Prologue

.........

Evaki

.........

“Ahh!” I cry out, falling, and I crawl on my knees before returning to my feet and continuing to run, hearing branches breaking and leaves rustling as a shadow as black as night galop behind me. I look back, panting as my chest continues to burn, feeling like my lungs are going to burst into flames, and I see the glowing red eyes not so far behind. I try to run faster, but my feet are numb, and my knees feel like jelly. My heart, pounding beneath my chest, and the wailing forest as the trees dance to the icy wind’s rhythm are all that can be heard. Branches are slapping and mercilessly clawing my face, mocking me as tears blur my vision, but the adrenalin pumping through my veins won't let me surrender. It won't let me go down without a fight.

“Eva!” the forest echoes, and a sob escapes me as I summon all my strength and make one last try to get away. My mother’s broken face, as she screamed at me to run, flashes in front of my eyes while her voice rings in my ears, and I beg her to give me strength.

I exit the forest, but it’s still pitch black without a single star in the sky. My only saving grace is the lighting flashing on the distant shore; otherwise, I wouldn’t see a thing in front of me. The beast calls me again, and I start audibly crying, gutted and gagging at the stench of betrayal as I desperately look for a place to hide, out of breath — out of strength.

I'm thousands of miles away from home and don't know anyone here. I have nowhere to go — no one to run to — no one to save me.

I stumble and fall, hitting my knee on what feels like a rock, and I feel my jeans tear as I slide on my bum before making it back to my knees and then to my feet. I hear what sounds like a river and look in the direction of the sound, praying for the lighting to show me a glimpse of what's in front of me. I have never seen a night as dark as this all my life. It's like my life has already ended — like God has forsaken me.

The lightning flashes and I start running in the direction of the water sound, the cold breeze instantly turning my tears icy as it shreds my skin. I spot something in front of me and realize it’s a bus shelter and run to it. I get inside and slide under the bench before curling myself into a ball, shivering as I try to fill my lungs with much-needed oxygen, but I choke on my frozen spit. I hear the footsteps getting closer, and I clamp my hand over my mouth, muffling my sobs, not sure if hiding here was a good idea, suddenly. But I had no choice; I couldn't run anymore, not without my knees giving in and collapsing face first. I can feel my swollen lungs bleeding; I needed to breathe.

“God, please help me. Please, help me,” I mutter, with my hand still covering my mouth, as my heart continues hammering in my chest— making me feel like I’m losing my mind. My brother’s face flashes in front of my eyes, and I feel more tears running down my hands and soaking the concrete. “I need you,” I beg him with a tremulous voice, wishing I could close my eyes and die as hopelessness paralyzes me. What are they going to do to me?

The footsteps stop, and I clamp my hand tighter over my mouth as the sobs fight to escape, knowing the beast can sense me. My teeth start chattering, hearing it stop next to my head, and I clamp my eyes shut.

“Eva, please," the monster says, and my eyes snap open to find glowing ones peeking under the bench, and that does it. I roll to my back and slip out of the back opening, but I scream, trying to grab onto the slippery concrete as I continue rolling down the steep surface before plunging into what smells like a drain. I crawl, trying to get to my feet, but I keep slipping, and I groan, swallowing the wastewater as I desperately try to get out of the raging slime and just then, I feel hands grabbing me and pulling me out.

“Let me go! Monster!” I fight her off, scratching her in the face, and she lets me go, and I fall on my knees, breathless, before crawling away. But I scream, trying to grab on as the ground beneath me suddenly gives way. My breath gets stuck in my throat, and I try to grab onto anything I can find, slicing my fingers as I tumble down the cliff, but everything breaks, and a thousand blades, shredding my skin are the last things I feel as I plunge into the icy water below before my lights go out.

BELOW IS THE REFERENCE FOR LATER. IGNORE IT FOR NOW. YOU WILL KNOW WHEN YOU NEED IT.

...................................................................

GERULIAN KINGDOMS

...................................................................

...................................................................

King Athas is Antonis's father. He's the one who led the rebellion against the Lycan king.

Antonis is his last remaining son. He was taken as a prisoner of war by Paris's father and raised as his own. His whole family was put to the sword for his father's betrayal.

King Dimitris is Stefania's father. He's the one who came to the Lycan king's aid during the rebellion. He did so with the help of King Argo who is Evaki and Kyros's grandfather. Argo was killed the same evening after he was discovered by Stefania's father trying to kill the Lycan king he had just aided. No one but Stefania's father saw him do this, therefore he was the one who told everyone what happened.

Athanasios is Paris's grandfather. The one whose death inspired the rebellion. He was a cruel king which led to the wolves' quest for freedom when he died. Vesselois, Paris's father is his only surviving son. He was still very young when his father died which is why he needed the aid he received from Stafania's father.

..................................................................

...................................................................

⚠️ Before you proceed with the story, please be aware of a few things:

• The werewolves and Lycans in this book might not behave exactly like others in other books.

• This is not a fluff romance story. It's angsty and will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, so if you know your heart can't take it, be warned.

• The story has multiple POVs, but they don't repeat the same thing.

....................................................................