Elena’s povThe morning had finally arrived. The day I, Elena, was supposed to marry Alpha Oliver. The air in the pack house crackled with a frenetic energy, a hum of anticipation almost tangible. Everywhere I looked, pack members bustled about, putting the final touches on decorations, ferrying trays of food, their faces alight with excitement. But beneath the surface of forced smiles and practiced breaths, a cold knot of dread tightened in my stomach.I should be ecstatic, radiating joy. I was, after all, marrying the Alpha, securing my place in the pack, fulfilling expectations. But a gnawing unease, a prickling premonition, clung to me like a second skin. The nightmare from before clung to me like a weighted blanket.I tried to shake it off, to convince myself it was just pre-wedding jitters. But the feeling persisted, a constant, low-level hum of anxiety that threatened to drown out the celebratory cheer. I walked through the bustling hallway. Pack members who didn’t seem to acc
Oliver’s povMy boots thudded softly against the worn wooden floorboards, each step a rhythmic counterpoint to the frantic thoughts churning inside my head. The morning of my wedding. A day that should be filled with joy, anticipation, and the sweet scent of a new beginning. Instead, a thick fog of unease clung to me, a gnawing premonition that something was terribly wrong.I paced my room, the nervous energy thrumming beneath my skin like a low growl. The sun streamed through the window, casting long, dancing shadows that seemed to mock my anxiety. Today, I was to take Elena as my mate officially, to bind us for life, to forge a future of strength and unity. She was everything I desired – intelligent, compassionate, and fiercely loyal. I pictured her smiling face as she saw her wedding dress for the first time. The content smile she had when she saw the chefs in the kitchen or the decorations. Her happiness was mine too.But there was a nagging feeling.Yet, the closer the moment dr
Olivier's povMy heart slammed against my ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a cage. Elena, my Elena, was standing in the closet room, the creamy silk of her wedding dress clutched in her hands. But it wasn't the beauty of the gown that ripped through me; it was the sight of her tears. Each shimmering drop was a shard of glass piercing my soul.Lucas stood frozen beside me, his own face a mask of concern. We had practically kicked the door off its hinges when we heard Elena’s choked sob echoing through the hallway. I hadn't even registered the frantic thudding of my own blood in my ears until I saw her.My wolf was roaring in my head, demanding retribution. Who dared to inflict such pain on my mate? The protective instinct, primal and overwhelming, surged through me."Elena," I breathed, my voice rough with worry. I reached for her, my hands hovering, unsure if I should touch her. She looked so fragile, so utterly broken.She didn't meet my gaze, her eyes fixed on the dress. "It's... it'
Elena’s povThe scent of sandalwood, Oliver’s usual cologne, slowly seeped into my frantic senses. It was a balm, a tiny island of calm in the hurricane swirling inside me. My heart hammered against my ribs, each beat a frantic drum against the silence of the room.“Easy, Elena, easy,” Oliver murmured, his voice a low rumble against my ear. He held me close, his strong arms a reassuring weight, pulling me back from the edge of panic. “It’s just a dress. It can be fixed. We’ll figure it out.”Fixed? A wave of fresh despair washed over me. The intricate lacework, ripped and shredded. The delicate silk, stained and torn. It wasn't just a dress; it was a symbol of my hope, my future with Oliver. And someone, someone deliberately cruel, had destroyed it. This was more than a warning of what was yet to come.“Who would do this?” I finally managed to choke out, my voice trembling. The image of the ruined gown, a mangled mess of white, flashed behind my eyes.Oliver tightened his grip, his ja
Lucas’s pov The words hit me like a physical blow. "We’re under attack." Elena's voice, though laced with urgency, was strangely calm. My blood turned to ice. How did she know? Chloe hadn’t even made her move yet, the plan still in the beginning stages of whispered promises and secret meetings.“An attack?” I whispered shakily.What have I done?My gaze flickered to Oliver, "Lucas," he barked, his eyes narrowed, "have you received any news from the border? Any signs of trouble?"I felt like I was standing at gunpoint. My loyalty to the pack, ingrained since birth, was locked in mortal combat with my consuming quest for the truth about my father. For years, I’d been told he died bravely, defending our territory. But the story Chloe gave and the picture… they all pointed to a different narrative, a darker truth that everyone was desperate to keep buried.Chloe, with her venomous charm and promise of unveiling those secrets, had offered me the key. But that key came with a price: betray
Elena’s povThe air in the room was thick with unspoken tension. Lucas’s face, was like an open book etched with a worry that mirrored my own. He couldn’t meet my gaze so it was obvious that he had done something with Chloe. Even though he promised not to."Tell me," I whispered, my voice barely audible above the rustling leaves. "Tell me about Chloe. About this deal."He hesitated, his jaw working. He ran a hand through his dark hair, a nervous habit I knew well. Finally, he met my gaze, his eyes filled with a mixture of shame and desperation."Chloe… she wants to take over the pack. She’s been planning it for months, maybe even longer."My breath hitched. I knew Chloe was up to something but taking over the pack?"Take over? How?"He shifted his weight, the movement betraying his unease. "She... she has contacts. Connections to the Blue Moon pack."The Blue Moon pack. Our rivals. Enemies, even. A cold dread started to seep into my bones. "And what's your part in all of this?" I ask
