ă€ŠThe Alpha&#x27;s Curse The Enemy Withină€‹


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1

    Chapter 1 One

    She''s point of view

    My shaken legs could no longer withstand the tension charged in the room. My entire life had changed

    the second the words "mate" left my lips.

    I gripped onto the white pir in the courtroom for support, the knife-edged tension within the court

    growing brutal by the second.

    Our pack warriors were behind their Alpha, Lucius Caso, no doubt prepared to attack, just in case a

    fight managed to break out with the warriors from the Crescent North Pack.

    My father, Lucius, was in a heated conversation with Alpha Killian about me. It was funny as hell how

    the confrontation a second ago about my father sending rogues to the Crescent North Pack soon

    changed into an intense conversation between my father, Alpha of the Silver Mist Pack, and Alpha

    Killian of the Crescent North Pack, my mate.

    It still feels like a dream to me how my entire life changed for the worse within a minute.

    It was as if the universe hated me, and the moon goddess despised me.

    At that moment, he was here, Alpha Killian Reid, charging in with a troop of his warriors into our pack,

    with fury stalking his veins, and then, to my utter disbelief, he happened to be my fated mate.

    I listened more to their conversation; neither of them was ready to take a rest. My father couldn''t do

    better to hide his satisfaction in sending me off with the enemy.

    For some reason, Killian kept refusing me, almost as if he was rejecting me. Even though I''m quite

    used to people''s rejection, I''ve experienced it first-hand with my father, the infamous Lucius Caso.

    Killian''s rejection hurt me more than I''d like to admit. I mean, even though I just found out he was my

    name, we shared a bond after all.

    Father and Killian looked at each other like they were a second from murdering the other, as they kept

    deciding my fate like I wasn''t even in the room. This was about me, yet Killian had not cast a second

    nce on me. It sent a piercing pain to my chest.

    "As you wish, Alpha Lucius, I will take her away," Killian spoke with ease, but there was something

    about the way he counted those words that made me cringe. It was cold and threatening.

    It could almost be called a miracle that the courtroom still remained calm. Every pack in the North

    Central was aware of the rooted hatred between both packs. They both had thergest packs in all of

    the North, and my father didn''t like it one bit. He was a tyrant Alpha and a beast who preyed on packs,

    annihting them and stealing theirnds. That was the type of Alpha my father was. And Killian was

    rumored to be no different.

    I was forced to shake off my thoughts when Alpha Lucius was up on his feet. He smiled darkly after

    onest gruesome stare at me. That smile of his has haunted my every awakening.

    "She is yours after all. You may take her!" He nced at me. He never treated me like his daughter.

    My years growing up within the walls of the Packhouse have been the literal definition of the term

    "hell!''. In that hellish state, the only thing that kept me going was finding my mate. I always heard

    stories from the servants about the mate bond and its undying love. I always prayed for a mate, even

    though deep down I knew my chances were nil. Unlike most wolves that were blessed with their wolf

    counterpart at sixteen, mine never came. So, it was unbelievable that I would be given a mate. My legs

    finally gave up, copsing against the pir which could no doubt feel my plight.

    Killian''s demeanor was cold, dominating, and even intimidating. His eyes gauged me, regarding me. I

    felt ufortable under his cold stare. The cold mask he had worn did not allow me an inkling of his

    true thoughts.

    "Tell her to be prepared. I''ll send someone to take her before dusk." Killian''s gruesome eyes fell on me.

    Even just by staring at me, one could see the cold cial that were aimed at my throat. How could I

    possibly be mated to him?

    I almost gasped. I was fudging right there, yet he was ignoring me.

    "That won''t be necessary, she can leave with you." My father was in fact excited to send me away with

    him. Just like that, like a terrible nightmare, what little belongings I owned in this ce that never

    seemed like home were bundled by the servants.

    My horse was saddled for me, and my little belongings were all packed up by the servants, and I was

    literally shoved out by my father.

    We began the ride to the Crescent North Pack, my new home. Killian was beside me, on my left was

    his Delta, and the other warriors trailed behind.

    We rode in absolute silence on our way to the Crescent North Pack. Even when I forced myself to say

    something, what greeted me was a brutal silence and a murderous re from him. So, I decided it was

    best to keep mute instead.

    The ufortable silence lingered for hours as we rode past the mountains, to the other side of the

    North, into the capital, which I heard

    was under his territory. After a while, we arrived at the notorious Crescent North Pack, known for

    everything it stood for. We rode a few more and we arrived at a castle. It was beautiful from the outside.

    Like nothing that I''ve seen before, it was truly beautiful.

    When we approached the castle, some warriors sauntered to us, bowing in respect to Killian. They took

    the reins of the horses, while someone helped me with my belongings.

    I helped myself down, feeling everyone''s curious eyes on me. There was no way anyone would have

    expected Killian to be arriving with his mate, who happened to be his enemy''s daughter.

    "Alpha?" A woman approached us with the servants, but from the manner in which she spoke, I could

    tell she was someone with ranking. She bowed her head in respect to Killian. Her curious eyes fell on

    me. The questions were vividly written in her eyes, but for some reason, she didn''t dare ask them.

    "Brielle, please have a private chamber prepared for her. And you, " He turned to me, his eyes so

    intimidating and dominating that I had to shift my gaze from him. "You look at me when I speak to you."

    Involuntary, my eyes fell on him. His tone, on the other hand, kept getting harsher and deadlier with the

    passing second. I stared unblinkingly into his amber eyes.

    "I will deal with youter," Killian said, in the usual domineering tone I was getting ustomed to. He

    barely looked my way and started walking off to the entrance door, leaving me with Brielle. I was left

    confused. A private chamber for me? Why? But we were mates, shouldn''t we be sharing the same

    chamber?

    The woman, Brielle, walked closer to me, her lips holding a stered smile.

    "Killian." His name left my lips for the first time. It seemed to have gained his attention. He came to a

    halt and swerved to face me.

    "From today onwards, it''ll be Alpha to you." He spoke to me like he was addressing a subject. I was his

    mate, for crying out loud. I was upset, but I yed it cool, remaining calm. He was still my mate, after

    all, and it was just my first day here.

    I ignored his words. "Why a private chamber? We are mates, we should share the same chamber."

    His amber eyes became stony, and his soft lips, which were the color of cherries, curled up amusingly.

    Killian moved closer to me, so close that our noses could almost kissed. I felt his hot breath fan my

    face. My breathing became hitched, and my legs became too weak to stand. The attraction between us

    was too strong to ignore. Couldn''t he feel it too?

    My question was soon answered by his stern words. "You mean absolutely nothing to me, She

    Caso." There was a sharp stab in my chest. My eyes were round, full of questions and hurt. If he

    didn''t want me, why was I here?

    My lips parted to speak when a voice interrupted us. "Killian," The voice said, jerking my head in the

    direction of the voice. It came from a woman around my age. She was a stunning beauty with jet-ck

    hair. She moved with a kind of elegance that suited her. Who was she?

    She came to us, standing beside Killian. Her eyes were upon me. She looked really calm and gentle,

    but there was a fire of rage shing through her eyes, which faded so quickly. Her effortless smile

    reappeared, moving to Killian.

    "Killian." The way she called his name made my stomach churn.

    "Who is she? " She asked him.

    It made my insides curl up. Killian''s eyes trailed from the woman, finding mine.

    That''s exactly what I should be asking. Killian wrapped his hands around her waist.

    "A little problem I encountered at Silver Mist Pack."

    A little problem? Was that what he thought of me? A problem?

    "Oh, I see," she said in a condescending tone. I judged her too quickly, she was anything but calm and

    gentle. There was something about her that was deceptive.

    "I am She Caso, his mate. And who are you?" I asked, her eyes widened.

    "Watch your words in my castle. Thea is your superior and my chosen mate. She is to be respected. "

    His words hurt me. If he had someone else, why did he ept me? His words seem to dden Thea.

    She leaned into his arms, cing a kiss on his lips, right before me, his rightful mate.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    I couldn''t take this insult. "Basically, you are saying this ''thing'' is your whoreˇ­?" I said with disgust. My

    words didn''t sit well with Thea, as she began crying.

    Seeing her tears, Killian''s eyesnded on me. His bright amber eyes became dark with rage and hate. I

    felt my heart prickle with fear.

    "I clearly warned you to watch your words in my castle! Thea is your superior, therefore, she should be

    respected in my castle. Since you''ve proven quite stubborn, you''ll be punished for your actions! "

    I was confused. I had no idea what he was saying.

    Before I knew it, I was surrounded by the Pack warriors. "Take her to the dungeon!"

    His murderous re made my heart stop, I had no idea what was going on.

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2

    Chapter 2 Two

    She''s point of view

    I was trembling hard. My fear and confusion were imprinted on my face. I looked around at the warriors

    that surrounded me, my fearful eyes meeting those of my mate. His stony expression weakens me the

    more.

    At Killian''smand, I was grabbed roughly on both arms by the warriors. My broken gaze refused to

    look away from Killian''s. "What is the meaning of this?" My voice came out as a whisper, my voice

    totally betraying my emotions. "I am your mate." The words left my lips, and I watched them shatter

    before Killian''s frosty gaze. But he didn''t seem to care. That didn''t matter to him.

    "This will teach you exactly how to behave in my pack." He regarded me with icy stares. "Take her! "

    His cold words pierced me deeply where it hurt the most, while he had his arms around the other

    woman, his lover.

    I was dragged into the castle, down the corridors, and thrown into a dark dungeon, and the wooden

    door mmed behind me.

    I crashed on the harsh, cold floors with darkness circling around me. Frozen on the spot, I still couldn''t

    move past that moment, the icy stare of my mate. His hatred and anger for me couldn''t be hidden. I

    didn''t know when my eyes gathered with tears, and they rolled carelessly from my eyes.

    He hated me!

    My own mate hated me!

    I brought my hands to my face, sobbing profusely. Thest time I felt this hurt and broken with tears in

    my eyes was when I was only twelve and was tortured by my father for speaking to the servants.

    I was tortured a lot worse than this, but that didn''t even hurt this much.

    I curled against the cold walls, bawling my eyes out in the darkness.

    I had no idea when I fell asleep in the darkness. I woke up to the deafening silence that echoed through

    the walls. There was no way of knowing how long I''d been down here. It was cold, and whatever I was

    sitting on was making my body hurt.

    The floor was hard and humid. The cold air around me was making me tremble. All I could do was wait

    in the darkness for a long time.

    At that same moment, the big wooden door made a loud squeak, and a very strong gleam illuminated

    the ce. I had to pull my hand up to protect my eyes from the light, and when I had adjusted to the

    environment, I looked up and saw Killian.

    My breath hitched, getting stuck in my throat. His tall and dominating figure moved closer to me as I

    forced my legs to stand. He had a towering height that I had to force my gaze up to. He bore down on

    me with flickers of raw emotions that I recognized as hatred and disgust. I clutched the silken fabric of

    my dress, fighting back the urge to cry.

    "Let''s get one thing straight. I have only one woman in my life, and that is Thea, and no one else. " His

    voice was more brutal than the winter''s gravest wind and sharper than any sword to my chest. "You

    mean nothing to me, She Caso. Absolutely nothing!" He made sure to enunciate every word,

    which echoed within the walls of my head, murdering me. "I have a few rules on how I run my pack.

    Everyone must abide by them, and that includes you. If you abide by these rules, your stay in my pack

    will be bearable,fortable, and livable enough." His voice was so deep and so smooth, with a faint

    ent. I could easily listen to it all day, even though he sounds so ruthlessly cold.

    I didn''t speak. I couldn''t trust my own voice not to betray me. Instead, I listened to him, like an obedient

    little wolf.

    "Firstly," he began, "you speak only when spoken to.

    Secondly, you are not allowed to step out of your chambers without my permission.

    Thirdly, you are only allowed in my office when called upon and never allowed in my chambers, ever.

    Fourthly, you are not allowed to step out of the castle without my permission either.

    Andstly, stay out of Thea''s way. That''s a warning, She. " He hissed with so much hatred that I

    winced at the intensity.

    "Flouting these rules will only earn you excruciating punishment." He concluded without any emotion.

    I could only stare in utter disbelief at his words. Without hesitation,

    he turned his back to me, heading to the door.

    "W-Why?" I asked breathlessly, in pain and tears. "Why Killian? I am your mate." No matter how hard I

    thought about it, I couldn''t think of a usible reason why he despised me so much. He stopped

    moving for a minute and turned to face me. In a sh, Killian was before me, hisrge hand on me, but

    not the way I would have wanted it. His firm grip squeezed my neck, mming my back against the

    merciless wall.

    "K-Killian?" I choked, unable to breathe, while my hands fell on his.

    "I warned you, it''s Alpha to you." His hold tightened, and I was gasping for air.

    "Please... you are hurting me," I could barely hear my voice, staring into his eyes, which were glowing a

    streak of bright yellow, or golden. But he didn''t let go.

    My hands clung to his tightly, pleadingly. I could feel the tingling sparks that erupted at the mere

    contact. "Please, Alpha," I whispered, a tear rolling down my eyes.

    Reluctantly, he let go, dropping me on the floor. I clutched onto my neck, swallowing as much air as I

    could in tears.

    "You will spend the rest of the night here, serving your punishment." He stared down at me like I meant

    absolutely nothing. Casting onest nce at me, Killian stormed out of the dungeon, leaving me in a

    dark and cold space by myself again.

    I curled up on the floor, shedding tears. After a while, the wooden door squeaked open, and a te of

    food was tossed inside. I finished my food, waiting in silence. These were the worst hours of my life,

    being locked up by my own mate. I slept for some time, even though my body seemed very much alive

    the whole time. It was a sleep full of my usual nightmares, which made me wake up scared all the time.

    The wooden door opened again, allowing a ray of sunlight into the room, apanied by a familiar

    face. The young woman I met outside the castle.

    "Hello, do you remember me? I am---"

    "Brielle," I said, recalling her name. She gave a small smile.

    "The Alpha asked me to take you to your chamber."

    I stood up on my feet, quietly, without saying a word. Brielle led me out of the dungeon.

    I was finally escorted to what looked like my own chamber. Brielle locked the door, looking at me

    thoughtfully. "Oh, mydy, why did you pick a fight with Thea? Didn''t the Alpha tell you?"

    "About his lover? No." I shook my head, truthfully.

    She sent me a pitiful look. "Well, that''s it. Thea is like the Alpha''s most favorite person in the Castle,"

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    I felt a pain in my chest.

    "I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have said that. I just wanted you to know that he cares deeply about her."

    I could barely form a word.

    "I''ll run you a warm bath, mydy, and after that send someone to fetch some food for you. Meanwhile,

    if you need anything, just let me know, mydy. " She hurried past me, but I stopped her, holding her

    hand.

    "Thank you. And please, call me She."

    She smiled. "Alright, She."

    She went to thevatory, and in a few minutes, she was out. She was about to say something when a

    knock came at the door.

    A youngdy strutted in. She looked younger than me, with ck hair that framed her heart-shaped

    face perfectly.

    "Ah, this is Riannon, and she''ll be serving you," Brielle informed me.

    The young girl smiled, bowing her head in respect. "At your service, mydy."

    "Please just call me She," I said, feeling ufortable with formalities.

    She smiled, ncing at Brielle. "If that''s okay, myd-" She paused. "She,"

    "And I''m going to call you Ria."

    "By the way, the Elders are here," Ria said in haste, turning to Brielle.

    The Elders? As in the Council of Elders? Every Alpha in the North was a part of the Council, including

    the Alpha of the Crescent North Pack, Killian, my mate. The Council was a circle that consisted of

    several supernatural kinds, each having a representative within the Council. The Council Elders are the

    oldest wolves and represent our kind in the Council.

    I looked at Brielle, whose frightened eyes held mine, then at Ria.

    Why are the Council Elders here?

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3

    Chapter 3 Three

    Third-person point of view

    Killian was training with some warriors at the training field on the east side border of the pack, which

    was a distance away from the witches'' quarters within the pack. He stomped his feet into the ground,

    gesturing the warriors to charge at him, and one after the other, they lunged at Killian.

    His eyes gleamed brightly, indicating his wolf, Ryker, was sharing partial control with him. In a sh,

    one by one, Killian pounded on them and thrashed them against the dusty earth. Xavier was behind

    him. His ws were extended, almost on Killian, but he caught him just in time, pinning him to the

    ground as well. That was close. No one had been that close to gutting him whenever they trained.

    Killian knew part of the reason was that he was distracted, and he hated every bit of it.

    His eyes went hazy, he was being mind-linked by his beta, Allen. Killian pulled a hand up in the air to

    halt the warriors, connecting with Allen.

    "What?" Killian grunted in his usual deep and husky voice, unable to keep his frustration and rage at

    bay.

    "You need toe to the castle at once," he spoke with urgency.

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    Killian furrowed his brows, rmed. "Why?"

    "It''s the Council elder wolves. They are here," Allen replied in haste, making his body stiffen.

    The Council elder wolves? A sh of rage stalked his amber eyes.

    "Why were they here?" Killian asked in silence, not getting any response from his wolf, Ryker.

    He left the field for the castle and found Allen in the hallway of his office, waiting for him, along with

    Mason, the head warrior of his pack, and also, his best friend.

    "They are all inside," Mason notified him. Killian went inside with his Beta and best friend strutting

    behind him, finding five elder wolves from the Council seated in the office. Killian reached for his chair,

    taking a seat with Mason and Allen on both sides of his chair.

    "And to what do I owe your visit, Elders?" Killian went straight to the point. He was in no mood for

    pleasantries or beating around the bush. They were here for a reason, and deep down, he could guess

    as much.

    The Council elder wolves were high-ranking members of the Council courts and were highly respected

    among the werewolf kind, due to their long existence. The Council was a circle formed by various

    supernatural types, each of which had one representative in the Council. Every alpha in the North was

    a member of the Council, and the elder wolves represented their species. The Council was formed

    solely to ensure peace within the supernatural realm and protect the interests of every kind.

    "From the coldnessced in your tone, we are getting the feeling that we are not weed in your

    territory, Alpha Killian." Killian leveled his gaze to meet Elder Nell''s, who spoke, leaning deeper into the

    chair. His words didn''t surprise Killian at all. Elder Nell and Killian never got along.

    So, Killian didn''t bother masking his true feelings. The Elders'' presence here in his pack simply spelled

    trouble that he was damned sure he wouldn''t fancy. But nheless, he spoke up, holding a frosty,

    short smile.

    "I apologize greatly. But I''m in a hurry, so I''d appreciate it if you could all tell me what you''re here for so

    we can get this over with."

    Elder Philip shuffled in his chair, his hand folded under his chin. "Fine. As you wish,"

    Killian nodded coldly in concurrence. He couldn''t agree any less.

    "It is to our knowledge, that s, you have found your mate, Alpha Killian," Elder Zed began.

    Killian paused for a moment. The mention of the word "mate" had never dwelt well with him. He

    clenched his jaw, his hand curling into a ball. Something in his chest tightened. But Killian kept an

    expressionless face, keeping his demeanor neutral. Killian scanned the Elders one by one.

    "I see you''re a little too interested in my pack business; may I remind you that whatever happens in my

    pack is none of your business, as long as we don''t break the rules of the Council?" Killian reminded

    them, just in case they had forgotten their ce. Even though they were the old wolves, they had no

    right to get involved in his pack business.

    "You are correct, Alpha Killian, and trust us, we don''t want to meddle in the Crescent North Pack, but

    this matter is important to us." Alpha Ss spoke up, his voice echoing off the corner walls. "And as the

    old wolves, we have an obligation to perform,"

    Killian creased his brows in confusion, cing a hand on the wooden table before him. "And what is

    that?"

    "The Luna''s coronation," Elder Walter, who had been quiet, spoke up. Killian felt Allen and Mason

    twitch beside him but didn''t say a word.

    "In every pack, it has been our duty to coronate the Lunas, and in this case, you have found your

    mate," Elder Walter added.

    Killian tilted his head coldly, his eyes falling on Elder Nell. "That is fine by me, but..." Killian paused.

    "You will only be crowning Thea Chrysler as my Luna."

    Killian watched the Elders'' faces colored with rage. But he managed to still keep his demeanor neutral.

    Thea was the woman who had been etched in his destiny and the one who deserved to be the Luna of

    his pack, and not the other woman, not the enemy''s daughter, not the woman the moon goddess had

    carelessly tossed in his path to be a weakness that he couldn''t afford. At least not now that he was

    finally a step closer to breaking the curse infli

    cted on him and his pack by his own father.

    Killian has made this clear to the Elders several times already. When he had found Thea after so many

    years of searching for the one blessed by the moon goddess to save him and put an end to his curse,

    Killian informed the Elders to coronate her as his Luna at once, but they declined, saying she was not

    his destined mate. And now they were here, trying to have the enemy''s daughter as his Luna. That will

    never be possible.

    "She isn''t your mate, Alpha Killian." Elder Nell said. Killian could tell, that the elderly man was

    struggling hard to contain his rage. But Killian could hardly care.

    "She is the one I have chosen as my Luna," Killian said, keeping his ground. It didn''t matter what they

    said, Thea was the one Killian wanted and the one his pack needed.

    "And what about your destined mate? What about her?" Elder Zed asked, "If you''ve already made your

    choice on Thea, why then haven''t you rejected her yet?"

    At Elder Zed''s question, Killian''s wolf, Ryker, stretched at the back of his mind. But before he could

    mutter a word, Killian shut him out. He knew he had to think clearly with his head and not be influenced

    by the silliness of the supposed mate bond.

    "Don''t delude yourself, Alpha Killian, even you can''t be immune to the mate bond. If you don''t want

    your mate, then do the needful; otherwise, she will be crowned as your Luna in a few days." Elder

    Philip dered, Killian''s gaze widened.

    "You can''t possibly mean that?" He asked, his eyes round with astonishment.

    "Your Luna will be crowned on the night of the full moon, which is two nights away," Elder Walter

    added.

    "That will not happen!" Killian was up on his feet, his fists pounding on the table, meeting the eyes of

    the Elders. "You cannot do this!"

    "As the supreme Elder wolves of the Council courts, we''ve made our decision, and there''s nothing you

    can do," Elder Nell said firmly, and the Elders were up on their feet.

    "We will see," was all Killian could mutter before they finally left the room. Allen and Mason rushed to

    his side, looking as worried as he was.

    "What do we do now?" Allen was the first to speak up. "The Elders meant every word they said. This

    full moon she will be crowned instead."

    "We can''t let that happen." Mason voiced. "Remember the curse," At the mention of thest word,

    Killian''s eyes pulled open instantly. A lot was at stake; his future and the future of his pack. He couldn''t

    risk it all now, not after how long they''d searched for an answer, for Thea. "Killian, you have no choice

    now; you must reject her once and for all," Mason insisted.

    "No. Rejection isn''t something that should be taken so lightly. First of all, we should think of a way to

    change the elders'' minds." Allen suggested.

    That was the thing. Killian knew there was no way that would be possible. Nothing can persuade those

    elders to change their minds. They''d done well for years keeping their curse hidden, so, the Crescent

    North Pack wouldn''t be perceived as weak. Their reputation had helped greatly, but time was slowly

    running out, and Killian could feel it. He shouldn''t think selfishly and risk the future of his pack. He had

    to do what had to be done.

    He stood still, his eyes ruthlessly cold, showing absolutely no emotion. "Mason is right, we can''t afford

    any mistakes now. We can''t risk my future and the future of everyone else in the pack." He looked them

    in the eyes. "I have to put an end to this." He had to reject her. Without saying much, Killian left the

    office, roving to the west wing of the castle, to She''s quarters.

    Without much of a courtesy knock on the door, Killian barged into her chamber.

    His eyes fell on Brielle and Riannon, who he had stationed by her side.

    Brielle and Riannon lowered their heads instantly, but Killian''s eyes were on the wless, pristine figure

    that stared at him with her round, perfect eyes.

    "Leave us!" At hismand, Brielle and Riannon scampered out of the chamber, leaving just Killian

    and his mate, She.

    "Get up!"

    She flinched visibly at his loud tone, standing up from the bed.

    She didn''t say anything, staring back at him with those crystal blue eyes of hers that had managed to

    haunt his thoughts for thest hours.

    She parted her lips to say something but was instead greeted with Killian''srge hand on her neck,

    again.

    She was quickly against the wall, his hand on her throat and the other on her waist, thanks to his

    superhuman speed. She felt the tingles that were rather too quick to erupt. Killian leaned in closer, so

    close that their noses briefly collided, and she could taste his breath on her lips. She felt hot, or

    perhaps the room was still steamy from her shower; she couldn''t tell because she couldn''t think

    straight.

    Killian''s lips brushed past her cheeks, to her ears. "She Caso." He called her name like it was a

    venomous poison to his lips. His eyes met hers again. Killian felt his wolf, Ryker, retreat to the back of

    his mind. He couldn''t take what was about to be said. Killian looked coldly at her, his lips hovering over

    hers as the words left his lips.

    "I, Killian Reid, Alpha of the Crescent North Pack, reject you, She Ca¨C" The words instantly stuck

    in his throat, and his eyes widened profusely in shock and confusion, meeting her crystal blue eyes.

    There was something in them.

    This is not possible.

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4

    Chapter 4 Four

    She''s point of view

    My eyes held fear as those words left Killian''s lips like they meant absolutely nothing. He was rejecting

    me. I felt a dying in my chest. Even though burning tears had gathered in my eyes, I tried to convince

    myself that it was for the best.

    Suddenly, Killian paused, almost as if the words were stuck in his throat. I could see the shock and

    confusion in his eyes through ssy vision.

    "Why did you stop?" My lips moved faster than I would have liked, as I listened to the fast beating of my

    heart. His hold on me tightened hard. "Finish it, reject me, and let''s get this over with," I yelled, tears

    rolling from my eyes.

    "No. This isn''t possible." He whispered under his breath to himself, but I could hear him just fine. My

    eyes were simrly perplexed.

    Killian''s eyes hardened more, and his hand choked me deeper to the wall. "What the hell are you

    doing?" He asked, looking intensely into my eyes like they were showing something in them. something

    that confused him.

    Whatever was bothering him was the least of my worries. I could feel the air slowly vanishing from my

    lungs. My hands squeezed his, ignoring the tingles, and the overpowering desire to lean into his naked

    chest. My nails dug deep into his skin. "Let go of me!"

    He let go of me, tossing me like I weighed nothing on the bed. His eyes were fixated on me, unmoving,

    almost as if he was contemting, and conflicted. But then those emotions were reced by a cold

    stare sent my way.

    "In two days, on the full moon, the Council will be holding the Luna''s ceremony for you," he said

    suddenly. "Don''t make any stupid mistakes," he warned, turning his back to me. I bit my lip at the sight

    of his well-defined muscles. I didn''t know why I still found every damned thing about this man attractive,

    even though he hated me.

    I forced my eyes from his rippled chest to his face. My broken sobs became a series of erraticughs.

    Killian fixed me with a deathly stare. It made my insides quaver, but at the same time, it steered in a

    foreign wave of brazenness. I held his stare briefly, the intensity burning me up, causing me to look

    away.

    "A ceremony for me? So, everyone can see that you have a mate, but still keep your lover around?" I

    shook my head, stubbornly. "I have been embarrassed already in front of the pack. I don''t want to be

    embarrassed before the Council. You can take your lover instead, I don''t mind."

    "Don''t be mistaken, if I had my way, Thea would be the one coronated as my Luna." His words hurt me,

    but I pushed back the silly tears that were adamant on appearing.

    "I''ll grant your wish; I won''t be attending, so you can have her as your Luna." I made an effort to keep

    my emotions out of my voice.

    Killian stared at me expressionlessly. "You will attend," he growled.

    "I would like to see you make me." I don''t know why I said that. I don''t even know where that bravery

    came from. Thest thing I was trying to do was make him furious. Or maybe that''s exactly what I

    wanted.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    I was still angry and hurt that my mate had a lover, and he loathed me. He didn''t want me, yet he

    couldn''t reject me. Hell, I was frustrated, and I wanted him to be as frustrated as I was. I glowered back

    at him from across the chamber, challenging him to force me to that ceremony. At this point, I could

    care less about anything. I had absolutely nothing to lose.

    Killian''s eyes narrowed on me. He took fierce steps toward me. Part of me wanted to run, and the

    other, who was more in control, wanted to stay and fight.

    Killian gripped my hair, pulling me off the bed so our bodies could meet halfway. "Don''t test my

    patience, She." We were only inches apart. I inhaled his scent, and a small whimper loosely escaped

    my lips without warning. Killian''s eyes darkened a shade, and his hand pulled me closer to him, I could

    barely keep a staunch gaze, electrifying sparks ignited on my skin, and my body became too hot.

    Killian released his hold. "If you value your life, don''t y these games with me." And with that, he

    stormed out of my chamber.

    ***

    It''s been two days now since Ist saw Killian during our disagreement in my chamber, and haven''t

    stepped out of my chamber, or rather still, wasn''t permitted to. My meals have been brought to me by

    Brielle and Ria. Surprisingly, Ria and I have formed a close friendship. She is truly a beauty, and I

    found out that she is only twenty, and still hasn''t found her mate, while Brielle is mated to Allen, Killian''s

    Beta.

    I was seated on the bed, with my arms around my knees. My eyes were fixed on the silken red dress

    that was hangin

    g on the clothing rack. Tonight, was the supposed ceremony that was held in my honor. I was still in

    contemtion about whether to attend or not, even though Brielle had pleaded with me not to anger

    the Alpha anymore.

    I sighed. It was twilight already. I could already hear the loud noise of chattering from outside the

    castle. I bet some guests had begun to make appearances.

    I closed my eyes, huffing again when the door pulled open. There was a triggering shift in the air. At

    once, I was aware of his presence, Killian. Somehow, whenever he was around me, the air seemed to

    surrender to his pleasant scent. I pushed my eyes open, exhausting every ounce of control I had not to

    gape at him. I had to admit, he was beautiful, even more so in his white embroidered shirt and his ck

    tunic pants. Killian had a fit, strong build that showed his bulging muscles beneath the shirt he wore

    today, and his towering height made me shudder a little.

    "She!" Killian growled from the door. "What do you think you are doing, not still dressed?" His voice

    was huskier than ever, leaving a cold trail down my spine.

    I tore my gaze away from him, not saying a word.

    "The guests have started gathering at the hall; enough with your stupidity!"

    "I told you, didn''t I? I am not attending!" I managed to spell it out, staring at him in defiance, although

    my heart was palpitating.

    Killian took slow and cautious steps toward me. Leaning closer to me, he suddenly smiled darkly. I was

    taken aback for a second, and his maic eyes met mine while his warm palm fell on my cheek. I

    gasped at the sparks that didn''t waste a second to ignite, falling into his eyes as he caressed them

    gently.

    "I am aware of how you feel about me. I know your heart is going into a craze." His hand trailed down

    to my neck. I fought the moan, wanting some freedom.

    His stare caused my heart to lose rhythm and my breathing starteding out unevenly. My heart rate

    skyrocketed as I carelessly parted my lips as a wee sign.

    Instantly, his eyes darkened at my action, and he removed his hand from my body as if it burned him.

    He gripped my wrist firmly. "Get dressed, She, ande downstairs at once, or I swear by the

    goddess, you will regret it. Do you understand?" he choked me harder.

    My entire being quivered, I wanted to tell him that his threat didn''t scare me, but my heart had already

    betrayed me. I nodded sharply.

    Then, with onest menacing re, he walked away and mmed the door behind him.

    As soon as Killian left my chamber, I angrily pushed out of the bed and grabbed the dress on the rack. I

    slid into it, and Brielle appeared just in time to save me from making a disastrous mess. She helped

    with my hair, pulling it into a tight bun, leaving out a little of my natural curls in front.

    Soon, I was all dressed. I looked into the mirror, unable to recognize my sudden transformation. I

    looked beautiful. I thanked Brielle. Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Ria sauntered inside,

    informing us everyone had gathered already, waiting for me.

    I sucked in some air, leaving my chamber with Brielle for the big hall in the castle.

    I raised my head and remembered what I had learned as a child. It was important that I carried myself

    with grace and did nothing to embarrass myself and, of course, Killian, even though he was aplete

    idiot.

    Everyone''s eyes were on me as I kept moving. The ce was packed with a lot of people, many of

    whom I was certain were from the Council, while the others were probably Alphas. I scanned around;

    there was no sign of Killian or my father. A frown found my face, trying to keep my rage at bay while

    mixing with a bunch of people I barely knew.

    On the other hand, Brielle was a real sweetheart. She never left my side. When I asked her about

    Killian, she simply shook her head. She didn''t know where he was. A pang of pain sliced through me.

    There was not a single doubt that he was with his lover. I fought hard against the tears wanting to

    emerge. I really tried, but just couldn''t win against my emotions.

    I turned away from Brielle, rushing to the door before anyone could see me in my messy state.

    Unexpectedly, I copsed into a hard figure. Its force made me lose my bnce, and before I could fall,

    firm hands gripped my waist, steadying me. I fell into his eyes. They were a fine hazel pair.

    There was a distinct familiarity within those gazes, almost as if I knew them, and at the same time, I

    didn''t. It caused an ache in my skull. Before the stranger could speak, a loud growl silenced the air. I

    stiffened.

    Killian

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5

    Chapter 5 Five

    She''s point of view

    I froze.

    I whipped my head to where the loud growls emanated from. It came from the entrance of the hall, and

    a very angry-looking Killian moved hurriedly to us. My eyes darted back to the stranger. His eyes were

    on Killian''s as well, showing no emotion.

    "You are not invited to my party." What the hell are you doing here? " Killian said, barely in a low tone,

    his eyes lowered distastefully on me in the arms of the stranger. It was then I realized the cute stranger

    was still holding me by my waist. I quickly steadied my shoes on the floor, regaining my bnce, and

    sent a thankful smile to the stranger, whose wless hazel eyes regarded me with something in them.

    Something that called out to me, yet I couldn''t just decipher. Strangely, they made my heart ache.

    "Thank you for---" I began but was abruptly cut off by Killian''s pointed words.

    "What are you doing here, Kaiser?" Killian was looking straight at the man beside me, Kaiser. From

    Killian''s tone, it seemed the man was not weed at all.

    "The Council invited every pack in the North Central, so here I am. My brother sent his apologies for

    not being able to make it to your Luna''s coronation." With every word that left Kaiser''s lips, he never

    took his eyes off of me. And truthfully, neither could I. I still couldn''t shake off the familiar feeling in my

    gut, like I knew him or was supposed to know him. But that was impossible. In my years of growing up

    at the Silver Mist Pack, I was never allowed to leave the packhouse, let alone its territory. Even on days

    when the pack had guests, I was never allowed outside, instead, locked up in the solitude of my

    chamber.

    I was forced to jerk from my thoughts when Kaiser''s soft voice filtered into my ears. "So, you are the

    lady of this ceremony," He had a uniquely beautiful smile, one that held a type of unspoken pain.

    Killian''s huge and domineering figure stood between us before I could take it.

    "Get out, Kai!" He counted each word in the most terrifying manner, making it obvious he had lost the

    last straw of patience. Quickly, Brielle''s mate, Allen, and another guy called Mason were by Killian''s

    side.

    The air around us became too ufortable, charged with a knife-edge tension. Brielle rushed to me

    and pulled me away.

    My mate and Kaiser stood, ring at each other so intensely, a second away from lunging at each

    other. I felt the hatred that burned between them, and the intensity made my eyes burn. I had no idea

    what insanity had gued my senses. I couldn''t even recognize myself. Why on earth was I crying?

    Thankfully, before anything disastrous happened, a voice vibrated within the castle walls.

    "Enough!" Three men strutted from the far end of the hall. They were quite older, and if you listened

    closely, one could note the rich ent that dangled on their words. My eyes rounded in recognition.

    The Elder Wolves. I had never seen them, but I had heard stories about them and the Council.

    Everyone bowed to them, but Killian and Kaiser were having a hard time tearing their gaze from each

    other.

    "What is this madness? There are so many eyes on you for goodness sake, or have you forgotten this

    is a party? " One of the elders spoke to them.

    "You are correct," Killian grunted. "This is a party, and the ck pack are not invited."

    Another elder spoke up. "He is a Council guest."

    "And an enemy of my pack!" Killian voiced again.

    I watched Kaiser''s face harden with sternness. He was vibrating with raw emotions of hate. His eyes

    traveled across the hall, finding me. The coldness and hate in his eyes flushed away instantly, his

    features bing soft. He held my gaze briefly as ifmunicating to me in anguage that I didn''t

    register.

    "Alpha KillianˇŞ" An elder began, but Kaiser cut through.

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    "That''s alright, Elder Philip. I was merely curious about what she looked like. Frankly, she''s everything I

    imagined, and even more." His eyes were locked with mine. "I will take my leave now," he announced,

    moving to my side. Unexpectedly, he took my hand and said, "It''s a pleasure to meet you, She."

    Another growl thundered from Killian. Kaiser released my hand and stormed out of the hall. For a

    sickening second, the hall was quiet. Killian cast a murderous re at me. What do I do now?

    The party began again, and Brielle was by my side throughout. I mingled around with the crowd and

    had a few introductions with some of the Council members, but they were as brief as possible,

    especially with the males. Somehow, they were almost terrified to approach me. I couldn''t me them

    though; Killian was across the hall, zing murderously. His stare reminded me of the famous words,

    "If looks could kill."

    After a short while, five elders stood in front and announced it was time for the Luna coronation. Killian

    and I had to stand side by side before everyone, as the elders kept asking a few questions, to which I

    kept responding with an "I do." While absentmindedly, I scanned the crowd in search of my father, but

    couldn''t find him. He didn''t even bother to care if I was alright or had been eaten up by the enemy. His

    lack of care shouldn''t surprise me, but it still hurts me.

    I jolted when Brielle gave my hand a light squeeze, and my eyes fell on her and everyone else

    watching me. She mouthed an "answer to the question" to me.

    I turned to find everyone, including the Elders and Killian''s dark eyes, on me.

    One of the elders was kind enough to repeat the question. "Do you ept Alpha Killian as your mate,

    agreeing to the responsibilities of being a Luna to the Crescent North Pack?"

    My heart hammered against my chest. If ever there was a time to change my mind, and finally free

    myself from the beast beside me, that time was now. I could reject him here and now. Thanks to the

    presence of the Elders, Killian will have no choice but to ept my rejection. Since my wolf never

    came, the pain from the rejection wouldn''t be too extreme for me.

    I sucked in some air, mustering some courage. It was better to reject Killian now rather than live my life

    in constant agony of having my mate close by but unable to be with him. That pain alone was too

    piercing to endure.

    I inhaled, sparing one nce at Killian, then to the Elders. "I, She CasoˇŞ" Just then, the loud

    opening of the doors interrupted my words of rejection. Everyone snapped their heads in its direction,

    and rage shed through me at the person that entered.

    Thea Chrysler. She was definitely an uninvited guest.

    She held everyone''s attention. Some had a knowing look on their faces, while some sent pitiful looks at

    me, and I burned with rage every second of it.

    My eyes fell back on the Elders, whose bright eyes held mine as if curious about my next words.

    "I ept." My rage has always been an enemy of mine. But at that moment, I could care less. My

    words echoed, sparing a nce at Killian''s lover. She had an expressionless face. I couldn''t tell exactly

    what she was thinking, but her presence seemed to affect Killian. His gaze never left her. That

    infuriated me, but the fact that I was foolish enough to even consider rejecting Killian so he could be

    with that thrash of a lover infuriated me more.

    I clenched my hands together, unable to think straight. I knew I had just signed my death sentence, but

    I was too furious to care about the mistake I had just made, epting to be both Killian''s mate and the

    pack Luna.

    The Elders smiled, turning to the guest. "Wee, Luna She of the Crescent North Pack." A loud

    apuse echoed around the hall.

    I nced back at Thea, watching her fade back as she stormed out of the hall. As soon as the Elders

    were done, Killian stormed out as well, leaving me rooted in the middle of the crowd.

    I hid my shame and pain quickly. I should at least prepare to get used to this. But if Killian thinks I''ll be

    the only one getting frustrated and hurt by the bond we share, he is sadly mistaken. He has no idea

    how much pain I''ll make him go through.

    I didn''t know what else to do, because Brielle was with her mate, and since everyone seemed to avoid

    me, I decided to leave. I left the party without being seen, walking down the unfamiliar hallways when I

    realized I was being followed.

    I clutched a handful of my dress, feeling the presence drawing nearer. I spun around instantly, my blue

    eyes almost bulging in fear.

    "Who are you?"

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6

    Chapter 6 Six

    She''s point of view

    As I scanned around the lone hallways that led outside the castle, there was not a single soul. My heart

    was pounding hard in my chest as I quickened my walking. I could feel the presence trailing behind me,

    drawing closer.

    Fear jammed my heart. I swiveled around, and to my surprise, there was no one behind me. I turned

    around and instantly, my blue crystals fell on the figure before me.

    "Who are you?" I asked, sending a hand to my chest. I really didn''t know what I was thinking, or why I

    suddenly became too frightened, but a second ago, I swear it felt like I was being followed.

    "I deeply apologize for startling you." The woman spoke softly as I took her in. She looked unfamiliar. I

    hadn''t noticed her during the ceremony, because she would have stood out. She looked older, maybe

    in her thirties or so, wearing a grayish-colored dress with a ck cloak worn over her body, allowing

    her ebony hair to fall to her side.

    "I saw you leaving the hall, and I simply wanted to congratte you." She smiled sweetly at me.

    I managed to push out a smile. I told her genuinely, "Thank you. But, who are you?"

    Her smile deepened on her lips. "I am Valerie." She sent a hand out to me, which I took, noticing the

    ck tattoo that stood out on her wrist. It was an unusual tattoo, which seemed more like a runic

    symbol.

    "I''m She," I said, and she nodded knowingly with a smile, causing me to chuckle. "And you already

    know that. Nice to meet you, Valerie," I said, instantly liking her. It is funny how this night keeps getting

    weirder.

    "The pleasure will always be mine, Luna."

    My eyes fell on the tattoo on her wrist. A thought raced through my mind. I pulled my lips open to

    speak, but Brielle''s protruding voice sounded.

    "Oh my, She. I have been looking for you everywhere. If the Alpha finds out you stepped out of the

    castle, it will be the end of me. " She rushed closer to us. I couldn''t stop myself from rolling my eyes. I

    bet the asshole could care less whether I left the castle or not.

    "I badly needed some air," I told Brielle, as she stopped beside me.

    "Valerie," Brielle said, tilting her head slightly towards the woman. "I do apologize, but we have to head

    back to the party."

    Valerie nodded, "I understand. We will meet again, Luna." With that, we left her and went back into the

    hall.

    I spent the remaining hours of the party inplete boredom. The guests were the types that liked to

    party till dawn. Not even once did Killian return to the party. I tried not to care, but I couldn''t shake off

    the image of Killian in bed with his lover.

    The Elders had long left the party, and so had some guests from the castle. I sighed, holding one more

    faux smile, bidding farewell to some of the Alphas, then Brielle and I left the hall, heading to my

    chamber. I couldn''t help but reflect on tonight''s events. I was reminded of those deep hazel eyes of that

    stranger, Kaiser ck. He didn''t seem like a bad person, even though it was as clear as day that he

    and Killian had some kind of history. I became curious. Too curious.

    I turned to Brielle, who was beside me, apanying me to my chamber. "Who was that man?"

    Brielle folded her brows, questioningly.

    "Kaiser ck," The instant I bit out his name, Brielle stiffened. Her eyes shot up to look at me.

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    She shifted her gaze away from me and said, "He''s an Alpha of the ck Blood Pack."

    "They both seemed angry at each other-" Before I couldplete my words, Brielle stopped walking,

    turning to me. She seemed nervous.

    "That''s simply because the ck Blood Pack is an enemy pack," she answered quickly to me before

    we continued walking. There was something she wasn''t saying. Deep down I knew it, but I didn''t push

    further, so I decided to change the topic and we talked about something else.

    As soon as Brielle left me in front of my chamber, I sauntered inside, and to my surprise, Killian''s

    zing amber eyes came into view. He was in my chamber, sitting at the edge of the bed. It looked like

    he had been waiting for me.

    He was ring at me, and I couldn''t understand why. His prating gaze seemed to see right through

    me. More than ever, I wish I could hide away. I looked away from his biting re, roving to the dressing

    table on my right, where I took out the hairpins that held my hair perfectly in a bun. Immediately, my

    long brown hair fell down my s

    houlders.

    "How do you feel?" Killian''s menacing voice echoed in the walls.

    I turned to face him, glowering harder. The skin on my forehead folded confusingly. "About what

    exactly?"

    Killian was on his feet, but he didn''t take a step closer to me. He wasn''t smiling at all. His thin cherry

    lips pressed against each other in a grimace, his thick ck brows curled up in a rage, beneath his

    dirty blonde hair that fell on his face.

    "Do you crave the attention of men so badly that you are willing to jump into bed with the first asshole

    you meet here in my castle?" His voice highlighted hisst few words, making me flinch abruptly.

    "No, I don''t," I snapped in a simr rage. "And I don''t appreciate the tone you are using on me."

    "Don''t lie to me, She." He snapped back, swallowing the wide gap between us. He pressed my

    shoulders tightly against his chest. "If you don''t crave the attention of men, tell me exactly what you

    were doing in the arms of that bloody asshole."

    He was talking about Kaiser ck. My brain registered, but my eyes were round and unmoving from

    Killian. I had never seen him so angry like this, not even when he had the warriors lock me up in the

    dungeon. I admit that I had always done my best to frustrate him just as much as I was frustrated, but

    this wasn''t my doing at all. Killian was literally on fire, and his mes were directed at me, threatening

    to burn me. I should have been scared, but insanely I wasn''t. I had gone crazy. Killian had finally

    seeded in driving me crazy.

    "Kil¨C" On a fearful thought, my intended word was immediately reced with "Alpha. I was only, no,

    Kaiser was only helping me," I had no idea why I felt the urge to exin. Killian didn''t deserve any

    exnation when, in fact, he had a lover.

    "You damned liar!" His hold on me tightened. A sweet sensation spread through my body. I felt the

    rapid beating of his heart thud against my chest while I inhaled more of his scent.

    My senses clouded with stupidity, and I rested my eyes on his lips instead. I felt a growing urge building

    in the pit of my stomach, and I wanted nothing more than to press my lips on his and have that strong

    body of his have me pinned firmly on the bed while his lips and hands did wonders to my body. I felt

    myself turn on. This man''s scent was capable of driving any woman crazy; he was simply desirable.

    Killian''s eyes darkened even more, his breathing became morebored. "Control yourself, She." His

    voice was breathless and, in a whisper, with his lips at the surface of mine. "I can smell your arousal."

    At his words, I broke free from the bubble of insanity that surrounded me, my cheeks coloring red from

    embarrassment. I managed to escape his grip, stalking the far end of the room.

    "You know nothing about me to be using me of things like this. So, what if I do love the attention of

    other men? It shouldn''t concern you since there is only one woman who matters in your life, and it''s not

    me. Whatever I do or don''t do shouldn''t concern you." I yelled at his face, turning around and removing

    the earrings from my ears.

    I said something that seemed to have angered him the more. I could hear his constant growls, almost

    as if he was having an inner fight with himself. I didn''t turn to look at him. I couldn''t trust myself at that

    moment not to do anything stupid, like kissing him.

    I released a sharp gasp when Killian''srge hands grabbed my waist possessively, mming my back

    to his chest. I felt my body press against the hardness of his core, which only made me release another

    gasp. Killian''s lips found my ears, his teeth grazing my earlobe.

    "You are MINE, She Caso." He ced an indecent kiss on my ear while hisrge hands caressed

    my sides. I released a moan, feeling Killian''s lips on the crook of my neck. He began to kiss it and suck

    it. My entire body trembled against his. "Say it," he ordered, breathless.

    "Say what?" I couldn''t recognize my voice. I felt intense pleasure in my body, and my need for this man

    kept growing.

    "That you are mine," hemanded again, the hairs on my skin standing at his words, while his lips

    kept doing wonderful things to my skin.

    I didn''t hesitate a second before leaning into his arms. Without much of a warning, Killian spun me

    around to face him. His eyes werepletely dark and deadly, and his lips came crashing down.

    I couldn''t believe it.

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7

    Chapter 7 Seven

    She''s point of view

    My entire body felt like it had been struck by lightning, and my senses were on overdrive. I couldn''t

    think. I couldn''t breathe. With Killian''s lips on mine.

    His scent and touch consumed my body, making me weak and needy inside. It ignited electrifying

    sparks that caused my body to respond to his. He held my waist firmly and tugged on my bottom lip

    and sucked it gently.

    I moaned, Killian took the opportunity to dive his tongue into my mouth. My legs going weak and losing

    their strength, I copsed into Killian''s strong arms, and he weed me with his hands around my

    body.

    Killian sent his hand into my hair and tugged me closer to him while his lips kept exploring my mouth. It

    was magic. Being kissed by Killian made everything around me disappear and seem irrelevant. I had

    no idea what we were even arguing about a minute ago. I got lost in the sensation.

    Oh, goddess! What was this man doing to me? Was it safe to feel this way around a man that didn''t

    even belong to me? But I can''t help the way he makes me feel.

    It felt nice having every piece of me molded to every piece of him. I moaned and ran my hands up his

    chest, trying to keep up with his possessive kisses. He ced more pressure on my lips as his tongue

    kept tasting every corner of my mouth.

    I whimpered as he groaned more, caressing my body. I became hungry for more. I slid my hands under

    his chest, grinding my hips against his. My hands traveled up his back, finding his hair, which I tugged

    roughly. I continued grinding my hips against his like my life depended on it. I wanted badly to feel him

    against my bare skin. To have him inside me. Suddenly, I hated the modesty of our clothes that stood

    between our skins.

    Killian growled against my lips as he lifted me off the floor and carried me into his arms, pinning me to

    his chest as I wrapped my legs around his waist. He reached for the bed, and I felt my back pressed

    against the bed with Killian''s body on me. I trembled beneath his huge body.

    I was panting so hard as his lips left my mouth and trailed feathery kisses to my neck, where his mark

    was supposed to be. He sucked on my neck, his hands slipping under my dress. I felt his touch on my

    skin, leaving a sensual burning trail that I was getting used to, then all of a sudden, Killian froze on the

    spot.

    Why did he stop?

    His eyes pulled up to meet mine, and I stared at him with confusion. The dark mist had cleared from his

    eyes, seeming to have woken him up from whatever trance he was in. Killian jerked away from me like

    I was a gue and rose from the bed, muttering strings of curses as he stared down at me with hate in

    his eyes.

    What did I do now?

    Killian ran his finger through his blonde hair, staring down at me on the bed. With an undecipherable

    nce sent my way, he stormed out of my chamber, leaving me alone.

    I fell back on the bed, fighting the urge to scream into the pillows. What the hell is wrong with me? How

    could I let myself fall so deeply? My body still hadn''t returned to normal; I felt too hot for my liking, and

    only Killian Reid could quench this intense hunger within me.

    I hated this feeling.

    ***

    Third-person point of view

    Kaiser ck jumped from his horse, leaving its reins in the hands of one of the pack warriors. His legs

    moved swiftly as he hurried inside the pack house. His face showing not a single inkling to his

    thoughts. He walked past the long corridors, quickening his steps as he took a turn into the Alphas''

    quarters. Onest turn and he approached the tall door at the end of the hallway. He gave a sharp

    knock before pushing the door open. His eyes scanned the room until they fell on the beautiful woman

    sitting on a chair whilebing her hair.

    The woman''s eyes shot up, noticing him. "Kai, what happened? You lookˇŞ" The woman yanked from

    her chair, her worried eyes gauging Kaiser.

    "I am fine, Denise. It''s really nothing. Where is my brother? " He questioned the woman hastily. She

    could sense the utmost urgencyced in his tone, and spoke quickly.

    "The office." She replied. Without wasting a second, Kaiser started towards the door, ambling with

    speed to his brother''s office. As soon as he reached the door, it was jerked open.

    The room was dim as usual. Only the zing fire at every corner of the room attempted to provide what

    little warmth and light it could afford. But it wasn''t enough.

    At the end of therge office, a tall and huge figure was positioned behind the wooden table, immersed

    in the pile of papers that were scattered on his table. He didn''t gaze up.

    Kaiser sighed, shutting the door behind him and stalking across the room. "Still workingte, brother? "

    Kaiser settled into the chair opposite the man, but his words failed to get any reaction from the man.

    Both brothers shared a simr resemnce. They both had bodies that seemed to have been sculpted

    by the gods, and hair that fell to their sides that had the color of shady brown. While Kaiser ck''s

    eyes were deep hazel, the other man had dark magenta eyes which fitted him quite well.

    "The Luna ceremony for the Crescent North Pack was held tonight." cing his elbows on the table,

    Kaiser rubbed his chin, ignoring the usual grunt that always escaped from his brother''s lips at the

    mention of that pack.

    "Leonardo, I went there." As Kaiser spoke, his voice became soft. But the man, Leonard, still didn''t

    respond, busying himself by diving his quill pen into the pool of ck ink on the table. Though he

    wasn''t saying anything, his facial expression held the words, "Why did you even go there?"

    Kaiser ignored Leonardo''s unsaid concerns. "Leo, I sawˇŞ" Kaiser paused, seeming to consider a

    thought for a quarter-second before continuing. "Her"

    Thest words seemed to have had some kind of magic, because Leonardo stopped moving, his dark

    magenta eyes falling on his brother. His grip on the brush was firm, almost in an attempt to snap it into

    two.

    "Does she reallyˇŞ" He stopped his words, swallowing a hard lump. It was obvious he was having a

    hard timepleting those words.

    But Kaiser nodded, nheless, "She looks absolutely different, but I can feel it. It''s her." He sounded

    more certain as his words left his lips.

    "You cannot be that sure; it''s been a long time," Leonardo said.

    Kaiser seemed to be slightly offended by his brother''s words. He retracted his elbow from the table,

    leaning into his chair. "I would recognize her alright. She is reallyˇŞ"

    "Enough, Kaiser." Leonardo shut his eyes, pinching the skin on his forehead. He was frustrated; they all

    were. "Please," He added, pleadingly, brushing back a tendril of his brown hair.

    "I don''t like her there," Kaiser said again after a while. "Why Killian, of all people? Why?" Kaiser could

    hear the subtle growls that left his brother''s lips. He hated everything about the Crescent North Pack. It

    was like a sour taste in the mouth. No matter how they tried to get rid of it, the name of that cursed

    pack always left a stench behind.

    "This changes everything, right?" Kaiser rubbed his palm against his face, looking at his brother.

    Leonardo released a curt, "No" in response. "It changes nothing"

    "Then what do we do now?" Another question came from Kaiser ck.

    Leonardo pulled his eyes to meet his brother''s. He knew Kaiser would not like what he had to say, but

    they''d already exhausted so many years, they couldn''t ruin everything now. It was difficult, Leonardo

    could admit, but his decision was for the best. "We cannot afford any more mistakes, brother."

    It showed on Kaiser''s face that he didn''t like what his brother was saying, but still, he listened.

    "Remember, we can''t trust anyone. So, we do what we''ve been doing for thest fourteen years,"

    Leonardo said.

    "Which is?" came Kaiser''s voice.

    "We keep waiting. I promise we will have our revenge on everyone who ruined our lives. Only then can

    we take what is ours," Leonardo concluded, his eyes imploring his brother.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Kaiser released a firm sigh of resolve. "Fine. But I can''t promise to stay away,"

    Leonardo wanted to kick against it. But he knew his brother too well. Nothing he could say would make

    him stay far away from the Crescent North Pack. So, he resigned with a sigh. "Just don''t ruin anything."

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8

    Chapter 8 Eigh

    Third-person point of view

    Killian rushed out of her chamber, panting hard. His breathing was deep and rigorous.

    Fuck! he still could not believe what had just transpired between him and She. It shouldn''t have

    happened. It was a costly mistake he hadmitted. Kissing She was thest thing on his mind, but

    then, he did it. He hadpletely lost it seeing her in the arms of another man, even worse, it

    happened to be one of his enemies, Kaiser ck. It made him lose his control, it made him act so

    stupidly.

    Killian cursed at himself for losing control like that and making such a mistake. He couldn''t me

    Ryker; he knew he was as guilty as his wolf was. They allowed rage and jealousy to cloud their senses.

    With a few hasty steps, Killian rushed into his chamber, taking off his silken shirt. He felt hot, battling

    with emotions he had struggled to keep buried. Emotions he never thought he''d feel. He could still feel

    the sweet, lingering effect of his mate''s body on his. He could still taste the delicious and enticing vor

    of her mouth on his tongue. He couldn''t deny it, even though he wished he could. She Caso was a

    bloody seductress, a stubborn and beautiful one at that.

    Killian groaned in frustration, he shouldn''t be feeling any of these things. Rage, jealousy, and love were

    things he never expected he''d feel. He knew he shouldn''t have lost control like that. Just the thought of

    what could have happened if he hadn''t snapped back to his senses left his heart pounding in both

    excitement and fear. He could have marked her, he was only a second away from doing so. Killian

    cursed again, tugging at his hair.

    Even though the thought of marking her was thrilling to his wolf, Ryker, Killian couldn''t have that. He

    just couldn''t let everything that he had worked hard for go to waste because of a flimsy mate bond. A

    lot was at stake. His future and the future of his pack rested on his shoulders.

    Was She worth it?

    Killian had no answer to that, but the stern fact was she was still the enemy''s daughter, and Thea, his

    sweet Thea, she was the one he needed. The only one that mattered to him and the pack was Thea.

    She didn''t deserve any of this. From the minute Killian saw her and recognized she was the one the

    witch had spoken about, the only thing she had done was love him and help him. She was the key to

    breaking the curse inflicted on him by his own father. A curse that constantly torments him and steals

    the lives of his pack members. Thea was the gifted one Killian needed to save his life and the lives of

    everyone in his pack. He shouldn''t be selfish. He just couldn''t afford to be.

    Killian sshed some water on his face, hoping to get rid of She''s scent on his body. He should have

    rejected her the first time heid his eyes on her. Somewhere deep in his heart, he knew she would be

    trouble, but he didn''t heed to his gut feeling. He brought her into his pack and now, she was driving him

    insane.

    Ryker growled at the back of his head, but Killian ignored it. These days, Ryker barely says anything.

    Killian understood he was suffering as much as he was, or even worse. Being an Alpha, he got to

    experience the pain of the mate bond far worse than the regr wolves. But Ryker knew exactly what

    was at stake if he thought with his heart, rather than his head. There would be consequences.

    He learned from his father that being an alpha meant having no emotions, holding no feelings, showing

    no weakness, and having no mate. Deep down, Killian knew he was bing the man he despised

    with his entire being. His father. The man who was the most hated and cruelest alpha in all of North

    Central, the man who didn''t even bat an eye before cursing him and his very own pack. Killian felt a

    burning pain erupt from the scars etched deeply into his back. Strangely, they always seemed to stir

    alive at the thought of his father.

    He shut his eyes, leaning against the door. Inhaling deeply.

    His thoughts drifted back to the problem in his life. She. He knew the second he met her in the Silver

    Mist Pack that she was the one, his mate, the one destined for him by the moon goddess, the one

    meant to be his, but his cursed fate wouldn''t just allow it.

    His wolf also recognized the fragile beauty and wanted her. And that was a problem, but as usual, he

    chose to be as stubborn as a mule. Now, this girl had him curled up in her hands. What''s even worse

    was that she had no idea what she was doing to him. She made him feel something he was never

    allowed to feel. He wasn''t permitted to and didn''t have the luxury for, not if he wanted to keep her safe

    and away from his cursed fate. It was better that way. He couldn''t sumb to the feelings of the mate

    bond. Not with the curse still upon him and his pack. iming her as his would only involve her in his

    problems, and he couldn''t have that. He wouldn''t forgive himself. Also, he couldn''t let his emotions

    show to the world.

    He would avoid iming her for her safety, because if he did, she would be his everything, and

    would be on his mind every awaking moment. She Caso will be his main weakness.

    Killian had many enemies. He knew they would want to use her against him. His bad reputation would

    also endanger her life.

    Even though rejection was out of the question now, he had attempted it, but the words couldn''t just

    escape from his lips. Not with those maic blue eyes of hers boring straight at him, imprinting his

    very own soul. He couldn''t pull through; something in her eyes stopped him. He couldn''t exin it, but

    there was something about her that felt different. This wasn''t as a result of the mate bond, and Killian

    knew it. This was different. She was different. She was everything he wanted, but cannot have.

    Seeing her in the arms of another tonight, he couldn''t help but agree with Ryker. No one was allowed to

    have her. He may be keeping her away from him, but that''s because he didn''t want to be the cause of

    her getting hurt. But that didn''t mean he would let her go just so any other asshole could have her. He

    would never allow that. Regardless of everything, she was his and will remain his.

    Killian''s eyes pulled open.

    The first time Killian met Thea, he felt it. She had the mark of the moon and the blessings of the

    goddess. Her presence in the pack had done a lot of good. The deaths and destruction in the pack

    have lessened in the past months. Even though he could still feel the cursed darkness in him, it was

    dormant. But theing Crescent Moon scared him greatly.

    He sighed, burying his head in his palm. A new wave of immense pain crushed his insides, forcing him

    to release a groan. He had to have a word with the witches, and with their help and Thea''s, the ritual

    would be done, and hopefully, the curse would be broken. Hopefully, he would be free.

    Killian was on his feet. He pulled open the door, making his way to the right-wing quarters. To Thea''s

    chamber, he needed her desperately. As if expecting him, the door pushed open as soon as Killian

    approached her chamber.

    Her small, rounded face looked beautiful in the darkness, her brown eyes holding Killian''s, reflecting so

    much love and admiration. Without thinking, he reached for her and lifted her into his arms, leaned

    closer, gently pulling a hand to her cheek, and Killian''s lips brushed against hers. It started off so

    tenderly and gently but soon became urgent and needy. She also moved her lips to the rhythm of his,

    feeling the familiar need growing on her.

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    Killian tried concentrating his lips on Thea, but he just couldn''t. He could feel it, it was different, one

    lacking passion, warmth, and maybe, just maybe love. But that wasn''t important. He turned off every

    emotion and fell deeper into her. His fingers intertwined in her hair as he lowered her to the bed, his

    kisses more demanding. He licked her upper lips, wanting permission, as soon as she allowed him, he

    explored her mouth. She felt the weight of his toned body on her as he positioned himself between her

    legs, he began to trail kisses from her jaw to her neck. It didn''t matter whether Thea wasn''t the woman

    he desired, because she was the one he desperately needed. And She will be non-existent to him,

    and it will stay that way.

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9

    Chapter 9 Nine

    Killian''s point of view

    I woke up earlier today. I left Thea asleep in her bed, naked. I didn''t want to wake her up. For the past

    few days, I''ve been spending my nights in her chamber. This is an attempt to get She out of my

    mind. Frankly, it hasn''t been much of a sess. I''m trying my best, and so is Ryker, but I just can''t

    seem to forget the insane moment that I felt She''s lips on mine. Her soft and warm body folded

    against mine. It''s driving me crazy. She''s all I think of these days, even when I''m with Thea. At this rate,

    I might lose the sanity I''m fighting to keep.

    I just finished my morning training with the pack''s army and showered in my chamber. I left my

    chamber and headed down to my office. There were some pending matters rting to the pack that I

    needed to attend to.

    My wolf, Ryker, paced at the back of my head. He''s been doing that for thest couple of days. He''s

    been strangely restless and on alert, as if expecting something bad to happen. Well, I simply think he''s

    like that because of theing crescent moon rising. It was a big deal for us. It was on the night of the

    crescent moon, my father heartlessly ced a curse on me, affecting the pack. That night still haunted

    me, I was only a child then, having witnessed the death of my mother at the hands of her own mate. It

    was too much to handle. I detested that man more than anything in my life.

    I shook from my thought at the opening of the door. I looked up and Thea''s beautiful face came into my

    view. She approached me with a cup of brewed ginger tea.

    "I brought some tea for you, Killian," Her sweet voice greeted me. She''s so nice and beautiful. I feel

    really guilty, having her yet thinking of someone else. Thea didn''t deserve any of this. She deserved

    better, after everything she''s been through.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    It''s been only a few months already since I met her, frankly, I could say our meeting was predestined by

    fate itself. She was found at the borders of my pack. She was alone and didn''t have the stench of a

    rogue. The moment Iid my eyes on her, I felt the connection between us. It was like magic itself, and

    she had the mark of the goddess in the shape of a moon, exactly as the witch had told me. I knew then

    that she was the one. Her fate had already been tied to mine. Thea was injured badly then, which

    caused her to lose her wolf. It took some time for her to open up to me, and I found out her pack had

    been attacked by rogues, and she witnessed the deaths of her parents. It was by sheer luck she

    survived. Instantly, I felt the need and urge to protect her, to care for her. And that hasn''t changed, but

    deep down it wasn''t the same as before.

    I sighed, feeling Thea''s soft lips on mine. She began kissing me, and I pulled her in for more. Her

    kisses became demanding, and I went with the flow, caging her body in my arms. In short minutes, I

    mmed her against the table, running my hands over her body. My lips left her lips, feasting on her

    body. Her soft moans sounded in my ears. It was pleasing to the ears. I pushed down the sleeve of her

    dress so I could get more ess to her skin. My hands had found their way underneath her long silken

    dress, making their way up to her ass. Just then, a sharp knock sounded on the door, interrupting us. It

    made me groan. Before I could answer, the door was pushed open and she walked in, and she

    gasped. She.

    Why was she here?

    Confusion filled my eyes. The shocked gasp I heard from She forced me to pull away from Thea. My

    wolf, Ryker, howled in my head, demanding I do.

    My eyes fell on She''s perfect face. As much as I hated to admit it, she was the most beautiful woman

    I had ever seen. Never had anyone looked at me with such innocence and purity.

    My heart shattered.

    There was hurt and shock in her eyes. I felt an overpowering urge to run to her, and take the

    unbearable pain imprinted in those blue eyes of hers. Ryker was raging mad, fighting me for control.

    He hadpletely lost it. He hated the pain in her eyes, and so did I, but the breaking truth was that

    we caused her pain.

    She''s gaze shifted to Thea, but not a single word left her mouth. Her beautiful lips parted a little. It

    made me want to reach out to her and kiss it.

    Her eyes fell back on me, connecting with mine. I couldn''t pull away, nor could I run to her. I could feel

    Thea''s heated gaze on me. I couldn''t even look her way.

    "Do you mind?" Thea cleared her throat, her voice breaking our gaze. It was then I realized her dress

    was still undone, and my hands were on her. I pulled away instantly, while She spun around and left

    the room. I had to force myself to not run after her.

    Masking my emotions, I turned to Thea, whose gaze burned through me. "I have some matters to tend

    to. I''ll see you in your chamber." I forced the words out of my lips no matter how they sounded. I

    couldn''t think clearly with her beside me.

    Thankfully, Thea nodded with a smile, cing a kiss on my lips. After fixing her dress, she left my

    office.

    I was torn. As I paced around, for the first time in the longest time, Ryker lost control. Thest time he

    lost control was years ago when my own father murdered my mother, right before my eyes. And that

    familiar rage found me today.

    I couldn''t stay still. I wanted to see She. I had to see her. She was really hurt. I hurt her.

    I groaned, feeling frustrated.

    ***

    She''s point of view

    I ran outside, my eyes streamed with tears.

    I couldn''t take the pain, running straight to my chamber. I could hear Ria''s hasty footsteps chasing after

    me as she called out to me. I didn''t stop till I reached my chamber, crashing on the bed that was ready

    to receive me. The emotions suffocating my chest were too intense to bear. The door opened and Ria

    rushed to me, engulfing me in her arms. I leaned into her arms, I didn''t hold back my tears, I released

    them all crying into her arms.

    It was unbearable. Finding my mate in the arms of his lover made my heart ache. I knew this was

    expected but, regardless, it hurt me to the bones. The image of her naked body in his arms broke my

    soul.

    Ria kept stroking my hair, rubbing circles on my back with her other hand while mutteringforting

    words to me.

    I really didn''t understand why he couldn''t just love me. It made me feel pathetic and unworthy. And I

    hated these feelings.

    I hated his silent rejection.

    Abruptly, I jerked on my feet like I was suddenly possessed. I was filled with rage. Ria''s wide eyes were

    on me. I wiped off the tears that had stained my face.

    "What happened? Are you feeling okay now?" she asked, with concerns, all of which I appreciated. But

    I doubt I will ever feel okay.

    As I turned to the door, Ria was quick to stop me. "Where are you going?"

    "To see your Alpha." I sidestepped her, leaving my chamber. I walked to his office, mentally preparing

    myself this time for the real reason I went there in the first ce.

    I knocked on the door while Ria was beside me and waited patiently for a response.

    After a few seconds with no reply, I knocked again, and my ears picked up an angry growl from the

    other side of the door.

    He was angry. Good. because I was too.

    "Come on in," he grunted.

    I turned to Ria, who shot a pleading look at me, asking me to reconsider my decision.

    I nodded assuringly to her, holding on to the doorknob as I walked in.

    I shut the door behind me, turning to face Killian. His frosty eyes pulled right up to mine from behind his

    table. His lover was not in the room.

    He regarded me for a long time, with his expression unreadable.

    "May I help you?" came his deep, throaty voice. I swear I would have been turned on if it wasn''t for the

    anger brewing in me.

    "As a matter of fact, you may," I bit out angrily, squaring my shoulders while folding my hands against

    my chest. My eyes held his stare.

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10

    Chapter 10 Ten

    She''s point of view

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    "May I help you?" came his deep, throaty voice. I swear I would have been turned on if it wasn''t for the

    anger brewing in me.

    "As a matter of fact, you may," I bit out angrily, squaring my shoulders while folding my hands against

    my chest. My eyes held his stare.

    Killian pulled away from his table, he carelessly tossed the quill pen in his hand on the table, his eyes

    coldly sizing me up.

    "First and foremost, you are to knock and wait for my response before abruptly barging into my office,"

    he warned, ring coldly at me. "And secondly," he ced his hand under his chin. "When addressing

    me, you lose that damn tone." His voice was brutally cold, which only seemed to aggravate me further.

    "What do you want?"

    I held my stance, still locking eyes with him. "I''d like to think I''m not a prisoner in my own pack. I''ve

    been here for days now, and I haven''t stepped out of my chamber, not once, let alone left the castle

    walls. You know, I am not a dog that you can keep locked up in its cell, Killi¨C" I held back thest word,

    adding stubbornly, "Alpha"

    He was shameless. Not a single remorse in his eyes after I caught him with his damned lover. My heart

    burned, and I couldn''t stop the tears that gathered in them, but my gaze refused to leave his.

    "So, what are you saying?" I felt his eyes wander over my body, keeping a straight face.

    "Firstly, I hate having my meals alone in my chamber. I want to go down like everyone else," I said,

    forcing my emotions out of my voice.

    Killian''s cold eyes regarded me thoroughly. For a split second, I thought I saw a sh of emotion stalk

    his amber eyes. That was impossible, though.

    "Fine. I''ll have that taken care of." He retracted his stare from me, shifting it to the pile of papers on his

    table. "If that''s all, you may take your leave now."

    "No, I still have more to say." I remained fixed on my spot.

    Releasing an exhausting sigh, Killian''s gaze met mine again. He folded his hand on his chest.

    "What?" he gestured with his hands.

    "I want to leave the castle andˇŞ"

    Before I could finish my sentence in peace, Killian''s deep voice interrupted me.

    "Leave the castle?" His eyes were turning dark, anger taking a toll on his voice.

    I nodded, trying to hide my fear. "Yes, my chamber feels suffocating. I want to see the pack, and be

    able to take strolls, receiving some fresh air."

    His eyes softened as soon as I was done, but as usual, his expression was stoic. He was silent as if

    considering my words.

    Finally, he nodded again. "That''s also fine. I will arrange something with Riannon. You can leave now."

    "I still have more to say," I voiced, hearing my own words echoing in my head.

    Killian seemed pissed, very pissed like he couldn''t wait for me to just vanish from his sight.

    "What now, She?" His voice was getting sharper and pointer, losing his patience.

    "Even though you hate me, and do have a lover beside you," I paused, finding the right words, as

    Killian seemed interested in what I had to say. "I''m still the Luna of this pack, and I want to be involved

    in everything that concerns the pack."

    I was surprised he didn''t reproach me. "In what way?"

    I drew in some air. "I could be involved with the Packs'' training." His eyes ran over my body for the

    briefest seconds before he spoke.

    "No"

    "Why?" My lips rushed a response. I really wanted to train. I always wanted to, but my father never

    allowed it, as I was never allowed to leave the packhouse. It was bad enough that I didn''t have a wolf

    like other wolves. I was already at a disadvantage. The least I could do was learn how to defend myself

    being the Luna of this pack.

    "Because I said no," he growled, stopping any further argument.

    "I really don''t understand you. What do you want from me? I am the Luna of this pack, it''s been bad

    enough that I''ve been silently rejected by my mate who has a lover. I already feel so useless and

    incapable as a mate and Luna, at least allow me to do something for myself, I''m not some dog that

    needs to be locked up in its cage!" I yelled in rage, and tears rushed from my eyes, burning my eyes.

    Killian was staring at me with a nk expression. Suddenly, his gaze avoided mine. He was up on his

    feet, moving to the window bars, sending his back to me. "I will think about it. You may leave now."

    Without sparing another nce at me, I left the office, finding Ria outside the door. Her eyes were

    bright with smiles.

    I quirked my brows at her.

    "The Alpha has given me permission to show you around the pack."

    I released a smile even though it didn''t reach my heart.

    But after leaving the castle walls, I realized how suffocated I had felt. The air outside the pack was

    divine and nerve-calming. Ria was a darling. She showed me around the pack, but not everywhere.

    Killian had a veryrge pack, evenrger than my father''s. There was even a quarter for the Crescent

    North witches, as I was told by Ria. I could really see why it was thergest pack in the whole of North

    Central.

    Ria left me in the Pack''s garden; it was beautiful. There was this thing about flowers that always

    seemed to calm me. I plucked some marigolds and roses, inhaling their scent. I inhaled more flowers in

    front of me, trying to overlook the chest pains I kept getting. It was ufortable. I had to press my

    hand on my chest in a futile attempt to make it ache less. But nothing worked. I knew the pain was as a

    result of Killian''s infidelity, if it could be called that. Even though we were not mated yet, and he hadn''t

    marked me as his, I could still feel the pain.

    I shook from my thoughts when short, unusual sounds escaped from the woods. I looked behind, and

    Ria had not yet returned. I took a few steps further.

    "Is someone there?" There was nothing in response. The eerie silence made my heart race with fear.

    The hairs on my skin rose in panic; something was wrong. I turned around to run, but I was confused

    about which direction actually went to the castle.

    My confusion was instantly reced with fear when I heard loud growls behind me. I turned around,

    and my eyes widened in horror as three brown wolves emerged from the woods. They appeared

    hungry, if not angry, as their eyes scanned me like a predator would a prey. I felt the fast beating of my

    heart. It made my legs weaken.

    Slowly, the wolves walked closer as I staggered backward. This made their ferocious growling get

    louder. I couldn''t run, at least not in my human legs, as I would never outrun them. I didn''t have a

    chance.

    I looked around me, hoping to find someone that could actuallye to my rescue. But there was no

    one. My racing heart sped faster as the wolves stealthily approached me.

    My heart fell in defeat as I soon realized this could actually be it for me. The thought that I might

    actually die today sent my bones trembling against their joints. There was no way I could survive an

    attack from these wolves. They were huge and vicious, and I didn''t have a wolf to aid my speedy

    recovery. I was doomed.

    The wolves snarled angrily and prepared to lunge at me. In a second, they leaped in the air, and I

    released a deafening cry, falling to the ground, and shutting my eyes.

    Immediately, a loud growl rippled through the air. I opened my eyes, and from nowhere, a big ck wolf

    jumped in front of me. It was thrice the size of the former wolves. The wolf tilted his head and nced

    my way as if inspecting me to see if I was hurt. His eyes were glowing a brighter shade of yellow than

    the sun. Killian. I recognized those gazes. His attention was pulled away by the growling that sounded

    from the wolves. They were more than ready for a fight.

    Killian''s burning eyes found mine again, and suddenly, I heard his thundering voice in my head. "Run,

    She! Run!"

    I was frozen on the ground. I wanted to move, but I couldn''t get my legs into motion.

    Killian''s hard gaze met mine again, and he yelled more frustratedly in my head.

    "Shift, now!" It was amand from my mate and alpha, which I was obliged to obey. But that was

    something impossible to do. I couldn''t shift. I didn''t have a wolf, and Killian didn''t know that.

    His eyes narrowed on me, confusedly, when the three wolvesunched forward, pouncing on Killian.

    I let out a frightened cry.

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11

    Chapter 11 Eleven

    Killian''s point of view

    I couldn''t understand why I felt uneasy, my mind constantly going back to She.

    Ryker''s restlessness kept intensifying, and it was driving me insane. I couldn''t focus on my work

    properly, and I kept experiencing pain from the dark hole in my chest. It was unbearable.

    I left my office and headed to Thea''s chamber, where I''ve been for several hours now. Being near her

    was usually like medicine to my soul. Somehow, her presence always seemed to make the pain from

    the cursed hole in my soul bearable.

    But these days, it was almost as if the dark hole hade alive, and nothing was working, not even

    Thea''s presence. Not even the healer''s potions. Nothing.

    I was on the bed with Thea beside me when I was mind linked by Mason. His voice echoed within the

    walls of my mind in a frenzy.

    "Alpha, the pack is under attack." He rushed in a sentence. I jolted from the bed immediately. Thea was

    up beside me.

    "What?" I snatched my clothes from the floor, wearing them in a hurry. "Who are they?"

    "Rogues," he replied quickly.

    My eyes shed rage. "Mason, get the warriors and head to the pack borders. We must stop them

    before they get into the pack."

    "Alright, Killian," He disconnected with me.

    I mind-linked Adam together with the pack army, ordering them to spread out to the borders while some

    of the warriors swept through the pack, and the others should ensure the pack members were taken to

    safety.

    I was about to mind-link Allen when someone connected to me.

    Brielle''s panicked voice flooded my mind. "Alpha!" Something was wrong. Ryker and I felt it. He had

    begun to growl angrily.

    "What is it?" I felt my chest tighten in a knot, awaiting her frenzied voice.

    "It''s Luna, sheˇŞˇŞ" At the mention of She, I cut her off, a strange emotion exploding within me. Fear.

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    "What happened to She?" I roared. I didn''t even realize I was yelling aloud while speaking through

    the mind-link.

    "Someone sighted some rogues heading north to the garden, and Luna was there. Ria left her for only

    a second at the garden. I''m on my way there butˇŞ" Before Brielle finished her words, I cut her off

    again, my legs having a kind of life of their own, hastening to the door. I could hear Thea''s voice

    speaking, but I could care less what she had to say. I needed to get to She. She was in danger.

    The instant I reached outside, I gave Ryker control and shifted into my gargantuan ck wolf.

    We sprinted off, heading towards the pack garden. It was far away from the castle.

    Why did Ria take her that far? I wanted tosh out on her, but Ryker growled in my head. "This wasn''t

    the time for that, human."

    He was right. This wasn''t the time for that.

    I reached the pack''s garden. From afar, my eyes zeroed in on She. She was on the ground, circled

    by three roguish wolves who had already leaped into the air to attack her.

    Ryker let out a powerful howl as he raced closer to She. Ryker''s eyes wentpletely red. Without

    being told twice, he lunged at the wolf who was a second away from descending on She.

    Ryker''s sharp ws pierced the wolf, and with his elongated canines, he bit another wolf, tossing them

    against the rough earth.

    Wended on our paws, and so did the two wolves who were already bleeding. The third one was

    beside them, ring at my wolf.

    Ryker took his stance in front of a terrified She, tilting his head to inspect her body for any injuries.

    Thankfully, there was none. But Ryker and I still felt the immense rage pumping in our veins at the

    rogues who dared touch what was ours.

    "Run, She run!" I sounded loudly in her head with Ryker''s voice. Her round blue eyes were stuck on

    mine. She was trembling really hard, but couldn''t move a muscle. We felt the urge to wrap our arms

    around her, but I had guarded eyes on the wolves who had begun to move closer to us.

    "She, shift!" It was amand that would force her wolf to control her, but nothing happened. She

    didn''t shift, instead, more fear found her blue irises. "She!" I called. She looked so scared, I wished I

    could rush to her side.

    "IˇŞ I can''t. I can''t shift!" She spoke quickly, which confused me.

    "What do you mean, you can''t?" I wanted to ask, but now wasn''t the time. I turned my bloodshot eyes

    on the wolves who lunged at me. In swift motion, I sent my ws deep into one of the wolves, tearing it

    up. I sent my canines into the head of the second, separating them from their bodies, while snapping

    the neck of a third. Many rogues emerged from the woods, and I kept fighting.

    Soon, Allen, Adam, and some of my pack warriors joined in the fight.

    "Get Shelia out of here!" I mind-linked Adam, and he nodded.

    From my peripheral vision, I saw Adam take She away, and we continued fighting till every one of the

    rogues was dead. I shifted back into my human form, slipping into my shorts.

    I mind-linked Mason and Xavier, who were scattered around the pack with some warriors. "How''s the

    situation over there?" I asked.

    "They are all dead. We are sweeping through the pack borders now. We will head back to the castle

    soon." Mason responded.

    I nodded. Scanning the bloody mess of the lifeless wolves on the ground.

    "I''m just confused. How did they manage to get past the Pack''s defenses?" Allen came from behind.

    I have been thinking the same thing as well. The crescent North Pack was thergest in the whole of

    the North Central, and our defenses were almost imprable. It baffled me how some mere rogues

    could get this far into the pack.

    I said honestly, "I have no idea, Allen. I have a bad feeling about this."

    I swerved my attention to Jax, who was beside one of the dead wolves. "You need to see this," Jax

    said, and I went to him.

    "What is it, Jax?"

    "Here." He pointed to the symbol on the wolf''s body, and immediately, my eyes red up and my body

    stiffened.

    "They all have the same symbol." Allen looked over the body of the dead wolf. I still haven''t recovered

    yet. It''s been over a decade since I saw that symbol. My father had one just like that.

    "This isn''t good. Why were they here? Does that meanˇŞ" Allen paused on his words.

    He was right. This was bad. That symbol belonged to the Dark Circle. They had sent the rogues, but

    why? It''s been over a decade after thete Alpha''s death since we cut ties with them. What do they

    want now?

    "Clear up the bodies," I left the warriors, and headed back to the castle. Thankfully, the rogues were

    caught before they got further into the pack. We arrived at the castle and headed inside.

    "Killian," Thea came crashing into my arms, her lips engulfing mine. "I was so worried about you." Her

    worried eyes met mine. But mine went past her, scanning the room until itnded on She. She was

    with Brielle. Her gaze was on me, but she retracted it quickly.

    I looked away. Mason and Adam approached us, along with Vrie. Just the person I wanted to see.

    Valerie was a witch. She belonged to the Crystal Fortress witches. The Crystal Fortress witches were

    the oldest coven of witches, and the most powerful. But they were attacked fourteen years ago, and

    many of them were murdered, while only a few managed to escape. Valerie was one of them.

    "Did you see it? This wasn''t a mere rogue attack. They were sent byˇŞ"

    "The Dark Circle," she concluded.

    "What do they want now?" The only link that had existed between my pack and the Dark Circle was no

    more. And that was my father. They''ve been quiet for years, even off the raiders, since their attack on

    the Crystal Fortress.

    "And the ck Blood Pack," Ryker added. I didn''t say anything. I hated remembering everything that

    happened that day and with my father. Nothing could change what happened to the ck Blood Pack,

    and nothing could ever change the hatred that existed between Leonardo ck, his brother, and me.

    "We should talk inside," Valerie suggested, and I nodded.

    "Alpha," I responded to Adam''s call as he rushed up to me, a worried expression on his face and a

    brown paper in his hand.

    "What happened?"

    "It''s the Council." On Adam''s words, Valerie threw a sharp nce at me. "Something happened, and it''s

    bad." He handed the paper to me.

    I read through it swiftly, inhaling deeply. My eyes fell on Valerie, who held a knowing look. "They are

    back. The Dark Circle."

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12

    Chapter 12 Twelve

    She''s point of view

    It was already dawn. I woke up earlier than usual. I just couldn''t get some sleep. My chest kept aching,

    and for some reason, I''ve been experiencing some headaches, which alwayssted for a few hours.

    I was walking down the long hallway of the castle alone, wearing a long blue velvet dress. Ria had

    some patrolling to do for the day, and so did Brielle. As for Killian, I was told that there was an

    important council meeting, so he left the castle at the first light of dawn, together with Mason, Allen, and

    Valerie.

    I have gotten much more used to my environment and life in the castle. I can''t say it''sfortable, but

    it''s bearable enough when I don''t see Killian together with his lover. I''ve also made some friends in the

    pack.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Right now, I''m supposed to be on my way to the dining hall to have my breakfast, but something caught

    my attention in the hallway on the other floor of the castle that I haven''t been to yet. My curiosity got the

    better part of me, so I decided to explore it.

    It led me to a very old part of the castle. The surroundings looked old and scary, and the air here wasn''t

    the usual warmth from the morning sunrise. It was cold. Very cold. There were burning torches hung on

    the wall. Their lights were very dim and they did much to illuminate the path. There were almost no

    windows, if there were any at all.

    The ce gave me a creepy feeling, but I kept walking, despite feeling anxious. I stopped in front of an

    old-looking door. It was the only door in the hallway, and it was locked.

    Something caught my attention the most. I looked around but there wasn''t a door knob nor a key hole

    to pull it open.

    That was strange. I ced my hand on it, inspecting the door for any other way it could get open, when

    suddenly, I heard it creaking and, to my surprise, the door opened.

    I was stunned, even worse, confounded.

    I looked behind me, but there was no one. My eyes shifted to the door, and I walked in cautiously.

    The inside was warm. A lot of candles were lit, and there were all sorts of books arranged on a wooden

    shelf. Weird looking vases on the table. On the walls were strange markings in red and ck. I felt

    drawn to them. The pad of my fingers trailed them on the wall.

    There were also a lot of flowers spread all over the room, a few trees in the corners, mistletoe on the

    ceiling, and a couch at the far end. It was a sight.

    It didn''t have a spooky appearance; on the contrary, it seemed like it was a room inside a forest with a

    lot of trees and nature around. And the air in the room was powerful in a strange way.

    Weirdly, I felt safe and at home, but I couldn''t tell why.

    I went to the wide circle table at the center of the room, my eyes taking in everything on it. Weird

    objects like knives have one mark on each side. They were intriguing. My eyes rested on a small

    wooden bowl, and inside was a thick red liquid. It looked more like blood. There was a book beside it. It

    was opened, and the page showed arge symbol in red, and on the top some words were written in

    red as well, ''The Crystal Fortress''. I pulled my hand to touch it but jolted at the sudden voice that

    echoed.

    Cripes!

    "Don''t touch that!"

    I spun around in fear, my eyes falling on the face of a familiar woman. Valerie. She was wearing a

    brown dress and a blue cloak over it.

    She hurried closer to me, and swiftly, she moved her fingers in the air, and the book in front of her

    closed without her even touching it.

    I remembered that Ria informed me she was a witch. She was in charge of the witches'' quarters within

    the pack.

    I intentionally took a step backwards. "I am really sorry for barging in here. I didn''tˇŞ"

    "How did you get in here?" Valerie asked suddenly, but she didn''t look upset that I had barged in

    without invitation. Her face held more of a surprised, confounded gaze.

    "I foundˇŞ" I decided to ditch the long story. "The door just opened," I said in honesty.

    Valerie froze for a second. Was I imagining it? Her gaze traveled to the door before meeting mine

    again. She looked a little bit lost. "But that''s impossible." She whispered more to herself, but I heard.

    I quickly added, "I am really sorry."

    "It''s nothing, Luna, it''s just unusual that the door opened for you." Her eyes studied me briefly. "But it''s

    alright. I was only worried when you reached for the book. It''s a little dangerous for non-witches."

    I nced at the book cover, and on it a name was inked at the bottom. ''Fiona ck''

    I removed my eyes from it. "I was just curious about this side of the castle,"

    She kept staring at me, her face crippled, as if having some bizarre thoughts. Her stare at me wasn''t

    creepy, but I couldn''t deny that I felt a bit ufortable.

    "I should get going now. I''m a littlete for breakfast." With that, I managed to excuse myself out of that

    room.

    I found my way to the dining hall, and to my surprise, Killian''s lover was already there, having her

    breakfast. There was no sign of Killian, I had expected him to be around for breakfast, since Valerie

    was back from the meeting with the Council early in the morning. Killian had attended as well. Maybe

    his absence was a good thing. I wouldn''t be able to bear seeing them together.

    Thea''s heavy gaze pulled me out of my thoughts. I approached the table, taking ownership of one of

    the chairs.

    Her constant stare was still on me. I pulled my head up, my eyes meeting hers.

    This was the first time we were this close and alone. Other times she''s either sucking Killian''s face or

    throwing unreadable stares at me, like now.

    She regarded me with her brown eyes that showed nothing in their depth. She didn''t like me, and I

    didn''t like her either, but I barely had the strength to get into a fight with her.

    I shifted my gaze to my food instead.

    "What the hell are you still doing here?" Her voice sounded far different from the cool and soft voice I

    was ustomed to hearing whenever she was with Killian.

    "Obviously, I''m having breakfast," I replied without looking at her.

    "You know, Killian will never ept a good-for-nothing like you. I am the one he''s in love with and the

    only one that can save him and his pack."

    Her words drew my attention to her. What did she mean by the only one that could save Killian and the

    pack? I was confused by her words.

    The mockingughter she released afterward informed me she could see the confusion imprinted on

    my face.

    Thea dropped the silver spoon from her hand and sped her fingers together as she rose from her

    chair and moved to mine.

    "Killian doesn''t love you, bitch, and he will never look your way as long as I''m in the picture. Isn''t it

    obvious already? You''re just a fool holding on to nothing."

    Her words stung a lot. Even though every word of hers was right, I hated the damn tone she was using

    on me.

    I dropped my spoon, looking her in the eye. "You are the one who is holding on to nothing. You are only

    an object he uses to warm his bed. I, on the other hand, I''m his mate, and the Luna of his pack." What I

    said seemed to have stung Thea well. But my own words had also pierced me. They were all lies, and I

    knew it. I was nothing to Killian. I meant absolutely nothing to him.

    Thea''s brown eyes burned with fury. She was angry. I wasn''t expecting it when her hand pulled up and

    collided with my cheek.

    I gasped, shocked that she could strike me. My eyes shed on her and without thinking, I raised my

    hand and pped her harder. That impact caused her to stagger on her shoes. I was surprised at

    where that strength came from.

    Thea''s face was colored with rage, a murderous sh of hate, and something I couldn''t decipher

    stalked her eyes.

    Thea angrily moved to me, but suddenly, a loud growl thundered, frightening both Thea and me.

    I looked to where it came from, Killian''s hateful res directed at me. In swift motion, he was before

    me, hisrge palm crashing harshly against my cheek, causing me to copse on the floor.

    My mate hit me.

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13

    Chapter 13 Thirteen

    Third-personˇŻs view

    Killian sauntered towards She, boring an angry re at her. It made her freeze on the spot.

    Without warning, the back of his hand came into harsh impact with her cheek, and Shended on the

    floor.

    Did he...? Did her own mate just strike her?

    "Get the fuck up, She!" he yelled, his tone angry and his gaze fixed on her.

    She was shaking, tears pouring from her eyes. Even though she didn''t respond, he fisted her hair

    and pulled her up. A cry of pain escaped her lips.

    Killian looked her in the eyes as he seemed ready to strike her again, but something shed in his

    eyes. He couldn''t decipher what it was.

    She just couldn''t believe her own mate could strike her, and that too in the presence of the other

    woman, his lover. Deep waters gathered in She''s eyes, her gaze connecting with Killian''s. She could

    see nothing in those amber crystals of his.

    Thea was quickly by his side. "Killian, did you see, she pped me?" she said, crying, holding a hand

    to her cheek, and her eyes having a vicious glint.

    "I warned you to stay out of Thea''s way."

    "That lover of yours pped me first!" She was up on her feet.

    "Enough! Thea is to be respected in her castle." He silenced her, "She! To your chamber!" his dark

    re absorbed her. "Now!"

    She was dumbfounded in her position, tears cascading down her eyes, until Ria rushed to her side,

    taking her away.

    ***

    She''s heart ached worse than ever; it was bruised, and the pain in her skull intensified the more. She

    fell down on her bed in tears. She couldn''t stop crying.

    Shey on her bed in tears for a few hours, like a teenager who had just gotten her heart broken, but

    it felt worse than that.

    Her mate, her very mate, had hit her. That was thest thing she expected from Killian, but then he did

    it. Her emotions were all over the ce, and she could barely think straight. She closed her eyes firmly,

    making her mind up. something she would have done long ago. A tear rolled down her eyes onest

    time as she decided to leave, to save herself before the strong feelings she had for her mate slowly

    consumed her.

    She turned to Ria, who had just walked in with her dinner and some medicine for her constant

    headaches.

    She felt exhausted, physically and mentally. As soon as she was done with her meal and had taken

    the medicine, she fell again onto her bed, feeling weak and drowsy. It was probably the medicine at

    work. She heard Ria leave the room, shutting the door behind her.

    Before She knew it, she had begun to fall asleep; her eyelids started giving way, and that''s when she

    heard the sound of her door squeaking open and closing. She felt too weak to move or to even lift a

    finger.

    She felt the covers on her shift lightly. Someone moved into the bed and wrapped an arm around her.

    Before she could think twice, she dozed off.

    ***

    Today was the moon goddess festival, only held every three auspicious years. An auspicious day

    indeed. And while everyone was busy preparing for the grand feast, She was rather busy plotting her

    escape.

    Tonight, the goddess was going to grant her the gift of freedom. Freedom from a mate who does not

    want her.

    She''s hand fell on her left cheek, where her mate hit her with so much disdain. It didn''t hurt so much

    anymore, but the scars that remained were unseen.

    She had always dreamt and hoped to someday find her mate and in him be someone who would love

    and put her first, but Killian was rather the opposite of what she had in mind.

    "Aah!" a soft moan escaped from her lips, jogging her out of her long reverie. She was in her chamber,

    facing tall against the enormous mirror as Ria and two other helpers assisted her to put on her dress

    for tonight''s ceremony. The dress was an uptight blue corset with long flowing ends. It indeed looked

    beautiful.

    "I''m sorry, my Luna," yelled the taller and fairer maid as she assisted her in tightening the ropes on her

    gown, bowing her head slightly and crossing her fingers.

    She noticed just then on her wrist that there was a tattoo of two identical crescent moons facing back

    against each other. Sparing a quick look at Ria''s wrist, she also had such a mark, and also the other

    maid with ginger red hair had simr markings. Now that she has thought about it, every wolf and

    member she has encountered within the Crescent North pack all have simr markings.

    "It''s okay and please don''t call me Luna anymore." She assured her that she responded with a

    courteous nod and continued with her duties, "Ria." She called for Ria''s immediate attention.

    "Yes, She?" Ria muttered, looking up at her through the mirror with a huge smile. She seemed to be

    in a good mood.

    She held a tight smile, knowing she would miss both Ria and Brielle dearly when she escaped from

    the pack.

    "That mark... on your wrist, what is it?" She asked curiously, pointing at Ria''s wrist.

    "Oh, this. It''s the mark of the pack. It symbolizes the pack and binds us all together. Basically, anyone

    who is a member of the pack has this imprinted on his or her wrist. " She giggled, then continued

    stroking my hair.

    Just as she had thought, every member of the pack had it, further firming her decision that she did not

    belong here.

    She shook from her thoughts. "Where is Kilian?" She couldn''t help but wonder if he was still glued to

    that spawn of satan''s side as always, or maybe he was busy attending to the arriving guests from

    various packs.

    Ria replied, "He is at the feast attending to all the gathered wolves and alphas." she passed, "And Thea

    is also with him," she added carefully, cautiously informing She of what she should be expecting.

    She fought back the tears about to form.

    She thought to herself, "Just a few more hours and you''re out."

    "Okay. That''s enough! You all can leave first. I''ll be joining the feast soon." Shey, smiling as they all

    nodded, exiting the chamber and leaving her alone with her n.

    She wasn''t nning on leaving with anything. This was meant to be as discreet as possible, so no

    extra belongings, just herself only.

    Soon, She snuck downstairs in a blue woolen cloak, avoiding everything that moved in sight. Her

    hasty steps echoed loudly on the floor.

    She had been nning this escape for many days, so she had made herself ustomed to the shifting

    of the patrolling warriors in and outside of the castle. This was a lot simpler than expected, since almost

    everyone was distracted by the ceremony.

    After weaving her way through, soon enough she was out of the castle, running into the woods with

    only the glowing moonlight tailing above her.

    ***

    Killian stalked the floors, moving around the guests. His eyes were scanning through everyone.

    "Where''s Mate?" His wolf, Ryker, growled, tired of waiting till he was near his mate. Something they

    both shared. As for his Mate and Luna, she was supposed to be down already. His eyes rummaged all

    around for her but instead found Thea apanied by Rowan, one of the very best and most trusted

    pack warriors, and behind them was Jax.

    Thea approached Killian in a glowing red corset gown with a graceful smile and stood next to him.

    "Thea," Killian called out to her, cing a kiss on her lips.

    She responded with her usual smile pasted on her face.

    "Where is She?" Killian turned to Jax.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    He shook his head, "I haven''t seen Luna yet."

    Thea''s smile immediately turned to a scowl. "Clearly, she had many important things to do other than

    the feast. She is utterly unreliable and useless." She spoke calmly, but her sharp words only pissed off

    his wolf, Ryker.

    Killian quickly mind-linked Allen to go look around and find She. Even though Ryker was protesting

    he abandoned the feast in search of She. He shook against it.

    "Allen?" Killian called his attention through the mind link, waiting for his response, which came rather

    quicker than expected.

    "Yes, Alpha," Allen said through the mind link.

    "Do you know where She is?" Killian questioned him through the mind link.

    "No, Alpha," Allen replied, and after a moment, he added, "Ria said she thought Luna joined you hours

    ago. She also doesn''t know where she may be."

    A growl erupted from Killian''s, causing Thea and a few of the guests to stare at him with questioning

    gazes and murmurs. He instantly sent them all death stares, silencing them.

    "Allen, find her!" Killian ordered through the mind link, clenching his fist.

    Where the hell is She?!

    "You drove my mate away," Ryker said, which irritated him even more.

    "Rx, Killian, everyone can tell you''re angry at something," Thea whispered into his ear with an

    unwavering smile stered on her face.

    Ryker growled in his mind, and it took Killian every ounce of control not to snap at her. All that mattered

    was finding She.

    ***

    She carefully navigated her way through the guards that remained in the castle, as she ran as fast as

    she could, her cloak trailing behind her. She had an unsettling feeling crawling in the pit of her stomach.

    Although she had made it out of the castle where her mate and his rotten lover dwelled, she couldn''t

    help but feel like she was being followed and watched closely by unseen eyes.

    She flung her head backwards but failed to see her stalker. It was dark and at night, which served as

    great camouge for her devious stalker. She couldn''t see them. She ran, heading for the forest.

    "She is headed for the forest. Didn''t she know about all the terrors thaty in wait in the dark forest?"

    She''s stalkers whispered to themselves, somewhat surprised by her foolish actions.

    "Hopefully she doesn''t make it out of this forest alive. If she is out of his way, that would make my ns

    much simpler to achieve." A wicked grin formed on the lips of She''s stalker as they thought.

    Soon enough, they finally exploded into a dangerousughter.

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14

    Chapter 14 Fourteen

    She''s point of view

    The sounds of owls hooting and insects chirping were all around me in the gentle night air, and the

    moon shone in its full glory, illuminating every path and step I took. After much time, I realized that I

    had been lost, walking round and around in circles.

    "Where the hell am I now?" I thought to myself, confused. Now I was running up north in hopes of

    finding some trail leading out of this damn forsaken forest.

    Quickly, I stopped in my tracks. Although I hadn''t yet discovered my wolf, I had a better-than-average

    sense of hearing. I wasn''t alone now. Someone was indeed in this forest with me.

    I tense up, grabbing the small dagger I held for protection, gripping on tightly to it like it was my only

    form of life line. I wandered into the forest all alone at night. Somehow, I had a feeling that whatever

    and whoever was in this forest with me wasn''ting in peace.

    "Hello, is there anyone out there? " I inquired, spinning my head around in search of whatever was

    present with me.

    "Hi," I heard an almost angelic, soft voice say from behind me. Startled by the voice, I turned around to

    face a pair of surreal emerald green eyes staring right at me with wrinkled eyebrows.

    "Fuck!" I screamed, "You almost ripped my heart right out of my chest." I swallowed some air, regaining

    myposure and stance.

    "Ahh, my bad, that wasn''t really my intention. I was passing through and I noticed someone taking what

    seemed like a fucking midnight stroll around the forest. Are you crazy? Do you have a death wish or

    something? You should know you shouldn''t be out here alone at night," his emerald green eyes

    searched the ce. He had slick ck long hair that was trimmed right below his ear and a well-

    chiseled jawline.

    "First of all, I''m not insane." I saw him roll his eyes while he murmured something. I''m just not really

    sure what it was. "And secondly, what makes you think that I was just taking a fucking stroll? I was

    trying to run away," I retorted, not lowering my small dagger held to my chest.

    "Well, whatever it may be, we better leave right now, unless you want to end up dead," he suggested,

    still looking around a bit frantically.

    "What exactly do you meanˇŞ? No, who are you? " I asked, getting confused about what was actually

    going on. The buzzing sound of flies was growing nearer.

    "I''m afraid there''s not much time for that; they are approaching," he said, cing his hand at the head

    of his sword and studying the environment. I had a lot of unanswered questions. Who was he and what

    wasing? I don''t understand what was happening.

    My words were brought to an abrupt stop by the sound of his sword unsheathed.

    "They are here." He looked straight at me with his emerald green eyes.

    "Who is here?" I quickly asked him.

    He looked at me like I had asked the most stupid question he had ever heard. "Don''t you know where

    you are?" When I couldn''t reply he shook his head. "This forest belongs to some rogues. Believe me

    when I say they are dangerous" He looked around again. "They''reing, we need to move now," he

    replied. Rogues wereing? How could he tell?

    Before I could ask, his green eyes shut me up. "We do not have the time for unnecessary questions we

    need to get moving now," he said. A series of howls went off from all around us, and jumped behind

    him.

    "I suggest you shift into your wolf and start running and don''t look back," He yelled quickly after

    pushing me out of the way and shifted into his wolf, his eye changing from its usual green gemstone

    color to a golden yellow color, reminding me of someone I''d rather not think of. It was his fault I''m in this

    situation.

    I obeyed the green-eyed stranger. But since I couldn''t shift, I ran for my life. I could hear his wolf trailing

    behind me, apanied by howls of the rogues that wanted us for dinner, but that was seconds ago.

    Now he was out of sight and I was left alone with the thick canopies of trees surrounding me.

    Oh, goddess! I obviously didn''t think this escaping through.

    I heard a loud painful howl. I wasn''t sure, but it seemed it came from the stranger. The wolves might

    have surrounded him, or maybe injured him. I was confused whether to keep running or go back and

    probably die alongside him since I could barely help in any way.

    Fuck, I felt utterly useless.

    I had to go back to try and help him. If he was harmed because I didn''t even try to do something, I

    wouldn''t be able to forgive myself. So, I stopped in my tracks and headed right back. I heard growling

    coming from behind me and immediately, I was blocked by a big gray wolf. I snatched a woodying on

    the ground, and hit the wolf, but it didn''t back away.

    It came closer to me, cornering me up against a tree trunk, growling at me with sharp canines. It was

    later joined by two other wolves that had the same intent. to kill their prey.

    "Get away, me!" I screamed, using my dagger to point at them all in a rather pathetic attempt to stop

    them from attacking me, which was failing because they kept advancing toward me.

    ''I''m fucked up'', I thought as the wolves made progress in getting close to me. "No! Stay back!" I

    continued struggling, but I knew it was just a matter of seconds before I was brutally attacked and

    killed.

    Just then, one of the wolves growled and lunged at me. I looked away, covering my eyes with my

    hands, bracing myself for the inevitable horror that awaited me. But instead, I heard a snapping noise.

    Quickly, I opened my eyes and saw the now dead rogue wolfying on the ground with its head

    chopped off. And standing above me was a big brown wolf, the stranger, whatever his name was.

    Strangely, this scene and this wolf reminded me of Killian.

    He mightily growled at the two remaining wolves, causing them to growl an equally frightening

    response. Another wolf attacked the brown wolf, which he easily brushed off with his ws and, in

    return, severed its head. My stomach churned at the gory scene.

    The gray wolf and the brown wolf began circling each other, both growling loudly. After stalking and

    circling, they both attacked each other, sending several hits, butstly, the brown wolf pinned it to the

    ground, growling, and the gray wolf whimpered in submission and it was killed.

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    He then shifted back into his human form. "I thought I told you to shift and then run, and not to look

    back," he said, changing into some clothes.

    "I didn''t see you behind me, so I became worried and, against my better judgment, I came back for

    you," I said, dusting my clothes.

    "Aww, isn''t that so sweet?" he said with a light chuckle. I rolled my eyes at him but found myself smiling

    just a bit.

    "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" I asked, inching closer to him. He had some blood on him, but I could

    tell it wasn''t his. I just wanted to be sure he was okay.

    "No, I am not hurt. The rogues were no match at all. But you look shaken up. Let''s just camp and rest

    for tonight," he suggested, and I acknowledged with a nod. I felt mentally and physically drained tonight

    from all the running for my life. It was wise to camp and rest, then continue with my journey the next

    day.

    "Stay here, I''ll go gather some wood." He smiled, walking away to do that which he said.

    He arrived shortly and he started a fire. While we sat there in silence, I kept looking at him. There was

    something about him that felt eerily familiar.

    "You know it''s considered rude to stare, right?" Heughed, looking up at me, making my face turn red

    in shame.

    "Sorry," I quickly apologized.

    "It''s okay. It happens quite a lot," he said with a proud smirk, which made me scoff.

    "And thank you. You know, I didn''t really get to say that earlier," I stated, feeling grateful for him saving

    my life. I wonder what would have happened If I had not run into him, I would have been dead for sure.

    "No worries. By the way, what is your name and what the hell are you doing out here?"

    "I''m She and I was running away from my idiotic mate," I replied, remembering that I needed to get

    away from here as soon as possible before Killian and his pack found out.

    "I haven''t heard that before. What happened now? What did he do?" He asked, looking genuinely

    interested.

    "It''s what he didn''t do. He doesn''t love me and disregards me as his mate. To make it even worse, he

    has a lover," I replied to him, looking down to the ground.

    "Well, whoever he is, he is a bloody fool if he lets you go." Iughed at his words, earning a confused

    look from him. "What?" He asked.

    "Nothing, just the first time I''ve seen anyone address an alpha in such a manner." I tried to suppress

    myughter.

    "So, he is an alpha. Of what pack?" He asked me.

    "Alpha Killian of the Crescent North Pack," I stated. His green eyes widened for a second, nodding. His

    eyes twinkled with something in them.

    Was it amusement?

    "I see," was all he said. I decided to ask some questions of my own.

    "It''s your turn, who are you, and what are you doing here? "

    "My name is Morgan, unlike you, I was actually returning to a ce I haven''t visited for a long time." His

    voice lowered a bit, and he seemed to have drifted unto his thoughts.

    I guess we all have our stories.

    "It''s almost daylight; let''s sleep and reserve our energy for tomorrow. Then we''ll see what we can do

    about your situation," He said suddenly, lying down.

    Somehow hisst words confused me.

    "Good night, She." His green eyes on me. "And it''s really a pleasure meeting you."

    He said, confusing me all the more.

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15

    Chapter 15 Fifteen

    She''s Point Of View

    I was standing at the edge of a cliff, staring at the beautiful work of nature. It was the first light of dawn,

    and the sun was barely rising. Birds were flying high, chirping a beautiful morning melody. The sight

    was simply exquisite. And he was there, beside me.

    I could feel his strong minty breath brushing against my neck with his strong arms wrapped around me,

    imprisoning me in his arms. I felt Killian''s rugged hands on my soft and milky skin as I squirmed under

    his touch.

    The sensation of sparks coursing through every bone in my body, and my moans and gasps escaped

    my lungs, filling the air. I heard Killian''s lustful growls, as he traced his hands over my full breasts and

    circled my pink nipples.

    I released another moan, feeling my need for him grow stronger. My hands were digging deeper into

    the back of hisrge body, beads of sweat on my skin.

    Killian''s sweet lips trailed kisses down my slender stomach, journeying down to my pubic bone. His

    dark, lustful gaze met mine. It regarded my naked body like it was a temple that needed to be

    worshiped, a gift that was meant to be adored.

    I flushed at his stare. He climbed up to my body, sucking every inch of it, taking his time to savor every

    part of my body. I felt Killian''s hardness at my warm entrance. I was ready to ept him. I could feel

    the whole of him inside of me.

    Killian leaned down to kiss my lips, taking my face in his hands as he began to move painfully slowly

    inside me. I groaned, feeling the pleasure that began to build within me.

    Killian pulled away to gaze down at me as my moans grew louder with the pace of his thrust.

    "Killian," I breathe out his name, and I feel myself growing closer with pleasure exploding within me.

    "She," he moaned against my lips, and I cried out as we both found our release. He fell beside me,

    scooping me into his arms. The spark that ignited at the contact of our bodies felt so surreal. But I knew

    better. This was only a dream.

    "Wakey wakey!" A familiar voice sounded not too far from me. It was Morgan, the stranger that saved

    me from the rogues who tried to attack mest night.

    "I''m awake," I yawned, physically waking up from my sleep. It was already dawn, and the sun was

    radiating in all its full glory.

    "You sure do sleep a lot." Morgan smiled, putting out the fire fromst night. "Having a good dream?

    Are you?" He asked with augh.

    I fought the blush that nearly exposed me. "Much more like a horrible nightmare, honestly," I lied, the

    details of my dream still vivid in my mind. It was a pleasant dream.

    Oh, goddess, I''m still in the forest and I bet Killian has already noticed my absence and he and his

    pack are already scouting all over the ce. Well, that would be if he even cares. What if he is even

    thrilled at the idea of my escape? That would hurt.

    "She, don''t think about that; all you need to do is get far away from here and forget about him!" I

    scolded my thoughts mentally.

    "A nightmare? Tell me more about it on the way," Morgan said, looking around, trying to figure out the

    fastest route to take to get out of here. Probably.

    "Where do we go from here?" I asked, now standing and facing him.

    "Well, didn''t you say you wanted to get far away from the forest?" He questioned

    "Yeah," I said, answering his question.

    "Then don''t worry about anything, and just trust me." He smiled at me, nudging his head right. "The exit

    is this way," he said as he started walking, and I followed.

    We had been walking for less than an hour, or maybe more. As we strode, I told him all the stories

    about my mate and his lover. while all he did wasugh. He always found something funny about what I

    said. I wonder what it was actually.

    "Oh, this route seems familiar," I said, taking in how eerily familiar this path seemed. "Are you sure we

    are on the right path?"

    "Yeah, very sure. I use this path all the time. It''s a shortcut, you see. " He turned to me, chuckling. "My

    brother and I used to run through here back in the days," he said, sounding a bit sad at thest words.

    "I didn''t know you had a brother?" I inquired, instantly realizing that I knew nothing about him. Apart

    from the fact that he is a werewolf and goes by the name of Morgan, I knew nothing more about him.

    But for some strange reason, I trusted him.

    "You didn''t know because you never asked. Oh, She, there is so much more that you don''t know

    about me," Morgan said with a dangerous smirk.

    "Why don''t you tell me about your brother?" I asked, wanting to know more.

    "We haven''t been in touch for a very long time," Morgan said, with a gloomy expression.

    I was about to ask him a very important question: "Why?" Why had he and his brother stopped talking?

    What happened? But my questions were brought to aplete standstill when I saw the high decking

    of the castle roof. Fuck. It was Killian''s. I couldn''t possibly be back to the Crescent North Pack.

    "No! No! No!" I gasped in disbelief.

    Why in the bloody hell did wee back here?

    Morgan said we were taking a shortcut out of the forest, but instead he led me back here. To my mate,

    but why?

    A crazed thought popped up. Was he sent by Killian to find me and to lead me back to him?

    "You lied to me. All this while, you knew who my mate was, did Killian send you?" I sparked, angrily,

    getting mad at myself for trusting a stranger.

    "As if. I could care less about Killian." He chuckled but wasn''t smiling. He must have noticed that I was

    on to his treachery. "I did this for you. She, I have a very good exnation for this. Trust me," Morgan

    quickly let out, while looking at me.

    "You bloody swine! You just tricked me and you expect me to trust you. How foolish do you think I can

    be? " I yelled at him. The bitter and painful feeling of being betrayed stung me hard like a bitch.

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    I turned to leave before someone found me. But quickly, Morgan gripped my arm.

    "Not too fast little wolf, I''m only doing all this for your good, so would you please calm the hell down?"

    He tickled his brow, before sighing. "Please," Morgan pleaded, cing his right hand in his thick ck

    hair.

    He ims that he did it all for my good. Liar! I don''t understand how taking me back to my mate that I

    ran away from was for my good.

    It didn''t take too long, and we were surrounded by Killian''s pack warriors. About twenty of the Crescent

    North Pack wolvespletely circled us, including Rowan, Mason, and Allen. I was trapped. There

    was no escape from this one. Only the goddess knew what was going to happen next.

    I could see Killian approaching us with an angry scowl. If it were to be possible for looks to kill, then I

    bet I would be dead and bleeding all across the ground. He looked pissed as he stood before me. What

    was going to be of me now?

    "She!" He growled, but as soon as his gaze fell upon Morgan, mypanion, he fell silent, and his

    face portrayed what I could only discern as confusion and shock.

    Why was he shocked to see Morgan? Didn''t Killian send him to bring me back?

    I looked at Morgan, who stood beside me, and he had a knowing smirk on.

    "Hello brother, miss me?" Morgan said with a smile, and all Killian responded with was a low-key growl.

    He didn''t seem pleased to see Morgan.

    Oh, good goddess, Killian and Morgan were brothers. That would exin the strange familiarity I saw

    in Morgan; they both shared the same blood running through their veins and a resemnce too. It''s

    just been rified. That would make Killian the brother Morgan spoke about; the same one he hasn''t

    spoken to for so long.

    "Brielle!" Killian called out for Brielle without taking his fixed gaze off Morgan, who also did the same

    thing.

    Brielle walked forward "Yes, Alpha Killian?" She was looking at him.

    "Escort She back to her chamber and make sure she remains there. Is that clear? " Killian said, his

    gaze still unmoved from his brother.

    Brielle moved to my side, leading me forward, her eyes looking as though she was trying to convey a

    message to me but couldn''t right now. I followed her withoutining, sparing onest look at my

    mate and his brother.

    Oh, fuck! This wouldn''t end well for me.

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16

    Chapter 16 Sixteen

    Killian''s Point Of View

    She had been missing for hours, and no one had seen her leave the castle, but that was all over

    when Allen mind-linked me, informing me that my mate, She, had been found.

    "Mate has returned," Ryker said. I could feel him growl in excitement. It was a great relief that she was

    found. I don''t know what I would have done if she hadn''t been found, or worse, if something bad had

    happened to her. I immediately rushed to meet her.

    There she stood. She looked really tired and her brown hair was a mess, but she looked pretty. I felt

    the urge to pull her in for a long hug, but those thoughtspletely went up in mes as soon as I saw

    who herpanion was. It was Morgan. My little brother

    He has returned, but why? And most importantly, what in hell was he doing with my mate? A surge of

    anger took over me as I walked towards both of them, my gaze unmoved from Morgan.

    "Hello brother, miss me?" He spoke with a smirk stered on his face. For reasons I really wish I could

    forget, we haven''t seen each other in a long time. We needed to talk, alone with no interruptions. My

    gaze fell on She who looked surprised to find out Morgan and I were brothers.

    "Brielle!" I called out, and she answered almost instantly. "Escort She back to her chamber and make

    sure she remains there. Is that clear? " I ordered, while Brielle nodded, taking She away. We all

    returned back to the castle, and now it was only me and Morgan that remained.

    "Why are you back?" I asked, cutting the bull shit and getting straight to the point. He must have

    returned for a reason.

    "Killian, your brother finally returned, and the first thing you ask is, ''Why am I back?'' Don''t be so cruel,"

    he said, with a smile.

    "That wasn''t answering my question, Morgan," I sounded, getting annoyed with his response.

    "I came back to be around my brother. Why? Am I not allowed to do that anymore? " Heughed, but I

    found it hard to believe he just came back after all this time just to see me. There was something else

    he had in mind, as there always was. I still can''t forget all that happened thest time he was here.

    "What were you doing with my mate?" I asked, wondering why the hell he was around her.

    "Your mate? That is quite different from what she told me," He had an amusing smirk on. It was

    irritating. But I couldn''t help but wonder what She must have said about me. I sighed, knowing it will

    be all, but good.

    "I ran into her in the forest, and then we were attacked by a bunch of vicious rogue wolves. She is

    really too kind but very angry at you. What did you do to her to cause her to run away from you the first

    chance she got? " Morgan said with augh. He sure was having fun.

    "That''s nothing you should be worried about. Just stay away from her. Is that clear?" I said, not wanting

    to discuss my mate with him, but, for what it is worth, I was thankful for him being around to protect her.

    "Sure, whatever you say, brother," he said, "I''m really tired from my travels. I need time to rest now."

    "I mean it, Morgan." I warned him.

    "Yeah, whatever" Morgan said, leaving my office. I took a deep breath, heading to She''s chamber.

    ***

    She''s point of view

    I was alone in my room, fixated on the edge of the bed. I still haven''t recovered from the shock that

    Morgan was Killian''s brother.

    I knew it was only a matter of time before Killian came charging through the door. Oh my God! He will

    never forgive me for trying to escape. I felt my pulse plummeting, my heart striking so fast that it

    caused me to breathe heavily.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    I vibrated in fear at the rough manner in which the door burst open. But I forced my body to stop

    trembling, my eyes slowly moving to Killian. I pressed my lips tightly together to stop the whimpers that

    wanted to be heard while under his dark, menacing re.

    Killian stalked towards me, each heavy step of his leaving a hard thud in my chest. I felt my headaches

    intensify. He was before me, ring hard, his breathingbored. In a sh, he reached for me, pinning

    me in his arms, shooting cold res at me.

    "How dare you?" were his words. They held an unmistakable rage. His veins were out.

    I couldn''t speak; I didn''t know exactly what to say. His grip on me tightened, and swiftly I felt my back

    against the cold, unfeeling wall, but Killian''s hold on me was anything but rough.

    "Answer me, She." He growled, frustratingly, his eyes sinking into my soul. Aside from being angry,

    he was frustrated and in pain. But why?

    Shouldn''t he be happy that I helped him get rid of me?

    But I didn''t voice my sentiments.

    I gasped. As his lips hovered on mine, I could feel his heated breath, his scent possessing me while his

    body pressed hard on mine. His eyes darkened with lust and need. I felt a simr emotion shoot

    through my blood. The air around us was charged with an unfamiliar electricity.

    "How dare you try to escape from me!"

    "Why do you care?" I managed to bite out, trying to hold on to my fading sanity. I didn''t want to give in;

    it always ended up with me being miserable and in tears. "I don''t belong to you, Killian. I curse the

    moon goddess for binding me to you."

    His eyes shed red. Suddenly, he smirked. "You are wrong, mate." He drew closer, his gorgeous

    smirk deepening, but I fought myself from giving in. "You do belong to me." Killian''s finger trailed my

    round face. I snatched my face from his burning touch.

    He forcefully grabbed my face, but his hold was light and somewhat gentle in contrast to his res.

    Killian leaned closer, and his lips brushed mine slowly. It caused a gasp to leave my lips. "Your soul

    and your body are all mine."

    His words sent anger into my bones. "Never, Killian, as long as you have a lover, I''ll never be yours,

    and I won''t stop trying till I''m finally out of this hellhole you''ve trapped me in."

    The look in his eyes gave me great satisfaction. I saw a flicker of hurt. I tried sidestepping him, but he

    gripped me, pushing me onto the bed. He was on top of me.

    Swiftly, Killian kissed me, possessively. His tongue was tasting my mouth and his lips were assaulting

    mine.

    I was barely able to keep up with him. The feeling of pleasure exploded within me. I wanted to have my

    hands on his body, but my logical reasoning was kicking against it.

    I forced myself out of this madness. I couldn''t just keep kissing him when he clearly didn''t want me. I

    wouldn''t stoop that low. I shouldn''t.

    I ced a hand on his chest to try and push him away, but he only firmed his kisses. My body was

    bing too hot, and it was getting difficult to breathe.

    My stomach stirred with a fluttering feeling, and suddenly, somewhere between my legs demanded

    attention, Killian''s attention.

    I tried to close my legs, but Killian noticed my action. He positioned his legs between mine, his lips

    never breaking from mine.

    He began to move on me, sensually grinding his hips to mine, his hard member rubbing my clit.

    Fuck, I lost it. I couldn''t stop the moan that escaped my lips, and I found myself subconsciously

    responding to his stimtion, grinding my hips to his.

    "Ah, Killian." Another moan left my lips, and I gripped onto Killian''s shirt.

    He finally released my lips but kept rubbing his hard member on my treasured ce.

    I hated the slow rhythm we were moving at. I wanted all of him inside me.

    "Killian, please, don''t stop." I clutched onto his neck like my life depended on it.

    His lips feasted on my neck, then on my ears. "You belong to me, She. I alone am capable of making

    you feel this way. Your moans and body belong to me."

    I nodded hastily.

    His rhythm picked up at an insane speed that caused my legs to tremble, and the area between my

    legs turned moist.

    "That''s right, baby. You''re all mine." Killian was out of breath as well. He whispered in my ears, pleasing

    my body.

    I felt my nails dive into his flesh as I felt myself explode.

    I was breathing hard, my body in a frenzy, my legs shaking. I felt the wetness that flowed down my legs

    as his movement on me came to a halt. Killian was unmoving, still on me. He pulled his head to mine,

    allowing me to gaze into his eyes. They were beautiful, and they seemed to want me as much as I

    wanted him.

    Immediately, his lips broke into a smirk, pecking my lips. His haughtiness reminded my soul of my rage.

    "Get off of me." My mind was clearer now. I mustered the courage and pushed the idiot off of me.

    He pulled away. "Whatever you say, mate." He was still smirking, infuriating me greatly. "And next time

    you get some crazy idea of escaping, think twice about it."

    He scanned my body once more, before he stormed out of my chamber. I sighed, falling onto the bed. I

    couldn''t believe what just happened between Killian and I. My body was still in a frenzy. I hated Killian

    the more for being able to make me feel this way.

    "I hate you, Killian Reid," I whispered to myself, deep down doubting my own words.

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17

    Chapter 17 Seventeen

    She''s point of view

    The next morning, I was already awake, and the feeling of Killian''s body still lingered on my skin. I still

    couldn''t move past that moment, I hated the inevitable truth that as much as I hated the insane fact that

    Killian affected me, shamelessly, I craved more of his touches.

    I sighed, embarrassed by my thoughts.

    I have been locked in my room since I was led back by that traitor known as Morgan. To be honest, this

    wasn''t what I expected to happen to me when I was caught; normally, it was considered a heinous

    crime for a Luna to flee, abandoning her pack and mate, but thankfully, I wasn''t even locked up in the

    dungeon or severely punished.

    That''s a relief.

    My door knob clicked open, causing me to jump up from bed at light speed. I watched the door open,

    leading me to Ria, my best friend.

    "She," she said, with a streak of concern evident in her voice as her chocte brown eyes

    shimmered.

    "Ria," I called after her, standing up as we met for a long hug.

    "You gave me a huge scare when you went missing; I was afraid something bad happened to you," she

    said as we sat on the edge of my bed.

    "I know, I''m sorry," I apologized to her with a smile.

    "Next time you intend on running away, do me a favor and tell me, then I''ll apany you." She smiled

    widely, as we bothughed. Maybe, but I doubt that I will be running away ever again, since it didn''t

    work out well thest time.

    "How are you? The whole pack went crazy looking for you when you left. Even the Alpha went crazy

    with worry. He was the first to notice your absence," she said, shocking me with thest part of her

    statement.

    Killian was worried about me? And he was the first to notice I was gone. I never would have guessed it.

    He always seemed to not even pay much attention to my existence. And I always imagined that Ria

    would be the first to notice my absence.

    "Killian was worried about me?" I asked, still feeling unsure of what I had just heard.

    "Yes, very much. He didn''t even stop for a second to rest till you were found," she confirmed, making

    me somehow feel happy on the inside that he at least cared and not the opposite.

    "Quick, you need to get ready for breakfast immediately," Ria informed me, leading me and helping me

    get ready and dressed for breakfast.

    After taking a hot bath, I got dressed in a beautiful flowery dress picked out by Ria herself. I was all

    ready and headed for breakfast with Ria when I saw Morgan, seemingly heading to my chamber. He

    had a bright smile, which I responded to with a frown.

    "Good morning, She," he beamed. I replied to him with a hateful re. I was still so mad at him for

    betraying me and even more at him for lying to me and not telling me that he was Killian''s brother, even

    when I ran my mouth like an idiot andmented all my problems to him.

    "Oh, don''t tell me you are still angry at me about what happened yesterday." He said, smiling.

    "I trusted you and you betrayed me, leading me back to your brother. Why didn''t you tell me that you

    and Killian were brothers?" I spoke.

    His betrayal and lies hurt me deeply. I had to admit it. Although he had imed that he did it for my

    good, I still found it so absurd to believe. It would be the same as stabbing me in the back and then

    telling me that it was all for my benefit.

    "I was going to eventually tell you who I was, but if I did, you wouldn''t have wanted anything to do with

    me, and I would have told you if you asked," he said, raising his brow.

    He did have a point, though. I would have wanted to run away from him the second I knew who he truly

    was, and I never really asked about his story. Maybe I was wrong to judge him so harshly. After all, he

    has been nothing but kind to me.

    "So why did you bring me back here?" I asked him, crossing my arms.

    "Don''t worry, you will figure that outter. Are you still mad at me?" He asked, making a puppy dog

    face. He looked really cute right now, making it impossible to be mad at him.

    I said,ughing, "Just don''t do that again, promise?" Morgan ced his hand over his chest, crossing

    it.

    "Cross my heart and hope for a merciful death," he stated as we both burst out inughter.

    "Let''s get going for breakfast, Killian behaves like a grouchy toad towards tardiness."

    Iughed at Morgan''s words, which he used to describe Killian. He was the first I have ever seen that

    wasn''t afraid of saying what he thought about the all-feared Alpha. Even my father was hesitant to

    discuss the Alpha in such terms.

    As we arrived at the dining hall, the servants were busy serving breakfast to Killian and Thea, who sat

    on the seat adjacent to him with a smile.

    Ugh, I hated seeing her scrawny-looking face. Although I hated to admit it, she was far from ugly; she

    was beautiful. Her jet-ck hair was decorated with ornaments, giving highlights to her naturally pale

    face. But all her beauty was sadly infused with bitterness.

    I took a seat opposite Thea, while Morgan was seated beside me.

    "Look who decided to join us for breakfast. If it isn''t the runaway Luna of the Crescent North Pack,"

    Before I could even get a chance to take a bite of my sumptuous breakfast, Thea decided to spew her

    venom on me.

    "You should be ashamed of yourself," Thea added. She seemed pleased with herself and her words.

    "Why should I be? After all, I have done nothing wrong. If anyone in this room should be ashamed, it''s

    you. After all, you are the one that serves as nothing but a ything for Killian, so shut the hell up," I

    retorted at her, getting her to keep quiet for a moment. Damn, she was super annoying.

    "You should watch the way you speak to me!" She eximed, seemingly hurt. I must have hit her

    where it hurt and that gave me lots of ideas.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "What? I was just telling you the truth. You mean nothing more to the pack, so just stop lying to

    yourself. It''s embarrassing," I said, finally taking a bite of my food. If I may add, it tasted good.

    "How dare you say that to me?" She said. She was fuming mad. You could tell by the killer look she

    shot at me. I bet if you looked closely, you could see smoke flying out of her ears.

    "What happened, Thea? Can''t take what you dish?" Morgan let out a chuckle, drinking a sip from his

    cup.

    For once, it felt good to know I wasn''t alone in my fight against Thea. Now I have Morgan.

    "So, you are defending her? I wonder what she must have done to have you speak for her. Tell me, did

    she pleasure you with her body? Such a tramp!" Thea spoke but was stopped by Killian in mid-

    sentence.

    "Enough Thea! All of you keep quiet!" Killian growled, causing Thea to flinch a bit.

    "Don''t you think you''repletely off the hook now that you''ve returned?" Killian turned to me. "You

    are the Luna of the pack; running away is a punishable offense," he added, sending chills down my

    spine the way his gaze took me in.

    My body reacted stupidly to his faze, getting turned on. There was a dark, knowing glint in Killian''s

    eyes. I looked away, my cheeks coloring up.

    "You will be locked up in your room till you learn to behave as a Luna should," he said coldly.

    We ate the rest of our breakfast in silence. I was the first to finish, immediately I was done, I made my

    way to my chamber before being told to.

    ***

    It''s been exactly three days since I have been locked up in my room. I wasn''t allowed by Killian to leave

    my chamber. The onlypanion I had with me was Ria, and she only made time to visit me when she

    was less busy and well, Morgan too. We had gotten quite close during this time. We often met up at

    night so he could train me to be better at fighting. I grew to know a lot about him. He is funny and cool

    to hang out with.

    I haven''t seen Killian all this time, and I''m kind of d too. I couldn''t trust my traitorous body from

    misbehaving.

    Ria had just paid a visit to the Pack''s physician for me. Lately, I have been feeling quite queasy. My

    head has been pounding so hard as if it was about to just pop up and explode.

    It has also been strange how I keep hearing whispers, not even able to make out what they say, but it

    is driving me further to the edge of insanity. I don''t know how much more I could take. I just hoped this

    new medication prescribed to me by the physician would help.

    It was myst hope.

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18

    Chapter 18 Eighteen

    She''s point of view

    I stepped out of the castle into the morning sunrise, its warmth seeping into my body. I was with Brielle,

    waiting for Morgan before joining the others at the stable. Morgan joined us soon enough, and the three

    of us gaited to the stables.

    Many of the pack members were already on their horses. My eyes scanned around and they fell on

    Killian. He was as usual with Thea, helping her on her horse. I wanted to look away before he caught

    me staring, but instantly, his perfect amber eyes met mine.

    Quickly, I looked away.

    Honestly, I''ve been avoiding him, and so has he. But I have grown used to that, especially with

    Morgan''spany. He''s been literally a good friend to me. I wonder why Killian doesn''t get along with

    him.

    That doesn''t surprise me though. Killian never gets along with anybody. The only person he ever

    seems to crack a smile around is that whore. Just at the thought of that, I felt a nagging pain in my

    head. I''ve gotten quite used to the pain already, and the medicine Ria gave me has been helpful; at

    least it releases the pain for some hours, but then the headaches and consistent whispers start again.

    I moved to the horse that had been prepared for me, while Brielle went to her mate, Allen.

    "You need some help?" I turned to Morgan as his voice reached my ears.

    "I''ve got this." I jumped on my horse, and so did Morgan on his.

    Most of the pack members had begun riding west, most of who were ranking old wolves of the pack.

    Killian and his lover were at a distance, riding as well, and I was with Morgan.

    We were going hunting, heading west to the mountains, which were also part of Killian''s territory. I was

    told this was a kind of tradition that had existed for the longest time in the pack.

    "A penny for your thoughts," Morgan voiced beside me, his hair swaying in the air.

    "I really don''t know what I''m doing here; it''s obvious I''m not needed around here," I voiced my thoughts.

    Don''t get me wrong, everyone has been incredulously nice to me, but that''s just it. They held Thea

    delicately in high regard. I really don''t know what I did to deserve this kind of fate.

    "You are the Pack''s Luna and my dumbass brotherˇŻs mate." He said, ticking his brows. It made me

    laugh. Somehow, he always managed to do that. I''ve never seen anyone address the notorious and

    most feared Alpha with those kinds of words. But Morgan didn''t care at all. and it''s slowly rubbing off on

    me.

    Last night, I could barely get enough sleep. Morgan stayed up with me all night, along with Brielle and

    Ria. We chatted for a while, while he continued training me since I''m basically not supposed to do

    anything in the castle. Killian''s own words.

    ***

    We had ridden far into the mountains, towards the forest. Some of the pack members had begun to

    hunt for some forest animals. Killian was with them, and of course, Thea, who just could not keep her

    hands to herself. She was doing it on purpose, to get me riled up, but I chose not to care. Something

    else engulfed my thoughts.

    It came from the thick trees in the forest. I halted my horse, looking around. I couldn''t see anything, but

    I could swear someone, somewhere was watching me. I kept moving, now looking for Morgan, who

    was with Allen when I noticed a ferocious shadow running through the trees.

    I looked up ahead, to a far distant ce where some hunting members were headed. There was no

    sign of Morgan, Allen, or Killian.

    Something in me kicked in, and I navigated my horse, riding in the direction where the shadow skillfully

    raced through.

    I knew I was being a little too reckless, but my chest tightened into a knot. I had a bad feeling.

    I reached far into the direction I saw the shadow disappear. The tall trees formed canopies, impeding

    sunlight from properly peering down.

    The sound of rustling trees drew my attention, so I rode in its direction. Jumping off my horse, silently, I

    followed through the narrowed path, and a figure came into my view.

    Killian.

    "What are you doing alone out here?" He asked, sharply.

    "Why do you care? Aren''t you supposed to be with your lover? " I shot back, and I caught the smile that

    slothfully strolled across his lips.

    "I see someone woke up a little too feisty," He strolled closer to where I stood with my horse. "Jealousy

    doesn''t look good on you, ''mate'' ."

    I hated the way he always quoted that word.

    "Jealous, as if!" I scoffed, taking a cautious step backward before I did something I would definitely

    regret. "You give yourself way too much importance. Frankly, I don''t give an actual fuck about you."

    "Oh, really now," he said as he approached. The light breeze around now carries his manly scent and

    musk.

    "Go back to your lover now. I need to get back to ˇŞ "

    "Morgan?" His eyes shed something I never thought I''d see in him. Jealousy. "Stay away from him,"

    he sounded in a warning tone.

    "Why? Is it because he''s much better than you?" I folded my hands across my chest. I felt Killian''s

    amber irises dte, falling to my chest. I followed his gaze to my chest, where my folded hands made

    my breasts pop up.

    I quickly removed my hands. Killian''s eyes had already darkened. Emotions swirled up in his eyes, a

    mixture of jealousy and primal lust.

    He just stood there for a moment, taking me in, his eyes slowly scanning my body from head to toe.

    Killian was in front of me. My body trembled under his hungry gaze. "These lips of yours will get you

    into trouble." Killian''s padded thumb brushed my lips seductively.

    "You are driving me insane." His voice vibrated in a deep, throaty whisper.

    He grabbed my waist with his hand, digging me into his chest, then his lips came down on mine.

    My body shook uncontrobly at the emotions of having Killian''s lips on mine. He backed me up

    against a tree, his lips kissing me with a needy hunger like I was the very lifeline he needed, his own air

    and life.

    When I felt his erection pressed up against me, I gasped breathlessly. Killian used the opportunity to

    stick his tongue down my throat, sucking and tasting me.

    Killian''s lips moved on mine without control, like a man who was hungry for me only. His breathing was

    hard and rapid.

    I couldn''t keep up with him. I had to pull away from his kisses to allow myself some air. To my surprise,

    Killian didn''t stop there. His firm hands held my body, pinning me against the tree while my legs

    wrapped around his waist.

    He bent his head to my neck, his nose grazing my neck, leaving a trail of hot, feathery kisses as my

    body vibrated against him. All sanitypletely absconds from me. I gripped his shirt, subtle moans

    protruding from my lips in an alien voice that I couldn''t remember as mine.

    "Fuck, love," I heard him murmur frustratedly against my neck, as a hot sensation burned in the pit of

    my stomach, making me all warm and wet inside and needy for him.

    Killian''s hold on me tightened. I couldn''t think clearly anymore. I abandoned that ship a long time ago. I

    just needed Killian, only Killian. I wanted him, and I didn''t care if he took me in right here and now. I

    could bet he could smell my arousal already, and I didn''t care. I felt like if he didn''t touch me now, I

    might just die.

    His dark eyes, blinded with desire and need, scanned my face. His lustful gaze increased the wetness

    between my legs. The ache down there was too much to bear. Before I knew it, his hands gripped both

    of my breasts roughly, squeezing them, causing me to release several moans while I tugged on his

    thick blonde hair.

    I heard a selfish groan leave his lungs. Without warning, Killian''srge hand gripped the top of my

    dress, and in a sh, he pulled it down, leaving my bare chest exposed. His hungry eyes pounced on

    my exposed breast. My body jolted in response to his hands caressing it.

    "You''re beautiful, She." His words filtered into my ears as his lips nibbled on it briefly while his hands

    kept on caressing my hard nipples.

    Hearing my alien moans, Killian pulled his attention back to my breasts. He bent down, and his warm

    mouth swallowed one of my nipples and began to suckle on it. I released a sensual cry, my body

    trembling against his.

    "Killian," I say breathlessly and in hushed tones. My hands on his hair were tightening, and I pushed his

    head tighter against my breast.

    Killian''s pressure on my breast intensified. He gripped the other one, squeezing it and caressing its

    hardened nipple. His tongue crossed over to it.

    I moaned into his ears, rubbing my lower half against his hardened member.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    This time he was the one that moaned, moaned my name in so much pleasure. "She," his lips

    leaving my breast and finding my lips again, while his hands kept squeezing my breasts when the cry

    of a twig stepped upon broke the moment.

    Killian instantly released a loud growl, furiously snapping his head in the direction where the noise

    came from. It was Allen. My eyes rounded, and my cheeks colored up with embarrassment as I began

    to fix my dress. Killian growled at Allen, covering me with hisrge body. "Get the fuck out of here!"

    That growl should have frightened anyone, but Allen seemed more surprised and amused than

    terrified.

    With a sarcastic, ''Whatever you say'' look, he went back along the path he came from.

    Killian turned his gaze on me. I didn''t want to, but now that my sanity seemed to have returned, I

    pushed him away, but he barely budged.

    The dark desires were still present in his eyes as hisrge thumb brushed against my lips as if

    seducing me back into a blissful utopia.

    "K-Killian stop!" My words were meant to escape, to have more control than the careless whisper they

    seemed to have adopted. "Stop. Go back to your lover!"

    At the mention of thest word, he froze, almost as if remembering something from the moment had

    ripped away from him.

    Like a dash of icy water had been poured on him, Killian pulled away from me. I couldn''t stop the sh

    of hurt that was eager to stalk my blue eyes. He saw it, the damned idiot saw it, but his cold gaze only

    intensified.

    I looked away before I cried stupidly in front of him, roving back to my horse.

    "Don''t wander too deep. The forest isn''t safe," he said, heading in the direction where Allen

    disappeared.

    "Like you give a fuck about me," That was meant for my thoughts, but my lips ranted on, forcing Killian

    to cast an expressionless stare my way beforepletely vanishing out of sight.

    I was left there for a full minute, trying my hardest not to cry. I was about to jump on my horse when I

    heard sharp movements against the tree.

    It was the figure I had been following. A male, wearing ck clothing.

    I followed him. I couldn''t see his face; it was covered with a piece of woolen fabric.

    Before my eyes, he bent to pick up a bow and pulled an arrow from behind. His hands held a crossbow

    and an arrow that had been fixed properly for a shot.

    As I moved closer, he released the arrow in the bow, picking up another arrow that was on the ground.

    Who the hell was he?

    He wasn''t dressed like any of the warriors or the pack members that came hunting.

    Suddenly, an unknown fear kicked against my chest. Killian. Somehow I became terrified, carelessly

    stepping on a twig, which sent the man''s gaze my way.

    Only his eyes were visible to me, but he seemed pissed, heading my way. I took cautious steps

    backward, but before I could make a run, he gripped me, dropping his arrow and bow to the ground.

    Instantly, I reached for the dagger in my boots, diving it into the man''s stomach. He was bleeding from

    his body, but unfortunately, my injury to him didn''t do anything to him. Instead, it made him angrier. He

    held me by the neck, as I held on to his clothes. It was then I saw the crescent mark on his wrist.

    He wasn''t an intruder, he belonged to our pack. He tossed me harshly against the ground. His nails

    elongated as he lunged at me to kill.

    Suddenly, a figure jumped out from the trees before my soon-to-be killer managed to reach me,

    standing between my killer and myself. He had his face covered as well, but when he nced my way,

    his striking deep hazel eyes met mine.

    I could never forget those gazes. It was the man from the Luna coronation. Kaiser ck. The one

    Killian seemed to hate.

    His eyes moved from mine to the other man, and he growled, seeming very pissed. Kaiser lunged at

    the other man, and the man was tossed away, bleeding from his chest, but instead of charging at

    Kaiser, he ran away.

    Kaiser turned to me, about to reach for me, but suddenly the sounds of hasty steps approaching were

    heard. He nced my way, his eyes conflicted over whether to move towards me or run away.

    With a nce and another frustrated growl, Kaiser scurried into the forest, leaving me rooted on the

    ground.

    Soon, Killian and some of the pack''s members rushed from the trees into my view.

    The skin on Killian''s forehead trembled, confusedly, as his cold eyes glowered down at me in disbelief.

    In no time, the pack''s warriors surrounded me. My eyes shot around confusedly. The head warrior of

    the pack, and Killian''s best friend, Mason, ambled to me, as I forced my legs to stand.

    He picked up the crossbow and arrow that the other man had dropped beside me. Mason''s raging eyes

    held mine deathly, before trailing to Killian.

    "It''s the same. She''s the one that tried to murder the Alpha and Thea."

    My eyes widened. I turned to find Killian''s cold, undecipherable stare on me.

    Fuck, this is bad.

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19

    Chapter 19 Neen

    She''s point of view

    This is really bad.

    Killian''s angry eyes were on me, showing nothing but hate and utter disbelief.

    I watched in confusion and horror as Mason approached Killian with the crossbow and arrow.

    Killian''s unfeeling eyes were on me again, after he inspected the arrow with the one in his hands.

    "It''s poisoned," he said, with hooded eyes.

    "And those don''t belong to me. It belongs to someone else. A man. He had his face covered, so I

    couldn''t see his face properly. I walked in on him while he was shooting thisˇŞ" I dragged on, my

    heartbeat skyrocketing when I noticed the incredulous look everyone seemed to be throwing my way.

    They couldn''t possibly think I would really murder Killian, right? I mean, with Thea, that might have

    been a possibility, but with Killian, I would never.

    "Even though I couldn''t see the face of whoever shot that, he had the crescent mark on his wrist," I

    finished, but Killian''s cold gaze was filled with a rotten re.

    His fine lips pressed against each other angrily. "So, now you say, one of my own tried to murder me?"

    His words came slowly.

    I nodded, still noticing the incredulous looks everyone threw at me.

    The air became quiet. Killian and I gazed hard at each other. There was a defined look of pain in his

    eyes that killed me.

    A ranking pack member stalked forward. "It''s obvious that''s a lie. All I see is a resentful Luna who

    despised her mate so much that she tried to murder him. That''s regarded as treason, and she must be

    punished."

    I froze, shaking my head, denying all the allegations against me. I needed Killian to believe me, even

    when no one did. He should believe me.

    "Killian I would neverˇŞ"I moved closer to him, but the warriors drew in closer, preventing me from

    reaching my mate.

    "That isn''t mine, there was another person." I began, my voice shattering every second as I realized

    how serious things were getting.

    "Why would you do something like that? I do understand that you hate me, but murdering your own

    mate is beyond forgiveness." Thea moved to Killian''s side. I hadn''t even noticed her until she spoke.

    She was clutching her right hand, which was bleeding. "What if Killian was hurt instead? Have you no

    regard for your people?"

    I balled my hands at her words. She was only saying stupid things to make me look more guilty. If it

    was another time, I would have answered her back, but now wasn''t the time.

    "This is treason, an attempt on the Alpha''s and Thea''s life. If something happened to any of them, it''d

    be the end for everyone in the Crescent North Pack. " One of the pack''s ranking wolves spoke, while

    the others concurred in an uproar. They were all furious, sending wicked res at me.

    "I would never try to harm my own mate. Someone else was here. He had his face covered." I silenced

    their uproar, my gaze never leaving Killian. "I''m falsely used." I needed him to know that I could

    never hurt him, let alone attempt to murder him. But the look on his face told me he didn''t believe me.

    "Killian, I swear I didn''t¨C" I couldn''t help the tears that had begun to form in my eyes.

    Thea stepped forward. "Stop lying, you want me dead. You also want Killian dead."

    Gosh. I wanted nothing more than to send a p across her face. She should just shut the hell up.

    "Enough!" At Killian''s voice, everyone went quiet.

    "What do we do, Alpha?" one of the ranking members asked, all eyes falling on Killian.

    "That question is irrelevant. An attempt on the alpha''s life is punishable by death regardless of who

    committed the crime. She should be executed immediately! " Another one shouted. It was

    heartbreaking how they all seemed to want me dead.

    By now, tears had begun to stream down my eyes, as I connected my gaze to Killian''s.

    "Alpha?" Allen stepped closer to Killian, whose gaze held mine unmovingly.

    "Take her!" came Killian''s words. "To the dungeon, she will be punished for her crimes."

    I could barely believe the words as they left Killian''s lips. He turned his back on me, leaving with Thea

    in his arms. The other pack members seemed displeased at his words, but they nodded, staring at me

    with angry eyes.

    Mason gestured to some warriors, and they grabbed me. I didn''t even bother fighting.

    I was taken to the familiar Pack''s dungeon and tossed inside like I was amon criminal.

    The tears that welled up in my eyes began to fall carelessly. The look in Killian''s eyes hurt me even

    more than hisck of trust in me. I know he didn''t care about me, but I was still his mate. How could he

    possibly believe that I was capable of harming him in any way?

    The hurtful look in Killian''s eyes haunted my thoughts, causing me to shed more tears. I didn''t know

    how long I had been down here, but it felt like forever.

    The door creaked open. Allen and two warriors appeared. One of the warriors, I recognized as Rowan,

    stepped in.

    I pulled my teary eyes up to meet Allen''s gaze. He didn''t say anything to me, but I knew they all

    believed I tried to murder my own mate.

    "Take Luna out!" Allen sounded.

    Rowan and the other warrior moved to my side, but before they reached for my arm, I was up on my

    two legs, shaking.

    "W-Where are you taking me to?" I could tell my voice held my fear. An attempt on the life of an Alpha

    is considered treason, and the penalty is instant death. I wanted to know my fate.

    Allen stopped moving. He turned to meet my gaze.

    "What is going to happen to me?" I asked as a tear rolled from my eyes.

    "I am sorry, I do not know. Alpha Killian hasn''t made a decision on that yet. He turned to the warriors,

    "Take her."

    I was led out of the dungeon with both warriors on my side. We were almost at the entrance that led out

    of the dungeon when Killian''s huge figure approached us.

    Everyone stiffened, bowing to him. His dark eyes were solely on me, scorching my very soul.

    "Leave us!" He ordered, his tone cold and his gaze lifeless. Allen, Rowan, and the other warrior exited

    from where Killian came from, leaving just my mate and me.

    I pressed my lips to speak, but Killian moved faster. His hands gripped my shoulder, pressing me

    against the wall. It was a firm yet gentle hold on my body. His face inches closer to mine, his eyes

    peering right into my soul as if wanting to pry the answers from my very soul.

    I watched him with teary eyes. "Killian, please believe me. I wasn''t the one who shot at you."

    He seemed to be studying me carefully. "Then who did?" He asked in a hushed whisper. Even though

    his lips were inches away from mine, I clung to my sanity. I need it now more than ever.

    "There was another man. He had the mark of ˇŞ-"

    He cut me off roughly. "Enough with that lie. There''s no way one of my own would try to take my life

    knowing they''d meet the same fate as me if something bad happened." Killian wasn''t yelling, but his

    words held rage and irrefutable frustration.

    The same frustration that began to eat through me. This wasn''t the first time I heard a repeat of Killian''s

    words. A ranking member uttered simr words as well. How would everyone suffer the same fate if

    something were to happen to Killian? And how is Thea involved in all of this?

    Killian must have noticed I zoned out on him. Hisrge thumb pulled my face to him.

    "Tell me the truth now. Why on earth, She? Why would you even think of murdering me?" I saw the

    pain and rage that shed in his eyes. But I wasn''t liking my situation anymore than he was.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Anyone who dared attempt what you did would have had his head ripped out the second he was

    caught. Why did you have to put me in such a situation to choose between you and... " He paused, his

    broken stare holding mine. I waited for his words, but nothing came. Only a careless sigh escaped his

    lungs.

    "Why do you think I tried to murder you? Yes, I despise you and that whore, but believe me, I''m

    incapable of murdering, especially my own mate. Killian, I swear I didn''t do it. " I began sobbing.

    "Someone else was there. I didn''t see his face, but he was the one that shot that arrow."

    "How on earth do you expect me to believe you? I didn''t see any other person there."

    "You have to. Because he had the Crescent mark on his wrist, he was a member of this pack," I

    repeated my words, sincerely praying to the moon goddess that he believed me.

    I couldn''t tell the meaning of the look he held. But Killian kept staring at me, then slowly shook his

    head, releasing me from his hold.

    "For your actions, She Caso, you will be confined in your room until the Pack''s court and Ie to

    a decision on what to do with you."

    With onest nce, he left me. Allen and the warriors returned and led me back to my chamber. I

    await my fate.

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20

    Chapter 20 Twenty

    She''s point of view

    I was left alone in my chamber, crippling to the floor. The door suddenly clicked open, I lifted my head

    up to find Morgan at the door. The tears that I had imprisoned rushed out forcefully, before I could stop

    myself, I was up on my feet racing to him. Instantly falling into his arms.

    Morgan engulfed me, his hands holding me firmly, as more tears escaped my eyes.

    When I got much control of my emotions, my blue eyes pulled to meet him.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "I really didn''t do itˇ­" I counted my words, hoping someone at least believes me.

    Morgan remained silent, his silence shattering my heart. He was the only one I had hope in.

    Quietly, he led me to my bed. I was seated and Morgan crouched before me. His bright emerald green

    irises were indecipherable just like his brother.

    Morgan picked my trembling hands in his, holding my stare seriously. "Tell me everything that

    happened," he said, pausing. "Every single detail She."

    I held onto his hands like I was holding on to my life. I really needed someone to believe my words.

    Otherwise, there will be no way to prove my innocence. I couldn''t send a word to my father, he hasn''t

    even visited me since he deliberately handed me out to his enemy.

    I sucked in my tears. Slowly, I narrated everything to Morgan, not leaving out any details.

    As soon as I was done, Morgan was up, pacing back and forth. I had no idea what was running through

    his mind.

    After a minute of silence, I asked him. "Please Morgan, tell me you at least believe me."

    He could see the brokenness of my voice. He stopped moving. His eyes pierced deep into my soul,

    before sighing. "Of course, I do believe you."

    A sigh of relief gushed from my lips. I couldn''t stop myself from running into his arms again.

    Morgan pulled me back to the bed. He crouched again before me, taking hold of my hands. "But the

    situation is very serious, the court is demanding you get punished for what you did ˇŞ-"

    I cut him off, sharply. "What do they think I did?"

    Morgan nodded. "They want you to get the punishment for your actions for attempting to murder Killian

    and Thea. And you know what the punishment will be."

    "Death," I replied, burying my hands in my silky brown hair.

    Did Killian also want that? Does he really want me dead as well?

    "They are all furious, mostly because if anything had happened to either Killian or Thea then all of us

    would suffer the same fate," He said calmly, but I couldn''t understand what he was saying. I''ve heard

    this for the third time today.

    "Suffer the same fate? What do you mean?" I asked.

    Morgan looked taken aback by my question. He averted my gaze and was up on his feet, resuming

    stalking the floors.

    "That''s not important right now. We need to get you out of this mess."

    He was right. Getting me out of this mess was more important than anything else. My life was on the

    line.

    "Did you recognize the person that helped you?" Morgan asked, and I fell silent.

    I hadn''t mentioned Kaiser ck was the one who saved me. I wasn''t sure how Killian would take it, I

    didn''t want toplicate my situation any further.

    "Do you know who saved you?" Morgan probed, now sensing I was hiding something. He gave me that

    ''tell me the whole truth look''.

    I groaned, rubbing my palm against my face. "I do know him," I confessed. "More like I''ve seen him

    before. He attended the Luna ceremony the Council held."

    Morgan sighed. "Then that''s good. He could stand in favor of you in the court."

    That would have been possible if Killian didn''t hate him. I still remember Killian''s outburst that night.

    This will onlyplicate my case. I knew it.

    "I don''t think that''ll be possible." I scanned Morgan''s lost face.

    "Why?"

    "He isn''t exactly Killian''s favorite person. In fact, from what I saw, they despise each other." I was still

    scanning Morgan''s face. He moved closer, now curious.

    "Who is he?" He prodded.

    I sighed. "It''s Kaiser ck."

    Morgan froze,pletely speechless. He couldn''t even mask his emotions. What was it about the

    cks that had everyone like this?

    "Kai ckˇ­?" Morgan resounded his name like his ears had heard wrong. At least it wasn''t as

    venomous as Killian would.

    I nodded.

    "Why would he be in our very own territory?" Morgan asked.

    I shook my head. Though deep down I was d he was there, otherwise I would have been dead.

    Morgan seemed lost in thoughts, or maybe the name had reminded him of something else. I really

    couldn''t tell.

    "Why would Kaiser help you?" He asked, again in disbelief.

    "I don''t know. But the fact is he saved my life," I pointed out what we should be grateful for. I had no

    idea what the animosity seemed to be between these people, but Kaiser didn''t seem like an awful

    person. On the contrary, he was the opposite. I didn''t know him well, but I can just feel he''s not as awful

    as everyone thinks.

    "That won''t work. Killian would rather first rip his heart out, and then yours, before listening to anything

    we have to say." Morgan pressed his lips together in a lip tight smile, but one could see he wasn''t

    exaggerating with his words. It made me recoil.

    "What do we do now?" I asked, watching thest hope I had faltered before me.

    Morgan sighed, rubbing his chin. "I have an idea, but I can''t promise it''ll work."

    He didn''t seem confident in his own words and that gave me less hope.

    He came to me, "Trust me, we will get you out of this. I didn''t bring you back here to just die." He gave

    my shoulder a small squeeze, leaving me alone in the space of my chamber.

    I was alone for some while before Brielle and Ria came into my chamber. I was surprised they came to

    check up on me, considering everyone in the pack hates me now.

    I exined everything to them, and thankfully, they believed me. If Morgan, Brielle, and Ria could,

    believe me, I just can''t understand why my mate couldn''t do the same. It hurt more than a dagger in my

    chest.

    ***

    Third person''s point of view.

    There was a rush of heavy steps into the ck Blood''s Packhouse. Lanky long legs made their way to

    the dining hall where Alpha Leonardo was having breakfast.

    "Alpha," The man whispered, bowing his head down with respect.

    Leonardo''s gaze shot up to meet his, sensing the urgency in the man''s tone. He knew it wouldn''t be

    something he liked.

    "What is it?" He asked, dropping the silver cup on the table.

    "News from the Crescent North Pack, it''s urgent." Leonardo''s blue eyes darkened, and he could feel

    his blood turn dreadfully cold. The man was one of the few spies he had watching the Crescent North

    Pack.

    The man approached him, bending over to his ears, and making a few whispers. With every word that

    left the man''s lips, Leonardo''s eyes went even darker with fear.

    "What?" He was up on his feet, and before he could form a word, his brother, Kaiser ck came

    bursting through the giant doors, his body almost aze with rage.

    Kaiser rushed to Leonardo''s side, and quickly the man was excused from their midst.

    "You''ve heard, haven''t you?" Kaiser''s voice was sharp and angered, while Leonardo cautiously

    inspected the odd-looking clothes he had on. He didn''t need to guess anything at all.

    "You went there again?" The words flew from Leonardo''s lips.

    "Brother, this isn''t the time for that. She was taken like some kind of criminal to the dungeon." Kaiser''s

    veins popped out in rage. "She has suffered enough. We need to get her out of that ce, now!" He

    has always been the hot-blooded one of them. His actions didn''t surprise Leonardo at all, when it came

    to Killian''s mate, both of them always lost their calm.

    "She is safer there, than here with us. Have you forgotten what happened thest time?" Leonardo

    said, he hated always remembering that night. The night that changed everyone''s life.

    Kaiser was motionless for a second, even though he barely spoke about it, Leonardo knew that night

    always haunted him. The night he watched their mother get murdered before his eyes, and she was

    taken and never found. "She isn''t safe there. The other time she fled from that ce. She is being

    bloody framed, and you know what that means. She isn''t even happy there. We can protect her. This

    time will be different."

    "The Dark Circle is back," Leonardo muttered slowly, his words causing Kaiser to be still.

    Kaiser''s eyes holding disbelief.

    "Yes. It''s true. They are back," Leonardo spoke again.

    "Are they aware that she''s ˇŞ"

    "No," Leonardo said, "I don''t think so, otherwise they would have attacked Killian''s pack again to get

    her."

    "More than ever, she needs to be with us. Here, where she belongs," KaiserˇŻs rage was back.

    "No, more than ever, her true identity needs to stay hidden. There''s a stir among the Council.

    Something is happening, something they are not saying. Now isn''t the time to act irrational and put her

    in careless danger."

    Frustratingly, Kaiser rubbed his face. "What do we do now? They could have her killed."

    "They won''t. She is Killian''s mate for crying out loud," Leonardo said.

    "And he is a god-damned bastard. Believe me, he doesn''t care one bit about her!" The rage in Kaiser

    intensifies. "Valerie." At the mention of the name, Leonardo''s blue eyes fell on his brother. "We should

    tell her, she could be of help to her in that pack."

    "No. She also can''t be trusted," Leonardo shot sharply.

    "But she''s a witch from the Crystal Fortress."

    "And yet, she''s at Killian''s side," Leonardo snapped angrily. He sighed, running his finger through his

    hair, frustratedly, before standing from his seat.

    He roved closer to where his brother stood. "We will help her, without involving Valerie, or anyone else,"

    He ced a hand on Kaiser''s arm. "And when the time is right, we''ll bring our sister back home,

    brother. I promise." He assured him.

    Kaiser shut his eyes closed, deep down hoping it wouldn''t be toote.

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21

    Chapter 21 Twenty One

    Killian''s point of view

    I just couldn''t sit still. Ryker wasshing within me, wanting to be set free, wanting to be with our mate.

    But I just couldn''t let it go. Now is the worst time for that. The dark pain in my chest kept on intensifying.

    I groaned in frustration, thrashing everything that stood on my table.

    My mind couldn''t take any of this. My rough hands were tugging at my hair tightly as I shut my eyes

    tightly. Everything is aplete mess right now. Every second of thosest hours yed over and over

    again in my head. And I felt constant pain in my chest. She was in serious trouble.

    Why on earth did it have to be her?

    The same question that had lingered in my thoughts echoed again.

    I would be lying if I said I didn''t believe her. Hell, I believed everything she said. But the court couldn''t.

    Somehow, they thought only the worst of her, and being Lucius Caso''s daughter didn''t help her case.

    She could be anything but a murderer. That was something those beautiful, yet broken eyes of hers

    didn''t have. She was incapable of murdering someone, especially me. I knew it. But the situation wasn''t

    as simple as that. The Pack''s court is involved in this as well. They all want her life for a crime they

    think shemitted. I can''t possibly let that happen.

    Honestly, I couldn''t me them. If it was another person caught instead, their heads would have been

    detached from their bodies right there and then without any deliberation at all. But this was She. My

    own mate. As heartless as I can be, I would never kill her with my own hands. Never.

    I swallowed a hard lump that stood in my throat just at the thought of killing my own mate. A familiar

    pain with a flush of anger found me as I was reminded of my father, the ruthless man who didn''t even

    bat an eye before killing his own mate, my mother with his bare hands.

    The vile monster who was responsible for the problems the pack and I were going through right now.

    The despicable man who was the cause of so many problems that I haven''t even rectified yet. Many of

    them featured the Dark Circle. But now wasn''t the time for that. Saving She was my utmost priority.

    But frankly, my hands were tied.

    The Pack''s court is furious. I could understand their rage. If something had really happened to me or

    Thea today, all of them would have suffered the same fate, ending up dead. That was one of the effects

    of the curse my father ced on us. The lives of every member of the pack were tied to mine. If I die,

    then so do they. If something terrible happens to Thea, then we are stuck with this curse for the rest of

    our lives.

    The Crescent Moon is only a few months away. Until then, Thea and I need to be kept alive. The only

    way the curse needs to be broken is on the Crescent Moon. That was the only chance we got to break

    the curse, since the power of the crescent moon was the nature of the magic that was used to ce

    the curse on us. And thankfully, Valerie is on our side. She''s helping us create the spell that will be

    needed to break the curse, and her coven will be in charge of the rite.

    Truthfully, at first, I never expected her to help us this much. Not after everything my father has done to

    the Crystal Fortress witches. That was another of his many mistakes I was forced to rectify. My father

    never belonged to the Council at first; he was a member of the Dark Circle. He was like them in every

    aspect. Dark and evil.

    He, along with several members of the Dark Circle, was responsible for the attack on the Crystal

    Fortress fourteen years ago, which led to the deaths of many witches from the Crystal Fortress. It was

    horrible. Many witches lost their lives in the Dark Circle''s search for the white wolf whose name was

    inscribed in the prophecy. They were also responsible for everything that happened to the ck family.

    A fury stalked my veins at the thought of that.

    Just then, the door pulled open, and Morgan strutted in. Great, just thest person I wanted to see.

    His eyeszily scanned the mess I made on the floor before stealing his gaze on mine.

    "What do you want, Morgan?" I asked, not meeting his gaze, searching through the papers on my

    table.

    "She''s innocent," he said calmly, and his words forced me to gaze up at him. "And you know that very

    well," he added, leaning his huge frame against the wall.

    I fought the growl Ryker had released in my mind from escaping my lips. I hated the way he counted

    his words. I hated whatever seemed to be going on between She and him. But I bottled up my

    emotions.

    "That is not what the evidence against her says," I said, admonishing his green irises. Unfortunately,

    even though Morgan and I believed her, there was nothing to prove her innocence. Nothing that

    wouldn''t seem like I was favoring her because she''s my mate. And if everything she said about one of

    my own being the one who shot the arrow is true, then there''s an enemy very close to us. Taking her

    side will only mean she truly means a whole lot to me, putting her at risk of being in danger.

    "I don''t give a damn about that evidence. She says someone else was there, and I believe her."

    Morgan shot up angrily, and the manner in which he defended her made me growl angrily. I was d

    someone else at least believed her, but I hated the overprotective manner in which he held her.

    Morgan ignored my growl. "She said someone having our crescent mark tried to murder both you and

    Thea, and that''s the truth."

    "The court doesn''t believe that one of our own would want to jeopardize everyone''s lives by killing me,

    especially knowing what''s at stake," My voice could be heard through the corner walls.

    "But that''s the truth," Morgan said, leaning against the table.

    "Do you know what that ''truth'' means?" I asked, but Morgan''s green eyes pierced through my soul

    without saying a word.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "It means someone nted that traitor in our midst, and they know about the curse. They know about

    our weaknesses, and that puts all of us in danger."

    "Then let''s find that person and prove She''s innocence. We could also find out who nted the traitor

    in our pack." Morgan said, and I brushed my brows, gazing up at him.

    "They must have covered their tracks already, and there''s no witness or evidence that proves she''s

    innocent."

    "You can''t let the court have her executed."

    "What on earth do you think I''ve been doing, Morgan?" I couldn''t stop my angry outburst. "You know

    how dire this situation is. Their anger is understood. Everyone is terrified of what would have happened

    if something had happened to Thea or me."

    Morgan fell silent. very quiet. We both did, inhaling deeply.

    I held my gaze at him. "I wish I could save her as well, but it''splicated," I told him honestly. "They

    are all waiting for my decision," I said in a murmur.

    Everyone is waiting for my decision to have her executed. But I can''t do that. I can''t see myself making

    that decision. Even Ryker growled in my head. He was against it as well. He would rather I choose her

    over everyone else. But that would be selfish on my part.

    "You are right. It''ll cause an uproar within the court if you make this any more personal. I just need you

    to stall the whole process as much as possible while I find a way out of this." Morgan finally said, and I

    curled my brow.

    "And how do you n on doing that?" I queried, looking him straight in the eye.

    He held my gaze tightly before sighing. "I have no idea, but I can''t let her get framed for something she

    didn''t do. It''s unfair, especially when everyone seems to be against her. And that includes her mate.

    She''s suffered enough."

    His words struck me. I despised it all, but he was correct: She had already been through enough.

    When I found out she was not with a wolf, I was shocked to the bones. It was unbelievable. So, I had

    someone look into her past at the Silver Mist Pack, and surprisingly, there wasn''t much they could find.

    She had lived most of her life locked up in the packhouse. It had hurt me even more because that was

    exactly what I was doing to her.

    Morgan''s intense stare pulled me out of my thoughts.

    "Fine. I can''t do much, but whatever you need to help her with, let me know. Also, Allen and Mason can

    help as well. I trust them."

    He nodded, understandably. Before leaving my office, I leaned into my chair, rubbing my palm against

    my face. I really hope we can save her.

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22

    Chapter 22 Twenty Two

    She''s point of view

    I have been in my chamber for a day now. Ria and Brielle kept updating me on everything that was

    happening in the court. So far, no decision has been made. That was good to know, but so far there''s

    been no way of proving my innocence. No way at all. And as the seconds ticked by, I couldn''t help

    getting nervous.

    There was a quick knock on the door, I sent my eyes up and Brielle stepped in. She held an uneasy

    look on her face, which only scared me more. "It''s time." She said, and I pulled up from the bed,

    ttening my dress. "Everyone has gathered at the court already."

    I took in sharp breaths. I have been called upon by the Pack''s court for my trial. Brielle told me that

    Killian had insisted on it. For someone who didn''t believe me, I was still grateful to him. It gave us some

    time to find the person who those weapons belonged to.

    I followed Brielle out of my room to the castle court. It was full with every ranking wolf in the Crescent

    North Pack present, every one of them seated around the big circle table, while some were scattered

    around.

    And at the center of the table was my mate, Killian Reid, staring intensely at me. And beside him was

    Thea. Rage bathed through me. Why on earth was she here? She was neither a ranking wolf nor a

    member of the court.

    But I had to keep my mouth shut and muffle my rage; I even had to mask the agony that washed over

    me at the hateful stares that everyone hurled at me.

    "It looks like everyone is here now," Killian said to everyone present in the court. His eyes scanned

    over the faces of everyone in the court before finallynding on me. "We are gathered here today to

    bear witness to the trial of She Caso, Luna of the Crescent North Pack," his domineering voice

    filled the court, and I shivered at the cold that suddenly encamped on the court, feasting on my skin.

    "She stands used of attempting murder on the lives of the Alpha and Thea by the use of

    poisonous arrows," Killian continued. "In doing so, she has endangered the lives of one of our fellow

    pack members and myself as well."

    A cold sweat formed at the back of my neck as I discreetly scanned my eyes around, trying to see if

    Morgan was around. But he wasn''t there; it appeared he hadn''t returned yet. I became nervous as

    every second ticked by.

    "Do you swear on the goddess'' name that you will tell the truth in the course of this trial?" Killian asked,

    holding my gaze without a single emotion in his depths.

    I nodded, assuringly. I have been telling the truth all along. If only someone would believe me.

    "I do", I replied loudly. I looked him dead in the eyes, and then my gaze shifted to a smiling Thea. She

    must be having a st.

    She was trying to bother me, but keeping my life was more important than my fury.

    "And how do you plead?" Killian asked, all stares held in disdain, and fury burned through my skin as

    they awaited my response.

    I said again in the court, "Not guilty." My voice rang loudly.

    A raging murmur of curses filled the air around us. I kept a straight face, ignoring the hushed voices.

    Surely, they hadn''t actually expected me to plead guilty to such a tant crime?

    Killian nodded. "Very well," Killian said as he leaned forward. "We will begin the trial," Killian added. I

    inhaled deeply, knowing this would be a lot worse than I expected.

    I swallowed hard, my throat now feeling so dry.

    And with that, the trial began.

    I was interrogated by one of the ranked pack members. I was asked over and over again about what

    happened at the scene, and my words didn''t change.

    "I saw a figure rushing through the forest. It was a male. He was wearing ck clothing and had his

    face covered. I followed him, and that''s when I saw him behind the trees with the bow and the poisoned

    arrows. I didn''t even know what he was doing there or who those arrows were meant for. I tried to run

    away, but he caught me. He gripped my neck. As you can see, his w marks haven''t healed yet." I

    touched my neck.

    "Do we look like fools to you? You could possibly have arranged that yourself," one of the ranked

    members spoke.

    "I could, but I''m unable to. As most of you know already, I am without a wolf." I was shocked to see

    their surprised gazes. They had no idea about that. My gaze shot up to Killian''s unreadable ones. Even

    though a few of the members of the pack were aware of this, he hadn''t told the court about it.

    My revtion caused another murmur. But Killian silenced it before it got out of hand.

    "During my struggle with him, I saw the mark of the crescent on his wrist. That''s why I am certain that

    he is a member of this pack." I said again, even though my words had no proof.

    "Your im is outrageous andcks evidence." I knew that as well. I shut my eyes, praying to the

    goddess Morgan was having better luck than I was.

    I said, "I was almost killed, but someone saved me and attacked whoever owned those poisoned

    arrows."

    "Can you identify who your supposed helper was?" Someone in the court asked.

    Killian''s piercing eyes scanned mine. Silently, I shook my head negatively. For some reason, Morgan

    insisted I said nothing about Kaiser ck to the court.

    They all gave me incredulous looks. The trial continued a little longer, and I kept answering whatever

    questions they had.

    Soon, the trial ended, and my words still didn''t seem to change anyone''s thoughts. They all still believe

    I did it.

    I was dismissed and ordered back to my room while the court deliberated on my fate.

    Brielle took me back to my room. I was relieved to find Morgan waiting for me there. I rushed to him,

    expectantly.

    "Morgan? Did you find anything?" I asked. But the look on his face told me he didn''t. Morgan had gone

    back to the scene where I had caught the masked man in hopes of finding something that we could

    trace back to him or prove someone else was there with me. But unfortunately, there was nothing. Not

    even the tiniest evidence to prove someone was there with me. I sighed, feeling pain all over my body

    from the crash against the tree when the masked man almost imed my life.

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    At the thought, I shot up from my bed. Brielle jerked, following my action. "Do you remember

    something?" She asked, while Morgan prating green eyes tightened on me.

    "I had stabbed him with my dagger. Did you find the dagger in the forest?" I turned to Morgan.

    Morgan shook his head negatively.

    That was impossible. It had to be there.

    "I scanned the whole ce, but there was nothing there." As if reading my thoughts, he added.

    Did someone take it? My thoughts once again drifted to Kaiser ck. If someone had taken it, there

    was a high chance it could be him.

    Morgan seemed to be thinking exactly what I was. His green eyes went dark. "If it''s really with who I

    think it is, there is no way of getting it back," he stated tly.

    "Even if that dagger might be the only way to prove I''m actually innocent?" I asked, a thought popping

    into my head, which might just be the way to my freedom.

    Morgan creased his brows, confusedly.

    "And how is that?" He questioned.

    "Valerie," I mentioned, and Morgan''s scowl disappeared, but it appeared as quickly as it was gone.

    "Even still," He begun, "Going into their territory will be suicide. It could even start another war." He

    uttered.

    My heart jammed strangely at the thought of both packs at war. But what did he mean by another war?

    Has there been a war between both packs?

    The door was pushed open, and Allen stalked in with Ria. He scanned everyone in the room, as our

    gazes fell on him. "You are not allowed to receive anything butˇŞ"

    "There''s something here for you," Riapleted, stepping closer to me. Her hands revealed my

    dagger, which was covered by a blue cloth smeared with the blood of the masked warrior.

    "How?"

    She spoke before I could finish. "It was sent to the pack, for you, "

    Quickly, Morgan reached for it. His eyes scanned the dried blood that smeared the hilt and sharp de.

    Something sparked in his eyes as he met mine. "This might just work."

    Releasing a breath of relief, I sprawled my hands around him.

    Now we just have to meet the only witch who could help us. Valerie

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23

    Chapter 23 Twenty Three

    She''s point of view

    I was walking the familiar, yet unusual, path to Vrie''s very own spell room. I stopped in front of the

    odd-looking door without any doorknob or means to pull it open. I held my hand up in the air to knock at

    it when it pulled open with force. And standing a few inches away from me was Vrie. Her dark purple

    eyes fell on me, her lips twitching into a small smile as if she was expecting me.

    "Come in, I was told you are in need of my help," she said, a little warmer than I had expected since

    ourst meeting when she kept staring at me strangely.

    I followed Valerie in, ncing at therge room. She was alone, as usual. "Yes, I am in need of your

    help, and right now, you are the only one that can help me."

    She halted beside therge circr table, making me stop in my tracks as well.

    Today, she wasn''t wearing her usual ck cloak; instead, she had a purple dress thatplimented

    her eyes just fine.

    "Alright, what is it?" She asked, watching me closely. I pulled up the blue cloth and dropped it on the

    wooden table to show her the dagger covered in dried crimson blood.

    "What do we have here?" Her eyes inspected the object, and with a flip of her hand, the dagger was

    levitating in the air.

    "It belonged to the real culprit who tried to kill Killian and that woman," I deduced from the way she

    looked at me. Her gaze didn''t have the usual doubt that always shes through everyone''s eyes

    whenever I tell them what they seem to regard as the false truth.

    Her eyes urged me to continue. "I managed to stab him, though it wasn''t a deep injury, but this blood

    belongs to him. I do not know if there''s somehow a way we can get the real culprit with this. I queried,

    not caring to hide the desperation in my voice.

    I blinked hopefully at her, holding my breath while awaiting a positive answer from her. This was myst

    resort, and it had better work. For my sake and my future.

    For a long dreadful second, Vrie was silent, regarding me carefully, then her brilliant purple gaze fell

    on the dagger in the air.

    She cocked her head sideways, then a sharp smile appeared on her lips. "There''s always a way with

    magic,"

    Her words sent a new life into my veins. I gushed out into the air. I didn''t even realize I was imprisoned

    in my lungs.

    "So that''s a yes?" I asked her again, just to be sure.

    She nodded. "It''s going to work, and we are going to find the real culprit."

    My heart swelled in euphoria at her words. "Thank you so much," I told her, and she only sent out a

    small smile, roving to the end of the table where a cluster of objects stood. Her delicate slender fingers

    ran through each of them, clutching a small liquid bottle, an empty wooden bowl, and a small wooden

    bowl that contained dried-up nts.

