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
Aiden PovI jolted as Ella's broken voice screamed in my mind. "Jay, Aiden, can you hear me?"Agony lanced through my skull but I clung desperately to the weak thread binding us. "Ella!" I cried out mentally. "I'm here, beloved, I'm coming for you!"But the fragile contact had already faded, leaving me reeling. Somehow my tortured mate had reached out across the void to find me, confirming my worst fears - River was inflicting unspeakable horrors upon her. We were out of time."F**CK we don't have time to waste."Snarling curses, I hurled myself against the stone walls of my room, heedless of bruising my shoulder in futile rage. I had to escape this prison now!In desperation, I closed my eyes and sought for the mate bond linking our spirits, picturing Ella's beloved face and soul in my mind. Guiding light, show me the way!A blinding surge of energy suddenly jolted through me, staggering in its power. When my vision cleared, a shimmering spectral wolf stood before me, eyes knowing.My
Jayden's POV The pale rays of dawn filtered through the trees as Aiden and I made our way silently through the forest, following the newly strengthened scent trail towards Ella. With the cursed barriers between us finally broken, she called to us like a beacon piercing the shadows.My very soul felt lighter, unburdened from the gnarled shackles of ancient magic that had festered painfully between the three of us for so long. At last I could breathe deep again, welcoming the crisp morning air. Together, we had banished the darkness.Glancing aside, I could see the same liberation reflected in Aiden's eyes as he moved tirelessly beside me. The simmering tension that had tensed his shoulders for so many bitter months had finally smoothed away, leaving only steadfast purpose.This is how it should have been all along between us, brothers bound by true trust and devotion. No more discord or secrets poisoning our spirit. I offered a wordless prayer of thanks to the goddess for allowing us
Ella's POV The first rays of dawn streamed through the barred window, bathing my face in warmth as I awoke. It took a moment to remember where I was - still trapped in the tower prison of River's stronghold. But something felt different this morning. A spark of defiance flickered in my weary soul where once dwelled only bleak resignation.Because today, the waiting was over. I was breaking free of this nightmare, one way or another.Lea stirred eagerly within me, our twin spirits kindling with newfound determination. Yes sister! With our mates' aid, we will escape this vile place. It was true - last night I had managed to contact Jayden and Aiden through our tentative bond for the first time since the abduction. Their strength flowed into me from afar, bolstering my own courage. Together, we would overcome.But first, I had to reach them. River had arrogantly left only one guard posted by my room now that the cursed bonding ritual had been completed. He foolishly believed me broken,