Lycidas's POVIt was a long walk back to the cottage's underground, with me wondering each time I took a turn whether I took a wrong one. My footsteps echoed in the empty tunnels as I walked, which made the experience even worse. But Mia needed a consoling shoulder at the moment, and it was my duty as her mate to provide it, even if we felt ko mate bond yet. Eventually though, I made it back to the chamber. As I stood at the dark corner that led to the tunnel and looked at the scene inside the chamber, I realised that Alpha Fenrir was right when he talked about the quick recovery of the corrupted. Though they were no longer growling and snarling, they weren't lying as still as we left them. Most of them were already crawling, either pushing themselves with the tip of their toes and their jaws, or pulling themselves with their fingers. I couldn't bring myself to pass right through them, even if they looked harmless at the moment. So I walked around the edges of the chamber till I g

Mia's PovFor the record, I knew that sparring with Martha was a bad idea. And because I knew that - and could bloody well recognise it even through the thickening haze of anger and resentment that threatened to swallow me whole - I forced myself to calm down and take a step back. "Martha," I said as coldly and as calmly as I could manage. "I am not weak. Please leave."Martha's gaze turned downright venomous and her features twisted into a rictus of anger."You fucking lie!" She exclaimed, jabbing a finger at me and making me jerk back in surprise. "You two-faced, pathetic liar! If you were not so pathetically powerless then Maya would be alright!"My fists clenched at my sides as Martha's words dug into me like splinters. I knew that, and I did not need anyone to remind me about it. I reminded myself about it enough...It seemed like a low blow for Martha to drag that out."Mia, you have to face the truth," Martha's voice sliced through the air, sharp and accusatory. " Or would you

Mia's Pov."I was not worried!" Martha growled at him.Lycidas did not spare her attention. Instead he walked up to me and held my arm gently."Are you okay?" He asked."Yes," i answered, wincing at the bruises I had sustained. "For the most part at least.""Who has this room?" Alpha Fenrir asked, looking about like he truly did not know who had been assigned the room. I made to speak but Alpha Fenrir turned to Martha."Martha?" He gently called. "Mind telling me?""It is Mia's," Martha said through gritted teeth."Is that so? Well, it has been quite a day and everyone is tired. Why don't you go ahead and rest first? Perhaps you would feel less worried when you wake up."Martha kept silent for a while and I had the fleeting thought that she was going to refuse but instead she nodded meekly and stepped out of the room.Fenrir watched her go then turned his attention towards me then, his gaze penetrating as he regarded me with a mix of curiosity and assessment. "And you, Mia," he said,

Amelia's POV I wandered through the forest a day later, the sunlight filtering through the trees, and my feet guided me mechanically to a spot teeming with memories, both sweet and sour. The leaves rustling in the breeze whispered tales of days gone by, wrapping me in their comforting embrace.In little time I found myself beneath the grand oak, its roots digging deep into the earth like the fingers of some ancient guardian. This was our spot, Lycidas' and mine, where we had often escaped the noise of the world and found solace in each other's company.Shafts of golden light pierced through the canopy, painting the ground in shifting patterns of light and shadow. It was here, under this tree, that Lycidas and I would laugh and talk for hours, the sound of our voices blending with the melody of the forest.In my mind's eye, I could see us sitting there, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. Lycidas's eyes, as blue as the sky on a clear day, were fixed on mine with a tenderness t

Mia's PovAs I followed Mabel through the forest, the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy overhead cast shifting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor. Mabel was leading me somewhere though I didn't exactly know where. The earthy scent of damp soil mingled with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers, and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze provided a soothing backdrop to our conversation. We had been talking about some obscure herbs and the like Mabel knew of but the conversation had fallen I to a brief lull and had finally petered out."So, Mia," Mabel began again, her voice gentle yet probing, "I heard you and Martha got into a bit of a tiff. Is everything alright?"Her words caught me off guard, and a flush of embarrassment crept up my cheeks. "Yeah, we had a disagreement," I admitted reluctantly, trying to downplay the severity of the situation."And I heard you got roughed up pretty good," Mabel continued, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Care to s