CHAPTER TWELVE Marco’s POV "But there is still one minor issue," a voice said from behind me. Startled, I turned around to find one of my advisors standing there, his expression grave yet determined. I motioned for him to continue, my curiosity piqued by his words. "What is it?" I asked, my voice steady but tinged with concern. The advisor hesitated for a moment before speaking, his gaze fixed on mine. "Your Highness, while it is crucial to recover the stolen weapons, we must also consider the risk of arousing suspicion if all of us were to leave the palace. Your father, the King, is astute and observant. He will surely notice our absence and inquire about our activities." His words hit me like a heavy blow. He was right. We couldn't afford to raise any alarm or draw unnecessary attention to our mission. My friend, Michael, stepped forward, his brows furrowed in deep thought. "Perhaps we could devise a plan that allows us to investigate and retrieve the weapons without leaving t
Marco’s POV I stormed through the corridors of the palace, anger pulsating through my veins like wildfire. How could my father assign Scarlett such a significant responsibility without even informing me? We were supposed to be a team, sharing our lives and supporting each other through thick and thin. The thought of Scarlett keeping such an important matter from me gnawed at me, fueling my frustration with each step I took. Finally, I reached my father's study and barged in without a second thought. He looked up from his desk, surprise flickering across his face at my unannounced intrusion. "Father," I spat out, my voice laced with resentment, "how could you give Scarlett this task without consulting me? Aren't I her husband, her partner? Shouldn't I be involved in matters concerning our kingdom?" He sighed heavily and motioned for me to sit down. "Marco, calm yourself," he said in a weary tone. "I understand your frustration, but there are reasons behind my decision." I clenched
Alpha Damian’s POVLost in the torment of my own self-doubt, I followed the guard through the labyrinthine corridors of the palace. Each step carried the weight of my troubled thoughts, but the urgent matter at hand demanded my immediate attention. The unresolved issues with Marco lingered in my mind, a constant reminder of the fractured bond between us.As we emerged into the palace courtyard, my steps faltered, and a heavy weight settled upon my chest. The scene that unfolded before me was one of stark contrast to the regal surroundings. Ten figures stood in disarray, their presence an embodiment of suffering and resilience. Their bodies bore the marks of a brutal ordeal, their skin marred with bruises and cuts. Tattered clothing clung to their worn frames, evidence of the treacherous journey they had undertaken.The weariness etched upon their faces mirrored the depth of their torment. Lines of exhaustion etched deeply, and their eyes, once bright with hope, now held a glimmer of b
Chloe’s POVDays turned into nights, and nights turned into restless slumber. Each passing moment carried the weight of my actions, gnawing at my conscience. Fatigue settled upon my shoulders, a constant reminder of the burdens I carried. And then, one morning, as the sun began to rise, a knock on the door shattered the fragile tranquility of my thoughts.Startled, I pushed myself upright, my weariness evident in the heaviness of my movements. The guard's voice floated through the wooden door, muffled yet urgent. "Lady Chloe, the King requests your presence in the throne room."A surge of anxiety coursed through me as I stumbled to my feet. My body, once strong and resilient, now struggled under the weight of exhaustion and a mysterious ailment that had slowly taken hold. My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, where a small but unmistakable protrusion had begun to form. The joyous anticipation of motherhood mingled with the overwhelming fatigue, leaving me feeling vulnerable and u
Marco's POVAs I watched Chloe drift off to sleep, a mix of emotions swirled within me. Concern for her well-being, fear for our unborn child, and a sense of responsibility as her husband and protector all tugged at my heart. Seeing her so exhausted and frail tore at my soul, and I knew that something had to change.Leaning back in the chair beside her bed, I closed my eyes, gathering my thoughts. It was time to have a conversation with my father, the King, and present him with my concerns. Chloe's condition was fragile, and I couldn't bear the thought of her jeopardizing her health and that of our child for the sake of her duties.The weight of responsibility settled upon my shoulders as I stood and made my way out of the room. The castle corridors were filled with an air of purposeful movement, servants scurrying about their daily tasks. I navigated through the familiar halls, heading towards the King's study, where I knew he would be at this time of day.Entering the study, I found
Marco's POVMichael's words hung in the air, his voice heavy with the weight of the news he carried. My heart sank as the realization of the tragedy that had unfolded in Ashwood Pack settled upon me. The stolen weapons, the attack—they were all interconnected, and our mission to retrieve the weapons had taken on a new level of urgency."Michael, what happened?" I asked, my voice laced with concern. "Tell me everything."He took a deep breath, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination. "The enemy forces launched a surprise attack on Ashwood Pack earlier today. They were merciless, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in their wake. Our people fought bravely, but the sheer scale of the assault overwhelmed them."Guilt gnawed at my insides, knowing that our efforts to retrieve the stolen weapons had not been swift enough. "Michael, we must take responsibility for this. Our delay may have contributed to the devastation."He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "
