Katherine Pov"Did you really think I wouldn't have found out about this plan all along?" I frowned, crossing my arms around my chest and tapping my feet on the ground. They were not happy to see me and I was sure of that, but with how suspicious Jude and Jade had been acting recently, I knew something was wrong somewhere. These three believed they could just sneak in and out of the vampire kingdom to take Lily. Risking the life of both alphas and the safety of every other pack member. It was the dumbest idea. Following them was also another dumb idea from me, but there was not much I could do at an abrupt time like that. Dorcas had said earlier on that it took ten seconds for the portal she created to finally close up. Jumping in at dire moments was the best option I had."Dorcas, we're sending her back. She cannot be here," Jude pointed out, grabbing me by my upper arm and leading me towards Dorcas. "We can't, I can only take us here and back once." She sighed. As I stepped t
Lily povHuddled in a cold corner of the dungeon, feeling really hungry, I couldn’t escape the heavy silence that had been around me for more than 24 hours. The chilly air made me shiver, a cruel reminder that I was stuck here.I tried to catch a rat to ease my growling stomach, but I just got weaker, struggling against the hunger pains. My once lively spirit felt dimmed, and my attempts to keep some dignity were useless in this tough situation. My hair, usually tidy, now stuck to my forehead in a messy tangle, reflecting the disorder around me. The smell of my unwashed body lingered, a harsh reminder of how things had gotten.Loneliness pressed down on me like a heavy weight. The silence was only broken by the occasional sound of rodents scurrying around, my only buddies in this cold, lonely space. The wolf inside me seemed to share my hunger, a quiet partner in this tough time.Lying on the hard stone floor, time felt like it blurred. The rhythmic drip of water served as a haunting
Lily PovDaryl, a boy of about twelve, had a face that radiated youthful innocence, with smooth skin and a sprinkling of freckles across his nose. His eyes, a shade of hazel, sparkled with a curiosity that seemed to reach beyond his age, holding a glimmer of understanding.His hair, a sandy blond, was neatly combed, falling in gentle waves around his face. Daryl’s features were rounded and friendly, with a smile that revealed a set of braces, adding a touch of endearing charm. Despite his neat appearance, there was an approachability about him, making him seem less like a sharply dressed figure and more like a kid you could easily strike up a conversation with.This combination of innocent features and well-groomed charm created a personable aura around Daryl, a nice vampire who appeared more interested in connecting than intimidating.I couldn't help but notice this nice scent surrounding Daryl, a far cry from the adventurous aroma lingering on my more laid-back outfit. His hair was
Katherine PovA voice shattered the silence, sending a chill down my spine. "Well, would you look at that? Look what the trap caught this time."I froze, the color draining from my face. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut – I had been caught. The fear that had been lurking in the background now took center stage, and I clutched the stick tighter, my eyes darting around for any sign of Jude or an escape route. "Just wait till Lilith sees you."My heart raced as I realized the vampires had found me. The shadows that used to hide now closed in on me, and fear surged through me. I ran through the forest, trying to escape, but the vampires were too fast.The moon above made everything look strange, showing the twisted branches and tangled bushes. I knew I couldn’t outrun the supernatural beings chasing me, but I had to try to survive.In the dark, I missed the connection I had with the wolf inside me, the instinctive force I was absent because Frey was absent and I needed it a
Lily pov"Lily,"I felt like breaking down, tears stinging my dry eyes and clouding my vision. An overly familiar voice called my name, and instinctively, I responded, "Jude."My voice was low and cracked, but it echoed in the dimly lit corridor. Suddenly, there he was – Jude, my older brother, a comforting presence in the darkness.Without thinking, I rushed into his arms. His familiar smell brought me comfort, and I felt safe knowing he had come to rescue me.Jude's arms held me close, like a shield against the scary things that haunted me. In that moment, it was just us, and the worries of the dungeon faded away. Time seemed to stand still as I clung to him, grateful for my brother's protection.As my sobs lessened, I pulled back to look into Jude's eyes. He looked worried, but there was also strength and determination. He promised, "Lily, we're getting you out of here."“We?” My brows furrowed. “Yeah, come on.” Jude insisted, pulling me through the exit door. He looked down at m
Katherine povThey were waiting, we were all waiting. The so-called Lilith was in some meeting with important people, this was what one of the vampires who he captured me had said. Wherever it is they had taken me was big because every sound they made had an echo to back it up. Running away again was not the best idea so I just knelt down in my position, keeping my eyes open for the perfect opportunity to take action. “This better be good,” a feminine voice said. I heard footsteps from a distance, drawing closer with every step. It sounded like the female was on heels as with how fast the steps were, I could tell she was good with her shoes. She definitely had to be Lilith. “You’re going to love it my queen,” a man replied to her, following her steps as she briskly walked to me. Then the veil was removed from my head.The room finally came into view, along with everyone in it. There was a lady with a slander stature in front of me, I looked down at her legs to see she had red hee
