Rose’s POVThe evening air was thick with tension as I made my way to meet Luca. My heart raced, both from the fear of what had happened earlier and the anticipation of finally sharing everything with someone who might be able to help. Finn’s death, the accusations, the chaos—it all weighed heavily on me, and I needed clarity, answers, and protection.The narrow path I took was shrouded in darkness, with the faint sound of rustling leaves accompanying my footsteps. A sense of unease crept over me like eyes were watching me from the shadows. I stopped in my tracks and glanced around, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.“Get a grip, Rose,” I whispered to myself, resuming my walk.The unease didn’t leave, though. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and the cool night air seemed to grow colder. Suddenly, a hand clamped over my mouth, stifling my scream as another arm wrapped tightly around my waist, dragging me into the nearby thicket.“Shh, don’t make a sound,” a voice hissed
Alina’s POVThe house was silent as I made my way to the hidden room I had secretly arranged for Russell. I had to be cautious; no one could know he was here, especially now. Tomorrow was Finn’s funeral, and the emotions in the house were already running high.When I finally reached the door, I hesitated. Taking a deep breath, I knocked softly. Russell opened the door, his sharp features illuminated by the dim light inside. His expression was unreadable, but there was a fire in his eyes—calculated and dangerous.“We need to talk,” I said, stepping into the room.Russell shut the door behind me and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. “About what?”“Finn,” I said firmly. “We need to come up with a plan to find out who killed him. Tomorrow’s the funeral, and people are starting to ask questions. We can’t keep sitting in silence.”Russell smirked, his eyes gleaming with something that made my stomach turn. “Oh, I already have a plan.”I blinked, taken aback. “You do?”He walked ov
Rose's POV The cold metal cuffs dug into my wrists as the officers led me out of the house. I kept my head down, unable to meet the eyes of the house staff who peered through windows and doorways, their expressions ranging from shock to satisfaction. The last thing I saw before stepping out into the night was Alina’s smug grin, half-hidden in the shadows of the hallway.My mind raced as the car bumped along the dark road toward the police station. The reality of the situation was setting in, twisting my stomach into knots. Finn, my husband of just a few days, was dead, and I was the prime suspect. The betrayal I felt wasn’t just from the accusations; it was from knowing who had orchestrated this. Alina and Russell. They had been behind this from the start, pulling strings in the dark while I blindly played into their hands.We arrived at the station, and I was ushered into an interrogation room with walls so gray and lifeless they seemed to suck the air out of my lungs. The fluoresce
Luca's POV I arrived at Benedicta's house as fast as I could, my heart pounding. Her frantic call hadn’t given me much information, but the panic in her voice was enough to send alarms ringing in my head. When I walked in, she was pacing the room, her face pale and her hands trembling.“Benedicta, what’s wrong?” I asked.She stopped and turned to me, her eyes filled with worry. “It’s Rose. I think something’s happened to her. I could feel it, Luca. She’s in trouble.”Her words unsettled me, but I tried to stay calm. “What do you mean you feel it? Have you tried calling her?”“I’ve called her multiple times, but she’s not picking up,” she said, her voice trembling. “Luca, I’m scared.”I immediately pulled out my phone and dialed Rose’s number. It rang, but there was no answer. I tried again and again, but it went straight to voicemail. The unease in my chest grew heavier.Just then, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. I quickly answered, hoping it was Rose, but it was Jenny.“Jenny
Luca’s POVThe drive to the police station felt longer than it should have. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, frustration bubbling under the surface. Rose didn’t belong behind bars, and I was determined to get her out. When I arrived, I approached the front desk with a steady resolve.“I’m here to see Rose,” I said to the officer seated behind the desk.The officer barely glanced at me before shaking his head. “No visitors allowed.”“What do you mean, ‘no visitors allowed’? She’s my wife—” I started, but he cut me off.“She’s under investigation, and Alina has put in a directive barring all visitors until further notice.”Alina. Her name felt like a curse. Her influence over everything was suffocating. I clenched my fists, anger simmering just beneath the surface.“This is ridiculous. You can’t just deny me access—”“It’s not up to me,” the officer interrupted, his tone flat and dismissive. “Rules are rules.”I left the station, my blood boiling. The audacity of Alina to me
Russell’s POVI lingered just outside the grand hall, my ears perked and tuned to every word exchanged inside. Alina’s voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. Her anger was palpable, her defiance strong against the elders’ authority. As I listened to their futile attempts to calm her, I smirked to myself. Alina’s rage was a weapon, one I intended to wield.When she stormed out of the hall, I waited until she was far enough down the corridor before following her, careful to keep my steps silent. Her pace was hurried, her movements frantic, and I could feel the tension radiating off her like heat from a flame.“Alina,” I called, stepping out from the shadows.She spun around, her eyes wild and bloodshot. "Russell," she hissed. "What do you want?"I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "I heard everything. The elders are against you, and I know how much that stings."She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, her lips pressed into a thin line. "They're fools. Rose killed F
