EMMELINE’S POV♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♧♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎My heart leaped into my throat the second I saw the crimson stain blooming on Darius’s side. “No!” The word ripped from me, a raw, desperate sound. I wanted to run to him, to shield him, to somehow make the blood disappear, but his hand shot out, a silent command. “Stay back, Emmeline,” he grunted, his voice tight with pain.Stay back? How could I? He was bleeding, for goodness sake! My vision swam with unshed tears, and a cold dread coiled in my stomach. And then I saw him – Kaelen. That smug, hateful smile stretched across his face as he took slow, deliberate steps towards Darius. The sight of him, so pleased with himself, made my blood boil despite the terror gripping me.Darius, as stubborn as always, straightened up, his hand pressed against his bleeding side. He swayed a little, and my breath hitched. “You’ll die here, Darius,” Kaelen sneered, his voice laced with satisfaction. Then, he lunged.It happened so fast. One moment Kaelen was stand
DARIUS’ POV★★★☆★★★My eyelids felt like they were glued together with dried blood and sweat. Every inch of my body screamed in protest as I tried to shift, but a soft weight on my arm stopped me. Emmeline. Her head was resting on the edge of the bed, her dark hair spilling over the white sheets. She looked so damn tired, but her grip on my arm was tight, like she was afraid I’d disappear if she let go.A wave of guilt washed over me. She shouldn’t have had to go through this. It was my job to protect her, and I’d almost failed. The memory of Kaelen’s sneering face and the cold steel of his blade flashed in my mind, followed by the searing pain in my side. I clenched my jaw, the anger bubbling up inside me despite my weakened state. That son of a bitch would pay.I managed a weak cough, and Emmeline’s head snapped up. Her eyes, red-rimmed and puffy, widened with relief. “Darius!” Her voice was hoarse, barely a whisper.“Hey,” I croaked, my throat feeling like sandpaper. “You okay?” St
EMMELINE’S POV ♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♧♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎My feet felt heavy as I walked through the familiar halls of the Estate. Everything looked the same, but the air was thick with the lingering tension of what had happened. It was like a ghost of fear still floated around, clinging to the walls and furniture. My own body ached in places I hadn't even realized were bruised, a constant reminder of Kaelen's attack. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in my chest, the raw fear that still flickered in my heart every time I thought about Darius.He was getting stronger, thank goodness. Seeing him lying there, so pale and still… it had been the worst moment of my life. I’d honestly thought I’d lost him. And the thought of it… it still made me want to throw up.As I walked, I noticed some of the servants and pack members who had been… well, *under* Kaelen's thumb, for lack of a better word. They looked nervous, their eyes darting around like they expected to be punished any second. Some
DARIUS♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎My side still ached like a son of a bitch, but I couldn't just sit around feeling sorry for myself. Not when there were still threats lurking out there. I called a meeting with Sylas and the strongest warriors in the pack. We gathered in the war room.“Alright,” I started, my voice still a bit rough, but firm. “We need to talk about security. Kaelen was an inside threat, and we dealt with him. But his buddies out there…” I clenched my fist. “We can’t underestimate them. They helped him plan this, they probably expected him to succeed. They might try something else.”Sylas nodded, his expression serious. “Agreed, Alpha. We’ve increased patrols around the Estate borders, and we’re keeping a close eye on anyone who might be connected to Kaelen.”“Good,” I said. “But we need to do more. I want double the guards on the Estate grounds, day and night. Every entrance, every exit. I want eyes everywhere. And I want a rotation schedule so no one gets complacent.”“Understo
EMMELINE♠︎♧♠︎♧♠︎♧♠︎♧I couldn’t shake the nightmares that followed. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kaelen’s face… his threats, his twisted ritual… and the terror of that night came rushing back. I tossed and turned in the dark, sweat cooling on my skin as memories of his venomous words and dark promises haunted my sleep. I was so tired of waking up drenched in fear, of being trapped in that endless cycle of horror. Finally, unable to bear another sleepless hour, I climbed out of bed.I wandered the quiet halls of the estate, my feet echoing softly on the cool stone floor. Every shadow seemed to whisper of the past, and every creak of the wooden beams reminded me of promises broken and lives lost. I didn’t know where I was headed; I just needed to get away from my thoughts. I walked aimlessly until I found myself in front of Darius’s room.The door was slightly ajar, the faint glow of lamplight spilling into the corridor. My heart pounded in my ears as I hesitated for a moment. I
EMMELINEThey are never going to find the bodies of the men I killed on the day of my mating ceremony.Neither would they find me. My name is Emmeline Carrington, and I am King Carrington's daughter and the last female Lycan. Six Months EarlierAs I stood before Jonas, my fated mate, our hands intertwined and our smiles beaming, I couldn't think of a more perfect day. It was the day of our mating ceremony, and to say that I was still in awe of everything playing out would be a sheer understatement. I just couldn't believe a day like this had finally come, that something this good, this perfect, would ever happen to a girl like me.Several times today, I'd paused and waited with bated breath, half expecting to awaken from whatever dream this was. But it wasn't a dream. I was getting mated to Jonas Sharpe! For the first time in my life, it didn't feel like I had been cursed. To be bound to a man like Jonas as a mate was the greatest blessing of all. He was a top-ranking warrior in
