Olivia's POV The memories kept on coming, leaving me more confused than ever. My head felt as though it was going to explode along with my heart. I didn't know how much more of this I could take. Standing in the corner of the kitchen I watched myself making Alexander yet another plate of food. The kitchen smelled of freshly baked bread, creamy soup, and spicy grilled vegetables—aromas meant to wrap him in warmth and comfort. But he never touched any of it. My heart clenched with each meal I saw thrown away untouched, each discarded plate a silent rejection.I watched myself as I arranged the food perfectly on the plate, swallowing the lump in my throat. The Olivia I saw, the Olivia from the past, was trying so hard, pouring love and effort into every dish. But he never saw it. Or rather, he refused to see it. His heart was still with Cassandra, whose shadow loomed over every corner of this kingdom.I stepped back to watch the painful scene unfold, my chest tight with a sorrow that ne
“Please, I can't take any more of this,” I begged.The memories continued their relentless assault on me, each one a jagged piece of my past cutting deeper than the last. Standing in my old bedroom, I felt like an unwelcome visitor in my own life, a distant ghost watching my past self navigate through nights filled with loneliness and days heavy with silent judgments.I let out a loud sigh as I threw into yet another unwanted past moment, I saw myself getting ready for dinner at the palace. Olivia from the past appeared in the mirror in front of me, eyes tired from the weight of expectations and a heart heavy with confusion. A knock on the door snapped past me out of her reverie. It was the maid holding a delicate box.“Madam, Alpha asked me to bring this to you,” she said, opening the box to reveal the most beautiful necklace I had ever seen. It sparkled with an elegance that seemed almost otherworldly. My past self gasped, her fingers trembling as she touched it.“Where did this come
Alexander's POVI glanced at the clock on the wall, its minute hand crawling with agonising slowness. Liam sat next to me, his small hand gripping mine so tightly. The feeling of his hand on mine reminded me I was still here, still waiting for her."How much longer?" Liam whispered, his eyes never leaving the closed door."I don't know, buddy," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "We just have to keep waiting."Hours passed in a silent torment. Every time a nurse or doctor walked by, my muscles tensed, hoping they had news. Liam shifted restlessly next to me, his young face contorted in worry. I wished he would never have to know.The door to the operating room finally creaked open, and a doctor stepped out. He looked exhausted, his face lined with shadows of a sleepless night. My heart pounded in my chest as I leapt to my feet, holding my breath."How is she?" I blurted out, my voice cracking.The doctor sighed, looking down at his clipboard before meeting my eyes, his expressi
Alexander’s POVThe room was dark, the only light coming from the soft glow of the monitors surrounding Olivia's bed. I sat beside her, my fingers intertwined with hers, refusing to let go as the days bled into one another. My body was numb, every muscle aching with the strain of holding onto hope.I've sat by her bedside every day for the past month. The twins came to see her every day. The more I saw them, the more I understood why she did what she did. She did it out of love for them, and I could never hate her for wanting to keep our children safe, even if she was keeping them from me. I'd thought about it a few times, telling them that I was their father, but then it dawned on me: who was I to disrupt the only sense of normalcy they had in their lives? They had grown up believing Allan was their father, and he had treated them as if they were his own. How could I be the one to destroy that?One late night, as fatigue weighed heavily on my eyelids, the room suddenly felt colder. My
Olivia's POV:Darkness swirled around me, a thick, suffocating presence that refused to let go. I relived the same nightmares repeatedly: I had begun to believe that I was going to be stuck in this horrible place forever. The oppressive blackness seemed endless until a voice, faint but insistent, pierced through the void."Olivia… Olivia…"The sound was my lifeline. I stumbled forward, driven by a desperate need to reach it. Just as the voice grew louder, a blinding light seared through, blinding me. Startled, my body felt unbearably heavy. Scents—sterile, medicinal, and oddly comforting—filled my senses.The harsh light burned as I pried my eyes open, my vision swimming in a sea of blurriness. "Olivia," the voice repeated, and slowly, the haze began to dissipate."Where am I?" My voice came out gravelly, foreign to my ears.As if my own voice in my ears set something off inside of me panic surged through me as the memories of me standing on the edge of the cliff flashed through my hea
