Damon's Pov:
I hate the rain, I thought as I glared out at the rain-soaked trees, droplets of water sliding down the window pane like tears. I turned away from the downpour seeking something to distract myself with, but the cloud outside seemed to have dampened my mind as memories came rushing down to me. Laughter, music, champagne toasts. The Wolvenstar family preferred to live within nature itself. Thus, we lived in a mansion on the outskirts of a forest. That way, whenever we shifted we could run straight into the forest, our real home. Today was the day my eldest brother, Mark, had bonded; he laughed loudly at the head of the table as his mate, Charlotte, now Wolvenstar, smiled timidly as she sat on his lap. Poor girl, my brother would be the death of her soon enough. The house was two hundred years old, a legacy built on sugar and spices; their family was one of the elite of the Werewolves in New Orleans high society; they were happy , everyone feasting, clinking glasses, downing beers, yet for some reason I was sad, angry even. The memories began to curdle like milk left too long, which was weird, I thought. The laughter was louder, the drinking more maniac as the resounding jazz music warped into a discordant scream. I could see my family's faces begin to warp in horror as a firm hand suddenly grabbed my shoulder from behind; I turned sharply, and what I saw made my stomach churn as I stared into the eyes of some distant cousin, eyes froze in shock, blood streaming down his face like blood. I screamed as I stumbled backward on something, not something, I realized as I fell backward on my father's body, still in wolven form, his black fur sticky with blood, his spine jutting out of his back. Master Damon Blood was everywhere; the crimson liquid splattered all across the marble floor like rubies on beach sand . Glass shattering around. The smell of death growing stronger. “Master Damon!" a voice jolted me violently from my memories, I stumbled backward, gasping for air. The rain was still heavy; the tang smell overwhelmed my senses. My butler, Daiki loomed over me, eyes looking concerned as he handed over a small bottle of scotch to me. Good man, I thought as I took a swig, inhaling before throwing my head backward. “You should go out more," he muttered softly, “holing yourself in this horror would do you no good." I sighed. The old man doesn't understand. My very presence would send the others shivering in fright, sure Daiki doesn't mind, but I have a very bad reputation.“Demon Alpha", they call me. Going out more would just make the others feel endangered; it is best to keep to myself. “You say it like it's a bad thing", Malakai, my wolf snorted. “ I would frighten away half the city, Daiki," I laughed, “besides ,I have a meeting with the mayor tonight anyway; that's going out enough.” " Very well, “ he sighed as I handed the scotch back to him," Would you be attending the bonding ceremony next week, sir? “. My jaw dropped," I don't need a mate”, I groaned. Daiki had tried for the last five years to make me attend the yearly Lycan bonding ceremony and five times have I refused him. I was surprised he hadn't given up. " Everyone needs a mate”, he insisted as he paused at the entrance of the room. I smiled weakly," Good thing I'm not everyone “. The dimly lit alleyway was a contrast away from the city's bustling streets, but I preferred it that way: less attention, less screamers. As expected, the mayor kept shivering; he y the idea of being alone with the 'Demon Alpha.' A portly man in his forties, he wiped a sheen of cold sweat on his forehead, fidgeting with his signet ring as he glanced briefly at me. My voice was smooth and low, but I could feel his heart beat faster in fright. “You asked to meet here, Larry". “Yes of course ", he said as he swallowed down, trying and failing to compose himself, “It's about what you asked for the last time we spoke" " And”, I raised my brows expectantly. " We found traces of him,” the mayor started," he's been all over New Orleans; the last place he was sighted was the seventh ward; we should find him soon.” " He's throwing them off his trails,” I whispered to Malakai , as I leaned against the wall, lighting up a cigarette " Sorry? “, he asked, feeling nervous again. " Tell your men to avoid Lakeview," I simply said, “I have a feeling he would return there". As I started to leave, Larry grabbed me by the hand, his trembling. I stared back at him icily, a growl emanating from my wolf through me as I glanced at where our hands met. “I.. if.. he would be there, shou.. shouldn't we be there rather than avoiding it". “Then you would have a lot of bodies to bury,” I said as his hands dropped back at his sides," Goodbye, mayor,” I muttered as I stalked off to find the first underworld around. The underworld was strings of exclusive