Alexander's POVThe forest was a maze, an ever-changing place of shadows and sounds that kept me on edge. My wolf senses picked up every scent, every rustle of the leaves as I pushed through the dense underbrush. Despite the rain, my instincts screamed that I was on the right path. The forest canopy overhead provided sporadic shelter, but it also cast deceptive patterns on the ground, making it hard to distinguish tracks from shadows.I paused, sniffing the air again. The scent of Olivia was still faint but discernible. Adrenaline surged through my veins as I quickened my pace, my paws slipping in the mud but finding a grip on the rocks.Finally, I caught sight of the rocky base of a looming mountain. This had to be it. The rogues had chosen to hide here, thinking the weather and terrain would stop anyone from following them and give them the chance to spot anyone coming. They underestimated the lengths I would go to for Olivia. I shifted back to human form, my heightened senses not di
Olivia's POV I watched as Liam's breathing began to steady, the fever ebbing away thanks to the medication. Relief washed over me, though it was short-lived. I still needed to work out a way to get out of here. I looked around, praying for something—anything—that could help me escape. A familiar tingle coursed through my veins—Aura, my wolf, was stirring, albeit with a nervous energy that was hard to ignore. "What's happening, Aura?" I asked internally, straining to keep my voice even. "Olivia," she responded, her tone filled with an odd mixture of alarm and excitement, "Alexander is here. I can sense his wolf." I froze, my heart pounding with disbelief. "Impossible. Alexander is gone. Long gone. He left to go home, and he wouldn't be anywhere near here." Yet, that flicker of hope buried deep within me began to grow. Could it really be? "He is still far, but he's getting closer. We might be able to link with him once he's nearer," Aura reassured me. The idea of Alexander's prese
Alexander's POV"We found her," my wolf said excitedly, nearly making me lose my stealthy composure. My heart leapt, but I quickly reined in my emotions. Charging in without a plan would get us all killed—Olivia, Liam, and me. I scanned the area once more, counting heads and noting patrol routes. There were too many of them to fight head-on.I slipped away back the way I had come, retracing my steps silently. Every leaf and twig seemed an enemy ready to betray my presence. Returning to the small house where I had taken refuge, I closed the door behind me and linked to Olivia. “Olivia, can you hear me?”“Yes,” her voice was a lifeline, fragile but consistent.“I know where you are, but I need to know everything you know,” I urged.“We're in a cave, chained to a wall. I don’t know how we got here. They knocked me out, and I woke up in here.”Rage surged through me, but I pushed it down deep where it wouldn't cloud my judgement. “I'll get you out of there, Olivia, I promise. Just hold on
Alexander's POVI stood in the cottage rubbing my temples, anxiety gnawing at my every thought. Time was slipping away, and I needed a plan—a clever one. Picking them off one by one seemed like my only option to make it out alive, but there were too many of them, and every second counted. My eyes darted to the rogue I had just killed, his clothes a perfect match to the ones I wore. An idea sprouted. I could blend in.“You need to wait for Victor and the others. You will never make it out of here alive,” my wolf cautioned, his voice a low rumble in my mind. For once, he tried to be the voice of reason, but I shoved him aside. Waiting meant risking Olivia's life.I ripped the dead rogue's cloak from him, putting it on, disguising myself as one of them. With the hood pulled low over my eyes, I slipped out of the cottage. The rogue camp sprawled ahead of me, guarded by scattered patrols. Keeping my head low, not wanting to draw attention to myself.I looked around, trying to see where they
Olivia’s POVI grabbed a nearby rock, clutching it in my hand. Alexander was coming, and I needed to protect us until he got here. The cave was quiet except for the occasional dripping of water from the ceiling. Liam lay beside me, his breathing steady but shallow. Every second felt like a countdown to salvation—or doom."Olivia!" Aura's voice rang in my mind again, more urgent now. "Something's wrong. I can't reach Alexander anymore."Fear gripped me again. "What do you mean? You said he was close!"Aura hesitated. "He's close, but something is blocking our link. Be on guard."I closed my eyes tight, trying my hardest to link with Alexander, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t. My heart started to ache. He was our only hope.A cacophony erupted from outside the cave—shouts, the clang of metal, and an eerie howl that chilled my blood. I pressed my back against the cave wall, the rock hard and cold under my fingers. The noise grew louder, and the unmistakable sound of footsteps e
Olivia's POV As we moved farther into the cave, I could feel the cold wind biting at my skin. Desperation clawed at my insides, but I couldn't afford to show it. Every fibre of my being screamed for Alexander, but right now, I needed to rely on someone else—my wolf. The rogue gripped my arm tight, sending pain shooting up my arm as he dragged me along. My eyes stayed glued on the one in front who was carrying Liam carelessly. His small body shook as he whimpered from fear of what was about to come. I shrugged as much as I could, hoping it would slow us down, giving Alexander more time to get to us. It was becoming clear with every passing second that we were running out of time and fast."You're not going to get away with this," I spat out, trying to project a confidence I didn't feel nor have right at that moment. The tall rogue turned around, sneering at my defiance."You’re in no position to make threats, sweetheart," he replied, his voice dripping with condescension. We paused
