Dakota Finding out Xavier's dirty secret made my heart give out. It was a hard pill to swallow and images of what could be and worst-case scenarios flashed through my mind. I was clueless about what to do or who to tell because the burden was a little too much for one person to take, especially me, a stranger who wasn't even a part of their family. When the shock of finding out wore out, I truly wanted Axton to find out. He needed to know the truth. I hid the damn diary under the bed, far away from any prying eyes, racking my brain for ways to reveal this to him. But when I imagined Axton's reaction which would most likely be to see blood without caring about the consequences and how he'd chop Xavier to pieces, not that Xavier deserved to live, I couldn't muster the courage to tell him. Axton loved his dad a little too much, and finding out that his brother killed their dad would break him. And I couldn't be the one to tell him such heavy news. I couldn't bear to watch him c

After a finger-licking dinner, my belly was full. Axton didn't come down for dinner. Worried, I headed to the study where I found him furrowed in concentration, studying the pack's accounts and running a finger through his hair. Not wanting to bother him, I stood at the door of the study, watching him deeply focused, with ledgers and papers scattered around the oak table. He didn't even notice my presence. I wanted to knock to get his attention, but I decided not to. Axton was trying hard to prove his efficiency to shame Xavier. In reality, he didn't even need to try because he was miles a better leader than his brother. Sighing, I wandered off to the third floor. Axton deserved to know the truth about his dad's death, but I couldn't bring myself to be the bearer of such terrible news to him, especially now that he was busy with meetings and looking for a solution to the sandstorm crisis. Lost in thoughts, I collided with Xavier on the staircase, almost tripping over. A slight chi

Dakota I stood tall, ready to begin my training. Dodging Elder Timothy's powerful strikes and defensive moves, I watched attentively, absorbing every detail while he guided me and made me mimic his movements, matching his precision. "Ow! That was painful," I yelled when he punched me. I felt the exertion in my muscles as he yelled back at me. "Come on, don't be a lazy ass. You can do this. Push yourself. You can do this." I grappled with him, using my strength to try to overpower him. Sweating profusely, feeling my stamina and endurance put to the test, I took a break to drink some water. Reaching out for my water bottle and unscrewing the cap, I took a long, refreshing sip, observing Elder Timothy as he guided ten teenage boys through a series of drills. I wondered how glorious it was to be old, yet have such a level of strength. My mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Xavier's evil weighed heavily on my conscience. Elder Timothy was close to the family, and I wondered if I

Axton The cruelty of my hatred knew no bounds. I exploded in fury, my face turning red as I yelled at the top of my lungs. "You bastard! How could you do this? How could you murder your father? You're a huge abomination!" My words gushed out like fire and Mum's hands trembled, gripping the armrests tightly. I needed an outlet for my rage, a target to unleash my pent-up frustration. The urge to destroy something consumed me so much that I could no longer feel my own hands. "You have committed the most unforgivable crime, and you must face the consequences," I said in a choked voice, my rage mounting." He stood there, saying nothing. His silence made me want to kill him. "What the fuck possessed you? Couldn't you have sought revenge in any other way? Did you have to take his life, you cursed bastard!" "Axton, son, please," my mum cried, her voice desperate and trembling. Fear, stark and vivid shone in her eyes. I turned away, my gaze fixated on the portrait of my dad, his e

Axton I stared at Dakota. Her brows furrowed in a frown, but I paid no attention to it. I was determined to be the voice of reason, to protect her from trouble. "You should quit this whole psychic thing," my voice tinged with concern. But, she vehemently protested, "I need to find my staff of leadership. It means everything to me." I let out a weary sigh. "I know, but magic is risky. Don't be stubborn and let things unfold naturally. Magic is a dangerous game, and I've witnessed firsthand the dangers it can unleash. There's a thin line between bravery and recklessness, and I fear you're crossing it." Her eyes flashed with annoyance as she challenged me, "What are you afraid of?" "I'm afraid you're becoming desperate. Why rush? Do you even know the true source of this magic?" She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms and distancing herself from me, taking a seat on a nearby chair. "It's easy for you to say because you haven't lost anything. Put yourself in my shoes. What would