Serene let the warm water cascade down her body, sighing in pleasure as it melted away the tension in her muscles. It was a rare luxury and one she intended to enjoy. The bathroom door was locked, and she had no plans of leaving anytime soon, no matter how loudly Matteo pounded on the other side.“Serene!” He yelled, his voice was furious. “Get out. Now.”She smirked, tilting her head back to let the water run over her face. “I’m busy,” she called back lazily.His fist struck the door again, the sound echoing through the walls. “You think you can just waltz in here and make yourself at home?”“Yes,” she answered simply.A growl followed, then heavy footsteps pacing outside. She heard the shift in his breathing, the way he was holding back the full force of his rage. He wanted to kick the door down, she could feel it, but he wouldn’t. A moment later, his voice turned cold. “You have five seconds before I drag you out myself.”Serene only hummed in response, dragging her fingers throug
Ember stood on the crumbling balcony of what was once her family’s mansion, the wind cold against her skin as she stared out over their ruined territory. The sight of it still made her angry, this place, once filled with life, was now nothing but decayed. Bloodveil belonged to Thorne now.And inside her… so did a piece of him.Her hand moved to her stomach, the weight of her secret pressing on her heavier than ever. But before she could sink too deep into her thoughts, a voice tore through the silence.“Ember!”She turned sharply to Caden’s voice, the urgency in it sending her pulse racing. It was coming from their parents room.Her heart pounding, she rushed inside, her footfalls echoing through the abandoned halls until she reached the doorway. Caden was hunched over their mother’s still form, his hands gripping the the sheets. He looked up at Ember, his eyes wide with disbelief.“She twitched,” he breathed. “I think she’s about to wake up.”Ember rushed to her mother’s side, pressi
Stella sat with her back against a tree, the small carving knife gripped in her hand as she worked on the piece of wood, shaping it little by little into the form of a wolf. Her strokes were slow and careful, the quiet scrape of blade against bark echoing around her.Then, some movement. She barely had time to react before a figure slipped into view from her side, moving too quietly for comfort. She shot to her feet, the knife gripped tightly in her fingers, heart hammering against her ribs.Collin.The moonlight caught the glint in his eye, a wicked, amused expression pulling at his mouth. He hadn’t meant to be caught, or maybe he had.Stella took a slow step back, her wary gaze locked onto him. “What do you want?”Collin tilted his head, his hands tucked into his pockets like he had all the time in the world. “Relax, little wolf,” he said, voice smooth and too easy. “Just curious. You and Caden, huh?”Her grip on the knife tightened. “That’s not your business.”Collin let out a low
Back at Bloodveil, Luna Zyrah, recovered, sat up in the bed, her sharp eyes cutting through the dim light of the room. There was no softness in her tone when she spoke. “How did you survive all these years, Ember?” Her gaze flickered to Caden for a second, but she didn’t acknowledge him further. Ember stood stiffly beside the bed, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I survived. Day by day.”Caden leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, avoiding eye contact, clearly uncomfortable with the moment.Zyrah didn’t waste time. “I missed you. But I want the truth. How’d you end up here?” Her eyes locked on Ember’s, calculating. “Sold to Thorne’s pack, I hear? Must’ve been a hard bargain.”Ember’s stomach twisted. She avoided her mother’s gaze. “It wasn’t easy,” she said quickly, skimming over the details. “But I managed.”Silence settled between them, thick with unasked questions yet Zyrah’s sharp eyes never left her. “Have you met him yet?”Ember’s heart stuttered. “What do you mean
Thorne stood in the courtyard with his arms clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the horizon as if he could stare hard enough to bring her back to him. The morning air was cold. General Halister stood a few steps behind him, silent until Thorne finally spoke.“Well?”“They were there,” Halister said, his voice low. “Serene and Darius. In an inn on the edge of the border. But by the time my men got there…” He shook his head. “they had disappeared with no trace”Thorne didn’t react, he barely seemed to care. Darius was a coward, and he would see him from a mile away if he ever tried anything. Serene was undoubtedly miserable with Darius who had nothing to offer her, in terms of wealth which she desperately craved. His mind was elsewhere. “And Bloodveil?” he asked, turning slightly. “Bloodveil is stable,” Halister replied. “Guards are posted day and night. Nothing unusual to report.”“Still just a playground for the guards?”Halister hesitated. “Yes, for now.”Thorne turned ful
A ruckus echoed through the quiet halls of Bloodveil, dragging Ember out of her sleep rudely. The distant sounds of shouting were loud and tore through the silence of the night. She jolted upright, eyes wide, her heart pounding as her feet hit the floor. Barefoot and still half asleep, Ember rushed out of her room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she ran down the staircase. She nearly tripped over the debris scattered on the ground, but she kept moving, adrenaline taking her through every step.By the time she reached the courtyard, the chaos was obvious.Caden was in the center of the chaos, shouting at Thorne’s guards who stood in a tight circle around him and Raphael. The tension was thick like a fight was about to break out any second.Ember caught sight of a familiar figure, struggling against a few of Thorne’s guards beside that, who were holding him back with all their strength. His face, although it was bruised and bloodied, was unmistakable.Ragnar.Without thinking, Embe
