The first light of dawn seeped through the curtains, but Summer was already wide awake, unable to shake off the haunting remnants of her dream. The cave, Dominic's voice, the blood-red moon—it had all felt so real, and now it weighed heavily on her. She knew she couldn't face another moment of rest, so she dressed quickly and made her way down the hall to Elara's chamber.As Summer approached, Elara was just finishing up her morning routine, meticulously adjusting her dress in the mirror. She noticed Summer in the reflection and turned with a bright smile. "Summer, you're up early. Couldn't sleep?"Summer nodded, trying to keep her expression light. "Yes, I figured I might as well come help you start the day."Elara patted her shoulder, seemingly pleased. "Good thinking. I have a few errands to run, and I could use the company."Summer tilted her head, curious. "What kind of errands?""Oh, we're going to the seamstress," Elara said, adjusting a loose strand of hair. "It's time for som
The darkness wrapped around Summer, the air thick with an unsettling silence. She found herself in the cave once more, the coldness biting through her thin white dress, which clung to her skin as if drenched. She glanced down, only to see streaks of crimson trickling from her nose, staining her dress. Her hands trembled as she wiped at the blood, but it kept flowing, and a deep, gnawing dread settled within her.Ahead, the scene unfolded—a figure was kneeling, his body shaking with sobs. It was Dominic, his head bowed low, his voice choked with desperation. He was pleading, words muffled and thick with emotion, as he looked up at a woman who stood regally before him. She wore a crown that glimmered, stars circling around her head in an ethereal glow. She regarded Dominic with an expression of indifference, her eyes cold, her stance unwavering.The world spun as Summer felt her own strength slipping. Her knees buckled, and she fell to the ground, her eyes dimming as she struggled to ke
The morning light slipped through the curtains as Summer woke, her mind still lingering on the strange dreams from the previous night. She pushed the thoughts aside, wanting to start the day with a clear head. After quickly bathing and dressing, she decided to go see Dominic. There were things she wanted to ask him—things that were nagging at her.As she made her way down the corridor, her steps slowed when she saw his door slightly ajar. She was about to knock when she caught a glimpse of something that made her heart sink.Jessica was inside, standing in the middle of Dominic's room, wrapped in nothing but a bathrobe. Summer froze, her hand mid-air, her heart pounding as she watched them."What is Jessica doing in there?" she whispered to herself, a knot of hurt tightening in her chest.Jessica's laughter drifted through the open door, and Summer's fingers curled into fists as she struggled to understand what she was seeing. She forced herself to turn away, swallowing the painful lu
Jessica's determination to make Summer's life difficult only strengthened as the morning passed. She watched as Summer worked diligently alongside Elara, her gentle manner and quiet resilience grating on Jessica's nerves. Jessica knew that if she was going to make Summer miserable, she would have to be subtle—at least for now.Elara was busy organizing some documents when Jessica entered the room, flashing her most charming smile. "Oh, good morning, Elara," she said pleasantly. Her eyes, however, darted straight to Summer, and a flicker of something colder settled behind her gaze.Summer greeted Jessica with a nod, polite yet distant. Jessica could sense that Summer was wary of her, which only made her plans more enticing."Summer," Jessica said sweetly, "Elara has been keeping you very busy, hasn't she?"Summer glanced up, trying to keep her expression neutral. "Just fulfilling my duties," she replied simply."Well, I hope you're not too worn out. There's still so much left to do," J
Dominic leaned against his desk, a frown settling between his brows as he glanced toward Coleman. "I haven't seen Summer all day," he said, his voice holding a hint of concern. "Can you find her for me? I'd like to know she's alright."Coleman nodded, sensing the urgency in his Alpha's request. "Right away, Alpha." He turned and made his way toward the door, only to pause when he noticed someone entering—Alpha Gregory of the Fox Pack.Coleman stepped aside, casting a quick look between the two men, but Dominic gave him a curt nod. "I'll speak to you later, Coleman."Coleman exited, leaving Dominic and Gregory alone in the room. Dominic's expression grew guarded, his curiosity piqued by the unexpected visit. He had been expecting Alpha Gregory tomorrow, not today."Alpha Gregory," Dominic greeted, extending a polite nod. "I didn't expect you this soon. Is there something urgent?"Gregory closed the door behind him, folding his arms as he studied Dominic with a calculating gaze. "I didn
Alpha Gregory strode into the grand foyer of his sprawling townhouse, the echo of his footsteps bouncing off the polished marble floors. As he reached the staircase, a figure appeared at the top of the landing—a tall, elegant woman with striking features and a mischievous glint in her eyes."Alpha," she purred, descending gracefully down the stairs. It was Cheryl, one of his favored mistresses, and the one who had captured his attention more than the others. While he had a mate chosen for duty, Cheryl held a far more personal place in his life."Cheryl," he greeted, his gaze appreciative as she drew closer.She slipped her arm through his, leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek. "How was the journey to the Lycan kingdom?" she asked, a sultry edge in her voice as she led him toward his chamber.As they entered, she closed the door softly behind them and slipped her hands around his neck, pulling him in for a lingering kiss. Alpha Gregory responded with a low growl, his hand tightening
The grand hall was buzzing with activity as Elara and Jessica stood over a table, pointing and whispering, finalizing the details for the Moonlight Party. They directed servants and decorators, making sure every intricate detail was perfect. The hall was adorned with shimmering lights, cascading flowers, and a deep blue and silver theme that mirrored the night sky.In a quieter corner, Summer and Hilda sat together, their hands deftly moving as they knit the last of the tablecloths. Though they were focused on their work, both kept their ears open, catching snatches of Jessica and Elara's conversation.Jessica spoke with a sense of pride and authority, her voice low but filled with intent. "We're expecting representatives from several clans: the foxes, cheetahs, and leopards. It's crucial everything is seamless—especially with the fox clan here. We wouldn't want anything to go wrong."Elara nodded, adding, "The foxes have been waiting for this alliance for ages. But we must be cautiou
The kingdom buzzed with excitement as preparations for the moonlight festival continued. Decorations adorned the halls, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers and incense. Dominic moved through the corridors with purpose, headed toward Summer's room. The festival was an important tradition, and he wanted to ensure everything was ready for her first celebration with them.As he turned a corner, he almost collided with Jessica. She looked up at him with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Dominic," she greeted him, tilting her head curiously. "Off to somewhere important?"He met her gaze steadily. "Yes, I need to see Summer," he said, a note of finality in his voice. "It's her first moonlight festival, and I want to check on her."Jessica's smile widened, but he caught the sharpness in her eyes. "Oh, how thoughtful," she replied, her tone as sweet as honey. But as she turned to walk away, she muttered quietly under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear, "It