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.
Olivia’s POV My heart pounded as we hurried to Lidia's room. We had little time to prepare for the confrontation that awaited us in the hall. I needed to be strong, not just for myself but also for Lidia. "Lidia," I called softly as I gently pushed open the door. She sat on the edge of her bed, looking like a fragile doll about to shatter. Her eyes, still red from crying, met mine. "Olivia," she whispered, her voice trembling. "We need to go. Now."Lidia sat there staring at me, her eyes wide with fear as she began to shake her head. “No, no, I can't face anyone. They’ll know that I had something to do with it.”Closing the distance between us, kneeling down in front of her, I took her hands in mine. “Listen to me, Lidia. You did nothing wrong, and I know you're not ready to face anyone, but we don’t have a choice.”She stared at me, her eyes still holding so much pain. “I don’t know if I can hold it together.”Standing up, I pulled her to her feet. “We don’t have a choice. But I
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?