THIRD POVDamon was furious. At the moment, he was in the woods, pacing about as he racked his head on what might have gone wrong. All of his efforts to lay claim to the throne were thwarted, making him look like a failure.Several times, he approached King Salvador, trying to sway him but he was so smart that he got the hint almost immediately and as if that wasn't enough, he slid off like he was an eel. He was still in this position when Elder Richard appeared in front of him and after looking around for a while, he locked gaze with him. “Putting pressure on the rest of the elders seems impossible.” He blurted, making Damon clench his fist by his side as he grunted in agony. “Elder Fred! What is his take in this?” “Just like the others!” He mouthed and after a few minutes of silence, he leaned towards him and with a voice barely above a whisper, he said, “I don't think you can overthrow Princess Nora.”Hi
Nora's POV On my return to the throne room, I met my father and mother seated. They are having a bit of a conversation. Not wanting to disturb them, I stood aside, shifting my weight from one leg to the other until they noticed my presence and at once, mother gestured to me. “I’m sorry I called you out here. You should be getting some rest by now but this matter needs urgency.” She helped me to sit, afterwards took her seat next to me. Taking my hand, she placed it on her thigh and then placed her hands on top of it. “Nora dear, it's time you find yourself a mate. You shouldn't think you don't need one because of your status or anything.” She took a brief pause and then picked up the pace. “The job of the leader is grueling, you need someone to stand by you each time and also give you the will power to go on, don't you think?” She flashed me a smile as she rubbed my arm. “Ye
Nora's POV" Father!"" Nora, my hands are tied. I know how hurt you were when that Carlos rejected you. But you should try and move on. I believe it made you stronger and the person you are today. You need someone by your side to be a great leader-"" And that person is Karen? I don't love him, father-"With a wave of his hands, my father cut me off." But you are friends, right? And from all indications, I can tell that Karen loves you. I will be at rest if it's Karen because he would do all he can to protect you." " But father-"No matter how much I tried to convince my father that I wasn't interested, he didn't listen to me. His mind was already made up and it was frustrating.My mother who had been silent, suddenly cut in. " Do you still want to go back to Alpha Carlos? Or have you found a second chance mate?"I was taken aback by my mother's question and without hesitation, I shook my vehemently." Of cours
THIRD POV The meeting with Nora did nothing but to make Vina furious even though she tried to maintain a cool demeanor back there. At the moment, she was leaning against the cold wall with her eyes tightly shut as she reviewed her words in her head. To think that Nora was going to get betrothed to Karen was driving her insane and she wanted to put an end to it by any means. Clenching and unclenching her fists as tears rolled down her cheeks in torrents, she tried not to allow the discovery to overwhelm her but it was to no avail. “I can't allow Nora to have Karen for herself. She already has everything at her disposal; she can't have him to herself, never.” She mumbled, falling on the floor as she pulled her hair. Vina continued this way with no hopes of stopping anytime soon. Drained, she fell asleep and when she woke up, she did so with a start as she began to look around frantically until she could recognize her current
Carlos' POV Craning my neck, I tried to get a glimpse of the person walking towards me only to let out a low hiss when I discovered it was one of the maids. It has been over half an hour since I have been under the stump of the baobab tree, waiting for Nora to make her presence.Just when I was about to leave, I saw her hurrying in my direction and at once I went cold, taking a deep breath as I watched her every move. Now standing in front of me, she kept panting as she tried to control her heavy breathing while I looked on. “I had to attend to something really important.” She said in a breath. When she finally calmed down, she tugged her hair for a while before settling her gaze on me. “The maid said you sounded urgent, is there an issue?” Her voice sounded sincere and it warmed my heart. At least, she still cared about me. “Yeah!” I nodded, swallowing the lump that had risen in my throat.Feeling uneasy,
Carlos' POV Still furious with me, Justin took his leave and once again, I lowered myself on the stump of the tree only to start walking about a few minutes later. Nora! The name kept ringing in my head despite all my efforts to shake it off. Biting my lower lips, I pushed my hand into my hair and then let out a low sigh of frustration. If I was told before now that I would be in this kind of situation, I wouldn't believe it. I have always planned out my life to be smooth without any form of stress but that wasn't the case. The more I thought about it, the angrier I was with myself as regret washed through me. Remembering Vina’s words, I tried to find solace in it but it was useless, not after the constant rejection from Nora. “She claims she doesn't want to have anything to do with me, why can't she reject me? Why is it difficult for her to do so?” I grunted but before I could find answers to my questions, a deep voice ren
