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
Olivia's POVI closed my eyes, and the two white wolves appeared straight away. What did they want? And why couldn’t I work their message out? Letting out a loud sigh, I dragged myself out of bed, pushing aside the questions that tormented my waking hours. I had to find someone who could help me work this out, and the only person I could think of was Victor. After slipping on a simple dress, I looked at myself in the mirror. My reflection was both foreign and familiar: a woman who had grown from a weak, wolfless girl into a strong, resilient mother. I smoothed my hair, tucked a stray lock behind my ear, and took a deep breath before heading out of my room. Descending the stairs, the sound of voices reached my ears, pulling me from my thoughts. As I rounded the last corner, I saw Victor standing near the desk, talking to one of the hotel's staff. His authoritative presence filled the room. “Victor,” I called out, my voice steady despite the rapid beating of my heart. He turned to
Olivias povLater that night, I slid into bed next to Alexander, the warmth of his body immediately soothing my lingering anxieties. The room was quiet, save for the gentle hum of the night outside and Alexander's rhythmic breathing. His presence was a grounding force, anchoring me against the storm of emotions and fears brewing within me. Slowly, I closed my eyes, seeking refuge in the comfort his proximity provided. As sleep finally began to claim me, the dream returned with startling clarity. I found myself standing in a dense, shadowed forest, the scent of pine and earth enveloping me. The sky above was painted in the pale hues of twilight, casting an otherworldly glow on the surroundings. Then they appeared—two white wolves, their fur shimmering under the ethereal light. Their eyes, pools of ancient wisdom, met mine, and a familiar sense of urgency surged through me. "Please," I called out, my voice echoing into the forest. "I need answers. What do you want from me?" The wolve
Olivias povI spent the whole day tucked away in my room, devouring every book I could find about spirit wolves, dark rogues, and even ones about dreams. Each page turned was a desperate grasp for understanding, but nothing held the answers I sought. As the golden hues of the setting sun filtered through the window, casting a warm glow on scattered volumes, the door creaked open. Victor stepped into the room, his presence a mix of authority and familial concern. "Olivia," he began, his voice low and calm. "We need to leave soon for the full moon ceremony." I let out a loud sigh and closed the book in front of me, pressing my fingers to the bridge of my nose to stave off the impending headache. "I haven’t found anything, Victor. Spirit wolves and dark rogues seem like nothing more than bedtime stories." Victor crossed the room, his expression softening as he took a seat beside me. "Stop worrying so much. The dreams probably don’t mean anything." "You're probably right," I conceded,
Olivia’s POV The moonlight surrounded me, its ethereal glow bathing every inch of my skin in a luminous embrace. Every muscle in my body felt alive, buzzing with an energy I'd never known. As if in sync, the mark on Alexander's hand flared, scorching with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. Yet, the brilliance around me far surpassed the glow of his mark. Panic gripped me as every eye in the clearing turned to stare. My heart raced, echoing in my ears. I took a hesitant step away from the moonlight, feeling an overwhelming urge to escape its relentless pull. "This is a mistake," I murmured, my voice trembling. But as I tried to step out of the light, it seemed to cling to me, pulling me back with an invisible force. My feet left the ground. I wasn't standing anymore—I was hovering, the moonlight holding me aloft. Power surged through me, making me feel invincible and yet utterly out of control. My hair cascaded down my back, growing longer and shimmering like spun sil
Alexander's POVTime seemed to slow as I watched Olivia's transformation, my heart gripped by a mixture of fear and awe. The head elder, Greyson, stepped forward, his voice commanding attention."The moon goddess has made her choice," he declared, his words reverberating across the clearing. The crowd erupted into chaos, their voices a blend of disbelief, anger, and awe.My eyes remained fixed on Olivia, my newly transformed mate. Panic surged through me. What would this mean for her? For us? The power bestowed upon Olivia was both a gift and a curse. We had to tread carefully."We need to get Olivia out of here," I said urgently to Elder Greyson, struggling to make my voice heard over the growing pandemonium. "The crowd needs time to process this. She's in danger."Greyson hesitated but then nodded. "You're right. Take her somewhere safe."I reached out through our mind link, the mental connection crackling with tension. "Olivia, follow me. We need to get out of here."As she began t
