Kendrick’s POVThe clinking of glassware and murmurs of conversation filled the dining hall, but my focus was razor-sharp, zeroed in on one thing: Alpha Xander’s unwavering gaze on Alison. Each time I looked his way, his eyes were fixed on her, tracking her every movement as she served the guests, her posture humble, head lowered. Irritation flickered in my gut. Xander’s stare didn't seem like casual curiosity; it held a possessive spark that I recognized all too well."The arrogance," I thought, narrowing my eyes. Dinner hadn’t even begun, and already he’d already began crossing a line. His eyes were too focused, too intense on something or rather, someone that wasn’t his to want.I raised my glass abruptly, cutting through the chatter around the table in a bid to divert his attention. “A toast!” I called out, my voice booming across the hall. Conversations died down as everyone turned their attention to me, lifting their glasses.“To new alliances and strong friendships between our
Alison's POVSitting at the edge of my cot, I hugged my knees close to my chest, exhaustion pressing down on every inch of me. The dim moonlight seeped through the cracks in the walls, casting shadows across my tiny room. Tonight had been chaotic. I’d served wine, cleared plates, and avoided the subtle stares of powerful Alphas and their Lunas. Yet, the one gaze I couldn’t escape, the one that had seared into me with an intensity I couldn’t shake was that of Alpha Xander.Pulling my tattered blanket closer, I felt a thrill spark in my chest. A giddy smile crept onto my face as I whispered softly to my wolf, Maya, “Tomorrow, Maya. Tomorrow, we’ll be free. Just one more night of this hell hole.”Maya stirred within me, her voice fierce and hopeful. “We’ve waited so long, Alison. Just a few more hours.”But before I could get lost in the thought of freedom, my door flew open with a loud bang, slamming against the wall. I jumped to my feet, heart racing. Standing in the doorway, framed by
I felt the weight of Alpha Xander’s gaze on me like a fire I couldn’t shake. The room was quiet now, the night’s festivities faded. But Xander, calm and intense, studied me as if every word I might say mattered, as if he truly saw me. I shifted on the edge of the couch, every part of me screaming to stand up and run.But Maya, my wolf, urged me to stay.“So,” Xander began, his voice soft but unyielding, “tell me more about yourself Alison.”I blinked, caught off guard. No one had ever asked me that, especially not an Alpha. The leaders I’d known always took from others just like Kendrick, hoarding respect without giving any. Xander was different, looking at me with genuine curiosity and patience. I glanced away, feeling the heat creep into my cheeks.“I don’t know what you want to hear but I’m no one important,” I murmured, my voice almost a whisper. A part of me didn’t want to tell him anything, fearing he’d see just how broken and small I felt. But there was something in his express
Xander’s POVThe morning was alive, pulsing with energy and promise, but a thread of tension tugged beneath my excitement. I adjusted the cuffs on my sleeves, feeling anticipation course through me like a live wire. Today would be the day, I'd finally bring Alison home as my mate, after the wedding ceremony I will take her back with me. But amid the thrill, an uneasy feeling settled in the back of my mind.I glanced at Luke, my Beta, as he straightened my jacket. “Did you take care of the dress I picked out for her?” I asked, my voice sharp, betraying the urgency simmering under my calm exterior.Luke hesitated just a fraction before nodding. “Yes, Alpha. She’ll be stunning.” His brow furrowed, and he shot me a questioning look. “But are you sure about bringing her to Alpha Kendrick’s wedding? She’s… well, given her position here at Silver Moon, it might attract the wrong kind of attention.”I felt a snarl build in my throat, my words coming out as a low, dangerous warning. “Never ref
Alison's Point of ViewA sharp, searing pain throbbed through my skull as I woke, my eyes fluttering open to the sight of cold, cracked stone below me. I tried to reach for my head, to touch the aching spot, but my hands were bound tightly to my legs, keeping me curled in a fetal position. A gag pressed against my mouth, rough and biting into the corners, muffling any sound I tried to make.I was trapped. Somewhere dark and damp, with a chill that seeped into my bones. The last thing I remembered was stepping out of my room’s bathroom, humming some tune in anticipation of the wedding I was invited to be Xander's plus one, my mind light and hopeful. Then… then something hard and cold had slammed into my head, and I’d blacked out. Now, here I was, waking up to what felt like a nightmare.I twisted, wriggling as much as I could against the ropes binding my limbs, panic clawing at my insides. This wasn’t some accident, someone wanted me here, bound and helpless. The thought of it made fea
