Gwen’s POVI stood at the head of the table in front of my ministers and pack elders. My hands gripped the edge, knuckles white, as I tried to steady my racing heart. This was the day I had anticipated, the day everything would change. Nervous energy buzzed beneath my skin, excitement mingling with the weight of responsibility.“Alpha Gwen,” Elder Rowan’s gravelly voice cut through the silence, “we are gathered here for a matter of great importance.”He was the eldest among them, my father’s former beta, and the lines on his face spoke of years of wisdom and experience. The other elders watched me with a mix of skepticism and concern, their gazes sharp and unyielding.I nodded, forcing a calm expression. “Thank you, Elder Rowan. I’ve called this meeting to discuss a significant decision I’ve made.”The room fell into an even deeper silence. Elder Matias, his sharp eyes narrowing, leaned forward. “What decision, Alpha?”“I intend to step down as Alpha and pass the title to my mate, Dam
Gwen’s POVI knelt down, my face pressed against the cold, hard ground, the weight of the ceremony heavy on my shoulders. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears like a drum. This was it—the moment I had waited for, the moment I had dreamed of. Soon, Damien would lift me up, his hand warm and strong, claiming me as his Luna. The pack would cheer, and our love would be solidified for all to see.Elder Thea’s voice rang out, clear and commanding, “Alpha Damien, claim your Luna, and let the pack see the strength of your union.”Her words sent a shiver down my spine, and with a trembling hand, I lifted my right arm, offering it to Damien. This was it. Any second now, he would take my hand, and we would be united forever.But instead of the warm touch I expected, a chilling, low giggle reached my ears—a sound so out of place, so foreign, that my heart froze. Slowly, I raised my head, my gaze searching for Damien’s familiar face. What I saw sent a jolt of fear through my
Gwen’s POVThe cold air bit into my skin as I dashed into the woods, the reality of Damien’s betrayal still clinging to me like a suffocating cloak. My heart pounded in my chest, the blood in my veins pumping harder than it had ever before. The trees blurred into dark smudges as I pushed myself further, deeper into the night, into the forest that had always been my sanctuary. But now, it felt more like a trap.I didn’t dare look back. I couldn’t afford to. I focused on the path ahead, a narrow opening between the thick trees that seemed to beckon me forward. The forest was eerily silent, save for the sound of my own labored breathing and the pounding of my footsteps against the forest floor.It felt as though the world was holding its breath, waiting to see if I would survive this night. My heart was a drum, beating out a frantic rhythm as I ran. I could feel the wolfsbane working its way through my system, slowing me down, weakening me. My vision began to blur, my limbs growing heavy
Gwen’s POVI could feel the darkness closing in, suffocating me, dragging me down into its cold, endless depths. The pain was unbearable, but I clung to the last shred of my consciousness, refusing to let go. I wasn’t ready to die—not like this.As the world faded around me, a strange calm settled over my mind. The pain began to dull, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence. I floated in the void, suspended between life and death, waiting for the end to claim me.But then, a voice—a whisper—cut through the darkness, soft yet commanding, like the rustle of leaves in the wind.“Gwendolyn,” it called, the sound wrapping around me like a warm embrace. “It is not your time.”I tried to speak, but my voice was lost in the void. The darkness around me shifted, pulsing with a strange, ethereal light. I could feel it pulling at me, urging me to follow.“Who…?” I managed to rasp, my voice a weak, barely a breath.The light intensified, and from within it, a figure began to emerge. She w
Gwen’s POVI watched as the man burst into loud laughter, but his eyes betrayed him, they were filled with deep sadness.He took a step closer, his voice shaking as he yelled, "Who the hell are you if you're not Arlene? Why do you look so much like her?"“I…” I tried to speak, but the words were stuck in my throat.I couldn't explain myself, not yet. Just then, everything became blurry. My mind fogged up, and suddenly I was somewhere else, at another time. I saw myself, no, the body I was in, running toward this same man in front of me, filled with joy.They were Arlene’s memories. I could feel it, the joy, the warmth, all hers. I shook my head, trying to push them away and ground myself back in reality.Focusing on the man in front of me, I took a deep breath and said, “I’m Gwen, not Arlene.” I could see the confusion in his eyes, and with a nervous chuckle, I added, “Yeah, I know that probably doesn’t make any sense to you, does it?”The man’s expression hardened as he stared at me,
Lucian’s POVI froze when I saw Arlene or Gwen, I wasn’t sure anymore, lying on the floor, unconscious. My heart pounded in my chest as I stood there, completely shocked.For a moment, I didn’t know what to do. Should I go closer or call for help? My mind was racing, and I hesitated, standing rooted in place like a statue.Finally, I forced myself to move. Slowly, I bent down, crouching beside her, trying to get a better look.“Arlene? Arlene!” I called her name softly at first, then louder, hoping for any sign of life.When she didn’t stir, I panicked even more. "Gwen… Gwen!" I tried again, using her other name.I was confused, so confused. Was she Arlene? Was she Gwen? My hands trembled as I hovered over her, unsure whether I should touch her, shake her awake, or leave her alone.The sight of her, so still and silent, sent a wave of memories crashing through me. It was as if my mind couldn’t decide which name to stick to because both names felt real, both felt right.Who the hell ar