Elena’s povMy fingers trembled as I tried to smooth out the imaginary wrinkles on the already ruined wedding dress, my mind racing with possible reasons as to why Beauty would betray me. Beauty, my supposed best friend, could’ve been the one that ruined the dress but why would she do that to me?I was still reeling, the betrayal a sharp, stinging wound that refused to heal. How could she? Why would she?The sounds of hurried footsteps and raised voices drifted from outside my room, a grim reminder that the ruined dress was the least of my worries. Chloe was on the attack but no one except Lucas and a few others knew for a fact that she was behind it.I had to do something. Sitting here, wallowing in my heartbreak, felt like a betrayal of its own. I pushed myself to my feet, ignoring the ache in my heart and the nagging doubt that whispered, "Something was not right." I slammed the door open and marched into the chaotic hallway."Elena, what are you doing?" Lucas intercepted me, his
Oliver’s povThe air in the main house thrummed with suppressed rage. My rage. It crackled around me like static electricity, making the pack members uneasy. Spies. Fucking spies. They'd infiltrated our territory, slithered amongst us, and I hadn't caught a whiff of them until it was almost too late."I want every inch of pack land searched," I roared, my voice echoing off the stone walls. “Every shadow, every cave, every forgotten trail. If you find anyone suspicious, anyone who can't give a damn good reason for being here, bring them to me. Immediately."The pack warriors, their faces grim, dispersed with a flurry of murmured acknowledgements. My blood ran hot with fury and a sickening dose of self-reproach. How could I, the Alpha, have allowed this to happen? My responsibility was to protect our people, and I had failed. The door creaked open and Lucas entered. He avoided my gaze, shuffling his feet. The scent of the forest clung to him, usually a calming aroma, but today it only
Elena’s povThe air in the prison reeked of mildew and fear, a scent I was quickly growing accustomed to. I watched, stomach churning, as two guards dragged the lifeless body of the captured spy from his cell. His limbs flopped awkwardly, like a discarded puppet. Yesterday, he’d been sneering defiance; now, he was just another body being carried out.Oliver, his jaw tight with controlled fury, stood beside me. "He bit his own tongue," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "Preferable to facing our justice."I studied Oliver's face, the sharp angles of his cheekbones, the controlled flicker in his usually warm brown eyes. The spy’s demise was too convenient, too neatly packaged. It was clear Oliver had taken matters into his own hands. I couldn't blame him. The unexpected fact that the spies were hiding in the midst of his people using magical powers to stay hidden was enough to create that surge of anger in him.He caught my gaze, and a flicker of guilt crossed his features. "Come on,"
Elena’s povThe courtyard, usually a place of quiet reflection, buzzed with an unsettling energy. Chloe, dressed in a deceptively innocent top and leather pants, was holding a conversation with a group of guards.Laughter, light and airy, drifted towards me, sharp and cold as shards of glass. It felt deliberately staged, Chloe wasn’t that friendly with the guards. The guards looked in awe as they spoke with her. Chloe was charismatic, of course she would hold their attention.Something about it felt off. Not like before, not like the shapeshifter I detected earlier. These guards seemed…normal. Too normal, perhaps. The air around them was clear, no scent of the wild, no fierce look in their eyes. Still, I couldn't shake the unease.Chloe noticed me, her perfectly sculpted eyebrows arching in mock surprise. She disentangled herself from the guards' eager attentions and glided towards me, her movements as fluid and predatory as a serpent. “Elena! How are you holding up? Such a shame abo
Oliver’s povElena looked at me with exhaustion in her eyes. She gives me a small smile before turning to leave the interrogation room.I turned back to the spy who was now almost unconscious. With a growl of annoyance, I grabbed the spy by the scruff of his neck and dragged him to one of the holding cells. The metal bars clanged shut with finality as I locked him in. He whimpered, shrinking away from me. “You’ll be lucky to survive the night.”I turned back to the main room, intending to talk with Lucas on our lack of progress, but stopped short. Lucas was standing by the window, his back to me. He was usually filled with energy and passion for catching the enemy but now he was motionless, radiating a strange, almost painful stillness.Something was wrong."Lucas?" I asked, my voice laced with concern. "What is it?"He didn't respond immediately. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating. Finally, he turned, his face pale in the dim light filtering through the barred window. His
Elena’s pov “I swear that’s all.” The imposter begged. “I was approached by a blonde woman that told me all I had to do was inform her about the plans of the soldiers at the border.”“What pack are you from?” Oliver asked.“Blue Moon Pack.”Of course it was Blue Moon pack. I wondered what Chloe had planned working with them. Did she want to rule the Full Moon pack or ruin the pack?The spy, a wiry man with shifty eyes, sweated under the dim light of the interrogation room. Oliver stood to my right, his jaw tight, the very air around him crackling with contained fury. I knew that Oliver would have already snapped the spy in half easily if he wanted but he was restraining himself.“So all she had you do was stay at the borders?” Oliver spat and the man nodded.“That’s all she told me to do.”“How am I sure you’re not lying?”“Please. She… she told me to do it,” the spy stammered, wiping his brow with a trembling hand. “A woman. Blonde hair… cold eyes.”My heart clenched. Blonde hair.
