POV: LIAM
I refuse to leave her side as the doctors usher me out of the room, their voices fading into the background. My resolve to protect and care for her burns unwaveringly. The room may be filled with medical professionals, but I am her lifeline, her unwavering support in this moment of vulnerability.
My heart clenches as I witness the doctors gently turn her over onto her stomach, their hands deftly tearing away the remnants of her tattered blouse.
Suppressing a primal growl that threatens to escape my throat, I clench my fists tightly, my entire being seething with a mix of fury and despair. The sight that greets my eyes is nothing short of a painful revelation.
Her back, once a canvas of smooth and unblemished skin, is now a tapestry of redness and blood. Deep cuts mar the surface, refusing to heal due to the severity of the damage inflicted upon her.
The brutality she has endured becomes starkly evident, etched into her flesh. My protective instincts surge forth, urging me to hold her close, to shield her from further harm.
The sight of dark scars that crisscross her body sends a tremor of anguish through my Lycan being. Each mark tells a story of pain and suffering, a testament to the horrors she has endured.
A surge of anger rises within me, a primal rage fueled by the knowledge that no one should endure such cruelty, regardless of any crimes they may have committed. As the doctor murmurs observations, her voice laced with sympathy, I move closer, unable to resist the magnetic pull drawing me toward my mate.
Without hesitation, I reach out and take her hand, my touch serving as a lifeline amid her pain.
I whisper softly, my voice a soothing balm against her suffering.
"I'm sorry, my love," I promise, my words filled with tenderness. "They will pay dearly for every ounce of pain they've inflicted upon you."
The vow resounds with unwavering determination, a solemn oath that I will exact justice for the atrocities she has endured. No one shall escape the consequences of their actions, for I will be the guardian of her well-being.
POV: DYLAN
My chest heaves with each labored breath, the searing pain a relentless reminder of the rejection I have just faced. The disbelief courses through my veins, mingling with a profound sense of betrayal.
How could she do this?
Why would she accept my rejection so willingly?
I had anticipated a different outcome, convinced that she would come to me, begging me to take back my words. I had planned to give myself time to reconsider, to allow her the chance to prove the worthiness of my affections.
However, her acceptance shattered those expectations, leaving me with a roiling anger that threatens to consume me. The sheer thought of it makes my blood boil, my body trembling with uncontainable rage.
Yet, despite the overwhelming emotions coursing through me, I find myself trapped within the confines of my office. The intensity of the pain emanating from my chest, an agony that echoes within my soul, renders me immobile.
My wolf, once fierce and untamed, now whimpers and howls in grief, mirroring the devastation in my heart.
Confusion swirls amidst the torrent of emotions, making it impossible to pinpoint any single feeling. However, amidst the chaos, one truth remains steadfast: I need to see Daliah. I refuse to leave her, to let her slip away because of the opinions and judgments of others. The bond we share is too profound, too powerful to be severed so easily.
As I gradually regain composure, the pain subsiding to a dull ache, I reach out through our mental connection to the head of the guards, seeking to have Daliah released from the dungeons.
Yet, to my mounting distress, no response comes forth. The absence of their presence, the inability to feel their wolf within the pack's mental network, sends a shiver of unease down my spine.
Something is amiss, and a deep sense of foreboding settles within me, urging me to uncover the truth of what has befallen us.
With irritation pulsating through my veins, I make my way toward the dungeons, my determination unwavering. As I arrive, a wave of annoyance washes over me as I witness the guards casually conversing at the entrance.
Frustration boils within me, compelling a deep growl to escape my throat, jolting them into alertness and recognition of my presence. Their nonchalant demeanor quickly transforms into one of respect.
Wasting no time, I stride purposefully toward my mate's cell, my anticipation mingled with a growing sense of unease. However, the sight that greets me intensifies my anger to its peak.
The once-impenetrable silver bars have been torn off their hinges, a clear sign of a powerful force that has breached this place of captivity.
My snarl echoes through the air as I lay my eyes upon two men, their bodies torn apart as if savaged by a wild beast.
