Elena’s PovLucas and I walked back inside the castle and we got to the wing that separated my room from his.“This is where I bid you farewell….” I said to him.“I should get you safely back to your room,” he said but I shook my head as I declined the offer.“Nah….It's fine. I would be fine on my own but will you be fine by yourself?” I asked, worried that Chole had gotten into his head.“Hmm…Ya. It would take a lot of time but I would be fine.” his tone was firm but the look in his eyes said otherwise.“That would be great!” I pulled him tight for a hug and he reciprocated, “Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any problems okay?” We pulled out of the hug, he had a smirk on his face, “with pleasure, My Queen.”I giggled, “Good night Lucas…”“Good night Elena.”I turned and made my way up the stairs that led me to my room which was apparently opposite Oliver’s room. The guards at the entrance of the wing saw me and I could see a flash of fear in their eyes as they greeted me.
LucasThe moon hung fat and heavy in the sky, a bruised purple disc that cast elongated, skeletal shadows across the sprawling pack lands. Lucas navigated the familiar paths with a practiced grace, his footsteps muffled by the dew-kissed grass. He was a wolf of shadows, a silent protector, Oliver’s right hand, and tonight, a traitor in the making.He considered his next line of action. Should he just forget about Chloe and trust the truth he believed all his life? But curiosity had his legs moving on their own accord. He reached Chloe’s secluded wing, the air thick with the scent of jasmine and something sharper, something subtly metallic that hinted at the cruel edge she often concealed. He hesitated, the weight of his loyalty settling heavy on his shoulders. But the whispers about his father, the nagging doubts that Oliver had so deftly deflected, had finally driven him to this.He rapped lightly on the ornate door. A moment later, it swung inward, revealing Chloe bathed in the sof
Third PovThe air in the Silver Moon Pack house crackled with anticipation, thick with the scent of pine and honeysuckle from the meticulously arranged floral displays. Beauty could barely contain her own excitement as she watched pack members scurrying around, putting the final touches on the decorations. In just a few days, her friend would be marrying Oliver, her destined mate and the Alpha of their pack. But amidst the whirlwind of preparations, Beauty was practically buzzing with enthusiasm. She'd been instrumental in helping Elena navigate the pack dynamics, offering unwavering support and honest advice, even when it was hard to hear. She skipped into Elena’s room with good news."Elena, you look absolutely radiant!" Beauty exclaimed, twirling into the room, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "The seamstresses are here for the final fitting of your dress. Are you ready to see it? It's even more breathtaking than the last time you saw it!"Elena giggled, allowing Beauty to lea
Elena’s pov The scent of roses and honeysuckle was supposed to be calming. It wasn’t working. I, Elena Darkwood, would become Luna of the Full Moon Pack. In a week, I would marry Oliver, the man I loved, my mate, the man that completes me.So why was my stomach churning as if I'd swallowed a nest of angry wasps?I rose from the stone bench, the cool air a welcome contrast to the heat building inside me. The garden, usually my sanctuary, offered no solace. My mind was a whirlwind of "what ifs" and nagging doubts. Was I ready for this? Could I truly handle the responsibility, the power, the inevitable challenges that came with being a Luna? What if I wasn’t good enough?Sinking back onto the bench, I buried my face in my hands. I needed to clear my head. To find some semblance of peace before the whirlwind of the wedding consumed me.That’s when I saw him. Lucas.He sat on the opposite end of the garden, perched on the edge of the fountain’s stone rim, his shoulders slumped forward. H
Lucas povThe night moon cast shadows across the manicured gardens of the Full Moon pack house. Elena sat beside me on the stone bench, her emerald eyes sparkling with amusement as I recounted a particularly embarrassing hunting story from my trainee days. My heart, usually a steady drumbeat in my chest, was now a frantic percussionist, pounding against my ribs. With her, everything else seemed to disappear into thin air. It was… something else. Something deeper, something primal. My wolf, usually a stoic and disciplined presence in my mind, was a snarling, restless beast. He paced restlessly, murmuring Elena's name over and over, a low, guttural sound that resonated in my very bones. It was a pull, a magnetic force that felt disturbingly similar to the legendary mate bond. But that was impossible. Elena was already… bonded. She was going to be the Luna of the pack in days.“That’s ridiculous, Lucas,” she laughed, her voice like wind chimes. A stray curl fell across her cheek, and I
Elena’s povThe air in the room crackled with unspoken tension. Oliver’s jaw was tight, his eyes burning with a possessiveness that bordered on anger. It felt… irrational. My heart was still a little frantic from the fleeting moment I had with Lucas. What did that mean?A low growl brought me back to reality."Oliver, seriously?" I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "We were just talking. I needed to be alone and I happened to see Lucas there too and we ended up talking. I guess both of us needed privacy.""Privacy?" he repeated, the word laced with disbelief. "So, you couldn't have found privacy anywhere else in this massive castle? It just had to be the two of you, alone, surrounded by flowers?"I rolled my eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. He's my friend, Oliver. And your best friend. There's nothing between us."His anger was a tangible thing, a wolfish growl vibrating in the air. "He looks at you, Elena. Don’t pretend you haven’t noticed. He looks at you like…like you're his entir
