Athena POVI couldn't believe my eyes when Sebastian showed me the evidence. Photos, reports, eyewitness accounts - all point to the same terrible reality of the scenario. This was Sienna's life. Following everything that she had put me through, including all of the suffering and torture, she had returned to me to continue to torment me.I was looking through the files, and my hands were shaking as I did so. I felt old wounds ripping open. The flashbacks of Sienna's vicious smirks, her poisonous tongue lashing out at every opportunity to break me down, were something I tried to ignore. The memories of being made to feel so insignificant and so unworthy when she was displaying her beauty in front of Sebastian came flooding back. Memories of the envy and self doubt she had sowed within me like insidious seeds till I became a withered husk of my former self."How?" The intensity of Sebastian's gaze caused my voice to barely rise above a whisper as I stared into his eyes. "How is this pos
Sebastian POVI attempted to catch my breath as the dark energy vanished, my eyes feverishly seeking to verify Athena was uninjured. Despite the mayhem and damage around us, seeing her safe overwhelmed me with comfort. But that reprieve was short-lived as Sienna's sarcastic laughter sliced through the ringing in my ears. "Oh Sebastian, you didn't think getting rid of me would be that easy, did you?"I pulled Athena behind me protectively as Sienna sauntered forward, her hips swaying almost hypnotically. "Whatever horrible forces you've aligned yourself with, we will stop you. Once and for all this time.""Such bravado," Sienna purred, sliding a finger up my jaw. I flinched at her chilly touch. "But we both know your words are as empty as the promises you made Athena."Pain lanced through me at the truth in her jeers. I had failed Athena in the worst way by enabling Sienna's agony, by being too weak to stand up to her machinations. Even now, I could feel Athena's accusing stare searin
Scar POVI enjoyed seeing the turmoil unfold in Sebastian's compound. His pack's screams mingled with the savage roars of Sienna's dark powers were like music to my ears."You see, Sienna?" I said, running a claw softly across her cheek. "I promised you we'd make Sebastian suffer like never before, tearing away everything he holds dear."Sienna's eyes glittered with interest as she absorbed the image of violence. "You've been helpful, Scar. But Sebastian's true anguish is yet to come."She reminded me of our deal Sebastian must be alive for her to break him entirely.Tracing the wounds on my face, reminders of Sebastian's betrayal, I assured her I wouldn't kill him yet. "Leaving him to see everything crumble before his eyes will be a better punishment."A wicked chuckle escaped me. "Sebastian believed he could rise above my lineage, but he was wrong."Sienna raised a brow. "You've resented Sebastian for a long time."I frowned, remembering how Sebastian had snatched my shot at becomin
Anna POVI sat in the dark, cold cage, hanging onto my knees tightly, trying not to break down totally. The air smelled of mold and horror, and the only sound coming from outside the bars was the strange scuttling of mice. I found it hard to accept that this was indeed happening. I was celebrating my birthday with my family and friends just yesterday. Now, I was stuck here like an animal, seized by Scar and his thugs.Scar's name filled me with terror. I knew him from the stories my parents told he was the cruelest opponent my family ever encountered. He was vicious and relished bringing misery.And now, he had seized me and my brother, Hendrix, as hostages. We were only pawns in his game against our parents.I fought to hold back tears. Crying wouldn't help. I had to be strong, like Mom and Dad. I had to wait till they arrived for us. "Stay strong, kiddo," Hendrix's voice sounded from the cell next to mine. "Mom and Dad will rescue us soon."I wiped my tears and leaned towards him.
Hendrix POVAfter that weirdo's silly bedtime story about end-of-the-world cults or something, I could tell Anna's resolve was breaking down. Those weird creatures and their horrifying objects were like living nightmares come true. They had twisted bodies and soulless eyes that looked right into your mind with cold malice. Their rude and inappropriate presence made me lose even my normal confidence. But giving in to fear was the first thing that led to loss. And there was no way in hell I was going to be added to Scar's crazy plan to kill people from our family tree."You can't seriously be buying into that nut's rambling, can you?" Even though I was shaking, I managed to sound sarcastic. "He's just trying to psych you out with more of his occult boogeyman crap."At first, Anna only reacted with a muffled sniffle, huddled in the shadows of her cage. But then her voice emerged, subdued yet laced with a grim confidence."But Hendrix, the way he looked at us was different from anything
Sienna POVThe old ritual's energy still crackled through my veins, filling me with an intoxicating surge of raw power. Never before had I felt such vigor, such unrestrained strength coursing through my very being. It was as if I had been reborn anew, shedding the fragile coil of my old, weaker self. Yet as euphoric as this dark rebirth made me feel, faint pangs of humanity remained, whispering doubts that needled at the back of my mind. Memories of the past happier times spent in Sebastian's enthralling company - insisted on replaying themselves over and over. I saw his face, those chiseled features and piercing green eyes that had once captivated me so fully, made my heart flutter with desire.But it was a passion that burned brighter than ever now. A simmering need for revenge that made my blood boil with each strangled beat of my blackened heart. The anger over his callous rejections, the humiliation he had subjected me to by casting me aside like useless refuse - it all fueled a
Athena POVAs I outran the search party, the woods that surrounded Stone Manor grounds flashed by in a dizzying mix of greens and browns. My heart pounded loudly within my ears, and every jagged breath I took tore like pieces of ice in my lungs. However, I persisted in moving forward, driven by a desire that was far more than my body's capacity.Anna...Hendrix...my precious children. Torn from the warmth and safety of my hug by that sadistic monster Scar and his vile accomplice, Sienna. Just the thought of what unspeakable horrors they could be subjecting my babies to at this very moment caused my heart to seize with a fresh stab of grief. I had failed them. As their mother, it was my sacred job to protect them, to keep them from harm no matter what foul forces dared to threaten our family. Yet in a single instant of letting my guard down, those beasts had snatched them away into the burning void of darkness. If any harm befell Anna and Hendrix because of my failures...No, I couldn
Sebastian POVI could hardly contain my rage as I looked around at the rows of fighters gathered in front of me. Liam Dimitri, Farrell, Rux, Simoné. An all-consuming heat that threatened to destroy whatever last control that kept my primordial beast in check was the rage that burned through my veins like wildfire. My entire being screamed for ruthless vengeance, demanding to crush and destroy anyone who tried to endanger my pack and my family.My beloved children, Hendrix and Anna, had been taken from their haven of protection. Torn by the same evil powers of insanity that had plagued me for far too long, away from the warmth of the den. Once more, Sienna's wicked preoccupation with upending my existence had turned into a perverse game of torture. And she had included our helpless puppies in her cruel scheme this time.A wild snarl erupted in my throat at the thought, one so guttural and full of unmitigated venom that many of the lesser-ranked retaliated reflexively. Allow them to sh