Kaiden’s Point of ViewThe blood surged through my veins like a storm, a relentless tide that threatened to drown me. I could feel it thrumming beneath my skin, pulsing with a dangerous rhythm that demanded destruction. My breaths came in jagged pants, each inhale sharp and painful.I stared down at the broken chair beneath my hands, the splintered wood a reminder of how little control I had left. The curse was winning. The urge to kill, to destroy, clawed at my mind like a beast trying to break free. I knew if I stayed, the pack would be in danger.“I can’t stay here,” I muttered, my voice a low growl. If I stayed, someone in the pack would die. I knew it, and so did the beast clawing at my mind, urging me to let go.I stormed out of the pack house, my feet carrying me into the woods. The towering trees loomed above, their dark silhouettes casting shadows that matched the chaos inside me. The farther I ran, the louder the mantra became, a sinister whisper that grew into a deafening r
Kaiden’s Point of ViewI carried Avery back to my chamber, her fragile form cradled in my arms. Her skin was pale, her wounds deep, and every labored breath she took sent a pang through my chest. I laid her gently on the bed, brushing the hair from her bloodied face."You're safe now," I murmured, though the words felt hollow. Safe, but broken because I had failed to protect her in time.I fetched warm water and clothes, cleaning the blood and grime from her body. My movements were meticulous, careful not to hurt her further. She didn’t stir, her breaths shallow but steady. My gaze lingered on her face, even as the scene from the woods replayed in my mind.Her face. Her voice.It had been her…. only her that allowed me to fight the curse. The beast that had consumed me time and time again, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake, I killed anyone and anything in sight, but she made me stop.When I finished cleaning her, I bit into my wrist, the sharp pain a small price to pay. Bloo
Kaiden’s Point of View"She fought me. I had no choice but to kill her."The room erupted into murmurs of approval, several elders nodding their heads in agreement."Well done, Maya," Elder Tobias said, his voice filled with pride. "You’ve done the pack a great service.""Indeed," Elder Marcellus agreed. "Your quick thinking and bravery have saved us from further danger."I clapped my hands slowly, the sound echoing through the hall. Maya looked up at me, confusion flickering across her face."You’re confused," I said, leaning back in my chair. "You expected anger, punishment even. Didn’t you?"Maya hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, Alpha. I thought you would be... upset about the girl’s death.""Oh, I’m not upset," I said, my tone light but laced with an edge. "On the contrary, I find this whole situation rather fascinating."Maya’s brows furrowed, but she said nothing."Do you know what I find most interesting?" I asked, my gaze locking onto hers.She shook her head slowly."That someon
Maya’s Point of ViewThe glow of the overhead light illuminated my room, bouncing off the sleek, modern furniture that adorned the space. Despite the comfort surrounding me, the air felt heavy with my rage. I sat at my desk, my fingers drumming rhythmically against the surface as I mulled over every detail, every moment that led to this.Avery. The name alone made my blood boil.How could someone so insignificant stir so much emotion in Kaiden? He looked at her as if she hung the moon as if she was more than just a simple girl in his orbit. It was revolting. She had to go. No, it wasn’t enough for her to disappear, I needed her to suffer in ways no one had before.I needed her death to leave a mark, she needed to be erased in a way that would leave a scar on Kaiden’s heart.She had to suffer.I began my search, carefully. I leveraged my connections with members from other packs, people who owed me favors. It wasn’t long before whispers led me to the outskirts of the pack lands, where
Maya’s Point of View"Enjoy your last night, Avery," I whispered to myself. "Tomorrow, your world will end."**********The morning sun streamed through my window, painting the walls of my room in a warm golden hue. But that wasn’t the source of my glow today. No, today, my joy came from the knowledge that by nightfall, Avery would be nothing more than a memory. I hummed to myself as I got ready, a rare skip in my step that even I couldn’t suppress.For weeks, the tension in the pack had been thick, my plans meticulously unfolding beneath the surface. But today, I was free, free to bask in the anticipation of my enemy’s demise. It was going to be a glorious day.As I descended the stairs, I noticed the maids exchanging curious glances. Their confusion was almost comical. I could feel their eyes on me as I breezed past them, my energy too high to care about their whispers.“Good morning, Miss Maya,” one of them greeted hesitantly.“Good morning, Amelia!” I replied with a dazzling smile
Maya’s Point of View“Alpha!! I bring bad news”As I stood before Kaiden in the grand council room, I poured every ounce of effort into my performance. My voice quivered at just the right moments, my hands trembled as I gestured to the blood-stained dress, and my eyes brimmed with unshed tears. I painted the picture vividly: the rogues, their brutality, my futile fight to protect Avery against herself but had no choice than t kill her.But Kaiden... his reaction wasn’t what I expected.He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable, arms crossed over his broad chest as if he were watching a tedious play. He didn’t interrupt, didn’t ask questions, didn’t even narrow his eyes in concern. He just sat there, his gaze cold and distant, as though my words were nothing more than white noise.My heart thudded painfully as doubt began to creep in. Why wasn’t he reacting? Why wasn’t he furious, commanding his warriors to act, to hunt down the rogues who had dared step foot in his pack?
