Vanessa's povPain.That was all I felt all over my body. The alpha had hurt me all because of that girl, that filthy human.“Shh, calm down, honey.” my mom whispered soothingly in my ears.I couldn't calm down, my entire body was in pain. Spasms, I curled into a ball as the pain continued to radiate all over my body.My healing wasn't working fast enough, I heard Lucy scream. The sickening crack of her arm when the alpha snapped it still rang in my ears.She was my childhood best friend, always by my side through thick and thin and I had just gotten her hurt. I cringed as I heard another sickening sound as the doctor snapped her bone back in place so it would heal properly.“Okay, here we go.” A nurse said.This brought me back to my own situation. When the alpha flung me across the room, a metal decor had impaled into my back— my spine to be exact.I was beginning to heal around it so they needed to pull it out as fast as possible.Tears streamed down my face as I felt the nurse pul
Ava's povThe castle was silent, everyone was asleep and so should I have been, yet here I was following a strange voice and glow.Very dumb. I thought but still went on.As I rounded the corner, I was met with a long dark hallway. I had never been in this part of the castle and wanted to turn back the way I had come until I saw the glow again.I kept following the glow as it led me through a series of hallways, deeper into the castle. There weren't even guards stationed in these parts which was odd because they were stationed in every other part of the castle.As I rounded the next corner, the glow suddenly disappeared.“What the…” I muttered under my breath.I turned to look at the way I had just come from and the hallway was filled with darkness, daunting and frightening.I was lost.“What do I do? I shouldn’t have followed it.” I said in confusion and slight fear.There were windows in this hallway which let in light from the glow of the moon. Hesitantly, I walked further into it
Ava's povWhat I read was far different from the take I knew. The scroll talked about betrayals, secret alliances, villages burnt down and innocent people that were slaughtered.It wasn't by the enemy that we had all grown up knowing— the humans, but by the werewolves themselves.My stomach twisted the more I read. The werewolves hadn't fought for survival rather they had planned and caused the chaos, killing thousands to be the dominating race.They lied about it all. They changed history to benefit them, they painted themselves as noble survivors who had to do what they needed to survive. They buried the atrocities they had committed.The scroll mentioned names I didn't know, leaders who had made the ultimate decision that led to the death of thousands. My hands trembled as I turned the pages, it described the brutal tactics they used, merciless strategies that were created.Now I understood the warning written on the door as the weight of the truth pressed down on me.I kept readin
Ava's pov After taking my bath, I sat on my bed and thought about everything I had discovered. The truth plagued my mind, I had always known that the werewolves were monsters but this took things to a whole new level. Does Xander know? I wondered. He could know or not. The chamber looked like it hadn't been used in ages, I doubt he knew. He seemed to believe what he was raised with. Regardless, that doesn't make him innocent in all this. I hadn't seen or heard from him all day, not sure why that bothered me instead of making me happy. Madam Mary. I stood up so fast that the world spun around me. Once steady, I grabbed my shoes, put them on and headed out the door. I still wore my maid's outfit because I wasn't sure I was allowed to wear anything else. I had a mission: find Madame Mary and talk about the offer she had given me when I first arrived. Joining the humans in whatever they had planned. I wasn't entirely sure what this said plan entails but now that I was hea
Ava's pov“No.”“Because you've got this… fire in you. Burning hot and that's the kind of spirit we need if we are ever going to be free from the werewolves.” She continued. “I'm sure you've heard whispers about the rebellion, no?”“Yes, just a little bit. There is some tension between the humans and werewolves so it was bound to happen.” I replied.My mind flashed back to the truth I knew but I bit my tongue.Madame Mary let out a dry laugh. “Some tension? That's putting it lightly, dear. There is a full on war brewing between both races. We are tired of being treated like tools or livestock ready to be used and discarded as these monsters please. We've had enough.”I remained silent as she spoke.“The storm has gathered and is slowly moving towards us. Once the time is right, it will be a downpour. We want a change and we will get it, at all cost.”My heart skipped a beat, it was a lot more intense than I had imagined. “How long has the rebellion been going on?”“Years, child.” Mada
Ava's POVHe held my hand firmly yet gently as he led me down a series of hallways. He moved fast so I didn't have time to memorize all the hallways and corners we rounded.He was tense. I could feel the tension radiating off him in waves. His eyes were fixed ahead, determined.I wonder where he's taking me. I thought.We walked past servants occasionally, humans and omegas alike. Although they dropped their gaze as we walked past them, I could feel their eyes burning into my back once they were behind us.A fresh set of whispers would start, that's certain but Zander didn't seem to notice or care as he focused on the path ahead.Finally, we got to a secluded part of the castle. This part was a bit different from the others, the walls were painted a beige color, it has a lot of potted plants and windows that let in the light from the sun.This part was more feminine, it felt ethereal. He took a deep breath then reached out and pushed the door open.My breath hitched at the sight befor