nightclubs for werewolves; there were places where humans wouldn't stumble into, lest they find themselves as unwilling prey. They were the most dangerous part of the city and the only place where no one would recognize me due to the body paint smudged all over our bodies. A place where I was free, where no one knows who's who, a place where I could go wild. The nightclub pulsed with the energy of the French Quarter as I stalked in, smudging crimson paint across my face, neon lights dancing across the crowded room. With a quick stride, I swung upwards into the top box, landing lightly on my feet. Two female werewolves, omegas, were already there kissing roughly, hands tangled tightly in each other's hair as they growled, the air thick with smoke, sweat, and perfume. Smelling me, they paused, turning towards me, and grinning stupidly, green paint smearing their faces. “How about you join us, darling?" one of them crooned, stroking one of her fingers with her tongue. I grimaced, “Carry on, don't mind me at all". The other one rose, prowling slowly towards me, “Why? You look familiar", she drawled. I stiffened, “I suppose?". “Big, strong Aristocraté", she continued, “Are you an Alpha?we rarely see those". “Perhaps", I smiled, my fingers drumming sharply against the railing, as I gazed at the revelers below, their faces a kaleidoscope of colors. Sensing my impatience, she stalked off with a snort, her lover cradling her head as they went back to their kissing. I sighed. I was prepared to rip both throats open if they showed even a hint of recognizing who I was. I needed a drink, I thought, and was about to drop down when I noticed her. She was dancing without care; her raven hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall in the dark as she swung her head to the bass music, her body moving to its seductive rhythm. Her face was smudged in paint but her blue eyes sparkled like the sea, the sea under the morning light. She seemed unbound by anything like a free bird. I felt a pull, an inexplicable one as if she was the very center of the world; everything else blurring. A redhead guy walked up to her, whispering something at her which she laughed at. As he pulled her away from the dancing, I could make out bruises on her arms. They were faint, healed, but as an alpha, there were things others couldn't see that I could still notice, it was a wound by a Lycan. Those abominations, I seethed in anger. My hands suddenly gripped the bars of the railing in anger, so hard that they were beginning to bend and screech, my guttural snarl frightening away the kissing omegas. Why was I angry? I had no idea.Olivia's Pov: Two months. I had been divorced and for the first time in ages, I felt young and I took full advantage of it, I spent my time clubbing at night and painting at my gallery by day transferring my feelings onto canvas including my recent one being that of a dark haired Lycan, a gash tearing across one of his eyes. Those were things that I didn't really had the time to do when I was with Lucien, he was an uptight guy who didn't really fancy the idea of his mate running around all over New Orleans. He was quite paranoid for a Lycan. I didn't really get him, sometimes he was a sweet guy, dolling me up with presents, taking me out to see a movie once in a while, you would think he was a nearly perfect husband, but then there were the other times. The times when he would lose control to his wolf, werewolves were supposed to control their wolves to their will, not the other way around, it wasn't exactly an easy thing to do, it had took me five years to take full control o
Olivia's pov: The bonding itself was about to begin, although the entire ceremony traditionally starts with a member of each of the nine aristocraté families blessing the Werewolf community for the coming days till the next ceremony.It was an ancient rite that had endured till now. That was the boring part though, the interesting part was about to begin as murmurs and whispers amongst the crowd grew louder. “I bet a hundred dollars Amelia Blackwater would bond with Diego Porter", Ben grinned. " Wait”, I laughed," people bet over this? “ " It raises the stakes “, he said. His face became serious." I bet you would bond tonight “. I rolled my eyes as he held my face in his hands. " The stakes are against you, darling," he said, smiling again, “but please don't make me lose a thousand dollars," he pleaded. “A thousand !", I exclaimed as I glared at him, “i can't believe you just threw away a thousand bucks, you idiot". He leaned back, breathing deeply as he wriggled his
