Flora – POVRetreating to my room, anger and tears threatened to overwhelm me. Perhaps my bond with Ryker was never genuine. Maybe his affections were just fleeting lust rather than the deep love he professed. It felt like a deceitful lie. I didn't know how long I lay there, succumbing to my tears until sleep took over. A knock at the door roused me."Come in," I managed, my voice raspy from crying.Belle entered, her face etched with concern. "You've been crying. What's going on?" she inquired gently.I let out a weary sigh. Discussing Ryker and Melina was the last thing I wanted. Hoping to deflect the conversation, I asked, "Have you seen Ivan lately?""No, but I did see Ivan stroll with Melina," Belle replied. I leaped from my bed, hastily donning my coat and shoes without a second thought. I'd promised to keep Ivan safe from Melina's influence, and the idea of her possibly manipulating him alarmed me.In my rush, I accidentally bumped into someone. As I stumbled backward, I realiz

Flora – POVI returned to my room after talking to Bryan. Thoughts raced in my mind about the danger and hearing Elton's name again. The relief I'd felt when he was killed by Ryker was now replaced by dread. But I refused to let fear win this time. If I see Elton again, I'm ready to fight and take revenge for his audacity."I'm with you, Flora. We'll finish Elton for good," said my wolf, Nyla, with fire in her voice. Her determination strengthened my resolve to face my fears. For the past two weeks, Ryker had distanced himself from me and seemed to be closer to Melina. Bryan kept an eye on me for safety, which I didn't like. Ryker only interacted with me during training sessions, and he always looked tired. I'd once asked him about it, but Ryker brushed me off. Though I didn't like Bryan, he taught me how to use magic, and I had to admit he was skilled.Standing close to Bryan, I felt Nyla purring in my mind. When Bryan touched my hand to correct my stance, a thrilling sensation cours

Flora – POVChelsea and I sat in her mansion. Ivan, after joining us for lunch, walked away to get some studying done. He looked distant and sad. I asked Ivan if Ivan wanted to study with me, but Ivan turned me down. I understood he needed some distance."You should rest," Chelsea instinctively said."I am fine," I responded, sipping a tea infused with a potion to keep the ache of my muscles bearable rather than intense. Chelsea sighed at my stubbornness for not agreeing to rest."What happened to Melina?" I inquired."I didn't expect you to worry about her," Chelsea remarked. "Well, she is in the infirmary, unconscious.""Good," I said without remorse, and Chelsea raised her eyebrows in surprise. "What!" I exclaimed at her stare."You look more like an avenger now, not a forgiver," Chelsea observed. I sighed."What can I say? It was Ryker showing me the side of myself hiding under the forgiving side," I said. "People who mean harm to loved ones deserve punishment, and Ryker is protec

Flora–POV"Thank you for sharing the truth with me," I said before leaving his room. Ryker stopped me; as soon as his hand was on mine, I felt warm but also an unsettling sensation, and my chest tightened. Ryker let go of me and distanced himself, and the strange shift in my body subsided."Are you okay?" Ryker asked, concern in his voice but maintaining his distance from me."I am. What was that just now?" I asked."Nothing. I suggest you leave my room now; you have your answer," Ryker said, avoiding my gaze. I walked away, angry with his hot-and-cold attitude. I need help to understand what's bothering Ryker today.I went back to check on Ivan, who was sleeping in his bed, mourning Jake's death. I gently caressed his head and putting a blanket on Ivan's small figure relaxed, but I felt terrible for this little guy who couldn't receive his mother's love, only trauma. Now Ryker was keeping his distance, too. I saw the worry in Ivan's eyes about why his father was distancing himself. S

Flora – POVMelina was under strict surveillance; she wasn't allowed in the Mansion. Nathan told me that Ryker had found out Melina wanted to harm Ivan, so he kept her alive but watched closely until the curse issue was resolved. Ryker was mad at Belle for telling the truth. He had warned her to avoid the Mansion, and now Belle was at Chelsa's place. I knew Ryker didn't punish Belle because she's my best friend, and he wouldn't want to upset me.In my room, doctors looked after me, and Chelsa often visited with her potions, but nothing worked."What are you doing?" Chelsa asked as I packed my backpack."We're going to the Dense Forest to work on a spell," I replied."But you're still recovering. What about your health?" Chelsa was concerned."You mentioned this one-time chance to free the trapped grey wolf pack and my parents. I won't let anything stop me," I said firmly."I can tell you won't change your mind," Chelsa sighed."That's right. Be ready and meet me at the Pack entrance.