Reed's povThe chamber was dimly lit, the air infused with damp stone and dread. I sat at my makeshift throne, my mind a restless sea of ambition and impatience. I was waiting, waiting for the inevitable news to reach me. Around me, shadows danced on the stone walls, much like my own thoughts danced on the edges of regret and desire.Minutes crept by until the sound of footsteps echoed from the hall. The guard's arrival was bathed in urgency, his face a mask of tension. "Alpha Reed," he said, voice clipped with news he had been instructed to deliver."What is it?" I asked, trying not to betray the flicker of eagerness beneath my calm veneer. The fingers of power curled through my veins, urging me forward into a crescendo that hummed within."The battle, Alpha," the guard began, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other. "High casualties. Many injured."I nodded in silence, following my understanding. A moment of hesitation stretched between us, and then the guard continued, "Ava, Z
Olivia's pov As I moved from one pack member to another, I kept my gaze sharp on Alexander. He stood a little ways off, his jaw tense, eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of trouble. He might have been the Alpha King, but even leaders have limits. The weight of this conflict was taking its toll on him, and I could see it eating away at his resolve.As my fingers worked their magic on the injured, I engaged them in conversation, a tactic both to calm their fears and to uncover the deeper narrative of why these civilians were on the battlefield. "Tell me about Ava's son," I whispered to a middle-aged man whose arm lay wounded and bleeding."Zack,” he panted, eyes clouded by pain but softening at the name. "Ava's son, he is Derek’s rightful heir."The revelation stunned me into a brief silence, my hands hesitating over his injuries. An heir? This was news not even whispers had brought to us.Another voice chimed in, a young woman smoothing back her bruised hair. "It was Reed's idea
Victors povThe moment was tense. Anticipation hung like a charged mist in the air, as I followed the pack into the clearing. The mass moved with a sombre, muted energy, hearts heavy with mourning and uncertainty. I kept my head low, shoulders hunched, adopting shadows as my allies. Among the crowd, I blended seamlessly, a wolf among wolves. Yet, beneath this silent facade, fury simmered, its heat almost palpable against my skin.Reed’s voice pierced the subdued atmosphere, his tone poised and reassuring—a mask for the venom I knew lay beneath. I glanced up briefly, eyes narrowing as he spoke words of sympathy and solidarity. His charisma was undeniable, words like honey to the ears of those who stood listening. My insides turned, the force of my hatred threatening to overwhelm the composure I clung to."But I assure you," Reed declared, his voice carrying over the throng, "the future of our pack is secure. With young Zack, Ava’s brave son, I will ensure he is trained to become the le
Olivias povNight unfurled like a shadowy banner overhead, cloaking the clearing in hues of inky blue and silver. I stood amidst the soldiers, their scents mingling with the forest's earthy aroma. My senses tingled with anticipation; the air crackled, heavy with a promise of impending conflict. Despite my efforts to focus, my thoughts drifted to Victor. He should've returned by now, yet the woods swallowed secrets, leaving only whispers of worry in its wake. Still, I could let nothing shake my resolve. The dark rogues were coming, drawn by an unseen force that tugged at my very spirit.I shook off the icy grip of dread. My task was clear—protect the pack and ensure no more lives flickered out under the harsh hand of fate. Each breath was a solemn vow, each heartbeat, a promise forged in defiance. I was ready to face them, those shadowed figures who dared to threaten our home. Around me, the pack’s warriors stood—a formidable wall, backlit by the fire of their collective will to surviv
Alexanders povThe morning light seeped into the horizon, but I felt none of it. I left the others to the thankless task of dealing with the bodies. Weariness clung to me like a shroud, but it was overshadowed by a gnawing thought I couldn't shake: the woman and her son.She had died in my arms, a testament to the horrors Reed had unleashed. Her final words, a plea for her boy's safety, echoed in my mind. I had to find him. I moved swiftly through the palace. My footsteps carried me deeper within, drawn inexorably toward the dungeons. It struck me as odd that no guards patrolled the stairs, an eerie silence enveloping this bastion of oppression. As I descended, faint cries reached my ears.The sobbing beckoned me, tugging at my conscience. I followed, my senses alert for any sign of hostility. I arrived at a dilapidated door, the wood barely holding against the rot of time. No guards stood watch—a negligence that whispered of cunning intent. My grip tightened around the doorknob, musc
