Alpha Rowan groans when he sees her, leaning back in his chair with his foot resting on his desk, which is scattered with scrolls and books.Shelves line the walls, filled with scrolls that predate Alpha Rowan's reign. A few items are out of place—unsurprising, considering his limited time and the many servants available for maintenance.To one side, unwrapped gift boxes pile up just below the windowsill, large enough to fill an entire wall. Gifts and tributes from the villages and the people. Everyone adores him, and it's difficult to blame them for it.Hailey's attention is drawn to a specific gift wrapped in faded purple fabric—her Solstice present from last year. He hasn't touched it, which she didn't expect. If he had, he would have discovered the sweater she spent months knitting in her spare time, along with the note she included: "Because the cold often catches you... -HG."Hailey confidently crosses the room and pulls out a chair."I didn't ask you to sit," Alpha Rowan states
Meanwhile, Rowan though...Danger lurks in the most unexpected places—In dim, shadowy corners...Within the woods...And to his surprise on the lips of a servant.To Rowan, danger should be like a blade at the throat or an arrow to the heart. It shouldn't come as the gentle caress of a woman's inexperienced lips.His gut tightens, followed by a sharp cracking sound behind him. It's the table, he realizes, having gripped it too tightly in an effort to restrain himself from touching her; from entwining her hair around his fingers and being the first to claim what little innocence remains.Her tongue shyly brushes against his lips, and instinctively, he parts them, allowing her entry. With the initial stroke of her tongue against his, his resolve crumbles.Why should he deny himself? If she desires to be in his bed, he will grant it.Gradually, his fingers release the table and find her waist, pulling her closer with an urgency and roughness unlike with any of his past lovers. Eager. Hu
'Draw him close, ignite his passion, and then pull away. It's not a rejection, Hailey. It's an artful retreat, a dance of allure. Make him crave more.' Hailey uttered to herself.Her mother had taught her countless things. In her delirium, Hailey had thought it was madness that guided her.But she should have known her mother was never mad. She saw things others could not. People fear what they do not understand and label it as abnormal. They called her mother crazy.Hailey had never been prouder to inherit that title.'Cloak yourself in an aura of indifference. Men are drawn to challenges; they long to tame and unravel what they cannot comprehend. Become a puzzle. Become something extraordinary. Become...better.'It's like a switch, one she rarely flipped—a side of her no one else had witnessed, a face she kept hidden.Hailey wasn't like the others. She was different. She hadn't been born wrong; she was born perfect. This wasn't pride—it was a fact. Want to be like her?Though she co
Hailey felt weak compared to the others in the castle, but her expertise in dance taught her a thing or two about body movement. In other words, she wasn't as clueless about fighting as she tried to appear. When the atmosphere in the room shifted, Beta Ruel glanced up, momentarily distracted. Seizing the moment, Hailey lunged at him, moving with the grace of a dancer. She crouched low and kicked his foot out from under him.He fell to the ground with a thud, and she wasted no time, leaping onto his torso and straddling him. Beta Ruel stared up at Hailey, wide-eyed. She widened her own eyes, thinking only of Alpha Rowan, causing her pupils to dilate. She recalled the heat spreading beneath her skin when Alpha Rowan had kissed her back, and the feel of his fingers digging into her thighs as he lifted her against the wall. Allowing desire to fill her gaze, she let her eyes drop to Beta Ruel's lips.Unsurprisingly, his gaze followed hers, and her fingers pressed against his chest, feeling
Alpha Rowan tried to pull his hand away from Hailey's grip, but she stubbornly held on. "You have the heart of a thousand warriors, but equally as much folly."A radiant smile spread across her face. "I'll take that as a compliment." She paused, reinforcing her grip on his wrist with her other hand, exerting herself to bring him down to her height. Leaning in, she pressed her lips against his dusky, chiseled cheek and whispered, "I promise I'll come back. No one else will take you; you're mine. And if I die, I'll return as a ghost to marry you. So, you'd better hope I survive because having a ghostly Luna around isn't pleasant at all."He turned slightly toward her, golden flecks sparkling in his hazel eyes. "Keep talking like that, and I just might kill you myself."With feigned innocence, she shot back, "I prefer a sensual method."He winced, a flush creeping across his cheeks, and she chuckled as she pulled away. Casting him a meaningful glance, she melted back into the crowd of nin
