THIRD POVKing Salvador was not at ease knowing that Nora was alone in the werewolf territory. Luckily, he had sent word for the war to be announced. Only with that will Nora be safe.Those people wouldn't want to start a brutal war when they are not sure of the pendant.“ Karen, did you send word to our allies in the neighboring werewolf pack? They need to be there before our troops get there." " Yes. Alpha Jasper would be there alongside the other parties. I will be going home so I can get my troops ready.” Karen said, asKaren took a deep bow before leaving the Queen's Court. He needed to get his troops ready for the journey.“ Karen!"He turned around to see the person calling his name and he was surprised to see a bubbly face with an addicting smile.“ Riya? When did you get back from the province?" He asked, forcing out a smile.Riya has rushed over her training at the province so she could meet up with her cousin, Nora. They were of the same age and had been playmates before N
THIRD POVAlpha Carlos had a grim expression on his face as they walked away from the Lycan camp at the border. He couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion and unease. The King's accusations of kidnapping his daughter made no sense to him. They didn't even know who the Lycan princess was, let alone have any reason to kidnap her. He was sure this was the handwork of those jealous alphas.“ Kayden, do you have any Intel on the lost princess?" Alpha Carlos asked his gamma.“ I think Justin is in charge of that-"“ Where the hell is Justin? He is supposed to be here with me," Alpha Carlos queried.Although he knew Justin must be angry at him for what transpired between himself and Nora, he was still the beta of the kingdom.“ Justin is with the other warriors, guarding the women and children to a safe place in case the Lycans decide to invade," Kayden said, pausing as he took a glance at Alpha Carlos.“ -And he doesn't want to see me because of Nora, right?” Alpha Carlos muttered, bit
NORA POV “ You mean the Lycan King is here by himself?" My father asked, wide-eyed.I nodded and with a faint smile, I tried to put their mind at ease. “ You don't need to be afraid. Your safety and mine would be his top priority."My mother held my hand, worriedly. “ I am not concerned about us, Nora. We are concerned about you. I have a bad feeling about Aria and her father. Can't you send a message to Karen or we could take you-"I shook my head as I persuaded them.“ No, mother. My plans would be ruined if I took you along with me. Besides, I wouldn't want to put you in danger. You don't have to worry. I can take care of myself.”It took the effort of my father before my mother finally let me go. I made my way through the winding road, my heart racing with excitement and a hint of fear. Something didn't feel right as I walked along the bushy paths. I could smell a foul odor, just like rogues.But they had a unique smell, unlike the ones I have encountered. These smells carried a
Alpha Carlo's POVI felt a cold fury coursing through my veins as I read the message from the Lycans. "Hand over Justin's family and my mate?" I snarled, my voice echoing off the walls of my chambers. Why would they demand for my beta and Aria? The demand from the Lycan king was utterly absurd. I crumpled the paper in my hand, my mind racing with outrage and disbelief. How dare they demand that I surrender innocent lives to their mercy? These people are my people and they were under my protection as the alpha. Even if I have issues with Aria, she was still my pack member and a mate I had chosen. Her father was also a respectful Alpha under my pack. How could I just hand them over to the Lycan when I don't know what they want my t?Does he genuinely believe I would hand over my beta and his family simply because his daughter has gone missing? I had no part in her disappearance, nor do I know where she is.Reflecting on it now, I can’t help but agree with Alpha Davies—this has Nora'
Nora's POVKaren reassured me that everything was fine, yet I couldn't shake the sudden wave of anxiety that washed over me. I had replayed this day in my mind countless times, envisioning how it would unfold, but now it felt different, as if I were venturing into unfamiliar territory. I paced back and forth in the camp, my heart racing with anticipation and anger. My hands clenched into fists, my nails digging into my palms as I thought about the man I was about to meet - Alpha Carlos.This time, I was meeting him as my real self. The powerful Lycan princess that I was. How would he take it? Well, I don't care as long as I get my revenge. It was all I could think about. Revenge for what he had done to me. If I wasn't a Lycan, I would have been dead and gone. It wasn't enough that he rejected me, he had to try to kill me too. The pain and suffering he had caused still burned within me like a fire.His cold and cruel words of rejection still ring in my head, even when I tried to ste
NORA POV“ Interesting," Karen said, smiling. He moved over to me and brought out a potion. Without being told, I knew it was likely Elder Silvarum potion.“ Did you hate me that much?" I sighed, giving him a pitiful look." Hate? Well, I guess you don't need your strength back. Let me just-”With a wide grin, I quickly took the potion from him and gulped it down without a second thought. The bitterness traveled through my body, making my face wrinkle. Gosh, this potion could kill! “ And she gulped it down without another fuse! Are you that eager to get back your strength?" Karen asked, smiling.“ Yeah. Very eager to show off my aura as the royal princess even if I haven't gotten my Lycan wolf," I stated, putting on the mask.Karen shook his head as we made our way to the camp where Alpha Carlos and the rest were already waiting for us. It was certainly going to be a show for me. As we got close to the camp, I spotted my parents and Justin walking towards me, a mix of emotions swirl
Nora's POVI watched their faces go pale, except for my family. The rest of the delegates including Carlos' father were all shocked and surprised gasps filled the air. Aria's eyes widened in shock, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. She stared at me, her expression frozen in stunned silence."Nora?" she whispered, her voice trembling. " How is this possible?" I smiled, a sly, mischievous grin spreading across my face. "The one and only," I said, my voice dripping with satisfaction.Aria's eyes darted to Carlos, then back to me, her face pale. "But...but you can't be-" she stammered. I chuckled, enjoying the shock and awe on her face. "I am here to negotiate, of course," I said, my voice confident and authoritative. "And to ensure that my family's interests are protected."Aria looked like she had been punched in the gut. She stumbled backward, her eyes fixed on me in disbelief. Carlos caught her, holding her steady as she struggled to process the revelation."Nora, what's going
Carlos POV I stared at the woman who I thought was a weakling all along. The woman we all refer to as a human and I was so foolish as to reject her. I knew it was all wrong to have rejected her because she was weak but then I needed a woman who would solidify my throne. In a twist, the moon goddess did answer my prayers but I was too gullible and prideful to look beyond her weaknesses. I was such a dumb person. My eyes went to Aria, my chosen mate. Ironically, the woman I chose because of her strength didn't think twice before throwing me away. Was this the love she professed? I clenched my fist tightly, glaring at Aria. Something else was bothering me as they took Aria away from the camp. Nora kept mentioning that I wanted her dead. The only guilt I had was hiding the fact that I rejected Nora. I had never tried to kill her. So I demanded to see one half of the pendant. You can imagine the surprise I had on my face when the Lycan king himself brought the broken pendant. I didn't
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.
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.