Cassandra's POVSitting on the cold, hard floor, I closed my eyes as memories of my baby flashed through my head. I never intended to hurt my flesh and blood. And the images of my mate appeared in my mind. He would come for me. He had to. I let my mind trail off with memories of the past.Past memories. The garden of Alexander's kingdom was a paradise of vibrant blooms and sweet fragrances. I sat on the cool stone bench. I closed my eyes, letting the warmth of the morning sun cascade over me. The Alphas' meeting was in full swing inside the grand hall, a gathering Alexander deemed crucial for forging alliances that could strengthen our pack. His authoritative voice echoed occasionally, distant yet unmistakably commanding. Lost in my thoughts, I almost didn’t notice the scent that wafted through the garden—a tantalising aroma, earthy and electrifying, like rain on parched earth. My heart began to race, pounding erratically against my ribs. The air seemed to crackle with an invisible
Cassandra's POV The days that followed became a blur of stolen moments and secret rendezvous. Each encounter with him felt like a forbidden dance I couldn’t resist. Alexander's kingdom was our stage, every shadowed corner and hidden alcove a backdrop for our growing connection. The risk of being discovered only added to the intoxicating allure of our meetings. Weeks turned into months, and my deceptive double life began to take its toll. The guilt of sneaking around behind Alexander's back gnawed at me, but the pull towards my mate was too strong to ignore. Every touch, every whispered promise filled the void inside me that Alexander could never reach. But it wasn't just about passion; it was the undeniable bond that bound us, transforming my very essence. One night, the weight of all my secrets and lies became too much to bear. I felt the nausea hit me like a wave, and my heart thudded with anxious anticipation. My mind reeled with the possibility of what was happening inside me.
Cassandra's POV The next day, I told Alexander that I wasn’t feeling well, needing to set my plan into motion. His brow furrowed with concern, but he didn't question me. I watched him leave, my mind already turning over what needed to be done. Today was important for different reasons. With my departure imminent, I couldn’t pass up the chance to relish Olivia's pain one last time. I called for her, expecting her arrival any moment. Moments later, Olivia entered my room. Her expression was guarded, wary of whatever cruelty I might unleash upon her. And why wouldn't she be? Over the years, I revelled in her suffering. "Olivia," I began, a venomous smile playing on my lips. "Come closer. I want to see those pretty eyes filled with fear." She approached slowly. Olivia stood before me, her hands clenched at her sides. I could see the effort it took for her to control her emotions. "What do you want, Cassandra?" she asked, her voice steady despite the tremor in her gaze. I leaned bac
Olivia's POV The weight of the past few days pressed heavily on my shoulders as I made my way through the opulent hallways of the Moonstone Hotel. Golden chandeliers cast a warm glow on the polished marble floors, but their beauty did little to soothe my frayed nerves. Every step felt like it reverberated with the secret I held. I had killed Alpha Derek, and Cassandra, now imprisoned, could expose me to the elders at any moment. My heart pounded in my chest as I approached Alexander's suite, my pulse quickening with every step. I knew what I had to do; I had to tell him my fears. Before Cassandra could speak, we needed to go to the elders ourselves. I knocked softly but with urgency, my mind racing. The door creaked open, revealing Alexander's tall, imposing figure. His intense green eyes softened as he saw me. "Olivia," he greeted, his voice a soothing balm to my fraught nerves. "What's wrong?" I stepped into the room, closing the door behind me. "Alexander, I need to talk to y
Alexander's POV The second day from the last. The city lights shimmered against the approaching dusk as I walked Olivia home. Her laughter echoed in the evening air, sounding like a melody that soothed the restless beast inside me. It was a sound I hoped never to part with. "Thank you for walking me back," she said, casting me a warm, sincere smile. "Of course," I replied, my voice steady but laced with unspoken fears. As we strolled side by side, I couldn't ignore the warmth of her hand in mine. My fingers grazed over the symbol etched on my skin, and suddenly, it burned—a cruel reminder of the impending full moon ceremony and the unanswered questions gnawing at me—questions I needed resolved if I were to protect Olivia and our twins, Liam and Sarah. As we reached her hotel, I felt a wave of unease. We entered the lobby and took the elevator, the silence between us filled with electric anticipation. Finally, we stood outside her room. "Well, this is it," I said, the words tastin
Olivia's POVOne day before the full moon ceremony. The warmth of the bed and the rhythmic rise and fall of Alexander’s chest beneath my ear brought me a comfort I hadn’t felt in what seemed like an eternity. The world might be spinning with threats and turmoil, but wrapped in his arms. I felt cocooned from it all. Every muscle in my body, so used to tension, found peace in his arms. For once, the insistent hum of worry that usually plagued my thoughts was silenced. As I drifted into sleep, a familiar scene unfolded before me. Two white wolves glistened against the backdrop of silver moonlight, their fur almost ethereal. They circled around me, their eyes holding a wisdom I yearned to understand. This dream was no stranger to me, but tonight, there was a palpable urgency to it. The wolves' eyes met mine, and suddenly, I felt as though I was standing on the cusp of understanding something huge. Their gaze pierced through the veil of sleep, bringing with it a rush of emotions—fear,
Alexander’s POV Closing Olivia’s door behind me, I felt the weight of yesterday’s intimacy settle in my bones. It was a night I wouldn't soon forget, but the symbol on my hand burned with a persistent ache that reminded me of my duties. As I headed down the dimly lit corridor, my thoughts were clouded by the full moon ceremony, Olivia’s dreams, and the ominous connection between them. I nearly collided with Victor in the hallway. His tall frame loomed just ahead, his expression calm yet knowing. He gave me a discerning look as I approached, and I could almost see the questions forming in his amber eyes. “Good morning, Alexander,” Victor greeted, his voice smooth yet carrying a hint of curiosity. “Morning,” I replied, trying to keep my voice as steady as his, though my mind was a turbulent storm. Victor’s gaze shifted to my hand, where the mysterious symbol had made its presence known. “Have you had any luck finding out more about that symbol?” I looked down at my hand, flexing
Alexanders povStanding outside the door to the elder’s office, I hesitated. The weight of my confession loomed over me like a storm cloud ready to break. I took a deep breath and adjusted my glove, making sure the mark on my hand was hidden. The last thing I needed was for the elders to see it and complicate matters even further. I knocked a hollow sound echoing in the quiet hallway. My mind was a tangled mess. I knew that I couldn’t tell them the complete truth; I had to protect Olivia and Lidia at all costs, even if that meant putting myself in the firing line. “Enter,” a gravelly voice commanded from within. I pushed the door open and made my way inside. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of old books and candles. The elders sat around a long, ornate table, their expressions varying from curious to indifferent. Victor's threat echoed in my mind. “What is it, Alexander? I hope this interruption is important,” Elder Greyson, the head elder, remarked, not lookin
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