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
Alexander’s POV Fatigue gnawed at my bones, each step I took feeling heavier than the last. Keeping an eye on Olivia all day from the shadows had been draining, both physically and emotionally. Watching her with Reed had been even more torturous. Seeing them together stirred a devastating ache within me, but that couldn't be my focus right now. Protecting Olivia was all that mattered, even if it meant swallowing my own pain.Stepping inside my room, I threw my jacket down on the bed and began to peel off my clothes, heading for the shower. I had a long night ahead of me sitting guard outside of Olivia's hotel, and I knew that if I didn’t shower and grab something to eat, then I would fall asleep on the job. Getting into the shower, the warm water washed over me, and leaning my head back, letting it take away my tiredness, I closed my eyes. Images of Olivia flashed through my mind.Every inch of my body craved to be with her again, to feel the touch of her soft skin against mine, but
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