Michael’s POV“Are you sure we're going the right way?” Greg asked, as we dashed through the woods as fast as we could in human form.For sometime, I too have been doubting the road we took to get Elara back. But then I remembered the last time I heard a rumor about Shadow Fang Pack. I remember being told it's easy to get to as they live just at the outskirts of Howling Ridge.“I'm positive. It is said that the mountain we see standing at our town’s border is their lair,” I replied, focusing on the path ahead of us.It's been over an hour that we set out to find Elara and yet we have been unable to find a trace of them. The only good thing at this point is that I knew where their mountain was, if not, it would've been way more difficult.“We need to be on the lookout for any sneak attacks. That pack has no dignity.” I advised.Deveruid is known to be malicious and could do anything to achieve his goals. That's what gave him the audacity to invade the pack and kidnap our Alpha’s mate.
Elara's POVWhen we arrived at the foot of the mountain, I was worried that Theo would have to climb it. I didn't know how he was going to do it, but I knew it would be more uncomfortable than riding on his shoulder hanging upside down.Luckily, that wasn't necessary as there was a cave at the foot of the mountain that connected to different parts of the mountain.“You should've said something.” I muttered. “You knew I was worried about you scaling this mountain with me on your back.”He shrugged. “Everyone thinks the same whenever they come here for the first time. I just enjoy the look of surprise whenever they see a cave.”“You have a weird sense of humor.”“And I think you should shut up.”I wanted to argue, but I thought better of it. The threat he issued to me on the way here was still fresh in my mind.The last thing I need is someone breaking my bones.Immediately we passed through the opening, we were shrouded by darkness. The only source of light, was the torch lit on a lon
Lora's POVThe scent of pine trees, and damp earth filled my nose as I rushed through the woods.I needed to get there in time. I needed to get to the Shadow Fang Pack before it's too late. As I ran, my mind went back to a time earlier today when I needed to clean the corridors of the pack house. It was my turn after all and any form of delay would translate to punishment. I had done half of the work when I got to Alpha Dorian’s side.For some reason, he had decided to own a room in the pack house. Most alphas would prefer to have their places away from the disturbance of the pack but not him.I was lost in thought as I drew closer to the door when voices from the room drew me out of my revelry.There were two voices. One was definitely his, while the other one, I didn't recognize.I didn't plan on eaves dropping on his conversation with someone I didn't know but when I'm a werewolf and he was a tad bit loud, I couldn't help my natural instincts from kicking in.“He has invaded the S
Lora’s POVThings had just turned worse with the appearance of Dorian. I couldn't help but worry about what Mira would soon be spouting to the Alpha.How long had she been behind me?“I just caught this good for nothing pressed against your door eavesdropping on whatever you were discussing inside.”Dorian's eyes narrowed as he stepped out, shutting the door behind him. “Is this true?” He asked turning his dark eyes on me, his arms crossed.“I…I was just—” I stammered unable to come up with a coherent sentence as my wits fled me.“Shut up.” Mira ordered. “Don't dare lie in my presence.”“I asked a simple question. Is this true?” His voice had gone low, growing cold.“I won't call it eavesdropping per se,” I began as terror ran through my body. “I was just mopping the floor when I heard voices.”“What did you hear?” He asked stepping closer.“No…nothing. I heard nothing, I swear. I just arrived.” I said quickly, taking a step back. It was like or get some unfathomable punishment. And
Michael’s POVWaking up, my vision was a bit blurry until I sat up. The first thing that assaulted my senses was the stench of the place. It smelt like something had died and was rotting away somewhere close by. The temperature was humid, making it even worse.Where's this place?I looked down sharply feeling something prick me in my hand. It was the dart I caught and it was still loaded with the evil I was shot with.I decided to take it back to pack if we escaped this prison.I looked around wondering how I got here. I noticed that my pack members were still passed out.This place is degrading as hell.The last thing I remembered was being shot while I growled at Deveriud. I shot up, ignoring how the roo… no cage swarm around me.That was a mistake and it cost me. I should've kept my cool but I allowed the emotions of the moment to cloud my senses.Who would've thought that Deveruid would set up that kind of trap for us. I knew he would be prepared for our attack but to cage us in a
Lora's POVWhen I opened the door, the man that stood in front of me that somehow turns out to be my mate, stared at me as if in a daze.What's with him staring at me like I was the most strange object he has ever seen.Amused, I had to ask if he was coming. That was what snapped him out of his mindless stance.Seems I'm not the only one whose wolf has taken a mate. From the way he looked at me, it was as if he wasn't expecting me.So was I.“Right.” He nodded while he turned to his burly friend who seemed to be holding back a smile but failing miserably. “Go, wake the others up while I and the young lady free those in the other cage.”Young lady? He couldn't come up with something more original. I will have to set him straight once he is out of that place.I waited till when we were in front of the opposite cage while his friend busied himself with barking and kicking the sleeping men up.I shook my head. “Is that how behaves? Quite unruly.”“Can't blame him. That's how he behaves wh
Elara's POVAhhhhh. This is getting really frustrating. How am I supposed to escape this place?I don't know how long I have been here, but I knew it should be over a few hours— judging by how long I've been sitting here lost in my thought—since Deveruid had paid me a visit.From his words, it seemed my only hope for an escape had already been captured. I was sure before another search party will be sent to find us, we would've been long dead.I didn't know his plans for me, but there was no doubt that nothing good was going to come out of it.Deveruid didn't tell me who must have hinted that I had the veiled sight and set him on this path.The only person I'm sure I told was Andrew and no one else. The crazy part is that it was just mere hours ago. Who could've figured that I had this power before I could fully understand what I thought was a curse was actually a gift.It seems like I have a formidable enemy. If I'm able to get out of this place alive, I promise to track whoever is s
Elara's POV“What's the meaning of this?” I asked, shocked by the level he was willing to stoop to get me not to leave.I knew he was a scumbag. A wolf without dignity but this? I felt my wolf raise her head. She too could sense his dark intentions and wanted to face him.Not a chance.This could be considered the height of it. The acrid stench of this place was almost suffocating and what I needed was to get out of here.I clenched my fists and unclenched them. I wanted to use them so badly that I could almost feel my claws trying to penetrate my skin whenever I clenched them.“Exactly what you think.” He snarled. “I will be keeping her hostage till you get back in your sit and if you waste any more time, I'm killing her.”This was getting out of hand and I didn't know what to do to stop it. Lora came to save me and now she is being held captive.If only we had moved any quicker. All this is my fault. Going on about my regrets. I should've waited till we got out of here.A shiver ra
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