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 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
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 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 whole room was as silent as a graveyard save for the loud beatings of Summer's heart, thumping loudly in her chest. Summer's body was frozen, her knees glued to the floor with her eyes fixed on the elder who was about to place the crown on her head."Summer, get up on your feet now before I come and pull you up myself!" Alan's voice boomed as he made his way toward Summer. Not only had Alan stormed into the throne room to disrupt the coronation but he had begun to make a scene."Do you really think that someone like you would ever become Luna?!" Alan shot at her."What.... what is the meaning of this, Alan?" Summer spun her head around with a confused expression on her face to address her future mate."What is the meaning of what? Face it, Summer, you're not fit to rule this pack!" Alan spat out at her."What is the meaning of this embarrassment, Alan?" Summer sneered. At this point, all eyes had fallen on her, trying to make out the reason why her future husband didn't want her t
"Wait!" Alan exclaimed, stepping into the circle where Summer was held firmly."Do not kill her yet." Alan let out and the guards holding on to her turned around to stare at him with surprise written all over their faces."Before you kill her, make her dance to her music. We do not want her to just go through a painless death, or do you? Torture her first, make sure she feels the impact of killing her parents." Alan smirked and rubbed his hands maniacally.The people cheered the moment Alan said that, it was evident that they were all in support of what Alan had just said. To Summer, the cheers and excitement of the people hit her like a brick wall, it felt as if she was in another world entirely. She couldn't believe how quickly the people turnned against her, how quickly they believed that after all these years of protecting them, she would be able to commit such atrocity—killing her parents."Yes. That's right, let's torture her until her body cannot take it anymore." Someone from
Summer's eyes blinked open to an unfamiliar room. She sat up on the huge bed, flicking her eyes around to assess her surroundings as her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.The last thing she could remember was being battered by her people, she shivered as she recalled the memory of several hands beating on her. Her eyes stung with tears at the humiliation and betrayal by Alan and her people. She could not comprehend how the same people she had dedicated her life to, had turned their backs on her in the blink of an eye.She was so immersed in her thoughts that she barely registered the entrance of another person in the room."I see you're awake!" The deep voice resounded in the room, snapping Summer out of her reverie."What-"She jumped out of the huge bed and instantly stopped mid sentence at the sight before her.Every pack was aware of the Lycan king and how powerful he was. Summer knew without doubt as she stared into those blue orbs that the Lycan king was peering back at her."I'm
Summer had been living in the Lycan kingdom for a few days, and she was not coping well, at all. She has been constantly on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop.To make things worse, she had not let her wolf out since she arrived, and her wolf was getting restless. But she could not bring herself to do what she really wanted—to let loose and run into the abyss, never to return again.She had attempted to leave on the second day when she had been rudely informed by the guards that she was not allowed to leave. Aggravated, she had gone searching for Dominic, but he was barely present in the palace, always doing one work or the other. She had made sure her displeasure was known by being rude to the other Lycans, especially her personal maid, Hilda.She had been trying to confront him since then, and it seemed as though the goddess was on her side, as an opportunity had finally been presented before her.She had been strolling around the garden, the only place she was allowed to go o
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