Kamrynn's POV My heart falls to my feet and my stomach twists with anxiety as I try to come up with an excuse.“It's not like that… I was just…” But she quickly cuts me off with the raise of her hand. Her harsh gaze falling on her key still held tightly in my palm.“It seems I underestimated you, you little parasite. Such a curious little thing, aren't you? Even after my warning, you still had the gall to cross me. You even went as far as stealing the key to my room. How bold of you.” She said and leaned closer, her voice a sinister whisper in my ear.“Unfortunately, I'm not the type to forgive. You dug your own grave so I hope you enjoy it because I'm about to bury you myself. I'm going to expose you right now and destroy you in the process. You're going right back to prison.” She chuckled softly and her words went straight to my spine, making my feet suddenly feel my jelly.She snatched the key from my hand before stepping back and clearing her throat softly, preparing to put on a
Kamrynn's POV After the close call with Eloane, I make it back to my room and take a deep breath, pressing the small container of pills to my chest. My heart still pounds, adrenaline humming in my veins. I carefully hide the pills in the back of a drawer, tucking them away where they’ll stay safe until I can get them tested.Sitting on my bed, I force myself to think calmly. How can I get these tested without raising suspicion? I need a solid reason to leave the palace. And then, it hits me. My prenatal checkup is coming up soon, and Rmonica had already planned to accompany me. It’s in three days, but if I can just manage to stay under the radar until then, it’ll be the perfect opportunity.For the next three days, I avoid Eloane as much as possible, keeping my head down and sticking to tasks that won’t draw any attention. Each night, I double-check that the pills are still safely tucked away. Every time I see Eloane passing by, I feel the hairs on my neck stand up. I know she’ll try
Kamrynn’s POVThe tension in the grand living room is thick as I keep glancing toward the entrance, trying to look like I’m just focused on the cushions, the vases, anything. But every time I look at the door, my heart races. Any minute now, the results should be here. I’ve waited the entire day for this, and it’s my one chance to confirm what Eloane’s really been up to.As I reposition a vase for the third time, I feel a presence behind me. My stomach tightens before I even turn around. Eloane.She narrows her eyes at me, crossing her arms. “What exactly are you doing, Kamrynn?” she asks, her tone sweet but laced with venom. “It’s almost like you’re… waiting for something.”I keep my focus on the vase, ignoring her as best I can. “Just doing my chores, Eloane,” I respond as evenly as possible, hoping she’ll lose interest.“Oh, but I don’t believe that for a second,” she purrs, stepping closer. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you? Sneaking around, watching the door like a little mo
Kamrynn’s POVI sit on the edge of my bed, staring at the test results for what feels like hours. The words on the paper blur together, but their meaning is crystal clear: Eloane has been poisoning Rmonica. The Luna has trusted her with everything, and this is how Eloane repaid her.The enormity of the situation makes my head spin. I can’t just sit here and pretend I don’t know the truth. But what am I supposed to do? March up to Rmonica and shove the results in her face?No.I shake my head, the sick feeling in my stomach growing heavier. Eloane would find a way to twist the narrative, to paint me as the liar. She’d probably call me jealous or vengeful, claim I planted the pills or tampered with the results.And even if Rmonica believed me, what then? Eloane is carrying their child. They wouldn’t be able to punish her, not without jeopardizing the pregnancy.I bury my face in my hands, frustration clawing at me. I’m trapped.Later, while helping Tiona clean the dining hall, my though
Kamrynn's POV The decision to plant a camera in Eloane’s room wasn’t one I made lightly. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and right now, my desperation outweighed my fear. There was something brewing in the palace, something dark, and I knew Eloane was at the heart of it.I didn’t have the means to pull this off alone, though, and Tiona was the only person I could trust—or at least manipulate into helping.“Tiona,” I said one morning, carefully choosing my tone. “I’m embarrassed to ask, but… could you loan me some money?”Tiona paused mid-bite of her toast, her eyebrows lifting. “Loan? Why? What do you need?”I hesitated, playing up my discomfort. “It’s just… pregnancy essentials. A few personal things I can’t ask the palace for. You know how it is.”Her expression softened. “Of course. How much do you need?”“Not too much,” I said quickly, naming an amount I knew would cover the tiny hidden camera I’d been eyeing in town.She handed me the money without hesitation, and a
Kamrynn's POVI pulled the hood of my cloak lower over my face as I trailed Eloane through the dense forest path. My steps were deliberate, silent, though my heart thundered loud enough to make me fear it might betray me. She walked briskly, a small satchel swinging at her side, her head turning occasionally as if she sensed someone nearby. I kept my distance, ducking behind trees and crouching low whenever she glanced back.The hidden location she chose wasn’t far, just past the stream that cut through the northern edge of the Blue Bell Pack's territory. A small clearing appeared as she broke through the brush, and I stopped short, crouching behind a thick tree trunk. The area was secluded, surrounded by towering oaks, and the faint scent of damp moss filled the air.Raelan stepped into view. My chest tightened at the sight of him. His broad shoulders were tense, his arms crossed over his chest as he waited. Even from here, I could see the impatience etched across his face. Eloane em
