Hazel's POVThe alleyway was a scene of carnage and chaos as bodies fell in a tangled heap upon the cold cobblestones, the air thick with the stench of blood and death. But amidst the wreckage, I stood victorious, my chest heaving with exertion as I surveyed the aftermath of the battle."Looks like we win," I said, a smirk playing at the corners of my lips as I turned to the man who had fought by my side. "Not bad for a night's work, eh?"As the dust settled and the echoes of our battle faded into the night, I turned to face the man who had fought by my side, a predatory glint in my eye as I sized him up with a mixture of admiration and suspicion. He may have proven himself a worthy ally in the heat of combat, but I knew better than to trust a stranger, especially one who had been pursued by the Silver Hands pack. The aura he so well hid marking him as a Silver Hand was also what prompted me to act. I had a feeling I had stumbled upon something good.Before he could utter a word of gr
Hazel's POV As the fight wore on, I felt the burn of exertion seeping into my muscles, the relentless pace of our battle taking its toll on my weary body. But I refused to yield, drawing upon every ounce of strength and determination I possessed as I pressed on with unwavering resolve.And then, just when it seemed as though victory was within my grasp, my opponent seized upon an opportunity, his eyes flashing with a fierce determination as he launched a counterattack. I barely had time to react as he lashed out with a broken shard of glass, the makeshift weapon glinting in the dim light as it sliced through the air with deadly precision.I felt the sting of pain as the shard grazed my skin, a sharp reminder of the danger that lurked within the shadows. But I refused to let it slow me down, my adrenaline pumping as I redoubled my efforts, my claws slashing through the air with renewed ferocity.We traded blow for blow, each strike ringing out like a thunderclap as we clashed in a dea
Lycidas' POVAs I lounged in the forest, the dappled sunlight filtering through the thick canopy above, I idly flicked a stick across the surface of a small stream, watching with mild interest as it bobbed and twirled in the gentle current. Training had been grueling, and I was in dire need of a break. Closing my eyes, I let myself slip into a peaceful lull, my mind wandering. But even as I allowed myself to relax, my thoughts inevitably drifted to Mia. Her image danced in my mind's eye, her fiery spirit and fierce determination never failing to captivate me. I found myself smiling at the memory of our last encounter, her laughter ringing in my ears like music.Lost in my reverie, I almost did not notice the subtle shift in the forest around me—the sudden hush that fell over the trees, the faint rustle of underbrush as something large and powerful prowled through the shadows. I glanced up, my senses on high alert, and my heart skipped a beat as I caught sight of two massive bears mov
Lycidas' POV Instinct kicked in, flooding my veins with adrenaline as I sprang into action, my movements fueled by a primal need to protect her at all costs. Without a second thought, I charged towards the water's edge, my muscles tensed and ready to strike as I prepared to confront the beast head-on if necessary. I knew I had to act fast, to reach Mia before it was too late, but with each passing second, the distance between us seemed to stretch on infinitely. She could swim, I knew, but this section of the river was especially dangerous, with turning rapids and violent undercurrents.I dove into the water with reckless abandon, the icy chill of the river enveloping me like a suffocating embrace as I plunged beneath the surface in search of Mia. The cold rush of the river water enveloped me as I plunged beneath the surface, my senses overwhelmed by the cacophony of sound and sensation. I kicked and thrashed against the current, fighting against the powerful force of the water as I s
Lycidas' POV As I faced off against the first bear, its massive form looming over me with bared teeth and a predatory gleam in its eyes, I braced myself for the battle ahead. Adrenaline surged through my veins, drowning out the pain of my injuries as I focused all my energy on defending Mia and myself from the ferocious beast.With a snarl, the bear lunged forward, its massive claws slashing through the air as it sought to tear me apart. I dodged and weaved, my movements fueled by a primal instinct for survival as I danced around the creature, searching for an opening to strike.But the bear was relentless, its attacks coming fast and furious as it sought to overwhelm me with sheer brute force. With a swift motion, I unsheathed my claws, their razor-sharp edges gleaming in the dappled sunlight as I prepared to meet the bear's onslaught head-on.As the bear lunged forward once more, I met its charge with a fierce roar of my own, my claws slashing through the air with deadly precision
Lycidas' POV I set out in a sprint and slid between Mia and the animal. Without hesitation, I charged forward, my claws slashing through the air with lethal precision as I aimed for the bear's exposed throat. The creature snarled in pain as my claws found their mark, blood pouring from the wound as it staggered backwards, momentarily stunned by the ferocity of my attack. But it could never be that easy. The bear did not fall, instead it grew even more frenzied and counter attacked.But I was ready, my senses honed by the intensity of the battle. With a surge of power, I reached out with my mind once more, pushing against the bear with all the force I could muster. It stumbled backward, caught off guard by the unseen force at work.Seizing the opportunity, I lunged forward, my claws slashing through the air with lethal precision. The bear roared in pain as my strikes found their mark, tearing through fur and flesh with savage ferocity. But still, it fought on, refusing to yield to the
