Alison’s POVThe ride back to the pack house was suffocatingly silent, broken only by the steady hum of the engine. Simone sat beside me, arms crossed and jaw clenched, radiating frustration like a storm ready to unleash. I leaned my head against the window, watching the dark forest blur past, but my mind was too tangled to appreciate the view. Kendrick’s offer replayed in my head like a twisted lullaby, mocking me with its impossible choices.“Are you really going to sit there and not say a damn thing?” Simone’s voice broke through the silence, sharp and accusing.I didn’t answer. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t have the words.She turned to me, her tone sharper now. “You’re not seriously considering his ridiculous demand, are you?”I glanced at her, my chest tightening at the concern in her eyes, but I stayed silent. What could I say? That I wasn’t sure? That a part of me was considering it?When I didn’t respond, Simone’s voice rose. “Don’t tell me you’re
Xander’s POVAlison lay nestled against my chest, her soft breathing the only sound filling the room. The darkness outside had draped itself over the pack house, quiet and still, but my thoughts were anything but peaceful. My fingers combed through her hair, the familiar texture soothing, but it wasn’t enough to chase away the unease gnawing at me.She hadn’t said much since she came home. Normally, Alison had this fire, her words were sharp, her laugh bold, her presence commanding. But tonight, she was a shadow of herself, her silence louder than any argument we’d ever had.I couldn’t take it anymore. “What’s wrong?”Her body tensed slightly, and she tilted her head up to look at me. “What do you mean?”I straightened, gently guiding her to sit up as well. Her reluctance to meet my gaze only fueled my suspicions. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were naturally this quiet. But you’re not. You’re never this quiet. Something happened, Ally. What’s going on?”She sighed
Xander’s POVThe emptiness was the first thing I noticed. The bed felt cold, her warmth missing, and it struck me immediately as I stirred awake. My hand instinctively reached out, grazing the cool sheets where Alison should have been.But I didn’t panic. Alison had a tendency to wake before me, always up with the sun, often in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared breakfast. I told myself it was one of those mornings, though the gnawing unease in my chest was harder to shake than usual.I swung my legs off the bed, running a hand through my tousled hair before heading to the bathroom. The mirror reflected someone who was trying too hard to convince himself everything was fine. “She’s probably downstairs,” I muttered, splashing water on my face as if the cold would snap me out of my rising apprehension.Once dressed, I made my way down the stairs, my ears tuned for any sign of her. The kitchen was my first stop, but it was empty, except for the faint smell of coffee lingeri
Xander’s POVThe room felt like it was closing in on me. Every word that left Simone’s mouth was like gasoline being poured onto an already roaring fire inside me. My hands curled into fists at my sides as she continued to narrate the events of their journey.“So, let me get this straight,” I growled, my voice low but dangerous. “You walked into the Ancient Rogue City, confronted Kendrick, who’s apparently now a damn king of Rogues and when you told him what Mother Eliza said, his response was to demand that Alison sever her bond with me?”Simone didn’t flinch at my tone. She met my glare with a steady gaze, but I could see the guilt lurking in her eyes. “Yes,” she replied simply.The word hit me like a punch to the gut. I could feel the blood pounding in my ears, the sound of my wolf snarling in the back of my mind. I took a step forward, my jaw clenched so tightly I thought my teeth might crack.“And you thought it was a good idea to tell me this now?” My voice rose, cutting through
Alison’s POVThe iron gates of the Ancient Rogue City loomed before me, taller and more menacing than I remembered. The cold metal reeked of blood and history, of battles fought and lost. My heart pounded as I stepped forward, forcing my voice to stay steady."I'm Alison," I announced, meeting the guard's piercing gaze. "Daughter of Alpha Gaius. Luna of The Night Fang Pack, I'm here to see the Rogue King, Kendrick."The guards didn’t hesitate. Without a single word, they pulled the massive chains, and with a deep, echoing groan, the gates swung open.I swallowed hard. He was expecting me.A shiver ran down my spine as two guards stepped forward, motioning for me to follow. The streets of the city were unlike anything I had ever seen, dark alleys with flickering torches, rogue wolves prowling in the shadows, eyes gleaming with suspicion and curiosity. The scent of damp earth and unwashed bodies filled the air, a stark contrast to the structured, disciplined world I had come from.
