JONAS’S POV"Falling off a cliff?" I echoed her words in disbelief. Lisa’s dreams were about falling off a cliff. How could that be?I turned away, my hands curling into fists to suppress the visible rage that was slowly turning into trembling. My heart pounded in my chest like a drum, its rhythm echoing the shock coursing through my veins.Perhaps I misheard. My mind might be playing tricks on me. As I turned to face her one more time, my eyes were wild, staring into Lisa’s confused ones.She remained crumpled and vulnerable on the floor, her eyes wide as she looked at me. As I took a step closer, she recoiled in fear, crawling backward and away from me.The information about her dream she had just shared hung in the air between us—a chilling truth that seemed to freeze time itself.I swallowed hard, my throat dry as the desert. “Is it true?” I asked again, my voice barely a whisper.She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. “Yes,” she said, her voice trembling. “It’s true.”Overwhelm
ASHER’S POVA groan escaped my lips, its sound muffled by the soft pillow beneath my head. The room was bathed in a golden glow, the sun’s rays piercing through the gaps in the curtains, casting a warm, dotted pattern across my face.“What time is it?" I murmured to myself, realizing the sun was already high up in the sky. I should have been up and running by now not cooked up in bed.As I attempted to rise, a sharp, piercing pain shot through my skull like a lightning bolt, instantly forcing me back onto the bed with a startling thud.“Ow!” I cried out, my hands flying instinctively to my temples. My fingers pressed into the skin, trying to soothe the throbbing ache that pulsed beneath. “What in the world happened last night?” I muttered to myself, the confusion evident in my voice.I sat there, lost in a fog of confusion, trying to piece together the fragments of the previous night. My last clear memory was of myself, hunched over my broken study desk with a glass in hand. But now,
LISA’S POV My vision blurred into an unending haze as I lay crumpled on the cold stone floor of my cell. The floor was a cruel bed, its chill seeping into my bones like a dagger’s bite. The shackles gnawed into my skin with every move and turn. My bones felt fragile, as if they might shatter under the slightest pressure. My muscles screamed in protest, worn thin from the futile struggle against my iron shackles. Jonas, ever the ruthless captor, had ensured my bonds were as unyielding as his icy heart. “Why, Jonas?” I whispered into the consuming darkness, my voice barely taking a breath. “Why such unyielding cruelty?” There was no answer, just the echo of my own desperate voice, a haunting reminder of my solitude, bouncing off the cold, unforgiving walls. I curled tighter into myself, seeking warmth in the biting cold. Thirst and hunger claw at me relentlessly, but it was the haunting memories of my life back home with my family that inflicted the deepest pain. The darkness grew
Asher's POVThe afternoon air was heavy with tension as I watched Jonas’s figure disappear into the distance. A sense of unease coiled in my gut, a familiar serpent whispering warnings of a possible treachery. I turned to seek out Silas; his presence was a silent shadow beside me, his head bowed in submission.“Silas,” I called out, my voice steady despite the turmoil churning within me. “What do you make of Jonas’s departure?”His posture straightened, his eyes flickering up to meet mine, a silent acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation. “Alpha Asher,” he began, his voice a steady rock amidst a raging sea. “I’m afraid I cannot discern his motives. He is as unreadable as the night sky, devoid of both stars and moonlight, leaving us to find out what he is really up to.”I nodded, the weight of command settling on my shoulders. “Then we must find out what he is up to at this time. Have someone follow him discreetly and report back with your findings.”Silas offered a curt bow, h
JONAS POVAs I continue to rode out, a chill crept over me, a silent alarm whispering of another’s presence watching me. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon; it wouldn’t be long before the creatures of the night emerged from their hiding places. To make matters worse, the distant human village was still nowhere in sight.Transforming into my wolf form is a gamble I’m reluctant to take. The mere thought of confronting those blood-thirsty creatures sends shivers down my spine. The fear of being easily overpowered is a terrifying reality. My only option is to spur my horse into a faster gallop, praying that we can outpace the looming threat ahead.And so, I do just that. The worn heels of my boots dig into the horse’s heaving sides with a force born of desperation. “Faster, boy!” I yell into the wind, my voice raw and ragged, mirroring the wild beat of my heart.Even though I had already crossed halfway through the border, an eerie sensation of being watched from the tree line
WRITER’S POVMany days had passed since Lisa’s departure, which had torn through the lives of her brothers, Jax and Max. The weight of her absence bore down on them, serving as a constant reminder of the sacrifice she had made.Jax, as the eldest, bore the responsibility of protection—a duty he believed he had failed when danger snatched Lisa away. Their parents, now long gone, had entrusted Jax with a vow to shield Lisa from life’s darker turns. Though her absence has left a gap in their hearts and homes, none of the brothers were willing to talk about their grief.When Max, who was the younger of the two, had finally had enough, he confronted his brother with a solution to their problem.Max’s voice was a low, menacing growl. “We can’t just sit here with our arms folded, Jax. We need action.”Jax’s reply came out weary: “And do what? March into the jaws of death? Lisa wouldn’t have wanted that.”“Jax, we can’t just sit here!” Max’s voice was laced with desperation and anger. “Every