Macro’s POVI spun around, my heart pounding in my chest, to face the source of the voice. A figure stood before me, grinning with a sinister delight. The flickering candlelight revealed a face twisted with malice, eyes gleaming with an unsettling hunger.I stared at the figure before me, my eyes widening in disbelief and shock. The sinister grin on their face sent shivers down my spine, and their words cut through the air like a blade. Betrayal pierced my heart as they mocked my trust in Michael, someone I considered a brother.How could you?" I repeated, my voice laced with a mix of fury and sorrow. "Michael was like a brother to me. We trusted him. We fought side by side. How could he be part of your treacherous plan?"The figure's grin widened, their pleasure evident in their twisted expression. Their voice dripped with sinister satisfaction as they taunted me, relishing in the power they believed they held over me."Oh, Marco," they sneered, their voice dripping with malice. "You
Macro’s POVMy hands tremble as I cradle Chloe's injured body, my heart pounding with fear and rage. Blood stains my clothes, mingling with the tears streaming down my face. The sight of my beloved wife's wounded form intensifies my determination to seek vengeance against the Crimson Pack. I must stay strong, not just for myself, but for Chloe and our unborn child.As I step out of the room, I'm met with the worried faces of my pack members. Sorrow and hope reflect in their expressions, their words piercing through the haze of my anguish."Marco, we need to get Chloe to the healers immediately," one of them urges, concern etched in their voice. "Let's just hope the baby is fine. We'll do everything we can to save them both."I nod, my jaw clenched in determination. I feel a surge of gratitude for my pack's unwavering support, even in the face of such devastating circumstances. "Take me to the healers," I command, my voice laced with urgency and authority. "Make sure they have everythi
Marco’s POVSwiftclaw laughed loudly in the passage, making fun of us. "Oh, Marco," he said, "is this your killer team? How cute. But you're too slow."I looked at Sage and Dave. They were ready to fight, having heard Swiftclaw's insults. We nodded at each other, knowing we had to work together to defeat the traitor.Swiftclaw didn't waste time. He suddenly moved very fast, surprising us. He hit Sage and Dave hard, and they fell to the ground.It seemed like Swiftclaw became one with the shadows, moving so fast that we couldn't see him clearly. He hit Sage and Dave with strong and precise punches, clearly having the advantage.Sage and Dave, although strong, were caught off guard by Swiftclaw's fast attack. They tried to get up but couldn't defend themselves before Swiftclaw attacked again.I watched in horror as Swiftclaw hit them repeatedly, his punches were strong and accurate. Sage and Dave tried to fight back, but Swiftclaw was too fast and skilled.As I watched the battle, I kne
Marco's POVBut it was too late. A spear, gleaming malevolently in the dim light, pierced through Michael's back and emerged crimson-soaked from his chest. The force of the blow was enough to send him crashing to the ground, the impact causing a sickening thud that reverberated in the stillness of the moment."WTF!!!" I exclaimed in sheer shock and disbelief, my voice echoing through the passage.I staggered to my feet, my eyes wide with horror as I witnessed Michael writhing on the ground, blood gushing from his wound in a torrent. His face contorted with agony, and he struggled to breathe, his life slipping away before my eyes.My gaze snapped upward, seeking the source of this sudden attitude by Swiftclaw to him. And there, with blood-soaked hands and a malevolent grin that sent shivers down my spine, stood Swiftclaw. His eyes gleamed with triumph, and he let out a chilling, mocking laugh as he looked down at Michael."You thought I would give you the Kingdom, Michael?" Swiftclaw t
Scarlett’s POVMy heart aced as Sage and I moved toward the exit, leaving behind the chaotic scene of the battle between Marco and his men. My mind was a whirlwind of fear, concern for Marco's safety, and the urgency of our escape. I glanced back over my shoulder, my eyes locked onto Marco, who was still locked in the fierce struggle with Swiftclaw.Then, a shadow loomed at the doorway, and my breath caught in my throat. Who could it be at this crucial moment, blocking our way to safety? My thoughts raced, trying to identify the person."Leaving so soon?" The voice sent shivers down my spine. I turned to see a sinister figure with an evil grin, lurking in the dimly lit passage. My heart pounded in my chest as I struggled to make out the intruder's features.Sudden relief washed over me as the person stepped into the light, revealing himself to be Michael. My anxiety shifted to anger. What was he doing here, now of all times? And why did he look so menacing, holding that large, dangero
