Elena’s povThe last of the loud laughter and celebratory cheers finally faded. Our wedding party was officially over. Oliver, my husband now, led me by the hand through the winding corridors of the pack house, his grip warm and reassuring. We finally arrived at our room, specially decorated with flowers and soft lighting. I couldn't help but smile.He closed the door gently, turning to face me, his eyes crinkling at the corners with affection. He reached out, his fingers tracing the curve of my cheek. "Finally, we're alone," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.I leaned into his touch, my heart pounding a happy rhythm against my ribs. "It feels like a dream," I whispered back.A small table was filled with some warm rolls and fruit, and two glasses filled with wine. It was a simple, intimate scene, perfect after the whirlwind of the day. I reminded myself to thank Beauty later because it looked like her set up.Oliver kicked the door shut with his foot, his brown eyes sparkling
Lucas’s povThe biting wind whipped at my face, carrying the scent of leftover food and damp earth. It was the familiar smell of home, but even that couldn't lift the heavy weariness that clung to me like a clone. I was tired, bone-deep tired, a weariness that went beyond the physical. It was the kind that settled in your soul, making even the simplest tasks feel monumental.Returning from the Blue Moon pack had been… complicated. Meeting my father, finally putting a face to the stories, had stirred up a whirlwind of emotions I was still struggling to contain. The news he’d given me… I pushed the thought away. It was too much to unpack right now. I just needed home, needed the familiar routine, the comforting presence of those I loved and lived with all my life.And Nate. He was clinging to my hand, his small fingers wrapped tight around mine. He hadn't wanted to stay with Helen back at Blue Moon pack. He insisted on following me back to Full Moon pack. I squeezed his hand gently, a s
Beauty’s pov The clatter of a plate echoed in the large kitchen as I rinsed away the soapy bubbles. The wedding feast had been magnificent, but the cleanup… monumental! Still, humming a merry tune, I scrubbed with gusto. It was my duty, and I found a certain contentment in the order I brought to the chaos.Suddenly, the kitchen door creaked open, and my heart skipped a beat. Daniel stood silhouetted in the doorway, the soft light outlining his broad shoulders. He looked tired, but his eyes held a warmth that made my cheeks flush."Couldn't sleep?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.He shook his head, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Too much excitement, I suppose. And besides, I saw you were still toiling away. Allow me to help?""Oh, no, you don't have to," I protested, suddenly flustered. The thought of him helping me, of working side-by-side, sent a flutter of nervous anticipation through me.But Daniel was already rolling up his sleeves. "Nonsense. Many hands make light wor
Elena’s povThe cold stone floor bit into my bare feet as I scrambled awake. A frantic knocking echoed against the thick wooden door, cutting through the early morning stillness. Oliver stirred beside me, a low groan rumbling in his chest.“Alpha Oliver! Alpha Oliver!” a voice rasped from the other side. It was Garett, one of Oliver’s most trusted royal guards who was also a member of the Beta squad. His voice was laced with a fear I rarely heard, and it sent a shiver down my spine.Oliver, despite being half-asleep, was instantly alert. He sat up, his golden eyes already sharp. "What is it, Garett? Speak quickly."The door creaked open, revealing Garett, his face pale and sweating. "Your Majesty," he stammered, bowing low. "I… I regret to inform you that… your sister, Chloe… she has escaped."The words hung in the air, heavy and unbelievable. Chloe, Oliver’s younger sister, the one imprisoned for treason and plotting against the pack? Gone?Oliver swore under his breath, a low, guttu
Lucas’s povThe musty smell of ancient parchment clung to me like a second skin. Dust danced in the single shaft of moonlight that pierced the high, arched window of the library. For hours non stop, I’d been holed up in this place, a house of forgotten stories and meticulously recorded battles. I wasn't a scholar, or a strategist thirsting for historical insights. I was simply desperate.I was looking for my father. Or, more accurately, I was looking for the truth about what happened to him.The “truth” recorded by the pack.Everyone said he died a hero, felled in battle against the Blue Moon pack. A noble sacrifice, they called it. But the story my father told me did not align with it. For starters, he was still alive. So, I was here, going through the war scrolls carefully, hoping to find some detail, some inconsistency, something that would let me pierce through the official narrative and glimpse the truth. It was a fool's errand, probably. But I was a fool driven by grief and s
Oliver’s povThe scroll felt heavy in my hand, even though it was just paper and old ink. My grandfather’s signature stared back at me, the bold strokes accusing me with every glance. It authorized the use of Lucas’s father and his team as a distraction during the first war with Blue Moon Pack years ago. A distraction. Just like that, lives were weighed and found less valuable than others."We need to know the truth," I said to Lucas, my voice barely a whisper. He equally looked shaken up and I knew the news was a lot for him to handle.Lucas ran a hand through his dark hair, his face etched with worry. “My father always suspected something. He survived, but… he lost so much.”"We need to talk to someone who knew my grandfather," I said, pacing the room. "Someone who remembers the war, the council meetings, everything."Lucas stopped me. "The elders. The council elders."I nodded, the idea solidifying in my mind. "There’s one in particular. Elder Albert. He was close to my grandfathe
