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
Summer stepped out of her bedroom, adjusting her collar and smoothing down the folds of her dress. She knew exactly where she was going and what to expect—at least, she thought she did. Elara's chamber had always been a place of silent, regimented routines. But after yesterday's unexpected time off, granted by Dominic himself, she wasn't sure what mood she would find Elara in.As she arrived, she took a steadying breath and knocked softly before entering. Elara, who was seated by her vanity, turned her piercing gaze on Summer the moment she stepped inside."Summer," Elara's voice was brisk, a touch sharper than usual. "Why didn't you resume your duties yesterday? I had to handle everything myself."Summer swallowed, maintaining a calm expression. "I apologize, Lady Elara. It was on Dominic's order."Elara raised a perfectly arched eyebrow, her eyes flashing with a hint of annoyance. With a quick roll of her eyes, she muttered something under her breath, then dismissed Summer's explana
As Summer resumed her tasks in Elara's chamber, she couldn't shake the memory of her tense encounter with Jessica. Her fingers moved absently over the sparkling jewels, sorting them by type and color, but her thoughts were far from organized. She knew Jessica was scheming—she could feel it in the malice that lingered in her words.An hour later, Elara returned, carrying herself with the usual regal composure, though her eyes hinted at tension. Summer stole a glance at her, noting the slight furrow in Elara's brow."Are the jewels organized, Summer?" Elara asked, her voice softer than usual."Yes, Lady Elara," Summer replied, stepping aside so Elara could inspect her work.Elara's gaze swept over the neatly organized pieces, and she gave a brief nod of approval. "Good. You may leave for now, but I expect you back in the evening to prepare my attire for the banquet."Summer inclined her head respectfully. "Of course, Lady Elara." She was about to turn when Elara called her back."Oh, an
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
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
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