Reader's POV While all these were going on, Justin and the secret army he had gathered were trying to find out Karen's secret hideout. With the description Vina had given to them, it seemed easy but since they embarked on the search for the location, they haven't been able to reach their destination. Exhausted, the men gathered under a large tree to catch their breath while Justin and the members of the Blue Lycan Kingdom who had offered to help them went over the directives again. Drumming his foot against the floor, Justin had a look of worry on his face. He believed that Karen had caught Carlos and now he was in grave danger. “Calm down.” It was Elder Callum who had accompanied them that spoke. He too was trying to trace Nora’s scent but it was to no avail. “I can't reach him through the mind link.” Justin replied, still hitting his foot against the floor with his hands crossed on his chest. His distress got to the point that he began to pace about, all in a bid to clear his
Reader's POVThe 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.
Karen's POVI decided to return to the kingdom with the unconscious Nora. It would be quite impossible to kill her without a full plan. I needed to have some time to help me restrategize. Carlos' sudden appearance had made all my plans go to naught as I strongly believed that he hadn't acted on his own. He must have solicited help from Nora's kingdom and so I had to be extra careful while dealing with them. On arrival, I handed Nora to the physicians. I stood before King Salvador and Queen Dione, and the elders of the kingdom. I could see the concern etched on their faces as I recounted my tale."I am afraid Carlos had already poisoned Nora by the time I reached her," I said, my voice laced with feigned regret. "I managed to rescue her, but I had to escape quickly, as my army was vastly outnumbered."Queen Dione's eyes welled up with tears. "Oh, Karen, you're a hero! We can't thank you enough for saving our daughter."
Nora’s POVCounting in my head to hundred, I kept wishing I could reach the last number as soon as possible as I couldn't stop itching with excitement. At first, it was a dream as I found it hard to believe I was back home, I was back in my kingdom and with my family. Finally, the whole ordeal of being kidnapped was over and now, another round of battle which I was mentally prepared for was lurking around. I was still on my bed, my body limp and my eyes dull while pretending to have memory erased. But little did Karen know that I was just biding my time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.And now, I knew exactly what I had to do. I would use Karen's own motives against him, exploit his weaknesses, and turn his own game back on him.I could hardly wait to see the look on Karen's face when he realized he had been outsmarted by the very person he thought he had broken.I took a silent sigh, my heart racing with excitem
Nora's POV With her eyes glistening with tears, mother ran into the study, pulling me into a tight hug that I felt my breath being cut off. Too weak to do a thing, I just stood there as she continued to squash me in a bear hug while muttering some words in my ears. When she finally pulled away from me, I attempted to wipe the tears off her face but she grabbed my hand mid air. “I'm sorry Nora, please forgive me.” She said, tears rolling down her eyes in torrents. “Come on mom, it's fine.” I flashed her a smile, rubbing her palm to soothe her. “That's not the case Nora.” Wiping her eyes with the back of her palm, she took in a deep breath. “I allowed Karen to mislead me. I was a toy in his game and he made sure to sway me with different talks to get what he needed.” Mother went on and on to talk of how Karen had used her but I didn't judge her a bit. If I was in her place, I would have done the same.
Nora's POVThere was something on the other end of the door that was calling out to me and not until I got it, I wasn't going to return to normalcy. Unable to hold back anymore, I charge towards the door, crushing it to the ground with my wolf strength and revealing my attraction. It was a shining orb. It looked so small but it had so much strength that had kept pulling me in and had eventually caused me to push the door down. Still standing there and admiring it, mother made her way to my side with her hand still folded on her chest. “Are you certain you are ready for this?” She asked, eliciting a low grunt from me. My initial request was a confirmation of Karen's story but she brought me here instead, piquing my interest.There was no going back now or anytime soon. Until I found out what is in that orb or what it signified, I wasn't going to leave. “Since you're curious, it wouldn't
Reader's POV“ Esmeralda!" A faint mysterious voice called out as a beautiful woman appeared, making Nora gasp.Radiating with excitement and so much energy, Princess Esmeralda who was in her thirties was running around the garden, the smile on her face neatly stamped on it. Princess Esmeralda's laughter echoed through the garden, her long, curly brown hair bouncing with each step. Her bright green eyes sparkled with joy, and her pink lips curved into a radiant smile. She was lost in the simple pleasure of running, feeling the warm sun on her skin and the soft grass beneath her feet.Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. She squealed in surprise, her eyes widening as she turned to face her captor. A handsome man with chiseled features and piercing blue eyes gazed back at her, his dark hair messy and endearing."Ha!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with delight. "What are you doing here?"
Reader's POV After a successful escape, Princess Esmeralda ran all the way to the forest which was his hideout. It didn't take long for her to locate the cave which was his abode and immediately she got in, she stepped backwards with her hands around her mouth. Lying at her feet was her mate who looked so battered and weak. It seemed like he had been beaten up mercilessly by the pack soldiers. Falling on her knees, Princess Esmeralda tried to make him sit up but the groans which erupted from his lips terrified her so much that she had to give up trying. Still contemplating on what to do, she began to look around the place but it was shabby. “Draco.” She called, leaning over him with a loving look on her face. Tracing his face with her fingers, she went ahead to say, “I have escaped from my kingdom.”Surprised, he mustered all of his energy to sit up and with a look of worry on his face, he asked, “Why? Why will you do that Esmeralda?” “My father wouldn't let me get mated to yo
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.