Rowan glanced down at his hand, startled to find his nails transformed into claws. Zeres surged within him, prompting a swift phase to the far end of the study.He struggled to regain his composure, trying to force Zeres back and combat the changes she was inciting in him. It was deeply unsettling.As she approached the desk, her brows furrowed when they settled on a scroll and a portrait. "Is that...?" Her voice trailed off.Rowan made a break for it, but she was quicker, snatching the scroll from the table. Her violet eyes darkened as she read. "Why do you have a sketch of my mother? And this," she whispered, lifting the scroll. "What is this?"His jaw clenched. "I needed to learn more about you—""You could have just asked instead of digging up things that were long dead and buried. Things you don't want to uncover. Things that don't concern you!" she seethed, ripping the scroll in half. She laughed at the portrait. "A terrible drawing. This isn't what my mother looked like."It wa
Do Hailey want Alpha Rowan to find out the truth? Absolutely not. It could influence his decision. No one wishes to marry the daughter of a harlot. Yet, to Hailey, her mother was anything but that; she was her mother, and Hailey loved her—in life, in death, and forever.With a sigh, Hailey straightened her coat, her fingers trembling as she slipped on her gloves. Today was the Hunt. She tried to quell her fear, but even the maids tending to her room seemed to detect her anxiety.She had weapons hidden in her boots and a bow strapped to her back, but those wouldn't protect her if they intended to kill her. There was only so much she could do against Alpha females harboring malicious motives, and after the incident at the lake, it would be foolish to think they wouldn't attempt to harm her again.A loud crash jolted her from her thoughts. Turning, she saw a flower vase shattered on the floor and a maid kneeling among the shards, mumbling an apology while trying to gather the pieces with
Start anew, Hailey, with no visible interest in him. The moment he begins seeking you out, you'll know the balance has shifted in your favor. The power is yours, dear, and triumph will come when he kneels to care for you.If Alpha Rowan ever touched her feet, she'd probably die from shock and join her mother, wherever she might be.Footsteps fell in line with hers as Gamma Luis joined her. "Hailey, you must have a secret penchant for danger. You don't need to be involved in any of this..." His voice faded as his green eyes narrowed at the competitors ahead. "Foolery.""That's not even a word." She wrinkled her nose at the stench of decay—a dead animal, perhaps. Many wild creatures made their home in the Maldivian forests. Staying out after dark was never wise. Werewolf or not, there was always something lurking, ready to attack.Could be hybrid coyotes, lunatic lone wolves, or even better, rogues. This place gave her the creeps."Stop avoiding the subject. I'm concerned about you. Tod
Rowan navigated through the throng of merchants selling goods and plants that had long been banned from the streets of his kingdom. They veered away from a growing crowd gathered around a street fight, the air filled with shouts and curses that momentarily deafened him. Hailey abruptly halted in front of a tall, distinct brick building, flanked by two guards nearly as tall as he was. Holding up several coins, she flashed a grin. "Who's fighting today, mate?"The casual use of "mate" stirred something within him, prompting Rowan to pull his fingers from her grasp as he took a deep breath. The guard on the left recited a list of names, and she placed a bet on someone known as the "Shadow Reaper.""I thought you didn't have any money," he remarked as they made their way into the establishment.Hailey shrugged, a small figure amidst the imposing presence of hardened mercenaries. "I don't. It's yours."Instinctively, he reached for his pouch in his pocket, but his hands came away empty. Ah
Rowan POV.Rowan watched as Hailey approached, struggling to hold back a smile. She wore a ragged tunic more fitting for a peasant, paired with pants on the verge of becoming rags and boots so worn they were nearly more hole than shoe. Her appearance was undeniably comical. A brown leather belt cinched her waist, with a dagger in full view, while gloves, weathered and stained with unknown substances, enveloped her hands. A scarf haphazardly wrapped around her hair failed to hide several strands that framed her face.At a quick glance, she might resemble a young boy. Yet, her captivating lavender eyes revealed a persistent playfulness. Her lips, unmistakably feminine, along with a petite nose and dimples that appeared when she pouted, highlighted that Rowan was the one truly looking absurd. "Rowan, are you trying to get mugged?" she questioned, closing the distance between them with assured strides.Rowan enjoyed the way she spoke his name—like a gentle caress, filled with promise and
Luis stared at her blankly. "You do."Abruptly, Hailey sat up and leaned closer, brushing her hair to one side. "I need to make sure."Alpha Rowan's words had kept her awake all night. How could she be certain she was an Omega? Her mother had claimed she was, but she had also repeatedly mentioned that Hailey was born wrong.Not only had he sniffed her, but he had also asked if she had ever been to the Howling. Most wolves experienced their first shift during the gathering, where being among kindred spirits helped.Normally, Hailey wouldn't allow herself to be unsettled by something like this. She knew who she was. However, she had never had reason to question her mother's assertions about her. Doubts had never plagued her before, and whenever she felt even a hint of uncertainty, she would squash it. It was hard to be confident and master the art of seduction if she allowed doubts to consume her.Asking Gamma Luis to sniff her was a desperate attempt to silence the nagging feeling that