Alexander's POVMy heart hammered in my chest as Olivia's scream drilled into my very soul. Without a second thought, I sprinted towards the sound, dodging the enemies still standing between us. With each step, my desperation grew stronger. I couldn't lose her. I had to get to her.I bolted through the cave's narrow passages, the dim light making it difficult to navigate. Adrenaline sharpened my senses. My ears tuned only to the desperate cries echoing off the cold stone walls. As I rounded a corner, the scene in front of me made my heart stop. Olivia stood on the edge of the cliff, clutching Liam tightly. Both were covered with blood, but it was the fear in her eyes that got me. I saw someone coming up the side of her, and I could tell what he was planning. Olivia hadn’t noticed him yet."Olivia!" I shouted, my voice cracking as I rushed towards the man that wanted to harm her. Her eyes meet mine, and a relief washes over her. “Alexander.”But relief quickly turned into horror as she
Victors povThe rain pelted against the window of my office, harmonising with the relentless ticking of the clock on the wall. Minutes turned into hours, and a gnawing anxiety began to creep into my thoughts. Olivia and Allen should have arrived at Oceanside by now, and I hadn't heard a word from them. A feeling of unease settled deep within me. Letting out a loud sigh, I got up from my desk and left my office to find out if Olivia had called yet.I found a guard just outside my office. "Has there been any word from Olivia and Allen?" I asked, my voice betraying the worry I tried to conceal.The guard hesitated briefly. "No, Alpha. They haven't called. They're probably taking shelter from the storm."I nodded, trying to accept the guard's reassurance, but something inside of me wouldn’t settle. "Inform me the moment you hear anything," I ordered, turning to leave.Suddenly, shouting erupted from outside the palace walls. The doors burst open, and a figure stormed in, drenched and breat
The ground was approaching swiftly beneath me, a swirling mass racing to meet my descent. Every instinct screamed that this was a mistake and that the leap would surely be my undoing. But even as fear clenched my heart, the dragon's scale in my grip pulsed with a warmth that banished doubt. One hundred meters above the earth, however, a shadow loomed. The first dragon I had saved soared to my rescue, swooping beneath me with a grace that defied the chaos of my fall. Relief erupted within me as I landed on its broad back, a breathless gasp escaping my lips. Holding tight to the rough, warm scales, I murmured, "Thank you."The dragon's powerful wings flapped, beating a defiant cadence against the tumultuous winds. It rose into the sky, a guardian taking flight, and together, we soared, the kingdom unfurling beneath us as a tapestry of vibrant life and teetering conflict.As if in a dream borne aloft, hundreds more dragons began to appear, majestic and fierce, emerging from the shadows
Olivias povI raced through the tunnels with a sense of urgency so intense it felt like a physical force pushing me onward. My breaths were ragged, each inhalation a struggle as I navigated the labyrinthine passages beneath the kingdom. My mind was a whirlwind, and though my plan was half-formed at best, I knew the dragons were my destination—their strength would be paramount in the battle to come.As I emerged into the dragon chamber, the oppressive air filled my lungs, heavy with the scent of fear and confinement. I couldn’t afford to hesitate, even as my heart pounded with the weight of what I was about to do. There they were, magnificent creatures tethered by chains, their eyes pools of ancient wisdom and unfathomable pain.The sight of the three guards was like a cold splash of reality, snapping my senses into sharp relief. The lead guard shouted, “What are you doing here? You can’t be here!” His voice echoed menacingly through the chamber, but I was beyond fear.Panicking would
Alexanders povThe moment we scaled the wall, chaos erupted like a storm unleashed upon the city. The guards, mere specks below, shouted commands in a futile attempt to contain the inevitable. Before anyone could react, a deafening roar sliced through the pandemonium, and the dragons descended, dark silhouettes against the dawn sky. Each dragon was a testament to terror and power, their scales shimmering with malice as they perched above the city. Fire erupted from their jaws, slicing through the air like molten spears, incinerating everything in their path. The city seemed to collapse inward upon itself, screams of horror mingling with the crackling of flames. Yet, amidst the chaos, my objective remained clear. I needed to reach the palace and confront Nicholas, ensuring he could never threaten Olivia or Sarah again. Victor and the others would search for them, but I would end this once and for all. As we pushed forward, defenders surged toward us, their weapons drawn with the con
