Serena's POVHe pulled me up until I was on my feet again. I could feel my heart hammering loudly in my chest and I won't be surprised if he can hear it too. My breathing was fast and uneven. I couldn't tell if it was because I almost fell or the fact that he caught me.He stared at me for a while with shock in his eyes, I'm assuming he too was scared about the fact that I almost fell. His eyes moved from shock to softest."Are you okay?" He asked softly.I tried to open my mouth to speak but my voice seemed to be lost for the moment. I was still in shock and everything happened in an instance. I am still trying to process that that just happened.During this time, he refused to let me go. His eyes were soft then they stared into mine showing nothing but care and concern for my well-being.Now I wonder, how was he able to move that fast to catch me. I knew Arden was fast but I didn't think it would be that fast."Serena, are you okay?" He asked again. I realized I was quiet the entire
Serena's POV"Arden." At the mention of Arden's name, we both separated like our touch was lethal to the other.We both turned to find Thorne starting here. I didn't realize when he walked in apparently neither of us did."You asked to see me." Thorne said trying to make the situation less awkward but that could be impossible now.My face was red in embarrassment and Arden seemed a little thrown off balance. Even Thorne could sense how uncomfortable the situation was.He rubbed his nose awkwardly. "It seems you're busy. I'll come back later." He turned to leave but I stopped him. I would rather leave than stay here to continue the awkward moment."You don't have to. I was just about to leave." I said nervously. I shuffled around nervously because I gained my steps back."Wait." Arden's voice called out.I really wish I didn't ask for permission to see Gilly. I would be in my room resting then maybe I would take a walk around the palace. I would have been anywhere but in this situation
Serena's POVWe both stayed quiet a while because neither of us wanted to revisit that topic we dropped, most especially me. As much as I had so much hope for the fact that Arden cares, I can keep myself in the dark and pretend he hasn't hurt me before. That might be a reason why I might never trust their vague words. Unless he comes out to tell me what his intentions are, I will not hold out hope foolishly.I glanced at him and he seemed uneasy. I understand though. He is trying to put in a good word for his good friend but it isn't working. He might think he failed to get me to believe what Arden says and I feel bad for him for being disappointed but I'm choosing to be selfish for once.I didn't like how quiet we both are so I decided to bring up a topic that will lighten the mood because I don't like how long this silence has lasted."Rachel seems so fond of you. She kept talking about your date with her last night. Seems like she's very fond of you" I said.He looked at me and the
Serena's POVI could feel my palms becoming clammy as beads of sweat gather on top of my eye brows. I know I wanted to know the truth but now I'm reconsidering it."Serena, there's nothing to be afraid of." Gilly said to me. "And it's okay, if you don't want to know."I swallow the lump in my throat. "No, I do. I'm just a little bit nervous." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I opened them and I felt a little less nervous. "I need to know more about myself and why I am seemingly very important to the King."She dropped her cup and leaned in. "The Wolf Mother was legendary because her birth symbolized the great unification of all the werewolves and their Wolf pack making into one great pack. Up until now, she is still the most powerful werewolf to be born. Over the years, her powers tend to descend into other wolves but they could never be truly as powerful as she was."She had various abilities and one of them was the power of control. Her words could influence all werewolves b
Serena's POVI was completely confused, and I had nothing to say. What was there to say, I am completely lost. This is ridiculously. This is so messed up. I can't believe this is the secret war we need to fight, and I thought Derek was the main enemy. The witches had planned this through and through. If anything happens, they will attack.Also, Arden was cursed, and I'm his second mate. This is too much information to get at once. If his previous mate was killed in advance, then who am I? Am I his mate truly? Or am I just a means of delay? Is this why Arden never truly loved me?"Serena, you look deadly pale, and I'm worried. You want anything to eat or drink. I didn't know a werewolf could be this pale." Gilly said in panic."I'm okay. Really, I am." I said, but I didn't sound convincing at all."No. I can't risk Arden finding out that you came to see me and that you became this pale. He might think I tried to kill you." She said in a whisper."Gilly, I can assure you that I am fine.
