Adams' POV.My strong instincts alerted me. The loud scream ringing through the palace halls filled me with energy. I turned quickly and saw Beta Ronan with his face showing the same apprehension. I couldn't hesitate.“Stay here, Lilith.” I said firmly with my voice full of urgency.Lilith opened her mouth to object but the strong feeling around us pushed me ahead before she could say anything.I could almost sense her gaze on me as I ran with Ronan with our quick steps blending with the distant sound of that urgent shout.“Ronan,” I said, while looking straight ahead, “we need to find out where that noise came from. That scream came from the interrogation room.”“Right behind you, Your Highness,” Ronan said while keeping up with me as we turned the corner with excitement clear in his voice.As we got to the big door, a jumble of feelings – anger, worry, fear – grew inside me. With sudden strength that surprised the guards inside, I threw the door open.“Stand down!” I shouted with my
Lilith's POVWhen Shayla told her secret, the castle felt quiet. I stood there with my heart beating fast as her shaky words filled the heavy air. “I didn't want to, Your Highness. I promise! It just… he said he’d keep me safe, and I thought—”“Stop!” I said quickly. The worried maid quieted down with her eyes big with fear. “You’ve talked enough for now.” I looked at the closest guard. “Go and get Dale right now.”“Your Highness?” The guard paused with a worried look on his face.“Do what I say,” I told him with my voice strong. Dale had to listen to this by herself.I knew I had to move quickly. Each second passed like forever with results that could change everything in our world.When the guard hurried away, I felt Adams next to me looking at me with a steady and curious look. “Why did you call for Dale?” he asked with his voice deep and worried.“I'll tell you soon,” I said while keeping my eyes on Shayla who had fallen against the wall while covering her face and shaking hard.“
Author's P.O.VThe shadows grew long in the forest as the moon rose high in the sky, shining softly on the Green Forest Pack's edge.The sound of hooves on the stone path rang out in the night, announcing the arrival of a dark carriage.When the carriage stopped, its wooden body creaked loudly.“Stay where you are!” shouted a guard with his shape looking like a ghost in the low light. He held his sword tightly with the blade shining in a scary way. The other guards acted fast, standing in a strong line as they got in front of the carriage.The door made a noise as it opened, and Elder Aurelius came out looking strong even though it was late. His white hair shone in the moonlight, and he seemed very wise from his old face. The guards looked at each other clearly surprised but also unsure.“Aurelius!” the head guard yelled with a hint of knowing in his voice. “You’re back.”“Yes, I have things to do,” Aurelius said calmly. He looked at the guards' faces and saw they were new. They were
Adams' POVI kicked my horse’s sides and felt it leap forward while the wind blew around us. Dale rode next to me still looking like a proud new warrior in my elite group.I glanced at him as if his vows showed in his face and shone with pride and resolve.We knew our mission well, but I felt a tight knot of worry in my stomach as we got closer to Thornvale Village.“Your Highness, do you think this might just be a false alarm?” Dale yelled above the loud noise of our horses' hooves.“Rogue sightings don’t just pop up for no reason, Dale!” I replied while sounding confident. “I trust my gut feelings. We can’t let them endanger the village. We must defend our home and our people!”Behind us, a dozen of my best fighters rode fiercely with their faces showing strong determination.Each man was a symbol of our proud heritage— a history built through many fights and earned wins. They had come to my side with intense loyalty and today that loyalty will be challenged.As we approached the ed
Ben's POVThe night surrounded me like an old coat, feeling both safe and risky. I crouched on the ground with my back against the rough fence next to the palace. The moon was hidden by clouds, giving me a little light—good for me.I had spent years moving through these shadows and every rustle of leaves and soft breeze reminded me of the home I had lost.“Stay quiet. Just until she gets here,” I whispered to my wolf, while trying to hide my nervousness.The words seemed too weak and lost in the still night. I tapped my foot on the ground and each soft beat rang in my head.I looked behind me with my heart racing as memories of why I was there flooded my mind. Being banished had changed everything, Adams had made me sneak around like a shadow.I was now on my own depending on quiet promises and the darkness for comfort.A cold breeze blew through the air and I brushed my hair back with a shaky hand. I must have waited so long.“Where are you, Shayla?” I whispered, while looking into t
Ben's POVI ducked down behind some twisted roots with my heart racing and my breathing quick as I looked at the dark rogue camp.I felt the past pressing down on me like a heavy blanket that wouldn’t go away. But tonight felt different as need and want pushed me ahead like two flames ready to ignite the whole forest.I saw the rogue scouts fade into the dark with their sharp eyes on the faintly lit entrance of the settlement. They looked like ghosts—thin, tense and always ready to jump into action. The guards stayed hidden with their hunting instincts satisfied by their secret spots.To an untrained person, the settlement looked empty, but I had learned to look deeper with each hidden figure, reminding me of how dangerous my situation was.“Stay sharp, stay aware,” I said quietly while repeating what Augustus had taught me. The rogue king was both friend and enemy, like a tricky balance of trust and betrayal.But tonight I was making my own path, and it was risky going right into the
Lilith's POVI walked back and forth in the big hall with my footsteps echoing on the large marble floors with each step matching the chaos inside me. Worry squeezed my heart and under my calm surface was a rush of need.The faraway voices filled with sharp orders and the movement of guards pulled at me like a strong current, putting me at risk of drowning in doubt.“What’s going on out there?” I whispered with my eyes glued to the beautiful stained-glass doors that opened to the palace grounds. I had made a choice—a brave, maybe foolish one—to start the plan to catch Ben.The pressure weighed heavily on me and each moment without news made my fear grow stronger.”What if they fail?” The thought slipped in so unwanted and sneaky. I bit my lip to push back the fear that gripped me. Ben was smart and clever and teaming up with the rogue King Augustus made him even more dangerous.I tightened my fists while remembering Shayla’s betrayal and the tough decisions I had to make. I didn’t fee
Adams' POVI stood under the faint moonlight watching the shadows move across the dirt path to Thornvale village. I had guided my men through the chaos and as they started to gather and celebrate I couldn’t shake the strange feeling surrounding me.“Your Highness,” said a voice from behind. I turned to see Elder Simmons coming closer with his old face shining in the dim light of the torches along the path.“Hello Elder Simmons,” I said to him with my voice steady, but friendly. “You look good.”Simmons nodded slightly while showing his age. “It’s a real honor to talk with you, Alpha King.” He paused while looking for the right words.“We can’t thank you enough for getting here so quickly. The rogues had us trapped and you… you rescued us.”I shook my head while feeling a familiar sense of humility. “I have to do this for my pack. I can't let anything bad happen to my people.”“Even so, you took big risks. Your men fought hard, and their bravery made a difference,” he said with his voi