Xander's povThe next day, I summoned Draven to my office. He strode in confidently, it took everything in me not to narrow my eyes at him.“You sent for me alpha?” he asked, closing the door behind him.“Yes, I did.” I said, gesturing for him to take a shot across from me. “I wanted to discuss the ambush. The rogues knew exactly where and when to strike. It’s too precise to be a coincidence, it was like they knew we were coming.”Draven nodded, furrowing his eyebrows. “I’ve been thinking about the exact same thing. I suspect that someone must’ve told them.”“Exactly,” I said, leaning forward. “I recently discovered something and I don't know who to trust in this castle so I decided to call on you. I need you to keep this between us, understand?”“Yes, alpha. I understand.” He said seriously.“Good.” I said. “I’ve received some information about another potential rogue hideout from one of my spies. This time, it’s in the southern plains, near the abandoned mines.”Draven’s eyes widene
Xander's povA few days later I was seated in my office staring at the report in my hand in shock. The room was dark except for the faint glow coming from the fireplace.The enforcers had submitted it to me this morning and the words on the paper was something I had never dreamt about. I clenched the paper in my hand as my mind raced reading the words over and over again, hoping— praying, that I had misread.But I hadn’t.It was there, as clear as day.Magnus.The information I had given him had been leaked. The rogues had known about the false meeting near the eastern riverbank. I had sent enforcers to each location I had given out and the rogues had ambushed the enforcers at the riverbank leaving one dead and two injured. The rest escaped luckily because they had been outnumbered.That proved one thing.Magnus had betrayed me.I kept looking at his name which was written in big bold letters. Betrayal and disbelief hit me hard. He wasn’t just my Beta, he was my childhood friend, my b
Ava's povMy mind was still reeling from the shocking revelation of the traitor but I had other important things to focus on as I sat in my dimly lit chamber, the only source of light was the moonlight streaming in from behind my curtains by the window.I sat by my desk with a pen in my hand, poised above the piece of paper in front of me. My heart pounded as I thought of what I was doing, I was taking a risk because if I am caught I would be as good as dead but I needed to do it.I had made up my mind not to get involved with the rebellion again which is why I had tactically evaded Heather and Thomas by spending more time with Xander. But tonight I would need their help.Tonight, I was going to write a letter to Darius because we need to meet. Ever since I saw the symbol on that piece of metal at the bombing site, I have been sick to my stomach at the fact that my brother could cause such destruction.I began to scribble words down on the paper, words that have been swimming in my he
Ava's pov“Don’t play games with me!” I snapped, my voice rising and trembling with anger. “The bomb that killed dozens of innocent people at the pack—wolves and humans alike. I saw the symbol on it, Darius ‘D.’ That was your work, wasn’t it?”Something passed through his eyes. It looked like guilt but he quickly masked it. “I don't know what you're talking about, you must be mistaken.”“Don’t lie to me!” I yelled, my voice echoing through the clearing and the night air. “I know it was you. How could you do something so monstrous? Do you even realize how many lives were lost because of that bomb? How many families were torn apart? How… how many children died? Babies?...” My voice broke as I thought about the last part.Darius pushed off the tree, his expression darkening as he took a step towards me. “You don’t understand, Ava. This war isn’t about one bomb or one attack. It’s about survival and making a stand in this world. The werewolves have oppressed us for centuries, treated us
Ava’s povThey threw me in the dungeons because it was too late and everyone was asleep. The dungeon was colder than the last time I was down there, terrifying memories came flooding back and I shut my eyes to keep them out.The cold air clung to my skin like a second layer, my teeth rattled and my body shivered. They had stripped me of my cloak so I was in nothing but a simple dress.Shadows flickered under the faint glow of the torches lining the walls, they seemed to be reaching out to touch me so I slithered away.I pulled my knees to my chest, the heavy metal cuffs clanking and digging into my skin. It was certainly going to leave a little bruise. I was already walking on eggshells around the werewolves but this time I had broken all the eggshells.I closed my eyes and thought back to everything that had happened. From Darius defending his evil deeds to the ambush and the accusations which have been laid up on me. Darius's words seemed to be true, I would always be a human to the
Xander's povThe silence was deafening as everyone seemed to hold their breath. My eyes scanned the room taking in all their faces, the people I had called my friends, allies, family and leaders. They all stared back at me with a mixture of different expressions on their faces— doubt, fear, anger, hate and disgust.Finally, my eyes returned to Ava. Despite all the words and objects that had been thrown at her, she stood tall and unyielding at the center of the room.Her courage lit a fire in me. I believed her, I had come to learn that we must always trust and rely on each other in the trying times to come. They didn't understand what we were going to face, they didn't know that their only hope was the person they were turning on— the person they wanted to kill.I had to protect her at all costs.I stood up from my throne, releasing more of my alpha power into the room. They needed to remember who they were in front of.“What has become of you all?” I began, keeping my voice steady de
