My eyes peel open slowly and I take in my environment. White walls... purple curtains...really high ceiling with a cute butterfly chandelier hanging over head, and the faint smell of vanilla...where am I?For a split second, I think I’ve been kidnapped—again. But then, the memory hits me. Cassidy’s house. I’m in Cassidy’s bed.She’s lying beside me, her breathing slow and even. Her hair fans across the pillow, catching the faint light from the digital clock on the bedside table. It’s a few minutes to six, and the sky outside is still cloaked in darkness.Careful not to disturb her, I climb out of the bed, the floor cool beneath my bare feet. I scribble a quick note, leaving it on the pillow next to her: Gone for my duties. Thanks for everything.As I tiptoe out of the room, the creak of the wooden floorboards feels louder than it should. I pause at the door, glancing back to make sure she’s still asleep. She doesn’t stir.Downstairs, the scent of coffee brewing greets me. The kitchen
The midday sun pours into the room, bathing everything in a warm, golden light. The sheets are freshly changed, and everything in the space is in perfect order, just the way he likes it. I glance around, satisfied with my work. Now, there’s nothing to do but wait. It's a bit weird, being alone in his room.It's his personal space, but somehow, I've been granted the permission to be in it. Granted, it's to clean and ensure its in its perfect order, but hey, aside his close relatives, I'm the only one with the free access to his room.I even have a spare key!I've seen everything in here. I arrange his closet...and no, I don't sniff his underwear. I'm not a creep.But that doesn't mean I don't know what they smell like. Roses.Everything about him smells like roses and I've come to understand why. It appears it's his favourite flower because all his body products have rose scents, and his candles are rose scented.He's the first manly man I've seen that doesn't smell like musk, and th
When I return with his dinner, he’s perched at his desk, a pen twirling lazily between his fingers. His head is slightly bowed as he reads through a stack of documents, the dim light from the desk lamp casting sharp shadows on his chiseled features. There’s a dark elegance to him, a commanding presence that makes the air in the room feel heavier. It’s unsettling how effortlessly intimidating he is, even when he’s doing something as mundane as reading.I clear my throat softly as I set the tray on the table in the corner. He doesn’t look up, doesn’t acknowledge me, as if I’m invisible. That’s fine by me. The less interaction I have with him, the better.With the tray set, I straighten up and move toward the door.“Wait,” he says abruptly, his voice slicing through the silence.I stop in my tracks, glancing over my shoulder. His gaze finally lifts from the papers, sharp and assessing as it lands on me.“This is too much food,” he states, gesturing toward the tray with a flick of his
I wake up to the faint scent of vanilla and the soft warmth of Cassidy's sheets wrapped around me. I decided to pass the night here after my shift and dinner with Caspian last night. I needed to offload all that tension, and who else of not Cass?For a moment, I lie still, relishing the comfort, until the quiet hum of a lullaby and the occasional clink of pots and pans filters upstairs. Her mom is up. Always the early bird.Slipping out of bed carefully to avoid waking Cassidy, who is sprawled across the bed in her usual starfish position, I grab a robe from the chair and make my way downstairs. The smell of biscuits baking fills the house, warm and inviting, and I find myself smiling before I even reach the kitchen.Her mom is by the counter, her movements fluid and efficient as she works on what looks like an elaborate breakfast spread. “Morning, Lilah dear,” she calls out without even looking up.“Good morning,” I reply, stepping into the cozy kitchen. “What are you making? It sm
"Lilah?"Ah fuck.Caspian glares at me as I get back on my feet, harder than I've ever seen him glare at everyone, and Theo turns to face me completely.I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this disheveled before. His dark hair is a little unkempt, his usual pristine posture slightly stiff, and his sharp eyes are scanning me like I might disappear any second. I take an unconscious step back, my body reacting before my mind even processes it.He notices.His lips press together for a fraction of a second before he reaches out. He takes a few steps closer to me and reaches out his warm fingers brushing against my cheek, as if he’s trying to confirm I’m real. The touch startles me. He’s never touched me like this before. Not in a way that suggests he cares.Before I can react, he closes the space between us and pulls me into a firm embrace.I go rigid.His arms are strong, secure—too secure. I don’t know what to do with my hands, so I let them hang at my sides, awkward and stiff. My hear
I push open the door to Caspian’s chambers, balancing the tray of breakfast carefully in my hands. The scent of freshly baked bread and roasted meats fills the room, but the moment I step inside, his voice cuts through the air like a blade.“You’re an idiot.”I freeze, nearly dropping the tray. “What?”He’s seated at his desk, his back to me, but I can see the tension in his shoulders. Slowly, he turns, his cold eyes locking onto mine. “All you had to do was take the back entrance or slip into the house without falling. Was that too much for you to do?"I blink, setting the tray down on the table with a little more force than necessary. “I didn’t mean to fall. And how was I supposed to know you were expecting me to take another route?”He leans back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “I could sense your presence before I even saw you. I assumed you’d have the sense to avoid him.”I frown, crossing my arms over my chest. “Is that why you told him I wasn’t here? Because you thou
