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
Alexanders povI spent the night lost in the pages of the book Victor had given me, desperate for answers. With just seven days until the full moon ceremony, each minute felt like sand slipping through an hourglass. Yet, as I set the book down and rubbed my tired eyes, my thoughts drifted back to Olivia. Time wasn't a promise, and every second wasted in uncertainty was a second I couldn't reclaim. But before I could truly offer my heart to Olivia, I needed to untangle the web of my past. I needed to end things with Cassandra.Years ago, I loved Cassandra with every fibre of my being. Even when I believed she was lost to me forever, my love for her lingered, a painful ghost. I loved her so fiercely that I was blind to her flaws and to the darkness she harboured. Her sudden return had sent my world spiralling—old memories and buried emotions surfaced, confusing me like a fog I couldn’t see through. But clarity struck me hard; what I felt now wasn't love. I couldn't ignore what my heart
Cassandra’s POV The air in the small room felt suffocating as I glared at my reflection in the mirror. The once cool and collected persona I wore around the others had long vanished, replaced by seething rage. My fingers trembled as they touched the cool glass, tracing the lines of my face. “What does that bitch have that I don't?” I muttered under my breath, my eyes hollow yet filled with an uncontainable fire. Just saying it made my blood boil. How could Alexander have picked Olivia over me? Olivia of all people! I had never truly wanted Alexander. Love had never been part of the equation; it was about power and control. Yet, the rejection stung worse than any other betrayal. It wasn't about love; it was about pride. This blow was unforgivable, and I couldn't stand the thought of that insipid girl being chosen over me. A new plan was required, but the very thought of Olivia's victory gnawed at my already frayed nerves. I felt a new wave of anger crashing over me, and before I c
Olivias povThe early morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a golden hue over the room as I sat on the floor playing with Liam and Sarah. Their laughter was the sweetest melody, one that I wished could drown out the dissonant chords of my tangled life."Liam, stop stealing your sister's blocks!" I chided gently, my eyes crinkling in amusement as the twins continued to play. Sarah pouted, clutching her favourite purple block tightly while Liam, ever the mischievous one, gave me a toothy grin.A sudden knock on the door startled me, making my heart race a bit faster than usual. I patted the twins' heads, motioning for them to stay put, and then walked over to the door. As I opened it, my breath caught in my throat. Alexander stood there, his presence like a storm on the horizon—both captivating and dangerous."Good morning, Alexander," I greeted, managing a smile despite the whirlwind of emotions stirring within me. "The twins will be thrilled to see you."His eyes, a
Olivias povAlexander's unexpected visit left me feeling like I'd been swept up in a whirlwind—a blend of longing, confusion, and an unsettling sense of clarity. My mind was a tempest of emotions as I wrestled with the choices before me. Seeking guidance, I left the twins with their nanny and made my way to Lidia's quarters. Our relationship had always been complicated, but as of late, it had begun to slowly mend. As I entered her room, the familiar scent of lavender enveloped me, a calming aroma compared to the storm raging inside. Lidia was seated by the window, sorting through some papers. She looked up the moment I walked in, her eyes narrowing in a way that suggested she knew I was troubled. "Well, Olivia, it seems like a hurricane has passed through your soul. What happened? Did Alexander say something to you?" Lidia's perceptiveness was both a blessing and a curse, always cutting straight to the heart of the matter. But it was nice to see that she was turning to her old self
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
The witch's words hung in the crisp night air, a prophecy unravelling as energy surged through me. I struggled, ensnared by the torrent of power and pain cascading through my body. My wolf howled within, caught between elation and rage, always yearning for control."You betrayed us!" I roared my voice a mixture of fury and fear as I attempted to lurch toward her, my limbs betraying me. The forest spun around me, dizziness mixing with agony, every muscle clenched in a relentless vice."Stop it," I demanded, collapsing onto my back, the ground cold and merciless beneath me. The witch remained silent, her gaze a paradox of detachment and unwavering resolve. My breath was coming in sharp and painful as if I were breathing in fire. My heart was pounding in my chest like at any second it would explode.As the world faded to darkness, echoes of my past life surfaced like spectral wraiths. My father's face hovered before me, eyes, once so fiercely resolute, now filled with regret. I remembere
Alexanders povI sat cross-legged on the cold earth, eyes shut tight as a battle raged in my mind. Days had slipped away, each one filled with the witch's strange lessons on meditation that left me hollow and irritable. This was not the training I'd imagined. I needed to be fighting, using my strength to prepare for the inevitable clash with King Nicholas that would save Olivia and Sarah, not sitting still like a stone.My resolve slipped, and frustration bubbled over. "This is useless!" I snapped, eyes flying open. "The power will never come."Nearby, the witch remained calm, her voice a gentle breeze against the storm within me. "You keep letting your wolf overtake you, Alexander.""My wolf is strong! It is what will kill the bastard who took my daughter and mate!" I retorted, the growl of my words echoing in the stillness."Again," she instructed, ignoring my outburst. Her unyielding patience stung like salt in the wound of my anger.I glared at her, but desperation won over pride.
I sat on the edge of my bed, my fingers gently tracing the intricate patterns of the golden and white dress. The dress shimmered in the light, its elegance speaking of a world I had yet to fully comprehend. A soft knock interrupted the thoughts that swirled in my mind. "Come in," I called as I stood up and smoothed the fabric of my dress, anticipation twisting in my stomach. Elijah stepped into the room, his presence an unexpected comfort. He paused, eyes lingering over the dress before meeting mine. "You look beautiful," he said softly, the sincerity in his voice wrapping around me. "Thank you," I replied, a flutter of unexpected warmth unfurling in my chest. We left the room together, walking through the halls of the palace in silence before stepping out into the kingdom—a place still shrouded in mysteries I longed to uncover as we wandered through the bustling streets. Yesterday, it had been nothing more than glimpses, but today, I made sure to take in everything around me, s
The tension in the room was clear as Elijah planted himself firmly before me, creating a barrier between me and the king I so desperately loathed. He was unwavering, his presence a silent vow of protection. Our roles seemed to reverse as he, the supposed pawn of his father, became my shield. “Move, Elijah,” King Nicholas commanded, his voice a rumble of irritation and disbelief. The air crackled with the intensity of his order, the authority behind it a palpable force. “No,” Elijah replied, his tone tempered with a surprising strength and calm. “This is no way to get her to agree to our marriage.” Nicholas glared down at me, eyes simmering with disdain. “I don’t care if she agrees or not. She will marry you either way,” he declared, each word a testament to the unwavering grip he held over what he considered his kingdom. “Father,” Elijah countered, his voice rising with urgency. “She would be more useful to you if she does so of her own accord. Imagine what could happen if people