Kamrynn's POV Alpha Draven’s arms stayed firm around me, his grip a subtle reminder of the power he wielded. He leaned back in his chair, his voice dropping to a low, ominous tone as he began his story.“There was once an Alpha,” he started, his voice steady but laced with an edge that made the air feel colder. “He ruled a Pack burdened by misfortune. The land they lived on was unyielding, the crops sparse, and the hunters returned empty-handed more often than not. Disease and hunger crept through the territory like a shadow, and the Pack’s numbers dwindled year after year.”I felt his breath graze my ear as he continued. “This Alpha was not the sharpest of men, but his heart was kind. He wanted nothing more than to see his people thrive. He sought solutions—alliances, trade agreements, even begging neighboring Packs for aid. But the more he tried, the more the world seemed to conspire against him. His people suffered, and he suffered with them.”I swallowed hard, the weight of the s
Kamrynn's POV Draven sighed heavily, his voice carrying the weight of centuries of desperation. “We’ve tried everything, you know,” he said, his tone uncharacteristically somber. “But nothing—not even the most powerful magic—can seem to break the curse.”His words hung in the air, thick and heavy, making it hard for me to breathe. I stared at him, my thoughts racing. For the first time since I met the man, he didn’t look like the untouchable Alpha with all the answers. There was something raw and vulnerable in his eyes, a glimpse of the torment he must have endured.He continued, his gaze distant as if he were staring into a memory. “I lost my wife to that curse,” he continued quietly. “She thought she could break it. She believed she could save me—save us all—but in the end, it cost her her life.”There was a flicker of something in his expression—grief, perhaps—but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He turned his piercing gaze back to me, his lips curling into a humorless smile
Kamrynn's POV I squirmed and twisted in Draven’s grip, trying desperately to break free, but his arm locked around me like an iron bar.“Let me go!” I snapped, my voice sharp with desperation. “You can’t take me away from here, Draven. Your plan will fail. You won’t get away with this.”“Oh?” Draven tilted his head, his lips curling into that infuriating, condescending smirk. “And why is that, little bird?”“Because,” I hissed, glaring at him, “people will come looking for me. Rmonica knows about my plan. If I go missing, you’ll be the first suspect. They’ll tear this palace apart, Draven. You won’t have anywhere to hide.”Draven chuckled, a deep, dark sound that sent shivers down my spine. “People will look for you, I agree. But not for the reason you think.”“What does that mean?” I demanded, a sick feeling coiling in my stomach.Draven’s smile widened as he leaned closer, his breath brushing against my cheek. “It means Alpha Orion will send his warriors to hunt you down like the c
Kamrynn's POV The hours dragged on, each second stretching endlessly as if the universe itself was mocking me. My body ached from being bound, my wrists raw from the ropes that had become all too familiar. The gag stifled my voice, turning even the smallest cry for help into a muffled hum that no one would hear.Through the thick, soundproof walls, faint noises seeped in. Laughter. Footsteps. The clinking of dishes. I couldn’t make out words, but I knew what it meant. The palace was alive, buzzing with anticipation for the mating ceremony. The thought made my stomach twist into knots. They were celebrating, completely oblivious to the danger that lurked within these very walls. Oblivious to me, bound and helpless in Draven’s private hell.The first time I’d screamed for help, I had dared to hope. I’d waited until Draven untied me for one of his twisted mealtime routines. The moment the gag was gone, I’d sucked in a deep breath and screamed with everything I had.“HELP! PLEASE, SOMEON
Kamrynn's POV For a brief moment, his body stiffened, caught off guard by my sudden move. But then, he responded with fervor, his hands tangling in my hair as he dominated the kiss. His lips were insistent, commanding, and when his tongue plunged into my mouth, it stole my breath away, claiming me with an intensity that made me feel as though I were suffocating under the weight of him.The kiss deepened, growing more aggressive as he tilted my head back to take full control. My fingers trembled as I reached for the bedside table, inching toward the pocketknife I knew was there. I needed to focus—needed to stay grounded despite the overwhelming sensation of his lips consuming mine.My fingers finally closed around the cool metal of the knife. I gripped it tightly and quickly slid it into the folds of my clothes, careful not to alert him.Draven was oblivious, too engrossed in the kiss as he maneuvered me backward. Before I knew it, I was on the bed, his weight pressing down on me. My
Kamrynn's POV The sound sliced through the air, silencing the room. All eyes turned to me, wide with shock and confusion.I stumbled into the Hall, my legs threatening to give out, but I forced myself to stand tall.“Kamrynn?” Rmonica’s voice broke the silence, a mix of relief and alarm. She started to rise, but Alpha Orion placed a hand on her arm, holding her back.“This marriage can't happen! Shouldn't happen. If it does, this Pack is doomed!” I warned, trying to catch my breath.Kyven’s face twisted with anger. “What are you doing here?! Where's the necklace you stole?”Ignoring him, I pointed directly at Alpha Draven, my voice trembling but firm. “This man is a liar and a monster! He’s planning to use this ceremony to destroy your family!”Gasps rippled through the crowd, the weight of my accusation hanging heavily in the air.Alpha Draven stood slowly, his movements calm and measured, though his eyes glinted with malice.“You have some nerve showing up here,” he said, his voice
