Theron’s POV I was pacing my room, my thoughts a whirlwind of rage and frustration. Alaric’s face flashed in my mind, his calm demeanor, his subtle smirk as if he had already won. My wolf growled, furious, echoing my own emotions. He’s a double-faced bastard, I thought bitterly. One moment, he’s giving me advice, acting like the older brother who wants to help. The next, he’s stealing what’s mine, Elowen. “She’s supposed to be ours,” my wolf snarled. “And he’s playing with her, loving her. He doesn’t deserve her.” I clenched my fists, the anger building in my chest. Alaric had been my ally once, but now, every move he made felt like a betrayal. Suddenly, my phone buzzed on the nightstand, snapping me out of my thoughts. I grabbed it, half-expecting another infuriating update about Alaric and Elowen. Instead, the screen displayed a familiar name: Sarah. I hesitated for a moment before answering. “Yeah?” “Theron!” Sarah’s voice was bright, cheerful, and completely out of plac
Theron 's POV I entered my mansion, the familiar scent of polished wood and leather greeting me. The quiet was comforting, but something was off. As I walked toward my room, I found the door slightly ajar. The soft light from within illuminated the space. I stepped inside and froze. Sarah was sitting on my bed, looking effortlessly beautiful in her short dress. Her eyes met mine with a soft, almost teasing smile. “You’re late,” she said with a wink, her tone playful. I couldn't help but appreciate her presence—there was something comforting about her, something that filled the room with warmth. I found myself stepping closer, my footsteps slow, deliberate. “Had some things on my mind,” I said quietly, my voice betraying the weight of the day. She tilted her head, watching me as I took a seat beside her. The tension I had been carrying seemed to lift the moment I was next to her, but I still felt something nagging at me, something that didn’t sit right. I took her hand in mine,
Elowen's POVThe drive to the academy was different this time. Alaric sat beside me, his presence calming, yet there was a strange excitement in the air. The morning fog clung to the trees, the silence between us almost too perfect. I could feel his gaze on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet it. It felt like everything had changed in the past month, like the world had tilted just enough to make everything seem new and unfamiliar."You okay?" Alaric’s voice broke the silence, low and soothing. He reached over, his hand brushing against mine. I felt the spark of connection instantly, the bond pulling me closer despite the confusion in my heart.I nodded, though my mind was far from calm. A part of me still couldn’t believe that I was going to live with him now. It was a step I never thought I’d take, but after everything that had happened, after the way he’d cared for me when I was broken... I didn’t know how to say no. “I’m just... processing,” I said quietly, my eyes still focus
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
Elowen’s POV I stormed down the hallway, my breathing uneven as I tried to shake off the weight of his words. His voice, his touch, his confession—it was too much. He didn’t deserve to have this kind of power over me, and yet he did. “Damn you, Alaric,” I whispered under my breath, wiping the tears from my cheeks. I reached the academy courtyard, where the rain had finally begun to lighten. Students milled around, their eyes darting to me, their whispers following my every step. It didn’t matter. Let them gossip. Let them judge. Nothing they said could hurt me more than he already had. But my steps faltered when I saw him again. Alaric. He was leaning against one of the tall stone pillars, his dark eyes locked onto me the second I stepped outside. His expression was unreadable, a mix of longing, regret, and something else I couldn’t place. "Elowen," he said softly, his voice cutting through the noise of the courtyard like a blade. I froze, my fists clenching at my sides.
Elowen’s POV The hallway felt like it was closing in around me as I stormed out, the taste of Alaric’s kiss still lingering on my lips. My hand trembled as I pressed it against my mouth, trying to erase the memory of his touch, his intensity, the vulnerability in his voice when he said he couldn’t stay away. I hated him. I had to. He was my enemy, the man who had humiliated and broken me countless times. But that kiss—it wasn’t just heat or passion. It was something deeper, something that scared me more than all the pain he had ever caused. The rain outside had started again, but I didn’t care. I pushed through the heavy doors of the academy and let the cold droplets soak me. The chill grounded me, gave me a focus as my emotions threatened to spiral out of control. "Elowen." His voice followed me, deep and commanding, but this time it wasn’t filled with anger. There was a softness in it that made my chest tighten. I didn’t turn around, refusing to let him see the turmoil he w
Elowen’s POV The tension from the hallway still buzzed under my skin as I walked briskly toward the nearest exit. The cool air from the rain earlier seemed like the only thing that could calm me. My fingers trembled, but not from fear—it was the adrenaline, the fire still coursing through me after everything that had just unfolded. "Elowen!" I ignored the voice calling my name, the sharp tone unmistakably his. I quickened my pace, my boots clicking against the polished floor. “Don’t walk away from me,” Alaric growled behind me, the commanding power in his voice making my steps falter. I stopped but didn’t turn around. “What do you want, Alaric?” I asked, my voice cold, trying to mask the storm of emotions threatening to break loose. Suddenly, I felt his hand on my wrist, firm yet not painful. He spun me around to face him, his towering frame inches away from mine. His dark eyes burned with something I couldn’t quite place—anger, frustration, and something deeper, more dange