Nora's POV Vina was acting strange but I haven't confronted her yet. I wanted to be certain I wasn't the one making up scenarios in my head before I did. As if on a cue, Vina walked past with a deep frown etched on her face feigning not to see me. Grabbing her by the arm, I pulled her backwards, “What is the issue? You don't look good.” I pointed out, worriedly. Flashing a smile at me, she pushed her hand into her hair, flashing me a little smile with an uneasy look on her face. “I am sorry, I didn't see you.” She muttered. Returning her smile, I went ahead to rub her arm, the smile on my face never leaving even for a split second. “You can tell me what the issue is and I promise to help in any way I can.” Going further, I added, “You are my cousin and my best friend. I can't sit back and watch you sad without doing a thing.” When she began to look around, I held her wrist and then pulled her to my bedroom so
Matured ContentNORA POV What I really needed was some time alone to gather my thoughts, to reflect on my choices and figure out what was truly best for me. The forest air hit me hard on my face yet I was still feeling hot. I had run quite a distance and found myself out of breath, unsure of where I was headed, but desperate for a moment of solitude. Suddenly, I heard the sound of twigs snapping and sensed a familiar presence nearby. Tapping into my wolf instincts, I sniffed the air and snapped a twig, ready to confront the intruder.“Who are you? Show yourself and stop hiding!” “Nora…” a voice called from behind me. It was a voice I recognized all too well—the same one that had caused me pain, yet I still longed to hear it because of the way it made me feel.I felt the wetness of my clit the moment his voice filtered through my ears. I swallowed hard, trying to steer my mind away from the sensuality rapidly building
THIRD POVNora walked away from them, her mind spinning with the sorceress's demand. Give herself up to save her children? The choice seemed both impossible and inevitable. She wandered through the trees, needing space to breathe, and to think.She found a fallen log a short distance from the cave entrance and sank down onto it. The forest around her was very quiet, as if even the birds and insects sensed the dark magic nearby. Her hands trembled as she pressed them against her face, trying to hold back tears."They're discussing whether your life is worth saving the twins," a soft voice said from behind her.Nora looked up to find Elara standing there, her face partially shadowed by the trees."Elara," Nora said, quickly wiping her eyes. "I didn't hear you approach.""I move quietly," Elara replied with a slight smile. "It's a useful skill for a lady's maid."Nora nodded absently, her thoughts still with her children. "
THIRD POVElder Silvarum continued to talk about the sorceress and her relationship with Carlos and the twins, after everyone had slowly recovered from the shock. "The sorceress has powerful magic, but I believe we can track her.""How?" Griffin pushed off from the wall, suddenly interested."With blood," the elder replied simply. He turned to Carlos. "Alpha, although I don't possess sorcerer abilities myself, my bloodline carries ancient knowledge. And your blood will be the compass.""Whatever it takes to get my children back." "I can perform the tracking spell. I've done similar workings before," Katherine offered. "It's dangerous," Elder Silvarum warned. "The sorceress will have safeguards.""I don't care," Katherine replied dismissively. "Those are my niece's cubs."Carlos rolled up his sleeve and extended his arm. "Take what you need."Katherine glanced at Elder Silvarum, who nodded an
THIRD POV Two hours later, they gathered in the twins' bedroom. Nora had laid out their favorite possessions: Zack's toy sword, Zoe's stuffed wolf, their hair brushes still containing strands of dark hair. Her hands trembled as she arranged the items in the circle Kathryn had drawn on the floor."This should be enough," Kathryn said, kneeling beside the circle. She looked exhausted, dark circles prominent beneath her eyes. "But I need to warn you all. My powers have limits. Especially against someone like the sorceress.""Just try," Nora whispered.Griffin stood back near the doorway, watching the proceedings with a heavy heart. He knew better than anyone what the sorceress was capable of. The years he'd spent in her thrall had shown him the depths of her cruelty, and her power.Kathryn began to chant, her hands moving in intricate patterns above the circle. The air in the room grew heavy with magic, pressing against their skin like
THIRD PovNora fought, earnestly, not knowing which powers controlled her. Was this her hidden heritage or something new? As the fight became even more fierce, she struggled to keep watch over the kids.Not until, she smelled them and the danger around. Nora looked up sharply, her gaze fixed on two Ancients emerging, dragging small, struggling forms between them. Her blood ran cold as she recognized Zack and Zoe, their faces pale with terror as they fought against their captors' grip."Mom! Dad!" Zack shouted, his voice filled with fear."Let them go!" Nora screamed, light flaring around so fiercely that several nearby wolves whimpered and backed away. How dare these people touch her babies!As her anger filled the air, Nora heard the evil laughter of the sorceress. "Now, that's interesting. You've grown stronger than I anticipated. Perhaps those meddling fools didn't suppress your power as thoroughly as they thought."
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.