Alaric's POV The air in the room felt thick, suffocating, as I stood there watching Elowen retreat further into herself. She had closed herself off, her back to me, the distance between us growing more palpable with every heartbeat. I wanted to say something, anything, to bridge the gap that had formed between us. But I was frozen, unsure of where to begin. My fingers twitched at my sides, longing to reach out to her, but I held back, not wanting to push her further away. The silence between us was deafening, and my mind raced as I tried to find the right words to make her understand. It was then that I heard it—a sharp, almost imperceptible sound that came from her. She was crying. My heart dropped in my chest. I hadn’t wanted this. I had never wanted to hurt her, yet here I was, the cause of her pain. Every tear that fell from her eyes felt like a knife to my soul. I closed my eyes briefly, trying to steady myself. I had to fix this. I couldn’t stand the thought of her in pain
Alaric's Pov I lay in the darkness of my room, staring at the ceiling, the silence pressing down on me like a weight. Sleep was impossible. My thoughts were consumed by her—Elowen. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face, the fiery anger in her eyes, the heartbreak I had caused. Frustrated, I sat up and ran a hand through my hair. “Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, my voice echoing in the stillness of the room. "What the hell is wrong with me?" I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, my fingers tugging at my hair. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. I was supposed to break her, to ruin her, to humiliate her so thoroughly that she’d never recover. And I had done it. I’d destroyed her trust, shattered her spirit in front of everyone. Yet now, as the memory of her tears replayed in my mind, all I felt was an ache in my chest that I couldn’t shake. "Why am I feeling this way?" I growled, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why the hell am I falling for her so deeply?"
Ranon 's POV The next morning started with an ominous gray sky. Rain fell in a relentless downpour, soaking the academy grounds and leaving puddles scattered along the cobblestone paths. I leaned against one of the pillars near the courtyard, my arms crossed, watching the students scurry to avoid getting drenched. But my eyes were searching for one person. Her. And then I saw her—Elowen. She walked beside Kael, her head tilted toward him as he spoke, a soft smile playing on her lips. My wolf growled low in my chest, the sound rumbling through my mind like distant thunder. He stirred uncomfortably, his emotions a tangled mess of anger and frustration. "What the hell is he doing with her?" I muttered under my breath, narrowing my eyes at the scene before me. Kael was carrying an umbrella, holding it over both their heads as they walked together. And then, as if the bastard knew I was watching, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. The sight made my
Ranon's PoV As the rain poured relentlessly, I strode back into the academy building, my fists clenched so tightly that my knuckles ached. The whispers and murmurs of students filled the halls as they cast curious glances my way. Everyone had seen the interaction in the courtyard—seen how she’d chosen him. Kael. The name grated on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. I slammed open the door to my room, letting it crash against the wall. My wolf was seething, his rage simmering just beneath the surface. "You let her walk away," he growled. "You let him win. She’s ours, Ranon, and yet you stood there like a fool while he played protector." I yanked my damp shirt off and threw it across the room. "Shut up," I muttered, pacing back and forth. "It’s not over. It’s far from over." My wolf growled lowly, his anger mingling with my own. "You saw how she looked at him. How she smiled at him. She’s slipping away, Ranon." I stopped in my tracks, gripping the edge of my desk so hard I tho
Ranon's POV As Elowen and Kael disappeared from view, I stood in the hallway, my chest heaving with a mix of frustration and something I hated to admit—pain. The whispers around me were deafening now, each one like a dagger to my pride. "Did you see that? Ranon looks... defeated." "I’ve never seen him like this before. Do you think he actually cares about her?" Care? I scoffed internally, forcing myself to regain composure. The very idea was laughable. This wasn’t about caring; it was about power, control, and the undeniable truth that Elowen was mine. No one else could have her. Especially not Kael. I stormed out of the hallway, the stares of the students burning into my back. My wolf, Eza, was unusually quiet, simmering in the same turmoil I felt. When I reached the training grounds, I punched the nearest wooden training dummy with such force that it cracked. "Damn it!" I roared, my voice echoing through the empty space. My wolf finally spoke, his voice a growl in
Theron 's POV The next morning, I woke up with a renewed sense of purpose. I wasn’t going to let anyone—or anything—stand between me and Elowen. Kade had been right. She was our mate, and no matter how much she tried to push me away, I couldn’t abandon the bond.I got dressed quickly, pulling on a black shirt and jeans before heading out. As I walked down the hallway, I caught snippets of conversations. Whispers about Elowen and Kael were everywhere."Did you see them yesterday? Kael put his jacket on her like they were a couple!""I heard they’re always together now. Isn’t she supposed to be mates with the triplets?"The words made my blood boil, but I forced myself to stay calm. Storming into the academy like a jealous lunatic wouldn’t help.As I entered the main courtyard, I saw her. Elowen was standing near the fountain with Kael, the two of them laughing about something. She looked...happy. It was a sight I hadn’t seen in so long, and it twisted something deep inside me.Kade gr
Elowen's POVI stormed down the dark hallway, my heart pounding as my lips tingled from Theron’s kiss. I pressed my fingers to my mouth, desperate to wipe away the lingering sensation of him, but it was futile. The warmth of his lips, the raw intensity of the kiss—it was all burned into my memory. How dare he? Anger and confusion swirled within me as I pushed open the heavy doors that led outside. Rain poured from the heavens, soaking me instantly, but I didn’t care. The cold droplets felt grounding, washing away the chaos threatening to consume me. I couldn’t understand why I let myself kiss him back. After everything he and his brothers had done, after the pain and humiliation they’d inflicted on me, how could I betray myself like that? I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. No. This can’t happen again. I can’t let them mess with my head anymore. I have to stay strong.A low growl echoed in my mind. “Good,” my wolf, Nyra, said. “Use that anger, Elowen. Let it fu
Elowen POV "Then you need to try harder," I said, my voice trembling. "Because all you’re doing is making this worse."Theron stepped closer, the rain dripping from his hair onto his face. His expression was raw, vulnerable, a side of him I rarely saw. "I don’t know how to stay away, Elowen. Every time I see you, every time I hear your voice, it pulls me in. I can’t fight it anymore."I swallowed hard, my chest tightening. "You don’t get to say that, Theron. Not after everything you and your brothers have done to me."His jaw clenched, his hands balled into fists at his sides. "I know," he said quietly. "I know I’ve hurt you, and I’ll never forgive myself for it. But I—" He hesitated, his voice faltering. "I can’t stand seeing you with Kael. It drives me insane. The thought of him touching you, holding you... I can’t bear it.""Do you think that makes this any better?" I snapped, anger rising in my chest again. "Do you think jealousy excuses the way you’ve treated me? It doesn’t, The
Elowen’s POV The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension. We all knew Ezekiel wouldn’t wait long before making his next move. He was patient, but not the kind to let an opportunity slip through his fingers.Theron drummed his fingers against the table. “We need to figure out what he wants beyond your blood, Elowen. If it was just power, he could have gone after any strong Alpha or pack. But he’s fixated on you.”Alaric’s jaw clenched. “Because she’s more than just a werewolf.” His gaze flickered toward me, something unreadable in his expression. “She’s the last of a bloodline that threatens him. He doesn’t just want her power. He wants her erased.”The weight of his words settled over me like a suffocating blanket. I had always known my existence was dangerous, but hearing it spoken so plainly was… unsettling.Ranon leaned back in his chair, his expression deceptively calm. “If he wants her erased, we make sure she’s untouchable.” His smirk turned sharp. “We make sure he fears
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