EMMELINEFearful screams arose from every corner of the hall as everyone present flew into a frenzy. My heart felt like it was about to leap out of my chest as I staggered backwards from a mix of confusion and fear.Because everything had happened so fast, I barely had time to process anything. One second my father was officiating my mating ceremony, and the next he had flown to the center of the madness, fighting off the werewolves that were storming into our estate. WE WERE TRULY UNDER ATTACK!ON THE DAY OF MY MATING CEREMONY!All around the hall, combat had ensued with Lycans being cut down mercilessly and killed brutally. It was a bloodbath. I had never felt so much horror. Blood rushed through my ears as I looked around for Jonas, barely escaping the people zooming past me and causing a stampede. "Jonas!!" I screamed helplessly, fighting my way through the crowd and simultaneously struggling to avoid the silver bullets whizzing left and right. I couldn't believe that the best d
EMMELINE (MARY)Present Day“Hurry up with the drink, bartender! I don't have all bloody day!” A man seated at one of the tables in the small bar yelled at me. I nearly jumped out of my skin, slightly dizzy from the suddenness of it all. I realized then that I had zoned out. Again. As fast as my legs could carry me, I rushed out from behind the counter, balancing his order in one hand as I made for his table. I managed to get there without spilling anything. "Y-Your drink, s-sir…" I stuttered, keeping my eyes down apologetically lest I get into more trouble. "Give me that!" He barked, snatching it from me and shooting me a glare sharp. Shuddering, I headed back to my position behind the counter. It had been four months since I was employed at this bar, and still the job hadn't gotten easier. My life hadn't gotten any easier. That seemed like a more fitting conclusion. I still felt heavy and hollow, the hole in the chest never closing up completely. After the death of my family, I
EMMELINE♠︎♧♠︎♧♠︎♧♠︎♧I couldn’t shake the nightmares that followed. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kaelen’s face… his threats, his twisted ritual… and the terror of that night came rushing back. I tossed and turned in the dark, sweat cooling on my skin as memories of his venomous words and dark promises haunted my sleep. I was so tired of waking up drenched in fear, of being trapped in that endless cycle of horror. Finally, unable to bear another sleepless hour, I climbed out of bed.I wandered the quiet halls of the estate, my feet echoing softly on the cool stone floor. Every shadow seemed to whisper of the past, and every creak of the wooden beams reminded me of promises broken and lives lost. I didn’t know where I was headed; I just needed to get away from my thoughts. I walked aimlessly until I found myself in front of Darius’s room.The door was slightly ajar, the faint glow of lamplight spilling into the corridor. My heart pounded in my ears as I hesitated for a moment. I
DARIUS♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎My side still ached like a son of a bitch, but I couldn't just sit around feeling sorry for myself. Not when there were still threats lurking out there. I called a meeting with Sylas and the strongest warriors in the pack. We gathered in the war room.“Alright,” I started, my voice still a bit rough, but firm. “We need to talk about security. Kaelen was an inside threat, and we dealt with him. But his buddies out there…” I clenched my fist. “We can’t underestimate them. They helped him plan this, they probably expected him to succeed. They might try something else.”Sylas nodded, his expression serious. “Agreed, Alpha. We’ve increased patrols around the Estate borders, and we’re keeping a close eye on anyone who might be connected to Kaelen.”“Good,” I said. “But we need to do more. I want double the guards on the Estate grounds, day and night. Every entrance, every exit. I want eyes everywhere. And I want a rotation schedule so no one gets complacent.”“Understo
EMMELINE’S POV ♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♧♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎My feet felt heavy as I walked through the familiar halls of the Estate. Everything looked the same, but the air was thick with the lingering tension of what had happened. It was like a ghost of fear still floated around, clinging to the walls and furniture. My own body ached in places I hadn't even realized were bruised, a constant reminder of Kaelen's attack. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in my chest, the raw fear that still flickered in my heart every time I thought about Darius.He was getting stronger, thank goodness. Seeing him lying there, so pale and still… it had been the worst moment of my life. I’d honestly thought I’d lost him. And the thought of it… it still made me want to throw up.As I walked, I noticed some of the servants and pack members who had been… well, *under* Kaelen's thumb, for lack of a better word. They looked nervous, their eyes darting around like they expected to be punished any second. Some
