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
Dominic leaned against the polished wooden table in the dimly lit meeting room, a frown creasing his brow as he spoke to Coleman, his trusted advisor. The air was thick with anticipation; the moonlight festival was just hours away, and Dominic had a growing unease gnawing at him."Coleman," he began, his voice low but firm, "have you noticed anything strange about Jessica lately?"Coleman straightened, his expression serious. "I've seen her acting differently, yes. She seems… more focused, more intense. Why do you ask?"Dominic rubbed the back of his neck, his instincts kicking in. "It's just a feeling, but I suspect she has something in mind. She's been too friendly with everyone, especially Summer. It feels like she's up to something."Coleman nodded, his brow furrowing as he considered Dominic's words. "What do you think she's planning? We both know how cunning she can be.""I can't put my finger on it," Dominic admitted, pacing the room. "But I don't trust her intentions. If she's
The morning sun crept over the horizon, casting an ethereal glow across the mansion grounds. Summer's restless night left her weary, but her resolve was stronger than ever. With her suspicions about the Elders confirmed, she knew she had to tread carefully, but every fiber of her being urged her to act. For too long, she'd been caught in the web of others' schemes. It was time to take back control.She rose from her bed, her gaze steady as she assessed her reflection in the mirror. There was a new fire in her eyes, one she hadn't noticed before—a quiet strength that had been forged in the shadows of this world she barely understood. Today would mark the beginning of her own strategy. If Dominic wouldn't let her in, she would find another way to protect him.After dressing in a simple tunic, she left her room and quietly made her way to the library, a place she'd recently started frequenting. It was always empty in the early mornings, allowing her the solitude she needed to sift throug
The silence in the mansion felt heavier the next morning. Summer's heart was still bruised from her encounter with Dominic, and as she sat alone in her room, she realized that waiting for him to come around would only leave her feeling empty. It was time to make a decision for herself.She couldn't shake the feeling that there were pieces of this story—of Dominic, of the Elders, of everything—that she hadn't fully uncovered. Perhaps if she knew more about Dominic's world, she'd finally understand why he pushed her away and why he saw himself as dangerous. But she couldn't do it by staying idle.Summoning her resolve, Summer took a deep breath and left her room. If she wanted answers, she needed to start somewhere, and there was one place that held all the secrets she couldn't ask Dominic directly about—the Elder Council's archives.She made her way down the winding staircase and headed to the back of the mansion, where she had once overheard some guards mention the archives. The guard
The next morning, Summer woke up feeling numb, as though the weight of everything that had transpired the day before had drained all the color from her world. The mansion was eerily quiet, and as she lay in her bed, her thoughts replayed the events over and over again. Gregory and Tesla had left with no word of farewell, their departure felt like the final threads of any semblance of safety in her life had snapped.It was all slipping away from her.She forced herself out of bed and dressed in a simple gown, trying to shake off the lingering tension in her chest. Her stomach was still in knots from the conversation with Dominic, or rather, the way he had shut her out the moment things started to go too far. What had happened between them felt like a cruel joke. She had thought that maybe, just maybe, he was someone who understood her pain, someone who could offer her some peace. But instead, he had pushed her away, leaving her to face the turmoil alone.Her mind wandered back to the m
Morning dawned, casting a soft, golden light over the Lycan pack’s territory. Tesla slipped out of bed and busied herself with preparations to leave, carefully masking the turmoil boiling inside her. Gregory’s conversation from the night before echoed in her mind, a painful reminder of his betrayal. But she was practiced in hiding her emotions, and she chose to keep what she’d overheard to herself, allowing Gregory to believe she was still in the dark.As she packed, Tesla reminded herself of the bigger picture: she had a part to play, and if she was going to protect Summer, she would need to tread carefully. When she was ready, she joined the others, keeping her expression neutral as she passed Gregory in the hallway.---The day moved quickly, and soon, everything was ready for the journey back to their own territory. Summer watched the pack members bidding the foxes farewell, a strange mix of emotions welling up inside her. This place had held so much tension and danger, yet she fel
