Olivia's POVAs I walked through the hallways of the castle, each step echoed louder in my mind, reflecting the storm of emotions swirling within me. Finding my way back to the garden, I hoped to draw some strength from the sight of my children. I yearned for the simple, unquestioning love they provided.Finally, I saw them—Liam and Sarah—chasing each other around the rose bushes, their laughter piercing through the dark cloud that had settled over my thoughts. And there was Alexander, standing with the grace of a king yet playing with a spirit as free as the children's. His tall frame moved effortlessly, a sense of joy untouched by the weight of his responsibilities.I stopped a few feet away, just watching. Their happiness was contagious, but today, it struggled to break through the fortress of pain I had built around my heart. The recent revelations about my mother had twisted a knife in old wounds.My thoughts wandered to the pain my mother must have felt leaving Victor behind, the
Cassandra's POVI hadn’t given up yet. My voice, raw and hoarse, still broke through the silence of my prison. Bound by cold, unyielding chains, I strained against my restraints.“Let me out!” I screamed, the walls absorbing my desperation. My pleas bounced back to me, unanswered, each echo a cruel mimicry of my captors’ indifference. No one turned a head; no one even cast a glance my way.The dungeon door creaked open, a whisper that sliced through my cries. One of the guards peered in, his eyes shifting to meet mine with a mixture of pity and irritation.“Quiet down," he barked, stepping further inside. "You have a visitor."Hope surged within me, a desperate spark. Could it be Alexander at last? But as the guards brought in the visitors, my heart plummeted. The flicker of hope extinguished, leaving a void I hadn’t felt for years. It wasn’t Alexander. It was my parents.My breath caught in my chest. It felt impossible to breathe. I hadn’t let myself dwell on them too much over these
Olivia's POVThe library's quiet ambience welcomed me as I quietly pushed the door open. Sunlight bathed the room, casting a warm glow on the dusty shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. I chose a secluded corner by the window, settling into a cushioned chair. Today, I had taken a break from training to collect my thoughts and pen a letter to Victor, one that felt more significant than any battle I'd fought.Pulling out parchment and a quill, I stared at the blank page, my heart growing heavier as I gathered my thoughts. Memories of my conversation with the Millers swirled in my mind, disjointed yet vivid.They were not kind to me, but reluctantly, I couldn't ignore the role they had played in my growth. They had unknowingly steeled my resolve and hardened my will, turning a weak, wolfless girl into the strong woman I had become.I dipped the quill in ink, allowing the memory of that encounter to flow onto the paper as I slowly began to write._"Victor,__I have learned much a
Olivia's POVAlexander, Liam, Sarah, and I made our way to a secluded corner of the northern woods. It was where my mother was buried—a place of solace and heartbreak, wrapped in the ancient embrace of a grand old oak tree.As we approached, my footsteps slowed, and my heart pounded in my chest. The scent of pine and earth surrounded us, but suddenly, I felt rooted to the spot. I could see my mother's name delicately carved into the old tree. Tears welled up uncontrollably in my eyes. It was Nathan's doing; I knew beyond a doubt. A lump formed in my throat as silent gratitude filled my heart.“Mummy, look! Someone wrote grandma’s name!” Sarah’s excited voice pierced through my emotional whirlwind.“Yes, sweetie,” I whispered, trying desperately to keep my composure. My hands trembled, and I knew everyone felt the waves of grief rolling off me. Alexander's steadying presence beside me was like an anchor, but even so, I faltered.Alexander gently placed his large, comforting hand on my
Alexander’s POVThe air was thick with the scent of pine and the weight of unspoken grief. Olivia, Victor, and the twins had come to honour her mother's memory, and I felt an overwhelming urge to rush to her side, to hold her as she poured her heart out. But something inside me knew this moment was hers to claim.From the edge of the clearing, I watched Olivia kneel before her mother's grave. Her once formidable form was now bent, her sobs resonating through the stillness of the forest. Liam and Sarah were picking wildflowers nearby, their laughter a stark, innocent contrast to the emotional storm reverberating around us.My instincts screamed at me to run to her, but I stayed rooted to the spot, sensing that she needed to confront her demons alone. She had traversed a long, painful journey from a wolfless girl to the resilient woman she was now. This was her final battle with her past.Suddenly, movement caught my eye. Victor emerged from the shadowed tree line, his face a reflection
Olivia's POVVictor turned to face me, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of pride and unspoken sorrow."I must return to my kingdom," he said, his voice steady, betraying nothing of the weight that hung between us. "Give my regards to Lidia for me."I nodded, my throat constricting as I tried to find words that would adequately convey my gratitude and love for him. Hugging him, I let him go. "I love you, Victor," I answered softly. I’ll see you soon."Victor gave a final nod before turning and leaving. I watched his silhouette grow smaller against the horizon until he was just a memory of strength fading into the distance. Although Lidia and I had our differences, I knew that our brother’s love for us was the glue that would bind us, even if we were apart. Victor was the heart of our family.Alexander stepped beside me, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the storm of emotions swirling within me. "Ready to go home?" he asked, his voice low but steady. He understood the tempest ins
Reed's POVThe moon hung high in the sky as I returned to my pack, the Blackthorn Pack, with a grim satisfaction, tightening my chest. There was a sense of accomplishment that only came from playing my hand exactly the way I wanted. I strode into my palace, feeling the eyes of my wolves on me. They pretended to be engrossed in their tasks, but I could sense the curiosity burning through their gazes."Gather around, everyone," I called, my voice echoing. My pack members assembled quickly, their respect and fear clear in the air.Brandon, my beta, approached with cautious determination. He was a steadfast subordinator, always eager to please but never crossing a line. "What are your orders, Alpha?" he asked, standing at attention.I took a deep breath, savouring the moment. This was the power I craved, the dominance and control that made me feel invincible. "We need to move swiftly. We’re heading to Derick's pack, the Moonclaw Pack. I’ve been granted temporary leadership over there by t
Reed's POVThe journey to the Moonclaw Pack was shrouded in silence. As my men and I rode under the silvery gaze of the full moon, my heart pounded with excitement. But disappointment soon overtook that excitement as the pack's town came into view. Derek had always painted his pack as affluent, a glittering jewel amongst werewolf clans. Yet, the reality was a stark contrast to his grand tales.The buildings were rundown, roofs sagging under the weight of neglect. Fields that should have been abundant with crops lay barren, and the air was thick with an undercurrent of decay. My eyes roamed over the scene, taking in the dilapidated structures and the apparent poverty that clung to every corner. The Moonclaw Pack was poorer than I had ever imagined.Still, there were eyes on us—watchful, cautious eyes. Though no pack member dared to step out into the open, I could feel their presence, hidden behind windows and doors, perhaps even behind the dense foliage surrounding the town. The eeri