Valeria’s POVThe tension in the air was thick, pressing down on me as Tony stood in my path, his broad shoulders blocking my way. His sharp eyes bore into mine, and I could feel the weight of his judgment even before he spoke.“What are you doing, Tony?” I asked, my voice wavering despite my attempt to sound steady.He didn’t answer my question. Instead, his gaze narrowed, and he countered with one of his own. “Where do you think you’re going?”His words were sharp, cutting through the fragile resolve I had managed to muster. Still, I held my ground, clutching my bag tightly as if it were the only thing tethering me to reality.“A safe place,” I said softly, but firmly. “Somewhere far away. Because as long as I’m here, this place won’t be safe for any of you.”Tony crossed his arms over his chest, his stance unyielding. “And you get to decide that?”I swallowed hard, the storm of guilt and fear inside me threatening to spill over. “Don’t you see what happened? Chaos has somehow follo
VAKERIA'S POV“Going somewhere?” a low, mocking voice drawled from above me, its tone soaked in malice.My heart pounded against my ribs as I thrashed against the weight pinning me to the ground. My hands clawed at the dirt beneath me, but it was no use. Whoever this was, they were stronger, faster—and clearly not here for a friendly chat.“Let me go!” I hissed, forcing as much defiance into my voice as I could muster. Fear, however, laced my tone, betraying my bravado.A dark chuckle echoed above me, and I felt the unwelcome sensation of their breath near my ear. “You think we’d just let you leave? Not after what you did.”“I didn’t mean to—” I began, but my words were cut off as a rough hand clamped around my arm, yanking me upright with a force that left me staggering.Blinking against the blur of movement, I found myself face-to-face with my attacker. The moonlight barely filtered through the thick canopy above, but it was enough to make out his face—a face I recognized. He wasn’t
VALERIA’S POV“I told you to stay. Then why did you leave?” a voice echoed, soft yet commanding.I turned sharply, my heart racing at the familiar tone. The surroundings shimmered into focus—a celestial expanse of soft silver light and endless horizons. Standing before me, radiant and impossibly serene, was the Moon Goddess herself.“So it was you?” I asked, my voice trembling with both awe and confusion.“Who else could it be?” she replied, a faint smile gracing her lips.For a moment, I was speechless. My thoughts swirled in a chaotic storm of disbelief and questions, but I forced myself to focus. “I thought… I thought I was just hearing voices. I thought I was going crazy.”She shook her head, her luminous presence exuding both kindness and authority. “No, Valeria. My intention was to guide you, not drive you away. But you, my child, have a habit of running—from situations, from yourself.”I winced at her words. They stung because they were true. “I didn’t want to hurt them,” I whi
VALERIA’S POV“But how? I thought they killed everyone,” I said, my voice trembling as reality sank in. My mind reeled, trying to make sense of what Elijah was saying.He shook his head, his expression grave but unwavering. “Not here,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.He turned and started walking away, his strides purposeful. I hesitated for a moment before following silently, my heart pounding in my chest. My thoughts were a chaotic jumble, questions pressing against my lips, but I held them back until we were alone.As soon as we were far enough from the others, I couldn’t contain myself any longer. “Elijah,” I said, my voice low but insistent. “How is it possible? And why don’t I remember you?”He stopped abruptly, turning to face me. For a moment, his dark eyes bore into mine, and I could see a storm of emotions swirling behind them—grief, anger, and something else I couldn’t quite place.“Because it’s a different story,” he began, his voice heavy with the w
VALERIA’S POVI stared at the items Elijah had laid out on the table, my emotions a chaotic storm. Dread twisted in my stomach, but a small flicker of hope burned in my chest—a dangerous, fragile thing that could be extinguished at any moment.“Why do you have all this?” I asked, my voice shaky.Elijah met my gaze, his expression unreadable yet deeply serious. “Because I’ve been trying to figure out why Dimitri destroyed our pack—and what he’s planning to do next.”The weight of his words pressed down on me. All these years, I’d thought of myself as a victim, as someone who had no choice but to survive. But Elijah… he’d been piecing together the fragments of our tragedy, preparing for something bigger.“So, you’ve been planning revenge against him?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “But now that you’ve told me there are members of our pack still alive—living as slaves in his pack—I have even more reason to destroy him. I won’t leave them th
VALERIA’S POVThe morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of my room, casting a warm glow that seemed to seep into my very soul. For the first time in what felt like forever, I woke up with a sense of clarity and purpose. Gone was the weight of doubt and helplessness that had plagued me for so long. Today, I knew what I wanted in life, where I needed to go, and what I had to do to get there.Elijah’s words from the previous night echoed in my mind. He hadn’t just shared his plans; he’d opened my eyes to the possibilities of what I could become. We didn’t have a solid plan yet, but I trusted we’d figure it out. Step by step, we would dismantle the chains Dimitri had wrapped around my life—and the lives of countless others.For now, Elijah had suggested I focus on my training. His reasoning was sound: I couldn’t hope to fight for anyone else until I was strong enough to protect myself. It made sense, but there was a lingering uncertainty in my chest.How was I supposed to fa
