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
Lucas’s povThe wind whipped at my face, carrying the scent of damp earth, a familiar aroma that usually brought a sense of peace. Tonight, it was just another reminder of the land I was sworn to protect, a land that was teetering on the brink of war. The air crackled with tension, thick enough to choke on. Oliver’s order echoed in my mind. How could I stay away from Elena. Easy for him to say. He was the Alpha. He had her. I was just a soldier, a silent observer of his happiness. The wedding postponement came as a relief, a temporary reprieve from the gut-wrenching reality of watching her walk down the aisle towards another man. But it also meant the threat was real, the enemy close.I shifted my weight, the gravel crunching under my boots. Spies. A looming war. All because of Elena and her bond with Oliver. Then I saw her. Chloe.She stalked towards me, a predator in human form. Her eyes, usually a cold, calculating, were burning with fury. “Lucas.” Her voice dripped with venom,
Elena’s povThe silk of the ruined wedding dress still clung to the inside of my eyelids, a phantom weight pressing down on my chest. What was supposed to be the happiest day of my life had crumbled into ash. Oliver had banned Lucas from being close to me, all because of a possessive jealousy that gnawed at him. Beauty on the other hand was nowhere to be found ever since the attack on the pack. I hadn't seen either of them since.I considered going to Oliver’s room but something in me told me that he equally needed the space. After all he was the Alpha and his pack was in danger.Strange people were within our borders. Possible threats to the life of the pack members and the future of the pack. The worst part is his own sister’s involvement in the entire attack.We all needed space to digest this brewing war.I needed to breathe, to escape the suffocating confines of the pack mansion, where every whispered conversation, every sympathetic glance, felt like a fresh wound. My plan was s
Elena’s povThe morning sun cast long shadows across the courtyard as I made my way towards Beauty's room. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the fragile hope I still clung to. Maybe I was mistaken. Maybe it was a dirty joke. But all the excuses I tried to make up for her still didn’t add up.Last night's overheard conversation replayed in my mind, each whispered word a fresh wound. Beauty, my best friend, conspiring about my ruined wedding dress. The thought was like a poisoned knife, twisting and poisoning the bond we shared.I found her near her window, sunlight illuminating her face in a way that only emphasized her nervousness. Her fingers twisted in the fabric of her gown, and she avoided my gaze. "Beauty," I began, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to appear composed. "I need to ask you something about last night."Her eyes darted up to meet mine, wide and filled with a fear she couldn't quite hide. "Last night? What about it?""I... I overh
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