Rage surges within me, fueled by a mix of concern for Daliah's safety and the audacity of anyone who would dare harm her.
"What happened here?" I demand, my voice dripping with a lethal combination of anger and authority. I seize one of the guards by his collar, my grip unyielding as I pull him closer, my eyes locked fiercely onto his.
In a trembling voice, he manages to respond, "The Lycan King... he came here... and took the girl."
The revelation strikes a chord deep within me, a mixture of relief and worry intertwining. Relief that Daliah is no longer within these confines, subjected to further torment. Worry for her well-being, knowing that her escape has undoubtedly drawn attention and potentially unleashed a chain of consequences.
With a final snarl of warning, I release the guard from my grip, leaving no room for doubt as to the consequences he will face should any harm befall my mate. Every fiber of my being is consumed by a single purpose now: to find Daliah, to protect her at all costs, and to unleash my wrath upon those who have dared to harm what is rightfully mine.
The guard's stammering and hesitance only serve to fuel my growing frustration. The mention of the guards' misconduct towards my mate triggers a surge of primal rage within me, the intensity of which threatens to consume my senses. Their actions will not go unpunished.
My voice drips with menace as I issue a stern warning, "If you do not cease your stuttering and speak clearly, I will make good on my promise to break your neck. Now, tell me what transpired."
With an abrupt force, I hurl the guard against the wall, his body colliding with a resounding thud as pain reverberates through him. In a raspy voice, strained from the impact, he finally manages to convey the horrifying truth.
"The men... they harassed her, and the King slew them, sir," he confesses, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air.
POV: DYLAN The revelation ignites an inferno of fury within me, my teeth clenched tightly, and a ferocious snarl escaping from deep within my chest. "Where is she?" I demand, my voice a thunderous growl, my eyes narrowing with unwavering determination. His trembling voice tremors as he responds, "I... I don't know, sir." The fear that emanates from him is palpable, and I can sense his genuine lack of knowledge regarding Daliah's whereabouts. My frustration reaches its boiling point, and with a final surge of anger, I release my grip on him. He crumples to the ground, his body shuddering with both pain and terror. The answers I seek elude me, and my mind races, contemplating the next course of action. "Find her," I command, my voice icy and authoritative. "Search every corner of this territory until you locate her. And bring her back to me unharmed. Failure is not an option." With a mixture of fear and determination, the guard nods, his understanding of the urgency and consequenc
The silence settles in the room, thick and laden, as Dylan processes the accusations I've just hurled at him. The new Alpha, visibly stunned by the revelations and the pressure on his throat, fails to find words to justify his actions.My departure from the room is anything but subtle. The door slams behind me, resonating through the corridor like a thunderous echo of my boiling rage. Each step I take is purposeful, my footfalls a rhythmic cadence that mirrors the tumultuous emotions churning within me.The air in the corridor becomes charged, thick with the intensity of unspoken tension. It's as if my fury, the accusations hanging in the air, has woven an invisible web that ensnares everyone in its path. The atmosphere pulsates with discomfort, a palpable unease settling over those left behind in the wake of my exit.The weight of the unspoken truth, the knowledge of Daliah's unjust suffering and the revelation of the Alpha's betrayal, adds a heavy burden to the charged air. It's a
A FEW YEARS BEFOREDALIAH"Dad, give me a piggyback!" I giggled, hopping onto my dad's back while he was in the middle of chatting with some alphas."Stop doing that, Daliah! We are in the middle of a meeting," my elder brother, Prince Drew Armor, playfully scolded me.I shrunk a bit, but I could not help myself; it was just too much fun! Thankfully, my dad came to my rescue, growling, "Drew, do not ever talk to your little sister that way, ever." He said it with such love and protectiveness.I stuck my tongue out teasingly at Drew, and my dad laughed before gently flipping me onto his back. "Baby Daliah, I will happily give you a piggyback, and we can play all day together, but right now, I need to finish my meeting. Can you be patient and wait for me?" he asked with a warm smile.I nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, Dad, I can wait! But I have something to ask you. I want to start training with…" Before I could finish, my dad interrupted with a knowing grin."Ah, my little princess with
