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
Alexander’s POV I sat in my room, replaying the night over and over again. If I hadn’t had my suspicions about Cassandra, then tonight could have had a very different ending. The aftertaste of betrayal lingered bitterly in my mouth as I stared at the ceiling, my mind swirling with rage and regret. A sudden knock on the door snapped me from my spiralling thoughts. I rose, every movement calculated, fuelled by my tension. As I opened the door, I found Olivia and Lidia standing there. “Is everything alright?” I asked cautiously, sensing an unspoken urgency between the two of them. Olivia’s eyes softened slightly. “Everything is fine, Alexander, but Lidia and I need to talk to you. May we come in?” I stepped aside, allowing them to enter. They took a seat, the heavy air between us thickening with unspoken words. I couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling clinging to my spine. Once we were all seated, I looked at Olivia expectantly. “What’s this about?” Olivia cleared her throat, casti
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
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