The sun was high when Elara entered the grand hall, where the elders were gathering for the much-anticipated meeting. The air was heavy with unspoken tension, and she could feel it prickling against her skin. Every elder present carried secrets, some small and others monumental, but all were hidden under layers of authority and tradition. Jessica was already seated beside her father, Elder Kaleb, who wore an expression as unreadable as stone.Elder Simon gave Elara a small nod as she took her seat. It was a subtle gesture, but it hinted at something deeper, something that would raise questions if anyone else noticed. She forced herself to remain neutral, giving nothing away, even as her heart pounded. She could only hope that their hidden relationship wouldn't surface here.Dominic and Coleman were seated further down, each wearing an air of calm confidence that seemed almost out of place. But only Elara knew what Dominic was truly capable of—and the lengths he would go to keep Summer
The following morning, Elara sat at the edge of her bed, watching the first light trickle through her window. She hadn't slept well. Her conversation with Jessica the day before had been unsettling, the feeling that Jessica was on the verge of uncovering her secret simmering beneath her skin. Today, however, she needed a clear mind. The pack's unity depended on subtlety, and she couldn't afford to lose her edge.With a deep breath, she rose, dressed, and left her quarters to confront Jessica. She found her outside the training grounds, overseeing a group of young pack members practicing their forms. Elara approached, making no effort to conceal her presence."Jessica," she called out. The other woman turned, her expression unreadable as she dismissed the trainees with a wave of her hand."Elara. So formal today." Jessica's tone was laced with suspicion, her gaze hard and unwavering.Elara didn't waste time with small talk. "You need to stop meddling in Summer's affairs. The elders wil
The next day, Elara found herself striding across the compound with a purpose that could not be ignored. Her expression was tense, her jaw set with quiet fury. After the previous night's revelations, she knew exactly what needed to be done.She spotted Jessica near the training grounds, her posture casual yet alert as she chatted with a few pack members. Elara approached, her voice slicing through the air like a blade."Jessica," she called, a steely edge to her tone. Jessica turned, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face as Elara approached."Elara. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Jessica's words dripped with feigned politeness, but her eyes held a spark of defiance.Elara didn't waste time on formalities. "Enough games, Jessica. I know exactly what you've been doing—trying to frame Summer for things you know she didn't do."Jessica's eyes narrowed slightly, though she retained her calm. "Is that so? Funny, coming from you. Last I checked, Summer was the one wrapped up i
Morning broke with a quiet chill, the sky a pale shade of gray as Summer made her way to the kitchens to start her chores. She could sense a shift in the atmosphere, an underlying tension that seemed to settle in the walls, pressing down on her as she moved through the hallways. It felt like a storm was gathering, and she couldn't shake the feeling that somehow, she was at the center of it.Meanwhile, in her chambers, Elara sat at her vanity, fingers drumming thoughtfully against the polished wood. The incident with the necklace had been gnawing at her all night, Jessica's smug attitude still fresh in her mind. She could tell that Jessica was up to her usual tricks, but framing Summer for something she hadn't done? That crossed a line."Jessica," Elara called out, her voice carrying a sharp edge.Moments later, Jessica slipped into the room, her expression carefully neutral, though her eyes sparkled with a trace of mischief. "You wanted to see me, Elara?"Elara met her gaze in the mir
Summer stood by Elara's jewelry table, her fingers lingering over the necklaces she'd been sorting. Jessica's threat hung heavy in her mind, gnawing at her sense of security. She couldn't shake the feeling that she'd been targeted, that something far worse than Jessica's petty cruelty was coming her way. As she resumed organizing, her movements were more cautious, as though the shadows around her held secrets she wasn't ready to uncover.She was still lost in thought when Elara returned, her expression severe, a tension rippling off her that Summer couldn't place. Elara's gaze swept over the jewelry, her eyes narrowing as they landed on the empty spot where a necklace should have been."Elara?" Summer ventured, sensing the shift in her mood. "Is everything alright?"Elara's gaze snapped to her, piercing. "I'm not sure," she said slowly, suspicion edging her voice. "One of my necklaces is missing. It was here this morning."Summer froze, her mind racing. Jessica's smirk flashed before