Nora's POV
Not going to lie, I felt like I was dreaming but the sad truth was that it was a reality.Standing before me was Karen and so I decided to solicit help from him but he ignored me like I never existed.He didn't stop there, he walked out on me despite my pleas for help and at this point, I couldn't help but wonder what this was all about.For a while, I didn't make a sound, nor a move.I just sat there, staring into space as I replayed the scene that had happened in my head.With the little drama I had seen, no doubt, Karen was the one who had held me hostage otherwise, he would have untied me.He and Vina were a team and hence made me wonder when they became so close, not to talk of ganging up against me.Tied up, I couldn't move my body properly.Aching all over, I tried to adjust only for me to fall on my face and at once Vina let out a huff.Ignoring her attitude, I decidedCarlos’ POVGrabbing my head, I managed to pull myself to my feet, the effect of the strong substance which I had inhaled, slowly weaning off. “Karen!” I called, stumbling back and forth, trying to maintain my stance. This uneasy movement continued for a while before I could finally stand on my feet and with my hands grasping my waist, I let out a loud howl as anger mixed with frustration racked through me. My failure in getting Karen after all my boast was making me go insane. The more I thought about it, the more frequently I clenched and unclenched my fists as anger raked through me. Karen had outwitted me, I shouldn’t have fallen for his cheap tricks. “What am I going to do now?” I pondered with my hands across my chest as I paced about in a futile attempt to keep still. Still frustrated, I slide through a tree to the ground, pulling my legs to my chin. With my gaze fixed in the space in front of me,
Karen's POVWith my hands folded behind me, I had my gaze out of the window as I awaited the results of the mission. At the end of my discussion with Beta Anderson, I was uncomfortable as I kept thinking about Carlos and his persistent nature. Even though we had managed to shut down his body system back there at the woods, that wasn't a guarantee that he wouldn't come at me again. “He is smart, I admit that. Just a little encounter with me, he was able to detect what I’m up to.” Chuckling, I pushed my hand into my hair and then tugged on it for a while. Frowning really hard now, I began to clench and unclench my fists as anger racked through my veins. Carlos was a thorn in my flesh and the earlier I pulled him out the more better for me. Impatient from waiting for the assailants, I stepped out of my room only to see them walking up to me with a neutral look on their faces. Now in front of me, they all did a curt now while I looked on. All I needed was the results of the operati
Nora’s POV Everything Karen had said to me sounded foreign that I couldn't even believe a bit of it. It was like he was reading from a script for a movie and the more he fed me with the lines he had to offer, the more doubtful I became.Pursing my lips, I feigned like I was listening to him when in the real sense I wasn't, rather I was waiting for just one word so I will be able to attack him from there. Suddenly, I remembered Vina’s words about him being dangerous and not to be trusted but here he was painting someone else in the same light.“What about Vina?” I cut in, sending his words back to his throat. For a moment, he didn't say a thing. He went mute as he darted his eyes around only to focus it on me when he realized I was watching. “She is scared of you. If the both of you are trying to help me then you have to be a team and not the other way around.” I paused to allow the words to sink in. “There is something you aren't telling me and I'm curious to find out what it is
Karen’s POV After leaving Nora’s side, I stumbled into the hallway, clenching and unclenching my fists in anger as I stared into space. The conversation we just had was a clear testament that I haven’t even begun yet as Nora was a hard nut to crack. Convincing her that I was doing this for her own good was a difficult thing to do but I was determined to do so otherwise, my plans would be thwarted. Looking behind my shoulders, I kept staring at the closed door, contemplating my next line of actions. After what seemed like forever, I decided to go back in and try convincing her again but I felt that was going to make her doubt me even more. With heavy footsteps, I made my way towards the exit of the building only to push open the door of the second room where Vina lay. With my face scrunched up in disgust, I cranked my head to the side and with my hands crossed on my chest, I
Karen's POVThe silence in the room became thick coupled with a thickened tension filled room that could be cut through with a knife.Step after step, he made his way into the throne room and now in the middle, he did a curt bow, his hands securely by his side. What is he doing here? — I pondered, my gaze never leaving him even for a minute. “Callum, you never told us you were coming.” Queen Dione said to Elder Callum, her brother and Nora’s uncle who I had met in the Blue Lycan Kingdom. “I should have been here a long while ago but I had no idea what had happened until last night.” He said, folding his hands behind him like he always does.“I had been on hiatus several miles away only to return to learn that my niece went missing without a trace.” He thundered.The anger mixed with disappointment in his eyes couldn't be missed. Nora's family kept acting like she was a child that needed to be looked after all through the day. Their actions were pissing me off but at the same time
Karen's POV“To determine if Nora is still alive or dead, I will have to summon her blue blood.” Elder Callum said, his voice firm and resounding. Swallowing hard, I grabbed the arm of the chair I was sitting on, my gaze never leaving him even for a minute. Summoning the blue blood of a royal Lycan is Iike unleashing a suppressed demon that the Lycan possessed. If Elder Callum goes through with this plan of his, it wouldn't be long before Nora would be found and not only that, the other part of her wolf which my grandfather suppressed will rear its head. “I think we should go with that path.” King Salvador said, increasing my heartbeat. Somehow, I will have to come up with a contingent reason to dissuade them or else, I wouldn't be able to defeat the kingdom and for certain, I was going to lose my life. Right there where I sat, a million and one idea was spiraling through my head all at once but none of them seemed viable. The adults kept talking but I was too bothered to liste
Nora's POVIf I was told that someday I would be a captive, I wouldn't have believed it a bit but here I was, restrained like a common prisoner. The thought alone made me furious that I was itching to get out as quickly as possible to deal with whoever was behind this. Karen's words all sounded unreal to me no matter the direction I looked at it from. “I mean, Carlos had been open to me from the very beginning even when we drifted apart.” I muttered. Shaking my head sideways, I added, “Carlos is not a traitor and he won't become a traitor all of a sudden.” It's either Karen was making up stories about him or he was telling a tale based on the information he had gotten from someone who was trying to tarnish Carlos' image. Blinking my eyes, I sent my teeth into my lips. My lips, which had been bearing the brunt of my anger, were badly wounded by now but I couldn't help it. The more I thought of Karen's words, the more frustrated and confused I became. Even Vina has begun to av
Karen's POVAt the moment, I had my back against the wall with a smirk dancing on my lips. Things were going well as planned and so I had no other choice but to be thankful as I reviewed the next phase of my plan. Suddenly, I remembered Elder Callum who had wanted to call Nora back with her blue blood and on impulse , I clenched my fist by my side only to send it into the wall. “You're lucky you didn't disrupt my plan.” I smirked, already visualizing what I had intended to do to him if his plan would have fallen through. I had intended to end his life as he was an obstacle.“My lord, we heard a crackling sound, is anything the matter?” One of my assailants asked, poking his head through the door. “Not at all.” I shook my head in the negative, pushing my hand forward but after a few seconds of thought, I pushed my hand into my hair, noding at him to take his leave. Now left alone to myself, I had my hands folded across my chest as I roamed about the little space I was in, the smi
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