Elara’s POVThe moment the barrier shattered, the air shifted. The oppressive weight of the spell lifted, replaced by the fresh feel of the night. My breath came in ragged gasps as I struggled to steady myself, the remnants of magic still tingling against my skin.Then, the howls rang out.A chorus of them, rising through the night like an unstoppable wave. The pack had heard us. They were coming. Relief surged through me—but it was short-lived.Jacob moved fast.One second, he was standing amidst the fading runes, his face contorted with rage. The next, he lunged.“ELARA, MOVE!” Andrew’s voice was raw with urgency.I barely had time to react before Jacob’s claws sliced through the air where I had been standing. I twisted away, my boots skidding against the dirt as I dropped into a defensive stance.His eyes gleamed with fury, his fangs bared in a snarl. The moment of triumph I had felt moments ago burned away under the heat of his rage.“You think you’ve won?” Jacob’s voice was low,
Elara’s POVThe ground trembled beneath my feet, a deep, guttural vibration that sent cracks racing through the earth. The darkness around us thickened. I could feel it—ancient, angry, and rising.I sucked in a sharp breath. My pulse thundered in my ears as I staggered back, my gaze locked on the widening fissure in the ground. A raw, unnatural energy evaporated from its depths, seeping into the air like smoke.Andrew moved to my side, his stance tense. His injuries barely seemed to register now, his focus entirely on the thing emerging from below.Jacob watched us with that same twisted smirk, his eyes glinting with triumph.“You should run,” he taunted. “Or stay. Either way, you’ll get to witness the return of something far greater than you.”I clenched my fists, rage burning through my veins. “What did you do, Jacob?”His chuckle sent a fresh wave of unease crawling down my spine. “I didn’t do anything, Elara. You did. The moment you broke the circle, you set it free.”A roar erupte
Andrew's POVThe second every trace of Jacob disappeared into the dark, I finally allowed myself to breathe. My body hurt, raw and bruised, barely holding together. But I pushed through the fatigue not wanting to appear weak. However, my mind, was a whole different story.Jacob's words stuck on me like a stain."That was just the beginning."A slow exhale escaped my lips, the cold of the night air biting at my exposed skin. Normally, I shouldn't feel the drop in temperature, but my body was already too tired to resist. Every muscle in my body screamed, but I refused to acknowledge the pain. Pain meant I was still standing. Still breathing. And right now, that was all that mattered.I shifted slightly, my gaze going to Elara. She stood rigid, her face pale beneath the moonlight, staring at the spot where Jacob had vanished. Her hands trembled at her sides, whether from exhaustion, shock, or something else entirely, I couldn't tell.“Elara,” I whispered, reaching for her.She didn't mov
Elara’s POVI never thought of myself as a possessive person. I never had anything worth possessing. But standing there, my body still throbbing, my breath still ragged from the fight, and watching Rhea fling herself into Andrew’s arms like he was her whole world—something in me turned. Anger. It was hot and sudden, searing beneath my ribs like liquid fire. And at that moment, all I wanted to do is give Rhea a taste of the pain I felt.The whole pack was staring.They stood silently as Rhea clung to him, her hands roaming over his arms, his chest, like she had the right. Like she owned him. Her voice was soft, frantic, filled with worship. "Andrew, you’re injured. You shouldn’t be standing! You need to lie down—"My fingers curled into fists. My nails dug into my palms, sharp enough to sting.Where was all this concern when he was on the ground, bleeding out? Where were these people when Jacob stood over him, ready to take his life?I know Jacob had used some tricks to make sure tha
Andrew’s POVElara stormed off, her figure vanishing behind the line of trees ahead, her anger practically obvious to all. I stood frozen for a moment, watching the tension in her shoulders, the sharpness of her movements. Something inside me twisted—an emotion I couldn't truly put a name on.I should’ve gone after her immediately, but the pressure of my pack’s stares held me back.Rhea’s arms were still looped around mine. The moment I became aware of it, I pulled away, her touch suddenly unbearable. She hesitated for a second before dropping her hand, her lips pressing together in a pout.“She shouldn't be allowed to speak to us in that manner,” Michael muttered, his voice edged with irritation.“Yes,” the gammas murmured in agreement, nodding in unison.“She’s nothing but a cursed wolf,” another interjected. “Rejected by her own pack. How dare she act like she’s one of us?”A growl built in my throat, low and warning, but I swallowed it down. I clenched my jaw instead, my nails dig
Elara's POVThe moment I stepped into the pack house, I made a beeline for my room. My hands trembled as I pushed the door shut behind me, leaning against it for support. My breath came in shallow, uneven bursts.What did I just do?My heart still pounded from the confrontation outside. I had given Andrew’s pack a piece of my mind, my words sharp and direct. The fury that had driven me was raw, but now, in the quiet solitude of my room, doubt crawled in.I clenched my fists, squeezing my eyes shut.Did I go too far?I shook my head. No. They deserved every word I spat at them. Their nonchalance had nearly cost us our lives, and if they refused to acknowledge their incompetence, I had no problem rubbing it in their faces.Still, I couldn’t ignore the worry pressing on my chest. Hate had already poisoned the air around me, and now I had likely poured gasoline on an already raging fire.With a sigh, I pushed away from the door and collapsed onto my bed, face-first. The mattress did littl
