Third POV It was already two days since everything returned to normalcy, yet Vina was still troubled. She was always on the tip of her toes, looking around as if someone was after her. She was literally losing her head with each passing minute.Even though Carlos had made a promise not to report her, she was still scared that he would break his promise. She feared for her life and each time she remembered how Damon had ended, she imagined herself following that same path. With her head lifted up, she stared at the sky for a while as tears rolled down her eyes in torrents. “I can't continue to live like this.” She muttered, wiping her eyes with the back of her palms. Just then, Carlos walked past and at once she rushed towards him. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him to a corner, looking around to ascertain if someone was lurking around or watching them from afar. Yanking his hand off, he rubbed his wrists as he peered at her, “What do you want?” He asked. “Are you going to keep
Third POVThe news of Nora and Carlos' engagement spread like a wildfire. Everyone was literally talking about it in high spirits. Vina on the other hand decided to leave to her parents home before she finally leaves for another pack as she couldn't stand seeing Nora. She was still scared and feared that she would find out and that would be the end of her. Karen on the other hand feigned to be happy with their relationship but deep down, he was furious but somehow he managed to hide it whenever he was around them and so they didn't suspect a thing. Wrapping around herself, Nora was pacing the length and breadth of her bedroom with a wide smile on her lips. She was reminiscing of everything that had happened and couldn't help but to giggle as she thought of the up and down they had faced. Suddenly, she halted and then plopped on the edge of her bed. With her lips in between her teeth, she was racking her head, trying to come up with the perfect gift idea for Carlos. “If Vina wa
Third POVThree days later, Carlos was still in his pack. He had gotten Nora’s gift as Justin had suggested but was trying to make sure things were running smoothly in his pack before he returned to the Lycan Kingdom. He had just finished a brief meeting with the elders when Justin rushed in. With the look on his face,he didn't need anyone to tell him that all was not well and immediately he began to search his face for answers. “What's going on?” Carlos asked, his gaze not leaving him even for a second. “It's been three days since they last saw Nora.” He blurted out and immediately, Carlos dropped the scroll he was holding. With his head running haywire with different ideas all at once, he dashed out of the courtroom only to run back in as he tried to get a grip of himself. Meanwhile, back at the Lycan Kingdom, there was unrest as everyone was skeptical and worried about her sudden disappearance. Every n
Karen's POVImmediately I left Carlos' side, I stormed towards where I had hid Nora, all the while seething with anger as I thought of what to do with him.Nora wasn't my only target, I had to deal with him too but first, Nora has to go. Arriving at the dilapidated building, I was about to walk straight in to meet with Nora when Vina blocked my path. Fiddling with her fingers, she kept darting her eyes around like a little kid that had been caught in a crime red handed. “What do you want?” I asked with an irritated tone. The moment I discovered that we were mates, I was furious. I have never thought of once that we would have a thing together not to talk of being mates. The more I thought of it, the more furious I became. “Uhm… I mean… it's about…” “Are you going to keep stuttering all day? If you have nothing to say to me, you should step aside as I have more important stuff to handle.” I snarle
Carlos POVNora's sudden disappearance didn't go well with me.Each time I thought about me, my head would start making up scenarios which always threw me off balance. “Karen keeps insisting she went on a trip, if that is the case she should be back by now.” I muttered, clenching and unclenching my fists as I thought of it. To make matters worse, there was no one in the palace who had the slightest hint of when she left the pack. “If only Vina was, she must have an idea where she is but she is nowhere to be found.” I muttered, still racking my head in a bid to come up with the slightest idea. Frustrated, I let out a low sigh and then proceeded to comfort George and her parents who were mourning like she was already dead. Determined to find Nora and bring her home, I spoke with a loud and firm voice, “I'm going to bring Nora home, all you have to do is to believe me, nothing else.” I was speaking to her parents and George in the courtroom . With a low voice, George said, “We have
