Mira’s POV Rowan leaned against the carriage door, his golden eyes fixed on the procession ahead. “We’ll order the walk to begin, then ride in the carriages to the clan shrine to wait for Serene.” I frowned. “Why do we have to wait? Why not just follow them?” Rowan shot me a look of irritation. “Because we are royalty. We don’t walk with criminals.” Lucian’s voice was gentler. “It’s just how things are done, Mira. The walk is meant to be a public display of her shame. The people need to see her parade without us overshadowing the punishment.” Kai, clearly impatient, let out a frustrated sigh. “Can we stop explaining? Let’s just start the damn thing already.” Before I could argue further, the captain of the guards approached and bowed slightly. “My Lords, Luna, everything is set. Serene is ready to move, and the people are waiting.” My stomach twisted with unease. A strange feeling, like a warning, crept through me. “I want to walk with them,” I said. Rowan’s head s
Mira’s POVEverywhere was a haze. Thick smoke curled through the air, blinding me, suffocating me. People were screaming, running in every direction. Some tripped over debris, others trampled the fallen in their desperation to escape. The acrid stench of burning wood and flesh filled my nostrils, making my stomach churn.I could still hear the explosion ringing in my ears, the deafening blast that had torn through the streets like a violent storm. But nothing compared to the sight that made my heart drop.The captain’s body lay sprawled across the ground, twisted unnaturally. Blood pooled beneath him, soaking into the dirt road, his once-proud armor blackened by the flames. His eyes, once sharp and alert, were dull now—lifeless.I slapped a hand over my mouth, swallowing the sob that threatened to escape.Lucian’s grip on my arm tightened as he pulled me forward. “We have to move, Mira. Now.”I shook my head frantically, my vision blurring. “Where are they?” My voice was hoarse, desp
Lucian’s POVThe air was thick with smoke and the scent of burning flesh. The city that had once been filled with life was now a battlefield of destruction. Screams echoed in the distance, blending with the crackling of flames. My boots crunched over shattered debris as I pushed forward, my body screaming in protest.I made my way to the wreckage of my brothers’ carriage. The remains were barely recognizable, reduced to splinters and ash. My heart pounded violently in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm.They had to be alive.A simple explosion couldn’t kill them.I searched desperately, shoving aside broken wood and burnt fabric, hoping—praying—that I’d find something. But there was nothing. No bodies. No sign of them.The longer I searched, the worse the pain in my chest grew. But it wasn’t from fear.It was from the curse.The damn curse was taking its toll again, weakening me second by second. I gritted my teeth, determined to fight it off. I had no time for this. My broth
Mira povThe warm water surrounded me as I leaned back in the bathtub, letting my body sink into the soothing heat. The steam curled around me, softening the air, but no matter how comforting it was, my mind refused to relax.I closed my eyes, but the images came flooding back. The crowd was screaming at me. The protesters—Serena’s supporters—called me a thief, an outsider. The way their hatred burned in their eyes as they threw dirt at me.Then there were the lycans. The ones who wanted me dead.My fingers tightened against the smooth edge of the tub. If the guards hadn’t stepped in… what would have happened? Would I have been ripped apart in the middle of the streets?I shuddered, pushing the thought away.Even now, as I sat in the safety of the castle, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Serena wasn’t done. Her influence ran deeper than I had realized. Even after everything, people were still loyal to her—loyal enough to fight for her. To kill for her.And that terrified me
Mira Pov Kai was waiting for me at the entrance of the meeting hall. His arms were crossed over his chest, and there was a slight smirk on his face, like he had been enjoying himself. “How long have you been standing there?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Long enough,” he said, pushing off the wall. “I heard everything.” I blinked. “You were listening?” “Of course,” he replied. “You handled the meeting well, Mira. Better than I expected.” I frowned slightly. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?” He chuckled. “It is. You were firm but fair. I was waiting to see if you’d let them push you around, but you held your ground.” I sighed, shaking my head. “I don’t know. It feels like everything is moving so fast. One moment, I’m fighting to survive, and now I’m making decisions that could change lives.” Kai placed a hand on my shoulder. “You did what was right. And because of that, I know I can trust you with the castle.” I stiffened. “What do you mean?” “I’m goi
Kai PovThe air was thick with the acrid stench of burnt wood and flesh as I climbed down from my horse. The ground beneath me was blackened, the once-solid cobblestones cracked and uneven from the force of the explosion. A layer of ash covered everything like a thick fog, swirling slightly with every movement. The entire street was eerily silent. No voices, no movement—just the lingering echoes of the destruction that had taken place.The people had retreated into their huts, doors locked, windows shut. They were afraid. Rightfully so. Whoever had orchestrated this attack had made their presence known, and the clan was still reeling from the shock of it.I crouched down, running my fingers through the ash before bringing it close to my nose. The scent was strange. It wasn’t gunpowder or any form of explosive I recognized. If this had been a normal attack, I would have been able to pinpoint the weapon used immediately.But this?This was different.I let the ash slip throug
Mira POV The cold air hit my skin as I stepped out of the dungeons, my breath coming in short, shaky exhales. My heart was still pounding from what I had just heard. The maid’s voice echoed in my head, each word seared into my mind like a curse.“Serena’s escape was just the beginning. You have no idea what’s coming. Great doom will befall all those who stood against her.”Those were the same words Serena had spoken before her walk of shame.I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus. Whatever they were planning, it wasn’t just an empty threat. I needed to figure out what was coming before it was too late.The castle hallways were quiet, but the heavy feeling in the air remained. I passed by a few guards, their gazes shifting toward me momentarily before looking away. Did they know something? Were Serena’s supporters still lurking in the castle?I exhaled sharply. I was letting paranoia get the best of me.But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something important.
Mira’s POVI ran.My heart pounded against my ribs as I pushed my legs as fast as they could go, the sound of claws scraping against marble echoing behind me. Lucian was chasing me. Lucian.Or at least, the beast that had taken over him.The castle was in chaos. Guards yelled orders, trying to block his path, but it was useless. I stole a glance over my shoulder, and my stomach twisted at the sight. He was too fast, too strong. The warriors attempting to hold him back were tossed aside like ragdolls, their bodies crashing into walls with sickening thuds. Some of them tried again, but his massive form barreled through them with terrifying ease.Another guard lunged at him with a spear, aiming for his leg, but before I could blink, Lucian grabbed him and tore him apart. Blood splattered across the stone floors, and I let out a strangled gasp.They couldn’t stop him.They knew it. I knew it.Which was why they were no longer trying. Instead, they focused on keeping me alive.“Run, Luna!”
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