Jude PovI felt like a storm was tearing through me, way more than just anger. Lily slowly explained how Brenda had betrayed us by teaming up with vampires. Each word hit me hard, making the environment feel heavy with Brenda's actions.Our once safe space now felt tense as I tried to understand everything. The air seemed thick, and the flickering light created eerie shadows on the walls, showing how messed up things had become in our pack.My anger got stronger, and you could see it in the way I clenched my fists and tightened my jaw. The trust we once had was broken, and bits of that strong bond now scattered across the emotions of our pack.Brenda's betrayal hurt deep, affecting everyone in our pack. Lily explained that Brenda envied me and Jade being mated to Katherine, making everything even more complicated. The air tasted bitter with betrayal, and the smell of broken alliances lingered.The surrounding seemed to soak in the seriousness of the situation, witnessing our relations
Katherine povThe room felt like it was holding its breath, waiting for something. The person's presence stirred up strong feelings, like I was a deer caught in the headlights, unable to escape what was coming.In that strange moment, the room turned into an emotional battleground. My heartbeats matched the fear and uncertainty in the air. I couldn't look away from the person, showing both fear and defiance. It was like a setup for a big confrontation, and their presence made everything even more complicated."Casto."“As I live and breathe,” his mischievous smirk plastered on his face. My heart thumped fast in my chest and I felt so nauseous that I believed I would vomit if I heard him speak again. My heart pounded in my chest as Casto strolled into the room, and horror washed over me. He hadn’t changed a bit, and the memories of what he was and the terrible things he had done flooded back. Fear seized me, freezing me in place, and my eyes widened with the chilling realization of h
Epilogue Katherine Pov “You’re going to die with the child in your womb.”I stood stunned as Castro revealed the shocking news – I had a baby growing inside me, amidst the fierce fight raging between us. This discovery hit me like a thunderbolt, as it began to make sense of the mysterious waves of sickness I had been experiencing lately.I had never even thought about the possibility of being pregnant. My reduced sense of smell and sight had gone unnoticed, and not even I or anyone else had picked up on the signs. The realization that I carried a new life within me was both thrilling and worrying, a bittersweet discovery in the middle of our clash.I grappled with the conflicting emotions rushing through me. On one hand, the news of my pregnancy filled me with a sense of wonder and the promise of a new life. Yet, the timing could not have been worse, as I found myself locked in a high-stakes duel with my sworn enemy, Castro.How Castro had uncovered this information remained a myste
Katherine Pov “A holmgang?” Castro raised his brows, laughing out loud for a moment. “Is something amusing to you?” I glared daggers his way. “I refuse,” he shrugged. “You can’t, even the council knows that you cannot do that. If you do, the entire kingdom will by law be forced to turn against you and pick a new ruler by themselves. Your head will be cut off and as will mine but unlike you, both our deaths are a price I’m willing to pay,” I explained, knowing that the consequences were too brutal for him to reject. His gaze changed from a playful smile to a death glare at me. I had fearlessly challenged my sworn enemy to a fight to the death, leaving him with no option to refuse. The stakes were incredibly high, and the outcome would determine both our fates.In my heart, I firmly believed that only two possibilities awaited us: either I would lose my life, or Casto would suffer his ultimate defeat. If I were to fail in the fight, I acknowledged that I had no rightful claim to r
Katherine povSusie.My heart skipped a beat, and I swiftly turned around to locate the source of the sound. However, my joy quickly turned to concern as I noticed Susie's mother hastily covering her mouth with her hand, her eyes pleading with me to stay away. She shook her head and I could have sworn I saw tears cloud her eyes. So I stepped back, I stopped. Seeing Susie brought me a sense of relief, knowing that she was safe, but I couldn't ignore the fear that clouded the expressions of both mother and daughter. It sent shivers down my spine.In that moment, my disdain for Casto intensified. They had stripped these people of their freedom, confining them in a state of constant fear and oppression. The sight reinforced my determination to fight against the oppressive forces that had taken hold of our once vibrant and free community.I lived these few months in joy while my people suffered and even now that I had returned, I was helpless and they remained hopeless. I felt a mix of
