Rowan's POVSurrounded by the familiarity scent of leather bounded books in the study, my eyes wandered around the room, my ears taking in the crackling sound from the fire place. The creak of the wooden desk, the musty scent of aged parchment, all so familiar yet odd.The wolf I was gifted by the seer was beginning to wane in it's duties, never ready for action. Words are beginning to go round that I'm no longer fit to be the Alpha of the pack."No," I muttered, striking my fist lightly on the desk. "I won't let that happen. I won't lose my place in this pack. Never."Still tangled in the thread of my thoughts, the door of the study creaked open."Rowen. What's this I hear?" Raven asked in her usual telling manner." And what, my dear, did you hear?" I asked, shrugging my shoulders."The elders and warriors now say in open without hesitation that you do not deserve to rule us. Tell me it's not true, is it? " she asked, her eyebrows shooting up towards her hairline as she did so.I to
Rowan's POV"Raven! no!," I screamed, tearing through the wolves that had surrounded me and rushing to her side. She had let out a painful cry and fell to the ground, sending chills through all my warriors as they intensified their efforts against the rogues."Attack and cover!" the lead warrior cried again as the warriors continued the fight while I tended to Raven. Her body was lifeless, her limbs numb.Quickly, I took her to a safe corner and with a fierce determination I charged back into the battle, my claws moving in rage in and out of the rogue's necks. The rogues seemed relentless but I fought with anger and every pounce of strength I had left. I could feel my heart pounding and my senses heightened as I clashed with the rogues."You..... you think you're smart huh? guess you're the alpha.." one of the rogues spat, feeling his blood on his own hand. I had torn his neck almost into equal halves with my claws. I growled. rushing at him with such speed that he dropped dead in
Selena's POVXaren was no longer a threat to us, for now are least. Walking round the courtroom, memories events of the immediate past flooded my head."Zane would have been dead and gone," I thought to myself, shivering at the very thought. My eyes wandered, taking in the whole courtroom. The high ceilings, adorned with intricate gold leaf and precious gems, seemed to close in around me. The air was thick with the familiar scent of wolves, strong wolves of war, for this was where deliberations were made concerning battles and retreats.Slowly, I paced around the room, my footsteps echoing off the cold, marble floors. The throne where Zane sat was empty, thoughts of his permanent absence filling me again.Walking up to the throne, I couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence wash over me. The chair, with it's intricate carvings and designs was the single symbol of authority and order in the pack.Slowly, I stretched my hands towards it, feeling it's plush cushions as it seed to exud
Selena's POVThe figure I saw in the mirror was perfect. It was almost the exact combo Raymond had always seen me on. The wig was perfect, the close loosely fit bit not too baggy, and the boots seemed to add a nice touch of ruggedness to my overall appearance. "Hmm," inhaled, taking a thorough look round myself in haste. The warrior was standing just outside the door, waiting to lead me to the injured."Not too bad," I said to myself, sniffing around. Something was still wrong. The perfume.I knew for sure that Raymond might start to develop doubts if the smell changed. Surely he would.Quickly moving to the other side of the trunk, I rummaged it again. "One more minute. Won't take more time I promise! " I cried out to the warrior outside." All good my lady, all good, " he replied, his voice betraying his words and showing the sense of urgency.A life was involved.Finally finding the bottle of perfume, I removed the stopper, inhaling the rich, earthly aroma coming from it. I app
Selena's POV"Her wolf is gone. I'm so sorry," I said to them, getting up to my feet. "No, that can't be. She's to be my mate!!" Rowan's lead warriors ranted, his eyes filled with rage. "You can't do this. She wasn't dead before you came around. You can't leave her in this manner!!" He tried to move forward towards me but was held back by his men."You did this to her!!" he continued, struggling in the hands of his men.I gave reply to him as I turned and headed to the chariot where Rowan sat. "I'm sorry, I tried all I could," I said to him. His face was covered in the royal cap he wore."She was all I've got. All," he managed to say to my hearing, his face still covered. "How do I live without her?" I couldn't help but feel a sense of pity for him. "You can live without her. You've lived without someone you...." I paused, structuring my words properly. " loved once."He sat upright almost instantly. "Who do you refer to, Seer?" " You know of course. Your first mate. You've lived
Rowan's POVHe cleared his throat, but I noticed the added depth in his voice. "I think it's time I built the Lupercal," the seer said, looking away from my eyes and taking an authoritative posture, his head up and his hands behind his back."Hmm, why do you think so?" I asked, turning to the Seer fully."Well, with all the appellation I've gained among your warriors and eventually all your people, I can say that this surely is the best time to fix a healing facility amongst them," he explained, his gaze strong and assertive, with raised eyebrows. I studied him the more after noticing a slight crack on his chin. "What do you say?" he suddenly asked, his voice suddenly bringing my attention back to his eyes. "Alright," I muttered, adjusting my pose to look more authoritative. "I'll see what I can do about it. I'll surely get back to you later." "No Rowan," the Seer quickly interjected before I could even turn my back on him. I looked back at him, a shocked expression on my face. "The
