My breath caught in my throat as Allen's eyes darkened, his stance shifting to one of readiness. The air in the store grew even tenser, like a taut string on the verge of snapping. The twins sensed the danger, too, their small hands clutching at my cloak, their eyes wide with fright."What's the meaning of this?" Allen demanded, his voice robust despite the tense situation. "What do you want from us?"The leader of the rogues, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, sneered. "Justice, for one. Retribution, for another." He took a deliberate step closer, his followers mirroring his movements.Allen drew a deep breath. "These are innocent children. Leave them out of your vendetta.""Innocent?" the rogue hissed, his eyes gleaming with a malicious light. "Does innocence matter when our lives were torn apart by the very man you serve?"The tension was palpable, the storm outside forgotten amidst the brewing conflict within the store. I could feel the weight of each heartbeat, a drum
My body shook with fear as my eyes stayed glued on Sarah's fear-filled face. “Please don't hurt her. We will do as you ask,” I begged the man. “Grab the boy,” he ordered. I quickly ran to Liam and wanted to protect my child, but before I could, a man grabbed him, pulled him away, and held on to him tight. Liam fought, trying to get away from the man as he yelled at them. “Leave me alone. Let my sister go.” I looked around the room. All our guards lay dead, and Allen was on his knees. He was hurt badly but trying his best to hide it. “Take the children and beta here and lock them up.” My heart started to pound in my chest, and my mind raced a million miles an hour, trying to think of something to stop them from taking them away and getting us out of there. The leader turned back to me, his eyes locking onto mine. “And you will run back to Alpha Victor and tell him that we have his Beta and his children.” They started to take Allen and the twins out of the room. “Wait!” I called o
Allens pov“Hold on, Sarah,” I muttered through gritted teeth, my legs pumping as my body screamed in protest. The forest path back to the palace stretched on endlessly, every shadow a potential enemy. My left arm throbbed, blood dripping down my sleeve from the deep cut I’d sustained during the fight. The wind sliced through the trees, mocking my desperation."Allen," Sarah’s voice wavered, small and frightened against my chest. "I'm scared." “We’re almost there,” I lied, my breath hitching with pain. “Just hold on a bit longer.”My vision blurred, and my legs wobbled beneath me, threatening to drop us both. My foot caught on a root, sending me sprawling to the ground. Sarah cried out as we hit the mud. Pain surged through my injured arm, and I had to bite down to keep from screaming.I tried to push myself up, but my strength was failing me. Black spots danced in front of my eyes. Collapsing like this wasn't an option—not when their lives were on the line. Using my uninjured arm, I m
Alexanders povThe rain pelted down, each cold droplet like a shard of ice against my skin as I stepped out of my carriage to see if I could find somewhere for us to hold up until the storm passed. Streams of water ran down the helm of my cloak, soaking me to the bone. The storm had come in quicker than anticipated, and the night sky roared like an angry beast. "Alexander!" Ethan's voice barely pierced through the wind. "We can't see anything up ahead. We need to pull up and wait it out!" I knew he was right, but the thought of Olivia being out there ate away at my insides. I had sent Rebecca home with my most trusted guards and given them the orders not to wait for my return to the kingdom to just behead her. Ethan and I followed behind Olivia. I knew Olivia didn't want to go with me, but I thought I wouldn't see her for a long time and it was a long journey, I wanted to keep her safe. So I chose to follow her family and escort them quietly. If she needed any help, I would be ther
Alexander's POVThe word "rogues" had barely left Allen's lips before I felt my blood turn ice-cold. I could see the anguish etched into his every feature, but there was no time for anger or sorrow now—only action."Ethan, take them to the carriage!" I commanded my voice firm with purpose. "Ensure they're protected and send someone to tell Victor what has happened."Ethan nodded, rushing to gather Allen and the child. He made brief eye contact with me, his expression resolute and understanding. I knew I could count on him. As we helped Allen to his feet, he clutched my arm, his eyes burning with desperation."Alexander, you have to rescue Liam and Olivia. Please, they're in grave danger," he pleaded, voice cracking under the weight of unsaid words. “It's all my fault.”I gripped his shoulder tightly. "I will get them back, Allen. I swear it."Allen's eyes flickered, seeming to grapple with something unspoken. Slowly, he released his hold on me, but not before adding softly, "Just...mak
Olivia's POVMy heart raced as they continued to drag us towards the back of the store. The lingering scent of blood hung heavy in the air, mingling with the desperate whispers of those who stood with us. The rogue leader gave a sharp order to his men.“Move them,” he commanded, his voice cold and unyielding.Inside, panic clawed at my insides, merciless and unrelenting. If we were moved, how would Victor ever find us? Desperation gripped me, a cold, paralysing fear, but I couldn't let it show. Not now. Not with Liam needing me to be strong. I quickly reached for his hand, threading my fingers through his small, trembling ones.“Hold tight,” I whispered into his ear, forcing a calm that I did not feel. “Everything will be okay, sweetheart.”Liam’s eyes, wide with fear, met mine. I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, praying it would give him some semblance of comfort. The rogue men herded us towards a trap door hidden beneath a dusty old rug. My stomach twisted as one of them yanked it