Gwen’s POVI drifted in and out of consciousness, caught between my memories and… someone else's. It’s strange, like watching two lives play out side by side, and I can’t tell which one is mine anymore. I try to focus, try to cling to my memories, Gwen’s memories, but they keep slipping through my fingers.I remember pieces of my past life, fragments of moments that once felt so real. I can see him, Damien, the way we laughed together, the way I trusted him with everything. And then… betrayal.The memory is sharp, like a blade cutting deep into me. I can still feel the sting of finding out he wasn’t loyal, and that my maid, someone I also trusted, was involved. The two of them, behind my back, lying to me, betraying me. My heart aches at the thought, the love I once had for him twisted into something painful.But then, as if the memory doesn’t belong to me anymore, it shifts. Suddenly, I’m not seeing my life. I’m seeing someone else’s. Arlene.Her memories, vivid and clear, weave them
Lucian’s POVAs I stood there, staring at the woman before me, I couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling deep in my gut. She looked so much like Arlene, with the same face, and the same piercing eyes that once held my soul captive. It was almost like a sick joke, one I wasn’t sure I could laugh at.Every part of me screamed to believe that it was her. My Arlene. But something was wrong. There was something different in the way she carried herself, something off in the way she looked back at me.Ethan stood beside me, watching my reaction closely. He always knew when I was about to lose control. He cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence."Alpha Lucian, listen to me," he began, his voice calm but firm. "It’s not dark magic. I’ve checked. Whatever is happening here, it’s real. This isn’t some trick."I didn’t answer him. I couldn’t. My mind was spinning, memories of the last time I saw Arlene flashing before my eyes. That day, the day she died, it still haunted me.The blood, the b
GWENThe air was electric with tension as Damien’s forces marched closer, their ominous war cries sending a chill down my spine. We stood ready, our pack gathered in disciplined lines, every warrior brimming with both determination and fear. Lucian and I were at the forefront, side by side. His presence was steadying, his calm leadership an anchor for everyone—including me.The bond between us was a glowing thread that bound not only our souls but the entire pack, radiating strength and unity. I could feel it, thrumming beneath my skin, a powerful force that fueled my resolve. For my family, my pack, and my mate, I would not fail.Lucian glanced at me, his stormy gray eyes holding a moment of quiet intensity. "This is it," he said, his voice low yet commanding. "Stay close, Gwen."I nodded, gripping the hilt of my sword tightly. "Always."The enemy charged first, a tide of snarling rogues and dark magic-enhanced soldiers sweeping across the field. Lucian roared, his voice carrying abo
GWENThe days leading up to the battle passed in a haze of preparation, tension, and determination. I threw myself into training, trying desperately to harness the powers I knew were buried deep within me. Arlene’s memories, once an echo in the corners of my mind, now roared like a river threatening to overflow. They showed me glimpses of her strength, her sacrifices, and her unyielding love for her pack. I wanted—no, needed—to channel that same energy, but the harder I pushed, the more elusive it seemed.Lucian, as always, was my constant. While I worked on regaining control of my powers, he carried the weight of preparing the pack for war. Every day, he rallied the warriors, strategized with the other Alphas, and ensured the safety of the non-combatants. Despite his responsibilities, he never failed to check on me, his presence a steady source of comfort and strength.One night, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the camp fell into a tense silence, Lucian found me by the traini
GWENThe first thing I saw when I crossed into our territory was Lucian. He was standing just beyond the tree line, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon as if willing me to appear. When his gaze finally landed on me, relief washed over his face, softening the usual stoic lines of his expression.“Gwen,” he breathed, striding toward me. The next moment, I was in his arms, his warmth chasing away the chill that had settled deep in my bones.“You’re back,” he murmured, his lips pressing against my temple. His grip was firm, like he was afraid I’d vanish if he let go. “I was so worried.”“I told you I’d come back,” I said, trying to muster a smile. But even as I stood there, wrapped in his arms, the weight of what I’d seen and experienced clung to me like a shadow.Our reunion was short-lived. Before I could explain everything, Ethan arrived with grim news.“Lucian,” he said, urgency lacing his tone, “we have a problem. Scouts spotted Damien’s forces moving toward us. It looks like they’re