OLIVIA’s POVThe air still buzzed with tension as I stumbled away from the podium. My chest heaved, my legs wobbly from the lingering effects of the wolfsbane. I barely registered the gasps and murmurs around me. All I could think about was them. Lucien.The Demon Alpha.I had bonded with two mates. Two powerful mates.My palms grew clammy, and I clutched at the nearest pillar for support. The weight of their gazes bore into me—Lucien’s a storm of rage and resentment, while the Demon Alpha’s was cold, calculated, and terrifying possessive.Before I could steady my breath, the Demon Alpha stepped forward. His towering frame sliced through the crowd like a blade, and his voice, smooth yet commanding, cut through the whispers. “She is mine.”The words echoed in the hall, silencing every conversation. My heart stopped. Lucien surged forward, his growl reverberating through the room. “No. She’s mine.”I flinched as the tension crackled between them. Their energy filled the space, suffoc
Olivia’s POV“We’re not alone,” the Demon Alpha said, his voice low and menacing. The shadows around us shifted, and my heart thudded in my chest. Lucien tensed beside me, his hand twitching like he was preparing to shift. The sharp scent of an unfamiliar cologne reached me just before a figure stepped into the clearing.My father.Alpha Aaron.Dressed in his usual pristine uniform, he carried the same cold authority that had always made me feel small. His steely gray eyes flicked from Lucien to the Demon Alpha before finally settling on me.“Olivia,” he drawled, his lips curling in disdain. “I didn’t think it was possible for you to disgrace this family further, but I see I underestimated you.”I froze under his gaze, his words striking like a whip.“Father,” I began, trying to steady my voice, “I didn’t—”“Didn’t what?” he interrupted sharply. “You think I don’t know? Two mates, Olivia Black? Two!” He spat the words out like they were poison. “You’ve gone from being a weak excuse o
Lucien’s POVIt was raining again, the kind of storm that felt alive, clawing at the walls and windows with an unrelenting fury. The sound of water hitting the earth was deafening, a reminder of the chaos that mirrored my life, a reminder of how far I’d fallen. Two months of storms—one inside me, the other out there. I watched the rain, my forehead pressed against the cold glass, as if the chill could numb the mess swirling in my head. The room was cold, but I didn’t light the fire. I welcomed the chill; it was better than the suffocating heat of my wolf “Zephyr”clawing at the edges of my mind. His growl was consistent now, low and menacing, a reminder that I was barely holding it together. The cold glass beneath my fingers felt grounding, but it did little to drown out the memories that surged like the relentless storm outside. I pressed my forehead to the glass, my breath fogging the surface, and tried to drown out the storm inside. But it was no use. Tonight, the memories were lo
Lucien’s POVThe room was quiet, but not the silence of peace—no, this was the kind of quiet that pressed against my skull, amplifying every thought, every memory. It was Olivia’s voice that haunted me, her laughter echoing through the cracks of my sanity. And then, the lingering image of him, Damon, standing too close to her, their bond shimmering like a blade poised to cut me out of her life completely.Zephyr stirred restlessly, his growl rumbling in the back of my mind. ‘Weak. We lost her because you were weak, you were a coward.’ His words clawed at me like a glass, sharp and unforgiving.“Shut up,” I snarled, pacing the length of my quarters.But Zephyr didn’t stop. ‘She doesn’t belong to you anymore. She never did. Look at yourself—pathetic. You can’t even control me, let alone her fate.’I grabbed the whiskey glass from the side table, its amber liquid sloshing dangerously close to the edge. My reflection stared back at me from the mirror across the room, pale and gaunt, with
Damon’s POVMy study was a cavern of silence, the only light coming from the silver of moonlight creeping through the cracks of the heavy curtains. It cast eerie shapes on the walls, but I didn’t bother looking at them. I sat in my chair, back to the door, staring at nothing. The weight of the evening pressed against my chest, threatening to suffocate me. Olivia Black.Her name alone was a curse, ringing through my thoughts, unrelenting and cruel. Malakai, my wolf, had been uncharacteristically quiet all night, save for the occasional growl when her scent invaded my senses. It was maddening, this pull, this bond that I neither wanted nor asked for.I closed my eyes, leaning back in the chair as the memories of the mating ceremony replayed in my mind.I had walked into that hall expecting a dull, pointless event—just another show of wolves looking to secure alliances through a mate bond. But then I saw her. Olivia.She’d been standing by the far corner, her dark green dress flowing l
