Maximo PoVAlthough it’s been hours since they left, Klaus's words echoed in my head like the after-effect of hitting a tower clock. His words drowned out every thought in my mind until I was left with a blank slate that kept replaying those words.“Gosh!” I snapped, crushing the dented iron cup I held in my hand.The same witch that cursed your mother was the same witch that birthed Lisa with magic.Damn that idiot, I sent the cup flying with a sharp toss. It collapsed against the walls of the cave, and the clattering echoed through the cave. The magical connection between Lisa and I explained so many things. It explained the prophecy, and the strange pull between us. Everything I thought was special and intriguing about her was the same very thing I hated the most; Magic. Magic made her special, and magic was the one thing I detested above everything else.“You’re feeling good about yourself, aren’t you?” I angrily stared at the statue of the moon goddess. According to legends, she

Axel PoV“I knew you wouldn’t let that puny boy steal you pack,” my wife snickered and wrapped her hands around me, “you’re the Alpha of this pack, and no one can take that from you.”I was not surprised by Ava’s words. I’d known right from the beginning that she only married me because I was the Alpha. She loved the feeling of being Alpha’s wife, more than she loved being my wife. It was an arrangement that I’d already made peace with. Besides, I was always going to be the Alpha. Nothing can change that.“Thanks,” I murmured gently.“You okay?” she asked. She must have sensed that I unsettled, but I had better things to do than talking about my problems. Besides, it’s not like she cared much anyway.“I’m fine,” I replied with a soft, winsome smile. “Good,” she smiled back, “dinner would be ready in a few minutes.”She planted a kiss on my cheeks before she went back inside, while I stayed back on the balcony and watched the sun slowly dip in the horizon. A soft, cooling wind drifted

Aurora PoVIt was difficult to sleep when you know your husband in the hands of a conceited, power-hungry mad man that would do almost anything to keep himself in power. This wasn’t the first time Axel’s thirst for power wound hurt my family, but I was determined to make sure it was the last. “I will not let you hurt my family again,” I muttered angrily while I waited for dawn. While I waited to swing into action, my mind swayed over the fight between Klaus and Axel, and I realized I was right. Klaus is much stronger than he thinks he is, perhaps even as strong as Axel, or even stronger. I’d tried to make him realize how strong he is but it was not a thought he was willing to entertain. Klaus has always looked up to Axel, and never believed he could be stronger than his Alpha.“That murderer is not my Alpha,” I yelped, repeating the same words I’d muttered to myself over the years until I came to believe them. If the pack knew what Axel did in order to become the Alpha, they would

Maximo PoVJust like I expected, more than half of the wolves I sent out to the forest did not return.The wild bears in this forest had evolved to adapt to their predator. They had grown stronger, bigger, faster, and more brutal. It would take more than an average random wolf to take one of them down, and they roamed about the forest, taking down any weak werewolves that crossed their paths.“I count eight werewolves, master,” Dylan said. It was a big night and I’d exempted him from guarding Lisa, the little witch isn’t definitely going anywhere.“Alpha,” I corrected Dylan, “not master.”“Yes, Alpha,” he immediately corrected himself.“They are more than I expected,” I replied, “I didn’t think this much would make it.”“These fellas are the strongest of the bunch, eh” Dylan replied.“Not yet,” I smirked, “those who survive tonight will be the strongest of the bunch.”“What’s going down tonight, Alpha?” he asked.I turned to face him with a wild smile on my face, “tonight? We begin.”

As I woke up the next day, the events of the previous day flooded my mind, and the reality of my decision to take time apart from Mason sank in. I felt a mix of emotions—emptiness, uncertainty, and a tinge of regret. The morning felt heavy, and I struggled to find the motivation to start my day. My head was pounding, a reminder of my low tolerance for alcohol, and I longed for a cold shower to ease the ache.Rubbing my forehead, I made my way to the bathroom and turned on the shower. The cool water felt refreshing against my skin, and I let it wash away the lingering traces of last night's restlessness. I couldn't even remember how I managed to get back home after leaving the bar with my brother, but I supposed that was a good thing.After showering, I stepped out and heard my cellphone ringing from the bed. Hurrying to pick it up, I saw that it was Sarah calling. A smile formed on my lips as I answered the call. "Hello, Sarah. Good morning," I greeted her warmly."Good morning, boss,