Arianna pov My breath caught in my throat as I stood in the center of the room, the tension thickening with every passing second. The entire pack had been talking, murmuring under their breath about the decision to suspend the rituals meant for the alpha’s redemption, and I felt it like a storm closing in. Every whisper, every footstep on the stone floor, echoed in my mind. The heavy silence that had settled in the room only made the pressure on my chest worse. I turned my gaze to the new head maid who stood before me, her eyes sharp and assessing as she scrutinized every person in the room. Her silver hair was pulled tightly into a knot, and the wrinkles on her face only made her expression look even more unforgiving. She held a long, cold rod, something I couldn’t quite name but knew instantly could bring pain if she decided to use it. Her gaze locked on mine, piercing through me like a blade. “Are you with us, Arianna?” she asked, her voice cool but laden with an unspoken threa
Author povAlpha Kael walked into the garden with the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders. The sun had already begun to set, casting the courtyard in golden hues, but it did little to ease the fire that raged inside of him. His temper was on a short fuse, fueled by the endless whispers, the unresolved anger at Arianna, and the strain of leadership that seemed to demand more than he had to give. He needed a moment of peace, just a brief respite where he could breathe.The garden was empty save for a few scattered flowers and a lone stone bench beneath an ancient oak tree. The breeze swayed the branches gently, offering the promise of serenity. Kael, still in his full regalia, clenched his fists, pushing his frustration down as he made his way toward the bench. The thought of sitting there, even just for a few moments, felt like a small act of rebellion against the demands of his position. He needed to reclaim some semblance of himself.But then he saw her.Arianna stood
Author povArianna’s eyes welled with tears again, but she didn’t let them fall. She nodded weakly, her throat tight, her heart breaking all over again.But Kael wasn’t done.“Get me a glass of wine,” he ordered, his tone cold, detached, as if nothing had happened between them. “You’ve got work to do.”Arianna opened her mouth to protest, but then she closed it again. What was the point? There was no point in trying to argue. She had already lost whatever ground she might have gained. She had already lost him.As she turned and walked toward the garden house, her steps slow and hesitant, she could hear Kael’s voice behind her, the bitter edge still present.“Don’t take too long,” he called. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten what you’ve done.”Arianna didn’t answer. She didn’t know how to. All she could do was keep walking, feeling the weight of his words pressing down on her, the promise of her punishment looming like a dark cloud.Arianna returned to the garden moments later, a glass o
Alexander pov“Arianna's fate is already sealed. She’s already dead in the eyes of the world, Kael. You’ve broken her in ways I can’t even begin to understand. And yet, you still treat her like some pawn in your game. It’s sick. It’s beneath you. You’re a man with power, with options, and yet you’ve chosen this. You’ve chosen to twist her, break her, and push her to the edge of sanity."Kael’s lips curled into a mocking smile, his eyes cold, devoid of any remorse. "Is that so? You think I owe her something, Alexander?" He stepped closer, his tone dropping to a deadly whisper, as if daring Alexander to challenge him further. "I don't owe anyone anything. Certainly not her."The words hit like a slap, and Alexander clenched his fists harder, his knuckles whitening. The anger roiling within him threatened to boil over, but he forced himself to steady his breath, to ground himself."You’re a coward," Alexander spat, his voice trembling with barely-contained rage. "You have everything, and
Elaine POV The cold marble floors of the hallway beneath my boots felt like ice against my soles, each step harder to take as I dragged my bag behind me, the wheels scraping against the floor with an irritating screech. I could hear my mother’s voice trailing behind me, loud and insistent, but I didn’t care. Not anymore. "Elaine!" she called, her voice tight with a mixture of anger and disbelief, like I was the one causing all the chaos. "Don't you dare ignore me!" I didn’t respond. Why should I? It was the same old song, the same tired argument. I had been in this house for too long, and all I wanted was to escape, to leave everything behind. But they never let me. I felt the pull in my chest, the gnawing desire to break free, but I couldn't yet. Not until I was truly free of this place, of these people who only saw me as something to control. My parents, my father especially, had always treated me like I was some tool, some pawn in their chess game. They only cared about thei
