HERO POVThe weight of the last four hours pressed down on me. Four long hours of so many question, of whispered confessions, of horrified gasps. Talking to everyone who had lived under Elliott's rule had been… draining. Most of them genuinely hadn't known what he was doing. They were shocked, horrified, some even physically ill at the revelations. Their faces, that of disbelief and disgust, while we explained what Elliot had been doing.Others… Well, others tried the "I didn't know" routine. But a wolf can't lie. Their inner animal betrayed them, the tell-tale flick of an ear, a nervous shift of weight, giving away their deception. And then there were those who admitted they knew, their eyes filled with a weary resignation. "What could we do?" they’d asked, their voices barely above a whisper. "He was too powerful.”A burning rage flickered inside me. I wanted to expose some of them who worked hand in hand with him, and punish every single one of them who had turned a blind eye. But
HERO POV"You've been quiet," I murmured, my gaze locked on hers. I reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. "Something on your mind?"She met my eyes, a flicker of something I noticed like – shyness? anticipation? – crossing her features before she offered a soft smile. "You're very confident," she replied, a playful glint in her eyes. "You think you can just… make me… you know…”I chuckled, a low rumble in my chest. "Is that a challenge?" I teased, my fingers tracing the line of her jaw. "Because I'm more than happy to accept. I'm not just going to make you come, darling. I'm going to make you moan my name. I'm going to make you tremble. I'm going to make you forget everything but the moment. Like I always do," I added, a slight hint of playful arrogance in my voice.Cupping her face in my hands, I leaned in, my breath ghosting over her lips. "But tonight," I whispered, "tonight is going to be different. Tonight, I want to show you… I want to show you wha
ZARA POVThe autumn wind whipped at my face as I hurried through the town, my coat collar pulled up against the biting chill. I couldn't shake the sense of dread that had settled in my stomach. The Alpha had summoned me to his office, a rare occurrence that usually meant trouble. And the fact that he'd sent one of his henchmen to escort me made the situation even more ominous.We hadn't spoken a word since he had arrived at my doorstep this morning and told me The Alpha wanted to talk to me. We had just walked in total silence, him at my shoulder every step of the way as if waiting for me to flee. Which was stupid. If I was going to run, I would have done that a long time ago. It wasn't until he led me through the halls to the Alpha's office and knocked on the door that he finally said something. And it was to the Alpha of the night moon pack, not to me. “It's Harry,” he said. “I have got her as you requested, Alpha.”HER, I didn't even warrant any actual name. That was how low I w
ZARA POVI thought my torment was over. But no, fate had other plans. My jaw clenched, and tears of frustration pricked at my eyes. All my life, I'd been a loyal pack member, always following orders. But this? This was a cruel joke. Marrying me off to a beast who had nothing but contempt for me and my people? It was a twisted betrayal.“Picture a future where our pack is even stronger, more united. Weston could be the key. Imagine the countless lives you could save by bringing Weston into our pack. His strength and loyalty would make us unstoppable. But if you turn him down, the consequences will be dire. Weston's anger would be a storm that could destroy us all. Chaos will reign. His fury would be a wildfire, burning everything in its path."I looked away, my anger a tempest raging within. Rough, calloused fingers seized my chin, forcing my head back to face the cold, unforgiving glare of my father's eyes."Can you live with the blood on your hands? Sleep soundly, knowing the destruc
ZARA POV At that very moment, my father's phone rang, and he pulled it out of his pocket. “I’m afraid that I need to leave. You will take care of her for the evening and get her back home to me by morning, won't you Weston?” He winked at me and finally released me before walking away. As always, I felt the tension ease out of my body when my father left, but one monster was still standing right in front of me. Now, it was time to see the kind of monster I would be marrying.“Do you mind, a dance?”Weston asked, holding his hands out for me to grab.I was hesitant at his request but ended up nodding. “Of course,” I managed to say, heart fluttering in my chest, he pulled me into an open space and flattened me against his body. Unaccustomed to the touch of a man, I stiffened.His hands moved down my back and cupped my ass as he grumbled. I wanted to push him away but my father's words instantly echoed in my head making me force a smile. There were things I was supposed to say to Weston,
HERO POVSilence,Silence was what filled the car except for the sound of the moving car. Little dolphin didn't say a word during the car ride, and she didn't object to my command of bringing her along with me. Her face was completely blank as my men drove us to my hotel. It was a twenty minutes ride____ Tarrant idea, Incase I didn't show up to the ball.My phone was buzzing like crazy, but I ignored it. Someone would distract Tarrant eventually. I wasn't sure why I felt compelled to bring the little dolphin along. Maybe it was an excuse to avoid going in, but it didn't take long to hear what had really gone down. Weston was planning to claim a Luna, and it wasn't, little dolphin right here.Don't get me wrong.She was lovely, petite for a wolf, with a small heart shaped face and a nice hair length but there was no other indication that she spent much time in the sun or outdoors. Her skin looked soft, creamy and smooth. She was gorgeous but that wasn't the reason why I had brought he
