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
Alexander's POVFour days until the moon ceremony. The dawn was breaking as I strode purposefully toward Cassandra's cell. The chilling air felt heavy with unspoken words and unresolved issues. I didn’t want to be here, but I needed answers. She had manipulated and deceived me, and it was time for her to face the consequences. If she could be honest for once, maybe—just maybe—I'd argue for a lighter sentence. But the kindness in me was quickly dwindling. The guard nodded at my approach and unlocked the iron door, the hinges creaking as if they, too, voiced their objections to my presence. I walked in to find Cassandra huddled on the floor, looking as if the weight of her actions had finally crushed her spirit. She lifted her head, eyes wide, and whispered, “What do you want, Alexander?” "I'm here for answers," I said, my voice cold and devoid of emotion. "If you tell me the truth, Cassandra, I'll make sure your punishment is kinder than what awaits you otherwise." Her eyes da
Olivia's POV The gentle hum of the cafe offered a stark contrast to the storm raging within me. Seated by the window, I stared out at the bustling street, trying to organise my thoughts. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the delicate scent of pastries. It was a warmth that contradicted the cold reality I was about to face. My fingers traced the rim of my coffee mug as I waited for Reed. My heart quickened with each passing second, performing an intricate dance of guilt and resolve within my chest. I knew what had to be done: I had to tell Reed the truth. A soft chime signalled the arrival of a customer. My breath caught in my throat as I watched Reed walk through the door, his tall frame moving with deceptive ease. His eyes scanned the room until they alighted on me, a small smile curling his lips as he approached. "Olivia," he greeted warmly, pulling out a chair and sitting across from me. "Reed," I managed, my voice just above a whisper. His
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
Olivias PovReturning to my room after the night’s expedition into the tunnels, my thoughts churned like waves in a storm. I needed to internalise the pathways, the routes that could one day be our salvation, weaving a silent rebellion against King Nicholas. Each curve and corner etched into my memory was a thread in a tapestry of freedom I would one day unravel with Sarah. My pulse still quickened at the echo of his voice in those dark hollows, Nicholas's tyranny seeping through the kingdom like a poison. Now, seated on my bed, I awaited the morning routine of a guard bringing breakfast—a charade of civility amidst captivity, one I had to manipulate to my advantage. The heavy door creaked open, and a guard entered, his face a mask of indifference as he carried a tray. I rose, determination tightening my spine. "I need to speak with Elijah. Immediately." My demand was clear and unwavering. His silence was the falling of a gauntlet, and he moved as if I were invisible, stepping arou
The night hung heavy in the air, wrapping me in a cocoon of silence that accentuated my solitude. The portal had vanished, leaving the forest serene yet eerily empty. I turned in a slow circle, the towering trees surrounding me like silent sentinels guarding ancient secrets.All around me, shadows danced, cast by the ethereal glow of the moonlight filtering through the underbrush. I shifted uneasily, my heightened senses picking up the subtle rustling of leaves and the whisper of unseen creatures moving in the dark. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as if the very air was charged with energy waiting to be unleashed.Then, a voice broke through the silence, clear and resonant, calling my name. "Alexander."I whirled around, my heart leaping in my chest as a figure stepped gracefully into a shaft of moonlight. Her hooded cloak flowed like water around her, and with a slow movement, she reached up and pulled the hood back. The sight of her sent a shock through me—a woman w
The soft crunch of leaves underfoot marked our journey through the dense forest. The symphony of chirping crickets and the faint rustle of nocturnal creatures created a haunting yet soothing backdrop. But my thoughts were far from the serenity surrounding us, caught instead in a relentless loop of urgency and frustration.Hours had slipped by since we began this trek, each passing hour a new knot of tension coiling within me. The sense of time slipping through my fingers like grains of sand was maddening. I cast a glance at Tinsley, her expression unreadable as she navigated the underbrush as though it understood her silent command.“Just a little further,” she murmured, her voice a gentle reassurance that erased none of my impatience. It wasn't enough. The thought of Olivia and our children, their lives tethered to the whims of a tyrant, burned in my mind like a branding iron.“Tinsley,” I barked, the restraint in my voice unravelling. “If I shift into my wolf form, I can carry you.
Alexander's POV The sun hung low as I approached the palace gates, an ominous silence filling the air. There, waiting with a posture that promised a steadfast determination, stood Tinsley. Her silver hair caught the fading light, a beacon against the encroaching dusk. “Are you ready to make this journey to the magical land?” she asked, her voice both soothing and filled with the gravity of the impending quest. Her words resonated with the weight of destiny and the urgency of our plight. I nodded, the resolve firm within me, though uncertainty lingered like a shadow at the edge of my thoughts. Just as we began to move forward, a familiar voice shattered the fragile calm. “Daddy, wait!” Liam’s voice reached me like a lifeline, pulling me back from the precipice. I spun around to see my son running toward me, his little legs moving with desperate urgency. My heart clenched painfully, each beat echoing with his cries. Lidia trailed behind, her voice gentle but firm as she called, “Li