Lily's POVWe stood on our way out of Mistwood Creek when I suddenly remembered that I had not seen Grayson in four years. It would be a risky move, but I felt it was worth it. After all, Marcus would not be expecting me.“Who's Grayson?” Raymond asked.“Stop peeking at my thoughts Raymond,” I scolded.“I'm sorry Mother,” He apologized.I looked at him and sighed. “Grayson is Clara's father,” I said to him.“Aunt Clara's father is alive?” Fiona asked excitedly.I nodded and smiled at her excitement.“How about our father?” Raymond asked.Immediately his words registered in my subconsciousness, and the smile that stained my face disappeared before it had a chance to spread.“What about him?” I asked.“Is he alive?” He asked.“He should. Now that should be all about him for now okay,” I said and urged them towards the secret path I had escaped from.They walked with me quietly, not wanting to annoy me any further with questions about their father, Raymond decided to play a game with his
Lily's POV“Hello ladies and gentlemen, your biscuits are ready,” Clara said as she approached where we sat with a tray of biscuits and glasses of persimmon juice.“Thank you, Miss,” I said with a smile.Grayson patted a seat beside him for her to sit, while Fiona found her way beside me.We ate the biscuits and caught up on each other's lives, especially Grayson's.“Master Marcus even visited this morning,” He said calmly.Almost as if he knew we'd be here.According to Grayson, since the day of the mysterious rain and sun, after Marcus asked him where Clara went and he did not want to expose her location, Marcus had not returned to his home till that morning.“What did he say when he came?” Clara asked curiously.“Nothing much, he didn't even come in for a minute or as much as take a seat on the pavement in front,” Grayson replied.Ohh.I raised my head to notice their stares at me. “Sorry, I didn't know that came out loud,”I did not realize a soft spot was growing in my heart for
Shawn's POV“Shawn. Wake up,”I squinted my eyes open as I heard Martin's soft voice call out to me.“Where are we?” I asked as I struggled to sit upright on the ground, where I just woke up from.“I don't know,” Martin replied as he slumped back to the ground sitting on his knees.“Ohh,” I gathered whatever little energy I had on me and pushed myself up from the ground.We seemed to be inside a dark tunnel with no beginning and end. I tried to illuminate the tunnel with magic but it did not work.But as I took a step, familiar lamp lights lit all along the tunnel walls.Crimson Valley.“You grew up in a tunnel?” Martin asked.I chuckled almost immediately at his question. “Growing up in a tunnel? Really?”“Beats me too,” He replied.“No Martin, I meant to say that we may have found our way back to Crimson Valley where I was born,” I replied to him as I found my way around the tunnel.I did not know which of the tunnels I was in, but I could feel the strong magical force of our ancest
Leila's POV“Exactly what I thought too father,” I said as he walked towards me.“Why do you say so?” My father asked as he walked towards me.“Because I can't help but feel that there's something off, but I can't seem to place my hand on it,” I replied.“Hmmm. What do they think they can really do because of his little rat?” Father asked.His little rat?“Is there something you are not letting on father?” I asked.“You would know either way, so yes,” He paused and walked back towards his potion table. “His glowing rune signifies the presence of his offspring,”“What?!” I screamed. “Marcus has a child?”How could this be possible? Since Lily left, he had not even welcomed any lady near himself except for myself. How did he come to have a child?“Don't raise your voice child,” Father instructed. “He having a child does not guarantee anything,” He added.“But how could he or when did he have such a child? I have been with him for as long as possible!” I refused.“No child, the rune does
Marcus's POVMy rune could not be glowing so brightly for no reason. As I left the dining room, I appeared in the forest leading to where I had kept the only surviving members of Lily's pack.I tried to make sense of the glowing rune but it was still the same door it led me to. I had not been with any woman since Lily and before her, I had not been with any woman either.The glowing rune of the twilight ridge would mean that my wolf was recognizing my offspring for the first time. That could only mean one thing.Lily ran away because she was pregnant.I arrived at the cave and made my presence known. The young man from before, Sean came forward and gradually, streaks of silver hair emerged from the tunnel.“Here, take this,” Sean said, stretching forth a robe to cover my glowing light.“Thank you,” I replied with a muffled tone.“We can go back to our business,” He replied, turning to face the other members of the pack.As they turned away from me, I walked towards the room I had slep
Lily's POVI couldn't believe my eyes. What was Lord Darkwood doing in Marcus's wing? How did he get a hold of my kids?I wanted to go out and help my kids, but Clara's gaze held me. I turned to look back at my kids. Fiona looked scared, but Raymond was defiant.“Whose kids are these?” Lord Darkwood asked Grayson.“Is there any problem?” Grayson asked, trying to maintain composure.“I don't think you're in any position to be asking questions,” Lord Darkwood replied. He had a smile that felt more devilish than his personality.“I'm sorry Lord Darkwood, but this part of the mansion belongs to Master Marcus and I am the chief gardener here, so I should know if there is a problem going on in my garden,” Grayson replied.“Looks like you've got some nerves, old man,” Lord Darkwood replied and shoved my kids to the floor.He walked towards Grayson in very slow but calculated steps. He towered over him and bent down to look Grayson in the eye. “Whose kids are these?”Grayson was already tremb
