Third POV “You have to stay back.” Justin snapped, blocking Carlos' path. “What are you talking about?” Carlos retorted, trying to bypass him but Justin wouldn't let him. After coming to a conclusion in their plan, Carlos was eager to set out to achieve his aim immediately but Justin wasn't having it. His reason was Carlos had just woken up from a coma and so he needed some rest but he wouldn't hear of it. “I can't stay back and expose you and the others to danger. There's no point reminding you of Karen's personality.” “I know that and that is why you have to stay back and recover fully before you think of getting involved in all of this.” Justin replied. Frustrated, Carlos turned around and with his hands tucked in his hair, he began to pace around. His blood was boiling and the only way in which he could calm down was laying his hands on Karen and exposing all of his evil deeds. “Justin we don't have time on our side anymore, you have to understand that.” He stresse
THIRD POV Karen's eyes glazed over as he let the darkness of his past eat him up. The memories he thought were long buried began to resurface, like a ghostly whisper in his mind. His breathing quickened, and his heart raced with the familiar sense of dread.The nightmares. They had haunted him for as long as he could remember. Vivid, terrifying, and all too real. The destruction of his kingdom, the screams of his people, the feeling of utter helplessness.In his dreams, he was always drenched in blood as his gaze lingered all over the burning kingdom. His mind’s eyes had witnessed the horrors of that fateful night. The flames engulfing the castle, the stench of smoke and blood, the sound of King Salvador's maniacal laughter.Howls. Growls. Stampede. Blood. Cries. Fire everywhere as sounds of wolf cries filled the air. It was a bloody war. Dead bodies lingered everywhere. Karen's fists clenched as his mind replayed the scenes. He could feel the heat of the flames, the weight of the
THIRD POVTurning around, Vina let the tears streamed down her face. He was her mate but he was busy with another woman and even promised her forever. Her heart hurts like hell and she was devastated about what to do next.She had been uneasy for the past days as she fought with their contradicting decisions in her head. Vina's heart felt like it had been torn into a million pieces. She had always known that Karen was her mate, but she had never expected him to fall in love with someone else.The pain was almost too much to bear.As she lay on the tree trunk, her wolf trembling with sorrow within, Vina couldn't help but think of all the memories she and Karen had shared. She had always been there for him, supporting him, loving him, and yet, he had never seen her as more than a friend.Even when he knew she was his mate…rather he wanted a chosen mate!Tears streamed down her face as she remembered the way Karen used to smile at h
Carlos' POV Justin and I were at still strategizing on how to topple Karen's plot when I received a mindlink from one of the guards stationed by the border. “ Alpha, we have detected an intruder. A Lycan enemy. Should we dispose of her or wait for your command?" I paused, squinting at his words. It was unlikely any Lycan would want to visit our pack except a messenger from the King or Nora. That was also impossible because Nora was missing and the king was already bought over by Karen. Which means the guards were right. It was an enemy Lycan and probably sent by Karen. “ If it's a threat, dispose of it!" I ordered, not wanting to involve myself with these people. “ Wait…is it a male or female?” Justin asked, joining the link." A female,” The guard affirmed.I wondered why Justin wanted to know the sex. Does it matter if it's a male or female? Then he quickly stated, urging me to stand up." Hold
Nora's POV For the first time since the whole saga began, Karen had a masked guard who was following him by the tail. I gaze out of my cell, my heart heavy with despair. Karen was still hellbent on letting me stay in the guarded room, refusing to let me go. I was still trapped, with no escape in sight.As I pace back and forth in my cell, I notice a masked guard standing outside my door. Something about him seems familiar, but I can't quite place it. His scent, although masked, draws me in, reminding me of Carlos.No, it can't be, I tell myself. Carlos isn't here, lost to me forever. I must be losing my mind.But as I look into the guard's eyes, I sense a glimmer of recognition. My wolf howls in my head, calling out Carlos' name. I feel a surge of hope, mixed with confusion and fear."Carlos?" I whisper, my voice barely audible.The guard's expression doesn't change, but I sense a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Karen appears, his eyes narrowing in suspicion."Nora, what are you d
Flashback…The Ancient Blood Clan was plunged by the King of the White Lycan Kingdom, Salvador. Not showing anyone mercy, he wiped out the whole clan making sure not to leave any trace of a living thing in the clan.The only reason why Aragon and his nanny were spared was because before Karen, the sister to Aragon was killed, she concealed his scent and that of the maid for their safety. She was determined to make sure they were well hidden knowing fully well that their life was at stake and if she didn't do anything, the whole clan would be wiped out. The sound of a baby crying rented the air again.“ Take her away, Freya! Make sure she stays alive and safe… away from this world… promise me!" Princess Karen said, handling a basket to another woman."Princess…""You have to keep him safe! Guide him with your life!"" I promise…"" Go and stay in the hidden chamber till everyone is dead! Don't come out till then! Go now!" Princess Karen shouted before running out of her room.With e
Karen's POV The look on Nora's face after my tale was pale, like she was grappling with the reality of it but that was the least of my problems. For years, I had managed to hold back the spite I had towards her while feigning to be an ally but now, it was all over. Time was no longer on my side and I can’t afford to delay anymore. I had to end everything as soon as possible so I wouldn't have anything to be bothered with again. It was my coronation day and just like I had said to Nora, it was going to be a bloodbath of the pack. I had planned this beforehand and I doubt there was going to be any flaw in it. Immediately Queen Dione made the declaration of me becoming the leader in Nora’s place, I sent a message to my army who had been waiting. And then when King Salvador made the declaration, I had to invite them to the pack to carry the plan. Smacking my lips, I pushed my head backwards, not minding the gaze Nora was sending my way. She must have had a million and one things to
Karen's POVHis words made cold chills run through my spines as I halted momentarily. Clenching and unclenching my fists, I tried to grapple with the fact that Elder Callum had gotten involved in something I had managed to keep away from him. I growled in frustration, my mind racing with anger. "What do you mean they're coming back? How did they defeat the rogues so quickly?""The blue Lycans are a formidable force, Karen," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of fear. "Uncle Callum is a skilled leader, and they have many powerful warriors among them."I snarled, my anger rising. "This can't be happening. Not now, when I'm so close to achieving my goal."He hesitated, sensing my agitation. "Karen, maybe we should—""No," I cut him off, my voice cold and calculating. "We can't let them interfere. Uncle Callum would never allow me to continue my plans for Nora if he finds out. And as for Nora's wolf...I can't let them bring out her true identity. It would ruin everything."I paced b
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.