(Iris) I continued to pass out drinks, the conversation I overheard replayed in my mind. Why are they questioning the Lycan King’s identity? The thought gnawed at me, and I felt a rising sense of dread. I forced myself to focus on my task, but my hands trembled slightly. The whispers echoed through the hall and into the kitchen, bouncing off the walls. I could hear everyone, even when I tried not to listen. I shivered, trying to put it out of my mind. I needed a moment to process what I had heard. The walls seemed to close in around me, the air growing thicker with each step. I glanced over my shoulder, ensuring no one was watching, and quickened my pace, heading towards the side door that led to the gardens. If I could just get a breath of fresh air, I could clear my head.Just as I was about to sneak away to gather my thoughts, I felt a presence behind me. I turned and found Jasper staring at me, his eyes sharp and scrutinizing. He had caught me trying to escape. Just when I tho
(Iris) When I sat down, all eyes were on me. The dining hall seemed to shrink under the weight of their scrutiny. I had no idea why I was there, and no one else did either. So I was the hot topic of the night. The long table, laden with an array of food, seemed a battleground rather than a place of gathering. For me, it was a chasm. I wished it would open up and swallow me whole, so I could escape the eyes all around me.Jasper and Naomi looked at me with a mixture of jealousy and suspicion. Jasper’s eyes burned with an intensity that made my stomach churn. His lips were pressed in a thin line, the tension in his jaw evident even from across the table. Naomi’s gaze was even more piercing, her eyes flashing with barely concealed hostility. The tension was palpable, each glance and whisper adding to my discomfort. The Lycan King, sitting at the head of the table, leaned forward, his eyes fixed on me with a curious intensity. “Where are all your dresses? I mean… from when you weren
(Naomi) I can’t believe I was hiding here like a mouse. The grand library, usually a place of solace with its towering bookshelves and soft golden light, now felt like a cage. The plush armchair I crouched behind offered scant cover, and every creak of the floorboards made my heart race. It’s been half an hour now. Who leaves notes with only a place? Lunatics. I had found the note in Iris’s room. And I had to see who wanted to meet her. My curiosity, mixed with a simmering jealousy, had driven me here, to this rendezvous that I had no business attending. But the thought of Iris, the girl who seemed to effortlessly capture the attention of everyone around her, meeting someone in secret filled me with a sense of unease. I shifted my weight, trying to ease the cramp in my legs, and crushed the ridiculousness of my situation. The note had been cryptic, just an elegant scrawl of, “Library.” I couldn’t ignore it. The message could have been from anyone. As the minutes ticked by, I found
(Iris) As I moved through the crowd, trays of drinks balanced precariously in my hands, the energy of the gathering thrummed in the air like an electric current. Warriors from all the packs were engaged in friendly competition, demonstrating their skills with effortless grace and precision. The sound of laughter and friendly banter filled the air, creating a vibrant backdrop to the festivities. As I approached each group, I offered the drinks with a warm smile, my voice barely audible above the din of the crowd. The guests eagerly accepted the refreshments, their expressions brightening as they sipped the cool beverages and engaged in animated conversation. Despite the weight of the trays and the constant bustle of activity around me, I found a sense of purpose in my task. And as I moved through the crowd, I felt immersed in the vibrant energy of the gathering. For a moment, surrounded by friends and allies, I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be. But that moment passed
(Elias) Jasper knows, of course. He’s not oblivious to my presence, nor the past that binds us together in a tangled web of secrets and betrayal. He knows I survived the attempt on my life a year ago, knows that every assassin he’s sent since then has failed to finish what they started. And now, to add insult to injury, he’s gone so far as to place me in his old room, as if to remind me of my precarious position. I refused to be intimated. I’ve survived Jasper’s schemes before, and I’ll do so again. With each failed attempt on my life, I grow stronger, more determined to unravel the truth behind his deceit. Jasper may have thought he had the upper hand, but he underestimated my resilience. I would not be silenced, not until justice is served and the secrets of our past are laid bare for all to see. As I sit at the dinner table, flanked by Jasper and Naomi, I can feel Iris tense beside me. She’s always been perceptive, able to read subtle shifts in the atmosphere with uncanny accur
(Iris) The scene in the dining room replayed in my mind like a broken record, each moment etched into my memory with painful clarity. The tension between Jasper and Lucas hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the festivities and leaving me reeling with uncertainty. But before I could process the implications of what had just transpired, I found myself being dragged into a nearby room. At first, I struggled against Lucas’s grip, my mind racing with questions and doubts. But as he pulled me into the dimly lit space, his touch ignited a fire within me that I couldn’t ignore. I was pulled into Elias’s room. No… the Lycan King’s room. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, but I pushed aside my apprehensions, allowing myself to be consumed by the intensity of the moment. With a forcefulness that took me by surprise, Lucas crushed his lips against mine, his hands touching my body eagerly. I melted into his embrace, the heat of his touch searing through me like wildfire.
