NORA POVMy heart shattered as my father stared at me, looking shocked. His hands clenched tightly as he bit hard on his lips. Those brown eyes of his stuck to mine. WeThe letter must be talking about what transpired at the ball. I felt heartbroken that he looked at me with such anger in his eyes. It hurts to see that he might have believed what Carlos said, not until I heard his outburst. “ That bastard! How dare he accuse my daughter!" My father thundered, making everyone shudder except Karen. He just used his beta’s voice. That was odd because my father rarely uses it. My heart felt lighter, my face beamed with undeniable joy. It was a relief that his anger wasn't towards me but to those who accused me.The moon goddess surely blessed me with the most wonderful family. As I watched my father shake with his lips clenched tightly, I couldn't help but let a tear fall.He believed me, even without me defending myself. “ He is so brazen to accuse my daughter of such an act. Who doe
Nora POVVisitors?I squinted as I perceived the pack members' familiar scent hovering around our house. From their growls, I could tell it was more of an orchestrated ploy to get me out of the pack, as a traitor.The air in the house dampened even more as I heard the grunts from my parents and brother. It was as thick as the anger building inside of me.“ I will go and sort this out," Justin said, making his way to the door but I stopped him.“ No, Justin. You don't need to get involved until I sort this out. This is about my innocence, I don't want to drag you all into it."“ Nora-" Justin couldn't finish his words as the growls and stampede was getting louder. It seemed like they were close to our house. “ How could he even think that- what the hell is wrong with Carlos?" Justin's face was filled with rage as he stared at the door.“ He is only acting as an Alpha," I replied, sarcastically.“ Alpha? What about friendship?" He asked, quizzically. It was evident that Carlos had ta
Nora POVThe voice boomed, sending shivers down everyone's spine. Well, all of the guards and Aria except me. I was still a Lycan and these people were just werewolves. I was only intimidated when I hadn't gotten my training.Not anymore.I looked up to see Carlos father, Viker Alberto, walking furiously toward Aria. Before Aria could say anything, a crispy slap resonated in the air. It was followed by a successions of slaps to all the guards around her.Aria whimpered, away from Viker Alberto with reddened eyes and clenched fist. I would have laughed if I wasn't the one on the receiving end. She looked like an overripe tomatoes at its sour state.“ You dare imprison my beta and his family without the royal consent? How dare you!" Viker Alberto growled, his eyes turning darker.Aria's pupils dilated as she made backwards move, unable to utter a word. It was as though Viker Alberto's aura suppressed her arrogance. I watched as she tried to speak, finally she spoke.Barely audible, stut
CARLOS POVAfter I left my father, I decided to find out more about this issue. I wouldn't let it slide. I wasn't ready to wait even till dawn. I believed the only way to find my answers was to get what actually happened that night.Deep down, I knew Nora was likely not a traitor but then I couldn't shake the fact that she was mingling with a Lycan. She even had the pendant inscribed with a Lycan language.There was something I wasn't getting about this whole issue. I went to the office, to get a clearer head. I was sure by now Justin must have heard about what happened at the ball party. Knowing how much he trusts and adores Nora, I know it was going to be difficult to convince him otherwise.So, until I found out what was actually happening, I blocked every interaction with him in my mindlink. I needed strong evidence in the presence of everyone to convince them of whatever was happening.It's been almost an hour and I have been trying to rack my head on what I was going to do when
NORA POV "My patience is running out," I spat, my voice low and even. Carlos smiled. Then he whispered to me."Mine too, Nora. I want to know why you chose the pendant I saw on the cliff as yours instead of the one you gave me.” “ That's because it's mine. I don't know how you got the other one but the broken pendant is mine. Why don't you confirm it with my parents?" I asked, scoffing. “ You still haven't answered my question, Nora. I found this broken pendant at the cliff. How did the pendant you gave me ended up at the cliff, broken if you are not a traitor?" I seethed, my anger boiling over like a pot about to overflow. And then, I couldn't hold it in anymore as I blurted out with how he rejected me months ago. The room fell silent, all eyes on me. Carlos' smile faltered, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of confusion in his eyes. But then, his expression hardened, and he sneered at me. "What has my rejection got to do with this!" he spat, his voice rising. As the words le
NORA POV“ This is not funny, Nora. I know I am guilty of rejecting you but how could you accuse me of causing your attempted suicide?" Carlos asked, breathing heavily. " Attempted suicide? Did you just say attempted suicide?” I asked, scoffing. But as I wanted to continue, I heard the whispers from the crowd and I began to regret lying when I just came back. " Yes. That's what she said at the last gathering when she came back”" Exactly. How could she accuse the Alpha of wanting to kill her when she was the one who wanted to die?”" Such a vile person!”" Even if the Alpha rejects her, she doesn't have to accuse him of attempted murder. That's absurd!”As the whispers continued, I stared at Carlos. His expression was still far from admitting his wrong. He looked at me as if I was the liar here. How could he be so cruel?“ Carlos, are you this heartless?" I finally let out, breathing heavily as I watched Carlos's face turn red with rage. "You're lying! I would never try to kill you
NORAI looked up at my father and mother as they moved closer to me, baring their fangs at the people who wanted to harm me. All the hurtful emotions I felt earlier, the betrayal and hatred all washed away at the singular act of the people who had raised me as their own.I watched as they went against their pack, just to protect me. They had always been kind and supportive, but I had never expected them to defy the pack's wishes just for me. I know how much my father respects the Pack's rules and regulations.“ She is a traitor! Why should we spare her?" Someone asked from the crowd. I was sure it was one of Aria's minions. "Traitor? Do you have proof? When has it become a norm in this pack that a person can just be charged without proof?" my father growled, his voice firm and authoritative. "You can't just kill her without a trial. That's not our way."Viker Alberto also nodded, waving his hands to the growling crowd. "She is not a traitor until she is proven to be. For now Nora is
THIRD POVAncient Lycan KingdomAs soon as Karen got back to the kingdom, he went straight to the Queen's court after sending a message to his grandfather, Silvarum.He held the other piece of pendant tightly, making his way through the hallway leading to the Queen's Court. As soon as he got to the entrance, the Queen's elegant voice rang out softly.“ Let him in.”Karen entered with a bow but was surprised to see his grandfather already seated with the Queen who was looking restless." How is my daughter?” Queen Dione asked, anxiety washed all over her face." She sends her regards and will be back in a few days. She just needs some time to bring in her foster parents and brother.”Elder Silvarum scoffed, hitting the ground with his staff." That brat! We don't have much time. Her identity was exposed at the ball and she needs to be here to finish her training. That brat needs to get her wolf as soon as possible or we are all doomed!” Karen dipped his hand into his pocket and brought
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.