Karen's POVDammit! “What is it my lord?!” Beta Anderson asked and immediately I nodded towards the bushel where Carlos was hiding. To him, he thought he had securely hidden himself from me when in the real sense I could see him clearly. “Over there, we have a visitor.” I whispered, nodding my head slowly towards Carlos in a stylish way. “Who is he, my lord?” “Someone who is interested in me.” I tugged my hair, as I sent my teeth into my lips. As it seems, if I permitted Carlos to have his way, he was going to cause a nuisance and I'm not ready for that.Something must be done to keep him on his toes, otherwise, all of my plans would go into naught, his persistence wasn't something to be joked with. Tapping my foot against the ground, I had my hands folded behind me with my gaze fixated solely in his direction. “What should I do with him, my lord? I came with a potion just in case.” “How lethal is it?” I asked, casting him a glance before proceeding to bury my head, still tap
Nora's POVNot going to lie, I felt like I was dreaming but the sad truth was that it was a reality. Standing before me was Karen and so I decided to solicit help from him but he ignored me like I never existed. He didn't stop there, he walked out on me despite my pleas for help and at this point, I couldn't help but wonder what this was all about. For a while, I didn't make a sound, nor a move.I just sat there, staring into space as I replayed the scene that had happened in my head. With the little drama I had seen, no doubt, Karen was the one who had held me hostage otherwise, he would have untied me.He and Vina were a team and hence made me wonder when they became so close, not to talk of ganging up against me. Tied up, I couldn't move my body properly. Aching all over, I tried to adjust only for me to fall on my face and at once Vina let out a huff.Ignoring her attitude, I decided
Carlos’ POVGrabbing my head, I managed to pull myself to my feet, the effect of the strong substance which I had inhaled, slowly weaning off. “Karen!” I called, stumbling back and forth, trying to maintain my stance. This uneasy movement continued for a while before I could finally stand on my feet and with my hands grasping my waist, I let out a loud howl as anger mixed with frustration racked through me. My failure in getting Karen after all my boast was making me go insane. The more I thought about it, the more frequently I clenched and unclenched my fists as anger raked through me. Karen had outwitted me, I shouldn’t have fallen for his cheap tricks. “What am I going to do now?” I pondered with my hands across my chest as I paced about in a futile attempt to keep still. Still frustrated, I slide through a tree to the ground, pulling my legs to my chin. With my gaze fixed in the space in front of me,
Griffin Her questions were becoming annoying. I wished I could just ignore it. That perhaps you hope to earn her gratitude. Her affection." Kathryn's voice was gentle but firm. "If so, you should know it's unlikely. She loves Carlos, whatever problems they may have." "I'm not a fool," I snapped, then immediately regretted my tone. "I know she loves him. I'm not doing this to win her over." "Then why?" I stared at the floor, struggling to articulate what drove me. "Because I failed her once before. I won't make that mistake again." Kathryn seemed satisfied with this answer. "Very well. I'll need time to prepare properly." I rose to leave, but paused at the door. "Kathryn... thank you." She shook her head. "Don't thank me yet. This may kill you more quickly than the sorceress's curse. Plus, I'm not assuring you that it is going to work." "At least it will be my choice," I said quietly. "For once." As I left the room, I felt the hunger gnawing at me again, stronger
GRIFFIN POVI felt it the moment it happened—a pulse of energy so distinct it nearly knocked me off my feet. I steadied myself against a tree, drawing in a sharp breath as recognition dawned.Nora had connected with her wolf.After all these years, after everything that had happened. She had found Reika again. Although it was a good thing, the implications were staggering—and terrifying. Those hungry powerful beings probably felt it too and their quest for Nora's blood would intensify. "Damn it," I muttered, pushing away from the tree and striding toward the pack house. Elder Silvarum needed to know immediately. Carlos too, though I doubted he'd take the news well.I'd barely made it halfway across the grounds when the first wave of pain hit. It started as a burning in my chest, then spread outward like wildfire through my veins. I stumbled, falling to my knees as my vision blurred."Griffin."The voice echoed in my mind, sickeningly familiar. The sorceress. My mistress. My curse."