Selena's POVAs I walked through the forest, the trees loomed above me like sentinels. My mind, more like a rumbled of thoughts, played back the whole events with precision.The disguise was perfect, it's part played with pure expertise, although I felt his gaze travel down my chin for some reason. Left for that, Rowan saw nothing but a male seer who had his personal interest in front. As I walked, the trees seemed to close around me, their branches tangling together above my head as I walked back to the pack house. I tried but failed in taking my thoughts away from Rowan, his piercing eyes and strong jaw. Sometimes I just thought that the weight of my disguise was bearing down on me. I just wanted to pull them off and run to him, feeling once again his masculine pose and muscles.But no, I could not let these stupid feelings take over. They are and always will be remnants of my past. Rowan and his sister, their sins against me must be paid back for. He threw me out when I needed hi
Rowan's POVThe shrill cry resonated through the forest trees again, causing the birds around to flee from their nest. I looked around, trying to determine the direction from where it was coming from but it seemed to be coming from all around. A low growl escaped my lips as I drew my claws out and stood in a fighting stance. "Did you hear that?" I asked the lead warrior, my wolf on high alert."Yes I did," he replied, his claws shooting out as he began to move."Not again," I muttered to myself, following quickly behind him. Again Raven's safety was threatened and I just wished we could go back to our pack and all these would end.After running for more than two minutes, I found Raven standing by a tree, her hands on her chest and her breathing heightened. She had a certain look on her face, one that I could not tell what it meant. "Rowen," Raven called upon sighting me and Thane, her voice surprisingly calm and reassuring. Wasn't it she that had just let out that scream not too lon
Zane's POVI sat on my throne, my eyes fixed on my sister Karen as she paced back and forth in front of me. Her face was twisted with anger and hatred, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity."Zane, you have to do it," she said, her voice low and urgent. "You have to sentence Selena to death."I nodded solemnly, trying to keep my expression neutral. I knew Karen had no idea that I was the one who helped Selena on that fateful night. And I was not about to let that secret out now."I understand your concerns, Karen," I said, trying to sound as serious as possible. "But we have to make sure that we follow the proper procedures. We can't just sentence someone to death without a trial."Karen's face turned red with rage. "You're not taking this seriously, Zane," she spat. "Selena is a threat to our pack, to our very way of life. She has to be stopped."I nodded again, trying to appease my sister. "I understand that you're upset, Karen. But we have to be careful. We can't let our emotion
Selena's POVAs I struggled to get a hold of my composure, Elara's voice cut through the silence like a knife, snapping me into reality. "So Seer," she said, her eyes slightly narrowing as she turned toward me. "What is your intended course of action in our pack?A feeling of wariness rose up, as though there was something not quite straightforward about her question. I didn't immediately answer, taking a little extra time with my choice of words."I plan on helping the pack however I can," I said, trying to be as vague as possible. "I have certain. abilities that may be useful to the pack."Elara's eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if rummaging for any hidden motives inside me. "I see," she said, her tone dripping with skepticism. "And what makes you think you can help us, Seer? We have struggled with certain issues, and we have not been able to find a solution for them.I sensed that Elara was trying to probe me, testing whether I knew more than I was letting on. So I decided to pla
Selena's P.O.V.As we rode through the pack on horseback, Rowan took the lead on his own horse while I was on my horse right after him. The pack watched as we passed, curiosity and reverie upon their faces.He led the horse along twisting pathways, showing me landmarks and various other features. I followed him on horseback, scanning the surroundings.We passed a huge stone fountain where some of the young wolves were playing and laughing with each other. We passed several cabins built of wood, every one of them having various wood carvings with colors and bright tapestry.As we approached the Great Pack House, I could feel the strange energy emanating from that building-a sense of power and history that seemed to seep from the very stones themselves.Rowan drew rein, stopping us in front of a large pack house. Turning to me, his pride showed in his shining eyes. "Welcome to the Royal Pack House, Seer," he said, proud, his voice low. "This is the centre of our pack, our family home wh