VALERIA’S POVThe cave was cold and damp, the air filled with the faint scent of earth and moss. It felt foreign, yet oddly comforting—a place cut off from the rest of the forest. The flickering fire Elijah had lit cast dancing shadows on the walls, illuminating the rough texture of the cave’s interior.“Elijah, why are we here?” I asked, my voice echoing slightly in the quiet space.“Because we’re about to find out what’s inside you,” he replied, crouching near the fire and poking at the flames with a stick to keep them alive.“What do you mean?” I pressed, unsure if I was more curious or apprehensive.“I mean that we need to work on your abilities,” he said, his voice steady and firm. “This morning’s session was to build your physical strength. But that’s not enough. Your internal strength—your control over your abilities—is just as important. Right now, it’s clear you have none.”I flinched at his words, my gaze dropping to the ground. The memory of the incident, the way I had hurt
VALERIA’S POVI lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling as the quiet night pressed down on me. The room was dim, bathed in the soft silver light of the moon streaming through the window. My chest felt heavy, weighted with Elijah’s words.“You’re in denial,” his voice echoed relentlessly in my mind, each repetition cutting deeper.Was he right?I wanted to deny it, to push his words aside as harsh criticism, but deep down, I knew the truth. I didn’t feel special. I didn’t feel powerful. The Moon Goddess may have chosen me, but I couldn’t see why. I felt ordinary, if not worse.I glanced at my hands, turning them over as if I might find some hidden secret etched into my skin. But they were just hands—scarred, calloused, and trembling slightly with doubt. My gaze drifted to the window, and my eyes locked onto the moon.Its glow was mesmerizing, illuminating the dark sky with unwavering strength. The moon gave its light to everyone equally, a beacon of hope and beauty in the endless darknes
VALERIA’S POVRiven left, but I stayed.Her words echoed in my mind, a quiet reminder of the truth I needed to accept.I need to change the way I think.All of this was meant to be.Dimitri’s death. The battle. The bloodshed.I had to take revenge. It was supposed to happen one way or another.I couldn’t blame myself—not anymore.But I couldn’t stay here either.This place, these walls, this land—they would always remind me of what happened.Still, I couldn’t just walk away without a final goodbye.I had to make things right. I had to set everything straight.________________________________________By the time I returned to the pack, the battlefield was nearly cleared.The royal traitors had been dealt with.The Alphas who had dared to cross Riven were handcuffed in silver and being loaded into vans. I had no doubt she would deal with them personally.I walked toward the packhouse, my heart steady but my mind restless.I wasn’t sure what I expected, but when I stepped inside, I was m
VALERIA’S POVDimitri was dead.His lifeless body lay still, surrounded by the very people he had tormented and betrayed.And yet—I didn’t feel victorious.I didn’t feel like a hero.Instead, a sharp, twisting knot of dread and guilt settled deep inside me, like a festering wound that refused to heal.I should have felt relief. Peace.But all I felt was…Empty.A murderer.I had taken a life.Yes, it was justified. Yes, it was necessary. Yes, he deserved it.But that didn’t make it any easier.My gaze flickered toward Magnar. His lips were pressed together in a firm line, his golden eyes locked onto Dimitri’s body. I saw the shine of unshed tears, the war between grief and justice playing out in real time.I turned away.I couldn’t look at him.I couldn’t look at any of them.The weight of their stares, their unspoken expectations, was suffocating me.The world blurred as my breathing grew shallow. My heartbeat pounded against my ribs. I had to get out of here.I took a step back—then
VALERIA’S POVThe battlefield was silent.Not because the war was over—But because they were waiting.Waiting for me to finish what Dimitri started.I stared down at him, breathing heavily, my heart hammering in my chest.Riven’s voice sliced through the silence, low and certain.“Don’t show any mercy this time, Valeria. Your friends are safe—he has nothing against you now.”And just like that—My hesitation disappeared.The weight I had been carrying, the fear, the second-guessing—it all vanished.I turned my head slightly, catching sight of Magnar.He stood there, his arms tense at his sides, his jaw locked.His expression was unreadable, but his eyes…They were conflicted.He may have accepted this fate, may have severed the final tie with the man who raised him, but I knew—watching this wouldn’t be easy for him.I exhaled slowly and met his gaze.“You should look away,” I told him. “This is going to be painful for you to watch.”But he didn’t move.Didn’t blink.Didn’t turn away.
