ASTRID'S POVThe silence that followed was defeaning and I opened my mouth to say something but he beat me to it.“You came back with the triplets and suddenly, a foreign thing enters the forest?”I crossed my arms and straightened up. “Yeah, so? You do realize that the triplets live in this same forest, they are not responsible for whatever is in it”Michael looked almost annoyed at my words but he tampered it down with a deep sigh. “Not my point, Miss Miller. Look, all that matters is that something is in this forest and it's not supposed to be there, it's threatening the security that was given to us by the High Lords and goddess. The attack is one thing but with the magical barrier being tampered with? We're going to be fighting a losing battle”There was something about the way he said it that made me instantly start thinking. “Did you tell the Alpha yet?” My mind wandered back to Ren.“Not yet. I want to be sure of this first. Think you could get information on this?” He tapped
ASTRID'S POV “No” I muttered, rolling over in my sleep, the sheets around my body clinging to me like a vice.I was running againㅡ away from silver hollow. The moon shone like a beacon from high up but barely illuminated the path to wherever I was going to.Where was I going to? One thing was clearㅡ I was running for my life. Each step rhythmic. Filled with fear. A desperate surge for survival.Regardless, it neared. Something loomed behind me, quiet but there, seeming to mock my efforts to get away by how it was always behind me despite my speed.My wolf seemed to desert me and I couldn't amplify my speed anymore, exhaustion began to set in and I tripped over a branch, a whimper escaping my lips as I felt my knee graze against sharp stones.I wasted no time as I scrambled back on my butt, my breathing laboured as I heard footsteps approach from the pitch black forest.It found me.A scream tore from my throat as red eyes came into view but almost immediatelyㅡ“Astrid!” The voice was
ASTRID'S POVThis was a terrible idea.I knew that much as I tugged at the reins to the Chestnut brown horse that I had rode.“Haymitch,James… Take the southern border and report here in an hour” Ren ordered the two guards who had accompanied us.They nodded, hit the flank of their horse lightly before riding off to the opposite directionㅡ which meant we were alone.“You're silent” Ren climbed down from his horse in one swift swing of his legs, his hand going out to pat the horse.I did the same, ignoring his heated look to see if I could handle myself. “You haven't given me much material”I gave a quick sweep of the environment, my gaze fixed on the distance. “Doesn't seem like anyone has been around the borders yet” I pointed out.He didn't answer me but I heard dry leaves crunching under his boot as he approached me from behind and almost immediately, my heart rate spiked up.“I think we're…safe then” He mumbled. “So… the triplets, huh? Lucas perhaps?” There was an undertone of sli
LANDON'S POV“We're done looking, Lucas” I groaned, firmly sticking the tip of my sword into the soft earth.Lucas had his bow in his hand, an arrow nocked in case of any emergencies. We had been scouring around for a few hours and I was already getting bored.The forest was the last place I wanted to be wandering about aimlessly. I wanted some action and I had already scouted around for a full hour but it seemed the unrest that had happened had already scared all the good animals awayㅡ which meant no game.“Let's just…wait..” Lucas looked stressed, his hair matted to his face due to sweat and grime.Yeah, we'd been waiting for about 6 hours. “Look, I'm bored. There is simply no trace, okay? We've looked, can we go?... Before I start getting funny ideas” My gaze darted to the silver hollow guards who were standing a few feet away from us and Lucas traced my gaze.His expression immediately morphed into one of annoyance. “Perish that thought, Landon. They're innocent”I shrugged. “Well
ASTRID'S POVAbout 30 minutes later of pacing about Lucas's study, he and Landon walked into the room, now wearing clean clothes with their hair still slightly damp from the shower.Landon crossed the room in a few steps and collapsed on the couch beside Logan who had been silent despite being in here with me for the last 30 minutes.“Okay…” Lucas clapped his hand, a small smile on his face.I stopped pacing about and crossed my arms. “Now, where were we? Oh right, the part where I said no”Landon raised a hand almost immediately and Lucas turned to him. “Yes, Landon?”“I say we give her a little shaking” He grinned slightly, his gaze fixed on me.My lips parted slightly in shock and I pointed a finger at him. “Did you just suggest threatening me?” My eyes were wide.He shrugged and looked at Lucas. “C'mon…”Lucas palmed himself across the face and shook his head. “Stop scaring her.” He chided then turned to me. “Look, Astrid. We can get what you want but you'll have to get us what we
ASTRID'S POVI stumbled back at the sudden crash of his lips against mine. It was everything like I knewㅡ everything felt familiarㅡ the sudden way my heart started to race. The way his hands reached up into my hair, gripping it lightly but not enough to hurt me. The way his lips seemed to mould perfectly against mine, his tongue slightly tracing my lips and his hot breath fanning across my skin.It all felt familiar. All except oneㅡ I didn't feel anything. The slight spark or the violent lurching of my stomach whenever we kissed.It felt…empty but I couldn't push him away, my hands fell slack by my sides.He didn't seem to notice my hesitation as he backed me against the wall, his hands reaching for the hem of my shirt and in that moment, it felt like I had come to my senses by how suddenly I gripped his hand, lightly pushing him away with my other hand.“Ren..” My voice was a tentative whisper as I tried to catch my breath, my heart pounding violently in my ribcage.He seemed confuse