In the Rise City There's a fire.Nerissa wheezes as she grabs her night robe from its stand, quickly draping it around herself. The sound of panicked servants reverberates through the hall."The stables!""The ladder!""Water!"She collides with Alpha David in the hallway. His maroon gaze briefly lingers on her, darkening with lust, and she fights the urge to roll her eyes. "What's happening?""It seems we may be under attack by rogues," he murmurs, his eyes straying to her chest. "You should rest. This is being handled, princess."Nerissa frowns. "The castle hasn't been invaded in ages. How did they breach the wall? Have they been captured?" She takes a cautious step forward, but David blocks her way."Don't concern yourself with such matters. It doesn't befit you. No one appreciates a nosy woman. Join your mother in the Grand Hall with the other women. Your father and I will take care of it."She stares at him, her lips parting in disbelief. "Nosy? Who do you think you are, telling
Hailey turned her gaze toward the starless sky, a cold breeze lifting her hair, and a small smile played on her lips. "I'll never let you grieve alone again." Tilting her head, she looked deeply into his eyes. "You're not alone. Lean on me, Rowan. Let me help you find rest."Her cheeks flushed a vibrant shade of red, and Rowan's hands clung to her side to prevent her from toppling over. Somehow, their attempt at getting him to sleep had resulted in them polishing off an entire bottle of wine.The light and joy sparkling in Hailey's eyes made Rowan realize, for the first time since they had met, just how young she truly was—a stark contrast to the ancient, cunning soul he had grown accustomed to. She appeared...mortal. More vulnerable. Almost human. He found himself staring, a bit embarrassed, as she animatedly rambled about everything and nothing, giggling at her own jokes.Hailey suddenly stumbled, tripping over her gown, and as Rowan caught her, she erupted into laughter, covering h
As Rowan handed his sword to Elvis, he discarded the wedding band onto the floor and opened the locket. Inside were two women—one with blonde hair and vibrant green eyes, cradling a small girl in her arms. He pulled the picture from its confines and tossed it to Elvis. "Have Dennis scour the villages in Eldavis. Eliminate them on sight."The man lunged, growling and roaring, validating Rowan's suspicions. Rogues often behaved similarly. They severed ties with their families because Rowan was merciful enough to punish only the wrongdoer. Yet today, he lacked the will to show mercy. His subjects had perished, and the council of elders and Alphas demanded action. Burn the villages along the border. Execute all rogues!Elvis stared at him in shock but said nothing as he quickly left the room. The rogue snarled, rage blazing in his eyes as he struggled against the chains binding him. "I'll kill you!"Leaning back in his chair, Rowan crossed his ankle over his knee and rested his head again
Rowan POV.Rowan's footsteps echoed through the desolate hallway, the silence between each step filling him with unease. He seldom ventured into this part of the castle—the dungeons. It reminded him too vividly of the visits he had made to his father before the execution.A soul-chilling howl sliced through the air, followed by a desperate cry. Luis walked ahead, signaling the guards to let them pass. Rowan glared at him, battling the anger boiling within.It had been four days since he had last spoken to Hailey, four days since he tucked her in for the night. She wouldn't even spare him a glance, the ungrateful witch, nor would she engage with him. For four long days, he had been on edge, dreading what she might do next and when she would next invade his stu
Attempting to speak, her face crumpled as searing pain shot through her throat. She wanted to tell him she was fine, that it was just tea and grapes—she'd endured worse. Yet, despite her resolve, she didn't feel right. The day's events had dragged her back years, to a time when her mother attended to the wounds she herself had inflicted.Her body trembled with fear, hatred, and sorrow. Her fingers clutched the tub's edge as she tried to pull herself out, only to slip back in. Alpha Rowan reached for her, but she pushed his hand away. She wasn't weak; she could manage to get out herself.He let her try, again and again, until she finally broke down in sobs, attempting to crawl out. She avoided his gaze, afraid of the pity she'd find in his eyes. One final attempt saw her falling forward, bracing for the impact of the tub
That did the trick, and Ava hurried to comply.Hailey steadied herself, rising to her feet. "I really wouldn't—" But a sudden blow silenced her, sending shockwaves through her body. She stumbled back, gasping as she struggled to focus. Her head throbbed from the previous day's pain, feeling as if it might explode at any moment."Hold her," she vaguely heard Moressett order, and Hailey swung her fist blindly, aiming for anything in her path. Perhaps she should have stayed in her room and eaten breakfast there. Even if she screamed, there was no guarantee anyone would hear her—no one that mattered. Alpha Rowan, Beta Ruel, Gamma Luis, and the other officials had been in a meeting all morning.No one would come for her. It was just the eleven of them in the room,