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When a man loves a woman, she becomes his weakness.

When a woman loves a man, he becomes her strength.

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...the crystal dropped to the ground as she fell, blood pouring from the gaping hole in her hand.

I reached for it as the wolf charged, spurned on not by the need for survival but by the hate, the deep need to cause pain to the beast that had hurt my mother.

My fingers closed around the glowing crystal and my eyes turned to its hue.

I turned in the direction of the charging wolf. Seconds before its open jaw closed around my face, it was engulfed in flames, flames that I had channeled from the burning village.

It fell to the ground, writhing in agony. It wasn't enough. Whatever pain it was facing, it wasn't enough. I had to do more. I had to do

A groan from my mother was all that stopped me from taking the time to skin it as slowly as I could. Alive.

I knelt beside her and placed the crystal in her hand to help her heal faster.

" De-devenity," She choked out looking at me with pleading eyes. " You need to go. Keep running." She begged.

Ignoring her plea, I picked her up and placed her ...remaining hand around my shoulder to help her walk. I knew what she wanted but I would never abandon her.

In my hate, I'd forgotten about the chaos around us. I hastened now, following the fleeing crowd. In no time, I realized just what direction we were running towards.

The treacherous sea.

I almost stopped running. All was hopeless it seemed. The treacherous sea accepted none into its depths. Our run from death was leading us to what seemed to be an inevitable end.

But I didn't stop running. Death was certain but I was determined to determine how I would go. I was determined to not be torn apart by the wolves. My deathbed would be the sea floor not the belly of those beasts.

It would be choice.

We got to the edge and I jumped, holding on tight to my mother. The mass of fleeing people formed a wave crashing down into the conflicting waters.

We crashed into the sea with a huge splash and I lost my hold of my mother. The force of the impact sent the air out of my lungs and pushed me deep into the dark waters.

I took a deep breath as I struggled to get the surface and choked on the in flow of water. Struggling, I broke through the surface but was sent back down into the cold depths by a huge wave crashing down.

Desperate for air, I struggled on till I managed to get back to the surface. I took in a deep breath and looked around for my mother as the current moved me around.

" Ma!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I realized she was still underwater, struggling to swim ...with just one hand!

I held my breath and went under. It was too dark to see much and my worry began to grow. Something slammed into my face, someone's kicking legs and I lost all my stored air, my throat and nose burning.

I rushed to the surface and took in more. Before I could go back in, I felt fingers wrap around my arm.

" C'mere you damned thing!" Some said and I felt myself being pulled roughly through the water, towards the shore.

I struggled against the hold on my hand but it was futile. I was thrown on the ground where several drenched people were shivering with desolate eyes. I realized there were huge men in the water pulling out people.

Werewolves. They were taking prisoners.

I scanned the conflicting waters for my mother. I couldn't make out much but it seemed she wasn't on the surface. I pushed down the depressing thought. She was there. She to be there. She was going to be pulled out any second now.

With a sinking feeling in my stomach, I realized there were no more people in the waters and the werewolves were returning.

No, please no.

I was shivering and weak boned but I got up and ran towards the sea, screaming at the top of my lungs for my mother.

I was in all the way to my waist when I felt fingers wrap around my neck, pulling me back to the shore angrily.

I fought against it, trying to pry off the hand choking me with my numb fingers. My mother couldn't be ...she couldn't.

Someone clamped something tight and metallic around my left ankle. Cuffs. It was linked with chains to the cuffs around the other prisoners.

The noise was deafening. Everyone was screaming or crying out for someone and ignored the werewolves who told us to 'shut the fuck up'. I didn't cry. I stared at the water wishing I was in it, sinking to the bottom with my mother. That would be a blessing.

" Alright, get moving." Someone said and even though I didn't want to, I was forced to walk because of the linked cuffs. It was either walk or be dragged along.

I don't know how long we walked for. We didn't have breaks. We weren't fed. We drank when it rained. We didn't sleep.

Not many of us made it to Aradia.

The remainder of us were paraded along the streets for the jeers of the Aradians. They sang the praises of their Alpha king and scorned us, hurling whatever trash they could lay their hands on at us.

We were led into the castle. Finally we were allowed to stop walking and I joined the others to collapse on the ground.

" This, Myrna is how you solve a problem." A deep voice said. It was filled with pride. It filled me with disgust.

" No, Eryk." A familiar female voice said. " is how you doom the West and lose your throne. You've forgotten the east is still very much there. What you've done is to ensure the moon people will never fight alongside us."

The man laughed long and loud at her words.

" Take them into the cells." He ordered. " We have need for them. Let them rot."

At that, we were forced up and taken through huge gates. Dungeon gates. Several of us were put into one tiny cell.

As I sat in my overpopulated cell, the man's words sinked in.

Let them rot.

This was it then. I was going to die here. At the end of the day, the werewolves had determined how I was to go.

I was never leaving this cell. This was the end. was the end.

〰️〰️〰️

I woke up slowly, feeling tears burn in my eyes. I hadn't had a nightmare since I started living in the palace. It came as a shock to remember the attack so vividly. I had even recognized the Dowager Luna's voice in the dream.