Elowen’s POV The next morning, I walked into the academy with my head held high, my mother’s words echoing in my mind. They fear you because they know your potential. For the first time in years, I didn’t feel like the weak, humiliated girl they wanted me to be. Today, I wasn’t going to let anyone step on me. Not anymore. The hallway buzzed with students, the usual murmurs and whispers filling the air. As I strode down the corridor, all eyes turned toward me, some lingering longer than usual. I ignored them, focusing on my newfound determination. And then she appeared—Lisa. Her sickly sweet voice rang out as she stepped into my path, her perfectly manicured nails clutching a notebook she held as though it were a weapon. “Well, well, look who decided to grace us with her presence,” Lisa sneered, her lips curling in that familiar condescending smirk. “The academy’s favorite little charity case.” I stopped, my eyes locking onto hers. “Move, Lisa.” My voice was calm, steady, but
Elowen’s POV I stormed out of the academy, my thoughts a swirl of anger and determination. I couldn’t stand it anymore—the triplets, their arrogance, their smug faces. They didn’t understand what I was capable of. But I was about to make them. The path through the woods was familiar, almost comforting in a way. The thick trees shielded me from the world, and I welcomed the solitude. I needed to think, to plan my next move. I was done being the victim. It was time to take control of my own fate. As I approached the secluded cabin where my mother had stayed in hiding all these years, I felt an overwhelming surge of emotion. The resentment toward my father, the betrayal, the isolation—I felt it all. But I couldn’t afford to let those feelings overwhelm me now. I had a bigger purpose. I knocked three times on the heavy wooden door before it creaked open, and there she was—my mother. Her eyes, the same as mine, held a depth of wisdom and sorrow, but there was a quiet strength in them
Elowen’s POV The sun was setting as I walked through the academy grounds, the golden light casting long shadows across the path. My thoughts were racing, but my mind kept returning to one single point: revenge. Everything had led to this moment, to the game I was about to play. No more hesitation. No more fear. It had been a day since I stood before the triplets, made my bold statement, and I could feel the change in the air. The tension was palpable, swirling around me like a storm ready to burst. The whispers had intensified, and I knew they were watching. But the look in their eyes now wasn’t one of control or superiority—it was uncertainty. And that... that felt damn good. As I made my way to the training grounds, I could hear their voices before I saw them. Ranon’s deep tone, Alaric’s mocking laughter, and Theron’s quiet words that I couldn’t quite make out. I didn’t need to know exactly what they were saying. I could feel their eyes on me, following my every move as I approa
Elowen's POV The tension in the air was thick as I made my way through the halls, my heels clicking against the marble floor. The whispers continued behind me, but I paid them no mind. My focus was on one thing only: the game I was playing, the plan I had set in motion, and the power I was slowly reclaiming for myself. Every move I made, every word I spoke—it was all a calculated step toward my ultimate goal. And today, I’d made a significant move. Ranon had been quiet ever since our encounter, his silence telling me everything I needed to know. The way he looked at me, the way his gaze lingered longer than it should have—he was intrigued, and that gave me the upper hand. As I turned the corner toward the courtyard, I saw him again. Ranon. This time, though, he was with his brothers. Alaric, Theron, and Kael were standing in a tight circle, their postures stiff and their conversations muted. But as soon as I entered the space, their heads turned. The moment I laid eyes on th
Elowen’s POV The morning came, but it didn’t feel like the start of a new day. It felt like the beginning of something darker, something powerful, something that would change everything. I stood in front of the mirror, taking in the reflection staring back at me. I had chosen my clothes carefully today. A tight, black leather jacket clung to my body, showing off my curves. My shirt underneath was dark and fitted, and the jeans hugged my legs just right. I wanted to show them—show all of them—that I wasn’t the fragile, broken girl they thought I was. My makeup was bold, my lips a deep shade of crimson, my eyes smoky and intense. I wanted to make an impression, leave a mark. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn’t help but smirk. This wasn’t just a new outfit. This was a declaration. "Let them look," I muttered to my reflection. "Let them all stare." I left my room and made my way to the academy, the sound of my boots echoing in the empty halls. My heart raced in ant
Elowen’s POV As soon as the door shut, sealing me off from the outside world, I felt the dam inside me break. I rushed to the bathroom, needing the small, confined space to hold myself together, but the second I caught my reflection in the mirror, I shattered. My face was pale, my eyes red-rimmed, and my hair was still damp from the rain. The girl staring back at me looked like a stranger—lost, broken, and utterly defeated. I gripped the edge of the sink, my knuckles turning white as I tried to steady myself. But the pain was too much, the emotions swirling inside me too overwhelming. “What’s wrong with me?” I whispered, my voice cracking as tears blurred my vision. I sank to the tiled floor, pulling my knees to my chest as the sobs I’d been holding back finally escaped. It was all too much—the betrayal, the lies, the endless cycle of pain and confusion. Why couldn’t they just leave me alone? Why did they all have to worm their way into my heart only to twist the knife dee