Third person’s POV Leah smiled at herself in the mirror, the reflection showing a poised and determined woman. Her plan was set in motion, a plan she never thought herself capable of devising. The taste of power had transformed her, making her hunger to remain on the throne at any cost. She knew that if she didn't take this bold step, her place as the Alpha Queen would slip away and become nothing more than a distant memory. She couldn't let that happen. She wouldn't.Her thoughts drifted to the conversations she had orchestrated to set her plan in motion. The first was with her parents, whose influence over the cabinet members had been pivotal.Flashback…Leah sat in the opulent living room of her family's estate, her parents across from her. Their expressions were serious, a reflection of the gravity of the situation."Mother, Father," Leah began, her voice steady, "I need your help."Her mother, a woman of regal bearing and sharp intellect, leaned forward. "What is it, Leah?"Lea
Killian’s POVThe night air was thick with tension as I joined the patrol team on the outskirts of our territory. The scent of rogues was unmistakable, a pungent odor that set my senses on high alert. The rogues had been getting bolder, and tonight they had crossed the border, daring to invade my kingdom—a kingdom, not just any regular pack. This affront couldn't go unpunished."Stay sharp," I barked at my men, scanning the dense forest ahead. My wolf was restless, the urge to protect and defend our land coursing through my veins. But another part of me, a more primal and intimate part, yearned to be with Elaine, to make slow love to her. That desire fueled my anger, making me even more determined to crush these intruders.Movement to my right caught my eye. I turned just in time to see a rogue lunging out of the underbrush, teeth bared and eyes wild. With a swift motion, I drew my blade and met him head-on. Our clash was brutal and fast; I drove the blade into his chest, his blood
Killian’s POV The stone walls of the dungeon were cold and damp, the air heavy with the stench of fear and desperation. As I descended the winding staircase, the flickering torches cast ominous shadows on the rough-hewn stones. My footsteps echoed, a stark reminder of the solitude and dread that permeated this place.The rogue we had captured earlier was shackled to the wall, his eyes filled with defiance and a hint of fear. He had refused to speak during our initial questioning, his silence a challenge I was determined to break. I approached him, my face set in a hard mask of resolve."Ready to talk yet?" I asked, my voice low and menacing. The rogue spat at my feet, his contempt evident."You'll get nothing from me," he growled, his voice raspy.I clenched my fists, my patience wearing thin. "We'll see about that." I motioned to the guards at the entrance. "Bring in the teenager."Moments later, a young boy, barely sixteen, was dragged into the room. His eyes were wide with terror,
Elaine’s POV The rain pounded relentlessly against the windows, each drop a drumbeat in the cacophony of the storm. Thunder roared in the distance, shaking the walls of the townhouse, and lightning flashed, casting eerie shadows across the room. I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to find a comfortable position. The bed felt too big, too empty without Killian beside me.Every crash of thunder made me flinch, the sound rattling the windows and my nerves. I pulled the blankets tighter around me, seeking warmth and comfort, but it was elusive. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, a storm as fierce as the one outside.I glanced around the dimly lit room, my eyes straining to pierce the darkness. The furniture seemed to loom larger, the shadows playing tricks on my mind. I felt a pang of fear, a childish but persistent dread that something might be lurking just out of sight. I wished desperately for Killian's presence, his strength and warmth, but he never came.The clock on the nig
Killian’s POVDrenched to the bone and with each step splashing rainwater around me, I hurried through the dark streets towards the townhouse. The relentless downpour did nothing to quench the fire within me. I hadn’t seen Elaine in days, and no matter what I was doing—questioning rogues, patrolling the borders—my thoughts always drifted back to her. Her image haunted my mind, a constant itch I couldn't scratch, a sweet ache that wouldn’t leave.The rain pounded down, blurring my vision, but I didn’t care. I pressed on, my clothes clinging to my body, my hair plastered to my forehead. The thunder roared overhead, lightning flashing across the sky, but none of it could deter me. I needed to see her, to reassure myself that she was safe, to feel her warmth against me.Finally, the townhouse came into view. Its windows glowed softly in the night, a beacon of comfort and familiarity. I reached the front door, panting and dripping, and fumbled with the key. My hands were trembling, not j
Third person’s POVLeah stormed into her private chambers, slamming the door behind her. Her face was flushed with rage, her eyes blazing with fury. The news that Killian had managed to capture some of the rogues was a blow to her carefully laid plans. She had thought everything was under control, but now it seemed like everything was falling apart."Idiots!" she screamed, sweeping a vase off the table with a furious swipe of her arm. The delicate porcelain shattered against the wall, the sharp sound echoing through the room. She kicked over a chair, sending it crashing to the floor, and grabbed a stack of papers, flinging them into the air. They fluttered down like confetti, a stark contrast to the chaos erupting in the room."How could they let this happen?" she muttered to herself, pacing back and forth. "How did those rogues get close enough to be caught?"She knew she had to act quickly. If Killian managed to extract any useful information from the captives, her entire plan cou
Elaine’s POV I sat alone in the townhouse, staring at the walls that had become my prison. The days had blurred together, each one bleeding into the next with a dull monotony. I wasn't even asking Killian to let me out anymore. After everything he'd told me about the elders suspecting I was part of the rogues, it felt pointless. How could they think that? They all thought I was a human, a mere mortal in a world of wolves. How could I possibly lead a band of rogues?My mind spiraled with confusion and hurt. The weight of the accusations felt like a boulder on my chest. How did it come to this? I had been thrust into a world I barely understood, only to be accused of crimes I couldn't have committed. The thought of leading rogues was absurd. I was just trying to find my place, trying to understand my new reality.The sound of footsteps broke my reverie, and I turned to see Riley standing in the doorway. Her face was pale, her expression a mixture of worry and determination."Riley," I
Killian’s POVThe cabinet meeting was supposed to be a discussion of our strategies and defenses against the rogue attacks. Instead, it had devolved into an aggressive interrogation about Elaine, and my patience was wearing thin. The room was filled with the scent of anxiety and anger, the elders' voices rising in volume and hostility."Elder Corwin, we've been through this," I said, struggling to keep my voice level. "Elaine is not responsible for the rogue attacks.""How can you be so sure, Killian?" Corwin snapped back, his eyes flashing with suspicion. "She appears out of nowhere, and suddenly, we have rogues at our borders? It's too coincidental."The murmurs of agreement from the other elders were like a chorus of dissent. My blood boiled. They were supposed to be my advisors, my support. Instead, they were turning this meeting into a witch hunt."Elders, I will not tolerate these baseless accusations," I said, my voice growing colder. "Elaine is innocent until proven otherwise.