Avery’s Point of ViewI walked into the house, barely acknowledging anyone, as what happened earlier today with the Alpha flashed through my mind. ‘Why’s he behaving as if we are mates?’ I thought as I walked further into the house. I thought one only gets a mate once in a lifetime. I was still in my oceans of thoughts when Laura snapped her fingers in my face, “A penny for your thought”, she said with a smile. I scratched my head in embarrassment as my cheeks took on a slight shade of red.“Erm… It’s nothing serious, I was just…..”, I paused as I took in my surroundings, how come i was just noticing this?“What’s the occasion?”, I asked, quickly changing the topic.“Tonight is the yearly celebration held in the pack,” Laura said, her face lighting up with enthusiasm. “It’s one of the biggest events we have, and everyone looks forward to it. There’s music, dancing, and lots of food. It’s the perfect time for everyone to unwind.”I nodded slowly, unsure why she seemed so excited about
Avery’s Point of ViewAs I raised my head, my cheek still stinging from the slap, my gaze locked onto her Maya, the same nuisance from the boutique. She stood before me, her lips curled into a self-satisfied smirk as she crossed her arms, clearly reveling in her perceived victory.“You,” she said, her tone dripping with malice. “We meet again. This time, you’ll pay for humiliating me back then.”The sting on my cheek and her audacious words only fueled my anger. I straightened my posture, letting a slow, mocking smile spread across my lips.“Are you still on about the boutique?” I asked, my tone light but laced with sarcasm. Then, with deliberate slowness, I added, “Or is it the live recording of you in your undies? Maybe it’s the part where you fell flat on your face? Or could it be when you tried to steal my dress?”Maya’s confident smirk faltered, and she began to glance nervously at the crowd forming around us. Murmurs rippled through the gathering as people whispered to one anoth
Avery’s Point of ViewKaiden’s gaze didn’t waver, and I felt myself getting lost in it. Panic bubbled inside me. Before he could say another word, I blurted, “I need some air. Excuse me.”Without waiting for a response, I turned and hurried out of the hall, my heart pounding in my chest. I found myself in the garden, the cool night air offering a momentary reprieve. I walked deeper into the garden, past the neatly trimmed hedges and blooming flowers, searching for a quiet place where I wouldn’t be easily found.Leaning against a tree, I tried to catch my breath. “What’s wrong with you?” I muttered to myself, scolding my reflection in a nearby fountain’s water. “Why did you suddenly feel speechless and breathless around him?”I paced, shaking my head as if to rid myself of the memory of his gaze. “Get it together, Avery,” I said firmly, but my cheeks still felt hot.“Running away from me?”The deep, familiar voice made me jump. Whirling around, I found myself face-to-face with Kaiden.
Avery’s Point of ViewAs I bolted out of the garden, my breath coming in ragged gasps, I barely noticed the darkened path ahead of me. My only focus was putting as much distance as possible between myself and the intoxicating presence of Kaiden.But then I collided with something or rather, someone.“Sorry,” I muttered, not even looking up as I tried to keep moving.A firm hand grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. “Wait,” a soft yet familiar voice said.I froze, my heart still racing as the person turned me to face them. My breath hitched the moment I saw her.“Avery?” she gasped, her eyes widening in recognition.It took a moment for my own shock to subside, but as I took in the woman standing before me, realization dawned. “Aliyah?” I whispered, my voice filled with disbelief. “Is it really you?”A wide smile spread across her face as she nodded. “It’s me!”I blinked, momentarily lost for words. Aliyah had been one of the very few people in the Krypta Clan who had ever truly
Avery’s Point of ViewJust as I was about to move from where I stood, my name rang out in the quiet night.“Avery!”I turned, startled, to see Laura’s face come into view. She was jogging toward me, her expression a mix of concern and relief. “I’ve been looking for you! Where have you been?”For a moment, I froze, my face heating as the memory of Kaiden’s intoxicating presence flashed in my mind. The way his touch lingered, the intensity in his eyes, it all came rushing back, and I knew my flushed cheeks betrayed me.“I…. uh, I was out here for some fresh air,” I stammered, hoping the dim light would hide my reddening face.Laura raised an eyebrow but didn’t push. Instead, she sighed, falling into step beside me. “I saw what happened earlier,” she said softly. “I’m sorry you had to face Maya.”“It’s fine,” I replied quickly, shrugging it off even though the encounter still stung. Maya’s venomous words were nothing new, nothing compared to what I had faced, but they still had a way of
Avery’s Point of ViewAliyah took a deep breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Avery… your father is dead.”The words hit me like a physical blow, and for a moment, the world seemed to tilt on its axis. My grip on her hand tightened as my breath caught in my throat. “What…?” I whispered, the single word filled with disbelief.Aliyah nodded, her own tears threatening to spill. “I’m so sorry, Avery. I didn’t know how else to tell you.”My vision blurred as the truth sank in, and a deep, gut-wrenching grief overwhelmed me.Even though he had been far from the best father, distant and strict to the point of cruelty at times, he was still my father. The news of his death weighed on me heavily, and I found myself grappling with emotions I didn’t fully understand.Aliyah’s hand remained on mine, offering silent comfort. “Avery,” she said softly, breaking the silence. “I know your relationship with him wasn’t easy and far from the best, but losing a parent… it’s never simple.”I nod