Shawn's POVI stared at Martin for what felt like an eternity and he seemed like he was not joking this time around. “What did you find in there?” I finally asked, breaking the silence that was fast engulfing us.“You know, things that actually did remind me of my childhood and how fun-filled it was,” He paused.I knew the next line of thought he was going to. He was betrayed by his sister and it was already a miracle that he was not raging with evil and creating havoc as revenge.Little thing tells me that was his mother’s intention.“I know that it may have reminded you of something you might not want to talk about at the moment, but…”“No, I actually want to talk about it now,” He said, interrupting me.I really appreciated his wanting to open up now, but I wish the timing was convenient because my entire mind was bent on finding out if for a certainty I would find any surviving member of my pack.Or maybe find Lily.“Alright, so what do you want to talk about?” I asked him.“My si
Leila’s POVSmithson looked at me in awe. I waved over to the guards standing behind me to come and unlock his chains. They stared at me just like Smithson did.“I am sure you do not want to get on the bad side of the newly returned advisor of the King,” I said to the guards with a menacing stare.They looked in between themselves, no one wanted to make a move first for fear of either getting me wrong or getting King Adonis wrong.“I’m sorry Lady Leila,” He began. “I will need approval from the King or it would only mean that I'm outrightly crossing King Adonis!”I smiled mischievously and took slow strides towards him. “Are you more afraid of the wolf in the bush, than the one standing before you?” I asked coldly.“I... I am sorry Lady Leila,” He stuttered and staggered backwards.“You should be,” I replied with an icy tone. “Now hurry with the locks,” I commanded.He scrambled to find the right key to the locks. His hands were visibly shaking as he was trying to unlock the prison ce
Shawn's POVThe grand hall of the beautiful mansion was bathed in the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows.I sat in a chair close to where Sean and Clara sat. Marcus was about to be crowned King of the Wolves.“If you need anything tell me okay,” Clara said as she checked where I was wounded."Hmm, thank you, Clara,” I replied.Thanks to Lucas, I got more preferential treatment from Clara.The hall was filled with members from the four packs. The Twilight Ridge werewolves, led by Marcus, and Luna Crest led by a little girl who I barely knew. The Silvershade pack is led by me and the Bloodmoon pack is led by Shadowvale.Finally, all the pain, struggles, and fighting have been put behind us. As I scanned the room, my eyes landed on Marcus, standing tall in front of the hall.Beside him stood Lily, his marked bride, her eyes bright with happiness. Their children stood with them, looking around with wide-eyed wonder.The ceremony began with the eldest seat, s
Marcus’s POVTime passed in a blur and we have been having a happy season and time together. Every morning was beautiful to behold and every night was as peaceful and pleasurable as I had imagined it.Finding Lily was like I finally found my missing rib.My official coronation was the next day and I had lots of preparations to make, as well as make a courtesy visit to the villages and each pack.“What are you thinking so much about, my love?"I rolled my eyes. “Don't ever say that again Winston else I'll cut off your tongue,"“What? I was only trying to bridge the gap since she's out with Clara," He replied.“You should do that as your chubby self, rather than mimic your queen," I replied, faking anger.“Fine, I'll shut the door after me and send word to have her come back,” He replied, also feigning vexation.“Silly man," I said and we both laughed.By noon, we were all complete for lunch. It was beautiful to have the mansion this lively.“Mother, Aunt Clara taught me how to create w
Lily's POVDamn! I have been such a fool.I ran without considering where I was going. The pain was just too much to bear. I had pushed Marcus away despite my growing attraction to him because I also blamed him for everyone's death.But he was the one only trying to clean up his father's mess. “Arrggh!" I yelled into the sky.I don't know how or why, but it started to rain. The rain started as a drizzle, but it quickly turned into a downpour. I stayed in the rain and cried.Each step I took splashed through the forming puddles, and the cold rain soaked me to the bone. I barely noticed.“Lily, wait!” Marcus’s voice called out behind me. I didn’t stop. I couldn’t face him, not after everything I’d done.The memories of our past and the hurt I must have caused him played in my mind. I kept walking, but Marcus caught up to me, grabbing my arm and spinning me around to face him.“Lily, please, talk to me,” he said, his voice filled with concern and desperation.I yanked my arm free, the a
