Ava's povI stumbled back and let go of Xander's handI started at the statue, heart pounding. “This…this can't be.”“She looks just like you.” Xander said, next to me. Voice filled with confusion that mirrored the expression on my face.Why is there a statue that looks like me, in the castle? I wondered.“She is you.” I turned to look at the keeper as it spoke.“Why is it here? What does it mean?” I asked.“It's here because you are more than you know, Ava. Your role in all this is far greater than you could have imagined.” The keeper answered. “Come, the answers to your endless questions await.”It walked to the podium in the centre and waited for us to join. Xander and I exchanged a look before walking up to the podium.“Place your hands on the podium.” it said.Xander and I exchanged uncertain glances again. I felt his hand brush mine before he took it in his grasp and held it tightly. He was still guarded and didn't trust the keeper, I could feel the tension radiating off him in
Ava's pov“If…” I started. “If what you're saying is true then I must have been gifted back then, why didn't I stop the war? What makes you think I can stop it now when I couldn't stop it then?”“It wasn't the right time.” The keeper said. “The goddess may be supreme but she is not to interfere with the works of the fates.”“Fates?” I askedThe scene froze and the keeper appeared before us. Its voice— neither male nor female, was calm as it spoke. “Every living thing in the universe is the work of the fates.” It started. “The fates are three ancient magical women who weave threads for every living thing.”“Threads?” Xander asked.“Yes, these threads are life. The life of everything alive is held in a single thread which is connected to what we call ‘the core’”The more he explained the more new questions began to form in my head. “What is the core?”“It is what you call destiny.” It answered. “All threads are tied to the core, the thread is a path that guides you to the core— your ul
Ava's povI clenched my jaw and fist in annoyance. “So what? I'm supposed to face a dark god to save a race that has treated my kind as worthless trash for centuries? Why shouldn't I let them perish for their own wrongdoings?”“Ava,” Xander said. I could hear the hurt in his voice but I chose to ignore it. “Please.”I closed my eyes. It was all too much.“If the werewolves are defeated, your kind will face sufferings worse than what they are currently going through.” The keeper said.Opening my eyes, I scoffed. “What could possibly be worse than what's already going on?”The keeper was silent. Xander sighed.“The path ahead will not be an easy one, Ava.” The keeper started, voice soft. “There will be trials, pain, and loss. Your thread has started to cross paths with others— a lot. Your choices will determine the date of many.”I took a shaky breath as the weight of my responsibility settled on my shoulders. “And if I fail?”The Keeper’s glow flared then dimmed. “If you fail, the thre
Ava's povWe got to the grand foyer and walked to the grand doors. Xander pushed it open and we stepped out, the cold night air bit our skin.I stared at the view in front of us but it was equally deserted. Fear began to creep up my spine, did the rogues attack? Are we in a different realm? Is this… the work of the dark god?Before I could voice out any of these questions, the sound of hurried footsteps approaching interrupted me. We turned and saw a guard, frozen to his spot.His eyes were wide in shock and face pale. “Alpha, Ava.” He muttered.“What's going on? Where's everyone?” Xander demanded, eyes narrow and body tensed.The guard’s gaze darted between us, his expression a mix of disbelief and relief. “You’ve been gone.” he said, his voice trembling.“Gone?” Xander repeated. “What on earth are you talking about?” He snapped.The guard swallowed hard and his body visibly trembled at Xander's tone. “You both disappeared over a week ago.”A week?“The entire castle and packs have
Xander’s POVI was still trying to wrap my head around everything.A week.We had been gone for an entire week. The keeper's warning about the elders rang in my head, I had always known that they couldn't be fully trusted and this has solidified my decision on that.A lot rested on my shoulders now, taking care and protecting Ava, handling the issue with the rouges, finding the traitors in the castle, being cautious around the elders, destroying the human rebellion and finding out who this dark god was so I could help Ava.I looked up at her. She was lost in thoughts just like I was. Even if the world around us was on fire, she would always ground me.“We need a plan.” I said, breaking the silence.She looked up and nodded. “What type of plan?”“First, we need to make sure that we maintain control over the pack at all costs. A divided pack would fall before the war even begins. The rogues are watching us, they are waiting for a sign of weakness to latch onto and bring us down.”She no
