My heart started to race in my chest as I looked up at Alexander's eyes boring into me. I gasped in surprise at his sudden appearance. He studied me intently, his expression unreadable."Fay," he said softly, his voice sending shivers down my spine. "What are you doing here all alone?"I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "I could ask you the same thing," I replied. "Are you following me?"Alexander's lips quirked up into a small smile. "Following you? No, Fay. I just happened to be in the area."I narrowed my eyes at him. "And what about Lidia? Shouldn't you be out at the lake with her right now?"He chuckled softly, taking a step closer to me. My heart skipped a beat as he did. I could never forgive him for what he did to me, but it was hard not to feel something when he was around for so many reasons, the main one being that he was my mate. "Why are you so concerned about where I should be, Fay?" he asked teasingly.I swallowed hard, feeling my cheeks flush with em
We met with the maid’s family. My heart ached for them as they mourned their daughter's death. I decided that I wasn't going to bring up that we thought she was involved with the attempted poisoning at the palace. They were hurting enough without me adding to that. I left Alexander in the village and made my way back to the palace, knowing that I would have to face Allen. Walking into the palace, my heart raced. I don't know why I was worried about talking to Allen. I hadn't done anything wrong.As I walked through the main doors, I could feel Allen's intense gaze on me before I even saw him. He was standing by the stairs, waiting for me. "Fay," Allen's voice was cold and stern as he approached me. "What were you doing with Alexander?"“I went to the village to talk to the maid's family, and while I was there, I ran into him.”His jaw tensed as he glared at me. "You know how dangerous he is. You can't be associating yourself with someone like him.""I have to go talk to Victor," I s
Alexander pov I was in the middle of reading when Lidia burst into my room, her eyes wide with panic. "Alexander, we have a problem," she said frantically.I set my book down and looked at her, concern etched on my face. "What's wrong?" I asked.She took a deep breath before speaking. "Fay caught me with Ethan," she confessed, her voice trembling. "If she tells Victor, everything could be ruined."I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "You need to be more careful," I scolded gently.Lidia let out a frustrated growl before glaring at me. "I don't know what you see in her," she muttered bitterly. "If you saw what she was hiding under her mask, you would be running for the hills."I didn't care what Fay was hiding under her mask. There was something about her that drew me in like a moth to a flame, and it was more than just our mated bond. "She reminds me of someone," I admitted quietly.”And when I'm around her, a part of me that has been missing feels complete."Lidia rolled her ey
As the doctor rushed Fay off to the emergency room, Allen turned to me with rage burning in his eyes. He grabbed me by the collar and slammed me against the wall, growling, "You did this."I felt a surge of rage coursing through me as I pushed him off and held him by the throat. "You should have been a better husband," I spat out, my own fury matching his. "She deserves someone so much better than you. And if she dies, I'll make you wish you were never born."“Enough!” Victor yelled, making us both turn to look at him. “My sister is in there fighting for her life. If you want to kill each other, go do it somewhere else.”Allen's hands clenched into fists, his eyes still burning with anger. "She wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for you," he seethed. He tried to push me off him, but I was much stronger than him.“I said that's enough, Allen”, victor yelled again. I let Allen go, stepping away from him taking a deep breath to try and calm myself but keeping my glare on him. “If y
Olivia's povI slowly opened my eyes, the room spinning as I tried to focus. My head was pounding, and my vision was blurry. As my surroundings started to come into view, I saw Victor sitting next to my bed, his expression filled with worry."Victor," I croaked out, my voice raspy from sleep or maybe something more sinister.He jumped up at the sound of my voice, relief flooding his features. "Thank God you're awake. You scared me."Confusion clouded my mind as I tried to piece together what had happened. Why was I in this state? And why did Victor look so terrified?"What happened?" I managed to whisper, fear creeping into my heart as I tried to work out what had happened.Victor leant forward, taking my hand in his, his grasp tight and comforting. "You were attacked, Olivia. Do you remember anything?" he asked.I furrowed my brow, trying to recall the events that led me here, but my mind was blank. I shook my head slowly, feeling a sense of dread wash over me as I realised I couldn'
Alexanders povThe library was quiet, and the only sound was the soft rustling of pages as Ethan flipped through a book. I sat across from him, trying to focus on the words in front of me, but my mind kept drifting. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through me, causing me to double over in agony."Alpha? What's wrong?" Ethen asked, rushing around to me.Before I could answer, a scream pierced through my head, echoing loudly and making me wince in pain. My wolf growled, urgent and insistent. “Mate!” It whispered urgently inside my head. “She needs you.”I pushed myself up from the table, ignoring the protest of my muscles as I rushed towards the door. Fay's screams taking over every inch of the palace, each one sending shivers down my spine. I needed to get to her to make sure she was okay.But as I reached the door where her cries were coming from, two guards stopped me from going inside. They stood in my way, their expressions stoic and unwavering."Let me through," I growled, my voice lac
