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.
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
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