PERRINI didn’t trust him at all.Not even when the bond was broken. Not even when Quinn chose me. I still didn’t trust Theodore.It had nothing to do with jealousy.It had to do with the way he looked at her. As though she were the sun following a long winter, as though, no matter how many times she turned away, he would keep hoping to turn back again. And worst of all?But he never said it in the presence of Quinn. Smiled, played the respectful guest. However, when her back was turned, just us two, the claws came out. ---This happened for the first time when we were in the eastern yard for training.It had been a tiring day: scouts had been informed of rogue noises on the border, and there was very little sleep from the previous night. My patience was thinning already.Theodore was standing there with the younger warriors, giving them lessons as if he were one of them as if he had a say in how such things were done in my pack.I approached him, nodding as I passed the warriors. "
QUINNThe space between Perrin and me had suddenly shifted into something unspoken, something very cold that quietly set in between us.I could feel it every time he passed my way without brushing my hand like he used to. Every time he answered my questions with a nod or a blunt reply. Every time I reached out and tried to hold him, he sidestepped away from me in such a delicate way that it could be construed as nothing—yet I felt it.And I hurt far more than I would have wanted to confess.In my deluded mind, choosing him would have been the cure for any confusion. It would have silenced the voices in my head. It would have eased the storm that raged in my chest. But then it did not. Actually, the bond with Theodore was not even the major culprit anymore.It was us.Perrin and me.I didn’t know how to fix us.---Theodore had stirred too much about the manor.He was rude, proud, conceited, and good at getting on one’s nerves, but so was the dark one. Wherever he was, Theodore had bee
PERRINFor weeks, Quinn and I had been walking ghosts under the same roof.We would nod to one another, ghostly pale...well, something like this, as we passed in the hall; maybe emit a few meaningless words when necessary; maybe eat when necessary or not at all-somehow one of us would make an excuse to leave, while the other pretended not to notice.I did not know how things were coming to be.Maybe it had something to do with Theodore. Or maybe it was the simmering fear that neither of us wanted to acknowledge. Or maybe it was both of us slowly drifting away and refusing to admit it.What hurt the most was that I loved her, and it seemed that it did not matter anymore.Some nights I would lie awake with her just a few feet away, curled upon the edge of the bed as if afraid to take up space. I would watch her breathe and wonder whether that would be the beginning of the end.And part of me, the one I hated, had already begun to ready itself.---Neither of us ever voiced it, but I kne
QUINNTheodore’s words stuck with me long after we went our separate ways, their echo a whisper of something I hadn’t experienced in years: agency in my own life.But I didn’t run.Instead, I stayed.Because as much as Theodore had been a respite, I wasn’t prepared to leave Perrin behind. Not yet.But something had changed between us. Not merely because of what we’d gone through, but because the Perrin was attempting — actually attempting. He asked questions rather than issuing orders. He preferred listening to talking. And sometimes, if we sat there together in silence long enough, I could feel him hoisting up the guilt he carried around like another layer of skin.He no longer attempted to conceal it. And perhaps it was that honesty, that quiet vulnerability, that finally had the walls between us start crumbling.One night, curled on the window seat in our room, I finally said what I’d never thought I’d say out loud.“I hated you for so many years.”Perrin didn’t flinch. He nodded—o
QUINNThe wind was strong. I was still in the garden, dwelling on what Theodore said. So much had already happened, and my heart was weary. I needed some peace, just a little peace to think.But I didn’t get it.Suddenly, a loud howling erupted in the distance. The air changed. I glanced around, feeling danger in the air. As a few guards rushed past me, I heard one of them yelling, “We’re under attack!”What?Before I could get out of the way, someone caught my arm. I spun around, ready to fight, but stopped when I saw Theodore.“Come with me,” he said, hurriedly. His eyes were wide, serious. “It’s not safe here.”“What do you mean?” I asked. “Where’s Perrin?”“He’s holding the line. He’s battling with the other warriors to defend the pack,” Theodore said, motioning for me to follow. “He told me to get you to safety.”It didn’t sound like Perrin. He would have never left without saying anything. Still, I followed. Maybe it was really bad.Theodore took me to the back gate. A black car
QUINNHe paused for a moment before saying, “I didn’t bring you here to hurt you, Quinn. I did it to keep you safe.”“I know,” I said. “But I need to see him. Please.”Theodore stared down, pondering.Finally, he nodded. “Okay. I’ll take you back.”Relief flooded me. I wasn’t sure what awaited me when I returned to the pack, but I had to face it. With Perrin. Together.We hopped back in the car and began the long drive home. My pulse raced the entire trip there.When the pack house came into focus, I noticed the damage. Some trees were broken. The fence had scorch marks. It really had been a battle.Theodore parked way in the back, like he didn’t want anyone to see him.“You’re going to be fine from here,” he said. “If you need me again… you know how to find me.”So I nodded and opened the door and stepped out. I turned once to look at him. “Thank you. For trying.”He gave me a sad smile. “Always.”Then I ran.I dashed all the way toward the main hall, the rhythm of my heart exploding