GWENThe night fell heavy and silent as we regrouped inside the captured outpost. The air inside was damp, tinged with the metallic scent of blood from the earlier fight. Our team spread out, each warrior taking a position to guard the perimeter. Despite the victory, tension lingered in the air, and exhaustion pressed down on all of us.I sat near a small, cracked window, my gaze fixed on the forest beyond. Shadows danced in the faint moonlight, and every flicker of movement had me on edge. My fingers instinctively reached for the pendant again, tracing its smooth, crescent shape. It was becoming a habit—a tether to keep me grounded amidst the chaos.Lucian’s face filled my mind. I wondered what he was doing at that very moment. Was he staring out at the same moon, thinking of me? Was he pacing in frustration, cursing this plan for pulling us apart? The thought brought a small smile to my lips, though it was quickly overshadowed by the ache of longing.“Penny for your thoughts?” Ethan
GWENThe evening sky was painted in soft hues of orange and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon. The warmth of the day was giving way to a cool breeze, and the weight of what tomorrow would bring pressed heavily on my chest.Lucian and I sat on the balcony of our quarters, overlooking the pack grounds. The sounds of life around us—children laughing, warriors preparing—felt distant, like a world I wasn’t part of. My focus was entirely on him, and the moments we had left.“You’re too quiet,” Lucian said, his voice soft but tinged with concern. He reached out, his fingers brushing against mine where they rested on the table. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”I sighed, turning to meet his gaze. His eyes, always so piercing, were softer now, filled with an emotion I couldn’t fully name. “I’m just... trying to memorize this moment. You. Us. Before everything changes.”Lucian frowned slightly, his thumb tracing slow circles on the back of my hand. “Nothing is going to change, Gwe
GWENThe warmth of Lucian’s arms wrapped around me, and for a fleeting moment, the world outside didn’t matter. His heartbeat was steady against my cheek, and I focused on its rhythm, trying to anchor myself in the calm he provided. But the weight of the future pressed heavily on my mind, refusing to be ignored for long.I pulled back slightly, enough to look up at him. His expression was soft, but his eyes held a flicker of worry that he couldn’t entirely hide. “Lucian,” I began, my voice low and hesitant, “what happens when we’re not enough? When all the love and strength we share isn’t enough to protect the people who rely on us?”He studied me for a moment, the lines of his face etched with thought. “We do what we can, Gwen. We fight with everything we have. And if we fall, we make sure it’s because we gave everything, not because we held back.” His fingers brushed a strand of hair from my face. “But we’re stronger together. That’s the point of this bond. It doesn’t make us invinc
GWENThe night air smelled of smoke and blood. It clung to my skin, heavy and suffocating, as I stood among the remnants of the battlefield. The allied territory we had fought so hard to defend was in shambles. Structures were reduced to rubble, the ground torn apart by claw marks and bloodstains. Damien’s forces had retreated, but their attack had left scars—on the land and us.Lucian approached me slowly, his steps deliberate, as though he were trying not to spook me. His face was smeared with dirt and blood, but his golden eyes burned with something far more intense than exhaustion. Anger. Concern. Both, maybe.“Gwen,” he said, his voice low but sharp, cutting through the chaos around us. “We need to talk.”I turned away, unable to meet his gaze. My hands trembled as I wiped them on my torn pants, trying to focus on anything other than the sinking feeling in my chest. I knew this conversation was coming. I had known since the moment my hesitation in the battle almost cost him his l
GWENThe world felt unusual still as I drifted in that place between dreaming and waking, where reality blurred with something deeper, something primal. In the vision, the Moon Goddess stood before me, radiant and untouchable, her silvery light washing over everything. Her expression was calm, but there was a weight in her eyes that made my heart ache.“You are strong, Gwen,” she said, her voice like the gentle rustle of leaves in a midnight breeze. “But strength alone does not ensure victory. Love is your greatest gift, but it is also your greatest risk.”Before I could respond, the scene shifted. Suddenly, I was standing on a battlefield. Smoke curled in the air, and the metallic tang of blood filled my senses. Wolves snarled and clashed all around me, their fur matted with sweat and dirt. My heart thundered as my eyes locked on Lucian. He was fighting fiercely, his movements graceful and precise, but he was outnumbered.A decision loomed before me—I could sense it without knowing t
GWENThe preparations for the final confrontation consumed the pack. Everywhere I turned, there was movement, warriors sharpening their weapons, strategists huddling in quiet conversations, and younger wolves preparing supplies. The air buzzed with tension and anticipation, and while I tried to immerse myself in the activity, my thoughts kept drifting.Lucian noticed, of course. He always did.As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the training grounds, he found me standing near the edge of the clearing. His footsteps were soft, but I felt his presence before I saw him. When I turned, his expression was calm yet determined, a sharp contrast to the chaos around us.“Come with me,” he said simply, holding his hand.I frowned, glancing at the bustle of activity behind me. “Lucian, we can’t just leave. There’s so much to do—”He stepped closer, cutting me off with a gentle but firm touch to my arm. “You’ve done enough, Gwen. You need a moment to breathe. We both do