All Chapters of Against All Odds: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

* Cerberus *Before my eyes closed for the night, her face flashed through my mind, clear and sharp, like a freshly struck blade. The wolf Princess, a figure shrouded in moonlight and whispered myths, the rarest of all the Royal family, and yet, the first time I truly laid eyes on her was within the damp, echoing walls of the dungeons. Despite the shadows clinging to her like a shroud, it did not diminish her beauty. It only sharpened it, like a gem polished by the grinding pressure of time and torment."Please help me."Her voice haunted my thoughts, a desperate echo threading through my mind even now. It clung to the corners of my memory, as if her very soul had woven itself into my being the moment our eyes met. But I could not afford to be swayed by pity or passion. My wolves had endured enough, I could not lead them into a pointless war against the Alpha King or the Alpha of the West.So, I turned my back on her and left the dungeons without a second glance, forcing my heart to h

* Zeina *I was relieved to find the master's bedroom empty of Celine when I entered, but her presence still clung to the air, like a bitter perfume. The sharp, sweet fragrance she favored lingered in the heavy velvet curtains and polished mahogany furniture, mixing with the faint scent of crushed roses and a hint of Robert's own dark musk.The bed, my bed, now defiled by their shared nights, mocked me with its tangled sheets and the framed picture that sat arrogantly on the bedside table, their smiles frozen in a moment that should have been mine. Anger seared my veins, each beat of my heart a painful drum reminding me of my shattered pride and stolen place.Robert had only let me out of the dungeon because my brother, my last link to the world beyond his suffocating rule, was coming. I smoothed my dress, the deep green silk clinging to my curves, a whisper of the warrior I once was before he broke my spirit, before his cruel games reduced me to this obedient shell."Are you ready to

* Cerberus *The music of the Tavern Club thumped through the walls, a rhythmic pulse that had become the backdrop of my life. As the owner, I'd long grown used to the bass heavy beats that shook the floors and the clinking of glasses punctuated by rowdy laughter. My warriors were scattered outside, blending seamlessly with the humans, their senses sharp beneath the guise of casual patrons and bouncers. I leaned back in my plush leather chair, fingers tracing the polished armrest as my eyes drifted to the wall clock. Its polished brass hands crept toward ten, reminding me there were still four long hours until the bar closed. Maybe I could catch a few minutes of rest before the inevitable chaos of closing time.As soon as my eyes slid shut, a sharp, tingling sensation rippled through me, like the snap of a storm on a humid night. My stomach twisted, and before I could fully process the shift, the leather beneath me vanished, replaced by cold, damp stone pressing against my back."Wha

* Zeina *"Your Majesty, why didn't you go with your brother during his visit? You could have saved yourself this torment."Donna's voice, though weary, carried through the dim, damp air of the dungeons. She stood in the adjacent cell, her fingers curled around the rusting iron bars.I leaned back against the cold, unforgiving stone wall, the weight of my exhaustion settling into my bones. My muscles ached from my earlier clash with Celine, and a thin scratch ran across my cheek, a reminder of her vicious nails. But I knew it would fade soon enough. My blood, coursing with the power of the royal wolves, wouldn't allow a single scar to linger. Still, the sting of betrayal cut deeper than any physical wound."Donna," I whispered, my voice rough but firm, "you couldn't possibly think I would leave you here to die. You're more than a servant to me. You're someone I hold dear, someone who has stood by my side when others have turned away."She flinched, her head bowing slightly, as if the

* Cerberus *"Princess Zeina said you came to the dungeons one night to attempt to save Celine, but you found her there. I'm here to remind you of the full wolf moon, the night you whispered a promise of returning for her, swearing to one day break her chains. In exchange, she vowed to find a way to let you speak with the Alpha King, her brother."Beta Kael's eyes widened, his usual stoic expression cracking for a brief moment. I kept my face grim, the cold weight of memories settling over me like a dark cloak. I turned my attention to the woman, a servant of Princess Zeina, standing before me with a nervous yet determined stance. Her breathing came in shallow, measured breaths, and I felt the slight tremor in her energy a wolf hiding in human skin, threading carefully in my den."What made you come here first," I growled, my voice low but sharp, "instead of going directly to the Alpha King? It couldn't have been easy finding me. My pack hides well, most of my wolves disguised as mere