Theron’s POV The training field was empty as I swung my fists against the punching bag, the repetitive thud of impact barely soothing the fire raging inside me. I couldn’t get Elowen out of my head. The way she looked at Alaric, the way her eyes filled with tears when she thought no one was watching—it drove me insane. Every instinct, every part of me screamed to claim her, to make her mine. But the bond, this curse, was a constant reminder of how unreachable she was. She hated me. She had made that abundantly clear. “Theron,” a voice called softly behind me. I didn’t turn around, continuing to punch the bag until my knuckles bled. “Theron!” Her voice was sharper this time, and I finally stopped, letting the bag swing wildly as I turned to face her. Camille stood there, her arms crossed over her chest, her dark hair pulled into a sleek ponytail. She was beautiful, as always, her sharp features framed by the setting sun. But the look in her eyes was anything but soft. “What?” I
Elowen’s POVI could feel the tension in the air even before I stepped into the house. The oppressive silence was heavy, punctuated only by the occasional click of Liora’s heels against the marble floor. The sight of her waiting for me in the foyer, arms crossed and an icy glare fixed on me, sent a chill down my spine. "You're late," she snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. "I was out," I replied curtly, refusing to meet her eyes as I made my way toward the stairs. "Out? With who? One of those mutts you're bonded to?" she sneered, her words dripping with venom. I froze mid-step, my hands tightening around the banister. "Don't," I warned softly, my voice trembling with suppressed anger. "Don’t what?" she mocked, taking a step closer. "Don’t point out the truth? You’re pathetic, Elowen. Always have been. You think those boys care about you? You're nothing but a weak little Omega dragging them down." Her words hit like a slap, but I refused to let her see the hurt. I
Ranon’s POVThe rain hadn’t let up, drenching us both as we walked in silence. Elowen was shivering, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She didn’t look at me, her gaze fixed on the ground, and I could feel the fragile cracks in her resolve. Good. This was my chance to turn her against the others and bring her to me. She didn’t need to know the truth, not yet. Right now, all she needed was to believe the lie I was weaving. I slowed my pace, glancing at her from the corner of my eye. She was soaked to the bone, her lips pale and trembling. A perfect picture of vulnerability. “Here,” I said softly, shrugging off my jacket and draping it over her shoulders. She flinched slightly at the contact, her wide, tear-streaked eyes darting to mine. “I’m fine,” she muttered, trying to shrug it off, but I held it firmly in place. “You’re freezing,” I countered, letting my voice carry just the right amount of concern. “Don’t be stubborn.” She hesitated, then finally relented, pull
Theron’s POV The bitter burn of alcohol slid down my throat, but it did nothing to dull the storm inside me. Bottle after bottle, I drank, hoping, praying to drown the thoughts of her. Elowen. Her name alone sent a fresh wave of anger and longing surging through me. “Damn you,” I growled, slamming the empty bottle onto the table. The glass rattled but didn’t shatter. I wished it had. I wished for destruction—something to match the chaos inside me. My wolf howled in my head, clawing at my consciousness, begging me to turn back. She’s ours, he snarled. You can’t escape her. “Shut up,” I muttered, dragging myself to my feet. The room spun slightly, but I didn’t care. The ache in my chest was unbearable, and I needed to make it stop. Before I knew it, I was behind the wheel, the rain pelting against the windshield as I drove aimlessly through the night. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white. The alcohol buzz made my movements sluggish, but
Theron’s POVThe storm still raged outside, relentless and unforgiving, much like the chaos in my mind. Camille lay beside me in the car, her chest rising and falling steadily as she tried to catch her breath. Her fingers trailed lazily over my arm, but her touch felt distant, almost foreign.I leaned back, staring out the rain-streaked window, the weight of everything crashing down harder than the thunder outside. I could feel the storm in my chest, the battle between what I wanted and what I knew was wrong. “That was… intense,” Camille murmured, her voice soft and teasing. She shifted closer, pressing her body against mine as she draped an arm over my chest. “I could get used to this.”I didn’t respond. My wolf was growling low in my mind, furious and restless. This isn’t right, he snarled. She’s not our mate.I let out a frustrated breath, my fingers gripping the seat beneath me as I tried to push the thoughts of Elowen away. “I don’t care,” I muttered under my breath, earning a
Elowen's POV I stared out the window, my sketchbook lying forgotten in my lap. The steady hum of rain against the glass mirrored the restless whirl of my thoughts. Alaric. His name was a drumbeat in my mind, relentless and consuming. The way his fingers intertwined with mine, his protective gaze, the warmth in his rare smiles—I couldn’t stop thinking about him. And yet, it terrified me. I was so caught up in the spiral of emotions that I didn’t notice anyone approach until a voice cut through my thoughts. “Elowen.” I jumped, clutching the edge of the table. My heart raced as I turned to see Ranon standing there, holding two steaming mugs. “Ranon,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. “What are you doing here?” He raised a brow, his lips curving into a faint smile. “Relax. I’m not here to cause trouble.” I frowned, my suspicions immediately rising. “Then why are you here?” Without answering, he placed one of the mugs in front of me and took the seat across the tab
