Rylan's POV "I felt a connection there still, Mother. Why did I feel something when she rejected us as her mate? What is going on? I cannot think clearly with this." I blurted out as I paced the room. My head hurt from all the unanswered questions whizzing about. I needed clarification. How could being so close to Eliza and feeling a spark when she touched my arm make me feel like something was still there? When we returned to the castle, Eliza had run off to find her father. I understood she was worried about him, but I could not hide my disappointment that I didn't get to talk to her properly alone. My mother and I waited in one of the many rooms downstairs. It was quieter than usual, but I was too busy to think about it.My mother stood up and approached me; she placed a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down. It was hard to calm down when I felt this way. "She accepted your wolf. Her world did not agree with the rejection, and whatever that is with Ryder, I don't know. You
Rylan’s POV The urgency pulsed through my veins like wildfire, igniting a sense of purpose within me. I could feel my heart racing at the prospect of the chaos my father had unleashed yet again. His manipulation of Morgan was another twisted thread in his web of deceit, and I knew I had to intervene before it spiraled completely out of control. I grabbed Daniella by the shoulders, my grip firm yet steady. "Where is Morgan? Where are they?" I demanded, needing to know the exact location so I could formulate a plan. The thought of Eliza caught in the middle of this mess fueled my determination. Daniella's eyes flickered to my mother before returning to me. "They're in the east wing of the castle – the old training room. Theron and Prince Alex are trying to reason with Morgan, but… Rylan, if your father finds out you went in there—" "I don’t care," I interrupted, my voice steel. "My priorities are clear. Eliza needs us, and I will not abandon her again ever." My mother’s hand envelo
Eliza's POV My eyes fluttered open as I realised I was lying on a soft and very comfortable bed, and somebody was calling out my name continuously; it felt distant. I tried to sit up, but someone pushed me back down, and I heard different voices. "Princess Eliza, please remain still. My name is Doctor Henson, and I am here to assist you." A deep voice said, and I could only nod in response. "What has happened to me?" My head hurt badly, and I felt sick, but I had no recollection of what must have happened to me. "Princess Eliza, do you not recall anything?" I could hear the concern in his voice as I shook my head. "No, I don't remember anything. Tell me what happened. Why am I here?" I demanded to know. Doctor Henson exchanged a glance with another figure at the foot of the bed. I could sense their hesitation, and that unsettled me even more. I squinted against the harsh brightness of the overhead lights, trying to make out their features. The room w
Rylan’s POV “Right. But how?” Theron replied, his brow furrowing as he calculated our options in the tense atmosphere. The darkness swirling around my father was noticeable, a living entity reflecting his rage and malice. He was really under something strong. Before I could respond, the energy crackled, sending a shockwave throughout the room. Morgan shrank further into the wall, his eyes wide with terror. I could see the desperation in them, echoing my fears.“First, we need to contain him,” I said, pointing to my father. “If he’s distracted for just a moment—”“I won’t let you take him!” my father bellowed, his voice reverberating, making the air tremble. “You are all just pawns in my game, and I will not lose!”“Then let’s make sure we play a different game,” Theron muttered, shifting into position. “Grayson, Prince Alex, take Ryder away from here, but don’t let him out of your sight. We need to question him later.” Theron snarled as Ryder was pulled away with Prince Alex and Gra
Eliza’s POV Morgan? The mere mention of that name sent a chill coursing through my veins. He was a dark shadow in my life, a malignancy that threatened both me and my father. What had he done now? “Father, Eliza. You’re awake. I’m here now.” My brother appeared looking relieved at the sight of me and father together. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly I thought I was going to pass out. “I’m ok.” I assured him but I didn’t understand why I couldn’t remember certain things. “What has happened?” I gripped my father's arm, uncertainty knotting in my stomach as I glanced at my brother, seeking reassurance in his gaze. But his expression was grave, weighed down by a burden I couldn’t yet comprehend. “Princess Eliza, please try to stay calm,” Doctor Henson urged gently, his voice steady but tinged with worry. “You’re not as strong without your wolf to heal you. You fainted and your memories are going to come and go. You need some rest to see how you will f
Rylan’s POV “Rylan, let me go!” he shouted, desperation and fury colliding in his voice. “You don’t know what you’re doing! Do you think you’re saving your pack? You’re only dooming them!”“Enough!” I roared, the wolf inside clawing for release as I pushed back against his energy. “I will not allow you to hurt anyone else! You’re the one who’s a danger to this family!”With one last push, we wrestled him out into the open air, the storm raging around us. The rain poured like a cleansing wave, the cold biting against my skin. We had him now, but his darkness clung to us like a suffocating mist.“Do you think this is over?” my father hissed, laughter mingling with the rain. “You are merely children playing at a game you do not understand. I will return stronger, and you will regret this day!”“Talk all you want,” Theron snapped, holding my father in an unyielding grip. “We’re the ones in control now.”Galloping thunder rumbled above us, and for a moment, I felt the ground shift beneath
