Marcus’s POVAt the full break of sunlight, I woke up feeling a little too tired, but I had to see Lily no matter what.I forced myself up from the bed, then rose to the bathroom to freshen up. Once I was done having my bath, I stared back at my reflection in the mirror for a couple of minutes. I admired the black runes that ran down my arms.Every Twilight Ridge werewolf had a rune, some ran along their legs while some like myself, ran along our arms.“It is just really annoying to think such a beautiful part of our bodies was created just for our mates and kids.” I had told this to Winston some time ago.Most of our Servants were humans, or very lowly werewolves who still crossbred with humans. Winston was human.I sighed and walked out of the bathroom and got into the closet to get dressed.As I stepped out of the closet, I saw the little potion bottle on the table. I picked it up and swirled the content inside it.She had an intent to kill and it was either to kill them or to kill
Lily's POVI was yet to understand what exactly Marcus's aim for coming to my room was, but there would be only one way to find out.I had finished having my bath and was feeling refreshed, but his presence made me feel uncomfortable despite the freshness of my skin.I picked a plate and decided to go for some eggs with bacon and cheese. I had not had eggs for a while and the sight of it gladdened me.Despite the tension hovering over Marcus and me, I decided to focus on enjoying the meal before me. It might be my last after all.As I ate in silence, I noticed Marcus had yet to take another bite beyond the first one he had earlier on.If he was human, I would have been concerned, but once a beast loses his appetite, it causes celebration.I unconsciously smiled at my thoughts and continued to indulge in my meal happily."Why are you eating like you've been starving?" Marcus's sudden question shattered the silence, causing me to freeze mid-bite. His gaze bore into mine, searching for a
Marcus's POV As I left Lily's room, the only thing left in me was anger. I was angry at myself, angry at my wolf, angry at Smithson, angry at my parents, angry at everyone.Angry at Lily.All I had wanted to know was why Lily would put herself in danger for something that was not worth it.She did not deserve to die because of revenge. But things didn't go as planned.Lily was long given to the hate she has harbored towards my entire pack for what Smithson did.As soon as she said she wasn't even my mate, my wolf growled loudly. She really did not know she was my mate.All this while, I had felt she knew and was acting ignorant about it just as I was, but the look of denial and shock that blared in her eyes told no lies.I needed to release the pent-up energy and emotions that had built inside of me and the only person who came to mind was Smithson.He caused everything and should bear the consequences of his actions. I arrived at the training room with a low growl.“Look who we have
Lily's POVAfter Marcus left, I reeled in shock at what had just been revealed. Marcus could not have been the black wolf that came into my dreams, he could not have been my mate.Father had told me when I met my mate, I would know that he was the one. But I didn't feel anything towards Marcus but hate.I sat in the cell, I was thrown into and gazed out at the now night sky. I had to stand on the makeshift bed given to me to sleep in, to get a closer look at the beauty of the night.“Get down from there you little witch ?” One of the guards on duty bellowed.“I am sorry, but I only want to see the nice and attractive view of the night sky and the beautiful array of stars perfectly aligned with their constell..”“Get down now!” He yelled interrupting my sentences and I fell back on the makeshift bed.“Is she your slave that you order around in such a manner?” I heard Marcus's low yet agitated voice echo on the walls of the cells.“Master Marcus.” They called out to him, then bowed slig
Marcus’s POVAs I went out of the cell room, my heart was tightened with so much pain and hurt. I had only wanted to know what happened. How could I ever get her to see beyond the hate, and the anger and if possible let it all go?I hated seeing her wallow in so much pain and hurt. If it was revenge she wanted, I would give it to her, anything she wanted I would do it for her. I just wanted her to be happy and free.I walked aimlessly along the hallway in the northern wing. I remember as a child I loved to stay here all the time. I would always sneak in to use my father's library play in his gardens or watch as the artists painted things, my father and my mother in some cases, painted me too.But after my tenth birthday, all that ended as more responsibilities were laid on me by my father. Mother strived for me to learn and harness magic, but I was content with my wolf abilities.As Leila’s father arrived from his travels and began witch hunting, father and mother endorsed him in exch
Marcus’s POV“Marcus, what the hell do you think you are doing?” Mother yelled. “You cannot just walk in and challenge your parents like that?” She screamed.“Parents?” I scoffed. “I have now accepted the truth I denied for so long. I lost my parents at ten, Queen Laurent.” I announced coldly and turned towards Lord Darkwoodd.I turned in time to catch him wearing a sinister grin. “Satisfied? I am sorry for making a few changes to the script but let one thing be clear, Crimson Valley would never be yours.”“And King Adonis,” I called, turning to face my father. “I will be taking my slave with me.”“Marcus, have you gone nuts?” Father thundered.“Maybe I have,” I replied and with that, I vanished from the council hall.I walked back into the cell room to find Lily still crouched on the ground where I had left her a while ago.“Get up,” I ordered but I got no response. I walked into the cell room and went towards her and she felt like she was inside an icy cave. My heart began to race
Lily's POVI woke up with a throbbing headache, but I managed to pull myself up and sit in bed. Everything had happened so fast the night before that they all felt surreal to me.After Marcus had left the cell room, I was in so much pain. I felt so heartbroken at all that had transpired between Marcus and I.Why did he have to be my chosen mate? It all felt so painful, that my tears began to glow. I became scared and tried to dry up the tears but the more I tried to dry it off, the more it fell till I was weak and void of any more tears to shed.I had suddenly become very cold and chilly. All I wanted at that moment was to leave the cell room to somewhere warmer.Then I heard the keys jangle again, spurring me awake from my sleep. I was too weak to look up, but I could sense it was Marcus. I don't know how but when he joined me on the ground, my assumption was confirmed.Next thing, I felt my body being lifted. I liked the warmth of the body, so I snuggled in unconsciously. That was t
Lily's POVI watched as Clara gasped and fell to her knees as King Adonis stepped in followed by Lord Darkwood. Leila's father.“Good morning Alpha King.” I greeted and bowed a little. “Lord Darkwood.” I greeted them too.“Leave us.” King Adonis bellowed, causing Clara to hurry out of my room.“Lily Evergreen, why are you so much of a thorn in our flesh?” King Adonis asked.“Sorry Alpha King but I really don't have an answer to that,” I replied not looking him in the eye.He had this menacing glare on him, his aura was dark and he had this dark-looking ring on his forefinger.“Do you know what you have caused between my son, Marcus, and I?” He asked.“I do not know the alpha king,” I replied truthfully. Lord Darkwood was already walking around my room in search of what I had no idea of.“Who visited your room last night?” Lord Darkwood asked from behind my bed.“No one, except Marcus and his aide, Winston,” I replied.“Liar. I can feel the lingering presence of strong magic on this
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