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
Cassandra povThe evening was deepening into shades of velvet twilight, the kind of darkness that wraps itself around you like a comforting shroud. I sat alone on the stone bench in our secret grove, absentmindedly tracing the ancient runes carved into the wood beside me. My mate was late again, and I couldn't ignore the bitter taste of worry mingling with my growing frustration. "Where is he?" I whispered into the night, feeling the weight of our troubles pressing down on my shoulders. Crickets chirped in a rhythmic symphony, their melody both calming and maddening in the silence that stretched endlessly. With each passing minute, my resolve wavered. Perhaps I should take matters into my own hands. Just as I was about to rise and leave, a rustling in the underbrush made my heart skip a beat. My mate emerged from the shadows, his normally proud stance slightly hunched. His dark eyes met mine, and I could see the weariness etched into his features."Cassandra, I'm sorry I'm late," h
Cassandras pov I watched Alexander all night, waiting for the perfect chance to get him to have a drink with me. My mate and I had come up with the perfect plan, one that couldn’t fail and would lead no suspicion back to me because we both would drink from the same bottle. Alexander stepped away from the people he was talking to, and I knew that this was my chance. Taking a deep breath, I made my way toward him, the silk of my gown whispering against the floor. I held the mandarin duck wine pot in my gloved hands, an invention of both elegance and deception. “Alexander,” I called my voice melodic yet laced with feigned innocence. He turned to look at me, irritation clear in his eyes. “What do you want, Cassandra?” “I was wondering if you might have one last drink with me for old times sake?” I said. He let out a loud sigh before turning away from me. “I made it clear to you, Cassandra, I want nothing more to do with you. My heart belongs to Olivia.” The mention of Olivia's name
Cassandra's POV The glass was inches from Alexander’s lips when Ethan, his beta, appeared beside our table. “Alpha Victor would like to speak to you,” he said, his eyes trained on Alexander.Rage began to boil inside of me, and I knew that I needed to come up with something fast, or my plan would be wrecked. Alexander started to lower the glass towards the table. In a split second of clumsiness, the glass slipped from his hand, spilling the dark wine across the table and onto the floor. The rich, dark liquid spread like a guilty stain, consuming the pristine surface. My heart stopped. I quickly masked my shock with a neutral expression, but inside, a storm of curses and panic swirled. Did he sense the strangeness in the wine? Was it a mere accident, or had he somehow known? “Damn it,” Alexander muttered, his eyes fixed on the spilt wine. The intensity in his gaze made my skin crawl, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he saw through my façade. I forced a light laugh, feigning casu
Alexander's POV The moment the dark wine spilled across the table, I knew I had to maintain my composure. Every interaction with Cassandra recently had been laced with suspicion, her every move calculated, her motives always hidden beneath a veneer of charm. I had hesitated allowing her into such close proximity, but I needed to gather conclusive evidence. Tonight, it seemed, was the climax of her duplicity. "Ethan," I ordered, not bothering to turn my head, "get the Elders here immediately." From the corner of my eye, I saw Ethan bow slightly before he disappeared to execute my command. Cassandra’s grip around the glass tightened, and her face paled ever so slightly—a sure sign she was rattled. I caught her trying to edge away, but my hand shot out, grabbing her forearm. Rage simmered under my skin, threatening to break free. “Where do you think you’re going?” I demanded, my voice a low growl. Her eyes met mine, filled with a mix of defiance and fear. “Alexander, let me go,” sh
Cassandra's POV The chains clanked loudly as I was dragged forcibly, each metallic clatter echoing my growing despair. My wrists chafed painfully within their iron bindings, already raw from previous struggles. The guards' indifferent faces showed no sign of compassion as they flung me into the cell and slammed the door shut. "This is a mistake!" I screamed, my voice cracking. But my cries bounced off the cold stone walls unanswered. The hall on the other side of the bars fell silent except for the sound of footsteps retreating into the distance. I fell back against the grimy wall, sliding down until I was sitting on the cold floor. My pulse thrummed with anxiety as I closed my eyes and reached out through the bond that connected me to my mate. "Help me, please," I whispered into the tenuous link that tethered us together. But there was nothing—no comforting response, no warm reassurance. I was met with a void, a black hole where I should find solace. Panic clawed at my insides, b
