Aiden's POVThe frigid night air stung my lungs as I sprinted through the dark forest, dodging around gnarled roots and ducking under low branches. My wolf, Black, lent speed and grace to my steps, but apprehension nipped at my mind. I was venturing into dangerous territory, deep in the heart of the Blood Moon Pack's lands. If River's sentries caught my scent here, I'd be dead meat. But I had no choice - this was the swiftest route to reach Ella and Jay.Guilt gnawed at my insides, making each breath burn. I never should have betrayed their trust and abandoned our mate bond. The empty ache in my soul was just punishment for my foolishness. But I aimed to make things right. To fight at their side where I belonged and help take down the vile beast who threatened our family. I only prayed that the Goddess granted me that chance.Black rumbled impatiently, urging haste. We're exposed out here, pup. Eyes open.I nodded grimly, senses straining for any sign of enemies lying in wait. But
Jayden's POVThe din of battle surrounded me as I cut down enemy after enemy, fighting my way toward another of the mansion gate. Our assault had been swift and vicious, but victory still hung in the balance. Every fibre of my being was focused solely on reaching the River. Nothing else mattered than killing that Bastard. And getting out of here.I had just felled another Blood Moon soldier when urgent shouting caught my attention. One of our messengers was shoving through the chaos toward me, eyes wide with alarm. My pulse spiked instinctively. "Jayden! Urgent news!" the young wolf painted. "Report," I barked, impatience simmering in my blood. What could be more important than the battle at hand?"A messenger arrived from the palace. Your mate Ella has given birth, but now she's disappeared!"His words hit me like a warhammer. For a moment I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Ella had delivered our child already? And now they were both missing?Rage and mindless terror warred wit
Alpha RiverTriumph surged through my veins as I stared down at the girl that I was trying to have as mine. She's now imprisoned in my dungeon. Ella, the weak Omega I trapped and she managed to escape. Now she's finally mine.The drugs had kept her unconscious through the journey here, but soon she would awaken to her new reality as my captive mate. The thought sent a pleasurable tingle down my spine.My wolf Storm rumbled in savage satisfaction, already seeing the slight female as belonging to us. "Yes, she would fight at first, but we would enjoy taming the fiery spirit from this little she-wolf." Storm smiled."Do not become overconfident, my king," a rasping voice spoke behind me. I turned to see the withered crone who served as my occult advisor shuffling into the dim space. As always, her sightless white eyes seemed to stare right through me."The girl may yet slip through your grasp if you do not take precautions," she cautioned.I bristled at the implication I couldn't control
EllaFear clawed at my throat as the guards dragged me from my cell into a torch-lit chamber. Strange symbols decorated the stone walls and ceiling, emanating a sinister reddish glow. My sore body aching all over In the room's centre lay a granite altar etched with more strange runes. Terror turned my blood to ice realising it could only be for dark magic.My struggles went ignored as the guards dumped me on that altar, tearing away my soiled dress and securing me spread-eagled to the cold stone with black iron shackles. Utterly exposed and helpless, my pulse hammered wildly in my throat. What fresh hell was this?The guards wordlessly departed, their task complete. I was left alone, trembling and fighting back tears as the minutes crawled by. Until heavy footsteps echoed, heralding the approach of my living nightmare. Alpha River strode in, a cruel smile twisting his ruined face when he saw my vulnerable state."At last, after long years of waiting, you are mine," he growled in fer
Aiden Pain lanced through my shoulder as the wolf's claws raked across my skin. I twisted away with a snarl, lashing out viciously with my own dagger until the brute fell back with a pained yelp.I fought on relentlessly, cutting down any enemy who dared cross my path. The scents of blood and fear were thick in the air, igniting all my primal instincts. My wolf Black howled for vengeance within me.One by one I killed Alpha hunters.Even though they ambushed me and their numbers were greater, I have to go help the Silver Fangs battle fiercely to drive the attackers from the blood moon pack.It's all my fault in the first place.I ducked a wild sword swipe, sinking my teeth into the soldier's unprotected wrist until he screamed and released his weapon. A swift kick to the chest sent him crashing down before I whirled to block the next attacker.The fighting felt endless, a blur of ducking, slashing, constantly struggling just to keep my feet beneath the onslaught. But gradually I en
Aiden's POVShame flooded my veins as I walked slowly through the halls of the Silver Fang castle. Everywhere I looked, there was evidence of the damage my foolish actions had caused.The castle was on high alert, with guards stationed at every entrance. Servants rushed around with grim expressions, fortifying defences and preparing supplies for siege or war. The air was thick with fear and rising anger directed at the rival Blood Moon pack.All because I had betrayed my own kin to consort with that vile Alpha River, compromising our security. Now Ella had paid the price, kidnapped right from her sickbed before she could even recover from birthing my niece.The guilt threatened to crush me. I had brought this down on us all on the basis of River's honeyed lies and false promises of power. Now the pack was embroiled in a bloody conflict, and my dear childhood friend was a captive because of me.Rounding a corner, I froze in dismay as none other than Luna Verena strode towards me, escor
Aiden's POVI paced the length of my room restlessly, weariness and frustration battling within me. For days now, Jayden and I had been working ceaselessly to find a way to break the cursed twin mate bond that had caused us all such grief.But despite consulting every ancient text and magical expert across the land, the solution continued to elude us. And with each day that passed, our darling Ella remained captive to the monster River, her fate unknown.My steps faltered as I glanced again at the pendant hanging around my neck, glinting mockingly in the firelight.I wore it trying to see if it's working.The stone remained Blood red, proclaiming my betrayal of the sacred twin mate vows. Just looking at it made shame burn through me.With an oath, I tore the necklace off and flung it viciously across the room. But removing the tangible reminder did nothing to ease my inner turmoil.I had never expected restoring Jayden's faith and acceptance would prove this maddeningly difficult. We
EllaAgony blazed through every fibre of my being as I thrashed against the magical chains binding me to the altar. But it was no use - the dark sorcery in the metal seared my skin like acid, draining my strength no matter how hard I struggled.I was trapped, forced to endure as River's high shaman carved agonising symbols into my flesh, chanting in twisted tongues as my blood flowed. They were weaving some vile spellwork to bind me as River's mate against my will.I wanted to scream, to curse them all, but I bit it back stubbornly. I would not give them the satisfaction of hearing my pain. But inside, my spirit cried out in anguished denial as I felt the dark magic taking insidious hold.No! I belonged to no one but my true mates, Aiden and Jayden! But even as I chanted their names like a talisman in my mind, I could feel the mystical fetters coiling tighter, stifling my soul's light with their corruption.At last it ended, leaving me limp and trembling on the desecrated altar. I clu