Mira PovThe moment the gate slammed shut behind me, a deep sense of dread settled in my stomach. I turned just in time to see the monstrous boar step into the training yard, its thick muscles rippling under its coarse fur. Its beady black eyes locked onto me, nostrils flaring as it let out a deep, guttural snort. My heart stopped.I whipped around to face Rowan, who stood lazily by the sidelines with his arms crossed over his chest, watching me like this was some kind of twisted entertainment.“Rowan!” I shrieked, stumbling backward as the boar took a slow step forward, sizing me up. “What the hell is this?!”His response was maddeningly calm. “Your training.”“Training?!” My voice cracked as I took another step back, but the beast mirrored my movement, its sharp tusks glinting under the sunlight. “This isn’t training! This is murder! What sort of rubbish is this.” I was almost going crazy as I was scared it was going to come for me.“If you think that,” Rowan said, complete
Mira Point of View. I couldn’t stop shaking. My father, Anton, stood by the carriage with his arms crossed, his sharp eyes daring me to protest.I wouldn’t, though. I never did. He had already made up his mind, and I couldn’t change it.“You’re going to do this, Mira,” he said coldly. “You are my child and It’s your duty to this family.”Duty.That word stung like a whip. What duty did I owe to a man who had hated me all my life?I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice. “You’re selling me like I’m… cattle. Is this the duty you talk about?” I asked, holding back not to scream into his face.“You should be grateful,” he snapped. “The Lycan Kings are the most powerful beings in the realm. You’ll live like a queen there, and they’ll want nothing from you except children. You’ll have a purpose in their lives.”Purpose.My nails dug into my palms. I wanted to scream, to fight back, but I held my tongue.“If you say no, Mira,” he continued, his voice dropping, “you’ll be condemning you
Rowan, Damien, Lucian, and Kai’s POVAs soon as the steward led Mira out of the room, silence fell among us.For a moment, no one said a word, but the tension was unmistakable.The air was thick with something we hadn’t felt in years—a pull, a connection that ran deeper than anything we’d ever experienced before.Rowan was the first to break it. “Did you feel that?” His voice was low, but the edge of disbelief was clear.Kai growled, his fists clenched on the table. “Feel it? It was impossible to ignore. The mate bond.”“It’s not just the bond,” Lucian added, his usually calm demeanor replaced by visible agitation.“Her scent… it’s intoxicating. It took every ounce of control not to drag her back here and claim her on the spot.”Damien leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. “And her blood. There’s something unique about her bloodline. It’s unlike anything I’ve come across before.”“She’s ours,” Kai said firmly, his wolf grunting in agreement. “We can’t deny it. She’s our mate.”
Mira’s Pov The first rays of sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains, pulling me from a restless sleep.My eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, I lay still, the events of the previous day replaying in my mind.The Lycans.The mate pull.Serene’s venomous words. It all felt like a horrible dream I couldn’t escape.With a groan, I sat up and glanced around the room. The luxurious furniture and silk sheets only reminded me that I was in my enemies territory.I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stretched, shaking off the remnants of sleep.The dress I had worn yesterday hung loosely around me, wrinkled and stiff. A frown tugged at my lips as I realized I had nothing else to wear.“Of course, they wouldn’t bother to provide me with anything,” I muttered under my breath.I straightened my dress as best I could and walked over to the small basin to freshen up.My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, the dark circles under my eyes a stark reminder of my sleepless nig
Rowan, Damien, Lucian, and Kai’s POVThe throne room was heavy with tension. Each of us stood with a scowl on our faces, fuming with frustration. Our minds were clouded with thoughts of Mira.What she’d done earlier still echoed in our heads, but it wasn’t just that—no, it was the fact that she was rejecting something we couldn’t even control.She was trying to ruin everything.“She’s out of her mind,” Kai growled, his fists clenching tightly as he paced back and forth.“Who does she think she is? She tried to cut herself, to stop us from claiming her!”“I couldn’t sleep last night,” Damien said, his voice deep with frustration.“I kept seeing her face in my dreams. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt her presence. She’s everywhere, and I can’t get her out of my head.”“I feel the same,” Rowan muttered, leaning back against the large stone pillar. His eyes narrowed as his mind seemed to drift back to the events of the night before.“She kept appearing in my thoughts, haunting me like
Mira’s Pov I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind a jumbled mess. I had hoped for some peace, but as the minutes passed, the silence became suffocating. I kept thinking about everything—the bond I didn’t want, the brothers, and what they were planning for me. It all felt like too much. I had no idea what I was supposed to do next. Just as I was starting to think I could maybe catch a little break, a sharp knock echoed from the door.My heart skipped a beat, and I sat up quickly. I didn’t want to deal with them. I didn’t want to deal with anyone. But I knew it was pointless to avoid whatever was coming.I stood up and opened the door, only to be greeted by five maids, each carrying something different—baskets, bundles, and even a large platter of food.I blinked, confused.“Miss,” one of the maids greeted me politely, her voice soft. “The Lycan Kings have requested that you join them for dinner. They wish for you to look your best.”I tried to hide the annoyance that bu
