Standing by the door, I tried desperately to hold myself together as the weight of the room bore down on me. Each heartbeat seemed to echo in the silence, a relentless reminder of the chaos threatening our world. But it was too much—too many lives hanging in the balance. My resolve crumbled, and I slipped outside, letting the door close softly behind me.Leaning against the cold wall, I let the tears fall. They cascaded down my cheeks, each one a conduit for the fear and frustration bottled up within me. I was the spirit wolf—supposedly powerful, supposedly untouchable—yet the darkness seemed intent on unravelling everything I held dear. A sob escaped, shattering the quiet night.A gentle hand rested on my shoulder, its weight both an anchor and a reassurance. I turned, finding solace in Victor's eyes, brimming with unspoken support. Without hesitation, he pulled me into a tight embrace, his strong arms offering the comfort only a brother could provide."What if I lose him?" I mumbled
Olivia's POVThe moment I stepped into the Elders' Hall, the tension was almost palpable. The air was thick with a sense of unease, whispers echoing off the wooden walls. Everyone was gathered, and fear was evident in the set lines of their faces. No time to waste.I strode forward, my voice unwavering and clear amidst the turmoil. "I've sent word to every pack," I declared, making sure my words carried across the room. "We are calling every soldier willing to fight with us."The Head Elder, his age marked by the many lines across his face, bowed his head solemnly. "The city gates are closed, Olivia. We have soldiers on the wall. The army approaches fast." His voice trembled slightly, the gravity of the situation settling in."Reed won't allow anyone else to enter," I continued, frustration bubbling beneath my calm exterior. "And there's no knowing if he hasn't already attacked other packs." My heart clenched at the thought, knowing the lengths Reed would go to for power."There are t
Olivia's povI stood at the base of the looming wall, heart pounding as I gazed upward. Summoning my courage, I began climbing, the rough stone scraping against my skin, but no amount of pain could compare to the storm of emotions surging within me. By the time I reached the top, the chilling sight that stretched before me stole my breath. There they were—Reed and his army.Something was horribly wrong. The pack members in his ranks were not the comrades we once knew. Their eyes were glazed, their movements mechanical. Instinct screamed that they were under some dark enchantment, twisted and controlled against their will. My heart ached, the weight of the looming battle made heavier by this cruel truth.Ethan stood beside me, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What’s wrong with them?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper against the growing tension."They're under a spell," I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me. I turned to him, seeing mirrored in his eyes the same conf
The steel gates of the city loomed above me, finally closing with a solid thud. I was safe, but a wave of exhaustion crashed over me. The weight of everything that had unfolded outside the city's sanctuary bore heavily down on me. My breath came in ragged gasps, a harsh reminder of my human form's return.Around me, the city was painted in shades of disarray; the wounded and weary were scattered throughout the streets, some receiving treatment while others stood watch for remnants of the night's chaos. Panic tinged the edges of conversations, whispers of despair and hope entangled in worried expressions. But one thought was dominant in my mind—Ethan.I spun around, scanning the sea of faces for him. My heart twisted with each unfamiliar face until Victor, my steadfast brother, appeared at my side. His gaze met mine, full of concern. Without a word, he handed me a cloak, its fabric rough but comforting. Draping it over my shoulders, I accepted Alexander's sword from his grip, feeling a
Olivia’s PovThe battle raged on, and time became a blur of violence and chaos. I fought with every ounce of strength, each enemy a challenge not just because of their numbers but because of what they once represented—friends, family, comrades. My spirit wolf roared within, a constant reminder of my duty and the power coursing through my veins.For a moment in this maelstrom, I stepped back and observed. Victor approached his expression as grave as the circumstances that enveloped us. "Olivia, we might have found another solution," he called out above the cacophony of conflict.My heart quickened at his words, clinging to the sliver of hope that they offered. Victor continued, "It seems only those who die out there come back. The ones behind these walls, they stay dead."The implications of his discovery were swift upon me, and a plan began to form. "Then bring the bodies inside," I said, my resolve firm. "We must ensure the witch cannot use them against us again."Victor nodded, unde
Lidia’s POVThe weight of the moon was heavy upon us as night stretched on. My hands were stained with blood, the scent of herbs mingling with the copper tang as I worked. It was a constant battle to treat each wound, each injury a reminder that every second counted. Around me, the medics I’d helped train hurried about, yet my thoughts kept wandering.Olivia was out there, fighting for our future. I knew how burdensome the mantle of the spirit wolf was, but still, she bore it with courage. I couldn't help but glance at the wall, straining to hear for any sign of her among the chaos.“Lidia, could you hand me the salve?” Amelia, another healer, called, breaking my reverie. Her voice was laced with urgency, a life-or-death demand for what had become routine this night.“Of course,” I replied, my hands moving automatically as I passed the jar. The injured seemed endless, a sea of pain that surged around me as if to drown all hope. Yet, with each face I encountered, I felt a surge of dete