Maya’s Point of ViewThe moment I stepped into my room, I bolted the door behind me and leaned against it, my breath shallow and ragged. My reflection in the mirror was unrecognizable, pale, shaken, and drenched in fear.I sank to the floor, burying my face in my trembling hands. If Kaiden found out the truth, then it was over. Everything I had worked for, everything I had schemed for, it would all crumble, leaving me at his mercy. And Kaiden had no mercy for traitors.I couldn’t let that happen.By nightfall, a plan had formed, though the thought of executing it churned my stomach. Dren needed to be silenced, and there was only one way to get to him, through the dungeon guard.The filthy bastard.I dressed simply, a dark cloak covering my figure as I made my way to the dungeon. The night air was cold, biting against my skin, but it wasn’t enough to numb the dread gnawing at my insides.The guard’s quarters were dimly lit, the flickering light of a single bulb casting long shadows acr
Maya’s Point of ViewThe day I had dreaded more than any other had finally arrived. The air in the pack’s hall was heavy, almost suffocating, as I stood among the crowd of pack members, my heart hammering in my chest. My hands were clammy, my palms slick with sweat, and I found myself constantly wiping them against the folds of my dress.Kaiden had called for a public gathering, a rare and significant event. This wasn’t just another meeting; it was the day he had promised to root out the traitor. A cold shiver ran down my spine. I could feel eyes shifting in the crowd, whispers brushing against my ears like ghostly accusations.When the grand doors opened and Kaiden stepped into the hall, the atmosphere shifted instantly. The Alpha King’s presence demanded obedience, reverence. Everyone, myself included, stood and bowed deeply, murmuring, “Your Highness.”His power rolled off him in waves, so palpable it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.He strode toward his throne a
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
Maya’s Point Of ViewThe rain was tapping against my windowpane, a soft, persistent rhythm that filled the heavy silence of my room. The dim light from the bedside lamp cast a muted golden glow across the room, stretching long shadows along the walls. I sat there on the edge of my bed, my arms wrapped tightly around my knees, staring blankly at the floor.I should've been sleeping. I should've at least tried to rest. But Kaiden’s face haunted my mind, those dark, emerald green eyes, the set of his jaw, the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the world that mattered. Damn him. Damn him for getting under my skin, for making me feel this way.I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the memories away, but it was no use. Every breath I took, every beat of my heart seemed to echo his name. A sharp knock shattered the stillness. I flinched violently, my heart leaping into my throat. My head snapped toward the door. I sat frozen for a second, staring at it as if it might burst open at
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewThe silence after Dalton’s humiliation still clung to the air like smoke. I remained standing at the foot of the throne, arms loosely at my sides, gaze sweeping over the Elders seated before me.None dared speak first.Good.I allowed the silence to stretch, to remind them all who commanded this room—not just by title, but by right. When I finally moved, it was with the slow, deliberate grace of a predator who had already decided the outcome of the hunt."Now," I said, voice low, "let us proceed."Lucia, the eldest among them, cleared her throat lightly. "Your Highness," she began cautiously, "regarding the Luna... have you considered the arrangements for her presentation?"A few Elders nodded eagerly, desperate to move away from the tension Dalton had dragged in. Elder Roman spoke next, voice slightly strained. "It is customary, Your Highness, that the Luna be presented with all honor and grandeur befitting her station.""And perhaps," Elder Winona added quickl
CHAPTER NINETY-TWOKaiden’s Point Of ViewThe weight of the Elders' eyes pressed in like a tide, steady and ancient. Their bows lingered, but as I gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment, they slowly straightened, murmuring among themselves.“Your Highness… truly,” Elder Varo said, his voice a rasp of disbelief and reverence. “After all this time…”“You grace us,” another added, placing a palm against his chest. “The Pack is honored by your presence once more.”I sat atop the throne, shrouded in shadow, one leg crossed over the other, forearms resting lightly on the golden arms of the seat. My presence demanded silence and they gave it, trembling beneath the weight of it.Only once the final syllable of their greeting faded into the air did I speak, voice low but steady, each word dipped in command.“You may rise.”One by one, they shuffled to their designated seats in the stone semicircle, robes billowing behind them like fading shadows. Their movements were precise, dignified but I coul
Kaiden’s Point Of ViewI stepped onto the main path of the pack and immediately felt the shift in atmosphere.The air buzzed not from power, not even from anticipation, but from the sheer awareness of my presence.Eyes turned. Whispers started.The moment I passed by the warrior training field, every single one of them halted mid-motion. The clang of swords stopped. Feet paused mid-stride. Heads turned. “Your Highness,” a young she-wolf stammered, dropping into a bow. The others followed suit, some in shock, others in stiff, respectful awe.I gave them a short nod, acknowledging their greetings, and continued towards the Pack Hall. But none of them moved until I was already halfway down the path.Even in my absence, the pack was in perfect shape… buildings maintained, patrols running in rhythm, no air of disarray or neglect. I knew who to credit, even if my pride didn’t want to admit it. Caspian.He’d held it down like the true beta he was. Efficient, strict, and downright obsessive a