Carlos' POVThis was a dream come through and I doubt if I was going to forget this in a hurry. Each time I think of it, I can't help but thank the moon goddess for making me cross paths with Damon. Now, it wasn't as if I wasn't going to find my way out of the pack even if it was going to take a lot of time and maybe I might not succeed. Smirking, I crossed my hands on my chest, staring into space with a look of satisfaction on my face. Justin was yet to join us from Lycan Kingdom even after three weeks of our successful escape. I sighed at the rate my plans were moving swiftly. I was grateful Justin had a change of heart and decided to help me out.Nora on the other hand kept to her promise of going to war with me. It was a tacit agreement she had with me and I knew better than anyone how ruthless she can be when crossed.Nevertheless, I had no regrets as I knew what was at stake before going up against her. I wasn't bothered by the war which was coming up in three days, rather, I
Elder Damon's POVThings kept moving on in the direction I wanted and I couldn't help but to thank my stars. Everything I had in mind to do was already planned out carefully and I doubt if there was going to be any flaw in my plans. My tools for destruction and launching of my plans were active not to talk of my spies who were loyal and were ready to do whatever I asked of them. After the secret meeting with Carlos, I returned home only to meet with one of my spies lurking around. “How long have you been waiting?” I asked, announcing my presence and at once he turned around and then did a curt bow. “I’m supposed to wait on you.” He replied as a bright smile spread across my lips. This was loyalty at the peak and I was already itching to get on the throne so the whole pack will bow to me and do my biddings.“We should talk inside.” I said, leading the way.A few minutes into our conversation, he le
Nora's POVIf only I knew that the noise from last night was when the palace was being infiltrated, I would have reacted immediately even though I was a bit weak.“Dammit!” I dug my teeth into my lips as I clenched my fists by my side. At the moment, I was in the throne room with the elders who were lamenting about the situation at hand. My parents were taken from the palace, leaving behind only a handful of us and a few maids and guards who were useless; thanks to the substance consumed the previous night. “This is an abomination. Whoever must have done this must be an insider enemy.” Elder Tyler yelled, pulling himself to his feet. With his finger pointed at the throne, he went further to say, “The throne had been defiled.” Taking a deep breath, I said, “You have to calm down as everything is under control.” Before he could part his lips and start rambling, I quickly added, “I sent tropes out to find my parents and the rest of the captives. They should join us soon.”My words w
Nora's POV It must have been over half an hour that we remained in the same position. While I bemoaned about my fate, Karen listened to me and he never ceased to comfort me but I couldn't be comforted. Justin had clearly stated in his letter that I was nothing but a weakling and I was the cause of the infiltration. His raw words were foreign to me as he had never said that to me before, but why now?This question kept ringing in my head but I had no answer to it. Then, there was Carlos, as sly as a fox. “If only I knew this was his plan all the while, I would have allowed him to leave the pack immediately he was hale and hearty.” I muttered, snapping my eyes shut. “Don't blame yourself, you did well. He is the one to be condemned as he took your kindness for granted making you look like a fool.” Karen said with a mild tone. “I'm not going to trust anyone, ever again. This is a lesson I learnt th
Elder Damon's POVEven though the motive of the war was met, I was not satisfied with the outcome as I felt it didn't go as planned. Nora was supposed to be killed at the Kingdom and not allowed to cross the borders but somehow, she and the army were able to defeat my army. “But the end result is still the same.” I smacked my lips, rubbing my palms in glee. With my hands folded behind me, I made my way out of my home and then began to head towards the palace, a bright smile on my face. The throne which I was always longing for was finally going to mine in a matter of hours. All I needed to do was to make sure the elders buy my ideas, in that way, they will have no choice but to listen to whatever I say and act accordingly. On arrival at the palace, I made my way to the throne room only to meet the elders seated with a mournful look on their faces. “Traitor.” Elder Tyler yelled, wielding his fingers at me.
Carlos’ POV Looking over my shoulders to ascertain no one was coming behind me, I quickly threw my hood over my head and then stole into the night.Walking hurriedly like someone was after my life, I made sure I kept on with this pace until I got to the borders. At first, I didn't see anyone but on a closer look, my eyes fell on a man dressed in black cloak. “Damon.” I called, hurrying to his side. Now a few feet away from him, I folded my hands in front of me and then did a curt bow. “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Sneaking out of the palace became tedious.” I muttered. “You don't have to apologize. I just arrived too.” He said in a carefree tone, making me let out a relieved chuckle. “Thanks to you, everything is going on smoothly.” He said, with a shrug. “I'm just fulfilling my end of the bargain. I need to make sure everything goes on smoothly so at the end of it all no one would hold grudges.” I
Carlos' POV “Isn't the amount too much?” Justin asked, leaning over me. “The antidote will bring her back to life, don't worry.” I replied, pulling myself up.After a few minutes of staring at her motionless body, I began to walk towards my study only to halt all of a sudden. “What if they find out that the bodies don't belong to the royal family. I mean, the rogues… wouldn't they be identified?” I asked, my gaze fixated on Justin. Shrugging, he pushed his hands into his pockets, “I doubt if they are going to find out. Not when he already has plans to bury them.” For a moment, I went mute as I left my gaze on him.Cranking my head to the side, I tried to speak but words refused to form. “Why don't we administer the antidote to them? I’m scared something might happen to them if we keep delaying.” He ratted out and since I wasn't against his suggestion I began to trail after him. Getting to the physicia
Nora's POVThe moment my eyes flickered open, the first person I saw was Carlos and immediately I remembered what happened at the borders. Throwing my feet off the bed, I quickly charged towards him, “I'm going to kill you.” I spoke through my teeth, tightening my grip around his neck. Thrashing about, he began to plead for his life but I wasn't going to spare him. Giving him a second chance, he wouldn't mind killing me for real this time around and I couldn't take chances. “Die!” I yelled only for the door to creak open and Justin rushed in.He was about to stumble out when I grabbed his arm, and with my Lycan strength, I lifted both of them with their necks. “Nora! I can explain.” Justin yelled, increasing his thrashing only then did I decide to let Carlos go since he wasn't the one who fired the arrow. Coughing violently, he held my arm, trying to release Justin from my grip until I finally gave in. “Ca
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