Alexander's POVThe rain was pouring down, each droplet feeling like a tiny dagger against my skin as I pushed through the relentless storm. My wolf form carried me swiftly toward the store, but when I burst through the door, there was nothing—no Olivia, no Liam, just the bodies of the guards who had given their lives trying to protect them and overturned shelves. Anger flared inside me, hot and consuming. They were gone, and I had failed.I tried to gather my thoughts, forcing down the rage that threatened to cloud my judgement. My extensive scouting experience kicked in as I scanned the ground for anything—any sign that could lead me to them. Olivia's scent filled my nostrils, and with my nose to the ground, I followed it until I came to a trap door in the back of the store that led down into tunnels.Ethan had his hands full, protecting Allen and Sarah. I had to face this alone. Olivia needed me, and no one was going to stop me from getting to her and bringing her back safely. My mi
Olivia's POV "We're going to be okay," I murmured, even though my own heart didn't believe it. His small fingers curled desperately around mine, his trembling body showing his fear.After what felt like hours, we came into a cavern. Looking up, I noticed the small opening. The leader looked at me. “Climb.”Before I had time to do anything, someone grabbed Liam, ripping him from my arms. I wanted to tell them no, but I knew that I didn’t have a choice here; I had to do as they told me. Climbing seemed an impossible task with the weight of fear pressing down on me, but I had to hold it together and keep reminding myself that I was stronger than I knew.The climb was hard. As I reached the top, dirt caked under my nails, I was met with more rogues. I turned back towards where I had come from, waiting for Liam to emerge from the hole in the ground. I held my breath. Every passing second felt like hours. Liam emerged from the hole. The Leader right behind him threw Liam back into my arms.
Victor's POV The soft morning light filtered through my office window, casting a warm glow over the wooden furniture. I sat behind my desk, fingers drumming anxiously on the oak surface as I awaited Lydia’s arrival. The weight of the conversation I was about to have with her had been pressing on my mind. The door creaked open, and Lydia stepped in, her eyes guarded but curious. “Victor, you wanted to see me?” she asked. I nodded, gesturing for her to take a seat. “Yes, Lydia. There’s something important we need to talk about.” She moved cautiously, sitting down across from me. It had always pained me to see the rift between them, a rift that I knew stemmed from misunderstandings and old grudges. Today, I intended to set things right. “Lydia,” I began, taking a deep breath, “I want to talk about our past, about our father.” Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms defensively. “What about him?” I could hear the bitterness in her voice, the same bitterness that had spoiled her
Olivia’s POV As I stood there, watching Alexander bond with Liam and Sarah, a whirlpool of emotions churned within me. My heart was full. I thought of the path that led us here—a journey punctuated by heartbreak and healing. Seeing Alexander with the children was a new beginning, one I’d longed for. Alexander glanced over at me, his eyes filled with unspoken gratitude and a depth of emotion words couldn’t capture. For a brief moment, our souls intertwined through that look. Tears prickled my eyes with tears of happiness. "Olivia, do you want to join us?" Alexander's voice seemed to pull me back to the present. The children glanced at me, their innocent eyes filled with curiosity and welcoming warmth. I smiled, walking over to sit beside them. Sarah immediately handed me another doll while Liam resumed his focus on his puzzle. "Mummy," Liam began, his eyes wide and curious, "Are you okay?” I took a deep breath and nodded, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "Yes, darling. I'm more
Alexander pov As I made my way down the corridors, my heart pounded in my chest. I had faced countless battles and perilous situations, but nothing compared to the nerves fluttering within me now. I was about to meet my children—Liam and Sarah—two souls I had longed for yet had never met. My palms felt clammy, and I could feel my pulse drumming in my ears. When I reached the hallway, Olivia was already there, pacing slightly. She turned as soon as she heard my footsteps and walked over to me, taking my hand without a word. Her touch was comforting, helping to steady my racing mind. I wanted to meet my children so badly, but Olivia's desire to do it so fast caught me off guard. We reached the door, and she paused, looking at me with a smile that held the weight of so much unsaid. "Are you ready?" she asked softly. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my beating heart. "As ready as I'll ever be," I responded, my voice barely above a whisper. Olivia opened the door and led me in
