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
Marcus’s POVI felt slightly startled by the little boy’s screaming, but I regained composure almost immediately. I did not know who the boy was, but I was not going to lose my life to find out if he was good or evil.“Who are you?” I asked cautiously.“Wait,” The boy said as he panted and tried to stabilize his breathing.I watched him closely. He did not have on him the smell of cedarwood and flowers that led me into the tomb, meaning that he had someone living here with him. But my rune seemed to still be glowing brighter.“Why put on another light with the lighting of the tunnel?” He asked.I glanced over at my rune, then back at the boy. “It is not just any light,” I replied.“Then what is it?” He asked.“It is…”I paused as I realized I was about to give him another response without even getting my first question answered. I felt compelled to do so and only one species of people could do that.Witches. “Who the hell are you, witch?” I said immediately, pulling out my dagger an
Lily’s POVI looked up at Lord Darkwood and his eyes were still fixated on me. He looked between Grayson and the house, before finally resting his eyes on me.Are we really just going to engage in this weird eye contest“Who are you?” Lord Darkwood asked.“I am Lady Sunburgh and I have come from overseas.” “Mistwood Creek surely is as the news spreads”. I commented in between aged wheezing to compliment my disguise.“I see”. Lord Darkwood replied.Grayson had been doing his best to avoid eye contact with Lord Darkwood, while I on the other hand was more concerned about getting my kids and Clara out of there before the scene would attract Marcus.It was already bad enough that Marcus had an issue with Grayson because of me. Seeing him again with a strange-looking old woman with two kids from nowhere was going to be catastrophic.“Lord Darkwood, I promise you that they will be gone soon. We did not mean to cause any trouble,” Grayson pleaded.“Lord Darkwood, night is drawing near,” I be
Shawn’s POVControlling my anger was not as easy as I envisioned it to be. I was still in rage, my claws were still out and I still had the desire to shed blood. I noticed Martin waiting patiently for me to come around.How could he escape from me? I had Marcus firmly under my grasp, but in a fleeting moment of weakness, he escaped. I had risked revealing my identity but still did not carry out the job properly.I breathed in and out slowly, till gradually I could feel my humanistic feeling and sense return. “Martin,” I called out weakly.“Shawn!” He screamed and made his way to me. “How are you feeling?”I smiled weakly at his display of care and affection. “Yeah, but we have to head back to Mistwood Creek before nightfall,” I said as I tried to stand to my feet.“No Shawn, we will return to the Blood Moon Pack camp first,” Martin said firmly.“You have been weakened, you exploded into an uncontrollable rage and almost got yourself exposed to Master Marcus,” He said angrily.“I do no
Leila's POVWhile waiting for the old lady to proceed out of the house with the kids, I had moved away a bit from the old man who happened to be Marcus's chief gardener.“What is going on here, father?” I asked him once we were a few feet away from the old man.“I arrived at the mansion, recalling that there was something I forgot to include in the letter. I came here to Marcus's wing in search of you, only to be drawn to a strong magical force in the garden,” My father replied and took a brief pause.I thought back to a few minutes ago, when Smithson, Maureen, and I stumbled on the servants clustering at the door.After Smithson had asked them what was going on, a servant replied that my father had come to see me but got distracted by two kids playing in the garden.I tried to know who the kids belonged to, but they did not know. “Of what use are you then standing by the door,” I barked at them.“Do you mind if I teach them a lesson for you?” Smithson had asked. He looked hungry for
Marcus's POVI hadn't spent so much energy but I was depleted of any. I roamed the dark room in search of some light. I felt suffocated in the dark room because of the musty odor that it had.Where the hell was I?One minute I was in Lily's bed and another minute in a dark room. Finally, I noticed a streak of light coming in from a distance towards my left.I began walking slowly in that direction. As I got closer to the light, I felt heaviness over me. I was supposed to feel the opposite but I didn't.I was not scared, but I was feeling anxious. As I got where the light came from, I saw several servants from my wing. They all had this faint light glowing from them.“What are you doing here?” I asked them with a frown.“There is something that binds us all in the land of the living and something that binds us all in the land of the dead,” They chorused at the same time.What could have bound them in the land of the living and still bind them in the land… of… the dead…My thoughts got
Lily's POVI turned around in a slow spin, taking in my surroundings. Leila's hand was suspended in the air, while her father was just a step away from putting his hands on her shoulder.She was angry and the way her brown hair flew with her brown eyes widened in fury. Her father looked more frightened than he was intimidating.“Mother,” Raymond tugged at my hands.Tears flowed down my eyes. “What did you do?” I asked him.“It wasn't me, mother,” He replied and turned towards Fiona.I turned and noticed Fiona lying on the ground weak and in tears. I ran towards her and held her up. “Fiona,” I called out slowly.I looked at Raymond and he had this fear in his eyes. I pulled him closer. “Nothing is going to happen to your sister alright, we just need to get her home,” I said to him as I kissed his forehead and held him close.“Can we go home now,” Fiona muttered slowly.“Fiona!” I screamed out of excitement. “Oh my baby, I'm so glad you are alright,” I said amidst tears that fell ceasel
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