Serena's POVI was lying on the floor in so much pain, but I tried my best not to look pitiful, but that wasn't the case. I looked pathetic at best, and this was not the entrance I would make to see Arden.I could still sense Zone and Arden hovering over me, probably wondering how to get me up without causing excruciating pain."Move." I heard.I lifted my head, and I was Gilly. How was she able to get out of bed so quickly?She came to my side, and she applied something to my wound. At first, it was hurting, but later, it became soothing.When she was done, she turned back and walked away despite the number of times Zone called for her. It was no doubt one of the things she learnt from the witches.I sat down first before slowly rising to my feet. The wound still hurt, but it wasn't as bad as before."Are you alright?" Arden asked."Better now," I replied. I looked down at the wound, and it was still there.I guess what she applied was for that pain and not for the wound to heal comp
Serena's POVI went to meet Gilly, and I found out she had made a complete recovery very quickly. I was very happy about that, yes, but I was confused as to how that was possible.She gave me something to drink, and my wound started to heal until there was no sign of the wound."How did you…""I'm not an experienced witch doctor for nothing." She said with a wink. "I heard Sylvia was kicked out of the palace."I nodded in response. I'm still trying to process the fact that Arden asked Sylvia to leave the palace. It's what I wanted him to do, but now that he has done it, I don't know what to feel about it."And?" She asked."And what?""How do you feel about it?"I sighed and rubbed my palms together. "I don't know. It's so weird that Arden called off the wedding, and Sylvia is out of the palace." I said.Gilly cocked her head in confusion."Don't get me wrong. I like that she's out of here, but what now? Is he going to make me his bride, or is he going to find another person? Everythi
Arden's POV.While Zone and I drank, I watched Serena trail away to find Gilly. I couldn't bear to see her like that because it hurt me to my core. I had told Zone's my plans now that Sylvia was which sounded stupid even to me."You know this won't be easy for you." Zone said.I scoffed. "When has it been easy?" I asked rhetorically.After sitting with him for a while, a servant came to me and said the council would like to meet with me. Which was odd because it's nighttime, and there was no message beforehand notifying me about a meeting.I finished my drink, and just as I was about to leave, Zone looked completely pale. His fingers gripped his phone so tightly that it became discolored, and if he held on for too long, he might break his phone."What is it?" I asked.He gave me his phone and I read the news. "Damn!" I roared.I dropped his phone and looked him in the eyes. "Do not let Serena know where I am. I know this is why they want to see me. I can't make things worse for her an
Serena's POVAfter Arden texted to not do damage control, I became increasingly worried about him and his whereabouts. I hated the fact that Zone didn't want to tell me too.After a while we all finally decided to go to our various rooms. I went to mine but I was completely restless. I walked around my room a couple of times. I even tried to read but I couldn't.I lay in bed for a few minutes before getting up. It was pretty late and Arden might still not be back from where he was yet. I needed to know if there was anything in his room to put my mind at ease regarding where he was.I snuck out of my room and I tried to avoid being seen by guards or servants. It's late but people in this palace are seemingly always lurking to find new gossip.I made it to Arden's door and I was going to open it but I decided to knock first just in case he was inside.Just as I was about to knock, the door opened revealing an exhausted Arden. He looked glad to see me then worried. He pulled me into the
Serena's POVI hovered around because I was a little bit uncomfortable. I know I've been here but the circumstances are different from those other times."You seem uncomfortable." He said.I chuckled nervously. "I'm not."He saw right through my lies. He walked closer to me and lifted my chin up. He placed a soft kiss on my lips. "You shouldn't be."He stepped back and took off his sleeve. I saw his wide and built chest. I was beginning to think that staying here might be a little problematic for me because I know I might not be able to control myself"I'm going to take a shower. You're welcome to join me if you want." He said and I couldn't tell if he was joking or not.I shook my head and sat on the bed. He shrugged then went to the bathroom.Soon, I heard the shower running and I could feel my stomach rumble in excitement. In between my legs began to heat up and I imagined what he would look like under the shower.I stood up and paced slowly. I wanted to go in but I didn't know if
Serena's POVAfter Sylvia left the palace, everything had been a breath of fresh air.Everyone, servants and guards included, became somewhat freer to express themselves and I wasn't always trying to be a step ahead of her if she was plotting something.It was like she was the dark cloud hanging around the palace and now, it's finally lifted.Even after the scandal, things still weren't that bad. Yes, everyone is working tirelessly to find who this corrupt wolf is but there is no pressure.Maybe it's because Arden tells us that.Speaking of Arden, he has been very busy lately. He is always releasing statements, addressing the pack and going for council meetings a lot these days.I don't know how to feel about it because we haven't necessarily talked about ourselves after the night we shared.I try not to think about it though but it was a night I won't forget. For the first time, I didn't feel like a servant or a sneaky link.I felt like his mate.I wish he were here so I could at lea
Serena's POVI looked around admiring every bit of detail put in this place and I'm in awe. Soon, Rachel took to the stand and gave a speech."As we all know, today is our beloved Serena's birthday and we want nothing but the best for her. Serena, you have been more than a friend to me. You're like a sister and I will always love you. I hope this is your happiest birthday yet. Cheers.""Here, here." The others echoed.I walked to her and gave her the tightest hug I had in me. "I love you so much Rachel." I pulled from her and I could feel tears about to drop from my eyes."No. No. You promised you won't cry." She said,"I can't help it." I giggled and tried to fan my eyes for the tears to go away."Happy birthday Serena." Gilly said as she hugged me from behind. "It's good to see you happier now.""You knew about this?" I asked."I wanted to tell you but Rachel made me swear I wouldn't tell you. But I told Zone after you left.""You are unbelievable Gilly." I said."Yeah, how dare you
Arden's POVI woke up with a feeling of calmness and warmness. I haven't felt this way in years and it was because of her. The woman that has haunted my very being with her presence and her absence makes me crave her even more.The sunlight hits her face making it glow in the sun but she turns away from it and buried her face on my chest.I chuckled lightly with how adorable she looked after doing that. I kissed her on her forehead and watched as her eyes flutter open."Good morning my darling." I said."Good evening." She said and stretched."How did you sleep?"She smiled. "I slept well. Actually, better than I have in a few days.""It's good to know." I kissed her forehead again. "Darling, I have to go."She furrowed her brows and pouts. "Why?"I wanted to stay all day in bed with her doing nothing but admiring her in all her beauty but I couldn't. I have important things to attend to."I have to meet Gilly concerning the investigation of the corrupt wolf. She said believe she migh
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