Diana “I’ll talk.” He says, voice strained and reluctant. I raise an eyebrow, unimpressed. “And you’ll let me go after?” I ask, my voice clipped. He hesitates for a moment, the silence thick between us, before he nods, albeit with visible reluctance. But the calm is short-lived. Elder Lyra’s shrill voice pierces the air. “Alpha Magnus!” She practically spits his title with disgust, her eyes narrowing in disapproval. He flinches, his gaze snapping to the Elders, who are silently watching the exchange. A seething rage rises in my chest like a furnace, burning hotter with every second. My eyes narrow and my face hardens. These bastards think they can control everything, twist the situation as they please. I’ve had enough of their games. I glance at them from the corner of my eye, barely concealing the disgust that surges up from deep within. This entire ruse… I’m tired of it. I can’t take it anymore. I just want to go home and snuggle with my mate. I take a deep breath
Diana “The Elders never planned to let me go,” I say, “Killing me was always the plan”. Magnus stares at me for a long moment and I see it in his eyes—the flicker of understanding. His head whips back to them, eyes wide with horror. “No! This is not what we discussed!” I look away from Magnus, my gaze sweeping over the Council. My eyes narrow, lips curling into a cold smile. “Enough of the games. Lay it all out. Now.” I can feel the tension tightening in the air as I speak. I tilt my head slightly, my voice steady as I continue, “You’ve obviously planned to kill me from the very beginning. What I don’t understand is why. After all, aside from that sham of a trial, I haven’t committed any crimes. There shouldn’t be any irreconcilable differences between us, should there?” It’s obvious to me that the invisible hands of the traitor is behind the scenes, manipulating things. I know what that person’s goal is, but I am wandering what reason he or she used to get the Elders to go al
Diana I look away from Magnus and glance at the four Elders still standing before me, their combative stances making it clear they are ready to pounce at any moment. “So,” I say, my voice icy and unwavering, “your plan of ridding the world of evil… you plan to do it yourselves? Okay” “Let’s get it over with”. I crack my knuckles and get back into a fighting position. Elder Fendel’s brow furrows looks to his fellow Elders before saying “No. That won’t do”. The four Elder halt before glancing at him. “There’s no precedent where the Council personally carries out punishments”. “Fendel!” Elder Lyra cries out. “No, Lyra. You’re letting your emotions sway you here”, he says with an admonishing tone, “That’s why there is more than one Elder, to keep each other in check”. Lyra glares at me, clearly dissatisfied before looking away. Elder Fendel then says, “Fall back please”, He waves his hand, and the other Elders fall back, stepping out of the way. But not before Elder
Diana It is at this moment that I gain a true appreciation for the depths of the Council’s cunning. They know exactly how to manipulate the desires of others to get what they want. They’ve played on the greed and lust for power lurking in the hearts of every man, turning them into pawns in their scheme. This makes me once again wonder who the traitor is among them. Because the traitor, I realize, must be the most cunning of them all. Whoever it is has clearly figured out who I am—my connection to the Castellanos pack. They’ve engineered this whole situation to try to force me to shift into my wolf form, to expose myself fully so they can be certain of my true identity. And then to kill me. Their true goal isn’t to take down Dominicus. It never was. Sure, if they’re able do it, then that’s killing two birds with the same stone. But that person’s real aim has always been me. And if that person is truly working with the witches as we suspect, then they must be aware that Dominic
Diana Suddenly, one wolf steps forward from the crowd. I watch closely, my interest piqued. It’s the newly appointed Beta. Oh? I narrow my eyes as I study him more carefully. Werewolf healing really is a beautiful thing. The man had been injured only moments ago, but here he is now, stepping forward with a strong posture, his muscles taut and ready. This is the first time I’m taking a real look at him. He’s tall and lean, with a sharp crew cut and a severe expression that makes him seem even more intimidating. Attractive, if I’m being honest, but then again, most wolves are. Magnus’ eyes widen in shock. “You…” His voice cracks with disbelief. The Beta meets Magnus’ gaze with a calm, almost apologetic expression before he speaks. “I’m sorry, Alpha,” he says, his tone respectful. “But as the Council has said, this woman is mated to the dangerous Feral Alpha who was responsible for my predecessor’s death. It will be for the greater good if she is taken out. Therefore, I volunte
Diana For a moment, the entire place is silent as a graveyard. And then- Elder Lyra, her face drained of color, screams. “Impossible!” She sounds like she’s on the verge of losing control. “No Alpha is able to use the command on a wolf that does not belong to their pack!” I shrug nonchalantly. “Well, Alpha Magnus here was being all dazed and shit, so I had to do it myself.” She screams again, this time in fury, “Stop this rubbish and answer me!” she demands, but I just shrug with a smile. The air is thick with disbelief. The wolves and Elders stare at me, wide-eyed, as though they’ve just seen a monster come to life. “Who the hell are you?” Elder Lyra demands, her voice trembling with disbelief. “What pack did you come from?” All eyes are on me. They all know I was raised in the Zervos pack, but for me to have this kind of power, they all now understand that my bloodline must come from an Alpha of another pack. I shrug, my face casual. “Beats me.” But inside, I’m closely watc