Elena’s povThe shapeshifter looked around the shelter frantically. My heart pounded as I stood frozen. The thought of a shapeshifter in the pack scared me to the bones.Before he could make a break for it, Lucas was already holding him up. One moment he was right beside me and the next he was in front of me. He grabbed the imposter by the scruff of his neck, yanking him backwards. The guard stumbled, fear blooming in his eyes as Lucas pressed a silver dagger against his throat."Think carefully about your next move," Lucas growled, his voice dangerously low. "One wrong twitch, and you're done for."The guard trembled, a pathetic whimper escaping his lips. "Please," he begged, his voice cracking. "Don't. I… I didn't mean any harm."I rolled my eyes. That’s what they all said yet a few minutes ago he was throwing words at me.Lucas's eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking to me. "Is he the only one?" he asked, the question sharp and probing.I racked my brain, trying to know if I’ll get tha
Elena’s pov“Elena,” he finally said, his voice low and gravelly, “I truly am sorry. I never meant to cause a rift between you and Oliver the other day.”I gave him a small smile. I didn’t want to bring back the guilt I felt for almost breaking their bond. They’ve known each other all their lives and I didn’t want to be an obstacle.“It’s… fine, Lucas,” I managed, the word feeling hollow even to my own ears. “I should’ve followed his out that day and not stayed back. I knew he didn’t trust me anymore after that other night..”“Lucas stop..” I interrupted, “Oliver is over it now. He knows we’re just friends.” Even as I said it, doubt gnawed at me. My mind drifted back, unbidden, to the bond. The brief, electrifying surge of connection that had coursed through me the night we were in the garden.. A single, shimmering thread of recognition that had flared between us briefly, I was yet to understand what exactly it meant. But it had vanished as quickly as it came, leaving me wondering i
Elena’s pov"We have to tell Oliver," Lucas finally said, breaking the tense silence. "Everything. About Beauty, the new side she’s taken... everything."I nodded, swallowing hard. I hated the thought of burdening Oliver with more worries. He already carried the weight of the entire pack on his shoulders. There was even the issue of spies.But Lucas was right. The faster we all get in the same page, the easier it would be to solve the problem together."He needs to know she's on Chloe's side," I added, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. I still couldn't believe it but I had no choice but to get in tune with reality. Beauty had betrayed us and we needed to do something about it..Lucas sighed, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. "And... I need to tell him about Chloe too. About speaking to her the day of the attack."My heart clenched. That was a risky confession. Oliver was fiercely protective of our pack, and any contact with outsiders, especially during a time o
Elena’s povThe iron door of the border security shelter clanged shut behind us, the sound echoing in the small, musty space. Relief washed over me, momentarily easing the throbbing behind my eyes. We had almost been attacked on our way to see the old woman. My heart pounded uneasily as I wondered what would have been our fate if we continued the journey."I still don't understand, Elena," Lucas said, pacing the cramped confines. His brow was furrowed, his dark eyes filled with a mixture of concern and frustration. "What are rogue wolves doing this close to the border? And how did they know we were planning on visiting the old woman? It's not like we announced it to the whole pack."My gut twisted. The vision hadn't revealed the 'how,' only the 'what' and the 'when.' But Lucas's words sparked a chilling realization, a whisper of suspicion turning into a roaring accusation inside my head."Think back, Lucas," I said, my voice tight. "When did we finalize our plans? Remember? It was r
Elena’s pov A soft knock echoed through the room, a hesitant rhythm that I recognized immediately. "Come in," I called out, trying to inject a lightness into my voice that I didn't feel.Lucas slipped inside, his broad shoulders filling the doorway. His dark hair was neatly combed back, and his usually jovial face was etched with a seriousness that mirrored my own. "Ready?" he asked, his voice low. He knew how much this trip meant to me. How desperately I needed to understand the dreams that plagued me, the visions that painted a terrifying future for our pack.Before I could answer, another shadow fell across the doorway. Oliver.My heart clenched.He stood there, tall and imposing, his eyes dark with a mixture of worry and something else, something that always made me uneasy around him – possessiveness. He surveyed the room, his gaze lingering on Lucas for a moment before returning to me. The air in the room seemed to thicken, charged with unspoken tension."Taking off already?" h