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
Alexander's POVThe room was alive with conversation, a current of words threading through the assembly. I stood with a group of alphas, trying to stay focused, but my attention was elsewhere. The markings on my hand, ancient and deep-rooted, began to thrum with an unearthly energy. A warmth spread across my palm. I glanced down, watching as the symbol glowed to life, its luminescence both thrilling and unsettling.Instinctively, my senses snapped to attention, and I scanned the room for Olivia, knowing the glow heralded her presence or a shift in our dynamic. It didn’t take long to spot her amidst the crowd, standing mere feet away from Reed. The sight ignited a firestorm inside me, my wolf growling in response. Yet I couldn’t act on it, not here. To do so would risk tipping the balance we’d worked so hard to preserve.Gathering my resolve as I approached them, I noticed Reed walking away, his shoulders tense with anger. He bumped into me, but didn't stop to acknowledge it, continuin
Olivia’s POVThe golden light of dawn filtered softly through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room. I stirred, feeling a comforting presence wrapped around me. As my senses awakened, the warmth of strong arms cradling me reminded me of where I was—next to Alexander, who was still lost in peaceful slumber. His steady breathing and the steady rise and fall of his chest created a soothing rhythm that eased the recollection of last night’s intensity.The tenderness of the moment was a stark contrast to the chaos that awaited us. Tonight was the night of the challenge with the triplet alphas. The anticipation of it lingered in the air, a constant reminder of the battle to prove myself.Carefully, so as not to disturb Alexander, I slipped from his embrace, the cool air a shocking contrast against my now-exposed skin. A quick glance at the clock confirmed what I already knew—there was time yet before the world would demand our focus. I needed every moment of it to prepare, both
Olivia’s POVI smoothed down the fabric of my outfit, casting a final glance in the mirror. The reflection staring back was a blend of strength tempered by vulnerability, a visual armour for the challenge ahead. Deep down, I felt the echo of Arua’s presence, her confidence bolstering mine.Alexander's voice resonated through our suite, signalling it was time. I emerged, greeted by the warmth of his smile—a potent mixture of pride and encouragement that never failed to steady my resolve.“Ready?” he asked, offering his arm like a knight to his queen.I nodded, a smile gracing my lips. “As always.”We descended to the lobby of the hotel, where my family gathered like guardians of fate. Victor, Lidia, and others were a united front, each bearing expressions of support and expectation. The tension was palpable, an undercurrent between familiar glances and whispered words.Together, we ventured into the heart of the forest, leaving behind the city’s complexity for something far older and r
Olivias povMy eyes flew open at his words, bracing myself for the fight ahead. The triplet alphas—Cole, Casper, and Carlson—moved together like a well-oiled machine, and each step synced as if they could read each other's minds. Their confidence filled the clearing, a thick air meant to scare me. But I held my ground, ignoring their attempt to intimidate me.Cole was the first to attack, springing forward with deadly speed. His movements were quick and sharp, but my instincts took over, guiding me to sidestep him just in time. He stumbled slightly, thrown off balance. Seizing my chance, I spun around and delivered a powerful kick to his chest, knocking him to the ground. The crowd gasped, surprise evident in their murmurs. But I knew there wasn’t any time to celebrate.Next was Casper, the second brother, who came at me with no hesitation. He was more strategic, watching me closely to figure out my next move. Arua and I worked as one, dodging his attempts to catch me. We moved togeth
Elijah's povThe clamour of the battlefield swelled around me, punctuated by cries and the clash of steel. My heart was a tempest, torn between my loyalty to my father and my love for Olivia. I had never intended to become a pawn in this war, but here I stood, bathed in conflict, with my mind spiralling around the impending chaos. As I left Olivia's side earlier, my frustration boiled over into the tense air. "Cease this madness!" I cried out to the guards, their movements a blur of aggression around me. "These people are not our enemies!" Laughter erupted in response, sardonic and cruel. "The King has spoken, not you, Prince Elijah. We fight until death unless he says otherwise." Disdain twisted within me—a serpent rearing its head. Their insolence, their mindless obedience to Nicholas's bloody decree, was galling. But I knew why they refused me. I wasn’t their king, merely a shadow cast by my father’s ambition, a prince wearing false armour. The world spun with futility. Seeking
The ground was approaching swiftly beneath me, a swirling mass racing to meet my descent. Every instinct screamed that this was a mistake and that the leap would surely be my undoing. But even as fear clenched my heart, the dragon's scale in my grip pulsed with a warmth that banished doubt. One hundred meters above the earth, however, a shadow loomed. The first dragon I had saved soared to my rescue, swooping beneath me with a grace that defied the chaos of my fall. Relief erupted within me as I landed on its broad back, a breathless gasp escaping my lips. Holding tight to the rough, warm scales, I murmured, "Thank you."The dragon's powerful wings flapped, beating a defiant cadence against the tumultuous winds. It rose into the sky, a guardian taking flight, and together, we soared, the kingdom unfurling beneath us as a tapestry of vibrant life and teetering conflict.As if in a dream borne aloft, hundreds more dragons began to appear, majestic and fierce, emerging from the shadows
Olivias povI raced through the tunnels with a sense of urgency so intense it felt like a physical force pushing me onward. My breaths were ragged, each inhalation a struggle as I navigated the labyrinthine passages beneath the kingdom. My mind was a whirlwind, and though my plan was half-formed at best, I knew the dragons were my destination—their strength would be paramount in the battle to come.As I emerged into the dragon chamber, the oppressive air filled my lungs, heavy with the scent of fear and confinement. I couldn’t afford to hesitate, even as my heart pounded with the weight of what I was about to do. There they were, magnificent creatures tethered by chains, their eyes pools of ancient wisdom and unfathomable pain.The sight of the three guards was like a cold splash of reality, snapping my senses into sharp relief. The lead guard shouted, “What are you doing here? You can’t be here!” His voice echoed menacingly through the chamber, but I was beyond fear.Panicking would
Alexanders povThe moment we scaled the wall, chaos erupted like a storm unleashed upon the city. The guards, mere specks below, shouted commands in a futile attempt to contain the inevitable. Before anyone could react, a deafening roar sliced through the pandemonium, and the dragons descended, dark silhouettes against the dawn sky. Each dragon was a testament to terror and power, their scales shimmering with malice as they perched above the city. Fire erupted from their jaws, slicing through the air like molten spears, incinerating everything in their path. The city seemed to collapse inward upon itself, screams of horror mingling with the crackling of flames. Yet, amidst the chaos, my objective remained clear. I needed to reach the palace and confront Nicholas, ensuring he could never threaten Olivia or Sarah again. Victor and the others would search for them, but I would end this once and for all. As we pushed forward, defenders surged toward us, their weapons drawn with the con
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