Alison's POVA soft tickle grazed my cheek, stirring me awake. My eyes fluttered open to see Xander’s face close to mine, his familiar smile warming me instantly.“We’re here,” he murmured, his voice a gentle rumble. I blinked, still dazed from sleep, as he nodded toward the window. “Look outside, Ally.”I turned my head, my mouth dropping open at the sight beyond the glass. We were parked before an enormous castle, but this wasn’t anything like the dark, stoned fortress Kendrick called home. This castle was modern, gleaming with elegance and style, a masterpiece of towering spires, vast gardens, and pristine walls that caught the morning light like something from a dream. The air seemed lighter, free from the tension that always lingered around Silver Moon.“Wow,” I whispered, unable to tear my eyes away. “It’s… beautiful.”Xander’s hand gently touched my chin, bringing my gaze back to him. “Do you like it?”All I could do was nod, a genuine smile stretching across my face."Good,” h
Alison's POVThe air was still, and I could hear my own heartbeat pulsing in the silence. One week in Night Fang, and I was already feeling the weight of the walls around me. I’d barely left my room since Xander brought me here, hiding from his mother and her disapproving glances, the way she looked at me like I was the dirt on her pristine shoes. But I couldn’t stay locked up forever. If I was going to survive in this new world, I had to start facing it.I stretched out in bed, feeling the silk sheets against my skin, so different from the scratchy, worn out naked foam I used back at Silver Moon. After a quick shower, I slipped on a dress Xander had bought for me... a soft, flowing piece that hugged me just enough to make me feel bold. I glanced in the mirror and asked Maya, What do you think?"Not bad, though you might need sharper claws for the likes of this place," she replied with a hint of sarcasm making me chuckle.With a deep breath, I stepped into the hallway, letting my feet
Alison's POVI stood in the garden, watching the lilies sway under the morning sunlight, petals stretching towards the sky. The delicate scent of their blooms should’ve been calming, but today, they only reminded me of the fragility of everything around me, of how easily beauty could be trampled. Could I really handle the weight of being tied to Night Fang? It wasn’t just about being with Xander; it was about facing everything that came with him including his family, his responsibilities, and the pack’s ruthless politics. Maya, my wolf, stirred within, urging me to fight through this uncertainty."This is where we belong, Alison," Maya insisted, her voice like a warm reassurance in my mind.But as I stood there, trying to convince myself of those words, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I frowned, surprised; it was an unsaved number. Hesitantly, I accepted the call.“Alison,” a smug, familiar voice greeted me... Kendrick.I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. He’d always been controllin
Xander’s POVThe acrid scent of blood and burning wood filled the air, a grim reminder of the battle we had just survived. The Ancient Rogue City lay behind us, its silence far more unsettling than the chaos that had erupted just moments ago. The weight of what had happened pressed against my chest, but there was no time to reflect. We had to leave now.Simone stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly as she conjured a shimmering veil of energy around us. “This should keep us hidden long enough to escape the rogue warriors hunting us down,” she murmured, her voice laced with exhaustion. Sweat clung to her brow, but she pushed forward without complaint.Alison, however, was another story. She was barely standing, her body trembling from the aftermath of her first shift. Her silver-white fur shimmered under the moonlight, a sight both mesmerizing and concerning. She had unlocked something ancient, something powerful but right now, she was weak, her strength flickering like a dying
