LOGINTalia’s POV Nicole’s cry echoed through the woods, making my chest tighten. I wanted to go to him. I wanted—so badly—to just hold him one last time. To hear him reassure me that everything would be alright. But I couldn’t. Even though every fiber of my being ached. Even though every muscle in my body felt like lead. The moon burned brighter, its light searing against my skin. I gritted my teeth— But I didn’t stop chanting. My insides felt like molten lava, like I was slowly melting from the inside out. Still… I kept chanting. Then my sternum burned. And I knew. The Goddess’ mark. This was the part I had hidden from them. The part that said I needed Cassian to break the council’s hold— Or I would die. But Cassian still didn’t remember me. And I didn’t have time to wait. To hope. To gamble. It’s okay, my wolf whispered softly. My lips wobbled, and a broken sob clawed its way out of my throat. Still— I didn’t stop chanting. An image of Mrs. Alanna surfaced. H
Talia's POV"No!" Elara screamed, falling to her knees. "Please don't do anything!" She sobbed."Please!" Melissa cried, following her mother’s footsteps on, her eyes wide with desperation."Oh?" I tilted my head, "Why?" I stepped closer, my movement slow and deliberate. "Why shouldn't I?" Her body trembled with fear. Mine trembled with fury as my wolf pressed against the barrier, fighting to tear her apart, to tear apart the woman who had been so close to taking our place. The woman who had dared call Cassian hers."B—because I never did anything with him," her voice trembled.I watched her, the tears streaming down her face, the desperation in her eyes, the lack of color on her face.She looked pitiful. "He wouldn't touch me—wouldn't look at me."A weight lifted from my chest, knowing Cassian remained loyal—but the anger still pulsed. "You were at the trial," I spoke, my voice deep, not entirely human, "you conspired with the council—with your mother—to kill me." My voice dr
Talia's POV Finding the real coronation had not been difficult. As expected, they'd set a trap for me in the woods, warriors pouring out from every direction. I didn't need to shift into my wolf, didn't need to run. I stood my ground, charging at them with everything I had. It had taken a lot of energy to hold my wolf back from killing them. Her rage was almost overwhelming. But they were pack members following orders. My blood still pulsed hot in my veins as I stepped into the clearing. The air was still, the beginning of the Goddess' silence cycle. "You!" Jarek growled, his eyes bright with hate. "What're you doing here?!" My eyes swept through the clearing. The warriors had their heads bowed, their bodies trembling. My wolf pressed forward even more, her aura choking them. "Luna!" They fell to their knees, their weapons hitting the ground with a loud clank. "N—No!" Jarek wailed, his eyes wide with panic. I ignored him. Nicole was on his stomach, a knife
Nicole’s POVShe wore white.She had the audacity to wear white like this was a damn wedding.“I see you were expecting me,” I spat. “Nicole!” Jarek called, stepping closer. “You look well.”“Fuck you!”“Oh?” Jarek’s eyes glistened, trailing behind me to one of the guards still holding a weapon to us. He nodded.And I felt a hard kick to the back of my knee, making me stagger.Pain shot up my leg, but I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to standing still.“Violence?” I chuckled darkly. “Really?”Jarek tilted his head, a smirk dancing on his lips.“The runaway Beta,” he started. “How does it feel to be back on your home land?I leaned forward slightly. “Repulsed,” I said lowly, “because you’re not dead yet.Jarek’s eyes hardened.He signaled to the guard behind me again and when he approached this time—I fought back.I grabbed his arm, twisting it sharply behind him. Another one approached from my side, aiming his knife at my neck.I caught his wrist, twisting it till it snapped. I
Nicole's POVThey surrounded me. I cursed under my breath, slowly raising my hands up in the air.They'd known, they'd expected me.Shit.I’d been too caught up in my excitement to see Alpha Black to notice the shift—the silence, the absence of guards, the way everything had been too easy."Beta Nicole," one of them called. "Long time no see."I recognized him.He'd been one of the warriors directly under me, one of my most trusted soldiers.Now he pointed his weapon at me.I chuckled softly—humorless."You used to obey my orders." I said softly.His jaw tightened, his weapon lifting higher."Now things have changed."I nodded. They have indeed.One of them stepped forward, unlocking the cell. The door creaked open.Alpha Black stepped out.There were heavy bags under his eyes, his clothes torn and stained, his body thinner than I remembered.He looked tired.But despite that, he still had that defiance in his eyes. He cracked a small smile."For what it's worth… it's good to see
Nicole’s POVMy heart pounded in anticipation.And something else, something too close to fear. Something felt off.Wrong.There was an eerie stillness to Talia, one I’d never seen before. One that looked nothing like the stubborn woman I knew.My wolf felt uneasy.‘We have to be quick’ I mindlinked Mason. Something feels off.’‘Let’s do this then’ he responded immediately.I pressed harder on the gas. Mason had taken the woods along with several of his warriors.The plan was to take out any patrol and cause a distraction so the warriors would be far away when the council inevitably called for back up. While I head to the pack house in the midst of the chaos to release Aloha Black and any ally currently locked up.Should be easy right? I rolled the windows down, letting the night air touch my skin.The air smelt familiar, nostalgic.The was the place I’d been born, the place I’d grown up. My home.And I’d been driven away from it.My fingers tightened around the steering wheel.
Nicole’s POV We walked for what felt like hours. The forest blurred into an endless stretch of trees and shadows, my legs aching, my patience wearing thin. I glanced at my companion for what had to be the hundredth time that night. “You said you knew the way?” I asked. It came out sharper than I
Nicole’s POV I paced the cramped space, frustrated, desperate. My fingers twitched with the urge to pull at my hair. Three days. Three days I’ve been locked in here with no chance of escaping. Every-time a guard entered to give me food and water, he’d remain outside, choosing to keep his distan
Cassian's POV I followed the voice. Got in my car, my knuckles whitening around the steering wheel as the engine roared to life. It called to me—low, coaxing, familiar in a way that sank under my skin. I didn't know where I was going, didn't even question it. I just drove. Every turn came nat
Talia’s POV “No,” I whispered, my eyes widening as the weight of their words crashed into me. “You can’t do that.” The arena was death still, silent—my heavy breathing the only sound. “Oh?” Elder Vérin smirked, leaning back in his seat as though this were entertainment. “And who, exactly, is







