Alaric’s POV I never thought I would be the kind of man who chased after someone. But here I was. Trying. For her. Elowen had given us one chance—just one. And I wasn’t about to waste it. The next morning, I found myself waiting for her outside the academy’s main building, leaning against the cold stone pillars. The early morning breeze was crisp, but my nerves made it hard to focus on anything else. I was never nervous. I was never the one doubting myself. But Elowen made me feel things I didn’t understand—things I didn’t deserve to feel. And now, for the first time in my life, I wanted to be better. I saw her before she saw me. She walked with quiet determination, her dark hair catching the morning light, her sharp eyes scanning the campus like she was expecting another fight. She had spent too much of her life fighting. And a large part of that? It was my fault. I clenched my fists, exhaling slowly. I had spent years being a bastard to her, humiliating her, making
Alaric’s POV I watched Elowen walk away, her back straight, her head high—like she hadn't just torn through every inch of my defenses with a few simple words. "If you really want to change, Alaric, prove it." She didn’t believe me. And why would she? I had given her every reason to hate me, every reason to walk away without looking back. But I wasn’t giving up. Not this time. I needed to prove to her—and to myself—that I was more than the bastard she remembered. That night, I didn’t sleep. I kept replaying every mistake I had made, every cruel word I had thrown at her, every time I had stood by and done nothing while my father, while we, made her life hell. Regret burned in my chest like a poison I couldn’t shake. But regret wasn’t enough. I had to act. Next day I was already in the training ring when Elowen arrived. She paused when she saw me, her brow furrowing in suspicion. “What are you doing here?” she asked, crossing her arms. I picked up a wooden training sword
Alaric’s POV The rain soaked through every inch of our clothes, but I didn’t care. Elowen was in my arms, her body pressed against mine, her lips moving in perfect rhythm with mine, and for the first time in my life, I felt whole. She was fire and ice, soft and fierce, a storm raging against my skin, and I wanted more. I traced my fingers along her jaw, feeling the warmth of her skin despite the cold rain. Her breath hitched when I tilted her head, deepening the kiss, our mouths moving with raw, unrestrained hunger. She gripped the front of my shirt, her fingers tightening as if she was afraid to let go. Good. Because I wasn’t letting her go. I pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her—her lips swollen, her golden eyes dazed, her breath uneven. Beautiful. Utterly beautiful. “Elowen…” I murmured, brushing my thumb over her bottom lip. Her lashes fluttered, her body still pressed against mine as if she didn’t trust herself to stand on her own. She swallowed, her voi
Elowen’s POVThe rain continued to pour, soaking through my clothes, making my hair cling to my skin. But I barely noticed. My mind was a storm, twisting and turning with emotions I didn’t want to name.I had already given them a chance.Yet, standing here now, with all three of them staring at me, I felt suffocated.Alaric had just kissed me—again. And I had let him.Theron stood there, his jaw tight, his hands curled into fists, his body tense as if he was holding himself back.And Ranon…Ranon watched me like he always did—like he was waiting for me to run just so he could chase me down.I exhaled sharply, my chest tightening. “Why are you all looking at me like that?”Theron ran a hand through his drenched hair, his expression unreadable. “Because we know you’re about to run.”I let out a humorless laugh. “And what if I am?”Alaric stepped closer, his fingers brushing against mine, tentative, careful. “Then we’ll follow.”A lump formed in my throat, and I hated how much those word
Elowen’s POV The next day at the academy, the corridors felt colder than ever. I moved through the halls with my head held high, yet every step was weighted with lingering doubts and memories that I’d rather forget. The storm from last night had passed, but the thunder of my conflicted heart still rumbled beneath my ribs. I arrived at the courtyard early—hoping to catch a few moments of solitude—only to find them already gathered in a tight, tense circle near the ancient fountain. Theron stood in the center, his dark eyes scanning the horizon as if searching for an answer. Alaric leaned casually against a stone pillar, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by a pensive, almost guarded look. Ranon, quiet and intense, stood close by, his gaze fixed on me with an unreadable expression. I paused at the edge of the group. Their eyes followed my every step, and I felt as though I were being dissected by memories of every cruel word, every act of humiliation they’d once inflicted upon me. Ye
Elowen’s POVAfter the stormy confrontation in the courtyard, I found myself restless. There was too much unspoken between us, too many raw wounds still fresh in my heart. Late that night, when the academy was quiet and the world outside whispered of change, Theron pulled up in his old, battered pickup. The vehicle’s paint was chipped and faded from countless journeys, yet it held an unspoken promise of escape and new beginnings. I hesitated at the edge of the rain-soaked lot, then stepped toward him.Inside, the cabin was dimly lit by the dashboard’s glow. The smell of leather, engine oil, and damp rain mingled in the small space—a comforting, familiar scent that seemed to offer a temporary reprieve from the chaos of my thoughts. Theron opened the passenger door with a gentle nod. “Elowen,” he said softly, “climb in. Let’s drive for a while.”I settled into the seat, the worn fabric cool against my skin, and for a moment, the world outside slowed to a gentle hum. The engine purred to