Marcus’s POVI stared around the room and noticed Lord Darkwood's absence and instantly knew that Leila was a distraction from where the real harm was occurring.I turned to Shawn, our eyes meeting for a moment. “We have to find a way through,” I said, my voice low and urgent.He nodded, his expression determined. “I will use my powers, while you support me.”We turned back to the barrier, our combined strength hammering against it. The air crackled with energy, the barrier shimmering under our powers. But it held firm, refusing to yield.Leila watched us, her smile never faltering. “You can’t win, Marcus. This is my game now.”But I refused to accept that. I dug deep, summoning every ounce of strength and determination I had. I thought of Lily, of Raymond and Fiona. I couldn’t fail them.With a final, desperate effort, we pushed against the barrier. There was a blinding flash of light, and suddenly, the barrier shattered, sending us tumbling forward.I scrambled to my feet, my eyes l
Marcus’s POVMy journey back to Mistwood Creek felt longer than I expected it. As I arrived at the villages, the clamor of battle was deafening.I noticed the full moon's glow on my skin and despite it being dark, I could spot all my runes. My fangs were out and so were my claws.I felt energy surge through me and my senses heightened. The tangy smell of blood and dust filled the air and I could make out the faint smell of cedarwood and flowers.I took out the vial and gulped everything down in one go, before proceeding in the direction of the mansion.I was going to find Lily and my kids no matter what.Arriving at the first gate to the mansion, I noticed Shadowvale and his men transformed back to their human form and whatever was left of my knights hurried behind me.“I told you Marcus, I would be back," Shadowvale said with a cold sneer."And I think you should be on your way out right about now,” I replied coldly.Shadowvale laughed and his men joined him. "Do I look like Shawn to
Shawn's POVMartin and I finally made our way out of the village just as the sun was about to set. The sky was colored with hues of orange and purple, and I could see the moon beginning to emerge, just as I was feeling my wolf gradually taking over me.As we passed through some parts of the village, I noticed some doors hung off their hinges, and debris littered the ground. Villagers with fearful expressions hurried past us, whispering frantically among themselves.“What happened here?” Martin asked, his voice hushed as we took in the scene.“Shadowvale,” I muttered, my jaw clenched. “He must have been here.”Martin's eyes widened. “We need to move quickly, Shawn. He was not supposed to attack the villagers.”“It's the full moon’s effect," I replied blankly. “Let's hurry up to him nonetheless,"The further we went, the more signs of destruction we saw. It was clear that Shadowvale had left his mark, and the villagers had suffered for it.“Damn him,” I cursed under my breath, fury boil
Leila’s POVWalking out of the throne room, I made my way back to the townhouse with haste. Lucas had proven to be so much of a headache.He was supposed to be an easy nut to crack, but he proved himself to be smarter than I made him to be.I had gotten Lily back and left instructions with the dark sorcerers of Luna Crest to make sure that Lucas didn't see the light of day.As I approached the townhouse, I saw Maureen waiting for me at the entrance, her face was pale and lacked any form of the usual excitement."Sister," she called out, in a flat and emotionless voice. “We need to hurry,” She said with a tone of indifference.I knew that who would still be feeling offended about Smithson's death, but there was nothing I was going to do about it.“Why is that?" I asked as we made our way inside the house.“There have been some little disruptions in the lower parts of the village and it was only a matter of time before the full attack began,” She replied coldly.I knew what that implied
Lucas's POV Looking at Leila's retreating back left me writhing in anger at her audacity in turning back on her words. I should have known better anyway, once an evil witch, always a wicked witch. I looked away from Leila and her flowing black veil and rested my eyes on the helpless Lily being carried away by the men who were with Leila. "Make sure she is not conscious," Leila instructed them. "The kids?" One asked. "Leave them as they are. Lucas already did that," She replied and turned to face me. Her dark men who surrounded me seemed to be there to restrict me from doing anything reckless, rather than execute me from the plan. "What happened to your integrity, Leila Darkwood," I asked her angrily. "I don't have one, Lucas Hawthorne," She replied with a sinister smile. "I actually don't have all day to spend here chit-chatting with you, so I will go ahead with my question," She knows who the hell I am. I searched her as she spoke and gauged the strength of the men
Marcus’s POVI was still doubtful of her innocence in all this, but for Lily's sake and Grayson's sake, I would give her the benefit of the doubt."Start speaking," I demanded, my voice echoing off the walls.She looked up at me, a flicker of hope in her eyes. "How is my father?"Really?"Stop playing games with me," I snapped, taking a step closer. "You’ll meet your father if you tell me what I need to hear."Clara seemed to hesitate, her gaze dropping to the floor. After a long moment, she sighed and looked back up at me. "Shadowvale is planning an attack on Mistwood Creek."I felt a surge of anger and concern. "Fair enough," I said. “But that's not all I want to hear and you know it,"“I'm sorry King Marcus, but I don't know who that whirlwind belonged to," She shook her head and I could feel her genuine flow of emotions.“Is there anyone you suspect might be after them?" I asked.“Apart from you, that would be Lucas. He wants the kids, Raymond and Fiona, dead and…” She paused.The