“Then the farmer’s market it is,” I said, smiling.She glanced up at me, narrowing her eyes. “Why are you smiling at me like that? Are you making fun of me again?”“Not at all,” I said, my voice softening. “I was just thinking... what a pretty puzzle you are.”Her breath hitched ever so slightly, an
Ella POVMy phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen. It was another direct message from a young woman I had never met, someone whose name I didn’t recognize. Her profile picture showed a pretty blonde, smiling in a way that made me feel uneasy.I didn’t have to read the message to know what it wou
“It is.” I nodded. “I feel ridiculous. On the one hand, I feel like I’ve gotten to know Alexander quite well, even if it’s only been a short time. What they’re saying just doesn’t fit with the man I know. But on the other hand, I know they’re probably telling the truth. So, do I just hope he’s chang
Ella POVMy hand trembled slightly as I took the pen from Alexander. The weight of the moment pressed down on me as I stared at the long contract in front of me, its fine print blurring as my pulse pounded in my ears. I sat down slowly, trying to focus on the words, but my mind was spinning. This co
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I demanded. “I could have defended you more forcefully! It’s going to be harder to win people back to your side now because of the delay.“Will it?” he asked, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. “I think if I had rushed out to make a statement immediately, it would’v
Ella POVI barely touched the tea in my hands. My nerves were too frayed to enjoy it. The idea of standing beside Alexander while he made his statement to the press felt overwhelming.Even though I wouldn’t be speaking, I knew people would be staring at me, judging my every expression and my body la
At that comment, I squeezed his hand reassuringly, and he glanced at me with a tight smile before turning back toward the reporters."But I understand why people have felt the need to speak out," he continued. "I made a lot of mistakes in my younger days. I was arrogant and brash, and I didn’t alway
Ella POVAlexander and I left his pack's headquarters through the back entrance, slipping directly into his car. He had the curious habit of driving himself around, which I found oddly endearing. With so many staff members constantly surrounding him, driving was probably one of the few moments he co
Ella POVThe night we had been working towards for so long was finally here. It didn’t seem real, but it was finally happening.It was election night.All day Alexander and I had been answering questions from reporters and making phonecalls to voters, hoping to get as many people as possible to show
He glanced at me, a knowing look passing between us. We would face whatever came next together.After dinner, Sabrina and Alexander took Lexie up to get ready for bed. She wanted a bedtime story from Alexander and he seemed happy to do it.Once we were alone in the living room, my mother pulled me t
Ella POVAlexander and I spent the day in my family’s packlands with Lexie, a rare moment of peace before the election.The official statement revealing Lexie’s identity had been carefully crafted—Alexander had asked for privacy for her sake.The response had been mixed, but most people saw it as a
“It does,” Elizabeth said. “But people also fear what they don’t understand. Alexander has spent years in the shadows. Half of what he’s done is still a secret. People don’t know that he’s…” she hesitated, looking away for a moment. “Now, they’re being asked to trust him with the kingdom.” She sighe
Ella POVI sat across from Elizabeth at a quiet restaurant, a half-empty glass of wine in front of me. The air between us was lighter than it had been in months, but there was still an unspoken tension—a lingering wound that was still healing.Elizabeth had taken the revelations about Alexander, Dav
Ella POVThe news of Ironfang’s arrest tore through the kingdom like wildfire. Fear gripped the people as they learned the horrifying truth—powerful figures within their own government had been working with the North.For years, the enemy had been closer than anyone had realized, pulling strings in
Alexander POVI stood before the King, my body still weak from the poison, but my mind sharp and steady. Ella stood at my side, her presence grounding me, a silent promise that we would face whatever came next together.I could feel the weight of her gaze on me, the quiet strength she offered just b
Ella POVIt took several days before Alexander could stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time.Those days felt like an eternity to me, sitting at his bedside, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest, hoping for any sign of improvement. The doctors assured me that the worst had passed, b
The King’s orders were not something you ignored. And though I had no desire to leave Alexander’s side, I couldn’t risk further angering the King—especially when I had no idea what he would do with the information I had.Still, my resolve weakened as she glanced at Alexander one last time. “He’ll be