Magnus' POVThe sharp wind at the pack's border swept through the clearing, stirring the grass and carrying the faint scent of wildflowers. This place, usually my refuge from the weight of responsibilities, offered no solace today. Peace eluded me, lost beneath the turmoil swirling in my mind.My father's revelation about Milana replayed endlessly, a drumbeat of regret growing louder with each passing moment. She wasn't weak—far from it. The girl I had dismissed, humiliated, and ultimately rejected had been stronger than any of us realized. She was destined for greatness—a protector, a force our pack desperately needed. And I had turned my back on her.The weight of that truth pressed heavily on my chest. If only I had seen it sooner and hadn't been so blinded by ambition and arrogance, things might have been different. Instead, I'd chosen what I thought was best for the pack and my future as Alpha, only to discover how wrong I had been.Beside me, Riana sat against the gnarled trunk
Maximus' POVThe morning light streamed through my office windows, casting golden streaks over the polished desk. Stacks of reports and files covered every inch of space, demanding my attention, yet my mind drifted elsewhere. A knock at the door broke through the haze of my thoughts."Come in," I called, my tone sharp, betraying my frustration.Rowan entered my office with the same composed, purposeful stride I had expected from him. The faint scent of pine and fresh earth clung to his clothes, a reminder that while I often found myself trapped in meetings and administrative work, Rowan was still deeply connected to the land and the wolves who called it home. His calm yet efficient demeanor never faltered despite challenges that would have unsettled lesser wolves.He was one of the few whose opinion I valued, a steady force in a world often ruled by emotion and chaos. While others scrambled to gain my favor with half-truths or empty promises, Rowan remained resolutely grounded, speaki
Milana's POVThe vastness of Springcrest Prowlers Pack territory stretched endlessly in every direction, a reminder of the power of this pack and my insignificance within it. Even after weeks of being here, I still felt small. Everyone around me exuded strength—each wolf seemingly carved from raw dominance and purpose. On the other hand, I had yet to discover where I belonged.The wind carried the earthy scent of the forest and the delicate perfume of blooming wildflowers as I sat quietly in the pack's garden. The scene was undeniably beautiful. The manicured hedges framed bursts of colourful blossoms, and a gentle stream wound through the green expanse, its soft gurgling providing a tranquil soundtrack. The bright sky stretched above like a canvas brushed in vibrant hues of blue and gold.Despite the peace of the setting, unease churned in my chest. The grandeur of this place contrasted sharply with the turmoil inside me. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the feeling that
Chapter 37Maximus' POVThe office was quiet, save for the soft rustle of papers as I worked through another stack of tedious documents. The scent of aged leather and cedar lingered in the room, grounding me as the weight of responsibility pressed down on my shoulders. This rhythm had become my life—day in and day out, managing the endless intricacies of leading the pack. There was a time when I approached this work enthusiastically, each task a stepping stone to proving myself as Alpha. But nearly a century of leadership had eroded that initial spark, replacing it with the unrelenting grind of obligation. Now, it wasn't passion that kept me at this desk; it was duty, pure and simple.I glanced up briefly, noting Rowan seated across from me in one of the deep leather chairs. His usual composure, an asset I often relied on, was absent today. Subtle signs of unrest betrayed him—his fingers tapped an uneven rhythm on the armrest, his shoulders tensed, and his gaze flickered between me an
Milana’s POVThe morning sunlight spilt into my room like liquid gold, casting soft patterns on the floor through the sheer, swaying curtains. The gentle hum of the breeze outside contrasted with the flurry of activity around me. I stood motionless in the centre of the room as Amel and Erna worked with meticulous precision, their practised hands ensuring every detail of my appearance.“Hold still, Luna,” Amel murmured, her voice calm but firm as she adjusted the bodice of my pale blue dress. The fabric shimmered faintly in the sunlight, its delicate embroidery catching the light with every movement.Erna knelt behind me, deftly tying the ribbons into an intricate bow at the back. “There,” she said, stepping back to admire her work. “It’s perfect. You’ll be the picture of elegance.”I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. The dress fit like a second skin, the flowing fabric brushing against my ankles with an almost ethereal grace. But the image staring back at me felt distant like I