Kamrynn’s POVI slammed the door to my room and leaned against it, the recorder clutched tightly in my trembling hands. My breath came in quick, shallow bursts as the adrenaline surged through me. I couldn’t waste a second. Every moment I delayed was another chance for Eloane’s vile scheme to unfold.I hurried to my desk, yanked the laptop open, and connected the recorder. The screen flickered to life, and I clicked through the files, uploading the footage as quickly as the machine allowed. Each second felt like an eternity.“Come on, come on,” I muttered under my breath, glancing nervously at the door.Finally, the progress bar reached one hundred percent. I copied the files onto multiple flash drives, each one a lifeline. One went into my bag, another under the mattress. I even considered hiding one in the bathroom, but time wasn’t on my side.Grabbing the recorder, I slipped it into my pocket and bolted for the door. This was it. It was time to reveal everything to Rmonica. She des
Kamrynn's POV In my room, I opened the laptop, my hands shaking. Rmonica and the Alpha stood behind me, their expressions tense.I played the footage, letting the damning evidence speak for itself. Eloane’s voice filled the room, her words as clear as the day I’d recorded them.When the video ended, silence fell.Rmonica’s hands trembled as she covered her mouth. “I can’t believe this…”The Alpha’s fists clenched, his fury palpable. “She’ll pay for this.”He stormed out of the room, Rmonica stumbling behind him, clearly overwhelmed. I felt sorry for her more than anything. She didn't deserve any of this. But the truth, despite how bitter it is, is the only thing that can, and will set her free.I closed my laptop and quickly followed them. Eloane was still present in the living room and she looked as white as a ghost, her fingers trembling at her sides.The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on as Rmonica and the Alpha faced Eloane. Her face was pale but defiant, her arms
Kamrynn’s POVAnxiety curled in my stomach like a stubborn weed, refusing to be uprooted no matter how hard I tried to shake it. It had been two days since the nightmare, but Calvin’s haunting gaze and his bloodied hands still lingered in my mind like a stain. Every time I closed my eyes, the vision of him whispering, “You’re my salvation,” echoed in my ears. The memory left a bitter taste in my mouth, a warning I couldn’t decipher. I couldn't help but wish over and over again that I would never have to cross paths with that man.I tugged absently at the hem of my dress, my mind racing. The party. I still wasn’t sure I wanted to attend. In fact, every fiber of my being screamed to stay behind, to shut myself away with my twins and avoid the crowd altogether.The sound of soft gurgling pulled me from my thoughts. I turned toward the crib and found Astor and Arabella lying side by side, their tiny hands waving in the air as they grunted at each other. They were only a week old, yet they
Calvin's POVThe rhythmic ticking of the clock on the far wall grated on my nerves as I sifted through the endless paperwork littering my desk. Numbers, trade routes, inventory lists—all of it blurred together into meaningless scribbles. My mind wasn’t here, couldn’t be here, not when Kamrynn was still out there, somewhere. The gnawing frustration and helplessness had become a constant ache in my chest, and no amount of work could drown it out.A sharp knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I straightened in my chair, my voice sharp and unwelcoming. “What?”Franklin stepped in, his expression carefully neutral. He always wore that mask when dealing with me these days, likely to avoid triggering one of my outbursts. “Alpha,” he greeted me with a respectful nod.I wasted no time. “Do you have news?”Franklin hesitated, the pause long enough to stoke my irritation. He knew better than to drag his feet, especially about this.“Well?” I demanded, my tone harsher than I intended.“No
Kamrynn’s POVIt had been five days since I gave birth to my twins, and the world felt both miraculous and impossibly heavy. The aftermath of childbirth wasn’t something I’d fully prepared for, no matter how many stories I’d heard or how many reassurances I’d been given. My body felt like a battlefield, and I wasn’t sure if I was winning or losing the war.My first real struggle came from the constant bleeding. Every movement reminded me that my body was still in recovery, and the dull ache in my abdomen served as a persistent reminder that my body had gone through something extraordinary—and excruciating. I shifted uncomfortably in bed, my hand brushing against the bundle of blankets where my twins slept.The exhaustion wasn’t just physical. Sleep was a distant memory, a luxury I hadn’t experienced since their arrival. Every cry woke me in a panic, my heart pounding as I scrambled to soothe whichever baby needed me more. Even when they were quiet, I found myself lying awake, afraid s