WRITER’S POVIt was already midnight when Jax and Max returned home. Jax had somehow convinced the villagers to return home as well. The fight for their sister’s return was something they had to undertake by themselves, without shedding innocent blood.They returned home in silence. The tension between them from earlier was still obvious. Jax had agreed to lead the attack, but it would require more planning before anything could be done.On the other hand, Jax agreeing to the movement was enough for Max. If there was one thing he had learned about his brother, it was that he never went back on his word. For that reason, Max trusted him completely to commit to rescuing Lisa.“Father and mother would be so proud of us, don’t you think?” Max asked, his arm draped over his brother’s shoulders.Jax shrugged him off with a thoughtful look in his eyes. “Do you ever worry, Max?” he asked. “Worry that we might end up regretting this decision?”“Not if we play our cards right. Caleb knows a sec
JONAS POVMy heart pounded like a war drum in my chest, each beat echoing the confirmation of my suspicions about Lisa. The words of her brothers were the final piece of the puzzle, solidifying the truth I had suspected—Lisa was indeed Kiara.The woman, who had been the object of both my love and hatred for years, was within my reach, oblivious to her true identity. It was a bitter irony that her so-called brothers, as unreliable as autumn leaves in the wind, couldn’t protect her secret. A secret, I wagered, she was unaware of, having been fed a diet of lies.Every cloud has a silver lining, and Lisa’s ignorance of her true self meant that I could manipulate her easily and keep her close without her ever suspecting. On the other hand, Asher was clueless, devoid of any evidence that she was his beloved Kiara.“My heart races, brothers,” I sneered, my voice dripping with malice and satisfaction. “Your words have dispelled the last of my doubts about Lisa, or, as she was once known, Kiar
Kiara’s POVA Year LaterA year has gone by so quickly, and a lot has changed around the pack. Most of the changes were good ones, especially with the arrival of our son, Leon.Asher decided to name our son Leon after his late father, the former Alpha. Leon is a cute little boy; he has Asher's blue eyes and cheeks but my smile.I didn't think I would be capable of loving anyone more than I already loved Asher, but Leon came after nine months of growing within me and stole all my love. Asher doesn't mind that he has because he has his love as well.I gazed lovingly at my little family, feeling my heart swell with pride and happiness. Asher, my mate, was playing with our son Leon, tickling his belly and making him giggle uncontrollably.Leon was still a baby, only four months old, and couldn't speak yet, but he could convey so much joy and excitement with his coos and babbles."Ga ga ga!" Leon squealed, reaching up to grab Asher's hair.Asher chuckled, gently untangling his hair from Le
Kiara’s POVThe Hunting Festival was finally here. Asher and I, dressed in our hunting attire, walked side by side to the village square. The full moon cast a silver glow over the village, and the air was electric with excitement.We had been preparing for this night for weeks, and I could feel the anticipation building inside me. As we reached the square, Asher raised his hands, and the chatter of the pack members died down.“Friends, family, and fellow pack members," he began, his voice clear and strong. "Tonight, we gather for the ancient tradition of the Hunting Festival. Remember, the rules are simple: no cheating, no harming fellow pack members, and respect for the prey."He paused, surveying the crowd with a stern expression. "We hunt for food, for survival, and for the thrill of the chase. Let us honor our ancestors and the land we call home."With a nod, Asher declared, "The Hunting Festival is now open! May the best hunters win, and may the spirits of the land guide us."The
Kiara's POVThree months had passed since the darkness that had haunted our pack for so long was finally vanquished. The memory of Jonas' death still lingered, but Asher had come to terms with his actions, and the pack was once again at peace. The night crawlers, those terrifying creatures that had terrorized us for so long, had disappeared as suddenly as they had appeared—a clear sign that Tacha's evil influence was truly gone.As I walked through the pack's village, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and hope. Our pack was thriving once more, and Asher's leadership was stronger than ever. As for me, I had never been happier. Asher and I were building a life together, and the future looked brighter than ever.But amidst all this joy, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. My brothers, Jax and Max, were preparing to leave the village, returning to their family farm to start a new chapter in their lives. No matter how much I tried to convince them to stay, they just couldn’