QUINN POVDays passed, and I did not see Perrin. I asked Theodore about him every day but he always had an excuse as to why Perrin couldn’t join.“He’s occupied with the pack,” Theodore said one morning.“He’s dealing with some urgent matters,” he told me the following day.“Making sure everybody’s safe,” was his excuse the next day.I started to worry. If he could have, Perrin would have come to see me. Something didn't feel right.One evening, I was sitting next to the window as the sun went down. The sky turned orange and pink, and I felt no pleasure. I missed Perrin. I mourned his voice, his touch, his presence.I turned to Theodore. I want to see Perrin,” I said adamantly.He looked surprised. “Quinn, he’s busy doing some very important stuff. He'll come when he can."I shook my head. "No. I need to see him now."Theodore sighed. “I know, but it’s not safe yet.”"Safe from what?" I asked. You told me “the danger was over.”He hesitated. "There are still threats. We need to be cau
QUINNI didn’t see Perrin for days. Theodore told me why Perrin couldn’t come every day.“He’s busy with the pack,” Theodore said one morning.“He’s dealing with some urgent business,” he told me the following day.“He’s making sure everyone is safe,” was his justification that day.I started to worry. If Perrin could he would have come to visit me. Something didn't feel right.One night, I sat by the window as the sun set. The sky went orange and pink and there was no joy. I missed Perrin. I missed his voice, his touch, his being.I turned to Theodore. “I want to see Perrin,” I said adamantly.He looked surprised. “He’s busy, Quinn, with serious business. He'll come when he can."I shook my head. "No. I need to see him now."Theodore sighed. “I know, but it’s not safe yet."Safe from what?" I asked. “You said everything was safe.”He hesitated. "There are still threats. We need to be cautious."I didn't believe him. I felt trapped.That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about
Quinn’s POVThe estate felt different the next day. It was as though the walls themselves were holding their breath, waiting for something. I couldn’t shake the unease that clung to me like a second skin. Every shadow seemed to shift, every creak in the floorboards made me jump, and every time the wind howled outside, my heart would race.I knew something was coming. I could feel it deep in my bones. But what? What were we waiting for?I stepped out into the courtyard, my eyes scanning the horizon. The morning fog had lifted, but the chill of the air still hung heavy, even though the sun was rising. The cold seemed to seep into my very soul, and I wrapped my arms around myself to stave off the shiver running through me.Perrin was standing near the large oak tree, his back straight, his eyes narrowed as he looked out at the woods. He didn’t notice me approach, and I couldn’t bring myself to disturb him. He was always on edge now, always searching for something that wasn’t there, alway
Quinn’s POVI barely slept that night.Every time I closed my eyes, the shadows seemed to reach for me. The sound of creaking wood under the pressure of footsteps echoed in my mind, even though no one was there. I had grown used to feeling the weight of fear pressing against my chest, but tonight, it felt heavier. The kind of weight you can’t shake off.I got up early, before the sun was fully out, and walked down the halls of the estate. The silence was suffocating, but it was nothing new. We had all gotten used to the quiet, to the hushed voices that filled every room, and the constant, unspoken worry that hovered over us like a stormcloud. I hated it.But I hated what was happening to my pack even more.I found Perrin in his office as usual, his back stiff as he stared at a pile of papers on his desk. The papers were nothing new either — patrol reports, food supplies, water checks. All the things that should have been routine by now, but everything had turned upside down.“Morning,
Perrin's POVThe days after the ambush passed slowly.Even though we had killed two of the attackers, the pack stayed tense.People barely spoke.Kids were kept indoors.Mothers clutched their babies close, looking around like something would jump out of the shadows any second.I didn’t blame them.We had fought back, yes.But the enemy hadn’t stopped.If anything, it felt like we had made them angrier.More patrols went missing.Animals were found dead near the borders — torn apart, left to rot.A warning.The air itself felt heavy.Like the forest was holding its breath, waiting for something worse to come.One morning, Dorian came running into my office, a wild look in his eyes."You need to see this," he said.I followed him outside,It was near the training fields. Someone had carved another message into the earth, deep and wide enough that you could see it from the estate windows.Only this time, it wasn’t words.It was a symbol. A circle, broken down the middle, with sharp arrow