Elena’s povI looked around the pack house in boredom. Oliver and Lucas were nowhere to be found and Beauty was around the kitchen area busy with baking. I tried folding my clothes but I instantly got tired of it. I was a little restless and I knew why. I wanted to check out the dungeon again and this was the perfect time to. No Oliver or Lucas to stop me.They’d warned me, of course. "Elena, stay away from the dungeon," Oliver had said, his brow furrowed. The dungeon. It was always the dungeon. They acted like it was some kind of monster waiting to swallow me whole. But I knew I needed to see something in there.But curiosity ate at me. It had been a constant itch since I was little, ever since I'd gotten the vision about the dungeon and what danger may lie behind the heavy oak doors. I had a lot of questions like why didn’t the lock have a keyhole? Who locked the doors in the first place and how long has it been locked?Taking a deep breath, I walked towards the dungeon. I made su
Beauty’s povI scanned the crowded common room again, my gaze flitting over the familiar faces of pack members. Where was Elena? I’d been looking for her for the past half hour. Maybe she was finally getting some alone time with Oliver. Or perhaps she was with Lucas. Either way, I missed her.Thinking of her with Oliver made me remember my own…situation. Tonight was my “hang out” with Daniel. The thought sent a flutter of nervous energy through me. It wasn’t a date, not officially. But the way Daniel had looked at me when he’d suggested it… well, it felt like more than just two friends spending time together.I sighed and headed towards my room. Time to get ready. I wasn’t sure what to wear. Something casual but… nice. Something that said, “I’m comfortable, but I also made an effort.” This was harder than picking a new flavor for a cake or cookie.I opened my wardrobe and rifled through my clothes. Finally, I settled on a sky blue floral gown. It was knee-length, comfortable, and the
Oliver’s povThe wind whipped past my ears as I ran, my paws pounding against the earth. I shifted back to human form just before I reached the edge of Full Moon territory, grabbing the clothes I usually stashed there for the days I went out running and needed to shift. The shift was always jarring, a sharp reminder of the duality that lived within me. But tonight, the physical discomfort was nothing compared to the weight in my heart.Why Lucas? That was the question that kept clawing at me. Why was Lucas the one who had to have the vision? The vision of how to save my Elena. It should have been me. I was hers, Elena's mate, and the right person to save her. I shook my head. I tried to focus on the issue at hand. I need to save my people.My steps slowed as I approached the main clearing. The air felt heavy, lifeless. Daniel and Beauty met me at the edge, their faces etched with worry."Oliver," Beauty’s voice was strained. "It's worse than we thought. They're...empty. Basically she
Third person pov Lucas and Oliver sat stiffly on the wooden chairs in the meditation room of Willow’s temple. The air hung heavy with the scent of incense and old stone. They had been there for a long while and it felt like an eternity, waiting for Willow, the goddess, to give them some sort of guidance or help.Lucas shifted in his seat, the leather of his jacket creaking softly. He glanced at Oliver, whose face was a mask of strong determination. Lucas wasn't so good at patience. He was a man of action, a protector. This waiting felt useless, like a waste of precious time.Oliver, sensing his friend's restlessness, offered a small, almost unnoticeable nod. He understood. Tension had been simmering within the Full Moon pack for a while now. Sickness was spreading, weakening even the strongest wolves. And Elena, the Luna of the pack, Oliver's Mate and Lucas’s friend was in grave danger. Fear filled them both. But each tried to keep a strong front.Just as Lucas was about to break th
Chloe’s povAs we made our way through the forest, my mind raced with worry. Betrayal had a way of souring even the simplest things. As I watched my people being struck with sickness yet I couldn’t do anything to help them without hiding like a criminal. All I wanted was to rule my pack, to lead them rightly but seeing them almost dead changed something in me and I was determined to get help for them.Jax walked beside me, his jaw tight, his senses clearly on high alert. We were searching for him – the magician, the source of the curse that was slowly strangling the Full Moon pack. We needed to find him, to bargain, to do whatever it took to save my pack, even if it meant aligning ourselves with him and sacrificing Oliver, my brother and that rogue, Elena."He has to be somewhere around here," Jax muttered, his eyes scanning the dense trees. "The energy feels strong. Plus we have been walking for hours. It has to be somewhere here."I nodded, trying to ignore the guilt that gnawed at
