Chapter: CHAPTER 241Damien Cross Pov“Damien… why are we moving again?” Adrian’s voice trembled beside me, fingers clinging to my arm. “Why are you… tense?”“Because he’s coming for you.” My eyes stayed on the road. “And I won’t let him get near you again.”“My… grandfather?” His whisper barely rose above the hum of the engine. “He’s behind this?”“Yes.” I tightened my grip on the wheel. “He’s been orchestrating everything, the attacks, the men hunting you. He wants you dead.”Adrian froze. “Why? I don’t even know him… why would he want me gone?”“Doesn’t matter why. He does. And I’m not letting him.”A pause. Then, quietly, he asked, “Damien… I don’t want you to get hurt. Promise me you’ll be careful.”“I can’t promise nothing will happen.” I turned my hand and grasped his. “I can only promise I’ll fight for you. Always.”“I trust you.” His fingers tightened around mine.“And that trust won’t be wasted. Not tonight.”“…Damien…” He hesitated. “Please… be careful.”“I will,” I said. “But staying here is d
Last Updated: 2025-11-26
Chapter: CHAPTER 240DAMIEN CROSS POV“Damien… you’re gripping the wheel too hard.”Leon’s voice echoed in my ear the moment I answered the call.I didn’t respond at first.I just glanced at Adrian finally asleep beside me. His cheek pressed to the cold window, his body curled in on itself like he was trying to disappear. Even in sleep, his fingers twitched. His breath shook. His lashes trembled like something chased him even in dreams.I forced a breath through my teeth.“He’s asleep,” I muttered.Leon paused. “…Good. He needs it.”“He shouldn’t be sleeping here.” My voice was low, sharp. “On the road. Exposed.”“You ran for hours. He was bound to pass out.”“He didn’t pass out,” I snapped. “He collapsed.”Leon sighed at the other end. “What’s your status?”“Driving,” I said. “Keeping him alive.”A short silence. Then Leon asked carefully, “And your head? Where is it?”“Not on the road,” I answered honestly.“Thought so.”I tightened my grip again. The steering wheel groaned in my hands.“Say what you ca
Last Updated: 2025-11-26
Chapter: CHAPTER 239LEON POV “I swear,” I muttered under my breath, dodging a branch as I ran, “I’ve seen a lot of messed-up things.”Damien didn’t answer. He was too busy sprinting ahead of me, Adrian in his arms, holding him like the guy was the last living thing on earth.I pushed harder, ignoring the pain stabbing my ribs. “Blood on concrete. Men crying for mercy. People selling out their own family. I’ve seen all that.”No response. Damien was focused, jaw clenched, pace relentless.“But this?” I huffed. “Watching you run through a pitch-black forest carrying Adrian like you’ll murder the air itself if it touches him wrong this is new.”Adrian whispered something against Damien’s shoulder, voice trembling. Damien muttered back in that low, dangerous tone he only used when he was one second from losing his mind.I had never seen him like this. Ever.“Damien,” I called, lowering my voice as I finally caught up. “We need to stop.”“No.” Sharp. Immediate.“It’s important.”“It can wait.”“No, it can’t.
