Karen's POVDammit! “What is it my lord?!” Beta Anderson asked and immediately I nodded towards the bushel where Carlos was hiding. To him, he thought he had securely hidden himself from me when in the real sense I could see him clearly. “Over there, we have a visitor.” I whispered, nodding my head slowly towards Carlos in a stylish way. “Who is he, my lord?” “Someone who is interested in me.” I tugged my hair, as I sent my teeth into my lips. As it seems, if I permitted Carlos to have his way, he was going to cause a nuisance and I'm not ready for that.Something must be done to keep him on his toes, otherwise, all of my plans would go into naught, his persistence wasn't something to be joked with. Tapping my foot against the ground, I had my hands folded behind me with my gaze fixated solely in his direction. “What should I do with him, my lord? I came with a potion just in case.” “How lethal is it?” I asked, casting him a glance before proceeding to bury my head, still tap
Nora's POVNot going to lie, I felt like I was dreaming but the sad truth was that it was a reality. Standing before me was Karen and so I decided to solicit help from him but he ignored me like I never existed. He didn't stop there, he walked out on me despite my pleas for help and at this point, I couldn't help but wonder what this was all about. For a while, I didn't make a sound, nor a move.I just sat there, staring into space as I replayed the scene that had happened in my head. With the little drama I had seen, no doubt, Karen was the one who had held me hostage otherwise, he would have untied me.He and Vina were a team and hence made me wonder when they became so close, not to talk of ganging up against me. Tied up, I couldn't move my body properly. Aching all over, I tried to adjust only for me to fall on my face and at once Vina let out a huff.Ignoring her attitude, I decided
Carlos’ POVGrabbing my head, I managed to pull myself to my feet, the effect of the strong substance which I had inhaled, slowly weaning off. “Karen!” I called, stumbling back and forth, trying to maintain my stance. This uneasy movement continued for a while before I could finally stand on my feet and with my hands grasping my waist, I let out a loud howl as anger mixed with frustration racked through me. My failure in getting Karen after all my boast was making me go insane. The more I thought about it, the more frequently I clenched and unclenched my fists as anger raked through me. Karen had outwitted me, I shouldn’t have fallen for his cheap tricks. “What am I going to do now?” I pondered with my hands across my chest as I paced about in a futile attempt to keep still. Still frustrated, I slide through a tree to the ground, pulling my legs to my chin. With my gaze fixed in the space in front of me,
Karen's POVWith my hands folded behind me, I had my gaze out of the window as I awaited the results of the mission. At the end of my discussion with Beta Anderson, I was uncomfortable as I kept thinking about Carlos and his persistent nature. Even though we had managed to shut down his body system back there at the woods, that wasn't a guarantee that he wouldn't come at me again. “He is smart, I admit that. Just a little encounter with me, he was able to detect what I’m up to.” Chuckling, I pushed my hand into my hair and then tugged on it for a while. Frowning really hard now, I began to clench and unclench my fists as anger racked through my veins. Carlos was a thorn in my flesh and the earlier I pulled him out the more better for me. Impatient from waiting for the assailants, I stepped out of my room only to see them walking up to me with a neutral look on their faces. Now in front of me, they all did a curt now while I looked on. All I needed was the results of the operati
Nora’s POV Everything Karen had said to me sounded foreign that I couldn't even believe a bit of it. It was like he was reading from a script for a movie and the more he fed me with the lines he had to offer, the more doubtful I became.Pursing my lips, I feigned like I was listening to him when in the real sense I wasn't, rather I was waiting for just one word so I will be able to attack him from there. Suddenly, I remembered Vina’s words about him being dangerous and not to be trusted but here he was painting someone else in the same light.“What about Vina?” I cut in, sending his words back to his throat. For a moment, he didn't say a thing. He went mute as he darted his eyes around only to focus it on me when he realized I was watching. “She is scared of you. If the both of you are trying to help me then you have to be a team and not the other way around.” I paused to allow the words to sink in. “There is something you aren't telling me and I'm curious to find out what it is
Karen’s POV After leaving Nora’s side, I stumbled into the hallway, clenching and unclenching my fists in anger as I stared into space. The conversation we just had was a clear testament that I haven’t even begun yet as Nora was a hard nut to crack. Convincing her that I was doing this for her own good was a difficult thing to do but I was determined to do so otherwise, my plans would be thwarted. Looking behind my shoulders, I kept staring at the closed door, contemplating my next line of actions. After what seemed like forever, I decided to go back in and try convincing her again but I felt that was going to make her doubt me even more. With heavy footsteps, I made my way towards the exit of the building only to push open the door of the second room where Vina lay. With my face scrunched up in disgust, I cranked my head to the side and with my hands crossed on my chest, I
Karen's POVThe silence in the room became thick coupled with a thickened tension filled room that could be cut through with a knife.Step after step, he made his way into the throne room and now in the middle, he did a curt bow, his hands securely by his side. What is he doing here? — I pondered, my gaze never leaving him even for a minute. “Callum, you never told us you were coming.” Queen Dione said to Elder Callum, her brother and Nora’s uncle who I had met in the Blue Lycan Kingdom. “I should have been here a long while ago but I had no idea what had happened until last night.” He said, folding his hands behind him like he always does.“I had been on hiatus several miles away only to return to learn that my niece went missing without a trace.” He thundered.The anger mixed with disappointment in his eyes couldn't be missed. Nora's family kept acting like she was a child that needed to be looked after all through the day. Their actions were pissing me off but at the same time
Karen's POV“To determine if Nora is still alive or dead, I will have to summon her blue blood.” Elder Callum said, his voice firm and resounding. Swallowing hard, I grabbed the arm of the chair I was sitting on, my gaze never leaving him even for a minute. Summoning the blue blood of a royal Lycan is Iike unleashing a suppressed demon that the Lycan possessed. If Elder Callum goes through with this plan of his, it wouldn't be long before Nora would be found and not only that, the other part of her wolf which my grandfather suppressed will rear its head. “I think we should go with that path.” King Salvador said, increasing my heartbeat. Somehow, I will have to come up with a contingent reason to dissuade them or else, I wouldn't be able to defeat the kingdom and for certain, I was going to lose my life. Right there where I sat, a million and one idea was spiraling through my head all at once but none of them seemed viable. The adults kept talking but I was too bothered to liste
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.