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
Alexander's POV**The stark, empty corridors of the building echoed with my hurried footsteps. My mind whirred with strategic calculations as I made my way to Derek’s body. Every decision from here needed to be precise and meticulous—any slip-up could mean chaos for our already fragile peace.I reached the room and paused for a moment before entering. Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door, the metallic tang of blood immediately hitting my nostrils. Derek's lifeless body lay sprawled on the floor, a pool of crimson spreading around him. Seeing him like this, despite knowing the circumstances, didn’t invoke any sorrow. Derek had been a cruel, ruthless wolf who thought he could take whatever he wanted without consequence. His end was inevitable and ultimately necessary for the safety of those I cared about.Still, practicalities demanded that I remove his body from here and put it somewhere no one would ever find it. I had to protect Olivia. The world could never know what she did
Alexander's POV**As I entered the hotel lobby. My mind was a storm of thoughts, each tinged with urgency. I had to make sure Olivia was alright, yet the haunting reminder of Derek's body weighed heavily on me. I climbed the stairs two at a time until I reached Olivia's floor.Pausing briefly at her door, I took a deep breath before knocking lightly. It swung open to reveal Olivia, Lydia, and Victor all seated in a circle, their faces a mix of concern and anticipation. Lydia's eyes were still red from crying, and Victor’s protective aura enveloped them both.Victor was the first to notice me. As our eyes met, he stood up and made his way toward me. His glance was layered with gratitude and an unspoken understanding.“Alexander,” he greeted softly, “can we talk outside?”Without a word, I followed him into the dimly lit hallway. The tension hung heavy. As soon as the door closed behind us, sealing Olivia and Lydia inside, Victor turned to me.“Thank you,” he began, his voice thick with
Olivia’s POV The night was an unbearable maze of restlessness and anxiety. Alexander stayed with me, watching over me. In the dim light of my room, he was a fortress of strength. I couldn’t remember when I’d last felt so vulnerable, so dependent on someone else's protection. His arms wrapped around me like a protective cocoon, warding off the relentless tidal waves of dread that kept crashing against my consciousness. Closing my eyes, I nestled closer into his chest, feeling the rhythmic beat of his heart—a calming counterpoint to my own erratic pulse. Despite the comfort his presence offered, an insidious worry gnawed at my insides. Could he really protect me? Not just from external threats, but from the demons of my own making? Alexander’s fingers traced gentle patterns on my back, and his breath was warm against my ear. "It's going to be alright, Olivia," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. "I know," I whispered, though my voice quivered with uncertainty
Alexander's POV Two days had passed since Derek's demise, and I had been on high alert. Standing in the hall with all the alphas, I turned my head as someone walked in through the doors. My heart quickened as I realised it was Derek's Beta, Adam. He walked with a determined stride, his eyes scanning the room with an unwavering focus. I knew what he was here for, and it made my stomach twist into knots. I kept a discreet distance, listening carefully as Adam approached the elders. He exchanged nods with them before getting straight to the point. "Elders, we need to talk. Alpha Derek is missing, and I need your help to find him." The elders exchanged worried glances. One of them, a grizzled old wolf named Samuel, responded solemnly, "Very well, Adam. We'll bring everyone together and ask if anyone knows of his whereabouts." A surge of panic coursed through me. I couldn't let that happen. I turned on my heel and quickly made my way over to Victor, who was standing talking to Reed.
Reeds povI didn't know how long I had been trapped in that cave with the witches' burnt and rotting bodies. Everything was a blur, and my mind struggled to piece things together, only fragments passing through every now and again like echoes of a fading nightmare. I vaguely remembered their chants, the strange words resonating in a rhythm that seemed to align with the throbbing pain in my leg. Natasha lay nearby, her eyes open but unseeing, a haunting reminder of what happened when the moon's light came through that cursed cave.As the days passed, the fog obscuring my thoughts began to lift. My survival instincts took over, pushing me toward a gruelling reality: I needed to escape, to move before they found me.With grim determination, I dragged myself from the darkness of the cave, the memory of Natasha and the others burning in my mind. I felt disconnected from the world around me, hollowed out and raw from the loss of my leg. Pain lanced through me with each movement, a constant
Olivia's POV"Olivia, please, rest a bit more," Alexander entreated gently, echoing the concern etched into every line of his face.I shook my head, feeling a vibrant energy coursing through me. "I can’t, Alexander. I’m fine. There’s something I need to tell everyone," I insisted, leaving no room for argument.He hesitated, the protector within him battling his respect for my strength and autonomy. He nodded finally, prioritising my needs, even as the remnants of his worry shimmered in the space between us. "Alright," he conceded, a soft smile breaking through the storm.With a sweep of the moment, new resolve firmed my steps as I dressed, each garment a shield of confidence and renewed purpose. As I moved with care not to wake the twins, the thrill of life seemed to pulse through my veins.Word of my rise had spread quicker than wildfire, and as I stepped out, taking in the warmth of the morning sun, I found a vast sea of faces waiting. Their collective expectation hummed in the air,
