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
Reed's POVThe palace of the Moonclaw Pack was a reflection of the town—once grand, now decayed. Its once-proud spires now loomed like fingers of despair reaching out for the night sky. The vines clung to the walls like desperate whispers of a forgotten past. My footfalls echoed in the vast, empty corridors, filling the silence with a sense of foreboding.As we entered the grand hall doors, the older man stopped turning to look at me. “Alpha Derek did not allow us to go into this part of his palace.” The worry was clear in his voice and on his face.“I am your alpha now, and his rules do not apply here anymore.” He turned back the doors, pushing them open. To my surprise, the room was filled with relics and artefacts from Derick's rule. I felt an immediate distaste for the man—so caught up in his own grandeur that he let his people suffer.Glancing at the man, I knew he sensed my mood. "Search the place," I ordered. "I want a full inventory of everything of value. And find Derick's q
Reed's POVSitting on the throne, I felt the palpable weight of the room's history. The grandeur was tainted by the previous alpha's neglect and vanity. The wooden chair beneath me was hard and uncomfortable, yet the symbolism of my position was worth any physical discomfort. I had achieved what most only dreamed of, but I wanted more: absolute power and indisputable dominance.The grand doors creaked open, drawing my attention. My eyes narrowed as a figure stepped inside—the same young girl from before. "Alpha Reed, I have done as asked," she announced in her voice, a whisper that echoed in the vast room. There was an edge of anxiety in her tone, a fear of disappointment."Bring them in," I ordered, my voice reverberating through the hall.She turned, walking away with purposeful strides. A murmured exchange outside the door followed, and soon enough, a hesitant shuffle of footsteps grew louder. When the woman entered the room, their appearance left a stinging realisation that gnawed
**Olivia’s POV**Visiting my mother's grave was bittersweet. It seemed to infuse me with a strength that I had never felt before. Wiping away the lingering tears, I vowed to carry her legacy forward, not just in memory but in action.With the triplet’s challenge fast approaching, I knew I couldn’t afford to waste another moment. The looming trials required every ounce of focus and strength I could muster."Alexander," I called out, finding him in the training ground. He was demonstrating a combat move to some younger wolves, and his grace and power were evident in every motion.He turned toward me, and a knowing smile stretched across his lips. "Olivia, what can I do for you?"I approached him, trying to hide the nervous energy bubbling inside me. "I need your help with my training. The triplet’s challenge is near, and I can't afford to be anything but my best. Any chance you can give me some tips?"Alexander's eyes twinkled with mischief and something else, a heavier emotion I couldn
Alexanders povThe wind whispered across the battlement, carrying a chill that dug deep into my bones. I stood at the wall encircling the city, my army of loyal wolves poised silently behind me. The air was tense, suffused with the anticipation of what was to come. I contemplated the wall with an acute awareness of what lay on the other side: the city that held Olivia and Sarah.Saphira had left to go find Tinsley and inform her of what was about to happen. She had gone inside the kingdom walls to get out as many people as she could who did not want to fight for the king. We couldn't wait for her to return. We had to strike now before Olivia was forced to marry King Nicholas's son. “Get me your king!” I shouted up to the guards standing motionless atop the wall. The defiance in their silence was a simmering challenge that only stoked my resolve further.Out of the corner of my eye, a sudden flicker—a glint of deadly intent—arched toward me. Instinct and adrenaline merged, and without
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