Nikita's POVAs I slowly opened my eyes, the world around me was a blur—fuzzy and disorienting. My head felt heavy, and my body, though no longer in pain, felt strange. Like I had just woken from something long and overwhelming, but I couldn’t remember what. My heart raced as I tried to piece together the events of yesterday, but they came in flashes—bits and pieces that made no sense.I turned my head, looking around my room. Everything seemed the same—quiet, untouched—but there was something off about the stillness. I felt... different.Then, like a whisper in the back of my mind, I could still feel him. His hands. On my skin. A warmth lingered there, almost like a memory. But that couldn’t have been real. It couldn’t have. If it had been, then Rykor... he would be dead. I would have killed him.The confusion overwhelmed me, and I looked over to the chair near my bed. Empty. No sign of him. I let out a slow breath, trying to calm the storm rising in my chest. It was nothing but a d
Nikita's POVThe air was thick with the sounds of training, the sharp clang of swords and the grunts of exertion filling the clearing. Rykor stood at the front, demonstrating a series of moves to my pack. His voice was steady and strong as he gave instructions, his movements sharp and confident. I leaned against a nearby tree, arms crossed over my chest, watching him work with my pack. His focus was unwavering, but little did he know I was about to make it a little harder for him to stay that way.A mischievous grin curled up on my lips as I allowed my mind to wander. I let the memory of last night creep back into my thoughts, teasing the edges of my mind. I watched Rykor carefully, keeping my face stoic as I began to think of him.I could feel him—his presence, his warmth—even from where I stood. A small part of me relished the power I now had. He couldn’t focus. He couldn’t escape me.It wasn’t long before I saw his expression shift. His eyes flickered toward me, and just like that,
Rykor's POVWhen I finally returned to my kingdom, all I could think about was the chaos swirling in my head. Nikita’s presence, the pull between us, and the frustration of never being able to touch her when I wanted to—it was all too much. I needed to get away, clear my mind, and stop feeling like I was suffocating in my own thoughts. I headed straight for my room, throwing off my jacket and stripping down, needing a cold shower to shake off the heat of the day.The cold water hit my skin, and for a moment, it was the only thing that made sense. The chill didn’t dull the aching desire I felt for Nikita, but it gave me some brief clarity. I stood there, eyes closed, trying to fight the overwhelming emotions that were crashing into me from all sides.I wanted her. I wanted to hold her, feel her skin against mine, or just hold her hand, like a normal mates would do. But the curse, the bond, and everything about her—everything I had promised her I’d be okay with—was all a lie. It was nev
Nikita's POVIt had been three weeks since I had last seen Rykor. Part of me wondered if what I had done was too much—if I had pushed him too far and ruined whatever bond we had started to build. The other part of me, the one that always tried to protect itself, told me that it was for the best. I couldn’t afford to let myself feel too much, to let myself want someone I couldn’t have.Everything in my pack was going well. The training was becoming routine, and the members were starting to show real progress, thanks to Iian’s leadership. It was strange seeing them grow so quickly. They no longer looked at me with the same fear in their eyes. There was a hesitance, sure, but it was different. They had started to come to me more to ask for help and guidance. I was still getting used to the idea of treating people with kindness, and more than once, I had to remind myself to soften my words and to stop being so cold toward them. But it was working. Slowly, I could feel the walls I had bui
Nikita's POV“I came to you because I am worried about my alpha and how your relationship is affecting him.”I could feel the anger stirring inside me, tightening my chest. “There is no relationship between us,” I replied, my voice as cold as the distance I’d built between us.Thorne didn’t flinch. “Whether you choose to accept it or not, there is one. The bond you share with him is there, and for the past three weeks, he’s spent all his time travelling, trying to find a way to break this curse of yours. I fear it’s driving him insane.”His words hit me harder than I wanted them to. The knot in my chest tightened, but I refused to let him see it. “I did not ask him to do this,” I said, turning away to mask the flicker of emotion threatening to betray me. “So I don’t see how it is my problem.”I started to walk away, but Thorne’s voice stopped me in my tracks. “My mate died,” he said, the pain in his voice unmistakable. “When I first found out she was dying from an illness with no cure
Rykor's POV:The past three weeks had been an endless cycle of travel, research, and frustration. I had scoured every corner, seeking out any knowledge, any solution that could break Nikita’s curse. Every step, every turn, led to nothing but failure. My mind was exhausted, my body weary, but I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t give up. Not when it came to her.I’d visited places where others had been cursed before, hoping for a miracle. But everywhere I went, the result was the same—the cursed person had died, sometimes within months, sometimes within years. The curse, no matter how it manifested, always claimed its victim.The most recent place I’d visited was a vampire clan, a group of immortals. If anyone could beat this curse, it would be them. One of their members had been cursed after massacring a clan of witches. As the vampire took the last witch’s life, she cast the curse upon him. That had happened over a hundred years ago.I arrived at their clan, weary but determined. The village
