Andrew's POVI pulled my chair closer to Michael’s hospital bed, my mind still reeling from everything he had just told me. A prophecy? Elara as the bridge between worlds? It was absurd. But at the same time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was bigger than we thought it was.Michael exhaled sharply, adjusting himself against the pillows. He looked exhausted, but his eyes were alive with determination. "I know it sounds insane, Andrew, but Theo wasn’t just throwing words around. He believed every damn thing he said."I rubbed a hand down my face, my jaw tightening. "That doesn't mean it's true. People believe all sorts of things, but that doesn't make them real."Michael shook his head. "This is different. He was convinced. And if Grimshade and Shadow Fang are willing to go this far, we might be playing a losing game."I clenched my fists. Grimshade. Dorian. Shadow Fang. Deveruid. Every problem we had seemed to lead back to them. I wasn’t about to let them decide what happened n
Elara’s POVThe moment I stepped into Andrew’s office, a cold sense of unease settled over me. The air felt heavy, like something unsaid remained between us, waiting to be revealed.It wasn't long ago that I got a message that Andrew required my presence. The first thought that entered my head was the fact he probably wanted to see me concerning what was left unsaid.I wasn't sure I wanted to tell him anymore. Especially not after what Lora told me concerning her own mate.If I told him about my former plans to kill him, he might reject me and even worse lock me in a cell.I didn't want any of that.I didn't think I will be able to survive any of it. I will need to come up with something else.Andrew was behind his desk, his hands steepled together in front of him, watching me with those sharp, emotionless eyes. He seemed relaxed, but there was something in the way his gaze followed my movements that made my stomach twist.What surprised me the most was seeing Michael, standing just b
Andrew’s POVElara was still sitting across from me, her face pale like she had seen a ghost, her fingers clenched into the fabric of her pants. She hadn’t moved since Michael finished speaking, but I could see it—her mind racing, trying to process everything.And there was a lot to process. I hadn't gotten around to asking her what she wanted to tell me the other night. But for now, I think this is more important.The Blood Moon. Her powers. The fact that she was at the center of it all seemed to overwhelm her all at once.I was sure she hadn't fully gotten over her nightmare that had her knocking on my door at the odd hours of the night.So, I didn’t blame her for shutting down. Hell, I expected it. But shutting down wasn’t an option right now.“We need a plan,” I said, my voice cutting through the extended silence as I swivelled my chair so that I see both of them as I spoke.Michael exhaled sharply, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. “Agreed. Dorian won’t wait. He alr
Michael’s POV“Where do you think you're going?” Andrew asked, his voice dropping to threatening level. Gone was the warmth he tried to offer and in its place an icy tone that could cripple any wolf.But not Elara. She wasn't fazed by his reaction. “Trying not to waste your time.” She retorted, turning to towards the door.“We're not done yet.” He replied, as his body took on a stiff posture.“I don't think so.” She replied as she wrapped her hand around the door knob ready to twist and pull.“Sit.” He growled barely able to contain the anger that I saw on his face.“I said—”“I don't care what you said.” Andrew roared. “Sit down now.” His voice was filled with the Alpha power in him.There was no way she could resist that.I could see the resistance in her eyes. She was fighting it but no one could resist the an alpha’s command.Reluctantly, she dragged her feet back to her seat.“Now, where were we?” Andrew asked staring straight at her.“There's no way I'm putting myself in danger
Andrew’s POVThe door clicked shut behind Michael, leaving me alone with Elara. She was still sitting stiffly in the chair, arms crossed, a deep line between her brows.How much more of this insolence I could take, I didn't know. But somehow she knew how to push my buttons and get me all reeled up.But she is afraid. And my wolf does not appreciate it. I need to take it easy with her.I exhaled slowly. Michael had left because he knew this conversation wasn’t going anywhere. But I didn’t have the freedom of walking away. Not when it was my mate staring back at me with fire in her eyes and doubt in her heart.“Alright,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “No more yelling. No more commands. Just listen.”She scoffed but didn’t interrupt. Progress.I stood up from my seat and walked around my desk slowly as I made my way to her.When I was a feet away from her, I began.. “You know why I won’t let this go, Elara?”She lifted her chin. “Because you think I’m weak?”Weak? How could she say such
Lora's POVI sat alone in Elara’s room, the silence hanging over me like a dark cloud. The air still held traces of her presence—the faint scent of pine and something else uniquely hers. I closed my eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply before letting out a slow breath. I always felt safe around her.But now we had a new problem on our hands.The prophecy.I could still see the haunted look in her eyes when she spoke about it. Whatever she dreamt of was really scary to have her in that shape. The pressure of it weighed down on her like a heavy boulder, and for good reason. If the blood moon truly meant what she feared, then none of us were safe. But thinking about it now wouldn't change anything. I wasn't Elara. I had no part in the prophecy, no role in whatever destiny had chosen for her.But there was no way I was going to let her face it all alone. When the time is right, I would do what I must.So I decided to temporarily forget about the prophecy and Blood Moon. Instead, my mind dr
