Vienna's POV: I could hardly believe my eyes.Was this really my father, Orion Belmont, who was crying over how much he loved me? But no matter how many times I blinked to dispel the illusion or hallucination– whatever it was– he was still here, standing with his side profile towards me and tears glistening in his eyes and speaking further. “After Ellora died, I couldn’t bear to face my little girl. Every time I looked at you, Vienna, I was reminded of her. It hurt too much… and I felt guilty to some extent, like I had failed you both. When I married Tessa, I thought… I thought you would have a new mother to look after you, and I could finally grieve. But I wish! I wish I knew back then, that I would only end up isolating you further.”“Dad…”I could feel a startled gasp escape my throat, and my eyes followed the Adam's apple bobbing in his throat before he swallowed the emotions and spoke his next words. Words that I had imagined him saying at least a hundred times, when I was yo
Vienna's POV: I couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth. I was the one saying all these words, which were completely against my wish… the words which were against my might.Was I really asking him to leave like this, without even the dignity of a proper explanation? And the reason! The reason behind it was my father… the same father who had never given me the love I deserved, the affection which was my right, the safety that my soul had craved for. The protection that I had always dreamt of. And now that I am finally getting the hope of getting all of these from somewhere I am the one who is asking him to leave, with my own mouth… without any force… just because of the sudden rush of emotions I was currently feeling.The expression had scribbled the verdict of hurt all across his face, and it was unbearable to me… making me feel like my guilt was an alien soul. Alive and breathing inside me, clawing me from within. And so, I did the cowardly thing and trained my gaze a
Vienna's POV: I didn't get to hear what he was going to say, or when exactly he would be coming to get me. Before he could finish, Tessa marched over, screeching like a banshee once again and making me wonder how she hadn't screamed herself hoarse yet. “You pest! Are you determined to suck our blood dry!" My startled eyes found Kai, just as she shoved him away from me using both her hands, and positioning herself between us like a guard dog on steroids. “I knew this girl was shameless, but you are no less! Tell me, what more do you want to hear? She said she is not going anywhere with you! Are you deaf, or just plain stupid?” If I was expecting to see anger or aggression lingering around his expressions, there was nothing as such. In fact, he barely even reacted at first. Then, taking his own sweet time, he cocked an eyebrow, his body language eerily calm. “I highly recommend you keep your aggression reserved for those who tolerate it willingly. And in fact, con
Vienna's POV: With Kai gone, I slowly felt the realization sinking in, about all that had happened in the span of less than an hour. I felt like a storm had just passed over my life, turning everything on its head and spitting me out of the eye of the storm, dazed and disoriented. My father… I remembered with a start, and a sudden jolt of urgency pushed me into action. I made my way towards my father, feeling like I was wading against thick currents, instead of walking on the floor of my house. But I forced myself to walk until I was standing in front of him; where he sat slumped on the couch, his head bowed and shoulders slumped, his face buried in his hands… looking like a defeated man. Slowly, I reached out and awkwardly rested my hand on his arm, hoping to offer some comfort. “Dad… I'm sorry…” My throat had suddenly become so tight that the words had to be squeezed out one by one. I lowered myself to my knees in front of him, speaking sincerely. “I’m sorry for not
Kai’s POV: I reached home, restless and on edge. I was too disturbed to even think about anything, and any time I tried, the haunting image of Vienna’s face appeared in front of me again. Time and again, my mind flashed back to the tears in her eyes, the tremble in her voice as she asked me to leave, the look of disgust in her stepmother and stepsister’s eyes… all those thoughts, refusing to be silenced. Not to mention the fact that my wolf was on the verge of rebellion, for abandoning our mate there. How could anyone be so heartless towards that innocent soul? And as for her father, I didn’t trust him for a second. Although he had said all those words to show how hurt he was by the possibility of her leaving, and said all the right things to prove his regret over not having a good relationship with her, for not showing how much he loved her… I could smell some bullshit. His regret was too sudden to be genuine, because how could a father watch his daughter get taunted and phys
Kai's POV:“To hell with that!” I gritted out through my teeth, finding no other suitable place for my rage. I had come here to find some clarity, but so far, Fynn’s presence and horrible suggestions were just making the mist of confusion and anger grow denser. I could see very well that Fynn was just as worried about Vienna… maybe even more than I was. But again! My twin’s stubbornness was overriding his sensibility, and I wished I could have told him earlier, how much he really sucked at acting. “Will you stop acting this way, how long are you planning to be mad at us for that?! She is our mate, for fuck’s sake–”“I wouldn’t say that.”Fynn’s jaw tightened as he said coldly. “Not when she hasn’t accepted me as her mate in front of the pack members and with Moon Goddess as our witness. Until then, she has at least accepted or acknowledged you as her mate, so that's good! I'm happy for you.”I growled, the sound rumbling deep in my chest. “What bullshit! You know the Mating Cer
