Nora's POV
The sudden interruption sent my words back into my mouth and also made me realize that I had let my guard down once more.When I didn't respond to Karen who was fuming, he grabbed my arm and not minding the pains he was causing me because of his strong grip, he pulled me out of the ward, banging the door shut.He continued this way until we got to the garden which was devoid of any sound as the sun was up high in the sky.“Have you lost it?” He yelled, taking his position in front of me with his hands strapped across his chest.“Calm down!” I managed to say but instead of that to happen, he became even more furious, fist pumping the air.“We both know Carlos is up to no good, why do you keep allowing him to use you?” He yelled. “He doesn't love you, if he really does, he would not have rejected you.” He added.At this point, trying to calm him down was impossible. He wasn't going to listen to whatever ICarlos' POVWhen Karen came in earlier, I could see the spite and anger he was emitting from his eyes as he glared at me. On my part, I was furious with his sudden interruption. Just when I thought everything would be settled between me and Nora, he made his entrance and as usual, I bore the brunt of it. Still nursing my hurted feelings, Justin walked into the ward. He was about to take his leave when he halted suddenly. “How long have you been awake?” He asked. From the body language, I knew he was uncomfortable with our presence here, same as I was but I needed to win Nora back before thinking of anything else. She was my main priority and I wouldn't give up on her until I succeeded in getting her back to myself. “It's been a while.” He didn't wait for me to say anything more before he stormed out of the ward, banging the door shut. Pushing my hand into my hair, I let out a low groan with my lips in between my te
Nora's POV I wanted to ask Vina what all these was all about but I couldn't stop pondering on the question. Reviewing Vina’s words, I couldn't help but to wonder what had prompted her into asking that and for the records, I doubt if Karen and I acted like we were items. “Your silence says I’m right.” She broke the silence in the room as she turned her back on me. She was about to step out when I rushed to her side. Holding her arm, I swirled her to face me only to see a silly smile dancing on her lips. “What is going on? Why did you ask?” I voiced out my thoughts, urging her to speak with my gaze. Now seated on the edge of my bed, Vina leaned in and with her hand resting on my shoulder, she said, “I’m worried about you.” “What…” “You're stressed out, you need to get a lot of rest, Nora.” She pouted, trying to make me lie on my back but I was adamant. “Since
Carlos POVAs Karen made his way out, I suddenly felt my chest tightening. Something was definitely wrong and it was likely Nora. I ran swiftly towards the hospital ward, my eyes searching for her.As I got closer to the emergency ward, her scent hit me. It was indeed Nora and she was in the hospital. With shaky legs, I made my way towards where the doctors were trying to revive her. “Nora!” I called with a shaky voice, hitting her cheeks severally, trying to make her open her eyes but all to no avail. “She will be fine.” The doctor who was going after her before she slumped said, causing me to snap my head in his direction. I felt forlorn as I stared at her pale face. The doctor gently pushed me aside before turning to look at me. There was a faint smile on his face which made my pounding heart a little relaxed. “She is tired, hence her brain shut off all of its activities. She will need enough rest before she will get rejuv
Carlos' POV I was surprised to see Justin trying to tag along with us. I sent him a mindlink not to get involved in my issues. I was already feeling guilty towards his family. Although he was my beta, I know how much he was struggling to let go off my betrayal.That was one of the reasons I usually overlook his outburst at me. But then, this was my own issue. I was ready to place my life on the line in exchange for that of my Pack members and that's why I didn't struggle with the guards. The procession finally came to an end when we were in the middle of the training ground. It was same training ground used by all the warriors. It was also the place Nora had trained to become stronger." Karen-" “Can you feel the scent of defeat mingled with betrayal? ” He asked, looking around like this was the first time he was visiting this place. " What do you mean?" I asked, furrowing my brows.With a scoff, he stated." This was
Nora’s POVBlinking my eyes, I tried to focus my gaze but the bright sunlight which was seeping into my bedroom wasn't helping matters.Yawning, I threw my feet off my bed but before I could stand on my feet, mother rushed to my side and then aided me. “Are you alright?” She asked with a raised brow, her whole gaze fixated on me. “I am good.” I replied and that was the truth. I had been lacking rest for a while and now that I had rested, I was rejuvenated. Nodding, mother let go of me and I proceeded to use the bathroom after which I joined her. She didn't need to tell me the steaming cup of cocoa belonged to me before I grabbed the handle, taking a long sip of the delicious liquid. “Thank you mom.” I said, eliciting a nod from her coupled with a warm smile. Rubbing my arm, she didn't say any word to me as I continued sipping from the cup until it was empty. “Do you want another one?” She asked and I shook my head in the negative.Now resting on my shoulder, I allowed her to r
