I watch as Victor enters the playroom, his shoulders slumped and his eyes heavy with exhaustion. I can see the pain etched in his features from the recent rogue attack, and my heart aches for him. He shouldn't have to endure this kind of suffering, especially not because of me.I gestured for the maid to take the twins, Liam and Sarah, out to get something to eat. As Liam got to the door, he paused, turning to look at me with a big smile. "I'll be back soon, Mummy," he said before running off to join his sister.I couldn't help but smile at his sweet gesture. With his dark hair and piercing blue eyes, Liam was the spitting image of his father. But he was kinder and more loving than his father could ever be, and I hope so much that he stays that way and never turns out like his father.Sarah, on the other hand, modelled herself after me. She had my blonde hair and grey eyes, but she also had my stubbornness. She was fiercely independent and never wanted help with anything.I smiled bac
Alexander povI watched as Olivia walked away, her words burning into me like hot knives. She was right. She didn't owe me anything I owed her. I knew I had to find out the truth about Cassandra's death, and the only person who could give me answers was Rebecca. I made my way down to the cellars where she was being kept prisoner.The air in the cellars was musty and cold, sending shivers down my spine as I approached Rebecca's cell. She looked up at me with weary eyes, a mix of fear and defiance swirling in them."What do you want?" she asked, her voice hoarse from disuse."I need to know what really happened to Cassandra," I said, trying to keep my tone steady despite the emotions raging inside me.Rebecca looked away from me. "And why should I tell you?"I gritted my teeth, frustration bubbling up inside me. "Because I know you were there that night, and I know you had something to do with it.”She got up from the floor coming towards the door with tears in her eyes. “You already kn
Olivia's povWe gathered in the great hall. I sat by Victor's side as we watched the pack members file in. Everyone was still talking about my face being revealed. Rumours spread about why I hid my face, but Victor had hushed them as fast as they came. As Victor stood at the front of the hall, the atmosphere grew tense. The doors were closed, and all eyes were on him. His voice boomed through the room, commanding everyone's attention."We are here today for justice," Victor began, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Justice for the criminals that infiltrated our pack and caused so much pain."I felt a knot form in my stomach as I watched Rebecca being brought in by guards alongside the guard from Alexander's kingdom who had aided her. They still hadn't found the other culprit responsible for the chaos that had ensued.Rebecca's parents stood amongst the crowd, their faces etched with a mix of sadness and embarrassment. My heart ached for them, knowing the shame they must be feeling for
“I have sent for the maid from Alexander's kingdom who wrote the confusion letter,” Victor said as he placed the letter down on the table. I played with the food in front of me. My appetite was suddenly gone. "Why do we need to bring yet another person here who is tied up in Rebecca and Alexander's drama?" I asked.Victor looked at me with a stern look. "Olivia, we need to get to the bottom of this. We cannot make any rash decisions without all the information. Rebecca's family is demanding a fair trial, and we can not give that without putting all the pieces together," he replied.I laughed. “a fair trial. How is she worthy of that after everything she has done?”. I pushed my plate away, leaning back in my chair. Victor sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I understand that all this is bringing up old wounds, and I'm sorry to tell you, but it is going to bring up more," he said softly. "The maid has told people about the things Cassandra did to you, and as you know, Alexander
Guilt ate away at me; I was a horrible husband to Olivia, and I struggled to find a way to make her ever forgive me. I made my way to my room, my skin still tingling from where I had held her. The weight of my actions pressed heavily on my chest, suffocating my every thought. As I walked down the corridor, I heard voices.Allen's voice was unmistakable, a deep rumble that always commanded attention. At first, I thought nothing of it, but then I heard a woman's voice that wasn't Olivia's. Curiosity piqued, and I slowed my pace."I can't wait to be alone with you later," she purred, her voice laced with a mix of excitement and secrecy. I glanced around, ensuring no one would see me, and stealthily made my way to the edge of the wall, peering around the corner.Allen stood close to the woman. Their body language spoke loud, telling the story of what they wanted to be doing to each other."I will see you tonight at six," Allen murmured, his voice low but crystal clear in the silent hallwa
Olivia's Pov "Mummy, look what I draw." Liam held a picture in front of my face. I forced a smile, focusing my attention on the crayon scribbles. "That's wonderful, Liam. Is that a dragon?" "No, it's a dinosaur!" he giggled and ran back to his twin sister, Sarah, who was diligently stacking blocks taller than she was. I glanced at Sarah and marvelled at her focus, hiding the emotional storm brewing inside me. Ever since Alexander found out the truth about Cassandra, my mind had been clouded with guilt for ruining his cherished memories of her. The playroom was a sanctuary for the twins, filled with bright colours, plush toys, and the innocent laughter that echoed off the walls. Today, it felt more like a cage to me, trapping me with my thoughts. I tried to keep myself busy with mundane tasks, but the growing unease was impossible to shake off. A muffled conversation drifted through the half-open door. I paused, straining to listen. "You can't be in here," said one of the mai
Alexanders Pov My heart was aching; I never thought Olivia would actually reject me as her mate, but she had. The sting of her words echoed in my ears, and the image of her cold eyes still lingered in my mind. I could barely put one foot in front of the other as I walked through the palace halls, the pain that radiated through my body slowly crushing me. Reaching the top of the staircase, a cold voice called out my name. "Alexander," I looked up to see Allen coming towards me. "You need to leave this kingdom and never return," Allen hissed, his eyes burning with rage. "Get out of my way," I said to him, trying to push past him, but he blocked my path. Rage started to boil inside of me. "You have done enough damage already, Alexander. Olivia made her choice, and you—" he spat the words—"are not part of it. So leave my wife alone and get the hell out of this kingdom and never return." "You don't deserve to call her your wife." Allen let out a bitter laugh, the sound cutting
