Elara's POV As soon as Andrew handed me the journal, I grasped it firmly against my chest. I could feel the essence of it, not just the leather and paper, but all the knowledgeable wealth in it. His father's thoughts, warnings, and secrets. I knew this would be the key to understanding my powers, yet a feeling of unease couldn't shake itself loose.Andrew had said little as I left, only that I should rest and read when I was ready. His face had been unreadable-a storm of thoughts behind his calm exterior.Now, sitting in my room, with the journal open before me, I couldn't focus. The whispers I had heard in Andrew's room still replayed dully in my ears. They felt. familiar, yet not in a comforting way, more like a shadow of a memory I couldn't place.That spirit?He had promised to deal with me if I don't kill Andrew. As it happens, I won't be needing him, but can I really stop him when he finally shows up?I traced my fingers over the words on the page. They were in Andrew's father'
Andrew's POVThe pack alarm suddenly burst through the trees-a battle cry that shot chills down my spine. Michael and I ran through the twists and turns of the forest paths in the direction of the northern border. My body was racing, and my mind tagged along as my heart boomed against my ribs.Daytime. Whoever was bold enough to breach our territory in broad daylight either didn't care for their life or thought they had a chance against us.Michael kept pace beside me, his face tense. "Who do you think it could be?" he asked, the mist of his breathing bounding into the crisp air.This is one question that I didn't even know where or how to start answering."I don't know," I said, my voice crisp as I paid attention to the path ahead. "But whoever it is made a mistake coming here.""They will have a hell lot pay for when it turns out they came with some unruly ideas." Micheal threatened."There's something bothering me.""What could that be?" Michael asked still running at a steady pace
Andrew's POV Hearing what Deveriud said about coming for Elara snapped something in me. Who the hell does he think he is, coming to my pack to make demands and worst of all, he was referring to my mate.Though it was obvious he didn't know but I doubted he would've cared anyway. It infuriated me that he had the audacity to come to my park unannounced to lay claims.However, one thing was clear, she was going nowhere with this man.“What do you want with Elara?” I asked as I clenched and unclenched my fists. Anything to control the rage within.“I don't believe my use for her is any concern of yours.” He stated stepping a bit forward as his jewels jingled between his thighs. “I would like to leave here without any fight or bloodshed. But if you push me, I don't mind getting dirty.”The guts to threaten me in front of my pack and in my own territory for that matter. I gritted my teeth, my wolf just below the surface pushing me to relinquish control over to him.“You must be a fool to t
Elara's POVBefore I rushed out to the Northern pack border, I was trying to get some rest after the sort of nightmare I had but then, I heard the shrill sound of the alarm going off.It worried me so, the moment it went off, I sought for answers.When I came out to ask a passerby who was hurrying to answer the what was going on, I learnt that our pack had been breached. However I didn't think much of it, knowing Andrew could handle whatever it is that was going on. However, as l laid back in my room, a sharp knock interrupted my rest. Pulling the door open, I found a lady waiting breathless at the door. Before I could ask what the issue was, she blurted out that the person who had crossed our border was after me. For a moment I was speechless as a heaviness filled the pit of my stomach. With a quick thanks, I dismissed the lady.I didn't need to ask how she knew, I just changed into a pair of jeans and jacket then rushed out to the border to find out exactly what was going on mysel
Michael’s POVFrom the moment Elara stepped foot into this pack, I hated her. I wanted her gone. She was a cursed wolf, and no matter how many lives she saved, including Andrew’s twice, I still didn't care. I wanted nothing to do with her.Until a few days ago, when she saved the entire pack from food poisoning that would've brought us to our knees.Which was surprising considering all that has been happening. For someone who has been treated like an outsider from the moment she stepped foot into the pack, it was a rather big move.And that changed things, at least for me. It forced me to acknowledge that she wasn’t just some outsider, but someone that took us as her pack despite everything. And when I found out she was Andrew’s mate, his Luna, I couldn’t ignore her presence in the pack anymore. I guess that's why she saved our asses in the first place. She wasn’t just some cursed wolf. She was one of us.Which is why hearing Deveriud demand to take her away made my blood boil. A few
Andrew's POVEverything had seemed to enter slow motion as Deveruid’s sharp claws descended on Micheal. I tried to react in time to the attack, to rush forward and stop the mishap that was set to happen, but I was too far for that.My head screamed for me to move, but my body wasn't catching up as I watched, my heart in my throat.Elara was right after all, Deveriud was too strong. What was that crazy speed? I'm an Alpha too, what's the difference between us? Am I that weak?Is this how it ends for Michael?Then, Elara moved, pushing Micheal out of the way even as he prepared to meet the attack head-on. Instead of the claws hurting Michael, it ended up scratching Elara as she wasn't quick enough to save her own skin.“Elara!” I yelled, as a cry of pain tore out of her lips. It twisted something inside of me making my control over the beast inside slip for a moment.Everything was spiraling out of control and I was barely doing a thing to stop it.What sort of an alpha am I?“Impress
Elara's POV Fighting the wolf in front of me, I didn't expect another one to be behind me. So it came as a surprise when Andrew ran away from Deveriud to jump behind me.Just as I was about to say my thanks, I was shocked when Deveruid appeared behind him, digging his fangs into his shoulder.My eyes went wide as Andrew staggered back. “Andrew,” I choked, stumbling towards him.But a werewolf from nowhere jumped right before me, standing between us. “Get off my way.”He smirked, “make me.”I was expecting that reply. Right now, I had no patience to deal with him. My wolf seeing that her mate was hurt is now awake and is ready to make someone pay.Giving Andrew a quick look, I wondered if he was okay but then I began to feel something deep within.It was like he was trying to tell me something through the mate bond. That's when it became clear to me. “Don't worry about me. Just deal with the wolf in front of you.”Sensing this, a level of relief washed over me knowing he was fine. F
Andrew’s POV After Deveruid's sneak attack, I was more than willing to end his life. Charging at him, I rammed my upper body into him, but then, he raised his paw and tried slashing me with his claws. I quickly rushed back, seeing through his attack. Glancing behind me, I could see that Elara was engaged in a combat of her own again.The werewolf who didn't want her to pass earlier was now trying to hurt her. I gritted my fangs at the sight. I wanted pull that wolf off her and kill him myself but that would've been a bad move.So, instead I spoke to her through the mate bond and gave her what little strength I could offer.By the time I turned my gaze back to the Deveriud, he was gone. Then I felt a sharp pain at the back of thigh.I howled in anger. Enough was enough. The wolf had been fighting for control. It's time to let the feral beast out.Letting go, I let my primal instincts take over. I stayed quiet and watched as my wolf bounded into Deveriud in one leap, sending both of u
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