Elowen's POV The drive had been long. By the time Theron pulled off the road and parked beside a secluded lake, dawn was already painting the horizon in delicate shades of pink and gold. The rain had stopped, leaving the world dewy and fresh, and the silence between us was no longer heavy with the weight of the past—it was something else now, something fragile but full of unspoken promises. I stepped out of the truck, my boots sinking into the damp earth, the cool morning breeze wrapping around me like a whisper. I heard the door close behind me, felt his presence as he walked up beside me. Theron didn’t speak at first. Instead, he reached out, tucking a strand of damp hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered for just a second longer than necessary, brushing against my skin like a fleeting caress. My heart stuttered, and I hated how easily he still affected me. “I never thought I’d see you like this,” he murmured, his voice low, intimate. “Like what?” I asked, turning to mee
Elowen’s POV The morning after our moonlit walk, the academy’s courtyard was bathed in soft, golden light. Dew still clung to the grass, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine. I found myself wandering the quiet grounds, the echoes of our whispered promises from the night before lingering in every step.I hadn’t planned to see Theron again so soon—but fate, it seems, had its own designs. There, under an ancient oak whose gnarled branches stretched protectively overhead, he stood waiting. His dark eyes, warm and sincere in the morning glow, met mine as soon as I approached.“Good morning, Elowen,” he said softly, a tender smile playing on his lips.I paused, my heart fluttering unexpectedly. “Morning,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral, though the memory of our garden kiss sent ripples of warmth through me.Theron stepped closer, closing the distance between us until we stood nearly shoulder-to-shoulder. “I was thinking,” he began, his voice tentative yet ea
Elowen's POVThe clearing fell into a suffocating silence.Then, a slow, deliberate clap echoed through the air.My blood ran cold.From the darkness, a figure emerged, stepping into the faint glow of the moon.Tall. Broad. Wrapped in a long, dark coat that billowed slightly in the night breeze.His face…Sharp, angular features, high cheekbones, and a chiseled jawline that could have made him almost handsome—if not for the sinister, predatory gleam in his icy gray eyes.He smirked, revealing a hint of elongated canines, a cruel mockery of the Alphas before him.His hair, dark as ink, was slicked back, emphasizing the deep creases lining his forehead. He looked like a man who had spent a lifetime in war, a man who had crushed everything in his path without remorse.But it was his presence that sent a chill through my bones.Power radiated off him like a storm waiting to break."You’ve been quite the troublemaker, haven’t you, Elowen?" His voice was smooth, velvety—deceptively calm.Al
Elowen’s POV The air outside was thick with tension. The night was eerily silent, except for the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. My heart still pounded from the encounter with the rogue.I knew their uncle wouldn’t stop. He was getting bolder.I needed to be ready.I walked toward the training grounds behind the mansion, my mind racing. The darkness wrapped around me, but it felt comforting. Familiar.Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind me.I didn’t have to turn to know who it was.Alaric.“You shouldn’t be alone right now,” he said, his voice calm but firm.I scoffed, crossing my arms. “I’m not helpless, Alaric.”“I never said you were,” he murmured, stepping closer. His warmth seeped into my skin, even with the space between us. “But that doesn’t mean I’m letting you out of my sight.”I turned to face him, searching his expression. His golden eyes burned into mine, intense and unwavering.“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked, my voice softer than I intended.Ala
Elowen’s POV I should have moved.Should have pushed him away, reminded him that this wasn’t real—that whatever was happening between us was a mistake.But I didn’t.Instead, I stood there, frozen as Alaric’s fingers trailed down my cheek, his warmth seeping into my skin like a slow-burning fire.His golden eyes locked onto mine, filled with something dangerous—something possessive.“Say it,” he murmured, his voice like a dark promise.I swallowed hard. “Say what?”“That you don’t want this.” His lips were so close now that I could feel his breath ghosting over my skin. “Say you don’t feel it.”I opened my mouth, but the words refused to come out.Because it was a lie.I felt it—the pull, the unbearable tension, the need that curled deep in my chest, warring with the logical part of my brain that told me this is wrong.But nothing about Alaric had ever been logical.His hand slid around my waist, pulling me closer, until our bodies were flush against each other. “You think you can ke