Nikita’s POV:I had been sitting in his room for hours, the weight of time pressing on me as I waited. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but part of me hoped he would return and be able to give me some kind of answer, some solution to this pain I was causing him. But now, as I stood up and paced the room, I felt the creeping feeling that I might be wasting my time. I was about to leave when I felt him—his presence drawing near.He was coming.I stopped in my tracks, standing by the window, trying to steady myself. When the door finally opened, I saw him.Rykor.But he didn’t look like himself. His face was drawn, the exhaustion in his eyes clearer than ever. He looked... older. The fire that had once burned in him seemed dimmer, and my heart ached for him. The guilt, the weight of knowing I was the cause of his pain, twisted inside me."Nikita," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "What are you doing here?"I stood there for a moment, the words in my mouth heavy. "I was worried ab
Nikita's POV:As I made my way back to the palace, I felt something shift inside me. The walk felt longer than normal; the air around me seemed thick, pressing down on my chest. My head throbbed with an intensity that was like no other headache I had ever had, and a weakness washed over me, leaving me with the unsettling feeling that something was very wrong.I tried to shake it off, but the feeling didn’t go away. I felt dizzy, my legs heavy with each step, as though the weight of my own body had become unbearable. Something was happening to me, and I knew what it was.As I entered the palace, I was greeted by Iian, who immediately fell into his usual routine, handing me a report on the pack.“Alpha Nikita,” he began, his voice steady as always. “The training sessions are going well. The pack has been more disciplined than ever today, thanks to Rykor’s guidance. They’re learning fast. More members have joined. I’ve had a few of the more experienced wolves help train the younger ones,
Rykor's POVMy cries reverberated through the air, each scream a visceral wail of helplessness and fury. “Nikita!” The word tore from my throat, slicing through the cacophony of voices and chaos around me. But nothing seemed real, nothing tangible except the image of Nikita's unmoving form on the cold, harsh ground. Pain speared through me, raw and unforgiving, as if her injury was mirrored in my heart.I thrashed against the guards' hold, instincts screaming to reach her. Hands gripped my arms, pinning me back, their voices an incomprehensible roar in my ears. Nothing mattered but the need to see her breathe, a flicker of life that would extinguish the darkness threatening to consume me.“Help her! Somebody help her!” I bellowed, my voice cracking with desperation. The Elder's voice cut through, a barrier of authority I couldn't breach. "Enough! No one touches her!"Rage erupted within me like a wildfire, igniting violence in my veins. I fought with every ounce of strength, clawing
Nikitas PovI stood there, watching Yuri come rushing towards me, his sword ready to end my life. I didn't flinch or move; it was a decision I had made. If dying by his hand meant my pack would be safe from the chaos and destruction he course, then so be it. The bite of fear was absent, replaced instead by a serene acceptance of my fate.Yuri's scream echoed in the air as he made one final leap. Time seemed to slow, his approach taking eons. I closed my eyes, waiting for the cold kiss of steel and the subsequent void. The strike connected with a disturbingly soft sound, a sharp, searing pain slicing through my torso. Reflexively, I let out a gasping breath, opening my eyes to see the sword penetrating through me. It was surreal, like watching someone else succumb to their destiny.The blood that welled forth wasn't red but a deep, tar-like black. The curse. It seemed to mock every iota of ordinary life, even now. I glanced down, seeing Rykor pinning Yuri to the ground, fists raining d
Rykor's povI sat there listening to Iian speak with a conviction that pulled at the threads of my own heart. Every word he said resonated with the truth I'd come to understand about Nikita. Her curse was her burden, but she bore it with a grace most would never recognize. A light flickered within her despite the shadow of her curse, and it was that light I found myself drawn to.As Iian finished speaking, his loyalty unwavering and raw, I realised there was a shift in the room. The crowd, once baying for Nikita's blood, now murmured with confusion and uncertainty. The Elders, perched in their positions of power, leaned back, absorbing the weight of Iian's testimony. Yuri's mouth twisted into a sneer, a snake coiled and ready to strike, yet Iian didn't flinch."If you sentence my Alpha to death today," Iian started again, the weight of his words sinking into every corner of the room, "then you will need to do the same to me. Because I promise you, I will make you pay for this injustic