Olivia’s POVThe joy of the celebration continued to fill the air as everyone gathered. The laughter of children and the conversations of friends and family blended together into a perfect harmony that felt like music to my ears. It was a sight to behold—my family, my people, all of us united in love and strength. And as I held little Fay in my arms, a sense of peace washed over me, knowing that, despite all the challenges we had faced, we had come through it stronger than ever.Victor and Claire had just arrived, Victor walking proudly beside Claire, who was nearing the end of her pregnancy. The two of them looked so happy and content, their love for each other glowing brighter than ever. It had been a while since I had seen them, and I was thrilled to have this moment to catch up.I embraced them both tightly, my heart full. "I’ve missed you both so much," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "It feels like forever since we’ve all been together."Victor smiled, his gaze soft and aff
Olivia's POVA year had passed since the defeat of the dark rogues and Reed, and the relief that had settled over us still lingered. But with that relief came a new wave of growth and change. Ethan and Lidia had taken over Reed’s pack, transforming it into something strong and thriving. Watching them lead with such grace and determination was a joy, and the pack had flourished under their leadership.Allen had also proven himself as the new Alpha of Derek’s pack, breathing new life into a pack that had been steeped in fear for too long. He brought them hope, strength, and a future, and it made my heart swell to see him step into this new role so effortlessly. Not only had Allen given Derek’s pack a fresh start, but he had also found love. Grace, his beautiful mate, had filled his life with joy, and they were expecting their first child together. It made me smile, thinking about how much had changed in such a short time, how much life had blossomed around us.I was sitting in the garde
Olivia's POVA week had passed since Lidia’s wedding, and as I stood outside the palace, my heart was heavy. The sun shone brightly, but the warmth couldn’t seem to reach the cold spot in my chest. Today, Lidia and Ethan were leaving for their new kingdom. Their journey ahead was filled with hope and promise, but it didn’t make saying goodbye any easier.I had grown so used to having my family around me. Their laughter, their support, their presence—it had become a part of my everyday life. If I hadn't had them with me, I would have never been able to do things that I had. And now, the thought of them being so far away, of not having Lidia close by, was something I wasn’t sure how to handle. But this was what we had all worked for. They had their own lives to build, their own paths to walk. No matter the distance, I knew we would always be there for each other. Family wasn’t defined by proximity; it was defined by love and connection.Alexander stood beside Ethan, the two of them talk
Olivia's POVA month had passed since Reed’s death, and today was a day of celebration, joy, and new beginnings. I sat in front of Lidia, watching as she gazed at herself in the mirror. She was breathtaking, wearing a beautiful white dress that made her look like a vision of grace. The dress shimmered in the light, the delicate lace and satin fitting her perfectly, reflecting every bit of joy she held within. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, but there was a certain peace about her now, a calm that I hadn’t seen before."You’re beautiful," I said, my voice full of pride and affection as I took in the sight of her. "Are you ready?"Lidia turned to me, her smile wide. "I was ready for this day years ago."Her words hit me right in the heart. Lidia had been through so much, yet here she was, standing on the verge of her greatest happiness. My heart swelled with joy for her.The music began to play softly, a sweet melody that filled the room. The carriage doors opened, and the twins were