Reed’s POVThe ethereal glow of the full moon bathed the clearing in an almost supernatural light, highlighting Olivia's breathtaking transformation. My heart clenched as I watched in awe, jealousy boiling deep within me. Olivia, the spirit wolf—something I had never anticipated. My eyes followed Alexander as he led her away. The bond between them only served to fuel the fire of my envy.Everyone was caught up in Olivia's transformation. Seizing the moment, I slipped away from the full moon ceremony, moving with purpose through the forest towards the prison. The guards there were easily bought; loyalty often comes cheap if you know how to pay for it. My mind raced, anger churning within me like a storm.When I arrived at Cassandra's cell, the heavy iron bars separated us, but the sight of her made me recoil. Once, I had foolishly let myself fall for her deceitful charms, believing she could help me achieve the power I sought. Now, seeing her in this dim, grimy cell brought only a sens
Olivia's POVThe world felt like it held its breath alongside me as I stood in the shadow of the forest, Alexander's jacket draped carefully over my shoulders. It was heavier than I'd expected, infused with his scent, a comforting presence in the tumultuous sea of emotions. The time for hiding was over; I had to stand tall and face my destiny head-on.“I’m ready to face them,” I said, slipping my arms through his jacket and wrapping it around me."Are you sure about this?" Alexander asked, his concern palpable, and his eyes searched mine for any hesitation.I nodded, swallowing the rising lump in my throat. "I have to, Alexander. I need to show them that I'm not scared. I need to show them I'm not weak."His grip on my hand tightened, lending me silent strength. I filed that feeling away in my heart, wrapping it around myself like armour. My heart pounded, reverberating through my chest, but I kept my face steady, shoulders squared with determination.A familiar voice echoed in my min
Victor's POV The soft morning light filtered through my office window, casting a warm glow over the wooden furniture. I sat behind my desk, fingers drumming anxiously on the oak surface as I awaited Lydia’s arrival. The weight of the conversation I was about to have with her had been pressing on my mind. The door creaked open, and Lydia stepped in, her eyes guarded but curious. “Victor, you wanted to see me?” she asked. I nodded, gesturing for her to take a seat. “Yes, Lydia. There’s something important we need to talk about.” She moved cautiously, sitting down across from me. It had always pained me to see the rift between them, a rift that I knew stemmed from misunderstandings and old grudges. Today, I intended to set things right. “Lydia,” I began, taking a deep breath, “I want to talk about our past, about our father.” Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms defensively. “What about him?” I could hear the bitterness in her voice, the same bitterness that had spoiled her
Olivia’s POV As I stood there, watching Alexander bond with Liam and Sarah, a whirlpool of emotions churned within me. My heart was full. I thought of the path that led us here—a journey punctuated by heartbreak and healing. Seeing Alexander with the children was a new beginning, one I’d longed for. Alexander glanced over at me, his eyes filled with unspoken gratitude and a depth of emotion words couldn’t capture. For a brief moment, our souls intertwined through that look. Tears prickled my eyes with tears of happiness. "Olivia, do you want to join us?" Alexander's voice seemed to pull me back to the present. The children glanced at me, their innocent eyes filled with curiosity and welcoming warmth. I smiled, walking over to sit beside them. Sarah immediately handed me another doll while Liam resumed his focus on his puzzle. "Mummy," Liam began, his eyes wide and curious, "Are you okay?” I took a deep breath and nodded, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "Yes, darling. I'm more
Alexander pov As I made my way down the corridors, my heart pounded in my chest. I had faced countless battles and perilous situations, but nothing compared to the nerves fluttering within me now. I was about to meet my children—Liam and Sarah—two souls I had longed for yet had never met. My palms felt clammy, and I could feel my pulse drumming in my ears. When I reached the hallway, Olivia was already there, pacing slightly. She turned as soon as she heard my footsteps and walked over to me, taking my hand without a word. Her touch was comforting, helping to steady my racing mind. I wanted to meet my children so badly, but Olivia's desire to do it so fast caught me off guard. We reached the door, and she paused, looking at me with a smile that held the weight of so much unsaid. "Are you ready?" she asked softly. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my beating heart. "As ready as I'll ever be," I responded, my voice barely above a whisper. Olivia opened the door and led me in
Alexander's POV The moment I saw Olivia standing at the edge of the ballroom, it felt like time itself paused. The red dress she wore seemed almost like a mirage, a whisper of the past conjured into the present. Memories of nights long gone surged through my mind—her laughter, our kiss that night. I froze, mesmerised by her beauty, when she turned around to look at me, a smile played on her lips, and her eyes bored into mine. The air seemed to crackle with unspoken words and bottled emotions. I could feel my heartbeat echoing in my ears as I watched her from across the room. She looked like a dream, a vision I had conjured up during sleepless nights spent longing for her. Slowly, I began to walk towards her as if drawn by some unseen force. Each step felt heavy with the weight of our shared past. Our eyes stayed locked together. The crowd around us buzzed with conversation and laughter, but all I could hear was the sound of my own breathing, punctuated by the rapid thump of my hear
