Kaden’s POV
Ancient Springs Pack – The Northlands
My movements are fueled by an unrelenting anger, each step echoing a fueled rage I wish I can pour into something else at the moment. The gates slam shut, sealing off the palace from the tempest outside and the guards jump out of my way. Everyone does.
My palm folds to a fist and I resist every bit of urge to put holes on the walls of the hallway. Every part of the palace reminds me of Liliana. The library, the dining hall, the courtyard….Damn!
As I retreat to my chamber, I find my Beta, Marcus awaiting my presence. The smile on his face immediately disappears when he sees my face. I shout out an order before he can even speak. “Prepare the warriors for war!"
“What -?”
I storm head-on and move towards my study. Marcus, flabber
Liliana’s POVI have come home. Or at least, mom’s home.The Woodlands embrace me with towering trees that stand as silent sentinels, their branches weaving a canopy to obscure the sunlight, casting shadows on the forest floor. As I step through the gates of the Woodlands, memories begin to echo in the hollow corners of my heart.I remember taking my first baby steps here, stumbling every once in a while before reaching mom who never failed to cheer me on. I remember jumping over the gates with grandpa, racing to see who would be the first to reach the cookie at the end of the line. I remember receiving my first kiss from Aden under the old oak tree. Then comes the memoeries of betrayals lies and deceits.I remember the way I escaped from Aden and Bella's attacks to end me, the way I found solace in the rogue's land and the way I chased after the rogue wolf in the Woodlan
Liliana’s POVI blink and scowl at my own silliness. Where had the thought come from? I shake my head and turn my attention back to the Frost cousins who stare at the photo in the locket.“It is hard to tell, the photo has faded over time,” Evander says, his eyes narrowing with uncertainty.Landon, with a conviction born of familiarity, declares, "It's her. It’s mother."Kaden, stubborn as ever, counters with a resolute "No. You’re fooling yourself, Landon." I watch, a silent witness to the clash of opinions and the unspoken emotions that simmer beneath the surface. The necklace, dangling between them, becomes a focal point of their destinies."This is going nowhere. Let's go to the forest." Evander finally buys Kaden's idea and we all settle with this now.I see the look
Liliana’s POVThe woman who stands before me is an enigma. She glances at me from the depths of the cave — draped in a gown as pure as freshly fallen snow. Her hair, a cascade of white waves, flows like a frozen waterfall, and her presence radiates an ethereal beauty that captivates even in the dark of the cave.I find myself momentarily breathless. She stands, a blueprint of mystery, her eyes holding a depth that transcends mere mortal understanding. They are... deep, oddly deep. Like they piece through another world.Logic whispers warnings in my mind—strangers should elicit caution, but I act void of the order of the rule I hear. Yet, a magnetic force draws me to her, weaving a spell that numbs the rational mind. I should question, resist, demand answers. But as she gazes at me with eyes that seem to hold the secrets of time, my voice remains silent, as if under the encha
Liliana’s POVThe sound of water dripping from the cave’s stalactites fills my senses, and I open my eyes only to realize I had fallen asleep. I frown and squint my eyes in the dark, searching in vain for the woman in white.But she is nowhere to be found. I am alone in the profound darkness.Had it all been a dream?The memory of the mysterious woman, her snowy hair and ethereal gown, lingers like an elusive wisp.I stretch out my arms and accidentally touch something metallic. Something hard. And something warm. Quickly, my fingers wrap around it and I bring the object nearer.Aha! A smile spreads on my face.It is the lantern! Proof that the white-haired woman was real. But the smile on my face fades into a tremble when the lantern suddenly comes to life.The flame within it hover
Kaden's POVMoonlight bathes the empty grave, casting elongated shadows that stretch like ghostly fingers across the soil.“Let’s fill it up, Kaden,” Evander says.In the stillness of the night, the shovels in our hands cut through the quiet like a subdued heartbeat and the dirt cascades back into the empty grave. The night seems to hold its breath as if paying homage to the secrets concealed beneath the newly settled earth.Given our speed, the void in the grave is filled in no time. Evander jams his shovel head-on into the soil and plops onto the ground. I wipe the sweat from my brow and take a seat next to him and stare out into the moonlit sky.Evander produces a steeled bottle of alcohol from his pocket and takes a measured sip, his gaze fixed on the grave before us.Then silently, he extends the bottle to me. I accept
Liliana’s POVI stand before Landon, my heart pounding in a rhythm of both determination and dread.“Landon,” I begin, my voice steady despite the chill that dances along my spine, “you’re concealing something from me, and I demand the truth.”He averts his gaze. “Liliana,” he starts, his voice as cool and emotionless as ever, “my mother… she was acquainted with a woman. A woman with hair as white as winter’s first frost. She was the Frostbite Pack’s first ever Sorceress. The White Sorceress supreme.”The air grows colder as if the very mention of the white-haired woman draws the warmth from the room.“She would come, always shrouded in veils, as if the night itself cloaked her in secrecy,” Landon continues, his eyes now lost to the past. “She would always come to vis
