Leila's POVWalking through the grand corridors of the grand mansion, I arrived at Marcus's wing and everywhere was unusually quiet.I wondered what went on but did not have answers at the moment, but one thing was certain, that something was amiss.Downstairs, near the bustling kitchen, a commotion caught my attention. With my curiosity piqued.I made my way closer, my footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors. And there, amidst a small crowd, I saw a chef, clad in his pristine white uniform, being flogged.I frowned. I sought out one of the nearby maids, her eyes wide with fear, her hands trembling as she wrung the edges of her apron."What's happening here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to disturb the grim tableau unfolding before me.The maid glanced at me, her expression a mix of apprehension and resignation. "It's Master Marcus," she whispered back, her voice barely audible over the din. "He ordered the chef to be flogged."I felt a cold shiv
Leila’s POVI walked out of Marcus's room feeling excited about what was about to come. If he was back to being cold towards his servants, then that could only mean that I was close to achieving my goal.All I had to do now was put on a nice act and win everyone's heart. I smiled sinisterly at my thoughts.I arrived at the balcony overlooking the banquet hall and looked in the opposite direction. The other side of the hallway led down to that little witch's room.I walked in that direction without giving much thought to it. I arrived at her door and there were guards stationed there.So much trouble for just the flu.I immediately put on my act and approached the guards.“Miss Leila,” They greeted with a curt bow.“Hmmm,” I replied to their greeting. My blue eyes were moistened well enough but no tears fell. “How is she?”“She is sick.” One of the guards replied.“Can I see her?” I asked, wearing a pitiful look.“I'm sorry, but there have been strict restrictions against her visitors
Marcus’s POVWho did Leila think she was anyway?After showing up unannounced at my chambers, she had the effrontery to ask me why I punished my servants.I sat at my desk and took a cup of water from the table. I wondered what her act was for.No matter what she did, I would never never marry her.“Who's there?” I called out to the guards at the door.The door creaked open and the two guards standing there stepped in.“Master Marcus,” They both greeted.“Make sure no one except for Winston passes through that door,” I instructed firmly.“Understood, Master Marcus.” They responded and made to leave but I called them back.“If anyone except Winston passes through that door, it's your head that will be my next meal. My voice was laced with much contempt and hatred as I spoke and the only person on my mind at that moment was Leila and of course, her Father, Lord Darkwood. Those two were worse than thorns in the flesh.The guards bowed and left.Once I was certain the guards were outside
Shawn’s POVI ran with tears streaming down my face, my excitement was out of this world and I promised the universe to be the best creation on earth for making me find Lily.“Lily!” I yelled, and immediately I entered the cabin. There was no response, but I kept at it. “Lily!” I called again.Tears had flooded my eyes and streamed down my cheeks but I did not care. All I wanted the most in the world at that moment, was to be reunited with Lily.I hurried to her room but she wasn't there and things looked almost exactly like the way it was the last time I was here.I ran out to my own room, but she was not there either. “Please Lily, come out wherever you are hiding,” I cried.I rose up and searched the halls, the potion room, the council chambers, I searched the kitchen and the dining halls, but she was nowhere to be found.I now stood in front of my parent's room, the last and the only unchecked room in our mansion.I exhaled heavily and dried my tears. She had to be inside here. I
Shawn’s POV“Wake up boy,”I blinked my eyes a lot of times before it adjusted to the pressure of the direct sunlight shining directly on my face.“Where am I?” I asked in hushed tones as I tried to take in my environment.Everything felt familiar, except for the unusual presence of barbarians in it. I rested my head back on the floor and looked up into the sky. It was so beautiful to behold.Then I suddenly felt a strong kick on my ass. Then I fully jerked back to reality. I stood up from the ground to find Shadowvale staring at me angrily.“Shadowvale,” I called in astonishment.How did he know I was here? My memories quickly flooded back into my mind as I recalled all that happened and my sleeping out here in the comfort of my memories.“You should have an expression worse than that boy,” Shadowvale sneered.My mind quickly raced as to why he was so angry with me. He was the one that set me out of his tent, I arrived here and…Oh no! The hunt.“Do you know how dark it was yesterday
Marcus's POV I turned to Winston and searched his face for answers. “Master Marcus, I … I.. don't…” “Winston!” I roared, interrupting his stuttering. “I need a response and not baby sounds. “Well, Master Marcus, I really thought she had the flu and now that she is missing I do not know if we can find her or not. But if we don't want her dead, then we should be on the lookout,” Winston did make a point, but I was not concerned with all that, I just needed some form of light to hold onto. Even if it is a false light. “Master Marcus if I may?” Clara asked. I nodded for her to speak. She seemed to have been the closest person to Lily and although I don't know to what extent they shared information, I was sure she knew that I was Lily's destined mate. “I believe that all Lily wanted was to be happy and most importantly free from guilt,” She began but her statement caught my interest. “What do you mean by free from guilt?” I asked. “Master Marcus, as you know her entire
Marcus's POVI immediately got into the bathroom, took a quick shower, and dressed up in brown leather pants and black boots with a black shirt to top off my majestic look.I was always notified of people with unclean hearts who neared the valley or the village and last time it was Smithson, but who was it this time?I hurried over to the breakfast that Winston set before me. “Ready the horses, we leave immediately,” I ordered as I took a bite of the last pancake on my plate.“Yes Master Marcus,” Winston bowed and left.Once I wiped my mouth clean, Clara cleared the dishes and I rose up and walked out of my chambers.As I arrived at the training grounds, just right before the main entrance of the grand mansion, I noticed my hunt pact was all ready.I mounted my horse and tested the reins to be sure they were intact.“Are you that scared Marcus?” I heard Smithson ask and walk out of his hiding room.“What are you talking about?” I frowned.I knew his tricks, but I did not plan on shyin
Shawn's POVAs we walked out of the village, we heard a loud howl coming from it.The marker's cry.I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth in anger. Who was he and what gave him the effrontery to claim ownership over my village?I stopped walking and looked over at the village. I saw him and his hunting pack, retreating into the woods. But what puzzled me the most was that despite this, he did not seem like he wanted to harm the village he wanted to protect it.“Hey boy, why did you not tell us your name was Sean?” Shadowvale asked.“Shawn.” I corrected it. “My name is Shawn,”“If your name is Shawn, then why tell him Sean,” Luca asked.“Because I felt he would see through my fake hair color and know who I am,” I replied through gritted teeth.“Ahh, you gave him too much credit. He does not like magic except when it is natural born,” Luca remarked.I frowned, “How does he hate magic when his father has begun to endorse it?”“Exactly just as you said, his father endorsing it made him
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