Last Updated: 2025-11-26
Chapter: CHAPTER 238DAMIEN CROSS POV I didn’t think I reacted.My arm locked around Adrian’s waist, yanking him behind me so fast he gasped against my hand. I shoved him into the rock wall, covering his mouth before panic could slip out and betray our position.Leon froze mid-step. “That was close,” he whispered.“Shut up,” I muttered.Another click.Left side.A soft crunch.Right.I lifted my gun, lips curling. “They’re surrounding us.”Adrian’s fingers clawed into my jacket, shaking hard. I leaned back just enough for him to hear me.“Don’t move,” I whispered.He nodded against my palm, breath hot and uneven.Leon raised two fingers. Two attackers. Maybe more.I tilted my chin. Where?He pointed left, then right. Barely a twitch.I exhaled slowly. “They think they’re clever.”Adrian tugged at my jacket, voice muffled against my palm. “Damien… what do we do?”“We let them try,” I murmured.A shadow crossed between the trees to our right.I fired.The shot cracked the forest open. Birds erupted into th
Last Updated: 2025-11-26
Chapter: CHAPTER 237ADRIAN HALE POV He kept me upright.He kept me moving.Leon walked ahead, glancing back every few seconds.“Are you two doing okay back there?” he whispered.Damien didn’t answer. His grip tightened on me instead.I muttered, “We’re fine.”Leon raised an eyebrow. “I’ll pretend I believe that.”Damien shot him a look, and Leon immediately faced forward again.We reached a steep incline. Leon climbed first, mumbling, “Of course it’s uphill. Why wouldn’t it be uphill? Why can’t bad guys ever chase people on flat ground?”Damien ignored him and turned to me.“Give me your hand,” he said.I placed mine in his. His grip was warm, firm, grounding.Halfway up, my foot slipped. I jerked forward “Adrian ” Damien caught me instantly, pulling me into his chest. His arms wrapped around me like instinct, like reflex.“You’re shaking,” he murmured.“I’m cold.”It was a terrible lie.“No,” he said softly. “It’s not cold.”His fingers gently lifted my chin. “Talk to me.”“Damien… you don’t want to h
Last Updated: 2025-11-26
Chapter: CHAPTER 236ADRIAN HALE POV “Damien… what does that even mean?”He didn’t lift his forehead from mine. His breath trembled against my lips. “It means what I said.”“You can’t say things like that. Not now. Not after ” I shook my head, voice breaking. “Not again.”“I’m not taking it back.”“That’s the problem,” I whispered.His hand at my waist tightened slightly, keeping me close. “Adrian.”“No.” I pushed weakly at his chest. “Don’t… don’t look at me like that.”“Like what?”“Like I matter to you.”“You do.”My breath caught. “Damien ”“Say what you want,” he murmured. “I’m done pretending.”“Since when?” I demanded.“Since the moment I thought I’d lost you again.”My jaw clenched. “You can’t just throw things like that at me.”“I’m not throwing anything,” he said. “I’m telling you the truth.”I stepped back barely an inch but his hand followed me, sliding up to the back of my neck.“Adrian,” he said softly, “don’t run.”“I’m not running.”“You’re leaning away.”“I’m breathing.”“Then breathe wi
Last Updated: 2025-11-26
Chapter: Chapter. 60Zara’s POVThe world tore open.One moment I was reaching for Marcus, our bond sparking alive between us, fierce and blinding. The next, the altar split in two, and shadows erupted like a flood, swallowing us both.I screamed as the ground vanished beneath my knees. My body plummeted through cold nothingness, the force yanking me from breath, from light, from everything that was real. My fingers clawed at the air, desperate to find him.And then there. His hand, rough and bleeding, closing around mine.I gasped, clinging to him with everything I had. The darkness writhed, furious at our connection, trying to tear us apart. But Marcus’s grip only tightened, his claws digging into my skin.“I’ve got you,” he growled, his voice ragged, swallowed by the void. “Don’t let go, Zara. Don’t you dare let go.”The beast’s laughter echoed all around us, low and monstrous. “Hold onto your delusions, Alpha. In my realm, you are nothing. She is nothing. And together, you will drown.”The shadows sur
Last Updated: 2025-12-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 59Marcus’s POVThe forest still burned, smoke strangling the air as the beast’s wings vanished into the night sky. I could still hear Zara’s fading screams echoing inside me through the bond, each note ripping another piece of me apart.I fell to my knees, my claws sinking into the dirt. Blood dripped from my mouth, my body trembling with exhaustion and rage. My vision swam, but all I saw was her being torn from my arms, helpless in the claws of that monster.“Zara…” I choked her name, the sound more a vow than a plea.Behind me, the fire-born staggered to his feet, flames dimming, his once-bright aura a mere flicker. He pressed a hand to his chest, his breaths ragged. “He’s taken her to the old ruins. That’s where it always begins… and where it must end.”His words cut through the haze, but before I could respond, another voice slid into the clearing. Cold. Smooth. Poisonous.“Listen to yourself, Marcus,” Nicholas said, stepping closer, his expression unreadable. “You crawl in the dirt
