Carlos POV
As Karen made his way out, I suddenly felt my chest tightening. Something was definitely wrong and it was likely Nora. I ran swiftly towards the hospital ward, my eyes searching for her.As I got closer to the emergency ward, her scent hit me. It was indeed Nora and she was in the hospital. With shaky legs, I made my way towards where the doctors were trying to revive her.“Nora!” I called with a shaky voice, hitting her cheeks severally, trying to make her open her eyes but all to no avail.“She will be fine.” The doctor who was going after her before she slumped said, causing me to snap my head in his direction.I felt forlorn as I stared at her pale face. The doctor gently pushed me aside before turning to look at me. There was a faint smile on his face which made my pounding heart a little relaxed.“She is tired, hence her brain shut off all of its activities. She will need enough rest before she will get rejuvCarlos' POV I was surprised to see Justin trying to tag along with us. I sent him a mindlink not to get involved in my issues. I was already feeling guilty towards his family. Although he was my beta, I know how much he was struggling to let go off my betrayal.That was one of the reasons I usually overlook his outburst at me. But then, this was my own issue. I was ready to place my life on the line in exchange for that of my Pack members and that's why I didn't struggle with the guards. The procession finally came to an end when we were in the middle of the training ground. It was same training ground used by all the warriors. It was also the place Nora had trained to become stronger." Karen-" “Can you feel the scent of defeat mingled with betrayal? ” He asked, looking around like this was the first time he was visiting this place. " What do you mean?" I asked, furrowing my brows.With a scoff, he stated." This was
Nora’s POVBlinking my eyes, I tried to focus my gaze but the bright sunlight which was seeping into my bedroom wasn't helping matters.Yawning, I threw my feet off my bed but before I could stand on my feet, mother rushed to my side and then aided me. “Are you alright?” She asked with a raised brow, her whole gaze fixated on me. “I am good.” I replied and that was the truth. I had been lacking rest for a while and now that I had rested, I was rejuvenated. Nodding, mother let go of me and I proceeded to use the bathroom after which I joined her. She didn't need to tell me the steaming cup of cocoa belonged to me before I grabbed the handle, taking a long sip of the delicious liquid. “Thank you mom.” I said, eliciting a nod from her coupled with a warm smile. Rubbing my arm, she didn't say any word to me as I continued sipping from the cup until it was empty. “Do you want another one?” She asked and I shook my head in the negative.Now resting on my shoulder, I allowed her to r
Nora's POV Now with Carlos, I had to apologize for Karen's misconduct which he waved off like it was nothing. The fresh bruises on his body was nothing but a testament of the duel he must have gotten involved in with Karen. Taking my gaze from him, I began to stare into space. I couldn't afford to look back at him, the numerous scars on his body made me guilty. “Nora, permit me to return to my pack and build it.” He said and unable to resist staring at him, I snapped my head in his direction. “Don't get me started Carlos! You're fully aware of the danger that pack holds yet you feel you will be able to survive a day there.” I rolled my eyes at him. “You underestimate me too much. I know you are stronger than me for I’m just an alpha wolf and not a Lycan but I’m strong.” He paused before saying. “I can't be a refugee in another pack with my members. I need to tell them that indeed I’m a leader and their lives and w
Nora's POV It was one of the new maids who was behind the door. “You want to say something to me?” I raised my brow at her as she folded her hands in front of her. “Yeah!” She looked over her shoulder before returning her gaze to me. “A couple from the pack which was infiltrated are here to meet with you.” She reeled. There was no need for any further description because the couple mentioned here were my foster parents. Without wasting anymore time, I quickly hurried down the hallway only to meet my foster parents but I only saw my mother. She was pacing about at the entrance of the palace hallway which led to my chamber. The moment my foster mother saw me, she ran to my side and then held my arm and then began to rub it with a bright smile etched on her face. I still can't get enough of her love towards me. In fact, my two mothers were my emotional pillars. " Mother, you don't need permission to come to me. Just mention your name and you will be brought to my chambers. Or you
THIRD POVDamon was furious. At the moment, he was in the woods, pacing about as he racked his head on what might have gone wrong. All of his efforts to lay claim to the throne were thwarted, making him look like a failure.Several times, he approached King Salvador, trying to sway him but he was so smart that he got the hint almost immediately and as if that wasn't enough, he slid off like he was an eel. He was still in this position when Elder Richard appeared in front of him and after looking around for a while, he locked gaze with him. “Putting pressure on the rest of the elders seems impossible.” He blurted, making Damon clench his fist by his side as he grunted in agony. “Elder Fred! What is his take in this?” “Just like the others!” He mouthed and after a few minutes of silence, he leaned towards him and with a voice barely above a whisper, he said, “I don't think you can overthrow Princess Nora.”Hi
Nora's POV On my return to the throne room, I met my father and mother seated. They are having a bit of a conversation. Not wanting to disturb them, I stood aside, shifting my weight from one leg to the other until they noticed my presence and at once, mother gestured to me. “I’m sorry I called you out here. You should be getting some rest by now but this matter needs urgency.” She helped me to sit, afterwards took her seat next to me. Taking my hand, she placed it on her thigh and then placed her hands on top of it. “Nora dear, it's time you find yourself a mate. You shouldn't think you don't need one because of your status or anything.” She took a brief pause and then picked up the pace. “The job of the leader is grueling, you need someone to stand by you each time and also give you the will power to go on, don't you think?” She flashed me a smile as she rubbed my arm. “Ye
Nora's POV" Father!"" Nora, my hands are tied. I know how hurt you were when that Carlos rejected you. But you should try and move on. I believe it made you stronger and the person you are today. You need someone by your side to be a great leader-"" And that person is Karen? I don't love him, father-"With a wave of his hands, my father cut me off." But you are friends, right? And from all indications, I can tell that Karen loves you. I will be at rest if it's Karen because he would do all he can to protect you." " But father-"No matter how much I tried to convince my father that I wasn't interested, he didn't listen to me. His mind was already made up and it was frustrating.My mother who had been silent, suddenly cut in. " Do you still want to go back to Alpha Carlos? Or have you found a second chance mate?"I was taken aback by my mother's question and without hesitation, I shook my vehemently." Of cours
THIRD POV The meeting with Nora did nothing but to make Vina furious even though she tried to maintain a cool demeanor back there. At the moment, she was leaning against the cold wall with her eyes tightly shut as she reviewed her words in her head. To think that Nora was going to get betrothed to Karen was driving her insane and she wanted to put an end to it by any means. Clenching and unclenching her fists as tears rolled down her cheeks in torrents, she tried not to allow the discovery to overwhelm her but it was to no avail. “I can't allow Nora to have Karen for herself. She already has everything at her disposal; she can't have him to herself, never.” She mumbled, falling on the floor as she pulled her hair. Vina continued this way with no hopes of stopping anytime soon. Drained, she fell asleep and when she woke up, she did so with a start as she began to look around frantically until she could recognize her current
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.