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 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
ASHER POVI felt the chill of the night seep into my bones as I stood motionless in my dark room, gazing out the open window. The moon was concealed behind the clouds, leaving the sky a vast void that mirrored the emptiness in my soul."Kiara, Kiara, where are you?" I whispered as I gazed at the dark sky still. The moon was hiding, just like she was. I felt a tear roll down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away. I had to be strong for her and us. I couldn't let anyone see me break down. I had to find her, no matter what.She was my mate, my soulmate, and the love of my life. She was everything to me, and I was nothing without her. Her eyes that sparkled like emerald still hunt me in my sleep each night, and those freckles on her cheeks where the stars that light up my life.Kiara has the most beautiful smile I had ever beheld, and my love for her surpassed everything else in this world. However, she was gone; she was whisked away from me by an unknown force. I was left without any ink
LISA’S POVOne minute, I was riding fast; the next, I was falling hard. But just like always, I bolted upright in my bed, gulping down lungful of air. The same nightmare has haunted me for as long as I can remember—falling off my horse with the wind screaming in my ears and the ground rushing up to meet me. But I never hit the ground. I always woke up before that, my heart racing like a wild horse.“Lisa, Lisa, it’s okay. It’s just a dream,” a familiar voice soothed me as warm arms wrapped around me. I blinked, trying to clear the fog from my mind. The voice belonged to Max, my older brother. At least, that’s what I was told because I don’t remember him or anyone else. Yet, his love and care for me couldn’t be mistaken, as I could see it in his eyes.Max looked worried; his hazel eyes were clouded with concern. He always looked out for me, ever since I was said to have lost my memory in a horseback riding accident. He was the one who told me who I was, who he was, and who our family
Asher's POVThe first rays of dawn had barely begun to peek through the curtains when I found myself stirring from sleep. I groaned, the weight of another day pressing down on me as I shrugged off the comforting warmth of my bed. My feet hit the cold floor, sending a shiver up my spine as I trudged toward the bathroom.The sound of water hitting the tiles filled the room as I stepped into the shower. The warm droplets washed away the remnants of sleep from my eyes. Once I was done, I dressed in my usual attire, my fingers deftly buttoning up my black shirt, which was paired with equally black pants.My gaze fell upon a drawer, and I pulled it open to reveal a portrait. It was a beautiful rendition of Kiara, my beloved mate. Her eyes, as vibrant as emeralds, seemed to sparkle in the soft morning light.The portrait, a masterpiece crafted by the region's finest artist, was a gift I had intended for our first anniversary. But fate had other plans, and she disappeared before I could pres
Jonas POVAs soon as Asher said those words to me, I clenched my hands into fists, feeling a surge of anger and resentment toward him. How could he treat me like this, like a mere servant and not his own flesh and blood? He knew how much I despised humans and their very miserable existence.He was aware of all these facts and more, yet he insisted on sending me there. I was always certain of his disdain for me. The only reason he has tolerated me until now is our shared bloodline.Despite the depth of Asher’s hatred for me, my dislikes for him matches it, if not surpasses it. Asher, under the illusion that his position as Alpha—bestowed upon him by our father—makes him superior to everyone else, remains oblivious to my plans.Plans that involve his downfall mirror the fate of his mate, Kiara. He doesn’t know that I was waiting for the right moment to strike, to claim what was rightfully mine.He is also unaware that I have already set the wheels of destiny in motion and that it’s only
LISA’S POV“Alpha Asher is a monster,” Caleb said, his voice low and filled with fear. “He doesn’t care about us humans. His only concern is his pack and the power he wields over others. He demands payment from us every month for his so-called protection. But what happens if we can’t afford it? What if we run out of money or resources? What then?”I felt a cold shiver run down my spine as I listened to my brothers, Jax and Max, along with their friend Caleb, discuss Alpha Asher. He was the formidable leader of the Red Moon pack, a werewolf of such ruthlessness that it was almost beyond comprehension.Yet, it was this very individual upon whom we, as mere humans, relied for protection against the night crawlers—creatures of the night with a gruesome appetite for blood and human flesh. The stark absurdity of our predicament did not escape me."He's not the only monster," Jax said, his voice bitter and angry. "The night crawlers are just as bad, if not worse. They're the reason why we ne
LISA POV“Move it, you filthy rat!” The guard shoved me forward, his boot kicking the heel of my shoe roughly from behind. This caused me to stumble a few feet, and I barely caught myself before I fell. My knee scraped against the gravel, its sharpness cutting my flesh open.I whimpered in pain as I struggled back on my feet, the gravel continued to crunch under my feet, the sound mocking me with each step I took.I couldn’t stop to soothe my injured knee, even if I wanted to. The pain was insignificant compared to the fate that awaited me. I knew my destination, but I harbored no regrets about taking my brother’s place. The Night Crawlers’ gladiatorial pit, a place where they cast their captives to face a cruel fate, was where I was headed. It was the place where I would meet my end tonight.As we approached the pit, I noticed something peculiar. The guard escorting me turned left, away from the entrance. He led me in a different direction, towards a cluster of tents situated just ou
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