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Andrew's POVThe second every trace of Jacob disappeared into the dark, I finally allowed myself to breathe. My body hurt, raw and bruised, barely holding together. But I pushed through the fatigue not wanting to appear weak. However, my mind, was a whole different story.Jacob's words stuck on me like a stain."That was just the beginning."A slow exhale escaped my lips, the cold of the night air biting at my exposed skin. Normally, I shouldn't feel the drop in temperature, but my body was already too tired to resist. Every muscle in my body screamed, but I refused to acknowledge the pain. Pain meant I was still standing. Still breathing. And right now, that was all that mattered.I shifted slightly, my gaze going to Elara. She stood rigid, her face pale beneath the moonlight, staring at the spot where Jacob had vanished. Her hands trembled at her sides, whether from exhaustion, shock, or something else entirely, I couldn't tell.“Elara,” I whispered, reaching for her.She didn't mov
Elara’s POVI never thought of myself as a possessive person. I never had anything worth possessing. But standing there, my body still throbbing, my breath still ragged from the fight, and watching Rhea fling herself into Andrew’s arms like he was her whole world—something in me turned. Anger. It was hot and sudden, searing beneath my ribs like liquid fire. And at that moment, all I wanted to do is give Rhea a taste of the pain I felt.The whole pack was staring.They stood silently as Rhea clung to him, her hands roaming over his arms, his chest, like she had the right. Like she owned him. Her voice was soft, frantic, filled with worship. "Andrew, you’re injured. You shouldn’t be standing! You need to lie down—"My fingers curled into fists. My nails dug into my palms, sharp enough to sting.Where was all this concern when he was on the ground, bleeding out? Where were these people when Jacob stood over him, ready to take his life?I know Jacob had used some tricks to make sure tha
Andrew’s POVElara stormed off, her figure vanishing behind the line of trees ahead, her anger practically obvious to all. I stood frozen for a moment, watching the tension in her shoulders, the sharpness of her movements. Something inside me twisted—an emotion I couldn't truly put a name on.I should’ve gone after her immediately, but the pressure of my pack’s stares held me back.Rhea’s arms were still looped around mine. The moment I became aware of it, I pulled away, her touch suddenly unbearable. She hesitated for a second before dropping her hand, her lips pressing together in a pout.“She shouldn't be allowed to speak to us in that manner,” Michael muttered, his voice edged with irritation.“Yes,” the gammas murmured in agreement, nodding in unison.“She’s nothing but a cursed wolf,” another interjected. “Rejected by her own pack. How dare she act like she’s one of us?”A growl built in my throat, low and warning, but I swallowed it down. I clenched my jaw instead, my nails dig
Elara's POVThe moment I stepped into the pack house, I made a beeline for my room. My hands trembled as I pushed the door shut behind me, leaning against it for support. My breath came in shallow, uneven bursts.What did I just do?My heart still pounded from the confrontation outside. I had given Andrew’s pack a piece of my mind, my words sharp and direct. The fury that had driven me was raw, but now, in the quiet solitude of my room, doubt crawled in.I clenched my fists, squeezing my eyes shut.Did I go too far?I shook my head. No. They deserved every word I spat at them. Their nonchalance had nearly cost us our lives, and if they refused to acknowledge their incompetence, I had no problem rubbing it in their faces.Still, I couldn’t ignore the worry pressing on my chest. Hate had already poisoned the air around me, and now I had likely poured gasoline on an already raging fire.With a sigh, I pushed away from the door and collapsed onto my bed, face-first. The mattress did littl
Andrew’s POVIt was never my intention for things to end the way they did with Elara. But what was I supposed to do when the entire pack seemed to be against her?I stood at the window of my study, swirling the amber liquid in my glass as I stared into the night. The moon was high, casting a cold glow over the land, but the unease in my chest refused to settle. It was like a growing tumor trying to choke me.Even though I had never planned to form any emotional attachment to her, I couldn’t shake the way she made me feel. And that was dangerous. More dangerous than any enemy lurking outside our borders. And it seemed I had more than a few.Letting her into my bed was a mistake. Now, she was in my head, haunting my thoughts like a ghost I couldn’t exorcise. Even now, just the memory of her scent, the way her body felt against mine, had my blood heating, sending it straight to my lower region, giving me a boner.If there's anything I learnt early in life is to never form any close ties
Andrew’s POVThe moment we stepped into the storeroom, the sharp scent of blood hit me. It clung to the air, metallic and thick mixing with the damp, musty smell of the enclosed space. The dim light flickered above, casting shadows across the concrete floor.In the center of the room, slumped in a chair, was our prisoner—the source of the blood. I wasn't expecting much but seeing someone who looked so young being held prisoner for torture and questioning by my pack enforcer surprised me.“Is that him?” I asked.“Yes. Don't be fooled by what you see. He is much tougher than he looks.” He stated. “My fists can testify to that.” He added showing me his bloodied knuckles.How much beating did he have to give that boy to get his hands looking like that. Normally, people break after taking a few punches from Greg.With a nod, I took slow, measured steps toward him, my boots quiet against the hard ground. His head hung forward, chin resting against his chest, his body limp.I crouched, gripp
