Reader's POV
The news Greg brought, sent cold chills running through the spines of everyone present. Just like Greg had said, he stated that things were getting sour quicker than expected and this was the perfect example for it.Several times, Justin tried to speak but his tongue was tied. It seemed like a lead was tied to his tongue, stopping him from lifting it.Frustration simmered within Justin during the ride to the Blue Lycans pack. Elder Callum suggested that they bring them to his kingdom. Until they find out exactly how to get Karen, Carlos wasn't safe in the werewolf kingdom.But as soon as they arrived, ominous news awaited them.The guards informed Elder Callum and Justin that an envelope had been discovered at the entrance of the throne room, sent by an unknown source. Without hesitation, Justin snatched the envelope and tore it open, scanning its contents.“No, no, no!” he shouted, his fist crashing into the wall.Carlos's POVI wasn't angry about Nora's surprise attack, but something cold had settled in my stomach. For a moment, I'd been terrified that something was wrong with her wolf again. That maybe some enemy had taken control, or that the stress of everything was affecting her somehow.But when I looked into her eyes, searching for any sign of trouble, Nora just smiled and shook her head."I wasn't testing your reflexes," she said, her voice playful but with an edge I couldn't quite place. "I was testing your abilities in the face of seduction. I wanted to see if you could save yourself when distracted."I stared at her, completely dumbfounded. "Seduction?""Think about it, Carlos. What if an enemy used your feelings for me against you? What if they shapeshifted to look like me, or used magic to make you see what you wanted to see?"Before I could process what she was saying, before I could tell her that was impossible because I'd k
Carlos's POV A whole month had passed since Griffin left with the bodies of the sorceress and her daughter. One entire month, and still no word from him. I had sent search parties, contacted neighboring packs, even reached out to other kingdoms. Nothing. It was like Griffin had just vanished into thin air along with those bodies.The whole thing bothered me more than I wanted to admit. Griffin wasn't the type to just disappear without a word. He was reliable, responsible. He'd promised to be back by the end of the week, but here we were, four weeks later, with no sign of him.My wolf paced restlessly every time I thought about it. Something was wrong. I could feel it in my bones. But without any leads, without any trace of where he'd gone, there wasn't much I could do except wait and hope."But where the hell would Griffin had gone?" I always asked myself. The question never got old. I would ask myself the same question over and over ag
Carlos's POVIt's been three days since Nora and I had our romantic moments. We were inseparable with our public display of affection rubbing off on everyone. I couldn't help myself after nearly losing her to that healing ritual, I needed to touch her constantly. A hand on her back, fingers intertwined with hers, stolen kisses when no one was looking. Every gesture was a reminder that she was here, she was mine, and she was safe.The pack members had started giving us knowing looks, some rolling their eyes good-naturedly at our behavior. But I didn't care. I wanted them to see how much I loved my mate.The kids had been taken to the Lycan Kingdom by Nora's biological brother, King George. It was safer for them there while we dealt with the aftermath of the Ancient attack. Though I missed them terribly, their absence meant I could focus entirely on Nora without worrying about their safety.With the kids absent, I stayed glued to Nora, not missing a
Carlos's POVWhen I heard Nora was risking everything to save Griffin again, my heart hurt. The pain wasn't physical. it was deeper than that, it even cut through me like a blade made of doubt and fear. I stood outside the Salutary, listening to her screams, knowing she was suffering unimaginable agony for another man.I tried to convince myself that Nora was just sympathetic towards Griffin because of guilt but I just couldn't contain my jealousy. Every rational thought I had was drowned out by the voice in my head asking why she would do this. Why she would risk her life, our future, our children's mother. All for him.My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, as tormented as I was. He didn't understand why our mate was putting herself in danger for someone who wasn't pack, wasn't family. The possessive instincts that came with being an Alpha made it even worse. Every fiber of my being screamed that she was mine to protect, mine to cherish, mine to keep
Nora's POVAfter a gruesome hour, everywhere became calm and even Griffin's pain was lessened. I drifted in and out of consciousness, aware of voices around me but unable to make sense of their words. The pain had receded to a dull throb, present but bearable compared to the agony I'd endured.When I finally managed to open my eyes, I saw the healer bent over Griffin, examining him with careful hands. Behind her, Elder Silvarum stood watching, his aaface lined with exhaustion."How is he?" I croaked, my voice raw from screaming.The healer looked up, surprised to see me awake. "Better than expected," she admitted. When the healer checked on his wounds, it had healed significantly but he was still unconscious.I tried to sit up but found my body too weak to obey. Every muscle ached as if I'd run for days without stopping. My head pounded in rhythm with my heartbeat."I hope it worked? He's going to be fine, right?"
