As the morning sun peeked over the horizon, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves churning within me. Today marked the day we would leave for the city. Returning to the city left me feeling a mix of things. The last time we were there, bad things happened, and I could only hope that this time would be different.Alexander walked beside me, his presence a reassuring anchor in the sea of uncertainty. His confidence seemed to bolster my own, silently affirming that I was more than ready for the trials ahead. Together, we entered the carriage, its interior plush and inviting. The door closed with a gentle thud, enclosing us in an intimate cocoon as we began our journey.I settled into the seat beside Alexander, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in my stomach. It wasn’t long before the gentle sway of the carriage lulled me into relaxation. As the landscape rolled by outside, I rested my head on Alexander's shoulder, feeling his warmth seep through the fabric of his coat. The rhythmic
**Alexander's POV**After ensuring Olivia and the twins were settled comfortably in the hotel, I stepped back outside, drawing a deep breath of the crisp air.Making my way through the busy city streets, I felt anticipation growing with each step. The elders awaited me, hopefully, armed with new insights. They were the oldest and wisest among us, guardians of the pack's ancient history and knowledge.As the building came into sight, I readied myself to go in, praying that they had better luck than I had in finding answers about the mystery mark.The elders were seated around a wide oak table, their faces drawn with concentration. Books were open before them, some filled with archaic script that only they could decipher.A soft rustle announced my presence. Elder Mathias looked up and gestured for me to sit, a welcoming smile crinkling his weathered face. "Alexander," he greeted, his voice a mellow rumble. "Please, join us."I nodded and took a seat opposite them. Their eyes turned to
Olivia's POVAlexander and I chose the secluded clearing on the outskirts of the city for today's training. Its tranquillity provided the perfect backdrop for focus, untainted by distractions and buzzing energy. My senses were attuned, muscles coiled and ready, driven by the ever-looming threat of the triplet Alphas. The fight with them was imminent, and I knew every second of preparation could tip the upcoming battle's delicate scales.The twins were with Victor and Lydia, spending their playful morning in the palace. Despite being away from them, I carried their presence in my heart, a silent reminder of what I fought for. Determination pulsed through me as I felt Arua, my wolf, stretch and unfurl within, an internal counterpart eager to surge forward."Keep your stance open but firm," Alexander instructed, his voice cutting through the cool air like a steady rhythm of a drum. His presence was a comfort—an unwavering fortress.I adjusted my footing, echoing the adjustments in my min
Olivia's pov "Enjoy your pretty little wife, Alexander," Cole taunted, his voice dripping with malice. "Because when we're done with her—"Before Cole could finish, Alexander spun around, swift as a predator. In a surge of motion, he crossed the distance and pinned Cole against a tree by his throat. The speed and force of it happened too quickly for even my trained eyes to follow."Finish that sentence, and I’ll make sure you can never open it again," Alexander growled his tone deadly calm, each word like a dagger poised to strike.Casper and Carlson took hesitant steps forward, their bravado diminished in the face of Alexander's fury. I could see fear flicker in their eyes, just for a heartbeat, before they carefully masked it with their usual arrogance."Easy, Alexander," Carlson said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "We were just joking."Alexander's grip on Cole's throat loosened but did not let go entirely. "This is not a game," he hissed, his voice as sharp as shattered gl
Olivia’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, looking at my reflection; every inch of my body was calm despite the evening ahead. The Gathering of the Elders was upon us, an event I dreaded but could not avoid. The elders firmly believed in these gatherings, insisting they strengthened the alliance between packs. Skipping the event would lead the others to think I didn't consider myself their equal, a notion I was determined to refute.Taking one last look, I left the room and headed downstairs to meet the others. Taking the last step, Alexander turned to look at me. His eyes met mine, and a warmth spread across his face, his love for me illuminating his gaze. "You're breathtaking," he murmured, stepping forward to meet me. His hand found mine with the ease of a well-worn ritual, and my heart swelled in response. “Victor and the others are meeting us there.”As we left, heading toward the Gathering of the Elders, the air between Alexander and me was rich with a newfound understanding.
