I stand on the brink of a past I've lived and a future I've yet to claim. Five years ago, my world crumbled when Lucan, the Alpha I loved, the man destined to be my mate, chose betrayal over loyalty; my sister over me. His blatant rejection of my love but refusal to reject our bond, kept me on a string for years. Until my sister decided to orchestrate my murder when I fell pregnant with Lucan's child. Fate, it seems, holds a twisted sense of mercy. I find myself back in time, five years before my life turned into a nightmare, on the night my Mate Bond with Lucan snaps into place. But this time, I'm not the same Verena. I refuse to be the victim, the one walked all over. With a resolve forged from pain and betrayal, I stand before our pack, our family, our friends, and I shatter the expectations of fate. I reject Lucan, and the ripple of shock is my first taste of victory. But my plan doesn't stop there. I aim higher, daring to entangle my fate with his enemy, Alpha Niklaus King, a man as dangerous as he is ruthless. It's supposed to be a game, a strategy to topple Lucan from his throne. I didn't anticipate the fire Niklaus would ignite in my soul, a passion fierce and consuming. As I grow closer to him, the lines blur; my heart, once set on revenge, now beats a different rhythm. Torn between the past's shadows and a future that's as uncertain as it is thrilling, I find myself questioning everything. Lucan's betrayal branded me, but Niklaus offers a chance at healing, at power. Yet, can I trust this new bond, or will it become another chain?
View MoreVerenaIn Axton’s sprawling Vegas home, the air is thick with tension as Laz finishes relaying Niklaus’s message. My heart pounds furiously against my chest, a mix of anger and shock swirling inside me. I had known Ares didn’t like me, but to betray his own brother, to join hands with Lucan and Peter? The depth of his betrayal is staggering. “So, Ares is the reason Niklaus is in this mess?” I ask, my voice sharp with barely contained fury. The room is crowded with Axton, Kris, Laz, and a few of Axton’s trusted vampire lieutenants, all ready for a showdown.“Yes,” Laz confirms, his expression grim. “Niklaus made it clear. Ares has turned against us, aligned with Lucan.”Axton’s face is set in a mask of cold fury, his hands clenched at his sides. “We need to rethink our approach,” he states flatly, turning to address his lieutenants. “We’re going offensive. I want every resource we have focused on retrieving Niklaus and neutralizing Ares.”“What about me?” I interject, unable to keep
NiklausWhen I open my eyes, the familiar, harsh edges of the cell greet me, but the pain that had been a constant companion is notably absent. I shift slightly, testing my limbs, surprised to find myself free of chains and feeling stronger. Someone fucking healed me completely.My mind races, trying to piece together why they’d allow this. It doesn’t add up; it reeks of manipulation, a setup.Deciding to stay put, I sit up cautiously, keeping my movements minimal. I focus on the details of the cell, looking for anything that might indicate a change or a new trap waiting to be sprung. But everything seems just as grim and confining as before.The sound of the door opening breaks my concentration, and I steel myself as Ares steps into the cell. My gut clenches with a mix of anger and betrayal, yet I force a mask of impassivity onto my face.“Comfortable?” Ares asks, a mocking tone to his voice as he surveys me, still sitting on the dirty floor.“Why am I not chained? Are you fuckers f
VerenaThe night before we leave for Las Vegas, anxiety knots tightly within me, refusing to let sleep claim me easily. But eventually, exhaustion wins out, and I drift into a restless slumber. My dreams, usually fragmented and confusing, coalesce into a vivid, powerful scene tonight.I find myself standing in a vast, open field bathed in moonlight. The grass under my feet is cool and soft, and above me, the full moon reigns supreme in a starless sky. It’s serene, surreal, and I know instinctively this isn’t an ordinary dream.“Verena,” a voice calls out, soft yet carrying through the still night air. I turn to find a figure bathed in moonlight, her presence overwhelmingly calm and commanding. She is ethereal, her hair flowing like liquid silver, her eyes deep pools of wisdom. Instinctively, I know her. The Moon Goddess.“Your Grace,” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath, as I drop to a knee, overwhelmed by her presence.“Rise, my child,” she speaks with a warmth that eases my i
Niklaus Pain surges through me as I slowly regain consciousness. My body feels like it’s been crushed, every movement sending waves of agony through my battered limbs. I’m slumped against a cold, hard wall, the rough surface scraping against my back. They’ve done a number on me, alright. I try to shift, to ease the discomfort, but even that small movement is torture. The small, dank room reeks of mildew and my own blood, the metallic tang heavy in the air. I’m bloodied, beaten, but there’s no way I’m letting them see the pain. I keep my expression as neutral as I can manage, despite the throbbing in my head and the sharp stabs of pain shooting through my chest with every breath. I know this game—show weakness and they’ll exploit it. Lucan has been in and out, watching with that snake-like grin as his goons work me over. His taunts are pathetic, trying to worm their way into my mind, speaking of Verena as if he ever had a claim over her. It makes my blood boil, the way he talks