(Iris) The next thing I knew, I was outside the door, the weight of what had just transpired pressing heavily on my chest. My head was spinning, the world a blur of confusion and disbelief. I put my clothes back on hastily, trying to collect myself before someone saw. The man I had just been with, the man I had believed to be Lucas, was Elias. But was he? If he was really Elias, why would he push me out? Why would he leave in the first place? How was he alive?! The questions left me reeling, torn between anger, longing, and sorrow. Molly was seething in the back of my mind. “I am not going to forgive him, whether he is Elias or not!” she snapped, her voice cutting through the haze of my thoughts. “I really don’t know which scenario is worse,” I admitted in my mind. “If he is Elias, he abandoned me and lied to me. But if he is not, then he’s using me to bring down Jasper… and for fun.” Molly softened a little to comfort me, but her anger remained. “Either way, he’s betrayed
(Iris) “Did you poison Naomi?” The question echoed in the small, dimly lit cell. “Of course not!” I exclaimed. Panic gripped me as Jasper paced in front of the bars, his face a mask of tension and frustration. “Jasper what the hell is going on,” I demanded. Jasper took a deep breath. He avoided my eyes, but he explained. “Naomi was pale after dinner,” he began, his voice tight with worry. “She suddenly collapsed and is unconscious now.” My mind raced, struggling to process the gravity of his words. Naomi had always been strong and resilient. The idea of her collapsing out of the blue was shocking. Jasper continued, “Everyone involved in the food and wine preparation was locked up last night. You’re the only one still here.” I felt a cold dread settle in my stomach. “Why am I the only one left?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. “Because Seraphina found wolfsbane in your room,” Jasper said, his eyes boring into mine. For a moment I was too shocked to speak, but then I p
(Elias)I told them all the story of Elias’s victory, and his mercy. Surprised murmur rippled through the crowd. Recondition, not killed. This was Eias’s first benevolent act since becoming the Lycan King, a decision that marked a significant shift. I felt a surge of pride in him, knowing this was a step toward breaking the cycle of violence and hatred that had plagued our world for so long. I could tell my feelings were echoed in the soldiers around us. Caden’s men joined our group now that Elias was the Alpha, and our men welcomed them.As Caden and Leila were led away, their expressions a mix of defiance and resignation, Elias turned to face his mother, Alice. Her blue eyes were filled with pride and relief, and I watched as they embraced. “You’ve done well, my son,” Alice said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’m proud of you.” “Thank you, Mother,” Elias whispered. “I couldn’t have done it without all of you.” Alice pulled back, her eyes searching his. “You’ve shown mercy w
(Iris)I had to follow Elias. Jasper, Naomi, Alice and even Seraphina had decided to stay with the rest of our group, tending to the wounded. But I had to follow Elias.As the first light of dawn began to stretch across the horizon, I could see the tension in the clearing before me. The duel between Elias and Caden was about to begin, and I felt every heartbeat echoing through my chest. The stakes were impossibly high, and despite my best efforts to focus on the plan, the anxiety I felt was nearly overwhelming. Jasper, Naomi, and Alice had decided to stay hidden with the rest of our small group, but I couldn’t stay away. I needed to see Elias with my own eyes, to witness the battle that would determine not just his fate, but all of ours. I crept through the underbrush, my heart pounding as the sounds of the duel grew louder. The clearing came into view, and my breath caught in my throat. Elias stood in the center, his posture fierce and determined. Caden, a towering figure of ar
(Elias)The first light of dawn had barely touched the horizon when Alice and I finally met. Alice, though weary and disheveled, stood tall, her blue eyes searching through the shadows for the son she had heard so much about but never met. My heart pounded as I approached her. I had always known this moment would come, but nothing could have prepared me for the emotional turbulence of seeing my mother for the first time. Her eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, we simply stood there, absorbing the gravity of the encounter. I could see the faint glimmer of tears in her eyes. “Elias,” she finally whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “My son.” I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Mother,” I replied, my voice steady but laced with emotion. “It’s been a long time.” Alice took a tentative step forward, her gaze softening as she took in the man her child had become. Her hand reached out hesitantly, and I met her halfway, our hands clasping in a tentative embrace.
