Carlos' POV “ Nora! Nora!" I called out amidst the fog enveloping the building ahead. Her scent was drawing me closer to the eerie building. I was sure she was there.Amidst my eagerness to get there, my ears caught a delirious sound of laughter from behind me. I couldn't see the person clearly yet the familiar scent of the person in the dark made me squint.“ Karen…” I breathed out, yet I couldn't tell if I was right.I swiftly made my way towards the building, hoping to find Nora. A weak growl made me snap my head ahead and the sight of her weakened my very being. Nora was trapped in a cage laced with wolfsbane. She was crying out for me, her eyes pleading for help.I tried to reach her, but my legs felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot. The cage seemed to be getting smaller, the wolfsbane closing in around her. I could smell its pungent scent, feel its burning effects on my own skin.I struggled to break free, to rush to her side, but my body wouldn't respond. Nora's cries grew l
Karen's POVAll I wanted was to let Nora know that the kingdom was slowly becoming mine, not like I pitied her or anything. Tapping my foot against the floor, I placed my back against the cold wall as I reviewed everything I had wanted to do. It was finally time to pull another string, to hasten my coronation as Nora's replacement. For now, I had to convince Nora’s father that Carlos was a threat and the reason Nora had disappeared. Queen Dione was already under my wrap, luckily Elder Callum had gone back to his kingdom after I sent poisoned rogues to attack them.The blue Lycans might be powerful but it would take a while to defeat hundreds of thousands of poisonous Lycan rogues. So, with that perfect plan, Elder Callum was off my case.Although I haven't had the chance to check if the rogues did a clean job on Carlos, I was convinced he was likely dead.Or else, he would have surely made his way to the Kingdom. Since the king was finding it impossible to believe, I had to come up
Third POVNora kept staring at Karen as a thousand and one thought spiraled through her head. She was trying hard to believe his tale about Carlos. Nora's eyes narrowed, her expression skeptical. "I don't believe you, Karen. Carlos would never harm me or our kingdom. He's changed, I know him."Karen sneered, feigning offense. "You doubt my words? I'm trying to save you, Nora, and this is the thanks I get? You question my efforts?"Nora's voice was firm. "I don't see any effort, Karen. You're just spewing accusations. What have you done to try and save me? I have been locked up in this room with my connection cut off, all with the excuse of keeping me safe? Am I truly safe with you, Karen?"At Nora's words, Karen's expression turned cold, his voice rising. "How dare you! I'm sacrificing everything to protect you, and you have the audacity to question my dedication? I'm the only one who truly cares about your well-being, Nora."Nora shook her head, her eyes flashing with anger. "You're
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
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.
THIRD POVGriffin leaned against the wall outside the dining hall, waiting. He'd been strategically positioning himself in Nora's path for days now, trying to catch a moment alone with her. He had become a regular face at the pack house. No one bothered themselves with his presence that much anymore. When she finally emerged, he straightened."Nora," he called, his voice softer than usual. "Can we talk?"She glanced his way, her expression hardening instantly. Without a word, she turned in the opposite direction."Please," Griffin said, catching up to her in a few long strides. "Just five minutes.""I have nothing to say to you," Nora replied coldly, quickening her pace.Griffin reached for her arm but stopped himself before making contact. "You've been acting cold towards me for no reason. If it's something I did wrong, then don't you think we should talk about it instead? Nora scoffed. "Talk about it?" She asked. "Why do you even think you did anything wring? I mean, no one has a
THIRD POVGriffin moved stealthily through the west wing of the house, keeping to the shadows. Three days of careful observation had finally paid off—he now knew the identities of at least four of the sorceress's spies embedded within Nora's pack. Most of them were unimportant, and I had not decided what to do with the knowledge yet. But the main spy, the one coordinating it all, remained elusive. It was more difficult to find out who it was. The sorceress and the main spy were being too careful with their interactions, so it was more difficult to find out. "Damn it," Griffin muttered, ducking into an alcove as footsteps approached. He'd been so close to discovering who was reporting directly to the sorceress, the puppet master controlling the others.As the footsteps faded, Griffin slipped out again, heading toward the garden where he could think without interruption. His head throbbed with the effort of keeping up appearances, pretending loyalty to the sorceress while secretly wor