Vienna's POV: I tossed and turned in my bed, trying to put pressure on my stomach, desperate to ease the sharp, stabbing pain. My sleep-addled brain was struggling to push past the discomfort, but it was useless. Even after fifteen minutes of this, I wasn't feeling any better; nor could I succumb to the call of sleep, no matter how heavy and droopy my eyelids were getting. Finally, I gave up and stumbled out of bed, clutching my stomach with both hands. My head was dizzy, and the realization hit me like a brick: it was already a new morning, which meant an entire day had passed, without anyone entering my room or bringing me any food. I reached out hesitantly and turned the latch of the door. Thankfully, it was unlocked, and I let out a shaky breath. Hopefully, that meant I could sneak down to the kitchen unnoticed. But as I crossed the hallway and turned to head down the stairs, I felt a shove on my shoulder, causing me to trip. I tumbled forward, the hard edge of each step
Vienna’s POV: Tessa’s anger melted into doting affection within a matter of seconds. “You’re right, my darling. What would I do without you, she would have boiled away all my blood with her presence alone, not to forget, how ill mannered she really is!” Gemini smiled brightly. “But I'm here, aren't I? So forget about her! It’s Sunday and I have plans to go on a lunch date with Asher, so I wanna have a light breakfast. Whatever you have made, leave that aside. I need something light.” "Of course, love. What exactly do you feel like eating? Tell me, and I’ll make it for you. Anything you want, all you have to do is speak!” “Um… not much, maybe a few quesadillas, some waffles… just a few though, not too many! Some fresh apple juice, and two omelets. That should be enough." Tessa’s smile widened. “Oh, lovely! I have already prepared the quesadillas, and I’ll whip up everything else within minutes. Just come along with me…” I bit my cheek to stop the snarky laugh climbing up m
Fynn's POV: The celebrations around us grew louder and louder, drowning out even the pounding of my heart.The Oasis pack soldiers, bloodied and broken, scattered and retreated into the forests. Their defeat was clear, and in the absence of Axel they wouldn’t dare to return. Or even turn towards the Azuremist pack again. Victory belonged to us tonight, and the air was being pierced with the sound of cheers, howls, and the chanting of Long live the Alpha! Long live the Luna! Long live the Azuremist pack!Around me, Vienna, Kai, and I kept stealing glances at each other; confused and stunned. None of us could find the right words. We tried to smile, to look strong for our people, but there was a hollow kind of disbelief in our eyes. How had we survived this? How had Zeke done what no one else had even though possible?To survive after being touched by wolfsbane… there was nothing like this in the history of our kingdom. Vienna clutched Zeke close to her chest, burying her face in
Vienna's POV:I stared at my arm in disbelief.The skin was flawless, as if there had never been a cut there at all. The deep gash, the festering wound, the unbearable burning sensation—all gone. I flexed my fingers slowly, half-expecting pain to shoot up my arm, but there was nothing. Just smooth skin and a faint lingering warmth that faded with every passing second.How…?I hadn’t even noticed the burning while I was tending to Kai. I had been so focused on him, on his blood pouring out, on the sheer terror of losing him, that I hadn’t cared about anything else. But now—now it was like the wound had never existed.Before I could even form a thought, Zeke, who was still nestled against my chest, suddenly wriggled out of my hold. He slid off my lap and crawled toward Kai, who lay frighteningly still.“Dada!” Zeke sobbed, scrambling onto Kai’s blood-soaked chest. His tiny arms wrapped around Kai’s torso as he pressed his tear-streaked face into Kai’s neck. “Dada! Dada!”Fynn and I both
Vienna's POV: My heart was about to stop.Why? Why was it always like this?Every time I thought the pain was over… every time I dared to believe that the worst was behind me, the ground slipped from beneath my feet, dragging me into a deeper darkness. I had just gotten Fynn back. Just wrapped my fingers around something whole again, was I cursed to always live a life that was only half-finished? Was this my fate… to watch everything I loved get ripped away from me piece by piece?I tried to swallow my sobs, force the tears rolling down my cheeks to turn back inside, to stop betraying me. But they wouldn’t. My body shook too hard. My chest felt like it was splitting open. My heart… my entire soul was being torn apart as I stared at Kai’s motionless form.“No, no, no, look at me…” I begged, brushing his hair back from his pale forehead. My voice cracked, seeing Kai's eyes rolling back. “You’re not leaving me like this. Not now.”I pressed both palms against his wound, trying to st
