Georgia’s POVI tried to leave his grip, but he held me tight, his fingers digging into my arm like iron shackles. His cold eyes bore into mine, as if I were nothing more than an inconvenience. Then he spoke, his voice void of warmth.“You are coming with me, now.”The command sent a shiver through me, not because of the words themselves, but because of the way he said them, so unbothered, as if my struggle meant nothing.“No,” I snapped, my heart pounding. “Let me go.”His grip tightened. My skin burned under his touch, the pressure sending sharp pain through my wrist.“Damien,” I called, my voice cracking despite my attempt to sound firm. “Let go of me.”For a moment, he simply stared at me, his face unreadable. Then, without warning, he yanked me forward. My body lost balance, and before I could catch myself, I was crashing to the floor.Pain exploded through my knees and palms as they hit the cold tiles. A sharp gasp left my lips, my breath catching in my throat. I looked up at hi
Georgia’s POVI sat on the couch, my hands clenched together in my lap as I stared at the floor. Lucy sat beside me. For a moment, I didn’t know where to start. The memories were all tangled in my head, a mess of emotions, moments that didn’t belong to a past that others believed in. But I knew. I knew.“His name is Kael?” She asked, looking serious. I nodded, “Yes, Kael,” I said his name softly. “I remember him, Lucy. Every single moment.”Lucy didn’t say anything, but I felt her watching me, listening. So I continued.“It wasn’t just a dream. It wasn’t some coma-induced illusion. He was real. I met him. I loved him.” My voice cracked, but I forced myself to keep going. “He had these piercing silver eyes, so intense they felt like they could see through me. And his voice was deep and, steady, like he always knew exactly what to say. I smiled bitterly, my fingers gripping the hem of my shirt. “The way his cold eyes looked at me, Lucy, it was like I was his entire world. He, he wasn
Georgia’s POVThe car slowed as we approached home. Lucy, sitting beside me, glanced my way as I stared out the window.“You okay?” she asked softly.I nodded, though the weight in my chest made it hard to breathe. Coming home should have felt like a return to safety, but in my heart, I knew there was no true safety anymore.As soon as we entered the house, Damien’s phone chimed. He pulled it out of his pocket, frowning as he read the message. His brows furrowed before he turned to me.“It’s from your father,” he said. “He wants to see you and Lucy. He tried reaching you both but it wasn’t connecting.”I exhaled slowly, nodding. It wasn’t a request we could ignore.“When?” I asked.“He’s expecting you both now,” Damien replied. “You should go.”Lucy looked between us but said nothing. I could tell she was curious, but she knew better than to pry when it came to father’s. We wasted no time. After checking on the twins with Ruth, we left, the drive to my father’s pack filled with tense
Georgia’s POVThe journey to the Lycan kingdom had been long, but the anticipation kept me awake through most of the night. Lucy and I arrived at a modest hotel just outside the capital, where we spent the night in preparation for the grand festival the following day. By dawn, the kingdom was already lively. I could hear distant sounds of drums and flutes, the echo of festivities beginning even before the sun fully rose. Lucy and I dressed quickly, draping ourselves in the simple but elegant attire we had brought for the occasion. As we stepped out of the hotel and made our way toward the kingdom’s gates. The entrance to the Lycan kingdom was a sight to behold. Towering gates stood open, their iron frames entwined with golden vines that pulsed faintly, as if alive with magic. Lycans of all ranks welcomed guests warmly, their voices filled with excitement as they guided visitors inside. The streets were lined with banners of their pack name, fluttering in the wind, carrying the king
Georgia’s POVEveryone had bowed to him, their bodies pressed low to the ground. And even after he had disappeared into the dark from which he had come, they remained there, kneeling, heads still lowered as though his presence was still there. For minutes, silence reigned, only broken by the occasional whisper of prayer or the rustle of fabric as someone shifted or moved. Then, almost as if on cue, a wave of cheers erupted. I stayed standing, unable to tear my eyes away from the door. It was foolish, but the urge to move forward, to press my palm against that wood and push through and walk towards him, claw at it if I had to, gripped me so suddenly it almost scared me. But I knew better. If I tried to approach that door, I would be caught.I swallowed, forcing my shoulders to relax even as the weight of unanswered questions pressed against me.“C’mon, Georgia, dance!” Lucy’s voice shattered through my haze as she yanked me toward the dancing crowd.I stumbled, barely catching myself,
Lucy’s POVI watched as Georgia strolled to the window, her fingers curled around the thin fabric of the curtain as she stared outside. “You can’t stay here forever, Georgia,” I said quietly.She didn’t respond at first, just exhaled softly as if my words were an inevitable truth she wasn’t ready to face. Then, finally, she spoke.“I don’t want to go back,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Kael is here and I want to find him.”I moved closer, sitting on the chair beside her. “I know,” I said. “But you can’t hide here either. Father is waiting.”Her expression flickered, something unreadable passing through her features. “I know?” she murmured.I frowned slightly. “Of course.”She let out a quiet, humorless chuckle. “That’s the thing, isn’t it? He’s always waiting. And when I finally get there, it’s never the right time.”I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “Georgia, I understand. But we can’t keep postponing this. We need to go home. Forget about Kael.For a mo