The room was quiet as Raphael, Ragnar, Caden, and Luna Zyrah all watched her, like the fate of the world depended on the words sitting heavy on her tongue. Ember swallowed, her throat was tight but she already knew the answer. She’d known it the second Ragnar helped them that night in the woods and from how he treated and protected his sister. But knowing didn’t make it easier.She didn’t want to hurt Raphael, not with the way his eyes were pleading and desperate and full of history she still didn’t understand. He was with Kaya when she had being taken to Thorne’s mansion and he no doubt protected her too.But this wasn’t about comfort or friendship, or even who came first. This was about who Kaya needed now.Ember shifted her gaze slowly, locking eyes with Raphael calmly despite the weight in her chest.“She’ll need someone strong,” she said quietly. “Someone who won’t hesitate in making decisions that’s best for her.”Then she turned to Ragnar.“It should be you. I’m trusting you to
Collin tilted his head towards Stella who was standing by the fire with her arms crossed, the glow danced across her soft features. “Have you ever seen anything finer than that?” he muttered, nudging Darius with his elbow, his eyes locked on her like he hadn’t eaten in days and she was the main course. “Sexy as hell, isn’t she?”Darius smiled but he didn’t say a word.Collin scoffed. “What a waste though. Mated to a scrawny teenage boy who has probably never even seen a woman naked.”Darius gave a lazy shrug and let his gaze wander to the trees. “When are you making your move?”Collin blinked. “On?”“Thorne,” Darius said plainly, his tone shifting. “Before he picks a beta. Once he does, his perimeter and security is going to get tighter. I’m running out of time.”That wiped the grin off Collin’s face. He straightened up, his shoulders rolling as his whole vibe turned serious. “What’s this really about? Why the obsession?”Darius didn’t answer right away. He rubbed the back of his nec
Collin tilted his head towards Stella who was standing by the fire with her arms crossed, the glow danced across her soft features. “Have you ever seen anything finer than that?” he muttered, nudging Darius with his elbow, his eyes locked on her like he hadn’t eaten in days and she was the main course. “Sexy as hell, isn’t she?”Darius smiled but he didn’t say a word.Collin scoffed. “What a waste though. Mated to a scrawny teenage boy who has probably never even seen a woman naked.”Darius gave a lazy shrug and let his gaze wander to the trees. “When are you making your move?”Collin blinked. “On?”“Thorne,” Darius said plainly, his tone shifting. “Before he picks a beta. Once he does, his perimeter and security is going to get tighter. I’m running out of time.”That wiped the grin off Collin’s face. He straightened up, his shoulders rolling as his whole vibe turned serious. “What’s this really about? Why the obsession?”Darius didn’t answer right away. He rubbed the back of his nec
The room was quiet as Raphael, Ragnar, Caden, and Luna Zyrah all watched her, like the fate of the world depended on the words sitting heavy on her tongue. Ember swallowed, her throat was tight but she already knew the answer. She’d known it the second Ragnar helped them that night in the woods and from how he treated and protected his sister. But knowing didn’t make it easier.She didn’t want to hurt Raphael, not with the way his eyes were pleading and desperate and full of history she still didn’t understand. He was with Kaya when she had being taken to Thorne’s mansion and he no doubt protected her too.But this wasn’t about comfort or friendship, or even who came first. This was about who Kaya needed now.Ember shifted her gaze slowly, locking eyes with Raphael calmly despite the weight in her chest.“She’ll need someone strong,” she said quietly. “Someone who won’t hesitate in making decisions that’s best for her.”Then she turned to Ragnar.“It should be you. I’m trusting you to
A ruckus echoed through the quiet halls of Bloodveil, dragging Ember out of her sleep rudely. The distant sounds of shouting were loud and tore through the silence of the night. She jolted upright, eyes wide, her heart pounding as her feet hit the floor. Barefoot and still half asleep, Ember rushed out of her room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she ran down the staircase. She nearly tripped over the debris scattered on the ground, but she kept moving, adrenaline taking her through every step.By the time she reached the courtyard, the chaos was obvious.Caden was in the center of the chaos, shouting at Thorne’s guards who stood in a tight circle around him and Raphael. The tension was thick like a fight was about to break out any second.Ember caught sight of a familiar figure, struggling against a few of Thorne’s guards beside that, who were holding him back with all their strength. His face, although it was bruised and bloodied, was unmistakable.Ragnar.Without thinking, Embe