Perrin's POVThe next morning came with rain.It fell hard and cold against the roof, soaking the grounds and washing away the blood stains on the stones. The sky stayed dark and heavy, matching the mood of the pack.I sat at the long dining table with Quinn beside me. Food sat untouched in front of us. Neither of us felt like eating.Dorian came in, dripping wet, holding a soaked piece of cloth in his hand. His face was pale, his jaw tight."What is it?" I asked, standing up.He dropped the cloth on the table. I stepped closer and saw what it was.A piece of one of our patrol uniforms. Torn. Bloodied."Found it by the north woods," Dorian said. His voice was low, careful. "No sign of the patrol itself. All three are missing."Quinn stiffened beside me. Her hand found my arm, squeezing it tight.Missing.Three of our trained fighters, gone without a sound."We need to go," I said.I grabbed my jacket and headed out with Dorian and four others. Quinn wanted to come, but I made her stay
Perrin's POVThe fires were still burning when the sun rose.I stood outside the estate, boots planted in bloodstained grass, and watched as my warriors dragged the last of the bodies away. Smoke climbed slow and heavy into the pale morning sky. It felt like the air itself had gone heavy, like the world was weighed down.Gianna was dead.Theodore was dead.It should have felt like peace.Instead, it felt like waiting.Quinn stood at my side, wrapped in my jacket. Her small hand clutched my arm tightly. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to. I could feel her fear, her anger, her strength.We had survived.But something told me it wasn’t over."Alpha," Dorian said as he came up, his voice low. "We've checked the grounds. No more enemies. No more threats."I nodded but didn’t move. My gut twisted. I knew better than to trust a quiet morning."Double the guards," I said. "I want two at every entrance. Rotate them every three hours. No one gets tired."Dorian gave a quick nod and jog
QUINN“You should not need to be prepared for this,” he said, his voice low. “You should not have to battle monsters to be with me.”“I’m not scared,” I whispered.And I wasn’t.Not anymore.Perrin bent and lay his forehead against mine. For a moment, the rest of the world fell away. There remained only his heat, his strength.But it didn't last.A knock shattered the moment.“Alpha,” Dorian spoke from behind the door. "We have a situation."Perrin sat up again, already rolling from the bed toward the door. I went after him, heart throbbing faster.Dorian's face was dark as we entered the hall. His sleeve had been ripped, and dried blood was smeared down his forearm."What happened?" Perrin demanded."West patrol attack," Dorian replied. "Three guards down. The import was unmistakable.” No deaths, but … The message was clear.He offered a sheet of parchment.Perrin jerked it up, read quickly the large, scrawled letters:"You cannot protect her. She will bleed. You will watch."No sign
QUINNAlora's jaw tightened."And the witnesses listed?" she demanded.I smiled thinly."Nonexistent. Fabricated names. Cross-ref the council's register of residents."Another aide scrambled out of the room to do just that.They were in front of me now, the terrible beat of my heart resounding in my ears.“You were played,” I said softly. "Somebody in this council--or near to it at least--wanted to get Perrin killed.I held for a minute, allowing my words to hang."And they almost succeeded."---Gianna’s POVI pressed close to the arch on the far balcony, hidden in the shadows of a stained wood pillar.My nails clawed into the hard stone railing.No.This is not how it was supposed to be.She should’ve been weeping.He should’ve been destroyed.Instead—Instead she’d flipped it all on its head with just a few pieces of paper and that maddening, unbreakable fire in her voice.I wanted to scream.I wanted to tear the whole god-damned building down with my bare hands.But I kept myself
QUINNThat plan fell into place more quickly than I had anticipated.Theodore had been training himself already, setting traps I wasn’t even aware were there, and I didn’t even realize.Whispers in the council.Rumors sowed like seeds, waiting to sprout and poison.Documents.Decrees.Secrets that Perrin had believed laid to rest long ago.Theodore had been patient.Now it was time to enjoy the fruits of their labor.And at the hub of this all — me.---That night, as the estate hummed with the intelligence of my "banishment," I lolled.Dorian, the ever faithful dog, was with Quinn—practicing, watching, doing nothing.Perrin's been holed up in the solar, full of grief and anger and too far gone to see anything but his own unhappiness.Perfect.I strode, in the dark of the night, into the Council Chamber where I was cloaked in black.The big table was bare, the wide window behind it open to the night air.On the table, I spread the documents Theodore had handed me—sealed orders that bl
QUINNHe closed the space between us in two strides, gripping me by the shoulders.“You’re alive,” he murmured frantically. "You're real."The corners of my vision went moist, but I nodded. "I’m real."He pulled me into himself, holding on with all his might, his arms strong and fierce, his grip desperate, as if he could keep me with him in this life through sheer force of will.I allowed him to hold me for a moment.Let myself breathe him in.Remind myself why I had worked so hard to make it back.And then I eased back.I looked at Gianna who, like the rest of us, was utterly immobile, her expression one of sheer horror ingrained on every perfect line of her face.“You lied,” I said, the words slicing through the heavy air.She tried to speak, but no words would come.“You showed him that blouse,” I said. “You let him think I was dead.Gianna balled her hands into fists. "You were dead," she spat before she caught herself.The words hung between us, weighted and damning.Perrin looke