Alison's POV“I hope you understand now why you don’t belong here,” Hayley’s sharp voice sliced through the haze of despair that clouded my mind as she turned to Simone. “That witch you saw? Alora. She’s your fourth-generation ancestor, the one who betrayed our kind. Her blood runs in your veins.”My breath caught, and the weight of her words settled on me like a leaden shroud. Alora was Simon’s ancestor? A traitor? Could this be true?Hayley continued, her tone unrelenting, “Because of her, you’re not allowed a step closer to the coven’s cave. If you do, you will die.”The bluntness of her words knocked the air out of my lungs. Die? My pulse quickened, and I instinctively took a step forward shielding Simone. My voice came out hoarse and uncertain, “Why? Why would she die for the sins of an ancestor?”Before she could answer, Maliya interjected, her voice softer but no less firm. “As for you, Alison, Mother Eliza has been expecting you. Follow us.”I glanced at Simone, my ches
Alison's POVThe tires crunched against the gravel as we drove out of the Valley of Skulls, the dark landscape shrinking into the rearview mirror. The silence between Simone and me was heavy, like the weight of an unspoken confession. My fingers gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, knuckles turning white.I exhaled sharply, breaking the quiet. “I can’t get her words out of my head.”Simone shifted in her seat, her brows knitting together. “Mother Eliza?” she asked, her voice soft yet wary, like she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer.“Yeah,” I muttered. “She said you’d know where to find the white sage. That’s supposed to be the first step. But how the hell are we supposed to find something we haven't seen before?”Simone frowned, staring out the window like the answer might be written in the endless stretch of trees. “I’ve read about the white sage,” she said after a pause, her voice tinged with doubt. “But it hasn’t existed for decades, maybe centuries. How does
Alison's POV I practically fell into my bed the moment I walked into my room, the soft mattress enveloping me like an overdue hug. It had been two grueling days away from this sanctuary, and my body ached for rest. For a fleeting moment, I let my eyes flutter shut, breathing in the faint lavender scent clinging to my sheets. But rest wasn’t an option, was it? I opened my eyes, staring at the ceiling as Mother Eliza’s words echoed in my mind. “Are you willing to embrace your destiny?” How could I abandon my mission when everything, everyone, depended on me seeing this through? Sighing, I sat up and tossed my phone onto the nightstand. Maybe a cold bath would clear my head. Just a moment of peace, that’s all I needed. I padded to the bathroom, letting the cool water run over my hands before splashing my face. The icy sting was grounding, a stark reminder of the reality I couldn’t escape. And then my phone rang. I froze, my heart skipping a beat. A part of me hoped it was Simo
Alison's POVThe first light of dawn spilled into my room, pale and hesitant, as though even the sun wasn’t entirely sure about starting this day. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my half-packed bag, my thoughts as jumbled as its contents. My fingers hovered over the strap, but instead of securing it, I found myself gripping it tightly, the weight of everything settling over me like a suffocating fog.“Alison, are you ready?” Simone’s voice broke through the stillness, distant but grounding.“Almost,” I called back, though I hadn’t moved an inch.Simone had been up for hours, poring over her book of spells, her face illuminated by flickering candlelight in a way that made her look otherworldly. She was focused, determined. Meanwhile, I was stuck in my head, haunted by one name, Kendrick.I swallowed hard, my stomach churning as the thought of him gnawed at my mind. What role could he possibly play in this fight? He was part of my past, a painful one. What if finding him t
Alison's POVA sharp tap on my shoulder startled me awake. My eyes blinked open, adjusting to the dim light filtering through the car window. Simone’s face loomed above mine, her expression weary but steady. “We’re here,” she said softly, her voice tinged with something I couldn’t quite place, maybe excitement or nervousnessI straightened in my seat, trying to shake off the grogginess. My head throbbed faintly from lack of sleep, a reminder of the restless night before. Anxiety had gripped me so tightly that sleep had felt impossible. Now, staring out at the bustling scene before me, I wasn’t sure if staying awake all night had been such a bad idea.The city was alive with movement. People, werewolves, I reminded myself, milled about, their conversations blending into a chaotic hum. Children darted between stalls while adults bartered with merchants, the scent of spices and leather heavy in the air. It felt… surreal, like stepping into a world I had no place in.“Which territory
Alison's POVThe first thing I noticed was the smudge. A greasy smear of something foul pressed against the window, just inches from my face. And then I saw him, a man, if you could even call him that. His face was gaunt, caked in dirt, with a wild look in his bloodshot eyes. His lips twisted into a sick grin, revealing jagged, broken teeth, and I couldn’t stop the scream that tore from my throat as I jerked back in my seat.Simone flinched beside me, her book of spells slipping from her lap and hitting the floor with a thud. The man didn’t react to my scream, only pressed his face closer to the glass, his breath fogging the window.“What the hell is he doing?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.The man raised a hand, his fingers claw-like, and made a beckoning gesture. He wanted us to get out.“No,” the driver said sharply, his hands gripping the steering wheel as if it could somehow shield him from the chaos outside. “Don’t get out. Stay in the