The garden is quiet, the kind of quiet that makes it easy to get lost in thought. Birds chirp somewhere in the distance, and a soft breeze rustles through the leaves, carrying the scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers.Theo lies beside me, silent, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular. It’s strange, having him here in Goldencrest. Strange that after everything, he actually came looking for me.It's endearing knowing that he cares in his own way. It took him two months, but at least he did reach out.Before I can dwell on it too much, a familiar voice cuts through the peace.“There you are, Lilah!”A high-pitched squeal follows, and then a body crashes onto the grass beside me.Cass.I don’t even have time to react before she’s gripping my arm, her expression dramatic. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere! Do you know how many places I checked before I finally came here? The east wing, the west wing, the training grounds, the kitchens—”“You thought I’d be in the kitchens at th
The evening air is cool as I make my way through the pack house, the dim glow of the hallway lights casting long shadows on the walls. Caspian gave me the night off, and I’m eager to grab my nightwear and head over to Cassidy’s house. I could stay have a talk with Theo, but I'm not ready to have that talk with him. Not yet.The royal family is having dinner, so the coast should be clear. Or so I think.I round the corner and nearly collide with Eden. She’s dressed impeccably in a baby blue evening dress that drapes over her curves elegantly.I'm jealous at how effortless beauty comes to her, but she becomes ugly in my eyes when her sharp eyes narrow the moment she sees me. Recognition flashes across her face, followed by a smirk that makes my stomach twist.“You,” she says, her voice dripping with disdain. “Cassidy’s little friend. The omega who thought she could challenge me.”I stiffen, forcing myself to remain calm. “I was just heading to my room. The prince dismissed me for the
The scent of blood lingers thick in the air, mixing with the damp earth beneath my boots. The moon barely cuts through the thick canopy of trees, casting long shadows over the fallen bodies. Their lifeless forms lie sprawled across the ground, the fight drained from them. It was over fast—too fast. Three rogues, dead before they even had a chance to scream. It’s not satisfying. It’s just... work.Ethan nudges one of the corpses with his boot, his expression bored. "Well, that was disappointing," he mutters, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I was hoping they’d at least put up a decent fight. Maybe throw a punch or two. But no, they just flopped over like dead fish. Pathetic."I wipe the blood off my blade, watching as the crimson soaks into the dirt. The forest is quiet now, the only sound the rustle of leaves in the wind. "They weren’t fighters," I say, my voice even. "Just scouts. Testing the borders. Seeing how far they could push before we pushed back."Ethan scoffs, stepping
The market square is bustling, the air thick with the scent of fresh bread and ripe fruit. I weave through the crowd, my basket swinging at my side, when I see him. Darius. My heart skips a beat, then plummets. He’s standing by the fountain, his dark hair catching the sunlight, his posture relaxed and confident. But it’s not just him. There’s a girl beside him, her laughter ringing out like a bell, too loud, too close. She’s beautiful, with black curls and a smile that seems to stretch too wide. They’re leaning in, heads almost touching, and my chest tightens.I shouldn’t care. We’re not officially mated yet, but we’re fated. He’s mine, and I’m his. So why does it feel like a knife is twisting in my gut?His head snaps up, as if he senses me watching. Our eyes lock, and for a moment, the world narrows to just him. His lips curl into that familiar smirk, the one that makes my stomach flutter even when I know it shouldn’t. He raises a hand, beckoning me over. My feet move before
The dining hall hums with the clinking of silverware and the low murmur of conversation. The long wooden table is overflowing with roasted meats, steaming vegetables, and goblets of deep red wine that glisten under the flickering chandelier light. The air smells of rosemary and thyme, mingling with the faint metallic tang of the silverware. I move quietly around the table, refilling glasses and serving plates, trying to stay invisible. It’s a skill I’ve perfected over the years—being unseen, unheard. But tonight, my hands tremble, my thoughts a chaotic mess.At the head of the table, Alpha Rowan, my uncle, commands attention effortlessly. His hard golden eyes sweep over the council members as he discusses pack resources, his deep voice cutting through the room like a blade. He’s dressed in his usual dark tunic, the fabric tailored to perfection, the golden crest of Moonhaven embroidered on his chest. He looks every bit the Alpha, every bit the man who holds my fate in his hands.
