Amelia’s POVThe sound of the door creaking open made my heart skip a beat. I sat up straighter on the edge of the bed, my pulse quickening as the air in the room seemed to shift. Lucas.He stepped inside, closing the door behind him without a word, his tall, commanding frame filling the space. For a moment, I just stared at him, unsure of what to say or even feel. He hadn’t been in this room for days—not since the tension between us had stretched so thin that even sharing a space seemed impossible.Why now?I quickly looked away, forcing myself to focus on the patterns on the bedspread. But the silence in the room was thick, and I could feel his eyes on me. I hated how much my stomach fluttered just knowing he was here.“What brought you here?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. I couldn’t help it. His sudden appearance threw me off balance, and I didn’t like the way it made me feel.Lucas leaned against the doorframe, his lips curling into that infuriating smirk of his. “Why
Amelia’s POVThe morning sunlight crept into the room, slanting across the bed and warming my face. My eyes blinked open, groggy and heavy from a night of tossing and turning. Sleep had evaded me, leaving me restless and on edge. I could blame it on Maxwell, on the rogue, or on the mysterious text messages. But the truth was, the real reason was sitting across the room, perfectly at ease, as if he hadn’t completely disrupted my peace last night.Lucas.He stayed.The knowledge was like a live wire in my chest, sparking every time I glanced at him. I turned my head slightly, watching him out of the corner of my eye as he leaned back in the chair by the window, flipping through some document. His shirt was slightly unbuttoned, exposing the hard planes of his chest. His dark hair was messy, like he’d just rolled out of bed, but his face looked… annoyingly rested.Meanwhile, I was anything but.“You look well-rested,” I muttered, unable to hide the edge in my voice.He glanced up, one bro
Amelia's POVI stared out the window, the frost-covered gardens below blurring into an indistinct haze. My mind was too tangled to appreciate the view. Maxwell’s vague answers from the interrogation circled relentlessly in my head. His refusal to explain why he’d tampered with the rogue’s fate only left more questions, each darker than the last.Who have I offended? Who could hate me enough to orchestrate something like this within the palace walls? The thought made me sick. My position here wasn’t one of power, despite my title as Lucas’s crown Princess I was an outsider to many, and it seemed someone was eager to remind me of it.Snow stirred in the back of my mind, her voice soft yet firm. “This isn’t helping, Amelia. You’re spiraling. Maybe it’s time to trust Lucas with these doubts.”I let out a dry laugh, the sound hollow. “Trust him? We’re barely speaking to each other unless it’s necessary.”“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t care.” Snow argue back“Maybe.” I sighed, running a hand
I paced back and forth in my office, the sound of my boots echoing off the walls. The confession didn’t sit right. Maxwell’s words replayed in my mind, but no matter how I twisted them, they felt wrong. Too easy. Too pat. Who admits to a crime like that so suddenly? It stank of manipulation.He’s lying, Titan growled in my head, his voice a low rumble. Or someone forced him into it. You know this isn’t the end of it.“I know,” I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my hair. The tension coiled in my chest like a spring, tight and unyielding. I wanted to smash something, but that wouldn’t help. What I needed was clarity, a way to untangle this mess and expose the real threat.The sharp buzz of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. I grabbed it, Derek’s name flashing on the screen. Relief and apprehension hit me at once. If anyone could make sense of this, it was him.“Derek,” I answered.“I’ve got news,” he said, his tone serious. “The poison Maxwell used—it’s not somethin
Amelia’s POV The moment Maxwell was dragged back into his cell, I stayed rooted in place, staring down the now-empty corridor where Kurt had disappeared just moments before. My fingers curled into the fabric of my dress as I tried to process everything that had just happened. Lucas’s commanding tone echoed in my head, his unwavering authority cutting through Kurt’s arrogance. He’d defended me. Lucas Tuller, the same man who had been cold and distant for days, had stepped up for me—not as my husband bound by duty, but as someone who seemed genuinely determined to stand by my side. I let out a shaky breath, unsure of what to feel. Part of me wanted to scoff and chalk it up to nothing more than his sense of responsibility. Another part… another part whispered that there might be more to it. Snow stirred at the back of my mind, her voice soft but insistent. “He cares, Amelia. More than you want to admit.” I shook my head, my lips tightening into a thin line. “It’s duty, Snow. That’s
Kurt's POVI paced the length of my study, the tension coiled in my chest growing tighter with every step. My boots struck the polished wooden floor in a steady rhythm, but it did little to calm the storm in my head. Lucas’s words from earlier rang out in my mind, sharp and insufferable.“You are to show her respect.”I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. Respect? For Amelia? That insolent brat—barely old enough to know the weight of his title—expected me to bow to her. My lip curled as I thought about it. That woman had no right to sit beside him, let alone hold a title as esteemed as Crown Princess.Stopping by the window, I gazed out at the moonlit garden, the cool light only sharpening my thoughts. It was infuriating. Lucas’s loyalty to her ran deeper than I had anticipated. I’d hoped the bond between them was shallow, a fleeting connection formed out of duty rather than genuine trust. Yet today, he’d stood by her like a true partner, daring to question me in the process.My ja
