NOX’s POV I stalked through the hallways. Maids, servants, and guards scrambled to bow and murmur greetings as I passed. Their fear was noticeable, a scent as familiar to me as my own. "Alpha," they whispered, eyes downcast. I barely acknowledged them, barely looked elsewhere other than ahead. I was searching for one thing—or rather, one infuriating woman who had the audacity to vanish from under my nose. I'd sent Hunter off to handle the tedious arrangements for the council meeting. Dear goddess, she knew just how to tempt my patience. The door to her room nearly splintered as I threw it open. Empty. The scent of her lingered, mocking me. I hissed, my wolf clawing at the edges of my control. I strutted out and headed to the library. Again, nothing but the musty smell of old books and the startled gasps of a few pack members who quickly made themselves scarce. "Terrence!" I bellowed. The old keeper shuffled into view, his rheumy eyes wide with alarm. I
WILLA’s POV The tunnel was colder than I remembered, the cold stone pressing in from all sides. My heart was pounding against my ribs like a caged animal, breath misted in front of me as I crouched in the dark, listening for any sounds above. Nothing. No heavy boots, no murmured commands. I'd slipped out of Nox's study the moment he'd left to meet with the Alpha of Moonveil pack—my uncle. The irony wasn't lost on me; while they discussed whatever nefarious plans Alphas discuss, I was plotting my own escape. For now, it seemed I had a little time before they figured out where I'd gone. I'd studied these tunnels for days, memorizing every twist and turn. It was my failsafe, my last-ditch effort if things went south. And boy, had they gone south. The dagger I'd swiped from Nox's study pressed against my thigh. An hour ticked by, each second stretching into an eternity. The lack of guards made me uneasy. Had they given up? Or was this just the calm before the storm? Mayb
WILLA’s POV "Leave us," Nox commanded, his voice a low growl that sent the maids scurrying from the room. They'd somehow managed to make my quarters look decent, though I couldn't bring myself to feel grateful. Not when I knew nothing of what was going on. I wasn't sure whether to thank Hunter for his timely arrival or curse him for interrupting... whatever that moment had been. All I knew was that I was back in the packhouse, not being sold to my uncle. At least, I didn't think so. That uncertainty coiled in my stomach. Part of me itched to know why he had come all this way. What scheme he had under his sleeve. The question burned on my tongue, but I couldn’t afford to ask. Not yet. Not when suspicion would only tighten the noose around my neck. It was the last thing I needed. I was not being dragged back to Moonveil and that was all I needed … the tension in my chest releasing just enough for me to breathe again. Those midnight eyes landed on me. "You've
WILLA’s POV “Willa," she said, her voice muffled by the fabric over her nose and mouth … low, as if she was testing the name on her tongue. My name. I blinked. How did she—? “Who are you?" My voice came out sharper than I intended. I didn’t know anyone in this pack. I didn’t even belong here. “Seeing that you're no longer in the dungeon, nor sent back there after yesterday’s event,” She ignored my question. “The Alpha must have allowed it." I stiffened, my fingers itching to reach for the dagger that was no longer there. So, I instinctively shuffled back, putting more distance between us. She knew I’d been in the dungeon. Knew about last night… How did she know all these? How? I could only think of one alarming explanation … could have been someone my uncle sent—an assassin, she looked more of it, probably here to drag me back. I shifted on the balls of my feet, gauging the distance between us. gauging the distance I would likely have to run across. Her gaze f
NOX’s POV The pressure built, white-hot and urgent. I groaned low in my throat as I reached my peak, holding her head down with one firm hand. My breath came out in hot, rapid bursts, misting the air as I clenched my teeth, stifling a growl I should’ve let out. My head tilted back, eyes closed, lips parted in silent, cruel ecstasy. The young woman on her knees swallowed everything… greedily. But even as the satisfaction crept through my veins, it wasn’t enough. It never was. For the past twenty-four hours, I’d indulged myself in this… distraction. One woman after the next, seeking something I couldn’t name, trying to burn off the edge that gnawed at me. But no matter how many bodies I took, no matter how many breaths I stole, it wasn’t enough. I still felt her. That damn scent. Her wolf— Goddess! I had sensed it, and it had taken every ounce of my strength to keep my own beast tamed. Those eyes of hers, asking for things I wasn't sure she even knew she wanted … her e
Willa’s POV I moaned as he glided into me. Kael, the love of my life, was the first man to ever touch me intimately. Under the full moon, I loosened myself to his ministrations, us alone in the woods. His groans were music to my ear, until they turned into sudden coughs. Something wet and warm splattered on my face. I touched it and under the pale moonlight, I saw that it was blood. “Kael?” I pushed his shoulder. He had stopped moving, rigid and tense. Panic climbed into my throat, erasing any hint of pleasure that lingered by. “What's wrong—” He coughed again, pushing himself off me. The sight was one I could never forget. Not in a million years. Not after the mountains have been ground into dust, and the woods are dry and barren. Nothing could have prepared me for this. Kael was bleeding from every orifice on his face. He was choking, trying to say something but all that poured out was more blood. The sounds that left him were gurgled animal sounds. Like a
Willa’s POV “Enough of your stalling, witch!" The guard grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked me back. Out in the open, there was a mighty crowd parting to let the guards through. People were screaming for my head. Two men had died at my hand, they would not allow a third death. “She's cursed! Put her to death!” A woman shrieked. They were throwing all sorts of things at me. Rancid fruits, rotten eggs, even rocks. I guarded my head against the onslaught, but the guards did nothing to stop the unruly crowd. After Kael's death, whispers had spread like wildfire that any man who had anything to do with me would face the same fate. I was cursed, they say. But why? What have I done? Why would the goddess curse me with such fate? The rumors chased off any potential suitors, much to my uncle's displeasure. The man was scared of my existence, and the older I grew, the more likely it was that I could take back my birthright. He had arranged for a man from another pack to marry
Willa’s POV The sight of the heavy shackles had me screaming, kicking, and fighting. I could not understand why they were blaming me for things I knew nothing about. I was terrified beyond my wits, especially when the cold metal bit into my sore wrists, ankles, and around my neck. I was a prisoner once more. I was not sure what I was expecting, but what happened next sent me to new heights of agony. A grunt, the leader grabbed the end of my chains and began to drag me along the thorn-riddled ground. I cried, trying to scramble to my feet, but I was weighed down by the shackles. The guards took turns dragging me down the rocky terrain, my screams roaring. Eternity passed, and I had retreated somewhere extremely dark and ugly in my mind. Until a voice cut through my bloodied daze. “We caught the wench, Alpha!” I was thrown across a distance, sliding across surprisingly smooth floors. “With all that dried blood from escaping previously, we smelled the filth from a mile away!