Lucien's POVAs I approached the figure in black, I had my guard up and I was prepared for battle. But strangely, as I got closer to the figure in black, they did not attempt to attack me or even more towards me. It seemed a bit strange.When I got close enough, I realized that the figure in black was an elder and not a competitor. They wore a full body suit and I was sure it was to protect them from the cold of this mountain. So this was what Avery meant when she said that they would be in peak condition.The suit was skin-tight and it hindered their mobility in no way whatsoever. This was bad. Now I understood why the elder wasn't moving to attack me, he was biding his time. Their goal wasn't to defeat us, it was to make us slow down. They want to waste our time.This made the event a whole lot harder because now we don't only have to worry about defeating the elders, we also have to worry about time. It was one thing to fight someone who wanted to fight back and it was another to f
Devon's POV“I say you are shouting bullshit. The three of us are close in power levels, there's no way we can defeat an elder even with combined effort not to talk of a beast like Lucien.”I glanced at the guy to my right and I stared for a while. I've met my fair share of cowards and I could say with certainty that this guy was one of them. He was not only a wuss but a fool but I couldn't tell him that.“I'm Lucien,” I said instead and the other two looked at me for a while in silence. Then the one on my left spoke,“Osric”“..... Ignace.” The one on the right said reluctantly.“I know we are weak, but we are also strong. A combination of power does not always result in mere addition of total force, at times it can be a direct multiplication.”“Say what?” Ignace asked with furrowed brows.“The three of us working together doesn't necessarily mean our combination of power is as simple as one plus one plus one, it could be one raised to power of one raised to power of one.”“But it's
Avery's povI stood in the surveillance room as I watched over the whole forest. The competition was proceeding smoothly so far but there were more challenges to come. If these fools want to have me then they might as well risk their lives for it.They were all bark but no bite and now it was time for them to prove themselves. Some people were already showing signs of never making it to the mountaintop, while some were showing outstanding progress.Some were forming teams and others were doing it solo. Some betas were showing more talent and battle prowess than Alphas, and those two were doing better than I had expected.Devon had managed to form a team with high potential, I could tell that this wasn't their full strength and yet they'd already defeated four elders. I was impressed, it seemed like he was really becoming his own person but if he thought that that would be enough to get me then he was very wrong. This was just the beginning, moreover, I was sure that the reason for his
Lucien's POVI could feel my blood boiling as I ran up the mountain. I had defeated almost ten elders now and I could feel that the cold was having a great time penetrating my skin. It was still freezing but at least now I knew that the cold wouldn't damage my organs or anything.The last ten fights had been challenging but none of them had really pushed me to my limits. For some reason, I couldn't help but wish that I had a better opponent to fight. I had climbed fat up the mountain and at this point, there were heaps of snow covering the grass beneath. The slow was slowing me down a bit and now I finally understood that this mountain was even more challenging than I had thought.Luckily for me, ever since I had reached this point I hadn't encountered any elders. I could easily see the snow affecting my mobility and that would be bad. As I got higher in the mountain, the elders became stronger and I could only wonder who the elders at the very top would be.If my father was alive, h
Lucien's povI moved around the snowy plain with raspy breath, I was getting tired and my blood wasn't boiling as much as before. I was being dominated and it had the opposite effect, I could feel my blood slowing down and the frost was slowly seeping into my skin.I blocked an attack from the first elder and I skidded backwards on the snow. I winced as I felt a sharp pain in my forearm, my coat was torn and I was hurting all over.The elders had battered me and tossed me around the snowy plains, at first I was shocked at how powerless I was, I had thought that I was just that much below them but later on I realized that it wasn't that, there was something about them and something told me that if it were any other four elders, they wouldn't be able to pass me around like this.I gasped for breath, by now a lot of things were clear to me. They weren't trying to kill me, they were just delaying me. They wanted me to lose and that told me two things about them; the first was that they ha
Devon's POV I collected the pair of gloves from Ignace and I put them in, immediately, I felt my hand begin to warm up. It had gotten so frozen I couldn't clench my fists anymore.I sighed, frosty breaths pouring out of my mouth and nose. We were close to the peak and we defeated a lot of elders due to our combined efforts but it cost us going all out and a few gloves were destroyed in the process. Moreover, the equipment of the elders higher up was better than that of those on the lower part of the mountain.I looked behind us and then I looked forward, we still had a while to go. It had been more than twenty-four hours and judging by the direction of the sun, we should be close to noon. We had to hurry, this night was the full moon, and that was the deadline.If we don't get to the mountaintop and father equipment to help us out of this mountain before then, it's going to be pretty brutal. I still found it hard to believe that there weren't any contingency plans. I knew that we wer