Andrew's POVThe dim light from the single, flickering bulb overhead cast shadows across his face, making the sweat on his brow glisten. His wrists were bound behind him, his breathing labored, and the smell of blood still hung thick in the air.I leaned forward, my voice low but edged with danger. “Are you going to talk, or should I pick which limb comes off first? Maybe your hand… or your leg?” I tilted my head, considering the options as I let my fingers trail over the cold metal of the chainsaw in my hand.For a brief second, I saw the hesitation in his eyes—the flicker of fear—but then he steeled himself, his expression hardening into defiance.“You can all go to hell,” he spat. “I’m not telling you anything.”I exhaled slowly, feigning disappointment. “Very well then. Suit yourself.”With an indifferent shrug, I gripped the chainsaw’s handle and yanked the cord. The engine roared to life, its sharp teeth glinting as I took a step toward him. The scent of burning fuel filled the
Elara’s POVIt had barely been a few hours since Andrew left, and yet, I already felt the empty ache of his absence.I shouldn’t.I shouldn’t feel anything for a man I was destined to kill, yet here I was, doing the exact opposite. It was pathetic. Worse, it was dangerous. Dangerous for me. After his departure, I quickly had a shower to wash away the dirt and aches as well as to clear my mind. But as I laid on my bed few minutes later, sleep eluded me. Now it's the wee hours of the morning and I knew I was going to be dull due to my lack of sleep.The realization that I was going through this because Andrew pissed me off.Especially after the words he had thrown at me.“I don’t need you pointing out how my pack should or shouldn’t act,” he growled. Then his voice dropped, colder than ice. “Especially not from a cursed wolf.”His pack. The same pack that was inefficient enough not to notice when their Alpha was in danger. The same pack that was close by but was unable to do anything
Elara's POVBy the time we all made it back to the cabin, it was well into the day. Bone tired, we all fell into position on a piece of furniture or the floor as we thought back to how the night had gone.I sat in the the couch with Andrew beside me. He drew me close to his side as he was scared that I would evaporate from his side.Michael and Lora took the other sofa in the room, practically sandwiched together. Greg chose the floor close to the wooden walls.“I can't believe we actually survived that.” Michael muttered as he looked between me and Greg.“Why will you say that?” I asked “I didn't know you had little faith in us.”“Oh c’mon, that's not I meant and you know it.” He replied giving me his full attention.I knew that wasn't what he meant. It was just that the look on his that still held disbelief just unsettled me and I wanted to tease him a bit.I sighed. “I know exactly what you mean.”“And?” He urged.“It was a miracle. What with the god rising and the way he was deter
Elara’s POVThe first breath I took was like drowning in light.Not air—light. Thick and sharp and everywhere. It filled my lungs, my veins, my mind.Then I came back.And everything hurt.My eyes snapped open. The world rushed in too fast. The ruins. The silence. The blood on my hands. The echo of Andrew’s voice still whispering my name.He was holding me.His arms were wrapped around me like he was afraid I’d disappear again.“Andrew,” I croaked. My voice didn’t sound like mine. It was softer—richer. Like something else had laced itself through me.He jerked back just enough to look at me, his face streaked with blood and ash and tears. His lips parted in a shaky breath.“You’re awake,” he whispered. “Elara, you’re awake—”“I’m okay.” I wasn’t. But I had to say it for him.He exhaled and pressed his forehead to mine. “You scared the hell out of me.”I touched his jaw. “You offered your life.”“I’d do it again.”He kissed me, quick and desperate. It wasn’t gentle. It was real.I clun
Lora’s POVThe world cracked.Not metaphorically. Not in the dreamy, nice and poetic way people say when things fall apart.I mean the altar—centuries old, cursed by blood and time—split down the middle with a sound like the earth itself had screamed.I flinched as shards of stone flew past my face. One grazed my cheek, warm blood sliding down before I could even register the sting. But I didn’t stop moving.“Elara!” I shouted, weaving between the broken stones and bodies. I saw her in Andrew’s arms, limp and deathly still, and something in me nearly shattered too.Not her. Please, not her. She was my best friend and the last thing I wanted was for her losing her life in this wretched place.Then Greg—no, the thing that had been Greg—turned toward me. His eyes weren’t his anymore. Red and empty. His smile too wide, very wrong and completely twisted.My heart pounded, fists clenched. The god had taken him. It had used him.But now?Now even that thing was looking like it wanted to devo