Olivias pov Victor had just been telling me everything he had heard while at reeds pack meeting and how he had followed reed and heard him talking to a woman when alexander appeared holding the hand of a boy who looked so scared and skinny it made my heart ache.Zack's eyes were wide and frightened, darting around as if searching for danger in every shadow. Despite the chaos, Alexander kept a firm but gentle grip on him, guiding him toward us with a reassuring presence that only he could project. "We need to get him to the elders. Now." Alexander said, his voice steady but edged with urgency.I nodded, my resolve hardening. "Victor," I said, turning to my brother, "tell everyone we're leaving. We need to move quickly. But don't let them know too much until we're out of Derek's pack."Victor's gaze met mine, worry flickering momentarily before he masked it with determination. "I'll take care of it," he promised, turning to rally the others. Despite the chaos around us, I knew Victor
Olivias povI nodded, feeling the sting of defeat mingled with the knowledge that retreat was our only choice. The angry pack began to encircle us, their cries a painful melody of grief and accusation. My heart twisted with each shout, each demand for answers drowned by their pain."Go! Leave the pack!" a voice boomed angrily from within the throng. The words hit like stones, heavy with finality. "And never come back! If we see any of you again, we'll kill you!"My voice cracked as I tried to reason with them once more. "But what if the dark rogues—" I started, my plea hanging unfinished in the air as another shout rose up."Get out!" they barked collectively, their judgment as unwavering as a mountain standing strong against a storm.A deep sense of anguish clawed at my insides, tainting the relief of survival with the bitterness of misunderstanding. Despite my actions being necessary for their safety, I had become the villain in their story, my intentions overshadowed by the stark r
Olivias povEvery step edged us nearer to the city, and the safety it whispered grew with every crunch of leaves under our feet. The dense forest transitioned into the outskirts of the city—its buildings towering like sentinels, promising refuge from the chaos we had left behind. My thoughts spun between relief and urgency. We had to tell the elders about Reed's treachery before he could enact whatever sinister plan he was brewing.Once we entered the city, its noise enveloped us—a cacophony of normalcy stark against the turmoil fighting within us. My heart yearned for the twins, Liam and Sarah. Their innocent laughter, untouched by the darkness that shadowed our steps, was the lighthouse guiding me through the storm."We need to head to the Elders' Hall first, Olivia," Alexander reminded me gently, his eyes catching the tension in mine.I nodded, torn between duty and love. "I know." My voice felt small against the backdrop of the streets, yet filled with determination. "The twins wi
The witch's words hung in the crisp night air, a prophecy unravelling as energy surged through me. I struggled, ensnared by the torrent of power and pain cascading through my body. My wolf howled within, caught between elation and rage, always yearning for control."You betrayed us!" I roared my voice a mixture of fury and fear as I attempted to lurch toward her, my limbs betraying me. The forest spun around me, dizziness mixing with agony, every muscle clenched in a relentless vice."Stop it," I demanded, collapsing onto my back, the ground cold and merciless beneath me. The witch remained silent, her gaze a paradox of detachment and unwavering resolve. My breath was coming in sharp and painful as if I were breathing in fire. My heart was pounding in my chest like at any second it would explode.As the world faded to darkness, echoes of my past life surfaced like spectral wraiths. My father's face hovered before me, eyes, once so fiercely resolute, now filled with regret. I remembere
Alexanders povI sat cross-legged on the cold earth, eyes shut tight as a battle raged in my mind. Days had slipped away, each one filled with the witch's strange lessons on meditation that left me hollow and irritable. This was not the training I'd imagined. I needed to be fighting, using my strength to prepare for the inevitable clash with King Nicholas that would save Olivia and Sarah, not sitting still like a stone.My resolve slipped, and frustration bubbled over. "This is useless!" I snapped, eyes flying open. "The power will never come."Nearby, the witch remained calm, her voice a gentle breeze against the storm within me. "You keep letting your wolf overtake you, Alexander.""My wolf is strong! It is what will kill the bastard who took my daughter and mate!" I retorted, the growl of my words echoing in the stillness."Again," she instructed, ignoring my outburst. Her unyielding patience stung like salt in the wound of my anger.I glared at her, but desperation won over pride.
