I woke up tossing and turning before realizing that my actual mate was gone, but his—oh! Was it her? Her scent was as strong as anything on my skin. For a moment, I thought I was still dreaming, that everything that happened last night hadn’t actually happened. But I could see the faint scratches on my chest, the taste of her on my lips, and her strong scent told me otherwise. ‘She’s gone,’ Ragner growled with anguish. ‘She’s running from us.’ I sat up slowly with my head spinning with the thoughts. ‘Ragner, our mate was a girl all along. She was Nicole, the broken girl who I ended up breaking more .’ I told Ragner, and the thoughts sliced through me like an arrow. She was Nicole Salvator, the girl who I had searched for for so long. The strong volcano Alpha who is strong enough to defeat me. My jaw clenched at the thought. I didn't know! Nobody knew because of her wolf. Her wolf was able to conceal whatever scent it didn’t want you to perceive. And yet, I had killed him.
Nicole’s POV* I woke up feeling groggy. My head was pounding as I tried to move, but I realized my arms were tied behind my back, and my ankles were bound tightly. The floor beneath me felt cold and hard, and the air smelled old, rusty, and of wolfsbane. I winced as I slowly began placing together my broken memory. I remembered that I was about to run away from... pack when a strong arm grabbed me. "Look who’s finally awake," a familiar voice said, distracting me from my thoughts. I lifted my head and blinked to see who it was and there she was Emma, standing in front of me with a smirk, “Emma?” "Surprised to see me, love?" My stomach dropped as I realized what had just happened. “You snake! Let me go!” I yelled, struggling against the ropes in anger. But I couldn’t. The ropes were filldd in wolfsbane, and the room was covered with it Damn! wolfsbane—even the ceiling. “Oh, poor you! Tsk tsk!” she said, standing up and walking closer to me, clearly enjoying my mi
Alaric’s POV I had been searching for Nicole for days, yet every effort turned out to be futile.When word finally came from Drogomor that she was at the palace, I had no idea what to do. Nicole had clearly told me not to bother coming, promising to find her way back to the pack. As much as I didn’t want to comply, I had to. A report about a rogue incursion had just reached us, demanding immediate attention. Once that was dealt with, I would go to Drogomor and bring my mate back from the Mad King’s territory.We were patrolling the borders when it happened.A sharp, searing pain stabbed my side, forcing a guttural growl from my throat. I staggered, clutching my ribs, confused and with agony coursing through me."Alaric!" My beta’s voice sounded distant as he rushed to my side. “What’s wrong?”I couldn’t answer. My vision blurred, and the world around me dimmed. I fought to steady myself, but the pain only worsened, making my knees wobble.“A-Alaric!”His voice sounded frantic, and t
The rage simmering inside me had only grown since the mark burned its way across my skin. Every second that passed without my mate by my side felt like a betrayal—not from him, but from the world itself. We were finalizing preparations for war. My beta, Loagm, stood at my side with his usual calm demeanor, which was a sharp contrast to the chaos in my mind. “We’ll lead with the vanguard,” he said, pointing at the map spread across the table. “Drogomor’s defenses are strongest here and here. If we attack from…” Suddenly, we were interrupted when the tent flap burst open, and a young scout stumbled in, gasping for breath. “Alpha!” he wheezed. “King Derek... he’s here.” I froze. “What did you just say?” My voice came out low, dangerous. He couldn't be here. He dared not show his face here after everything he had done to me, to my mate. “The Mad King is at the border,” the scout stammered in confirmation. “He’s demanding an audience with you.” I clenched my fists in anger as the g
Derek's POV I really wanted to speak with Nicole. Even though I am the last person she wants to see, I really wanted to tell her how sorry and pathetic I was for everything I did to her pack members. I wanted to tell her how I was ready all my life to pay for the damages. As soon as I got to Drogomor, I couldn't help a smirk as I saw Alpha Alaric. I never liked him; I never liked his pack. We have never been enemies, but there was just something about him, something that I just couldn’t lay my hands on, that I didn't like. I wonder why the Moon Goddess would have to fate him and Nicole together. “I need to speak to my mate!” I uttered as soon as I saw him, knowing full well that the word *‘my’* would anger him. I knew he must have found out about what happened when Nicole went into heat. I tried to spot the mark on his arm, but he had concealed it with a long cloth. That bastard! “He is not your mate!” His wolf roared, and that made me feel good. I wanted to get on
Chapter 30m Derek's pov We walked inside the living room and saw Charlotte sitting on the couch. I stared at her, my first love, the one whom i felll in love with first but had to let her go. I didn’t want to hurt her during one of the days when i snapp so i had to let her go. I ignored her pretending all our days together were nothing. Alaric’s mother was sitting on the sofa with a frown on her face. "What the hell happened?" I growled and sat opposite Charlotte.. Alaric walked towards her and took her face in my hands and saw that she had a huge wound on her head. It started healing slowly, but it was still bleeding. "Who did this?" Alaric asked her. Alaric sobbed quietly. "I am sorry, Alaric" "Why are you sorry?" he asked. "What happened?" "It was…Nicolas." she said quietly, looking down at her hands. I froze. What? Nicolas this? Why? I growled loudly. "What?! Why would she do that?!" Charlotte looked at me with a bit of surprise in her face but imme
