Elowen’s POVI started walking toward my room, my mind buzzing with everything that had just transpired. The mansion felt colder than before, the tension from the dining room clinging to the air. My heart was still racing from the confrontation, but as I took a step toward the staircase, I felt a hand gently wrap around my wrist, stopping me.“Wait,” Alaric’s voice was soft yet firm. I turned to face him, and his deep eyes, filled with warmth and reassurance, instantly soothed some of the chaos in my heart. He stepped closer, the faint scent of coffee and cedarwood surrounding me.He reached up and cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against my skin. “I’ll take care of everything, my love,” he said, his voice steady, like a calm amidst the storm. “You don’t need to worry about them. I’ll handle Ranon and Theron.”I felt my breath hitch as he leaned down, pressing a tender kiss on my forehead. His touch was gentle, and yet it carried so much promise and protection that my chest
Elowen’s POV The tension in the air was suffocating. Even in the safety of my room, I could feel the heated confrontation downstairs echoing in my chest. I sat on the edge of the bed, my knees pulled up, trying to focus on the faint sound of rain tapping against the window. But my thoughts kept spiraling. They’re fighting because of me again. I hated it. The mate bond that tethered me to the triplets felt like a curse. I didn’t ask for this, for the overwhelming pull or the chaos it brought into my life. My fingers gripped the comforter tightly as my mind wandered to Alaric. He was the only one who made me feel safe in all of this madness. The sound of footsteps on the stairs pulled me from my thoughts. My heart jumped. Was it Alaric? Before I could get up, the door opened, and there he was. His expression was calmer than I expected, but there was a storm in his eyes that he tried to mask. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, closing the door behind him. I nodded, though my th
Elowen’s POV The next morning, I woke up to the soft hum of birds outside the window and the comforting scent of Alaric lingering in the room. For a brief moment, I let myself enjoy the peace. The storm of emotions from yesterday seemed like a distant memory, but the reality of the situation was quick to return. I sat up, running a hand through my tangled hair, and stared at the sunlight spilling through the curtains. Alaric had stayed true to his word, protecting me from his brothers. Yet, the lingering tension in the house was impossible to ignore. A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I tensed, but Alaric’s familiar voice called out, “It’s me.” Relief washed over me as I got up and opened the door. He stood there, dressed casually in a dark shirt and jeans, holding a tray with breakfast. “I thought you could use some fuel,” he said with a warm smile, stepping inside. “You didn’t have to,” I murmured, but my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl. He chuckled, settin
Elowen’s POV The rain continued to pour, soaking through my clothes and plastering my hair to my face, but I didn’t care. Standing here in Alaric’s arms, the world around us seemed to fade. It was just him and me, the steady rhythm of the rain, and the warmth of his presence against the cold. His forehead rested against mine, his breath mingling with mine, his hands firmly gripping my waist as if he were afraid to let go. I could feel his heart beating against my chest, strong and sure, a stark contrast to the wild fluttering of my own. “You’ll catch a cold,” he said again, his voice a soft rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. I laughed quietly, my hands clutching the damp fabric of his shirt. “You’re the one keeping me out here.” “I can’t let go,” he admitted, his voice almost a whisper. “Not when you’re finally here, looking at me like this.” His words made my chest tighten. “Like what?” “Like you trust me,” he said, pulling back just enough to search my eyes. “Like
Elowen’s POV The academy halls buzzed with the usual morning chaos, students rushing to their classes or catching up on gossip. I clutched my books tightly to my chest, trying to stay invisible as I navigated the familiar paths. Despite the warmth of Alaric's presence in my life, the academy still felt like a battlefield where judgmental stares and whispered rumors followed me everywhere. I had just rounded the corner when I collided with a firm chest. My books tumbled to the floor, and my heart sank as I looked up to find Ranon towering over me, his sharp gaze pinning me in place. "Elowen," he drawled, his voice low and laced with something unreadable. "Ranon," I said stiffly, bending down to gather my fallen books. Before I could reach for them, he crouched, his hand brushing against mine as he picked up one of the books. His touch was brief, but it sent an uncomfortable chill down my spine. "Still avoiding me, I see," he said, standing and handing me the book. His smi
Ranon’s POVI stormed down the corridor, my mind a whirlwind of anger and resentment. Her words echoed in my head, sharp and unforgiving. "Alaric loves me, and I love him. He’s everything you’re not, kind, patient, and respectful."Respectful? Patient? As if that’s what makes a true mate. She didn’t see it. She didn’t see me, the fire I could bring into her life, the passion that could consume her whole."Pathetic," I muttered under my breath, cursing her for the power she held over me. How could she choose him, out of all of us? Alaric, the golden boy who always played the hero. She didn’t understand that behind his perfect façade, he wasn’t as innocent as he pretended to be.My wolf snarled in agreement, growling, "She’s blind. But she’s ours."“She doesn’t want us,” I spat, shoving my wolf down.But I couldn’t stop myself. I turned on my heel, my feet carrying me back toward the library. I wasn’t going to let her walk away from me, not like that, not with those hateful words linger
Theron’s POV The Academy corridors were quiet, the faint hum of conversations in distant classrooms the only sound. I spotted Elowen walking ahead, her delicate figure framed against the sunlight pouring in through the windows. She seemed lost in thought, her head bowed as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. A part of me hesitated, my wolf clawed at me, demanding that I stay back, that I give her the space she clearly wanted. But I couldn’t. Not when I knew she was being manipulated by Alaric, my own brother. “Elowen,” I called out. She paused, turning slowly to face me. Her eyes met mine, and I felt the familiar sting of her disdain. “What do you want, Theron?” she asked, her tone tired and guarded. I walked up to her, stopping just a few feet away. “We need to talk.” She crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed. “We have nothing to talk about.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I know you don’t trust me, and honestly, I don’t blame you. But thi
Elowen's POV The night passed in a blur, and I woke up the next morning feeling the weight of yesterday's conversation lingering heavily in the air. Alaric had promised me his love, and for the first time in a long while, I wanted to believe him. But the words of Ranon and Theron echoed in my mind like a constant, nagging reminder. What if they’re right? What if I’m just a pawn in this game between them? I shook my head as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My face was pale, my eyes tired. I could still feel the warmth of Alaric’s embrace, his arms around me, as if he were holding me together. But I couldn’t help the creeping doubt that tugged at my heart. I had no time to linger on it. I had classes to attend, and life at the academy seemed to move on, despite the turmoil inside me. The moment I stepped into the hall, I was greeted by a familiar, but unwelcome face—Ranon. He stood across the hallway, his arms crossed, a smirk on his face as if he had been waiting for me.
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,