Olivias pov“What are you doing here all on your own, Olivia?” Carlson chimed in, his tone a mockery of concern. “Seems like you could use some company. Might get lonely, waiting for Alexander to rescue you.”I straightened my spine, meeting Carlson's gaze with unwavering confidence. He wanted to get under my skin, but he’d have to try a lot harder.The energy in the room felt charged, an electric hum vibrating just beneath the surface as I continued to face Carlson and his brothers. They were predictable, their tactics a woven tapestry of arrogance and bluster. It was a pattern I had seen too many times, one that no longer held sway over my emotions."I'm never alone," I responded with a calm laced with steel, "especially when surrounded by such esteemed company." My words sparked a ripple in the crowd, drawing the curious and speculative gazes of many alphas.The air crackled with anticipation, the eyes of the alpha elites glued to us. They wanted a spectacle, confirmation of their
Olivias pov As the night wore on, the noise and light from the Gathering felt suffocating, the weight of whispered judgments clashing with the silent realm outside. I excused myself, stepping beyond the threshold of the elders' hall to inhale the crisp, calming air. The moon shone brightly above, illuminating the leaves that rustled gently in the soft breeze. It was a moment of solitude that I craved amidst the tumult of conflicting emotions and expectations.The chill of the night wrapped around me like a comforting embrace, cooling the lingering heat of confrontation. It was moments like these when I could truly reflect, taking stock of what had transpired in the intertwined worlds of werewolves and politics. They doubted my power, yet I stood unwavering, proving time and again that I was more than capable despite their prejudices.A familiar, subtle tingle crept up my spine, an instinct honed by years of survival and caution. I knew someone was approaching, not with ill intent but
Olivias povI went to walk around him, making it clear while still being polite that I didn't want to talk to him. As I did, he stepped in front of me, blocking my way. "Olivia, why don’t you stay a moment? It would be a shame not to catch up."Every instinct told me to distance myself from him, but his influence was pervasive throughout the packs, making any open defiance risky. This interaction required delicate maneuvering, a facade of politeness that belied the tension underneath.I turned to Reed, adopting a mask of polite indifference. "Thank you, Reed," I said, my voice measured and controlled. "But I really must be going." My words were clear, and my intentions unmistakable.Yet Reed, unperturbed by my refusal, leaned in as if my words were nothing more than passing rain. "I just wanted to commend you," he continued, a sly smile creeping onto his lips. "You were impressive against the triplet alphas. They didn't see you coming."His comment caught me off guard, but I quickly c
Olivias povThe road was filled with a tense quietness as the carriage bounced over rugged terrain. The scent of pine mingled with the crisp chill in the air, an intoxicating reminder of the mountain's nosebleed peaks and swathes of woodland stretching endlessly beneath the sky. Alexander and I remained silent. Our focus aligned on the journey to the packs that needed us. The horses' hooves pounded rhythmically against the ground, a steady heartbeat pushing us onward."We'll be there soon," Alexander said softly, breaking the delicate bubble of contemplation enveloping us. His voice was a soothing balm against the trepidation I felt, but I knew better than to dwell on them. Before I could reply, Reed's pack came into view as we cleared another slope, and my heart clenched momentarily—as my mind drifted back to all the horrible things that Reed had done, Cassandra’s face flashing before my eyes. I shook my head, pushing the thought out of my head as fast as it came. His town sprawled
Alexanders povThe morning had barely begun, yet the weight of the world pressed heavily on our shoulders as Olivia and I walked down to the triplet alphas' office. The hallway was alive with murmurs, everyone eager to thank Olivia. Each gesture of gratitude was a vital reminder of just how much we owed her. The warmth in their eyes contrasted sharply with the shadow of worry that clung stubbornly to her face."Olivia," a young omega called, offering a shy smile as we passed. "Thank you for saving us."Olivia nodded, though her eyes betrayed her restlessness. I could feel her tension like an electric current between us. The dream she had last night weighed on her like lead, and I understood her fear—it was the fear that gnawed at me, too. Our thoughts were locked on our children, Liam and Sarah, who were miles away in the city, possibly at the mercy of dark rogues.As we entered the office, the room was already buzzing with discussions on our next move. The triplet alphas—Cole, Casper
Olivia's povI found a spot overlooking the pack grounds, where I could see the far horizon painted with hues of twilight. Sitting down, exhaustion overwhelmed me. My body ached from the turmoil of the past days, and my eyelids were heavy, struggling to remain open. Despite knowing I should stay alert, sleep tugged at me with relentless persistence. Just a moment, I told myself, my eyes slipping shut as I drifted off.In an instant, I was home, laughter echoing around me. Liam and Sarah, my joyful twins, ran ahead, their giggles a balm to my weary soul. Chasing after them, I called out, the evening's gentle glow transforming suddenly as the sky turned an ominous shade of black."Time to come inside!" I shouted, but only their laughter answered. Confusion churned in my gut as I searched the darkening landscape. The shadows around swirled, their movements taunting and elusive. Panic flared sharply as the twins' laughter ceased, replaced by silence."Liam! Sarah!" I yelled, desperation c
