Olivia’s POV As we left the hall, my heart pounded in my chest as I relived killing Derek over and over again in my head, and the same question played on replay in my head: could I have done it differently and not killed him?The fresh air hit my face, washing a calming feeling over me, but I knew that I needed time to myself. “I'm going to go for a walk,” I said to Victor and Lidia, who both looked at me with wide eyes.“With everything going on, I don’t think you should go anywhere alone, Olivia,” Victor said.“I'll be okay. I just need some time alone.”Victor stood there for a second, thinking, before finally nodding and taking Lidia's hand in his. I stood there, watching them walk away before turning and heading the other way.As I walked away from the hall, intending to find some peace, the tension from inside still clung to me like a second skin. The night air should have been a balm to my frayed nerves, but it was thick with unease. As I took a few steps further, another pr
Alexander's POV Watching Olivia walk away with Reed tugged painfully at my chest. Rage seethed beneath my calm facade. Reed's arm wrapped around Olivia was a reminder of how much I'd risked losing her. But now was not the time to make a scene. I had to focus on the bigger picture. “Alexander, what a cruel twist of fate!” Cassandra’s voice came from behind me, wrapping her slender arm through mine. “Alpha Derek's disappearance is simply dreadful.” She leaned in closer, her breath hot on my neck. I let out a sigh, eyes still fixed on Olivia and Reed disappearing into the distance. Cassandra always had a way of intertwining herself when I least wanted it. "It wouldn't surprise me if all of them had something to do with it," she whispered conspiratorially, her eyes gleaming. Annoyance flared inside me, and I pulled my arm free from her grip. “You heard what Victor said. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep your opinions to yourself.” I strode off, putting as much distance be
Olivia’s POV The night was cloaked in an eerie silence as I lay restless in my bed, the shadows from the dim moonlight dancing on the walls. My mind was a chaotic mess, brimming with uncertainties and anxieties. Days had passed since my last encounter with Alexander. Deep down, I knew that rekindling any form of relationship with him was a risk I couldn't afford to take, not with all the times he had hurt me before. A sudden knock on the door yanked me from my tumultuous thoughts. My heart raced as I cautiously approached, opening it to find Victor standing there, his face pale and eyes wide with panic. "Victor? What's wrong?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “They’ve called a meeting,” he said, his breath uneven. “I think they’ve found Derek’s body.” A numbing chill shot through my spine. I clung to the doorframe for support, fighting the panic threatening to consume me. I desperately prayed that nothing on his body could be traced back to us. "Olivia, you have to joi
Olivia’s povI kept my distance, noting every single reaction. Each murmured word, every worried glance—they all fed the tension simmering beneath my exterior. I had mastered the art of composure, especially now when everything depended on maintaining the facade. Samuel’s voice echoed through the hall, drawing everyone's attention. "His body bore marks consistent with attacks from rogue wolves. However, it appears they were made post-mortem. The cause of Derek's death is still uncertain, but it does not look like a simple rogue attack."I let out the breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding. But just as I thought the worst might be over, movement in the crowd caught my eye. Adam was pushing through the milling bodies. His eyes locked on Lidia with a predatory intensity. A chill travelled down my spine. He would not hurt my sister. I surged forward, heart pounding, but despite my efforts, Adam reached Lidia first. He grabbed her wrist, yanking her toward him with a vicious sneer. B
Olivia’s povI stared, shocked, as Alpha Reed stood in front of me, shaking off the pain from his hand, his knuckles bloody from the impact. The room descended into stunned silence, save for the laboured breathing of Adam, now sprawled on the floor. Victor, his voice laden with authority and restrained fury, commanded, "Adam, leave the hall immediately." Adam pushed himself up, wiping blood from his mouth, and shot a venomous glare at Reed before staggering toward the exit. His final words, echoing through the tense atmosphere, left a foreboding chill, "This isn't over." One by one, everyone else began to disperse. Reed turned to me, his eyes softening from the steel they held moments ago. "Are you okay, Olivia?" he asked, concern threading through his deep voice. I nodded, my breath returning to normal. "Thank you, Reed. I didn’t expect that..." He smiled despite his battered knuckles. "Sometimes, strength is in stepping up when it's least expected." As the hall emptied, I caug
Alexander’s POV I hadn’t slept a wink last night. The worry for Olivia's safety ate away at me. Even though we had gotten away with Derek's murder, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was still far from over. Last night's events played on a loop in my mind, a knot tightening in my chest each time I thought of Olivia. She had become strong, so different from the delicate, wolfless girl she once was. But I couldn't shake the feeling that it was causing her more harm than good. My gaze shifted to the clock; I had a mission today, and it was one I couldn't delay. Adam was a ticking time bomb, and if he was anything like his deceased Alpha, he wouldn't let this go easily. I needed to ensure the safety of Olivia and Lidia before things spiralled out of control. I left my room and made my way to Victor’s hotel. The city bustled around me, completely unaware of the tension lingering in the background. Reaching Victor's door, I knocked firmly, hearing his footsteps approach quickly. "A
Olivia’s POV I decided to step away from the confines of the suffocating walls and venture outside. Fresh air often worked wonders, clearing my mind even when emotions threatened to engulf me. Descending the ornate staircase, the faint echoes of a conversation drew my attention toward the main hall. Victor was engaged in a low-voiced discussion with Reed. My gaze inadvertently fixated on Reed, making his eyes snap to mine. His face lit up with a wide smile, something that should have given me butterflies, but still, I couldn’t seem to feel that way about him. Reed stepped away from Victor, his feet carrying him quickly to my side. Gently taking my hand in his, he brought it to his lips, placing a tender kiss on my knuckles. "Good morning, beautiful," he said, his voice soft and filled with genuine concern. "I just thought I would come and see how you are feeling after last night." My cheeks warmed at his attentiveness. "Good morning, Reed. I'm okay, really. I was just about to go f
Victor's POV Surrounded by stacks of documents and reports from various sectors of the kingdom, I allowed myself a moment of respite, my eyes drifting to a framed portrait of Olivia, Lidia, and me from years ago. The bond we shared had always been a source of strength, even through our most challenging times. The voices of Olivia and Reed abruptly pulled me from my thoughts. Their conversation echoed from the hallway, carrying a tone I could barely recognise. I strained to make out words, concern gnawing at me. I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor, and moved toward my door just as Olivia's room door closed softly. Opening my door slightly, I was greeted by Reed’s forced smile. "Is everything alright, Reed?" I asked, folding my arms casually yet ready to spring into action if needed. Reed shrugged, his smile unwavering. "Of course, Victor. Olivia just wanted to see the twins." I nodded, but before I could close the door, Reed kept talking. "Victor, it's just so
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?