Elowen’s POV The rain came down in torrents, soaking me to the skin as I wandered aimlessly through the academy grounds. The storm mirrored the tempest inside me, each drop falling like a piece of the pain I couldn’t hold back anymore. My thoughts were a jumble—Ranon’s sudden attempts at kindness, Theron’s anger, and Alaric…always Alaric. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about him? His piercing eyes, the way his touch sent shivers through me, his calm yet commanding presence. It was maddening. The thunder roared overhead, and a bolt of lightning lit up the sky, illuminating my surroundings. I didn’t care where I was going. My feet moved without purpose, my body trembling from the cold and the overwhelming ache in my heart. And then, I felt it. Warmth. Stability. Before I could process the sensation, strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me back against a firm chest. The world seemed to stop for a moment, and I froze, my breath caught in my throat. His scent hit m
Elowen’s POV The warmth of Alaric’s embrace seeped into my skin, soothing the turmoil that had been brewing inside me for weeks. His strong arms encircled me as if nothing could tear us apart, and for a brief, blissful moment, I allowed myself to forget everything, the chaos, the heartbreak, the doubts. It was just him and me, standing together beneath the shelter of the walkway, with the storm raging outside and the world feeling like it had melted away. His hand gently stroked the back of my head, his fingers threading through my damp hair as if trying to ground me, to assure me that he was here. "You’re not alone in this, Elowen," he whispered against my hair, his voice low and steady. "I’m right here." I closed my eyes, inhaling the scent of rain and Alaric, the two blending together in a way that made me feel calm yet restless at the same time. My wolf stirred within me, content in his presence, but I knew the tension between us hadn’t fully dissipated. There were still so man
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
Elowen’s POVThe tension in the room was suffocating.After my encounter with Ranon on the balcony, I had barely taken a step inside before Theron closed the distance between us. His presence was overwhelming, his golden eyes filled with something unreadable.Something dangerous."You shouldn't let Ranon get too close," Theron murmured, his voice low, almost a growl.I tilted my chin up defiantly. "And why not? Afraid he’ll steal me away?"A muscle in his jaw ticked. "I don’t need to be afraid of something that won’t happen."I scoffed, stepping around him, but he caught my wrist, stopping me. His grip was firm yet careful, like he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to hold on or let go."Let me go, Theron," I said, but my voice betrayed me, coming out softer than I intended.His fingers loosened, but he didn’t release me completely. Instead, he tugged me just enough that I stumbled slightly—right into his chest.I inhaled sharply.His scent wrapped around me, intoxicating, maddening."You
Elowen’s POV I gripped my fork tighter, trying to ignore the way the air had thickened around us. The way they were looking at me. Like I was theirs. Like last night had changed everything.I hated how easily they unraveled me.I hated that a part of me didn’t want to fight it.I cleared my throat, forcing my focus back on my plate. “So, what’s the plan now?”Alaric was the first to respond. “We find our uncle. We end this before he comes for you again.”My stomach twisted. Their uncle—the same bastard who had sent those rogues after me. The one who wanted my witch blood for his own twisted reasons.Theron leaned forward, his eyes sharp. “He won’t stop, Elowen. He sees you as a threat.”Ranon smirked, but there was nothing amused about it. “And he’s right.”I clenched my jaw. “Then we don’t wait. We take the fight to him.”Alaric studied me for a moment before nodding. “Agreed.”Theron crossed his arms, his gaze flicking over me. “But that means you’re staying with us.”I stiffened.
Elowen’s POVThe room was heavy with the aftermath of something I couldn’t quite name. The air was thick, almost suffocating, carrying the scent of sweat, desire, and something darker—something that felt like inevitability. My skin still burned where their hands had been, my lips tender from their kisses. I lay between them, my body pressed against Alaric’s warmth, his arm draped possessively over my waist. Ranon’s fingers traced idle patterns on my arm, his touch light but deliberate, as if he were memorizing the feel of my skin. Theron, ever the brooding enigma, sat at the edge of the bed, his back rigid, his breathing uneven. His silence was louder than any words he could have spoken.Reality crashed over me like a tidal wave, cold and unrelenting.What have I done?This wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t supposed to want them. I wasn’t supposed to let them in. This was supposed to be about revenge, about making them feel the pain they had caused me. But somewhere along the way,