When Elle's eyes met Jude's she felt a sense of belonging.Elle's mind was a blank canvas, devoid of any memories or sense of identity. Lost and confused, a lingering feeling of emptiness. With her eyes on Jude's, a spark ignited within her. Though her memory remained elusive, there was an inexplicable familiarity in the depths of their gaze. It was as if their souls had connected long before their paths crossed. A glimmer of hope flickered within Elle, a belief that Jude held the key to unlocking her forgotten past. Yet, as her heart whispered of trust, a shadow of doubt intertwined with her longing. Could she truly rely on this stranger, or would he lead her astray? The answers lay hidden in the depths of their shared gaze, beckoning Elle to uncover the truth and discover the depths of her own being.“All yours. Now leave.” Neil said, coming to a halt in front of Jude. “You are to obey him, no matter what,” Neil said before leaving them.Jude's heart raced as Neil's words echoed in
Elle, overcome with emotion, leaps towards Jude and flings her arms around him, desperately seeking comfort. In a sudden bold move, she presses her lips onto his, surprising him. "Hey," Jude manages to push her away gently, his brows furrowed in confusion. "What are you doing?"Elle, her voice trembling, replies, "You saved me, Jude. You found me again." She tries to lean in for another kiss, hoping to rekindle their lost connection.Jude chuckles softly, attempting to keep her at arm's length. "Sure, but there's no need to kiss me," he says, his tone light. Deep down, though, he struggles with the conflict within him, the memory of their love wiped from his mind.Confusion clouds Elle's face as she asks, "Is there someone else? I don't understand." Unaware of Jude's altered memories, she searches for answers, her brows knit together.Jude, in a cold and detached manner, replies, "You are still just a pack slave to me, Elle. No matter what blood runs through your veins." He takes a st
You patiently waited in silence, feigning sleep, desperately hoping that the Alpha and his son would eventually depart. Determined to keep your true wakefulness a secret, you resolved not to give them any indication of your awareness. Thoughts raced through your mind as you formulated a plan: "I'll wait until they're gone and then carefully make my escape. But, above all, I hope Michael is alright." With utmost concentration, you shifted your attention solely to regulating your breaths, maintaining composure amidst the tense situation."Do you happen to know if Michael is still asleep?" you hear the Alpha inquire.Perplexed by the question, his son chuckles and asks, "Why are you asking me? Father, you can simply link your mind with his guard." Asserting his point."I entrusted you with the responsibility of overseeing the guards." Frustrated by the situation, the Alpha lets out an exasperated sigh and proceeds to establish a mental connection with the guard in charge of Michael himse
"I will go find the Alpha and ask for his advice," Elle says and leaves. You notice that she left the door open and begin to wonder if you should try to leave as well. Contemplating your decision, you walk towards the door and cautiously step right through."Perhaps I can come with you?" you call after Elle, hoping to lend a helping hand."I am not your keeper," Elle responds, allowing you a moment to catch up.You both continue walking in silence, allowing Elle to take the lead. Passing each door, you turn your head in anticipation, searching for any sign of Micheal."What are you doing out of your rooms?" Johnathan questions with a stern tone as the two of you unexpectedly cross paths in the hallway of the packhouse."I am looking for your father," Elle politely responds, explaining her purpose."He's in a meeting," Johnathan says, his tone filled with frustration. "Michael managed to escape and killed two guards in the process.""Did he really? And he left without her?" Elle asks,
With a commanding tone, the alpha exclaimed, "Lock Johnathan up!"The Luna, unable to find words to express her disagreement, reluctantly shook her head. She silently obeyed and began gathering the pack members. "Everyone, shift into your animal forms, and let's get going," she ordered.The pack members quickly began to undress, preparing to shift. However, families with young children remained unchanged. Understanding the urgency of the situation, the pack members did not dare to gather their belongings.Just as they were about to depart, a hysterical laughter echoed through the air. "It is too late!" Johnathan shouted.His father, already aware of the dire situation, had hoped that they would be able to escape.An idea struck me, and I suggested, "Michael can cast a spell on them, hiding them in the woods."The Luna retorted, "They will smell them, and besides, they have more powerful shamans than Michael."The alpha, recognizing the potential value of the suggestion, responded, "It
Ellle turned to face the Lycan King with unwavering determination. "I will go with you willingly," she declared, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.The Lycan King regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and respect. "You possess a rare courage, Elle," he acknowledged. "But know that your sacrifice will not go unnoticed."As Elle stepped forward to join the Lycan King, Wynn's voice cut through the tension. "Wait," he commanded, his eyes ablaze with an intensity that silenced the gathering."The time for secrecy has passed," Wynn declared, his gaze shifting to the Lycan King. "It is time for the truth to be revealed."With a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features, the Lycan King nodded in agreement.Wynn turned to face the assembled pack, his voice ringing out with authority. "Listen well, for what I am about to reveal will shake the foundations of our world."As the pack members leaned in, captivated by Wynn's words, he began to recount the ancient prophecy that ha