Maya’s Point of View“Arghh!” I screamed, my voice echoing off the walls as I grabbed the nearest bottle from my vanity table and hurled it across the room. The glass shattered against the wall, the sharp sound only fueling the fire raging in my chest. I didn’t stop there. One by one, I swept everything off the vanity, perfumes, brushes, and jewelry sending them clattering to the floor.How could he? How dare he?My breath came in short, furious bursts as I paced the room, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug painfully into my palms. The scene from the party played over and over in my mind like a nightmare I couldn’t escape. Kaiden, my Kaiden, had humiliated me in front of everyone, because of her.That lowlife. That nobody.I gritted my teeth, my jaw aching from the pressure as I fought to contain the whirlwind of emotions tearing me apart. “He made me kneel,” I muttered under my breath, the memory igniting a fresh wave of fury. “In front of everyone… for her.”Who the hell
Maya’s Point of ViewThe world seemed to shatter around me.I stumbled back, my knees giving out as I fell to the ground. My breath came in shallow gasps, my vision blurring with disbelief. My mind screamed that this wasn’t real, that it couldn’t be.‘He’s never kissed me’The thought was like poison, seeping through my veins as a bitter memory surfaced.It was months ago, in Kaiden’s chambers. I’d gone there under the pretense of spending the night with him. I’d thought that maybe, finally, we could be closer, that he might see me the way I’d always wanted him to.I had leaned in, my heart racing, desperate for a kiss, a connection. But before our lips could meet, he pushed me away, his expression cold and unyielding.“Don’t.” His voice was harsh, almost cruel. “I don’t want this, Maya.”The sting of rejection had burned, but his next words cut even deeper.“You should leave.”The memory was like a slap in the face, bringing me back to the present. My gaze snapped back to the stables
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewThirty minutes later, we stood outside in the training field behind the house.The morning air was cool and crisp, filled with the earthy scent of dew-covered grass and the faint rustle of leaves stirred by a gentle breeze. The sun was a low, molten gold on the horizon, casting a soft glow over everything, painting Avery’s hair in threads of silver and honey as she stood across from me.Arms crossed, chin tilted defiantly, she was the perfect picture of stubbornness and beauty. Her hair was tied up in a messy braid that somehow made her look even more irresistible. And gods, her outfit. Black, fitted workout clothes that clung to her like a second skin, highlighting every curve, every dip, and line of her body.I could barely focus.She noticed my stare instantly, her cheeks tinging a delicious shade of pink. "Stop staring," she muttered under her breath, fiddling with the hem of her top. I grinned wolfishly. "Not my fault you look so damn edible," I said shame
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewThe words echoed through my mind long after Slade’s voice faded into the silence.The curse. The darkness.It would come. But so would I. I stared down at the girl sleeping against my chest… my mate, my heart, my reason for breathing, and a fierce, almost primal need to protect her surged through me.No matter what happens, I swore silently. No matter what it takes... I will protect you, Avery. Even if it costs me everything. Even if it costs me myself.Slowly, I shifted, careful not to wake her. I cupped her face, feeling the delicate warmth of her skin under my palm. Her lashes fluttered slightly in her sleep, and she made a small, contented sound that squeezed my heart until it physically hurt.I dipped my head, brushing my lips over her forehead. Then her temple.Then her cheek. And finally, finally, her mouth. I kissed her softly, deeply, pouring every unspoken vow, every desperate promise into that kiss. She stirred faintly, her lips moving against mine in
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewHer hands clutched at my shirt, and she made a small, wounded sound that shattered me from the inside. "I swear it, Snowy," I murmured, moving my lips to her forehead, placing a reverent kiss there. "Even if the world falls apart, I will always find my way back to you.""You better," she whispered fiercely, her fingers fisting tighter against me. "Because if you don’t, I'll come drag you back myself." I laughed, a rough, broken sound, and crushed her closer, my arms aching with the need to keep her safe."Deal," I breathed.We sat like that for a long time, just holding each other, as if afraid the other would disappear if we let go. She pulled back a little after a while, eyes searching mine, vulnerable and fierce all at once."You scared me," she said, voice cracking again. "You idiot." I smiled sadly and pressed my forehead back to hers. "I know. And I'm sorry. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."She blinked, a few more tears spilling free. I