Alison's POVSitting in what could only be described as a rogue’s version of a castle, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t real. The grand stone walls, lined with banners in faded colors, loomed over us. The room had an oppressive air, cold and hollow despite the flickering torches casting shadows on the walls. How in the world had Kendrick… Kendrick of all people become the King of the Rogues?My mind raced, flashing back to a time when Kendrick was the Alpha of Silver Moon Pack. He had made me feel little of myself, rejected me and crushed my feelings, he only desired me when Xander came along. The version of him I knew seemed to have doubled, replaced by the man who now owned so much darkness in such dangerous city. The thought made my stomach churn.Simone sat beside me, silent but tense, her gaze darting around the room like she expected a trap to spring at any moment. My own nerves were stretched taut, but I tried to mask it with forced calmness.“Stay calm, Aliso
Alison's POVI clenched the pouch holding the White Sage tightly in my hand, its faint, earthy aroma barely calming the chaos in my mind. The mission was almost complete, we could leave this cursed city but I couldn’t shake the feeling that walking away now meant we were doomed. The second criteria for dispelling Priya’s magic was here, in this very place, in the form of the cold and unyielding man who had once been a part of my life. Kendrick.I turned to Bruce, the old rogue seer who had escorted us out. His hunched posture and scraggly gray beard made him look frail, but his piercing gaze said otherwise.“Bruce, I need to see him again,” I blurted out, desperation clawing at my voice.The old man recoiled slightly. “No,” he said, his tone firm. “Kendrick won’t see you again. You’ve already pushed your luck once. If I bring you to him, I’ll lose my head and trust me, I rather enjoy keeping it where it is.”“Please,” I begged, stepping closer, my voice trembling. “My pack is on
Alison’s POVThe garden had always been my little sanctuary.I sat beneath the shade of the old flowering tree, its blossoms heavy with color, the sweet fragrance dancing lazily in the evening breeze. The sun hung low in the sky, painting streaks of orange and gold across the heavens, while the soft rustle of leaves filled the silence.I let out a gentle sigh, one hand absently cradling my now-round stomach, the other bringing a snack to my lips. Little sweet biscuits.. my latest craving. The soft crunch was comforting, the simple pleasure grounding in a world that had been nothing but chaos and blood not too long ago.For a while, I just sat there, watching the blooms sway and the little insects that busied themselves among them. These were flowers I had nurtured myself… tiny, fragile things that somehow clung to life and bloomed despite the odds. A little like me, I thought with a small smile.But then…That feeling again.The prickling on the back of my neck.The weight of invisibl
Xander’s Point of ViewThe moment Alison’s body collapsed into my arms, my heart lurched violently inside my chest. “Alison!!” I shouted, the sound more a guttural, desperate growl than a word. I scooped her up without hesitation, her head lolling against my shoulder, her skin pale and cold.Panic gripped me like a vice.“Get the physician! Now!” I barked at one of the nearby omegas, my voice rough and sharp.I didn’t wait. I carried her up the stairs, my steps uneven thanks to my injured leg, but there was no force in this world that could keep me from her side. I laid her gently on our bed, brushing hair away from her face, my fingers trembling.“Alison, come on baby… open your eyes for me.” I spoke in a broken whisper.Within moments, the physician arrived, his scent familiar, his face lined with age and wisdom. Before he could even get close, I rounded on him.“What’s wrong with her? What's happening he suddenly collasped?!”“Xander,” my mother’s voice cut through the haze of my p
Alison's POVThe sky was blushing with shades of amber and gold as we reached the Nightfang border. The forest smelled different, cleaner, sweeter somehow. The war was over, and for the first time in what felt like forever, peace hung thick in the air. I felt Simone’s arms squeeze me in a final hug as we approached the edge of Crimson Pack territory.“I’ll be fine from here,” Simone promised, forcing a smile, though her eyes glistened. “You saved us, Ali… go home you need to rest.”I swallowed hard, nodding, my throat tight. “I’ll come see you soon.”“Promise?”“Promise. Tell my father I'd come by later”And with that, she turned and disappeared into the trees.By the time Xander and I made it to the Nightfang courtyard, dusk had started creeping in. The warm orange glow settled over the stone walls and the scent of the pack filled my lungs. Familiar… comforting… mine.Elders, pack members, and Xander’s mother, Katherine, were already gathered, their faces breaking into joy the second
