Berrilyl's POV I hated myself. There was no other way to put it. I felt deep frustration mixed with self-loathing, hard to shake off. I had failed. I had failed at escaping, and the weight of that failure sat heavily on my chest. I had been so close, so close to getting away from everything that had held me captive for so long. But in that critical moment, I hesitated. I had lost my chance, and now I was trapped once again. The guilt was suffocating. It gnawed at me constantly, reminding me that I had missed my opportunity and that I would have to live with that mistake forever.But what made it worse was that feeling which I still can't comprehend. I couldn't understand why I worried so much about Cage. That man had been the cause of so much pain and suffering in my life. Why did he even matter to me? Why couldn't I just let him go, like I had done with so many others before? Why was there still this ache in my chest when I thought of him? It didn't make sense at all. I felt stuck i
Berrilyl's POV I watched as the Young Mistress, who had once stood so tall and proud, stood now, her eyes filled with an emptiness, strange and unreal. The confident, almost arrogant expression was gone, replaced by something I couldn't quite place something fragile. It was as if the weight of what she had done, or perhaps what she had been forced to do, had broken her in ways no one could see. But despite the pain in her eyes, despite what was much struggle, no pity did I feel for her.I don't feel sorry. Not for her. The way that she had conducted herself with me, in a manner that always sought to inflict hurt upon me through her use of power over me, had hardened my heart toward her. Now that she was standing wounded and crumpled in front of me, I wasn't able to care.I watched her closely, trying to understand what had happened to her. Why was she hurt? What had caused her to fall from the position she had so arrogantly held? The questions filled my mind, but I knew it didn't mat
Author's POVCandlelight bathed the luxurious room in a warm light, casting its glow over William as he lounged on the velvet divan. His second wife sat beside him; she poured wine with a gentle touch, her eyes locked on his with a soft, adoring gaze.She had given him what he had always wanted so it was right to spend it. Time with her, unlike his first, whom he thought was useless and provoking.He couldn't wait for his heir to finally come to life, and now that there was no screaming, he felt relieved and things were going accordingly.His lips curved as he looked at her, the tension between them charged with a sensual current.William accepted the wine from her meeting her seductive gaze as she handed it to him, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.Moving closer to him she tells him how she loves him and is ready to be with him for the rest of her life. He replied with a smile that glowed with satisfaction.This was what he needed, a person who could soothe him, not be a nagging
Author's POVTalia stood in the kitchen, her hands chopping vegetables, yet her mind was barely present. With no pressing obligations, she found herself doing the task at hand cause she had nothing better to do. The low murmurs of the maids drifted towards her; slowly, their conversation broke the rhythm of her work. They spoke of men who had been captured as they tried to fight Cage. Some said that they were rogues. Everyone had different views. It was not the first time Talia had heard of them. The pack was always good at defending itself from enemies with help from its bright and brave soldiers. But what truly caught her attention was a name that made her fingers falter and her heart crack."Jake was incredible. If it weren't for him the battle could have taken a much worse turn""In my opinion. It's Milano""No, our Alpha is the best"The maids argued over who was better. Hearing them say Jake did so great it made her feel happy and proud of him. She was glad that he was able t
Cage's POVI woke up gasping. My chest was tight my hands clammy, and the flashes of a familiar nightmare still filled my mind. The details were already slipping away, but the sensation of dread lingered. It always did.I ran my hand down my face, smearing off the sweat that was on my forehead. The room was in semi-darkness, for heavy curtains were drawn such that only a sliver of morning light was allowed in. I let out a loud puff of breath and heaved myself up, the concrete slab that seemed to drop in my stomach weighed heavy against my limbs. Sleep was never a friend to me, and that night had been no different.I crossed the room to the corner where I kept a bottle of alcohol, reached for a cup, and poured a drink without giving it a second thought. The burning sensation went down my throat, contrasting with the cold hollowness spreading inside. It was a habit now, not one I was proud of, yet not willing to give up either.I leaned back against the wall, my fingers tightening aroun
Cage's POVI sat there, gripping onto the edge of my chair, staring at nothing. The weight of my thoughts pressed in around me, and it was hard to breathe, hard to think.I should have been strategizing. I should have been preparing for what came next. Instead, my mind was tangled in something or rather, someone—else.Berrilyl.I exhaled sharply and dragged a hand through my hair.She was a ghost of my past, an injury I wanted to open again so she could at least glimpse the anguish she had cost me. However much I had been trying to convince myself, this was the reason, that uncomfortable feeling within my chest did not let loose.She did not remember me.Had she lied? Did you play a trick? Or, in my absence, had something happened to her, really wiped me from her memory?For the first time in years, I felt lost.I just didn't know what to do next."Are you going to sit around and brood all day?Miliano's voice pulled me out of my reverie. I hadn't even heard him move, but there he was