Amelia’s POVThe grand hall hummed with tension as I stepped inside, Lena close beside me. The air felt heavy, each whispered murmur from the council members sinking into my skin like pinpricks. Sunlight filtered in through the high, arched windows, illuminating the ornate carvings on the walls, but the light felt cold, distant.The weight of what was about to unfold pressed on my chest. This wasn’t just about Maxwell’s crimes—this was about me, my position, and my life hanging in the balance.Lena’s voice broke through my thoughts, soft but firm. “You alright?”I nodded stiffly, my gaze fixed on the council table at the far end of the room. King Luther and Queen Narissa sat side by side, their regal presence commanding the space. Lucas stood slightly behind his father, his posture tense but controlled. His expression was unreadable, as always, but I caught the slight clench of his jaw.I tore my gaze away, forcing my feet to move. I couldn’t afford to let my emotions show—not here.“
Amelia’s POVI couldn’t stop replaying the trial in my head, even as the heavy doors slammed shut behind me. The sound echoed down the stone corridor like a final judgment, leaving me with this strange mix of satisfaction and unease. Maxwell’s sentencing was swift—death for his crimes. It should have been enough.But it wasn’t.Lucas had pulled me aside after the trial, his expression serious. I followed him into one of the quieter hallways, away from the lingering crowd. His steps were measured, his jaw tight. He didn’t speak until we were completely alone.“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice low.The question caught me off guard. Lucas rarely asked about my well-being unless it was strictly necessary. But today, there was something different in his tone—something softer.I hesitated, my fingers brushing against the fabric of my gown. “I’m fine,” I said, though my voice didn’t quite convince me.He nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on me, as if he didn’t believe me either. “Th
Amelia’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, my fingers lightly tracing the delicate embroidery along the bodice of my gown. The emerald-green fabric shimmered like the leaves of the palace gardens after a rainstorm, and it fit me perfectly—a stark contrast to the chaos swirling inside me. The stylist had insisted this color would bring out my eyes. I stared at my reflection and had to admit, she was right.Not that it mattered. The gown, the jewels, even the flawless braids in my hair—they were all just a mask. Tonight wasn’t about beauty or elegance. It was about survival.The Alpha Ball. Just the thought of it sent my pulse racing. Everyone who mattered in our world would be here tonight—the alphas, the lunas, the councils, the powerful families. Every handshake and glance would carry hidden meanings. And then there was me: Amelia, Lucas’s wife in name only. A contract. A secret.I smoothed the gown over my hips, trying to steady my nerves. Tonight, I had to be perfect. Polished.
Ethan’s POVThe conference room was stuffy, the hum of voices blending into a dull roar around Ethan as his pack discussed the logistics of their upcoming strategies. Ethan sat at the head of the table, his gaze locked on Mark, his beta, who was going over final preparations for the Alpha Ball and pack affairs during his absence.But Ethan wasn’t paying attention. His mind had drifted far from the table and the mundane discussions about patrol schedules or supply runs. He couldn’t stop thinking about the Alpha Ball, couldn’t stop imagining the scene that awaited him when he arrived.Amelia.Her name burned in his mind like a brand. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t suppress the image of her standing beside Lucas, her head held high, the picture of grace and strength. It made his blood boil, the muscles in his jaw tightening until it ached.“You’ve no one to blame but yourself,” Magnus growled in his mind, his wolf’s voice a sharp jab against his already frayed composure.“She’s
Amelia’s POVThe palace garden stretched before me, a quiet oasis where I could breathe, though my thoughts were anything but tranquil. The sun was soft this morning, filtering through the leaves and casting shifting patterns on the cobblestone path. It should’ve been peaceful, but my mind felt like a restless storm.I walked without direction, brushing my fingers against the cool leaves and blossoms that lined the garden paths. Despite the beauty surrounding me, my thoughts kept pulling me back to yesterday—to the boutique and the moment Luna Lara revealed Sabrina’s schemes.I could still hear her calm, confident voice as she exposed the truth. My chest tightened at the memory. The gratitude I’d felt in that moment had been overwhelming. Sabrina’s plan to humiliate me could have succeeded if not for Luna Lara stepping in.I’d thanked her before leaving the boutique, my words barely scratching the surface of how much her intervention had meant to me. But the aftermath of it all still