Marco’s POVMy heart was beating fast, and I was breathing hard as I watched Swiftclaw coming toward me, looking really angry. I couldn't see a way out of this, and I tried really hard to think of a solution."Wait, Swiftclaw!" I said nervously, my voice shaky with fear. "Let's talk about this. Whatever's bothering you, we can find a way to fix it without fighting."Swiftclaw growled angrily but stopped for a moment, seeming to think about what I had said. The air was really tense, and I was thinking quickly. I couldn't mess up."I don't feel like talking, Marco," Swiftclaw said angrily. "You've gone too far, and now you'll pay for it."I was panicking, trying to figure out how to get out of being frozen with fear. I couldn't let fear take over; I needed to stay calm and focused."Swiftclaw, please, listen to me," I continued, my voice shaking but determined. "I didn't mean to upset you, but whatever happened, we can fix it. We're friends, right? Friends don't hurt each other like thi
Scarlett’s POV Before Swiftclaw could finish speaking, a spooky mist started oozing from the altar where Scarlett was tied up. It looked like a creepy snake, coiling around Swiftclaw, its dark tendrils moving towards him as he struggled. The room felt weird, like there was some strange power in the mist, and it got scarier by the second. Swiftclaw got really scared and started shouting as he turned into a big, scary wolf. He tried to fight off the dark mist, biting at it, which wanted to swallow him up. Scarlett was no longer in mortal danger, and she suddenly felt full of energy and determination. She knew she couldn't miss this chance. Her heart raced, and her hands were slippery with blood as she twisted and turned, trying to get free from the cold, unkind chains that held her down. Scarlett used all her strength to pull, and her wrists hurt as the chains cut into her skin, but she didn't give up. Her life depended on this moment, and she wouldn't let it slip away. The room got
Scarlett’s POVMy heart ached as I struggled to process what was happening. "Elara, what is going on? Why are you here in that robe? We were supposed to be against Swiftclaw, weren't we?"Elara's lips quivered, and she seemed on the verge of saying something, but before she could respond, Swiftclaw's cold, mocking voice cut through the tension. "You think Elara was with you all these years, Scarlett? How naive. She has always been with me... throughout. I used her to get you where I wanted you to be."The shock of Swiftclaw's revelation hit me like a physical blow. I had trusted Elara with my life, and now it seemed that trust had been horribly misplaced. Betrayal stung in my chest, and I felt tears stream down my face. "Elara... How could you?" I whispered, my voice trembling with hurt.Elara's gaze fell to the floor, and she seemed unable to meet my eyes. "I had no choice, Scarlett," she finally replied, her voice filled with anguish. "Swiftclaw... he had something that could destro
Scarlett’s POVEverything went crazy for me, and I felt like I was falling into a dark hole. It hurt a lot, and I was scared and confused. It was all mixed up like a loud, crazy song in my head. I couldn't understand what was happening, and I really wanted to call out to Marco to make sure he was okay, but I couldn't even talk.Slowly, like waking up from a bad dream, I started to notice where I was. The feeling of numbness started going away, and I felt a tingly feeling that told me I was waking up. I tried to open my eyes, but they felt really heavy, like there were invisible chains on them.I blinked a few times and started to figure out what was happening. I was tied up on something that looked like a scary table, with weird skulls all over it. Each skull had a creepy story, and the table itself was made of black stone with spooky symbols that glowed a little.The room around me was kinda dark, but there was a strange green light coming from the walls. The air smelled really bad,
Marco’s POVScarlett and I turned slowly, feeling scared in our hearts. It was Swiftclaw, looking at us with heavy eyes and a strange grin on his lips. Michael was beside him, smiling wickedly.Swiftclaw laughed in a mean way. "I knew you wouldn't go far, Marco. Love is a thing people always do." He laughed more, enjoying the scared feeling.I held Scarlett's hand tight, thinking hard. We were stuck, and Swiftclaw had us where he wanted. I had to find a way out, for both of us."Why, Swiftclaw?" I asked, my voice shaky and angry. "What do you want?"Swiftclaw grinned more and walked around us like a predator playing with its food. "Isn't it clear, Marco? I want power, and Scarlett here," he pointed at her, "has the key to it."Scarlett looked scared and confused. "What does he mean, Marco?"I clenched my teeth, trying to figure a way out. "It's a long story, Scarlett. Right now, we need to escape."Swiftclaw stopped laughing and got closer to me. "Oh, Marco, you always protected her,
Scarlett’s POVSwiftclaw had a creepy smile on his face, and I was nibbling on my tasteless food reluctantly. The room felt tense, and I couldn't help but feel that something bad was happening.I wanted to know more about how Swiftclaw knew Elara. It didn't seem like he should know her name, but he brought it up like it was important. I took a deep breath and gathered the courage to ask, "Swiftclaw, how do you know Elara? Who told you about her?" My heart raced as I waited for his answer.Swiftclaw looked at me with dark eyes and leaned closer. He spoke in a low, scary voice, "Oh, Scarlett, there's so much you don't know. You'll find out in time." His words sent shivers down my spine.I couldn't let him avoid my question, so I demanded, "Tell me now. How do you know about Elara?"Swiftclaw laughed, which made me feel even more uneasy. "Humans are easy to figure out," he taunted. "But I'll tell you a bit more. Your husband, Marco, was captured and brought here earlier. We tried to get