Elaraโs POVโDid we do the right thing?โ I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Both of them turned to look at me.โLeaving him there to die,โ I continued, swallowing the lump in my throat. โI thoughtโฆ I thought being kind was the best revenge.โLucas reached for my hand. โElara, the world isnโt kind,โ he said. โItโs cruel. And weโll do whatever it takes to protect you.โSabrina nodded, her eyes softening for the first time since weโd left the scene. โNo matter the cost,โ she added. โNo matter who we have to kill.โThe finality in her tone sent a chill down my spine, but it was oddly reassuring. I wasnโt alone. I wasnโt just a burden or a problem to be solved. I wasโฆ protected. Loved.I glanced between them, the two people who had become my family, and a bittersweet ache settled in my chest. โThank you,โ I whispered.The tension eased, but only slightly. Sabrina turned back to the wheel, gripping it tightly before speaking. โAre you ready for whatโs next?โ she asked, her tone sharp
Elaraโs POVItโs been days since I showered. Now, I was free, back home away from witches. I stood under the hot shower, feeling the water cascade down my back, soothing the aches and exhaustion that had built up over the past few days. The shower was a temporary escape, a space where I didnโt have to think about Matthewโs death, Lucasโ father, or the chaos that seemed to follow us everywhere.I didnโt hear the door open, but I caught my mateโs scent. Lucas had a way of filling a room without saying a word.โCare for some company?โ he asked, his voice dripping like honey.I turned slightly, peeking out of the shower to see him leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed and a small smile playing on his lips.I nodded, not trusting my voice.Instead of joining me under the spray, he moved to the bathtub, turning the faucet on and adjusting the temperature. The sound of water filling the tub echoed in the room. He sat down in the warm water, leaning back with a sigh of contentment.
Elaraโs POVI didnโt feel beautiful. Not today. Not with the way Iโd been crying on and off, my emotions swinging so wildly I couldnโt keep them straight. But Lucas didnโt seem to care about any of that. His hands were on my waist, steady and warm, and his lips brushed the side of my neck like they were drawn there.โYouโre so fucking beautiful,โ he said, his voice low and rough against my skin.A breath caught in my throat, and I leaned into him without thinking, letting the words sink in even though I didnโt believe them. โI donโt feel beautiful,โ I whispered, hating how small my voice sounded.He didnโt miss a beat. โDoesnโt matter what you feel,โ he said, his mouth finding my shoulder, kissing it like he had all the time in the world. โYou are.โI let my head fall back, my fingers clinging to his arms as his hands slid down to my hips, holding me in place. He pulled me closer, guiding me until I was straddling him, the water sloshing gently around us.I could feel him, hard and ho
Elaraโs POVI woke up and reached out instinctively, my hand landing on cold sheets. My chest tightened. Lucas wasnโt here.For a moment, I tried to be rational. Maybe heโd gone for a run or got pulled into something urgent. But my thoughts didnโt care about logic. My brain whispered every worst-case scenario, flooding me with flashes of the chaos weโd just escaped.The bed felt enormous and suffocating all at once. I sat up, my pulse racing. My eyes burned before I even realized I was crying.โGet a grip,โ I muttered to myself, pressing my palms into my eyes. But the harder I tried to push it down, the worse it got.A sharp knock at the door snapped me out of it.โElara? Itโs me.โ Sabrinaโs voice was calm, like she already knew what was going on.I sniffled and wiped my face quickly. โCome in.โThe door opened, and Sabrina stepped inside, closing it softly behind her. Her eyes scanned my face, and she tilted her head, her sharp senses picking up what I couldnโt hide.โYouโve been cry
Lucasโs POVโYouโre a psycho whoโs not worth being loved,โ Aurelio spat, catching my ear as I passed by the office. โYou Lycans are monsters, believing youโre self-righteous and refusing to get over petty things. So I stabbed you. How many times has Lucas or your father stabbed you? You forgave them, but not me. Why?โBefore Sabrina could respond, I stepped into the room. Her eyes met mine, brimming with unshed tears. Iโd never seen her look so broken, especially not by someone like Aurelio. For a moment, I understood why my father despised werewolves. Why he felt they needed to be kept in their place? Kindness had made them forget who held true power.โWhat the hell did you just say to her?โ I asked, though rage simmered on the inside. Aurelio sneered, shrugging like my words were beneath him. โItโs the truth. Sheโs unstable, Lucas. She wonโt let this go. Yet I was bewitched. If anything, Iโm the victim here. She should be apologizing to me for not giving me Elara when I asked for h
Elaraโs POVThe smell of sugar and melted chocolate filled the air as I sifted flour into a bowl, sneaking glances at Sabrina, who was determined to master the art of baking. Her cheeks were flushed from laughter, different from the woman whoโd just been crying a few hours back. Lucas' outburst hadnโt only scared Aurelio, but Sabrina too. Iโd long forgotten what my mate was like when angry, when his eyes switched in between golden and black. Iโd forgotten about the beast lurking within him and the power it had. Lucas was not to be messed with. โNot bad for someone who couldnโt crack an egg without shattering the shell into the bowl,โ I teased, nudging Sabrina with my elbow.โHey, Iโm improving,โ Sabrina shot back, her grin infectious.It wasnโt often Sabrina and I had these pockets of peace, and I cherished it. Her mate, Aurelio, was currently sleeping in the pack hospital. All his wounds had healed, his tongue was fine. I still found it impossible that he could grow another tongue
