Carlos' POV
On my return from the Lycan’s Kingdom the only thing on my mind was to find out the truth about what had happened that night.Aria was my target only for me to be told she was no longer in the pack and as if that was not enough, her father left too, leaving me devastated.Aria was the only person who had answers to my questions but she disappeared now that I needed her the most.While pondering on what I will do next, I felt a second presence in the courtroom and at once I turned around to see Justin staring back at me with his hands pushed into his pockets.When he didn't say anything for a while, I cleared my throat, “Is anything the matter?” I asked, peering closely at him.“What are you going to do about Aria’s disappearance? From the look of things, she ran off when she knew the event was going to be traced back to her.” He rapped.Closing the gap between us, he stood a few feet away from me, “YouCarlos' POVAll my efforts to get Nora back were thwarted by Justin who felt I didn't deserve a second chance. Not even for once did he try to hide it, he kept poking it in my face like I was the first person to reject my mate. Despite all these, I kept on trying, waiting for the lucky day when I will be able to meet with Nora again. This time around, I promise not to hurt her for whatever reason, I will right my wrongs and make sure things work out between us. Even if she is still weak, I wouldn't take that into consideration. As Justin had said, I will train her to become the strong woman I want her to be. When it seemed like no matter how I tried to get Nora back it wasn't going to happen, I gave up only to receive an invitation to the Royal ball. This time around, not even Justin will be able to stop me since I couldn't decline the invitation, so Nora, whom I’m certain would also be at the ball. My ex
Nora's POVJust when I thought I was going to meet with my second chance mate after Carlos had rejected me, the mate bond led me to where he stood. It took all that I had in me not to erupt in anger. I was furious at the moon goddess for pairing me with someone who had rejected me for the second time. Thanks to Karen who had pulled me from the scene, I wouldn't have known when I would lose control and then create chaos. Even though the rest of the party was fun-filled, the thought of what happened earlier kept ringing in my head making me uncomfortable and sometimes, I find myself drifting off. Just when the party was about to draw its curtains close, I heard a devastating news that made the hair on my body stand still. “I can't leave my parents to suffer.” I said, pulling myself up as Karen ran after me. Now outside the hall, Karen stood in front of me, preventing me from taking one step further. “This i
Nora’s POV The pain made me lose concentration as I found it hard to stay put. Laughing like a maniac, Aria raised the knife she had been holding on to above her head. Instead of it glistening like before, it was now fully covered with blood. On her feet was Carlos who was bleeding profusely after being stabbed multiple times by Aria. I had felt the pain too because of the lingering mate bond.“Aria!” I howled, my eyes darken as I advanced in her direction. With anger welling up in me, I jumped on her, kicking her to the ground. I didn't stop there, I dug my claws into her neck making sure to rupture her blood vessels. In her defensive mode, she quickly transformed to her wolf form, baring her canines as she sized me up. She was about to lunge at me when her father, Alpha Jasper made his appearance. Now it was two against one.“Being a Lycan gives you no such privilege.” Alpha Jasper said through
Nora’s POVAfter a tiring journey, we finally got to our destination — The Lycan Kingdom. Since it was an emergency, settling in was a hassle but thanks to my father and the elders who understood and helped them wholeheartedly. As for Carlos, the attention of the doctors were called and without wasting time, they came to his rescue. Although I was drained from all my earlier activities, I couldn't rest. My heart kept wandering about as I thought of what would become of Carlos. “I hope he doesn't die.” These words were on my lips and I kept repeating it over and over again as my heart thumped against my chest. It was past midnight, yet the doctors were still with Carlos. To get my mind off him, I began to pace through the hallway. “You need to get some rest Nora.” Karen said, announcing his presence. Ever since we had a fall out at the boundary, he hadn't spoken to me. Acting like I didn't hear h
Carlos' POV Having rested well after the night of the war, I regained consciousness but this was only known between me and the doctor in charge. My reason for doing it was not that I wanted to feign being in a coma and draw pity from people, rather I was unsure of what was going to happen. Nora was the last person I was expecting to come save me at the borders. I'm certain she didn't come for me, not when her foster parents were also in danger. But she bringing me to the pack for treatment meant she still had a bit of care for me but even at that, I was scared. When she was done cleaning me up like she does twice a day, I felt her weight leaving the bed and at once I held her hand. My grip was weak simply because I was weak too but I held on until I couldn't anymore. “Thank you.” I mumbled, gulping down the lump that had risen in my throat. “You're awake.” S
Nora's POVThe sudden interruption sent my words back into my mouth and also made me realize that I had let my guard down once more. When I didn't respond to Karen who was fuming, he grabbed my arm and not minding the pains he was causing me because of his strong grip, he pulled me out of the ward, banging the door shut. He continued this way until we got to the garden which was devoid of any sound as the sun was up high in the sky. “Have you lost it?” He yelled, taking his position in front of me with his hands strapped across his chest. “Calm down!” I managed to say but instead of that to happen, he became even more furious, fist pumping the air. “We both know Carlos is up to no good, why do you keep allowing him to use you?” He yelled. “He doesn't love you, if he really does, he would not have rejected you.” He added. At this point, trying to calm him down was impossible. He wasn't going to listen to whatever I
Carlos' POVWhen Karen came in earlier, I could see the spite and anger he was emitting from his eyes as he glared at me. On my part, I was furious with his sudden interruption. Just when I thought everything would be settled between me and Nora, he made his entrance and as usual, I bore the brunt of it. Still nursing my hurted feelings, Justin walked into the ward. He was about to take his leave when he halted suddenly. “How long have you been awake?” He asked. From the body language, I knew he was uncomfortable with our presence here, same as I was but I needed to win Nora back before thinking of anything else. She was my main priority and I wouldn't give up on her until I succeeded in getting her back to myself. “It's been a while.” He didn't wait for me to say anything more before he stormed out of the ward, banging the door shut. Pushing my hand into my hair, I let out a low groan with my lips in between my te
Nora's POV I wanted to ask Vina what all these was all about but I couldn't stop pondering on the question. Reviewing Vina’s words, I couldn't help but to wonder what had prompted her into asking that and for the records, I doubt if Karen and I acted like we were items. “Your silence says I’m right.” She broke the silence in the room as she turned her back on me. She was about to step out when I rushed to her side. Holding her arm, I swirled her to face me only to see a silly smile dancing on her lips. “What is going on? Why did you ask?” I voiced out my thoughts, urging her to speak with my gaze. Now seated on the edge of my bed, Vina leaned in and with her hand resting on my shoulder, she said, “I’m worried about you.” “What…” “You're stressed out, you need to get a lot of rest, Nora.” She pouted, trying to make me lie on my back but I was adamant. “Since
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