Elara's POV Today was supposed to be an ordinary day. I was meant to run simple errands, mind my business, and make it back to my little corner without incident. I wasn’t aiming to be noticed, especially by the pack members who always made it their mission to remind me where I stood—or, rather, where I didn’t. But sometimes, I wondered if staying out of their way only made them seek me out even more.I pulled my hood up and ducked my head, hoping the less they saw of my face, the better. The market was busy, filled with laughter and chatter, and I hoped the noise would hide my presence. I had to pass by a group of wolves, talking loud and carefree, completely absorbed in their own conversations. My steps were quiet, deliberate.But luck wasn’t on my side.“Hey, isn’t that Elara?” The voice was sharp, familiar. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was—Mira, the pack’s reigning queen bee and self-proclaimed guardian of everyone else’s business.I ignored her, quickening my steps.
Elara's POVThere was a silence so thick you could almost hear everyone’s heartbeat without even trying. Andrew Galway’s gaze cut through the crowd like a blade, cutting away the jeers and smirks, leaving only the raw tension hanging in the air.Mira, who’d been so confident a moment ago, faltered. She tried to recover, her voice losing a bit of its edge as she said, “Oh, Alpha Galway, it’s nothing. Just… handling a bit of discipline.”Discipline. The word tasted bitter as I repeated it in my mind, feeling the sting of gravel still digging into my knees. She really would say anything to cover herself, twist anything to suit her version of the story. And if I tried to argue, to explain, she’d only use it against me. I knew how this game went; I’d lost too many times before.Andrew didn’t seem convinced. His eyes moved from Mira to the others still gathered around, lingering on each of them just long enough to make them uncomfortable. There was something different about him, a low power
Elara's POVI stared at Andrew, my heart pounding in my chest, feeling as though the ground beneath my feet had just crumbled away. He was really doing this, claiming me, offering me a place in his pack. It felt surreal, like something out of a dream, so unexpected that my mind couldn’t fully comprehend it. And yet, here he was, standing before me with an air of calm resolve, as if this decision was as natural to him as breathing.“Gather your things now!” he commanded, his voice steady and firm. “Meet me at Alpha Dorian’s cabin in half an hour.”I opened my mouth to speak, then closed it, utterly lost for words. The reality of the moment was too overwhelming. My thoughts swirled in a chaotic mix of disbelief, hope, and terror, each emotion crashing against the other like a turbulent storm. I nodded mutely, unable to form a coherent response. Andrew didn’t wait for another word; without a glance back, he turned and walked away, his confidence unshakable, something only an Alpha could
Elara's POV The path to Dorian’s cabin was quiet, except for the sounds of my hurried footsteps crunching against the gravel. My heart still hadn’t stopped racing since Andrew had made his announcement in front of everyone. Part of me was nervous, still wondering why he’d choose me when the rest of the pack would gladly turn a blind eye if I disappeared. But another part of me—one I wasn’t ready to admit to—felt a sliver of excitement, hope even, at this sudden twist in my fate.I kept walking, trying to make sense of it all. What did Andrew really want with me? It couldn’t be simple kindness; no Alpha would risk his reputation for that. But for now, that mystery was buried under the urgency to get to his cabin and see what came next. Each step brought me closer, until finally, I could see it—a small, dark cabin nestled away from the rest of the pack’s lodges.As I approached, the faint sound of voices drifted from inside, one of them unmistakably Andrew’s, his tone low and steady. I
Elara's POVI stared at him, the weight of his words pressing down on me like the iron jaws of that trap had on my leg. Kill Andrew? It sounded impossible. The Alpha, my supposed mate, the one who’d given me a fleeting taste of hope before snatching it away with his plans? My thoughts spun wildly, clashing against the memories that kept replaying in my head.“What if he’s only taking you for his own reasons, reasons you don’t understand?” Lora had asked, her voice trembling with both fear and worry. “Elara, once you go, you may never be able to come back.”And then there were Andrew's own words, still ringing in my ears: “She’s perfect for my plans.” Plans I wasn’t privy to. Plans filled with manipulation and betrayal. I clenched my fists, the nails digging into my palms. Could I really do it? Could I kill him?The shadowed man’s smile deepened, cutting through the thick silence. “I see the conflict in your eyes, Elara. But you know the answer already. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’
Elara's POVI awoke to an unknown scent of leather and heat, my head pounding as if I had been hit with a heavy object. For a fleeting moment, I remained motionless, trying to piece together what had happened. Bits of memories flooded back— the wicked spirit’s smile, his threatening demand, and then... Andrew's men.The room was luxurious yet cold. Heavy red drapes adorned the windows, blocking any hint of sunlight from seeping in. A fire crackled in the fireplace, casting flickering shadows on the dark wooden walls. It took me a moment to grasp that I wasn’t alone.He was present.Andrew occupied a distant corner of the room, a single chair positioned to face me directly. He rested his elbows on the armrests, fingers intertwined. His intense gaze penetrated me, devoid of warmth and filled solely with a cold, calculated intent. I found it hard to breathe. Just seeing him always stirred up conflicting feelings— confusion, anger, and a desire I was unwilling to face.“You’re awake,”
