Lucas povThe night moon cast shadows across the manicured gardens of the Full Moon pack house. Elena sat beside me on the stone bench, her emerald eyes sparkling with amusement as I recounted a particularly embarrassing hunting story from my trainee days. My heart, usually a steady drumbeat in my chest, was now a frantic percussionist, pounding against my ribs. With her, everything else seemed to disappear into thin air. It was… something else. Something deeper, something primal. My wolf, usually a stoic and disciplined presence in my mind, was a snarling, restless beast. He paced restlessly, murmuring Elena's name over and over, a low, guttural sound that resonated in my very bones. It was a pull, a magnetic force that felt disturbingly similar to the legendary mate bond. But that was impossible. Elena was already… bonded. She was going to be the Luna of the pack in days.“That’s ridiculous, Lucas,” she laughed, her voice like wind chimes. A stray curl fell across her cheek, and I
Elena’s povThe air in the room crackled with unspoken tension. Oliver’s jaw was tight, his eyes burning with a possessiveness that bordered on anger. It felt… irrational. My heart was still a little frantic from the fleeting moment I had with Lucas. What did that mean?A low growl brought me back to reality."Oliver, seriously?" I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "We were just talking. I needed to be alone and I happened to see Lucas there too and we ended up talking. I guess both of us needed privacy.""Privacy?" he repeated, the word laced with disbelief. "So, you couldn't have found privacy anywhere else in this massive castle? It just had to be the two of you, alone, surrounded by flowers?"I rolled my eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. He's my friend, Oliver. And your best friend. There's nothing between us."His anger was a tangible thing, a wolfish growl vibrating in the air. "He looks at you, Elena. Don’t pretend you haven’t noticed. He looks at you like…like you're his entir
Daniel’s povThe scent of lemon and pine filled the kitchen, a sharp contrast to the nerves brewing within me. Beauty was scrubbing the already spotless countertops, her movements robotic, almost desperate. I leaned against the doorway, watching her. The late afternoon sun streamed through the window, catching the dust motes dancing in the air, but failing to illuminate the darkness in her eyes."Everything alright, Beauty?" I asked, keeping my voice gentle. She jumped, a tiny flinch that betrayed her composure. "Fine," she chirped, too quickly, too brightly. Her smile didn't reach her eyes, those beautiful, usually vibrant eyes that now held swirling lines of worry. "Just... cleaning.""Right." I pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer. "You seem a little…tense. Something on your mind?"She shook her head, her long dark hair swirling around her face. “Nothing, Daniel. Really. Just… tired.”I knew she was lying. I could smell the faint tang of anxiety clinging to her skin, a sour n
Oliver’s povThe parchment felt rough beneath my fingers, the names blurring into a sea of ink. Each one represented a guest, a responsibility, a potential threat to Elena’s safety. Our wedding was just days away, and the weight of the Alpha title seemed to double with every passing day. I sighed, running a hand through my already disheveled hair. Chloe's name stared back at me, and an unsettling feeling settled in my gut.I knew she was up to something. Something dangerous but I just didn’t know what and it killed me that I was in the dark.A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Come in," I called, and Daniel, my Beta, entered. His face was etched with worry, a rare sight for the usually bubbly wolf."Alpha Oliver, we need to talk about the Princess, Chloe," he said without preamble, closing the door behind him.My unease deepened. "I've noticed it too," I admitted, leaning back in my chair. "She's been… off. Distant. Quiet. It's not like her. It feels like a calm before a
Elena’s povThe musty scent of aged paper and leather clung to the air of the library, a comforting aroma that always soothed my restless soul. I loved losing myself within these stacks, escaping the dangerous realities of living in a powerful pack. Today, however, my focus was fractured. My eyes drifted towards Chloe, perched at a table bathed in the afternoon sunlight. She was the last person I expected to see in the library.Chloe was usually a whirlwind of energy, plotting and scheming. But today, she was still, unnervingly so. I looked around the library noiselessly in search of Hailey. The two were always together but the other one was nowhere to be found.Lost in thought, her brow furrowed in concentration, Chloe looked like a coiled spring ready to unleash, a predator ready to pounce. I wondered what elaborate plan she was concocting. Knowing Chloe, it was probably something that involved ruining the pack or getting rid of me.Then, I saw it. A flicker of vulnerability, a hint
Third person povThe scent of lavender and detergent clung to the air in the laundry room, usually a comforting aroma, but tonight it felt heavy, suffocating. Elena found Beauty hunched on a stool, her shoulders shaking silently. The fluorescent lights hummed above them, casting a stark, revealing light on Beauty’s usually radiant face, now stained with tears.Elena’s heart clenched. Beauty was her only close friend, her confidante, the one person who understood her anxieties even without her having to say a word. To see her like this, so utterly broken, sent a jolt of panic through Elena."Beauty? What's wrong?" Elena asked, her voice soft, laced with concern. She knelt beside her friend, placing a hand on her trembling back. "Tell me. Please."Instead of words, a fresh wave of sobs erupted from Beauty. She buried her face in her hands, her body wracked with silent grief. Elena wrapped her arms around her, holding her close. Words felt inadequate, so she simply held her, letting her
Lucas’s povThe stench of damp earth and decaying leaves clung to me, a familiar comfort in the face of the storm brewing inside. I stood at the edge of the whispering woods, the usual tranquility a mocking contrast to the turmoil twisting my gut. Chloe was late. Or maybe I was early, driven by an anxiety that gnawed at my insides like a hungry wolf.I wasn't supposed to be here. Not after she'd told me. Not after she'd shattered the image I held of my father, the man I was told died a long time ago. The man I thought I knew.A twig snapped behind me, and I spun around, my senses instantly on high alert. Chloe emerged from the shadows, her face pale in the moonlight, her dark eyes wide with a mixture of smug and determination. She was everything I wasn't at the moment: grounded, resolved, and terrifyingly focused."Look who it is," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought for a second you wouldn’t come...""Let’s get this over with ," I snapped, the words laced with
Elena’s povThe morning had finally arrived. The day I, Elena, was supposed to marry Alpha Oliver. The air in the pack house crackled with a frenetic energy, a hum of anticipation almost tangible. Everywhere I looked, pack members bustled about, putting the final touches on decorations, ferrying trays of food, their faces alight with excitement. But beneath the surface of forced smiles and practiced breaths, a cold knot of dread tightened in my stomach.I should be ecstatic, radiating joy. I was, after all, marrying the Alpha, securing my place in the pack, fulfilling expectations. But a gnawing unease, a prickling premonition, clung to me like a second skin. The nightmare from before clung to me like a weighted blanket.I tried to shake it off, to convince myself it was just pre-wedding jitters. But the feeling persisted, a constant, low-level hum of anxiety that threatened to drown out the celebratory cheer. I walked through the bustling hallway. Pack members who didn’t seem to acc
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