    I watched her closely. Something about everything she was doing was fascinating. She brought the

    things to the circle table, and with another flip of her finger, the dagger in the air moved to her side,

    dangling on an invisible rope in the air. Valerie pulled open the bottle and began pouring the liquid

    content onto the dried blood on the dagger, her lips moving coherently in a whisper. She kept this on for

    a while, pouring a drop of the liquid on the dagger while releasing subtle chants.

    After a while, she stopped, dropping the bottle while the dagger was still in the air, and beneath it was

    the empty wooden bowl.

    She shifted her gaze to me. "You don''t look good." Her voice sounded soft. I pulled my hands up,

    hugging my arms.

    It didn''t really surprise me that she noticed. I feel like I''m aplete wreck of a mess. Aside from the

    fact that I was on the verge of being executed for a crime I didn''tmit, I also had a lot going through

    my mind. And the constant headaches were not helping my messed-up state. It was driving me insane.

    "I guess all of this is just really getting to me," I said, not theplete truth, but it wasn''t exactly a lie

    either.

    Her purple eyes watched me, not in the creepiest way though; I could actually see the concern

    embedded in her eyes.

    "Is that really all?" She asked, somewhat expecting me to say more.

    I nodded, keeping my lips sealed.

    She looked like she was about to say something, but the sizzling from the dagger drew our attention to

    it. There was a red glow on the dagger hilt, spreading down to the de, and the dried-up blood that

    smeared the dagger began to turn back to fluid, dropping slothfully on the wooden bowl under it.

    She smiled. "And now, we can find the idiot who tried to kill the Alpha and that woman."

    At her words, I couldn''t help but smile.

    *

    Killian''s point of view

    My eyes were shut deeply as I felt the warmth of magic seeping through my bones, relieving me of the

    pain that stalked my veins, and the cavity that seemed to be embedded in my chest felt less empty and

    less torturous. Even if it was only for a second, I felt the serenity that bathed my soul and body.

    I groaned, regaining my strength, my mind clearer and Ryker also at ease. His writhing and growling

    were gone.

    I opened my eyes as soon as Valerie''s chants ended and her hands left the surface of my chest.

    I sighed, leaning back against the wooden headboard in my chamber. "Thank you, Valerie," I said as I

    rose from my bed, pulling my shirt over my body.

    "You should rest, even for a little while," she said, but I couldn''t afford that. There were so many things I

    had to do. I simply didn''t reply, which sent an answer to her.

    "It''s getting worse, Alpha Killian." Valerie was up on her feet, pulling the hood of her cloak over her

    head.

    She was right. I didn''t utter a word. The pain in my chest was getting worse, and it frightened me. The

    darkness in my chest was getting much stronger, and it was getting much harder to control.

    "How is the spelling up?" I asked her

    Frankly, not well. I''m still having a hard time recreating thest piece of the spell needed for the curse."

    I twirled to face her, donning my rider''s vest. "The Crescent Moon is just a few months away," I

    reminded her. We barely had enough time to find a way out of the curse. And the full crescent moon

    was the only chance we got to save ourselves.

    Valerie threw me a subtle nce. Regarding me thoughtfully, she exhaled, "Be rest assured, the

    witches and I will use everything in our power to figure it out before then."

    Her words were reassuring, and I appreciated them. She turned to go to the door, but I stopped her in

    my haste.

    "Val," she swirled to me, her shining ck hair bouncing on both sides of her face. "Thank you," I said.

    She let out a small smile.

    "And what about the other request?" I queried. Valerie''s deepvender eyes gouged mine, before

    moving a step closer.

    "We might have a way to save Luna," she replied. I had requested her to assist in whatever way she

    could. The court ising to a decision regarding She''s case tomorrow, and it isn''t looking pretty.

    They want her to be executed, but I''ll be damned if that happens.

    "Might?" I needed her assurance to work with.

    Valerie sighed. "We have a way to save her, and we will definitely expose the traitor in our midst." She

    paused, her words making Ryker ted. "On that thought, I will need your help."

    I leaned forward as I fastened my boots. "Whatever you want, Vrie, just ask."

    She turned to the door. Her fingers rose in the air. In one brief movement, the door closed, and

    Valerie''s deep gaze fell on me.

    "I need you to help me with something at tomorrow''s court meeting,"

    I pulled my brow in an arch as I was done with my boots. "I''m listening,"

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    As I listened to every word that escaped Valerie''s lips, it seemed to me that she had everything nned

    out. I had no idea how things would y out, but I trusted her greatly. And if there''s anyone that could

    find the bloody traitor in our midst and be capable of helping She, then it would be Valerie.

    After she was done, I thrashed my boot on the floor, rising from the edge of my bed. "Fine. If that can

    really save She, then you have nothing to worry about."

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 24

    Chapter 24 Twenty Four

    Killian''s point of view

    It was already way past noon. The sun had dominated the sky already. I was seated in therge castle

    hall, and to my left was Thea, and to my right were Allen and Mason, my most trusted friends. I

    watched as thest ranked pack member of the court strode into the hall while more warriors gaited in

    large numbers. They all had confused and questioning gazes fixed on me.

    As Valerie had instructed, I ordered all ranked members of the pack and every warrior in my pack,

    including those who were in training, to appear in the hall. Today, She will be judged and punished by

    myself and the Pack''s court. Hopefully, things won''t go that far though, and she will instead be free of

    all usations. Valerie has a n to expose whosoever shot that arrow that threatened Thea''s life and

    mine, and with the help of the blood found on She''s dagger, we will find him.

    Therge hall was cramped with everyone. I looked around and it seemed like everyone had gathered

    already.

    It was time for the show to begin.

    I rose from my seat, halting the subtle whispers at once. Everywhere went absolutely silent, without a

    single noise stalking the air. Everyone had their gaze directed my way.

    I turned to my right to where my best friend and Beta stood. "Mason, bring her in," I said.

    He walked back in a minuteter, tagging behind him was my mate, She, and at her side was the

    Pack''s female beta and Allen''s mate, Brielle. And to her other side was none other than my brother,

    Morgan, with a cold and stoic face.

    My mate, She, was led to the center of therge hall, with everyone''s angry eyes following her every

    step, while Brielle and Morgan joined the crowd.

    She didn''t look around, but instead, kept her head high, and her tender gaze fixated on me, looking

    ever so beautiful in her long, ck velvet dress and her silky brown hair cascading from her delicate

    shoulders down to her full breasts.

    I breathed calmly with Ryker, whose presence had roved to the surface of my consciousness.

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    I moved from my seat, projecting into the crowd. "Everyone of us is aware of the reason we are all

    gathered here, to witness the trial and judgment of She Caso, Luna of the Crescent North Pack," I

    said coldly, stopping a few inches away from her. Her enigmatic and alluring scent invaded my nostrils,

    almost knocking me off bnce and causing my wolf, Ryker, to stir excitedly.

    I had to suppress the growl that nearly left my lips, taking careful steps backward. She''s gaze was

    fixed on me, her gaze so nk that I couldn''t imagine whaty behind those gorgeous blue eyes of

    hers.

    "She pleads not guilty to the usationsid against her," loud murmurs were erupting, but I silenced

    them all with a deathly stare. I turned back to the ranked members who were seated, eagerly waiting to

    get this over with and have her punished with the maximum punishment, which is death.

    "After much deliberation with the court, we havee to a decision." I moved back to my seat,

    ncing briefly at the faces of every ranked member of the court. "But before then," their eyes shot up,

    "there''s someone who wishes for an audience."

    Another round of whispers and befuddled nces rose in the hall amongst the warriors and the ranked

    members. I hadn''t informed anyone of this change.

    "Alpha Killian, we all came to ˇŞ" A high-ranked member, Henry, foolishly began, but I was hasty to

    shut him up.

    I tilted my head in Morgan''s direction, my amber eyes locking with his emerald green irises. "Bring her

    in," I said to him.

    Without much hesitation, Morgan nodded with an impatient smile, walking to the entrance doors, and

    instantly, Valerie ambled into the hall with two familiar witches from the coven. They were all dressed in

    simr woolen red cloaks and had their hoods over their heads.

    Everyone looked at them, then at me, with puzzled expressions.

    "Do not be rmed. As a matter of fact, the witches are here to help." I spoke to the crowd, answering

    their unsaid words.

    "Help, how?" someone asked from the crowd.

    "To find the real traitor who tried to murder both Thea and me," I said, and there were confused

    whispers.

    "But, She Caso, the LunaˇŞ"

    "Is not guilty of the usationsid against her." I turned to find She''s innocent gaze on me. Those

    very same eyes that always managed to turn me on, leaving mepletely powerless. The worst part

    is that she has no idea how much she affected me. How much her crystal blue eyes haunted me, and

    her body tortured me.

    I returned to my seat. Then Valerie stepped closer to where She was standing. She sent a look to the

    female witches that were by her side, and instinctively, they went to block every exit out of the hall,

    while Morgan closed the main entrance doors, unmoving from them.

    "The Alpha is right. The Luna isn''t the one who attempted to murder the Alpha and Thea, someone

    else did. And that person is here amongst us. I have his blood from the dagger which the Luna injured

    him with. And with that, we can find whoever the traitor is," Valerie''s soft voice filtered into the warm air

    as she exined everything calmly to every listening ear.

    Everyone was surprised, and murmurs rose within the hall, but nobody dared to say a word, even after

    she was done.

    Valerie revealed the small bottle in her hands that contained blood. The blood of the traitor in our midst.

    She began muttering coherent chants, her coquettish mutters filling the hall, her voice resonating

    against the walls of the hall as the air in the hall charged with an unfamiliar force. Magic.

    The crimson fluid in the bottle began to move, making its way out of the bottle, while Valerie''s hands

    danced skillfully in the air, as her chanting grew fiercer and sharper, holding much intensity and vigor.

    The crimson fluid in the air began to grow a bright shade of red as Valerie kept on chanting.

    In an instant, the red light engulfed the crimson fluid and burned brighter. In an instant, it exploded in

    the air, turning into tiny specks of red dust.

    Valerie didn''t halt her chants; she continued with each word with much passion. The red speck of dust

    started moving rapaciously in the air like it had some kind of life in it, sweeping through every corner of

    therge hall when to our utmost surprise, it halted in front of someone. A Pack''s warrior, Rowan, stood

    motionless as the tiny specks of red dust surrounded him before our eyes.

    I was surprised. but not as shocked as he was. There was a sharp, terrifying look in his eyes that

    betrayed his true feelings.

    His eyes were round and bulging with surprise. His eyes scanned the faces of every one of us. He took

    a cautious step backward, but the red speck of the dust trailed behind him. His knowing silence sent a

    response to those who still held questioning looks.

    "That''s the man who that blood belongs to," Valerie said, her hands beside her curvy sides. "That''s the

    traitor who attempted to murder Thea and the Alpha," Valerie said. Immediately, at her words, I nodded

    to the warriors, and they all surrounded Rowan in a circle.

    His gaze darkened, bing more hardened and murderous. Swiftly, his nails elongated, and his

    sharp canines extended. He was a good warrior, one of the best out of a few, excluding myself, Allen,

    and Mason. But he obviously didn''t have a chance as he was outnumbered.

    Rowan lunged at the warriors, who were also aiming for him. They barked their ws at him, and in a

    swift motion, he was pinned to the ground.

    I ordered that he be taken to the dungeon, where he would be dealt withter. After the warriors left

    with Rowan, my gaze settled briefly on She, who was boring hard at me, before finally moving to the

    ranked members seated around the circle table. They didn''t need me to say more. Every one of them

    had witnessed what had just happened, which proved She''s innocence but unfortunately raised a lot

    of questions within the court.

    "I can''t believe a warrior of ours was involved in this." Henry was the first to recover from the shock.

    Frankly, I couldn''t believe it either. Rowan was a member of this pack and has been here for the

    longest. It didn''t make sense why he would want to jeopardize his own fate by murdering me when

    everyone is aware of the effect it would have. Something just doesn''t add up.

    "Why would he have done something like that?" Another question came.

    I had no idea why he could even dare do something like this. My gaze fell back on the court members.

    "We will find out soon. After Rowan has been duly interrogated and tortured, we will get our answers to

    every question." I promised

    I dismissed the court and everyone else that was present in the hall, ensuring the usation against

    She had been cleared. It was important that everyone knew she was innocent.

    I watched her fade back as she was led back to her chamber by Brielle. I was now alone after seeing

    Thea to her chamber, and I was heading towards the dungeon when Morgan approached me, blocking

    my path. His deep irises conveyed a sense of solemnity.

    "We need to talk," I said. I sighed, almost rolling my eyes. Before I could speak, he spoke again. "This

    is serious, and it''s about the cks,"

    And my eyes went dark.

 Chapter 25

    Chapter 25

    Chapter 25 Twenty Five

    She''s point of view

    I couldn''t wait any longer to get my trembling legs into my chamber. As soon as I was in, I let them

    copse onto the bed, which dly received me. I still couldn''t believe everything had worked out so

    well. I couldn''t believe that my innocence was proven in front of the court, and the real culprit was

    caught.

    I shut my eyes, holding back the tears that yearned for freedom.

    Just then, the door pulled open, and Ria came bustling through, rushing to me. Her hands were

    sprawled open in the air, gripping me in a hug.

    "I am so d you''re safe," she whispered, holding me closer to her body. I returned her hug.

    "I am d too," I said, finally able to stop my trembling legs. Brielle roved over to us, joining in on the

    hug.

    After a while, we pulled away. I held both their hands, my blue eyes now glistening. "Thank you both for

    everything," I said, smiling at them. I had indeed found good friends.

    After keeping mepany for some time, Brielle and Ria left. I was alone by myself in my room, my

    mind reying everything that had happened within thest twenty-four hours. Later in the day,

    precisely at dusk, Ria came to take me down for dinner, but I insisted she brings it to my chamber

    instead. I didn''t want to see Killian just yet, or the face of that annoying lover of his.

    Ria did as I wanted, and she brought my meal to my chamber.

    The next day, I was up quite early. I showered and got dressed, leaving my chamber. I made my way to

    Valerie''s spell room. The door was slightly ajar.

    I stood at the entrance, peering inside. My eyes fell on Valerie. She was in the middle of two young

    females. I recognized them as the witches that apanied Valerie to my trial. All three of them were

    positioned inches away from each other, having their hands sped with one another, the gates of their

    eyes were shut, and their lips moved gently.

    In the middle of the circle was a book, a familiar one at that. I had seen it here the first time I came

    snooping around. Whatever they were doing seemed pretty serious. There was a shivering coldness in

    the air. It sent a jolt down my spine. Even the red candles that were lit in every corner of the room

    zed brightly, and so did the burning torches that illuminated the path to Valerie''s spell room.

    I didn''t dare move a step forward. They seemed really into whatever it was they were doing, so I

    decided to leave quietly.

    I had turned to the door when Valerie''s voice rang out loudly as she called out to me, startling me.

    I turned around to find all three women staring at me.

    "I apologize, I didn''t mean to intrude," I cast a nce at the other two females. They tilted their heads in

    respect.

    "It''s fine, we are done here," Valerie closed the book. She picked it up and sauntered to the corner of

    the room, cing it in a drawer. The two females gave a light bow to Valerie before leaving us alone in

    the room.

    I sauntered closer to her. "I came to say thank you for helping me. You saved my life."

    Her warm smile lurked on her lips. "I wish I could take all the credit, but I can''t. Either way, you''re most

    wee, Luna," Valerie said.

    I smiled, knowing she was just being polite. If it wasn''t for her, there was no way Rowan would be

    caught, and there''s no way I would have proven my innocence. I owed her my life.

    I was about to make my way out when a thought crossed my mind. I paused, my eyes meeting

    Valerie''s bright purple crystals.

    "I need your help once again. If you can help me with anything that can rid me of the nagging ache in

    my head, please. It keeps getting worse, and for some reason, the medication from the Pack''s healer

    doesn''t seem to help."

    Valerie furrowed her brows, her lips pursed together. She took a few steps until she was a few feet

    away from me. "What do you feel when it aches?"

    "Pain and more pain, writhing through my skull, infiltrating my mind." Sometimes it feels like a drone of

    voices battling within. The pain is unbearable. It''s driving me insane." It was hard to keep the strain of

    rage and frustration from my voice.

    Valerie took my hand in her slender, warm palm. Her eyes were closed. She wasn''t muttering any

    words, just holding my palm. But I felt a warm, calming sensation spread from her touch through every

    bone in my body as if fusing with the blood in my veins while it intruded on my mind. The stabbing ache

    in my head slowly disappeared. I let out a whooshing sigh of relief. It was as if a painful burden had

    been lifted from me. My head felt lighter, and my soul calmer.

    Valerie''s purple eyes pulled open.

    "What did you do?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

    "I just took the pain." Valerie''s hands pulled away from mine.

    "Will it stop the painful aching?" I asked, my eyes on her.

    She shook her head. "Unfortunately, no."

    The skin on my forehead was crippled, and Valerie spoke again.

    "Nothing can help it ache less, not magic, nor medication. The only person that can stop the pain is

    you. There''s a turmoil within you. If you hear voices, then you should listen. Just maybe something has

    been trying to reach out to you,"

    I stared nkly at her. Her expression was dead serious, but her words only managed to confuse me.

    I nodded. Valerie escorted me out.

    Instead of heading to my chamber, I decided to stroll the castle grounds.

    "Someone is looking refreshed afterst night''s rest," I heard behind me. I nced sideways to find

    Morgan stalking me.

    A smile formed on my lips. "All thanks to you."

    "Ha! I highly doubt that."

    "But that''s the truth. I would have probably been executed by now if it wasn''t for you, Valerie, Ria, and

    Brielle, who believed me."

    "I''m touched." He ced a hand on his chest, sarcastically. "But we had other help though,"

    Yeah, he was right. Like Kaiser ck. If he hadn''t returned my dagger, we wouldn''t have caught

    Rowan.

    Morgan''s lips parted, about to say something, when Ria hastened to us, calling my name.

    "She, I''ve been looking for you. The Alpha has called for your presence in his office."

    "What?" I couldn''t stop the shock that invaded me. "Are you sure?" I asked Ria.

    And she nodded. My gaze fell on Morgan questioningly, but he simply shrugged, not knowing.

    I left with Ria, and we made our way to Killian''s office. Ria stopped at the door, and I gave a light knock

    on the door.

    Immediately, I heard a e in" echo from the inside.

    Sparing another nce at Ria, I tugged on the doorknob, strolling in.

    My eyes connected instantly with Killian''s. I sucked in some air, shutting the door close behind me.

    He was at the library at the far end of hisrge office, with stacked books and journals on the floor.

    His gaze shifted from mine, dumping the book in his hand on his left, onto the stash of books standing

    neatly.

    "You called for me?" I said, after a while, when he still didn''t say anything.

    "Yes," Killian said, still with his back to me, picking up some more books. He added them to the stash

    beside him.

    "And for what reason?" I crossed my hands against the blue linen of my dress.

    Killian turned to me, his fathomless amber gaze taking me in, breathing a certain life into my body.

    "You told me you wanted to be more involved in the Pack''s business and know more about your duties,

    didn''t you?"

    I nodded.

    "Well, this is where you start." He pointed to the stash of books. "You must learn every little thing about

    the pack."

    "By reading those?" I asked.

    He cocked his head left. "Yes, every one of those in my office, and from today onwards, you are

    allowed to partake in the Pack''s activities."

    I was left agape. My eyes scanned the stash of books.

    "You are joking, right?" My eyes shot sharply to meet his.

    "Do you have any objections? If not, ˇŞ "

    "Don''t you think you should say something to me?" I cut him off.

    Killian tucked his thick ck brow, "Like what?"

    His careless words struck a painful nerve. And his nonchnt attitude infuriated me.

    "I''m aware that we are far from being the best of mates, but I almost lost my life for the crime of

    attempting to murder my mate and his lover. The least you could do isˇŞ"

    "Is what?" Killian strutted aimfully towards me.

    "Well, for starters, you could..." My words got stuck in my throat as Killian''s divine scent clouded my

    senses at his sudden nearness.

    "Go on," he prodded, in the huskiest, and may I add, deeply sexy voice. Damn, my mind had begun to

    have impure thoughts.

    I took a few steps backward to evade his heavenly scent and impede the dirty thoughts invading my

    mind.

    But I came to a halt when my back collided with the door. Killian''srge hand was on my waist, pushing

    me up against the wall. I gasped at the manner in which his body pressed against mine, caging me

    between his arms. I quivered from a pleasurable sensation building up in my body.

    "You were saying?" He asked again, almost teasingly, his amber eyes holding a dark glint.

    "Stay back, Killian," I warned him, almost breathless.

    "Or what?" He leaned closer to me as my heart began to race. Its fast pounding made it difficult for me

    to breathe through my nostrils, or maybe the air had somehow vanished from existence because I

    couldn''t breathe.

    "Please, just stop." My voice was strained and breathless. Killian''s nose collided with mine, and his lips

    were a breath away from mine. He had one hand on my waist while the other skillfully moved from my

    waist, leaving a trail of sparks as it journeyed up to my face. I felt hot. very hot. I felt like my skin and

    soul were on fire, and what''s even worse, I didn''t want it to stop.

    Killian''s hand rested on my cheek, caressing it so tenderly that it caused me to lean into it. He guided

    my face up, and his lips brushed mine. I gasped. I felt heat building between my legs. And Killian''s lips

    swallowed mine again.

    His hand on my waist pushed me closer to him.

    My hands took on a life of their own, and before I knew it, they had made their way to his neck, causing

    him to moan. His tongue sucked in my mouth, and I moaned at the blissful feeling. Soon, Killian''s lips

    pulled from mine, his head resting on mine as we swallowed each other''s breath. His dark eyes drew

    mine, and we stared at each other, bored.

    "Killian,"

    He tilted his head, his lips intentionally grazing mine for the briefest second.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    I released a quick gasp, feeling the tingles that lit up my body in a pleasurable sensation.

    "So, what''s your decision?" He asked, calmly yet darkly.

    "IˇŞ IˇŞ" I stuttered with my words, trying to make a quick decision.

    My gaze pulled back to Killian. "I ept." After all, whether I like it or not, I am the Luna of this pack,

    and I have a responsibility to fulfill."

    Killian narrowed his dark eyes, and his lips curled up darkly. "That''s good."

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 26

    Chapter 26 Twenty Six

    She''s point of view

    I scurried out of Killian''s office; I simply couldn''t stand the heat in there. I raced to my chamber without

    looking back. As soon as I was in, I mmed the door shut, my body leaning on it. My heartbeat was

    spiraling out of control, hammering hard against my chest, my body still trembling from the effect of

    Killian''s body on mine.

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    I sighed, plopping on my bed. My gaze stares up at the nk air. I was rooted in that position for a long

    time, several thoughts grazing through my mind as time flew by and twilight slowly crept in.

    I went down for my dinner, but instead of having my meal in the castle dining halls, where I''d be forced

    to tolerate Thea, I followed Brielle and Ria to the packhouse, which was only a short distance from the

    lonely castle walls. It was my first time stepping into the Packhouse since my stay so far was limited to

    the castle grounds and the garden. But I wanted to step out more, and get to know more about the

    pack and its members. I wanted them to get to know me a little better. I couldn''tpete with Thea.

    Though she barely mingled around, everyone in the pack seemed to think highly of her.

    I shook out of my depressing thoughts when Ria ced a te of food before me. I was in therge

    Packhouse dining hall, with Ria, Brielle, and many of the pack members seated around the tables,

    chattering over dinner. It was better to have dinner here than to be encamped in the close space of the

    castle with Killian and Thea.

    Thankfully, the awkwardness that stalked the air when I entered the Packhouse was no more. I felt

    morefortable with every passing second as I ate my food.

    By the time I was done with my meal, the moon was standing up in the sky, its bright rays piercing into

    the darkness that surrounded us as Ria and I left Brielle and Allen and headed back to the castle.

    Tonight I skipped training with Morgan because my mind and body felt exhausted, and the ache in my

    head was back. As soon as I reached my chamber, I changed into morefortable clothing, slipping

    under the covers on my bed. I felt exhausted and tried to fall asleep, ignoring the growing ache in my

    head.

    I wasn''t aware of how deeply I had slept. I gasped awake in the blinding darkness that encircled my

    chamber. I couldn''t move a muscle. The harmless pain that pounded against my skull had spread

    around my body, its sharp pain causing me to groan deeply into the cold night.

    It felt like I was going to die, with pain writhing through every bone in my body, which seemed to contort

    against its joints. Another painful cry escaped my lips as I began thrashing on the bed, begging for the

    new pain that crawled into my chest to stop. It was as if it pierced my very own soul, while more pain

    pounded against my skull.

    It felt almost as if the pains that surged through my body had fused into one at the back of my mind,

    wanting freedom. My heart banged against my chest as I kept thrashing on the bed. The pain at the

    back of my mind kept on growing as if giving birth to a life. The pain intensified, and I could hear faint

    whispers again, echoing in my head. It sounded weak and tired, but I was in too much pain to even

    make out anything.

    The more the whisper kept echoing in my head, the more the pain intensified. The whispers were

    bing more frequent and more urgent, demanding to be heard and craving freedom.

    I groaned, tears slipping from the corner of my closed eyes, through all the chaos storming within me. I

    heard it. It was in a faint whisper, but I could hear the soft voice that broke through the wild storm in my

    mind, putting an end to the pain and chaos in my soul.

    "Hi there, I am Adie, your wolf,"

    My eyes shot open, glowing a bright shade of blue that burned my eyes.

    What the heck?!

    ***

    Third person''s point of view

    It was at the peak of midnight, and the night''s air was colder. The moon shone brightly from its abode,

    trailing the subtle movements of the shadow that moved into the castle, wearing a long, hooded

    garment.

    The figure moved hastily, the cold night''s air registering its presence, and the moon discreetly trailed

    behind it. There was only a light movement in the air, as the figure walkedpletely unseen. It moved

    carefully within the familiar castle walls, swiftly taking turns down every hallway. Moving with aim to the

    castle dungeon.

    The figure moved deeper into the dungeon''s darkness, and with a snap of the finger, yellow mes

    burned the wooden torches glued to the walls at every corner of the dungeon, illuminating the entire

    ce.

    This sudden action caused a stir in one of the cages. There was a light movement of metallic shackles

    against each other and a painful groan from the cage.

    The figure came to a halt directly in front of the cage bars, dark eyes falling on the man crouched on his

    knees, both hands pinned to the wall by metallic chain shackles. The man groaned again from the

    wolfbane that was feasting on his skin, torturing him.

    He mustered a lot of strength to push his head up, his gaze holding that of the figure in the long hooded

    garment.

    "You sure took your sweet time." Rowan''s voice was strained and dry, his words escaping in a helpless

    whisper. He could barely keep his head fixed on the figure.

    "Get these bloody things off me," he said again, feeling his throat too dry to make any more sounds.

    The figure moved closer to the metallic bars that stood between the man and the figure.

    Again, the finger rose in the air, and with a wave, the shacklesced with the poisonous wolfsbane

    came crashing against the humid and hard floor, but it''s shrilling sounds against the floor never

    escaped the walls of the dungeon.

    Rowan sighed in relief, but could barely get up.

    "So what now? Your whole n failed. That woman wasn''t executed as you had hoped for, and I am in

    a bloody mess. " Rowan spat in pure rage and vexation. His voice was not above a whisper, but his

    visitor could hear him just fine.

    "You have to get me out of here," This time he attempted to gaze at the face of the person before him.

    "Tomorrow, at the first light of dawn, the Alpha himself ising to see me. You know how dangerous

    that is. His lips moved again, but still, the person before him didn''t utter a word, instead kept on

    regarding him with an expressionless dark gaze Rowan couldn''t fathom.

    "Say something," He was getting a little pissed at the person''s silence and more frustrated at his

    situation. "I am here because of you," he sparked furiously.

    "Lose that bloody tone of yours," For the first time the figure spoke, it sounded like that of a female. The

    voice held great intensity as the figure moved closer to the bars separating them. The burning torches

    illuminated the face, allowing Rowan to see perfectly. "If you did things right, that idiot of a Luna

    wouldn''t be alive this instant." The voice was furious, her words holding hatred and dislike for his

    apparent failure.

    Rowan fell silent as if pondering something, his eyes forced to meet the dark gaze of his visitor. "You

    could have killed her yourself. Why did you have to create this whole drama in the first ce?"

    "There''s no fun in that, it''s much entertaining to have the fucking Alpha murder his own mate," Her

    voice was filled with rage.

    "That doesn''t matter right now. First, you have to get me out of here, "Rowan said.

    Even though her face was covered by the hood above her head, Rowan could make out the blinding

    rage that shed on her face.

    It frightened him so much that the pain in his body vibrated against every joint in his body. "We don''t

    have much time. Let me free." He urged

    The figure in front of him had her hands folded against her chest, her gaze fixed on him.

    Rowan''s chest prickled with fear at her hesitation. He sucked in the pain tormenting his flesh and

    bones, forcing himself to stand.

    "Alpha Killian will be here tomorrow, wanting answers. We both know we wouldn''t want him to find out

    about you just yet, because otherwise all your efforts and ns will be flushed away, and you will be

    the one getting executed instead. "

    His words seemed to anger the figure all the more. And this made Rowan smile.

    "If you don''t want me saying things I shouldn''t, set me free now and I''ll leave this ce."

    "You are right, I wouldn''t want you saying things you shouldn''t," A sick smile haunted her round lips.

    "Thank you so much for your service all this while, but unfortunately, this is as far as you go,"

    Rowan''s eyes widened as her words echoed in his ears. "You can''t¨C" He began, his heart jamming

    against his chest as she pulled her hand up in the air.

    With a snap, his insides burned profusely with his lips sealed shut, allowing not a single cry to leave his

    lips.

    Rowan clutched his chest, feeling the murdering pain in his chest, and immediately, he copsed on

    the hard floor, dead.

    Her dark gaze examined his body coldly with disdain. Without wasting time, she moved out of the

    dungeon and into the moonlit night that witnessed it all, fading out of sight.

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27

    Chapter 27 Twenty Seven

    Valerie''s point of view

    I pulled down the woolen hood covering my shiny ck hair as I stepped through the ck gigantic

    gates of the supreme council. I breathed in calmly, the fresh air gliding into my nose, releasing the

    restlessness that had clogged my chest on the way here.

    By my side was Alpha Killian of the Crescent North Pack. He turned to me, giving me a small nod, and

    together, we made our way to the supreme court.

    Walking through the ck doors into the supreme court reminded me of the Crystal Fortress. A ce

    where I grew up. Unfortunately, it was no more.

    My eyes scanned the familiar faces of everyone that had appeared for the Council meeting today. The

    court was filled with every ranked member of the Council from various supernatural kinds within the

    whole of North Central.

    I moved closer to therge mound that was rooted in the center of the courts, which had various seats

    around it and also behind it. I settled into one of them, and so did everyone else.

    The council''s head had requested an urgent meeting today to discuss something of great importance.

    But so far, no one was saying anything. There was an ufortable stir within me as my gaze fell on

    Amelie. She was one of the oldest witches from a long time ago. She was also a member of the Crystal

    Fortress centuries ago. She was a witch with the ability to foretell the future.

    My thoughts were interrupted by Zeriyah''s voice. "I''m d everyone could make it," she said, scanning

    therge crowd in the Supreme Court.

    Everyone was in a frenzied state. Well, I couldn''t me them. The Dark Circle has struck again.

    Nothing was surprising about that; everyone''s fear was well understood. But what surprised me most

    was the fact that they had attacked the Fae kingdom. That didn''t make sense. Ever since the Dark

    Circle began their attacks, so far, they''ve gone after the vampire kingdoms, some witches'' covens

    outside the capital, a few packs within the central, which also included Killian''s pack, andst night,

    they went into the Fae territory.

    "I won''t waste much of our time. We are all aware of why we have gathered here," Zeriyah''s eyes

    circled again, "They have returned. The Dark Circle has appeared in the North Central once again."

    Even though everyone''s faces were either colored with unsaid rage or had adopted a grim expression,

    the court fell into another echoed silence as Zeriyah drew in a deep breath.

    The Dark Circle was no joke. They were a congregation of the darkest and vilest creatures of the

    supernatural kind that had either run wild or lost every sense of morality. They were almost like the

    Council, but they were more dangerous and darker.

    "So far, they''ve attacked some packs, vampire kingdoms, andst night, they were at the Fae kingdom,

    looking for something," came Zeriyah again.

    My brow crinkled as I leaned closer. I guess every one of us did. The Dark Circle had never attacked

    without a motive. Even that night, fourteen years ago, they had attacked the Crystal Fortress for a

    reason. I shut my eyes, not wanting to be drawn back into the past. It was a long time ago, but

    sometimes, it felt like it was justst night.

    "And what do they want this time?" A voice rang distastefully within the crowd. It dangled with the usual

    rage, but also with a familiar disdain for the Dark Circle. I didn''t bother to swerve my head to know who

    that voice belonged to; it was none other than Leonardo, Alpha of the ck Blood Pack.

    At Leonardo''s words, Zeriyah exchanged nces with Amelie and a few of the supreme council''s

    heads. There was something they weren''t saying.

    "We believe they were in search of something, andst night confirmed it. A phoenix stone was stolen

    from the Fae kingdom,"

    Short gasps sliced through the air, apanied by murmurings.

    "Why will they be after the Phoenix stone?" Killian asked next to me.

    "We don''t know yet," Damion, an elder vampire, said. "But everyone knows how serious it is for the

    Phoenix stone to be in the hands of the Dark Circle."

    It was worse than being serious. It was dangerous. The Phoenix stones were one of the most powerful

    sources of magic. They had been around since the dawn of witchcraft. As powerful as it may be, it is

    also dangerous if all four are used together.

    "Those Phoenix stones have great powers that are capable of the impossible. Whatever the Dark

    Circle''s aim is, it''s not good." Elder Walter voiced.

    "It has started, exactly as the prophecy had shown on the crystal stones in the fortress. The end of all

    our kinds is near. I can feel a storm heading our way, and it is capable of destroying every one of us."

    When Amelie spoke for the first time, everyone''s gaze shifted to her. She leaned deeper into her chair,

    a finger to her temple. The dark circles around the skin of her eyes showed how weak and strained she

    was. It wasn''t easy having a gift like hers. Her gift was something not many witches would wish for. The

    gift of prophecy was taking a toll on her.

    "It''s been fourteen years now since the attack on the Crystal Fortress by the Dark Circle. They even

    managed to infiltrate the ck Blood Pack and have the destined one killed. What more do those

    leeches want?" Felix sparked into a rage, his words ushering in a certain coldness that covered the

    court.

    Everywhere went silent. It was as if everyone was thinking the same thing, remembering that night.

    Involuntary, my gaze fell on Leonardo''s, his blue eyes dark with pain and an understood rage. The

    cks were the ones that suffered the most. On that night, they lost everything. The Alpha, the Luna,

    and most importantly, the child the prophecy had spoken about, their sister.

    I shut my eyes closed, pain eating through the depth of my soul, reminding me that everyone had lost

    something. When the prophecy formed on the crystal stones twenty-four odd years ago, no one knew

    exactly what it meant until the night the destined child with powers like that of the goddess herself was

    born.

    The child spoken about in the prophecy is the one destined to save our world from the unknown

    darkness. But that child was stolen during the attack on Leonardo''s pack led by a Dark Circle member,

    Killian''s father. We tried everything to find her, but we couldn''t. We even tried locating her magic

    instead, but it came up nk. I sighed. It''s either she''s still missing or dead. Deep down, I hope it''s the

    former, even though many seem to think it''s thetter.

    The Crystal Fortress tried to keep the prophecy within our walls, but somehow, the Dark Circle got to

    know about the child and her powers. They raided the fortress, murdering every witch until they found

    the identity of the child the prophecy had spoken of. Many witches lost their lives, and the Crystal

    Fortress was destroyed. It was the witches'' responsibility to protect that child, and we failed to.

    "It wouldn''t do any good to speak of a past we have no power to change," Elder Philip spoke up. "We

    know exactly what the Dark Circle is after, and for whatever reasons they are after the Phoenix stones,

    we mustn''t let them get hold of them." He added

    "Philip is right. They''ve already got one stone and will no doubt go after the other three. We must

    protect it." Ss, another elder vampire, said.

    I turned to find Killian''s gaze on me. Whatever they are proposing would require a lot of work. There

    were only four Phoenix stones with an equal amount of magic. They were separated and kept safely

    with the Fae, the vampires, the wolves, and the witches. The Fae were with one, and the vampires

    were with the second. Back then, the Crystal Fortress also held the stones, and so did the wolves. The

    last stone was entrusted to the Crescent North Pack, with Killian''s ancestors to be precise.

    At that time, they were also one of the ancient trustworthy packs within the Council to protect the stone,

    before Killian''s father''s reign ruined everything. Nell Reid had withdrawn from the Council, and instead

    became part of the Dark Circle. He was an alpha whose soul went dark. Those kinds are called feral

    wolves, who have lost all morals and humanity.

    Leonardo''s words filled the court, his dark eyes scowling at Killian. "We mustn''t forget, his father was a

    member of the Dark Circle, and he could have given the stone to them already,"

    Killian returned with a re. "I doubt the possibility of that. He had no idea where the Phoenix stone

    was. If that stone is somewhere within my pack, then I''ll find it with the help of the witches."

    Zeriyah''s gaze darted swiftly to me. "Please do Valerie. We must get the remaining three stones

    together, and they must be kept safely."

    I nodded to her words. After a while, the meeting was adjourned, and everyone exited the supreme

    court.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Killian and I moved to our horses, getting on them.

    "Do you think the stone is still within the pack?" I asked him, after a long time of silence.

    He nodded, sparing me a nce. "Yes. Now it makes sense why the Dark Circle attacked the pack.

    They came seeking the stone. This only means it''s still somewhere within the pack, and they''ll be

    coming for it,"

    A worried expression settled on his face at hisst words.

    "Then we must find it," I said.

    "And be ready when theye."

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28

    Chapter 28 Twenty Eigh

    Killian''s point of view

    Valerie and I just crossed into your territory, along with Adam, Jax, and a few warriors that

    apanied us to the Council''s meeting. I headed straight to the castle. I jumped off my horse, which

    was being led away by a warrior. I was on my way inside when Mason called out to me, speedily

    catching up to me.

    "How did the meeting go?" He spoke as we started for the castle''s doors.

    "Bad" was all I could say. And that was the truth. The fact that the Dark Circle has reappeared in North

    Central was bad enough, and now, only the goddess knows what they are cooking up now, going after

    the Phoenix stones. And that was another problem in itself. Even if my father hadn''t given the stone to

    the Dark Circle, I had no idea where it could possibly be. The best option we''ve got is the witches.

    Hopefully, Valerie and the coven could do some kind of spell to find it, while we prepare the pack for

    another attack from the Dark Circle.

    Somehow, that worries me more. Last time they sent a bunch of rogues to find the stone, this time I''m

    having a really bad feeling for some reason.

    I stopped in my tracks, turning to Mason. "We need to prepare, just in case there''s another attack. Get

    the bunkers ready, and, please, see to it that the younger wolves triple their training."

    Mason''s wide eyes narrowed. "Is it that bad?"

    I nodded.

    "And why will the Dark Circle attack again?" He asked.

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    "I''ll exin it better during tonight''s meeting," I said to him. It was just then that my eyes caught the

    metal chains that stood in his hands.

    My eyes shot up to meet his.

    "It''s the night after tomorrow. You didn''t forget, right? " He questioned

    Bloody fuck! I did. I did forget. I pulled my rough palms to my face, rubbing it tightly.

    "I actually forgot," I said, pinching the skin on my brow and scanning my surroundings. Everyone was

    moving about; they had begun preparations already.

    "Well, I can''t me you. A lot has been happening recently. But I think you should be with Thea. It''ll

    help." Mason said.

    I nodded. I watched him leave. I also made my way to my chamber. I abandoned my clothes, taking a

    quick shower, after which I wore a fresh set of clothes.

    The door pushed open instantly, and Morgan walked in, leaning against the wall. "How did it go?" He

    asked.

    I sighed, repeating everything I had told Mason and what happened at the supreme court.

    "Why will the Dark Circle be after the stones?" He asked, curiously.

    I shrugged. "Who knows?"

    "I need you to take charge of patrolling and the pack''s defenses. We need to be on high alert in case

    we are attacked."

    Morgan nodded in agreement.

    "I''ll speak to the witches to have a barrier spell ced around the territory," I said, again, moving past

    Morgan when I got a whiff of a familiar scent on him.

    My eyes shed rage, growling. "Why is She''s scent all over you?"

    Morgan held a smirk. "Maybe because I''ve been training her."

    "What training?"

    "You really don''t pay any attention to her, do you?" He moved from the wall, stalking closer. "Well, since

    you wouldn''t want her to train with the warriors, she asked me to train her instead. And you know me,

    brother, I don''t turn down requests, especially when it''s from a beautifuldy."

    His words provoked Ryker and me. Before I knew it, my hands were over his neck, and Morgan was

    against the wall, smiling carelessly.

    A sudden knock interrupted us; the door was pushed open in haste. Allen''s horror-filled gaze traveled

    from Morgan to me. He seemed like he had something urgent to say.

    "What is it, Allen?" I released my hold on Morgan.

    "It''s Rowan," My blood turned awfully cold.

    "What happened to Rowan?" Morgan spoke first, his voice hard and sharp.

    "He''s dead," Allen said again. "He was murdered."

    "What?" Immediately, I aimed for the door, heading down to the castle dungeon. Mason was there,

    along with some warriors.

    My eyesnded on Rowan''s still and cold body inside the cell. He hadn''t been moved nor touched yet.

    "What happened to him?" I turned to the warriors with anger in my voice. "What happened to him?" I

    yelled this time when no one seemed to have an answer for me.

    They all shuddered, before one voiced out. "We do not know,"

    Morgan went inside the cell, his hands inspecting Rowan''s dead body.

    "Very cold, Killian. There''s no sign of any physical injury," Morgan said.

    "Who was in charge of the dungeonst night?"

    Few of the warriors indicated.

    "We were right in front of it, Alpha. No one walked through that door."

    I went to the entrance doors of the dungeon, and my fingers brushed on the humid floor. There were

    traces of the melted lock.

    I ran furious fingers through the thick forest of my blonde hair. "Someone was definitely here."

    "That''s really impossible, Alpha. I swear, we were right outside the entrance. No one came in." One of

    the warriors spoke again, sounding certain of his words.

    "When was thest time you checked on him while he was still alive?" Morgan stepped out of the cell.

    "Right before sunset."

    When I went back to the cell, the shacklesced with wolfsbane that bound him to the wall were off

    him. "He couldn''t possibly have set himself free. Someone helped him."

    "And then he was murdered," Mason said.

    I forced my eyes closed, balling my fists. Rowan was murdered right before we had the chance to

    question him. Now we will never know who sent him to murder me, or whether Thea and I were the real

    targets, or maybe She may have been the target instead.

    I groaned internally. That sounded insane, but I just couldn''t shake the feeling in my gut. It wouldn''t

    surprise me if She was the main target of Rowan. Rowan was also a member of my pack, and thus,

    he was also affected by the curse on both myself and the pack. I can''t think of any other reason why he

    would want to endanger his own life when his life and that of every member bound to the pack are

    linked to mine. Whatever happens to me, they will suffer as well. For this reason, I don''t think he was

    after Thea or me.

    I had so many enemies who would not hesitate to retaliate against me, using She, my mate. This

    was precisely what I feared. I didn''t want her toe into harm''s way.

    "Brother," Morgan called out to me. I turned to him, giving him my full attention. "This looks more like

    the work of a witch."

    I creased my brows. That''s even worse. "Send the body to the witches'' quarters. Maybe Valerie can get

    something from it." I ordered the warriors.

    Immediately, I left the dungeon, moving as fast as I could. My legs aimed speedily for She''s chamber.

    I felt a pointed pain in my chest that could only be healed upon seeing her, upon having her in my

    arms.

    Fuck! I''ve never felt the crazed feeling before, and even if I did, I could always fight against it. But this

    time was different. Ryker and I felt like we could both die if we didn''t see her. I hated this feeling more

    than anything, but I couldn''t control this urge buried within me. I fucking needed her.

    I pushed the door to her chamber open. My eyes scanned therge room before falling on the

    surprised stare of Ria. but no sight of She.

    The fear within me formed a pointed-edged sword, puncturing deep into my soul. Now, just the utter

    realization that She could have indeed lost her life at my hands for the stupid crime of attempting to

    murder me sent a jolt of unfamiliar pain down my spine. "Where is she?" The urge to see her

    intensifies.

    "S-she''s in your office," Ria mumbled finally.

    I stormed out and hastened to my office, which now seemed like an endless, godforsaken distance

    away.

    I reached for the knob, pulling the door open. Instantly, the mouthwatering scent of my mate hit me

    harder than ever. I walked in, and my eyes fell on the perfectly wless figure curled up on the wooden

    long chair, with several books scattered around her. She was asleep.

    I moved closer, as silently as possible, trying my hardest not to stir her up.

    God! She was beautiful. The most beautiful creature ever. Her long brown hair fell messily on her face,

    flowing down to her body, her perfect longshes imprisoning those enchanting blue depths of hers that

    were capable of making a man fall deeper and harder. Her full, luscious lips pressed softly against one

    another, demanding my attention and my kisses.

    I crouched down beside her, watching her sleeping figure. It was a beautiful sight. My hands pulled up

    to her face, gently brushing the locks of her hair that covered her heart-shaped face. The tip of my

    finger grazed her skin, igniting sparks and tingles. She gasped softly in her sleep. She could feel the

    sparks as much as I could. I wanted her.

    Ryker had begun to incite my thoughts, demanding I pull her into my arms and make love to her right

    here, and have her bear my mark. Oh, I wish I could. The thought was thrilling. But marking her would

    only make her bound to the pack and make her a part of the curse. I couldn''t do that to her. I never

    want to cause her any pain.

    I moved closer to her, my lips grazing her cheeks when her eyes unexpectedly opened, and I fell into

    her gaze, which was sucking me in.

    Just then, I knew I was about to make a terrible mistake.

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 29

    Chapter 29 Twenty Nine

    Killian''s point of view

    Her bright blue crystals stared deep into my eyes like they were invading the gates of my very own

    soul, searching through them, or maybe wanting answers. I still didn''t pull away, and neither did she

    make a move beneath me.

    Sincerely, I didn''t want to pull away, not with that gaze of hers sucking me in as if seducing me. She

    was a bloody seductress, and she barely realized it. I could feel her hot breath fanning my face while

    my gaze remained fixed on her.

    I was trying my best to mask my emotions, to pull up the cold mask that I often adopt when I''m around

    her, but I was failing. I had fallen deep into the blue waters of her gaze, and I didn''t care if I drowned.

    My life was hers to take if she wished.

    She stirred a little beneath me, her body pulling up slowly against me, but I still didn''t pull away from

    her. My gaze continued to focus on her. Now her head leveled up to meet my gaze, with her face a

    breath away from mine. Her nose touched mine. Her heartbeat began to spike; it always did whenever I

    was this close to her. I released a mental smirk, loving the effect I seemed to have on her.

    She''s gaze had a lot to say, but the way we were positioned against each other, a single careless

    movement would make those tempting pink lips of hers touch mine.

    "Could you?" She ced her delicate, soft hand on my chest, my beating heart pounding for her alone.

    The warm sensation that erupted caused her lips to part, releasing the sexiest gasp, and that cut off the

    My hand slipped to the back of her neck, and I pressed my lips against hers. My other spare hand

    roved to her slender waist, digging her firmly into my chest as my tongue consumed her. It took a full

    eager second for her to respond to my kisses. One full of desires and needs that only she could satisfy.

    I moaned as her hand worked its way up to my neck, while the other skillfully slipped under my shirt,

    touching my chest.

    It was like igniting a fire on a wax candle, and Ipletely melted. The ce her hand touched me

    birthed a spark of wildfires that began to grow, coursing through my entire body, sending jolts of

    pleasure that soon found their way to the growing bulge in between my legs. I felt myself go hard. I

    lifted her into my arms with her legs sprawled around my waist.

    I kept showering kisses on her, my hands and body eager to feel every delicate part of her. My hands

    slid under her dress, exploring her slender legs, whilst leaving a trail of tingles. My lips left hers down to

    the crook of her neck. The more I showered her with my love and kisses, the more I felt Ryker battle for

    control, my canines fighting to pop up and ce my mark on her, making her mine. I wanted to, so

    badly, that I didn''t give a double fuck to all the problems that went with my life.

    My canines were out. She was clutching hard at my hair, her soft body trembling against mine. I was

    about to sink my canines into her neck when the door flung open without warning, and the first face that

    came into my view was that of Morgan.

    He froze, staring at us and so did I. Even She''s body on mine went still. Then the sound of people

    chattering began to filter into the room.

    Freaking hell! I''d forgotten I scheduled a meeting with a few pack members and ranked warriors.

    My eyes darted quickly to Morgan''s. Before I could mutter a word, he turned to the door. "He''s having a

    meeting inside."

    His voice gave no room for anyone to counter. It was only when I heard their steps retreating that I

    sighed. My eyes scanned the way She was in my arms and the excessive amount of skin that was

    exposed. The thought of those bloody unmated wolves seeing her in such a state almost made me

    growl.

    My eyes trailed up to meet She''s round eyes on me. Her tender, soft cheeks had turned a deep

    shade of red.

    I couldn''t stop the smirk that stole my lips at the abashment that was boldly imprinted on her face. My

    amusement only made her cheeks color deeper, and her eyes held something that I couldn''t make out.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    She pushed me away, and carefully, I returned her to the couch, watching her as she fixed her dress.

    My smile is only deepening.

    "What are you doing here?" Her soft voice sounded.

    "Perhaps I should remind you that this is my office," I said, leaning against the wall and studying her.

    She shifted consciously under my stare, her eyes seeming to recognize her surroundings.

    "When I came, you weren''t around. So, I decided to go through the books."

    I nodded, listening to her beautiful mumbling.

    "How did the meeting with the Council go?" She asked. I gave her a surprised look. And before I could

    ask, she offered. "Morgan told me," she added, pulling back the locks of her brown hair that kept falling

    back on her face.

    "Fine," I said, still watching her. I had promised Morgan I wouldn''t ask her about the man that saved her

    when Rowan had attacked her, but only because I couldn''t trust myself not to get riled up. Whenever it

    came to the cks, it always made my blood boil.

    I had no idea why Kaiser would sneak into my territory. No matter how hard I thought about it, it only

    managed to infuriate me. He was also on my suspect list. It was no secret that the cks despised me

    as much as I despised them. Knowing those brothers, they wouldn''t hesitate a second to cause the

    pack and me any harm.

    Hell, they''ll relish any opportunity they get. And they seem to be going after She to seek revenge for

    what my father did to the ck Blood Pack. He was the one who led the attack on the ck Blood

    Pack, murdering Leonardo and Kai''s mother while taking their sister, the destined one spoken about in

    the prophecy.

    I brushed my palm against the back of my neck, wishing I could forget everything that happened that

    night. But I couldn''t. And maybe I didn''t want to. But one thing is certain before they harm my mate, I

    will rip out their hearts first.

    "Killian?" I jerked. My eyes met She''s round eyes, full of worry. Damn, I hadn''t realized I zoned out

    on her.

    "What did you say?" I asked.

    "I asked about the warrior that tried to have you killed. Has he been questioned yet?" She repeated.

    I shook my head gently. "Rowan''s dead," I said tly.

    Her round blue eyes widened even more, as she pushed up on her feet. "How?" She rushed to me, her

    scent paralyzing me, luring me back into her arms.

    "He was murdered."

    "By who?"

    I shook my head again. "We have no idea. He was found dead in the cell at dawn.

    "Then we have no idea who tried to murder you and that woman." She said

    I nodded once more as she fell silent. Only if she knew she was probably the target of that murder

    attempt.

    I breathed out, exhausted. She waspletely as vulnerable as a human without her wolf to protect

    her.

    It made me think deeply, even if I hated the idea, she was better off learning a way to defend herself.

    "You seem fond of disobeying mymands," I said, and her brows turned up, getting pissed.

    "What did I do this time?" She queried, sarcastically. I could almost see her rolling her eyes.

    "I am aware of your training escapades with Morgan."

    She looked surprised. Her hands furiously folded against her chest. Her actions cause her full and

    perky breasts to push up. I had to clench my jaw, to stop myself from running to her and stealing those

    sweet, twin peaches of hers in my hands.

    Ryker was encouraging my sensual urges, but I ignored him, instead, focusing on anything but her.

    "I need training, Killian. Even though you may be eager to render mepletely useless, I would rather

    I at least know how to keep my life should I encounter any trouble. Like with Rowan. So, yes, I asked

    Morgan to train me, since I''m not allowed to train."

    "I never forbade you. I told you that you can''t train with the warriors, but I didn''t say you can''t train with

    me." I told her.

    Her brows were crippled with a frown. "What are you saying, Killian?"

    "From today, I forbid you from training with my brother. If you want to learn how to defend yourself as

    you say, then you''ll have to train with me." I was doing this solely for her sake, but Ryker seemed to be

    having a different meaning to it, drowning in impure thoughts.

    "You can''t forbid me from doing anything."

    "Well, I just did." I shot back at her. She was about to speak, but I cut in. "If you don''t want your

    privileges to be revoked, you''llply."

    She stared at me, unbelievably, before sighing. "Whatever you say, Alpha."

    I smirked, hearing Ryker''s snickering. "Good"

 Chapter 30

    Chapter 30

    Chapter 30 Thirty

    She''s point of view

    I was strolling down the castle grounds, loving the feel of the cool evening breeze against my skin. I

    was just returning from Killian''s office. I had spent all day there, enclosed in the same space as my

    mate. Even though we were literally at both ends of hisrge office, what mattered more was that I was

    slowly getting involved in the matters of the pack. Even when Morgan, Mason, Allen, and a few other

    ranked warriors had returned for the meeting, I remained in the office. He briefed them on what

    transpired at the council''s meeting and also told them about the ritual the witches were going to

    conduct to find some magical stone.

    A greater part of my attention was on the books and journals I was reading through that contained

    everything about the pack, down to its history. Even though it was all pack business, I couldn''t deny the

    truth that, like an idiot, I loved being near him. His presence and scent always seem to calm me.

    I released an inward smile, roving towards Valerie''s bedroom. I closed my eyes, focusing on the

    presence at the back of my head. "Adie?" I called, concentrating hard to connect with my wolf.

    Her sudden presence surprised mest night. Usually, young wolves get their wolf counterpart when

    they turn sixteen, but mine never came. I had no idea why, and my father never cared to seek help

    from the pack healers. When I turned eighteen and still had no wolf, I gave up on the possibility of

    having one. I considered it some kind of punishment from the goddess.

    Valerie was right; the constant ache was a result of Adie. She was trying to reach out to me. To connect

    with me and now that I know there''s a possibility that I can have my wolf counterpart, I''m determined to

    do whatever it takes.

    I called out to her again, I could hear faint whispers, but couldn''t make out what she was saying. It was

    enough for me to know she was somewhere in there.

    I reached Valerie''s spell room, knocking at the door.

    Instantly, it opened for me. I walked in. I nced around the room until my eyesnded on Valerie. She

    nced my way from the far end of the room. Her bright purple eyes twitched brightly. "Come in. I was

    expecting you. I heard you were looking for me."

    I moved closer to where she was.

    "Yes, I did." I examined everything that stood on the table in front of her, as she kept watching me.

    "Last night I was able tomunicate with my wolf," I said, "more like I was finally able to hear her."

    "But I was told you weren''t with one."

    "That''s what I thought as well, but it turns out I had one after all. I can feel her presence, but I want to

    be able to ess my wolf."

    Valerie''s purple eyes examined me. "I can surely help with that, Luna."

    Her words made my heart beat ecstatically. I pressed my lips in a smile, "Thank you really," My gaze

    fell on the table, and then back to her. "Did you manage to get anything from Rowan''s corpse?"

    "Regrettably, we weren''t able to get anything, other than the obvious fact that he was murdered by a

    witch," she responded, crossing to the other end of the room, grabbing some witch''s ingredients from

    the shelf.

    I watched her closely. "Is that for the spell to find the stone?"

    Her gaze shot to mine. "A part of it, but a lot more will be needed to find that stone before the Dark

    Circle does."

    I heard Killian speaking about the Dark Circle during the meeting. I didn''t know much about them, but I

    heard some stories about them from the servants back at the Silver Mist Pack. They spoke a lot about

    them and the Council, even though my father, Alpha Lucius, belonged neither to the Council nor was

    he a part of the Dark Circle.

    I spent some time in Valerie''s spell room before retreating to my chamber. As exhausted as I was, I

    retired for the night.

    ***

    My eyes squeaked open in shock at the heavy pounding on my door. I jerked up on my bed, my eyes

    scanning my room. The heavy knock came again. I peered through the draperies covering the window.

    It wasn''t morning yet, almost at the peak of midnight.

    I pulled out from the warm covers, shuddering at the chilly air that feasted on my skin. The nights were

    getting colder as winter slowly crept in.

    I strutted to the door. Unlocking it, I found Ria just outside the door about to knock on it again.

    "Ria," I was shocked. I looked around the lonely corridor, but there was no one else. "Did something

    happen?"

    "I apologize for disturbing your sleep, but Alpha Killian requested that I fetch you from your chamber."

    My longshes fluttered against each other. "It''s midnight. Why on earth would he ask for me?"

    Ria shook her head, not knowing.

    I shut my door shut, following Ria. Instead of heading to Killian''s office, she led me out the castle doors

    into the cold night.

    I felt my skin vibrate from the cold airshing. We walked into the woods, a faint outline of the moon

    apanying our every step. Soon, Ria and I burst out into a wide field. Up ahead was a shirtless

    Killian. He had his back on us. As if sensing our presence, he whipped his neck in our direction.

    "Thank you, Ria," he said, his throaty voice blending into the moonlight haze.

    Ria bowed her head to him, turning to face me. She sent a worried look my way before retreating

    through the path we emerged from.

    After watching her back fade into the woods, I turned my gaze on Killian. He had his eyes on the

    weapons that were lined up in front of him.

    I couldn''t deny I felt my heart double-beat. Strangely, a little fear crept into my chest. I nced

    suspiciously at my surroundings. We were in the middle of the woods, and only the light from the moon

    did well to illuminate the surroundings.

    What the hell were we doing here?

    My hands wrapped around my body, trying to provide whatever warmth they could, at the same time

    trying to quell the subtle trembling that had me. Even though Killian detested me, he couldn''t possibly

    be capable of murdering me, right?

    I couldn''t halt the bizarre thoughts that rose in my mind.

    Killian turned to me. I couldn''t see his eyes clearly; they werepletely dark from the darkness. He

    was staring right back at me.

    Slowly, he gripped the half-length sword in front of him and began moving toward me. His hold on the

    sword was firm and frightening. In a sh, he swallowed the distance between us, taking a step closer

    to me. Without thinking, I took several steps backward in fear. My legs were trembling harder while my

    fear grew.

    Killian bridged the gap between us, and before I could move again, hisrge hand gripped my wrist,

    pulling me closer to him.

    "What''s wrong? Don''t tell me you''re having stupid thoughts like me calling you out here to murder you."

    His voice was smooth and teasing.

    But my drumming heartbeat didn''t slow down. "W-why am I here then?"

    He sighed. I couldn''t see his face clearly, but something told me he was smirking as well.

    He led me back to where the weapons were meticulously arranged.

    "I told you I would be the one training you instead."

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    His words made my eyes shoot up. "Wait, you called me here for ˇŞ"

    "To begin your training," hepleted, sounding serious.

    I looked around at the darkness surrounding us. "Are you serious, Killian? It''s fucking midnight."

    "And the perfect time to train," he muttered, his eyes gliding from my head to my toes.

    "Are you going to train in those?"

    "Well, if I had known I wasing to train, I would have worn something different."

    "That''s fine. You could wear something else next time," he said, crossing his hands on his bare chest.

    His actions drew my attention to his naked upper half.

    I bit my lower lip to prevent any noise from escaping. Killian was the epitome of God''s perfect

    masterpiece. He was a man made by the gods in their image. My eyes trailed from his neck, which

    stood on the broadest shoulders I''ve seen down to his chest and his abs.

    I found an internal warmth spreading through my body, touching me in ces. My breathing became

    hitched.

    "My eyes are up here," Killian''s voice broke into my thoughts. Instantly, my eyes shot up to meet him. I

    averted his gaze sharply, feeling my cheeks hot.

    "Let''s just begin," I said.

    "First I need to know how much you''ve learned," He threw the short-length sword at me. I managed to

    catch it before it kissed the earth.

    I blinked from the sword to him.

    "You don''t exactly have your wolf, so you must find something else to protect yourself. Something that

    can aim as well as kill," He pointed at the sword, sounding as though he was training me for war

    instead.

    "Shouldn''t we at least begin with a crafted sword instead?"

    "No," he sounded firm. "That''s just fine, now show me what you''ve got."

    I wielded the sword in my hands. Killian gestured at me to strike and I did. In a swift motion, he hit the

    sword from my grasp, his hand clutching my neck, mming me against the tree.

    "You are not fighting against a human, She. You may be up against a wolf, a vampire, or any other

    kind of creature. Your grip should be firm," He was speaking, but I swear I stopped listening to him a

    long time ago. My traitorous heart had picked up a race, and my body was a second away from melting

    in Killian''s arms.

    His scorching breath on me wasn''t helping my case, as my body had a mind of its own. I ced a hand

    on Killian''s chest, and at my action he stopped moving, his hold on my neck softening, and his body

    pressing hard against my own. His hand on my neck slowly moved up to my face, then got lost in my

    hair.

    He leaned closer to me, and my hand walked up to his neck when it felt a certain roughness in his skin.

    My eyes darted to the spot, and my eyes widened. "What happened to you, Killian?"

    I looked up to meet his gaze, turning dark and furious.

 Chapter 31

    Chapter 31

    Chapter 31 Thirty One

    She''s point of view

    I regretted those words as soon as they left my lips.

    Killian''s gaze hardened, growing darker and deadlier with a striking rage.

    In a sh, his body pulled away from mine and walked back to the middle of the field.

    "Come at me, and don''t hesitate. Fight like you are literally fighting for your survival." His words were

    clear and held no emotion at all. It was brutally cold.

    I picked up the swordying on the ground, holding it tightly as I took my stance, but my eyes were on

    his chest instead.

    I shifted my gaze to him. He was staring at me with dark, unknowing eyes.

    I lunged at him, and again, Killian pped the sword from my hands. His hand, this time, shoved me

    against the tree, aiming for my chest.

    "If I was a real threat, your heart would be in my hand right now. You have to fight like you badly want

    to live," His voice sounded like a high-pitched yell.

    "What happened to you, Killian? How did you get those scars?" My lips ranted so stupidly, as my eyes

    dwelt again on his chest that was branded with several scars, as though they were etched deeply into

    his soul.

    I didn''t gaze up to meet those dark eyes of his that I knew were no doubt ring furiously at me. I

    couldn''t quell the pain that pinched my chest just at the sight of those scars. I felt so much pain that it

    almost made me want to cry. I hated this god-damned feeling. But I couldn''t help it.

    I heard a faint howl at the back of my head. I could feel Adie rove to the front of my mind, but she didn''t

    utter a word.

    When Killian neither responded nor moved away from me, I was forced to gaze up at him. He was

    staring down with the usual fathomless dark pit in his eyes, and his expression was unreadable. I

    couldn''t tell if he was furious or not.

    "It doesn''t concern you; now focus," He didn''t yell, but there was noticeable brutality and roughness in

    his voice.

    He backed away, and I recollected the sword from the ground, aiming for him. I evaded his attack

    several times before he pinned me against the tree.

    I didn''t utter a word about the scars, even though I was dying with so many questions. We kept on

    training till dawn slowly sneaked in on us. I was exhausted by then. I copsed on the ground, panting

    heavily while Killian gathered the weapons.

    "You can rest up beforeing to the office. Be on time tonight," he bellowed from afar, before walking

    into the woods.

    Right on cue, Ria appeared at my side. She was kind enough toe with some water, which I swiftly

    gulped down.

    "It must be really exhausting to train with Alpha Killian," Ria stated, but it sounded more like a question.

    I released a frustrated sigh. "You can''t even begin to imagine," I told her honestly, as we walked back to

    the castle.

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    It was far worse than exhausting. He was training me like he was training one of his warriors. Morgan

    never trained me this hard. And I preferred the crafted swords instead, in case he might have forgotten

    that I was basically a human. I didn''t have the super healing traits of being a wolf. If I injured myself

    during the training, it would take a longer time to heal from the injury.

    Ria sent me a pitiful look. We reached the castle gates. I looked around the pack, and everyone was

    either bustling around or moving about with chains.

    "Is something happening today?" I asked Ria, noting our surroundings.

    Her eyes also scanned around, suddenly turning pale. "ErˇŞ" She dragged on, sounding confused or

    searching for the right words. "It''s really nothing. Don''t pay any attention to that," she rushed on, going

    into the castle.

    I followed suit behind her, heading to my chamber. I showered and got dressed in a deep violet

    sleeveless dress. I went down for breakfast at the pack house. I have been having my meals there

    instead, with the pack members and Morgan as well. At least I get to avoid Killian''s insufferable lover.

    I had my breakfast with Brielle, Ria, and a few members of the pack. Unlike usual, the Packhouse was

    rather quiet, and not many people appeared for breakfast. Those who did ate in silence. Even Brielle

    and Ria focused on their food, barely muttering a word. Everything just seemed weird, even the

    atmosphere of the pack was strange.

    I finished my breakfast and headed to the castle. Brielle left for some work, and a few minutester, Ria

    also left. She informed me she might not be able to see me the rest of the day. When I asked her why

    she was being really weird about her reasons.

    I felt tired, but I really didn''t want to remain within the corner walls of my room. So, I left for Killian''s

    office instead.

    I could not hide the disappointed look on my face when I walked in and couldn''t find him in the office.

    Without thinking much about anything, I buried my head in the pile of books and journals I haven''t read

    through.

    I had absolutely no idea how time flew so fast. I fell asleep at some point, and when I woke up,

    darkness had already taken over thend.

    Kilian wasn''t in. He didn''te into the office today. It was unlike him, considering he usually locked

    himself in here. I could not help but wonder if he was avoiding me. Could it be because of what

    happened during training? I had no idea.

    I gathered the books I had sessfully read through together and stashed them aside. After that, I

    made my way out of Killian''s office.

    Instead of heading to my chamber, I motioned to the packhouse.

    I was at the castle entrance doors when, from nowhere, Morgan hastened towards me, his huge figure

    blocking my path.

    "Morgan,"

    "Where are you off to?" He asked calmly, but there was a knife-edge tension in his voice that he was

    trying desperately to hide. His emerald green eyes were imprable, like those of his brother.

    "To the Packhouse," I replied, taking him in with caution. He looked really awful. His face looked

    strained, and the skin around his eyes was pale, either from tiredness or from pain. I couldn''t really tell.

    "Have you seen Ria?" I asked,

    Morgan was quick to shake his head. "No." Hisrge hand touched my arm, "You should have your

    dinner in the castle tonight, and as for Ria, I will be sure to send her to you the second I get the

    chance," he said quickly.

    He was acting weird. really weird. Something was going on. I knew Morgan too well.

    I nodded, not saying anything. And he sighed in relief.

    I turned back to the castle with Morgan closely behind me when a loud, thundering growl shook the

    earth, causing the walls to vibrate.

    I swerved to Morgan. "Did you hear that?"

    "It''s probably some wolf training," he dismissed quickly, leading me back inside.

    "No. That couldn''t be. That was¨C"

    My words were cut off abruptly by another growl, which sent my legs trembling. It was apanied by

    a round of several echoed howls. The howling seemed to being from different directions in the

    pack.

    My thoughts were interrupted when I heard Morgan groan beside me. My blue eyes fell on him. He had

    his eyes shut as he kept groaning in so much pain.

    Fear pricked at my skin. I clutched his arms in worry.

    "Morgan?"

    Morgan''s hand clutched mine tightly, the gates of his eyes still shut tightly together. "Head back to your

    chamber at once, She." His voice came out breathlessly. I could literally see the pain bathing him.

    I was about to protest that he needed to see the pack''s healers at once, when the thundering growl

    erupted again, aiming for destruction.

    The sound of wolves howling in pain rose again in the air, and Morgan groaned louder. It was as if

    Morgan''s pain and the howls were triggered and connected to the thundering growls. It terrified me. I

    looked around but there was not a single sight of anyone. That was even weirder.

    "Morgan, I will take you to the pack''s healers."

    Morgan held on to me tighter. ˇ°It''s dangerous for you to be out here. Go to your chamber now! " He was

    half yelling. His touch on my skin was dreadfully cold. "She, please." He begged in a whisper. His

    emerald green eyes pulled open, and I gasped. They were glowing a blinding bright green, while dark

    lines popped in his veins.

    "Hurry!"

    At his words, I staggered on my shoes, heading back into the castle. My heart was racing hard against

    my chest. I closed the doors behind me as soon as I was in.

    Immediately, a st of wolves howling in pain filled the air. Through the loud tumult outside the castle

    walls, a piercing growl sliced through it all.

    And I froze. Something in my chest recognized it.

    Oh, my goddess. Killian!

 Chapter 32

    Chapter 32

    Chapter 32 Thirty Two

    Killian''s point of view

    I was standing at the entrance of the underground cave in the castle, my eyes gazing gently upward. I

    watched as the sun was so eager to switch ces with the moon. Darkness had already made its

    arrival known, informing every member of the Crescent North Pack of the mayhem and danger that

    awaited us soon enough.

    After my morning training with She, I went to the training field to train with some warriors. I could feel

    everyone''s anxiety for tonight. Some had started to prepare, while the younger wolves were training

    harder.

    It broke my heart to see my people in this state. I couldn''t concentrate on anything, and I had

    intentionally avoided going into my office. I knew She would be there. I didn''t trust myself not to do

    something that I''d end up regretting. Just yesterday I almost lost it and almost marked her. If Morgan

    hadn''t stepped in just in time and pulled me out of that insanity, I would have involved She in all of

    this mess, and being a part of the pack with my mark on her, her life would have also been in danger

    tonight.

    As much as my body, soul, and wolf craved her. I had to be with Thea. She was the only one I needed

    now. The only one that could help us.

    I groaned, cing a hand on my chest. Valerie''s spell on the dark hole in my chest was slowly wearing

    out. The cavity filled with darkness in my chest had reopened, ushering nothing but pain.

    I couldn''t take it. It kept getting worse. It was on this cursed day fifteen years ago that my own father

    ced a curse on the pack and me. This day had always held pain and the deaths in the pack. I have

    to watch the disaster that will befall my people once again, and it pains me more that I can do nothing

    to stop it.

    Even the witches couldn''t help with this; this was something we had to face on our own.

    I hissed as the pain in my chest intensified. My gaze was drawn to the hand I was holding close to my

    chest, where I could see the ck blood dripping from it. Soon enough, the darkness deep within will

    take control of me. Even Ryker couldn''t fight this.

    I shut my eyes, wishing badly I could breathe in the very air that carried my mate''s scent. It always

    seems to calm me these days. It somehow manages to quell the growing pain in my chest, and our

    training this morning proved it. I had spent the night with Thea. Even still, the restlessness and pain

    within me only kept on growing, but with She beside me, it was different. There was an unexinable

    wave of calmness that brushed through me.

    I inhaled deeply, feeling warm hands snaked around my waist and a soft body pressed against mine.

    I pulled my eyes open. My deep irises fell on Thea. Her bright brown eyes twitched brightly.

    "How are you feeling?" She asked quietly, concern and love vividly embedded in her brown depths.

    I sighed, engulfing her slender waist in my arms. With Thea, I didn''t need to hide anything. It was safe

    to say, within the short time we''ve been together, she knows a whole lot about me, about my past with

    my father, and even my curse.

    She was so sweet and just the person I needed. The one the pack desperately needed. Her presence

    next to me, especially on days like this, was much appreciated. It didn''t lock the darkness away, but

    somehow it lessened the pain and gave Ryker and me more control over the darkness.

    "With you beside me, I''ll be just fine," I said, trying to believe my own words.

    Thea smiled sweetly, her hands moving to my neck. She pulled her lips to mine. And I kissed her back.

    Her moans echoed in my ears, and I loved them. I loved that I could at least give her pleasure. Thea

    deserved it. She deserved a lot more from me than that, after everything she was doing for the pack

    and me. I know that She''s situation affected her. But she never speaks about it. That was the kind of

    person she is: sweet and understanding. And I didn''t want to break her heart.

    We broke away upon hearing an awkward cough from behind. My gaze traveled in that direction,

    finding Valerie and Morgan staring at us.

    "It''s almost time, Alpha," Valerie sounded, her voice neutral. My gaze shifted to that of my brother''s,

    and he didn''t hide the rage that stood in them. For some reason, he didn''t exactly fancy Thea. even

    being the gifted one to help break the curse. He still didn''t like her.

    I moved my gaze to the night sky where the moon was pouring forth its bright rays.

    "Is everything ready?" I asked,

    Valerie nodded again.

    My eyes fell on Thea as we headed back into the cave. At the far end were several chains bound to the

    wall.

    I took off my shirt, kneeling beside the chains. Allen and Mason joined us. And together with Morgan,

    they bound me with the chains, pinning me against the wall.

    Thea was by my side. I could feel her intense fear and worry.

    As soon as the guys were done, Valerie spelled the chains and the cave to ensure when the darkness

    takes over, I will not be able to break free from the chains and leave the cave.

    This is exactly how I''ve been living my life for thest fifteen years after the curse was ced on me

    and my pack. Every month of this damned year, my pack and I battle against death itself.

    My father, being as vicious as he was, cursed me with a dark hole in my chest. A hole filled with living

    darkness. It is more like a demon with a deep, insatiable thirst for blood whenever it takes control of my

    soul.

    Thanks to Valerie and the witches, they managed to ce a spell on me, weakening the demon''s

    control over me any other day. But tonight, was different. My sincere wish to the moon goddess is that

    Ryker and I will be strong enough to fight against it, and with Thea beside me, I hope I''ll win this war. I

    really didn''t want what happened thest time to repeat itself. I had lost control and went on a freaking

    rampage into the humans'' vige. A lot of innocent humans lost their lives, so I really pray I win tonight.

    I turned to Morgan and the rest. "Is everyone in the pack prepared?"

    They all nodded. Not a single soul was spared from the curse. Every member of the Crescent North

    Pack would also experience intense pain tonight. They will all experience a slow and painful

    transformation into their wolves. It was far worse than the usual and immediate shift into their wolf

    counterpart. Only those strong enough survive the pain. The younger wolves were the most affected.

    Their bodies weren''t yet used to their wolves. Sometimes, not many make it through the night.

    It hurt me the most to know thate to the new dawn, we will have lost many young pups and the

    elderlies.

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    "Let''s do this," I told them. After some minutes, they all left. Leaving me alone with Thea

    She was right next to me, her sad brown gaze never leaving mine.

    "I will be with you every second of the night," Her words were sweet and almostforting, but I

    couldn''t quell my fears.

    Thea was putting her life in danger by staying beside me in this cave. If the demon takes over, she

    could be in danger. Everyone would be in danger. My thoughts drifted to my mate. Just the thought of

    her being killed at my own hands killed my soul. That was my father''s true goal in all of this. He wanted

    me to be the man he was. The beast everyone feared. The heartless monster who was capable of

    murdering his own mate abused all three of his sons and cursed his pack.

    I shut my eyes to halt the tears, wanting freedom.

    My eyes met that of Thea''s. "Thank you." Even though she was in danger of being near me, she still

    remained here.

    "You don''t have to say that. I love you, Killian," she whispered, almost choking back a sob.

    I wished I could say those words back, but I couldn''t. Even if I tried to force myself to, the words

    wouldn''t leave my lips. It somehow didn''t want to. It''s like they were created for someone else''s ears

    alone. Someone I couldn''t have. My mate.

    Thea kissed me once more, and immediately she pulled away. I felt a sharp piercing in my soul, and

    something shook me awake. Something dark is spreading through every bone in my body, infecting my

    blood with its darkness. I struggled deeper to contain the demon in my chest. But it was far stronger.

    Without warning, my eyes fluttered open, shining a bright torch of red, and my lips flew open, releasing

    a thundering growl.

    Instantly, darkness covered my consciousness. And the demon was free.

 Chapter 33

    Chapter 33

    Chapter 33 Thirty Three

    Third person''s point of view

    Killian felt a pointed piercing in his soul, and something within him shook awake. Something dangerous

    and dark. It was spreading through every bone in his body, infecting his blood with its darkness. He

    struggled deeper to contain the demon in his chest. But it was far stronger, wanting freedom and

    dominance. Without warning, his eyes fluttered open, shining a bright torch of red. Killian''s lips flew

    open, releasing a threatening growl.

    Instantly, darkness covered Killian''s consciousness. And the demon was free.

    Killian''s body vibrated, releasing a loud, threatening growl that caused the earth to quiver. Tiny rocks

    inside the cave crumbled to the ground as another growl left Killian''s lips. His eyes were burning a

    bright shade of red. He was far from being in control. His subconscious was trapped somewhere within

    the dark cave of his heart. His bloodshot eyes meant his demon was in control.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Slowly, he pulled his head up. His glowing red eyes fell on Thea. In a swift motion, she was up and

    backing away against the wall of the crumbling cave. Killian''s lips released another growl that caused a

    series of howls from the wolves to reach the sky. Speedily, the chains clinging to his wrists and arms

    came crashing down. He shattered the chains that bound his neck and went for the one that bound his

    legs and waist.

    He felt a deep, insatiable thirst for blood. It was as if there was a cavity somewhere within him that he

    needed to fill. His mind waspletely dark. There wasn''t a single remnant of Killian and Ryker''s

    thoughts in his soul.

    In a sh, the doors of the cave were pushed open, and the spell ced on the cave entrance was

    lifted. Without a second thought, Killian, in his beastly form, emerged from the cave. He felt a different

    kind of power coursing through his veins as his nails extended into beastly ws and his sharp, pointed

    canines were out. It was dark and cruel.

    The witches and Valerie were tending to some of the wolves in the pack house, trying to render as

    much help as possible, especially to the younger wolves, so they could survive the night.

    The moon was still shining at its peak. Valerie nced around. She could feel the ruthless hands of

    death stalking the air already. Wolves were dying, and it hurt her more that she could do nothing to

    help. At least not until the crescent moon rising. That was still a few months away. That is the only

    chance the witches had to break the curse on Killian and his pack.

    It wasn''t as easy as it sounded. The coven witches had been trying their best to finally conclude the

    last piece of the spell required for the ritual the minute Alpha Killian found the gifted one, Thea, but they

    were unable to.

    Valerie had no idea what exactly they were doing wrong. But for some reason, the coven of witches

    were still unable toplete thest piece of the spell. Even the best weavers in the coven couldn''t

    make out the spell. Weavers were witches who had been specially gifted with the ability to create

    spells. Every witch was born with specific gifts. Some could foretell the future, like Amelie, others could

    create spells, some were channelers, and a lot more.

    Valerie even went as far as meeting with some of the best weavers in the whole of North Central, but

    none could help with the ancient grimoire of Fiona. She was a witch from the powerful ancestral n

    and was also one of the head witches of the Crystal Fortress.

    Valerie shook quickly from her thoughts when she noticed Allen hastening towards her inside the pack

    house. He had a gravely terrified look on his face. It caused Valerie''s heart to skip a fearful beat.

    Her eyes gouged him as she hurried to his side.

    "Allen, what happened?" Her gaze scrutinized him. Just like every one of the pack members, he was

    suffering as well. She noted the dark lines that appeared on his veins.

    Valerie crimped her brows, waiting for Allen''s next words, which would almost certainly be bad news.

    "He''s not himself; that thing has taken over and he has escaped from the cave. He has gone on a

    bloody rampage."

    Valerie''s eyes widened. "That is impossible!" She whispered in confusion. Killian couldn''t get out of that

    cave, even if the demon within him had taken over, he couldn''t possibly escape the boundary spell that

    she ced on the cave.

    She hastened to the cave with some witches as they approached the cave. The sight before them

    made Valerie''s body quiver. Blood stters were soaking the earth, and before them, was Killian. Only

    it wasn''t him, but the beast at work. He was surrounded by Morgan and some pack warriors, who were

    trying their hardest, risking their lives to subdue him. And Killian was fighting against them. One by one,

    their bodies thrashed the earth, and his sharp ws went into them.

    Valerie scanned around for Thea. She was supposed to be with Killian. The presence of the gifted one

    was supposed to weaken the effect of the curse, making the demon weak. But she couldn''t find Thea.

    Valerie turned to her witches, giving a small nod to them. On cue, the witches spread around him,

    surrounding him while the warriors retreated behind them.

    Killian''s bloodshot eyes scanned around them, a murderous glow sparking within those killer eyes as

    they twitched in glee. One could see the thirst for blood in those eyes of his. Immediately, Valerie and

    the witches began chanting, their chants echoing into the night, drawing their magic from the powerful

    moon while it watched silently from its dwelling.

    The witches'' chants were affecting him badly. Killian''s hands covered his ears as he crumbled to his

    knees, his eyes shutting, as the witches began to move closer to him. Their chants held immense

    power, and the demon within Killian was fighting against it. fighting to stay in control. And it won.

    Everything happened in slow motion. A thundering growl erupted from the demon''s lungs, causing a

    quake to slice through the earth. The earth shook angrily, resulting in an endless quake that spread

    throughout the Crescent North Pack, destroying everything in its path. The witches that circled closer

    around him were thrown off bnce by the earth trembling, and as quickly, Killian escaped them,

    dashing into the thick woods.

    Valerie and her witches, along with the warriors, scattered around the pack territory in search of Killian.

    She had also sent some witches to block all borders that led out of the Pack''s territory so he couldn''t

    cross them.

    The pack was determined to prevent Killian from leaving the pack territory at all costs, especially in his

    beastly form. Otherwise, the lives of many humans in the vige would be in danger. The curse on

    Killian and the pack could also be exposed.

    They all knew what was at stake, and they couldn''t afford that. Many of the pack''s enemies will no

    doubt use this weakness against the pack.

    Valerie met up with Mason and Morgan. They still haven''t found Killian. Together, they kept on

    searching until one of the witches was able to track the demon. Valerie alerted the pack''s warriors and

    also the witches to head towards the east side borders of the pack territory.

    They went into the woods, trailing after the demon. By the time Valerie arrived with the witches, there

    were several bodies of the pack warriors scattered around the meadow. Somey motionless on the

    ground, while others appeared injured. But no sight of Killian. Her eyes narrowed in on Allen from afar.

    Valerie rushed closer to him in speed. He was bleeding badly from w injuries. Without dy, she

    ced her hand on him, whispering a few words, and his wound was healed.

    "What happened? Where''s the Alpha?" Valerie asked, and just then Allen''s eyes widened. "What is it,

    Allen?" She questioned again, as he struggled to his feet.

    "We need to find them!" He sounded in a panicked tone.

    "Them? What are you saying?" She tried her hardest not to yell.

    "It''s Luna," He spoke fast. "I don''t know how but she was here a few minutes ago. Killian as well. He

    took her." He yelled frustratedly, tugging his ck hair. "She is in danger."

    Allen and Valerie began moving, while the rest of the warriors and witches spread out into the woods.

    Her heart was racing hard. It was dangerous for She to be with Killian in the state he was in. She

    was worried for both She and Killian, knowing full well Killian would never forgive himself if

    something terrible happens to her. He wouldn''t forgive himself for hurting her.

    Suddenly, a sharp scream pierced through the woods. It belonged to She.

    In a haste, they rushed out of the woods, stepping into the clearing field, and Valerie stopped dead in

    her tracks, not from the sight before her, but at the overpowering magical energy that floated in the air,

    which certainly wasn''t from her.

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 34

    Chapter 34 Thirty Four

    She''s point of view

    I was so restless. My legs kept pacing back and forth across the floor of my chamber. I couldn''t sit still.

    Hell, there was no way I could even fall asleep. The loud growls and howling prated through the

    wall of my chamber. At every painful howl, I felt pain, as if something in my chest was being ripped out.

    I had no idea what was going on out there, but with how Morgan''s broken gaze held so much pain and

    fear, it was something really dangerous. My heart kept on racing, thinking about Killian. Somehow, I felt

    as though those thundering growls were his. It was like he was in some kind of pain. They sounded so

    desperate, almost like a broken cry for help.

    My legs copsed on the humid floor at the thought of Killian in pain. God, I need to get to him.

    I needed to see Killian so desperately. My legs charged with unrecognizable energy, and I was up on

    my feet. When I left my chamber, there wasn''t a single soul in the castle. I left the castle walls, moving

    into the darkness. I gazed around, having no idea where to search for Killian first, or at least for

    someone that could help me get to him.

    I was on my way to the pack house when the familiar thundering growl shook the earth. I veered

    around without hesitation. I concentrated on the loud growls. They led me into the woods. I kept on

    following the growls until they died. I listened more, but I couldn''t pick up anything. I could barely see

    my surroundings. The giant trees had broad branches that formed some kind of canopy in the woods,

    making it almost impossible for the moon''s guiding lights to peer through.

    I was lost. I went straight ahead, but after a while, it felt like I was wandering in circles.

    An unrecognizable rage and frustration intensified within me. It was then that I heard faint sounds

    protruding from somewhere. It was near. I followed the sounds, and they led me to arge meadow.

    Instantly, I froze dead on my spot.

    For an unbelievable second, I couldn''t move a muscle. My blue eyes were widening as they took in the

    horrid scene before me. Warriors gathered together, charging cautiously at a figure in the middle.

    Another careful look and azy gasp left my lips. It was Killian. But it wasn''t exactly Killian. He was

    different. He looked different. His eyes were not the usual amber pair; now they glowed a terrifying

    shade of red, with a murderous intent to kill. His pointed canines stuck out from his lips; his ws were

    out as well, dripping blood.

    What the hell was happening?

    The warriors braced themselves, and in an instant, lunged at Killian. One after the other, Killian shoved

    his sharp ws into them and sent them flying across the meadow.

    I flung a hand to my lips in shock. Something was wrong. Killian couldn''t possibly be attacking his

    people. I looked around, and just then Allen emerged from the thick woods, along with more of the pack

    warriors.

    Allen''s gaze shot up the moment it found me. He rushed to me. "She, what are you doing here?"

    "What the hell is happening to Killian?" I could barely move my gaze from Killian as he began to fight

    against the warriors again.

    "You have to head back to the castle; it''s not safe." At Allen''s words, a loud growl came from Killian. He

    pounced on the warriors mercilessly in a swift movement. His bloodshot eyes narrowed on us. His

    thoughts were evident in that murderous gaze of his.

    He lunged at us, but quickly, the warriors that followed Allen hurried to our fronts.

    "Fuck!" I heard Allen murmur a series of curses beside me. "I promise, you''ll be fine," Allen whispered

    to me before he and the warriors lunged at Killian as he sped towards us.

    I watched in horror; Killian was attacking his people, and before I knew it, Allen was in his hands.

    Quickly, his sharp ws swiped through him.

    "Killian!" I didn''t know how the word managed to leave my lips. But he didn''t even spare a nce my

    way, almost as if something was controlling him.

    Before he could make a dive at Allen again, my legs moved fast, and instantly I was before Killian. My

    blue eyes fell instantly into his eyes. It waspletely dark. It was like a deep, terrifying, dark pit that

    one could almost get lost in. It was frightening.

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    "Killian, this isn''t you. Please stop," I ranted without control. Killian''s eyes narrowed with simr

    murderous intent, as his strong grip on Allen loosened and he aimed for me instead. Before I could

    blink, his sharp ws imprisoned my neck, jamming me against a trunk. I couldn''t breathe.

    Fuck, I could feel the warm fluid that had begun to rush from a growing pain in my neck. My feeble

    hands clutched Killian''s in a pathetic attempt to get him away from me. But his hold never budged.

    "K-Killian, Killian!" I screamed, holding onto him tightly as I felt my feet pulling from the earth. "Killian," I

    tried to call again, but it seemed the words were stuck in my throat or somewhere within the walls of my

    mind.

    My life was slowly escaping, but at the same time, I felt my body begin to vibrate surging with a kind of

    unfamiliar energy I couldn''t recognize. Like a burning force in the pit of my stomach wanting freedom,

    moving its way to my throat where Killian held me. Something in me wanted utterance, and without

    warning, my lips were forced apart and a deafening scream left my lips.

    Killian''s strong hands released my neck quickly, almost as if I had burned him. He released a growl.

    Something was happening to him.

    His breathing was hard andbored. The dark void in his eyes began to spark, flickering between the

    burning yellow of his wolf and his usual amber pair.

    Soon enough, his gaze softened and the color of his eyes became a dim shade of amber. He was

    back.

    "Killian," My voice croaked, seeming to pull him out of whatever daze he was in. The depths of his gaze

    widened. Fear, horror, and regret drowned those broken orbs.

    I gasped hungrily for air, never leaving those eyes of his that regarded me. And before he could speak,

    loud chants rose in the air, and quickly Valerie and the witches surrounded him. Whatever they were

    doing was affecting Killian. He knelt on his knees, his hands on his ears, growling in pain. His ws

    retracted, and so did his sharp canines, before he dropped unconscious on the bloody ground.

    Valerie rushed to his side, inspecting him quickly before pulling her gaze back to me.

    I could feel her gaze on me, but mine didn''t move from Killian. I watched Morgan and some warriors

    hastened to his side, taking him away. I was up on my feet hurriedly. I didn''t want to leave him.

    Valerie''s hand held my arm. Her actions forced my gaze on her, and she was regarding me with so

    much confusion that couldn''t be hidden. I could see the questions that were etched in her purple eyes.

    "I need to be with him," I said after what felt like an eternity of our intense stare.

    "You are bleeding," she said, her hand pulled up to my neck where Killian had clutched. She muttered

    a few words, and the pain vanished. After that, we both trailed after Killian''s unconscious body.

    Morgan and the warriors took him to his chamber. I followed them inside. Killian was in a horrible state.

    Aside from the blood that smeared his body, there were traces of ck, thick fluid on his chest, like he

    was bleeding somewhere there. It pained me. I wanted to relieve him of whatever pain he was going

    through. I couldn''t stop the tears that rushed from my eyes. He was ced on the bed, and I was about

    to move closer beside him when, from nowhere, Thea came bustling from the door in tears. She

    copsed next to Killian, sobbing profusely.

    "Where the bloody hell were you, Thea? You were supposed to be with him!" Morgan was screaming in

    a rage. His pitched tone forced Thea''s swollen eyes on him. Instead of replying to the question, she

    copsed more into tears.

    Valerie and her witches moved closer to Killian''s bed. "We have to ce a spell on him and weaken the

    demon," Valerie said, her words precise.

    Demon?

    "What are you talking about, Valerie? What demon? " I asked.

    Everyone''s eyes turned to me as if just realizing I was in the room.

    I stared back at them, still awaiting an answer to my question when Thea''s voice sounded sharp.

    "What is she doing here?" She yelled. "Killian doesn''t need you, so get out of here!"

    I was infuriated by her words. If it was any other day, I would have probably responded to her. But my

    priority was Killian. I ignored herpletely, which seemed to have offended her the more. My gaze

    moved questioningly to Morgan. He didn''t look like he was going to reply to me, so I shifted my gaze to

    Valerie.

    "I promise I''ll exin everything to you, but please, I need to tend to the alpha now." She said,

    indicating we all left the room.

    "I''ll stay with him," I said.

    "No!" Thea screamed again. Her eyes darted my way. "I will be the one staying with him."

    Morgan''s eyes shed rage. He was about to speak, but Thea cut in.

    "I am the one he needs more, the only one who can help him," she muttered, leaving no room for

    argument.

    What she said seemed to have silenced everyone. Morgan sent me a pleading look, and I felt like

    dying, leaving my mate with his lover. I should have been the one next to him.

    I waited for Valerie just outside his chamber with Morgan, and in a short while, she came out with her

    witches, while Thea remained inside.

    "How is he?" Morgan asked.

    "I have done the needful. We just need to wait till he wakes up." She replied, instructing her witches to

    help those wounded.

    "Someone please tell me what is happening,"

    Valerie''s watchful eyes met mine. "Do you want to know the truth?"

    Her question startled me a little. Morgan''s gaze held mine before shifting to Valerie, disapprovingly.

    "Killian wouldn''t¨C"

    I interrupted him. "Yes, I want to know exactly what happened to Killian."

    She nodded. "Come with me then,"

    I don''t know why, but something within me churned, knowing I''d probably not be able to take whatever

    truth Valerie had to tell me.

 Chapter 35

    Chapter 35

    Chapter 35 Thirty Five

    She''s point of view

    Valerie had just asked me if I wanted to learn the truth. The truth? About what? Deep down, I wanted to

    know the truth about everything that was going on. It seemed as though a lot was being hidden from

    me.

    I followed behind Valerie as quietly as possible into her spell room as my thoughts yed on in my

    head. For some reason, the room felt as cold as ice. I could feel chills running down my spine and

    there wasn''t even a single window left open. It could just be because I knew whatever truth the witch

    was about to tell me couldn''t be pleasant, whatever it may have been.

    "What is it you want to know?" She jogged me out of my thoughts with her question.

    "Everything that is being hidden from me about the pack and Killian. I need to know exactly what

    happened tonight." I paused, crossing my hands to warm myself up. "Valerie, Killian was utterly¨C" I was

    struggling to find the right words.

    "Different," Valerie offered.

    I nodded. Feeling my legs growing weak.

    "What you witnessed today is the effect of the curse."

    My brows folded, "What are you saying? " No matter how hard I tried to understand what Valerie was

    saying, I just couldn''t. It didn''t make sense.

    "Please exin carefully," I was surprisingly calm.

    Valerie exhaled, stepping closer to me. "Killian is under a curse."

    Valerie''s words shook every bone in my body, getting my immediate attention before I had any

    opportunity to ask any further questions, she spoke again.

    "And so is every single member of the pack," she added, watching me closely.

    A weak gasp escaped my lips in shock, unable to form any words.

    "But how?" I had a lot of questions grazing my mind.

    "It''s a very long story, Luna. It''s a crescent curse, and for the longest time, Killian and the pack have

    tried everything to keep it a secret from the world." Her words kept surprising me. "You know exactly

    what will happen if this secret bes public," she said, her final words shaking me to my core.

    She was right. I could not even begin to imagine it. Killian had many enemies in North Central and even

    beyond who would do anything to seek revenge if word got out about the curse. Both Killian and

    everyone in the pack will be in danger.

    "Tell me, Valerie, who could have done such a despicable thing to him?" I asked.

    "His father, thete Alpha," The intensity of her words stabbed my chest. My legs felt so weak that I

    had to clutch the wooden table for support.

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    "The Alpha''s father is the person who cursed his son and the pack, tying the fate of every crescent

    North member to Killian''s. If something happens to Killian, everyone''s lives will be in danger as well,"

    Valerie shot again, not giving me any chance to recover from each new truth she tossed at me.

    I felt suffocated.

    "But you can help him, right?" I asked. For the first time since our conversation, a tear slipped down the

    lean muscle of my cheek.

    Her gaze became grim. It scared me. "Valerie," I called more urgently.

    "I do not know, but trust me, I am doing everything I can." I could see doubts shing through those

    purple depths of hers. Her words weren''t assuring.

    "There must be something that can be done to save Killian. Did you see him tonight? Hepletely

    lost it, almost like something had taken over his soul." I kept muttering.

    "That was the cursed darkness in his soul." Valerie walked around the round table in the room. "Believe

    me, the witches and I are doing everything we can to get things in order. With the crescent moon rising

    and the gifted one from the goddess, the curse will be broken,"

    "What do you mean by the gifted one?"

    "The curse can only be broken with the help of the gifted one, on the night of the crescent moon rising."

    Valerie said.

    "Then we need to find that gifted one."

    "We already have; it''s Thea," Valerie informed me.

    For a distressing second, I froze.

    "What!" My voice echoed within the walls of my mind, and suddenly everything made sense. Her

    presence in Killian''s life, the intense bond they shared, and why she said Killian needed her.

    I couldn''t stop the tears that welled in my eyes. I felt an uncontroble pain in my chest at everything

    Valerie just told me.

    "She," ˇŞ" She motioned to me. I could only watch her from my ssy vision. She looked like she

    had something more to say, something serious. I didn''t know if I could take more of the brutal truth. I

    felt useless to Killian. There was not a single thing I could do to help him and the pack. Nothing.

    "Back at the meadow with Killian," Valerie started, her eyes revealing far more than her words. It was

    as if she was contemting something that didn''t at all make sense. "Did you¨C" She paused.

    "What?" I asked, waiting for her to speak.

    She hesitated before shaking her head. "Don''t mind me. I thought I felt something back there, "

    I nodded. I broke my gaze from her to the door. One of the witches strutted in. She bowed gently to us.

    "How is everyone?" Valerie questioned her.

    "A few lost their lives. While we managed to tend to the injured warriors and members," The witch said.

    I left the spell room, roving to the pack house. The whole ce was in disarray. Some injured wolves

    were being taken care of by the pack''s healers and the coven witches.

    From afar, my eyes took in Ria. As soon as she saw meing, she raced to me.

    "I''m d you''re okay. I heard you were hurt."

    "I am fine, it was nothing serious," I told her, and soon Brielle met up with us.

    My gaze scanned around for Allen. I found him in thepany of Morgan and Mason. I joined them,

    even though there was no way I could help Killian and the pack with the curse. There was much that

    needed to be done, and in Killian''s absence, I had to help in any way I could.

    I helped out with the injured while everyone prepared for the burial of the dead wolves. It broke my

    heart when I realized many of the dead pack members were the younger wolves.

    Gosh, I had a lot of questions regarding everything I just discovered about Killian and the pack. And I

    didn''t know anything about my mate. It confused me more why he didn''t tell me about the crescent

    curse. Why didn''t anyone tell me?

    I could note up with an answer for that. Only Killian could answer that. If only he could just wake

    up. It''s daylight already, and he still hasn''t regained consciousness. It seemed normal, but it scared me

    deeply. I fought back my tears as I made my way to his chamber. I couldn''t even be by his side. Thea

    has been there since dawn.

    As I moved closer to his chamber, Morgan stepped out.

    "He hasn''t even woken up yet?" I asked.

    Morgan shook his head, watching me.

    I returned his stare, "Why didn''t you tell me, Morgan?" I finally asked the question, choking my

    thoughts, but maybe I was asking the wrong person. I was indubitably sure Killian must have forbidden

    everyone from telling me.

    "Trust me, it''s nothing personal. There was no point in troubling you with such things. You were better

    off not knowing,"

    "How could you say that? Killian is my mate regardless," I bit out.

    "And that''s precisely why you shouldn''t have known. It''ll hurt much worse knowing you can do nothing

    to help him, "

    His words were the absolute truth. It hurt much worse to know I could not help him in any way.

    "Go in and see him. I am sure it''ll do him a lot of good." Morgan said.

    Thankfully, Thea wasn''t around. I went into his chamber. I walked closer to the bed, taking a seat

    beside him. He was back to normal. The dark veins that popped on his skin were no more, and his skin

    didn''t look as pale as it did earlier.

    I pulled my hand up to brush back the tendrils of his soft hair that covered his forehead. My hands

    moved to his face. The electrifying sparks wasted no time erupting.

    It made no sense for a father to curse his son and his pack. It was so cruel.

    I don''t know why the goddess would punish him this much.

    My eyes closed as a line of tears fell from them. I leaned deeper into him, and gently, my lips grazed

    Killian''s.

    I pulled away, my eyes opening as I fell on Killian. To my surprise, his amber eyes were wide open,

    staring at me with those fathomless depths of his.

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36

    Chapter 36 Thirty Six

    Killian''s point of view

    I felt a warm feeling on my lips as intense sparks kindled within me. Slowly, my eyes pushed open, and

    the first thing they found was She''s face, inches away from mine. Her warm, slender hands were

    over me.

    She pulled her eyes open and they connected with mine.

    Her eyes went round, her lips stole a smile. "Killian," she called softly, and I looked around to realize we

    were in my chamber.

    How did I get here?

    I couldn''t remember anything from the time I was in the cave with Thea.

    My eyes broadened, recalling the demon took control over me, but everything after that I couldn''t

    remember.

    The door squeaked open, Morgan came in, and beside him was Allen. Thea raced through the door,

    and in seconds she was in my arms.

    "Killian I''m so happy you''re fine." Thea''s tear-stained face pulled closer to mine, and she kissed me

    right in front of my mate. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed She be still, before exiting the

    room.

    My eyes drifted to my brother and Allen. From the grim look on their faces,st night went bad for the

    pack, and even worse, I lost control of the darkness within. I didn''t want to spend any second more in

    my chamber. There was a heap of things to be done. And also, some funeral rites for the wolves who

    couldn''t make it.

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    Necessary preparations had already been made by Valerie and my mate, She. We buried the wolves

    at the pack''s cemetery. Most of those who lost their lives were the younger wolves, and it was really

    hurtful. I looked around for She. She was around during the funeral, but I can''t seem to find her now.

    I mind-linked Riannon and I was informed she was back at the castle.

    After the funeral, Valerie met with me. Her deep purple eyes, as usual, fell on me sympathetically.

    "We need to put an end to this; it''s been happening for too long already," I said.

    We began walking out of the cemetery.

    "I know," she muttered slowly, st night was out of control."

    "Tell me about it." I really didn''t remember anything from the moment the demon took control. I had no

    idea what I had done. Frankly, it terrified me to even find out what my people had to go through

    because of me.

    Valerie was quiet, as she had been for the past few hours. "What is it that bothers you?"

    "I know you can''t remember anything fromst night when the demon took control, but back in the

    cave, was anyone else there besides you and Thea?" She asked.

    I ran my fingers through my hair, thinking deeply. "It was just Thea and me. No one could get inside

    because of the spell you ced, right?"

    Her eyes pulled away from mine. "That''s exactly what bothers me."

    The skin on my forehead creased, "What do you mean by that?"

    "With the spell I ced, no one could have left the cave, or entered as well, but you did." She stopped

    walking, concentrating hard on me. "When the demon took over, you left the cave, which means

    someone had lifted the boundary spell I ced on the cave."

    "A witch?" I inquired.

    "It can only be," she muttered slowly.

    "It could be the same witch that murdered Rowan in the dungeon, but you assured me it wasn''t from

    your coven," I said.

    "And it wasn''t. Remember, I did a cleansing spell to find out a possible traitor within the coven, but

    there was none, meaningˇŞ"

    "It''s someone else," I concluded, and she nodded.

    My rough hands fell on my face. "Another problem to add to the list."

    "The Luna knows everything," Valerie said, drawing my attention back to her. Before I could speak, she

    said, "I told her. She saw everything that happenedst night. There was no point in keeping the secret

    anymore. She''s your mate, and something about her feelspletely different."

    I stopped listening to Valerie, my heart picked up an insane speed within my chest. She knew

    everything. I couldn''t think straight. "How on earth did she see everything?"

    "I have no idea. The warriors and witches tried to find you. By the time we found you, the demon had

    her. It almost killed herst night. That''s all I know." She studied me. "No one knows what happened

    between you two, but by the time we arrived, the demon was gone, and I felt something. I swear I did,"

    She paused for a moment before returning her gaze to me. "I have a gut feeling there''s something we

    are not doing right, and I''ll find out,"

    Valerie left for her quarters, and I headed to the castle. To my mate''s chamber. Without knocking, I

    walked in and found her staring into the mirror in a daze. It took a long minute for her to notice my

    presence, and once she did, she slowly spun around, giving me the opportunity to gaze into her lucid

    blue eyes.

    "Killian," she said, softly. I could not even imagine what would have be of me if I had hurt herst

    night, or even worse, killed her. There was a stinging pain in my chest; even Ryker felt it too.

    She moved a step closer to me, her scent dancing in the air,pletely distracting me for a minute.

    "How are you doing? I heard you were all injuredst night," I voiced.

    She didn''t reply, instead, she sent me a gaze that held so many questions.

    "Why didn''t you tell me about the curse, Killian? I am your mate," Her voice vibrated. She was in pain. I

    wanted to run over to her and wrap her in my arms. I wanted to kiss away her pain and sadness.

    "There was no reason to," I said, my words hurting her all the more. But I didn''t mean it that way. There

    was no point bothering her with these things. What happenedst night made it crystal clear to me how

    much of a danger I was to She. It also reminded me that not only my life was at stake, but also the

    lives of every member of my pack. I couldn''t be selfish. Thea should be the one by my side. She should

    be the one I truly love.

    "I realize there''s no way I can help you and the pack with the curse, but," A tear slipped down her

    cheek as she struggled for her next words. Something deep within me churned at her teary sight. I

    hated seeing those sad tears escape her gorgeous eyes.

    I couldn''t hold back; I had to hold her in my arms, at least once more. Then I would back away, pretend

    she didn''t exist, but just this once was all I needed. Before I knew it, my god-damned legs were on the

    move, I approached her, but she took a step back.

    "Please, just don''t move," I said in a soft tone.

    To my surprise, she obeyed. I stood before her, leaving no space between us. I cupped her face, and

    slowly brushed the pad of my thumb on her delicate cheek, staring deep into her eyes.

    She leaned into my touch as my thumb traveled to her bottom lip, brushing against it. She released

    a subtle moan and absent-mindedly opened her lips in invitation.

    I found myself leaning into her, aiming for her luscious soft lips. My lips felt her warm ones, and I

    couldn''t help but moan softly at the tingles that erupted throughout my body. Her lips danced beautifully

    with mine.

    Her soft moans were music to my ears. I loved everything about her. With her sweet honey kisses and

    tender caresses, She wrapped her hands around my neck, and I wrapped my strong hands around

    her small waist.

    Her pristine body was pinned against mine as if it was in my warm embrace. In a quick motion, I hauled

    her body against the wooden dresser table and moved my way between her legs, my lips not once

    disconnecting from hers. I caressed her thighs beneath her dress.

    She made short sounds of pleasure and I froze.

    She was beautiful, but I couldn''t go on. I couldn''t lose myself. I pecked her lips one more time before

    pulling away from her.

    Ryker and I died, seeing the hurt in her beautiful, brilliant blue eyes. She looked so fragile and

    heartbroken.

    Her eyes held more questions.

    "Please Killian, stop doing this," she spoke. I could see the tiredness in her eyes. "Now I know the

    reason why Thea is here. She is the only one you love and the one you need. You have no idea how

    much it''s hurt me to know I will never stand a chance against her. It will always be her, and you''ll keep

    choosing her over me. I want this pain I feel to stop. I want to stop hurting, Killian." She said firmly, her

    words confusing me.

    She''s eyes closed, leaning into my tingling touch as if wanting it to warm her shattered heart. Then

    she pulled her eyes open, her gaze firm as she dered. "I, She Caso, reject you, Alpha Killian

    Reid, as my mate."

 Chapter 37

    Chapter 37

    Chapter 37 Thirty Seven

    Killian''s point of view

    I stood frozen. It was like every blood in my body had drained. I felt so numb to the pain that choked my

    chest. My eyes scanned She''s face, pausing on her lips, then back to her eyes. My brows furrowed

    confusedly at her, observing her as if contemting if She was seriously just rejecting me.

    Her firm gaze and solemnity told me that she meant every bloody word she said. She rejected me. But

    it''spletely useless if I don''t ept her rejection.

    The pain in my chest slowly morphed into anger.

    Iughed. I let go of her as my lips kept releasingughter, which caused tears to form in my eyes.

    Myughter couldn''t stop. I found She staring intently at me in confusion, wondering what I found so

    funny.

    In a terrifying manner, I gripped her, mming her against the wall. My death grip was firm on her

    shoulders.

    She tried to escape my grip, but it was next to impossible. Her eyes snapped back at me in a rage.

    "Let me go!"

    My eyes grew darker, and rage pumped through every vein in mine.

    "Do you really think I would allow you to reject me, She? Me? The Alpha! Do you really think I''d let

    you escape from me that easily when you have literally turned my world upside down? I can''t seem to

    concentrate on anything else other than you. Your entire existence in my life has haunted me. And you

    think I''ll let go of you that easily? Never." I whispered harshly into her ears.

    She whimpered under my scorching breath. Hungrily, my hands cupped her face. I possessed her

    lips, kissing them harshly and nipping on them.

    My hands released her face and found their way to her hips. I grabbed them tightly, digging them

    deeper into me just so she could feel my erection. So she would know how much control her body had

    over me. How much she affected me.

    I could smell her sweet arousal, her body getting hotter and responding to mine.

    I left the assault on her lips and moved to my treasured spot on her neck. I began to suck on her

    marking spot. A breathless erotic gasp left my mate''s lips, and oh goddess, I felt my member harden

    more against her wet core.

    It took every control I had to pull away from her. My dark amber eyes stared at her for a few short

    seconds while only our heavy breathing was heard within her corner wall chamber.

    I released my grip on her and backed away, heading to the door.

    "Like it or not, She, you are MINE and will continue to be mine as long as I am alive. I won''t let you

    off so easily. We''ve been destined to be together, whether it be love or hate. I will never let you go. I

    swear to the goddess." I told her, enunciating each word as she watched me with tears in her eyes.

    Sparing onest nce at her, I left her chamber.

    ***

    She''s point of view

    I was on my way to Valerie''s spell room when I noticed Killian in the castle hallways. He was with his

    lover, Thea. She was all over him, sucking his face, and shamelessly, he was kissing her back.

    Upon hearing my footsteps or sensing my presence, Killian pulled away from Thea, swerving his head

    to his right, and his eyes connected with mine.

    For a split second, I froze, hearing the loud drumming of my heart in my ears. My wolf, Adie, released a

    painful howl. I also felt my heart shatter at the sight. But I had made a resolve to myself that as long as

    I was the Luna of the Pack, I would never allow myself to be hurt by Killian and his lover.

    I broke from his gaze. Without uttering a word, I walked straight past Killian and his lover, moving out

    the doors into the chilling evening air.

    Thest few days have been monotonous for me. I realized I was hurting more even after knowing the

    whole truth about Killian and the pack. Sincerely, I feltpletely out of ce and useless to Killian

    and the pack. It pained me so much that I could do nothing to help with the curse.

    Everyone has been treating me well nheless, and I have managed to form bonds with the pack

    members. I frequented the Packhouse more, having my meals there instead of at the castle.

    The other day, I watched the female warriors train in the field. I can''t deny they were quite good. And I

    have improved well under Killian''s strict training. I spend the early mornings before dawn training with

    Killian, and the afternoon in his office as well. I have learned a lot more about the pack and its affairs.

    In theing week, Killian and I will be attending a meeting at the Diamond Pack outside the capital. It

    will be my first meeting as the Luna of the pack, and I''m really excited.

    "So am I," I heard Adie''s voice in the back of my mind. I am able to have conversations with my wolf,

    Adie. All thanks to Valerie. I have been spending most of my evenings in her spell room. We''ve gotten

    quite close as she has been helping me with my wolf situation. I canmunicate with Adie, but I

    haven''t been able to shift yet. She asked me if I had ever shifted into my wolf in the past. I told her that

    was impossible. Even though I barely remembered my earlier childhood days, I was certain I couldn''t

    have shifted at such an early age.

    I was in the witches'' spell room, helping Valerie and the witches in whatever way I could for tonight''s

    ritual to find the phoenix stone the Council had spoken about.

    It was twilight already, so we left the spell room and headed for the witches'' quarters instead. The ritual

    will be taking ce in the witches'' courtyard tonight. For some reason, Valerie insisted I be present.

    Brielle and I stood at a far distance watching the witches. They haven''t begun yet; they were patiently

    waiting for the moon beforemencing. Just like how the moon was the very center of the werewolf''s

    existence, it was also a powerful source of natural magic for the witches.

    Soon the moon made its presence known, and the witches formed a circle in the court. Each of the

    coven witches stood beside the burning torches fixed around the courtyard. They were all dressed in

    simr woolen red cloaks, all wearing hoods over their heads. Some markings were scribbled on the

    ground. Valerie exined that it was some kind of ess to the Earth''s magic.

    The witches had their hands coiled together. Valerie was in the center of the circle, also wearing a

    simr red cloak. She had a wooden kylix in front of her and a small dagger in her hand. It looked pretty

    normal, but I was told it was an athame dagger used for rituals. She pierced her palm with the dagger,

    and in a rush, her blood flowed out, dropping into the wooden kylix.

    When she was done, she gave the dagger to the witch, Gwen. She also pierced her palm, her blood

    dripping into the same kylix. I watched as everyone within therge circle used the athame dagger,

    pouring a drop of their blood into the kylix to ensure their magical energy was linked as one for tonight''s

    ritual.

    Gwen passed the wooden kylix to Valerie, and it was ced on the ground.

    They started low chants in an unknownnguage. That sounded more like the ancient Czechnguage,

    but it wasn''t exactly it.

    As their chants grew louder, the zing torches burned fiercer.

    I felt the hairs on my skin stand up in alert as I felt a presence behind me. I didn''t need to move my

    head to realize who that was; my body always seemed to recognize him.

    "Is there any progress yet?" Killian asked. I turned to my side, my eyes dwelling on his god-like body.

    His piercing stare met mine.

    I shook my head, moving my gaze from him to the witches who were still at work.

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    "No. They just started," I said, feeling his heavy stare on me.

    I folded my hands around my chest, watching as Valerie brought out a small white orb, and as they

    kept chanting, the orb kept glowing.

    It was as if I was lost in whatever the witches were doing. I really didn''t notice when Killian moved

    closer.

    I turned my gaze to him, sensing a disturbing shift in the air. His amber eyes were foggy; he was being

    mind-linked.

    His eyes kept growing deadly. I waited for him to be done, and his amber eyes met mine.

    "Stay here!" he ordered.

    "Why? What''s happening?" I asked in a rush.

    His gaze grew intense. "The Pack is under another attack." He rushed on. "It''s the Dark Circle. They

    are here for the stone."

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 38

    Chapter 38 Thirty Eigh

    SheˇŻs point of view

    "The pack is under another attack." Killian was quick to speak, his eyes holding a cautious fear. "It''s the

    Dark Circle. They are here for the stone."

    "The stone?" I repeated, my eyes traveling to the witches. I didn''t know every detail of it, but I''m aware

    the Dark Circle is desperate to have the phoenix stone. They want all four for some reason, and so far

    they only have two.

    Killian''s tingling touch on my skin pulled my attention to him. "Stay here with the witches, She. I will

    send some warriors here."

    Subconsciously, I nodded, watching Killian leave with Brielle.

    I moved closer to the witches'' courtyard. I had to warn them that the pack had already been invaded by

    the Dark Circle army and they were after the stone.

    Their chants had already reached the sky, and the mes around them zed deadlier.

    Valerie held the white orb in her palm. At every chant she muttered, the orb glowed a blinding shade of

    white light, its brilliant light swallowing Valerie''s deep purple eyes. She stared intensely into the orb like

    she was seeing something in it.

    The mes burned profusely, the witches were chanting at the top of their voices, and Valerie''s gaze

    grew more intense. I felt the strong energy that danced around me. It was overwhelming to the point

    that it caused something within me to stir.

    The mes around us reached the skies, apanied by the witches'' chants, and then everything

    died. The burning mes on the torches died, the witches stopped chanting, and the blinding white

    glow in Valerie''s eyes was no more, but the white orb still glowed fiercely.

    Valerie was smiling, seeming as though she had knowledge of where the stone was in the pack.

    Quickly, I hastened to her side. "The pack is under attack by the Dark Circle army, and they are here for

    the stone," I informed her as quickly as I could.

    Valerie''s brows shot up; her face went pale instantly. There was a frown on her features. She nced

    around at the witches who were drawing closer. Gwen motioned to Valerie. Valerie parted her lips to

    speak, but before she could, unknown figures appeared, stalking the roofs of the witches'' quarters,

    wearing ck outfits that covered half of their faces.

    The witches around Valerie took a uniform stance. Before anyone could do anything, more unknown

    figures rushed into the courtyard surrounding everyone. Everything happened incredibly fast. Valerie

    and the witches'' coven attacked, and so did the unknown figures. They were witches as well. There

    was a st in the courtyard that sent everyone flying. My body collided harshly against the cold,

    heartless ground.

    I groaned at the harsh impact and the pain that washed through me.

    As I pulled myself up, the whole atmosphere within the courtyard was hazy. Everyone was covered in a

    mist.

    I felt tight hands grip my shoulder. I turned to find Valerie''s affrighted face. "Head to the witches''

    cemetery now!" She shoved the glowing white orb into my hands. "Retrieve the stone; the Dark Circle

    mustn''t get their hands on it."

    Valerie''s eyes snapped to her left, her fingers dancing in the air as she aimed for three Dark Circle

    witches that lunged at us.

    With a snap of her fingers, their hearts jumped from their chests, making a sound against the bloody

    earth.

    Her deeply worried gaze met mine, and without being told twice, I was up on my feet. My legs were a

    little shaky from the harsh fall, but I kicked it into motion, navigating my way through the mist that

    blinded everyone.

    I was out of the witches'' quarters, but I could hear the loud growls that echoed around me. Those dark

    witches didn''te alone; they were at the packhouse and castle.

    I raced in the opposite direction, clutching the orb in my hand. Frankly, I didn''t know where the witches''

    cemetery was. Ria told me about it, along with the wolf cemetery where we buried the young wolves,

    but I haven''t been to the witches'' cemetery.

    I kept running when suddenly I was surrounded by four Dark Circle minions. Their eyes narrowed on

    the white orb in my hands. Using their non-human speed, they lunged at me.

    I ducked, slipping my hand underneath my dress to my ankle boots, where my dagger was. I gripped it

    firmly, diving it into the heart of one of my attackers.

    I watched with a smile as his face was drained of life and his body desated. He copsed to the

    ground. I took a quarter second to send a grateful thanks to Killian. He was the one that gifted me the

    dagger. I was told it had been magically enhanced by the witches'' magic to ensure it was poisonous

    and effective. This was my first time testing it, and it was simply wonderful.

    I smiled deeper, but my smile didn''tst long as another attack lunged my way. I swung my legs against

    one of my attackers. Before I could retract my legs, they were gripped by one of these godforsaken

    things, and I was tossed hard against the ground.

    I bit my lip to prevent the groan from escaping, but my hand never abandoned the white orb that kept

    glowing.

    I threw my dagger sharply, and it aimed perfectly at his chest. He soon turned pale and dropped dead

    on the ground.

    The remaining two came at me again. I was up on my feet, pulling my dagger from the dead man''s

    chest. They were almost on top of me. Before I could attack, their hearts jumped from their chests. My

    eyes stared in horror at the new cavity in their chests. I turned around and saw Gwen. She tossed

    away the bloody organs of those men that were in her hands. At once, their bodies kissed the dust on

    the earth.

    "Thank goodness it''s you," I told her. "I have no idea where the witches'' cemetery is."

    "It''s this way," she led the way, and I followed suit with the orb in my hand.

    From afar, I could see the faint outline of the cemeterying into view.

    We were still a far distance apart when she choked on her breathing, unable to gasp for air. She fell to

    the ground, gasping. I was by her side in a hurry and, as quickly, we were surrounded by a few witches

    and wolves. Rogues. Without a doubt, the Dark Circle army.

    "Run!" She looked me in the eyes, and I nodded. I clutched my dagger even tighter, sprinting straight

    for the cemetery, some wolves trailing behind me.

    Suddenly, the earth around us shook mildly, and it was as if a charging current of electricity passed

    through me. It brought me to a halt, and when I turned around, I saw Gwen bending against the

    ground, her hands dug into the ground, and her eyes glowed brightly.

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    Immediately, there was a strong force that sent everyone flying. I heard the loud sounds of neck-

    snappings with blood flowing on the earth. It was the first time I had to witness a channeler at work. A

    witch gifted specifically with the ability to steal magic from anything that has an atom of magical energy

    in it. She must have absorbed magic from the earth and everything within.

    Gwen''s eyes became normal, and she looked my way, urging me to keep on moving as more of the

    army of the Dark Circle approached her.

    I continued running to the witches'' cemetery without looking back.

    I reached the cemetery with the glowing white orb in my hands. Gwen said it would help me find the

    stone. I kept walking through the tombstones, but nothing was happening. It was frustrating as I felt my

    heartbeat pounding in an unusual manner.

    I moved past a white pir, and the orb glowed brighter. I stopped in my tracks, and it glowed brighter in

    front of the tall pir stone. There was a symbol on it.

    I trailed my fingers on it, and it stopped on the pentagon symbol on the pir. It glowed goldenly, there

    was a creaking noise. I turned around to find a small opening behind me. And then I saw it. A blue

    stone.

    My legs moved with haste, and I grabbed it from its spot. The white orb glowed brighter. This was the

    powerful phoenix stone. But it looked like any ordinary stone.

    I didn''t have time to ponder further on the stone, as I heard threatening growls echoing around the

    cemetery.

    My beating heart spiked twice its normal rate. I turned to leave the cemetery, but I was surrounded. all

    wolves. Some were in their full wolf forms, while others were in their human forms, having beastly

    ws and sharp canines extending from their lips.

    I took careful steps backward as they circled me, eyes vicious, and their aura screamed a threatening

    danger that frightened me.

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 39

    Chapter 39 Thirty Nine

    She''s point of view

    My eyes narrowed around them carefully, as they regarded me with murderous intent. I held onto my

    dagger tightly, taking a few steps backwards. On my sudden movement, they lunged at me. I ducked

    around the pir, moving through the tombstones, hoping to get to the entrance, but I was blocked by a

    wolf. Its sharp ws were aimed at me.

    I pulled away from its path, turning backward when I was ambushed by another wolf. Its sharp ws

    shed through my arm. The white orb in my hand fell to the ground, shattering at its sound against

    the ground. My hold on the phoenix stone in my other hand tightened. I could feel my blood rush freely

    from my arm.

    I mumbled curses under my breath. I wished I could shift into my wolf. It would have been much better.

    I felt the pain eat away at my bones as I tried to flee, but there was nowhere to go, nor an exit to run to.

    These fucking rogues had me surrounded. I was at the center of the cemetery, with the rogues circling

    me.

    Oh, my goddess, I was done for. This was suicide. I was not only outnumbered, I was outmatched.

    There was no way I could possibly be, even in my wildest fantasy, victorious against them.

    They lunged at me, and I held on to my dagger like I was clinging on to my life. I threw it at the first wolf

    I came in contact with, aiming for its heart. I tried moving fast, aiming for the wolf nearest to me. I

    turned around, but before I could send my dagger into one of the wolves, I felt a sharp pain in my back.

    I yelped in pain at the tearing of my skin. I managed to dagger the beast beside me. When another

    plunged its ws into my side, the painful impact caused me to copse on my knees. With the little

    strength I still had in my grip, I sent my dagger into the wolf closest to me. From nowhere, sharp ws

    tore through my stomach. I screamed at the pain. Another w came at me. I could feel its sharpness

    in my chest. Ruthless pain pierced through my bones.

    Then, as quickly as I was gripped, I could feel my legs wiggle in the air as I was tossed harshly against

    the wall. The stone was snatched away from me. My whole body began to tremble uncontrobly, but

    never once did I let go of the phoenix stone.

    At full speed, the wolves cornered me. Piercing ws wrapped around my neck, tightening. I felt the

    warm crimson fluid that rushed down my neck as one of the wolves suffocated me. The trembling

    within my bones intensified. The pain around my body began to vanish. I felt nothing as my body

    trembled all the more. Something was wrong with me. I could feel it from the depth of my soul. I felt

    different. It was like there was a new gush of energy beating from the cave of my heart, breaking free,

    spreading from my chest to every part of my body.

    My stomach became hot. It burned with an intense me. It was ufortable, as it burned with

    purpose. It''s the only pain I felt at the moment. It tortured me like it was furious, and craved freedom. a

    kind of freedom that has been denied all along.

    I felt this kind of pain when Killian went on a rampage, and he almost killed me.

    The pain from my stomach, again, traveled its way to my chest, leaving a burning sensation that killed

    my insides but at the same time breathed a new kind of life within me. A new kind of energy.

    Its intense mes moved from my chest to my throat, and that''s when I felt it. The choking urge to

    scream.

    My blue eyes jerked open, and my irises burned like they were in mes. Whatever was wrong with me

    caused the wolves to swerve their attention towards me. Their gaze broke in fear just staring at me.

    The stone that was held in one of the rogue hands began to glow a blinding shade of blue. There was a

    distant yet familiar aura of magic that circled around the cemetery. Without prior warning, the burning

    sensation in my throat pushed out of my lips, making me scream loudly, and I sumbed to darkness.

    ***

    Killian''s point of view

    Bloody hell!

    These fudging assholes sent by the Dark Circle had infiltrated the whole pack. They were in the

    packhouse already, and also at the castle.

    The pack army had scattered around, fighting against the god-damned rogues and witches the Dark

    Circle had sent to retrieve the stone. I was at the pack house fighting, along with Morgan, while Mason

    and Allen covered the castle. The Pack''s female beta, Brielle, Adam, and Xavier were scattered around

    with many warriors.

    The more we killed, the more reinforcement came for them. It was maddening.

    We had anticipated this attack, but not at the same time that the witches were preupied with the

    ritual to find the stone.

    I gripped one of the rogues'' necks, detaching it from its body with my ws. I was not in myplete

    wolf form. In my human form, Ryker and I were sharing control. With my speed, I was before another

    rogue, plucking his heart from his chest. I moved on to others, and the earth weed their roguish,

    bloody hearts within seconds.

    I moved on to the next thing when Jax''s mind linked me. I had sent him, along with Nate and Kaleb, to

    the witches'' quarters to protect She.

    "What Jax?"

    "Luna isn''t at the witches'' quarters."

    His sudden words through the mind link caused me to be still.

    "The witches'' quarters are also under attack by the Dark Circle witches," Jax rushed. I felt the life within

    me drain.

    "Where is She? Find her!" Ryker and I growled in unison.

    "We are on our way to the witches'' cemetery ˇŞ"

    My brows were paralyzed. "What the hell are you going there for? Find your Luna at once!" I growled

    again in a rage.

    "She''s there right now. She went to find the stone, andˇ­" Jax stopped talking.

    "Jax!"

    "Fuck, Alpha, they are everywhere." His voice held fear.

    I disconnected from him, heading out of the Packhouse.

    "What happened?" Morgan mind-linked me. He was at a distance, fighting against these fucking

    rogues.

    "Stay here! I have to get to She. She''s in danger," I said, rushing through the mind link.

    Without sparing a second, I shifted into my gargantuan ck wolf and I sprinted off to the witches''

    cemetery.

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    I took the shortcut through the woods, feeling a presence behind me. I turned to find Morgan''s brown

    wolf racing behind me.

    "What the hell, Morgan! I told you to remain at the Packhouse!" I yelled in fury through the mind link.

    "Tell me when you could ever order me around!" He shot back through the mind link, furious. Very

    furious. I couldn''t tell exactly why. I could care less about that right now. My priority was getting to

    She. Protecting her.

    Ryker and I couldn''t even quell the rage breathing fire into our bones nor the fear that wed at our

    chest.

    "She, please be safe!" I whispered to myself.

    Morgan and I approached the witches'' cemetery, and the sight before me made my insides shrink.

    Everywhere was choked with the Dark Circle army. Most of them were roguish wolves.

    My gaze narrowed in on Gwen, Kaleb, and Nate. They were all fighting against the rogues at a far

    distance. But no sight of She.

    Morgan joined in on the fight. I raced to the entrance of the cemetery where Jax was fighting against

    rogues.

    "Where is She?"

    "Inside," Jax sounded through the mind link.

    I froze. Fuck. Many rogues were blocking the entrance, and there seemed to be a whole lot of them

    inside the cemetery with my mate.

    My heart began to race in fear for She. For a broken second, I felt like I could not breathe as the

    thought of She alone came to me.

    That fear and pain turned into rage. And I lost it. I let out a loud growl that echoed into the darkness. My

    inner vision turned red, and I went on a killing spree, trying to make my way into the cemetery.

    From my peripheral vision, I saw Morgan join us. He killed angrily, as vicious as I did.

    Finally, we made our way into the cemetery, fighting off the rogues that were scattered around it.

    Ryker and I scanned around, searching for She. It was damn hard to pinpoint her scent since it was

    everywhere. Ryker drew closer to a blood trail, and to my horror, it was She''s.

    I moved with speed, charging at any rogue I came in contact with, following the trail of She''s blood as

    it led me deeper into the cemetery. From afar, I noticed wolves circling around a pir.

    My blood went cold. I couldn''t see what was happening, but there was a frightening stir within me at the

    thought that it could be She.

    I leapt in the air, racing closer when a piercing scream echoed around us. It was loud and deafening,

    birthing a blinding blue light that covered the earth''s darkness. The deafening scream caused the earth

    to tremble. The calm air around us grew furious and wild. Its loud screams echoed through the air, and

    it carried an overwhelming surge of magic that could force anyone down to their knees. I couldn''t see

    through the blinding blue light that formed a fog around us.

    The magical energy around me forced me to shift from my wolf to my human form. I copsed to my

    knees as the intensity shook the core of my bones. Every wolf in the pack could feel it as several howls

    rose to the sky. All I could think about was my mate.

    Then, at once, the scream halted, and the blinding light vanished from the darkness. What I saw all

    around me made my eyes widen in horror.

    What the fuck?

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 40

    Chapter 40 Forty

    Killian''s point of view

    The piercing scream caused the earth beneath me to rumble, and a blinding blue light covered the

    darkness, impeding the moon from witnessing anything. I couldn''t see a damn thing.

    The earth around me was doused with an unfamiliar energy. It was so powerful that it forced me to shift

    from my wolf form to my human form.

    The loud screamssted longer, agitating the calm air as it turned wild, aiming at anything or, better yet,

    anyone in its path. The earth shook and the blinding light continued as the scream intensified.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    After many long seconds, the earth''s vibration stopped, and blue light vanished from the darkness,

    giving the moon ess to the earth. I scanned around, but there was no sign of my mate, She.

    Ryker was getting anxious. And his anxiousness was making me furious and impatient.

    I raced to where the wolves had gathered around a pir. My heart jammed with an unrecognizable

    fear. To my horror and soon confusion, they were all dead. Every fucking one of those imbeciles were

    dead. Their blood smeared the grounds of the cemetery. They were in the most horrendous state.

    This was impossible. Just a few minutes ago they were all breathing assholes, and now they are dead.

    My heart skipped a fearful bit, searching around the lifeless corpses of the rogues for She. I didn''t

    realize I was holding my breath until I was done with my search, and to my relief, She wasn''t among

    the horrid corpses.

    I was relieved, but my fear was far from gone. I needed to see her safe before I could really feel calm.

    I searched for She, walking past the tombstones. Her scent kept getting stronger. Finally, it led me to

    a wall where dead rogues were scattered around. My eyes fell on the phoenix stone. Itid on the

    ground, glowing bright blue light, and beside it, at the center of this blood bath, was my mate, She.

    I was hit with sharp pain. Ryker howled in pain as well at the sight of She on the cold ground. She

    was unconscious. The blood streaming from her body made my insides writhe with pain.

    I swear Ipletely froze.

    Fuck! This can''t be. No! Sheˇ­ I felt my breathing hitch. My heartbeat was spiking.

    I couldn''t move an inch, my face paralyzed with shock, my insides crippled from excruciating pain.

    It can''t be.

    My heart was hammering hard against my chest. I couldn''t breathe. It was as if every breath in

    existence had somehow vanished. I felt like my whole world had shattered. My life was slowly escaping

    from me.

    I took a few excruciating steps closer to where my matey unmoving on the ground. The blood in my

    veins ceased to exist. My knees were crippled down to the bloody earth. My trembling hands moved to

    reach for my mate, covered in her own blood.

    A broken gasp erupted from my lips as my hand touched She. Her body was still and almost cold.

    My body began to quiver, my bones trembling hard against my joints. My soul drowned with several

    emotions all at once, suffocating me. I held her firmly, pulling her body into my arms. My fingers

    brushed back the locks of her brown hair that covered her face.

    Another broken sob left my lips in her bloody state. Her neck had been injured badly, with blood rushing

    from her head. She was bleeding from her stomach, her arm, and her back.

    I couldn''t hold the pain I felt within me. I wanted to release it. My lips flew open and a resounding growl

    left my lips from the pain I felt.

    I heard hasty steps rush to where I was with my mate. Morgan and Jax were beside me, their eyes

    wide in horror as they wandered over the horrendous state of the wolves and then to She.

    "They are just like the others," Jax muttered more to himself, grabbing the stone from the bloody mess

    on the earth.

    Morgan''s hand fell on She''s neck, inspecting her slow pulse. Even her heartbeat was slow.

    "What happened to her?" Morgan''s words were low and breathless. I could see the features of his face

    crumpled with pain. Any other time, his affection for my mate would have angered me, but I didn''t have

    the time for that right now. She needed to be seen by the pack''s healers.

    "I don''t know. She was like this when I found her."

    "Those bloody things!" Morgan bit out in a rage.

    Without saying any more, I scooped my mate into my arms, standing on my feet. I hurried out of the

    cemetery, finding Gwen, Nate, and Kaleb in the middle of another bloodbath of dead rogues.

    The rogues'' army that was fighting just some minutes ago was dead on the ground in a simr

    horrendous state as the ones in the cemetery.

    This was awfully strange. Everyone from the Dark Circle was no longer alive. It was almost as if

    something aimed at them all.

    "What happened to her?" Gwen was the first to speak.

    "She''s bleeding profusely. Can you stop it?" I asked her quickly.

    Gwen moved closer to She''s unconscious body in my arms. Her hands were up in the air, falling on

    the wound on She''s stomach. Gwen muttered a few words before opening her eyes.

    "I used a lot of my magic fighting. I can''t stop her bleeding. She is in a lot of pain."

    Gwen''s words punctured my heart further. "Do something, please."

    She held She''s hand and, without saying a word, she closed her eyes and opened them again.

    "I absorbed some of her pain. She really needs to see the healers," Gwen said.

    Everyone''s eyes held fear and worry, seeing She in such a horrible state. It scared me deeply.

    I dashed to the castle as quickly as I could, and all of the Dark Circle witches and wolves who had

    attacked there were dead, just like the ones in the cemetery.

    Allen and Mason rushed to my side as they noticed me approaching with a wounded She in my

    arms.

    I couldn''t reply to any of their insane questions at the moment. My utmost priority was saving my mate.

    I made my way to She''s chamber and, carefully, I ced her on the bed. My body is now covered in

    her blood.

    Riannon burst through the door, her eyes widening as she saw She in that state, and she was soon

    by her side, sobbing profusely.

    I mind-linked the pack''s healers at once toe to see She. Just then, Morgan came bustling

    through the door with Valerie, stalking behind.

    My emotions were all over the ce, and I couldn''t hide my rage and vexation. It had blinded me

    already, and I couldn''t stop myself.

    "Come on, Valerie. Why on earth did you allow her to do something so dangerous?" I charged angrily

    at Valerie, but Morgan was quick to grab me before I could sessfully reach her, pushing me against

    the wall.

    He was very strong, but his strength couldn''t wrestle against mine. I was stronger. I pushed myself out

    of his grasp.

    This was all Valerie''s fault. She knew She wasn''t like us. She didn''t have her wolf and couldn''t even

    defend herself properly, yet she sent her to retrieve the stone.

    What the fuck was she thinking?

    Not once did Valerie spare me a nce; her focus was on my mate, She. Speedily, Valerie hurried to

    She''s side, her hands inspecting her carefully at the ces she was bleeding profusely from. In a

    few seconds, she began muttering chants while her fingers danced skillfully over She''s wounds.

    The door was pushed open, and Gwen rushed in, apanied by another witch. Behind them were

    the pack healers.

    "Everyone, please give us the room. We need to tend to her at once." Valerie turned to Morgan, Allen,

    Riannon, and me, indicating we left. Well, that''s a bloody no.

    I sent her a fierce look. "Like fuck I would. I am not leaving her side in that state of hers!"

    "Please, Alpha. There''s no time to argue. She is badly wounded and needs urgent treatment. We can''t

    have you all here while we undress her," Valerie urged again, her tone pleading.

    As if I really care. There was no way I was leaving my mate in such a state. I charged forward at her,

    but Morgan gripped me again.

    "Enough, brother. Rage won''t do us any good. This is She''s life on the line. Let the witches and

    healers do their work," He spoke quietly. My eyes fell into his emerald green depths, which showed

    nothing but pain as well.

    I couldn''t hold back the tears that escaped my eyes. I nodded.

    Reluctantly, I left the chamber with everyone, leaving just the witches and healers to tend to my mate.

    I rubbed my palm against the back of my neck, leaning on the wall. "You have to pull through. Please,

    Mate."

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 41

    Chapter 41 Forty One

    Killian''s point of view

    Gosh. These hours have been the longest hours of my life.

    I have been waiting outside She''s chamber for only the goddess knows how long. My wolf was

    pacing around, panicking. He was agitated. He wanted to see our mate, to see her awake and out of

    pain. To have those beautiful eyes of hers stare back at me.

    I groaned in frustration. Grabbing a handful of my hair in my hands, I felt like dying, knowing something

    bad could happen to her. She shouldn''t have to go through any of this. I wish I could save her from the

    pain she was going through.

    I felt rage and impatience mixing with the frustration entrenched in my bones. But I had to be calm. I

    couldn''t afford to lose control. She needed me to be sane when she awakes.

    I took a deep, and calm breath, hearing Morgan''s voice through the mind link. The warriors had

    cleaned up the disgusting remnants of the Dark Circle army within the pack. Even the witches also

    helped in fixing the damage around the pack, tending to the injured warriors along with the healers.

    But I couldn''t concentrate on the pack now, not when my mate was in such a terrible state.

    My head snapped up at the sound of the door to She''s chamber opening. I was on my feet when the

    Pack''s healer, Maggie, stepped out with her assistants. One after the other, they lowered their heads

    and rushed past me.

    Maggie approached me, lowering her head in respect.

    "How is she doing?" I asked, noting the fear that was rising in my tone.

    Maggie heaved a sigh and pursed her lips. "She was badly injured everywhere. The wounds are very

    deep. Frankly, I am surprised that she''s able to survive, more so, being without her wolf." Maggie

    paused, inhaling. "We managed to stop the bleeding, and the witches were able to heal her wounds,

    but ˇŞ"

    But? That didn''t sound good. I held my breath tightly, awaiting whatever her words were.

    "But what, Maggie?" I asked sternly, folding my hands against my chest.

    "Right now, she''s still unconscious. So, we still have to monitor her until she awakes. It''s been hours

    since I gave her the medicinal herbs. She should have already responded to it, but I don''t understand

    why she is not regaining consciousness." She spoke quietly, staring at me.

    "I don''t understand," I muttered as I went past her and entered She''s chamber.

    Valerie and Gwen were beside her. When I moved closer to the bed, they stepped back.

    She''s pristine body was on the bed. She was tucked perfectly well under the sheets. She was still not

    awake. I moved closer to her, my heart tearing up at the sight of her pale face, and her breathing was

    awfully slow like she was in a deep slumber.

    "She, please wake up," I said, taking hold of her hand in my giant one. Her skin was cold, but it

    wasn''t from the winter''s cold air. I rubbed my hand gently against hers, trying to provide whatever

    warmth I could. I felt guilty. I didn''t realize that tears had slipped down my eyes.

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    I felt a hand on my shoulder. I tilted my head a little to find Valerie''s somber eyes on me.

    "Why isn''t she waking up yet?" I asked her, my voice battered and confused. Even without her wolf to

    aid her fast healing, the witches and healers had managed to stop the bleeding and heal her injuries.

    So why wasn''t she awake yet?

    "We have to be patient and hopeful. She might regain her consciousness soon," Valerie said, trying to

    assure me. But I have known this witch for the longest, and her eyes can never fool me. She wasn''t

    even convinced by her own words.

    I nodded gently.

    "What happenedst night?" I asked her. Nothing still made sense to me. She''s screams, and the

    powerful energy that shook every one of us.

    I turned to Valerie. "Was the phoenix stone responsible for it?"

    Her eyes on me were intense. "I don''t know," was all she said. But it was as though her eyes were not

    saying a lot more.

    "Stay with her, your presence as her mate will help her a lot," she said before leaving the room.

    Leaving me with an unconscious She.

    ***

    I stayed unmoving from her side throughout the day and never drifted my eyes away from her

    unconscious figure throughout the night, but She''s condition still hadn''t improved one bit. Her body

    was cold, her heartbeat was slower, and her breathing was the same.

    I was sitting on the bed beside my mate when Valerie came in with Gwen and a few witches. They all

    lowered their heads toward me.

    "She still hasn''t woken up; something is wrong," I said.

    "I know." Valerie came closer. "I was desperately hoping she would wake up before dawn. But seeing

    her state remains the same, means it''s exactly what I feared. " Valerie muttered.

    I pulled up from the bed, interested in what she had to say. "What do you mean?"

    She looked at She and walked toward the bed. Her hands fell on She''s forehead, and she closed

    her eyes. Her lips moved, whispering a few chants. Then Valerie opened her eyes. Her eyes were

    glowing a bright purple. She kept on muttering chants until she was done. Her eyes lost their glow and

    it became normal. Valerie jerked her hand away from She''s forehead.

    "The reason she isn''t waking up is that she''s trapped somewhere in her mind," She shocked me. She

    was trapped in her mind.

    I sent a nce at She, then my eyes came back to Valerie.

    "How is that even possible?" I questioned.

    "It is very much possible. It must be from whatever happened at the cemetery," Valerie uttered.

    "So, it could be because of the power of the stone?" I queried.

    "I don''t think so," Valerie said. "The stone had nothing to do with this. I think it''s all her."

    Her words were confusing. I had a lot of questions, but none of that mattered now.

    "What do we do now, Valerie?" I began pacing, unable to stay still.

    "She is stuck in her mind right now, you could have easily been able to pull her out if you had marked

    her. But since you didn''t mark her, it''ll be far more difficult to pull her out. Still, your help will be needed

    in waking her up." Valerie''s lips kept moving, her words sinking into my ears.

    "And how am I going to do that?" I went back to bed.

    "The witches and I will aid with the spell." At her words, Gwen and the witches moved closer.

    There was a knock at the door, and without being asked, Morgan walked in.

    Valerie continued. "Our magic will break the barrier of her mind. Using the mate bond, you will be able

    to ess her mind. You will have to search through her mind to find her. Once you have found her, ask

    her to follow your voice, and the witches and I will do the rest. We will be able to pull her out."

    I nodded, listening to Valerie.

    "What is going on here?" Morgan''s voice rang and Valerie calmly exined it to him.

    After that, she exined to me everything that I needed to do. I took my seat beside my mate as Gwen

    and the witches positioned themselves around the bed with their hands linked together, forming a

    chain. Morgan retreated to the door.

    "Are you ready?" Valerie was in front of me. Her eyes scanned me over. I couldn''t hide the fear in my

    gut at the thought of what would happen if She still didn''t wake up after this. This was ourst resort.

    "This will work, right? " I questioned her, my amber pair regarding her, firmly.

    Valerie nodded. "It will." She sounded absolutely sure, and her words made me sigh.

    "Okay, I am ready," I told her. Ryker ambled to the front of my mind, ready as well.

    "You have to touch her forehead," Valerie urged.

    I did as Valerie instructed, pulling my hand on She''s forehead while the other held her hand. Valerie

    ced her palm on my face, her purple eyes peering into the depths of my eyes, sending warmth to my

    chest.

    Gwen and the witches began chanting, and soon Valerie joined them.

    I heard the low echoes of the witches rise beyond a whisper. Their chants echoed in the walls of my

    soul.

    My breathing became slow, and my heartbeat lowered. I could hear the faint drumming of my heart. I

    started to feel my eyshes grow heavy and tired. A burning sensation spreads around my body,

    starting from my chest to every bone in my body. The witches'' chants began to echo within the walls of

    my mind. I felt myself being pulled away into obscure darkness.

 Chapter 42

    Chapter 42

    Chapter 42 Forty Two

    Valerie''s point of view

    As the witches started chanting, I gripped firmly onto Killian''s head while he had his hand on She''s

    forehead. My eyes pierced right into the soul of his eyes as I began chanting along with the witches.

    We were performing a spell that would give Killian ess to She''s subconscious.

    It''s been a day now since she''s been unconscious and still hasn''t woken up. We have tried our very

    best to ensure her condition remained stable. Her wounds had already been healed. It didn''t take long

    to realize that her unconscious state wasn''t from the physical injuries she sustained. This was deeper

    than that.

    Whatever had happened in the cemetery must have affected her in some way. This wasn''t from the

    power of the stone; I could feel it. It was from another source, a stronger source, which happened to be

    her.

    What I felt the night she retrieved the stone could not be mistaken. Every one of the wolves, and even

    the witches, felt the enormous magical energy that pierced through the whole pack. It was foreign, yet

    so powerful.

    I felt the same magic the night Killian lost control of his demon and went on a rampage. When we

    arrived at the meadow, She was right there with Killian, and to my surprise, Killian had regained

    control of his soul. Something did happen that night, and now more than ever, I do believe it had

    something to do with her.

    That''s when I started to have doubts about her. From the first day I met her at Luna''s coronation, I

    realized she carried a strong aura, but I felt it was because she was mated to an Alpha, and the first

    time she stepped foot into my spell room, the door opened for her. That wasn''t supposed to happen. It

    only opens for anyone with magic in their blood, but yet, it opened for her. That''s more confusing when

    every piece of her screams she''s a wolf. There''s something about her that is a mystery to me. And I

    need to find out exactly what it is.

    My eyes pulled open, glowing brightly. Killian had sessfully slipped into her mind. Now all I can do is

    wait and hope he''s able to find her.

    ***

    She''s point of view

    It was pitch ck. I waspletely surrounded by darkness. I felt extremely cold. I have been walking

    in this darkness for what seems like forever. It feels like an endless tunnel. My heartbeat was spiking

    up as I kept walking. A certain fear crippled my insides. The more I kept walking, the more the air

    around me turned graver.

    Suddenly, without warning, light surrounded me and I began to fall. Around me were images from my

    memories, floating past me as I kept on walking. As I walked further, it was as if I was walking

    backward in time to the ce I had detested for the longest time, my very own home, the Silver Mist

    Pack.

    I saw memories with my father that I wished I could forget, moments I regretted, and they made me

    hate my father all the more. I saw my father and then the ruthless way he treated me. Growing up in

    the Silver Mist Pack was more than difficult; it was unbearable.

    Being hated by my own father was the worst torture of my life. I had no idea why he had so much hate

    for me. Like my very existence was appalling to him. It was almost as if he wanted me gone, yet at the

    same time needed me. I was constantly locked up in my room like a child that wasn''t wanted and

    needed to be hidden away.

    I kept on walking in the darkness, but the images around me disappeared. I couldn''t see anything

    around me from the time before I was nine. Those were memories I couldn''t remember. I always found

    it strange that I couldn''t remember anything before then, but whenever I asked anything, I was severely

    punished by my father. As I kept moving, I noticed a small light in the distance. It was glowing a bright

    blue.

    A rush of relief flooded my entire being. My lips broke into a smile for the first time since I had been

    down here. Hopefully, it''ll be a way out of this darkness.

    At this point, all I wanted was to be out of the darkness. I hated it badly. Even in this horrible state of

    mind, all I could think about was Killian, and how badly I craved his presence. Despite knowing that I

    was not the one in his heart, I still craved his warmth.

    As I walked into the light, the cold around me quickly changed to a soothing warmth. Everywhere was

    bright. I looked around and realized I was surrounded by several crystals that had a faint glow of blue.

    Everyone I peered into held my reflection. I tried to find a way out of here, but the crystals had formed a

    wall around me.

    Fear and panic rose within me when each crystal began to crack around me, and in an instant, loud

    shattering sounds echoed as the crystals crashed against the ground. The loud sound pierced into my

    soul, affecting me.

    I copsed to the ground and my eyes burned brightly as I was pulled away by a force, and my

    surroundings changed. Everything around me was blurry. I couldn''t see clearly, but I found my nine-

    year-old self running through the woods to a pack house.

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    It wasn''t the Silver Mist Pack, the environment was unfamiliar to me. I saw a woman approach me

    along with two older boys. I moved closer to them, but I could only see the blurry outline of their figures.

    When my younger self called her ˇ®momˇŻ, my whole body became stiff. Was this woman really my

    mother?

    Immediately, my surroundings became dark. The loud sound lingered around me. I pulled my eyes

    open and my face went pale at the sight before me, or better yet, the person before me.

    My gaze pierced right through that of a young girl. She was at a distance. Her eyes were a brilliant

    blue, and her lips were open, letting out a heartbreaking scream. Tears rushed down her cheeks. She

    was in pain. And I felt it.

    Her body was covered with blood, but it wasn''t hers. It belonged to the womanying lifeless in her

    small arms. I walked closer to where she was. It took me less than a second to realize that that girl was

    me. My eyes welled in tears. That was me, but I''m not sure what day it was or who that woman was.

    There was a banging pain in my heart like I was supposed to remember that woman. Like remembering

    her meant a lot to me. Suddenly, the surroundings began toe alive. There was chaos around us.

    People were dying, wolves fighting in their various forms. Pain and death took dominance, and it made

    my heart ache all the more.

    The loud screams from my nine-year-old self became louder. It caused the air around her to turn wild,

    swallowing everything in its path. The earth shook violently, tearing up. The night sky turned red,

    allowing red water to pour from it. As it soaked me, I realized it was blood, and my younger self was

    quickly surrounded by a vicious-looking beast.

    My heart thundered. I wanted to run to her, but the wild tornado swallowed everything around me,

    returning me to darkness. All that echoed around me was the sound of people dying, and wolves

    howling. I felt pain writhing through my bones. I needed this pain to end. I needed to escape from this

    ce. I couldn''t stand the pain that killed me. Just then, I felt something. A presence.

    "She?" I heard in a whisper. It was almost inaudible, but it was calm and soothing. I turned around,

    but I couldn''t see anything in the midst of the darkness.

    "She," said the voice once more. I could recognize it now as it echoed in the darkness.

    "Killian?" My tear-filled voice echoed in the darkness. I didn''t hear the voice again, and for a frightful

    second, I thought it had abandoned me.

    Quickly, a warmth surrounded me. "You have to get out, She. You are stuck in your mind, and you

    don''t belong there."

    "I can''t. I''ve tried, but I just can''t seem to escape this ce," I cried more.

    The warmth drew closer, settling inside of me. "Come with me," he said. "I''ll help youe out. You

    just have to focus on my voice,"

    "Please, Killian, don''t leave me."

    "I won''t ever leave you. I promise with my life." He whispered, his words calming me, and just like he

    said, I followed the sound of his voice.

    It started to echo, and my surroundings grew hazy, allowing a distinct light to float in. And I felt myself

    escaping.

 Chapter 43

    Chapter 43

    Chapter 43 Forty Three

    Third-person point of view

    Killian huffed out some air. He looked around to find himself back in She''s chamber.

    "Did it work?" Morgan drew closer to the bed.

    As his eyes fell on She''s unconscious state, Killian felt her body, and it was not as cold as it was

    minutes ago. She was breathing normally now, and her heartbeat pounded against her chest at a

    normal speed.

    A smile found his lips; she was back but still sleeping. Killian nodded.

    One by one, the witches left She''s chamber, leaving just him, Morgan, and Valerie.

    "She will soon be awake," Valerie''s voice sounded, as she moved to the door.

    Killian smiled. "Thank you."

    Soon she left with Morgan, and Killian was alone with his mate. He couldn''t leave her side yet, not until

    she wakes up.

    ***

    He stirred on the bed, feeling movements beneath him. Killian opened his eyes. He didn''t know when

    he fell asleep or how long he had been out. The sudden darkness around him did well to inform him

    that it was twilight already.

    Killian heard a light groan. His amber pair fell on She''s body, which was imprisoned in his arms. Her

    eyes pushed openzily and fell on him.

    Killian couldn''t stop his smile from appearing on his lips. His fingers tucked back the strands of her

    brown hair behind her ears.

    "Finally, you are awake," Killian said huskily.

    She''s blue eyes stared at him unblinkingly before her eyes went around her room, then they met him

    again.

    As if just remembering something, she pushed up from the bed. Killian leaned back a little to allow her

    to sit upright on the bed.

    "The Stoneˇ­" Her words were cut short by the groaning that vibrated from her throat. She clutched her

    stomach immediately. Her action caused him to pull closer to her, cing a hand on her stomach while

    the other held her cheek.

    "Rx, the witches managed to heal your wounds, but you still need some rest," Killian told her,

    caressing her cheek softly. Absentmindedly, she leaned into his touch.

    "What about the stone?" She inquired softly.

    "Safe. It''s with the council already. The witches sent it to them," Killian leaned closer, his forehead

    touching hers. "For a second, you scared me," Killian confessed.

    She''s eyes stared back at him, shocked. Before she could speak, his lips crashed against her lips,

    silencing her. Instinctively, she slid a hand to his neck, moaning. A hot sensation gathered in his groin,

    making him kiss her more deeply.

    He pushed her thick brown hair back from her face, positioning himself firmly on her. With his fingers,

    he carefully tugged down the sleeves of her dress, and as eager as he was, they came falling down to

    her waist. Her breasts, enclosed in acy undergarment, were small, firm, and round, rising and falling

    with her every breath. He could see the dark circle of her nipples. Just looking at her cranked up his

    arousal another few notches.

    Thecy fabric covering her breast was dragged away in an instant. Killian lowered his grip on her. He

    sucked one of her nipples into his mouth and felt her lurch beneath him. It took all his willpower not to

    tear off the rest of her dress, as his member hardened against her. He kissed her harder, bustling with

    energy, with hunger, and a need to give her as much pleasure as she deserved.

    Then, as his hands reached between her thighs, She gasped. So did he when he felt her softness,

    her dampness between her legs. He explored her with his fingers, causing another gasp to escape her

    lungs.

    He removed his hand, spread her legs, and pressed his mouth against her lips. From there, he began

    cing a trail of kisses from her lips to her neck, then to her full breast that ached for his attention.

    Again, his lips devoured one, suckling, giving the other simr pleasure as he caressed it.

    "Killian, Killian, I..." She moaned, gripping a handful of his head, digging him deeper into her chest, her

    hips grinding hard against him, her legs weakening around his waist. He hoisted her up into his arms

    as she rocked her body against him.

    She continued to move erotically on him, her hands moving so delicately on him, heatced his spine

    and hips.

    Killian ground himself into her. He thrust against her hips, feeling the pressure on his member. He kept

    on grinding it against her treasured spot.

    Without cautious warning, the door pushed open. She and Killian broke apart, their heads turning to

    the door to find Ria''s reddened face on them.

    Ria lowered her head quickly. "I''m sorry," she said, scurrying out of the room.

    Killian''s eyes fell on She, she averted his face, fixing her dress. "I''m sorry," she stuttered, looking

    flushed.

    "No," Killian drawled, a smile teasing his lips. "With what you just did, I can tell you are not sorry it

    happened."

    Her face turned pink. "All right," she said, looking at him. "I am not sorry. I thinkˇŞI mean, you shouldˇŞ

    it''s better you leave now. "

    Her stammering amused him, and her awkwardness melted him. "Whatever you say, mate," he said as

    he stepped away from her, a teasing smile on his lips before leaving her chambers. Ria was right in

    front of the door. She had her head down as Killian passed through.

    Killian was almost in his chamber when Morgan hastened towards him. His bright emerald green eyes

    were dark. His face didn''t look happy at all. Killian''s heart pounded. What on earth could have

    happened now?

    ***

    Killian jerked from the bed. It was early in the morning, and he had spent the night with Thea. He could

    barely get any sleepst night. Ryker wouldn''t let him. Usually, when Killian was around Thea, Ryker

    disappearspletely from the conversation, almost as if he likes to go into hiding whenever she''s in

    the picture. But nowadays, it has be worse.

    Killian grabbed his linen shirt from the rack, gazing out the window, thinking about his mate. Today, she

    will be attending her first meeting as the Luna of his pack, and he will be apanying her. The idea

    made Killian smile, but it soon turned to a frown as he was reminded of the cause of his sleepless

    nights. The Dark Circle.

    Even after the witches'' tremendous effort to find the stone and send it over to the council, the Dark

    Circle still managed to get the remaining stones. Now they are in possession of all four phoenix stones

    that have tremendous power and are capable of making the impossible be possible. That was the

    main reason the phoenix stones were kept apart. Its power was out of this world andpletely

    dangerous in the wrong hands, which in this case is the Dark Circle.

    They were so desperate to have the phoenix stones, and now that it was in their hands, it scared him of

    what ns they have for those stones and their power. Whatever it is, it''s definitely not good and will

    put everyone inplete danger.

    Killian felt Thea''s hands around his waist, sliding under his shirt, teasing him, seducing him back into

    her bed.

    "I can''t stay long," Killian told her, but her assault on his body didn''t stop.

    "And why not?" Her hot breath settled on his skin.

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    "The Diamond Pack meeting, remember? It''s today. She and I have to be there," Killian said, in sheer

    honesty.

    Her hands on his body stopped moving, and she retracted them immediately, releasing an angry sigh.

    It forced him to turn to face her.

    Killian could feel the tension in the air.

    Her ck hair fell straightly around her face; her brown eyes held fury. One that matched the scowl on

    her face. She was dressed in a short dress that revealed her curves and perky breasts.

    "Killian, so basically, you are saying you are leaving me to spend time with her?" Thea''s hands were

    folded against her chest, as her soft, gentle voice tried to keep the rage evident. "Again," she made

    sure to put pressure on thatst word.

    Ryker stirred angrily at her words, but Killian shut him out.

    "Thea," Killian called, watching her angry face. This was something new to him. Thea wasn''t the

    jealous type. She was sweet and always understanding.

    "Killian, seriously I don''t want to hear it." She voiced, her eyes welling up with tears. Killian hated it

    whenever she got hurt because of him.

    "Ever since that woman came into the picture, you haven''t given me much attention. But not once did I

    comin about anything, or the condescending manner in which she treats me. I tried to be

    understanding because I know you are the one hurting more in all of this, but now it feels like I''m slowly

    being discarded. That woman is always beside you." Tears rolled unstoppably from her eyes. It broke

    him to see her cry.

    Killian approached her, and wrapped his arms around her, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

    She was right, and he knew it. He has been spending too much time with She, when in fact, Thea

    should be the one he spends more time with. He didn''t want her to feel like she was slowly being

    discarded or that he was only with her because she was the only one who could break the curse.

    "That''s the truth, human!" Ryker sounded heartless, clearly pissed.

    Killian ignored him. Even if that was the truth, Thea didn''t deserve to feel this way.

    "I will attend the meeting today with She, and after that, you have my word, I will spend all of my time

    with you." Killian kissed her lips softly.

    "No," she said, quickly shaking her head.

    "No?" Killian asked, crippling my brows.

    "Please, spend the day with me. Someone else can apany her instead," Thea begged. "There

    was something in her eyes that made him churn. "Please, Killian. I rarely ask anything of you,"

    Her words made him sigh. That was right. Thea never asked anything of him. Even when he found out

    she was the gifted one who needed to help us break the curse, she was more than happy to help him.

    She deserved this. At least for once.

 Chapter 44

    Chapter 44

    Chapter 44 Forty Four

    She''s point of view

    "Ouch!" I cried as Brielle pulled hard at my corset''s ribbons, tucking in my waist and plumping up my

    bosom.

    "Breathe it in, girl," Brielle instructed me once more. I sighed, swallowing in some air before tucking in

    my stomach. Brielle used the opportunity to ce more of her strength on my back and pull the ribbons

    harder together.

    I groaned mildly.

    "I think this is a little tight," Iined honestly, feeling like my ribs might give out any second from

    now. As if I wasn''t breathless enough already without the corset. I felt as nervous as I didst night. I

    didn''t expect I would still feel as anxious as I was today. But my angst and nervousness were very

    much understandable. For the first time, I would be attending a meeting with several allies outside the

    capital. I first met her as the Luna of our pack at our first meeting. So, yes, it was a big deal to me.

    Brielle groaned, loosening off a bit before finally tying it off into a big bow.

    I turned to Brielle, the beta female''s eyes scrutinizing me carefully. A small smile was let loose on her

    lips. "You look beautiful," Brielle said with a thoughtful smile.

    I turned to look at myself in the tall ginormous mirror and I couldn''t help but agree with her.

    I looked so beautiful, yet so alien.

    My curly brown hair was beautifully styled, allowed to fall neatly onto both sides of my shoulders.

    My blue eyes were bright and vibrant,plementing my wless skin.

    My eyes trailed from the corset on top that red out like a Cindere dress at the waist. The dress was

    stunning, brilliant yellow with pastel white flowers that lined the corset and flowed down.

    I smiled sweetly to myself,plimenting her also.

    "Thank you, Brielle," I told her with a soft smile. My message was delivered directly to Brielle. She was

    also dressed for the short trip outside the capital, wearing a deep velvet blue dress.

    There was a rhythmic knock at the door, drawing both Brielle''s and mine attention.

    "Come in," Brielle shouted.

    Ria popped her head around the door, her breath catching in her throat when she saw that I was

    looking so beautiful.

    "She, you look amazing!" Ria whispered with a smile.

    My smile deepened. I really wanted to look my best. Aside from the fact that this was my first meeting

    as the Pack''s Luna, this was also my first time appearing in such a formal gathering with my mate,

    Killian. I had to look insanely beautiful today.

    "Oh, right, Killianpletely forgot!" Ria moved closer to me and Brielle. She genuinely seemed to be

    in a cheerful mood this morning. "The horses are ready, and so is everyone," she beamed happily.

    "Alright then, let''s head out." Brielle led the way while I followed suit, and soon we were outside the

    castle. Many warriors were also prepared to be apanying us, including Brielle, Mason, and Killian.

    On that thought, my eyes scanned around for my mate, but he wasn''t in sight yet. Where was he?

    I moved closer to my horse when Morgan''s sharp call sent me gazing at him and his pair of green

    eyes.

    "Oh goddess, please bless me with a mate like her," he faked, gasping, admiring me with hooded eyes

    and a smirkish grin.

    "Just shut up, okay?" I chuckled,

    "No, She, you look absolutely gorgeous, so don''t tell me to stop talking now. When my brother sees

    you, he would fall head over heels for you, that''s for sure." Morgan went onplimenting me, causing

    me to blush just a little bit.

    "I know you''re only exaggerating to put me in a good mood, and I appreciate that Morgan," I said to him

    with an earnest smile perched on my lips. He always did know how to make me genuinely smile.

    "I wasn''t exaggerating, but, okay. Whatever you say," he chuckled, staring me down. I shifted my gaze

    past him to the doors, looking for you know who. Killian should be out by now.

    "Are you perhaps eye-searching for my brother?" Morgan asked, taking the question straight from my

    mind. Was he some sort of psychic? That would be a perfectly good exnation for why he always

    seemed to know what was running through my mind.

    I nodded, as a reply.

    "He should be out soon any minute from now," Morgan assured me, with his arms crossed.

    Just on time, Mason strolled over to us with his horse. He lowered his head to me as a form of

    acknowledgment.

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    "We should begin our journey now, to reach the diamond pack soon," Mason said, getting on his horse.

    "And what about Killian?" I asked Mason with crippled brows. I began having a bad feeling about this

    already.

    "He changed his mind, requesting you attend the meeting alone today," Mason said coldly.

    I felt my insides churn with rage and a little hurt. I didn''t need anyone to tell me that Killian would rather

    stay back with his lover than go with me.

    I couldn''t pry the hurt away from my eyes. Getting on my horse, I sent a final nce to Morgan. And

    with an apologetic nod from him and a glint of anger in his eyes, I rode behind Mason and the warriors,

    with Brielle''s horse protruding beside me.

    This was surely going to be a long and agonizing trip. I could just feel it inside.

    I and the escorts left the pack, riding into the first human vige that was closest to the pack''s territory.

    As we continued riding, I gripped the reins of my horse tightly. We''ve been riding for hours now, without

    even taking a single rest. I had to put on my furry blue cloak over my dress as the winter''s cold air kept

    lashing against my skin. We had just sessfully left the capital''s borders. We were riding past the

    mountains now. The diamond pack was deep beyond North Central. In just a few more hours, we will

    be arriving at their territory. Thankfully, I just wanted this darn meeting to be over.

    I felt angry and exhausted, not from the long, tiring ride, but in Killian''s absence. I couldn''t even hide my

    disappointment. What happened? Why did he suddenly just change his mind?

    I decided to divert my attention elsewhere, such as to the recurring dreams I''d been having. My dreams

    were always the same, where I constantly found myself in an unknown surrounding, in the middle of

    what seemed like a bloody war, with chaos all around me, people dying and the sounds of people

    screaming all around. And there in my armsid a woman, dead.

    They were more like nightmares, if I were more honest because each time these dreams never failed to

    scare the hell out of me. Every time it felt more surreal, I could feel the pain in each of my dreams. It

    always made me wake up breathless, drenched in my own sweat. Even though it was a dream, I knew

    it wasn''t just an ordinary dream. It didn''t feel like just a dream to me, it felt like a time from before that I

    couldn''t remember. That made me have more and more questions.

    I sighed in my frustration.

    The hairs on my skin stood on high alert, jolting me from my deep thoughts. We were in the mountains

    already.

    On cue, Mason pulled a hand in the air, and on cue, all the warriors halted on their horses. I pulled my

    horse to a stop beside Brielle, whom I shot a questioning gaze.

    Some of the warriors on their horses pulled back to where I was, circling me, while Mason and a few of

    the warriors jumped down from their horses, shifting into their wolf forms, their noses stuck in the air,

    sniffling around.

    Something was wrong. I could feel something off happening here.

    Brielle moved closer to me on her horse. My brown eyes were now very cautious and guarded.

    My ears picked up a weird sound. The more I listened, the closer it seemed to be drawing to where we

    were. It happened so fast, before I could register anything, I heard Adie''s sharp warning in the back of

    my mind. "Duck!" My wolfmanded.

    My body instantly obeyed before asking any further questions. I leaned into my horse and, just on cue,

    stray arrows kept flying blindly in the air in every direction.

    "Take cover!" I heard Brielle''s voice beside me scream. Loud growls rang in the air as warriors began to

    shift into their wolves.

    I jumped down from my horse, grabbing onto the short length of the sword that was on my horse as I

    managed to abscond the arrows heading my way. The arrows kept flying around, hitting a few of the

    warriors, who let out a growl in pain.

    "The arrows are poisonous,ced with wolfsbane!" A warrior shouted, warning us all, and an arrow

    grazed through my right arm. It wasn''t too deep, but my skin burned with pain from the effect of the

    poison.

    The chaos that apanied the flying arrows caused all the horses to flee for safety. Suddenly, many

    vicious-looking wolves emerged from the mountains to attack us.

    They were in massive numbers, we were all surrounded.

 Chapter 45

    Chapter 45

    Chapter 45 Forty-Five

    Killian''s point of view

    I couldn''t understand why I felt so uneasy. My mind constantly kept going straight back to She.

    I made sure Mason went with her to ensure there wouldn''t be any problems on the way. Mason was

    one of the best protectors in the pack, and I trusted him with my life. He was a loyal friend and wouldn''t

    hesitate to give his life for me. And I expected that same loyalty towards She.

    I knew she would do just fine with the meeting at the Diamond pack. She''s one hell of a strong

    woman, and she has good leadership qualities. I was so proud of her.

    I knew she was safe with both Mason and Brielle, but I couldn''t stop the nagging of my wolf, Ryker. It

    was as though he sensed she was in danger. and wanted me next to her desperately.

    I couldn''t tell if he was serious or just wanted me away from Thea and next to my mate, She.

    I want the same right now. Fuck. I should have gone with her. Rage and annoyance began pumping

    through my veins as I realized bitterly that I didn''t want to be here with Thea. It wasn''t only Ryker this

    time; I, as well, preferred to be in thepany of She.

    My hand clenched hard on the quill pen in my grip. I groaned internally, cing my other hand against

    my temple as my head throbbed. A string of curses threatened to escape my lips as Thea''s voice kept

    filtering into my ears. For the first time, I hated the sound of her voice and her short chuckles.

    Bloody hell.

    What the fuck was wrong with me?

    I dropped the pen in my hand on the journal I was working on, my amber eyeszily falling on Thea,

    who was seated right opposite my chair in my office.

    She has stuck by my side the whole of today. And now I am in dire need of some freedom. It wasn''t her

    fault though, I had brought this upon myself.

    I watched how her lips moved nonstop. I didn''t even know what she was yapping about. I had stopped

    paying attention a long time ago. The only thought that upied my mind was anything that had to do

    with my mate.

    The restlessness of Ryker and me only increased with each fucking second that ticked by. She was

    bing a drug to me, one that I was slowly getting addicted to, and that threatened both my peace of

    mind and my fucking existence.

    "Alpha," I heard faintly through the mind link. It was Brielle. Immediately, I leaned forward, rmed.

    "She is in danger." Her words sounded ragged through the mind link.

    Fear quickly engulfed me, swallowing me whole. My heart hammered loudly against my chest as my

    brain tried to catch up with the emotions attacking me all at once.

    I shot up from the chair. Thea followed my action and got up from her chair.

    "What happened, Killian?"

    My head pounded as my gaze swept over Thea without actually seeing her. All I could hear was

    Brielle''s words repeating in my head over and over. I struggled to stay focused as I tried to trace their

    location from the mind link, clinging to the weak connection from Brielle as I tried to find where they

    were.

    They were in the southern mountains. Fuck. It was far away from North Central. My fear quickly grew.

    There was no way I could get to them right on time. Even at my fastest, it''ll take a few hours. There

    was no time to waste.

    I hurried to the door when Thea grabbed my arm.

    "I have to go," I said, pulling away from her.

    "But you promised to spend the day with me." She reminded him, grabbing my arm once more.

    I was running out of patience to the point that if she grabbed me one more time I could snap at her.

    "I am sorry," I said hoarsely, rushing out of the office without a second thought.

    "Killian," I heard her call behind me, but I ignored her. She was in danger, and that was the only thing

    on my mind. I had to get to her and bring her to safety before Ipletely went fucking insane.

    I mind-linked Morgan and Allen, informing them of the news. We had to get them immediately. I couldn''t

    connect to Mason. I had a bad feeling, but I tried not to think much. I might die.

    Immediately, the pack''s warriors assembled in front of the castle, and they were told that Luna''s life

    was in danger. I shared She''s current location with them, and they sprinted off.

    I turned to Morgan. He was also in his wolf form. He was thinking exactly what I was thinking. There

    was no way we''d get to them in time, even with our wolves. But Valerie could.

    "Hurry up to them, brother; not only She but everyone is in danger," I said to him.

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    He nodded, and I watched him race off.

    I rushed into the castle, heading to Valerie''s spell room.

    I reached in front of the door, but I couldn''t get in. Only those with magic could get it to open, so I

    ended up calling out her name.

    The door squeaked open. Valerie hurried to me, worriedly.

    "I need to get to the southern mountains," I said to her, watching her confused gaze.

    "She is in danger. So, will you please help me? "

    I sighed in relief when she didn''t ask any further questions. She led me in and hastened to the table in

    the corner. Her hands were searching through the cluster of things.

    She grabbed some items and hurried to my side.

    "I haven''t been there, so, I can''t transport you exactly to the mountains, but I can send you somewhere

    close," She said, and I nodded, not minding at all. I was familiar with this. Witches could only transport

    someone to locations that they are familiar with.

    She drew a circle around me with her fingers in the air, and strange markings appeared on the floor.

    "Ready?" she asked.

    I nodded. She started chanting, her hands skillfully moving in the air. Soon Valerie''s eyes began to glow

    a bright purple and I was surrounded by a strong wind.

    Slowly, my surroundings became blurry and soon started changing.

    I found myself in the middle of the woods. The surroundings were familiar, and I only had to head south

    to reach the southern mountains.

    I gave Ryker full permission to share partial control with me. It would be faster to reach the mountains

    and find my mate if we were both in control. My eyes began to glow brightly, and my nails extended

    from the tips. I felt the ache in my teeth as my sharp canines lengthened at once.

    "Let''s find She at once," I whispered under my breath to Ryker.

    He growled, agreeing with a nod.

    Immediately, I raced through the woods at my nonhuman speed. I continued running without taking a

    pause.

    After running a long distance, I finally arrived at the southern mountains. The fight was still ongoing. I

    jumped in on the ongoing fight between my warriors and wolves. They weren''t rogues. They belonged

    to the Fire Crest Pack. An enemy pack outside the walls of North Central. Their territory was to the

    south.

    They were vicious beasts that infiltrated the capital and foolishly came for my pack, hoping to conquer

    my territory. But at the end of the war, the Fire Crest Pack lost more than they bargained for, including

    the life of their alpha''s brother. They had a strong grudge against me.

    They must have found out that She was my mate, and they attacked just to get to her.

    I scanned around, but I couldn''t find She, Brielle, or Mason. I tried to link to Mason but it wasn''t

    connecting.

    Where in the bloody hell could he be at a time like this?

    I had to know what situation She was in.

    No one knew where She, Brielle, nor Mason were. I stuck my nose in the air, tracing She''s scent. It

    was faint, but I could work with it.

    I followed her scent. It led me deeper into the mountains. My heart hammered as I noticed a trail of

    blood. It belonged to She.

    I raced faster. From afar, I saw several wolves gathering around She. She was at the edge of a cliff,

    fighting.

    I growled ragingly. The wolf''s attention snapped to me, and She''s gaze momentarily traveled to me.

    I leaped into the air, fighting off the wolves,nding right in front of She. I tilted my head to get closer,

    my eyes scanning her. She didn''t seem injured, but there was a small amount of blood on the side of

    her head.

    I growled more. In a haste, Ryker and I pierced through the wolves that lunged at us, ensuring She

    remained safe behind us. And I thought she was. Not until I heard the frightful cry that left her lips. It

    spelled more fucking danger.

 Chapter 46

    Chapter 46

    Chapter 46 Forty-Six

    She''s point of view

    I began running deeper into the mountains, holding my sword in my hand, with more of these fucking

    wolves after me. It was as if I was their target. I shed around. I gazed back in hopes of finding

    Brielle, but I couldn''t. She was earlier with me, fighting together, but as more wolves came at us, she

    insisted I keep running.

    I was out of breath, but I kept on running. It was better than standing to fight. My gaze wasn''t properly

    focused on the ground as the wolves were almost at me. My shaking legs slipped down a narrow path.

    Suddenly, I tripped against what felt like hard rock, and before I could do anything, I was rolling and

    tumbling down the slope of the mountain.

    My body instantly became sore as I stopped rolling.

    To my frustration, the wolves that followed me were unrelenting.

    I pulled up and continued running,ing to an instant halt. There was nowhere else to run to again; it

    was a dead end. I was on a cliff, and deep down were rocky groves and the sea. There''s no way I was

    going to jump down there. I wanted to run in the opposite direction, but the wolves surrounded me. A

    victorious smile was imprinted on their vicious gaze.

    I held on to my sword, about to fight to my death when a loud growl sounded. It echoed loudly in the air,

    vibrating throughout the mountains, forcing the wolves to snap their heads in the direction it vibrated

    from.

    My eyes widened visibly at Killian. He was in his human form, sharing partial control with his wolf. His

    eyes narrowed on me from a distance before gauging the wolves surrounding me. From his res, I

    could feel the deathly chill in the air as it rushed past me. His golden eyes were raging, his pointed,

    sharp ws were dripping blood, and his canines were protruding.

    Relief flooded my bones at his arrival just in time, but it was rapidly reced by a fit of deathly anger

    directed at him.