I realized that going into those cells again must have triggered the nightmare. I sat up hugging my knees. I felt like throwing up and crying all at once but even then, I couldn't do either. I was too shaken up.

I needed someone to hold me and tell me everything would be alright ...like Cayden used to do when we lived in the cabins.

I needed Cayden, I realized as silent tears began to flow. Remembering how he used to stroke my hair and whisper that he was there for me made this nightmare so much more harder to bear.

I buried my head in my knees and cried.

I need Cayden.

〰️〰️〰️

Rhydian's pov,

Rhydian waited impatiently for the castle gates to be opened. He had had a rough day. The run to the border and back had helped but he was still on edge.

Vampires. In his home. What kind of Alpha king was he supposed to be when the enemy had so easily infiltrated his kingdom and then, his home. It was a stain on his reputation. It was a good thing he had been able to keep it quiet. With his coronation close by, he was certain his Alpha chiefs would seize this accident as a way to take the throne from him.

Those damned guards slacking off. He hadn't gone easy on them and he was certain they were now more motivated to do their jobs. Either that or imprisonment with cuffs dipped in wolfsbane extract.

The guards by the gate were quick to open up and stood at a respectable distance as their Alpha walked in.

Rhydian ignored their greetings as he made his way into the courtyard. He walked quickly past the castle main doors. Seeing that the foyer was empty, he leaned against the wall breathing hard.

He'd never felt this tired before. He felt ...weak. He couldn't understand it. He was of Alpha blood. Feeling tired was a rarity. Feeling weak ...it just didn't happen.

But Rhydian did feel weak. He also felt nauseated. He didn't know what to make of that. He'd never vomited before.

It started in the border after he was done discipling the soldiers. No, he'd started feeling tired when he set out of the palace. It got worse when he got to the border but he'd ignored it. Now he couldn't though.

Rhydian glanced at his right palm. There was a black stripe on it that had formed a few hours after the attack. The stripe was swelling and beginning to blister.

Rhydian gaped at his hand. The stripe was starting to bruise but normally, his Alpha blood should have healed it like it usually did with his other injuries. This stripe continued to bruise though. He suspected it had something to do with why he was feeling so weak.

Rhydian stood up. He would deal with it later. Now, he needed to see Deven.

A smile formed on his face as he remembered his mate. His mate. He was glad they were at the point where he could say that and feel good about it.

If it wasn't for that damned attack, he would have spent all week fucking her, making her come, reveling in the delight of it. But no, that damned attack had to have happened. His smile faded as his bad mood returned.

He made his way through the corridors, heading towards her room. It was closer to his now. That would make things ...easier.

He needed her at the moment. Seeing her always put him in a good mood whether he was angry at her or not. Rhydian was suddenly excited and pushed his tiredness to the back of his mind. He was going to see his mate again. A face splitting grin took over his face as he walked quickly in search of her room.

The door was in sight when his sharp ears picked up some strange sounds.

Rhydian paused and listened. He heard it again. Muted sniffling sounds. They came from Deven's room. Fuck, she was crying!

Rhydian rushed towards her room, ignoring the greetings of her female guards. His hands were on the door knob when her thoughts slid into his mind.

Cayden ...I need you.

Rhydian froze. That name sounded familiar. It was the name of one of the moon warlocks released along with her. The one she'd been dancing with at the ball. The one she said she had no feelings for.

Why did she need him?

Cayden! She cried out once again in her mind and it was like someone was squeezing the life out of him. His tiredness returned with so much force that he had to lean on her door.

I'm scared ...Cayden ...I'm scared, I need you.

She was afraid ...of what? Why didn't she need him? Why did she need that damned fucker?

Rhydian had never felt more jealous before in his life. He was prone to getting jealous easily, especially in her case but right now, he'd never felt it this intense.

He backed away from the door.

Cayden...

" Fuck!" Rhydian growled out, startling the guards. Fuck, he was mad. Why didn't she need him? Why?

He moved away from her room, walking angrily and feeling the nausea threaten.

She was scared. Why was she scared? And then it hit him. She was scared at the moment and needed someone with her. It wasn't him, he had to accept that and help her out.

The lad was in the palace. He remembered seeing his application for the non wolf guards. If Rhydian was correct, he would still be in intensive training.

Rhydian rushed out of the building towards the enclosure where the guards trained.

I'm scared.

Fuck! Rhydian paused, too tired to continue on. For the first time in his life, he felt tears threaten.

" Your highness?" Someone said. Rhydian recognized the voice of his head of guards and immediately composed himself. It wouldn't do for him to be seen in such a weak state.

" I need one of your men." Rhydian informed.

The head of the guard nodded.

" I'll personally see to whatever it is you need, Alpha." He said, eager to please.

" No, I need one of your trainees. A moon warlock named Cayden."

The man nodded.

" I know him but his training isn't over yet. He's not allowed to leave intensive training."

Rhydian glared at the man.

" Get him." He growled

" I'll get him immediately sir." He said quickly and disappeared into the enclosure.

Rhydian didn't wait long. Two men emerged.

" Your highness." Cayden said, bowing his head momentarily in greeting.