NORA'S POVThe sorcerer also wanted Nora's blood to save her daughter Elena too. I was caught between saving my friend or risking to create two versions of myself again. What if they needed to feed on my blood continuously? The thought made my skin crawl."I don't know," I whispered, looking between Griffin's unconscious form and Elena's dying one. "My blood isn't normal anymore. I'm not sure if I will be able to help. The sorceress face fell. "There must be something you can do. Anything."I opened my mouth to respond but had no answers to give. How could I make this choice? Save them and risk creating monsters, or refuse and watch them die? I also owed the sorceress daughter, since she was in that position because of me. I was still at loss for words when Elder Silvarum entered with a potion. His face looked grim as he approached, he had a small bottle geld securely in his hands. "There may be another way," he said.He told me the potion would make my powers suppressed for as lo
Third POVKing Callum was carried by his warriors and they all made their way back to the Eagle Pack. Six of the strongest men bore his body on their shoulders, their faces solemn as they marched through the forest. Behind them followed the rest of the surviving warriors, battered and bloodied but victorious.Nora walked alongside her uncle's body, her hand occasionally reaching out to touch the cloth that covered him. Carlos stayed close to her, carrying one of the twins while Nora held the other. Neither spoke. Words seemed inadequate in the face of such grief.Elder Silvarum led the procession, his staff lighting their way through the darkness. The journey was long and silent, broken only by the occasional howl of mourning from one of the wolves.Back at the pack, Nora was still shaken by her Uncle's death. She sat alone in the council chamber, staring at nothing. The twins had been taken to rest by one of their nannys, and Carlos had gone to check on Griffin's condition.When Elde
THIRD POVThe war raged on between Nora and the Ancient Elder until she killed him. It was as if a powerful part of the Ancient was weakened. The moment his head separated from his body, something shifted in the air. The oppressive energy that had filled the chamber dissipated, leaving behind only the metallic scent of blood and the heavy panting of wounded warriors.The other Ancients faltered, their coordinated attacks becoming disjointed as their leader fell. Some turned to flee, only to be cut down by Carlos and King George. Elder Silvarum waved his staff with incantations and an invisible wall cracked. The sound was like glass shattering, though nothing visible broke. One moment the wall stood solid, the next a jagged crack appeared in what seemed to be empty air. The crack widened, spreading like spiderwebs until the entire barrier collapsed."Now!" Elder Silvarum shouted, his voice carrying far beyond the chamber.Werewolves and Lycans trooped inside the Ancient Pack chanting
Third POVNora lunged toward the Ancient, both fighting in their wolf form. The Ancient's fur was ash-gray, matted with blood and dirt, while Reika's blue flames licked across her midnight black coat. Their massive bodies crashed together with the force of two trucks colliding.The Ancient snarled, yellow fangs gleaming as he snapped at Reika's throat. She dodged, twisting her body in a fluid motion before countering with a slash of her claws. They tore through the Ancient's shoulder, sending droplets of dark blood spattering across the marble floor. The two circled each other, muscles coiled tight, ready to spring. Reika's eyes burned with blue fire, reflecting the rage that consumed her. The Ancient's eyes were cold, calculating, centuries of battles evident in his measured movements.They crashed together again, a blur of fur and fangs and fury. The Ancient's jaws clamped down on Reika's foreleg, and she howled in pain before retaliating with a brutal slash across his muzzle. Bloo