    The wolves'' gaze narrowed from Killian to me. There was a satisfying streak of devilish joy that

    swarmed through their gazes that seemed like they were ted that Killian appeared just in time to

    watch me die.

    At once, they all lunged at me, but Killian was quicker. In a fast motion, he jumped to my front, sticking

    his ws into them. His sharp canines bit off their necks. Killian was fighting ferociously and ruthlessly

    without mercy, and their numbers were dwindling.

    The wolves backed away briefly, gathering their strength, while Killian snapped his head to look at me,

    inspecting me.

    The golden glow of his eyes darkened dangerously as it took in the blood rushing from my head and

    the small cuts on my body. He growled again and lunged at the wolves that charged at him. He killed

    brutally, his ws leaving each of his victims in a horrid state. For the first time, I shook in fear, finally

    realizing why he was the most ruthless and notorious Alpha in all of North Central.

    I was taken by surprise when one of the wolves managed to evade Killian and instead lunged at me.

    With its sharp bloody ws aiming for me, I jerked backward, jumping out of the way of its path,

    earning just a scratch on my arm. I sent my sword straight at him. At the same time, his ws came at

    me, pushing me off the cliff.

    A cry for help vibrated from my throat, gaining Killian''s attention. I could see the in, unyielding horror

    in his eyes as he tried to reach out to me, but it was toote; I was falling already. Before my eyes,

    Killian leapt in the air, shifting into his gargantuan ck wolf. He jumped after me. The next thing I

    heard was a loud thud, and my body crashed against a warm hardness. My eyes shut down without

    warning, as pain took over me.

    ***

    Killian''s point of view

    I groaned, rolled over to my side, and opened my eyes. My gaze took notice of the faint outline of the

    moon that had begun to appear in the sky.

    What the fuck?

    Where was I?

    Memories of what happened shed before my eyes. She was pushed off the cliff and Ryker saved

    her. He was weak. I could feel his weakness within me. My body froze as I felt all the blood drain from

    my face, my heart twisting painfully in my chest.

    "Bloody hell, She!"

    My eyes scanned my surroundings desperately. My heart stopped instantly as my gaze took in the

    body a few feet away.

    She was there, lying on the rocky earth,pletely motionless. I couldn''t breathe, couldn''t even think

    clearly.

    I forced myself to stand, groaning from the enormous pain coursing through me.

    My legs were quick to function as I hastened with speed to her side, dropping to my knees before her.

    She was unconscious. I gently put my hand on her neck and she was still breathing. A sigh of relief left

    my lips.

    Her body was hot due to the fading sun''s impact. I gave her a small pull, trying to get her awake, but

    she wasn''t responding. Her skin was dry and her lips parched.

    I scanned around. We needed to get out of here. I had not a single doubt that the wolves from the Fire

    Crest Pack would still be hunting for She and me. They wouldn''t stop searching for us, especially

    She, since she was their target. This was precisely what I was afraid of. Anyone with a grudge

    against me would want to use She to get back at me. I had many enemies that would relish in the

    thrill of harming my mate to make me suffer.

    I exhaled tiredly. If I hadn''t arrived just in time, I could not even begin to imagine what would have

    happened to her. We had to leave here and find some kind of shelter.

    I gently picked her up, cradling her against my chest before I began moving. I took the path that led into

    the woods. I raced through the forest, stopping when I spotted a river nearby. I motioned closer to the

    river, dropping She gently onto the warm sand. Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    I went to the river and pulled some water in my hands, hurrying back to her side. I tried to get as much

    water as I could into her mouth. Hungrily, she sucked it in. I went back again and fetched some water,

    pouring some in her mouth while the sshing droplets on her face got her awake.

    She groaned awake, her eyes pushing open. It fell immediately on me. I watched it widen before

    touring around our surroundings.

    I was up on my feet, trying to help her stand, but she jerked her arm away from me.

    "Let go of me, asshole!" Her blue eyes were burning with anger as it was directed at me.

    For a damned second, I was taken aback. I could not understand what had her all riled up.

    "What is wrong?" I asked sharply.

    "Bloody, godforsaken bastard! How dare you ask me such a stupid question?" She was screaming,

    surprising me the more.

    She was more than enraged. Her whole body was vibrating with fury. No matter how I racked my head,

    I could not understand why on earth she was mad.

    "Let''s get out of here first. The Fire Crest Pack is still hunting for us toˇŞ" I started sauntering over to

    her, about to reach for her when she screamed.

    "Kill me? I know that much. And this is all your fault!" She yelled at my face in a rage.

    "My fault? What the hell did I do now?" I found myself yelling in confusion.

    "None of this would have happened if you just did exactly what was expected of you, and came with us

    in the first ce. We wouldn''t be in this mess, and Brielle wouldn''t have gotten wounded in the first

    ce."

    Her rageful words made my body still. It felt like a cold p to my face, a bitter truth shoved down my

    throat. If I hadn''t let Thea''s words change my decision to attend the meeting with She, none of this

    would have happened. My men wouldn''t have been injured, and my mate wouldn''t have had her life

    threatened. I would have protected her, I would have protected them.

    Guilt washed over me, and I didn''t even dare to hide it. She''s anger and resentment were well

    understood.

    Her blue eyes kept glowering at me. She pushed her lips together to say something when faint growls

    echoed throughout the woods. Fuck. They were onto us.

    "We have to move now," My eyes darted back to She. I pointed out the path to follow, my hand

    stretching out to her, but instead, she sent me a wicked re, walking past me, taking the lead.

    I sighed in frustration, watching her as she kept walking, with the moon towering above us and the

    darkness covering us. I cursed under my breath. This was going to be a fucking long night.

 Chapter 47

    Chapter 47

    Chapter 47 Forty-Seven

    Killian''s point of view

    She and I followed the path through the woods, making as little noise as possible. We kept covering

    our tracks, putting distance between the wolves hunting for us. It was almost dawn, and we have been

    walking for hours in the darkness, moving back to North Central. If the Fire Crest Pack was still after us

    and nned to make another attack, we would have had an advantage within our territory. I couldn''t

    mind link the pack yet. Ryker was still so weak that he could barely make a connection, or even speak.

    My eyes nced at She. She was a few feet away from me. She hadn''t said a word to me. Even

    when I tried speaking to her, what I received was a silent treatment.

    I am well aware that I fucked up. I should have journeyed ahead with her. If I had, none of this would

    have happened.

    As we moved, we came across a river in the woods. We were still far from the capital, but if we kept

    walking we would be much closer.

    We stopped by the river. She went ahead and drank some water. I stood behind her, inspecting her.

    Even though she wouldn''t say it, I knew she was exhausted and must be tired from the wounds on her

    arm and head.

    I gripped the tip of my shirt and tore it from me, walking closer to where she was crouching near the

    river.

    I dipped the small fabric into the river, pulling it up to the fresh wound on her head. "Let''s get your

    wounds cleaned up." My hand was in midair, almost settling on her face when she pped my hand

    off.

    "Don''t fucking touch me, Killian." Her rage was more poisonous than earlier. As those blue crystals of

    hers red at me, they held resentment and hatred, all directed at me.

    Fuck. It killed me to see her look at me with resentment. I didn''t like it one bit.

    "She, you are bleeding. Don''t be stubborn. We need to tend to it." I said, masking the pain away. I

    dipped the cloth back into the water.

    "I don''t need your help, Killian, to care for myself. Don''t be a bloody bastard. You don''t care at all if I live

    or die. That was pretty clear to me today, so stop the pretense. You only care about your lover. And

    finally, I get it. I fucking don''t care about you, so leave me alone. And I will tend to my wounds myself!"

    She yelled, jumping up to stand, giving no room for me to utter a word.

    I couldn''t even if I wanted to. Her words and resentment had hurt me to the bones. Even Ryker felt

    every pain. He was as angry as She. He also med me for what happened today. I can''t even fight

    back at him. They were all right. And I hated the fact that she thinks I don''t care if she lives or dies.

    "Mate resents us now. You had better fix this, human!" Ryker growled sternly in warning, retreating to

    the back of my mind, angrily.

    He was right. I had better fix this. I won''t be able to bear her hatred and resentment.

    I shook off my thoughts. I looked around, but I couldn''t see She. I was on my feet, strutting to the

    other side of the river where her scent directed me. Immediately, I paused on my feet. It felt like I was

    struck lifeless on the spot. My amber eyes bulged out. I felt my Adam apple slide and I couldn''t

    breathe.

    Even Ryker was forced out of his hiding, I felt his presence in the front of my mind. We were left utterly

    speechless at the sight of our mate. I watched her closely as she abandoned thest piece of clothing

    that covered her delicate and wless body.

    Everything fell with haste to the ground, and She stood in all her glory. I was only given ess to the

    slender figure of her back, her curvy sides, small waist, and full ass. I knew she was a damned

    goddess, but I couldn''t even imagine whaty beneath those dresses of hers. I wanted nothing more

    than to have my hands on every part of her.

    She hadn''t noticed my presence. She walked carefully into the river, and its waters swallowed her

    pristine body. She was utterly unique and beautiful.

    I watched in awe as she moved gracefully in the water, rubbing off her skin while carefully rinsing off

    the blood that was on her head and her arm. After she was done tending to her wounds, I watched in

    fascination as She dived her head into the water. In a second, she pulled out her head, her hair now

    sticking to her face.

    I didn''t dare move from my spot, nor did I have the strength to blink my eyes. I gave her my full

    attention and audience.

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    Soon, she was done. She pulled out of the river, walking to where she had left her clothes.

    I felt my member harden just watching her. Her long legs moved with ease. I badly wished I could have

    them wrapped around my waist while I pinned her naked skin to mine. Her full, perky breasts bounced

    with every step she took. Fucking hell, I needed her badly.

    I couldn''t stop my legs as I rushed to her. She was going through her clothes on the ground when I

    reached her and wrapped my hands around her naked, soft skin.

    She froze, the sparks and tingles wasting no time in igniting. I pulled her into my arms, feeling her

    wetness against my body. My hands began to caress her body, snaking up to her round breasts. I

    turned her around, my gaze was dark with lust. I leaned closer to her, my lips aiming for hers when

    She''s voice sounded brutally cold in my ears.

    "That''s enough, Killian. Let go of me." Her eyes were dark with hate, and her beautiful face was colored

    with rage.

    "What?" I froze,pletely taken aback.

    "I said let go of me." She pushed herself out of my arms. "I am tired of ying these stupid games with

    you, Killian. Today, you crossed all limits, cing your lover over me, your mate."

    I stood shocked, watching the tears that gathered in She''s eyes, but she forced them back angrily.

    "What you did today made me realize how she is of importance to you. And I am d I didn''t need to

    get myself killed to realize that. You want to be with your lover. That''s fine by me. You can have her, I

    don''t care. But I swear to you, Killian, if you ever touch me, I will kill you. I want to move on from you,

    so please for goodness'' sake, let me." She wasn''t screaming, but I could tell she meant every word she

    was saying.

    She grabbed her clothes and boots from the ground and walked away.

    I didn''t bother to stop her. My mind had more important things to do, like registering the words she just

    threw at me.

    She wants to move on from me? I struggled to understand those words. I didn''t like it one bit. She

    was mine. She was my very life. If she left me, I would die.

    I didn''t know when tears rolled from my eyes. Hearing those words from her broke me.

    She was wrong. I didn''t want to be with any other woman if it wasn''t her, not even Thea. It felt as if my

    entire life was on the brink of copsing just thinking of She not being in it. These emotions made me

    realize how much she mattered to me and how I could never let her go away from me. At that instant, I

    didn''t care about the curse, the pack, or even Thea. I didn''t want to lose She, and I was willing to let

    her know. But I fear it still wouldn''t change a thing.

    I started walking and found She already dressed and waiting for me. I moved closer to where she

    was, and before I could say anything, she began walking. I shut my eyes, pinching the skin on my

    forehead. This will be a lot harder than I anticipated.

    ***

    The path we took led us out of the woods into a small human vige. We asked around and quickly

    located the vige stables. We bargained for a horse. It was the only one avable. It''d be a lot faster if

    we journeyed with it instead of on foot. I paid for it. She got on it, ignoring my efforts to assist her.

    She took charge of the horse''s reins.

    "Is there no way we can get another horse?" She asked in an angry tone, gazing through me to the old

    man in charge of the stables.

    "I apologize, but that''s the only horse avable for now." The man spoke, his eyes shifting from an

    annoyed She to me.

    "That''s fine." I dismissed him, turning to my raging mate. It was evident on her face that she didn''t want

    to be next to me, let alone breathe the same air as me.

    I had hurt her so much. It pained me to feel her silent rejection, and now I can only imagine how much

    it hurt her whenever I was even more brutal with my harsh words and rejection. It must have hurt badly.

 Chapter 48

    Chapter 48

    Chapter 48 Forty-Eigh

    Killian''s point of view

    I got on the horse, behind She. I wrapped my arms stylishly around her, reaching out to the reins in

    her hands. I smiled at the sparks that formed there. She retracted her hands, folding them against

    her chest.

    I sighed, tugging harder on the reins, navigating the horse out of the human vige. Soon we were

    back in the woods. Instead of following the main route that led back to the capital, I decided to go

    through a different route. The Fire Crest Pack could be scattered around waiting for us, and I

    desperately hoped Morgan and the guys were safe.

    We rode for hours, the bright burning of the sun lessened, slowly retiring for the day. I moved faster on

    the horse. We had to get to shelter before the moon came up and darkness covered the earth.

    After a few hours of riding, we reached a familiar cottage right outside the capital. The moon was

    already shining down on us, and it would be dangerous to keep on riding. We would rest here for the

    night, and hopefully, before dawn, Ryker would be fully healed and I would be able to send word to my

    brother.

    We halted in front of the cottage. I jumped down from it. She followed me after. I led the horse to the

    side of the cottage, tying it firmly to the tree.

    "Where are we?" She''s beautiful voice sounded as she cautiously scanned the surroundings, her

    hands rubbing the skin of her arm to provide some warmth for herself as the cold air blew harshly to the

    east.

    "Do not worry, this ce is safe. It belongs to my pack, and no one knows about it." I informed her,

    walking to the front door.

    "I am not worried," she bit out furiously.

    I stopped in my tracks, turning to see her face under the moonlight. She was still angry, and it seemed

    like my mere presence annoyed her. It was as if everything I did or said seemed to piss her off.

    Her blue eyes were directed at me, ring.

    I pulled away first. It was better this way than to have her get madder than she already was.

    I held onto the knob. It was rusty. I haven''t been here in a long time. I grabbed a rock from the ground,

    smashing it against the knob, and it broke to the ground.

    I pushed it open, the smell of dust filling the air. I gazed back at She, who was a safe distance away.

    "Hang on a minute."

    I went inside. It was just a single old room with a pile of dust around it and webs.

    I grabbed the sheets off the bed, dusting off some dust and getting rid of the webs.

    She sauntered closer to the entrance of the door. I managed to get rid of some dust and webs,

    making the cefortable for the night.

    When I was done, I gestured her in.

    While She sat on the bed, I went out to get some wood to burn. I was back after a few minutes with

    some wood. She was curled up on the bed, asleep.

    I made a small fire in the cottage, warming up the air. My eyes fell on the sleeping figure of my mate,

    curled so perfectly on the bed. I couldn''t help but move closer to the bed. I grabbed some woolen

    sheets and spread them over her body.

    I sat on the bed, watching her asleep. She was beautiful. So beautiful that it caused my eyes to sting

    with tears. Even in her sleepy state, I could see the angry folds of her brows and the dark circles

    around the skin of her eyes from way too much pain and exhaustion.

    "You are responsible for that, Killian." Ryker''s voice used loudly in my head. I nodded my head

    knowingly. I was indeed responsible for that. But I didn''t mean to hurt her. I just wanted to protect her.

    "If that was true, you wouldn''t have chosen Thea over her. You wouldn''t have preferred to stay back

    with that woman instead of apanying our mate!" Ryker shot again, mercilessly. He was vexed and

    upset with me.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Hearing the stern truth from my wolf was like a stab in my chest.

    My eyes glistened with tears that rolled freely from my eyes. I shut my eyes, bathing in the pain. My

    eyes pulled open, and surprisingly, I found She staring at me with hidden emotions in her eyes.

    Without blinking away, I held her stare, and my hand fell on her warm one. My eyes furrowed and my

    lips parted. "I am so sorry for hurting you." The words left my lips with all seriousness and sincerity.

    She''s blue eyes widened gently, her eyes unmoving from mine.

    "I shouldn''t have treated you the way I have been doing, and believe me, I regret not following you

    instead. I should have gone with you. You are my priority, She, and will always be of importance to

    me." I said, calmly and slowly. I needed her to know. I gave her soft hand a small squeeze before

    moving to the other side of the bed. I plopped down on it, shutting my eyes.

    ***

    The night went extremely slow. I stirred gently on the bed. My eyes pulled open and I found She''s

    blue eyes on me.

    She was lying next to me on the small bed, curled in her previous position, watching me tightly. My

    amber irises held her stare. It didn''t hold rage or annoyance. Whatever it was in those precious eyes of

    hers was soft and tender. She was slowly bing a master at masking her emotions.

    I couldn''t pull away from her stare. I just relished the pleasure of having her next to me. This was the

    first time we''d shared the same room and existed calmly in the same space. I loved it and wanted to

    treasure it a little longer.

    We remained fixed in our position, taking each other in. Then she stirred and moved closer to me.

    She took me by surprise when she leaned closer and her lips touched mine.

    Oh, my goddess. I froze.

    I was shocked when her hand pulled up to my face as she began to kiss me. Her lips moved softly on

    mine, and I found myself kissing her back softly.

    I leaned against the bed as She positioned herself on top of me, her lips not breaking away from

    mine, and soon, her legs were spread out to my sides, straddling me.

    I moaned into the blissful kiss. My hands fell on her waist, but she held them, cing them back on the

    bed.

    She''s blue eyes found mine. They twinkled with something I couldn''t fathom. She leaned over my

    chest, so her face was so close to mine. But instead of kissing my lips, she moved to my neck, sucking

    and nibbling at my skin.

    I groaned in pleasure loudly, my hands piercing down on the bed. She trailed kisses up to my earlobe

    and then nibbled on it. She pulled away, her hands loosening my shirt until my bare skin was in her

    view.

    Her hands rested on my chest as she continued cing sensual kisses across my skin and down to my

    chest.

    I threw my head back on the pillow, my eyes gazing up at the nk air as her assault on my body

    awoke things within me. I felt my body warming up with need.

    I knew exactly what she was doing to me. She was torturing me in the worst possible way, teasing me

    with her body. I couldn''t even hide my frustration and helplessness as her hands kept caressing her

    body, showing me that she was in control and this was her show.

    She caressed every sculpted muscle on my torso with her light touch and tongue. She reached for

    my trousers and hesitated before sending me a bold look. I held my breath. I could feel my heart

    already thumping in my chest. I fought for control as my groin hardened against her soft body.

    She attempted to unbuckle my trousers, but I caught her hand and held them firmly. I felt my body

    vibrate with so much pleasure. I was dying to have her hands down there, but I knew I would not be

    able to hold back. I wanted her like crazy.

    A small ssic smile curled up teasingly on her lips, as she noticed my struggle and suffering. It gave

    her so much pleasure to see me like this.

    Slowly, She pulled away from me. It took me all my self-control and more not to grab her back. I

    hated the sudden coldness that filled my arms in her absence.

    She got out of bed and stood beside it. I returned her intense gaze.

    Then her hands reached behind her back, and swiftly, the ropes binding her dress loosened. Her eyes

    never left mine, even as she reached over to one of her shoulders, grabbed the sleeve of her dress,

    pushing it down slowly until it dropped, revealing one arm and one of her delicate breasts. I leaned a

    little forward, unsure about what was happening.

    My chest rose and fell rapidly as my eyes never left hers. Just like she did to her other sleeve, she

    pushed it down until her dress was hovering around her hips and her glorious naked chest was

    exposed to me.

    She''s round and perky breasts were on full disy. Neither of us was smiling. The air had be

    too tense.

    I gulped as my eyes roamed her chest hungrily before traveling back to her beautiful face. The air

    around us carried a distinct charge of electricity. I could hear the loud beating of She''s heart, and

    mine drummed boldly in my ears.

    With a swift push, her dress fell to the floor, and she stood naked before me.

    Fuck. I couldn''t hold back anymore.

 Chapter 49

    Chapter 49

    Chapter 49 Forty-Nine

    She''s point of view

    The sensual tension in the air prickled between us as Killian''s eyes went over my body, again and

    again. I couldn''t hide the satisfaction that was rooted in my smile at his tumult. At least he knows

    exactly the kind of torture he subjects me to. Adie''s presence was within me, encouraging me the

    more.

    His gaze hungrily swept through me. He was losing what little control he had over himself. I smiled to

    myself. Good. I was fucking sick of being the one clinging to Killian when he felt the mate bond as

    much as I did. It wasn''t fair that I was the only one subjected to the pain of the mate bond. I was his

    pack''s Luna as well as his mate, and I was tired of being mistreated. I swear to the goddess that I will

    be treated with respect, and Killian would beg for my love. By the looks of things, I didn''t need to do

    much.

    Killian''s eyes turned almost ck with desire, lust, and need. He waspletely still on the bed. It felt

    as if the sight before him had paralyzed him. His hands pressed down on the bed, his legs wide apart,

    his breathing rough andbored as his eyes couldn''t get enough of me.

    I should have been feeling insecure and embarrassed, but instead, I felt empowered and confident.

    The way Killian was regarding me was like I was the moon goddess herself in her wless beauty and

    perfection.

    Gently, with utmost difficulty, Killian stood up from the bed. He motioned closer to me, his pounding

    heart sting within the walls of the cottage.

    "Fuck, She." He called with much frustration. "You are the most beautiful woman..." He stopped so

    close to me that not even a single breath stood between us.

    His shaky hands fell on my hips, caressing them all the way to my waist, and then upwards to the sides

    of my breast. I moaned internally at the tingles emerging, but my gaze was firm on him.

    Killian''s dark eyes met mine as his hand reached for my face. His warm breath settled on me. His eyes

    didn''t leave mine, as he leaned forward, begging for my permission.

    I slid a hand to the back of his neck, pressing his lips to mine. The kiss was fierce. I gripped his hair as

    he lifted me up, and I wrapped my legs around him, iming his body.

    Killian''srge hands moved with purpose on my naked back, pinning me deeper into his arms. He

    kissed me hungrily as his erotic moans echoed throughout the walls. He walked us towards the bed

    and slowly lowered us down.

    My body was imprisoned under his enormous frame, as his hands never stopped walking on my body.

    Killian positioned himself on top of me, his hooded dark eyes scanning over my body appreciatively.

    "Fuck, She," he whispered breathlessly, as my hands clutched his neck, bringing his lips to mine.

    "You are so sexy." He muttered against my skin, and I moaned at the hotness that enveloped us as his

    giant hands on my body awakened all my senses.

    I could feel his bulge under his trousers as it pressed against my center. I kept my legs wrapped tightly

    around him, digging him into me.

    Killian''s hand cupped one of my breasts and rolled his thumb over my soft, pink nipple. I bit my upper

    lip to suppress the gasp that almost left, while my hand rubbed on his lean arms.

    "I want you, She," Killian muttered, before pulling my nipple in his mouth. He swirled his tongue over

    it, suckling it. My body writhed in pleasure beneath him. Before he could move on to the next, I grabbed

    him, flipping us over on the bed, and now I was on top of him instead.

    Killian''s lustful eyes narrowed. I pulled my long brown hair out of my face, tugging it to the side. As my

    hip pressed hard against Killian''s already hardened member, he released a groan. Hisrge hands

    gripped my waist, pressing me deeper against him.

    I trailed my hands on his bare chest as I began to grind on him. It started off slowly, and as Killian''s

    hold on me tightened, I began to move faster, feeling his racing heart and mine. Killian continued to

    moan, his hands wrapping around me and his head wedged between my ribs as I went about my work.

    I continued to inflict pleasurable torture on him until he was panting heavily.

    I released him to gaze into his ck eyes, grabbing his chin and smashing my lips against his. My

    hands gripped his neck as we devoured each other''s moans, and I could feel how turned on he was.

    I pulled away abruptly, and he groaned in frustration. "Please, enough with the torture. I want you so

    fucking badly." He pulled his lips to mine, about to kiss me, but I pulled away.

    His gaze was drawn to mine. "Are you really sure you want me that badly?" I leaned against him so

    that my bare chest pressed hard against his. "If you touch me now, there will be no bloody way that you

    will ever touch someone else," I whispered into his ears. "I am so sick of sharing you with someone

    else."

    Killian''s eyes remained the same as if thinking hard on my words or having a serious conversation with

    himself.

    When he hesitated to respond to me, I pushed away from him. Before I could leave the bed, Killian

    grabbed me, digging me deeper into his arms.

    "I need Thea." He said. "The curse." He muttered slowly, looking me in the eye.

    "You need her to break the curse, not her body," I muttered slowly in the same manner he did.

    For the briefest yet longest seconds, we stared at each other, before Killian''s lips swallowed mine. "I

    want you, She, and you only." He said against my lips.

    A teasing smile formed on my lips as I met his gaze. "You belong to me, Killian. Now, please me, mate.

    "

    Killian''s dark eyes twitched brightly, a noticeable smirk on his lips.

    And with my permission, Killian flipped us on the bed, and he was on top of me again.

    He pulled my legs apart, and I looked down at him wide-eyed. He grew a smirk as he held my legs

    apart and buried his head in between my legs. His tongue took one long lick up my center. I moaned at

    his actions, wanting him to do it again.

    I moaned in sweet ecstasy as he started to lick me up again.

    My body vibrated with pleasure. Killian left my shaking legs, taking his sweet time to climb up my body,

    kissing and tasting every inch of my skin. His hands wandered loosely over my breasts.

    Killian gently brushed my hair away from my face. His eyes were intensely focused on me. Slowly,

    Killian pulled his shirt, tossing it to the floor. My eyes fell on his bare chest, admiring the inked drawing

    of a wolf on his chest. He went immediately for his trousers, yanking them from his body until he stood

    naked before me.

    He moved on top of me again, not cing his full weight on me so as not to crush me, and I carefully

    examined every sculpted part of his body, admiring him in his full glory.

    I clutched hard to his neck as Killian lowered himself deeper into me. With his body pushing hard

    against mine, causing me to release a gasp, and immediately, I wrapped my legs around his waist. I felt

    his hardness at my entrance, and slowly he pushed into my entrance. I closed my eyes, bathing in the

    blissful feeling that was building within me.

    "Look at me, She." Killian''s voice was soft and gentle. I opened my eyes. Killian leaned down to kiss

    my lips so tenderly, and he started to move slowly inside of me.

    I felt Killian''s fullness inside of me as he began to pick up speed. I moaned and bit my lip as his pace

    increased. Killian thrust deeper into me, his hips moving against mine, causing me to moan out at the

    intensity.

    Killian''s dark gaze held his own pleasure, as he kept thrusting harder. I wrapped my legs around his

    waist, feeling the pleasurable sensation that threatened to overwhelm me. He was moving back and

    forth with enormous speed.

    I clenched my fists tighter in Killian''s hair, breathing out his name in a moan. "Killian, don''t stop." He

    kept on thrusting, beads of sweat forming on our naked bodies.

    "Whatever you say, love." He kept on thrusting hard as I felt the pleasure within me. I was slowly

    reaching my climax.

    "K-Killian," I cried, my hips aching against his. I just couldn''t get enough of this sweet ecstasy pleasure.

    I wanted more.

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    "She," he moaned against my lips, as we both cried in pleasure, finding our release.

    This was the best sensation ever. I breathed out, copsing in Killian''s arms.

 Chapter 50

    Chapter 50

    Chapter 50 Fifty

    Killian''s point of view

    I groaned, stirring on the bed. My bright amber eyes pulled open, falling on the beautiful figure of my

    mate, curled up so perfectly in my arms. I sighed in contentment, resting my head next to hers. Last

    night was the best night of my life. I couldn''t possibly begin to describe the ecstasy that drowned me

    while making love to my mate. It was the best feeling ever. She was the most beautiful woman ever.

    I leaned closer to her, cing a small kiss on her shoulder. She shifted in her sleep, releasing a small

    moan. I grabbed the sheets, pulling them over her naked skin.

    My eyes went around the cottage; the sun had already set. I gathered my discarded clothes fromst

    night on the floor. In haste, I wore them sharply.

    "Ryker?" I called out to my wolf, fastening my leather boots.

    Ryker simply groaned,zily. I chuckled deeply. He still hasn''t recovered from the blissful pleasure of

    last night. She took us to a world we never thought existed. My eyes nced at my mate once more.

    She was the epitome of beauty. Her long brown hair was falling messily on her face, flowing down into

    the valley between her gorgeous round breasts. I found myself gulping as I drank in her sleeping figure.

    She was well capable of seducing me without even trying. Last night proved exactly what a temptress

    she was, and I was only her prey.

    Reluctantly, I left She in the cottage, stepping into the bright morning sun. I decided to roam around

    the cottage, meticulously scanning the surroundings to ensure we werepletely safe.

    Finally, Ryker was able to pull out ofst night''s bliss. I felt his presence at the back of my mind. It

    seems to be with Shest night did both of us good. It was so damned hard to get enough of herst

    night, it felt as if I had been sex-starved all my life. She awoke emotions and strange feelings within

    me that I was unaware of. She made me discover myself in a whole different dimension.

    I immediately mind-linked Morgan to save time.

    "Bloody hell, Killian! Why the fuck didn''t you get in touch with us?" I heard Morgan''s sharp words pierce

    through the mind link the instant I connected with him. "We''ve been literally scouring everywhere to find

    you,"

    "Well, it''s good to know someone missed me," I sounded in a cheery tone.

    "What about She? Is she with you?" His worried voice filtered through the mind link.

    I growled quietly at his concern. "Yeah, she is with me, and she is fine."

    "Thank the goddess. For a second, I feared the worst when we tried connecting to you, but it wasn''t

    pulling through."

    "My wolf was badly injured. I didn''t have enough strength to reach out to the pack. " I exined

    everything, "How is everyone? What about Brielle? "

    "A few warriors are injured, but that''s about it. And Brielle, you know she''s a survivor; her injuries are

    already healed." Morgan said. "Those fucking wolves of the Fire Crest Pack are still hunting for you

    two."

    I snarled instantly at that new information. "They are after She. They want her dead."

    Morgan also growled angrily. "What do we do now, brother?"

    "I need some warriors. We are just outside the capital, and the Fire Crest warriors could be scattered

    on the way to the capital." I muttered, squeezing my eyes, realizing we just might encounter another

    fight on our way back home. "Where are you now?"

    "We are heading back to North Central." Morgan''s words made my eyes widen. "Don''t me me if we

    were so fucking worried about the two of you to our bones that we kept searching relentlessly for you

    guys." He added, in a sharp tone.

    I shook my head. "Whatever, we are at the cottage."

    "The same cottage?" Morgan asked, knowingly. I nodded.

    "Hurry!" I added before disconnecting.

    I started heading back to the cottage. I reached for the door and pulled it open. My eyes instantly fell on

    She.

    She was awake, already out of bed, and getting dressed. Her head snapped my way when I stepped

    in. Her blue eyes were bright as she held my gaze.

    I moved closer to where she was struggling with the ropes at the back of her dress. I stood behind her,

    my hands falling on hers as I gripped the rope, tugging it gently, my hands brushing against her back.

    She let out a gasp. I was quick to get the rope tied. My hands snaked around She''s waist, and she

    pressed her back against mine.

    I moaned. She pulled her head to her side, giving me ess to her neck. I dipped my lips in the

    crook of her neck, kissing it gently. A sounding moan left our lungs. Slowly, I turned her around so I

    could gaze at her beauty.

    She''s hands were wrapped around my neck as her eyes bore right into my soul. "Good morning."

    She whispered against my lips, as I stiffened into a groan. "How was your night?" She asked with

    curious big eyes.

    "The very best in my life." I was being truthful. A teasing smile sliced through her lips as she moved

    closer to mine.

    I felt the calm beating of her heart against mine, while mine was inplete uproar. She pulled me in

    for a kiss. My hand became firm on her waist. I held her to deepen the kiss, but she pulled away,

    leaving me breathless. I stared into her eyes, and they were dark with desire and lust. "You are mine,

    Killian. Mine alone." Her words were calm, at the same time warningly and possessive. Her

    possessiveness turned me on instantly.

    I didn''t know when I nodded in agreement, I was entirely hers alone.

    With a smile, She brought her lips to mine. I bit her lip gently, seeking permission. She parted, and

    my tongue slid in, caressing every corner of her mouth, sucking in the taste of every bit of her vor.

    Our kiss was deepening. I could feel it almost heading somewhere. But we broke apart instantly,

    panting when I heard a sharp noiseing from outside.

    The look on She''s face told me she''d heard it as well.

    "Stay here," I told her, before heading to the door.

    I slowly pulled it open, moving quietly outside. There was no one in sight. Ryker and I shared control,

    my ws sticking out. I felt the presence in the woods, behind the trees. Quickly, with my nonhuman

    speed, I rushed there, my ws in mid-air, about to pierce into the figure no doubt there.

    "Fudging hell, man. It''s me! " A sharp voice sounded.

    I squinted my eyes at Allen''s slightly terrified and amused face.

    "Rx, brother!" I turned to the voice on my right, finding Morgan in his human form a few feet away

    from us, with Mason.

    "That was fast," I said, as Ryker retreated to the back of my head and my ws dived back inside.

    "I told you we were on the way," Morgan said. More of the pack warriors emerged from the woods.

    Some were in human form, while others were in wolf form and shifted into human form, butt naked.

    The door to the cottage jerked open, and She stepped out. Her face suddenly turned red as she

    scanned around. My eyes followed the trail of eyes to the warriors still naked.

    "Get your fucking asses covered!" I growled angrily, sauntering over to She, allowing my huge frame

    to block her gaze. As soon as everyone had covered themselves, Morgan walked to us.

    "I am d you are alright." He smiled deeply, his arms sprawled apart, and he embraced She.

    I couldn''t stop the possessive growls that escaped from my lungs. Fuck. I had no idea what was wrong

    with me and why I was suddenly overly possessive of She. Morgan sent me a quizzical stare, and

    the warriors held confounded yet amused looks.

    Just then, Brielle pushed her way through the warriors, her eyes breaking a smile as they fell on She.

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    "She!" She rushed to my mate''s side.

    She moved past Morgan and hurried to Brielle. Their bodies met halfway, and they embraced.

    I turned to everyone, "We should start heading back."

    I helped She on the horse, even though she didn''t really need my help. The warriors shifted into their

    wolves, and I was next to She as we started heading for the North Central capital.

    After covering a long distance, we reached the capital. We were on the alert for any trouble from the

    Fire Crest Pack, but we became at ease when we approached our territory. Thankfully, the Fire Crest

    Pack was not stupid enough toe for a fight in our territory.

    We approached the castle. Many of the pack members and warriors crowded around. Their eyes held

    relief to have everyone back safely.

    Jax, Nate, and some warriors rushed me with hugs. They were all happy for She''s safe return as

    well, but I was so d none of them were stupid enough to try to hug my mate.

    My thoughts were cut off by the sharp scream that came from the castle entrance.

    "Killian!"

    I snapped my head in that direction, and my eyes fell on Thea. She raced to me, mming into my

    arms. I felt my heartbeat spike up, and Ryker rose at the back of my mind. My eyes involuntarily

    shed on She.

    And the look on her face frightened me.

 Chapter 51

    Chapter 51

    Chapter 51 Fifty-One

    She''s point of view

    Finally, we made it back home, to our territory. I could feel the tension ease up around us as everyone

    sighed in relief.

    We approached the castle. Many of the pack members and warriors crowded around. Their eyes held

    relief to have everyone back safely.

    Kaleb, Jax, Nate, and some warriors rushed closer to us, embracing Killian.

    Ria rushed to me, embracing me while some warriors and members surrounded me. It really touched

    me to know they were worried about me. I noticed some of them were truly relieved to have me back,

    but they kept a safe distance from me, especially the males, probably because of Killian, who glued

    himself next to me.

    Suddenly, a high-pitched scream sounded from the castle doors, gaining everyone''s attention.

    "Killian!"

    I turned just in time to see Thea rush out staring at Killian as if she didn''t believe he was right there

    before her eyes. I don''t know why, but her expression seemed all fake, as though she had rehearsed it

    multiple times before stepping out.

    I felt my spine stiffen as she ran straight into Killian''s arms, holding him tightly like I wasn''t even next to

    him.

    Ipletely lost it. Adie was growling angrily in my head, wing her way out; if only she''d juste

    out, and we would give Thea exactly what she deserved.

    "I was so worried about you," Thea said.

    I felt angrier than I ever have. Usually, whenever Thea was with Killian, I always tried to bear the pain

    and look away, but today, I felt rage and a certain possessiveness that was a second away from rising

    to the surface.

    I felt everyone''s eyes on me. They all wanted to see my reaction to Thea in Killian''s arms, but through it

    all, my eyes remained on Killian, as his deep amber eyes turned on me.

    Killian cleared his throat abruptly.

    His hands that were at his sides pulled up to Thea, but instead of wrapping his hands around her like

    he normally does, he gently pulled her away, making me smile. His eyes were now on her.

    "I am fine. There''s no need to worry." Killian removed his hands from her body, his eyes shing on

    mine briefly, before moving to the warriors. "We should all wash up and rest. Thest few hours have

    been exhausting." He said, instructing Ria to escort me in while he left with Morgan, Allen, and Mason.

    I was about to leave with Ria, but I found Thea''s heated eyes on me. I nced her way, and she was

    staring at me intensely.

    "Everyone has been worried about Killian." She blocked my path. "He almost lost his life because of

    you. Do you know what that means for the pack? If something had happened to him, everyone would

    suffer the same fate as well."

    I sighed, shaking my head. "I could exin this to you, but there''s no way you''ll ever be able to

    understand the bond Killian and I share. He came after me because I am his mate, the only one that

    has his heart." I paused, taking in Thea''s surprised stare. She probably didn''t expect me to talk back to

    her.

    Her brown eyes sparkled with rage and a little confusion as if something was utterly surprising. Well,

    that wasn''t far-fetched from the truth. Something indeed has changed. I had. I had finallye to my

    senses. It was time to draw a clear line between Thea and me. She had deluded herself for far too

    long, and I will ensure she''s aware of exactly why she''s here and what she meant to Killian and the

    pack. She''s here only for the curse and nothing more.

    "Listen to me, slut. Don''t fool yourself into thinking Killian cares about you." Thea began, but I cut her

    off with augh.

    Her brow furrowed as she pondered what I found amusing and hrious.

    "You know what, I think you''ve been deluding yourself, thinking you have a ce in Killian''s heart and

    in this pack." I smiled. "You are only here because of the curse, Thea. And that''s it. As soon as your

    purpose here is fulfilled, I swear to the goddess, you will be out of this pack and out of Killian''s life." I

    held a smile for her, side-stepping her as Ria and I walked through the castle doors, heading for my

    chamber.

    "Oh, my goddess, She I have never seen you that furious, especially with Thea." Ria rushed in-

    between with augh, her hands linking with my arm.

    I simply smiled. "I only told her what she needed to hear," I said to Ria, swerving to her. "Did anything

    happen while we were away?" I queried, as we took a turn into the hallway, heading to my chamber.

    "Not at all. Everyone was busy worrying about you and Alpha Killian." Ria chimed sharply before

    snapping her fingers as if suddenly remembering something.

    "What is it?" I spoke quickly, my eyes were on her.

    "Shoot! I almost forgot. When patrollingst night, Jax and some warriors caught a spy within our

    territory." She informed me

    My brows furrowed. "A rogue?"

    Ria shook her head. "No. But I have no idea which pack he belongs to. The warriors locked him up in

    the dungeons and have been torturing him sincest night." She paused, her eyes suddenly holding

    fear. "Everyone is worried though. The warriors think the spy has been hiding in the mountains within

    our territory for a long time."

    "What?" I was left speechless. "How is that possible?"

    "I don''t know. I guess he was pretty silent. But that''s not even what''s worse; it seems during the time

    he''s been hiding in the mountains he found out about the curse."

    "How can that be?"

    "Most probably the time when the Alpha went on a rampage, if he had been in our territory then, there''s

    absolutely no way he wouldn''t have noticed anything."

    I ced a hand over my lips. This was bad. The truth about Killian''s curse has been hidden from the

    world. If this spy knows about the curse, that means whoever sent him may know about it as well.

    As we reached my chamber, the first thing I went for was a rxing shower. After that, Ria was sweet

    enough to bring some food over for me.

    We chatted as I ate through my food. When I was done, I fell asleep from exhaustion.

    By the time I woke up, it was already nightfall. I got out of bed and looked around the castle for Killian.

    But I couldn''t find him. The helpers informed me he was in his office.

    I made my way straight to Killian''s office. I reached for the door as soon as I was there. I pulled it open,

    finding Killian in the office. He was with Jax and Allen. They just concluded a meeting. Jax and Allen

    lowered their heads at me before exiting through the door.

    I shut it tightly, my blue eyes falling on Killian. He looked terrible, still wearing clothes from our journey.

    It seemed like he hadn''t even been to his chamber or taken a rest yet. I walked closer to his table,

    noticing his pale face and worried eyes.

    "What''s wrong?" I asked, moving around his table to his chair. I could see the fear and worry all over

    him.

    As soon as I stopped before him, Killian pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around my waist with his

    head resting on my stomach.

    I ced my hand on his silken blonde hair. "What happened?" I asked again.

    "Nothing. It''s justˇŞ" He stopped talking, inhaling my scent. "A spy was caught in our territory, and it

    seems like he knows a lot about us." Killian dug me deeper into him.

    "About the curse?" I muttered. He pulled away a little, his deep amber eyes peering up at me.

    "Yeah, though he still remains adamant in admitting anything yet."

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    "Do you know which pack he belongs to?" I asked.

    Killian shook his head. "No. It seems he just went rogue. He doesn''t have the scent of any pack or the

    stench of a rogue yet. So, it''s difficult to know exactly where he came from. But we will find out. What

    worries me more is knowing that someone out there knows about the curse. That isn''t good. And it will

    put everyone in the pack in danger."

    I held him tightly. I could feel his pain. Killian looked so worried. I ced a hand on his cheek,

    caressing it gently.

    He leaned into my touch, and I lowered myself into his arms, pressing my lips to his.

    Killian''s arms covered mepletely, kissing me back.

    I pulled away to meet his gaze. "Don''t worry, we will figure it out," I said assuring. I had no idea how

    things would work out, but I was sure as hell willing to help out. The only question that seemed to bug

    me was who could have sent that spy here into Killian''s territory?

 Chapter 52

    Chapter 52

    Chapter 52 Fifty-Two

    She''s point of view

    "Run! Sweetheart, run! " A woman''s voice rang loudly in my ears, capturing my attention from the fight

    that broke out around me. I was surrounded by warriors both in their human and wolf forms, as if they

    were protecting me, they fought against vicious wolves, having the stench of rogues.

    My eyes fell back on the woman, who was a distance away from me, fighting as well. Her electric blue

    eyes shifted to me as I remained motionless on the ground. She was beautiful, having curvy brown

    hair. Her blue eyes lingered on me for the briefest of seconds, her gaze holding fear.

    "Mother!" My lips moved, terrifyingly, as my eyes took notice of the vicious wolves about to lunge at the

    woman. Her eyes followed my trail, and before the wolves could sessfully aim for her, she sent her

    fingers in the air, whispering a few words. Immediately, I heard the snapping of necks, and the wolves

    dropped dead on the bloody earth.

    "Run!" The woman''s voice sounded again, panic now rising in her voice. I managed to get my shaky

    legs to stand, and that was when I noticed my child-like legs and hands. I was young, in my nine-year-

    old body. I looked around confusedly when a young boy appeared out of nowhere. He was covered

    with blood, which wasn''t his. He looked way older than me.

    He grabbed my hand and jerked me from my frozen spot, and we began running into the woods with

    speed. I could hear the threatening growls that rippled through the trees, frightening me the more. I had

    no idea where I was or who the boy was, but I felt safe with him like he wouldn''t hurt me

    We kept running, suddenly stumbling back on our boots when we were surrounded by unknown figures

    dressed in uniform ck cloaks. The young boy held my hand firmly, pushing me against his small

    frame. His other hand held onto his long sword tightly. I could feel the fear radiating off of him, but he

    didn''t cower away. His deep hazel eyes sent me a look as if assuring me he would protect me until his

    last breath. Why did those gaze look so familiar?

    I felt my heart hammer against my chest. The unknown figures moved closer to us. He raised his sword

    up, but quickly his sword was snatched from his grasp and he was thrown against a tree without even

    being touched.

    "Brother!" My lips moved again but I had no control over my body. It was as if all I could do was watch

    this moment happen. They were witches. My eyes scanned around as they neared me.

    They were only a short distance from me when several other figures dressed in red cloaks rushed to

    where we were, and they began to attack the unknown figures dressed in ck. They were witches as

    well.

    A woman with raven hair grabbed my small wrist, dragging me away from the fight into the woods with

    the young boy behind us. She held me and we kept running. Suddenly, my eyes caught the mark that

    was on her wrist. It was some kind of runic symbol. It was so familiar. I have seen it somewhere. But

    my brain was too scrambled to remember at the moment.

    We came to a halt in the middle of a meadow, joining a few other witches wearing red cloaks. My eyes

    narrowed on the woman from earlier, the one I seemed to recognize as my mother. Was she really my

    mother? As soon as she saw me, she raced to my side, engulfing me in a hug.

    "We need to hurry!" The raven-haired woman sounded, "Those leeches sent by the Dark Circle are still

    after the child."

    "They can''t have her. We must take her to safety." The woman, my mother, said, her eyes full of

    concern for me. Her hand was holding me firmly. She had the same familiar symbol on her wrist.

    "You can be assured, Fiona, that the witches and I will protect her even ifˇŞ" The raven-haired woman

    was cut off abruptly by the threatening growls that pierced through the night, and we were heavily

    surrounded by wolves and witches dressed in ck.

    Everything happened so fast, as pain devoured me and swift darkness covered my vision. By the time

    my eyes fluttered open, I found myself in the middle of a blood bath with the chaos around me.

    The surroundings were familiar; it was a nightmare that had recently begun to haunt my every

    awakening. I looked down. I found that woman, Fiona¨Cmy mother, dead in my arms.

    My body began to vibrate, knowing full well what wasing next. I had dreamt of this nightmare over

    and over again. And on cue, I released a loud scream that caused the earth to tremble and the wind to

    be violent. I didn''t have control of my body, and then I was surrounded by vicious wolves. The

    chaos within me broke loose.

    I jerked up from my bed, gasping for air, with a hand to my chest. My face was drenched in beads of

    sweat. My dress was drenched in sweat as well. I turned themp on, the burning fire lightening my

    chamber.

    I nced around. There was no one else in the room, and outside was still at the peak of dawn.

    I sighed, finally able to steady my breathing.

    It''s just a dream, She. It''s just a dream. I repeated to myself, trying to calm my beating heart. But this

    time it felt more surreal than thest night.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    I have no idea why I have been having these recurring dreams. Something was wrong. Tonight''s dream

    felt more real thanst night. It was as if I was reliving that moment over and over again. Each passing

    day I am more convinced it''s from a memory that I can''t seem to remember from my childhood.

    Just thinking about it brought tears sliding down my eyes. I didn''t even bother to wipe them away.

    Strangely, my heart tugged in pain just remembering the woman in my arms. I felt pain devouring my

    bones. If these dreams were actually memories, it would mean everything I had witnessed was real.

    The attacks, the pain, and so many deaths around us. I cried in pain. It took me a while before I could

    get a hold of my emotions.

    I pulled my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. Even if that memory kills me, I have

    to figure out exactly what it meant. I couldn''t recognize anyone from the dream. I tried remembering the

    surroundings in the dream, but it wasn''t the silver mist pack. I didn''t even see my father there. That was

    more confusing. Who was that young boy that I called brother? Why did it seem like everyone was

    trying to protect me? And there was the Dark Circle. Why on earth were they trying to have me?

    Nothing made sense.

    I had so many questions that I didn''t have answers to. It''s frustrating me. For an insane second, I

    actually considered confronting my father about these dreams. Maybe he would know something.

    But a thought kicked against it. My father was thest person that was likely to answer that question.

    He had always hated me and got mad whenever I spoke about the childhood I couldn''t seem to

    remember. Confronting him was a bad idea. I just have to figure things out for myself.

    Iy on the bed, watching as dawn slowly crept in.

    I showered and dressed before going to Valerie''s spell room. Maybe there was a way to know why I

    couldn''t seem to remember my childhood, or maybe there could be some kind of spell to help me

    remember.

    I reached Valerie''s spell room; the door was locked. I called out to her but she wasn''t responding. It

    seemed like she wasn''t in, so I ced my hand on the door, desperately hoping it would open for me

    like it did the first time. I knocked on it once and was about to knock again when the door squeaked

    open. My lips broke into a smile. I couldn''t even hide the tion that wed its way to the surface.

    Without hesitation, I entered the spell room, shutting the door behind me.

    Just as I had thought, Valerie wasn''t in. There was no one there. I nced around the room, from the

    tables that housed several strange objects, to the wooden shelves stuck with ancient-looking books at

    the end of the walls, to the trees that were in a corner. I had no idea exactly what to do now that I was

    in Valerie''s spell room.

    I sighed, walking to the shelves instead. Valerie told me some of the books were actually spell books,

    or better yet, grimoires, as she called them. I grabbed one from the shelves, pulling it open. I could

    barely understand the words written in them; they were in unknownnguages.

    I returned it to the shelf, grabbing another. I went through it. Half of the words were in English while the

    spellings were in unknownnguages. I went through it, still hoping to find something rting to

    memories. But nothing. I returned it and kept on moving from one book to another on the shelf. The

    more I couldn''t find what I was searching for, the deeper I fell into the pit of frustration.

    I returned to the book in my hands back on the shelf, grabbing the next when a voice made me jerk

    back and the book in my hands fell to the floor.

    "She?"

    My eyes traveled quickly to the door, and they fell on Valerie''s surprised face.

    Oh, bloody hell! This didn''t look good, snooping around her spell room without her consent.

    "Valerie," I called out, quicklyposing myself as I picked up the book from the floor.

    "What are you doing here?" She asked, sounding amused as her eyes went over the shelf that I had

    just raided and then to the book in my hands.

    "Nothing serious, Uhm, just snooping around." For some reason, the look on her face became more

    amused, if that was even possible. Valerie''s eyes went to the wooden door.

    "It opened." I quickly added before she asked.

    "Very well." She stalked to one of the tables. "You seemed to be looking for something." She muttered,

    her purple eyes ncing up at me.

    I wasn''t sure if that was a question or a statement. It sounded like a statement, but somehow it felt like

    a question.

    I held the book in my hand, moving over to where she was at the table, deep down contemting if I

    shoulde clean with her or not.

    Then I froze.

    My thoughts went still, and my body was motionless, as my eyes gazed intensely at the mark on

    Valerie''s wrist.

    No wonder it looked familiar in my dream. That was the mark the raven-haired woman had, the same

    one that was identical to Fiona''s, the woman who seemed to be my mother. My eyes pulled up to meet

    Valerie''s, staring back at me with a nk gaze that seemed to be hiding so many things.

    Oh, my goddess!

 Chapter 53

    Chapter 53

    Chapter 53 Fifty-Three

    She''s point of view

    Oh, my goddess!

    My eyes fell back on the mark on Valerie''s wrist.

    Why did she have that?

    Why did the women in my dreams have that?

    "She?" I felt warm, soothing hands on my shoulder. I nced up to find Valerie next to me, her wide

    eyes on me now holding concern. "Are you alright?" She asked.

    I nodded, even though I was very much not alright. My heart was racing hard right now, and I couldn''t

    slow it down. Valerie was standing right in front of me, but it was as if my surroundings had somehow

    changed and I was in the middle of fights and deaths from my dream. My breathing became too hard,

    and before I knew it, I was already choking on my breath.

    I could feel Valerie''s panic right next to me. Her hand left my shoulder and found its way to my face.

    She held me tightly, making me stare into her deep purple eyes.

    "Breathe, She." Her words sounded normal, but I could feel the magic in them as I began to calm

    down; my breathing became normal, and my body''s vibrations stopped. I looked around, and the horrid

    scenes from my dream were no more.

    I sighed, getting myself back.

    "Are you alright?" she asked.

    I nodded. "Yes, I am."

    Valerie didn''t seem convinced; her concerned stare was still fixed on me.

    "I am." I sounded more convincing this time.

    She nodded, moving back to her previous spot. I watched her closely, my eyes constantly falling on the

    mark on her wrist. My mind was buzzing with so many questions that were now choking my throat.

    "That mark on your wrist," It surprised me when I heard my voice echoing within the room. Valerie

    pulled her head up, her eyes curious to know what I had to say. "What does it mean?"

    Valerie was surprised. Her purple eyes followed my trail to her wrist. "It symbolizes our very existence

    as witches. It''s our identity, it reminds us of our purpose and origin."

    "That means there are many who have that mark?" I rushed in haste. My sudden curiosity surprised

    her even more, but whatever she was thinking, she hid it well.

    Valerie studied me briefly. She counted her words. "There was."

    "What do you mean by that?" I asked quickly again, hating the fact that I couldn''t keep myself calm.

    "Because many of us died," she said, looking back at her wrist. "A long time ago." She added, finding

    my gaze again.

    "What happened?" I asked.

    "A tragedy, wiping off so many of my sisters." Valerie ced both her hands on the table. How she

    spoke told me she also had nightmares haunting her every awakening.

    I wish I could let her have the moment, but I had so many questions eager to be heard.

    "Sisters? Does that mean every one of the witches bearing that mark belongs to a coven? " My lips

    moved sharply.

    "Not a coven. We were more than that. We were the crystal witches of the ancient fortress. " Valerie

    paused, looking at me again as if expecting some kind of reaction.

    "Does it ring a bell?" She asked more curiously, studying me further.

    My brows were crippled at her question. What exactly was supposed to ring a bell? The Crystal

    Witches of the Fortress?

    I shook my head nheless at her questions. "No."

    She sighed as if expecting a different answer from me.

    "We were the witches of the ancient fortress, the very ce that birthed the purest kind of magic. We

    had responsibilities to both the human world and the supernatural world and that is to ensure its

    safety," She said.

    "Then what happened?"

    She looked at me, unsure if she should proceed with her next words. "We were attacked and

    murdered. Many of our sisters lost their lives; while many fled."

    Everything she said only confused me more. It only exined to me who the witches in my dream

    were, but I had no answer to any other question.

    "She," Valerie''s soft call drew my attention back to her. "Why the sudden interest in the Crystal

    witches and this mark?" She asked, "Have you perhaps seen it before, somewhere else?" Her eyes

    were unblinking, awaiting my next words as if they mattered.

    My eyes fell back on her wrist. A part of myself just wanted to be honest, while a greater part insisted I

    sort through my dreams first.

    I chose to go with the former. I sighed, deciding toe clean. My lips parted to speak when we heard

    a knock on the door.

    Valerie''s eyes moved to the door, and then back to me. She sent her hand to the door, muttering a few

    words, and then the door was pushed open.

    "She" Ria motioned in, lowering her head to both Valerie and me. "It''s time."

    "Time for what?" I asked her.

    "Tonight''s bonfire," Ria said, hoping to jog my memory.

    My eyes widened. Ipletely forgot about it. "Is it twilight already?" I asked, and Ria nodded. Bloody

    hell!

    I was sopletely lost in my hunt for answers that I lost track of time here. I turned to Valerie.

    "I apologize, but I have to leave now," I told her.

    She nodded, understandingly.

    I left the spell room with Ria.

    "What happened? You look terrible," Riamented on the dark circles around my eyes.

    I nodded in agreement with her words. "I couldn''t get enough sleep."

    Her worried eyes went over me; "I will meet the pack''s physician for some medicine."

    I smiled at her sweetness, knowing deep down that not even medicine could help me right now.

    "Fine," I said as we made our way back to my chamber. I changed quickly into something nice for

    tonight''s bonfire. It was a regr small gathering that Killian''s pack always had. It was like a small feast

    meant for only the pack members and meant to form a stronger bond.

    I wore something casual yet graceful for the gathering.

    Ria and I left my chamber and left the castle. Many preparations had already been made. There were

    several small fires scattered around the pack, and around them were many pack members eating and

    drinking. Everyone was having fun in their groups.

    Ria and I took our seats around the zing fire. My eyes went around, searching for Killian.

    "He hasn''t arrived yet," Ria said to me, stuffing her mouth with some food.

    "Why?" I haven''t seen him all day, and I didn''t evene into the office.

    "He looked for you earlier today, but you weren''t in your chamber. I informed him that you were with

    Valerie, and asked if I should fetch you, but he declined." Ria returned to her food.

    "Do you know where he is?" I asked.

    "He''s been in the dungeon with the warriors. They''ve been trying to get some information out of the

    prisoner."

    That''s right. The spy.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    I sighed, remaining with Ria and some female warriors. Even after a long while, Killian still hadn''t

    shown up. I was getting worried.

    I left Ria in thepany of the warriors and some members, roving back to the back of the packhouse.

    I was told Killian had the prisoner transferred from the castle''s dungeon to the one at the pack house,

    and that''s where they were currently torturing him.

    I kept walking with the guidance of the moonlight. The path to the pack''s dungeon was rough and

    rocky. I grabbed the burning torch hanging on the wall. I used it to light my path as I made my way to

    the dungeon.

    From afar, I could hear painful howls. I kept on moving closer.

    "He has confessed he knows, but still won''t say who sent him!" I heard Allen yell in a rage, and just

    then everyone came into view.

    I was still a distance away, but I could see Killian. He was with Morgan, Allen, Mason, Jax, and a few

    more warriors. They circled a figure who was howling in pain on the ground. He must be the spy. And

    from what I just heard Allen say, he must have admitted knowing about the curse on Killian and the

    pack and still hasn''t confessed who sent him.

    The figure on the ground howled again in pain. "No one sent me. I ˇŞ " He was silenced by Morgan with

    a stab in his stomach. He screamed in pain. I could smell the foul stench of burning flesh. Wolfsbane. It

    wasced with whatever they were using to torture him.

    "Then you die with your secret," Killian muttered coldly. The finality of his words sent frightening chills

    down my spine. I couldn''t see his face, but I could feel the dangerous aura radiating off of him as he

    grabbed some chains from the ground. I heard Killian hiss briefly, walking closer to the figure on the

    ground.

    Upon seeing Killian move closer to him, he began to whimper, begging for his life, as if the chains held

    some kind of lethal poison. But Killian didn''t listen. Killian crouched beside him, about to ce the

    chain around him, but he stopped, suddenly.

    He stuck his nose in the air, sniffing around. He tilted his neck sideways before turning around, and his

    dark amber eyes fell on me.

    Killian pulled up on his feet, and began to move closer to me. I couldn''t see his face clearly, but his

    eyes were as dark as the night itself, I felt my whole body stiffened, as the air around turned colder.

 Chapter 54

    Chapter 54

    Chapter 54 Fifty-Four

    She''s point of view

    "She?" Killian moved closer to me. I couldn''t see his face, but his voice was less frightening than it

    was a second ago." "It''s not safe here. What are you doing here?" He asked, looking behind me,

    realizing I was alone.

    "IˇŞ" I began, but I was interrupted by the loud growling from the spy being tortured.

    Killian took a step closer to me until his massive frame blocked my view, then pressed hisrge thumb

    against my chin, drawing my gaze back to him.

    "I don''t want you to see this. Join the others at the bonfire. I will join you soon after I am done here."

    His voice kept getting softer as he urged me. "I promise."

    I sent onest stare behind him, nodding my head. "Alright. I will be waiting." I turned about to leave

    when another howl left the tortured prisoner''s lips. It made me stop in my tracks, and I turned my gaze

    back to where Morgan and the warriors were torturing him. He was being dragged up from the ground.

    I furrowed my eyebrows in the darkness, sending the torch forward to the tortured wolf.

    "She," Killian sounded beside me but stopped abruptly when I gasped, my hand covering my mouth.

    "What is it?" Killian grabbed my arm in concern. But my gaze didn''t move to meet him, instead, it

    remained unmoving from the prisoner being dragged away.

    "Devon?" I called in disbelief. My sudden call made everyone pause for a moment. Their eyes traveled

    to me. I felt Killian be stiff beside me. And the tortured wolf pulled his head up with great difficulty.

    His bruised and bloody face was sent my way.

    "She?" His voice croaked, turning into a bloody cough. I felt my chest squeeze in pain. He must have

    been so badly tortured that he wasnˇŻt even healing.

    "She," Killian called beside me. His voice was firm, but he wasn''t at all yelling. I drew my blue eyes to

    his. "Do you know him?" He asked, and waited for my reply with his dark, hooded eyes.

    I nodded. I couldn''t trust myself to speak.

    Killian''s hold on me tightened, but it wasn''t rough. "How?"

    "Devon," I said, as my gaze returned to the tortured man being held by the warriors. Everyone seemed

    eager to hear about my rtionship with the supposed spy. "He''s a friend of mine."

    "A friend?" Killian vibrated with low growls, which made me snap my eyes back on him, sending him a

    look as if saying ''don''t start getting stupid ideas.''

    "That means he''s probably from your pack then?" Morgan questioned me.

    I nodded quickly, "He is," Instantly, I regretted my sudden words as everyone''s faces turned darkly. My

    eyes fell back on Killian''s.

    "Then your father, Alpha Lucius, sent him?" Killian''s words sounded questioning, but the look in his

    eyes told me he had already concluded that my father was the one who sent a spy into our territory.

    "I don''t know, I''mˇŞ" I started, but Devon''s croaking voice made me stop.

    "I swear on my life, he didn''t. He doesn''t even know I am here." Devon''s attempt to speak turned again

    into a bloody cough that smeared his lips.

    "I believe him." My lips moved quicker than I had liked.

    Killian released a loud growl this time, telling me he detested my words and trust in a stranger. But

    Devon wasn''t a stranger. He was my friend, more like the only friend I had back at my old pack.

    Everyone always feared approaching me in the pack house, but Devon didn''t. We grew up together

    with Calli, his little sister. But what happened? Where was Calli, and why was Devon here?

    I had many questions for him, and I bet Killian could sense it. He grabbed me closer. "In my office,

    now!"

    He led me to his office. As soon as he was in, Killian mmed the door angrily. His fuming eyes were

    on me. I was unsure of exactly what he was angry about. The fact that I knew the spy, Devon, or that

    everyone seemed to think my father sent him, or maybe because of my blinding trust in my friend, who

    happens to be a male.

    Before he could speak, I did. "Devon isn''t a spy."

    Killian''s anger rose to the maximum. "Because he said so."

    "Yes, precisely. I trust him. He says he wasn''t sent by my father to spy on us, so I believe him." I said,

    matching his tone.

    "Tell me the truth. Who the hell is that bloody bastard to you?" Killian red up.

    My brows narrowed at him. So that was the main reason for his growing rage. I swear I could have

    relished this moment if it was at another time when my friend''s life wasn''t hanging on the line. Killian''s

    sudden jealousy and possessiveness of me gave me a thrill that seemed to turn me on instantly.

    Killian stopped talking, his eyes getting darker as he took me in. In a sh, he was before me, his

    hands groping my waist as he pressed me to his body.

    I gasped at the unexpected closeness of our bodies, Killian''s nose and lips a breath away from mine.

    Instinctively, my hands moved their way to his blonde hair, tugging at it so roughly yet sensually, that it

    made Killian moan against my lips. "I can feel your sweet arousal, She." He was now breathless, as

    his lips trembled on mine.

    "And what does that tell you?" I whispered, pressing my body to his so he could feel my warmth against

    his.

    Killian''s hands on my waist began to move around, caressing my curves, moving up to the sides of my

    breasts. "That you are MINE, She."

    A smile found my lips, as I pressed my lips against his. In a rush, Killian''s lips swallowed mine, kissing

    me back with so much need and desire. He pulled me up in his arms, cing me on his table, but I

    pulled away abruptly, remembering what was important at the moment. My instant pull caused him to

    groan in frustration.

    My blue eyes peered into his lustful dark eyes. "Devon is innocent." My sudden words caused him to

    growl, but I held him before he could pull away from me.

    "Let me speak to him," I said, pleadingly.

    "Not a damned chance of that happening!" He shot angrily.

    "Please, Killian," I half-yelled, pleading again.

    Killian paused briefly, staring at me, his face neutral but his breathing told me he was still furious.

    "Fuck!" He pulled away from my grip, muttering a few more curses under his breath. His dark eyes fell

    on me again. "You will not be left alone with him," he said, still angry.

    "Does that mean yes?" I asked.

    "That means whatever you have to say to him, make it fast. I will be watching." He added angrily, but

    his rage wasn''t directed my way.

    I smiled.

    We made our way back to the pack dungeon. Devon had already been locked back in the dungeon.

    I met Morgan and the warriors at the entrance of the dungeon. Killian allowed me inside while he

    stayed outside with the other guys, but I knew everyone would be listening to our conversation.

    As soon as I went inside, I rushed to the bars separating Devon and me.

    "Devon," I called out to my friend,ying almost motionless on the humid floor of the dungeon. Devon

    was a strong warrior in my father''s pack. Whatever Killian and his warriors did to him broke him badly.

    "She," he called my name in a whisper. "What are you doing here?"

    "I am the one who is supposed to ask that question. What on earth are you doing here in our territory?"

    I asked, unable to understand why he was there. It was either he had been incredibly stupid or

    carelessly brave to sneak into the Crescent North Pack, knowing their ruthless reputation.

    Everyone back at my old pack cowered in fear just at the mention of Killian''s name. I also was back

    then, so why was he here?

    "I didn''t want to put you in any trouble. I swear." He whispered it again, coughing.

    "You knew I was here?" I asked.

    Devon nodded. "Everyone back at the pack knew how Alpha Lucius was so heartless enough to send

    you off with that monster," he said.

    "If you knew I was here, why didn''t you look for me?" I asked again, suddenly pausing. Devon didn''t

    have the scent of my old pack, just like what Killian had earlier said, he smelled like a fresh rogue.

    "What happened, Devon? Did you leave the pack?"

    He held my gaze, nodding bitterly.

    My brows were crippled, more confused. "What about Calli?" He always adored his little sister; there

    was no way he could have left without her.

    Devon''s eyes welled with tears. The sight broke me. I moved closer to the bars, but they stung me as

    my skin grazed them. I hissed in pain, seeing the burn on my hand. It wasced with wolfsbane. No

    wonder the Pack''s dungeon was more horrid than the castle''s.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "What happened to Calli? Where is she? Did you leave her back at the Silver Mist Pack?" I bombarded

    him with so many questions.

    I watched as tears slipped down his bruised and bloody face. "She, Calli is dead. My little sister is

    dead." He cried. "Your father, Alpha Lucius killed her." Devon broke more into tears while I was left

    motionless.

    My body suddenly became cold as I copsed on the cold floor. Tears rushed down my cheeks. Calli

    was dead. My father killed her.

 Chapter 55

    Chapter 55

    Chapter 55 Fifty-Five

    She''s point of view

    My father killed her.

    My father killed Calli.

    I felt pain stab my chest from the news and watching Devon in such a broken state.

    "What happened?" I managed to ask again.

    "She was chosen as one of the young girls to be sent to the Gray Wolves Pack." Devon blurted out

    between sobs.

    I ced a hand to my lips. The Gray Wolves Pack was a name that frightened the young female

    wolves in my father''s pack. They had their own territory in the far east, but they were in some kind of

    agreement with my father. Since my father didn''t belong to the Council or the Dark Circle, he needed

    the alliance of other packs for protection, so he had other ally packs outside of North Central that he

    was in alliance with. And the Gray Wolves Pack was one of them. They were cruel and ferocious.

    And every Fall, he usually sent arge number of young female wolves to the Gray Wolves Pack in the

    East. We never know what happened to them, because the female wolves were not allowed to leave

    the pack and those who tried to escape never made it out alive. That was how wicked they were.

    There was a time back at my old pack when I had juste of age, everyone thought my father would

    send me off with the girls he was sending next. Even I thought the same, but s, it didn''t happen.

    "Devon, I am so sorry." I whispered in tears.

    "Do not be. It''s not your fault. Calli didn''t want to go, so she tried to escape from the pack, but Alpha

    Lucius caught her and murdered her on the spot as a warning to others who would dare to escape." He

    muttered slowly.

    "And then what?"

    "I couldn''t stay there, She. Not after he killed Calli. So, I escaped. I didn''t know where else to hide

    because he would still be looking for me. The safest ce was in the Crescent North Pack territory. At

    least, your father wouldn''t even consider searching for me here," he said.

    That was true. There was no way he could imagine Devon would be here. But as much as that was a

    smart move, it was also a dangerous one. There was no way Killian would let him off the hook that

    easily.

    I sighed, my hand slipping in between the bars to touch him. "It will be alright. I promise." I whispered, I

    had no idea how to get him out of this, but I will try my best to.

    Just then, the entrance doors to the dungeon squeaked open, and Killian''s huge frame was at the door.

    "That''s enough time already. You should leave now." He muttered angrily.

    I sent a final nce over to Devon, before pulling away from the bars. I walked back to where Killian

    was, exiting the dungeon with him.

    "What will happen to him, Killian?" I stopped walking, turning to Killian who was beside me.

    "What do you think, as per the rules of my pack, he will be executed. He knows too much about us."

    Killian spoke heartlessly.

    He continued walking, but I grabbed his arm, causing him to stop. "But you heard him. My father didn''t

    send him here. In fact, he was hiding from him."

    "That doesn''t change the fact that he knows about the curse. He is a loose end, and I can''t have that."

    His cold words shot at me.

    "But he is innocent, and I swear he won''t tell a soul about it. He just lost his sister; he can''t die as well."

    Killian held me. "You can''t be too sure about that, She."

    "Please, Killian, you can''t have him killed."

    "This is a matter that concerns the entire pack. Everyone is terrified of someone finding out about us,

    and it is my responsibility to ensure we are all safe." Killian whispered gently, "There''s nothing that can

    be done for your friend." He said, walking away from me.

    I held back the tears in my eyes. I hurried out of the dungeon to catch up with Killian, but I couldn''t find

    him.

    I searched around for him, but I couldn''t find him. He wasn''t even at the bonfire.

    "Morgan, have you seen Killian?" I asked Morgan, rushing to his side.

    "I saw him head back to the castle."

    "Thanks." Before I could leave, Morgan held my arm.

    "She, about Devon ˇŞ"

    "I swear Morgan, he won''t tell a soul about what he found out here. Devon isn''t like that. He is a good

    person, and it would be unfair to just have him killed." I said to Morgan. Even though Killian thinks

    otherwise, I wished Morgan would be on my side. At least it''ll help convince Killian.

    "Please, Morgan. Help me convince Killian." I begged.

    Morgan regarded me quietly, not saying anything. He shut his eyes and sighed. "It''s not just up to

    Killian. The decision involves every ranking member of the pack. If they want Devon executed, then

    there''s no saving him, She. And I am also not in support of allowing him to live."

    "Oh, Morgan,"

    "I am really sorry, She." He said, just then, Ria approached me. She informed me Killian had called

    for me.

    I left the packhouse and headed for the castle. I went straight to Killian''s office, but he wasn''t there. I

    searched everywhere for him but couldn''t find him. I headed to his chamber.

    Without knocking, I pulled open the door and found Killian standing by the window. The room was dark.

    The moon''s ray was shining down on him.

    "Killian," I said as I shut the door behind me. I walked further into the room.

    "I have called for a pack meeting to decide his fate. Every ranking member of the court will cast a vote

    to decide what happens to him." Killian spoke slowly.

    That sounded fair. "If they vote yes or no, what does it mean?"

    "If everyone votes yes, then your friend can keep his life. But if the court and I vote no, then your friend

    is going to be executed, She." Killian said, now leaning against the wall, staring at me.

    I felt a churn within me. Killian was telling me he was going to vote no.

    "I should also be able to vote. I am the Luna of the pack. I should also be a part of the court and I

    should vote." I told him.

    Killian regarded me in the darkness. "As my Luna, you are also eligible to vote, and that earns you a

    seat in the court." He told me. "So yes, you can be part of tonightˇŻs meeting."

    I walked closer to where Killian was until we were inches apart. "Killian, please vote to save Devon." I

    exhaled, watching him gently, hoping deep down he would reconsider.

    Killian moved closer, his amber eyes deeply boring down on mine.

    My heart was racing, fearing deep down what he had to say. I could see his defiant gaze. Before he

    could speak, I did. "Please, Killian. Do it for me." Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    The look on his face was unusual, and the expression on his face told me that he had a lot to say to

    me. But he decided not to.

    "Is that what you truly want?" He asked, lifting his hand, and for a split second I thought he was going

    to grab my waist, but his hand went to the back of my head, getting lost in my brown hair. He pulled his

    lips close to mine.

    I nodded with all certainty, as my heart began to drum louder in my ears from his long, deafening

    seconds of silence. Without saying a word, Killian kissed me. It was soft and gentle, and then he pulled

    away.

    "It''s time for the meeting."

    I followed him out of the office, and we made our way to the castle''s enormous court. When we arrived,

    the ce had already been filled with many ranking members, and there was discussion in several

    groups. I could tell from the look on their faces that their conversation was about Devon.

    "I am sure everyone here is well aware why this meeting was called for so suddenly." Killian stalked

    forward to therge table, and I walked closely behind him.

    My eyes fell on Morgan. Allen, Mason, and a few other ranking warriors were also present.

    Everyone nodded to Killian''s words.

    "Starting today, She will be a part of the Court as my Luna, and thus, her voice and votes will be

    respected within the Court." He spoke once more, his authority dangling with every word.

    No one seemed to disagree with his announcement, so Killian nodded to Morgan to proceed.

    Morgan was on his feet. "For those in favor of Devon''s life being spared, raise your hand." Morgan

    spoke.

    And without hesitating, I lifted a hand. I nced around, and I was the only one in support of this

    motion. My eyes fell on Morgan, and I sent a pleading look his way. This was someone''s life on the line.

    Morgan visibly exhaled, slowly lifting his hand up.

    A smile found my lips.

    "For those against it," Morgan spoke up again. My eyes widened as I looked around and everyone had

    their hand in the air. My blue eyes drifted to Killian.

    He wasn''t looking at me. His eyes scanned around the ranked members whose hands were up. After a

    while, everyone dropped their hands down.

    "Alpha," Morgan turned to Killian. Everyone''s eyes were on him, awaiting his own vote.

    I held my breath at Killian''s silence. His eyes were coldly drawn to mine. I couldn''t tell what he was

    thinking.

    "I vote against it." He spoke coldly.

    Something within me shattered, watching my veryst hope falter before me.

 Chapter 56

    Chapter 56

    Chapter 56 Fifty-Six

    She''s point of view

    "I vote against it," Killian said coldly. His words resounded in my ears. This can''t be. I couldn''t think

    clearly as my every thought fell on Devon. He just can''t lose his life like this.

    I met Killian''s cold stare. His dark amber eyes were pulled away from me and back to everyone else in

    the court.

    "The prisoner has to die," Killian said again.

    I was frozen in my seat, rage seething through me. My furious gaze pierced at him, but Killian didn''t

    even look my way.

    I don''t know exactly what I was thinking about trusting him. What on earth was I expecting from a

    bloody bastard like him?

    Even though I didn''t fully trust him to stand up for Devon, somewhere deep down a part of me hoped

    he would do it for me.

    But I was mistaken. This Alpha was still very much heartless.

    "Everyone has voted. And as usual, the majority wins." Killian leaned on the round table. "Devon knows

    about the curse, making him a threat to us, and so he will be executed immediately." Killian sounded

    firm, and everyone nodded in agreement, leaving no room for further discussion.

    All the while, I didn''t shift my eyes from Killian, and he intentionally avoided looking my way.

    "You will be in charge, Morgan. Take care of his execution." He turned to Morgan, Allen, and Mason,

    then to everyone else. "The meeting has ended."

    At his words, everyone was up from their seats and they began exiting the court. But I remained

    motionless in my seat, and so did Killian, until it was just the two of us within the court''s corner walls.

    "Why Killian?" I said.

    Finally, Killian turned his eyes to me. I could see absolutely nothing in those eyes of his. Not even an

    ounce of guilt for what he did to me. This was the first time I had desperately wanted him to take my

    side, to help me. But he couldn''t even do that.

    I felt my eyes sting with tears from the sudden pain I felt in my chest.

    Killian still didn''t reply.

    Without uttering a word, I jerked up from my chair, walking away. But Killian grabbed my wrist, pulling

    me to a stop.

    "Let go of me, Killian," I yelled, burning with so many emotions. Rage and pain stalked my veins. I

    snatched my hand away from him, moving away from him but he held me again, turning me to face

    him.

    "She, calm down." He held me firmly to his body. "Listen to me." He began, but I pushed myself away

    from his strong hold, my hand mming hard against his cheek.

    Killian froze. His stare on me waspletely void of all emotions as the sound of the p kept echoing

    within the walls of the court.

    "I don''t want to hear anything you have to say, Killian." I was screaming, tears threatening to burst from

    my eyes. I begged you for just one thing, to help me save him, and now Devon will be executed. I hate

    you, Killian." I left him alone in the court, rushing to my chamber.

    As soon as I was in, I copsed on the bed, allowing the tears I had fought back to fall. I felt a burning

    rage directed at Killian and immense pain. I don''t know if it was from Killian''s betrayal or the cold fact

    that Devon was being executed at this moment. And I couldn''t save him. I buried my face in my palm,

    tearing up. I just couldn''t hold my tears back.

    ***

    It was way past midnight already. I could no longer hear the loud chatter of everyone and the merriment

    from the bonfires. It seemed like everyone had probably retired for the night. But I haven''t or rather still

    couldn''t. I was still in bed. And I haven''t moved a muscle from my position yet, I could feel the puffiness

    of my eyes already. Even my longshes felt heavy and too tired.

    The door to my chamber was pulled open unexpectedly. My brows creased furiously as I lifted my head

    to find Killian''s huge figure in the darkness. He was standing in the doorway, staring at me.

    "Can''t you knock before barging into my chamber?" Every word I muttered, held a certain rage brewing

    in my bones.

    I heard him sigh deeply as he leaned against the door. But he didn''t take a step further inside. "Get

    dressed ande out now." His voice was cold.

    "Like fuck I will, Killian." I half yelled. "Get out!" I didn''t move from my position on the bed. Even in the

    darkness, I felt Killian''s eyes on me intensely.

    "It''s not a request, She." Killian voiced. "I will be waiting outside." He added and was about to shut

    the door but paused suddenly. "Wear something warm. It''s cold outside" And he jammed the door shut.

    Even after he left, I remained motionless on the bed. After some minutes, Ria walked in, informing me

    Killian had asked her toe to fetch me. She pleaded with me toe along.

    I grabbed my brown furry cloak from the rack, donning it over my dress. I left my chamber with Ria.

    Instead of going out through the main entrance doors, Ria led me through the back doors. We walked a

    little deeper into the woods until we came to a tall oak tree, where Killian was waiting in the darkness

    with a horse.

    Ria lowered her head towards him.

    "Thank you, Ria. You may leave now." He said, the moon''s silver rays falling on him, revealing his

    beautiful face and his godlike body.

    At Killian''s words, Ria left us immediately.

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    Without speaking a word to me, he jumped on his horse, sending a hand out to me as his eyes bore

    down on me.

    "Where are we going?" I asked, not taking his hand.

    "You will find out soon." He said with his hand still in the air.

    "I''d prefer you to tell me first, Killian," I said, still not taking his hand.

    "Ah," he groaned, frustratedly. "By the goddess, you are impossible, She."

    "And you are not?" I couldn''t help the rage in my voice.

    "Just trust me and get on."

    "That is thest thing I will ever do again, Killian."

    Killian was quiet for a second, like something in my words had hurt him. But I didn''t care to ask, or even

    show the slightest bit of concern. He deserved every bit of pain he could get.

    "I want to show you something." His voice was calm and at the same time, serious. Very serious.

    I furrowed my gaze at him. But I didn''t say anything. Reluctantly, I gripped his hand, and Killian helped

    me up on the horse. I adjusted myself behind him, tugging on my cloak as the cold began tosh

    against my skin.

    "Hold on tight." He tilted his head sideways at me.

    "You know I won''t," I muttered, looking away from his soft blonde hair and his gorgeous back. I

    concentrated my gaze on the boring trees standing tirelessly in the woods.

    Killian held onto the reins of the horse, and we rode off.

    Killian moved at such an insane speed on the horse that I was forced to grab onto his waist. We moved

    past some familiar routes that I recognized led out of the capital.

    "Where are we going?" I asked behind him.

    "We are almost there." was his reply.

    After a few more minutes of riding, we pulled up to a familiar ce. The cottage.

    I came down from the horse. Killian followed suit. My eyes scanned around, finally dwelling on Killian.

    "Why are we here?" I asked.

    Killian didn''t reply as he moved the horse to a tree and tied the horse to the tree.

    Before I could ask again, the door of the cottage pulled open. I shook my head and went to the door.

    Allen walked out the door and over to us.

    "Allen, what are you doing here?"

    Allen stopped before me. His eyes moved from me to Killian, who was a few feet away, unsure whether

    or not to answer my question.

    "Thank you, Allen. We will talk back at the pack." Killian strode toward us.

    Allen nodded, sending me a small smile before sauntering into the woods, where he transformed into

    his brown wolf. He sprinted off.

    The fact that no one was answering my question was already pissing me off.

    My blue eyes were on Killian. "Tell me exactly what we are doing here, Killian."

    He exhaled, stepping closer to me so that I could feel the sparks now flying around us. "dly. The

    truth is¨C"

    The door of the cottage jerked open, cutting Killian off.

    Killian''s head swerved to the door, and I followed his trail.

    Instantly, my eyes bulged, and my lips parted. I could not hide the confusion, as well as the surprise in

    my eyes at the sight I never thought I''d ever see again.

 Chapter 57

    Chapter 57

    Chapter 57 Fifty-Seven

    She''s point of view

    I waspletely speechless. My eyes went from Killian back to the figure standing in front of the

    cottage door.

    "Devon?" I called in a whisper. This was impossible. He was supposed to be dead. The sentence had

    been handed down by Killian and the court.

    What the hell was this?

    My lips broke into a surprised smile. I couldn''t hide the tion that was rooted in my gaze. I kicked my

    legs in motion, rushing to Devon. As soon as I was next to him, I sprawled my hands around him,

    embracing him.

    He groaned, cing a hand on his ribs. "Easy there. I am still healing." He muttered, jokingly.

    "How? I thought you were... " I couldn''t even bring myself to say the word. I actually didn''t expect to see

    him again, well and alive.

    "Dead?" Devonpleted it when I struggled with the word.

    I nodded my head to him.

    "Frankly, I thought I would be. Allen and two other warriors brought me here. They told me that I''d be

    safe here, and the Alpha ordered it." Devon said, his eyes moving past me to Killian.

    I swerved around. My blue eyes were now on Killian. He was basking under the moon''s light, his arms

    crossed on his chest, as he kept watching us.

    "He saved me," Devon said beside me, bringing my attention back to him.

    I could feel my eyes glisten with tears. I wrapped my hands around him again, embracing him tightly.

    But it didn''tst long as I heard Killian clear his throat from behind us. Devon cautiously pulled away

    from me. But I didn''t even nce Killian''s way.

    "What are you going to do now?" I asked him, knowing full well that my father would still be after him.

    "He has to leave North Central immediately. Everyone in the pack thinks he''s dead. He will be going

    west. I have some friends there that would take him in; at least he won''t be a rogue." Killian sounded

    from behind.

    I turned to Killian, listening to him. I couldn''t quell the euphoria threatening to explode within me at

    Killian''s words.

    "Yeah, I think it would be best if I left North Central. There''s literally nothing here for me." Devon spoke

    up.

    "Take care," I whispered to him, embracing him once more, ignoring the subtle growls vibrating from

    Killian.

    "Thank you, She." He said as we pulled apart.

    I shook my head. Frankly, he shouldn''t be thanking me. "There is nothing for you to thank me for. I did

    nothing to help. My vote couldn''t even save you."

    "I was supposed to be executed tonight, but I am still alive, aren''t I? And I am sure you had something

    to do with my freedom." Devon said, looking at Killian thankfully, before walking away. "Take care."

    I couldn''t stop the tears that fell slowly from my eyes as I watched him move deeper into the woods.

    I felt Killian''s warm presence behind me. "Ahem." He clears his throat behind me again, causing me to

    turn to him.

    I couldn''t quite see his face through my teary eyes. Before I could wipe my eyes, I felt Killian''srge

    hand on my face, his thumb brushing away the tears on my cheeks, up to my eyes.

    When he was done. I pulled away, taking a step back to evade Killian''s enticing musky scent. "Why?

    Why did you help him?"

    Asme as it may sound, I was curious. Obviously, Killian didn''t give a damn about Devon. In fact, he

    made it clear to me that he hated him. So why did he save him? Curiosity was killing me. even though

    a part of me was hoping he did it for me. Another part, a far greater part, doubted it.

    Killian took a step closer to me, which made me take two more steps backward. I needed answers, and

    having this man so close to me was dangerous. It was very dangerous as I kept fighting against the

    urge to pull him in for a kiss.

    "Answer me," I said, trying to keep my true emotions out of my voice. Killian still didn''t say a word. His

    eyes were deep and somewhat intense. As he neared me, I took a step backward without realizing I

    had already stepped into the cottage. Killian moved inside, gently closing the door behind him.

    I could now see his face clearly, as the cottage was illuminated with burning torches that made the

    inside warm. "Tell me, Killian, why did you save him?"

    "Just because," he muttered.

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    I creased my brows, retreating back as he kept moving closer to me. "Just because?"

    "Isn''t it obvious, She?" He spoke softly, moving closer to me. As I tried to move backward, my back

    stopped against the wall, and Killian was now before me, both of his hands resting on the wall behind

    me while imprisoning me in his arms. "I did it for you, She. Frankly, I don''t give a fuck about your

    friend. But you wanted him spared, and so I spared him."

    I felt a swell in my chest at Killian''s words, which just couldn''t stop echoing in my ears. He did it for me.

    All for me.

    I really wanted to hide the smile so eager to surface on my lips, but I couldn''t. I felt so happy that I

    wanted him to know. I pressed my lips together. "Thank you," I said softly, as Killian leaned closer to

    me, his brows crippling.

    "Thank you?" He asked, confusing me more. "That''s it?" He said, smiling.

    His smile was so beautiful. This was the first time I saw Killian smile, at least when around me.

    "She, I had to lie to my pack for you. It wasn''t easy bossing around the warriors just so Devon would

    leave the pack unnoticed. How easy do you think it is to fake someone''s death?" He asked, whispering.

    I could taste his sweet breath on my tongue. I was fighting the urge to moan as Killian''s body pressed

    hard against mine.

    "So, what do you want from me?" I asked, lifting my head a little so our noses could touch.

    Killian''s clear amber eyes turned dark quickly. He withdrew his hand from the wall and it fell on both

    sides of my waist.

    "For starters, a kiss would suffice." He whispered across my lips, naughtily. His words caused my lips to

    stretch in a smile. I snaked my hands around his neck, allowing my fingers to get into his hair. His

    blonde locks were so soft and silky.

    "I guess you do deserve a reward," I said softly, before crashing my lips against his soft ones.

    Killian kissed me back softly, his hands moving on my waist, bringing me deeper into his body. Soon, I

    pulled away. Killian was panting heavily. His eyes werepletely dark with lust and desire.

    "She," he groaned, against my lips. His fingers moved to my face, brushing back the locks of my

    brown hair behind my ears.

    His lips began to assault my face, cing sweet kisses on my face, trailing down to my neck. He

    stopped in the crook of my neck, sucking on my neck. I tugged on his hair, moaning at the wonders he

    was doing to my neck. It was making my body hot. I was burned with intense emotions. I could feel

    myself turning on.

    My hands slipped down to Killian''s chest, bringing his lips to mine. But I wasn''t satisfied. I wanted more.

    I pushed him to the bed. I wanted nothing more right now than to feel his hands on me. To feel him

    inside of me.

    Killian was on the bed staring at me teasingly with dark and lustful eyes. I climbed up on him. His

    hands were on my sides, walking up to my breast. Slowly, his hands found their way to the ropes

    binding my cloak around me. He pulled it off of me. I brought my lips to him and kissed him with so

    much passion.

    I backed away just a little, bringing my lips to his neck where I ced sweet, torturous kisses just as he

    did to me.

    Then I moved away from him and removed the leather jacket he had on. After that, I went for his shirt,

    pulling it over his head. I pushed him deeper onto the bed so that he fell on his elbow. My hands found

    their way to his trousers, and I began to unbutton them. I pulled it down, leaving just his underpants.

    Killian''s eyes were dark, watching me closely as I went for his underpants and pulled them down. His

    eyes widened, but he didn''t move nor utter a single word. He pressed down on the bed, feeling my

    heated eyes trail up from his lustful gaze to his huge member that was already begging and craving my

    touch.

    A small, naughty smile found my lips.

    "I will show you just how grateful I am, mate," I whispered so sensually that it earned me a moan from

    Killian.

 Chapter 58

    Chapter 58

    Chapter 58 Fifty-Eigh

    Killian''s point of view

    I could feel my breathing getting harder with every passing second. She''s eyes turned darker, and

    her sweet arousal made me go hard. Her beautiful, brilliant blue eyes moved from my dark, lustful stare

    down to my rock-hard member.

    A naughty smile dominated her lips. "I will show you just how grateful I am, mate." She whispered so

    sensually that I could not stop the moan that left my lips.

    She grabbed my hardened member and began stroking it. I pulled my head back and moaned.

    "Fuck. She. That feels so good." I gripped the bed tightly. Then I felt her tongue licking around the tip

    of my member. All I could do was moan when she put me all in her mouth. She began bobbing her

    head up and down. I can feel the buildup in my lower abdomen. I know she knows it. She bobbed her

    head faster, and faster and kept stroking my shaft at the same time.

    I felt delirious with all the pleasure she was giving me. I have never felt so alive before. Only she

    manages to get me like this. She stood up, taking a step away from me. I was still caught up in the

    bubble of pleasure and couldn''t understand anything.

    She had a triumphant smile on her face, and slowly, she started taking off her clothes. It was

    torturous. All I want is to see her naked body. When her dress fell on the floor, I took my time feasting

    on her body. Her beautiful curves, her smooth and pristine skin. Her full, perky breasts on her divine

    chest and her magnificent brown hair flowing down her body. She was perfect.

    I grabbed her hand and pulled her down on the bed. She looked down at me and smirked. She

    straddled me and kissed my lips. We kissed passionately. Our tongues fought for dominance, as we

    explored each other''s mouths.

    My hands went to cup her breasts. She moaned as I began to caress and squeeze her breasts. I felt

    her nipples hardened under my touch. She moaned and began grinding on me. My hardened member

    rubbed against her moist core.

    I grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her head back. I began to kiss her neck down to her neck of

    her beautiful skin.

    "Ahhˇ­ Killianˇ­" She moaned. Her sweet moans were driving me crazy. I gripped her hip and then

    flipped us over on the bed.

    "You were a naughty mate, teasing me with that body of yours." I whispered in a deep husky voice.

    She smirked gorgeously and pulled me down for a kiss. I kissed her hard. I trailed my kisses down to

    her jaw, her neck, and the valley of her chest. She arched her back to me and grabbed my hair. I took

    her hardened nipple to my mouth while my fingers yed with the other.

    "Killian." She gripped my hair more tightly now, pressing her hips against mine.

    I sucked and licked her nipples while my hand went down to her clit. It was so damned wet and ready

    for me.

    I went down on her. I spread her legs apart and began to kiss her thighs.

    "Ahh. Killian. Stop the tease, and take me." She begged.

    I smiled, and pressed the tip of my tongue on her clit. She screamed as my tongue began to lick her

    wet core. I inserted two fingers and started thrusting. She gripped the bed sheets and moaned. I thrust

    faster, and I could feel her wall tighten around my fingers. And then she climaxed, her sweet juices

    covering my fingers. Ipped her sweet juices until they were gone.

    I positioned myself between her legs, my member sliding into her clit. I slowly made it inside and

    groaned, until I was fully in. I began to thrust in and out. I crashed my lips on hers, and her nails dug

    into my back.

    She moaned, and I did too.

    "Faster, Killian." She moaned louder.

    "As you wish, princess," I pumped more forcefully. I can feel myself getting close.

    I pumped a little faster, and nted kisses on her neck. I reached my climax and also felt her cum.

    Sweet ecstasy. That was exactly what I felt. The pleasure was so tremendous and pure. I kissed her

    once more and pulled out from her. I fell next to her.

    "Oh Goddess, She, you are beautiful." I said, pulling the sheets over us.

    She smiled and pulled me in for a kiss.

    I scooped her into my arms, now Iid on my back and her head rested on my chest. I wrapped my

    hands securely around hers.

    "Did you enjoy it?" She asked softly, making me look into her eyes.

    I chuckled, "Fucking yes, love."

    "Good. Because only I can make you feel this way. Satisfied." She voiced, and I kissed her on the

    temple.

    "Killian," She called gently.

    "What?" I asked. She studied me quietly, as if contemting speaking or not.

    Myrge hand caressed her cheek. "Tell me,"

    "Mark me, Killian," she said gently.

    I sighed, pulling up a little as my hold on her body tightened. "I want to. You have no idea how badly I

    want to."

    "ButˇŞ"

    "But not right now. Not until the curse is broken. If I mark you now, you will be an official member

    of my pack, hence, you will also suffer from the curse." I exined to her. I really didn''t want her to

    think I didn''t want to mark her as mine. I wanted to so badly. But I just can''t right now.

    She pressed her warm body against mine, kissing me. "I will wait." She muttered.

    I pulled her closer, feeling the softness of her body, kissing her so intensely.

    ***

    Third person''s point of view

    She held on tightly to the tree, her long nails digging hard into it as she stared at the cottage dressed in

    a ck cloak. She could hear the loud moans and whispers of the she-wolf, the Alpha''s Mate, as the

    bloody Alpha kept pleasuring her body.

    She was filled with rage. Her brown eyes glowed angrily. She hated this. She hated their sudden

    closeness. Her entire n has been disrupted the second that she-wolf rammed into the Alpha''s life.

    And now that bloody bitch was using the power of the mate bond to warm her way into the Alpha''s life.

    She can''t let that happen.

    Her brown eyes burned ragingly, as the sensual whispers and deafening moans of pleasure escaped

    from the cottage.

    Even the darkness could feel the intensity of her fury. That Alpha wasn''t supposed to get that close to

    that bitch. She could feel her ns slowly shattering if she doesn''t do something soon. Those two

    should never be together. At least, not until her revenge is finallyplete. She would send both the

    Alpha and the bitch to hell exactly where they belonged.

    She took several breaths in an attempt to quell her raging heart, but it was of no use.

    She had done a lot to get to where she was and didn''t want to back out just yet. She even had to use

    that worthless wolf, Rowan, just so the Alpha would have to kill his mate with his own hands, but that

    didn''t happen. It only made everything worse, and the useless wolf was caught.

    She had to finish him off before he could expose her. Every n of hers to get the Alpha to murder his

    mate with his own hands were useless. That would be his greatest punishment to have that bitch die by

    his hands, just the way he murdered everyone precious to her, and she won''t stop until she avenges

    their deaths.

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    Even on that night, after lifting the boundary spell the damned witch, Valerie, ced on the entrance of

    the cave, she used her magic to fuel the demon inside of him, giving the demon enough power to take

    control of the Alpha''s body.

    She had expected a blood bath and, hopefully, in the process murdering his very own mate. But that

    still didn''t happen.

    She sighed disappointedly. The Crescent Moon''s rising was only a month away. Before those bloody

    wolves put an end to the curse, her entire ns need to be carried out first. The woman smiled to

    herself. They won''t see hering.

    But in the meantime, she had to put a stop to whatever was going on between the Alpha and the she-

    wolf. And she knew exactly what to do.

    The woman smiled evilly, brushing her silken ck hair. She ced the hood of her cloak over her

    ck hair. Her brown eyes returned onest time to the cottage.

    "Enjoy now, Killian. Because soon, the only thing you will experience is pain, starting from the death of

    the bloody whore in your arms," The woman snickered evilly, walking back into the woods, and slowly

    she faded into the darkness.

 Chapter 59

    Chapter 59

    Chapter 59 Fifty-Nine

    Killian''s point of view

    She and I returned back to the pack as early as the first light of dawn. I apanied her to her

    chamber, feeling so unwilling to leave her. But I had to. I had a council meeting today, and also, Morgan

    and I had a meeting with a neighboring pack to settle some pending matters.

    My hands danced on her waist, pulling her in for a kiss. "Go on, Killian. I have to shower." She said,

    pulling away from me.

    "That doesn''t sound like a bad idea. I could help you shower." I said, sauntering to where she was

    standing at the door. But she stopped me, chuckling lightly.

    Oh, Goddess. Even the sound of herughter was beautiful. "No, Killian. Go now. I really mean it." She

    said trying to keep a serious tone, but was failing from the sparkle in her eyes.

    "Fine. I am going, alright." I said, pecking her lips once more. I went straight to my chamber and

    stripped off my clothes. Immediately, I showered and got dressed in fresh clean clothes. I was fastening

    my boots when the door opened gently, and Thea walked in.

    I lifted my head, watching her as she sauntered to the bed where I was. Her lips crashed on mine. I

    pulled away before it deepened.

    "Is there something wrong?" I questioned, she furrowed her brows.

    "Killian, must something be wrong before Ie into your chamber?" She vented in her soft voice but

    was not yelling.

    "Where were youst night? I came to your chamber but you weren''t in." Her soft brown eyes scanned

    me.

    "I was out. I had an important matter to tend to." I was done fastening my boots. I pulled up from the

    bed, and Thea followed me up. I went to the rack and grabbed my jacket.

    "Killian," she called softly behind me. Her hand gripped my arm, forcing me to swerve around. My

    amber pair fell directly into her brown eyes. "Is something wrong?"

    Her question made the skin around my forehead crease in confusion.

    Before I could speak, she spoke again. "Did I do something wrong?" She asked again. Her voice was

    now breaking, and instantly tears gathered in her eyes.

    It broke me. I dropped the jacket in my hand, reaching out to her immediately. I wiped away the tears

    rushing down her cheeks. "Why would you ask such a thing?"

    "Because I don''t understand why you have been avoiding me." Tears rushed down her eyes again.

    Her words caused a churn within me. I didn''t think that she would realize I was deliberately keeping my

    distance from her thesest few weeks. "That''s not true." Nheless, I say, wiping away her tears.

    "It is, Killian. And you know it." She pulled away from my grip, stepping a few steps backward. "You

    have been distant. You barely even say a word to me." Her words came out in between sobs. She

    wrapped her hands around her arms.

    "It''s almost as if you don''t care about me anymore. Killian, I am worried about you. With everything

    going on with the curse and the crescent moon rising, which is near, I am scared for you, Killian. I feel

    this terrifying pain in my chest that just won''t go away. I am terrified, Killian, and I don''t want any harm

    toe to you. I will die if something bad ever happens to you." She broke further into tears.

    I rushed to her, engulfing her in my arms. I hated to see her in such a state, and all because of me.

    "Nothing will happen to me, Thea." I gently kissed her forehead.

    "Killian, If I lose you, I swear by the goddess I will die. You know very well that you are all I have,

    Killian. It''s better to be dead than to live my life without you."

    Thea''sst words pierced my heart. I didn''t like her words. It caused me unspeakable pain. "Your life

    shouldn''t end because of me, Thea. Whatever happens, you must be able to live without me."

    "I can''t. And I refused to. Your entire existence is my life and purpose, Killian. I can never be apart from

    you or I will die."

    I sighed, not saying anything further. This was going to be harder than I thought. I didn''t want to hurt

    Thea, but if she remains by my side, she will get hurt. I held her in my arms for a while before pulling

    away.

    "I have a meeting. I will see you when I get back."

    She nodded sadly. I pecked her lips, grabbing my jacket. And together, we left my chamber. I left Thea

    in her chamber, heading outside the castle to where Gwen and Valerie should be waiting for me.

    To my surprise, I found She with Morgan, saddling their horses.

    "Where are you going with her?" I shot at Morgan.

    He sent an unconcerned look my way. "To the neighboring pack. We should get business done with

    them immediately, and She will be apanying me."

    "We were supposed to go together," I said.

    "You have a council meeting to attend, so She and I will take care of this. Do not worry, brother."

    Now I am worried when he says it like that. I am very worried. Honestly, I don''t like those two together.

    "Well then, you''ll have to go after the council meeting."

    "What do you mean?" Morgan looked down at me from his horse.

    "You areing with us," I said, getting on my horse.

    Morgan''s brows were crippled in a frown, regarding me. "I''ll pass."

    "No. You have to be there, Morgan. I need you there. Today''s meeting is really important."

    Morgan groaned but remained silent.

    "So, what now? Are we still heading out?" She asked, her eyes moving from me to Morgan.

    "It seems not. When we get back, we can go. Morgan said.

    "You coulde along with us." I turned to her, watching her eyes widen.

    "To the Council?" She repeated

    I nodded. "And after that, we could all head to the next meeting."

    A small smile found her sweet lips. We waited for Valerie and Gwen to join us before riding off.

    ****

    She''s point of view

    Our horses rode past the crystalline pirs standing on both sides of a long bridge. For a moment, the

    fresh yet cool winter breeze plucked at my hair. I lifted my face and inhaled deeply. There was a

    beautiful calmness in the air.

    I tilted my head to my left, where Killian was. "Where exactly are we going?"

    "To the mountains. The Council was built in the mountains centuries ago to keep humans far away." He

    replied while I nodded.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    After what felt like hours, the mountains finally came into view.

    We passed through a small vige before our horses halted in front of a gigantic white gate. The words

    "The Council" were boldly imprinted on the stone walls.

    My eyes widened in awe as the gate opened. It was all white and beautiful. From afar, I could see a

    massive castle. My eyes widened further. It was the biggest structure I had ever set my eyes on. Even

    under the bright sunlight, it looked beautiful. The entire castle was crystalline white, everything except

    the windows, which were crystal bright yellow.

    We moved closer on our horses,ing to a halt in front of the castle. I came down from my horse.

    Some warriors approached us and took our horses away.

    "The meeting will start soon," Killian said, as he swerved to my side.

    "Fine. In the meantime, Gwen and I will take a look around. We can, right?"

    Killian nodded. "Yes, you can," he said as I watched him, Valerie, and Morgan walk through the tall

    castle doors.

    We then explored the castle grounds. At a far distance, near the mountains, what seemed like a

    hundred warriors or more were training. Each had swords in their hands, and they were fighting against

    each other in pairs.

    "They are the Council armies, consisting of each supernatural kind." She informed me.

    We moved on and kept exploring further as more members of the council walked into the castle for the

    meeting.

    I was alone now, strolling further away from the castle when I collided with a figure, almost falling.

    "Bloody hell!"

    "I apologize." The voice spoke steadying me and my eyes went up to his face. A pair of brilliant blue

    eyes found mine. His gaze was fixed on me, filled with shock and possibly disbelief. His hand pulled up

    to touch me, but before he could, a loud growl erupted behind us.

    "Get away from her, Leonardo ck!" I heard Killian''s thundering yell, and the man, Leonardo, froze,

    his eyes reluctantly leaving mine for Killian''s, and with the man''s hand almost on me, I was jerked away

    behind Killian''s huge figure.

    And as quickly, as Morgan was beside Killian, their entire bodies radiating with a murderous rage.

 Chapter 60

    Chapter 60

    Chapter 60 Sixty

    She''s point of view

    Leonardo ck, as in, brother to Kaiser ck.

    I remained rooted behind Killian, but my eyes didn''t leave the man. Frankly, he wasn''t anything like his

    brother, Kaiser. There were more differences between them in appearance than simrities. He had

    dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes, while Kaiser had ck hair and deep hazel eyes. He also had

    a calm, yet intimidating aura that radiated power.

    Gwen joined us, as she stood beside me. Her eyes scanned from Killian to Morgan and finally fell on

    Leonardo. She tilted her head at him a little.

    The man, Leonardo ck, stood firmly on his leather boots. His eyes moved from Killian to Morgan

    and then fell on me, standing behind Killian.

    "If you value your life as much as I do, Leonardo, you will stay away from her," Killian uttered, counting

    his words, but one could easily note the rage seething through his throat.

    The man''s gaze lingered intensely on me. There weren''t any single emotions embedded in them, as he

    regarded me. I couldn''t help but cringe a little at his stare. It wasn''t out of fear, but something else.

    Something I couldn''t describe, but the feeling pierced my chest.

    A small smile found his lips as he took in the two brothers. It was just a smile, a harmless smile, but

    there was a bitter hatred that was reflected in his crystal blue eyes. It didn''tst long as he hid it quickly.

    "Why? Do you fear I may harm her?" His voice was deep and husky, almost like Killian''s. He spoke in a

    manner that would terrify just about anyone.

    "I swear by the goddess, before you do, I will rip your heart out first." Killian was vibrating with identified

    rage.

    Leonardo chuckled, "It''s a relief to know you inherited something from your cursed father. At least I will

    have something to look forward to before I end you." Leonardo spoke with a smile. But his words held

    so much intensity that they mirrored his feelings.

    Whatever hatred that existed between them was deeply rooted. I couldn''t help but wrap my hands

    around my arms at the sudden coldness I felt. The spiteful energy between them was like an arrow

    piercing my heart.

    "Right before we murder you and your entire family, Leonardo," Morgan shot at him. Something in

    Morgan''s words caused the smile on Leonardo''s face to disappear.

    "It is Alpha Leonardo to you, bloody bastard." A voice sounded from a distance. Killian and Morgan

    didn''t swerve their heads to the direction the voice came from, almost as if they knew who it would be. I

    tilted my head a little, and Kai, Kaiser ck, moved closer to where Leonardo was.

    "Just look who we have here," Morgan muttered in a rage, a simr rage that Kaiser burned in.

    "It''s good you are here because this will be my final warning. Stay out of my territory and anything that

    belongs to me. Or by the goddess, you will regret it." Killian spoke up. His grip on my wrist was secure.

    Kaiser''s gaze moved from Killian''s to me. His deep hazel eyes shing with rage, he stepped forward,

    about to say something, but Leonardo gripped his arm tightly, stopping him.

    The air around us was growing intense by the second, as all four looked ready to snap at any moment

    and murder each other.

    "Enough, Alphas. Let''s behave; this is the council''s castle." An elder wolf, Walter, apanied by a

    few other unfamiliar faces, moved closer to us. "We are here for a meeting, not to murder each other."

    "You are right. We are all here for a meeting and not to murder each other. " Leonardo smiled, pausing,

    his eyes ncing at Killian and Morgan. "Yet," he added. "So, excuse us." Leonardo turned to his

    brother before walking past Killian, Morgan, and me. His eyes fell on me briefly before walking away,

    and so did Kaiser''s. The Elder and the others followed suit, entering the castle. Soon, Morgan left.

    "We will be out soon. Please just stay with Gwen and be safe." He pecked my lips before leaving me.

    Gwen and I found a spot with a nice view of the white mountains. We were seated quietly when I

    decided to ask a few questions about the men from earlier. The way she greeted Leonardo ck told

    me she knew him quite well. And since everyone was reluctant to speak about them in the pack, just

    maybe Gwen would.

    "You do know him. The man from earlier."

    "Leonardo ck?" She asked, and I nodded sharply.

    She exhaled, looking quite unsure to speak. "I do not know him personally, but his mother was a witch

    of the Fortress before her death. She was a powerful witch, from an ancient ancestral n."

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    I furrowed my brows at the new information. "But both Leonardo and Kaiser are wolves."

    She nodded. "Although they have witch''s blood in their veins, it''s dormant as the magic is only inherited

    by the females in the family."

    "Why does Killian hate them so much?" I asked,

    Gwen''s gaze left mine. "It''s a long story. There''s really no need to bother yourself with the past. It was a

    tragedy, and remembering it only brings pain." She said softly, her eyes piercing into the far mountains.

    I sighed, not asking further questions. The more everyone refuses to talk about it, the more I want to

    know about the cks, whatever the past is, and why Killian hates them so much.

    After what seemed like forever, the meeting was over. Killian, Morgan, and Valerie joined Gwen and

    me. They were somewhat quiet, and the look on their faces was serious. Something serious must have

    happened in the meeting. But I don''t ask anything. We got on our horses and exited through the

    council''s gates. Killian, Morgan, and I left for the meeting with the neighboring pack while the witches

    returned to the pack.

    ***

    My blue eyes narrowed a little, taking my stance in front of Deena, a female warrior in the pack. I

    breathed in calmly, watching her gauge me. I tried not to cringe at the attention of the female warriors

    that were around us in the training field.

    It''s been a few days since I began training with the female warriors of the pack. Killian didn''t approve so

    easily, but I managed to make him give in. I was a little confident with the progress I had been making

    being trained by the Alpha of course, that I wanted to know just how I''d manage against the female

    warriors. Even though I didn''t have the nonhuman strength, speed, and the little perks of being a

    complete wolf, deep down I knew I would do well.

    I shook out of my thoughts when Deenaunched herself at me. I ducked out of the way just in time. I

    could feel myself losing bnce as she came in for another strike. I let gravity take me backward and

    rolled out of her way just in time to dodge another punch.

    I got to my feet. This was just like training with Killian. No, Killian''s was far harsher and stricter. I could

    do this.

    I watched as she lunged forward, her arm extending to throw a punch. I pretended to turn left before

    rolling under her legs andunching myself at her back. I moved fast as I went for her vital joints,

    decapitating her.

    She was on the ground. Just when I was about to hit her again, she sent her leg to my stomach. I

    groaned, stumbling back onto my feet.

    Fuck. This is going to hurt like hell. I could feel my ribs aching already. She rushed at me with her

    speed, which was cheating by the way. I pulled my strength into one hand and punched her hard in her

    chest. She stumbled back, trying to breathe. I attacked her throat, and then her stomach, charging at

    her knee to cripple her to the ground. I knew she was recovering quite quickly, so I kept hitting her hard

    until she raised her hand in surrender.

    A triumphant smile found my lips, as I copsed next to her, feeling my insides burn with pain, and

    sweat covering my body. I need a shower.

    Brielle helped me up on my feet. "You did really well. You are getting better at this."

    "I have no choice when my trainer is a ruthless Alpha that keeps training me like he is preparing me for

    war," I rushed as we left the training field.

    Brielle chuckled beside me. "Yeah, The Alpha can get like that sometimes."

    I left her back at the training field, taking the shortcut through the woods back to the castle. I moved

    really fast, and I was almost at the castle when I felt a presence lurking around the woods. I gave a

    quick scan of my surroundings, but I couldn''t see anyone. I kept moving, still feeling the sick presence

    around me, and worse, it kept drawing closer.

    It rmed me, as it seemed to be behind me. Carefully, almost unnoticeable, I pulled out my dagger,

    and without hesitating, or even thinking twice, I swerved around just in time to throw it at whoever was

    behind me.

    As soon as the dagger left my grip, my eyesnded on an unfamiliar face. He was standing a short

    distance away from me. Just before the dagger could hit him, he lifted a finger, and my dagger stood in

    the air. His eyes gleamed with an emotion I couldn''t fathom, making me gulp. He was a bloody witch.

 Chapter 61

    Chapter 61

    Chapter 61 Sixty-One

    She''s point of view

    I narrowed my eyes as I watched the unfamiliar face step forward. He was wearing a ck cloak over

    his clothes, his hair was as dark as the night, as it gleamed under the fading sun, and his eyes were a

    capturing pair of deep magenta.

    "I sincerely apologize if I frightened you. It wasn''t my intention." He released a small smile, grabbing

    the dagger floating in the air.

    "I wasn''t frightened. Just rmed." I said as he stalked closer to me.

    "Here." He held my dagger for me. I collected it. My eyes scanned him thoroughly. From the little trick

    he pulled earlier with the dagger, it was obvious he was a witch. Butpletely unfamiliar. I have never

    seen him in the witches'' quarters. Was he not from around here?

    ''Ask him?'' Adie''s voice echoed as if her presence was in front of my mind.

    "I haven''t seen you around here before. Who are you?" I asked, cing my dagger in my boots.

    "You are right. I am not from around here; I just came to visit. But I might stick around a little longer." He

    smiled again, deeply, revealing a nice dimple on the side of his cheek.

    I nodded at every word he said. But he still wouldn''t tell me who he was.

    As if reading my thoughts, his lips broke again into a smile. "I am Lorenzo, and a witch, as you know

    already." He chuckled. "But you haven''t told me who you are? I also haven''t seen you around here

    before."

    The way he spoke was like he had been here before. But I refuse to ask any more questions.

    I let out a smile. "I am a¨C"

    "She!" A loud voicepleted from behind me. I sighed, smilingly. I didn''t need to turn around to

    know it was Killian. His sweet musky scent was in the air already.

    "That''s my name, She," I said to the new stranger.

    He smiled, looking past me to Killian, who was nearby. I turned to find Killian''s eyes on the new guy.

    "Enzo?" Killian muttered with raised brows.

    "Alpha Killian," Lorenzo called, again with a small smile.

    "What are you doing here?" Killian was next to me.

    "Valerie called for me. It seems she needs my help with something of importance, regarding the

    crescent moon rising," Lorenzo said. It was about the curse.

    "Well, wee back," Killian said to him, snaking a hand around my waist.

    "It''s good to be back. I will take my leave now." His eyes moved from Killian to mine, his smile

    deepening amusingly. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, She. I will most definitely see you around." He

    said before walking away.

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    "Who is he?" I turned to Killian.

    His thick, perfect brows knitted together. "He just told you, didn''t he?"

    I could see the sarcasm in there, as well as the jealousyced in his tone. With each passing day, I

    could feel Killian''s growing possessiveness of me. He always gets angry and jealous, especially

    whenever I am with the packˇŻs male warriors.

    Frankly, I could understand him. I also feel that way, so possessive of him that I am struggling so hard

    not to show it. I don''t think I can handle him being with someone else like before when he was with

    Thea. Even though I hated the fact that Thea was still here in the pack, there was nothing I could do

    about it. And Killian hasn''t given me a reason to worry. In fact, he has stayed far away from her. I don''t

    know what I would do if he ever betrayed me again with someone else.

    ''Well, we will just have to kill him,'' Adie grunted, making me chuckle internally. ''I really mean it''

    "Thanks to you, I couldn''t ask more questions." I shook out of my thoughts, ignoring the silly words of

    my wolf.

    "He is a witch of the coven. He went away some time back. But I guess he''s back." Killian said, pulling

    me into his arms. He kissed my lips.

    "We are having a meeting in an hour along with the witches. I want you to be there." He kissed me

    again.

    "As you wish, Alpha." I kissed him back. We made our way inside, and I rushed to my chamber for a

    quick shower. I chose a green velvet dress from the rack and hitched it up, adjusting the off-the-

    shoulder sleeve that stopped at my elbows. I put on my ankle boots and brushed my hair neatly, letting

    my brown hair fall down my shoulders.

    I met up with Ria, Allen, and Morgan in the hallways. They were heading outside the castle. Ria and

    Allen had patrolling to do this evening. I walked with them as we reached the outside of the castle. I

    was about to say something when I felt an excruciating pain in my chest. I almost copsed on the

    ground clutching my chest, but Morgan''s firm hands snaked around me and caught me. Ria and Allen

    also rushed to my side.

    "Luna!" Ria was almost yelling.

    I groaned more at the pain choking my chest, burning me. "What the hell is happening to me?" I asked,

    almost in tears.

    I kept writhing in agony. Morgan''s hold on me became cold. He bore down on me deeply.

    I tightened my grip on him.

    "She, have you and my brother been together?" I heard his voice over me.

    I was in so much pain that I couldn''t speak. I only nodded my head.

    Morgan looked at me in horror, while Ria and Allen studied me.

    "What are you guys staring at? I am in pain." My words sounded in a whisper.

    Slowly, the pain disappeared. I was panting so hard. Morgan helped me stand up.

    I could no longer feel the pain again. "What happened?" I asked. Even though Adie felt it, I had never

    experienced such kind of pain before.

    No one spoke. Morgan looked furious, on the verge of exploding, while Ria and Allen just stared at me

    nervously.

    "What''s wrong?" I asked Allen when everyone refused to say something.

    Morgan stiffened, and a low growl escaped his throat.

    I turned to him. His expression looked like he had realized something, and his rage intensified as his

    eyes turned bright yellow.

    "Killian. It''s Killian. That stupid brother of mine is currently cheating on you, She." Morgan roared.

    I was caught by surprise by what Morgan said. I looked at Ria and Allen.

    "The pain you feel is the pain of betrayal. It is felt when your mate is cheating on you. I am sorry

    She," Ria said, looking at his feet.

    Slowly, everything they said sank in. Killian was cheating on me. Pain enveloped my heart. Somehow, I

    felt anguish. I know that for someone whose mate had a lover, I should have been used to his betrayal

    by now, but somehow, I felt things were different between us. Little by little, the pain morphed into rage.

    I felt absolute anger spreading through my body. It felt like my blood was beginning to boil at an

    extreme rate.

    Adie was already enraged. She was growling furiously in my head and wanted to murder someone.

    I couldn''t even make out my emotions; I didn''t know when I became this violent. I took some steps

    backwards. Ria wanted to follow me, but I insisted I be left alone. I stormed into the woods. I needed to

    release this intense rage I felt or else I was really going to murder someone.

    ***

    Killian''s point of view

    I just took my bath. My hair and body were still wet. I tied a towel around my waist, roving to the

    clothing rack to pick out some clothes.

    I was so lost in thoughts that I didn''t notice someoneing into my chamber. I snapped back to reality

    when a hand brushed through my arms. I looked up to see that it was Thea.

    "Thea, why are you here?" I asked her.

    She smiled temptingly. I noticed that she was in her silk robe. And I think she was not wearing anything

    underneath.

    "Killian baby. I want you. " She purred, moving closer to me.

    I moved around the room, brushing the back of my neck with my palm.

    "Thea, please. Not now. We have a meeting with the witches soon. " I told her

    She pouted. "Come on, Killian. I know you want me too. That''s why I am here for you," she said.

    Her brown eyes gleamed darkly with lust. She motioned to me, and with a finger, pushed me onto the

    bed. The towel around my waist fell to the cold floor.

    Slowly, her fingers untied her robe and it fell to the floor. I was right. She was naked. She stood in front

    of me, her naked skin and full breasts exposed to me.

    The smile on her lips deepened. " I am going to make you feel good. I promise." She cooed.

 Chapter 62

    Chapter 62

    Chapter 62 Sixty-Two

    Killian''s point of view

    I was on the bed, and Thea stoodpletely naked before me. If this had happened months ago, I

    swear I would have pulled her down on the bed and banged her nonstop. She was beautiful, no doubt.

    But something in me was different. She just wasn''t appealing anymore to me. Everything''s changed

    now that I have She. And I don''t want to hurt her. I never want to hurt my mate.

    I looked away, feeling somewhat disgusted. But I tried not to let it show. I also didn''t want my rejection

    to hurt her.

    "Cover yourself, Thea, and please leave." I told her.

    I was surprised when her naked body jumped on me, and then I felt her bare hand on my crotch,

    squeezing it. I pushed her away, but she only firmed on top of me as her naked ass began to grind on

    top of me. She moaned in pleasure.

    "Get her off us!" Ryker growled, and I grabbed her waist, lifting her off of me. I jolted up from the bed. I

    backed away, picking up my towel and tying it around my waist.

    "What the hell, Thea? I told you to leave! " I yelled at her.

    Thea looked surprised. She froze on the bed, her deep brown eyes on me for a short second. Then she

    was up. She grabbed her robe from the floor and covered herself.

    "What the hell is wrong with you, Killian?" She yelled back in rage and frustration. "You have never

    treated me like this. Why now? What did I do to deserve this? " Her eyes began to shimmer with tears.

    "Thea, don''t start now," I began, but she cut me off.

    "You''ve been acting this way because of that bitch, right? She is the reason you are like this! " She kept

    on yelling.

    I felt Ryker growl angrily in my head. He didn''t like that she addressed our mate with that word, and

    neither did I.

    "Thea. Enough." I said, fighting hard not to yell at her.

    "Shove her out now!" Ryker growled.

    "Tell me the truth, Killian, are you having sex with her?" Thea blurted, her eyes gathering more tears.

    When I didn''t respond, the waters in those honey iced gazes of hers rushed for freedom. "Have you

    epted her as your mate already?" She asked, but I still didn''t reply. She began crying. "Are you

    going to discard me after using me to get the curse broken?" She was sobbing hard. "Are you going to

    abandon me on my own, knowing I have no one else but you?"

    Her words pierced me. Even though I do not love her, I was concerned for her. I didn''t want to use her

    or give her false hope, especially now that I want a future with She, with my mate.

    I moved closer to Thea, but I didn''t make the mistake of touching her. "Thea, I really care about you."

    "What are you going to say now? Huh? You care about me, but it''s that tramp you want in your bed? Is

    that it?" She rushed, wiping off the tears in her eyes.

    I growled loudly at her for addressing She in that way.

    She ignored my growl. "When are you going to realize She is not right for you? Even her family is

    your enemy. She''s not the one you need. I am, Killian. I am the one risking my life for you and the pack

    because I love you. You are my life."

    "We are done here. Please leave my chamber," I said, and more tears gathered in her eyes. She

    stared at me silently. Without saying anything further, she left my chamber.

    I groaned, frustratedly, grabbing my clothes when the door pulled open again. "Come on, Thea, I told

    you to leave." I turned around to find Morgan pacing angrily towards me. He was beyond furious.

    Before I could ask him what was wrong, his fist collided harshly with my jaw. I groaned, stumbling a

    step back.

    "What the fuck is wrong with you?" I yelled at him, ringly.

    "That''s exactly what I want to know. What the bloody hell is your problem?" He growled angrily. He was

    really upset. I haven''t seen him this furious.

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    "Would you tell me what the problem is?" I asked.

    "If you know you aren''t yet over Thea, why the fucking hell did you sleep with She?" Morgan yelled

    angrily.

    "That''s none of your fucking business, brother!" I yelled back.

    "It is, if it concerns She. How could you be so cruel, knowing full well that the moment you mate with

    your mate, she bes partially connected to you and can sense your fucking betrayal? You''re a

    cheating bastard!" He yelled.

    I froze. An image of She in pain shed through my mind.

    "What do you mean she could feel the pain of my betrayal?" I was dumbfounded. How on earth was

    that possible? I haven''t marked her yet, but she can feel the pain of betrayal. I grabbed a handful of my

    damp hair.

    "Just stop hurting her." He implored. "Please, it''s enough already." Morgan walked to the door and

    exited.

    I felt my heart hammer hard against my chest just at the thought of She thinking something actually

    happened between Thea and I. I dressed hurriedly, moving to her chamber, but she wasn''t there. I

    looked for her around the castle, but I couldn''t find her. I mind-linked some of the pack members, and

    some saw her heading into the woods.

    I sighed, making my way out of the castle. I stalked into the woods, using her scent to trail her. It led me

    deeper into the woods. I kept walking further. From a far distance, I saw my mate. She was in the

    middle of a clearing, firing arrows at tons of trees. Even from a distance, I could feel her rage. Fuck.

    This was bad.

    I moved closer, as slowly as possible, to where She was. Immediately, she pulled up an arrow and

    directed it at me. If I hadn''t jumped out of the way, I swear it would have aimed for my heart. She didn''t

    stop; she grabbed another arrow and shot at me. I dodged again, but it managed to graze my cheek.

    She went for another arrow and sent it at me again. She was aiming relentlessly to kill.

    I kept dodging her arrows until I was in front of her. I grabbed the bow from her and tossed it on the

    ground.

    "She, please let''s talk," I said, about to grab her, but she sent a punch at my face. I groaned, bringing

    my eyes back on her again, but she sent another one to my stomach.

    "Fucking hell, She. Let''s talk.'''' I pleaded softly.

    It was as if she wasn''t listening or didn''t want to. She sent a few punches at me until I was finally able

    to grab one of her hands, and soon I held the other. I pushed her against the tree, and pulled both of

    her hands up above her head.

    "Stop. Please." I said, begging.

    "Let go of me, cheating bastard. I swear I will kill you." She spat ragingly. I could tell she meant every

    word.

    "Listen to me." I pressed my body on her to subdue her further.

    "No! You listen to me. I can''t believe you could betray me in this way." She started.

    I cut her off. "I didn''t. Thea just came and ˇŞ"

    "And forced herself on you?" She chuckled in rage, breaking free from my hold. She sent a leg to my

    stomach.

    I groaned at the impact. She was getting stronger. Where did all this strengthe from? She hit me

    again. At that moment, I realized I had trained a monster.

    "That''s exactly what happened. Thea came into my chamber and forced herself on me. But nothing

    happened between us. I pushed her away and sent her away." I exined, but She released an

    angry scream, sending another punch my way.

    "And I should apud you for that," she said sarcastically, swinging her leg at me. But I grabbed it,

    lifting her, and pushing her against the tree. I folded her legs around my waist. I held her body still and

    gripped her hands when they tried to hit me.

    "Get away from me!" She was wriggling against my strong hold on her body. But it was no use.

    "Not until you listen first." I muttered, silencing her as she tried to speak again.

    "I didn''t even touch her. I swear on my life. I really didn''t want to hurt you and I never want to. I love

    you, She." I sighed. "I fucking love you." I said, hoping to the moon goddess that she would see my

    sincerity.

    She stopped wriggling, her dark blue eyes studying me with the same murderous intent, and before I

    could speak again, she grabbed my face and mmed her sweet lips on mine.

 Chapter 63

    Chapter 63

    Chapter 63 Sixty-Three

    She''s point of view

    "I didn''t even touch her. I swear on my life. I really didn''t want to hurt you and I never want to. I love

    you, She. I fucking love you." he said hurriedly, and I stopped wriggling. Hisst words echoed in the

    walls of my mind.

    My dark blue eyes were studying him.

    "He isn''t lying," Adie voiced in my mind, leaning closely.

    "And you know how?" I shot back at her.

    "I can feel it," she whispered in my head.

    "Well, I doubt that. He''s a liar and a cheat," I said.

    "But he''s being honest now," Adie muttered, slowly exhausted.

    I was about to contradict her, but she shushed me up immediately. "Just shut up and kiss him."

    My hands sneaked around his neck, and immediately, I brought my lips to his. Killian wrapped his

    hands around me, firmly kissing me back.

    After a while, we pulled away, panting heavily.

    "I swear nothing happened between Thea and I. And nothing ever will." he whispered, kissing me

    again.

    I pecked his lips, my finger brushing off the small trail of blood that covered his face from my arrow that

    grazed him. Killian lowered me to the ground.

    "Now that we are a little calmer, we should attend the meeting now. Everyone is probably waiting for

    us." Killian and I made our way back to the castle.

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    We went straight to his office. Only Mason, Valerie, Gwen, and the new witch, Lorenzo, were in the

    office. Soon, Allen, Morgan, and Xavier walked in, along with Thea. She walked in with a smile and

    pulled her seat next to Killian''s table. Her brown eyes met mine, and she released a devilish smile.

    Gosh, I hated this whore.

    I was seated next to Gwen, and behind me was Lorenzo. After everyone had settled in, Valerie started

    first. "We have made some progress with the spells for the crescent ritual, and Enzo will be helping us

    out."

    The witches had started to make preparations regarding the crescent moon rising, which was a month

    away. That was the only chance Killian and the pack had to break the curse, otherwise they would

    remain stuck with it. I looked over at Killian. He wore a troubled expression as everyone in the room

    listened to Valerie.

    "Alright, Valerie, is there anything we must do? " Killian asked.

    Valerie shook her head. "Unfortunately, there''s nothing, Alpha. All we need is the gifted one." She

    nced to Thea''s right.

    Thea''s smile deepened, and her gaze drifted to Killian. "You don''t have to worry, Killian. Whatever the

    witches need from me, I will do it. All I want is to save you and the pack." Thea said, her eyes glistening

    with tears. I rolled my eyes at her acting. She was a drama queen.

    "That''s good then," Valerie spoke, and exined everything. The witches were going to perform a spell

    tonight with the blood of the gifted one. She called it some kind of cleansing spell that needed to be

    done on the wolves.

    "And onest thing," Valerie drew our attention when we were almost done. "On the night of the

    crescent moon, the witches and I will be divided into two groups. One will be at the witches'' quarters

    while the other will be at the pack house performing the mating ritual."

    I creased my brows. A mating ritual?

    My eyes fell on Killian, and his gaze was on Valerie''s, just as confused as I was. In fact, everyone''s

    gaze was on Valerie.

    "What do you mean?" Killian questioned

    "A mating ritual must be conducted between the cursed alpha and the gifted one. It is part of the ritual

    of breaking the curse. The gifted one must bear your mark, thereby linking her to you and the wolves."

    I couldn''t breathe. My eyes fell on Thea, and her eyes were on me, regarding me with a sinister smile. I

    listened to every word that Valerie said, and each word pierced deep into my soul just at the thought of

    Killian and Thea officially mating, and she would bear his mark.

    I could barely think straight during the rest of the meeting. I could feel worried eyes sent my way. As

    soon as the meeting ended, I went straight to my chamber. I felt a banging ache in my head, and no

    matter how I tried to get some rest, I just couldn''t.

    I felt angry and restless at the same time. I couldn''t stay in my chamber for another second, so I

    changed out of my dress and into my training clothes. I wore brown leather pants and a brown leather

    vest. I pulled my hair up in a ponytail and left my chamber. It was already dark outside. By now the

    witches must have begun the cleansing spell with Thea''s blood.

    I went into the woods and trained for a while, but training alone was no fun. I still couldn''t release the

    rage and frustration in my bones. I went to the Pack''s training field. In training, I met some warriors,

    both male and female. I joined them. We trained for hours. It didn''t even bother me how fast time flew. I

    didn''t care.

    I fought against some male warriors. I managed to win over a few while sustaining a few broken rib

    cages. But I''ll live. It was better to bathe in the pain than in the frustration and rage that threatened to

    kill me.

    I trained with the warriors till early dawn. Even after so many hours of training, I didn''t feel exhausted.

    My mind was clear, and though my body was aching, everything felt fine. I walked back to the castle,

    and quietly made my way to my chamber. I jerked the door open and entered. As soon as I swerved

    around, my eyes fell on Killian. He was waiting for me.

    I sighed. He was thest person I wanted to see at the moment.

    "What are you doing here?" I stalked to my dressing table and removed my boots.

    "She," Killian began, but I put my hand in the air.

    "You don''t have to say anything, Killian. Frankly, I don''t want to hear anything you want to say. None of

    these is your fault, and I am not mad at you." I said, stripping off my training clothes.

    I grabbed my silken robe and put it on my body. I meant every word I told him. I was not mad at him.

    None of these were his fault, so it''ll be useless to be mad at him. It wasn''t his fault he was cursed or

    that his father was a vile monster or that I wasn''t the one he needed. And I certainly won''t be mad at

    him for doing whatever it takes to free the pack and himself from this curse.

    My rage and frustration stemmed from the harsh and bitter reality that Thea would always be the one

    he needed, and even worse, once the curse was broken, there would be no way to remove her from

    the pack because she would be mated to him and would bear his mark, which was supposed to be

    mine. I felt my eyes sting with tears, but I fought it hard.

    Killian came to me. "I am truly sorry." I could see the pain and sadness in his eyes. It made the tears I

    fought so hard to fight escape my eyes.

    "I know." I brushed off the tears from my eyes, stepping away. "I need to shower and get some rest," I

    told him. I just wanted to be alone. He could see that, and thankfully, he nodded, cing a kiss on my

    forehead.

    I took my bath and retired for the night.

    When I woke up, it was already bright outside. I woke up with a banging ache, drenched in my own

    sweat fromst night. I had a nightmare again. It was the same, and this time it drove me crazier than I

    already was. It was torturous and frustrating.

    I showered and got dressed quickly. I left my chamber without even having breakfast. I was tired and

    frustrated, and it was time I asked for help.

    I went to Valerie''s room, but she wasn''t in it. In fact, no one was in. I left the castle, and went straight to

    the witches'' quarters on the east side of the park. I walked to the Witches'' spell room in search of

    Valerie. But instead, I found Lorenzo. He was wearing his ck cloak and was in the corner of the

    room. It seemed like he was in the middle of a spell as soon as he saw he was up on his feet.

    "She,"

    "I apologize for barging in. I came looking for Valerie."

    "She had some matters to tend to outside the pack," he said, studying me briefly. "What it is, I could

    help."

    Perhaps he could. I shut my eyes, sucking in the pain in my head. "I''m in dire need of some help,

    Lorenzo."

 Chapter 64

    Chapter 64

    Chapter 64 Sixty-Four

    She''s point of view

    "I am in dire need of some help, Lorenzo," I said, rushing to where he was. He led me to therge table

    in the middle of the room, helping me to sit.

    "You don''t look well." He noted, staring intently at me. I didn''t feel so good. Aside from the banging

    ache in my head, I felt a growing heat in my stomach.

    "I just have a hammering ache. But that''s not why I am here. " I said. Enzo pulled his hand back to cup

    my face, and slowly it moved to my temple. My eyes pierced into his magenta eyes, and slowly the

    ache in my head began to vanish. He removed his hand when he was done.

    "Thank you."

    "So, what is the other reason you are here?" He asked.

    I rubbed my palms against each other. I wasn''t sure where to begin, that wouldn''t make me sound

    insane. So, I decided to start with the dreams I have been having, and then I told him about my

    childhood, which I can''t seem to remember.

    He kept his gaze fixed on me until I was done.

    "If these dreams are somehow memories I have forgotten, then I want to remember. I want to

    remember everything I have forgotten."

    "If these dreams were memories from your childhood, did you ever consider that maybe it was for the

    best that you couldn''t remember anything?" He asked me and I fell silent.

    I did. Ever since I began having these dreams, I have considered that thought. I don''t know what I''d do

    if these dreams were memories of mine. That would mean everything was real. The fights, chaos, and

    deaths would mean it all happened, and that woman, the one my younger self seemed to recognize as

    my mother, was really dead.

    I felt fear travel down my spine and confusion soon found me. If that woman was my mother, and she

    was a witch, then who the hell was I? And why can''t I find my father in any of these? I didn''t know when

    tears rolled from my eyes.

    I felt Enzo''s warm hands on me.

    "Even though remembering my past might bring me more pain, I want to remember it all," I said.

    Lorenzo nodded. The skin around his eyes knitted. "Alright. If that is what you want."

    He was on his feet. He moved to the wooden shelf at the end of the room, with his woolen ck cloak

    brushing the floor.

    When he returned to me, there was nothing in his hands except a small ck stone. He handed it to

    me. I looked at it with raised brows.

    "You will need it." He said, crouching next to where I was seated. "What I am going to do will cause you

    immense pain. It will feel like someone is prying into the depths of your soul with a piercing dagger.

    That stone won''t take away the pain, but it will lessen it." He said. His every word made my heart

    pound. But I wasn''t going to back out now. I could bear the pain as long as I could get my answers.

    Lorenzo was in front of me, his face inches apart from mine. He pulled hisrge thumb to my chin,

    lifting my head so I could stare deep into his eyes. Soon, both of his hands were positioned on my face,

    cupping my face. His deep magenta was boring right through my crystal blue eyes.

    I could feel my heartbeat rising.

    "Breathe." As Lorenzo calmed me, his eyes began to glow brightly. It was as if the blinding light was

    piercing through my eyes. His lips began to move. I couldn''t hear what he was saying because the next

    thing I felt was brutal pain.

    ****

    Valerie''s point of view

    I was on my way back to the pack. I had to visit the witches'' vige within the capital walls of North

    Central, and maybe I just needed to clear my head. To think clearly.

    These days, there were a lot of happenings around the pack that I just couldn''t understand. Last night

    was one of those strange things that I couldn''t understand.

    I sighed, tugging harder on the reins of the horse as we were almost at the pack''s borders.

    "What is it that borders you?" Gwen, one of the coven witches, asked beside me on her horse. Her

    inquiry pierced the depths of my soul. Everything seemed to be bothering me.

    I can feel it. There is a looming darkness lurking within the pack; it''s over everyone. Strange things

    happened that I couldn''t exin, starting with the death of Rowan. He was murdered by a witch within

    the pack''s territory. A witch that didn''t belong to the coven. Somewhere deep down, I know that

    whoever murdered him was still within us. The witches and I haven''t stopped investigating, and

    whosoever the witch was, we will unmask the witch.

    And there was another thing keeping me awake at night: She Caso. There was more to her than

    anyone knew. She had a mighty aura around her that no she-wolf could possess, even being of alpha

    blood.

    I just can''t drift my thoughts from the magical door to the energy I felt the night Killian went on a

    rampage and then the night she found the stone. The energy that caused that destruction that night

    and brutally murdered the Dark Circle army wasn''t from the power of the stone. It was something else.

    Something I had witnessed before, from the night of the tragedy.

    The night everything turned for the worse, and the Dark Circle managed to get their hands on the child

    that was spoken of on the crystal stones in the fortress, the one destined to save the supernatural

    realm from the greatest force of evil that would be awoken from the chaos of darkness. Whatever, or

    whoever that evil was, the prophecy didn''t say, but the prophesied child was one of us.

    She was the daughter of one of the Crystal Fortress head witches, Fiona ck. A powerful witch from

    an ancient n also, Luna of the ck Blood Pack, and mother to the ck Blood Pack''s Alphas,

    Alpha Leonardo and Kaiser ck.

    Even at a young age, I still remember that night like it was yesterday. The brutal deaths of the Dark

    Circle army that was led by Alpha Nell Reid were identical to those of the Dark Circle army that was

    murdered that night by an unknown power.

    I couldn''t deny it. At some point, there was a part of me that believed the Alpha''s mate was the source

    of that unknown power. A greater part of me hoped that she was her, the prophesied child that Nell

    Reid took that night. No one knew what happened to her; we had no idea if she was murdered or not,

    as the Dark Circle wanted to eliminate the very force that could stand against them.

    But if She was truly that child and the sister to both Alpha Leonardo and Kaiser ck, then they

    would have recognized her, but it felt like they didn''t, or maybe they did well to hide it. Leonardo was

    good at that. But there was no way I could ask them this; they didn''t trust me like they did before.

    After the night that Fiona was murdered protecting her daughter, I joined Killian''s pack, and Leonardo

    despised me for it. The hatred between Killian''s pack and the ck Blood Pack was so immense that I

    feared nothing could put an end to the enmity. If only they could realize that everyone was a victim of

    Killian''s father, Nell Reid''s, cruelty.

    Just as much as the cks lost Fiona, thete Alpha and their sister, that night, so did Killian. He also

    lost a brother.

    "Valerie!"

    I shook abruptly, my purple eyes shifting to Gwen. She had a worried look on her face. As a channeler,

    she could feel the unsettledness within me and it worried her.

    "I am fine." I said, realizing we''d crossed into Killian''s territory.

    I sighed again. After the night She retrieved the phoenix stone, my suspicion grew stronger. So, I did

    a spell on her to check if there was an ounce of witch''s magic within her. But there wasn''t. The spell

    informed her that she was a full-blooded wolf without any magic within her.

    The spell could never lie, but if my suspicion was right, there was a chance that the witch side of her

    hadn''t been awoken. She hasn''t had her awakening yet, and her powers could still be dormant. But for

    how long?

    We moved on our horses, reaching the castle. From afar, my eyes fell on Thea. She was just entering

    the castle. She was thest cause of my unsettledness.

    Last night, the witches and I performed a spell with the blood of the gifted one, Thea. It was supposed

    to be some sort of cleansing ritual for the wolves before the crescent moon night. But something wasn''t

    right.

    Being the gifted one, blessed by the moon goddess, I could no doubt feel the strong energy in her

    blood.

    There was supposed to be a blood moon in the night sky as a result of the ritual we performed with the

    gifted one''s blood. But there wasnˇŻt. That was the highlight of the ritual, yet nothing happened.

    And with the crescent moon almost upon us, I can''t help but wonder if Killian truly has found the gifted

    one, the only one who can break his curse. N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

 Chapter 65

    Chapter 65

    Chapter 65 Sixty-Five

    She''s point of view

    My eyes pierced right through the soul of Lorenzo''s deep magenta eyes, which burned brightly. I could

    hear his voice muttering chants in anguage I had never heard before. He kept muttering coherently,

    his soft voice filtering into my ears, invading my mind, and echoing within the walls of my soul.

    I groaned in pain. It was hurting, badly hurting. It was like a sharply pointed sword was pushing its way

    into the deepest, darkest cave of my soul. Lorenzo didn''t stop chanting, hisrge hands cupping my

    face even tighter, as he forced his zing gaze into mine.

    I gripped the ck stone in my hands as more pain punctured my chest, aligning with the burning heat

    on the lower side of my stomach. It was as if there was a merge deep within me, and my crystal blue

    eyes still stared into Lorenzo''s. His voice and chanting hadpletely consumed my entire being.

    I kept on wriggling in pain. My hand copsed on Lorenzo''s shirt, which I clutched tightly like I was

    holding on to my very life. My eyes began to burn brightly as parts of my memories from Killian''s pack

    to my old pack began to sh through my mind. My screams and cries didn''t stop, and so did

    Lorenzo''s. He continued chanting, never letting go of me.

    I could feel my body burn with my skull like I was literally on fire. My knees began to weaken. My entire

    body turned numb. My eyes were spinning around the spell room and my head was lighter than a

    feather. I was numb to any other pain, but I could feel the warm blood that was flowing from my nose.

    Enzo. I badly wanted to say his name aloud, but I just couldn''t. No matter how much I tried.

    I didn''t have the strength for it. I gripped tighter to his shirt, my visionpletely failing me. Before I

    could suck in another breath, my numb body fell into Lorenzo''s arms. Thest thing I heard was his

    voice whispering my name till it faded and I lost it to the darkness swallowing me.

    It was like I was drowning in deep water. It was unbearably hot. Or better still, my body was burning

    hot. I jerked my eyes open and instantly a sweet, soothing, and calming scent invaded my nostrils. I

    moaned calmly. It didn''t take away the sudden weakness I felt nor the burning pain in my body, yet

    somehow, almost magically, it calmed me.

    I pulled my eyes from the nk air, gasping back to reality. I yanked my body up. Immediately,rge

    arms covered me, embracing me.

    "It''s alright. Breathe She " The voice kept on saying, rubbing my back in circles while stroking my

    hair. The words and actions also calmed me. I sighed, weakly, pulling away to meet Lorenzo''s worried

    eyes on me.

    "You are back," he muttered gently, a wave of relief settling on his shoulders.

    I breathed in. I felt sick to my bones. My eyes scanned the room and it was so unfamiliar. We were no

    longer at the witches'' spell room. I was on a bed in a chamber. Lorenzo pulled away from me, moving

    to the small, red candles that were burning around me, perfectly arranged around me. Their burning

    glow illuminated the room.

    He muttered a short chant, and the mes died. The velvet draperies on the window pulled open by

    themselves to allow some sunlight in. I groaned, internally, a familiar pain gutting my stomach, and my

    body so weak.

    "Where am I?" My soft, weak voice sounded.

    Lorenzo turned to look at me. "You are in my chamber. You needed some rest."

    I nodded subconsciously to his words. My eyes suddenly went wide. I pulled my hands to both sides of

    my head.

    "What happened?" I asked, almost breathless from the weakness and difort that cowered in my

    bones. I swept through my thoughts, more like my memories, but everything felt the same. I couldn''t

    remember anything.

    My eyes went up to Lorenzo, who was studying me quietly.

    "I can''t remember anything," I whispered, trying to hold my voice.

    "I am sorry. But there is no way I could pry any deeper." Lorenzo moved closer to me. "I tried to break

    through the walls of your mind to reach the memories that have been forgotten, but I couldn''t."

    "So, it''s impossible to remember?" I asked him.

    "No, it''s not." He spoke softly, moving closer again. "Your memories of your childhood were intentionally

    locked up, She."

    "What?" I was speechless. I tried to understand what he was saying, but it was difficult to do in my

    weak state.

    Oh goddess, what was wrong with me?

    My bones felt so weak, my body held so much pain, and the burning heat within me kept growing.

    I forced my mind from the growing pains to what was more important. My memories. Someone

    intentionally made me forget my childhood? But who could that person be?

    The only one that came to mind was the person that hated me more than anything. My father. But why?

    What was it about my childhood he wanted so desperately for me to forget?

    I was back on my feet. I took only a few steps before my body betrayed me. I lost my bnce, almost

    crashing on the floor, but Lorenzo caught me in his arms, taking me back to the bed.

    "Tell me in in words, Lorenzo, what happened to my memories?"

    His deep magenta held mine. "The magic surrounding the walls of your mind is very powerful, She. I

    tried to make a crack in your mind, to break the wall imprisoning them, but I can''t, at least not without

    killing you in the process," he said to me, cing my head on a pillow. "You are so weak. Wait right

    here. I will be back." He stood up and rushed out of the chamber.

    The growing heat in my stomach was getting worse, making me squirm in pain.

    I couldn''t understand my body. All I felt was a raging need within me.

    "What is wrong with me, Adie?" I groaned in pain.

    "Killian. Find Killian." She was suffering from a simr pain in my stomach. "Please, She." She

    sounded worse off than I did.

    I pushed my feet to the floor, pulling myself up. I groaned in pain, moving to the door. I left Lorenzo''s

    chamber. It was within the witches'' quarters. I left there and began heading back to the castle. In my

    state, it was as torturous as hell. Soon, I reached the castle, noticing the hooded dark eyes the male

    warriors had on me. I could even hear a low growling.

    Thankfully, Ria spotted me and rushed to my side, pulling me into her arms.

    "She! You are burning hot. What happened to you? " She led me towards my chamber.

    "Killian. I need Killian." I recognized the raging need within me. It wanted Killian.

    Ria looked like she wanted to mutter something, but she suddenly stopped halfway, her eyes

    inspecting me. She ced a hand on my stomach, and I growled in pain. It was as if her touch burned

    my body further.

    Her hand flung up to her lips. "Oh, my goddess, She, you are going into heat," Ria eximed.

    My blue eyes widened as she spoke.

    "What?!" I peered at her through my crystal blue eyes, shocked. But as the writhing continued, I curled

    more in pain on the bed, thrashing on the bed.

    Ria shot up from the bed, about to touch me, but stopped. "I will find Alpha Killian immediately." She

    said before rushing out of the chamber, leaving me in my pain. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    The pain was getting more unbearable by the passing second, and the intense need to have Killian by

    my side just kept getting stronger. The air around me in the chamber became intense. It was

    suffocating me. It was as if my entire body and soul were on fire. I had to leave.

    I got up from my bed and left my chamber. I used the back door of the castle and exited through it. The

    sun was shining brightly from the sky, its scorching heat burning me as it kept following my trail into the

    woods. I kept moving aimlessly without direction. I rolled out into arge meadow I hadn''t visited in

    Killian''s pack. Up, ahead was a stream. I sighed with contentment. Just what I needed.

    I was in dire need of some water. I felt so parched, and maybe the water could do a little to quell the

    heat within me. I dragged my entire body closer; my weakened legs couldn''t go any further as warriors

    from the pack surrounded me. Their eyes were dark with lust.

    Fuck.

    I wobbled, about to stumble to the ground, but mighty hands wrapped around my waist, supporting my

    legs to stand. Tingling sparks shot through my burning skin. Killian. I breathed out in relief at where his

    hands touched me. Killian pulled me up to meet his gaze. "I am here, love. I am here."

 Chapter 66

    Chapter 66

    Chapter 66 Sixty-Six

    Killian''s point of view

    I was at the training field with Morgan, Mason, and some warriors when Riannon Mind-linked me.

    "What is it?" I paused, listening attentively. She always mind-linked me regarding my mate. I could

    sense the panic in her voice, and that caused a churn within me.

    "It''s Luna. I think sheˇ­ she''sˇ­" Ria began to stutter, her words fumbling. I couldn''t help the growl that

    escaped my lips.

    "Stop stuttering, Ria, and speak!" I growled through the mind-link.

    I heard her whimper in fear as she mumbled hastily. "Yes, Alpha. It''s Luna. I think she''s going into

    heat."

    I froze.

    "What?" She was going into heat. Fuck. That shouldn''t be. Not now.

    "She''s in pain and she needs you. Please hurry, her scent is too strong and the unmated wolves are

    after her."

    I growled angrily.

    I didn''t bother asking any more questions. I mind-linked all warriors, asking for only mated wolves. I left

    the training field with Allen and a few mated warriors. I growled angrily as Morgan tried to follow us. He

    shouldn''te along, and there shouldn''t be any unmated wolves around her at this moment. Not only

    would She not be thinking straight, but neither will the unmated wolves, as the only thing on their

    minds will be to fuck the female in heat.

    Morgan simply rolled his eyes, ignoring my protests. He shifted into his wolf, not giving a fuck to what I

    was about to say.

    I left the training field and shifted into my wolf, Ryker. I didn''t like any of this.

    When in heat, the female produces a strong scent, luring unmated males to her. The female only gets

    into heat when she has met her mate. The scent produced by the female is for her mate to get to her

    as during heat is the best time to be pregnant.

    The female scent attracts all males except the mated ones, because they all respond to the heat scent

    of their females. However, when a female is going through heat and her mate isn''t with her, it can be

    painful and also end in disaster with unmated males wanting to fuck that female whose scent is enticing

    and addicting. She was in danger.

    I reached the castle, and the most alluring scent I have ever smelled invaded my nose. It had my wolf

    growling in my head as we became drunk on this enticing scent, our female scent.

    Ria just rushed outside, fear and worry evident in her gaze and features. I reached towards her, but

    before I could ask anything, she rushed. "Luna is not in her chamber. I just left her to get some water

    for her, but when I returned, she wasn''t there. I don''t know where she is! "

    I hissed angrily, Ryker and I still shared control. I stuck my nose in the air and began to follow my

    mate''s scent. It led me to the woods, in the middle of a meadow.

    As I neared closer, my mate''s sweet, enchanting scent hit me harder. It was the same but more intense

    and magnified with something, something that made my eyes roll to the back of my head in ecstasy

    and caused Ryker to growl.

    Just as Ria said, some unmated wolves surrounded her. Their eyes were dark with lust, and their

    tongues were hanging out of their mouths. I can smell their sexual arousal.

    "Everyone, stand back!" I growled through the mind-link. "That is my mate, and your Luna!" I growl,

    "This female is mine and if any of you bastards touch her, I will kill you without mercy."

    I could smell She''s sweet scent, and as I got closer to her, I could tell she was sweating profusely.

    Her breasts were impossiblyrger, her hips and ass bigger, a natural tint of red on her lips, and her

    cheeks were flushed with beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

    "By the moon, she was beautiful."

    I moved with speed to her, grabbing her before she copsed on the ground. "I am here, love. I am

    here." I whispered, as her eyes closedpletely. I carried her in my arms.

    The growls from unmated males aggravated me. I held She tightly in my arms, my eyes shing

    golden at these fucking unmated wolves watching me. The stench of their lust infected the air. They

    wanted her, and the thought made me growl viciously. I''m going to teach these two males a lesson. but

    not now.

    I should have realized She''s heat was approaching as I had been getting bigger, stronger, and more

    possessive and protective over her these past weeks. It''s the same for the males whenever their

    females are on heat, while their female fills out in her own way, not in muscle like her mate but in soft

    flesh on her hips, breasts, and thighs.

    All of these changes prepare the couple for the pup thates out of the heat. My heart pounded in a

    way I couldn''t describe just at the thought of She getting pregnant with my pup. It made my heart

    flutter but at the same time scared me. She can''t get pregnant with my pup before we break the

    curse.

    I carried her in my arms, gaiting towards the castle. I headed to her chambers, ordering Ria to fetch the

    pack''s doctor at once. Iid She on the bed. She was thrashing around, writhing in pain.

    Her fever wasn''t going down. I pulled the cup from the table and brought it to her lips. She drank it

    hungrily while some poured down her skin. I grabbed a towel from the rack to dry the water, starting

    from her neck and running the cloth slowly down to her chest.

    My breath hitched as I neared her breasts. The reminder of having them near my reach made it hard

    for me to think clearly. My hands craved to hold them once again, aching to caress the soft buds. My

    throat tightened as I once again fought to think straight. She wasn''t in her right senses right now, so it

    was up to me to think straight.

    She moaned beside me. "Killian," she cried out. "It hurts... I needˇ­"

    "Tell me..." I wanted to help in any way I could. "WhatˇŞ?"

    "Ahh..." She screamed in pain. I hated to see her in such pain.

    "Fucking hell, Ria. Get Maggie here!" I screamed through the mind-link. I knew exactly what she

    wanted. The only way to stop her pain was to satisfy her in every way. To mate with her. But I couldn''t.

    At least not without Maggie seeing her. If we don''t do things right, She may get pregnant. I didn''t

    want that now.

    I reached out to her as she began thrashing from side to side on the bed as she grabbed my hands and

    pressed them tighter against her breasts. She moaned, licking her lips.

    "More," she groaned, rubbing her thighs together, pushing my body against hers.

    Her entire actions were affecting me. I can''t be turned on right now, otherwise I wouldn''t give a double

    fuck about anything. I pulled away from her, inhaling deeply. But it was a mistake, as the chamber was

    filled with her sweet scent.

    She''s eyes were a brilliant blue, as if her wolf was cooperating with her. I took a deep breath and

    growled as I exhaled her enticing scent. The smell of her arousal is now dancing in the air, making my

    dick throb, and the way she said my name has me even harder.

    Just then, Ria, Maggie and her assistants rushed through the door.

    Maggie went straight to the bed where She was thrashing in pain.

    "Help her, please." I told her.

    "You know the only remedy for this," She said this as she and her assistants worked to alleviate

    She''s difort.

    "You know, that''s not an option right now. I can''t have a pup with a fucking curse on my head. "

    Maggie sighed. "I know." She asked me to leave the room, and reluctantly I did. She and her assistant

    attended to She while I stayed outside. In a few minutes, she was out.

    "How is she? Were you able to take away the pain? "

    "I can''t do that. There''s no way to take away the pain unless the female in heat gets what she wants."

    Before I could speak, she did.

    "Here", she handed a small bottle to me.

    I queried my brow, "What is this?"

    "This will ensure Luna doesn''t get pregnant during this period. I already gave her one."

    "Are you sure?" I asked, cautiously, and she nodded.

    Quickly, I snatched the bottle and gulped down the contents.

    As soon as I was done, I went into the chamber. I hurried to She''s bed where she was groaning in

    pain.

    "Killian, please get me out of here." She cried, her eyes no longer bright blue; her wolf wasn''t in

    control. Pain was imprinted on her beautiful face.

    I stroke her cheek. "Whatever you want, mate." N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

 Chapter 67

    Chapter 67

    Chapter 67 Sixty-Seven

    Killian''s point of view

    I took She out of the castle to the East borders of the pack, beside the cool river. She was still

    writhing with so much pain. Her sweet scent and arousal had mepletely drunk in her.

    The burning sun had taken its shade already, I mind-linked everyone to stay off from the East borders.

    My eyes snapped to She as I was panting with simr need for her. Her scent had me intoxicated

    and the way she is looking at me has me even harder with the desire to fuck her hard over and over

    again on every surface possible and in every position. I had this insane need to be inside her.

    I grabbed her by the waist, pressing our bodies together as she moaned in pleasure at the slightest

    touch. I brought my hand into her hair, forcing her head back so I could devour her. My tongue delved

    into her mouth, tasting her as she moaned into my mouth.

    My body took over. She''s sensual need triggered my own. My hands gripped her waist tightly before

    lifting her dress off her body. My eyes zeroing in on the tiny white satin covering her treasured spot.

    Another growl tore from me as I ripped the material off her ass, leaving her ass bare to me.

    My erection strained almost painfully against my pants at the sight of her. When one of her heat waves

    hit me. I stumbled forward, gripping onto her legs and gently spreading them apart. I graze my hand

    against her thighs lightly before touching her core. I froze. A soft groan escaping my lips.

    She cried at the contact. I pushed a finger in as her sweet cries echoed throughout the quiet forest. I

    felt her inner muscle quiver as her first orgasm hit. However, it only seemed to make the need worse as

    the force that escaped her this timeshed out at me with so much power that it nearly threw me

    straight to the ground.

    I frantically climbed up on my feet and removed my pants as quickly as my shaking hands would let

    me. My thick aching hard length immediately sprung free, begging to be buried in She to ease both

    of our torture.

    I held her down on the soft soil, pulling away from our kiss so I could take her hardened nipple into my

    mouth, earning a moan from her. Her slender hands gripped my hair as she moved her hips against

    me, trying to create the friction that she wanted. As she moved, unable to stop, one of my hands

    gripped her ass and the other kneaded one of her hardened breasts.

    I reluctantly pulled away, about to kiss her when her soft and weak croaked.

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    "Killian," She whimpered, her hands slid down my back and she tugged on my pants. "Killian, I need

    you." Her voicepelled me to do whatever she wanted., her eyes fluttering shut as she moaned, her

    hands sping mine.

    I moved my free hands over her body, gripping onto her soft flesh as we continued devouring each

    other''s lips. Our lips left each other, and I pulled back to see She''s lustful eyes examining my torso.

    Her hands trailed from my biceps to my chest and abs, her nails brushed against my skin, leaving a

    heated trail on my body. I had my lips on hers again, needing to taste her. I pressed her closer, her soft

    flesh against my soft muscle, her hands clinging to me, making several growls leave my lips. I

    swallowed each of her lustful moans.

    I grinded our hips together, feeling her wetness. Just the smell had me almost at the edge. Itched my

    lips onto her neck, tasting the hormones leeching off her neck.

    My hungry gaze swept over She''s naked body sprawled on the warm sand, taking in every inch of

    her. Her breasts and curves were on disy for me. I growled out in appreciation at seeing her sexy

    body. I pressed our chests together, skin on skin, her hard nipples against my chest, as my heart

    throbbed with the need to be inside of her. She was fucking beautiful, even when she was in pain. A

    goddess.

    "Killian," She cried, thrashing from side to side.

    "Shh" I whispered, dropping back on the ground beside her. "It will be alright," I said, kissing her lips.

    I gripped her waist tenderly, gently positioning her body beneath mine, as I lowered myself on top of

    her, my breath hitched as our bodies molded together into one.

    I groaned against her neck as my hard length touched her entrance. I thrust forward into her, moaning

    at the blissful sensation. I began to move, pounding into her, leaving my beautiful mark in her body.

    "She!" I roared as I felt my release.

    Our bodies were pping against each other as I continued with the grinding motion in and out of her

    clit. She''s sweet moans under the moonlit sky invaded my ears, blocking out the sound of anything

    else. In fact, the only thing I could feel, smell and hear was the beautiful woman beneath me. The god-

    damned world could be ending now, and I wouldn''t fucking care.

    "Killian," she kept panting as I stretched my tongue lower, capturing one of her hard nipples in my

    mouth, sucking and biting. My other hand pinched hers, and she screamed out in pleasure. I was also

    dying with so much pleasure, feeling blissful sensation through our bond.

    Fucking hell. I loved her. I held her tightly, kissing her frantically and wildly. I couldn''t get enough of her

    lips as I thrusted into her harder and faster. She moved her hips trying to meet my thrusts, but I was

    going too fast for her to keep up, so she just let me take all of her.

    "Killian" She cried out as another orgasm hit her. The spasms of her muscles finally did it for me,

    snapping my control as a loud roar tore from my lips. I released inside of her. Goddess! I didn''t know

    thest time I came this hard, the fucking thing wasn''t stopping as it continued filling up She.

    I lifted my head and peered down at She with hooded eyes. Her lips were parted, her cheeks flushed

    and eyes closed. The pain from minutes ago had definitely lessened because she was no longer

    writhing in pain beneath me.

    Her skin was still on fire. Unwillingly, I pushed out of her heavenly clit, before picking her up in my arms

    and walking to the cool river. I lowered myself into the water, gripping She''s thighs. Gently, I guided

    her legs so they could wrap around my waist. I poured some water on her face, watching it as it rolled

    down her face down to her chest. I leaned closer, licking and sucking the trail of the water stopping on

    the crook of her neck. She''s hands moved to grip my head as she held me tighter against her neck,

    rubbing her pussy against my hardened member.

    I moaned into her ears, my body shook as I fought for control, my wolf and I desperate to mark her and

    im her as ours. I felt myself giving in to the strong desire to mark her, but it all shattered when a

    strong wave of She''s arousal hit me. Her need was back again.

    "Killian," She trembled against me. "Oh, yes!" She eximed, drunk in so much pleasure as my shaft

    once again tightened in response to her need.

    I gripped her securely in my arms, walking out of the water to the warm sand. I lowered her on the

    ground and positioned myself on her, before burying myself inside her.

    I groaned at the contact again, and She shuddered beneath me in pleasure.

    She found my hands grasping onto my fingers and I raised her arms beside her head, our hands

    entwined as I kept thrusting hard into her, her juices soaking between us and I kept panting and

    growling. I held her hips tighter and plunged harder and faster into her than before.

    She moaned as she reached orgasm, her head quivering. I can feel it beneath me, with one final thrust,

    I yelled out, feeling my orgasm crash over me. SheˇŻs walls milking out my seed into her. Soon my

    hips stopped moving as I copsed onto the ground, flipping us over so she could rest on me. Our

    breaths were hard and raspy, my chest making her lift with each breath I took.

    I cradled her in my arms, watching her breathe slowly from exhaustion. Her eyes were closed, and her

    high fever had calmed down. I sighed, totally exhausted as well, my eyes found the moon''s beautiful

    figure up in the sky.

    I could do nothing but watch my mate sleep peacefully under the moonlight. I sighed in content,

    sending an appreciation to the moon goddess for making She mine.

 Chapter 68

    Chapter 68

    Chapter 68 Sixty-Eigh

    Killian''s point of view

    I watched She as she slept peacefully. After a while, she stirred awake in my arms. Slowly, her blue

    eyes opened and fell into mine.

    "Killian." Her weight shifted onto my chest, her gaze fixed on mine. She still sounded weak. I brushed

    her tender cheek, imnting a kiss on her cheek.

    "Shh, don''t say anything." I stroked her damp locks away from her face. "How do you feel?" I asked,

    tilting my head to her. She''s face turned red, and she buried her head in my chest.

    "Tired and embarrassed." Her soft breath settled on my skin. "It''s so embarrassing to know that the

    entire pack knew what just happened, you know, between us." She muttered slowly.

    I smiled, stifling a throaty chuckle at her words. Yeah, I guess everyone does. That, however, was the

    least of my worries. I was concerned more about my mate than anything else. I pulled her up a little,

    wrapping her naked body in myrge arms.

    "Do you feel any pain?" I asked her, and she shook her head.

    Even in the darkness, she still looked beautiful and wless. I couldn''t stop myself. I pulled my lips to

    hers, kissing her gently until she could no longer breathe.

    "We should go back to the castle." I said, "You need more rest in your chamber." I rubbed her skin to

    provide some warmth.

    She nodded, too exhausted to speak further. I got dressed and helped her get dressed as well.

    Instead of having her tire herself walking back to the castle, I carried her in my arms. We reached the

    castle, and I took her to her chamber, settling her securely on her bed.

    I brushed her hair back. Her blue eyes gleamed at me.

    "I will be back, I promise. I just need to tend to some things." I told her, kissing her smooth forehead. I

    left her chamber and hastened towards my office. I rushed inside my office, heading to the end of the

    room, where my table stood. From behind, I heard the door open hastily, and then it shut closed,

    apanied by a clicking of the door. I spun around to find Thea standing inside my chamber, and the

    door was locked.

    "Why are you here?" I asked, almost in a bored tone. She was thest person I wanted to see. I pulled

    my gaze back to the papers on the table that I needed to work on before joining She in her chamber.

    "To talk. Why? Am I now forbidden from entering your office, Killian?" She said, her voice getting closer

    to me, but I didn''t turn around. I didn''t want to say anything or do anything that would upset her.

    "No, Thea. You cane whenever you want, but it''s midnight. Do you need something?" I asked her.

    "Everyone in the pack is talking about you and that woman." She muttered, standing next to me.

    "She needed me, Thea," I said, taking a deep breath.

    "I know. And I understand, Killian. You know I always will. " She ced her hand on my shoulder.

    "There''s nothing I can do about it. She''s your mate destined by the goddess, and I am just someone

    you need because of a curse. Someone that shouldn''t even be in your life. I am just a nuisance, I

    know."

    "TheaˇŞ" I started but she silenced me, shutting her eyes closed, I could see she was fighting back

    some tears.

    Her words hit me hard in my chest. That was a lie. She was neither a nuisance nor just a curse breaker

    to me. Even though I couldn''t have anything more with her, I will always care for her.

    "Frankly, seeing you next to her, caring for her, hurts me beyond anything." She voiced, not looking at

    me.

    "Thea," I called, dropping the papers on the table. I turned to her to face me and found only sadness

    and pain in her gaze. It made my heart ache. I cupped her face, and she began crying.

    "I''m sorry, Killian, I just..." she struggled to speak as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I just wish

    everything would go back the way it was between us before she came." She wrapped her hands

    around me. "But I know it can''t. Even though it hurts me, just remember that you are all I live for, Killian.

    I love you." Her brown gaze bored hard into mine, reflecting her words to me. My hands on her face

    caressed her cheeks tenderly and Thea leaned closer. She was about to bring her lips to mine, but I

    pulled away from her, quickly.

    I promised myself I wouldn''t hurt She again. "No, Thea. I can''t."

    Her eyes stared at me in disbelief, and an emotion I couldn''t recognize. I could also see a sh of rage

    in her eyes, but her sudden words surprised me.

    "Fine. I understand. " Tears slipped down her brown gaze, and she took a step back. "Good night,

    Killian." Her lips brushed my cheek. And she left my office. I exhaled, settling onto my chair.

    ****

    Unknown personˇŻs point of view

    I was racing through the hallways hurriedly. I could no longer subdue the rage seething through my

    bones and infesting my mind. I felt my blood bing hotter than a volcano. I reached for the door

    and pushed it open. I shut the door behind me.

    My heart was thudding in an unfamiliar rhythm, showing the intensity of my anger. Even the air around

    me was charged with a burning heat.

    Bloody imbecile!

    I cursed more, remembering everything that happened a few minutes ago.

    I roved to the tall window at the corner, pulling it open. I shut my eyes and began muttering low chants

    using magic. Soon, a ck owl emerged from the darkness and flew towards the window.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    My brown gaze watched it impatiently until it stopped on the metal railing of the window.

    I ripped off a nk piece of paper and plucked a feather from the ck owl, moving to the dressing

    table. I pulled out my dagger and sliced my left palm. My blood began to drip on the nk paper. I

    wriggled my fingers in the air while muttering some chants. The blood on the paper began to move,

    forming the words I wanted to convey to someone. I folded the paper and moved back to the window.

    "Take this to the Alpha," I whispered to the ck owl. cing the paper in its beak, its eyes gleamed

    brightly before flying away, blending into the night''s darkness.

    I returned to pacing the floors. The Alpha was bing too difficult to control. I hated this. I hated it

    when things were out of my control.

    I was beyond furious. I could feel my brown gaze burn brightly in raging mes. I groaned and yelled

    inside the corner walls. The loud intensity of my yell carried so much power that it caused the torches

    glued to the wall to burn brightly out of control. Its wild mes grew so intense that they spread out to

    the light green color of the draperies that covered the windows.

    Soon, the mes began to spread around and the smell of smoke began to fill the air. That, however,

    was the least of my concern. I wasn''t worried about that. The only problem that seemed to exist in my

    life was that bloody bitch of a mate. The Alpha''s mate. I couldn''t tolerate her presence anymore in the

    pack. It hadpletely shattered my entire n.

    I screamed again in a rage as the fire burned more. The door suddenly jerked open, and I spun around

    to meet my only ally in this godforsaken ce.

    His wide gaze widened at the fire consuming the inside.

    "What the hell is happening here?" His deep voice sounded with the usual concern as he rushed

    around trying to stop the burning mes from swallowing the whole ce. I gripped his hand firmly,

    stopping him.

    "Stop this at once. Have youpletely lost your mind?" He was screaming at the top of his voice.

    Concern and fear for my life were embedded in his gaze.

    Yes. I hadpletely lost my mind and it was infuriating. I had to find a way to keep that bloody Alpha

    by my side. I couldn''t let him go to the other woman, or my entire n would shatter before my eyes. I

    would never allow this. I had to think of a way to turn things in my favor.

    A wicked smile found my lips as an idea popped into my thoughts, and it met the gaze of my lover.

    "We have so much at stake if we do not do something fast," I said, and his face was crippled in

    confusion.

    "What do you mean?" He asked, unsure of my words. But my smile only deepened as the mes now

    surrounded us. I could feel the heat already.

    "I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep him next to me." I lowered my voice. My words held so

    much seriousness that he could recognize

    "What do you need?" he asked, ever ready to please me. My lips brushed against his.

    "Bring your Alpha right here," I muttered, a dark smile forming on my lips.

    He studied me for a second before nodding, and with a wave of my fingers, I parted the wildfire around

    us, allowing him to walk through. A dark smile found my lips.

    I will do whatever it takes to ensure you remain next to me, at least not until I gain my revenge first,

    Killian Reid.

 Chapter 69

    Chapter 69

    Chapter 69 Sixty-Nine

    Killian''s point of view

    I had left my office, already making my way to She''s chamber when I was mind-linked by Jax and

    Allen in a hurry. Their voices were in a frenzy. The only thing I registered was that Thea was in danger.

    Fuck. I couldn''t think straight. I swerved from She''s chamber and moved hastily to Thea''s chamber

    which was at another end of the castle.

    It was from a near distance away I could smell and see the smoke that escaped from the hallways. My

    heart jammed with an unfamiliar wave of fearful emotions as my legs hastened closer, Morgan and

    Mason were already there, trying to put the fire out. I rushed into her wide chamber, everything had

    almost been consumed by the fire, my heart rose in panic within my chest, as my eyes scanned around

    for Thea. I found her, she was lying motionlessly in the middle of the room. My legs hurried to her as

    the fire around was still zing harder even with the warriors'' attempt to put it off.

    "Thea," I pulled her face into my palm, but she didn''t respond to my call, her body was already

    smeared with ck dirt, there were even some burns on her skin. Fear nipped at me, and without

    hesitating, I chuckled Thea''s almost still, and petite body into my arms, rushing her out of the fire. I

    motioned quickly to the spare chamber closest to her, I dropped her petite body on the bed.

    "Thea," I tried getting her to wake up but she was not responding. It terrified me. Quickly, I sent for the

    Pack''s physician at once. In less than a minute, Maggie rushed in with one of her assistants in the

    pack. She gaited to the bed where Thea was in my arms. She didn''t even waste any time or ask any

    questions before she started inspecting Thea. And soon, I was asked to leave the room so they would

    tend to her better. A deep hiss left my lips, as I shut the door behind me, leaving Thea in the hands of

    the Pack''s doctor and her assistants.

    I couldn''t help but me myself. This was all my fault. It was my fault that Thea was in that state

    because of me. I copsed on the floor, burying my face in my palm. I felt my brother Morgan walk

    slowly toward me.

    "What happened?" I asked him. "How did a fire break out in Thea''s chamber?" It just didn''t make any

    sense. The only exnation was maybe someone started the fire deliberately. But why? For what

    exactly? Thea was valuable to the pack and me, losing her would only mean we will be stuck with this

    curse forever.

    "I am not sure what you are thinking, brother," Morgan started, his voice forcing me to stare at him. "But

    I doubt someone tried to murder her."

    "So, the fire started by itself then?" I asked back, and Morgan sighed, leaning against the wall.

    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    "Possibly, because there is no sign of forced entry. And besides, who will want to murder Thea?"

    Morgan spoke calmly, almost in an exhausted or bored tone.

    I looked away from him. No one in the pack would want to murder her, she was the only way we can

    break the crescent curse on us. She was truly one of the nicest, and sweetest females I knew. The only

    person who could want her dead was the monster who murdered her family and almost killed her as

    well.

    I first met Thea in the woods, a near distance from my pack. She was bleeding profusely, and her life

    was in danger. We managed to get her to the pack physician just in time. That day, I never knew the

    young female I saved was the one gifted by the goddess, the very soul who could free me from the

    curse and had always appeared in my dreams for the longest.

    I was only fourteen when I was cursed by my father, fourteen-odd years ago, and shortly after, the

    dreams started. It was very unusual. At first, I didn''t understand the dream, it was more like a sexual

    dream where I always found myself making love to someone, a female. She didn''t belong to my pack,

    her scent was so unique and different, like nothing I have ever smelled before. It had me intoxicated,

    and weak to my knees that the only thing I wanted was to pleasure her. To make love to her in the best

    possible way. But in every dream, I didn''t see her face. Her soft natural curls always covered her face,

    and whenever I tried to sweep it back to gaze at the face of the woman that made me feel things, I

    ended up waking abruptly from my dream. Every fucking time.

    But the dreams stopped the day I found Thea bleeding in the woods. And for the first time that night, I

    saw the face of the woman who had always invaded my dreams, whose god-like body always made

    me want to worship her, whose moans were like music to my soul and her soft gasps did more wonders

    to me than I could ever exin. That woman was Thea, and fate would have it, she walked right into

    my path at the time I needed her the most.

    Oh, Goddess. Thinking about Thea and my past made me more guilty than I was. She didn''t deserve

    all this. She deserved better. She deserved all the love she could get. It was not easy for her to lose her

    family all in one day. I could still remember the day she told me about her past. I could see nothing but

    pain in those brown depths of hers.

    Her entire family was murdered by an Alpha. She said it was from her previous pack. That asshole

    killed her entire family and was still after her life. But thankfully she escaped. I wanted so badly to find

    that imbecile and murder him with my bare hands, but she wouldn''t give me his name, nor the name of

    her previous pack. She said she wanted to forget it all, her past and her sadness. And for a short while,

    she did, buttely, that familiar sadness had taken dominance in her brown gaze, and it was all my

    fault.

    I did this to her. I brought nothing but pain and sadness to her life. I really didn''t want to hurt her. But

    the sad truth was, I didn''t feel anything for her. I sighed in frustration. Everything was so fucking

    complicated. My life was utterlyplicated. I had two women in my life, both of which I didn''t want to

    hurt. One was my mate, whom I loved so much, and the other was the one gifted by the goddess, the

    one I needed. This was frustrating.

    I felt Morgan''s hand on me, but before I could look his way, the door to where Thea was, pushed open

    and Maggie stepped out with her assistants.

    I was up on my feet. "How is she?" I asked, I didn''t have the strength to bear any negative news.

    "Thankfully, the fire didn''t do much damage to her. She just needs rest. In no time, she will be back to

    herself." Maggie exined gently.

    "Thank you," I said when Maggie was done. "Can I see her now?"

    She nodded in response. I turned to nce at Morgan, whose gaze was on me, it seemed like he had

    something to say, but I couldn''t listen to anything right now. I just wanted to make sure that Thea was

    alright and out of danger.

    I left Maggie, and Morgan together, strutting into the chamber where Thea was. She looked so peaceful

    on the bed, curled up under the covers. I could see some of the burnt wounds on her skin, but

    thankfully, she''ll heal in no time.