Devon’s POV“What's the meaning of this? Isn't this overkill?! What are you doing here?” I asked the man in front of me,He was no other than Avery's father himself. The alpha of the strongest pack and the strongest alpha himself. What were we supposed to do? Defeat him?! He was called the strongest alpha for a reason.I knew he was strong but now I really dread him. He was the one, that gaze was his and he had been seeing us as we approached him. He must be even stronger than the rumours say and that shouldn't be possible because he was a beast in the rumours.Just being in his presence I could feel my body slightly trembling and I could almost smell the fear in the air. This man was even more domineering than this frozen mountain.“Is this a joke? How are we supposed to defeat him?” Someone spoke,“Not even those ancient alphas can beat him. My father told me he once wiped out a legacy clan single-handedly. He killed every single one of them.”“That's nothing compared to what I hear
Avery's povI drove the car on the expressway, my leg pressing forward in the turtle as the car sped up. I was going to seek someone who didn't want to be found or so my father said. My mind drifted to our conversation,I fell on the floor and my father chuckled. I was soaked in sweat from our training and my body was sore but it was a fair price to pay. I might be strong now but that didn't mean I was going to slack in my training. A gun without a bullet is nothing but a toy.My father walked to me and reached out his hand to help me. I grabbed it and he pulled me up and handed me a bottle of water. I drank it all. We began to walk back into the castle,“So, I haven't heard about the second phase of the competition.”“Yeah, I'm not too sure either. I was thinking of using you for the second phase.”“Me?” My father asked with raised brows.“What's wrong with using you?”“Don't you think you are using me too much? Maybe I should start charging you per hour for my time.” He said and I c
Lucien's Pov Walking down the aisle was one thing I never imagined I would do. The thought of walking down a path lined with roses and a red carpet, and holding someone in my arms beside me that I promised to love and care for, seeming like a foreign concept. It felt weird to think that I had finally been humbled. And that I had finally been brought to my knees to consider love as anything more than erotic pleasure. It still felt strange to me that I had actually gotten here. To this point? And a part of me really felt proud.I never thought I would get here and I never thought I would actually get married… I had feared I would end up living and dying as hedonistic. But I guess miracles happen, and this just happened to be mine. I was happy even though I was a bit confused and tepid. I looked courageous and smug but I was still scared internally. I feared my old habits would come back to haunt me. And I worried I wouldn't be the best husband for Avery… She was a beautiful soul and ho
Avery's PovTwo months later The crowd had gathered for the festivities and the courtyard was full of life. The entirety of Silverwood had been called for this occasion and everyone with ears had heeded the call. The streets were lined with people, stalls and activity. Musicians filled the streets with instruments and sounds. Some of the stalls filled with ale and the people were aloof and afloat. Food was bountiful. As steaks rolled over fires and men sold rottiserie chicken and smoked seasoned salmon over counters. The energy all around contagious. No single soul lost or sad or broken. Everyone, irrespective of class or status had come and were happy. All needs were met and all wants provided. It had been two months now and the town of Silverwood had gone from chaos and fighting to peace and tranquility. The people had reached a calm and began rebuilding. The torn ties, the distrust and the loss. The grieving families had been supported and helped to move on. Everyone was slowly an
Luciens's PovI held her in my hands and I just couldn't contain the feeling. The rush of energy I felt inside and the lightness in my head. Her body was soft and her motion was gentle. I held her close and she sighed quietly; her soft moans driving me crazy as we held each other. I didn't know I could feel this way. And I didn't know I could feel so in love. The state I was in wasn't one of lust or to have her in bed. I held her in my arms now and the only thing I wanted was to have her there. The only thing I wanted was to hold her close and hold her forever…Avery was everything and Avery was beautiful. Her hands around me as she tried to sink into my skin. I could feel her getting closer and edging closer. I could feel her wanting to close the gap and want to be near me. I could feel her energy matched mine and that she wanted me as much as much as I wanted her. The sparks lighting up and almost written in the skies. I really didn't want to let go but I had to. I didn't really wan