The room was silent. I felt Alexander's eyes on me, burning a hole into my very soul. We had to talk about the twins now. Whatever happened between us before, he had the chance to see his children grow, to hold them, to be there.I took a deep breath, mustering the courage to speak, to say the words that had been festering inside me for so long. "Alexander, Liam and Sasha were..."But before I could finish my words, he leaned closer to me and gave me a big tight hug.The hug was super warm, driving away all the pain and coldness in my dream.“Alexander,” I murmured his name.“I know what you want to say. The moment I saw the twins’ faces, I knew they were mine.”He parted with me a bit and continued what I had ended.“Sorry, I didn’t tell you the truth for a long time. I, I just...” I was just afraid of them being taken away from me."I understand why you did what you did," he continued, stepping closer again. "You were just being a good mother and protecting them."I swallowed hard, my
Alexander’s POVThe chill in the night air was a stark contrast to the warmth of the emotions swirling inside me. Olivia had sent for Allen and the twins to come into the room. My heart pounded in my chest as I waited for them to get here. This was the moment I became a father. It wasn't how I dreamed of it being, but my heart still leapt with fear and excitement. The door creaked open, and Allen stepped into the room, followed closely by the twins. I looked between them and Olivia, her eyes filled with a mixture of apprehension and determination. She glanced at Allen appreciatively, knowing the twins would feel more secure with him here. The twins climbed up onto Olivia's bed, wrapping their arms around her.Olivia took a deep breath. “There’s something very important we need to tell you. I should have told you sooner, but... it was complicated.” Allen stood quietly by the doorway. As I looked over at him, my heart ached for him. He had been there for the twins their whole life, st
Olivia’s POVThe night was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves outside the window. Alexander was back in the room like always; he hadn't left my side, taking care of everything I needed. The twins were here with him, playing a game on the floor. A smile played on my lips as I watched them. Moments like these felt almost surreal, like waking up from a hauntingly beautiful dream. My eyes lingered on the tender scene.“Can we talk?” I asked Alexander, breaking the silence. His gaze met mine, and I could see a mix of concern and curiosity. He nodded, gently disentangling himself from the twins.“Kids, why don’t you play in the other room for a bit?” I suggested with a soft smile. They looked hesitant but eventually scampered off after a quick hug from Alexander.As soon as they were gone, I turned to him, my heart racing with a mixture of fear and something else I could not quite work out. “Alexander, we need to have an honest conversation,” I began, folding my arms as if to sh
The night hung heavy in the air, wrapping me in a cocoon of silence that accentuated my solitude. The portal had vanished, leaving the forest serene yet eerily empty. I turned in a slow circle, the towering trees surrounding me like silent sentinels guarding ancient secrets.All around me, shadows danced, cast by the ethereal glow of the moonlight filtering through the underbrush. I shifted uneasily, my heightened senses picking up the subtle rustling of leaves and the whisper of unseen creatures moving in the dark. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as if the very air was charged with energy waiting to be unleashed.Then, a voice broke through the silence, clear and resonant, calling my name. "Alexander."I whirled around, my heart leaping in my chest as a figure stepped gracefully into a shaft of moonlight. Her hooded cloak flowed like water around her, and with a slow movement, she reached up and pulled the hood back. The sight of her sent a shock through me—a woman w
The soft crunch of leaves underfoot marked our journey through the dense forest. The symphony of chirping crickets and the faint rustle of nocturnal creatures created a haunting yet soothing backdrop. But my thoughts were far from the serenity surrounding us, caught instead in a relentless loop of urgency and frustration.Hours had slipped by since we began this trek, each passing hour a new knot of tension coiling within me. The sense of time slipping through my fingers like grains of sand was maddening. I cast a glance at Tinsley, her expression unreadable as she navigated the underbrush as though it understood her silent command.“Just a little further,” she murmured, her voice a gentle reassurance that erased none of my impatience. It wasn't enough. The thought of Olivia and our children, their lives tethered to the whims of a tyrant, burned in my mind like a branding iron.“Tinsley,” I barked, the restraint in my voice unravelling. “If I shift into my wolf form, I can carry you.