    I plopped on the bed, positioning myself next to her sleeping figure. The skin around her eyes was

    strained and tired from crying too much. Myrge hand moved to her face and I began to stroke it

    tenderly.

    To my surprise, she stirred slowly on the bed, groaning from too much pain. A painful cry left her lips,

    but I held her firmly in my arms.

    "Shhh. Do not move too much," I told her quietly. Thea''s big, and rounded eyes pulled open and her

    brown irises were on me.

    "Killian," She choked a sob, and I pushed back some locks of her brown hair that covered her face. I

    forced a smile, hiding the pain I felt seeing her in this state.

    She tried to look around the chamber, but instead, groaned in pain. She held onto my shirt tightly, and I

    wrapped myrge arms around her.

    "Killian, I really thought I would die." She said, sobbing into my chest.

    "Do not say that, Thea." I pulled away a little, bringing my finger to her chin. I raised it gently, so I could

    stare at her perfectly. "Tell me, what happened? Who started the fire, Thea?" I queried.

    Thea''s gaze became softer, and her eyes welled more in tears. "I will tell you, Killian," She muttered

    counting each word. Strangely, I felt my heart hammer against my chest at the words that were about

    to leave her lips.

 Chapter 70

    Chapter 70

    Chapter 70 Seventy

    Killian''s point of view

    I don''t know why my heart was pounding so loud, there was something in her words that terrified me.

    But I listened quietly.

    "I really do not know, Killian," She muttered, after a long silence. "I was fast asleep in my chamber

    when the smoke from the fire stirred me awake. By then the fire had spread around." She paused,

    tears were gliding down her cheek. I brushed it off, listening as she continued. "I reached for the door,

    but it was locked. Someone had locked me and wanted me to die in that fire."

    Thea burst out in tears. Her words confirmed my suspicion. But who could have tried to murder her, I

    was damned sure it wasn''t anyone from the pack. But then again, there were still unsolved mysteries in

    the pack rting to Rowan and the witch that had murdered him. Could it possibly be the witch who

    tried to harm Thea? It could either be that witch or maybe, the Alpha of Thea''s old pack had found her.

    "Killian, I know someone doesn''t want me to help you to break the curse." Her sudden words crippled

    my brows. What does she mean by that?

    "What do you mean?" I asked.

    "There''s no other reason why someone will try to murder me. I am sure whoever it was doesn''t want

    the curse to be broken and doesn''t want me to be officially mated to you, and bear your mark." Thea

    sounded quiet, watching me.

    The more she kept saying ''someone'', I got a feeling she had a name in mind, but something within me

    stirred angrily. Even Ryker that hadpletely withdrawn himself from anything that had to do with

    Thea, roved to the surface of my consciousness.

    "What are you saying, Thea? Speak inly!" I said, deep down I had a feeling what she was saying.

    But I just hoped I was wrong.

    "I know you know who I am talking about, Killian. She is the only one who is angry that I will be officially

    mating with you, and bearing your mark." She rasped.

    "So, you are saying, She, tried to murder you?" Even the words sounded infuriating and imusible.

    I couldn''t stop the rage that was slowly rising within me as Thea nodded her head slowly.

    I pulled away from her, quietly.

    "Think about it KillˇŞ"

    I cut her off, "There is nothing to think about, Thea. She is not capable of something like that," I

    yelled at her. Fuck, u didn''t mean to. The look on Thea''s face killed me. But she needed to remove

    such idiotic thoughts from her mind. She could never do that.

    Thea was silent for a deafening minute. We both were. Then she nodded with a smile. "Fine, Killian. I

    believe you. I am sure that woman could never do something like that," she yelled in pain as she tried

    to move from the bed.

    I rushed to her side, engulfing her in my arms. "Easy there," I fell on the bed, and she curled herself on

    me, writhing in so much pain. I stroke her back tenderly.

    "If it isn''t that woman, who else could have tried to harm me?" She asked, her voice choking a sob. "I

    am scared they might try again, Killian." I brought her closer to me, and she hung on dearly as if she

    was clinging to her very life.

    "No one in the pack tried to murder you, Thea. The only person I could think of is him, the bastard who

    murdered your family, and tried to murder you." I said, even though I couldn''t clearly see her face, I felt

    her body stiffen in my arms. I knew she hated to talk about him and her past, but I had no choice.

    Someone tried to murder her and could do it again.

    When she didn''t speak, I shifted on the bed to see her face. "Come on, tell me who that person is.

    Which Pack is it?"

    "You don''t have to know, Killian" she rushed sharply, crying further. "He is evil Killian, I don''t want

    anything bad to happen to you. And besides, I doubt he knows I am alive, or even at your pack. So

    please, do not speak of him," she buried her head again in my chest, crying.

    I remained silent, unable to say a word, after some time, her loud sobs died.

    "You need to rest more, Thea, so you could heal faster," I told her, pulling away but she held me tightly.

    "Please Killian, don''t leave me. Please, I need you. I won''t be able to rest without you beside me." She

    said, suddenly biting out. "Spend the night with me, Killian."

    The look on her face was pleading, sad and vulnerable. I have never seen her like this. Blood Fuck. I

    hated this. She was also waiting for me in her chamber.

    "Please, Killian, I almost lost my life. I need you,"

    I leaned back on the bed, lying next to her. "Fine. Sleep tight." I said to her,

    A small smile found her lips, and she nestled closer to me. "I love you," she said, bringing her lips to

    mine.

    "Thea, I can''t," I said firmly. Even though I haven''t marked She yet, our bond had grown stronger

    now that with just a kiss from Thea, She would feel the pain. I can''t put her through such pain.

    I wrapped my hands around her instead, watching her fall asleep, but I couldn''t. My heart and my soul

    were somewhere else. And I wished I was in the arms of my mate.

    ***

    She''s point of view

    I inhaled deeply, stretching my body on the bed. My eyes pulled open, and I turned on the bed. To my

    disappointment, Killian wasn''t next to me. He didn''t returnst night. But regardless, I felt amazing. The

    best I''ve felt in weeks and so did Adie. It was like enormous energy was bustling in my veins. And I

    loved it.

    I was up from the bed, I stripped naked, rushing for a quick shower. I was out in a sh, and I got

    dressed in a peach color dress, giving my hair a quick brush. I allowed its natural curls to fall on my

    face, down to my shoulders. I left my chamber to Killian''s, but he was not in his chamber. In fact, it

    didn''t seem like he spent the night in his chamber.

    I went down for breakfast. I found Ria in the dining hall. She greeted me with a smile. I couldn''t dismiss

    the coquettish smiles everyone seemed to be sending my way, it made me ufortable, and at the

    same time made me blush.

    "Where is Killian?" I asked as he hadn''te down for breakfast yet. "He isn''t in his chamber nor his

    office."

    Ria took a seat next to me. "Well, uhmˇ­" she began in her usual tone when she had something

    unpleasant to tell me. "Something happenedst nightˇ­"

    My brows furrowed questioningly. "Tell me, what happened?"

    "There was a fire in Thea''s chamber, it was pretty serious and would have almost killed her if the

    warriors and the Alpha didn''t reach there on time," Ria uttered slowly, in a low tone.

    At her every word, my brows crippled the more. I don''t know if it was because of the fact that Thea''s

    chamber mysteriously caught fire, or that with what Ria was telling me, it only meant Killian was with

    Thea throughout the night. I guess I was more concerned about the former, but Adie was concerned

    about thetter. She''s one over-possessive wolf, but I couldn''t me her.

    "And what caused the fire?" I asked.

    Ria shrugged, not knowing. "But some of the warriors think that someone tried to have her murdered."

    I scoffed internally at that. It sounded like that was the kind of idea Thea wanted everyone to believe. I

    wouldn''t be surprised if I would be suspected at this time. N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    I pulled my thoughts away from that. A smile found my lips. "What is there for breakfast? I am so

    famished."

    As if on cue, the helpers began to serve breakfast, and my sweet Morgan decided to join me for

    breakfast.

    He took his seat right opposite mine, and we started eating.

    "What happenedst night? Ria told me that Thea''s chamber was on firest night and it might be a

    murder attempt." I said, taking a spoon into my mouth.

    "It''s only a spection. But honestly, I doubt it. The pack is heavily guarded to have someone sneak in

    and try to have her murdered." Morgan said, gulping down his ginger tea.

    I had the remaining of my breakfast in silence. Soon, Morgan and I were done. He returned to his

    chamber to prepare for the Council meeting. Recently, the Council has been calling for meetings

    frequently. It seemed important as Valerie and almost all the witches will be attending as well, including

    Killian, Morgan, and most of the ranking warriors.

    I left the Castle and strolled to the garden not far from the castle walls. The flowers I had nted had

    begun to blossom beautifully. I bent down to pick some flowers when I felt a presence behind me. It

    was Killian. But I didn''t look back. He motioned closer to me, crouching next to me.

    "Good morning," I heard him say behind me. There was something about his voice that forced me to

    turn to him. He was almost a breath away from me. He had already showered and was prepared for the

    Council meeting.

    "Morning," I replied, noting a particr emotion or rather, a sadness embedded in his eyes, it made me

    want to reach out to him and beat it all away. "How is Thea?" I asked, and Killian''s face almost

    splintered. I wasn''t furious at him for spending the night with Thea, even though a jealous part of me

    hated it.

    "She''s still healing," he said, "I am leaving for the Council meeting now, please take care." He added,

    pulling a hand to my cheek. Killian leaned closer and kissed me. Something was wrong with him.

    Whatever it was, it raised fear within me.

    *From the author: Please let me know what you think so far in thement section. Yourments

    will be appreciated.

 Chapter 71

    Chapter 71

    Chapter 71 Seventy-One

    Killian''s point of view

    I didn''t know when I fell asleep, but I knew this was a dream. It just had to be. Something was

    incredibly wrong, I was covered with blood. But it wasn''t mine. Hell, I wasn''t even bleeding, at least not

    physically. But my heart was in pain. I kept walking in the darkness as only the moon''s rays followed

    my trail. Blood was everywhere, dead wolves and witches from my pack covering the earth along with

    some lifeless bodies that weren''t from my pack. Some had the dragon mark of the Council army, while I

    recognized another mark on some of the dead bodies. It was the mark of the Dark Circle.

    I couldn''t understand what was going on, why was the Dark Circle army in my pack, from the looks of it,

    it seemed a war broke out here. My heart hammered the more as I began searching through the bodies

    on the ground for someone in particr. She. I released a breath when I couldn''t find her among the

    scattered bodies on the ground. I left the pack house and began racing to the castle when my legs

    stopped abruptly and I felt like my life hade to an end. She wasying in the middle of the castle

    grounds.

    My legs hastened towards her, my heart was pounding hard in my chest. She was wounded severely,

    and her dress and body were drenched by her blood. I forced my shaking hands to touch her, she was

    completely cold.

    I jerked awake. My heart was racing incredulously fast. I scanned around and I was still with Thea, she

    was sleeping peacefully in my arms. I sighed, dropping my head on the bed. It was just a dream, but it

    felt so real. I could still feel the pains in my chest from seeing She in such a state. I had to go see her

    and be with her. Ryker was going insane in my mind, he desperately wanted to be near our mate.

    Slowly, I tried to ce Thea back on the bed, but surprisingly, she stirred awake instantly.

    "Killian, are you going somewhere?" Her brown eyes were focused on me. "Please don''t leave me,"

    she wrapped her hands around me, burying her head on my chest.

    I sighed, shutting my eyes closed.

    I could barely sleep a wink throughout the night. I just couldn''t fall asleep. Whenever I tried to leave,

    Thea would always stir awake. As the morning invaded, there was this growing restlessness and fear

    that enveloped my heart, with each passing second it kept increasing.

    When I left Thea in her new chamber she was already awake, she kept pleading with me to stay with

    her but I couldn''t. The Council had called for a meeting again. This time, Valerie and many of her

    witches will be attending, and so will some ranking members of my pack.

    I went straight to She''s chamber but she was already awake and wasn''t in the chamber. I mind-linked

    Riannon, and she informed me my mate was at the Pack''s garden. Without wasting time, I showered

    and got dressed. I didn''t have breakfast, frankly, I had no appetite. Last night''s dream was still lucid in

    my thoughts and the only thing I wanted was to be next to my mate.

    I left the Castle and headed towards the Pack''s garden. From afar I sighted She, she was tending to

    the flowers. I couldn''t deny it, she had magical hands capable of bringing life into something. I strolled

    closer to where she crouched.

    "Good morning," I said, bending down next to her.

    Her beautiful face turned to me. "Morning," she sounded, her voice was exactly what I needed. It

    calmed me deeply, but unfortunately, the fear rooted within me remained.

    "How are you feeling?" I asked even though she looked better than she did yesterday.

    "Fine," she muttered slowly, her deep blue eyes searching mine, almost as if she could feel the

    unsettledness within me. I didn''t know why I felt this way, but even Ryker felt it as well. It was as if

    something bad was about to happen. Thest time I felt this way was the night my father, along with

    the Dark Circle army raided the ck Blood Pack and murdered their Luna, stealing the Alpha''s

    daughter. That day I felt it, I knew something bad was about to happen, and it did. The ck Blood

    Pack attacked us, and the pack suffered so much loss, including a brother.

    "How is Thea?" She softly asked. I felt a pang of pain in my chest. Oh, goddess, I didn''t want her to

    think something happened between Thea and me. Thest thing I wanted was to fight with her. I

    needed her so badly that I can''t bear for her to be mad at me.

    "She''s still healing," I said to her, and instead of freaking out, she only nodded. Her soft hand pulled up

    to my cheek.

    The warmth that formed from the tingles calmed me more, and I leaned into her touch. I pulled closer to

    her, my head leaning closer till I felt my lips on hers. I kissed her gently.

    "Killian, what''s wrong?" She muttered against my lips. "Did something happen? Tell me."

    "I am fine. Just take care. Today''s meeting will take a long time. Whatever you need, ask either Allen,

    Ria, or Mason. And please, don''t be alone like this. Have someone with you at all times." I said to her,

    not sure of what I was saying exactly. I just wanted her safe. "I have to leave now," I kissed her again,

    standing up.

    She stood as well, her eyes were now clouded with worry. "Stop worrying. I am fine. Just remember, I

    love you." I pecked her lips once more, leaving the garden.

    I joined Morgan and Valerie at the stables. They were waiting for me. I got on my horse, and we started

    our journey to the Council castle.

    ***

    She''s point of view

    I watched as Killian left me. No matter how much I asked him, he didn''t say what had him this sad, or

    maybe terrified. I finished off from the garden, heading back to the Castle. Many ranking members also

    attended the Council''s meeting, including some ranking warriors, and so did many of the witches,

    including Lorenzo. I was to meet up with himter in the day, but it seems it would have to be when

    he''s back from the meeting.

    Instead of heading to my chamber, I went to Killian''s office to tend to some work. Ever since he came to

    meet me in the garden, I have been feeling somewhat anxious. Killian wasn''t the type to get saddened

    or terrified like that, something must have happened to put him in such a mood, and now I felt anxious

    and sick and so did my wolf, Adie.

    I was in Killian''s office working when the door pushed open and someone walked in. My head tilted up

    a little, and my blue eyes fell on Thea. She walked in like she owned the ce, closing the door behind

    her. Her brown menacing gaze was on me, and her hands were folded against her chest. She looked

    pretty fine to me. It seemed like everyone was exaggerating the whole fire incident, because the

    woman in front of me wasn''t still healing, she was absolutely fine.

    "What is it that you want?" I broke the silence, falling my gaze back on the papers I was going through.

    I felt her move closer, stopping close to the table. "I could give you a list of them, first of all, I want you

    out of this pack, and out of Killian''s life."

    Her brazen words surprised me. I pulled my gaze up to her, dropping the quill pen in my hand. "I see

    you are not just injured from the fire, but you are also sick in your head." I said, "I am very busy right

    now and I don''t have the time to prattle with you. So, get out."

    "You think because Killian has been giving you a little of his attention, you''ve gained some rights." She

    snickered, leaning on the table. "Truth be told, hun, whatever dreams you must be having put an end to

    it because Killian may be your mate but he will never be yours. Once the curse has been broken, I will

    be officially mated to him, bearing his mark. So, do yourself a favor, and get lost, tramp. Is that clear?"

    I watched her as her lips rasped on. The only thing that was lucidly clear to me was that she was trying

    to get under my skin. She wanted to rile me up. To make me enraged. She was here precisely because

    of that. But why?

    I sighed. "Thea, the only thing clear to me is that you feel insecure, and I can understand that because

    as soon as the curse is broken, I will personally escort you out of this pack. And you are upset about

    something, I am not sure what, and frankly, I don''t care." I muttered, forming a little smile. "I am too

    busy for whatever this is, so, do yourself a favor and get out, before I make you."

    I watched as Thea''s face colored with rage, her gaze burning intensely. She pursed her lips to speak,

    and I could have been prepared for anything but not the words that left her lips. N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

 Chapter 72

    Chapter 72

    Chapter 72 Seventy-Two

    Thea''s point of view

    "Thea, the only thing clear to me is that you feel insecure, and I can understand that because as soon

    as the curse is broken, I will personally escort you out of this pack. And you are upset about something,

    I am not sure what, and frankly, I don''t care." The hussy muttered, forming a little smile that made the

    blood running in my veins burn with rage. "I am too busy for whatever this is, so do yourself a favor and

    get out, before I make you."

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    She said calmly, crossing her fingers over each other. This little tramp had gotten quite brazen and that

    aggravated me the more. More than anything, I wanted to cross the table, and get my hands on her

    neck. It will give me great pleasure to squash it.

    No. I shook my head mentally. It will be much better to have her bloody heart jump from her chest into

    my hands, and then I will chop her body into tiny parts, and have them scattered within the castle for

    Killian to find them. The thrill alone flushed down my rage. But as soon as I broke out of my thoughts,

    the rage and hate were back as I remembered something. I could not harm her. I wasn''t allowed to

    even touch a hair on her head. It was the one thing I was forbidden to do.

    I bottled up my rage and emotions, releasing a small smile of my own.

    "Mark my words tramp, you wouldn''t live to see that day you speak of." I leaned on the stupid table

    between us. "Killian was mine alone until you rammed into our lives, and until I am done with him, he

    will continue to be mine," I whispered to her. I watched her eyes twitch with something in them, but I

    couldn''t tell exactly what was in her gaze.

    Her smile was still stered on her lips though. Oh, I miss the days when I could smack that smile off

    her lips and even Killian would do the same. But now, everything is different.

    How could I let that happen? I curse the mate bond between these wolves. Never in my wildest thought

    did I foresee Killian falling for this tramp. That wasn''t in my ns and I had to fix this mess. I had to get

    her out of here.

    " ''Until you are done with him'' " The tramp spoke, her deep blue eyes regarding me. "What do you

    mean by that?" She asked, and a smile unexpectedly found my lips. It''s good to know she is not

    completely stupid.

    "Only time will tell," I took a step back, loving the seed of fear that I had sessfully nted in her

    eyes. She should be scared of me, she has no idea what I am capable of doing to get what I want.

    I walked to the door and was about to pull it open when she called out to me.

    "Thea," I spun around to find her gaze on me. "There are some battles that cannot be won, and some

    things that cannot be broken. The bond Killian and I share is one of them." She said confidently.

    I felt my anger rise to the maximum. Without saying a word, I stormed out of the office, heading to my

    new chamber. As soon as I was in, I shut the door behind me.

    I was vibrating with so much rage that I couldn''t stop the screams that left my lips. I felt the blood within

    me burn intensely, causing the torch in my chamber to burn fiercely. But I couldn''t care about that. The

    stupid chamber could burn again for all I care. Even after risking my life, and burning down my

    chamber, it was still for nothing.

    Yes, I got Killian to stay with mest night. But it doesn''t mean he would spend the remaining nights

    with me like he usually did. Fudging hell! A lot had really changed between us. Killian didn''t even want

    to be next to me. Last night, I could tell his mind was somewhere else, or rather, on someone else. I

    knew the only reason I hadn''t been sent out was because I was the one he desperately needed. The

    gifted one, as they called it.

    I plopped on the bed, thinking. The night of the crescent moon was only a few weeks away and then

    the stupid witches will try to break the curse. I need my ns to be executed before then. I have put in

    so many years into my revenge to fail now.

    I sighed, calming myself, but the subtle sounds from the window called my attention. I stalked to the

    window, tugging on the draperies. I pulled them apart, and the ck owl fromst night came into view.

    Hurriedly, I opened the window and allowed it in. It had a message for me from the Alpha. I removed

    the folded paper in its beak, unfolding it as quickly as I could.

    I read through it, and with every word on it, a frown grew on my face. My brown eyes fell on hisst

    word to me. It was more of a warning.

    ''She should not be harmed, no matter what!''

    I squeezed the paper, screaming in rage. I used my witch''s magic to burn it to ashes. Why doesn''t he

    understand that that tramp stands in my way? With her here, there is no way I could control Killian like I

    used to.

    As I was screaming in rage, the door to my chamber pulled open, and my lover walked in.

    "What happened now?" He asked, moving closer to me. I had my back against him. "Tell me, mate." He

    whispered in my ears, his streaming breath lingering on my skin. I hated it when he addressed me as

    such.

    He pressed me closer to hisrge body, imnting kisses on my neck. His hands began to wander on

    my body, caressing me and doing wonders to my body. I moaned at his stimting actions. This was

    exactly what I needed. Killian has been avoiding me for weeks now like I was some kind of gue. I

    need to let off some steam, purge my rage and frustration, and think about a way to get that tramp out

    of the picture.

    I turned to him, his eyes were dark with lust. Quickly, I removed the button keeping his shirt together

    with my magic. My hands fell on his naked chest. "Take me now!" Imanded, his lips spread in a

    smile.

    With a hand, he carried me to the bed, dropping me on it, he began to remove his pants and I watched

    in fascination as his hardened shaft came into my view. The tip of his member was pink and hardened

    for me. He began to walk to me naked, I bit the bottom of my lips, already sexually aroused by him. I

    could already feel my core dripping wet.

    His hands began to loosen the ropes binding my dress to me, and instantly, they came falling to the

    floor. His lustful eyes wandered on my body before his hands gripped it on the bed, he began trailing

    my curves until his hands gripped one of my breasts. I gasped as a series of moans escaped my lips,

    apanied by a sweet cry of pleasure. It was a good thing I always spelled my chamber to ensure

    not a single noise left the corner walls, otherwise, the entire pack would have been aware of what was

    going on between us.

    He was on top of me, taking one of my breasts into his mouth, while the other, hisrge thumb kept

    stroking it. I arched my back on the bed, I was already needy for him to be inside of me. I wanted to

    feel his hardness within me. I grabbed his head from my breast, bringing his lips to mine.

    With my magic, I flipped us over on the bed, and I was the one now riding him. I straddled him, rubbing

    my dripping wet core against his hardened shaft.

    He moaned in pleasure, swallowing one of my breasts again. Goodness, he was giving me so much

    pleasure that I couldn''t bear the torture anymore. I brought my lips to his ears. "I can''t wait anymore."

    He snickered against my skin, holding my waist, and flipping us over on the bed. He was now on top of

    me. Swiftly, his hardened shaft slid into me.

    I groaned, tugging his hair as he moved with an insane speed just the way I like it. Thrusting in and out

    of me. I wrapped my legs around him, and he pulled me up in his arms, pumping into me more. I

    gripped onto him dearly, loving this ride.

    Soon, after we had reached our climax, we copsed on the bed. He wrapped me in his arms. And I

    began to plot my next move. Just as expected, my thoughts were clear enough. A smile crossed my

    lips. The Alpha had warned me not to harm that tramp in any way, but she was a problem in my path,

    one I had to get rid of.

    I was up on the bed, and mypanion was next to me. I rushed to the window, using my magic to call

    for the ck owl.

    I scribbled down a message for someone who would love to take revenge on Killian by murdering his

    mate. The Alpha of the Fire Crest Pack. I sent the owl to deliver my message.

    "What did you just do?" He asked from behind.

    I smiled evilly. "I just spilled your Alpha''s secret."

    "About the curse?" He sounded terrified. Whenever it had to do with the curse, everyone in the pack

    got like this. But this was only to get rid of the tramp and teach Killian a lesson. He is still much more

    useful to me alive than dead. Now everyone will know what Alpha Killian Reid has been hiding all his

    life.

    I smiled devilishly.

    The Alpha asked me not to harm that tramp, and I want someone else will do the honors. But it''ll have

    to be today, before Killian and everyone else got back from the meeting.

 Chapter 73

    Chapter 73

    She''s point of view

    I was done with thest paper on the table. I ced it gently on one side. I felt incredibly exhausted

    and hungry. My blue eyes went to the window, it was evening already.

    I was up from my chair and walking out of the door. I tried looking for Ria, Allen, Mason, or Jax as they

    were the only ranking warriors that remained in the pack, but I couldn''t find them. So, I asked the first

    helper I found if Killian and the others had returned from the meeting at the council castle, but I was

    told they hadn''t.

    Whatever reason the council had called for a meeting must have been serious, because they were

    taking longer than they usually do. And I was still worried about Killian. He was in a sad mood earlier

    today and that scared me.

    I had something to eat at the dining table, before making my way to my chamber to have some rest.

    After spending some minutes on my bed, strangely, I couldn''t fall asleep. My mind kept on reying the

    conversation I had with that psycho, Thea. It was no denying I never liked her, but there was something

    in her words to me, and the manner she spoke that sent a deadly chill down my spine. She seemed like

    someone, one should keep an eye on.

    I sighed at my thoughts. Maybe I was just overthinking the whole thing. With the crescent moon rising

    and slowly approaching, I had a sad feeling in my chest. It definitely wouldn''t be as easy as I had

    thought, watching Killian mate with another woman, and she will be bearing his mark that was meant to

    be mine. It hurt like hell.

    Frustratingly, I was up from the bed, I left my chamber and headed to Killian''s. It was empty, so I

    crawled into his bed. His sweet scent invaded my nostrils, calming me and luring me to sleep. I didn''t

    even know how I drifted to slumber.

    I felt at peace within me. But everything shattered with the loud growls that pierced through the castle.

    It was frightening, and it forced me to jerk up from the bed. I nced around, I was still in Killian''s

    chamber.

    Hurriedly, I walked to the window, it was dark outside, and the moon had already dominated the sky.

    Another series of threatening growls echoed within the castle, now it seemed to being from

    everywhere.

    "What the hell is happening?" I thought to myself.

    "Danger!" Adie''s voice echoed in my mind.

    What?

    My heart began to thud at an increasingly insane speed. I rushed out of Killian''s chamber, hurrying

    outside the Castle. I was almost at the tall castle doors when Allen grabbed me.

    "Thank goodness! I searched everywhere for you but couldn''t find you." Allen gasped for air, his body

    and clothes were covered with blood, but he wasn''t bleeding.

    "What is happening, Allen?" I asked, my voice shaking with fright.

    "The pack is under attack." He said, pausing briefly. The look in his eyes was as if things were bad. "I

    must take you to safety at once!" He grabbed me, leading me away, but I pulled him back.

    "No. We must get the children, women, and elderlies to safety first," I escaped his firm grip, but Allen

    gripped my arm again.

    "Ria and the others are on it. The women, children, and elderlies are in the underground bunkers

    already, now I need to get you to safety, if something happens to you, Killian will never forgive me,"

    Allen said quickly.

    "And Killian?"

    "We''ve sent word to him," Allen voiced, just then, Jax and Ria rushed in. Ria raced to my side,

    engulfing me in a hug.

    "They have crossed the borders and scattered around the woods and paths that lead to the castle and

    the pack house, we arepletely surrounded, Allen," Jax was in a frenzy, he was only wearing a

    short, and smeared in blood and dirt.

    "Fuck it. This is bad!" Allen muttered. "Where is Mason?" He threw his stare at Jax.

    "He and a few warriors are at the Packhouse," Jax ran his fingers through his head.

    "We need to get to the witches'' quarters, there are still a few witches around that could help ˇŞ" Allen

    began but was cut off by Ria.

    "They are aware, but not many of them are around. Some went to the Packhouse, while others were

    outside the Castle." Ria muttered, her voice and body trembling profusely. N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    ˇ°We are outnumbered." Jax added. "They must have known somehow that Alpha Killian and many of

    the witches and warriors are not around."

    "How could they have found out?" Ria''s shaky voice sounded again.

    "Somehow, they did. Even their Alpha is not stupid enough to make an attack in the pack for the

    second time," Allen said.

    "Fucking hell! They are here for Luna," came Jax''s voice.

    "Who''s they?" I finally asked. "Aren''t they rogues?"

    They all shook their heads. "It''s the Fire Crest Pack."

    I froze, remembering them. They were the wolves that attacked us when we were in the southern

    mountains on our way to the Diamond pack. They wanted me dead because the Alpha''s brother had

    lost his life in an attack by the Fire Crest Pack in the Crescent North Pack.

    "Ria, take Luna to the bunkers, and remain there with her," Allen ordered, as he and Jax hurried

    outside the Castle.

    The loud growls from outside intensified, and I could feel the heat of the fight.

    "Let''s hurry now!" Ria led the way, but I remained unmoving in my spot. "She," she rushed back to

    where I was. "I need to take you down to the bunkers, they could burst in here any second from now.

    We should leave."

    I turned to Ria, holding her hand. "Get to the bunker Ria, and ensure everyone is safe," I took a step

    closer to the castle door when Ria gripped my arm, blocking my path.

    "Where are you going?" She asked with wide eyes that only had fear in them.

    "The pack is under attack, and I will help out in any way I can. I will be damned if I stayed still and did

    nothing," I said to her. "Hurry up and leave now, Ria."

    "No. Luna, you can''t. Remember, if anything happens to you, you won''t be able to heal as normal

    wolves do, and these bloody imbeciles are here for you. Let''s go to the bunkers, please," she begged,

    her eyes almost forming tears.

    But I shook my head. About to speak but she muttered quickly. "If something happens to you, Alpha

    Killian will murder us all. So please, listen to me."

    I do understand where she wasing from, but there was no way in hell I would stay still and do

    nothing when my own people were fighting hard to protect the pack and everyone in it. I don''t n on

    dying tonight, but if I did, at least I would know I did it protecting the people I love.

    My blue eyes were firm on Ria. "I will fight alongside my people." I moved past her quickly, before she

    could say a word or try to stop me. I rushed out the castle doors and the sight before me made the air

    in my lungs vanish.

    There was a brutal fight going on between our warriors and the Fire Crest Pack. Even some of the

    male pack members that weren''t warriors joined in the fight. I could see the witches, they were few but

    they were helping out in every way they could, also fighting against the Fire Crest Pack. But regardless,

    we werepletely outnumbered. The Fire Crest Pack came in a multitude like they knew exactly the

    number of warriors and witches that remained back at the back.

    Fuck. This wasn''t a coincidence. Someone must have shared information about the pack with them.

    Holy goddess! We had a godforsaken traitor within us.

    My heart curled in pain as most of our warriors were the ones getting injured, even Adie felt the pain. I

    nced around, and my eyes zeroed in on a sword that was lying next to a warrior''s dead body.

    I raced to it, picking it up. I charged at the wolf that lunged at me, aiming for its neck. In a swift motion,

    the sharp de of my sword sliced through its neck, and its blood spilled on the bloody earth, smearing

    my face.

    Another lunged at me, and I took it down, aiming for its neck. I turned to my right, three wolves were

    almost at me, I moved swiftly, aiming for their necks as it would be easier to kill them with my sword

    instead of aiming for their hearts.

    "Behind you!" Adie''s ever-conscious voice sounded in my head, as she yelled again. "Duck!"

    At her words, I ducked, just in time to evade the wolf that was about to pounce on me. Many more

    came at me. Before I could charge at them a brown wolf hurried to my side, standing next to me. It was

    Ria. She nodded to me, and a smile found my lips.

    We fought off as many wolves that aimed for us. I was fighting off some wolves when I heard the loud

    cry of Ria.

    Involuntary, my eyes darted to the direction her wolf whimpered from. My heart stopped, and it was like

    everything and everyone suddenly became still. The only movement was from the big ck wolf that

    had its sharp canines into the neck of Ria''s brown wolf. It was literally eating off her flesh until her wolf

    stopped moving.

    Noˇ­ There was a sickening chill that stalked my spine, sending waves of current to every part of my

    body. And then I felt it. Something within me stretched awake, and this time, nothing could stop it from

    emerging.

 Chapter 74

    Chapter 74

    Killian''s point of view

    I took an indrawn breath, pinching the skin of my forehead. Therge Council court was quiet as

    everyone listened to Zeriyah. Many ranking leaders and members from each supernatural kind were

    present for today''s meeting.

    I guess the abrupt invitation by the Council heads was surprising for everyone because they had

    requested the presence of all the supernatural kind that was a part of the Council.

    I sighed again in frustration, and maybe rage. This meeting has been going on for hours now, and now

    it''s already twilight. I listened more to what Zeriyah was saying. It was pretty serious. But frankly, my

    mind wasn''t here at all. I just wanted to be in my pack, and next to my mate, She, and so did Ryker.

    The sickening feeling I woke up to this morning had grown increasingly within me. Ryker couldn''t sit

    still, he kept on pacing restlessly at the back of my mind. I was also angst, there was something within

    me that had me terrified. I couldn''t tell if it was my dreamst night, where I saw She lying lifeless on

    the ground, dead, or maybe it was because of the crescent moon that was slowly upon us. I couldn''t

    tell, but I was terrified, almost as if something bad was about to happen.

    I sighed again, tilting my head to my left to find Valerie''s worried gaze on me. I sent her a smile,

    assuring I was fine. My eyes fell back on Zeriyah, and the frown that was on her face. The reason the

    Council called for an abrupt meeting was because of the disturbing actions of the Dark Circle.

    Ever since they somehow managed to steal the phoenix stones from the Council they went quiet. I

    hissed internally, remembering that She almost lost her life retrieving the stone, and still, the Dark

    Circle managed to get their hands on it.

    Recently, the Dark Circle has begun some attacks in the West. They have been going after every

    supernatural kind, invading their kingdoms and packs. Not leaving a survivor. Most of the allied packs

    with the Council have been affected, and now, the Dark Circle attacks seem to be moving South. It''s

    only a matter of time before they came to North Central, and attacked the capital.

    Zeriyah and the witches seemed to think the recent attacks and ughters of each kind is somewhat

    like a pattern. And the deaths were sacrifices. A blood ritual. And that has everyone on the edge. The

    Dark Circle had the power of the stones at its disposal and was nning something. Whatever it was, it

    was dark and dangerous. Amelie fears that whatever the Dark Circle was up to, was somehow rted

    to the prophecy that appeared on the crystal stones twenty-three-odd years ago.

    I was lost in my thoughts when I heard Ryker''s loud growl in my mind. He released a painful howl

    again, this time it pierced the core of my soul. I groaned internally, feeling the pains rooted in my bones.

    "What is happening, Ryker?" Imunicated with my wolf, feeling the intensity of the pains in my

    bones.

    "Danger! Mate! She''s in danger!" Ryker groaned more in pain. "Find mate!" His words held a deathly,

    terrifying chill that frightened me. Quickly, I was up from my chair, I excused myself from the court,

    hurrying to the tall doors.

    I felt a presence behind me, I spun around and my gaze fell on Morgan. "What happened?" His deep

    emerald green eyes were on mine.

    "Something is wrong. My wolf is anxious, he says She is in danger." I muttered to Morgan.

    "WhatˇŞ" Morgan''s words were cut off when Xavier, one of the ranking warriors, hastened to us.

    "Alpha!" He spoke in panic.

    My brows crippled, fear slowly growing in my chest. "What is it?" I asked, already having a bad feeling.

    Something was wrong. Oh, my Goddess! She. Please, she should be safe.

    "I have words from the pack. We are under attack. It''s the Fire Crest Pack." Xavier spoke hurriedly.

    "What?" Morgan was the first to recover from Xavier''s words. "This is bad, almost everyone in the pack

    is here."

    Fuck. She. I raced past Morgan and Xavier, hurrying into the darkness that had covered the sky. I

    morphed into my giant ck wolf and began racing off. I mind-linked Morgan to get everyone back to

    the pack, including the witches. I had to get to She before something bad happened.

    ***

    Leonardo ckˇŻs point of view

    My eyes zeroed in on Killian Reid from across the court, something was wrong. I could sense the

    unsettledness emitting from him. Suddenly, he stood up from his seat abruptly, heading to the doors. I

    nce to my right, where Jensen, one of my most trusted warriors, stood.

    ''Follow him!'' I ordered him through the mind-link. I could feel something utterly wrong. I needed to know

    everything that had to do with him. Frankly, I could care less about the bloody bastard, but if it had

    anything to do with my sister, then it is very much my business.

    I watched Jensen trail behind the Alpha, and soon, he exited the hall. My eyes fell back on Valerie, her

    eyes were on me. I looked away, pulling my attention to Zeriyah as she continued speaking about

    these recent attacks on the West by the Dark Circle army. It''s been increasing more, and soon, those in

    the South will be next. I sighed, this was no doubt the reason they wanted the phoenix stones. Those

    stones were dangerous in the wrong hands, and yet, so powerful. Its magic was capable of making the

    impossible possible.

    Whatever they were nning was no good, more than ever, She''s identity needs to stay hidden. I still

    remember the night she was taken from us by that fucking bastard, Alpha Nell. He was a part of the

    Dark Circle and was sent by them. When the Dark Lord, the leader of the Dark Circle found out that a

    child was born, one destined to stand against him, he sent his fucking leeches to our Pack to get my

    sister, the prophesied one.

    My mother, Fiona ck, also one of the leaders of the Crystal Fortress witches, lost her life trying to

    protect She at all costs. That was thest time I saw her as a child, and the entire Pack fell apart.

    Only the heavens know what the moon goddess was thinking pairing my sister with the son of the man

    that ruined our lives. Killian was as vicious as his father, the enmity that existed between Killian and us

    was one that could never be forgotten, it worries me to think about exactly what he will be capable of

    doing to She when he learns the truth about her, that she is a ck, and a sister to those responsible

    for the death of his brother.

    Well, that didn''t matter. My brother and I finally found her after fourteen years of searching for her, and

    this time, by the goddess, we will protect her at all costs.

    The doors pulled open in a hurry, and Killian Reid''s brother ambled in. He went to where Valerie was,

    requesting her urgent presence outside the court. Without further questions, she left the court with him.

    A few secondster, some of Killian''s ranking members and warriors left in a hurry.

    Something is really wrong.

    Before I could mind-link Jensen, he ambled into the court. Walking hastily towards me, the look on his

    face was serious and somewhat fearful. I knew it wouldn''t be what I wanted to hear, but somehow it

    made me anxious. Jensen gaited to where I was, stopping right next to me.

    "Talk to me. What is happening?" I mind-linked him.

    "Alpha, it''s serious." He spoke through the mind-link, "it''s about the Luna of the ck Blood Pack, she''s

    in danger."

    Jensen''s words forced me to nce at him. "What happened to her?"

    "The ck Blood Pack is under attack by an enemy Pack, and it seems they are after her life," He

    muttered through the mind-link and I felt my body tremble with rage. I curled my hands into a ball.

    This was exactly one of the things that terrified me. Killian had so many enemies that would want to go

    after She, just to get back at him. I would too, had it been his mate in question wasn''t my precious

    sister.

    I stood up from my seat, walking around the mound towards the door when the doors burst open and

    Sammael, the head warrior of the Council''s army rushed in.

    His chaotic intrusion into the court caught the attention of everyone.

    "What is it, Sammael? It''s better be important." An Elder wolf, Elder Walter sounded, slightly irritated.

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    "There''s something outside ˇŞ" He was panting hard. "Everyone needs to see this," he gestured

    outside.

    Without wasting time, I hurried to the doors, stepping outside into the darkness that had covered the

    earth. I gazed up at the sky, and my eyes widened in horror. The once blue sky was now red. There

    wasn''t a single star in the sky. and in the middle was a blood moon.

    Fuck, no! It can''t be.

    Everyone that was in the court also came outside, they were as shocked as I was. They all knew what

    this meant. Amelie stepped forward into the darkness, her eyes never pulled away from the blood

    moon. She turned to the others, her face holding disbelief, excitement, and fear as well.

    "She''s alive. The prophesied one still lives!" As her words left her lips, I felt a sharp piercing in my chest

    at the realization that something had happened to my sister, She ck.

 Chapter 75

    Chapter 75

    She''s point of view

    I was motionless. I couldn''t move. I couldn''t even mutter a word.

    It was as if time itself had paused, stopping every motion around me.

    My eyes didn''t leave Ria''s wolf that was being bitten by the enemy''s pack wolf. It kept on attacking her,

    its ws piercing through her neck. Her blood rushed down, smearing the earth. It didn''t stop till Ria''s

    wolf stopped moving.

    I gasped weakly, I felt a heavy thud in my chest. My legs suddenly went weak, about copsing against

    the bloody smeared earth. Still, I didn''t pull my haze away from Ria''s wolf form. She wasˇ­she was

    dead. Ria was dead.

    Suddenly, my surroundings began toe alive and the motion soon became normal. Loud growls

    filled the air, wolves fighting against each other. Even with a few witches'' help, we were still

    surrounded. Breathless gasps of death invaded my ears as many eyes continued scanning around.

    I watched as my people were being killed. Even worse, ughtered like animals. One after the other,

    they copsed on the bloody earth, covered in their own blood, breathing theirst. It sent a sharp pain

    into my chest. I didn''t know when a tear rolled down my cheek.

    I gasped again at the sharp piercing that went into my chest, my stomach, and every part of my body.

    The pain was something I had never felt before, but it didn''tst long as an unstoppable force began to

    beat within me. My legs began to tremble, my hands soon started trembling. But that was the least of

    my concern, I was so preupied with what was going on around me that I didn''t realize that I was

    surrounded by some wolves, and one of them lunged at me.

    The next thing I felt was a hand on my wrist, and I was being tossed backward. My eyes fell on Allen

    bleeding. He was bleeding profusely from his neck, chest, arms, and head. He wasn''t even healing. His

    weak gaze prated my eyes, and he whispered helplessly. "Run! The Alpha ˇŞ" before he could

    even finish his words, sharp ws sank into him from behind, puncturing through him so that the wolf''s

    ws came out on the other side.

    Allen groaned. I watched in horror as blood spilled from Allen''s lips, his almost lifeless gaze was still on

    mine. He couldn''t speak but his eyes were urging me to run, pleading with me to save myself and flee

    from this ce.

    As the wolf retracted his ws from Allen, he stumbled to the ground but I reached for him before he

    crashed against the earth. He fell right into my arms. His blood smeared my dress and his body had

    begun to lose its warmth. With onest weak nce at me, the gate of his eyes jammed shut, and he

    was dead. Allen was dead.

    The wolves that surrounded me growled in victory, and their eyes narrowed on me as if informing me I

    am next. Adie groaned in pain in my head.

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    I looked around, and almost all our pack warriors were dead, somewhere deep within me something

    began to push its way out. I felt only rage and pain. The two emotions were pumping in my veins,

    blending with the rhythm of the new force that had been growing in the pit of my stomach.

    I groaned in pain, crumbling to the ground, even Adie was writhing in pain as well. This pain was

    different, it wasn''t at all physical. It was something I couldn''t describe. I felt an electric charge within

    me, spreading from the cave of my chest to my entire body. My senses became heightened, and the

    sounds around me were sharper and louder. I could feel foreign energy that escaped the earth, it was

    powerful, almost magical. The air also carried simr energy, in a sick and weird way it was as if it

    made me feel alive. Like they were the very source I needed, craved for, and denied all my life.

    My nails dug into the earth, feeling the enormous power that seeped from it, and it felt as though I was

    sucking it all. I couldn''t control my body again. It was on overdrive. My eyes were closed, but I felt the

    heavy steps of the wolves that rushed toward me, their aura was dark and impure. They were almost at

    me when the rage and pain I felt fused up into one, and my eyes pushed open, torching a bright shade

    of blue.

    The enormous power I felt from the earth and the air danced around me, and I released a loud scream

    that sent everyone flying. The energy from it could literally be felt. Suddenly, the darkness around

    covered the earth and the sky. My scream held so much power that went around the pack, causing so

    much destruction and chaos. And I couldn''t even stop it. The earth began vibrating beneath me, and

    the air around me adopted a certain roughness as it began spiraling out of control. The darkness that

    held the sky disappeared, and the sky became red. From the middle, a full moon emerged, blending in

    with the color of the red sky. It became a blood moon.

    The whole pack was covered with a red mist. I stopped screaming, but the force inside of me kept on

    pumping harder and more violently. I felt the chaos within me. It seemed like whatever was happening

    within me was the cause of the earth''s destruction, and the violent movement of the air as it grew

    worse. I wasn''t in control of my body, and the forced pumping within me finally broke free.

    ****

    Kaiser ck''s point of view

    My heart was beating so fast in my chest. I was in my gargantuan gray wolf, racing through the thick

    forest with some of my warriors from the ck Blood Pack. We moved through the shortest path there

    was to get to the Crescent North Pack.

    Word was sent to me that the Crescent North Pack was under attack and today was the Council''s

    meeting, many of the ranking members and warriors from each pack attended, leaving the pack more

    vulnerable than ever.

    Honestly, I didn''t give a double fuck about them. They could all burn for all I care. My concern was for

    the Alpha''s mate, She. The prophesied one, and my little sister. She was all that I cared for. I couldn''t

    stop the fear that kept stabbing my chest just at the thought of harming to her. I wouldn''t be able to

    bear it.

    This was exactly what I always warned my brother, Leo, about. She was in much more danger in that

    pack. That bloody fool of an Alpha had many enemies, and this wasn''t good for She as she would be

    their target to get back at Killian Reid.

    We just crossed into the Crescent North Pack borders from the mountains. We kept racing, taking a

    quick path that led to the castle. We were almost there when a strong wave of energy hit us. It sent

    every one of my warriors flying, and it almost had me too, but I was quick to root my paws firmly into

    the ground.

    Fuck! I didn''t need any damned shaman to tell me who just released such an enormous wave of

    energy. I could feel it. It had to be She. That force carried its energy from the air and the earth. She

    must have channeled it.

    I didn''t know if I should feel proud of her or worried. She didn''t have any memories from her childhood,

    and hadn''t practiced in a long time but was still able to channel something this powerful. She was

    indeed a ck in every way.

    I turned to my warriors. "Hurry! Find the Luna at once!" I ordered through the mind link as every one of

    the warriors scattered around the pack to search for She. Only a few in the ck Blood Pack really

    knew She''s true identity, and it had to stay that way.

    I continued heading to the castle. I could already see the outline of the castle from afar when the sky

    turned ck, the earth beneath me began to vibrate, and the air was violent.

    Soon, the darkness in the sky evaded, leaving a red sky, with a full moon in the middle, also red. This

    was unusual. A blood moon. It wasn''t supposed to appear today.

    Fucking hell! No. No. This was bad. The only time a blood moon had appeared abruptly in the sky was

    the night the prophecy about the white wolf, also the prophesied one appeared on the crystal stones.

    And it also appeared abruptly on the night that child was born, my sister. An unusual blood moon

    signified her.

    This was bad. This was exactly what Leonardo fought against. With this, every fucking person in our

    realm wille to know the prophesied one still lives, and that includes the Dark Circle.

    Bloody hell.

 Chapter 76

    Chapter 76

    Kaiser ck''s point of view

    I retracted my gaze from the blood moon. I had to find her soon. With this state she was in, her magic

    itself will be a beacon that will let anyone find her. This was exactly what terrified Fiona ck, my

    mother, and leader of the Crystal Fortress witches before it was destroyed.

    She had a different kind of magic. It was something no one had ever experienced, I''d like to think that

    it was because she was a white wolf, the prophesied one. Her magic was powerful, yet dangerous and

    capable of attracting the darkest kind of creatures.

    My mother, Fiona ck came from an ancient ancestral n of female witches that was very powerful.

    And the magic can only be passed down from the females in the family. Leonardo and I also inherited

    our mother''s witch blood, but we could not ess the magic.

    The entire pack was covered in a red mist, making it difficult to see anything. I shifted into my human

    form and navigated my way through the red mist. The vibrations from the earth and the violent wind

    kept on getting worse. I kept searching for She. I didn''t have to search for so long as another wave of

    energy shook the earth, and from a near distance, I could see her. Her eyes were glowing brightly, and

    a blue glow circled around her. She was up in the air, writhing in so much pain. I could feel the chaos in

    her soul. It was her strong emotions and unsettledness that kept causing the vibrations on the earth,

    the violent wind, and the destruction that was happening in the pack.

    I stopped in my tracks, a thought kicked in. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Instantly, I realized what was happening

    to her. It was her awakening. The magic in her was breaking free, awaking from its slumber.

    This shouldn''t be happening now.

    Leonardo and I knew this day woulde for her, but we were hoping we still had time. Usually, not all

    witches had their awakenings. But She was different. The witch''s blood in her veins had been

    dormant for a long while, something must have triggered it. With her awakening, she will be able to

    have ess to her witch''s magic.

    I grabbed a handful of my hair in panic. The night kept getting worse with each passing second. My

    eyes never shifted from She as she was still up in the air, thrashing against the violent wind in pain.

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    With every scream that left her lips, the cracks in the earth kept spreading, also destroying the pirs

    and walls of the castle. I had to stop her.

    It was bad enough that every fucking person now knew that the white wolf was still alive, thest thing

    we needed was for everyone to know She was the prophesied one, and by the looks of things, her

    awakening will do just that.

    I walked through mist, and the more I drew closer to her, I felt the harsh impact of the energy

    surrounding her.

    Without wasting time, my hazel eyes gleamed brightly, sharing control with my wolf, and I charged into

    the bubble of magical energy that surrounded her. From behind, I sank my ws into her neck and

    knocked her unconscious.

    Instantly, the bubble of magical energy around her died, and so did the trembling of the earth and the

    violent wind. But the blood moon and mist remained.

    I secured She protectively in my arms, and with the mist covering the ce I escaped the Crescent

    North Pack, taking my sister along with me.

    ****

    Killian''s point of view

    Ryker was in control. Ever since we found out the pack was under attack and our mate was in danger

    we couldn''t think straight. We just want to get to our mate.

    Morgan informed everyone from the pack that attended the meeting, including the witches and now we

    were on our way back to the pack. We had already crossed into my territory when an enormous wave

    of magical energy hit us.

    It caused Ryker to halt momentarily. "What the hell was that?" I asked him.

    "I don''t know," Ryker replied, but whatever it was, everyone felt it.

    Its force was strong enough to bring anyone down to his knees. As soon as the energy died around us,

    we began racing to the pack.

    I paused from afar, shocked. The smell of dead wolves was in the air, but I couldn''t see anything. The

    entire pack was covered by a red mist. There was no way to find anyone in the mist.

    I tried using She''s scent to find her but it was everywhere. I mind-linked Allen, Ria, Jax, and Mason

    who I had asked to watch over her but I couldn''t connect with them. It scares me.

    "Stand back!" I heard Valerie''s voice from somewhere within the mist. Then low chants filled the air,

    and soon, the mist covering the castle began to vanish.

    My eyes widened in horror. All I saw were lifeless bodies scattered on the earth, some were in their

    wolf form while some were in their human form.

    Nheless, my eyes scanned around for She. I searched for her but I couldn''t find her. I felt my

    heart shattering already.

    "Ria!" I heard someone yell. I snapped my head in their direction. Ria was on the ground, in the pool of

    blood and lifeless bodies that were scattered around.

    I rushed to her. Brielle pulled a cloth around her to cover her body.

    "Ria!" I called her. She was covered in blood, especially her neck. "Where is She?"

    Ria''s eyes widened at me. She scanned her surroundings hurriedly, her eyes dropping on her body. I

    could hear her heartbeat spike up.

    "What happened to me?" She stuttered, almost breathless, and confused. Brielle had her arms around

    her.

    "Where is She?" I asked, again impatiently.

    "I don''t know," she began crying. ", I was with her, we were fighting off some wolves. Then some

    wolves attacked me, I thoughtˇŞ I thought I died" she stuttered, breaking more into tears.

    I did not understand what she was saying.

    "What do you mean ''you thought you died'' ?" I asked, feeling Valerie''s presence behind me. I didn''t

    have the time for this. She was missing, and only the goddess knows who had her or in what state

    they had her.

    "I was attacked right here," she pointed at her neck. Everything she was saying wasn''t making sense.

    From behind, I heard Jax call for me. He hastened to us. "I found Allen, he is wounded but he is alive."

    Jax led us to where Allen was. The instant Brielle saw him she raced to his side. He was wounded but

    not severely, his wolf had started to heal his wounds.

    "Alpha," he said when his gaze fell on me. Allen tried standing up but groaned in pain.

    "You don''t have to, Allen. Tell me, what the hell happened here?"

    "I do not know Alpha. I swear by the goddess, I have no idea." Allen muttered in a low tone, but

    everyone could hear him.

    Valerie moved to him, her hand on his wounds while muttering some chants and Allen''s wounds started

    to heal faster.

    "Breath, Allen," Valerie whispered to him, whatever she was doing to him calmed him. "Tell us

    everything that happened?"

    He took a deep breath and began. At his every word, I felt my heart shrink further. Those fucking

    bastards of the Fire Crest Pack were responsible for the attack. They were after She like thest

    time. How the hell did they know everything about the pack?

    That was something I couldn''t think about right now. I had to find She first and ensure she was

    alright. I listened to Allen, and as he spoke, his words kept confusing me.

    "Believe me, I am not insane. I felt that asshole ws in me, and ˇŞand I fell dead on the ground.

    That''s all I could remember, before waking up in the mist, almost healed up." Allen said.

    "That''s fucking impossible Allen." Even with what Allen said, everything felt impossible. There''s no way

    they could have died and thene back to life.

    "That''s exactly what happened, Killian." I spun around to find Mason approaching us, there was only a

    little stter of blood on his body.

    "What the fuck Mason! Where the hell have you been?" As angered as I was, I was also happy he was

    alright.

    "I am sorry, I was at the Packhouse with some warriors. I watched as those bloody wolves murdered

    our own, including Adam and Nate, then we all heard the loud scream and the enormous power that

    swept the earth causing so much destruction. By the time the mist vanished, both Adam and Nate were

    fine. Like nothing happened at all"

    As Mason''s words left his lips, I couldn''t stop the throaty chuckle that escaped mine. This was all

    insane. "Valerie, are you listening to this?" I turned to Valerie who has been awfully quiet. She seems

    lost in her thoughts.

    Her gaze traveled to me. She was about to speak when Lorenzo and Morgan in his wolf form raced to

    where we were.

    Instantly, Morgan shifted to his human form. His eyes held a murderous rage.

    "What is it, Morgan?" I asked.

    "We found out who has She." Lorenzo rushed his words, while Morgan''s body was vibrating with so

    much rage.

    I gaited closer. "who?"

    "it'' the cks." Morgan''s words hit me like an arrow to my chest. "Those imbeciles took her, brother."

    "What?" I voiced breathlessness, feeling something within me snap, and the darkness took over.

 Chapter 77

    Chapter 77

    Valerie''s point of view

    Morgan''s immediate words silenced every doubt I had and confirmed my suspicion. She was taken

    by the ck Blood Pack. Suddenly, everything began to make sense. My deep purple eyes pulled up

    to the Blood moon in the red sky, it simply couldn''t be a coincidence. She was the one. The Alpha''s

    mate was the child we''d been desperately looking for. She was Fiona''s daughter.

    I had always had my suspicion. I felt it the first day I met her at her coronation. And then again, the

    wave of energy that swept through the entire pack the day Killian went on a rampage and his demon

    took over, that powerful essence that I felt belonged to her, it was identical to what I felt the night she

    retrieved the phoenix stone and tonight.

    She was the one the prophecy had spoken about in the crystal stones. She Caso was the White

    Wolf. She was taken away from the Pack by Killian''s father, who was sent by the Dark Circle to bring

    the gifted one, so how on earth did she be Alpha Lucius Caso''s daughter? Does that mean he

    knows who she was?

    Something must have happened to her, that she lost her memories and her powers became dormant.

    I ced a hand on my temple, feeling my entire body be so weak. My eyes fell on the lifeless

    bodies of the Fire Crest warriors. Every witch could feel the immense magical energy around. Her

    witch''s side must have awakened within her because every destruction around carried her mighty

    magic.

    The powers she exercised tonight were something not all witches had the ability to do. I believed

    whatever Allen said, somehow She altered the rules of life and revived the warriors of the Crescent

    North Pack, sacrificing the enemy''s life for theirs as nature always demanded a bnce. Life for life,

    saving her people while sacrificing those that meant harm.

    I shook out my thoughts abruptly at Killian''s loud growl. It pierced into the night sky, rippling through the

    trees, causing the earth beneath us to shake mildly.

    I turned to him, he was vibrating with so much rage. His aura was dark and murderous. Killian had

    already summoned the Pack''s army, and they had been debriefed on what had happened to their Luna.

    Every one of them was vibrating with simr dark rage, it was as if they were channeling their rage from

    Killian himself.

    Oh no! This wasn''t good. Because of the curse, Killian was experiencing the effect of the blood moon. It

    was a blood rage.

    This shouldn''t be happening. This was exactly why the witches and I performed the cleansing ritual

    with the gifted oneˇŻs blood to ensure that Killian and the pack will not be affected by the effect of the

    crescent moon that was only a month away. The cleansing ritual didn''t work. It can''t be. The only

    reason it wouldn''t have worked was ifˇŞ oh goddess. Thea wasn''t the gifted one.

    The blood in my body wentpletely cold as it dawned on me. Thea wasn''t the one blessed by the

    goddess to free Killian and the pack from the curse. That confused me the most. Something about the

    cleansing ritual was not right, and I knew it. But if Thea wasn''t the gifted one, why was she the one in

    his dreams?

    This was bad. The crescent moon was almost upon us and we haven''t found the gifted one. The real

    one. If we can''t find her before the crescent moon night, Killian and his pack would be stuck with the

    curse forever. And if something happened to Killian, then the entire pack would suffer the same fate.

    The darkness inside of him was fueling fear and rage. Every member of Killian''s pack was channeling

    Killian''s rage. Everything he was feeling was heightened at the moment, including his rage. I nced

    around, only the witches were sane at the moment.

    "We will murder every fucking one of them, and we won''t stop until we find my mate," Killian growled

    again, and more growls filled the air from every one of Killian''s warriors.

    "Stop!!!" I moved to him, standing before him. "This is insane Killian, think this through. Your actions

    now could start a bloody war," A war was thest thing we needed right now, especially one between

    the Crescent North Pack and the ck Blood Pack. I can''t let the mistake that happened fourteen

    years ago repeat itself. The only one that would really get hurt from this war was She. I couldn''t let

    this happen.

    "They started this. They have my fucking mate!" Killian yelled, his eyes a bloodshot red, and so were

    the eyes of everyone in the pack.

    "Killian, listen to me. Think ˇŞ" I began but Morgan''s voice sounded angry.

    "There''s nothing to think about. This isn''t the first time those bastards invaded our territory. They have

    always been after She, and now they finally took her." Morgan was charging with simr rage as

    Killian. There was no reasoning with them. At least not in this state.

    But this won''t end well. If Killian and his army charged into ck Blood territory, Leonardo and his army

    won''t take it lightly. This wouldn''t end well for either pack.

    "They won''t harm herˇŞ" I began but Killian''s loud growls halted me. Even though I wanted to, I couldn''t

    tell them who She truly was. I have no idea how Killian will take it. And She''s secret needs to be

    kept, I was damn sure that the Dark Circle must have known that the prophesied one still lives.

    "They will, because even I would do the same to his sister or mate, to settle the score with them,"

    Killian growled.

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    The rage and darkness had blinded him. As long as the blood moon was still up. There''s no way to pull

    them out of the blood rage with the blood moon still up in the air. The only way we might have been

    able to break the effect of tonight''s blood moon on them was with the help of the gifted one. But at the

    moment, that is impossible.

    I sighed to myself. Killian had to know that Thea wasn''t the gifted one. But not now, he wasn''t in his

    right state of mind.

    Lorenzo sauntered closer to me. "It''s the effect of the blood moon." He paused, turning his gaze on me

    as Killian and his army shifted into their wolves. "She might be in danger and the Alpha and his men

    are not in their fucking right minds. What do we do?" Lorenzo asked.

    My lips parted to speak but I was silenced by a powerful force of magical energy that swept through the

    earth. I groaned lightly. Everyone felt it, even the wolves whimpered in submission. The sky darkened

    more, and the full moon up in the sky burned brightly in red.

    This was the white wolfˇŻs doing. Something was wrong with her. I turned to Lorenzo whose gaze was

    up in the sky.

    "What was that?" Lorenzo asked, "That was exactly what we felt a moment ago. The blood moon, and

    these. It''s the prophesied one, isn''t it? It''s the White Wolf, she''s alive."

    My purple gaze stared deeply at Lorenzo. He was one of my most trusted witches, but I didn''t have the

    time to exin everything to him. Not now.

    "We have to stop them before something bad happens," I told him. "Get the witches to the ck Blood

    Pack. The only way to ensure Killian snapped out of the blood rage is to get rid of the blood moon. And

    for that, I have to find She.ˇ±

    I left Lorenzo, and with my magic, I teleported to a ce I haven''t been for a long while, the ck

    Blood Pack.

    It was very familiar, as I literally grew up walking down these hallways. I hurried my steps down the

    hallways, I turned left when another wave of energy swept through me.

    I stopped in my tracks as an immense amount of magic floated around the castle. I kept following the

    trail of the magic. The more I moved, the magic grew stronger. It led me to the top floor of the castle.

    I kept walking and soon, I stood in front of a tall door. Without hesitation, I pulled it open. I rushed in.

    Instantly, my eyes widened in shock. There were five figures dressed in ck, they positioned

    themselves around a king-sized bed. And in the middle of this was She. She was screaming in so

    much pain, thrashing on the bed.

    What the hell were they doing to her?

    I rushed into the chamber, the magical energy within the room was stronger. I pulled my hands up in

    the air, about to use my magic on them when a strong hand gripped me tightly.

    I spun around, immediately, and my eyes widened more at a dark angry gaze that bored down at me.

 Chapter 78

    Chapter 78

    Leonardo ck''s point of view

    "The prophesied one still lives!" Amelie sounded, her eyes gleaming in disbelief, confusion, and shock.

    Her lips twitched into a smile, as murmurs broke out from the Council members.

    I paid no attention to them. My deep blue eyes stared in confusion at the blood moon that was up in the

    sky.

    Something was wrong! This couldn''t happen. The blood moon up in the sky only indicated that She

    was in danger, and the magic within her forced itself out. She couldn''t have done it herself, she didn''t

    even have her childhood memories. She didn''t know who she truly was, and from my findings, both her

    wolf side and her witch''s powers were locked.

    I peeled my gaze from the red sky, mind-linking Kaiser, but I couldn''t connect with him.

    Oh, goddess! I had a bad feeling about this.

    "How can this be? We were sure she was dead!" One of the council members spoke slowly, still finding

    it hard to believe that the white wolf was still alive. After Killian''s father, Alpha Nell invaded our pack

    and took She, my father, and me, along with our army, the council army tried searching for her.

    We invaded the Crescent North Pack in search of her, but we couldn''t find her. The witches tried

    locating her using her magic but they couldn''t find her either. The location spell came out nk,

    indicating her magic didn''t exist. I mind-linked Jensen and my Pack''s army, we had to leave. Something

    was wrong with She, I had to get to her before the Dark Circle found out the identity of the white wolf.

    "Alpha Leonardo," Fendrick, a Fae King called my name, jolting me from my thoughts. I swerved my

    head to find him and some of the council members staring at me. "Did you know? Did you know that

    the white wolf was still alive?"

    I clenched my jaw hard, curling my hand into a tight fist. I could feel the rage building within me.

    Truth be told. I didn''t trust any of them one bit. They could all be working with the Dark Circle for all I

    know. I wasn''t yet certain about my im, but what I do know was someone informed the Dark Circle

    about the prophecy that was written on the crystal stones and the true identity of the white wolf. Only

    the council and the Crystal Fortress witches knew about the prophecy and who that child was. There

    was no way the Dark Circle could have found out about She. She was so fucking young then, she

    hadn''t begun to ess her powers, and my mother, Fiona, ensured her magic was never like a beacon

    that attracted magical creatures in our realm, both good and evil. That was how powerful the white wolf

    was, half witch and half wolf. The prophecy had imed she would be the strongest witch of her time

    and the most powerful wolf.

    "Say something, Alpha!" Fendrick sounded again, now irritating me. There was no way I was going to

    say anything, especially when it involved my sister. I couldn''t protect her fourteen years ago, but this

    time, I swear to the goddess it will be fucking different.

    "Excuse me," I said, pulling my gaze away from them. I left the council court. No doubt the Dark Circle

    must already know that the prophesied one was alive.

    Hell, every fucking creature with magic pumping in their veins could feel the magic of the blood moon. It

    was She''s magic.

    It''s only a matter of time before the Dark Circle begins to search for her. This was exactly what I

    desperately wanted to avoid. It felt like history was repeating itself again. The Dark Circle will not stop

    until they find her. Only the goddess knows what they were up to with the phoenix stones.

    I groaned in rage and frustration, remembering the phoenix stones. Another reason why I strongly

    believe someone within the Council was working with the Dark Circle. There was no way those fucking

    assholes could have known about the location of the phoenix stones in the council''s possession. But

    then again, they knew about it and stole it.

    My rage was increasing with each passing second as I roved to where my horse was idly waiting for

    me.

    I got a whiff of Jensen''s scent as he approached me in a hurry. His face was gravely serious.

    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    "What is it?" I furrowed my brows at him.

    "I received another piece of information." He said, in a low tone.

    "Is it about her?" I asked, sharply. The only information I wanted to hear was anything that had to do

    with She. Where the hell was Kaiser and why can''t I connect with him? I was burning intensely with

    rage.

    Jensen shook his head. "It''s not about her, but it''s about Alpha Killian,"

    I growled, indicating I didn''t want to hear it, he was thest person I wanted to hear about.

    "It''s serious," Jensen''s eyes were very serious.

    "Tell me," I said, and his lips began to move.

    "The Crescent North Alpha is cursed!" I blinked, my gaze steadying on Jensen.

    "What do you mean?" I asked, pulling away from my horse. I have never heard such imusible words

    before.

    "The news has gone around North Central. I don''t know how valid it is yet, but it seems the whole pack

    is cursed as well." I listened to Jensen until he was done.

    I couldn''t believe what I just heard. Bloody hell! If that imbecile pack is truly cursed, then my sisterˇŞ I

    couldn''tplete my thoughts.

    Immediately, I ditched my horse. I morphed into my gargantuan gray wolf, with ck spots on it and

    raced into the woods with my warriors behind me.

    I was faster than any regr wolf, and Jensen was close behind me. After what seemed like hours, I

    finally crossed into my pack territory. I headed immediately for the castle.

    As soon as I reached there, I shifted back into my human form and the servants tossed me a garment.

    "Where is my brother?" I asked one of the servants in a loud voice. I still couldn''t connect with him.

    "In his chamber," he replied. Hurriedly, I stepped into the castle and a strong wave of energy hit me

    hard. It was magic, the purest and most powerful kind. It was my sister''s. I could never forget her

    essence and aura. It seemed to being from the top floor within the castle.

    Just then it dawned on me. My blue eyes burned with rage. What the fuck have you done now, Kaiser?

    "Everyone, out now!" My voice boomed through the mind link as I instructed everyone to leave the

    castle. I hurried up to the top floor, following her magical energy. It led me to a chamber we haven''t

    been to for a longest time. It was Fiona''s chamber.

    I grabbed the doorknob and pulled it open. Instantly, my eyes fell on the small, and fragile figure that

    was lying motionlessly on the bed. It was her, my little sister.

    My legs moved like they had a mind of their own. I shut the door behind me. This was the first time I

    was so near to her. I had always stolen brief nces at her from afar. I moved to the bed, and my

    fingers fell on her soft blonde hair, I brushed it back gently, so I could see her beautiful face clearly.

    By the goddess, she was beautiful, even asleep. She looked exactly like Fiona ck, our mother. My

    fingers brushed her face, and then I froze. She was burning hot. It was then I noticed the blood that

    smeared her body and dress, but it wasn''t hers. There were beads of sweat on her forehead.

    The rage in my eyes returned and I swerved my head to Kaiser. He was in the room as well, setting up

    a burning sage. It was a magical object that ensured no single noise left the corner walls of this room.

    Even though we weren''t witches, and didn''t practice witchcraft, Kaiser knew a lot about witchesˇŻ stuff. I

    nced around, noticing the red candles that were positioned on the floor around the bed.

    My raging blue eyes returned to him again. "What in the goddessˇŻ name have you done, Kai?!"

    His deep hazel gaze fell on me. "I have done nothing."

    "Nothing! You call this, nothing?" I pointed a finger to the bed where She was lying unconscious.

    "What were you thinking?"

    "She was in fucking danger. That bastard''s pack was under attack. And she was there, unprotected."

    Kai shot back, angrily.

    I understood exactly what he was saying, but bringing She here was the worst mistake ever. Not only

    will Killian''s pack be searching for her, but if someone found out she was here, it wouldn''t take long for

    them to realize she''s fucking ours.

    "Why did you bring her here?" My rage was back.

    "Calm down, Leo. You don''t understand. I couldn''t just leave her there, she isn''t well and anyone could

    have easily found out that she''s something else, other than a wolf." Kaiser stalked closer to me.

    "What do you mean?"

    He was about to speak when we heard her gasp awake. Our eyes darted to the bed, and She''s eyes

    were glowing a blinding blue. Just then I realized what Kaiser meant. It was her awakening.

    Fuck. The night was only getting worse.

 Chapter 79

    Chapter 79

    Leonardo ck''s point of view

    Bloody fuck!

    "That''s exactly why I brought her here," Kai spoke. A painful groan escaped her lips, as she arched her

    back against the bed. A Series of groans left She''s lips again. A mighty force surrounded her, jerking

    her body from the bed into the air.

    Quickly, Kai and I rushed to her side, before we could grip her and pull her down on the bed, she

    released another wave of magical energy that caused everything in the chamber to shatter at its

    impact. I almost lost my bnce as well, Kai and I gripped her arms from both sides, pulling her back to

    the bed. We pinned her on the bed. Her magical essenceshed against us, wanting to be free.

    She didn''t stop moving. She began to thrash about on the bed, groaning in pain. Her eyes were

    torching blue, and her temperature became worse. She let out a sharp scream that pierced into the air,

    sweeping through us.

    Kaiser and I groaned as well, but we never let go of her.

    "What do we do, brother?" Kaiser asked. "She keeps getting worse," At Kaiser''s words the red candle

    mes burning red turned into blue, and they began burning fiercely.

    Kai was right, she keeps getting worse. If we don''t find a way to contain her magic, I fucking won''t be

    surprised if the Dark Circle tracks her magic and finds out her location.

    I peered outside, the blood moon was still up in the red sky. First of all, we need to get rid of it by

    making her stable.

    "Jensen, get the witches here!" I yelled through the mind link. My eyes fell back on my brother, whose

    gaze was fixed concernedly on She. "Kai," I pulled his thoughts to me. "You did the right thing

    bringing her here," I told him. With the way things were going, it wouldn''t take long for Killian and his

    pack to find out She was the prophesied one, and also a ck.

    The doors burst open, and five head witches from the coven in the pack rushed in with Jensen behind.

    Their eyes widened on She on the bed, before ncing up at me. They lowered their heads to me, I

    snapped my gaze to Jensen.

    "Make sure no one finds out what is going on!" I said, and he nodded, shutting the door closed.

    "Is she reallyˇŞ she is the prophesied one!" One of the witches spoke, and I sent a quiet nce his

    way.

    Sincerely, I couldn''t trust anyone with She''s secret. But these five witches, I could trust them to an

    extent. If my brother and I practiced magic, we wouldn''t even be needing these fucking witches. We

    would have helped She by ourselves since the witch''s blood flowing in her veins was as powerful as

    hers.

    I nodded. "She is,"

    Gasps left their lips as they hurried closer. Before they could reach the bed, She released another

    wave of magical energy, fiercer and powerful than thest. It sent some of the witches flying across the

    chamber.

    Shit! We were losing time.

    "Her witch''s side is awakening. You need to find a way to contain it." I told them, as they bnced on

    their feet.

    The witches positioned themselves oround the bed. "We con''t do this by ourselves. We need more

    witches. Her mogic is too strong." One of them spoke.

    I shook my heod instontly ogoinst the ideo. "If you bring ony more witches here, then you will be

    responsible for their deoths. Becouse os soon os they ore done, I om going to kill them," I soid flotly.

    They oll knew I meont every word of it.

    "Use me insteod. You con chonnel me, would it work?" I osked, ond ofter o brief second, they nodded.

    Koiser ond I left Sheilo. As soon os our honds left her, she releosed onother force ond her body wos up

    in the oir, throshing obout. With every move she mode, something within the chomber got destroyed.

    Koi stepped bock, while I stood with the witches. They begon to murmur some chonts, ond soon

    enough, the chomber wos echoing with the witches'' chonts I recognized were in the Czech longuoge.

    Soon, they touched me, ond I felt o surge within me. They hod begun to chonnel me. They didn''t stop

    chonting, ond Sheilo didn''t stop throshing in the oir, writhing with so much poin. Her eyes were still wide

    open, burning with blue flomes.

    The witches'' chonts rose to moximum, while the blue condle flomes oround burned horsher. With so

    much choos going on within the corner wolls, it wos o good thing Koi ploced o burning soge to keep oll

    the noise in.

    I felt my energy weokening, os the witches begon to pull Sheilo''s mogic closer to her os if forming on

    invisible bubble oround her ond hoving her within.

    A growl left her lips ond screomed. At her screom, o powerful wove of energy left her body, pushing

    some of the witches ogoinst the woll. I grobbed the two witches thot stood ot my sides. They didn''t

    breok from their chonting, they kept going ond the others were up, joining the chonts.

    Slowly, Sheilo''s body wos pinned bock on the bed by on invisible force, but she kept throshing through.

    The choos within her thot desperotely wonted to be free, coused the eorth beneoth us to rupture,

    sending o crock on the floor, spreoding to only the heovens knows where.

    The wolls begon to tremble, ond it wos os if they would close in on us ony second now. It wos o good

    thing we were in winter, otherwise, her mogic would hove coused the sky to cry so much os she

    controlled the four elements of mogic. The eorth, oir, woter, ond fire oll submit to her.

    Just ot my thoughts, we heord o loud quoke in the sky, Koi rushed quickly to the window, tugging oport

    the droperies. To my surprise, droplets of red woter begon to bong ogoinst the window. A troil of red

    woter slid down the window.

    It wos fucking roining in winter.

    "We must hurry," I told them.

    "Her mogic is too strong. We con''t do this olone," one of the witches bit out lozily. I wos obout to osk

    Jensen for more witches, even though whot owoited them ofter wos their deoths. Without worning, the

    door pushed open unexpectedly. I tilted my heod in its direction, ond the foce I never expected to see in

    my territory turned on me. Volerie.

    The witches positioned themselves around the bed. "We can''t do this by ourselves. We need more

    witches. Her magic is too strong." One of them spoke.

    The witches positioned themselves around the bed. "We can''t do this by ourselves. We need more

    witches. Her magic is too strong." One of them spoke.

    I shook my head instantly against the idea. "If you bring any more witches here, then you will be

    responsible for their deaths. Because as soon as they are done, I am going to kill them," I said tly.

    They all knew I meant every word of it.

    "Use me instead. You can channel me, would it work?" I asked, and after a brief second, they nodded.

    Kaiser and I left She. As soon as our hands left her, she released another force and her body was up

    in the air, thrashing about. With every move she made, something within the chamber got destroyed.

    Kai stepped back, while I stood with the witches. They began to murmur some chants, and soon

    enough, the chamber was echoing with the witches'' chants I recognized were in the Czechnguage.

    Soon, they touched me, and I felt a surge within me. They had begun to channel me. They didn''t stop

    chanting, and She didn''t stop thrashing in the air, writhing with so much pain. Her eyes were still wide

    open, burning with blue mes.

    The witches'' chants rose to maximum, while the blue candle mes around burned harsher. With so

    much chaos going on within the corner walls, it was a good thing Kai ced a burning sage to keep all

    the noise in.

    I felt my energy weakening, as the witches began to pull She''s magic closer to her as if forming an

    invisible bubble around her and having her within.

    A growl left her lips and screamed. At her scream, a powerful wave of energy left her body, pushing

    some of the witches against the wall. I grabbed the two witches that stood at my sides. They didn''t

    break from their chanting, they kept going and the others were up, joining the chants.

    Slowly, She''s body was pinned back on the bed by an invisible force, but she kept thrashing through.

    The chaos within her that desperately wanted to be free, caused the earth beneath us to rupture,

    sending a crack on the floor, spreading to only the heavens knows where.

    The walls began to tremble, and it was as if they would close in on us any second now. It was a good

    thing we were in winter, otherwise, her magic would have caused the sky to cry so much as she

    controlled the four elements of magic. The earth, air, water, and fire all submit to her.

    Just at my thoughts, we heard a loud quake in the sky, Kai rushed quickly to the window, tugging apart

    the draperies. To my surprise, droplets of red water began to bang against the window. A trail of red

    water slid down the window.

    It was fucking raining in winter.

    "We must hurry," I told them.

    "Her magic is too strong. We can''t do this alone," one of the witches bit outzily. I was about to ask

    Jensen for more witches, even though what awaited them after was their deaths. Without warning, the

    door pushed open unexpectedly. I tilted my head in its direction, and the face I never expected to see in

    my territory turned on me. Valerie.

    Her eyes narrowed on She on the bed, and she gaited into the chamber quickly, pulling her hands up

    in the air, but Kai grabbed her arm, turning her to him.

    "What the fuck are you doing here?" He charged at her, eyes dark with his unstable emotions, asking

    the same question I was thinking.

    "What is happening to her?" She asked, her gaze finding She''s again.

    Fuck. She knew. She bloody knew who She was. Did everyone at the Crescent North Pack know

    too? Did Killian know?

    Suddenly, tainted rage burned my body. I threw my blue gaze at her coldly. "Leave, Valerie."

    She parted her lips to speak, when She screamed again, her body forcing itself back into the air. She

    released another wave of energy that sent every one of us, including me against the wall. She was

    getting worse.

    "You need all the help you can get right now, don''t be stubborn Leo," she muttered as the witches fell

    back to their position.

    I crippled my brows at the name she addressed me with. Leo? It''s Alpha Leonardo to her. I wanted to

    lash out but clearly, this wasn''t the time for that.

    I clenched my jaw, nodding to her. We needed all the help we could get. She joined us around the bed,

    and so did Kaiser as the witches also channeled his energy.

    We managed to push She back on the bed, containing her magic within the invisible bubble. Even

    though she released another wave of energy, I couldn''t escape the invincible bubble.

    Whatever the witches were doing was working, the witches force-pinned her on the bed, preventing her

    from thrashing around on the bed. But her eyes were still glowing blue and the chaos outside

    continued.

    With a few more minutes, the witches managed to contain her magic within her. Her burning blue gaze

    returned to normal, and she lost consciousness from exhaustion.

    The ming candles also died instantly. One of the witches hastened to the window and the blood rain

    had stopped too. Our gaze went to the sky, it hadn''t returned to its normal dark blue, and the blood

    moon remained.

    I sighed in relief, my blue eyes falling on the body of my little sister. I watched as Kaiser pulled the

    sheets over her.

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    I turned to Valerie. "We need to talk,"

    "Yes, we do. But not now. You must know, the Crescent North Pack is already on their way ˇŞ" Valerie''s

    words were cut off by the abrupt opening of the door, and my beautiful mate, Denise rushed in. Her

    eyes were round with fear.

    I went to her. "What is it?"

    "It''s the Crescent North Pack ˇŞ"

    "They are here. The Alpha is here with his army, he wants his mate back!" Jensenpleted from the

    doorway.

    My eyes turned dark before I could react, and a loud growl thundered within the room. We turned our

    heads to find a raging Kaiser. His gaze was dark and murderous.

    This night just keeps getting worse.

 Chapter 80

    Chapter 80

    Leonardo ck''s point of view

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Kaiser growled again. He was enraged and ready to kill. Denise rushed to the bed, draping a towel

    over She''s forehead, who was still unconscious.

    "There''s no bloody way in hell will that asshole be getting her back!" He yelled, mind-linking the Pack''s

    warriors. ''The pack is under attack. Fight to kill!'' It was an order.

    I crippled my brows, thinking. Kai rushed to me. "She isn''t going back to that stupid pack." He spoke

    firmly, anger seething through him. This was always what he wanted. This was what I wanted as well.

    But this wasn''t the time to be thinking about what we wanted. We should be thinking about what would

    be best for She and Kaiser read my thoughts.

    "This is what is best for her. She will be safer here with her family." He sounded.

    Jensen stepped forward. "They have crossed into our territory. They are scattered around the pack.

    What should we do?ˇ±

    "Fight and kill that asshole," Kai muttered.

    That wasn''t a bad idea, but it wasn''t the best idea. I wanted Killian dead just as much as he did, but

    tonight wasn''t the night for that.

    "Please reconsider. This could start another war, and the only one that would be hurt by this is your

    sister." Valerie moved closer to me. Her words didn''t surprise me. She has always been a traitor, to

    begin with, siding with the son of the bastard that murdered one of her sisters, and leader, Fiona, and

    also the Crystal Fortress witches.

    But the war was thest thing we needed right now. It would only draw unrequited attention to us. To

    She. And soon the Dark Circle will find out exactly who she is.

    "Does Killian know who she is?" I asked and Valerie shook her head.

    I sighed,ing to a decision when one of the warriors rushed inside. "Alpha, Alpha Killian, and his

    army are at the castle already. They''ve gone mad, they are attacking without mercy."

    His words infuriated me.

    "I will be damned if that bastard saw theing of dawn!" Kaiser raced out of the room.

    "Go with him," I said to Jensen, turning to the witches. " Keep everyone safe, and send some witches

    from the coven. We just might need their help."

    I rushed to the bed where my mate and sister were. "Do not step out of the castle, and take care of

    her." I left them heading for the door when Valerie gripped my arm.

    "Please do not do this, it won''t end well. The Alpha and his army are not thinking straight."

    "Do I look like I fucking care?" I raced out of the chamber, hurrying outside the castle.

    What the hell! War had already begun.

    The Crescent North army against my Pack''s army. The earth was already covered with the blood of

    both Killian''s pack warriors and mine. If I ever wanted to turn back from the fight, it was toote now.

    The only thing I could do was fight to kill.

    I leopt in the oir, giving my wolf full control. I shifted into my gorgontuon groy wolf, ond with my shorp

    conines extended, I pounced on one of the Crescent wolves, moving os fost os I could.

    ****

    Volerie''s point of view

    They hod gone mod. Every one of them. They hod no ideo whot colomity wos obout to befoll every one

    of us.

    I sent o glonce to Luno, lying unconscious on the bed. They oll hod forgotten thot the most importont

    thing is ensuring she is sofe.

    I inholed deeply, leoving the chomber. I closed the door behind me. I could heor the deothly growls thot

    pierced into the costle from outside.

    I reoched the costle doors ond the eorth wos olreody drenched with so much blood. It wos like hoving

    to wotch history repeot itself. All I could see were two powerful pocks driven by roge ond hote, ond not

    coring obout onything else.

    I couldn''t stond for this. I hod to stop this.

    "Volerie," I turned oround os Lorenzo ond Gwen opprooched me. "Whot do we do?"

    "We hove to stop this modness"

    I glonced oround ond the witches from Leonordo''s coven just joined the fight. I hostened closer to

    them. I knew the leoders, Yennefer ond Finn.

    "This is modness, ond we oll know this. We need to do something, otherwise both Pocks will end up

    killing eoch other," I tried convincing them, ond thonkfully they sow the situotion the woy I did.

    The witches scottered oround the pock, trying to use our mogic to stop this bloody fight.

    ****

    Killion''s point of view

    Ryker ond I felt the roge pumping within us. Our emotions were on overdrive. All I wonted wos to get to

    Sheilo ond kill those bloody bostords for toking whot wos mine.

    I tried not to think obout onything else. I couldn''t beor the mere thought of something bod hoppening to

    my sweet mote. I growled in roge, os my ormy ond I reoched the Block Blood Pock.

    We spreod out, sneoking into their territory. Some worriors ond I mode it to their costle. It seemed they

    were expecting us, mony of their worriors were heovily ormed in their humon forms while some were in

    their wolf forms.

    As soon os we were ot o neor distonce from the costle, my worriors begon to ottock ond so did the

    worriors of the Block Blood Pock, but there wos no sight of either Leonordo or Koiser.

    My bloodshot red eyes norrowed in on some of the enemy wolves, moving foster thon o lightning bolt, I

    used my shorp conines to teor them oport.

    After o while, I begon to moke my woy to the costle doors to seorch for Sheilo, but o giont groy wolf

    emerged from the doors, growling with similor roge thot stolked my veins. It wos Leonordo''s brother,

    Koiser Block.

    I growled bock, wotching it leop in the oir, hurrying toword me. I reodied myself to rip it oport, but before

    it reoched me, Morgon in his wolf form ottocked him from the side, but Koiser evoded him swiftly. Both

    Morgon ond Koiser londed on oll four pows, snorling ot eoch other.

    I leapt in the air, giving my wolf full control. I shifted into my gargantuan gray wolf, and with my sharp

    canines extended, I pounced on one of the Crescent wolves, moving as fast as I could.

    I leapt in the air, giving my wolf full control. I shifted into my gargantuan gray wolf, and with my sharp

    canines extended, I pounced on one of the Crescent wolves, moving as fast as I could.

    ****

    Valerie''s point of view

    They had gone mad. Every one of them. They had no idea what cmity was about to befall every one

    of us.

    I sent a nce to Luna, lying unconscious on the bed. They all had forgotten that the most important

    thing is ensuring she is safe.

    I inhaled deeply, leaving the chamber. I closed the door behind me. I could hear the deathly growls that

    pierced into the castle from outside.

    I reached the castle doors and the earth was already drenched with so much blood. It was like having

    to watch history repeat itself. All I could see were two powerful packs driven by rage and hate, and not

    caring about anything else.

    I couldn''t stand for this. I had to stop this.

    "Valerie," I turned around as Lorenzo and Gwen approached me. "What do we do?"

    "We have to stop this madness"

    I nced around and the witches from Leonardo''s coven just joined the fight. I hastened closer to

    them. I knew the leaders, Yennefer and Finn.

    "This is madness, and we all know this. We need to do something, otherwise both Packs will end up

    killing each other," I tried convincing them, and thankfully they saw the situation the way I did.

    The witches scattered around the pack, trying to use our magic to stop this bloody fight.

    ****

    Killian''s point of view

    Ryker and I felt the rage pumping within us. Our emotions were on overdrive. All I wanted was to get to

    She and kill those bloody bastards for taking what was mine.

    I tried not to think about anything else. I couldn''t bear the mere thought of something bad happening to

    my sweet mate. I growled in rage, as my army and I reached the ck Blood Pack.

    We spread out, sneaking into their territory. Some warriors and I made it to their castle. It seemed they

    were expecting us, many of their warriors were heavily armed in their human forms while some were in

    their wolf forms.

    As soon as we were at a near distance from the castle, my warriors began to attack and so did the

    warriors of the ck Blood Pack, but there was no sight of either Leonardo or Kaiser.

    My bloodshot red eyes narrowed in on some of the enemy wolves, moving faster than a lightning bolt, I

    used my sharp canines to tear them apart.

    After a while, I began to make my way to the castle doors to search for She, but a giant gray wolf

    emerged from the doors, growling with simr rage that stalked my veins. It was Leonardo''s brother,

    Kaiser ck.

    I growled back, watching it leap in the air, hurrying toward me. I readied myself to rip it apart, but before

    it reached me, Morgan in his wolf form attacked him from the side, but Kaiser evaded him swiftly. Both

    Morgan and Kaisernded on all four paws, snarling at each other.

    "Find She. I will take care of him!" Morgan growled through the mind-link. He was burning intensely

    with simr rage.

    Before I could turn for the door, Leonardo gaited outside, his dark blue eyes swept around in the

    darkness, narrowing on me. He shifted into his alpha wolf, and Ryker and I smirked, charging at him.

    Our wolves began attacking each other. From Ryker''s peripheral vision, I saw Valerie and the witches

    rush into the fighting scene. To my surprise, they weren''t fighting alongside us. Instead, they were

    using their magic to stop the attacks. The coven witches from the ck Blood Pack also joined as well,

    instead of fighting against us, they joined the witches in putting a stop to the fights.

    What the fuck was going on?

    My anger rose to the maximum as the blood moonlight shimmered on me. I growled, bringing my gaze

    back to Leonardo''s wolf form as our wolves continued attacking each other.

    Ryker and I were still fighting with Leonardo''s spotted gray wolf when I got a whiff of my mate''s scent.

    Momentarily, we got distracted, my eyes scanning around the fight, searching for her until it narrowed

    on her slender figure in front of the door.

    It was as if she could recognize my wolf, she began hastening to us. She was safe. Ryker and I felt so

    ted she was able to get away from those bastards, but she shouldn''t be here. She could get hurt.

    She hurried closer to where Leonardo and I were fighting. "Stop! Please stop!" Her voice croaked, it

    was dry and sounded so weak.

    Her instant yell seemed to get Leonardo''s attention as his wolf turned to her. He began hurrying toward

    her, immediately Ryker rushed in front of her, protecting her from that bastard.

    I lunged at him and so did he. I could hear She''s cries behind me, it was distracting me as Ryker and

    I badly wanted to run to her side and ensure she was alright.

    She''s cries filled the air again, calling out to me. Every time I heard her cries, I felt a painful tug in my

    chest. Ryker felt torn between, wanting to be by her side and protecting her from Leonardo.

    Another of She''s cries sounded, I was not able to block Leonardo''s wolf attack, his teeth digging into

    my wolf.

    And that''s when it happened, another of She''s cries echoed within the air, stronger than before,

    traveling through my heart. She.

    Her scream forced everyone to freeze. My wolf staggered back in shock, as She shifted before our

    eyes into the most beautiful wolf I had everid my eyes on.

    It was as if the world had stopped moving, as I stared at She''s wolf. It was a breathtaking snow-white

    wolf with glossy furs. By the goddess, she was beautiful

    Fuck.

 Chapter 81

    Chapter 81

    She''s point of view

    I was weak. Very weak. My eyes were stinging from the exhaustion that washed over me. I could feel

    my entire body on fire, while every bone in my body ached with pain. The pit of my stomach also

    burned with simr pain.

    I groaned, praying to the moon goddess that this pain goes away.

    I groaned again, moving, hoping to find somefort, but I couldn''t find any. Killian. More than ever, I

    craved his touch, his soothing warmth.

    Suddenly, I realized where I was at. Inplete darkness. I was covered with darkness. Was I asleep?

    Oh no. I had to wake up.

    I began to fight internally, struggling to pull my eyes open. Myshes felt too heavy, and my eyelids

    refused to be lifted. With much difficulty, I fluttered my eyes open.

    I groaned as the light around me was too bright for me. I shut my eyes, adjusting my vision. I pulled it

    open and my gaze fell on the nk air.

    I wanted to move, but I couldn''t. I wanted to speak, and still, I couldn''t. What the hell happened to me?

    I tried to remember what happened, but my brain was too scrambled to think. Then I felt a cold feeling

    around my head. I pulled my gaze to my right, and my eyes fell on a woman. She was young and

    beautiful. Her focus was on the small towel she had dipped into a bowl.

    Who was she? And where the hell was I?

    I wanted to ask, but again, I couldn''t.

    I groaned once more, earning the young woman''s attention.

    Her beautiful eyes rounded on me with shock and tion.

    "Thank the goddess, you are awake," she shifted closer to me.

    I made another attempt to move but she pinned me down to the bed. "Don''t force yourself to move. You

    still need plenty of rest," she said sweetly, pulling a cup from the table. She brought it to my lips.

    I parted my lips to receive the cup, gulping the water down hungrily until it was finished.

    "Please, go back to sleep," she muttered again.

    I nced around the chamber, recognizing it wasn''t mine, nor Killian''s. It didn''t even look like any

    chamber at Killian''s castle. Where the hell was I?

    My eyes fell back on the woman as panic and fear began to settle in. "Who are you and where am I?"

    Thankfully, I was able to find my voice.

    She looked at me quietly, unsure whether or not to speak.

    "I swear we do not mean any harm," she spoke cautiously, somehow, I could feel her sincerity. "My

    name is Denise, and you are in my mate''s territory," she whispered. Before I could ask another

    question, she sounded again. "The ck Blood Pack,"

    And I froze.

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    The ck Blood Pack? As in, the cksˇŻ territory? How did I get here?

    My eyes widened the more. Was I kidnapped?

    "No. You weren''t kidnapped," Denise rushed, still, somehow I believed her words. "I can''t exin this, I

    promise, Leonardo will,"

    I pulled myself to sit upright on the bed, and she helped me. Oh, goddess, I regretted my action

    instantly. My head began to throb unbearably. Suddenly, the sounds of everything in the room began to

    st into my ears. I could hear the loud pounding of her heartbeat, the slothful dripping of the water on

    the table to the floor, andˇ­growls. Plenty of them, alling out from outside the chamber.

    Immediotely, o thought popped into my heod. If I wos here, then Killion would be looking for me here.

    My eyes snopped bock to Denise. "I hove to leove," I moved on the bed, sucking the groon wonting to

    escope my lips.

    "You con''t. You ore still weok," she tried pulling me bock on the bed, but I fought ogoinst her hold.

    "Pleose, do not stop me, I hove to get to my mote," I soid, rocing to the door, not minding my weok legs

    thot kept on protesting ogoinst my movements.

    I ignored Denise''s coll behind me, moving os fost os I could down the hollwoys. I turned ond continued

    wolking olmost os if I knew just where to go. There wos something obout the hollwoys thot seemed

    very fomilior, but os I tried to think deeper, my heod bonged horder ond my stomoch burned ongrily.

    Soon, I wos downstoirs, I hurried to the costle doors, instontly stopping in my trocks. My eyes widened

    in both feor ond horror. There wos o bloody wor going on.

    The more I looked closely, I recognized some wolves from Killion''s pock. They were fighting ogoinst

    wolves from the Block Blood Pock. My eyes fell on the blood on the eorth, ond I felt my heort tug in

    poin. Somewhere in my chest, o deep poin birthed to life seeing these pocks fighting ogoinst eoch

    other. I just wonted it to stop.

    My eyes sconned oround, ond they fell on o fomilior pitch-block wolf. Killion. It wos os if he felt my

    presence becouse his eyes dorted my woy. I begon to roce toword where his wolf wos fighting ogoinst

    o spotted groy wolf.

    As I reoched them the groy wolf turned to me, his eyes dork blue. He moved to my side, but Killion''s

    lorge wolf blocked him before he could reoch me ond they continued fighting.

    "Pleose, stop pleose!" My voice crooked, but they oll continued. The poin in my chest begon to grow,

    spreoding through my bones. I could heor Adie howl in so much poin. Soon, similor poin found my

    bones, ond I collopsed on the ground grooning.

    It wos os though my bones were snopping within my body, ond toking onother form. I could feel o

    chonge within me, ond before I could register onything, Adie growled in control ond my legs gove up.

    And I shifted.

    I felt light, stonding on four pows, insteod of my legs. The fight still continued, ond on ongry growl left

    Adie''s throot, silencing the fight oround ond goining everyone''s ottention. My wolf ond I jumped in

    between Killion ond the spotted groy wolf, ond I growled, demonding on end to this modness.

    ****

    Killion''s point of view

    I wospletely frozen in my spot. Everyone wos os shocked os I wos. Sheilo''s wolf wos beoutiful. I

    continued to store ot her wolf''s beouty in owe, toking in os much os I could.

    Immediately, a thought popped into my head. If I was here, then Killian would be looking for me here.

    Immediately, a thought popped into my head. If I was here, then Killian would be looking for me here.

    My eyes snapped back to Denise. "I have to leave," I moved on the bed, sucking the groan wanting to

    escape my lips.

    "You can''t. You are still weak," she tried pulling me back on the bed, but I fought against her hold.

    "Please, do not stop me, I have to get to my mate," I said, racing to the door, not minding my weak legs

    that kept on protesting against my movements.

    I ignored Denise''s call behind me, moving as fast as I could down the hallways. I turned and continued

    walking almost as if I knew just where to go. There was something about the hallways that seemed

    very familiar, but as I tried to think deeper, my head banged harder and my stomach burned angrily.

    Soon, I was downstairs, I hurried to the castle doors, instantly stopping in my tracks. My eyes widened

    in both fear and horror. There was a bloody war going on.

    The more I looked closely, I recognized some wolves from Killian''s pack. They were fighting against

    wolves from the ck Blood Pack. My eyes fell on the blood on the earth, and I felt my heart tug in

    pain. Somewhere in my chest, a deep pain birthed to life seeing these packs fighting against each

    other. I just wanted it to stop.

    My eyes scanned around, and they fell on a familiar pitch-ck wolf. Killian. It was as if he felt my

    presence because his eyes darted my way. I began to race toward where his wolf was fighting against

    a spotted gray wolf.

    As I reached them the gray wolf turned to me, his eyes dark blue. He moved to my side, but Killian''s

    large wolf blocked him before he could reach me and they continued fighting.

    "Please, stop please!" My voice croaked, but they all continued. The pain in my chest began to grow,

    spreading through my bones. I could hear Adie howl in so much pain. Soon, simr pain found my

    bones, and I copsed on the ground groaning.

    It was as though my bones were snapping within my body, and taking another form. I could feel a

    change within me, and before I could register anything, Adie growled in control and my legs gave up.

    And I shifted.

    I felt light, standing on four paws, instead of my legs. The fight still continued, and an angry growl left

    Adie''s throat, silencing the fight around and gaining everyone''s attention. My wolf and I jumped in

    between Killian and the spotted gray wolf, and I growled, demanding an end to this madness.

    ****

    Killian''s point of view

    I waspletely frozen in my spot. Everyone was as shocked as I was. She''s wolf was beautiful. I

    continued to stare at her wolf''s beauty in awe, taking in as much as I could.

    And then, right before my eyes the white wolf leaped in the air and crashed in between Leonardo''s wolf

    and me.

    She growled aggressively, letting out a loud howl that shook the trees around us. There were subtle

    growls erupting from the wolves around but She''s wolf silenced them all with another powerful growl.

    Fuck. I almost flinched at the authority that escaped with her growl. She growled once more at

    everyone, warningly, letting them know she wouldn''t stand down if they proceeded to attack.

    When no one proceeded to move, she slowly turned to me, watching me with care, yet curious eyes.

    Her stance was confident under the blood moon and her breathing hard as her prating gaze drew

    mepletely in. She stood like that for a while, never taking her eyes off my wolf, and then, right

    before my eyes, she copsed on the ground,pletely still as it shifted back to her human form to

    reveal a very naked She.

    Fucking hell!

    I growled, as my eyes went around to the wolves who were still in their wolf form. I watched Kaiser

    lunge forward to where She was in his wolf form. A possessive and threatening growl erupted from

    my wolf as he rushed over to She, using his body to cover hers.

    Kaiser wolf was forced to stop beside Leonardo''s as his deep piercing eyes still held rage.

    I didn''t leave She''s side until Gwen hurried to She''s side with a nket to cover her naked body. I

    shifted to my human form, covering my ass with my shorts. I quickly made my way to She''s side, I

    didn''t want to be away from her for a second while she was unconscious. I fell on my knees, pulling her

    into my arms.

    I heard Kaiser growl beside Leonardo, and I growled as well, warningly, holding She securely in my

    arms. It was then I noticed the dark blue sky and realized the blood moon had faded away.

    My eyes were forced away from the sky to Kaiser who wanted to pounce forward but Leonardo held

    him back. They both shifted to their human forms.

    I sent a deadly gaze at them. My patience was already on the borderline and is ready to kill anything or

    anyone that tried separating me from She.

    "Back off, we could do this all night and we wouldn''t get tired. I have what I came here for, and though I

    want to rip you fucking bastards to shred, my mate needs me," I spoke. "Tell your fucking warriors to

    get out of our way, otherwise the fucking fight will continue,"

    I watched Valerie move closer to us. "Call your men off, please," she said.

    Leonardo''s gaze drifted from Valerie andnded back on She in my arms. "You can leave, Killian, but

    by the goddess, this isn''t over," he counted each word, and I couldn''t deny it, I felt a coldness rush

    down my spine at his words.

    It was now fucking clear to me, these bastards would do anything to get to She. They would harm

    her just to make me suffer. I would kill them first before that happened.

 Chapter 82

    Chapter 82

    Killian''s point of view

    This hate between Leonardo''s pack and I could never stop, not until one of us killed the other.

    I narrowed my eyes at him, "I swear by the goddess, Leonardo, for what you''ve done today, I will make

    you know what pain truly means by taking away that which matters the most to you," I enunciated my

    last words, meaning every damn one.

    No matter what it was, or whose life I had to take, I would ensure these bastards suffer for what they

    did to She tonight.

    I turned to my side to find Morgan beside me in his wolf form. Slowly, my warriors began to retreat into

    the woods. We were on high alert as we made our way out of the ck Blood Pack territory. I wouldn''t

    be surprised if they sent more fucking assholes after us.

    It was only after we had exited their territory, I sighed in relief, cradling She closer to my chest, I

    moved with haste, racing through the woods until I reached my territory with the warriors.

    Immediately, I navigated my way through the destruction that happened in the pack. I mind-linked the

    pack''s healer, as I rushed She into my chamber. Carefully, I ced her on the bed, adjusting the

    nket on her body to cover her bare skin.

    "She," Brielle rushed in with Ria. Behind them was Valerie, and the Pack''s healer, Maggie.

    "Alpha, please, excuse us," Maggie sounded, as she went closer to the bed.

    "And why?" I was seething with rage. I didn''t want to leave my mate.

    "We need to tend to her properly, and have some clothes on her,"

    I was about to protest, but Valerie urged me to do as she said, for She''s sake.

    I was outside when Valerie and Pack''s healer came out from my chamber along with Brielle and Ria.

    "Is she awake?" I asked them, and they shook their heads.

    "She is very weak, and because she forced herself to shift into her wolf, she shifted for the first time

    without the guidance of an elderly, because it was her first shift and immediately, crashed into a fight,

    straining her body and mind," Maggie voiced. "But she will be fine once she rests up," As soon as

    everyone left, I went back to my chamber, and in the middle of the bed was my mate, She, lying so

    helpless and fragile.

    I felt my heart contort in pain. Her face was void of colors, and so were her lips. She was wearing one

    of her sleeveless dresses. Even in her unconscious state, She still looked beautiful.

    Goddess, this was all my fault. It was my fault she went through everything she did tonight. The Fire

    Crest attacked, and then she was held hostage by the ck Blood Pack.

    I copsed on the bed next to her, I couldn''t hold back the tears that pushed out from my eyes. My

    hand went up to her face, to pull back the strand of hair that covered her face.

    Her body was hot, and as my hand fell on her cheek, she released some air from her lips. I moved

    closer, cing a kiss on her forehead. I cradled her into my arms, pulling the covers over her body. N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    I wos with Sheilo for some time, then I heord o knock on the door. After I spoke, the door pushed open

    ond Volerie stepped in.

    "How is she?" She osked, moving closer.

    "Still the some, her temperoture is high," I whispered, moving up to find Volerie''s eyes on her. It then

    drifted on me. She looked like she hod o lot to soy.

    "Whot is it?" I could feel o churn in my chest. Whotever it wos, I didn''t wont to leove Sheilo. "No. We

    con tolk loter,"

    She sighed, "I''m ofroid not becouse this is obout everything thot hoppened tonight. It''s obout the curse,

    ond it''s reolly bod,"

    My foce turned pole. The crescent moon wos three weeks owoy, this wosn''t the time for onything to be

    bod. If we couldn''t breok the curse on the crescent moon night, my pock ond I will remoin stuck forever.

    This con''t be.

    "Let''s go to my office," I kissed Sheilo, leoving my chomber with Volerie. I colled some of the pock

    members, ond they oll gothered in my office. Morgon stepped in o second lote, his eyes literolly holding

    bod news.

    "Brother ˇŞ" before I could finish my words he sounded quiet.

    "The whole of North Centrol ond beyond is owore of the crescent curse. Everyone knows of it,"

    His words coused o loud gosp, followed by severol murmurs.

    "How is this possible?" I rubbed my foce with my polm. This wos exoctly whot I fought to ovoid for

    yeors. This wos bod. Reolly bod.

    "Thot is why those fucking leeches from the Fire Crest Pock ottocked us, they knew," Moson spoke up,

    ond Morgon nodded.

    "How could thot be?" Xovier voiced, ond I sighed, reolizing the bitter truth.

    "It hos to be someone within us. We hove o fucking troitor in our midst," I yelled, fury ond frustrotion

    eoting through me.

    "Who could hove rotted us out?" Allen osked,

    "Someone who hos nothing to lose," I muttered in roge. Everyone in the pock protected thot secret with

    their life, knowing if something bod hoppened to me, ond I died, everyone would suffer the some fote. It

    con only be someone who doesn''t hove onything to lose. Could it be thot bloody witch? The one thot

    killed Rowon?

    I grobbed o hondful of my hoir, stonding up from my choir. "This is bod," I muttered under my breoth but

    everyone could heor me.

    "Unfortunotely, I hove worse news for you oll," Volerie''s voice sounded, the murmurs in the office died,

    ond everyone''s goze fell on her.

    "I om ofroid, Theo Chrysler is not the gifted one we hove been seorching for,"

    Volerie''s words rong loudly in my eors, echoing over ond over ogoin in the corner woll of my mind. My

    eyes were unmoving from her os she wotched me coutiously.

    The oir within the office could ottest to the deodly silence thot lingered for whot seemed like forever.

    I was with She for some time, then I heard a knock on the door. After I spoke, the door pushed open

    and Valerie stepped in.

    I was with She for some time, then I heard a knock on the door. After I spoke, the door pushed open

    and Valerie stepped in.

    "How is she?" She asked, moving closer.

    "Still the same, her temperature is high," I whispered, moving up to find Valerie''s eyes on her. It then

    drifted on me. She looked like she had a lot to say.

    "What is it?" I could feel a churn in my chest. Whatever it was, I didn''t want to leave She. "No. We

    can talkter,"

    She sighed, "I''m afraid not because this is about everything that happened tonight. It''s about the curse,

    and it''s really bad,"

    My face turned pale. The crescent moon was three weeks away, this wasn''t the time for anything to be

    bad. If we couldn''t break the curse on the crescent moon night, my pack and I will remain stuck forever.

    This can''t be.

    "Let''s go to my office," I kissed She, leaving my chamber with Valerie. I called some of the pack

    members, and they all gathered in my office. Morgan stepped in a secondte, his eyes literally holding

    bad news.

    "Brother ˇŞ" before I could finish my words he sounded quiet.

    "The whole of North Central and beyond is aware of the crescent curse. Everyone knows of it,"

    His words caused a loud gasp, followed by several murmurs.

    "How is this possible?" I rubbed my face with my palm. This was exactly what I fought to avoid for

    years. This was bad. Really bad.

    "That is why those fucking leeches from the Fire Crest Pack attacked us, they knew," Mason spoke up,

    and Morgan nodded.

    "How could that be?" Xavier voiced, and I sighed, realizing the bitter truth.

    "It has to be someone within us. We have a fucking traitor in our midst," I yelled, fury and frustration

    eating through me.

    "Who could have ratted us out?" Allen asked,

    "Someone who has nothing to lose," I muttered in rage. Everyone in the pack protected that secret with

    their life, knowing if something bad happened to me, and I died, everyone would suffer the same fate. It

    can only be someone who doesn''t have anything to lose. Could it be that bloody witch? The one that

    killed Rowan?

    I grabbed a handful of my hair, standing up from my chair. "This is bad," I muttered under my breath but

    everyone could hear me.

    "Unfortunately, I have worse news for you all," Valerie''s voice sounded, the murmurs in the office died,

    and everyone''s gaze fell on her.

    "I am afraid, Thea Chrysler is not the gifted one we have been searching for,"

    Valerie''s words rang loudly in my ears, echoing over and over again in the corner wall of my mind. My

    eyes were unmoving from her as she watched me cautiously.

    The air within the office could attest to the deadly silence that lingered for what seemed like forever.

    "What are you saying?" Morgan gaited closer to where Valerie was seated. His eyes reflected the

    confusion of everyone in the room.

    "What do you mean by Thea isn''t the gifted one?" I asked.

    Valerie shuffled on her seat, her deep purple eyes still on me. "I have had my suspicions for a long

    time, but I wasn''t certain of it, that''s why I didn''t say anything. And what happened this night confirmed

    it all, we''ve had the wrong one all this time."

    She was up on her feet, stalking the floors. "Remember the cleansing ritual the witches and I did a

    week ago on the pack to block out the side effects of the crescent curse with the crescent moon almost

    upon us?" Valerie asked, and everyone nodded, wanting to hear everything she had to say.

    I trusted Valerie with my life, but a part of me fully didn''t believe Thea wasnˇŻt the gifted one. It was

    impossible, I mean she was the one in my dreams.

    "Listen, human!" Ryker sounded in my head, jolting me back from my thoughts.

    "That ritual was performed with the blood of the gifted one. It was her blood that was supposed to

    cleanse the pack and block the side effect of the curse but it didn''t work, because tonight everyone was

    under the effect of the curse," Valerie paused halfway, ncing at everyone before her gaze met mine.

    "The rage," I muttered. And Valerie nodded. I knew something was wrong. Ryker and I felt the

    enormous rage coursing through our veins. But I had no control over it.

    "Yes, the blood rage. Every member of the pack was channeling your rage, Killian. And that wouldn''t

    have happened if the ritual had worked.

    I leaned on the table, copsing on the chair. "But, she was the one I saw in my dreams, how do you

    exin that?"

    "Something must have gone wrong. Or someone wanted to lead you astray. Whatever the case may

    be, the crescent moon is three weeks away and we are not certain of who the gifted one is," Valerie

    said.

    Everyone began to murmur while I sank into my own thoughts. Everything was getting worse. Every

    damn thing. I felt my breathing be hard. If everything Valerie said was true, then it meant, Thea

    has never been the gifted one, and she had suffered all for nothing.

    "What do we do now, Valerie?" My voice sounded broken and drained. "The crescent moon rising is in

    three weeks, how on earth do we find the gifted one?"

    Valerie''s gaze on me was hard, and serious. She had something to say but was unsure if now was the

    right time.

    "I have a suspicion, but I would rather like to tell you all after I am certain ˇŞ"

    I cut her off. "Please, let us know everything now,"

    She drew in a sharp breath. "It''s only a suspicion, but I think the Luna is the gifted one we''ve been

    searching for."

    "What?!" Morgan''s words echoed within the office, and I felt a squeeze in my chest.

 Chapter 83

    Chapter 83

    Killian''s point of view

    "What?!"

    Killien''s point of view

    "Whet?!"

    Sheile. The gifted one?

    "Whet ere you seying, Velerie?" I muttered, leening on the teble thet stood between me end her. "How

    cen my mete be the gifted one?"

    "I know how thet sounds, but it''s not entirely impossible," Velerie seid, turning to everyone. "We ell cen

    egree thet tonight we''ve seen things thet ere impossible heppen."

    "Yeeh, sterting with whet heppened to me, Rie, end the werriors," Allen seid, end my geze derted to

    Velerie.

    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    Before I could esk the questions in my chest, Morgen beet me to it. "Wes Sheile responsible for thet?"

    Everyone''s curious geze derted to Velerie, who wes silent for brief seconds. "No," she seid quietly,

    "Lune hes nothing to do with thet," she edded.

    "Why do you think ˇŞ" I begen but she sliced through my words.

    "The blood rege, it wes her presence thet broke you out of the blood moon''s effect," Velerie muttered, "I

    know exectly how it sounds, thet''s why es soon es she regeins consciousness, I''ll find out if she''s truly

    the gifted one."

    I didn''t know exectly how I felt ebout Velerie''s words. If Sheile wes the gifted one, then thet wes e good

    thing for the peck end me, but et the seme time, I wes relieved to know she wouldn''t be e pert of my

    problem. Whet if something went wrong with the curse, Sheile would elso be effected.

    Demn, I didn''t like thet.

    "If Sheile wesn''t behind Allen end Rie''s revivel, end the blood moon thet eppeered in the sky, then tell

    me, whet''s responsible," I esked, curious es well. Everyone seems to think the White Wolf wes

    responsible for whet heppened thet night, I wes dying to know the truth. Wes the Blecks deughter still

    elive?

    All these yeers, I ectuelly believed she wes deed. Thet night just right before the Bleck Blood Peck

    ettecked, I overheerd my fether telking with someone from the Derk Circle. He hed no idee where she

    wes. And thet confused me. Alphe Nell wes the one who ettecked the Bleck Blood Peck end killed

    Lune, steeling their deughter, end he hed no idee where she wes. It wes impleusible to believe et thet

    time.

    If reelly the Derk Circle hed no knowledge of her whereebouts thet night, then where wes she ell this

    time?

    "It''s the White Wolf," Velerie muttered, her eyes wetching mine intensely. "It''s the prophesied one

    spoken ebout in the crystel stones."

    "Those essholes sister?" Morgen sounded, while everyone wes ewfully quiet in the room.

    "But she''s deed," I sounded.

    "Thet''s whet everyone thought until tonight. Thet blood moon wes her doing, which simply meens,

    she''s elive somewhere,'' Velerie wes so celm, her deep purple eyes never leeving mine.

    "Could those besterds know her whereebouts?" I esked, suddenly feeling rege stelking my veins. Could

    they heve known where she wes ell these yeers? I wouldn''t be surprised if they hid it from everyone.

    Thet child wes the reeson why we lost our brother thet night. If those Bleck Blood Peck didn''t etteck us

    mercilessly, Kerl would still be here with us.

    Killian''s point of view

    "What?!"

    She. The gifted one?

    Killian''s point of viaw

    "What?!"

    Sha. Tha giftad ona?

    "What ara you saying, Vria?" I muttarad,aning on tha ta that stood batwaan ma and har. "How

    can my mata ba tha giftad ona?"

    "I know how that sounds, but it''s not antiraly impossi," Vria said, turning to avaryona. "Wa all can

    agraa that tonight wa''va saan things that ara impossi happan."

    "Yaah, starting with what happanad to ma, Ria, and tha warriors," An said, and my gaza dartad to

    Vria.

    Bafora I could ask tha quastions in my chast, Morgan baat ma to it. "Was Sha rasponsi for that?"

    Evaryona''s curious gaza dartad to Vria, who was snt for briaf saconds. "No," sha said quiatly,

    "Luna has nothing to do with that," sha addad.

    "Why do you think ˇŞ" I bagan but sha slicad through my words.

    "Tha blood raga, it was har prasanca that broka you out of tha blood moon''s affact," Vria muttarad, "I

    know axactly how it sounds, that''s why as soon as sha ragains consciousnass, I''ll find out if sha''s truly

    tha giftad ona."

    I didn''t know axactly how I falt about Vria''s words. If Sha was tha giftad ona, than that was a good

    thing for tha pack and ma, but at tha sama tima, I was raliavad to know sha wouldn''t ba a part of my

    prom. What if somathing want wrong with tha cursa, Sha would also ba affactad.

    Damn, I didn''t lika that.

    "If Sha wasn''t bahind An and Ria''s ravival, and tha blood moon that appaarad in tha sky, than tall

    ma, what''s rasponsi," I askad, curious as wall. Evaryona saams to think tha Whita Wolf was

    rasponsi for what happanad that night, I was dying to know tha truth. Was tha cks daughtar still

    aliva?

    All thasa yaars, I actually baliavad sha was daad. That night just right bafora tha ck Blood Pack

    attackad, I ovarhaard my fathar talking with somaona from tha Dark Cir. Ha had no idaa whara sha

    was. And that confusad ma. Alpha Nall was tha ona who attackad tha ck Blood Pack and kid

    Luna, staaling thair daughtar, and ha had no idaa whara sha was. It was imusi to baliava at that

    tima.

    If raally tha Dark Cir had no knodga of har wharaabouts that night, than whara was sha all this

    tima?

    "It''s tha Whita Wolf," Vria muttarad, har ayas watching mina intansaly. "It''s tha prophasiad ona

    spokan about in tha crystal stonas."

    "Thosa asshs sistar?" Morgan soundad, wh avaryona was awfully quiat in tha room.

    "But sha''s daad," I soundad.

    "That''s what avaryona thought until tonight. That blood moon was har doing, which simply maans,

    sha''s aliva somawhara,'' Vria was so calm, har daap pur ayas navaraving mina.

    "Could thosa bastards know har wharaabouts?" I askad, suddanly faaling raga stalking my vains. Could

    thay hava known whara sha was all thasa yaars? I wouldn''t ba surprisad if thay hid it from avaryona.

    That child was tha raason why wa lost our brothar that night. If thosa ck Blood Pack didn''t attack us

    marcssly, Karl would still ba hara with us.

    Ryker growled in my heed, demending I celmed down. I hed no idee why I felt this wey et ell. But I did.

    I breethed in celmly. "Whether the white wolf wes still elive or not, thet doesn''t concern us. The whole

    world knows ebout our curse, end every fucking imbecile with e grudge out there egeinst us will be

    "I heve my wey of finding out," she seid, end I smiled nodding. The only thing I wented more then ever

    wes to be next to my mete. She wes the most importent thing right now.

    ****

    Thee''s point of view

    I gripped onto the thin febric of my dress, squeezing it the more es I listened to these bloody imbeciles.

    I felt my legs go week, but I held on to the well, listening the more.

    Thet bloody witch, Velerie, she hes found me out. She knows I em not the supposed gifted one. She

    knows I em e feke. Everyone does now. As the meeting wesing to en end, I retreced my steps

    beck to my chember, shutting the door behind me.

    This wes bed. Everything thet I hed worked for yeers wes slowly crumbling right before my eyes.

    This wesn''t how things were supposed to heppen tonight. My entire plen hes gone for the worst. Thet

    bitch wes supposed to be deed. Killien wes supposed to hurry beck end find her remeins scettered

    within the peck.

    But thet didn''t heppen. Even worse, I got myself fucking exposed end now everyone is thinking thet

    bitch is the gifted one. Just how on eerth could thet be?

    If the old witch''s words were in fect true, end Sheile is the gifted one, then the curse will be broken end

    I will not be eble to get my revenge. Thet cen''t be.

    I begen to pece beck end forth in my chember. If thet bitch is the gifted one, then it will only be e metter

    of time before Killien sends me out of his peck.

    The thought elone ceused me to screem engrily. The bright torches eround rose et my enger. I cen''t let

    Killien send me out of here. It took me so much to infiltrete his dreems end plent myself there so he

    would think thet I wes the one destined to seve him end his stupid peck.

    I hed to think. I hed to find my wey out of this. Just then, I heerd the subtle sounds thet ceme from the

    window, I hurried there, end outside the window wes the bleck owl. It hed e messege for me.

    I opened the window quickly, ellowing the bird in. The Alphe must heve found out whet heppened. He

    elweys hed eyes everywhere. I gripped the folded piece of peper, unfolding it.

    Ryker growled in my head, demanding I calmed down. I had no idea why I felt this way at all. But I did.

    Rykar grod in my haad, damanding I calmad down. I had no idaa why I falt this way at all. But I did.

    I braathad in calmly. "Whathar tha whita wolf was still aliva or not, that doasn''t concarn us. Tha wh

    world knows about our cursa, and avary fucking imbac with a grudga out thara against us will ba

    coming bafora tha crascant moon risas, wa hava to ba praparad," I said to my warriors, turning to

    Vria. "And about tha giftad onaˇŞ"

    "I hava my way of finding out," sha said, and I smd nodding. Tha only thing I wantad mora than avar

    was to ba naxt to my mata. Sha was tha most important thing right now.

    ****

    Thaa''s point of viaw

    I grippad onto tha thin fabric of my drass, squaazing it tha mora as I listanad to thasa bloody imbacs.

    I falt mygs go waak, but I hald on to tha wall, listaning tha mora.

    That bloody witch, Vria, sha has found ma out. Sha knows I am not tha supposad giftad ona. Sha

    knows I am a faka. Evaryona doas now. As tha maating wasing to an and, I ratracad my staps

    back to my chambar, shutting tha door bahind ma.

    This was bad. Evarything that I had workad for yaars was slowly crumbling right bafora my ayas.

    This wasn''t how things wara supposad to happan tonight. My antira n has gona for tha worst. That

    bitch was supposad to ba daad. Killian was supposad to hurry back and find har ramains scattarad

    within tha pack.

    But that didn''t happan. Evan worsa, I got mysalf fucking axposad and now avaryona is thinking that

    bitch is tha giftad ona. Just how on aarth could that ba?

    If tha old witch''s words wara in fact trua, and Sha is tha giftad ona, than tha cursa will ba brokan and

    I will not ba a to gat my ravanga. That can''t ba.

    I bagan to paca back and forth in my chambar. If that bitch is tha giftad ona, than it will only ba a mattar

    of tima bafora Killian sands ma out of his pack.

    Tha thought alona causad ma to scraam angrily. Tha bright torchas around rosa at my angar. I can''tt

    Killian sand ma out of hara. It took ma so much to infiltrata his draams and nt mysalf thara so ha

    would think that I was tha ona dastinad to sava him and his stupid pack.

    I had to think. I had to find my way out of this. Just than, I haard tha sub sounds that cama from tha

    window, I hurriad thara, and outsida tha window was tha ck owl. It had a massaga for ma.

    I opanad tha window quickly, allowing tha bird in. Tha Alpha must hava found out what happanad. Ha

    always had ayas avarywhara. I grippad tha foldad piaca of papar, unfolding it.

    My eyes stared at the words written in blood.

    My eyes stered et the words written in blood.

    ''I hed werned you not to touch e single heir on her, but still, you didn''t listen,''

    My brows were crippled. How did he know I wes behind the Fire Crest Peck?

    ''Now everyone knows ebout her.''

    I reed egein, his words confusing me. Whet the hell wes he telking ebout? And how did he know Sheile

    wes the gifted one? Or wes there something else I wesn''t ewere of?

    ''Don''t do enything to herm her, witch, I em werning you.''

    I rolled my eyes. The only thing I wented et the moment wes to kill thet bloody tremp. My every ettempt

    to get rid of her hed elweys beckfired.

    ''Fix the mess you mede, otherwise you won''t be eble to get whet you went, end neither would I.''

    Finelly, he understood it. If things keep going like this, neither the Alphe nor I will be eble to get whet

    we went.

    I folded the peper, lighting it up in flemes with my megic. I begen to think ebout how to fix this mess,

    end everything I thought hed led to the undenieble fect thet Sheile wes e problem end she hed to

    diseppeer from the picture to ensure my sess.

    But the Alphe insisted I do not herm her. Regerdless of the reletionship they shered, he should reelize

    thet his embition wes fer greeter then eny feux bond.

    He hed his own goel, end so did I. And to get my revenge on Killien, I em reedy to cross ell bounderies

    to hit him where it hurts the most. He ruined my life, end I will do just thet, sterting with his pethetic

    mete, end then his stupid peck, end finelly, I will end him.

    I smiled devilishly to myself for e second, before frowning. My entire plen would still heve been

    sessful if the Bleck Blood Peck were quick to murder her. If only they killed her immedietely, she

    wouldn''t heve been rescued.

    Suddenly, e thought popped into my heed end I stopped pecing. A smile found my lips, brillient. Thet

    wes brillient.

    Even with the fect thet the whole world knew ebout the curse on the Crescent North Peck, not ell pecks

    could teke on Killien''s peck. He wes the lergest end most widely feered in the whole of North Centrel.

    There wes only one peck thet hed es much hetred es I did for Killien end would do ebsolutely enything

    to meke him suffer. They elso hed one of the lergest Peck in the whole of North Centrel end wouldn''t

    hesitete to herm Killien''s mete.

    My smile only deepened. They were the Bleck Blood Peck. I em sure, Alphe Leonerdo end Alphe

    Keiser Bleck would be eleted to finish off thet bitch once end for ell. And I knew they wouldn''t feil.

    I turned to my dressing teble, pulling out some witch''s ingredients. I hed e messege to send to them.

    One they''ll love.

    My eyes stared at the words written in blood.

    ''I had warned you not to touch a single hair on her, but still, you didn''t listen,''

    My brows were crippled. How did he know I was behind the Fire Crest Pack?

    ''Now everyone knows about her.''

    I read again, his words confusing me. What the hell was he talking about? And how did he know She

    was the gifted one? Or was there something else I wasn''t aware of?

    ''Don''t do anything to harm her, witch, I am warning you.''

    I rolled my eyes. The only thing I wanted at the moment was to kill that bloody tramp. My every attempt

    to get rid of her had always backfired.

    ''Fix the mess you made, otherwise you won''t be able to get what you want, and neither would I.''

    Finally, he understood it. If things keep going like this, neither the Alpha nor I will be able to get what

    we want.

    I folded the paper, lighting it up in mes with my magic. I began to think about how to fix this mess,

    and everything I thought had led to the undeniable fact that She was a problem and she had to

    disappear from the picture to ensure my sess.

    But the Alpha insisted I do not harm her. Regardless of the rtionship they shared, he should realize

    that his ambition was far greater than any faux bond.

    He had his own goal, and so did I. And to get my revenge on Killian, I am ready to cross all boundaries

    to hit him where it hurts the most. He ruined my life, and I will do just that, starting with his pathetic

    mate, and then his stupid pack, and finally, I will end him.

    I smiled devilishly to myself for a second, before frowning. My entire n would still have been

    sessful if the ck Blood Pack were quick to murder her. If only they killed her immediately, she

    wouldn''t have been rescued.

    Suddenly, a thought popped into my head and I stopped pacing. A smile found my lips, brilliant. That

    was brilliant.

    Even with the fact that the whole world knew about the curse on the Crescent North Pack, not all packs

    could take on Killian''s pack. He was thergest and most widely feared in the whole of North Central.

    There was only one pack that had as much hatred as I did for Killian and would do absolutely anything

    to make him suffer. They also had one of thergest Pack in the whole of North Central and wouldn''t

    hesitate to harm Killian''s mate.

    My smile only deepened. They were the ck Blood Pack. I am sure, Alpha Leonardo and Alpha

    Kaiser ck would be ted to finish off that bitch once and for all. And I knew they wouldn''t fail.

    I turned to my dressing table, pulling out some witch''s ingredients. I had a message to send to them.

    One they''ll love.

    My ayas starad at tha words writtan in blood.

    ''I had warnad you not to touch a sin hair on har, but still, you didn''t listan,''

    My brows wara cripd. How did ha know I was bahind tha Fira Crast Pack?

    ''Now avaryona knows about har.''

    I raad again, his words confusing ma. What tha hall was ha talking about? And how did ha know Sha

    was tha giftad ona? Or was thara somathing alsa I wasn''t awara of?

    ''Don''t do anything to harm har, witch, I am warning you.''

    I rod my ayas. Tha only thing I wantad at tha momant was to kill that bloody tramp. My avary attampt

    to gat rid of har had always backfirad.

    ''Fix tha mass you mada, otharwisa you won''t ba a to gat what you want, and naithar would I.''

    Finally, ha undarstood it. If things kaap going lika this, naithar tha Alpha nor I will ba a to gat what

    wa want.

    I foldad tha papar, lighting it up in mas with my magic. I bagan to think about how to fix this mass,

    and avarything I thought hadd to tha undania fact that Sha was a prom and sha had to

    disappaar from tha pictura to ansura my sass.

    But tha Alpha insistad I do not harm har. Ragarss of tha rtionship thay sharad, ha should raaliza

    that his ambition was far graatar than any faux bond.

    Ha had his own goal, and so did I. And to gat my ravanga on Killian, I am raady to cross all boundarias

    to hit him whara it hurts tha most. Ha ruinad my lifa, and I will do just that, starting with his pathatic

    mata, and than his stupid pack, and finally, I will and him.

    I smd davilishly to mysalf for a sacond, bafora frowning. My antira n would still hava baan

    sassful if tha ck Blood Pack wara quick to murdar har. If only thay kid har immadiataly, sha

    wouldn''t hava baan rascuad.

    Suddanly, a thought poppad into my haad and I stoppad pacing. A sm found my lips, brilliant. That

    was brilliant.

    Evan with tha fact that tha wh world knaw about tha cursa on tha Crascant North Pack, not all packs

    could taka on Killian''s pack. Ha was thargast and most widaly faarad in tha wh of North Cantral.

    Thara was only ona pack that had as much hatrad as I did for Killian and would do absolutaly anything

    to maka him suffar. Thay also had ona of thargast Pack in tha wh of North Cantral and wouldn''t

    hasitata to harm Killian''s mata.

    My sm only daapanad. Thay wara tha ck Blood Pack. I am sura, Alpha Laonardo and Alpha

    Kaisar ck would ba tad to finish off that bitch onca and for all. And I knaw thay wouldn''t fail.

    I turnad to my drassing ta, pulling out soma witch''s ingradiants. I had a massaga to sand to tham.

    Ona thay''ll lova.

 Chapter 84

    ?Chapter 84

    Leonardo ck''s point of view

    "That was stupid, Leonardo." Kaiser huffed. "We had her right here in her own home after fourteen long years, and we allowed her to leave, just like that, with those fucking assholes," he could not just stop pacing. "They even have a fucking curse on their fucking heads. What if she''s also affected by being in that pack?" He yelled, still upset. I remained silent, devouring my dinner in the private dining room next to my chamber.

    He has been this way since Killian left with She in his arms. He didn''t like that. He wanted us to have fought to keep her here with us. And if we did, what would have happened after that?

    The whole world will get to know She was our sister, the white wolf written about on the crystal stones. Soon, it won''t be long before the Dark Circle sends their henchmen after her, and thereafter, creatures the world had never seen or heard of wille after her because of her powerful magic.

    Even though I felt enraged as well, letting my sister go away with that bastard, the truth was, that was the best way to keep her safe and off the raider for now.

    "Kai, please calm down," My mate, Denise spoke to him in an attempt to quell his rage but that was of no use.

    "You don''t understand, Den, what if Killian finds out she''s a ck?" Kaiser was greatly vexed and frustrated.

    And I understood where his rage wasing from. He had always had this rage from that night when he witnessed it all. The night mother died saving She and still, she was stolen. The Alpha and I had gone for a meeting that day, and we still hadn''t returned that night. It was only mother, Kaiser and She that was in the pack, along with the witches and Pack warriors. Kaiser witnessed it all, the death of our mother, and right before his eyes, She was taken. He has always med himself for that night, and now, finding She after all these years, he was obsessed with keeping her safe. And I understood that and would never me him for that.

    I picked up the silver cup on the table and took a sip from it. "Kai," I called to him. "I know exactly how you feel, but now is not the time to be furious."

    "How can I not? She doesn''t remember anything. After this night, she will start having questions about herself. What if out of desperation, she confronts Lucius? We still have no idea how she ended up in the hands of that bloody bastard. But one thing for sure is that he knows exactly who she is, that''s why he had her powers bonded, and he could possibly be responsible for her losing her memories," he mmed his hands on the table.

    "Calm down, Kai," I yelled, trying to calm him down, but everything he said had a valid point. We still had no idea how She ended up with Alpha Lucius after she was taken by Killian''s father. And since then, she has been locked up in his pack, living as the bastard''s daughter.

    "You have a point, Kai, but you need to remain calm," I said, "Now take a seat," I added, finishing my dinner.

    Kaiser sighed, taking a seat right opposite Denise.

    "What do we do now, brother?" He asked, running a hand through his hair.

    "We do nothing. Right now, She is better off far away from us. Everyone, including the Dark Circle, will be searching for her, and they will keep an eye on us to find out if we know her whereabouts," I said, about to say more when the silver te in front of me began to shake.

    Kaiser was up instantly, but I remained in my seat, watching the silver te closely as red water began to appear on it. It was blood. Someone was trying to send a message to me. A witch. My mate, Denise was beside me, our eyes were glued on the blood that kept on gathering on the te. And soon, the te stopped moving.

    I didn''t break my gaze from the silver te, as the blood on it began to spread out, forming words.

    In short seconds, the blood formed some words. My blue eyes read it, and I felt a churn within me.

    ''You hate the cursed Alpha, and I do too. The only way to make him suffer is to kill his mate. She is the key to breaking his curse. Her death will be what we need to make him suffer.''

    I read the words over and over again, hearing the growls of my wolf in the walls of my mind.

    Kaiser released a loud growl, his eyes were gleaming bright. "Now, who the hell is this imbecile?"

    "Whoever this person is, they obviously have a grudge against Alpha Killian," Denise spoke, returning to her seat.

    "And they n to use my sister to make him suffer," Kaiser released another growl.

    My eyes were still stuck on the words on the silver te. "She is the key to breaking the Alpha''s curse?" I muttered, more like whispering to myself but Kaiser and Denise could hear me. Kaiser stopped growling. "How is that possible?"

    Fuck. What the hell is going on in that pack? Whosoever sent this really wanted to harm Killian, and frankly, I don''t have a problem with that. But I didn''t like the fact that they were pulling my sister into this mess.

    I sighed, turning to Kaiser. "Take this to the Pack''s witches, maybe they can get something from it," I pointed at the te. "Afterwards, we will send it to Valerie, being inside Killian''s pack she''ll be able to keep She safe."

    "Whoever the witch was that sent this must be in Killian''s pack," Denise said.

    I nodded. "That''s why we need Valerie, we have to send word to her immediately," I said.

    "That won''t be a problem," Kaiser said leaning on the table.

    I turned my head to him, "meaning?"

    He tilted his head to the door, "She''s right here."

    I nced at the door, and Valerie was standing right there, having a brown cloak over her. She dragged down the hood covering her hair, "We really need to talk."

    I breathed out, leaning into my chair. "I guess we do,"N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    Valerie gaited forward.

    "I am curious, how long have you known about She?" Kaiser asked her.

    "I had my suspicions the first day I met her, and after that, there have been some peculiar situations that convinced me the most," she said.

    "How is she?" I asked the question everyone was curious to know.

    "She''s still unconscious, and still has a fever," she paused, "I don''t think her awakening is over yet as I can''t seem to stop her fever."

    "That''s fucking bad," Kaiser growled. "And that bastard, did you tell him who she truly is?"

    Valerie threw Kai an angry look. Her deep purple eyes dwelt on him for a while before looking away. "As much as I hate keeping things from the Alpha, my first loyalty doesn''t lie with either him or the cks. It lies with the white wolf. It is the duty of the witches of the Crystal Fortress to protect her, and that''s what I will do.

    Somehow, her words satisfied me. The witches'' first loyalty should lie with She. I pushed the silver te to her side.

    Valerie''s eyes fell on me before theynded on the words formed on the silver te. "What is this?" She spoke as soon as she finished reading it.

    "It was sent a few minutes ago," Kaiser settled into one of the seats.

    Her purple eyes fell on all three of us.

    "A witch sent that to us, and they are after She, do you know anything about this?" I asked her.

    She shook her head. "No. But for some time now, an unknown witch has been after the pack. The witches and I have been trying to find out who that is. They have been trying to harm Killian, by using his mate, She. But recently, I think she may have been a target."

    "I don''t care about Killian, I care about She," I said, in fury. We must find that witch before something bad happens, and please, Valerie, you must protect her."

    "With my life, I will." She sounded.

    "My witches will take a look at that, and they''ll forward it to you," I said to her and she nodded.

    "Everyone knows that the white wolf still lives. Every dark creature will be searching for her now, including the Council," Valerie said.

    "And the Dark Circle," Kaiser added.

    "I know. Everyone will have their eyes on the pack," I said.

    "It wouldn''t be long before the truth gets out," she said.

    I hated to think about what would happen then. Whatever the case may be, would ensure what happened fourteen-odd years ago, would never repeat itself. The Dark Circle will have no choice but to lose this time.

 Chapter 85

    Chapter 85:

    THE WEST TOWER IN THE DARK PALACE, SOMEWHERE IN THE EAST CENTRAL

    "Hmmm," I moaned, settling deep into the hot water that covered my skin. I felt the steam seeping into my bones, and I loved it. The warmth that covered my massive chamber and the blue candlelight that was lit in every corner of the room were seductive. My golden eyes squinted, watching the beautiful woman thaty half-naked on my bed, regarding me seductively. Her stares made my member harden even more.

    In my six hundred years of existence, no one had made me feel this way, this alive. She was mine to have and to keep. I watched her move from the bed, cing her slender legs on the ground. She knew exactly what she was doing to me, and I couldn''t help but smirk darkly.

    Slowly, she pulled from the bed, taking careful steps towards the tub. Her long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, covering her face as usual. She only had a transparent sleeveless dress on her, which barely covered anything. I could see the perfect outline of her full and perky breasts, down to her curves and her round ass. My smirk deepened as I kept appreciating her beauty.

    She stopped right before me. I couldn''t see her face, but I could see the naughty smile ying on her pink and luscious lips. Slowly, she began pulling down the single strand of her dress. In short seconds, they fell to the floor, and her beautiful form was in my view.

    She bent slowly, joining me in the tub, moving her body in the hot water until she was right next to me. Her hands pulled up to my neck, and I moaned at the pleasure she was giving me. Taking a bold step, she pressed her pristine body to mine, making me feel her softness against me. My member hardened even more as she began to grind her lower half on me.

    "Hmmm," I moaned, moving to the rhythm of her stimtion. Myrge hands fell to her waist as I pinned her love hole against my hardened shaft, grinding faster and harder.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    She moaned, wrapping her legs around my waist, her nipples hardening against my chest. Her lips released sweet moans from me.

    I continued my actions as her soft lips swallowed mine. They were the same as every other night, always leaving a sweet sensation on me.

    I was getting harder with this exercise, and I wanted herpletely already. With her legs around my waist, I walked out of the tub and moved to the bed. Iid her on the bed, climbing on top of her. She spread her legs for me, also burning with the desire to have me inside of her.

    Suddenly, her lips twitched darkly. She leaned closer to me, and her tender hands picked my full length in her hand, and she began kneading it.

    I moaned, she pushed me onto the bed and was on top of me in a hurry. She bent forward and her mouth swallowed my shaft. Then I felt her tongue licking around the tip of my member. All I could do was moan when she put me all in her mouth. She began bobbing her head up and down. I could feel the buildup in my lower abdomen. She bobbed her head faster, and faster and kept stroking my shaft at the same time. I was already burning with so much desire that I wanted her already.

    I grabbed her, taking one of her breasts in my mouth as I lowered myself on her, my hardened member sliding into her moist clit.

    She wrapped her legs around my waist as I began thrusting into her, faster and harder, her breasts bouncing against my chest. I continued pumping hard until we both reached our climax. I began to kiss her neck, moving up to her slender jaw, and finally, my lips found hers.

    I pulled away, staring at her deeply. My fingers went up to the long brown hair that covered her face. I had to see the face of the woman that had always invaded my dreams.

    My fingers began pulling back her hair from her face, but just like in my other dreams when I was about to see her face, she vanished, and I awoke from my dream. This time it was different.

    My finger pulled back her hair, but all I could see was a bright blue glow covering her face.

    Her eyes were torching bright blue. Suddenly, the whole chamber began to shake uncontrobly. The windows flew open, and the violent wind from outside crashed into the chamber. That was when my eyes took notice of the blood moon that was hanging boldly in the red sky.

    My golden eyes widened. This can''t be. My eyes fell back on the beautiful woman on the bed, and I saw it in her gaze. The blood moon. It was embedded in her bright gaze.

    I gasped as my golden eyes darkened. It was her. That child. The white wolf. The prophesied one, she still lives.

    I jerked up from my sleep. My eyes scanned around my chamber and it was just fine. I pushed up from the bed, donning my garment. I hurried to the window, peering at the sky. It was a blood moon. A moon that signified the power of the white wolf.

    "Landon!" I growled, and hastily, the doors to my chamber burst open, and Landon, my most trusted servant, hurried in.

    "Yes, Dark Lord," he stammered, bowing his head to me.

    "Bring Niks to my chamber at once," I growled again, my eyes not moving away from the blood moon in the red sky.

    "Sire, sir Niks, and the witches are at the dark cave right now," Landon informed me, "I will inform him at once, sire,"

    "Leave it be," I said coldly, "I will join them in the dark cave," I stormed out of my chamber.

    I left my chamber immediately, moving through the dark hallways with the warriors behind me. I descended the stairs and took the path to the underground cave within the castle. It led me outside in the darkness. The blood moon was still shining brightly in the sky, I continued to move in the darkness when a bright wave of energy swept through the entire castle grounds.

    Its great magic forced me to halt in my tracks, it was identical to the great energy that filtered around my chamber in my dream about her. After several turns, I reached the dark cave that belonged to the witches of my Dark Circle.

    As if expecting me, Niks was at the entrance awaiting me.

    "Did you feel it?" I asked as soon as my golden eyes took him in. "It''s her,"

    "Yes, Dark Lord. I am as shocked as you are," he muttered, lowering his head down to me. "All these years, we believed that child was dead, but she isn''t. That bloody Alpha Nell, he failed to fulfill his obligation fourteen odd years ago."

    I paused, listening to Niks, my eyes were glued on the powerful blood moon. I could feel its power and the instant pull to it. That child was the one that always appeared in my dreams. She was the woman I have been desperately searching for all this while, my Dark Luna. I groaned, what a damned twist.

    "What is it, Dark Lord?" Niks asked beside me.

    "It''s her. It has been her all along. That child has been the very woman I have been searching for," I told Niks.

    "Your Dark Luna?" He asked calmly and I nodded once. For more than a year now, I have been having dreams about that woman. I have never been able to see her beautiful face, whenever I tried to know exactly who she was, I ended up waking from my dreams.

    It was after some months, I realized just who that woman was to me, she was my destined mate, my Dark Luna. But what I didn''t expect was that in my six hundred years of existence, I, dimir, will be mated to the very child who was rumored to be the end of me.

    Niks was about to speak when the inside of the cave sparkled with bright light, and I felt the human energy that had been sucked by the phoenix stones. I turned to Niks, before moving deeper into the cave. I stopped at the doorway, watching the several dark witches of my circle preparing another ritual to channel the blood sacrifice that was done in the west.

    "How is iting up?" I asked,

    Niks released a dark smile, "the blood ritual isn''t anywhere nearplete, we still need more sacrifice, my Lord."

    "Fine, inform the Circle and get as many warriors as you need to attack the East," I watched as the witches'' chants grew fiercer, making the four phoenix stones that were positioned around the wooden coffin glow brighter. Niks was right, we still needed more sacrifice before we could breathe life back into her.

    "And the woman? What do we do about her?" Niks asked me, and I nced once more at the blood moon before meeting his stare.

    "The child still lives, so we must find her, at all costs."

 Chapter 86

    Chapter 86

    Killian''s point of view

    I dismissed the meeting, leaving with everyone. To my surprise, I had forgotten to close the general link between the pack and me, and now the entire pack knows everything. They were aware of the situation that Thea wasn''t the gifted one, and that She could be the one we had been searching for. I moved in a hurry back to my chamber where She was. Brielle was with her, and as soon as she saw me, she lowered her head.

    "How is she?" I asked her, moving to the bed.

    "Still the same, Alpha. But I think she''s in pain, and her body is still fucking hot." Brielle said and I nodded to her words.

    After some time, she left my chamber, leaving me alone with my mate. I snuck into bed,ying right next to her. Myrge hand fell on her soft round face, and Brielle was right. She''s temperature was rising every second.

    I cradled her softly into my arms, stroking her brown hair. She looked so fragile. I couldn''t stop the tears that rushed from my eyes. This was all my fault because I couldn''t protect my own mate.

    Even though I tried not thinking about it, I couldn''t help but reconsider Valerie''s im about She being the gifted one. Was that truly possible? I really did not know. But if truly my very own mate was the gifted one we had desperately searched for, I don''t know how I''d forgive myself for everything I had put her through. The pain and the heartbreak.

    I rested my head next to hers, watching her as the night faded away, ushering in a new dawn.

    I jerked my eyes open, I didn''t know when I fell asleep. My eyes fell on She, she was still unconscious, and her temperature remained the same. I sighed, pulling my gaze to the window. It was already bright outside.

    I tucked her securely under the covers, heading to the bathroom. I showered and got dressed. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

    "Come in," I said, and the door pushed open, revealing Valerie, and beside her was Lorenzo.

    They lowered their heads to me, before moving closer to the bed where my mate was. They checked her condition and both Valerie and Lorenzo muttered some chants, to lessen her temperature and aid her quick recovery.

    I didn''t want to leave She, but there were a lot of things that had to be done with the destruction that happened throughout the territoryst night.

    I left She with Ria in my chamber, heading to the Packhouse. With the help of the witches, we were able to fix the damage and destruction that spread throughout the pack.

    I was in my office, having a meeting with the pack ranking members when I was mind linked by Jax and Nate, they were patrolling around the Pack''s borders.

    "Alpha, we have a problem," Nate''s mind linked me.

    "What is it?" I said. I could have been prepared for anything that left his lips, but not the words that echoed in my ears.

    "It''s the Alpha of the Silver Mist Pack, he is here, and demands to be allowed into the territory," Jax said through the mind link.

    I got up on my feet in a hurry. Alpha Lucius? What the hell was he doing here?

    "He must have heard about the attack," Ryker sounded in my head.

    "True, but he is not weed in my pack," That was the fact. The Silver Mist Pack and the Crescent North Pack were enemies, there was no fucking valid reason for him to be here, except for She.

    I sighed, listening to Jax. "Should we let him in, Alpha?"

    No. He is not allowed to step a single foot into our territory. Send him back at once and if he persists, the pack can shred him into pieces. But I couldn''t say that, even though the words were tempting. He was She''s father, and I could bet she wouldn''t want a fight between us, especially when she was in that state.

    "Let them in, and see to it that they are cautiously escorted to the castle," I breathed out.

    "Yes, Alpha," both Jax and Nate sounded in response.

    I dismissed the meeting. Morgan, Mason, and I, sauntered to the castle doors, and just then, Alpha Lucius and a few of his warriors reached in front of the Castle doors.

    "State your purpose here Lucius, you are not wee in my pack," I sounded,

    His dark brown eyes scanned my warriors that soon stood behind him. A small, annoying smirk fell on his lips.

    "I am here solely for my daughter. Word came to me that there was an attackst night, I just simply want to know how my daughter is doing," Alpha Lucius said.

    "She can''t see you right now," I told him.

    "And why is that?" Alpha Lucius spoke with a frown.

    "She''s unconscious."

    "Precisely why I need to see her. She''s my daughter," he said, and I considered his words briefly.

    Regardless, he was right. She was his daughter, and I couldn''t stop him from seeing her.

    "Come with me," I told him, leaving his warriors at the castle doors with some of my own. But he insisted one of his warriors, came with him. I led him and one of his warriors who was dressed in ck to my chamber where She was lying unconscious.

    As soon as Ria saw us, she was up from the bed, she lowered her head to both Lucius and me.

    "Leave us, I need some time with my daughter, alone." he demanded, insisting Ria and I left him and his warrior in my chamber.

    "I apologize. But that won''t be possible. I am her mate, so, I will be staying right here," I said to him.

    "Let''s not delude ourselves, Killian. We both hate each other and I do not trust you one bit with my daughter," he said coldly.

    "The same daughter you were more than happy to send away with an enemy of your pack?" I asked him, folding my arms against my chest. The only reason I allowed him to see She was because he was her father, but I haven''t forgotten how I was told he treated her during her years in his pack. I don''t know why he was here, but I do know it''s not solely because he was a good father and wanted to see his daughter.

    He remained silent, regarding me with hooded dark eyes. His gaze shifted to She on the bed. And slowly he began to move closer to her. He stopped midway and turned to his left where his warrior was standing. "I need to make sure my daughter is alright, check her pulse," He instructed his warrior.

    My brows furrowed. "No other male has the right to touch what''s mine, if you want to inspect her, I suggest you do it yourself, Lucius," I voiced.

    "He isn''t only just a pack warrior, he is also a healer, I need to know what''s wrong with my daughter since no one will tell me," he sounded.

    "I apologize, Alpha Lucius, but even you cannot touch her," From the entrance of the door, I heard Valerie''s loud voice. She spared me a nce before walking in.

    Her deep purple eyes fell on the male standing next to She, before pulling her gaze to Lucius.

    "Luna fell unconscious after abruptly shifting into her wolf for the first time. She needs rest, and being crowded by a lot of people won''t do her any good," Valerie said.

    "She is the one taking care of She. You wanted to see your daughter, and you have, now leave my pack, Alpha Lucius," I said to him.

    His dark eyes narrowed on me hatefully. Without saying a word his gaze fell on the warrior on his left. He nodded gently, "One of these days, Killian, I will teach you a lesson," he said, storming out of my chamber. I asked the warriors to ensure they escort him and his warriors out of my territory.

    I was left alone with She. I settled on the bed next to her, cing a kiss on her forehead when she stirred on the bed. Suddenly, a small groan left her lips, her eyes parted open and my eyes fell into her beautiful ones.

    She groaned on the bed, I reached for the cup of water on the table, and brought it to her parched lips. She drank from it hungrily, finishing the water in the cup.

    "Easy there," I held her in my arms, allowing her to lean on me. I really did not understand why her body was still hot.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    "Killian, I feel so weak," she whispered to me.

    "Shhhh. Don''t strain yourself to talk, I will call ValerieˇŞ"

    She cut me off. "No. I need you, Killian, please just stay with me," she whispered, her eyes shutting closed. I held her in my arms, calling for the pack doctor.

    She came and gave some medicine to She, and never once did I leave her side. I stayed with her throughout the night.

    I stirred on the bed, pulling my eyes open. It was still dark outside, and the candlelight that was lit in my chamber had been out. Quickly, I turned them on, lighting the entire chamber. My eyes widened as they shifted to the bed, and I couldn''t find She next to me.

 Chapter 87

    Chapter 87

    She''s point of view

    Arrgghh!

    I groaned internally in pain. I felt sore all over and there was a murderous ache in my head that kept pounding mercilessly, and tirelessly in my skull.

    My whole body felt like it was in mes, I could feel the enormous surge of magic that flowed within me. It was very familiar.

    "Sweetheart," I heard a familiar, yet foreign voice call out to me. "Wake up," a warm hand touched my body, "It''s time to wake up," the voice sounded again, more urgently.

    Reluctantly, I tried to pull my eyes open but I failed as soon as another ache banged against my skull. It was getting worse and more painful. I could feel the unsettledness within me.

    "Sweetheart, wake up." The voice sounded again, encouraging me to break free once more.

    I groaned again and using all my strength, I pulled my eyes open. Everywhere was bright. So bright that I squinted my eyes, but still I couldn''t see anything. All I could make out were distinct voices, near echoes, and some familiar whispers.

    They kept sounding louder, causing my head to bang harder. I had to pull my hands to both sides of my head in an attempt to stop my head from exploding.

    I kept on writhing in pain and screaming. But no matter how much noise I made, it was as if they all remained within the walls of my mind.

    The ache in my head kept pounding fiercer, getting stronger as if demanding my attention. The more I clutched harder to my head, the short images shed through my head. It had the faces of people I didn''t know or couldn''t remember. I was not sure.

    Suddenly, the air around me became too hot for me. I needed some air, I jerked up from whatever bed I was in and began to search my way to freedom.

    Finally, I found the door, and I raced through it. Staggering my way through the hallways until I stood in darkness, under the bright moon. But it didn''t get better, the air around burned me furiously, as the moon rays steadied themselves on me.

    I felt tremendous pain all over, as I began to run into the woods, fighting against the pain, against the ache, hoping to outrun it all. But it only grew worse.

    "What the hell is happening to me?" I growled out, frustratingly.

    "We are both in pain," I heard Adie''s drained voice clearly in my head.

    "Make it stop!" I yelled as I copsed on the earth in the middle of nowhere. "Please make it all stop."

    "I can''t. It''s our awakening. You have to stop fighting against it and ept it all," Adie spoke in a low tone in so much pain as well.

    ept it? What the hell did she mean by that?

    Before I could ask, another painful howl left my lips.

    Don''t fight it. ept it.

    The words began to echo within me, making me scream more. So, I did as it said, I stopped fighting against it. I let the pain take control over my body, and with one loud scream, my body crashed against the earth.

    My whole vision became blurry, and I could barely recognize my surroundings.

    "Come on sweetheart," I heard a loud voice say, "You can do it. Remember, all you need is control. You must learn how to control your magic, otherwise, it''ll control you," the voice said.

    I pulled my eyes open and I couldn''t recognize where I was. But I could see myself, my younger self. It looked like I was around eight or nine.

    "Remember, you are only as powerful as you want to believe," the voice sounded. I pulled my gaze to a corner and my eyes fell on her. My mother. The woman that had managed to haunt my every awakening. The woman I had always dreamt of but just couldn''t remember.

    I watched my younger self crouch to the earth and ced a hand on it.

    "Feel its magic, and channel it. Make it yours," my mother was behind me, guiding me.

    I closed my eyes and began to rub my hand against the earth. My lips moved, and suddenly, they pulled open, glowing blue. Then flowers of different types began to pop up from the earth, looking beautiful.

    "That''s my girl," My mother said, hugging my young self. Something wasn''t right. Neither could I remember this day, nor could I understand what was going on.

    I didn''t need any shaman to tell me what my younger self did was magic. But that''s not possible. It couldn''t be possible. I wasn''t a witch. I had never done magic in my life.

    "I can''t wait to show my brothers," My young self chirped in delight, widening my confusion the more.

    Brothers?N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Even though I had always wished I had siblings, I didn''t have brothers. Abruptly, I paused. Or did I?

    I didn''t know. I couldn''t even remember this day, only the heavens knew what more I couldn''t remember.

    "It''s almost dusk, we should head back home," my mother said so warmly, that it made me doubt if she was referring to the silver mist pack. That ce felt nothing like home.

    I watched them leave the meadow that had now been covered with beautiful flowers.

    I trailed behind them, leaving the woods. My lips widened at the beautiful sight before me. I was at a ce I never knew. It was beautiful. It was a castle, but one that was made out of crystals. White crystals.

    Where on earth was this ce?

    I looked around when my eyes fell on the bold words that were written on the crystals. The Crystal Fortress.

    This was the crystal fortress for the crystal witches. I never knew I had ever been here.

    I watched my younger self run to the horses, while my mother met up with a witch at the entrance of the Crystal Fortress.

    I knew her. I had also seen her in my dream. The raven-haired woman. She was wearing a red cloak. Mother and she were talking in a low tone, sending worried nces at my younger self.

    I couldn''t hear what they were saying, but I could feel something was wrong. Soon, my mother returned back to my younger self. They climbed their horses and began to ride away.

    I started to race behind the dusty trail of their horses. I had to know everything. I desperately wanted to remember the past, to know who I was.

    But I couldn''t catch up with their speeding horses. I crashed on the ground, crying when my surroundings began to change. And soon I found myself in another unfamiliar ce. It was a pack. But it didn''t look like the silver mist pack.

    I was at a training field, and from afar, I saw two men training, they were fighting against each other. I walked closer, realizing one was a young child. A male, no less than fourteen, was training with a man whose back was sent to me.

    The young boy managed tond a punch at the man when I heard the sound of shortughter. I scanned the field and realized I wasn''t the only audience for this training.

    There was another boy, he looked younger than the other boy. He kept on releasing shortughter as he watched the fight in amusement.

    Who are all these people?

    "Come on Leo, pretend as if you were fighting for your life," the young boy watching them shouted.

    Leo? That name sounded familiar.

    Before I could think, I heard a loud call.

    "Father," I spun around and saw my younger self, racing to the field with my mother behind. They had just returned from the Crystal Fortress.

    She was racing to the man that was training the young boy. Was that my father? Was that Lucius Caso?

    I watched as she reached him, and the man turned around embracing her tightly.

    No. No. That can''t be. None of this made any sense. That wasn''t my father. That wasn''t Lucius Caso.

    This was a bad dream, and I had to wake up. I tried to pull myself out, but then I found myself crippling on the ground, groaning in so much pain. The ache banging in my head returned and the killer pains in my bones came back to life.

    "Don''t fight it, She. It is our awakening, we must remember," I heard Adie''s voice. It was so faint and distant.

    "Remember what?" I yelled back at her, but what greeted me was an unmistakable silence in my soul.

    What did she want me to remember? My past?

    Even I wanted to remember everything. But none of this made sense. I wasn''t a witch, and my father was definitely not that man. I yelled to myself when abruptly, a ring of blue fire surrounded me in a rush.

    The mes around me burned brightly, and intensely with purpose. Its mes began to circle closer around me, it moved to me, almost as if its intention was to consume me.

    I had started to feel its burning effect, when all of a sudden, I felt something shatter within me and within the chaos, I heard the name of a familiar pack.

    The ck Blood Pack.

 Chapter 88

    Chapter 88

    She''s point of view

    I stood frozen, unmoving as my gaze stared at the name written boldly on the castle walls.

    The ck Blood Pack.

    Confusion hit me harder. Why was I here?

    Nothing made sense. Now more than ever, I needed to know exactly what was going on. I was so fucking curious to find out who truly these people were, and why wasn''t the man whom I have always known as my father, not in the picture.

    The blue mes around me died instantly, I walked through the castle doors. I found myself in therge main room. My head turned right as loud noises echoed from there. I began to move through the golden hallways. The more steps I took, I saw several of my younger self racing through the hallways.

    I felt a piercing ache as I remembered memories of myself racing through these hallways. Soon, I reached therge dining court. It was filled with so many people. They were members of the pack, all having dinner around several tables.

    I moved closer to where my younger self was seated. Beside her was the child with deep hazel eyes. They were so familiar. I peered at them more intensely, suddenly gasping in recognition. Before the name left my lips, I heard my younger self say.

    "KaiserˇŞ"

    My blue eyes widened. It couldn''t be. Kaiser ck. Hurriedly, my eyes darted to the other young boy having dinner. My eyes pierced into the soul of his deep blue, he was Kaiser''s older brother. The one I met at the Council, Leonardo ck.

    "Kaiser, be nice to our sister," Leonardo''s deep voice sounded, sending a warm smile to me.

    Our sister? This couldn''t be. They couldn''t be my brothers.

    No. This was all too much to take in. I raced out of therge dining court. I didn''t even know where I was racing to. I only stopped when I heard hushing whispersing from somewhere. It was an office. The door was left slightly ajar.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    My mother was there with the man I can''t seem to remember as my father, along with several others. I couldn''t see their faces clearly but I recognized some of them. They were the Elder wolves.

    "The Dark Circle has known about the child. It''s only a matter of time before they discover her identity ˇŞ" one of the Elders spoke.

    "You both can''t shield her from her destinyˇŞ" someone else spoke.

    "And we are not trying to. But my daughter is too young for what you are proposing, she''s just nine." The man, my father, spoke angrily, banging his hand on the table.

    My mother went to him, soothing him.

    "Fiona, say something. You are a witch, and you saw the prophecy. You know the consequence if we dy any longer." Someone else spoke. "She needs to start her training and be ready for anything. None of us know when the darkness the crystal stones warned us about would surface, it may happen next week, or yearster. But that child is the only one that can save our world."

    "I understand what everyone is saying, but I am with Alpha Logan on this. Our daughter is too young to be exposed to that life yet. She has toe of age first," My mother said, cing a hand on her mate.

    I felt suffocated, I raced out of the castle, swallowing in some air. The ache in my head pounded the more as I growled in so much paining from my head and invading my mind. It was like a force that invaded my mind, forcing me to remember. Immediately, a careless scream left my lips, and a rush of images flooded my mind all at once.

    It was so painful that it attempted to rupture my entire being. This painsted for several minutes, and I copsed on the cold, unfeeling ground.

    The pain banging against my skull has disappeared, but I still felt pain deep within the walls of my mind. My eyes welled with tears as I found the bright moon boring down at me.

    I remembered. I remembered it all.

    The tears that welled in my eyes began to rush down my cheeks and I didn''t bother to stop them. They fell from the pain that held me. I pushed myself from the ground, my eyes scanning the entire surrounding. I remembered it all. This was my home. I had lived all my life here before that night.

    My blue eyes rounded, remembering that night. I felt a sharp pain in my chest. Oh, my goddess. Mother.

    I began to run back to the castle doors, but before I could reach for it, my surroundings began to change and the moment I had always dreaded surrounded me.

    No. Not that night. No, please.

    I scanned around and all I saw was blood. Blood of our warriors of the pack, they were fighting against the Dark Circle army. They attacked in mass numbers when we were not expecting it. Father and my older brother had left for a meeting, it was only Kaiser, mother, and I, along with the pack warriors and witches that were in the pack, but we were outnumbered and my people were dying just to keep me safe.

    From my peripheral vision, I saw my younger self being pulled away by Kaiser while the Crystal Fortress witches tried to fight back the Dark Circle army.

    More tears rushed from my eyes as Kaiser and I raced into the woods, I knew exactly what was going to happen. It hurt me more that I couldn''t do anything to stop the tragedy that was about to happen. Many people lost their lives just to protect me, including my mother.

    Just as expected, a resounding growl rippled through the trees, causing great chaos on the earth, even the wind turned violent. I looked up at the sky and it was red, having a blood moon in the middle.

    Suddenly, a red mist covered thend. I couldn''t see anything. The fights had somehow stopped. I moved my legs in motion, racing to the woods where my younger self would be with mother''s lifeless body and Kaiser''s unconscious one.

    I reached there, and the first person I could find in the mist was my brother, Kaiser. He was alive but badly wounded.

    I couldn''t stop the tears that had covered my eyes as I began to search for my mother''s body. I found her lifeless body in the mist, but my younger self was no longer there.

    I left my mother''s body and raced deeper into the woods, and all I could see was a faint shadow of the man that started this war, Nell Reid, taking my unconscious younger self from my pack to the Dark Circle, no doubt.

    That was all I could remember. For some reason, I didn''t make it to the Dark Circle. By the time I regained consciousness, I had already lost my memories and was at the silver mist pack as the only daughter of the silver mist Alpha, Alpha Lucius.

    What must have happened to me?

    I went back to where mother was lying unconscious on the ground with her body already cold. I knelt beside her, brawling my eyes out. Everything was my fault. Mother''s death, the Crystal Fortress destruction, and everything that came afterward. It was all my fault.

    I gripped her body tightly to me, crying profusely. Then I felt it, a certain warmness began to move on my hand. I pulled away, my eyes falling onto my wrist where warm crimson fluid gathered, feasting on my skin. I groaned at the pain that was growing by the second on my wrist. Itsted for a while before the pain stopped and a small runic symbol was imprinted on my wrist. I recognized the symbol. Mother also had it, it was our ancestral n magic.

    Abruptly without warning, I felt a conscious tug at my soul and new yet familiar energy spread around me, causing me to copse further on the ground, shutting my eyes.

    By the time I pulled my eyes open, I was no longer at the ck Blood Pack. I had jerked back to reality and I wasn''t in Killian''s pack anymore, I was in the middle of nowhere.

    Darkness still covered thend and the moon''s light never flickered away from me. I began to scan around when my eyes fell on the faint outline of a familiar castle, standing not far from where I was.

    I froze, as my eyes began to sting with tears. I was back at a ce I haven''t been for so long. My very home. The ck Blood Pack. I must have subconsciously wandered here.

    I let the tears in my eyes wander freely down my cheeks. I took the familiar path that my brothers and I usually made use of to sneak in and out of the pack.

    After a few minutes of walking, I had sneaked my way into the castle. Just being within the corner walls brought back memories of my past I couldn''t believe I was capable of forgetting.

    I walked down the hallways, moving into therge dining court. I could feel the cold feasting on my dirty bare feet as I forgot to wear some boots before leaving Killian''s pack.

    I walked closer to the paintings that stood up against the wall in the court. It was a painting of father and mother.

    My tears rolled down from my swollen eyes. The more pain enveloped me, I kept on crying profusely so that I didn''t hear the silent steps that approached me, but as soon as I heard the very words I hadn''t heard in a long time, I froze.

    "Sister."

 Chapter 89

    Chapter 89

    She''s point of view

    "Sister?"

    The words echoed loudly in my ears, I could feel my insides be still. The cold that feasted on my bare feet traveled through my bones to my chest. I held my breath, as my body began to swerve around slowly.

    I turned around, and immediately, I was weed by those piercing deep blue eyes that were identical to mine. I couldnˇŻt push back the tears that formed at once just staring at the deep crystals of my older brother, Leonardo.

    My lips trembled against each other.

    "She," he said in a low tone, as his eyes regarded me cautiously in disbelief, and maybe confusion.

    I abandoned the traitorous words that failed to leave my lips, and without holding back, I pushed my legs in motion and closed the lonesome gap between us.

    I raced into his arms, clutching my arms around his neck. It took him a second before I felt his warm hands envelop me.

    "Brother," I broke down in tears as the word left my lips.

    Leonardo held me tightly, almost molding me against his skin.

    "Oh, sister, you have no idea how much I yearned for a hug from you," I heard his soft whisper in my ears.

    Reluctantly, I pulled away from him. I was about to speak when I heard faint sounds of footsteps approaching us.

    "What is happening?" A voice sounded. My eyes pulled past Leonardo to the figure that stood frozen a few feet away from us.

    "Kaiser," More tears rushed down my eyes. I left Leonardo and raced to a shocked Kai. I copsed into his arms, tearing up the more.

    "Do you remember?" He asked almost breathlessly as he pulled me back and cupped my face in hisrge palm.

    I nodded, watching his eyes shimmer with tears. He was about to speak when Leonardo sounded again.

    "We shouldn''t talk here. Let''s go somewhere more private," Leonardo led us to the top floor of the castle. I walked through the hallways, drowning in my tears as they brought back memories of my mother.

    We reached the door at the end of the hallway, and Leonardo pulled it open, leading me inside. Kaiser followed as well. It was a dining room, smaller than the one on the grand floor. There was someone in the room. I recognized her. She was Denise. From the little I remembered her say, she was Leonardo''s mate.

    Her eyes widened as they took me in. She was up on her feet and she rushed to my side. Her shocked gaze was on me and her questions were rooted in her eyes. Before she could ask anything, Leonardo went to her and ced a kiss on her lips.

    "She remembers everything."

    I sat on the chair that Leo pulled out for me, while Kai clung to my side. He settled on the chair next to me, sping my hand to his.

    "How is it possible that you remember everything?" I felt Leonardo behind me, he ced a hand on my shoulder, pulling me around to face him.

    "I don''t know," I sniffled, "I don''t even know how it happened, thest thing I remembered was walking into the woods and feeling so much pain. And that''s when it happened, I started to remember."

    "I can''t believe it," Kaiser pulled me into his arms again.

    "It must be your awakening, it somehow freed you of the spell binding your memories,ˇ± Leonardo said beside me causing me to stare at him widely.

    "Spell? What spell?" I asked, curiously.

    His gaze went from Kaiser to Denise, before meeting mine again. "The reason you couldn''t remember anything from your childhood is that you were under a spell, She, someone had intentionally blocked your powers and locked up your memories."

    Leonardo''s words caused my heart to bang faster against my chest. I had no idea about all of these. But who could have done this? Suddenly, I paused in my thoughts, my blue eyes meeting Kaiser and Leonardo''s.

    "Lucius. It has to be Lucius. He was the one who took me and brainwashed me, making me believe I was his daughter," I was fuming with rage. All this only meant my so-called father knew who I was and kept me away from my family.

    It all made sense now. I understood why he always locked me up in the pack, and never treated me like his daughter. It was because I wasn''t. I wasn''t even his. I felt my anger grow fiercer, and the torches lighting up the dining room began to burn wildly out of control.

    I felt Kaiser''srge arms around me, "Breath, She." He whispered to me, soothing me gently.

    "We also suspect Lucius was the one who ced the spell on you, but it doesn''t make any sense. He wasn''t the one who attacked the pack and took you away, how on earth did you end up with him?" Leonardo asked, pulling my attention to him.

    "Do you remember anything else after the attack?" Kaiser asked beside me.

    I shook my head, my eyes brimming with more tears. "Sadly, thest thing I remembered was my mother dying to save me and that man took me away. I went unconscious. By the time I woke up I had forgotten everything and was already someone else."

    "If you all knew who I was, why didn''t you tell me?" I let the tears roam freely. Now I understood why Kaiser always looked at me the way he did.

    "By the time Leo and I discovered you were with Lucius all these years, it was alreadyte. There was no way we could get to you in Lucius'' pack. And before we knew it, you had already moved to Killian''s pack," Kaiser said. "There was no way we could tell you anything, you wouldn''t have believed us."

    He was right. I might have not believed anything even if they had told me.

    "What about father?" I asked, noticing the sudden shift in the air. But I had to ask. I wanted to know everything. "How did he die?"

    Leonardo''srge hand reached out to mine, covering my hand with his, but he didn''t say anything. I felt guilt suddenly bathe through me. This was my fault. Everything that happened was my fault. Our mother was dead because of me, and so was my father. I broke down in tears.

    "Everything that happened wasn''t your fault, sister," Leo''s hold on my hand tightened. "Don''t me yourself."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    "How can I not?" I asked in tears. "Those imbeciles destroyed the Crystal Fortress because of me, they attacked the pack because of me, mother lost her life trying to save me, and father ˇŞ" I copsed in Kaiser''s arms.

    "With the news of mother''s death, father''s wolf died. He couldn''t bear the pain of losing his mate. And then, he was badly wounded during the war with the Crescent North Pack, he couldn''t survive it all in one night," Kai said to me. "But none of that was your fault. The only one to me is the Dark Circle and that bastard, Nell Reid, and his entire family."

    His entire family? I froze under Kaiser''s stare. He meant Killian and Morgan.

    "No Kai, Killian isn''t ˇŞ"

    "The entire Reids are bastards, it''s because of them we lost everything," Kai muttered in rage.

    "Kaiser, that''s enough," Leonardo''s words echoed within the corner walls.

    "No, brother, that''s the truth. It was their father who killed our sweet mother, I will never forget that night," Kaiser was screaming, his words forced me to remember my mother''s death again. Nell Reid had murdered her.

    I felt a churn in my chest. In all of tonight''s discoveries, I had forgotten one thing. Both my pack and my mate''s pack were the worst of enemies. The cks hated Killian and his pack, and Killian also hated us immensely. I have seen the rage in him whenever it came to the cks, it''s enormous.

    I couldn''t stop the burning tears that rolled from my eyes as my emotion grew too strong to handle, just thinking about what would happen when the truth is out.

    I felt my whole body vibrate with so much pain, suddenly realizing I am in the middle of this hatred between my family and my mate. It made me just wonder how Killian would react when he learns the truth about me.

    What would be of us when he finds out I am a sister to Leonardo and Kaiser ck?

    I felt a terrible pain in my chest, acknowledging the truth that this won''t end well. I could never turn against my own family, and I didn''t want to be an enemy of Killian.

    Suddenly, the solid floor began to shake slightly beneath us. I felt my brother''s hands on me. They were trying to calm me down, but for some reason, I just couldn''t control my emotions or the vibrations around the hall. All I wanted was to release the pain in my chest.

 Chapter 90

    Chapter 90

    She''s point of view

    I couldn''t breathe properly, and the vibrations were only getting worse.

    "Get away from her, you two. This is your fault, Kai," Denise made her way to me, pulling me into her arms. She began rubbing circles on my back, whatever she was doing was really helping. Soon, I felt myself calming down, and the vibrations from the earth stopped.

    I pulled away from her, "Thanks,"

    "I am sorry, I didn''t mean to upset you," Kai was by my side. I couldn''t me him. He had lived these years remembering that night, and the tragedy that befell us, while I had forgotten.

    "We need to ensure more control of your magic, after what happened tonight, the Dark Circle will be after you, again," Leonardo said, and I nodded with him in agreement. I needed to put a leash on this uncontroble energy within me. Mother had always been worried about this, but she always believed I was strong to control my magic, even at a young age.

    "But how?" I asked, "There is no way I can do this alone."

    "And you are not alone, sister," Kai said, and Denise nodded.

    "Our brother''s right. You will never be alone, you have us and Valerie will also help you," Leonardo voiced.

    I quirked my brows, confused. "Valerie?"

    Leo nodded. "She knows about you, and to some extent, she can be trusted. After all, she''s a Crystal witch whose loyalty shoulde to you first."

    I was up on my feet, pacing. I didn''t want to hear that. In fact, I hated hearing that. Even as a child, the witches from the Crystal Fortress had always reminded me of the prophecy, and my supposed destiny of being the white wolf. Even though our mother was also a leader of the Crystal witches, she didn''t put that burden on me.

    Oh, goddess, all this was only gettingplicated. Leonardo was next to me, making me stop walking.

    "I don''t want you to worry about anything. We are here for you, and nothing bad will happen to you, I promise," His words were soothing, but that was the problem. I don''t want to loose someone I love again. And now, Killian and his pack will be in more danger because of me.

    "There''s something you also need to know," Kaiser said as Leonardo and I took our seats. "We received a message from someone in Killian''s pack, a witch. It doesn''t say who the witch is but they are after your life."

    "What? Do they know about me?" I asked,

    "No, they are after you because you are Killian''s mate, but I don''t think that''s the only reason," Leonardo said. That didn''t surprise me. But that witch could be the one that murdered Rowan.

    "Can you think of anyone in that pack that would want to harm you?" Kaiser asked.

    I took a deep breath. "The only person I could think of is Thea, she would want me dead."

    "And who the hell is she?" Leonardo leaned forward.

    "Killian''s whore," Kaiser answered in the worst possible way before I could.

    "What?!" Both Leonardo and Denise sounded in unison.

    "Killian has a lover?" Denise sounded, while Leonardo remained silent, but the rage in his eyes was frightening.

    "He had. But she means nothing to him now," I said,

    "But he still has her living in the castle," Kaiser sounded beside me. This time Leonardo was up, pacing. Everyone could feel the rage emitting from him but he still didn''t utter a word. He reminded me so much of my father all of a sudden.

    "It''s just for the time being," I said, deep down doubting my own words. After the curse is broken, Killian and Thea would be officially mated. Even with that, would it still be possible to send her away from the pack?N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    "Anyways, Thea cannot be the one who sent that message, she''s not a witch, at least, in a literal sense," I said.

    "Alright, then it''s someone else," Denise said, trying to lessen the rage pumping from both Leo and Kai.

    "Come on Leo, stop pacing and take a seat," Denise called to him. Leonardo moved closer to where we were seated, his blue eyes met mine.

    "Killian is a bigger imbecile than I had imagined, She, he cannot be trusted. You cannot tell him who you are," Leonardo said in a serious, yet low tone.

    I shut my eyes, rubbing my palm against my face. Leonardo was wrong about Killian. He just didn''t know him the way I did. Killian could be a lot of things, but Killian could be trusted. I trusted him with my life. But still, though I hated it, I agreed with Leonardo''sst words. It scared me to think how Killian would react when he realized who I was.

    "I know," I said,

    "Guys, it''s almost dawn," Denise said, drawing my attention back to the window.

    "I have to leave now," I said to my brothers.

    Leonardo nodded reluctantly, while Kaiser could barely hide his disapproval. He didn''t want me to return back to Killian''s pack. But I had no choice, regardless of everything, Killian was my mate and he would be looking for me by now.

    Leonardo and Denise gave me a hug. "Just let us know if anything happens, or if you need anything."