ASTRID'S POVIt suddenly became hard to breathe and my legs had begun to wobble. I hadn't seen her for years. Ever since I was just a little kid, she had made it her job to bully me due to the fact that I was the weakest member of the pack. Soon after my mum died, Sabrina was picked by the Luna of the pack who was still alive at that time to become her personal maidㅡ I felt happy that I didn't have to see her face again, I was a bit sad that this meant that she would have a better life but at least she wouldn't have to torture me again.When the Luna died and Alpha Williams stepped down for Ren to take over, I didn't hear from her again but I knew that she was still in the palace but now as a higher maid. Ren used to give me information about her but I never wanted to see her again.Until now.“What do you want?” I croaked.She placed her hands on her hips and I used the opportunity to look at herㅡ really look at her.She was almost the same. Full black silky hair, blue eyes just like
ASTRID'S POVI tossed and turned in bed, my body drenched in cold sweat.I willed myself to move but I couldn't. Oh no, not again. My body seemed to have a mind of it's own as it refused my efforts to wake up.Sounds blended into a cacophony in my head and colors danced beyond my vision. I screamed but no sound came out, my lips barely trembledㅡ it was as though I wasn't in control of my body.Thenㅡ the one voice that seemed to mock me each time I had a nightmare. Close but not close enough. The person was always there, watching but never approaching and never showing themselves.“Astrid…” the voice was soft and as always…familiar.Immediately, my eyes fluttered open and I struggled to adjust to the sharp light coming from the open curtains.Shit.I struggled to sit up, trying to catch my breath as I tried to ignore the ache in my head. Looking around, I realized that I was now in my room.What happened last night?“You passed out cold in Lucas's hands. We should go see them again” Ma
ASTRID’S POVHe was still rambling on about something but my mind was far, far away from his words.Oh no.No. No. No.That couldn’t be what I heard. That couldn’t be what Maria whispered. Not now. Not with him.Lucas's lips were moving, his voice calm and steady, but all I could hear was Maria repeating that one word in my head, like a mantra and I could stop playing it over in my head like a broken record.Mate.That word changed everything. It felt like things between us had changed. It made the space around him feel different—warmer, yet I couldn't stop the shock that coursed through me. My palms began to sweat. I couldn’t look away from him, and yet I desperately wanted to.“…Astrid?” he asked softly, interrupting my spiraling thoughts.I blinked, trying to ground myself, and met his gaze.“You okay? You looked like you saw a ghost,” he said with a chuckle, but his eyes were laced with concern.Should I tell him? Should I say something?My lips parted slightly, but no words came
ASTRID'S POVI tossed and turned in bed, my body drenched in cold sweat.I willed myself to move but I couldn't. Oh no, not again. My body seemed to have a mind of it's own as it refused my efforts to wake up.Sounds blended into a cacophony in my head and colors danced beyond my vision. I screamed but no sound came out, my lips barely trembledㅡ it was as though I wasn't in control of my body.Thenㅡ the one voice that seemed to mock me each time I had a nightmare. Close but not close enough. The person was always there, watching but never approaching and never showing themselves.“Astrid…” the voice was soft and as always…familiar.Immediately, my eyes fluttered open and I struggled to adjust to the sharp light coming from the open curtains.Shit.I struggled to sit up, trying to catch my breath as I tried to ignore the ache in my head. Looking around, I realized that I was now in my room.What happened last night?“You passed out cold in Lucas's hands. We should go see them again” Ma
ASTRID'S POVIt suddenly became hard to breathe and my legs had begun to wobble. I hadn't seen her for years. Ever since I was just a little kid, she had made it her job to bully me due to the fact that I was the weakest member of the pack. Soon after my mum died, Sabrina was picked by the Luna of the pack who was still alive at that time to become her personal maidㅡ I felt happy that I didn't have to see her face again, I was a bit sad that this meant that she would have a better life but at least she wouldn't have to torture me again.When the Luna died and Alpha Williams stepped down for Ren to take over, I didn't hear from her again but I knew that she was still in the palace but now as a higher maid. Ren used to give me information about her but I never wanted to see her again.Until now.“What do you want?” I croaked.She placed her hands on her hips and I used the opportunity to look at herㅡ really look at her.She was almost the same. Full black silky hair, blue eyes just like