Kendrick’s POVThe sound of Alison’s desperate pleas echoed in my mind long after the guards had dragged her away. I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly, savoring the taste of her fear in the air.She would come around. They always did.With a flick of my wrist, I beckoned one of the guards forward. He approached swiftly, bowing his head in submission.“Your Imperial Order,” he said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.I tilted my head slightly, studying him. Loyalty, when built on fear, was fragile. It needed reinforcement.“Get me Bruce,” I commanded.The guard bowed again, then turned and disappeared down the dimly lit corridor. The silence that followed was heavy, thick with the weight of anticipation. I tapped my fingers on the armrest, my patience wearing thin.Minutes later, the door creaked open, and Bruce entered, his head already lowered in deference. His long black robes trailed behind him, the scent of ancient herbs clinging to the fabric. He was
Xander’s POVWaiting was never my strong suit.From the moment the sun had risen, I had been stuck on Alison’s balcony, watching as Alpha Gaius meticulously screened and selected the best warriors for our journey to the Ancient Rogue City. I understood the need for caution… hell, I even respected it but the endless deliberation, the way he took his damn time choosing his men as if we weren’t racing against the clock, was driving me insane.Every second wasted was another second Alison was alone with him.Kendrick.The name alone sent a surge of fury through me, making my grip tighten around the balcony railing. He was probably smirking right now, thinking he had won, that he had Alison where he wanted her. The thought of him even breathing near her made my blood boil.I checked the time on my phone. 12 noon.I clenched my jaw. At this rate, we wouldn’t leave until nightfall. And if I let them keep delaying? We’d end up going the next damn day. That was unacceptable.I couldn’
Alison’s POVThe dress was beautiful.Soft silk cascaded down my frame, the intricate embroidery shimmering under the dim candlelight. The fabric clung in all the right places, a masterpiece meant to accentuate, to allure. It should have made me feel elegant, powerful. But instead, it felt like a noose tightening around my throat.I stood before the mirror, staring at the reflection of a woman I barely recognized. Dressed in white, yet drowning in dread. Tonight, I was to be bound to Kendrick, a man I loathed with every fiber of my being.A man I once had a crush on.A bitter smile curled on my lips. It seemed laughable now, how I had once harbored a childish crush on him. Back then, he was the charming, mysterious and enigmatic Alpha that intrigued me, despite how he treated me. But now? Now, I saw him for what he truly was. A monster wrapped in silk. A snake disguised as a king.But how?How had Kendrick risen to power so quickly? It had barely been two years, and yet here h
Xander's POVThe training grounds came clearly into view as I stood by the edge of the gates. I watched Alison move with an eerie grace, her body a blur as she dodged and countered, each motion precise, calculated. But I knew she was pushing herself too hard. The Alison I had brought to Night Fang was calm, quiet and could barely defend herself. Not to sound horrible but I love that she could stand for herself but this burden? It was too much on her and my heart bled looking at her pushing herself beyond limits. Then I saw her lose grip and stumble back. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay still. My wolf raged within me, demanding that I intervene, that I catch her before she hit the ground again. It felt the pain I felt at the sight before meWhen she hit the ground I growled inwardly. The impact sent a tremor through the earth, but Alison was up before the dust settled, her breathing ragged yet determined. She was relentless. The prophecy had made sure of that. The fate o
Alison’s POV"We can't afford to waste time," Simone’s voice crackled through the conference call. "The Blood Moon is coming, and if the prophecy is true, we're already running out of time."I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to suppress the tension building in my chest. "I know," I admitted. "But we can’t go in blind. There has to be a way to stop the witch before she gains full power."Xander sat beside me, his arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on the laptop screen where Simone’s worried face stared back at us. His presence was a grounding force, but even he couldn’t deny the heavy uncertainty hanging over us.Simone exhaled deeply. "I've been digging through every ancient text I could find. If she’s trying to sever mate bonds permanently, then she needs a ritual of unprecedented power, something connected to the Blood Moon itself."I felt a chill run down my spine. "You think she plans to tap into the Moon Goddess’s energy?"Simone nodded gravely. "It's the only thing strong
Simone’s POVA shiver traced down my spine before I even opened my eyes.Something was wrong. I felt an unwanted presence.The air felt thick, heavy with something unseen, something ancient. My heart pounded as I forced myself to sit up, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps. I wasn’t in my room anymore. I wasn’t anywhere real.The world around me was shifting violently.. black mist rolling like storm clouds, the sky bleeding into deep, unnatural shades of red. The ground beneath me cracked, jagged like something had torn through it.Then, I saw her.The same cloaked figure Alison had described to me few days ago, standing beneath the looming Blood Moon.The witch lifted her arms, her voice ringing out in a chant that I couldn’t understand, but somehow, felt in my bones. It was dark magic, something twisted and unnatural, seeping into the air like poison.I tried to move. Tried to speak. But my body refused to obey.And then the pain hit the Wolves lurking around under the red moo
