Alexanders povI spun around to see Adam standing in the doorway, his eyes wide with terror. A masked figure, clad in black, loomed behind him, a knife protruding ruthlessly from Adam's chest. Time seemed to slow as Adam crumpled to the ground, his lifeless body blocking the entrance. Olivia gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Alexander, who is that?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Stay behind me," I commanded, gently setting Olivia down and stepping forward, my body poised to protect her at all costs. My heart pounded as I locked eyes with the masked figure, trying to gauge their intent. Even from a distance, I sensed the danger emanating from him. Their eyes, visible through the slits of the mask, bore into mine with an intensity that made my blood run cold. For a moment, neither of us moved, like two predators sizing each other up. "Who are you?" I demanded my voice a low growl filled with authority. The figure tilted their head slightly as if considering whether or n
Olivia's POV As the cold night air hit my face, my mind continued to whirl with questions that seemed impossible to untangle. Alexander's grip tightened around me, protective and unwavering, but the weight of uncertainty pressed down relentlessly. Cassandra followed closely, her steps silent but her presence loud in the back of my mind. Every time I glanced at her, a gnawing suspicion grew stronger. How could she have shown no fear amidst all this chaos?Everything screamed at me that Cassandra had been working with Adam, and there was no way I would let her get away with it. She needed to be stopped before she hurt anyone else. I wanted to tell Alexander right then and there, but I knew that now wasn’t the time. We still weren’t out of danger, and if I told him in front of her, then there was a chance that she could escape, or worse, Alexander wouldn’t believe me. So I pushed the thought down and told myself that I would tell him everything I knew as soon as we found Reed and Ethan
Victor's POV The forest air was thick with tension, each breath tasting of fear and pine. My heart pounded fiercely in my chest as I followed Olivia's scent, an unnerving dread twisting in my gut. I moved swiftly, the pads of my paws sinking into the damp earth with every step. Olivia's scent grew stronger, pulling me deeper into the forest. I prayed silently, begging the Moon Goddess for her safety. Going alone was a risk, but I couldn’t afford to leave Lidia and the twins unguarded back at the hotel. The thought of them helpless if something went wrong gnawed at me, so here I was—alone. The scent was leading me toward an old, decrepit building. It stood hauntingly against the backdrop of towering trees, its walls cracked and windows shattered. I shifted back to my human form, ignoring the rush of cold air against my skin. Picking out a worn pair of shorts from my emergency pack strapped to my leg, I slipped into them for the sake of decency. A faint light glowed from one of the
Olivia's POV "We're close," Alexander whispered, his tone both reassuring and alert. The shed loomed ahead of us, partially hidden by thick underbrush and shadow. The air felt charged as though it held its breath, waiting for us to make our move. Every sound made my heart beat faster in my chest. Aura was on full alert. I could feel her stirring within me, ready to show herself at any second. "Stay behind me," Alexander repeated, moving with grace and assurance. I nodded, swallowing hard as we neared the shed's entrance. The moonlight cast a silver glow on the rough wooden door, and my heart pounded louder with each step. Just as I was about to follow Alexander inside, his hand shot out, gripping my arm with a strength that was both tender and unyielding. "Let me go in first," he commanded, his eyes scanning the area for any hidden dangers. I hesitated, feeling the buzzing tension in the air, but ultimately, I relented. "Okay," I whispered back, stepping aside to let him enter. He
Olivia's POV A figure stepped out, shrouded in darkness. My muscles tensed, ready to spring. But as the figure came into the moonlight, my heart leapt with recognition. "Victor?" I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding. The relief was nearly overwhelming. Victor's eyes were wide with equal parts worry and relief as he hurried towards me, pulling me into a tight embrace. "Olivia! Are you okay?" His voice was filled with desperation, his arms wrapping around me protectively. "I'm okay, Victor. Really," I said, my voice muffled against his chest. His scent was familiar and grounding, a reminder that we still had a chance to survive this nightmare. Victor turned his attention to Alexander, Ethan, and Reed. "Thank you," he began, his voice thick with emotion. But Ethan, struggling to stand, shook his head and stopped him. "We failed. I failed," he muttered, eyes downcast. The weight of his perceived failure was evident in every line of his body. I turned to Ethan, seeing t
