Nora's POV
Now with Carlos, I had to apologize for Karen's misconduct which he waved off like it was nothing.The fresh bruises on his body was nothing but a testament of the duel he must have gotten involved in with Karen.Taking my gaze from him, I began to stare into space. I couldn't afford to look back at him, the numerous scars on his body made me guilty.“Nora, permit me to return to my pack and build it.” He said and unable to resist staring at him, I snapped my head in his direction.“Don't get me started Carlos! You're fully aware of the danger that pack holds yet you feel you will be able to survive a day there.” I rolled my eyes at him.“You underestimate me too much. I know you are stronger than me for I’m just an alpha wolf and not a Lycan but I’m strong.” He paused before saying.“I can't be a refugee in another pack with my members. I need to tell them that indeed I’m a leader and their lives and wNora's POV It was one of the new maids who was behind the door. “You want to say something to me?” I raised my brow at her as she folded her hands in front of her. “Yeah!” She looked over her shoulder before returning her gaze to me. “A couple from the pack which was infiltrated are here to meet with you.” She reeled. There was no need for any further description because the couple mentioned here were my foster parents. Without wasting anymore time, I quickly hurried down the hallway only to meet my foster parents but I only saw my mother. She was pacing about at the entrance of the palace hallway which led to my chamber. The moment my foster mother saw me, she ran to my side and then held my arm and then began to rub it with a bright smile etched on her face. I still can't get enough of her love towards me. In fact, my two mothers were my emotional pillars. " Mother, you don't need permission to come to me. Just mention your name and you will be brought to my chambers. Or you
THIRD POVDamon was furious. At the moment, he was in the woods, pacing about as he racked his head on what might have gone wrong. All of his efforts to lay claim to the throne were thwarted, making him look like a failure.Several times, he approached King Salvador, trying to sway him but he was so smart that he got the hint almost immediately and as if that wasn't enough, he slid off like he was an eel. He was still in this position when Elder Richard appeared in front of him and after looking around for a while, he locked gaze with him. “Putting pressure on the rest of the elders seems impossible.” He blurted, making Damon clench his fist by his side as he grunted in agony. “Elder Fred! What is his take in this?” “Just like the others!” He mouthed and after a few minutes of silence, he leaned towards him and with a voice barely above a whisper, he said, “I don't think you can overthrow Princess Nora.”Hi
Nora's POV On my return to the throne room, I met my father and mother seated. They are having a bit of a conversation. Not wanting to disturb them, I stood aside, shifting my weight from one leg to the other until they noticed my presence and at once, mother gestured to me. “I’m sorry I called you out here. You should be getting some rest by now but this matter needs urgency.” She helped me to sit, afterwards took her seat next to me. Taking my hand, she placed it on her thigh and then placed her hands on top of it. “Nora dear, it's time you find yourself a mate. You shouldn't think you don't need one because of your status or anything.” She took a brief pause and then picked up the pace. “The job of the leader is grueling, you need someone to stand by you each time and also give you the will power to go on, don't you think?” She flashed me a smile as she rubbed my arm. “Ye
Nora's POV" Father!"" Nora, my hands are tied. I know how hurt you were when that Carlos rejected you. But you should try and move on. I believe it made you stronger and the person you are today. You need someone by your side to be a great leader-"" And that person is Karen? I don't love him, father-"With a wave of his hands, my father cut me off." But you are friends, right? And from all indications, I can tell that Karen loves you. I will be at rest if it's Karen because he would do all he can to protect you." " But father-"No matter how much I tried to convince my father that I wasn't interested, he didn't listen to me. His mind was already made up and it was frustrating.My mother who had been silent, suddenly cut in. " Do you still want to go back to Alpha Carlos? Or have you found a second chance mate?"I was taken aback by my mother's question and without hesitation, I shook my vehemently." Of cours
THIRD POV The meeting with Nora did nothing but to make Vina furious even though she tried to maintain a cool demeanor back there. At the moment, she was leaning against the cold wall with her eyes tightly shut as she reviewed her words in her head. To think that Nora was going to get betrothed to Karen was driving her insane and she wanted to put an end to it by any means. Clenching and unclenching her fists as tears rolled down her cheeks in torrents, she tried not to allow the discovery to overwhelm her but it was to no avail. “I can't allow Nora to have Karen for herself. She already has everything at her disposal; she can't have him to herself, never.” She mumbled, falling on the floor as she pulled her hair. Vina continued this way with no hopes of stopping anytime soon. Drained, she fell asleep and when she woke up, she did so with a start as she began to look around frantically until she could recognize her current
Carlos' POV Craning my neck, I tried to get a glimpse of the person walking towards me only to let out a low hiss when I discovered it was one of the maids. It has been over half an hour since I have been under the stump of the baobab tree, waiting for Nora to make her presence.Just when I was about to leave, I saw her hurrying in my direction and at once I went cold, taking a deep breath as I watched her every move. Now standing in front of me, she kept panting as she tried to control her heavy breathing while I looked on. “I had to attend to something really important.” She said in a breath. When she finally calmed down, she tugged her hair for a while before settling her gaze on me. “The maid said you sounded urgent, is there an issue?” Her voice sounded sincere and it warmed my heart. At least, she still cared about me. “Yeah!” I nodded, swallowing the lump that had risen in my throat.Feeling uneasy,
Carlos' POV Still furious with me, Justin took his leave and once again, I lowered myself on the stump of the tree only to start walking about a few minutes later. Nora! The name kept ringing in my head despite all my efforts to shake it off. Biting my lower lips, I pushed my hand into my hair and then let out a low sigh of frustration. If I was told before now that I would be in this kind of situation, I wouldn't believe it. I have always planned out my life to be smooth without any form of stress but that wasn't the case. The more I thought about it, the angrier I was with myself as regret washed through me. Remembering Vina’s words, I tried to find solace in it but it was useless, not after the constant rejection from Nora. “She claims she doesn't want to have anything to do with me, why can't she reject me? Why is it difficult for her to do so?” I grunted but before I could find answers to my questions, a deep voice ren
Nora's POV Vina was acting strange but I haven't confronted her yet. I wanted to be certain I wasn't the one making up scenarios in my head before I did. As if on a cue, Vina walked past with a deep frown etched on her face feigning not to see me. Grabbing her by the arm, I pulled her backwards, “What is the issue? You don't look good.” I pointed out, worriedly. Flashing a smile at me, she pushed her hand into her hair, flashing me a little smile with an uneasy look on her face. “I am sorry, I didn't see you.” She muttered. Returning her smile, I went ahead to rub her arm, the smile on my face never leaving even for a split second. “You can tell me what the issue is and I promise to help in any way I can.” Going further, I added, “You are my cousin and my best friend. I can't sit back and watch you sad without doing a thing.” When she began to look around, I held her wrist and then pulled her to my bedroom so
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