    I nodded, fighting the urge to tear up. It was a beautiful feeling having people who genuinely cared for you.

    "I will take you back," Kaiser said, and I nodded gratefully.

    I left the castle with Kaiser through the back door without anyone seeing me.

    We took the horses and began to race toward Killian''s pack. After a short while of riding, we reached the mountains to Killian''s territory. I turned to my brother, "I should go alone from here, the warriors are patrolling the mountains."

    Kaiser nodded, understandingly. He gave me a hug and I continued the rest of my journey alone. I reached the castle as the sun began to climb its way up in the sky.

    I headed for my chamber instead of going to Killian''s. As soon as I reached my chamber, I stripped and took a hot shower.

    It did wonders to relieve me of the pains that feasted on my sore body. I got dressed and was drying my hair when the door pushed open and Killian''s sweet scent and musk swarmed around me.

    I turned around to meet his deep amber pair.

    "Oh, goddess, She," he muttered slowly as he hurried to my side.

    Without thinking twice, I raced to Killian, sprawling my hands around his neck. He wrapped his arms around me, bringing my body closer to his. I felt his hot breath at the crook of my neck, as he kept inhaling me.

    "I was so scared, thinking something must have happened to you, if Valerie hadn''t insisted I wait till dawn, I would have scoured through the capital to find you," Killian whispered, pulling my face to his.

    I could see the pain and the sadness in his depth. Before I could speak, Killian pulled me closer, leaning his head to mine, allowing his lips to touch mine.

    My hands tightened on his neck as I kissed him back with simr passion and desire that neither of us wanted to pull away. I kept on kissing him, moaning into our blissful kiss as his hands moved skillfully on my body. I didn''t want anything to break this beautiful bond Killian and I had grown.

    Killian pulled away from our kiss, we were both panting profusely, holding on to each other like we were literally the air we needed to survive.

    "How are you feeling?" He asked, caressing my cheek warmly.

    "I am fine,"

    "I was so worried when I woke up and you were not next to me. What happened? Where did you go?" He asked as his eyes searched mine.

    I pulled away from him, fighting back the tears that almost formed in my eyes. I went to the bed, and Killian was right next to me.

    Even though I didn''t say a word, Killian could feel my pain and sadness. He wrapped hisrge arms around me.

    "Tell me, She, what happened?" He asked gently. I could see the worry in his gaze. And I didn''t like any of it, but weirdly I felt like everything had changed.

    Killian''srge thumb held my chin, pulling my face to his. "You can trust me, tell me what happened? Why did you leave?"

    I couldn''t stop the waters that clouded my vision, rolling down my cheeks. The fear and worry in Killian''s eyes only increased. I don''t want to lie to him, but at the same time, I don''t want him to hate me when he finds out I was his enemy''s sister.

    I breathed in deeply as Killian''s fingers brushed back my tears. "Do you want to know the truth?" I asked him, my voice holding my tears.

    Killian''s amber eyes never tore away from me as he nodded, wanting to free me of the pain and sadness I felt.

    "I will tell you the truth, Killian," I said, watching the corners of Killian''s eyes furrow on me.

 Chapter 91

    Chapter 91

    She''s point of view

    I watched Killian''s reflection through my ssy eyes. He pulled me into his arms, fear crippling his facial features.

    "Hey, I don''t like seeing you like this, we could talkter, you need rest right now, you need to sleep," Killian said, cing me down on the bed. He crawled in beside me, pulling the covers over us.

    I rested my head on his chest while hisrge arms swallowed mepletely as he pulled me to sleep. I didn''t know when the exhaustion took over and I fell asleep.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    I found myself in the darkness, crying with blood over me, and before my eyes I watched my mother die in the hands of that man, Nell Reid. Her blood sttered everywhere, smearing the bloody lips of the feral beasts. And his dark murderous eyes fell on me.

    I jerked up on the bed, falling into Killian''s arms that were ready to receive me. He pulled me into his arms, trying to calm me but I couldn''t stop the vibrations that made my body tremble. I gripped him tightly, trying to breathe him in to calm my unsettled emotions, but it was not working. Suddenly, the air around me began to grow cold while the candle me began to burn out of control. This rmed Killian at once, and I realized I could feel the confusion that rose within him, and also his immense worry for me.

    He pulled away from me, about to tend to the growing fire but I held him back, wrapping my hands around him. I needed him to stop all this. I shut my eyes, inhaling as much of him as I could, and his scent was calming. Adie also helped calm me down and slowly, I stopped, and the wild burning of the me and the air returned back to normal.

    Killian cupped my face, gazing deep into my blue crystals. "What happened, love?" His voice was shaky with concern. He could see the chaos within me and just wanted to stop it all.

    I wish he could.

    I shook my head. "I had a bad dream."

    Killian brushed back the locks of hair falling on my face, "it''s just a dream, and nothing more."

    "I wish it was. But it''s not," I whispered under my breath, but he heard me.

    "What do you mean?" He asked, confoundedly.

    "I remembered memories from my childhood that I didn''t even know existed, and now I don''t know what to do with them," I said, still in Killian''s warm arms.

    "Is that what you wanted to tell me?" He asked quietly, and I sighed, nodding halfway. That was part of it. "Alright, you can tell me, love."

    I shut my eyes closed, unsure where to start. I wanted to tell Killian the entire truth but my brothers were right, it would be a bad idea. At Least now. I realized it scared me to know Killian''s reaction when he learns about my true identity. He hated my family so much, and I don''t know if I could ever resolve the enmity between us all.

    Maybe I could, maybe I couldn''t. But now was a bad time to let Killian know.

    "I was adopted, Killian, Alpha Lucius isn''t my real father. I am not even from the silver mist pack," I said, spilling half the truth.

    Killian''s eyes held shock for a passing second before it morphed into rage.

    "That was why he treated you the way he did all this while, because you weren''t his daughter, and that bastard had the audacity to step into my pack ˇŞ"

    "What?" I cut him off. "What do you mean by that?"

    "Alpha Lucius was here today, he came with some warriors to see you," Killian said and my brows crippled further.

    Why would Luciuse here? He was a fucking bastard that didn''t hesitate to give me away to his worst enemy. It didn''t make sense that he woulde here because he was worried for me. Something was wrong. Why did he reallye here?

    "Don''t think about it, it doesn''t matter. The next time he dares cross into my territory, he will regret it," Killian assured, and I nodded.

    "If Lucius adopted you, then who is your family?" He asked, regarding me quietly. "Do you know who they are?"

    I paused for a second, before nodding.

    A small smile found Killian''s lips. "Maybe we can find them, tell me,"

    "My parents are dead, Killian," I voiced.

    "What?" He paused, staring at me, "Did LuciusˇŞ"

    I read his expression and knew exactly what he was thinking. I shook my head.

    "He didn''t. They were killed, but it wasn''t Lucius," I said to him, looking away.

    "Then who did? Tell me, love," he urged, bringing my eyes to his.

    "It doesn''t matter anymore, Killian," I pulled my eyes away from him. "Nothing could change the past."

    Killian bored at me thoughtfully for some long seconds, before pulling me deeper into his arms. I wrapped my arms around him, inhaling his sweet intoxicating scent.

    "I know there''s a lot you are not saying, but whenever you want to tell me everything, I will listen," Killian whispered sweetly to me. I could feel his pure emotions, and his sweet words only made me tear up the most. I pulled him closer to me and pressed my lips to his.

    Killian kissed me back passionately, lowering me onto the bed. Soon he was on top of me, his lips leaving my lips to allow me to breathe in some air.

    "I swear I almost diedst night when I came back and couldn''t find you. I thought I lost you, She and it killed me," he whispered against my lips as I tugged on his hair. Before I could respond, shes of the attack invaded my mind, and I jerked up, remembering everything that happened.

    "Oh, my goddess, Ria!" I couldn''t believe I had forgotten about the attack. "Allen too," my hand covered my lips, remembering I saw them both die. The warriors were all dead.

    "They are fine," Killian held me tightly, his words pulling my confused gaze on him. "Everyone is fine."

    "No. No, that can''t be. I watched Ria and Allen die right before me," I said to him.

    "And that''s true," Killian sighed. "Frankly, I have no idea how it all happened, but they are alive." He added.

    "But that''s impossible," I muttered slowly. I couldn''t remember anything after Allen saved me and was killed by that wolf.

    "Valerie didn''t tell the others about this, but it seems the blood moon in the red sky, and unknown magic that swept through the earth caused it. It brought Ria, Allen, and the warriors back. It saved everyone''s life. So, whatever or whoever caused that, I can''t help but feel grateful," Killian brushed hisrge thumb against my lips, pecking it.

    I breathed out in relief as my heart swelled with joy. Even though I had no idea how it all happened or what I did, I was happy I was able to do some good for the pack. I don''t know what I would have done if everyone died because of me.

    "She," I was drawn out of my thoughts by Killian''s low call. I turned to find his eyes almost ssy with tears. "I am really sorry forst night," he whispered, and I remained silent, allowing him to pour out his emotions. It was obvious they were drowning him. "It''s my fault those imbeciles attacked the pack to have you killed, it''s also my fault those fucking bastards kidnapped you," he paused, shutting his eyes while allowing his forehead to touch mine.

    I could only hold my breath, knowing those fucking bastards he was speaking badly of were my brothers. But I remained silent.

    "I don''t know what they must have done to you while they had you hostage, but I swear I''ll kill every fucking one of them for thatˇŞ" Killian was vibrating with so much rage with every word he muttered, and his rage was only intensifying my pain that I didn''t know when I gripped hard onto his body, causing him to stop talking. His deep amber eyes narrowed on me.

    "Don''t, Killian, please, don''t say such words," I said, watching his expression turn heated.

    "Those assholes kidnapped you to hurt you, just so I could suffer," he said, his voice calm, but his rage was increasing.

    My lips almost parted at his words, about to defend my brothers and let Killian know they didn''t kidnap me. But a more sensible part of me kicked against it. I would only fuel his rage. Killian wouldn''t understand. If anything, my words will only upset him more.

    "Let''s just not talk about them, alright," I said, and he nodded after a while, dismantling his rage. "Since no one was hurt during the attack, everything is fine then,"

    Killian shook his head. "Everything is far from fine. We have a traitor in the pack,"

    "What?"

    "Yes, She. We don''t know, but word about the curse had gone out. Now everyone in the whole of North Central and beyond knows our weakness," Killian voiced painfully.

    I was shocked. This was bad.

    As if reading my expression, he chuckled. But it wasn''t one brewed from amusement, but one from pain, sadness, and frustration.

    "That''s not the worst part, love," he informed me, staring deeply into my eyes. "The crescent moon rising is barely three weeks away and we just found out we still don''t have the gifted one," he paused, gazing at me intently. "Thea isn''t the gifted one."

    My entire being froze.

    What?

 Chapter 92

    <strong>She''s Point of View</strong>

    "That''s not the worst part, love," Killian said with sad and serious eyes as I listened to him. "The crescent moon rising is barely three weeks away and we just found out we still don''t have the gifted one," he paused, gazing at me intently. "Thea isn''t the gifted one."

    My body froze in Killian''s arms. "What?"

    Thea isn''t the gifted one. Those words echoed over and over in the walls of my mind. Even Adie was as shocked as I was.

    I could have been expecting anything but this. I hadn''t seen iting. But wait, something was wrong. "How is that even possible?" I asked. From what I knew, everyone was sure Thea was the gifted one, even Killian had seen her in his dreams. So, how on earth could she suddenly not be the gifted one?

    "I don''t know. But Valerie confirmed it. The cleansing ritual with Thea''s blood didn''t work," he exined it all to me.

    While Adie was exploding with subtle joy, I couldn''t help but feel sadder. This news brought me no joy in any way. If Killian doesn''t find the gifted one before the crescent moon rises, Killian and the pack will be stuck with the curse for the rest of their lives, and if he dies, everyone will die as well.

    I hated Thea, no doubt, but at least she was a solution to all of this. Even if we found another gifted one before the crescent moon night, it would still be the same. Killian would have to officially mate and mark with her. Whether it was Thea or another woman, I would still feel the same pain.

    "That''s true, but it still feels much better that it isn''t that bitch," Adie sounded in my head, making me mentally roll my eyes.

    "Whether it''s that bitch or any other bitch, I still would never be happy," I said, pulling my thoughts back to Killian whose deep gaze was still on me.

    "What are we going to do now, Killian?" I asked as Killian held my hand.

    "Valerie has few suspicions about the gifted one, but she wants to be certain first," I crippled my brows, not understanding anything.

    "What do you mean?"

    "She believes the gifted one is in the pack, She," Killian said,

    "What? Who is she?" The words flew out instantly, as Killian''s hold on me tightened.

    "You," he sounded. His words began to echo loudly in my ears. I was still for a brief second before my lips parted.

    "You are joking, right?" I voiced, but Killian shook his head seriously.

    My blue crystals dwelt on Killian intensely as my heart pounded slowly. None of this made sense. How did the gifted one suddenly change from Thea to me?

    "Hey, we are not certain yet, but Valerie has a way to confirm it," Killian said, rubbing the skin of my arms. "If you are up for it, she''ll exin everything to you," he added again, while I kept watching him quietly. He moved closer to me, "I can''t deny it, She, deep down I really hope Valerie is right and you are the one I have been desperately searching for, it''ll be heartbreaking to realize that you were right in front of me all this time, but at the same time, it''ll be wonderful to know that it''s you," he muttered slowly, before engulfing my lips with his.

    He kissed me slowly, hisrge palm on my cheek moving tenderly to the back of my head, while my fingers tugged on his shirt. Killian and I pulled away, lying back on the bed. We managed to get some sleep.

    When I woke up, it was so bright outside, the sun was shining down so intensely. I stirred on the bed, and Killian was still beside me. His manly arms are around my waist.

    I smiled, positioning my eyes to stare at him carefully. His blonde hair fell messily to his face, his low stubble framed his jaw so beautifully, and his cherry soft lips glowed under the sun''s rays that seeped through the draperies.

    I smiled naughtily, lowering my gaze to his broad arms and chest. I could see the outline of his tattoo already, and suddenly, I badly wanted to run my fingers on it, and wrap my legs around him. I was drowning deeper in my naughty thoughts when Killian''s voice filled the chamber.

    "Isn''t it too early for impure thoughts?" He asked, the gate of his eyes still shut closed, but his lips formed arge smile while his hands pulled me on top of him. I used the opportunity to straddle him.

    "It''s just the right time for that kind of thought," I whispered over his lips, forcing him to pull his eyes open.

    Killian''s dark eyes regarded me quietly with intense need and lust. "And what are you thinking?" He muttered in the same manner I did.

    "I don''t know, maybe a steamy shower could suffice," I suggested, raising a brow, as Killian''s dark eyes swallowed me. He liked the idea as much as I did.

    Without wasting much time, I began to strip naked on him. His Adam''s apple slid down, as soon as I abandoned thest piece of clothing on my body. I jumped to the floor, and Killian followed my trail. He stripped as well, and our naked bodies settled in the tub in the washing room.

    I was on top of Killian and I helped him to shower. After I was done, he helped me as well. Everywhere he touched on my body left a hot trail of sparks and tingles. My eyes became so dark with lust, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. Immediately, I felt the length of his hardened member. I smiled naughtily, I didn''t sign up for an innocent little shower.

    I held Killian, pushing my body to his, and my lips crashed on his. Immediately, he responded to my kisses, knowing exactly what I wanted. I could feel his smile on my lips. His hands began to move on my body as I started grinding my hips against his, earning a moan from Killian.

    He lowered me into the hot water, devouring one of my breasts so hungrily. In a rush, he left it and moved to the other, suckling on my pink hardened nipple. I moaned, gripping a handful of his wet and sticky hair.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    I could feel my body and soul on fire. I felt every part of me burn intensely with Killian''s touch. My emotions were heightened, the pleasure and the desire. I could also feel Killian''s emotions. It made my core dripping wet for him.

    "Killian, I want you now," I moaned, and he didn''t wait for a second to grant me my wish. I felt his hardened member at the entrance of my core, and soon he pushed inside me.

    I cried with pleasure as Killian began to thrust in and out of me. He pulled me out of the water into his arms while my legs tightened more around his waist. Killian began to pump faster and harder, making me moan even louder.

    He kept on his good work until I reached my climax and so did he. We copsed into the water and washed off the sweat on our bodies. Afterpleting our shower, we stepped out to my chamber. I went to the rack and pulled out a pink dress for today, while Killian''s eyes were on me throughout. He watched me get dressed, seated at the edge of the bed. He would have stayed longer if he wasn''t mind-linked by Mason.

    My eyes turned to him as he strolled to the dressing table. "I need to go now, but I will be there for breakfast," he pecked my lips.

    I finished dressing, and when I was done, I left my chamber, heading to the dining hall. But suddenly, I crashed into a huge, smiling figure right in front of my chamber.

    My lips also grew a smile instantly, and I literally leaped into hisrge arms. "Morgan," I wrapped my hands around his neck as he held me close as well. "It''s really nice to see you again," I whispered to him.

    "Likewise," he pulled away slowly. "How are you feeling?" He asked with concern in his voice.

    "Better than ever," I said, taking his arm that he stuck out for me. We both began to make our way to the dining hall.

    "I am happy to hear that. You really frightened usst night, but I am d we have you back," he said, pausing abruptly when we reached the dining hall. His stare at me became intense. "Did they hurt you? Tell me exactly what they did to you?" All thatced his voice was rage.

    My eyes pierced Morgan''s. By ''they'' he was talking about my brothers.

    "No, they didn''t," I said slowly. Morgan''s eyes narrowed on me.

    "She, I know thest thing you want for this pack is a war right before the crescent moon night, but I know those fucking assholes. I know what evil they are capable of," Morgan said again, his words conflicting with my emotions. While I was thrilled to know the extent of his concern for me, I was also furious with the way he kept addressing my brothers.

    My blue eyes met his, and all I wanted was to clear this misunderstanding and defend my brothers for once.

    I shut my eyes, "Those fucking assholes Morgan, they are my brothers," I heard the words echo around and my eyes widened, watching Morgan''s green eyes color with rage.

    What the hell did I just say?

 Chapter 93

    <strong>She''s Point of View</strong>

    I couldn''t take it anymore, I shut my eyes and sighed, "Those fucking assholes, Morgan, they are my brothers," I said, pulling my eyes open. My blue crystals dwelt on Morgan''s furious gaze.

    "What the hell are you saying, She?" Morgan''s hands gripped my shoulders tightly, his nails digging into my flesh. He was furious, his gaze was murderous.

    "Morgan, what the heck are you doing?" Killian''s raging voice sounded from a corner as he stalked closer to us.

    Morgan''s grip on me only tightened as his green gaze shifted on Killian. "Did you know? Did you know that she is a ck? She is one of those bastards?" Morgan yelled, and suddenly, everything began to shake violently.

    Killian cast a murderous gaze on me, one full of hatred and disgust. His lips pulled open, and he called for the warriors. "Take this bitch and have her executed right away!"

    My eyes widened with how everything turned for the worst within seconds. I couldn''t even speak a word before I was dragged away by the warriors. And just then, I knew I had made a mistake by spilling out the truth.

    I shut my eyes, feeling the pain in my shoulder lessen.

    "Hey, She, please look at me, do you feel any pain?" I heard Morgan''s voice echo faintly in the walls of my mind, forcing me to pull my eyes open.

    My gaze fell on Morgan, he was right before me. His eyes holding fear and concern and not the rage and hatred from a second ago.

    Wait a minute! Something was wrong. I scanned around and there was no Killian, and no warriors dragging me away. What happened?

    "Sweetheart, you were daydreaming!" I heard Adie huff in my head.

    Before I could respond to her, Morgan pulled my attention back to him. "Are you alright?" He asked, still worried about me.

    I nodded.

    He breathed out in relief. "Now tell me," Morgan said and I crippled my brows in confusion.

    "Tell you what?"

    "You wanted to tell me the truth," he said gently.

    The truth. The words sounded in my ears.

    "Please She, you might want to keep that truth to yourself for now," Adie uttered, and I couldn''t help but mentally agree with her. Now wasn''t the best time, to tell the truth, and with the way my daydreaming took a turn for the worse, I''d rather not say anything now.

    "The truth is, I really don''t remember anything. But I don''t think they did anything bad to me," I said, taking a seat.

    Morgan settled next to me. "If that''s the case, then I''m d we arrived just in time before something bad happened."

    I could only nod as the helpers served us some food.

    After a while, Killian joined us, but there was no sign of Thea around. I didn''t let it bother me, I focused on my food instead.

    After we were done eating, Killian informed me of the meeting with Valerie in her spell room. He wanted toe along, but I talked him out of it. I had a lot to say to Valerie and it was best if Killian wasn''t there.

    Reluctantly, he left with Morgan and Allen, while I headed to Valerie''s spell room. I stopped at the tall door in front of me. Now it made absolute sense why it opened for me. Even though my memories were locked away, and my witch powers were bonded, I could still feel my energy.

    I ced my hand on it, and it opened. As soon as it opened, I saw Valerie standing in front of the door with a small smile on her lips.

    "I was expecting you," her smile deepened as the door closed behind me. She walked closer to me, "I was told you remember everything," she said.

    I nodded and we started walking to the table.

    "Your awakening must have purged your entire soul and filtered every kind of impure magic binding you," she sounded.

    "Yes, I think so," I muttered, watching Valerie''s small smile still stered on her lips. "Why do I have the feeling that you knew who I was all this time?"

    "I didn''t, but I can''t lie it didn''t cross my mind. There were a lot of things about you that didn''t just add up, starting with the door," she paused, "but it''s all behind us now," she smiled. "Believe me, I am happy that you are still alive. I don''t know what happened, and how you ended up with Lucius, but I''m thankful he kept you alive, instead of harming you," she said warmly.

    She was right. Even after how Lucius treated me, I was also d that he kept me alive, and that he was more than happy to send me off with Killian, otherwise, I wouldn''t have found out the truth about myself, and I would still be locked up in his pack. Lucius helped me without even realizing it.

    "I heard about Thea not being the gifted one. I meanˇ­ Killian dreamt about her, how is that possible she''s not the gifted one?" I asked,

    "It''s not possible. I don''t know why Killian saw her in his dreams, but something is wrong somewhere. I suspect someone manipted his dream," Valerie said.

    I stared at her in surprise. "Someone? By someone, who do you mean?" I asked,

    "I am not sure. But it has to be a witch responsible for that. Someone who doesn''t want the curse to be broken. Someone who wants to harm Killian, and now, I think you are also on that list," she voiced.

    "You are talking about the witch who sent a message to my brothers?" I asked, and Valerie nodded.

    "The same witch who murdered Rowan in the dungeon, and maybe, was responsible for the fire in Thea''s chamber," Valerie said, while I mentally rolled my eyes.

    I doubt that the fire in Thea''s chamber was done by the witch. Thea is well capable of doing that herself, just so as to get Killian''s attention. I don''t know why everyone doesn''t see that. But I couldn''t say anything, otherwise, I could be tagged as a jealous mate.

    "Regardless of what people might say, I don''t trust that whore," Adie voiced.

    I nodded mentally in agreement. "Me too," I still remember our encounter in Killian''s office. The words she threw at me gave me a bad feeling. If I didn''t know better, I would say Thea might be responsible for everything bad that''s been happening in the pack. But that''s impossible, since she''s just a wolf, and I have no proof of anything.

    I digressed from my thoughts.

    "You have to be careful, She, the witch who tried to murder Thea thinking she was the gifted one mighte after you, you must be careful."

    I nodded to Valerie''s words. "How sure are you that I am the gifted one? For goodness sake, I am Killian''s mate."

    "That doesn''t make it impossible for you to be the gifted one. On the night of the blood moon, you stopped the blood rage driving them crazy," she said, and I chuckled lightly.

    "That night, I was out of control. I did a lot of things," I said to her.

    "But the night you stopped Killian from going on a rampage, you were just fine, She. That was the power of the gifted one on the cursed Alpha," she muttered, and I couldn''t argue further.

    "Alright, what do I have to do to be certain I am the gifted one?" I asked her.

    "We must conduct another cleansing ritual, and this time, the moon binding the curse on the wolves must appear in the sky," she said.

    "The crescent moon?" I queried and Valerie nodded. "When will the ritual take ce?"

    "Tonight," she sounded. "We must be certain to start nning everything from the beginning, since all this while, we''ve been using Thea''s blood."

    "Alright," I whispered, sighing, my eyes pierced into Valerie''s purple eyes. "Do you also think it''s a bad idea to tell Killian the truth?"Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    "Frankly, I don''t know, but what I do know is that the Alpha is a good man, including your brothers, they are all blinded by rage and hatred for one another," Valerie said. "And the worst part is that, the monster that brought about this hatred is no more."

    "Killian''s father, Alpha Nell Reid," I muttered.

    Valerie nodded, "Yes, and that hatred is so dangerous that I fear it may lead to another tragedy."

    At her words, I felt my heart ache badly. It hurt me so badly that this so-called hatred existed between people I held in my heart. The pain was so deep that I gripped tightly to the table, breathing heavily. I had no idea what was wrong with me, but I felt several unidentified emotions cloud my heart.

    "She," Valerie was by my side, and suddenly, a violent wind appeared in the middle of the room, causing great destruction, and darkness covered us.

    4o

 Chapter 94

    <strong>She''s Point of View</strong>

    Darkness covered us and the violent wind that had taken over the room grew more deadly and violent.

    I was causing all of this but I couldn''t stop it.

    Valerie was by my side. "She, you have to calm down, your unsteady emotions have control of you.ˇ±

    "I am trying, but I can''t, Valerie!" I yelled to her in the chaos. She gripped my hand and began chanting, but nothing seemed to be evading the darkness or putting an end to the chaos.

    I could feel the tumult within me, and I knew just then that everything was about to get much worse. I held onto Valerie tightly, and just then, I felt something firm around my wrist. Suddenly, the whole chaos stopped. The darkness vanished and the air became calm once more.

    My eyes fell on my wrist, and there was a ck bead around my wrist. My gaze traveled from my wrist to the door where a figure stood.

    I breathed in relief. "Lorenzo."

    "Thank the heavens, you came at the right time, Lorenzo," Valerie muttered as she used her magic and returned her spell room back to order.

    My eyes fell back on the ck bead around my wrist. It was unusual, having strange symbols etched on each bead, and I couldn''t feel the forced pumping in my veins anymore.

    "What is this?" I asked him, curiously. "I can''t feel anything."

    "Don''t worry, it''s not harmful, it just restricts your magic and ensures something like this doesn''t happen," Lorenzo exined, stalking closer to me in his ck cloak.

    My eyes widened at his words which clearly meant he knew I was also a witch.

    Before I could speak, he smiled deeply. "Valerie told me everything. Be rest assured, your secret is safe with me."

    I turned to Valerie and she nodded.

    "Your emotions are unsteady, you need training to ensure something like this doesn''t happen again," Valerie said.

    I nodded, agreeing with her every word. I really needed to find a way to control the chaos within me.

    "Lorenzo and I will be helping you with that," Valerie said, I nodded, taking another look at Lorenzo who was next to me. "You have to remember your magic is different, She," Valerie''s deep purple eyesnded on me. "It''s the type people would kill for, and you, more than anyone, know how dangerous that is."

    I didn''t need anyone to tell me how much of a danger I am in. Even before my pack was attacked by Killian''s father and the Dark Circle army, many dark creatures came for me. But I had my mother then, and now it all feels different.

    "I know, Valerie."

    "That bracelet will keep your magic restricted, but your magic will still be ever-present. Until you learn how to control your magic, try as much as possible not to use too much of your magic, it could lead enemies straight to us," she voiced gently.

    "Fine, I will try my best not to," I said, brushing my thumb against one of the beads.

    I was with Valerie and Lorenzo as they began to make preparations for tonight''s ritual.

    Soon, we all moved to the witches'' quarters to finish the rest of the preparation.

    After a while, it was already dusk. The witches were outside in the witches'' courtyard, under the bright moonlight. Killian and some of the pack members were present for the ritual.

    The witches took their positions around a burning me. I was standing next to Lorenzo, while Killian was standing next to Valerie.

    Valerie pulled out an athame de, and she handed it to Killian. He held it with his left hand and pierced the sharp de into his right palm. Blood began to flow from his hand, and it fell into the wooden bowl in Valerie''s hands. As the cursed Alpha of the Crescent North Pack, his blood represented the entire pack.

    Lorenzo pulled out another de and handed it to me. I held it with my left hand and cut my right palm with it. My blood rushed down into the same bowl that contained Killian''s blood.

    Immediately, Gwen began chanting and the witches forming a circle around joined in as well.

    Their loud chants rose up to the night sky as Valerie and Lorenzo began a different chant on the bowl that contained Killian''s and my blood.

    Soon, the air around us charged with the magic of all the witches as they were now connected as one. Even with the bracelet on, I could still feel the intensity of their magic. After a while, Valerie ced the bowl into the burning fire, her lips kept on moving nonstop. The instant the bowl containing our blood touched the fire, it began to burn wildly, showing shades of different colors.

    The mes burned brightly, and everyone had to step back. The fire kept growing as it reached for the sky and suddenly, its mes died.

    We were covered by darkness with only the moon''s bright light that shimmered on us all.

    I held my breath, as everyone lifted their heads to the sky. I pulled my gaze up to the clear and dark sky. There was nothing up there, only the full moon.

    I was forced to pull my eyes away from the sky when I felt sparks from around my waist. I turned to my side to find Killian''s arms around me. He ced a kiss on my lips and was about to say something when Lorenzo''s voice sounded in the darkness.

    "The crescent," he muttered, forcing my gaze back to the sky. My eyes rounded from their cage at the sight of the faint moon that appeared in the sky in the shape of a crescent.

    Loud growls rose up in the sky, and sounds ofughter filled my ears. But I still felt so dazed to fully make out my emotions. I couldn''t believe all this while, I was the gifted one. Killian''srge thumb held my chin, slowly pulling my face to his, so I could see his deep amber gaze that held shock, disbelief, and tion.

    Without uttering a word, his lips swallowed mine in a deep kiss. "I can''t believe this," Killian muttered against my lips.

    "Neither can I," I whispered, still in shock.

    Valerie moved to us, her deep purple eyes held so much joy. "After all these years, we have finally found the gifted one, the real one this time," she said as another round of growls from the wolves filled the air. Even still, I couldn''t believe that I was the gifted one.

    I watched the witches perform the cleansing ritual again from afar. I tugged onto the hood of my red cloak that covered my hair and a little of my face.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    Throughout the ritual, my eyes didn''t peel away from that stupid tramp. I felt fury coursing through my veins, and my nails dug deeper into the tree trunk that I was hiding behind.

    Soon, the ritual ended, and everyone''s gaze pulled up to the sky. I also lifted my brown eyes to the night sky, and the crescent moon didn''t appear up in the sky.

    I couldn''t hide the dark smile that slothfully cut through my lips. Before I could let my tion run deeper, loud growls andughter filled the air.

    "The crescent," I heard one of the witches say, immediately, my eyes shifted to the sky, and to my horror and surprise, a faint outline of the crescent moon appeared in the sky.

    I froze. I felt my heart begin to pound louder and faster in my chest. This can''t be.

    What the bloody hell was this? This was unbelievable. All this while that bitch was the gifted one. The cursed Alpha''s stupid mate was the one he had been searching for. She was the one that had always been in his dreams before I manipted his dreams with my magic.

    I held onto the tree tightly until my nails had sessfully made a hole in it.

    "She is the gifted one," I heard the voice of my lover draw close to me in the darkness. Swiftly, I felt his presence behind me. "What is our next n?"

    Honestly, for the first time, I do not know. Those stupid Alphas from the ck Blood Pack haven''t reached out to me yet, and I am losing my patience.

    My angry gaze settled back on that bitch and that stupid Alpha. I hated the happiness that was rooted in his gaze. I knew too well, it was only a matter of time before he kicks me out of his pack because I am nowpletely useless to him.

    But I will never let that happen.

    That stupid Alpha will never be able to get rid of me that easily, until my revenge isplete and I make sure he suffers for the rest of his miserable life.

    Whatever the case may be, I will make sure the stupid Alpha and his pack never free themselves of the crescent curse that my father ced on him.

    With everything Killian Reid has done, death itself was too modest for him.

    4o

 Chapter 95

    Chapter 95 Killian''s Point of ViewN?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    I mind-linked Riannon, and she informed me She had just returned to her chamber. I tossed aside the papers in my hands on the wooden table and pulled up from my chair. I gaited to the door and headed straight for She''s chamber, which was at the right wing of the castle.

    I was there in no time. I ced my hand on the doorknob, pulling it open. Immediately, She''s sweet scent invaded my nostrils, and my deep amber crystals fell on her. I could hear Ryker stir in excitement at the back of my head. She was standing in front of the mirror, next to her dressing table. Her beautiful, pristine body was covered with a white silken robe, and her hair was damp, sticking to her face as lines of water rushed down her body.

    I inhaled deeply as She''s blue eyes met mine from the mirror. She paused briefly, her gaze holding mine as I strode over to where she was. I snaked my hands around her waist, resting my head on her soft shoulder. My hands tightened more around her waist, bringing her closer to me.

    "Hmmm. I''ve missed you," I whispered in a low tone for her ears alone. From the mirror, I could see her lips stretch into a sweet smile, and her soft hands pulled up to mine.

    "Yeah, me too," the sound of her voice and her words caused a grin to appear on my face. It made me ted to know she also missed me as much as I did. Thest few days have been hell for me, not being able to have her always next to me like before. It was only during these kinds of short moments I could steal some time and be with her.

    She has been spending most of her mornings and afternoons with the witches in the witches'' quarters. And during the evenings, she''s always with the warriors, training. The only time I get to spend some time with my mate is at the peak of midnight when we are training.

    I let my hands on her waist wander up her body, caressing the soft flesh of her sides, up to the exposed valley of her chest that wasn''t properly covered by the robe. I could feel the electrifying sparks that ran through my entire body, sending shivers of pleasurable sensation around my body. I inhaled her sweet scent, sweeping back the wet, sticky locks of her hair away from her neck, and I started nting feathery kisses on the crook of her neck.

    She moaned softly, flinging her head back to give me more ess to her neck. I continued nibbling on it, sucking it. She''s sweet moans to my assault on her neck made me so hard down there.

    I gripped her tightly, swerving her around swiftly. I lifted her onto the table, and immediately, I crashed my lips on hers, kissing her gently. I felt She''s hands wrap around my neck, and her legs parted from each other, allowing my legs to move freely between hers.

    I kissed her passionately, and we pulled away, panting hard. I just couldn''t stop myself. Ryker and I were dying to have her right now, as every part of her kept seducing me. I held the tip of the silken robe covering She''s body, I pulled it open gently, and her bare chest and wless skin came into my view.

    My eyes hungrily took in She''s round, and full breasts. I swallowed hard, feeling my temperature rise and my erection against my pants. I pulled my hand to one of her breasts, and my padded thumb brushed against its softness, caressing her pink, hardened nipple. She released a moan, running her hands on my body.

    "You''re beautiful, She," I whispered to her. It was the truth. She was beautiful. Every part of her held its unique beauty capable of driving any man insane. I held onto her other breast, touching it softly, and at the same time caressing it.

    She whimpered under my touch. I could feel her getting turned on and sexually aroused by my caresses. Even I had almost gone insane from her wless beauty. I leaned closer to her, engulfing her lips with mine while my hands kept on caressing her soft, perky breasts.

    She moaned into our kiss. Hearing her sweet, alien moans, I pulled away from her lips, giving her breasts my attention. I bent down, and my warm lips swallowed one of her nipples and began to suckle on it. She released another moan, pulling her hands around my neck again. She lifted her body, and her legs wrapped around my waist.

    I held onto her body firmly, as she released a sensual cry, her body trembling against mine.

    "Killian," She whispered breathlessly, her hands on my hair tightening.

    My pressure on her breast intensified. I gripped the other one, squeezing it, and caressing its hardened nipple. My tongue crossed over to it.

    She moaned into my ears, rubbing her lower half against my hardened member, causing the friction she wanted.

    Holy goddess! I felt my body burn with desire. This time I was the one that moaned her name. My lips reluctantly left her breast and found her lips, again in a kiss, while my hands kept squeezing her breasts.

    I had lost all my sanity now, and I just wanted to make sweet love to her. But She stopped me, pulling her lips away from mine. Her forehead rested against mine, and we were both panting.

    "Killian,"

    "What?" I replied out of breath.

    "We should stop now. We have a celebration to get to, remember?" she muttered, and I moaned again as her soft breath fanned my lips.

    I groaned internally. "I didn''t forget about the feast tonight. Certainly, everyone could wait for us," I said, pecking her lips continuously, attempting to seduce her to the bed.

    "They could, but we should be there on time. Remember the feast is being thrown by everyone in the pack for us," she reminded, and Ryker groaned frustratingly at the back of my head.

    "Cancel the feast, Killian," Ryker growled, so eager to have She in our bed. And I was with him on that. Before I could speak, She furrowed her brows, and her slender hands cupped my face.

    "You and Ryker better not get stupid ideas like canceling the feast everyone worked hard to prepare for," she warned, bossily, making me smile. It''s amusing how these past few days she always manages to know what I am thinking.

    "For the first time, I think I agree with Ryker on this one," I joked.

    "Alright Alpha, let''s make a deal," She leaned closer to my body so that I could feel her hardened nipples against my chest, and her legs around my waist tightened, pressing hard against my hardened member.

    Her immediate action caused me to gasp, and she smiled, naughtily.

    "Let''s attend the feast tonight, and after, I promise I am all yours," she said, winking.

    "All mine?" I pecked her lips.

    She nodded, sealing my lips with a kiss. Reluctantly, I agreed. She pulled out of my grasp, adjusting her robe. "Now, please, do me a favor and leave, so I can get dressed."

    "As you wish, love," I kissed her onest time, before exiting her chamber.

    I headed to my chamber and showered. I got dressed for tonight''s feast and went down. Some pack members were giving the finishing touches to the decorations in the grand hall. The ce had begun to crowd with the guests from the pack. I searched around, and She hasn''t stepped out yet.

    My eyes swept around again, and I couldn''t find Thea among the crowd. I had sent someone to her chamber to inform her of tonight''s feast, since she hasn''t stepped out of her chamber for days now.

    Ever since the night of the cleansing ritual when everyone discovered She was the gifted one, Thea had locked herself up in her chamber. She refused to see anyone, including me.

    I could only imagine how she felt. I knew the sudden truth had really hurt her, and I couldn''t help but feel guilty about all of this. Thea didn''t deserve this. And no matter how hard I thought about it, I can''t understand why I saw Thea in my dreams instead. That dream was the cause of this misunderstanding.

    I believed what Valerie had said: that someone had intentionally nted Thea in my dreams to lead the pack and me astray. It was the fucking witch that had murdered Rowan. But the dream was a long time ago; I can''t believe the witch has been disguised within us for that long. But the real question that made me restless was, why was he or she doing all this? What''s the motive?

    I can''t seem to understand. I do have many enemies among my kind, but having a witch against me was another different matter.

    Valerie suggested maybe this unknown witch was sent by someone who has a grudge against me, but deep down I feel that''s not the case. Somehow, I feel this is personal.

    If that witch was sent by someone, it would have been easy to get rid of me with everything that they knew about the curse from a long time ago. But they are not after my life, at least not yet. They want me to suffer in the worst possible way, and that''s why they are after She.

    I stopped in my tracks. I hated having such thoughts. I inhaled deeply, realizing I had subconsciously made my way to Thea''s chamber, and I was standing right in front of her door.

    I knocked gently on the door, but there was no response. After a series of knocks, there was still no response. I could hear her faint heartbeat from inside the chamber, but strangely, I

    could feel something was wrong.

    Instantly, I pulled open the door and the sight that greeted me made my blood turn cold.

    Thea was lying on the floor, her body limp and lifeless. Panic surged through me as I rushed to her side, checking for any signs of life. Her pulse was faint, but she was still alive. I let out a shaky breath of relief, but the overwhelming dread didnˇŻt leave me. Her face was pale, and there were dark circles under her eyes, indicating that she hadn''t been taking care of herself.

    "Thea!" I called out, shaking her gently. "Thea, wake up!"

    There was no response. I quickly scooped her up in my arms and carried her to the bed, trying to assess what had happened. My mind was racing, trying to figure out why she was in this state. I mind-linked Riannon, telling her toe to TheaˇŻs chamber immediately and bring Valerie with her.

    Momentster, Riannon and Valerie rushed in, their faces etched with concern. Valerie immediately approached Thea, her hands glowing with a soft, magical light as she began to examine her.

    "What happened?" Riannon asked, her voice trembling.

    "I donˇŻt know," I replied, my voice strained. "I found her like this."

    Valerie''s face grew serious as she continued her examination. "She''s been under a lot of stress and strain, both physically and emotionally. Her body is weak, and her energy is almost depleted. But there''s more. I sense dark magic lingering around her."

    "Dark magic?" Riannon echoed, her eyes widening. "Who would do this to her?"

    I clenched my fists, anger boiling within me. "It has to be the same witch who has been targeting us. They must have found a way to get to her."

    Valerie nodded. "It''s possible. We need to cleanse her of this dark magic and restore her energy. But it''s not going to be easy."

    "Do whatever it takes," I said firmly. "Just save her."

    Valerie began to work her magic, chanting incantations as she drew out the dark energy from TheaˇŻs body. The room was filled with a soft, glowing light, and I could feel the oppressive presence of the dark magic slowly dissipating. Thea''s breathing became steadier, and some color returned to her face.

    After what felt like an eternity, Valerie finally stepped back, wiping sweat from her forehead. "I''ve done what I can. She should recover, but she needs rest and care. We need to be vignt. Whoever did this will likely try again."

    I nodded, my heart heavy with worry and guilt. "Thank you, Valerie."

    Riannon ced aforting hand on my shoulder. "We''ll get through this, Killian. We just need to stay strong and protect each other."

    I nodded, trying to draw strength from her words. I couldn''t let my guard down, not for a moment. The safety of my pack, and especially She, depended on it.

    As I watched over Thea, I couldn''t help but feel a surge of determination. Whoever was behind this attack, they would pay. I would make sure of it. But for now, I needed to focus on keeping everyone safe and uncovering the identity of the witch who was trying to destroy us from within.

    I left Thea''s chamber, instructing some of the pack members to keep a close watch on her. I made my way back to the grand hall, where the celebration was in full swing. But my mind was elsewhere, consumed with thoughts of revenge and protection.

    When She finally arrived, looking radiant and beautiful, I couldn''t help but smile, even though my heart was heavy with worry. She made her way to me, and I pulled her close, holding her tightly.

    "Everything alright?" she asked, sensing my tension.

    I nodded, forcing a smile. "It will be. Let''s enjoy the feast."

    But deep down, I knew that the real battle was just beginning.

 Chapter 96

    <strong>Killian''s Point of View</strong>

    I pushed the door to Thea''s chamber open. My eyes scanned around the room, dwelling on the figure that was positioned on the bed. It was Thea. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, she didn''t even look my way. It was as though she was lost in her thoughts. Suddenly, she shook gently, her eyes pulled down to the sharp dagger in her hands, and she focused on it briefly, thinking deeply. My eyes widened in horror as Thea drew the dagger to the skin of her neck. My blood instantly turned cold.

    "Thea!" I yelled. Immediately, my legs moved with speed and I crossed the room, getting to the bed where Thea was sitting, holding a dagger to her neck. Before she could slit her throat, I gripped her wrist tightly. "Thea, stop!" My hold was firm, and my amber eyes glowered down at her.

    "No, Killian, please, let me do this," she yelled in tears, and with my non-human strength, I yanked the dagger away from her grip. Unfortunately, its sharp de slit my wrist beforending harshly against the humid floor. My blood smeared my shirt and sttered on the floor.

    "Killian," Thea yelled and was up from the bed immediately, her teary brown eyes holding so much worry and concern. "Oh, my goddess, Killian, are you alright?" Thea gripped a cloth and brought it to my wrist to stop the bleeding. She was trembling profusely. "I am really sorry, I didn''t want you to get hurt."

    I pulled away immediately. "It''s just a cut, Thea. It will heal," I muttered, calming her shaky nerves. Instantly, my anger returned, remembering what she was just about to do. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" I was burning with so much rage. I couldn''t believe she was just about to kill herself. If I didn''te in at the moment I did, I cannot even begin to imagine what would happen to Thea. "What the bloody fuck were you about to do?"

    My amber eyes were burning with so much rage. But instead of answering my questions, Thea broke down in tears. It was then I had a good look at her. She looked so pale, the skin around her eyes was strained and swollen from so much crying. Her lips were so dry, and she looked like she hadn''t been eating these past few days. Her fragile state made my heart ache badly. Thea lookedpletely terrible.

    She held onto her dress, still in tears and about to copse on the floor, but I was quick to reach out to her. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her to the bed.

    Thea held on to me tightly, burying her head in my shirt. "Please, Killian, just let me kill myself," she sobbed. "I can''t think of any other way to put an end to this pain in my chest."

    "Thea, don''t say thatˇŞ" I began, but she cut me off abruptly.

    "No, Killian, it''s the truth. My life has no purpose anymore," she pulled her ssy brown eyes to mine, tugging on to my shirt. "I ampletely useless to you, Killian, I am good for nothing, and I know you don''t want me around anymore. Just let me do one good thing for you, and free you of such a nuisance like me."

    Her words punctured my heart. I grabbed her face in my hands. I hated seeing her like this. All of this was my fault from the start. If I didn''t have that misleading dream about Thea being the gifted one, none of these would have happened. Thea wouldn''t be in this situation.

    "Don''t say such words. None of this is your fault, Thea. And believe me, I am really sorry for everything that happened between us, you don''t deserve someone like me," I said, and she shook her head.

    "That''splete nonsense, Killian. I deserve someone like you. Believe it or not, I was made for you," she muttered firmly. I shook my head, about to speak. I don''t want her to get the wrong idea of things. But Thea stopped me, "Forget it, Killian, I know you have chosen her. Even though I am not the one that''ll free you and the pack from the curse, I am really happy that you have found the gifted one, the real one this time, and fate would have it. She''s your fated mate," A lone tear rolled down from her eyes. I could see the sadness imprinted in her gaze.

    "I hate to see you like this, Thea. Don''t harm yourself all because of me. You have a mate out there just waiting to find you," I told her, and she smiled weakly.

    "A mate?" She tried chuckling but failed at an attempt. "No one can take your ce in my heart, Killian. I know my presence here is a problem to your rtionship with She, so, I will make you a promise, Killian. As soon as the curse is broken, I will leave this pack, but before then, please don''t throw me out. I want to leave the pack knowing you are safe and the Pack that weed me as their own is safe as well," she whispered in tears.

    I wiped the tears off her face. Regardless of everything that happened between Thea and me, I really didn''t like the idea of her leaving. Not because I want her to stay, but because this Pack is all Thea has since she has no family.

    "Enough of that, human! It''s best if she leaves. For She''s sake," Ryker voiced in my head, retreating back to a corner of my mind.

    He was right though. Even though She hasn''t said a word yet, I know she does not like the idea of Thea remaining in the pack.

    "The celebration has begun. Everyone has gathered for the feast, but I think you should rest instead, you don''t look good," I said while helping her into the bed. "I will send someone to bring dinner to you, and have this mess cleaned up," my eyes fell on the stter of my blood that smeared the floor. "But please, promise me that you will not attempt anything stupid."

    She held my stare briefly, before sighing. "I promise."

    I walked to the door when Thea''s voice sounded.

    "Killian,"

    I turned to her soft call.

    "Thank you, I really mean it," she whispered.

    I gave a short nod and returned downstairs.

    "Killian," I called his name in the meekest, frail voice I could muster. He turned to me, his deep amber eyes holding pity for me. "Thank you, I really mean it," I added, softly.

    Killian nodded gently, and I watched in satisfaction as guilt once again enveloped his depth. I loved seeing it in his gaze. I watched him as he exited my chamber and shut the door behind him.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.

    Immediately, I grabbed onto the sheets that covered me, pulling them away from my body. I jumped on the floor, wiping off the tear stains that smeared my face. I went to the dagger that was on the floor, stained with Killian''s blood, and picked it up.

    A small sick smile covered my lips. I didn''t know which was easier, getting Killian''s blood on this dagger, or making him believe I tried to kill myself.

    I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. I pulled it open and began to mutter subtle chants. My brown eyes moved from Killian''s blood on the dagger to the spatters on the floor. As I kept chanting, his blood that stained the floor rose up in the air, and the little blood on the dagger also levitated in the air. I kept chanting, using my magic to pull Killian''s blood into the wooden bowl that was on the table. Now I have thest piece of ingredients I needed for the spell I had to make tonight.

    Those fucking leeches have no idea what I am capable of. That bitch has no idea what''sing her way tonight. What on earth was she thinking? That she had won and I would be kicked out of the pack and be out of Killian''s life. Well, that won''t be happening anytime soon.

    I turned to the door and used my magic to shut it. I pulled out a chair next to the table at the end of my chamber, and I started preparing Killian''s blood for the spell.

    I couldn''t stop my evil smile from resurfacing. Everyone in the pack was preparing for tonight''s feast. They have no idea what''sing after. Honestly, I couldn''t wait to see the look on that tramp''s face when I gain full control over Killian. No one will be able to save him from my spell, not the supposed gifted one, not the stupid witches from the witches'' quarters, nor the moon goddess herself. No one will stop me.

 Chapter 97

    <strong>Killian''s Point of View</strong>

    By the time I returned to the grand hall, the ce was already basking with so many people from the Pack, all dressed beautifully. Everyone was having fun. But I wasn''t. At least not yet.

    I nced around for my mate, but I couldn''t find her. Ria and Brielle were already in the grand hall, but she was not with them. It was even odder she wasn''t with Morgan as I could see him from afar chatting in the midst of some warriors and pack members.

    Immediately, I mind-linked Ria, asking her about She, and she told me they hade to the hall together, and she didn''t know where she was.

    I sighed, disconnecting. I sniffed in the air and began to trail her scent. It led me outside into the darkness and the silver rays of the towering moon in the sky. From afar, my eyes caught the beautiful figure of my mate, and a smile roved on my lips. I took a step forward, instantly stopping in my tracks when my nose caught the scent of another with my mate.

    I recognized the scent and who it belonged to. It was the witch, Lorenzo. I couldn''t stop the frown that fell on my features. What the hell was he doing with my mate outside at such an hour when there was a celebration going on? What made me angry was that they were all alone.

    I felt seething jealousy rise within me, as my hands curled up in a ball.

    Ryker was mad as well, and he felt the jealousy now stalking my bones, but he was more sane than I was.

    "Breathe in, human. Breathe in, we really don''t want to mess up," Ryker sounded in my head, and I found myself unconsciously inhaling the night''s calm air.

    Now I was a little calm, but I could still feel the jealousy in my bones; it wasn''t an emotion I could control. Ryker was right though. We really didn''t want to mess up. For someone who had a lover while having a mate, I had messed up badly already. And I didn''t want to ruin the beautiful rtionship She and I were slowly growing. Still, I hated the closeness between those two, and it only became worse now that She spends almost all her time at the witches'' quarters.

    I shoved my hands into my leather pants and stalked closer to them. As I moved closer, I could hear little whispers between them.

    "Rx, She, and remember, you need to be calm," I enhanced my hearing and caught a few words said by Lorenzo before the whispers stopped and She stiffened, her head turning to where I was.

    Lorenzo followed her gaze and his eyes calmly fell on me.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "Killian," she called, her lips forming a small smile that immediately drowned every raging thought I had a second ago.

    Lorenzo tilted his head a little, "Alpha," he said, pulling his gaze to She. "Excuse me, I''ll be right inside if you need me," he voiced to She before walking away.

    Hisst words immediately ignited the rage that I thought was gone. And what the fuck did he mean by ''if you need meˇŻ? It was enraging.

    She moved to me as Lorenzo faded out of sight.

    "I didn''t see you inside; I got worried," I said, wrapping my arms around her waist.

    "I, uhmˇ­ the ce suddenly felt suffocating, and I needed some air," she muttered gently, burying her face in the crook of my neck while she inhaled my scent.

    I held onto her firmly, taking her face in my hand so I could stare at her. "Are you alright?" I asked.

    She''s eyes locked with mine briefly before pulling her gaze away. She nodded. "I am fine, Killian, believe me, I am."

    Her words sounded convincing, but I don''t know why deep down I felt strange. Like she wasn''t telling me something. Like she was hiding something important from me.

    "You know you can tell me anything, right?" I said again, and she hesitated before nodding. And the strange feeling in my chest began growing. There was something my mate wasn''t telling me.

    It sent a jolt of pain to my chest, and I felt an instant sadness envelop my heart just thinking that Lorenzo might have known what was wrong with my mate instead of me.

    "Again, with the jealousy, Killian. Snap out of it!" Ryker''s voice shook me instantly. He could feel my every emotion; I don''t know how he manages to still keep a clear and calm head.

    I put my jealousy aside, wrapping her safely in my arms. If truly there was something she wasn''t telling me, she had a reason for it. But what could it be?

    Could it have to do with Alpha Lucius? I knew she recently remembered memories from her childhood, and she''s been having nightmares, always waking up either in tears or enraged from her sleep. Something was indeed wrong with my mate and I have no idea what it was. I didn''t want to force her to tell me what was wrong; I would love it if she told me herself.

    "I love you, She," I said, leaning closer to her until my lips covered hers in a kiss. Before I could deepen the kiss, She pulled away abruptly. She crinkled her brows and took a sniff in the air.

    "Why do I smell Thea on you?" she asked, her eyes searching mine, but I couldn''t see the rage in her blue tender depth.

    "Because I went to check up on her. It was a good thing I went precisely the time I did; otherwise, Thea would be dead right now," I told her, and her brows crinkled more.

    "What do you mean?"

    I exined everything to her and the look on She''s face only grew worse.

    I listened to every word that came from Killian''s lips, and I couldn''t stop the rage that rose within me. I couldn''t even hide it. I really don''t understand Killian. I mean, what the hell was he thinking? Why can''t he see that that bitch is only being pretentious? Even I could see through her lies and pretense, why can''t he?

    Thea was aplete fake. Deep down, I knew this and I have this feeling in my chest that she was not who she says she was. She was definitely not the weak and fragile woman Killian thinks she was.

    I wanted to tell all this to his face, but if I did, I would only be seen as the mate who was still jealous and felt insecure about her mate''s former lover.

    Instead of yelling and getting mad, I decided to breathe in calmly, trying to calm emotions which seemed to always ignite chaos in my magic. I breathed in Killian''s scent, pulling my eyes open.

    "You are right, Killian, Thea must be going through a lot, Ipletely understand her," I said. That was the truth though. With the way things were, I could say I was the only one that truly understood Thea.

    I could see the game she was trying to y. She wanted to wrap Killian around her fingers and take advantage of the guilt he felt toward her. Well, that would not happen, at least not while I am next to Killian.

    Killian pecked my lips, and I tried to smile while my thoughts didn''t drift from Thea.

    "We should go back to the party; everyone must be wondering where we are," Killian said, and I nodded, kissing him deeply.

    We began to saunter back to the grand hall which was crowded with many people from the pack. Killian and I moved around and greeted some ranking old wolves of the pack that had retired and moved to the wolf vige near the mountains within our territory.

    All through the party, I couldn''t pull my thoughts from Thea. I had a bad feeling. And I couldn''t concentrate as Killian''s words about her supposed attempted suicide kept echoing in my head, troubling my soul.

    "Fuck, I hated this," I cursed internally at these worrisome feelings I had.

    "Yeah, me too!" Adie huffed angrily. And I sighed furiously.

    I really tried to get Thea out of my thoughts, but I just couldn''t, almost as if I could feel some sort of dangering my way.

    Fuck! I just couldn''t ignore this any longer. I turned to Killian who was talking with some of the pack members.

    "I will be back soon," I whispered to him, but he could not hear me. I pecked his lips, moving out of the grand hall.

    Immediately, I walked through the doors, my legs moved quickly. I took a turn to the unfamiliar floors of the hallway in the castle that I have never been to before. Frankly, I didn''t think I would ever stalk these floors, heading for Thea''s chamber. But since she desperately wanted to end her life, I can''t stop myself from wanting to do her a favor. It will give me great pleasure to end her life.

 Chapter 98

    I halted right in front of Thea''s chamber. I pulled my hands up in the air, instead of knocking. I grabbed the door handle but it was locked.

    I sighed impatiently, removing the ck bracelet that was on my wrist. And with only a whisper, I heard the clicking of the door. I returned the bracelet to my wrist, and slowly, I stepped into Thea''s chamber.

    My eyes scanned around the chamber but there was no sight of Thea, nor the stter of Killian''s blood on the floor. But from a far end, my eyes took in a small dagger that was on a table in a corner of the room. My brows furrowed as I stalked closer to the table, I was about to touch the dagger when Thea''s voice sounded behind me.

    "And look who we have here," her voice was so clear and her words so sharp, holding so much rage and irritation. I turned around and my blue eyes fell on hers, a small smile found my lips as I regarded her from her head to her toes.

    I was right. This bitch was only putting up an act in front of Killian. She definitely didn''t look like someone that has lost the will to live.

    "My mate told me that you weren''t doing fine, so, being your gracious and caring Luna, I decided toe and see you," I said, not moving from my spot.

    Thea''s lips spread more into a smirk as she folded her hands against her chest, "I bet you would love it if I had died, right?"

    "Oh, yeah, Killian told me about the stunt you pulled, and hearing everything he said, I felt so sad,"

    "Sad that you realized he still cared about me?" Thea mumbled with a smile.

    "No, sad that you didn''t have the courage to send that dagger straight into your heart," I said, watching the smile on her face fade so quickly and her brown eyes burn with rage. She retracted her hands from her chest, allowing a sick smile to appear again on her lips.

    There was a short silence between us, and Thea was watching me. I could tell she was brewing some kind of insane thought in her head. Without saying a word, she walked to the door and locked it from the inside. Her brown eyes fell back on me.

    "Guess what, gifted one, you just made a terrible mistake ofing here," her voice was cold and deathly. Far different from the usual one she normally uses.

    I felt a bang in my chest. It wasn''t out of fear but from a certain realization that there was more to Thea than anyone knew. I studied her quietly, pressing my lips together. "No, Thea, as a matter of fact, you have made a terrible mistake locking that door," I whispered with a smile. "It''s just you and I, there''s no Killian here to put an act for, so tell me, what do you want?"

    Her brown eyes narrowed on me, shimmering with a dark glint. "Killian," she sounded. "Killian is all that I want," she added.

    I could tell the words that left her lips were her truth. But I knew Thea didn''t love Killian. It was fucking obvious from ourst conversation in Killian''s office the day the Fire Crest Pack attacked. She wanted something else from Killian. At first, I thought it was just power and my position that she has always wanted in the pack and Killian''s life. But I am starting to doubt it all. Thea wanted something else, and it wasn''t Killian''s love.

    "Why are you so obsessed with Killian? He has found his mate, why don''t you find yours?" I asked, and she chuckled lightly.

    "It''s my turn to ask some questions, gifted one," she said, taking cautious steps closer to me. "I have been thinking hard about something, and it''s driving me fucking crazy. But still, I am curious, what is it that makes you so special that you cannot be harmed at all cost?"

    The skin on my forehead was crippled in a frown at her words. Thea''s eyes were looking at me intensely. What the hell was she saying?

    "Trying close to Killian again, and you might just find out, Thea," I told her, tly.

    "You crazy bitch," Thea pulled her hand in the air, about to strike me, but I gripped her hand, snatching the dagger on the table with my other hand.

    I pushed her against the wall, holding the dagger to her throat. "I swear to the goddess, I am so tempted to send this dagger right into your chest. But I won''t, at least not now, Thea. I want you to grab your things, leave Killian and this pack and go back to whatever deserted hole you crawled out from, or I swear to the moon goddess herself, I will kill you, and no one will be able to find your rotten corpse, not even Killian," I pushed the dagger to her skin, it''s sharp de tearing her flesh as warm blood rushed from her neck.

    "You will be the one whose rotten corpse Killian would never find," she whispered, smirking. "You will see just what I am capable of, gifted one."N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    Thea''s eyes shed with darkness, and her lips curled up into a smile. She pulled her hands up immediately, cupping my face. Her gaze on me was so intense that for a second, I thought something was about to happen. But it didn''t.

    The smile on Thea''s lips vanished as well, and the dark glint that blended with her brown gaze faded. She looked more shocked and confused than I was.

    "What the hell!" She whispered to herself, cupping my face again. "Why won''t it work?" She half-yelled, while I was totally dumbstruck by her actions. But I didn''t remove the dagger from her neck.

    Thea''s eyes met mine. "What the fuck did you just do?" She yelled, about hitting me but I pressed the dagger to her throat, reminding her life was in my hands. I didn''t want to kill her just yet, but I still didn''t trust myself not to if I felt my life was in danger.

    Thea yelled again but she stopped moving. There was a certain emotion in her gaze that confused me. Fear. This was the first time I had seen that in her. Why was she suddenly scared of me? She didn''t even flinch when I pulled a dagger to her throat, so what changed so suddenly?

    "This is my final warning, Thea. Leave this pack," I said, moving away from her. I tossed the dagger in my hand on the floor.

    Thea''s eyes on me never pulled away. It was as if she was staring at me, but wasn''t staring at me. Like her thoughts were far away but her eyes were on me.

    I dusted my dress neatly, turning for the door. I just wanted to get away from her and the lunacy that existed within the corner walls of Thea''s chamber before I was infected.

    I had reached the door when I felt movement behind me, before I could turn around the door pushed open, and my eyes fell on Morgan''s. His eyes widened past me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to his body just in time to evade the dagger that was flying at me. Fuck.

    I turned around to see Thea''s eyes with rage, having one hand on her neck, trying to stop the blood from rushing out. I wanted to charge at her, but Morgan stopped me, and he spared onest nce at Thea before pulling me out.

    "Rx, She. Don''t stoop to her level," he held me, calming me down.

    I breathed in, rxing my nerves.

    "What were you doing in her chamber?" He asked, raising a brow.

    "I went to talk to her," I said to him, noticing the manner in which his green eyes narrowed on me. "Fine, I went with the intent of murdering her."

    Morgan only sighed but didn''t say anything. Then my eyes narrowed on him, before ncing back at Thea''s door. Why was Morgan here? What was he doing in Thea''s chamber?

    My eyes fell back on him, "What about you, Morgan? Why are you here?" I asked.

    "I..Uhm ˇ­" he drawled, casting a nce at Thea''s door down the hallway as if searching for the right words. "I also came to talk to her," he finally said. Before I could ask why, he sounded. "Killian told me she tried to kill herself, but I think that''s another act of hers."

    I sighed. "I think so too," Even Morgan could see right through Thea''s deception, then why won''t Killian?

    "My brother is looking for you, we should join the celebration," Morgan said, and I nodded.

    We went back to the party just in time as Killian was about to address the crowd. He was standing at the center of the grand hall and I went over to join him.

    Killian leaned closer and pecked my lips before starting his speech, thanking everyone for organizing this feast for us. He raised his goblet to make a toast. "To the Crescent North Pack,"

    Everyone raised their drinks, echoing the words as well. I turned to Killian, smiling. He pulled his drink to his lips, and before he could take a sip, the goblet slipped from his hand, sounding harshly against the floors, silencing all sounds and gaining everyone''s attention.

    To my horror, right before my eyes, Killian fell harshly against the floors, unconscious and his body drained of blood.

    "Killian!"

 Chapter 99

    Chapter 99

    She''s point of view

    "Killian!" I yelled, watching in shock as Killian crashed against the cold, humid floor. At his fall, the hall

    broke into chaos.

    Immediately, everyone rushed to him, I reached for Killian, my hands fell on him and his body was cold.

    Mason, Allen, Lorenzo, and Morgan were by his side instantly, they hauled him up in their arms and

    rushed him out of the hall. I followed suit behind them and hastened straight to Killian''s chamber.

    The guys ced him carefully on the bed, and I turned to Allen, requesting the presence of the Pack''s

    healer. He told me he had mind-linked her already. My eyes shifted to Lorenzo, and before I could say

    something, he added quickly.

    ''"Valerie is on the way as well,"

    The door pushed open and Dr. Maggie and a few of her assistants hurried through the door.

    "What happened to him?" She queried, examining Killian''s seemingly lifeless body.

    "Absolutely nothing. He was fine a second ago, then suddenly, he copsed on the floor," Morgan

    exined to her hurriedly.

    Maggie began pulling out some things, inspecting Killian''s body while I remained unmoving from the

    bed where I was sitting right next to Killian.

    Everyone stepped back a little, giving Maggie and her assistants enough space to carry out their work.

    After a long while, Maggie stepped back, her eyes drifting from Killian to us.

    ˇ°What happened to him? Why is he like this?" I asked, and Maggie shook her head.

    "His body is out cold, it isn''t responding to anything, and I can''t seem to reach out to his wolf, this is

    bad and beyond my control. I think whatever is wrong with Killian has to do withˇŞ"

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ˇ°Magic" Valeriepleted from the door. She was still wearing her blue dress and ck cloak from this

    afternoon when I left her in the attic. She has been tirelessly working onpleting thest piece of the

    spell for the crescent moon rising that was barely two weeks away.

    "Yes, I think the Alpha''s condition has to do with magic," Maggie added,

    Valerie moved closer to the bed. She came with a few witches from the quarters, including Gwen. She

    asked everyone to exit Killian''s chamber, but I insisted I remained next to him.

    After the guys had left, leaving just a few witches, Valerie, Gwen, Lorenzo, and I in the chamber. They

    began their work. I was only forced to watch them.

    The past few days, I had progressed with my magic. Lorenzo has been really helpful to me and I could

    control it, but it was safer if I didn''t use my magic yet. Extreme use of my magic appeared like a beacon

    that would allow anyone to easily locate me, including the Dark Circle.

    As much as it hurt me to sit idle and watch, it was for the best. Until I found a way to cloak my magic, I

    had absolutely no choice.

    I pulled away from the bed as the witches'' chants on Killian''s cold body grew stronger, I walked to the

    end of the wall, leaning on it while running a finger on the ck bracelet that was on my wrist which

    was meant to restrict my magic. And it had been doing so for days now since Lorenzo ced it on me.

    But it''s not the case anymore, even with the bracelet on, I could still feel magic immensely, and being a

    channeler only made my situation worse.

    I closed my eyes and opened them quickly as soon as the witch''s chants stopped.

    Valerie''s eyes met mine, and from her gaze, I could tell whatever was wrong with Killian was really bad.

    We stepped outside the chamber, leaving Gwen and a few witches with Killian.

    Morgan, Allen, and Mason were still outside the chamber. They approached Valerie as soon as we all

    stepped out.

    "How serious is this, Valerie?" I crossed my arms against my chest in a frenzy.

    "It''s bad. Killian is under a witch''s spell. He''s been hexed, and because of that, his soul and his wolf

    have been expelled from his conscious state," Valerie said.

    "A spell? Whatever spell it is can be broken, we just need a few ingredientsˇŞ"

    "And the blood of the witch behind this," Lorenzo filled in.

    I felt my insides curl. But not because of Lorenzo''s words. Even though no one was saying it, everyone

    knew this had to be the doings of the witch who killed Rowan, and is hell-bent on destroying this pack,

    and Killian too. The witches in my brothers'' pack are yet to find out anything from the bloody message

    they received from this cursed witch. Whoever did it, did a good job to cover their tracks.

    I sighed, jerking back to reality.

    "We will find another way to break the spell, I promise," Valerie said, and I followed her to her spell

    room.

    "I want to perform the spell on Killian. Yes, we need the blood of the fucking witch who did this to him,

    but you also know that I can undo whatever it is that is wrong with Killian."

    Valerie turned to me. Her deep purple eyes were on me. "You doing that is suicidal. That spell will

    require a lot of your magic. You performing that spell is as good as giving up your identity to the Dark

    Circle. Believe me, I know they are just waiting for us to make one wrong move that''ll give up your

    identity and location. Please, She, don''t underestimate them."

    "I am not. I know exactly what they are capable of just so they can find me," I paused, remembering

    what those bastards did to the Crystal Fortress just to learn of my identity. I understood Valerie, but I

    was not a little girl anymore, and I certainly would not stay idle and watch my mate die when I had the

    power to save him. "I have a bad feeling about this, Valerie. We should perform this spell on Killian now

    before his condition bes worse. There''s more to disconnecting Killian from his wolf and

    consciousness. I can feel it, something far worse is about to happen," I said.

    "No, She. You will be risking your life, and I will not have that. I promised Leonardo, I will keep you

    safe. And that''s exactly what I will doˇŞ"

    Valerie stopped talking as a loud bang sounded from the door. She used her magic to open the door

    and Allen rushed in panting hard, with blood on his hands.

    "What happened?" Valerie moved to his side, while I remained fixed on my position, fear eating me

    inside.

    "It''s Killian. I think the demon has taken over him," Allen said sharply, and Valerie''s eyes snapped to

    me. "He attacked the witches and has fled,"

    "What?" This was precisely what I was talking about. Things had gotten worse. I sent a nce at

    Valerie before we hurried out of the spell room. Right now, nothing mattered to me. I just had to find

    Killian, and perform that spell before something far worse happened.

    We reached Killian''s bedroom, and he wasn''t there. He had escaped through the window and Lorenzo,

    Gwen, and a few witches had gone after him, including Morgan, Mason, and the warriors.

    I raced downstairs, exiting the Castle and stepping out into the darkness. There was chaos around.

    Blood was everywhere, and everyone was fleeing to safety.

    I sighted Mason helping some injured members. Fuck, this was Killian''s doing. A loud growl shook the

    earth, and it was Killian''s. I began to follow the sound of the growls, along with some warriors and

    witches.

    But it wasing from everywhere, I sniffed the air and focused on Killian''s scent. I began to follow the

    trail and it led me deeper into the woods. What the hell was he doing here?

    I kept following his scent but stopped in my tracks abruptly when the sounds of hushing whispers

    echoed through the trees. I moved slowly, making as little noise as I could. I stopped behind a tall tree

    trunk when I heard Killian''s deep voice, and hisrge body was in my view.

    He wasn''t alone, I could smell the stench of something else, or rather someone else. It was dark and

    deadly. But I couldn''t see who it was as Killian''srge body was covering whoever it was that stood

    before him.

    I moved from the tree, taking silent and cautious steps forward. Then Killian stopped talking, and the

    whispers of the other person filled the air. I couldn''t recognize the voice, it was very unusual. I used my

    wolf''s hearing to pick up what the whispers were about. But the words were in a differentnguage, a

    witch''s chant.

    I stopped abruptly. It was the witch. The bloody witch we''ve been searching for. Just then, the whispers

    halted, and I felt Killian''s muscles stiffen.

    Immediately, he turned his head my way, and my eyes connected with the darkness taking dominance

    of his soul. And behind him was a woman, dressed in a red cloak. She had her hair covered with the

    hood of her cloak, and her head was turned the other way. She was a woman all along.

    I took a step closer, and her unusual voice sounded with a sneer. "Kill her!" She whispered, and

    Killian''s dark eyes hardened, focusing on me.

 Chapter 100

    Chapter 100

    She''s point of view

    "Kill her!" The woman''s voice sounded, as Killian''srge body turned to me. My eyes pulled from the

    witch to Killian who was now a few feet away from me. His entire body was smeared with blood.

    "Killian," I muttered slowly as Killian neared me and his nails extended into ws. "Don''t," I whispered

    when he was only a breath away from me. My eyes connected to Killian''s but there was absolutely

    nothing there. It waspletely dark there.

    Fuck. There was no talking to him. Neither his wolf nor Killian''s soul was conscious. His body had been

    taken over by his demon. My eyes moved past him to the witch behind me who didn''t have her face to

    me. I couldn''t see her face, but I could feel the sneer leaving her lips. Then she turned around, moving

    away, and I couldn''t let that happen. This was the first time we''d evere so close to the witch, I

    couldn''t let her get away.

    I had to find out exactly who she was. Just then, Killian''s ws rose up in the air to attack me, but I

    jumped out of the way, taking a step back.

    "Killian, snap out of this madness," I took another step back. But there was no talking to him. He was

    clearly under the witch''s spell, again and she was fucking getting away.

    I breathed out, shutting my eyes closed. I gave my wolf, Adie, partial control of me. My eyes snapped

    back open, and I could feel her presence rove to the surface. I extended my ws as well.

    I didn''t know if I could win a square fight against Killian, but I was damned sure that witch wasn''t

    leaving here alive.

    Killian came for me, and I evaded his path quickly, diving my ws into the side of his stomach. But

    that could barely weaken, before I could send another swing at him, his ws lunged at him, but I

    wasn''t fast enough to escape him.

    I groaned as his sharp ws tore through the side of my arm, and his ws ripped off the ck

    bracelet on my wrist. I watched as it hopped for freedom on the earth. Bloody hell!

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    I heard Adie curse within me. "The bloody bitch is getting away," my eyes narrowed on the woman''s

    figure leaving the woods, before shifting from my mate who was charging at me with the intent of killing

    me.

    I exhaled calmly, and as soon as Killian was right next to me, I grabbed him firmly and ced my

    hands on him. My blue eyes bored into the darkness in his eyes.

    I wanted to break the spell on him, but it would take some time and the witch could get away. I

    muttered low chants, and immediately, Killian copsed on the cold earth. I could feel it all. Nature''s

    magic floated from the earth, the calm night air, and the zing moon.

    I felt an enormous energy begin to pump in my veins, and my senses became heightened, and I could

    hear the tiniest and littlest kind of sound. Then I focussed on her, and I heard her stop in her tracks.

    I pulled up from the ground where I had momentarily put Killian to sleep. I turned to my left, and there

    she was. The witch. She was standing a short distance from me, her eyes were on me. But I couldn''t

    see anything from afar. I tried to focus on her scent, trying to identify it. But it was different. I could tell

    this witch had cloaked her scent, and almost everything about her, even her voice was faux.

    I steadied my eyes on her, taking a step closer, but she didn''t move. I began to move gently under the

    glow of the bright moon until I was a few feet away from her. I stopped.

    My eyes narrowed on her and she released a dark chuckle. Her eyes werepletely dark, and she

    had a cloth covering her face. She raised her hands in the air and her fingers began to dance slowly,

    while her lips moved against each other.

    There was this gleam on her face that reflected her hatred, and she lunged at me using her magic. I

    countered it before it fell on me, attacking her instantly. She blocked it almost quickly, her dark eyes

    blinked at me, perplexed. "No, this can''t be," she muttered more to herself.

    I created a tornado, sending it violently at her, and she was quick to recover from her thoughts. But she

    moved slowly. She channeled the earth''s magic, redirecting the violent breeze at me, but I countered it.

    I raised a chunk of the earth''s dirt, turning it into a short-length de, and lunged at her.

    She evaded my path, swiftly, I abandoned the de and sent my sharp ws to her. Luckily, my ws

    sank into her flesh, tearing it open.

    She groaned, clutching the side of her stomach as her blood rushed out quickly. Her furious dark eyes

    were wide with both shock and confusion. "How did you do that?" She counted her words carefully. But

    I didn''t have the time to y these sorts of games with her. I was more focused on getting close to her

    and unmasking this bitch that has made both my life and Killian''s life a living hell.

    Without responding to her question, I used my magic on her, but she blocked it instantly. "How can it

    be? You are a fucking witch?" She sounded almost in disbelief, frozen on her spot like she was taken

    aback, and lost in her thoughts again. I couldn''t give a fucking care what she thought. I just wanted to

    see the face of the person behind all of this madness.

    I grasped the opportunity and I dug my nails into the earth and channeled its energy. In a sh, I was

    before her. I grabbed her by the neck. I was about to reach for the ck cloth concealing her face, but I

    was pushed harshly away from her.

    Before I could crash roughly against the rough earth, I found my bnce quickly. My piercing blue eyes

    fell on Killian, hisrge figure stood between the witch and me, and he still had the fucking intent of

    killing me.

    "Bloody hell, Killian, fight this!" I lunged at him, and instead of attacking him, I pulled my hands to his

    face, cupping it. Killian''s body became still immediately.

    I peered right into the darkness rooted in Killian''s eyes, and I began chanting. It didn''t take long for my

    eyes to torch blue, and I could feel myself within the walls of Killian''s mind. It waspletely dark and

    whatever that witch did to him had bound his wolf and awoken this demon within him.

    I continued chanting, using my magic and the witch''s blood in my nails to undo whatever she had done

    to Killian. I closed my eyes and using my magic, I let my wolf call out to Killian''s wolf. This would have

    been easier if Killian and I had already marked each other. Nheless, Adie managed to connect with

    Killian''s wolf, and I broke whatever connection the witch had formed with Killian, pulling Ryker to the

    surface.

    My eyes pulled open and they fell on Killian''s golden eyes which meant his wolf was in control. His

    rough hold on me softened, as he scanned our surroundings.

    "Thank the goddess it worked. Find Killian, we need to catch the witchˇŞ" My words fell as my eyes

    moved to where the witch was a minute ago, but she had vanished. I could only see the fading blur of

    her red cloak exiting the woods, she was headed west to the mountains side.

    I hastened into the darkness, trailing after her to the mountains, but I couldn''t find her. I sniffed the air,

    trying to locate the witch''s scent but itpletely vanished. She had escaped.

    No. It can''t be. This was the first time I was able to see her at a close distance. But she eluded me and

    I didn''t get to unmask her. This was beyond frustrating.

    I was moving around the darkness in a frenzy, and I had reached a dead end, and whaty a step

    away was nothing.

    I had already taken a step further when I felt the sparks from the mate bond form around my arm and

    waist.

    "Be fucking careful," I heard Killian''s loud voice sound behind me, as he pushed me backward, closer

    to him.

    I turned to face him. He was back. His eyes now had their normal amber color.

    "Please, be careful She," he voiced.

    "It''s the witch, Killian. I lost her. She was right here and I lost her," I said, running my fingers through my

    hair. I had her within my grasp, and I lost her. It infuriated me to my bones, more so, because whoever

    she was, she knows my secret now. This was dangerous.

 Chapter 101

    Chapter 101

    Killian''s point of view

    "No matter how much I tried, I simply just can''t believe Alpha Leonardo has no idea where she is,"

    Felix, one of the most annoying members of the Council, huffed angrily, almost banging his fist on the

    round mound in the Council''s court.

    "Enough, Felix, repeating that over and over again won''t change anything," Alpha Philip sauntered to

    his seat. "It''s been four weeks now since the blood moon appeared abruptly in the night sky, and still,

    we haven''t been able to find her," his voice was utterly dry and he could barely keep his frustration from

    his eyes.

    Everyone in the Council was equally frustrated, including me, but it was for different reasons. This was

    the fourth meeting summoned by the Council within a bloody week, and the only matter that everyone

    seemed to be discussing was the white wolf, and each time we seemed to be making no progress at

    all.

    It''s been four weeks since the blood moon appeared in the sky and the news about the white wolf

    being alive flooded the whole of North Central. The Council had immediately formed an army of their

    best warriors from all supernatural kinds to find the white wolf. Even Zeriyah and her coven witches had

    also tried locating her, but the result was the same. She couldn''t be found.

    "It''s been a while and we can''t seem to locate her, do you think the Dark Circle has gotten to her

    already?" Daimon asked, and before anyone could respond to him, Amelie''s voice filled the court.

    "N-No. They haven''t, at least not yet," she mumbled in a stutter. She was seated in a corner of the

    court. This was the first time in weeks she had spoken a word during the meetings. Usually, her gaze

    was always stuck on the quill pen she held tightly, scribbling on the paper. Whatever she was writing

    seemed pretty serious. But they were only drawings of some witch symbols. Zeriyah and the Council

    heads seemed to think it was something important, but the witches had no idea what the symbols

    meant.

    "Tell us, Amelie, how do you know that?" Zeriyah gaited to where she was. Amelie''s gaze fell on

    Zeriyah and the skin around her eyes was worn out and dark. Her eyes were swollen like she hadn''t

    been having proper rest.

    Amelie''s lips trembled against each other as if she was trying so hard to say something, but the words

    wouldn''t escape her lips.

    After seconds of attempting once more, she exhaled exhausted. "I can''t," Amelie''s hands fell on

    Zeriyah. "We have to protect her. A bad storm is heading our way. The darkness has awoken and it''s

    after her. Every one of us will die," her whispers invaded the silence that had dominated the court as

    everyone listened to her words.

    I could feel the chill that ran down my spine at her words. Suddenly, the fear that had suffocated my

    chest these past few days intensified. I nced around the court and I could see simr fear imprinted

    on almost everyone''s faces, including Leonardo''s. But something else other than fear was deeply

    rooted within those electric blue eyes of his. Something I couldn''t make out.

    He must have felt my intense stare on him because his eyes shifted from Amelie and found mine. Our

    gaze swept over each other.

    I could see exactly what Felix was yapping about. The white wolf in question, the one both the Council

    and the Dark Circle were trying to find, was his sister, but he was unbelievably calm with everything

    that was going on. This was not like him.

    Knowing Leonardo the way I did, he was capable of doing anything to protect those he loved, and so

    would I.

    Just at the thought, I felt a piercing pain in my chest. I groaned, leaning a little on the mound, as I

    rested my head on my hand.

    These past few days have been tiresome. I couldn''t help feeling anxious. The crescent moon rising

    was two nights away and finally, we would get the chance to break the curse. I should have been

    happy, but somehow I just wasn''t. Instead, my wolf and I felt the exact opposite.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    It was only a week ago since the witch that had been hounding the pack simply just vanished, we had

    searched everywhere for her but we couldn''t find her. That was another problem as I could not seem to

    remember anything. Maybe if I did, everything would be much easier. Then I might have known who

    she was, seeing that she had me under her control with a spell, and almost made me murder my mate.

    Now that the moon is slowly upon us, I can''t help but wonder, what if something happens and I end up

    harming She, or what if for some reason, the ritual doesn''t work and She gets stuck in the curse?

    Fuck. The thought alone made my blood turn cold.

    It didn''t take long for the meeting to end quickly, and instantly, I exited the court. I was with only a few

    warriors, even Valerie couldn''t attend today, she had a lot of things to do in preparation for the ritual in

    two nights.

    I got on my horse and hurried back to my pack. The only thoughts I had were all about She. I just

    needed her close to me.

    By the time we reached the pack, it was dusk already. I moved with haste through the castle doors and

    headed straight for She''s chamber. But thankfully, I found her in the hallways, dressed beautifully in

    her ck dress. I reached for her and pulled her into my arms.

    I wrapped my hands around her and felt her soft body lean into mine.

    ˇ°Killian, are you alright?" She whispered into my ears, while I kept inhaling as much of her scent as I

    could.

    "I am fine," I lied tly, pulling away from her. I led her to my chamber instead, and I fell on the bed. I

    just needed to spend the evening with her, without worrying about the oue of the ritual in two days,

    or thinking about the witches or anything else. I just wanted my mate beside me. And it gave me great

    pleasure when She crawled onto the bed, positioning herself right in my arms.

    I buried my head in the crook of her neck, while she wrapped her hands around my neck.

    "Are you going to tell me now what is wrong?" She finally said after a while of silence. "Did something

    happen at the Council?" The tone of her voice was suddenly sharp, and almost fearful.

    "Nothing happened," I said quickly to calm her racing heart. She pulled a hand to my chest, rubbing it

    gently. Her soft padded fingers brushed against the inked drawing of a wolf on my chest.

    "They were branded scars from my father, one of the gifts he left me before his death," My voice filled

    the air and I felt She''s hand on my chest halt immediately. I never really answered her questions

    about the scars before. I didn''t want to talk about it, especially when it had to do with my father.

    But then again, I couldn''t deny it. He was the one that got me in this mood. I felt scared. I had carried

    this curse with him for almost fifteen cursed years. It was my father''s punishment to me, and in a way, it

    reminded me of whose son I was.

    She shifted on the bed, and I was forced to move my gaze to hers. She didn''t say a word, but her

    enigmatic blue eyes were urging me to continue.

    I leaned closer to her, "The stories about him didn''t lie. He was that kind of a person. Cruel and brutal.

    A feral wolf who had run wild and lost his very soul," I paused, feeling the warmth of She''s hand on

    my neck. "He was also cruel to his mate, and sons," I could not help but breathe in roughly at my

    words. They reminded me of myself with She. I had also been cruel to her.

    I shut my eyes, Nell was right. I was exactly like him. And my fear grew even worse, causing my heart

    to hammer hard against my chest. She probably sensed it but she brought my attention back to her.

    "He had murdered his mate, our mother, and forced his sons to watch it all. And that''s exactly what I

    almost did to you," I watched She''s forehead crease. "I almost killed you, She, for the second

    time."

    "It wasn''t your fault. You were under the spell of a bloody witch," she voiced.

    "That doesn''t make the pain and rage I feel go away. It doesn''t change the fact that you almost died in

    my hands, just the way my mother died in the hands of my father."

    She turned on the bed, facing me. Her soft hands were on my face. "You are nothing like your father,

    Killian, it wasn''t your fault your mother and brother died," she spoke quickly. "Nell was a rotten bastard,

    he murdered a lot of innocent people and destroyed so many lives, including the ck Blood Pack.

    You are not like him."

    "You are right, Nell was a bastard, who didn''t even bat an eye before he cursed his sons and his pack.

    But he wasn''t the cause of my brother''s death, that was the doing of those bastards, the ck Blood

    Pack," I told her.

    I watched the corners of She''s eyes shimmer with tears but she looked away from me. "How is it

    their fault, Killian?" She turned her eyes back on me with absolutely no emotions ying on her face,

    but I could feel the silent pain in her words. "Your father, Nell Reid was the one who attacked the ck

    Blood Pack. He murdered their Luna and stole the daughter."

    "And that was wrong, and they should have gone after him alone. But they didn''t. Alpha Logan and his

    bloody sons raided the pack in search of their missing daughter, and they started a war. A war that led

    to the deaths of many innocent people, including my brother, Karl. This was the fault of Alpha Logan,

    and his fucking sonsˇŞ"

    "Enough, Killian!" She yelled, jumping down from the bed. I didn''t understand why she was reacting

    this way to everything that I said. She was both furious and in pain, at the same time, all because of a

    pack that was an enemy of ours.

    "What the hell, She! Shouldn''t you be on my side?" I sat upright on the bed, watching her as she

    paced near the window.

    "This isn''t about sides, Killian. It''s about what''s right and wrong. And what your father did was wrong as

    well. In one damned night, Leonardo and Kaiser lost everything. They lost Luna Fiona, Alpha Logan,

    and their sister. If your father didn''t attack, none of this tragedy would have happened," she was

    screaming. And as every word left her lips it only enraged me she was defending those bastards.

    "Don''t take their fucking names out of your lips. Why can''t you see exactly what I am saying?" I couldn''t

    keep my voice from yelling.

    "And why can''t you see that this feud between both packs is so stupid? Both the Crescent North Pack

    and the ck Blood Pack lost something, Killian. And the man that started this madness is no more, so

    we should just move on," She yelled back, I could see the pain that was emitting from her.

    It sent a jolt of pain to my chest and ignited rage as well. "What is it about those bastards that make

    you defend them?" I asked. I couldn''t understand why she chose to stand with them, because that was

    exactly what she was doing.

    She stopped pacing, her round eyes bored intensely at me as I waited for her response, but the

    words that left her lips only enraged me the more, and I fucking lost it.

 Chapter 102

    Chapter 102

    Killian''s point of view

    "What is it about those bastards that make you defend them?" I yelled, my raging amber eyes met

    hers. She was frozen on the spot. Her eyes were saying so much but I just couldn''t understand the

    pain behind them.

    As much as I felt furious, I also hated seeing her this way. It was like she had a lot to say, but just

    couldn''t say it, or wouldn''t. What was it about those assholes that made her take their sides? She didn''t

    even know them. Or did she?

    Fuck. I didn''t know. I fought the jealousy that was about to corrupt my thoughts. I didn''t want to think

    that way, there couldn''t be anything between She and any of those assholes. But even the first time

    Kaiser dared to step into my territory, during She''s coronation, I could feel there was something

    between those two.

    And he did it again when she was framed for attempting to murder Thea and me. He fucking did it

    again.

    I shut my eyes in a poor attempt to quell whatever nonsense was going on in my head. My eyes

    opened and they fell back on She, she was still standing near the window, her arms folded against

    her chest, and her gaze on me was as intense as mine on her.

    She still couldn''t answer my question. "Why can''t you tell me? What is it about those bloody cks that

    makes you defend them?" I wasn''t yelling, but I couldn''t keep my emotions from my voice.

    She''s silence made my heart pound heavily. Her silence scared me. Could there be something

    between her and Kaiser?

    "Nothing, Killian," she muttered so low, her voice holding the imprisoned tears she forced away from

    her eyes. Her response wasn''t convincing. Now I was sure there was something more going on. "Let''s

    just drop this," she added, looking away to the window.

    "Is there something between you and Kaiser?" I didn''t know when the words left my lips. If it had

    sounded first in my head, I wouldn''t have allowed it to escape my lips. But it did.

    She''s piercing eyes turned to me. The pain from a second ago had morphed into rage. "What the hell

    is that supposed to mean, Killian?"

    My stupid lips moved again. "You know exactly what I mean,"

    She''s brows crippled, "You are fucking insane,"

    "The question is pretty simple, She, it''s either a yes, or a no," I said again.

    "Fuck it. I have too much going on right now to deal with this," she started for the door.

    Quickly, I sprang from the bed and stopped her. "Then, just exin everything to me, She. I don''t

    even know what you''re thinking. I know there''s something you want to say to me, so just say it."

    "Fine, I will say it. Put an end to this blinding hatred and realize that there are far more important things

    than this your baseless jealousy," she exploded right in my face, before storming out of my chamber. N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    I shut my eyes, crumbling on the bed. I buried my face in myrge palms. She''s words reyed over

    and over in my head, and the only thing I could understand was, I lost it and I had messed up. I felt a

    knife-edge pain in my chest, this was the first time in months we''d had this kind of heated argument

    and I didn''t like it one bit.

    I hated it more, all because it had to do with the people I hated most. As much as I hated them, I

    couldn''t survive a second without She.

    Fuck. She was like a drug I was addicted to.

    *****

    "Allen, go through everything again, and Mason, ensure the warriors are ready for tomorrow''s night," I

    managed to say, cing a finger at my temple, desperately wishing the banging ache against my skull

    vanished in an instant.

    I turned to Jax, Xavier, Nate, and Kaleb, debriefing them onst-minute details before the ritual

    tomorrow night. I buried my face in my palms. Tomorrow was an important night for my pack and me. It

    was the crescent moon night and the only opportunity for us to liberate ourselves from the crescent

    curse.

    "That''s all for now guys," I voiced tly to everyone, dismissing them. I just wanted to be alone. The

    warriors left the office, leaving behind just Mason and Allen.

    I positioned my stare on both of them. "I want to be alone," I said with a grunt.

    "Yeah, we can see that," Mason shuffled on his chair, leaning forward. But Allen hadn''t said a word to

    me, his dark brown eyes rested on me intensely. For a second, he reminded me of Morgan.

    I breathed out in relief. It was a good thing indeed Morgan wasn''t around in the castle at the moment.

    He had journeyed with Lorenzo and a few witches to a coven in the East region. They had gone there

    regarding the curse and would be back right before the crescent moon rose.

    "Did something happen between you and the Luna?" Allen''s question shifted my eyes to him.

    "That doesn''t concern you. Any of you," I pointed out. Ever since the heated argument yesterday,

    She and I haven''t had a proper conversation yet. She didn''t evene down for dinnerst night

    and has locked herself up within the corner walls of the witches'' quarters.

    To put it short, she was still very much angry at me for everything that happened yesterday. Allen

    leaned forward, wanting to say something when a sharp knock sounded on the door.

    Our gazes sauntered to the door as it was pushed open gently, and Thea walked in.

    My eyes zoomed in on her, she looked better than thest time I had seen her, but frankly, she was the

    last person I wanted to see, especially now when She and I were in a rocky ce.

    "What can I do for you, Thea?" She leveled her gaze on me, before her brown eyes moved from Allen,

    andzilynded on Mason.

    A small smile stretched her lips, but it wasn''t that too deep. "It seems you are busy, I wille to see

    you when you are done," she muttered low, trying to keep her tone calm. But anyone could tell she had

    something urgent to say.

    She turned to the door, but I stopped her. "You can tell me what you came for, it''s fine."

    She paused, her brown eyes returning to me, before flickering on Allen and Mason. "Can we talk in

    private?"

    Allen''s sharp gaze fell on me, and I took a nce at my beta and best friend. "Of course," I returned to

    her. "Guys, please excuse us."

    Mason was up, and reluctantly, Allen followed. Thea remained standing next to the door until both

    Mason and Allen exited, then her eyes darted to me.

    She took only a few steps closer to the table, now separating us. My deep amber eyes regarded her for

    long seconds. She seemed somewhat ufortable and conflicted. Maybe it had to do with what she

    was about to tell me. So, I allowed her to take whatever time she needed to sort herself. But still, after a

    while, she hadn''t spoken a word.

    "Thea, what is it?" Finally, I asked her. Her round brown eyes held mine. "It''s me, Thea, you can tell me

    anything."

    "I know. But I just don''t know how to tell you this," she didn''t move from her spot, even when I offered

    her a seat.

    "Just say it however it is."

    "It''s not something you''ll like, and honestly, I am not even sure I should tell you this," Her words were

    starting to worry me. The crescent moon rising was just tomorrow night and I didn''t need more fucking

    headaches. And somehow, I just could tell what she had to say was going to be a bloody problem.

    "You are already here, so you might as well tell me what it is?" I didn''t even bother keeping my

    emotions from my voice. I just wanted to hear what she had to say, and send her off, while I thought of

    a way to get my mate back.

    "It''s about your mate," At her words, I heard my insides curl and my body stiffened. "Like I said Killian, I

    don''t know if I should tell you this. I know best how you feel about her, and knowing what I''ve

    discovered about her would crush youˇŞ"

    "Fuck Thea, speak now or get out!" I roared, not in rage, but I didn''t like the stalling and the manner

    she carelessly spoke about my mate.

    "Fine," She rushed, moving a few steps forward. "Your mate isn''t who you think she is, Killian. She''s

    been hiding something from you, and I can''t believe you didn''t see right through her," Thea ced a

    hand on the table. Her brown eyes now held tears, and she shut her eyes closed. "She has a lover."

    "What?" The word flew from my lips without much thought, as Thea''s voice echoed in my head, and her

    words dived through my chest.

    "Yes, she does, and it''s no other than your worst enemy. It''s Kaiser ck. That bastard is your mate''s

    lover."

    No. That''s a fucking lie.

 Chapter 103

    Chapter 103

    Killian''s point of view

    "Yes, she does, and it''s no other than your worst enemy. It''s Kaiser ck. That bastard is your mate''s

    lover,"

    I was frozen. My body waspletely numb to all emotions.

    My amber eyes never shifted from Thea, as hers held mine intensely, watching me so closely.

    It took a second before the words stopped echoing within the corner walls of my head. And it was just

    then I realized how absurd it was and how stupid it was for me to even use my mate of something

    so stupid, even worse with a fucking ck.

    I knew She too well. Even though I knew there was something she was not telling me, this wasn''t it.

    It couldn''t be it. Those words of Thea were nothing but lies.

    "Thea," I called her name, thinking deeply. If it was someone else that had rammed into my office,

    spilling this utter rubbish, I would have had their heart ripped out the second those words were made

    about my mate. But it was Thea. The least I could do was let her keep her life.

    "What is it, Killian?" She leaned forward, so eager to hear my next words. Her sharp brown eyes

    gauged me, curiously.

    "Get out of my office," I said, almost in a whisper. My voice was calm. Very calm.

    "What?" Thea blinked, taken aback for a second. She retracted her hand that was on my table. I

    watched her brown irises burn with fury. She took a single step backward. "You don''t consider my

    words true, why?"

    "Thea," I brushed my hair swiftly with my fingers. "I don''t have the time nor the strength for this," I was

    up on my boots. "If that''s the only thing you came here to say. Good, you''ve said it, leave now," I was

    brutally cold. This was the first time I had spoken to her this way. But she left me with no choice. I was

    doing my hardest not tosh my rage at her.

    "Don''t you think you are being cruel, Killian?" Thea said, almost in a shaky voice. Her eyes had begun

    to well up with tears.

    "No. I don''t think so. I think you are the one being cruel. Why can''t you just leave She alone?" I shot

    back. All I could see was just jealousy. I thought Thea and I were past this. I thought she had finally

    understood the situation between both of us and had learned to let go. But I was mistaken. It was

    obvious Thea had barged in here to smear She''s name to put a rift between us.

    "You didn''t even ask me how I knew this," she started, but I pulled a hand up in the air.

    "Honestly, I do not fucking care," I stalked to the window, feeling the night''s cool breeze on my skin.

    Outside had already been covered with darkness and the moon made little effort to shower its bright

    rays on the earth.

    "You have so much trust in her, don''t you?" I heard her mutter behind me. "I hope it won''t be toote

    when you find out the many other secrets that bitch is keeping from you. Believe me, you''ll be shocked

    as hell."

    Her words forced me to swerve around and regard her. What did she mean by many other secrets? I

    was dying to know, but I shoved these thoughts away. With what Thea told me now, it only proves

    anything that escapes her lips could only be more fucking lies.

    I trusted She with my life, and also, there was no way she could have a lover. I would have known.

    Just the way she felt the pain of betrayal, I would have felt it too.

    I closed my eyes, exhaling. Last night, I had lost every ounce of control. I can''t believe I had shoved

    those brutal words in her face. I regretted it so much.

    My gaze fell back on Thea. "You can leave now. And today will be thest time you address your Luna

    with such disrespect. You know me too well, Thea. The next time, I won''t be so forgiving," I returned my

    eyes to the darkness outside the window.

    "I can''t believe we havee to this, Killian," My amber crystals shifted and pierced through the shock

    in her eyes for a second. But I pulled away, sending my back to her, again.

    When I didn''t respond to her rants, she turned for the door, before stopping abruptly. "By the way, I

    caught them together. You of all people know too that there''s something between those two. It makes

    me wonder if she was kidnapped in the first ce, or she was simply tired of her so-called mate that

    she was willing to escape to your worst enemy''s pack."

    I heard the door m shut, and the silence around me enveloped me. I was alone with my thoughts. I

    fought hard to forget Thea''sst words to me but I just couldn''t. Something about her words was true. I

    knew that much.

    There was certainly something between She and Kaiser. I could feel it. The way she was always

    ready to defend him, and the manner he regarded her screamed something.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    No. No. I didn''t want to think about it. Fuck, I was already going insane with all these. These fears were

    driving me crazy. But that didn''t give me the right to cast any doubt on her. She hasn''t given me any

    reason to doubt her, well unlike me.

    I guess that was the problem. I didn''t deserve her, especially with everything that I had made her go

    through thesest few months. And even though I hated to admit it. I was scared. Scared of losing my

    mate. Scared that she''ll realize she was too good for me.

    I felt Ryker howl in my head, also feeling my fear, frustration, and sadness. He has been quiet these

    days. The effect of the crescent moon was already affecting him, and tomorrow it''ll be far much worse. I

    needed some fresh air, as well as some sanity.

    I rushed out of the office, and hastily exited the castle. I stripped and shifted into my gargantuan ck

    wolf, racing into the night''s darkness. I took the longest path into the woods and ran for hours until I felt

    calm and my head clear.

    Immediately, I started for the witch''s quarters where She would be. I had to see her. I had to

    apologize to her. I raced through the slothful trees, and cool breeze. I was almost at the witches''

    quarters when my paws sank deeper into the earth and I stopped running.

    The golden eyes of my wolf scanned around the woods. I couldn''t see anything but I could identify the

    scent of my mate carried by the night''s air. She was close by. But what was she doing out here?

    I sniffed the air, and my head tilted to where her scent seemed to being from. I followed the scent

    in the night''s darkness, leading me deeper into the woods.

    From a far distance, I got a nce at my mate, moving in the darkness. She was on her horse, riding to

    the northern borders of the pack. It was another route that led out of my Pack''s territory.

    I felt my blood rise, and I kicked my paws in motion as she soon faded out of sight. I focused only on

    her mouthwatering scent, and just as I had guessed, she was taking the route out of the pack. And she

    seemed to be in a hurry. Where the hell was she going alone at such an hour?

    I kept trailing her out of the pack, and into the forest. I ensured I ced enough distance between us,

    so she wouldn''t be able to sniff me out.

    After minutes of riding, she finally halted in a clearing field. She jumped down from her horse and didn''t

    even bother to guide her horse to a tree.

    Her eyes scanned around and they fell on a particr tree. She began to race towards it. It was only

    when I moved from my spot, I realized she wasn''t alone. There was someone behind the trees.

    I sauntered closer and the scent of another''s hit me hard. I scrunch my nose up in the night''s darkness.

    Even in hell, I knew that scent.

    My heart began to race hard in my chest, and my eyes followed She until she reached the tree and

    lunged herself into the arms of someone else. Someone else that wasn''t me. She was in the arms of

    my worst enemy. Kaiser ck.

    My wolf howled as a foreign pain coursed through my body, forcing me to shift back to my human form.

    I gasped, unable to fight the merciless pain that had dominated me. I couldn''t stop the tears that had

    risen in my eyes at She''s betrayal. My very own mate had betrayed me.

 Chapter 104

    Chapter 104

    Killian''s point of view

    It was a gruesome pain. Like I had been stabbed straight in the heart by my very own mate.

    It''d hurt. It hurt so badly that I couldn''t believe this.

    The pain that was engraved in the deepest corners of my heart transformed as quickly into a severe

    rage.

    I could feel the corners of my eyes darken with extreme emotions that entirely shut off my reasoning.

    The only thing I wanted was to have his blood on my hands. To feel the sickening euphoria of that

    bloody bastard''s heart in my ws.

    I moved incredulously fast with my nonhuman speed. In a murderous second, I was right next to where

    Kaiser and She were, I gripped her tightly pulling her away from Kaiser''s arms.

    My eyes tore through the instant shock that was stered on She''s blue eyes. Her eyes gave it all

    right away. I could see everything that was going through her mind imprinted on her round, shocked

    gaze, and the tant truth was she had lied to me. She had a fucking lover, and it was my worst

    enemy. I didn''t know which one killed me the most. The fact that She had a lover all along, or the fact

    that her lover happened to be my worst enemy who has always wanted me dead.

    My hold on She''s arms firmed, as I pulled her closer to me. "Even if you had a lover, why did it have

    to be him of all people?" I counted each word painfully, embracing the pain that vibrated against my

    joints. "Have you forgotten everything I told you he did to my family? To our pack?"

    The pain was the only thing I could feel at the moment. It had been such a long time since I felt this

    intense pain. Thest time I felt such deathly pain was the day I witnessed both my mother''s and Karl''s

    death right before my eyes. This pain was as equal to that, or maybe much worse.

    She held me with her other hand. "Killian, it''s not even close to what you think?" She let out. I could

    feel her body tremble against my hold, but not from fear for me. It was fear of something else.

    "Then what is it, She?" Fury began to push itself to the surface. "What could exin you being in the

    arms of someone else? A godforsaken ck?" I growled at her.

    I didn''t turn around to look, but I could hear the low growls of Kaiser''s wolf like he was battling hard with

    his wolf to remain in control. She sent a pleading look at him, before returning her stare to me.

    She didn''t flinch a bit at my flowering, "Killian, Kaiser isˇŞ"

    I hated the fucking manner in which his name rolled from her lips. "Don''t take his fucking name out of

    your lips!"

    "And who the fuck do you think you are yelling at?" Kaiser''s loud growl sounded next to us, evidently

    pissed and wanting blood as well. I had never seen him this enraged, not even when we were at each

    other''s throats.

    She''s head snapped to him again, "Kaiser, no!" She yelled. One could feel the fear and concern that

    rushed through her words. They were more lethal than any poison to the soul.

    I shifted my gaze from She to him, his hazel irises werepletely ck. My pain was now reced

    by more rage. I released my hold on She''s arm and turned to Kaiser.

    His hair was gleaming under the bright moon and his ck gaze mirrored the expression of the moon.

    Immediately, my hands sharpened into ws, and so did Kaiser.

    "Kaiser!" She screamed as I was about to lunge at him and stepped in between us. "Please don''t!"

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    "He has no fucking rightˇŞ" she kept on pleading. The scene before me kept infuriating me. Now she

    was worried about her fucking lover getting hurt.

    I growled, barreling my ws at him. Swiftly, I felt a puncturing pain within me. We fought against each

    other, while She''s pleas kept invading my ears, distracting me. Kaiser and I were already badly

    wounded, fighting against each other, but none of us was ready to stop. I swear I could die with the

    rage felt if I didn''t end this bastard''s life tonight.

    "Stop it!" She''s scream pierced right through us, echoing into the night and frightening the night''s air.

    In an instant, Kaiser and I were sent flying in two opposite directions. I crashed hard against a tree, its

    sharp branch wood piercing into my stomach.

    I groaned, breathing heavily as I ripped the branch from the tree and pulled it out of me. I charged at

    Kaiser again but She blocked me.

    "Enough of this fucking madness you two, please," She was in the middle of the clearing field, her

    eyes darting from Kaiser to me.

    The darkness around us and the entire meadow was dead silent. He was ring at me so hard before

    his lips parted and broke the deafening cold silence. "It''s over, you can''t stay with this godforsaken

    asshole anymore, let''s go, She," Kaiser''s voice sounded, and hisst words made me freeze.

    My pale gaze immediately shifted from Kaiser to She, seeking her out, pinning her to my stare. I

    wanted to see exactly what she would do.

    She''s gaze left mine and fell back on Kaiser. "Kai, please, I beg you, leave now,"

    "Like fuck I will. I am not leaving you here with him. He''sˇŞ" Kaiser was immensely enraged. His rage

    and her worry made me go mad.

    "Please, Kai," she implored more, he was about to counter her again but she took a few steps closer to

    him. "Just do this for me, please,"

    Kaiser stopped at her words. He was shaking with vexation, clearly not loving her decision.

    Abruptly, I scoffed. I was not going to stand here and be a witness to this absurdity.

    I stormed away from the meadow, returning to the unweing coldness of the woods. My breathing

    was hard and rough. The image of She running into his arms haunted my consciousness.

    "Killian,'''' I heard She''s call from behind. But I kept on moving, not even sparing a nce behind.

    "Killian," she yelled all the more as she finally caught up with me, blocking my path.

    My eyesnded on her. Even with the canopy trees that had impeded the moon''s light from prating

    the woods. I could see her electric blue eyes. Those perfect blue eyes had always regarded me with so

    much love. What the fuck went wrong?

    "Kai is not my lover. It''s far from what you thinkˇŞ" she began but my abruptughter silenced her

    words.

    "Then why did you seek him out, why on earth were you in his arms?" I shouted, but her blue eyes only

    bored me harder. "Aren''t you going to fucking answer me?"

    "I will, Killian. I will tell you everything you want to know, but first calm down,"

    "Are you fucking serious right now, She," I held her wrist, jerking her closer to me while my other

    hand sunk into her hair that cascaded down her neck. I could feel her body trembling hard against

    mine.

    I brought my face inches away from hers so that her only option was to stare deep into my eyes. I

    wanted her to see the hurt that stood there. I wanted her to see the broken mess she had made me

    into.

    My heart clenched tightly at the new emotion that appeared in her gaze. She''s soft hand cupped my

    face, and her gaze on me never moved away.

    I couldn''t stop myself from leaning into her touch, "I hate his fucking scent on you," I whispered against

    her ears. "Only my scent should be on your body," I said. I heard her gasp gently, her sweet breath

    fanned me. "Only mine, and no one else," my voice was in a raspy whisper as I closed my eyes and

    leaned against her forehead.

    "If it was someone else, it probably wouldn''t hurt this much, because I know I deserve much worse

    after everything I have done to you. I am no hypocrite, but it''s a fucking ck. My worst enemies," I

    said to her, feeling her slow steady heartbeat against mine.

    "See, how do you expect me to tell you everything when you hate them so much, but there''s nothing

    between Kaiser and me, at least it''s not how you think."

    "Hate is an understatement, they fucking killed my brother and have been hounding my pack since

    then."

    "And so, have youˇŞ"

    "Fucking hell! Stop defending them!" I shouted, digging her into my chest so that her lips brushed mine.

    "Tell me the truth now, if he isn''t your lover, why are you so fucking eager to jump to their defense?

    Why?" I felt my anger fusing with my soul. I couldn''t control it. This was one of the effects of the curse

    and our damnation if the curse isn''t broken by tomorrow night.

    "Killian, calm your rage or it''ll consume you and our efforts to break the curse will all be in vain," she

    said, "You want to know the truth? Then I will tell you, but right after the curse is broken tomorrow night,

    otherwise, your rage could ruin everything,"

    "Or you are just afraid, I might hurt your fucking lover," me coursed through my veins and pumped

    my heart aggressively. I took a step away from her. "Just stay away, or I might end up hurting you," I

    said in a hoarse voice, watching the pain in her eyes. I wanted to hurt her the way she had hurt me

    tonight. And with the look of pain in her eyes, I knew it would haunt me for the rest of my life.

 Chapter 105

    Chapter 105

    She''s point of view

    I jammed the door to Killian''s chamber shut. He still hasn''t returned, and no one seems to know his

    whereabouts all morning. Not even his beta, his friend. I sighed. Everything might have been much

    easier if Morgan had returned from the witches'' coven. But neither he, Lorenzo, and Valerie were in the

    castle at the moment and it was already daylight and only a few hours to twilight.

    I sauntered from Killian''s room, exiting the hallways. I was heading back to my chamber, opting for a

    quick shower when Ria hurried up to me.

    I stopped at her instant sharp call, swerving around to meet her. She was holding a brown bonded

    paper in her hands.

    "What is that?" I raised a brow as we continued walking back to my chamber.

    "It''s a message. The patrolling guards told me it came this morning for you," she voiced as we reached

    my chamber. Her voice was normal, frankly, much better than some of the pack members and warriors

    I had met today. They all wore worried and fearful looks. I couldn''t me them though. Tonight was the

    crescent moon rising which decided everyone''s fate. They all had already begun to experience the pain

    from the crescent mooning, and I knew it would be worse on Killian and that worried me terribly.

    I took the bonded brown paper from her, my eyes inspected it thoroughly. There wasn''t anything written

    on it, but I recognized the mark that was at the bottom of the paper. It was almost unnoticeable. But

    still, I knew exactly who the message came from.

    I tossed it carelessly on the dressing table, backing away from it.

    "What? Aren''t you going to open it?" Ria''s soft body fell on the bed.

    "There''s no reason to, I know who it''s from and I don''t want to hear anything from him, especially

    today."

    The skin on Ria''s forehead crippled as she pulled up from the bed, and rested on her elbows. "Who is

    the letter from?"

    My blue eyes found hers, and I hesitated for a broken second before replying. "My father,'''' I muttered

    slowly, turning to the giant mirror pinned to the wall. I pulled my hair up in a messy bun and began

    stripping.

    "It might be important, why don''t you take a look?" She sounded,

    I shook my head against the idea. There was nothing of importance that man could ever say to me. It

    had taken so much from me not to confront that man and forced him to tell me the entire truth about

    what happened years ago. But my brothers kicked against it. They wanted me to remain silent. They

    didn''t want Lucius to know that I had regained my lost memories and my identity yet.

    "I will be right back," I turned towards the washing room, and Ria stood up from the bed.

    "I have to go now, but I will be back before evening. I have some patrolling to do before the Blue Moon

    warriors arrive," Ria told me.

    I nodded to her words, watching her leave my chamber. Tonight was going to be hellish for Killian and

    the wolves, especially during the ritual the witches were going to perform. It didn''t feel good leaving the

    pack unprotected when the ritual was in ce and the wolves were busy. Killian had to request some

    warriors from an allied pack in North Central, and they''ll be here, hopefully before the sunsets.

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    I rushed in for a shower and was done in a short time. I got dressed in one of my blue velvet dresses

    andbed through the natural curls of my hair. And I was done. But I remained seated in front of the

    mirror hung near the dressing table.

    Abruptly, memories of what happened between Killian and Kaiser yed over and over in my mind. I

    rubbed my hands together, groaning internally. I wished I could have told him the truthst night. I just

    wished I had.

    "It''s not your fault, girl," Adie chimed. Even though I felt so much pain, she was right. I couldn''t tell

    Killian, not before the crescent moon night. He had already begun to experience the effect of the

    crescent moon curse, and telling him would only trigger his blood rage which he has no control over at

    the moment. Having that happen before the crescent moon night would be disastrous.

    I shook out from my thoughts, standing up on my ankle boots. I still had so much to do before tonight. I

    was about to leave when my eyes fell on the brown bonded paper sent to me by my father.

    My gaze lingered on it for a while, before snatching the paper from the table. I began to unbind it. The

    first thing that caught my immediate attention was the crimson fluid that smeared my hands. Then my

    eyes fell on the words that were inked boldly on the brown paper.

    The instant my eyes swept through it, my knees went weak and my legs gave up on me. These words

    were written by my father. I could recognize his writing. My eyes fell on my trembling and bloody hands.

    This blood was Devon''s. My father, that bloody bastard had him. How on earth did Lucius manage to

    find Devon when Killian had ensured Devon left safely for a pack in the East?

    I staggered back, almost copsing on the bed. My eyes were focused on the small wooden box that

    was sent along with the brown paper. I rushed to it quickly and opened it. A gasp pushed from my

    lungs. The box was smeared with blood as well, and a finger of Devon''s.

    I read the words that were written on the box. He was here, right inside Killian''s territory, and wanted

    me toe, otherwise, Devon would lose his life. How did Lucius manage to sneak past our warriors

    at all borders of the pack without being seen?

    The pain I felt vanished at once and it was quickly reced by rage. I had to find Killian. I hurried to the

    door, stopping abruptly. I didn''t know where the hell he was.

    I grabbed my furry blue cloak, the paper, and the box and left my chamber. I wasn''t going to let any

    harme to Devon.

    In a haste, I exited the castle and motioned to the woods. I took the path to the mountains where

    Lucius was. Aside from the fact that he had Devon, I was dying to meet him. From the letter, he must

    have somehow found out that I had regained my lost memories. He knew I was well aware of who I

    was, and exactly what he had done to me. Frankly, I was desperate to know the truth and find out how

    everything happened fourteen years ago. How did I end up with Lucius? Why did he go through so

    much trouble just to keep me next to him? What did Lucius Caso want with me?

    I was so eager to find out.

    I reached the mountainside in Killian''s pack. My nose sniffed the air, and I couldn''t get a whiff of

    anyone''s scent.

    "Something doesn''t feel right," Adie said in a cautious tone.

    I agreed with her, something doesn''t feel right. I moved closer to the mountains, prepared for anything

    that might happen.

    "Where are you?" I called out, hearing my voice echo through the mountains. But there was no one.

    I drew closer, suddenly, I felt a wave of energy rush past me. I stopped walking immediately, but I didn''t

    swerve around. The energy within the air grew intense. Adie and I listened using our super hearing, but

    we couldn''t hear any sounds that indicated someone was lurking around us, nor could I get a whiff of

    any scent.

    "Something was up," Adie pointed out.

    "No, something is wrong," I muttered to her, thinking. Just on a thought, my eyes widened, realizing

    what was happening. But it was toote, I felt the magic directed at me. It wasing from my left.

    I snapped my head in that direction, pulling my hand up in the air, without muttering a chant, I

    redirected whatever was lunged at me back.

    There was no one there, but I heard the loud crash of someone against the earth.

    Fuck. Just what I suspected. Witches. And they had cloaked themselves, concealing everything about

    them, making them invisible. I should have known Lucius wouldn''t fight fair.

    I felt the rush of wind around, they were quite a number. Something I could handle. These past few

    days, I have been training hard with Lorenzo. I could control my magic and had learned to some extent

    how to use it.

    "Good luck, She," Adie pulled back from the surface. At this point, I couldn''t use any of my wolf''s

    abilities, only my magic could sniff these fucking bitches out.

    I grabbed the dagger from my boots, giving my magic full control of my body which made my eyes glow

    brighter than their usual blue.

    Instantly, I lunged my dagger at the nk air where I felt a magical aura, blood floated in the air, and a

    woman dressed in a red cloak fell dead on the dried earth, bleeding from the slit on her neck.

    I was attacked by the invisible forces, and thrown off my bnce but I got hold of my stance before I

    could crash harshly against the earth.

    I dropped my dagger and created a long extension of a sword with my magic from the rough wind.

    I blocked another attack made for my life. I channeled nature''s magic from the air into my sword, and

    swung it around in the air, releasing its energy in a brutal form. It sent many of the witches flying around

    the mountains, bleeding profusely. Obviously, they didn''t know who they came here for.

    The more I used my magic I could feel everything that had even the tiniest trace of magical essence in

    them, making it easier to locate the other witches who were still cloaked.

    I went after the closest two, using my magic I focused on her beating heart, ripping it out of her chest

    with a single word and she copsed dead, next to the bloody organ on the ground.

    I ced a hand on the closest witch about to inflict the most excruciating pain she''d ever experienced

    on her when a magical force ripped me off her, and I crashed against the rough corners of the

    mountain walls. Its harsh impact hit one of my ribcages, causing blood to spill from my lips.

    I groaned internally, muttering low curses to myself. Suddenly, I couldn''t feel my body, as I was forced

    up in the air, my throat was crushing close.

    I tried wriggling free in the air, but I couldn''t. But thankfully, Adie pushed up to the surface, taking

    control. She released a loud growl that rippled through the trees, echoing around the mountains.

    I fell roughly against the earth, but I was in control of my body once more. The magic around radiating

    off the witches drew closer, and I knew I had better end this madness now, or I might lose my life.

    I dug my nails into the earth, channeling as much magic as I could, something really dangerous, and

    maybe stupid Lorenzo had shown me during one of our training sessions, and I had practiced it with

    the flowers in the garden, but I haven''t used it on any human before.

    I closed my eyes, and just as I felt danger my way, my lips flew open and released a resounding

    scream. It was different from the scream of the night I had my awakening. This didn''t have any sound

    at all, as I channeled the earth''s magic.

    Before my eyes, blood filled the air, and sttered on the earth. I watched as witches dressed in red

    cloaks fell dead on the ground. Their eyes were burned out, and their faces were covered with blood.

    I was up, about to take a step when I felt a sharp pain in my neck. My hand fell on my neck. It was a

    small arrow dart, and I felt something dark and foreign rush within me, spreading its venom within my

    body.

    I copsed on the ground, feeling weak and strange at the same time. My eyes fluttered close, and the

    last face I saw was that of the bloody witch before I lost consciousness.

 Chapter 106

    Chapter 106

    Killian''s point of view

    Still, I couldn''t believe everything I had just witnessed. She and Kaiser. That was something I didn''t

    want to believe even though the harsh truth was staring right at me.

    I stopped racing past the slothful trees in the forest, pausing for a moment to get my rage under control.

    It had been out of control thest few days and it was only getting worse because of tomorrow''s night

    crescent moon.

    I swallowed as much air as possible when I heard the subtle movements in the woods behind me. I

    turned around to strike when my eyesnded on Thea''s darkened brown irises.

    "Argh! Can''t you just let me breathe?" I growled. Her presence alone was suffocating. I turned my back

    to her to leave, but her words made me stop.

    "You see, I was right all along. She had a lover, and he was Kai ck. She betrayed you, Killian. You

    saw it with your own eyes, that bitch doesn''t deserve you."

    Another furious growl left my lips, and my legs closed the distance between Thea and me. As soon as

    she was next to me, my nails sharpened into ws and I gripped her neck, mming her hard against

    the trunk of a tree.

    "I warned you, Thea, speak that way about my mate and kiss your life goodbye," I growled, my sharp

    ws piercing into her flesh, and her blood began to run down her neck, soaking her dress.

    "Killian, you are hurting me," she croaked, and my hold on her only tightened.

    "That''s exactly what I want to do to you and anyone who drags She''s name in the mud," I had lost

    control. Aside from the rage I felt, I also felt the urge to defend She. I didn''t want anyone, no matter

    who the fuck they were or what they meant to me, to speak ill of my mate and their Luna. I was

    prepared to end Thea''s life without hesitating, when suddenly, Thea pushed me off her with unearthly

    force.

    For a second I could swear that she didn''t eveny a finger on me. But I wasn''t sure. I wasn''t in the

    right state of mind. All I could think about was my mate. I couldn''t shake off the bloody image of her in

    Kaiser''s arms.

    Fucking hell, I should have murdered the bastard. No one had the right to touch my mate.

    But the look on her face told me she would have hated me for it. It pained me to admit, but she cares

    about that fucking asshole. She cared about him so much that she might be willing to leave me for

    him.

    Oh, Goddess, I would die if that happened. She was my life. Nothing mattered in my life if she wasn''t

    next to me. I needed her badly.

    I didn''t know that I had zoned out on Thea and was fighting against the bitter reality of my life.

    "Killian," My eyes snapped angrily back on Thea. "She cheated on you, and still, you keep her in

    your heart."

    "Have you forgotten I had done the same thing with you to her?" I asked, not expecting an answer from

    her. "That was the greatest mistake of my life,"

    The look on Thea''s face was that of disbelief. But I didn''t even care about her feelings, I was just so

    desperate to sort things out with She. I wanted us to return to how we were before any of this

    madness.

    "Killian, what the hell is wrong with you? That woman has you under one of her fucking spells. Didn''t

    you see her in Kaiser''s arms, she was even willing to save him from you?" She spoke, groaning,

    pressing her hands hard on the wound on her neck to stop the bleeding.

    My eyes furrowed at her, understanding her words, and there was only one thing I could deduce from it.

    "Were you following me or you were following my mate?"

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    Her gaze froze on me. "I was only worried about you," she muttered, taking a step back as I took a step

    forward to her, my amber eyes burning with rage.

    "Who the hell are you, Thea?" I asked, honestly confused. This wasn''t the sweet, innocent Thea I had

    known. It was as if she had turned to someone else. Someone I couldn''t recognize.

    Her brown eyes hardened, and her hands on her neck fell on both sides of her waist. "You turned me

    into this monster, Killian," her words were so deep that for a second, I had imagined an unwarranted

    hatred in her voice.

    I moved closer to her until we were a breath away. "This side of you is terrifying," I said, and she didn''t

    utter a word. I gazed hard into her now foreign gaze. "Right after the curse is broken, I want you out of

    my territory at dawn."

    "Killian, you can''t," she waspletely shocked. Finally, I realized that Thea was one of the biggest

    problems that existed in my rtionship with She.

    "I can, Thea, and that''s final," I swerved away from her, walking away.

    "You will regret this, Killian, I swear," I heard Thea say behind me, but I didn''t stop, I kept walking away.

    I morphed into my wolf and left my territory. I just needed to think calmly and I knew there was no way

    that could happen in the pack. I went to the one ce that seemed to be the best option for me. The

    cottage.

    Soon, I left the capital and I found myself in front of the cottage. I had to sort my emotions out.

    Tomorrow was the crescent moon rising and I couldn''t have all this bothering me.

    I stepped into the cottage, and She''s sweet scent from thest time we''d been here together invaded

    my nostrils. Iy on the bed, burying my head into one of the sheets that smelled like her. I didn''t know

    when I fell asleep.

    When I woke up, it was so bright outside. It was noon already, I had slept soundly through the night,

    burying my head in She''s scent.

    Strangely, in the weirdest way, I felt calm and my head was clear. My mind went over everything that

    happened in thest few hours, and though the image of She in Kaiser''s arms haunted me, I realized

    that I was as good as dead without her.

    I didn''t know when my feelings for She grew this intense. I needed her more than anything. It hurts

    like hell to know that she felt something for that bastard, but whether she had a lover, or not, didn''t

    change anything. The truth was I loved her and was willing to do anything for her love and be whoever

    she wanted me to be.

    I sighed, I desperately wished I could talk to Ryker. The curse was affecting him badly, separating

    Ryker from my consciousness. But tonight, hopefully, the ritual will go as nned in the pack, and

    She and I will have a fresh start in life. Hopefully.

    I shut my eyes, now wondering what it was that she wanted to tell me, but just couldn''t until after the

    ritual tonight. It had me on the edge. I couldn''t stop my thoughts froming up with nonsense.

    Whatever it was that she had to tell me, oh goddess, please give me the strength to bear it.

    I left the cottage and headed back to the capital. I had to see She before we got busy with the ritual. I

    just had to let her know that I loved her, and will always.

    I reached my territory, unblocking the mind link that connected me to the pack. I had blocked myself

    from being mind-linked because I wanted to be alone.

    Immediately, I got mind-linked by Allen, he was fucking worried about me and informed me She had

    been looking for me.

    That alone made me smile internally. I was almost at the castle when I heard a piercing growl of a wolf

    that filled the air andsted only for a second.

    She. That growl belonged to She''s wolf, Adie, and it spelled danger.

    I mind-linked Ria immediately, asking about She. Just then I reached the castle and hurried to my

    mate''s chamber, finding Ria and Brielle at the door.

    Before I could ask, Ria spoke up. "She isn''t here."

    "I''ve asked around, but no one knows where she is," Brielle added.

    Fuck, this only confirmed my suspicion that She was in danger.

    I left the castle and mind-linked the warriors, as well as those patrolling at all borders of the pack to

    search for She.

    I went to the witch''s quarters and met Gwen there. Valerie wasn''t around, and Lorenzo and Morgan still

    hadn''t returned from the coven outside of North Central.

    Even Gwen had no idea where She was. I was mind-linked by a warrior at the northern borders, and

    he sounded urgent.

    I left with Allen, Mason, Gwen, and some warriors to the mountains near the northern borders.

    Upon getting there, She''s scent engulfed me. She had been here. We found Jax and some patrolling

    warriors there, and blood was everywhere but there were no bodies around. I could tell by the trail of

    blood that there was, but it was moved.

    "This wasn''t done by wolves," I said, there wasn''t any sign of wolves'' paws.

    "There was a fight here, and I think they were witches," Gwen said after a while.

    "But who were they fighting?" Allen asked beside Mason, while my eyes fell on a small object almost

    covered by the earth''s dust.

    "She. They were fighting her," my voice was hoarse, gliding with the rage I had fought to suppress,

    and pain. "She was here,ˇ± I said, standing up, and in my hand was a small arrow dart that had

    She''s blood on it. "And she''s been abducted."

 Chapter 107

    Chapter 107

    Killian''s point of view

    "What?!"

    I heard a series of gasps behind me from Gwen and the warriors.

    "She has been abducted," I repeated slowly, myrge hand covering the small arrow that was in my

    palm, almost crushing it.

    I felt its sharp pain against my palm, but the pain I felt deep in my chest was far worse. It ruptured

    through my chest and left my heart in ruins.

    My knees crashed against the earth and blood spilled on them as a new wave of fear filled the hole in

    my chest.

    I groaned, just the thought of She''s blood being mixed up with one of these terrified me, and it made

    me lose control. I fought hard not to. The crescent moon was less than three hours away, and I couldn''t

    lose control, otherwise, both my pack and my mate won''t make it through the night. But the pain I felt

    wasn''t easy to push away, I wanted to release it. To find the bloody swine that had my mate.

    My ws were out as I fought the rage and pain that wanted to consume me, I dug my ws into the

    earth and released it all in a loud shattering growling that reflected everything I felt at the moment. My

    pain, my rage, and my desperation to find my mate.

    The earth beneath me shook vehemently until my growls were over. What I felt now in my chest was

    something different. Something deadly. Something dangerous that I didn''t mind ripping every fucking

    person to shreds just to find my She.

    I turned to Gwen. "We have less than three hours to find my mate, and break the curse," I handed her

    the arrow that had a small drop of She''s blood. "Can you locate her with this?"

    She nodded, "Yes, this will work, Alpha," she took it from me, hurrying back to the witches'' quarters. I

    made a connection to every member and warrior of the pack, informing them of what had happened.

    The Pack''s army began to gear up, waiting for She''s location from Gwen.

    I had sent a message to Morgan and Lorenzo through the witches at the quarters, and also to Valerie

    and the witches who weren''t in the pack, informing them of She''s abduction.

    "What are the results? Do you know where she is?" I asked Gwen as she stepped out from the witch''s

    spell room.

    She shook her head and my heart shattered the more. "We couldn''t locate her through the spells."

    "What?"

    "I did the location spell using her blood over and over again but the results are the same, we can''t find

    her, whoever has her, has cloaked her. Unfortunately, we can''t find her using magic," Gwen exined.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    I grabbed a handful of my hair roughly, this can''t be happening. This can''t possibly be happening.

    Where are you, She?

    I began to rack through my thoughts, thinking of who could have gotten into my pack with the help of

    witches and taken She. I couldn''t think of anyone who could go to the extreme, involving witches to

    abduct my mate, and at the same time, I could think of so many people who would do anything just so

    to harm me by harming my mate.

    "Killian," I pulled from my thoughts, hearing Mason''s voice. I turned to him. "What if it was those

    imbeciles that took her again?"

    Mason didn''t mention names but I knew exactly who he was talking about. Those bloody cks. I had

    thought about them as well. They were the first to graze my mind. But what I saw yesterday between

    Kaiser and She, lessened my suspicion of them. The look in the idiot''s eyes somehow made me

    believe he wouldn''t hurt She.

    Even if they were to take She, they wouldn''t involve fucking witches and made use of an arrow.

    I shook my head, I was about to counter his words but Mason spoke again in a hurry.

    "Think about it, they had kidnapped her once. What would stop them from doing it again?" He added,

    but I was still not buying that. Someone else had kidnapped She. From the looks of things, She

    had gone to the mountains alone. Had she known those witches were going to be there? Did she get

    some kind of message? If so why didn''t she tell anyone about it? OrˇŞ

    Mason interrupted my train of thought with his words that made me stop. ˇ°Killian, those assholes could

    be hurting the Luna right now, what if she resisted and didn''t want to go with them, and so they brought

    the witches to take her by force or to kill her?"

    My eyes met that of Mason''s as he kept insisting the ck Blood Pack could be responsible for this.

    But his words could be true, what if She didn''t want to see Kaiser anymore and that scoundrel got

    enraged and took her away with force? The ck Blood Pack did have witches at their disposal. Hell,

    their mother and sister were witches as well. That could have been possible.

    I mind-linked the warriors, we were raiding the ck Blood Pack again. I couldn''t dismiss the smallest

    possibility that she could be there. Deep down I hoped she was there. Because if she isn''t, I didn''t

    know what I''d do. I was already going insane, and the Pack''s life was on the line.

    The Pack''s army and I left the pack and headed for the ck Blood Pack. The sun up in the sky had

    begun to glow less, and dusk was slowly making its arrival known. We were in a fucking race against

    time.

    ***

    We reached the ck Blood Pack, fighting off the warriors at the borders as we forced our way into the

    territory, scattering around the pack in search of my mate. Every one of the warriors had a whiff of

    She''s divine scent, it would make the search easier.

    Before we even reached the castle, Leonardo had already been informed of our intrusion as warriors

    from his pack attacked mine on sight.

    But I escaped from the fight, racing towards the castle, I wanted to see the faces of those bastards

    when I ask them about She''s whereabouts. I was racing, not in my wolf form, but in my human form,

    making the most use of my wolf''s abilities. Almost all of my warriors were in their human forms.

    Because of the crescent moon''s arrival that was almost upon us, our wolves were experiencing the

    effect of the curse, and we couldn''t shift into our forms.

    I was racing past the woods, Leonardo''s castle was alreadying into view when I felt a familiar

    presence behind me, moving insanely, trying to catch up with me.

    I snapped my head in its direction, and my dark eyes collided with a pair of ckened emerald green.

    Morgan. I didn''t think they would make it back this soon.

    But there was no time to spare to chat, She''s life was in danger, and so were ours. In shorts, none of

    us were in our fucking minds.

    We burst out of the woods, and the castle was a near distance away but from nowhere a sharp breeze

    tickled around me and I saw a speeding blur of Kaiser''s figure rush to me, but Morgan crashed against

    him and they began to fight.

    I mind-linked Morgan, "We need to find out where She is from that asshole, he''s our best shot, try not

    to murder him, andˇŞ" I didn''t see that blow that was already sent my way, making me lose bnce.

    Another one was sent my way but instead, I lunged at my attacker, Leonardo and we began fighting as

    well. I could hear the loud growls of some of my warriors, fighting against Leonardo''s army when all of

    a sudden, everyone was ripped off away from each other by a magical force.

    I was panting hard, rage rushing within me as I battled for control.

    "Seriously?!" I heard Valerie''s sharp voice, sounding angry and at the same time fearful. Next to her

    was Lorenzo, and behind was Gwen.

    It was nice to have her back, but this wasn''t the time to y the peacemaker. She''s life was on the

    line.

    "It''s about time you showed up, Val, what the fuck is going on?" Leonardo growled, I could see his eyes

    briefly scanning around the witches and my warriors. Who the hell is he searching for?

    "Don''t y dumb, where is she?" I growled, charging forward at him.

    Leonardo stared nkly at me, his spotless blue eyes shifted from me to Valerie, and then returned to

    me. "What the fuck are you saying?" He sounded, his voice holding no emotion but his eyes couldn''t

    mask the fear that pushed forward.

    Kaiser was next to Leonardo, immediately. "What are you saying?" He repeated Leonardo''s words,

    showing the same fear.

    "We know you have her, don''t make this moreplicated, it won''t end well for any of us, just return

    her to us!" Morgan was growling, and the confused looks of both Leonardo and Kaiser told me they had

    no idea of what we were saying.

    "They don''t have her," Valerie muttered from where she was, and I couldn''t even fight her words. They

    were the obvious truth.

    "Her?" Kaiser turned to Valerie, his loud beating heart almost deafening every one of us. "Who''s her?

    Who the fuck is missing, Valerie?" His hazel gaze never moved from Valerie, and she didn''t pull away.

    "I am sorry," she said quietly.

    "Fuck. Fuck," Leonardo took several steps back, grabbing his hair as if suddenly understanding what

    was going on. "Where is She?" He asked so calmly but one could feel the fear, the pain, the rage,

    and everything in between radiating off him.

    I couldn''t utter a word; their sudden reaction was confusing me. I understand that Kaiser might have

    something with She, but what the fuck was Leonardo''s deal. Why did he care so much? Too much.

    "She''s missing," Valerie sounded.

    "No. She was abducted," I rephrased, watching both Leonardo''s and Kaiser''s instant reaction. I could

    swear they were a second away from losing it.

    "You promised she would be safe. Where the fuck were you when she was abducted?" He charged

    toward Valerie but I blocked him from reaching her.

    "You don''t have any fucking right to ask any questions," I was sick of the way they were acting like they

    had some kind of right on my mate. It was infuriating.

    "They do, Killian," Valerie voiced behind me, and her words forced my gaze on her. "Because they are

    her brothers."

 Chapter 108

    Chapter 108

    Killian''s point of view

    "What nonsense are you saying, Valerie?" Those were the first words that managed to fill the air after

    odd and incredibly long seconds of silence.

    "It''s not nonsense, Killian, it''s the truth. She, your mate and the gifted one is Leonardo and Kaiser''s

    sister," Valerie again voiced.

    "What the heck are you doing, Valerie?" Kaiser gaited forward in rage.

    "Shut it," I growled, silencing everyone, my deep, and now darkened eyes moved from Valerie to

    Leonardo who hasn''t muttered a fucking word, or moved an inch.

    His cautious blue eyes were on me, regarding me like a damned hawk. This couldn''t be. I released a

    small, dry chuckle thatsted for only a second. "This- This is a joke," I shook my head, taking several

    steps backward.

    I turned to Morgan and for the first time, he waspletely frozen in his spot. He was speechless and

    confused. I don''t think he realized this was just a lie. A brazen and unrealistic lie. She couldn''t be

    their sister, she couldn''t be a fucking ck.

    Fuck. As the words sounded in my mind, I realized how terrible it was. All of a sudden, I couldn''t

    breathe, I didn''t know how to, or rather still, I didn''t want to. Valerie''s words were outrageous. She

    shouldn''t be that child, she just can''t be that child.

    "What bloody games are you ying, Valerie? Did they put you up to this?" I growled at her, and in aN?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    sh, I was in front of her, wrapping my ws around her neck. Lorenzo moved to rip me off her but

    she pulled a hand in the air, forbidding anyone from interrupting us.

    "No one put me up to anything, understand, Killian and ept the truth, She is that child your father

    destroyed her entire family and forcibly took away. After many years, we just found herˇŞ"

    "Enough!" I stopped her from saying any further, jerking my hands from her body as my body began to

    vibrate from the darkest kind of rage, unable to believe what these assholes called the truth. "There''s a

    mistake somewhere. She''s family were all dead, she told me herself," I recalled her words, over and

    over again.

    "Gracious hell! What do you think of my brother and I, Killian, that we have spare time on our hands to

    come up with ridiculous nonsense, just so to sabotage your already fucked up life?" Kaiser yelled

    furiously from afar. It was more like ament to himself, but everyone could hear it. I could feel the

    air prickled with tension, and a murderous rage bouncing off from everyone.

    "And that was a lie. What did you expect her to tell you? Think about it, Killian, didn''t she tell you there

    was something she wanted to let you know after the curse was broken? Well, this is it."

    I froze, still trying to refute it all. This couldn''t be what She had to tell me. Then a thought jumped in.

    "She wasn''t a witch, she didn''t smell like one."

    "Who do you think caused the blood moon that night? Who do you think is responsible for saving Ria,

    Allen, and the warriors?" Valerie threw the questions at me.

    "I knew it," I heard Morgan mumble to himself as he paced around in circles.

    I couldn''t believe that She did all of this. "Still, this doesn''t make sense, if She, my mate, was the

    one that was taken by my father, how on earth did she end up with Lucius?"

    "We do not know that, Killian," Valerie muttered. "Killian, believe me, this is the truth and deep down,

    you know it."

    I pulled my eyes away from Valerie''s purple stones, sauntering to the woods where I crashed against a

    tree. I just had to think clearly. I didn''t want to believe any of this, but I couldn''t deny the fact that some

    of it were true. She had something to tell me. Was this it?

    Oh, goddess! I buried my face in my palm. Was this why she always defended those bastards?

    More than ever, I wished I could hear Ryker, he was much more capable of making sense of all of this.

    I just couldn''t deal with this now. I wouldn''t believe any of this until she says it to my face. I had to find

    She.

    "Listen, I wish we had all the time for this, but we don''t. She has been taken," Valerie said, turning in

    my direction.

    "Brother, I told you, our sister wasn''t safe there," Kaiser began as I pulled myself off the tree.

    "How did that happen?" Leonardo spoke, anger chewing off his words.

    "We don''t know, but the ce she was taken from was a bloody mess before we got there, and it

    seems whoever came for her were witches," Gwen said, standing behind Valerie. I can''t believe

    everyone knew who She was and I didn''t. She didn''t trust me enough to tell me.

    I couldn''t deny it, it hurt me. But now wasn''t the time to think about it. I had to find whoever dared to

    take her away from my territory.

    "Bloody fuck, could they have found out who she was?" Leonardo said, holding Valerie''s stare. I didn''t

    need to ask who ˇ®theyˇŻ meant. If She was truly who ''they'' imed she was, then ''they'' could only

    mean the Dark Circle.

    "They? By ˇ®theyˇŻ, who do you mean?" Morgan asked.

    "Why the fuck is he still here?" Kaiser bellowed.

    "Utter one damned word again, and I swear I would fucking kill you," Morgan retorted.

    "That''s enough!" Leonardo yelled, silencing them both. "Tell us, is the Dark Circle behind this?"

    "This isn''t the Dark Circle style, believe me, if they had known who She was, they wouldn''t send

    ipetent witches to take She silently, without causing a ruckus at my pack," I said.

    "Great. Says the son of the bastard that once took her away," Kai said. His words caused Morgan to

    hiss angrily, and he charged at Kaiser. Before things got worse than they did, Lorenzo and I pulled

    them apart.

    Valerie sighed, before continuing. "Killian is right. This isn''t the Dark CircleˇŻs doing, but I''m afraid it''s

    equally worse," came Valerie''s words.

    "Tell us, who has her?" Morgan was next to me as our eyes leveled on Valerie.

    "It''s Alpha Lucius," Valerie said. "I was told by Ria that She received a letter and a box from Alpha

    Lucius, right before she went to the mountains. We couldn''t find the box and the letter, and we can''t

    track her using any spell. I believe they had her cloaked."

    "Oh goddess, he must have found out she regained her memories," Leonardo spoke in a low tone, as

    pain tore through his blue eyes which for the first time I realized looked like She''s. To be frank, they

    both shared certain simrities and it spiked my anger.

    "Are we sure it''s Lucius, it could be that fucking witch who wants She dead just so to get to that

    bastard," Kai pointed out, confusing me? What witch?

    "What do you mean by that?" Morgan spoke quickly, but Kaiser only rolled his eyes.

    "The witch sent a message to them. She has no idea of the rtionship between them. She thought

    they had kidnapped her on the night of the blood moon, and wanted some sort of alliance," Valerie

    said, "I tried sending a message back to her, but she never replied."

    "This isn''t the time to cast mes. She is in danger and the crescent moon is less than an hour

    away, we need to n carefully and find She before Lucius does something to her," Valerie said,

    "There''s nothing to n, that fucking bastard is going to regret taking her," I hit out in rage, walking

    away from them.

    Leonardo blocked me, grabbing my arm. His eyes shed blue fire. "There''s no way in hell, will I allow

    you to endanger my sister''s life. Lucius isn''t as stupid as you think. He had She all these years,

    knowing who she was. He would be expecting us, and we must y smarter," he said, and I hated his

    damn tone.

    I pushed away his hand from me. "Firstly, you don''t grab me, and secondly, there''s no fucking ''we''."

    He shut his eyes as if trying to fight his anger. "I swear, what in the devil''s sick name was the goddess

    thinking of giving my sister someone like you? You clearly don''t deserve her."

    I clenched my jaw, sharpening my ws and diving them into Leonardo''s heart. And with great

    pleasure I pulled out the tiny organ keeping his life together, tossing it on the rugged earth.

    Believe me, I wanted that so badly but something told me that was a bad idea and She would kill me

    for that.

    "Leonardo is right, we still have no idea why or how Lucius ended up with She. He is dangerous and

    knew what he was doing when he bound She''s powers and locked her memories."

    My eyes were closed as I listened to Valerie''s words. It hurt me to the bones, knowing all those

    nightmares of hers were about Nell. I remember her telling me about them, and her life back at Lucius

    Pack. I couldn''t make Nell pay for what he had done to her, but I would ensure Lucius did. I had begun

    to think of many ways of ending him.

    I mind-linked the pack''s army, ordering them to stand back and Leonardo called off his men as well.

    I can''t believe we were going to work together. If the goddess had told me this day woulde, I would

    have wed out her words. And I wanted to, but right now, She''s life was more important than my

    rage and hate.

    All four of us, including Valerie, Lorenzo, and Gwen began to n our raid in Lucius'' pack. And after

    many disagreements, we decided to lead our armies separately, from the north and south borders of

    the silver mist pack.

    I informed my warriors of the new n and we went back to my territory to gather more warriors

    Valerie, Lorenzo and Gwen had to inform the witches of the new n.

    The crescent moon rising was less than thirty minutes away, and there was no fucking way we could

    save my mate, fight against Lucius'' army and get back to the pack in time to break the curse.

    I sighed, going over the n with Morgan. I didn''t inform the rest of my army about She''s supposed

    identity, not even Allen and Mason.

    My eyes fell into Morgan''s green crystals. He had a lot to say. We both did. But none of us were saying

    anything, at least not until we saved She and broke this curse. Everyone''s life was on the line.

    Oh, goddess. I hope everything goes as nned tonight. I just hope.

 Chapter 109

    Chapter 109

    She''s point of view

    I groaned awake. My head was throbbing hard against my skull. I winced at the intense pain racing

    through my bones.

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    Slowly, my heavyshes pulled apart and my eyes fluttered open.

    I inhaled deeply, feeling so weak, I couldn''t even move a muscle and the ache in my head grew worse.

    I mustered all my strength, pushing myself up to a seating position. I groaned loudly, grabbing both

    sides of my head with my hands in a poor attempt to stop my head from exploding literally.

    Gosh, my head hurts like hell. My whole body vibrated with pain, I ced my hand on my neck, feeling

    the stinging pain that was spreading from my neck.

    I realized I was bleeding, it wasn''t deep, but I still felt intense pain from there. What the hell happened

    to me?

    I fought the dizziness that tempted me back to slumber. I tried to concentrate hard on my thoughts,

    trying to remember what had happened to me.

    I sank deeper into my memories when instantly, broken pieces from my memories began to glue back

    together. I remember.

    Fuck. I remembered everything. The message from Lucius, those stupid witches, and then I was shot

    with an arrow. But it was most definitelyced with something that had ced me in this weak state.

    My eyes scanned around, and I realized I was on a bed. I kept fighting the dizziness, taking a look

    around and my eyes went around quickly and I panicked. This wasn''t my chamber, neither was it

    Killian''s or any other chamber in the Crescent North Pack, because I knew exactly where I was.

    But it couldn''t be. No, I couldn''t possibly be back. My heart mounted a race and finally exploded when I

    heard a voice that I haven''t heard in a long time and I didn''t miss a bit. Lucius Caso.

    "Isn''t it good to be back home, my child," I shut my eyes, my head tilting to the far end of the chamber,

    near the window.

    I pulled my eyes open and they fell on the man I detested with my life. I couldn''t hide the grimace that

    fell on my lips.

    "Where''s Devon?" I asked without mincing words, my vision getting clearer but the weakness

    remained.

    "Is that any way to greet your father after a long time?" He said seriously, but there was a sneer in his

    voice, and his lips held a smirk that I wanted to kill off his face. And to the goddess, I will. I fucking will.

    "Is this any way to treat your daughter that hasn''t been home for a while, not forgetting the fact that I

    was forced here against my will?" I bit out through gritted teeth.

    "Ah, I apologize. Those witches of mine can be quite ipetent. I will make sure I deal with them

    later on," he said, pretending to care for a second, before shutting his eyes closed as if remembering

    something. He opened his eyes, and the look on his face hardened. "I almost forgot, you killed every

    one of them,"

    "Clearly, not all of them," I said, remembering the bloody witch that shot the arrow at me. My eyes

    widened as realization hit me. "You were the one that sent that fucking bitch after Killian and I?"

    His smirk deepened, as he pulled away from the wall, andnded graciously on the chair close to the

    window. "To be clear, I was only after that bastard, it was never in my ns to put you in harms way. It

    has always been my priority to keep you safe, so your true nature wouldn''t be forced out, but that dumb

    witch made a costly mistake, inviting that pack to raid your idiot of a mate pack in an attempt to murder

    you,"

    "That was why you came to Killian''s pack the other day, to check if I had gotten my powers back, and

    when you didn''t seed that bitch informed you when I had fought her, using my magic," I said, my

    rage building up, giving me the strength to fight the weakness within me to ess my magic and burn

    this bastard alive.

    "That''s correct, but let''s not bore ourselves with such nonsenseˇŞ"

    I cut him off. "Yes, I totally agree with you. Let''s talk about something else. Like how you robbed me off

    my memories and bound my powers, making me believe I was your fucking daughter" I shouted at him,

    trying to connect to Adie, but I couldn''t. Something was wrong but I tried to keep my panic and distress

    hidden.

    "Oh child, don''t tell me you feel aggrieved?" He released a throaty chuckle. "You should be grateful to

    me, because of me you were spared from the hands of the Dark Circle. If I hadn''t ambushed Nell that

    night, you would have been offered on a silver tter to the Dark Lord himself,"

    "Don''t tell me nonsense. You speak as though you did me a favor, you took me for a reason, why?" I

    asked,

    "If only you turned out to be exactly how I wanted you to be, you could have been the one bringing that

    idiot to me,"

    "That''s just great. Once again, it all has to do with your greed. All you did was make my life a living hell.

    You even offered me to your worst enemy just so to punish me," I raked angrily.

    "That was a mistake on my part. One I regretted soon enough. Who could have known that idiot will

    end up falling for you? You were supposed to be my ace card being his mate, my n B just in case

    that bitch messed up, but you went ahead and ruined it all," I could discern the rage and the usual

    hatred from his voice.

    "So because I interfered with Killian''s life, I ruined your n. Tell me Lucius, what does that bitch have

    to do with any of these?" I was curious to know, and deep down hoping I could get a clue as to who

    that woman was. Did I know her?

    "I honestly can''t believe you still haven''t figured her out yet, well, that doesn''t concern me," he spoke

    sharply in a hurry. Lucius stood up from his chair, "I am sorry my love but I have to go, the crescent

    moon is almost upon us, and I have so much to do,"

    Oh, my goddess. I almost forgot tonight''s crescent moon. If Killian and the pack are not able to break

    the curse before midnight they would be stuck in with the curse forever. No, I have to escape.

    I tried to connect with Adie again but it was impossible. I was also unable to feel my magic. I felt

    absolutely nothing. The fear I had hidden rose to the surface as my eyes met Lucius.

    "What did you do to me?" I tried pulling up from the bed, noticing the metal shackles confining my

    wrists to the bed.

    He pressed his lips together, smiling darkly. "You didn''t think that I would bring you here without taking

    caution. You were shot with something quite special made by the witches. There''s no way you will be

    able to use your powers for a while, so just rest up while I prepare for that idiot that is on his way here

    to save you,"

    Lucius motioned forward to me, grabbing my face in his hands, he ced a kiss on my forehead. "Rest

    well, love," he went to the door, before turning his eyes back on me. "I will send someone to bring some

    food for you," he left and locked it from outside.

    I pulled out from the bed, ignoring the pain in my gut. I had to get out of here. My eyes fell on the

    darkness that was outside, the moon would be up any minute from now. I had to leave before Killian

    charged here with his warriors. Lucius was well prepared for them. I turned to the chains confining my

    wrists, I made several attempts to set myself free but it was next to impossible as the tiredness in my

    body kept dragging me down. Whatever they had shot me with was still in my blood. I had to fix that

    first.

    Just then the door pulled open and a warrior dressed in one of the Pack''s clothing came in with a tray

    of food and water. He ced it on the bed, and without saying anything to me, he left.

    My eyes scrutinized the tray on the bed, there was nothing I could use to free myself, they had

    intentionally removed every sharp utensil from the tray.

    I grabbed the metal te, tossing away the content on the floor, I began to bend it, forming a sharp

    edge. I was done. My finger ran over the sharpness of the te that could now pierce through

    anything.

    I held it tightly to the spot where I had been shot, I took in several breaths, before piercing it to my

    neck, tearing it up. I didn''t make the wound that deep, but wide enough to bleed out as much as I

    could, and hopefully, I would be able to bleed out what little I could of whatever had been shot at

 Chapter 110

    Chapter 110

    She''s point of view

    I gasped weakly, cing a hand over my neck where I had wounded myself. I was beginning to think

    this was a bad idea as the blood on my neck began to rush out fastly. I was bleeding badly. The worst-

    case scenario is that I may probably die before I get the chance to break out of here or before Killian

    found me. I knew he would be going crazy trying to find me.

    And that''s exactly what Lucius wants. He wanted them here. He didn''t want the curse to be broken,

    thereby ensuring Killian''s and the Pack''s soon demise all in the name of greed.

    I groaned, as the strength in my hand was slowly escaping, and my blue dress and cloak had been

    smeared with my blood. I couldn''t even move properly on the bed as every movement on the bed was

    restricted by the chains binding me.

    I tried to seek Adie out but it was again useless. It was as if there was a wall separating us.

    After a while of bleeding out, I pulled up from the bed, forcing myself into a seating position. I brought

    the chains around my wrists closer to me and muttered a few chants to set myself free but it didn''t

    work.

    I copsed on the bed, whatever Lucius''s witches had concocted was far stronger than I imagined. I

    took a cursory nce outside the window, I could already notice an outline of the crescent moon in the

    sky. Time was racing against us. Killian. I held on to the bloody smeared sheets and dug my nails into

    them.

    What should I do? I thought hard about what to do, and unfortunately, every potential solution I came

    up with either involved my magic or Adie or me getting free first, but there was absolutely nothing on

    how to break this chain off.

    My heart began to thud loudly, as the realization of my impossible situation hit me, and fear of Killian

    and the pack not surviving the crescent moon dawned on me and even frustration didn''t hesitate to get

    on the boat. We''vee this far to not break the curse. I closed my eyes, screaming from the

    helplessness I felt.

    I stopped immediately when I heard the shattering noise around me. My eyes opened and everything in

    the chamber was in utter ruins.

    I gasp in disbelief, my lips forming a smile. It appears all hope wasn''t lost yet. I was up on the bed,

    bringing my wrists to my lips, praying to the moon goddess to make this work.

    I focussed on where the chains bound me and directed my scream at it. In sheer surprise, cold mist

    zed over the metal shackles at my scream and I persisted the more, watching it be as frail as

    ss and shattered at the sound of my voice.

    A Series ofughter escaped my lungs as I wobbled from the bed to the floor. I reached for the door but

    it was locked. I muttered some chants but it didn''t work, well, it seemed like my scream was all I''d got.

    I knocked on the door, cing my ears against it. I heard the heavy steps of boots, indicating there

    were warriors outside the door that I had to deal with.

    I knocked again, requesting their attention, and I indeed gained it as I heard several steps move closer

    to the door, apanied by whispers. Maybe contemting if they should open the door or not. But I

    didn''t care.

    I took a step backward and concentrated my scream at the door. The sound of my voice pierced

    through the door, shattering it to pieces. The impact of my scream caused the warriors behind the door

    to bleed profusely from their ears, and their noses while their eyes burnt out. I could almost taste the

    foul smell on my tongue.

    This disaster got the attention of the other warriors Lucius had stationed outside my chamber. I stepped

    out from the chamber, grabbing one of the swords that fell next to a dead warrior.

    I shook my eyes to steady my vision and prayed to the goddess my legs don''t give up on me yet.

    I lunged at the bastards as they drew closer to attack me, plucking their hearts swiftly with my sword,

    while dodging the attacks from behind. I rooted the pointed tip of the sword on the floor, and I smiled

    briefly before my lips parted and I released a shrilling scream that sent every fucking one of them flying

    and blood staining the floor.

    I watched all of them fall to their deaths. I pulled my dress up and began racing through the hallways to

    escape. I hadn''t gone far when I felt strong arms grip me and lifted my body from the floor. I was pinned

    to the wall and arge hand covered by ck leather gloves covered my lips from screaming.

    I was thrashing around when I felt the warmth of a familiar body pressed against mine and then I felt

    the sparks. My eyes shed open in shock and they fell on Killian''s darkened amber eyes.

    "Shhh," he whispered against my ears, and slowly, his hand covering my lips pulled away. "We should

    hurryˇŞ"

    Before Killian couldplete his words, I stood on the tip of my boots and pulled Killian''s neck down

    so my lips could swallow his in a kiss. As soon as Killian''s lips felt mine, he wrapped his arms around

    me and lifted me from the floor, pinning me to his body while he kissed me back hungrily. I felt my back

    against the wall as Killian began to suck on my lips, licking every corner of my mouth.

    "Ahem,"

    Killian and I jerked away from each other immediately, our heads turning to the right where Valerie was

    standing as if she had been passing by.

    "I apologize for the intrusion, but we do not have much time on our hands. The crescent moon is up

    already," she spoke in a low tone. "We must hurry at once."

    Hurry?

    Wait a minute. How did they get in here?

    Before I could ask, Killian nodded to Valerie and grabbed my wrist, and pulled me back to the direction

    of my chamber where I had escaped from. He stopped abruptly when his eyes fell on the horrid mess I

    had made.

    "This won''t work," he took another turn in the hallway, pushing open another door of a chamber on the

    floor of mine.

    "We need to be running out of here, not locking ourselves up. Valerie said the moon is up, and we need

    to curse," I pointed out the obvious while Killian bolted the door from inside.

    I hurried to the door but he gripped me and pulled me in his arms. "Did that bastard hurt you?" He

    asked and I paused for a quarter second, staring into Killian''s amber crystals that held his concern for

    me.

    I shook my head. "Let''s get moving now before the moon fades away and we miss this opportunity," I

    said Killian''srge palm fell on my face and I was forced to stare into his eyes.

    They held concern for me, and also pain and something else I couldn''t fathom. There was something

    his eyes were holding back. Did something happen?

    Killian walked behind me and I turned around confused, only for him to pull me closer to him, and his

    hand slid up my back and stopped at my neck. He brushed my hair back from my neck, while his

    fingers ran up and down the nape of my neck, making my body begin to turn hot.

    With one pull, Killian removed the cloak around my neck and his fingers trailed the small wound on my

    neck. I saw only hurt in his eyes before his lips kissed them gently.

    As much as I loved what was going on we had an actual curse to break. "What are you doing, Killian?

    The curseˇŞ,"

    "There''s no time to go back to the pack, it will be broken right here," he said.

    "What? Lucius, he willˇŞ"

    Killian''s thumb fell on my lips. "Let''s forget about Lucius now," he said. "There''s something I want you

    to know," he whispered to me, brushing against my lips.

    I nodded for him to continue, even though his touch on my body had begun to make me think naughtily.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "No matter what happens between us, or after this, I love you and will never stop loving you," Killian''s

    fingers trailed to my chin, and leaned closer to me, kissing me softly, then he stopped.

    "I love you to the point that I can''t live without you," Killian voiced softly, slipping a hand into my hair.

    My gaze was pinned on his, as I let him speak.

    "I know I am not good with speeches, or being romantic, but whatever happens tonight, I want you to

    know that I love you always. You are my world, She," he took a deep breath, leaning his head on

    mine. "I know that disagree on many things, and I know that I might not be worthy of your loveˇŞ"

    "No," I cut him off. I hated the look in his eyes. But he stopped me.

    "That''s the truth, She. I am not worthy of you, I''ve made mistakes. but, shamelessly, I want a chance

    with you, and I love you," he didn''t take his eyes off me.

    I nodded, "I love you too, Killian, always," I said to him. "And forever."

    Killian''s eyes narrowed on me and we dwelt in silence, staring intently at each other. Even when

    screams of horror filtered into the chamber from the window, we still didn''t budge.

    And then his lips brushed against mine. In a swift motion, we were on the bed, and Killian was on top of

    me. I could feel all of him. His warmth, his body, his lust, his desires, and his agony.

 Chapter 111

    Chapter 111

    She''s point of view

    In a quick motion, I was on the bed and Killian was on top of me, kissing me. His kisses started as

    slow, and passionate. I could feel every emotion in them. It was like he wasmunicating some kind

    of message to me. It was so deep and made me feel things. It was always like this. Whenever Killian

    and I did these things it always felt like it was our first.

    There were sparks and goosebumps all over my skin, not because of the cold air around the chamber,

    but because Killian stopped kissing my lips and began kissing my neck and my shoulder de. It made

    my body weak.

    He positioned himself firmly on top of me as he continued assaulting my neck, I felt him graze the crook

    of my neck, at my marking spot. He took his sweet time before returning his lips to mine.

    I shut my eyes, grabbing hold of Killian''s jacket. I was literally dying of so much pleasure and what''s

    worse, he was barely doing anything to me.

    Killian pulled me up in his arms, and his fingers moved to the front of my dress, untying the rope

    holding my dress together. And effortlessly, it fell. Killian continued to undress me gently, slowly, and

    carefully, until I waspletely naked on the soft velvet sheets of the bed.

    He took off his clothes and climbed on top of me. His eyes were so dark with admiration and love.

    He was taking it very slowly with me. I didn''t know if I liked it or not. But I loved his gentle touches and it

    also made my heart flutter, knowing Killian and I would finally be one. I would bear his mark and he

    would bear mine. We would be united both in our hearts and in the eyes of the moon goddess. N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    His fingers ran over my body, caressing every part of me and all I could do was moan at his touches.

    He leaned on me, pushing back the locks of hair that covered my ears. "You are so beautiful, mate."

    I blushed at his words as my body arched against Killian''s. His mouth devoured my breast, sucking on

    them one after the other. He kissed the valley of my chest, moving down.

    I couldn''t take the torture anymore. I just wanted him inside of me and he read my thoughts and his lips

    returned to mine.

    Even though he was trying his best to hide the pain of the moon''s effect on him, I could still feel it. I felt

    everything he was feeling and I wanted to share everything with him. His love, his happiness, and his

    pain.

    Hisrge hands held my waist, before sliding his hardened length inside of me. I moaned, finding my

    hands rubbing down Killian''s back. He began thrusting inside me, each heavenly thrust of his making

    me moan out his name. I gripped him tightly, as he pumped harder and faster, bouncing hard on the

    wooden bed.

    I felt electrifying tingles in my body. It was like my whole body lit up in mes as u felt my release. The

    passion that intoxicated both of us was overwhelming. Killian growled as he reached his climax and he

    pulled out of me, falling beside me on the bed.

    He scooped me into his arms, and our eyes connected. He bored at me like he was seeing right

    through my soul. "Are you ready?" He asked, flipping my head to my other side, exposing my marking

    spot where his mark should be.

    My hand cupped his cheek and I nodded. I couldn''t trust myself to speak, because I could already feel

    the stinging from my eyes. Frankly, I never expected this day woulde for Killian and me, where I

    would be the only one to bear his mark. To be rightfully his and he would be all mine. The feeling was

    surreal.

    I wrapped my hands around his neck as he came on me again. He kissed me gently before pulling his

    lips to my neck where he began kissing it so softly.

    "It will hurt only for a second," he whispers in my ears. And I held on to him tighter, burying my head in

    his chest.

    Soon, I felt Killian''s sharp canines graze my neck and in the next quarter second, I felt its sharpness

    dive right into my neck.

    I gritted my teeth to stop myself from screaming, my hands around Killian''s neck and pressed down the

    skin of my back until I felt my nails wet and warm with his blood.

    Killian''s canines sank deeper, tasting my blood. The pain slowly wandered away and what I began

    feeling was a new sensation, something I had never felt. It was so alien, causing so much pleasure to

    me, that I kept moaning, feeling myself so turned on.

    Killian slowly pulled his fangs out, and his tongue licked the wound close. I trailed my finger on the spot

    he had just bitten me and I felt something on my neck. It was still fresh but it barely pained me.

    Killian was smiling at me. "How do you feel?"

    "Super great," I said against his lips.

    His brows were crinkled. "What? Not the word I was hoping to hear."

    "It''lle, but after my turn," I gripped his neck and flipped us over on the bed and I was on top of his

    godlike body, straddling my mate. I felt powerful. I didn''t know if it was just me, or Killian''s new strength

    I had begun to share.

    I leaned on him, pressing my hardened nipples against his toned chest, and my hips pressed against

    him so that I could feel his bones. I heard a naughty smile at the back of my head. Adie. I could feel

    her. She was back. It made me smile. This was no fun without her naughty remarks.

    Killian groaned, running his hands on my body, while I feasted on the crook of his neck, and without

    hesitating, I pierced his neck with my pointed canines. Killian''s sweet blood rushed into my mouth, and

    I moaned, mixing my wolf''s essence with his blood.

    After I was done, I retracted my canines and licked his wound close, copsing on hisrge body.

    "How do you feel?" I asked, looking into his eyes.

    "Complete," he leaned closer, kissing me.

    "Me tooˇŞ" I paused, realizing Killian''s voice had just echoed in my head. He didn''t even move his lips.

    He could mind-link me now. "Killian?" I tested it, mind-linking him and it worked. "I love you."

    "I love you more," he said, kissing me as wey in silence for a few minutes.

    "Whates now?" I asked, "Is the curse broken now that we''ve officially mated and have marked

    each other?"

    "I guess we will know when the night is over," Killian said. "For now, we need to get dressed."

    "Yeah and figure out a way to get out of here, Lucius is fucking crazy," I said, as Killian helped me get

    dressed.

    Killian got dressed, while I leaned back on the bed and watched him until he was done.

    "I have to go," Killian kissed my forehead. "Please stay in here and lock the doors."

    I crippled my brows. "Why?" I was up on my boots.

    "I have to go find that fucking bastard, Lucius," Killian spat his name distastefully. "He needs to pay for

    what he did to you."

    "Killian," I grabbed him. "No. We need to find a way to leave here without starting a war, please," I

    moved to him. We didn''t know if the curse was broken and thest thing I wanted was for Killian to get

    hurt.

    His warm hand found my cheek, while the other snaked around my waist as he tugged me closer to

    him. "It''s nice to feel you worry about me," He kissed me.

    "Now let''s just leave without creating a ruckus," I said, pulling him but he remained unmoving.

    "I am afraid, love, it''s toote for that. As we speak we are at war," Killian voiced, looking towards the

    window.

    "What?" I rushed towards the window, pulling it open. There was a fight going on, but I couldn''t hear a

    thing.

    "The witches had ensured no sounds disturbed us," Killian said behind me.

    I turned to him. "Are you saying we mated and took our sweet time marking each other in the middle of

    a bloody war?"

    Killian smirked. "It would indubitably go down in history."

    "This isn''t funny, Killian," I hushed him. "Lucius is crazy and he has witches by his side. They did

    something to me and now I can''t seem to use my magicˇŞ" I froze the instant thest word carelessly

    flew from my lips. It was toote to take it back.

    My heart started to race, as Killian''s eyes just held mine, without muttering a word. It scared me. And

    my fear rose more, realizing he could now feel my emotions and I couldn''t control them. This was the

    worst time to tell Killian the truth.

    "Iˇ­Uhmˇ­ we should go," I said, sidestepping him, avoiding his piercing gaze that felt like he was

    seeking out the truth from my eyes. Before I could walk away, Killian grabbed me.

    "You had something to tell me tonight," he said, almost in a whisper, making me remember our

    conversationst night. I promised to tell him the truth but I can''t. Not now. "Tell me, I am ready to hear

    it."

    "Killian we need toˇŞ" I began, but Killian''s fingers stopped me from speaking.

    "No, She. Tell me now. I just want to hear it from your lips. Please just tell me," he said to me. His

    eyes were pleading, demanding me to trust him.

    But I couldn''t. Suddenly, the fear of Killian''s reaction when he learns the truth invaded me. I''m sorry

    Killian, I can''t.

    "Tell him," Adie voiced her thoughts.

    But I shook my head mentally, I was not going to tell him.

    "Tell him," she sounded again.

    "No," I yelled back at her. My decision was made up.

    My eyes met Killian''s amber crystals. I sighed. "I am sorry Killian, butˇŞ" abruptly, I stopped speaking,

    and I felt my consciousness tossed back while Adie took over my body. "My real name is She ck.

    Yes, sister to those assholes you keep insulting."

    I heard her echo those words, before returning to the back of my mind and I was back on the surface.

    "There, I said it," she muttered, beforepletely locking herself out of my mind, leaving me to deal

    with her fucking mess, all alone.

    Fuck.

 Chapter 112

    Chapter 112

    She''s point of view

    The words echoed more in my head as Killian''s persistent stare was on me. I swear if I hadn''t been so

    sure that I said those words, I would have sworn Killian didn''t hear them.

    I felt his calm breath on me, while my heart banged so fast that it drummed in my ears. Still, Killian

    didn''t say anything. I couldn''t even figure out his emotions. They were over the ce. A mixture of pain,

    rage, sadness, and total confusion.

    He shut his eyes and pulled away from me. I almost hissed in protest, I held onto the soft fabric of my

    dress as Killian started to pace around the room with his eyes closed and a hand in his hair.

    "Killian," I moved closer to where he was, I couldn''t even hide the trembling in my voice. I was terrified.

    So terrified of Killian''s reaction to the truth. On many asions, I have imagined just how things would

    y out when he finally learns the truth and the oue was never good. It always resulted in Killian

    and I breaking up.

    Just the thought of it caused a unique pain in my chest, and my eyes flooded with tears. Oh, goddess,

    he was going to leave me. Killian stopped pacing, his dark amber eyes fell on me and regarded me

    with hooded eyes as if he was feeling the pain I was in and knowing my fearful thoughts at the moment.

    But all I could feel from him was those three emotions, fighting for dominance. Pain, rage, and

    confusion.

    Killian closed his eyes for a while before opening them. And what I saw within those depths scared me.

    He took a step forward, and I took several backward. He had a lot to say, things I wouldn''t like. Things I

    didn''t want to hear.

    I fought a new wave of tears that wanted to escape my eyes, sauntering back to the bed where my

    cloak was.

    "She," Killian''s voice sounded as he watched me move around the chamber.

    I grabbed my cloak and wore it above my dress. "Killian, we should talkter, for now, let''s help the

    others," I wiped off the tear stain from my eyes, locking my emotions. I didn''t want anything to drag me

    down. I turned for the door when Killian held me back from my waist and forced me to look into his

    eyes, which now terrified me.

    I loved Killian, and I knew he loved me too. But is his love for me strong enough to bury the hatred he

    has for my family? I didn''t know. And I didn''t want to find out now.

    "She, listen to me," he said, so low that it could be seen as a whisper. His eyes reflected the pain in

    my chest and that pain attempted to smother me.

    "Please, Killian," I said in his warmth. "Later," I added, and he stared at me like he was studying me,

    before nodding.

    "Fine, let''s go," he muttered with almost no emotion.

    Killian and I left the chamber and navigated our way to the grand floor, walking past so many dead

    bodies both in their wolf and human forms.

    We stepped outside through another door in the castle and there was barely a fight going on, or rather

    it was almost over as Lucius'' warriors had dropped in number and were outnumbered by Killian''s

    warriors and an army of other warriors.

    Shit. It can''t be. I felt myself panicking as I recognized the scent of the other army. They were my

    brother''s army. How on earth could this be?

    I nced over to where Killian was fighting in his human form. Now fear danced across my face as I

    realized if Killian found them here, things were going to be ugly. I had to find Leonardo.

    "Behind you," I heard Killian''s voice amid my thoughts. But before I could make out what he meant, I

    felt a presence lunge at me, and I was ripped from its path by Killian. Lucius''s warriorˇŻs ws only tore

    through my arm, but it didn''t look that deep, even though it hurt like hell.

    Killian instantly killed the wolf, turning to me. "What were you thinking?" He said, not in a high-pitched

    tone. But I only stared at him with wide eyes. He gripped my bleeding arm which wasn''t healing yet.

    Whatever that witch had shot at me still impeded me from essing my wolf abilities and magic.

    "Here," he ced a sword in my hand. "Let''s go, please stay close to me."

    We made it to the front of the castle where the fight had ended, finding Brielle and Allen with some of

    our warriors. Some of Lucius'' men and witches were dead, while some were captured already, and a

    greater half had somehow escaped. Killian left me with them to go after Lucius.

    I inspected the dead bodies of the witches, but none of them belonged to that witch. And she wasn''t

    among those captured.

    I sighed, the most important one got away. I went in the direction of where Killian left, searching for him,

    leading me to the woods. From afar, I heard several men gather around, talking, or rather arguing

    heatedly and angrily. Killian was one of them, including Lorenzo, and Morgan and my nose got a whiff

    of the others. They were my brothers.

    "Sister," Kai turned to me and moved to where I was rooted in a hurry. He pulled me in his arms the

    instant I was within his reach.

    My body became stiff, as my eyes traveled to Killian''s whose gaze was on us. I could only feel rage

    from him, but he pulled his eyes away from us.

    It confused me. If my brothers were here, it simply meant they came along with Killian. Does that mean

    Killian knew the truth before I told him?

    Bloody hell, my emotions were high. I tried calming it down but I couldn''t. Goddess, I didn''t want to

    make a total disaster here, especially not when Killian was staring at me. He could no doubt feel the

    chaos in my soul. I looked away from his gaze when Morgan motioned forward to me. I couldn''t find the

    strength to look away. He knew too. His emerald green eyes told me.

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    "Morgan," I didn''t even know what to say. I was so focused on Killian that I didn''t think about how

    broken I would feel if the people I had learned to care about in Killian''s pack rejected me.

    Before I could force myself to say further, Morgan embraced me tightly. I couldn''t stop the tears that

    rushed from my eyes as he pulled away after a while. Those spotless green eyes of his had a lot of

    questions for me.

    Lorenzo stalked forward. And I searched around, but there was no Valerie. "And Valerie?"

    "She is taking care of the ritual," Lorenzo said and my eyes went up into the sky. The crescent moon

    had vanished from the sky. I hoped the ritual worked and the curse was broken.

    "My army has swept through the territory," Leonardo said, after being mind-linked. "They couldn''t find

    Lucius, he must have escaped before the war started."

    "Yes, and with more than half of his army and witches. That imbecile will be back," I said, knowing the

    type of person Lucius was, he wouldn''t stop until he sees Killian dead and conquers his pack.

    "I hope hees back," Killian sounded from where he was still rooted. "In the meantime, some

    warriors will be monitoring the pack, in case he shows up," he moved closer. "We should get going," he

    said specifically to me.

    "She isn''t going anywhere with you," I closed my eyes briefly as Kaiser''s voice sounded. I could already

    feel Killian''s rage intensifying, and so was KaiserˇŻs. "The truth is out. She''s one of us, there''s no way

    we would let you leave with her, my sister isn''t safe with you."

    Killian took a step forward, his eyes were so dark, but Morgan spoke before he could.

    "And she is with you?" Morgan asked, sarcastically, making Kaiser chuckle.

    "Let''s not pretend everything is suddenly alright. I still fucking hate you, and you bloody bastards do the

    same. She is family, at least she wouldn''t have to be constantly in fear, wondering just when any one

    of you would turn on her andplete the task your father started years ago, handing her to the Dark

    Circle," before Kaiser could finish his words, Morgan sent a steady blow at him which Kai reciprocated

    quickly. Before things turned into something ugly, Lorenzo stepped in between them, separating them.

    "My sister isn''t going back to that godforsaken pack," Kaiser spat, furiously.

    "That''s not for you to decide," Morgan replied. Almost in an instant, the air became tense, as I felt

    everyone''s eyes shift on me as if expecting me to suddenly step up and make a decision.

    I shook my head, folding my arms against my chest. This is so fucked up.

 Chapter 113

    Chapter 113

    She''s point of view

    I folded my arms against my chest as everyone''s eyes were on me as if expecting me to make a

    decision. Were they being serious right now?

    It was like they were asking me to choose between my family and Killian. No. I won''t be a part of this. I

    refuse to be a part of this. I shook my head, taking a step back. "No. Don''t drag me into this," I said,

    turning away.

    Leonardo motioned forward to me, hisrge arms wrapped me around his body, and I could feel myself

    rolling my eyes. But it wasn''t me. I looked in Killian''s direction and his hooded eyes were on us.

    "We need to talk, but not tonight," he said, cing a kiss on my forehead. "Take care, sister," he

    whispered before turning to an already fuming Kaiser who was not liking how things were going. "Let''s

    go."

    Kaiser shook his head, meeting my blue eyes. But before he spoke, I hugged him. Even if no one

    understood Kaiser''s rage, I did. I knew Leonardo did too, but it wasn''t the same.

    Fourteen years ago, when Killian''s father invaded the pack with the Dark Circle army, Kaiser and I were

    alone with mother and the warriors. What we experienced that night wasn''t something that we could

    easily let go of. Killian''s father killed our mother right before our eyes, as she was focused on saving

    me instead of herself.

    If I hadn''t forgotten my memories and I had grown up with my brothers, I knew I would have carried that

    rage as well, hating the Crescent North Pack. So, I couldn''t reproach my family''s hatred toward Killian''s

    pack. But still, I couldn''t me Killian and the pack for what his father did to my family. They also had a

    share of their tragedy.

