Elena's POV I was dropped off unconscious into this room or so I think because I didn't have any memory of being carried here. At least whoever it was had the common sense to lie me down on my stomach because my back was hurting like hell. The few times I gained cognizance of my surroundings, the pain was so intense and overwhelming that I couldn't even think. I blacked out, seeking the peace of the darkness. Unfortunately, I couldn't be unconscious all the timeI would have shifted to my wolf form to alleviate the pain but the shackles bound to my wrist and legs were much bigger than I was, and even if I did chances of escaping were very slim. Tears seeped down into my tiny bed as I thought about the endless months, and years, that lay spanned out before me. Continous, persistent torture.I was able to survive two years with them, but now that I've seen and experienced what it's like to be free, to be loved, I don't think I can survive even a month before they successfully brok
Valerian's POV I picked up a pebble and threw my hand as far back as I could before I tossed it into the sea, watching it sail before falling into the water with a splash.I repeated it several times, finding comfort in the motion as I tried to think about the space in my bed when I woke up every morning. When I would roll over, expecting to encounter a familiar shape on the bed but touching nothing, or was it her scent on the sheets that taunted me every time no matter how I tried to block it out?The huge, gaping hole in my chest anytime her face flashes in my mind.A bird flew past, perching on a washed-up log, squeaking loudly at me, then bent over to peck at the log, fishing for something before flying away. I watched it go, tracing its figure in the sky until I couldn't see it anymore.The motion reminded meof a memory I had with Elena while we stayed in bed.She was still asleep. She had no idea I was watching her, my head propped up on my hand, smiling at the little noises sh
Elena's POV I'd been biding my time until I could escape, making friends or trying to make friends.Elyse certainly didn't make it easy, asides from being the whole obedient and submissive servant, she was a total bitch to me.I didn't complain though, seeing as she misbehaved cunningly, only when we were alone.Zayn and Ethan misused my body on several occasions, brutalizing my body so badly allowing me to heal before repeating the process all over again.When Zayn let me know the sheer amount of army they now control, I sunk into deep despair and depression thinking about how I would live out the rest of my life like this.Everything changed though when I found out...I was pregnant.Zayn or Ethan was successful in their breeding attempts over the past weeks.I tried to hide that fact for as long as I could, but I forgot I was surrounded by powerful shifters, no matter how I bundled myself up, Elyse was the first to know.She detected the change in my scent as soon as she stepped i
Elena's POV I retired to my room earlier than I expected to.I had to get away from that place before I did something crazy like stabbing Zayn in his neck to keep him from talking.I feigned a slight headache and left them to their plottings.My stomach rumbled out loud in a protest for food and I wished I had eaten more at the dinner table.It was already too late to ting the kitchen. The food was absolutely amazing no doubt, but after that unexpected bombshell, my mates casually dropped on me, every bite of food I ingested tasted like ash in my mouth, until I could force myself to eat no more, gulping down water to fill my stomach up.After leaving, I was escorted straight back here where I quickly stripped off my outfit because I felt like at that moment, it was going to choke me to death, then I submerged myself in the bathtub.My eyes strayed to where I hung the dress for Elyse to come to pick it up in the morning.It was actually very beautiful to behold.A white silk gown hel
Elena's POV Our plan to fool Zayn and Ethan was working, coming together splendidly.They didn't suspect a thing.I had to go back to my mates and be more submissive in the hopes that they would buy it, and men, was I surprised.It seemed like it was all they ever wanted.They started treating me like I was a part of their pack.This way I was able to get closer to them to get more information to feed to Valerian via the mind link.I was still in shock that I was able to form one with him since I'm not mated to him or a member of his pack.I was so afraid that it was a one-time thing and I might not get the opportunity to talk to him again, that I made him stay up late talking about various things from serious topics like 'what would happen if our plan didn't work?'and too mundane, silly topics 'like if we were to be a type of animal for the rest of our lives, which would it be?' I talked till I fell asleep then woke up in a panic only for me to still find him there.We had to lear
Elena's POV"Your plan is amazing, it just has only one flaw." I blurt out the question that has been brewing in my mind before I realized what I did, pushing a hand to cover my mouth but too late.All eyes turned to me, Zayn's shining with anger."What do you mean dear girl?"The quiet man asked, the force of his intense gaze trained on me a bit overwhelming."I-I…" my eyes trailed over to Zayn where he watched me with an unreadable yet calm expression on his face. "Go on, explain." I gulped and rushed the words out."Won't they be suspicious since she ran into you guys?" "Will they? Not if we deliver her battered and all bruised up."The beefy guy chuckled, his eyes dancing with mirth as if beating someone up was something to laugh about."I didn't -" ...finish my train of thought because then Zayn stepped in."And that's all gentlemen." Zayn smoothly interrupted me, gently ushering the men out."If you could leave, I need a good time with my mate." Zayn smiled but it didn't reac
Valerian's POV "Thank you so much for your time."I smiled at one of the Alphas from a neighboring city that had come to liaise with me.After our little late-night conversations, I made it a point of duty to start reaching out to fellow packs, creating new friendships, and forming new alliances.I would definitely need all the help I can get.As I made my way back to the office where I expected Jared to wait for me, my mind kept running around with so many thoughts.With the recent happenings, and by happenings, I meant Elena, it left me with a lot to ponder.I opened the door to my office and saw Jared standing with his back to me.He was leaning over the desk like he was searching for something and I closed the door, shutting it with a soft click.He turned to face me, a sheet of paper in his hand."What is this?"He asked quietly.I walked over to my desk, brushing past him in the process and I grabbed the paper he had in his hand.It was the layout of the area Elena had describe
Jared's POV The papers were burning a hole in my thigh as I walked home, so many things running through my mind.I was exhausted, not just physically but mentally too.I stayed far away from the city, choosing a safe spot in the woods to call my home.Val mocked me for the longest time that I was an old man, seeking refuge away from the world but honestly even though we did joke about it, I preferred my home here.It was a perfect spot to bring the ladies for some midnight getaway, and also it was the best place for me when I needed to unwind from the day's stress.It used to be my parent's getaway cabin, for when they needed time for themselves.I still have faint memories of being happy here on vacations with them as a child.Unlike Valerian, they died unexpectedly, run off by a drunk driver when they went on a mission.They weren't found on time, and they froze to death till their bodies were retrieved the next morning.It was said even in death, they found my father shielding my