Olivia's POV Returning to the hotel was a mixed relief: we had survived the ordeal, but the dark shadows of the past still haunted us. Lidia came rushing out to greet us, and as soon as she saw Ethan, she rushed towards him, fussing over him. "Ethan, you should rest," she urged, concern etched on her face. "I'm fine, Lydia," Ethan replied, his voice rough but steady. As I watched them, I couldn't help but smile. In this chaos, they had found solace in each other. It warmed my heart to see their connection growing stronger. A shiver ran down my spine, and I turned to see Cassandra standing across the room. Her eyes bore into mine, an unsettling mix of malice and intrigue. Her lips curled into an evil smirk, twisting her features into a mask of malcontent. Without a word, she turned and walked away, leaving me with a sickening feeling in my gut. Alexander strode over, his presence instantly calming. "I need to clean up. I'll come see you later," he whispered, brushing a strand of
Cassandra's POV As I stormed away from Olivia and Alexander, I allowed my mask of calm to slip, replaced by a scowl that twisted my features. I was seething with anger, a tight coil of rage that throbbed in my chest. Oliveless and her endless meddling made me want to scream. Every fibre of my being screamed for vengeance. Without wasting another moment, I closed my eyes and let my senses extend outward, seeking the familiar connection. **"Meet me where we always do. Now,"** I mind-linked my mate, my thoughts laced with urgency. Almost instantly, his voice resounded in my mind, **"I'm already waiting, Cass. Hurry."** I didn't need any further prompting. Storming through the dimly lit halls of the hotel, I rushed out into the night. The crisp air did little to cool my fury as I headed towards our clandestine meeting place. My steps were swift and purposeful, the shadows of the city passing in a blur. When I arrived at our meeting place, he was tall and dark, and his presence comman
Alexander’s POV It had been a few days since everything happened, and I spent as much time as I could watching over Olivia and the twins, too scared to take my eyes off them in case something happened to them. I still hadn’t had the chance to talk to Cassandra. I'd hardly seen her at all, and I knew that she wouldn’t be so stupid to do something right now, not when everyone was on high alert. I made my way to Victor's room. I had told him this morning that I needed to talk to him about something. He greeted us with an expression that bordered on relief and curiosity. "I need to talk to you, Victor," I said, trying to keep my voice steady while the power within me surged. Victor nodded, "Of course. What’s going on?" Walking into his room, I took a seat. "Something happened when Adam made me stab myself. The wounds should have killed me, but they didn’t. Instead, this symbol appeared," I said, holding up my hand for him to see. Victor stepped closer, eyes narrow with scrutiny. The
Alexander’s POVThe grand palace gates opened before us, the magnificent structure standing as a testament to our return and the resilience we'd found within ourselves. As the carriage came to a stop, I watched as Olivia took in the scene. Her gaze was both wistful and hopeful, a blend of emotions she wore eloquently.“Daddy, can we go play?” Liam’s eager voice brought my attention back to our lively twins, who were practically vibrating with excitement.“Yes, but be careful,” I chuckled, unable to resist the buoyant energy only children possessed. "Stay within the gardens."With a flurry of giggles, they bolted off, leaving behind an iridescent trail of joy in their wake. Olivia stood beside me, a serene presence amidst the chaos. I watched her eyes follow the twins, a softness etching across her features.The warmth of the sun bathed us, the golden glow amplifying the sense of homecoming that swelled within my chest. “It feels so good to be home,” Olivia murmured, her head finding a
Alexander’s POVThe carriage rolled over the crest of the hill, unveiling the sprawling kingdom beneath us. My heart felt a gentle release, the homecoming marking the end of turmoil. Olivia sat beside me, her presence as comforting as the view before us. The twins, Liam and Sarah, bounced in their seats, their excitement contagious. After what felt like an eternity of darkness and trials, being home seemed like a new dawn.“We're home,” Olivia said softly, her voice like a soothing melody that wrapped around the world, infusing it with warmth and love.I looked over at her, my heart swelling with a gratitude I couldn’t quite express in words. Her smile was like the sun piercing through the overcast sky of our past struggles. “Yes, we are,” I replied, feeling the tensions of the past slowly slipping away.The twins burst out of the carriage the moment it came to a halt, their laughter echoing around us as they raced toward the palace. Their footfalls were light against the ground, a st
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