Xander's povThe council had summoned me yet again. The air was thick with tension as I stood before them. Their cold and calculating gaze burned into me.I maintained a neutral expression and clasped my hand behind me, back straight as I started back at them. Leo growled, he was seething deep in me. It was a struggle to contain him.“Alpha king Xander.” Elder Thane began. “You suddenly disappeared for over a week and threw not just your pack but the entire Kingdom into a frenzy as they relentlessly searched for you. Do you care to explain your sudden disappearance?”He tried to look and sound intimidating but he looked like a pup. “I left to go investigate a recent rogue activity I had spotted near the borders.” U answered calmly. “It needed to be handled with utmost discretion and secrecy which is why I didn't tell anyone because I couldn't risk a word of it getting leaked and jeopardizing everything I had planned.”Elder Maris scoffed, I turned to her and saw her eyes were narrowed
Xander's povThe oracle stood by the door. This was unlike her, she doesn't leave her cottage unless summoned. The room fell into hushed silence as we all watched her walk to the front of the room.“Thane, Garrick and Maris.” She started. “You will not lay a finger on a single hair on that child's head.” She ordered.“Or-oracle.” Garrick stuttered giving her a bow. “What brings you here? This is a simple matter.”“It is not a simple matter. It is far greater than every single one of us in this room— and the realm as a whole.” She said, “Leave Ava alone.”“Why?” Maris snapped. “Ever since that human stepped foot in this castle things have changed and not for the better. Take a look at Xander, he hurt his own people and has been slacking in his duties.”“The wheel of fate has been spun, everything is now set into motion. Many threads of destiny have been knotted together, a story that cannot be undone has been made. Each choice and action taken henceforth, is a step closer to the inevit
Xander's povI ran my fingers through my hair, my hands trembling slightly.“That’s the reason why my father hates me,” I said, my throat tightening. “It’s not just because I remind him of my mother or because he thinks I’m weak. It’s because he blames me for her death.”Ava’s brows furrowed in confusion. “But you said that she died from childbirth complications after the rogue attack. How could that be your fault?”I let out a dry laugh, it sounded hollow and filled with pain. I regret everything that happened till this day, her death would forever haunt me.I let out a bitter laugh, the sound hollow and filled with pain. “Because I was the reason she was in the forest that day. I begged her to come with me.”Her eyes widened, and I could see the shock and sympathy warring within her.“It was a beautiful summer day,” I said, my voice distant as my mind flashed back to the memory. “The sun was shining, the air was filled with the scent of jasmine and lavender— my mother's favorites af
Xander's povI thought back to the sick wolves at the castle. We had found a solution for that, I didn't know if the rainville healers had arrived.Then my heart dropped. Poison.“They’re not just using weapons,” I whispered in sudden realization. “They’re poisoning us.”“We need to head back. Fast!” Rowan yelled, his mind instantly going to Lyra.We wasted no time in going back to ironclaw and grabbing our horses. The journey back to blackthorn was fast and brutal, our minds clouded with what we had just discovered. I prayed to the moon goddess that it wasn't true.Ava rode beside me, her hand occasionally brushing against mine, grounding me even as my thoughts spun uncontrollably.When we arrived, the sight that greeted us was worse than I had feared.There were a lot of wolves in the infirmary, it couldn't even hold all of them. Somewhere unconscious, some withered in agony, some were gasping for breath. Both children and adults, their veins were black, just like that of the warrio
Xander's pov )More crates filled with their new weapons were staked high. They were prepared. This pile was far more than what we had gotten from our last raid. The dark energy around the weapons pulsed and filled the air, seeping into our bodies.There were even more maps scattered around. I sighed, more things to decipher. A headache began to build up just at the sight of them.There were also blueprints that showed the weapons and some other structures were built as well as some handwritten notes. They had been planning these for years— maybe decades or even centuries.Ava picked up one of the papers and I watched as her face darkened. “They aren't just planning attacks on us , they are trying to recreate something— something ancient.”Rowan’s voice was barely a whisper. “Zerathos’s forge.”“Yeah, this is a replica like I said earlier.” Ava said.But the place was strangely empty. This got me on edge as my body tensed. Why would a place with many valuable items be left unguarded?