Cage's POVAs I stepped into the pack centre, which was a bare land at the centre of the pack, different from the rest of the palace that glowed with beauty, I could feel the weight of the day's event falling upon me. It was as if the stars knew that something ugly was going to happen. It was usually very peaceful and lovely but as it looked down at the traitors. The sky became irritating and unusual.Berrilyl looked at me surprised because my eyes showed reluctance as opposed to the agile and sinister pleasure she must have been expecting from me.There was no way she still cared even though she saved me. It might have been accidental or just out of impulse. Something was wrong with me, I had been thinking of her so much that it had affected me badly because I hurt her. My heart was confused.I tried my best to let go of the thought as I took my seat at the forefront, my eyes scanning the sea of faces before me.Berrilyl stood tall and silent behind me; her presence brought me comfor
Berrilyl's POVHer gaze snapped to mine, her eyes flashing with defiance but Cage stood firm, his expression unyielding she didn't dare oppose him.Slowly, she released her grip on my arms, her chest heaving with ragged breaths.As the guards closed in to restrain her, the young mistress' eyes locked onto mine once more. "You'll pay for this" she spat, her voice venomous. "You'll pay for what you've caused me. You will"I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the once mighty Young mistress, now reduced to an utter state of despair and nothingness."I hate you!" Her eyes blazed with a force intensity as she yelled hysterically. Her face was a mixture of rage and desperation. The air was thick with the weight of her curses, directed squarely at both Cage and Berrilyl, whom she accused of framing her family.Despite the dramatic scene unfolding before her, Berrilyl felt no pang of pity or remorse. Her expression remained impassive, a mask of indifference that hid her true thoughts. She had witne
Cage's POV If someone had helped William escape from the hidden dungeon and find a way out of here, it either meant that he had brought someone with him who we didn't capture and was sneaking around then saw the perfect opportunity to let him go or we had a spy among us.The thought of having a spy in our midst left me dumbfounded. The spy must have known our pack so we'll that the hidden dungeon wasn't only unhidden but could be operated by whoever the spy was.Was I this careless to have never figured it out? When the spies were killed all of a sudden, I should have known there was still more to it, but I blamed Berrilyl since she always had more than one way of communicating with her brother, and I was caught up in so many problems that I forgot to investigate such a dangerous attempt further.Even if he had a someone with him who we didn't capture, there was no way the person would have got through the guards, the security system was tight which meant the only way he could escape
Cage's POVI wasn't that intoxicated. I was just tipsy. I knew where I was and what I was doing, still. But even with the alcohol in my system, I could feel my mind slipping, becoming less clear, less sharp. The edges of my world blurred, and everything felt a little lighter and easier to deal with.With that said, I didn't attack Berrilyl. She had already left, and something made me know it was not yet time to follow her. She was angry and scared. I could see that from her eyes as she turned her back on me. But she needed space, and I knew that if I followed her, things would just get worse. It was not the first time Berrilyl had left me, and I knew it would not be the last. So I simply released her.I did what I always did whenever I had to focus on other things instead. I took a hold of the mask again. It was more about obscuring my mind, and my emotions rather than hiding my face. My feelings. My thoughts. The mask gave me a feeling of control and detachment. Wearing it, I felt so
Berrilyl's POVIt was a day to my engagement already, and I had decided to carry out my plan. I had prepared for days now on how to escape, but the only way out that I could think of was to get rid of Cage. It was the last thing I could think of to save myself from getting married to him, and tonight I was going to carry out my plan.The night was calm as I walked down the halls of the mansion. There was just the soft thud of my steps against the quiet. My heart was racing, and I felt this crazy mix of fear and resolve. Was I going to do it? I stood before Cage's door.My mind was telling me that this was what I needed to do, but my body was tense and unsure. I'd never been more nervous in my life. I'd practiced this moment so many times in my mind, but now that it was here, it wasn't quite the same. Still, I could not go back. I had to move forward.I pushed the door inward slowly, as quietly as possible. The room was black except for the feeble flickering of candle flames at the ed
