Olivia's POVThe next morning, the twins bounded into my room, their eager voices filling the space before the sunlight could."Mummy! Can we see Dad today?" Sarah asked, her eyes wide with anticipation. Liam, less patient, tugged at my arm, mirroring his sister's hopeful expression.I tried to muster a calming smile, but their request weighed heavily on me. "We'll see," I replied noncommittally, aware of the disappointment that flashed across their faces. "Let me talk to Allan first, alright?""Okay, but promise you'll talk to him soon?" Liam's voice was tinged with desperation."I promise," I said, squeezing their little hands reassuringly. "Now, why don't you both go and get dressed? I'll sort things out."They shuffled out, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I knew that seeing Alexander would be complicated, but the twins deserved an answer. I needed to pull myself together and face this.Allan walked into the room a minute after the twins had left a coffee in their hand."They wan
Alexander's POVI glanced at my watch for what felt like the hundredth time, then heard the sweet, unmistakable voices of my twins."Daddy! Daddy!"I turned around just in time to see Liam and Sarah running towards me, their faces splitting into wide grins. Without thinking, I dropped to one knee and opened my arms. They collided into me with the force only children can muster, their small bodies filling my arms and heart with warmth."Hey there, my little warriors," I said, squeezing them tightly. I drank in the scent of their hair and the feel of their little hands gripping my shirt.Liam pulled back slightly, his eyes—the same shade as mine—gleaming with excitement. "Daddy, can we go to the park today?""Yeah, and can we get ice cream, too?" Sarah added, already bouncing on her heels. “Of course,” I replied, ruffling Liam’s soft hair. "Anything you want.""Have them back before dark, Alexander," Allan’s voice interrupted the moment. I looked up to see him standing a few feet away, l
Olivia's POVThe courtyard outside the hotel was serene, bathed in the amber glow of the setting sun. The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant hum of city life provided a calming backdrop as I waited with Lidia.Ethen came around the corner. His tall frame and confident stride made Lidia's cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink, and my heart swelled at the teenage blush painting her otherwise composed face."Ethan," she greeted him softly, her voice betraying just a hint of nervous excitement. "Lidia." He smiled and offered his arm. She took it, a delicate smile playing on her lips.They turned to leave, but Lidia paused and looked over her shoulder at me. "Thank you," she said, her gratitude evident in her eyes."You're welcome," I replied, my voice strong yet tender. Pride swelled in my chest, knowing she was finally following her heart. As they walked away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment, mixed with a bit of wistfulness."Ethan," I called out just before they we
Alexander’s POV As Olivia walked away, the weight of my own words suffocated me, leaving an ache so deep it felt like it had lodged in my very soul. The sight of her retreating figure, strong yet fragile, tore at my heart. I wanted to reach out, to pull her back to me, but I had to let her go for now, at least. I couldn’t bear seeing her hurt and me being the course of it.Olivia still held a part of my heart, maybe even a bigger piece than Cassandra did, but I couldn’t be with her if I couldn’t give her my full heart. That wasn’t fair to her.The courtyard seemed to swallow her silhouette as she disappeared, leaving me alone amidst the fading echoes of our conversation. A gust of wind rustled the leaves overhead, the sound almost like a whisper of disapproval. I ran my fingers through my hair, frustration mounting. The situation with Olivia and Cassandra was a tangled mess, and I couldn't see a way out that didn't involve someone getting hurt. Before my thoughts could spiral further
Lidia’s POV The evening air felt different tonight, charged with a kind of tension I couldn’t quite pinpoint. As Ethan and I strolled back to my hotel, a sense of unease gnawed at my senses. Ethan walked beside me. The Beta’s aura was a mix of relaxed confidence and alertness, which was naturally comforting. I laughed at one of his jokes, the sound light and airy, masking the heaviness of my thoughts. “Thanks for dinner, Ethan. It was the distraction I needed,” I said, genuinely smiling at him. “Anything for you, Lidia,” he said, a smirk lifting the corner of his lips. “You deserve to unwind.” The conversation flowed easily between us until something caught my eye at the edge of the old, rundown hotel we were passing. A figure slipped out of the shadows, furtively glancing around to ensure they weren’t seen. My breath hitched as recognition hit me. The face was so familiar and yet so out of place. “Is that Cassandra?” I asked, stopping dead in my tracks as I pointed towards the
