Rune's POVโHer name is Nadia, she prefers to be called Nyx.โโWhere do I find this Nyx?โ I asked Carmila.โThat I do not know, but one thing I do know is that your answer would be with Lucas.โI felt my skin run cold as she mentioned that name.Lucas again!โHow do you know this Lucas?โ I asked her, โspeak, speak up!โโYou bear the scrying crystal in your hand, I know everything that you will, have, or are going through, just be quick with it,โ she said to me.โIt is my fault, the rowan worked in the least way that I expected it to. Do what you have to do and do it quickly.โI was enraged.โThe audacity to spy on me!โ I yelled.Enraged, I stood.โI have all that I need, I will send my regards to you through Nyx, just be patient with me,โ I said with a wink.โNow!โ I said, โto complete my part, my own end of the bargain.โโWait, how do I get out of this shit hole?โ I asked her.She made to speak when I interrupted her, โnever mind, I was going to blow this place up anyway.โ"Ardor ign
Xavier's POVA lot ran through my mind as I went forward.That had better be Rune, I was so excited to see him.I wanted to see him.I wanted to apologize, that was if he would even listen to me to begin with.That was a very horrid way to have treated one who had been with me for centuries.But I wished that I knew how to convey all of these emotions to him.I did not need him to forgive me, I just wanted him to know.I would gladly take his unforgiveness as my punishment.โBut what was he doing back here? He had been gone a long time, and suddenly he was back at the manor!โโRune?โ I called out as I walked to the hallway where I thought I heard him walk into.I kept walking on, and I followed the sounds I was hearing until I found myself all the way back to the throne room.โHello!!โ I called out.โAre you certain that you saw Rune?โ Ozed asked me.I was certain, that was Rune, I could smell him.He might have changed, after all, he had been through a lot.It was the least thing tha
Nikolai's POV.I was infuriated already by her constant nagging.How could anyone stand her?I was not ready for all this especially when I knew the end point.Whatever it was that Lucas had planned for her, he should do it quickly and get it over with.I was ready to leave and I was done with this whole deal.If finding a way to get Lyra alone, sacrificing her was the only way out, I was ready and I was not looking back at that decision.Lucas had done enough damage already and I was sick and tired of it all.I was not a person who listened to his conscience, I never believed that I had one.It was either conscience did not exist, I mean it could be some sort of explanation as to why people do what they do, but it did not just exist with me.It was either that or mine was dumb and always silent.Cursed to watch me do the things that I do ok on a daily basis with no avenue or way to reach out to me, with no way to commend me ok the positive things that I do or choose me for the negati
Nikolai's POVโYou had better start talking!โ Lyra said as she opened the door to her closet.It was a close call.She had been a good host to me all this while.Either she knew what she was up against and didnโt care, or she was just foolish to help me. Whatever the case, I was grateful.Luca came inside and saw me.I pleaded with him to spare my life. โWhat the hell do you want from me? Iโm done with this,โ I said.โIโm tired of your control and reign of terror. Have you done enough by taking my sister too?โโJust leave me alone. You have a lot of people under you, yet you cling to me like a plague.โHe chuckled. โAnd there he goes, the little pup has begun to grow teeth and thinks itโs okay to nip at the elder wolf! The audacity,โ he said, walking closer to the window.โYou know Lyra is a lovely wolf,โ he said. I knew he was watching her from the window. My heart skipped a beat.โDo what you want with me, but leave Lyra out of this.โโReally?โ He laughed. โYou think this is about
Xavier's POVI needed to handle this matter wisely. Something was going on, and I had to get to the bottom of it. Rune had become audacious. I knew he was bold, but today felt different. He was embittered, fueled by every negative energy I could think of. This wasnโt the Rune who stood for the right things.I had no one to blame but myself. I left him to whatever had changed him. โLyra was right,โ I sighed. I needed to know what was wrong with Rune and, most importantly, if the one I held in my hands was truly him. This was a serious debate in my mind. Certain signs made me believe this was Rune, while others made me doubt. He had knowledge no one else could have about me. He was my right-hand man for a reason, privy to my deepest fears. He was a magic user, and the spells he cast were ones I had seen him use before. But the fact that he couldnโt heal as quickly as usual threw me off. He was a wolf, after all.โWhy do I even bother?โ I groaned. โJust donโt let him die. Whoever he
Xavier's POVThane quickly noticed my sour mood. โDo not mind meโฆโ I began, but the sounds returned, and this time I was sure something else was in the room with us. I turned to check on Rune and saw he was still asleep. I followed the movement behind the headrest. It was fastโdefinitely not a rat; they wouldnโt survive long in this meticulously clean manor.The sound moved to the closet. I opened the door and found itโRune's grimoire. โYou sneaky tome!โ I chuckled, mentally exhausted. I fell back onto the bed, trying to catch my breath.โWaitโฆโ A bright idea struck me. We didnโt actually need Lyra; I just needed the grimoire.โYour master is sick and not himself,โ I told it. The book pulsed with a glow, responding, but I couldnโt understand its message.โYeah, yeah,โ I muttered, still unsure how to communicate. The one who could explain everything was unconscious, and I couldnโt risk waking him without facing repercussions.The grimoire pulsed again. I tore open the bag containin