Lycidas' POV The wolf turned towards me, and its eyes locked with mine. I saw a fierce intelligence burning within them. They were a deep, piercing gold, gleaming with a primal intensity that sent shivers down my spine. In that moment, I felt as though I were staring into the very soul of the wilderness itself, a force of nature that brooked no opposition. Its muscles rippled beneath its fur, coiled springs of power ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice.She - because it was definitely a she - stepped forward, each step oozing with grace and agility, a predator at the peak of its prowess. As the wolf approached me, I braced myself, unsure of what to expect. But to my astonishment, as it drew nearer, its form began to shimmer and shift, transforming before my eyes.Slowly, the massive wolf melted away, its fur receding into the form of a familiar figure. And then, standing before me, was Mia. Her eyes were closed, her breathing shallow and ragged as she swayed unsteadily on her f
Lycidas' POV As Martha and I carried Mia's unconscious form past the grove of trees and into the base, a sense of urgency hung heavy in the air. Every step felt like a battle against time itself, each passing moment fraught with uncertainty and fear. But amidst the chaos, a glimmer of hope remained, a flickering flame of determination that burned bright within us both.As we entered the base, the familiar sights and sounds of our makeshift home greeted us, offering a fleeting sense of solace amidst the turmoil. But there was no time for rest or respite, not when Mia's life hung in the balance.The first person we encountered was Michael, his brow furrowed with concern as he rushed towards us. "What happened?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry as he surveyed Mia's unconscious form.Martha's expression turned serious as she assessed the situation. "Mia was injured," she explained, her voice steady despite the urgency of the moment. "We need to get her to her room and tend to her wo
Mia's POVA stone struck true, pulverizing the creature's eye with a sickening crunch. With a howl of agony, the wolf collapsed to the ground, its lifeblood staining the earth beneath it. As the last vestiges of life faded from its eyes, I breathed evenly and transformed back. Running up quickly, I jumped and kissed my mate. The flames on his hair were hot but they were not unbearable and they died down as he held me and kissed me back. It took all my willpower to break free from him and let us breath. Strands of sticky saliva trailed our lips as we parted and I was flushed up to my ears, breathless."Mia?" He breathed, looking at me in surprise.I would have grinned at him if I were not too busy being stunned."Xavier?!" I exclaimed. "What in the world?! How? I thought...""You never did see me without my turban," he teased. And he was right come to think of it."So the memory loss...""I did lose my memory," he said, shaking his head. "But I guess could say that an eyeball helped me
Mia's POVHe was no corrupted - he was much worse.In a desperate bid to end the chaos, I shifted into my wolf form, my white fur shimmering in the dim light of the throne room. With a newfound agility, I darted around the monstrous creature, my speed unmatched as I evaded its savage blows.But Hazel was relentless, his attacks coming fast and furious as he sought to overpower me with sheer brute force. With each passing moment, the battle grew more intense, the clash of claw and sinew echoing throughout the chamber.I ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding each blow as I fought to keep the creature at bay. But despite my best efforts, I could feel my strength waning, the relentless pace of our battle taking its toll on my weary body..The battle raged on, each blow striking home with deadly precision as I fought to bring Hazel to his knees. With a primal snarl, I launched myself at the creature once more, my claws tearing through its flesh with savage ferocity.With one final, decisiv
Mia's POV"Yeah," I grinned at her. "Now please someone tell me what is going on? How did everyone get here?""There is little time for that," Amelia said, a scary amount of hope alight in her eyes. "Alpha King Hazel has gone mad and he is turning people left and right corrupted." I could see that everyone was surprised to hear this. But the forest itself whispered to me that she spoke the truth. "But he also has a way to cure the corruption. It is a wand in beneath his throne."I smiled at her and gazed out at the Sulfur Hands gathered. I did not see Lycidas but that was not a problem. I was certain he was alright."Well guys, it is the night of the blood moon. I have to tell you that I've got a castle to storm so come on out all of you and get away already. You've all done your part for me. Let me do mine for you."I saw them off and turned to face the vague direction of the palace.The eyeball (I could not get its name) had told me; Blood Moon prophecy Layer 5: The Inheritor shall
