Elder Damon's POVThings kept moving on in the direction I wanted and I couldn't help but to thank my stars. Everything I had in mind to do was already planned out carefully and I doubt if there was going to be any flaw in my plans. My tools for destruction and launching of my plans were active not to talk of my spies who were loyal and were ready to do whatever I asked of them. After the secret meeting with Carlos, I returned home only to meet with one of my spies lurking around. “How long have you been waiting?” I asked, announcing my presence and at once he turned around and then did a curt bow. “I’m supposed to wait on you.” He replied as a bright smile spread across my lips. This was loyalty at the peak and I was already itching to get on the throne so the whole pack will bow to me and do my biddings.“We should talk inside.” I said, leading the way.A few minutes into our conversation, he le
Nora's POVIf only I knew that the noise from last night was when the palace was being infiltrated, I would have reacted immediately even though I was a bit weak.“Dammit!” I dug my teeth into my lips as I clenched my fists by my side. At the moment, I was in the throne room with the elders who were lamenting about the situation at hand. My parents were taken from the palace, leaving behind only a handful of us and a few maids and guards who were useless; thanks to the substance consumed the previous night. “This is an abomination. Whoever must have done this must be an insider enemy.” Elder Tyler yelled, pulling himself to his feet. With his finger pointed at the throne, he went further to say, “The throne had been defiled.” Taking a deep breath, I said, “You have to calm down as everything is under control.” Before he could part his lips and start rambling, I quickly added, “I sent tropes out to find my parents and the rest of the captives. They should join us soon.”My words w
Nora's POV It must have been over half an hour that we remained in the same position. While I bemoaned about my fate, Karen listened to me and he never ceased to comfort me but I couldn't be comforted. Justin had clearly stated in his letter that I was nothing but a weakling and I was the cause of the infiltration. His raw words were foreign to me as he had never said that to me before, but why now?This question kept ringing in my head but I had no answer to it. Then, there was Carlos, as sly as a fox. “If only I knew this was his plan all the while, I would have allowed him to leave the pack immediately he was hale and hearty.” I muttered, snapping my eyes shut. “Don't blame yourself, you did well. He is the one to be condemned as he took your kindness for granted making you look like a fool.” Karen said with a mild tone. “I'm not going to trust anyone, ever again. This is a lesson I learnt th
Elder Damon's POVEven though the motive of the war was met, I was not satisfied with the outcome as I felt it didn't go as planned. Nora was supposed to be killed at the Kingdom and not allowed to cross the borders but somehow, she and the army were able to defeat my army. “But the end result is still the same.” I smacked my lips, rubbing my palms in glee. With my hands folded behind me, I made my way out of my home and then began to head towards the palace, a bright smile on my face. The throne which I was always longing for was finally going to mine in a matter of hours. All I needed to do was to make sure the elders buy my ideas, in that way, they will have no choice but to listen to whatever I say and act accordingly. On arrival at the palace, I made my way to the throne room only to meet the elders seated with a mournful look on their faces. “Traitor.” Elder Tyler yelled, wielding his fingers at me.
Carlos’ POV Looking over my shoulders to ascertain no one was coming behind me, I quickly threw my hood over my head and then stole into the night.Walking hurriedly like someone was after my life, I made sure I kept on with this pace until I got to the borders. At first, I didn't see anyone but on a closer look, my eyes fell on a man dressed in black cloak. “Damon.” I called, hurrying to his side. Now a few feet away from him, I folded my hands in front of me and then did a curt bow. “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Sneaking out of the palace became tedious.” I muttered. “You don't have to apologize. I just arrived too.” He said in a carefree tone, making me let out a relieved chuckle. “Thanks to you, everything is going on smoothly.” He said, with a shrug. “I'm just fulfilling my end of the bargain. I need to make sure everything goes on smoothly so at the end of it all no one would hold grudges.” I
Carlos' POV “Isn't the amount too much?” Justin asked, leaning over me. “The antidote will bring her back to life, don't worry.” I replied, pulling myself up.After a few minutes of staring at her motionless body, I began to walk towards my study only to halt all of a sudden. “What if they find out that the bodies don't belong to the royal family. I mean, the rogues… wouldn't they be identified?” I asked, my gaze fixated on Justin. Shrugging, he pushed his hands into his pockets, “I doubt if they are going to find out. Not when he already has plans to bury them.” For a moment, I went mute as I left my gaze on him.Cranking my head to the side, I tried to speak but words refused to form. “Why don't we administer the antidote to them? I’m scared something might happen to them if we keep delaying.” He ratted out and since I wasn't against his suggestion I began to trail after him. Getting to the physicia
Nora's POVThe moment my eyes flickered open, the first person I saw was Carlos and immediately I remembered what happened at the borders. Throwing my feet off the bed, I quickly charged towards him, “I'm going to kill you.” I spoke through my teeth, tightening my grip around his neck. Thrashing about, he began to plead for his life but I wasn't going to spare him. Giving him a second chance, he wouldn't mind killing me for real this time around and I couldn't take chances. “Die!” I yelled only for the door to creak open and Justin rushed in.He was about to stumble out when I grabbed his arm, and with my Lycan strength, I lifted both of them with their necks. “Nora! I can explain.” Justin yelled, increasing his thrashing only then did I decide to let Carlos go since he wasn't the one who fired the arrow. Coughing violently, he held my arm, trying to release Justin from my grip until I finally gave in. “Ca
Nora's POV Just as we planned, Carlos helped us make the perfect plan to enter the kingdom. I tried to contact Karen but I just couldn't get in touch with him. I was becoming afraid, thinking of what could have happened to him. If Damon could plot to kill the royal household, Karen was just a tip of the iceberg. " Carlos, could you please try to get Karen's location? I can't seem to get through to him-" " The last I heard from him was the time of the war. I tried searching for him but he wasn't reachable. It's strange-" " I hope he is alright," I mumbled. Once I was done with the matter of Damon, I will look for him. When we arrived at the throne room, there was commotion everywhere. The pack members were running helter skelter like they had just seen a ghost. Of course we were ghosts just like Damon had painted us to be in their eyes. “What is going on here?” Elder Ryan asked, his lips trembling as he held onto the wall like he was going to fall any moment. “But… he sai
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.