Last Updated: 2025-12-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 58Marcus’s POVThe monster’s breath poured over us like ash, hot and suffocating, as it lowered its massive head. Crimson eyes glowed with a hunger I had never seen before, fixed on Zara as if she were the only being in existence.I spread my arms wider, claws extended, my body a flimsy shield against the nightmare looming before us. My ribs screamed with every breath, my blood still dripping from my wound, but none of that mattered. If the creature wanted her, it would have to step through me.Zara whimpered behind me, clutching the back of my shirt. Her heartbeat raced so fast through the bond I thought it might rip itself apart.The beast’s maw opened, curling smoke escaping its jagged teeth. Its voice rumbled like the collapse of mountains. “Step aside, wolf. She was never yours to claim.”My snarl cut through the heavy night. “She’s mine. And I will die before I let you take her.”A low, amused rumble rolled from the monster’s chest. “So be it.”Its claw lifted, shadow writhing alo
Last Updated: 2025-12-15
Chapter: Chapter 57Marcus’s POVThe roar of the beast swallowed the night. The earth heaved as though the roots of the forest itself rebelled against the thing clawing its way out of the fissure. Flames danced wildly, bending under its power, and for the first time since the battle began, the fire-born faltered.The creature rose fully, its body immense, scaled in black fire that flickered without consuming it. Horns curled from its skull like obsidian crescents, and its eyes glowed a deep, crimson hunger. The air itself thickened, choking, pressing on every chest like an invisible hand.Hunters who had stood so rigidly moments ago broke rank, stumbling backward, fear etched into their disciplined faces. Rogues those not already dead scattered into the woods with yelps of terror.And yet, in the midst of chaos, my focus sharpened on only one thing.Zara.Her body trembled against me, her breaths uneven, her wide eyes fixed on the monster as if it recognized her no, as if it had risen for her.I gripped
Last Updated: 2025-12-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 56Zara’s POVFlames ripped through the sky like a wound torn open in the heavens. The fire bled downward, splitting the night apart with searing light that washed over the battlefield. Rogues froze mid-attack. Hunters stumbled back, their disciplined formation scattering for the first time.The ground shook beneath us as sparks rained down, setting the treetops ablaze.Marcus shoved me behind him, his chest still bleeding from the hunter’s strike, but his golden eyes locked on the flames as if even he couldn’t decide if this was salvation or damnation.“What… what is that?” I whispered, my voice trembling.Nicholas tilted his head, lips curling into that serpent’s smile. “The past, catching up to you, little liar.”The flames twisted, forming a shape. At first, it was nothing but heat and light, but then it condensed, taking form tall, cloaked, wings of burning embers spreading wide enough to darken the clearing.The hunters dropped to one knee in unison. Even their leader lowered his h
Last Updated: 2025-12-15
Chapter: CHAPTER FIFTY FIVEZara’s POV The arrow still shook in the altar stone. Its silver head caught the light and burned my eyes.No one moved.The rogues froze where they stood. Marcus stood tall again, his body bloody, his claws dripping red. Nicholas’s smile slipped a little, his eyes darting to the trees.Then they came.Shadows at first. Then shapes. Men and women in gray coats, sliding out of the forest like ghosts. Their steps made no sound. They held silver bows, knives, spears, all shining like death. Their faces were hidden by masks, cold and empty.Hunters.My whole body went cold.Marcus growled deep, a sound that rolled like thunder in his chest. “What are they doing here?”The rogue leader spat blood into the dirt, grinning through broken teeth. “The gods want blood today, Alpha. Yours.”The hunters spread wide, moving like a net, circling us in. Me, Marcus, Nicholas, and the rogues we were all caught.One of them stepped forward. He was tall, mask cut sharp, voice flat like steel.“Step away
Last Updated: 2025-10-04
