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
Vanessa's pov The pain was a constant reminder of what Xander did to me. My arm had healed but it was scarred, an injury caused by an alpha never goes away completely. The scar may be small on the outside but inside— in my pride, it was longer and ran deeper. The incident didn't just cause me a physical injury it also caused me my standing in the pack, the humiliation was great. He chose her. A human, over me. The thought alone made my blood boil. Ava was a weak and insignificant creature who had crawled her way into the pack and was beginning to leech on it and the first person she latched onto was the alpha. My alpha. I paced in my room as I thought of ways to return the favor for what she did to me. I had to be smart and strategic this time so as not to allow history to repeat itself. They all used to love me but now they had started to whisper and the whispers were growing louder, some pitied me while others mocked me but one thing was constant, they all talked about Ava.
Xander's povThe sound of my boot on the stone floors echoed in the empty hallway. I was going to the council chamber, I had been summoned due to the incident with Vanessa and her friends.I was surprised and I was prepared. The council chamber was a large circular room, the walls were lined with guards and tapestries that told takes of the war and our history.My focus wasn't on them today but on the people seated behind the long table at the end of the room. The pack elders. Their expressions were neutral yet I saw annoyance and curiosity in some of their eyes.I scanned the table and my steps flattered when I saw him.My father.Against my will, my heart raced at the sight of him. Why did they call him? This is bad.No matter how hard I try, my father will always have his dark evil claws buried deep inside me. My heart beat picked up and I prayed that it wasn't loud enough for him to hear, I couldn't give him that satisfaction.My mind flashed to my bloody younger self on the floor
Xander's pov“You summoned me here for this?” I asked in a low tone.Thane gestured for me to take a step forward. “As you are well aware, we just received some concerning information about the human called Ava. Vanessa has brought some certain things to light and we cannot ignore them.”The human. It disgusted me the way they spoke about Ava.My jaw ticked and I turned to shoot Vanessa a glare which she ignored by keeping her eyes forward.“Baseless accusations.” I spat.“Well, the rest of the pack seems to think otherwise.” Thane replied. “They also believe that she is manipulating you somehow , turning you against your pack and making your priority shift from your duties. And the fact that she may also be inclined in the rebellion brewing amongst the humans.”I couldn't control it anymore and a low and dangerous growl escaped me, echoing through the room. Everyone went silent, pin drop silent. “how dare you accuse my mate of such?”Shit. I didn't know when the word “mate” slipped o
Ava’s POVXander had been summoned by the council this morning. I was worried about him because I knew it was because of me and Vanessa wasn't going to let it go.Thomas had also found me this morning and told me that we were to have a meeting. That added to my nerves, I was still considering my decision to join the rebellion but I was already too far in to kill out I had memorized the directions Thomas had given me on a note. He said to burn it once I was done and I did it. It was a small, poorly lit space hidden behind the servant's quarters which was accessible by going through a narrow passage hidden by some loose stone in the wall. My heart pounded with every step I took inside.The room was fairly crowded with people— servants, cooks, gardeners, all humans who worked down to their bones tirelessly to keep the castle and werewolves running because they were too lazy to do it themselves. Their eyes turned to me as I walked in, there was a mixture of determination and apprehension
Ava's povI gave her a hug then watched her disappear back into the servant's quarters before heading to my room, entering and shutting the door behind me. The space felt smaller than usual, the walls pressing in as the weight of the rebellion’s expectations settled on my shoulders.I pulled out the letter again, rereading D’s words. “You are more than you know.”His words echoed in my mind as I laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Sleep didn’t come easily, my thoughts were filled with fear and a million questions.What did they mean, I was more than I knew?The Next Morning…The castle was quieter than usual, the tension in the air was thick and I knew that it had something to do with the council meeting yesterday. I hadn't seen Xander since and as much as I didn't like to admit, I was worried about him.I kept my head down as I went about my tasks, avoiding unnecessary interactions. Xander didn’t assign me any task but I couldn't just sit around and do nothing so I joined
Ava's povA lot of strange things have been happening a lot lately. This was my second time seeing the shadow, first with beta Magnus and now outside the laundry room.It was being… controlled. Sent by someone and I knew their target was me, for what reason? I don't know.I sighed and rubbed my face in exhaustion as I walked back to my room. Pulling the note out of my pocket I read its content once again and traced by fingers along its edges.“We must meet.”The words kept replaying in my head. It felt like some sort of challenge and an invitation at the same time.D.It was just a single letter but something about it. I couldn't put my finger on it but my intuition told me that I should meet with him. I rested my head against the cool glass window and stared at the letter.Everyone seemed to have faith in me, why? I don’t know. Did I deserve their faith? I wasn't sure. The more I stared at the note the more the handwriting began to look… familiar.A knock at the door pulled me out of
Ava's povI decided to take a nap to rest my head and gather my thoughts. To my surprise, there was a basket of food waiting for me outside my door when I woke up.I knew that no one had access to that wing except Xander and myself. It was so thoughtful of him to do this for me.After eating I decided to take a bit of fresh air outside my room. It was late so the castle was dark, Xander's warning rang in my head but I promised that I was going to be quick and I was going to scream at the top of my lungs if someone attacked me.I walked with my bare feet on the cold stone floors, something about me grounded me. The castle was a bit cold and I welcomed it.“We must meet. There are truths you need to hear, but they cannot be written.”What truths? What could he possibly want to tell me that would justify the danger of leaving the castle? What does he know that I know?It all sent a chill down my spine.The soft clattering of a pebble against the floor in the silent castle startled me. M
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