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Leila is about to reply when she gets a mindlink from Tatum and she looks away from Antonio to the cars driving past the window outside as she hears Tatum’s voice. For some reason, she doesn’t want Tatum to see her mysterious second chance mate.‘I was told you came by the office, I’m there now.’‘I’ll be on my way,’ Leila replies and drops the mindlink, turning back to face Antonio but he’s gone and in place of him is a note on the table.[I’ll see you soon, kitten. Antonio.]Leila picks up the note and gazes around but there is absolutely no sign of him and she smiles.There is something about Antonio that scares and excites her at the same time. She puts his note in her purse and heads to Tatum’s office.The moment Tatum hears Leila coming, he pulls open the drawer on his table, frantically putting away the drugs he just took and tosses the syringes into the trash can, simultaneously increasing the blow rate on his air freshener to hide any smell of medicine that may linger in the
“Thank you,” Leila replies. She did not expect him to agree so easily. There is a reason wraith-kons don’t live within a pack, they are rumoured to bring death and destruction with them, wherever they go. Tatum should be aware of this, he’s the first person who told her about wraith-kons even before she found out her grandmother was one but he doesn’t seem to care about that. Does she tell him about the curse on Amara? She doesn’t want him anywhere near her anymore, right? But she is still his child and he is an Alpha, he may have connections to someone who might be able to help as well. “Would that be all?” Tatum’s curt voice snap her attention back to him. “Yes,” Leila replies, noticing the way his eyes are completely stoic and unreadable and his demeanour is cold. Why does that bother her? How long has it been since he found out they were mates? Has it been a while or did he just find out when she returned? He is getting ready to marry Carmela, he should be talking of rejec
“Sister, huh?” Leila whispers to Kelvin as she ushers them inside.Kelvin glances at her and the guilt in his eyes tug something in Leila’s heart.Could this Tatiana be the reason Kelvin has been scarce around her for some days now? Does he like Tatiana? She’s the first lady she has seen Kelvin with in a long time and he even brought Tatiana to her house.“Make yourself comfortable, just want to have a quick chat with Leila,” Kelvin sits Tatiana on the couch and gestures for Leila to come with him.“I know this is going to sound crazy but–”“You’re seeing her?”Leila cannot stop herself from asking, watching Kelvin’s eyes carefully.“What? No, yes, I mean, look–” Kelvin pauses and heaves a deep sigh. “She has witch blood.”He glances at Tatiana from over the counter before he turns back to Leila and Leila does not miss the admiration in his eyes. “She’s one of the new employees in my firm, we’ve had a few drinks, nothing serious but today over lunch, I was quite distracted because
Tatiana keeps her head down. “I dare not stray from your cause brother, I could never be lost, I remain devout to your purposes.” Antonio scoffs. “Get out,” he orders the woman on the bed and she scampers for her clothes, running out of the room faster than her legs can carry her. Antonio slowly walks towards Tatiana and as he does so, his naked body is slowly covered with clothes that grow out of his skin and by the time he gets to her, he is fully clothed in white silk trousers and long sleeve shirt. He extracts his claw and pinches under Tatiana’s chin, drawing blood as he lifts her face up to look into her eyes. “You say you are not lost? You call me a liar?” Tatiana swallows in trepidation, a chill runs down her spine from the low yet threatening tone of his voice and she shudders, the pain in her chin feeling non-existent, nothing compared to the fear that seizes her heart. Words are to be watched around her brother, his temper is something no leash can hold, only the be
In captivity, she fell in love with the king and they had him and Tatiana but then his mother killed the king in his sleep and then took her life when Antonio was only three years old and Tatiana, six months old.Naturally, the eldest brother took over and became the Lycan king and visiting the sins of the mother upon the children, Antonio and Tatiana were ostracised and exiled from the family by their brother.Their mother, Agatha, before her death was the first daughter of the wraith-kons and they took them in.Tatiana’s magic first manifested when she was two and it became certain that she would inherit her mother’s magic but Antonio had no sign of magic as was expected.However, he studied every mystic and dark art, knew every spell, every charm, every incantation by heart and even though he had no magic himself, he had far more knowledge on sorcery than anyone that had ever existed.It came as a shock to no one when he turned fifteen and shifted into his Lycan that he offered to