Victor's face softened slightly, a hint of sympathy flickering in his eyes. "She is alive," he said finally. "But she is not in a good way."I let out the breath I was holding, relief flooding through me at Victor's words. "Can I see her?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Victor's expression hardened once again as he shook his head. "I'm sorry, Alexander," he replied. "But I can't allow that. Fay will have no visitors until we know what is wrong with her and we find the person who attacked her.""What can I do to help?" I asked, desperation creeping into my tone.Victor's gaze bore into mine, his eyes cold and calculating. "Find the person responsible for this," he said firmly. "Bring them to me so they can be punished accordingly."I nodded, determination coursing through me as I stood up straighter. "Consider it done," I declared.I turned to Ethan, who was already at my side. "Find them," I instructed him. "And bring them to me."Ethan nodded in understanding before rushin
Olivia's povThe medication they gave wore off fast, and the pain came rushing back in waves, each one more intense than the last. It felt as though my head would explode at any minute. Tears streamed down my face as I winched in pain, gripping onto the bed as if it were the only thing holding me here. “Please make it stop”, I begged again.The doctors began giving me stronger and stronger medication, trying everything to stop the pain. Some would give me a few seconds of relief, where others did nothing at all. Everything they tried failed. Victor stood by my bedside, his face etched with worry and frustration. The doctor spoke softly to him, their words barely reaching my ears as I focused on trying to breathe through the agony."We need to figure this out soon," the doctor said, concern lacing his voice. "The medications are becoming less effective, and if we don't find a solution, she may not make it."Victor sighed heavily, sinking down into the chair next to me. He ran a hand th
Reeds povI didn't know how long I had been trapped in that cave with the witches' burnt and rotting bodies. Everything was a blur, and my mind struggled to piece things together, only fragments passing through every now and again like echoes of a fading nightmare. I vaguely remembered their chants, the strange words resonating in a rhythm that seemed to align with the throbbing pain in my leg. Natasha lay nearby, her eyes open but unseeing, a haunting reminder of what happened when the moon's light came through that cursed cave.As the days passed, the fog obscuring my thoughts began to lift. My survival instincts took over, pushing me toward a gruelling reality: I needed to escape, to move before they found me.With grim determination, I dragged myself from the darkness of the cave, the memory of Natasha and the others burning in my mind. I felt disconnected from the world around me, hollowed out and raw from the loss of my leg. Pain lanced through me with each movement, a constant
Olivia's POV"Olivia, please, rest a bit more," Alexander entreated gently, echoing the concern etched into every line of his face.I shook my head, feeling a vibrant energy coursing through me. "I can’t, Alexander. I’m fine. There’s something I need to tell everyone," I insisted, leaving no room for argument.He hesitated, the protector within him battling his respect for my strength and autonomy. He nodded finally, prioritising my needs, even as the remnants of his worry shimmered in the space between us. "Alright," he conceded, a soft smile breaking through the storm.With a sweep of the moment, new resolve firmed my steps as I dressed, each garment a shield of confidence and renewed purpose. As I moved with care not to wake the twins, the thrill of life seemed to pulse through my veins.Word of my rise had spread quicker than wildfire, and as I stepped out, taking in the warmth of the morning sun, I found a vast sea of faces waiting. Their collective expectation hummed in the air,
Olivia's povI watched as Selene turned to leave, her steps light and deliberate as though she floated. My heart clenched, a surge of questions and emotions compelling me to follow. “Wait, please! I still have so many things to ask you,” I called out, my voice catching in the chilly air.She paused, turning back toward me with a serene smile that held the weight of ages in its curves. "When we meet again, I will answer all that you have to ask, but I hope that is not for many more moons," Selene promised, her eyes twinkling with ancient wisdom.The promise in her words was comforting yet bittersweet. I nodded, grappling with the sense of finality that lingered in the moonlit air.“It’s time for you to go now. There are many hearts missing you dearly. Go celebrate your victory.” Selene said, bowing her head slightly.Before I could reply, she seemed to dissolve into the starlit sky, vanishing as if carried away by the winds of time. The scene around me darkened, the picturesque world s
