Liliana’s POV
I stand alone in Kaden’s bathroom, change out of my bloodied blouse and inhale Kaden’s lingering scent. The strong scent of musk, pine and cedar stirs memories I have tried to bury deep within.
The memories flood in, a cascade of emotions that I struggle to contain. I remember the sense of completeness that came with being by Kaden’s side. I remember the time when Kaden saved me from the humiliation Aden brought upon me during our pack engagement.
I remember the time when I first set foot in this palace, remember the grandeur and warmth that greeted me.
I remember our first night together, of how he kissed me, touched me and filled me with his seed. I remember his presence, both comforting and intimidating for every moment that I stayed there. His laughter and melody filled the halls. He introduced me to Evander, his brother, and I recall the sense of belongin
Liliana’s POVThe shock of the discovery lingers in the air as Evander takes the lead, approaching the hobbit-sized door. With a duck of his head and a careful manoeuvre, he manages to squeeze through the small opening, his tall frame bending to accommodate the tight space.Kaden follows, his movements swift and determined, a stark contrast to the gentle care Landon takes with me. Landon insists that I go before him, his actions the epitome of chivalry."After you," he says, gesturing towards the door.I crouch down to step through the doorway. It is narrow, and I can feel the cool brush of the walls against my shoulders. The door leads us to an open field.Once out, I straighten up and look back to see Landon emerging, his concern for my well-being evident in his eyes. Together, we stand, the gentle glow of the light from the room we left behind casts long
Evander’s POVThe sewer is graded with despair, time forgotten and forsaken by light. As I navigate through its tunnels, the stench of decay rubs my senses. The walls are slick with moisture, the air heavy with the weight of the earth above. Water drips in a steady cadence, the sound amplified in the oppressive silence. The cracks are sigils and designs on the walls with worms and odd insects crippling around.I move from one passage to the next, my footsteps echoing in the hollow expanse. The darkness here is absolute, a suffocating blanket that seems to swallow the feeble beam of my phone’s flashlight."Kaden!" I call out, my voice bouncing off the walls, distorted and strange. There is no response, only the mocking echo of my own words."Really how did he build his palace above without realizing that this exists?" I mutter to myself, shaking my head. How can a man be s
Liliana’s POV The Black Wolf stands before me, wrapped in shadow. Its eyes, spectres of gold, hold me captive, and I am torn between a striking fear and a strange sense of curiosity.Curiosity killed the cat, Liliana. My consciousness speaks to me and I am sure Cathy would have said the same if she were present.But I am no cat. I am Liliana Ross of the Woodlands and Azure.With a swift turn, the wolf runs away, and I follow, my legs clumsy in comparison to its lithe form.Damn, I wish I could shift! I wish so much for my wolf to lend me her strength and speed.It is quick, darting through the underbrush, and I struggle to keep pace. Yet, every once in a while, the Black Wolf would slow down a little, casting glances over its shoulder, its gaze beckoning me to continue.“Where are you taking me?” I ask,
Liliana’s POVAn alien presence invades me, a force as cold and foreign as the dark side of the moon.It bleeds into my veins, exploring, searching the essence of my being. I can feel it moving within me, slithering through my mind, my soul, leaving a trail of cold flames in its crossed path.Then, the cacoon unraps itself around me and I fall to the ground.It hurts, my whole body hurts but I force my head up and raise my eyes to the White Sorceress. “What...what are you doing to me?!"The Sorceress stands before me, gently stroking the Black Wolf’s head."My dear friend here insists you are the one who can turn her back into her human form,” she replies, her voice a melody that is both beautiful and terrible. "She thinks you are the one we have been looking for.”“You’re crazy!&
"CATHY!" I cry out.My voice stretches out and beyond the bounds of the hut mansion and into a forest marked in the unknown.The Sorceress' chants crescendo and the spirits swarm around me, their ghostly fingers clawing at the air, eager to claim my essence. Their jaws gaping and forms distorting in this reality.The Black Wolf approaches one step at a time. Its presence a silent force that commands attention, walking in an easy curve around me."Please, let me go," I find myself in a subconscious plea with the mind of the Black Wolf, my words a mixture of desperation and hope. But the Wolf does not respond.The spirits lash out, their frustration palpable as they fail to penetrate the barrier that protects me. The Sorceress' voice is unforgiving, her chants echo in my head like a curse that would go to the end of time. The symbols on the ground pulse
Liliana’s POVA surge of power courses through me.And with it, I know that my wolf is back.Yet I am different, in a variety of ways, from what I was before. Could this have something to do with the Sorceress’ chants? I do not know.But if I could jump fifty feet in the air before, I can leap a hundred now. If I could hear a leaf break and fall a mile away, now I can hear an ant crawl from its hole at twice that distance. My sense of smell is a wonder; the night air is an encyclopedia of fragrant information to me. And my eyes are like lasers. Not only can I see much farther than before, I feel the fire in my gaze, and I seriously doubt if even the Black Wolf can withstand the power of it.Yet these refinements are not confined to strength and power. There is something else that has entered my life, something that I have never known before. I do not even have a word for it. I just feel -- lucky, as if good fortune will smile on me.I am confident as my flesh knits itself back togethe
Kaden’s POVLiliana's scream echoes in the air and I sprint through the dense woods, my breath heavy, my senses on high alert.Evander keeps pace beside me as we weave through the tree “She’ll be alright,” he says through our mind link.I marvel at the faith Evander has in Liliana, but fear is all I know as we barrel through the trees.“She’s a tough girl,” he says again and I can only nod in silent reply. Yes, she will get through this. We are on our way, hang in there Liliana.Suddenly, a pain grips my chest. An ache that transcends physical exhaustion. I halt abruptly, my wolf form dissipating like mist, leaving me standing there, human once more. A tear escapes my eye, tracing a path down my cheek and I touch them with my tongue.Evander slows down, his own transformation leaving him shirtless, his gaze flickering between me and the trees beyond. "What's wrong?" he asks, frowning.I struggle to articulate the turmoil within me. Anxiety and sorrow that tighten my throat. It is as i
Liliana’s POVAll who are born will one day die. It is just a matter of when, where and how.Still, knowing this does not make witnessing death any easier.My heart bleeds as I stand frozen and watch as their mother takes her last breath, surrounded by her children - Kaden, Evander, and Landon.Her fur recedes, revealing the smooth, porcelain skin beneath. The sharp contours of her wolfish face soften into delicate features, her eyes shimmering with an otherworldly depth. Strands of midnight black hair cascade gracefully down her shoulders, forming a stark contrast against the paleness of her now-human complexion.The moonlight bathes her in an ethereal glow and I cannot help but be captivated by her beauty, even now in death."If death lets me, I'll kill your father again," Kaden finally speaks, his words of venom poured out at Landon who is still cradling their mother in his hand."Your father was equally at fault, if you want death then do it to perfection and don't act a fucking