Elena’s povThe warm, sugary sweetness of the cookie almost made me forget the strange tension that had filled the air. Oliver looked so worried, and it put a knot in my stomach. Seeing his face relax even a little when I walked out of the kitchen eased some of my own anxiety.Beauty chuckled, playfully swatting my arm. “Of course, you needed something sweet, we were just a bit worried. But those cookies, Elena! Those are for Nate and Sam! They were promised a treat after helping clean up their rooms."I winced, feeling my cheeks flush with guilt. "Oh, no! I'm so sorry, Beauty. I didn't realize.” I looked down at the half-eaten cookie in my hand, suddenly less appealing. “I can… I can help make more?""It's alright, El," Beauty said, her voice softening. "Just maybe try to resist next time, okay? They will be back any minute now. They were so excited about them."Oliver cleared his throat, his brow furrowing again. “Speaking of things not being alright… Elena, there’s something you sh
Elena’s povThe crunch of leaves under our feet was the only sound accompanying our silent trek to the old woman's cabin. The air hung heavy with unspoken words, a tangible barrier between Lucas and me. I wanted to tell him about the dungeon, the strange, unnerving people I'd met down there, the secrets shimmering just out of reach. But the fear of his reaction, the disappointment I might see in his eyes, kept my mouth clamped shut.Lucas, I could tell, was battling his own demons. His brow was furrowed, his gaze distant, lost in some inner turmoil. I suspected it had something to do with Oliver, or rather, Oliver's family. The air around him crackled with a suppressed rage I hadn't seen since the day he found his father. Whatever he was wrestling with, it felt heavy, dangerous.We arrived at the cabin just as the last sliver of sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The woods around the cabin were eerily silent, the usual chirping of crickets an
Elena’s povThe air in Oliver’s office was thick with worry. The town healers, their faces etched with concern, were just finishing their report. I entered his office a while ago and barely registered what they were doing, “She’s gone, Oliver. The cabin is empty. No sign of her, or where she went.”Oliver sighed, rubbing his temples. “Damn it. That old woman was our only lead to… well, to everything.”Lucas placed a comforting hand on Oliver's shoulder. "Maybe she moved or something. There has to be an explanation for it."I stepped forward, holding out my hand. In my palm nestled the three identical necklaces we'd found hidden in the old woman's cabin. Each bore a crescent moon design, intricate and glowing faintly with an inner light. "We found these."Oliver's eyes widened. He took one of the necklaces, examining it closely. "Three moons… This is… powerful. Where did you find them?""Hidden in a box, beneath her floorboard. It felt… significant." I hesitated. "I think we need to w
Elena’s povThe silence in the dungeon was thick enough to cut with a knife. I stared at the two magicians chained, their faces pale and drawn. They were practically glued to the stool they sat on, trying to get as far away from me as possible."Why are you...moving backwards?" I asked, my voice a little shaky. I was used to fear, but this was different. It wasn't the fear of a monster. It was the fear of something...more.The older of the two, a man with a long, grey beard, swallowed hard. "The chain...the chain you wear," he croaked, his eyes fixed on the silver chain around my neck. The one Lucas and I found in the old woman’s cabin."What about it?" I asked, my fingers instinctively going to the cool metal. It felt…normal. Comforting, even. It felt natural to me."It...it contains a very powerful protection spell," the younger one, a woman with fiery red hair, added. "It…dispels magic. It weakens any magical presence that gets too close to whoever wears it."My eyebrows shot up. "
Chloe’s povThe silence in Willow’s temple library was thick enough to choke on. Each page whispered secrets, secrets that shattered the foundation of everything I thought I knew. I’d been going over the history of the Full Moon Pack for hours, specifically, the origin of our long and bloody feud with the magicians.It wasn’t a pretty story.Growing up, I’d been taught that magicians were inherently evil, power-hungry beings who threatened the natural order. We, the Full Moon Pack, were guardians of the balance, protectors of the innocent. We were the righteous force battling against the dark magic wielded by those who sought to control the world.The lies, or rather, the carefully crafted version of the truth, had been ingrained in me since I was little. I remembered training sessions, the fierce speeches about protecting our own, the thrilling hunts for rogue wolves and any magician at all who dared to cross our territory. I remembered the fear, the hatred, the unwavering belief tha
Elena's POVThe silence in the room was thick, heavy with the weight of our worries. Oliver’s arm was draped across me, a comforting weight, but it couldn’t fully dispel the anxiety that coiled in my stomach. Outside, the town was slowly succumbing to a magical sickness, a slow, creeping illness that withered everything it touched. We had to do something, and soon before people started dying."What are we going to do, Oliver?" I whispered, the words barely audible.He sighed, his breath warm against my neck. "I don't know, Elena. We'll still try everything we can think of."We had. Herbs, potions, even calling some healing mages we knew.. Nothing worked. The sickness seemed to shrug off every attempt to fight it, like a stubborn weed rooted deep in the earth.“Maybe… maybe I should go to Willow’s temple,” I suggested, the idea feeling flimsy even as I spoke about it. The Elf village was quite far, and Willow, the goddess, hadn't been particularly helpful the last time.Oliver shifted,
