Theron’s POV The drive was agonizingly silent, except for the soft hum of the car engine. Elowen sat beside me, her face turned toward the window, but her distant gaze told me she wasn’t looking at anything. It was as if she’d completely shut herself off from the world—and from me. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white. My wolf was restless, pacing in my mind, urging me to do something—anything—to ease her pain. But every time I reached out, I seemed to push her further away. Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, I broke it. “Elowen, talk to me. Please.” Her head shifted slightly, but she didn’t meet my eyes. “What’s there to talk about, Theron?” “Everything,” I said firmly. “What’s going on in your head? What’s hurting you? Let me help.” She shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “Help? You can’t help me. No one can.” Her words stung, but I pressed on. “Don’t shut me out, Elowen. You think I don’t care, but you’re wrong. I
Alaric’s POVI stood there for a moment, watching Elowen retreat to the couch. Her arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to hold her emotions together. For a second, I almost felt something—guilt, maybe. But I pushed it aside. Weakness wasn’t an option.“Darling,” I said softly, stepping closer. “I know you’re upset, but don’t let Theron get to you. He thrives on chaos, on making you question everything.”She glanced up at me, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. “Why do you always have to fight? Why can’t any of you just let me breathe?”Her words stung more than I expected, but I forced my expression to stay soft, understanding. “I’m not here to fight, Elowen. I’m here for you.” I reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “You know that, don’t you?”She hesitated, her gaze searching mine like she was looking for answers to questions she couldn’t even voice. “I don’t know what to believe anymore,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.“Then believe t
Alaric's POV I closed the door to my room, a satisfied smirk curling my lips as I leaned against the wall. The house was quiet now, Elowen likely already in bed, caught in the illusion I’d so carefully crafted for her. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, unlocking it with a quick swipe of my finger. My thumb hovered over the photo album, a special folder tucked away in the depths of my phone. I opened it, and there they were—pictures of her. Pictures of us. Innocent at first glance. Her resting against me, her laughter caught mid-action, her flushed cheeks after our "moments." But then there were the others—the ones I’d taken in secret, capturing her vulnerability, her naivety. She had no idea these existed. I scrolled through them slowly, savoring each one like it was a prize. Each image reminded me of how easy it had been to manipulate her, to wrap her around my finger with a few sweet words and well-timed gestures. And now, in just one week, it would all come crashing
Elowen’s POV The pictures on the giant screen—intimate, vulnerable moments of Alaric and me—flashed one by one, each image a dagger to my heart. My hands trembled, my face burning with humiliation as I stood frozen in the center of the crowd. My knees buckled, my chest constricting as the whispers started around me. Laughter. Gasps. Some voices murmured in disbelief, while others relished in the humiliation I couldn’t escape. “Is this real?” “Look at her! She’s supposed to be his mate?” “Pathetic.” I wanted to scream, to run, to hide—but I couldn’t move. My eyes darted to Alaric, standing near the projector. His smirk—a wicked curve of his lips—told me everything. This wasn’t an accident. This was deliberate. “Why?” My voice was barely audible, cracked and trembling. I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing myself to ask again. “Why would you do this, Alaric?” He stepped forward, hands casually in his pockets as though this public humiliation was merely a game
Elowen’s POV The world was dark when I woke up. My head throbbed, and my body felt heavy, pinned down by an unseen weight. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see faint light streaming through the cracks of an unfamiliar ceiling. My breath hitched. Where was I? I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in my side forced me to stay down. The events from earlier slammed into me like a tidal wave—Alaric’s betrayal, Lisa’s cruelty, Ranon’s confession, and the rogue attack. My heart ached as if someone had torn it out and crushed it beneath their heel. The door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. It was Theron. His shirt was torn, blood smeared across his arms, and his face was etched with worry. “You’re awake,” he said, his voice filled with relief. I didn’t respond. My throat felt raw, and the words I wanted to say were trapped behind the storm of emotions swirling inside me. Theron knelt beside the bed, his eyes searching mine. “Elowen, are you okay?” I blinked at him, unsure if I
Elowen's POV As the wolf remained crouched, its presence oddly comforting, my sobs gradually quieted. My breath came in ragged gasps as I wiped my face with trembling hands. The forest was silent again, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. The wolf took another tentative step forward, its golden eyes gleaming in the dim moonlight. I didn’t flinch this time. Instead, I just stared at it, my exhaustion outweighing my fear. “What do you want from me?” I whispered, my voice hoarse. It tilted its head, studying me like it could understand the weight of my question. “I’m broken,” I continued, my voice cracking. “I don’t know who to trust anymore. Everyone I thought cared about me…” I trailed off, shaking my head as fresh tears threatened to fall. The wolf let out another low whine, its ears flattening slightly as if it could feel my pain. I sniffled, wrapping my arms tighter around myself. “I’m not strong enough for this. I never was. They a
Elowen's POV The forest was silent, save for the soft rustling of leaves in the wind and the distant howls of wolves. I stood there, my knees trembling, as the golden-eyed wolf I’d come to trust and depend on transformed before my eyes. His powerful form shifted, fur melting into skin, muscles rippling as he stood up straight. The air around him shimmered with an energy that was unmistakable. And then he was standing in front of me, not as a wolf, but as a man—a breathtakingly handsome man. His features were striking, sharp jawline, chiseled body, and eyes that burned with an intensity I couldn’t look away from. His hair was wild, a mix of dark brown and gold that caught the moonlight, making him seem almost ethereal. But it wasn’t just his appearance that stole my breath. It was the way he held himself—confident, powerful, yet somehow gentle. He looked at me with an expression that spoke volumes—one of recognition, longing, and something deeper, something I couldn’t yet place. Hi
Elowen's POV I stared at the man standing before me, his golden eyes watching me with a mix of intensity and patience. He had told me things I couldn’t comprehend, truths that felt too big, too impossible to be real. My mind raced with questions, doubts, and fears. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?” I asked, my voice shaking. “How do I know this isn’t some cruel game like everything else in my life?” His gaze softened, and he took a step closer. The moonlight cast a glow over his features, highlighting the sincerity etched into his face. “I know you’ve been hurt,” he said, his tone steady. “I know betrayal has left its scars on your soul. But I swear to you, Elowen, I have no reason to lie. Your mother’s love for you runs deeper than anything you’ve ever known. And she’s waiting to prove it to you herself.” My knees felt weak as his words washed over me. My mother? Alive? The idea was too much to grasp. For years, I’d carried the weight of her loss, the guilt of being pow
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