Selena's POV"You've master the art of horse riding, I can tell," Rowan complimented as we approached the large gates of his pack. "There's more to you than a seer."I gave no reply to him as I silently led the horse to into the pack, trying hard to avoid the gazes of the people."The Seer's here. It's him," the pack members murmured as I rode alongside Rowan into the pack."The Seer would bring fortune and good tidings, blessings to you Seer," a little werewolf exclaimed, waving at me with full energy. I smiled down at her little face, memories of the pack I was born and bred flooding me. A wave of nostalgia washed over me at that point as i still galloped on the horse. The familiar buildings, scent damp earth and wildflowers enveloping me.I was home.Still on the horse, I closed my eyes, letting the memories flood into my heart and consume a greater part of me. I instantly recalled running through these woods as a young werewolf of the royal lineage, my paws pounding against the fa
Selena's POV"Why do you look bothered?" Rowan asked, peering into my eyes intently as he leaned closer to me."There's something I feel I should know, Seer."I couldn't hide my surprise at his question, and I quickly looked away, trying to compose myself. "I'm fine," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Just a little...preoccupied with the construction plans."Rowan raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with skepticism. "I see," he said, his voice dripping with doubt. "Well, if you're sure you're okay...then I'll let it drop. For now."I felt a shiver run down my spine at his words, and I quickly looked away, trying to hide my reaction. But as I glanced back at Rowan, I couldn't help but feel like he had seen right through me.And as I turned my horse around, preparing to leave, I couldn't shake the feeling that Rowan was watching me, his eyes boring into my back like a brand.I urged my horse forward, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I put distance between myself and Rowan. B
Selena's POVAs I rode alone on the horse, the rhythmic thud of the horse's hooves on the earthly terrain lured me into a state of deep contemplation.My mind seemed to be in a conflict between my desires for Zane and Rowan. Earlier on I thought my mind had been long occupied with nothing but my planned revenge against Rowan, but seeing him this past few days, all my mind could think of was the way his attention on me sent shivers down my spine.Zane, ever loving and caring, also occupied my mind, the feeling of his flexible muscles on me whenever he wraps me with his arms, his gentle deep commanding voice and his tall stand. His piercing blue eyes and chiseled features etched on my memory as the trees seemed to close in behind me, it's branches tangling together in it's own pattern.One thing was for sure, Rowan would get what's coming to him. Raven too. But it would take a greater courage than I thought to fulfil my long desire of revenge and complete conquer.I sat still on the sad
Selena's POVAs we walked silently through the corridors, the howling of long condemned prisoners rented through the air. I paid attention to the sounds they made, hoping to perhaps hear the familiar growling of Xaren.But I heard none."We need to get you disguised," Zane said, turning towards me and cutting through my thought process. "We can't have Rowan see you as you are, your true Identity."I nodded, understanding fully.Surprisingly, Zane reached into his cloak and pulled out a small bag."Take, this would be enough disguise while you are away," he said, handing me the bag.Taking the bag, I zipped it open, pulling out a pair of male fits. I quickly went into an enclosure and changed into them, feeling an odd sense of familiarity as I dressed into the male clothes. I was already getting use to the male's perspective.Zane handed me a cloak as soon as got out, which I wrapped round my shoulders. "One more thing," he said, putting his hand into his pocket and pulling out a sma
Selena's POV "But Zane," I started, looking into his eyes. "The Aeges stone cannot be wielded without the authority of the Seer. " " That's what we thought, but she insisted that there are other ways of using it to determine the truth," Zane replied. "No, that can't be true," I said, taking a step backwards. Things were just happening so fast. "Take it easy Selena, come," he said, drawing me closer to him, the metal bars our only demarcation. "Whatever happens, I'll make sure your life and existence comes before mine." That was so sweet of him. At least I felt protected, but not from the Aeges stone I knew. If wielded wrongly it could harm or kill even an innocent werewolf. Then I remembered. "Zane. There's something I think you should know. The Aeges stone, " I paused, looking into his eyes. " The last time I observed it, it looked... fake." I had expected him to flare up, to react, but he kept calm, his entire being in rapt attention. "We'll get to the bottom of that. But
Selena's POVAs the day passed by, the silence in the cell became more and more oppressive, it's thickness seeming to overshadow me. Pacing back and forth in the cell, my mind raced with thoughts and doubts. Would Zane ever come for me? Would I end up here forever?Karen would surely desire that greatly. As the hours passed by, my thoughts quickly turned to desperation. I was hungry and thirsty, and the cold, damp air was starting to seep into my bones."Help, anybody," I managed to cry with the last breath that I could possibly muster. But there was not reply from anyone.I wrapped my hands around myself, trying to warm myself up, but it was no use. The darkness seemed to press around me, prompting me to close my eyes and try to focus on breathing. At least that was the only process I could hold on to for survival.I slowly began to lose hope. Maybe I'd be left to die here. Maybe it was my fate, written in the stars.But just as I was about to completely give up, I heard the sounds