Michael’s POVI stood outside Elara’s room, staring at the door like it might attack me.This was stupid. I should turn around and walk away. Pretend like I was never here.But I couldn’t.Not after the way I treated her last night.Lora.The name echoed in my mind like a whisper and a war drum all at once.I exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of my neck.This was the right thing to do.I had to apologize.So, before my cowardice won, I raised my fist and knocked.Silence.Then, I knocked again, a little harder this time before I heard soft footsteps. A pause.The door creaked open.And there she was.Lora.Her dark eyes met mine, widening slightly before she schooled her features into something unreadable.“Michael.”Her voice was careful, controlled. Not cold, but not warm either.Not that I blamed her.“What are you doing here?” she asked , her voice cold. I hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Can I come in?” “Why?”My jaw tightened slightly. “I need to talk to you.”Why was
Lora’s POVMichael’s lips hovered just inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin. My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could hear it. The kiss we’d just shared had left me lightheaded, but it wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough.I wanted more. I felt too hot in my clothes. I wanted the fire that had erupted inside me and managed to lit my mons quenched.It was only him that could do it.His hand cupped the side of my face, his thumb brushing over my cheek with a tenderness that made my chest ache. “Lora…” His voice was rough, uncertain, as if he was still trying to hold back.I didn’t want him to.I had spent too much time second-guessing, too much time wondering if he wanted me or if he saw me as a mistake. But there was no hesitation in the way he looked at me now. No doubt in the way his body leaned into mine, drawn by something stronger than logic, stronger than our backgrounds.So, I did what I’d wanted to do from the moment I realized he was mine. I closed the space betwe
Elara's POVThe name on the note stared back at me like a ghost from the past. Kieran. There was something about it that set me off. Was the veiled sight reacting to the name?My pulse pounded in my ears like I had been running some kind of marathon. I tried to concentrate on the way I was reacting to this but I came up blank.What was it with this name?I had never met him, and the name looked as foreign to me as a language I had no idea even existed. But judging from their faces, they knew who he was. “Mind telling me who this Kieran guy is?” I asked holding up the paper to them. “I've never heard of him before but for him to get you in this mood, he must mean something.”Despite the turmoil going on inside me, I had opted for casual tone to avoid getting them any more agitated.Lora nodded like she knew who this guy was. Was I the only one who didn't know him? I came to this pack before her yet she seemed know more than I ever did.But my guess was Michael had filled her in on who
Elara’s POVThe tension in the air was thick enough to choke on. After the council had made their decision, it felt almost irreversible.But then Andrew stood at the center of it all—torn, conflicted, silent when I needed him loud. His hesitation was a wound that cut deeper than the accusations against me.Apart from the time he spoke up about me being watched closely, he hadn't said much. Not that it mattered now.I didn’t have time to dwell on it. There was so much to think about than a broken bond and a falling relationship.Three days. That was all I had before the trial, and I wasn’t going to sit around and wait for them to decide my fate.I needed answers. And I needed them fast. It's a good thing I enlisted the help of Micheal and Lora. With me under the kind of scrutiny I was, it would be difficult to look into certain matters without getting in trouble.It seems the troublesome duo didn't account for the fact that I would still have people willing to assist despite the accus
Andrew’s POVThe council chamber was suffocating. I can't remember the last time I had entered this place.If I was being sincere, it was probably my father died and I kicked Mara out. The council wanted to put me under trial but after some thought, they dropped everything.The former alpha had been acting off in recent times but none of them had the gal to call him out.I just had to take matters in my hands.I stood at the front, Elara beside me, but we felt miles apart. She hadn’t looked at me since last night. Not really. Not the way she used to.I didn’t blame her. I kind of—okay I actually let her down when I couldn't back her up when she needed me.But then I was still confused about how I felt about her. The bond between us was broken, and I felt the absence of it like a missing limb. But that wasn’t an excuse for my silence. I should have fought harder for her.I would. I had to. At least to make for yesterday. I just hope this turns out. At the end, It was my fault we were h
