Thank you again to all my readers. and a big special thanks to Ava Wolf. I look forward to reading your comments every day. They always bring a smile to my face and remind me why I began writing.
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
Beta Adam's POV I stood in the dank, dimly lit basement, watching Cassandra's eyes widen with terror as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. It brought a twisted sense of satisfaction to see fear flash in those defiant eyes. One of my loyal pack members, Roger, entered the room, his face veiled with shadows that danced wildly against the flickering light. "I delivered the note to Alexander, as you ordered,” Roger announced, his voice drenched in subservience. “Good,” I replied, my eyes firmly locked on Cassandra. A plan was beginning to take shape in my mind, each cruel detail crystallising with each passing second. With steady, deliberate steps, I approached her, eyes dark with malicious intent. Her breath hitched, and she struggled vainly against the chains that bound her. Upon reaching her, instead of inflicting the pain she expected, I surprised her—and perhaps even myself—by unlocking the iron restraints around her wrists. She rubbed her sore wrists, disbelief eviden
Olivia's POV I could practically feel the twins' impatience radiating through the walls of the hotel suite. Liam's voice filtered through the threshold, his pleas amplifying in volume with each passing moment. "Mummy, when can we see Daddy?" he asked for the thousandth time, his little face scrunched in a mixture of determination and frustration. Beside him, Sarah tugged at my sleeve, her eyes wide with the same eagerness. "Please, Mummy? We miss him so much." My heart ached to see their longing expressions. They were the unwitting victims caught in the crossfire of adult conflicts, and it wasn't fair. I sighed, weighing my options. Stubborn and driven, the twins wouldn't relent until they got what they wanted. "Alright, we'll go see him," I conceded softly. Their eyes lit up with joy, and their tiny hands clapped in celebration. The tension that had held me captive all morning started to lift if only a little. "Let's go then," I said, leading them toward the door. “But we hav
Alexander’s POVThe cool night air whipped past my face as I sprinted through the woods, my wolf senses guiding me like an invisible compass. Cassandra’s scent weaved through the trees, leading me deeper into the forest. Even know I didn’t want to be with her, she didn’t deserve this, none of it. And I would make sure that Adam paid for every ounce of her suffering. The old building appeared through the dense growth, an eerie silhouette against the moonlit sky. The stench of decay and rogue wolves mingled in the air, fuelling my rage. Each step I took heightened my awareness. My muscles coiled like a spring, ready to pounce. This had to end tonight.I approached the building cautiously, scanning for any signs of a trap. The creaking door gave way under my touch, revealing a dimly lit hallway. Inside, the smell of rusted metal and mildew assaulted my senses. **Hang on, Cassandra.** The thought was a desperate plea and a fervent promise. I navigated the decrepit corridors until a muffle
Alexanders povThe wind whispered across the battlement, carrying a chill that dug deep into my bones. I stood at the wall encircling the city, my army of loyal wolves poised silently behind me. The air was tense, suffused with the anticipation of what was to come. I contemplated the wall with an acute awareness of what lay on the other side: the city that held Olivia and Sarah.Saphira had left to go find Tinsley and inform her of what was about to happen. She had gone inside the kingdom walls to get out as many people as she could who did not want to fight for the king. We couldn't wait for her to return. We had to strike now before Olivia was forced to marry King Nicholas's son. “Get me your king!” I shouted up to the guards standing motionless atop the wall. The defiance in their silence was a simmering challenge that only stoked my resolve further.Out of the corner of my eye, a sudden flicker—a glint of deadly intent—arched toward me. Instinct and adrenaline merged, and without
Olivias povI reached my room in a flurry of motion, the urgency pounding in my veins, and slammed the door shut behind me. My heart was a relentless drumbeat, each thud a resounding reminder of what I needed to do—find Sarah, free the dragons, and somehow escape. But I was just one person amidst the turmoil."Think, Olivia. Think," I murmured to myself, pacing the confines of my chamber. Outside, the chorus of panic escalated, every scream an echo of a city on the brink of collapse. The knowledge that they were searching for Sarah and that I couldn't help gnawed at me, a relentless torment.Suddenly, the door flew open, and there stood Elijah, his emerald eyes wide with urgency. "Olivia, come on! I have to get you out of here. Alexander’s army is approaching the city walls.""No," I protested, a firm resolve anchoring me to the spot. "I can't leave without Sarah."Elijah stepped closer. Desperation was etched on his features. "It’s not safe for you. My father will use you as a pawn i
Victor’s PovThe harsh chill of the dawning day crept through the forest as our army settled in the shadows of the Dragon Kingdom. Our journey had been gruelling, each step laden with the weight of expectation and desperation. We had pushed ourselves to the very edge, and now, waiting on the border, the tension crackled like static in the air around us. I was restless, every fibre of my being reaching out, praying for Alexander's swift arrival.I couldn’t shake the image of Olivia and Sarah from my mind. The need to bring them back consumed me with a fire that could scorch the earth beneath my feet. My sister was strong—tougher than anyone I knew—but I also knew the storm she was caught in. And then there was Sarah, innocent and pure, needing protection in a world full of shadows and claws.My thoughts were interrupted when a scream echoed from the periphery of our camp. "Dragon!"I spun around, senses snapping to attention, the word needle-sharp on my consciousness. The men around me