He smirked, leaning closer to my innocent face. "I mean from now on, you will stay in the castle, but in the maid's rooms. You will work here, and you will serve me at night." His wicked laughter echoed through the entire palace, sending chills down my spine. As a naive girl, I did not fully understand his words — at least not until my second brother, Drake, burst into my room and yanked me up by my hair, pushing me down to the floor. "Now you are just a maid. If you want to eat and if you want us not to kill you, then you must serve me and Drew every single night." He licked the corner of his mouth, and a sickening feeling washed over me. They both stared at me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. Their cold gazes showed no hint of mercy, and my heart pounded in fear. I crawled on the floor, desperately trying to stand up on my feet, hoping to escape their clutches. "What do you mean by 'needs at night'?" I asked, my voice trembling with innocence, but deep down, I kn
Her words were like daggers, piercing through my already wounded heart. I was reduced to nothing more than a servant, a maid, at the mercy of those who showed no compassion or empathy.The weight of their cruelty was suffocating, and I felt like a caged bird, yearning to be free from this nightmarish existence.Please, Moon Goddess, have mercy on me. I beg.YEARS LATER...After enduring six years of suffering, I was finally granted my own room. It was not anything luxurious, but at least I did not have to sleep on the cold floor anymore. However, there was no kindness or compassion behind this gesture. They only wanted me to be presentable and clean when I visited their rooms.My brother Drake, now the ruler of our pack after our father's death, insisted on being called "Your Highness." Though he became the king of our pack, he was not the Alpha king of all Alphas. Still, he was a strong and imposing figure.On the day of my birthday, I actually forgot that I was turning 18. The thoug
CURRENT TIMESDALIAHAs we sat in the carriage, I looked at Liam. A torrent of emotions flooded my being as doubt and uncertainty clouded my mind. Could he truly accept me for who I am? Was he the regal king my departed father had spoken of, the one who had tenderly adopted me into his heart?As I stood there, surrounded by the watchful eyes of the wolves, my heart yearned for a love that defied all odds. I dared to dream of a love so pure and passionate, where the whispers of destiny would intertwine our souls.In the depths of my mind, I clung to the memory of my father's warm embrace, his loving words resonating like a guiding star. He had told me that one day, I would find my true mate, a love that transcended time and circumstance.My mate!Liam also looked at me. I didn't know if he could read my mind, but I hoped he knew how grateful I was. In that moment of collision, time seemed to stand still, and the world faded away, leaving only the two of us in a universe of our own.His
The carriage stopped on the mountain. Liam got down, looked at the house at the top and held out his hand for me to come down.I was afraid. I hadn't seen my brothers in a while, and I was scared. Meanwhile, I accepted Liam's hand and went downstairs. I believed he would protect me.Out of nowhere, his strong hands lifted me up in a bridal style. I gasped but did not protest.As his arms wrapped around me, a surge of electricity shot through my body. His touch ignited a fire within me, sending a rush of warmth to my cheeks.I could not help but blush, feeling both vulnerable and cherished in his powerful embrace.His eyes locked with mine, and in that moment, the world around us faded away. It was just him and me, bound together by an unspoken connection that seemed to transcend time itself.His words resonated in my heart, and I could not deny the comfort and security I found in his strong arms. "You are so tiny and weak. You will not be able to walk all that distance. I can carry yo
KING LiamShe did not know that I had been searching for her for too long...My father never died; he was a legend among our kind, born with four powers. As he aged, he had the audacity to ask me, his son, to take his position. And no one, I repeat, no one dared to reject the Alpha, for they all knew I was destined to inherit the throne eventually.But what sets me apart, what makes me a force to be reckoned with, is the fact that I was born with eight powers. Yes, eight. I am unparalleled, and none can even come close to rivaling my strength.In this world, being born with so many powers is unheard of. The common Alphas who possess a mere three powers prance around, content with being counselors or ministers, thinking they have reached the pinnacle of their abilities.Those born with four powers, like my dear old father, are supposed to battle for the throne, and the victor would become the ruling monarch.For me, becoming a king was beneath my potential. I have heard tales of King L