JADE PovMy blood boiled with anger as I watched the council's woeful display of decision-making. I couldn't fathom how they could be so blind to the consequences of their actions. Standing there with my brother and Jasmine, I had to endure the painful ordeal of hearing the council members' proposition.They callously suggested that we should return Jasmine, tearing her away from our side, and take back Katherine in a misguided attempt to avoid war and mitigate further loss. The very idea left a bitter taste in my mouth. How could they believe that sacrificing one person for the sake of appeasement would bring any true resolution?I clenched my fists, feeling an overwhelming surge of indignation. The council's incompetence enraged me. They failed to see the bigger picture, the human cost of their decisions. They were willing to play with lives, treating them like pawns on a chessboard.Jasmine stood beside me, her eyes filled with apprehension and vulnerability. I couldn't bear the th
Brenda Pov“Stop! Guys! Hold on!” I yelled at the top of my lungs, running after Jude, Jade, and Grey who seemed to be engrossed in a conversation and did not hear my cry from a distance or most likely chose to ignore me.“What the hell guys?!”My eyes shot wider when I heard him scream. “She has something to say,” Nathan added, his voice probably louder than mine. I felt a blossom inside me and wondered if this was what people referred to as butterflies in their bellies. However, I had no time to think about how Ethan made me feel. “Oh, apologies. We were too engrossed—”“They have her!” I remembered how much I was gasping for air from the shock and fear I got from panicking. “Katherine!”My words were broken down, but I believed they understood the message I was trying to give because right one cue, Jade and Jude dashed right past me, towards the direction of her room. Grey stayed behind though, his eyes widened in horror. “Who has?” He was the only one logical enough to get mo
Katherine povAfter what felt like hours, I finally reached the door. Stretching my hands out, I reached for the handle but instead of drawing closer, it drew farther away from me. It was being opened on the outside. “Well look who we have here!”I froze on my steps, chills running up and down my body knowing I was caught even before I could attempt to escape. The door to the barn had swung open and I just stood there in shock and fear of what might happen next. “I actually believed it was just a rumour that you were alive,” James said. James. He was one of the palace guards when my father ruled, he was always so quiet but there were times I heard him make funny jokes. “Is she awake?!” I heard someone yell from outside. “Yeah!” James yelled in return. I was caught already, I was done for. “Do as I say and play along if you want to live Katherine.”My eyes shot open in hope when I heard him whisper in a lower tone to me. Meeting him, I believed he had join forces with Casto a
Katherine povYou lied to me…You betrayed me…wake up.They’re all dead…You murderer, I’ll never forgive you….“Wake up!”I jerked my body out of the trance I was stuck in for a moment. It was a dream, a nightmare even. Like my entire life flashed before my eyes, every of the tragedy. My head hurt, banged at every corner of my scull. It felt like I was knocked out by a boulder. Frey was the one who dragged me out of the nightmare, it felt like it went on for years. Something was not right but I could not pin point it. I could not even open my eyes fast enough because of how bad my head felt. Eventually, my surroundings started to come into view and it looked nothing like my room or anywhere in the pack house. It reeked of shit, literal poop and that was the first sense that hit me. My sense of smell. It was horse shit and it was disgusting. Unfortunately, I was covered in it and there was nothing I could do about it at the moment. I tried to move but I couldn’t, not just because
Katherine Pov7:39 pm…I was being watched and I could feel it at the bottom of my belly. No one was in sight but I knew something or someone was following me. Every once in a while, I would swiftly turn around but the sensation vanishes once I look towards the direction. The commotion from this morning had come to an end before it was even noon, everyone had gone back to their daily lives, and the victims were admitted to the hospital. To my surprise, the council had not called for my attention concerning Jasmine but I believed Jude and Jade had something to do with it. Once again, I abruptly turned on my heels, trying to catch the made-believe stalker by surprise but I still ended up with the same result. Nothing. “Are you okay?” Sonia questioned for the umpteenth time and I nodded in approval. It was going to raise false alarms if I had called attention to how I felt at the moment, especially because the entire territory was on its toes. She was due in about a week or earlier t
Katherine Pov “Jasmine left the house in the middle of the night.” I blurted out, hoping to distract his attention from trying to seduce me. “Excuse me?” Jade raised a brow, retracting his hands from my waist and taking a step back. “Brenda and I found out last night and followed her into the woods,” I explained further, watching every bit of his expression, hoping he believed me. “You what?!” His eyes shot open and eventually turned into a glare. “You don’t need to get mad-”“What if something happened to you?” Jade crossed his arm before leaning against the wall behind him. “We did not leave the pack’s territory. Plus she just vanished into thin air and by the time we all woke up this morning, people lost body parts. Permanently,” I retorted, mirroring his glare, disappointed that he was more worried about my whereabouts than the safety of the pack. Jade went silent, staring blankly into the abyss as he got lost in his thoughts. I could almost not read his expression, but I k