Serena's POVGilly could not look me in the eye. I don't understand why though, because she said she knew nothing about the witches' plans and how to break the curse. I trust that she is telling the truth. Honestly, I am so surprised at why I trust her this much.She looked at me nervously, like she had another bombshell to drop. It's like she was trying to find a way to put it so it doesn't shake me to my core, but I believe I won't be surprised if the next thing she says. I didn't pressurise her to speak, but I decided that if she were ready, she would tell me."The reason why I don't know if Arden's curse can be broken is because…" she paused, and I kept looking at her, urging her to continue. She looked unsure, and her voice came out lowly and fearful. "I'm a werewolf."I stared at her in shock. She's a werewolf? But Rachel and Alpha Zone said she was a witch. She even referred to herself as a witch. How is she now a werewolf?"Here me out. I was taken by the witches when I was li
Serena's POVI looked at Gilly Ponder for a while after she said she didn't believe me. It seemed like she must have also thought about the points I gave. It's miserable how tense things are because if she could go out, all she needs is one day with Alpha Zone, and she would change her mind about all of the doubts she has."So, he is a nice guy?" She asked again."He is just a little grumpy sometimes," I said, and she smiled. "I can already tell that you two will be good together, and you will be together forever.""I hope so." She said, and she meant it.Unlike earlier, she looked happy and excited, with a glint of hope in her eyes. I'm thrilled to see she isn't being sceptical about Alpha Zone, and I hope he does treat her nicely, too."Gilly, I need to leave now," I said to her,She looked downcast for a moment, and that broke my heart. She needs someone always to come and visit her. I know Alpha Zone is busy these days, and I was just lucky, but it isn't right that she's always le
Author's POVAfter hours of Serena visiting her, Gilly had felt very anxious about whether she would keep her word, and she had enough reasons not to keep her word. Witches raised her, and she might be an imposter. Gilly half expected Serena to never let her out of this chamber, but she also hoped that Serena might treat her differently from the others.Then, the door opened. She stood up abruptly to see who it was, for it wasn't time for her to have her next meal. There were two guards. They looked at her with disgust."The King asked to release you from this chamber, and you will move to a room closer to the royal family." He said stiffly."Really?" She asked in excitement. She felt tears fill her eyes because Serena kept her word."Get your things and follow us." The other said.She went to pack her bags and took a few room decor for my new room. She hoped it was better than this one and had the freedom to decorate it however she wanted, but it might be problematic because of the a
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
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,
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,
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 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 walk back to camp was filled with tension. Dominic’s easy smirk didn’t help; if anything, it made Zone’s temper simmer hotter. I could feel the heat of Zone’s eyes boring into Dominic’s back, but I kept my focus on the path ahead. We didn’t have time for petty arguments—not when Ardan was still out there.When we arrived, Rachel was sitting beside Gilly with her hands glowing faintly as she worked to stabilise our friend’s breathing. Gilly lay on a makeshift bed of leaves. Her face was pale but peaceful. Rachel glanced up as we approached. Her brows furrowed when she spotted Dominic.“Who’s this?” Rachel asked in a wary tone.Dominic gave her a lazy wave. “Dominic. Smuggler, information broker, occasional charmer. At your service.”Zone growled. “We don’t need your act. Just tell them why you’re here.”I stepped forward, cutting through the tension. “This is Dominic. He knows the rogue king’s network and might have information about Ardan’s whereabouts.”“Might,” Dominic echoed, l
Dominic’s smirk widened as he crossed his arms, leaning casually against one of the tent poles. He was tall, lean, and radiated this air of arrogance that set my teeth on edge. His sharp green eyes darted between Zone and me, sizing us up like the way predators size their prey.“Ardan,” I said firmly, cutting straight to the point. “You know where he is.”Dominic raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Oh, do I now? And what makes you think I’d share that information with you?”Zone stiffened beside me with his hand twitching toward his blade, but I placed a calming hand on his arm. This was my fight.“Because we both know you don’t work for free,” I replied. “You don’t owe the rogue king loyalty, and I can pay you better than he ever could.”Dominic chuckled, pushing off the post and circling me slowly. “Interesting theory. But what makes you think your cause is worth my time? I mean, look at you—tired, desperate, and woefully out of your depth. You’re chasing a ghost, sweetheart.”I
The forest had become our home and our prison. Days turned into nights without relief. The rogue king’s forces were everywhere, and we were forced to move like ghosts, never lingering in one place for long.Gilly’s condition had improved, but she still wasn’t strong enough to travel far, and Rachel rarely left her side. That left Zone and me to scout ahead, searching for any sign of Ardan or the rogue king’s plans.The frustration was beginning to pile up, and my wolf, Sally, understood my restlessness. “We’re wasting time,” she growled in my mind as we crept through an underbrush. “He’s out there, and we’re stuck chasing the wrong thing.”“You think I don’t know that?” I shot back. “I just don’t know how to prove it.” I continued. He was alive—I was sure of it—but every moment we spent running felt like another moment he slipped further from my reach.Zone crouched beside me with his sharp eyes scanning the road ahead. “Trail’s fresh,” he murmured, pointing to a set of boot prints in
We had finally gotten out of the dungeon and I helped Zone and Gilly to the hidden passage I’d used to enter. Every sound echoed in my ears—the clink of Zone’s chains that we had now gotten rid of, Gilly’s shallow, pained breaths, and my dragged footsteps against the stone floor. I was angry and confused. What I’d seen… it wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be.“That wasn’t Ardan,” I reminded myself, swallowing down the lump in my throat. My wolf, Sally, had already made it clear: this Ardan was an imposter, the rogue king in disguise. But knowing didn’t lessen the pain of seeing my mate’s face twisted into something cruel and unrecognisable.“Serena,” Zone growled behind me in a low tone but he was very much angry. “Are you going to explain now, or do I have to figure this out on my own?”I paused, staring back at him. He was cradling Gilly in his arms. She looked so small and so broken. The sight of her nearly brought me to my knees.“That wasn’t Ardan like I said,” I said softly and with