Ava's pov“Now that the forge has been activated, I think we should check that empty chamber again just in case anything changes.” Lyra suggested.“Sure.” Xander said.Lyra opened the secret passage again and we followed her in. Something felt different as we walked in.Before I could ponder on it a light appeared in the empty chamber. It started as a single flicker, a tiny never that appeared out of nowhere. As if it was responding to our presence, it suddenly grew brighter.Torches we hadn't noticed along the walls, lit up casting a glow in the chamber and that was when I saw it.The walls of the entire chamber were covered in craving. Not just ordinary cravings that told stories of our history, these carvings were drawings of warriors in battle, they were each locked in different combat forms. Some held swords, other daggers, some bow and arrows, mallets and some fought with nothing but their bare hands.Their movements were so smooth, so lifelike, it was as if they were frozen in
Ava's povI dodged an attack then moved fast, my blade cutting through the air and the side of my opponent in a single, precise strike. The light of the warrior flickered— unstable, then disappeared before it collapsed to the ground.One down.I turned, searching for the next but before I could move, a loud roar filled the chamber.Turning to the source, I saw that Xander had driven his sword into the chest of a warrior but I like the one I had just destroyed, its light didn't fade rather it shattered into a thousand pieces.A blinding shockwave erupted from its form sending an energy surge through the room. The other warriors froze for a split second.And that was all we needed.“NOW!” Xander ordered.Everyone sprang into action.Kiada struck first, her dagger sinking deep into the throat of the warrior. It shattered and another shockwave was released from its body stunning the other warriors again. Rowan took advantage of the opening and decapitated another warrior.Vanessa and Kael
Xander's povThe glow from the forge dimmed then I heard the voice of the keeper.“It is time for the alpha king to face his trial.”I was in a space of nothingness. I could see anything. “What trial?” I asked, speaking into the darkness as unease grew in my guts.The keeper suddenly materialized in front of me, its glow blinding for a second as my eyes adjusted. “You still hold on to the past, Xander. It's like a plague that you cannot seem to get rid of. You cannot lead Lycara into the future while bound by hatred. Before you wield the weapons of kings, you must prove yourself worthy—by confronting the one who made you who you are.”My father.I felt a hand touch mine. It was Ava— or what seemed to be like her, I wasn't sure. “You have to do this.” She whispered in my ears.Whether or not that was her, I knew that she was right. I had to do this, I had to confront my biggest fear in order to let go and move on with my life.The weight of the moment pressed down on me as I realized t
Rowan’s POVWhen the glow faded, I found myself trapped.I stood in the center of a large stone chamber. The wall felt like they were closing in on me. There was a door so I walked towards it but something strange happened.No matter how much I walked I never got to the door. Panic gripped me as I wondered what was going on, then suddenly…"Rowan."I spun around fast and my breath caught in my throat at what I saw.There stood Kaida. She wasn't the Kaida I knew but an older, worn, wrinkled version of her. Her green eyes, which had fallen in love with, held no warmth as she stared at me.Then she did something unfathomable.She spoke."You hesitated," the older Kaida said, voice hollow. "You allowed your duty to control your life and in so doing, you lost me.”What?“What are you talking about?”“I was a burden to you, I couldn't speak. You were embarrassed.” She continued.“That's a lie.” I said. “It's a lie!”"You wanted to protect everyone, but you ended up protecting no one." She s
Xander’s povEveryone was silent after the trials they had just passed through. No one was willing to share their experience and I didn’t mind. After a few minutes of silence I spoke up.“We need to move on to the next line of action.” I said. “Kael, Vanessa, Rowan and Kaida. I want you all to split up and memorize the drawings on the walls and once that’s done you’ll go ahead to teach our warriors so as to prepare them. Also take some of the weapons that the warriors and elders hadn't been able to take and distribute them among the warriors and enforcers”“okay, alpha” Kael replied.I noticed that Lyra had isolated herself from the rest of us and this made me wonder the extent of the trial she had faced.What did she see?I waled over to her and upon noticing me she turned wanting to walk away and avoid me but I halted her plan to flee with a single command. “Stop.”Grabbing her bicep and turning her to face me,I noticed tears of tears on her face and this got me concerned. “what’s
Xander’s povBreakfast the next day at the grand hall was a bit quiet. It had been awhile since we all gathered and ate together. The rest of the nobles were already well aware of the situation of things as they had been briefed by Draven who was now my new Beta.I could tell that Kael, Rowan, Kaida an Vanessa had started to train the warriors as the ones in the grand hall had a different stance from the one they usually had. I smiled as I noticed the progress we were making, I was proud at how fast the warriors were learning.Just as I was beginning to think that we could have a brief moment of peace over breakfast, Kael who had been absent suddenly burst in through the door, breathless.He wore a grim expression on his face. “Alpha.”Sighing with a frown on my face, I said. “What is it now?”“A message.” he answered, stepping closer. “One of the scouts found it this morning.”The moment the words came out of his mouth, the little chatter in the hall vanished as everyone fell silent
Xander’s povHe stiffened at my words.I clenched my hands into fists at my sides as flashbacks flooded my mind. “After my mother's death, you were cruel and not just to me but to your people as well. I spent so many nights crying and wishing that mother had just let the rouges kill me that day so that you wouldn’t have become the man that you turned into. I also prayed to the moongoddes that you wont ever touch Rowan and Lyra, I would gladly take all the beatings if it would spare them from your wrath.” I paused to take a deep breath. “you made me hate you_ I resented you with everything in me. And yet, here I am today, every lesson I have learned, every trial I have overcome, it was all because of you.”He didn’t say anything once I was done, he just stared.After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke “do you… do you still hate me?”I took a deep breath before answering. “No, I do not.”His expression wavered briefly.“There was a trial that I faced yesterday, in the forge.”