Olivia’s POVAmongst the clamour of howls and the clash of iron, I stood, feeling each breath of wind on my skin. The scent of battle filled the air, and shadows danced in the moonlight. The fighting seemed endless, stretching beyond the horizon of hope. Weariness tugged at everyone; desperation was tangible. There was no denying it—we were losing.Then, Aura's voice broke through the chaos, a gentle whisper woven through my thoughts. "Picture a shield around the city, Olivia."Confusion intertwined with sudden clarity. A shield? With nothing left to lose, I closed my eyes, focusing every fragment of willpower into Aura's request. In the darkness, I envisioned it—a shimmering barrier, radiant and unyielding, enveloping the city with ethereal warmth.As I concentrated, magic welled within me, spreading like a gentle flame. The sounds of battle faded into the ether, replaced by a serene hum. The winds shifted gently, caressing my face as if encouraging my conviction. Within the abyss of
I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath, straightening my posture. Tears wouldn't help now. I had to be strong, not just for Alexander and myself but for everyone relying on me. With resolve in my heart, I rose to face the battles yet to come.Victor entered quietly, his gaze understanding and warm. I turned to him, trying to mask the break in my composure. "He won't wake up," I said, each word an effort against the sadness that clung to my thoughts.Victor approached slowly, his eyes filled with a sorrow akin to my own. "I'm so sorry, Olivia," he murmured, his voice barely breaking the stillness of the room.Struggling to hold onto my strength, I replied, "I can’t do this without him."Victor knelt beside me, his presence a comforting weight. "I promise," he said softly, conviction lining every word, "we will find a way to fix this."As if reacting to Victor’s words, a moment of calm settled over us. While the world beyond lay drenched in chaos, here was a pocket of quiet, a respite f
Olivia's POVThe tension in the room thickened as Cole spoke, his words carrying the weight of a disturbing revelation. "Two of our pack members were on their way here a few days ago with gifts for your victory celebration, but they never arrived. When we got word that they hadn’t made it, we sent out people to search for them." His voice faltered for a moment as if the next words weighed heavily on him. "What we found was not what we had hoped. One of them was dead, the other missing, and the carriage was gone."A chill ran down my spine. I couldn’t bear to hear this. The situation was growing more dire than I’d imagined."Two days ago, we found the carriage," Cole continued, his gaze hardening as he recalled the grim discovery. "It wasn’t far from here. And this morning, we found the other missing pack member."My heart pounded in my chest. "Where did you find him?" I asked, my voice almost whispering, desperate for any hope.Cole's gaze flickered to the others before he spoke again
Olivia's POVThe sun had barely risen, but the kingdom was already alive with energy. The grand celebration for our victory was being planned for that evening, and every pack was invited to join in the festivities. The air was thick with excitement and anticipation.I had just finished speaking with Ethan about his proposal to Lidia. His nerves were apparent, but I could see the sincerity in his eyes. He was nervous, but I knew he was ready. Before I walked away, I placed a gentle hand on his arm, offering him a reassuring smile."Don’t forget," I said softly, "when I say I’d like to thank my sister, that’s your cue."Ethan nodded, his expression shifting to one of determination. "I won’t forget. Everything will be perfect."I gave him a quick nod before heading toward Alexander’s office. As I walked through the corridors, I caught sight of the triplet alphas—Cole, Casper, and Carlson—along with their shared mate. They greeted me warmly, offering hugs and smiles."It’s good to see you
Olivia's POVThe ceremony had come to an end, and the officiant's voice rang out, full of warmth and joy. "You may now kiss your mate."For a long moment, Alexander and I stood there, neither of us moving. Our eyes met a deep, silent understanding passing between us. The world outside the two of us felt distant—almost irrelevant. It was as if time itself had paused, giving us this moment to just be, to finally breathe, to finally have each other completely.And then, as though it was inevitable, Alexander leaned in, his breath warm against my lips. His eyes never left mine, and in them, I saw everything I had ever hoped for—the love we'd both fought for, the bond that had only grown stronger over time.His lips were soft when they first touched mine, and I felt my heart flutter, a thousand emotions rushing through me. But then he deepened the kiss, his hand cupping the side of my face as he pulled me closer. I responded instantly, my fingers threading through his hair, holding him as
