RYLAN'S POVThe following night and the night after that, Venn deliberately avoided our bedroom, insisting on staying in one of the other guest rooms. In her words, 'I can't sleep comfortably in the same room as someone who doesn't trust me'. Did that tick the vein in my forehead? Of course?Was there anything to be done about it? None. In fact, it was for the best that we stayed in separate rooms until I got to the root of the madness happening under my nose. First was Zadik's claims of Venn working hand in hand with the enemy to rid the pack of me and exert dominance. Similar to the usurping that have been taking place in the surrounding packs.I had known Zadik for more than three centuries, not just as a beta but as a brother. There was never a single report of insanity or delusions on his part. All of a sudden, he had disturbing truths about Venn which I became too thick headed to listen to.Could it be true that Venn was instrumental to those attacks on packs? Could it be p
RYLAN'S POV A few more seconds after, I remained outside the door wondering what in the hell had happened just now.Finally, I found the will to break out of my frozen posture and move. I needed to see the next person who might be able to offer words of explanation to this. It wasn't Zadik.It was Neilla. She didn't come all the way from Greece if she didn't have an inkling that the triplets were here. Who would even go through the trouble of kidnapping children from such distant place? The question, baffling as it was, lingered in my mind. There had to be a motive behind the kidnap. If the abductor had to cross several seas to perpetrate their crime, then there was a reason for that. The only reason I could think of was to draw Neilla out of Greece but for what purpose? I might have been the trashiest male to ever roam the earth, treated my former mate with so much disregard, however, I wasn't going to deny the fact that she deserved better than me.For her endurance, the godde
NEILLA'S POVHe knew her? The first question that popped into my head at his words. I knew there was something suspicious about her and so I thought drawing her close would help me unravel that. Turned out, I was merely delusional.Rylan's face reddened with anger. "If you had good intentions, you wouldn't be hiding in a maid's gimmick to work in the pack house. You needed a way to infiltrate my pack and this was the easier route, isn't it? Now tell me, is this Alpha Vlad's doing?"Infiltrate? I thought to myself.She shook her head rapidly side to side. "I'm certain he doesn't even know of my departure in the pack. He doesn't care so much for the subjects." Her head remained bowed low. What was she so terrified of? Who? Rylan? I almost scoffed at that. I'd known him long enough to be able to tell if he would do anything in this case. Rylan was mostly bark and least likely to bite.Although, it would have been a different case if Venn was here as well because he'd want to portray
LYKOS' POV"Rylan has been soul swapped." Neilla announced in a grave tone."Soul swapped?" I echoed after her, refusing to believe it was what she said. If soul swapping was the case of Rylan, then we were dealing with a bigger enemy.The last time any news of soul swapping was heard was centuries ago and it was performed by none other than witches.Not just ordinary witches but the ones who practiced demonology."How do you know this? Don't you think you might be too hasty in that conclusion? As far as I know, soul swapping represents the highest form of witchcraft. This exercise is carried out by the most powerful witch or warlock." Axel voiced out the thoughts in my head. "Using demons, and it is borne out of demonology which is the most dangerous form of knowledge to be exposed to." I added for clarification. "How is that possible?" Neilla shrugged. "I'm amazed myself at how widespread my powers are beginning to get. I now know deep things which I didn't before." "So what is t
LYKOS' POV There was a dispersal, silence ensued thereafter and I was left alone to my thoughts. For the first time since we embarked on this dangerous journey, it seemed as though the good goddess was beginning to smile down upon us.Marcello followed Sapphira right on her tail, moments after she left to get the book. Axel and Annabella slipped out as well. For a while, they both seemed to be at odds with each other.Whatever the issue with them could be, they better have it resolved before the main war comes. We needed all hands not only on deck but in sync.I dialed my aunt's number, pausing for it to ring. She picked up on the second dial, her voice filled with bubbly excitement filtering through."Is there something else you need, Lykos? It's so hectic here in the pack with trying hard to locate the triplets. Everyone wants nothing more than for the triplets to be found and brought back. Fear not however, I've gotten a new spell to handle that. Now, you were saying?" I held ba
RYLAN'S POV Hours after the short trip to Neilla, I grew too restless, my mind buzzing about with different things including the ones that did not matter.Like the look of adoration Lykos never failed to brand Neilla with anytime she came into his view.It ate at me to see that she had moved on from the mate bond that once existed between us. It ate at me that she found an even worthy Alpha who, at least, did not make impulsive decisions and gave her the treatment she deserved.He was succeeding where I'd failed horribly at.Then came the feeling of jealousy that crawled through my skin, trickling out each pore like bad liquid. So potent was it that it threatened to choke me."For goddess sakes!" I swore all of a sudden, sending a swift kick to the wooden post of the bed, only to retract my foot with a pained hiss.It took me all the self restraint to not smash things when the thought of my lost wolf came to mind.That unsettling emotion had me pacing back and forth within the space
As quick as my legs could carry, I proceeded on my way to the pack house, ignoring all other intrusive scents and tuning in to that of my mate. He promised that we'd meet the moment he finishes with the some important meeting. He didn't open up on the purpose of the gathering. Either way, I was dying to see him as our last encounter didn't go too well, he must've had a terrible fallout with his father, again.The pack house soon came into view and I slowed down, controlling my heartbeat to a steady rhythm. The lacy hem of my gown was held up to avoid it getting intertwined with twigs and roots. That was the last thing I needed at the moment, for my day to end with Mana Sylveon complaining of ruining her old dress. It was a purple beautiful thing made out of good silk, laces at the back and trimming of lace for the hem. She had given it to me when I told her of my plans to visit to Rylan. She is such a kind soul.By the time I arrived close, my labored breathing had calmed and the co
That caught my full attention. I spun around quickly. "One last time? What do you mean by that?" I whispered.He glared at the raven haired girl, "I mean it. Leave."She rolled her eyes, then with a sick smile blew him an air kiss. "Oh alright but remember to come back quickly to me. We have a recital to work on." With that and a wink, she went back the same way she'd come."One last time? What was that about?" My head felt full with complexities of questions. We were mates, soul tied by the moon goddess or so I thought. Why did he speak about meeting with me one last time. Did I do something wrong?"No you haven't, Neilla." He'd been listening in to my thoughts, another proof that we were a match made to be. "There's a lot of things going on that are out of my control. As you know, I'm not the alpha king and as heir, a lot if responsibilities are expected of me. I can't let the pack down, not after everything my father has worked so hard to build."I nodded slowly even when none of