Andrew’s POVIt was never my intention for things to end the way they did with Elara. But what was I supposed to do when the entire pack seemed to be against her?I stood at the window of my study, swirling the amber liquid in my glass as I stared into the night. The moon was high, casting a cold glow over the land, but the unease in my chest refused to settle. It was like a growing tumor trying to choke me.Even though I had never planned to form any emotional attachment to her, I couldn’t shake the way she made me feel. And that was dangerous. More dangerous than any enemy lurking outside our borders. And it seemed I had more than a few.Letting her into my bed was a mistake. Now, she was in my head, haunting my thoughts like a ghost I couldn’t exorcise. Even now, just the memory of her scent, the way her body felt against mine, had my blood heating, sending it straight to my lower region, giving me a boner.If there's anything I learnt early in life is to never form any close ties
Andrew’s POVThe moment we stepped into the storeroom, the sharp scent of blood hit me. It clung to the air, metallic and thick mixing with the damp, musty smell of the enclosed space. The dim light flickered above, casting shadows across the concrete floor.In the center of the room, slumped in a chair, was our prisoner—the source of the blood. I wasn't expecting much but seeing someone who looked so young being held prisoner for torture and questioning by my pack enforcer surprised me.“Is that him?” I asked.“Yes. Don't be fooled by what you see. He is much tougher than he looks.” He stated. “My fists can testify to that.” He added showing me his bloodied knuckles.How much beating did he have to give that boy to get his hands looking like that. Normally, people break after taking a few punches from Greg.With a nod, I took slow, measured steps toward him, my boots quiet against the hard ground. His head hung forward, chin resting against his chest, his body limp.I crouched, gripp
Michael’s POVThe sound of Andrew’s growl ripped through the cabin like a blade.I shoved the door fully open and charged in, heart thundering. Elara was pressed against the wall, hands up, her eyes wide—not with fear, but with something worse. Desperation. She wasn’t running.Andrew stood in the middle of the room, half-shifted, his shoulders hunched and trembling, eyes glowing that same cursed red. He let out another guttural snarl and lunged again.Greg tackled him before he reached her.They hit the floor hard. Bones crunched, snarls erupted, and for a moment it was a disaster. I grabbed Elara and yanked her out of the way just before Andrew’s claws slashed the wall where she’d been.“Are you insane?” I barked at her. “He’s not himself!”“I know that!” she shouted, struggling against me. “But I saw him—Michael, he looked at me. He knew me for a second.”I held her tighter. “And the next second, he nearly ripped you apart.”“He wouldn’t—”“He did.”Greg grunted from the floor, stil
Elara’s POVI didn’t sleep. Not even for a second.Andrew lay on the cot, drenched in sweat, the veins along his neck pulsing black like ink trapped under skin. His breathing was shallow, ragged, the kind that made my heart skip every time there was a pause between inhales.Every few minutes, he let out a soft groan, like the pain was crawling through him in waves. I held his hand and tried to stay calm, but my grip trembled. I felt useless. Like watching someone drown while your legs were tied to the shore.The fire crackled, low and weak. It was still dark out, and the cabin smelled of blood, herbs, and unease.Lora had done what she could, but even she looked helpless when she stepped away. I kept asking what else could be done, and each time she avoided my eyes.Then Greg came back.He stood in the doorway, dripping with sweat from running, his jaw clenched like it was holding back a something.“What is it?” I asked.He didn’t answer right away. He looked past me, to Andrew. Then
Elara’s POVBranches clawed at my arms as we pushed through the forest, the moonlight barely cutting through the thick canopy overhead. My lungs burned. Every breath tasted like smoke and blood.Andrew’s weight leaned heavier and heavier against me, his steps sluggish, and uneven. He hadn’t spoken in minutes. I could feel the fever radiating off him.“Just a little further,” I whispered, mostly to myself. “Come on, stay with me.”It was crazy how our positions switched. The main reason why he was caught in this mess is to help me. Now, I was the one doing the helping.Luckily that stupid beast left after doing it's work leaving me with a very sick Andrew. I didn't know how far Michael and Lora had to go in order to get help.Noticing he hadn’t responded, I looked down as his grip on me loosened.“Andrew?” I stopped and turned, my heart hammering. “Hey. Look at me.”He swayed. His eyes blinked, unfocused. Then he crumpled.“No—no, no, no.” I dropped with him, catching his head before i