Xander's povI watched as different emotions went through her until it finally settled on confusion. “What exactly does the prophecy say? What is my role in all this? Is that why you brought me here?”“Yes,” I admitted. “Because you needed to see this. I wanted to see what would happen. Do you know what roses mean?”She shook her head.“Roses signify balance and harmony. According to history, when a petal shatters it means chaos is near but when it stands firm, healthy and shines it means there's hope.”There was more to Ava than meets the eye, my mind traveled back to what had happened in the morning.I woke up determined to get answers and there was only one place I could get it, the oracle. Oracles are a few people blessed by the moon goddess with the ability to see visions.I walked down the path leading to her house, it was one I knew very well but hadn't walked through in years. She loved being away from the bustling activities of the pack, she settled deep in the forest remaini
Xander's pov “Guide her through everything. She doesn't know who she truly is but she will find out soon and when that time comes, she will need you more than ever.” The oracle finished. I gave her a nod, Ava was now my top priority. This was a serious duty that I had to uphold. “Is there any other thing I should know?” The oracle hesitated, her eyes went blank for a second before she returned and searched my face. “There is one thing, betrayal. The prophecy talks about a great betrayal which will test the bond between you and Ava. Be vigilant, Zander. You must not let this betrayal get between you both, note everyone wants to see this prophecy come to pass.” I felt the weight of her warning settle on me. “Thank you.” I said, standing up. She rose from her seat as well then pulled me into a warm hug. I have been so busy over the years and rarely came to visit her, I missed this. “Be strong and brave, my child. The road ahead is a rocky one and won't be easy to get through b
Ava's povThese chains will not hold me.Never.The shadows wrapped around me like living creatures, chains of darkness slithering over my arms, my throat, my legs—squeezing, burning, consuming. It felt like they were alive, like they were breathing, whispering, coiling into my skin with a predatory hunger.I struggled, yanking against them, but it was like fighting the weight of an anvil. The more I thrashed, the tighter they held me.A cruel chuckle echoed through the darkness."Foolish girl," the General sneered. "Do you think you can fight against your own nature?"This isn't my nature! I wanted to shout but couldn't.I clenched my jaw, refusing to acknowledge the way his words made my stomach twist. I wasn’t one of them. I wasn’t his.Never was and never will be.But the shadows thought otherwise.They hissed in my ear, whispering things I refused to hear.I refused to listen.But my body was betraying me.The cold was sinking deeper, flowing into my veins, making my thoughts slo
Xander's povThe words from its mouth sent a chill down my spine but I clenched my jaw, refusing to show fear. My grip tightened on my blade as I stepped forward, locking eyes with the towering figure that lurked in the darkness in front of us.The red eyes of the Nyx Wraiths burned like embers in the night. The Hellhounds stalker along at the edges of the trees, low growls reverberating through the battlefield. The Revenants stood unnaturally still, their decayed bodies could be seen due to the flickering torches we had lit behind us.Outside Ashville it was day but in here, Zerathos' corruption had seeped so much into the land that it was night.I could feel the tension in my army—thousands of wolves behind me, armed and ready strike justification waiting for my command.The figure in the darkness stepped forward and shadows seeped it off its body like ink on paper or smoke in the wind.It is as a General. I could tell by the way it carried itself that it wasn't a regular foot soldi
Xander's povThe scent of damp earth, ash and frost clung to the air as we neared Ashville’s border. The heat had lessened slightly due to the change in seasons but it could still be felt slightly.The trees stood tall and lifeless, their branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers. The land here was darker, heavier—tainted by Zerathos’ growing influence.But we weren’t alone.As we got over the final hill the sight that waited us knocked the breath out of me.Wolves. Thousands of them.They were stretched across the valley in a vast sea of warriors, their bodies gleaming in the dim morning light. They came from all nine packs, their banners flapping in the wind, colors blending into what looked like a tapestry of unity.I recognized them by their crests— rainville, iron claw, blood Moon, silver claw, storm fang, thornspike, wild heart, night shade and lastly, Ashville.Their Alphas stood at the front of each battalion, their warriors behind them, waiting.Waiting for me.Ava s
