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
Oliver’s povThe air was filled with the strong smell of blood. The ambush had left a terrible scene of dead horses, overturned carriages, and wounded enemies. I felt a rush of excitement and alertness. It turned out to be a trap, and Beauty was caught in the middle.I had wanted to believe in her. Elena too wanted to believe her. But now, the evidence was undeniable. Lucas, Elena and I had concocted a false plan, a ruse designed to catch Beauty in the very act of betraying us. Only Beauty had been privy to the details. And now, here we were, fighting for our lives against an enemy who knew exactly what to expect.My gaze landed on her. Beauty stood amidst my guards, her face pale, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and…what? Regret? It didn't matter. I couldn't afford to be swayed by emotion. Not now. Not when the safety of the Full Moon pack hung in the balance."Arrest her," I commanded, my voice clipped and devoid of any warmth. The shift in the air was palpable. The guards, who
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