    I watched both Leonardo and Kaiser retreat into the woods, before morphing into their wolves.

    "Mason and the warriors have transported the prisoners from Lucius''s pack already," Morgan said,

    pulling out of a mind link.

    "And Devon?" I asked, and Killian''s eyes turned to mine.

    "Devon was here?" Killian asked and I nodded.

    "Lucius sent me a message saying he had Devon and would have him killed if I didn''t show up at the

    mountains," I exined.

    "Don''t worry, Devon is fine. We found him during the fight," Morgan said.

    "We should head back to the pack," Killian finally said, leading us out of the woods to where a few of

    the pack warriors were waiting for us. I got on the horse, and Killian jumped on behind me. Most of the

    warriors were in their wolf forms as we headed back to our territory.

    Killian and I barely exchanged a word on our way back to the pack. We arrived soon, and Valerie and

    the witches were still busy.

    I walked into the castle, heading for my chamber when Killian called out to me. "We should talk," he

    said.

    "Just a second, I need to shower and dress my wound," I pointed at the wound on my arm that hasn''t

    begun healing.

    "Fuck. I forgot," Killian almost smacked himself. "I will send Dr. Maggie over."

    "There''s no need," I said, "I will see you in a bit," I went to my chamber and closed the door behind me,

    taking several calming breaths.

    I couldn''t understand why my heart was racing so fast in my chest, and why I kept avoiding this

    conversation with Killian.

    I sighed,ing to terms that I can''t stall the inevitable forever. I stripped from my blood-stained dress,

    hurrying to the washing room for the quickest shower of my life. I wrapped a towel around my body and

    stalked out. I got dressed and motioned to Killian''s chamber.

    I pulled the door open without knocking. Killian was standing by the window, looking out into the

    midnight darkness, while the moon shimmers fell on his muscr body and beautiful face. He was not

    wearing a shirt, so I could see the outline of the inked wolf on his chest and back that covered his

    branded scars.

    Killian''s dark eyes moved from the window to the door, where I was standing. He leaned against the

    smooth wall as I ambled into the room, locking the door behind me.

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    Killian watched me as I walked slowly to where he was. I stopped near the bed, pressing down on it.

    "Any word from Valerie?" I asked, filling the staking, unweing silence.

    Killian shook his head, "Not yet, they are still busy."

    I nodded, leveling my blue eyes to his. We just stared at each other for the shortest second before

    Killian sighed deeply, brushing his palm on his face. "I don''t even know what to say, or how to say it."

    "Just say it as it is, Killian," I muttered honestly, removing my gaze from his. I just wanted it to be over. I

    didn''t know what Killian was thinking. All I felt from him was the same emotions of rage, pain, and

    confusion. At Least it was a good thing he didn''t hate me, yet.

    "It''s been a month, She, a fucking month since the attack and you recovered your memories and

    remembered everything. Why didn''t you just tell me?" He bit out frustratedly, I could see the hurt in his

    eyes.

    "I am sorry, Killian, but what did you expect me to do? Don''t you think I was dying to tell you the truth?

    But how could I, when at every chance you get, you speak against my family and make unruly

    usations?" I said,

    "usations? Come on, She, you know it''s the truth, I lost Karl all because of that stupid war Alpha

    Logan started," Killian moved from the wall, inching closer to the bed.

    "And I lost my mother by your father''s hands, while he forced Kaiser and me to watch," I shouted, I

    didn''t mean to. I didn''t want to, but I couldn''t fight the pain that came from remembering my mother''s

    death, and my eyes clouded with tears. "You lost your brother, and it was unfair, but I also lost my

    mother and father, and my entire life that night all because of your father," tears rolled from my eyes

    and I was up on my feet, moving around the room.

    "Fuck, I am sorry," he walked closer to me, hisrge hand moving to wipe off the tears from my face.

    His amber eyes softened with something I hated to see in his depth.

    *****

    Killian''s point of view

    "No, Killian, you shouldn''t be. It''s not your fault," she said to me.

    "It doesn''t change what my father did to you," I said to She, wiping off her tears. I just hated seeing

    her in tears. Even though I despised it, I was still my father''s son. How could I erase the fact that my

    mate had suffered at the hands of my father? I just couldn''t, and I know it would haunt me for the rest of

    my life.

    "What happened that night wasn''t your fault, nor mine, nor my brothers. Everything happened all

    because of Nell Reid, so please, Killian, I am begging you, put an end to this rage and hatred for the

    ck Blood Pack, please," She begged, sping her hands around mine. I knew she wasn''t liking

    this situation as well.

    Even though I felt hurt and angry, I understood why she didn''t tell me the truth. I couldn''t me her. I

    might have done the same as well. Frankly, deep down I wished I hadn''t known the truth. I wished

    She had nothing to do with those bastards, but I couldn''t fool myself. This was our reality. She was a

    daughter to the family I had spent every waking moment of my life despising. And I was the son of the

    man that had caused her so much pain at a young age.

    I couldn''t stop the pool of tears that gathered in my eyes. Why on earth did this hurt so much? Why on

    earth couldn''t I erase that truth? I just wished I could.

    "I can''t," I replied, my heart-shattering at the hurt and pain that took hold of her eyes. "That is next to

    impossible, She," I said the truth. Thest thing I wanted was to lie to her and make false promises. I

    didn''t know how to stop hating them.

    A tear slipped down her cheekbones, and she pulled her hands away from me. "So, now what?" She

    said, folding her hands around her waist as if desperately wanting to warm herself. "What happens to

    us? And don''t ask me to make a choice."

    I shook my head. I would never ask that of her. Not because I cared for those bastards, but because I

    knew that if it ever came to that, She would be the one hurt the most and I would never want that.

    Also, the thought of her making a choice terrified me. I didn''t want to lose her.

    "Nothing happens to us, She," I said, "I love you and we are fucking mates," I said, stifling a smile.

    "Trust me, She, I don''t want to lose you. I ept thoseˇŞ" I searched for the convenient word, "I

    ept they are your brothers, and I swear to you, I will learn to deal with it, but nothing is happening to

    us," I said, inching closer to her that I could almost feel the sweet taste of her lips on mine, but I was

    suddenly mind-linked by Morgan.

    He spoke in a hurry,pletely breathless. As soon as I registered his words, a smile broke on my lips.

    My eyes shimmered with pure happiness, meeting She''s.

    "What?" She asked, gently.

    "It''s from Valerie," I said, smiling. "I can''t believe this. She says we are free. It worked, She, the curse

    is broken!" Before She could speak, held her waist, and pulled her to me, kissing her.

 Chapter 114

    Chapter 114

    She''s point of view

    I kept smiling at the members of the pack and everyone present at the celebration. I was standing at a

    corner in the grand hall, wearing one of the silken dresses, tailored by Lady Elenore, who''s rumoured

    by Brielle to be the finest clothier in all of North Central. It had a high neck, and a small opening,

    showing off the valley of my chest. Killian had made a fuss about it, insisting it was quite revealing but

    the girls came to my defence, and I particrly loved it, as well as the astounding wonders Brielle

    made of my brown hair, tying it into a neat ponytail.

    I was chatting with a few Lunas that had apanied their mates to the party. It was a small feast,

    celebrating me and the pack, as I have officially been linked to the pack, and hence I could mind-link

    every member of the pack because Killian and I have marked each other.

    Also, it was a small feast for the pack, celebrating their freedom from the crescent curse that has

    gued them for years. We were all happy. Every one of us. I was happy as well, but it would have

    been very lovely to have my brothers here with me. The ck Blood Pack wasn''t invited because both

    my brothers and Killian still can''t stand each other, and besides, Leonardo and Kaiser are being

    watched by the Council as they believe that they know my whereabouts.

    I excused myself from the small circle, looking around for Killian. I had barely gotten past a

    conversation with him since the party started. I scanned the hall once more, I could see almost

    everyone having fun and enjoying the party. So where was Killian?

    I sneaked out of the hall, grabbing my dress as its long length swept through the floors. I tried to mind-

    link Killian, but I couldn''t. Odd. He had blocked himself from being mind-linked, even by me.

    I went to his chamber, but I couldn''t find him there, so I sauntered to his office. I held the knob and

    pulled it open gently. The office was dark. The draperies were folded against each other, intentionally,

    to keep even the moon''s bright glow out.

    Killian was there, seated behind the table on his chair, and his face was buried in his palm. He didn''t

    even lift his head until I closed the door behind me, and my scent enveloped the room, was he only

    aware of my present.

    Killian lifted his head, staring at me near the door. I couldn''t see his face. I gave my fingers a little wave

    in the air, and the torches in the office lit up with fire. Killian''s face came into view as I moved closer to

    him.

    "I couldn''t find you at the party," I said, walking around the table, to his chair.

    "Iˇ­erˇ­had somethings to tend to urgently," Killian said, sweeping lost tendrils of his hair back.

    "Is that so? I missed you," I said in the most tempting and seductive voice I could conjure, falling into

    Killian''sp.

    He wrapped his arms around me. "And I missed you too," he said, pulling me closer, and changing the

    game. Usually, when I say those words, Killian had naughty to say.

    I don''t say anything, and just wrap my hands around his neck, diving into his eyes. There was nothing

    there. No emotion there, and I couldn''t feel him because he had blocked his link.

    My hands went to his silken hair and I leaned closer, kissing him. Killian responded to my kisses, until

    we pulled apart, panting.

    His finger stroked the bottom of my lips, gently, before returning his lips to mine, kissing me again.

    Something was off with Killian, I could sense it.

    "We should get back to the party," I said, pecking his lips.

    "I promise; I''ll be right behind you. I just have to sort through some paper," Killian muttered to me.

    I nodded nheless, "See you soon, Killian," I voiced, pulling up from hisp. I had a lot I wanted to

    speak to Killian about, amongst it all was Thea''s departure from the pack. Yesterday, I paid her a short

    visit and ordered the helpers to get her belongings in order for tomorrow, as she will be finally leaving

    from here. But this wasn''t the best time to speak to Killian about that or any other thing.

    I sauntered to the door, almost moving outside when I heard Killian call from behind.

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    I stopped, tilting my head to where he was seated behind the table. My blue eyes met his amber eyes.

    "She, I love you," He said thoughtfully, making my lips splinter with a smile.

    "I know," I replied, leaving the office and joining the celebration.

    It didn''t take long before Killian made an appearance at the grand hall, he joined me in thepany of

    some of the guests from the neighboring packs and was by me throughout the party, but his thoughts

    were far away.

    The celebrationsted till the peak of midnight. Killian and I only left the hall when almost half of the

    guests from other packs had left, while some were staying over.

    Killian pulled the door to his chamber open, and we gaited in with his hands around my waist. I

    removed my earnings, and stripped out from my dress, donning one of Killian''s robes on my body.

    I went to the bed where he was sitting with only his pants. I pressed my body against him, plopping

    down on hisp.

    "Alright, Killian, what''s wrong?" I questioned, I couldn''t keep on waiting for him to speak. It killed me to

    have no idea what was wrong with him.

    Killian shut the gate with his eyes closed, sighing deeply. When he opened his eyes, a smile covered

    his lips, but that didn''t fool me. The smile didn''t even reach his eyes.

    "It''s nothing, love, I swear," he kissed the mark on my neck, so sensually that I moaned, changing from

    my position on hisp, now straddling him.

    Killian kept on assaulting my neck in the best way possible, but I stopped him before things got heated.

    He wasn''t going to divert my attention so easily.

    "This isn''t nothing, tell me what''s going on," I poked harder.

    "Don''t stress yourself, it''s Pack business and not important," he insisted, returning his lips to my body,

    leaving a feathery trail.

    "Alright, tell me and we will work it out if it''ll wipe off the gloom in your eyes. I hate it," I told him

    honestly.

    Killian chuckled deeply, it was better than the faux smile he had held a while ago. His hands pulled me

    closer to his bare chest.

    Killian''s hands on my waist began to move on my body. One rested on my back and the other, rubbed

    on the tness of my stomach, caressing it gently.

    "She," his lips rolled my name out lovingly, and I fell into his bright round eyes. "I have been thinking,

    and," he paused, inhaling. "How would you feel about having my pup?"

    My brows shot up and my lips parted, gasping. "Killian, are you crazy?" I couldn''t confine the smile that

    kept hounding my lips. "Why would even ask that of course, I would be happy to have a child with you,

    not just one but as many as we want,"

    Killian''s smile deepened, reaching his eyes. It was genuine, but his amber irises held a certain kind of

    sadness at the same time.

    "It would be lovely," he muttered, brushing his lips with mine. "Oh goddess, I would give anything She

    to have you be the mother of all my children," he said, releasing a bitter chuckle. "As many as we

    want,"

    I pulled my hand to his cheek, caressing it softly. "Killian, you are worrying me,"

    "I am sorry; I am just so confused. I don''t know what to do," he said, not masking the pain, sadness,

    and confusion rooted in his eyes.

    "Fuck it, Killian, talk to me, tell me what''s wrong," I moved on him, but he gripped my waist and pinned

    me on the bed.

    "We will talk about it tomorrow," he said, kissing my lips. "But for now all I want is to make you feel

    wonders and give pleasure to your body," he said to me.

    "Promise?" I uttered, and Killian''s brows furrowed.

    "You know I make good on my words," he whispered in my ears, seducing me.

    "Not that silly," I couldn''t help butugh. "You''ll tell me what''s wrong tomorrow?"

    Killian hesitated a while, before moving his head in agreement. "I promise,"

    He wrapped his arms around me, kissing me and I kissed him back. Even in the heat of the moment as

    our bodies were bare against each other, somewhere deep in my chest, I couldn''t shake off the fear in

    my heart.

    I had a bad feeling about what Killian had to tell me, and suddenly, tomorrow terrified me.

 Chapter 115

    Chapter 115

    She''s point of view

    I shifted underneath the covers, stirring on therge bed. I stretched to the other side of the bed where

    Killian wasying but I was greeted by a disturbing coldness from the sheets. My eyes tore open, and I

    groaned, adjusting my eyes to the bright sun rays that sneaked through the window, descending on

    me.

    I rose to a sitting position on the bed, brushing back my long brown hair. I peered at the window, the

    sun was shining so brightly and I had overslept. I moved my eyes back to the bed, but Killian wasn''t

    beside me. He must have woken up early to get ready for the day. Today was a little busy, as Killian

    would be attending a meeting at the Council''s castle, and I also had a lot of things to tend to in the

    pack, amongst which was looking forward to kicking Thea out of the pack.

    I left the bed, showered quickly and got dressed in one of my training clothes. I joined the warriors at

    the training field and I trained with Brielle, Ria and Allen. All through, I didn''t see Killian or Morgan.

    I mind-linked Morgan, asking after Killian. Apparently, he was at the field in the woods, training.

    I left for the woods. I saw Morgan under the shade of a tree, leaning against it, and from afar, I saw

    Killian, he was training all alone. Fighting like he was fighting against an unknown opponent that he

    badly wanted to get rid of.

    "Has he been like this all morning?" I stopped beside Morgan, joining him under the shade.

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    Morgan''s emerald green eyes shifted on me, and he nodded his head gently. "Yes," Morgan''s eyes

    pulled back to Killian. "Something''s wrong with Killian."

    "Yes," I muttered, not taking my eyes off Killian. "He''s been like this since yesterday," I was honest.

    Morgan''s eyes drifted back to me. "He won''t tell me what''s really going on, and he keeps turning his

    link on and off," I said to Morgan. "To be frank, Morgan, I am terrified. I feel like whatever he isn''t telling

    me is bad, really bad."

    "Don''t say that," Morgan ced a hand on my shoulder. "He''s just probably dealing with everything that

    happened these past few days," Morgan said with concern, and I threw him a look, knowing neither of

    us believed that.

    But he was right, a lot had happened thest few days between all of us, starting with Morgan and

    Killian finding out about my true identity and the curse being broken.

    Something was wrong with Killian, and I hope to the goddess, I find out what was really wrong with

    Killian.

    "Don''t worry too much about it, She," Morgan pulled out from the shade. His care and concern forced

    a smile on my face. Even after he found out the truth about me, his care for me didn''t go away. I knew

    that Morgan, Killian and my brothers may never be able to shield the hatred that existed between them,

    but it was more than enough for me, they haven''t murdered each other. "She," Morgan''s voice jerked

    my attention back to him. You should go to him," he gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze, sending me a

    smile, before walking away.

    I held a smile, watching him leave, requesting the moon goddess to bless Morgan with a beautiful

    mate. He deserved it.

    My gaze travelled back to Killian who was in the middle of the field a distance from where I was,

    fighting. Even as I moved closer to him, he still didn''t sense my presence. He''s been constantly lost in

    deep thoughts.

    "Killian," at my call, he spun around, his eyes connecting with mine.

    "Love," he said, cing a kiss on my lips. "What are you doing here?ˇ±

    "To train, obviously," I said, smiling, in a flirtatious manner.

    Killian groped my waist, digging me into his arms. "Are you sure about that?"

    I pulled out of his arms, nodding. "Just don''t go easy on me, otherwise you''ll regret it,"

    I took my stance, and Killian smirked, taking his stance. We began training, and for the first time he

    was actually going easy on me, making it easy to pin him against the ground and I was on top of him.

    The smile across his face deepened and as I stared into his eyes, I couldn''t hold back the question

    choking my chest. "It''s time, Killian. Tell me, what''s the reason behind the sadness in your eyes?"

    *****

    Killian''s point of view

    I was panting so hard by the time She pinned me on the ground so easily and effortlessly, she came

    on top of me. I couldn''t repress the smile that momentarily found my lips as I felt her warm body lean

    on my chest.

    Her perfect round eyes dived right into mine, and I could literally see the questions that flew out of her

    lips. "It''s time, Killian. Tell me, what''s the reason behind the sadness in your eyes?"

    I didn''t know when my hold around my mate''s wless body tightened, and I fought every emotion from

    my eyes. I tried pulling up from the ground, but She pinned me the more.

    "Last night you made a promise to me, Killian. Now, tell me, what''s really going on with you?" SheˇŻs

    eyes furrowed on me as she asked again with worry.

    I felt my bones tense beneath her soft body, and my only option was to stare back at her. I hated to see

    the worry in her blue crystals, but I couldn''t tell her what was really going on. At least not now.

    Even Ryker and I haven''t fullye to terms with our new reality. There was no way I could ever keep

    this secret from her or anyone else in the pack. It was only a matter of time before everyone began to

    find out.

    Fuck. I hated this. I hated it badly. Why did something like this happen now, at a time when I was

    beginning to have a chance with She?

    I shut my eyes, feeling the pain, and sadness from inside my bones. I swear to the goddess I would do

    anything and give everything just to make this go away. Just to make She the one instead.

    I fought the stinging that began to erupt around the corners of my eyes, just imagining the immense

    happiness I would be bursting from if only this had happened to my mate instead.

    "Killian, enough of this, talk to me!" She yelled, but not from rage.

    I wish it was that easy to say. But the instant the truth was exposed, She would be in as much pain

    as I was in, and the bitter truth is that, her hatred for me would return. It would consume her and kill me

    to see her despise me so much.

    I pulled up a little from the ground, wrapping my arms around her. I buried my head into her neck,

    inhaling her scent. I unblocked the link between us, masking all my emotions so they won''t betray me.

    My amber pair moved to meet hers. And for a second, I got lost in my thoughts. I didn''t deserve her. I

    knew it. And yet, shamelessly and selfishly, I couldn''t risk telling her the truth now. This would be the

    height of my betrayal and it''s unforgiven. I just might lose my mate, and this time, it''ll be forever.

    "I am sorry," I said through the mind link, feeling Ryker''s silent presence at the back of my mind. He

    had barely muttered a word since yesterday when we received the news.

    "About what?" She asked, adjusting her body on mine.

    "Everything. The pain, humiliation and suffering I have made you go through being my mate," I was

    being earnest. "I just feel so bad about it,"

    "Is that it?" Her curious eyes pried into the depths of my eyes.

    I nodded. "Yes," I lied, for now.

    She nodded her head slowly as well. Her eyes were pretty clear that she didn''t believe a word I had

    said.

    "Then it''s alright, Killian. Everything is in the past," she kissed me. "What is important is our future

    together," she muttered and my heart ached at her words.

    I knew the chances of a future with She were slim when she found out about this.

    "On that note," she began, "I will be sending Thea away from the pack before the dusk of today."

    Her words threw me off guard, and it made my insides crawl. That would have been good news if the

    circumstances had been different. I also was dying to have Thea away from here, and focus on my life

    with She.

    But that will no longer be possible. And I had no way of telling She without having to spill the truth.

    The truth I detested and wished I could spare her from. But unfortunately, at this point, there was

    nothing I could do.

 Chapter 116

    Chapter 116

    Killian''s point of view

    She and I walked back to the castle, after finishing up training. I showered and got dressed for the

    meeting at the Council today. I will be going with Allen and Mason, since Valerie and Lorenzo have not

    returned since yesterday. They had made a short trip to the south, along with a witch from Leonardo''s

    pack.

    Well, since I had learned the truth about She''s true identity, I have been trying my hardest not to get

    in any sort of confrontation with those brothers of hers, and I noticed so have they, at least, Leonardo

    does try to keep Kaiser in check. We still very much hated each other, but Valerie was right, only She

    woulde out hurt in all of this. I can''t imagine how it must make her feel, having a mate who

    despised her family and a family who despised her mate.

    I really can''t trust myself to make any promises, but I swear, I would do my hardest to tolerate her

    brothers, and I know for her, they would do the same and even worse. That''s why we''ve been working

    together.

    Valerie, Lorenzo, and a trusted witch from Leonardo''s pack had left to visit an old Elder witch in the

    south. She was also once an old crystal witch from the Crystal Fortress, and a friend of Fiona, She''s

    mother. It was a discreet meeting, even the Council wasn''t aware of this. It was regarding the Dark

    Circle attacks that have sprung up in the south. We knew they were blood sacrifices, and Leonardo

    ck seemed to think it somehow had to do with She. But sincerely, I hoped not.

    I wished this was all a nightmare. After learning about She''s identity, I realized how much danger she

    was in. She was the child the prophecy spoke about on the crystal stone and was a target of my father

    and the Dark Circle. They wanted her dead fourteen years ago, and maybe still do. But I swear to the

    goddess, I would protect her with my life. This wasn''t only because she was my mate, regardless of

    who She''s family was, it was my way of paying for the sins my father hadmitted against her.

    What Nell Reid had done to She and her Pack that night was wrong. I knew that best. They had lost

    so much that night. That was also the truth. But I couldn''t flush this rage and hatred away. What Alpha

    Logan had done as well was wrong. I could only imagine the pain he must have felt,ing home to

    meet his wife''s lifeless body. Even I would lose it if something happened to She. But Alpha Logan''s

    action that night also ruined our lives and took many lives, not just Karl''s but many from both packs.

    I sighed, shaking that thought off. I didn''t like to remember what could have happened if everything

    turned out differently that night. Karl would still be alive, and so would everyone who died as a result of

    the war, including Alpha Logan. And She might have been found. She wouldn''t have to grow up with

    Lucius, living a lie.

    However aggravating the situation was, Leonardo was right to keep She''s identity a secret. And I just

    hope the Dark Circle and the Council don''t find her.

    I was done dressing, I left my chamber and sauntered to She''s. She was already dressed by the time

    I got there and was about to wear her ankle boots.

    I went to the bedside where she was seated, and crouched down in front of her, helping her out with

    her boots. I fastened its leather ropes firmly, helping her up.

    "Are you leaving now?" She sauntered to her dressing table,bing her hair.

    "In a few minutes," I said, stopping so close behind her that I could feel the softness of her back against

    my body. "Morgan will be around, if you need anything, just ask him, and please, stay close to him at all

    times and don''t go anywhere alone."

    She stoppedbing her hair, her blue eyes pierced mine through the tall mirror, while my hands

    snaked around her waist.

    "Killian, it''s really sweet that you are paranoid about my safety, but I can take care of myself," her sweet

    voice sounded, making me smile as I rested my chin on her shoulder de.

    "Well, I know," I whispered in her ears. I didn''t need anyone telling me what She was capable of. I''ve

    seen it myself at Lucius''s pack, and the night of the blood moon when she saved my people. I turned

    her around, and her slender hands clutched my neck, awakening a tingling sensation everywhere our

    bodies made contact. "There''s something I have to tell you, She," I said, keeping my voice as neutral

    as possible, and keeping every emotion from my eyes.

    She studied me, and I could see worry cloud her eyes. "Is it about the Council?" She asked,

    worriedly.

    "No," I shook my head. "It''s something else," I whispered more to myself, knowing she could hear me.

    "But seriously, be careful. We still haven''t caught Lucius yet. That bastard could attempt to get you

    again."

    Lucius'' sudden disappearance worried me greatly. I had warriors ced around his territory and even

    in the pack, but there hasn''t been any sign of him. Kaiser also had the ck Blood warriors around,

    just for additional eyes, still, there''s been nothing.

    What had me more worried was that bloody witch that had been after She and me. She had

    informed us that she was also working for Lucius and Lucius had sent her into my territory. And even

    she has been off the raider as ofte.

    I knew deep down that wherever Lucius was, he was probably with that witch and the other warriors

    and witches that had fled before the war. That bastard could be nning an ambush since his pack has

    been defeated.

    "There''s still no news on Lucius?" She asked, and I shook my head.

    "Nothing, so please, be careful love," I said, and she nodded.

    "One more thing," I uttered, knowing She would hate what I had to say. "Please, don''t throw Thea out

    yet," I voiced, and immediately, She''s mood changed.

    She retracted her hands from my neck, but I held her back to me before she angrily walked away.

    "Why?" Rage stalked her voice.

    "I will exin when I get back tonight," I pleaded.

    She pulled her gaze from me, not replying.

    Goddess, if she was mad now. I could only imagine how she''ll feel when I tell her everything tonight.

    I got mind-linked by Allen and they were waiting for me outside.

    "I have to go," I kissed her, leaving her chamber. I hurried downstairs, and just then, my heart jammed

    as I saw Thea exiting from her hallway, dressed in a bright yellow dress, and her hair was designed

    with flowers.

    "Killian," she hurried to me, but I didn''t stop walking. Thea caught up to me, following the fast pace of

    my walking.

    "Are you leaving for the Council meeting already?" She asked in a soft unusual voice that I could tell

    was fake.

    I didn''t respond, not even sparing her a nce.

    "Are you now ignoring me, even after knowing the truth?" She spoke again, and I kept ignoring her.

    Suddenly, she stopped. "Have you told that whore yet?"

    Her words caused me to halt instantly. I felt my blood turn hot, my ws were digging against my palm

    and my hands were balled.

    "Rip her throat out!" This was the first time in days Ryker had spoken since Thea told us the news. And

    I badly wanted to rip her throat out. I should have done it a long time ago, at least then I wouldn''t be in

    this mess.

    My eyes shut. I shouldn''t be having these thoughts. Even though I hated Thea now, no one but me

    should be med for this mess. And having these dark thoughts made me feel like I was exactly like

    the man I despised, my father, who was an absolute monster to his very own children. I had made a

    promise to myself that no matter what, I would never be that man.

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    I turned to find Thea''s triumphant smile on her face. She was fucking loving this. She enjoyed watching

    me suffer like this.

    "That doesn''t concern you, Thea. This doesn''t change anything between us," I said to her, but her smile

    remained.

    "No it doesn''t, but it changes everything between you and your supposed mate. And you know, it has

    everything to do with the pack now," she said, confidently.

    And I regret it all. I regret ever meeting Thea Chrysler. I regret ever having anything to do with her. But

    none of that mattered now. It didn''t change the fact that I may never get rid of this vile woman from my

    life, and this mess may cost me, my mate.

 Chapter 117

    Chapter 117

    Killian''s point of view

    "Well, if you can''t tell her, I guess I should," Thea crossed her arms against her chest. This woman was

    pure evil, how couldn''t I see it all this time by her side? She was clearly faking everything. "She has to

    know her ce now, and the pack needs to know that I am the one about to have yourˇŞ"

    "Shut up, Thea!" I had no idea how I was before her, and my hand was around her neck, strangling her

    with my sharp ws.

    "Killian, if what you want is to murder me and rid yourself of your responsibility, then fine. After all, you

    are no different from your monstrous father!" she bit out, still smiling, without even fear for her life.

    Thea was indubitably sick to her bones. Her astute brown eyes had a dangerous glow in them. One

    that held so much evil.

    I moved away from her, retracting my ws. "You are crazy, Thea," I said to her, walking away from

    her. "This stunt of yours won''tst long."

    "Whatever you say, Killian, but I won''t be leaving this pack, not today, not ever," she said.

    I left her, rushing out of the castle. I found Allen and Mason waiting for me beside our horses, and

    Morgan was there as well. By the look on his face, I could tell he wanted to talk.

    We took a stroll, stopping when no one could listen to our conversation.

    "Say it quick, Morgan, I''m alreadyte for the meeting," I turned to him, peering into his deep green

    irises.

    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    "Alright brother. Tell me, what in the goddessˇŻ name is happening between you and Thea?" Morgan bit

    out, surprising me for a full second.

    I looked away from his questioning gaze. "it''splicated, Morgan."

    "What the fuck isplicated? I thought you of all people would be more than eager to do away with

    her," his words came at me again.

    "Believe me, I was. Especially when I realized Thea is not who I thought she was. She''s evil and

    psychotic," I said.

    "And yet, you keep her around," Morgan said without mercy.

    "Not by choice," I shot back, inhaling. "Things are really bad, Morgan."

    Morgan''s brows crippled on me. "How bad?"

    "So bad that we might not be able to kick her out," I muttered.

    "Killian, I don''t understand. But this is affecting She and I don''t like it."

    "And do you think I am enjoying any of this?" I voiced. "I screwed up, Morgan, by getting involved with

    Thea, and now that I realized who she really is, I am paying the price."

    "Exin things to me," Morgan crossed his broad arms against his chest, meeting my amber eyes.

    "I will, but after I get back from the Council," I told him, "And I also need your help," I said. Morgan was

    the best person I could trust with this.

    "Tell me, brother."

    "It''s about Thea. Now more than ever, I need to find out who she really is. Thinking back, there are a lot

    of things about her that doesnˇŻt seem right," I don''t know how I could have not noticed any of them. I

    guess I was too focused on breaking the curse that I overlooked it all.

    "Please, take care of She," I said to him. He was the only one that understood my words as She''s

    identity was only known by the two of us.

    "Of course," he replied. I could only be thankful to him. I got on my horse and raced away with both

    Allen and Mason.

    We made our way to the Council''s castle, and after a long ride, we arrived there. I went into the Court

    with Mason and Allen. Almost everyone had arrived for the meeting, even Leonardo was present.

    After a while, the meeting began when Kade, one of the head assistant warriors of the council''s army,

    stalked into the Court with a few Elder wolves and Zeriyah. I nced around but Amelie wasn''t around

    for today''s meeting.

    Everyone descended on their seats, except Elder Alex, who began. "We still have no news from

    Sammael yet," he said, pausing. Sammael was the head warrior of the Council''s army. He was leading

    the search for the prophesied one. "They are still searching for the prophesied child, but that isn''t why

    we are here today," he muttered, gaining everyone''s attention as Kade stepped forward.

    At thest meeting with the Council, a few teams were set up from the Council''s army and were sent to

    all the region to infiltrate some packs, kingdoms and covens that were affiliated with the Dark Circle,

    since no one knew the main location of the Dark Circle.

    The location of the Dark Lord has been unknown to everyone right from time. No one knew where they

    existed and the identity of their core members was unknown as well, including that of the Dark Lord.

    Just like my father who had once been in alliance with the Dark Circle, the Council also had the names

    of a few packs and kingdoms that were in alliance with the Dark Circle.

    So, the Council sent a few teams from the army to infiltrate those packs and kingdoms that were in

    alliance with the Dark Circle in hopes that we might get the Dark Lord''s location, and also find more

    information about the attacks made in the name of the Dark Circle on each region.

    "As we are aware, the attacks by the Dark Circle are a pattern of a blood sacrifice. Kade and his team

    that has been undercover at one of the vampire kingdoms in the East that are in alliance with the Dark

    Circle found out that the blood sacrifices done by the Dark Circle is being anchored by the power of the

    phoenix stones," Elder Alex uttered, his words caused the Court to be noisy with incoherent

    murmurs.

    "Silence, please," came Zeriyah''s voice, halting all noises in the court. "What Kade had told us has

    been confirmed by all our other informants scattered around the region in Dark Circle-affiliated packs,

    and kingdoms of many kinds. This is true, and very much dangerous," she leaned on the circr

    mound within the court. "A blood ritual anchored by the magic of all phoenix stones at once only means

    the greatest darkness itself is being awakened," Zeriyah finished, and I felt air leave my lungs.

    "Do you really think this has to do with the prophecy that was engraved on the crystal stones?" A

    vampire king asked.

    And Zeriyah nodded. "Yes. It is not just a coincidence that we found out Fiona''s child was alive right

    after these attacks began. It''s all a pattern, and what was written in the prophecy. The greatest

    darkness that threatens the existence of every magical kind is out there as well, in the hands of the

    Dark Lord and his Circle. And besides, Amelie confirmed this too, in one of her visions," Zeriyah said,

    directing her gaze to where Leonardo was seated.

    "One of Amelie''s visions was a warning to us all. We have to find Fiona''s child before the Dark Circle

    finds her, that''s if they don''t have her already, because she is the very source that would set this

    darkness free."

    At Zeriyah''s words, my eyes widened as they darted on Leonardo, who was clearly masking every

    emotion of his, as everyone''s gaze travelled his way.

    "That''s ridiculous, the prophecy clearly saidˇŞ" Felix began but was instantly cut off by Zeriyah.

    "We know what the prophecy says. My sisters and I were there, Felix. It stated that the prophesied

    child will battle against this unknown darkness. But it doesn''t say anything about this darkness, not

    even its origin or the inevitable oue of the god-damned war on our throats," Zeriyah said. "One of

    Amelie''s visions was about that child, Alpha Leonardo''s sister, she is the only one capable enough to

    bring that darkness to us, and as well end it. They wille after her. It''s not just mere luck that she

    survived all these years, it''s her destiny, and no one can hide from their destiny, everyone present here

    knows that much," Zeriyah added, and immediately, Leonardo was up from his chair.

    "If you all invested the time you sit here and make nonsense absurdly about my sister, into getting,

    even just a location of the Dark Lord, then I am sure we would have gotten somewhere by now,"

    Leonardo''s words boomed within the court, and as soon as he was done, he stormed out of the Court

    with Jensen, his most trusted beta and warrior.

    I breathed in deeply. ZeriyahˇŻs words sank into my mind as I rubbed my face with my hands. Her words

    were disturbing and I knew it shook Leonardo really hard as well to the point he couldn''t stand it and

    had to leave. But the witch was right. No one could ever fight against their destiny. I wonder what future

    the goddess had for us all.

 Chapter 118

    Chapter 118

    She''s point of view

    I was in a meeting with Morgan and some ranking old wolves from the vige pack at the far northern

    borders of the pack''s territory.

    I could hear nothing, except the consistent tapping of my padded fingers against the t surface of the

    round table in the court.

    I had tried to tear my thoughts away, but I couldn''t. Killian''s words had been hounding my thoughts all

    morning. I just couldn''t fathom his words. And I couldn''t quell the rage that kept growing within me

    every time Killian''s words echoed in my mind.

    I couldn''t understand why he still wanted Thea around after everything. I thought he would be ecstatic

    to have her out of the pack. Several thoughts raced through my mind as I tried toe up with a

    reason why Killian would plead with me not to throw Thea out, yet.

    I took a deep breath when I heard the sharp call of my name. I snapped my head to my right where

    Morgan was seated not far from me.

    His green careful eyes were on me, watching me closely with concern. "Are you alright?"

    I could feel everyone''s eyes on me. I released a small assuring smile, nodding, "I am alright. Please,

    let''s continue."

    "What do you think about it, Luna?" Elder Zed asked.

    I coughed, cleared my throat, and tried to think back to what we were previously discussing. Carelessly,

    I''d let my thoughts wander far.

    "I uhmˇ­" I started when abruptly, the tall doors of the court burst open. I swayed my head in its

    direction, and my eyes went round with rage as itnded on Thea, standing in front of the court doors.

    "What the hell is that bitch doing here?" Adie spat angrily as she rose at the back of my mind.

    "What the hell are you doing here, Thea?" I lifted my chin, shooting daggers at her, and the ridiculous

    dress she had on and the manner she decorated herself.

    My blue eyes met up with the dark gleam in her eyes and the smug on her face. Something had

    changed from thest time I had seen her. She had an annoying smirk on her lips that I wanted to beat

    off.

    "Oh, I apologize for interrupting," she strutted in, striking a stance before us all. "I was waiting to have

    an audience with every one of you, but this meeting was taking such a long timeˇŞ"

    "Whatever you have to say can wait, we are in the middle of an important meeting," one of the ranking

    wolves sounded.

    "It could, but this is a matter of utmost importance as well. Alpha Killian had promised to have a word

    with you all, but he hasn''t."

    I creased my brows as a dangerous rage began to beat within me, overrunning the fear that prickled at

    my chest.

    "Thea, get out," Came Morgan''s voice.

    "I will," she smiled, not taking her brown eyes off me. "But not after I say what I have to say."

    I was up from my chair instantly. I felt squeezy and uneasy from the inside. I knew whatever Thea had

    to say was the reason behind Killian''s unexinable attitude these days. I knew it was something I

    wouldn''t like, something that would change my life forever, or maybe worse, leave Killian and me in

    ruins.

    I felt the raging banging of my heart in my chest, making it hard to breathe, and even though it caused

    chaos in my soul, I tried my hardest to hide it all away.

    Morgan called for the warriors outside the Court doors, and immediately, both Jax and Nate hurried in.

    "Take her out," Morgan ordered, and Jax and Nate charged closer to Thea, she didn''t even bother to

    resist as her eyes kept prodding mine.

    "And please, see her back to her chamber. Grab every damned belonging of hers, and escort her out of

    the Pack''s territory," I turned to Jax and Nate, without breaking eye contact with Thea, and her

    persistent smirk was still glued to her lips.

    Jax and Nate bowed their heads in respect. They held Thea''s arms as she refused to move from her

    position.

    "Like I said, I will not leave here until I tell you all, what I have to say. Believe me, it''ll interest all of you,"

    her eyes scanned over every ranking member at the round table before they finally returned to mine.

    "Especially you."

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    "I have no interest in you, Thea, even more, whatever garbage you have to spill. Take this trash from

    my sight," I said with my rage at its peak, and everyone could feel it.

    Jax and Nate grabbed her and began to pull her out of the courtroom and she still didn''t budge. Her

    eyes still held its evil gleam and her lips her irksome smile.

    "What I have to say is the truth, and nothing less. Killian and I have been blessed by the goddess," she

    muttered calmly at the door. "I am pregnant with the Alpha''s heir."

    I frozepletely, as my legs grew weak, and I staggered a step back, almost losing my bnce.

    I couldn''t fight the abrupt stillness that shook my body as Thea''s words kept resounding nonstop in my

    ears and the smugness on her face grewrger.

    What? Thea was pregnant with Killian''s child, and he knew it. He fucking knew it!

    Thea held a smirk which made her words even more believable.

    "That''s ridiculous!" I heard one of the old wolves say.

    "Is it? Does that sound ridiculous?" Her words shook the court. "I am pregnant with Killian''s son and the

    Alpha''s heir, and you think that sounds ridiculous?"

    "Thea, you are a disgusting liar," Morgan voiced, charging at her. He grabbed her roughly on her hand,

    pushing her out of the door but she resisted.

    "What proof do you want to consider my words true?" She barked, "Do you want Killian to attest to it

    himself, or rather still, you want me to tell you stories of the time Killian and I made love?"

    Her pointed words pierced through the walls of my heart. I held on to the small fabric of my dress,

    curling it in a ball as I battled against the dangerous rage that vibrated within my bones, wanting to

    im Thea''s life as she kept rambling on.

    The Court was a disaster, everyone was yelling, fighting against Thea, iming her words were

    baseless facies, but deep down, I couldn''t believe it.

    I was losing control of my emotions as the court became chaotic, worsening my state.

    I was vibrating with several emotions at the same time that made my magic lose control, and without

    warning the tall windows within the court shattered abruptly and everything inside the court exploded at

    the shattering sounds of the crashing windows.

    Broken shards from the window flew across the court, as the light gentle air around the court became

    rough and violent, sending the sharp des of the window shards flying around the court, aiming for

    everyone, including Thea. A few sharp shards managed to get a piece of her, wounding her and she

    began to bleed.

    I tried to get my emotions under control, but it was next to impossible, because a part of me, maybe a

    greater part of me just wanted Thea dead.

    I remained rooted in my position, even as everyone took cover to protect themselves. I didn''t even

    mind the sharp shards that pierced my skin, cutting through my flesh. I felt Morgan''s hands on my wrist,

    pulling me out of harm''s way, as I fought hard to calm myself and my raging emotions, and I did. But as

    soon as the madness going on within the court died instantly, Thea fell on the floor, unconscious.

    The warriors hurried to her and picked her up. She was bleeding from the shards that had injured her.

    She was rushed back to her chamber and the Pack''s physician was summoned.

    I was just outside Thea''s chamber with Morgan, while the doctor and her assistants were in there with

    Thea. Believe me, my presence wasn''t out of concern, or care, I didn''t care about her. And I swear I

    would be aplete hypocrite if I said I didn''t wish those shards had killed her instead.

    I just had to know, I had to find out if what Thea had said was true, and if she was expecting Killian''s

    child.

    To be honest, I was extremely terrified and just couldn''t think straight at the moment. I didn''t know what

    I''d do if everything was indeed true and Thea would have a child with my mate.

    I pressed my back against the wall, sliding down to the floor. I couldn''t hold back the tears that blinded

    my vision, allowing them to fall freely.

    Morgan was a few feet away from me. I could feel his gauging eyes, but I wasn''t in the mood to talk,

    and I could barely care about the injuries on my body. I just wanted to know the truth, and hopefully, it

    wouldn''t be one that left me heartbroken.

    Just then, the door of Thea''s chamber pushed open and Dr. Maggie stepped out.

    "Tell me, is she pregnant?" I asked, not moving from my position as I held back the water in my eyes.

    "Tell me, Maggie."

    "Yes. She is. Thea is pregnant."

    Her words made my heart stop instantly as the water in my eyes flowed out. And from the corner of my

    eyes, I watched Killian walk into the hallway. Tears, pain, and sadness reflected in those gazes of his.

 Chapter 119

    Chapter 119

    She''s point of view

    "She," Killian rushed to where Morgan, Maggie, and I were gathered. He moved closer to me, and I

    jerked up on my feet.

    My prating blue eyes that held my tears and stabbing anguishnded at Killian.

    "She, I swear I was going to tell you¨C" he started, but before he could speak further, I walked straight

    past him, grabbing a handful of my dress in my hands, I raced out of the Castle, sprinting into the

    woods.

    I was far from being in control of anything, especially my emotions. I felt a grueling gruesome sensation

    steer in my bones. There was deep turmoil in my broken soul. I didn''t stop, I kept racing without any

    direction. I just wanted to stop the hurting in my soul. This was all too much to bear. Just when I had

    thought my life was finally in order, Thea was pregnant.

    She''s pregnant with my mate''s child. Killian''s child. She''s carrying his heir.

    I crashed against the earth, shedding tears profusely. I couldn''t contain it all within. Thea once again

    would be rooted in our lives. She would always be in Killian''s life, and unfortunately, she had a

    permanent position in the pack.

    I cried painfully, clutching onto the tree closest to me. I heard quick hasty steps trail my tracks.

    I was up on my boots, again, not wiping my tear-stained face, I turned to leave. I just wanted to be

    alone. Surely, that isn''t hard to understand.

    I felt the tingles that I am beginning to detest. It had brought me nothing but pain.

    "Just wait for a second," Killian grabbed my hand, swerving me around to face him. "I swear I wanted to

    tell you, but I just couldn''t."

    "You just couldn''t? You have no idea how you''ve humiliated me, Killian. I had to find out in the presence

    of everyone that my mate was expecting his lover''s child!" Tears rolled from my eyes. I had no idea

    what had hurt me the most. The fact that he knew but couldn''t spare me the humiliation of finding out

    through his lover, or the fact that the rest of my life, I had to share him with someone else.

    I backed away from him, tearing up. I couldn''t understand what cursed fate the goddess had given me.

    "What gruesome crime had Imitted to deserve all this?"

    Killian moved to me, eyes swollen with pain as well. "You know I would rather die than cause you pain,

    ever again," he muttered, and I believed him. But none of that mattered. Nothing could erase the pain I

    felt. Not Killian''s apologies or his words.

    "I didn''t know how to tell you. I would give anything to have that child with you," he said, "I want nothing

    to do with her, but I swear I never touched her when we were together. Thea knew for a long time, but

    she only told me few days ago."

    Despite the pain desating me, I broke into an unusualughter that soon morphed into tears. Of

    course, that bitch must have known for a long time she was expecting Killian''s child. I bet she only

    waited to humiliate me. Now everyone in the pack knew Thea was expecting Killian''s child, the Pack''s

    future heir.

    "Nothing you say matters now, Killian," I took a step back as Killian tried to reach for me. "TheaˇŞ"

    "I don''t care about Thea," Killian rushed. "I don''t care about her, and I care about you. Please, just tell

    me nothing is going to change between us, please?"

    I was still for a second. "Are you serious right now, Killian? Thea is expecting your child. That child

    alone changes everything between us. You know very well what it means. That child will be a constant

    reminder of my humiliation. You have no idea how much damage I feel that once again, your lover has

    something I wanted, and I don''t know how to be okay with that!" I just didn''t know what to do with the

    pain I felt. I wanted to be angry with Killian. I should be. Even if he wasn''t loving this as well, this was

    his fault.

    He had ced that woman between us in the first ce. He had first given my rightful ce to her and

    she was expecting his child. That was too much and I doubt if I could forgive that.

    "SheˇŞ"

    I ced a hand up, silencing him. "Just let me grief alone, at least, you could do that much for me."

    I walked away, leaving him behind. All I could do was cry. It was better to let it out than have the pain

    and anguish consume me.

    For the first time, I had no idea what to do. One thing I knew was I couldn''t go back to the castle. I

    wanted to be alone, I wanted to think. I feltpletely alone. I wanted to go to my brothers'' pack, but I

    doubt that was the right choice, knowing there were too many eyes watching them. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    But I couldn''t stand this pain. I shut my eyes as more tears rolled out and the darkness descended on

    me, demanding I made a choice.

    I grabbed my dress, taking a route in the woods that led out of Killian''s pack. I headed for the ck

    Blood Pack. I stripped, shifting to my wolf, and clutching my dress with my canines.

    I headed for the ck Blood Pack. After a few minutes of running, I arrived there, scouting the

    surroundings before I took the secret path into the castle, covering my tracks.

    I navigated my way to the top floor, strictly for Leonardo, Kaiser, and Leonardo''s mate, Denise. I made

    my way to the private dining hall before I could enter.

    I heard DeniseˇŻs soft call, "She?" I swerved around, and she hurried to me, wide-eyed, scrutinizing

    me. "What happened to you?"

    I groaned. I had forgotten about my wounds. They were all healed now but I still had blood all over my

    body and dress. I suddenly realized it was a bad idea toe here. If Leonardo or even worse Kaiser

    saw me in this state, they might think Killian tried to kill me.

    "It''s a long story," I said. "Don''t let my brothers know yet, I need your help. Can you help me with a

    dress?"

    "Yeah, of course," Denise replied, but her voice still held immense worry. She held me and as we

    turned for the door, I realized someone was there.

    It was as if my eyes fell into a mirror reflection of my very own angry blue crystals. "Leonardo," I

    breathed out, feeling his intense stare on me.

    "What happened to you?" He spoke calmly, but every word of his held a deathly rage. He wasn''t saying

    it, but I could see the words shooting from his eyes. Did Killian do this to you?

    "It wasn''t Killian, if that''s what you are thinking," I said, "Iˇ­ Uhmˇ­I lost control and this happened," I

    said, remembering everything that happened in the Court. I couldn''t win against the tears that gathered

    in my eyes.

    Leonardo''s eyes were on me as I fought hard not to break down in front of him.

    "Alright, we''ll be right back," Denise held me and led me to her chamber. She lent me one of her

    dresses that fit me properly, and after that, we made our way back to the dining hall on the top floor.

    Leonardo was waiting for us there, and he had ordered some food for me. But I had no appetite. I

    nced around and Kaiser wasn''t there.

    "What about Kaiser?" I took a seat around the chair, and so did Denise.

    "He went with Valerie and Lorenzo," Leonardo drawled in his husky voice, taking a sip from his drink

    before his prodding eyes met mine.

    "You should eat something," Denise offered.

    I shook my head, "Really, thanks, but I am not hungry."

    "What happened to you, She?" Leonardo''s deep voice forced my gaze on him. His striking blue eyes

    took a peek at my soul.

    I pulled my eyes away. I knew exactly what my brothers were capable of. They already hated Killian. I

    didn''t want to think of what would happen if they found out what had happened between Killian and me,

    especially when I didn''t know what I would do.

    I loved Killian, but I could never be okay with Thea still in our lives, even worse, now she was pregnant

    with Killian''s child. I had nothing against the child, but I knew Thea. This was her n all along. It would

    be unbearable having to live the rest of my life with my mate''s lover and his child with her. No matter

    what Killian says, everything changed between us, and I would never humiliate myself any further.

    ˇ°She," Leonardo''s voice jerked me from my thoughts.

    "It''s nothingˇŞ"

    "Nothing?" Leonardo asked, "That bastard is expecting his heir with his lover, how is that nothing?"

    I released a small whoosh of air from my lungs as a tear slipped down my eyes.

 Chapter 120

    Chapter 120

    She''s point of view

    I released a small whooshing of air from my lungs as Leonardo''s words rang in my ears and made a

    crack in my chest, allowing so much pain in my soul.

    When the truth was summed up in those words, I realized it wasn''t anything. I shut my eyes closed,

    and still, those treacherous tears managed to sneak past the jammed gate of my eyes, rolling down my

    cheeks.

    "You heard," I said in a careless whisper, knowing his spies at Killian''s pack must have known as well.

    It wouldn''t take long before the whole Capital learns of this as well.

    "I keep my men there to know everything that has to do with my sister," his voice became low and soft.

    "That bastard is having a pup with his lover, is that okay with you?"

    No. I hated it. I wanted to murder both that bitch and Killian. I wanted to do everything to vent the pain I

    felt. But I knew Killian also felt the same pain, we were mates after all.

    I was up from the chair, ambling to the tall window, my hands hugged my arms tightly.

    "What do you want, She? Just say it and I swear I would have both Killian''s and that bitchˇŻs head

    before youˇŞ" Leonardo was cut off instantly by Denise.

    "Enough, Leo. It''s her mate you are talking about," Denise rose to my defense.

    I couldn''t bear to see Killian hurt. But just the thought of having Thea dead gave me a terrifying

    satisfaction. I should have killed her a long time ago when I had the chance.

    I felt Leonardo''s presence behind me. "I apologize for my words. I just hate to see those gazes of yours

    in pain."

    The tears that gathered in my eyes rushed for freedom, as Leonardo''s arms covered me and I broke

    more into tears.

    "I hate that bastard, but I care more about you. And I always will. Take your time and make your

    decision. You could stay here, no one recklessly wanders on this floor," he said. And that was exactly

    what I needed. Time to think.

    I could barely eat a mussel at dinner, and after I was done, Denise showed me around. And after many

    years, I took the opportunity to visit my mother and father''s chamber. It looked the same. My brothers

    hadn''t changed anything at all. I could still feel their warmth and scent.

    I walked out of the chamber, and Denise showed me to my chamber. It was the same for fourteen

    years, it was the one I made use of when I was a child before the goddess decided to curse me for

    eternity.

    As soon as I was left alone, I crawled under the covers, staring at the window, lost in deep thoughts. I

    had no idea when I fell asleep. But I woke up to a sweet tingling feeling. So alien, and it made my body

    feel differently.

    ***

    I stirred on the bed, cing my hand on therge hand that covered my waist. I felt hot ming kisses

    at the crook of my neck. It gave me a different feel from the one I was ustomed to, somewhat

    addictive, and I found myself flinging my head backward, moaning.

    I turned on the bed, and immediately, my lips were engulfed by his and my body responded to his. I

    kissed him back as roughly as he did, feeling an unfamiliar feeling in my chest. His lips left mine and

    began kissing my neck down to my chest, while my hands worked on his body, caressing every muscle

    of his. He kept on the assault on my body until abruptly my eyes fluttered on the tall mirror near the

    bed.

    My eyes went round, erging as I saw my reflection in the mirror staring back at me. It was me but at

    the same time, it wasn''t me. She looked like me and had my appearance, but those depths of hers

    were covered by frightening darkness.

    I jerked on the bed, and my eyes fell on the man before me. It wasn''t Killian. I felt my heart beat faster

    in my ears, as his piercing golden eyes regarded me amusingly. They were terrifying.

    I attempted to leave the bed, but his strong arms confined me, pinning me down on the bed. "Not too

    fast, little witch, you are mine," he muttered with a sickening, devilish smirk.

    I wrestled against his strength, and just then, I noticed the ck-inked symbol that covered a portion of

    his chest. And I froze. I recognized the symbol, even Killian''s father, Nell Reid had one engraved on his

    wrist that night. It was a dragon symbol of the Dark Circle.

    My eyes went up to meet him, studying me with so much fascination. They were bold, and somehow I

    knew who he was. He was the Dark Lord himself, the one after my life.

    My eyes widened the more as I screamed, jerking up from the bed, and instantly my eyes fell on the

    shadow of someone leaning against the wall. My screaming intensified, causing the fire to break out

    uncontrobly around my chamber using my magic.

    The figure hurried to me, despite the fire that had begun to burn profusely, and its bright me

    illuminated him perfectly.

    My eyes narrowed, and I killed the zing mes instantly before he got hurt. "Damn it, Kaiser. Don''t

    fucking scare me like that," I screamed, feeling the beads of sweat on my forehead and neck.

    "Are you alright?" He spoke hastily. I brushed back the locks of hair that carelessly stuck to my face.

    I nodded, hearing Kaiser exhale in relief.

    "Did you have a bad dream?" My eyes met Kaiser''s deep hazel at his question and I nodded again.

    I nced around the chamber, and my eyes fell on the tall mirror near the bed, remembering what

    seemed like a dream seconds ago, but somehow, I was convinced it wasn''t.

    It felt like it was a dream, but at the same time felt so real, almost as if he was here, the Dark Lord. It

    was him, I didn''t know how I knew, but strangely it was as if I recognized him.

    I rubbed my palm against my face, meeting Kaiser''s worried eyes. "I am fine, Kai."

    I pulled up from the bed, repairing the damage the fire had made with my magic. I turned to find

    Kaiser''s scrutinizing eyes on me.

    "I heard about what happened with that imbecile," he began and I was about to speak but he pulled his

    hands up. "Leonardo asked me not to murder him," he said, "yet."

    And I sighed. "Thank you," I embraced him. "What are you doing here? I thought you left with Valerie?"

    Kaiser''s face became serious. "I did, and we are back," he said, moving to the door.

    "What happened?" I asked, following his movements. Then his eyes met mine.

    "We will talk about itter," I was familiar with those words. It''s either he doesn''t want to talk about it, or

    whatever it was, was bad. "Leo is waiting for us," Kai informed, and led me out of my chamber, to the

    private dining hall on the top floor. We went in and found Leonardo waiting for us with his beta, Jensen,

    and a man dressed in ck. A witch, I felt his magic. They lowered their heads to us, before exiting the

    private hall.

    "What''s going on?" I asked, taking a seat beside Leonardo.

    "It''s Lucius, he was sighted in the West region," Leonardo said.

    "What is he doing there?" I shuffled on my chair.

    "We don''t know, and my men lost him, but it seems he has an ally Pack there," Leonardo muttered.

    "That''s true. Lucius has people there that he could ask help from," I said, "And I know he won''t just give

    up after his pack was conquered, he''ll be back for revenge and wille after the Crescent North

    Pack,"

    "Well, good riddance," Kaiser uttered. "He''ll be dumb toe after us. Killian''s pack may be one of the

    largest in the whole of North Central, but Lucius isn''t stupid to wage war against our resources,"

    I sped my fingers together, I''ll have to send word to Killian and warn him. I didn''t know when I''ll be

    back in the pack.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    I broke out of my thoughts as my eyes fell on Leonardo. "What happened at the Council meeting?"

    "They are still crazily searching for you and they sent some of the Council''s army to infiltrate some

    packs and kingdoms in alliance with the Dark Circle, to get a location," Kaiser summarized.

    I felt my chest tighten, shaking my thoughts off from the dream I had of that man I had never seen. The

    manner in his eyes regarded me made me cringe, and I hated the alien and unfamiliar feeling that

    blossomed in my chest at his touch. I hated it.

 Chapter 121

    Chapter 121

    Killian''s point of view

    I pinched the skin on my forehead, exiting She''s chamber. I had stayed up all night waiting for her,

    but she never came back. I had thought she stayed somewhere else, but she was neither in the

    witches'' quarters nor with Brielle and Ria nor in my office.

    I walked so hastily, like a freaking lunatic who hasn''t had his medication yet, as I made my way to my

    chamber. I knew that was pretty stupid to think She spent the night there when that would be thest

    thing she''d do. But I was running out of ideas, and I just wanted to find her, to know she was right here

    in the castle.

    It didn''t matter if she was still mad at me. She had every right to be. What I had done was unforgivable.

    Even though I hated the fucked up situation, this was all my fault. I had let the devil herself into my

    pack and gave her rights to me. Rights that belong solely to She, my mate. And now, Thea was

    pregnant with my child, that was something I never wanted and everyone in the pack knew of this.

    Thea was having my first child, the Pack''s heir. I wanted it to be She. I wanted her only to be the

    mother of all my pups, but I ruined that chance first when I made Thea my lover and mistreated my

    mate. That was something that would haunt me for the rest of my life.

    I jerked the door to my chamber open, and she wasn''t there. What was I thinking? If She didn''t spend

    the night at the castle and Packhouse, then she could be in danger.

    I ran a hand through my hair, as I mind-linked the head warrior, Xavier, to get the warriors searching for

    She. I hurried downstairs, heading to the Castle''s main door, when I noticed Morgan in the dining

    hall, having his breakfast all alone and in silence.

    I moved to the dining hall and his emerald green eyes fell on me, before scanning me meticulously.

    "You are a wreck, brother," hemented on my present state and appearance, but I couldn''t even

    take offense to his words.

    "Have you seen She?" I asked, knowing if anyone would know about She''s whereabouts, it was

    either Ria, Brielle, or him. But since the other two didn''t know, Morgan just might.

    He pulled his gaze away from me, focusing on the silver cup he brought to his lips.

    I sighed in relief. He did know where she was. "Please, Morgan. Tell me, where is she?"

    "Rest assured, she''s not in any danger and she''s fine, at least physically, but I can''t say the same

    about her mental health," he counted his words, before pulling his eyes back to his breakfast.

    I dropped weakly on the chair opposite his, mind-linking the warriors to cease searching for her.

    "Where is she? She isn''t at the pack," I said, leaning my palms.

    "She left, did you expect her to stay after finding out her mate was about to have his pup with his

    longtime lover?" Morgan shot at me mercilessly.

    I couldn''t even argue back. I deserved it. But the mention of She leaving hurt me deep inside. She

    was my life, and if she left me, I was as good as dead.

    I fought back the waters that stung my eyes. I hated this. Oh Goddess, please help me.

    "Tell me where she''s at, please," I voiced brokenly.

    "Why? So you can go and get her?" He came at me angrily.

    "I would never force her back here. I understand she needs time aloneˇŞ"

    "From you," Morgan added.

    I breathed in, rubbing my face. "Yes, time alone from me. But I have to know where she is," I said. I had

    to know where she was. She was a danger being by herself alone. After what Zeriyah said at the

    Council meeting yesterday, the Dark Circle would never stop until they found her.

    "She''s with her brothers," Morgan stated tly.

    "She''s at the ck Blood Pack?" I rephrased, exhaling deeply. Fuck. I hadpletely forgotten about

    them. Believe me, rage and hatred was thest thing on my mind, in contrast, I felt relieved.

    I knew She was safe there. Leonardo would never let harme to her, let alone Kaiser. But what

    scared me was when she''ll be back, or rather, if she''d evere back.

    "Let''s just give her time," Ryker sounded weakly, before locking himself away. We were both feeling the

    same pain and frustration, but he had it much worse.

    "Tell me brother, what''s your n?" Morgan shifted his tes aside, his prating eyes on me.

    "What if I told you I do not know," I said honestly. I wanted nothing more than to kick Thea out of this

    pack. But she was pregnant with my child nheless, and now, everyone in the pack knew of this.

    They may not be happy about it as well, because everyone preferred it to be She. They loved her.

    But every single soul knew what it meant for Thea to be expecting my first pup. This was just about me,

    but it involved the pack as well. And Thea having that child would be giving her a permanent position in

    the pack, and She and my life.

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    "Do you think She woulde back here, knowing that for the rest of her life, she''ll have to put up

    with Thea, and her pup?" Morgan asked, and honestly, I didn''t think so. But selfishly, I didn''t want to

    lose my mate. I loved her.

    "I messed up badly," I said, whispering.

    "Yeah. You did," Morgan uttered, and we dwelt for long seconds in silence.

    "And the other thing I asked about?" I asked, pulling my head up to meet my brother''s gaze.

    "What?" He raised a brow.

    "Thea. Have you found out anything about her?" I queried inly. I never imagined I would ever have

    to find out more information on Thea of all people. But now I realized how dumb I was in the past. I did

    not know the woman that had been in my pack for a very long time. And now, everything about her

    seems so evil and secretive.

    "You said she came from a pack in the south, so I sent word to some friends there. I haven''t received

    any feedback yet. But I doubt if they''ll be able to find out anything about your loverˇŞ"

    I cut Morgan off. "Please stop calling her ''my lover'' " I corrected, allowing him to continue.

    "It amazes me you knew nothing about her, brother. You of all people, had nothing on the woman that

    warmed your bed," Morgan said, and now I knew he was using those infuriating words to intentionally

    rile me up. But as it is, the problems in my life were bigger than flimsy rage and hatred.

    "It surprises me too. It''s almost like I was under a fucking spell or something. She said the Alpha of her

    pack murdered her family and tried to have her murdered too but she escaped. And after hearing it all,

    she insisted she didn''t want to remember the past, and I dropped it," I voiced.

    "Why would the Alpha of her previous pack want her dead?" Morgan asked, and I shrugged, not

    knowing.

    "As I said, I foolishly dropped it," I clenched my jaw, flummoxed by how stupid I was in believing

    everything Thea said without any questions.

    "That''splicated. I even believe you were under a spell crafted by Thea herself," Morgan leaned

    back on the chair. "We seriously need more to work with. Anything, no matter how little it is. We need to

    know at least the name of her pack, or her previous Alpha,"

    "And how do you propose I do that? Take her to bed and make her spill every god-damned truth" I

    asked, sarcastically with a straight face. First of all, anything as such would never happen between

    Thea and me. Secondly, Thea would never say anything. She didn''t do it before and I doubt she will

    now. She was surprisingly smarter than I had thought.

    "When you put it like that, it''s a terrible idea and She would murder you," Morgan said, and strangely

    hisment about She made me chuckle genuinely.

    "Yeah, she''s capable of murdering me," I smiled to myself, remembering the time she had assumed

    something happened between Thea and me, and she tried to murder me with her arrows.

    "So what do we do now?" Morgan brought my attention back to him.

    "We find out whatever information we can on Thea," I said. "I don''t know why, but something about her

    is just wrong," And this is not because I was eager to get her out of the pack, and have things okay

    between She and me. There was something about Thea that made me doubt her entire identity.

    Something I''m surprised I hadn''t noticed all this time.

 Chapter 122

    Chapter 122

    Thea''s point of view

    I stepped out of the washing room, fixing my robe on my body properly, as water trickled down my

    body. My eyes fell on the figure that was waiting for me on the bed.

    Immediately, I hurried to the door, and it wasn''t even locked from the inside. I sighed, locking it with my

    magic. I spun around and my brown eyes watched my lover,fortably seated on the bed.

    "Seriously, anyone could have easily wandered in and found you here," I said, dumping the towel on

    the dressing table. I sighted my brooch on the table, grabbed it, tossing it into my wooden drawer. I

    grabbed a new towel and used it to dry my wet and sticky hair.

    "By anyone, you mean Killian, don''t you?" I heard him say behind me, catching the look on his face

    through the mirror.

    "This isn''t the time to get reckless, love. If we get caught, everything fails, and my ns of revenge all

    these years would have been for nothing," I reminded, grabbing a dress from the rack.

    Believe me, I haven''t felt good like this in months. Ever Since that bitch rammed into Killian''s life and

    interfered with my ns, it''s been one problem to another. But today, I felt awesomely good. And I

    loved it, even though it''s all thanks to that bitch.

    I never expected this thing inside of me to be quite useful. At first, I just needed it to stay a bit longer in

    the pack for a few days before Alpha Lucius''s arrival. But it caused far more chaos in Killian''s and that

    bitchˇŻs love life, forcing her to leave the pack, and by the looks of things, she may never return.

    I smiled to myself, feeling the sweet breath of my lover on my neck. "You know I don''t care about what

    Lucius wants and his ns," I met his gaze through the mirror as he whispered in my ears.

    "Yes, I do know you don''t care about that. But you care about me because I am your mate. That''s why

    you agreed to help me take revenge on Killian, whom you once valued as your brother," I ced a kiss

    on his lips, moving away to wear my dress.

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    When I first arrived at this cursed pack, I never expected to be mated to a wolf. Frankly, I hated their

    kind, but this mate of mine proved to be useful to me. I narrated my entire story to him, and he was

    more than willing to help me.

    Iughed to myself. These bonds that exist between mates were more of a curse and sadly none of

    them realized that. Being willing to go to the extreme for someone else because they''d both share a

    connection was just pathetic. I preferred looking out for myself by myself, it had always worked just fine

    for me.

    I turned around to find his eyes on me.

    "Any word from Killian? Has he spoken about what ns he has for his child and me?" I asked him,

    fastening my boots.

    "My child, you mean?" His words sounded, and his voice possessive. "That child is mine, Thea, and I

    hate it when you address it as Killian''s."

    "You don''t have to remind me. And we need to be cautious with our words, I don''t want anything to go

    wrong," I said to him.

    "Killian doesn''t care about you or the child. He''s more interested in getting Luna back," he muttered,

    causing a frown to cover my face.

    "Bloody bastard!" I cursed under my breath. "Well, that would never happen. Everyone knows I am

    expecting the Alpha''s child. His fucking heir. And that''s enough humiliation for your so-called Luna. I

    doubt she would be back."

    "Don''t be too certain, Killian is going crazy without her. Don''t underestimate the bond between mates,

    Thea. You, of all people, should know what one is capable of doing for their mates," he was by my side,

    wrapping his arms around me.

    "You are right, I know too well," I said.

    "I can''t wait for all these to be over. I want to start a life with you and my pup," he muttered, and I could

    only nod, masking my true emotions with a smile.

    Having a child was thest thing I was ever going to do. The thing growing within me still has its life

    because it''s useful. Very useful. Now, because of its existence, I am almost certain that bloody bastard,

    Alpha Killian, and his whore, She, will never get together again.

    "I can''t wait too. But before that happens, Killian needs to pay for what he did to my parents. He will

    grovel on his knees, knowing I destroyed him. And then it''s left for the Alpha to do whatever he wants

    with him," Just imagining it made me ecstatic.

    "And Luna?"

    "Hopefully, she still wouldn''t be back by then. And if by ill luck she''s back, it''ll be fun having her witness

    it all," I smiled again, before moving my gaze to my lover.

    "Lucius would never allow you to harm her, and besides, you know how powerful she is," he voiced.

    "That doesn''t matter, I have my ways," Before then, I''ll have to find a way to get rid of that tramp. Only

    the goddess knows how much I hated her. And I would only be truly happy when both Killian and her

    meet their demise.

    "And what about Alpha Lucius? His pack has already been conquered and Killian has allies searching

    for him in North Central, and throughout the other regions. What''s his next n?" He asked.

    "He had to leave the capital, and escape North Central after the attack. He''s presently in one of his

    most trusted ally packs in the West. He''s preparing for his final attack," I smiled,bing my hair.

    "So he ising here?"

    I nodded, chirping. "Yes, he is. His hatred for Killian is beyond anything. He wants Killian broken and

    the Pack at his disposal," I said, studying my lover''s instant reaction.

    "Don''t worry, love, we will both be fine. But unfortunately, this pack won''t be," I swerved to him, cing

    a hand on his cheek. "Alpha Lucius is building an army. The witches and warriors that managed to flee

    from his pack are with him, and he''s making negotiations with other allied packs, requesting their

    armies as well. When everything is in order here, Alpha Lucius will be back to burn this pack to the

    ground."

    "Tell me, do you know where she is right now?" I asked him.

    "No. But Killian knows, and he isn''t worried. So I guess she is somewhere safe." he muttered and I

    walked to the window, gazing at the fading sun in the sky.

    "That bitch has nowhere else to go. So she might be at the ck Blood Pack," I said.

    "I thought so too, but there hasn''t been any visitor there thest two days. It''s either she isn''t there, or

    she''s hiding somewhere in the castle and no one knows," he came up behind me, hisrge hands

    caressing my t stomach.

    "I know she''s there," I said.

    "So you still believe she is the one?" He asked, forcing me to turn to him.

    "Each day my suspicion grows stronger, and the Alpha made sure to keep it a secret, but that bitch isn''t

    his daughter. At first, I thought something was going on between the tramp and Alpha Kaiser, and I

    wanted to use Killian to find out what was going on, but that didn''t work. But what shocked me the most

    was that Alpha Leonardo, himself, and his brother both raided Alpha Lucius'' pack, alongside Killian, to

    save She. That''s not something you find two packs that mutually detest each other doing," I paused,

    "Not if they have something inmon, something they''d both want to protect."

    "The Luna?"

    I nodded, smiling. "That bitch has to be that child the Council keeps searching for. I am positive, it''s

    She," I released a chortle,ughing at the unruly fate between the bastard and his mate, if my

    suspicion was in fact true, and She was the so-called prophesied one, and the sister to Alpha

    Leonardo and Kaiser.

    "If it''s indeed true, then she is the one the Dark Circle has also been searching for," I couldn''t help but

    laugh loudly, and I couldn''t stop. My day just kept getting better.

    My lover held me tightly from my waist, regarding me. "What are you thinking?" He asked, suspiciously.

    "I will tell you when I have confirmed that your dear Luna is the child your Alpha''s father tried to steal as

    a child. When I am certain of that, I''ll tell you, I promise," I pecked his lips, unable to hide the euphoria

    and excitement.

    If my suspicion was right, then I wouldn''t have to do anything to either the Alpha or his dear Luna.

    Alpha Lucius has a great n for Killian, and whereas that bitch, I also have wonderful ns for her.

    One that would guarantee her imminent death at the hands of the Dark Lord himself.

    Oh, what a joy.

 Chapter 123

    Chapter 123

    Killian''s point of view

    I kept stroking hard on the paper with my quill pen, moving at a great speed. I was at my office, making

    my time worthwhile, attending to some pack business.

    I have never been so grateful for the truckload of work I had to tend to. It was the only thing keeping my

    mind and soul together, regardless of how tiresome it was and I tried not to think about anything at all.

    But even with the exhaustion and sleepless nights, there were some things that I wished could be

    forgotten, like the situation with Thea, while there are some things that I never want to forget, like

    She.

    It''s been two days since she left the Pack and she hasn''t been back yet, nor have I heard anything from

    her, even though Morgan still somehowmunicates with her. It''s really so frustrating to be

    completely shut out, especially when it has to do with my mate. I had never felt so far from her, both

    physically and through our bond. I couldn''t even feel her, or connect with her, I guess she blocked me.

    I sighed, tossing the quill pen away on the table, its ck ink sshing on the papers covering my

    table. I stood up from my seat, flexing my legs to the window, boring hard into the darkness just

    outside. I felt a chilling sadness inside.

    I could only wonder what She was doing at this second and if she was thinking of me. I had promised

    myself to give her space and time, but two days without her felt like two torturous lifetimes without her.

    It''s suffocating, but I still try to have hope that she''lle back to me.

    I massaged my aching temples. I didn''t even know if waiting for her toe was the right choice. For

    several hours, I had contemted going to the ck Blood Pack, not to force her back with me, but

    just to talk with her. But I knew that was impossible. Leonardo and Kaiser wouldn''t even let me past

    their territory, and I didn''t want to go there to make trouble and give She another reason to despise

    me.

    So I decided to send a letter to her instead, but the chances of it reaching She''s hands were zero,

    not with her brothers there. Even I would try to cut off all interactions between She and me if I had a

    sister.

    Not even the idea of Valerie transporting me there to see She without her brother''s knowledge was

    good enough, She would probably despise me still. So I am forced to wait, and make prayers to the

    moon goddess to help me keep my mate. I couldn''t possibly live without her.

    I shoved both of my hands into my pockets, jerking abruptly from my thoughts when the door made a

    loud sound.

    I spun around to find Valerie standing at the door, her purple eyes fixed on me.

    "I have been knocking for hours now," she stated, tly, obviously exaggerating a little bit, but I had

    been lost in my thoughts that I didn''t even hear.

    "I apologize, pleasee in," I said, strutting back to my table as Valerie closed the door behind me.

    She ambled closer to the table and settled into the seat opposite mine as her purple irises examined

    me carelessly.

    "For the recordˇŞ" she began but I swept back tendrils of my hair, cutting her off.

    "I know. I don''t look good," Those were words I have been ustomed to hearing the past two days.

    "How is she?" I was direct, I know Valerie had visited She at Leonardo''s pack.

    "She''s fine and safe. No one knows she''s there," Valerie said, and I felt both hurt and relieved at the

    same time.

    "I need your help," I said to Valerie. I had requested to see her, after the news Morgan received from

    his friends in the South who were making findings on Thea.

    Unfortunately, they couldn''t find anything on her, and the fact we had no traceable information on Thea,

    complicated everything.

    "You know I will always be ready to help," Valerie''s words made me smile, thankfully. "So what is it?"

    "It''s about Thea," I said, and Valerie leaned back on her chair, listening calmly.

    This was myst option to find out something about Thea. As the day went by, I was more certain she

    was hiding something, and everything she told me was false. It''s almost like I had be obsessed

    with finding out the truth about Thea, but that''s not the case. I was so furious with myself that I couldn''t

    see past her faux identity and pretense. I just wanted to know who that woman was, and if her

    presence in my life was a n. I was curious to find out everything I could about Thea Chrysler.

    "And what about her?" Valerie asked, after regarding me a second in silence.

    "I need your help to find out as much information as I can on her. I want to know who she is. She said

    she''s from a pack in the south and her previous Alpha was after her life, I want to know if that''s the

    truth," I voiced calmly while Valerie listened.

    "Why the curiosity all of the sudden?" She questioned, and I shook my head.

    "Frankly, I don''t know. These past weeks, I have been having these feelings in my gut, there''s

    something off about Thea that I am surprisingly just realizing," I muttered, "Don''t look at me like that,

    Valerie, you know I couldn''t just make this up to get rid of her," I added. No matter who Thea was, that

    didn''t change the fact that she was expecting my child. I just wanted to know the woman I had brought

    into my pack and my life.

    "Fine, I can''t do much like finding out her previous pack, or why the Alpha was after her life, but I could

    find out about her true identity and her parents'' ancestry," she uttered.

    I exhaled in tion, resting my fingers under my chin. "That''s just wonderful, Valerie."

    That was exactly what I needed. If I knew about Thea''s family, I could find her previous pack and learn

    more about her.

    "But before I could do that, I need something," her words caused my smile to vanish.

    "Something like what?" I queried.

    "Something that belongs to Thea. Something personal, and holds some kind of significance to her. I

    need it for the spell I''ll make. It must be something she came here with." Valerie finished, and I huffed,

    exhausted.

    "That would be difficult, and almost impossible. Thea came here brutally wounded, and without

    anything in her possession," I told her.

    "There must be something, Killian. A piece of jewelry, a family heirloom, anything. She must have

    something," Valerie said.

    And I paused for a second to think. I really didn''t remember anything from the day she came, and with

    my time with her, I didn''t notice anything. But I''ll have to find something. This was thest option I had

    to unravel this mystery behind Thea.

    "I will find something. Is that all you need?" I asked her.

    "Just a personal belonging, and a strand of her hair, and that''s it," She sounded.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "Great, I will find a way to get them," I exhaled, realizing I had to go to her chamber to obtain all of

    them. I haven''t seen her since She left, and I didn''t want to. But now, I had no choice.

    "Thank you, Valerie. I appreciate this," I was sincere with my words. I really appreciated everything she

    does for me and the pack.

    "There''s no need for that, Killian," she said, thinking briefly before parting her lips to speak again. "I

    don''t mean to meddle, but find a way to fix this mess between you and She, it''s not doing any of you

    any good."

    "I really want to, Valerie. But I don''t want to force her," I let out. "I need you to do me another favor," I

    said, pulling out the letter I had written for She.

    I handed it over to her. "Please, hand this over to She herself, I don''t want any confrontation with her

    brothers," I knew Alpha Leonardo and his brother, Kaiser would prefer She never returns to me, but I

    had to pour out my feelings to her, and I hope she reads it.

    Valerie took the letter. "This will get to her, I promise," She was up from the chair, and I followed her

    action.

    "Thanks again, Val," I said to her, watching her move to the door and exited.

    I took my seat. Now I just had to find a way to get both Thea''s personal belongings and a strand of her

    hair, without her realizing what I am up to, meanwhile, I just hope She reads my letter and returns to

    the pack because it hasn''t been the same without her.

 Chapter 124

    Chapter 124

    She''s point of view

    I flipped through the pages of the grimoire in my hands. It was my mother''s grimoire and passed down

    to the female witches in my family since it was the females in my family that were witches.

    My fingers trailed on the words on the page, reading through them. I was in my mother''s private spell

    room on the top floor, going through her stuff.

    It''s been two days already since I have been here at my brothers'' pack and I''ve locked myself in here,

    reading through my mother''s journal and practicing some spells from her grimoire. I just realized my

    mother was a weaver. Every witch had a special gift to their magic. It all came differently. Some witches

    were channelers, capable of channeling magic from anything that had magical energy in them.

    Some were weavers, like my mother, also known as creators of spells. We had the visionaries, who

    could have a glimpse of the future, the healers, and a lot more.

    Sometimes, a gift usually surfaces with time, but so far along with Valerie, we''ve realized I could both

    channel and create spells, like my mother, even though it was odd for a witch to possess more than

    one gift.

    I flipped to the next page and tried another spell from her grimoire. Even though my head was banging

    hard against my skull from tiredness and my body was demanding some rest from exhaustion, I just

    couldn''t return to my chamber and fall asleep. Among many reasons was the fact that he''d always

    appear in my dreams. The Dark Lord.

    I didn''t know why I kept having these dreams, or why that man I barely knew could invade my dreams,

    but every time, it felt so real, almost as if he''d been right next to me.

    I shut mother''s grimoire, sighing. This was bing difficult, and as it was, I was in dire need of some

    sleep but just couldn''t get some rest.

    I closed my eyes, resting my head against the wooden shelf. I missed Killian. I missed him so badly

    that I wanted him right next to me. I didn''t think it was ever possible to miss someone, almost as if you

    needed them to survive. That was exactly how I felt. I missed my mate badly.

    And these few days away from him made me realize the bond between us was something that couldn''t

    be easily severed. And I had made my decision. I wanted Killian.

    I shifted my attention to the door when I heard some soundsing from outside and almost

    immediately, it pulled open and Valerie stepped in.

    I pulled myself up on my feet to greet her, pulling her in for a hug even though I just saw her the

    previous day.

    "What brings you here?" I asked quickly, sensing there was a reason for her abrupt arrival. Did

    something happen at the pack? Before I could ask, my emotions were visible on my face.

    "Everything is fine, She. But I can''t say the same for the Alpha," she said and at her words, I felt a

    churn within me.

    "Well, how is he?" I asked casually, folding my hands against my chest while returning Valerie''s stare.

    "Worse than you are," she muttered, pulling out a brown folded paper from her cloak. She handed it to

    me.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "What is this?" I asked, examining the folded paper.

    "It''s from Killian, and he begged me to ensure this got to you," Valerie said, regarding me. "You know I

    never fancied that other woman, just don''t let her get everything so easily," she voiced, letting out a

    small smile. "I can''t stay long, I have to go,"

    "Thanks, Val," I hugged her once more, before she went to the door, pulling it open, and to our surprise,

    Leonardo was right outside.

    Valerie sent me a final nce before leaving. I ced Killian''s letter on the shelf as my brother gaited

    in, his eyes moving from the letter to me.

    "You look terrible She, you should get some rest," he offered, and I wished I could. But I couldn''t,

    without having dreams about someone I shouldn''t. And the worst of it all was, in those dreams I found

    myself making love to the golden-eyed bastard.

    "I will try, but I keep having bad dreams," I mutter carelessly, arranging mother''s stuff I had removed

    from the shelf.

    "Dreams? What dreams?" Leo asked his blue eyes that were identical to mine watching me cautiously.

    I didn''t think it was wise to let my brother know I was having indecent dreams about someone that was

    after my life and wanted me dead. Bad idea.

    "What if they aren''t just dreams?" Adie said, and I couldn''t help but roll my eyes at her words. There

    she goes, disappearing when I need her and suddenly resurfacing when I don''t need her. "I''m being

    serious here,"

    "So what are they?" I asked sarcastically since she was now the smartass. "Don''t tell me they are

    visions of the future I haven''t experienced yet?" I muttered in a sarcastic tone, pulling my attention back

    to my brother.

    "Dreams about someone I shouldn''t be dreaming about," I replied.

    "Killian?" He asked, and thankfully, there wasn''t an atom of rage in his eyes.

    I nodded, nheless. Only if my brothers didn''t hate my mate, I could appreciate some sincere

    advice, even though as it is, I wanted to go back to Killian.

    "Well, he''s been aplete wreck," his words caused my gaze to shift to him abruptly. I wasn''t

    surprised how he knew this, he had people always stalking Killian''s pack, but I didn''t think he''d be

    honest about it.

    "So I heard," I mutter back.

    "I really preferred you stay, and never go back to him, sister," he said, moving closer to me. I didn''t say

    anything, having a feeling he had more to say. "But whatever you decide, I''m going to stand with you,

    regardless of if I liked it or not,"

    I smiled. "Thank you, Leo," I said to him, settling on the chair in the spell room. "Now could you tell me

    what happened with the friend Valerie, Kaiser and Lorenzo went to see?" I asked, "Valerie won''t say

    anything, and neither would Kaiser, what happened?"

    Leonardo clenched his jaw, pulling his eyes away from me. "It''s nothing serious. The witch was a friend

    of our mother''s. You might remember her, she was there that night you were taken,"

    "And?" I prodded.

    Leonardo''s eyes fell on me, and for a second it looked like he had something to say, but he changed

    his mind. "It doesn''t matter. Everyone seems to have something different to say, it''s utterly frustrating,"

    he took a seat opposite mine.

    "Are you talking about the Council or our mother''s friend?" I was confused because Leonardo wouldn''t

    tell me what happened at thest Council meeting, and it seems as though he was talking about both

    the Council and mother''s friend.

    "I guess both," he was up immediately. "That''s not important She, don''t worry yourself about

    anything. Let me do the worrying," his eyes held the familiar sadness I have always seen in his eyes.

    One could see the burden of guilt on his shoulders.

    He began to move to the door, but my call made him stop. "Leonardo," he swerved around, peering at

    me with his blue crystals. "You do know what happened that night wasn''t your fault, right?" I said. I

    wanted him to know what happened that night wasn''t anyone''s fault, because both he and Kaiser seem

    to think differently.

    "I just know things would have turned out differently, had it been father and I were there that night when

    they attacked," his words caused me to drown in my thoughts.

    I couldn''t help but wonder if things would have turned out differently had it been father and Leonardo

    were around that night. Would mother and father still be alive? Would I have been taken that night?

    Whatever the answer was, there was no point thinking about it, no one could be certain of what might

    have happened.

    "There''s no point thinking about it Leonardo, and believe me, you''ve done enough for me. Both you

    and Kaiser," I said, fighting the stinging in my eyes, but that was the truth. The fact they never kept

    searching for me was enough. And still, they found me and made me remember what it was like to

    have a family that cares.

    Leonardo released a small smile, walking to the door, before stopping. He spun around, "Oh yes, I

    almost forgot. How much do you know about Killian''s lover?"

    I creased my brows, "Thea?"

    Leonardo nodded.

    "Not much, I just know what a bitch she is, and she''s obsessed with Killian," I said, "Why?"

    "I tried to learn more about her in the past, but there wasn''t much on her before she arrived at Killian''s

    pack. And I don''t trust people with little past," Leonardo said. "She''s always been after you and Killian

    ˇŞ"

    "Yes, it''s like she made it her personal vendetta to split us apart," I was up from the chair.

    "There you have it, sister. Are you really sure she''s expecting Killian''s child?" He asked again.

    I nodded. "Yes, I confirmed it. She''s pregnantˇŞ"

    "And it''s Killian''s?" Leonardo asked again.

    "Yes, she isˇŞ" I paused halfway through my words. I wasn''t sure. But I doubt if Thea was capable of

    pushing someone else''s child to Killian, just to keep us apart.

    No. I shook my head. That was impossible.

    Firstly, it would mean Thea has a lover in Killian''s pack, and secondly, it would be utterly sick and

    wicked to do such a thing to Killian.

    Oh, goddess, what was I thinking? I knew best what darknessy within that woman. And it scared me

    to think she would go to that extent to separate Killian and me.

 Chapter 125

    Chapter 125

    She''s point of view

    I was in my chamber. And I just couldn''t fall asleep after my conversation with Leonardo. I couldn''t stop

    thinking of the so many possibilities that Thea could have a lover and her child wasn''t Killian''s.

    And I wished that was the case. But I only sounded like a mate who was trying to refute the obvious

    truth that another woman was expecting her mate''s child.

    That was exactly how my newfound theory and suspicion sounded to me. But I didn''t care how I

    sounded. I had always trusted my gut feeling, and I always knew something about Thea was off. She

    was capable of doing anything to remain in Killian''s pack and keep us apart. And I gave her what she

    always wanted by leaving the pack.

    Valerie was right. I shouldn''t let her get everything. I sighed, falling on the bed. My eyes fell on Killian''s

    letter that was on the bed beside me.

    I reached for it, pulling it open. I felt a tug in my chest as my eyes began to carry each word. I couldn''t

    fight the pain that enveloped me as I could feel Killian''s pain embedded in each word. I tossed the

    paper on the bed as soon as I was done reading, my eyes were covered with tears that I couldn''t hold

    back.

    I pulled my eyes open and I knew I had to go back. I had to be with Killian and I had to somehow find

    out if my suspicion about Thea was right.

    I curled up on the bed, with my eyes awake, thinking of Killian as I prayed for the arrival of dawn. It was

    better like this than having to fall asleep, knowing I would dream about someone else.

    *****

    Killian''s point of view

    I was at the door of Thea''s chamber. I pulled it open gently without knocking, finding her sleeping

    peacefully underneath the covers. I closed the door behind me, my eyes searching around the neatly

    arranged chamber. It was going to be difficult to find anything here without Thea knowing.

    I walked around the room, ncing at every corner, hoping to remember something I had seen with her

    the first day the goddess had cursed me to make our paths collide.

    My eyes fell on her dressing table and I went over there, before I could take a look at her drawer, I felt a

    stir in the bed, and the rhythm of her sleeping heartbeat changed. She was awake now.

    I dived my hands into my pockets, ncing at the items on her table, knowing she was watching me.

    This woman just keeps getting strange, and this only increases my suspicion that she was dangerous.

    I turned around and she was fixed in a sleepy position and her longshes were pressed close. I

    sauntered to the bedside, watching her pretend to be asleep for a while before turning for the door.

    I was almost at the door when I heard her soft call, making me stop and turn around.

    "Killian," she called again, pulling up from the bed a little.

    "You are awake, I didn''t mean to wake you up," I blended with whatever drama she was going for.

    "What are you doing here?" She asked, scrutinizing me cautiously.

    "What else? To see you," I replied, taking slow steps toward the bed.

    Thea positioned herself in a sitting position, intentionally adjusting her white velvet nightdress so that

    one could see a detailed outline of her breasts and everything she wanted to show.

    "That''s sweet, Killian," she released one of her smiles that had sessfully blinded me all this time,

    making me believe she was the purest of hearts when she was only a devil incarnate herself.

    "How are you doing?" I asked, finally next to her.

    "Great, just a little sad you don''te around often. Sometimes, your child misses you," she muttered,

    pulling her eyes down to her stomach.

    I could feel Ryker log himself out from the surface. I took a seat on her bed, my hand pulled up to her

    cheek, caressing it softly. Thea leaned into my touch.

    "Oh, Killian you have no idea how much I missed you," she whispered, as my hand moved to the back

    of her neck, getting lost in her long ebony hair.

    Thea ced a hand on my chest, leaning closer to me, her lips were aiming for mine.

    "Thea," I pulled up from the bed, shoving my hand into my pants.

    "I am sorry, Killian," she looked away from my gaze, and I saw a tear slip down from her eyes.

    Fucking hell, how couldn''t I see past this pretense. Suddenly, I felt rage in my bones. I turned my gaze

    away from her before I lost it.

    "I know things haven''t been great between us, but you are expecting my pup, Thea, and I want both of

    you to be fine," I said to her, and she smiled.

    "Me too, Killian. I hate it whenever we fight."

    "I want you to be careful, the warriors have been dealing with some unusual movement in the pack''s

    territory. Some unknown wolves have been trying to break in, and I am guessing it''s from your previous

    pack," I paused, watching her reaction.

    "How can you be so sure, it could be unrted to my past," she said, counting her words, regarding me

    deeply.

    "Orpletely rted to it. Remember, Thea," I drew closer to her on the bed. "You are now carrying

    my pup; your safety is my priority."

    "Killian," she smiled, pulling out from the bed. "I love it when you get protective over me. But that

    asshole of an Alpha doesn''t even know where I am."

    "How can you be so sure, Thea, if he wanted you dead, he wouldn''t stop until he found you," I was

    getting annoyed.

    "But I have been under the raider since my arrival here, he can''t find me. Don''t worry too much," she

    muttered, and before I could respond, she began to strip naked, her eyes never leaving mine while her

    lips held a smile. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    In a second, the nightwear covering her body fell to the floor and Thea was standing a few feet away

    from where I was positioned on the bed,pletely naked.

    "What are you doing, Thea?" I asked her and she shrugged, naughtily.

    "Tell me you don''t feel anything, seeing me like this?" She moved closer to the bed, and I was up from

    it, sidestepping her.

    "I do. I do feel something seeing you like this and believe me you don''t want to know what it is," I

    stalked to the door.

    "Killian, please don''t go. I just miss being with you. I miss how we were," she sounded, picking up her

    night dress from the floor, and removing a brooch from it.

    My eyes followed her action. I haven''t seen that brooch before, but it is quite old. I could feel my heart

    drum loudly in my ears. She dropped it on her dressing table, grabbing a silken robe from her clothes

    rack.

    I moved closer to the dressing table, ncing at the brooch. It looked old. It had a unique design with

    small star-shaped crystal stones.

    "Yeah. Believe me, I do too. I miss how we were. We are expecting our pup, Thea, I want things to

    improve between us," I said, standing in front of the dressing table, so close that I could grab the

    brooch.

    Tears welled up in Thea''s eyes, and she hurled herself closer, crashing herself against my body in a

    hug. I took the opportunity, and quickly swiped the brooch, diving my hand into my pocket.

    "That''s enough, Thea," I pulled away from her, turning for the door. "I have to go."

    "Please, Killian stay a little longer," she pleaded. "You could help me shower."

    "Another time, Thea," I said over my shoulder, moving to the door. I couldnˇŻt contain the tion

    bubbling within me. I had managed to get a strand of Thea''s hair earlier, and now I had something that

    might just work in knowing who this woman was.

    I reached for the door and stepped out, jamming it close from behind. I couldn''t stop the smile that was

    so eager to appear. I felt so happy.

    I swerved around and froze on my spot as my amber eyes fell on the face of the woman I had been

    dying to see for days now.

    "She," I gasped, shocked, confused, and most of all extremely happy. She was right in front of me,

    She was back.

    I began to move closer to her but stopped abruptly when I realized where we were at. I had just

    stepped out from Thea''s chamber, and She was standing right there at the door. She could have

    heard every word I muttered in there just so I could get what I hade for.

    She''s blue eyes moved from me to the door, and returned to me, holding no emotion at all.

    "She," I called her name again, softly, hoping she didn''t hear anything, and even if she did, she

    wouldn''t get mad but trust me.

 Chapter 126

    Chapter 126

    Killian''s point of view

    I was dying to have her in my arms, but the expressionless look on her beautiful face scared me. She

    just came back, I didn''t know if I could let her leave again.

    She took a few steps closer to me, her alluring blue eyes not breaking apart from mine.

    "If I knew you didn''t miss me as much as I did, I would have reconsidereding back," she muttered

    slowly, taking one step closer that we were only now a breath away. I felt my breathing rise instantly, as

    her mouthwatering scent invaded my nostrils, and now I just wanted to feel her soft body against mine,

    and her sweet lips on mine.

    "Are you kidding me? Can''t you see what a wreck I am," my voice came out breathlessly, in a whisper

    and I felt my heart melt away when a smile appeared on She''s lips.

    She leaned so close to me, that I could feel the softness of her chest press hard against the unsteady

    rising of my chest. "I can see Killian," I felt her sweet scorching breath against my ears, "but if you

    missed me as you im you would have been kissing me like crazy by now," her blue eyes had their

    seductive gleam and without thinking, I gripped her waist, lifting her from the floor, and pinning her

    against my body as my lips tasted hers.

    I couldn''t stop the sweet moan that escaped my lips, as I kept kissing She without second regard to

    where we were at. By the time we pulled away, we were panting hard and my eyes had already

    darkened with lust and desire. All I wanted was to make love to her for hours and pleasure her sweet

    body.

    She pulled up to kiss me again, breaking apart almost as breathless as I was. "Then do it, Killian,

    make love to me,"

    I could see the passion and desire in her eyes, and a small smirk yed across my lips. Without being

    told twice, I scooped her into my arms and navigated the way to my chamber.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    *****

    She''s point of view

    Killian carried me into his chamber and I locked the door using my magic. Killian''s eyes glowed a bright

    yellow, with a mix of his usual amber color. He was sharing control with his wolf, Ryker.

    His eyes roamed my body once more and in one rapid motion, he closed the space between us, taking

    me in his arms and mmed me hard against the bed and his mouth was on mine.

    The intensity of the electricity that erupted inside of me made me weak to my bones. Killian''s kiss was

    dominating and fierce, making my wetness grow between my legs and my bed for him greatly

    intensified.

    One of his hands reached behind my head, tangling in my hair as he deepened the kiss. I felt delirious

    with so much pleasure already and he had barely started. I moaned desperately against his perfect,

    sweet lips while his tongue licked the center of my mouth, seeking permission.

    Instantly, I parted my lips as Killian''s tongue moved in a blissful symphony with mine. It was insanely

    beautiful.

    I felt his other hand move up to thecy ropes binding the front of my dress together. And in an instant

    Killian ripped off the dress from my body, his manly hands caressed my skin, exploring every inch of

    my body.

    Killian paused briefly, his dark lustful eyes scanned me with so much perfection. "You are gorgeous,"

    My hands found their way to his thick soft hair, and my bare legs cradled his waist. My need for him

    kept growing as I began to run my hands from his neck to his chest, caressing his rippled muscles and

    then his muscr back. He pressed into me harder, the weight of his solid body bringing a sweet pain

    that mixed with pleasure as Killian pinned me against the bed.

    He released my mouth quickly, cing brief kisses on his mark on the crook of my neck, before

    returning his lips to mine once more. He cupped my breasts and rolled his thumb over one of my

    nipples, causing a breathless moan to escape my lips. I could feel Killian''s dick growing harder against

    my center at the sound.

    He left my lips and his mouth reced his thumb on my nipple. Killian swirled his tongue against my

    nipple, flicking it expertly. His action made me arch back against the bed, moaning at the shock of

    pleasure that found my core. Every part of my body began craving his touch and attention.

    "You are so fucking perfect," he whispered against my skin, giving his undivided attention to my other

    nipple. I was panting heavily, trying to catch my breath.

    Killian gripped my thighs forcefully and ced them over his shoulders, as he got down on his knees

    on the floor.

    I gasped in shock and then began to moan in pleasure as Killian plunged his tongue inside my core.

    My back arched against the bed as I grabbed onto his hair tightly, throwing my head back on the bed

    as his tongue stroked me in long, slow licks,pping me up.

    "Oh goddess, you taste amazing She," he confessed, as he continued devouring me more urgently,

    tasting and exploring my exposed core.

    I was on overdrive, bathing with impossible pleasure. My moans turned into a long, high-pitched

    orgasm as my legs vibrated on his shoulders.

    My entire body was vibrating with so much pleasure, and I tried to calm my body down from the

    immense pleasure I had just received.

    But Killian was up immediately, he still held my naked body possessively as his lips attacked mine in a

    fierce kiss, one raw and full of emotion, which made me wild with need and want. Everything faded

    away. The world, and all fucked upplications and problems in our lives disappeared into our

    blissful kiss as the raw intensity of the kiss consumed both Killian and me.

    I gripped the bottom of Killian''s shirt and threw it off him. I moaned in pleasure as my breasts rubbed up

    against his bare chest, loving the sparks which weren''t hesitant to ignite all over our skin.

    Killian moaned out my name like I owned his entire existence. I could feel his hardness bulging out

    from his pants, and grinding against my core. The blissful friction caused me to cry out from pleasure.

    I kissed Killian back with so much passion, feeling his erection harder against my core and I just

    wanted him inside of me already.

    My heart was pounding hard against his as he broke our kisses as Killian''s lips began to journey from

    my neck down to the steep valley between my breasts.

    "I badly want you," he muttered, and I agreed with his words. I was dying here already. I helped him get

    rid of his pants which were a barrier between us, releasing his giant erection. I felt it brush against my

    legs and positioned at my dripping core.

    With one sudden thrust, he was inside of me. My nails dug into his flesh as I held onto him dearly for

    my life.

    "Mine," he growled in my ears and slowly slid out, only to thrust back in harder. The sweet sensation of

    Killian inside of me felt so damn good.

    Our lips found each other again as he began to pump steadily inside of me. He wrapped his arms

    around my waist and back and thrust himself further into me. His pace increased as his thrusts became

    harder.

    "Ahhhˇ­ Killian," I gripped the damp softness of his hair, tugging at them. Killian pulled back to look at

    me through his dark and hooded eyes.

    He had a devilish smirk on his lips. "I love you. You are mine," he breathed out, as he started circling

    his hips and pounding into me again. His length and insane speed caused Adie and me to see stars.

    "Ah, Killian!" I moaned out Killian''s name as I felt myself reaching my climax. His mouth captured my

    breasts, yfully teasing, biting, and licking them.

    "That''s it, love,e for me," he grunted against my skin. I was delirious with pleasure and my legs

    began to stiffen. I fell apart beneath his body as I felt my release.

    Killian thrust one more time as he reached his own climax, groaning my name. He pulled out of me, as

    his limp body copsed next to mine.

    We were both breathing heavily. My body was awfully strained and weak but in a good way. Killian

    moved closer to me, wrapping his arms around me so that I was now resting on hisrge, manly body,

    with the covers above us.

    "I love you, She," I felt him kiss the center of my forehead, as drowsiness took over my body and I

    gave in to the sleep that has been eager to receive me these past few days.

 Chapter 127

    Chapter 127

    Killian''s point of view

    I stirred on the bed, inhaling deeply. I was forced to push my eyes open as the sweet scent of my mate

    invaded my nostrils and heightened my senses.

    I moaned into the softest brown hair that tickled my face. I had to choke back augh at the ravenous

    woman beside me and the manner in which her long natural curls were scattered on the bed. She was

    sleeping next to me, with a hand of hers on my chest, and her head next to mine. She was beautiful.

    I couldn''t help but take a few moments to relish the sweet feeling of having my mate back again in my

    arms. I took my sweet time scanning her wless figure. Her perfect thick brows, her rosy cheeks, and

    her irresistible lips. I fought the urge to kiss her awake, she was sleeping peacefully and the dark

    circles around the skin of her eyes told me she hadn''t been resting well.

    She was still naked on the bed, with only the silk sheets, covering the lower half of her body while her

    exposed sight was making me hard already.

    I closed my eyes, remembering the blissful moment not too long ago. I smiled at the way her body

    recognized and reacted to my touch and kisses, her sweet moans, and the manner in which her lips

    took my name out. I loved it. I wanted to experience it all again. It was a feeling that would never grow

    old, and I was incapable of having enough of her. Never.

    I inhaled deeply, pulling my eyes open at the sound of She''s spiked heartbeat. Her heart was

    pounding hard, sting in my ears. She was still sleeping, but the peacefulness that once covered her

    features was gone. Her face looked like she was having a terrible nightmare, one that frightened her.

    "She," I reached out to her, trying to pull her awake. But she wasn''t waking up. Her body was

    vibrating intensely. I tried to get her awake but she wasn''t responding, suddenly the dim torches

    glowing in the room began to burn out of control. The mes near the window torched the draperies

    and a bigger fire broke out.

    Something was wrong with her. Whatever dream she was having was intensifying her emotions and

    was causing this. I held her in my arms, as her hold on me tightened. She''s ws extended, digging

    deep into my skin. I could feel crimson fluid rush down my body. But I didn''t mind, my priority was to

    pull her awake.

    I connected to her through our mate bond. "She, pull out of this," I whispered through the mind link,

    also connecting to Adie, her wolf. "Wake up She," I shook her gently, and her longshes pushed

    apart. She''s eyes were glowing bright blue before their glow died and it became its electric tender

    blue, and her ws retracted.

    I sighed in relief, I didn''t even realize I had held my breath. She''s blue eyes erged as she

    frantically scanned the chamber and the fire that had almost consumed the corners, journeying to us.

    She pulled apart from me, muttering a short chant, and in an instant, the fire in the chamber died off.

    Her affrighted blue eyes fell on her nails which were covered in my blood. Her heart rate spiked even

    more.

    "It''s alright," I spoke through the mind link, trying to calm her down.

    She''s eyes welled up with tears. "I am sorry, Killian. I am sorry. I didn''t mean to hurt youˇŞ" she

    rushed on.

    I pulled her in my arms, trying to soothe her. "Shh, She don''t," I didn''t like to see her cry, much less

    because of something like this. But something was wrong. Her emotions were unsteady and all I could

    feel from her was fear and panic. I didn''t know what had her like this but I knew a simple bad dream

    was incapable of terrifying my mate.

    I waited till she had calmed down a little, her hands were around my neck and her face was buried in

    the crook of my neck.

    "Love, tell me what happened. What dream did you have?" I asked her, and she pulled back to stare

    into my eyes.

    I could see the tears that attempted to gather again, but she fought them off. "Oh Killian, I don''t want to

    talk about it, please don''t make me remember it," she said as a lone tear escaped her eyes.

    "Shh, don''t cry. Just forget about it. It''s just a dream," I said, brushing away the tears that stained her

    cheeks with my padded thumb. "You are fine here,"

    We remained fixed on the bed for a second, and She stayed a few more minutes in my arms.

    "I''m d you are back," I whispered to her, sweeping back the natural curls of her soft hair.

    She held onto me tighter, inhaling my scent. "Me too,"

    After a while, she pulled out of my arms and fixed the burnt mess in the chamber, returning it to its

    previous state. We got dressed and I pulled out the brooch I had taken from Thea''s chamber as well as

    her strand of hair.

    "What''s that?" She asked as I ced the items on the table, moving to her side to help her tie the

    ropes of her dress.

    "Something that could help me get answers," I replied, getting down to help her with her boots.

    "Is that why you were in Thea''s chamber earlier, did you get that from her?" She asked without showing

    any anger in her voice and gaze.

    I nodded. "I want to find out something about Thea," I told her.

    She''s eyes remained fixed on me as she pulled her lips to say something but a knock came at the

    door.

    I pulled it open to find Mason standing there. "I couldn''t connect with you, it''s time for the meeting," he

    uttered, shifting his gaze past me to She.

    His eyes widened a little bit, before lowering his head to her.

    I moved back to She. "I have a meeting now. Get some rest, and I will see you soon," I kissed her,

    shoved the items on the table into my pocket, exiting my chamber with Mason.

    He informed me the warriors had gathered at the court already. I had asked them to. I was going to

    discuss the pack''s strategy and defenses should Lucius n to attack. I got word that he was sighted

    in the West. He had many allies there, so I knew he was gathering enforcement to make an attack, and

    the pack needed to be ready when that happened. I had to protect She.

    I told Mason I''d meet him in the Court, u had to see Valerie briefly. I stopped by Valerie''s spell room and

    knocked on her door. She opened it right away, offering me in.

    "Did you manage to find anything?" She asked as we walked to the wooden table in the room which

    had several objects and witch''s journals on it. It seemed like she was in the middle of something.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "I don''t know if this would work but it''s Thea''s, and looked uniquely old. Like an antique," I showed her

    Thea''s brooch, handing it to her. "And a strand of her hair," I also handed it over to her.

    Valerie scrutinized the brooch, carefully.

    "Would it work?" I asked, folding my arms.

    "It just might. But we''ll have to wait and find out," came her voice as she stalked to the far end of the

    room, securely cing Thea''s brooch and a strand of her hair.

    "How long would itst," I asked her.

    "An hour at most if the spell works, but if it doesn''t work then the brooch you brought isn''t really hers,"

    Valerie said, and I swallowed some air.

    "I really hope it works," I said. I went through a lot to get that. And besides, I was eager to get rid of this

    feeling in my chest, about Thea.

    "Why the sudden interest in wanting to know about Thea?" Valerie''s purple eyes were on me as she

    asked, pulling out a journal from her wooden shelf.

    "As I said, I just realized that there''s a lot about that woman that I don''t know. I just want to be sure

    Valerie," I replied and she nodded.

    "I never liked her, nor trusted her either. So I guess it won''t hurt to know about her," she voiced,

    sighing. "I will get on the spell now. Hopefully, we will be able to find out about her ancestry, precisely

    her parents''. With that, we can find out more about wherever she came from,"

    "Thank you," I smiled, "I will leave you to it," I told her before exiting her spell room to allow her to work

    her magic.

    I headed for my office. I couldn''t wait. I prayed to the goddess, and Valerie can find out something

    about Thea.

 Chapter 128

    Chapter 128

    Thea''s point of view

    I stopped at the entrance of the hallway, the instant my eyes fell on that bitch, gracefully seated on a

    chair, having her meal at the dining hall. So it was true. She had returned back to the pack.

    I clutched a handful of my dress in my hand furiously, as my brown zing eyes glowered at her from

    afar. As if sensing my presence, that bloody witch tilted her head towards my direction and her lucent

    blue eyes collided with mine.

    She let out a lip-tight smile as I walked into the dining hall and settled on the seat opposite her''s.

    I pulled up a shrewd smile, watching her. "You are back?" I muttered as one of the helpers served

    some food for me. My eyes never moved away from her.

    "As you can see," she said, sipping from her drink, holding my stare.

    "Why are you back? I thought you had some decency to understand the situation," I said, my entire

    focus on her as I couldn''t understand why the bitch was back. She was a problem. Her presence itself

    was a problem, and just when Killian seemed to being to his sensesˇŞ I paused, thinking.

    Well, I wasn''t sure about that. It was rather odd that he came to my chamber to see me. Very odd. I

    didn''t know what that was about, but since dawn, I had been rather edgy. I had a feeling a storm was

    heading my way. I couldn''t afford anything to go wrong now, especially when Alpha Lucius was almost

    back.

    She tossed her spoon on her te, pushing it aside. Her annoying blue eyes wanderedzily on me,N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    eating me up.

    "I am curious, Thea," she said, drawing in some air as I waited for her words which would no doubt be

    annoying to the ears. "Had this been your n all along or thisˇŞ" she raised a finger, pointing it at my

    stomach. "...was just an unintended mishap that you managed to make use of?"

    I creased my brows, setting my hands underneath my chin. What the hell was she implying now? I

    didn''t like any of it.

    "Watch your words. You may be the Luna, but you can''t speak against the Alpha''s heir, even you know

    that much," I said to her, and her smile deepened, but it vanished as quickly, stealing away every

    emotion from her face.

    Her eyes pierced into mine, and she was quiet for a spitting second before her lips parted. "That''s a

    bloody lie, Thea," she sparked furiously, as her slender hand almost banged against the table.

    The intensity of her words and voice sounded in my ears, and I had to lean back for a second.

    "I know that child isn''t Killian''s, and you happen to have a lover yourself," she counted each word, as

    her eyes studied me, wanting so badly to take a peek at whatever was hidden behind those brown

    gazes of mine.

    I was shocked. How did she find out about him? Did she happen to know who he was? Or was she

    simply just ying me?

    I fought hard to mask every emotion from my face. "You are crazy, bitch, and your obsession for Killian

    is making you assume stupid things."

    "Why bother lying, Thea?" she pulled forward, leaningfortably on the table that for some reason, I

    was d separated us. "There''s no one here, at least have the guts to say it to me," she sounded, her

    voice and body vibrating with rage as it ignited a blue fire in her eyes.

    "I have nothing to say, much less to you," I voiced and her eyes remained unmoving from mine as the

    silverware on the long table began to vibrate and I could feel the intense current in the air that suddenly

    surrounded me.

    Still, her eyes remained unmoving from me and the fire in them burned more dangerously, that it almost

    scared me. Almost.

    "You know what? I am leaving!" I tried to get up from the chair, but I couldn''t. I didn''t even have control

    of my body. I couldn''t move a muscle. My eyes darted back at her and I couldn''t hide the fear that

    crawled in.

    Her blue eyes narrowed on me and I could feel my body hot as if set on mes. She was using her

    god-damned magic on me and I tried countering it, but I couldn''t, at least not under her stronghold.

    "Deny it all you want, but you know I''m right. And thank the sweet goddess I have proof and I swear

    before Killian and the entire pack, I will unmask what conniving, disgusting whore you are," she leaned

    closer to the table, her wordsing out slow and hushed in a whisper.

    I held her gaze, trying to see through her raging emotions. I wanted to know exactly what she was

    talking about. What proof was she speaking off?

    I held my breath and forced out the traitorous fear that her words had ced within me. I couldn''t get

    exposed now.

    "Make whatever assumptions you wish, but it doesn''t change the truth that I am expecting your mate''s

    heir," I forced through gritted teeth as the air around prickled more dangerous and everything on the

    table was vibrating. This was all her doing. This bitch was more crazier and deadly than I thought. "You

    have no fucking way to prove anything, so let go, crazy bitch!" I bit out, fighting against her hold and

    immediately, I broke free.

    I was up from the chair, breathing deeply and fast. She had a shocked gaze on me, and I couldn''t give

    a damn about what was going on in her bloody mind. I had more important things to worry about.

    I rushed out of the dining hall and hastened to my chamber. I cursed internally at that tramp as I could

    still hear that crazed banging of my heart in my ears. I didn''t know what had me like this, whether it was

    the dangerous gleam in her eyes or her words about her having proof that this thing inside of me wasn''t

    Killian''s.

    Fudging hell!

    I began pacing around my chamber. I didn''t like any of this. Now wasn''t the time for Killian to find out I

    wasn''t expecting his child, let alone oust me from the pack before Alpha Lucius arrived. I couldn''t let

    that happen.

    I shut my eyes in an attempt to quell the stormy rage that was brewing within me as that tramp''s words

    kept invading my mind and I was on the verge of losing it when I heard my lover''s voice from behind

    me.

    "Thea, what the hell happened now?"

    I turned to him, I didn''t even hear hime in. He moved closer to me.

    "It''s that bloody tramp!" I yelled, at the intensity of my scream there was an instant crack in the tall

    mirror on the wall, creating a double reflection of my angry state. "She ims she knows everything," I

    sighed, with the look in her eyes, I couldn''t tell if she was only baiting me or not.

    "We have to leave, Thea, if she knows everything, then she knows about me. Killian will have us in

    shreds. We need to remove ourselves from this all-out war with Lucius," he muttered, as I could feel his

    panic.

    But his words only aggravated me. I didn''te this far to leave without having my revenge on Killian.

    "Enough of this nonsense, so quickly you''ve forgotten everything Killian had done to me. This isn''t just

    about Lucius, I don''t want Killian dead, I want him to suffer," I said, reminding myself of the hate I felt

    towards that bastard. This made me realize what I had to do.

    It didn''t matter what that bitch knew or not, but Alpha Lucius was arriving in a few days, and I had to be

    here.

    I moved away from him, cing my hands on the table. I had wanted that bitch to suffer a worse fate

    than Killian. Death itself was too good for her after everything she had made me go through from the

    instant I had the ill luck of meeting her.

    "Alright. What do you n on doing now?" He walked up to me, stopping a few inches away from me,

    and my brown eyes darkened as they found him through the mirror.

    "Something I should have done a long time ago," I said, as a sweet, yet sick thrill raced down my spine

    and I realized how badly I have been craving this moment.

    "Tell me, Thea, what on earth is going on in that mind of yours?" I could hear the curiosity stabbing his

    words.

    "I am finally going to put an end to that bitch myself, once and for all," My lips curled into a smile as my

    brown eyes pierced right into that reflection in the broken mirror. I couldn''t wait.

 Chapter 129

    Chapter 129

    She''s point of view

    I remained silent and unmoving for a while, watching as Thea faded into one of the hallways.

    I sighed, sping my hands together as I brought my eyes back to the table. From what just transpired

    between Thea and me, more than ever, I believed my suspicions were true. Thea wasn''t expecting

    Killian''s pup.

    That was a good thing, and it meant she indeed had a lover. But I had no way to unmask her lies. I had

    only bluffed, but I had nothing to prove that she was aplete whore who had a lover while

    pretending to be in love with Killian. For that, I could only rely on Thea.

    I had never seen those shrewd brown gazes of hers ever hold in so much fear. It was obvious my

    words had shaken her to the core, and she cares a whole lot about protecting her despicable lie. I can

    only hope she does something drastic, something that would finally help me throw the whore out of my

    pack, and permanently out of Killian''s life.

    Oh, what joy that would be!

    I breathed in, pulling up from the chair. I groaned as I felt the stabbing ache in my skull, reminding me I

    needed more rest. I hadn''t slept at length for three days now, and when I finally gave in to the

    exhaustion eating at me and took refuge in Killian''s arms, it didn''tst long.

    I was greeted again with a terrible dream, the worst I had had in days. This wasn''t about the golden-

    eyed intruder that had managed to invade my dreams and left me confused. It made no sense why I

    would be having dreams about a man I had never met, and what''s worse was that he was after my life.

    He wanted me dead.

    Even though I detested having such dreams about him, I wished it was about him though, at least it

    would have spared me the horror of having that dream in which I had witnessed Killian''s death.

    I creased my ck thick brows as the memory of that dream shed through my mind again. I had no

    idea what had happened or where we were, but all I could remember vividly was Killian''s death over

    and over again. It was horrible. I choked back a tear, wincing at the pain piercing my chest. I didn''t

    understand it, but the image of Killian''s cold and lifeless body scared me awake.

    I held my dress, heading to Valerie''s spell room. It didn''t take long before the door opened for me. I

    went in but unfortunately, she wasn''t in. I left and sauntered to the witches'' quarters, but neither Valerie

    nor Lorenzo was in.

    I found Gwen in one of the witches'' courts with a few witches.

    "Gwen," I called her attention, as I gaited to them.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "Luna, what brings you over here?" She voiced, lowering her head to me.

    "I was at Valerie''s spell room and I can''t find either her or Lorenzo," I told her, as we strolled out of the

    court into therge courtyard.

    "She left quite in a hurry a few hours ago," Gwen muttered.

    "Do you know where she went to?" I asked, and she shook her head.

    "She''s visiting a coven at the vige. I don''t know why she went there, but seemed urgent, and had

    something to do with the Alpha''s request."

    Her words made my features crippled as I remembered those items that belonged to Thea. I wondered

    if it had anything to do with the request Gwen was talking about. But I didn''t ask further questions, I

    would talk to Killian as soon as he was done with his meeting.

    "And Lorenzo?" I asked, and again she shook her head.

    "He''s not in as well," she voiced.

    I nodded. "Thanks," I smiled at her, leaving the court.

    Instead of heading back to the castle, I decided to go for a run in my wolf form to purge my mind of all

    disturbing thoughts.

    I stripped naked, and gave Adie full control of my body, in less than a quarter second, we were down

    on four paws in my enormous snow-white wolf. I snatched my dress off from the ground, using my

    canines and we raced into the woods.

    It was a nice feeling having the calm wind against my fur and dirt beneath my paws, it was so good and

    rxing and exactly what I needed. I could think clearly, and the only thing that I could think of was the

    identity of Thea''s lover. Who was he?

    But I had no answer for that. I could only find an answer to that question when Thea''s caught. I ran

    through the thick forests until I was out of breath and Adie was contented.

    After a while, I shifted back to my human form and got dressed. It was twilight already, and the sun had

    retired. I got mind-linked by Ria, telling me Killian was asking about me, and it was urgent.

    Just then, I felt Killian''s presence at the back of my mind through our bond. "Oh, She, where are

    you?" He asked, his voice sharp and urgent as well.

    "I went for a run, what is it?" I asked, fastening my boots in a hurry.

    "It''s serious, we can''t talk over the link. Please hurry, everyone is gathered here," he muttered,

    disconnecting.

    I began to make my way into the woods to shift back to my wolf, but then I felt it. The lurking presence

    that blended in with the darkness that had dominated the earth. I was being watched.

    I walked further into the woods, taking the shortest path to the castle, and the feeling of being followed

    still stuck with me.

    I tried sniffing them out, but I couldn''t get a strong scent, only a whiff that had been carried by the

    night''s lonesome breeze. It wasn''t a wolf from our pack and didn''t have the scent or stench of a wolf or

    a rogue. It smelled different, at the same time new, and almost familiar. Very familiar.

    Instantly, my eyes widened as a thought crept in. I increase my walking space and took a swift turn in

    the woods, loving the darkness that covered everywhere as the tall canopy trees fought off every gleam

    of light from the glowing moon.

    I hid behind one of the tall trees, backing against it as I waited silently in hopes that I would see

    whoever had been trailing me. And I had a hunch, and deep down I wished I was right. But that would

    only mean trouble.

    I waited calmly, and in short, impatient seconds, I heard the painful cry of a twig that had been stepped

    upon from a near distance. its screaming died and the woods returned to its eerie silence.

    I waited, and my heart skipped a beat when my eyes caught a figure moving quietly through the woods.

    It was her. I couldn''t fight the smile that jumped on my lips.

    I was right. It was that bloody witch. Lucius''s fucking witch. I hadn''t seen her since the day I was

    abducted by Lucius. I backed harder against the tree as she moved past it, searching for me.

    She was wearing her red cloak, and its hood over her head, having the bottom of the cloak dance on

    the air at her hasty movements and desperation in finding me.

    I stepped out of the tree, and she stopped moving, feeling my presence behind her.

    "Looking for me?" I spoke into the darkness, which carried my sharp voice and echoed around the

    woods.

    I watched her cautiously, as she remained rooted on her spot with her back to me.

    Then she released an ear-piercing chuckle that morphed into a burst of shortughter. She stopped

    laughing as her hands pulled up to the hood on her head, and with a pull, it came off, exposing her long

    ck hair.

    She took a step forward, slowly swerving around, and didn''t stop until she was standing facing me.

    At this point, I detested the darkness that covered the woods as I couldn''t see her god-damned face

    properly. Before I could initiate a step forward, she beat me to it, maybe out of eagerness to reveal

    herself to me.

    I remained unmoving as she swallowed the frustrating distance that separated us. My blue eyes were

    focused on her face the more she moved forward. But she stopped halfway in the woods.

    I could barely see her face still, and on that thought, almost on cue or from simr curiosity, the moon''s

    bright rays broke through, pushing its way into the woods, and descended on her. The witch.

    I froze, as a shocked impossible gasp left my lips. My eyes were round as they took in the face I hadn''t

    expected.

    She moved a few steps closer, wanting me to take a good look as her lips adopted a threatening smile.

    "Thea," My lips finally parted in outright shock.

 Chapter 130

    Chapter 130

    Killian''s point of view

    I was still in the meeting with some of my warriors, Morgan, Mason, and Allen when the door burst open and my eyes lifted and fell on Valerie''s deep purple eyes.

    Her deep crystals reflected an emotion I have never seen before. It made my heart bang against my chest.

    "Everyone, leave. Now!" I ordered, not taking my eyes off Valerie. Thest time I had seen her was when I handed Thea''s items to her, and I was informed by Gwen that she had left the pack in a haste. With the way she looked, I could only conclude that she had just returned and hade here straight away.

    I watched thest warrior leave my office, leaving just Morgan, Valerie, and me.

    Valerie stalked closer and I offered her a seat, but she shook her head.

    "What happened, Valerie?" Morgan asked, also feeling her uneasiness.

    "This is unbelievable, you all can''t begin to imagine what I just found out," she muttered, and for a second, her purple eyes flickered with rage.

    "Is this about Thea?" I queried hurriedly, almost holding my breath. The gruesome look on Valerie''s face terrified me.

    She nodded, and I felt my heart tighten. If this was about Thea, what could Valerie have found out to get her in such a state?

    "I just returned from the coven at the vige," she began as I held on to her every word. "I did a spell on Thea''s belongings as I promised, but I couldn''t believe the result."

    "What spell?" Morgan rose from his chair.

    "To find out about her ancestry, precisely about her parents, and from there we were hoping to be able to track where she came from. Her previous pack," Valerie exined.

    "What did you find out, Valerie?" I questioned and her gaze returned to me.

    "At first, I couldn''t believe the result of the spell. I thought it to be impossible, and there had to be a mistake somewhere, so I took it somewhere else, and had the witches redo it all over," her words came out painfully slowly. "This is far worse than any of us had imagined. Thea Chrysler is aplete fake!"

    I curled my hands in a ball as Valerie''s words descended on me. But Morgan and I remained silent, I could feel there was still more Valerie was yet to share.

    "The witch''s result was the same as mine. Thea doesn''t descend from the bloodline of wolves, Killian. She lied to us all."

    "What?" I was up on my boots, with eyes wide with confusion.

    "How is that possible? That bitch fucking smells like one," Morgan took the words right out of my lips.

    "Precisely why no one could sniff her out. She had cloaked herself, concealing her true scent."

    "Cloaked herself?" The confusion in me was rising by the second. "What the hell are you saying?"

    "That Thea is a witch!" Valerie''s words echoed unstoppably within the corner walls of my office, and as soon as her words died, an unweing silence covered us all.

    "What in the goddess'' name are you saying?" I spoke in a whisper. I couldn''t think. This wasn''t exactly what I was expecting. I knew something about her was wrong, but Thea being a witch was...was... I didn''t even know what to call it.

    "The result from the spell the witches and I conducted proves that Thea has magic coursing in her veins. She is a witch, and not a wolf, as she made us believe," came Valerie''s words again.

    "What about her pack? And the Alpha that''s after her life?" Morgan asked, confoundedly.

    I raked my hair with my fingers, clutching a handful as Valerie''s words sank deeper into my mind. "Lies. They were all bloody lies!" I voiced as I felt my body vibrate with rage.

    "That''s true. At this point, everything we know about Thea are lies. She didn''te from any pack and she doesn''t have an Alpha after her life. All those were tant lies she said to infiltrate the Pack," Valerie said, and my eyesnded on her.

    "Infiltrate?"

    "Isn''t it obvious? Thea''s a witch who lied about her entire life. She came here for a reason. Let''s think about everything wrong that has urred in the pack from the moment she arrived here."

    "Wait a second," came Morgan''s voice as I couldn''t keep still. I started stalking the floors of the office.

    This information was too much. And I just couldn''t stop my mind from thinking about certain things that didn''t make sense. Things I was finding hard to believe Thea was behind. She couldn''t possibly be that witch.

    "If she''s a witch, how was it possible for Killian to think she was the gifted one, to begin with?" Morgan directed his question at Valerie.

    "She did it," I froze, realizing Thea was behind that misconception. "Oh, my goddess. Thea was the one who manipted my dreams. She nted her fucking self in my dreams and made me think she was the gifted one!"

    "I am afraid that''s nothingpared to everything that she''s done," Valerie said. "I suspect she''s the witch that''s responsible for everything that has been going on around the pack, right from the death of your warrior, Rowan."

    I buried my face in my palms. "She''s that fucking witch, isn''t she?"

    "Yes, she has to be, Killian. We''ve been searching for that witch all these while, and it''s not just mere coincidence that Thea happened to be one."

    It made sense now. She had staged that incident. She wanted She dead and had used Rowan to frame my mate up.

    "Thea was the only one with you on the night your demon took control of your soul and you went on a rampage," Valerie said. "She was the one who broke through my barrier spell and set you free. She''s been the traitor in our midst."

    "So, everything has been Thea''s doing?" Morgan stepped forward, his rage had begun to charge forward. "The attack by the Fire Crest Pack that almost killed everyone, including She?"

    Valerie nodded, making Morgan chuckle hard from rage and disbelief.

    "She''s also working for Lucius," Valerie sounded, "So, I''m guessing he had sent her here, to destroy you and the entire pack."

    I closed my eyes in silence. "She''s the witch who had cast the dark spell on me and tried to make me kill She. I''m guessing she''s still the one that set her chamber on fire," I whispered, as everything Thea had done in my life began to sh through.

    "But why would she even put herself in such danger?"

    "To manipte me into feeling sorry for her. And to frame She up. But that didn''t work."

    "I always knew she was a bloody maniac," Morgan swerved to Valerie as I fell into my thoughts. "I can''t believe that bitch was taking orders from Lucius."

    Morgan''s words hit me. I couldn''t believe it either. I knew she was working with Lucius, but something wasn''t just right.

    Thea may have lied about every fucking thing she had told me, but the venomous hatred that was always rooted in her eyes whenever she spoke about the death of her family wasn''t something that seemed to be all made up.

    "Does anyone know about this yet?" Morgan asked Valerie and she shook her head.

    "No, I came here the instant I found out," she replied.

    "Good," I moved closer to them. "The truth about Thea only proves that she is an enemy of the pack and responsible for putting the pack in so much danger, which cost us lives of our own. And that''s unforgivable," I said.

    "We need to tread carefully, Killian, remember Thea is expecting your child."

    "I haven''t forgotten about that. But that doesn''t exempt her from paying for her crimes," I muttered, mind-linking She. She had to know about what we just discovered.

    "Oh, She, where are you?" I asked, sharply.

    "I went for a run, what is it?" I could hear the worry thatced her voice. But I couldn''t tell her through the mind link.

    "It''s serious, we can''t talk over the link. Please hurry, everyone is gathered here," I muttered, disconnecting.

    I called for an urgent meeting with the ranking members of the court in a few minutes. We had to decide Thea''s fate. Frankly, she should consider herself lucky she was pregnant. If it weren''t for that pup, Thea would have had her heart ripped out this instant.

    I left the office with Morgan and Valerie, meeting Allen and Mason on the way.

    "What''s wrong, Killian?" Mason questioned hurriedly as I mind-linked a few warriors, including Xavier, the head warrior to hurry to the castle.

    "I will exin everythingter," I said. Thea had no idea we had discovered her already and I wanted it that way. After what we know about her, she''s capable of just about anything, and I liked the element of surprise better.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    I was almost at Thea''s chamber when I was mind-linked by She.

    "You won''t believe this, Killian, Thea is the fucking witch!" She''s words sounded so clear that I was forced to stop in my tracks.

    "How did youˇŞ" before I couldplete my words, She spoke quickly.

    "Fuck, the bitch is trying to kill me," she voiced sharply before disconnecting abruptly. I tried to connect with her, but I couldn''t.

    "Killian, what is it?" Morgan came closer.

    "Thea is after She," I muttered, mind-linking every bloody warrior in the pack at once, issuing out amand to find Thea, and capture her, dead or alive.

    It didn''t matter now. My mate''s life is in danger.

 Chapter 131 Full

    ?

    She''s point of view

    My whole body was numb. I still haven''t recovered from the shock of finding out that Thea was the witch. She was the fucking witch that has been after me and Killian for a long time.

    Oh, goddess. How couldn''t I have known this, or at least suspected it? I knew Thea Chrysler was a devil in disguise but never it urred to me that she was a witch. A fucking witch.

    That means she knew all along. She knew about Lucius, and about me. She knew about my identity. She knew I was a witch. Of course, she did. She found out when I had fought against her.

    "Surprised?" Her voice pealed into my mind, gaining my attention.

    My eyes leveled on her bright brown gaze that was gleaming brightly in amusement.

    "Yes, this is indeed a shock to me. I never expected that you of all people would be the witch," I said, regarding her, as her smile deepened. "I got to hand it to you, Thea, you yed us all quite well,"

    "Thank you, but frankly it wasn''t that hard," she dragged her hands up, and slowly pulled out the leather ck gloves that covered her hands. "All I needed was Killian, and it was very easy to have him wrapped around my fingers,"

    "You manipted his dreams and made him believe you were the gifted one," I said, folding my hands against my chest.

    "That was the easiest part of it all. That Alpha was just so desperate to find the supposed gifted one that was destined to free him and his stupid pack from Nell''s curse. His desperation was his weakness that allowed me in," she tossed the leather gloves on the dried-up dirt on the ground. "And then, everything fell into ce,"N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    "Until I came into the picture," I sounded.

    She paused, regarding me, before nodding. "That''s right. Everything was just fine until your supposed father came up with the brilliant idea of sending you off with Killian after finding out you were his mate," she grunted. "Honestly, I don''t know what he was thinking,"

    "He wanted me to hate Killian, and that way, I would be useful to him when the time came for him to destroy Killian and im his pack," I muttered, moving gently around and Thea also circled around. "But you didn''t like it, did you? That''s why you tried to frame me up, so I would be executed, and when things didn''t work out as you wanted, you murdered Rowan,"

    "Oh, that bastard was ipetent. He would have broken and spilled everything even before Killian lifted a finger to him," she sighed.

    "And I''m also guessing, you were the one behind the attacks on the pack?" I prodded more.

    "Once again, that''s also right. But unfortunately, it all backfired back on me. Those fucking witches found out you were the gifted one and I was as quickly discarded. That was a wrong move on my part, but how was I supposed to know Killian''s bitch of a mate was the gifted one," she yelled, moving her hands dramatically in the air. This bitch was truly insane.

    Thea was here for a reason. And I didn''t need a soothsayer to spell it out for me. She clearly knew what she was doing the second she exposed herself to me. This was it. She was here to finish me off. My words earlier today must have shaken her to the core. And unfortunately for her, she yed right into my trap, otherwise I would have never known that Thea was Lucius''s witch.

    "You are one lucky tramp you know," she huffed, angrily. "Believe me, it was always difficult having toe up with ideas to get rid of you, because every idea always ended up pping me right in my face," she snorted, "At first I had thought it was an awesome idea teaming up with Killian''s worst enemies, but then I found out you had some kind of rtionship with them. I mean, what the hell, how was I supposed to know that?" She shook her head furiously.

    "And then I decided to let Killian end you as it should be. I hexed him, bringing out the demon within him, but another shock was waiting right at the corner. And I had to find out in the worst way that you are a witch as well,"

    I listened to her as she kept on rambling, and confessing her bloody crimes. But something didn''t add up. And that was Lucius''s n in all of this. Lucius hated Killian and wanted him destroyed, but not me. He had told me to my face. He had good use for me. Lucius would have never authorized any of these, this was all Thea''s. I had always known there was this obsession she had over Killian that I just didn''t understand.

    "Lucius wouldn''t have approved of any of this madness," I told her.

    "And he didn''t. He was furious on the night of the blood moon when he found out I had sent word to the Fire Crest Pack toe for you. But what he couldn''t see was that your presence in Killian''s life was a problem itself to his n and mine. And I would do whatever it took to aplish my goal,"

    "Which is?" I asked sharply. I was right. There was something else. Something she wasn''t yet saying,

    Thea stopped moving. Her astute brown eyes gauged mine. "Killian," she spelled out slowly. "He''s the reason why I am here," I could tell the honesty in her voice. But that didn''t make sense. This whore didn''t even love Killian, so why would she be after him?

    "You don''t love Killian, you are only obsessed with him," I voiced, and sheughed, but I continued. "Why do you want to destroy Killian? What''s the reason, Thea? I know there''s something because the second you arrived at this pack to this point that has been your goal, and this had nothing to do with Lucius," The smile from her face faded at once, and her eyes turned dark. But she remained silent.

    "You have a lover Thea, and you are expecting his child and not Killian''s. Someone has been helping you in the pack. Who the hell is your lover?" I asked, and she smiled, but it wasn''t deep or from amusement. It was from a deadly rage.

    "Thought you knew it all bitch," she sounded.

    "It doesn''t hurt to hear it all from your lips," I said again.

    "This bastard inside of me isn''t Killian''s. If it wasn''t for the situation I would have sucked out every magic from it, and gotten rid of it,"

    "But you need it to trap Killian," the words escaped my lips and she nodded.

    "Yes, and get rid of you, permanently," she was smiling. "Do you know the best part of it all?" She asked rhetorically, sping her hands delightfully. "Killian would never find out about me or this thing inside of me, at least not yet though," she chuckled. "Why?" She asked again, obviously loving whatever was going on in her head. "Because he would be too upied grieving the death of his mate to realize anything, especially what is about to befall the pack,"

    "What are you talking about?" I asked, in confusion.

    "That doesn''t concern you because I am going to finally end you. And that is the hardest part of this all. It maye as a shock to you, but I really don''t want you dead. It took me a long time to realize you deserve a far worse fate than having to die in my hands," she moved a little closer to where I was rooted.

    "My first option was to hand you over to the Dark Circle, but you are a problem now for me, and if I don''t get rid of you know, everything would falter, and I can''t have that," she shut her eyes, "I promise when all of this is over, I will tell Killian you sent some kisses," her brown eyes parted open and it was covered by darkness.

    I took a cautious step backward and her smile deepened. I connected to Killian through the mind link. " You won''t believe this, Killian, Thea is the fucking witch!" I was informed through the mind link. "How did you" before he couldplete his words, I spoke quickly, having my eyes on Thea. "Fuck, the bitch is trying to kill me," I voiced sharply, disconnecting abruptly when Thea muttered short chants using her magic and lifted sharp broken woods around the woods. They all gathered in the air, pointing at me. And with a dark smile, they lunged at me speedily.

    Immediately, my eyes shined brightly, and I lifted my hands in the air, blocking the disaster headed my way, and redirecting it back to her.

    She evaded it quickly, still smiling. "Now this would be fun," she breathed out. "bitch!"

 Chapter 132 Full

    ?

    Chapter 132

    Killian''s point of view

    I had every wolf in the packbing through the pack in search of She and Thea. I was with Valerie and we were trailing She''s scent and magic to the woods.

    I was at a distance when She''s scent hit me strongly along with another unfamiliar scent.

    "There," Valerie and I hurried through the woods, and we burst out into a small clearing in the woods where She and Thea were. I could barely see anything as the air around us was rough and stormy and in utter chaos. They were fighting against each other, making use of their magic.

    I was about to rush in and join my mate when Valerie instantly held me back, stepping right in front of me, she pulled her hands up quickly in the air and blocked the mighty murderous force that was headed our

    way.

    Just then, the stormy air around got sucked in and without warning, Thea''s body was tossed harshly against the rooted tree trunk that was at a distance, and the rough air settled and became calm.

    Thea groaned and was trying to force herself to stand when Valerie hastened closer and shifted her fingers in the air. Immediately, Thea''s body was up in the air, she pulled her hands around her neck, struggling against Valerie''s hold.

    Valerie twisted her fingers and Thea''s body dropped dead on the ground. Her body was covered with blood. My eyes left Thea and darted to She who motioned to us.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    "Is she dead?"

    "No. Just unconscious," Valerie replied, moving to where Thea''s body was. She whispered a few chants at her. "That would keep her unconscious for a while," Valerie was up, sauntering to us.

    "What happened?" I turned to She. "How did you find out about Thea?" I asked.

    "I didn''t. She revealed herself to me, and then tried to kill me," She said, as I inspected her body. She had only a small wound on her head.

    "You need to see Maggie," I muttered.

    "It''s nothing. It''ll heal," She''s eyes moved down to Thea''s unconscious body. "This bitch is responsible for everything. She confessed it all to me."

    "I don''t understand, Thea has been doing a good job keeping her identity hidden, why would she suddenly reveal herself to you?" Valerie asked.

    "She was scared because I found out something she didn''t want to get out," She voiced, her blue eyes moving to mine. "Thea isn''t expecting your child, Killian. That bitch has had a lover all this time."

    "What?" Ryker sounded instantly as he pushed himself to the surface. His voice echoed in my mind before She''s words sank in.

    "Thea has a lover?" I questioned again, and She nodded, not taking her eyes off me. "Thea isn''t expecting my child? She, are you sure about this?" I bit out slowly, and once again, She nodded.

    "I suspected it, Killian. And I confronted her during breakfast. She obviously panicked and wanted to kill me to cover the truth. And besides, she told me herself," She counted each word, and as they filtered into my ears, I couldn''t stop the air that escaped my lungs.

    I sped my hands behind my head, and took several steps back, pacing around briefly. I couldn''t stop the

    several emotions that rose within me. I just couldn''t identify what I felt at the moment. I didn''t know if it was hate or anger I felt. Hate for that bloody fish for her lies, and making me believe she was expecting a child that wasn''t mine, or anger towards myself for being such a fucking idiot and not realizing the type of person Thea was. Or maybe I felt both. But I couldn''t deny the relief I felt. Thea wasn''t expecting my pup.

    It was like a huge weight of pain and sadness was lifted off my shoulders. I couldn''t even hide the tion I felt as I fought back the stinging water from my eyes.

    "Killian, we-"I was forced out of my thoughts as Mason''s voice sounded, behind him was Xavier and some of the pack''s warriors. "What happened to her?" Mason asked, his eyes on Thea.

    "She''s unconscious for now. Take her to the castle''s dungeon. Thea Chrysler is a witch, and now a prisoner of this pack," I told the warriors, and everyone could hear through the general mind link.

    I turned to Valerie as the warriors hauled Thea''s body away. "We can''t let her escape, Thea must pay for her crimes."

    "Don''t worry, Killian. I will personally see to it," Valerie said, leaving with the warriors.

    I veered around, my amber eyes falling on She.

    "How does it feel, knowing the truth behind your ex-lover?" She moved closer.

    "Furious, but I swear I''d be lying if I said I didn''t feel relieved that she isn''t expecting my pup after all," I sighed. That was the only good thing out of this situation. I was finally free from Thea. Thea''s pregnancy had unsettled me. I knew that even though She and I made up now, as long as Thea and that child were in our lives, she would always stir up trouble.

    "But that only means, the child Thea is expecting is for her lover, which no doubt belongs to my pack. All this time, she had someone helping her. I can''t believe one of my own could be capable of doing something like that."

    "Thea didn''t say who her lover was, but I am damned sure whoever that person is, he''ll try to help her escape."

    I sighed, hearing She''s words. "Maybe that will be a good thing," I uttered. "That way, we''ll know the identity of the traitor that has been helping Thea."

    "I hope we find him soon, because Thea spoke about something drastic that was going to befall the pack," She sounded worried.

    "It must be Lucius. He''ll be back for revenge, and maybe that''s what she spoke about," I held her in my arms. "As soon as Thea regains consciousness, I will question her personally. There''s something I have to find out," I kissed She as we made our way back to the castle.

    ***

    We went straight to the dungeon where only Thea was locked up. Several warriors were stationed outside the dungeon. She and I went in through the narrow passage. We found Morgan and Mason waiting outside the door for Valerie. She was inside with Gwen and Thea''s unconscious body.

    After a few minutes, Valerie and Gwen stepped out.

    "We''ve spelled the dungeon itself, as well as everything else. There''s no way Thea will be able to use her magic in there," Valerie said.

    "Thank you," I told her, as she left with Gwen.

    I stepped into the dungeon. Thea was still unconscious. She was chained to a chair. Her wrists, ankles, and neck were confined to the chair.

    2/3

    "Are you sure about this?" She came from behind, her blue eyesnding on me. I nodded, and she crouched close to Thea, cing her hand on her.

    She chanted a few unknown words, and almost immediately, Thea gasped, her brown eyes jerking open. "I will be right at the door," She spoke through our link, leaving just Thea and me.

    Thea''s heartbeat sted against the walls, and I could feel her fear rise as she began to struggle against the confinements.

    I reached out to her face, removing the cloth that had covered her mouth.

    "What madness is this, Killian?" She shouted, as fury mixed with the fear that was carved in her brown eyes. "Set me free at once!"

    "I don''t even know where to start, Thea," I moved closer to her, crouching near her chair. "What the hell are you saying, Killian?" Her breathing was rough, as her chest kept rising and falling quickly. Thea''s eyes pulled to the door, and slowly it drifted on me. "Killian, please set me free," she begged in a soft voice. "I''m scared. I don''t know what that woman told you, but I swear it isn''t true. She tried to kill me and our pup," her eyes welled with tears, and they escaped effortlessly. She was so good at this. But unfortunately for her, her game was over.

    "Really?" I raised my brows. "It''s impable how you were able to deceive me, Thea-"

    "Killian, please don''t believe anything that woman told you. She''s a witch, and she tried to kill your heir. Believe-"

    "Enough with the stupid rants, Thea! I know who you are already. You are a bloody witch, and everything about you has been nothing but a fucking lie. You murdered Rowan, you hexed me, you tried to murder my mate on countless asions and you''ve lied to the pack, iming to be expecting my child, when the truth is, it isn''t mine."

    Thea stopped moving as her gaze never left mine.

    "Tell me, is there anything else I failed to mention?" I asked, sping my hands as I stood up.

    Thea clenched her jaw tightly, lifting her head so her eyes could meet mine.

    "I see you are all caught up, Killian Reid," she muttered gently, as a smile stalked her lips. "I guess I

    should reintroduce myself, I am Thea Demauri," her smile deepened, and a dark, threatening glow

    appeared in her eyes.

    I froze.

 Chapter 133

    Killian''s point of view

    I froze as my amber eyes pierced right through that of Thea''s. I didn''t know why that name of hers sounded familiar, and the look she held in her brown eyes told me I was right. There was more to all of this.

    For the first time, all I could see in those venomous brown eyes was hate. A deep unmistakable hatred for me. She hated me. But why?

    I took a step closer to her, as silence lingered between us for a second.

    "Am I supposed to know that name?" I asked, and the brown fury in her eyes only sparked more.

    But she didn''t say a word.

    "Thea, you''ve been caught. And there''s no way you''ll be breaking free. Every one of those," I pointed at the chains binding her. "They''ve been spelled to keep you from using your magic, and also this dungeon. So, we could do this the easy way or the hard way. I know you are working for Lucius-"I began but her hystericalughter cut me off immediately.

    I paused, watching her until she was done.

    "You arepletely clueless, aren''t you?" She muttered coldly, with darkness in her depths. "I work with Lucius; I don''t work for him."

    "Enough with the mind games, Thea. You''ve confessed everything to my mate. And you''vemitted a great crime against the pack, by iming to be carrying my heir. You''ve also broken our first rule, which is ''never to endanger the life of any fellow pack member'', but you did just that when you sent word to an enemy pack to attack ours. You''ve alsomitted treason against your Luna and that''s the part I can never forgive, Thea," I muttered to her slowly, getting up on my feet.

    "So what, Killian Reid? Am I supposed to be scared?" She asked with a smirk.

    "At first light tomorrow, your punishment would be handed over to you by the court and me, and trust me, not even that child can get you off easily," I said to her, and all she could do was smile. But I ignored her. "I just have one thing bothering me, and I will get my answer to that, if that child isn''t mine, then whose is it? Who is your lover, Thea?"

    The smile wandering on her lips vanished, and her eyes hardened. "Don''t tell me you are jealous? Did you really hope it was yours?"

    "No, Thea. On the contrary, you managed to make me exceedingly happy to know that my mate, She, would be the only mother of all my pups. And I feel sorry for whoever has that child, clearly, he''s still bewitched by you," I told her, and she snarled in rage as I motioned to the door.

    "Damn you, Killian Reid. I swear on my life, I will get my revenge on you," she rushed on, insanely, her eyes burning brightly.

    Her instant words made me pause in my tracks, and as I swirled around, my amber pair got trapped in her revengeful brown mes that wanted nothing but to consume me.

    "There, that''s it. That hatred in your eyes. I''ve seen it far too many times, Thea. It reflects exactly what you are not saying," I kept on talking but she still wasn''t saying anything. Her silence was frustrating. But I have to get the whole truth from her. I knew there was something else. Something that had to do with me. With every passing second, I could feel it.

    I could feel the hatred rooted in her gaze for me. The only time I had ever seen such vengefulness was whenever she spoke about her family and the supposed Alpha who murdered her parents.

    Just then, I froze.

    My eyes held her burning rage as a thought flooded my mind. "What did I ever do to you, Thea?"

    "Are you curious?" She asked, her voice murderous, and eyes zing harder than a volcano pit.

    I stalked closer to her. "There''s something else."

    "Good. I''m d you know that. And I swear that curiosity would eat you up-" she began rambling on, but myrge hand choked her neck, shutting her up.

    I held her frail neck in my hand, as my sharp ws dug hard into it. I could feel the warm crimson fluid that gushed out of her neck. "Tell me."Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    Thea groaned from pain, as she tried wriggling against the chains confining her. Her brown gaze still held its vengeful glow.

    "You want to know? Fine. You fucking bastard murdered my father and his entire coven, including my mother!" she spat the words right at my face.

    The intensity of her words tore my grip away from her neck and I backed away immediately, not from shock but from outright confusion.

    "I murdered your parents?" I voiced, even though the words sounded absurd in my ears. "That''s fucking impossible," I couldn''t peel my eyes away from her as her words kept resounding in my ears.

    That couldn''t be.

    Never had I gone after witches, let alone an entire coven when I had a curse on my fucking head.

    "Impossible?" She wasn''t breaking a smile. "You fucking hypocrite. It was a few years after Nell''s demise, you killed my father, Killian Reid, and afterward, incarcerated every member of his coven, including my mother, until you finally killed them," she screamed and I remembered.

    My amber eyes narrowed on her, as herst words made me remember.

    "Now, you remember. At least we are getting somewhere," she counted her words, her eyes refusing to set me free.

    "Your father was Thane Damauri?" I muttered in disbelief.

    "You killed him," her voice was filled with disdain, and her words sharp.

    "Yes, I did. And his entire coven, and I swear I don''t regret it," I was honest. Thane worked with my father. He was like Nell''s shadow and was as vile and dark as Nell was. He performed unsanctioned magic and was the same fucking witch who helped Nell ce the curse on my brothers and me, and the entire pack. After Nell''s death the night the ck Blood Pack attacked, I became the next Alpha and took it upon myself to correct every fucking wrong Nell had done. I pulled out from the Dark Circle and rejoined the Council, and I also tried breaking the curse.

    I had sought Thane out since he was the casting witch who ced the curse, but he refused to help us, instead, he and his bloody coven attacked the Pack, intending to murder me. And with the curse on me and the pack, if anything had happened to me, everyone would have perished with me. That was what Nell wanted, and Thane wanted to fulfill Nell''s wish.

    So, when Thane and his coven attacked, we were ready. And with the help of Valerie and her witches, I

    killed Thane and the entire coven who stood against my pack and me. And I don''t regret it. "You bloody monster!" Thea wriggled on the chair she was confined to, in an attempt to break free.

    "I didn''t know that man was your father. And I''m sorry you had to live your life knowing your father died

    in my hands, but he caused it by going against the pack. And I only defended and protected my people against a dark witch and his coven."

    "You murdered my parents, and I swear I would shred every fucking thing you love into unrecognizable pieces, starting with your fucking whore of a mate!" she threatened.

    "Save your breath for tomorrow when your fate will be decided, Thea. It''s a shame you would end up just like your father," I sounded.

    And sheughed. "You fucking idiots. You have no idea whating your way."

    "I will find out," I told her, turning to the door.

    "And how do you n on doing so? Torturing me? Well, that would be so stupid, Killian. You have no idea

    how much I''ve prepared myself, just in case this day woulde."

    I stopped at the door. "I really don''t doubt that, Thea. Just hang in there, you have no idea what I''ve

    prepared for you."

    I walked out of the dungeon, paying no mind to Thea''s relentless screams.

    I walked out to find She outside.

    "You heard everything," I said, and she nodded.

    "She didn''t say anything about her lover. It wouldn''t be easy, but he could try to break her out," She

    said.

    "And I hope he does. I''m dying to find out who could have betrayed me in such a manner, teaming up with Thea, knowing she was against me and the pack," I told her, sighing. "But she said somethingˇŞ"

    "Yeah, I heard. It has to do with Lucius, but I have no idea what it is."

    "Could you find out?" I asked her and she nodded.

    "I could get into her mind, and find out everything, maybe even who her lover is."

    I sighed in relief, kissing her. "That would be great. But no one should know about this. Not yet." "Alright, it''s just between us."

 Chapter 134

    ?

    Unknown person''s point of view

    I was dying to see her after she''s been caught and thrown in the dungeon in a state worse than a prisoner.

    But I just couldn''t be careless and get caught.

    Killian had eyes on the dungeon and I couldn''t risk getting caught. So, I had no choice but to wait until there was a shift in the guards, before the first light of dawn.

    I had volunteered to keep watch over Thea''s dungeon with a few warriors. After a while of guarding outside the dungeon, I turned to the warriors and told them I had to go check on the prisoner.

    I pulled therge dungeon doors open, stalking through the narrow passage down to where another tall door was.

    Gently, I unlocked it open with a spare key, jerking it open and my eyes instantly fell on my mate. It broke my heartpletely to see her confined against the chair like some kind of monster.

    I walked in, but her eyes were closed. As if sensing my presence, she breathed out.

    "What the hell are you doing here?" She bit out ragingly, almost annoyed.

    "It hurts me to see you like this, Thea, especially not in the condition you are in. Remember you are still expecting my child-"I started, but before I could go any further, she hushed me immediately.

    "Enough of that same old nonsense. Don''t you know Killian is dying to find out who my fucking lover is? What rubbish idea was this,ing here!" She shot back coldly as usual. Her words pierced my heart.

    My wolf couldn''t stand it. I didn''t know which was worse, seeing her in this condition or knowing deep down she really didn''t care about me the way I do. But regardless, she was my destined mate and if this was the curse I had to bear, then I had no choice.

    "I could set you free. The warriors on duty will be easy to dismiss. Before Killian finds out we are gone, we''d already left the capital, and crossed over to another region," I suggested like I''d done countless times, but my words were only greeted by a cold grunt.

    "Seriously, again with that nonsense. So, your big n is to escape? I can''t believe this rubbish!" She sounded harsh. "I''ve been fucking caught. And Killian has found out everything about me. Every single thing. Do you think this is the best time to turn back now?" She was yelling, and I was thankful for the long hallways before the main dungeon gate, at least, no one could hear us.

    "Lower your voice," I uttered but she didn''t listen, and continued when I was obviously not going to respond to her question.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    "No. This isn''t the best time to back out now. More than ever, I want Killian to pay for everything he''s done, and for putting me in here like I was some kind of bloody, disgusting wolf!" She was vibrating with rage and dark hatred. "I will see to it that that bastard pays for what he''s done to me, and for that, you will help me," she paused when I didn''t say anything. "I am your fucking mate, so you have no choice but to help me, otherwise, your stupid Alpha is going to kill me and your sweet child."

    I inhaled deeply. I didn''t want to put my pup in harm''s way. Never. "What do you need?"

    Her dark smile appeared. "Firstly, I need Lucius," she voiced. "I can''t use any magic here, so I''ll have to wait. Send word to Lucius. Tell him about my situation."

    "Lucius will attack, Thea. This will be an all-out war, many people will lose their lives," I said. Thea was

    my mate, but I couldn''t deny this was my pack as well. And many would not survive this. "What the heck is your problem? Must you seriouslyin about everything?" Her smile vanished from her lips, and only rage reflected in her brown eyes. "To hell with these flimsy emotions. It''s either those bloody wolves you call family or your actual family which is me, and don''t forget your child too. If you really want the family you want, help me destroy Killian. It doesn''t matter who he is to you, remember this child and Ie first."

    "And the second thing you need?" I questioned, after long seconds of thinking. I rubbed my palm against my face. Thea''s sick smile returned. And I knew whatever was brewing in her mind was something wicked and dark.

    "I need you to send a word to them," she counted her words cautiously, smiling in such a dark, yet beautiful way.

    I creased my brows. "Who''s them?" It was as the words left my lips, I realized who ''them'' was. It was the Dark Circle. Thea has been trying to send word to them that She was right here in Killian''s pack, but since no one knows the true location of the Dark Lord himself, that was next to impossible. But she found a way to reach out to him through affiliated kingdoms and packs that are a member of the circle. This was not good in any way.

    "No, Thea. It''s one thing for Lucius to attack with his army and it''s another thing to bring them here," I moved closer to her. That would be a fatal disaster.

    "I agree with you. Lucius is here to make Killian suffer, while she will experience a far worse fate in their hands," she was smiling as if imagining it all.

    "You are crazy," I voiced out, backing against the wall.

    "Yes, but I''m still your destined mate. Never forget that!" she forced through gritted teeth and I sighed, wondering why the goddess had resigned me to this fate.

    "Can''t we just leave Luna out of this?" I asked, and Thea''s angry brown mes ignited in her eyes.

    "That bitch is the reason I am locked here. She has to pay for everything. And besides, she''s the perfect punishment for Killian. It''ll hurt him badly," she spoke emotionlessly.

    "Thea, mates aren''t tools for punishment. I know Killian killed your parents but it wasn''t his fault. Thane was as crazy as Nell" I began but was cut off by Thea as her loud shrill pierced through my words.

    "Shut that hole you call a fucking mouth! I can''t believe you, of all people, would say that to me. You know exactly what I''ve been through," there was an instant tug in my chest, seeing the tears that gathered in Thea''s eyes.

    That look was the same she wore the day she appeared at the pack, looking as though she was being chased. I had to find out through the worst possible way that my mate was the gifted one destined to stand next to Killian and free us from the curse.

    I couldn''t live with that. I knew I had to tell Killian Thea was my mate, but when I met with her at her chamber. She insisted I didn''t. She wanted Killian by her side at all costs. Then she told me her story and made me choose. It was either I helped her, or she would kill herself the instant Killian had an idea who she was. And I chose her.

    I knew that was stupid, standing against my family. But I had no choice. Thea was my mate, and I waspelled to help her.

    "I know," I replied to her, gently, pulling my hand to her bruised face and blood-smeared neck.

    She winced in pain at my touch. "Your supposed family, Killian, did that to me. Would Killian be okay if

    someone had done this to his mate?" Another round of spark ignited in her eyes.

    "That''s enough, Thea. Just promise me one thing," I said and she almost rolled her eyes as if knowing what I was about to say. But I didn''t care. I continued. "As soon as all this is over, we are leaving, Thea. For good. I swear, you, our pup, and I will start a new life, together," I crouched next to her chair.

    She nodded, "Whatever you say, mate. Just do as I say first."

    "Alright," I was up, stalking the humid and cold floors of the dungeon.

    "And the court? Has Killian and those imbeciles decided on my fate yet?" She asked and I drew in a quick

    breath.

    I didn''t want to think about that. I couldn''t bear the thought of them deciding to execute Thea. They would, if the situation was different and Thea wasn''t pregnant. But I''m hoping they don''t.

    I know Killian, and he wasn''t so heartless to murder an innocent child, regardless of what Thea has done.

    "No. Hopefully, they''ll settle on a lighter punishment," I said, moving to the door. I peeked outside at the narrow passage. There was no one there.

    I turned to Thea. "I have to go," I said, regretfully.

    "Whatever, just make sure you don''t fail me," she muttered, shutting her eyes closed.

    I sighed, exiting the dungeon. Frankly, Thea was utterly right. Sometimes these mate bonds were a curse

    in itself.

 Chapter 135

    ?

    She''s point of view

    It was quite early at dawn before the sun came up that I went to see Thea in her dungeon. As soon as I stepped in, shezily pulled her eyes open and her lucent brown eyes fell on me.

    "I was expecting you. I knew you''de to gloat," she sounded venomous, but her voice was still sharp. I thought by now she must have realized the serious trouble she was in, but it is obvious she hasn''t.

    I countered the spell Valerie had ced in the dungeon, ensuring no magic could be used inside. But Thea''s spelled shackles confining her to her chair were more than enough to keep her magic locked up. I turned to the door and muttered a few chants, making sure nothing that happens in here escapes this room. Not even an echo.

    I moved closer to her in my leather boots. I was just returning from the training field and I decided to meet Thea as Killian requested.

    "I would love to, only you are not worth it, Thea," I said, I really didn''t have the time for whatever mind games she wanted to y.

    I came here for a reason, to see if I''d be able to get through her mind and find out about Lucius. Thea''s words fromst night had worried me throughout the night. I had to know what Lucius was up to.

    "So, why are you here, bitch?" She spat, almost chuckling. "Has the Court already decided on my fate?" She rushed in a mocking tone. But I didn''t respond. "Well, that was fast and smart, because the second I am out of here, I am going to have their hearts out of their chests."

    "Your threats don''t scare anyone, Thea. You''ve been caught and exposed already for who you are. All that is left now is for you to tell me exactly what Lucius is nning," I muttered slowly as I lowered myself to her sitting position.

    Another round ofughter left her lips. "And how would you do that, bitch? By breaking into my mind?" She was shaking her head amusingly. "I''m a witch, stupid. Do you think I had never prepared myself for that?" She sounded again, ever so confident. "I had prepared myself for that, bitch, and the only thing you''ll find in there is rotten darkness. You''ll never be able to see anything else, I swear."

    A shallow smile found my lips. And I was up, regarding her quietly. "I guess we will have to see about that. But I''ll have to warn you, I only just created this spell, and you are my very first, so it''ll hurt like nothing you''ve ever experienced in your miserable and pathetic life, Thea. You should prepare yourself for that," I drew closer to her ears, whispering. My eyes met with Thea''s and there was an instant glint of fear in them.

    My smile deepened as my hands cupped her head, focusing on her temples. My blue eyes prated hers, and I began chanting, never leaving Thea''s fearful brown eyes.

    It didn''t take long before her screaming filled the air from the unbearable pain she was feeling. She was right. She had spelled her mind, ensuring no one barged through. But I could find my way around it.

    After prodding deeper, I began to see broken fragments of Thea''s early memories from her childhood. I concentrated deeper on what I was looking for, Lucius, shing through her memories with or about him, journeying to the present. And there, I found it.

    Thea had sent a message to Lucius. He was in the West, gathering his army. We already knew that. I prodded deeper and found out he was going to attack in a few days. Her memories were in broken pieces and vague.

    I stumbled upon another memory where she was in bed with someone and was talking to that person. I couldn''t see his face quite clearly, but it wasn''t Killian. It was her lover. I moved past it, hurrying to her recent memories past the time I fought her, and when Killian had spoken to her in the dungeon.

    I was getting to the end of her memories so far, and suddenly, I froze. The face I had never expected shed through Thea''s mind.

    I went after him but Thea was fighting back, pushing me out of her mind. No. It couldn''t be. He was her lover, and he was here to see her. I couldn''t get past every word in their conversation, but I had gotten what I came here for.

    I jerked out of her mind. Thea was already bleeding profusely from her nose.

    "What the hell did you see?" She yelled, fighting against the shackles as I backed away.

    "There''s no way you''ll win this war, Thea. Much to my delight, your end is closer than you think," I voiced, turning to the door.

    "I will end you, bitch. I''ll fucking kill you!" I paid no mind to Thea''s words, I ced Valerie''s spell in order and lifted mine before finally leaving the dungeon.

    Killian was already waiting for me outside.

    "How did it go?" He asked the second I was out, and we began strolling to the castle.

    "We have to be prepared, Killian. Word has been sent to Luciusst night. He''s attacking tonight," I informed Killian, as he snaked his hands around my waist.

    "We will be prepared-" he started but I stopped him.

    "That''s not all," I continued. "I know who Thea''s lover is," Killian''s brows were crippled with curiosity." And trust me, you won''t like it."

    "Who is he?" He spoke slowly, already guessing from the visit Thea had this morning.

    We knew somehow Thea''s lover would find a way to see her, so Killian had no choice but to monitor the warriors'' shift himself. There were no recorded visits, but only one warrior had briefly stepped inside to see Thea.

    "It''s him, isn''t it? He''s the bloody traitor in our midst the whole time. I never thought he could betray me like this," Killian was vibrating with rage, but his voice was surprisingly calm.

    "Thea isn''t just his lover, Killian, Thea is his mate," I added.

    "What?"

    I nodded. "She''s his mate and she''s having his pup."

    "That''s not possible. I was with Thea for months, how on earth was he able to bear that?" He sounded.

    "What are you going to do now?" I asked, and Killian sighed, turning to me.

    "We''ll take care of Lucius first, and then, I''ll personally deal with him," he kissed me, and we walked into the castle.

    Killian called for a meeting with the Court and warriors, informing them of Lucius'' sudden attack tonight.

    I informed Valerie about this as well, and what we found out about Thea''s mate. We didn''t know what he would do now, knowing we are aware of Lucius'' sudden attack, so I ced a few witches to watch his every move and ensure there was nomunication between Thea''s mate and Lucius in any way.

    While Lorenzo and I went around the pack''s territorial borders and strengthened the boundary spells.

    Ria, Nate, and some of the warriors helped prepare the underground casements in the castle to house the women, children, and elderlies that won''t be fighting in the war tonight. We also brought in the women, children, and elderlies from the vige pack. We had no idea how far the fight would spread.

    Hopefully, if everything goes as nned, Lucius'' armies wouldn''t be able to make it far to the castle and Packhouse.

    The hours went by in a hurry, forcing the sun out of the sky. It was already twilight. And any second from now, Lucius''s armies would attack.

    Frankly, the Pack''s armies would be outnumbered by Lucius''s armies since he had gathered warriors from several allied packs of his.

    But our first line of defense was the witches. Hopefully, we could cut down the number of Lucius''s armies before they made it to our borders.

    I was at the witches'' spell room in the witches'' quarters when Kaiser walked in.

    I lifted my head in surprise, gazing behind him.

    "No one saw mee through," he said before I could even utter a word. I went to him and embraced him.

    "Leonardo wants to find out why you didn''t send word about Lucius''s attack?" He spoke.

    "It had escaped my mind with everything going on today," I roved to the window.

    "I can understand that, She, but you have to be careful. Remember, as much as Lucius ising after

    that idiot, he''s after you too," Kaiser muttered, and I nodded.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    "I know. But I can''t abandon my pack and mate. And besides, I have a good feeling about this war, and Lucius will finally pay for everything he has done to us," I turned to Kai. "And for that, I need both you and Leonardo''s help."

    Kai rolled his eyes, furiously. "No. We are not joining this bloody war against Lucius to help your mate."

    "Kai- " I was about to plead more when several golden bright glows appeared in the sky. From afar it

    looked like balls of fire, but on a second look, it wasn''t.

    Fuck. They were fireballs scattered in the sky, and some were heading straight at us.

    "Kai!" I yelled in fear as it gotrger in my crystal blue stones.

 Chapter 136

    Chapter 136

    She''s point of view

    "Kai!" I yelled in fear, at the fireballs scattered in the sky aiming for different parts of the pack. This was going to cause great destruction and deaths.

    I left Kai and turned for the door. I hurried out of the court, stepping into the night''s darkness and blue sky as one of the fireballs headed for the witches'' quarters.

    I used my magic and held its force, redirecting it back to where it wasing from.

    I nced around. Some of the fireballs were redirected by the witches scattered around in the pack while some exploded against the earth, causing destruction.

    I turned to Kai. "Lucius has resources and we are clearly outnumbered. Help us, Kai, please. We need witches, warriors, and resources, otherwise, Lucius will win," I said, trying to convince my brother into helping the pack.

    "Fuck it, She," I could hear him curse under his breath. His deep loving hazel eyes fell on me, regarding me. "Stay with the witches, She. I''ll see what I can do."

    A small smile fell on my lips.

    *****

    Thea''s point of view

    I held on tightly. Shutting my eyes closed. I knew it was only a matter of time before Lucius struck and the entire pack fell into ruins.

    I couldn''t stop the blissful smile that left my lips. Whatever ns Lucius had for that bastard, Killian. I would dly ept it.

    I had never thought I would be able to find someone who hated Killian as much as I did. Lucius despised Killian to the core and his only drive and goal has always been to conquer Killian''s pack and make his life a living hell.

    My smile deepened as I envisioned Killian''s demise at the end of this war.

    It didn''t take me by surprise when I heard hasty steps draw closer to the dungeon and the door jerked open in hurry.

    I pulled my eyes open and theynded on my lover.

    He moved with speed to my side. "The war has begun. Lucius and his army have begun to attack. We must leave amidst the chaos going on in the pack. Killian won''t even realize our escape until it''s toote."

    I crinkle my perfect thick brows as he spilled his nonsense while unbinding the chains that confined me to this bloody chair. And with onest pull, I waspletely free.

    I smiled to myself, flexing my fingers and massaging my wrists. I was up from the chair, feeling my aching legs and sore feet.

    "Where''s Killian?" I asked sharply.

    "Outside," he muttered.

    "And the bitch?"

    "I don''t know. Maybe at the witches'' quarters," he replied again.

    And I smiled. "Just great," I sidestepped him but he gripped my arm almost immediately.

    "Where are you going?" He rushed stupidly that I couldn''t stop myself from rolling my eyes.

    "We are in the middle of a fucking war. I want to find that bitch and teach her a lesson first. Don''t worry. I won''t kill her, the Dark Lord himself will do the honors," I walked away to the door but he hurried behind me and gripped me again just as we stepped outside the dungeon into the rocky narrow path.

    "No, Thea. You are pregnant. And you promised we''ll be out of here the second Lucius attacks," he muttered, and angrily, I stole my arm back from him.

    "Stop being a fucking idiot. I''m never leaving this ce. Lucius would win this war, and what do you think? That I would walk out of the opportunity of seeing Killian and his fucking mutts in this rotten dungeon. Well dearest, no. I''m not leaving," I couldn''t stop myself from shouting. He was being his usual annoying self.

    I looked away from him. Inhaling deeply. I was really free; I could feel my magic now.

    "Thea, you are pregnantˇŞ" He began but I abruptly cut through his words.

    "Enough with that rubbish! This little thing''s magic inside of me will be useful in destroying that bitch. You should be proud of your pup. I would channel its magic and end our enemies."

    "Are you fucking crazy? It''ll kill him!" he muttered, eyes zing with a rage I had never seen in his eyes.

    "Well, if that''s the case, so be it," I replied back. I didn''t have the time for this. He should be ted I haven''t gotten rid of the imbecile within me yet. I mean, I was greatly tempted to. At least this way, he would die being useful," I took the narrow path and burst outside the dungeon gates.

    My eyes fell on the blood and unconscious bodies of the warriors stationed outside the dungeon. I turned to him; his eyes blinded with rage. "You should have killed them."

    "Thea, I won''t let you use that child for such nonsense," he sounded and Iughed.

    "How the hell will you stop me?" I said in-betweenughs, my face suddenly hardening. "Don''t be stupid, I will not hesitate one bit to end your miserable life, along with this bastard you call a child. Don''t make me furious, or you''ll regret it!"

    "You''ll be incapable of doing that, I am your mate!"

    "Do you realize how stupid you sound? Let me spell this out for you clearly. I only needed you because I was after Killian, and you were a god-damned idiot to fall for everything I saidˇŞ" before I could finish speaking, he grabbed me by the neck and mmed me against the wall. But it only made meugh harder.

    "You are crazy and despicable, Thea."

    "Did you only realize it now? Let go of me, I know you can''t kill me. I''m your mate after all, isn''t it?" I smiled in satisfaction watching as he wrestled between his rage for me, and whatever these crazy mate bond made him feel for me.

    Soon, he pulled away.

    "Good boy. Now find Killian and deliver him straight to Lucius," I ordered, sauntering away. I had more important things to attend to.

    I could already hear the loud growls and chaos from outside the walls. I took a nce at my dress. It was all bloody and dirty, but it''ll do. I used the quickest path out of the castle, taking the woods to the witches'' quarters to find that bitch. But I didn''t have to go that far as my eyes noticed her under the moonlit sky.

    She was pretty upied, fighting alongside the witches, that way, she was able to make use of her magic.

    I moved behind the shade of tall trees, aiming for her. My hands fell on my t stomach, and I began to chant under my breath. I needed all the magic I could get to put that bitch in her ce. I could only hope I won''t be tempted to end her life just yet.

    My eyes glowed brightly as I could gain ess to the magic and life growing within me. And my eyesnded on the bitch once more, and using my magic, I pulled her from the fight, deep into the woods where it''ll be just me and her.

    I rushed deeper into the woods, just in time to watch hernd steadily on the earth.

    She''s glowing blue eyes fell on me. "Thea," she called, she was anything but surprised. "I was wondering what was taking you so long."

    "I didn''t know you missed me," I took several steps closer to her, when suddenly, a ring of blue fire, matching the bitchˇŻs blue crystals, encircled us.

    "This doesn''t scare me," I bit out, regarding her.

    "Well, it should, Thea. Because you are not stepping out alive. I promise," she voiced slowly, and in an instant, attacked me.

    I blocked swiftly, bncing quickly when she attacked violently again.

    She fiercely shot magical waves of energy at me, but I swiftly evaded them, she was really aiming to kill. I retaliated, sending back with a series of fiery attacks but she just dismissed every one of my attacks with ease.

    I never expected her to be this strong, but I wasn''t going to give up. I drew every single dark energy that I could conjure up to create lightning at her, but she easily dodged it, and in an instant, I felt a rough push, sending me crashing deeper into the woods, my whole body ached from the impact of the push.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    And there was the tramp, her eyes glowed furiously as she stood before me with a knowing smile on her lips. With movements of her fingers, she lifted me up and tossed me around from one end to another like a weightless rag doll. I could feel blood trickle down from my forehead as I cried for it to be over, and then it was. I could feel her squeezing my windpipe as I struggled and gasped for air.

    In an instant, she moved with speed, using her wolf''s speed, grabbing me by the throat. I was so close to her that I could see the enormous magical energy radiating off her. I channeled more from the bastard inside of me, sucking out its life force, when She''s hold on me weakened and her eyes furrowed.

    "You despicable thing, I can''t believe you''re killing your own child," she muttered and I immediately used the opportunity to free myself from her, using my magic to send her flying across the yard.

    But she found her bnce andnded gracefully on her boots. A smile found my lips, and instantly, I was sted against the tree by surprise.

    The blue fire around surrounded me, and She took hold of my body, lifting me in the air. I screamed in pain as I felt my insides crush hard against each other. It was as if my bones were contorting.

    She dropped me down carelessly, while I was left struggling for air.

    I watched as she conjured up water from thin air and then turned them into solid razor-sharp icicles aiming them at me.

    "Noˇ­ don''t do this," I cried, as thousands of ice impaled me, and it was as though my soul had vanished from my body.

 Chapter 137

    My amber orbs gleamed a dangerous shade of red, my vision glowed red as well. I made full use of my wolf''s side, plucking out the heads of Lucius''s rogues and witches that attacked. My sharp elongated nails dripped with their disgusting thick crimson blood.

    I pulled out the heart of an idiotic rogueing at me, my eyes flickered to Allen and Jax in a fight with rogues as well.

    My ws were dripping wet. I nced around as my army fought against Lucius''s army. It was already dead in the night, and the foul odor of blood and stench of death mixed with the midnight air.

    We''ve been fighting for quite some time but so far, there''s been no sign of Lucius. I tried mind-linking She, but it was not connecting. I was getting worried. I left in search of her. I knew she had to be at the witches'' quarters, fighting alongside the witches, at least, that way, she would be able to use her magic.

    I was racing through the woods, my body and bare chest smeared with blood. I was almost at the quarters when I felt and heard the fast movements against the trees, it caused me to halt instantly. And immediately, I had a hunch who it could be. Lucius.

    I was sharing partial control with Ryker, my inner wolf eyes scanned the surroundings, and I noticed two shadows against the trees in the darkness.

    "Come on, Lucius, the least you could do is face me, bastard!" I yelled into the darkness, and I heard a few sounds from behind.

    I swirled around and it fell on the bastard I''d been wanting to see. But he wasn''t alone. He hadpany. It was a woman, and from the manner she was dressed, I reckon she was a bloody witch.

    I walked deeper into therge meadow with the moon dancing from its tall tower. The woman in a ck cloak took a few steps forward as well, prepared to fight. And I was prepared as well with my ws out.

    I had to get past her to get to the imbecile smirking delightfully behind her. The woman moved so fast and speedily, as she instantly created a sting force with her magic and directed it at me.

    Before it could hit me, I felt a sharp movement move from behind me, stopping a few feet in front of me. It was Lorenzo, and I couldn''t be happier to see him.

    He used his magic to create some kind of shield, protecting us from the witch''s force, and immediately, he created a force of his, directing it to the witch who was unable to block swiftly.

    The force threw her against the tree, but she was up quickly. Lorenzo tilted his head to me, nodding, informing me he would take care of the witch.

    A smile spread on my lips, as my eyes narrowed on Lucius who had retreated into the woods. I lept in the air, using my wolf''s abilities, I moved swiftly against the trees, tailing Lucius and I got him.

    I crashed hard against him unexpectedly, flipping and tossing him against the tree, but he was quick to take control of his body andnded gracefully on his leather boots before crashing.

    The bright moon glowed radiantly from the sky, illuminating the sick, disgusting smirk on Lucius''s lips.

    "Killian bloody Reid," He positioned himself before me. His voice holding venom and eyes gleaming darkly.

    I had never imagined Lucius'' ruthlessness and apparent greed could take him this far. The feud between us had always existed since the second I took the reins of the pack. We both had thergest Pack in the whole of North Central, and Lucius hated it. He had always wanted to conquer my territory as he did sessfully to thousands, and he was fucking mistaken to think he could ever seed.

    I was burning with rage for so many reasons, amongst which, was what this imbecile had done to She all her years of being in his pack. And I was hell-bent on making him suffer for that too.

    "You think you can take me on, boy?" He was still smiling and I hated the loose smile on his disgusting lips.

    "Stop talking, Lucius," I bit out calmly, despite my rage. Lucius'' sharp ws extended from his hands, as I lunged at him, but he was swift to dodge.

    His sharp ws grabbed me by my neck, punching my face while having us move around in fast motion. At hisst attempt, I blocked his punch, mming him against a sturdy trunk of a tree. He had a lot of strength. I got up quickly, just in time to dodge the attacking at me. My elongated razor ws dive deep at him at my fastest speed, tearing open his neck.

    Lucius groaned as his ws grazed the sides of my ribs.

    He attacked me brutally, nibbling on my neck. I broke free and aimed again for his wounded neck with my elongated ws.