Alison’s POVThe dream started like a whisper, a fleeting sensation of something pulling me into a realm between sleep and wakefulness.Then, the darkness gave way to a vision.Mother Eliza stood in her glory before me, her aged figure framed by an eerie silver glow. The old witch had always been mighty to behold… FoFor now she was ither an enemy nor an ally, just a powerful figure that had a hand in my existence in the shadows of fate. But tonight, there was something different in her stance, when I had seen her in her abode she looked calm, calculated and without a fear. But now she looked… in a hurry, like what she had to say was something urgent yet hot to voice out.Her deep-sitted eyes locked onto mine, and when she spoke, her voice was like wind rustling through dead leaves."Alison! This fight isn’t over! You are resting while she plots more evil.!"I felt my stomach drop."The balance between wolves and witches is at stake."The words wrapped around me, suffocating, their wei
Xander’s POVThe first thing I noticed when we stepped back into Crimson Pack territory was the air.It was different. Lighter. Cleaner. Gone was the heavy, suffocating pressure that had lingered like a noose around this place. The sickness, the darkness, the rot.. it was gone.The second thing I noticed was the people.Wolves rushed from their homes, from the infirmaries where they had been bedridden, from the training grounds where they had once been too weak to fight. Their faces, drawn and gaunt from weeks of suffering, now glowed with something I hadn’t seen in a long time. Hope.A murmur rippled through the crowd, then a roar."It’s over!""The curse is broken!""We’re free!"The entire pack erupted. Some fell to their knees in exhausted relief. Others clung to their loved ones, sobbing openly. Warriors lifted their heads to the sky and howled—a deep, guttural sound that echoed through the land.Alison’s fingers tightened around mine, her nails digging into my palm. I turned to
Alison’s POV The ruins of SilverMoon were eerily silent, except for the ragged breaths of the three of us as we staggered toward Kendrick’s crumpled form. The air was thick with the scent of blood, dust, and death. My heart pounded in my chest as I pushed past the shock, my legs carrying me forward on instinct alone. Kendrick lay there, his body broken, his breathing shallow. But his eyes… those piercing green eyes… still held life. Just barely. “No, no, no,” I whispered, my voice cracking as I dropped to my knees beside him. Simone knelt next to me, her hands trembling. Xander, breathless and still staggering from the fight, crouched beside Kendrick, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might snap. Kendrick’s lips curved into a weak smile. “We did it,” he rasped, his voice barely a whisper. Tears burned in my eyes. “Don’t do this, Kendrick. You’re going to be fine. We… we can find you a good healer in Xander's pack. There has to be someone who can help.” My voice was franti
Alison’s POVPain. It was sharp, searing, and all-consuming.I barely registered the sound of my own scream as my wolf form collapsed onto the cold, hard ground, my leg pulsing with agony from where Priya’s blade had torn into me. My body trembled violently, the silver of my fur now stained with crimson.“Alison!” Xander’s desperate voice echoed through the ruins, panic laced in every syllable.I forced myself to lift my head, but my vision blurred. Through the haze of pain, I saw Priya, her twisted smile sending a chill down my spine.She wasn’t done.Her lips moved swiftly, chanting, her voice dripping with venom as she sent a surge of dark magic toward me.A force so powerful rushed at me that my breath hitched, this was meant to end me.But before it could, Simone stepped forward.“No, you don’t!” she hissed, raising her hands.A surge of bright light erupted from her fingertips, colliding with Priya’s dark spell mid-air. The impact sent a wave of force rippling through the ruins,
Alison’s POV A deadly silence filled the ruins. For a split second, I had seen something in Priya’s eyes… fear. But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, replaced by something much darker. She sneered. “You think I’m afraid of you four?” A low, guttural laugh spilled from her lips, growing louder, more unhinged, until it echoed through the ruins like a chorus of the damned. The sound slithered under my skin, cold and unsettling. “You actually think your measly powers are enough to stop me? That you can prevent me from wiping out the entire werewolf pack as revenge for what I went through in their hands?” She tilted her head, black eyes gleaming with malice. “How stupid and naive.” Her gaze snapped to Simone, and a cruel smile curled her lips. “You,” she hissed, “a witch, siding with the very creatures that slaughtered your ancestors? You should be ashamed of yourself.” Simone’s jaw clenched, but she didn’t speak. She stood tall, her fingers twitching at her sides, magic
Alison’s POVKendrick took a step forward, fists clenched, but I grabbed his wrist, stopping him before he could do something reckless. His muscles tensed under my grip, his body trembling with barely contained fury."Don’t," I whispered, barely able to get the word out.Priya’s gaze snapped onto Kendrick like a predator spotting its prey, her twisted smile vanishing in an instant. Her face darkened, her brows pulling together in a deep scowl, something between rage and... heartbreak?“How dare you bring him here?” Her voice cracked, laced with venom and something deeper... something raw.A slow, heavy breath escaped her lips before she tilted her head, black eyes narrowing.“You think,” she hissed, stepping forward, “that because I once loved him, I would back down?”Her voice sent a shiver racing down my spine.Priya let out a shaky breath, as if she was barely keeping herself together, and then before I could react her lips moved, forming words in a language I didn’t understand.Th