Xander's povBy the time we reached our camp, the sky had begun to lighten, the first hints of dawn were peeking above the horizon. The rest of our warriors and allies were already awake, their stance ready with their weapons drawn and a hard expression on their faces.Ava was the first to approach us, her sharp eyes sweeping over me, searching for injuries.“You’re okay,” she murmured, relief flickering in her eyes.I nodded. “The attack was successful. We wiped them out.”She exhaled, glancing at the boy we had captured. “And him? Who's that?”“A survivor.” I locked eyes with her. “He’s going to talk.”Ava studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she turned back to me. “You should rest.”“There’s no time.” I pulled off my bloodied cloak and tossed it aside. “We move at nightfall.”She frowned. “Xander—”“I’m fine.” My voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.Ava pressed her lips into a thin line in annoyance, but she didn’t push further. Instead, she turned to
Xander's povThe night was thick with tension, the air cold against my skin as we moved swiftly through the trees. My breathing was steady and controlled while my heart pounded fast in anticipation of what was to come..The rebel camp was close.Kael moved beside me, silent as a shadow, his bow already drawn. Rowan and Vanessa followed closely behind, their weapons glinting under the moonlight. The rest of our warriors fanned out, forming a perimeter to ensure no one escaped.We had the element of surprise.And I intended to use it.***The rebel camp was in a clearing deep in the forest, it was half hidden between fallen logs and makeshift tents. Smoke rose lazily from dying fires and the scent of burning wood, meat and unwashed bodies filled the air.There were at least fifteen of them, maybe more.Some were seated near the fire, speaking in hushed tones, while others patrolled lazily along the edges of their camp. They seemed like a lowly group in the rebel force because they didn'
Ava's povThe journey to Ashville was long and grueling. The warriors rode in tense silence as the weight of the upcoming battle pressed down on all of us. The further we traveled, the darker the skies became. In the short time since we had last been here, I could tell that a lot had changed.Soon, the sun began to set so we needed to find a place to stop and rest.“We’ll set up camp here,” Xander announced, coming to a stop on his horse. He turned to Kael and Rowan. “Get the warriors settled. We move again at first light.”Kael and Rowan nodded, immediately splitting off to give out orders.The camp was set up quickly—tents were set up, fires were lit and some of the warriors were assigned as patrol. But before we could settle down to rest, we had one more critical task to do.Kaida, Lyra, and I worked together to set up the enchanted wards around the perimeter of our camp. Unlike regular protective spells, these ones were specifically designed to cut off Zerathos' powers from reachi
Ava's povNo one moved.Xander’s muscles were tense, ready to strike, but even he hesitated.Rowan gritted his teeth. “From who?”The Revenant’s lips curled, a grotesque imitation of a smile. “From your future king.”I couldn't even speak due to the shook at what I was witnessing and hearingZerathos.The Revenant raised a clawed hand, black veins pulsing beneath its skin. A scroll appeared in its grasp out of nowhere, the paper looking older than time itself.“You will take this,” it rasped. “Or I will carve it into your bones.”Vanessa snarled, stepping forward. “We could kill you where you stand.”The Revenant turned its head, its gaze locking onto her. “Try.”Shadows wrapped around its form like living creatures, pulsing with darkness and a black flame that made the room impossibly daker.I swallowed hard.This thing—this messenger—was made of darkness. We could fight it, but it would not be an easy battle.Xander reached out, eyes never leaving the Revenant as he took the scroll
Ava's povThere was a first line of message which read:“We heard zerathos saying some things to the higher members of the shadow council and wrote it down word for word.”Shadow council? What?Then came zerathos words, “You think you know war. You think this is just a battle of swords and blood. But you are blind. We have done more than build an army—we have awakened horrors from the past. Creatures that once roamed the darkest corners of this world now serve our cause. You will not fight soldiers. You will fight nightmares.You may prepare your weapons, your warriors, your magic. It won’t be enough. By the time the final battle arrives, Lycara will already be drowning in blood.Run if you wish. Beg the gods for mercy. It will not save you.”A chill ran through me.I lifted my gaze to the others. “They’re using more than just rebels and rogues. They’ve summoned monsters.”“Creatures,” Lyra corrected. She pointed to the bottom of the letter. “There’s a list.”I flipped to the next pag
Ava's povI sat on the edge of the war table, tracing patterns into the wood with my fingertips. My mind was racing with plans and ideas but one thought stood out above the rest.We needed a map. Not just any map but the map of zerathos hideout.Turning to Xander, I took a deep breath. “We have spies inside, right?”He nodded, leaning against the table with his arms crossed. “Yes, why?”“We need them to make a map of the hideout and deliver it to us.” I said.“That is crazy, we all know that they can only pass information in fragments. Anything too big or else they will risk getting exposed.”“Then tell them to take the risk.”His eyes darkened slightly, his jaw tightening. “Ava—”“We need a map of that stronghold, Xander. It's important.” I pressed. “Every hallway, every entry and exit, every weak point. If we’re going to take Zerathos down, we have to know what we’re walking into.”Xander exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. “It’ll take time.”“I know. But we have to start now.”H