I sift through the files in my father’s royal study, the scent of aged parchment and oak filling the air. The fireplace crackles in the corner, casting flickering shadows across the dark walls lined with books of law, history, and the many conquests of Golden Crest. My father’s meticulous handwriting marks the margins of various documents, but one file catches my eye—a thick, yellowed folder labeled 'Moonhaven Case'.I pull it out and flip through the contents, my brow furrowing with every page. Moonhaven. The wolf pack that somehow broke out of Golden Crest’s authority. A lawless land, untouched by the kingdom's rule. And yet, here it is—a case file, an unresolved issue, one that should have been dealt with ten years ago.I clench my jaw. How the hell did my father let this slide?I slam the folder shut and lean back in the chair, my fingers drumming against the polished wood of his desk. This is unacceptable. A pack operating outside of our rule is a direct threat to our sove
The kitchen is hot, steam rising from the pots on the stove and clinging to my skin like a second layer. My arms ache from carrying the pail of milk, the weight of it pulling at my shoulders. I’m not built for this—not like them. My human body is weak compared to theirs, and the cook never lets me forget it.“Hurry up, girl!” she snaps, her voice sharp as a whip. “You’re slower than a snail in winter. What’s taking you so long?”I bite my tongue, forcing myself not to respond. She’s been scolding me all morning, even though I’ve been on my feet since dawn, scrubbing floors, peeling vegetables, and hauling supplies. Nothing I do is ever enough for her. “I’m sorry,” I mutter, setting the pail down with a thud. My hands are trembling, and I can feel the blisters forming on my palms. “I’ll try to be faster.”“Try?” she scoffs, her hands on her hips. “You should be doing, not trying. Useless, that’s what you are. A human in a wolf’s world. What good are you?”I flinch at her words, but
Theo’s room smells like him—like rain and something faintly metallic, like the edge of a storm. I’m on my knees, scrubbing at a stubborn stain on the wooden floor, my hands raw and stinging from the soap. The pack house is never clean enough for them, and neither am I. But Theo’s room is different. It’s quieter here, softer. The walls are lined with books, and the bed is always unmade, like he’s just rolled out of it. I don’t mind cleaning this space. It feels like the closest I’ll ever get to being part of something.The door creaks open, and I freeze. He’s here. I don’t look up, not right away. I keep scrubbing, even though my hands are trembling. I can feel his eyes on me, heavy and unreadable. “You don’t always have to do that,” Theo says, his voice low and steady. I finally glance up, and there he is, leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed. He’s wearing a dark sweater that makes his hair look even lighter, almost golden in the dim light. He sends me a small smi
The grand hall of the estate is eerily silent, save for the steady click of my father’s polished shoes against the marble floor. He stands in front of me, arms crossed, exuding the usual 'I-am-your-father-and-you-will-listen-to-me' energy. My mother is beside him, a perfectly composed ice sculpture in a designer dress, her sharp grey eyes—our sharp grey eyes—assessing me with the usual judgment."You're in charge while we're gone," my father announces, his voice firm and unyielding, as if he hasn’t already said this a hundred times.I don’t respond immediately, my hands shoved into the pockets of my tailored jacket. Instead, I glance out the tall windows, where the late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the estate grounds. The weight of his words settles over me, heavy and familiar. "I’m aware," I finally say, my tone low and measured.He raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with my lack of enthusiasm. "This isn’t a joke, Caspian. The rogues are becoming bolder. They’re not
(Before Goldencrest)The scent of pine and damp stone lingers in the air as I scrub the floors of the waiting area in the packhouse, the soapy water cool against my raw, reddened palms. The bristles of the brush scrape against the wooden planks, the repetitive motion soothing in a way that almost lets me forget where I am—what I am.Almost.Boots clunk against the floor, tracking dirt and grime over the freshly scrubbed surface. No one spares me a glance, no one acknowledges the work I do. It’s expected of me, the human among wolves, the weakest link in a pack that prides itself on strength. Even if my mother was once Alpha. Even if my uncle is now the reigning one. None of that matters. I’m nothing but an obligation, a stain they haven’t yet scrubbed away.A shadow falls over me, and before I can look up, the metal bucket beside me clatters to the ground. Water spills across the floor, soaking into my pants, drenching the small space I just finished cleaning."Oops," a voice draw
The music swells around us, soft yet powerful, the perfect melody for a moment like this. My hand rests in Caspian's, and my other rests lightly on his shoulder as we glide across the ballroom floor. The golden chandeliers overhead bathe us in warm light, making everything shimmer—my silver gown, the golden embroidery on Caspian’s regal suit, the crown atop his head, and the one newly placed upon mine.The ceremony was breathtaking, a moment forever etched in my soul. I was not just Caspian’s mate now—I was his queen, standing beside him in every sense of the word. And now, at the reception, with laughter and celebration all around us, I finally allow myself to breathe, to feel the joy that tonight has brought.Caspian pulls me closer, his breath teasing my ear as he murmurs, “I have half a mind to steal you away from all these people.”I smile, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. “And risk the wrath of Cassidy? She’s spent a week planning this. I don’t think even you, King of Gol