Erik’s POV
The members of our court became pale at the mere mention of his name, even I was shaken. Lohki, a figure of darkness from our past, had once harbored perverse ambitions, using witchcraft and dark magic to manipulate those in need.
Our rules back then were clear. Werewolves and Lycans were never to fraternize with sorceresses. It was a sorceress who cursed our kind and made us this way. The Lycans had it worse than the wolves since it was we who were directly afflicted. We didn’t simply shift like the wolves did, ours was accompanied by inexplicable pain and discomfort.
By the time we finally turned, we would hunt villages and those who survived our bites became wolves, meant to serve us. But while the wolves loved the power and strength that came with it, we hated everything we were. We were the bloodthirsty ones…the real monsters, hence why they feared us.
But several years ago, Lohki’s ambitions had led him to seek the help of a sorceress to challenge my father, Leon’s father, and Caden’s father, who at that time were the Lycan Kings. The conflict that followed was brutal, resulting in the loss of countless lives. Together, our fathers defeated Lohki and stripped him of his power, exiling him from Hexon.
It had been two decades since that happened, so hearing of Lohki’s return was shocking news to all of us present.
“ Are you certain that the messenger outside said he is from Lohki?” I asked the young woman who came to deliver the news and she nodded vigorously.
“ The messenger also requested entry into our court to deliver a message,”
Before I could react to this, Leon’s men dashed outside the court and attempted to ambush him, intending to capture him and extract vital information through torture.
To our surprise, the woman returned. Her lips quivered with fear as she summoned courage and said,“ Lycan King Leon…your men are dead.”
Leon’s eyes flashed with anger at the woman’s statement. “ What? All of them?” he asked in disbelief, and the woman nodded.
“ The messenger fought as if he was helped by m-magic,” she said in fear.
“ Where is he?” Leon asked.
“ Outside, still waiting for you to grant him entry,” she replied.
“ I suppose he would like to die by my hands. Let him in,” Leon said, despite the court's reservations. But I knew Leon was begrudgingly impressed by the messenger’s skills. If anything, he probably wanted the messenger for himself.
The hooded figure walked in looking at me, Leon and Caden. Without a bow or even a greeting, he began to read the ominous message. The Alphas began to murmur when they heard a woman’s voice and not a man, but my eyes narrowed as I recognized the voice. It was not a man’s voice but a woman’s. But I was surprised for a different reason. I was certain I had heard that voice before. Interrupting the messenger’s recitation, I spoke with disbelief, “Wait… reveal yourself.”
The messenger tensed, but after a moment complied, pulling back the hood. There, standing before us, was the girl I rejected two years ago. My emotions were in turmoil, caught between astonishment and a burning desire – a desire I didn’t expect to harbor within myself.
Caden managed to voice the question that weighed on all of our minds,“ Maeve, How… How can this be?”
Maeve…so that was her name? I thought to myself as I watched everything unfold. Maeve met our gazes with a determined expression.
“Yes, I have returned - not as your ally, but as your adversary.” She said boldly, looking at the three of us. She had changed. She was no longer the weak girl who begged me not to break our bond. She had a dark aura about her and her expression was as cold as ice.
Still holding Lohki’s message, she cleared her throat and began to read the ominous words aloud again. Tension filled the air as she spoke, “Lycan kings of Hexon, you have two moons to surrender your lands and your people. Refusal will result in annihilation. From King Lohki”
The silence that followed was thick with dread. My resolve hardened, and I spoke resolutely, “We will not bow to Lohki’s threats. Our fathers defeated him and so will we.”
Maeve’s eyes blazed with a fiery determination as she stepped forward. “ In that case, prepare for war,”
We all stared at her in awe. The innocent girl we remembered had transformed into someone far more dangerous.
Caden spoke up, completely driven by emotion, his voice filled with a sense of desperation, “Maeve, we want you back. We’ve realized our mistake.”
But I remained hesitant, suspicion apparent in my gaze. “Why have you returned, Maeve? What are your true intentions?”
Maeve’s demeanor was ice-cold as she faced us, her anger evident. The wounds of my rejection seemed to still be fresh in her memory.
“ Why else do you think she’s here? Obviously, to send a message from the man who must’ve taken care of her when you banished her,” Leon scoffed.
The silence that followed was tense, and it was Maeve who broke it. “Two moons.”
Those two words were a stark reminder of the ultimatum that Lohki had delivered. It was a clear message: time was running out, and we had to act quickly.
I, however, was not willing to let her go so easily. I stepped forward, my voice laced with authority and issued a challenge. “ Two moons? Isn’t that too long? I mean, why wait two moons when you can end this here and now? You’re a formidable fighter now, so I challenge you, Maeve.” I said and smirked as I saw anger flash in her eyes.