ASTRID'S POVI stumbled back at the sudden crash of his lips against mine. It was everything like I knewㅡ everything felt familiarㅡ the sudden way my heart started to race. The way his hands reached up into my hair, gripping it lightly but not enough to hurt me. The way his lips seemed to mould perfectly against mine, his tongue slightly tracing my lips and his hot breath fanning across my skin.It all felt familiar. All except oneㅡ I didn't feel anything. The slight spark or the violent lurching of my stomach whenever we kissed.It felt…empty but I couldn't push him away, my hands fell slack by my sides.He didn't seem to notice my hesitation as he backed me against the wall, his hands reaching for the hem of my shirt and in that moment, it felt like I had come to my senses by how suddenly I gripped his hand, lightly pushing him away with my other hand.“Ren..” My voice was a tentative whisper as I tried to catch my breath, my heart pounding violently in my ribcage.He seemed confuse
ASTRID'S POVAbout 30 minutes later of pacing about Lucas's study, he and Landon walked into the room, now wearing clean clothes with their hair still slightly damp from the shower.Landon crossed the room in a few steps and collapsed on the couch beside Logan who had been silent despite being in here with me for the last 30 minutes.“Okay…” Lucas clapped his hand, a small smile on his face.I stopped pacing about and crossed my arms. “Now, where were we? Oh right, the part where I said no”Landon raised a hand almost immediately and Lucas turned to him. “Yes, Landon?”“I say we give her a little shaking” He grinned slightly, his gaze fixed on me.My lips parted slightly in shock and I pointed a finger at him. “Did you just suggest threatening me?” My eyes were wide.He shrugged and looked at Lucas. “C'mon…”Lucas palmed himself across the face and shook his head. “Stop scaring her.” He chided then turned to me. “Look, Astrid. We can get what you want but you'll have to get us what we
LANDON'S POV“We're done looking, Lucas” I groaned, firmly sticking the tip of my sword into the soft earth.Lucas had his bow in his hand, an arrow nocked in case of any emergencies. We had been scouring around for a few hours and I was already getting bored.The forest was the last place I wanted to be wandering about aimlessly. I wanted some action and I had already scouted around for a full hour but it seemed the unrest that had happened had already scared all the good animals awayㅡ which meant no game.“Let's just…wait..” Lucas looked stressed, his hair matted to his face due to sweat and grime.Yeah, we'd been waiting for about 6 hours. “Look, I'm bored. There is simply no trace, okay? We've looked, can we go?... Before I start getting funny ideas” My gaze darted to the silver hollow guards who were standing a few feet away from us and Lucas traced my gaze.His expression immediately morphed into one of annoyance. “Perish that thought, Landon. They're innocent”I shrugged. “Well
ASTRID'S POVThis was a terrible idea.I knew that much as I tugged at the reins to the Chestnut brown horse that I had rode.“Haymitch,James… Take the southern border and report here in an hour” Ren ordered the two guards who had accompanied us.They nodded, hit the flank of their horse lightly before riding off to the opposite directionㅡ which meant we were alone.“You're silent” Ren climbed down from his horse in one swift swing of his legs, his hand going out to pat the horse.I did the same, ignoring his heated look to see if I could handle myself. “You haven't given me much material”I gave a quick sweep of the environment, my gaze fixed on the distance. “Doesn't seem like anyone has been around the borders yet” I pointed out.He didn't answer me but I heard dry leaves crunching under his boot as he approached me from behind and almost immediately, my heart rate spiked up.“I think we're…safe then” He mumbled. “So… the triplets, huh? Lucas perhaps?” There was an undertone of sli
ASTRID'S POV “No” I muttered, rolling over in my sleep, the sheets around my body clinging to me like a vice.I was running againㅡ away from silver hollow. The moon shone like a beacon from high up but barely illuminated the path to wherever I was going to.Where was I going to? One thing was clearㅡ I was running for my life. Each step rhythmic. Filled with fear. A desperate surge for survival.Regardless, it neared. Something loomed behind me, quiet but there, seeming to mock my efforts to get away by how it was always behind me despite my speed.My wolf seemed to desert me and I couldn't amplify my speed anymore, exhaustion began to set in and I tripped over a branch, a whimper escaping my lips as I felt my knee graze against sharp stones.I wasted no time as I scrambled back on my butt, my breathing laboured as I heard footsteps approach from the pitch black forest.It found me.A scream tore from my throat as red eyes came into view but almost immediatelyㅡ“Astrid!” The voice was
ASTRID'S POVThe silence that followed was defeaning and I opened my mouth to say something but he beat me to it.“You came back with the triplets and suddenly, a foreign thing enters the forest?”I crossed my arms and straightened up. “Yeah, so? You do realize that the triplets live in this same forest, they are not responsible for whatever is in it”Michael looked almost annoyed at my words but he tampered it down with a deep sigh. “Not my point, Miss Miller. Look, all that matters is that something is in this forest and it's not supposed to be there, it's threatening the security that was given to us by the High Lords and goddess. The attack is one thing but with the magical barrier being tampered with? We're going to be fighting a losing battle”There was something about the way he said it that made me instantly start thinking. “Did you tell the Alpha yet?” My mind wandered back to Ren.“Not yet. I want to be sure of this first. Think you could get information on this?” He tapped