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
As the palace was busy with preparation for the coronation, someone else was raging with anger. Mirabel's face twisted in a scowl as she seethed with anger. How could this be happening? George was the rightful heir to the throne, not Nora! Ever since Nora was found, the king had refused to see reasons with her. After all the promises of making her son the heir! How could he chose Nora over her son? "That witch still has her hands wrapped around Salvador!" Mirabel spat, her voice venomous. She hated the queen, Nora's mother but she was helpless. That woman was just too powerful to be trifled with.Mirabel's mind raced with schemes and plots as she thought of ways to stop Nora's coronation. She would not let this happen without a fight. She would do whatever it took to ensure that George was the one who sat on the throne.“ I need to speak to Salvador once again." As she stormed through the castle, her anger and determination fueling her every step. She was determined to confront the
THIRD POV With a straight face and firm voice he said, “I can't sit back and watch a lady rule over me. Not only that, someone who came out of nowhere to lay claim to the throne.” Shaking his head sideways, he said, “No way, I can't let that happen.” Gladden with how things took turn in the blink of an eye, she leaned towards him and with her eyes glistening with happiness, she asked, “Do you have a plan? A strong one at that.” “Not certain if my plan will turn out well.” He shrugged. “But I think I will be able to come up with something tangible in a matter of time.” “There's just four days left until the coronation, we have no time to waste anymore.” She pressed on, already doubting in her mind if she will be able to work with him. “I'm fully aware of that.” He snarled, snapping his head in her direction. “I'm going to do whatever it takes to stir her off the throne. If you don't believe me, you can try to team up with someone else or go solo.” He snarled. With his face cont
Nora's POV " Nora! not again!" My father said as soon as he saw me sneaking into his study.I grinned at him before crouching down to stare at the sparkling orb. I needed to get away from my mother for a while and this was my only solace. It's been chaotic these past days, ever since my coronation date was set. My mother was going all out for the event to be successful. I watched her fuming over every little detail of the party.I couldn't care less, I am not a fan of parties. Rather, I hid myself mostly in my father's study. To keep away from my mother and her fuss over my dress or other things relating to the party. My father had constantly complained and tried to convince me otherwise, yet I always charmed my way with him. My eyes were fixed on the glittering Orb at the extreme of the office cabinet. It's amazing how that little thing could light up an entire hall.“ Sweetheart, can I ask you something?" My father said, drawing my attention. " Anything, dad.”" Do you love your
Nora's POV That was George's voice. I could never mistake it. I could feel he was in danger, his voice filled with fright. Without wasting time, I made a dash through the dense forest. I let out a growl, alerting whoever was bold enough to harm my brother. How dare they hurt a royal! I got closer to a huge tree, surrounded by shrubs. There I caught sight of their fierce eyes, glaring and growling at the injured wolf. It was George and I confirmed it by looking more closely. As I stepped closer, their rotten smell hit me hard and I swore I would have thrown up if the situation wasn't so dire. I let out another earth shattering growl, making them look up at me.Their eyes filled with anger and viciousness. I took another look at George. He was already bruised and it seemed like he had broken a bone or two since he lay flat on the ground. “ How dare you! You stinking dogs!" I growled, making the first attempt to attack.I snarled and bared my teeth as I faced the bastards. They w
Nora POVThe sweat dropped down in torrents all over my body. My heart pounded a million times as I envisioned the pain of the dagger. But, I looked around to see myself on my bed and the familiar voice calling my name while banging on my door. “ Nora!" Karen's worried voice sounded outside my room.“ I am fine, Karen. It's-it's just a dream…” I managed to utter, standing up from the bed. I knew Karen wouldn't be convinced if I didn't come out.I opened the door while trying to hide the horror on my face. The dream felt so real that I swore I felt the piercing pain. With a forced smile, my gaze met Karen's worried one. The nightmare still lingered, its echoes haunting me and I couldn't shake off the hidden face with eyes gleaming with cruelty as the person stabbed me. My skin crawled with fear, my hands shaking as I clutched harder on the door.Just as I thought I'd collapse under the weight of my terror, I heard Karen's gentle voice again. "Nora, are you okay?"Karen's deep voice w
THIRD POV Nora looked at his receding figure, his words ringing continuously in her head. She managed to shrug it off before making her way to the dining room. The speech practice was making her famished. She couldn't wait to devour those delicacies.“ Come sit with me, darling," King Salvador beckoned, pointing at a seat close to him.As Nora sat close to the king, her eyes darted to a pair of eyes looking at her. She still couldn't fathom why Mira was so hateful towards her. Mira's disgust was barely hidden under her piercing glare. With a resigned sigh, Nora shook my head at the attitude of the woman who was supposed to act as a mother to her. She had always wondered why Mira hates her so much.The maids brought the royal breakfast and started dishing it out. It was customary to have a food taster in the royal dining but except for the King whose food was always tasted by the official royal food taster, the rest of the royals’ food were entrusted to trustworthy maidservants. Mos
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