Xander's povMurmurs erupted in the room, ticking me off even more.“Silence!” I roared, voice thundering through the throne room. The murmurs ceased at once, all eyes were wide as they stared at me.“I am ashamed of you people.” I told them with disdain in my voice.“She met with the rebel leader!” Elder Garrick yelled.“To stop him!” I countered. “To save lives! Our lives! Ever since this rebellion started what have any of you done to protect this pack? To protect Lycara? You sit in your comfortable chambers and offices casting judgment while others fight and die for the safety of our people.”I turned to the council of elders, my gaze piercing. “You claim to be the voice of wisdom, the protectors of our traditions. But tell me, what part of our tradition says we should execute the innocent? Where is the wisdom in killing someone who has fought to protect us? How will you justify that?”“You’re risking everything for her.” my father said, his voice low but filled with anger.“No,” I
Xander's povShe took a deep breath, steadying herself. “So imagine my surprise when the rebel leader suddenly picked interest in me and I discovered that it was my brother.” She let out a dry empty laugh.“After the bombing I decided to reach out to him again to see if I could end it all.” Her gaze dropped to our intertwined hands. “That’s why I sent the letter. I wanted to meet him, to talk to him, to convince him to stop.”“And what did he say?” I asked.Her hands clenched into fists. “He’s consumed by hatred, he's too far gone Xander. He blames the wolves for everything— I understand why he would think that way. He wants you guys to pay for every blood you have shed. He believes he’s fighting for justice, but… he’s blinded by his anger.”I nodded slowly, I understood as well. We haven't exactly been the best to humans. “And the bombing? What does he have to do with that? I thought it was the work of the rogues?”Her eyes filled with tears, and she looked away. “The ‘D’ carved on t
Xander's povWe didn’t stop to breathe.The moment we emerged from the tunnel, I gave the signal and my warriors immediately sprang to motion like blades being drawn.We moved fast. No more room for mourning, hesitation, or mercy. The Forge was right in front of us. The explosives were set. The path to Zerathos lay wide open, and I was done playing on the defensive.No more creeping in the dark. No more lurking behind shadows.The bombs were planted.The path was clear.It was time.I turned to Kael. “Light them up.”One of his enforcers raised a hand, signalling for someone to hand him a torch which he placed on a wire which was connected to the bombs inside. The spark started, continuing down the path of wire, moving with speed towards the bombs inside.There was a brief moment of silence and then—Boom.The ground trembled beneath our feet as an explosion ripped through the forge’s storage rooms, sending fire and smoke into the sky. The sound echoed across the cursed land like a lo
Ava's povWe pressed forward in silence, everyone trying to keep their emotions in check and eyes peeled. As we got closer to the place where the first war took place I could feel the land speaking to me.It was broken and never allowed to heal. It was corrupt, hollow, scorched and lifeless.I could feel the centuries of history.The pain. The blood that had soaked into the ground during the First Great War.The screams that had rang out through the filled.Ahead of us was the tree that had the main door to the forge. The place where he had built his empire of shadows and death.But before we could take another step then a scent hit us.Blood.Old and fresh at the same time.Xander held up a hand, signaling for everyone to stop. His golden eyes scanned the battlefield, sharp and cautious. I could tell that Leo had taken over because he didn't want to take any chances.And then we saw him.A small body. Unmoving.A young werewolf, no more than fifteen, lay dead on the cold, cursed grou
Ava's povWe moved forward in silence, our boots pressing into the ashen soil of Ashville’s cursed land. The deeper we ventured, the thicker the air became—dense, humid, tinged with a metallic taste that clung to the back of my throat.But soon enough I noticed that something was wrong.Very wrong.I couldn't quite place what it was.The enemy wasn’t meeting us in open battle.They were watching. Waiting. Hunting. I could feel their eyes on us but I couldn't place where exactly they were.Xander walked ahead, his shoulders tense, his grip on his blade firm. The warriors behind us moved cautiously, scanning every shadow, their ears twitching at every distant sound. The silence was what disturbed me the most. A battlefield should have been alive—full of shouts, the clash of steel, the roar of war.But this?This was like stepping into a graveyard before the bodies had even fallen.What's going on?A shiver crawled up my spine. I kept my magic close, simmering beneath my skin, waiting fo
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