Thorne stood in the courtyard with his arms clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the horizon as if he could stare hard enough to bring her back to him. The morning air was cold. General Halister stood a few steps behind him, silent until Thorne finally spoke.“Well?”“They were there,” Halister said, his voice low. “Serene and Darius. In an inn on the edge of the border. But by the time my men got there…” He shook his head. “they had disappeared with no trace”Thorne didn’t react, he barely seemed to care. Darius was a coward, and he would see him from a mile away if he ever tried anything. Serene was undoubtedly miserable with Darius who had nothing to offer her, in terms of wealth which she desperately craved. His mind was elsewhere. “And Bloodveil?” he asked, turning slightly. “Bloodveil is stable,” Halister replied. “Guards are posted day and night. Nothing unusual to report.”“Still just a playground for the guards?”Halister hesitated. “Yes, for now.”Thorne turned ful
Back at Bloodveil, Luna Zyrah, recovered, sat up in the bed, her sharp eyes cutting through the dim light of the room. There was no softness in her tone when she spoke. “How did you survive all these years, Ember?” Her gaze flickered to Caden for a second, but she didn’t acknowledge him further. Ember stood stiffly beside the bed, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I survived. Day by day.”Caden leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, avoiding eye contact, clearly uncomfortable with the moment.Zyrah didn’t waste time. “I missed you. But I want the truth. How’d you end up here?” Her eyes locked on Ember’s, calculating. “Sold to Thorne’s pack, I hear? Must’ve been a hard bargain.”Ember’s stomach twisted. She avoided her mother’s gaze. “It wasn’t easy,” she said quickly, skimming over the details. “But I managed.”Silence settled between them, thick with unasked questions yet Zyrah’s sharp eyes never left her. “Have you met him yet?”Ember’s heart stuttered. “What do you mean
Stella sat with her back against a tree, the small carving knife gripped in her hand as she worked on the piece of wood, shaping it little by little into the form of a wolf. Her strokes were slow and careful, the quiet scrape of blade against bark echoing around her.Then, some movement. She barely had time to react before a figure slipped into view from her side, moving too quietly for comfort. She shot to her feet, the knife gripped tightly in her fingers, heart hammering against her ribs.Collin.The moonlight caught the glint in his eye, a wicked, amused expression pulling at his mouth. He hadn’t meant to be caught, or maybe he had.Stella took a slow step back, her wary gaze locked onto him. “What do you want?”Collin tilted his head, his hands tucked into his pockets like he had all the time in the world. “Relax, little wolf,” he said, voice smooth and too easy. “Just curious. You and Caden, huh?”Her grip on the knife tightened. “That’s not your business.”Collin let out a low
Ember stood on the crumbling balcony of what was once her family’s mansion, the wind cold against her skin as she stared out over their ruined territory. The sight of it still made her angry, this place, once filled with life, was now nothing but decayed. Bloodveil belonged to Thorne now.And inside her… so did a piece of him.Her hand moved to her stomach, the weight of her secret pressing on her heavier than ever. But before she could sink too deep into her thoughts, a voice tore through the silence.“Ember!”She turned sharply to Caden’s voice, the urgency in it sending her pulse racing. It was coming from their parents room.Her heart pounding, she rushed inside, her footfalls echoing through the abandoned halls until she reached the doorway. Caden was hunched over their mother’s still form, his hands gripping the the sheets. He looked up at Ember, his eyes wide with disbelief.“She twitched,” he breathed. “I think she’s about to wake up.”Ember rushed to her mother’s side, pressi
Serene let the warm water cascade down her body, sighing in pleasure as it melted away the tension in her muscles. It was a rare luxury and one she intended to enjoy. The bathroom door was locked, and she had no plans of leaving anytime soon, no matter how loudly Matteo pounded on the other side.“Serene!” He yelled, his voice was furious. “Get out. Now.”She smirked, tilting her head back to let the water run over her face. “I’m busy,” she called back lazily.His fist struck the door again, the sound echoing through the walls. “You think you can just waltz in here and make yourself at home?”“Yes,” she answered simply.A growl followed, then heavy footsteps pacing outside. She heard the shift in his breathing, the way he was holding back the full force of his rage. He wanted to kick the door down, she could feel it, but he wouldn’t. A moment later, his voice turned cold. “You have five seconds before I drag you out myself.”Serene only hummed in response, dragging her fingers throug
Serene reached the gates of Matteo’s estate, her dress wrinkled from her journey, dust clinging to the cloth. She had run the whole way in her wolf form, then stole the dress from a small clan on the way, but none of that mattered now.She was back.The guards stepped in front of the gate, blocking her path. “You’re wasting your time,” one of them said lazily as he ran his gaze over her.Serene lifted her chin. “Open the gate.”The other guard snorted. “You think you can just walk back in? After what you did?”Her jaw clenched, but she kept her voice steady. “I said, open it.”“You got kicked out for spreading your legs for Thorne,” the first one sneered. “Matteo doesn’t want you.”“Maybe you didn’t hear me,” she said, stepping closer. “Open. The. Gate.”The guards laughed, shaking their heads. “Or what? You’ll beg your way in? Or maybe you’ll suck…”Her eyes flashed gold and the smirk on his face disappeared.“You really want to test that theory?” she asked, her voice low and deadly.