Calvin's POV The moment the witch’s words settled in my mind, I knew what had to be done. Kamrynn was the key to saving the Pack, the only chance to break the curse that had turned our lives into a living nightmare. The realization felt like a hammer striking my chest. I clenched my fists, a mix of dread and determination swirling within me."Thank you," I said to the witch, my voice hoarse. She regarded me with wary eyes, as if unsure whether I meant it.“Remember, Alpha,” she replied, her voice sharp like a blade. “Your Pack’s salvation depends on her forgiveness. Nothing else can save you.”I nodded grimly and left her dwelling, the air around me feeling colder than ever. Kamrynn was out there somewhere, not just carrying the hope of my Pack’s survival, but also my child—my heir. She must have given birth by now, and the thought of her raising my child, away from me, filled me with an unbearable mix of frustration, yearning, and guilt.Returning to the Pack, I knew there was no ti
Calvin's POV“If you think I'd ever—” I had begun my strong rebuttal when I felt Franklin's hand on my shoulder.“We don't have a choice, Alpha. Just do it, please. For the sake of the Pack. She's our last hope.” He pleaded.I knew that all too well but still…I clenched my fists, trying to rein in my temper. “Please,” I said through gritted teeth, bowing my head in surrender. “Please help me, my people are dying. If you know something, please tell me and you'll forever have my gratitude.”She quirked an eyebrow but a smile finally settled on her face. “That wasn't so hard now, was it?” She quipped after a long pause. “Step inside.”The room we entered was darker than the hallway, lit only by the faint glow of a fire in the hearth. The air was even heavier in here, suff
Calvin’s POVHopelessness was a poison that seeped into every corner of my life. No matter how hard I tried to shake it off, it clung to me, a suffocating shroud.For months, I had tried everything—letters, emissaries, messengers, and desperate pleas—but it was no use. Not a single Pack wanted to be associated with us. Not after the children's deaths. The weight of what had happened to our firstborns had turned us into pariahs. The news spread fast, faster than even I could have anticipated. Stories of death, sorrow, and desperation painted the Obsidian Pack as cursed, as a place to be avoided at all costs.The once-bustling Pack lands now felt hollow, every corner of it a reminder of what we’d lost. Mothers who had buried their children wandered aimlessly, their eyes hollow, their grief so loud it felt like a scream ringing in my ears day and night. Fathers clung to their surviving families, but even they looked at me with resentment burning in their eyes. I'd spent weeks, months, tr
Kamrynn's POV The room was still except for the soft rustle of fabric as Tiona finished cleaning me up. My body felt heavy, utterly spent, but there was a strange lightness in my chest. The pain had been unbearable, yes, but holding my children—seeing their tiny faces—had made it all worth it.Tiona handed me a warm blanket, and Rmonica carefully adjusted the cradle where the twins lay, swaddled and sleeping peacefully. “Have you decided on names yet?” Rmonica asked, her voice soft and full of warmth.I smiled, my heart swelling as I gazed at the little bundles. “Astor,” I said, touching the soft tufts of dark hair on my son’s head. “And Arabella,” I added, caressing my daughter’s tiny cheek.Rmonica beamed. “Beautiful names, Kamrynn. They’re perfect.”Aryna hummed her approval in the back of my mind. “Astor and Arabella,” she said, her voice a comforting presence. “Strong names for strong pups.”Tiona stepped back, wiping her hands. “You did wonderfully, Kamrynn. They’re beautiful,
Calvin's POV The day had started no differently than the countless others of late—heavy with tension and a suffocating sense of dread. I was seated behind my desk, the surface strewn with reports and maps that Franklin and I had been dissecting. The room felt oppressive, the walls closing in with the weight of my Pack's suffering.The room was quiet except for the rustling of papers as Franklin explained the latest updates on our attempts to negotiate with the Moon Rock Pack. His voice was steady, but I could sense the exhaustion in his tone. We were both worn thin.I leaned back in my chair, trying to push away the throbbing headache that had been my constant companion for weeks. "We’ll try again," I said, my voice heavy. "We don’t have another option. They’re our last hope for supplies before winter."Franklin nodded but didn’t seem convinced. "I’ll prepare the next envoy," he said, though he didn’t meet my eyes.A sudden, frantic knock on the door broke through the quiet. It wasn’t
Kamrynn's POV The month following the breaking of the Amethyst curse had been a whirlwind. Kyven and Thalia’s mating ceremony two weeks ago was a grand affair, their love shining brighter than ever. Now they were off on their honeymoon, leaving the Pack in high spirits.As for me, I had embraced my role as the Pack’s Guardian with pride. The respect I received from the Pack members was overwhelming, their gratitude fueling my determination to serve. Yet, my heavy pregnancy had prevented me from fully stepping into the position. I promised myself that after the birth of my babies, I would devote myself entirely to the Pack’s prosperity.I sat on my bed, a book in my hands. My swollen belly rested heavily on my thighs, and the occasional kick from my little ones brought a smile to my face. It was a quiet moment, one I cherished. But as always, peace was fleeting.The serenity that came with being lost in a good book was suddenly shattered by a pain so sharp and consuming that it felt l