Leila stares sullenly at Amara’s sleeping body, sitting beside Amara on the bed. Whatever Tatiana did seems to be working, the colour is gradually returning to Amara’s body and her breathing is not as silent and shallow as before.Tatiana only touched Amara, she didn’t utter a word or use any items for a spell and yet she did something a pack witch could not do. For someone who claims she only just discovered she has witch blood, she seems to be very strong.“Uncle Alpha, why doesn’t mama like you?” Amara mutters in her sleep.It is the first time she is saying anything since she came down with the curse.“Amara, baby,” Leila says, her eyes coating with tears, her heart flooding with relief.She leans closer and holds Amara’s hand but then the strangest thing happens. Immediately Leila touches Amara, she is pulled in by a strong magical force, she sucks in a sharp breath, throwing her head up and her eyes change from their natural blue colour covered by a glowing golden hue and she i
Celina hands Amara to Liana. “Go with your grandma and have something to eat, you and I will catch up later.” Liana and Celina share a knowing look and Liana takes Amara away, leaving the two other women the space to talk. “There is no easy way to say this, so I will say it the only way it can be said. Your child is not supposed to exist. She goes against the very laws of nature, an abomination most would consider her to be, an anomaly they would call her but what she is special, rare and divine,” Celina says as she sits on the floor, crossing her legs in front of her and she gestures with her head for Leila to join her on the floor. Leila looks at her, completely confused, a bit upset and a little surprised. Why call her daughter an abomination and then call her divine? “I don’t understand what you mean, I know she is different, I’ve seen the signs but you make it sound like—” “I make it sound like the truth. Since the beginning of time, the gods have been in charge of the worl
Lelia watches with curiosity and close attention as Celina dips Amara’s unconscious body into the half filled bathtub that contains water and some special herbs Celina got herself from the nearby woods.“Your hand,” Celina says, taking Leila’s hand, holds it over the tub and she slices it with a curved dagger allowing the blood to flow into the water.She waves her hand over Leila’s wound and it immediately seals up and then, she slices her own hand over the water.“With your werewolf blood and my witch blood, her magic will be suppressed for a time,” Celina says and she begins to chant.Leila watches with bated breath and a racing heart as the water in the tub slowly becomes red, like the drops of blood in it and Amara’s eyes fly open, still in her unconscious state. The water begins to steam and dry up and Amara yells in pain when Leila hears something snap.She grits her teeth, purses her lips, clenches her fist her side and tears pour down her eyes in pain for her daughter’s sake.
The palace glows under the Blood Moon, its light bathes the open-air pavilion where the ceremony unfolds in an ashen hue. It's a few months after the twins’ birth, and Tatum and Leila are hosting the sacred rite for mateless wolves to seek their fated bonds. Flames from torches dance, casting shadows on tables laden with roasted boar, honeyed fruits, and spiced wine. Wolves from every pack fraternize, their laughter and murmurs braid with the pulse of drums and fiddles. The air twinges with anticipation—some are here to seek love, others quest for destiny, all drawn by the moon’s primal pull. Banners of silver and red flutter above, embroidered with crescent moons, and the scent of pine and wildflowers lingers, a tribute to the wild heart of the kingdom. Amara perches on a stone bench near the dance floor, her eyes bright with mischief. Beside her, Amanda leans in, her auburn curls bouncing as she points at a Luna in a garish yellow gown. “Look at that,” Amanda whispers, smi
It is four years after the coronation, the palace murmurs with life, its stone corridors softened by laughter and sunlight. The scars of Antonio’s cruel reign has faded, replaced by scenic blooms of oaks and phoenix flames. In a sunlit hallway, Amara, now ten, sprints after a giggling three-year-old boy, her dark hair bouncing in a loose braid. The boy, Kael, is Kelvin and Tatiana’s son, visiting for the holiday with his parents. His tiny legs pump furiously, a mischievous grin lighting his face as he dodges Amara’s outstretched hands.“Get back here, you little tornado!” Amara calls, her voice equal parts exasperation and amusement. Kael squeals, darting around a corner, his curls bouncing. He’s fast for his age, but Amara’s longer strides close the gap. She lunges, and scoops him up before he dives into one of the many hiding places in the house behind a groove in the wall. Amara tosses him into the air with a flourish. Kael shrieks with delight, arms wide open like a bird, the
The palace of lies quiet, the firebrands dimmed after the coronation’s fervor the night before. Moonlight spills through the arched windows of the royal chambers, bathing the room in silver. A fire that's been running now smolders in the hearth, casting shadows that dance across the cloistered room. The revelry—cheers, music, oaths—has faded, leaving only Leila and Tatum, alone at last.Leila stands by the window, her sapphire gown replaced by a simple linen nightwear that flatters her generous hips and ample bosom, her hair loose in dark waves. The weight of the crown lingers, though it rests on a velvet cushion across the room. She gazes at the stars, their light a reminder of battles they've won and promises yet to keep. Tatum approaches her, his footsteps soft on the rug. He’s shed his regal mantle, wearing only a loose tunic and trousers, his silver-gray eyes warm in the firelight.“You’re quiet,” he says, his voice a mere whisper as he wraps his arms around her from behind.