Olivia’s POVThe garden was quiet, save for the faint rustle of the wind teasing the leaves. It should’ve been a peaceful place, a sanctuary from the chaos of the last few days, but tonight it felt heavy, like the weight of the world had settled here with me. I sat on the cold stone bench, head buried between my knees, arms wrapped tightly around myself. The crisp night air bit at my skin, but I barely noticed. My thoughts were louder than the wind, circling endlessly as I tried to make sense of the mess I was in.What would my mother say if she was here?She would’ve known what to do. She always did. But now, all I had were memories of her voice, faint whispers of advice that felt so far out of reach.The sound of footsteps crunching against the gravel path pulled me from my thoughts. I didn’t bother looking up, too tired to care who it was.“Figured I’d find you here.”That voice.I lifted my head slowly, my swollen eyes meeting the familiar grin of Ben. He stood a few steps away,
BEN’S POVThe air in the room was suffocating, a mix of tension, sweat, and the faint metallic tang of blood. Lucien was stable now—or at least as stable as a man battling the darkness within could be. Nana hovered over him like a sentinel, her trembling hands betraying the calmness she tried to portray. I stood by the door, my back pressed against the cool wood, my mind spinning with too many thoughts.Lucien. Olivia. Everything. I couldn’t help but let my eyes drift back to Lucien, lying unconscious on the bed. His face was pale, almost translucent, and his breaths came in shallow, ragged intervals. The man I had come to admire looked nothing like the unshakable figure I had always seen. The curse was eating him alive, and tonight it had almost won.But my thoughts weren’t on Lucien for long. They never were these days.They were with Olivia.“Ben,” Nana’s voice was soft but firm, pulling me out of my thoughts. She was kneeling beside Lucien, dabbing at his sweat-soaked brow with a
NANA POV:The banging had stopped. I pressed my ear against the heavy oak door, my heart in my throat as I strained to hear even the faintest sound. But all I got was silence—a terrifying, suffocating silence that made my skin crawl.“Lucien!” I shouted again, pounding my fists against the door. “Please, open up! I can help you, I swear!”But I knew better.This wasn’t the first time. I had witnessed his curse consume him like this before. Yet each time, it felt like a blade piercing deeper into my chest. He never let anyone in, even when it meant he’d tear himself apart trying to fight it. I stood there for a moment longer, my forehead pressed against the cold wood, my breaths shaky. “Please…” I whispered, my voice cracking.Nothing.I clenched my fists and stepped back, panic clawing at me. He needed me, and yet he wouldn’t let me near him. I couldn’t stand idly by, knowing what he was going through behind that door. The guttural pain , the darkness clawing at his mind, the violen
LUCIEN The door slammed shut behind me with a force that rattled the frame, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the echoes of my own words. The moment I took my first step inside, the walls seemed to close in on me, like a predator circling its prey. My ribs ached with shallow breath, the injury Vladimir inflicted burning like a fire that refused to be extinguished. I pressed my palm against the wound, trying to steady myself, but the pressure only seemed to intensify the pain.Despite that I was glad I finally stood up to him—to Archimedes, my supposed father. Every single thought I’d buried for eighteen years, every ounce of resentment I’d swallowed just to survive in Archimedes’ shadow, it had all come pouring out like a flood I couldn’t stop. And yet, as the silence of the room closed in around me, the weight of my anger didn’t dissipate.I paced back and forth, my ribs protesting with each jarring step. The confrontation replayed in my head, every word laced with venom. I could s
CLAIRE POVThe moon hung low outside, its pale light casting an ethereal glow over the Black Pack estate. I pulled the door to Aaron’s study shut behind me, careful to ensure the latch clicked softly. The servant boy’s whispers about Olivia’s abduction still lingered in the air, and I could feel Aaron’s tension even through the closed door. But my concern was an act, a mask I wore with practiced ease. Inside, I seethed. I descended the staircase with measured grace, ensuring the guards and pack members who lingered about the estate saw nothing but the poised and elegant Luna. My face was a picture of worry, my steps purposeful, as though I was heading off to orchestrate the search for Olivia. Instead, I walked out into the cool night air, the crisp wind biting against my skin. The moment I was alone, my composure shattered. A wicked smile spread across my lips, and I scoffed quietly to myself. Poor little Olivia, I thought, my fingers tracing the edge of my robe. If only they knew.
