Caspian:I was grateful, more than I expected, for the fact that Valerie didn’t fight me on this.She didn’t insist on coming to meet Elias, didn’t argue about standing by my side. That she didn’t think that if she didn’t come with me, that I was pushing her away. She trusted me to handle it. And th
Valerie:The moment the door closed behind Elias, I felt the chill he’d left behind. Not in the air. In my chest.I froze for a few moments, debating on what I was going to say or how I was going to deal with this. For a moment I did not have anything in my mind, I just did not know how I was going
Caspian:There was something about the quiet these days that didn’t feel as empty as it used to.The villa was warm. Peaceful. The fire crackled in the hearth of the living room, and for once, I wasn’t pacing or reading reports or preparing for war. Though many things needed taking care of, I knew t
Valerie:I didn’t know what had shifted exactly.Maybe it was time. Maybe it was the way things had played out. Or maybe it was the fact that for the first time in years, Caspian and I weren’t at war with each other. Not in words, not in glances. Not in silence.We were just… here. Together.It was
Caspian:I didn’t sleep.Not because I couldn’t. But because I wouldn’t. Not tonight.There was a lot on my mind for me to think about going to bed. And deep down, I had wished that she stayed with me.Valerie’s hand had slipped from mine hours ago. She’d gone to bed, insisting she needed to rest, b
“I want every patrol doubled,” I growled. “I want guards on every villa, including this one. Especially this one.”Mateo didn’t question it. He just nodded.But I wasn’t done.“Find Elias. I don’t care how. I don’t care if you have to drag his wolf through the dirt. I want to know what the fuck he’s
Valerie:I slammed the spoon back into the sink, the water splashing up over my hands and wrists.I wasn’t angry at Caspian. No. I was furious.He did not have the right to accuse my brother of this way. He did not have the right to look at my brother as a traitor, not after everything, nor after h
“Valerie… we followed him.” He said, looking away from me. “He's been acting strange lately. There are men who have disappeared. We have to follow him.”My heart sank. “Followed him? Men who disappeared, What the hell are you talking about?”“We wanted to make sure everything was safe. Just in case.
Caspian:One Year LaterThe breeze was warmer today.Softer.Gentler in a way I hadn’t felt in years.More peaceful and more contenting, More calm and even happier.I stood at the edge of the gardens, the same gardens where so much had been taken from us, and so much had been given back, watching Ad
Valerie:The sun was rising over the horizon, golden streaks splitting the sky wide open, like a promise finally fulfilled.I stood at the highest point of the estate grounds, the wind tugging at my hair, the scent of fresh earth and morning dew wrapping around me like a cloak.It was over.Giovanni
“Impressive,” Giovanni called, his voice carrying easily across the clearing. His smile was cold, razor sharp. “I knew there was more to you, Valerie. I knew it from the second I laid eyes on you. I did say that I had more respect to you than I had for others, but it seems to me that I did not expec
Valerie:The boy's cries ripped through me like claws.My heart raced with each passing moment and I did my best not to harm that child. I did my best not to dirty my hands with his blood, to save him out of this, to get him out of this before the man played the game that I was not willing to handle
Caspian:The air was too still.It was the kind of stillness that came after the fight, when the blood had dried and the bodies were cleared, but before the real danger revealed itself.I didn’t like it. Not one damn bit.Because I knew that stillness was one that only told me that more danger was
Valerie:The earth still smelled of blood.I smelled of blood. People's blood the blood of our enemies the people who had dared invade our territory.The ground beneath our feet was turned upside down. We were going to need to fix that later, but I knew that the vines that worked their way from the
Caspian:The moment my boots hit the dirt at the border, I knew it was going to be a bloodbath.The trees were alive with tension, the air so thick with rage and power it was almost suffocating. All around me, my men stood ready, rows of wolves shifted into their full forms, low growls vibrating th
Valerie:The sound of war drums echoed faintly in the distance.I stood on the balcony of Caspian’s estate, the crisp night air sharp against my skin. Below, the pack was preparing, shadows moving with purpose, weapons flashing under the moonlight, wolves shifting and howling into the night. It wa
Caspian:The great hall buzzed with low conversation, tension coiling in every corner like a living thing. They were all here, my warriors, my council, the elders, even some of the civilians who had asked to stay and fight if it came to it.Ryan was right when he said that the bastard had more enem