SERENA’S POVI walked into her room, concerned about her current state, and why she had come in, but told no one about it. Or did they reject her work or they said mean things to her?I placed my hand on her back, and she raised her head to look at me. Her mascara was all messy, and her eyes were a bit red, as well.“What’s wrong, Mara?” I asked her as I moved closer.But she dropped her head back into her arms, and cried more, which made my heart break.“Speak up, Mara. What’s wrong? Talk to me.” I urged her, and then she raised her head up again.“I didn’t want you to see me like this. I wanted to act all fine, but now that you’ve caught me, I’m sure you’re never going to forgive me if I tell you what happened.” She cried out, looking really depressed.“Come on, try me.” I urged her, ready to forgive her for whatever she must have done.I was going to try my best to be one of the rarest kind hearts she had ever met, and it was certain that she would reciprocate as she ought to. Alth
THIRD PERSON POV Serena and Lucas couldn’t help but admit within themselves that they were overwhelmed by fear. Lucas knew how dangerous the journey was, and this made him even more scared.“Well, we can start off on a good note, again. Hello.” The man spoke, in an eerie tone.“Who the hell are you?” Lucas managed to question him, as they were both wary of him.“A question which actually isn’t the major concern. But I’ll tell you one thing. If you dare try to escape, because it’s only expected of you to want to run from me, you won’t be able to get to the world beyond.”“Uhn!” Lucas exclaimed softly, not knowing whether to believe the man or not.“Yeah. To make things more understandable for you, I am the passage to the lost world of herbs, which only means without me, you can’t go into the lost world of herbs. So, now, I hope you know that it is only unwise of you to run from me. And if you have enough time to waste, you can actually run from me, and when you realize you’ve been w
ALPHA LUCAS’ POVI couldn't understand the fear and anxiety filling me up. It wasn't the first time Serena and I had been through something this concerning, or even been faced with dangerous creatures, and people, but still there was that nervousness. That whispering voice that told me my fears were not twisting lies in my head, but trying to bore the truth into me. Something really awful could happen, and I might be unable to escape it with Serena by my side. Either way, I hated the feeling. The whole place spoke, and gave an aura of power, dark power, and it boasted too easily of how we could get killed. It was the main reason for my fears. The man looked at us, and even without the features on his face, I was somehow able to tell that he had a smile on. Then, I looked at Serena. She also seemed lost in thoughts, probably worrying about how things would turn out. But I had to be strong for her, so she wouldn’t feel in any way, bothered.“We are willing to try. After all, it is why w
SERENA’S POVWe fell mercilessly, hitting the rough edges, getting bruises all over. I landed on the ground with my head in an awkward position, before straightening up, and looking at Lucas, who was sprawled on the ground, breathing hard, as he looked up at the sky. I looked around. Apparently, we had fallen in some kind of hole. Due to taking quick hasty breaths, the dust managed to get into my nose, and I sneezed hard. We heard the strange buzzing sound, and I covered my mouth, only for another sneeze to come through.I sneezed again, and Lucas scrambled to his fist to cover my mouth. I held his hand there, trying my best not to sneeze. Eventually, I let out a tiny one, and with my eyes watering, I looked around, taking Lucas' hands off my mouth. Everywhere was dusty. It was probably because we had fallen through it. All the dust seemed to be settling. “What do we do now?” I whispered, giving a little cough, as I tried to swipe the dust away from settling on my face.“I think we s
SERENA’S POVI screamed out, and the water filled my mouth, ears, and nostrils, as it joined hands with gravity to beat me down. There was no way I could let out a scream. I was busy gurgling water as I fell down the terrific height, hoping I would not be smashed to death upon a rock. The fall was agony, and all of me fought to find stable ground, but it was impossible. Finally, I crashed into the water, diving headlong into it. More water filled my nostrils, and forced its way into my throat. The water was icy and it felt like I had fallen under frozen winter waters. I went further downwards into the dark abyss of the water, feeling panic come into being, threatening to devour me. I fought recklessly to swim upwards, but the cold made it difficult for my fingers to find movement easily. It forced me to give up, as the surface seemed to get farther, the higher I swam. I fought as hard as I could, but it seemed impossible. Not until I noticed Lucas, cutting through the ice cold water
SERENA’S POV“But do you think there will be other monsters to fight?” I asked her, feeling, a bit skeptical on how it seemed like all our troubles were gone.“I can't say. I've never been to the Valley of leaves before, so I don't know if there are more monsters guarding it. Are you worried?” She asked.“A little.” I responded, not hesitating to let her know of my fears.“You don't have to. If you managed to get past the creature of the trees, then I'm sure you can get past whatever monster you meet.” She assured me, and I smiled.When the water was ready, we took our bath, and got dressed in the clothes prepared for us. Then, we were led to the great hall. It had high ceilings, and large, golden chandeliers hung down beautifully from them. Lots of golden drapes hung around, and the table was surprisingly made of gold. So were the chairs. It was a pity that even if thieves made it to the Palace, there was no guarantee they would leave safely with all the gold. There was a very beautifu