Kamrynn's POV The hall descended into a suffocating silence after Thalia’s stunning declaration. All eyes locked onto her, wide with shock and disbelief.“Kamrynn is telling the truth,” Thalia repeated, her voice trembling but resolute.Kyven stepped closer to her, his face twisted with a mixture of confusion and desperation. “Thalia… what are you saying?” His voice cracked, his usual composure utterly shattered.Draven’s thunderous voice interrupted, sharp as a whip. “Enough!” His tone carried an iron authority, cutting through the mounting whispers. “Thalia, you don’t need to be afraid of Kamrynn. Don’t let her manipulate you into saying things you’ll regret.”Thalia turned to her father, tears streaming down her face, her voice trembling but firm. “I’m not afraid of Kamrynn, Father. I’m afraid of you.”Gasps rippled through the room.Draven stiffened, his expression darkening dangerously. “You don’t know what you’re saying,” he growled, his tone low and menacing.“I know exactly wh
Kamrynn's POV The room was eerily silent, the only sound the faint tinkle of glass settling amidst the shattered remnants of the chandelier. The scene before us was one of utter devastation, but the silence didn’t last long."Father! No!" Thalia's anguished scream pierced the stillness, shattering it into pieces. Her voice was raw, trembling with heartbreak, and it echoed off the walls of the grand hall like a haunting refrain.I turned, just in time to see her darting forward, her movements frantic and unsteady. She collapsed to her knees beside Draven's mangled body, her sobs breaking through in loud, wrenching cries. She clutched at what was left of him, her delicate hands trembling as she pressed them against his bloodied chest."Why? Why did it have to end like this?" she wailed, her voice filled with a sorrow so profound that I felt it in my bones.A wave of pity swelled within me, catching me off guard. Despite everything Draven had done, despite the terror he had brought upon
Kamrynn’s POVI practically ran into my room, clutching Astor against my chest like he was my lifeline. My hands were shaking so badly that it took two tries before I managed to turn the lock, securing the door behind us.Rmonica followed close behind, still holding Arabella, her face dark with confusion and concern.“Kamrynn,” she said, voice firm but laced with worry. “What the hell just happened? Who was that man?”I let out a shuddering breath, my chest heaving as I pressed my back against the door, needing its solidness to ground me. I turned my gaze to Rmonica, whose sharp green eyes were burning with questions.“That was Calvin,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Rmonica’s entire body stiffened. “Calvin?” she repeated, as if saying his name would somehow make the situation less real.I nodded. “He—he was here at the party. He approached me. Asked for my forgiveness.”Rmonica’s eyes flashed with pure, unfiltered rage. “That bastard had the guts to show his face? After eve
Kamrynn’s POVThe second I stepped into the bathroom, I barely had time to lock the door before my legs gave out beneath me. I crumpled onto the floor, my hands trembling as I clutched at my dress, gasping for air. My chest felt tight, as if someone had wrapped their hands around my throat and was squeezing, forcing out every last bit of control I had left.And then the first sob tore through me.It was raw, ugly, painful. The kind of cry that came from deep inside, from a place long buried under layers of strength and survival. The kind of cry I hadn't allowed myself in a very long time.My shoulders shook violently as I pressed a hand over my mouth, muffling the desperate sounds escaping me. My heart pounded against my ribs, the weight of everything crashing down all at once. I had held it together for as long as I could. I had faced Calvin without breaking, without giving him the satisfaction of knowing just how much he still had the power to hurt me. But now that I was alone, the
Calvin’s POVUpon arriving at the Blue Bell Pack’s celebration, a rare feeling of satisfaction settled in my chest. The plan was working. The guards at the entrance had barely spared me a second glance when I handed over my invitation, granting me access without suspicion. The grand hall was filled with energy—laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses creating a welcoming atmosphere.I had come here with a purpose. My Pack was barely holding on, resources dwindling to dangerous levels. This was my chance to negotiate with the Alpha of Blue Bell, to form an alliance, to secure a trade deal that could keep my people from starving. That was all that mattered.Or at least, it was. Until I saw her.At first, my mind couldn’t register it. I was making my way through the crowd when my eyes landed on a familiar figure at the buffet table. It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room.Kamrynn.My heart lurched in my chest, an erratic, painful thud. It had been so long—so long since
Kamrynn’s POVThe room felt like it had been frozen in time. My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at Calvin, the last person I ever expected—ever wanted—to see here. My back hit the buffet table, and I scrambled for balance, but his hands gripped my shoulders, steadying me.His touch burned through the fabric of my dress, sending a shiver down my spine. I inhaled sharply, steeling myself. I wouldn’t let him intimidate me. Not now. Not ever again.“What are you doing here?” My voice was low, sharp, laced with venom.“I need to talk to you,” he said simply, his voice calm but urgent.Before I could react, he removed his hands from my shoulders, his fingers sliding down to clasp my hand instead.“Let go of me,” I hissed, trying to pull away, but his grip was firm as he began leading me toward the edge of the hall.“Kamrynn, please. Just come with me. I don’t want to make a scene.”“Oh, I’ll make a scene,” I snapped, trying to dig my heels into the floor, but he was already pulling me
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