Jaxon’s POVI sat at the far end of the balcony, the silence of the night resting heavily on my shoulders. The stars on the sky blinked against me, distant and different. The soft hum of people echoed below—laughter, music, footsteps of festival goers going with joy. But none of it reached me.I stared at my watch. Deric was late. I had sent a message to him in Bloodmoon, asking him to come see me privately.The longer I waited, the more the questions tangled in my head like thorny vines. I felt the shift in the air before I heard the footsteps. I turned to see Deric.He emerged from the darkness, his long coat flaring behind him.“You’re late,” I muttered, not looking at him.“I had matters to attend to,” he replied, tone smooth, laced with a cold expression. We greeted briefly, a nod, a stiff handshake—brothers in name, strangers in times like this.Deric moved closer, leaning against the stone railing beside me. “I heard what happened with Alpha Mira’s… how are you holding up?”I
Jaxon’s POVI stormed into the council chambers, not bothering to knock. My patience was thin, and I needed answers. And there he was.Kairo sat comfortably, too comfortably, with his legs crossed and propped up on the grand mahogany desk like he owned the damn place. His arms were folded behind his head, eyes shut in a smug, infuriating expression of arrogance. The disrespect in his posture made something inside me snap.He opened one eye, smirked.“You’re late,” he said casually.I hissed, turning to Ronan instead, ignoring the bastard for a moment before I did something I’d regret.“Where is the messenger?” I demanded, jaw clenched.Ronan let out a long exhale and lowered his voice. “Alpha Ryn sent in Kairo. He’s the messenger.”I chuckled bitterly, a hollow sound that echoed through the council hall. My fists tightened at my sides. “A very cruel life we live. Is this some kind of sick joke? Has it come to this?”Kairo slowly sat upright, brushing imaginary dust off his lap. “Oh,
Elvira’s POVThe moment the maid stepped out of Alpha Jaxon’s chambers, I knew something was wrong. Her face was drawn and uncertain, her steps hesitant as she approached me. Brielle had called in sick, leaving me alone to handle everything. I’d hoped maybe, just maybe, I could steal a moment with Alpha Jaxon. Talk to him at least.The maid lowered her gaze. “Lady Elvira,” she said softly, “I’m sorry, but Alpha Jaxon said he doesn’t want to see you.”I blinked. “What? That can’t be true. He—”She cut me off quickly, gently but firmly. “He made it clear he doesn’t want to see you. I’m sorry.”Something splintered inside of me. I nodded slowly, holding back the rising tide of emotions, and turned away.But my heart had already shattered.I didn’t know where I was walking. I just let my legs take me wherever they wanted. Maybe I was hoping the ground would open up and swallow me whole. Maybe if I walked far enough, the pain would reduce.Tears streamed down my cheeks, warm and unrelentin
Jaxon POVAfter the maid left my chambers, I sat still, barely blinking. My thoughts were in chaos, as if someone had stirred a hornet’s nest in my mind. The silence was unbearable. But before I could retreat deeper into the pit of my thoughts, a familiar voice called behind me.“Jaxon?”It was Kara. I didn’t turn immediately, hoping she’d take the hint and leave. But Kara was persistent, always had been. Kara and I grew up together, we were like brothers and sisters but she wasn’t my blood she was adopted by my father when her parents was accused of treason in Rivershade pack.“What’s going on with you lately?” she asked, stepping closer. “You’ve been off since the festival.”She reached out, fingers brushing my arm in a gesture that used to comfort me once. I pulled back. “Not now, Kara. I’m not in the mood.”Her hand dropped, and for once, she didn’t argue. She just stood there, staring at me as though searching for something that might’ve been there once. But whatever sign of con
Elvira POVI woke up to the same unease that had settled over me the past few days, a feeling I couldn’t shake. My mind kept drifting back to Kairo’s words—the ones that had left a deep, aching knot in my chest. The words echoed in my mind. I had no doubts about his sincerity, but I couldn’t deny the deep confusion that sticked to me like a plague.Should I allow him to claim me? He was kind, calm, and direct. I wanted to be close to him, he made me feel eased, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready for that step. With Kairo, everything felt different, but... I wasn’t sure if it felt right.I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom, drying my damp hair with a towel. The soft clink of the wind chimes outside the window did nothing to calm my mind, and as I continued drying my hair, I let out a shaky breath, hoping the morning would bring some clarity. I closed my eyes for a moment, my thoughts lingering on Kairo again. How easy it would be to surrender to him. But was it the right thing
Elvira POVThe cold night air bit into my skin as I stumbled through the forest, barely aware of my surroundings. My thin robe clung to my damp body, and the chill wasn’t just from the temperature, it was from inside me, from the raw ache pounding at my chest. Each breath I took came out in puffs of fog, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.This was the right thing. The only way.Celina’s words still echoed in my ears like a curse I couldn’t shake off. That truth hit harder than any slap. I wasn’t even angry at him—just... broken. I had fought so hard to be strong, to stay despite everything, just for the hope of a proper conversation with him. Not even affection. Just understanding and clarity. But I never got that. Instead, I got whispered accusations, slammed doors, and now this final blow.I just wanted to disappear. Maybe that’s why I didn’t care that I was barefoot, freezing, and lost.Leaves crackled beneath my feet, twigs scratching at my ankles like claws. A wind howled throu