Alison’s POV The world around me exploded in a flash of silver-white light, my senses sharpening to a degree I’d never experienced before. The smell of blood, sweat, and earth filled the air like a tidal wave crashing over me. The ground beneath my paws felt alive, pulsing with energy, every vibration humming through my body. My bones ached as they shifted, but the pain was nothing compared to the power that surged through me. I could feel everything. The weight of the air. The pressure in my lungs. The pulse of the earth beneath me. Every footstep, every breath of Kendrick, every heartbeat in the room, it was like the world had slowed, and I was the center of it all. "Impossible…" Kendrick's voice echoed around the room, laced with disbelief and anger. I didn’t need to look at him to feel the fury radiating from his every cell. He was terrified. But so was I, though I couldn’t fully comprehend why. The connection to Xander flared again.. warmth, light, his energy coursing thr
Xander’s POV"Don’t you dare fucking touch her!" I bellowed, my heart hammering against my chest as I tore through the throng of Kendrick’s warriors. Every step I took felt like a war between my body and my soul. Their stench, sweat, blood, and rogue filth clung to the air, but none of it mattered. Nothing mattered but her.Simone moved beside me, her magic flashing like brilliant streaks of light, incapacitating rogues as we cut a path toward Alison. "I’m holding them off, but we’re running out of time!" she shouted, her eyes flicking toward the throne where Kendrick stood, watching with an evil grin curling on his lips.The scent of her, Alison grew stronger as we moved closer, but it was marred with fear, agony. And something darker. I could feel it, feel her slipping away from me, piece by piece. My chest tightened, the bond between us stretching thinner with each agonizing step.No. No, no, no.I shoved through another rogue who dared to block my way, ignoring the sting of
Alison’s POVThe cold stone beneath my bare feet sent a shiver up my spine as I was dragged through the dimly lit corridors. My wrists ached from the tight grip of Kendrick’s men, their fingers like iron clamps around my skin. No matter how hard I struggled, how much I kicked and twisted, they didn’t loosen their hold."Let go of me, you bastards!" I hissed, my voice raw with defiance.One of them yanked me forward, making me stumble. "Save your energy, girl," he sneered. "You’ll need it for what’s coming."A sharp burst of fear tightened around my chest, but I refused to let it show. I lifted my chin, forcing steel into my voice. "If you think I’m going down without a fight, you don’t know me at all."The rogue to my left let out a low chuckle. "That’s what they all say before they break."They shoved me forward through a set of massive double doors, and my breath hitched as the throne room came into view.It was nothing like Xander’s grand hall, this was a place of nightmare
Xander’s POVDarkness swallowed us whole as we crept through the twisted alleys of the Ancient Rogue City. The air was thick with decay, the scent of blood and damp earth saturating my senses. Every shadow felt like a pair of watching eyes, every gust of wind like a whispered warning to turn back. But I wouldn't. I couldn’t.Alison was here. Alone. Trapped. And every second I wasted was a second closer to losing her.Simone moved beside me like a ghost, her footfalls silent against the uneven ground. She grabbed my arm, pulling me into the shadow of a crumbling wall as a group of rogue wolves passed by, their laughter guttural, their conversations laced with violence. I clenched my jaw, suppressing the growl building in my chest. I wanted to tear through them, rip apart anything that stood between me and Alison."Alpha, you need to keep your head straight," Simone whispered, her breath warm against my ear. "If you charge in blind, you're not saving Alison, you’re just getting you
Kendrick’s POVThe moment I stepped into the chamber, the air shifted.Tension clung to the walls like a thick, suffocating fog. The young maiden at Alison’s feet stiffened, her wide eyes darting toward me as if she had been caught whispering secrets she had no right to speak. But I barely paid her any mind.Because there she was.Alison.My breath caught for a fleeting second before desire took its place. Dressed in silk and gold, she was everything I had ever wanted.. everything I was about to own. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back, her skin glowing under the candlelight. She looked like a goddess draped in mortal flesh, and fuck, if I didn’t want to rip that dress off her and mark every inch of her body.But I had to wait.The ritual to sever her bond with Xander was only hours away, and when it was done, she would be mine. The mere thought of it sent a wicked thrill down my spine. I could already imagine Xander writhing in agony, his soul ripped apart as their bon
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 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’
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