SERENA’S POV I let out a cry as the arrow pierced into my arm. My blood spilled onto the sand in generous amounts, and in fear, I sank to the ground.“Serena!” Lucas called out to my name, while looking at my bloody fingers that tried to stop my bleeding. He looked around, and finally looked at the thick scroll in his hand, before using it to apply pressure on my wound. “Ah!” I screamed, as the scroll burned. Then Lucas tipped the bottle of the invisibility potion into my mouth, and did the same.“I forgot about this. If I had, this wouldn't happen to you.” He said, looking at the hags, who screamed around, shooting the arrows recklessly, hoping to hit us by accident. “Ah, it burns!” I exclaimed, pushing the map away from me. “Serena.” Lucas called softly, and we saw that the map was beginning to fill up with descriptions written in my blood. “Sacrifice. It meant blood.” I whispered. We began to see the map of the whole place. Far more da
SERENA’S POVI adjusted myself on the bed to listen to what she had to say, because I had been noticing it that it seemed like there was something wrong.“I…I think I may know who might have hit Elijah with poison. I’m not sure about it, but I can’t just help but think he is the one. But then, I can’t also mention it to Lucas, because I’m literally the one who brought him close enough to find things out about Elijah.""What do you mean? Talk to me.” I urged, willing to listen to her.What she needed the most, right now, is none other than a listening ear. And I was actually the one who could give her that, so if I didn’t listen, it meant that there would be no one she would be able to speak to.“Michael. I don’t think Michael loved me from the start. I think he actually came to me to gain access to my brother, or something. Just take a look at the message he sent, when you and Lucas left for the journey.” She uttered as she showed me the text on her phone.Michael didn’t sound caring,
Lucas’ POVSpending my mating night in a hospital room was definitely not part of the plan. I kept my gaze on Serena who lay on the bed, her face was pale, her breathing weak. I sat beside her, gripping her hand. My heart hadn’t stopped racing since she collapsed.I could still hear the way she gasped before falling. The fear that ripped through me. The way my entire body went cold when she didn’t wake up no matter how much i shook her.I exhaled slowly, squeezing her fingers. “Serena,” I murmured, but she didn’t move.The door slammed open.“Elijah?” I turned just in time to see him storm inside, his jaw was clenchedas his eyes burned with rage.“Outside with me," he said and left. I stared at Serena for a while before leaving. "What the hell happened?” he asked as soon as we got out.I stood. “She collapsed during the ritual. The physician is—”“You let this happen?” He stalked closer, his fists clenched. “I warned you, Lucas. I warned you if anything happened to her—”“I didn’t let
THIRD PERSON POVThe room was quiet that the steady beeping of the monitor felt too loud. Lucas hadn’t moved from his chair in hours. Elijah had arrived at the hospital just a few minutes ago but they hadn't said a single word to each other. He stood by the wall, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as he watched Serena.The physician’s words kept replaying in Lucas’ head. "She might not survive… If she does, she may lose all her memories this time."Lucas never prayed, but he had that night. He had begged whatever force existed not to take her away from him. He had done everything wrong, but losing her wasn’t something he could bear.Elijah exhaled heavily. “She'll be fine,” he muttered mostly trying to convince himselfLucas didn’t respond. His hand rested on Serena’s, his thumb running over her cold fingers. 'Wake up,' he wanted to say. 'Open your eyes, tease me, glare at me—just do something.'He was so scared she'd slip into a coma again. Just when he finally got her back.The
Lucas's POV I had had enough of Eliana and her father!Even after everything, they only manipulate Serena and paint me the bad guy? I thirsted so badly for my revenge now more than ever.I gathered my warriors and prepared them. It's time to take her back. This time I'm the one giving them an ultimatum. The release of my mate or a bloody war. I will have Vincent's head. I will have his head!I marched down to the pack meeting room with Liam and Elijah on each side following 5 feet behind me. I knew Liam still had questions about Elijah but all will be revealed in due time. Probably after I rescue Serena from that pack. Only God knows what state she is in and what on earth Eliana had been doing to my mate. I finally got to the room and gazed at every warrior standing there waiting for me. "Warriors," I began,"We stand at the precipice of a battle. Alpha Vincent seems to take me and my pack as a joke and he has had fun playing with us. But now it's time for it all to end."I paused,