Olivia's POVMy heart raced as I took in the sight of the garden, the flowers a stunning blend of colours beneath the glowing moonlight. Every detail had been crafted with care, each petal, each whisper of the breeze, all speaking of the love that had brought us here. But none of it mattered more than the man standing before me.Adjusting the dress that flowed around me like liquid silk. Victor and Allen flanked me, both looking incredibly proud and supportive, but their presence felt like a blur, fading in comparison to the figure at the end of the aisle: Alexander.When my eyes met his, everything else melted away. The crowd, the world—everything faded until only he remained. There he was, waiting for me, his face a mixture of longing and awe. My heart swelled with emotions that couldn’t be put into words. No part of me felt nervous. Everything just felt right.For so long, I had fought the love that bloomed between us, but tonight, under the stars and in the presence of our family,
Alexander's POVI stood before the mirror, adjusting the pristine cuffs of my shirt, the faintest tremor of nervousness threatening to disrupt the calm exterior I fought so hard to maintain. My reflection stared back at me—sharp jawline, hair perfectly styled, the weight of responsibility etched in my gaze. But beyond the Alpha that I am, I saw the man who was about to marry the woman of his dreams for the second time, but this time, I would not take her for granted. I would treat her the way that I should have from the start.My chest tightened as I ran a hand over the collar of my suit. Everything was perfect. The flowers, the guests, the setting. But all I could focus on was the one thing that had eluded me for far too long—the realisation that this was the life I had always wanted yet failed to see for long, and I hated myself for that.A soft knock at the door drew my attention, and I turned to see Ethan standing in the doorway, his usual confidence absent, replaced by something
Olivia's povThe shop door chimed softly as we entered. The dressmaker, a kind older woman with an eye for detail and warmth to match, greeted us with a beaming smile. Bolts of exquisite fabrics lined the walls, their colours are vibrant, each one telling its own tale. I knew the one I held within my heart today—a tale of love, resilience, and hope.Lidia followed me closely, her earlier doubts seeming to melt away amid the excitement of the shop. "I’ve been waiting for this," she confessed softly, leaning closer as she took in the palatial display of elegant gowns. "Getting to see you in your wedding dress is like a dream."We approached the mirrored dais, where an array of wedding dresses awaited—each one a masterpiece of lace and silk and dreams sewn into reality. As I stepped upon the dais, emotions welled within me, teetering precariously on a tide of sentiment and expectation. I reached for a gown gently, fingers trailing over the delicate beadwork, feeling the promise imbued w
Olivia's povI knew Ethan was trying to muster his courage. His hands trembled slightly as he thumbed the edges of the box, cooling his earlier confidence. Finally, he opened the box, revealing a stunning ring. The large moonstone at its centre caught the light, casting an ethereal glow that seemed to shimmer with life."Olivia, this ring has been in my family for hundreds of years," Ethan said, his voice tinged with reverence and nerves. The raw honesty in his eyes touched me deeply.“It’s beautiful," I murmured, genuinely captivated by the artifact's majesty and the legacy it represented.Ethan went red-cheeked, the usual bravado he donned so effortlessly slipping away. "I was wondering if you would…" He paused, his words stumbling over one another like a landslide. I waited, offering him patience and a soft smile of reassurance.After a moment, he cleared his throat and started again. "I mean, I'm here to ask for Lidia's hand in marriage. I haven't seen Victor yet, but he'll under
alexanders povThe anticipation that pulsed through my veins was far stronger than any battle I'd waged, any beast I'd fought. Tonight was the night Olivia and I would affirm what we already knew in our hearts: that we were meant to be together. Our bond had withstood countless trials, and now it would be sealed under the moonlight with the people we loved.Despite the day’s beauty, echoes of concern lingered. Red flags flew in my mind every time I thought of Reed. His absence was like a splinter under my skin—a constant irritation that could not be ignored. But tonight was not about him. Tonight was about Olivia, about our family, and about the life we were building together.The palace was bustling with excitement. People flitted about, preparing for the evening’s festivities. I had instructed everyone to keep the atmosphere relaxed yet festive. Even though she opted for a simple ceremony, Olivia deserved a night filled with joy and laughter.Maneuvering through the busy rooms, I fi
**Olivia's POV**I took a breath, the pleasant scent of roses filling my nose. The garden was alive with nature's symphony, a perfect backdrop for what could be the most significant day of my life. Alexander had already set to arranging everything needed for our moonlit wedding. Tonight would be magic.I left the garden, excitement twirling within me as I ventured toward the dressmaker to see if she had anything that I could wear tonight with such short notice. I noticed there was no time for me to have something made, but I didn't care. The dress was not important; marrying my mate was the only thing that mattered. My footsteps echoed softly off the cobblestone path, each step a rhythmic countdown to becoming Alexander’s wife.As I approached, the gentle hum of early morning activity filled the air. People were setting up stalls for the evening's festival, laughter mingling with the scents of freshly baked goods. We hadn’t had a true celebration in so long; spirits were high, and eve