LOGINLouisa Everything felt wrong and right at the same time. The room, the air, my body, even my own heartbeat sounded unfamiliar in my ears.I was back. After months of feeling trapped in a horizon of my own body, I was finally free. The memories were still rushing through me in fragments. Dying, darkness, voices, even dreams that had felt too real to be dreams.Weeks and months of nothingness. And now I was standing here again happily but terrified.My fingers trembled against my throat where Jace's dagger had left a thin burning line. While my gaze was across the room, staring at Agnes who stood like a living storm, golden eyes blazing while magic crackled invisibly around her.One wrong word, one wrong movement and everyone here would die. I couldn't let that happen, I had to try to reach her."Agnes..." My voice came out hoarse and her attention snapped toward me instantly, the fury in her eyes softening slightly.I swallowed. "Please." The single word felt pitiful against the tensi
Scott Her lashes fluttered. For a second I thought my mind was playing tricks on me but then her eyes cracked open, glassy and unfocused. She blinked once, twice, her gaze settling first on Jace.“Jace…” Her voice was uncertain.Then her head tilted slightly, her pupils dragging toward me. “Alpha… Scott?”Something in my chest uncoiled all at once. The corners of my mouth lifted, almost against my will, and the weight I’d been carrying for weeks eased just enough for me to breathe.“Welcome back, Louisa,” I said softly.Jace steadied her as she pushed herself upright, her movements shaky, her confusion clear. Her fingers dug into his sleeve like she was clinging to the one thing familiar.I gave Ayana a short nod. She understood instantly. Raising one trembling hand, she whispered an incantation. Power spilled through the air, thick and suffocating, and the casket slammed shut with a deep, final thud.The noise made Jace snap his head up. He lunged toward it, fury and desperation bla
ScottHer smirk didn’t falter even as my fingers pressed tighter against her throat. Slowly, deliberately, she slipped a hand into her pocket. For a moment, I thought she might pull a blade, but instead she drew out a folded paper, old and creased at the edges.“Here,” she rasped.I hesitated, then released her with a shove. My hand snatched the paper from her grasp. The rough texture brushed against my fingertips as I unfolded it. Symbols spiraled across the page, twisted lines, unfamiliar letters, markings that made my head ache just staring at them.“What is this?” I growled.“The spell,” she replied smoothly, rubbing her throat where my grip had been.I turned, shoving the paper into George’s hands.At once, Louisa’s guards lowered their weapons. A ripple of movement followed, my guards lowering theirs reluctantly, eyes still sharp with suspicion. Ayana flicked her wrists, and the glow pinning Jace to the wall sputtered out. He crashed to the floor, coughing, his hand instinctivel
Scott The sharp blare of a horn cut through the air, jolting every nerve in me. I flicked a quick wink at the nearest guard, and he hurried toward the door.Before he could even report back, my mother rushed in, her silk gown brushing against the floor as she stormed into the sitting room, her voice shrill.“Why is the Leatherhead Pack surrounding our home?”I froze, my eyes snapping to Jace. My gut twisted with dread, already knowing the answer.George’s voice sliced the silence. “You said she was coming in a taxi, Jace.”Jace’s lips twitched. “I lied.”Our Mother turned on him immediately, confusion etched across her face. “Jace, you didn’t travel like they said… Well, that’s by the way. What is going on?”Jace took one measured step back, his hands raised as if that would calm the fire building in me. “Agnes is just taking caution. She means no harm…. No one has to die today.”I couldn't believe what I was hearing but I knew I had to do something. My chest rose, my voice bellowing
Scott Jace’s boots clicked against the marble as he strode toward us, his posture unnervingly composed. His eyes swept the room once, then settled on me.“The witch habitating Louisa’s body,” he said calmly, almost too calmly, “is Agnes Hales.”My body stiffened, the name slamming into me like a blade to the gut. My eyes narrowed. “What?”Ayana gasped, “Agnes Hales… one of the three witches who returned for the destruction of your family.”Jace’s lips curved into something dangerously close to a smile. “Not anymore. I think she’s had a change of heart.”My stomach twisted. I stepped closer, searching his face for the brother I knew, but all I found was someone different. Jace wasn't the one to be easily fooled.“You sound bewitched, brother.” I voiced out.He closed the distance between us, his eyes boring into mine, his voice steady and unyielding. “I’m not bewitched, brother.”George scoffed. “Agnes Hales was the regent of the coven your grandfather butchered. Do you really think a
Scott The sitting room was suffocating, every second louder than the last. My fists curled tight, knuckles aching as I slammed my palm against the arm of the couch.“You have to find them!” I roared, my voice rattling through the walls.Ayana flinched but quickly dropped to her knees, her fingers grazing the floor as she whispered incantations, sparks of silver light flickering between her hands. Her forehead beaded with sweat, her lips moving faster, but after a long moment she exhaled sharply and the glow faded.“I… I can’t,” she stammered, lifting her eyes to me.“Can’t?” I stepped toward her, towering over her, fury burning in my chest. “Then do it again! I don’t care what it will cost … just do it again!!!”She stood and walked to George. Her hand shook as she reached for George’s. He gave her a quick, nervous nod, their fingers entwining as if he could lend her strength. Together they closed their eyes, their voices blending in low, trembling chants. For a heartbeat, hope clawe
Scott The gunshots were still echoing from other dimensions.At that moment, I heard boots pounding the floor, and then Owen’s voice broke through the chaos.“Alpha!” he shouted as he burst around the corner, flanked by four of my men. “They’re all dead. Regent Thomas’s men. Every last one of them
Scott At moment, my focus went on the blood soaking her jeans. Slowly, it dripped down the chair legs and pooling beneath her.My stomach dropped.Jace stiffened at my side, his hand twitching near his holster but he didn’t move. Neither did I. One wrong move, and Louisa could die.“She’s bleeding
Scott Jace and I glanced around, waiting for the perfect opportunity to rade in. Unfortunately, an man stepped out of the side entrance, dressed in dark tactical gear, a rifle slung across his chest. His gaze swept the area and landed on us.Shit.His eyes widened. He opened his mouth, panic flic
ScottJace's eyes widened in shock as he swallowed his breath. He stared at me for a while, confusion etched on his face."I can't believe this" he scratched his head roughly. "I can't believe any of this is happening." He then nodded and bit his lips. He paused, then asked, "Did she know?""Did s