Lucian’s povThe castle had never felt so cold.Not even in the dead of winter, not even after I lost her- my world, my mate. But now, sitting alone in my chambers, staring at the burning, flickering fireplace, I felt it.A cold so harsh that it seeped through my skin and sank deep into my bones and settled there.Xander had come to me today. A day I had never dreamt of- not even in my wildest dreams. He came not with the hate and vengeance that I had expected but with a forgiveness that I didn’t deserve.If I had been in his position, if my father had raised me the way I raised xander, I would have never forgiven him. I would have trained to become stronger than him then rip him into pieces once he was weak.But, xander was stronger than me.I had raised him to be a warrior, to be cold and ruthless but he had become more than that. He had become a true king, far greater than the one I had ever been.I exhaled sharply, dragging my hand across my face. It was too late to change things,
Ava's povSunlight spilled through the high windows of the grand hall, gleaming on the silver fixtures and dishware. For the first time in months, the hall wasn't empty. Laughter echoed all around me, mingling with the clinking of cutlery and the smell of warm bread and honeyed meats.I sat between Xander and Vanessa, my fingers curled around a steaming cup of tea. My stomach fluttered—not from nerves, but from something far newer. Something growing.The thought never failed to pull a smile to my face.I glanced around at the faces gathered at the table. Rowan was teasing Kael over a burnt piece of toast, Kaida sat beside him, her hand resting lightly on his wrist. Lyra was at the far end, wrapped in a thick shawl, her expression quiet but calm, a faint smile playing on her lips as she watched them. There was no tension in her shoulders.They were all here.All of them.And that meant more to me than any feast ever could.“Gods,” Vanessa said, stretching back in her seat. “It’s been f
Ava's povThe morning sunlight filtered in through the tall windows, casting soft golden glow across the stone walls of our chambers. The fire from last night had burned down to glowing embers, but I still felt warm—safe in the memory of the stars and the enormity of the secret I’d carried all night.I smiled, rubbing my tummy even though it didn't have a bump. It all still felt like a dream to me. I couldn't believe that I was carrying my child— out child— and would soon be able to hold him or her in my arms.This was like a reward from the gods for taking down zerathos. It was the most perfect gift.Xander’s scent hit me before I heard his footsteps. Woodsy. Earthy and a hint of citrus.He pushed the door open with ease, stridijg in, he was already halfway out of his ceremonial coat, his black shirt clinging to his chest beneath it. His eyes found me immediately—still seated at the edge of the bed, half-dressed, barefoot, lost in my thoughts.“There you are,” he said, his voice soft
Ava's povPregnant.The word sat on my tongue like a secret not yet ready for the world to know. Heavy and new. Sacred. My hands trembled as I exited the healer’s wing, the soft glow of lanterns lining the path doing little to light the darkness within me.It wasn't a bad darkness, it was just confusion.The corridor behind me felt like it belonged to another world—a place of certainty and whispered truths. Healers always knew things, some that we wanted to hear and the ones that we didn't want to hear. Out here, beneath the dark sky things felt more real.Too real.I walked slowly, aimlessly, not ready to return to the castle after what I had just learned. Not ready to face anyone. Especially not Xander.Not yet.The gardens were quiet this time of night. Peaceful. A hush had settled over the grounds, as though the very earth was holding its breath. The petals of Kaida’s cherry blossom tree glowed pale pink in the moonlight, and I found myself drawn toward it. Toward the spot we alwa
Ava's povSunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Blackthorn castle, warm and golden as it spilled across the newly polished floors. I stood at the balcony just outside the council chamber, my eyes tracing the distant tree lines. Smoke no longer rose from the hills. Screams no longer echoed through the valley.Peace.It was strange how something we fought so long and hard for could feel so… quiet.I placed a hand over my stomach. That now familiar queasiness cane again, subtle but persistent. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, grounding myself the way I’d been practicing since taking on the Luna title. Calm. Poise. Grace.“Luna Ava?” A voice called gently from behind. One of the omegas.“Yes?”“Lady Vanessa and the others are waiting in the courtyard. You said you wanted to walk with them today?”“Yes. Thank you.”I smiled and nodded, but the moment I turned my back, the nausea returned—like it never left. I gritted my teeth and blinked back the faint dizziness. I've been