HERO POVShe cleared her throat, a delicate sound that seemed to echo in the otherwise silent room. Her gaze, previously fixed on the flickering flames of the fireplace, now turned towards me. "Why were you outside the hotel?" she asked, her voice a soft, yet insistent whisperThe question hung heavy in the air, a silent accusation. I gave her a small smile before finally breaking the silence. “You ask a lot of questions, little dolphin.” Her captivating eyes widened a little. “What, little dolphin?”“I would have said you look pathetic, like a beaten dog but that honestly doesn't describe you.” I paused and stared at her.“Instead, you seem little, helpless, and more like an injured dolphin.” I waited to see if she would perhaps defend herself, but she just nodded her head a little, like she agreed. Was she so submissive that she couldn't even speak up for herself?“I think I'm just trying to perhaps find out, I suppose. Was that a poor choice of words or a bad question to ask?” "N
HERO POVAlmost everyone in the region knew my name, but when was the last time someone cared about me just for me? When was the last time someone wanted me, not because of my power or position?Couldn't remember,"I've never heard of that pack or its Alpha," she admitted, her voice flat. "But then again, I don't know much about packs from outside our borders. I've never been one to socialise with outsiders."I stared at her, letting a sliver of my power seep into the air. Nearly thirty alphas were gathered tonight for Weston's celebration. If she truly believed she would be his Luna, she should have familiarised herself with the other guests.She would have known that I would be there. "Damn it," I muttered to myself, frustration gnawing at me. I'd let myself get sidetracked, completely captivated by her. It was baffling how she could remain so oblivious to my true identity. I couldn't help but study her, trying to piece together the puzzle. It was as if she was shrouded in a mist,
HERO POV"You've been quiet," I murmured, my gaze locked on hers. I reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. "Something on your mind?"She met my eyes, a flicker of something I noticed like – shyness? anticipation? – crossing her features before she offered a soft smile. "You're very confident," she replied, a playful glint in her eyes. "You think you can just… make me… you know…”I chuckled, a low rumble in my chest. "Is that a challenge?" I teased, my fingers tracing the line of her jaw. "Because I'm more than happy to accept. I'm not just going to make you come, darling. I'm going to make you moan my name. I'm going to make you tremble. I'm going to make you forget everything but the moment. Like I always do," I added, a slight hint of playful arrogance in my voice.Cupping her face in my hands, I leaned in, my breath ghosting over her lips. "But tonight," I whispered, "tonight is going to be different. Tonight, I want to show you… I want to show you wha
HERO POVThe weight of the last four hours pressed down on me. Four long hours of so many question, of whispered confessions, of horrified gasps. Talking to everyone who had lived under Elliott's rule had been… draining. Most of them genuinely hadn't known what he was doing. They were shocked, horrified, some even physically ill at the revelations. Their faces, that of disbelief and disgust, while we explained what Elliot had been doing.Others… Well, others tried the "I didn't know" routine. But a wolf can't lie. Their inner animal betrayed them, the tell-tale flick of an ear, a nervous shift of weight, giving away their deception. And then there were those who admitted they knew, their eyes filled with a weary resignation. "What could we do?" they’d asked, their voices barely above a whisper. "He was too powerful.”A burning rage flickered inside me. I wanted to expose some of them who worked hand in hand with him, and punish every single one of them who had turned a blind eye. But
HERO POVWater splattered on the floor between Finna’s legs, and she stared at me in horror. “What am I going to do? Paxton isn't even here. He should be here for this._” she yelled in pain with a groan escaping her lips. “What the fuck, Finna. Paxton is definitely not my concern right now. I thought you were still a month out from your due date?” I would never had fucking agreed for her to come along if I thought she was going to give birth in the middle of all this.“I am,” she responded, her breathing coming out in gasp.I winced at her pain. "Easy, Finna. Breathe. This isn't the time to panic."“But it's happening! I can feel it!” she groaned, her voice trembling.She moaned, her voice trembling. "It hurts! It hurts so much!”I roared again, and everyone came running. Glinda took one look at Finna, paled, and disappeared. Sabrina and Hana coax a stressed Finna out of the kitchen into the living room while Zara raced around getting supplies she was told to get. "She's going to be