Xander's povWe left rainville at the crack of dawn. We travelled to the east where iron claw pack was located. The lush green environment changed to rocky hills and pointed cliffs. The further we climbed the thinner and dryer the air became, the smell of iron growing stronger.We were all silent as we rode. We had left Eiran back at rainville for him to fully recover. Rowan led the group as he was more familiar with the rough terrain since he often visits the pack.We finally got to the gates and were met by Alpha Drystan. He was a tall aged man with broad shoulders and salt and pepper hair with a beard. His mate, Luna Vira, was next to him, her grey eyes glinting like steel and just as sharp as she watched us.“Your majesty.” The guards greeted in unison with a bow.“You may rise.” I ordered.“Alpha Xander,” Drystan greeted with a nod. His voice was rough like gravel grinding on stone. “To what do I owe this visit? I see you've brought trouble, haven't you?”When I was newly appoint
Xander's povWe already knew this but her confirmation made me tense.Nyssa turned to her healers. “Prepare the purification circle.”I watched as they got to work in preparing what she had asked and they lifted Eiran and placed him. In the center of the hell then placed bowls with herms all around him. They added crystals and vials filled with liquids of different colors. Nyssa knelt down next to him and began to draw intricate designs on his skin with a paste she had made by crushing up some leaves and herbs.Ava squeezed my hand, drawing my attention to her. “Do you think this will work?” she whispered.I shrugged. I didn't know but we had to try something at least.Nyssa began to say some chants. Her voice started off low then began to grow. The healers lit sage and the air grew thick as the scent and smoke filled the room.They fetched a portion of tej green liquid from the big basin and brought it over to her. The glow of the liquid grew as she dipped her hand into it then place
XANDER'S POVWe had decided to pay Rainville pack a visit. They have the best healers, blessed by the moon goddess herself. They would be able to help us find a cure for the effect of the shadow forged blade.There are ten packs in lycara, each having their own specialty. Rainville are known for their unmatched healing abilities, Thornspike is good at setting traps and defenses, Ashville makes bombs, iron claw are blacksmiths that makes most of our weapons, wild heart tame animals and distribute meat to cold packs like silverclaw when their forest lacks animals due to the cold, blood moon have fierce— almost wild warrior, nightshade handle potions and poison, stormfang- navigate the sea, silverclaw have elite tracker's that work well in cold regions then blackthorn governs it all.The journey to rainville pack was exhausting and not because of the distance, but because of the uncertainty that was growing in me. My pack members were slowly dying because their wounds wouldn't heal and I
Xander's pov“I'll get to that.” Kael said. “These were crafted with ancient werewolf knowledge, which I think we need to ask the elders more about. They need to tell us the truth, all of it.”“I'll see to it.” I vowed.Kael gave me a nod before continuing. “The runes are ancient, probably before the great war itself. When this dart meets its target, it leaves nothing more than a little wound— barely a scratch. Then the worse comes, it attacks the victim's soul.”“Soul?” Vanessa walked to the table from her position by the door.“The victim experiences intense pain, hallucinations, and mental breakdowns. In werewolves, it severs their connection with their wolf, making them unable to shift, feel their bond— including mate bond. It’s like tearing the spirit out of the flesh without killing them outright.”“That’s… worse than death for us.” Rowan whispered, face paler than before.I agreed silently. The thought of being cut off from Leo was unimaginable.Then Ava, out mate bond.That wo
Xander's pov“A map,” I muttered as I walked towards it.Ava was by my side, she reached out and traced the lines on it. “This could lead us to the main rebel stronghold.”But something was wrong. I slapped her hand away from it. “I'm sorry.” I didn't mean to slap her hand but I had to react quickly.The map was moving, shadows like living… things.“Zerathos’s magic.” Ava whispered, eyes widening.I clenched my fists. Of course.We had Lyra back.Magnus was dead.But the main problem was still at large.****We were in the war room yet again. We had spent a week helping Lyra recover and trying to decipher the map whilst learning as much as we can about the weapons.We had a crucial piece— the map, yet we couldn't understand it. My frustration was beginning to ile up. Kael had called for this meeting today, he said he had found out something. Thankfully, he wasn't badly injured from the blast. It took him two days to recover— he still had a couple of bruises, but I was thankful that he
Xander's povWe decided to leave at night. Using the cover of the darkness to our advantage. Ava ran next to me, she was completely in tune with her wolf sense now. Her sharp electric blue eyes glowed in the dark as it scanned our environment.Rowan was still silent. The guilt still rolling off him in waves. I was too focused on the mission to play the role of a comforting brother at the moment.At first, the trail was easy and simple— animal and werewolf tracks, broken twigs and branches, a sign that there was frequent movement along that path. A good sign.It didn't take long for us to begin to see the traps. The first was a simple tripwire that triggered some arrows. We luckily spotted it in time. The second one was a bit tricker, there was a series of false earth that gave way to home with spikes at the bottom.The layout of the traps were familiar yet foreign. It was the work of Magnus. He was clever, I'd give him that, but not clever enough.We successfully evaded them. Then cam
Xander's pov“Talk,” I ordered, my voice hoarse from the strain I put on it barking out orders everyday.Kael responded immediately. “One of our scouts reported sighting some movement near the abandoned ruins at the edge of shadowfang territory so it had been overlooked for years. It has never been reported as rogue territory but upon closer look it seemed heavily guarded so it has to mean something.”My heart raced.Finally, A lead.A real one.Without another word, I adjusted my clothes and walked out of the office.This time, we’d bring Lyra home.Or die trying.*****The rogues have always found a way to outsmart us. After telling Rowan and Ava the latest news, I returned to my office to make some final preparations before we headed out.I stood by my window, staring out unto the pack lands. I hated how much destruction the rogues had made in such little time, how they caught us off guard. How we let our guards down and the once undefeatable and formidable blackthorn pack was use