Chapter: CHAPTER FIVEAria Bennett PovA gasp escaped my lips when I heard what my so-called mother just said. I refused to believe that she would do this to me."What ?" Ethan shouted, making Mason jump from his seat."Calm down", I hissed at him gesturing to my son "you're scaring him"I was surprised when he looked and his features softened visibly. He seemed to have taken a liking to Mason and I didn't think that was such a good idea. Not wanting Mason to hear more about my disastrous life I nudged Talia who was awfully silent and motioned to Mason."Could you take him out please?", I asked "I don't want him to hear this.She smiled sadly at me as she knew that things were just getting started."Sure"I pulled Mason to me, hugging him quickly. Pulling away I pushed him towards Talia."I'll see you in a bit Mas"He smiled a toothy grin at me "okay mommy"I watched as they left the room then I turned back around to face the two other persons in the room. There was complete silence for what felt like the
Last Updated: 2025-08-25
Chapter: CHAPTER FOURETHAN CARTER POVShe's here.She's here.“What the fuck is she doing here?” I whispered to myself When Vivian told me that there was someone I just had to meet. I became very curious which resulted in me coming over here.Vivian and I aren't friends we never were and never will be. She never treated Aria like a daughter and even though Aria tried to hide it everyone knew how her mother treated her.They were never close either so to see her here now it's truly something."Aria", I sighed a little happy to see her.It's been over four years and I still miss seeing her everyday."Ethan", she snapped.I didn't flinch, I didn't break eye contact, I just stared at her. The longer I stared at her the more I realized that she had changed. She didn't look away from me as if she's daring me to do the same."Okay......that's enough"I turned to the voice to find that Harper, Aria’s best friend was standing there and glaring at me."I'm tired, hungry and my phone is about to die", she hissed lo
Last Updated: 2025-08-25
Chapter: CHAPTER THREEThe clouds drifted past the window as the plane dipped inside, the skyline of the city slowly unfolding beneath us. My stomach knot, not from the landing but from everything that waited for me down there.Yesterday felt like a movie. After leaving with Mason, I found myself back at the house, relieved to see my mother wasn’t around. I don’t think I would have had the strength to face her questions or her judgment. Mason had fallen asleep in the car, his small head tilted against my shoulder as I carried him upstairs. I tucked him into his bed carefully, making sure he was comfortable, smoothing the blanket over his tiny body. He didn’t stir not even once.I stood in his doorway for a moment longer than I should have, just watching him breathe. My little boy was always my anchor, even when the rest of the world felt like it was falling apart.Then I forced myself into motion. I dragged two suitcases out of Mason’s walk-in closet and started packing his things clothes, shoes, his favori
Last Updated: 2025-08-25
Chapter: CHAPTER TWOAria Bennett – POVThe silence between us stretched for what felt like forever. We sat across from each other in my living room, sipping the wine I had opened earlier, while she talked on about everything that had changed back home.New businesses opening. People getting married. Scandals in the neighborhood. Gossip I hadn’t asked for and didn’t care to know.I nodded now and then, but the truth? I wasn’t listening. Not even a little. Every word she said only grated on my nerves, reminding me that this so-called “bonding” was happening here, in my home. Not in hers. Not in the place I once called home.And honestly? That was fine with me. Because I had no desire, no reason, no strength to ever step foot back there again. That town was nothing but poison for me.The memories slammed into me before I could stop them. Memories of the day everything shattered.The day Ethan looked me dead in the eyes and accused me of being unfaithful. The day he called me a slut like I was trash, like I
Last Updated: 2025-08-25
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE“Mummy!”“Mummy!”“Mummy!”A Little hands shook me as a small voice filled the quiet of the room.“Wake up! Wake up! It’s my first day of school!”My eyes flew open at his words.I blinked several times, rubbing the sleep from my eyes before glancing down at the little boy grinning at me. Mason stood at the side of the bed, his lips curved into a mischievous smile, as if he already knew how to tug me out of dreamland.I couldn’t help but smile back. “Come here, Mas,” I said softly, calling him by the nickname I’d given him the day he was born.He immediately scrambled to climb onto the bed, his small legs kicking with determination. He always tried, even though he never quite managed it on his own. That stubborn grit in him, the same grit that made him refuse help until the last second reminded me so painfully of his father.Swallowing down the lump rising in my throat, I leaned forward, caught his little arms, and pulled him up into my lap.“Are you ready for your first day of school,
Last Updated: 2025-08-25
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