Rose's POV The sound of the keys jingling outside my cell sent a chill down my spine. I sat up, staring at the bars, dreading yet another interruption to my solitude. My life was in shambles, but at least here, in this cold, damp cell, I could think—strategize.“Get up,” the warden’s gruff voice commanded as she unlocked the door.I stayed seated, narrowing my eyes. “What now?”“You have visitors,” she snapped, stepping inside.Visitors. My stomach churned. No one should be here. No one who cared about me would dare come to this place. Which left only enemies.I stood slowly, letting my chains rattle as I stretched out my aching limbs. “This should be fun,” I muttered under my breath, following her out.The warden led me through the long corridor. Every step felt heavier than the last, the chains clinking like a somber melody. As we stepped outside, the blinding sunlight stung my eyes. I blinked rapidly, trying to adjust, and then I saw them.Alina and Russell.Alina stood tall and r
Bianca's POVThe night was still, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. I had been walking down the hall toward my room when I heard faint voices coming from Alina’s study. Curious, I paused just outside the door, careful to stay in the shadows.“Are you sure about this?” Alina’s sharp voice carried through the crack in the door.“Yes,” Russell replied confidently. “Tomorrow night, everything will go as planned. Once the fire distracts the guards, I’ll get Rose out and bring her back to the pack. She’ll be ours to deal with.”My heart skipped a beat. Fire? Rose? What were they planning?“And you’re certain the elders won’t interfere?” Alina asked her voice tight with concern.“They’ll have no idea until it’s too late,” Russell assured her. “By the time they figure it out, Rose will be back here, under our control. Trust me, Alina, everything is under control.”I pressed my hand over my mouth to keep from gasping. Russell and Alina were plotting to break Rose out of pri
Luca's POVThe day had finally arrived. The day I had waited for, dreamed of and worked tirelessly to see come to fruition. My wedding day. As I stood at the altar in the grand cathedral, sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the marble floor. The air was heavy with the scent of roses and lavender, a symbol of unity for our clans.Guests from both sides filled the pews, their once-hostile gazes now softened by the promise of peace. Today wasn’t just about Rose and me—it was about forging a bond that would unite two warring clans into one.And then, the doors opened, and there she was.Rose. My bride. My queen.She walked down the aisle with a grace that stole my breath. Her gown was exquisite, flowing like liquid light, and her eyes were locked on mine. At that moment, the world narrowed to just the two of us.When she reached me, I took her hands in mine, unable to suppress the smile tugging at my lips. “You’re breathtaking,” I whi
Alina’s POVThe hall was silent, the air heavy with tension as I sat at the head of the long table, my eyes locked on Russell. He stood before us, restrained by the pack sentinels, his once-confident demeanor reduced to a pale, trembling shadow of the man he used to be. He had no more lies to spin, no more manipulations to hide behind.The elders murmured amongst themselves, their voices a low hum in the background. I kept my gaze fixed on Russell, my emotions a whirlwind of anger, regret, and determination. This was justice—not just for Finn, but for Rose, for the pack, and myself.“Russell,” I began, my voice steady and commanding, “your actions have brought nothing but pain and destruction to this pack. You murdered Finn, framed Rose, and deceived me at every turn. Your betrayal runs deep, and for that, you must face the consequences of your actions.”He opened his mouth, perhaps to beg for mercy or spin another excuse, but I raised a hand to silence him. I couldn’t hear another wo
Jenny's POVBianca and I stood just outside Alina’s office door, our ears straining for any hint of what was happening inside. The confrontation we’d witnessed through the small crack in the door had left us both on edge. Russell had tied Alina up and left her helpless, and now we were ready to stop him before he could cause more harm.The door suddenly swung open, and Russell emerged, his expression a mix of panic and determination. He froze for a split second upon seeing us, then scowled.“Where are you off to in such a rush?” I asked, stepping into his path.Bianca crossed her arms, blocking his escape in the other direction.“Out of my way,” Russell growled, his voice low and threatening. “I don’t have time for this.”“Funny,” Bianca said, her tone sharp. “You didn’t seem to have time for anything else when you were tying up Alina a few minutes ago.”Russell’s face darkened, and he took a step forward, clearly ready to force his way through. But before he could make a move, the pa