    I attacked him, wing at his stomach. His leather vest ripped open as he growled. I barred my fangs at him and ripped his flesh out.

    I pounced at him but he evaded, and we engaged in another chase and fight. Lucius charged at me more fiercely and viciously than he did before. His fangs bruised my skin and my neck.

    I threw him off me. He was bleeding profusely, and before me, he shifted into his brown wolf.

    I gave Ryker fill control, shifting and getting down on all four paws. Lucius growled, charging at me with his bloody canines. I moved, charging at him with matching speed. We leapt in the air, and Ryker and I barred our ws into him, tearing deep into his furry brown skin.

    Blood stters everywhere, smearing the earth. Before wended ungracefully on the earth, Ryker''s sharp canines clung hard at his neck, never letting go as we attempted to rip its head off its body.

    Lucius'' wolf whimpered, badly wounded and losing so much blood. With a little more tugging by Ryker, we managed to make a terminal injury on his neck, almost sessfully having its head off.

    Lucius''s wolf whimpered again, shaking on the ground until it stopped moving. His terminal injuries forced his wolf to shift back to his human form. Lucius was a bloody mess, bleeding from everywhere.

    I shifted back to my human form. I moved to his motionless body, cing a finger on his wounded neck. I couldn''t feel his pulse. He was dead. Lucius Caso was dead.

    I was up, my amber eyes taking in his lifeless body for thest time when one of the warrior''s mind-linked me that Thea had escaped.

    I shut my eyes. I knew this would happen. He had broken her free. And I knew Thea Chrysler, the first person she would go after was She. But I wasn''t worried. I knew exactly what the oue would be, and Thea may not make it through the night.

    I hastened towards the witches'' quarters, and before I could reach the quarters, my eyes took in both Thea and my mate, She from afar.

    She had Thea''s battered and almost lifeless body against the tree, her sharp ws were digging into Thea''s chest. From the other side of the woods, I saw Thea''s lover move speedily, aiming for She.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    I moved quickly, crashing hard against him, tossing him against a tree. I couldn''t possibly describe my emotions when I learned about his betrayal this morning.

    I had suspected it when he went into Thea''s dungeon at midnight. But frankly, hearing of his betrayal from She''s lips broke me.

    I would never have expected it to be him. Not even in my wildest thought would I have considered him.

    He pulled up from the ground, but before he could stand properly, I gripped him by his neck.

    "Killian, don''t!" I heard She''s voice from behind. She had been the reason I fought the urge and rage to confront him all morning. I had questions. I wanted to look him straight in the eyes, asking him how he could possibly betray us all, and endanger the lives of the people he grew up with, iming to be family.

    My eyes didn''t break away from his traitorous ones. "How could you betray us allˇ­" I held his dark gaze, even his name found it difficult to leave my lips. "... Mason?" I bit out.

    His hands tightened around myrge hands that gripped his throat. "Thea is my mate, Killian," he struggled to set himself free.

    "Precisely my point," I held onto him tighter. "She''s your fucking mate. You should have said something the second you found out, instead of bing her fucking aplice, and betraying the pack!"

    "Do you think I was fucking enjoying it?" He broke out of my grip, attacking me with his fist. But I dodged it. "I had to put up with you, fucking my very own mate, acting as though she was yours and treating her as worthless as a scum!"

    "And whose fault was that? If you hade to me, none of these fucking mess would have happenedˇŞ"

    "And Thea would be dead. Think whatever you want, Killian, but Thea is my mate and you of all people should understand what that means, I had no choice!"

    I understood what that meant. She was my life and whatever the fucking case be, I would choose her over the world if the need came. But I also knew what I felt when I thought there was something between She and Kaiser. I couldn''t even begin to imagine how Mason could have felt every time I was with Thea. I would die before any other male touched She.

    "Thea is pregnant with my pup, please don''t kill her," he turned to She, who was now having Thea by the throat.

    "I''m really sorry, Mason," She held Thea tighter by the neck, making Thea groan in pain. "Your child is dead," her words sounded into the darkness.

    I felt Mason be still. "What?"

    "Thea killed him. She channeled its magic and sucked every life from it," She added, tossing Thea''s body against the rugged earth.

    Thea copsed on it, coughing out blood. Mason rushed to her.

    "T-TheaˇŞ" his voice was vibrating with emotions as he held Thea''s battered body in his arms. "You didn''t, please tell me you didn''tˇ­"

    Thea clung onto him tightly, nudging closer to his ears. "M-Mason," she coughed in a whisper. "T-This isn''t over. I-I need you. That''s the least you could do," she muttered, barely above a whisper. Her brown eyes now pulled up to stare deeply into Mason''s eyes. "That''s the least you could do, you worthless bastard."

    She gripped his face roughly, her brown irises ignited brown mes and she began channeling Mason to get her strength back.

    Before I could move, She ripped her off him, using her magic on Thea. She''s eyes were on Thea, and she began choking on her blood, screaming in pain, crumbling to her knees.

    Her screams filled the air, as she was writhing in so much pain, bleeding from her eyes, her nose, and almost everywhere.

    Whatever She was doing to her had her in a lot of agonizing pain. Thea''s body was trembling, as she brought her hands to her chest, as if in an attempt to stop her heart from jumping out from her chest.

    "S-Stop," she spoke in a whisper, I could feel her life escaping from her. And with one final sound from her lungs, Thea copsed against the ground. Dead.

 Chapter 138

    Killian''s point of view

    It was already morning, and the sun appeared above the Eastern horizon. I moved past the bloody mess on the ground, scattered around the pack. Lifeless bodies of Lucius''s army of both rogues and witches. More than half of his army was all dead, few escaped while a few were taken as prisoners. Lucius was dead. His death gave me great joy and satisfaction. Finally, he was able to pay for every damned wrong he did to She.

    I felt a rush of calmness within me. We did not only win the war Lucius started, but we also managed to put an end to the terrible things that had been urring in the pack, along with Thea.

    I left the castle and joined Morgan at the Packhouse where the warriors were disposing of the bodies.

    "How are things going?" I turned to Morgan whose green eyes were already on me.

    "The oue is better than I had imagined. We lost a few warriors, while the wounded ones are being taken care of by the Pack''s physician, and the witches," he voiced.

    "I''ll make preparations for the burial rites of those we lost," I said.

    "What are we going to do with him?" Morgan asked with raised brows. He didn''t need to say his name, I knew exactly who he was talking about. Mason. I had asked myself that question countless times.

    Presently, Mason was being held in custody at the castle. Only a few knew about his betrayal and the role he yed in helping Thea aplish all her ns. His silence and actions had ced the entire pack in danger countless times, resulting in the loss of many innocent lives from the pack. Mason deserved to be punished as well, and the punishment for his actions and betrayal by the rules of the pack was instant death. But does he really deserve it?

    Frankly, I didn''t know. But one thing I knew was if I had been in a situation to choose between She and the entire world, I would choose her. Always. And that was exactly what Mason did. He chose his mate. And in a way, Thea used him as well to aplish all her evil ns which She and the pack was a victim of. But Mason as well as a victim.

    I sighed, shaking my head. "I haven''t decided yet. And the court isn''t aware of his involvement yet."

    Morgan nodded. "I''m just really d this nightmare is over."

    I smiled at him. "Me too, brother."

    I left the Packhouse, sauntering to the witches'' quarters. She was there, and there was someone else I wanted to see.

    I reached the courtyard, and from a distance in one of the courts, I sighted Enzo with the very person I wanted to see. Kaiser ck.

    I approached them, nodding my head to Lorenzo, and my eyes fell on Kai''s deep hazel.

    "Look who we have here," Kaiser muttered under his breath, but both Enzo and I could hear him.

    "I was looking for you," I said to him, and Lorenzo excused himself.

    "You''ve found me. Don''t tell me you are here to personally kick me out of your territory?" Kaiser''s eyes dwelt on me, as they regarded me with the usual glint of hate. He leaned slightly against the pir.

    "I didn''te all the way here for that," I said, sounding calmer than I expected, as I struggled with the words about to let loose from my lips. "Thank you. I could sniff the scent of your warriors around the pack. They also helped in winning this war."

    "Don''t be mistaken. I didn''t bring my warriors because of you. They were only here to protect my sister. I wouldn''t give a f**k if your pack burnt to the ground and became nothing more than ashes," Kaiser''s voice alone was enough to convey his true emotions to me. And I understood. I knew what he did changed nothing between our packs, but despite the hate between us, he helped, and that''s what I chose to see. "I know you probably didn''t want to help, and I know you did it for your sister, but that doesn''t matter. You helped anyway, so thank you," I uttered, and Kaiser was about to say something but stopped immediately She walked to us.

    "I should leave now, sister," he went to She, embracing her, before escaping into the woods. Sometimes I wonder just how he sneaks into my territory unseen.

    I pulled my attention away from him, and back to She, wrapping my arms around her.

    "Thank you," I whispered against her lips, digging her soft body deeper into my chest.

    She''s perfectly shaped brows creased, "What for?"This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    A smile found my lips, inhaling deeply. I didn''t even know where to start. I was just being thankful for everything.

    My hands cupped her tender rosy cheeks. "For everything, She," I said, kissing her sweet soft lips gently. "I love you," I whispered slowly through our link.

    *****

    She''s point of view

    I weaved my way through the crowds of people grinding on the dancefloor, swaying to the sting rhythm of the beats that sounded loudly throughout the pack. The neonmps that were decorated all around the hall illuminated the people''s fancy dresses and masks. It was a masquerade ball in which many delightful guests from our region and beyond graced the pack with their presence.

    I joined Brielle, Ria, and the girls on the dancefloor, allowing my body to sway to the rhythm of the beats. I was having so much fun. It was the first time since the war the pack was throwing a feast. And it was well deserved. Just the thought of having nothing to worry about was gratifying and absolutely marvelous. And I loved it. I wanted things to be like this. Always.

    The gates of my eyes were shut closed, as I kept swaying my body around, moving my hips around when I felt strong arms grip them.

    I moaned internally at the sweet sparks that ignited against the thin velvet dress I was wearing. His strong hands began to glide up and down my hips, providing a sweet sensation to my body that I found myself leaning back into his arms.

    I felt his arms snake around my waist, digging me closer to his hard-toned chest. His lips found my neck, assaulting it with pleasing kisses that forced me to throw my head backward, giving him full ess.

    My body was vibrating with an insane need that I had no name for. He spun me around firmly, holding me closer in his strong arms and muscr body.

    My eyes fell briefly on the mask that was covering half of his face. My body burned for more as he skillfully ran his hands up and down my body for the sweet stimtion I craved for.

    I didn''t let go. My slender hands clutched hard onto his neck, caressing his broad shoulder des. And with much vigor, his lips captured mine. Every kiss of his held a simr need and want. I kissed him back harder and suddenly, the music stopped.

    I gasped, breaking free from his kiss, backing a breath away to allow myself some air. I lifted my eyes to the mask that covered his face, locking his gaze with his obsidian ck eyes, and in the middle was a blinding torch of golden mes. It was him, the beast from my dreams. The Dark Lord himself!

    My body became numb and frozen in his arms immediately. I was unable to pull away from those bright golden irises of his that were regarding me with the most fascinating stare. My heart began to pound hard in my ears as I jerked away from his arms. I nced around the hall and everyone became still, as if frozen in time. He stood still, watching me with a heated gaze for a while, before taking slow calcted steps closer to me. His tall body towering over me. I looked up at him through my longshes as he leaned closer to me so that I could feel his musky breath on me.

    Our surroundings began to change. The sea of bodies that surrounded us began to vanish from sight, and in less than a second, we were no longer at the grand hall. We were somewhere else, in arge court with chairs arranged in a circr order. The ce was dark, only a few torches were lit around.

    My heartbeat skyrocketed as I nced around frantically. The court had tall ck windows that fought against any form of light that attempted to seep inside.

    Then slowly, my eyes fell on therge symbol that was carefully engraved on the wall. It was a detailed drawing of a ck dragon that symbolizes the circle. My eyes widened.

    "Wee home, my beloved," he whispered almost seductively in my ears.

    No. No. What the hell is happening?

 Chapter 139

    She''s point of view

    My heart was jumping in my chest and suddenly, I couldn''t breathe, as his golden irises bored down at me with an indescribable emotion in his depth.

    I shot upright on my bed, my hair and body damp from sweat under my night dress. It was just a dream. I swallowed several deep breaths, cing my hand over my chest as I tried to calm my heavy panting. But I just couldn''t. I couldn''t even quell the vibrations from my body. I didn''t know if it was from fear or confusion.

    It''s been a long time since Lucius'' abrupt war I had one of these dreams. And that was almost three weeks ago. I had spelled my dreams and ensured whatever madness was going on in there stopped, and it did. Or at least, I thought it did.

    I sighed, resting my elbows on my thighs while using my hands to rub my face. My heart and thought were in an uproar. I kept on swallowing some air, as my body vibrated more. I couldn''t lie, for the first time in my life, I felt angst. Even Adie felt the same way. Something about this dream was both wrong on different levels, and at the same time, confusing and terrifying.

    I jerked on the bed in shock from hearing the knock that came at the door.

    It took a short while before I could speak. "Come in," the door pushed open, and Ria stuck her head in between the door.

    "What? You are not ready?" She voiced with a frown, kicking the door a little so that she could walk in properly with therge box that stood in her hands.

    "Oh Ria," I was undoubtedly happy she was here. She moved to the table, dropping the box beforeing to the bed. The second she was within my reach, I copsed in her arms, craving a warm embrace, with hopes to stop whatever was going on in my body, and mind.

    "She, what''s going on?" I heard her speak softly, leaning further into my embrace. But I didn''t speak. I couldn''t possibly begin to exin anything.

    She held on to me for a while before we pulled apart. The vibrating from my body had turned down, and I was grateful for the fact that I had more control over my emotions or this ce would be inplete ruins.

    "What happened?" Ria''s question came at me, her toneced with worry.

    "Oh, forgive me, please," I brushed my face with my palm.

    "It''s nothing," she spoke softly, staring at me. "Are you alright?"

    I nodded. "Just a bad dream," I managed to say and Ria''s smile appeared.

    "Well, that''s nothing. It''s just a dream. And good thing I came just in time. You''ve been sleeping for hours, and the Alpha asked me to check up on you," at her words, I became aware of everything around me.

    I was in the chamber Killian and I now share. My eyes fell onto the draperies, folded against each other, allowing me to see only a little through the window.

    My eyes widened. It was way past noon. I can''t believe I slept so much.

    "Alpha Killian wanted you to have more rest, he said you were exhausted," she spoke quickly as if reading my thoughts.

    I nodded, pulling out from the bed.

    "Oh, yes. Before I forget, I have something that would put you in a good mood," she pointed at the box.

    I raised a brow. "What''s in there?"

    "Your dress and everything you''ll need for the ball," Ria muttered, almost screaming from excitement.

    "What ball?" I blurted out absentmindedly. As the words left my lips, I remembered.

    My blue eyes shot up, as my racing heart mounted a race, and panic settled right away.

    "She," Ria was up immediately from the bed, rushing to me.

    "No, I''m fine," I stopped her halfway in a breathless voice. "I''ll be right back," I hurried to the washing room, sshing some water on my face as I fought hard to control myself.

    My eyes fell on the mirror in front of me, no matter how I tried, nothing was working. I hadpletely forgotten about tonight''s feast. It was a ball. We had exhausted ourselves and spent yesterday making preparations for it, as many guests would be attending from the Council and within North Central and beyond.

    I pressed a hand to my chest, struggling to breathe. My eyes never left my reflection in the mirror as my emotions kept spiraling out of control and in an instant, a sharp sound echoed within the corner walls and several cracks appeared in the mirror, splitting me into several reflections of myself.

    "Snap out of this. It''s just a dream. Just a dream. Only a dream and nothing more," I repeated, my eyes not breaking free from the several reflections in the mirror as I tried to convince myself that the terrible feeling in my chest had nothing to do with my dream. I sighed, feeling my body and emotions calming down. It was only a dream, like the others I had back in my brother''s pack. I had spelled myself heavily, so, I didn''t understand why it came back.

    No matter how much I convinced myself, I couldn''t lie to myself nor dismiss the feeling in my chest. Adie was right. None of these were normal, and I couldn''t stay quiet. I needed help.

    I stripped from my night clothing, opting for a cold shower, and swiftly, I was done. I donned a robe and stepped out.

    I didn''t find Ria there, but Killian was waiting for me. He came to me, kissing me. I kissed him back. I couldn''t stop the guilt that tightened my chest as the image of me kissing that bastard shed through my mind, and I abruptly broke free from Killian''s kiss. "Are you alright?" He asked, his thumb gently holding my chin and I had no choice but to stare into his beautiful eyes.

    "It''s nothing, Killian, I just-"

    "Had a terrible dream," I gazed up at him, surprised. "Ria told me, and she was worried, and that worried me."

    I smiled weakly. "It''s just a dream. I''ll be fine," I voiced, knowing I didn''t believe any of my words. How normal is it to have dreams about someone I''ve never met?

    "Not very normal. And I had told you, didn''t I?" Came Adie''s voice in my head. But I didn''t dare argue with her. I had no strength for that, and, she was absolutely right.

    "You don''t look well," Killian''srge palm cupped my cheek. "We could cancel the ball and have it when you feel better."

    I would have loved that. Sincerely, I wasn''t in any mood to party, and receive guests. It would be great if we canceled it, and also selfish on my part. Everyone in the pack was looking forward to it. This was the first time we were having a party since the war, and I didn''t want to ruin the fun for everyone, and a lot of people were already informed and would be attending.

    "Everyone has put in so much work and time already. We can''t cancel it," I said.

    Killian brushed back the damp locks of my hair that stuck to my face. "What''s the point of having a party if you don''t feel well? It''s not a problem. I will cancel it."

    "Don''t do that. It''s fine. I just need to shake this off and prepare for tonight," I said, kissing him. "You have many things to tend to, so go now, I''ll join you soon," I pecked his lips, sending him off.

    I got dressed in one of my blue dresses, giving my hair the attention it needed, allowing it to fall down my shoulders. I fastened my ankle boots and hurried out of my chamber, heading straight to Valerie''s spell room.

    I used my magic and opened the door, suddenly stopping abruptly at the door, seeing the mess around the spell room.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "Valerie, what''s happening?" I went to where she was next to one of her shelves, tossing around some of the books on it.

    "Don''t mind me, I''m searching for something," she sent a nce my way, focusing back on the shelf. I looked around at the mess created by several books on the floor. Whatever she was looking for was probably very important. "What brings you here?"

    "I don''t know if I''m going insane, but there''s something that''s been bothering me, Val, and I feel it in my bones. It''s bad," I said, and Valerie''s eyes darted to me. She stopped what she was doing, taking a good look at me. "What is it?" She asked softly, and I sighed.

    "I had a terrible dream. Or rather, I''ve been having some dreams," I began as Valerie''s purple eyes held onto my words. "And every one of them is about him," I paused, wrapping my hands around my arms. "The Dark Lord." "What?!"

 Chapter 140

    She''s point of view

    Valerie''s blue eyes became heated on me. "What are you saying?" She shifted from the shelf, giving me her full attention.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "The dreams started not long ago, and I thought I had put an end to it-" I started but Valerie cut me off.

    "What do you mean by putting an end to it?" She asked, and I could feel the uneasiness in her entire aura, and earnestly it was affecting me.

    "I spelled myself, stopping whatever madness that was, and for a while, it worked, but somehow it''s back," I said, looking her in the eyes. "I had a dream about him again, and oh, Val, it felt so real," I confessed as the bad feeling in my chest grew more. Valerie ced two of her fingers against her temple. I could see the sh of fear in her eyes but she was trying desperately to hide it.

    "Alright. Let''s calm down, She," she muttered, leading me away from the shelf, and back to her table. "How can you be sure it was the Dark Lord?" She asked, regarding me. "Firstly, it''s not even possible. You don''t know him and have no idea how he looks, so tell me, how can you be so sure it''s him?"

    I shook my head. "That''s the problem, Valerie, that''s exactly what has me like this. I have never met the man in my whole years of existence, so it''s remotely impossible to have dreams about him. But he''s the one. I really don''t know how I even know this, but it''s him," I muttered, unable to keep my legs still, I began stalking the floors.

    Valerie was quiet. Awfully and disturbingly quiet. "Tell me every one of those dreams, She," she came to me, pulling my hand gently to the chairs around the table.

    I settled on one of the chairs opposite hers. I didn''t even know how to start. Every one of those dreams involved me making love to the Dark Lord, a man after my very life," I sighed, meeting her deep purple eyes. "There''s nothing much to say. In every one of those dreams, I either find myself kissing him or making love to him," I shut my eyes. I didn''t understand these stupid feelings that always managed to befall me whenever I had dreams about him. I had already found my mate, so why was I feeling all of these? I hated it. "Does Killian know about these dreams?" I pulled my eyes open and they fell silently on Valerie. I shook my head. Killian would go ballistic if he knew and I didn''t want to share something like that with him now when I had no idea what was going on myself. And besides, he looked incredulously happy. These few weeks after the war had made him different. More cheerful, and the happiest I had ever seen. I didn''t want this to spoil his great mood and that of the pack.

    I exhaled deeply. I was strained both mentally and physically. My eyes met Valerie''s. "This is bad, isn''t it? I can feel it. And with tonight''s ball, I''m a nervous wreck, I have this weird feeling fromst night''s dream," I remembered the dream and told Valerie about it. In the dream, he was here, right here in the pack. That alone is terrifying.

    Valerie pulled up from her seat and began pacing. She was silent and seemed to have fallen into deep thought. I let her be and simply watched her movements. And then, she stopped suddenly, turning to gaze at me.

    "She, I won''t lie, what you just told me is something unusual and dangerous. Both for you and the pack," Valerie''s words made a knot in my chest, and I swallowed a lump in my throat, nudging her to continue. "The Dark Lord isn''t someone who appears in dreams-"

    I shook my head, stopping her. "It''s him, Valerie..."

    "And I believe you. And that''s all the more reason why this is dangerous. Having such dreams about someone like him is worse than it sounds. I suggest we tell everyone," she uttered, locking eyes with me. "By everyone you mean-"

    "Your brothers, Killian, and maybe the Council," she added, making me sigh again.

    I pulled my palm to my face, hearing a sigh leave Valerie''s lips as well. "I know your concerns about tonight''s ball, She, especially with how yourst dream turned out."

    I lifted my head to her. That was what contributed to my crazed emotions now. Many people from around the region and beyond will be attending tonight''s ball. Our defenses and spells protecting the pack will be weakened, and just anyone will be able to get through. Just anyone. I didn''t like this one bit.

    Oh, goddess. I was up from my chair, realizing I made a mistake insisting Killian shouldn''t cancel the ball.

    "She, you have to calm down," Valerie was beside me, and I was doing my hardest to tune my emotions down.

    "Don''t worry. The pack will be protected tonight, I swear on my life. Just be calm. Nothing out of the ordinary will happen tonight, it''ll just be one of those balls we''ve had," Valerie''s words attempted to soothe me, and they almost did. But I just couldn''t get rid of the tug piercing my chest.

    I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Thank you so much, Valerie," I said, embracing her. I felt her hands around me briefly, before we pulled apart.

    "Now, go and get ready, and have fun," she said, pushing out a lip-tight smile, but that couldn''t fool me. She had a share of worry and maybe fear in her eyes.

    But I smiled nheless, leaving the spell room, and soon I stepped out into the evening sky. I haven''t had anything to eat all morning, and honestly, I didn''t care. Nothing would be able to go down my mouth in this state I was in.

    I left the witches'' quarters and went back to the castle in search of Morgan. I had to ensure the pack isn''tpletely vulnerable during the ball. I couldn''t find him, so I headed to Killian''s office, finding Killian in a meeting with Morgan, Allen, Xavier, Jax, and some ranking warriors in the pack.

    I joined them. Killian was already instructing them about the patrolling shifts tonight, to keep the pack protected even during the ball.

    I sighed in relief, and now he turned to Jax. Jax was now the new head of the defense team in the pack. That was Mason''s position, but with what happened during the war, Jax took over.

    Killian''s final decision on Mason, really took me by surprise. I guess Morgan too. But we epted it. Mason was asked to leave the pack. Since no one in the court and pack was aware of his betrayal and involvement in the pack, it was easier to let him leave without facing the punishment that would have been decided by the court. Only Killian, Morgan, Allen, and I knew about Mason and everything he did to help his mate, Thea.

    What Mason had done to the pack was cruel, but regardless, in a way, he was also a victim of Thea. It would have been awful having him lose his life, after losing his pup and mate. Regardless of who Thea was, the pain of losing one''s mate was unbearable. I shook away from my thoughts the second the warriors began to exit the office, leaving just Killian and me.

    "It''s not long before guests begin trooping into the pack," Killian said, ncing at the darkness that had settled in from outside the window as he came to me. "You should get ready," his arms covered me.

    "Yeah, I wanted to see you first," I pecked his lips, and an ecstatic smile appeared on his lips.

    "Missed me already?" He asked, smiling ear to ear.

    I couldn''t help but smile. "Don''t tter yourself, Killian Reid," I pecked his lips and he deepened it into a kiss.

    He pulled away to allow me to breathe, gazing into my eyes. "What''s wrong?" He asked, caressing my cheek, tenderly so that I leaned into his sweet touch.

    "We have to talk, Killian, but after tonight''s ball," I said.

    "Alright," he whispered against my lips, kissing me. "I just want you to be happy tonight, She," he told me.

    "I will be," I sounded, not even convinced with my words, and Killian felt it too.

    Before he could say anything, I drew a finger to his lips.

    "I have to get ready, Killian," I kissed him, leaving the office.

    I sauntered to my chamber, locking the door behind me. My eyes fell on the gold dress that stood on the rack. It was beautiful.

    I moved closer to it, running my fingers down its embroidered corset at the top. It matched the white and gold masquerade mask standing next to the dress.

    I sighed, my heartbeat fastening. I didn''t know why but everything about tonight''s ball gave me the chills.

 Chapter 141

    She''s point of view

    I was all dolled up already. It was night time, and the party had started. Many guests from far regions had made appearances already. And some members of the Council had attended the ball already.

    I stood in front of the tall mirror that held my reflection. I looked really beautiful in the dress Killian picked for me. It was a gold floor-length mermaid-style dress with an embroidered corset at the top. It was stunning and matched my white and gold masquerade mask. I loved it. The door pulled open and Brielle stepped in. She was all dressed up as well, and her long ck hair fell down her shoulders, stylishly.

    "It''s time," she smiled, joining me in the mirror. "There has never been so many people in the pack like tonight," she said. "Tonight''s going to be so much fun." "Yeah," I whispered to myself. I turned to her, taking her in. There was something different about her. In a good way. "You look beautiful," I told her, examining her carefully. Brielle smiled, "Thanks. You too."

    I wasn''t only talking about her gorgeous dress and look, there was a slight change in her aura and scent. I moved closer to her, taking her hand in both of my hands. Brielle''s eyes widened at my sudden action. As I held her hand, my eyes shot up and slowly moved to hers.

    I couldn''t hold back the smile eager to surface. "Brielle," I called, almost in a whisper, I could feel it. The life in her. "You are pregnant."

    Her eyes erged, shocked. "How did you know? No one knows yet, not even Allen."

    "It doesn''t matter, Brielle. I''m so happy for you," I pulled her in for a hug.

    "Thank you, She," she voiced, holding a smile of hers. Then there was a knock at the door, and Ria popped her head in.

    "Alpha Killian asked me to fetch you," she said, and I adjusted my dress, while Brielle helped me fasten my white and gold masquerade mask in ce. My wavy brown hair was pulled back into a low messy bun and I had a few loose curls framing my face, around my mask.

    "Alright, let''s go," I left the chamber with Brielle and Ria. We made our way to the grand hall on the ground floor where the party had already started.

    There were a lot of bodies staring up as we descended gracefully down the stairs. Killian was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.

    His deep amber crystals gleamed brightly as I approached him. "You look absolutely gorgeous," he took my hand and pulled it together with his lips, kissing it.

    "You look dashing as well," I said, smiling, linking my arms in his, and we made our way deeper into the hall crowded with so many people, having masquerade masks on their faces.

    Killian and I strutted to the center of the hall, he cleared his throat, gaining everyone''s attention. "Members of the ck Blood Pack and esteemed guests. Thank you for dressing up and looking stunning tonight to celebrate with us. There is enough snacks and the bar is free and open. Let''s not keep the dancefloor waiting," he shouted with joy, and the crowd apuded, screaming with joy.

    The hall became more alive as the best kind of music was yed by the entertainers. Many couples covered the dance floor.

    Killian swerved to me. "Can I have this dance?" He muttered, sending his hand to me.

    I took it and he pinned me close to his chest, and we began dancing, alongside the sea of bodies. For the first time today, I felt myself be calm, and I was starting to enjoy the ball. But everything shattered the instant I felt my body be stiff, as though I was being watched.

    I scanned the hall, feeling a pair of heated gazes on me. But I couldn''t tell where exactly it came from, or who it was from, or whether maybe I was just being paranoid because of everything that had happened today.

    I gripped hard onto Killian, trying my best to focus on him instead. We continued dancing until the music was over. Some Alphas from the south region and some members from the Council came up to meet Killian and me, requesting to see Killian briefly. Killian insisted I join in but I shook my head, insisting he went with them while I stepped out for a moment to get some air, with hopes I''d manage to see Valerie. She hadn''t made her appearance at the ball yet, and I couldn''t stop my worrisome nerves from kicking

    in.

    I watched Killian leave with hispany, and my eyes went around therge hall once again, from a great distance, I sighted Valerie. She walked into the hall with a little speed. She wasn''t dressed for the party, she was still wearing the red silken dress she had on earlier today, and she had worn a red cloak over her dress.

    She approached Lorenzo who was among the crowd, and with simr speed, both she and Lorenzo hastened out of the court.

    Something was wrong. I could almost hear the words in my thoughts, and that, unfortunately, raised the fast rate of my beating heart.

    I began to move within the crowd, heading for the exit in hopes of catching up with Valerie and Enzo, when the music changed into a slow and seductive melody, inviting more couples to the dancefloor.

    I kept weaving my way through the sea of bodies when I felt a hand mp my wrist. I gasped at the ufortable coldness, my body swerving around, mming into that of the stranger before me.

    "May I have this dance, beautiful?" My eyes fell into a pair of icy ruby irises. I creased my brows, unable to recognize him. He was wearing ck leather pants and a ck shirt with a ck mask studded with ck diamonds that covered most of his face.

    I jerked my wrist away from his hold. Even with the ck leather gloves he had on, I could still feel the intensity of his cold touch.

    "Who are you?" I asked. His gaze was intense on me, as it roamed my body seductively. Strangely, there was a certain familiarity in them.

    "One dance and you''ll find out," he closed the gap between us, and before his hands could touch me, I stopped them midair.

    "If you value your life as much, you would back off. I''m taken," I said, already starting to get irritated, and the way his eyes shed at my words, I got the feeling my words somewhat infuriated him.

    "Do you really believe that to be the truth?" He said, his tone holding a question in it. His words confused me, but I decided not to create a scene, and simply ignore him.

    "Excuse me," I turned to leave but he grabbed me by the waist, mming my body to his in a manner that forced my gaze into his eyes.

    I was in his arms and I swear to the goddess, it took me everything to be able to fight the tremble that had begun from deep within my bones as I bored into his ruby eyes. And for a fearful, yet impossible second, it felt as though I was staring into a pair of golden eyes that had always infiltrated my dreams. It felt as though I was staring straight into the Dark Lord''s eyes. But it wasn''t him. It couldn''t be him. This stranger''s aura screamed werewolf only, unlike the Dark Lord who was rumored to be a mixling. My hands fell on both sides of his arm as my touch burned him with my magic at the surface. I pushed away from his arms.

    He c****d his head to one side, studying me intensely in fascination. I hated this feeling in my chest. His gaze alone made me squirm as his eyes sought out my soul from his ck diamond mask that hid his face and the tension between us thickened.

    "Is something wrong?" Morgan''s words pierced through whatever bubble of madness had imprisoned me with this stranger. Morgan stopped beside me, cing a hand calmly on my wrist.

    There was a wicked sh of jealousy in this mysterious stranger''s depths as his eyes briefly fell on my wrist where Morgan had held me.

    "No," I muttered to Morgan, ncing briefly at the stranger. His eyes were stuck on me only, with mischief visible in them. "Come with me, Morgan."This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Morgan and I began to make our way through the crowd. I could still feel the heated gaze of the stranger, almost boring a hole in the back of my head. I nced back to where we had left him and he wasn''t there, neither could I find him in the crowd. It was almost as if he had vanishedpletely. Oh, goddess. I had to find Valerie.

 Chapter 142

    She''s point of view

    I weaved my way through the crowd, with Morgan''s hand still on my wrist.

    "What happened back there?" He asked me with his green irises on me.

    I shook my head. "Nothing," That was all I had to say. I didn''t understand what had happened back there. All I could feel was the vibrations within me, and the fearful feeling in my chest that was suffocating me. I took off my mask.

    "Hey She, take a deep breath," Morgan pulled me to a stop as he could hear the deafening banging of my heart against my chest.

    "I will, but first, I must find Valerie," I left him in a haste and headed for the tall golden doors which led me outside into the cold darkness. I couldn''t find Valerie nor Lorenzo.

    I gripped my heavy dress with my hands, pulling it up a little so I could move hastily. I was about to head for the witches'' quarters when I felt Killian''s presence.

    His scent encamped me as he held me close to him. "I''ve been looking everywhere for you."

    "Have you seen Valerie?" I asked, and his brows folded.

    "No," he paused. "Did something happen?" He rushed quickly.

    I looked around the peaceful surrounding, as there was arge crowd outside as well, having drinks and enjoying the party.

    "I don''t think so," I shook my head. "Any news from the patrolling warriors? Did they notice anything unusual?"

    Killian''s face crippled the more. "No," he cupped my cheeks. "She, this is a party and it''s meant for everyone to have fun and worry less about serious matters such as patrolling. The warriors are doing their job, and you should do yours, and have a good time." "Oh Killian," I wrapped my hands around him, inhaling his deep, intoxicating scent. It managed to calm my nerves. I brought my lips to him, kissing him.

    "I want you to have a great time, She. Your emotions have been out of control all morning and it worries me. I didn''t know what else to do, so I invited someone tonight," he said.

    His words confused me a little. "Who did you invite, Killian?"

    Killian ced a hand on my back, leading us away from the hall and into the darkness.

    "Your brother, Kaiser," he said, as we kept walking.

    "You invited Kai?" I asked again,pletely shocked and unable to believe that Killian could invite him.

    Killian stopped walking, and he nodded. "Yes. But he is unable toe in. Many members from the Council attended tonight''s ball and are inside. It''ll be very suspicious if Kaiser came in."

    My lips pressed firmly against each other, and I didn''t bother to fight the tears that stung my eyes. I guess I was just overly emotional tonight. But what Killian did tonight warmed my heart. I embraced him tightly.

    "Thank you," I whispered into his ears, "I really mean it, Killian," I pulled away, and Killian''s eyes gleamed, with a small grin on his lips.

    I knew Kaiser couldn''te in, but it was enough that he had invited my brother, a ck whom he imed to hate. If only the situation was different and I didn''t have to keep my identity hidden. But the Council hasn''t stopped searching for me.

    For some reason, Leonardo doesn''t trust them. He believes someone within the Council was working for that man, the one I''d rather not name again. Just thinking about him sends sick shivers down my spine.

    I shook out from my thoughts, and Killian pointed to a tall tree. I could already tell Kaiser was behind it.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    I left Killian and walked deeper into the darkness, closer to the tree.

    "Kai," I hurried to him, as soon as he came into full view. I sprawled my arms around him, falling into his arms. "I can''t believe you are here?" I said, pulling away as Kaiser took off the masquerade mask that was covering his face.

    "Me neither. But here I am. He invited me," he muttered, holding the mask in one hand.

    "And I''m really happy."

    "Yeah. I can imagine. He did it for you. But what''s wrong? Killian sounded urgent and worried about you. What happened?" Kai asked.

    "Oh, Kai. It''s a long story. And I will tell you everything once the party is over. But first, I need your help. Please find Valerie and Lorenzo. Help me find out what''s going on. She came in a hurry and left with Enzo, I know something is going on," I said and my brother studied me with his worried green eyes.

    "What happened, She? I can feel it, you are unsettled," he said.

    "I will tell you everything when you get back. Just find Valerie now. Please brother," I pleaded, and reluctantly, he nodded.

    Kaiser ced back his mask on his face, fastening it quickly.

    "Go back in, quickly," he added, and I nodded as he faded into the darkness.

    I held my dress, moved back to the castle, and headed to the hall. There I met Morgan and Allen in front of the tall golden doors of the hall.

    "Have you seen Killian?" I asked them. I badly wanted to see him. I don''t think I could wait for the party to be over before I spoke to him.

    "I haven''t seen-" Allen began, but Morgan''s voice sounded. "There," he said, and I followed the direction of his gaze. It led me to Killian, and he was walking to us.

    His eyes fell on Allen, and then Morgan, before finallynding on me.

    "Where did you run off to?" He asked with his stare on me heated and lips holding a smirk.

    "I need to see you," I told him, turning to Allen and Morgan. "Thanks."

    Killian''s hands were covered with leather gloves. He took my hand in his, leading us into the castle hallways. I needed somewhere private to speak to him, so I decided we should go to his office.

    I stepped in with Killian, locking the door behind me. He moved to the table at the end of the wall, taking a cursory look around.

    "Killian," I called his attention to me, moving to the table.

    Killian''s eyes fell on me, and gently he removed the leather gloves covering his hands and tossed them on the table.

    "I know I told you we should talk after the party, but I can''t wait," I said, feeling Killian''s arms around me, his palm gliding up and down the exposed skin of my arms, creating a sweet feeling. "Tell me whatever you want, darling," he urged, moving closer to him, that only a breath stood between us.

    "I''ve been having some weird dreamstely," I said, and suddenly, his movements on my arms stopped as his fathomless amber eyes gazed down at me, impelling me to continue.

    "It''s... it''s about the Dark Lord," I forced out, lifting my head to Killian''s. And the look on his face hadn''t changed, or he was simply masking his emotions cause I couldn''t feel him inside of me.

    "Interesting," he had an amusing grin on. "Do tell me, darling, what sort of dreams?" He asked, funnily, with a dark glint in the corners of his eyes.

    "Killian, I''m being serious," I said in a serious tone.

    "And so am I," he said, his eyes drinking me, in a manner that made my body heat up. "What happened in those dreams of yours?" He asked, his sweet breath fanning my lips.

    "It''s ridiculous. But don''t get mad, Killian," I warned. "In every one of those dreams, I was with him, kissing him. And I know exactly what you are going to say, but it was a dream and I had no control over it. And yes, it was him. I have never seen him, but I swear to the goddess, it was that bastard."

    Killian still didn''t say anything, and I couldn''t feel anything from him. His hands moved from my arms and held both sides of my waist, digging me into his sexy body.

    "Do tell me, how do you feel about those dreams?" His question surprised me. That was not what I was expecting from him.

    "Killian-"

    "Answer me, darling," he said, boring hard into my eyes as if wanting to take a peek at my soul.

    "Nothing," I said. I didn''t want to think about it. And I refused to. I loved Killian and I just wanted him.

    Killian''s brows raised at my reply. But he didn''t utter a word. He removed one of his hands from my waist, moving it up my body till it fell on my neck where his mark was. His eyes dwelt on it briefly, without as much touching it. Killian''s hand fell on my cheek, and he began caressing it, while his other hand pinned my body against his.

    I released a moan as his lips kissed my jawline and his hands did things to my body.

    "Kill-" I wanted to say, but he ced a finger on my lips, stopping me. His face changed to one of passion and the intensity he bored at me was thick and made me feel unfamiliar things.

    I became still in his arms, holding my breath as his eyes flickered down to my lips, before meeting my gaze once more. He leaned closer and possessed my lips fiercely.

    I could feel the need and want in his kisses, but I didn''t feel it back. My still body that seemed to have realized this became cold, and I broke free from his kiss.

    My blue eyes fell into his amber stones that I could tell weren''t his. I couldn''t move, my whole body became numb and stiff and somewhere deep down, I could already tell who he was. His faux amber eyes glistened with mischief and he could tell I had caught him.

    I parted my lips, my eyes never breaking from his. "You are not my mate, Killian,"

    His face hardened, and the air around us became gravely cold. The amber glow in his eyes broke and I could see them. Those golden eyes of his that had always invaded my dreams. Oh, no!

 Chapter 143

    She''s point of view

    My eyes widened as I backed further away from him and his piercing stare. The golden gaze in his eyes sent a disturbing and cold chill down my spine. "You?" I whispered breathlessly, as he kept watching me.

    He smirked wickedly and his image transformed. Killian''s hair changed into a long golden one that fell in ce behind his ears, slipping down to his shoulders and his face changed as well.

    A small gasp escaped my lungs as I was staring face to face with the man that had always crept into my thoughts. And for the first time in a long while, I felt fear.

    He was the stranger on the dance floor. He had somehow spelled himself to change his appearance. And now that the spell was broken, he no longer smelled like a pureblooded wolf.

    He pulled away from the table, taking slow calcted steps to where I remained rooted and stopped when he was a breath away. His towering height leaned closer, allowing me to gaze properly into his eyes. The scent of rosewood invaded my nostrils and I could hear Adie''s gasp within the corner walls of my mind.

    "Mate!" Her voice was stiff andced with both shock and confusion. Simr shock and confusion found my blue irises as her words finally registered within me.

    No. No. It can''t be. Killian was my mate. He was my fated mate.

    His wicked smirk deepened as if reading every thought of mine.

    "Adie, what''s going on?" I asked mentally, panicking.

    Adie waspletely silent for a second. "I don''t know, She," she confessed weakly, obviously still not recovered from the shock yet.

    My blue eyes shed on him as he lifted his hand to touch me, but before he could, I backed away, but his hands gripped my wrist and I felt it. The sparks that were eager to align, shot through my body, I gasped and before I could recover from whatever this was, I was mmed against the wall, and his body pinned hard against me so that every piece of him could feel me.

    "Finally, we meet, little wolf," he spoke in a deep ented voice, having his thumb trail down the outline of my jawline.

    "Get off me!" I screamed and his hands grabbed my waist, digging me deeper into his body so that our noses could touch.

    "I am here to im what''s mine. And you areing with me," he spoke, his eyes regarding my lips.

    "No," I whispered and everything from my dream came rushing in. No, this couldn''t be happening.

    I lifted my hands, bringing my magic to the surface. I attempted to use my magic on him but it didn''t work.

    He gripped my hands, binding them together with his behind my back. "You should know, magic doesn''t work on my, darling."

    I tried connecting to Killian. But I couldn''t. Suddenly, fear crept in. "Killian," I muttered carelessly, and his icy golden eyes hardened, but his smirk remained.

    "Ah, that peasant wolf won''t make it to dawn, and the same goes for everyone with the unfortunate fate of being here tonight," his lips moved freely against each other and his words made my eyes round as I wrestled against him in an attempt to free myself from his firm hold.

    I couldn''t use magic on him, so I forced Adie out, sharpening my ws. I attacked him, and he took a step back, not out of fear but his gaze held a sick interest and fascination in every f*****g thing I did.

    I had no idea what was going on, but nothing changed the fact that this bastard had been after my life since the second I was born, and he was responsible for the death of my parents. And right now, I had to get away from him. I used my magic and lifted a barrier between us as I raced to the door. I had to find Killian, and warn the pack of what was about to happen.

    I jerked the door open, racing out, suddenly pausing, I sent a nce his way and he remained calmly rooted where I left him, his hands sped behind his back and gleaming eyes watching me.

    He coulde after me but just didn''t want to. That alone sent a shiver to my bones as I fought against whatever confusion his gaze attempted to create within me. I had to find my mate, Killian.

    *****

    Killian''s point of view

    I headed back to the castle, after looking for She where I had left her with her brother, Kaiser. She wasn''t there, and so was Kaiser.

    I had tried mind-linking her, but it wasn''t connecting. I didn''t know why, but Ryker had a strange feeling in his chest but I tried to fight it off. I''m guessing it was due to everything that I was feeling from She all morning. She had been worried, even worse, frightened about something. So, I invited Kai toe to see her, and thankfully, he did.

    I could only imagine how hard it must be for her. Not being able to see her family whenever she wanted to. The Council was still searching for She, and so was the Dark Circle. Even though all the Council wants is to keep her safe as well, I agreed with Leonardo, the Council couldn''t bepletely trusted.

    I took a deep breath, fighting off Ryker''s growing difort. It was affecting me as I felt fear starting to creep in every second I searched for She and couldn''t find her. It was odd I couldn''t connect to her, not through the link nor our bond. f**k. That was worrisome.

    I ran my fingers through my hair, moving faster to the grand hall where everyone was having fun, and getting the most out of the night. I nced through the crowd, searching for my mate. I couldn''t find her. But I found Brielle and Allen in a corner. They seemed to be in a serious conversation. Well, Brielle was doing more of the talking while Allen looked like he would burst from so much tion at any second.

    I hated to intrude, but this was urgent.

    "Brielle, have you seen She?" I went to them, gaining their attention. She shook her head, while Allen''s eyes scanned around.

    "She hasn''t been here since you both left," Allen''s eyes moved from the crowd to me, and I blinked confusingly.

    "What do you mean?" I asked.

    "She left with you a few minutes ago," I heard Morgan''s voice from behind. He walked closer to us, his deep green eyes heavily on my face which showed confusion.

    "What are you all saying? I had left She outside with Kaiser and when I came back to fetch her, she wasn''t there," I exined, ignoring whatever was going on with Ryker.

    "Brother, we saw her a few minutes ago. She returned from outside and was searching for you. And you came to us, and left with her," Morgan ced the silver cup in his hand. "Where did you leave her?"

    "I didn''t, because I haven''t seen her, nor any of you from minutes ago. It''s impossible I had left with her," I had begun to lose all the control I had as the terrible feeling in my chest grew more. "That''s not me, whoever She had left with wasn''t me. Oh, goddess! She is in danger!"Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    "If it wasn''t you from a few minutes ago with She, then who the f**k was that?" Allen muttered.

    "Something''s wrong with her. I can''t connect with her. We need to find her," I left the hall in a frenzy, unfastening the buttons on my leather jacket. Allen, Morgan, and Brielle were behind me as we left the grand hall, stepping into the darkness. I was about to head to the direction where She had left with that imposter when there was an unexpected explosion within the castle grounds that shook the earth and buildings, sending everyone flying. The night''s air was filled with smoke and the stench of burning chaos and deaths. "What the hell was that?" Morgan yelled, coughing into the chaos that had broken free around as the sting music died instantly, and the crowd in the grand hall came rushing out.

    "Jax, Nate!" I yelled through the mind link, connecting to the warriors that were patrolling around the pack but nothing came. I couldn''t feel them, I couldn''t connect with them. I tried mind-linking a few warriors but nothing. It was like every connection with my people had been broken.

    Just then, the destructive sounds of several explosions filled the air, and smoke and deaths settled around.

    "This is an attack!" I growled loudly, informing everyone, hearing several growls and screams from every corner of the pack. We''ve been infiltrated. The Pack''s army had dispersed around the pack. I rushed outside the Castle gates and the entire pack was in ruins. Destruction and blood everywhere.

    "Alpha," I was mind-linked by Xavier.

    "Talk to me, Xavier. What''s happening?" I rushed.

    "We are being attacked. The warriors at the borders are dead, and I can''t find Jax," he drew in a quick breath. From the way he was talking, he seemed injured. "They are an army of witches and vampires. They bear the mark of the ck dragon..." "What?" The ck dragon. I froze. f**k. They were from the Dark Circle. Oh goddess, She.

    I had to get to She. I started searching for the castle doors in a hurry, searching for She. I could still get a whiff of her scent. I followed it and it led me to my office.

    I reached for the doorknob and jerked it open. She wasn''t there, and instead, I was greeted by the messy state of my office. It was in ruins. She had been here. Her scent was everywhere, and so was another''s. But she was gone.

    No. No. The ground beneath me rocked and trembled angrily. "She!" I screamed her name with my powers radiating off my body like a tsunami hitting the ce and causing destruction.

 Chapter 144

    She''s point of view

    I moved as fast as I could with my wolf''s speed, racing out of the castle to find the disaster that had covered the pack. Dark smoke filled the air, and the smell of death invaded my nostrils. I tried to connect once more to Killian or anyone, but it wasn''t working. I left the castle grounds and headed for the Packhouse. The pack was filled with chaos as the Dark Circle army had already attacked.

    I lifted my gaze to the sky to find a ck veil hovering on the earth, covering the entire pack. My blue eyes widened as fear rose within me at the sight. That was the work of dark magic and has been ced on the pack to prevent the use of magic. And from it, several balls of mes fell, scattering around the pack. And several balls of mes were heading to the witches'' quarters.

    Fear and panic kicked into my bones as I began heading to the quarters instead. Everyone at the quarters was in grave danger, and that included my brother.

    I shared control with Adie and we moved at great speed. We were almost at the quarters when right before my eyes the witches'' quarters exploded. The force from the explosion attempted to throw me away. I blocked its harsh impact using my magic, racing further to the quarters or what was left of it. The whole ce was destroyed and covered with a cloud of suffocating smoke.

    I dispersed the smoke with my magic, finding a clear view of several lifeless bodies destroyed by the explosion while some were badly wounded.

    I reached for the nearest witch I could find. Terra. She was badly wounded. I ced my hand on her, attempting to heal her when I felt a murdering sensation in my neck that sent a jolt of immense pain around my body.

    My fingers found the spot on my neck and I realized I was wounded and ck fluid rushed out from my neck. I had no idea how that happened.

    I paused on that thought as a realization kicked in. He had somehow done this to me. The small injury kept erging as I healed Terra. It was as though the more I used my magic, it became worse.

    "Where''s Kai?" I questioned Terra, fighting the pain that had begun to spread around my body.

    She nced around. "I don''t know. He was here when it all happened."

    My heart jammed as I began to look for him among the several bodies that covered the ground. And even though I tried to, I couldn''t stop the fearful feeling in my chest.

    ****

    Kaiser''s point of view

    I just arrived at the witches'' quarters. Immediately, I hurried into the courts, took off my mask, and headed inside in search of Valerie and Lorenzo.

    I was moving with immense quickness, eager to find those two. There was an unexinable tightness within my chest, and it all started when I met She and heard everything she had to say. She was worried, and her soul was troubled. I could feel it, and frankly, I was d I was here. I had to find Valerie and Enzo and find out what in god''s name was going on.

    I heaved a sigh, barging into one of the spell rooms where Valerie and Lorenzo usually dwelt. Unfortunately, I couldn''t find them but found Gwen instead.

    As soon as her eyes found me, she lowered her head and began walking towards me. "Alpha," she called, surprised to see me. "What are you doing here?"

    "I can''t seem to find Valerie and Lorenzo; do you know where they might be?" I queried her, and she shook her head.

    "I haven''t seen Valerie all day, and Lorenzo should be at the castle," she responded.

    "He isn''t there," I said, and her brows crippled, and she was about to say something before the loud and disturbing mutters from outside gained our attention as the chaos outside found its way in.

    Gwen and I exchange quick nces before hastening outside into the witch''s courtyard. Many witches from the coven dashed outside into the surrounding darkness.

    One of the witches rushed to Gwen and me as we joined therge crowd. "Terra, what''s going on?" Gwen asked her as I stepped deeper into the darkness. My eyes lifted up, following the gazes of the witches.

    I froze as my deep hazel orbs rounded. "Bloody f**k!" My erged crystals scanned therge ck veil that covered the entire witches'' quarters and most probably the entire pack.

    f**k.

    "This is f*****g bad." Terra began, and I turned to face both her and Gwen.

    "It''s a barrier veil," I said quickly, shocked.

    "What?!" Gwen moved deeper into the shadows, her eyes now raised.

    My heart began to hammer hard against my chest. This wasn''t good. This was a barrier spell, meant to impede the use of magic.

    I was about to say something when, out of nowhere, several balls of bright mes broke through the veil, heading for the quarters in a hurry and causing great explosions around them. The intensity of its explosion flung me away, and I copsed against a hard surface, feeling pain over my body.

    I groaned weakly as my breathing came out short. I couldn''t feel my body, and every attempt I made to move it created an unbearable pain, eating through my flesh and aching my bones. The explosion had badly wounded me, and I wasn''t healing. Oh, goddess, She. I had to get to her. I tried connecting to Leonardo through our pack''s mind link, but I couldn''t.

    The entire witches'' quarters were covered with smoke and the stench of burning flesh. This was the work of witches, and they attacked the quarters first in order to get rid of the witches.

    I tried connecting with my wolf. He was injured as well but was in a much better state. I gave my wolf full control. I had to find my sister. I couldn''t stop the fear that kept stabbing my chest at the thought of harming to her. I wouldn''t be able to bear it. I began to shift into my gargantuan gray wolf. I groaned at the murderous pain that had begun to pierce my very soul, as my transformation was slow and agonizing because of my wounded state.

    The painsted for a few minutes, and I was able to shift into my wolf. Through the sharp sight of my wolf, I could see several bodies of witches lying on the earth, while some were alive but badly wounded as well.

    Without wasting time, my wolf and I sprinted off, heading to the castle. The entire pack was covered with smoke from explosions. The fear within me grew more intense as I realized a war had broken out. My wolf sniffed the air, and all we could smell was the stench of burning corpses and deaths. Also... I paused,pletely frozen on the spot. I recognized another familiar but unsettling odor; it was that of vampires and rogues. Plenty of them. My blood turned cold. The Dark Circle. I could never be mistaken. Why were they here?

    Oh no! As much as I hated the sudden realization, I knew why they were there.

    They were here for She. More than ever, I had to find her.

    I fought the pain and drowsiness clouding my vision. I was losing a lot of blood, but I kept running faster, moving past the chaos and fighting going on around me. Even some of the guests that had attended the party had joined the fight. I was almost at the castle when a thundering growl echoed into the air, rippling through the trees and causing a tremble against the earth.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    I approached the castle gates, and just then, I noticed Killian burst through the doors in a frenzy.

    "Find She!" He growled loudly in his half-beastly form. He was sharing full control with his wolf, and his eyes were a terrifying pair of bloodshot irises.

    He dashed off in a different direction, moving quickly in the darkness. He seemed to be trailing something. She''s scent. I followed him right away.

    He was on his way to the packhouse, which was about a mile away. My wolf moved faster on its paws. Instead of stopping at the packhouse, Killian moved past it, heading into the woods.

    I kept on following him into the woods. He took a short route and burst out in arge meadow that covered a wide distance between the packhouse and the witches'' quarters.

    Killian stopped abruptly, causing my wolf to halt instantly. I moved my eyes past him to therge meadow where another fight was going on.

    "She," My voice echoed weakly in the corners of my wolf''s mind. She was surrounded by the Dark Circle''s army of feral wolves and vampires. But she wasn''t alone. She was fighting alongside some of Killian''s warriors, including Morgan.

    I joined the fight, regardless of the unusual weakness in my bones, and it had started to affect my wolf as well. I moved closer to where she was, but before I could get to her, Killian did. It was then that I noticed something was wrong with my sister; she was wounded in her neck and bleeding profusely. She wasn''t healing. Another careful look and I realized it wasn''t just a wound. It was something far worse than that, something that made both Killian''s and my blood turn cold.

 Chapter 145

    Valerie''s point of view

    I was forced to step out of the castle and keep watch over the pack during the ball. My conversation with She a few hours ago left mepletely worried, especially about her dreams, and that worried me more. Maybe we should have canceled the ball after all. The pack had invited many guests to attend from within North Central and beyond, and because of that, we had lowered the protection spell guarding the pack. I was outside in the darkness when I felt the sudden shift in the air. It was almost unnoticeable, but I felt it. I pulled up the hood of my cloak, covering my hair properly. I sauntered back to the castle, heading to the ball in search of Lorenzo.

    "Come with me," I left the grand hall with Lorenzo and we headed to the northern borders of the pack.

    "What''s happening, Val?" Lorenzo asked, ncing sideways.

    "I don''t know, there''s a slight shift in the air, I can''t describe it. Can''t you feel it?" I asked, and he shook his head. This wasn''t just paranoia; I could feel the sick shift in the air current. I turned to Lorenzo. "We must raise the protection spell, covering the entire pack," I said, and Lorenzo''s brows furrowed.

    "No one will be able to go in or out," he began and I nodded right away.

    "Precisely," I hurried to the borderline of the Pack''s territory. Lorenzo caught up with me, and I gripped his hand to channel as much magic as possible that will be needed to cover the entire pack.

    We were halfway into raising the protection spell when a veil appeared up in the sky, covering the entire pack.

    "What the hell is that?" I heard Lorenzo mutter behind me, and the fear in my gut rose.

    "It''s trouble," I muttered under my breath, "It''s a ck veil. We are stripped of our magic, and-" my words got stuck as several balls of mes fell from the veil, scattering around the Pack.

    "Bloody hell, it''s heading for the witches'' quarters," Lorenzo''s voice filtered into the night.

    "This is exactly what She feared. They are here for her," I sounded, feeling a churn within me.

    "Who are they?"

    "The Dark Circle, and they''ve cut us off. Oh goodness, we need to move now, Lorenzo. We need to help," I hastened back to our horses.

    "What''s the n? We need to inform Killian," Lorenzo was behind me.

    "With the looks of things, he already knows. Everyone knows," I was about to get on my horse when we were surrounded by the Dark Circle minions. Feral wolves. And they were rogues too. They kept spilling into the borders.

    I got on my horse, and so did Lorenzo, as he unsheathed his sword dangling around his waist.

    "To the west. We have to get to the cemetery!" I yelled at him, as I kicked my horse into motion, heading to the one ce where I could put an end to this. The witches'' cemetery. It was at the western borders and the only ce that wasn''t affected by the veil. As we kept moving, a few wolves came after us, catching up with us.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    Lorenzo slowed his fast speed on his horse. "I''ll catch up with you," he pulled his horse around to face the wolves behind us.

    "Lorenzo, be careful," I voiced in worry, sending one nce at him before racing on my horse.

    I headed to the cemetery, I could hear the howling sounds echo in the smoky darkness and the stench of death mixed with it. It reminded me of the time the Crystal Fortress was attacked and also, the ck Blood Pack. I couldn''t let what happened several years ago repeat itself. The Dark Circle mustn''t get their hands on She.

    I kept on moving in a hurry, my hands firmly holding onto the reins of the horse. Time was running out. I had to get to the cemetery and tear down the veil. We needed all the help we could get, and that included the Council.

    From afar, I could see the witches'' cemeterye into view. I nced behind me, and Lorenzo hasn''t caught up with me yet. The veil had to be lifted, for the sake of everyone, including the coven.

    I alighted from my horse, racing into the cemetery. As soon as I crossed through the entrance, I felt my magic once more, coursing through my veins. I breathed in relief. The runic symbols that were etched on each corner pir, the walls, and the earth had life in them as they glowed in the darkness. The magical symbols were protecting the cemetery from the veil''s effect.

    Every witch from the coven that had lost their life was buried here. The magic was in the air, and exactly what I needed to tear down the veil and ask for help.

    I moved with haste, finding the center of the cemetery. I grabbed the small dagger from under my long dress, slitting my palm and in an instant, blood rushed from my palm.

    I used my blood to make arge symbol on the ground. My purple eyes nced at the veil covering the air, and I stepped into the symbol and began chanting. I needed all the magic I could channel. The magic keeping the veil up was too powerful. I sought nature''s magic, gaining ess to the earth''s magic and every atom I could find around the cemetery.

    I continued chanting, attempting to tear down the veil when I felt another presence in the cemetery. I pulled my eyes open and Lorenzo came into view. His clothes were drenched in blood, and on his shoulder, he held an almost lifeless body, while his hand dragged another of the Dark Circle minions who was also a second from joining his ancestors.

    "Why did you bring them here?" He tossed them against the ground, moving closer to where I was.

    "They will be of help. They are everywhere. Vampires and rogues. Things are bad outside, Valerie, we need to do something," he used, his magic and stopped his bleeding, stepping into the symbol, and we began chanting.

    It took a while, but Lorenzo and I managed to create a crack in the magic holding the veil, and soon, we were able to tear it down. It took away an enormous amount of magic from me.

    I breathed weakly as my purple eyes lifted to the sky and the veil was no more. I met Lorenzo''s gaze. "You have to go and help the others."

    "And you?"

    My eyes fell on the bodies he had brought here. And he was right. They would be of great use to get rid of the Dark Circle army.

    "I will finish it all from here. But please, find She and protect her."

    The skin on Lorenzo''s forehead folded, he knew exactly what I was thinking. "They are an army. There''s no way you can take them all at once in this state, the veil took a lot from you. What you are proposing will consume you and it''ll be disastrous." I held his hand firmly. "No. The Dark Lord getting his hands on the white wolf will be destruction itself. Find her and protect her at all cost."

    I pushed him away. There was no time to argue.

    He spared me onest look, before exiting the cemetery. As soon as he left, I used my magic and blood to create an urgent message. Only the heavens know what will be of this night, but I had to inform the Council heads and Leonardo of what was going on. It was paramount that we stopped the Dark Circle''s army from leaving with the white wolf. For the first time, I admitted the fear in my heart, and I prayed to the heavens that tonight doesn''t be another tragedy. Using my magic, I conjured an old symbol up in the night sky. It was that of the Crystal Fortress and was used for desperate situations. Anyone seeing it would know exactly what it meant.

    I moved to the bodies; the wolf was still alive. He was badly injured by Lorenzo''s sword and wasn''t healing from the effect of the wolfsbane, while the vampire was dead. But they''ll both do.

    I slit the wrist of both of them, allowing their blood to soak the earth. The ritual I was about to perform was deadly and required a lot of magic. I would be linking their blood to every wolf and vampire that was within the pack and belonged to the Dark Circle. That way, if these imbeciles ended up dead, the same would happen to every of the Dark Circle rogues and vampires.

    I got to work, channeling all the magic around, filling up my energy and I began the ritual, creating a connection.

    I pushed my eyes closed and started chanting, shutting my external senses. I dived deep into my essence, now gaining permission from the earth''s magic. I could feel its magic rushing in, the feeling was so familiar.

    Without dy, I began channeling the earth''s magic. Earth magic is the oldest form of magic and surprisingly, this territory has magic buried in the earth. Its magic is pure and dangerous as well when witches push beyond their limit. I could feel the earth''s elements and forces of nature weing me.

    I fought against the exhaustion that slowly invaded my body, alerting me that I was pushing hard and exerting my energy. I felt the warm fluid that flowed from my nose in a warning. The ritual was draining me but I couldn''t stop now, letting all my efforts so far be wasted. I was almost done.

    I gasped weakly, falling to my knees. It was done. I felt my blood absconding me and the corners of my eyes burned like hell. I couldn''t feel anything, and my vision was covered byplete darkness. I copsed on the ground.

 Chapter 146

    She''s point of view

    I felt the hair on my skin stand, and then, I felt Killian. I felt his presence. My eyes scanned hurriedly across the meadow where I was fighting alongside Morgan and some of our warriors, against the Dark Circle wolves and vampires.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    I couldn''t begin to describe the relief that flooded my chest as my blue eyes narrowed in on Killian. I had been worried, going crazy in search of Killian. I had been really scared something might have happened to him. That imbecile made it clear to me that he was after Killian''s life.

    I would never be able to forgive myself if the unthinkable had happened to Killian. This was all my fault. I should have said something the second I began having those dreams about him. If I had, we wouldn''t be in this situation. The pack won''t be attacked and the lives of everyone I love wouldn''t be in danger right now.

    Killian was next to me in a sh, and just then, I noticed Kaiser as well, he was in his wolf form. Killian''s amber eyes connected with mine for a broken second, before his eyes fell on my wounded neck. They both joined the fight, and I tried my best to use less of my magic. The wound on my neck had erged, and the bleeding only became worse. Dark lines began to appear on my skin.

    I had no idea what that bastard had done to me but whatever it was, I knew it wasn''t meant to kill me. I just knew it. But the pain that shot through my body was undeniable, and I was growing weaker by the second.

    We kept on with the fight, and to my surprise, the ck veil that had covered the entire pack was lifted, and the night sky came into view. A small smile found my lips, as this meant the witches now had ess to their magic.

    I plucked out the hearts of the wolves that came at me, aiming for the one next to me when a symbol appeared up in the night sky, it belonged to the crystal fortress witches. And instantly, familiar magical energy swept through the earth, and all at once, the Dark Circle minions copsed on the ground. It was Valerie.

    "What the hell just happened?" Morgan asked as our gazes scanned the lifeless bodies of our enemy that covered the earth.

    "Valerie," I muttered, weakly. She was behind this, and that made my chest tighten. With the enormous wave of energy that danced around, she had lost a lot of her magic carrying out this ritual. Oh, goddess. I hoped she was alright. "What happened to you?" Killian asked, cupping my face as his eyes scanned over my neck.

    "He did this to me. He was here, Killian. The Dark Lord," I said, and Killian''s brows furrowed.

    "What?!" He pulled me closer to him and was about to say something when the wholend was covered with dark mist. This wasn''t my doing. It was someone else.

    "What the bloody fudge?" Everyone drew closer as heavy loud thuds from the movement against the earth echoed from almost everywhere within the mist, causing the earth beneath us to shake from its heavy impact.

    There was no way anyone could see anything in the mist. But as the heavy steps drew closer, I felt it. Them. They were dark witches, and from the enormous magical energy that charged at us, they were in great numbers and were here for blood.

    "Get down!" I yelled, feeling the sharp metals that pierced through the mist. I evaded the mist at once and created a shield around us, just in time to stop the silver weapons that were flying in the air charging at us. It looked like a normal knife with a sharpened silver rod in ce of a de. I redirected it back, pulling down the shield. I felt sharp pains connect with my spine, crippling me.

    And immediately, they came into view. Dark witches from the circle dressed in red attacked us in great numbers. Killian and the warriors fought back as well, and soon, we were joined by Lorenzo together with an army of warriors and witches from Killian''s pack and Leonardo''s pack.

    The fight began and with every bloody second, more of the Dark Circle witches kept joining. I made full use of my wolf''s abilities instead, but they weren''t lunging at me. More like they werepletely avoiding me. I snapped the head of one of the witches, watching her fall to the ground. My eyes drifted sideways and fell on a figure, standing far in the woods, away from the chaos that was going on in the field.

    He was dressed in all ck, had long ck hair, and held a ck sword in his left hand. I couldn''t see his face clearly, but I could tell he wasn''t from here. His aura was dark and powerful. A dark witch. His dark eyes connected with mine briefly and slowly drifted somewhere else.

    I followed the direction of his gaze and it fell on Killian. My heartbeat spiked up and I nced back to the woods where he had been, but he had vanished.

    In terror, my eyesbed through the field for him and I found him. My body became stiff as I felt my blood turn cold and the air in my lungs vanished. My blue depths shifted from his dark eyes which were unmoving from mine to Killian who was a few steps away from the man andpletely oblivious to his presence as he kept on fighting.

    No. No. No.

    "Killian!" I screamed, gaining Killian''s attention. His eyes met mine from afar and I screamed again. "Behind you-" Killian swerved around and attacked right away, but the witch effortlessly evaded him.

    I used my wolf''s speed to race to him. I was almost there when it all happened so fast. In a second, the witch vanished from sight, and almost immediately, he appeared right behind Killian. He lifted the ck sword in his left hand, sending a nce my way, before using his magic, sending it straight into Killian''s heart.

    I felt a sharp piercing in my chest the instant it pierced into Killian''s. The hilt of the sword glowed a bright red shade, as it moved deeper into Killian''s chest, its pointed edgeing out on the other side.

    I waspletely frozen, like time itself had paused. Killian groaned as he copsed on his knees, his hands gripping the hilt of the sword, in an attempt to pull it out.

    "Killian!" I yelled, bridging the insane gap between us. Before his body fell to the ground, I caught him in my arms.

    I couldn''t pay attention to anything else but him, not even to Morgan''s scream that filtered into the corner walls of my mind.

    I held onto the hilt, trying to pull it out, but I couldn''t. It''s been enchanted, and the red glow on the hilt was sucking out Killian''s life.

    "Killian, look at me," I tried to keep his eyes from shutting close as I began chanting, in an attempt to stop the effect of the sword''s magic. But it was of no use, and Killian''s body had begun to desate. And I felt it, a sharp tearing in my chest, almost as if a piece of my soul had been torn out ruthlessly.

    I couldn''t feel his heartbeat. I couldn''t feel Killian inside of me. I couldn''t feel his wolf either. Adie released a loud, piercing howl within me, shattering the corners of my soul.

    "Killian, Please," I clung to his cold and lifeless body. My body was enveloped by a merciless pain that charged within me.

    I could feel it from the depth of my soul, crushing me while it vibrated against my bones, stabbing every piece of my existence. I felt like dying.

    My body became so hot, and the pain from the wound on my neck was torturing me. More tears rolled down my eyes as I pulled out the sword from Killian''s body. The sword''s sharp de slit my right palm. I groaned at the burning pain, but it couldn''tpare to anything I was feeling at the moment. He was gone. Killian was dead.

    I shut my eyes, and I released a sharp scream. The wound from my neck intensified, tugging at my chest in a warning. But I couldn''t stop. I kept on screaming, and the chaos around me intensified. The earth tore into several cracks, I heard several howls and gasps around but I didn''t stop. I wanted to release the smoldering pain within me, but that alone wasn''t enough.

    The pain from my neck had invaded my soul and I felt my whole body weaken and my mind fuzzy. My hold on Killian''s body weakened and I crashed against the ground, losing consciousness. Thest thing I managed to see was Killian''s lifeless body, and a glowing light appeared behind us. It was more like a portal. My longshes fluttered weakly against each other once more before they gave up and I felt myself being pulled away.

 Chapter 147

    She''s point of view

    I inhaled deeply, shifting under the warm silken covers. I turned gently on the bed, leaning deeper into the soft pillows as my eyes fell on that of my mate, sleeping next to me.

    I pulled closer to him, my blue eyes taking in all of him. I shut my eyes momentarily, breathing in his scent. It was a new dawn already, and even though the thick draperies had blocked out all lights, I could feel the gentle warmth of the sunlight that waited outside me.

    for

    I pulled my eyes open, firmly holding the covers around my n.aked body when I felt his presence at the back of my mind.

    "I''m sorry I woke you up, I wanted you to sleep in for a few more minutes," I smiled, turning to peck his lips, pulling my eyes to meet his deep golden eyes.

    His strong arms gripped my wa!st, pinning me against the bed, and slowly, he leaned in to kiss me.

    I kissed him back, matching his fierce kisses. He pulled the covers away, pressing his n.aked body to mine, as his lips began trailing kisses down my jawline, moving to my marking spot where his mark was deeply rooted.

    My hands moved skillfully on his body, stimting him to the point I felt his almost unnoticeable moans against my skin.

    I wrapped my legs around his wa!st, as he began to p.leasure my body, ensuring my mind and thoughts are filled with him only.

    His sweet l!ps began to leave a burning s.ensation down the valley of my c.hest, as hisrge hands cupped both of my b.reasts.

    I bit the bottom of my l!ps, my hands getting lost in his shoulder-length golden hair that matched his twin golden mes that gazed down at me with love and fascination. I felt it through the bond we shared. It was unique and powerful, and frankly, like nothing I''ve ever felt.

    "You are mine, darling. Mine alone," he whispered through our link, and a smile found my lips as I shared simr emotions.

    "I love you, d," My lips captured his in a k!ss and we were about to take things quite further, but he was mind-linked all of a sudden, and regardless of what had happened to me a few weeks ago, I was as well connected to dimir''s pack and coven beyond the Fortress and within the Oasis through the mate bond.

    "What is it?" d queried in a gruff, and I pulled up in a sitting position as d pulled away from me.

    "I apologize, Dark Lord, but we have some important information regarding the wolves in the East," d''s demeanor hardened as his golden eyes zed at me from within his long thickshes.

    "Hmmm," He was up instantly, while I remained on the bed, watching him. "Tell the others to wait. We''ll be there in a moment," he replied, and the presence at the back of our minds through the link retreated.

    d gripped one of his ck garments from the rack, pulling it over him. He moved back to the bed where I was still positioned, leaning down to kiss me.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    "I''ll be out in a few minutes," I told him through our link as he pulled away. I sank deeper into the warmth of the bed when I heard the usual sharp knock on the door.

    "You may enter," I spoke in a voice they could hear and they both stepped in, bowing their heads in respect. Sybil and Kali were witches and belonged to the Dark Circle coven.

    I got up from the bed, donning a silken robe, while Sybil went into the washing room to prepare the tub for me to shower, and Kali fixed a dress for me.

    I sauntered into the washroom, taking off my robe. I climbed into the tub and sank my body into the hot water. It was refreshing. I took my time to get my body washed, and by the time I went back to my chamber, Kali had prepared a dress for me. It was ck, elegant, and anything but simple and in.

    The witches helped me get ready for it, and I took a nce at myself in the mirror once more. My blue eyes moved from the natural curls of my brown hair that now had a noticeable shade of blue growing on them. It fell neatly on both sides of my shoulders, stopping at my stomach. My eyes glided to the crook of my neck where the mark of my mate stood in a ming golden color, having the shape of a dragon.

    My eyes lingered on it for a second, before they pulled away. My eyes closed briefly for a second as I felt the scar that was etched on my palm. I opened my eyes and they fell on it. It was a deep wound made from the sharp de of a sword.

    I paused all my thoughts and cleared my mind of all silly emotions, exiting my chamber for the Dragon Court. The biggest hall in the whole of the Fortress. d loved having his meetings there, especially when they were important like today.

    I kept moving with Sybil and Kali tailing behind me. They were always with me, and I liked to think of them as my shadows.

    I was at the ck diamond doors of the Dragon Court, and immediately, it was opened for me. My eyes fell on therge individuals that were seated around the ck circr crystal table.

    I lifted my chin and walked inside. As usual, they were waiting for my arrival before starting the meeting.

    I took my seat right opposite dimir with the ck crystal table separating us.

    "Begin," d''s deep voice sounded throughout the Court. And Elias, one of dimir''s most trusted leaders of the vampire coven stood up from his seat, my eyes fell on the wide map spread out on the table with red crosses and green circles dotted all over some small drawings and writings. It was a map epassing all of the regions in the North, West, South, and East.

    Every region in the East had red crosses on them which meant they''d already been targeted and destroyed by our armies, and up until a week ago, the West Central still had few regions that haven''t been targeted yet, but ording to the map, not anymore. They''ve been targeted and destroyed.

    "Every region in the West has been attacked, my Lord," Elias spoke with a smirk, highly satisfied with the results. We had encountered some problems conquering some regions in the West that were affiliated with the Council. The Council had fought hard to prevent the destruction of the West regions that were under their control but it was of no use.

    Our army was stronger and we had an impressive number and the right power at our disposal. They didn''t stand a chance against us, and will never. We always grew in numbers. From every attack, our armies always bring prisoners to the Oasis. Prisoners from several magical kinds. They are branded and molded to our liking and forced to work for us by their own will, or against their will. It doesn''t matter. The Dark Circle always has a special way of keeping one in line.

    My eyes retracted from the map and I found d''s intense gaze on me, piercing right into my soul. A small smile found my lips. There was something about his gaze that was capable of seeing right through me. It was fascinating how he always managed to know exactly what I was thinking and feeling. It was like every print of me was molded in him.

    "Excellent, Elias. Good job," d finally spoke in his rich ented voice. His interesting golden eyes never drifted from mine.

    "Splendid news. We should proceed on to the next. We have limited time already on our hands. We should make South Central our next target, before heading for North," Festus, a feral wolf suggested.

    "I do agree with Festus, and indeed we do have limited time on our hands," He sounded icy, making cold air escape my lungs slowly as my blue eyes drifted from dimir''s and fell on him. Niki. dimir''s shadow itself and warlock. A powerful one. And I could also deem him as my savior whom dimir sent to rescue me from the hands of the Council and every one of those wolves who wanted me dead.

    His dark eyes moved from the map, scanning around the members seated at the table before they fell on me. "Although the queen and I still have pending issues at the Dark cave, I do propose we move on to North Central," His gaze shifted to d''s, whose eyes were still on me.

    "What do you suggest, darling?" At his question, the Dragon Court fell into silence.

    My eyes narrowed on the map once more, ncing over the green circles dotted over several regions on the South and North. I couldn''t fight the emotion called rage that took dominance of my mind.

    My eyes met with that of my mate. "I do agree with Niki on this one. We suffered a dy in the West because of the Council and their reinforcement. North Central has thergest covens, kingdoms, and packs in all of thends. The best thing is to take them down. They won''t see iting, as they would expect the South to be next."

    "It''s no secret how much I detest the North for a reason. I have suffered greatly at their hands and lost everything because of them. My wolf, my family, and important years of my life. I hate them all, especially the Council and the wolves pack. So, I''m afraid I''m with Niki in this one. North Central should be targeted next, and I want every one of those wolves, especially the Crescent North Pack, and the ck Blood Pack," I paused, leaning against the table as I forced out everything I needed to feel. The rage, and hate. "One has thergest Pack in the whole region while the other has the most resources. Taking them down will be a major blow to the Council," I voiced out everything I was feeling, and all through, my blue depths never left that of my mate as a small, intriguing smirk found his lips.

 Chapter 148

    She''s point of view

    I curled my right hand into a ball, feeling the scar on my palm. It reminded me of my rage, and everything I had lost, and the only emotion that filled my mind was hate, rage, and a maddening drive for revenge.

    My gaze softened as I felt my mate''sforting presence inside the corner walls of my mind, reminding me he would be there for me, always.

    "Meeting adjourned," his voice filled the air,mandingly, and immediately, everyone was up from their seats, leaving the Dragon''s court until it remained just my mate and me.

    He pulled up from his chair, stalking to where I was seated.

    "It enrages me to see you in so much pain, love," hisrge hand caressed my cheek. It was cold as usual but I couldn''t help but lean into it.

    My eyes fell on his wless, and uniquely pale face. dimir was of mixed blood, being both a vampire and a wolf. He was one of the old wolves that magically transitioned into a vampire.

    "I hate it too. But what do I do with this anger I feel? Remember, d, I lost everything because of those imbeciles, and I wait patiently for the day I will make everyone pay," I said and he pulled closer to me, engulfing me in his arms. "Remember, you have me. And you will always have me," he said, kissing me.

    "And I thank the goddess every day for that. I cannot begin to imagine what harm would havee to me if you hadn''te to rescue me," My slender hands snaked around his neck, getting lost in his smooth hair. "Thank you," I bitted.

    "Every one of those mutts will all pay for everything they have done to you. It''s my promise to you, She," he kissed me. "And revenge tastes better when served without a hurry. Once we conquer South Central first, they''ll know that they are next and they will not be spared. Every one of them must witness what is toe."

    "And they will," I kissed him back. "I have to go to the Dark cave and prepare for tonight''s ritual, hopefully, it''ll be a sess," I stood up from the chair, exiting the Dragon Court with dimir.

    I left him and headed for my chamber with Sybil and Kali behind me first before leaving for the Dark cave. I grabbed a ck furry coat and ced it over my dress.

    I roved to the ck windows. With a small wave of my hand, I used my magic to pull apart the draperies, and the ck windows unlocked, pushing open. The warmth from the sunlight descended on me, but unfortunately, I could feel nothing at all. From the top floor of my chamber, it was impossible to get a full view of the entire Oasis. I couldn''t see beyond the Fortress grounds.

    I gazed at the burning sun for a while with absolutely nothing running through my mind, before exiting my chamber.

    Sybil and Kali were waiting for me outside my chamber. We left the Fortress and stepped out into the sun. We got on our horses and left the Fortress grounds, heading for the Dark cave. This ce was called the Oasis. It was quite different from anything I had ever seen, and heavily protected.

    It''s been almost eight weeks now since I was rescued by dimir and his army from the hands of those I call my enemies. I had been living at their mercy for so long after I was taken away from my family here in the Oasis. The Council, the ck Blood Pack, and... I paused for a split second, before continuing. And the Crescent North Pack had murdered my entire family, and kidnapped me for years, trying to make use of me and my powers as much as they could.

    But dimir rescued me. He had sent every army of his and didn''t stop until he had me right beside him. The ce I was held captive was attacked and many lost their lives, including the Alpha of the pack. He had lost his life in the hands of dimir''s warlock, Niki. He had saved me, although my wolf, Adie, didn''t make it. I was badly wounded during the war, I managed to make it out alive but she didn''t. She sacrificed herself for me to live. It was important I did because I had to avenge her and the deaths of everyone else I had lost. This is the only truth that I chose to believe.

    My hold on the reins of my horse tightened as we took the path into the square. Oasis belonged to dimir and it was guarded with the magic of a thousand witches. There was no way in, once someone got in here, and no way out.

    The Dark Circle always takes in magical beings who are deemed useful. They be prisoners at first, and then are tortured and trained in the worst possible way until they are broken and then the Circle molds them into loyal warriors that are willing to die for the great cause.

    Every magical being was ced together and has its unique training process which often takes time. dimir was smart enough to have his witches devise a method to strip his prisoners of their powers. Every prisoner that is brought into the Oasis always has a pyramid symbol imprinted on them. Just like the one on my wrist. But mine doesn''t strip me of my magic, my magic is only limited. dimir did this for my safety alone, to protect me from outside the protective barriers of the Oasis who wants me back. And I do agree with him. My presence here was much needed for our great cause.

    I pulled my eyes away from the symbol on my wrist. It ensures they are unable to use their powers until they are taken into training, and broken, then branded. They are always tested and if they turn out sessful, and are deemed worthy enough to make it into the Dark Circle army, they are weed as a member of dimir''s army.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    I rode into the woods with Sybil and Kali behind me on their horses. I could feel the enormous magic holding the Oasis, this was the reason no one outside the walls could ever find this ce. It has existed for over four centuries, and it''s being held by the magic of so many witches, dead and alive. It also draws from nature''s magic from the earth and air.

    Finally, we arrived at the Dark cave. I alighted from my horse and handed it over to Kali, making my way into the tunnel. I moved past the narrow path in darkness until I got to the firstmp that burned against the wall. I began to follow the trail as severalmps came into view. Though it wasn''t really necessary, I had spent most of my time here since I returned to the Oasis.

    I reached my destination, finding Randall at the entrance. He was one of Niki''s witches. I handed over my coat to him, stepping through the darkness that covered the entrance.

    The Dark cave was restricted for everyone, including members of the Circle. Only a few had the authorization to be in the cave, which was dimir, Niki, and myself, while the others were dark witches from Niki''s coven.

    I stepped through the darkness and Niki was in there with some dark witches. They lowered their heads, noticing my presence.

    I scanned around briefly before my eyes fell on Niki. "Where is she?"

    He shifted his gaze to one of the witches, nodding. It didn''t take up to a second when the crying sound of a female echoed within the cave. I tilted my head a little, and my eyes fell on a young female that was being dragged to us wearing ragged clothes. She seemed like one of our prisoners and the ck pyramid symbol on her wrist confirmed my thoughts. She was young and looked like she was no more than sixteen.

    My eyes drifted to Niki whose dark eyes were on me. "She''s a new prisoner we found in the East Central, from an ancient n," He informed me and my eyes fell on the young girl once more. She was blindfolded, and her hands chained together. Frankly, she was the youngest that had been brought to the cave since my arrival.

    "Her magic, I need to feel it," I told him. Niki was the only witch in the Oasis that could lift the magic of the pyramid binding a prisoner. He fixed a brief gaze on me, before moving to the young girl. He tore off her blindfold, and her watery chartreuse eyes and her tears and resistance against the witch''s hold intensified.

    Niki grabbed her hand, cing a finger on the pyramid symbol on her wrist, he muttered a few chants, breaking the magic of the pyramid.

    The witches held her in ce, while I ced my hands on her head. I closed my eyes, connecting to her magic. It was indeed powerful. And might just be what we needed.

    My eyes snapped open and they fell on Niki. "You are right. Her magic is indeed powerful. She would do," I turned to the witches surrounding us. "Prepare her for the ritual."

    "No, please! Spare me, I beg of you. Please," Her screams and cries filled the air as she was dragged away. But it didn''t matter. Here in Oasis, nothing mattered.

    I watched the young girl until she faded out of sight.

    Niki came up behind me. "Do you think her magic will be able to contain it?"

    "She is young, and her magic is pure. Not to worry Niki, she would be a great vessel," I voiced, leaving the cave to prepare for the ritual.

 Chapter 149

    She''s point of view

    It was already twilight. Darkness had blinded everywhere and the sky had a full moon hanging on it. I was in the cave along with Niki and his entire coven of witches.

    We had made preparations for the ritual already, and all that was left was the presence of the young female. Everyone was cautious and ready. Tonight''s ritual was important. For dimir and the Dark Circle. It was important for me too, and deep down the corner walls of my heart, I hoped for my desired result.

    I jerked from my thoughts when the cries of the young female filtered into the cave and she was dragged in by the witches and dressed in ck. I was told she goes by the name, Lily. She was forced into the creek filled with crystalline waters conjured by the power of the four phoenix stones. There was an enormous magic coursing through the ce. It was dark and powerful, and precisely what was needed for tonight''s ritual.

    "She is all yours," Niki turned to me.

    I walked closer to the creek, pulling down the hood covering my brown hair. My gaze caught that of the female in the water and the witches took their positions around the water. It was time.

    This wasn''t my first time anchoring this ritual. I had anchored it several times after my arrival here in Oasis. And I was beginning to lose count of the number of times I had anchored it. But unfortunately, none of the rituals yielded the result dimir desired. None at all. It was either the vessel was too weak or the magic wasn''t strong enough to contain it.

    We were about to perform a kind of ritual that was deemed impure and dark a thousand years ago. A resurgent ritual. A necessary ritual that would give dimir what he wanted and that was ess to Shota''s magic.

    It was one of the darkest and most powerful magic that had existed at the earliest dawn of magic itself. I had no idea it even existed. It was only a week after I arrived at this ce that dimir brought me here and apprised me of everything. His ns and the future he envisions for our realm. It was so impable that I couldn''t refuse to help.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "Let''s begin," I said, as I began to channel the magic of the four phoenix stones. They were ancient stones that held great magic and all four stones together were capable of performing great impossibility.

    The witches began chanting, while Niki took a step backward. He wasn''t part of tonight''s ritual. I channeled enough magic and the magic from the stones surrounded the water. The pleas and screams from the young female were muffled by the witches'' chants as we began our work. She was struggling in the water in fear, her magic was fighting against the power of the stones, trying to break free.

    The witches'' chants intensified and all of a sudden, she sprung out of the water, but I used my magic and held her still in the air.

    Jaskier, one of the coven witches brought the dagger to be used specifically for this ritual. I took it from him, moving closer to the young girl''s body that was dangling above the water.

    As I brought the de to her neck, I heard her crying voice at the back of my mind. "Please, help me. Please, I don''t want to die," Her eyes welled with tears as I pressed the sharpness of the dagger to her neck.

    "Your death is the only way for you to live," Without hesitating, I slit her throat, and her body fell back into the water, her blood mixing with the water.

    I moved back to the runic symbols with the dagger smeared in her blood. I continued with the witches'' chants and her blood moved from the dagger, dropping on the runic symbol which glowed brightly, causing the water that has been mixed with the girl''s blood to boil rigorously.

    We continued the spell, reaching its peak when every torch in the cave died instantly, leaving us in darkness. This had always happened during every one of our rituals. Once again, the ritual didn''t work.

    The torches lit back on, and Niki moved closer to me.

    "What could have happened this time?" his dark eyes turned on me.

    "I don''t know. Maybe we still haven''t found the right vessel," I muttered, turning to Jaskier and a few witches. "Get rid of the body," My eyes fell once more on the young female floating in the pool of her blood, before exiting the cave.

    I left the Dark cave, getting on my horse. It was still at the peak of midnight and the full moon was still up. I held on to the reins of the horse, feeling the usual pain from the scar etched on my palm. It was already a reminder of what needed to be done. We headed towards the Fortress, passing through the vige where the prisoners are held before they are taken for their training. Even sote at night, they were still training under the supervision of the Dark Circle army.

    I kept on moving on my horse, taking the path to the square that led to the Fortress when I saw it. The arrow that was headed my way at great speed, aiming at me. I had a few seconds to move out of the way but for some reason, I didn''t want to. I watched it as its pointed head pierced my shoulder.

    I heard the deafening sounds of chaos breaking around. Sybil and Kali surrounded me while the warriors around lunged at the prisoners. But I remained frozen on my horse as I held the arrow I pulled out from my shoulder. It was covered with my blood, and the other end of the arrow had a small attachment to its side. It was a small crafted symbol of a ce I never thought I''d see in a long while. I felt my cold hand tremble as I fought the urge to gaze into the crowd of prisoners that were handled by the warriors. My heartbeat began to drum in a different rhythm as I tried my hardest to repress my emotions that were about to resurface.

    As Sybil and Kali rushed closer to my side, I used my magic and turned the arrow into dust, sticking the small object to my dress.

    Before they could ask, I spoke. "I am fine. Let''s keep moving."

    I kicked my horse in motion, moving at a fast speed until we reached the Fortress. I absconded my horse, and hurried to my chamber, shutting the door close.

    I pulled out the small crafted object, having the shape of a moon, a crescent moon. Just at the sight, I heard my heart drum harder in my ears and a presence deep within my soul began to rise to the surface and my eyes glowed a blinding shade of blue. I shut my eyes. "No! Stay hidden," I whispered more to myself, calming my emotions and locking them away. But it was harder to control the presence that wanted freedom. "Oh please, don''t be foolish, stay put!" I warned, as usual, it was as stubborn as a mule. I was about to speak again when I felt the lurking presence of my mate. He was almost at the door; I pulled my eyes open and they were still having their blue glow. "Enough!" I yelled, getting full control of my body. The small crafted object vanished from my hand as my eyes returned to normal, and just then, the door pushed open and dimir stepped in.

    His piercing golden eyes took me in as he hastened closer to where I was. He was beyond furious. I could feel his rage from the mate bond. His gaze fell on my shoulders covered with blood.

    "I heard. Every one of those mutts will pay for that blood on your dress," He counted each word so calmly. And I need not ask what he meant by those words. I already had an idea.

    My silence brought his gaze to mine and he bored down at me as if wanting to take a peek into my very soul. I breathed in deeply, cing my arms around him.

    "Tonight''s ritual didn''t go as we would have hoped," I sounded, and his gaze pulled from mine and his lips found my neck.

    "I heard," I could note the disappointment in his voice. He pulled away a little and his eyes found mine. "Don''t worry too much about it, Niki has another way to go around it," His words caused a knot in my chest and I fought so hard to keep my emotions stable and transparent. His lips swallowed mine as he picked me up in his arms and carried me to the bed, kissing me.

    I tried to get lost in the moment. But it was hard to. I didn''t know which worried me more, the raging presence deep in my soul or the crafted object I had received which I could smell was a trap. It wouldn''t be the first time. If I knew that already, then why do I feel so restless?

 Chapter 150

    Kaiser''s point of view

    I leaned deeper on my arm that was against the wall and my deep hazel eyes never pulled away from her. I watched her as she faded out of sight. It took me everything I had not to go after her. I hoped she was alright. That arrow wasn''t meant to hurt her that badly. I just needed it to graze her so I could get her blood on it. But now I was left with nothing. She destroyed the arrow and the only chance I had to get that i***t awake.

    I heaved a sigh. This was frustrating. This was the f*****g first time in weeks that I had her so close. She was almost before me, but I couldn''t even approach her. Not with dimir''s watchdogs always hovering around her. I had to get to her. I had to know exactly what was going on with her. Why on earth was she on that bastard''s side? How the f**k could she suddenly be mated to him? I sighed again. And there I thought Killian was the devil himself.

    The only thing I cared about was getting to She. Something was wrong with her. And with the way things went on around here, I was more certain every f*****g day that that bastard, dimir did something to her. That was the only reason She could ever be at his side, helping him do only the goddess knew what. And that was what worried me the most. If She wasn''t really in her right senses, I had to get to her before she did something terrible.

    "Alright,ds. Keep training," I jerked out from my thoughts, hearing the barking of the imbecile I had grown to detest. Ren. He was themanding warrior in charge of the prisoners in training and the first imbecile I was going to kill the second I got Kade, my wolf back.

    I came out from where I was hiding, moving to the spot my arrow had hit her in hopes I could find even if it was a stter of her blood on the dried-up leaves and dirt that covered the ground. I kept scanning the ground, and my gaze caught something on the dried leaves. She''s blood. It was very little, barely a drop. But it could work to get him awake. I hope it did.

    My eyes nced back at the route She took. Right now, I could only pray to the goddess that she managed to get my message at least. I had attached a little gift to the arrow. It was the only way I could let her know she wasn''t here alone. I hope it reminded her of who she was, and that we wereing for her.

    I left the training field, taking the hidden path back to the camps set up for the prisoners that were in training. I exhaled deeply for a moment, ncing at the moon. There was something about this god-damned Oasis that made time move by so fast.

    It has been many weeks since those imbeciles attacked Killian''s pack. It was unexpected. Only the goddess knew how the Dark Circle found her. But that wasn''t important anymore. The painful reality was, they did. They found the white wolf they had been searching for, and they took her.

    I pulled my eyes closed. Just thinking about it infuriated me, and at the same time, hurt me. I could only imagine what could be going on outside the boundaries of the Oasis.

    She had lost it with Killian''s death. I was shocked. I hated Killian so much, and for so long wanted him dead. But regretfully, his death didn''t bring me the happiness I had imagined. Instead, it brought nothing but pain to my sister. Losing one''s mate could hurt that much, and now, I could imagine how that must have felt.

    Leonardo would be going crazy, but I knew I would have died if She was taken and I had been left behind. It had happened once when Nell Reid took her and I was left behind. I couldn''t let that happen again. She''s magic had lost control seeing Killian''s body. I had never seen her that way before, never. Her magic created chaos and in the midst of it, that bloody bastard came through some witch''s portal and pulled her in. I couldn''t stay still and do nothing. Kade and I jumped in after them right before it closed. I had no idea where we were headed, but Inded in the woods in my human form. Badly wounded and staring at the face of death itself. Something must have happened to Kade during the jump. I didn''t know much because I lost consciousness right away. By the time I regained consciousness, it was a week after. I was in a shack; it was a few distances away from the vige. Someone had saved me, Zena. A smile found my lips. She was the one good thing in this f*****g ce.

    I left the camps, heading for the shack. It''s been a few days since I was there. Zena helped me recover, but unfortunately, Kade hasn''t. And I couldn''t connect with him yet.

    I walked out of the woods, from a near distance. I could see the shack. I scanned my surroundings to ensure I wasn''t followed. It would put both Zena and him in danger. That was thest thing we needed right now.

    I reached the small entrance, knocking on the door thrice. I could already feel her presence behind the wooden door. "It''s me," I muttered, and immediately, the door pulled open. I rushed in.

    "Kai," Her beautiful voice called, as she copsed in my arms. I wrapped my arms around her, kissing her soft skin. Zena was not only my savior, she was my fated mate. It came to me as a shock as well. I didn''t imagine I would find my mate in a ce like this. Zena was a prisoner in Oasis as well, and If it wasn''t for her, I might have not made it.

    I kissed her sweetly, pulling away from her.

    "How did it go? Were you able to see her? Did you get her blood?" She asked with her round beautiful eyes on me.

    I sighed, shaking my head. "I couldn''t get close to her. But I got this. Would it work?" I showed her the leaf with She''s blood on it.

    "It should," she said, as I looked past Zena to the door behind. "Who''s in there with him?" I asked, rmed.

    "It''s Elliot. I called for him. We need his help to perform the spell. I''ve done the best I can with the potions, but that isn''t enough," she said, and I couldn''t help but get worried.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    I didn''t trust this Eliot guy. Frankly, I didn''t trust anyone here except Zena. If that bastard, dimir ever discovers both our unexpected presence in the Oasis, things would be worse than it already was, for us and She. Before that happened, I had to get to She and that i***t had to wake up from whatever slumber he was in. It''s been seven weeks already, and I was running out of time and patience.

    "Don''t worry, Kai. We can trust Elliot. This will work, and you''ll see your friend will regain consciousness soon," Her hands found my neck. I breathed in deeply.

    Zena was a witch and if it wasn''t for the f*****g rune on her wrist, she would have been able to use her magic. She was taken by the Dark Circle a few years ago, after her coven was attacked and it was onlyst week she became a member of Niki''s coven. That was a good thing.

    Niki was the only warlock in Oasis that could undo the magic of the pyramid restricting the prisoners. Being part of the coven witches, Zena would finally be able to get rid of the pyramid on her wrist and gain ess to the Fortress where my sister was. The Fortress waspletely off-limits to everyone. Only members of the Dark Circle and Niki coven witches had ess to the Fortress. I had tried several times to get in, but it was impossible without getting caught.

    I rubbed my face roughly with my palm when the door opened and Elliot walked out.

    "How''s he?" I moved closer to him.

    "Still the same. I tried to break past the spell keeping him in that state, but I couldn''t. I''ve tried everything, but it''s not working. Whatever witch ced that spell on him is powerful. I can feel it through the magic itself," he sighed. "I''m sorry, Zena, I can''t help with this. Only the casting witch who ced the spell on him can undo it," he sounded and I groaned.

    "That''s not possible," I said. I haven''t been able to get to She, let alone bring her here.

    "We have her blood, Elliot," Zena informed, showing him the leaf. "I know it''s not much, but we could give it a try. Please help us."

    Elliot''s gaze went from Zena to the leaf. "We could try," He took the leaf and went back to the room. Zena and I followed him, stopping at the wooden bed.

    My eyes fell on the still body on the bed. He was exactly as I left him a few days ago. Elliot positioned next to him, using his magic, he extracted She''s blood and ced it in a container.

    "I''ll begin now. I hope this works," he said, and I hoped too.

    My hazel gaze moved to the scar that was in his chest from where Niki''s sword had pierced his heart. His wounds had healed up, already, but he just wasn''t regaining consciousness.

    I ced a hand on his cold body. "You have to wake up, Killian. She badly needs you," I whispered to him, moving to the door.

    Whatever Elliot was about to do, I badly hoped it would work. As much as I hated to admit it, I needed Killian as well. If dimir had done something to my sister, Killian was the best chance I had to save her.

    It was more of a shock to me when Inded abruptly in Oasis to find Killian''s body next to me. I didn''t know how that had happened. Maybe I had unknowingly pulled him through the portal, or the force had blown him through the portal. I didn''t know. But what I did know was that Killian was one hell of a lucky bastard. Read more free novels at NovelDrama.Org

    We all witnessed his death. I saw him dead in my sister''s arms right before she lost control and her magic took over. I''m guessing that was what happened and I bet She didn''t even know what she had done, just like the night of her awakening. But Killian wasn''t dead.

    Whatever She had done had preserved him all this time, and sent him into a deep, endless slumber instead. Killian has been unconscious for weeks, and every attempt Zena had made to break She''s spell on him has been futile. This was ourst chance. I shut the door, leaving Zena and Elliot with Killian. I crumbled on the floor, having my back against the wooden wall. "Oh, goddess, please fix him."

 Chapter 151

    She''s point of view

    I held my breath,ying still under the warm water in the tub. I just wanted some quiet and the silence lingering in the water was calming. It was enough to hush the wild drumming of my heart. It had been like this since I was shotst night and I don''t know how to make it stop. I knew this was just another test of dimir. This wasn''t the first time. He was still in doubt and wanted to be certain if I remembered anything. Anything I shouldn''t.

    I closed my eyes, pulling out of the water. I still couldn''t believe how fast time had flown in this godforsaken ce. It''s been eight weeks since I was brought here, yet it felt like it was only yesterday it all happened. The attack on my pack and his death. Killian''s death.

    Even with the gate of my eyes jammed shut, tears burned down from my eyes. I wrapped my arms around my body as a murdering coldness enveloped the washing room, piercing my heart. And now, I couldn''t stop the tears from escaping as the pain rooted deep in my soul came alive and today, I couldn''t lock it away. I couldn''t seem to win against my emotions since I saw the crafted object shaped like a crescent moon. It worked. Whatever dimir wanted to achieve by doing that really worked and right now I was aplete

    mess.

    But I had to get over whatever this was before dimir returned to Oasis. He had left at the first light of dawn, along with the imbecile, Niki. There was an urgent matter he had to tend to. He didn''t say, but I knew it was rted to the unending attacks made by the North on packs, Kingdoms, and covens affiliated with the Dark Circle.

    I knew those attacks were my brothers'' doing, just hearing about it. Everyone outside the boundaries of Oasis must be going crazy, trying to find me. And I wished Killian was too. I wished there was something I could hold on to until all of this was over. But there was nothing. My mate was dead. And I was mated to the bastard responsible for his death, sleeping with him and living a life that was aplete lie.

    Trust me, I had no choice. I didn''t remember much after I saw Niki murder Killian and held my mate''s lifeless body in my arms. I had no idea what happened to me, I had lost control. Thest thing I remembered was a portal and being dragged into it. By the time I woke up, it was a few dayster. I was here in Oasis, on dimir''s bed. I had been marked by him and had been imprinted with the pyramid symbol, stripping me of my magic.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    I didn''t know what they had done to me, but dimir wasn''t expecting me to remember anything I shouldn''t. He had erased everything that could have reminded me, including Adie. She had been binded, no doubt by dimir''s dog, Niki.

    But I did remember, and dimir didn''t like that. I was tortured, and Niki tried everything to manipte my memories in a twisted way, making me believe what they all wanted. It had happened once when Lucius brainwashed me and made me forget everything. But not again. I would be aplete fool if it happened twice.

    Whatever, they did. I just couldn''t forget. It was like my soul itself refused too, not with the rage and resentment rooted deep in my soul. The scar made by the damned sword that killed Killian helped me never to forget. It made me remember just who I had to make pay for his death. I was left with no choice but to surrender.

    Though dimir didn''t believe it right away. He had constantly tested me in different ways, and with this stupid mate bond, he could feel everything I was feeling. I had to lock it all away, while I figured out how to avenge Killian''s death, and escape this ce. Only I couldn''t.

    Oasis was more than just a ce guarded by magic. It was a bloody prison for every magical kind. This was how he created his army. Prisoners were tortured and forced like ves to pledge allegiance to dimir and his bloody cause. I had seen it happen countless times already.

    Oasis wasn''t a ce one could easily escape. Its boundaries were guarded and kept in ce by Niki. With my time here, I realized he was harnessing the magic of every witch in Oasis. He was the worst kind of witch I had ever encountered, and once I had aplished my aim, he would be the first I''d kill, in the most excruciating way.

    I pulled out of the water, tying a robe around my body. I had sent Sybil and Kali on an errand. dimir had ced them by my side to monitor me when he couldn''t. But today, I had to take advantage of the fact that he wasn''t around. I spelled myself, breaking the connection between dimir and me only for a few hours.

    I sauntered to my chamber, getting dressed as quickly as I could. I was running out of time already. Niki had begun to suspect me, I could feel it from everything that had been happening, starting from thest meeting I had with the Dark Circle. That was another of dimir''s tests. It killed me when I found out the West regions had been conquered by the Dark Circle army. It only meant dimir was a step closer to his ultimate n, and that the war with the North regions was closer than I thought.

    I knew there was no way dimir would attack North Central, at least not when the South regions hadn''t been conquered by the Dark Circle armies. He was testing me and I had to y my part.

    I locked the door to my chamber using my magic. I hurried to the wall beside my bed. I muttered a few chants and a small drawer appeared. There were some things I had to keep safe and couldn''t let get into dimir''s hands.

    At first, all I wanted was to escape this hell hole after getting rid of Niki and dimir, but that changed when the dreams started.

    I pulled open the drawer, pulling out some items and my journal. Initially, I didn''t understand what the dreams meant, but I knew better than to consider them mere dreams. Never would I make such a mistake again. It took me a while to realize my dreams of dimir were visions of what was about to happen. If only I had taken them more seriously, Killian would still be alive.

    Every one of my dreams was the same. It took me a while to understand what they meant. And the Council was right. dimir and the Dark Circle were nning something evil, and it endangered the entire magical realm.

    dimir took me to the Dark cave a few weeks after I had settled into my new life. He didn''t have to say it, but I knew he needed my help. He told me of his ns and it was exactly what I had dreamt of. The end of every magical being who wouldn''t pledge allegiance to him. That crazy imbecile was about to unleash a darkness that would destroy us all. The Shota magic. That was why the Dark Circle needed all four of the phoenix stones and they needed my magic to unleash it.

    I was given back ess to my magic, but the pyramid symbol on my wrist was restricting my magic, so I had to get rid of it. I was surprised it worked, but I had my mother''s blood flowing in my veins, and she was right. I had to stop limiting myself. I created a spell that lifted the effect of the pyramid magic on me without those bastards knowing. And I undid the spell binding Adie, setting her free within the walls of my mind.

    I had tried to send a message to Morgan and my brothers to warn them of dimir''s n but I couldn''t. Nothing, not even a message could get out of Oasis without Niki and dimir''s knowledge. So instead, I had to do everything I could to stop Niki''s attempt to unleash the darkness in a vessel.

    We''ve been at it for weeks, but nothing was working, since I rewrote the spells for the ritual, that way, dimir would never get what he wanted, and I could protect the lives of innocent witches that were being sacrificed as f*****g vessels.

    Instead of ending up dead, I stop their hearts for a few hours, giving enough time to Jaskier and some witches I had befriended from the coven to save them. But I knew it was only a matter of time before Niki found out what was going on, and before that happened, I had to stop this darkness from unleashing and put an end to dimir.

 Chapter 152

    I was surrounded by blue light. It was warm and peaceful, but abruptly, everything changed. I felt myself being pulled away into the darkness. It was different and unweing. I felt a deep pain rooted in the core of my chest. It was sharp and piercing for a second,This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Killian''s point of view forcing me awake.

    Weakly, my eyes fluttered open and I tried my hardest to keep them open. My vision was blurry. The pain in my chest had subsided. I tried moving, but that was impossible. Then I heard a drone of voices. I couldn''t make out anything they were saying, and when I forced my gaze to the direction it wasing from, everything was a blur.

    I shut my eyes, taking several breaths, before pulling them open. My vision wasn''t perfect yet, but much better. I scanned around, and I couldn''t recognize where I was. How the hell did I get here?

    Just then, the door pulled open and a figure came into view. A woman, wearing a long brown dress. I closed my eyes. I felt the woman move close to the bed. Before her hand could touch me, I gripped it, pushing her closer to me, and I had my hands on her neck. "Hey, rx. I swear I mean no harm," she held her hands up in the air. "I''m a friend."

    "Who are you?" I firmed my hands on her neck, fighting off the dizziness that had invaded me.

    "Zena," She sounded quickly. "Don''t exert yourself too much. You just woke up, you need some rest-"

    "Where am I?"

    "Somewhere safe. Let go of me first, and I will exin everything slowly and calmly," she voiced softly, her hands still held up.

    I loosened my hold on her neck, about to set her free when the sound of a familiar voice made me snap my head to the door.

    "What in the goddess'' name is this? You wake up and this is the first thing you do?" My eyes fell on Kaiser, as his deep hazel eyes inspected me.

    "Kaiser?" My brows crippled in confusion, as I let the young woman go.

    "Yeah, it''s good to see you too," he said, tossing a shirt at me.

    "What on earth are we doing here?" I asked sharply. "She? Where is she?" At the mention of She''s name, I felt Ryker''s presence within me. He was weak. I tried pulling up from the bed, but Zena grabbed me. "You shouldy still. You may be all healed up, but you''ve been unconscious for a long time."

    "Unconscious? What are you talking about?" My eyes darted from the woman to Kai. "What the hell is going on, Kai?"

    She picked up a cup from the table and handed it to me. "Drink this. It''ll help."

    Kaiser moved closer to me. "One question at a time, Killian. Firstly, you should drink that. You''ll need it," I gulped down the liquid in the cup, dropping it on the table.

    I pushed myself up from the bed, forcing myself to stand. "Where is this ce?" I asked, walking to the door, which led me to another room.

    This wasn''t my pack. How on earth did I end up here? "Where''s She? Morgan?" I turned to Kaiser who was now leaning on the wooden wall, his deep hazel eyes watching me. "Say something, Kaiser."

    "Seriously, you don''t remember anything?" he sounded. "What was thest thing you remember?"

    My eyes narrowed on him as I tried recollecting my memories but at every attempt, I was greeted with a torturous ache in my skull. I groaned.

    "You don''t remember the attack, do you?" Kaiser''s voice sounded again, still leaning on the wall, while Zena settled on the wooden chair next to me.

    "The attack? What are you-" I paused on my thoughts immediately, as short images shed through my mind. I remembered. The ball and the attack. My eyes rounded. It was the Dark Circle. They had attacked the pack, searching for She.

    I lifted my gaze, and they connected with that of Kai. "Please tell me, where is She?"

    "She was taken during the attack by the Dark Circle," he said, and I felt as though something within the core of my chest stopped.

    It took me several seconds before I could recover from what Kaiser just told me. I grabbed a handful of my hair. "I don''t remember."

    "Because she was taken right after you were murdered by the Dark Lord''s warlock," Kaiser voiced, pointing at my chest.

    "What?" A sudden coldness enveloped me as I followed his gaze, and I could see the small scar that was seated on my chest.

    "Yeah. I know this is too much to take in at once. But we don''t have time, Killian. When you died, She lost it, and her magic brought you back, cing you in some kind of slumber. I doubt she even knew what she did, because right after, she was taken by the Dark Circle army through some portal. I jumped in, chasing after her. By the time I regained consciousness, you were here too."

    "Here? What do you mean by that?" I said, roving to the door. I pulled it open, stepping into the midnight darkness. The entire surrounding was unfamiliar.

    "It''s called Oasis," Kaiser came up behind me. "You can call it dimir''s prison world. This is why we could never find him. This f*****g ce is heavily guarded by magic."

    "How long has it been?" I asked him.

    "It''s eight f*****g weeks since the attack, Killian, and you have been unconscious since then. We tried everything to wake you up, but none of it worked. Not until now," he replied.

    "And She? Where is she?" My amber eyes found Kaiser''s deep irises, and instantly, the look on his face changed.

    Kaiser sighed. "About that, I think you need to sit down to hear this," he muttered seriously and that scared me.

    *****

    Kaiser''s point of view

    "And that sums it all," I apprised him of everything, including She''s new situation, without leaving behind a single detail. I stood against the wooden wall, and my eyes were fixated on Killian.

    He was seated right opposite me. His face was buried in his hands. I had no idea what was going on in his mind, but he hasn''t muttered a damn word since. To be honest, I was surprised he hadn''t red up yet, especially when I informed him about what was happening with She, that she had a mate now, and he was the Dark Lord himself.

    Killian rubbed his face with his hands, gently. "I can''t feel her," his voice was low, barely above a whisper.

    "That''s expected," I nodded. "You died, Killian, that must have broken your bond with her, and now that she''s mated to that imbecile, there''s no way you will be able to connect to her."

    "No. No, that can''t be. Something must have happened to her. I am certain that bloody bastard did something to her," Killian was up from his chair.

    "Yeah, I thought so too-" I started, but he cut me off with haste.

    "I have to see her," Killian moved closer to me.

    "I''ve spent eight weeks in here, Killian, and I''ve been unable to see her. dimir had her locked up in the Fortress, and when she steps out, she''s always apanied by his f*****g witches." "There must be some kind of way to get into the Fortress," He began pacing back and forth.

    "None that I know of. It''s heavily guarded."

    "f**k it, Kai. I have to see her. She needs to know I''m alive!"

    I regarded him for a second, before moving to Zena. "The only way we can get to see her is outside the Fortress. She constantly goes to the Dark cave, but withpany. That''s the only way we can get to her." "Alright, that''s fine. How do we do this?" He stood next to me.

    "Zena and I have a n," I exhaled. "Zena will be joining Niki''s coven tomorrow, and will gain ess to her magic. She could help us take care of dimir''s watchdogs, buying us time to see my sister." Killian''s gaze traveled to Zena. "Zena''s my mate. And a witch too," I answered his unsaid question.

    "I could help, but it won''t take long. I may be getting my magic back, but there''s a limit to what I can do," she muttered, pulling her sleeve up and showing us the pyramid symbol on her wrists.

    "What''s that?"

    "dimir''s way of keeping Oasis in order. Every prisoner has one of those, stripping them of their magic and abilities. And only Niki can undo its magic," I exined.

    "Alright. I just need She to know I''m alive. So as long as I can see her. it''ll do," he muttered.

    Zena nodded, standing up. "For now, I advise you to get some rest. You need it."

    "She''s right. You''ll need all the strength you can get in this ce," I settled in one of the wooden chairs, watching Killian, and I could see his mind drift far away. Deep down, I knew there was no way he was getting any rest.

 Chapter 153

    Killian''s point of view

    It was almost evening. Zena, Kaiser, and I have been waiting in the woods that led to the Dark cave for hours now. f**k, I was restless. I didn''t know why my heart was pounding so fast. Ever Since I woke upst night, I just couldn''t seem to think clearly. Everything was so f*****g messed up. I shut my eyes as I pulled my back against the trunk of a tree. Kaiser and Zena, who was his mate, were together, a few distances behind me.

    I massaged my temples with my fingers. I felt exhausted and weak, but I just couldn''t find any peace, not until I saw She. I had to see her. Nothing made sense at the moment without She, without my mate. I still couldn''t believe I died, and worse, She was taken. These eight weeks I''ve been unconscious only felt like a night''s sleep. I lost eight weeks of my life, and She as well.

    Oh, goddess. That was exactly what made me restless. I refused to think deeper about it. It was absurd for She to be mated to that bastard. Something else was going on. I knew there must be a reason she was by that bastard''s side, and I had to hear it to get rid of this rotten pain deep in my chest.

    She had to know I was alive. She had to know she brought me back. I could only imagine what she must have gone through thinking I was dead. I just couldn''t wait to see her.

    We had a n. Kaiser and Zena were going to distract the witches, using her magic, buying me some time to see She.

    "Killian," I snapped my eyes open as Kaiser and Zena moved closer to me.

    We hid behind one of the towering trees as the sounds of horses drew closer and I saw her. I saw She. I could feel Ryker''s presence on the surface.

    I froze and my heart slowed its fast beating. I couldn''t tear my eyes away from her. I didn''t know when tears formed in my eyes as she moved by, racing on her horse. I couldn''t let her go without seeing her. I was about to step out of the shade when Kai held me back, pinning me against the tree.

    "What the f**k, Killian? The n is to get to my sister, not get us exposed," he yelled in a whisper. "She''s withpany," He pointed out, and right behind her, a group of women dressed in cloaks rode behind her. Witches. I hadn''t seen them.

    "She''s leaving, Kai. What now?" Zena sounded in a low whisper.

    "We wait until she returns from the cave, hopefully, we will get our chance," he said as I pulled out from his grip, sauntering deeper into the woods to get some air.

    We waited in the woods until the sun had retired for the day and darkness took over. She still hadn''t returned from the cave. I was curious about what exactly she was doing there. Whatever it was, I knew it wasn''t good.

    We waited for a few more minutes in silence. It was from a far distance we heard the horses approaching. It was more than one. I could make out the sound of three horses. She was with two other witches.

    I moved silently to where Kaiser and Zena were.

    "This has to be quick, Killian. I don''t think my magic can hold out two witches at the same time," Zena whispered, and I nodded.

    "We must leave now," Kaiser added, covering his face with a small cloth. I did the same.

    "Thank you," I nodded at Kaiser, before navigating my way out of the woods, moving closer to the route where She''s horse would pass by.

    I hid behind the trees, waiting in the darkness as the horses moved fast, and immediately, there was a mild rumbling on the ground that carried a small breeze. Just like we nned, Zena made use of the opportunity, and using her magic, she pulled them into the woods where she and Kai would hold them for a few minutes.

    As soon as Zena got rid of those witches, my eyes fell back on She''s horse, but she wasn''t there. I stepped out from the tree''s shade, and before I could take a step further, I felt the presence behind me.

    "Take a step further, and I swear it''ll be yourst," Her soft voice filtered into the darkness and I just couldn''t fight the waters that gathered in my eyes. I felt Ryker rise to the surface as She''s scent invaded my nostrils.

    I pulled my hands up in the air, still backing her.

    "Where''s Sybil and Kali? What did you do to them?" she spoke hurriedly. "If you value your life, you would-" Her words were cut short the instant I swerved around, and my eyes connected with those blue crystals of hers. There was something in them that made my heart ache.

    It was like time paused along with her. I could see the shock imprinted on her face, as she was unable to force her eyes away from mine. A tear slipped down my eyes, knowing she still recognized my gaze.

    Slowly, I reached for the cloth covering my face, pulling it down. Her lips parted, as she took a small step backward. Her round beautiful eyes held mine intensely.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    "She," I called breathlessly, taking a step forward, but she took another step back. "She, it''s me," I sounded again and her eyes still didn''t move away from mine.

    I swallowed the distance between us, reaching for her, but before I could touch her. She moved back, her eyes tearing away from mine.

    "Stay back!" She shouted, as her blue eyes fell on me again. They werepletely cold. "What nonsense is this?"

    "I know this doesn''t make sense. It doesn''t make sense to me either. But it''s me, She, and I am alive. You brought me back, She. Kaiser is here as well, we came through the-"

    "Enough!" She yelled, and I could see the glow in her blue eyes, but she hid it quickly. "Whatever you think you are doing, I will advise you to end it and leave now. That''s if you value your life," she sounded again. There was nothing in those gazes of hers, and all I could see behind those gazes of hers was a deep, endless void.

    She retracted her gaze from me and turned around to leave but before she could, I reached out and gripped her wrist. Those tingling sparks erupted, and I heard the soft, almost unnoticeable gasp that left her lips. Instantly, she sent me flying using her magic and I crashed against a tree.

    f**k. I groaned, pushing myself up on my boots as She moved out of the woods. I went after her but halted the instant the witches from earlier caught up with her. I had no choice but to back against the trees. She didn''t stop, she kept moving until she reached her horse with those witches following her. She got on her horse and rode off.

    I leaned against the tree, watching her fade out of sight.

    "What happened?" Kaiser voiced behind me. "Tell me, Killian. What happened to She? What did she say?"

    "Nothing," I replied, getting a ridiculous look from Kai.

    "Seriously, Killian. I blew my chance to see my sister for you, and she said nothing?"

    "Didn''t she recognize you? I mean it''s possible. dimir has his way of doing that," Zena said and I shook my head.

    "It''s not that. Something''s wrong with She, Kai. She recognized me, but pretended not to or didn''t want to believe it was me. I don''t know," I huffed out, gliding down to the ground. "She''s wearing his mark." "I told you she was mated to him," he counted his words, spelling them out for me. I shut my eyes as Ryker curled up in a corner of my mind in pain as the ugly truth settled in.

    My mate was mated to another. She was beside that bastard, spending every awakening hour beside him, and no doubt against her will.

    "This was ourst chance to get to her. With what happened tonight, it''ll be much harder getting to her," Kai was muttering more to himself.

    "I know. That''s why we need to get into the Fortress. We need to know everything that''s going on there," I was up.

    "We can''t just waltz in there. Remember, that imbecile would recognize us the instant he sets his eyes on us."

    "I do know that," I turned to Zena. "That''s where we would need your help, please."

    Her eyes moved from mine to Kaiser''s. "Alright, but whatever we are doing, we need to be careful. From what happened tonight, the coven will be more alert."

    "We should hold back to the shack," Kaiser suggested, and we all nodded. More than ever, I need to get into the Fortress and know exactly what''s going on.

 Chapter 154

    She''s point of view

    I moved faster on my horse till we reached the Fortress. I rode past the warriors scattered around the Fortress grounds, wearing simr clothing from the Circle, having half of their faces covered. I got off my horse, leaving it to a warrior.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    I gripped hard to my dress, as I moved hastily past the hallways. Walking as fast as I could. I couldn''t wait to get to my chamber. I could hear the calls of Kali and Sybil behind me, but I couldn''t deal with any of their nonsense right now. I couldn''t let anyone see me like this, I wasn''t in the right state of mind.

    The second I burst through the doors to my chamber, I mmed them close, using my magic to ensure no one got in. I loosened the ropes clutching around my neck that held my cloak in ce. It was suffocating me. I tossed it on the floor, pulling my hands to my face.

    I felt the chaos inside me, as well as Adie''s struggle to the surface. She was fighting for control and my body was vibrating intensely. It caused the burningmps in my chamber to burn fiercer and the calm air around me began to grow rough and violent, creating a disaster within my chamber.

    "Adie, please stop!" Adie was fighting harder for control. She wanted us to go back to the woods. She hadpletely lost it and wasn''t thinking straight. I couldn''t let us y right into one of dimir''s stupid games. "It isn''t him, Adie," I yelled, enunciating each word, and every struggle of hers seized. This wasn''t the first time he had tried to get into my head, to break me and see right through my emotions. I couldn''t let that happen.

    I was trying my hardest not to lose control of my emotions, but at every attempt, I felt my heart shattering the instant the thought of Killian standing right in front of me shed through my mind.

    My emotions were spiraling out of control, and I lost them. My body and soul gave in to the pain that had taken dominance within me, feasting on every piece of me. It was saddening. I wanted to scream, to release everything I felt at the moment, but I couldn''t. I ced my hands over my lips in a weak attempt to muffle it all and tears found freedom from the gates of my eyes.

    I waspletely frozen. I couldn''t move, I couldn''t breathe. I couldn''t hold back the tears that burned my eyes, rolling down my cheeks and my thoughts, and every piece of me was filled by him again. Killian.

    I couldn''t believe this. This was the cruelest I had ever been tested with in all my time here. I held on tightly to my dress, as my knees kissed the floor. I wasn''t in control of anything at the moment. I felt Adie retreat to a dark corner of my soul. The familiar pain that had always coursed through her merged with mine, staking my chest.

    I fell hard on the floor, crying my heart out and I was forced back to that moment I lost Killian forever. It yed over and over in my head, hurting me to the depths of my soul. Killian was dead. I watched him die right in front of my eyes and held him in my arms. I shut my eyes closed and I could still see those gazes of Killian boring right through me and for a painful second it felt like him. I didn''t know what was going through that psychotic bastard''s mind, but this was absolutely the worst.

    "I swear it felt like it was him," Adie voiced slowly within me, and I couldn''t deny it. She was right. For a god-damned second, I almost believe it.

    I shut my eyes, leaning against the bed. "Stop it, Adie, it isn''t him."

    "Think about it, what if he''s really-"

    "Please, Killian is-" I paused, as a tear slipped down my cheek. "Dead," I added. "This is not the right time to lose it and wish for something never possible. You know better than to believe what you see in this ce," I said, tiredly. I was tired of it all. This only spelt problem.

    It simply meant dimir still had a suspicion about me. This was the wrongest time for that. The moon''s eclipse was days away, and dimir was still testing me. If he had the slightest doubt about me, everything would be over. He would finally get what he wanted on the night of the lunar eclipse and everyone''s life, including mine, will be at his mercy. I couldn''t let that happen. I had to win this fight at all costs. I had to avenge Killian''s death and put an end to dimir''s ns.

    I shook out of my thoughts when I heard the sharp knock on the door. I was up from the floor, I used my magic and fixed my chamber quickly, wiping off the tear stains on my face.

    "What is it?" I asked.

    "The Dark Lord requests your presence in the grand hall," I heard Sybil''s voice and I was surprised. I wasn''t informed he was returning tonight.

    "I will join him soon," I voiced loudly.

    "Yes, my queen," I heard the tapping sound of her boots exit to the hallways.

    "That doesn''t sound good," Adie muttered. "I have a bad feeling about this," she added, returning to the deepest corners of my mind.

    Swiftly, I fixed myself up, keeping my emotions at bay. I lifted the spell I had ced on myself, restoring my connection with dimir. I left my chambers. I headed for the grand hall, and dimir was there. He was standing at the window, staring into the darkness that wandered outside.

    I strode to where he was. The instant I was by his side, his golden gaze found mine. He ced the goblet in his hand aside, pulling me into his arms and his lips captured mine. He kissed me and his hand pinned me to his body, and his other hand got lost in my hair. I let myself go, kissing him back, until we pulled apart, panting.

    He kissed my marking spot where his mark was, inhaling my scent. "I missed you," He muttered against my ears, pulling away, his thumb brushing my lips.

    "Me too. I thought you''d be back tomorrow," I wrapped my hands around him, burying my head in the crook of his neck. I felt his presence and worry at the back of my mind. I drew away from him, and my blue eyes met his.

    "I could not wait until tomorrow," his fingers trailed my jaw and his golden eyes held mine. "I was worried, more so when I was informed about tonight''s incidence in the woods..."

    My lips curved into a small smile. I tilted my head to the doorway where Sybil was standing with her back turned away from us.

    "What happened?" He questioned as his thumb pulled my face to him, and his golden piercing eyes locked with mine.

    "I would also like to know what happened. One second, they were beside me, and the next second, vanished from sight," I sounded, tearing my eyes from his piercing ones.

    "I see. Then it''s more serious than I thought. First, it was the shooting, and now, this. I fear someone may be after your life," He spoke shortly, after regarding me for long seconds.

    "That''s ridiculous, d, as well as impossible," I tried keeping my voice calm.

    "All the more reason it''s serious. I will have Niki look into it, love," he kissed me, pulling away a little. "Until this matter is resolved, I suggest you remain within the walls of the fortress. It''s far much safer." "What! No, d. That''s not a good idea. The moon is almost upon us and we haven''t made progress yet with the rituals," I started, what he was suggesting was something I couldn''t agree to.

    "Nothing is more important than your safety, love," he insisted, his zing golden crystals regarding me intensely.

    "And what about the rituals and preparations? We still have a lot to figure out," I uttered.

    "Don''t worry yourself so much. Niki has an idea of what the problem is."

    "That''s good. I will speak to him about it, and together we can-" I began but his fingers sealed my lips.

    "No. As you said, the moon is almost upon us. Niki will make the preparations, and do the needful while you are safe and well-rested for the Blood moon. You''ll need all the magic you can get. What do you say?" I pushed a smile, giving in. "Sounds like a n."

    "Perfect," he held a mischievous smirk and I tried my hardest to fight off the worry that clouded my thoughts. I knew Niki was behind this sudden change and whatever new n he had scared me.

 Chapter 155

    She''s point of view

    I kept staring at the mirror, watching my very own reflection. I could hardly get any sleepst night, especially after my time with dimir. I could feel it in the depths of my soul, something was happening. Niki was getting to dimir. He had begun to suspect the process of the ritual; he must know I was doing it wrong. And now, just when I had to be involved, they were trying to cut me off. The Blood moon was a few days away and we were supposed to have found the right vessel by then. A vessel that had enough energy to contain the Shota''s magic before we had it transferred to dimir on the night of the Blood moon. That has been dimir''s n all along. He wanted the Shota''s magic. That would be terrible for all of us. dimir was a mixed breed, being a wolf and a vampire. Thest thing we needed was him getting his ws on the Shota''s magic. I couldn''t let that happen. That would make him a step closer to his n.

    The Shota''s magic was the darkest kind of magic that existed thousands of years ago. It was darkness without form or origin and was destroyed, or rather, imprisoned away by the ancient Council. It was erased from existence and history, but through the years, dimir somehow learned of it, and his coven of witches made a crack within its prison walls, giving him ess to it.

    The only way the ancient Council was able to bind and imprison this dark magic was through a blood ritual that was anchored thousands of years ago by the Council witches, and now, dimir and his witches n to anchor another blood ritual to unbind the Shota''s magic, setting it free, and this was his end game.

    The Dark Circle is preparing for a war with the North, right after the South regions were conquered. That war was only a disguise to achieve his goal, and with the blood of so many lives that would be sacrificed, a blood ritual would be anchored to set free the greatest darkness that would consume every one of us. No one would be spared.

    I drew in a deep breath, remembering my constant dreams. It scared me, for all I could see was darkness and death.

    Oh, goddess! I ced my fingers on both sides of my temples. I had only until the blood moon to get everything in motion and ensure that dark magic never finds a vessel.

    I shot up from my chair, hearing distant voices from outside the Fortress. I went to the window, took a peek outside, and it was some members of the Dark Circle. They had begun to arrive for today''s meeting.

    I connected to dimir through our mate bond. "They are here," I fixed my dress and left for the Dragon''s court.

    I met with dimir on the way to the Court. We entered the Court and I took my seat right next to him. Many members of the Council had turned up for the meeting.

    In a few more minutes, the Court was filled, and everyone was seated round the crystal table and we began.

    "The South has joined forces with the Northern regions and they''ve cleared almost every pack, kingdom, and coven affiliated with the Dark Circle," one of the members spoke up, and several more began to air their views.

    "We must attack the North the soonest before the Council conquers every one of our alliances outside the walls of Oasis," another said.

    I sent a nce at dimir, he was deep in his thoughts, and even with the mate bond, I didn''t have an inkling about his thoughts. He remained silent as everyone kept mumbling nonsense.

    "Silence!" d''s deep voice sounded. "It''s true that the Council has targeted almost all our forces outside the Oasis. But it would be ridiculous to rush into things. The North must have absolutely no idea what''sing their way. Not until I have ess to Shota''s magic, there will be no bloody war," he said, pulling his hands under his chin, and just then, the doors were pushed open, revealing Niki.

    He wasn''t alone, he was with a man, and behind them was Ren. He was themanding head warrior of the Circle''s army. He came with a few warriors, and they positioned themselves at the doors with their faces covered as usual.

    "My apologies for keeping you all waiting," The man apologized, taking his seat along with Niki. He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn''t tell where exactly I had seen him. But it had to be from the Crescent North Pack, even though I couldn''t remember. He nodded his head to me, as I caught his stare on me. He knew me.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    "What is going on, Felix?" dimir asked and the Court became quiet.

    "There''s a reason why you are among them, the least you could do was warn us of the attacks."

    "Again, I apologize, but things have been crazy since the Circle ambushed the Crescent North Pack, and rescued the queen," He paused, ncing my way. "That wretch, Amelie, has been having visions and the Council is aware. They are aware of the Shota''s magic, and right now, their priority is locating the White wolf."

    I expelled every thought that attempted to graze my mind at the moment and tried concentrating on everything they were saying, but somehow, I couldn''t. I kept getting distracted.

    At first, I thought it was all in my head, but I wasn''t. The hairs on my skin stood as I felt a piercing heated gaze on me. I shifted my eyes to the warriors guarding the doors. But I couldn''t tell exactly who it was.

    After a while, the meeting was adjourned. I left the Dragon Court, taking the hallways back to my chamber. My thoughts were filled with that man, Felix, as I tried to remember where I had seen him from. But I couldn''t. I could have seen him once, but what worried me more was the fact that he was an internal spy in North Central and was working for Dark Circle. That was not good at all.

    I wished I could send a warning out to my brothers, but I couldn''t, especially now I couldn''t leave the Fortress.

    "She," I stopped walking, hearing dimir''s instant call. I turned to find him a short distance away from me.

    "I am sorry, d. I didn''t hear you," I went to him, embracing him tightly. I brought my gaze to him. "I don''t know why, but I have a bad feeling about all of this. Can that man, Felix, be trusted? If the Council knows about Shota''s magic, then they know exactly what we are up to. And you know what that means, they''ll stop at nothing to stop us."

    "Rest assured, Felix can be trusted. I ced him in the Council for a reason, he hasn''t disappointed, never," he muttered, kissing me. "Take a rest today. You need it."

    I inhaled, smiling. "I guess I do. You were right. These past few days have been too much. Niki should take care of the preparations while I get prepared for the night of the blood moon."

    "That''s it, my little witch," he leaned closer, kissing me softly as his hands wandered on my body. "I will join you shortly," a smirk grew on his lips and I knew what he had in mind. He kissed me once more, before leaving.

    I made my way to my chamber hurriedly. I shut the door the second I was in. Now I remembered where I had seen him. I met him at my Luna coronation. Felix was a member of the Council. He was dimir''s spy in the Council.

    Leonardo was absolutely right. He had always suspected a traitor within the Council. And that traitor was Felix. He has been leaking every piece of information from the Council to the Dark Circle. That was how the Dark Circle knew of the prophecy fourteen years ago, and that was how they knew the identity of the white wolf. No wonder the Dark Circle managed to get their hands on the phoenix stones.

    Holy goddess, I must find some kind of way to get word out of Oasis, before the Council and everyone falls into Felix''s and the Dark Circle''s trap.

    I blocked my thoughts and rushed to the hidden drawer beside my drawer. I grabbed my journal and pen. I slit my palm and used my blood to send a message to Jaskier and the few witches I had on my side. We had to hasten things up.

    When I was done, I pulled out the remaining items from the drawer. When my dreams started, I made a promise I would do anything to stop dimir from achieving his goal and gaining ess to the dark magic. But just in case my ns didn''t work out, I had to have another n. The Vortex.

    My mother had mentioned it in one of her Grimoires I had gone through at the ck Blood Pack. It was both dangerous and powerful and made from onyx stones. Jaskier has been helping me out with it, but it was far fromplete.

    The sharp knock on the door startled me. Quickly, I ced the items back in the drawer, concealing them.

    I rushed to the door and unlocked it. Before I could pull it open, the door pushed open, and one of the warriors hurried in, locking the door behind me.

    "What the hell is the meaning of this?" I was gripped by the waist before I could take a step further. Almost immediately, he dragged down the cloth covering his face, and once more, I froze.

    "It''s me, Killian," he rushed on, and before I could react as much, I felt the familiar taste of his lips on mine, and tingling sparks shot through my body, awakening something I thought had died. It couldn''t be.

 Chapter 156

    She''s point of view

    His lips moved gently on mine, kissing me softly while my body burned with a feeling I never thought I''d feel, ever again. It was him. It was Killian. Reluctantly, he pulled his lips away from mine and my blue eyes met his deep amber ones, sparkling with tears.

    "Oh, Killian," I gasped in disbelief as tears wandered free. My body was vibrating intensely as my trembling fingers moved up to his face. "Killian," "Yes, it''s my love. It''s me," hisrge hands covered mine, bringing it to his lips. "I''m alive,"

    "Just how? I saw you dead, Killian. I held you in my arms" I started in tears, but he pressed his soft lips to mine, silencing me.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "You did, She. You saved me," he held me tightly into his hands, burying his face in my hair as confusion broke within me.

    "I don''t understand. How are you here?" I had so many questions, but Killian''srge thumb silenced me once again.

    "One question at a time, love," he chuckled, drawing a breath. "It''s a long story. Really long story. I have been unconscious all this time, I only regained consciousness two days ago," he caressed my cheek, wanting to say more but he shook his head. "There''s so much I want to say, but right now, I don''t have much time," he rushed on, and my body stiffened instantly as I remembered exactly where we were.

    "Oh goddess, Killian, you have to leave," I couldn''t help but panic. "You can''t be here. dimir mustn''t see you here-,"

    "Why?" he cut me off sharply, his hands cupped my face and his deep amber eyes pierced mine. All I could see in his depth was a sickening pain that was quick to pierce my heart. Killian lowered his gaze to the crook of my neck where dimir''s mark was. He stared at it briefly before shutting his eyes, and the tears flowed through. A bitter pain settled in my chest, stabbing me to the point I felt my legs weaken. I held tightly unto Killian unable to stop the tears that kept flowing, blurring my vision. "You are mated to him. I don''t understand, She, how could that be possible?" Killian''s eyes found mine again. "Please, tell me he is forcing you to remain by his side, please tell, I beg you,"

    "I had no other choice, Killian. I died when I thought I had lost you forever," I muttered, sobbing.

    "She-" he began but I stopped him.

    "Killian, you can''t be here. You have to leave now," I gripped his arm, pulling him to the door. dimir mustn''t see Killian, let alone find out Killian was still alive. I couldn''t even imagine what would happen if he did. "Leave? Like f**k I will, She. I''m not leaving you here," Killian was adamant. He held me back in his arms. "Kaiser is here as well,"

    "What?" Killian''s words left me motionless. "My brother is here as well?"

    "Yes. Kaiser and I came through the portal, right after Niki took you, and he''s been trying to get to you,"

    What Killian was telling me was shocking and unbelievable. I didn''t know. I could never have imagined Kai was here all these weeks. This simply means that Kai had been the one that sent me that crafted object. "Where is he? Is he here in the Fortress?" I asked quickly, and Killian shook his head.

    "No. He couldn''te. Zena''s magic could only help get one person through," he said.

    My brows were crippled, confounded. Who''s Zena? I wanted to ask, but this wasn''t the right time for this. dimir could walk in any second.

    "Killian, please, you have to go. dimir coulde in any minute and everything will end badly," I pleaded with him, hoping he saw reason.

    "Alright, fine. You are right. That bastard mustn''t find out about Kai and I. I''ll leave, but promise you''lle to find me tonight. We have to talk She, and Kaiser is dying to see you," Killian held me.

    f**k, I wasn''t supposed to leave the Fortress. I couldn''t give dimir any more reason to doubt my intentions. I thought briefly, meeting Killian''s unyielding gaze. "I wille,"

    "I will wait for you outside the Fortress-"

    "No, Killian. That''s dangerous. I will find you, I promise," I uttered quickly, and before he could ask how, I snaked my hands around his neck, kissing him.

    I used the opportunity to race through his memories, and I found exactly where they were staying. A small cabin in the woods.

    Killian''s arms pinned me to his body, as he deepened our kiss. I felt myself getting lost in the feeling, but I couldn''t.

    "No, Killian, you have to leave now," I pulled away, hurrying to the door.

    He released a deep sigh, following behind. He covered his face, sparing onest nce at me, before leaving my chamber. I hurried to the door, watching him as he scampered out of the hallways.

    I exhaled the air, imprisoned in my lungs, resting my head on the door the second I shut it close. I blinked back the tears welling in my eyes, I couldn''t believe it, it all seemed to be a dream. Killian was alive.

    He survived Niki''s attack. And was here in the Oasis, with my brother. Everything felt like a dream. Oh, goddess, I had questions.

    I couldn''t stay still. Adie has been restless, prancing within the corner of my mind without taking a rest. She wanted to go to him but I knew better than that, if I didn''t thread carefully, I would only endanger my brother and Killian.

    I had to fight the urge and was forced to watch the day go by slowly and finally, darkness covered thend.

    I waited for more hours until it was dead in the night. Then I hurried to the clothing rack and grabbed one of my cloaks, wearing it over my dress. I left my chamber, and using my magic, it was easy for me to sneak out of the Fortress unnoticed.

    I had to leave my horse behind and go on foot, thest thing I needed was drawing attention to me. With the hood of my cloak over my head, I took the shortest path to the vige and sauntered deep into the woods. I kept walking for what seemed like hours, covering my tracks. It took me long before I reached the cabin I saw in Killian''s memory. As I approached, I spotted Killian waiting for me outside the cabin.

    "She," I raced to Killian, flinging my body in his arms.

    Lovingly, he scooped me into his arms and hugged me as if his life depended on it. His muscr arms engulfed my small frame and I buried my face into his chest, inhaling his scent which Adie and I had greatly missed.

    I felt him resting his lips and nose on the top of my head and we stayed like that for a few minutes, until Killian pulled away, reluctantly.

    Hisrge hands cupped my face and moaned at the sweet tingles that erupted as Killian swept back the locks of my hair before he crashed his lips on mine.

    The feeling of having Killian in my arms after all these weeks was surreal. I could feel Adie''s light purrs deep in my mind as Killian''s lips kept assaulting me. Before Killian and I could take things further, forgetting where we were, the wooden door of the cabin creaked open, and someone cleared their throats. I pulled away from Killian, knowing exactly who that could be. My blue crystals fell on my brother, Kaiser.

    I couldn''t possibly begin to describe the emotions that swirled in my chest. Without sparing a second, I hasten to the door, sprawling my arms around him. "Kaiser," It was still hard to believe both Killian and Kaiser had been in Oasis all this time, and now, they were right before me.

    Kaiser''srge arms covered me, and I held onto him for a few more minutes. I just had to be certain none of these were a dream.

    After a while, we pulled apart, and my eyes held Kai''s hazel pair.

    "I''m so f*****g happy to see you, sister," he said to me, wiping off the tears that streamed down my cheeks.

    "Me too, Kai," I replied, never letting go of his hand. "I don''t understand. How did you get here?" I asked, needing answers, and right then, a young woman moved to the door, leaning against the doorframe with a warm smile that reached her brown eyes. I couldn''t help but smile back. She was not familiar, and the symbol on her wrist made it clear she was a prisoner in Oasis. Hopefully a friend.

    I felt Killian''s presence behind me, as Kaiser''s gaze traveled from me to the woman behind.

    "We should go inside. We have a lot to talk about," Kaiser suggested, and I couldn''t agree any less. Things had started to heat up in Oasis, and right now, I would appreciate every help I could get.

 Chapter 157

    She''s point of view

    I was seated in one of the wooden chairs in the cabin, Killian was beside me, Kaiser sat on the table close to the door, and Zena, who I just found out was Kaiser''s fated mate, was right opposite us. She was a witch as well who I was grateful to for helping both my brother and Killian. The cabin waspletely quiet as Kai exined everything to me about how he followed Niki through the portal into Oasis, meeting Zena and Killian''s situation. I had no idea what I had done to save Killian, but whatever it was, I kept thanking the goddess for it. "Zena had tried to send word out of Oasis, but it''s impossible," Kai said, rubbing his hands together. "We have no idea what''s happening on the outside. I can''t stop thinking about Leonardo and the others, what exactly happened after Niki took you and we jumped right after."

    I could feel Kai''s worry. It was justified. Every single day I also wondered what exactly happened to the others after Niki had left with me. Things were pretty bad before Killian died.

    Leonardo must be going insane, searching for Kaiser and me, and Morgan had no idea about Killian. What worried me the most was Valerie, there was this sickening feeling in my chest that I couldn''t seem to push away. I just hope everyone was alright. "That''s right. Niki is channeling the magic of thousands of witches, and that''s what is holding this ce, and keeping everyone in it. It''s impossible to send word out, without Niki knowing about it," I told them as I felt Killian''s intense stare on me. "Alright, it''s your turn, She," Killian''s deep voice cut through the quiet air. "Tell us exactly what happened," he asked calmly. Although, everyone could feel the chaos spiraling out of control within him.

    I drew in some air, feeling everyone''s gaze on me. I didn''t even know where to begin. I got up from my seat, moving to the wooden walls.

    "I have no idea what happened after I was taken by Niki through the portal. I woke up a few days after, and I had already been marked by dimir, and branded with this on my wrist, stripping me off my wolf and magic," I pulled up the sleeve of my dress, showing them the pyramid symbol. "Niki tried to alter my memories with his magic. dimir''s orders. They wanted to brainwash me, making me believe a twisted lie, and when it didn''t work, they tortured me and wouldn''t stop until I broke. I had no choice but to give in, at least with my sanity still intact. I became what dimir wanted me to be, and acted exactly how he wanted."

    "Bloody hell, She, I am sorry," Kaiser walked up to me, spreading his arms around me. I could see the pain that filled his depth and before he started feeling all guilty, I made him know none of these was his fault. It was no one''s fault.

    I shifted my gaze to Killian who was still seated on the chair, his rich amber eyes were on me with his emotions raw at the surface. A mixture of rage, pain, and confusion was all I had been feeling from him.

    "What do we do now?" Zena broke the lingering silence, asking an important question. What the hell were we going to do now? One thing was certain, we had to figure out how to get out of Oasis before the Blood moon.

    "She, you can''t go back to the Fortress. If truly dimir is starting to suspect you, you are in f*****g danger at that bastard''s side," Kaiser said, backing against the wall.

    I shook my head, about to disagree when Killian''s voice filled the room.

    "For the first time, I agree with Kaiser. You can''t go back to that imbecile," I could see the rage brewing in Killian''s eyes as he tried to contain his emotions.

    For a second, I forgot exactly how he must be feeling. I wasn''t just being by dimir''s side; I was living as his mate. I knew more than anyone how excruciating it felt. But if I refused to return to the Fortress, we would only be unleashing hell.

    "I hate to admit it, but you are right. That savage beast will find us, and it won''t end well," Adie''s voice echoed within me, as she rose to the surface.

    "I have to," I said, and Killian ran his fingers through his head in outright disapproval. "If I don''t go back, dimir would turn Oasis upside down, just to find me, and that would endanger every one of us."

    "She has a valid point. There''s no way she would hide out here without dimir finding her or you both," Thankfully, Zena reasoned with me.

    "And I don''t n on hiding. We must figure out how to get out of here. Things are worse than you imagine here, and it''s only a matter of days before everything and everyone we care about outside Oasis suffers the worst fate," I said, as everyone threw confused looks my way.

    "What do you mean?" Killian was the first to react.

    "dimir is nning something evil, and I swear in the goddess'' name it will destroy every one of us," I said, settling on the table close to me.

    "Oh f**k! What is that bastard up to now," Kaiser had started pacing.

    I released a breath, and slowly I began to summarize the situation of things in the Dark Circle. "dimir is sick andpletely evil. His entire n has been to wipe out every magical being and force that stood against him, starting with the Council and all those affiliated with them. dimir was about to unleash a great darkness, one that the prophecy had spoken about in the Crystal stones, and would be the end of all of us. The Blood moon which is in a few days would help him gain ess to this dark magic. He''s been searching for a vessel to contain the magic first, and I have been doing all that I can to stop that from happening. But now, I fear that imbecile, Niki, has caught on, and he has found a way for dimir to gain ess to the dark magic using the power of the Blood moon. And dimir''s victory with the Blood moon will be the beginning of our end."

    "What does that mean?" Zena''s shocked-filled voice sounded.

    "Gaining ess to this dark magic is just the beginning. This magic was banished away and imprisoned thousands of years ago by the old Council. Now, dimir intends to unleash it, setting it free. And this would require a blood ritual. The old Council managed to imprison this magic by anchoring a blood ritual, sacrificing many lives from different magical kinds. dimir will anchor another f*****g blood ritual to set it free. And for that, he''s nning a war with the North, but this is only a disguise of what he wants to achieve," I finished. The air around me was suddenly too cold for my liking.

    "Oh, goddess. The Council had to know about this," Killian was up from his chair, stalking closer to me.

    "I thought so too, but dimir has had a spy all along within the Council," I muttered.

    "Leo was right all along," Kaiser voiced and I nodded. "Do you know who the scoundrel of a traitor is?" "Felix," I called right away.

    Killian gasped in shock. "What?" And a simr shock found Kaiser. "Felix?" He repeated in disbelief. "Are you sure?"

    "He attended today''s meeting, and dimir confirmed it. He''s been working for the Dark Circle for a long time, way before the attack on our pack," I nced at Kai''s way. "He was the one who informed the Dark Circle about the prophecy, and who I was." "I swear to all things sacred; I will kill that traitor!" Kaiser was vibrating with a familiar rage, and I didn''t doubt his words, not even for a second.

    "If there''s a traitor within the council, how on earth are we going to let them know what''s going on, without this Felix, rattling back to the Dark Circle?" Zena was up from her seat as well.

    "We send a message to Leonardo and Morgan and warn them. They will know exactly what to do and apprehend Felix," Killian said, "But the bigger problem is getting that message out." "There might be a way for that," Kaiser cut in, and I raised an eyebrow, questioningly.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "But Niki-" I started but Kaiser shook his head.

    "He doesn''t have to know, sister," His words confused me the most, and before I could ask, Zena did.

    "And how will that be possible?" She urged him to continue.

    Kaiser took a deep pause, scanning our faces, before sighing. "This is a bit risky, but it''ll work," he finally said, and somehow, I could feel a ray of hope blossom in my chest.

 Chapter 158

    She''s point of view

    Kaiser drew in sharp breaths, "This is a bit risky, but it''ll work," he said as his hazel orbs moved over Zena, Killian, and me.

    "Alright, just spill it, Kai," Killian folded his arms around his chest.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    "I overheard some little birdies at the training camps for prisoners. The Dark Circle is sending their army to the Southern regions," Kai started, and I nodded, affirming.

    "Yes. The southern regions have joined forces with the Council and the Packs, kingdoms, and covens in North Central. dimir doesn''t want to take chances. He wants to conquer the South regions before the Blood moon. And he just might be sessful because of Felix,"

    "Alright. How does the attack on the South help us in any way?" Zena asked, confusedly.

    "We use the Dark Circle army going for the attack. They will be leaving Oasis, and Niki will be aware. We use this opportunity to send one of our own to warn Leo and Morgan about that bastard''s treachery," Kaiser exined more in detail. Kaiser''s n was brilliant but dangerous. First of all, it wouldn''t be easy sneaking someone in, and secondly, if something were to go wrong with this n, it''d be the death of everyone.

    I exhaled, leaning my head against the wooden wall.

    "That will be dangerous," Zena was also thinking like I was. "If anything goes wrong-"

    "It won''t. And this is the best chance we have to get across to those outside Oasis. We need all the help we can get from those outside, and with what She said, things are getting worse here. We need to act smartly," Kaiser came again.

    "Let''s do this," Killian sounded, "We send someone out to inform the others of Felix''s involvement with the Dark Circle, and also, bring the Council''s army right here. We end this before dimir does whatever he wants on the night of the Blood moon." "This is f*****g risky. Niki will know, you underestimate him. And besides, who exactly will be leaving with the army?" Zena wriggled her brows, questioningly.

    "Good question," I heard Adie whisper in my head.

    "We have to be careful about who we would be sending, we can''t trust anyone," I said, sending nces at everyone.

    "I''m not leaving you alone, in here, with that bastard, She," Killian said with his heated gaze on me. I could feel his emotions in every word of his.

    We stared at each other intensely for a long minute, before Kaiser cleared his throat, bringing us back to the room.

    "And, I am not leaving either," Kaiser voiced, and his eyes darted to his mate, Zena. All of our eyes did.

    "f*****g no!" She sounded, shifting her gaze from Kaiser to Killian and me. "No. No," she began pacing. "There''s no way in hell I''m leaving Kai,"

    "We need someone we trust," Kaiser went to her but she backed away, flinging her hands in the air. "And someone that knows this ce well enough to bring the Council''s army here."

    "I can''t Kai. I am already a member of the coven. Niki will know if I''m gone and besides, it will take me days to get to the North with this on my f*****g wrist, limiting my magic," She half-yelled.

    I pulled away from the wall, "I can break off the pyramid''s magic. And, I have some friends in the coven. They''ll help. Trust me, Niki will have no idea someone''s missing."

    Zena sighed softly.

    "Please, Zena. This is the only way to get rid of dimir and this ce," Kaiser came softly at her.

    We remained in silence for a few more minutes, while Zena thought of things quietly.

    "Alright, I''m on board. What''s the n to get into the army?" She asked, and a small smile found my lips.

    "The Dark Circle will be sending some witches along. We just have to ensure you are one of them, and I know someone who can help with that," I said, knowing full well Jaskier was in charge of that.

    "Once you are out of Oasis, you will flee from the army and head to the North. You have to go to the Crescent North Pack and find Morgan Reid or Leonardo ck, and inform them of our situation. They''ll know exactly what to do," Killian told her. Zena nodded, "The Blood moon is in four days until I return with the council''s army, what would you guys be up to?"

    "We need forces within the Oasis, and I get the prisoners on board. They''ll be more than happy to join if it means escaping this hellhole, everyone will be fighting for their freedom," Kaiser replied.

    "And the Blood moon''s ritual?" Killian asked in his richly deep voice. He pulled his amber gaze to me.

    "Whatever n Niks has for the ritual, I have no idea. He intentionally kicked me out. But some of the witches within the coven will be informing me and we will be prepared as well," "What''s your n, sister?" Kaiser asked, calmly.

    "I''ve been working on a spell to close off the ess Niki has to the dark magic. If I can bind whatever prison holding the dark magic before Niki transfers it to a vessel, then we won''t have any problem," I exined my n in detail to them. "On the night of the Blood moon, dimir wants me to perform the ritual. And I will, but instead of performing the ritual as per his wishes, some of the coven witches and I will be doing the exact opposite to get rid of this darkness,"

    "f**k. I don''t like that She," Killian spoke too quickly, running his fingers through his hair.

    "Neither do I," Zena backed him up quickly. "It won''t be pretty when Niks finds out you deviated from the actual ritual."

    "By then it''ll be toote and I''ve banished the darkness away for good. And trust me, Niki won''t live a second after that. He is the very source holding Oasis boundaries. With Niki down, everyone will be free," I added, hoping they would all see reasons. I had this sickening feeling in my chest that if I don''t do this, and that darkness finds a vessel, it would be toote.

    "I hate this n She, but I trust you," Killian''s words sent aforting warmth to my chest. I nced at Kai''s way. He hadn''t uttered a word yet.

    "Kai?" I called, and his gaze was still heavy on me. He also didn''t like the risk involved in this. But at this point, we have no choice. These risks were nothingpared to the after-damage if this darkness was set free.

    Kaiser sighed, concernedly. "Please, just be careful."

    I released the breath I was holding, nodding. "I will," And I meant it.

    A few days ago, I didn''t really care about the dangers and risks involved, my only goal was destroying every chance dimir had to gain ess to that darkness. But now I found out Killian was alive, it changes everything, and I don''t n on dying just when I finally have him back. I was so tired of all these problems, and for once in my life, I badly craved some normalcy.

    "We will need weapons," Killian said, and I agreed as well. Some prisoners were very young in here, they''ll need it to protect themselves.

    "Can be arranged. The warriors'' armory, we could raid it, including some of the prisoners who would join us," Kaiser replied. "But we need to get rid of the f*****g symbols on the prisoners. Everyone would need to be at their best forms."

    "Although I''m not allowed to leave the Fortress, I can help with that, but I can''t lift the pyramid magic for all prisoners," I told them. It would have been much easier to kill Niki and lift the magic of the pyramid on all the prisoners. But Niki''s death now would onlyplicate our ns and create more problems that we definitely are not ready for.

    "That''s fine," Kaiser said.

    "I guess we have a n in motion," Came Zena''s voice. She was right, we did have a n in motion, and hopefully, nothing would go wrong. There was so much at stake to fail.

    "The army would be leaving for the attack on the Southern regions in two days. I would inform Jaskier, he''s a witch in the coven. He''ll help make you among the witches leaving for the attack," I turned to Zena. "And unfortunately, once you get out of Oasis, there''s no way you can get to us,"

    "Of course. This whole n is giving me the chills," Zena fell onto one of the chairs. I knew exactly what she meant by that, I couldn''t deny it too. The days ahead frightened me to the point my soul was restless. But I guess that was normal, this was a battle our only chance of survival was our sess. We had to win.

 Chapter 159

    She''s point of view

    "And dimir?" Zena asked abruptly as we continued strategizing on our n. "What do we do about him?"

    Zena''s question sent me deep into my thoughts. That question had always lingered in my thoughts, and until now, I had no answer for it.

    "We end him along with this f*****g ce," Kaiser replied almost joyously, but I remained silent, feeling Killian''s eyes on me.

    I tilted my head to meet his prating gaze, before ncing over at Kaiser and Zena.

    "We can''t," I said, as calmly as I could.

    "Why?" Kaiser spoke quickly.

    "Because aside from the insane fact that Niki did something and magic doesn''t have any sort of effect on him, dimir cannot be killed," I stated tly. "What?"

    The first day I woke up in this cursed ce. I had used my magic on him and it didn''t work. Nothing I did seemed to work on him.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    "If that bastard cannot be killed, what then are we going to do about him?" Zena asked.

    "I don''t know," I was honest. "Hopefully, the Council will be able to figure something out."

    We went over the n again as I helped Zena lift the pyramid''s magic limiting her magic. I also took a look at Kaiser''s condition. His wolf wasn''t dead, he was still inside somewhere. I used my magic to try to get to him, but I had no idea if it worked. If only it was a full moon, we would have our answers, but regardless, the Blood moon was as powerful for wolves as it was for witches. Hopefully, Kaiser would be able to shift during the Blood moon.

    I got up from my chair. As much as I preferred to remain here instead of returning to the lonesome fortitude of dimir''s fortress, I knew it was wise to head back now. "I''ve been out of the Fortress for a long time. I have to get back before someone notices my absence."

    I sauntered to the door, after embracing Kaiser and Zena. I knew I just met her, but she was beyond lovely. And I was truly happy for Kai. He deserved it, they both did.

    I stepped into the unfeeling darkness that still lingered with Killian behind me, shutting the door.

    We moved slowly into the woods, inplete silence. I nced over at Killian; his face was expressionless and his gaze was distant. I knew ever since he woke up, he had a lot on his mind. I didn''t like the heartbreaking pain and rage that swirled within his amber gaze. He was holding so much back. I knew things with Killian, dimir, and I wereplicated, but I felt uneasy inside and I hated it.

    "Killian," I called his name, as I continued walking. "Please, just get it off your chest. It kills me to see that look in your eyes."

    Killian groaned in frustration but kept on walking. "Believe me, I am fine."

    I stopped in my tracks. My instant pause caused Killian to stop walking as well. "No, you are not. There''s something you want to say, please, just say it," My blue eyes pierced right through the fog of pain, rage, and frustration that clouded his gaze. And for a heartbreaking, painful second, we stared at each other.

    "I am sorry, alright? I am so sorry, She," Killian''s words cut deep into my soul, making Adie howl at the back of my mind. "Killian, what are you-"

    "No," he shook his head, pulling away a little. "All I feel is pain, rage, and frustration deep within. This is all my fault, if only I had been by your side, you wouldn''t be forced to remain at the side of that bastard. It kills me more than anything to see you by his side. You are mine, She. You are my life and the reason for my existence."

    I couldn''t fight the tears that welled up in my eyes, rushing down my cheeks.

    "You shouldn''t me yourself, Killian. dimir had always been after me, and his obsession only increased when he realized I was his mate."

    Killian''s face crippled into a frown, "What?"

    "Yes. dimir is also my mate," I told him, honestly.

    "No, that cannot be possible,"

    "Yes, I know. I don''t know how this is possible, or why the goddess had to punish me like this, but it''s true. I found out he is also my mate, but that doesn''t change anything, Killian. You are the one that has always been etched in my destiny," I uttered, unable to stop the tears that kept rolling down my cheeks, carelessly.

    In a split second, Killian invaded the space between us, his huge frame caged mine as his lips took mine in a deep, hungry kiss.

    I was forced to back away against a tree, as he pressed himself against me, sending indescribable pleasure through my body at the contact.

    He pulled away abruptly, his head was still bent to the right with his face inches away from mine and he looked crazed with need. My heart flipped at the sparks that shot through my body from where Killian''srge hands were holding tightly to my waist. "I love you, and I swear, there''s no f*****g way in hell, I''d ever stop loving you," he pressed his body deeper to mine, whispering.

    Just at his words, I felt my core burn with desire. I wanted nothing at this moment but to have Killian''s body against mine while he pleasured me in the best possible ways. The pull was irresistible.

    A shallow growl vibrated from his chest as he could no doubt smell my arousal. Killian''s eyes turned a few shades darker, as he was struggling to control himself. We both were. My heart felt like it was going to explode at any moment in my chest from its fast beating.

    Only the goddess knew how much I missed this feeling. Only Killian could make me feel these things.

    His dark amber eyes bored down at me intensely, roaming my body once more, possessively with need and desire.

    "f**k this," he roared, and in one swift motion he picked me up by my thighs, mming me against the tree, and his lips were on mine.

    The intensity of the current that charged through my body had mepletely under Killian''s spell. An overwhelming, beautiful sensation blossomed inside me and had all my thoughts, fears, and worries melt away. His kiss was dominating and fierce, as I wrapped my legs around his waist. One of his hands reached behind my head, tangling in my brown hair as he deepened the kiss.

    The world faded away as the raw intensity of the kiss consumed us both. I moaned desperately against his perfectly soft lips, as he licked the center of my mouth, gaining more ess to my lips and I parted them dutifully for him, kissing him back fiercely. He tasted divine and I just couldn''t get enough of him.

    I ran my hands down his neck, his broad shoulders, and muscr back. Killian pressed into me harder, and I was loving the fireworks that exploded within me as our tongues danced together and Killian''s hands caressed me gently. I never wanted this to end. Tonight was the best moment I have had in weeks. I didn''t care about anything else. Not the problems of my life, nor the f*****g war, nor the greatest darkness meant to destroy us all, not even dimir.

    My eyes widened as I froze in Killian''s arms. Immediately, I jerked away from him, panting. "No,"

    "What happened?" Killian questioned, rmed.

    "I can''t, Killian," I rushed, running my fingers through my hair.

    The skin on Killian''s forehead creased in confusion. Before he asked, I shook my head, "dimir," I muttered. Ipletely forgot about him and got carried away by my emotions. I had spelled the connection we shared through the mate bond and blocked him out, but I wasn''tpletely sure whether or not he could feel the pain from being with Killian right now. "I have to go now," I said, even though it broke Adie and me to leave. We had to.

    I left Killian and used the path I had taken to the cabin back to the Fortress, perfectly covering my tracks from the warriors that were on patrol. As soon as I sneaked back into the Fortress, I hurried back to my chamber, moving with haste into my chamber. I had locked the door close when I felt the murdering coldness that circled me.

    I held my breath, swerving around to meet the bright golden irises of dimir staring at me from across the chamber. He was leaning against the wall nearest to the window.

    "dimir," I called, keeping my voice as neutral and stable as I could.

    "Took you long enough, darling," he spoke in an oddly calm manner, his eyes holding something I couldn''t fathom as I waited for the words that were eager to abscond his red lips. "Where have you been?"

    I held his gaze as a small air rushed out of my lungs.

 Chapter 160

    She''s point of view

    "Took you long enough, darling," I felt the deathly chill that zed over his words. I honestly didn''t expect him to be here, and by the looks of things, he had been waiting for me. "Where have you been?" dimir questioned, his eyes carefully wandering over my body. I removed the woolen cloak on my body, tossing it over the bed as I moved slowly to him. "Outside," I uttered, pressing my lips to a smile. "Training."

    "Training?" His lips curled in a smile of his. And the air around grew colder. "At such an odd hour of the night?" He was watching me closely, taking in my every movement.

    I nodded, still holding my smile, pulling my lips to his briefly. "Why? Is something wrong?" I asked.

    "I was worried. You couldn''t be found within the Fortress, and conveniently, I couldn''t seem to connect with you," He counted his words slowly in his usual deep ented voice, snaking one hand around my waist, pressing me hard against his body.

    "I was training. The Blood moon is only days away. I need my magic to be at its best," My electric blue eyes gazed into his eyes, and I could feel his presence through the mate bond, prying deep into my soul.

    "True," He pulled his other hand to my face, his finger trailing the outline of my face. "You arepletely right," His voice was low, and still oddly calm while I held his rich gold gaze. "Do me a favor, darling, take Sybil and Kali with you the next time you go training." "Of course, I will be sure to do that," I muttered slowly, matching his tone without breaking apart from his piercing state.

    A deep smile found his lips again, and for a heated minute, we stared at each other intensely without mumbling a word. He shifted his gaze to my lips as his finger pinned my chin, and he kissed me fiercely.

    I kissed him back but it didn''tst long as he pulled away, and for a second, I swear I saw a sh of rage cross his golden gaze.

    "Sleep tight," He pecked my lips once more. "Mate," he voiced before moving away. There was a certain way he said thest word that made my stomach churn. "By the way, you smell nice," he smiled, sauntering to the door.

    I remained fixed on my spot until he left my chamber. Once the door closed, I released the air that had been held in my lungs.

    "He doesn''t believe you," Adie jumped to the surface and voiced slowly in my head. She waspletely right. He knew.

    dimir knew I was lying. He was no fool at all. And I had no idea if he felt anything from what had happened between Killian and me.

    I sighed, falling into the nearest chair I could find. I had spelled myself, masking Killian''s scent and the others on me. But that bastard somehow noticed.

    I sighed again as the knot in my chest tightened. I could already feel myself in danger in the Fortress. dimir was incapable of killing me. I knew that much, but only the goddess knew what he could be capable of doing to me. Now, more than ever, nothing must go wrong during the Blood moon.

    *****

    It was already at the peak of the day. I was in my chamber, and I had only stepped out for breakfast. dimir had been present for breakfast, and the time we spent together can only be described as normal. At least, it had seemed that way, up until Niki arrived and left the Fortress with dimir.

    I had no idea what they were up to, and an uneasy feeling had crept into my soul sincest night, and fearfully, it only kept on growing.

    I could barely sleep a winkst night. I was up all night, working on the spell that the witches and I needed to foil dimir''s ns for the Blood moon. I had messaged Jaskier, and unfortunately, Niki hasn''t shared anything with the coven. To say that worried me was an understatement. It scared me.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    Niki was up to something, and I had no idea what it was. It was like rushing into a war and having no idea what to expect. I didn''t like that one bit.

    Another thing that had sessfully deprived me of some peace wasst night''s dream. I had no idea when I had dozed off, but I had jerked awake, drenched in my sweat. It was worse than the other dreams.

    I shut my eyes, burying my face in my palm. I saw chaos around. Blood soaking the earth, and death. It was a war. A bloody war. Then my vision became dark and all I felt was a void within.

    I had no idea what it meant. But deep in my soul, I knew they were visions for what was yet toe.

    I pulled my eyes open, sweeping the careless locks of my hair behind my ears. I had to be done creating the spell the soonest. dimir had Sybil and Kali hovering around to keep an eye on me, almost every hour. I couldn''t leave the Fortress, but everything was going as nned.

    I had sent word to Jaskier to convey to Killian and my brother, letting them know of my situation and other important matters. The Dark Circle army would be leaving Oasis for the attack on the South regions at tomorrow''s dusk, Zena had been included as well. I drew in a quick breath, breaking a small smile as Ipleted the third part of the spell, and now, I was left with the final piece.

    *****

    Killian''s point of view

    Kaiser and I were at the borders of the Oasis. We''ve been here for hours, hiding against the towering trees, while blending into the night, ensuring we stayed out of sight as we watched thest group of the Dark Circle army leave the Oasis through a portal created by Niki, himself.

    I backed against the tree as Niki and his witches began to leave the boundaries. I shifted my gaze to Kaiser, whose attention was still on the invisible portal the army had walked right through.

    I knew aside from everything that was going on he was worried for his mate. I would be too. Zena was among that army, and as of this moment, she waspletely on her own. But I had my trust in her and her capabilities. She would do just fine, and lead the Council''s army to Oasis.

    "Kai," I ced a hand on his shoulder, pulling him from his deep thoughts. "She will be fine," I told him honestly. He needed to be reminded that Zena was an impressive witch that could take care of herself.

    His hazel orbs turned to me, "Yeah, I know," he said, as we retreated into the woods, heading back to training camps.

    I pulled up the cloth around my neck, covering half of my face as Kai and I headed back to the training camps. There was still a lot to be done, and frankly, I preferred to be busy doing something, because all I kept thinking about was She. And her situation had me going crazy, I was doing everything I could not to lose it and charged into the Fortress to find her.

    I knew more than anyone else that it would be stupid, and I would only be endangering everyone''s lives. But Ryker had begun to recover quickly, and the urge to have my mate near me was clouding every f*****g sense of mine.

    I breathed out roughly, moving with speed in the woods. Soon, Kai and I sneaked into the camps, blending among the prisoners. We had only tomorrow and the next before the Blood moon, and so far, we''ve gotten the prisoners on our side.

    It wasn''t really hard convincing a few, and slowly, the news began to travel among the prisoners in the camps, and to those in the vige. Many were more than willing to join the resistance. All that was left was to wait for the right moment to raid the armory, but that would have to be on the night of the Blood moon, to avoid unnecessary difficulties.

    I moved to therge field where the prisoners were training under the supervision of warriors. I took shade under one of the trees, leaning against its trunk, while my eyes were fixed on the faint outline of the Fortress a long distance away from the camps. Kaiser and I had received She''s message from a witch friend of hers, Jaskier. Her situation wasn''t looking good at all, and it worried me greatly. That imbecile has her caged in that ce and had her watched every f*****g hour. I just couldn''t wait to get out of this god-damned ce and take She as far away from here.

 Chapter 161

    Leonardo''s point of view

    Houses burned as the mes engulfed the roofs, zing a fraction of deep red, livid purple, and amber. Soon, the ck smoke swallowed up everything. I paused to scan around, watching expressionlessly as our army darted between the rogues, tearing them apart without any remorse. The witches were busy prying deep into the minds the of rogues, hoping to find whatever piece of information about the Dark Circle, especially where they were keeping my sister and brother.

    With the paled look of disappointment sent my way by Gwen, I knew once again this attack had left us without even the slightest knowledge of where my siblings could be. My wolf released a grueling growl. I felt anger and frustration rise all the more within me as I went for the closest imbecile I could find.

    I struck a boot in the puddle of their blood that had formed, flowing endlessly around, tearing apart some rogues, until there waspletely nothing left of them. I was about to charge onto my next prey when I realized that one of the vile leeches was still alive. He was still breathing. I strode over to his motionless state watching his sockets twitch in fear and desperation. I couldn''t me him. Even I would cringe at my state and appearance but I stopped caring a while back, and thest piece of sanity that glued me soundly together was gone.

    My fingers extended into ws and unapologetically, I dived my ws into the chest of the rogue, gutting out his heart.

    We were currently in the East Central, raiding one of the Dark Circle''s camps for rogues in hopes we could at least find out a location of where the Dark Lord could be. I knew without a doubt that that''s where he had She and Kaiser.

    It''s been eight weeks already since the attack on the Crescent North Pack and everything turned for the worst. She was taken. Kaiser had disappeared along with her, and Killian. I drew in a sharp breath. Killian was dead.

    Nothing had been the same since. The Dark Circle kept on growing, conquering more packs, covens, and kingdoms associated with the Council. They had sessfully wiped out the East regions and West, leaving no survivors behind. And those that were spared were taken in as prisoners.

    My icy blue eyes gazed over the destruction of the ce. I retracted my ws, scanning through the ck ash and foul stench of burning corpses for Morgan. My eyes zeroed in on him, he was across the meadow drenched in blood that wasn''t his.

    His crystal green eyes turned in my direction, sensing my stare. I shook my head to him and didn''t miss the heartbreaking pain that sprinted across his green irises.

    "Turn the whole ce to dust," I turned to my Beta, Jenzel, instructing the army from my pack and that of Morgan''s to return to base while we left with the Council''s army.

    I jumped on my horse, and so did Morgan, without wasting time, we dashed off, riding back to North Central, together with the army from the Council.

    We rode with speed on our horse, dwelling in silence as the sun began to withdraw for the day. I nced over at Morgan, and as usual, he was quiet with his gaze up ahead the path back to North Central.

    These weeks have been difficult, especially for him. His pain and loss could be seen in his eyes. I could only begin to imagine how he must feel, having to witness the death of his only family.

    I can''t believe I was about to say this, but I never wanted Killian dead. Regardless of our differences, he was still my sister''s mate, and his death would only hurt her. And now, with everything that had happened thest weeks, she wasn''t the only one that had gotten hurt.

    The Dark Circle attack did a lot of damage to the Crescent North Pack. Everyone had lost something in one way or the other, even Valerie. And many would have lost their lives as well if it wasn''t for She''s outburst right before she was taken. Upon Killian''s death, she had lost control of her magic, and only the goddess knew what she had done, but it brought back only a few warriors that had died, fighting alongside us in the meadow.

    "What are you thinking about?" I was forced out of my thoughts, hearing Morgan''s deep voice.

    He lowered the speed of his horse, and we were now riding alongside each other with the Council''s warriors up ahead.

    "These past weeks," I replied, pulling my gaze to his green stones. "It''s f<strong>*</strong>g frustrating that once again we''ve reached another dead end," I added, shifting my gaze up ahead.

    Morgan remained silent for a brief second. "We will find her," he muttered slowly, whispering under his breath, but I could hear. "All of them," he added, falling back into the unweing silence, and I could feel him getting lost in his thoughts again.

    I knew exactly what he was thinking. His thoughts were reflected in his gaze. After She was taken through the portal, we couldn''t find Kaiser, and Killian''s lifeless body had gone missing too. Our best guess was they had gone through the portal as well. He didn''t say, but deep down I knew Morgan still hadn''t epted the truth that Killian was dead. He clung to this hope that Killian had somehow survived.

    Frankly, I never thought a day like this woulde when I would find myself appreciating thepany of my worst enemy. Thest weeks made me realize how much Morgan as well as the rest of his pack cared for She.

    It was already twilight as we approached the capital, heading for the Council''s castle. After riding for a short time, we reached the Council''s court.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    I alighted from my horse. Morgan and I made our way into the court. The court was crowded and a meeting was in session.

    As soon as we were cited, the loud arguments died instantly, and everyone''s gaze was on us.

    "How did it go?" One of the Elder wolves, Elder Walter asked quickly, and I shook my head, dropping on one of the vacant seats.

    "The witches found nothing in their memories. Those bloody rogues have no idea about the location of the Dark Lord," Morgan filled them in.

    There were outbursts of hisses and murmurings. The Council has not been doing great either. After the attack in the Crescent North Pack, She''s identity was exposed as my sister and the white wolf. So to say, the Council felt they had the right to be furious at my silence. They had insisted this tragedy would have been avoided if She''s identity was exposed sooner. But I disagreed.

    I knew deep down that things would have been far worse if I had exposed my sister to the Council the second I found her. I still didn''t trust any of them, and now more than ever, with everything that has been happening.

    Regardless of our different views, the truth remains, we had to work together to find She. She was our priority.

    My blue eyes shifted to Zeriyah; she was awfully quiet. I scanned the entire court and there was no sign of Amelie.

    "Silence!" Elder Noah halted the deafening whispers around, and Zeriyah stood up from her seat.

    "I understand everyone is going crazy with fear, but we must be focused. Amelie had another vision and it''s terrible," I leaned closer upon hearing that.

    Ever since She had been taken, Amelie''s visions became more frequent and they only grew worse recently. It was from her vision we learned about the Dark magic that has no origin nor name, yet posed a great danger to our entire realm as it was written in the crystal stones.

    It had been in existence from the dawn of magic itself, and through the years known as the Shota''s magic, named after the first ancient witch that had harbored this magic. The old Council had found a way to banish the Shota''s magic, and now, someone was trying to unleash it. We knew it was the Dark Circle.

    "What did she see?" My gaze shifted to Felix for a second before moving back to Zeriyah.

    "The end of all of us, and the rise of evil," She bit out slowly, counting her words as the Court broke into chaos.

    I waspletely frozen in my seat, speechless. The loud mumbling that rose in the air lingered for a few more minutes before the Court became quiet.

    "There must be some kind of way to stop this," Morgan''s cold voice sounded.

    "That''s true. We could change this future," Damien, the demon overlord said.

    "To do that, we must find the white wolf and ensure that darkness doesn''t wander free before the Blood moon," Zeriyah said. "This is exactly what the prophecy had warned us about fourteen years ago. The rise of the greatest darkness, and the white wolf is the only one that can put an end to this. She is supposed to be here with us. A war ising, If the white wolf fails, we all are doomed."

    I couldn''t stop the wild pounding of my heart. And for the first time in my life, I felt fear and even more for my poor sister.

    "I can''t listen to this," I heard Morgan mutter to me, before pulling up from his seat, and storming out of the Court.

    My eyes fell back on Zeriyah as she locked her gaze with me. "The Blood moon is only a night away; we have to find her."

    I sighed deeply. I couldn''t listen to this either. I was up from my seat, exiting the Court.