Alison POV“Xander?”The name left my lips in a whisper, barely carried by the cold night air. I stood there, my white fur matted with blood and earth, my chest heaving after the final clash beneath the cursed red moon. The sky was clearing now… the eerie crimson glow fading back to its rightful silver. I should have felt victorious. I should have felt alive.But all I felt was dread.The world around me was too quiet. The earth no longer trembled, the cries of the damned had faded into suffocating silence. I lifted my head, my ears twitching, desperately searching for the familiar voices for them. For Xander. For Simone. But the forest was empty, and the only thing that brushed against me was the cold wind.Where are they?Mother Eliza had promised. Victory will spare them. That was her exact fucking promise. She said the evil witch’s curse would break with the witch’s fall. I had shattered the monster's heart with my own claws, I felt the magic unravel. So why… why wasn’t I hearing
Alison’s POV "I refuse to die like this… not today, not like this.” I thought it was the end. I braced myself, teeth clenched, heart hammering so loud I could hear it echo in my ears. The witch’s spell, an ominous swirl of darkness and crackling green light, shot toward me like a bullet from hell itself. I shut my eyes so tight they hurt, waiting for the searing pain to tear through me. But it never came. Everything around me… froze. I mean literally… frozen. The howling wind stopped mid-scream, the leaves hung motionless in the air like trapped confetti, and the cursed magic hovered right in front of me, suspended like some twisted work of art. My pulse thundered in my ears as I cracked open one eye, then the other, slowly taking in this eerie, impossible sight. “What the…?” I gasped, my voice trembling and shaky. A sudden warmth, gentle but firm, filled the air around me. Then came a voice I hadn’t heard in what felt like forever… soft, familiar… maternal. “Alison, use your
Alison’s POV"I don’t have a goddamn choice, do I?"The words slipped from my lips like a broken prayer, hanging in the cold, cursed air around me. I stood at the ragged edge of that dark, twisted forest a place that reeked of death and old magic, where even the moonlight was too afraid to fall.Behind me, the world I knew was unraveling.I turned, my throat burning, and let my eyes fall on them. Xander, lying there, so pale it hurt to look at him. His chest barely rose, his lips bluish. And beside him, Simone… barely alive, a wisp of breath between her lips, her skin almost translucent in the fading light. My heart shattered, a million jagged pieces tearing at my insides.“I’m sorry Xander! Simone!,” I whispered, the words trembling as they left me. “I swear to you both… I’ll fix this. I’ll make it right… or I’ll die trying.”My chest heaved, but I forced my feet forward, into the cursed forest.Every step I took felt like walking deeper into a grave. The air grew thick, heavy with s
Alison’s POVAs time passed minute by minute I couldn’t hear anything anymore. Not the ticking of time, not Simone’s footsteps circling endlessly, not even my own heartbeat.All I could hear was silence… and the weight of failure.Xander’s head lay on my lap, his face pale, body limp, chest rising and falling in irregular shudders. His once steady heartbeat now thumped like a fading drum. I gently brushed the hair from his forehead, my hands trembling. How could he have done this for me? For all of us?I bowed over him, a tear splashing onto his cheek. “Please,” I whispered. “You can’t die, not now. Not like this.”I looked up, only to see Simone pacing like a trapped animal. Her eyes were wide, frantic, as she pressed her palms against the invisible barrier again and again, trying to push through. Nothing worked. The ancient spellbook… our only hope was lying just inches beyond the boundary. So close. Yet unreachable.Her voice cracked. “Dammit!” she screamed, slamming her fists agai
Alison's POV"No!"It was all I could scream. Just one word. One desperate, gut-wrenching, soul-tearing scream that tore from the deepest part of me. Because right in front of me, Xander had done the unthinkable. The unimaginable.He had thrown himself in front of the witch’s curse.One second, I was standing there, trying to gather my wits, watching the cursed energy coil around her fingers like smoke from hell and the next, Xander had shoved me back and taken the hit meant for me.The sound that came out of him wasn’t human. His body convulsed violently, jerking like a puppet with its strings slashed. The blast hit him dead in the chest, and he fell with a sickening thud onto the dirt-covered ground.“XANDER!” I screamed, dropping to my knees beside him. My voice cracked from the sheer agony tearing at my insides.His eyes were wide open, but they were... blank. Hollow. Like the spark of him had been pulled from his soul. His body trembled, every inch of it twitching in jerks that m
Xander’s POV“She’s breathing… right? Tell me she’s breathing.”I could barely move, my limbs were trembling, my chest tight with exhaustion and panic, but I didn’t care. I dragged myself forward, forcing every muscle in my body to function as if my very existence depended on it, because it did. Alison lay there, still as death, her chest unmoving, her skin pale, and it felt like my world was being ripped apart right in front of me.“Alison,” I whispered, crawling to her. “Baby… come on, wake up. Please.”Her head was tilted to the side, her lips parted slightly, her face bruised from the force of her fall. My heart cracked open. My voice cracked harder.I didn't even realize I was crying until a tear slid down her cheek… no, my tear… my agony transferred onto her skin.Simone appeared at my side, blood dripping from her nose and the edges of her mouth. She looked just as wrecked as I felt, maybe even more. Her hands trembled as she rummaged through her pack. She pulled out a small gr