Elara's POVAfter Andrew exited the room, the only sound accompanying me was the metallic jingle of the chains binding my ankles. I found myself fixated on the cold, unyielding door, my mind simmering in silent frustration until the weight of exhaustion finally pulled me into an uneasy slumber. When I stirred awake, a jarring realization struck me—I was no longer in the familiarity of my bedroom.The atmosphere around me was sharp and numbing, a biting chill creeping into my bones, and a metallic scent hung heavily in the air, evoking the unsettling aroma of blood. As I blinked to clear my clouded mind, I took in my surroundings with growing unease. I was inside a sprawling cavern, its rocky walls looming overhead, lined with an array of weapons—swords and daggers reflecting the harsh light, their edges glinting ominously.This space felt all too familiar from the fleeting moments of consciousness I had experienced when I was first dragged through its entrance, but now, under the cruel
Elara's POVI couldn't get the confrontation with Andrew out of my brain. In a weird way, he'd cut me open and left all my insecurities bleeding, but there was still more, hints of something unsaid, of something in his eyes. I couldn't tell if it was pity or frustration, but it was a ghost, following me as I stepped through the pack house.I tried to keep my head down, avoiding the prying eyes of the others. My status as the outsider, the cursed wolf, stayed with me like a scar. Even breathing wrong around these wolves could spell disaster. But Andrew’s words stuck with me: “You’re not strong enough.”Much as I hated to admit, maybe he was right. Perhaps I was too weak for this world. But what was the alternative? Grimshade pack had taken everything I had before I came here. All I had left was to survive, and I wasn't going to let anyone take that, too.I got lost in thought, and almost didn't catch the low murmurings from one of the meeting rooms. The door was ajar, the voices in the
Andrew’s POVAfter my short visit to the health center to see Micheal and get a review on his life status, I was more than ready to go see my mate.When I first saw Michael in the state he was in, I couldn't help but worry that something really bad must've happened to him during the mission.But from what I had gathered so far, from Greg, the other lady—Lora, and Mirabel, it was safe to say that Michael will be up and about in no time.That was all I wanted to know.When I finally got to Elara's door, I was a bit nervous. As an alpha I shouldn't be but as a man, I was. My mate had been kidnapped and somehow, I wasn't able to go after her.The thought of it made me feel weak.So I was worried that she will use that against me. After a long pause, I simply took a deep breath, knocked and waited for her to come open the door.When she finally did, the death stare she had in her eyes were enough to make my wolf take a step back, something he never does.I guess her anger was justified. My
Elara's POVIt hadn't been an easy journey. I thought escaping Deveruid's claws and making sure we survived long enough to come back home was a huge task on its own.Until Michael collapsed all of a sudden. For a moment I was seriously scared that he would die on our way back but luckily it seemed the fates were finally on our side after abandoning us for so long.As we crossed the border to the Salientmoon pack—my pack—my blood got heated with excitement. After such a long time, I was finally going to meet my mate.It had barely been over a day since I last saw him, but the events that have happened in between had made it feel like it's been over a year.But when we finally got to meet after hours of impatiently waiting to finally see him, I was annoyed by the way he dismissed me. I was hoping for some nice welcome, at least a hug or something—heaven knows I needed one but he just looked at me and said “Elara it's good to have you back.”What the hell did that even mean?Frustrated
Andrew's POVOh shit. He looked terrible.“What happened to him?” I asked surprised to see the large wound in his shoulder. “Shouldn't that be healing by now?”My eyes roamed the worn out and tired faces of them before settling on the person that carried him.“It should, but I don't understand why it isn't.” Greg replied his voice tinged with exasperation. “And there was nothing any of you could do about it?” I blurted.I sounded almost ungrateful and it didn't sit well with me.Before anyone could answer, I turned away. That's when I spotted someone to carryout the assignment I had in my head. “Max, go tell Mirabel to get a room ready for Micheal in the health center. We're bringing him in now.”With a nod, he ran towards the direction of the health center. “And you Greg, you've done well bringing Micheal back. Take him to the health center, I will be right behind you.”“Sure boss.” He replied stalking away with Micheal on his back. I would've ordered some people to take him instea
