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.
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 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
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,"
Beauty’s povThe rose bushes, usually a source of comfort, felt suffocating. Their sweet fragrance, once a medicine to my troubled soul, now seemed to mock me with its beauty. I wandered through the garden, each step heavy with the weight of my betrayal. My fingers brushed against the petals, but I felt nothing but a hollow ache in my chest. I finally sat on the stone bench in the garden, close to the flowing lake.Elena. My best friend. The only person that ever noticed me in the entire pack. A stranger that turned to my sister. And I had betrayed her. The memories clawed at me, sharp and relentless. Elena’s face when she first saw the custom white wedding dress, her eyes sparkling with a joy that only Oliver could ignite. She and Oliver had their ups and downs but they still found each other. They were perfect, a love story whispered in the wind. And I, driven by fear and desperation, had shattered their happiness.Not only did I ruin her dress but I had also tattled about her lo
Elena’s povI walked to the garden with a goal in mind. After the last meeting with Oliver and Lucas, I decided to test Beauty one last time. Something in me still wished that it was all a coincidence.I saw her sitting on a stone bench by the lake. I pretended not to see her, choosing a wrought-iron bench at the far end of the garden. The cool metal bit into my skin through the thin fabric of my dress. I inhaled deeply, the fragrant lavender momentarily calming the storm inside me. It didn't last."Elena?" Her voice was a fragile tremor. I didn't turn."Elena, please." The desperation was more pronounced this time. I finally relented, slowly turning to face her. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her face pale. Guilt, or a clever imitation of it, shone in her gaze."What is it, Beauty?" My voice was flat, devoid of any warmth.She rushed forward, her hands clasped together, pleading. "I... I need to talk to you. Please, just... just let me explain."I raised an eyebrow, a silent invitation to
Elena’s povThe morning sun, a bleary-eyed witness to my sleepless night, cast long shadows across the wooden floorboards of my room. It was finally the day I get to see the Sage Oliver had recommended. I wondered if I was finally going to get the answers I desperately needed.I had so many questions about the visions I got, how I could detect the magical runes and how I could save the pack.I hoped this Sage will be clear and concise and not make me go in circles.Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and walked towards Beauty's room. This was something else that made me nervous. I was going to confirm if she was for or against the pack. She had confessed to ruining the dress but not to the other betrayal. Yet I was ready to forgive her. Whatever her actions will be today will guarantee if she was repentant or not.I knocked softly on the door, and Beauty's voice, light and lilting, bid me to enter. She sat at her in front of her mirror, brushing her hair, her reflection mirroring h
Beauty’s povThe jolting of my horse was doing little to calm the tremor that wracked my body. Each clop of its hooves against the rough track echoed the frantic beat of my heart. How had I let myself get into this mess? Elena had asked me to follow her carriage, a simple request that now felt like a death sentence.Days ago, I overheard a hushed conversation between Elena and Oliver. I knew I shouldn’t have followed Elena after we talked in the garden but I had wanted to ask her out to the mall. It was supposed to be our bonding time but I overheard an important piece of informationThey spoke of a journey to see a Sage, someone with the power to… well, I wasn't entirely sure what, but it sounded important.I quickly left the area before Elena would catch me and the newly found forgiveness would be gone. But as I entered my room, I saw an all too familiar man seated on my bed. His hand deep in the saving box I had been keeping all my life.“W..what do you want?” I stuttered and he sm
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
Lucas’s povThe scent of pine needles and damp earth filled my lungs as I stumbled back towards the cabin. Desperation gnawed at me, a constant, throbbing ache. Elena lay unconscious, her pulse almost fading. She was barely breathing and the fear of losing her wrecked me. Her condition was a testament to the brutal battle with Reed. She had won, she had finally defeated him, but the victory felt empty in the face of her stillness.It ate me up that I swore to protect her with my life yet she did it for us without thinking twice. Risked her life without considering hers.The old woman. She was my only hope. She knew things, secrets tucked away in her mind like she is the only one who had all the answers in the world. At this rate, she did. She had helped her before, guided Elena when she was lost and confused about the visions she was getting. Now, I needed her guidance more than ever.The cabin stood silent and empty, exactly as I had left it previously. Dust danced in the faint sunli
Third person povBeauty paced back and forth, her worry etched on her face. Daniel stood beside her, his own anxiety was thick in the air. They waited outside Chloe’s room, the heavy wooden door a barrier between them and the unknown. The healer, a woman known for being quick with detecting injuries and healing them, had been inside for what felt like an eternity. It was long enough for them to be worried."Who is Jax?" Daniel asked, his voice low. He'd seen the way Jax looked at Chloe, the way Jax was extremely protective of her. Like she was a part of him. There was an intimacy there that bothered him, a closeness he couldn't quite place.Beauty stopped pacing, a shiver running down her spine. "I... I have a bad feeling about him, Daniel. A really bad feeling."Daniel frowned. "What do you mean?""He reminds me of... of the man who threatened me, who forced me to betray Elena and kidnapped Sam." The words were barely a whisper, laced with fear and a familiar self-reproach. "I can’t
Third person pov Reed’s eyes burned with a mixture of fear and resentment. The hate that burned his heart brought him to the realization that this was a lost battle.. His limbs were mangled and he was in so much pain than he could ever realize. He knew Elena had power now, a power strong enough to end him. Her eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and he could practically feel magic radiating from her. He had to act, and act fast. He couldn't let her destroy everything he had built.He couldn’t afford to lose it all.His mind raced, settling on a desperate plan. He began chanting, his voice a low, guttural growl. The words were ancient, dark, and flowed from him like venom. It was a death spell, a last resort he had hoped never to use. But it wasn’t aimed at Elena. Not directly.Oliver and Lucas, still recovering from the earlier fight, stood nearby, their bodies bruised and battered. They were unaware of the danger about to descend upon them. Reed, in his twisted logic, decided that
Jax's POV"Now," Oliver snapped, cutting me off. "I don't care if you're a member of the Blue Moon pack or not, Jax. My sister needs help. Get her to the pack house immediately and this time, try not to return with her even if she insists."He didn’t need to tell me again what to do. His command showed that he truly cared about his sister even after everything.The metallic tang of blood filled my nostrils. Not just any blood, but Chloe's. A low growl rumbled in my chest, a primal protectiveness surging through me. Carefully, gently, I scooped her up and steadied her on my arms. Her body was limp, but her arms instinctively wrapped around my neck, her head finding a resting place against my chest. Each shallow breath she took sent a jolt of fear through me. I hope she was fine.Chloe. Beautiful, fierce Chloe. Even now, covered in grime and blood, she was breathtaking. I risked a glance, admiring the curve of her jaw, the way her blonde hair fell across her face. She acted like she di
Oliver’s povMy ribs screamed with every breath. Lucas wasn’t in much better shape, favoring his left arm and sporting a rapidly swelling eye. Chloe looked like she was in a worse state because she fought in her full wolf form and she hadn’t been in a battle ground in a while. We all watched, battered and bruised, as Elena turned Reed into a human punching bag. It was insane. Just hours ago, Reed was the one with all the power, tossing spells around like they were candy. Beating up all of us like it was nothing. Now? Elena was practically glowing, a whirlwind of raw magic that Reed couldn't even touch.Then I saw him. Jax.He was standing at the edge of the clearing, his face a mask of worry. He was supposed to take Elena back to the pack safely and not bring her back to the very place I asked her not to be in. Now, he was here."Jax!" I croaked, my voice rough and thick. He turned, his eyes landing on me. “What the hell is going on? What happened to Elena? Where did she get all tha