Elena’s povI tugged on the ropes that held my hands and feet in tact and it was still as tight as ever. The magician wasn’t back yet and I knew that had to be my chance.The flickering candlelight cast long, dancing shadows, making the already unsettling scene even more terrifying. I strained against the thick rope binding my wrists to each other, the coarse fibers biting into my skin. My ankles were similarly secured. I had to get free.My mind raced. How long have I been here? How many hours? It felt like an eternity. I writhed against the ropes again, a desperate, futile effort. Tears welled in my eyes. Then, a memory flickered in my mind – the dungeon lock. It was a lock that didn’t have a space for a key. I had been too weak to think much of it, but somehow, focusing my energy, I had managed to unlock it. It was a faint connection to the power I didn’t know I had, a sliver of power that hadn't been completely suppressed. Maybe…just maybe…Taking a deep breath, I concentrated o
Oliver’s povLucas and I were heading to the elven village, a place filled with mystery and whispers of ancient magic. The thought of Elena being in more danger every second scared me even more, and the weight of that responsibility felt like a physical burden.Lucas moved boldly ahead. He'd been to the village once before, with Elena, to visit Willow's temple. I envied his ease. He'd known Elena more, seen her laugh more freely, shared experiences I was just beginning to build. I was the mate, the destined partner, but sometimes I felt like I was playing catch-up.As we finally reached the village, the air here hummed with a subtle energy, a palpable sense of magic that tickled my skin.Lucas smiled. "There she is!" He gestured towards a young elven girl standing near the entrance to the temple, her eyes wide and bright. She couldn't have been older than ten, with hair tied up and decorated with flowers and a dress woven from a strange material."Hello!" Lucas called, his voice warm.
Chloe’s povThe stench of sickness hung heavy in the air. I could see the paleness of their faces, the feverish glint in their eyes – the curse was eating them alive. My pack. The pack I wanted to lead."We have to help them, Jax," I pleaded, my voice barely a whisper against the rising wind. My throat felt tight, choked with helplessness. "I can't just stand here and watch them die."Jax's grip on my arm tightened, pulling me further into the shadows of the alleyway. His eyes scanned the street, sharp and alert. "Chloe, we talked about this. We're wanted here. Walking around like this is a death wish.""But-"He cut me off, his voice firm, but laced with a hint of desperation. "No buts, Chloe. Look."He nodded subtly towards the main street. Emerging from the pack house, a group of soldiers, clad in dark leather armor, marched in formation. Their faces were grim, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords."There they are," Jax said, his voice low. "They're might be looking fo
Oliver's POVThe scent was gone. Wiped clean. I snarled, frustration clawing at my throat. Elena had been here, I knew it. The lingering sweetness of her soap, the faint air of her own unique scent – it had all been so clear just moments ago. But now? Nothing. Scattered, like dust in the wind.“Damn it!” I roared, kicking at a fallen log. The wood splintered under my force, a small satisfaction in the face of this overwhelming helplessness.Lucas placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me. “Easy, Oliver. We’ll find her.”I shook my head, running a hand through my already dishevelled hair. “They knew we were coming. They scattered her scent, covered their tracks. This isn't some amateur kidnapper, Lucas. Whoever took Elena is smart, organized.”"But how? How could they have anticipated us?" Lucas muttered, his brow furrowed in thought.I paced back and forth, my wolf instincts screaming at me. I could feel Elena’s presence, a faint echo in the forest's heartbeat. She was clos
Elena’s pov“Tell me one thing," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "If I take off the chain, will you let me go if I don’t like what you have to say?"He chuckled, the sound devoid of any warmth. "I am a man of deals, Elena. I tell you all, and you get to leave after. But I will not force you to do anything else. Do we have an agreement?"It was a gamble, a desperate one. But I could not ignore a chance to save my people."Fine," I said, my voice stronger this time, laced with steely resolve. "We have an agreement."Something in me gnawed at me. This man, this magician didn’t seem like he was going to let me go. Was I going to trust the words of a man who didn’t waste any time in abducting me? A man who cursed an entire pack of innocent werewolves for whatever reason. My head pounded feverishly as it crossed my mind that I would regret my choice.The second I pulled the Moon Chain off my neck. I was slammed to the wall by an invisible force. My throat began to tighten and I could bar
Beauty’s povThe weight of it all crashed down on me, a physical blow that stole the air from my lungs and the strength from my legs. I crumpled to the floor, the carpet of the pack house doing little to cushion the impact. Daniel was by my side in an instant, his strong arms wrapping around me."Beauty! What is it? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with concern."The healers... the sickness..." I choked, unable to form clear sentences.A cluster of healers stood near the entrance of the pack house, their faces etched with despair. They had rushed in, interrupting our already tense planning session. Oliver and Lucas were still gone, they were in search of Elena. Daniel and I were doing our best to hold the pack together in their absence, but it felt like our efforts were going down the drain."They're... freezing up," one of the healers, a young woman named Sarah, managed to say. "Even the warmth of the fire isn't helping. They can barely move… they’re almost lifeless. All they