Kaden’s POVI have never felt such anguish in my life, not even I lost my mother to the creature she has become. I look at Liliana who sits before me, perched against the tree with her head down and my heart breaks.The loss of her wolf is more than a physical absence; it's a spiritual amputation, leaving her incomplete in a way that goes beyond the physical realm.How much pain did she bear and how is it that she has shielded all this from me? From all of us? How is it that she has been able to keep this agonizing secret of her and bear the pain alone?Liliana is strong, fiercely so, but even the strongest can be brought low by the trials they face.The weight of her suffering and the toll it has taken on her becomes painfully clear to me.I reach out, my hand closing around her arms with more force than I intended, my emotions set loose. "Why didn'
Liliana’s POVI stand alone in Kaden’s bathroom, change out of my bloodied blouse and inhale Kaden’s lingering scent. The strong scent of musk, pine and cedar stirs memories I have tried to bury deep within.The memories flood in, a cascade of emotions that I struggle to contain. I remember the sense of completeness that came with being by Kaden’s side. I remember the time when Kaden saved me from the humiliation Aden brought upon me during our pack engagement.I remember the time when I first set foot in this palace, remember the grandeur and warmth that greeted me.I remember our first night together, of how he kissed me, touched me and filled me with his seed. I remember his presence, both comforting and intimidating for every moment that I stayed there. His laughter and melody filled the halls. He introduced me to Evander, his brother, and I recall the sense of belongin
Liliana’s POV“Alpha, your mate is here to see you.”My heart skips a beat at Jonathan’s words and I quickly stand from my desk to smooth my dress.“How do I look?” I ask.Jonathan makes a face. “Do you really want to know?”I should never have asked him. Crumpling a paper in my hand, I throw it at him but another hand catches it and we both cock our heads to see the person materializing from behind Jonathan.“Landon, you’re early.” I break into a smile.Landon tips his head and strides in, his presence shifting the entire atmosphere. He reaches me and places a gentle kiss on my forehead and around us, the council members share chuckles, breaking the seriousness of the meeting.“Alpha Liliana, would you like us to step out of the meeting room and give you some space?” one of the elders asks, covering the smile on his lips with the palm of his hand.I look at him and feel my cheeks flush red. “No, no, we are fine. Landon, can you wait for me in the study and I will come –““Oh that won
Liliana’s POVKaden.He is alive!My heart feels like it has been given a second chance.I reach out to touch his face, my hands trembling with a mixture of emotions."Kaden," I whisper, my voice shaky yet filled with joy. In that moment, everything else fades away, and it is just him and me.His gaze meets mine, and I see the flicker of recognition. There is a warmth in his eyes, a reassurance that we have weathered a storm together."Liliana," he says, the sound of my name on his lips balms my soul. The relief in his eyes mirrors my own.A smile forms on my lips through the tears. “I thought I had lost you."His hand finds mine, fingers intertwining, and I feel the strength in his touch. "You didn't lose me. I'm here."It is then that I know, deep within my heart, that I love him more than I realized. The air around us seems lighter and In this moment, amidst the fragility of life, the truth becomes crystal clear — he is the one my heart bleeds for, the one I cannot imagine a future
Kaden’s POVI open my eyes to a meadow, a serene landscape painted with the soft hues of wildflowers. The gentle breeze whispers through the grass, and the air carries the sweet fragrance of nature. It is a tranquil haven, the view of it contrasting the chaotic world I left behind.But what is this place? Heaven? Or hell?I push myself up and rise from the flowers to find the warmth of the sunlight casting a golden glow over the meadow. Butterflies dance in the air and a distant murmur of a babbling brook complements the soothing ambiance.Okay….this definitely cannot be hell.My hand touches the grass beneath men they are soft and soothing to touch and I take in a deep breath. It is a moment of calm, a pause in the relentless storm that has marked my recent journey.My eyes roam the place meadow and settle on a woman by the stream. She is playing with the water, gently sploshing her hand back and forth in the stream. There seems to be no one else but her.I get up on my feet, noting
