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
Serena's POVStill filled with excitement from standing up to Sylvia, I ran into the palace to find Rachel. I could feel my insides bubbling with excitement. I haven't been this excited in a long while and I can't keep this excitement to myself. I need to tell her what happened.I entered her room and she already wore her pants but not her shirt."Um, a little privacy here." She said flatly."Oh please, we shared the same locker room." I said."Because we had no choice." She whined."If you really wanted privacy, you would lock your door." I said factually.She rolled her eyes. "What do you want? I thought you were guarding His Royal Majesty, King Arden." She said mockingly.I don't blame her. I have been pretty annoying with how much I do my job. If I were her, I'd mock myself too."Shush. I have something to tell you." I said in excitement.She stared at me for a while before snapping, "Well, what is it?""I talked back to Sylvia and put her in her place."She furrowed her brows. "I
Evelyn’s PoVMy heart felt torn as I sank my eyes into my mother’s still figure. The Wolf Mother, Serena, lay on the ground unconscious and barely breathing. The silver dagger placed in her chest was a cruel reminder of my impossible choice.Odessa's voice sounded cold on my skin. "You know the terms, girl. Come with me, and she lives. Stay here, and she dies before your eyes."My hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my palm to hold back the inevitable breakdown. The pack barely breathed. They simply waited. I wanted someone to stop me; I wanted someone to throw themselves in the line of fire and say this was pointless. But there they stood in silence."Evelyn!" Marcus's voice broke the silence. There was desperation in it, something pleading, something that turned my stomach. I turned to him, and my heart shattered at the pain in his eyes, as though he watched me dying in front of him."Promise me," I whispered, my throat tight. "Promise me that you won't come after me."His
Evelyn’s PoVThe scent of blood and smoke filled the air and howls and screams reverberated throughout the woods as Odessa and her rogue pack stormed against us. I stood there frozen for a moment with my heart pounding wildly against my chest, as I saw the pack's defences collapse against the onslaught of their attack. The rogues outnumbered the pack, and the way they fought could be matched only with menacing madness. My fists were closed so tightly I could feel my nails digging painfully into my palms as I struggled to contain the panic rising inside me. I could not stand there and do nothing.Before I could move, Marcus appeared at my side, his face covered in dirt and blood. His eyes were watered wide with urgency as he pushed something into my hands: my grandmother’s relic."I found it for you," he began, his voice strained yet steady. "You have to use it, Evelyn. You are the only one who can."I stared at the relic with a racing mind, the one that had unleashed a sinister and un
Authors PoVThe air within the pack appeared heavy. Uncertainty and fear enveloped them all. News of Odessa's inflated army had trickled through, and even though there was no sign of hostilities, everyone was cognisant and it was only a matter of time.Evelyn sat just outside the training grounds, watching as the warriors brushed up on their fighting skills, awaiting the inevitable. With her powers gone, she felt like just a lonely ghost among them, powerless in the face of the oncoming storm. Every skirmish strike, every war strategy discussion, stomped her with a reminder of what she had lost.Marcus stood next to her with arms crossed, his keen sight following the fighters. Since their return, he had met few moments away from her, though she knew he bore the weight of words he was dying to speak."Go find the relic," he finally uttered, breaking the silence.Evelyn clenched her fists. "No."Marcus sighed. He knelt before her, so she had no choice but to look him in the eyes. "Evely
Authors PoVAfter darkness fell, Marcus Luca and Ryan made their way carefully past the forest bordering Odessa's camp. Their main goal was to rescue Evelyn and they knew that the challenges ahead would test their determination every step of the way.Ryan signalled for everyone to stop as they reached the edge of the camp grounds. Several guards strolled their rounds with little care even though danger loomed near. With anger boiling inside Luca he made fists while Marcus surveyed their surroundings until spotting the training pit.Evelyn was in there.She was fighting again.His heartbeat raced when he saw her standing despite her injuries. Still fighting. His feelings changed from joy to anger. How many more injuries would she endure? How long could people continue treating her as their personal tool?Ryan touched Marcus' shoulder firmly to calm him. He spoke softly to confirm their plan's execution. “We continue our plan until the perfect time arrives.”But Marcus wasn’t listening.
