The moonlight party's enchantment had dissipated, leaving behind the soft glow of lanterns and the gentle hum of goodbyes. As the guests began to disperse, Dominic's authoritative voice cut through the chatter."Rylan, see Alpha Gregory and Luna Tesla to their lodge, please."The sentinel nodded, escorting the dignified couple away.Dominic turned to Summer, his expression softening. "Shall I walk you to your room?"Summer nodded, her thoughts still reeling from the evening's events.As they strolled through the quiet corridors, Dominic asked, "Are you okay?"Summer's gaze met his, searching. "What the moon goddess priestess said...about me being the former priestess...is it true?"Dominic's expression turned reassuring. "No, Summer. It's just an old legend. Don't pay attention to it."But Summer's mind was already racing. The dreams she'd been having – visions of herself in a cave, surrounded by ancient symbols – lingered, refusing to be dismissed.She didn't reveal her doubts, inste
Morning light crept through the windows, illuminating Dominic's chambers. Summer stirred, stretching her arms above her head."Good morning," Dominic said, his voice low and soothing.Summer's gaze met his, still sleepy. "Morning."Dominic's expression turned serious. "You're not going to resume duty with Elara today. You're not feeling well."Summer nodded, not arguing.Dominic called out, "Coleman!"The door opened, and Coleman entered. "Yes, sir?""Call Hilda, please. Have her bring whatever Summer needs from her bedroom. She'll be staying here today."Coleman nodded and left.Summer swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet dangling in the air."Dominic?" she said, her voice hesitant."Yes?""Can I run in the woods later today? I really need it."Dominic's expression turned cautious. "You'll have to go with a chaperone. There are Lycans who are angry about your presence here. It's not safe."Summer's face fell, but she nodded silently.Dominic's eyes narrowed. "Summer, I m
Alpha Gregory and Tesla entered their bedroom, the door closing softly behind them. Tesla's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she turned to her mate."Explain what Jessica was saying," she demanded, her voice firm but gentle.Gregory's expression turned serious. "There's a werewolf in the castle. Summer."Tesla's eyebrows rose. "The new servant?"Gregory nodded. "Dominic's keeping her under his watch. No one can touch her."Tesla's smile was knowing. "And you want to get rid of her."Gregory's eyes gleamed with intensity. "Yes, I'd love to. But I have to wait for the right time."Tesla's gaze narrowed. "And if I help you fulfill this...dream, will you stop seeing your mistress?"The air thickened with tension as Gregory's expression turned scornful. He didn't respond, instead walking toward the wardrobe, his back to Tesla.Tesla's eyes flashed with anger, but her voice remained calm. "You still think you can keep secrets from me, Gregory?"Gregory's silence was deafening.Tesla's gaze f
Dominic had spent the last hour searching every room in the house. The unease he felt since Summer's disappearance had only grown. She wouldn't just vanish without a word, not after everything they had shared. He needed to find her, and he had an unsettling feeling that the garden was where she'd gone. It was her usual place to escape to when she wanted solitude, a quiet space where she could think.He moved through the large house, exiting through the back door and stepping into the garden. The cold night air brushed against his skin, but his focus was sharp. The moonlight shone down on the overgrown bushes and flower beds, casting eerie shadows that seemed to shift with every movement. He walked toward the back of the garden, near the edge where the trees were thicker.Just as he neared the deeper shadows, he paused. There were voices—two of them. He didn't need to guess who one of them belonged to. It was Jessica's voice, unmistakable, but the second voice was unfamiliar. Dominic's
Dominic walked down the long corridor leading to the hall, his mind preoccupied with the meeting ahead. He knew Alpha Gregory would raise the issue of Summer being in the clan, and he had to think carefully about how to respond. Gregory had always been a bit of a hothead when it came to old grudges, and Dominic wasn't sure how far he was willing to take his vendetta against her. What concerned him more was the other alphas. Alpha Jared of the Cheetah clan was no fan of werewolves either, and Elder Kaleb, Jessica's father, had always been a man of few words, but when he spoke, it carried weight.Dominic's thoughts were interrupted when he saw Elder Simon standing near the entrance of the hall, his back turned as he spoke on the phone. Dominic slowed his steps, instinctively listening in, something he had grown used to doing over the years."...Yes, Elara is on her way," Simon said, his voice low but clear. "We'll deal with it then. Keep her in line until we can make a decision."The me
Tesla paced impatiently, her eyes fixed on the door as she awaited Gregory's return. Her heart pounded, a mixture of frustration and anger swirling inside her. She knew how important the meeting had been, and she couldn't help but suspect it hadn't gone the way he'd hoped. When the door finally creaked open, she rushed to intercept him, her gaze sharp and focused."How did the meeting go?" she asked immediately, her voice demanding.Gregory entered the room without responding at first, walking past her and heading straight for the bathroom. He was drenched in the weight of the discussion, his face etched with a scowl that hinted at his frustration. He didn't spare Tesla a glance as he pushed the door shut behind him, leaving her standing in the middle of the room.Tesla crossed her arms, irritation building. She could already feel it, the tension in the air. She had expected him to be pleased with the outcome, but his silence spoke volumes. She couldn't stand the quiet."I'm guessing
