Cassandra's POVThe door to the hotel room clicked shut behind Alexander, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. "Finally," I muttered under my breath, the bitterness of his kiss still lingering in my mouth. I rushed to the bathroom, flicking on the harsh fluorescent light and glaring at my reflection. I could still taste him—a reminder of everything I loathed.Turning the faucet, I cupped my hands under the running water and shoved them into my mouth, swishing furiously. I spat the water out, watching as it spiralled down the drain, carrying away the remnants of my disappointment and growing hatred. Leaning against the sink, I stared into the mirror, my eyes dark and full of unspent fury. This wasn't over, far from it.Alexander's departure was my cue. He would be gone for a while. He had hardly changed since we were married. The only thing that was different was how much weaker and pathetic he was now. If I played my cards right, I would have time to go and meet up with my alpha,
Olivia’s POV The morning light streamed through the curtains. I had barely slept, my thoughts a tangled mess of anger, sorrow, and exhaustion. Just as I managed to close my eyes, a knock on my door pulled me from the abyss of restless sleep.“Come in,” I called weakly, my voice betraying the weariness I felt.Lidia walked in, her eyes sharp and assessing. She leaned against the doorway with a smirk playing on her lips.“Well, good morning, Little Miss Sunshine,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “How was your night out in the rain with that handsome new toy of yours?”I rolled my eyes, sat up in bed, and pulled the covers closer to me for some semblance of comfort. “It was...complicated,” I said.“Complicated?” Lidia raised an eyebrow. “Do tell. I’m dying to know more.”Taking a deep breath, I began to recount what had happened. “I confronted Cassandra last night,” I started, feeling the lump form in my throat. “And Alexander came after me. We fought. Again, and he kissed me
Alexander's POVThe leather chair in the lobby had become a reluctant bed for the night. My legs were cramping, and my back was stiff from the uncomfortable position. Still, it was better than being anywhere near Cassandra. At first light, I forced myself up, groaning as my muscles protested. Sneaking into the room, I looked around, finding it empty. Good, I thought, mentally hoping she had wandered off and wouldn't return.After a quick shower and change of clothes, I headed towards the main hall, where today's elder meeting was scheduled. The room was abuzz with multiple alphas, all seated and engaged in hushed conversations. The gravity of the situation seemed to weigh heavily on everyone. But my mind was elsewhere. All I could think about was how I was going to get Olivia back and Cassandra out of the picture.Elder Marcus, a grizzled old wolf with eyes that seemed to peer into your soul, called the meeting to order. His voice carried a tone that instantly demanded respect and att
Lydia’s POVI made my way into the city centre. After talking with Olivia this morning, I decided that I wanted to do something to cheer her up. I wanted to buy her something that would make her feel better and symbolise our newfound relationship.I glanced around, catching sight of the small artisan shop. "Perfect," I murmured to myself, a smile tugging at my lips as I imagined her face lighting up at the sight of the carefully crafted jewellery with which I planned to surprise her. Earrings inlaid with moonstones, a symbol of strength and resilience, seemed fitting.As I approached the entrance, something caught my eye—movement in the alley next to the shop. Squinting, I recognised Cassandra. Next to her stood a tall, shadowy figure—a man whose face was obscured by the brim of his hat. I ducked behind a nearby cart, curiosity piqued, and caution ignited.“What could she possibly be up to now?” I whispered, my grip tightening around my purse. Cassandra's mere presence had a knack for
Lydia's POVThe cool air did little to calm my nerves as I stood motionless, staring into Alpha Derek's pitch-black eyes. He towered over me, every inch of his presence exuding menace. My pulse quickened, and I did my best to steady my breath, refusing to show any sign of fear. He thrived on fear."What do you want, Derek?" I demanded, my voice finding a sharp edge."Do you really think I'd allow you to reject me and get away with it?" His voice was a low growl, sending a shiver down my spine.I clenched my fists, summoning all my strength and resolve. "Leave me alone, Derek," I spat, letting out a laugh that masked my dread. I'd never let him see how deeply his presence unsettled me. I turned on my heel, my steps resolute, but I barely made it two steps before a brutal force yanked me back.Derek's hand clamped over my mouth, stifling my scream as he dragged me into the alley. Panic surged through me like a bolt of electricity. I thrashed, desperate to break free, but his hold was to
Olivia’s POVI decided to see if Lydia wanted to go for a walk. Maybe some fresh air would clear my head. Making my way to her room, I knocked briskly on her door. No answer. I knocked again, louder this time, but still nothing. Hesitating only for a moment, I turned the handle and stepped inside. The room was empty, the bed made, and there was no sign of Lydia.Worry gnawed at my thoughts as I headed downstairs. The hallway was deserted, echoing my hurried footsteps as I made it to the courtyard, where I found Allan playing with the twins. His smile faded when he saw the concern in my eyes."Hey, Allan," I began, trying to keep my voice steady, "have you seen Lydia?"Allan glanced up, his expression perplexed. "Yeah, she went for a walk a few hours ago." A chill ran down my spine. "What time exactly?" I pressed. "Around one," Allan replied, a hint of concern creeping into his voice. "Why?"I looked at the clock on the wall: it was already four. "She should have been back by now."Al