Andrew’s POVI didn’t think anything could shake me after everything we’d been through—Elara’s capture, the cult, the blade meant for my heart. But the thing crawling out of that seal wasn’t from this world.It was born from nightmares. A monster made of shadows and dark moon magic.It stretched as it rose, black tendrils spilling off its limbs like smoke, jaws clicking with bone and fangs. Its eyes locked onto us, glowing red-hot—rage, hunger, purpose.It was like it had a personal issue to settle with us.“Elara,” I said, backing up slowly, “we need to move.”She didn’t answer. She looked dazed, one hand clutching her chest like it hurt to breathe.“Elara,” I tried again, louder this time.She blinked hard, snapped back, and turned to me. “I can’t feel it.”“What?”“The bond. It’s gone.” Her voice cracked. “I—I think Jacob finished the ritual.”Shit. That explained the weakness in her posture, the pale cast to her skin. We didn't have time. The last thing I want is to be caught in t
Andrew’s POVElara didn’t stab me.Despite my unwavering trust in her, I could've sworn she wanted to gut me with the knife.She stabbed the cultist to my left—clean through the ribs.The robed bastard choked on his own breath, eyes wide, blood pooling from his mouth as he collapsed.And just like that, everything just seemed to go to shit as commotion broke out around us.Screams rang out in the still air. Chants siezed as every head turned and eyes snapped open towards our direction.Someone shouted, “She’s turned!”I didn’t need more time to think. My chains were half-broken the moment they stopped chanting. It seemed like they were using magic to contain me. The pulse in my chest hadn’t stopped. It was like a second heartbeat, wild and growing louder in my ear.I wrenched my right arm free with a roar, ignoring the tear of metal against skin. The pain meant nothing anymore. The moment Elara turned that blade, I knew—we were going to live or die together.“Elara!” I shouted.She s
Elara’s POVThe blade felt colder than it should have.Slick handle. Sharp edge.They’d placed it in my hand like it belonged there. Like I’d been born to wield it.My fingers closed around it on instinct, but my heart—fates, my heart refused. It pounded hard enough I thought it might split open my chest.Andrew’s eyes locked on mine, blood dripping down the curve of his jaw. He didn’t speak. Didn’t beg. Just looked at me, like he always had—steady, unflinching, and maddeningly full of love.Kieran stood behind him, watching like a predator admiring his own trap as Jacob came around to stand beside him.“This is the moment,” Jacob said, his voice low and coaxing. “Where the universe balances itself. You break the anchor, Elara, and disaster becomes your throne. You hesitate… and it becomes your grave.”I stared at Andrew. His breathing was shallow. His shirt clung to his chest, soaked in sweat and blood. And his mark—it pulsed like it had a heartbeat of its own through his torn shirt.
Andrew’s POVThe chanting started slow.Low. Rhythmic. Like a heartbeat echoing in the belly of a beast.I sat with my back to the cold stone wall, chains digging into my wrists. My blood had dried hours ago, stiff and sticky against my skin, but the real pain wasn’t in the cuts or the bruises.It was inside.The mark on my chest that recently appeared burned like it had just been carved. A deep, pulsing throb that synced perfectly with their damn chants. Every beat made it flare hotter. Sharper.I gritted my teeth, flexing against the restraints. Useless.They’d done their homework.Silver links.Wolfsbane laced through the shackles.But they didn’t know everything. They didn’t understand what the mark meant—not really. Not what it did to a person. To me.To Elara.I shut my eyes, trying to hold her face in my mind. Before the rituals. Before the chaos. Before I let my own pain turn me into something she couldn’t reach.And then I heard his voice.Kieran.“I’d say it’s good to see yo
Lora's POVThe fire wasn’t normal. It wasn’t the kind that crackled in fireplaces or flickered in campfires.It was alive, red, deep and pulsing like blood. It didn’t just burn. It seemed to breathe.I stood at the edge of it, frozen, and unable to do a thing while I watched it wrap around her. Elara. Her skin was streaked with ash, her hair wild and tangled, eyes wide and wet with something too painful to name. She wasn’t screaming.She was whispering.“Lora…”Her voice barely reached me through the heat. But I heard it. Goddess, I felt it.“Please…”The flames swallowed her whole.I woke up screaming.I shot upright, lungs dragging for air like I’d been drowning. Sweat drenched my skin, my nightshirt clinging to me like a second layer of skin. My heart slammed against my ribs, and for a second, I wasn’t even sure where I was.The dream still clung to me like smoke. It was thick, choking, and inescapable.“Elara,” I whispered into the dark.I didn’t bother grabbing a robe. I rushed
Elara’s POVThe drums pounded through the courtyard like war cries. The smell of burning herbs and ash filled the air, thick and heavy, like it had a weight of its own. The cultists circled the altar, chanting words older than the land we stood on. Each voice layered over the next, rising into a sound that didn’t feel human.And above it all, I heard him.“Do you still feel it,” Andrew’s voice rasped, “or was it always a lie?”I froze. But before that—Before those words crawled into my bones and made my breath catch—I saw him.They’d chained him to the old execution post, like something out of a nightmare. His shirt was torn, blood streaked across his ribs, and his lip had split open. But he was upright. Breathing. Still defiant, even with all the blood on his skin and the metal biting into his wrists.Andrew.It was the first time I’d seen him since I was taken. Really seen him. Not in visions. Not in dreams. Not in those fleeting, aching flashes I told myself weren’t real.And go