Oliver’s povThe sky was bright and the weather was not too hot. I walked amongst the crowd dressed in cloak and common clothes. Today, I was just Oliver, a simple traveler, not Oliver, Alpha of the Full Moon pack. I decided to ditch the title for now and mingle with my people. To see if I could find any answer from being a commoner like them.I’d been Alpha for years, since my grandfather’s…departure. He’d been a strong Alpha, fierce and protective, but also distant. I preferred a different approach, one of connection, of understanding. Lately, though, I felt a disconnect. A subtle unease had settled over the Full Moon pack. People were getting sick, a strange, lingering illness that left them weak and listless. The healers were baffled. I needed to understand, to protect my pack. So, I chose to walk among them, unnoticed.Undercover was a new experience. Normally, my presence commanded respect, even a little fear. Today, I was just another face in the crowd. I leaned against the wea
Elena's POVThe cloak felt itchy against my skin, but it was a necessary discomfort. To reach Willow's Temple, nestled deep within the elf village, I needed to blend. Werewolves weren't exactly welcome guests in those parts. The elves, with their peaceful aura and grace, viewed us with suspicion and fear, branding us as creatures of chaos.My own life felt rather chaotic lately, which was precisely why I was making this impromptu trip. The new information about my life, the sickness, my powers– it was all becoming too much. I needed answers, an ounce of control. Willow's Temple was known to hold ancient knowledge, forgotten secrets that might help me understand my curse. Hopefully the answers will be clear this time."Easy, girl," I murmured to my horse, Raye, as we navigated the winding forest path. The air hummed with the magic of the woods, a driving energy that both invigorated and unsettled me. My senses were heightened, picking up the rustle of leaves, the distant chirping of b
Elena’s povThe air in the hidden chamber was thick with the scent of old parchment and magic. Willow, ethereal and serene in her human form, smiled at me, her eyes holding ancient wisdom. She extended a hand, and without thinking twice, I took it. The world dissolved around me, colors swirling into a dizzying mixture before getting together into a new reality.I stood in a circular room, its walls lined with shelves overflowing with leather-bound books. In the center, a large, old book lay open on a pedestal, bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. An irresistible pull drew me to it, and I began to read. The language was unfamiliar, yet I understood every word. It was a prophecy, my prophecy.But not the one I knew. This wasn't about a werewolf pack, or a war with elves. This was about me.The words on the page began to shimmer, transforming into vibrant images. I saw myself, Elena, not as a werewolf, but as a powerful magician, living in a sun-drenched cottage nestled deep within a vibran
Elena’s povThe rumble of the carriage wheels was a dull counterpoint to the turmoil inside me. Chloe and Jax were gone. Chloe, sentenced to exile, and Jax… well, his fate was harder to swallow because he could experience instant death the second he stepped his foot into Blood Hounds pack. They’d both put the pack at risk, and while I knew Oliver had done the right thing – the only thing he could do as Alpha – it still felt like a piece of my own heart had been ripped away with each pronouncement.These were people who put my life at risk but for a minute I felt bad for them. It was simply jealousy and anger and on Jax’s part, mindless love.Oliver let out a long, shaky breath beside me. I glanced at him. His face was etched with exhaustion and a deep, abiding sadness. Sentencing his own sister couldn't have been easy.I reached out, gently covering his hand with mine. "It's not your fault, Oliver," I said softly. "Chloe had a choice. She chose to betray us."He squeezed my hand, his
Third person povElena adjusted the worn leather straps of her backpack. She didn’t really need a bag but she just wanted to hold on to something. Today was the day she would finally go to Willow's temple and get the answers to the question she had. Part of her decided not to impose too much and just go with gratitude in her heart first.She smoothed down the simple linen dress she wore, tucking stray strands of her dark hair behind her ears. She made sure the sandals she was wearing were her comfortable pair.A gentle knock sounded on her door. "Elena? Oliver needs to see you in his office." It was Lucas, his voice warm and reassuring as always.Elena sighed. "Aren’t we leaving soon? I’m ready.""It won't take long. He asked specifically for you." Lucas's tone hinted at a plea, and Elena knew arguing was futile.With another deep breath, she quickly braided her dark hair, securing it at the top with a small ribbon. "Alright, let's go."As they walked towards Oliver's office, Lucas wa