Xander's povThe night was quiet, save for the faint crackling of the fire still burning at the center of camp.But Ava… she had curled up beside me, her head on my shoulder, her fingers gently tucked against my arm. Her breathing slowed sometime between Rowan’s quiet jokes, Vanessa blushing with Kael teasing her and Lyra sitting in silence after her brief confession.She fell asleep there, in the circle of firelight and friends and whispered memories.I couldn’t bear to wake her.So I carried her.Her warmth pressed against my chest as I walked us to the chambers we’d been assigned in the temporary Ashville pack house. The bed was a bit small but clean, sheets tucked in and blankets folded. I laid her down carefully, brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek before covering her with the blanket.I wanted to stay awake and watch over her. Zerathos may be gone but he has left a lasting trauma and fear of the shadows. I was scared that if I closed my eyes and opened it I would real
Rowan's POVLyra’s breathing had finally evened out beside me, a soft, steady rhythm that showed that she was finally at ease and I was glad. She didn’t say another word after I wrapped the blanket around her and sat by her side. She didn’t need to.I looked at her, really looked.Her face had lost weight in the past months, the edges sharper now—grief had carved out the softness she once had so effortlessly. The dark, sunken circles beneath her eyes told me she hadn’t been sleeping much. And even now, in the calm after the war, her body was tense beneath the blanket, like she was ready to spring awake at any given time if someone so much as touched her. .But she had opened up.That alone made something in my chest unclench for the first time in weeks.I tilted my head back, let my eyes gaze up to the stars, but even their beauty felt muted tonight. Everything felt… dulled. Like we’d survived the fire, only to emerge into the ashes.But she talked. She talked.And I’d take that over
Lyra’s POVThe fire had burned down to little fire, and one by one, they drifted off to sleep. Ava had fallen asleep curled against Xander’s chest. Vanessa and Kael were tangled up on a blanket near the edge of the camp, whispering and grinning like the war had never happened and they were in some sort of fairytale. Like they’d known peace all their lives.I was happy and envious of them so I forced myself to look away.Rowan had stayed with me.He always did.By the time the last bit of fire was snuffed and silence had settled over the camp, he rose, wordless, and offered me his hand. I took it, letting him guide me away from the others, deeper into the shadows where the weight of their stares couldn’t follow.We walked to a place in Ashville that we liked. It was a little hill above the camp where the entire land could be seen and the sky felt so close. The stars were particularly bright on that night, I just stood there and took a deep breath.The night air was cold, crisp, almost
Lyra’s povI don't know how long we sat there but I had droned out their conversation as I watched the burning fire. Suddenly, I felt the air shift. It wasn't the regular shift.But this time, it was different.Tense. Sharp.I knew why.I could feel it, their eyes were on me.And they deserved answers.I just wasn’t sure I had the strength to give them.Rowan came even closer, a steady wall beside me, his warmth grounding. He hadn't spoken much, just held my hand quietly under the blanket we shared. It should’ve comforted me more than it did. But the guilt clung to me, curling in my chest like a shadow that refused to be exorcised.I peeped at Ava across the fire, her knees were pulled to her chest, arms loosely wrapped around them. Xander had stood up and was standing just behind her, arms crossed, his gaze unreadable as it flicked from person to person—though it lingered on me more often than not.I was almost certain I could go the night without a word being said. That they’d keep
Lyra’s POVThe crackling of the campfire sounded distant just like the faint sound of voices laughing and talking. Familiar voices. Ones that once meant comfort and strength. Now, they sounded foreign and distant, like echoes bouncing off the thick stone walls of guilt I had built around myself.I sat wrapped in my cloak, hood drawn low, body leaning into Rowan’s side. His warmth was steady, grounding. I could feel his heart through the fabric, steady as a drum, but there was a tension in the way he held me. He didn’t trust me—not entirely. I didn’t blame him.They had every right not to.Ashville was ruined. The war was over. And I had helped start it. They just didn't know that.I didn’t know how to look them in the eyes, not after what I had done.Ava’s laugh echoed through the air, loud and carefree, like birds chirping and singing during the summer. She teased Vanessa about how she once fought her over Xander. Vanessa rolled her eyes but smiled, her fingers tangled with Kael’s. I