Alaric’s POVElowen's body trembled against mine, her breathing uneven. I could feel the heat of her wound against my skin, the scent of her blood sending my wolf into a frenzy.She was hurt.And she had the audacity to think she could handle this alone.I gritted my teeth, my arms tightening around her as I lifted her effortlessly. “We’re going home,” I said, my voice leaving no room for argument.She stiffened in my hold. “Put me down, Alaric.”I ignored her.“Elowen,” Ranon growled, stepping beside me. “This was reckless. Even for you.”Theron, still in his wolf form, let out a low, dangerous snarl. He was furious. We all were.Her fingers weakly curled into my shirt. “I had to do this. I had to—”I stopped walking and glared down at her. “You had to get yourself killed?” My voice was ice, but beneath it, there was something darker. Fear. The thought of losing her, of watching her slip away, unraveled me.Her lips parted, but she had no answer.She knew I was right.Theron shifted
Elowen's POVThe first rays of dawn barely kissed the horizon when I slipped out of the mansion’s grand entrance. The night’s chaos still lingered in the air, but inside, the house was eerily silent. They were exhausted, too busy recovering from the rogue attack to notice me slipping away.I pulled the hood of my cloak over my head, hiding my face as I moved swiftly through the damp forest. The earth was still soaked from last night’s rain, making my footsteps almost soundless.My body ached from my wounds, but the pain was a reminder—I had no time to waste.I had spent too long trapped in that mansion, caught between Alaric’s possessive nature, Theron’s silent protectiveness, and Ranon’s infuriating smirks. They thought I was fragile. They thought I needed them to keep me safe.They were wrong.I wasn’t running away.I was hunting.Their uncle wanted my blood, and I wasn’t going to sit around and wait for the next attack. If I could track him first, if I could end this before it esca
Elowen’s POV The warm water streamed down my back, easing the stiffness in my muscles, but it did nothing to clear the storm brewing in my mind.I leaned forward, resting my palms against the cool tile, letting the steam swirl around me.Last night had been a mistake.Or had it?The way Theron had held me, his touch both possessive and gentle, had left a mark on me deeper than I wanted to admit. It was dangerous—allowing myself to feel anything for them when the past still bled fresh wounds.I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. Focus, Elowen.The real enemy was still out there. Their uncle. The bastard who sent those rogues after me last time.And he wasn’t done yet.I turned off the shower, stepping onto the cool floor. After drying off and dressing quickly in fitted jeans and a simple black top, I tied my hair up and glanced at my reflection.I needed to be strong.Because war was coming.The moment I stepped into the dining room, three pairs of eyes locked onto me.Alaric sat at th
Elowen’s POV The weight of war loomed over us, but for now, the mansion was silent. After the meeting, everyone had gone to their rooms, but sleep wouldn’t come to me.I stepped out onto the balcony, letting the cool night air wash over me. The sky was pitch black, the moon hidden behind thick clouds. A storm was brewing, both in the sky and within me.“You should be resting.”I turned at the deep voice, finding Theron leaning against the doorway. His silver eyes reflected the faint glow of the lanterns.“So should you,” I countered.He stepped closer. “I couldn’t. My mind is a mess.”I sighed, turning back to the horizon. “I know the feeling.”Silence stretched between us, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. There was something about Theron that felt… grounding.After a moment, he spoke again. “Are you afraid?”I exhaled slowly. “Not for myself. But I know what’s coming, Theron. And I know it won’t end without blood.”His jaw tightened. “We won’t let anything happen to you.”I turned to fa
Elowen’s POV The discussion continued long into the night. Maps were spread out across the grand dining table of their mansion, books piled high, and notes scribbled across parchment as we tried to piece together the truth behind their uncle’s obsession with my blood.I leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, scanning the worn-out pages of an ancient book. “It says here that witch blood from a royal lineage has the power to either strengthen a bloodline… or destroy it.”Theron’s gaze darkened. “That means he’s not just after power—he’s afraid of what you can do.”Alaric clenched his jaw. “That bastard always knew. That’s why he sent those rogues after you.”Ranon exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair. “And if he gets his hands on you, he’ll use that blood for a ritual. Either to enhance himself or to wipe us out completely.”A chill ran down my spine. I already knew my blood was a threat to their lineage, but I hadn’t realized just how much power it held over them.I closed
Elowen’s POV The moon hung high in the sky, casting silver light over the grand mansion. The corridors were silent, save for the soft hum of the night breeze drifting through the open balcony doors.I couldn’t sleep.Not with them constantly in my head.Theron. Alaric. Ranon.They were relentless, invading my thoughts, my space, my very existence.After everything, after the rogues, after their uncle’s attack, after the truths and betrayals—I should have left.But I didn’t.And that terrified me.I walked barefoot down the dimly lit hallway, my fingers trailing along the cold marble walls. My wolf stirred, restless and aching, whispering desires I refused to acknowledge."You want them."I ignored her."You crave them."I hated her sometimes.A sudden creak from behind made me stop. My breath hitched as I turned—only to find Ranon leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, watching me with hooded eyes.“Couldn’t sleep?” His voice was smooth, laced with something unreadable.I folded