Diana The earth rumbles beneath our feet, a low vibration that starts slowly but grows with intensity. Everyone pauses, their eyes darting around in confusion and trepidation. The noise builds, a deep, ominous rumble that seems to come from all directions. It grows louder, the sound of it vibrating through the earth itself. My eyes narrow, my senses sharpening. I can feel the air shift- something is coming. Fendel stands still, looking smug, as if he’s anticipating something. The sound grows louder—footsteps—heavy, deliberate. The sound of hundreds of boots marching in unison. The noise draws closer, and the ground shakes with each passing second. And then—suddenly—they appear. From all around us, figures emerge. They’re clad in black soft armor, sleek and menacing, each one carrying an array of weapons strapped to their bodies. They move with military precision, their movements sharp and fluid. Hundreds of them. Maybe more. They don’t speak. They don’t need to. Their presence
DianaMagnus’s shoulders hunch as the weight of it all hits him. His legs nearly faltering beneath him. I’m guessing he had somehow been consoling himself with the fact that though the Council had changed their minds and decided to kill, they had also sent the Army there to kill Dominicus. And in his mind, all he had to do was save me, and everything would still go as planned. Dominicus would be dead and the bond between us would grow back and reconnect.But now, not only is Dominicus obviously safe and sound back home. But the Army is here instead, meaning he couldn’t save me even if he wanted.He understands now. He’s been thoroughly played.Fendel then address Brodik, however, he makes sure to keep his gaze on me, his eyes never leaving my face, “Where is Dominicus Amadeus now?” he asks, his tone casual.Brodik responds promptly, his voice cool and measured, “The man stationed there reported back that the Alpha hasn’t left his territory.”“So he’s still in there now?” Fendel asks.
DianaI don’t say anything. I can’t—because part of me agrees with him.He searches my face, voice cracking.“I already lost your mate. And for 13 years, I believed I lost my child too. I won’t lose you.”The silence between us stretches again. The grief in his words coils around my ribs like a vice.After a long moment, I exhale.“I promise,” I say softly, reaching for his hand, “we’ll talk about this. We’ll figure it out. But right now… let’s go back inside. There’s still more Eleanor has to tell us.”He looks at me for a long moment. Then, finally, he nods.We walk back together, quiet and heavy with unspoken thoughts. Inside, the room is just as we left it—Dominicus and Eleanor still seated, their faces somber.Billy crosses his arms as he steps in, his tone dry but edged in steel.“Might as well just leave her with the humans. She was safe there. Let her stay hidden.”Eleanor tilts her head slightly.“Yes, she’s safe,” she says calmly. “But for how long?”He frowns but doesn’t an
Diana The room goes quiet. I blink in confusion, taken aback and not understanding why he’s so angry. My brows furrow as I watch him in confusion. He seems to be getting more furious by the second. It’s a fury I don’t think I have ever seen on him before. My mind races a second more and it clicks. My heart stutters before dropping to the pit of my stomach. I hadn’t thought of that. Not fully. Shit! Blood drains from my face and I suddenly feel sick. Billy asks again, slower this time, the words like steel. “Who the fuck did you say was gonna fight him?” Eleanor’s expression crumples into something close to guilt. She looks down. I bite my lower lip. Dom’s brows draw together. Billy’s voice is calm but dark. “Three people, right? That’s what you said?” He points at Dominicus. “One is the Amadeus Alpha. He’ll fight the physical battle.” Then he points at me. I flinch. “Second is the Castellanos Alpha and Priestess. That’s you.” I can’t meet his eyes. “And the third…
Diana He starts pacing toward the door like a man possessed. I glance outside—the sky is pitch black, the moon high and silver. “Billy,” I say gently, “it’s late. Why don’t we go tomorrow?” But he shakes his head, already reaching for the doorknob. “I can’t wait. Who knows where she is? What kinda situation she’s in? If she’s far, the sooner I leave, the sooner I’ll reach her—” Eleanor lifts her eyes to Dom in a silent signal. Dominicus stands immediately, moves forward, and catches Billy by the shoulders before he can bolt. “Wait,” he says gently but firmly. “Where are you going? You don’t even have the tracker yet. How will you find her without it?” Billy blinks. “Right. Right, right.” He lets himself be guided back, still jittery, heart pounding in his chest. He turns to Eleanor again, eyes wide and pleading. “Then give it to me. The… the thing you said. What is it?” “I’ll make you a Scrythorn,” Eleanor replies. “It’s an ancient charm, carved and imbued with s