Alexander's POV The moment I saw Olivia standing at the edge of the ballroom, it felt like time itself paused. The red dress she wore seemed almost like a mirage, a whisper of the past conjured into the present. Memories of nights long gone surged through my mind—her laughter, our kiss that night. I froze, mesmerised by her beauty, when she turned around to look at me, a smile played on her lips, and her eyes bored into mine. The air seemed to crackle with unspoken words and bottled emotions. I could feel my heartbeat echoing in my ears as I watched her from across the room. She looked like a dream, a vision I had conjured up during sleepless nights spent longing for her. Slowly, I began to walk towards her as if drawn by some unseen force. Each step felt heavy with the weight of our shared past. Our eyes stayed locked together. The crowd around us buzzed with conversation and laughter, but all I could hear was the sound of my own breathing, punctuated by the rapid thump of my hear
Olivia's POV Standing in front of the mirror, I took in my reflection. The red dress clung to my frame. It was very similar to the dress I had worn before I ran away from Alexander's kingdom. I brushed a tendril of hair away from my face, a smile spreading across my lips as butterflies swirled inside me. This night was important; I wanted Alexander to see me. My heart beat fast and unevenly as I fastened the delicate clasp of my necklace and took one last look at myself. The smile that graced my lips felt genuinely hopeful as I made my way out of the room and down the staircase. The air was charged with anticipation, and the gentle murmur of guests echoed through the grand hallways. As the ballroom doors swung open, I stood there for a second, scanning the room, taking it all in. My eyes landed on Victor and Lidia standing over, talking to some people. I made my way over to greet them, the excitement building within me, anxious to find Alexander. "Olivia, you look stunning," Victo
Olivia's POV I spent the night tangled in my sheets, thoughts of Allen and Alexander colliding in a restless tumult. My mind was a storm of worry and fear. I'd given instructions to one of the palace maids to notify me the second Allen was seen. I had to be prepared. I needed to steel myself for the conversation, imagine what I'd say, how I'd react—anything to avoid being caught off guard. Morning broke with the usual palace bustle, and I pushed my scrambled nerves aside as I dressed for breakfast. I didn't take in much of what was going on around me; everything felt muted compared to the anxiety gripping my heart. Just as the last fork clattered down onto a plate, the maid hurried in, her face painted with urgency. "Princess Olivia, Allen is here. He’s looking for you," she said breathlessly. My heart dropped into my stomach. The moment I had dreaded was here. Nodding to the maid, I rose from my seat, feeling a cold shiver run through my spine. I made my way to the front of the p
Olivia's POV I hadn't been able to stop thinking about what happened between Alexander and me. My feelings for him had grown stronger than I ever thought possible. Every moment we spent together, I felt them growing stronger. But wanting to be with him scared me. I could see that he had changed from the cruel man he once was, but what if it didn't last? And how was I going to handle things with Allen? The last thing I wanted was to hurt him. The kingdom bustled with excitement as preparations for the victory ball got underway. Victor had decided to let Alexander stay on for the celebration, a gesture that filled me with both hope and fear. I found peace in the twins' room, watching them play, their laughter soothing my troubled thoughts, and I didn't want to let them out of my sight, not after fearing that I would never get to see them again. "Mommy, look! I'm a bird!" exclaimed Liam, running around with makeshift wings strapped to his back. "Me too, me too!" cried Sarah, gigglin
Olivia's POV Seeing Victor was a relief. I hadn't allowed myself to think too much about him while we were in the snow forest, and I couldn't. I looked over to Lidia, who was standing behind him and stepping around Victor. I throw my arms around Lidia, catching her off guard. “It's so good to see you, Lidia. Thank you so much for looking after the twins.” Lidia stood frozen for a moment before awkwardly patting my back. “It's nothing,” she murmured, her terse tone showing her discomfort. She pulled away quickly, a forced smile on her face. “I’m just glad you’re… both okay.” I gave her a warm smile before turning back to Victor. "Victor, I need to tell you something," I said. Victor’s eyes narrowed with concern as he held my gaze. "What is it, Olivia?" I took a deep breath, the memory of the mysterious woman resurfacing in my mind. "Alexander and I... we fell from a cliff and ended up in the Snow Forest," I started, my voice steady but low. I told him everything besides what I had
Victor's POV My body screamed at me with pain as I slowly opened my eyes. Each blink felt like lifting a mountain. Groggily, I took in my surroundings, I was back in the palace. Immediately, my gaze fell upon Lidia. She was slouched in a chair by my bedside, her eyes red-rimmed and worn. She looked up as she heard me stirring, and relief flooded her face. "Oh, thank God you're awake!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of joy and exhaustion. "Victor, you had us all so worried." "Lidia," I croaked, my throat raw and dry. "What happened? How did I get here?" My mind struggled to piece together the fragmented memories—the rogues, their menacing grins, the fight ... "You were attacked," Lidia explained, her voice trembling slightly. She leaned closer, taking my hand in hers to offer some comfort. "Rogues surrounded you. But you fought them off. The guards found you passed out and badly injured, trying to make your way back to where Olivia was tending to the wounded. You've been uncon