Rune's POVI had been through hell and back, and today felt like the worst of it. I was certain this was the least that could happen to me.I opened my eyes to see Xavier looming over me, his face a mix of concern and confusion. He was calling my name repeatedly, but I was just as lost as I had been moments ago. Where was I? What was happening?As my surroundings came into focus, I realized I was in Kayla's room. I struggled to piece together how I got there, my mind still foggy. Xavier's urgent voice was a constant in my ears, shaking me as if he could rattle the answers out of me.โRune,โ he called again, and I felt a surge of irritation. The pounding in my head was growing unbearable. Just as I was about to respond, an unexpected sneeze overtook me. It felt like a reset buttonโmy heart kicked back to life, and memories flooded my mind.โI remember trying to...โ I began, but the thoughts were jumbled, causing a splitting headache. I could barely differentiate between past and presen
Xavier's POVI had heard enough from Rune. I could have found ways to shut him up if this were not true and if he had not just been to hell and back. His explanations gave logical reasons for everything I experienced the very first day I came in contact with Lyra. It could also explain why Ozed was skeptical about me touching her that night and why I felt attracted to her.But there was a catch: if all that Rune had said were true, I was yet to see her as my mate. She was still with her exes, as far as I knew, and I did not want to ruin whatever we had going on between us. I trusted Rune, but this was a significant risk to take. But first, I needed to get to Lyra.He was still speaking when I felt something strange. Whatever it was, I could feel it, and it felt familiar. I needed to get to her.I impulsively entered the bushy road without consulting Rune. This was one of those times I fully trusted my instincts and whatever I felt.โYou feel that too?โ I asked.He responded in the a
Lyra's POVThe ground rumbled for a few seconds and opened wide, taking a large part of the rogues inside it. I saw Nikolai's corpse falling in too, but there was nothing that I could do.โWhere is he?โ I asked without wasting any more time.I turned back and ran, leading Rune to where Xavier lay.The remaining rogues who were there still ran after us, but they were the least of my problems.I just wanted Xavier alive and well.We got to where he was. โRune? Is that you?โ Xavier asked.โOf course, it is me,โ Rune called out to him, while his grimoire flew closely.โLyra, there is a spell here, but the ingredients and the time for this spell are impossible to get and prepare.โโWell, not for me, but given the time and the availability of these materials, I am sorry; there is nothing that we can do!โ he said to me.โDo something!โThe rogues had already caught up to us and were coming closer and closer.โHold!โ Rune said to me.โThat should be able to hold them.โ A protective form of li
Lyra's POVโYou bastard," I said, slapping him across the face. โYou did this. This is all your fault. After all that I have done for you, this is how you decide to pay me back?โโBy betraying me? I should take your life right here and now, and there would be nothing that would happen.โโDo that, please,โ he said, bleeding seriously from his shoulder; he was not healing.โThe poison has got to you badly, has it not?โ I asked him, and he shook his head.I thought he had healed from the poison Lucas injected him with, but I was wrong.That bastard strikes and wins again, with Nikolai.โAkira asked me to protect youโฆโI saw the shock in his eyes. โAnd that, I swear, I am going to do!โHe was teary; his eyes were saddled with regrets. I could see that he was willing to turn back the hands of time just to correct the mistakes he had made before.โThat is too late. There is nothing that you can do now. I am still holding on to tell you some things.โโEven if you figure something out, that w
Lyra's POVThere was something uncomfortable on my face. I was too weak to open my eyes, and for some reason, I felt oddly comfortable where I lay. I didnโt want to move a muscle, but the crawling sensation grew worse, becoming unbearable.I tried to brush whatever it was away with my hands, but it was no use. I had to open my eyes. My heart leapt when they finally came into contact with the green leaves hanging and swinging freely above me.The tingling sensation I felt was from a spider trying to weave a web on my face. I remembered why I was here.I could hear thunder and sizzling sounds nearby, and I knew something was happening. Random screams and shouts echoed around me. I realized people were getting hit, and the moment I thought of who might be on the receiving end, I summoned every last bit of strength I had to stand and fight.As I made my way through the bushes, I began to wonder who was fighting. โNikolai?โ I thought in disbelief. There was no way he could have done this.
