Chapter Rhys' POVI followed Sam as closely as I could, he moved through the quiet streets, my mind racing with thoughts about the book and what Sam was up to. He finally reached a secluded area, where a shadowy figure waited, I tried to recognize him but he was a complete stranger.I kept hidden behind a nearby tree, watching closely. The man approached Sam, and they exchanged a few words. The man handed Sam a wad of money, which Sam took quickly, looking around nervously. “Sam!” I shouted, moving swiftly towards him.Sam’s eyes widened in shock. Before he could react, I tackled him to the ground. “You’re not going anywhere,” I said, my voice firm.The man, who had been waiting with Sam, looked terrified. “Please, don’t hurt me!” he cried out. “I was just following orders!”I stopped, taken aback by his plea. “What do you mean, following orders?” I demanded, glancing between him and Sam.“They—” the man stammered, looking around anxiously. “They threatened to kill me if I didn’t co
ChapterMara's POV “Mara” I heard Ethan's voice behind me. My heart pounded in my chest, the kiss we had appeared in my mind. I couldn’t believe that had just happened. I dashed to my room, shutting the door behind me with a loud thud. I had kissed Ethan. I hadn't expected it, and now I hated myself for letting it happen. There was a steady knock on the door. “Mara? Can we talk?” Ethan’s voice was soft, but there was a note of concern that made my chest tighten.I took a deep breath and pressed my back against the door. “Ethan, I—please, just give me a break. We’ll talk in the morning, okay?”“Come on, Mara. You can’t just shut me out like this. What’s going on?”“I said no!” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t help it. I felt like my emotions were all over the place, and I wasn’t ready to explain anything to him. There was a pause, then I heard him sigh. “Alright, I’ll give you space.”I listened as his footsteps faded away, the sound of him walking down the hall
Chapter 1Rhy's POV The morning sun peeked through the curtains as I prepared for my meeting with the pack elders. My thoughts were heavy but I had to keep my composure and handle this at least buy myself some time to figure out things with Mara.I grabbed everything I thought would be needed for the meeting as I stepped out of my door and locked it. I had never bothered about it before but with the book in my possession I couldn't afford to lose it. I arrived at the council hall, the elders were already seated, their faces stern. I took a deep breath and entered, trying to mask my anxiety with a calm demeanor.“Good morning” I greeted taking my seat at the head of the table.“You look well rested” someone said at the table, making him cock a brow.“And why do you feel I shouldn't be?” I questioned leaning in, I've noticed they usually have meetings without me to gossip.“Judging by your recent actions and absence from the pack.”My stomach tightened Duncan you snitch! “I had busine
Chapter Rhy's POV I walked away from the room quickly pulling out my phone and dialed the number that sent the threat, my hands shaking as I held the phone to my ear.After the second ring they answered, the voice on the other end was calm,“For a minute I thought you were placing a book you knew nothing about over the one you love the most” The words caught me off guard.“Who are you?” “Meet me at the edge of the river bank,” the voice instructed, ignoring my question. “There, you will exchange the book for information on how to find Mara.”They hung up, not bothering to reveal anything else. The only river bank of the pack I knew was the one I traveled through, whoever they are, they have been watching me.I quickly moved towards the location and when I arrived, I saw a figure waiting for me, a woman wearing a cloak, the flowing fabric hid her face. Her scent was familiar. I didn't understand why and yet I couldn't point out who she was.I clutched the bag that sealed the book an
Mara's POV The bag over my head was suffocating, and my heart pounded with fear. I had no idea where they were taking me or what they planned to do. They made me walk despite how badly my leg ached. They didn't let me rest.Finally, the movement stopped, and I was shoved roughly to the ground. My knees hit the cold floor, and I winced. My hands were bound tightly behind my back, making it hard to move. They yanked the bag off my head, and I squinted against the dim light. My vision was blurry at first, but soon I saw the bleak surroundings of an old, abandoned building. Dust motes floated in the air, and the place was eerily silent except for the sounds of my shallow breathing.Three masked men were standing around me and they began drawing a salt circle around me. A rag was shoved into my mouth, muffling my attempts to scream. My eyes darted around, trying to make sense of their actions. “We have to get the spell on how to extract her essence,” one of them said. “As the Lycan prin