Georgia’s POV We sat in the waiting area of the airport, the overhead lights casting a glow over the sea of worried faces. People murmured around us in hushed voices, some whispering prayers, others simply staring blankly ahead, lost in their own thoughts. The flight company had assured us that they would provide updates as soon as they had confirmation, but hours had passed, and we were still waiting.My fingers were clenched so tightly around my phone that they ached. Every so often, I would unlock it, refreshing news sites, checking for any word about survivors, any sign that my father had made it through. But the articles only repeated the same facts over and over. A plane had gone down. Search and rescue teams were deployed and no one survived. No full passenger list had been released yet.Beside me, my Lucy sat as still as stone, her back straight, her hands folded in her lap. Her face was calm, but I could see the fine tremor in her fingers, the way her lips were pressed tog
Georgia’s POVThe next day, making my way out, I was met with a sight that made me fill in rage.And there, sitting upon that throne, was Damien.I halted in my tracks as I took in the sight before me. He sat back, one leg crossed over the other, his fingers lazily tracing the armrest as if he belonged there. But what sent a sharp, anger through me was the crown. It didn’t belong to him and yet he held it on.“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” My voice snapped through the silence.”Damien turned his head toward me slowly, his expression unreadable as he smiled.“Admiring the view,” he said simply, tilting his head back slightly as if daring me to challenge him.Rage burned hot inside me. “Get off of it,” I seethed, marching toward him. “Take that damn thing off. You have no right…”He exhaled a slow breath, deliberately reaching up and adjusting the crown slightly on his head, making it gleam under the filtered light. “No right?” His voice was calm, too calm. “Tell me, Georgia
Damien’s POVI sat in the sterile, too-bright waiting room, my foot tapping anxiously against the tiled floor. The last time I had spoken to Dr. Hughes was two weeks ago, over the phone. I had stumbled over my words, my face burning even though no one could see me.“I can’t ejaculate this days no matter how hard I try… finish,” I’d said, my voice tight with shame.There was a pause on the line, then the doctor spoke in his calm, professional tone.“I understand. Let’s run some tests. Hormonal panels, blood flow studies, ultrasound. It could be anything from stress to something more physiological.”That “something more” haunted me for days.Now, today, I was here for the results.The nurse finally called my name. I got up, legs slightly unsteady, and followed her down a short corridor lined with faded health posters. When she opened the door to Dr. Hughes’ office, he stood from behind his desk, offering a polite but tight smile.“Good afternoon Alpha,” he said, gesturing for me to sit.
Georgia’s POV The airport bustled with life, voices around us. I adjusted Nathalie in my arms while Leah balanced Nathaniel against her shoulder, his tiny hand tangled in her hair. Ruth stood in front of us, wringing her hands together, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.“I already miss you guys,” she said, her voice cracking on the last word.I smiled, swallowing the lump in my throat. “We’ll miss you too, Ruth. So much.”She reached out, brushing Nathalie’s soft hair and then Nathaniel’s. “They’re such angels. I… I wish I could go with you.”“They’ll never forget you,” I promised, shifting Nathalie carefully so I could hug Ruth with my free arm. “Neither will I.”Ruth clung to me tightly for a moment, before pulling back with a watery laugh. “Go, before I start bawling right here and cause a scene.”Leah grinned and adjusted Nathaniel’s cap. “We’ll send you tons of pictures. Videos too. You’re stuck with us, whether you like it or not.”Ruth chuckled through her tears and waved as
Georgia’s POVThe plane hummed beneath us, a steady drone that should’ve lulled me to sleep but didn’t. My stomach churned with a mix of anticipation and nerves, my hands fidgeting with the edge of the tray table. Leah, sprawled in the seat next to me, had her earbuds in, bobbing her head to some upbeat tune while flipping through an in-flight magazine. She looked so relaxed.I glanced out the window, the clouds below us glowing faintly in the dawn light. Somewhere down there, thousands of miles away, Kael was waiting. Waiting for me. Waiting for Nathaniel and Nathalie. My heart squeezed at the thought of their little faces, their wobbly steps, their garbled attempts at words. They were with Ruth, their caregiver, back at the estate, probably toddling around the nursery or giggling over some toy. I hadn’t told Ruth we were coming to get the kids yet, how do you explain to one-year-olds that they’re about to see their father for a holiday? But I could already imagine their wide, curiou