Alexander’s POVThe sun had barely risen, casting its first rays across the kingdom as I returned to the palace. The long night of searching had yielded nothing—no sign of Reed, no trail to follow. My muscles ached, exhaustion creeping into every inch of my body, but the rage inside me burned hotter than ever. He had gotten away again. It felt like I would never catch him. I could feel the frustration tightening in my chest, my teeth grinding together in a low growl.As I stepped through the gates, Olivia came rushing toward me, her face full of concern. Her eyes were wide, but there was a calm in her that I couldn’t quite understand. When she reached me, I didn’t have time for pleasantries. The anger inside me needed an outlet.“He got away again,” I snarled, my voice low and heavy with frustration. "I couldn’t find him. I searched every inch of the kingdom."She reached out to me, her hands gently cupping my face, grounding me with her touch. The softness of her skin against my face
Olivia's POVThe kingdom felt eerily quiet as I stood guard over it. Alexander and the others had gone after Reed, and it was my job to make sure the kingdom remained safe in their absence. The night stretched on, filled with an unsettling stillness, but I knew I had to stay strong. The twins were my priority now.I made my way up to their room. My footsteps light on the stone floor. I could hear the soft murmur of voices as I approached the door. When I pushed it open, Ethan held his finger up to his lips, signalling for me to be quiet. I nodded, my gaze drifting toward the twins, peacefully sleeping in their bed.The sight of them, their little faces serene in the moonlight, brought a sense of calm over me. But my eyes didn’t stay on them for long. I turned my attention to Lidia, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, her hand resting lightly on one of the twins. And then, I saw it—the ring on her finger. A rush of happiness filled me, and it took every ounce of restraint not to sc
Reed’s POVMy heart was a frantic drumbeat in my chest, each desperate breath pushing me further into the abyss of terror. I couldn't outrun this. I couldn’t escape whatever hunted me in this cursed forest. The air was thick with an overwhelming presence as if I were being suffocated and cornered by some unseen beast.Every noise around me felt amplified, every shadow threatening to swallow me whole. The dry leaves scattered on the forest floor crunched louder than they should have, and every snap of a twig seemed like a warning. I dragged myself forward, my one good leg buckling with every movement, my body weak, exhausted, and broken.The growl echoed through the trees again, sending waves of ice through my veins. My mind raced, trying to make sense of the madness around me, but my thoughts were jumbled, a mix of dread and confusion. The cold air cut through me like a blade, making it harder to breathe. There was no escape from this thing.Then, the voice came again—soft at first, a
Reed’s POVRage filled my body as I rode through the dark, the stolen horse galloping hard beneath me. Nearly losing my balance with every stride, but it didn’t matter. I couldn’t stop. I had to get away, had to get out of this cursed kingdom before they could find me. If I hadn’t been crippled, if I had both of my legs, I would have succeeded. I would have gotten close to the twins while everyone else celebrated their false victory. But now... now I was weak. And that weakness had cost me everything.I gritted my teeth and pushed the horse harder, the wind whipping past my face, the trees rushing by. I knew they would be coming after me soon. Alexander, that damn Alpha, would never let this go. He would hunt me down, and in my weakened state, there was no way I could protect myself.I could feel the panic rising in my chest as I rode deeper into the forest. The quiet was suffocating, and then... it hit me. The feeling. I’d felt it before, but this time it was stronger. The creeping s
Ethan's POVI rushed the twins to their room, heart pounding in my chest. Protecting them was the most important job right now. I had to make sure they were safe, but every instinct inside me wanted to be out there with my Alpha, hunting Reed down. I couldn’t stand the thought of him being out there, a threat to everything we had fought for.But for now, the twins were my responsibility. As they sat on the floor, playing with their toys, I glanced at Lidia, who was sitting next to them. She was watching them intently, but I could see it in her eyes—the worry. She was trying to hide it, but it was impossible to mask. She was strong, stronger than anyone had ever given her credit for, but I could feel the unease radiating off of her.She looked over at me, and for a moment, everything else faded away. Her beauty overwhelmed me. In that instant, I realised just how much I had come to love her. How had I not seen it sooner? The nervousness I had felt before, the uncertainty about asking h