Olivia's POV Standing in front of the mirror, I took in my reflection. The red dress clung to my frame. It was very similar to the dress I had worn before I ran away from Alexander's kingdom. I brushed a tendril of hair away from my face, a smile spreading across my lips as butterflies swirled inside me. This night was important; I wanted Alexander to see me. My heart beat fast and unevenly as I fastened the delicate clasp of my necklace and took one last look at myself. The smile that graced my lips felt genuinely hopeful as I made my way out of the room and down the staircase. The air was charged with anticipation, and the gentle murmur of guests echoed through the grand hallways. As the ballroom doors swung open, I stood there for a second, scanning the room, taking it all in. My eyes landed on Victor and Lidia standing over, talking to some people. I made my way over to greet them, the excitement building within me, anxious to find Alexander. "Olivia, you look stunning," Victo
Olivia's POV I spent the night tangled in my sheets, thoughts of Allen and Alexander colliding in a restless tumult. My mind was a storm of worry and fear. I'd given instructions to one of the palace maids to notify me the second Allen was seen. I had to be prepared. I needed to steel myself for the conversation, imagine what I'd say, how I'd react—anything to avoid being caught off guard. Morning broke with the usual palace bustle, and I pushed my scrambled nerves aside as I dressed for breakfast. I didn't take in much of what was going on around me; everything felt muted compared to the anxiety gripping my heart. Just as the last fork clattered down onto a plate, the maid hurried in, her face painted with urgency. "Princess Olivia, Allen is here. He’s looking for you," she said breathlessly. My heart dropped into my stomach. The moment I had dreaded was here. Nodding to the maid, I rose from my seat, feeling a cold shiver run through my spine. I made my way to the front of the p
Olivia's POV I hadn't been able to stop thinking about what happened between Alexander and me. My feelings for him had grown stronger than I ever thought possible. Every moment we spent together, I felt them growing stronger. But wanting to be with him scared me. I could see that he had changed from the cruel man he once was, but what if it didn't last? And how was I going to handle things with Allen? The last thing I wanted was to hurt him. The kingdom bustled with excitement as preparations for the victory ball got underway. Victor had decided to let Alexander stay on for the celebration, a gesture that filled me with both hope and fear. I found peace in the twins' room, watching them play, their laughter soothing my troubled thoughts, and I didn't want to let them out of my sight, not after fearing that I would never get to see them again. "Mommy, look! I'm a bird!" exclaimed Liam, running around with makeshift wings strapped to his back. "Me too, me too!" cried Sarah, gigglin
Olivia's POV Seeing Victor was a relief. I hadn't allowed myself to think too much about him while we were in the snow forest, and I couldn't. I looked over to Lidia, who was standing behind him and stepping around Victor. I throw my arms around Lidia, catching her off guard. “It's so good to see you, Lidia. Thank you so much for looking after the twins.” Lidia stood frozen for a moment before awkwardly patting my back. “It's nothing,” she murmured, her terse tone showing her discomfort. She pulled away quickly, a forced smile on her face. “I’m just glad you’re… both okay.” I gave her a warm smile before turning back to Victor. "Victor, I need to tell you something," I said. Victor’s eyes narrowed with concern as he held my gaze. "What is it, Olivia?" I took a deep breath, the memory of the mysterious woman resurfacing in my mind. "Alexander and I... we fell from a cliff and ended up in the Snow Forest," I started, my voice steady but low. I told him everything besides what I had
Victor's POV My body screamed at me with pain as I slowly opened my eyes. Each blink felt like lifting a mountain. Groggily, I took in my surroundings, I was back in the palace. Immediately, my gaze fell upon Lidia. She was slouched in a chair by my bedside, her eyes red-rimmed and worn. She looked up as she heard me stirring, and relief flooded her face. "Oh, thank God you're awake!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of joy and exhaustion. "Victor, you had us all so worried." "Lidia," I croaked, my throat raw and dry. "What happened? How did I get here?" My mind struggled to piece together the fragmented memories—the rogues, their menacing grins, the fight ... "You were attacked," Lidia explained, her voice trembling slightly. She leaned closer, taking my hand in hers to offer some comfort. "Rogues surrounded you. But you fought them off. The guards found you passed out and badly injured, trying to make your way back to where Olivia was tending to the wounded. You've been uncon