Alexander's POV The sun hung low as I approached the palace gates, an ominous silence filling the air. There, waiting with a posture that promised a steadfast determination, stood Tinsley. Her silver hair caught the fading light, a beacon against the encroaching dusk. “Are you ready to make this journey to the magical land?” she asked, her voice both soothing and filled with the gravity of the impending quest. Her words resonated with the weight of destiny and the urgency of our plight. I nodded, the resolve firm within me, though uncertainty lingered like a shadow at the edge of my thoughts. Just as we began to move forward, a familiar voice shattered the fragile calm. “Daddy, wait!” Liam’s voice reached me like a lifeline, pulling me back from the precipice. I spun around to see my son running toward me, his little legs moving with desperate urgency. My heart clenched painfully, each beat echoing with his cries. Lidia trailed behind, her voice gentle but firm as she called, “Li
Olivias povI moved forward towards the voice. The tunnels bent and swirled around me, a labyrinth that seemed to stretch into infinity. I called out again, gentler this time, "Hello? Is anyone there?" My voice felt tiny in the vast darkness, threading through the heavy silence. Suddenly, I caught a whisper—a voice faint yet persistent—a single word that seemed woven from the air. "Olivia..." I hesitated, feeling a tremor of both hope and fear. That voice, so distant yet unmistakably real, beckoned me with a familiarity I couldn’t ignore. My grip on the wall tightened, anchoring me as I ventured further in, letting the whisper guide me. The passage narrowed, its cold stone brushing against my arms as if ushering me onward. I heard more voices then, a soft scuffle mingling with the breeze that funnelled through the maze. Despite the chill, determination warmed my skin and coaxed courage from my bones. Ahead, a glow illuminated the gloom—a flickering light that pushed back the shado
Olivias pov We began our descent, a part of me wished this ride could last forever. Eventually, Pyrrhus landed softly in a secluded courtyard, his scales catching the last rays of the setting sun.Elijah slid down first, turning to offer his hand to help me dismount. I took it, feeling the warmth from his touch lingering even after my feet touched the ground. I walked around the front of Pyrrhus and patted him gently on the head.“Thank you, Pyrrhus,” I whispered, the dragon’s eyes reflecting understanding and acknowledgment before he curled into a rest.The walk back to my chambers felt longer than it should have. We finally arrived at my door. As I turned to face him, his eyes bore into mine, a flicker of something unsaid reflecting deep within them.Taking my hand, he brought it to his lips, his breath warm and gentle against my skin. “Thank you for trusting me, Olivia,” he murmured, his voice almost husky. “I had an amazing time with you.”A knot formed in my chest. Something in
Olivias pov Sitting on the bed, my heart was filled with worry for Sarah. The sound of the door being unlocked snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up right as the door started to open. I readied myself for another meeting with King Nicholas, but instead, in walked his son.“Good morning, Olivia.” he greeted me as he bowed his head to me. I sat there silent, my mind still swirling. Elijah’s presence did little to ease the pounding in my chest. His politeness was almost unsettling in the midst of everything else.“Elijah,” I acknowledged tersely.He offered me a soft smile, one that tried to reassure me. It did nothing to pierce the dread hanging over me. “I thought a tour of the palace and a ride around the kingdom might lift your spirits today.”I hesitated. “I don’t think I’m in the mood.”He looked at me, his eyes filled with disappointment that seemed to come from a deeper place. “I understand. But maybe some fresh air and a change of scenery will do you good. For now, let me
Alexander's POVMy mind whirred with thoughts half-formed, worries and strategies crisscrossing in a tangled web. I moved briskly, packing essentials, etching Tinsley’s instructions into my memory. But I knew I couldn’t leave without seeing Liam one last time.I found Liam sitting in the garden, his eyes staring down at his hands in his lap. Linda was sitting next to him, watching his every move. I could tell he wanted to cry. He missed his mother and sister but was trying to be brave. My heart ached for him, and I wished I could take his pain away. Walking slowly towards him, I called out his name. “Liam,” his eyes meant mine, and a smile grew on his face. “Daddy,” he said as he stood up and came towards me. I picked him up, holding him close to me. For a moment, we stood there in silence, the weight of the situation threatening to crush me whole. But I couldn’t let him see my fear. “Listen, buddy,” I began, my voice soft but firm, “I have to go now, but I’m going to bring Mummy a
Alexander's POVThe guard’s words slammed into me like a jolt of electricity. I straightened up instantly, my breath catching as hope flickered in the depths of my exhaustion. "Bring her in," he commanded, his voice steadier than I felt.Seconds stretched into an agonising eternity until the door opened again. And in walked a lady. She paused in the doorway, her eyes wide with the weight of her message. Recognition sparked in my mind; she was the one who had guided us out of the treacherous forest. Her presence brought both a rush of hope and an undertow of dread.“Where is Olivia and Sarah!” I demanded. She stepped inside, eyes darting around the room, assessing the situation. Her expression remained solemn as she gravitated toward me, her hands clasped in front of her as if in prayer."Alexander, Victor," she began, her voice a mixture of urgency and sorrow. "My name is Tinsely, and I am bringing news about Olivia and your daughter, Sarah.""Tell us," Victor pressed, the tension i
Alexanders povThe world around me was a blur when I woke up, my body heavy and head throbbing with a pain that seemed to reverberate through my entire being. Darkness curled at the edges of my vision, but through the haze, I realised I was in a small, unfamiliar room. Panic surged through me, and I bolted upright, immediately regretting the swift motion as dizziness threatened to pull me back under."where am I?" I croaked out, my voice raw from disuse. I glanced around, taking in the clinical white walls and the beeping monitors next to my bed. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a cold, harsh light on the room.A figure moved in the corner of the room, drawing my attention. It was a woman in a nurse's uniform, her face lined with concern as she stepped closer, making soothing motions with her hands."Easy now, Alexander," she said, her voice steady and calm. "You've been through a lot. You need to rest.""Rest?" I echoed, incredulous. "How long... how long have I been here?