Morgan’s POVI had watched my ambitions slip through my fingers like grains of sand, all because of their foolishness. Rylan and his brothers but instead chose to align themselves with someone I deemed no good, beneath us: Eliza, an orphan with no idea of her potential. We had taken her in and given her a home and food. She was ungrateful and deserved nothing. The chains rattled as I shifted, reminding me of my confinement. I had underestimated their loyalty, convinced they would see reason. But their hearts were clouded by emotions—the very thing that had always been my Achilles' heel. I had no room for that weakness. It was a luxury I could not afford. I had climbed up from nothing, clawing and biting through every obstacle, only to be prevented by my flesh and blood."I will not be defeated," I hissed into the shadows of my prison. The dungeon was cold and damp, just as bleak as my outlook. I envisioned my sons laughing with Eliza and celebrating their bond like a twisted family r
Eliza’s POV “I need to see them, Alex.” My fingers tightened around my brother's arm, desperation spilling into my voice as I bore down on him with a fierce urgency. A storm of uncertainty and longing brewed inside me; I couldn’t quite grasp what it all meant, but one thing was clear—I had to do this. “I know I want to see them. Nothing else will change it. I need to.” I demanded, and Alex hesitated, concern etched across his features. His hand found its way to my hair, brushing back a loose strand as if trying to ground me. “Princess Eliza, I would move mountains for you and always protect you. You know that, right?” His warm smile wrapped around me like a comforting blanket, but it couldn’t quell the fire igniting within. “Yes, my brother, I know that and appreciate it.” I understood his intentions were noble; he was my big brother. But this was more than madness—an undeniable calling that demanded my attention. “Bernard, please go and fetch the quadruplets.” A heavy sil
Rylan’s POV My heart raced at her confession, her words igniting desire within me and my brothers. She lay there, an exquisite goddess dressed in the remnants of her clothing, radiating power, vulnerability, and an intoxicating allure that made it impossible to resist her. "Then let us make you feel that way," Enzo said, his voice a low growl, as he leaned down to kiss her again, capturing her lips with urgency. The way she responded to him—moaning softly and arching her back—sent a rush throughout the room, filling us all with a shared longing that bound us closer together.As I watched the scene unfold, I could feel Eliza's energy ebbing and flowing, each touch sending ripples of pleasure through her. My hands joined Enzo’s, lightly exploring her abdomen as I marvelled at the smoothness of her skin. We were so intensely connected, tethered by the pull of fate. "Tell us what you need, Eliza," Ed prompted softly. His fingers ran along her shoulder, brushing against the delicate cur
Rylan's POV "Eliza, come on. Let's go upstairs and talk." I offered my hand to the princess, and she eyed the four of us but took my hand anyway. "What's going on, Rylan?" she asked as we made our way up the grand staircase, each step echoing with the weight of the conversation to come. The air in the palace felt heavy, but our mate needed to know. Once inside her chamber, I was glad her father or brother hadn't stopped us. I knew they would be concerned about Eliza knowing what we would tell her. Ed closed the door gently behind us, ensuring only five of us were in the room. The faint scent of polished wood and leather filled the air. ELIZA took a seat hesitantly on the edge of her bed, her curious eyes staring between us. Me, Rio, Enzo and Ed stood in a loose semicircle around her concern etched on our faces. "Eliza," I started taking a deep breath. We need to talk to you. We have to return briefly back to the pack. It's crucial, and we must return to handle some cri
Eliza's POV I felt a rush of adrenaline course through me at her words. "Yes, I'm ready," I affirmed, though a part of me was still tinged with that familiar anxiety. Esmeralda motioned for me to sit cross-legged on the ground, the cool stones grounding me as I settled down. "This next exercise will require you to delve into your essence—to understand the core of who you are," she said softly, kneeling across from me. Her presence felt reassuring, and I took a deep breath to steady myself, focusing on her calming aura. "As we begin," she continued, "I want you to envision a light within you. A pure, vibrant energy that represents your truest self." She paused, her eyes locking onto mine with intensity. "Can you see it?" I closed my eyes, picturing a gentle light flickering within my chest. It felt warm and comforting, like the first rays of sunlight after a long winter. I imagined it growing brighter, pulsating in rhythm with my heart. "Good," Esmeralda encouraged. "No