Olivia's povI watched as Selene turned to leave, her steps light and deliberate as though she floated. My heart clenched, a surge of questions and emotions compelling me to follow. “Wait, please! I still have so many things to ask you,” I called out, my voice catching in the chilly air.She paused, turning back toward me with a serene smile that held the weight of ages in its curves. "When we meet again, I will answer all that you have to ask, but I hope that is not for many more moons," Selene promised, her eyes twinkling with ancient wisdom.The promise in her words was comforting yet bittersweet. I nodded, grappling with the sense of finality that lingered in the moonlit air.“It’s time for you to go now. There are many hearts missing you dearly. Go celebrate your victory.” Selene said, bowing her head slightly.Before I could reply, she seemed to dissolve into the starlit sky, vanishing as if carried away by the winds of time. The scene around me darkened, the picturesque world s
Olivia's povMy gaze drifted over the shimmering expanse of the ocean, a melody of thoughts threading through my mind. Despite the beauty surrounding me, an invisible weight tugged at my soul, reminding me of the battles still to fight and the loved ones I needed to protect."what will happen next with those witches?" I asked, turning my head to meet Selene's serene eyes. "Will they continue to stir up trouble?"Her expression remained calm, yet there was a flicker of something—satisfaction, perhaps—in her gaze. "The witches have become prisoners of the moon," she replied, her voice a soothing lull yet imbued with undeniable authority. "Their struggle against you exhausted their magic, leaving them weak and confined."As Selene spoke, she gestured gracefully as if painting the air with her fingertips. With a subtle wave of her hand, the sand at our feet swirled upwards, cascading around us like a whirlwind. The scene shimmered into existence, vivid and real, enveloping us in a world s
Alexander's POVOlivia's fragility lying on the hospital bed. Her skin was pallor that seemed out of place for someone as vibrant as her. It felt as though she was caught between realms, her spirit elsewhere while her body remained beside me.Liam and Sarah refused to leave her, their small forms locked in, fighting off the claims of sleep as they nestled at her side. Their presence, though reassuring, brought an ache to my heart. How do you explain to a child the cruelty of the world that places their mother in such a vulnerable state?They were brave, our twins. Sarah clutched Olivia's hand tightly, refusing to let go, while Liam focused his will on staying awake, his eyes fixed on his mother more intensely than his years should allow. I had tried more than once to coax them back to the hotel with Allen, believing they needed rest, but their connection to Olivia was fierce and unyielding.Victor stepped into the room, his usual confident demeanour replaced by cautious hesitation. He
Olivia's POVThe vast expanse of sand stretched before me as I followed Selene's lead, each step further removing the haze between dreams and reality. The salty aroma of the ocean filled my senses, an intoxicating blend of freedom and nostalgia. We walked side by side, accompanied by the rhythmic lullaby of the waves, until we reached a large rock overlooking the infinite ocean.“Sit with me, Olivia,” Selene suggested, settling upon the ancient stone. Her presence brought solace. Her words whispered truths that calmed the storm within me.I lowered myself beside her, the cool rock grounding me in this surreal yet comforting world. Together, our gaze captured the horizon where the sea met the sky, a seamless union as eternal as the forces guiding me.For a while, the symphony of nature wrapped us in silence, a shared understanding passing unspoken between us. Finally, the question clawing at my heart found a voice. "Will I ever see my family again?"Selene turned her gaze upon me, the
Olivia's POVA blinding light penetrated my closed lids, and I instinctively squeezed them tighter to ward off its impertinence. The sound of waves mingled with my heartbeat, which thudded loudly against my ribs in question. Where was this place? I cautiously opened my eyes, squinting against the unfamiliar brightness. As I sat up, the world wobbled, and I blinked to clear my vision. My surroundings took on shape—the sand beneath me warm, the air tinged with salt and freedom, yet stark in its refusal to reveal any hints of familiarity. "Where am I?" I murmured, my voice lost amidst the symphony of crashing waves and whispering winds.A voice from behind me answered, gentle yet commanding, "Do not worry, my child; you are safe."My senses jolted to alertness, instincts primed for confrontation. I spun around, my heart a wild drum, only to lock eyes with the most ethereal figure I'd ever seen. A woman stood there, her silver hair cascading like moonlit waterfalls, her skin luminous, and
alexanders povMy heart thundered painfully in my chest as I carried Olivia swiftly toward the healer’s chamber. The fear of losing her was an ice-cold grip on my soul, even as adrenaline urged my legs to move faster than ever before. Lidia rushed beside me, her face a mask of determination and disbelief, the same storm raging inside her, underscored by the urgency thrumming between us all.When we reached the healer's chamber, the air inside was thick with the mingled scents of herbs and sterile remedies. The healers moved with practised skill, immediately taking Olivia from my arms and gently setting her onto the bed. I lingered my body tense with a mix of dread and hope, torn by the need to be beside her and the haunting pull of helplessness.Olivia lay still, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. The sight twisted something inside me, a visceral ache that threatened to unleash my wolf's protective ire. I turned away for a moment, desperate to hold onto some semblance
Olivias pov Gasping, I focused on the beating of my heart, which seemed to drum a hasty rhythm as fear clawed at me. Aura’s voice wavered in my mind, her once bright presence dimming to a mere echo. A terrifying thought struck me: what if she faded entirely? The world tilted sharply, and I clung to the wall, desperate for anything solid to anchor me.“Olivia!” The voice was distant yet persistent, weaving through the haze that threatened to overwhelm me. Each breath became a labour, a battle against the suffocating pressure in my chest.I willed Aura to return, to guide me through the fog, but silence was my only answer. Panic twisted in my gut, and I squeezed my eyes closed, blocking out the churning room. When I opened them, Alexander's face hovered before me, his expression a mask of worried intensity.His words reached me as a blur, each syllable dipping in and out of clarity. Yet, it was the fear in his eyes that cut through the murk clouding my mind. I tried to speak, but my vo