James’s POV I couldn’t believe what Dorian was saying. He and Avery were mates? When? How? Why?! But the most troubling thing was the fact that he was talking about claiming her from Kane. That was downright madness! I stared at Dorian, my heart pounding in my chest as I realized what I was about to say. I hated it. But this was for the best. “You need to reject Avery.” Dorian's eyes widened and then he snarled at me. “What the fuck did you just say?” His voice was full of disbelief. “You heard me.” I forced the words out, even though they tasted painful to me too. “For the sake of peace. For the sake of the packs. You have to reject her.” Dorian's expression hardened, and he shook his head. “No. I’m not rejecting her. I can’t, James. It's like you don't understand that She’s my fated mate. The one the goddess specially designed for me. I love her too much to let her go." He declared firmly. I sighed as I felt a headache began to grow in my temples. “Dorian, y
Avery’s POV Two days had passed since Lady Katherine had arrived, and I’d been upset ever since our tense conversation. It wasn’t just her words that had gotten to me—it was her presence, looming over every moment of the day. She’d made a habit of monopolizing Kane’s time, always pulling him into long conversations or meetings, making sure no one else had a chance to take his attention. It was like she was trying to sink her claws back into him, trying to regain control over the King and, perhaps, the crown again.It had gotten so bad that even Sophie, who usually loved to stir up trouble with her bratty attitude, had gone quiet. She seemed just as frustrated as I was with Katherine constantly being around Kane. Sophie hadn’t even bothered trying to be rude to me—she was too busy sulking whenever Lady Katherine was near.That evening, I was curled up on the couch in the library, trying to lose myself in a book. The words were blurring together, my mind too distracted by ev
Avery’s POV Days have passed since the fight at dinner, and things have been a little less uneasy. Brianne and Zander are still not talking. It’s almost like they’ve set up a silent treaty to avoid each other entirely. I’ve been trying to stay out of it, hoping they’d work things out on their own, but the tension is growing too much. Every time Brianne and Zander are in the same room, it’s like watching a slow-motion collision. They barely seem to want to be in each other’s presence. It’s more than just avoiding eye contact; it’s like they’re actively trying to not be near one another. In fact, Zander even makes a point to change direction when he sees Brianne coming, and while she tries to appear strong, the hurt on her face is something I never fail to see.It’s particularly painful to watch when Brianne looks over and sees Zander with his old friend Priscilla. They’ve known each other for years, and everyone can see how annoyingly comfortable they are with each other. Th
Avery’s POV He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples before meeting my gaze. “It’s the annual Northern Harvest Festival. With the blight wreaking havoc, we’re facing a dire situation. The crops and animals are suffering. It’s going to be impossible to hold the festival this year. People are too hungry and exhausted to celebrate.”I nodded, recalling from the books his mother forced on me how crucial these festivals were. They weren’t just about celebration—they were a beacon of hope, a chance for the people to come together and see that their leaders cared. Without it, morale could sink, and faith in Kane’s leadership might wane.“I understand why you’re worried,” I said softly. “Festivals like this are more than just traditions. They’re vital for keeping the people’s spirits up. If we skip it, it might send the wrong message—that we’re not doing enough to help them.”Kane looked at me with gratitude for understanding where he was coming from. But then he became frustrated. “I know
. Avery’s POV “What…what happened?” Brianne’s voice trembled with shock, and I could only shake my head. I didn’t have an answer. But one thing was clear—I had done that. Somehow, I had cured that small patch of land from the Blight, just like Kane always said i would. “We need to get back to Kane,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “He needs to know about this.” The ride back to the castle was a blur. My mind raced with possibilities. If I could heal the land, if my power could dispel the blight, then maybe…maybe we really actually have a chance. Maybe this wasn’t the end. When we arrived, I rushed to Kane’s office, my heart pounding in my chest. Lucian was with him, and as soon as I explained what had happened, they both looked at me with a mixture of shock and hope. “Holy shit! You’re truly ARE the cure,” Lucian said, his voice filled with awe. “You really are the key to stopping this.” He said it like he was only finally believing it after all this time, I cou
Avery’s POV Katherine smiled knowingly. “Don’t you know yet? You’re pregnant.” She revealed.Brianne gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. “What? How do you know?”Yea I thought, because I and Marie were itching to know too.Katherine chuckled softly. “As a Luna, I have helped dozens of women give birth, dear. I know the signs. I’m surprised you haven’t noticed it yourself.”Brianne looked at us, panic and disbelief in her eyes. “I… I need to take a test. I need to be sure.” I nodded immediately “Let’s do it now,” Marie suggested, her voice calm but excited. “We’ll all wait with you.”We followed Brianne to her room, where she shakily took the test. The minutes seemed to drag on forever as we waited. Finally, Marie checked the result and broke into a huge grin.“Brianne… you’re pregnant!”The room erupted in laughter, tears, and congratulations. Brianne burst into tears, she clearly felt both joy and fear in that moment.“I always wanted children,” she sobbed. “But Ron… h
Dorian’s POV I rolled my eyes as I glanced out the window. Outside, a group of women were gathered in the garden, chattering away, fluttering around my estate as if they were the mistresses of the house. They were dressed in their finest, giggling and casting glances toward my home, hoping I'd notice them. I didn’t.I ignored their attempts to get my attention because they were nothing more than pawns. The only reason I kept them around was because their families were powerful. Greedy nobles, all of them, hungry for status and favor. If I let them believe that, when I became king, I might marry one of their daughters, then they’d remain loyal. And I needed their loyalty, even if it was built on lies.But that wasn’t going to happen. Marriage? To one of them? No. I only wanted one woman. The woman who had consumed my every thought, every breath, since the day I laid eyes on her.Avery.She was the reason I was willing to start this war. Yes, there were other reasons. Things I h
Kane’s POVAs I stood in the grand hall, watching Avery make her entrance, I couldn’t help but feel immense pride. She was breathtaking, draped in an elegant gown that shimmered under the lights. Her presence commanded the attention of everyone in the room, and I knew that choosing her as my queen was the best decision I’d ever made.When I announced our engagement, the pride I felt was overwhelming. Most of the pack had reacted with awe and admiration for her. Though I noticed a few disapproving glances, they were drowned out by the applause and the stream of congratulations. My chest swelled with satisfaction. Avery wasn’t just my choice; she was proving herself to be the people’s choice as well.And why wouldn’t they see her value? She was intelligent, compassionate, and stronger than most could imagine. She’d already done so much for the northern lands. From the moment she stepped up to help with the blight, the people saw her not just as their future Luna but as a beacon of ho