Olivia's povWith my heart drumming loudly in my ears, I watched Victor. He lay still, his breathing shallow as the Glass warmth kissed his lips. My hands lingered close, trembling with uncertainty. "Drink, Victor, please," I urged softly, my voice barely above a whisper, a prayer wrapped in hope.I held my breath, time moving languidly, stretching uneasily around us. The weight of the moment pressed heavily upon my shoulders. Each heartbeat felt like an endless echo, my pulse a desperate chorus in the quiet room. And just when doubt threatened to choke me, Victor’s lips parted softly. His throat moved, taking in the liquid, a small sip at first, then another. Relief washed over me, the tension slowly uncoiling as I watched the colour gradually begin to return to his cheeks. With every drop he swallowed, I felt the oppressive heat that had wrapped around him like chains begin to diminish.I didn’t allow myself to get too hopeful, not yet—not until I was sure. But the change was undeni
Olivias povI turned sharply, and the chill that ran down my spine got colder when I saw what the panic in Alexander's eyes was about. On the floor lay Victor, my brother, motionless. Alexander was kneeling beside him, urgently checking his pulse."Victor!" I cried out, racing to his side. My heart pounded so loudly that it drowned out any other noise. Kneeling down, I reached for his hand. It was cold and clammy, a stark contrast to the fever emanating all around us. A knot tightened in my stomach."He collapsed just now," Alexander explained, urgency bleeding into his tone. His hand was on Victor's chest, listening to the shallow rise and fall of his breath. "He must have tried to hide how he was feeling to help the others."A heavy, suffocating wave of fear threatened to pull me under. Victor was always the strongest, the rock of our family, alongside our shared purpose to protect. Seeing him so vulnerable was a blow I wasn't prepared for.At that moment, only one thought pulsed th
Olivias pov"What's happening, Victor?" I asked, my voice steady despite the fear and panic swirling inside of me.He hesitated, eyes flickering with an emotion I couldn't quite decipher—worry, seriousness. "It's the pack," he finally said, each word carrying the gravity of bad news. "Many of them are very sick—and it's spreading fast."My heart thudded, a drum pounding within my chest. "Sick? How?" I pressed, urgency soaring through every syllable."It started an hour ago with the members who were near the fire, inhaling the smoke. We just thought that it was from breathing in too much of that toxic smoke and would go away once they got some fresh air and rest," Victor explained, his eyes briefly meeting mine, filled with uncharacteristic vulnerability. "But now it's spreading wider, reaching even those who were not directly affected."Panic began its insidious climb within me. "We need to see them," Alexander interjected, his voice a steady beacon of purpose.Victor nodded, leading
Olivia's povI stood on the balcony, watching the grey clouds climb higher—the leftover ashes of the dark burning up. The sharp smell filled the air, making it hard to breathe, yet it was a burden we had to carry. As much as I wanted to rest, a nagging feeling kept me awake. The rogues haunted us, their threats hiding in every shadow, reminding us of the danger we faced.The night quickly draped around us, its shadows reaching out like curious hands, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave the sight of the smoke rising into the evening sky. Frustration threatened to overflow; I was exhausted beyond words, yet adrenaline kept me tied to what lay below. Each heartbeat carried the hope that this would be the end of it.A soft sound broke the silence, and I turned to see Alexander standing there, concern softly marking his face. His presence was warmth against the cold pressing in, and I fought the urge to collapse into his arms."You should be asleep, Olivia," he said, his voice gentle.I s
Olivias povMy body trembled as the adrenaline slowly left and my mind swirled with questions I hated not knowing anything about these dark rogues I made a promise to then and there that when this was ove everything that we had learnt about them and defeating them would be recorded so that if this ever happened again they would not go into it blind. "Olivia," a familiar voice called from behind, pulling me from my racing thoughts. I turned to see Cole, the triplet Alpha I had saved, his face ghostly pale with a mixture of gratitude and weariness."Cole," I greeted softly, recalling the brief flash of fear in his eyes during the attack. We both stood amidst the chaos, a silent kinship forming from shared survival. "Are you alright?"He nodded, though the faint tremor in his hands betrayed him. "Thanks to you, yes," he replied, his voice steadying as he met my gaze. "I owe you my life, Olivia. We all do."A part of me wanted to shrug off his gratitude, to dismiss it as simply doing wha
Olivias povAs the rogue came at me, I felt the fatigue settling over my muscles once more, a weight threatening to drag me down. I gasped for air, pushing my body to its limits. Every instinct screamed for me to move, to act, to save my own life and those of my friends. But deep inside, I also knew that this moment was essential, a turning point, a test of my resolve and the power I held within.Aura simmered beneath my skin, her presence like a burning flame, casting light upon the darkness encroaching on us. I let her energy ripple through my limbs, igniting my spirit with the pure brightness of her existence. Her voice was a gentle whisper, urging me on, her courage infusing mine. With a burgeoning sense of purpose, I brought forth all the strength I had left, channelling everything into a single point of focus.The rogue leapt towards me, a threat of claws and gnashing teeth destined to tear me apart if I faltered. But I didn't falter. Arms outstretched, my hands projected a blos