Rhydian could hear the surprise in his voice. He didn't bother to explain things to him.

" Come with me." He instructed and walked ahead, doing his best to push down the urge to strangle the life out of the bastard that was invading his mate's thoughts.

Cayden followed and soon they were in the corridor. Rhydian walked to the door. He could still hear her crying. It broke his heart. He wanted to go in and comfort her but she didn't need him right now.

He glared at Cayden as he quietly opened the door.

" Go in," He instructed through his teeth.

Cayden looked at him with surprise in his eyes but nodded and went in.

" Deven?" Rhydian heard him say. " Deven!"

Rhydian peered in through the space in the door and saw Deven draw him into a tight hug.

His stomach lurched and he slammed the door shut rushing out of the castle and out into the light breeze of the night.

The garden he was now in was empty and Rhydian bent over and hurled out his guts, violently.

" Fuck!" He growled out when he was done. He collapsed on the floor, breathing hard. Was he sick? Werewolves don't fall sick so it couldn't be sickness.

Whatever it was, it was serious and seeing Deven with that damned fucker hadn't helped.

She needed him ...fuck!

〰️〰️〰️

Deven's pov,

" How are you even here?" I asked excitedly, still holding on to Cayden. Last I'd seen him, it was at the banquet.

His arm was around my waist and his other hand stroked my hair in a calming manner like he used to do after every nightmare. I felt myself rapidly relaxing.

" Doesn't matter." Cayden whispered then pulled back to look at me. " What's wrong, Deven?" He asked.

The nightmare came rushing back to me and I struggled to tell him about it. He didn't let me finish. He pulled me back into his arms and whispered.

" I'm here for you, ok. That's over. You never have to face that again."

He was right. I would never be locked up in a cell again because of Rhydian. My eyes widened when I remembered him and I gently pushed Cayden away, wishing Rhydian was back from the border already. I missed him.

" Thank you." I whispered to him and he smiled at me, gently moving the hair away from my face. I smiled back at him as I took in his appearance. Slim Cayden had become all big arms and thick chest. He'd been exercising a lot! He'd even cut his hair. I preferred it when it was long and fell over his face.

" How did you get into the palace?" I asked.

" I've always been in the palace, training to be a non wolf guard. I've had weeks of intensive training. You never even once came by to visit." He said with a smile but I could see the hurt behind it.

No wonder he was so muscular now. He'd become this buff in a matter of weeks. This intensive training was not a joke.

" You were in the palace?" I asked and the hint of hurt intensified on his face.

" Yes. I told you at the banquet, remember." He said, his eyes clouding over.

I did remember. He said he was only joining so he could be closer to me. I suddenly felt awful for forgetting all about him.

" I'm so sorry, Cayden." I whispered and he smiled at me again. Of course he forgave me so easily. He always did.

He brushed some hair out of my face, looking into my eyes and said.

" It's fine. But you have to make up for it by visiting me every week as soon as intensive training is over."

I looked away. He's still infatuated with me, I realized. The vision I had in that alter room came rushing back.

I saw Rhydian slam his foot into Cayden's skull, killing him. I remembered Cayden's last words.

You should have just let me go.

I've been awfully selfish when it came to Cayden. I knew he was interested in me and I knew I wasn't interested in him, especially after meeting Rhydian but I'd never told Cayden that.

His attention had been very welcome especially when we were at the cabins and I was being plagued with nightmares after nightmares but now I needed to let him go. It wasn't fair on him and it wasn't fair on Rhydian.

Cayden needed to know that we had no chance together and as usual, I was scared to let him go. I had grown dependent on him. He'd always been there for me. I didn't want to miss that, however selfish.

I realized I had Rhydian now. He wasn't the most emotional man but I knew he would do his best to be there for me. He would be my rock now.

I turned to face Cayden, determined to let him go.

" I need to tell you something." I said. He urged me on with an unsuspecting nod. " The Alpha prince ...I'm his mate."

Cayden's smile faded.

" What's that supposed to mean?" He asked sounding incredulous.

" I'm Rhydian's soulmate and ...I'm quite sure I've grown to love him." I whispered, tears filling my eyes.

Cayden continued to stare at me in horror.

" His father is the reason you have all these nightmares." He said as though he was talking to a rebellious child.

" Yes, and I highly resent Eryk Rivinlyte, but not Rhydian." I said forcing some strength into my voice.

Cayden got of the bed regarding me with what looked like disgust. It was scary. Cayden had only ever looked at me with love and desire.

" They're the reason our families, our people are dead and you're quite sure you're in love with him?" He asked, mimicking me.

" Cayden," I said calmly. " We need to move on from that. What was done is done. We can't bring back our families. If we dwell on it, we'll never grow. We'll be stuck in our anger forever."

Cayden grabbed my shoulder, shaking me roughly.

" He's brainwashing you, Devenity! Snap out of it!" He yelled and I was so surprised by his actions that I screamed.

My bedroom door was thrown open and my two guards stormed in.

" Get your hands off the Alpha's mate this instant!" One growled at Cayden.

For a few seconds, he ignored them and I was worried a fight would break out between them but thankfully, Cayden released my shoulder.

He walked backwards, shaking his head at me.