~Brandon~ The invitation took me by surprise, but the sincerity in Anthony's eyes was unmistakable. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, there was a sense of unity in his words, a shared determination to face whatever trials awaited us together. And as I looked around at the faces of my newfound allies, a flicker of hope ignited within me. Perhaps, against all odds, we could emerge victorious. "Sure, I do not mind," I said, and they began to leave. "Great, meet us at the dining hall in the Alpha Wing in one hour and thirty minutes," Justin said, walking past me. He stopped and placed his hand on my shoulder. I looked at him, and he sighed. "Victory isn't guaranteed, Knight. We can't win them all, nor can we have it all. Every loss carries a lesson. Brush yourself off and rise again. The future holds unforeseen opportunities," he said with a smile and walked away. His words sank deep into my soul. I believe it was because I wore my misery on my sleeves. My pain was palpable,
~Lilly~ Life, they say, is a mystery. Sometimes, we think we already know, but the truth is we don't. When I was eighteen, I thought I would find my fate. I wasn't big on it since my parents weren't fated, but I wondered how nice it would be for me to experience the bond; it never happened to me, and life went on. I never hoped for much, and neither was I actively searching. I would lie if I said I wasn't plagued by loneliness at night, but there was nothing I could do about it but wait. Years went by, and I watched friends, family and acquaintances find their soulmates, their fated partners, as they called them. I witnessed their joy, their struggles, and their unwavering support for each other, and while I was genuinely happy for them, a part of me couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. I questioned myself countless times—was I doing something wrong? Was I not putting myself out there enough? Was I too picky? But deep down, I knew that fate had its own timeline, its own plan f
~Lilly~ As the realisation sunk in, a bitter taste filled my mouth, and I fought back the bitter tears threatening to spill from my eyes. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. I deserved more than to be a mere footnote in someone else's love story, a consolation prize for a man who had already made his choice. But even as I raged against the injustice of it all, a small part of me couldn't help but wonder—was there still a chance for redemption? Could Brandon find the courage to break free from the chains he was bound with by his wife and embrace the possibility of a new beginning? I held my breath, waiting for him to speak, to offer something, anything, but as the silence stretched on, the truth became painfully clear. With a heavy heart, I turned away, steeling myself against the ache of disappointment and betrayal. For in that moment, I knew that my fairy tale ending was nothing more than a fleeting dream, a figment of my imagination destined to remain forever out of reach. Te
~Lilly~ I resisted the urge to turn and face the owner of the voice, my heart pounding in my chest as I struggled to maintain my composure. The scent of morning dew wafted towards me, mingling with the familiar musk that could only belong to one person. I didn't know whether to stand and look at him or remain seated, mirroring the uncertainty that plagued my thoughts. Hazel's silence only added to the tension that hung in the air like a heavy fog. We were both afraid—afraid of what his words might bring, afraid of the inevitable rejection that loomed on the horizon. I suspected he was here to deliver the final blow, to explain why we could never be together. It was a truth I had been dreading, yet I knew deep down that it was inevitable. As his footsteps drew nearer, my resolve wavered, and I struggled to find the courage to face him. With each passing moment, the weight of anticipation grew heavier, anchoring me to the bench as if rooted in place. I knew I should stand up, should
~Lilly~ At my words, he visibly relaxed, a gentle but mature smile gracing his features. "I want to try, Lilly. I want to accept our bond and give it a chance," he declared, his voice filled with determination as he met my gaze with unwavering conviction. "I know I may not have much to offer, and my circumstances are far from ideal, but I promise you this—I will do everything within my power to make it right. I won't let this blessing slip away from my life," he vowed, his grip on my hands tightening ever so slightly. "Today, I endured the deepest, most unimaginable pain, and in my darkest hour, I cried out to the moon for solace. And in her wisdom, she bestowed upon me the gift of you," he continued his words, a testament to the depth of his emotions. "I plan to embrace it, Lilly. I plan to do whatever it takes to be with you," he said, and I was surprised because I could see that he was dead serious. "What about your wife? You are a married man, and I do not want to break anyon
~Noah~ I was uncomfortable without Winter while we sat at the table. She was weak from Brandon's rejection, and she spent most of the time crying in my arms. It was hard to see her so broken. I felt powerless, and even though I wanted to claim her to ease her hurting heart, I wanted to do it in my home, not in the palace. So I held off. She eventually fell asleep before I went to the lounge for our meeting. I was eager for that meeting because Sebastien and I had spent the night studying the laws of the King's council and were able to devise a plan that would work in Brandon's favour. Everyone decided to adopt the plan, and I was glad that we were on to something. When it was time for dinner, I figured Winter wasn't strong enough, because she opted that she would only eat soup. I instructed the maids to serve her dinner in the room and decided I would just show up for a few minutes out of respect to everyone and return to the room. Little did I know that I would witness a miracl
