Nora's POVGrabbing my head with both hands, I let out a low grunt as I bit my bottom lips. My parents kept persuading me to let go of Carlos but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. He was my captive and I wanted it to remain that way for as long as possible. He was the one that hurt me first and not until I healed properly, I wasn't going to let go. I made an excuse and left them so I could think properly. I wonder why they all want me to let him go after all he did. The more I thought about it, the enraged I became and so I was pacing about, trying to calm my racing mind and head which was spiraling with different thoughts but to no avail. “You're finding it difficult to forgive him, not because of what happened at the cliff.” Mrs. Vikings said, making me snap my head in her direction quickly. "I don't know, Mom...Dad," I said, my voice hesitant. "I just can't trust him right now. I need time to process everything."They exchanged a concerned glance. "Nora, sweetie, we unde
Nora's POV It's been two days since my foster parents and Carlos left. I was still preparing for my journey to the Blue Lycan Kingdom and getting to know about the kingdom from my mother too.Walking down the flight of stairs with my hands across my chest, I was visualizing how the training at the Blue Lycan Kingdom was going to be like. Cranking my head to the side, I pushed my hand up my neck, massaging it with as I allowed my eyes to roam around the empty land mass in front of me. “ Are you thinking about him?" A teasing voice from behind me got me rolling my eyes.“ Do you like him that much? I could give him to you," I retorted, glaring at Vina who had a broad grin on her face.“ Nah- he is not my type. Besides, I don't know if I would wake up the next day if I dare it," Vina responded, giggling.Vina was more like a thorn in my flesh. She was always pairing me and Carlos even when she knows our story. According to her, she could still feel our connection. She believes the bon
Nora's POV “ What do you mean, Uncle Damon?" I asked, squinting.“ Don't take me wrong, Nora. I am just looking out for my niece. I hope you actualize your dreams. But then, there are implications when you don't keep your- words, as a royal-"“ Go to the point, Uncle Damon." I cut him off, sensing a negative vibe from his aura.“ The council had given you a year and six months. But then, you are assuring us of your success in one year. That's making a promise or rather a royal promise that must be kept-"“ You are still beating around the bush-"“ Be patient, Princess. What I mean is, if you can't keep your promise, it won't tell well in your future promises as the heir and future Queen. What if you fail and you don't get your wolf? That would be very sad and disappointing. As your uncle-" Uncle Damon concluded, shrugging.With a scoff, I fixed my gaze on my uncle. “ Then I need to train harder so I don't disappoint you, uncle. You don't need to bother about my future promises. Just
Nora's POV Uncle Callum wasn't bluffing. It was at this point that the realization dawned on me. How was I going to fight against a Lycan in his wolf form, not one but three when I was just a human? “You can step back and when you have made up your mind to go on with your training, we are here to aid you.” Elder Callum said in a dismissive manner. “No!” I snapped, taking a step forward with my fists clenched by my side. “I came for training, I'm up to whatever you throw my way.” I snapped, my gaze fixated on his back. Swirling in my direction with a smirk on his face, he asked, “Are you certain you can hold up?” “Yes!” I affirmed only to hear a low howl.Shifting my gaze to where the sound had come from, I stumbled backwards as my heart slammed against my chest. Right in front of us were three wolves with dark brown fur. They were baring their canines as they sized me up. Scared, I began to move backwards only to bump on the nostrils of one who immediately pushed me to the nex
Nora's POV“You have just five minutes to be at the training ground.” “ Five minutes?" I stuttered. That was impossible! How can I get to the training ground in five minutes in my human form? Even if I was a fast runner, it was literally impossible without my wolf." Uncle, I will need at least ten minutes to get-”He didn't even wait for my reaction before he turned around to leave. Frustrated, two large tears rolled down my cheeks but I was quick to wipe them off. Before coming here, I had bragged about returning to the pack with my wolf and also breaking the age long record. With this still ringing in my head, I pulled myself up, trying to catch up with Elder Callum who was literally crawling through the hallway in his human form.He was as fast as lightning and I wondered how it was possible. Maybe he made use of his wolf speed without changing to his wolf. I sighed in frustration but kept on running towards
