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
Olivia's POVThe tension in the room thickened as Cole spoke, his words carrying the weight of a disturbing revelation. "Two of our pack members were on their way here a few days ago with gifts for your victory celebration, but they never arrived. When we got word that they hadn’t made it, we sent out people to search for them." His voice faltered for a moment as if the next words weighed heavily on him. "What we found was not what we had hoped. One of them was dead, the other missing, and the carriage was gone."A chill ran down my spine. I couldn’t bear to hear this. The situation was growing more dire than I’d imagined."Two days ago, we found the carriage," Cole continued, his gaze hardening as he recalled the grim discovery. "It wasn’t far from here. And this morning, we found the other missing pack member."My heart pounded in my chest. "Where did you find him?" I asked, my voice almost whispering, desperate for any hope.Cole's gaze flickered to the others before he spoke again
Olivia's POVThe sun had barely risen, but the kingdom was already alive with energy. The grand celebration for our victory was being planned for that evening, and every pack was invited to join in the festivities. The air was thick with excitement and anticipation.I had just finished speaking with Ethan about his proposal to Lidia. His nerves were apparent, but I could see the sincerity in his eyes. He was nervous, but I knew he was ready. Before I walked away, I placed a gentle hand on his arm, offering him a reassuring smile."Don’t forget," I said softly, "when I say I’d like to thank my sister, that’s your cue."Ethan nodded, his expression shifting to one of determination. "I won’t forget. Everything will be perfect."I gave him a quick nod before heading toward Alexander’s office. As I walked through the corridors, I caught sight of the triplet alphas—Cole, Casper, and Carlson—along with their shared mate. They greeted me warmly, offering hugs and smiles."It’s good to see you
Olivia's POVThe ceremony had come to an end, and the officiant's voice rang out, full of warmth and joy. "You may now kiss your mate."For a long moment, Alexander and I stood there, neither of us moving. Our eyes met a deep, silent understanding passing between us. The world outside the two of us felt distant—almost irrelevant. It was as if time itself had paused, giving us this moment to just be, to finally breathe, to finally have each other completely.And then, as though it was inevitable, Alexander leaned in, his breath warm against my lips. His eyes never left mine, and in them, I saw everything I had ever hoped for—the love we'd both fought for, the bond that had only grown stronger over time.His lips were soft when they first touched mine, and I felt my heart flutter, a thousand emotions rushing through me. But then he deepened the kiss, his hand cupping the side of my face as he pulled me closer. I responded instantly, my fingers threading through his hair, holding him as
Olivia's POVMy heart raced as I took in the sight of the garden, the flowers a stunning blend of colours beneath the glowing moonlight. Every detail had been crafted with care, each petal, each whisper of the breeze, all speaking of the love that had brought us here. But none of it mattered more than the man standing before me.Adjusting the dress that flowed around me like liquid silk. Victor and Allen flanked me, both looking incredibly proud and supportive, but their presence felt like a blur, fading in comparison to the figure at the end of the aisle: Alexander.When my eyes met his, everything else melted away. The crowd, the world—everything faded until only he remained. There he was, waiting for me, his face a mixture of longing and awe. My heart swelled with emotions that couldn’t be put into words. No part of me felt nervous. Everything just felt right.For so long, I had fought the love that bloomed between us, but tonight, under the stars and in the presence of our family,
Alexander's POVI stood before the mirror, adjusting the pristine cuffs of my shirt, the faintest tremor of nervousness threatening to disrupt the calm exterior I fought so hard to maintain. My reflection stared back at me—sharp jawline, hair perfectly styled, the weight of responsibility etched in my gaze. But beyond the Alpha that I am, I saw the man who was about to marry the woman of his dreams for the second time, but this time, I would not take her for granted. I would treat her the way that I should have from the start.My chest tightened as I ran a hand over the collar of my suit. Everything was perfect. The flowers, the guests, the setting. But all I could focus on was the one thing that had eluded me for far too long—the realisation that this was the life I had always wanted yet failed to see for long, and I hated myself for that.A soft knock at the door drew my attention, and I turned to see Ethan standing in the doorway, his usual confidence absent, replaced by something
Olivia's povThe shop door chimed softly as we entered. The dressmaker, a kind older woman with an eye for detail and warmth to match, greeted us with a beaming smile. Bolts of exquisite fabrics lined the walls, their colours are vibrant, each one telling its own tale. I knew the one I held within my heart today—a tale of love, resilience, and hope.Lidia followed me closely, her earlier doubts seeming to melt away amid the excitement of the shop. "I’ve been waiting for this," she confessed softly, leaning closer as she took in the palatial display of elegant gowns. "Getting to see you in your wedding dress is like a dream."We approached the mirrored dais, where an array of wedding dresses awaited—each one a masterpiece of lace and silk and dreams sewn into reality. As I stepped upon the dais, emotions welled within me, teetering precariously on a tide of sentiment and expectation. I reached for a gown gently, fingers trailing over the delicate beadwork, feeling the promise imbued w
Olivia's povI knew Ethan was trying to muster his courage. His hands trembled slightly as he thumbed the edges of the box, cooling his earlier confidence. Finally, he opened the box, revealing a stunning ring. The large moonstone at its centre caught the light, casting an ethereal glow that seemed to shimmer with life."Olivia, this ring has been in my family for hundreds of years," Ethan said, his voice tinged with reverence and nerves. The raw honesty in his eyes touched me deeply.“It’s beautiful," I murmured, genuinely captivated by the artifact's majesty and the legacy it represented.Ethan went red-cheeked, the usual bravado he donned so effortlessly slipping away. "I was wondering if you would…" He paused, his words stumbling over one another like a landslide. I waited, offering him patience and a soft smile of reassurance.After a moment, he cleared his throat and started again. "I mean, I'm here to ask for Lidia's hand in marriage. I haven't seen Victor yet, but he'll under
alexanders povThe anticipation that pulsed through my veins was far stronger than any battle I'd waged, any beast I'd fought. Tonight was the night Olivia and I would affirm what we already knew in our hearts: that we were meant to be together. Our bond had withstood countless trials, and now it would be sealed under the moonlight with the people we loved.Despite the day’s beauty, echoes of concern lingered. Red flags flew in my mind every time I thought of Reed. His absence was like a splinter under my skin—a constant irritation that could not be ignored. But tonight was not about him. Tonight was about Olivia, about our family, and about the life we were building together.The palace was bustling with excitement. People flitted about, preparing for the evening’s festivities. I had instructed everyone to keep the atmosphere relaxed yet festive. Even though she opted for a simple ceremony, Olivia deserved a night filled with joy and laughter.Maneuvering through the busy rooms, I fi
**Olivia's POV**I took a breath, the pleasant scent of roses filling my nose. The garden was alive with nature's symphony, a perfect backdrop for what could be the most significant day of my life. Alexander had already set to arranging everything needed for our moonlit wedding. Tonight would be magic.I left the garden, excitement twirling within me as I ventured toward the dressmaker to see if she had anything that I could wear tonight with such short notice. I noticed there was no time for me to have something made, but I didn't care. The dress was not important; marrying my mate was the only thing that mattered. My footsteps echoed softly off the cobblestone path, each step a rhythmic countdown to becoming Alexander’s wife.As I approached, the gentle hum of early morning activity filled the air. People were setting up stalls for the evening's festival, laughter mingling with the scents of freshly baked goods. We hadn’t had a true celebration in so long; spirits were high, and eve