The next day. Mira’s POV Though I did not touch the food, the dining hall smelled of roasted pig and freshly made bread. The sight alone made my stomach turn. Eating whatever they offered felt like surrender. Rowan sat at the head of the table, his golden gaze fixed on me. Lucian and Kai lounged on either side of Damien, their faces unreadable, but Rowan—seated directly across from me—watched in silence. I shoved my plate away. “I’m not eating.” Rowan drummed his fingers on the table. “You’ll eat.” Unflinching, I met his gaze. “Make me.” The air crackled like an impending storm, the tension in the room thickening. Damien ran a hand through his hair and exhaled deeply. “Refusing to eat doesn’t prove anything, Mira. You need your strength.” I let out a cold, humorless chuckle. “For what? So I can be your obedient little breeder? So I can sit here and pretend this is normal?” I gestured to the lavish feast, the brilliant chandeliers, the massive h
Mira’s POVI walk to my room with trembling legs, unsure where I gathered the courage to confront Serene head-on.Maybe it was the frustration from the brothers’ display at dinner, all because of her stupid mistake. And she dared to laugh at me. What good is she as a female Alpha if she can’t even bear a pup? This is all because of her.I bang my door shut—loud enough for everyone to hear. Hopefully, the brothers will take it as a sign to stay away tonight. I am still not ready to accept the title of breeder.I let out a long breath, my hands balling into fists. My fate has already been sealed, and yet, I still refuse to accept it.But how long can I fight this?The walls of this castle are closing in, suffocating me, and the worst part is… there is no escape.Knock. Knock.A part of me wants to run into the bathroom and lock myself in, but then I remember—none of them ever bother knocking before barging into my room.“Come in.” My voice is steady—far steadier than I expected, conside
Mira PovThe moment the gate slammed shut behind me, a deep sense of dread settled in my stomach. I turned just in time to see the monstrous boar step into the training yard, its thick muscles rippling under its coarse fur. Its beady black eyes locked onto me, nostrils flaring as it let out a deep, guttural snort. My heart stopped.I whipped around to face Rowan, who stood lazily by the sidelines with his arms crossed over his chest, watching me like this was some kind of twisted entertainment.“Rowan!” I shrieked, stumbling backward as the boar took a slow step forward, sizing me up. “What the hell is this?!”His response was maddeningly calm. “Your training.”“Training?!” My voice cracked as I took another step back, but the beast mirrored my movement, its sharp tusks glinting under the sunlight. “This isn’t training! This is murder! What sort of rubbish is this.” I was almost going crazy as I was scared it was going to come for me.“If you think that,” Rowan said, complete
Mira POV I woke up feeling warm, wrapped in a cocoon of heat and comfort. My body was tangled with another’s, and for a fleeting moment, I didn’t question it. I sank deeper into the warmth, my fingers absentmindedly tracing firm, smooth skin. It felt… right.Then I heard a deep chuckle, and reality struck me like a bolt of lightning.My eyes snapped open, and I was met with the sight of Lucian’s bare chest beneath my hand. His arm was wrapped securely around my waist, and the moment our eyes met, his lips curled into a knowing smirk.“Good morning, little mate. How was your night? Hope you had a peaceful and wonderful rest.” His voice was husky, laced with amusement as he grinned at me.I gasped and shot up, scrambling away from him as if burned. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, and the events of last night came rushing back in vivid detail—the way he touched me, the way I let him, the way I had completely lost control.What have I done?I yanked the sheets around me and tur
Mira POVI froze on the spot, unable to answer Lucian’s question. My lips parted, but no words came out. What was I supposed to say? That I didn’t know? That my mind screamed at me to reject the bond, but my heart longed for something else?For the longest time, I had a single purpose—to bring them down, to tear them apart. It was the reason I endured everything, the reason I came here in the first place. The lycan brothers had to be destroyed, and I was the only one who could do it. But the Moon Goddess had different plans. She had played a cruel trick on me, binding my fate to theirs in the cruelest way possible.I was supposed to despise them. I was supposed to see them as nothing more than enemies, obstacles in my path. And yet…Lucian stood so close, his warmth enveloping me, his intoxicating scent clouding my mind. He smelled of the wild—earthy, masculine, raw. The heat from his body seeped into mine, weakening my resolve. Unlike his brothers, Lucian didn’t push. He di