Milana’s POVThe air in the greenhouse was thick with tension, the fragrant aroma of blooming flowers doing little to mask the suffocating weight of their disdain. Sunlight filtered through the glass walls, casting golden streaks on the polished floors, but it felt cold, almost mocking. The words of the elder women cut through the serenity, sharp and deliberate, each syllable a calculated strike designed to wound.Their smooth yet filled with venom voices reverberated around the room, making it feel smaller as if their cruelty was closing in on me. My chest tightened with every breath, a struggle under their withering gaze.“How dare you speak like that,” Elder Maris hissed, her sharp tone reverberating in the quiet room. Her silver hair, coiled into a tight bun, seemed as unyielding as her gaze. “You’re insolent and disrespectful, far too confident for someone so unworthy.”Her words felt like a slap, but what came next was worse. “Even if you do manage to bear an heir, that child wi
Milana’s POVThe air in the inner section of the greenhouse was thick, suffocating with the weight of contempt that radiated from the elders and their guests. The lush greenery surrounding us offered no solace, their leaves casting shadows that seemed to mock my own insignificance.“You are weak,” Elder Maris hissed, her voice sharp and unyielding. Her silver hair glinted under the filtered sunlight, but her words were anything but light. “A Luna like you? A disgrace to this pack. No Alpha, especially Maximus, could possibly be bonded to someone like you.”The venom in her tone was echoed by the murmurs of agreement from the others. My chest tightened, their words latching onto every insecurity I had ever harbored. Deep down, I had questioned my place here. My connection with Max wasn’t built on love or devotion—it was an arrangement, a mutually beneficial relationship. Or so I had convinced myself.My mind drifted as they continued their tirade, my memories dragging me back to my pre
Milana’s POVThe room was a cacophony of mocking laughter and sharp-edged insults, their voices layering over each other like a storm threatening to drown me. Their words sliced through my composure, dragging my self-worth to the floor."You're nothing but a disappointment!” one of the elders sneered."A Luna like you is a disgrace," another chimed in, her tone laced with venom.My head throbbed, the tension pressing against my temples like a vice. I tried to focus, to anchor myself, but the room spun, their jeers blurring into a low hum. My ears began to ring, a piercing sound that drowned out their cruel words. The edges of my vision darkened, and for a moment, I thought I might collapse.I clung to that question like a lifeline, desperate to stay conscious. But then, something shifted deep within me. It was like a switch being flipped, an ancient, dormant part of me snapping awake. Heat surged through my veins, pulsing with an intensity that bordered on pain. My heart thundered in
Milana’s POVThe room was quiet, dimly lit by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. I lay sprawled across the plush mattress, staring up at the ceiling. Memories danced in my mind, vivid and tantalizing. It was always the same—those nights when Max and I had been lost in each other, tangled in passion. My lips curled into a small smile as I recalled the way he had whispered my name, his touch igniting a fire that burned hotter than anything I’d ever known.Max had a way of making me feel alive, as if the world outside didn’t matter. He could tease me with a single glance, a mischievous smile that sent my heart racing. He always knew what to say, what to do, to strip away any resistance I might have. He was magnetic, and I was powerless to resist him.But tonight was different. The memories weren’t enough to distract me from the heaviness in my body. For days now, I’d felt unusually fatigued. My energy was sapped, and I spent more time lying in bed than doing anything productive. Even the
Riana’s POVThe pain from the lashes still burned across my back, each movement sending fresh waves of agony through my body. The wounds throbbed beneath the thin fabric of my dress, a constant, searing reminder of the public humiliation I had endured. But worse than the physical pain was the sting of their judgment. Their whispers followed me like shadows, hissing insults and mocking my fall from grace. I could feel their eyes on me, sharp and cold, as if their gazes alone could strip me of whatever dignity I had left.I moved cautiously through the packhouse, every step a test of my resilience. My body ached with every breath, my pride bleeding as heavily as my wounds. I kept my head high, but it was a façade—one that threatened to crumble under the weight of their ridicule. They had once envied me, admired me, sought to be me. Now, they watched with satisfaction as I suffered, their hatred palpable and unrelenting.Memories of who I used to be haunted me with every passing moment.