Olivia's povThere was no time for me to sit around and feel hurt or to worry about the fact that there was a chance that class was going to come after me to get me out of the picture for good. The events in the city had me rushing around every second of the day, and I had been spending a lot more time with Alpha Reed.Spending time with Alpha Reed kept my mind off Alexander, which was nice; he was nothing like Alexander. He was kind and caring and was very open about his feelings towards me, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to feel completely content with him.I was sitting across from Alpha Reed in a cosy bistro, but my mind was somewhere else entirely. My eyes kept drifting toward the window, half expecting to see Alexander and Cassandra together again. It seemed like everywhere I went, he was there with her, and it only twisted the knife deeper into my heart. "And then, we could visit the... Olivia, are you even listening to me?" Alpha Reed’s voice cut through my t
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the elegant red dress that clung to my form. Read is the favourite colour that I thought I had always looked good at, but it was also the colour that Alexander had always adored me. The memory was bittersweet, my heart aching even as the fabric shimmered in the faint light. My eyes drifted to the dark circles just barely concealed by makeup, a testament to the sleepless nights filled with worries and longing. Sighing, I turned away from the mirror, trying to push thoughts of him aside. As I descended the stairs, the familiar chatter of Lidia and the twins filled the air. Lidia caught sight of me first. Her eyes widened slightly, and she smiled. "You look beautiful, Olivia," she said.Lidia had offered to stay behind and watch the kids. She told everyone that she was tired and didn’t feel like going, but I knew that the real reason was that she didn’t want to see Alpha Derek again. Before I could respond, Reed walked in. His entrance command
The party was just like all the others—extravagant, impeccably decorated, and filled with faces that barely felt familiar despite their familiarity. Chatter and laughter echoed through the grand hall, but none of it penetrated the fog of annoyance that clouded my senses. I glanced around, spotting Alexander standing in a corner, his intense gaze firmly locked on me. The heat of his stare was almost palpable, sending shivers down my spine despite my rising irritation. It wasn't the first time Alexander's presence had unsettled me, but tonight, his insistent attention felt more oppressive than usual. I took a deep breath, willing myself to calm down. This was supposed to be a night of distraction, yet I found myself spiralling into a pit of rage with each passing second. "Are you alright, Olivia?" Reed's voice broke through my haze, his concern evident. I forced a smile, not wanting to betray the storm brewing inside. "Just need a moment. I'll be right back." Excusing myself, I wea
The night hung heavy in the air, wrapping me in a cocoon of silence that accentuated my solitude. The portal had vanished, leaving the forest serene yet eerily empty. I turned in a slow circle, the towering trees surrounding me like silent sentinels guarding ancient secrets.All around me, shadows danced, cast by the ethereal glow of the moonlight filtering through the underbrush. I shifted uneasily, my heightened senses picking up the subtle rustling of leaves and the whisper of unseen creatures moving in the dark. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as if the very air was charged with energy waiting to be unleashed.Then, a voice broke through the silence, clear and resonant, calling my name. "Alexander."I whirled around, my heart leaping in my chest as a figure stepped gracefully into a shaft of moonlight. Her hooded cloak flowed like water around her, and with a slow movement, she reached up and pulled the hood back. The sight of her sent a shock through me—a woman w
The soft crunch of leaves underfoot marked our journey through the dense forest. The symphony of chirping crickets and the faint rustle of nocturnal creatures created a haunting yet soothing backdrop. But my thoughts were far from the serenity surrounding us, caught instead in a relentless loop of urgency and frustration.Hours had slipped by since we began this trek, each passing hour a new knot of tension coiling within me. The sense of time slipping through my fingers like grains of sand was maddening. I cast a glance at Tinsley, her expression unreadable as she navigated the underbrush as though it understood her silent command.“Just a little further,” she murmured, her voice a gentle reassurance that erased none of my impatience. It wasn't enough. The thought of Olivia and our children, their lives tethered to the whims of a tyrant, burned in my mind like a branding iron.“Tinsley,” I barked, the restraint in my voice unravelling. “If I shift into my wolf form, I can carry you.
