am.It's almost morning and I haven't gotten any shut eye. I guess this is one of the things I need to let go as long as I am going to be Arden's guard.I wondered if I should go to the training ground to meet with Alpha Zone b
Serena's POVAfter having just four hours of sleep, I was up again and ready for the day's work. I looked in the mirror as I got ready and I realized I had dark eye circles and my hair was a little unruly. I styled it in a messy bun because I didn't have enough time to properly style my hair.I went downstairs and I quickly had breakfast. I wanted to avoid some of the maids as much as possible but I couldn't because Emma was there."Good morning," I said to her."Good morning" she replied back.I went back to my food but I noticed she was looking at me. Her eyes ran along my body trying to take in me in my guard uniform and I could tell what she was thinking.I drank a glass of water like my life depended on it."Thank you so much for the food. It was delicious." I said to her and turned to leave."Thank you," she said. After a bout of silence she spoke again"Congratulations." She said faintly but her voice sounded sincere.I gave her a small smile and thanked her.I went outside and
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
Evelyn’s PoVCaden proposed a second meeting, calling his people in. As we all came together for the second meeting, the room was filled with an uneasy tension. The rogue pack talked in hushed tones, and my mother fidgeted uncomfortably next to Ardan, looking like they wanted to be anywhere else in the world but here. At the head of the table, Caden leaned forward, his features were unreadable but his authority was unmistakable.“Let me tell you my plan,” Caden said immediately, “I‘m willing to retract my threats for war. What I want is peace—but on my terms.”A light squeaking sound filled the air as the people present in the room shifted to get closer in the room and listen intently.Caden’s eyes settled on me. “I will cancel the war proposal, but only if Evelyn accepts to relocate to my home. She will be the link between my pack and your pack. This remains my price, and on this issue, there cannot be any compromise.”I could only open my mouth in surprise and my heart started flutt