Olivias povI should go back to my room and return to the role of the compliant captive they expected me to play. But something deeper pulled me, a shimmering thread of fate weaving through the subterranean labyrinth beneath the palace. My steps were quiet as I ventured deeper into the cool embrace of the tunnels, the echo of my footsteps a constant reminder of the possible dangers ahead.The tunnels were a refuge, a secretive network that whispered tales of long-forgotten secrets. I navigated through the shadows, an innate guide leading me further into the depths. My gut twisted with hesitation, but I could not ignore the growing vibration in the air, a song of urgency beckoning me.Just as I considered turning back, a sound floated through the darkness, hushed but unmistakable. The distant clang of metal, a rhythmic symphony that drew me towards it despite every nerve screaming for caution.I crept forward, each step pulling me closer to the source until a thin line of light pierced
Alexander povI stood frozen, every nerve on edge, as the dragon's words settled into my consciousness. "Olivia... sent you?" I asked, my voice rough from disbelief and residual anger. The fire of my power still simmered beneath the surface, a silent reminder of what I could unleash if deceived."Yes," the dragon replied, its voice gentle yet resonant, carrying an undeniable aura of truth. "She needs your help. Nicholas plans to wed her to Elijah. This union will strengthen its hold on the lands and unleash chaos if not prevented. You must hurry."The weight of the revelation sank deep into my bones. Olivia, trapped in a web of political alliances, her freedom and the lives of those we both held dear hung in the balance. My insides churned with urgency and something more profound: fear."What about Sarah?" The question slipped from my lips, underpinned by the kind of desperation that only the thought of losing one's child could elicit.The dragon dipped its head, eyes filled with a pe
Alexanders povThe first thing I was aware of was the cold, hard earth beneath me. My eyelids felt like lead as I slowly opened them. Everything swam in and out of focus, but I could make out a figure cloaked in shadow standing a few feet away. The witch. Memories, jagged and disjointed, crashed through my mind—an explosion of light, the sheer force of something ancient rushing through my veins, then nothing."What happened?" My voice was hoarse, a whisper against the silent forest."You unlocked the power that is rightfully yours," the witch said, stepping closer, her voice steady with an ominous edge.I pushed myself into a sitting position, feeling the shift within me, the power thrumming with an intoxicating pulse. "I thought you betrayed me," I admitted, confusion lacing my words.The witch moved with grace, retrieving a flask of water from her side. She knelt next to me, offering it. "Trust is earned, Alexander," she murmured, watching as I gulped down the offering. The water wa
Olivias povThe walls of my room felt like they were closing in on me as the door slammed shut, locking me inside. I banged on it, my fists sore and desperate, my voice echoing down the corridor as I pleaded. "Please, let me out! I need to find Sarah!"But only silence answered, leaving me stranded in a sea of helplessness. My heart ached with the weight of my fears for Sarah, who needed me more than ever. Scores of emotions surged within me—fear for her safety, anger at being held captive, and a determination that refused to be extinguished.Pausing, I drew a deep breath and sank down onto the bed, my mind scrambling for ideas. The outward corridors were off-limits, guarded and patrolled. But the tunnels—those twisting passages below the castle—were different. I could navigate their depths and sneak past the patrols to find Sarah. My heart pounded as a flicker of hope ignited within me. Rising swiftly, I crossed the room with renewed purpose and pried open the small trapdoor hidden
Olivias povThe walls of the castle seemed to echo with suppressed tension as I made my way down to the dining room, guards flanking my every step. It was a relief to know that in mere moments, I would see Sarah. The anticipation was a warm tide against the cold grasp of King Nicholas's palace. I pushed open the grand doors, and there she was—my daughter. Her eyes brightened as she caught sight of me. With a thrilled squeal, Sarah darted across the room, wrapping her small arms around me as I knelt to embrace her. Her warmth filled the void, a reminder of why I fought so hard against the king's oppressive regime. Elijah stood to the side, a quiet pillar amidst the tension. I looked up and offered him a grateful smile. “Thank you so much for this,” I said, my voice wavering with the weight of withheld emotions. He nodded, his eyes reflecting a shared understanding. “Anything for you both.”The king's stern voice pierced through the tender moment. “Sit,” he commanded, his tone brooki
King Nicholas povSeated on the throne, I watched Sarah play, the golden light of dusk casting a warm glow around the throne room. As she moved, her laughter filled the air, a melody that I was reluctantly coming to cherish. She was a bright, brave little girl, spirited and innocent—qualities that stood on precarious grounds in my world. Sarah toddled toward me, her tiny hands closing around a toy dragon, its wings chipped from wear. Every part of me wished for Olivia to finally accept my son, Elijah, for the wedding to occur, intertwining our destinies and stabilising my empire before those insubordinate wolves could rally their pitiful excuse for an army. True, they were no match for my dragon legion, which was the pride of my reign, but quashing their rebellion would be another needle in my side—a distraction I could ill afford amid rising tensions. anyone with dragon blood belonged here not out there tanted by the rest of the world. As if summoned by my thoughts, the heavy oak d