Carlos POVAs the stinging sensation traveled around my body, I wobbled back at the force she used. It was indeed true that she had changed. I was an Alpha wolf but her one hit got me shaking a little.I remembered the first time she came back to the pack. She also pushed me with such force but I waved it off. Even at the training ground, she must have been the one who pushed Aria, not Karen as they said .As if the embarrassment wasn't enough, that foolish Lycan commander, Karen or whatever his name was, laughed at my misfortune. I clenched my fist harder, the stinging sensation wasn't compared to the redness on my cheek.I rubbed my cheeks, feeling the sting from the slaps, and it was as if my ears had gone deaf, the ringing echoing in my head. When did Nora become so powerful that her strikes could leave me reeling?I attempted to say something, but she spat in my face, causing me to recoil in disbelief.“Are you out of your mind?” she shouted, her anger palpable. “Just look at yo
Carlo's POV “Nora…” My father started, biting his lips. “It’s Princess Nora to you,” one of the guards retorted, causing my father to gulp nervously. “ It's okay, Jill. Let him be…” Nora said, waving the guard off.I sighed in relief. She was still the Nora we knew even if she had become tough. She still respected my father amidst all the power she had. Even my father, who usually commanded her with ease, seemed to shrink under her gaze. “It's my mistake, Princess Nora. I understand that my son, Alpha Carlos, has wronged you, and I sincerely apologize on his behalf. I assure you, I will speak to him so we can reach an understanding. Please, just let him go. The pack is starting to ask questions, and I cannot allow the news of his arrest to spread to the wrong ears.”“That’s not my concern, Viker Alberto. He chose his path. Besides, don't you think he need to pay for all that he did? Or am I so insignificant? Your son did not only reject me, he publicly humiliated me because I was
Nora's POV I watched as Carlos' face became pale and confused at the mention of Aria's pregnancy. I felt angry and would have struck Carlos if I hadn't controlled my emotions. As I turned to leave he suddenly denied the pregnancy but I wasn't interested in his acceptance or denial.With my fist tightly clenched, my anger and frustration boiling over as I watched Carlos in the cell. I slammed my fist on the cage, the sound echoing through the small camp room. "You're going to pay for what you did," I growled, my eyes blazing with fury.Carlos looked up at me, his expression defiant, but I could see the regret lurking in his eyes. He knew he was at my mercy. I smirked, sitting on the vacant chair, leaving Carlos to stew in the cage. I needed to calm down, to watch his agony and how he wallowed in his regrets. But I knew this was only the beginning. Once we are back to the Lycan Kingdom, Carlos would face the full force of my wrath.Having watched him wallow in pity for a while, I wen
Nora POVI felt the unfamiliar sensation of my body as if it was engulfed by brimstones and fire. In my unconscious state, I tried to grasp my sanity yet I felt my body shaking and my muscles contorting. A feeling of my bones rearranging themselves seemed to take over and I didn't want to believe I was changing.Was I getting my wolf? As my body started to change, I felt a searing pain in my limbs, like my muscles were being torn apart and put back together again. My skin itched and burned, my senses heightened yet I remained in my human form.The pain was becoming unbearable.Just then, I heard hurried footsteps and the whirling sound of the wind on my skin. The same skin that felt like it was being torn into shreds. But with the whirling wind, I began to grasp a relief in my unconscious state."Relax, Nora. Open your eyes," he said, his voice calm and soothing. " Don't fight it."I tried to do as he said, but it was hard. As soon as I opened my eyes, I felt the burning sensation ma
Nora’s POVI wanted to ask more, to know more but I stopped myself when I saw the struggling emotions on my mother's face. With a sigh, I resigned myself to the little I could understand as I pushed my hand into my hair, cranking my neck to the side.I restrained the burning desire as frustration rushed through my veins. I hated the fact that I never got enough explanation and it always boiled down to me being different. Yet, I wanted to understand the hurt in my mother's eyes when things like this happened. “Nora.” My mother called, her tone slightly mild yet shaky. Shifting my gaze to her direction, I watched her making her way towards me. Holding my hands, she peered deep into my eyes, smiling weakly at me at the same time. Those beautiful yet penetrating smiles tug deep into my heartstrings, making me want to bury myself in her embrace. “You're different. And that's because you're special. Could you please bear with us until we are ready to let you in?” She whispered, pushing
Nora's POV For the next few days that followed, my training session with Karen became even more intensive. It was the thought of not having a wolf that drove me to the edge, making me want to give in all my best no matter how hard the task may be. All I thought about was the memorable day when I would finally transform and have my wolf. I kept itching for that day to come. With the amount of training I had engaged in, I was certain I would be able to pull through the rigorous and strength grueling transformation process easily.“ Stop daydreaming!" Karen's voice cut through. " Yes, commander,” I grinned, getting ready for our next move."Alright, Nora! Let's see what you're made of!" Karen barked, his eyes gleaming harshly. He was an entirely different person when training me. It was as if he had a split personality.I heaved heavily, my eyes scanning the new training ground. It was a full space room, filled with various obstacles and challenges."Drop and give me a hundred, now!"
Nora's POV Reluctantly, I made my way to the training ground with my head bent to the ground. Despite all the rigorous training I had subjected myself to, my wolf was yet to make her appearance leaving me frustrated and feeling like a failure. “Hey, you don't look good.” Vina’s voice made me shoot my head upwards only to see her standing in front of me. Flashing her a quick smile, I tried to bypass her but she held my arm, pulling me backwards. “Not too fast my little friend.” She pouted. Cranking her head to the side, she tightened her grip on my shoulder, “Don't tell me you're downcast because of…” “You honestly don't have an idea of what I’m going through.” I snapped, trying to pull away from her but she tightened her grip instead. “I understand what you're going through right now but acting this way isn't going to help, you know that right?” “What should I do? The days are running by, still yet nothing. I have done every single thing I can think of but…” I swallowed the re
Carlos’ POV With my legs drawn up to my chin, I had my hands strapped around it as I stared into space. The only thing on my mind at the moment was setting things right with Nora. I needed her forgiveness because, not only was I going to become a free man, I will be able to find out what exactly happened. The answers I had been searching for were in my Pack and I couldn't lay my hands on them if I remained in the confines of the cell. Biting my lower lips, I shut my eyes tightly and at once Aria’s face appeared in my head, making me snap my eyes open at once. “Aria.” I muttered, fiddling with my fingers. “I wonder what happened that night.” The night of the rejection was still fresh in my head like it happened a few minutes ago. I tried to pierce the events of the night together yet I still find it unbelievable.“Was it Aria who used my identity to plot Nora’s death?” I pondered. If truly Aria was the architect behind the plot, then she must have planned it for a long time. And
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