Alexander's POV The sun hung low as I approached the palace gates, an ominous silence filling the air. There, waiting with a posture that promised a steadfast determination, stood Tinsley. Her silver hair caught the fading light, a beacon against the encroaching dusk. “Are you ready to make this journey to the magical land?” she asked, her voice both soothing and filled with the gravity of the impending quest. Her words resonated with the weight of destiny and the urgency of our plight. I nodded, the resolve firm within me, though uncertainty lingered like a shadow at the edge of my thoughts. Just as we began to move forward, a familiar voice shattered the fragile calm. “Daddy, wait!” Liam’s voice reached me like a lifeline, pulling me back from the precipice. I spun around to see my son running toward me, his little legs moving with desperate urgency. My heart clenched painfully, each beat echoing with his cries. Lidia trailed behind, her voice gentle but firm as she called, “Li
Olivias povI moved forward towards the voice. The tunnels bent and swirled around me, a labyrinth that seemed to stretch into infinity. I called out again, gentler this time, "Hello? Is anyone there?" My voice felt tiny in the vast darkness, threading through the heavy silence. Suddenly, I caught a whisper—a voice faint yet persistent—a single word that seemed woven from the air. "Olivia..." I hesitated, feeling a tremor of both hope and fear. That voice, so distant yet unmistakably real, beckoned me with a familiarity I couldn’t ignore. My grip on the wall tightened, anchoring me as I ventured further in, letting the whisper guide me. The passage narrowed, its cold stone brushing against my arms as if ushering me onward. I heard more voices then, a soft scuffle mingling with the breeze that funnelled through the maze. Despite the chill, determination warmed my skin and coaxed courage from my bones. Ahead, a glow illuminated the gloom—a flickering light that pushed back the shado
Olivias pov We began our descent, a part of me wished this ride could last forever. Eventually, Pyrrhus landed softly in a secluded courtyard, his scales catching the last rays of the setting sun.Elijah slid down first, turning to offer his hand to help me dismount. I took it, feeling the warmth from his touch lingering even after my feet touched the ground. I walked around the front of Pyrrhus and patted him gently on the head.“Thank you, Pyrrhus,” I whispered, the dragon’s eyes reflecting understanding and acknowledgment before he curled into a rest.The walk back to my chambers felt longer than it should have. We finally arrived at my door. As I turned to face him, his eyes bore into mine, a flicker of something unsaid reflecting deep within them.Taking my hand, he brought it to his lips, his breath warm and gentle against my skin. “Thank you for trusting me, Olivia,” he murmured, his voice almost husky. “I had an amazing time with you.”A knot formed in my chest. Something in
Olivias pov Sitting on the bed, my heart was filled with worry for Sarah. The sound of the door being unlocked snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up right as the door started to open. I readied myself for another meeting with King Nicholas, but instead, in walked his son.“Good morning, Olivia.” he greeted me as he bowed his head to me. I sat there silent, my mind still swirling. Elijah’s presence did little to ease the pounding in my chest. His politeness was almost unsettling in the midst of everything else.“Elijah,” I acknowledged tersely.He offered me a soft smile, one that tried to reassure me. It did nothing to pierce the dread hanging over me. “I thought a tour of the palace and a ride around the kingdom might lift your spirits today.”I hesitated. “I don’t think I’m in the mood.”He looked at me, his eyes filled with disappointment that seemed to come from a deeper place. “I understand. But maybe some fresh air and a change of scenery will do you good. For now, let me
Alexander's POVMy mind whirred with thoughts half-formed, worries and strategies crisscrossing in a tangled web. I moved briskly, packing essentials, etching Tinsley’s instructions into my memory. But I knew I couldn’t leave without seeing Liam one last time.I found Liam sitting in the garden, his eyes staring down at his hands in his lap. Linda was sitting next to him, watching his every move. I could tell he wanted to cry. He missed his mother and sister but was trying to be brave. My heart ached for him, and I wished I could take his pain away. Walking slowly towards him, I called out his name. “Liam,” his eyes meant mine, and a smile grew on his face. “Daddy,” he said as he stood up and came towards me. I picked him up, holding him close to me. For a moment, we stood there in silence, the weight of the situation threatening to crush me whole. But I couldn’t let him see my fear. “Listen, buddy,” I began, my voice soft but firm, “I have to go now, but I’m going to bring Mummy a
Alexander's POVThe guard’s words slammed into me like a jolt of electricity. I straightened up instantly, my breath catching as hope flickered in the depths of my exhaustion. "Bring her in," he commanded, his voice steadier than I felt.Seconds stretched into an agonising eternity until the door opened again. And in walked a lady. She paused in the doorway, her eyes wide with the weight of her message. Recognition sparked in my mind; she was the one who had guided us out of the treacherous forest. Her presence brought both a rush of hope and an undertow of dread.“Where is Olivia and Sarah!” I demanded. She stepped inside, eyes darting around the room, assessing the situation. Her expression remained solemn as she gravitated toward me, her hands clasped in front of her as if in prayer."Alexander, Victor," she began, her voice a mixture of urgency and sorrow. "My name is Tinsely, and I am bringing news about Olivia and your daughter, Sarah.""Tell us," Victor pressed, the tension i
Alexanders povThe world around me was a blur when I woke up, my body heavy and head throbbing with a pain that seemed to reverberate through my entire being. Darkness curled at the edges of my vision, but through the haze, I realised I was in a small, unfamiliar room. Panic surged through me, and I bolted upright, immediately regretting the swift motion as dizziness threatened to pull me back under."where am I?" I croaked out, my voice raw from disuse. I glanced around, taking in the clinical white walls and the beeping monitors next to my bed. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a cold, harsh light on the room.A figure moved in the corner of the room, drawing my attention. It was a woman in a nurse's uniform, her face lined with concern as she stepped closer, making soothing motions with her hands."Easy now, Alexander," she said, her voice steady and calm. "You've been through a lot. You need to rest.""Rest?" I echoed, incredulous. "How long... how long have I been here?