NORA POVThe next one week flew by very peacefully. More peaceful than I ever expected. "Focus, Nora," Kathryn instructed, circling me as I struggled to maintain the small flame hovering above my palm. "You're letting your wolf nature interfere again."I gritted my teeth. "I don't have a wolf nature. That's the problem."Kathryn exchanged a glance with Elara, that same look they always shared when they thought I wasn't paying attention. It was infuriating."Your lycan blood is still part of you," she said carefully. "Even if you do not have a wolf. She looked down, busying herself with arranging crystals on the floor around me. I'd touched a nerve, I was sure of it."Whatever the case," Kathryn continued smoothly, "you need to separate your magical energy from your lycan energy. They conflict with each other."I'd been trying for days without success. The moment I called forth fire or water, I felt a resistance within me, as if something was fighting against the magic. My head would
NORA POVI woke with a gasp, my body jerking upright so violently that my kids nearly fell off the edge of the bed where they had been sitting.Silence stretched in the room for a long while. My kids hugged me, excited to finally have me back. After a while, Carlos came to sit beside me. "Nora!" His hands were on me instantly, checking for wounds that were no longer there. "Thank the Moon Goddess. You're awake."My head spun as memories flooded back —the attack in the forest, the children screaming, claws tearing into my flesh. I should be dead. By all rights, I should be dead.Carlos handed me a glass of cold water. "You need this." As I gulped the cool liquid, my eyes caught sight of something across the room a small form lying motionless on the floor, surrounded by my aunt. Blood pooled beneath her.The mute girl. "What happened?" I demanded, pushing the glass away. "Why is she bleeding?"Carlos followed my gaze, his expression grim. "She saved you. Took your wounds somehow."I
CARLOS POVMy heart stopped as I burst into the clearing. The scene before me was worse than anything I'd imagined.Nora lay in a growing pool of blood, surrounded by seven hooded figures. Their forms seemed to waver between solid and smoke, power radiating off them in waves that made my wolf recoil. Ancient beings. Powerful. Deadly."Get away from her!" I roared, my voice breaking with desperation.One of them turned slowly, revealing a face that wasn't quite human— eagyes too large, skin too pale. When it smiled, its teeth were needle-sharp."The mate arrives," it said, voice like breaking glass. "Just in time to watch her die."Rage exploded through me. I didn't care if they could kill me with a thought. I wouldn't let Nora die while I stood by. I charged forward, shifting mid-stride, claws extending as I leapt toward the nearest figure.I was still trying to think about my next move. I was confused about everything, and what step to take forward. But I was certain about one thing.
Carlos POVI moved towards my office window, and saw Griffin walking away from the pack house. I watched Griffin's retreating back, fighting the urge to slam him against the nearest wall. His arrogance was infuriating, but I needed to keep a level head. This wasn't about my personal dislike for the man—it was about protecting Nora and our pack.As soon as he disappeared around the corner, I pulled out my phone and called Elder Silvarum. I needed to speak with him personally. The message I sent to him was not even enough. The phone barely rang once before he answered."Carlos," his gravelly voice came through the line. "I've been expecting your call.""You always are," I said, a warm smile playing on my face despite the circumstances. "I need your counsel. It's about Griffin.""I know that already." I could hear the rustling of papers on his end. "You mentioned him in your letter."I moved to my table, keeping my voice low. "He's in love with Nora. I can use that, turn him against th
THIRD POVThe attack came at dawn, when the mist still clung to the ground and visibility was poor. Not with armies or weapons, but with whispers.The guards patrolling the pack borders heard them first—soft, melodic voices calling their names, luring them into the tree line. Two guards disappeared before the others raised the alarm.By mid-morning, the pack house was in lockdown. Carlos had doubled the guard, positioning his strongest fighters at every entrance. No one entered or left without his direct approval."We do not understand what happened. We just heard whispers, and some of the guards were already gone without trace," one of the guards reported to Carlos. Carlos's jaw tightened. "They're testing our defenses, looking for weaknesses.""But who are 'they'? We've seen nothing, no tracks, no scents."The pack was beginning to panic. They spent time trying to figure out what was going on and how to stop whatever danger was lurking. Carlos was more worried than everyone else.
THIRD POVGriffin leaned against the wall outside the dining hall, waiting. He'd been strategically positioning himself in Nora's path for days now, trying to catch a moment alone with her. He had become a regular face at the pack house. No one bothered themselves with his presence that much anymore. When she finally emerged, he straightened."Nora," he called, his voice softer than usual. "Can we talk?"She glanced his way, her expression hardening instantly. Without a word, she turned in the opposite direction."Please," Griffin said, catching up to her in a few long strides. "Just five minutes.""I have nothing to say to you," Nora replied coldly, quickening her pace.Griffin reached for her arm but stopped himself before making contact. "You've been acting cold towards me for no reason. If it's something I did wrong, then don't you think we should talk about it instead? Nora scoffed. "Talk about it?" She asked. "Why do you even think you did anything wring? I mean, no one has a
THIRD POVGriffin moved stealthily through the west wing of the house, keeping to the shadows. Three days of careful observation had finally paid off—he now knew the identities of at least four of the sorceress's spies embedded within Nora's pack. Most of them were unimportant, and I had not decided what to do with the knowledge yet. But the main spy, the one coordinating it all, remained elusive. It was more difficult to find out who it was. The sorceress and the main spy were being too careful with their interactions, so it was more difficult to find out. "Damn it," Griffin muttered, ducking into an alcove as footsteps approached. He'd been so close to discovering who was reporting directly to the sorceress, the puppet master controlling the others.As the footsteps faded, Griffin slipped out again, heading toward the garden where he could think without interruption. His head throbbed with the effort of keeping up appearances, pretending loyalty to the sorceress while secretly wor