Jaxon POVI’ve faced wars and betrayals, but nothing—nothing—has ever sent dread crawling up my spine like the realization that Elvira was missing.The air was cold that morning, clouded with fog, and yet the emptiness in her room made everything feel ten degrees colder. Her scent still lingered faintly on the sheets, floral and soft, but there was no sign of her. Her bathroom was empty. Her towel lay discarded on the floor like she’d left in a rush.“Elvira?” I called again, louder this time. Silence.I stormed down the hallway, passing the guards without acknowledging their bows. I checked the courtyard, the inner garden, even the training grounds. Nowhere. Not even a footprint.Where the hell was she?A knot formed in my stomach, tightening with every second. I wasn’t even sure how she became this important, when her absence felt like a physical ache, but now that she was gone, all I wanted was to find her.I rounded the corner to Brielle’s quarters and knocked once before swingin
Jaxon POVThe morning broke slowly. I hadn’t slept, not a wink. Not after dragging Elvira back from the forest, not after watching the way Kairo looked at her, like she was already his. Like he’d won. Like he’d taken something from me I hadn’t even admitted I wanted.I was pacing my office, jaw tight, heart pounding. Every breath I took only made the pressure in my chest worse. It wasn’t just the council summons that had me on edge, it was the look in Elvira’s eyes when I brought her back last night. That shattered look of hurt and betrayal, like I was the last person she wanted to see. Like I'd failed her.Then came the knock on my door.“Come in”Talon entered after. “They know,” he said simply, closing the door behind him.I turned, my fingers curling into fists. “Already?Who?”“The council,” he replied grimly. “Word spread faster this morning, all most everyone is talking about it. They know she’s the girl from Bloodmoon.”I ran my hand through my hair, cursing under my breath. “H
Jaxon POVThe morning broke slowly. I hadn’t slept, not a wink. Not after dragging Elvira back from the forest, not after watching the way Kairo looked at her, like she was already his. Like he’d won. Like he’d taken something from me I hadn’t even admitted I wanted.I was pacing my office, jaw tight, heart pounding. Every breath I took only made the pressure in my chest worse. It wasn’t just the council summons that had me on edge, it was the look in Elvira’s eyes when I brought her back last night. That shattered look of hurt and betrayal, like I was the last person she wanted to see. Like I'd failed her.Then came the knock on my door.“Come in”Talon entered after. “They know,” he said simply, closing the door behind him.I turned, my fingers curling into fists. “Already?Who?”“The council,” he replied grimly. “Word spread faster this morning, all most everyone is talking about it. They know she’s the girl from Bloodmoon.”I ran my hand through my hair, cursing under my breath. “H
Jaxon POVI’ve faced wars and betrayals, but nothing—nothing—has ever sent dread crawling up my spine like the realization that Elvira was missing.The air was cold that morning, clouded with fog, and yet the emptiness in her room made everything feel ten degrees colder. Her scent still lingered faintly on the sheets, floral and soft, but there was no sign of her. Her bathroom was empty. Her towel lay discarded on the floor like she’d left in a rush.“Elvira?” I called again, louder this time. Silence.I stormed down the hallway, passing the guards without acknowledging their bows. I checked the courtyard, the inner garden, even the training grounds. Nowhere. Not even a footprint.Where the hell was she?A knot formed in my stomach, tightening with every second. I wasn’t even sure how she became this important, when her absence felt like a physical ache, but now that she was gone, all I wanted was to find her.I rounded the corner to Brielle’s quarters and knocked once before swingin
Elvira POVThe cold night air bit into my skin as I stumbled through the forest, barely aware of my surroundings. My thin robe clung to my damp body, and the chill wasn’t just from the temperature, it was from inside me, from the raw ache pounding at my chest. Each breath I took came out in puffs of fog, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.This was the right thing. The only way.Celina’s words still echoed in my ears like a curse I couldn’t shake off. That truth hit harder than any slap. I wasn’t even angry at him—just... broken. I had fought so hard to be strong, to stay despite everything, just for the hope of a proper conversation with him. Not even affection. Just understanding and clarity. But I never got that. Instead, I got whispered accusations, slammed doors, and now this final blow.I just wanted to disappear. Maybe that’s why I didn’t care that I was barefoot, freezing, and lost.Leaves crackled beneath my feet, twigs scratching at my ankles like claws. A wind howled throu