ZARA POV"I honestly... I'm sorry, but..." I began, the words catching in my throat. I was about to explain why I couldn't continue with the breaking of the curse to get back my bonds, but the sound of Hero's voice stopped me."Zara," his voice boomed from behind me, deep with worry. I closed my eyes, the weight of his concern pressing down on me. He was terrified for our child, and rightly so. If I passed this curse or not having bonds on to them... I couldn't bear the thought. I had to try everything, no matter the cost to myself. Even if it meant facing certain doom, I had to try."Alright," I finally said to the witches, my voice trembling. "One last try.”“Hey, we are not doing it today. I think it's going to take a lot of energy, and we don't want you too weak. So I would like you to have the day to rest, and I still have some ingredients to prepare properly. And, frankly, I think we are going to need Glinda. I would advise that no one brings up anything that has to deal with Ba
ZARA POV"I told you no, Sabrina," Glinda's voice echoed through the house, firm and steady.Sabrina sighed dramatically. "But why? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! It'll be huge, I promise. Bigger than anything we've ever done."Glinda scoffed, "Bigger? You mean more danger? More of my life on the line? I've already sacrificed enough to protect this mountain. I'm done playing hero for your thrill-seeking escapades.”"But Glinda," Sabrina whined, "you know how much I need this. It's a career-defining moment for me if you agree to go...""My own career is protecting this place," Glinda retorted, "not being your personal stunt double. And frankly, I'm starting to think you only call me when you need a chauffeur to help you in your little games. Forgetting how you drive off in a blaze of glory, leaving me to clean up the mess."Sabrina bristled. "That's not fair! You know I appreciate you. You're the best.”"The best at what?" Glinda asked, her voice rising. "The best at risking
HERO POVWhen I walked back into the room, I could smell Zara all over the place but she was nowhere to be found. “Zara,” I called out, while keeping my voice very gentle. “Hey, you can come out… it's fine, our pup is fine.” I uttered as calmly as possible. Silence. Then, a rustle under the bed. Her wolf emerged slowly, tail tucked, head low. Fear still clung to her. I sat on the floor, extending a leg towards her. She hesitated, then crept closer, her fur bristling.I reached out, my touch gentle. "There you are," I murmured, stroking her head. "It's okay, good girl.”She relaxed slowly, leaning into my hand. I closed my eyes, inhaling the scent of her fur, the woodsmoke, the lingering fear.I further stroked her fur and her head softly until I could feel her relax. "Sabrina's upset with me," I confessed, my voice a low rumble. "She thinks I'm ungrateful. That I don't appreciate you rescuing us. But that's not true at all. Back in that cage… I realized how much I wanted to live. To
HERO POV"What do you mean by she's not breathing?" I yelled, my voice cracking. "She has to breathe! Check her again! Use your magic, do something, anything!" Frustration swelled inside me, hot and suffocating. "Please, I don't want to lose Zara," I spluttered, tears I didn't know I was holding back streamed down my cheeks.Sabrina looked at me, her face etched with worry. "Calm down, Hero. I know you're scared, but you need to stay calm. It's crucial." She gently placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch surprisingly soothing. "Thank goodness she was already shifted in her wolf when it happened. Her wolf form is incredibly resilient. Her magic is protecting her, shielding her core. Her heart is still beating, and she's still breathing, though shallowly. The problem is that the excess energy of the electricity within her is building up, threatening to burn her from the inside out.”I wiped furiously at my face, the tears blurring my vision. "Burn her? What do you mean 'burn her'?"Sabr
HERO POV"I want you to kill Georgia," Elliot said, his voice low and dangerously even. "Right now. And I mean right now. I want you to film the entire thing. Every. Single. Fucking. Second. I want that stupid little brat, Cyrus, to see exactly what happens when someone betrays me. Make sure he understands the consequences when he watches it."He clicked the radio off, then on again immediately, his eyes carefully fixed on the small speaker as if he could force a response through sheer willpower."Kerry, can you hear me," he barked, the controlled anger starting to fray at the edges of each second.The only sound was the continued static, a mocking hiss in the tense air.He tried again, his voice rising. "Rendell? Wesley? Santos? Someone fucking answer me!" He slammed the radio down on the table, the plastic casing groaning under the impact. His breath came in ragged gasps, the frustration boiling over. He paced the room, like a caged animal, the silence from the other end of th
HERO POV"Fuck… fuck," I muttered, annoyance bubbling up inside me. I winced as I tried to shift, the chains biting into my wrists. The sight of Jeremy, bleeding heavily on the cobblestones, was a sickening reminder of our predicament, Kristina was strung up to the wall in chains on both hands. Beside me, Walker's cage stood empty, a chilling giveaway to their brutality. They'd dragged him away, unconscious, leaving me alone with the buzzing electricity that crackled through the bars."Tristan?" I whispered, my voice hoarse. My bond with him, though weakened, still throbbed with life. He was alive. But Walker… I felt nothing. No connection, no reassurance. Panic clawed at the edges of my fear. Was he…"We have been betrayed," I breathed, the word tasting like ash in my mouth. It was the only explanation for how we all ended up. They'd been waiting for us by the river, their ambush perfectly timed. Even through the haze of the drug that had washed over me, I'd overheard fragments of th