Cynthia’s POVWhen Vikrov finally returns from Alpha Maverick’s office, there’s something undeniably off about him. I’ve been pacing around Vikrov’s office for at least an hour waiting for him to come back, and I’ve spent every second of it wracked with nerves.“Did Alpha Maverick suspect anything?” I ask nervously, walking up to him. Vikrov doesn’t speak. He just shakes his head lightly, sitting down on the couch and pouring himself a glass of water. He doesn’t drink it, though. His gaze is far away and glassy. “Can we bring Galen more food tomorrow?” I ask tentatively. Vikrov stares at me for a long moment, then nods slowly. “If you want to.”I’ve never seen him like this before.My stomach sinks. Is it me? Did I do something wrong? Or has something much worse than I could ever do happened?I hesitate a moment before asking the question. “Vikrov, what happened?”“Nothing.” His answer is quick this time.I pause, looking him up and down for a moment. Since Vikrov is saying it’s
Vikrov’s POV‘Alpha Liam and his warriors have breached our borders,’ Beta Brooks mind-links me when he sees Cynthia in the office.So that slimy bastard finally found out.I sigh, pursing my lips. I don’t know how long Cynthia’s memory will stay gone for–I have no idea what her seeing Liam might do. What will she remember, if anything?And if she remembers even the littlest thing, will she try and leave?“I’ll handle this,” I tell Cynthia, kissing her forehead lightly. “You go back to the room and rest.”“But you…” she trails off, gaze dropping to my chest, where my shirt is covering my injuries once more. “It’s nothing,” I assure her. “Not the first time this has happened.”I’m not sure if the reassurance will soothe her nerves, but it’s a start. Cynthia sighs, looking up at me with concern, but shuffles out of the hallway and presumably into her bedroom. “They’re gathered at the west gate,” Alpha Brooks tells me as we walk to the border. His expression is grim. “I’ve already dep
Vikrov’s POVA moment before Liam’s sharp claws slice into Cynthia’s skin, he stops abruptly.He recognizes her.And he’s horrified by what he sees.It’s a horrifying sight for him, I’m sure. Cynthia–who was once so loyal to his pack, loyal enough to serve as his Beta, loyal enough to perhaps serve as more than his Beta–having become so thoroughly endeared to me that she’s put herself in harm’s way. But I can only find the whole situation entertaining. He’s lost, and I think he knows it. The battle rages on relentlessly behind us, warriors clashing brutally, but Liam seems unable to focus on any of it. Endless shock, confusion, and pain floods his eyes, and I have to admit, it’s extremely satisfying to see. An unprecedented joy and fulfillment floods my soul. For possibly the first time in my life, I feel immensely content. See? I want to gloat. See, she chose me.But that would reveal more than I’d like to Cynthia. As far as she knows, she’s never had that choice to begin with. Sh
Cynthia’s POVThe moment I see that man’s face, my head begins to ache unbearably.I collapse into sobs after a few moments. He says something. My name. His name. Liam. All I can see is him, and Moon Goddess, he’s painful to look at. I don’t know what will happen next. Arms envelop me, then they leave, then I’m walking, then I’m wandering through the pack house, then I’m sprawled out in a soft bed heaped in blankets and all I can do is cry.Who is Liam? He’s our enemy, from another pack. He wants to hurt Vikrov. I should hate him. I do hate him, but–Why do I feel like I know him? The pain of the headaches is familiar. I’ve felt like this before. And the pain I felt when I saw Liam is familiar, too.We have a history.I can feel it. He knows me. He knows my name. And the look in his eyes is so painful…Who is he?The more I try to recall the answer, the more my head throbs. It’s a splitting, horrific kind of pain that makes it impossible to focus on anything. I can’t help but whimper
Cynthia’s POVOver the next couple days, with Vikrov’s help, I’m able to sneak Galen food a few times.We’ve developed something of a routine, Vikrov and I, with distracting the guards while I sneak in and out of the cabin. And Galen has become adapted to the routine too–despite bearing new wounds every day, he doesn’t resist me anymore. He finishes all the food I bring him, and cooperates well with his injections. The dungeons may be horrible to go through, but I’m glad I’ve been able to help Galen through all of this. And I think it’s good for Vikrov, too, to have a way to show his brother he cares. Their situation is complicated, but I hope it can get better from here. I breathe out a sigh of elation as I walk around the outside of the pack house to Galen’s room. Today was his last day in the dungeon–he’s free now, and has finally had the chance to be looked over by an actual doctor, which he was in desperate need of. Because Alpha Maverick seems to resent Vikrov and Galen gettin
Liam’s POV“Where’s Cynthia?”I look up, disheartened, as Elena asks the question. She’s clearly fretting, wringing her hands and pacing back and forth. Unfortunately, my returning alone won’t do anything to alleviate her concerns. “Is she hurt?” Elena continues. “Resting in her room?” She turns to leave. “I’ll go check on her.”As she walks past me, I grab her wrist. “She stayed at the Eclipse pack,” I say mournfully.“What?” Elena’s eyes widened in shock. “Why didn’t you bring her back? We had so many warriors, we easily could have–”I shake my head. “It’s no use. She…” I pause. It’s a painful memory. “When I attacked Vikrov, she stood in front of him. She wouldn’t let me attack him.” “She protected him?” Elena asks incredulously. “The Cynthia I know would never do anything like that. What’s going on?”I sigh. “I don’t know. We need to interrogate those maids from the Eclipse pack again. They must be hiding something.”Elena and I make our way to the dungeon where the maids are be
Cynthia’s POVLate at night, I’m waiting at an isolated mountaintop in the Eclipse Pack’s territory, basking in the moonlight glow.“Why did you tell me to meet you at such a remote place so late?” Galen complains as he struggles up the mountaintop, but he seems relaxed overall. He sits down next to me quickly. “Sorry about the climb,” I apologize. “I hope you’re healing up okay. I would’ve liked to meet you at the pack house during the daytime, but then Alpha Maverick could’ve spotted us, and he would’ve beaten you to a pulp.” My heart twinges a little when I see him flinch. Galen shrugs, stretching out. I can see that his wounds have mostly healed–on a surface level, at least.“The view here is great, isn’t it?” I say, reaching into the basket I prepared and handing him a can of beer.He hesitates for a moment, then accepts the can and cracks it open. “Why are we here?”“To drink!” I say, opening a can for myself and clinking it against his. “Cheers.”I take a big swig of cold bee
Vikrov’s POVCynthia is, without a doubt, the most special girl I’ve ever met.She’s so kind, sincere, smart…And passionate.Right now, she’s already managed to get my shirt unbuttoned. I can’t help but laugh at the practiced ease with which she undoes the buttons. Her hands caress my shoulders gently, sending shivers along my skin. Her fingers trail along my chest, my abs, moving downward…Just as she starts to unbuckle my belt, I grab her hand.I don’t want to stop her. I’m so hard it’s almost painful. But if Cynthia and I are going to sleep together, this isn’t how I want to do it. “You’re drunk, Cynthia,” I pant.She tilts her head playfully, thinking for a moment as though she doesn’t quite understand what I’m saying. Her face is flushed. She looks beautiful. I don’t think Cynthia understands how much I want her–all she knows how to do is tease me mercilessly, and everything she does only makes me want her more. Cynthia’s eyes, filled with stars, mesmerize me. She was made to