Nikita’s POV: "Very well then," his voice cut through the tension, rubbing the bridge of his nose with weariness. "Nikita Dalbullas, you have been called upon by the council to account for your actions and those of your fathers."I sat motionless, listening as he continued, the words like stones thrown into the quiet sea of the chamber."We have reviewed all your father's records," he said, anger shadowing his voice. “Alongside the documents presented today. There are reports from your own pack members listing the changes you have implemented. Yet…” He paused, looking directly at me, his eyes darkened with judgment. "The crimes you have committed are too severe to ignore. Despite the improvements in your leadership, you have continued to break our laws."The sudden creak of doors echoed through the room, and I turned instinctively. What I saw made my heart sink. Iian and other rogues I had welcomed into my pack were being forced into the room, iron shackles on their wrists, the clank
Nikita's POVThe iron cuffs, cold and unforgiving, chafed at my wrists as I sat in the dimly lit room. My eyes traced the intricate designs etched into the metal, memories of their purpose flooding my mind. The Elders’ guards had ushered Rykor away, putting him into another room. I wanted to ask him about the book he had given them; every journal besides the one that I had kept had already been given to the elders, so what was written in the one he had given them?Time crept forward like a burdensome fog, each second a haunting echo that seemed to stretch into eternity. The weight of my fate pressed heavily on me. I hated waiting, not knowing what was to become of me. Finally, after what felt like hours, the door creaked open, an Elder stepping forward. “Nikita,” his voice boomed. “We are ready for you now.”My heart raced as I stood and followed him down the corridor I wasn't scared, but I couldn't control it. Each step was a countdown to an uncertain destiny, the echoes in the hall
Rykors povAs I emerged from the carriage, the crisp coolness of Elder City enveloped me. My eyes immediately caught sight of another carriage, the insignia unmistakable. Nikita was already here. My heart sank. I had hoped to reach the Elders before her, to plead her case, to argue that her past did not define her future. Her father's sins should not be her shackles.Without wasting another moment, I strode towards her carriage. The driver, a grizzled man with weary eyes, acknowledged me with a nod. “Where is she?” I demanded, urgency slipping into my voice."In the council chamber," he replied. "Been there for hours. The Elders are not treating her well; it doesn’t bode well for her."My pulse quickened as I dashed up the stone steps, each one feeling like an eternity. When I burst through the heavy oak doors, my gaze immediately fell upon her. Nikita was seated on a rough wooden bench, her eyes cast downward, fixed on her cuffed hands. Her cloak covered her tremors of uncertainty, a
Nikitas pov I turned on my heel, and there he was—Yuri. His face had barely changed since the last time I saw him, the same predatory glint in his eyes, the same smirk poised to taunt. I felt my heart thud heavily against my chest, an instinctive response, a reminder of the hatred lying dormant but never forgotten."Yuri," I said, my voice carrying the chill of winter past. Just the sound of his name seemed to scrape against my soul, dredging up memories I'd fought to bury.He started toward me, his steps deliberate, eyes roving as though he were cataloguing every aspect of my discomfort. "This look suits you," he taunted, his gaze lingering on the iron kissed by the shadows of my cloak.A stirring of dread rippled through me, but I stood firm, defiance simmering beneath my skin. "I don't need my hands to kill you," I replied, each word tempered with steel.Instead of retreating, Yuri laughed, the sound echoing like shards of glass in the empty hall. "We've been here before, Nikita.
Nikitas pov As dawn began to drape the horizon with its gentle light, I found myself cloaked in solitude, nestled within the carriage that would escort me to the Elders' city. The rhythmic clatter of the wheels against the cobblestones was a soundtrack that matched the tumultuous cadence of my thoughts. I preferred to travel alone, with no guards, not even Iian by my side. This was a journey I had to undertake without them. After all, there was little sense in dragging others into the focal point of my fate—a fate heavy with the sins of my father.The outline of the Elders' city emerged intricately against the morning light. I clutched my father’s journal tightly under the folds of my cloak. Its presence was both a source of comfort and a haunting reminder of the legacy I had inherited. My father had managed to evade justice for the crimes he committed, shaping me into a creature burdened by the weight of his misdeeds. Yet, the irony remained—I would come to answer for his sins, to f
Nikitas pov I sat there, the journal trembling in my hands, as Rykor's presence hovered like a storm cloud ready to break. The air was thick with unspoken tension, a silent acknowledgment of the darkness that lingered within these stone walls. My father's last words echoed in my mind, unravelling decades of pain and regret that had been woven into the fabric of my existence."Nikita, are you ready for us to start taking the journals and having them loaded?" Iian's voice cut through the air, a gentle reminder that time was slipping away. I could see the worry etched in his face, a depth of concern that threatened to reach me through the steel-enforced walls I'd built around my heart.Before I could respond, Rykor's voice, full of urgency, interjected. "You can't let her do this, Nikita. The Elders will not be kind once they read all of this."The weight of Rykor’s plea pressed on me like a boulder teetering on the edge of a cliff. I met his gaze, holding my ground, not letting any sig