I looked down at Lydia and myself, covered in blood and trembling from the adrenaline. There was no way we could walk out on the street like this; questions would swarm us, and the last thing we needed right now was more attention."Alright, we need to disguise ourselves," I said, my voice firmer than I felt.Lydia nodded weakly, clutching at the remains of her dress. I glanced around the dingy room, looking for anything we could use. There was a pile of rags in the corner—old, discarded clothing. They were dirty and smelled of neglect, but they would have to do. I quickly grabbed a couple of pieces, handing one to Lydia."Put this on," I instructed, already pulling a tattered coat over my own bloody, torn clothes. We both moved quickly, driven by the need to escape as fast as possible."Do you think he'll come after us?" Lydia asked, her voice quivering as she changed into the rags.Her words left me confused. How could she think that a dead man could come after us? But then it sunk
Alexanders pov As I left the elders' council, the night draped the street in a shroud of shadows. Frustration ate at me. I had stayed back after the meeting to see if there was anything else they could tell me. I wanted to be ready for whatever was about to come so I could protect the ones I loved, but they told me nothing. Their cryptic warnings about the new threat had been useless. In my role as the Alpha King, I needed clarity and strategy—not riddles. The elders’ evasiveness had done nothing but heighten my unease.I decided to take the long way back to the hotel. It wasn't just for the sake of clearing my mind; the prospect of facing Cassandra immediately made my skin crawl.Something across the street caught my attention: two people standing in the dark. There was something about them that made me stop and watch them. Then, a familiar smell in my nostrils. I knew that scent anywhere. Walking slowly, I crossed the street, straining to hear their conversation. I couldn’t make ou
The gentle hum of the wind rustled through the castle gardens, carrying with it the scent of blooming jasmine and fresh earth. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the kingdom, painting everything in warm, honeyed light. The Dragon Kingdom—our kingdom—was at peace.A week had passed since the final battle. A week since Nicholas had fallen, his tyrannical reign brought to an end. The scars of war still marked the land, but already, hope had begun to weave its way through the people, through the dragons, and through my own kingdom. Rebuilding had started, and with it, the promise of a future unshackled from fear and a united front between not only ours and their kingdom but also many others.And today… today was the day that I finally got to marry Alexander.The wedding had been a quiet affair, just as I had wanted—just those we loved, those who had stood beside us through the trials that had nearly torn us apart. The great hall had been filled with the laughter of
A bright glow surrounded me, cradling me like a guardian made manifest. It was the magic from deep within, awakened not by mere survival but by love—a force transcending the corporeal bounds defined by the fight.The descent slowed, the air holding me in a delicate dance with the elemental magic coursing through my veins. It whispered assurance and a promise returned in kind by the beating heart of the earth itself.As I alighted softly upon the weathered stones of the courtyard, strength and weariness meshed in a delicate balance. The energy wrapped around me, a cocoon of gentle power that ebbed almost tenderly, returning me to the ground with undeniable grace.The world righted itself, the battlefield, once a stage of cacophony and chaos, hushed into a stunned silence, witnessing the impossible shimmer into reality. A breath—my second chance drawn from the earth—and I stood, steady and whole.I looked up to see faces of disbelief switch to ones of hope. Alexander's strides carried h
Olivias povMy warning echoed in the air, but it was already too late. Behind Elijah, the king’s dragon surgeon moved with terrifying speed, its spear-like tail ready to strike. Everything seemed to slow as the scene unfolded—a cruel dance of shadow and flesh, friend and enemy caught in fate’s grip.Time froze as the dragon’s tail pierced Elijah’s back, ending the moment in brutal finality. Pain and realisation filled his face, his emerald eyes widening in shock. His body crumpled forward, silent in the tragedy he had become a part of."No!" The word tore from my throat, breaking the heavy silence that settled like a shroud. But through my horror, an undeniable truth took shape with each heartbeat—Nicholas’s greatest betrayal wasn’t just in his violence but in the cold decision to sacrifice his own son for power.As Elijah fell to his knees, Nicholas grinned—a wicked smile that could freeze the ocean. He waved the horn, the sound still ringing in my ears, and in that moment, his inten