Daniel’s povThe scent of lemon and pine filled the kitchen, a sharp contrast to the nerves brewing within me. Beauty was scrubbing the already spotless countertops, her movements robotic, almost desperate. I leaned against the doorway, watching her. The late afternoon sun streamed through the window, catching the dust motes dancing in the air, but failing to illuminate the darkness in her eyes."Everything alright, Beauty?" I asked, keeping my voice gentle. She jumped, a tiny flinch that betrayed her composure. "Fine," she chirped, too quickly, too brightly. Her smile didn't reach her eyes, those beautiful, usually vibrant eyes that now held swirling lines of worry. "Just... cleaning.""Right." I pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer. "You seem a little…tense. Something on your mind?"She shook her head, her long dark hair swirling around her face. “Nothing, Daniel. Really. Just… tired.”I knew she was lying. I could smell the faint tang of anxiety clinging to her skin, a sour n
Oliver’s povThe parchment felt rough beneath my fingers, the names blurring into a sea of ink. Each one represented a guest, a responsibility, a potential threat to Elena’s safety. Our wedding was just days away, and the weight of the Alpha title seemed to double with every passing day. I sighed, running a hand through my already disheveled hair. Chloe's name stared back at me, and an unsettling feeling settled in my gut.I knew she was up to something. Something dangerous but I just didn’t know what and it killed me that I was in the dark.A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Come in," I called, and Daniel, my Beta, entered. His face was etched with worry, a rare sight for the usually bubbly wolf."Alpha Oliver, we need to talk about the Princess, Chloe," he said without preamble, closing the door behind him.My unease deepened. "I've noticed it too," I admitted, leaning back in my chair. "She's been… off. Distant. Quiet. It's not like her. It feels like a calm before a
Beauty’s povSince Elena was safe now, I decided to take Sam and Nate's lunch to them myself. It has been a while since I’ve seen them. Ever since Daniel and I had been trying to organize the pack while the disease was still spreading.I got closer to the safe house and saw Sam and Nate walking back hand in hand."Where have you two been?" I asked, a hint of concern in my voice. Then, I saw the remnants of the buns on Nate's face and a smile touched my lips. "Ah, you got some buns. Good for you."But Sam didn't smile. "Beauty," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I saw Jax. He was at the market."My smile vanished. The pieces fell into place. Jax, who had been conveniently present when Elena was rescued. Jax, who had taken care of Chloe and seemed so attached to her. Jax, who had surprisingly gained Oliver’s trust somehow . It all made terrifying sense.Jax, the man who had kidnapped her sister and threatened her, forcing her to betray Elena in the past, was here. He was in their
Third person povThe safe house was a bubble of innocence amidst the chaos that had gripped and settled in the Full Moon pack. Inside, Sam and Nate lived a simple life, their days filled with games and the comforting rhythm of shared meals. Beauty usually brought their food, but lately, a pack helper had taken over. It made the children question where Beauty was and what was going on.Sam found herself responsible for young Nate, Lucas’s baby brother. Nate, a ball of energy with a contagious giggle, clung to her like a glue. Sam, in turn, felt fiercely protective of the boy.She didn’t let any of the guards talk to him or touch him because of his brother’s influence. Nate was also shy so he found solace in Sam’s protection.One of Sam's favorite pastimes was telling Nate stories. She'd weave tales of fantastical creatures and daring adventures, but lately, her stories had centered on a particular treat: the hot buns sold at the village market. She described their steamy warmth, the sw
Elena’s povLucas was right beside me. "You can't change the past, Elena," he said softly. "What happened to your parents was a tragedy, but it wasn't your fault. They loved you, and they would want you to live your life, to be happy.""But how can I be happy knowing that I was the reason they died?" I asked, my voice muffled against Oliver’s shoulder.“You honor them," Oliver said, his voice firm. He took my other hand, holding it tightly. "You use your powers to protect the people you care about. You fight for what's right. That's what they would want you to do."I looked at them, their faces filled with love and support, and a flicker of hope sparked within me. Maybe they were right. Maybe I couldn't change the past, but I could choose how to live in the present. I could honor my parents by using my powers to make the world a better place.The guilt would always be there, a shadow lurking in the corners of my mind, but I wouldn't let it consume me. I wouldn't let it paralyze me. I