Elvira POVI woke up to the same unease that had settled over me the past few days, a feeling I couldn’t shake. My mind kept drifting back to Kairo’s words—the ones that had left a deep, aching knot in my chest. The words echoed in my mind. I had no doubts about his sincerity, but I couldn’t deny the deep confusion that sticked to me like a plague.Should I allow him to claim me? He was kind, calm, and direct. I wanted to be close to him, he made me feel eased, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready for that step. With Kairo, everything felt different, but... I wasn’t sure if it felt right.I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom, drying my damp hair with a towel. The soft clink of the wind chimes outside the window did nothing to calm my mind, and as I continued drying my hair, I let out a shaky breath, hoping the morning would bring some clarity. I closed my eyes for a moment, my thoughts lingering on Kairo again. How easy it would be to surrender to him. But was it the right thing
Jaxon POVAfter the maid left my chambers, I sat still, barely blinking. My thoughts were in chaos, as if someone had stirred a hornet’s nest in my mind. The silence was unbearable. But before I could retreat deeper into the pit of my thoughts, a familiar voice called behind me.“Jaxon?”It was Kara. I didn’t turn immediately, hoping she’d take the hint and leave. But Kara was persistent, always had been. Kara and I grew up together, we were like brothers and sisters but she wasn’t my blood she was adopted by my father when her parents was accused of treason in Rivershade pack.“What’s going on with you lately?” she asked, stepping closer. “You’ve been off since the festival.”She reached out, fingers brushing my arm in a gesture that used to comfort me once. I pulled back. “Not now, Kara. I’m not in the mood.”Her hand dropped, and for once, she didn’t argue. She just stood there, staring at me as though searching for something that might’ve been there once. But whatever sign of con
Elvira’s POVThe moment the maid stepped out of Alpha Jaxon’s chambers, I knew something was wrong. Her face was drawn and uncertain, her steps hesitant as she approached me. Brielle had called in sick, leaving me alone to handle everything. I’d hoped maybe, just maybe, I could steal a moment with Alpha Jaxon. Talk to him at least.The maid lowered her gaze. “Lady Elvira,” she said softly, “I’m sorry, but Alpha Jaxon said he doesn’t want to see you.”I blinked. “What? That can’t be true. He—”She cut me off quickly, gently but firmly. “He made it clear he doesn’t want to see you. I’m sorry.”Something splintered inside of me. I nodded slowly, holding back the rising tide of emotions, and turned away.But my heart had already shattered.I didn’t know where I was walking. I just let my legs take me wherever they wanted. Maybe I was hoping the ground would open up and swallow me whole. Maybe if I walked far enough, the pain would reduce.Tears streamed down my cheeks, warm and unrelentin
Jaxon’s POVI stormed into the council chambers, not bothering to knock. My patience was thin, and I needed answers. And there he was.Kairo sat comfortably, too comfortably, with his legs crossed and propped up on the grand mahogany desk like he owned the damn place. His arms were folded behind his head, eyes shut in a smug, infuriating expression of arrogance. The disrespect in his posture made something inside me snap.He opened one eye, smirked.“You’re late,” he said casually.I hissed, turning to Ronan instead, ignoring the bastard for a moment before I did something I’d regret.“Where is the messenger?” I demanded, jaw clenched.Ronan let out a long exhale and lowered his voice. “Alpha Ryn sent in Kairo. He’s the messenger.”I chuckled bitterly, a hollow sound that echoed through the council hall. My fists tightened at my sides. “A very cruel life we live. Is this some kind of sick joke? Has it come to this?”Kairo slowly sat upright, brushing imaginary dust off his lap. “Oh,
Jaxon’s POVI sat at the far end of the balcony, the silence of the night resting heavily on my shoulders. The stars on the sky blinked against me, distant and different. The soft hum of people echoed below—laughter, music, footsteps of festival goers going with joy. But none of it reached me.I stared at my watch. Deric was late. I had sent a message to him in Bloodmoon, asking him to come see me privately.The longer I waited, the more the questions tangled in my head like thorny vines. I felt the shift in the air before I heard the footsteps. I turned to see Deric.He emerged from the darkness, his long coat flaring behind him.“You’re late,” I muttered, not looking at him.“I had matters to attend to,” he replied, tone smooth, laced with a cold expression. We greeted briefly, a nod, a stiff handshake—brothers in name, strangers in times like this.Deric moved closer, leaning against the stone railing beside me. “I heard what happened with Alpha Mira’s… how are you holding up?”I
Elvira's POVThe day two Festival ended, Morrien felt different—quieter, almost empty. The once-lively grounds now echoed only with the distant rustle of trees, as it usually does but tonight, it felt lonelier. I wandered the corridors, my fingers grazing the cool stone walls as I searched for Alpha Jaxon. He hadn’t returned to his chambers after the festival, and a strange worry rosed to my chest. Something about the way he kept pacing, waiting, unsettled me deeply. But it wasn’t just concern for him that pushed me forward, it was guilt. A deep, insistent guilt I couldn’t silence since I overheard Alpha Deric and Ronan talking about the Moonshade dust.What plan had failed? And why did it involve me?I rounded a corner too quickly and collided with a firm chest.“Oh—I’m sorry—” I gasped, stepping back, only to freeze as I looked up into the sharp eyes of Alpha Callan.His expression was unreadable. Cold and detached. His usually golden-brown eyes felt like shards of amber, sharp and