DARIUS’ POV★★★☆★★★My eyelids felt like they were glued together with dried blood and sweat. Every inch of my body screamed in protest as I tried to shift, but a soft weight on my arm stopped me. Emmeline. Her head was resting on the edge of the bed, her dark hair spilling over the white sheets. She looked so damn tired, but her grip on my arm was tight, like she was afraid I’d disappear if she let go.A wave of guilt washed over me. She shouldn’t have had to go through this. It was my job to protect her, and I’d almost failed. The memory of Kaelen’s sneering face and the cold steel of his blade flashed in my mind, followed by the searing pain in my side. I clenched my jaw, the anger bubbling up inside me despite my weakened state. That son of a bitch would pay.I managed a weak cough, and Emmeline’s head snapped up. Her eyes, red-rimmed and puffy, widened with relief. “Darius!” Her voice was hoarse, barely a whisper.“Hey,” I croaked, my throat feeling like sandpaper. “You okay?” St
EMMELINE’S POV♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♧♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎My heart leaped into my throat the second I saw the crimson stain blooming on Darius’s side. “No!” The word ripped from me, a raw, desperate sound. I wanted to run to him, to shield him, to somehow make the blood disappear, but his hand shot out, a silent command. “Stay back, Emmeline,” he grunted, his voice tight with pain.Stay back? How could I? He was bleeding, for goodness sake! My vision swam with unshed tears, and a cold dread coiled in my stomach. And then I saw him – Kaelen. That smug, hateful smile stretched across his face as he took slow, deliberate steps towards Darius. The sight of him, so pleased with himself, made my blood boil despite the terror gripping me.Darius, as stubborn as always, straightened up, his hand pressed against his bleeding side. He swayed a little, and my breath hitched. “You’ll die here, Darius,” Kaelen sneered, his voice laced with satisfaction. Then, he lunged.It happened so fast. One moment Kaelen was stand
EMMELINE♣︎♣︎♣︎♧♣︎♣︎♣︎Ugh, these silver robes felt like they weighed a ton. Every step they made me take felt like dragging myself through thick mud. Weak and tired didn’t even begin to cover it. I was running on fumes, and those fumes were mostly made of sheer stubbornness and the tiny spark of hope that Darius would somehow, someway, find me.They shoved me into this room in the Estate that Kaelen had turned into his creepy ritual chamber. Firelight danced on the walls, making everything look all shadowy and ominous. And there he was, Kaelen, standing there like he owned the damn place, waiting for me. My stomach churned. I tried to keep my face blank, to not let him see how terrified I was, but it was hard. There were other men in the room with him, big and burly, and their presence just amplified the fear that was already clawing at my throat.Kaelen looked at me, a smug look on his face that made my blood boil despite my exhaustion.. “See? I told you she’d come willingly.” He sm
DARIUS’ POV★★★★★★★Seriously, these damn stab wounds still throbbed like a bastard drum. Every time I shifted, it sent a jolt of pain through my side, but I couldn’t stay still. Emmeline needed me. The image of her terrified face when Kaelen’s goons dragged her away kept flashing in my mind. That bastard wasn't going to mark her under the full moon. I won’t let that happen.Sylas fussed over me, trying to get me to lie back down, but I waved him off. “I’m fine,” I lied, the words catching in my throat. Fine? I felt like I'd been ripped apart and put back together with rusty nails. But compared to what Emmeline must be going through, this pain was nothing.“You’re bleeding again, Darius,” Sylas said, his voice laced with concern. Lately he’s been my closest friend, more like my right-hand man. He knew the way I loved Emmeline, knew how much she meant to me. “Doesn’t matter,” I grunted, pushing myself up to a sitting position against the rough bark of a tree. The forest floor was damp
EMMELINE’S POV☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆His roar shook the very air around me. I flinched, squeezing my eyes shut as the sound bounced off the walls of this… this prison. Vases shattered against the wall, the heavy wooden chair he’d been sitting on splintered into pieces as he hurled it across the room. I flinched with every crash, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. Darius’s failed rescue attempt had lit a fire in him that I hadn’t seen before, a wild, uncontrollable rage that was now directed squarely at me, even though I hadn't done a damn thing.“You stupid girl!” he bellowed, his voice thick with fury. I didn’t dare open my eyes. I just curled in on myself, wishing I could disappear, become invisible.His footsteps came closer, heavy and menacing. I could feel his presence looming over me. “Look at me!” he snarled, and I finally forced my eyes open. His face was contorted with rage, his eyes blazing with a dangerous light.“That… that idiot!” He yelled, and another crash fo
DARIUS’S POV☆☆☆☆☆☆☆“Darius?” She whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.“Emmeline,” I breathed, my heart aching at the sight of her. She looked pale and thinner. Her eyes, usually so bright and full of life, were clouded with fear.“How… how did you get here?” she asked, taking a step towards me.“Who's there!?”A guard appeared in the doorway before I could respond, his eyes widening in alarm. I could see his eyes narrow as he reached for his weapon.“Intruder!” he yelled, raising his weapon.“Get behind me, Emmeline!” I shouted, pushing her back.The guard lunged, and I met him head-on. He was strong, but I was fueled by adrenaline and pure, unadulterated rage. We exchanged a few brutal blows. I blocked his punch and drove my fist into his gut. He doubled over, groaning. I didn’t wait—I kicked him in the side, sending him sprawling to the ground, his weapon clattering away.But the noise had attracted attention. I could hear more guards approaching, their heavy footsteps poun