Avery's PovI woke up now in a gasp. My breathing heavy as I glanced in every direction frantically. I shot out of the chair or bed or whatever I was resting on and got up to my feet. I turned every which way, my eyes swinging from one side of the room to another. Then shooting up to the ceiling to see if what I had seen in my dream wasn't a dream. And if it had been real…It felt too real not to be and I deeply hoped it wasn't just hallucinations. As I looked up at the ceiling to find the carved statuettes but instead I saw a blank ceiling made of wood. I looked around for the white dress. With the veil and the mannequin? But I saw nothing. And now I quickly turned to look for Lucien. To see him maybe in the suit I had seen him in. To see his hair, and to see him smiling wide at me the way I had seen him. With the box in his hand. To hear his voice and hear him explain how he wanted to marry me. And how he had made plans for the wedding. And all he needed was a yes…But I turned arou
Avery's PovI woke up confused and I didn't know where I was at first. I struggled to open my eyes and also to keep my vision steady. My eyes opening slowly like curtains and my body feeling weird between my legs. I felt a sharp pain in my hips and I could feel my thighs quake slightly. I looked down at myself to see that I was in robes?... I looked up and I didn't recognise where I was. The room in front of me is different from the one I remembered. The design different from the room I last saw myself in. The windows were wide and open, the curtains were drawn to the sides to let in light. And I found myself on a bigger bed. The sheets very soft and delicate in my hands as I rested on it with my palm, turning my head sideways trying to figure out where I was.“Rise and shine princess…” I suddenly heard a voice call. And I frowned and turned slowly. My head still hurting slightly and my legs strangely weak and tired. I managed to complete the turn and I was surprised to see Lucien stan
Stella's PovIt just didn't feel right… and it just didn't make any sense. Yet it was all my reality… After all these years of hatred. To only come to realise I was hating my own blood?... That I was hating what I was supposed to love, and loving what I was supposed to hate?... The thought of being abused and used without even realising it made me shiver. I had been lied to so long and so well I couldn't even tell the difference. The lines between what was real and what was false blurring together into one vague absolute. I just couldn't believe the wool had been pulled over my eyes for so long. I had been blinded and led like a sheep and I thought I knew what I was doing? I thought I was right? I thought I was fighting for a good cause?... That my intentions were justified, and the allies were the enemies while the real enemies were actually the allies. I had gone against sensible reason and veered off wildly, and now it made me question my own self?... To believe that I was this
Lucien's PovI pulled out as she convulsed and came all over everything. The sheets and her dress was soaking wet and her hands by her side with her mouth open in a gentle sigh. She had quickly reached climax in just a few strokes and I wondered if I was that good or she was just very invested in the moment? Or even worse, she was just faking it?... I climbed off and let her lie there. I buckled my belt back in place and released a sigh myself. The moment short but the feeling mutual. Avery was a beautiful being, and down there she was tight. I was surprised at how I flowed through in and out seamlessly. Each stroke leaving her moaning loudly and gasping in short bursts. Her body jerking at every motion, her fingers gripping my legs, trying to hold on, and trying not to pass out. Trying not to let the rush send her unconscious. Her moans soon turned into cries, her eyes wet as it was seemingly too much for her. I wanted to stop but each time she moaned I only went deeper. Her cries ac
Avery's PovI was glad I had seen this coming. I was happy to have seen this beforehand and prevented it. As the guards came in now just at the exact moment. The guards came in now just at the exact time Lucien would have been deep inside me and too far gone to cover up and rationalise. I was happy I held myself accountable; and held myself accountable for both our reputations…As the two guards now stood at the door with several clothes in hand, all of them folded and all of them in the shape of dresses. With different colours and different designs. I stood there frowning in confusion as they stood with their hands out and their waist slightly bent in a saluted pose. Their chins raised and their heads high.“We have brought the clothes sire…” The leading guard called. “The one you asked for, for the benevolent lady of yours…”And the guards tone surprised me. His aggressive voice had gone down a baritone lower. And he now sounded more like a butler than a guard. And the way he talked
Avery's PovI held his hand and he closed his eyes again. This time relaxing and not trying to pull away. He let my palm touch his and then closed his eyes. The exchange of energy making him ease into calm and his legs suddenly twitch. I saw his feet move slightly and then again. Before he opened his eyes and then let go. Immediately moving himself forward and getting out of bed, standing on his feet and turning around. “Being paralysed is a curse really…” he smiled, staring directly at me. His perfect teeth showing in full view. He looked suddenly refreshed and revitalised. The look on his face far from someone who was just sick.I smiled back at him not knowing what else to do. I watched him spin on his heels and click his feet in a hopscotch. He had suddenly lost his stern austerity and now was as giddy as a horse… “Are you okay Alpha?...” I asked now, frowning with my head down slightly. But he only turned towards me with his smile growing bigger. “Never been better, and thank