Xavier's POVโHow?โ he said, laughing. โI do my study. Not everyone has to tell you everything,โ he added with a smirk.โItโs not every day you see a three-tailed wolf laying around at her initiation ceremony.โPity filled me as I recalled all the times I should have been there for her. But it was too late to turn back now. If I had one wish, it would be to go back and support her then.โOf course, I knew what that meant,โ he said, taking a step forward. โI and Lyra have history.โโRemember that one time you subjected me to the human realm, forcing me to live amongst them for over a century? Yes, that one time. I obeyed, and it turned out not to be as bad as I expected.โโIt was wonderful. She was one of the reasonsโI loved her dearly.โโShe didnโt give me a chance anyway, and my punishment was nearing its completion. I was going to make my move until you cut me off.โโI mean, you brought her back to meโฆโHe must have seen the confusion in my eyes. โOhโฆ I understand how confusing that
Xavier's POVI had heard enough from Rune. I could have found ways to shut him up if this were not true and if he had not just been to hell and back. His explanations gave logical reasons for everything I experienced the very first day I came in contact with Lyra. It could also explain why Ozed was skeptical about me touching her that night and why I felt attracted to her.But there was a catch: if all that Rune had said were true, I was yet to see her as my mate. She was still with her exes, as far as I knew, and I did not want to ruin whatever we had going on between us. I trusted Rune, but this was a significant risk to take. But first, I needed to get to Lyra.He was still speaking when I felt something strange. Whatever it was, I could feel it, and it felt familiar. I needed to get to her.I impulsively entered the bushy road without consulting Rune. This was one of those times I fully trusted my instincts and whatever I felt.โYou feel that too?โ I asked.He responded in the a
Rune's POVI had been through hell and back, and today felt like the worst of it. I was certain this was the least that could happen to me.I opened my eyes to see Xavier looming over me, his face a mix of concern and confusion. He was calling my name repeatedly, but I was just as lost as I had been moments ago. Where was I? What was happening?As my surroundings came into focus, I realized I was in Kayla's room. I struggled to piece together how I got there, my mind still foggy. Xavier's urgent voice was a constant in my ears, shaking me as if he could rattle the answers out of me.โRune,โ he called again, and I felt a surge of irritation. The pounding in my head was growing unbearable. Just as I was about to respond, an unexpected sneeze overtook me. It felt like a reset buttonโmy heart kicked back to life, and memories flooded my mind.โI remember trying to...โ I began, but the thoughts were jumbled, causing a splitting headache. I could barely differentiate between past and presen
Xavier's POVThane quickly noticed my sour mood. โDo not mind meโฆโ I began, but the sounds returned, and this time I was sure something else was in the room with us. I turned to check on Rune and saw he was still asleep. I followed the movement behind the headrest. It was fastโdefinitely not a rat; they wouldnโt survive long in this meticulously clean manor.The sound moved to the closet. I opened the door and found itโRune's grimoire. โYou sneaky tome!โ I chuckled, mentally exhausted. I fell back onto the bed, trying to catch my breath.โWaitโฆโ A bright idea struck me. We didnโt actually need Lyra; I just needed the grimoire.โYour master is sick and not himself,โ I told it. The book pulsed with a glow, responding, but I couldnโt understand its message.โYeah, yeah,โ I muttered, still unsure how to communicate. The one who could explain everything was unconscious, and I couldnโt risk waking him without facing repercussions.The grimoire pulsed again. I tore open the bag containin
Xavier's POVI needed to handle this matter wisely. Something was going on, and I had to get to the bottom of it. Rune had become audacious. I knew he was bold, but today felt different. He was embittered, fueled by every negative energy I could think of. This wasnโt the Rune who stood for the right things.I had no one to blame but myself. I left him to whatever had changed him. โLyra was right,โ I sighed. I needed to know what was wrong with Rune and, most importantly, if the one I held in my hands was truly him. This was a serious debate in my mind. Certain signs made me believe this was Rune, while others made me doubt. He had knowledge no one else could have about me. He was my right-hand man for a reason, privy to my deepest fears. He was a magic user, and the spells he cast were ones I had seen him use before. But the fact that he couldnโt heal as quickly as usual threw me off. He was a wolf, after all.โWhy do I even bother?โ I groaned. โJust donโt let him die. Whoever he
Nikolai's POVโYou had better start talking!โ Lyra said as she opened the door to her closet.It was a close call.She had been a good host to me all this while.Either she knew what she was up against and didnโt care, or she was just foolish to help me. Whatever the case, I was grateful.Luca came inside and saw me.I pleaded with him to spare my life. โWhat the hell do you want from me? Iโm done with this,โ I said.โIโm tired of your control and reign of terror. Have you done enough by taking my sister too?โโJust leave me alone. You have a lot of people under you, yet you cling to me like a plague.โHe chuckled. โAnd there he goes, the little pup has begun to grow teeth and thinks itโs okay to nip at the elder wolf! The audacity,โ he said, walking closer to the window.โYou know Lyra is a lovely wolf,โ he said. I knew he was watching her from the window. My heart skipped a beat.โDo what you want with me, but leave Lyra out of this.โโReally?โ He laughed. โYou think this is about