Elena’s povMy heart felt lighter than it had in months as I watched Beauty and Daniel approach. Their hands were intertwined, an obvious proof of a connection that’s been made before our very eyes. We were all gathered outside the pack house: Lucas, Oliver, and myself, watching Nate and Sam chase huge balloons across the grassy clearing.My stomach bubbled in excitement as I watched the two of them steak glanced at each other and smile shyly. That had it coming for a while. It was obvious to everyone but the two of them that they were going to get together, they were just too blind to see it."Look who it is!" I exclaimed, clapping my hands together. "Beauty and Daniel! Finally!"Oliver chuckled, nudging Daniel with his elbow as they drew closer. "Looks like someone finally found their match." Daniel coughed, a blush creeping up his neck as he glanced away nervously.I waved them over, wanting to share in their happiness. "Come sit with us! Tell us all about the play." I emphasized o
Elena’s povOliver's hand felt warm and solid in mine as we walked back to our room. The evening air was cool, a welcome change from the stuffy dungeon. He squeezed my hand gently. “So, the Willow’s temple? Why do you think the Magician wanted you specifically to go?”His question pulled me from my thoughts, but not entirely. For a while, I have been thinking about Lucas and my strange connection with him.I shrugged, trying to sound casual. "I have no idea. She was not clear, wasn't he? Maybe it's something about my magic – or lack of it. I’ll just have to go and find out myself." I hated admitting that, but it was the truth. I was a werewolf, Oliver's mate, but I felt like I needed to know more in this world of magic.Oliver frowned. "We’ll figure it all out Elena." He stopped walking and turned to face me, his eyes showing the rawest form of sincerity. "Whatever this is, we'll face it together, okay?"I nodded, forcing a smile. "Okay. But I want to go as soon as possible. This whol
Elena’s povThe afternoon sun cast long shadows across the hallway as I watched Daniel and Beauty stroll towards the village. Their fingers were intertwined, and Beauty's laughter floated back to me on the gentle breeze. They looked so carefree, so… happy. A smile tugged at my lips. They were good for each other.A familiar warmth settled around me as arms wrapped around my waist from behind. I instinctively leaned back into Oliver’s frame. "Hey," I murmured, closing my eyes."Hey yourself," he said, his voice a low rumble against my ear. "How are you?""I'm… okay," I replied, a small lie. I was a tangled mess of guilt and excitement, fear and hope. "And you?""Fine. Chloe's been... well, let's just say she's really feeling the weight of what she did. It's good, though. Maybe she'll finally learn."I nodded, not wanting to dwell on Chloe’s past actions. Leaning more comfortably into Oliver, I took a deep breath. "I need to tell you something." The words felt heavy, like stones in my
Beauty’s povI scrubbed at a stubborn stain on the kitchen counter, the scent of lavender soap filling the air. I thought about my conversation with Elena and ways to gain her trust again. I was going to make it work.Through the small window above the sink, I saw a bunch of girls approaching Daniel. They were giggling, their cheeks flushed pink as they offered him little presents – a woven bracelet, a small bouquet of wildflowers, wrapped things. Each gift seemed to come with a shy, lingering look.A sharp pang of something unpleasant twisted in my chest. Jealousy. I recognized it, even though I hated the feeling. It was ugly and unwanted, but it was there, a cold knot forming in my stomach as I watched Daniel’s innocent smile charm each of the girls.I slammed the sponge down on the counter, spraying droplets of soapy water. I shouldn’t feel this way. Daniel was kind to everyone. He was helpful and generous, and of course, girls were drawn to him. But…did they have to be so obvious
Lucas's POVThe safe house guards stood to attention as I approached, their salutes sharp and respectful. It still felt strange, being treated with such deference. Just a few years ago, I was just another warrior, fighting for survival. Now, I was…well, something more. Something responsible for keeping the peace.But all that faded away when I stepped inside. There he was, my little brother, Nate. He was sitting by the window, drawing something with a crayon that looked suspiciously like a blue wolf. He hadn't seen me yet, completely absorbed in his artwork."Nate?" I said softly.His head shot up, and his eyes went wide. A grin spread across his face, so bright it could chase away any shadow. "Lucas!"He launched himself at me, a tiny whirlwind of limbs and excitement. I caught him easily, swinging him up into my arms. He wrapped his own arms around my neck, squeezing tight."You're here!" he squealed, burying his face in my shoulder. "You came to see me!"A wave of guilt washed over
Oliver’s povI stood outside Chloe's door, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. The pack house was quiet now, but the air still felt slightly heavy but everyone was recuperating. War had once come to our pack because of her. My own sister. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. How do you face someone who betrayed you? Especially when that someone is family.It all started a few months ago. We had been strong, united, until Chloe decided to align with the Blue Moon pack. She let their spies slip into our territory, feeding them information about our defenses. It sparked a war that tore through our lands, leaving bodies and broken trust in its wake. Wolves from both packs fought fiercely, claws ripping through flesh, teeth bared. I led our warriors, my wolf form fierce and unyielding, but the pain of her betrayal cut deeper than any wound.Then, things got worse. Reed, the evil magician, appeared out of nowhere. He was a dark force, a human who had learned to