Karen’s POV After leaving Nora’s side, I stumbled into the hallway, clenching and unclenching my fists in anger as I stared into space. The conversation we just had was a clear testament that I haven’t even begun yet as Nora was a hard nut to crack. Convincing her that I was doing this for her own good was a difficult thing to do but I was determined to do so otherwise, my plans would be thwarted. Looking behind my shoulders, I kept staring at the closed door, contemplating my next line of actions. After what seemed like forever, I decided to go back in and try convincing her again but I felt that was going to make her doubt me even more. With heavy footsteps, I made my way towards the exit of the building only to push open the door of the second room where Vina lay. With my face scrunched up in disgust, I cranked my head to the side and with my hands crossed on my chest, I
Karen's POVThe silence in the room became thick coupled with a thickened tension filled room that could be cut through with a knife.Step after step, he made his way into the throne room and now in the middle, he did a curt bow, his hands securely by his side. What is he doing here? — I pondered, my gaze never leaving him even for a minute. “Callum, you never told us you were coming.” Queen Dione said to Elder Callum, her brother and Nora’s uncle who I had met in the Blue Lycan Kingdom. “I should have been here a long while ago but I had no idea what had happened until last night.” He said, folding his hands behind him like he always does.“I had been on hiatus several miles away only to return to learn that my niece went missing without a trace.” He thundered.The anger mixed with disappointment in his eyes couldn't be missed. Nora's family kept acting like she was a child that needed to be looked after all through the day. Their actions were pissing me off but at the same time
Karen's POV“To determine if Nora is still alive or dead, I will have to summon her blue blood.” Elder Callum said, his voice firm and resounding. Swallowing hard, I grabbed the arm of the chair I was sitting on, my gaze never leaving him even for a minute. Summoning the blue blood of a royal Lycan is Iike unleashing a suppressed demon that the Lycan possessed. If Elder Callum goes through with this plan of his, it wouldn't be long before Nora would be found and not only that, the other part of her wolf which my grandfather suppressed will rear its head. “I think we should go with that path.” King Salvador said, increasing my heartbeat. Somehow, I will have to come up with a contingent reason to dissuade them or else, I wouldn't be able to defeat the kingdom and for certain, I was going to lose my life. Right there where I sat, a million and one idea was spiraling through my head all at once but none of them seemed viable. The adults kept talking but I was too bothered to liste
Nora's POVIf I was told that someday I would be a captive, I wouldn't have believed it a bit but here I was, restrained like a common prisoner. The thought alone made me furious that I was itching to get out as quickly as possible to deal with whoever was behind this. Karen's words all sounded unreal to me no matter the direction I looked at it from. “I mean, Carlos had been open to me from the very beginning even when we drifted apart.” I muttered. Shaking my head sideways, I added, “Carlos is not a traitor and he won't become a traitor all of a sudden.” It's either Karen was making up stories about him or he was telling a tale based on the information he had gotten from someone who was trying to tarnish Carlos' image. Blinking my eyes, I sent my teeth into my lips. My lips, which had been bearing the brunt of my anger, were badly wounded by now but I couldn't help it. The more I thought of Karen's words, the more frustrated and confused I became. Even Vina has begun to av
Karen's POVAt the moment, I had my back against the wall with a smirk dancing on my lips. Things were going well as planned and so I had no other choice but to be thankful as I reviewed the next phase of my plan. Suddenly, I remembered Elder Callum who had wanted to call Nora back with her blue blood and on impulse , I clenched my fist by my side only to send it into the wall. “You're lucky you didn't disrupt my plan.” I smirked, already visualizing what I had intended to do to him if his plan would have fallen through. I had intended to end his life as he was an obstacle.“My lord, we heard a crackling sound, is anything the matter?” One of my assailants asked, poking his head through the door. “Not at all.” I shook my head in the negative, pushing my hand forward but after a few seconds of thought, I pushed my hand into my hair, noding at him to take his leave. Now left alone to myself, I had my hands folded across my chest as I roamed about the little space I was in, the smi
Karen's POVThe plan was to eliminate Justin even before he could cross the borders so it wouldn't look suspicious. If he was allowed to cross the Lycan Kingdom borders and proceed to the pack before he was killed, there would be chaos. My intention was to center the attack in the Lycan Kingdom so that if there is a reason for me to pin the crimes on someone, it will be easy to do so. “Don't allow him to return to the palace for any reason.” I said with a firm tone. “Just as you had done a clean job for Carlos, do the same for Justin.” “Yes sir.” They replied and then took their leave. After looking around to confirm no one was peeping on us, I pushed my hand into my hair and after tugging on it for a while, I pushed my hands into my pockets. Pulling my legs, I made my way towards the pavement that led out of the palace and once I was out, I increased my pace. My next destination was the dilapidated building where Nora was still being held hostage. Clenching and unclenching my
Third POVThat night was the longest Carlos has ever encountered. He kept struggling to stay alive as he pulled himself towards the Lycan Kingdom. “There he is.” One of the assailants who had returned to check on him yelled and almost immediately, all of colleagues ran to his side. Together, they pulled him back to the woods. This time around they pulled him even more farther into the woods so he wouldn't be able to crawl back up. Drained of all his energy, Carlos remained motionless on the ground, breathing heavily as his vision blurred. While he was still struggling to get on his feets, the men remained, walking around him in circles as they snarled and bared their canines at him. Even in his fainting state, Carlos was able to catch a glimpse of their faces which were covered in masks. “Rogues.” He blurted only to start breathing heavily. “What are we still waiting for? We should kill him already.” One of the men snapped. “Moreover, he is already dying and instead of leaving
Third POVStanding at the edge of the building, Vina had her hands strapped across her chest as she glared at Karen who had his back on her. Since he arrived a while ago, she hadn't gone to meet with him as usual as she was furious with him. Keeping Nora hostage had drained her mentally that all she wanted was she should be freed but it seemed Karen doesn't have the intention of doing so. Several times, she had begged him to let her go but he was obstinate about it, threatening to hit her if she dared mention Nora to him again. Running away was her only option but at the same time if she dared it, she was aiding the death of her parents as Karen had them hostage. “I hate him.” She said through her teeth, her hands crossed on her chest. Rolling her eyes, she turned in his direction only to snap her head forward the next second since he was staring at her. A few minutes later, Karen was standing in front of her and holding up her chin as he stared deep into her eyes. “You don't
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