Elara’s POVI turned to Andrew. He had supported me earlier. I was counting on that support again. I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate. I just knew he would defend me, even though our mate bond was history.Even now, with the weight of Mara’s accusations pressing against my ribs like a vice, I thought—no, hoped—he would stand by me.At least for old times sake, he would stand beside me on this matter. But when I met his eyes, my stomach dropped.He looked at me, but not the same way he looked normally looked at me. I admit that ever since I broke our mate bond, I've been avoiding him but it was not like something I wanted.It was either that or cry over what was lost and I was done crying. And I hoped he understood but it was obvious he didn't. Hiving him a good look since the day I made the sacrifice, I noticed he had changed over the past few days. He didn't come to find me, he hadn't said anything to me even though I tried to stay away. But that aside, staring into his eyes, I wa
Elara’s POVThe room fell into stunned silence immediately the words fell from Mara's lips.Mara’s words hung in the air like a curse. How the hell did she know? I made sure no one was wiser about the incident.In fact it turned out to favor me even though I had to take the poison to save the pack.But I knew no matter how I explained it to this pack, they would never understand once they found out the truth.My pulse pounded in my ears, a roaring sound drowning out the whispers spreading through the gathered wolves. Heat rushed to my face, but not from embarrassment—rage burned through me, sharp and electric. But beneath it was fear. Because it meant there was someone monitoring me in this pack. And no, it wasn't Tom. There was another traitor.I took a step forward, my voice cutting through the tension. “That’s a lie.”There was no way I was admitting to trying to kill them. Before that day, they treated me like trash. How would they treat me if they knew the truth?Mara smirked, t
Andrew’s POVThe fire crackled in the center of the gathering hall, its warmth doing nothing to chase away the cold knot in my chest.I was alive. I should have been grateful. I was grateful. In fact I was happy about it.But I felt wrong. Everything felt wrong. My second chance at life felt incomplete like something was missing.It was almost like I’d been stitched back together, but some pieces were missing. Pieces that made life have more meaning.I barely remembered the moment I came back, but I remembered the emptiness. The way I’d looked at Elara and felt nothing where there had once been everything.I have lived long and content till I found out that she was my mate and now that I've lost the said mate bond, I didn't feel the same despite living without it long ago.Now, as I sat at the head of the long wooden table, surrounded by my pack, I could feel the weight of their stares. The questions in their eyes.I didn't exactly tell them that Elara was my mate, but now they knew d
Andrew’s POVBlinding pain. That was the first thing I felt. It was raw, searing, like fire scorching every nerve in my body. It ripped through me, dragging me back from the darkness, forcing breath into my lungs like I’d been drowning.I gasped, my body jerking, my heart pounding so hard it hurt. My chest ached, my limbs felt like lead, and my head throbbed with a sharp, splintering pain.But I was alive. How? I was very sure that I had seen the white light most people spoke about when they were about to die.I sucked in another breath, the scent of earth and rain thick in the air, grounding me. My fingers twitched against cool grass, and slowly, slowly, I forced my heavy eyelids open.Blurry figures hovered above me.Voices—soft, urgent—filtered through the haze.“Elara?” My throat was raw, my voice barely more than a rasp.Silence.Then a sharp inhale. A shuffle of movement as if someone was approaching.“Elara,” I tried again, forcing my body to move. My muscles screamed in protes
Elara’s POVThe world around me had blurred into nothing but Andrew. His face was too pale, his breath barely there, his body unmoving except for the shallow rise and fall of his chest—too slow, too weak.I pressed my forehead against his, my fingers trembling as they brushed over his cheek. “Stay with me,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “You promised, Andrew. You promised.”But he wasn’t responding.His lips were parted, his breathing ragged. His skin, which was always warm, always alive, felt cold beneath my touch. A terrifying stillness settled over him, and I felt something deep inside me crack.“We’re losing him!” Lora’s voice was sharp, urgent.I looked up, desperate, my vision blurred with unshed tears. “I think it's high time you start talking.”Michael’s jaw clenched. He didn’t speak. Didn’t move. Because he didn’t know how to tell me what I needed to know. I was about to grab him and make him tell me what I needed to know when someone else spoke up.A voice. Low, firm, fil
Elara POVDorian staggered back. I'm sure he didn't anticipate that move. Did he really think I was going to soak up all his words and leave just like that?Did he really think I was some dumb fool?For the first time, his face twisted in something that almost looked like shock. His shadows flickered, unstable, the thick, oppressive weight of his power suddenly less.My energy pulsed again, silver light pushing outward like ripples in a storm. The air between us cracked, charged with something beyond my understanding.And then, just like that, the grip of his power broke. I wasn't sure what I was doing but one thing I knew was: I tried to push his power back and it worked.Dorian took another step back, his lips parting slightly, as if tasting the change in the air. His smirk returned, but it was thinner now, tighter.“Well,” he murmured, brushing invisible dust off his sleeve. “That was… unexpected.”Just as I thought, he actually took me to be a dumb person. After all the shit he ha