It was brief, and she quickly masked it with indifference again, but I knew I had struck a cord. I knew I had planted a suggestion that she would find difficult to refuse. Given that it was me who ended our bond, she must still be angry, and she must be seeking revenge one way or another.
“ A challenge?” She said, folding her hands and giving me a hard look.
“ Yes, a challenge. If I win, you will stay and perform your rites as our mate. But if I lose, Lohki can have Hexon.” I said, and the court became alarmed, but I knew exactly what I was doing. All I needed right now was an answer from her. Would she take the bait or… Will she be smart enough to refuse?
She took a long time to make up her mind before she finally said with unwavering determination,“ I accept your challenge, Erik.”
The news of our impending duel quickly spread, drawing a crowd to the courtyard. I could feel the complexity of emotions swirling within her as we prepared for battle.
As the fight began, it became evident that Maeve had acquired remarkable speed and agility during her time away from Hexon. She moved in a disappearing manner, her movements quick and unpredictable. It was as if the very shadows conspired to shield her from my reach.
In contrast, I possessed special Lycan abilities. I could control fire and water, an ancient power passed down through generations. My flames could consume and incinerate, while my control over water was equally formidable, a force that could douse even the most relentless inferno.
The clash of our abilities created a spectacle that left the onlookers awestruck. Maeve darted in and out of my reach, her speed and agility testing my control over the elements. Fire and water clashed, each element vying for dominance.
Despite her incredible speed, I used my control over water to create a barrier that surrounded her, limiting her movement. The sight of her struggling against the surging water was a testament to my power, but Maeve remained undeterred. With a burst of incredible speed, she broke through the watery confines, her determination unshaken.
As our duel continued, I couldn’t help but admire Maeve’s strength and resilience. The battle was fierce and unrelenting, a testament to her growth and newfound power.
In the end, my victory was secured by combining the forces of fire and water. I used my control over fire to create scorching flames that encircled Maeve, forcing her to a corner. Simultaneously, I summoned water to douse the flames, creating an intense steam that surrounded her. It was a tactic that left her with limited visibility and options, and I seized the opportunity to make my final move. I had formed a sharp sword of ice, and it was already placed at her throat. One move and she would’ve died.
“ Yield,” I said as I watched her eyes widen in surprise, realizing now that she could not defeat me.
“ I yield,” she said with painstaking slowness, and with one motion, I ordered for her to be taken away. I met Leon and Caden’s cold stares as she was taken to my residence and a smile crept on my face. I had won Maeve back, all that is left is to win her heart back.
Lohki will still be dealt with.
Maeve’s POV It had been days since I had been defeated in the duel with Erik. The weight of remorse and anger bore down on me as I realized that I had been tricked into returning to this place, back to the very men who had rejected me two years ago. Erik, Leon, and Caden, my Mates, were now a constant presence in my life, and I couldn’t help but wonder how I fell for this trick. I should’ve known Erik would be stronger than me. There was a reason Lohki lost to their fathers back then. As I settled into my new surroundings, my thoughts wandered back to where I had been before I returned to Hexon. The man who had saved me, the one I had known as a father figure, was none other than Lohki, the very threat that loomed over Hexon now. Lohki had provided me with intense training, honing my abilities and preparing me for a purpose that he had yet to reveal to me. He had instilled in me the drive for revenge, and it was with that purpose that I found myself standing amid Hexon once more. T
Maeve’s POVI took my time getting dressed, selecting an outfit that was designed to captivate. It was a reminder to myself of the allure that still coursed through my veins, and I wasn’t about to let it go to waste. The seductive attire clung to my form, leaving little to the imagination, a stark contrast to the restraint I had practiced in Erik’s presence.Before heading to Leon’s quarters, I put on a robe to cover my scandalous appearance, but I couldn’t resist the urge to read the letter he had sent me. It was filled with his carefree spirit, laced with humor, and it was impossible not to be drawn in by his personality.“My Dearest Masked warrior,Your return has brought the much-needed spark back to our lives. Looking forward to tonight’s dinner and the mischief we’ll stir up. I promise we won’t have a certain white-haired loser in our midst today, so please will you show up today my darling?With excitement,Leon “I laughed as I read the note. It was ridiculous how boyish his n