Georgia’s POVI made my way to the maid quarters later that evening. I pushed the door open and entered. Leah sat cross-legged on the bed, a towel wrapped around her damp hair, flipping through a magazine she probably wasn’t even reading. I shut the door behind me, feeling a strange combination of excitement and nerves tightening in my chest.She looked up immediately. “Hey. You’re back early,” she said, smiling. “You okay?”I nodded, sitting on my side of the bed and drawing in a breath. “Yeah. I just… I need to talk to you.”She closed the magazine, giving me her full attention. “That sounds serious.”“It’s not bad,” I said quickly. “Actually, it’s… kind of good.”Her eyes lit up. “Okay, tell me.”I glanced at her, my voice softer than I intended. “Kael wants me to bring the kids to him.”Her brows lifted. “Wait, what?”“He wants to see them. He… he already booked my flight.”Leah blinked, her mouth slightly open, then she broke into a huge smile. “No way! That’s amazing! Oh my God
Kael’s POV Later that evening, I was in my chamber, sitting near the hearth with a half-empty glass of wine when Karl walked in. His expression was unreadable as usual, but the faint twitch in his jaw told me he was holding back questions.“I heard what happened,” he said without preamble. “Between you and Lydia.”I let out a breath, rubbing my temple. “It’s been handled.”“Handled?” He stepped further into the room, arms crossed. “That’s all you’re going to say?”I looked up at him. “Yes.”Karl raised a brow. “Should I be worried?”“No.” I leaned back against the chair. “She’s been kept in her place. Loud and clear.”Karl stared at me for a few seconds longer, then gave a curt nod. “Good.” He walked toward the window, staring out at the darkened woods. “There’s been some murmuring about the pack house.”“What kind of murmuring?”“Just… talk. About the damage, the part that burned during the last attack. People are beginning to ask what the plan is.”I nodded slowly. “Calyx should’ve
Georgia’s POVThe Grove lay hushed in the wake of battle. Branches shuddered where Kael’s shockwave had torn through the underbrush; moonlight sifted through torn leaves and caught on the scattered shards of Lydia’s dark wards. I pressed my hand to my chest, heart pounding, as though it still fought against every beat. Beside me, Kael knelt over the fallen Tear, its silvery glow now gentle, like a pulse beneath his fingertips.“Georgia,” he said, voice low. The single word felt charged, as if he’d been holding it back through the onslaught. He reached for my hand, brushing away the blade of grass that had cut my palm. His touch was warm, an anchor in the aftermath.I swallowed hard. My lungs ached and I tasted copper in my mouth from exertion and fear. But there, in his gaze, I found something stronger than fear: relief, wonder, something dangerously close to joy. “We did it,” I whispered, and it was both a statement of fact and a question. Did we really?Kael nodded, his dark hair fa
Georgia’s POVThe world seemed to hold its breath, the mist curling around us like a living thing, heavy with Lydia’s dark magic. Kael’s hand was still in mine, his grip so tight it hurt, but I couldn’t pull away. His eyes, stormy and tormented, held mine for a heartbeat longer before he turned to face Lydia. “Lydia,” Kael said, his voice steady despite the chaos, “I won’t marry you. I won’t bind myself to you again. Not for the pack, not for the Tear, not for anything. You need to let this go.”Lydia’s face twisted, her triumph curdling into something feral. “Let it go?” she spat, her voice rising, sharp enough to cut. “You think I can just walk away from you? From us? You were mine, Kael. Mine!” Her hands clenched, and the dark tendrils in the mist surged, snapping like whips toward Sylvara’s wards. The shimmering barrier flickered, and Sylvara grunted, her knees buckling as she fought to hold it.“Kael, we don’t have time!” Sylvara shouted, her voice strained. “The wards are faili
Georgia’s POVThe courtyard was a battlefield, the air thick with ash and the snarls of Lydia’s allies. Their glowing eyes cut through the haze like beacons of malice, and my heart hammered as I scrambled to my feet, pain radiating from my shoulder. Kael was already up, his body coiled like a predator, his gaze darting between the encroaching figures and me. Sylvara stood at his side, her dagger glinting as she muttered words under her breath, her violet eyes blazing with focus. The wards she was weaving shimmered faintly, a fragile barrier against the onslaught.“Georgia, stay behind me,” Kael growled, his voice barely human. His claws extended, and I could feel the power radiating from him, the alpha ready to tear through anything to protect his pack and me.But my eyes were locked on the spot where Lydia had stood, her taunting smile burned into my mind. Her words echoed, sharp and venomous: “Going somewhere, Georgia?” The way she’d looked at me, like I was nothing more than an o
Georgia’s POVThe air in Kael’s chamber was thick with the weight of his words, the promise of truth hanging between us like a fragile thread. I sat on the edge of a carved wooden chair, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, my eyes locked on his. Kael stood by the hearth, the firelight casting shadows across his sharp features, making him look both divine and haunted. His admission that Lydia was no longer his lover had loosened something in me, but the questions still churned, about her, about why Kael’s fear seemed to pulse with a life of its own.“Start talking,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “I need to know everything.”Kael exhaled, his shoulders sagging as if the weight of centuries pressed down on him. “Lydia was my mate, long ago,” he began, his voice low, almost a whisper. “Not by choice, but by a ritual forced upon us by the old gods. It was meant to bind our power, to make us stronger against threats to the pack. But it was never love. Not for me.”I swallowed, the