Elara’s POVBlood.It stained Andrew’s fingers as he clutched his side, his breathing uneven. His knees nearly buckle, but he stays on his feet, even now—even after I hurt him.No.No, no, no. This wasn't part of the plan. I wanted to be strong to protect him now hurt him.I stumbled back, my hands shaking. I don’t remember striking him. I don’t remember moving at all, but the wound is there, deep and dark and real.Just as I didn't remember knocking Lora out. I thought I was doing the right thing by running, by giving in to the voice within and get stronger.I was so wrong. Now Andrew was hurt because me.“Andrew,” I whispered, my voice barely there. I couldn't think, talk more of speak.He didn’t answer. In between the time I impaled him with my claws, he had turned ashen.He was supposed to be healing right now. Why wasn't he healing already?Michael and Lora crashed through the trees. Lora’s gaze landed on Andrew, and she gasped.Despite the fact that I hurt her as well, I was ver
Andrew’s POV“Elara!”I pushed forward, ignoring the searing pain in my side. My body protested, my wound screaming, but none of it mattered.It was supposed to be healing but I didn't understand why it wasn't. I had a theory but this wasn't the time to indulge such thoughts.She was on her knees, gripping her head, her body trembled like she was fighting something I couldn't see.The shadows twisted around her again. Dark tendrils lash out, rising from the ground like living things, curling around her wrists, her throat—pulling her back.No. I won’t lose her. I won’t let this thing take her away from me. I asked her to train and now it has contributed to her changing into someone I didn't recognize.How was I supposed to live without her? She was my mate, my ride or die and I wasn't ready to live the rest of my life without her.“Elara, listen to me!” My voice was raw, desperate. I stumbled to her side, grabbing her shoulders. Her skin is ice cold. Her breath ragged. And when she lif
Elara’s POVAndrew circled me, his movements slow, measured. His eyes tracked every shift of my stance, every twitch of my fingers. I know what he’s doing—waiting for me to strike first.I didn’t.Instead, I watch him right back, breathing steady, legs bent, weight balanced. The air between us humed with tension. It was always like this when we sparred—like the world narrowed down to just him and me, two forces testing the limits of what we can do.Ever since the day he saved me from turning into a monster, I've noticed that I was far better than I ever was.We never stopped training. And as we trained, I soaked up everything, becoming more and more the fighter I wanted to be If Deveruid or whoever Dorian sends again tries to kidnap me, they will be in for a shock. I was the same person they met earlier.I’m stronger now. Faster. The mark on my skin has changed something inside me, even though I still don’t understand how deep that change ran. But I felt it—power coiled beneath my sk
Andrew’s POVThe tension in the air was tight and suffocating. Everybody seemed to know about the upcoming Blood Moon.Even the kids that were known for mischief had all sombered up and we're now helping in anyway they could.Outside, the pack was preparing—training, sharpening weapons, reinforcing the borders. The warriors knew what was coming. The Blood Moon was only days away, and with it, Dorian’s inevitable attack.I watched from my office window as warriors sparred in the clearing, their movements sharp, disciplined. Even the younger wolves were being taught basic defense, just in case. No one would be spared if we lost this war.No one.Knowing who Dorian was, he would try to exterminate anyone that poses a threat against him or his rule. Including kids.Elara was out there too.I caught a glimpse of her as she dodged a strike from Lora, her body moving like liquid fire. She had changed—stronger, faster. But the mark on her arm was a constant reminder that darkness had once tri
Elara’s POVSomething was wrong.The moment I stepped into Andrew’s office, my entire body tensed. My gut twisted, that familiar, unshakable feeling of dread creeping up my spine. I had learned to trust that feeling.Ever since I was able to overcome the voice that was determined to push me down the dark path, being in tune with my instincts have been second nature to me.Just then, a knock came on the door. I paused wondering who it could be. “We're you expecting anyone?”“No.” Andrew replied. “But I could ask them to leave if you aren't comfortable with anyone.”I shook my head. “No, that won't be necessary.” I don't know who could be at the other end of the door. I can't allow whatever is bothering me to stop Andrew from carrying out his duties.Just then, the door was pushed open. “Hey what's keeping you guys. Someone from another pack is here to see you.”“What does he want?” Andrew asked.“He won't say. He said he wanted to speak to you in person.”“Where's this person anyway?”
Elara’s POVThe second Andrew’s fingers broke the seal on the letter, something shifted in the air.I felt right in my soul. My wolf was at antsy. She felt it too.It wasn’t obvious—not to anyone else—but I felt it like a cold breath against my skin. His aura, usually steady and commanding, flickered. Just for a second. But it was enough.As I stared at Andrew, I tried to figure out what exactly had happened to him after he took the letter.I sucked in a breath, my pulse pounding. “Andrew,” I said sharply. Trying to stop him from going any further.He didn’t react, only unfolded the letter and scanned its contents. It was if he didn't feel whatever just happened but I knew he did. I saw him flinch. His face remained unreadable, but I caught the slightest tension in his jaw.Michael and Lora exchanged glances, both of them clearly uneasy but they didn't say a word.I stepped closer. “Andrew,” I said again, lower this time. “Are you okay?”I stared at him but he failed to hold my gaze.
Elara’s POVThe sound outside wasn’t normal.Normally if someone was moving about by this time, their movements were usually loud no matter how they tried to control their movements.It was too soft, too precise—like someone moving with intent. Someone trained in the art of sneaking around. A predator. But they didn't account for someone like me.My body reacted before my mind could catch up. I bolted out of bed, my claws extending instinctively, my breath shallow but controlled. My pulse hammered in my ears, but I forced myself to focus.I couldn't afford to be out of control in this moment. I needed to be very careful with whatever I was about to get myself into.Something was wrong. I could feel it deep in my bones, the same way I’d felt it when Andrew touched that cursed letter.I shoved my feet into my boots, grabbed the dagger under my pillow, and threw open my door. The hall was eerily quiet, but the air was thick with tension.Then I caught the scent—foreign, laced with somet
Elara’s POVAs if on cue, the shadows moved.Then the others appeared. It was shocking watching how people moved through the darkness.Dark figures spilled into the room, moving with deadly precision, with one target in mind. To get us killed if possible but the one they were obviously after was Andrew. There were too many of them, more than we had expected. It was obviously a trap. This was the bad feeling I had.It was coming to pass.We had been waiting for an attack, but not like this—not so deep inside our territory. They had bypassed the guards, and slipped through unseen.How?It was obvious there was someone working for them within our ranks, but who could it be? And why will they do such a thing?I needed answers but there was no need to be told that none was coming anytime soon. This was going to be a long night.No matter how much I wanted to get this over with, there was no telling when it was going to be over.My only hope is that we don't end up with more casualties tha
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