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
Beauty's POVMy stomach churned with a cold dread. Elena was missing. Just like that. The pack house felt empty like never before. I knew I was elegir to worry about her but now I was terrified. Oliver and Lucas, furious and worried, had already taken off into the woods to find her. I paced the wooden floor, trying to tamp down the panic rising in my throat.I needed to do something, anything, to feel like I wasn't just waiting for bad news. Nate and Sam. I went into the kitchen and gathered the baked bread I had made earlier for everyone to enjoy together but now, it seemed like they should have it instead to keep their minds off the looming danger. I made a decision and headed towards their room. They needed some reassurance, some sense of normalcy in all this madness.As I hurried down the hallway, I bumped into Daniel, our Beta. He was whistling a tuneless melody, completely oblivious to the tension that hung heavy in the air. His brow furrowed when he saw my face."Beauty? What's
Elena’s povMy head throbbed, a dull, persistent ache that echoed the confusion swirling inside me. Groggily, I blinked, trying to focus on the blurry shapes surrounding me. Rough wood pressed against my cheek. The scent of damp earth and something acrid, almost nasty, filled my nostrils. I was lying on the floor of… a cabin?Panic flared as the memories of the forest, the injured child, the overwhelming darkness, rushed back. My mind raced and I wondered if the child was in on it too.I tried to sit up, but a sharp tug stopped me. My hands were bound, the rough rope biting into my wrists. My ankles were tied too, leaving me completely helpless."Help!" I yelled, my voice cracking with fear. "Is anyone there? Help me!"The only response was the echo of my own voice bouncing back from the wooden walls. Despair began to creep in. Where was I? Who had done this?The cabin was small, suffocating. The light filtering through the grime-covered windows was weak, barely illuminating the stran
Beauty’s povThe weight of it all crashed down on me, a physical blow that stole the air from my lungs and the strength from my legs. I crumpled to the floor, the carpet of the pack house doing little to cushion the impact. Daniel was by my side in an instant, his strong arms wrapping around me."Beauty! What is it? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with concern."The healers... the sickness..." I choked, unable to form clear sentences.A cluster of healers stood near the entrance of the pack house, their faces etched with despair. They had rushed in, interrupting our already tense planning session. Oliver and Lucas were still gone, they were in search of Elena. Daniel and I were doing our best to hold the pack together in their absence, but it felt like our efforts were going down the drain."They're... freezing up," one of the healers, a young woman named Sarah, managed to say. "Even the warmth of the fire isn't helping. They can barely move… they’re almost lifeless. All they
Elena’s pov“Tell me one thing," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "If I take off the chain, will you let me go if I don’t like what you have to say?"He chuckled, the sound devoid of any warmth. "I am a man of deals, Elena. I tell you all, and you get to leave after. But I will not force you to do anything else. Do we have an agreement?"It was a gamble, a desperate one. But I could not ignore a chance to save my people."Fine," I said, my voice stronger this time, laced with steely resolve. "We have an agreement."Something in me gnawed at me. This man, this magician didn’t seem like he was going to let me go. Was I going to trust the words of a man who didn’t waste any time in abducting me? A man who cursed an entire pack of innocent werewolves for whatever reason. My head pounded feverishly as it crossed my mind that I would regret my choice.The second I pulled the Moon Chain off my neck. I was slammed to the wall by an invisible force. My throat began to tighten and I could bar
Oliver's POVThe scent was gone. Wiped clean. I snarled, frustration clawing at my throat. Elena had been here, I knew it. The lingering sweetness of her soap, the faint air of her own unique scent – it had all been so clear just moments ago. But now? Nothing. Scattered, like dust in the wind.“Damn it!” I roared, kicking at a fallen log. The wood splintered under my force, a small satisfaction in the face of this overwhelming helplessness.Lucas placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me. “Easy, Oliver. We’ll find her.”I shook my head, running a hand through my already dishevelled hair. “They knew we were coming. They scattered her scent, covered their tracks. This isn't some amateur kidnapper, Lucas. Whoever took Elena is smart, organized.”"But how? How could they have anticipated us?" Lucas muttered, his brow furrowed in thought.I paced back and forth, my wolf instincts screaming at me. I could feel Elena’s presence, a faint echo in the forest's heartbeat. She was clos
Chloe’s povThe stench of sickness hung heavy in the air. I could see the paleness of their faces, the feverish glint in their eyes – the curse was eating them alive. My pack. The pack I wanted to lead."We have to help them, Jax," I pleaded, my voice barely a whisper against the rising wind. My throat felt tight, choked with helplessness. "I can't just stand here and watch them die."Jax's grip on my arm tightened, pulling me further into the shadows of the alleyway. His eyes scanned the street, sharp and alert. "Chloe, we talked about this. We're wanted here. Walking around like this is a death wish.""But-"He cut me off, his voice firm, but laced with a hint of desperation. "No buts, Chloe. Look."He nodded subtly towards the main street. Emerging from the pack house, a group of soldiers, clad in dark leather armor, marched in formation. Their faces were grim, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords."There they are," Jax said, his voice low. "They're might be looking fo
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