DAMON POVThe night air clung to me like a shroud as I stepped out of Lucien’s home. The cool breeze, heavy with the scent of pine and rain-soaked earth, did little to soothe the storm brewing within me. I shoved my hands deep into my coat pockets, my jaw clenched as I fought to keep my composure.I was Damon Fallenstar, the enforcer, the lone wolf who never flinched in the face of danger. I’d built walls around myself so high that even I had forgotten what it felt like to be vulnerable. But tonight, every brick in that wall seemed to crumble under the weight of my own thoughts.The events of the past days looped in my mind like a broken record. Olivia’s scream, the clash of claws against flesh, and the overwhelming sense of helplessness that had taken hold of me as Vladimir overpowered me. He’d taken her—he’d taken her while I was way too busy satisfying my sexual hunger, he’d taken her while I was way too busy fighting my way out of his ambush.I exhaled sharply, my breath visible i
AARON The mirror was a liar.Every night it reflected a man I hardly even recognized anymore. Silver strands streaked through my once jet-black hair, etched lines marred the corners of my eyes, and my mouth—once firm and resolute—was now an exhausted frown. But what struck me most was the hollowness in my gaze. That, no mirror could conceal.Tonight was no different. Seated in front of the wide, ornate mirror in my chamber, I stared at the man who had failed at being a father, failed at being a mate—a husband, and perhaps even failed as an Alpha.My fingers drummed against the armrest of the chair as I thought of her—Olivia. My daughter. My once precious child. My flesh and blood. And yet, when I looked at her, all I could see was Natalie. That same soft auburn hair, that determined chin, and those eyes—eyes that haunted me every waking moment.Four years. For four years, I had treated Olivia like she was a ghost, a cruel reminder of the woman who vanished without a trace, leaving no
Lucien’s POVThe tension in the room was suffocating. Damon's eyes were fixed on me, expectant yet probing. I could feel his presence like an iron grip around my chest, demanding answers I wasn’t ready to give. His question hung in the air like a guillotine, and the weight of his gaze bore into me.“When did Olivia get the Mate Tattoo?” he asked again, his voice low, controlled, but edged with an undercurrent of something dangerous.I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, leaning back with an exaggerated exhale to buy myself time. The sharp sting from the wound Vladimir left on my ribs wasn’t helping my focus. My shirt was soaked with blood, and Damon’s attempt to speed up my recovery process by summoning his Alpha trait had been helpful. But none of that mattered right now.How was I supposed to explain this without exposing everything? I glanced at Damon from the corner of my eye. He was standing near the doorway, his posture rigid as he awaited my response. I could tell he already ha
Damon POVThe night air stung my skin, cold and unyielding, as I stood at the cabin’s threshold. Blood painted the forest floor, mingling with the metallic tang of sweat and death. The chaos of the battle still buzzed in my head like an unrelenting storm, but my focus was on Lucien, cradling Olivia’s limp body against his chest.His hands were trembling. Not from weakness—I’d seen Lucien take blows that would have shattered another man. No, this was different. He clutched her as if letting go would mean losing her forever. But the deep slash Vladimir had carved into his ribs was still bleeding, the dark stain spreading across his torn shirt. “Lucien,” I called sharply, stepping closer. His eyes snapped to mine, a feral glint in them, but the pain lurking behind his gaze dulled their intensity.“You can’t carry her,” I said, nodding toward his side. “You’re barely holding yourself together.”“I’ll manage,” he ground out, his voice strained.“Stop being a fool,” I snapped. “You’ll drop
VLADIMIR POVThe night’s chill bit at my skin as I fled through the dense forest, the crunch of dead leaves beneath my boots masking the sound of my labored breaths. The moon, full and luminous, mocked me from above. Her light spilled through the canopy like the sneer of a silent enemy.They had ruined everything.I leapt over a fallen log, my muscles burning from the exertion. My body screamed at me to stop, to rest, but I couldn’t afford the luxury of weakness. Not now. Not when my enemies had already proven they were more relentless than I had anticipated. My hand shot out to grip a low-hanging branch for balance, but I miscalculated. A sharp splinter jabbed into my palm, and I hissed, more out of frustration than pain. Blood welled from the wound, dripping onto the forest floor, but I didn’t stop.Not until I was far enough away.The memory of their interference burned in my mind. Lucien, the Alpha and a Lycan—a beast born of power and wrath. Damon, the Alpha, with sharp instinct