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.
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
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
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
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
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 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
Nitkita's povThe grand hall of our ancestral mansion was opulent, draped in the deepest crimson tapestries and illuminated by the flickering light of golden chandeliers. It felt both majestic and intimidating. My parents, the formidable Alpha Vladimir and Luna Katarina, sat alongside me at the head of the room. I was only a child at six years old.Father's eyes were a glacier of contempt as the doors to the grand hall creaked open. A frail figure stepped inside, his posture slumped as if bearing the weight of the world. His name was Alpha Dominic, the leader of a small, faltering pack on the outskirts of our territory. His eyes darted nervously but determinedly around the room until they landed on my father's face."Alpha Vladimir," he began, his voice quivering with desperation, "I come to you in dire need. My pack is on the verge of annihilation. The Rogues... they are merciless."Father raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his gilded chair. Mother remained unperturbed, her eyes fixe
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