Elaraโs POVThe library was my escape, a rare corner of peace in a house where chaos seemed to reign. I ran my fingers over the spine of a thick leather-bound book, trying to ground myself. The baby kicked, the bump was growing. Sabrina was out looking over Aurelio then we'd head out for shopping later. Lucas was busy talking with the council, it was a little rocky in the pack. People were still recovering from his father's rule and not everyone was accepting. Just like Aurelio had said, the pack members felt betrayed. They'd expected Lucas to rescue them but instead he and Sabrina were gone for days trying to save me. In this moment, I can barely walk around the pack because I'm scared someone will try to hurt me. They blame me for everyone who was killed by Darian. If I'd not been in trouble, then Lucas would have come back earlier. On one hand, I fully understood their pain. Lucas was linient with his father, barely throwing a punch because he surrendered and apologizes. I felt
Lucas' POVI stood by the large window in my study, staring out at the pack grounds. It had been weeks since I took over as Alpha again, and every moment felt like a battle I was losing. They didnโt trust me. No matter how hard I tried, I could see it in their eyesโfear, doubt, and something even worse: disappointment.Aurelioโs words from that night echoed in my mind. Theyโll never trust you as long as youโre soft on your father. I hated to admit it, but he was right. Iโd been lenient with Darian, too lenient.Taking a deep breath, I left the study and headed to the servantsโ quarters. If there was anyone who would be honest with me, it was Maria. The same maid Iโd once accused of poisoning Elara was now the only one whoโd be honest with me. The only servant I fully trusted. Sheโd fed me in the chambers when my father chained me. She was loyal. โMaria,โ I called out, catching her as she stepped out of the kitchen. She turned to me, startled at first, but quickly regained her composu
Elaraโs POV"We want to make this right," my mother begs. "Let us help you."I cross my arms. "Thereโs nothing you can do to erase years of pain and suffering.โ"We can free you from Amaris," Aunt Isabella cuts in. "A ritual to expel her spirit completely."I look at them, breathless for a moment. If Amaris was gone, I could feel my wolf again. I wouldnโt be worried about my baby. I could go back to Lucas, given I wonโt be worried about Amaris taking over and hurting him. Iโd be free. I study their faces, looking for any sign of deception. "Just like that? You want to help me after admitting you orchestrated my entire life?""It's the least we can do," Matthew says. "Let us try to fix what we broke."My mother steps forward. "Please, Elara. Let this be our apology."I consider their offer. Part of me wants to refuse anything they suggest, but another part... "Fine," I say finally. "Do it.""We'll need time to prepare the ritual grounds," Aunt Isabella says. Hesitant, I ease up. "Fin
I have lived in many cages. Some with iron bars. Some made of illusions, some built from my own hope, crumbling when I realized no one was coming to save me.I thought I had finally escaped. That with Lucas, I had built something real. But it was all another illusion, another carefully constructed lie.Now, I stand on the edge of another choiceโrun, as I always have, or turn around and face the ghosts I spent my life running from. My mother, my auntโฆ they claim they have answers. But why should I believe them? Why should I listen?Because of the baby. Because of the life inside me, the only thing that is still mine.I have no choice but to turn back.I walk into Matthewโs pack house again. My mom is standing over Matthew, reciting incantations to try to heal his burn wounds. When they see me, everyone stops. โI only came because I want to know the truth. Itโs the only way to protect my baby.โโ The quiet part I hadnโt said out loud was why. Because I was all alone now. Lucas kicked
Elaraโs POV"You need to understand where it all began," my mother starts, while she helps apply ointment on my aunt's wounds. She mutters some incantations under her breath, stretching her hands over my aunt's chest. Yet again, like magic, her wounds disappeared. โBeautiful, isnโt it?โโ My aunt asked. โScaryโs more the word.โโ I admit, setting down the book. โElara, you donโt have to be afraid of magic.โโ โI donโt want it.โโ I snapped. My mom looks back at me. She approaches me, coming to hold my hands gently. โDonโt!โโ I let out. โI donโt want to hurt you again.โโ โElara, youโre part wolf, part witch. Youโre a reincarnation of Amaris, and youโre carrying a Lycan baby. If you want, you can be the most powerful creature to ever roam this world.โโ โI just want a simple life.โโ I admitted, leaning back against the chair. โMy baby deserves a simple life. Can you take the magic away? I donโt want to be cursed like this. I almost killed you for crying out loud.โโ โBut you didnโt!โ