Olivia's povMy gaze drifted over the shimmering expanse of the ocean, a melody of thoughts threading through my mind. Despite the beauty surrounding me, an invisible weight tugged at my soul, reminding me of the battles still to fight and the loved ones I needed to protect."what will happen next with those witches?" I asked, turning my head to meet Selene's serene eyes. "Will they continue to stir up trouble?"Her expression remained calm, yet there was a flicker of something—satisfaction, perhaps—in her gaze. "The witches have become prisoners of the moon," she replied, her voice a soothing lull yet imbued with undeniable authority. "Their struggle against you exhausted their magic, leaving them weak and confined."As Selene spoke, she gestured gracefully as if painting the air with her fingertips. With a subtle wave of her hand, the sand at our feet swirled upwards, cascading around us like a whirlwind. The scene shimmered into existence, vivid and real, enveloping us in a world s
Alexander's POVOlivia's fragility lying on the hospital bed. Her skin was pallor that seemed out of place for someone as vibrant as her. It felt as though she was caught between realms, her spirit elsewhere while her body remained beside me.Liam and Sarah refused to leave her, their small forms locked in, fighting off the claims of sleep as they nestled at her side. Their presence, though reassuring, brought an ache to my heart. How do you explain to a child the cruelty of the world that places their mother in such a vulnerable state?They were brave, our twins. Sarah clutched Olivia's hand tightly, refusing to let go, while Liam focused his will on staying awake, his eyes fixed on his mother more intensely than his years should allow. I had tried more than once to coax them back to the hotel with Allen, believing they needed rest, but their connection to Olivia was fierce and unyielding.Victor stepped into the room, his usual confident demeanour replaced by cautious hesitation. He
Olivia's POVThe vast expanse of sand stretched before me as I followed Selene's lead, each step further removing the haze between dreams and reality. The salty aroma of the ocean filled my senses, an intoxicating blend of freedom and nostalgia. We walked side by side, accompanied by the rhythmic lullaby of the waves, until we reached a large rock overlooking the infinite ocean.“Sit with me, Olivia,” Selene suggested, settling upon the ancient stone. Her presence brought solace. Her words whispered truths that calmed the storm within me.I lowered myself beside her, the cool rock grounding me in this surreal yet comforting world. Together, our gaze captured the horizon where the sea met the sky, a seamless union as eternal as the forces guiding me.For a while, the symphony of nature wrapped us in silence, a shared understanding passing unspoken between us. Finally, the question clawing at my heart found a voice. "Will I ever see my family again?"Selene turned her gaze upon me, the
Olivia's POVA blinding light penetrated my closed lids, and I instinctively squeezed them tighter to ward off its impertinence. The sound of waves mingled with my heartbeat, which thudded loudly against my ribs in question. Where was this place? I cautiously opened my eyes, squinting against the unfamiliar brightness. As I sat up, the world wobbled, and I blinked to clear my vision. My surroundings took on shape—the sand beneath me warm, the air tinged with salt and freedom, yet stark in its refusal to reveal any hints of familiarity. "Where am I?" I murmured, my voice lost amidst the symphony of crashing waves and whispering winds.A voice from behind me answered, gentle yet commanding, "Do not worry, my child; you are safe."My senses jolted to alertness, instincts primed for confrontation. I spun around, my heart a wild drum, only to lock eyes with the most ethereal figure I'd ever seen. A woman stood there, her silver hair cascading like moonlit waterfalls, her skin luminous, and
alexanders povMy heart thundered painfully in my chest as I carried Olivia swiftly toward the healer’s chamber. The fear of losing her was an ice-cold grip on my soul, even as adrenaline urged my legs to move faster than ever before. Lidia rushed beside me, her face a mask of determination and disbelief, the same storm raging inside her, underscored by the urgency thrumming between us all.When we reached the healer's chamber, the air inside was thick with the mingled scents of herbs and sterile remedies. The healers moved with practised skill, immediately taking Olivia from my arms and gently setting her onto the bed. I lingered my body tense with a mix of dread and hope, torn by the need to be beside her and the haunting pull of helplessness.Olivia lay still, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. The sight twisted something inside me, a visceral ache that threatened to unleash my wolf's protective ire. I turned away for a moment, desperate to hold onto some semblance
Olivias pov Gasping, I focused on the beating of my heart, which seemed to drum a hasty rhythm as fear clawed at me. Aura’s voice wavered in my mind, her once bright presence dimming to a mere echo. A terrifying thought struck me: what if she faded entirely? The world tilted sharply, and I clung to the wall, desperate for anything solid to anchor me.“Olivia!” The voice was distant yet persistent, weaving through the haze that threatened to overwhelm me. Each breath became a labour, a battle against the suffocating pressure in my chest.I willed Aura to return, to guide me through the fog, but silence was my only answer. Panic twisted in my gut, and I squeezed my eyes closed, blocking out the churning room. When I opened them, Alexander's face hovered before me, his expression a mask of worried intensity.His words reached me as a blur, each syllable dipping in and out of clarity. Yet, it was the fear in his eyes that cut through the murk clouding my mind. I tried to speak, but my vo