Nora's POV Now with Carlos, I had to apologize for Karen's misconduct which he waved off like it was nothing. The fresh bruises on his body was nothing but a testament of the duel he must have gotten involved in with Karen. Taking my gaze from him, I began to stare into space. I couldn't afford to look back at him, the numerous scars on his body made me guilty. “Nora, permit me to return to my pack and build it.” He said and unable to resist staring at him, I snapped my head in his direction. “Don't get me started Carlos! You're fully aware of the danger that pack holds yet you feel you will be able to survive a day there.” I rolled my eyes at him. “You underestimate me too much. I know you are stronger than me for I’m just an alpha wolf and not a Lycan but I’m strong.” He paused before saying. “I can't be a refugee in another pack with my members. I need to tell them that indeed I’m a leader and their lives and w
Nora's POV It was one of the new maids who was behind the door. “You want to say something to me?” I raised my brow at her as she folded her hands in front of her. “Yeah!” She looked over her shoulder before returning her gaze to me. “A couple from the pack which was infiltrated are here to meet with you.” She reeled. There was no need for any further description because the couple mentioned here were my foster parents. Without wasting anymore time, I quickly hurried down the hallway only to meet my foster parents but I only saw my mother. She was pacing about at the entrance of the palace hallway which led to my chamber. The moment my foster mother saw me, she ran to my side and then held my arm and then began to rub it with a bright smile etched on her face. I still can't get enough of her love towards me. In fact, my two mothers were my emotional pillars. " Mother, you don't need permission to come to me. Just mention your name and you will be brought to my chambers. Or you
THIRD POVDamon was furious. At the moment, he was in the woods, pacing about as he racked his head on what might have gone wrong. All of his efforts to lay claim to the throne were thwarted, making him look like a failure.Several times, he approached King Salvador, trying to sway him but he was so smart that he got the hint almost immediately and as if that wasn't enough, he slid off like he was an eel. He was still in this position when Elder Richard appeared in front of him and after looking around for a while, he locked gaze with him. “Putting pressure on the rest of the elders seems impossible.” He blurted, making Damon clench his fist by his side as he grunted in agony. “Elder Fred! What is his take in this?” “Just like the others!” He mouthed and after a few minutes of silence, he leaned towards him and with a voice barely above a whisper, he said, “I don't think you can overthrow Princess Nora.”Hi
NORA'S POVI stared out the window of my chambers, watching Carlos train with his warriors in the courtyard below. His movements were precise, and powerful.How could I reconcile these two versions of him? The gentle Carlos who I love so much, and the ons in my memory.The past two weeks had been a nightmare of confusion. Ever since I'd touched the pendant in that hidden room, memories had been returning in disjointed flashes. Scenes of violence and loss that left me breathless with grief and rage. And always at the center of these visions was Carlos, giving orders that resulted in flames and death.Yet something deep inside me resisted fully embracing these memories. Something whispered that there was more to the story, pieces I was still missing.A lot had been going on lately. I had intentionally kept my distance from Carlos. I was constantly struggling not to hate
GRIFFIN POVThe forest became denser as I continued my run. I pushed myself harder, feeling the strain in every muscle, welcoming the physical pain as distraction from my thoughts. My lycan form moved with speed no ordinary human could match, leaping over fallen logs and weaving between trunks with fluid grace.Gradually, the blind rage and frustration began to fade. My breathing evened, and my mind cleared enough to think. I slowed my pace, eventually coming to a stop beside a small mountain stream. The water ran clear and cold over smooth stones, and I lowered my muzzle to drink deeply before shifting back to human form.Naked and exhausted, I sat on a boulder by the water's edge, letting the cool night air dry the sweat from my skin. My thoughts inevitably turned to Nora.Despite everything. Despite the bind thaf the sorceress had me in, despite my hatred for Carlos, I couldn't deny that something
GRIFFIN POVMy heart clenched at the sight of my grandfather, or rather adopted grandfather. It's been five years since I came in contact with him, yet his domineering presence still lingered.I clenched my fist tightly, the stinging pain from Elder Silvarum's slap radiating through my body like fire. The force of it had been more than physical—there was magic in that strike, old magic that reminded me exactly who I was dealing with. My grandfather had always been formidable, but seeing the fury in his eyes now made me remember why he was feared even among the most powerful.His eyes glared into mine, demanding answers I couldn't give. The truth caught in my throat. How could even explain that the sorceress who saved me from death had bound me with magic so powerful that even speaking of our agreement would trigger unimaginable pain?"You disappoint me, Karen," Elder Silvarum said, using