The great hall of the palace is agog with a celebration. The marble pillars draped in banners of silver and gold. Weeks after Antonio’s fall, the kingdom gathers for a coronation. The air is alive with hope. Crystal chandeliers cast prisms across the mosaic floor, where roses—white for peace, red for sacrifice—form a path to the twin thrones. Nobles in velvet and commoners in their finest pack the hall, their faces bright with belief in a future minus Antonio and his tyranny. Musicians weave an orchestra of harps and flutes, and incense curls upward from holders, sweet and solemn. Today, Tatum and Leila are crowned regent king and queen, stewards of the throne until Amara, the destined Lycan Queen, comes of age. Leila stands radiant in a gown of sapphire silk, her dark hair woven with pearls, and the Phoenix Luna’s aura is a faint shimmer around her where she stands beside her husband. Tatum wears a mantle of black and silver, his presence steady as stone. Amara who is clad
The crowd's cries for Antonio’s death is a deafening roar. But Antonio rises, his crown askew, tilting to the side, a parody of its glory, his lycan blood burning in his veins. His eyes are wild with defiance, locked onto Tatum. “Enough!” he bellows, silencing the throng. “I demand a wolf duel, one on one, Tatum. To the death.” His voice tremors with menace. “If I win, you, Leila, Amara—all rebels—will die for treason. If I lose, well…” He smirks, baring bone-white, elongated canines. “I won’t.”As a lycan, Antonio towers even in human form, his bulging muscles are a testament to his legendary strength, his wolf form a beast of nightmare. The duel will favor him, for he is a predator born to crush his enemies with every fatal blow he delivers. Leo steps forward, knuckles clenched to cracking whiteness. “No,” he growls. “He’s cornered. We outnumber him, and without his magic, he’s done. Let’s end this now.” Ragna nods in agreement, the scars gleam on his knuckles, ready to charge o
The plaza hums with apprehension, both of the crowd and those of the faction that now rises against Antonio's tyranny. Alpha Leo’s words hang in the air, a challenge to King Antonio’s reign. The king’s face darkens, his crown glinting like a warning as everyone watches. “You dare betray me?” he snarls, turning to the other Alphas—towering figures clad in furs and steel, their eyes gleaming with lupine intensity. “You dare to defy me?” The crowd quiets, the air tight with impending violence. Antonio struts, eyes like firebrands, his shoes picking off prints from the blood left by Camela earlier. “Alphas, end Leo and Tatum. Now!” he commands again. Stillness descends in the crowd. But the Alphas—Ragna, Soren, and Veyra—stand unmoved, their faces look like they're carved from stone. Ragna, broadest of the three, steps beside Leo, his voice a low growl. “No, Antonio. Your tyranny ends here.” Soren and Veyra nod, their silence louder than any shout. The crowd murmurs, shock rip
The fall of Carmela lingers but a new dread takes root as Leila rushes through the crowd, hurling herself towards the stage where Amara stands, her small frame dwarfed by that of Antonio. Tatum follows behind her, his face red with fury, his eyes shot with pumping membranes. The crowd parts, clearing the way for the couple as sparks of whispers trail them. “Antonio!” Leila’s voice cuts through the silence, sharp as a blade. “You cannot marry our daughter!” Behind them, a flurry of murmurings animate the crowd, speculations fly, questions too. Tatum steps forward as guards inch around the king. “She's not yours to claim,” Tatum barks, “And you know why.” Antonio's eyes narrow with piercing sharpness at the couple. He knows. Leila feels it in her bones. He now knows. She is the Phoenix Luna. Amara, their daughter, carries the same fire, destined to rise as the kingdom’s next ruler. By binding her to him, Antonio seeks to snuff that destiny, to chain the Phoenix’s lineage to h
The Grand plaza glitters under the midday sun as Carmela steps out of a silken pavilion, a gorgeous sight that hushes even the worst cynics. Her gown, woven of lace and pearls and sequins, clings to her frame, before fanning into a train that drifts like mist behind her. A diamond studded veil shimmers over her face, and gold threads gleam in her hair. Arches swathed in white silk and roses tower over the wedding altar, where dozens of blossoms—crimson, ivory, gold—spill and waver like a fragrant tide, matching Carmela’s aura. The event that has had everyone wagging their tongues wagging across the kingdom for months is finally here. Cheers and applause erupt from the crowd as she glides with a queen's grace across the raised stage. As she floats down the steps, whispers trail her—some name her divine, the chosen queen. “Look at her,” Leila muses loud enough for Tatum to hear. “If I never saw a snake in a dress. I do now.” “Apt,” Tatum says through a smile as painful as Leila's
“No he’s not,” Leila snarls at him, her heart burning with rage, her eyes clothed with vengeance, “whatever you have done to him, undo it, now!” “Done to him? I said Tatum’s dead woman, nothing can be done to a dead man. This one here is just my faithful loyal guard dog,” Leo snaps his fingers twice and the man walks over to his side, silent and submissive. Leila’s heart boils with a fervent anger. She knows deep down in her heart that this is her husband, the man she has loved for years. Is he now completely under Leo’s control? Why is everything about him transformed with the exception of his face and voice and if he really is completely under Leo’s influence, then why did he save her, not once but twice. “Tatum, you’re not his dog,” tears stream out of Leila’s eyes, her heart clenching with unimaginable pain. “You’re the most powerful Alpha in the realm, Alpha of the Blood Oak pack, my Alpha, my husband…do you really not recognize your sweet pea anymore?” The man’s eyes snap to