ChapterMara's POV I sat by Rhys’s side all night. The doctor had done everything he could and told me to be patient. I kept hoping he would wake up, but he remained unconscious.“Please, Rhys, wake up,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “You have to be okay.”As the morning light filtered into the room, I heard footsteps approaching. Ethan walked in, his face lined with concern. “Mara,” he said softly, his eyes resting on when I held Rhys’. “You need to go back to the pack I know he had saved you but a stranger isn't worth your health”I avoided his gaze, my eyes red from crying. “I can’t leave him here, Ethan. Not like this.”“You haven’t slept, and you’re exhausted. You need to take care of yourself too, I'll tell the doctors to call us at the moment he wakes.”I bit my lip not knowing how to respond if I insisted further Ethan would suspect Rhys was more than a stranger. “Mara, think about your baby” he urged. “Come home, rest, regain your strength, and then you can come back an
5ChapterMara's POV The room was quiet as Ethan and Dahlia processed the news about the spy in the pack. I broke the silence with a question I’d been holding onto. “Has Roderick returned yet, the man the seer had shown my birthmark?”Ethan shook his head, his face tense. “No, not yet. We haven’t heard from him.”I nodded, feeling disappointed. I needed to find out more about my parents, and Roderick was the only one who might have the answers I sought. But right now, it seemed like my need to know about my parents had to wait.Dahlia sighed, her expression softening. “For now, you should focus on eating and resting. You’ve been through a lot, and you need to take care of yourself.”I looked down at the food on the table, feeling my stomach churn with both hunger and anxiety. The thought of eating felt strange after everything that had happened, but Dahlia was right. I needed to regain my strength. I took a small bite, trying to calm my racing thoughts.“The room remained quiet as
Chapter Rhys' POVI woke up with a pounding headache and a sharp pain in my side. The sterile smell of the hospital filled my nostrils, and I slowly opened my eyes to the bright light of the room. I winced as I tried to sit up, but the pain made me groan. A nurse was standing by the bed, her eyes showing concern as she noticed my discomfort. “You’re awake,” she said gently. “How are you feeling?”I rubbed my temples, trying to clear the fog from my mind. “What happened? How did I end up here?”“A Lycan brought you in. You were badly injured and unconscious. She made sure you were taken care of.”I felt a pang in my chest remembering the attack and the men who held Mara captive. “A Lycan? Do you know who it was?”Her gaze shifted to the floor. “I’m afraid not. They left shortly after you were brought in. I believe it was someone you know, though.”“Mara. Was it Mara who brought me here?”The nurse hesitated before nodding. “Yes, it was. She left with Ethan I remember someone whisperi
Rhys's eyes were locked onto Mara’s irises as she held onto her silver flowing dress, with a soft smile creased on her face as she walked down the stairs.He couldn't help but stare at how beautiful she looked, walking down the stairs, graced in her beautiful silver dress.She was truly breathtaking, with her long red hair wrapped around in long waves with a small ribbon placed right on top. Her well-defined juicy lips with the upper lip almost in the shape of a heart that lingered a sweet, caring smile painted with deep crimson lipstick, and her pinkish cheeks and small apart little freckles all came into view when she came up close to Rhys. The space between them slowly closed up as the music by the garden sort of increased when he grabbed her by the hand.“You…” Rhys stuttered, staring into her eyes unable to look away. He’d slowly gone lost in them. Just when she etched closer, he leaned forward whispering into her ears. “You look so beautiful,” He said, with a smile creaesd on
Rhy’s POV Two rogues came barreling in. They were running right for me as I ducked taking both rogues down to the floor in seconds making sure to have them both wounded.I watched both rogues squirming on the floor as they clenched their throats and then I knelt on the floor and started shifting, seeing that I was slowly getting outnumbered. I stepped forward and then grabbed one of them stepping over top of him. And then I bared my teeth into his flesh, growling, forcing a permanent hole as I had him killed instantly as the others stood by watching the scene. A lot of rogue men hurried my way, coming in groups of four, and twos headed in my direction.My eyes for some annoying reason, slowly had its color changed under the influence of me being completely angry over the fact that she was being taken away by Giovanni and I was getting attacked by some unknown rogue men.“Where the hell are they coming from?” I scowled, trying to make my way through angry rogue men as they attacked.