Riana’s POVThe sharp, throbbing ache coursing through my body was the first thing I felt as I stirred from unconsciousness. My eyelids fluttered open, heavy and uncooperative, as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings. The familiar warmth and scent of my room greeted me, but the comfort it once brought felt distant and hollow. Every part of me hurt, like I had been ripped apart and pieced back together with trembling hands.A voice called my name, soft and trembling with worry. My head turned toward the sound, and I saw my mother standing by the bed, her face pale and streaked with tears. Her lips quivered as she tried to smile, but the sorrow in her eyes betrayed her. My father stood beside her, his usual commanding presence dimmed, his shoulders sagging under the weight of something unspeakable. The air in the room was heavy with grief, suffocating in its intensity.“Riana, my love,” my mother whispered, her voice breaking. She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my d
Riana’s POVThe sharp sting of Magnus’s slap reverberated across my cheek, the impact so fierce that my vision blurred momentarily. My head snapped to the side, and a gasp escaped my lips, though I quickly swallowed the sound, refusing to show weakness. The air between us burned with unspoken fury, thick with Magnus’s rage as he loomed over me, his face contorted in disdain.“You’re the source of all this chaos, Riana,” he spat, his voice venomous. “None of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t listened to you. You’ve ruined everything—my reputation, my future, my place in the pack. All of it!”I pressed my trembling hand against my stinging cheek, glaring up at him through tear-filled eyes. “Don’t act like this is all my fault, Magnus!” I shot back, my voice trembling but defiant. “You made your choices too. This wasn’t just me.”Magnus’s hand shot out, gripping my chin with brutal force and tilting my face toward him. His eyes burned with a mix of fury and frustration, his lips curling
Riana's POVThe oppressive silence of the grand hall weighed down on me as I stood beside Magnus. My heart pounded, a mixture of indignation and unease twisting in my chest. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. This wasn’t supposed to happen to me.The twelve elders sat in a perfect circle at the center of the room, draped in black robes that concealed their faces. Their mere presence radiated authority, making it hard to breathe. I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure as their eyes—or what I imagined were their eyes—bore into us."Magnus Hale and Riana Devereaux," one of them began, his voice a low rumble that reverberated through the hall. "Your recent actions have brought disgrace to this pack."I bristled at his words, my spine straightening as a surge of indignation coursed through me. Disgrace? The word echoed in my mind, fueling the fire of my growing frustration. How could defending myself, standing my ground, be seen as disgraceful? My nails dug into my palm
Milana’s POVThe aftermath of the fight hung heavy in the air as Max turned to me, his stormy eyes scanning my face for any sign of injury. His hand brushed lightly against my arm as if to ensure I was still in one piece. "Are you okay?" he asked, his deep voice laced with concern.I nodded, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. "I'm fine, Max. Really," I assured him. My voice was steady, though my adrenaline was still coursing through me. I didn't miss the way his jaw tightened, a muscle ticking as he silently assessed the situation."Milana, you went too far," Magnus's voice cut through the tension. His tone carried both frustration and something else-something almost desperate. He stood next to Riana, who was leaning against him, her face pale and her once-polished appearance now a shadow of its former glory.I raised an eyebrow at him, my lips curving into a smirk. "Did I? Last I checked, she was the one who attacked me first." My voice was calm, yet laced with enough veno
Milana’s POVThe shrill pitch of Riana’s scream cut through the tranquil garden like a blade, drawing every pair of eyes in our direction. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd as they turned to watch the spectacle unfolding before them. I didn’t flinch or falter, my gaze fixed on her as she stomped toward me with fury etched across her delicate, arrogant features. Riana always carried herself as if she were the center of the universe, her confidence built on years of entitlement and manipulation. With her perfectly styled updo and designer gown clinging to her every curve, she looked every bit the queen of her own delusional world.But to me, she was nothing more than a thorn—a nuisance that pricked but never truly hurt. Her sense of superiority had always grated on me, but tonight, I welcomed it. She had made her move, and I wasn’t about to back down.Her voice trembled with rage as she screamed again, calling me names and throwing accusations that barely registered in my m
Milana’s POVThe evening air in the garden was cool, carrying the faint scent of blooming roses. I turned at the sound of approaching footsteps, expecting perhaps Daisy again. Instead, my breath hitched. Standing there, bathed in the silvery glow of the moonlight, were two men I knew all too well—Lewis and Magnus.A chill crept up my spine as my gaze locked on them, though I quickly masked it with a cold glare. Of all the people I could have encountered tonight, these two were the last I wanted to see. The weight of their presence was suffocating, like a shadow stretching across the moonlit garden.Lewis’s sharp eyes raked over me, dissecting me with a look that felt invasive, as though he could uncover every thought in my mind. There was something unnerving about the way he stared—intense, calculating, as if I were a puzzle he desperately wanted to solve. His demeanor was far from warm or fatherly, despite his earlier claims of being my blood. Instead, it was laced with a possessiven
Milana’s POVThe soft glow of the vanity lights reflected off the delicate silver necklace clasped around my neck as I adjusted it one last time. Max stood behind me, his towering presence as steady and commanding as ever, watching me through the mirror with an approving gaze."You look perfect," he said simply, his voice carrying that effortless authority that always made my chest tighten.I turned slightly, letting the soft fabric of the emerald gown cascade around me. The rich green hue complemented my skin tone perfectly, bringing out the subtle warmth in my complexion. Max had chosen it with his usual impeccable taste—fitted at the waist to accentuate my figure, while the skirt flowed down in a cascade of silky folds, brushing lightly against the floor. The neckline was modest yet alluring, with just enough to hint at elegance without being overly revealing. Every detail of the dress was designed to make a statement, from the intricate stitching to the delicate shimmer that caugh