Alexanders povThe wind whispered across the battlement, carrying a chill that dug deep into my bones. I stood at the wall encircling the city, my army of loyal wolves poised silently behind me. The air was tense, suffused with the anticipation of what was to come. I contemplated the wall with an acute awareness of what lay on the other side: the city that held Olivia and Sarah.Saphira had left to go find Tinsley and inform her of what was about to happen. She had gone inside the kingdom walls to get out as many people as she could who did not want to fight for the king. We couldn't wait for her to return. We had to strike now before Olivia was forced to marry King Nicholas's son. “Get me your king!” I shouted up to the guards standing motionless atop the wall. The defiance in their silence was a simmering challenge that only stoked my resolve further.Out of the corner of my eye, a sudden flicker—a glint of deadly intent—arched toward me. Instinct and adrenaline merged, and without
Olivias povI reached my room in a flurry of motion, the urgency pounding in my veins, and slammed the door shut behind me. My heart was a relentless drumbeat, each thud a resounding reminder of what I needed to do—find Sarah, free the dragons, and somehow escape. But I was just one person amidst the turmoil."Think, Olivia. Think," I murmured to myself, pacing the confines of my chamber. Outside, the chorus of panic escalated, every scream an echo of a city on the brink of collapse. The knowledge that they were searching for Sarah and that I couldn't help gnawed at me, a relentless torment.Suddenly, the door flew open, and there stood Elijah, his emerald eyes wide with urgency. "Olivia, come on! I have to get you out of here. Alexander’s army is approaching the city walls.""No," I protested, a firm resolve anchoring me to the spot. "I can't leave without Sarah."Elijah stepped closer. Desperation was etched on his features. "It’s not safe for you. My father will use you as a pawn i
Victor’s PovThe harsh chill of the dawning day crept through the forest as our army settled in the shadows of the Dragon Kingdom. Our journey had been gruelling, each step laden with the weight of expectation and desperation. We had pushed ourselves to the very edge, and now, waiting on the border, the tension crackled like static in the air around us. I was restless, every fibre of my being reaching out, praying for Alexander's swift arrival.I couldn’t shake the image of Olivia and Sarah from my mind. The need to bring them back consumed me with a fire that could scorch the earth beneath my feet. My sister was strong—tougher than anyone I knew—but I also knew the storm she was caught in. And then there was Sarah, innocent and pure, needing protection in a world full of shadows and claws.My thoughts were interrupted when a scream echoed from the periphery of our camp. "Dragon!"I spun around, senses snapping to attention, the word needle-sharp on my consciousness. The men around me
Olivias povI should go back to my room and return to the role of the compliant captive they expected me to play. But something deeper pulled me, a shimmering thread of fate weaving through the subterranean labyrinth beneath the palace. My steps were quiet as I ventured deeper into the cool embrace of the tunnels, the echo of my footsteps a constant reminder of the possible dangers ahead.The tunnels were a refuge, a secretive network that whispered tales of long-forgotten secrets. I navigated through the shadows, an innate guide leading me further into the depths. My gut twisted with hesitation, but I could not ignore the growing vibration in the air, a song of urgency beckoning me.Just as I considered turning back, a sound floated through the darkness, hushed but unmistakable. The distant clang of metal, a rhythmic symphony that drew me towards it despite every nerve screaming for caution.I crept forward, each step pulling me closer to the source until a thin line of light pierced
Alexander povI stood frozen, every nerve on edge, as the dragon's words settled into my consciousness. "Olivia... sent you?" I asked, my voice rough from disbelief and residual anger. The fire of my power still simmered beneath the surface, a silent reminder of what I could unleash if deceived."Yes," the dragon replied, its voice gentle yet resonant, carrying an undeniable aura of truth. "She needs your help. Nicholas plans to wed her to Elijah. This union will strengthen its hold on the lands and unleash chaos if not prevented. You must hurry."The weight of the revelation sank deep into my bones. Olivia, trapped in a web of political alliances, her freedom and the lives of those we both held dear hung in the balance. My insides churned with urgency and something more profound: fear."What about Sarah?" The question slipped from my lips, underpinned by the kind of desperation that only the thought of losing one's child could elicit.The dragon dipped its head, eyes filled with a pe
Alexanders povThe first thing I was aware of was the cold, hard earth beneath me. My eyelids felt like lead as I slowly opened them. Everything swam in and out of focus, but I could make out a figure cloaked in shadow standing a few feet away. The witch. Memories, jagged and disjointed, crashed through my mind—an explosion of light, the sheer force of something ancient rushing through my veins, then nothing."What happened?" My voice was hoarse, a whisper against the silent forest."You unlocked the power that is rightfully yours," the witch said, stepping closer, her voice steady with an ominous edge.I pushed myself into a sitting position, feeling the shift within me, the power thrumming with an intoxicating pulse. "I thought you betrayed me," I admitted, confusion lacing my words.The witch moved with grace, retrieving a flask of water from her side. She knelt next to me, offering it. "Trust is earned, Alexander," she murmured, watching as I gulped down the offering. The water wa