~Noah~ Winter was asleep by the time I returned to the room. I did not want to trouble her, so I opted to eat silently and then join her in bed. I felt a strong relief wash through me seeing her lying peacefully in bed. Now that Brandon had a second-chance mate, his history with Winter was over, and he would not look at her longingly anymore, just like Uncle Sylvester and Luna Susan. They were once fated, but he rejected her because he was with Queen Tamia then. Queen Tamia and Uncle Sylvester became second-chance mates after that. Queen Tamia, too, had rejected Alpha Devin for Uncle Sylvester. It was odd how Luna Susan and Alpha Devin ended up together. When around them, you would never know that they were once fated. It is as if it never happened. I was glad to know that, from now on, Brandon would no longer trouble Winter or long after her again. I was glad that their story had truly ended, and she was now fully mine. After finishing the meal, I did some research on the computer
~Noah~ After our shower, we returned to the bedroom to dress. The day ahead loomed large with tasks and decisions, but everything seemed to hinge on Justin's feedback regarding Brandon's situation. Justin had assured us that he would discuss the matter with my father and his father, hoping to persuade them to include the topic of the embargo and the waiver of time in the council's meeting. He even promised to advocate for an emergency meeting, although the council's decision was uncertain. Nevertheless, Justin intended to bring up the issue at the next meeting, determined to find a resolution. As I buttoned my shirt, I couldn't shake the worry for Brandon and Lilly, who would undoubtedly be affected by the outcome. Their lives were intertwined with this decision, and the uncertainty weighed heavily on me. I hoped that Justin's efforts would not be in vain and that a solution could be found to spare them from the looming turmoil. Despite Brandon's fate being intertwined with Lilly's,
I want to start by saying I'm truly sorry for the short chapters. It seems there are now "ideal word count limits" to adhere to. I deeply regret the prolonged silence, but I've been grappling with severe health issues lately, and I'm still in the throes of recovery. I couldn't bear to leave this book neglected for too long, so I pushed through to the end so you all could move on. I do hope to return with a new story soon, and hope you will all be there, but for now, I must concede and focus on recuperating. The silence weighs heavy on me, and I truly hope you enjoyed the story and its conclusion. This marks the final instalment in the DSOF series. Perhaps one day, I'll pen Eleanor's tale, but I'm hesitant to make any promises I may not be able to fulfil. Please bear with me, dear readers and co-writers, and know that I cherish each and every one of you dearly. I will miss you all immensely. I love you all.❤️❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🤗🤗
~Winter~ A year passed, and all the struggles were a distant memory. Now, we were hosting the gathering in the East, and Summer, Chelsea and I had gone over time. Chelsea was a new mother now. She and Ethan had wasted no time. They claimed each other and got married the next month. Normally, we all thought they would wait, but two months later, she was pregnant, and a lovely girl named Evangeline was the product. Evangeline was a beautiful blonde baby, and we all loved her. We were new moms ourselves, and Summer and I couldn't carry Evangeline as much as we would like. I had twins, and they were adorable. Both of them looked like Stepanovs, and I wondered if my genes ever stood a chance. My daughter's name was Michelle, and My son's name was Frederick. They were adorable, and I loved them so much. Summer had a son, and she and Sebastien named Him Leonardo after Sebasteins's father. He was cute and looked a lot like his grandfather, but he had green eyes like Summer. She w
Ethan I was nervous about seeing Chelsea. Although we said it wouldn't matter if we weren't fated, I didn't know why I was suddenly nervous. I had never cared for anyone the way I cared for her, and I knew it was the same for her. So I wondered why I was unwilling to see her tonight. Her eighteenth birthday was in a few hours, and I had promised to be the first person to see her, but my heart was beating fast. I had stayed away from the house all evening, avoiding her. She said she would spend the time with me, and Noah had confirmed that she was in our home. Though not showing, we found out after the wedding that Summer and Winter were pregnant, and they were very peckish, so Chelsea always brought them snacks. Although Summer and Winter had planned a party for her, it wasn't going to take place until the evening of her birthday. It had been torture waiting these months, and now it was finally time for me to make her mine. I never planned to be with anyone except for her, so