Maeve’s POV“Get her something to eat. I’d like her to be served breakfast in bed,” I heard Leon say as I started to wake up. My night with him was beyond amazing. We had a great time together, but there was still this side of me that felt guilty about what I was doing.Lohki did not save me from the harsh rejection I faced that day just for me to betray him by sleeping with the enemy. Still, Leon was my mate. How was I to resist him? I wished I felt a little bit of regret about what I had done, but I really don’t.Leon had been kind to me, he and Caden didn’t want to reject me, but Erik…that man, his authority superseded theirs and there was nothing that could be done. Maybe me coming back here isn’t so bad after all. I can have fun with Caden and Leon while also finding a way to get right with Lohki.If I could somehow bring him Hexon, Lohki would understand why I had done this. I’m sure of it.As I was thinking about this, I felt Leon’s warm breath fanning my skin. I couldn’t bear
Erik's POVI was very furious when I learned what Leon had done. How could he be that selfish, sleeping with a woman we were all bonded to – just to spite me. I knew that was the only reason that he did what he did. If I hadn't been involved, he would’ve taken Caden into consideration, and they would have reached an agreement that would suit both them and Maeve.Due to my rejection of Maeve, I didn’t exactly feel the things Caden felt. That would’ve been torture for me, but just the way Caden described it made me feel just as annoyed over the matter.I had accompanied Caden to confront Leon about it and, like always, he was acting like an entitled idiot. His night with Maeve must’ve been superb, since he was acting more pompous than before. I was willing to just walk away from the argument for peace to reign but when I saw Maeve come out of Leon’s house, dressed in his clothes… I decided I would stay. There is no way that I would let Leon get away with this.My ability to keep my face
Maeve’s POVI was staring at the ‘gifts’ these people brought, wondering what pushed them to think it was an appropriate gift. I mean, after what they did to me, you’d think they would bring something more proper but instead, they dare bring this ridiculous thing to me.Anyway, I had already given them a proper answer and was expecting them to leave me so that I could keep searching for what I thought was a spy or messenger sent to me by Lohki.“I understand your reasons, Luna Maeve. We will also do better and present you with a more proper gift. Once again, we are truly sorry for the pain we caused you,” one of them said, but her voice seemed far too familiar, so I turned around and when I saw the woman who had spoken, all my defences were shattered.“Isn’t that Faye?” I said to myself, but when I saw her silver eyes beaming as they used to two years ago, I knew that she was my friend Faye!Without thinking twice, I hugged her and began to cry. I missed her so much. I knew that she w
Erik’s POV“Good evening, Lycan King Erik,” I heard one of my men greet as he entered my office. Quickly, I put my phone away and acknowledged the greeting of the man. His name was Luis. He was one of my most trusted betas, and he had come to report the things he had seen today after his patrol had ended.“Sit down, Luis, and tell me what new you have brought me,” I said, and watched as he sat down.“My King... I have brought news from the south side, there is still no sign of Lohki or his men there,” he said while I sighed.“King Erik, the only way we can find this man is through your mate. You already rejected her before. You owe her nothing if you decide to force the truth out of her and if she refuses, just kill her!” Alpha Jared said.I was not surprised by his suggestion. A lot of them who were currently seated in my office were probably thinking the same thing as Jared was. The only difference between them and him was that he was the only stupid enough to voice his thoughts. Th
Maeve's POVMy whole body ached as I lay on a bed I wasn’t familiar with. I managed to open my eyes, and I was met with a strong, pungent smell.A woman was sitting beside me, and she was mixing some strange herbs in a small bowl while I watched her, wondering for a moment who I was. Then…it clicked.I am Maeve. I was rejected by one of my mates and sent away from the pack. When I fled, I met Lohki, and he trained me for the most important moment of our lives – getting revenge on the three Lycan kings. But unfortunately, I ruined the plan, and I have yet to fix it.More of my memories came flooding in, and then I recalled how I was going to Erik’s quarters when someone slit my neck and left me for dead.“I see that you are awake,” the woman said, without turning to look at me.“Yes,” I said, as I sat up and watched her. She looked very familiar, but I couldn’t remember who she was for some reason.As I recalled what had happened, I reached for the back of my neck, but I felt nothing.
Maeve’s POVI managed to pull myself together as I opened the door for Faye, who rushed inside the room, hugging me and crying in my arms.“ It’s okay, it’s alright – just calm down and talk to me,” I said as I hugged her. She let go and sat on my bed, wiping tears from her eyes as she started to explain.“There is nothing much to explain…all I know was that she was doing well one minute but then the next minute, she slumped and…died.”“This makes no sense. This was exactly what happened in my dream,” was what I wanted to say, but I decided against it.“What about the child?” I asked.“The child is fine… I just don’t understand what could’ve happened to Lia,”We sat in silence for a long while before she finally broke the silence, “I will raise the child as mine,”“Can you do that? Wouldn’t it be too much stress?”She shook her head and smiled bitterly as she said, “It is our best friend’s child. It’s not stress, I would be honored…it’s just that it’s so painful that I thought we’d lo