Andrew’s POVThe moment Elara expended her power trying to keep the god locked, it seemed like everything had stopped to focus on this particular moment. I stood screaming her name as she tried to do the impossible. But when I watched her falling, I couldn't take it anymore."Elara!" I tore through the red-glowing haze that had blanketed everything. My feet slammed hard into the ancient steps, sliding as I reached her. She was limp. Her skin had gone pale, almost gray, and her eyes fluttered like she was on the edge of leaving me. “Stay with me, dammit. Elara, breathe.”She didn’t respond. Her lips trembled, breath catching in shallow bursts.The air cracked above us—the sky splitting as the Blood Moon hit its peak. I looked up.And saw it.The gate was open. Not just some door or portal. This was ancient, raw, and alive. It was jagged light framed by black mist, spinning slowly in the heavens above the altar. And from it, something moved, a hand reached out.The forgotten god.Did
Elara's POVThe scream that tore from my throat didn’t feel like mine.It came from somewhere deeper—bone-deep, soul-deep. My back arched against the pulsing altar, and the red light crashing down from the Blood Moon carved through me like I was paper. Everything inside me felt like it was breaking apart. Shattered pieces of a girl who used to be Elara.Then I heard him."Elara!" Andrew’s voice cut through the chaos.I clung to it.The pain was still there, like I was being ripped from the inside out, but I clung to the sound of him. It grounded me. Reminded me of who I was. Of the nights we used to spend togetger as a couple. As mates. Of the way he whispered my name when no one else was listening.I blinked through the red haze and found him kneeling beside me, hands cupping my face. His eyes wide. Terrified. His thumb brushed the tears off my cheeks, and I leaned into the touch like it was the only thing keeping me alive."You’re still here," I choked out."I’m not going anywher
Andrew’s POVThe world went quiet.It shouldn’t have. There was chanting all around me, the sky roaring with thunder, cultists pacing like wolves ready to tear the altar apart. But all I could hear was the sound of her heart breaking.Elara’s eyes were locked on me—pleading, desperate, furious.And I’d faltered.Fates, I’d faltered.The girl beside her—the replacement—was glowing now. Not metaphorically. Literally. The altar pulsed under her knees, and I could feel the magic reaching for her like it had once reached for Elara.This was the moment.One path ended in her survival. The other? Salvation for the rest of the world.I didn’t move.My chest felt like it was splitting in half. The prophecy I didn't know much about seemed not to care who she was. It just needed a vessel. And now it had one.But she wasn’t Elara.“You said you loved her,” Michael’s voice tore through the tension, sharp and shaking. “So act like it.”I blinked.“She’s dying,” Dorian said again from behind me. Cal
Elara’s POVI couldn’t feel my hands.Not because of the chains—they’d long since numbed my wrists. It wasn’t even the dark magic humming through the stone under me, or the pulsing weight of that fake moon bleeding into the sky.It was the woman.Her.The one Dorian dragged in like an offering. The one who looked like me. I didn't know how he managed to do something this sick all on his own but it had my hackles rising.She stumbled, dirt in her hair, blood down one arm. Her eyes met mine—and I saw myself.I froze.My mouth went dry.No.No, no, no. I have to get to the bottom of this.“What is this?” I croaked. My voice was rough, scraped raw from screaming earlier. “Who is she?”Dorian smiled, cold and smooth. “Insurance,” he said. “A vessel the altar will accept willingly.”“She’s not me.” I pointed out trying to figure out exactly was going on.“She’s enough,” he said. “The Blood Moon doesn’t care for names. Only bloodlines. Only sacrifice.”Behind him, Harrow stood silent, arms f
Michael’s POVI’d seen hell before.I’d seen blood-soaked battlefields, the ruins of old packs cursed by forgotten gods, and the aftermath of hunts gone sideways. But nothing—nothing—prepared me for the madness that unfolded once Elara vanished into the altar.One second she was there, blood burning on the stones. The next, the ground split and swallowed her like she’d never existed. Andrew dove after her, but the crack sealed fast—too fast.We stood frozen. Just for a beat.Then the sky changed.A deep rumble rolled across the clouds—slow and hungry. The black above us began to shift, bruising over with a sickly red hue. The true Blood Moon was still weeks off, but what rose above the mountain now? That was no moon. That was an imitation. Something summoned.Kieran raised his hands, shouting incantations in a language I’d only ever know can be found in hidden scrolls and dark books.The cultists around him echoed the words. Voices rising, and twisting like one. If it wasn't for sac
Andrew’s POVI didn’t look at Elara. Not when I heard Kieran say it. Not when that thing that looked like her stepped into the firelight with dead eyes and a mocking smile.Because if I looked at her right then, I might’ve lost the control I’d been holding onto since we stepped into this cursed clearing. And right now, she needed me steady. Not broken.The Gatekeeper. That’s what he called it.But that wasn't Elara—not really. It was a lie dressed in her skin. Some unholy mimic summoned to rattle us before the real bloodbath began.Greg cursed softly behind me, low and venomous.“We need to move,” he muttered. “Now. They’re baiting us.”Kieran was already turning, robes sweeping the earth as he walked back toward the rise of the altar behind him. “Follow,” he called. “Or run. The outcome doesn’t change.”He was right. If we decided to back down, it won't change anything. His men will give chase and he could use some other means to capture Elara.I didn't want to be away from her.I st