NORA POVIt wasn't up to ten minutes after his departure when Uncle Callum walked in. He didn't say a word to me, rather he looked around for a while before taking his leave. To me, I considered his actions mocking and demeaning. Without being told, I was convinced Uncle Callum believed that I couldn't amount to anything and it was best if I quitted. With this thought ringing in my head coupled with that of my bragging before leaving home, I made a resolve to prove everyone wrong and that can only happen if I make up my mind to overcome any obstacle on my way. That same night, while everyone was asleep, I stole out of my bedroom and headed straight for the training ground. “A leader cannot be a weakling.” These words filled my head pumping me to go on with my self training despite the pain that raked through me. The urge to create a better version of myself was so great that I didn't stop even for a minute until it
NORA POVMy bones began to make a cracking sound like they were literally breaking but instead of feeling pain, my limbs began to stretch as my muscles flexed out. My skin wasn't left out in this new transformation as it began to itch like I was being pricked.“Hang in there Nora, just hang in.” Karen yelled again as I pushed my hands in front of me, watching them as they transformed into paws. My long and thin fingers shrinked as my nails changed into claws. Instead of my smooth skin, it was replaced with velvety furs which kept covering my whole body with a speed I couldn't comprehend. My face wasn't left out in this transformative process. It became elongated with widened jaws. My teeth became sharpened in the form of razor-sharp fangs. Doubling over, a sudden rush of energy took over my body making my spine lengthen as my legs morphed into powerful wolf-like limbs. Due to my transformation, I could feel my clothes tearing
Nora POV Uncle Callum nodded again, his eyes shining with pride. "Yes, Nora. You are the chosen one, the next in line to rule our kingdom." My head spun as I tried to process this revelation. But Uncle Callum's words echoed in my mind, filling me with uncertainty. How was it possible to rule two powerful kingdoms? Suddenly, I was no longer just Nora trying to find her place in the world. How was this even possible? “ Uncle, I think you are mistaken. I can't be the heiress of two kingdoms. Besides, I know nothing about sorcery or magic-" Aunt Doreen came forward, her eyes gleaming. “ Only the rightful heir of our kingdom commands the howl you made last night. Why do you think your wolf came out one year, instead of two years and decided to appear here in the Blue Lycan Kingdom instead?” I shook my head, retracing my steps. None of these makes sense and I won't be brainwashed by these people to stay here in the kingdom. I have my own kingdom, my own people. I took a deep breath
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
NORA'S POV The world seemed sharper somehow, colours more vivid, scents more distinct. And there was something else— a pull, like an invisible thread tugging at my consciousness. I shut my eyes, thinking I could ignore it at that point. While my eyes was closed,I saw myself in another world. I was surrounded with books. I opened my eyes quickly, hoping to have been teleported, but found myself still standing at the same spot. Nothing had returned to normal yet. Leaves rustled loudly, and the sound of distant voices came with the air that kept sweeping across me. Voices that I could not male anything out of. I could hear, but I could not even understand. Something suddenly began to pull me forward against my wish. My legs moved even when I didn't put in any effort to lift my legs or carry myself. I stood shakily, my hand instinctively clutching my head. The pull strengthened, drawing me toward the library."What is this?" I whispered, but
NORA'S POV "I can't just leave," I told Griffin, my voice steadier than I felt. "Carlos is my not just my mate. We are married with kids, Griffin. With kids." Griffin moved closer to me. He did it like a reflex, and each time he got close enough, he pause before getting too close for comfort. "Nora, think about it. If Carlos truly cared for you as a mate should, why keep so much from you? Why let you stumble blindly through life, never knowing who or what you truly are?"I knew that Carlos would not just lie to me. He must have his reasons for doing so. I could not just leave him because of that. I hoped to be able to convince Griffin, even though his offer was tempting. "Maybe he was afraid," I countered, though doubt was beginning to creep in. "Afraid of losing me if I knew the truth. Afraid of something else. Perhaps, just trying to protect me." Griffin shook his head. "It goes deeper than that. Carlos has been actively w
NORA'S POV I paced nervously around my living room, waiting for Griffin to arrive. My heart raced. No matter hoe hard I tried to focus on something else, my mind kept going back to the thoughts I was running away from. The doorbell rang, bringing me back to reality. I sighed as I headed towards the door and opened it. Griffin was standing out there, noth hands in his pocket. "May I come in?" he asked, his voice low.I stepped aside. "Sure." "We can talk in the kitchen."Griffin followed behind as I led him into the kitchen. He grabbed a stool and sat on it. "Where's Carlos?" He asked as he looked around the kitchen. "Out," I replied simply. "Do you think this place is quiet enough?" "You think someone could be listening?" I asked, suddenly chilled."I think we can't be too careful." Griffin leaned forward. "Have you found anything else since we last spoke?""Just more