    I met Morgan outside, he was already on his horse about to leave, when suddenly, he froze and his emerald green eyes became foggy. He was being mind-linked.

    I could hear his sting heartbeat as he broke off from the mind link. His deep eyes found mine in a haste.

    "What is it?" I asked quickly.

    "We have to get to my pack at once. There''s a witch there. And she''s asking for us," He rushed on quickly, making my eyebrows cripple.

    "How on earth does that-" I began but Morgan spoke quickly again.

    "She belongs to the Dark Circle," My eyes widened as he voiced.

    Immediately, I got on my horse, and we were about to ride off when a voice sounded behind us.

    "Where are you both off to in a haste?" I swerved my head around to find Felix''s annoying face, staring at us from afar. "Did something happen?"

    My gaze found Morgan''s who looked equally pissed and impatient to get out of here.

    "Why don''t you mind your f<strong>*******</strong>g business, Felix?" I bellowed over my shoulder, kicking my horse in motion and we rode out of the Council''s territory.

 Chapter 162

    Zena''s point of view

    It''s been almost a day since I crossed through the portal with the Dark Circle army and we left Oasis. This was the very first time in many years that I was outside the boundaries of Oasis. I had almost forgotten how beautiful it was out here.

    I tightened my hold on the horse''s reins, speeding past the woonds, and human vige. I was approaching the Capital. I was almost at North Central. I have been riding for hours without stopping for a second. It wasn''t hard to evade the army once we had left Oasis. I had circled back to where we had burst out through from the portal and for a second, I thought I was lost.

    Oasis was a ce difficult to find. No wonder dimir managed to stay off the raider for so long. The magic holding up the boundaries of Oasis made itpletely invisible to the outside world and difficult to find.

    Before leaving Oasis, I spelled the trail of every path I took. It would be greatly needed when I returned with the Council''s army.

    I lifted my gaze to the sky, taking a final nce at the sun as it took shade behind the clouds. It was twilight already and I was losing time. The Blood moon was a night away, and I had to find both Leonardo ck and Morgan Reid and stop the attack that was about to befall those from the South taking refuge in North Central.

    I kicked my horse harder, but I could tell its frail legs were probably a minute from giving up. I rode for an hour or less, before halting my horse instantly. I just entered the Capital. I had no idea where the ck Blood Pack or Crescent North Pack was located, so I was forced to make inquiries.

    I resolved, heading to the Crescent North Pack instead. It was only a short ride away. I continued my journey, riding into the woods. I rode for more minutes, and only stopped when I felt an intense energy around me. Magic.

    I couldn''t help but gawk at the towering majestic trees. Their knotted arms rose ever upward as far as my head could bend. The leaf paradise before me reeked of magic. I grabbed onto my horse''s reins as I passed through the trees. But I couldn''t go any further as an invisible shield was stopping me. A boundary spell.

    My lips broke into a smile as I knew I had just reached the Crescent North Pack territory. I tried using my magic to seep through, and surprisingly, it worked. Usually, boundary spells were meant to keep unwanted visitors out, but I guess this was meant to keep out those with evil intent.

    "Let''s go, boy," I patted the head of the horse, kicking it to motion as I rode past the trees. It felt like I had stepped through a portal into another realm. The view was beautiful as I could hear the soulful orchestra of the songbirds, running water meeting rugged rocks, and the rustling of leaves in the evening breeze.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    I rode faster on my horse, taking the path that led to the woods, hoping it''ll lead me to the Packhouse, the castle, or anyone I could get help from. I was approaching arge meadow, and just then I felt the presence that moved faster against the trees, trailing me. Not just one, there were many, and suddenly, I was surrounded by wolves. Some were in their wolf forms while others were in human forms, drawing their swords at me. Very understandable, considering I was a stranger here.

    From an angle, a young man, seeming to be in charge, came forward. His eyes were gauging me, cautiously. "Who are you?"

    I pulled my hands up in the air, slowly getting off my horse.

    "I am not here to stir up trouble. I mean no harm," I said calmly, as my blonde hair danced across my face, carried by the evening breeze.

    The man''s eyes were still on me. "That doesn''t answer my question. Who are you, and how did you get into our territory?"

    "I am called Zena," I started. "I was sent here by a friend of yours. I can''t say any more than that. But I need to see Mor-" I was interrupted by a sharp outburst.

    I snapped my head to my left and another man was standing just outside the circle of wolves that surrounded me. His eyes held a re, and a fit of murderous anger directed at me.

    "Jax," The man from a while ago drawled, but before he could say more, the other man, Jax, growled deathly.

    "Xavier, she''s one of them. She belongs to the Dark Circle," Jax hissed, as his eyes shifted from my arm where the ck dragon symbol representing the Dark Circle and all it stood for. I took a cautious step back and my heart jumped in my throat as everyone''s deathly and murderous gaze shifted back to me.

    "Attack!" Xavier yelled, and the wolves growled angrily, charging at me with speed.

    "f<strong>k!" I started towards my horse, running for my dear life. Before I could get to it, I was attacked by Jax, and his ws got a piece of me. I used my magic, flinging every f</strong>

    ***g one of them against the trees, using the opportunity to jump on my horse. Without a second thought, I kept on racing through the woods, hoping to get to someone that would let me speak first before trying to murder me.

    Just as my luck would have it, I sighted the Castle from a distance and I rode towards it with speed. My bleeding state and speed created fear and tension around as people sent fearful nces my way. But thankfully, I was almost at the castle''s gate when from nowhere, I was pushed off of my horse by an invisible force andnded harshly against the rugged earth.

    I groaned at the pain that rushed through my bones. But sharply, my senses alerted me of the danger heading my way. I snapped my gaze up to find a young woman in a red cloak just about to attack me. A witch.

    Immediately, I was up on my feet, blocking the force thrown at me, redirecting it back at her. She swiftly evaded it. I wasn''t here for a fight, but I wasn''t going to stand back and watch myself being murdered. I stirred the air around her, swallowing her up in it, and mming her against the wall. She crashed into it, but it didn''t seem to take anything out of her, as she got on the earth, channeling the earth''s magic, using me against it.

    I evaded it, and she attacked me using her fist. I fought back just as hard, luckily, dimir made his prisoners engage in physical training, in which to say the least, I had the upper hand or I thought I was, right before someone crashed against me, ripping me away from her.

    He positioned himself between the young woman and me, his dark eyes inspecting her before darting toward me. I could feel the energy emitting from him. He was a witch, and someone I could actually have a conversation with.

    "I have something important to tell Morgan-"

    "Lorenzo, she''s with the Dark Circle," one of the wolves that had been chasing me sounded, bursting from the woods.

    Lorenzo''s eyes twitched back on me, widening as I was surrounded by wolves again. I could feel his pulse rising and plummeting, fueled by growing anger.

    He was about to attack me, when a soft voice slit through the tension around, instantly stopping him.

    "That''s enough, Lorenzo," The voice came from the castle gate, and as I shifted my gaze, it fell on a woman. She was dressed in a green long dress, holding a long sword in her right hand. She walked closer to where I was, dragging the sword against the earth. The young woman I had earlier fought with moved closer to the woman, but she held her left hand in the air.

    "It''s alright, Gwen," she said, taking a few more steps toward me, until she was a few feet away and it was only when I stared into her deep purple eyes, I realized she was blind.

    "She broke through the boundary spells, and she''s a witch working for the Dark Circle, Valerie," Jax muttered, eagerly wanting to cut off my head.

    The woman''s face was turned to me, it was as if she could see me.

    "That''s precisely why she means no harm. The boundaries are spelled to keep those with evil intent out, but she got in. She''s no threat," The woman, Valerie muttered, and I sighed. "How can we be of help to you?"

    I inhaled, sharply. "Just like I told the warriors, my name is Zena, and I was sent here by friends of yours. I cannot say any more until I see Leonardo ck or Morgan Reid."

    Valerie''s eyebrows creased, and I could see the surprise evident on her face.

    "It is extremely urgent, and the more time we waste, the more everyone will be in grave danger," I added, quickly.

    "Xavier. Please, get Morgan here at once," Valerie voiced, urgently.

    I was taken into the castle grounds, but I preferred I waited outside. It didn''t take long before I heard the sounds of horses approaching at great speed. Two men alighted from their horses and hurried to where we all were waiting right outside the Castle doors. My brown eyes took a good look at them as they hurried closer. Instantly, I knew who they were. The one at the right had an impable resemnce to my mate while sharing the striking blue irises of She, and the other man, I could tell, was Killian''s brother. They were quite simr.

    "Leonardo, Morgan," I lowered my head gently, catching their curious gaze on me.

    "And you are?" Leonardo asked.

    "My name is Zena, Kaiser''s mate, and I was sent here by your brothers, both of them," I said as calmly as I could, my brown eyes darting between their shocked gazes.

 Chapter 163

    Leonardo''s point of view

    "My name is Zena, Kaiser''s mate, and I was sent here by your brothers, both of them," The woman sounded carefully, her brown eyes shifting from me to Morgan as my blue eyes narrowed on her. "What??" I heard several gasps from Xavier, Jax, and a few warriors that surrounded her.

    I couldn''t hide the shock and confusion swirling in my depths. I took a step closer, my blue eyes taking in everything about this witch. I also noticed the symbol of the Dark Circle on her arm, and there was a small pyramid symbol on her wrist. Morgan moved closer to her with his gaze raw with emotions. "What are you saying?" He was struggling to keep his emotions together, and frankly, so was I.

    Zena''s gaze traveled around, before meeting Morgan''s again. "I am saying I was sent here by my mate, Kaiser ck, and his friend, Killian Reid," She paused, "Your brother," she added, her words shocking uspletely.

    "My brother is-" Morgan started, vibrating with an unidentified emotion.

    "Alive, together with Kaiser," Zena sounded again.

    "This could be a trap. She''s with the f<strong>*</strong>g enemy that killed the Alpha. We watched him die right before our eyes!" Jax shouted, vibrating with a rage that had grown within him since the night of the attack, and Killian was killed. It was like everyone shared simr rage. But it was understandable. The pack had lost many lives from the attack, including Nate, one of Killian''s warriors. I didn''t know him at all, but he was a close friend of Jax and Xavier.

    "Killian is not dead. He survived, and he and Kai are stuck in Oasis as prisoners," Zena rushed quickly. "I urge you to believe me. Any more time we waste put all three of them, including everyone in North Central in danger."

    "She could be lying," Xavier started, as Valerie stepped closer.

    "I am not," she spoke confidently, pulling a hand into her dress, and slowly, she pulled out something, tossing it to me.

    I caught it immediately. My eyes rounded at the small object. It was the cks'' family crest. Kaiser always had it with him. My blue eyes went back to her.

    "He gave me that to give to you. And Killian told me you''ll believe me as well. It''s understandable for you all to doubt me, but we don''t have time. The more we drag this on, many innocent lives within and outside the Fortress are in danger, including your brothers'' and She''s."

    "Do you know where She is?" Lorenzo asked quickly, and she nodded.

    "I believe you," My blue eyes pierced hers and I meant it, I believed every f<strong>*</strong>g word she said. And for the first time in many weeks, I had hope of finding my siblings.

    "I do too. But we should take this inside," Valerie suggested, holding unto her long sword.

    I was forced to pull my eyes on her. And as usual, the biting pain that always stabbed my chest returned. Like I had said, everyone lost something the night those bastards attacked the pack, including Valerie. She was the very reason things hadn''t been worse. Right after she lifted the veil restricting the witches'' magic that night, she had sent a call to almost everyone that the white wolf was in danger. It was an old crystal Fortress way of rming everyone of great danger.

    I had managed to arrive just in time before Killian was killed, but the Council and its army couldn''t make it on time. Valerie anchored a powerful spell in the witches'' cemetery that wiped off many of the Dark Circle armies and in the process, her magic consumed her and she lost her sight. The witches tried to heal her eyes but her sight couldn''t be restored.

    "We should," Morgan''s voice shook me out of my thoughts. I nodded and he led us through the castle doors, and into the office with Valerie, Gwen, Xavier, Allen, Lorenzo, and Jax trailing behind us.

    Once we were in the office, we settled in and shut the door while I preferred to stand, leaning against the wall.

    "Killian," Morgan said. "I saw my brother die," His eyes never pulled away from Zena and all our attention was on her. "Please, tell me what exactly happened?"

    "What the hell is Oasis?" Allen asked from behind and the room became quiet.

    Zena''s brown eyes went around everyone in the room before she began talking.

    "Oasis is dimir''s prison world," she started, and we all listened. The more she kept on talking, I couldn''t keep still. I started pacing around with the new information we were receiving.

    I pinched the skin on my forehead. Killian was alive. That was a fg relief. Oh f*k. I never knew a day like this woulde when I would be relieved in hearing my worst enemy, Killian Reid escaped death. Oh, goddess, how things had changed so much.

    I focused my attention back on Zena, hanging onto her every word. She had saved Kaiser''s life and taken both of our brothers in. She had saved Killian''s life the same way she saved the lives of the warriors that died around the meadow. And my poor sister was forced to remain at dimir''s side.

    At every word that escaped Zena''s lips, I felt my anger slowly rising. She shared more insight on Oasis. No wonder we could never find them. That ce was almost nonexistent with the magic holding up the boundaries.

    Zena also apprised us of the Dark Circle''s ns to attack the location where those from the southern regions were at.

    "We have to tell the Council," came Morgan''s voice, but Zena shook her head.

    "No. That is precisely why I came here first. She informed us that there''s a traitor within the Council working for dimir."

    "What?" Valerie bit out in shock at Zena''s words.

    "It''s true. She saw him when he attended one of the Dark Circle meetings in Oasis," Zena added.

    "Who is he?" I asked, impatiently. I always knew it. I knew someone who had to be working within the Council had to be working for the Dark Circle.

    "It''s Felix," She spoke clearly, and almost everyone in the room gasped in shock.

    I remained silent and frozen, and was anything but calm, processing this piece of information as I leaned against the wall. Felix was the f<strong>*</strong>g traitor. I felt anger mixed with my blood. He was the one all along. He has been ratting us all out and was the reason the Dark Circle learned of She''s identity fourteen years ago and that attack led to the death of our parents.

    I shut my eyes closed, trying to keep my wolf in control as all he wanted was to have our ws deep within that traitor''s heart. And I swear to the goddess, I will.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    "There''s still more," Zena calmed the rage and outburst in the room with her soft voice as she informed us about the Blood moon and dimir''s ns for it.

    I exchange nces with Morgan. This was exactly what Zeriyah was talking about in the meeting. Thankfully, we had a chance to change Amelie''s vision of the future.

    "So, what''s the n now?" Lorenzo spoke gently from the corner he had quietly been sitting.

    I could see the rage in everyone''s gaze and they were as impatient as I was to find Killian, Kaiser, and She. But first, we have to take care of Felix''s situation and stop the attack on the South.

    Zena shared with us every detail of tonight''s attack on the South and after we came up with a n, one that doesn''t involve the Council, and doesn''t give that traitor an inkling of what we know.

    We assembled warriors from both my Pack and Morgan''s. Our army would be waiting for the Dark Circle army at the location of the attack and the South would be informed about it. While Valerie, Zena, and I would inform the Council of what''s going on, after which, I would personally deal with Felix.

    Morgan had agreed to join the attack on dimir''s army tonight, taking along Allen, Gwen, Xavier, and some witches from Valerie''s coven and those at mine.

    It was already dark outside when we were done nning. Morgan had already left with the others for the attack, while Valerie, Lorenzo, Zena, and I prepared to leave for the Council''s castle.

    I moved slowly in the darkness to where Zena was, saddling her horse while feeding him some hay for the ride.

    She tilted her head in my direction as she felt my presence and her sparkling brown eyes fell on me.

    "Zens," I called her name. "I am sincerely sorry to be meeting you under these circumstances, and for that as well," I pointed out to the wound on her shoulder.

    "It''s nothing really," She replied, calmly.

    "Also, thank you for helping all of them," I said sincerely. If it wasn''t for Zena, only the heavens would tell what would have been of my brother and Killian.

    She smiled softly, nodding and a small smile found my lips as well. "You don''t need to thank me, Alpha," she said, and her words made me frown.

    "It''s Leonardo to you, and wee to the family," I voiced, smiling, her eyes widened, and her face softened, making me smile. I liked her already and frankly, she was perfect for my brother.

 Chapter 164

    Leonardo''s point of view

    We were gathered in the Council''s castle, along with Zeriyah, a few of her witches, the Elder wolves, and a few members of the Council when Felix rushed through the doors at great speed.

    "I came back here as fast as I could," he said sharply, his feline eyes darting around. "What happened now, your words sounded extremely urgent and disturbing."

    "Yes, Felix. This is important as well as urgent. Please, take a seat," Elder Philip moved his hand in the air, pointing at one of the vacant seats.

    "What is this all about?" He moved closer to the round table. "And what about the others?"

    "We cannot wait for them. This is important," Zeriyah spoke, and just then, I pulled up from my seat, moved to the tall doors, and shut them closed.

    "What happened?" He asked cautiously, moving his eyes from me back to the Elder wolves.

    "We have been information about dimir''s operations, and his possible location, Oasis," Elder Zeke sounded.

    "What?" Felix shuffled in his seat, "How did you get this information?"

    "From someone on the inside," Damien voiced, shifting his gaze to Zena who was leaning against the pir.

    Felix followed his gaze, and his eyebrows furrowed as if just noticing her presence.

    "Who is she?" He asked quickly.

    "She has been in Oasis, and was sent to warn us," Fendrick, the leader of the Faes, said.

    "Warn us?" Felix almost gasped, his dark eyes shot back at Zena.

    "Yes. The Dark Circle has deployed its army to North Central, to attack the Southern camps in the capital," Elder Alex uttered, and Felix was silent for a second.

    "No. This is impossible. Only the Council knew the location of those camps. There''s no way the Dark Circle could know," He spoke slowly.

    "Precisely, our thoughts. It appears that we have a traitor in our midst, feeding the Dark Circle this information," Elder Philip said.

    "That''s absurd. No one would dare betray the Council. This woman-" Felix pointed a finger at Zena, "she''s telling a lie. How sure are we that this isn''t one of the Dark Circle''s ns? Sending her here to spread false lies, and distract us," He was up from his seat. "The Blood moon is tonight. We have no time to be listening to such nonsense."

    "Enough!" Zeriyah yelled, banging her hands on the table, as the air around became a little rough, charging with her magic. "Enough with the lies. We all are aware of your true nature and where your loyalty lies. We know you are the traitor, Felix."

    "No. No," He began, scanning the faces of everyone in the court. "This woman is telling lies. She-" He stopped abruptly, taking a step back. His eyes darkened with a stormy rage. "I see, this was a trap."

    "So, it''s true," came Elder Walter''s voice as he stood from his seat. "You are one of them?"

    "Yes, and you have no idea what is about toe. The Blood moon is tonight, and there''s nothing anyone can do to stop it, and by the magic of the white wolf herself, dimir will win this war," Felix muttered slowly with a grin, enjoying every word that escaped his lips.

    An ufortable silence stalked the court for an imprable second. I pulled away from the door, moving closer to where the imbecile was. "You wanted the bastard''s confession, and there, you''ve heard it. He is of no use to us, and trust me, he''s better off dead. At least one less problem to worry about," I pulled up the sleeves of my shirt, and move closer to Felix.

    "I agree with Leonardo. We should kill him, and be over with this. We can''t afford him getting word out to the Dark Circle or they''ll know we areing," Zena suggested, and everyone in the Council seemed to have nothing against the idea.

    Felix directed his zing gaze at Zena who stared at him unconcernedly. "Bloody b***h!" He hissed like a serpent, sticking out his ws, and instantly aimed for Zena.

    Before he could take a step, Lorenzo ced himself before Zena, muttering a chant. Felix fell on his knees, writhing in pain. Blood escaped from his eyes and nose. I walked closer, sticking my ws out, and swiftly, I pierced my ws into his heart, feeling the life pounding against his chest in my grasp, and with great satisfaction, I ripped his heart out.

    I tossed the bloody organ on the floor, watching Felix slump dead with his blood soaking him in.

    "Alright, since that''s over now, let''s move on to more important matters," Zeriyah sounded, quickly. "Tonight, is the Blood moon. We must get to the white wolf and prepare for the war that''s almost upon us."

    I took a deep breath. Just the words I was waiting to hear. And I couldn''t wait.

    Kaiser''s point of view

    I held my hand in the air, gesturing to the small group of prisoners that snuck behind me. Instantly, they all spread out, covering the perimeter as a few of us ventured into the underground cave where the army''s armory was located.

    I readjusted the cloth covering my face, looking straight ahead to Killian. The more we moved into the cave, I could already feel the lurking presence and subtle disturbing sounds made by the constant dragging and stamping of their heavy boots against the ground. We moved closer, as silent as possible, but it was only a matter of time before they sensed our invasion. But that was exactly what we wanted.

    We kept moving, and stopping suddenly, when the noises from deep within the cave creased, and almost as if on cue, the burning torches inside the shadows died. It was time.

    My hazel gaze twitched between the ragged piece concealed, shifting gently to Killian way up ahead. I nodded gently to him, as the rest of us backed against the darkness.

    Subtle movements belonging to the warriors stationed at the armory hastened in the cave, and soon, we could see their shadows move past the rocky walls.

    "Intruders!" One of the warriors yelled, utterly irritated and vexed, gaining the attention of the other warriors inside the cave who rushed to join him.

    "Show your f<strong>*</strong>g selves!" His voice echoed throughout the cave walls, and as soon as it died, the protruding sound of bone snapping, twisting, and reforming echoed louder in the cave.

    A sick smile lightened my face. The next thing we heard was a loud thundering growl that rippled throughout the cave, causing cracks on the walls, and then the satisfying cries of terror that tore from those imbeciles'' lips as Killian in his gargantuan pitch-ck wolf tore them into shreds.

    It took only a full minute until the chaos died down and I pulled out from the shadows, lighting a torch just in time to see Killian shift from his wolf into his human form.

    My eyes scanned the blood sttered everywhere in the cave and the remains of what seemed to be those imbeciles. I sent a euphoric nce at Killian now in some clothing.

    "Not a bad partner," I said almost with a grin, earning a lip-tight smile from him.

    "Enough of the ttery," He cleared his throat, stifling a chuckle. "We must hurry," He gestured at the group that came with us. And everyone moved to work, pulling open the armory doors.

    "Take as much as you can," I sounded as Killian came to me.

    "It''s almost time," he said with his amber eyes full of worry. "The Council''s army need to be here, otherwise, everyone one of us...you, She, me, these prisoners will be in grave danger."

    "They will be here," I muttered, pulling a hand on his shoulder. I had enormous trust in Zena, and I knew for a fact that they woulde. "We are ending everything tonight, and this ce and everything it stands for will be up in mes. So, loosen up, tough guy, you look like a grouch!" I mmed his chest yfully, moving into the armory to help the group.

    We gathered as many weapons that would go around for everyone and we left the cave, stepping into the darkness. My hazel deep eyes lifted to the dark sky.

    I could already feel the enormous power of the moon that had begun to blow in. Even though I didn''t practice, my mother''s blood ran through my veins, and I could feel the power of the blood moon.

    I kept staring at the sky, and it didn''t take a second before the outline of the glowing red moon appeared in all its glory and power, consuming my gaze. And I felt it. The great power that rushed through my veins, setting me free.

    I couldn''t fight the surge of power shooting within me, forcing me against the earth. And for the first time in this hellhole, I feltplete. I felt Kade. He was back.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    My glowing orbs pulled up to Killian.

    "It''s time," Killian said, heaving a sigh and I nodded.

    "Find She and the witches. I will take care of the rest," I said, and Killian nodded. "Good luck."

    I moved past him, taking the route the prisoners used when I heard Killian''s call in the darkness. I swerved around and my hazel eyes connected with his. "Just be careful," he said and I just couldn''t hide the silly smile that forced itself out.

    "You too, buddy," I replied, and with one final gaze, I shifted into my wolf.

    For the first time in this hellhole, I felt my wolf, Kade. From this second, our time had begun ticking. And deep down, I knew for a fact, nothing would go wrong.

 Chapter 165

    She''s point of view

    I was right outside the cave, feeling the cool satisfying breeze of the night as I watched the witches trooping into the cave, all dressed in the ceremonial red cloak of the Dark Circle. I was wearing one as well. It was almost time for the ritual as I could already feel the power of the Blood moon. It was almost upon us and I hoped Kaiser and Killian were doing great. And Zena too, I hoped she had seeded in getting to Leo and Morgan. Ever since she had left Oasis with the army, we didn''t know how things had gone and so far, the Dark Circle hasn''t received a word from the army.

    I peered once more at the dark, starless sky, and right before my eyes the Blood moon appeared, and I felt its great magic. It was time. I made my way into the cave. Every second of thest eight weeks had brought me to this moment and I couldn''t wait for this night to be over. I inhaled, feeling a shiver ripple down my spine.

    I moved through the rough rocky path, going deeper into the cave when abruptly, I was pulled into a corner and pinned against the wall.

    I gasped at the sparks that shot through my body and my blue crystals fell into Killian''s maic amber pair.

    I felt a rush of relief as my hands tightened around his torso, and he pulled me into his embrace with his lips on mine.

    "Killian, what are you-"

    His lips covered mine. "I had to see you, or I swear, I would have gone crazy."

    I kissed him back, briefly, "How are things outside?"

    "Good. Kai is taking care of it and I hope the Council''s army arrive just in time," he said.

    "They will," I pecked his lips, before forcing myself out of his grip. "I need to go now," I stopped him, and I watched as fear and worry rose within him, unwilling to let me go.

    I could feel Killian''s growing uneasiness as his crystal amber eyes locked with mine and I held my breath as I felt our souls connect. And deep down, I didn''t want to leave either.

    "Please, kiss him again," I heard Adie''s voice in my head, and before I could take action on her words, Killian''s mouth invaded mine once more and our tongues entangled in a deep embrace, his arms squeezing me so close to his body that I could barely breathe. Killian pulled away reluctantly, resting his forehead on mine. "Pleasee back to me, safe and unharmed," There was something in his words that made my soul tighten. I don''t know what, but I nodded.

    "I swear I will," I smiled, "Always," I assured him gently.

    "I will be here with the witches. I know you can handle yourself, but please, at the first sight of danger, She, just call my name and I swear I''ll be there," he said with all seriousness that I couldn''t help but smile at him.

    "I will," I muttered, kissing him onest time before leaving him and joining the trail of the witches to where the ritual will be performed.

    I walked in, behind the coven''s witches, taking a careful scan around. Everything had been carefully prepared. My eyes went over the ancient marking that seemed like they were deeply etched on the ground, moving to the phoenix stones positioned around the crystalline water.

    I sighed again. I had asked Jaskier about the vessel that Niki had chosen for tonight, but he had no idea who it was. It worried me that I didn''t know what that imbecile ns, but, it doesn''t matter.

    I jerked from my thoughts, feeling a strong grip around my waist, and then dimir''s scent invaded my nostrils.

    I turned to him, smiling, and from behind, Niki joined us.

    "It''s time already," he said, and I nodded at his words. My eyes moved from him to Niki.

    "Are you going to be watching the ritual?" I asked d through my eyshes.

    "No," he replied, and I nodded, hiding my relief. "I am going to be tonight''s vessel."

    The second his words reached my ears, I felt my spine stiffen and my eyes gazed at him expressionlessly before shifting to Niki.

    "That''s... dangerous, d," I said calmly, bringing my eyes back to dimir. "I don''t agree with this new change. We should use a different vessel first, just in case things go wrong."

    "Nothing will go wrong tonight," Niki assured me from behind, as my blue eyes slowly fell on him. I felt an overpowering urge to rip his throat out. But I had to tame my raw emotions, not responding to hisments, and my gaze drifted back to dimir. "If this is truly what you want," I said, and dimir''s lips pressed to mine.

    "Don''t worry, darling. I know for a fact that this will be sessful."

    I nodded, having nothing more to say on the matter. They had decided on this. My eyes met with Niki, "We should begin."

    At my words, the coven witches spread out, taking their positions on each ancient symbol etched on the ground. dimir took off his leather garment, exposing his broad arms, and chiseled chest where the symbol of the ck dragon was inked on his skin. I followed him to the crystalline waters, and slowly, he settled in. His wet golden hair stuck to his face, and his eyes found mine.

    Niki moved to his position at the end of the water and slowly moved to mine at the head of the water, right opposite Niki.

    The instant I stepped on the ancient symbols, the phoenix stones glowed brightly, and I felt its magic mix with the air, charging into the crystalline waters.

    I took a deep breath, knowing at this moment, Jaskier and the witches were gathered as well somewhere within the cave, waiting for the time they will join the ritual, changing its course of direction, and instead of making use of the crack and temporary unleashing the dark magic in dimir, we will be permanently sealing the crack that has been made by Niki in the prison caging this darkness.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    I closed my eyes, as Killian''s face shed through my mind, calming me. It gave me the strength I needed to do this. Just the thought of getting our lives back to normal where no threat or darkness was lurking around was so tempting and the motivation I needed. I pulled my eyes open, and they captured dimir''s fathomless stare on me, regarding me so deeply.

    "Let''s begin," I released my magic, and my eyes glowed a bright blue, causing the ancient symbols and inscriptions on the ground to glow as well. I began channeling every witch in here but concentrated more on Niki''s magical energy. I had to weaken him to a point where it''ll be easy for Zena and the witches to pull down the invisible boundary spells holding Oasis. Just then, the ritual had begun, and there was no turning back now.

    *****

    Kaiser''s point of view

    We were all in position. Many prisoners were scattered throughout Oasis, watching and waiting for the signal before we began the attack.

    I was in my wolf form, sharing control with Kade, constantly searching the air and sky for the signal which was Zena''s and the witches'' sessful entry into Oasis. It was until we saw the signal that the attack had to begin.

    My eyes lifted to the raging Blood moon. I was worried. She must have begun the ritual now, and the attack should be happening right now as the witches are busy with the ritual.

    I couldn''t help my trembling. And somewhere deep down within my soul, I recognized the fear settling in, not for the attack, but for She.

    Urgh!

    I groaned internally; this was all Killian''s fault. I knew my sister was very capable, hell, I had seen it countless times, but for an unknown, sickening reason, I felt fear.

    Oh, goddess, please take care of her.

    I moved around the woods, to clear out my thoughts and expel the fear settling in. The exercise worked a great deal. My eyes went back up, scanning for any signs, but nothing.

    "Please, give me something," I begged mentally. "Come on, love," I muttered internally, and immediately, I felt an enormous wave of magical energy pass through me, sweeping through Oasis. It was external and supreme.

    My eyes darted up into the darkness and I noticed blue sparks traveling in the air. The boundary. A smile found my lips. The boundary was copsing. They were f*****g here.

    I couldn''t hide my tion as another wave of powerful magical energy swept through the air and earth, almost pushing me over. Itsted for a quarter second before it stopped, and I felt it. The fresh breeze of freedom. Kade lifted his face in the night, releasing a deep long howl for everyone to hear, informing them it was time to fight like our lives depended on it because, at this point, it actually did.

 Chapter 166

    She''s point of view

    The witches'' chants echoed within the walls of the cave, as we carried on with the ritual. I could feel the power of the four phoenix stones mixing with the water. It was time to move on to the next phase of the ritual. Niki nodded to one of the witches from his coven, and he stepped forward, bringing the dagger specifically for the ritual to me.

    I took it from him, holding its ck handle. I started chanting in a foreignnguage, and the magical symbols on the dagger began to glow. I strode to the crystalline waters that shone with the magic of the phoenix stones.

    dimir was still in it, his deep golden eyes narrowed on me as I brought the sharp de to his throat. I hesitated briefly, as his unreadable gaze burned into mine. For the next phase of the ritual, the chosen vessel had to be dead while we perform the resurgent ritual. The vessel''s throat had to be slit with the ck dagger, with the blood mixing into the crystalline waters now holding the magic of the phoenix stones.

    With a small glint in his eyes, dimir''s lips curled into a smirk, as he moved his head into a small nod and I pressed the sharp de of the dagger deeper into his neck, slitting his throat. His blood jumped right out from his body, rushing out at great speed. dimir sank himself into the water which had begun to color red. His golden eyes never left mine until he closed his eyes. The ck dagger was no mere dagger, its magic was enough to stop one''s heart for a few minutes, and that would give us enough time toplete the ritual.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    I turned my eyes to Niki who was watching me from the end of the water. I nodded to him, and the witches began chanting, and so did I. We had barely gotten deep into the ritual when a force of magical energy swept through us. And every one of us felt it. Niki''s dark eyes widened, and I was sure he knew what it meant. The boundary had copsed, and at this moment, Oasis was under attack. And the best part, we were right in the middle of the ritual.

    I shook my head. "Don''t leave your positions," I warned firmly. I could see the tumult in Niki''s eyes, but even though he wasn''t stupid, he knew leaving the ritual would not only ruin whatever chance we had of unleashing the dark magic, it would endanger us all. His dark eyes left mine, and darted towards the entrance of the cave where a few witches were guarding, nodding at them. At once, they left their positions. My eyes narrowed on dimir''s unconscious body in the pool of his blood.

    The ritual continued; it was almost at its peak. If I had to do something, it was now. I concentrated deeply, channeling from the coven''s magic. I connected with Jaskier and the witches and we deviated from the original spell Niki had created for the ritual. I moved quickly. I knew it was only a matter of time before Niki realized something was wrong. Before that happened, I had to ensure I was almost done sealing the rift in the prison binding Shota''s magic.

    The spell I had created and was now anchoring was too powerful. I kept channeling Niki and the coven witches'' magic together with Jaskier and the witches aiding me, but it wasn''t enough. I needed all the magic I could get. I had no choice but to channel the magic from the phoenix stones.

    I felt enormous magic coursing through my veins, breathing fire. It was consuming me and taking everything I had, but I was almost there. I could feel Shota''s magic. Its darkness seeped through the crack, which I had begun to seal when Niki''s raging voice plunged the corner walls of my mind with his magic.

    "Bloody traitor! I knew you shouldn''t be trusted!" I heard him say as he broke free from my hold and I lost control of his magic and the rest of the coven witches who now surrounded us.

    With everything that was going on, I tried my best not to break off the connection I had with Jaskier and the witches, and also with the new spell I had already begun. I was this close to ending it all once and for all.

    "You won''t win tonight," he sneered, and I easily understood what was about to happen. Before the witches surrounding me could lift a finger, I sent a force against them that sent them flying against the rough walls, and immediately, I created a shield covering Niki, dimir, and me.

    My blue eyes shone on Niki who attacked me fiercely with his magic without moving from his position. I evaded his attacks swiftly, lunging back at him until I was able to knock him unconscious. But I knew it wouldn''t be for too long. dimir was any second from awakening, and I couldn''t harm Niki yet, I needed as much magic as I could get from channeling him.

    I continued the spell in a haste, rushing as fast as I could. I was almost there when I felt a sharp piercing deep in my bones. I pulled my eyes open, and they fell into Niki''s dark gaze, before moving to the ck dagger that had stuck deeply to my stomach. It wasn''t a deep wound but I could feel my strength giving up as my blood dripped into the crimson pool of dimir''s blood that held magic from the phoenix stones.

    Niki began chanting, channeling the power of the phoenix stones, and one by one, they began to lose their brilliant blue and white glow, turning a deep red.

    I groaned, pulling the ck dagger out of me. Even as Adie roved to the surface, my wound was still not healing. The pool of blood containing dimir''s body began to boil rigorously out of control and the water turned a dark color, and I continued chanting. Before Niki could proceed any further, there was an enormous force that broke out from the water, sting everything in its path, and tearing down the shield that had covered us.

    ******

    Killian''s point of view

    The attack on Oasis had begun a few hours ago when we felt the boundary copse. Everyone could feel it, including Niki as he sent some of his witches to find out exactly what was happening. But I was waiting for them within the cave, along with some prisoners to ensure no one left the cave alive and I wished that included dimir, but it didn''t. The bastard cannot be harmed.

    The only option we had after Oasis had burned to the ground was to take dimir back to North Central as a prisoner while we find a way to end him permanently. I was damned sure the Council had a solution for that.

    It didn''t take long before dimir''s witches'' bodies were scattered around the cave. I left the prisoners guarding the entrance of the cave and the narrow paths and joined Jaskier and the witches who were also in the cave.

    By the time I reached there, they had already begun the ritual, connecting to She. I was at a near distance watching them when all of a sudden, I noticed something was wrong. The ancient symbols they were standing on began to lose their glow.

    I felt my heart mount an instant race, and immediately, I left them, hurrying to where She was anchoring the ritual. To my horror, the witches were trying to use their magic to tear down a white shield. I couldn''t find She, dimir, and Niki. She. Something had no doubt gone wrong, and it scared me She was in there with those imbeciles.

    Immediately, without thinking, I lept in the air, giving Ryker full control as he attacked the witches, and right on cue, the group of prisoners guarding the entrance of the cave joined in, fighting the witches. Ryker moved quickly and viciously like a wild beast, ripping off the heads of the witches with his sharp canines as we made our way to the shield. My first and only thought was to get to my mate.

    Ryker raced to the shield, and the instant we touched it, a strong force sent us flying against the rocky walls, with pain coursing through our body, that I was forced to shift back abruptly into my human form.

    "What the f**k!" I steadied myself to stand, and amid the fight going on, my attention was focused on the white shield. I couldn''t see anything that was going on inside, but something was wrong and the white shield was turning ck.

    A fearful beat drummed in my ears, as my entire body felt the fear settle in. I rushed closer to the shield, about to find a way through it when something within exploded, tearing down the shield, and as soon as my eyes found She, I grabbed her just in time before

    the powerful force sent everyone flying in different directions, and the earth to shake heavily, and causing rocks to roll down the cave, falling mercilessly on anyone in its path.

    The cave was crumbling down. I held She tightly, using my huge body to shield hers from the destruction. After painful minutes, it died. I groaned, pushing off the rocks that had fallen on me.

    "She," I turned my eyes on her, pulling her into my arms, trying to get her awake but I couldn''t. She''s body was as cold as ice.

 Chapter 167

    Killian''s point of view

    For a second, my body waspletely paralyzed. I couldn''t stop the wild drumming of my heart in my ears as I carried She''s cold body in my arms and left the ce, moving out to the narrow path of the cave.

    She waspletely stiff and her body cold. My rounded, fearful eyes fell on the part of her stomach that was covered with blood. She had been wounded, but the wound was not so deep. Why the f**k wasn''t she healing?

    I cleared the rocks thaty around, carefully cing her on the ground, myrge hands cupping her cheeks as I tried everything to get her awake. The more I failed, I could feel myself a second away from going nuts. Panic and frenzy knotted my chest, and Ryker''s insane wing and growling were worsening the situation. I just couldn''t think straight.

    "She please,e on," I tried again, but nothing. And it was at that fearful moment, I realized something. I couldn''t hear her heartbeat. I lost whatever control I had been holding on to and could do nothing to stop the trembling of my hands and body. "Oh goddess, please," I whispered to myself, as I kept on applying pressure on her chest. Still, nothing. "f**k it, Adie, please," I tried to connect with her wolf, but I couldn''t.

    I growled in frustration, fighting the stinging of my eyes, and the defeated emotions strolling in. I pressed harder on her chest, sharing partial control with Ryker, praying to the goddess that she pulled through. I couldn''t imagine my life without She, she had to pull through.

    I kept on pressing hard, and right before my eyes, She gasped awake, breaking into a weak, unsteady cough. Her pulse was weak as well. I held her body in my arms, brushing back the locks of her hair, as her eyshes kept pping weakly against each other, unable to stay open.

    I pulled her against a corner wall in a seating position.

    "K-Kill-" She held my hand, weakly. "d, Niki," she breathed weakly again. "Get them."

    "I will, but first, I have to get you out of here, She-" I began, but she held my hand tightly. "Find the phoenix stones. Killian, please."

    I locked my gaze briefly with her, before reluctantly nodding.

    "Please, She, just stay awake. I''ll be right back," I left after she nodded, heading back to where they were holding the ritual. The ce was inplete ruins, with dust choking the air, making it difficult to see anything. I didn''t have to use my wolf''s insight before finding that bastard, Niki. His heartbeat was sting the ce.

    I moved closer, and my amber eyes fell on him. He was scouring through the ruins, searching for something. As I moved closer to him from behind, I felt his body stiffen.

    I clenched my jaw, moving swiftly with my wolf''s speed. I attacked him before he had the chance to mutter anything or even lift a muscle. He crashed against a pile of rocks, losing hold of the phoenix stones in his hands. I descended again on him, diving my ws deep into his flesh, tearing it. I kept on with this, sending a slow but lethal pain to his entire being, giving him no chance of recovery. He was bleeding profusely as I held him by the throat, forcing his weak, unsteady gaze on me. I wanted to ensure I was thest person he saw, right before I ripped his heart out.

    Niki''s dark eyes on me widened and I could tell exactly what was going on in his head, but I didn''t have time to indulge. I still had one more imbecile to find. Unapologetically, my ws plunged into his chest, ripping his heart out. I watched Niki take his final breath from the cavity that now appeared in his chest. Like the worthless scum he was, I tossed his lifeless body to the pile of rocks and disasterying on the ground.

    I searched through the bodies on the ground, but there was no sign of dimir. He wasn''t here. That was a f*****g problem.

    "Killian," I swerved around and saw She at the entrance. She looked better than I had left her, and most of her wounds had begun to heal.

    "dimir?" she asked, and I shook my head, picking up the phoenix stones.

    "He isn''t here. He has escaped," I sauntered to her, and didn''t miss the emotion that stalked her gaze. Unease.

    "That''s not good," she finally muttered, and I nodded.

    "Let''s get out of here," I gripped her, scooping her into my arms as her hands wrapped around my neck and made our way out of the cave, only to step out to find Oasispletely conquered.

    I stopped moving as a few shadows hurried toward us.

    I ced She down as I recognized them. They were faces I hadn''t seen in a long time.

    "Leo?" She called into the fading darkness in shock as she hurried into Leonardo''s arms. I was smiling from ear to ear, as Allen, Lorenzo, and Jax rushed to me at great speed. I embraced everyone, pulling away as they went over to She.

    My amber eyes shifted to Leonardo, as he sauntered to me. His blue eyes held mine, and I couldn''t stop the smile that found my lips.

    "It''s good to have you back," He voiced, as we embraced each other.

    I pulled away, ncing around, "And Morgan?" I asked, and before Jax could reply, I heard Morgan''s broken voice.

    My head snapped left, and my gaze took in Morgan as he hastened his steps to us.

    "Brother," I chuckled, moving to him, and pulled him in for a hug, and his arms sprawled around me tightly.

    I could feel the water rushing from his eyes. "Oh, Killian," Morgan''s green eyes were ssy with tears.

    I nodded, knowing exactly what he had to say. His entire emotions were imprinted in his eyes. "It''s good to see you too," I said sincerely, as Morgan''s eyes moved past me, falling on She who was wide with smiles.

    He pulled her in for a hug, and she held him tightly.

    "I''ve missed you," she whispered, holding him tightly.

    "I missed you more," I heard him whisper back, before pulling away.

    "What about dimir?" Leonardo asked, and I shook my head.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    "He escaped."

    "What?" Lorenzo spoke sharply, his eyes moving to She''s. "And Shota''s magic?"

    My eyes darted back to She. I had been so frightened earlier that I had forgotten to ask.

    "It..." She trailed, and for a second, her gaze seemed like she was remembering something. "Nothing. The darkness is gone. It never found a vessel."

    I exhaled in relief, pulling her into my arms.

    "And the others?" I asked.

    "At the camps, tying up loose ends, but we must leave at once, the witches are about to turn this ce to dust," Morgan said, and without hesitating, we joined the others at the camps. Many prisoners had already left, and only a few remained along with the Council''s army, and a few warriors from my pack and Leonardo''s pack.

    We found Kai with the Council''s army and the instant he saw using, he rushed to us.

    "I am d you both are alright," he embraced She.

    "What about Jaskier and the witches that were-" She began, but he stopped her, smiling.

    "They are alright and they left with Zena and the prisoners not long ago," Kaiser muttered, turning to Lorenzo and the witches that came along. "I guess we are done here?"

    "You all should leave. We will burn this ce to the ground," Lorenzo muttered, and everyone left the walls of Oasis, leaving the witches to their work. From a distance, we heard the loud crumbling of Oasis and everything it stood for.

    It didn''t take long before Lorenzo and the witches joined us. We went to the horses waiting for us all outside. I helped She up on her horse and was about to get on behind her when I heard the sound of a horse approaching us at great speed.

    My eyes narrowed, and I was able to catch the face in the early hours of dawn. It was Gwen, she hurried to us on her horse, and came to a halt when she was close enough. She lowered her head to us.

    "Gwen?" Lorenzo called with surprise. It was obvious she hadn''te with the army for the attack. So, what was she doing here?

    "What are you doing here?" came Morgan''s voice.

    "I was sent by the Council. It''s very urgent," she rushed quickly.

    "What happened?" Leonardo asked in a deep cold voice, and I felt a shiver run down my spine at the words that were eager to be free from her lips.

    "It''s Amelie. She had another vision," Gwen spoke slowly, swallowing a lump. "Something bad has happened."

    My hold on the horse''s reins firmed and my gaze fell on She as I felt her body stiffen in my arms, and once again as cold as ice.

 Chapter 169

    ?

    She''s point of view

    "It''s about the Shota''s magic," Zeriyah said, her dark gaze traveling the faces of everyone in the Court.

    "What happened?" I leaned forward against the giant table, my deep gaze moving from Amelie whose eyes were now focused on the ck crystal ball in her slender fingers. She looked as though her mind was lost somewhere in it.

    "Last night during the Blood moon, Amelie had two visions. One was of an all-out war and the other was about Shota''s magic," Zeriyah paused, her dark gaze found mine. "It''s free."

    Several gasps broke out, and I was leftpletely speechless for a fucking second. "That''s not possible," I muttered more to myself, clutching my hands together.

    "I do know that. We were told dimir had fled after the attack, and the Shota''s magic was imprisoned back in its cage by you. But the visions are never clear, but they never lie as well. Something must have happened or gone wrong during the ritual. But that darkness found a vesselst night," she said calmly, pausing for a second as if giving me time to process everything she said. But everything she said just didn''t make sense. Nothing could have gone wrong because I wrote the spell myself.

    "Tell us everything that happenedst night," she said again calmly, settling on her seat, right beside Amelie.

    I pulled my eyes closed, thinking deeply about everything that happened that night. "The ritual was going just fine, and then I began the spell, but Niki realized it. Coven witches had tried to attack me, and so did Niki, but I was almost finished closing the crack within its prison walls. And then..." I paused, trying to remember everything in detail, but I couldn''t. It was as if there was a glitch in my memory. I shook my head, "The next thing I remembered is sealing the crack, and there was some kind of magic explosion from the phoenix stones," I added exactly how I remembered.

    "This is terrible," One of the Council members said. "Now how do we know if this darkness is truly free or not?"

    Everyone''s eyes returned to Zeriyah and Amelie who still hadn''t said a word, and her eyes were still trapped on her ck crystal ball.

    I watched the woman for a second, sighing deeply. Zeriyah was right about one thing. Visions are not always clear, but they never lie. If truly something had happened during the ritual, I would have known through my dreams. But I haven''t had any since the Blood moon.

    "It''s impossible to know for sure," Zeriyah shuffled in her seat. "This dark magic is like nothing we''ve ever encountered before. It''s been in existence at the dawn of magic itself until Shota found a way to channel its dark powers. She was the very first witch who harbored this magic until the old Council found a way to stop her," Zeriyah exined, and I listened to the familiar words.

    I learned about the witch in one of Niki''s journals. Shota was one of the most powerful witches of her time, but she was dark and wanted more power. She harbored this dark magic for many centuries, spreading its darkness around our realm. The ancient Council tried many times, but there was nothing that could stop her.

    That was when the ancient Council decided to imprison this magic forever. That was the only way. They anchored a blood ritual, sacrificing the lives of many supernatural kinds to create a magic, powerful enough that could trap the Shota''s magic. It was some kind of prison, and it worked. That was why dimir wanted this war more than anything. He needed a blood ritual to fully unleash what had been

    imprisoned.

    "Even if truly the Shota''s magic has found a vessel. We could still stop it. Without recreating the Blood ritual, it will never be fully free, so before that, we must stop it," An Elder wolf voiced.

    "And dimir? How are we sure it isn''t in him?" One of the Council members said.

    "It could be dimir or someone else. We can never be too sure. This darkness is tricky and cunning at the same time. We have to find it before it fuses with the soul of its vessel."

    "And how do we know who the hell is harboring the magic now?" Damien, the demon overlord, questioned, and drifted again to Zeriyah.

    "That''s exactly what I wanted to talk about," Zeriyah said. "There''s a way we can find out. It''s a long, tiring process. But it''ll work."

    I leaned forward with my sped hands under my chin, eager to hear what Zeriyah had to say.

    Slowly, she started exining her ideas. It had to do with some ritual and my eyes rounded when she made mention of Shota''s remains.

    Zeriyah nodded, and before anyone could ask anything, she voiced. "Shota''s soul had already been fused with this dark magic that when the ancient Council had imprisoned Shota''s magic, she died in the process. And her bones were in the Council''s possession throughout the centuries. With this, we could find out the new vessel for this magic, and we would need your help, She."

    "Whatever you need," I said, sincerely wanting to help in any way I could.

    "And what happens after?" Killian asked from beside me.

    "We stop them at all costs. It would be much easier now because once this magic ispletely free, it will be the death of us all," Elder Noah muttered coldly. But I couldn''t me him. I had seen what doomy ahead for us all if Shota''s magic was truly free.

    I had fallen into some deep thoughts as the meeting progressed, talking about Amelie''s vision of theing war. But I couldn''t give them my undivided attention. Something was bothering me with everything I heard today, but I didn''t know what it was.

    It was only as I felt Killian''s hands on mine, I shook out of my thoughts into the chaos around me. It was Amelie and she was being led away by some witches. It seems like she was having one of her visions and the ck crystal ball in her hand had a pale glow in it as well as her eyes.

    "We can''t stop it. No one can. It''s toote," She kept mumbling until she faded out of sight and I was greeted with a pounding ache against my skull and growing exhaustion.

    "She," Killian brought my attention to him, squeezing my hand warmly. "What''s wrong?"

    "I don''t feel well, Killian. I would leave first," I said, and before Killian insisted he came along with me, Valerie decided she would leave with me.

    I left the Council''s castle with Valerie, after bidding my brothers goodbye. We were riding side by side on our horses back to the Pack when Valerie broke the silence between us.

    "Alright, tell me. What are you thinking about?" she asked, keeping her face up ahead the route we had

    taken.

    "Amelie''s visions," I paused. "The Shota''s magic," I added as Valerie listened quietly without uttering a word. "I don''t know why, but I feel on the edge."

    "You do not trust the certainty of Amelie''s visions?" She asked.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    "No," I replied sharply. It wasn''t that. It was precisely the opposite. I sighed, looking her way. "If truly Shota''s magic roams free, it means I failed to keep that darkness from ever finding a vessel. And I''m responsible for that. What if dimir''s the vessel? You have no idea how dangerous that is. I''ve seen what will happen if Shota''s magic is ultimately set free. Everyone is going to die, Val, if again we fail to stop it." She stopped walking, turning to me. "What do you mean you''ve seen it?"

    "I do have dreams, Val. It started when dimir took me. It took me a while before I realized they were visions. Chaos, war, and deaths," I exined honestly.

    "You have the gift of foresight, like Amelie," she moved closer. "Tell me of what you''ve seen since the Blood moon."

    "Nothing," I came again. "Absolutely nothing," I replied weakly, feeling the painstaking ache against my skull. "I haven''t had them since the Blood moon."

    "That''s unlikely."

    "I know," I said, nodding. "The more reason I need to help Zeriyah find out if this magic is truly free, and who exactly is harboring it."

    "I agree. And I swear, I will help as well, but I do agree with Killian too. You need good rest, She. I may not be able to see, but I can feel it. You are exhausted, She," she took my hand. "Holy goddess, She, your body is so cold."

    "Alright," I whispered more to myself, as we approached the warrior waiting for us with the horses. I also

    do agree, I needed some rest too. These past few days were taking a toll on me, and now more than ever, I needed to be at my full capacity to help the Council find out the vessel harboring Shota''s magic. Hopefully, this time we will be able to stop it.

 Chapter 170

    ?

    She''s point of view

    I was covered with sweat and breathing heavily by the time I was done training with the young warriors who were in their first year of shifting. We had begun training every young male and female so they would be able to protect themselves if the time ever came. Every pack, coven, and kingdom in North Central and those that survived from other regions had begun extensive training for the war that was almost upon us. We had no idea when dimir was going to strike, but his silence so far only meant one thing. He was rebuilding his army, and we had to be ready.

    I walked through the castle doors and hurried quickly to the kitchen to get some water. Ria was there as well, having her meal in her training clothes, and she was also part of the training. My eyes scanned around, and there was no sign of Brielle.

    "Where''s Brielle?" I asked, settling on the seat next to Ria.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    A short smile found Ria''s lips. "Somewhere around, I guess. Probably venting her frustration out or sulking," she said, stifling augh.

    I couldn''t help but smile. Brielle has been in the worst mood since a few days ago when Killian changed the duties of some of the warriors and reassigned them to other tasks. Unfortunately, Brielle was one them. She was taken off the field and assigned to Castle, and would most likely not join the war. That didn''t sit well with the female Beta, but Killian did it for her and Allen, especially for their pup that was almost on its way. Brielle was already ten weeks gone, and since wolves'' pregnancy was far different from that of humans, she had three more weeks left.

    I took one more sip from my water before jumping down from my seat. It was almost noon, and I had to be at the Council''s castle. I left Ria to finish up her meal and sauntered to Killian and my chamber.

    As soon as I entered, I stripped and showered quickly. It''s been almost a week since Zeriyah, Valerie and a few witches left North Central to retrieve the ancient witch, Shota''s bones for the ritual, and as they were yet to return, the Council had also begun training their army and strategizing for theing war. Killian and my brothers were part of the teams of Alphas, helping the Council, while I was helping Cora in recreating the spell we would need for Shota''s bones when Zeriyah, Valerie and the witches returned.

    I went to the clothing rack and pulled out a pair of brown leather pants, and its matching leather vest to wear. I fastened my boots and tied my long brown hair in a ponytail, ignoring the painstaking ache against my skull. It had been constant thest few days, and the strange weakness I experienced was getting worse. Valerie had begun to figure out why my dreams had suddenly stopped before she went on this trip with the witches, but so far, there was no usible reason.

    I left the castle and got on my horse, heading to the Council''s castle. I was there in no time, alighting from my horse. I handed the reins over to a warrior who took it away.

    From a distance away, I could hear the loud growlsing from therge training field where the warriors were training. I ambled to the castle, taking the hallways that led to Cora''s spell room. On my way, I met with Jaskier, he was at the witches'' spell room. He and some witches had joined the Council''s

    coven.

    At the end of the hallway was Cora''s spell room. I pulled it gently, using my magic and found Cora at the end of the room, she was busy browsing through her grimoire. Cora was one of the Elder witches in the Council, and she was a weaver as well.

    Calmly, she lifted her head to the door as I walked in, and a small smile lit her face. "You are here."

    I let out a small smile, nodding as my eyes caught the pile of ingredients that were stationed on the table next to hers.

    "What''s all these?" I asked, running my fingers through them.

    She closed her grimoire, pulling up from her seat. "I was working on a new spell, but that''s aside," With a wave of her fingers, she bundled them into a bag, and tossed it aside.

    "Any word from Zeriyah?" I queried, meeting Cora''s deep ashen eyes as she shook her head. I sighed." They haven''t found Shota''s remains yet?" I asked again.

    "Not yet. But don''t worry, they will. The old Council did everything in its power to hide Shota''s remains. Even though the witch is dead, her remains still held dark magic. So, to ensure it doesn''t wind up in the wrong hands, it was hidden, and everything about her or that darkness was erased from history. But they did ensure we had a way of finding it," she exined, as I settled into one of the chairs.

    "I hope everything turns out well," I said, and Cora settled into the chair opposite mine, her deep gaze regarding me.

    "Hope is all we have now, She," she bit out carefully. "And more than ever, I am more hopeful now that you are here with us," she added, and my brows crippled in confusion.

    "Why do you say that?" I couldn''t stop myself from asking.

    "The rise of the greatest evil," She inhaled, "For so long we had feared the prophecy froming through, thinking you were dead after what happened that night. But Amelie''s visions never stopped, and we knew it was impossible to stop this darkness froming through. We also knew we didn''t stand a chance because we thought the white wolf was dead. But you are not, She. I don''t mean to scare you, but you were aware of the prophecy on the crystal stones, even as a child. No one knows what your role is in all of these, but you are not like the rest of us, you are powerful, She, and the best chance we have in stopping this unnamed darkness and its vessel, and I know deep down we will win this."

    Listening to Cora''s words, I could barely swallow the lump in my throat. I felt a knot in the deepest corners of my chest, tightening at every second, squeezing me, as if sucking every ounce of life and magic from me. Her words hit me deeply, and for the first time in my life, I felt as if a heavyweight was ced on my shoulders.

    I shut my eyes closed, hissing silently at the painstaking ache against my skull that wanted to consume

    me.

    "Are you alright?" Cora''s rmed voice called out to me, and I pulled my eyes open, nodding. She exhaled, holding a small smile. "We should continue with the spell."

    Cora and I continued from where west left off, weaving a new spell we would use to perform the ritual on Shota''s bones. I was in her spell room for hours and by the time we were done, it was almost dusk.

    I left her spell room, sauntering deeper to the left-wing side of the Castle. I walked for a few minutes before stopping in front of a chamber. It was Amelie''s.

    I was about to pull it open when a young witch stepped out from the chamber. She lowered her head upon seeing me.

    "How''s Amelie?" I asked. I was told by Zeriyah before she went on her trip that Amelie had gotten worse. Now she barely speaks to anyone and instead, stares at her ck crystal ball all day.

    "Still the same. I''m afraid she may not be able to see you or even speak to you now," The witch said, and I thought deeply, before nodding.

    "I understand. But I would still like to see her," The witch nodded, before opening the door for me and I stepped in.

    Amelie''s chamber was dark, only the evening light that traveled into the chamber attempted to illuminate the chamber.

    "She prefers the darkness," The witch said, and I nodded, before shutting the door behind me.

    I strode in and at a corner, near the window, I saw Amelie seated on a chair. As I moved further into the chamber, she didn''t budge as much, her eyes were fixated on the ck crystal ball in her hands, almost as if she was seeing something in them.

    I moved closer and stopped until I was next to her. She still didn''t move. She looked strained and exhausted. The skin around her eyes was tired and had dark circles. This was the thing about her gift, it was like a parasite that fed on the person''s magic.

    I crouched down next to her, and slowly my eyes fell on the ck crystal ball and for some reason, I just couldn''t tear my eyes away from it.

    "That''s the thing about people like us. No one sees what we see," I shook in surprise, tearing my gaze away from the ck crystal ball, and pulling my gaze to Amelie.

    "Amelie," I called in shock, but her eyes remained on the ball, and if I wasn''t sure I heard her voice, I would have thought I was hallucinating. "I know," I replied to her words, settling on the cold floors." What do you see?"

    "Our end, if the darkness wins," finally, she pulled her gaze from the ball to me and a small smile slipped past her lips, as her eyes took me in.

    "It won''t," I muttered, unsure of my own words. I didn''t know why I was suddenly feeling this way, but Amelie smiled again. "I don''t know what to do. My dreams stoppeding, and I feel so scared, like something bad is about to happen, something that will be out of my control," I forced it all out, and Amelie''s gaze softened, but she didn''t utter a word, instead her eyes shifted back to the ck crystal ball.

    "You will have to make a choice soon, before it''s toote," I furrowed my brows at her words. "You must do what you must," she added in a drawl as if she was in a trance.

    "What choice, Amelie?" I asked sharply but she didn''t say anything. "What must I do?" I asked again, but nothing from her.

    Unsatisfied with what I just heard; I moved closer to her. "Amelie, what "My words were cut off the instant I ced my hands on hers that was holding her crystal ball. And then I saw it. The deaths, chaos,

    and blood around.

    I gasped, and her vision began to move fast, making it difficult to understand what I was seeing. A war. Blood. Deaths. My eyes widened in shock, suddenly understanding what I was seeing. A blood ritual.

    I couldn''t breathe. I could hear the echo of a female cackling, and in fast motion, I began to see the corpses of everyone I loved. My brothers. The pack and Killian. All dead.

    I screamed, jerking away from Amelie and breaking out from whatever hell that was. I stumbled back on my boots, and Amelie''s gaze was still fixed on the ball.

    I bolted out of her chamber, hurrying out of the castle. I couldn''t stop the hot tears that raced from my eyes, and the fast beating of my heart. I kept moving without quickly, until I crashed hard into something, and I felt familiar tingles envelop my body. Killian.

    "What the fuck happened, She? Why are you crying?" I heard Killian yell, and more tears rushed free as

    everything I saw yed once again in my mind.

    "Who the bloody fuck made you cry?" I heard Leonardo''s thundering voice from behind as Killian embraced me. The warmth and tingles made it easier to control my emotions.

    "It''s nothing," I said, "I guess it''s just pressure from theing war," I lied. I didn''t know what else to

    say.

    Killian and Leonardo didn''t say a word, even though I knew they didn''t believe a word I said.

    "I''m done here," I said.

    "Already? I''ll go back with you-"Killian started, but I shook my head.

    "You don''t have to, Killian. I know you still have a lot to do here. I''ll be fine," I rushed, fighting the murdering ache in my skull. I kissed Killian, and gave Leo a quick hug, before scurrying off to my horse

    and leaving the Council''s grounds.

    I was riding through the woods when the painstaking ache against my skull intensified. I groaned, tightening my hold on the reins when I felt an overpowering tug within the depths of my soul. It came again, and this time, the excruciating cold pushed me off my horse into the ground. The next thing I felt was an unweing coldness and I lost consciousness.

 Chapter 171

    Killian''s point of view

    I handed my horse over to the warriors. It was already dark when I returned from the Council''s castle. I moved in a hurry, I badly wanted to see She. I had been feeling restless since I saw her in tears back at the Council''s castle. I had been trying to mind-link her, but it wasn''t connecting. Only the goddess knew how worried I was, and I still was. Even after I had mind-linked Ria, asked about She, and was informed she was back in the castle, I just couldn''t remain at peace.

    I hurried through the hallways, heading to my chamber. Hastily, I pushed the door open, and the first thing my eyes fell on was the bed, where She was curled on, sleeping.

    I exhaled, feeling a certain calmness and relief wash over me. Slowly, I locked the door, moving to the bed where she was. She had changed from the clothes she wore earlier to one of her dresses. Ria had told me she had been sleeping since she returned from the Council''s castle.

    I leaned on the bed, cing a kiss on her forehead, rubbing my hand up and down her arm. She stirred only a little, and I pulled the covers over her body, she was a little cold. And that worried me.

    Ever since we returned from Oasis, she has constantly been cold, which is very strange for wolves. I wanted the Pack''s physician, Dr. Maggie, to take a look at her, but She refused.

    I kissed her again, moving to the clothing rack, and taking off my leather jacket when I heard her turn on the bed. She just woke up. I smiled, moving to the bed, as She pulled up from bed, sweeping back her hair from her face.

    "Sorry I woke you up," I leaned closer, kissing her, but she pulled away and I could hear the sting of her heartbeat. It rmed me. "What''s wrong?"

    "Killian," she held onto my hand tightly, as her confused, wide eyes scanned the chamber, before falling on her dress. "What the hell happened?" she uttered, and I moved closer to her.

    "I don''t understand, She," I was getting worried by the second from her pounding heartbeat that sounded as though her heart was about to explode any second from now. "She, rx," I said, hearing a loud crack on the tall mirror hanging on the wall. Her magic was beginning to react to her emotions. But she held onto my clothes.

    "How on earth did I get here?" She asked, wide-eyed. And my eyebrows creased into simr confusion.

    "She, I-" I began but her sharp words silenced me.

    "I don''t know how I got here, Killian. I can''t remember," she was panicking and it was scaring me. This was the second time I was seeing her this way today. I held her in my arms, calming her.

    "She, breathe and exin what you are saying, I don''t understand," I didn''t let go of her.

    She was silent for a while as if trying to remember something. "Thest thing I remember was leaving the Council, and then, I felt this painful ache and that''s it. I lost consciousness. I don''t remembering to the pack."

    "What?" I waspletely confused, and more worried than ever as fresh tears rolled down from her eyes. "But Ria saw youing in," I said, worsening the situation.

    "If so, why can''t I remember," she said, as I wiped her tear-stained cheeks.

    "It hurts me to see you like this. Don''t think too much about it, maybe, you came in too tired and went straight to bed," I said, and her blue eyes held my gaze, doubting that was the case.

    "Kil-" she started but stopped when our gaze became foggy and distant. Morgan and Allen were mind-linking both of us.

    "What is it?" I asked, through the mind link.

    "Something''s wrong, brother. You both need to see this," Morgan said, and my eyes locked with She''s.

    "Where are you?" She asked through the mind link and Allen informed us they were in the woods. "We are on our way."

    We disconnected from the mind link, and She was about to pull up from the bed, but I held her back.

    "Why don''t you stay, I''ll check it out," I said, knowing full well she would disagree. And she did.

    "No. I''ming with," she sounded, leaving no room for argument.

    We left the chamber, moving hurried out of the castle, stepping into the darkness. We headed into the woods with the moon lighting our paths to where they were. Morgan, Allen, Xavier, Lorenzo, and a few warriors were there already. "What happened?" I asked, my eyes scanning everyone''s face, falling on Lorenzo who was crouched on the ground, behind the tree.

    "We found this as we were patrolling the woods," Xavier pulled his burning torch to the tall tree next to him.

    I followed the trail of the burning torch, and my amber eyes fell on a giant symbol etched deep into the tree.

    I moved closer. "What the hell is this?" I asked, looking at the symbol before my eyes turned to my brother.

    "I have no idea," Morgan responded, and I couldn''t take my eyes off it. No one had to say anything, this was a witch''s doing.

    Lorenzo pulled up from the ground as he was inspecting the surroundings.

    "Lorenzo?" I called, hoping he would have an idea of what this was.

    "There''s no sign of anything that could have done this, but it''s the work of magic," he said.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    "A witch?" Allen asked, and Lorenzo nodded.

    "What does it mean?" I asked, and he shook his head.

    "I don''t know. But they are of different symbols," He said, and my brows crippled in confusion.

    "What do you mean?" I asked, folding my arms against my chest.

    "It''s all over the Pack, brother. The witches'' quarters, the vige, the castle, and the woods. Different markings," Morgan exined, taking a step closer to me.

    "Like some kind of a pattern," She said, moving close to the tree, her hands trailing the symbol. "But who would do this?" she asked, "Clearly not someone from the coven."

    "There''s no suspicious entry into our territory," Allen said, and I inhaled.

    "We have to find out what these symbols mean to know who exactly could have done this," I said, "Is there a way to find out what these symbols mean?" I asked. "Maybe," She replied, and Lorenzo nodded.

    "I''ve written down the symbols, we will see what we can find out," he said, and I ran my hand through my hair, nodding.

    "Thank you," I muttered, pulling my gaze to She who had hers on the symbol. I shut my eyes closed, feeling the familiar restlessness and worry from earlier. She''s point of view

    I groaned in frustration, tossing aside the spell book and journals on the table. I''ve spent hours in Valerie''s spell room, trying to figure out what these symbols fromst night meant, still, nothing.

    I groaned again, cing my fingers on my temples. I was feeling the same ache, and no medication was helping to get rid of it.

    I closed my eyes, going through everything that happened yesterday. Cora''s words to me, Amelie''s visions, and losing consciousness. That just didn''t make sense. I had no memory of what could have happened after I fell from my horse. What the hell was wrong with me? Even Adie doesn''t remember anything and that was f<strong>*</strong>g strange.

    I pulled my eyes open, feeling the presence behind the door. I used my magic and opened it to find Ria standing there with a cup of tea.

    She strolled in,ing to the table. "You''ve been here for a long time, I thought I should bring you some tea," she said sweetly, and I thanked her for it.

    "Ria," I called before she left. "Did you happen to see me get back yesterday?" I asked and she nodded right away.

    "Yeah, you came in quitete and went straight to bed," I felt my stomach churn at a memory I can''t seem to remember.

    "Did Ie in with my horse?" I prodded and her face crippled, realizing these questions sounded weird.

    "I don''t know," she said. "What happened?" she asked and I shook my head.

    "It''s nothing," I said, watching her leave. Just then, I was mind-linked by Killian. He was at the Council''s castle and his voice was sharp and urgent and it scared me. "Is something wrong?"

    "Zeriyah and Valerie are back, and they brought in the witch''s bones," Killian rushed through the mind link, and for some god-damned reason, I froze.

    "And..." I trailed, almost in a whisper as the pain from my skull killed me.

    "Something happened," he paused. "It''s about those symbols."

    I was up from my seat. "I will be there soon," I rushed through the mind link, hastening out of Valerie''s spell room.

 Chapter 172

    She''s point of view

    I lowered my speed on my horse as I approached the Council''s castle. My blue eyes narrowed as I scanned through the few warriors and elders scattered around the woods. I pulled my horse to a halt, alighting from it. What the hell happened?

    I went to the woods, searching for Killian. I hadn''t gotten far into the woods when my blue eyes fell on Valerie, she was standing under a tree, and Kaiser was with her.

    I rushed to them. "Kai," I embraced him, moving over to Valerie. "Oh Val, it''s good to have you back," I embraced her, pulling away and she fixed her purple eyes to the direction of my voice. "How did it go?" I rushed, asking.

    She released a small smile. "Good. We found Shota''s remains, and we are only a step away from finding out who the vessel is."

    "That''s great. With everything happening, we need to know who''s got this demon now," Kaiser voiced, pulling his hazel gaze into the woods.

    I drew closer, following his gaze. "What happened? Where''s Killian, he said he had news on the symbols we foundst night."

    "Those," he pointed out using his finger, and my eyes fell on one of the symbols we foundst night, also engraved on a tree. I moved slowly to the tree, my fingers gently tracing it. "How... How is it" I could barelyplete my words, feeling Kaiser''s presence behind me.

    "Here?" hepleted, drawing my attention back to him. "Those symbols are all over North Central, engraved everywhere in all of the covens, packs, and kingdoms, including ours."

    My eyes rounded at Kaiser''s words. "What?" I gasped, speechless, bringing my gaze back to the symbols. "What on earth are they?"

    "They are ancient symbols," I turned around instantly, hearing Zeriyah''s words as she strolled out from the woods, together with Killian, Elder Alex, and Cora.

    "What do they mean?" I asked again, and Elder Alex exhaled deeply.

    "We should all head inside for this conversation," he said, leading everyone into the castle. We headed to the courts where other elder wolves and witches, along with a few members of the Council, were waiting.

    We all took our seats, and I pulled my questioning gaze back to Zeriyah.

    "Those symbols are preparations," Zeriyah moved around in the court, her dark gaze moving from everyone. "For a blood ritual," she added, and I drew in sharp breaths, folding my hand under my chin. No one uttered a word as Zeriyah took her seat. "This was done by the vessel. It''s here in North Central and has begun putting things in ce. These ancient symbols are everywhere in North Central, connected."

    The court remained silent as Zeriyah''s words sank in. I knew what everyone was thinking already. Things were worse already, and now, this vessel hade to North Central.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    "What''s our next course of action? We are running out of time," Damien spoke up, as Cora leaned forward.

    "We have Shota''s bones in our possession, and She and I are done with the spell. We will perform the ritual tomorrow night to find out the identity of the vessel, and its possible location," Cora said, sending me a small smile.

    "And what happens after?" Kaiser asked, calmly. His words made Zeriyah exchange a nce with Cora.

    "The witches and I have a way to put an end to the vessel. From what happenedst night, it''s obvious this darkness is growing stronger and has begun to ess its magic. This simply means, it has begun to take control and has begun to merge with its vessel''s soul. Once this merge isplete, it''ll be much more difficult to stop it before the war. We have no idea when this war will happen, so it''s best to get rid of it now," I buried my face into my palm, rubbing it gently.

    All of these were making my head hurt badly. I listened through the torture and as the meeting ended, Killian and I rode back to the pack. It was almost dusk when we arrived and the warriors were still training, and there were few horses outside the Castle. I was walking with Killian through the castle doors when Allen approached us.

    "What''s happening, Allen? Who do those horses belong to?" Killian asked.

    "Alpha Regan of the Grey Wolf pack. He''s been waiting for you." "Where is he?"

    "In the office, together with his Beta and Morgan," Allen replied, and Killian started moving towards the office, but stopped when he noticed I wasn''t behind him. "Are you noting?" His amber eyes pierced through mine, as he came to me. "No, I''d rather go to our chamber and have some rest," I voiced, and Killian''s face rippled with concern.

    "Are you really alright, love?"

    "Just tired," I replied honestly. I was feeling more and more tired by the second, and the painstaking ache in my head was making me feel worse.

    "Alright, I''ll be there as soon as I finish up at the office," Killian kissed me, and I headed towards the hallways. With every step I took, I felt my body crippled with pain, and a sudden cold enveloped me.

    I groaned as my movements slowed, and my head hurt more, making me pull my hands to my head in a poor attempt to stop the pain. I heard several steps rush to me as I crashed hard against the cold floor, and darkness again overcame me.

    I woke up to a drone of voices. They were distant, and almost in a whisper. But I recognized Killian''s among them. His deep and appealing voice pulled me out of my drowsy state.

    I adjusted my blue eyes and scanned my surroundings. I was in our chamber, and from afar, I noticed Killian, Morgan, and Dr. Maggie standing at the door, with Killian''s huge and bulky body resting against the door frame. I pulled myself up on the bed, cursing internally at the light ache against my skull.

    "Thank you, Maggie," I heard Killian''s voice, and his worried gaze fell on me as both Morgan and Maggie left us.

    Killian shut the door, sauntering to me. "How do you feel, love?" He climbed the bed and settled next to me.

    "Much better," I leaned forward as Killian pressed his lips to mine. "What did Maggie say?" I queried as Killian scooped me onto hisp.

    "You''ve been exhausting yourself too much ofte, that''s what causes the tiredness and headaches. She said all you need is rest, She, and you''ll be fine," Killian said, pulling his hand to one of my cheeks and I leaned into it, knowing exactly where this conversation was heading to.

    "Killian, I can''t," I said, looking him in the eyes, and his brows creased.

    "Ever since we returned from Oasis, you haven''t rested properly, and it''s affecting you, She. Zeriyah, Cora, and Valerie can take care of tomorrow''s ritual, please, just take the day off and rest," Killian once again insisted.

    "I can''t, Killian. I also want to help in any way I can, to find out who the vessel is, and put an end to this darkness. I can''t think about anything else other than that."

    "She," I stopped Killian before he continued. Nothing was going to change my mind after everything I saw from Amelie''s crystal ball. I failed to ensure that darkness didn''t find a vessel, and now it has, I had to help stop it.

    "You don''t understand, Killian. Finding the vessel and putting an end to it is more important than anything else. Yesterday, I went to see Amelie," I confessed, and Killian leaned forward.

    "Zeriyah said she wasn''t able to see anyone."

    I nodded. "Yes, it seemed so, but she spoke to me. She told me things, Killian, and I saw something in her ball. Our reality if this darkness wins," I couldn''t stop the fresh tears that gathered in my eyes, as those horrid images I saw in Amelie''s ball shed through my mind.

    Killian drew closer, and I felt the sudden pain he felt seeing me in this state.

    "That''s why you rushed out from the castle in tears," Killian said, and I nodded, holding onto him tightly. "What did you see?"

    I was unable to hold my tears back, and more water rolled down my cheeks.

    "We lost, Killian. I saw everyone dead," Killian''s eyes widened, but he didn''t say a word. "It killed me to see you dead once again," I broke into tears, crashing against Killian''s chest. I felt his arms around me, and he buried his face in the crook of my neck, soothing me calmly.

    "She," he pulled away, cupping my face in hisrge hands. "None of it matters, because I know deep in my heart that we would win this bloody war, and put an end to this dark magic," I watched as his deep, fathomless gaze held hope.

    I intertwined my hand with his, and he pulled it to his lips, kissing it. "Please don''t think about Amelie''s visions or the Council or anything for tonight. If you want to do the ritual, then it''s fine, as long as you promise me you''ll remain in bed, resting till tomorrow night," he pleaded, caressing my cheeks.

    I couldn''t help but smile, "I promise, Killian."

    A small smile found his lips, as he leaned closer and kissed me. We pulled apart and he rested his forehead on mine. "Now, let''s get some sleep."

    Iy on the bed, sinking into Killian''s warm embrace, and I found myself falling into a deep, peaceful slumber.

 Chapter 173

    Killian''s point of view

    It was still the early hours of dawn, and darkness still lingered outside. I woke up earlier than usual the next morning. I had a few matters to tend to in my office today, and I wanted to get over with it before She wakes up. I didn''t n on leaving her side for the rest of today and during tonight''s ritual. I didn''t like the state she was in these past few days. Everything was getting to her. Theing war, this dark magic, and Amelie''s visions. Oh, goddess!

    I copsed into the chair in my office, rubbing the exhaustion off my face. I had to admit, She''s words about Amelie''s vision had hit me badly. I knew Amelie''s visions were always urate, but I also do believe visions, especially ones that were of the future could always be changed if we thread differently. And She was right, the important thing now was finding the vessel and ending this darkness before the war.

    I pulled myself out of my thoughts and nced at the darkness outside the window. I had to be done soon. I forced my full attention into the work I had to do too.

    An hourter, I was all done. I nced at the window again, and the darkness outside had begun to fade. I left my office, making my way to my chamber. I grabbed the door and pulled it open, stepping inside. The first thing that caught my attention was the empty bed. My gaze scanned the chamber and She''s scent was everywhere but she wasn''t in.

    I growled in frustration. She was so f*****g stubborn. Maggie had stressed the need for her to pull back from everything and rest, but She just didn''t get it. What the hell does she want me to do if something bad happens to her? f**k, I''ll die.

    I looked around and her boots were not where they were supposed to be, and so was her cloak. That means she didn''t go training. Immediately, I headed to Valerie''s spell room where she would be.

    Without a second knock, Valerie pulled the door open. She was dressed already. I scanned the room, but there was no sight of She, and I couldn''t even pick up her scent. She hadn''t been here. "What happened?" Valerie asked.

    "Did Shee by?" I asked nheless.

    Valerie shook her head. "No. Why?"

    "She wasn''t in bed when I came in, so I thought she might be here,"

    "She must be somewhere around. Do you want me to help you find her?" she offered, but I shook my head.

    "There''s no need, I''ll find her," I said. "Where are you going?"

    "The Council. We have few preparations to set up before the ritual."

    I nodded, sighing. "Alright, I''ll leave now."

    After I left Valerie, I mind-linked a warrior to check the witches'' quarters and find out if She was there. But she wasn''t. That confused me more. Where could she be?

    I left the castle and tried to mind-link her but I couldn''t. Now I was getting worried. I began to track She through her scent, and I was confused when it led me out to the East territory borders.

    What was she doing here?

    I scanned around, but I couldn''t see her, and it was difficult to pinpoint where she was because She''s scent was everywhere. I focused more, and it began to lead me into the woods.

    I moved hastily in the fading darkness, halting instantly on my tracks the instant my eyes fell on She. She was standing a few distance away from me in the middle of the woods, doing absolutely nothing with her back to me.

    I moved closer to her. "She," I called to her but she didn''t budge. It was as though she couldn''t hear me. I invaded the distance between us, and hurried to her, grabbing her wrist. She was as cold as f*****g ice.

    "She," panic and fear rose within me as I spun her around to face me, but instead, her legs gave up on her and she was about to crash on the ground. I was quick to catch her, pulling her in my arms. She went unconscious, and her cold body had me scared. "She, wake up," I rubbed her arms, trying to warm her up. I called her name once more and she gasped awake, her breathing was fast and erratic.

    I sighed in relief, pulling her close to me for a few seconds, before breaking apart.

    "Where are we, Killian?" She rushed, her blue eyes scanning through the forest. "What are we doing here?"

    "Exactly what I want to know. Why did you leave the chamber without informing me? You promised me you''ll rest, why did youe here?" As I kept bombarding her with so many questions, I felt her heart beat faster.

    "And I did, I fell asleep and-" her blue frightened crystals got drowned with tears. "f**k, Killian, I don''t remembering here," She broke into tears, shocking me.

    I held her tightly. "She-"

    "No, Killian. No," she broke out from my arms. "This is the second time I can''t remember anything. Something is wrong. I can feel it, something is wrong with me," she was in tears moving around as if trying to understand why she was here.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    I rushed to her, "She, stop!" I held her in my arms, wiping off the tears on her face. "Enough, please," I rested my forehead on hers, and she became still, inhaling my scent, but her tears never stopped flowing. It killed me to see her like this. I hated it when she was in tears, all I wanted was to stop her tears. "Killian, something is wrong with me," she repeated after many seconds. "Please believe me."

    I closed my eyes. "Maybe as Maggie said, you just need rest, She," I began calmly. "But just to put you at ease, we could get to the bottom of this. There must be something you or Valerie could do to help you remember, right?" I asked, and her breathing was getting calmer.

    "Yes. You are right," she sniffed, wiping her tears. "Let''s go to her now. I can''t perform the spell on myself," she held my hand, pulling me, but I stopped her.

    "She has gone to the Council," I informed, and she thought for a second.

    "Lorenzo will help us," she said and I nodded. We headed back to the castle as daylight covered us.

    From afar, Jax and Allen came to us, lowering their heads. Just by the looks on their faces, I knew they had something to tell me.

    "What?"

    "The Council sent word, they would like both of your presence immediately," Allen informed us and I couldn''t stop the groan that vibrated from my throat. At this point, I would kill to have a break and a peaceful moment with my mate. "And Morgan?" I asked.

    "He left for the Grey Wolf pack already," Jax replied and I exhaled, remembering Alpha Regan, one of the Alphas from the southern regions, had pleaded with usst night to allow his army to join ours in training.

    "Alright, thanks," I dismissed them, and my eyes shifted to She. "You don''t have toe now. I''ll go, while you have some rest and see Lorenzo."

    "Alright," she sighed, nodding, falling into her thoughts, but I pulled her attention back to me quickly.

    "We will get through this, She, as we''ve done in the past," I whispered to her, kissing her tear-stained face. "I promise."

    *****

    She''s point of view

    It was almost noon, and to the best I could, I tried to keep my promise to Killian and have some rest, even though I couldn''t get my mind off anything. I couldn''t even stomach the meals Ria brought to my chamber. And now, all I wanted was answers to so many questions I had.

    I was in the woods, exactly where Killian found me, trying to make sense of something. But the hours that wandered by left me with nothing. No signs of what I was doing here, or an inkling as to why I hade out here. Nothing.

    I started back to the witches'' quarters to meet Lorenzo and I found him in the witches'' spell room, engrossed in some spells. Once he noticed my presence, he stopped chanting. His dark eyes took me in as I walked in.

    "She," he called, joining me at the table. "I thought you''d be at the Council by now."

    "I had some things to think about here, and Killian insisted I need some rest," I said, settling on one of the chairs, and so did Lorenzo.

    I decided to cut to the chase. "Enzo, I need your help to perform a spell on me," I said and his brows crippled.

    I told him everything, including the fact that I kept having ckouts and the favor I needed him to help me with, just like thest time when I needed to know about my past. And he agreed to help.

    He went around and picked up some necessary items, beforeing back to me. He drew closer to me, pulling his hands to my temples, his dark eyes plunging into mine. "This will hurt," he warned and I nodded. I had prepared myself already and I wanted to get

    answers.

    Lorenzo began to chant and I felt a strange feeling in the depth of my soul, almost as if there was a cold, fathomless void within me.

 Chapter 174

    She''s point of view

    Lorenzo''s chants began to filter into my mind, and suddenly, I felt a pain slit through my skull, stabbing at my soul. I couldn''t stop the sharp shrills that left my lips but I held unto Lorenzo''s hands that were on my temples. I didn''t want him to stop, I had to get to the bottom of this. My screams intensified as blood began to drip from my nose and the pain within me grew worse.

    "We have to stop. It''s not working," I heard Lorenzo''s voice echo through the pain, but I held him tightly. "No, keep going," I yelled back, feeling a deep pain in my chest.

    He kept on chanting for a few more minutes before stopping abruptly.

    "Why did you stop?" I couldn''t keep the rage and frustration from my voice.

    "It''s not working, She," he voiced quietly, handing a small piece of cloth to me. "Like before, I can''t get into your mind, let alone ess your memories," he said, settling into the chair next to mine.

    "So, what do we do now?" I wiped off the trail of blood from my nose, and inhaled deeply, expelling my sudden rage and frustration as I brushed my brown hair back, my deep blue eyes moving to Lorenzo.

    "I might not be able to get into your mind and ess your memories, but there''s another way we can go about it."

    I leaned closer to Lorenzo as he exined what he had in mind. It wasn''t difficult at all, and only needed a drop of my blood.

    I grabbed one of the knives on the table, slitting my palm. My blood dropped into one of Lorenzo''s deep bowls, and we were about to begin the spell when there was a knock at the wooden door, and it opened slightly. It was Jax.

    "I''m deeply sorry for interrupting, but a message came for you, Luna. It''s from Cora, and she would like it if you came by the Council before tonight''s ritual. She said there''s something she wants to show you," Jax said and his words spiked my curiosity. It sounded urgent.

    I nced at Lorenzo and he nodded, walking to the table at the far end of the spell room, and picking up some items from the table. "It seems urgent. You should go, while I''ll finish up here."

    "Thank you so much, Lorenzo," I said genuinely, pulling up from the chair. "How soon can we get results?" I asked.

    "Hopefully, by the time you get back from tonight''s ritual," he said, and I smiled in relief.

    Jax and I left the witches'' quarters and I stopped briefly at the Council to grab my cloak to keep me warm, before moving out to my horse.

    "Are you apanying me?" I asked Jax as he approached me with his horse.

    "Yeah. Alpha Killian asked me to keep youpany throughout the day," he said, rubbing the back of his head with a small smile. Typical of Killian.

    "Alright, let''s go," I got on my horse, and so did Jax. We rode out of our territory and started for the Council. We were almost at the Council''s territory and just approaching the long bridge when I noticed the speeding movement of an arrow aimed at me. I leaned backward on my horse, evading the arrow which dived into one of the trees.

    Jax and I halted our horses instantly, as Adie rose to the surface, scanning our surroundings but we couldn''t pick up any scent or the slightest indication someone else was out here with us.

    Jax got off his horse, cautiously moving to the tree where the arrow was stuck to. "It has a message," Jax spoke over his shoulder to me as he slowly leaned over and pulled the small piece of paper that was dangling against the tree.

    I moved a little closer to my horse, watching Jax unfold the paper. As his eyes moved curiously on the paper, his face lost all colors, rming me.

    "What does it say?" I asked, and he was quiet for a second, before moving to me and handing it to me.

    Upon seeing the bloody handwriting on the paper, I knew exactly who the message was from. dimir. I read through every one of his words calmly, my eyes finally resting on thest word he addressed me with. Mate.

    dimir was in North Central already, and he wanted me to know he wasing for me, bringing along hell itself for everyone I cared about.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    After I was done reading it, I folded the paper gently into my hands, looking around my surroundings. dimir''s sudden presence in North Central couldn''t just be a coincidence with the symbols that were etched around North Central by Shota''s vessel. This made me wonder once more if dimir was truly the one who had this darkness. Could he be Shota''s vessel?

    "We should hurry," I told Jax as we both continued moving. I had to inform the Council of this. Once we arrived at the Council''s castle, I met Killian and my brothers there, together with Zeriyah and the elder wolves. I handed over dimir''s piece of paper to the Council and their suspicion of dimir being the vessel only increased, and we would find out for sure with tonight''s ritual.

    After we were done, Cora led Zeriyah, Valerie, and me to one of the spell rooms in the castle. It wasn''t Cora''s. My eyes scanned around as we walked to the small white round table at the center of the room.

    "What are we doing here?" I asked, my eyes slowly moving from Valerie to Cora, and then on to Zeriyah who walked to the end of the room and pulled her delicate hands in the air, chanting and instantly the wall parted, revealing a small box with ancient inscriptions on it. It piqued my curiosity.

    "We wanted to show you something," Cora said, and I couldn''t help but swallow the lump in my throat at the sudden seriousness on their faces.

    I nodded, watching Zeriyah pull open the box, and I saw a dagger in it. It looked so ordinary until Zeriyah picked it up and suddenly it began to glow white from the hilt. I don''t know why, but there was something about it that made me step back immediately, and I was greeted with a painstaking ache once more.

    I muffled a groan, as I moved back from the table as Zeriyah approached it with the glowing dagger.

    "What''s that?" I asked, feeling restless and maybe scared.

    A small smile found Cora''s lips. "This is exactly what we need to finish off Shota''s vessel," she replied as Zeriyah dropped the dagger on the table. Suddenly, the glow died and I got the chance to take a good look at it from afar. It was made out of wood, and without its glow, it looked so random and ordinary.

    "To finish off the vessel?" I breathed out, rubbing the back of my neck at my sudden uneasiness. "Like?" I asked, feeling my heart speed up. What was wrong with me?

    "To kill it," Zeriyahpleted, and my back slowly met the wall, and my eyes fell back on the dagger. "When we discover exactly who the vessel is tonight, we will have to stop it before it grows more powerful before the war, and right now this dagger is our best chance."

    "Would it kill the actual vessel?" I asked and Zeriyah''s face creased, confusedly. "Or simply just get rid of the dark magic inside?"

    "Both," Zeriyah responded, and with every word she was saying my body was reacting strangely. I felt my legs grow weak.

    "But what if it isn''t dimir?" I folded my arms against my chest. If the vessel was dimir, it would make it easier to get rid of him. But what if it was someone else? Someone who didn''t ask for this. "What if it''s someone else?"

    Cora pulled from the table and sauntered to me. "At this point, it doesn''t matter, She. Everyone''s life is at stake here. And the more we wait, Shota''s magic fuses with its vessel''s soul and thank the heavens it''s not someone as powerful as itsst vessel, Shota. Whoever it is, we can put an end to the birth of a darkness that would destroy us all."

    Cora was right. I inhaled, deeply. I didn''t know what exactly I was thinking. This wasn''t just about one person, everyone''s life was at stake and if killing this vessel will save my loved ones, then there isn''t a choice.

    My eyes left Cora''s and moved from Zeriyah to Valerie who had been quiet "You are right," I moved from the wall back to the table, standing next to Valerie, but my eyes never left the dagger and I felt a strong need to put a safe distance between it and I. "What does it do?"

    "It may appear ordinary, but it''s not," Valerie said. "It was made from an ancient oak tree from the Crystal Fortress that held magic."

    "She''s right. This dagger functions with magic," Cora said, picking it up it began to glow and just then I noticed a glowing ring on the hilt. "It was one of the purest magical things we had back then in the Fortress. It glows like this when ites in contact with magic, pure magic," she said, "And it does a different thing when it''s sourced by dark, impure magic."

    "I don''t understand."

    "Just as it channels pure magic, it has the power to trap a dark one. And since without the blood ritual, Shota''s magic is partially trapped, to end it. It just needs the right amount of magic that can match the dark magic," Zeriyah exined, and instantly, I knew what she meant. It was evident in her eyes.

    "Me?" I said, but it sounded more like a question in my ears.

    "Yes. It''s you. Your magic can match this dark magic, or even surpass it. All you need to do is channel your magic into it, and shove this dagger into the vessel''s heart and it''ll trap the dark magic," Zeriyah said, and I nodded. It all sounded so easy. But I could feel something totally wrong with this n.

    "Sounds easy," I said.

    "If we do this right, we can end this darkness permanently," Cora said.

    "And after? What do we do with the dagger, having so much dark magic within it?" I asked.

    "We don''t know yet. We will cross that bridge when we get to it, first of all, we have to find the vessel and trap Shota''s magic at all costs," Zeriyah voiced.

    There was a knock on the door. It was Elder Alex and Walter.

    "What happened?" Valerie asked as all three of them went closer to Elder Alex and Walter who were standing at the door.

    I wasn''t interested in what they had to say, somehow, this dagger interested me more. My eyes moved back to it, and slowly I reached for the hilt, and the second my hands rested on it, I gasped, pulling away from the dagger, and jerking back from the table. I pulled up my hand, and my petrified blue eyes fell on the wide burn on my palm. My lips parted in shock, and my eyes fell back on the dagger. It f*****g burned me.

 Chapter 175

    She''s point of view

    I still haven''t recovered from the shock from earlier when I was at the Council. The dagger had burned Adie came up with the umpteenth reason why, but none of it made sense why the dagger burnt me. I just a lie, and I could tell Valerie suspected it. At that time, I just wanted to leave that ce.

    My eyes shifted to the darkness already lurking outside the window. I should be on my way to the Cou down, and I had no idea why. I just didn''t want to go for the ritual all of a sudden. Maybe Killian was right. Maybe I needed some rest.

    I contemted going to Lorenzo, but I knew the spell he was working on wouldn''t bepleted by no I was pulled out of my thoughts when I felt Killian''s presence within me and just then, he walked into "I thought you''d be gone by now," he said, leaning down to kiss me. Amid everything I was feeling, his "I will be leaving soon," I said, and his piercing eyes connected with mine.

    "You don''t have to go if you don''t want to. I will let them know you are not feeling well," he said, and I "No," I shook my head. "That''s tempting, but I have to go. The ritual must bepleted and we find ou "Alright," he leaned closer again, kissing me. I moaned, kissing him back. All these problems in our live Killian smirked against my lips. "We''ll do just that, I promise, when we get back from the ritual," he kis I smiled at him, watching him move to the washing room. I mmed my drained body on the bed and I sighed, feeling the sudden heaviness of my eyshes. I tried pulling up from my bed as a weird feeli me was darkness.

    *****

    Killian''s point of view

    ut why?

    d down on the bed in Killian''s chamber. I had left the Council and came back home to prepare for the ritual tonight. Even though deep down, I knew that was

    w, but all of a sudden, I didn''t want to. I didn''t understand my sudden fears these days, it was so unlike me, but I had to admit. I felt so frightened deep

    d to wait.

    m.

    brought me so muchfort.

    deep down he wished I could stay back instead, but I wasn''t going to take a step back because of this stupid feeling I couldn''t exin. the vessel is."

    stolen something from us. Time. And now, I wanted nothing more than to lean into his arms while he made love to me throughout the night. again. "Give me a second to freshen up and we''ll head over together,"

    look at my palm. I had to show Valerie this, hopefully, she would have a good exnation.

    ged at my chest, almost overpowering me. I called out to Adie but I couldn''t hear her and just then, my body fell weakly on the bed and all that surrounded

    I came out from the washing room with just a towel hanging around my waist. She wasn''t on the be couldn''t stop the erratic beating of my heart as I realized she wasn''t in the room. f**k. I didn''t want to leave her alone for a single second.

    I mind-linked Jax immediately. "Jax, where is She?" I asked. I had told him to apany her everywhere she went and keep an eye on her.

    "Uhm..." he started, and I could already feel my breathing rise with rage. He sighed. "I''m sorry, Alpha, I wanted to go with her but she disagreed and ordered I stayed back."

    "What? Where did she go?" I asked, wearing my clothes sharply. I could already feel the knot tightening in my chest.

    "To the Council."

    I growled. I was so furious. I told her to wait for me. I left the castle and hurried on my horse. I didn''t know if I should focus on my rage or the growing fear that had begun to weaken me. Oh, She, I beg of you, please be safe and alright.

    I sped to the Council and arrived quickly. I was hurrying into the Court when I heard a scream of pain and immediately, came the loud ringing of the giant bell. I felt Ryker push to the surface, and the Council''s army scattered around the ce. That bell only rang in times of emergencies or when there was an invasion or something far more serious.

    In a second, the whole ce broke into chaos and I rushed inside, searching for She, but I couldn''t find her. I followed the trail of witches that hurried up the stairs and we arrived at a spell room. As I neared the door, I found some Elder wolves at the entrance, their eyes holding unshed tears.

    I pushed my way through the crowd, moving inside and I saw Valerie, and beside her was Zeriyah, crouching on the floor, and then blood sttered everywhere.

    My breathing hitched, and I drew closer, realizing there was a body in Zeriyah''s arms. Oh no, Cora.

    I gasped backward in shock. She was dead. Murdered, and Zeriyah was holding her body in her arms, crying profusely.

    "Who did this?" I asked, and Valerie shook her head.

    "We found her like this, and the dagger is gone," she said almost in a daze.

    What dagger? I wanted to ask but I realized She wasn''t in the room. My heart banged harder against my chest and I left the room. I had to find my mate.

    Suddenly, I couldn''t breathe. I tried mind-linking her but it wasn''t connecting. I hated this. I was left with no other option but to track her using her scent.

    I moved out of the castle and into the darkness. The Council''s warriors were scattered around, thoroughly searching the territory. She''s scent led me to the woods, and the more her scent grew stronger I began to feel her within me. "She, where are you?" I asked, moving past the trees with my nonhuman speed.

    "Kill- I don''t know. I don''t know," she was panting hard and something in her voice caused me to stop instantly. Aside from her teary voice, I could feel a paralyzing amount of fear within me. It wasing from her.

    "Stay where you are, I''ll find you," I rushed, increasing my speed. It didn''t take long before I found She, crouched against a tree, crying profusely.

    I hurried to her, pulling her quivering body up and I froze. My eyes began to trail from her trembling hands to her clothes which were drenched in blood. She was covered with blood.

    "What happened to-" I couldn''t move. I was paralyzed with fear and shock. "She-" No. She couldn''t... she couldn''t... I could barelyplete my thoughts.

    "I don''t know, Killian. I can''t remember. I just found myself lost in the woods with blood over me," she was trembling in tears. Her broken state forced me out of my shock and I held her hand.

    "Don''t-Don''t cry, She, everything will be fine," I said, grabbing a handful of my hair in panic, thinking. But it didn''tst long as I noticed the warriors that had crossed over to the part of the woods we were in. "Killian. This blood isn''t mine. What have I done?" she was quivering.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    "Nothing," I said. "We have to get out of here now," I removed the cloak on her dress, it had more stains on it. I used it to clean her hands, but she still had blood smears on them. We had to leave the Council''s territory at once without being seen.

    I scooped She in my arms, moving with speed. I took the shortest route that led back to our horses. I ced She on one of the horses and got in behind her, exiting the Council''s territory.

    As soon as we reached our territory, I took her straight to our chamber through the back doors, cing her gently on the bed.

    She had stopped crying, but her trembling body had only gotten worse. I crouched before her, taking her shaky and bloody hands in mine.

    We remained in silence for long minutes and I fought the tears that wanted to escape my eyes. This was f*****g bad. I didn''t want to say it, and I didn''t want to think about it, but the truth was staring right at my face. Cora''s blood was on my mate''s hands. Oh, goddess, this was really bad. I had a lot of questions. Why on earth would She go after Cora? Why did she kill her?

    I shut my eyes as a careless tear slipped down. This wouldn''t end well. The Council won''t stop until they find out what happened to Cora. I knew Zeriyah too well; she wouldn''t rest until she discovers who murdered Cora.

    Something was wrong. I held She''s hands tightly. Something must have happened. I lifted my eyes to She and even through the jammed gates of her eyshes, tears rolled down her eyes.

    "She," I called gently. "Do you remember anything?" I asked again, and she shook her head, unable to stop the fresh waters that escaped her eyes. "What''s thest thing you remember?" I tried again.

    "I was right here, waiting for you. And the next thing I remember, I was in the woods, covered in blood," As she exined, Ryker kept howling in the corner walls of my mind.

    Why would She possibly murder Cora?

    I pulled her attention back to me. "Do you remember the dagger?" I asked. Valerie had said something about a dagger taken at the same time Cora was murdered.

    "What dagger?" She asked in confusion.

    "The one with Cora."

    She furrowed more in confusion. "The oaken dagger?" she asked, and I nodded. "No, I don''t," she replied. "What happened to it?"

    "It''s missing."

    "How''s that possible?" she was almost up on her feet, but I pulled her down on the bed. "That''s the only thing that can stop the vessel," she muttered more to herself, but I could hear her. "What?" I whispered to myself. Why would She take the dagger?

    I felt my heart mount a race at the severity of all of this. Her memorypses had gotten worse, and now this happened right before the ritual. And the dagger has gone missing. For a second, I started to doubt the possibility of She being behind Cora''s death and taking the dagger. It had to be Shota''s vessel. She had nothing to gain by doing any of that, except, I froze at the sudden thought that crept in.

    I was up on my feet immediately, pacing around and my mind running wild. I didn''t want to believe any of the thoughts grazing my mind. It just couldn''t be. It shouldn''t be.

    "Whose blood is this, Killian?" She asked me, and I couldn''t reply. I didn''t know what to say, and hot tears rolled down her eyes, and it killed me. "Tell me, what did I do?" I held her hands tightly. "Nothing."

    "Killian, please don''t lie to me, I know something happened-" she started and I squeezed her hands gently.

    "We don''t know what happened, but Cora was found dead," I said, and She froze.

    "What?" she whispered, her breathing slowed and eyes held unshed tears. "Did I..." she gasped. "Oh goddess, I killed her?"

    "No, you didn''t," I stopped her immediately. I didn''t want her to have those thoughts, especially when she couldn''t remember anything. "You didn''t kill Cora, and-"

    She was up from the bed, pacing restlessly in tears. "No, Killian. Can''t you see it? Something''s wrong with me. Every time I can''t remember what happened, something bad happens," She stumbled back and I caught her before she crashed on the floor. "You have to remain calm," I pinned her body to mine.

    "Lorenzo, I have to see him. I need to know what he has found out," she broke free from my hold, starting for the door, but I grabbed her immediately.

    "Stay here, She," I said, "I will go to him. Please just stay in here," I pleaded. I had to speak to him before She. I had to dismiss this sudden thought in my mind that had begun to drive me crazy. I kissed her lips and pulled her back to the bed. "I will be back soon."

    I left our chamber and headed for the witches'' quarters. I went straight to the witches'' spell room, pulling the door open in a hurry.

    Lorenzo was standing at the table with his back to me. He waspletely frozen and every color of life was drained from his face in horror. He hadn''t even noticed my presence.

    "Lorenzo," I called, and slowly, he turned to me. His dark eyes held unshed tears that reflected pain. "What is it?" I moved closer to him, and something in his gaze told me it was about She. "Tell me, Lorenzo, what did you find out?"

    "It''s She," he voiced, barely above a whisper, as a tear rolled down his cheek.

    He was scaring me and I knew whatever he had to say, it might kill me. But I had to hear it, and deep down I hoped it wasn''t what I was thinking. "She, what?"

    "She is the vessel, Killian."

 Chapter 176

    Killian''s point of view

    "No, f*****g no," I waspletely still, unable to move, think, or breathe. "She can''t be the vessel," muttered. Hearing the words leave my lips, I realized how badly I had hoped this wasn''t the case. I had hoped this was just one of those silly thoughts. I watched as Lorenzo slowly fell on a chair; his hands sped firmly against each other.

    "How can you be so sure?" I moved closer to him.

    "I did the spell over and over again. She''s blood has an anomaly, Killian. It''s tainted with dark magic" Lorenzo spoke slowly and his every word was like a stab to my chest.

    "No, Lorenzo. She cannot be the vessel. She can''t be. It''s not possible, she''s a f*****g white wolf!" I leaned on the table for support, gazing deep into Lorenzo''s eyes.

    "I don''t know how it happened, but that darkness has been in She all this time, and it managed to stay hidden. She has been the one preparing for the blood ritual."Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    I groaned internally at the pain that tore through me, my hands curled tightly into a ball.

    "What do we do now?" Lorenzo''s gaze met mine. "By now, the ritual on Shota''s bones must have begun. They will soon learn it''s been her all along."

    "The ritual didn''t hold," I confessed, settling on a chair, and feeling Lorenzo''s questioning gaze. But I still didn''t speak.

    "What happened?" he asked.

    "Cora''s dead," I muttered slowly. "She was murdered, and the dagger that was intended to be used on the vessel was stolen," I summarized before he asked any other question.

    "Who could have-" he stopped, abruptly, and I knew he knew the answer. It was obvious.

    "She doesn''t remember anything," I added, unable to hold back the tears that slipped past my eyes. I had never been this confused and torn at the same time.

    I buried my face in my hands. "We need to do something, Killian. It''s only a matter of time before the council finds out who killed Cora, and it will lead them straight to She. What do you think they''ll do?"

    "Enough, Lorenzo. I need to think," I was up from the chair. I had toe up with something before the Council found out She was the vessel or responsible for Cora''s death. They won''t hesitate to have her killed if it means getting rid of Shota''s darkness. f**k. I couldn''t let that happen. I''d die first before that happened.

    I was vibrating with so many emotions which were making me unable to think clearly. All that drowned my thoughts was She. She had been through so much to have to deal with this.

    I was struggling to stay in control. Ryker was in so much tumult and pain. Why in the bloody goddess''s name did it have to be She?

    I punched hard against the wall and created a wide hole in it. Lorenzo rushed to my side but thankfully, he didn''t make the mistake of holding me back. In this state, I wasn''t sure what I was capable of doing. I felt this deep-rooted hole in my heart, I closed my eyes, releasing the tears that had been eager to wander free. I needed to think.

    "I have to go," I left Lorenzo''s spell room and the first thing I did as soon as I stepped into the unweing darkness, I raced into the woods, stripping, giving Ryker full control in his form to release this staking agony within us.

    We ran tirelessly for hours, never getting exhausted and still unable to get rid of the pain in my chest. I couldn''t show myself to She like this. She would be able to see through the pain in my eyes, and I couldn''t let her know yet, not until we came up with something.

    After a while, I shifted back to my human form and headed back to the castle. I had been standing in front of the door to our chamber for almost an hour now, unable to go in. There was no way I could hide my emotions from her, and that was thest thing she needed. Now it would be better if this thing inside her had no idea we knew She was the vessel.

    I sighed, pulling the door open and my eyes fell on She curled up on the bed. She had changed into fresh clothes and was fast asleep. I climbed in next to her, pulling her into my embrace. I buried my nose in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply. She was the peace I needed, and for a second, I felt my pain and agony melt away.

    I woke up to a new day. It was the early hours of dawn, and She was still curled up in my arms. I watched her sleep so peacefully, and my mind became clearer. I knew exactly what I was going to do, and it in no way involved handing my mate over to the Council. But I couldn''t do this alone. I needed help from those who loved her as much as I did.

    Almost two hourster, I was in my office with Morgan, Lorenzo, Valerie, Kaiser, and Leonardo.

    I was leaning on my table with my face in my hands as I kept on fighting the tears that had gathered in my depths. It''s been almost an hour since Lorenzo and I broke the news to everyone, and neither Leonardo nor Kaiser had muttered a word since. My eyes moved to Leonardo who was sitting right opposite me, with his striking blue eyes caging his pain and sadness, before shifting to Kaiser. He has been frozen against the wall close to the door with his arms crossed over his chest, and eyes almost swollen. "Leonardo, Kai," I called their attention back to the room, needing their final approval for the n we had in mind. We were already running out of time and we needed to find a way to deal with this before the Council found out about She. "What do you say?" I asked in hopes that they would agree. We didn''t have an option.

    This was the only way She would be protected, and it would buy us enough time to keep her from being used by this darkness toplete the ritual preparations and figure out how to save her from Shota''s magic without killing her. We had no way around that yet, but I believe we would find a way. We had to.

    Leonardo threw a nce at Kaiser, before inhaling deeply and his eyes met mine. "Let''s do this," he said, and my gaze moved to Valerie.

    She leaned forward on the table about to speak when the door pulled open, abruptly.

    Everyone''s gaze turned to the door, and She stepped in. Her perfect long eyebrows crumbled, moving from everyone in the office, before meeting my amber gaze.

    "What''s going on here?" She spoke in her soft voice, giving a warm embrace to Kaiser before moving to Leonardo, sending a small smile to Morgan, Valerie, and Lorenzo.

    I held my hand out to her, masking every emotion I felt. I pulled her into myp, as she scanned the room once more.

    "What''s wrong? Did something happen?" she asked slowly, and my eyes moved to Valerie''s and the others''.

    "Not really," Valerie leaned forward. "We were only discussing the next course of action. With everything that''s happening at the Council, we''ve decided to continue with the ritual on Shota''s bones to find out who the vessel is, and instead of using the Council, we''ve decided to use the pack instead," she said, tilting her head to Leonardo.

    "The ck Blood Pack?" she asked, surprised, intertwining her fingers with mine as Valerie nodded.

    "It will be much better, sister. The sooner we find out who the vessel is, it''ll be much better for us all," Leonardo said, and she nodded gently.

    "Do you need my help with anything?" Her eyes shifted to Valerie.

    "No. There''s no need, it''ll be much better if you take some rest instead," Valerie said and gently, I wrapped my hands around She''s waist, feeling the warmth from her body against mine and hoping it would stop the sudden stinging of my eyes.

    I wasn''t liking any of these. But this had to be done for She''s sake. I had to help her before she did more things she would never forgive herself for. We all knew Cora was killed to prevent the ritual from happening, and knowing what''s in She, it would do anything to try to stop this one. Instead of walking into a ritual, it would be walking into something else. This was Valerie''s final test to be sure if She was the vessel.

    We concluded the n with She, after which, everyone began to leave.

    She turned to me, "I need to talk to Lorenzo," she said, kissing my lips before pulling up from myp. She was asleepst night, and I hadn''t told her anything about what Lorenzo said.

    I watched She leave the office, and a few minutester she was back.

    "And what did he say?" I asked regardless, knowing exactly what Lorenzo would say.

    "He''s still working on the spell," she said, sitting on the seat opposite mine, stretching her hands out to me, and I took them immediately. "I was thinking about what happenedst night, and-" she drew in a sharp breath, while I held on to herst words. "I want to go to the Council today."

    "Why?" I was up from my chair, moving to where she was seated.

    She was quiet for a second. Her eyes looked like she wanted to tell me something, but she shook against them.

    "What do you mean by ''Why''?" she asked, "I killed Cora, Killian."

    "We cannot be so sure," I started, holding her hands tightly. "Things are crazy at the Council at the moment, why don''t you give it some days before going there?"

    She held my gaze for a while, before sighing. "Alright," she whispered, cing a kiss on my lips.

 Chapter 177

    She''s point of view

    "Hello! My name is She. Wee to the Crescent North Pack," I said with a warm smile, holding out my hand to the new family that just arrived at the pack. "You must be exhausted, so I''ll take you straight to your chambers, so you''ll get settled in," They were part of the survivors from the West regions that were forced into hiding when dimir began to make attacks on the regions. Thesest few days, the pack had opened its territories to anyone needing refuge during the war. We had no idea how or when the war would be, but we were ready.

    I led them to one of the vacant quarters near the Packhouse. I showed them to their chambers and helped them settle in, before leaving.

    I kept catching Killian staring at me, now and then. He hasn''t left the Pack today. He''s been training with the warriors from our pack and the Grey Wolf pack, but I knew he was only keeping an eye on me and that was beyond frustrating.

    Even with the few tasks I had been using to try to keep my mind busy, I just couldn''t stop thinking about some things. For a start, Cora''s death. I leaned against the shade of a tree. I couldn''t remember anything fromst night, and regardless of what Killian said, I knew I had something to do with Cora''s death. He was hiding something away from me. They all were.

    Earlier this morning, when I walked into Killian''s office, it felt like I was walking into a funeral. I didn''t miss the saddened gazes of everyone, including my brothers. And I felt simr sadness from Killianst night behind the door when he finally returned from Lorenzo''s ce after many hours. I knew then that something was wrong and this morning confirmed it. And it worried me.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    "Hey," I jerked from my thoughts, feeling Killian''s arms around me as he joined me under the shade, lowering himself against the tree. "What happened? Are you feeling alright?"

    My blue eyes met his deep amber. They had this faux brightness within them, masking his sadness and pain, and no matter how much he tried to hide them, I could still feel it, along with the troubled feeling in my chest. It was sickening, feeling as though a terrible storm was heading my way and was going to destroy me and everyone I loved.

    I leaned into his broad arms and he was quick to wrap his arms around me. "No, I am fine, Killian. I''m just-" I drawled in. "So tired," I muttered against the fabric of his shirt, burying my face in it to imprison my unshed tears.

    Killian didn''t utter a word as his protective arms tightened around me, and I felt safe. Safe from everything out there.

    "I will never let go of you," he whispered through our mate bond, and I felt Ryker''s presence through him.

    "Something is indeed wrong, She. They know something," Adie muttered and I simply wrapped my hands around him, enjoying this feeling for a second, somehow, it felt like it may be thest.

    "Alpha," One of the young warriors interrupted us. "I am sorry, I-"

    "It''s alright. What is it?" Killian asked, not letting go of me.

    "More warriors have arrived from Alpha Regan''s pack, and they are asking for you," the young warrior said.

    "Find Mor-" Killian began, but reluctantly, I pulled away from him.

    "No, Killian. You should go, I''ll just stay here for a while," I said, and he hesitated for a while, regarding me.

    The conflict in his eyes was evident. He didn''t want to leave me. After a second, he nodded, leaving with the warrior.

    "He''s gone now. Are we staying here or..." Adie rose to the surface. "We are leaving?"

    I shut my eyes, making a decision. "We are leaving," I was up on my boots, walking into the Packhouse, trying to evade the warriors Killian had kept an eye on.

    I left the Packhouse through one of the backdoors and made my way to the vige in the pack. I found a horse, and took the path through the woods, leaving the Pack''s territory.

    Killian would go crazy when he realized I had left the pack, but I had to do this. I held the reins of my horse firmly, unable to fight the fear in my bones, making me more terrified of what I was about to do, and what I may probably discover. It scared me deeply.

    I was on my way to the Council. It was time I faced the growing fear within me. It had dominated mest night with a thought when Killian left for the witches'' quarters to find Lorenzo.

    I had been trying to dismiss the thought but I knew I would never have any peace until I found out the truth for myself. I wanted to tell Killian this morning but I decided against it.

    I drew in some air as I reached the Council. I got off my horse and sauntered to the castle, taking the path to Amelie''s chamber. She was the only one that could give me the answers I needed.

    I could feel growing suffocation in my chest and every piece of me was insisting I didn''t go through with this, but I had to find out the truth, even though it killed me.

    Last night I couldn''t stop thinking about everything that had been happening. My memorypses. The ancient symbols that had appeared around North Central. Cora''s death. The missing dagger. Unfortunately, everything led back to me.

    I stood for a minute in front of her door, shutting my eyes closed to stop the tears that welled in them. I still didn''t want to believe it, but it was a possibility I had to consider. Every time I can''t remember a memory, Shota''s vessel does something. My eyes fell on the burn on my palm made from the dagger, and I couldn''t help but consider if all this time, that darkness was inside of me. What was the possibility that I was the vessel all this time and I hadn''t realized it?

    I closed my eyes, wiping off my tears, before pulling the door open and stepping into the darkness. I found Amelie seating on the chair closest to the window and even as I moved closer, she didn''t turn to me. She had gotten much worse than I remembered.

    I crouched down next to her chair, cing my hand on hers. "Amelie," I breathed out, gently, closing my eyes.

    Then I felt the warmth of her other hand on mine. I pulled my eyes open, my blue watery crystals met hers.

    "Things are getting worse, Amelie, Cora is dead," I said, holding her weak gaze, but she only nodded in sadness. The pain in her gaze made a tear slip past my eyes.

    "You are scared, I can feel it," she said gently.

    "I feel so much more than that. I need answers, Amelie," I told her honestly, and her gaze moved back to her precious ck ball.

    "What do you want to know?" she asked, quietly.

    "I want to know what my future holds," I said, firming my hold on her hand and her eyes never left her ck crystal ball.

    "It shows you everything you want to know," she pulled my hand from hers and ced it on the ck crystal ball. "Just think of it."

    I closed my eyes, holding the crystal ball tightly. And the only thing that crossed my mind was my future with Killian. A sudden brightness covered my vision, and I felt my mind spin around in a fast motion. Then I found myself somewhere else. The ce looked very different, beautiful, and peaceful but I recognized it was my pack.

    I nced around and I saw Killian from afar. He was standing in front of the castle. He looked more mature and older, but still as handsome as ever. Suddenly, he turned to his left and a huge smile appeared on his lips. "My love," he called in a contented and happy tone which made my heart flutter.

    I followed the trail of his gaze, thinking he was referring to me, but all my hopes turned into a nightmare when I saw another woman running to him instead. "Rhylie," Killian called, and received her in his arms,ughing and kissing her forehead.

    I couldn''t see her face clearly, but I could tell she was a beauty with long ck hair. I felt my heart speed in fear.

    "What the hell was happening? What happened to me?" I yelled but everything began to change.

    "No. Take me back," I screamed with tears rushing through my eyes.

    "It only shows you what you ask of it," I heard Amelie''s voice in the corner walls of my mind. The sudden brightness began to take a shape, and then all I saw around me was the familiar vision of chaos and death. My brothers'' lifeless bodies, as well as Killian and everyone I loved.

    I was struck with terror at the sight, suddenly feeling a presence around, followed by a disturbing evil cackling of a female''s voice. It was loud and held the darkest kind of magic. Shota''s magic. I felt my heart pound harder and slowly, I turned around, and I froze upon the sight of the woman before me, covered with blood, having an evil, sinister smile at the chaos around and it felt as if she had been reborn.

    She was me.

    I remained frozen in my spot. It was me all along. I was the vessel. I was the destruction of everyone.

 Chapter 178

    She''s point of view

    I screamed back to reality, jerking away from Amelie and her ck crystal ball. My eyes werepletely blurry with tears, and they never stopped rushing down.

    It couldn''t be. I shook my head, as my teary gaze met with Amelie''s dark hooded ones. She was staring at me with tears in her eyes as well.

    "It can''t be me. I would have known," I couldn''t stop shaking my head, as more tears rushed down. I had wanted desperately to know exactly what was wrong with me. I had even considered this possibility, but now it was difficult to believe that I would be the end of every one. I killed poor Cora, and everyone was next.

    Amelie inhaled deeply, also in tears. She shook her head gently. "Everyone has a part to y," she muttered, slowly. "The end for everyone ising with the war. In two days. You can destroy us all, and save us as well. Be prepared to make a choice, She, and do what you must."

    "What choice, Amelie?" My broken voice sounded in a whisper.

    "You will know when it''s time," she replied, and I managed to push up from the floor at a sudden thought.

    "This can''t be. I saw Killian alive," I choked back a sob. "He was alive, happy with someone else," I uttered in tears. I didn''t understand why in one vision he was dead and in the other, he was alive. "Help me here, Amelie. Which of those visions is real?" "Both," she said in a whisper, bringing her hooded gaze to her crystal ball. "Both are very real. Your choice depends on the future. You must be careful, otherwise, that thing inside of you will rise."

    At her every word, I couldn''t breathe. The mere image of me being the end of my family haunted me. I hurried out of her chamber, feeling the sudden pains in the deepest cave of my chest. I left the Council''s castle, stepping into the evening breeze.

    I managed to get to my horse that I had tied to a tree in the woods. But I couldn''t get on it. The pain in my chest was weakening me. I reached out to Adie, but I couldn''t hear her. The pain was overpowering me with a strong force that made me grip my chest tightly. "Give in," I heard a tiny echo within me. "You can''t fight me," It came again, sounding like my own voice. I knew it was the darkness inside of me.

    I copsed on the ground, fighting it, but the piercing pain that shot through my bones defeated me instantly, knocking me unconscious.

    *****

    Valerie''s point of view

    It had been hours now since Killian informed us of She''s sudden disappearance from the pack, and till now we haven''t been able to get to her.

    It was already twilight, and I was in the ck Blood Pack, along with Killian, Morgan, Lorenzo, Zena, and the ck brothers. We were in an underground chamber in the castle. It had been previously used by Fiona as her spell room. Leonardo and his mate, Denise, had cleared out the castle for what we had to do tonight. No one needed to know what we were about to do here, for She''s safety.

    I was standing in between Lorenzo and Zena as they went through my Grimoire, ensuring nothing went wrong as we waited for She. We knew she woulde. We had deliberately lied to her earlier today, knowing if truly Shota''s magic was dwelling in her, it would take control ande here to stop us from performing the ritual, just like it stopped Cora.

    I closed my eyes, holding back the tears in my eyes. I still hadn''te to ept this new possibility that She was the vessel and she had killed Cora. I knew it was the darkness'' doing, but She would never forgive herself, and neither would the Council. It scared me to think of what they would do when they learned that She was Shota''s vessel and was the destruction of us all. This was bad. It was like history was repeating itself, and this time it was much harder. This darkness had chosen a powerful vessel, a white wolf. I have been with the Council for too long. I know exactly what they would do. They would try and end her, and I would too if it would save our entire realm. But this was She. She was one of us, and after everything she has been through, she didn''t deserve this. Neither do any of them.

    Even without my eyes, I could feel the sadness and fear for what was toe emitting from everyone. I felt bad for Leonardo, Kaiser, and Killian. I knew this was much harder for them.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    I had no idea what woulde after imprisoning She here, but I swear to the goddess, I won''t stop trying until I find a way to save her. We all will, whatever it takes.

    I pulled out of my thoughts, hearing Leonardo''s growl. He buried his face in his hands, covering the tears that had no doubt begun to escape. He had been like this all day and had barely said a word. She was here. I knew deep down, he had hoped she didn''te. That would only mean She was not the vessel, but her presence here proved the opposite.

    "She''s here," he said, and I felt his eyes on me. No one said a word as everyone began to leave the room, leaving only Killian and Leonardo. The ce was spelled so that She wouldn''t be able to feel the presence of anyone else in here with me.

    I inhaled deeply, counting my steps to the center of the room where She had to be for this to work. I counted my steps back to the table, closing my Grimoire and in no time, I felt her presence. I turned around slowly.

    "She," I called in surprise, she was different. Her aura waspletely different.

    "Valerie," she said, and I could tell she was smiling.

    "What are you doing here? You shouldn''t have bothered yourself ining here," I said, turning back to the table.

    "I wanted to help," she said, moving closer to me from behind. "Where are the others?" she asked.

    "They''ll soon be here. I wanted to get things in order first," I said, putting my Grimoire aside.

    "And Shota''s bones?" she asked.

    "Zena went to get it from the Council," I replied, as I began to stir the ingredients in the bowl with my magic.

    "And what are you doing?" She came so close that I could feel her breath on mine. But I had to be careful. Even if this darkness wasn''tpletely free, it was ancient and possessed a kind of magic that we hadn''t seen. "It''s for Shota''s vessel. To kill it," I said, continuing to stir.

    "Interesting. To kill it," she repeated, almost in a fascinated tone. "I can help."

    "I am already done," I stopped stirring, picked up the bowl, and started walking to the door.

    I felt her heavy stare on me and she began following me slowly. Just what I wanted. I stopped walking when I had gotten her to the center of the room. I turned around and felt her eyes narrow on me, and I knew she had begun to suspect something. Suddenly she released cacklingughter.

    "I guess we are not alone," her soft voice that I always admired hardened, but her smile remained.

    Without hesitating, I fell the bowl on the floor, and the instant the crimson fluid touched the floor, it created a circle around She.

    "I guess the cat is out of the bag," she said. "Do you think this can stop me? You have no idea what great power I possess."

    "This can''t stop you, but it can hold you as long as I want," I said, feeling the magic that surrounded her. I pointed at the red glow that had begun to appear on the floor. "Lorenzo, Zena," I called and they stepped into the room, and without being told twice, they began chanting. The chants were weakening her, and they didn''t stop until She copsed on the floor, losing consciousness.

    Killian hurried past me to She, and so did Kai.

    "What do we do now?" Kaiser said, crouching next to She.

    "She remains here, while we figure out how to save She from that darkness," I said, feeling Gwen''s presence as she rushed inside the room. "What is it?"

    "The Council asked for both you and She, immediately. It''s about Cora''s death," she finished and I could hear the sting heartbeats of everyone. It was too soon for the Council to find out She was behind Cora''s death. When that happens, it wouldn''t take long to discover She was the vessel.

    "Take care of everything," I said, especially to the witches in the room. We had to be careful not to let She escape. She was safer here, and besides, her being here will put a halt to whatever preparations the darkness had started. "I will be back."

    "I aming with you," Kaiser was up on hisrge boots, and I nodded, appreciatively.

    Kaiser and I left the ck Blood Pack to the Council. And we hurried to Zeriyah''s spell room. The ce was crowded with familiar voices of the elders and Council members.

    "Zeriyah," I moved closer to her with Kaiser behind me.

    "Where''s She?" she asked.

    "She couldn''te. What happened?" I asked.

    "Why is Cora''s corpse here, I thought-" Kaiser began and my eyes widened, moving closer to the table and I felt the cold, lifeless body of Cora.

    I couldn''t stop the fast beating of my heart. I knew exactly what was about to happen. She was about to wander through Cora''s mind and get a glimpse of herst moments before she was killed. This was bad.

    "I must find out what happened to my sister. This way, we will find out about Shota''s vessel. We are running out of time," Zeriyah said, and I felt Kai''s body tense up behind me.

    "Amelie had another vision. The war is two nights away. We must discover who the vessel is and destroy the magic," Damien said.

    "Please, begin," One of the Council heads spoke, and Zeriyah began chanting.

    "No, this can''t happen. No," I heard Kaiser growl behind me, vibrating with several emotions. His wolf was almost at the surface and his aura became murderous.

    My eyes widened, realizing what ballistic thoughts were running through his mind. Before he could move, I held his arm, shaking my head against his thoughts. This wasn''t the time for violence.

    "They can''t know," he forced through gritted teeth I understood his concerns and worry, but I wouldn''t lose anyone else.

    I was about to speak when I felt Zeriyah''s sudden aura change. My heart drummed in my chest, as she gasped in shock.

    "You should leave now," I whispered to Kaiser.

    "No,"

    "Warn the others. They wille for her," I said, "Leave now," I insisted, and thankfully, he didn''t argue.

    Her outburst caused everyone to rush closer to her side, and forcefully, she pulled out of Cora''s mind.

    "No," She kept on whispering and her heavy gaze was on me. "No," She knew.

    "Tell us, Zeriyah, who killed Cora? Who is Shota''s vessel?" Elder Philip asked, and the room became silent.

    I felt Zeriyah move closer and stopped until she was before me. She was in tears and still in disbelief.

    "It can''t be. This isn''t how it was supposed to be," she spoke slowly, confusing everyone else in the room, except me.

    "Speak up, Zeriyah. Who is Shota''s vessel?" Fendrick asked in frustration.

    "It''s She!" she screamed, and her magic blew everything in the room. "She has been the vessel all along and she killed Cora!"

    I shut my eyes as the truth echoed in my ears. Several gasps broke around in the room.

    "You knew," She asked in tears, and I knew exactly what she was feeling. For so long since the prophecy, we''ve had hope in winning this fight when the time came because we had the only one destined to fight against this greatest darkness by our side, She. But what happens now when she was the force unleashing this darkness?

    By the time I pulled out from my thoughts, the room was in an uproar, deciding on what to do and they finally decided to have the Council''s army bring She in.

    I remained in the room as everyone cleared out, leaving Zeriyah and me.

    "What were you thinking, Valerie? You should have said something the instant you found out. You of all people should know what this means. We cannot win against her, and by now the darkness has begun to fuse with her soul. We can''t save her," she said in tears. "We can try."

    "The war is in two days. If we don''t stop her now, we will all die. Don''t you understand what this means?"

    "What I do understand is, the prophecy never lies. She will battle against this darkness and win," I said, "And until then, I will do all I can to protect her," I added, moving to the door.

    "Even if it costs everyone''s lives? Our entire realm!" She said calmly from behind, and I could feel the conflict in her soul as well.

    I stopped walking, closing my eyes. And for the first time, I had no answer to that.

 Chapter 179

    She''s point of view

    I couldn''t stop groaning in pain. This time, the pain came from everywhere, tearing me up inside. I groaned again, curling up against a warm softness. My head felt lightheaded, my eyshes felt so heavy to pull open, my bones aching against their joints, and my energypletely drained. With so much effort, I pushed my eyes open, fluttering them consistently to keep my vision clear and steady for a second. The instant I got a clear view of the nk air, memories of my conversation with Amelie flooded my mind mercilessly, all at once, that caused my breathing to be rough and erratic and the tears from the deep sadness I felt drowned my blue ocean gaze and I couldn''t stop it as I was reminded of my reality. I was the end for everyone and the war was in two days. I had to tell everyone.

    I tried to pull myself up but I couldn''t, it was then I took notice of my surroundings. I was on a bed, but thest thing I remembered was leaving the Council, and then, the darkness took over.

    My eyes widened, and instantly, I shot up in fear, feeling the heavy pounding of my head against my skull.

    "Easy," I heard the unmistakable voice of Killian. I turned my head sharply, and my blue eyes connected with his amber ones. He was standing a few feet from me, and his eyes were dull, almost as if he had been crying. Regardless, I could see past the guise, taking a peek at the sorrows that dwelt behind that gaze of his that held mine.

    I couldn''t stop the tears that rushed down again, and slowly, I took a nce at my surroundings. This wasn''t in our pack, I could recognize this ce even in my dreams. It was my mother''s underground spell room. But it looked quite different. There was definitely not a bed in here before. I was at my brother''s pack, and this only meant one thing.

    My blue eyes found Killian''s again through its blurry vision. "What happened? How did I get here?" I asked, and Killian took only a step closer, gaining my instant attention and my eyes fell on the floor which had a golden ring of ash circling the bed where I was. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I forced myself up from the bed, moving to where Killian was standing. I pulled my hand up in the air about to touch him but he shook his head calmly as tears began to gather in his eyes.

    "Don''t," he whispered, confirming my suspicion, but I still pulled my hand forward, and instantly, I was zapped with a powerful force of magic that sent me crashing against the floor. Just then, the door pulled open and Lorenzo and Leonardo rushed in. "Are you alright?" Leonardo was by my side on the other side of the shield and I simply nodded, my blue eyes rising to meet Leonardo''s blue crystals.

    "I am fine," I held my hand, sniffing back as more tears rushed down. "When did you all find out?" I asked in a low tone and Leonardo''s blue eyes softened. He was up on his feet immediately, turning his back to me, and I knew it was to hide the tears that had welled his gaze.

    "Last night," Killian replied. "Lorenzo found the anomaly in your blood," he added and I kept nodding, realizing the reason for the meeting in Killian''s office.

    "How did I get here?" I asked again.

    "The darkness took over, and you came here to stop the supposed ritual that was to take ce," he replied again.

    "In other words, I tried to kill Valerie the same way I killed Cora," I stated tly, biting back my tears, even though the attempt was useless. "I was at Amelie''s," I started, and Leonardo turned to me.

    "She told you," Leo muttered, and I released a bitter chuckle, wrapping my hands around my arms.

    "She showed me," I said, "I saw it all. The chaos, and deaths. I caused it all. I killed you all," I added in tears.

    "It''s not your fault, She, it''s that thing inside of you, and we will get rid of it," Lorenzo moved forward, gazing down at me with his hooded eyes.

    I shook my head, "The war is in two days," I informed them and their eyes widened, while my tears flowed more. Even if we had all the time we needed, there was no way to figure out how to get rid of Shota''s darkness without getting rid of the vessel. I knew that much, and even though no one wanted to admit it, we all knew what this meant.

    "We still have time, sister. Every witch in our packs is working on it. We will find a way, please don''t give up," Leonardo sounded, holding my gaze, and all I wanted right now was to embrace him.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    I nodded, quietly, hating the feeling of loneliness in the corners of my mind.

    "I can''t feel you," I said to Killian, and he brushed his face with his palm, wiping off the tears on his face.

    He nodded. "It''s the spell."

    "The golden ring blocks out magic, including your wolf, and whatever magical connection. It''s to keep the darkness at bay, because it feeds on your magic, She," Lorenzo exined gently.

    "No matter what, I am here with you, She, and I''m never leaving your side," Killian voiced, and I wished I could feel some kind offort, but I couldn''t, not when I knew what was going to happen. I nodded, wiping off my tears. Just then, Leonardo was mind-linked, and his eyes rounded in fear at whatever he was told.

    He turned to us in a haste. "The Council knows She''s the vessel."

    "How did that happen?" Killian was up from the floor.

    "Zeriyah dug into Cora''sst moments," Leonardo shook his head. "That''s not f*****g important. Kaiser said the Council''s army was headed here and also to your pack to find She and bring her in." "What!" Lorenzo began to take a step back in shock. "We are running out of time. Tomorrow is the war, and the Council are not thinking straight at the moment, if they find She, we all know how that will end."

    Killian sighed, and his eyes met mine briefly, before pulling to Leonardo. "I will deal with them," he said, "I swear, I''ll be back as soon as I''m done with them," Killian told me, and I smiled, imprisoning my tears.

    I watched him leave, and shortly after, Leo and Lorenzo left to deal with the Council''s army that had arrived.

    I pulled myself to the bed, hugging my knees to my chest and my arms around as I thought about everything with a clear head, and Amelie was right. I had to make a choice, and do what I must, otherwise, I will watch everyone I love die at my hands. I closed my eyes, and tears rolled down from their corners as I came to a decision, one that will hurt everyone, but at least, keep them safe, and alive.

    *****

    Killian''s point of view

    Even from afar, I could see two Elder wolves, Alex and Philip, along with the Council''s army which was scattered around my pack, and Morgan was with the Pack''s army, stopping them from stepping through.

    I got down from my horse and joined my people.

    "What are you doing here?" I asked the elders, getting straight to the point.

    "You know why we are here, Alpha Killian. It''s about She, we know she''s Shota''s vessel," Elder Philip said.

    "Amelie informed us that theing war is tomorrow, and Shota''s vessel will be reborn with the darkness. I know this is much harder for you than anyone else, but this isn''t just about the fate of one person. Every supernatural life is at stake if this darkness wins, and considering the vessel, it will, if we do not end it before it bes unstoppable," Elder Alex uttered, and Ryker''s rage was growing at his every word.

    "She isn''t here and I don''t know where she is," I said, knowing they didn''t believe any word I said. "Your army isn''t searching my territory, and if you insist, my people will not hesitate to fight back."

    "There''s no need for that, Alpha Killian," Elder Philip voiced, pushing a small smile. "We are about to face a war tomorrow in which we may not survive. It''s stupid to fight amongst ourselves."

    "Be with her," Elder Alex spoke up. "But you have until midnight to bring her to the Council and we resolve this as we''ve always done," He added.

    "By killing her," Morgan voiced, standing next to me.

    "Don''t you think this is hard for us as well? She isn''t just a vessel. She''s one of us. But someone has to think rationally and make a hard choice. And believe me, it''s better it''s us than to be any of you. She''s sacrifice will save us all, and perhaps that has always been her destiny," Elder Alex uttered, and I remained frozen on my boots, even as they retreated away and left our territory.

    I couldn''t stop the hot tears that escaped my eyes. That couldn''t be her destiny. The goddess could never be that cruel to give her such fate.

    Never.

 Chapter 180

    She''s point of view

    I had no way of knowing exactly how many hours had gone by since my mother''s spell room was located underground in the castle. But I knew with the long, torturous hours that had wandered by, it had to be dusk by now.

    I inhaled, resting against the wooden frame of the bed. Killian still hasn''t returned, and I haven''t seen Kaiser nor Valerie since I had woken up. The only people that had wandered around were Lorenzo and Zena when they came to fetch my blood, and I could feel Leonardo''s presence behind those doors, but he couldn''t muster the strength to face me again.

    I closed my eyes, and tears rolled out. They never stoppeding, even so now that I could feel the end was near. I had made a choice already, one Killian would never forgive me for, but I would never forgive myself, knowing I was the cause of so many deaths including my family. I had chosen to just let go. To stop fighting, to stop trying, and for once ept my fate.

    I burst out in tears; I couldn''t hold it in anymore. What I was about to do was the hardest thing I had ever done. And I was not okay with it, but I had no choice. It was either me or everyone I loved.

    The time was already drawing close, as I could feel the magical shield weakening, and I was slowly regaining my magic. But I was suppressing it all, including Adie. It made it easier to fight the voice in my head. I kept hearing the darkness speak to me. It was now like a part of me. An opposite version of me that was dark and evil, and wanted to break free.

    I was up from the bed, dragging my weak body to the golden ring that formed the shield. I lifted my hand, pulling it to the shield, and my hand passed right through. I was right, my magic was slowly swallowing up the magic from the shield.

    I returned to the bed, and the door opened, ushering in Lorenzo. He had brought me a ss of water, but I shook my head. I had earlier refused the food Denise had brought for me. I couldn''t stomach food or water right now. "What time is it?" I asked Lorenzo, who moved closer to the shield.

    "Almost midnight," he replied and folded my arms against my chest. No wonder I was feeling this way. "She," He drew closer again and I could see his unshed tears. "I am sorry," he added, and I felt my heart jam at his words, and my tears began flowing. "It''s not your fault or anyone else," I said.

    "It''s not your fault either, and I wish I could do something to help you, but everything leads to nothing," he uttered.

    "I know, Enzo, and believe me, I appreciate everything everyone has done," I walked to the shield, "I know that there''s nothing anyone can do to help me and we need to ept it," I said. "I have epted it,"

    I watched his tears fall, and his eyes didn''t blink at all. "Thank you for being there for me all this time," I told him.

    "So what''s now?" he asked, exhaling deeply.

    "I need to see my brothers," I said and pain pierced my heart. "Everyone,"

    He held my gaze for a painful second before nodding. "Alright,"

    I watched him leave, pulling up the sleeve of my dress. My eyes fell on the dark lines that had begun to form in my veins.

    "What happened? Lorenzo said-" I snapped my head to the door where Leonardo came from, and immediately, he stopped talking as his eyes fell on the dark lines on my body. I saw the tears that were quick to gather, he couldn''t hide it away this time. "She," he spoke barely above a whisper, moving closer, and just then, Kaiser stepped in.

    "Finally, I am able to see you both," I said, almost chuckling, pulling down the sleeves of my dress. My blue eyes moved from Leonardo''s blue to Kai''s deep hazel ones and I smiled. "I wish I could give you both a hug right now," I uttered, fighting my tears. "I uhm...l just want to say..."

    "She, please don''t," Kaiser stopped me immediately. "I beg you don''t," he pleaded and the instant tears that fell from his eyes made me break.

    "I have to say this, Kai. We can''t keep deceiving ourselves anymore. We know what''s going to happen and the painful truth is there''s no way, I''m going to make it," I said, and hearing the words leave my lips, I realized how badly I wished this was only a nightmare that I could wake up from. "It''s stupid to risk everyone''s life for just mine, and I would never be able to live knowing I caused the deaths of those I love dearly. If this darkness wins this war, everyone will die by my hands and I do not want that so please, save me from that fate,"

    "You must be crazy, She. After everything, how could you just give up like this?" Kaiser was stalking the floors, vibrating with intense rage and pain. "How could you say something like that to us?"

    "It''s not only the truth, Kai, but the reality of things," I muttered, and he stopped pacing. His blurry vision on me.

    My gaze shifted to Leonardo whose gaze was ssy as well, and his hands clenched tightly behind his back.

    "We can''t fight this," I said, wanting to make this less hard than it was for me.

    "You have no idea what I would give, just so to have that thing inside of me, and save you from this," Leonardo counted each word of his, and they only made me cry harder.

    "I know," I nodded, knowing he meant each word. "I know if it was up to you both, you would save me from everything," I added, breaking a smile. "Even with all those years apart, both of you never stopped searching for me until you found me. I am grateful for that, and I love both of you," "So do I," Leonardo closed his eyes and his tears slipped down.

    "I do too, and will always love you. And I am sorry, but I will fight until the end to keep you alive," Kaiser said with his eyes filled with tears, before exiting the room.

    "I am really sorry, sister. You deserve to be happy with Killian and have as many pips as you want," he said, and I smiled at the happiness I would have felt if only that could ever be mine.

    The door pulled open and Morgan and Valerie came in. I didn''t have much strength in me as it was getting harder and harder to say goodbye, especially to people I had learned to call my own. I could feel Valerie''s pain, but I made her know it wasn''t her fault, and I was grateful for everything. And Morgan made it much harder, and I wished I could just embrace him.

    I felt the hair on my skin rise as Killian came in and Morgan excused us while Killian insisted Valerie lifted the shield to allow him in.

    I took a step back as Valerie pulled down the shield and allowed Killian in, before pulling it up.

    The instant he was in, I hurried into him and hisrge arms engulfed my frame. I closed my eyes tightly, savoring this moment because it might as well be ourst.

    "Killian," I started but he pressed me harder to his chest.

    "No. Don''t speak. Let''s just remain this way, please," he said, with his voice crippled with sadness and agony. It made my tears roll down.

    "I love you," I said, hugging him tightly.

    "I love you so much more," he replied and I smiled to his chest, believing his words. And somewhere in my heart, I felt relieved because I know my death will make him suffer only for a while, and then he would get a second chance mate, Rhylie as I had seen in Amelie''s vision. I couldn''t see her face, but I could remember Killian''s happiness, and that was enough for me.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    "You will be fine, I promise," I said, and felt his small smile against my cheeks.

    "We will be. I am not leaving you in this. Whatever happens to you, I''ll be right behind you," He said, and his words caused fear within me.

    I pulled away, bringing my eyes to his. "What do you mean?"

    He released a sad smile. "Don''t you worry, love,"

    "No," I shook my head, knowing what nonsense he had in mind. "Killian, you have to live," I said and his sad smile only deepened and his eyes held unshed tears.

    "Then you have to as well," he muttered, wanting to say more when the door burst open in panic, and Zena stepped in.

    "The Council army is here," She rushed and Killian''s eyes met mine.

    "I will be right back," he muttered, as Zena pulled down the shield. He was about to leave when I held him. I stood on the edge of my boots and kissed him.

    Killian held me tightly and kissed me back, conveying so much more than words could describe.

    I pulled away from him, and as soon as he stepped out, Zena pulled the shield back up. My eyes didn''t leave Killian until I saw him exit the door with Zena behind.

    I sighed, holding my dress tightly. And now, more than ever, my decision was firm and I have to leave. I nced at the floor, and I began chanting, absorbing as much magic as I could from the shield.

    I felt Adie''s presence within me, and I could also feel the faint sinisterugh of the darkness within me, infesting my soul.

    I went to the wall near my bedside, cing my hand on it, briefly. I stepped back a little, and channeled my magic to my scream, tearing the wall down. With every use of my magic, I could feel the darkness grow stronger. There wasn''t much time like everyone thought and in no time the war will begin and this darkness will be reborn. And I had to do everything I could to stop it.

 Chapter 181

    Killian''s point of view

    From the top mountains, we could already see the troop of warriors from dimir''s army roar their way into North Central. I heaved a deep sigh, holding tightly onto my horse''s reins, feeling my blood turn dreadfully cold. This was it. The time we battle for our lives, and either win against fate or lose. My deep, worried amber eyes lifted to the dark sky, and the giant full moon in it. She has escaped, and right now, almost half of the Council''s army were searching for her. They were all scared, believing the darkness had taken full control of the vessel. I sighed again, wishing that wasn''t the case and I hoped Valerie and Lorenzo were having better luck than we were. Zeriyah had called for them urgently, requesting their presence immediately. It had something to do with Shota''s magic. I wanted to be there as well, but She was still missing, and we had to find her, hopefully before the war ended and the full moon turned red.

    I took in a long breath, ncing to my left where Kaiser and Morgan were. I could see the same worried gaze on them. No one knew exactly what tonight would hold for us, but one thing I was certain of was, I was going to be with She every step of the way. "We don''t have much time," I pulled both of their attention back to me. It was only a matter of a few minutes before the war started and the first blood spilled on the earth, and we had to find She before then. Every death in the course of this war only made that bloody darkness a step from being reborn.

    I could feel the pounding ache against my skull and Ryker''s anguish just at the thought of what that would mean for She and us all. I badly hoped She was fine.

    I turned to Morgan, and his green irises met mine, holding my gaze. The pain and sadness beneath them could not be mistaken, but I had to do what I must, and I was d he understood that. She was my life, and I was as good as dead if something happened to her, and Morgan knew that. I meant every word I told her back at her brothers'' pack, until the end, I would be right behind her, even though it costs me my life.

    "Stay safe, brother," I drew him in for a deep embrace, holding him tightly. I felt his heavy breathing against my firm hold, even as we pulled away. His fathomless gaze was bing ssy.

    "Take care," he muttered, and I nodded. Kaiser and I began to move on our horses. We were going to search for She, and hopefully find her before the Council does.

    Zena and Xavier joined us soon, we were going together. We had no way of knowing where She could be. The witches tried a location spell but couldn''t trace her, she had intentionally cloaked herself.

    We began moving, spreading out to possible ces she could be. I tracked her with her scent. It was weak and led us to multiple dead ends. We were heading south when Kaiser was suddenly mind-linked.

    He stopped abruptly on his horse for a minute and so did I. As soon as the white fog vanished from his eyes, he pulled his hazel eyes to me.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    "Have they found her?" I asked, hurriedly.

    But he shook his head, "It''s Leonardo. Zeriyah wants us back at the Council."

    "What? No, we have to keep searching for her," I shot at him.

    "Leonardo sounded urgent. Zeriyah has something to tell us, and it has to do with She," he said again and hisst words sent a jolt of indescribable feeling running down my spine.

    *****

    She''s point of view

    I moved as quietly as I could through the castle hallways. It was dead silent that any sound could easily alert the warriors that didn''t join the Council''s army, and remained behind to protect our territory and those that couldn''t fight in the war. I took a sharp turn to the hallway that led to Killian''s and my chamber, moving quietly, but as fast as I could, even though I could barely walk straight.

    I was shivering hard, feeling the coldness seeping into the walls of my mind. My body was vibrating intensely. I couldn''t tell if it was from the cold I felt or the excruciating pain that was eating me up. I groaned aloud, pushing the door open. I stepped into the darkness. I didn''t bother turning the torches on, I could see just fine with Adie''s sight, and besides, thest thing I needed was to use my magic. This was the only way to slow the fast rate at which the darkness was consuming me. The more I used my magic, the more I felt it grow and its sinister voices became clearer, attempting to cast out what little sanity I had left.

    I rushed to the drawer at the end of the wall and began rummaging through it. I could hardly stop the trembling of my hands and the pain was getting worse by the second. I crashed on the floor, gripping both sides of my head with my shaking hands. I clenched my jaw tightly, imprisoning the cry that wanted utterance as I wrestled with the force that wanted to pull me to the deepest cave of my mind and gain control of my mind and body.

    After a few minutes, I hungrily gasped for air, pulling myself off the ground, and continued searching for the little wooden box I had stashed here after Killian and I returned from Oasis. I pulled out the bottom of the drawer, rummaging through its contents, I could barely stop the sigh of relief that escaped my lungs as my trembling hands fell on the wooden box. I pulled it out in a haste and opened it. Everything I needed was in there.

    I closed it at once, grabbing my blue cloak from the rack and donning it over my dress. I pulled the hood over my hair, grabbing the box. I left the chamber, sneaking out of the castle unseen. I moved with haste into the woods and kept going until I left the Pack''s territory.

    I lifted my gaze to the giant full moon that was hanging up there in the dark sky. It was getting redder with each second. The war had already begun, and with every blood that spilled on North Central, the moon was getting redder, and Shota''s magic was growing stronger. It was only a matter of a little time before I couldn''t fight it anymore.

    Before that happened, I had to find a way to end this. Since I had destroyed the oaken dagger which was the only thing that could end the magic, even if it meant killing me. Now the only way I could think of to put an end to this thing inside of me was the Vortex. A magical prison world I had created in Oasis Incase the darkness was unleashed. If only I had known that the darkness was in me all this time, things wouldn''t have gotten to this point. Cora wouldn''t be dead, and Shota''s magic wouldn''t be a second from being reborn.

    My trembling hands pulled up to my horse when suddenly, I felt a presence in the woods, watching me discreetly.

    "What do you want?" I spoke into the unfading darkness, unable to keep my rage from my voice. He was thest person I wanted to see at this point. My question was greeted with a snappy cry of a broken twig, and almost instantly, I felt him a few distances behind "Hello mate," his deep ented voice filled the darkness, and I could note the simr anger and maybe hatred thatced his tone.

    me.

    I spun around and my eyes met with his piercing golden eyes.

    "What do you want, dimir?" I asked again in the darkness.

    "That''s certainly no way to greet your mate, little witch, especially after your betrayal," He spat, taking a few steps closer to me, but I remained silent and unmoving. "You betrayed me, She, and ruined every chance I could to possess that magic." "That''s the least you deserve, imbecile," I said, "I should have had your heart ripped out instead after everything you''ve done. You are responsible for the death of my parents, and you ruined my life, d. I hate you!"

    I watched the golden me deep within his eyes twitch, and then, he released a small smile.

    "Thetter was all done by that scoundrel Lucius when he took you," he defended in azy tone, that only managed to enrage me, and with my growing anger I felt the darkness within me a second from emerging, whispering ways I could put him through so much pain that I have been through. But unfortunately, none of that could put a permanent end to him.

    "Leave me alone, d," I turned to my horse but his sudden words caused me to pause on my boots.

    "I cannot do that. Even after your betrayal. I still want you by my side, She, as my mate and queen."

    I couldn''t help but chuckle at his stupidity. "That will never happen, dimir. Killian is my one and only mate, and until the end, I will remain his," I counted my words slowly and his gaze torched with anger.

    In fast motion, he used his vampire speed and groped me, pinning me against the trunk of a tree, his burning gaze pierced mine. He parted his lips about to say something but suddenly, he froze. His eyes glided from my dark gaze to my neck, shocked. But as quickly, that shocked gaze morphed into delight.

    "Bloody witch," he muttered in tion. "You are the vessel," his eyes pulled up to mine. "Do you still not get it, darling? We belong together. I have always been your destiny, She ck, and together we could do so much. Join me, She. You can''t deny it, we do share a bond far deeper than anything."

    I thought briefly for a second. "You are right. We do share a bond, d, and it''s time I get rid of it," I said, and the glow in his eyes died instantly.

    I used my magic and sent him flying across the woods. But he regained his bnce quickly.

    "I, She ck of the Crescent North Pack, reject you, dimir as my mate," I said quickly before he neared me. He may be more inclined to his vampire side, but he knew what this meant and I had severed whatever bond we could possibly share as mates. "I am getting rid of this darkness, permanently, and trust me, you will lose this war," I hurried to my horse feeling a strong tug in my chest as a result of the magic I just used. The pains coursing through my veins were unbearable.

    "Even if you tried, you can''t fight it, She. And I will not let you ruin everything," I heard him say sharply. "It''s a good thing I didn''te alone," He whistled and immediately, I felt the magical energy that raced through the woods without even seeing them. And then, the cackling in my head became louder, and the dark whispers echoed in my head. "Contain her, but do not harm her," d instructed and the presence in the woods became known. Witches.

    At dimir''smand, they nodded, and my eyes met briefly with dimir before scanning over them.

    "Leave now, and you won''t have to die," I warned, but instead, they charged at me using their magic, but none of their attacks could affect me, instead I felt the dark magic inside of me draining off from their magic. They attempted again to fight me, and effortlessly, I focused on their beating hearts, and without even a whisper, I sucked the life from them. All at once, every of dimir''s witches fell dead to the ground. My dark eyes moved to dimir, and for the first time, I could feel the fear emitting from him.

    My lips curled into a sinister smile, as I broke every bone of his, crippling him to the ground. I used my magic and focused on his palpitating heart. I began to use my magic to squeeze the life out of it. His screams were music to my ears, and with a swift tilt of my head, I made it stop. But I knew it was only a matter of seconds before he regained consciousness again.

    I turned to my horse, instantly feeling a sizzling surge of energy in me, emerging. I groaned, copsing on my knees, fighting off the darkness that had grown stronger. But at every attempt, I felt my magic being channeled as well by the darkness within. I screamed, writhing in so much pain as I felt myself losing control and the darkness and coldness filling the void within me.

    "Hey, hey. I am here," I felt myself being pulled, and a voice prated deep into my mind. "Stay with me, love," I focused only on the sound of his voice, refusing to sumb to the darkness.

    "Take me to the Council. I can''t hold on any longer," I gasped, wanting to feel anything but the deathly coldness around me.

    "Keep talking, She, we can fight this," I heard him mutter, and I wanted to speak again. I wanted to tell him I loved him, but I couldn''t. The words got stuck with me in the pit of darkness. "f*****g hell, Zeriyah. Please hurry, she''s losing control," I heard Killian''s voice in a blur, along with several drones of voices that I couldn''t make out. Then I felt a biting pain around my neck, and I was swallowed up by the darkness.

 Chapter 182

    Killian''s point of view

    I held She''s body in my arms. She was f*****g cold, and her heartbeat was getting slower by the second. I clutched her tightly to myself, my amber eyes moving up ahead to where Zeriyah, Valerie, Lorenzo, Zena, Gwen, and the few witches that didn''t join the war at the Council were. They were all moving as fast as they could, trying to get everything needed for the ritual in order.

    My amber eyes drifted off to Leonardo who was with dimir''s unconscious body not far from us. I sighed, bringing my gaze back to the binding around She''s neck. Zeriyah said it was to buy us enough time to get ready for the ritual and slow the dark magic frompletely taking control of She. We needed She to be in control for this to work. My eyes rounded when I noticed that the silver binding around She''s neck had begun to melt. She was f*****g cold, and yet the silver brace was melting. "The silver is melting," I said quickly, and Lorenzo hastened to my side.

    "Her magic is waking up, and so is she," he voiced, turning to where Valerie and Zeriyah were almost done with the markings on the ground. "But I don''t think it''s She."

    "We are done," Zeriyah sounded, moving quickly to us. She ced a hand on She''s hands, and her eyes turned white as she began chanting. We were at the old Crystal Fortress, and almost everyone that cared about She was right here. The war was still ongoing, and I had no idea how things were looking for us. But if Zeriyah''s n could work and She was free from that thing. Everything would be just fine. I knew it.

    I was surprised when Valerie called for our presence at the Council amidst everything that was going on. It surprised me more when Zeriyah informed us of her n to get rid of Shota''s magic, and She could be saved in the process. She exined the ritual to us, and the whole process scared me, but right now it was the only chance we had to save my mate. But we just needed Shota''s vessel and another crucial element for the ritual. An immortal being. And in this case, dimir.

    The witches had spread out to track She, while Lorenzo, Leonardo, and I had gone after dimir''s minions, in search of him. And we tracked him outside of my territory, She was there as well with several lifeless bodies of dimir''s witches. Valerie and the witches had earlier tried to transfer the dark magic to someone else, but it didn''t work. But hopefully, this would. Zeriyah had found a way to ensure Shota''s magic left She before it had the chance to be reborn and be unstoppable, but it could only happen if She''s heart stopped beating. If She died, Shota''s magic would be forced to find a new vessel.

    I carried She in my arms, moving to the center of the field where the witches had made several markings and symbols around in a circle. I ced She''s cold body on the ground, and Leonardo hauled dimir''s unconscious body to the other circle that was next to She''s.

    "We must bind her soul to his first," Zeriyah said, and I nodded. Leonardo and I stepped away from the circles, and the witches took their positions around both circles. I held my breath as they began chanting, linking She''s life force to an immortal being. Since the oaken dagger was destroyed and we couldn''t kill Shota''s magic together with the vessel, if the vessel is killed, Shota''s magic would be forced to find a new vessel.

    Zeriyah and the witches were going to bind She''s soul with dimir, making whatever should happen to She, happen to dimir. If one died, the other would, and since dimir was immortal, She''s death would only stop his heart for at most a few minutes before he regained consciousness and She would too. The witches only had that short time to ensure Shota''s magic is channeled unto dimir the second his heart started to beat again. Once that happened, She would be unbonded from him, and the witches would be able to contain dimir.

    I sighed, making a silent prayer to the goddess as the witches finished binding She''s life force to dimir''s.

    The witches sped their hands together around She''s circle and their chants filled the night''s air. My eyes lifted to the giant full moon that had almost turned redpletely and then fell back on Zeriyah who was within the circle, next to She''s body. Her lips were moving against each other as she stepped on the ancient markings etched on the ground. At every step she took, they all came alive, glowing a golden me. I could feel the immense magic it carried and the air around charged with a force I couldn''t exin. "She''s waking up," Zeriyah half-yelled, and a few more witches joined the circle around She. She was writhing in pain and she began thrashing on the ground, her lips releasing a sharp scream that caused a roar in the dark sky, and the earth quaked with force. The chants rose to the sky, and She released another scream that tore up the sky, causing a blood rain. She kept thrashing on the ground as Zeriyah, Valerie and the witches tried to contain her outbursts.

    "What''s happening to her?" I yelled over the roar from the crying sky, moving closer to the witches but Leonardo held me back.

    "They are both battling for control," Valerie yelled back to me, gripping She''s hands as if connecting to her. "We are losing her."

    "No. She has to be in control for this to work," Zeriyah muttered almost in frustration. I broke out from Leonardo''s grip and began pacing as the bloody waters drenched me. I tried connecting to her through the mate bond, but I couldn''t reach her. Ryker could feel her presence within us, but we couldn''t connect with her. Ryker concentrated deeply, and I began to speak to her regardless, praying to the goddess she could at least hear me or feel me. It killed me to know that was the only thing I could do for her at the moment. "She," Zeriyah gasped, rushing to her side. "She''sing through," She yelled, lifting her eyes to the full moon, before shifting her gaze to Lorenzo. "Bring the dagger. We mustmence the ritual now."

    She''s thrashing seized but she kept groaning in pain. I could hear her breathless voiceced with confusion. Valerie never let go of her hands, as she whispered to She, exining very little to her and stressing the fact that she had to remain in control. Ryker tried connecting to Adie but he couldn''t reach her. I ended up using our mate bond to connect with her.

    "She, can you hear me?" I spoke through the link and I heard her groan in an attempt to say something but she couldn''t. "Don''t speak, just listen. The witches have a way to end all of this. All you have to do is keep fighting, She. Please, keep fighting, and do not lose control to that darkness. I would never be able to live without you. You are my life, She, so please, you have to choose to live," I pleaded desperately with my eyes closed. Just then, I felt the little connection I had with She got severed, and I was left with a cold, empty feeling.

    I pulled my eyes open to find the de of Zeriyah''s dagger slitting up She''s neck, and her blood rushed out from her neck. I felt my soul tearing up as She gasped herst, and instantly, the vibrations from the earth, along with the blood rain stopped, and so did dimir''s beating heart.

    "Now!" Valerie yelled, pulling away from She''s body to dimir''s lifeless one. Valerie, Lorenzo, Zena, and a few more witches formed a circle around dimir, joining in Zeriyah''s chants.

    Each drop of She''s blood that soaked the earth started to flow into the symbols, moving to dimir. The witches never ceased chanting, and it took a full minute before I heard the faint beating of dimir''s heart against his chest. Zeriyah focused on She, slitting her wrist, and continued to chant. Whatever she was doing caused dimir''s heartbeat to elerate faster, forcing him to release a scream.

    My eyes kept darting from She to dimir until Zeriyah stopped chanting. Her gaze traveled to dimir who was now writhing in pain.

    "What happened? Did it work?" Leonardo took the words right out of my lips, and Zeriyah hesitated for a second, watching dimir. His increasing groans caused the runic symbols etched around him to glow unsteadily. Her dark gaze drifted to the witches, before moving to Leo and me.

    "It did," Her voice held a rush of relief that found me as quickly. But everything stopped when I still couldn''t feel She. She was supposed to be waking up any second from now.

    "He''s changing. The darkness is filling him up," Lorenzo brought our attention back to dimir. ck lines had begun to run on his skin and his ws and fangs kept sticking in and out.

    "Not yet. She has to wake up before we unbind her soul from him," Valerie said, and I rushed to my mate''s side, pulling her still body in my arms. My heart began to throb harder in fear as I watched the seconds move by quickly and She still hadn''t regained consciousness.

    My canines extended into sharp fangs and I bit down on She''s neck, inserting my essence in her. It didn''t take long before I could pick a heartbeat from her, it was so weak, but it was there. As soon as She gasped awake, Valerie and Zeriyah began the spell to unbind She''s soul from dimir.

    She''s wounds had barely started to heal when Valerie and Zeriyah finished the spell on her, and quickly, they and the other witches took their positions around dimir. Zeriyah was holding the Vortex in her hands and had begun chanting to channel every witch''s magic into the Vortex to ess the portal when a strong wave of magic radiated off dimir, destroying everything in its path. This force sent the witches flying and I wrapped my arms around She, firmly, waiting for the magic''s effect but it never came. Almost like an invisible shield was ced around us. The only thing that was soon felt was the trembling of the earth and the blood rain began again.

    I watched dimir slowly pull up from the ground, having a deeply rooted smile on his face. His eyes were a fathomless pit of darkness. I carried She in my arms, moving away from the field as the witches gathered to stop dimir. I had only taken a few steps when She''s eyes pushed open, glowing a bright shade of blue.

    *****

    She''s point of view

    My body was physically weak and drained, but I felt Adie''s powerful growl as she kept moving to the surface, fighting to live. My eyes jerked open and the first thing I felt was Killian''s arms around me and his gaze bored down at me with relief. Before I could mutter a word, I heard a loud, destructive growl from behind us. It carried powerful magic. My eyes snapped their way and they fell on dimir, fighting against the witches with magic and they could barely stand a chance.

    My eyes widened and my lips parted, realizing Zeriyah''s ritual had worked and dimir was now the vessel. I had to help.

    Killian lowered me to the ground, and from a distance, I felt Zeriyah and a few witches channeling their magic to the Vortex to gain ess to the portal. My blue eyes darted back to dimir as he broke the crystals around the field into tiny shards, aiming them at the witches.

    Quickly, I lifted a finger and froze its movements, sending it back to dimir but everything turned to dust before it could reach him. dimir''s dark gaze narrowed on me, and without thinking twice, I joined the fight. A few witches retreated to Valerie''s and Zeriyah''s side, they needed more magic to get the Vortex portal opened, while in the meantime I dealt with dimir and this darkness once and for all.

    Lorenzo''s point of viewText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.

    It''s been almost ten minutes now since She had been fighting against dimir and that thing inside of him. My eyes lifted to the full moon that was nowpletely red. Every witch''s magic was being channeled by Zeriyah into the Vortex She created, while Valerie kept on muttering the chants along with it. Shota''s magic had fused with dimir, and that wasn''t surprising, that bastard was as dark as it was. Read more free novels at NovelDrama.Org

    Zeriyah nodded to us as soon as the Vortex had been filled with enough magic to ess the portal. Immediately, every witch spread out around the field, forming arge circle around She and dimir that were fighting.

    "She, now!" Zeriyah sounded, and we began chanting, lifting a magical wall around dimir to hold him down as our magic connected with hers and the Vortex in Zeriyah''s hands transferred to She''s. Her blood was the final piece to open the portal to whatever world she had created there. She slit her palm, dropping her blood on the Vortex. She began chanting, and we could feel the magical world we built around dimir weakening.

    As She''s chants filled the air, we could feel the magic floating around, radiating off her. The blood rain that fell from the sky froze midair. The trembling earth stopped its vibrations, and only the air around turned into a chaotic swirl around She and dimir. The only thing we could feel was her overpowering magic and as her loud chants reached the bloody sky, a blue blinding light glowed out from the Vortex, creating a portal.

    She''s eyes were a torch of blinding blue. The stormy wind around became wilder and our hold on dimir brokepletely, but She''s chanting never quieted. The blue light from the portal began to grow brighter and wider, swallowing everything in its way. She''s intense magic had all of us backing away and She''s chanting stopped. The next thing we heard was dimir''s growl, before the blue light from the portal covered everywhere, blinding our visions. Thest thing I felt was a powering release of energy before I lost consciousness.

 Chapter 183

    She''s point of view

    I adjusted the little bundle of joy in my arms, feeling his tiny warmth against my body. He was simply beautiful, sleeping peacefully in my arms as I fiddled with his baby fingers.

    My lips curled into a small smile, and for a second, I couldn''t hide the tion that swirled within my chest just looking at his adorable little face. Slowly, I walked to the beautiful wooden cradle and gently ced Wren in it.

    Staring at his beautiful face, I couldn''t stop my mind from thinking about my dreams that had been constant for a week now. At first, it confused me, because even after the war and everything, some things had still not made sense to me. Like the visions I had seen from Amelie''s crystal ball. She had been lucid with her words that my choice would decide whatever future was toe.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    At first, I had thought my death would be the way out to save everyone I loved and ensure a future where everyone survived. But it wasn''t supposed to be so, my death would have ruined it all and destroyed my future and the future of everyone I loved. The only choice I had to make was to fight to live and fulfill my destiny by destroying Shota''s magic. I had to survive for Killian and her. For Rhylie.

    The door pushed open, and I tilted my head in its direction, watching Brielle sneak in with a cup of water.

    "Is he asleep?" she asked, almost in a whisper with her brows raised, and I nodded with a smile.

    She breathed out in relief. "Thanks a bunch. He could be a handful sometimes," she said in exhaustion, dropping the cup on the table, and plopping on the edge of the bed in her chamber.

    "No, he''s simply gorgeous," I said, unable to take my eyes off Brielle''s son. He was really beautiful.

    "That''s because, as soon as you take him in your arms he bes as gentle as amb," she joked, and my smile deepened. That was probably true. "Hey, She, I am so sorry for stealing you away from the party and all, especially today..." she started on quickly and before shepleted her words, I shook my head, silencing her.

    "It''s alright, Brielle. Believe me, I love spending time with Wren," I said, ttening my dress. "Whatever you need, please, don''t hesitate to call me."

    She nodded with a smile as I left her chamber, stepping into the loud music sting around the castle and even beyond the Packhouse and vige.

    When Killian insisted we held tonight''s ball to celebrate my birthday, I had thought it was just within the pack, but it wasn''t. Killian had invited many guests from across each region, including from the Council.

    A small grin found my lips as I swallowed in the happiness, dancing around and it warmed my heart. I began to descend the stairs, making my way past several guests, sttered around in groups, most probably chattering about nonsense while others were on the dance floor, swaying to the beats of the infectious music.

    I made my way to therge hall packed with guests as well, my deep blue eyes zed past the crowd in a hurry in search of Killian. I caught a glimpse of my brothers with Morgan, Denise, and some guests from the East region. Finally, my gaze zeroed in on Killian. He was in thepany of some Alphas from other regions and a few members from the Council.

    Immediately, his amber gaze turned to me, and he smiled, tilting his head for me toe over. But I shook my head.

    "Meet me at theke," I said through our mate bond, trying desperately to keep my nervousness away from my voice. But the way his eyes narrowed on me, I knew too well he could sniff it out of me.

    I turned for the doors instantly, and left the hall, walking into the cool, refreshing midnight air. I moved into the woods, stripping naked, and shifted into Adie. I grabbed my dress with my sharp canines and darted through the woods, heading to the riverbank closest to the witches'' quarters.

    I reached theke and shifted back to my human form, tossing my dress to the side of theke. My lips stretched into a smile, loving the serenity of the ce. I moved closer to theke, my eyes zing over the tall, shadowed trees that stretched up like arrows into the blue sky.

    The freshwater looked like a beautiful puddle of blue ink, taking the reflection of the full moon hanging up in the sky. The sight alone calmed my soul.

    I took a few tentative steps into the glorious luster of the water until its stillness circled my naked waist. A high-pitched squeal escaped my lips as I chuckled at how cold the water was, but regardless, I loved it.

    I dived deep into the water, my eyes gazing up at the bright moon. I sighed. It had been four weeks already. It was amazing how time flew by so fast, and how much things had changed since the war. I closed my eyes, letting the cool water refresh my body and my thoughts wandered far away into that night. I still remembered it all so vividly. My death, dimir unifying with Shota''s darkness, and the witches and I, finally putting an end to Shota''s magic and its vessel, and this time there was no way it would ever be unleashed.

    That night had changed everything and had birthed a new dawn for us all. We had won the war, and dimir, well dimir along with Shota''s darkness was far gone.

    I had created the Vortex prison myself. It was a phantom prison world that was created by my magic and powerful enough to ensure the Shota''s vessel remained imprisoned forever. The Vortex I made, along with my blood and magic, was the only thing that could ess the portal to that prison world, and I destroyed it the second dimir was caged. The Council had erased every trace of Shota''s magic from our realm. It was better that way.

    I dived my head back into the water for a second, beforeing up for air. I threw my head back, taking another nce at the full moon in its glory. Killian was taking too long and as the seconds flew by, I could hardly contain my growing nervousness at what I was about to tell him. I had been worried because of my recurring dreams of the young woman I had seen in Amelie''s crystal ball. I knew they were visions of what was yet toe. That made me more confused and terrified. It took me some time before I understood my visions and realized what they truly meant. Who the young woman, Rhylie, truly was to both Killian and me.

    I closed my eyes, breathing calmly as tears rolled from the corners of my eyes. And once more, the wless image of her drowned my thoughts, and I just couldn''t wait to have her here with

    us.

    I chuckled again to myself and I could swear anyone who saw me now would think I was slowly losing my sanity. I began to swim slow, delicate breaststrokes, gliding through theke, relishing the tranquility this moment gave me. It was all I could ever wish for.

    I was so immersed in my thoughts that I hadn''t noticed the presence that had been watching me from behind the tall Alder trees.

    "Are youing in or what?" I asked after a while of letting Killian enjoy the picturesque view of me in the water. Slowly, I turned around as his sweet manly chuckle filled my ears. I watched Killian step out from the shade, taking slow steps to theke. His deep amber eyes were

    already drowning with l**t.

    ******

    Killian''s point of view

    As soon as I approached theke, I felt my breathing quicken as my eyes took in the picturesque view before me. I felt turned on immediately.

    She was naked, standing waist-deep in the middle of theke with her gorgeous back turned to me and her head tilted up to the gleaming moon above her. The moon''s bright rays shimmered down on her, forming a circle around her in the water. Her wet hair cascaded down her back and the tips submerged into the water. She looked like a f*****g goddess. A sexy, f*****g goddess.

    I couldn''t take my eyes off her and all I could think about was burying myself inside of her and f*****g her like crazy.

    "Are youing in or what?" Her voice spoke softly into the moonlight, and she slowly turned around, forcing me out of my hidden spot.

    "The view from out here is the best," I said, my voice sounding deeper than usual from the arousal I was feeling and Ryker was badgering me to let him out. Her sensational image had

    the wolf excited.

    "It''s better from here," she spoke again softly, enticing and luring me. She was a damned

    seductress. A smirk covered my lips as I nced down at her bare t**s hovering above the water. Her n*****s pebbled from the cold, and droplets of water ran down her wless skin, making my d**k harder by the second.

    A low sensual growl vibrated from my chest as the air around me was ticked with a lot of sensual tension. And I was merely holding back for the sake of everyone that had journeyed here to celebrate She''s birthday with us. But f**k them all.

    I took a step back, kicking off my boots, and I began to undress as fast as I could. She remained in the water, and her lustful gaze was heating me.

    I joined her in the water, grabbed her by the waist, and pressed her naked skin to mine. She

    gasped at the sparks that went flying on both of our skins and I took the opportunity to stick my tongue in her mouth, kissing her. Every part of her body felt soft and heavenly as I glided my hands up and down her skin.

    She''s hands rested on my bare chest as she kissed me back, matching the intensity of my kisses. A low growl vibrated in my chest as Ryker purred in my mind. Our tongues caressed as we deepened the kiss and I was dying to have myself inside of her.

    As if having the same thoughts, She wrapped her long legs around my waist, and I pinned

    her deeper into my body. I moaned senselessly as she began to grind her hips against mine. She was driving me wild already.

    I gripped her hips to mine and started biting, kissing, and sucking her neck down to her shoulder, loving her constant moans.

    "I love you," I whispered against her ears, as I couldn''t wait any longer. I gripped her a*s and positioned my hardened member against her center.

    I could hear her heart drumming in her chest as I mmed myself inside of her. She threw

    her head back and cried out in pleasure. She tightened her legs around my waist and gripped my nape as I pounded in and out of her.

    I assaulted her n*****s, biting and sucking them as I kept my relentless thrusts into her.

    "Killian!" she moaned, gripping my hair.

    "Yes?" I whispered into her ear.

    "Faster. Don''t stop!" shemanded and my smirk deepened. Her wish was mymand. I

    thrust harder into her, moving faster and faster.

    After several more thrusts, we both came hard together, panting heavily. I carried her out of

    the water and ced her gently on the ground. Iid next to her, wrapping her petite frame in

    my arms.

    "That was beautiful," she whispered into my chest after her breathing had synchronized and calmed. I chuckled, sweeping back strands of her damp hair behind her ear.

    "So are you," I whispered, moving my hand up and down her wless skin. We dwelt in silence

    for a while, and then I felt her grow a little nervous through the mind link.

    "Killian," she called, and I squeezed her body to mine.

    "Yeah," I said, calmly wanting to hear what she had to say.

    "I have something to tell you," she said, sounding so serious that I had to pull away a little so I

    could gaze at her beautiful blue eyes.

    "Yes," I uttered, and suddenly, Ryker was feeling anxious for no f*****g reason. "Tell me."

    Her gaze studied me briefly, before sighing deeply, making my heart beat faster. "What is it?" I

    asked, unable to bear the suspense.

    "I..." She began quietly and I held unto her every word. "I am pregnant."

    I felt my entire body be very still. Ryker waspletely frozen and my eyes never broke away from She''s round ones that swallowed me up.

    I pulled up into a seating position. "Are you serious?" The words flew out of my lips, wanting to be f*****g certain she wasn''t at all teasing me. And slowly, she nodded.

    I couldn''t sit still, I was up on my feet and I began pacing around, before stopping abruptly. I turned around and my amber eyes fell on She, still watching me closely. I waspletely speechless. I had no idea how to utter exactly what I was feeling. I could barely stop the tears that escaped my eyes and without hesitating, I rushed to She, pulling her into my arms.

    I wrapped my arms tightly around her, and she did the same.

    "I can''t believe this," I finally said, and she nodded her head gently.

    "Me too," she whispered. "So, how do you feel about it?"

    Her instant question forced me to gaze into her eyes. "f**k, She. You''ve made me the

    happiest man," I said genuinely, kissing her passionately.

    We pulled apart, resting our heads against each other.

    "It''s a girl," she said, and my brows furrowed. And before I could ask how she knew, she smiled.

    "I saw her, Killian. In my dreams. She''s beautiful," her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

    "You had a vision about our child?" I asked, cupping her cheeks with myrge hands and she

    nodded.

    "Her name is Rhylie," she added, quietly.

    A giant smile nested on my lips. "I love her already," I kissed the tear stains off her face. "And I

    love you, She. I love you so much," I meant every word I said. I loved her much more than my

    very own life. She and our child would be my everything. "And I thank the moon goddess for making me yours."

    "I love you too, Killian," More tears rolled out from her eyes. "I am also thankful we made it this

    far," she said softly, and I couldn''t stop myself from kissing her.

    "Me too," I said. "You are mine, She ck," I uttered possessively.

    She''s eyes sparkled with love and her smile widened. "Always." "Always," I repeated, as our lips collided and we kissed passionately, and I felt at peace. Contented, and above all,pletely happy at the only good gift life had given me.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!