Alaric's POVIt had been a few hours since we started our search for her. We found nothing. Not a damn thing.It was going to get dark soon, and it was cold outside, and I didn't want Nicolas to be out here all alone.And what also irks me more is King Derek who is in my territory, I do not like him, I do not like how he is in my terriyory, neither do i want anything to do him.I was going crazy. Everything around me was making me crazy.My Wolf was Whining and growling In my head, he was also unsettled just like me.My mate, my Nic was missing and i have absolutely no idea wherre he is. He must be scared, i don't care about his gender, i see him as a girl, he is too delicate and broken to go through all this.I could glance through King Derek, I doubt he was even breathing, but everything was just an act. He broke him, he rejected him, he made him so dejected and now he is pretending to care about him more than I? Psst!My mind wondered to Charlotte, I just couldn’t understand. Could
Emma's POVThe moment Alaric disappeared into the woods, a sly grin curled onto my lips, and my tears vanished as though they'd never existed. I leaned back against the tree, tilting my head to the side as a soft giggle escaped me. "Poor, sweet Alaric," I muttered to myself in amusement. "So noble, so predictable." I wiped away the remnants of fake tears, letting my gaze drift to the canopy above. Everything was falling right into place. "Nic, Nic, Nic," I whispered mockingly, the name rolling off my tongue with disdain. "I promise you, Alaric, you will never find him ever.” I leaned forward as I brought out a silver pen, something that had always been passed down from generation to generation in my lineage. Very small and priceless. I wonder what Charlotte sees in it, but I don't care. When she asked for this as a price to get involved in my façade, in testifying against Nicole, I totally agreed. She is someone Alaric and Derek would believe. My grin grew wider as I traced
It’s been three days since Nicole regained consciousness for a brief moment, only to slip back into unconsciousness. And every single minute, I’ve stayed by her side, whispering in her ear how much I miss her, hoping that one day she’ll wake up and gift me with that beautiful smile of hers again. The doctors say her body is healing, but it’s her spirit I’m worried about. Nicole has always been strong, but this—this is different. She’s not just fighting for her life; she’s fighting against the weight of everything she’s lost. Alaric, however, hasn’t spent much time by her side. I’ve noticed his absence more than I care to admit. He’s been keeping himself busy, avoiding the room as though the very sight of her fragile state is too much for him to bear. Or maybe, just maybe, he’s up to something. I couldn’t help but wonder what was keeping him so distracted from our mate—our little mate. His absence wasn’t like him, not when it came to Nicole. It was almost as if he were tending t
Derek's POV “She thought she had died. She thinks she is dead,” I said, glancing at Alaric as we both stood outside the room. Alaric nodded, unable to meet my gaze. “Yes, my little pup…” His voice cracked slightly, betraying the pain he was trying so hard to suppress. I walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry for what happened, man. I really am.” He didn’t respond immediately, but I could see the storm raging behind his eyes. I knew I shouldn’t have lost control when she opened her eyes. I shouldn’t have let my emotions take over. But I couldn’t help it—what I had been yearning for had finally happened, right in front of me. “It’s okay. I understand,” he said simply, his voice tight as though he was wrestling with some inner demon. “We both want the best for her,” I said, taking a seat on the bench outside the room where the doctors had asked us to wait. Alaric hesitated for a moment before joining me. The silence between us was heavy and filled with un
Alaric’s POV I stood in the corner of the room, my chest tight and heavy as I watched Derek hold her hand while she lay unconscious. It hurt—hurt to see my girl like this, so broken and almost lifeless. Derek held her hand as he caressed her fragile arm. “I need you, Nicole. I need you!” he told her. I hit the wall as I battled with my own turmoil. I needed her too—we all did. I needed her to wake up. She was my mate, after all. My one true mate. “Nicole! Baby!” I could hear Derek scream her name in anxiety. I turned to see what was going on, and my eyes finally landed on those pretty, half-closed eyes. Oh, how I had longed to see those beautiful eyes of hers. She was awake. It felt unreal—it felt like a dream. I ran towards her, but all I could see was confusion. Confusion clouded her pale face, and I doubted her inner mind was truly here. Her eyes fluttered open, and confusion was etched across her pale face. I felt something twist deep inside me. Relief? Guilt? Both, maybe.