RHYS POVMy knuckles gripped the steering wheel, turning white as I imagined all the ways I'd kill whoever must have done this.I wanted to make sure his death was so agonizingly painful that when I was done with him, he'd be begging for the blessings of death.Lost In my thoughts of torture, I didn't notice how much time had passed. I recognized the area immediately and felt relief pour through me as I neared the motel.I pulled up to the garage, squinting through the dark as I hopped out of my car. I walked close to the building, holding up my flashlight in the air.As I walked into the building, I realized there happened to be no locks on the door. I had my foot against the door, and in seconds the door creaked open.I flashed my light in the direction of the dark, knowing down my guts that it was somewhat dangerous being out here all alone. But I didn't care…Mara was all I cared about.I trudged further into the dark, with my eyes locked on the empty hallways up ahead. I wondered
Rhys POVI watched Talia walking out of the mansion quietly, a couple of days later. Her movements seemed quite suspicious as she hopped into her zooming off.I couldn't stand my Wolf from growling at the thought of her knowing something about Mara’s disappearance.I decided to follow her to find out where she was headed. The fact that I could have her whereabouts tracked by her scent made it quite easier.She took about four turns and then into an unknown part of the city before stopping in front of a bar. A bar is known only to be visited, by rebellions.“What the hell is she doing here?” I whispered to myself as I parked a few meters away from her, making sure to take full cover.I peeped through the rearview mirror of my car and saw that there was a black Benz parked behind me, blocking me from driving out. I lowered my head, to avoid being caught in the game.My eyes widened in shock at the realization of whom it was that had stepped out of the car.The one man I never imagined I
RHY’S POV I had my head lowered as I rummaged through the papers on my desk. I tried extremely hard to focus but the conversation from a couple of weeks ago with Yara, kept whirling in my head. “Go on,” My voice was short and my eyes never left the stack of papers. Ignoring the fact that I’d been on one paragraph for the last couple of hours. “We’ve already upped patrol on the border, but still no sign of her,” Dante spoke up, distressed all over his face as he stared back at me.“I'm open to more orders,” He added, as I leaned back in the chair keeping my eyes low.“We stay on the course, we stay scouting, we have to keep searching,” I said frustratingly.“We can't be sitting ducks, we have to do something—” I grimaced but then paused, the minute I realized I was beginning to over react.It had been a couple of months since she’d suddenly disappeared. A couple of months since we had dinner together and a couple of months since I’ve seen her smile.“Perhaps we could send out a few
Rhys's Pov.Yara's words pierced through my heart. "Rhys, listen to me. Mara would come to me if she needed help. She trusts me."Something stirred within me. A spark of hope."Mara would come to you?" I repeated.Yara nodded. "Of course, She has no one else."No one else? The weight of those words crushed me. Mara's isolation, Her loneliness, My failure.But Yara's next words ignited a fire. "Rhys, Mara didn't come to me. She didn't leave you."I felt a glimmer of hope, A chance. "Mara's still out there, in Giovanni's custody," I whispered.Waiting For me. Waiting for me to find her. To make it right.Yara's grip on my arm tightened. "Find her Rhys, Make it right."Determination coursed through me. I'd find Mara. Explain everything. Prove my love, With newfound purpose.Yara's warning echoed in my mind. "Remember, Rhys, Talia's a snake. Has been always will be," she said.I nodded, determination etched on my face. "I'll be careful," I said.Yara's eyes narrowed. "Careful isn't enough
Rhys's PovI was left all alone at home. I paced through the darkness of my bedroom with bottles of Alcohol in both hands.Mara's note echoed in my mind. "I thought our love was stronger.""I thought you loved me." "I was wrong."Talia's words sliced through my haze. "Rhys, I'm here for you."Her hand touched my shoulder. I shrugged it off. "Leave me alone, Talia," I screamed at her."Rhys, please—""Get out!" I roared.Talia's eyes widened. "Rhys, I just want to help.""Help?" I sneered. "You've done enough."My anger boiled over. "You and your games, Your lies, Your manipulations."Talia stepped back. "Rhys, I'm sorry—""Sorry?" I laughed harshly. "Sorry isn't enough."I stood, swaying. The room spun.Talia's face blurred."Get out," I repeated. My voice cracked.Talia hesitated. Then turned and ran.The door slammed shut, I collapsed onto the couch.Whiskey spilled from my hand. Mara's face haunted me. Her smile, Her laughter, Her tears.My regret suffocated me. Why hadn't I told h
Rhys povI couldn't shake off the feeling that Talia was involved in Mara's disappearance.Her manipulations knew no bounds. But what if she'd played me from the start?A sudden memory flashed in my mind.How Talia had approached me with Her offer."I can work as a double spy for you and Giovanni," she'd said."I'll feed him false information while keeping you informed."Her expression was somber. "I have something to tell you, Rhys," she'd said."About Giovanni?" I prompted.Talia nodded. "And my involvement," she saidI gestured for her to continue."It all started months ago," Talia began. "Giovanni approached me, charming and persuasive, He promised me wealth, status, and power.""And you believed him?" I asked.Talia's eyes dropped. "I did. I thought he could offer me more than you could, Rhys."More than I could? The words stung."But then I realized..." Talia's voice trailed off."Realized what?" I asked."That I was just a tool," Talia said, her voice barely above a whisper."
Rhys POVI pulled into the driveway, exhausted from the trip.Finally home, finally, I'll be able to make things right with Mara.But as I entered the house, a sense of unease crept in within me."Mara?" I called out. But there was no answer, I frowned.Where was she? Where could she be by this time?I searched the house but I couldn't find her.'Maybe she wasn't home, or maybe she must have gone to her friend's place' I thought.But Mara wasn't the type to leave the house without letting anyone know.I checked our bedroom, and there was no sign of Mara and to my greatest shock, Her luggage was gone.A shiver ran down my spine. "Mara?" I called again, louder this time.But only silence replied. Panic set in.No! She wouldn't leave, Not like this, Not without talking to me.Fear gripped my heart. Where was she? Was she safe? Where could she be? The orphanage?The questions consumed my mind. I grabbed my phone and dialed Mara's number.Voicemail, Again, And again. I was so scared that p