Diana Billy hasn’t moved. His eyes are bloodshot and shining, and when he finally speaks, his voice is hoarse. “You said you used dark magic, too,” he rasps to Eleanor. “But you’re still here. Still… you. Why couldn’t she do the same?” Eleanor’s face softens. “Because she wasn’t strong enough. Six years of dark magic, even in small doses, is too much. I stopped after one spell. I cut myself off. Let the darkness bleed out slowly over time. But your mate…” She sighs. “She didn’t have that luxury. The curse had corrupted her too much”. But I know the rest. Eleanor is the Primarch Arcana. Stronger than any light witch alive. That’s the difference. That’s why she survived. Billy lowers his head, shoulders slumping. He doesn’t speak for a long time. My chest aches with a pressure that builds and builds until I can barely breathe. All those years, I thought no one loved me. That I meant nothing to anyone. I was wrong. Now I know—my parents, the witches who could have teleport
Diana Eleanor folds her hands in her lap, her face as gentle as ever, but I see the flicker of regret in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Billy,” she says softly. “What I’m about to tell you might be hard to hear. But I believe it will answer the questions you’ve carried for a long time.” Billy glances between Dom and I, seeing the corresponding seriousness on our faces and sits straighter, “Go on,” he says. Eleanor nods. “Just as I was explaining to Diana and Dominicus, your mate—Myralie—was the one who suppressed Diana’s wolf. It was the only way she could keep her from shifting, and from being found.” Billy’s head jerks slightly. “Myralie?” he repeats, his brow creasing. “You mean… Myra?That her real name?” I watch the flicker of pain flash through his eyes. He once told us he didn’t know much about her. Only her name. And now it turns out… even that was only half true. There’s a bittersweet sadness in his face as the realization sets in. His mouth parts slightly, but no words come. “S
Diana Dominicus stares at her, brows drawn. “So… you’re not dying,” he says, voice low, suspicious. “I’m not dying,” she insists, looking directly at him now. “I swear it.” He holds her gaze for a beat longer. Then, finally, he nods. I feel the tight coil of tension in his body loosen, the faintest ripple of relief coming through the bond. I exhale too, only now realizing I’d been holding my breath. “It’s not fair,” I whisper. The words slip out before I can stop them, soft and aching. Eleanor looks at me with kind eyes, and then gives a small smile. “Magic isn’t a person, dear. It has no consciousness to look into the facts surrounding the incident and decide whether or not it’s fair. It doesn’t think or feel. It simply is.” She sets her teacup down gently, the sound barely audible. “Light magic doesn’t coexist with dark magic. It won’t. The moment I used it—even to save someone—I knew what it meant. My days as the Primarch were numbered.” Her smile turns wry. “The fac
Diana She lifts her eyes, and they shimmer with something like wonder. “I felt it. A divine ripple. Like something ancient had stirred. Like the pattern of fate had twisted slightly on its axis.” Her fingers curl around the porcelain cup. “I didn’t know what it meant. But I knew—something was coming. I didn’t know what, or who, but… I hoped.” She looks at me now. And her expression softens into something almost reverent. “And then, one morning… a girl walked in.” My throat tightens. Eleanor’s voice drops into a hush, as though telling a sacred secret. She gives me a small smile. “A werewolf… a werewolf with a sealed wolf”. “A beautiful girl,” she continues. “Her eyes were haunted and it was obvious she was running from something.” My stomach tightens. Eleanor’s expression softens again. “It took me just one look. I knew exactly who you were. The Castellanos Alpha heir. The one who escaped the massacre. I was… stunned.” She shakes her head with a quiet chuckle, bu
Diana I swallow the lump in my throat. For the longest time, Dom had no one. I’m so glad is finding more family and loved ones. He doesn’t answer. But his eyes shine, and he reaches up, catching her wrist. “You should’ve told me,” he murmurs, his voice thick, “I wasn’t in the right state of mind for a long time, but when I got better-“ She looks at him with weary affection. “Because you’d already suffered enough,” she says softly. “You were just starting to come back to yourself. I didn’t want to pile all this… this heavy, dark mess on your shoulders.” Her eyes flick over to me, and a teasing smile tugs at her lips. “And you had just started falling in love, too. I couldn’t bear to spoil it.” My cheeks warm instantly. Eleanor chuckles. “After nearly a decade of pain and silence, you deserved a little reprieve. Both of you. Watching it happen—watching you fall for each other—it was so cute. And awkward.” I let out a tiny, strangled sound and cover my face with my hand
DianaShe stops in front of him.“The witches at the Castellanos pack…” she says, voice quiet, “they did reach out to me.”I bite down on my lower lip. Hard.“But not to ask me to come. They weren’t calling me for help.” Her gaze flickers to me. “They just wanted me to know what was happening. That the dark witches were there. That the Castellanos were preparing to fall.”Her voice dips, heavy with the weight of regret.“I wanted to go. I swear I did.” Her hands tighten at her sides. “But I knew… I knew if I went like I was, I’d only be a burden.”The words hit like a cold wave.“I couldn’t use my magic properly,” she continues. “It was still tainted. I was still walking that razor’s edge. And if I stepped into a battle like that—drew onto the bulk of magic to battle- the dark magic inside me would’ve stirred violently… fed on the chaos”Her throat tightens.“I would’ve had two choices: fight it or give in. If I had resisted, it would have killed me. If I had given in…” She looks up a