Olivia's PovThe sky was painted in shades of crimson and smoke, and the battlefield lay beneath me, a chaotic tapestry of combat and valour. Riding Saphira, my trusted dragon, I felt an unprecedented harmony between us. Her thoughts intertwined with mine, weaving a tapestry of mutual understanding and unity. Together, we were a force of nature, an extension of one another as we dove and soared through the fray.Saphira’s roar resonated inside me, a declaration of war that echoed the battle’s ferocity. Her muscles coiled beneath my legs, and we twisted through the air, engaging our adversaries with a synergy that brought out the raw power within us. Each strike was fluid and precise—a dance of strength and strategy that blurred the lines between rider and dragon. Riding Saphira, I felt a strength I’d never known, as though every heartbeat was in sync with the rhythm of destiny itself.Through the din of clashing swords and bellows, Saphira's voice sizzled like lightning in my mind. *O
Alexander's POV The battlefield pulsed with chaos, a vast symphony of metal clashing and figures weaving through a smoky haze. I fought with a focused intensity that came from the core of my being. Each movement was purposeful, and each turn of my blade was meticulously calculated. This was more than a war of physicality; it was a contest of spirits fueled by love and vengeance. All around me, my pack surged forward like a tidal wave, wolves overcoming soldiers with primal ferocity. As I caught a glimpse of Olivia soaring overhead on a dragon's back, a wild joy lit me from within. Her presence was like a beacon, a promise that drove me onward, deeper into the heart of conflict. My attention was wrenched upward by the tumultuous struggle above. There, in the sky, dragons twisted and turned in an aerial ballet of might and desperation. King Nicholas and his son, Elijah, battled with a fury that seemed to rend the sky itself. Nicholas's dragon fought with savage intensity, every swi
Elijah's povThe clamour of the battlefield swelled around me, punctuated by cries and the clash of steel. My heart was a tempest, torn between my loyalty to my father and my love for Olivia. I had never intended to become a pawn in this war, but here I stood, bathed in conflict, with my mind spiralling around the impending chaos. As I left Olivia's side earlier, my frustration boiled over into the tense air. "Cease this madness!" I cried out to the guards, their movements a blur of aggression around me. "These people are not our enemies!" Laughter erupted in response, sardonic and cruel. "The King has spoken, not you, Prince Elijah. We fight until death unless he says otherwise." Disdain twisted within me—a serpent rearing its head. Their insolence, their mindless obedience to Nicholas's bloody decree, was galling. But I knew why they refused me. I wasn’t their king, merely a shadow cast by my father’s ambition, a prince wearing false armour. The world spun with futility. Seeking
The ground was approaching swiftly beneath me, a swirling mass racing to meet my descent. Every instinct screamed that this was a mistake and that the leap would surely be my undoing. But even as fear clenched my heart, the dragon's scale in my grip pulsed with a warmth that banished doubt. One hundred meters above the earth, however, a shadow loomed. The first dragon I had saved soared to my rescue, swooping beneath me with a grace that defied the chaos of my fall. Relief erupted within me as I landed on its broad back, a breathless gasp escaping my lips. Holding tight to the rough, warm scales, I murmured, "Thank you."The dragon's powerful wings flapped, beating a defiant cadence against the tumultuous winds. It rose into the sky, a guardian taking flight, and together, we soared, the kingdom unfurling beneath us as a tapestry of vibrant life and teetering conflict.As if in a dream borne aloft, hundreds more dragons began to appear, majestic and fierce, emerging from the shadows
Olivias povI raced through the tunnels with a sense of urgency so intense it felt like a physical force pushing me onward. My breaths were ragged, each inhalation a struggle as I navigated the labyrinthine passages beneath the kingdom. My mind was a whirlwind, and though my plan was half-formed at best, I knew the dragons were my destination—their strength would be paramount in the battle to come.As I emerged into the dragon chamber, the oppressive air filled my lungs, heavy with the scent of fear and confinement. I couldn’t afford to hesitate, even as my heart pounded with the weight of what I was about to do. There they were, magnificent creatures tethered by chains, their eyes pools of ancient wisdom and unfathomable pain.The sight of the three guards was like a cold splash of reality, snapping my senses into sharp relief. The lead guard shouted, “What are you doing here? You can’t be here!” His voice echoed menacingly through the chamber, but I was beyond fear.Panicking would
Alexanders povThe moment we scaled the wall, chaos erupted like a storm unleashed upon the city. The guards, mere specks below, shouted commands in a futile attempt to contain the inevitable. Before anyone could react, a deafening roar sliced through the pandemonium, and the dragons descended, dark silhouettes against the dawn sky. Each dragon was a testament to terror and power, their scales shimmering with malice as they perched above the city. Fire erupted from their jaws, slicing through the air like molten spears, incinerating everything in their path. The city seemed to collapse inward upon itself, screams of horror mingling with the crackling of flames. Yet, amidst the chaos, my objective remained clear. I needed to reach the palace and confront Nicholas, ensuring he could never threaten Olivia or Sarah again. Victor and the others would search for them, but I would end this once and for all. As we pushed forward, defenders surged toward us, their weapons drawn with the con