Elena’s povI lay back down on the bed with a loud sigh, the mattress groaning in protest. Finally, I'd finally managed to convince Oliver and Lucas to go get themselves properly checked out by a healer. They were both stubborn as ever, more concerned with my well-being than their own bumps and bruises. Honestly, seeing them so frantic just made me feel worse. Guilt, that familiar monster, clawed at my insides.Looking around the room, a wave of relief washed over me. Lucas, Oliver, even Chloe, were all going to be okay. I felt so bad for putting them all in danger.My mind drifted back to the battle, to the moment before everything went sideways. Before Reed nearly erased them all from existence. Before… I closed my eyes, trying to block out the images, but they surged forward relentlessly.(FLASHBACK)Jax and I arrived at the edge of the clearing, the air thick with the smell of ozone and burnt earth. The sounds of the fight, the snarls of werewolves and the crackle of Reed's magic,
Elena’s povThe gasp ripped through me, a raw sound that tore me away from whatever darkness had been clinging to me. I bolted upright in the bed, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped animal. The remnants of a disturbing trance clung to the edges of my mind, the thought of which I didn’t want to remind myself of.Oliver was beside me in an instant, his arms wrapping around me in a tight embrace. "Elena! You're awake!" His voice was thick with relief. I burrowed into him, needing the solidity of his presence, the reassurance that I was back in reality, back to life.My gaze flickered around the room. Lucas stood by the bedside, his face etched with the same relief as Oliver's, though marred by a grimace of pain. Even from here, I could see the angry purple bruises blooming on his skin, remnants of a recent battle. I frowned. "Lucas? Oliver? Why are you still like this? Why haven't you been treated?"Oliver tightened his hold. "We were more focused on bringing you back, E
Third person povEdgar carefully tilted Elena's head back. His movements were precise, honed by years of experience. He gently pried her mouth open, the action delicate despite the urgency that permeated the room. A shimmering, transparent liquid flowed from the cup into her unresisting throat. The resurrection potion, a concoction of rare herbs and forgotten magic, was their last hope.He straightened, a weariness etched on his face. He turned to Oliver and Lucas, their faces pale with grief and worry. "I have done all I can," he said, his voice raspy. "The potion is powerful, but it is Elena who must fight now. She must choose to return." He offered a small, sad smile. "I will leave you with her."The healer shuffled out of the room, leaving Oliver and Lucas to their wait. The weight of the moment settled heavily upon them. The perspective shifted, the darkness giving way to a strange, ethereal light.Elena found herself standing in a vast, open space. To her left stood a group of e
Oliver’s povThe scent of blood and herbs hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of my unconscious mate beside me. My stomach churned. Elena lay still on our bed, her usually vibrant face pale and marred with cuts. Another healer, a young woman from our pack, dabbed at a gash on Elena’s arm. But it was no use. Elena was still unresponsive. Unconscious. My heart hammered against my ribs.I had been sitting vigil by her side for what felt like an eternity, whispering reassurances I tried to believe in myself. Every so often, I reached out to brush a strand of dark hair from her face, my fingers trembling.The door creaked open, and I shot up, my muscles tensing. Lucas stood there, his face etched with exhaustion but his eyes holding a flicker of hope.“Lucas! Did you find anything?” I demanded, my voice hoarse.He nodded, stepping inside. “I think… I think I found something. In the old woman’s cabin. It was still… vacant.”“What? What did you find?” The healer glanced up, her brow fu
Lucas’s povI gripped the worn leather of the book tighter as I hurried across the training grounds. The Full Moon pack house loomed in the distance, a welcome sight after my run through the dense woods. My heart pounded, a mixture of hope and anxiety churning in my gut. This book, this fragile collection of ancient knowledge I’d found in the old woman’s cabin, could be the key to everything.I passed the bustling pack house and headed straight for the medical center, a small building on the edge of the village. The air inside smelled of herbs and antiseptic, a stark contrast to the earthy scent of the forest. I found Edgar, our oldest and most respected healer, hunched over a mortar and pestle, grinding something that smells vaguely of lavender.“Edgar,” I said, my voice rough from disuse.He looked up, his wrinkled face crinkling into a smile. “Lucas. You need treatment. I should get my assistant.”“It’s not important. I need you to look at something.” I said instead.“And what’s th
Jax’s povThe air in Chloe’s room hung thick with the scent of herbs and worry. I sat on the edge of her bed, my wolf restless beneath my skin. The healer, an older woman with knowing eyes, was just finishing wrapping the last of the bandages around Chloe’s arm. Crimson had seeped through the linen earlier, a testament to how hurt Chloe had been and he couldn’t even protect her“She’ll be alright, you know,” the healer said, her voice low and soothing. “She’s a strong girl. Always has been. She'll wake up soon.” She gathered her things, giving me a knowing look. “Best not to overwhelm her when she does.”Then she was gone, and it was just me and Chloe.I leaned closer, my hand hovering over her scarred skin. Even asleep, the tension lines were etched into her face. My heart clenched. These scars were my fault, in a way. Not directly inflicted by me, but I could’ve insisted on fighting alongside her. I could’ve insisted on staying with her.My loyalty lay with her. Not even my pack but