Author PoVEvelyn did not pay any attention; her focus was settled on the man's stance with calculated shifts of weight from one leg to another. He was overconfident- arrogant. She saw that as her advantage.Odessa raised a hand for silence, and the murmurs immediately died down.”The rules are simple,” she said. ”You win; you go.” She tilted her head slightly, letting her smirk get even wider. ”You lose… well, you won’t have to worry about anything again.”They laughed, but Evelyn barely heard them.She forced herself to take long, steady breaths. She has been in many fights before, but this one would be different. She no longer had her powers: no extra strength, no magic to back her up, only her instincts and the last remnants of her training skills.With Odessa's hand falling, the rogue lunged.Evelyn scarcely had time to dodge, twisting to the side as the man's heavy fist swung by her face. He was quick, but she was quicker. She made sure to use her momentum in her favour to turn
Author PoVMarcus and Luca moved softly through the dense forest with their senses heightened as they followed the slightest signs of Evelyn’s trail. The night was utter silence, except for the shuffling leaves and occasional howl of distant wolves. Marcus was becoming restless. Every second they spent looking for her was a second longer that Evelyn was in Odessa’s grasp.Luca was tense beside him, the hilt of his blade remaining skittish between his fingers. "You’re sure this is the right direction?" he whispered with his darting between the shadows.Marcus gritted his teeth. "No. It’s the only lead we’ve got."Before Luca could confirm Marcus' doubts, something moving in the tree line caught his eye. A small pack of wolves, unmistakably rogue, moved out of the shadows. These were scouts from the pack known as Red Blood Moon.One of the scouts gasped and immediately recognised Luca. "It’s him," the man growled. "The boy who wanted revenge for his father."Luca's muscles tensed as he
Evelyn PoVI could feel the fire of Odessa's stare upon me in absence of her physical presence. She was testing me. Watching. Waiting. Every interaction, every task she assigned, was meant to push me to my breaking point. But I had refused to give her that pleasure of seeing me crack wide open. I held my head high, shoulders squared, even when hunger left my stomach in torments and all signs screamed for rest. One ultimate attempt-breaking would be in her favour. I would not. Submission was what she wanted-a statement of weakness.I was not weak.Days went by, as Odessa kept count in a terrible prison of sorts that she had set up for me, with no shackling-but the guards outside the door ensured I was as good as trapped. They fed me only when they felt like it, and water only if I obeyed. There were bruises on my arms as a result of their unruly treatment, all because I would not comply. But even as my body traipsed into weakness, the spirit did not.One d
Serena’s PoVI kept my hands on my knees as I sat in my empty room while my breath escaped me erratically. No news from Evelyn since her departure kept stabbing me through the heart with each passing day without knowing she was safe. Our connection remained completely still ever since she left with Luca although I tried numerous times to call but my efforts led to complete silence.My entire concentration went toward our connection while I kept my eyes shut. “Evelyn. Evelyn, can you hear me?“Minute after minute, hours after hours, days after days, I tried but I got nothing. I was scared. Had anything happened to my baby? I refused to think negatively because I knew Marcus was there and he swore to protect her so I had nothing to worry about.Another time, I tried again. I had wanted to give up but I decided to try again one last time.The empty silence ended when a hard laugh entered my mind which felt strange and hostile.
Author’s PoVWith a sharp gasp, Marcus regained consciousness, his body ached from whatever beating he had received. For a moment, his vision clouded but cleared up soon, revealing to him the heavy forest canopy that spread above him. Groaning, he forced himself to sit up, even though the pain in his ribs was killing him. His mind was hazy; however, the last thing he could remember brought new panic into the mind-Evelyn. He might have witnessed her dragged away while he lay helpless on the floor of the forest and was unable to stop them. He had escaped from them after he had fought with them but they beat him up.He cursed under his breath, dragging himself to his feet despite the pain. His legs were made of jelly, but he pressed on with his eyes scanning the area. A faint scent of rogues led deeper into the forest. He knew he had to speed up. If they'd captured Evelyn, heaven knows what they'd do to her.With every excruciating step, Marcus followed the trail, but something was off.