I sat on the edge of my bed, my fingers gently tracing the intricate patterns of the golden and white dress. The dress shimmered in the light, its elegance speaking of a world I had yet to fully comprehend. A soft knock interrupted the thoughts that swirled in my mind. "Come in," I called as I stood up and smoothed the fabric of my dress, anticipation twisting in my stomach. Elijah stepped into the room, his presence an unexpected comfort. He paused, eyes lingering over the dress before meeting mine. "You look beautiful," he said softly, the sincerity in his voice wrapping around me. "Thank you," I replied, a flutter of unexpected warmth unfurling in my chest. We left the room together, walking through the halls of the palace in silence before stepping out into the kingdom—a place still shrouded in mysteries I longed to uncover as we wandered through the bustling streets. Yesterday, it had been nothing more than glimpses, but today, I made sure to take in everything around me, s
The tension in the room was clear as Elijah planted himself firmly before me, creating a barrier between me and the king I so desperately loathed. He was unwavering, his presence a silent vow of protection. Our roles seemed to reverse as he, the supposed pawn of his father, became my shield. “Move, Elijah,” King Nicholas commanded, his voice a rumble of irritation and disbelief. The air crackled with the intensity of his order, the authority behind it a palpable force. “No,” Elijah replied, his tone tempered with a surprising strength and calm. “This is no way to get her to agree to our marriage.” Nicholas glared down at me, eyes simmering with disdain. “I don’t care if she agrees or not. She will marry you either way,” he declared, each word a testament to the unwavering grip he held over what he considered his kingdom. “Father,” Elijah countered, his voice rising with urgency. “She would be more useful to you if she does so of her own accord. Imagine what could happen if people
Olivias PovReturning to my room after the night’s expedition into the tunnels, my thoughts churned like waves in a storm. I needed to internalise the pathways, the routes that could one day be our salvation, weaving a silent rebellion against King Nicholas. Each curve and corner etched into my memory was a thread in a tapestry of freedom I would one day unravel with Sarah. My pulse still quickened at the echo of his voice in those dark hollows, Nicholas's tyranny seeping through the kingdom like a poison. Now, seated on my bed, I awaited the morning routine of a guard bringing breakfast—a charade of civility amidst captivity, one I had to manipulate to my advantage. The heavy door creaked open, and a guard entered, his face a mask of indifference as he carried a tray. I rose, determination tightening my spine. "I need to speak with Elijah. Immediately." My demand was clear and unwavering. His silence was the falling of a gauntlet, and he moved as if I were invisible, stepping arou
The night hung heavy in the air, wrapping me in a cocoon of silence that accentuated my solitude. The portal had vanished, leaving the forest serene yet eerily empty. I turned in a slow circle, the towering trees surrounding me like silent sentinels guarding ancient secrets.All around me, shadows danced, cast by the ethereal glow of the moonlight filtering through the underbrush. I shifted uneasily, my heightened senses picking up the subtle rustling of leaves and the whisper of unseen creatures moving in the dark. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as if the very air was charged with energy waiting to be unleashed.Then, a voice broke through the silence, clear and resonant, calling my name. "Alexander."I whirled around, my heart leaping in my chest as a figure stepped gracefully into a shaft of moonlight. Her hooded cloak flowed like water around her, and with a slow movement, she reached up and pulled the hood back. The sight of her sent a shock through me—a woman w
The soft crunch of leaves underfoot marked our journey through the dense forest. The symphony of chirping crickets and the faint rustle of nocturnal creatures created a haunting yet soothing backdrop. But my thoughts were far from the serenity surrounding us, caught instead in a relentless loop of urgency and frustration.Hours had slipped by since we began this trek, each passing hour a new knot of tension coiling within me. The sense of time slipping through my fingers like grains of sand was maddening. I cast a glance at Tinsley, her expression unreadable as she navigated the underbrush as though it understood her silent command.“Just a little further,” she murmured, her voice a gentle reassurance that erased none of my impatience. It wasn't enough. The thought of Olivia and our children, their lives tethered to the whims of a tyrant, burned in my mind like a branding iron.“Tinsley,” I barked, the restraint in my voice unravelling. “If I shift into my wolf form, I can carry you.
Alexander's POV The sun hung low as I approached the palace gates, an ominous silence filling the air. There, waiting with a posture that promised a steadfast determination, stood Tinsley. Her silver hair caught the fading light, a beacon against the encroaching dusk. “Are you ready to make this journey to the magical land?” she asked, her voice both soothing and filled with the gravity of the impending quest. Her words resonated with the weight of destiny and the urgency of our plight. I nodded, the resolve firm within me, though uncertainty lingered like a shadow at the edge of my thoughts. Just as we began to move forward, a familiar voice shattered the fragile calm. “Daddy, wait!” Liam’s voice reached me like a lifeline, pulling me back from the precipice. I spun around to see my son running toward me, his little legs moving with desperate urgency. My heart clenched painfully, each beat echoing with his cries. Lidia trailed behind, her voice gentle but firm as she called, “Li
Olivias povI moved forward towards the voice. The tunnels bent and swirled around me, a labyrinth that seemed to stretch into infinity. I called out again, gentler this time, "Hello? Is anyone there?" My voice felt tiny in the vast darkness, threading through the heavy silence. Suddenly, I caught a whisper—a voice faint yet persistent—a single word that seemed woven from the air. "Olivia..." I hesitated, feeling a tremor of both hope and fear. That voice, so distant yet unmistakably real, beckoned me with a familiarity I couldn’t ignore. My grip on the wall tightened, anchoring me as I ventured further in, letting the whisper guide me. The passage narrowed, its cold stone brushing against my arms as if ushering me onward. I heard more voices then, a soft scuffle mingling with the breeze that funnelled through the maze. Despite the chill, determination warmed my skin and coaxed courage from my bones. Ahead, a glow illuminated the gloom—a flickering light that pushed back the shado