VerenaKris arrives not long after dawn, her expression serious as she takes in my anxious stance.“Good morning, Verena. Axton told me you’re needing assistance with a tracking spell?” Kris’s voice is calm, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions inside me.“Yes, thank you for coming so quickly,” I say, offering her the shirt. “We need to find Niklaus. He’s missing, and... it’s bad.”Kris’s brow furrows as she takes the scarf, her fingers brushing the fabric lightly. “I understand. Let’s get started right away. Do you have a place we can set up?”We move to a clear area of the sunroom, and Kris begins arranging various items from her bag—a small bowl, some herbs, a few crystals, and a candle. She places the scarf in the center of our makeshift altar.“Stand here, beside me,” she instructs, and I do as she says, watching her every move. She lights the candle, the flame flickering softly in the morning light.“Focus on Niklaus, on your connection with him. Picture him in your mind, a
NiklausI wake abruptly, gasping as ice-cold water splashes against my face, shockwaves of pain rippling through my body. My vision swims for a few heartbeats, then steadies, and the world snaps into sharp, unwanted focus. My muscles tense, my jaws clench, but the silver manacles bite into my skin, holding me back with a searing pain. Shifter healing has mended my most critical injuries, but the silver poisoning slows my recovery, leaving me weaker than I should be.“Fuck!” I snarl, shaking my head to clear the droplets from my eyes and face. The cold dampness does nothing to quell the fire of rage burning in my chest.As my vision clears, the blurry shapes coalesce into a very unwelcome sight. Lucan stands in front of me, a self-satisfied grin plastered across his face, enjoying the scene he’s orchestrated.“What the fuck, Lucan?” I growl, the cold water dripping from my hair down my neck, mixing with the simmering rage inside me. “I thought we had an agreement.”His laugh is cold a
VerenaThe sunlight streams into the sunroom, casting warm, dancing patterns on the floor as Kris and I work through another complex spell. My concentration is deep, the flow of magical energy steady between my hands, when the door suddenly bursts open. The disruption sends the delicate balance of my spell scattering like leaves in a gust and my heart jumps to my throat. Laz strides in, his expression a turbulent mix of anger and stress, with Axton close behind, his face etched with annoyance.“Laz? What’s happened?” I demand, my voice sharp with sudden worry. Laz looks like he’s barely holding it together.“It’s Niklaus,” Laz says, his voice tight. “He was called home because of an explosion at the hotel, but he was in an accident on his way to the airstrip. He managed to call me, said he was pinned underneath a car, but...” Laz’s voice breaks, his usual composure shattered. “No hospital has him. We can’t find him.”A cold dread washes over me, chilling me to the bone. “What do you
VerenaI listen to Niklaus’s voicemail again, my frown deepening with each word. Something serious has happened back home, and the worry in his voice is unmistakable. I press the phone to my chest for a moment, taking a deep breath, trying to push away the anxiety that claws at me. It doesn’t completely subside, but I manage to tuck it into a corner of my mind.There’s little I can do from here.As I head downstairs after getting ready for the day, Axton intercepts me in the hallway, a slight frown creasing his brow. “Kris won’t be here today; an emergency came up in their coven. Looks like you have a day off.”“Oh,” I say, slightly relieved for the break, though the reason is less than ideal. “Is it okay if I walk around the neighborhood? I could use some fresh air.”Axton nods, but not without a stern look. “Only if I send you with protection. The last thing I need is Niklaus on my case if something happens to you.”His serious tone breaks, and he chuckles, causing me to giggle. “Un
NiklausLying in the plush bed of my hotel room, the soft hum of the city below barely permeates the thick glass windows. My thoughts linger on Verena, her smile, the warmth of her touch, and the promise we made tonight. A contented smile spreads across my face; she’s finally accepted me, agreed to be my Luna after everything is settled. The thought brings a profound sense of fulfillment I hadn’t known I was missing.As I replay our conversation, each word she spoke, each look she gave, I can almost feel her here with me, her head resting against my chest. Just as I’m about to drift off to sleep, savoring the peace that has settled deep within me, my phone erupts into a shrill ring, slicing through the tranquility like a knife. I fumble for the device, irritation flaring up when I see Laz’s name flashing on the screen. The screen lights up—Laz. His name alone tightens my stomach with dread.“What’s up, Laz?” My voice is groggy but edged with tension.“What’s up, Laz?” I answer, try
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