Andrew’s POVIt's been more than twenty-four hours since Elara had been kidnapped and there have been no word about her or those that went to rescue her.For the longest time, all I remember doing is pacing around and making as much calls as I can to know what the new update was.I tried to sit still and wait but the thought of Michael and the rest of the rescue team being captured or worse killed had me calling Max and Tom to my office.They were the ones I gave charge to keep an eye out for the people we were waiting for, but I was done waiting around.I wouldn't have bothered with them if there were other persons that could go on this mission with me without any worries.As it turned out, most had gone with the first rescue team while the others remaining I would prefer to keep watch over the pack.“I'm sure you have an idea why I called the both of you to my office right?” I asked staring straight into their eyes daring them to match my stare but they didn't.Their eyes were fixed
Lora's POVWe had narrowly escaped the detection of Deveruid's men. Overcome with joy, I didn't know what to do.I wanted to scream out loud at the fuckers that I had escaped but obviously that will be giving us away.Under the afternoon sun, it was difficult to hide away from men determined to catch us but thank the fates that Michael accounted for this situation.The giant bush and the thick smell of grass was all we needed to lay low for a few minutes as the men ran past.He chose a place we could easily hide from both nasal and visual detection. My mate.I didn't know him before coming to this place, but I already wanted to kiss him senseless for his wonderful plan.Immediately our pursuers had disappeared into the woods, we came out of our hiding, smiles gracing all our faces. It was time to get out of here.Before we could take the first actual step to freedom, I caught sight of Micheal clutching his shoulder as he stumbled for a moment, grunting. Before I could reach him, he f
Elara's POVAs they rushed towards us, I take my stance to begin the fight when Lora takes my arm and pulls me back.“What the hell are you doing?” I asked struggling against her grip. “We should fight them off.”We were in a narrow path, rocky walls on both sides of us but I thought we could use that to our advantage.“We don't have time for this.” She stated still pulling me as the men began charging towards us. “Let's get out of here.”“We can't just—” I began.“Elara get out of there right now.” Michael called.Turning, I noticed that Michael had already turned back and was running ahead us while I argued with Lora.What's wrong with them? By the sound of the shouts and grunts, I could tell we were close. All we had to do was get past the wall of werewolves.At last, I let Lora drag me along as she began running, dragging me along. What's happening? I thought we were going to face them head on. Craning my head to the side, I could see the men chasing after us. When I turned back
Elara's POVFor a minute, I was sure that Deveruid was going to rip Lora's throat in front of me. The grin he wore on his face and the look of malice he had to match it made my stomach squirm and my heart pound from the threat. I don't remember being this terrified since my last encounter with that ghost.I could still the dampness on my cheek from crying. I tried to convince Deveruid to release Lora using everything I had including tears but he turned out to be a cold hearted monster.As I watched Lora rush into the arms of Michael, I couldn't help but wonder what would've happened if he hadn't shown up in time to avert the disaster.Seeing Micheal return Lora's embrace with as much passion, his hands disappearing into her hair as he shut his eyes, suggested that there was something going on between them.What could it be and how did they even meet in the first place?I was curious but this was no time for questions, I needed to get out of here. Looking down at the limp body of Deve
Lora's POVAs I stood there my back pressed against the chest of Deveruid, I couldn't help but shiver at the fact that this could be the end for me.Some moments ago I was sure he was going to let me go. Now, I knew otherwise.My not so quiet insults really got him angry. I should've known better than to anger him any further.“Oh, so you're trembling now?” Deveruid asked, his breath hot against my ears. “You sounded so fearless some moments ago I thought you could handle a little heat.”For the first time, I had no retort for him. This was no little heat. This was practically a threat to my life. Nothing little about that. I knew he was mocking me because of how confident I sounded earlier and all I wished was to disappear from here. I felt embarrassed despite being in the face of death. It just felt like I was all mouth and no action.“We had an agreement.” I croaked.That was the only thing I could think up. My mind had somehow shut down.“And that agreement is off. Not that we h
Andrew's POVAs I stared out my window at the brightening sky, I couldn't help but feel guilty and helpless at thesame time.I should be out there doing something. I should be with the rescue team to bring back my mate.Yet, here I am, waiting for them to return like some princess trapped in a building waiting for her lover to come rescue her.It's been hours since I sent my men after Elara and they are not yet back. I wondered if they got into some problem.I turned away from the window and continued my pacing, as I thought of the next line of action to take.“You are going to wear a hole on the floor if you keep that up.” Rhea stated as she sat in the extra chair close to the door watching me.What did she know? She didn't have a mate and she was no Alpha.“I don't care, I need my pack back.” I stated trying to control the urge to let my wolf loose. It was as antsy as I am.“You could've just followed the rescue team instead of pacing this floor like an excited dog.” She stated. “Th