SERENA'S POV "Okay, maybe if i just.." i whispered into the dark as i switched positions in my bed. "fuck, still uncomfortable." I couldn’t sleep at all and it was past midnight by now. The thought of Lucas in that dungeon, awaiting his fate, gnawed at me all night. Everything my father had told me, everything Eliana had said, none of it felt right. Even his death sentence was wrong, although he did kidnap me, he also saved me from getting mauled by that rogue. I owe him my life and letting him die just didn't feel right. "No, he's getting what he deserves." i whispered as i turned again in bed. There was this ache inside me, a pull I couldn’t explain. I kept replaying his face when he hugged me, the way he looked at me like he had finally had a breathe of fresh air after being deprived of it for so long. And when i had walked into father's office to explain what had happened, the way he stared at me broke me for some reason. Why did he look so hurt and betrayed, he barely even kn
LUCAS' POVI couldn’t stop myself from grinning as I walked through the gates of Vincent’s pack house. My disguise was rough, but it had to work. I was wearing a warrior’s uniform, with a mask and a fake tattooed marking that all warriors of bloodhound pack had on their arms. It was a risk, but it was the only way to get close to her.I had been waiting for this moment for what felt like forever. Three months without seeing her. Three months. Three months of constant aching, of never knowing if she was okay, of not being able to hold her, to talk to her, and spending every waking hour spent thinking about Serena. I knew I had to do something, anything, to get her back. I couldn’t just sit by anymore. Forcing my way into Blood Hound pack through war wasn't working so personally infiltrating is the better option.The plan was simple, get into Vincent’s pack. Disguise myself as one of his warriors, find my mate and escape with her. I had managed to slip in without anyone suspecting any
LUCAS POV I sat alone in my study, the room was dimly lit as the only source of light available was from a single candle, flickering as the wind blows by. The scent of stale whiskey filled in the air, mingling with the acrid smell of burnt parchment. On my desk were maps and notes, they were scattered and I stared at them as they reflected my head right about now. Every piece on my desk detailed Vincent’s territory, his strongholds, his weaknesses—or what little I knew of them. It wasn’t enough. It hadn't been enough for the past three months. Three months of failure. Absolute FAILURE.The more days passed by into weeks and then months the more I fall straight, face flat deeper and deeper into depression. I failed Serena. The one person I swore to protect above all else. I had been too slow, too blind, and now she was gone. My heart was slowly going numb, my world grey. Nothing made sense without her with me.Funny how a person could just appear in your life and become the entire l
VINCENT'S POV[Earlier]I sat alone in my office, staring at the broken pieces of the vase I had smashed hours ago. I could feel the lump in my throat get even bigger as i thought of Elijah's betrayal.That spineless coward had ruined everything for me. Lucas should've been dead by now. I was close, so so close. I had planned it all so carefully, and Elijah ruined it in the last secondI clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. The thought of Lucas still breathing made my blood boil. I wanted nothing more than to destroy him and everything he cared about. But now. I had another problem to deal with, ElianaShe had stormed into my room last night. She was obviously furious. I intentionally hid my plan of killing Lucas from both Eliana and Elijah because i knew they wouldn't be on board with my plan and might try to stop me. Sily children."You killed his father too?" she had screamed her face pale with shock.I hadn't denied it. Why should i? Everything I had done was for thi
LUCAS'S POVI stepped into my room hoping, no, praying that Serena would be awake. But she wasnt.She lay there, completely still her chest rising and falling so slowly it made a knot form in my stomach. Her face was pale, her lips dry. She looked nothing like she normally does. "Open your eyes Serena." i found myself whispering as i stared at her long lashes.I moved closer, watching her, waiting for even the slightest movement. Nothing.The physicians had said earlier that she had slipped into a coma. And now all I can do now is waitWait.I hated that word. I wanted clarification on the specific time. Am i gonna have my Serena back soon? How long would i have to go without hearing her beautiful voice call my name? How long till i see her smile again? Days? Weeks? Months? A year? The uncertainty is what i hated most.Staring at her beautiful pale face i thought back to Vincent. The man is a fool. Who lets his men send a bomb hauling at his daughter!Oh he will so pay for this. Now
Elijah's POVMy body was numb, my chest burning with every shallow breath. I thought this was it. Maybe I deserved it. I stirred slowly from my slumber, feeling anything but refreshed. Exhaustion pressed down on me like an unrelenting fog, thick and suffocating. A strange tiredness pulled at me, beckoning me back to the comforting depths of sleep. With a heavy sigh, I turned over, letting the darkness claim me again. It was easier to face the dreamscape than the misery I called life.Distant murmurs began to slip into my consciousness, faint and far away, like whispers traveling through walls."Who is he?" someone whispered, their voice low but filled with curiosity. "Alpha Elijah?""Why did the Alpha Lucas bring him back? Didn't he betray us?"I blinked, my eyelids heavy and my vision blurred as I tried to focus. Shadows moved around me, but nothing came into clarity. My body refused to cooperate, and the pull of sleep was too strong. I let it take me again, the voices fading into t