Mia's POVWith a surge of adrenaline, I plunged the knife into the creature's main body, my hands steady despite the trembling of my limbs. The blade sank deep into its flesh, eliciting a guttural roar of pain as the creature thrashed and writhed beneath me. Each movement was a dance of desperation, a desperate bid for survival against an opponent that seemed unstoppable.But even as I fought with all the strength and skill I could muster, I could feel the tendrils of exhaustion creeping into my limbs, sapping my strength and clouding my thoughts. How many times had I faced this creature? How many times had I died, only to wake and face it once again?The creature's death throes were violent and chaotic, its massive form convulsing with the last vestiges of life as it fought against the inevitable. But I was relentless, my resolve unshakeable as I drove the knife deeper and deeper into its flesh, refusing to let up until the creature lay still and silent beneath me.With a final, ragg
Hazel's POVAs I stand in the dimly lit chamber, the vial of corrupted blood held delicately between my fingers, I can feel the weight of expectation bearing down upon me. Zion's eyes bore into me with a pensive gaze, his expression unreadable as he observes my every move. The air is heavy with anticipation, charged with the possibility of what is to come.With a steady hand, I bring the vial to my lips and drink deeply, allowing the thick, viscous liquid to slide down my throat. The taste is metallic, tinged with a hint of something dark and otherworldly. But as the last drop passes my lips, I feel no surge of power, no sudden transformation. I am not surprised.I never expected the corrupted blood to grant me any sort of supernatural abilities. My purpose in drinking it was not to gain power, but to align myself with the prophecy, to force my way into its narrative. And in that regard, I believe I have succeeded.As I lower the vial, I meet Zion's gaze with a sense of calm resolve.
???'s POV Amidst the vast expanse of the celestial realm, I found myself floating among the stars, my consciousness adrift in a sea of cosmic wonders. Suddenly, a commanding voice reverberated through the void, pulling me from my reverie with its otherworldly resonance."Little thing," the voice called out, its words echoing through the cosmos like the distant rumble of thunder. Startled, I responded tentatively, my voice barely a whisper in the vastness of space. "Who... who's there?"I was ignored as the voice continued to speak. I listened intently as the voice spoke of the troubles that plagued mortals, of the ebb and flow of life, and of the chaos that reigned in the mortal realm. The voice seemed to ramble on for a while, its words swirling around me like a whirlwind of cosmic energy. It spoke of mortals and their endless troubles, of how they always seemed to find new ways to bring chaos and destruction upon themselves. It seemed rather easy to notice that it was the 'eyeball'
???'s POVI opened my mouth to protest, to demand answers to the questions that burned within me, but she cut me off with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I don't want to hear it," she said coldly, her gaze hardening as she turned away from me. "Just go. Leave me alone. Go do whatever you want to. I don't care. My Lycidas is not here. Please, just... Stop. You truly are not Lycidas. I do not know who you are, but you are not my beloved."I stood there in stunned silence, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air between us. Part of me wanted to press her for answers, to demand to know what she meant by all of this. But another part of me knew that it was futile – that she would not deign to repeat herself. And even though I could not claim to know much else, I knew somehow that she was hundred percent certain that I was not Lycidas. And not in a character or behavioural kind of way. As in, I was fundamentally not Lycidas.With a heavy heart, I turned and walked away, the sound o
Lycidas' POVThe soft glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle illumination over Mia's room as I sat by her bedside, my fingers intertwined with hers as if holding onto a lifeline. The rhythmic rise and fall of her chest was the only indication of life, her face serene in slumber as she lay unconscious before me.I never realized how much I would miss her until now – the absence of her laughter, her vibrant energy, leaving a gaping hole in my heart that seemed impossible to fill. And yet, here she lay, so close yet so far, trapped in the grasp of an unknown darkness that threatened to consume her whole.I squeezed her hand gently, willing her to wake up, to return to me so that I could see the light in her eyes once more. But no matter how fervently I wished for her recovery, she remained still, her breathing steady but shallow, a silent reminder of the fragility of life.My mind drifted back to that fateful night when the ritual had gone awry, the memory of t
Amelia's POVI sat in the room with Alpha Gonzales and the injured Alpha Fenrir, my mind consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts and worries. The conversation between the two Alphas drifted in and out of my consciousness, the words fading into the background as I struggled to focus on the present moment.My thoughts kept returning to the letter I had received just before setting off with Alpha Gonzales—a missive that had filled me with a sense of foreboding unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The words were etched into my mind, haunting me with their ominous implications.In my mind's eye, I saw the image of the small mouse, my faithful messenger, as it hurried into my room with urgent purpose. Its tiny paws had trembled as it presented me with the letter, a sense of urgency emanating from its very being. With trembling hands, I had broken the seal and unfolded the parchment, my heart sinking as I read the words inscribed upon it.The once cryptic message had become alarmingly