Victor's jaw clenched, a muscle ticking in the corner. "Sorry?" he spat. "Your sorry isn't worth anything. Alexander. No wonder Olivia wants nothing to do with you." he turned to the guards holding on to me. "Get him out of my sight." The guards marched me out of there, their grip like iron shackles around my arms. Allen staggered alongside me, his eyes still burning with rage. When we entered, the air was thick with the smell of antiseptic and herbs. The doctor, an older man with a kind but weary face, turned his attention to us. Without a word, the guards shoved Allen and me onto cots across the room from each other. Allen's glare was unyielding, a mirror of my own tumultuous emotions. There we sat, inches apart, our bodies bruised and broken, but our spirits still locked in silent combat. Olivia burst through the door, her eyes wide with panic. My breath caught in my throat. For a second, I hoped she had come for me. But her gaze slid right past to Allen. "Allen, are you o
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
Reed’s POVThe damp air clung to my skin as I hunkered down in the grimy drain pipe, its confines offering an unwanted intimacy with persistent, rank odours. Though suffocated by shadows, this location was my asylum, for now, a perfect vantage point to observe their kingdom’s every move—without being observed myself. They should be celebrating their victories, echoing the laughter of conquerors throughout the kingdom, but instead, silence hung heavy, a ghostly whisper of unrest and anticipation.An eerie thrill coursed through me as I contemplated my slow, methodical plan for Lidia and Victor.Their names, like promises, formed stepping stones towards Olivia and Alexander, ultimately leading to the ultimate destruction of their spirit. Each one taken was a piece stripped away from their false sense of security.Lida would be first. Her face haunted my mind, but soon, it would be snuffed out by shadows she couldn’t escape. Olivia idolised her, and losing her would weaken her along with
**Olivia’s POV**Morning light peeked through the ornate curtains, wrapping softly around the room. Slowly blinking awake, I stretched, only to find Alexander’s side of the bed empty. My heart sank slightly at the absence, but it was quickly quelled by the knowledge of his duties. Besides, our life since the battle had seldom allowed us to lay in bed together.I sighed, throwing off the warm covers and swinging my feet over the edge, ready to face the day. After getting dressed, I tied my hair back into a loose ponytail, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Today felt different; in a good way, I held no worries in my heart anymore.Making my way down the elegant staircase, the sound of laughter filled the air. It was the twins, no doubt causing their usual joyful chaos. I smiled to myself, relish in the simple, beautiful moments of motherhood.Before I could reach the dining hall, Lidia appeared at the end of the corridor. “Good morning, sleepyhead,” she called out, her grin wi
Reed’s POVThe forest was quiet, the only noises the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant calls of wildlife. My leg throbbed with every stride, the pain a consistent companion during my escape, but it fueled my resolve rather than diminished it. I leaned heavily on my makeshift crutch, every step deliberate, every breath a challenge overcome.How long had I been on the run now? Time was a shapeless blur, marking moments only by the exhaustion that weighed on my bones. The elders’ guards pursued me tirelessly, and Alexander’s as well, all seeking my head. I had played my cards poorly, underestimating the strength of my enemies and overreaching my ambition—or so they thought. Maybe there was truth in it. Perhaps I needed this moment, this fall, to truly measure the darkness within me and to harness it against those who wronged me.I knew Olivia had what I needed to rise again—her power, her essence. Once she recognised that we were meant to be, she would come around. I could almost f
Alexander’s POVThe grand palace gates opened before us, the magnificent structure standing as a testament to our return and the resilience we'd found within ourselves. As the carriage came to a stop, I watched as Olivia took in the scene. Her gaze was both wistful and hopeful, a blend of emotions she wore eloquently.“Daddy, can we go play?” Liam’s eager voice brought my attention back to our lively twins, who were practically vibrating with excitement.“Yes, but be careful,” I chuckled, unable to resist the buoyant energy only children possessed. "Stay within the gardens."With a flurry of giggles, they bolted off, leaving behind an iridescent trail of joy in their wake. Olivia stood beside me, a serene presence amidst the chaos. I watched her eyes follow the twins, a softness etching across her features.The warmth of the sun bathed us, the golden glow amplifying the sense of homecoming that swelled within my chest. “It feels so good to be home,” Olivia murmured, her head finding a
Alexander’s POVThe carriage rolled over the crest of the hill, unveiling the sprawling kingdom beneath us. My heart felt a gentle release, the homecoming marking the end of turmoil. Olivia sat beside me, her presence as comforting as the view before us. The twins, Liam and Sarah, bounced in their seats, their excitement contagious. After what felt like an eternity of darkness and trials, being home seemed like a new dawn.“We're home,” Olivia said softly, her voice like a soothing melody that wrapped around the world, infusing it with warmth and love.I looked over at her, my heart swelling with a gratitude I couldn’t quite express in words. Her smile was like the sun piercing through the overcast sky of our past struggles. “Yes, we are,” I replied, feeling the tensions of the past slowly slipping away.The twins burst out of the carriage the moment it came to a halt, their laughter echoing around us as they raced toward the palace. Their footfalls were light against the ground, a st
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