Lucian’s POV I had just finished my meditation, my mind momentarily at peace, though the storm within me never truly settled. Afterward, I decided to take a shower before returning to my painting. The rhythmic sound of water cascading over me did little to wash away the weight I carried—memories, responsibilities, and the undeniable pull toward the one person I shouldn’t crave so desperately.When I stepped out of the bath, steam clung to my skin as I reached for a towel, running it over my damp hair before wrapping it loosely around my waist. My chambers were silent, just as I preferred them. Or so I thought.As I turned toward my bed, movement caught my eye.Mira.She was standing near the paintings, her back partially turned, but I could see the moment she froze—her entire body going rigid as her gaze locked onto mine. Or rather, onto the bare expanse of my chest, trailing lower until she abruptly looked away.I didn’t move. Neither did she.A tense silence filled the room,
Mira POVI couldn’t tell where the voice was coming from. It was a woman’s voice, which meant it couldn’t be the shadow guards. That should have reassured me, but it didn’t. A shiver crawled down my spine as I stood still, scanning my surroundings. The torches flickered against the stone walls, casting restless shadows that seemed to move on their own.I swallowed hard, tilting my head slightly. “Who’s there?” I whispered.Silence.I let out a slow breath, trying to convince myself that I had imagined it. Maybe I was exhausted. Maybe my thoughts were so tangled that I was starting to hear things that weren’t real.But then—“Mira.”The voice came again, clearer this time. A soft, almost melodic sound, as if the speaker was both close and far away at the same time. My heart pounded, and I took an involuntary step back.This wasn’t normal.I turned sharply, but before I could investigate further, another voice—louder, real—broke through the eerie stillness.“My lady!”I gasped,
Mira POV I wiped the sweat from my forehead, smudging soot onto my skin as I handed Damien another tool. The air in the workshop was thick with heat, the scent of burning metal mixing with oil and dust. My muscles ached from bending and lifting, but I didn’t mind. Strangely enough, I enjoyed this—watching Damien work, seeing how his hands moved with precise intent, as if he were shaping something far greater than just a tool. He was brilliant, there was no denying that.“You don’t usually have someone helping you with all this, do you?” I asked, glancing around at the organized chaos of blueprints, gears, and half-finished contraptions scattered across the workbenches.Damien barely glanced up as he adjusted a clamp on the metal piece he was working on. “No. I work alone.”I arched an eyebrow. “Why?”He shrugged, tightening the clamp before reaching for a hammer. “People can be distracting.”I placed a hand over my chest in mock offense. “Are you saying I’m distracting?”Damie
Mira POV Kai didn’t answer me. His expression remained calm, unreadable, as he said, “That’s not my story to tell.”His words made my frustration bubble even more. I hated when people kept secrets from me, especially when I knew they were about something important. But I also knew pushing Kai wouldn’t get me anywhere. He wasn’t the type to give in easily. So, instead, I let out a sharp exhale and crossed my arms.“Fine,” I muttered. “But I didn’t learn anything today.”Kai arched an eyebrow, his lips curving into an amused smirk. “That’s not true. You ran a few successful laps and stretched properly. That’s progress.”I scowled, kicking a loose pebble near my foot. “That’s not real training. Rowan just wanted to punish me.”Kai chuckled. “Rowan believes strength starts with endurance.” He paused before adding, “And patience.”I shot him a glare, already knowing what he meant. He was hinting that I needed to be more patient, that I had to trust the process. But patience wasn’t
Mira’s POVA shrill note from a flute shattered the silence of my sleep, jolting me awake. My eyes flew open, and for a moment, I was too disoriented to react. Then the realization hit me—I was being woken up. And not in a gentle manner. My body tensed as anger flooded through me. Who dared disturb my rest?I shot up from my bed, my heart pounding in irritation, and my gaze landed on a guard standing stiffly near the doorway, the wooden flute still in his hands. My glare could have burned a hole through him.“What in the gods’ names do you think you’re doing?” I snapped, throwing my blanket off me.The guard bowed slightly, clearly sensing my fury but not deterred by it. “I was ordered to wake you, Lady Mira,” he said firmly. “Lord Rowan instructed me to ensure you were awake and ready for training.”Rowan. Of course, it was him. Only someone as insufferable and overbearing as Rowan would have the audacity to drag me from sleep in such a ridiculous way. My hands clenched into fists
Mira’s POVThe council hall remained silent as everyone absorbed the weight of Lucian’s question.“If witches are behind this, how do we find them?”No one had an answer.Then, finally, a councilman spoke.“We should send an emissary to Darkfire Clan,” he suggested. “Their kingdom had the last known witch executions in history. If there is any place that might still have traces of witches, it’s there.”A murmur of agreement passed through the room.It was a reasonable plan.But now, the real question was—who would go?“We need someone skilled in negotiation,” another councilman added. “Someone who can get information without drawing too much suspicion.”“I nominate Alpha Lucian,” Councilman Baylor declared.I turned to look at Lucian, expecting him to either accept or decline the nomination.But before he could say anything, his brothers immediately refused.“No,” Kai said firmly.“Absolutely not,” Rowan added.Damien didn’t even hesitate. “He’s not going.”The council members looked