Nicole's POV Am I awake? No, I am dead. I must be dead! There was no way I could be awake. I mustn't have been rescued. It felt like I was dead. Everything was still, silent, and surreal. My body didn’t feel like mine—it just didn’t. It felt heavy, cold, and unresponsive. I lifted my body, ready to move. There were so many things I had to do. While I was dead, I needed to find my parents. I needed to see their faces at least one more time—to kiss my mother and whisper how much I miss her. I remember her laughter, her smile, her face, her pretty face. If this was the end, at least I would appreciate a more palatable one. But why did I feel so safe? Why did the air feel different? Was I rescued? There was no way I could have been. There was no way Alaric would come back looking for me—not to mention Derek. He had shed me and dumped me. I was a fool, a victim to his pawns. The sharp scent of antiseptic hit my nostrils first, then the faint hum of something mechanical. Was that in th
“Nicole, are you awake?” I asked an already obvious question as I leaned over to her side in panic. “Hey baby, you’re okay! Thank God you're awake!” I uttered as her eyes moved from hers to mine. God! How I have longed to see those pretty eyes of hers. “Nicole, can you hear me?” Alaric asked in a trembling voice. But she didn't move; her gaze was still fixed on me. She looked so confused and disoriented. I turned to Alaric, “Get the doctor!” He nodded before dashing off to the room. “Nicole, baby! You’re okay. You’re safe," I said as I ran my hand through her pretty brunette hair. “You’re with us now, baby.” But I didn’t get any response or attempt at a reply from her—not even a nod. Before I could say anything, I felt a trail of tears slide down my cheeks. How long I had missed her, her beautiful eyes, her anger at me, her touch, her flair—everything. I sniffed as I tried my best to conceal it. Immediately, the doctor opened the door and walked in. “King Derek, ple
Soon enough, the nurses arranged the bed on both sides, making it easier for us to stay close to Nicole.I climbed onto the bed slowly, wrapping an arm around her from the side. I didn’t bother to look at Alaric, who was seething behind me.He let out a low growl as soon as I placed my hand over Nicole’s and pulled her closer.She was cold—so cold.Alaric climbed onto the bed, moving closer to her. His hand rested on the other side of her frail body.His growl deepened as he adjusted his position, his intense gaze locked onto mine. The tension between us was suffocating.“Don’t,” I warned with, my voice steady and firm.He ignored me, his hand trembled slightly as he touched Nicole’s other arm. His jaw tightened, barely containing his emotions.“Nicole...” I whispered, my voice cracking as I leaned in closer. Her fragile, lifeless body felt like it could slip away at any moment.“Stop pretending you care more than I do,” Alaric snapped, his voice low but sharp. His red-rimmed eyes gla
I slowly walked towards her. I shouldn’t think of anything that might bring down my spirit. What matters right now is the safety of my mate, my girl, my lovely girl. I slowly walked to the other side where Alaric was standing and held her hand. I could feel my hand trembling. I had never felt this way before—so broken, so raw, so shattered. I slowly held her hand as I sat beside her on the bed. I lifted her hand towards my face and kissed the back of her hand. I could feel tears threatening to fall from my eyes. I gently caressed her cheeks—my poor girl. “My girl! My poor girl!” I uttered with my voice trembling. It was taking all I had not to let Ragnar take control. He wanted to see her, the little mate we had both broken—not yet! Not while she was still critical. The door clicked open, and the doctor walked in. Alaric slowly lifted his head as she looked at her. She bowed slightly, a sign of respect for both of us. “Alpha, I heard that the nurse informed you about
I started pacing around nervously. My gaze was on the door the whole time. I needed that nurse to come out and take me to my mate. I could hear Alaric's mom sigh before turning to Alaric. “I will take care of the pack, honey," his mom told him. "I won't bother you unless it is an emergency." He nodded absentmindedly. Nothing was important to him at this moment. I just wanted my mate in my arms. I just wanted Nicole. The door finally opened, and a nurse came out. "King Derek, Alpha, please follow me," she said and walked back inside. Alaric and I ran inside. I could hear his mom telling Alaric to link them when she woke up. He rushed inside and headed straight to a room. "Alpha, King Derek! You need to wait!” I could hear the nurse call us. We stopped and turned to look at her with a menacing growl. What the heck was happening? I could hear Alaric growl beside me too. He was just as angry and pissed off as I was. "You need to wash yourselves first," the nurse said as she
Never had I ever felt silence so deafening. Derek and I exchanged a glance full of surprise and anxiety. What the heck was happening in there? I don't think I have ever been this anxious, this angry. She has to be OK. My strong mate—she must be OK. "Alaric!" my mom's panicked voice pulled me from my thoughts. I stood up and hugged her. I needed it. I needed my mom to tell me that everything was going to be okay, that she was OK. "How is she?" she asked with a trembling voice, looking at Derek. "I don't know," he sighed, leaning against the wall. "She was barely breathing when we found her." She sobbed, and my mom gasped loudly. "She will be okay," I said with a shaky voice. "She has to be okay." "She will be. She is the strongest person I know." It was Derek. He was saying that more to convince himself, to tell himself that she was going to be OK. I let out a sigh. I really hope so. She must be! Nobody spoke next; everybody stared at each other with tensi