Later that evening, the Lycan King and his closest confidant, Wynn, found themselves alone in the quiet seclusion of the King’s private chambers, the low flickering of candlelight casting shadows across the stone walls. The tension of the day still lingered in the air as they shared a rare moment of camaraderie.“I can’t thank you enough for what you did today,” the King began in a low, gravelly tone, his gaze steady as he reached for a decanter of aged bourbon. He poured the rich amber liquid into two heavy crystal glasses, the sound of it splashing softly against the silence.Wynn shifted uneasily, crossing his arms before moving closer to the King. “We deceived them with a false prophecy,” he replied, voice thick with bitterness. He took the offered glass but didn’t drink immediately, his eyes narrowed as he regarded the swirling drink with a conflicted expression. “I’m not exactly proud of manipulating them like that.”The King’s lips twisted into a wry smile as he held his own gla
"Come with me," a voice startled you. You didn’t have to look around to know who it belonged to. It was Wynn, the Lycan King's best friend."Why?" you asked under your breath, matching the quiet intensity of his tone."Stand up and come with me," Wynn ordered, his voice imbued with a silent force that felt more compelling than even the Lycan King’s command.Against your will, you rose from your seat and followed him out of the dining hall, each step defying your own intentions. The air between you was charged with an unspoken tension."How did you do that?" you demanded, your voice sharp with frustration. The shaman necklace you wore should have protected you, and you'd been humming protective chants under your breath. Yet, his power had broken through your defenses effortlessly.Wynn remained silent, his stride purposeful. You followed him like a duckling trailing its mother, powerless to resist the pull of his authority. He stopped in front of an imposing wooden door, gesturing for
You were about to leave the hall, your mind swirling with what had just transpired, when the heavy doors suddenly swung open. The sound of boots hitting the stone floor echoed as Elle was dragged in, her body fighting the handlers every step of the way. Her arms flailed, her legs kicking out in a desperate attempt to break free. You could hear her sharp breaths and the sounds of her struggles, the chaos of her fury cutting through the tension in the room."Let her go!" you demanded, your voice carrying the authority only royalty can wield. The handlers hesitated, caught off guard by the power in your tone. Against their will, they released Elle, stepping back reluctantly as she stood, now free to stand on her own two feet.Elle glared at them but didn’t hesitate. Her expression was a mixture of defiance and fury, and without a word, she stomped directly toward the Lycan King. Her steps were firm, unwavering, as she faced the man who held her fate in his hands.You joined her at her si
You stand up, the urgency of your thoughts pushing you into motion. The weight of the decision, the need to be sure Elle is safe, weighs heavily on your chest. "We can leave after Elle returns," you say, your voice steady but the worry still evident in your eyes. "I need to be sure she’s going to be okay."You move toward the door, your hand resting on the handle as you prepare to face whatever awaits you outside. You’re going to plead with the Lycan King, no matter how dangerous it may be. Elle deserves a chance, deserves to have her fate in her own hands. You won’t let the world crush her under the weight of its expectations."Where are you going?" Davide’s voice stops you mid-step, his tone laced with curiosity and something else—amusement?You turn to face him, meeting his gaze with determination. "I’m going to go plead with the Lycan King to pardon Elle’s behaviour. He must realise that she wouldn’t have run away if it wasn’t for the stupid Vampire King."At the mention of Michae
You sit on the edge of your bed, your gaze distant, staring at the stone wall as though it might offer some comfort or answer. The weight of your thoughts presses down on you—thoughts of Elle, of her safety, of her fate. You hope she’s somewhere far from this madness, that she’s found a way to escape this life that’s been thrust upon her, a life you know all too well. You wish she could be free, free from the chains of royalty, from the expectations, from the constant battles for power.But deep down, you know the truth—she can’t escape it. Not without risking everything. Not without drawing the attention of forces that would crush her.And yet, you cling to that hope, that small spark of possibility that she might find a way out. You want so badly for her to live a life outside of this world of lies, manipulation, and bloodshed. But that wish, that dream, feels selfish. You don’t know if you’d survive it if something happened to her. The thought gnaws at your insides, making it harde
