Lily's POV“Lily, no matter what happens, I need you to know that I will always watch your back and I will always be there for you anytime, anywhere,” Clara said.I hugged her again and cried a little more before it was time for her to leave.“When do you intend on doing what you have proposed to do?” She asked, concern had long plastered across her face.“Tomorrow morning,” I replied as determination replaced the fear and tears that had gripped my heart. “Oh Lily, I will see how best to help you with this.” She said and rubbed my shoulders gently. “Thank you so much, Clara,” I replied and we hugged again before she stepped out and left me alone.I stood up and placed a few clothing and fabrics into a small bag, then assembled the food items into another bag in preparation for what lay ahead.Once I was done, I went straight into bed and slept soundly. No black wolf, no voices. Just a long and dreamless sleep.At the first flicker of light, I stirred awake and hurried out of bed.I
Lily's POV As I was about to leave, Marcus held my wrists tightly. “Where the hell do you think you are going?”“I need some peaceful time alone,” I replied. My voice was void of emotion.“Do you really think I would let you be on your own?” He asked coldly.I turned to face him. “Why can you not just let me be?!” I yelled. “I just want some time with myself, is that too hard to ask for?”As tears streamed down my cheeks, the effect of the poison hit again and I almost lost my footing, but Marcus caught me.“I'm sorry Lily, but the moment you wanted to run away from me, I can not trust you to be alone and come back to me.” He replied and helped me up.“Fine. Follow me if you wish.” I said weakly. I was glad that the effects of the poison were not too obvious being that I had just finished crying and was weak.I stumbled to our cabin and went first to Shawn's room. The last time I was here it was empty, but I decided to check it out nonetheless.“Who stayed here?” Marcus asked.“My br
Marcus's POV I had noticed how down and withdrawn Lily had been. She felt a little off the radar but managed to act tough through it all. Telling me she wanted to leave my side was her worst mistake because I could no longer trust her to go anywhere alone and come back to me in one piece. When she wanted to come here to Crimson Valley, it had alerted my senses and I could not even trust her to come here alone and return to Mistwood Creek. Even as she wandered the halls in search of nothing, I could not help but feel that there was something wrong with her. It felt like she was in a silent pain and now she had spent a far longer time than I had expected her to in her parent's room. I hope she was alright. I sighed and leaned into the wall. I had already fallen in love with her without knowing I had. I tried to distance myself and act coldly towards her, but none of it worked. “Master Marcus,” I turned to Winston who was approaching where I sat “What is it, Winston?” I re
Leila's POV Stepping out of the confines of my room, I smiled for it was the day Lily would die, I would lay the blame on Queen Laurent, Marcus's judgment could lead to her exile and I would be crowned Queen Consort.I walked with an air of confidence and pride. I walked towards the grand mansion. Little wonder why it was built in the likeness of a palace.The mansion had four whole divisions, the north wing belonging to the king, the south wing belonging to the queen, the west wing belonging to Marcus, and the east wing for the servants.I hated the idea of servants living so close by, but I had to only endure for a little while longer. I walked into the grand Mansion and headed straight to Marcus’s wing. I anticipated maids hurrying about to clear Lily’s room out and Marcus sulking a while in his room, but when I arrived he was out of the room and I did not meet the expected turmoil I had anticipated.“Where is Marcus?” I asked a maid passing by“He is in Lily’s room?” She respond
Marcus's POV After Leila left, I tried hard to control my rage for Lily's sake. She had just woken up after a long time and I did not want to startle her. She was still weak and unable to stand up. “Do you need anything at all?” I asked her. At that moment, I could not afford to be cold or mean to her. She was so fragile and seeing her down made my heart bleed. She shook her head, “No Master Marcus,” she muttered. “Can… you... Can you tell me what happened?” I asked hesitantly. I did not know if it was okay to ask her now or much later, but I knew I had to do something immediately else it would give her offenders time to cover up their deeds. “Forget it please,” She replied weakly. “You don't get to tell me what to do Lily,” I replied hoarsely. “I decide when to let go and when to hold on,” I added. She looked at me then turned her face away. “Why Marcus?” I looked at her with a puzzled expression, “Why what?” I asked “Why would you want to do anything for me? You
Marcus's POVWhat!!!“You wanted to know, now you do!” She exclaimed. “How would you go and point accusing fingers at your mother and base them on the words of your slave Marcus?”“If that is what I have to do, then so be it,” I replied coldly and made for the door, but her voice stopped me.“After that, what next?” She asked. “You will pronounce judgment on your mother and your father will come at me. What will you do then? You still have Leila and her father too, so Marcus please,” She was good at making her pleas but that is not what made me who I was.“I know what to do and do not worry it will cause you no more trouble,” I said to her and left the room with her in it.“No one is allowed to visit her except for the maid who just left here or the chief gardener, Winston, or myself,” I ordered the guards stationed outside her door.“Yes, Master Marcus.” They replied“Also, make sure she does not leave your sight. She can go anywhere within this wing only.” I added.“Okay, Master Mar
Marcus's POV I saw the smile on his face drop. “What warning Master Marcus?” He asked.I gave him a sly grin and paced around his receiving room. “Lord Brimstone, do you remember what I had said at the last council meeting?”“A lot of things were said, so could you be more specific Master Marcus.” He asked. His wrinkled face had long contorted into a frown.“I don't have time to go into specifics, so maybe my warning would help remind you.” I began.“Anyone who attempts to cause harm to my people, or tries to endanger what belongs to me, will be wiped out,” I said calmly, but my voice evoked the strength and authority it needed to pass the warning.“Master Marcus, I don't know of anyone who would attempt such a thing.” He replied.“I'm sure you don't,” I replied. “I will be taking my leave now.”With that, I walked out of his house and began my way back to the mansion.“Who's next?” Winston asked as he walked up beside me.I stopped in front of the first gate of the mansion. I consid
Lily's POV After Marcus left the room, I hurried off the bed and back into the bathroom. I felt very nauseous earlier on but I fought hard to control it, so he would not make a fuss out of it.I could not allow any more people to know of my baby. I knew a doctor had come in to check me while I passed out.Looking at myself in the mirror I remembered my conversation from earlier with Clara.“What did the doctor find?” I asked her as she stepped into the bathroom.“You can keep calm, he could not find any pulse to read. Quite mysterious right?” Clara had replied.I wondered why he could not find any pulse and was worried about it. Clara had agreed to come back after Marcus had left, so we could go to see her father.Throwing up now made me confused as to whether it was the aftermath effect of the potion I drank or if it was still my babies intact.I did not want to think it was the latter, but I would still follow Clara to see her Father.As I walked back into the room, I met Clara set
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