CARLOS' POVBlood dripped from my split lip, and my ribs ached where Griffin landed a solid punch. But physical pain was nothing compared to the rage burning inside me."What have you done to Nora's memories?" I demanded.Griffin's smile was wolfish. "I simply helped her remember what you really are."Something changed in the air suddenly. A shift in energy that raised the hair on the back of my neck. Griffin rolled his shoulders, and I recognized the telltale signs of what was coming."You!" I accused. His only response was a low chuckle as his body began to change.The change took him quickly—bones cracking and reforming, skin stretching over growing muscle, human cries morphing into bestial growls. Where Griffin had stood moments ago, a massive wolf now crouched, teeth bared in challenge.I had no choice. I let my own transformation take me, embracing the pain as my body shifted forms. Within seconds, I sto
CARLOS POVI stared at Nora across the room. Her eyes, once warm and trusting, now held nothing but suspicion and anger. She had been questioning me for hours now without stopping. "The pendant," she said, her voice steady despite the emotion in her eyes. "The pendant I gave you. You rejected it, right?"I swallowed hard, choosing my words carefully. "The pendant? The same pendant you gave me? Come on Nora. None of those matters right now.""That's not what I asked." Her fingers tightened around the glass of water she held. "In my vision, I saw you reject it. I saw the look on your face. The look of disgust abd disdain. Why?"I remembered how I rejected Nora and her pendant. But telling her that now would only lead to more questions, questions that would inevitably reveal the worst of my past actions. It would only make her hate me even more. "I never rejected the pendant," I lied, forcing myself to meet her gaze. "You're remem
CARLOS POVI felt it without warning—a sudden rush of power surging through the walls of our home, the unmistakable energy signature of the pendant. It was the same overwhelming sensation I'd experienced during the war when the pendant's power had first manifested. My heart raced as I bolted upright from my desk, papers scattering to the floor unnoticed."Nora," I whispered, already running.I sprinted down the corridor towards the room. When I flung the door open, the room was empty, windows closed. I cursed under my breath. There was only one place she could be."The secret room," I muttered, increasing my steps. I feared for what was happening. I hoped that it was not what I was thinking, even though I was trying to prevent myself from thinking about it. I avoidedthe thoughts because it would only make me panic even more. As I raced through the winding passages of the house Elder Silvarum's warning echoed in my mind... "Keep
NORAI heard a voice calling my name, pulling me out of the swirling vortex of memories. The sound seemed to come from very far away at first, then gradually grew closer."Nora! Nora, can you hear me? Wake up!"My eyes fluttered open, struggling to regain focus. The room seemed dark at first, but gradually my eyes began to adjust. Not the secret chamber where I had passed, but our bedroom—familiar walls. I was lying in our bed. Carlos sat beside me, his face filled with worry and concern. "Thank god. You're finally awake Nora." Finally, relieve displayed on his features and he sighed deeply. I stared at him, trying to reconcile the man before me with the one in my memories—the one who had rejected me, sent wolves to push me off a cliff, the one who had nearly ended my life because I wasn't the right kind of wolf he wanted. I wondered if that was another dream? Waking up in the bedroom meant that I was dreaming
THIRD POV (Memories 2)The flood of memories continued filling Nora's unconscious form, each revelation more shocking than the last.A new face emerged from the swirling memories. The same face she had seen countless times in her dreams. The man she had always called Karen in her dreams stood before her in the palace training grounds, wooden practice sword in hand."Again," Karen commanded, circling Nora on the packed dirt of the training arena. "Your enemies won't give you time to catch your breath, Princess."Nora's younger self lunged forward, sweat dripping down her face as she executed a complex series of moves with her own practice sword. Though her muscles trembled with exhaustion, determination blazed in her eyes."Better," Karen said with a slight nod. "But your left side is still vulnerable. You have to put in more effort if you want to get it right."Nora thought that she had put in all the effort she could access and
THIRD POV (Memories 1)As Nora lay unconscious on the bare floor of the hidden chamber, her mind was floating in a sea of recovered memories. The first memory came in vivid detail. A warm summer evening, stars scattered across the sky like diamonds. A younger Nora stood before Carlos in an opening, her heart pounding with anticipation and filled with love. In her outstretched hands lay the pendant, its opal gleaming in the moonlight.Nora was smiling sheepishly. Although, she was shy... she still managed to do what she wanted to do. "I want you to have this," she told him, her voice trembling slightly. "I brought it for you. It's to show how deeply I love you." Carlos's face— younger, but with the same features, looked down at the pendant with an expression Nora couldn't quite read. She slightly lowered her eyes, suddenly feeling shy. "The moon goddess sees all true connections," Nora continued, hope evident in her voice. "Wi