Authors POVThe Pack hall was decorated with golden chandeliers, it was warm and welcoming, it was a room full of laughter and conversation, merriment filling the air as people sipped wine. The aroma of freshly baked bread, fruits, and roasted meats wafted through the air, it was a feast to commemorate the joyful news, his second wife was pregnant.William was sitting at the head of the table, a grin was spread across his face as he watched the guests he invited. His second wife, sat at his side, she was beaming with pride as people from all over came to her. Her hands were draped over her rounded stomach, it was a sight of bliss as she enjoyed the constant congratulations from the elders, the high-ranking wolves of the pack and the guests invited.You should be so proud, Alpha William," an Elder, an old wolf with a streak of gray in his hair, said as he bowed to his alpha. "A child to carry on your line. Today is a day of blessing."He saidWilliam nodded. "It is. I longed for a long
Berrilyl's POVThe wind whipped against my fur as I ran through the thick woods, my paws soft whispers on the wet earth. Cain's angry bellowing echoed behind me, each sentence distorted with rage and anger."Berrilyl! You bloody traitor! You will not get away from this!"I did not slow. I did not look back. I just ran.I could still hear him running through the underbrush, but I knew he can never catch me. Not now. My wolf was faster, much faster than his. That was the one advantage I had on him. And right now, I needed every advantage I could get.A snarling growl burst through the shadows as Cain's anger reached its boiling point. "You'll regret this! I swear it!"Regret?I'd forgotten about regret years ago.I approached the estate perimeter stealthily upon my arrival, covering myself so as not to be seen before I snuck past the guards. My heart pounding, I sprinted through the halls as a wolf, sticking close to darkness. Every sensory nerve in my body was cranked up to full.I man
Chapter 158Berrilyl's POVFinding myself in a spacious room was getting kinda freaky. I turned to leave but heard the door slamming shit behind me instead. The maid had already run away. I tried to open it but it was locked. I was trapped.I couldn't make sense of elegant was going on. Who asked her to do this to me? I didn't have beef with anybody except for the envy or disgust of the maids but none of them dared to do this."Damn it" I muttered to myself. I had seen this coming but still allowed myself to fall into the trap. Was it the doing of Grace? She definitely hated me; the way she glared at me during the time of Cage's Rut showed she didn't want me at all in her life, which meant this was the perfect time for me to die. Days before the engagement, if the engagement didn't happen her chances with him would be greater. I could only hope it wasn't true. My life had never been worse and I was getting scared. Suddenly, I heard, "You are mine, Berrilyl" it was Cain's menacing vo
Berrilyl's POVI woke up to the sound of a gentle tapping and an unfamiliar voice that called my name.A maid and an unfamiliar woman stood beside my bed, their faces courteous. I rubbed my face trying to get the sleep away from my eyes and shake off the haze of slumber."Good morning, miss," the maid said, curtsying low. "This is one of the best seamstresses, and she's here to measure you" The maid introduced me to the other woman."Okay. Good morning" I said, greeting the both of them. There were clothes of my size in the palace, so I didn't know why, out of nowhere, my measurements were suddenly needed. I was about to ask them why my measurements were needed when the seamstress said,"Happy engagement ceremony ma'am. You have a great figure and would look very stunning on your special day"My mind went blank as I stared at the seamstress, her words slowly sinking into my head.Engagement ceremony? I facepalmed myself, feeling like I'd been hit by a fast-moving truck.I smiled symp
Cage's POVThe letter came out of the blue, and its contents were completely unexpected. I'd expected it to be a minor update. But the second I opened the letter, things changed.It turned out that the letter had been written by William's first wife, Lucia, and its purpose was clear: it was meant to be sent back to her Pack so they could take revenge on William on her behalf. The realization hit me hard. Lucia, once seen as a quiet, obedient wife, was now taking a stand.The assassin who had brought me the letter seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation. He began to tell me about how Lucia had been treated for some days now, how William had become increasingly cold and callous. At first, their marriage had been a respectful one, but slowly, William had begun to neglect her, paying no heed to her feelings and requirements. He had been aloof and disinterested, busy with other things, other wives, and keeping her in the background.Lucia was not a woman to be discarded. She had been
Chapter 155Cage's POVIt was night already and I couldn't sleep, I kept thinking of how I would capture William. My mind was sharp, scheming my next move. I had to get it right because I couldn't afford to mess up. William was a dangerous man, and I had to outsmart him.Suddenly, I felt a change in the air, something out of the ordinary. The room became chilly, and I could hear a soft sound—like clothing moving across the floor. I leaped up immediately, my senses heightened. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure coalesce.A man in a black robe appeared in the room. The robe was dark enough that it blended with the shadows, and the man was almost invisible to the light. It appeared soundlessly as if it was an extension of the night.I couldn't make out the face of the figure, but I could see his eyes. They were sharp, focused, and glimmering faintly in the faint light. Those eyes were chilly, calculating as if they were watching every move I made.Then, without uttering a word,