Dominic paced in his office, his mind still reeling from the meeting. Every move, every word, seemed to have consequences. Gregory was determined to get rid of Summer, and that meant Dominic had to stay one step ahead. He needed leverage, something to keep the foxes from making their move.He pushed away from the desk, making his way toward the door. He needed to speak with Coleman. Coleman had been his right-hand man for years, and he trusted him with everything. It was time to set the plan in motion.Dominic found Coleman in the hallway outside his office, just finishing up a report with a few of the guards. When he saw Dominic approach, he excused himself and walked toward him, sensing something serious was at hand."Coleman," Dominic said, his voice low but firm. "I need you to do something for me."Coleman stood at attention, his expression focused. "What is it, Alpha?""I need you to dig up everything you can on Elder Kaleb and Elder Simon," Dominic said, his tone cold. "Find so
Alan stormed back into his office, the conversation with Davina leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. The woman had set everything in motion without even asking him, like his choices were nothing more than pawns in her game. As the weight of his decision settled in, Alan could feel the walls of his world closing in around him.He knew he couldn't just stand by and let Davina dictate his future. But, as much as he wanted to defy her, he realized the stakes were too high. The elders were watching him closely, and any misstep could lead to a scandal that would unravel his pack. And now, with Davina arranging the wedding without his consent, he felt like a prisoner in his own life.Alan turned to the window, staring out at the sprawling pack lands, lost in thought. The clouds loomed dark and heavy in the sky, mirroring the turmoil within him. His fingers drummed restlessly on the desk as he mulled over his next move, searching for a way out of the predicament Davina had placed him in.He w
The dawn broke softly over the Lycan territory, casting a golden glow over the ancient trees surrounding the manor. Summer rose early, her heart still heavy with the events of the previous day. But today, she had a task that gave her purpose—resuming her duties in Elara's chambers. It was a role she was familiar with, and though the weight of recent events lingered, she welcomed the chance to find some normalcy.Dressing swiftly, Summer made her way down the quiet halls, feeling eyes occasionally flicker her way. Whispers and glances from pack members seemed sharper than usual, but she held her head high, reminding herself of Dominic's support. By the time she reached Elara's quarters, she'd steeled herself, ready for whatever lay ahead.Elara welcomed her with a nod of approval, her gaze carrying an unspoken understanding of all that had passed. Without a word, she handed Summer a list of tasks, and they exchanged a brief but comforting smile before Elara left her to begin the day's
Dominic paced in his chambers, feeling the weight of the morning's council meeting. Summer's fierce defense of him had unsettled the Elders, but it had left a different mark on Dominic—pride. Her defiance had stirred something in him, and he knew he had to protect her at all costs.Just then, a knock at the door broke his thoughts. Coleman stepped in, his expression calm but with a hint of urgency."Dominic," Coleman began, closing the door behind him. "The Elders are growing wary of Summer after today. They've seen her loyalty to you, and they're watching her closely. I suspect they'll try to summon her again soon to intimidate her."Dominic's jaw clenched as he felt a surge of anger. He couldn't allow them to harm Summer for simply standing by his side. "They can try," he muttered. "Attend the meeting tomorrow in my place. If they question her, make sure she isn't left defenseless."Coleman nodded, a rare glimmer of approval in his eyes. "I'll make sure she's protected."Dominic dis
Night settled over the Lycan mansion, the quiet humming through the corridors reflecting the hidden tensions that brewed within. Dominic's gaze was fixed on the dark horizon outside his window, his mind restless as he pieced together the events of the day. The weight of leadership had always been a burden he accepted willingly, but with Summer now entangled in this dangerous web, his resolve felt fragile for the first time.A soft knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. Coleman entered, his expression serious."Dominic," Coleman began, his voice low, "there's something you need to know. Summer… confronted the Elders tonight."Dominic's eyes widened, a surge of alarm and admiration rising within him. "She did what?""She went to the council chamber herself," Coleman explained. "She warned them, Dominic. She threatened to expose their secrets if they didn't stop using her as leverage against you."Dominic's heart twisted, equal parts worry and something far warmer than he'd felt
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