VALERIA’S POVI had never seen a vampire in my life.Not in person.Not until now.And suddenly, we were surrounded by them.Their presence was undeniable—an eerie, otherworldly force that sent shivers down my spine. Their sharp features, their glowing red eyes, the way they moved so effortlessly, like shadows given form.Riven is associated with vampires?Wow.I had heard whispers about her, of course. Rumors that she had ties beyond the werewolf realm. That she had even visited the fae kingdom.I never believed it.But now?Nothing seemed impossible when it came to Riven.And honestly… good for her.If anyone could command respect across different species, it was the woman standing before us with that annoyingly confident smirk.Dimitri, however, didn’t share my thoughts.His face twisted in pure rage, his lips pulling back over his teeth as he snarled at the newcomers.“Vampires are abominations! They are not allowed on my land! This is exactly why you should never have been queen,
VALERIA’S POV“No—”I lunged forward, my heart slamming against my ribs like a war drum.But I was too late.Dimitri’s fingers slammed down on the button, his smirk widening as if he had already won.For a split second, my world froze.I braced myself, every muscle in my body tightening. I knew what was coming—poison.A gas so lethal it would seep into the lungs of everyone around us, burning them from the inside, turning them into lifeless corpses before they could even scream.The end.I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the sting, the suffocating burn, the chaos—But…Nothing happened.I snapped my eyes open, my breath catching in confusion.The arena was still there. The ground hadn’t turned into a graveyard.The warriors, the royals, everyone was still standing.For a moment, even Dimitri looked stunned.His hand trembled over the button, his eyes darting wildly across the battlefield as if expecting bodies to drop at any second.Nothing.No poison.No death.No victory for him.
VALERIA’S POVThe battlefield still burned with chaos, but in this moment, my world narrowed down to only three people—Dimitri, Riven, and myself.Dimitri stood a few feet away, blood dripping from his nose, his fury barely contained. He was no longer the composed, manipulative mastermind. No. I had managed to push him into desperation.And Riven?She was watching me intently, her violet eyes sharp as she slowly began to understand what I was about to do.I turned my gaze back to Dimitri and smirked.“You know, Dimitri,” I called out to him, my voice clear over the noise of the battle, “you missed one crucial detail about Moonbound wolves.”Dimitri clenched his jaw. He wasn’t in the mood for games.But Riven, oh, she was.“I would love to know what it is,” she drawled, amusement flickering across her face.“I don’t care,” Dimitri snapped at the same time.I chuckled darkly. “Oh, but you should, Dimitri. You see, you’ve spent so much time obsessing over your revenge, your plans, and co
VALERIA’S POVI don’t know what came over me.One moment, I was staring at Riven, knowing Dimitri’s command had sealed my fate.The next, I was turning against him.All the energy I had been gathering, all the rage, the frustration, the helplessness—I redirected it.Not at Riven.At him.A blinding surge of power exploded from my hands, aimed straight at Dimitri.It hit him dead center.The force of my attack sent him flying backward, ripping him from the ceremonial platform. He crashed hard onto the stone floor below, a thunderous impact shaking the entire arena.Gasps echoed around me.A thick cloud of dust and debris rose from where Dimitri had landed, swirling in the air like a storm brewing around us. The weight of my attack had thrown him back with such force that the ceremonial platform itself trembled from the impact.For a heartbeat, all I could hear was the ringing in my ears and the shallow gasps of those who had witnessed what I had just done.Then, movement.I wasn’t give
VALERIA’S POVThe moment the signal came, I ran.The battle raged around me, the air thick with the scent of blood, smoke, and something far more sinister—Dimitri’s victory.His forces were overwhelming, tearing through the opposition like a wildfire, precise and merciless. The royals who had sided with him played their part well, cutting down anyone who dared to challenge their authority.This was his battlefield.His game.And I was just a piece he had moved into place.By the time I reached the throne, I expected to see panic, desperation—fear.But Riven sat there calmly, her posture regal, her gaze surveying the chaos below with a detached sort of curiosity.As if she were merely watching a performance rather than witnessing the fall of her kingdom.“So, you’re here to kill me.” She stated with a sigh.She didn’t sound afraid.Not even surprised.I faltered for a moment. She knew?“You knew?” I asked, disbelief coating my voice.She turned her head slightly, her golden eyes meetin
MAGNAR’S POVThe Queen followed my gaze.She saw it too.The fear in Valeria’s eyes.The helplessness clinging to her like a shroud.Riven’s expression remained unreadable, but something flickered in her gaze—understanding.“Hmm… interesting,” she muttered under her breath, her tone thoughtful, calculated. Then, without missing a beat, she turned her attention back to the gathered audience.She took a single step forward, commanding absolute silence.“As the reigning Queen, I declare the trials complete,” her voice rang out, powerful and unshaken. “Magnar has proven himself worthy through strength, strategy, and wisdom. He has shown that he is capable of leading not only his pack but making the hard choices necessary for the greater good.”The crowd erupted in cheers.Pride swelled in my chest, but a weight still pressed against me. Something wasn’t right. I could still feel Valeria’s gaze, though I couldn’t find her in the sea of people.Queen Riven turned to face me once more.“I ho