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
Beta Adam's POV My hatred for Olivia and Lidia had become an all-consuming fire that burned through my every waking moment. I would make them pay if it was the last thing I ever did. As I prowled the shadows outside the hotel, I couldn't tear my eyes away from Olivia. She appeared strong now, her wolf fully awakened, but all I saw was a deceitful murderer. My hands clenched into fists, fingernails digging painfully into my palms as I watched her take a walk with Reed. Reed’s protective stance only fuelled my rage further. He was a tangible obstacle now, a barrier between me and my vengeance. The sneer on my lips stayed firmly in place as I trailed behind them from a safe distance, my heart throbbing with barely contained fury. “How dare she laugh and smile as if my Alpha’s death meant nothing to her?” I muttered under my breath, relishing the idea of bringing her laughter to an end. Every step I took shadowing her was a step closer to justice. But every glance she shared with Ree
Cassandra's POV I’d barely settled into my room when a rapid, almost frantic knock shook the door. My pulse quickened. I crossed the room in swift, silent strides and, without bothering to check, thrust the door open. A young pack member stood before me, eyes wide with anxiety. "What are you, stupid?" I hissed, yanking him inside with a strength unexpected from someone my size. "If anyone sees you here..." He squared his shoulders, forcing an air of composure. "Beta Adam sent me with an urgent message. He wants you to meet him tonight." I eyed him for a moment, weighing the significance of the message. "Tell him I'll be there," I replied evenly, pushing him back toward the door. As soon as he left, I closed my eyes and reached out with my mind, honing in on the familiar, comforting presence of my mate. **I need to see you before tonight. Can you meet me in an hour? ** His response was quick and reassuring: **Yes, Cassandra. I’ll be there. ** Satisfied, I moved to the mirror, a
Cassandra's POV A dull ache throbbed at the back of my head as consciousness slowly returned. My throat felt parched and sore, each breath a dry rasp. Opening my eyes, I was greeted by darkness and the clinking sound of metal against stone. As my vision adjusted, muted shapes began to form around me. Panic set in when I realised I was chained to a chair, cold and unforgiving against my skin. My heart pounded erratically as I strained against the chains, but they held firm. Every movement sent jolts of pain through my bruised wrists. I desperately scanned the room, the dim light revealing only bare walls and a thick wooden door. The unmistakable scent of dampness and decay permeated the air. *What is this place? Where am I? * Questions swam through my mind in rapid succession. I tried to recall how I ended up here, and flashes of memory returned—my confrontation with Adam, his grip on my throat, the encroaching darkness. A muffled voice outside the door drew my attention. It grew l
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