~Gemma~ It had finally come to this, and after the crowd and everyone had left, Lucas and I drove home from the estate. Although our wedding took place at the estate, I was now at Rivers, and my man was taking me home. How could I have tried to make it difficult for him? He was genuinely in love with me. Our union was embraced by both families, and Katalina was a thing of the past. The fact that nothing had ever transpired between her and Lucas made me relax. I didn't feel guilty one bit. Lucas had had some girlfriends, but he was mine now. He pulled me to his body in the back seat of the limo that was taking us home. Lucas crashed his lips on mine, drinking me in. Our wolves had claimed each other in the eyes of all and the moon. He was mine through and through. The moment the bond formed, I knew I had found my forever love. I kissed him. Every fibre of my being was burning with desire. I wanted him. My body craved him. He had made love to me severally since we returne
~Winter~ The day of the blue moon had finally arrived, and I was consumed with nerves like never before. I'd been down this road once, and it hadn't ended well. As I veiled my face, my eyes met Summer's, resplendent in her wedding attire. Her touch on my hand offered reassurance. "It won't be like last time, Winter. This is real," she whispered, her words calming my racing heart. I nodded, believing this time would be different. Noah's love was steadfast. Lady Amelia entered the tent, her eyes alight with happiness. In her hands were two ornate jewellery boxes, undoubtedly meant for us. "You both look stunning tonight," she beamed, her words touching my soul. Lady Amelia loved us as a mother would her child; she cherished us as much as her own sons, a rare bond that set her apart. Approaching me, she unveiled the contents of the box meant for my adornment. A breathtaking gold necklace adorned with sapphire stones and dazzling diamonds lay nestled within. It was a masterpiece. "I
~Noah~ Three weeks passed, and the dust finally settled when the fugitives were apprehended by an angry mob of people eager to prove to their monarch that they were sorry for allowing themselves to be used and deceived into hindering progress. They had killed Kane and Ramos, leaving Gavin and Moses. I could bet that the only reason why they left Gavin and Moses, judging by the state they were in when they brought them, was because they wanted to deliver them to the authorities. They were battered, and silver was clamped on their wrist. I wished I had witnessed the mog action. Some parts of it were in the news. With the way the people surrounded them. They had no choice. It was a battle lost before it started. They had sprayed them silver dust to incapacitate them and then beat Kane and Ramos to death while they chained Gavin and Moses for judgment. I guess the King's words, coupled with my father's words and show of disappointment, got to them. Indeed, they had unknowingly helped
~Anthony~ My wolf was urging me to bridge the gap and assert our claim, but I remained dumbfounded. Frankly, I never imagined it would happen, especially not with Aspen. Here I was, enamoured with Chelsea, even competing with Ethan for her attention, when all along, it was Aspen who held my heart. Was Aspen the catalyst for my feelings for Chelsea? I realised I often encountered her before seeing Chelsea, yet I was too preoccupied with Chelsea to consider Aspen. I remember my first time at the orphanage; she was the one at the door greeting us, and she was particularly nice to me. On the second occasion, I went there, I ended up spending time with her. She opened up to me, telling me what she wouldn't dare tell anyone. The bond had been rearing its head, and I was too stubborn to realise it. She was the one who came to celebrate the victory with me when I was feeling lonely. It was her all along. Fate threw me her way severally and put her in my face, but my desires did not allo
~Anthony~ I waited for Aspen to pack her belongings in the evening so we could leave. I was going to leave the next day, as I had told Ethan, but my father had urged me to leave immediately. Everyone had gone back home, so waiting was pointless. Luis was around, though, and he planned to leave the next day. I was the only one still in Mountain, so I could understand when my parents asked me to go home. I escorted Aspen to her father's house so she could pack her belongings, and I went there with warriors just in case the man was being funny. I knew this was the right thing for her. If she stayed there any longer, she would end up dead. One day, he would take it too far and leave the silver on her a little too long for her body to recover. I had no obligations towards her, but I could not ignore her cry for help. Kirill was outside, and he looked at me, angry and powerless. He knew it was over. I was a lord so there was nothing he could do but just stew in his anger. "You c
~Leo~ As we made our way there, Ethan and Sebastian, accompanied by Summer and another girl who seemed to share the same origins as Summer and Winter, clung to Ethan. The girl wore a t-shirt with the words "Victory: because Adulthood is overrated" printed on it. Seeing how the girl and Ethan clung to each other, I knew they were together. They walked to me quickly, and Summer let go of Sebastian and hugged Amelia tightly. "We missed you; we were worried and scared," She confessed, and Amelia rubbed her back lovingly as a mother would hug her child. "I heard you fought well, Luna," she teased Summer, and Summer broke the hug with tears in her eyes. She was overjoyed to see us. She hugged me, too, but she didn't say anything. I looked at Ethan, and he had a straight face, but I could tell he was hiding his emotions. Amelia pulled him to a hug. "I am so proud of you, son," She said, and he held on to her; his hands shook, and I could tell he had feared the worst. Breaking the hug,