Luca's POVThe sound of tires crunching gravel outside brought a wave of relief over me. My guys were back, and I had no doubt they’d completed the task. I walked to the window, watching as they stepped out of the van, one of them holding a small, padded case. A sense of accomplishment filled me.I opened the door before they even knocked, motioning for them to come in. The leader of the group, Matteo, handed me the case. “It’s done,” he said simply, his tone firm but respectful.“Good,” I replied, opening the case to inspect the contents. There it was—the gun Russell had so desperately tried to keep hidden. Its weight in my hand felt like the weight of victory.Matteo leaned closer. “What’s next, boss?”I placed the gun carefully on the table and turned to face him and the others. “Now we wait. Russell doesn’t know we’ve got the real weapon. For now, I want you all to lay low. No sudden movements. If Russell catches even a whiff of what we’re up to, he’ll disappear, and we can’t affo
Alina’s POVThe weight of responsibility bore down on me as I walked to my wardrobe and selected a long, formal gown in a deep shade of red. It was the color of power, of justice of finality. Today marked the end for Rose. Today, she would face judgment for her crime.Once dressed, I tied my hair back in a sleek bun and slipped on a pair of black heels. My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, fierce and composed, but inside, I felt a twinge of uncertainty. Shaking it off, I grabbed my phone and left my chambers.The dungeon was damp, the cold air biting against my skin as I walked down the dimly lit corridors. Rose sat in the far corner of her cell, her face pale but defiant. She didn’t look like someone who was about to face her end.“Get up,” I ordered, unlocking the cell door. My voice was clipped and firm.Rose stood slowly, her movements deliberate, as if mocking my authority. “So, it’s today,” she said, her voice calm.I ignored her tone, grabbing her arm and pulling her
Russell's POVThe moon hung high in the sky as I led Luca through the winding path behind my property. The forest was eerily silent, save for the crunch of leaves under our feet. My heart pounded in my chest, but my face betrayed none of my inner turmoil. This was all part of the plan, and I wasn’t about to let Luca suspect a thing.After a few minutes, I stopped abruptly. “It’s here,” I said, pointing to a spot on the ground.Luca stood back, arms crossed, his piercing gaze fixed on me. I ignored him and picked up the shovel I’d brought along, plunging it into the earth. The damp soil gave way easily as I dug, my muscles straining with each movement. Minutes felt like hours as the hole grew deeper until finally, the edge of a metal box came into view.I pulled it out, brushing the dirt off the surface before unlocking it. Inside was a gun—clean, shiny, and deliberately placed. I held it up for Luca to see.“Here it is,” I said, my voice even.Luca’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer
Russell’s POVThe tension in the air was suffocating as I stormed into my room, slamming the door shut behind me. My mind was spinning, the weight of the picture Luca had sent me pressing heavily on my chest. How had things spiraled so far out of control? I didn’t know what Luca thought he was doing, but whatever it was, it wasn’t going to end well for him.I yanked open my closet, grabbed a crisp shirt, and threw it on, my movements sharp and deliberate. My hands trembled slightly, but I pushed the unease aside. I needed to focus. If Luca wanted to play games, I’d play. But I’d make sure he regretted it.Just as I fastened the last button on my shirt, there was a knock at the door. I froze for a second, letting out a frustrated sigh before opening it. Alina stood there, her arms crossed, her eyes narrowing at me.“And where are you heading off to in such a rush?” she asked, her voice carrying a note of suspicion.“I need to get out for a bit,” I said, keeping my tone neutral. “Clear
Benedicta’s POVI poured Merlin another glass of orange juice as he bit into his toast. His small hands fumbled to balance the slice, and I couldn’t help but smile. These quiet breakfasts with him had become my anchor amidst the storm that had engulfed our lives.“Mom’s taking too long to come back,” Merlin said, his voice tinged with the innocence of a child.I hesitated, setting my cup down. “She’ll be back soon,” I said softly, keeping my tone light. “She just had to travel for something important. But she’s coming back, Merlin. You’ll see her soon.”He nodded reluctantly, his little face pensive as he focused on his plate. Watching him like this made my chest tighten. He deserved none of this chaos, none of the lies or danger that had seeped into our home. I wanted so badly to protect him from all of it, but the secrets we kept were growing heavier by the day.Just as I reached for my coffee, the doorbell rang. My body stiffened instantly. Who could it be this early in the morning
Rose's POV The sound of the dungeon gate creaking open jolted me awake. My eyes snapped toward the iron bars, and I sat up on the cold, damp cot, my heart pounding. The rusted hinges screeched, echoing ominously in the silence of the room. A tall guard stepped in, followed by a maid clutching a tray of food.“Eat,” the maid said curtly, placing the tray on the ground with a loud thud. Her eyes were cold as they met mine. “You’ll need your strength for today. Lady Alina has plans for you.”My stomach twisted at her words, but I didn’t show it. I glared at her instead. “What plans?” I asked sharply.The maid smirked. “You’ll see soon enough,” she said. “After all, killers don’t deserve comfort.”“I didn’t kill anyone!” I shot back, the chains around my wrists clinking as I stood. My voice echoed in the small cell. “So, you better watch your mouth.”The maid laughed bitterly, her voice grating on my nerves. “Save your lies for someone who cares,” she said. “Everyone knows what you did.