Liliana’s POVThe moment I step into the force field, an intense burning sensation sears through my skin, a fiery onslaught that feels like the very essence of my being is aflame.My muscles convulse, and I grit my teeth against the searing torment. The healing factor, ordinarily a beacon of resilience, now struggles to mend the wounds inflicted by the force field's malevolent energy. Each attempt at recovery is met with an unyielding force, pushing against my limits.It is as if every cell in my body rebels against the intrusion, fighting to resist the fatal grip of this hellish force field and it takes all my might to stop myself from fainting.Outside the castle, the atmosphere rumbles. Lightning rends the sky with its jagged fingers, illuminating the darkened clouds. Thunder roars in symphony with the raging storm, echoing the tempest I navigate. The forces of nature seem to mirror the celestial conflict within, an ominous backdrop to the struggle for survival playing out within t
Liliana’s POVThe frantic pace of our footsteps reverberates through the palace corridors as we hasten our come back. Each hurried step feels like a silent plea for Kaden's safety.I glance at Landon, the tension etched on his face mirroring the apprehension growing within me. He is speaking urgently into the phon, barking orders to Marcus. I catch fragments of his conversation—evacuate everyone, check on Kaden.My heart quickens, a foreboding shadow casting its chill. Evander silently squeezes my shoulder.We finally reach the palace after what feels like an eternity but Landon stops in his track. He spreads both hands out to stop us as well."Something's not right," he says, his voice low.A shiver runs down my spine, and the opulence of the palace loses its lustre.My fingers clench, betraying my rising fear. A bad feeling claws at the edges of my consciousness. The warmth of Kaden's embrace, the safety we shared, now feels fragile, slipping away like grains of sand. What if I...wh
Liliana’s POV “Let me go!” I scream, desperately pushing the hand away. But the bastard’s hold is firm. “Liliana, calm down!” Calm down my foot. Screaming once more, I flip around and lash out a leg only to have my foot caught by two strong hands, hands that had once held mine before, hands that have given me nothing but love and care. Landon’s hands. Amidst the chaos of the storm, my eyes widen in disbelief as I see Landon materialize by my side. His familiar presence frays my nerves. In an instant, he picks me up, his strong arms wrapping around me protectively. I am safe. Landon holds me close, a silent reassurance that echoes louder than words. "We've got you," he whispers, his voice steady. I bury my face in his chest and let out a stifled sob. I am safe. Another hand lands on my shoulder but this time I do not scream. "You're safe now," Evander’s voice rings out in the cave and I lift my head up see his face staring back at mine. Ever so gently, he cups my cheek in his
Liliana’s POVI hang from the cave ceiling, cold chains biting into my fur. The cave is dark and damp, hewn from rough stone. The air is heavy with the smell of dampness and ancient stone, and a chill breeze rushes through the cavern.Stalactites loom above, and below me, sitting on the uneven ground of rocks is a glass chalice.Drip, drip, drip my blood goes into the glass, creating a tiny swirl of dark red liquid. The irony of it, I am staring at my life force draining away, pooling into the glass below. "You are the key to my great plans," the Sorceress says, a dark silhouette against the dim cave backdrop. Her words echo off the cave walls.What does she think she is, a vampire?The Sorceress chuckles as she emerges from the shadows and stops right in front of the glass chalice. He bends over ever so slightly and picks it up, holding it nearer to my gaping wound.Her eyes glint with an unsettling mix of power and malevolence as she looks into the glass. "Every drop of your blood
Evander’s POVMy eyes sweep the surroundings, the wind ruffling my dark hair. The cliff's edge looms, daring me to leap.I estimate it to be nearly twenty storeys down. No human would survive the leap. But I am not a mere human. I am a wolf.My regenerative system is miraculous, if you believe in miracles-- which I do not. I can be stabbed in the arm with a knife and heal within minutes without scarring. But if I were to jump off this cliff and accidentally have some stump fo a tree pierce my heart while landing, then maybe I would die.But both Landon and Kaden had taken the leap before. And they survived."This can't be that bad," I say to myself taking in a deep breath. I prepare for the jump. Digging the soles of my right foot into the ground, I shove myself off the rocky surface with such force that I become airborne.Midair, limbs spread, I feel the gust of wind against my face. The world blurs around me as I plummet towards the ground. Adrenaline courses through my veins, every
Landon’s POVSometime before Kaden’s entrapmentI walk toward the exit of Kaden’s study, intending to go after him. The concerning thoughts for Liliana and the unsettling revelation unfolding in Venice's chamber ring in my ears. Something is wrong, very wrong.With three short strides, I reach the door but before I can reach for the doorknob, Evander intervenes, his hand outstretched to stop me.His grip is firm. He tilts his head slightly, a silent query etched on his face. Our eyes lock, a silent exchange laden with unspoken questions."Where do you think you're going?" Evander asks.I take a deep breath. "I need to go back to the cave. I think we missed something there." The words escape in a rush. My gaze remains fixed on Evander, seeking understanding in the depths of his eyes.“The cave?”“Yes, the one where Liliana met the Sorceress.”Evander frowns a little before his expression shifts, registering a blend of understanding and shared worry. He nods in acknowledgment, releasing