Lucas POV The trial had been over for days, but I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling it left behind. Something was off—both Kurt and Maxwell were too calm, too assured of their positions. Amelia had noticed it too, pointing out the glances they exchanged during the proceedings. She was right; I’d seen it myself. They weren’t just accused—they were calculated, like men with a hidden plan.I sat at my desk, leaning back in my chair as I tapped my fingers on the armrest. My gut churned with suspicion, my mind replaying every moment from the trial. Every word. Every look. Every lie. Maxwell and Kurt weren’t just covering for each other; they were playing a larger game, and I needed to figure out what that game was before it cost us more than we could afford.Amelia’s voice echoed in my mind, her concerns still fresh. She had seen it in them—something cold, something dangerous. The fact that she noticed it before I did gnawed at me. She wasn’t just observant; she had a sharpness to her tha
Amelia’s POV The Alpha Ball was approaching quickly, but my mind was still occupied with far more pressing concerns. Kurt. His name lingered in my thoughts like a persistent shadow, creeping into every moment of peace I tried to snatch. I couldn’t shake the memory of Maxwell glancing at him during the trial, as if he held the answers to unspoken questions. I hadn’t brought it up with Lucas again, but I wondered how his investigation was progressing. Would he find anything? Or was it all just my paranoia playing tricks on me?And then there was my mysterious ally. Their sudden silence gnawed at my nerves. I had sent a message after the trial, wanting answers—needing answers—but there had been no response. Who were they? Why had they chosen to help me? And why did they vanish now, when I had so many questions to ask? The absence of clarity was maddening.Pushing those thoughts aside, I joined Lena for our morning training session after breakfast. The familiar routine helped settle my r
Sabrina’s POVThe audacity.Sabrina stormed down the corridor, her fists clenched at her sides. The nerve of that pathetic peasant to stand there, smug and self-assured, calling herself the crown princess as if the title truly belonged to her. Sabrina’s face burned with fury, the memory of Amelia’s condescending smile replaying in her mind like a festering wound.“How dare she?” Sabrina hissed under her breath, her nails digging into her palms.Her long, dark hair swayed behind her as she moved, her sharp heels echoing through the halls. Every step fueled her anger, every thought stoked the fire in her chest. Amelia shouldn’t even be here. That title—her title—had been stolen, handed to some nobody who had stumbled her way into Lucas’s life.The memory of Lucas once looking at her with admiration filled her mind, a bitter pang twisting her gut. He had been hers, or so she thought. Sabrina shook her head violently. No. He still could be. Amelia was the obstacle, and obstacles could be
Amelia’s POVI never thought etiquette class would be where my thoughts kept wandering back to Maxwell’s trial. Yet here I was, my quill idly tapping against the desk, my mind replaying every moment. Maxwell’s furtive glances toward Kurt… his rehearsed answers… Lucas’s firm resolve to investigate further. All of it swirled in my head like an unsolved puzzle.“Amelia,” Ms. Gentle’s clipped tone pulled me back to the present.I straightened in my seat, startled.“As I was saying,” she continued, her sharp gaze sweeping the room, “the annual Alphas’ Ball is approaching. This will be the perfect opportunity to put your etiquette training to the test. I hope none of you will disappoint—especially the crown princess.”Her gaze lingered on me a moment too long, and I felt a twinge of embarrassment mixed with irritation.The Alphas’ Ball. I’d completely forgotten about it.I’d heard about the ball for years—an extravagant spectacle where Alphas and their packs gathered to build alliances, for
Amelia’s POVI couldn’t stop replaying the trial in my head, even as the heavy doors slammed shut behind me. The sound echoed down the stone corridor like a final judgment, leaving me with this strange mix of satisfaction and unease. Maxwell’s sentencing was swift—death for his crimes. It should have been enough.But it wasn’t.Lucas had pulled me aside after the trial, his expression serious. I followed him into one of the quieter hallways, away from the lingering crowd. His steps were measured, his jaw tight. He didn’t speak until we were completely alone.“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice low.The question caught me off guard. Lucas rarely asked about my well-being unless it was strictly necessary. But today, there was something different in his tone—something softer.I hesitated, my fingers brushing against the fabric of my gown. “I’m fine,” I said, though my voice didn’t quite convince me.He nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on me, as if he didn’t believe me either. “Th
Amelia’s POVThe grand hall hummed with tension as I stepped inside, Lena close beside me. The air felt heavy, each whispered murmur from the council members sinking into my skin like pinpricks. Sunlight filtered in through the high, arched windows, illuminating the ornate carvings on the walls, but the light felt cold, distant.The weight of what was about to unfold pressed on my chest. This wasn’t just about Maxwell’s crimes—this was about me, my position, and my life hanging in the balance.Lena’s voice broke through my thoughts, soft but firm. “You alright?”I nodded stiffly, my gaze fixed on the council table at the far end of the room. King Luther and Queen Narissa sat side by side, their regal presence commanding the space. Lucas stood slightly behind his father, his posture tense but controlled. His expression was unreadable, as always, but I caught the slight clench of his jaw.I tore my gaze away, forcing my feet to move. I couldn’t afford to let my emotions show—not here.“