Kael POVI stood by the gatehouse, my fingers tapping against the rough stone wall. The guards were stationed in their usual positions, standing alert, yet there was an unspoken tension in the air that seemed to ripple out from me. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming, something that had been building for days now, like a storm on the horizon. Gus had just handed me the car keys, a small, insignificant thing that he passed with a nod as we discussed the need for more patrols. But the conversation felt hollow, like I was reaching for something that had slipped through my fingers.It was then, in the midst of my thoughts, that I heard it. The low rumble of an engine. It started faintly, growing louder as it approached. I turned my head, narrowing my eyes against the setting sun as the silhouette of a car appeared on the horizon. The gates were still closed, the usual routine intact, but something about the speed of the car caught my attention. The driver was not slowin
Elaine pov Successfully, I will scratch up everything that sick lady thought she had. The attention of kael will be fully mine. Let's not even talk about his structure that's captivating. I breathed heavily, leaning back into my chair. A smile escaped my lips when the screen of my phone flashed on, and his picture was my wallpaper. As I rose from the chair, my heart skipped a beat. I couldn't believe my eyes - Alpha Kael wanted to take me out? I felt like I was walking on clouds, my feet barely touching the ground. I quickly grabbed my phone and dialled his number, my hands shaking with excitement. But to my surprise, he didn't answer. Instead, the call went straight to voicemail. I didn't let that dampen my spirits, though. I was too busy trying to process what was happening. Alpha Kael, the man who had been ignoring me for days, suddenly wanted to take me out? I felt a mix of emotions - shock, excitement, and a hint of scepticism. What could have prompted this sudden change o
Author povArianna’s eyes shot open, her heart hammering in her chest like a wild stallion trying to break free. The sunlight streamed through the heavy curtains, casting a golden glow that made the room feel a bit too warm, too intimate.She blinked, trying to focus, only to find herself in the most unexpected place: Alpha Kael’s bed. Alpha Kael’s bed.A cold chill crawled down her spine as she jerked up, her breath hitching as panic swept over her. What in the hell was she doing here? Her memories from last night were fragmented—flashes of a tense hallway, the unmistakable sight of Kael and Elaine tangled up together, and the crushing weight of jealousy that had practically knocked the air out of her. And then… nothing.She threw a hand to her forehead. Did she faint? She must have fainted. No, no, no, this wasn’t happening.Her heart was still racing when the door to the room creaked open, and she froze, panic surging through her.“Ah, good, you’re awake,” came Kael’s low voice fro
I stormed out of the castle, the cool night air hitting me like a slap in the face. The darkness seemed to match my mood, and I felt a sense of liberation as I walked away from the oppressive walls. I didn't know where I was going, but I needed to get away from the castle, from Kael, and from the suffocating expectations.As I walked through the quiet streets, I felt a sense of clarity wash over me. I realized that I had been living in a state of denial, pretending that everything was fine when it wasn't. Kael's infidelity was just a symptom of a larger problem - our relationship was a sham, a duty-bound obligation rather than a love match.I thought about my conversation with my father, and the sacrifice that was to come. Was I truly doing it for the kingdom's sake, or was it a desperate attempt to hurt Kael and Arianna? The more I thought about it, the more I realized that my motivations were mixed. But one thing was certain - I would see this through, no matter the cost.As I turne
Arianna povI stood before the king, my heart heavy with the weight of my decision. I had come to offer myself as the key to Alpha Kael's survival, but also to ensure his departure from our lives. The king's piercing gaze met mine, and I steeled myself for the conversation ahead."Your Majesty," I began, my voice steady. "I've come to tell you that I'm willing to proceed with the ritual. Let's begin the preparations."The king's expression turned calculating, and he nodded thoughtfully. "Very well, Arianna. I'll summon the elder and the necessary materials. But are you certain you're prepared for what's to come?"I nodded resolutely, pushing aside the doubts that threatened to creep in. "I'm ready, Your Majesty. For Alpha Kael's sake, and for mine."The king's gaze lingered on me, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of curiosity. "Very well, Arianna. We'll begin the preparations immediately. The ritual will take place at sundown."I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over
Kael pov As I leaned against the wall, a weight pressed down on my shoulder, and I swallowed hard against the pain. It felt like a thousand needles were piercing my skin, and something was crawling under my flesh. My heart ached as I tried to rise from the couch, but my legs buckled beneath me. I fell hard onto the floor, the impact jolting through my body. Powers long dormant began to stir within me, like a beast awakening from a deep slumber. I could feel it coursing through my veins, burning like wildfire. My alpha instincts were rising to the surface, and I was powerless to stop it. The room around me began to blur, and I felt like I was being consumed by a force beyond my control. The pain was intense, like my body was being torn apart and put back together again. I gritted my teeth, trying to ride out the wave of agony, but it only seemed to intensify. Sweat dripped from my brow, and my vision began to tunnel. I was losing myself to the power, and I knew I had to fight back.