Elaraโs POVโI promised myself Iโd never come back here,โ I muttered as Matthew helped me up the stairs leading to the packhouse. โAfter you banished me, I had no home. Now everyone who used to bully me somehow calls me Luna. Not just that, but they think Iโm some witch.โโWe have much to talk about, darling,โ Matthew said, smiling. โFor now, you need rest.โWe reached the top of the stairs, and standing at the entrance were faces I never thought Iโd see again.โElara! Oh, darling!โ My mother and aunt rushed toward me, their arms outstretched.They hugged me tightly before I could react, their sudden warmth startling me. My body tensed, the touch setting off alarm bells in my head.โEasy there,โ Matthew chuckled, stepping in. โSheโs pregnant. Donโt crush her.โThey laughed, easing away but not letting go completely.โSorry, dear,โ my mother said, brushing my hair back like she used to when I was a child. โIโm just so excited to see you again.โโMe too,โ my aunt chimed in, her smile si
"Please don't do this, Alpha!" Sarah drops to her knees before Lucas. Her tears wet the ground. "She's our Luna!"I watch more pack members fall. One by one. Begging him. Pleading for me."Alpha Lucas, we need her," Michael's voice breaks. "The pack needs her."I feel their love wrapping around me like a warm blanket. But it's not enough. It's never enough.Lucas stands before me. Towering. Rigid. I search his face for any trace of the man who held me last night. Who whispered promises against my skin."I love you," I whisper. The words scratch my throat on their way out.He looks at me with empty eyes, my words mean nothing to him. He slams the door in my face. It is the final disrespect, the very thing that makes me regret knowing him. Iโve never had a place I called home that truly felt like home. Back in Matthewโs pack, it was anything but home. My parents left me a tiny house all to myself but the people around it made my life hell. Here, in Lucasโ pack, I had nothing of my own
Elaraโs POVI used to catalog my heartbreaks like others collected seashells. Each heartbreak was unique, adding to my growing collection. The silent heartbreaks haunted me most. Like watching other children walk home to loving families while I returned to an empty house as an orphan. Then came the loud heartbreaks. Fists connecting with flesh, my face stuck into mud. Jeers echoing through hallways. Gum yanked from my hair piece by piece.After finding my first mate, Matthew, heartbreak came with rejection. It wasnโt after he called me to his room that night and propositioned me to become his sex slave that I felt insulted. But still, it didnโt come close to this. Standing here now, listening to Lucas speak, I understand something new. All my previous pain feels like gentle rain. This moment is the hurricane that teaches me what it truly means for a heart to break.I realize now, Iโve never known what heartbreak truly feels like until Lucas.He stands in the center of the room, look
Elaraโs POVโI used to scrub these floors. Back in my old pack, they'd make me clean the hospital wing after battles, after accidents, after anything that brought real wolves in for treatment. I'd mop up blood and bandages, listening to them groan in pain while nurses rushed past me like I was invisible. Sometimes I'd hear them whisper - *stupid omega, worthless omega, don't waste medicine on her kind*.โ Aurelio looked at me, really looked at me. He had nothing to say. โI remember the day I broke my arm. Three younger wolves had caught me alone, wanted to teach the omega her place. I'd dragged myself to the hospital entrance, blood dripping onto those clean floors I'd just mopped. The nurse had looked right through me, told me to clean up my own mess. I learned to set my own bones after that. Living in Matthewโs pack as the bullied omega taught me that services like health care were only available to wolves who mattered. For years, even when seriously sick, Iโd clean the floors and
Elaraโs POVโYouโre nothing,โ Mary spat, coming at me with a knife. โAn inferior creature. You donโt deserve my son. You donโt deserve to live.โ I tried to speak, to defend myself, but the words caught in my throat. I touched my stomach, afraid for my baby.โOh Goddess, please help me.โโ I cried out, looking above. Mary laughed. โThe goddess wonโt help you. She abandoned you wolves centuries ago. She grew scared of us. How mighty Lycans had become.โโ My wolf stirred uneasily inside me, but it felt distant. It felt like she was retreating into the shadows of my mind. โMary, please,โ I managed to whisper. โI love Lucas. I would neverโโ โSilence!โ Her roar echoed through the garden, and I flinched. Why wasnโt anyone coming to save me? Where were the guards, the warriors, the maids? Anyone. โYour love is a stain on our bloodline. Youโre a mistake, one I intend to correct.โ Before I could move, she lunged at me. The dagger was aimed straight at my chest, and I froze. My fight or f
Lucasโ POVโThis isnโt possible. Youโre dead.โ The words came out before I realized Iโd spoken them. โSurprise, Alpha. Iโm very much alive.โ His grin was wide, almost too wide, like heโd been waiting for this moment. โDo you feel it yet? Has the magic kicked in?โThe air was tense, everyone held their breaths. I knew what Matthew meant, I just didnโt think the other Lycans did. The sheer number of wolves around us was too much. None of us was at full power. The forest is pumped with witch magic, which in turn weakens us. Each of us can handle fighting about 50 wolves, even while weak. Thatโs the power of a Lycan. However, something else was off. The magic got stronger and stronger. โSabrinaโฆโ My father cried out. I turned to see my sister slumped against a tree, her hand pressed to her side. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow. She was slipping away, and I couldnโt do anything about itโnot yet.โThatโs right,โ Matthew said, his tone mocking. โI laced my arrows with the same poi