(Jasper)The day had been long and grueling, filled with the clash battle and the thunder of war cries echoing through the forest. As the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving streaks of orange and red in its wake, our camp settled into an uneasy calm. Both sides went back to their camps to take a respite, tending their wounds and sharpening their weapons. I stood apart from the others, my mind racing with thoughts of the battle and the looming mission ahead. Despite our victories during the day, the weight of our impending tasks pressed heavily on my shoulders. Elias and Iris were in deep discussion nearby, their voices low as they plotted our next move. “Iris,” Elias said, his tone earnest yet tinged with urgency, “we need to strike now, before Caden and Leila regroup. We have to rescue Alice and Naomi.” I watched Iris nod solemnly, her eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. “I know,” she replied, her voice steady despite the underlying tension. “Alice and I have a plan.
(Iris)The sun barely broke through the canopy of the forest as the day began. Our camp was a hive of activity, warriors preparing for the battle that we knew was coming. The tension was thick in the air, every movement and every word tinged with urgency. Using the knowledge Alice and Naomi had gleaned from the old book, we were ready. We had deciphered the symbols, understanding their purposes and weaknesses. Every warrior was briefed on how to counter the traps and spells that Caden and Leila would undoubtedly use against us. As the morning wore on, the sounds of the enemy approaching became clearer. The clash was inevitable, and as the first wave of Caden’s warriors broke through the trees, we stood our ground. The battle erupted in a storm of clashing steel and snarling wolves. “Elias! Over here!” I shouted, pointing to a group of enemies trying to flank us. Elias nodded, leading a charge that quickly turned the tide in our favor. “Remember the words!” Jasper yelled to th
(Iris)The argument reached a fever pitch, their voices a cacophony of anger and pain that seemed to echo through the entire camp. My head pounded, my heart ached, and I felt on the verge of breaking. Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, a commanding voice cut through the chaos. “Enough!” It was my voice that spoke the word, but it was Alice’s in my mind. All eyes turned to me, and I let her speak through me. “This is not the time for petty grievances. We are on the brink of war, and unity is our only chance of survival.” Jasper and Elias exchanged one last, heated glare, before stepping back, their anger momentarily quelled by Alice’s intervention. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, grateful for the respite. I stepped forward, holding the magic stone, surrendering to its power. Its surface shimmered with a faint, otherworldly glow. “I have something important to show you,” she and I said. I placed the stone on the ground and whispered Alice’s
(Iris)I walked down the familiar path, the towering trees feeling like old friends. But this time, the path was crowded with hundreds of warriors, their footsteps creating a steady, rhythmic sound against the forest floor. The air was thick with anticipation, the scent of pine mingling with sweat and metal. Despite the presence of the warriors, I felt a gnawing emptiness inside me. Naomi was still unreachable, and the uncertainty of her fate weighted heavily on my heart. As night fell, the camp was set up, and the warriors huddled around their fires, sharing stories and laughter that felt foreign to me in my current state of mine. I found Elias near a small fire, the flickering flames casting shadows on his face. I hesitated for a moment before approaching him, my heart pounding in my chest. “Elias,” I said softly, drawing his attention. He looked up, his expression unreadable. “Iris,” he replied, motioning for me to sit beside him. We sat in awkward silence for a few minute
(Naomi)I sat on the edge of the narrow bed, my fingers tracing the rough seams of the thin blanket. I had been in this small, dimly lit room for a day now. The walls, adorned with faded, peeling wallpaper, seemed to close in on me, suffocating me with their silence. The only window offered a dismal view of the alley below, where shadows moved and whispered in the night. I replayed the events of the previous evening in my mind. After handing over the necklace Jasper had given me to Alice, I had hoped for a moment of rest. But I knew I hadn’t been subtle enough. The weight of my actions pressed down on my chest like a stone. It wasn’t long after the necklace exchange that Caden and Leila showed up. Their arrival had been swift and silent, their expressions a mix of cold determination and malice. I had tried to act nonchalant, but the flicker of recognition in their eyes told me they had seen through my facade. “You know you can’t keep running like this,” Caden had said softly, h
(Iris)Alice was skin and bones now, but her features were striking, and her eyes were blue like ice. Just like Elias’s. I could see the family resemblance, the same cold, piercing gaze that felt like it could cut through stone. “You are such a lovely-looking girl. So much like your mother,” Alice said softly, her voice almost a whisper, yet it carried a weight that made me shiver. I guessed she could see me too. I stepped closer, feeling a strange pull toward her, as if an invisible thread was drawing me in. Her presence was both comforting and unsettling, a paradox that I couldn’t quite unravel. “Open your eyes and I will see what you see. This is the function of this stone. A very powerful Lycan magic is fused in this. I gave it to your mother for safekeeping in case it fell into the wrong hands.” “Like Caden?” I asked, the name slipping out before I could stop it. Alice nodded, her expression darkening. “Sure. But mainly their grandfather. He is an evil man. Twenty years ago