Eliza's POV The following day arrived with a shimmer of sunlight breaking through the clouds, a hopeful contrast to the anxiety swirling within me. Rylan, Rio, Enzo, Ed, and I gathered in the training yard, our chosen space for the first lesson with Esmeralda. The air buzzed with anticipation, and I could feel the energy from my mates, each excited to begin this new chapter. As we stood together, the vastness of the courtyard loomed around us, adorned with ancient stone and vibrant greenery, a reminder of our heritage. My heart raced, and I could see that nervous energy mirrored in the eyes of my mates. "I can't believe it's finally here," Rylan said, his fingers brushing mine. "We're about to make history." "I hope she's everything they say she is," Ed mused, crossing his arms as he scanned the surroundings. "We need a mentor who can challenge us." "I'm ready for any challenge she throws at us," I asserted, trying to channel my determination into a solid anchor against
“No, I will not allow my daughter to put herself into anymore danger.” My father came stomping down the path and I looked up in surprise. He looked furious. His voice held a weight that silenced everyone around us. I looked up at him, confusion mingling with frustration. “Father, this isn’t just about just me anymore. Yelda won’t wait for me to be ready. We can’t afford to be passive.” He shook his head, his brow furrowed. “You don’t understand, Eliza. Training requires more than just a will to fight. It demands discipline, patience, and above all—safety. I won’t risk losing you.” My heart raced at his protective words. I understood his intentions, but meant to protect me. Yet I couldn’t ignore the gnawing sensation at the pit of my stomach that warned of the darkness closing in on us all. “You can’t keep me in a bubble forever. The world won’t pause for my safety.” Theron stepped forward, breaking the tension. “He’s right, Princess Eliza. We need to ensure you ar
Eliza’s POV As I spoke those words, a fire ignited within me—a fierce resolve I hadn’t known I possessed. The weight of my lineage pressed down like a mantle, but it no longer felt like a burden. I couldn’t afford to be weak, not when the stakes were so high. “What do I need to do?” I repeated, this time my voice unwavering. Rylan’s eyes narrowed with a mixture of pride and concern. “We’ll start with the basics. You have to learn to channel your emotions. Fear can be a powerful ally if you guide it, but it can equally ensnare you if you let it. You’ve felt what happens when you’re afraid, haven’t you?” I nodded, remembering the way I had felt Yelda’s presence gripping my heart like ice. “I can’t afford to feel like that again.” “Exactly,” Rylan said, his gaze unwavering. “You have to embrace every part of yourself—the light and the dark. Together, they will make you stronger.” Rio stepped forward, his expression shifting from anger to solidarity. “We can help you push t
Eliza’s POV The weight of their words pressed down on me, a heavy shroud of confusion and betrayal. “So Yelda really was just using me?” I managed to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. Suddenly, a cold chill swept through the room, making the candles flicker as if a draft had burst in from an unseen passage. My heart raced, recalling how Yelda fed off my power. Who knew how long that had been going on? I clenched my fists, but not out of anger; it was profound fear — fear of my own abilities and who might exploit them again. “She was manipulating you, Princess Eliza,” Rylan said, his voice steady amidst the chaos of emotions swirling within me. “Crafting a façade that made you vulnerable. We recognized it just in time.” “What did you do?” I confronted them, rising from my seat, the chair scraping painfully against the floor. “Did you hurt her? Did you kill her?” “She’s not dead,” Rio interjected quickly, his brows knitted. “She’s sealed, but her spirit lingers—un
Eliza’s POV I woke up with a start and sat upright. Looking around me, I quickly realised I was back in my room. But how? The last thing I remembered was looking at Yelda and hearing my name called. My mates? How did I get back here? I couldn't remember, but my head hurt like hell. Raising a hand to rub my head, I glanced at myself in the mirror and frowned. I had to find Rylan and find out what had happened to me. Where was everyone? Suddenly, the door flew open, and there stood Bernard, the bodyguard my father had insisted I should have to keep me safe. “Where is everyone, and how am I back here?” I demanded to know from him; I strode towards him and pushed him hard against the wall, causing him to tumble and a look of shock on his face. “Princess Eliza. Wait a moment. You’re not thinking straight.” He stuttered as I rushed out of the room and ran down the hall to where I knew my father and brother would likely be. I stormed into the room and saw my father with Theron and Lar
Rylan’s POV With that command roaring from my lips, we sprang into action. I led the charge, muscles coiling as I surged forward, driven by an intense need to protect Eliza. My heart raced wildly, pounding a mantra of urgency as I darted from the shelter of the bushes towards the stranger and Eliza. "Eliza!" I shouted, my voice slicing through the tension like a knife. She turned, eyes wide in surprise, but a fleeting moment of shock fell across her features before the cloaked figure moved closer to her, positioning herself as a barrier. "Stay back!" the woman hissed, her voice like cold steel against my resolve. I skidded to a halt, heart pounding in my chest as I gauged the situation. Eliza hesitated, caught between fear and instinct. My brothers fanned out beside me, forming a protective barrier as we faced the two figures. "Rylan, we have to be careful," Enzo warned, his eyes scanning for any threats. “We don’t know what she’s capable of.” "I don’t care!" I shot