"Olivia, can we talk?" Allen asked as he entered the library. He looked nervous about something, which was strange for him as he had always been a confident man.I stood up from the table where I had been engrossed in a stack of books about healing people and walked toward him, trying to read the anxiety written across his face. "Of course," I said, concern weaving through my voice as I gestured for him to sit down.He hesitated for a moment, running a hand through his hair—a clear sign that something was troubling him. Finally, he cleared his throat. "I, um."My worry deepened. Allen rarely stumbled over his words unless something was genuinely troubling him. "Is everything okay? Is there something wrong with Victor?"Allen's eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head. "No, no, nothing's wrong with Victor. He's fine." He paused, shuffling his feet and averting his eyes. "I just, um, wanted to talk to you about us."A wave of relief washed over me, followed by a surge of curiosity. "
Allen had been avoiding me since telling me he was in love with me. Every time I saw him, he would look away. My heart ached for him, and a small part of me wished that I could give him what he wanted, but I couldn't. I couldn't force myself to feel the way he wanted me to, and even if I could, that wouldn't be fair to either of us.As I walked into the courtroom, the weight of the past few weeks seemed to press down on my shoulders even more heavily. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but there was no calming the whirlwind inside me. My eyes scanned the room until they landed on Allen.The moment he noticed me, his eyes darted away, his head bowing as if the sight of me was too much for him to bear. It felt like a dagger to my heart, sharp and unforgiving. I knew the guilt of hurting him would never truly leave me. His confession of love had been unexpected, overwhelming. But more than that, it had left a rift between us that seemed impossible to bridge.Forcing myself to
Before anyone could say another word, Alexander stepped forward. “Rebecca was good at covering her tracks using people that she knew were too scared to talk or ones that she killed off without too many questions being asked.” he paused, his eyes locking on to Rebeccas, who until now had kept the same scared face but as alexander stared at her her face changed. “The maid you paid to help kill Cassandra, you also tried to poison her, but this young woman was lucky enough to survive.”A gasp echoed through the courtroom, all eyes darting towards Rebecca. She visibly stiffened, her gaze flickering between Alexander and the maid who had just entered the room. My eyes followed hers, landing on the young maid, whose presence seemed to intensify Rebecca's fear.The maid’s appearance was timid, but her eyes held a glimmer of defiance. She stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “It’s true,” she said, her voice shaking slightly but growing stronger with each word. “Rebecca pa
I took a seat outside and tried to steady my beating heart. The past few weeks had all been a lot for me to handle. As I sat there, I started to realise I hadn't healed from the trauma in my past; I had just pushed it down deep and prayed it would go away. But it was becoming apparent that I needed to heal. I needed closure for the things that had happened to me so I would be able to move forward with my life and be the strong person my children needed me to be.I heard the door creak open behind me and turned slightly to see Victor stepping out. His eyes immediately found mine, full of concern and warmth."Olivia, are you okay?" he asked softly, taking a step closer.I hesitated for a moment, gathering my thoughts. "I'm fine, Victor. I've just realised that I'm not healed from my past like I thought I was," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.He took another step closer. "You're strong, Olivia. You will get through this," he assured me, his voice steady and sure. "If there's
Alexander's povI left the room after deciding to send Rebecca back to my kingdom to meet her fate, one I already knew all too well. My steps felt heavy as I walked out of the courtroom and into the courtyard. The soft murmur of voices caught my attention, and my eyes automatically searched for Olivia. She was there, sitting on a bench, talking to Victor. My heart clenched at the sight of her, but it was the sight of Allen approaching that filled me with a burning jealousy. Despite the distance, I could almost feel the emotions between them. Their conversation seemed personal, loaded with weighty undertones. I wanted to step closer, to hear every word, but I knew I couldn't risk being caught. When Allen leaned in and kissed Olivia gently on the forehead, the tender gesture felt like a dagger through my heart. My fists clenched involuntarily, the tips of my knuckles turning white. I felt like I was on the outside looking into a world that used to be mine.Unable to endure any more, I t
Olivia’s povAfter coaxing the children to sleep, I stood up and took a long, silent breath. The evening had been draining, and my mind swirled with everything that had happened lately."Mummy, are you and Allen not going to be together anymore?" Sarah's small voice broke the silence, pulling me back to reality.I was shocked. Where had she heard this? "Why do you ask that, sweetheart?" I said, trying to keep my voice calm and soothing.She looked at me with big, innocent eyes. "I heard you and Allen talking, and you looked so sad."Liam stirred next to her, rubbing his eyes as he joined the conversation. "We love Allen, Mummy. Will he still visit us?"My heart ached. "Yes, darlings," I said, trying my best to sound reassuring, "No matter what happens between Allen and me, he will always be a part of your lives. He loves you very much."Sarah sniffled and slipped her tiny hand into mine. "Promise?" "I promise," I whispered, kissing their foreheads.Once they were finally asleep, I quie
I tossed and turned all night, sleep teasing me as the thought of our impending divorce felt both real and surreal. Dawn's early light started to seep through the curtains when I decided to get up. I made up my mind to face Allen again and discuss our next steps.Voices carried up from the kitchen, their tones hushed but earnest. My curiosity piqued, and I made my way downstairs to find Allen sitting at the table, a cup of steaming coffee in his hands.“Morning,” he said softly, managing a faint smile. His eyes betrayed the sleepless night he’d endured as well.“Morning,” I replied, taking a seat across from him. “I suppose we should talk about the trip?”“Yes,” he nodded, setting his cup down. “I think it would be good for the kids, and maybe it’ll give us some closure too."Closure. The word lingered in the air between us, heavy with unspoken emotions.“I’ve always wanted to visit that small town not far from here, right on the beach,” I said quietly, trying to shift the mood. The se
Alexanders povI had found nothing in the files of Cassandra's death. I don't know why I had even bothered; I had read them a million times before and never seen anything that stood out. The evidence, the witness and the logic all made sense. Sigh! I put down the documents and decided to leave these things behind. Maybe time would give me an answer one day. I made my way down the grand staircase, and as I got halfway down, Olivia's scent filled my nostrils. I looked up to see her standing by the door, a bag by her side. "Olivia," I began, taking the last few steps to reach her. "Alexander," she interrupted, her voice was peaceful and calm. "What are you doing here? " That was not a good sign, her peaceful expression let me feel she really decided to let her past go. It was obvious that I was the part of the past she gave up. That stung. I sighed, trying to collect my thoughts, feeling the walls closing in around me. "Olivia, I need to tell you something before I go." She looked
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