NYX'S POVEver since Aurora showed me her father's journal, no matter how hard I tried to deny it, I hadn't been myself.I couldn't even identify my problem, I couldn't tell if it was the paintings of myself that I saw that made me feel this way or if it was the dirty thoughts that managed to flood my mind as I imagined what was running in his head when he painted me or how his muscles flexed.Apart from my unholy thoughts, I sincerely have been concerned after finding out about Atlas's illness. I've just had this unsettling feeling. It was as though I was bothered about his well-being and that's the part I don't understand.Atlas has been nothing but cruel, evil and wicked to me. He's even the reason I've been in this sick state for the past few weeks. So, it still didn't make sense how a part of me cares that he was inflicted with an illness. Maybe it was part of the effects from the painting.A part of me knew why. It was because of Aurora, she's too much of an angel and the last

NYX'S POVWatching Atlas with a keen eye, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration wash over me. He was nothing like my father - a greedy, proud, and selfish man who never once cared about his beta or any of the other officials in our pack.I couldn't help but compare him to my father. It was a stark contrast to what I was witnessing now. My dad was the complete opposite of Atlas. He was greedy, proud, and selfish. He only cared about his own power and wealth, never once bothering to take the time to listen to the concerns of his beta or any of the other officials in the pack.Atlas was different. He was attentive and genuinely cared about his pack members. He didn't view them as mere subjects, but rather as individuals with their own thoughts and emotions. It was a breath of fresh air to see such a leader in action.It was refreshing to see someone who didn't place their own self-interest above everything else. Someone who actually took the time to listen and care about

NYX'S POVI was still reeling from Elaine's words when she slowly turned around, tears streaming down her face as she revealed her back to me. The whip marks were deep and the bruises were dark, covering nearly her entire back. I was stunned into silence, my heart breaking as I realized the pain she had endured.I gasped in horror, reaching out to touch one of the wounds, but Elaine flinched away. "Don't," she warned. "It hurts."I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. I had no idea that Elaine had been hurt like this. "What happened?" I asked softly.She sighed, her eyes closing briefly. "I was punished," she said simply. "Because of you."I didn't know what to say. I had always known that the pack could be strict, but I had never seen the consequences up close like this."I'm sorry," I said, not knowing what else to offer."You're sorry?" Elaine turned back around to face me, her eyes blazing with anger. "Sorry,doesn't even begin to cover it, Nyx. You put me in danger, you lied to me,

NYX'S POVI've been trying to get on Elaine's good side for weeks, but it's like she wants nothing to do with me. Every time I try to talk to her, she ignores me or gives me a look that could kill. It hurts, but I can't stop trying.One day, I saw her walking alone in the forest and decided to follow her. I knew it was a risk, but I needed to try. After a while, she realized I was following her and turned around to face me. I froze, not knowing what to say."What do you want?" she asked, her tone icy."I just wanted to talk," I said, my voice barely above a whisper."I have nothing to say to you," she replied, turning to walk away.I reached out to grab her arm, but she yanked it away, causing me to stumble. "Please, just hear me out," I begged."Why should I?" she asked, turning back to face me. "You've done nothing but hurt me and lie to me.""I know I messed up, but I'm trying to make things right," I said, my voice trembling with emotion. "I just want us to be friends again.""Fri

NYX'S POVI was sitting in my room, lost in thought, when I heard a soft knock on the door. Curious to see who could be visiting me at this late hour, I got up to answer it. I wasn't expecting anybody. As I opened the door, I was surprised to see Elaine standing there, looking hesitant and unsure."Elaine? What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised but yet excited at the same time.Elaine looked up at me, her eyes red from crying. "Can I talk to you, Nyx? It's important," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.I could see the distress in her face and knew that something was wrong. "Of course, of course, come in," I said, gesturing for Elaine to enter my room.Elaine sat down on the edge of my bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "I just wanted to say thank you," she said, her voice trembling slightly.Puzzled, I sat down next to her. I didn't see what I did earlier to be a big deal. "Thank you? For what?" I asked."For standing up for me today," Elaine said, her eyes brim