Elaine’s POV I clenched my fist so hard I felt the sting of my nails biting into my palm. The room was cold—silent—but inside, I was burning. They were doing this in the open now. Flaunting it. Kael, the Alpha—the one I was meant to stand beside—choosing a rogue-blooded stray over me? Over everything we’d built? The alliance. The power. The future. And her—that girl, walking around with his scent, wrapped around her like a trophy, like she belonged here? She didn’t. Arianna didn’t understand what it meant to be part of this pack, this legacy. She wasn’t raised for it. She wasn’t trained. She was chaos wrapped in temptation, with eyes that made even the strongest men forget their purpose. But not me. I didn’t forget. I remembered everything. The years spent preparing. The sacrifices. The smile Kael used to wear when we were younger—carefree, before duty sharpened him into steel. Before she came along and made him soft. And now? Now, the council was slipping through
Kael’s POV The rain was still whispering against the windows when I stepped back into my quarters, the scent of her still hanging in the air—wild rain, warm skin, and something else. Something of mine. She was sitting by the fire, wrapped in a blanket, legs tucked beneath her. Her head turned at the sound of the door, and for a moment, the world just... stopped. Arianna. Goddess, I didn’t know how she did it. How she made me feel like the ground beneath my feet was shaking and solid all at once. One look from her could settle my wolf or drive him into a frenzy. The patrol had been dealt with—quick and clean. A couple of rogues testing the borders, nothing serious. But the entire time I’d been out there, all I could think about was her. The fire in her eyes. The vulnerability in her voice. The way she had looked at me before I left, as if handing me a piece of her and daring me not to drop it. I hadn’t. I wouldn’t. “Did you win?” she asked, eyes glinting with tired amusement.
Arianna’s POVThe sky wore a veil of thick gray clouds, the kind that whispered secrets of a coming storm. The air buzzed with anticipation, a low hum only a wolf could hear. I could feel it in my bones—the first rain in months. The land had dried to a brittle crisp, and the trees stood still like they too were holding their breath.With one look up, I peeled the shirt from my skin, casting it aside with little ceremony. My skin tingled with every gust of wind, every shiver racing across my spine. My heart drummed with something more than excitement. It was freedom. Finally.I stepped outside barefoot, letting the cool earth kiss my soles. The first drop landed on my collarbone, slow and sweet, then another, and another until the heavens cracked open. Rain. Real, cold, blessed rain.I laughed—loud and shameless—as I tilted my head back and let it pour over me. It was cleansing, wild, like the Goddess herself was pouring life down onto us again. My skin was slick, my hair curling and c
Kael’s POVThe shrill clang of the pack bell shattered the night like glass under boot.Kael jerked upright in bed, heart thrumming so hard it echoed in his ears. For a heartbeat, he thought it was a dream—his room still cloaked in darkness, the silence before broken sleep hanging thick in the air. But then the bell tolled again, three sharp strikes that vibrated through bone and soul.Not a drill.It's not a training exercise.Not in the last six years.The bell was only rung when the pack was under siege. When something real came crawling through the shadows with blood on its teeth.“Shit.”Kael threw off the covers, bare feet hitting the cold floor as instinct took over. He didn’t even think to reach for a shirt, grabbing only the shorts he wore to sleep. His chest was bare, marred with faded scars, and the fresh lines of muscle earned through years of training—yet in that moment. He felt more naked than he ever had before.Half running, half leaping down the stone hallway, Kael’s
Arianna’s POV Water. Ice cold. A shockwave slicing through my dreamless sleep. It splashed across my face like a slap from the gods themselves, soaking into my matted hair and the threadbare fabric of the slave pallet beneath me. I gasped, sputtering as I jolted awake, heart racing, fists already clenched. My body stiffened, every muscle on edge. For one blinding second, I thought we were under attack—another punishment, another training gone wrong. My survival instincts screamed fight. But when my vision cleared and the haze of sleep faded… There she was. Elaine. Standing above me with the smugness of a she-devil dressed in silk. The silver pitcher still dangled from her perfectly manicured hand, droplets sliding down its side like the poison she spit from her mouth every time she spoke. “What the hell, Elaine?” I snapped, wiping my soaked face, shivering in the cold morning air that clawed at my bones like a ghost. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said with a syrupy smile that di
Kael POv “I love you.” “Stop kissing me, Kael! My goodness, you’re hurting my lips.” Arianna squirmed beneath me, her voice sharp and full of heat, but I couldn’t stop. My hands tightened around her waist as if letting go would mean drowning. I held her like she was the only anchor keeping me sane, and maybe she was. “Arianna,” I whispered against her lips, “stop trying to break free. I love you.” She gasped. Not the delicate kind. It was ragged, raw—like my confession tore something loose inside her. Her palms pushed at my chest, but her eyes… gods, her eyes trembled. Still, her mouth parted, softening, until— SLAP! Pain exploded across my cheek, and I reeled back, blinking. The world cracked like shattered glass and spun around me, bright and disorienting. Suddenly, it was gone. Darkness. And then— My eyes shot open to the dull glow of moonlight bleeding through my bedroom curtains. My face throbbed. What the—? I groaned and turned my head toward the nightstand, rubbing