Elle’s steps faltered as she turned toward the hallway, her mind set on finding a way out, a way to fight back. But before she could take another step, a firm grip seized her arm, pulling her back with a force that nearly sent her crashing to the ground.Her breath caught in her throat as she spun around to face Jude’s father, his face twisted with a mixture of regret and resolve. “You can’t leave, Elle,” he said, his voice low and controlled, but there was an underlying urgency to his words.“What the hell are you doing?” Elle snarled, struggling against his hold. Her pulse raced, her mind spinning as her fury grew. “Let me go. I’m not staying here. I’m not waiting for the Higher Council to come and take me!”Jude’s father’s grip tightened. “You don’t understand. If you leave now, they’ll find you. They’ll use you against us. We can’t let that happen. I’m doing this to protect you... and us.”Elle’s heart skipped a beat as he pulled her toward the back of the house, away from the fro
Her sharp eyes scanned the trees beyond the cove, searching for the source of her unease. The scent of something foreign lingered in the salty air—something predatory.Jude’s smile faltered. "Elle, what’s wrong?"Before she could answer, a shadow moved.A figure emerged from the tree line—a man, tall and unnervingly still. His golden eyes gleamed with eerie intent, his presence radiating a silent threat. A hybrid.Elle’s breath caught in her throat.The assassin had found them.Jude noticed the change in her expression and turned, following her gaze. The moment he locked eyes with the intruder, realization struck. "Run," he whispered.But it was already too late.The hybrid tracker lunged, moving with inhuman speed.Elle reacted on instinct, shoving Jude back as she braced herself for the fight of her life.The battle was brutal. Elle and Jude fought together, but even with their combined strength, they were no match for the hybrid. He was faster, stronger, and relentless. Every blow
The shadows stretched long across the floor of Michael’s chamber, the heavy silence punctuated only by the sound of his own steady breathing. His hands curled into fists as he moved toward the far side of the room, where an ornate wooden wardrobe stood against the stone wall. He had known this room well before it was his—it had belonged to his brother, and his brother had been cunning, always keeping a way out, a path unseen.Michael placed his palm against the side of the wardrobe, feeling for the hidden seam. With a slight push, the back panel groaned, revealing a narrow passageway that led into the dark. He took a step forward—but stopped. Something unseen and unfathomable coiled around his body, anchoring him in place. His fangs bared instinctively, his power rising to meet the force that held him back.A spell.His mind worked quickly, fingers tracing over the air as he called on his own magic, whispering an incantation under his breath to dismantle whatever bound him. But it was
The soft morning light filtered in through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. You slowly blinked your eyes open, the fog of sleep still lingering in your mind. As your vision cleared, you saw him—Davide—sitting by your bedside, his eyes fixed on you with a tenderness that made your heart race. You couldn’t help but notice the subtle tension in his gaze, the uncertainty that lingered there."Do you hate me yet?" Davide’s voice was quiet, almost pleading, as if he were bracing for your response.For a long moment, you just stared at him, the weight of the years, of everything that had happened, pressing heavily on your chest. You felt a storm of emotions swirling inside you—anger, betrayal, and, beneath it all, an aching sense of longing."I hate and love you at the same time," you finally replied, your voice barely above a whisper. The words felt heavy as they left your lips, a truth you had buried deep for so long. You remembered the woman you once were, desperate for hi
Kurt followed Wynn down the winding corridors of the palace, his footsteps heavy with the weight of the decision ahead. The Lycan King's command had been clear, and now it was time for the next step. They arrived at the chambers of the shaman, where the ancient being was waiting, his eyes clouded with the knowledge of his craft.The shaman nodded to Kurt and Wynn, gesturing for them to enter. The room was dimly lit by flickering candles, and the scent of herbs and incense hung in the air. The shaman motioned for Kurt to sit in the center of a ritual circle, marked with glowing symbols and runes.As Wynn stood nearby, observing the ritual, the shaman began his chant, speaking in an ancient tongue that reverberated through the room. Kurt closed his eyes, focusing on the weight of the spell being placed over him, an invisible force that began to settle over his body. The power of the fated mate bond was strong, a magic that ran deep into his veins, connecting him to Elle whether he was r
The atmosphere in the castle shifted as the sound of the large doors opening echoed through the hallway. Elle, still reeling from the conversation with her mother, straightened her posture as she caught sight of the four young men entering the room. Despite their age—well over 300 years—they looked no older than their early twenties, a characteristic of their kind. Each one of them exuded an undeniable power, their presence filling the space as they moved with a grace that seemed almost unnatural, yet elegant.Their eyes—blue, like the clearest sky—sparkled with a quiet intensity that hinted at the centuries of experience and authority behind them. They were tall, their frames long and lean, but their bodies were hardened by years of battle and leadership. Despite their beauty, there was an air of danger surrounding them, a promise of strength and command. They were not the kind of men you could ignore or easily dismiss.Vance took a step forward, his gaze fixing on Elle with a knowin