Mia's POVI couldn't help but smile back, a sense of exhilaration coursing through me. "You were right," I admitted, my voice tinged with awe. "It's... it's beautiful."While I looked calm, beneath the surface, a whirlwind of emotions raged within me. My heart thundered in my chest, its beat echoing in my ears as I fought to steady my racing thoughts. And the racing thought was not because of the view. It may have something to do with Lycidas' hand that was still around my waist though. Just a slight chance. A tiny chance really. Yeah, a tiny chance.We sat in companionable silence, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the treetops. In that moment, I felt a profound sense of peace wash over me, a reminder of the simple joys that could be found in the midst of life's challenges and uncertainties. While Alpha Fenrir had advised us not to be out and about this late in the day, his warning and everything was hardly what was at the forefront of my mind right

Amelia's POV I nodded in agreement, my pulse quickening with a mixture of anticipation and fear. With a shared glance, we stepped forward, our footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestones as we closed in on our quarry.The man turned at the sound of our approach, his eyes widening in alarm as he realized he had been discovered. Without a word, he bolted, his footsteps echoing through the silent night as he fled into the darkness.With a surge of adrenaline, we gave chase, our hearts pounding in our chests as we pursued him through the labyrinthine streets of the city. The illusory crow soared overhead, leading the way with a sense of purpose that seemed almost uncanny in its clarity........As the man darted off into the forest, my heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline surging through my veins as I followed in hot pursuit alongside Alpha Gonzales. The trees loomed overhead, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows that danced across the forest floor.The moon hung low in th

Amelia's POVI watched, silent, as he selected several items: a small pouch of salt, a crystal vial filled with a liquid that shimmered even in the dim light, and a bundle of dried herbs tied with a red string. Each item was chosen with deliberate care, Gonzales's hands steady and sure."Salt to purify and protect," he murmured, almost to himself as he placed the items on his desk. "The essence of moonflower, for clarity and truth. And bloodroot, to break through barriers and reveal what is hidden."I swallowed hard, my curiosity warring with a sudden, inexplicable fear. "And... you believe this will make Isaac speak?"Gonzales met my gaze, his eyes reflecting a complexity of emotions. "It will give us a better chance of uncovering the truth. But these rituals, Amelia, they are not to be taken lightly. They require precision, respect for the forces we're invoking."He began to gather the items, placing them carefully into a small, leather-bound case. "Come, we must prepare the space p

Hazel's POVAs I stood in the dimly lit chamber, concealed within the shadows, my gaze fixated on Zion and the other physicians as they worked tirelessly on the corrupted. It had been merely a week since I had acquired Zion through means of coercion, yet the progress they had made in taming and controlling the corrupted was astonishing to say the least.Zion moved with a sense of purpose, his brow furrowed in concentration as he directed the other physicians in their tasks. Because if he did not then, well. The air was heavy with the scent of herbs and incense, a concoction carefully crafted to soothe the volatile nature of the corrupted mind as I've been rold.Zion gestures to one of the physicians, who carefully approaches the corrupted with a bowl of scented incense. The air is thick with tension as they cautiously proceed with their demonstration. I watch intently, my gaze flickering between Zion's confident demeanor and the subdued movements of the corrupted.I observed silently

Hazel's POVAfter a brief nap, a sudden realization jolted me awake with renewed purpose. Zion's knowledge could hold the key to unlocking the secrets of corruption, and I could not afford to delay in seeking his expertise. It was a rather sudden realization and so with a sense of urgency, I attended to a few mundane matters to avoid suspicion before slipping out into the woods.The afternoon sun cast dappled shadows across the forest floor as I made my way through the winding paths, my senses alert for any signs of surveillance. Only when I was certain that I was not being followed did I veer off the main trail and navigate through the dense undergrowth towards Zion's secluded cottage.As I approached the quaint dwelling nestled amidst the trees, I could hear a faint commotion emanating from within. With a quick glance around to ensure my solitude, I rapped sharply on the door, the sound echoing through the quiet woods.There was a commotion inside, followed by the hesitant footsteps