Fynn’s POV:He thought I was going to spare him.Axel’s breaths came fast, ragged, as he stared into my eyes… still crouched beneath me, bloody and broken. That sick glimmer of hope danced in his gaze, but it was too late. Too much had been said. Too much had been done.You don’t threaten my family and walk away breathing. And if he hoped to manipulate me by dangling a secret like poison over my head, Axel was only proving what an idiot he was. Nothing he said would ever be enough to stop me. My jaws hovered over his neck, lips curled back, my breath ragged with fury. Every muscle in my body trembled, screaming for release. But before I could deliver the killing blow, a sharp pain tore through my left shoulder, hot and, brutal.I snarled and stumbled as fangs sunk into my flesh.Axel's Beta, Johnson.The bastard bit hard, grinding his jaw as if he could rip a chunk out of me. Pain exploded down my side, and blood oozed out between his teeth. But the pain only intensified my rage.I
Fynn's POV:I turned just in time to see the knife hit Kai.Everything in my brain went silent for a moment and I wasn't able to understand what I was feeling right now, was the pain Kai had to endure because of that knife or the fact that somehow knowingly or unknowingly, I was guilty behind everything that was happening right now.It lodged deep into his shoulder, with a force that was making his body jerk. His knees buckled slightly, but he managed to stay upright. My eyes followed the trail of blood that dripped down his back, and then I saw it—just a faint smear on the blade, but it was unmistakable. Vienna’s blood.She was also hurt.The same blade had nicked her arm moments ago, and now it was embedded in Kai. The realization hit me so hard I felt like I’d taken the knife to my own chest.My breath caught in my throat.For a second, all I could do was stare.Vienna stood a few feet away, her eyes wide, her mouth trembling, and her arm bleeding. She had risked everything to warn
Vienna's POV:“And now, I’ve returned for it!”Fynn’s voice cold, and resolute, spread through the chaos, triggering shouts in support of the Supreme Alpha. But for me, it felt like everything around me went completely still for a second… right before the storm hit. One of Axel’s guards surged forward with his blade raised, aiming straight for Fynn’s unprotected back. My heart lurched violently in my chest.No!The name tore from my throat with desperation as I bolted forward, Zeke clutched tightly in my arms.Fynn moved just in time, spinning around and catching the soldier’s arm mid-swing. Giving it a sharp twist– there was a loud crack and the guard screamed as he collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain. But another soldier was already creeping up behind Fynn, and I knew that with all his focus on Axel now. he wasn't going to see this one in time.My legs pumped faster, bare feet skimming over dirt and bloodied ground, heart thudding like thunder. Zeke held onto me with all h
Author's POV:The battlefield roared with chaos as steel clashed against claw, and the scent of blood thickened the air. The wolves of Azuremist fought with unyielding ferocity, their formation tested again and again by the relentless onslaught of Oasis soldiers. Growls and howls echoed through the valley, accompanied by the sickening crunch of bone and screams of pain.Kai moved like a shadow of death across the field, his massive black wolf form slicing through enemy ranks with merciless precision. His muscles flexed under his dark fur, his fangs flashing as he brought down a soldier, then twisted to throw another into the dirt. His paws were soaked with blood, but he didn’t stop—not even to breathe. Every fallen enemy was another step closer to protecting his mate and son.Fynn, meanwhile, fought in human form, standing tall amidst the violence, the commanding calm in the eye of the storm. His voice was sharp and steady as it rang through the mind link."Group B to the north side—r
Author's POV: Fynn saw Kai rushing out, having sensed that something was definitely not right.Because knowing Kai’s power and the strength of the Oasis pack, Kai shouldn't be worrying this much, as they could never match their strength in any way, so every situation should be under control.But this sudden departure of Kai, without him was making him extremely uneasy and it was becoming a little difficult for him to control his uneven breaths.Even though he could point what exactly was not feeling right in his head, still his heart was sure that it was the same feeling he had years back, when he was separated from everyone in the past.Because even if in his past he has been blaming both Kai and Enna for the mistakes they never did, he now has understood how big of an idiot he actually was and how he was the one at fault, while Kai has done his best to save him, search him and bring him back to the home, he has been snatched away from.And now when he has finally realised his mista
Gemini’s POV:The cold never left the dungeon walls. It seeped into my bones, even when the air outside burned with sunlight. Down here, it didn’t matter if it was summer or winter—misery had no seasons.I sat curled on the stone floor, my knees tucked to my chest, the iron cuffs weighing heavily on my wrists. The chains didn’t rattle anymore—I didn’t have the strength to pace, not like I used to. Not like I did when I first got thrown in here and thought this would all blow over soon.That was months ago.Now, I just waited. Waited for the sentence to be over. Or for someone to remember I existed.Funny, isn’t it? How fast things change.I used to think my life was difficult before—when Vienna was still in our house, hiding her pretty little smile and walking on eggshells around us. I had always felt like I was in her shadow despite being better than her. Always chasing after something I thought I deserved but could never reach. But when she left, when she finally disappeared from o