Summer paced in her chamber, replaying the moment with Dominic in her mind. Every time she thought about it, the anger flared up inside her again. She couldn't understand how things had spiraled out of control so quickly and how his calm words had turned into something so intense.A kiss?She stopped pacing, running a hand through her hair in frustration. There had been nothing gentle about it, nothing kind. It had been possessive, aggressive—just like him. And yet, there had been something else, something she didn't want to acknowledge.She shook her head, trying to push the thought away. It didn't matter. What mattered now was figuring out how to deal with this situation. She needed answers.With renewed determination, Summer grabbed her cloak and threw it over her shoulders. She needed to speak to Dominic again. Running away wasn't going to solve anything. She wasn't going to let him kiss her and then pretend like nothing had happened.Her heart pounded as she made her way down the
Davina stood by the large windows in Alan's private chambers, watching the moonlight reflect off the distant lake. Her heart raced as she sensed Alan's presence behind her. She could feel his eyes on her as if his gaze alone could set her skin aflame."You've been quiet tonight," Alan's voice broke through the silence, smooth and deep. There was an edge to it—like he was daring her to respond.Davina turned slowly to face him, her lips curling into a soft smile. "What's there to say?" she asked, her voice lilting, but her eyes held a challenge. "You have everything you wanted, don't you?"Alan's eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw tightening. He stepped closer to her, closing the distance between them until she could feel the heat of his body. "What are you implying, Davina?"She tilted her head, her fingers trailing along the surface of the windowsill as if she were contemplating something deeply. "I'm just wondering if rejecting Summer was worth it. You chose me, but are you satisfied?"
Summer stood in the doorway of Dominic's study, her chest rising and falling rapidly as if she had just sprinted through the entire castle. Her lips trembled slightly, and her eyes flickered with a mix of emotions—fear, frustration, and something else Dominic couldn't quite place.He leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening as he regarded her carefully. "What is it, Summer?" His voice was calm, though there was a clear edge of impatience.She stepped inside, closing the door behind her, as if she were preparing to say something monumental. "I overheard your conversation with Coleman," she began, her voice soft but firm. "You're meeting with the Elders because of me, aren't you?"Dominic's expression darkened slightly, though he didn't immediately answer."I don't understand why you're going through all this trouble," Summer continued, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "One minute, you're telling me I can leave if I want to, and the next, you're risking everything just t
The tension was palpable as Dominic and Coleman walked through the dense forest, making their way to the meeting ground where the Elders awaited. The sun had barely risen, casting long shadows across the ground, as if the very earth sensed the gravity of the meeting to come.Coleman remained silent by Dominic's side, but his presence was steady, as always. Dominic appreciated the man's loyalty, but today was different. Today, Dominic had to face the Elders of the Lycans—Elder Simon, Elder Antonio, and Elder Philippe. Each one wielded considerable influence, and their word carried weight in the kingdom.As they reached the clearing, the three elders stood in a semicircle, their expressions grave. The oldest of them, Elder Simon, stepped forward first, his white hair gleaming in the morning light. Elder Antonio and Elder Philippe, equally serious, flanked him on either side."Dominic," Elder Simon began, his voice calm but stern, "you know why we've summoned you here."Dominic folded hi
Summer's expression hardened as Dominic delivered his ultimatum. "So that's it?" she scoffed, her eyes blazing. "You want to keep me here as some servant, working away to appease the Elders?"Dominic's face darkened, his jaw tightening. "It's not up for debate, Summer. You're lucky I convinced them to let you stay in the first place. If you're in this kingdom, you'll follow the rules."She crossed her arms defiantly. "So, what is this? A test? Some twisted way of showing me who's in control?""Control?" he snapped, his tone rising. "You think this is about control? I've put everything on the line to keep you here, but you refuse to see reason. This isn't some game, Summer. There are consequences to your presence here.""Consequences for you, or consequences for me?" She shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Because it seems like you just want me to bend to your will, doing menial tasks to prove myself."Dominic took a menacing step forward, his voice a low growl. "Enough. This
The morning light filtered into Summer's room, casting a faint warmth across her bed. She took a deep breath, collecting herself before heading to Elara's chamber. There was a slight tension in her shoulders, knowing this day would be anything but ordinary.Arriving at Elara's door, Summer knocked softly."Come in," came Elara's calm voice from within.Pushing open the door, Summer stepped inside, offering Elara a polite nod. Elara looked up, a reserved smile touching her lips."I trust you slept well," Elara remarked, gesturing for Summer to come closer."Yes, thank you," Summer replied, her tone measured."We'll be visiting the seamstress later today," Elara continued, inspecting her nails as she spoke. "There are some preparations that need to be made. Make sure you're ready by midday."Summer nodded in acknowledgment. "I'll be prepared, my lady."Just then, the door opened again, and Jessica strode in, her heels clicking sharply on the polished floor. She stopped in her tracks upo
The night was cool as Dominic and Summer strolled through the garden outside his chamber, the quiet enveloping them as they walked beneath the blanket of stars. Flowers in bloom framed the path, their delicate scents mixing with the fresh evening air. Summer walked beside Dominic, occasionally glancing his way, trying to find the right words to voice what had been bothering her.Finally, she gathered the courage and spoke up, her voice soft yet firm. "Why are you so keen on protecting me, Dominic?" Her question hung in the air between them.Dominic's steps didn't falter, and he didn't turn to look at her. He let a few moments pass, and Summer began to wonder if he was simply going to ignore her. Finally, he broke the silence, his tone dismissive."Keep quiet, Summer," he said calmly, his gaze fixed on the stars above. "Just... watch the stars."She frowned, her frustration bubbling up. That was not the answer she'd expected or wanted. But something in the way he spoke made her hold ba
Jessica sat alone in her chamber, absently running her fingers along the armrest as her thoughts spiraled. Since Summer's arrival, Dominic had been noticeably… different. He had become more protective, almost watchful, and that attention was now directed solely at Summer. It grated on Jessica, stirring up emotions she wasn't sure she could contain.Why her? Jessica wondered, feeling the burn of jealousy flare within her. What does Summer have that commands his interest? She had spent years by Dominic's side, fighting for his approval, yet now it seemed all her efforts were being overshadowed by this new arrival.Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft sound of a knock at her door. Jessica straightened in her seat, carefully masking her frustration. "Come in."The door opened, and Fiona, her ever-loyal maiden, stepped inside with a deep bow. "My lady," she greeted.Jessica waved a hand dismissively. "What is it?"Fiona hesitated for a moment, as though unsure whether to share what sh