Alaric’s POVThe first rays of dawn began to filter through the heavy curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Elowen stirred beside me, her face still peaceful in slumber. I leaned on my elbow, watching her as she slowly woke, her lashes fluttering and her lips parting in a soft yawn."Good morning," I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.Her eyes opened, hazy with sleep, and a small smile curved her lips. "Good morning."She looked so innocent, so trusting. It was almost laughable how easily she fell for my act. But then, there were moments—moments like this—when the lines blurred, and I wasn’t entirely sure what was real anymore.I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering just a moment longer than I intended. "Stay here," I murmured. "I'll get us some coffee."She shook her head, her voice still thick with sleep. "No, I’ll make it. You always do so much for me."I chuckled softly, cupping her cheek. "You think I’d let you lift a finger? Not a cha
Elowen's POV The night had fallen silent, yet my heart was anything but. I sat on my bed, the moonlight spilling through the large windows of Alaric’s mansion. I had locked the door behind me as soon as we arrived, desperate for solitude.I didn’t want Alaric to see the turmoil in my eyes, nor did I want him to question the exhaustion etched into my face. The weight of my thoughts was unbearable, suffocating even.I leaned against the headboard, hugging my knees to my chest as my mind betrayed me, conjuring the faces of the three Alpha brothers.Theron was the first to invade my thoughts. His intensity, his raw, untamed energy—he was like wildfire, impossible to control yet equally impossible to ignore.I remembered the way his eyes had burned with anger and longing at the restaurant, the way his presence made my wolf stir restlessly."Don’t trust Alaric," his voice replayed in my head, low and commanding. There had been something behind his words, something desperate and sincere.Bu
Elowen’s POVThe day had started out like any other—Alaric’s presence felt like a steady weight beside me, comforting yet smothering. But despite his closeness, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling deep in my chest.The warnings from Ranon and Theron continued to echo in my mind. Don’t trust him, Elowen. They’d been so insistent, so adamant. And I couldn’t deny that a small part of me was starting to believe them.As we walked through the garden, Alaric’s hand was firmly around my waist, guiding me along like I was his prized possession. It was almost like he couldn’t bear to be away from me for a moment, and yet I was still left with this uneasy feeling—the question I couldn’t ignore: Is he truly the man he seems to be?Alaric, sensing my distraction, stopped and gently turned me toward him, lifting my chin with his fingers. “You’re quiet today,” he murmured, his voice a mix of concern and something darker, something I wasn’t sure I wanted to decipher.I forced a smile. “Just thinkin
Theron’s POV I slammed the car door shut and stormed into the mansion, my anger boiling over. The moment I walked into the living room, I spotted Alaric sitting in his usual chair, sipping coffee like he didn’t have a care in the world. “You’ve got some nerve,” I growled, my fists clenched as I approached him. Alaric looked up, his expression calm and composed as always. “Theron,” he greeted, setting his mug down on the table. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” “Cut the act,” I snapped, stopping a few feet away from him. “You know why I’m here.” He raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. “Enlighten me.” “Elowen,” I spat, the name tasting bitter on my tongue. “You’ve been keeping her close, haven’t you? Playing the doting mate, whispering sweet lies in her ear.” Alaric’s lips curled into a smirk, and he stood, his posture relaxed yet somehow threatening. “And what of it? She’s my mate, after all. Or have you forgotten how this works?” I took a step closer, my wolf g
Theron’s POV I stood there, chest heaving, my fists still clenched at my sides as Alaric disappeared down the hall, his smug laughter reverberating like a taunt I couldn’t ignore. My wolf was howling in fury, demanding we go after him and finish what we started. But I couldn’t. Not now. Instead, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the room, needing to get away before I lost complete control. My wolf’s anger burned through me, and I could feel the sting of Alaric’s words lingering like an open wound. "A weak, pathetic omega," he’d called her. Elowen. I slammed my fist against the wall as I reached the hallway, the plaster cracking under the force. How could he say such things about her? About our mate? Mine. She’s mine! my wolf growled. I ran a hand through my hair, pacing back and forth. My wolf was restless, clawing at the surface, and for once, I didn’t try to stop him. “She’s more than he’ll ever understand,” I muttered under my breath, trying to calm myself
Elowen’s POV The academy was unusually quiet that day, the whispers of students muted as I made my way through the halls. My mind was still reeling from the conversation with Lisa and the cryptic warnings from Ranon and Theron. The tension between the triplets was palpable, and I was stuck in the middle, unsure of who to trust. As I walked into the library, the faint scent of aged books and ink calmed my nerves. This was one of the few places I could think without interruption. I made my way to the farthest corner, hoping to lose myself in a book, if only for a little while. But instead, I found someone waiting for me. Amara. She was sitting at a table, her long, elegant fingers tracing patterns on an open book. Her auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her piercing green eyes locked onto mine the moment I stepped closer. “Elowen,” she greeted, her voice warm and inviting. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you.” I hesitated. “You have?” She nodded, gesturing to the
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
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