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewThe night air still clung to my skin as I dashed through the thick woods, each stride devouring the distance between me and her.My heart beat with a wild rhythm, not from the exertion… gods, no, but from the anticipation curling tighter and tighter inside me.I burst through the last stretch of forest, leaves scattering in my wake, and there it was — the small house tucked neatly under the starlit sky, warm lights glowing from inside like a beacon.My chest ached just looking at it. At what waited for me inside. I slowed my pace as I approached the door, brushing a hand down my clothes half-heartedly to knock off the dirt. I gripped the doorknob, twisting it open.The living room was… Empty. The lights were still on. The faint golden hue cast soft shadows against the furniture, the walls, and the forgotten blanket draped over the couch.It screamed of waiting. Of someone sitting up, long past when they should have slept, hoping — praying for someone to walk thr
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewThe color drained from her face. Her lips parted, a soft whimper escaping as the full weight of her mistake slammed into her. "N-No…" she whispered, stepping back. I stalked toward her, slow, deliberate, every step like a drumbeat of doom."You touched her," I said, my voice low and deathly calm. "You dared to touch what belongs to me.""She betrayed us!" Maya cried, her voice shrill and broken, desperate now. "She betrayed you!""No," I said simply, as if I were correcting a child's math homework. "You betrayed me." The room felt like it was shrinking around her. Her back hit the wall, and she pressed herself against it, as if she could disappear into the stone.Her eyes darted toward the door, calculating, desperate for escape. "Kaiden, p-please," she stammered, her tears falling freely now. "I-I only did what I thought was right! I did it for you!"I loomed over her, my body blocking out the light, casting her in shadow. "For me?" I echoed, almost amused. "Yo
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewThe night was heavy with silence, broken only by the occasional whisper of the wind against the stone walls of the fortress. I stood by the massive arched window of my chambers, staring out at the endless stretch of wilderness beyond. The moon was high and full, casting a silver glow across the jagged landscape, but even its light couldn’t reach the darkness pooling in my chest.Avery.Her name was a prayer on my lips, a ghost in my mind. I could almost see her now — curled up in my bed, clutching my pillow, maybe huffing out a frustrated sigh because I hadn’t returned yet. The thought of her missing me, of her arms open and waiting for me when I returned, wrapped around my heart like a comforting flame. I smiled to myself, a soft, fleeting thing that barely brushed my lips.A sharp knock at the door shattered the fragile moment.I didn’t move. I already knew who it was… the guards. Their presence was as loud as a war drum even when they tried to be discreet. Wi
Avery’s Point Of ViewThe weight of exhaustion pressed down on me, my mind foggy and clouded as I settled into Kaiden's bed. I tried to push the worry from my mind, but the darkness in my heart refused to let me rest. I curled up on his side of the bed, inhaling deeply, hoping to feel some sense of peace in his absence. His scent… earthy, comforting, undeniably him, filled my senses, and for a moment, I allowed myself to be lost in it.But the moment of solace was fleeting. My eyes fluttered shut, and before I knew it, I was drifting away.The world around me twisted, fading, until everything seemed to blur together, and the dark void swallowed me whole. I found myself standing in an open field, the wind biting at my skin. The night sky above was suffocating, filled with dark clouds swirling with angry energy. The air crackled, heavy with tension, as if something… someone, was about to come.My heart pounded in my chest, and my stomach churned with a sense of dread that I couldn’t sh
Avery’s Point Of ViewThe cool night air brushed against my skin as I stood just outside the house, staring into the dark abyss of the forest. The trees loomed tall and silent, their branches swaying with the wind. I could almost hear them whispering secrets in the night, the rustle of leaves and the occasional distant howl from creatures roaming the shadows. But none of that registered in my mind. My thoughts were a chaotic swirl of uncertainty, fear, and anticipation.Kaiden still hadn’t come back.I’d been waiting for what felt like hours, pacing through the quiet halls of the house, trying to keep myself occupied with anything other than the growing knot in my stomach. He’d said it wouldn’t take long. He promised me it wouldn’t. So why was it taking so long? Why hadn’t he come back yet? What was keeping him?“What's keeping him?” I muttered to myself, barely louder than a whisper, as the weight of my thoughts pressed down on me like an invisible force.I looked up at the moon, its
Maya’s Point Of ViewThe words hit me like a slap. The mist around us seemed to freeze in place. I just stared at Dal, blinking, my breath hitching in my throat as I tried to make sense of what I had just heard.A ball. Next week. The Alpha revealing his Luna. To the entire Aethoria.My mind reeled, staggering under the weight of it.Wait… Wait, wait, wait.Kaden was back. Kaden, the man I had loved with every breath in my body. The man whose absence had carved a hollowed-out ache inside my chest so deep it sometimes felt like I wouldn’t survive it. The man whose name had been the only thing keeping me tethered to the ground during the darkest nights.And now… Now he was back, and his first act was to announce his Luna? Not just to the pack… no, that would have been bad enough, but to the whole of Aethoria? The entire kingdom?"How?" I whispered hoarsely, almost to myself. "How is that possible?"The air grew heavy, pressing down on me until it felt like I was drowning in it. I swayed