Asher’s POVThe days in the clinic passed slowly, each one a blur of pain, healing, and the constant presence of Kiara. Her unwavering support was a balm to my soul, but there was a darkness within me that even she couldn’t fully reach.I could see the worry in her eyes, the way she watched me as if afraid I’d slip away—not just physically, but emotionally.But I kept up a strong front. I was the Alpha, after all. My pack needed me to be strong, to lead them without showing any form of weakness. Yet, every time I closed my eyes, I saw Jonas’s lifeless face, felt the weight of the decision I’d made.One evening, after everyone had left and the clinic was quiet, Kiara curled up beside me on the bed, her head resting on my chest. I could feel the steady rise and fall of her breathing, the warmth of her body against mine. It was comforting, a reminder that I wasn’t alone, even if it felt that way sometimes.“Asher,” she whispered into the darkness, her voice barely above a breath. “You kn
**Asher’s POV**The world around me was a blur of pain and shadows. I drifted in and out of consciousness, my body heavy and unresponsive. Every breath was a struggle, each one reminding me of the fight I’d just endured, of the choices I’d made—choices that would haunt me forever.But through the haze, one thing remained constant: Kiara. Her presence was an anchor, keeping me grounded in the world of the living. I could feel her hand in mine, warm and steady, as if she were pouring her strength into me, willing me to stay with her. I fought to open my eyes, to see her, to reassure her that I was still here. When I finally managed to crack them open, the first thing I saw was her face, close to mine, her expression a mixture of exhaustion and fierce determination. Even in her weariness, she was beautiful—more beautiful than I could have ever imagined."Kiara," I whispered, my voice barely audible, but she heard me. She always did. Her eyes softened, and she leaned closer, her touch g
Kiara’s POVJax and Max stopped their antics, grinning at each other in triumph. "That was awesome!" Max exclaimed.But I just growled, my eyes fixed on Tacha. "You're not controlling me anymore," I snarled. "It's time to put an end to this."Tacha sneered, but I could see the fear lurking in her eyes. She knew she was beaten.I charged forward, my wolf form propelling me toward Tacha with lightning speed. My claws extended, ready to strike, and my teeth bared, prepared to sink into her flesh.Tacha tried to defend herself, but I was too fast. I pinned her to the ground, my claws digging deep into her shoulders, and my teeth sank into her arm.She screamed in pain, trying to struggle free, but I held tight. I could feel her dark magic coursing through her veins, trying to break free, but I was determined to stop her.With a fierce growl, I bit down harder, my teeth sinking deeper into her flesh and tearing off both her arms. Tacha's eyes widened in agony, and she let out a deafening s
Kiara’s POVAs I stood there, the dagger still clutched in my hand, a wave of horror washed over me. What had I done? Asher, my love, my mate, lay motionless on the ground, a victim of my own hand. Tacha’s cackling laughter echoed in my mind, and I knew I was still under her control. But a spark within me refused to be extinguished. I remembered Asher’s words, his love, his trust in me. With a surge of adrenaline, I fought back against Tacha’s control. It was like trying to break free from chains, but I gritted my teeth and focused on Asher’s face. Slowly, agonizingly slowly, I felt Tacha’s grip on my mind loosen. I took a step back, the dagger slipping from my fingers. “Asher,” I whispered, my voice shaking. I dropped to my knees beside him, cradling his head in my lap. His eyes flickered open again, and he gazed up at me, pain and confusion etched on his face. “Kiara?” he whispered. I nodded, tears streaming down my face. “I’m so sorry, Asher. I couldn’t stop her.” A
Asher’s POV"Alright, let's go over the whole plan one more time," I said, scanning the room, locking eyes with each person present."Jax and Max, you two will create a diversion at the front entrance. Jonas, you're with me. We'll sneak in through the back and grab her. Kiara, you're our ace in the hole. Once we've got her, you'll take care of the rest."I turned to Jonas, who stood with his arms crossed, his face completely expressionless. His demeanor was suspicious, and I clenched my hands into fists."Jonas, I mean it," I warned. "I don't want to see even a hint of betrayal. You're with us, or you're against us. And if you're against us, I won't hesitate to end you."Jonas didn’t flinch; his expression remained bland and relaxed, almost as if he was bored."I'm with you, Asher," he said flatly. "Don't worry about me."I narrowed my eyes, trying to read him. But there was nothing to read. He was a blank slate, making it even more irritating to look at him."Good," I said finally. "
Asher’s POVKiara's voice was a mixture of disbelief and anger. "You let him out? Asher, he’s dangerous! He’s the reason we’re in this mess in the first place.""I know," I said, my voice steady. "But he has information we need. If we’re going to stop Tacha, we need to know everything he knows. I’ll make sure he doesn’t cause any more harm."Kiara shook her head, frustration evident in her eyes. "I can’t believe you trusted him. What if he’s doing all this just to lead us into another trap?""I don’t trust him," I clarified. "But I need him. We need him. And I’ll be watching him closely."Kiara sighed, her expression softening slightly. "Alright, Asher. I trust you. But please, be careful.""I will," I promised, squeezing her hand. "We’ll get through this together."Kiara nodded, though worry still lingered in her eyes. "What’s the plan?""I’m going to meet with Jonas again," I said. "Get more details about the ritual and the spell. In the meantime, I need you to stay safe. Stay here