Russell pov.Immediately Lorenzo stormed off in anger after learning the truth. I called in the bodyguard who I have sent to follow Luca to give me feedback on when he went.He entered inside after I had ordered him to come in. “Where did he go?” I asked without wasting time. I would visit the place. I needed to see for myself what he was up to. He hardly spent time in the palace again “He stopped at the outskirts of the town but I do think he outsmarted us. He came back with a cab” he reported.Fuck! I shouted as I mumbled a lot of curses under my breath. He knew we were following him and had decided to do otherwise.“How could you be so ignorant? He was not meant to find out!” I shouted.The only grace saving this man was that he was a good soldier to the pack. If not, he would have been dead by now.“I'm sorry. Your grace. Our men also saw him with Sabrina, the witch,” he informed me.I nodded and waved my hands at him, dismissing him.Immediately, he closed the door behind him,
Rose pov“What is this?” I asked to open the invitation card.“An invitation to Luca’s marriage” he informed me. Although he tried to sound normal, I could feel the hint of joy in his tone.Shock cloaked my body as goosebumps filled my skin. My heart squeezed with pain as I stared at the card in disbelief.“What?” I asked my voice almost in a whisper.“An invitation card to your ex-lover's wedding” he confirmed with a mocking smile.I refused to pay attention to whatever he was saying. I knew he would be happy that Luca was getting married. It would make him have me all to himself. To anyone, it would be cute, seeing your mate wanting to spend time with you, but to me, it was pure torture. He was just a friend or any male friend. His smile did not give me butterflies, his gaze did not make me feel like the only person in the room, nor did his mate's scent make it uncomfortable for me to think about anything. He would never be Luca no matter what.“Who gave you? I.. I mean how did you
Luca POVImmediately I stepped out of Russell's office I went straight towards my room and locked my door tightly behind me. I could feel my eyes changing, my fur coming up. The hunger from before had returned. I closed my eyes as I tried to control my desires. I can't harm anyone and I was a good hybrid, not a bad one, not a bloodthirsty one.Maybe I should call Rose. She would be able to smother me. I called the first time but she did not pick up.Fear gripped me. Was she angry with me? Did she believe what the invitation card said to her? Was she going to leave me again or for the final time? Had Jenny succeeded in tricking both of usI called her again but she did not pick up. The second time. Rose always picked up her calls immediately after you called her. She was always on her phone either playing her Lana del Rey song or watching an erotic movie. What are the chances that she is snubbing me? I texted her.Please pick up my call. I have to explain everything to you. She read
Rose pov“What?” Finn asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.I crossed my around my chest “You heard me. Let's get married” I repeated.His eyes widened with shock. Of course, he had not been expecting me to make such a proposal.“Are you being serious?” He asked, his voice masked with disbelief.I nodded and walked toward him, pointing a finger at his chest. “Of course I am. I have never been this sure of something”He stared at me for a while and tilted his head to the other side. A mischievous grin shadowed my face. I would show Luca that two can play a game. He did not get to trick me and have a peaceful life ahead of him. It was never going to happen. I would get married to Finn and send men to kill Jenny and him but I would kill Jenny first so that he can soak into the grief of losing a mate.“Are you doing this to get back at Luca? Because if that is what you are trying to do, I am not up for your silly game,” he warned.A smile tugged my lips. “Why are you bringing Luca int
Rose pov“What!” Binaca asked. She was the first to break the peaceful moment of silence.She glared at Finn. “What did you just say?” She asked.He swallowed hard as he stared at her. His eyes softened for a moment before he masked it with his usual wall face.“You heard me. We would be getting married” he said.“When was this decided?” She asked.I gripped my knife restraining myself from stabbing her. In our pack, if you killed someone you would be killed. I am new here, so I don't know about the laws of this pack, but I am a Royal. The future Luna of this pack killing someone would not amount to death. I would ask Annabel later. I needed to know if I would be safe or if I should order one of the guards to do the job.“Yesterday” he answered with finality in his voice and went back to his food. It was clear that he was uncomfortable and wanted this discussion to be over. But the bitch refused.“Yesterday? Finn yesterday you were in the library with me and after that you went shopp
Rose POV:I couldn’t bring myself to look him in the eye. Instead, I kept my gaze fixed on the floor, the silence stretching painfully between us. The air felt thick, and every second felt like a thousand tiny cuts slicing through my resolve.“Rose” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, “you’re doing this?”My throat tightened. The words felt impossible, tangled up with every bit of anger and hurt that had brought me to this moment. I wanted to be strong. I wanted to look him in the eye and say it with conviction, but the truth was, my heart was rebelling. And I wasn’t sure I had it in me to face him.“Yes, Luca. I am.”Benedicta gasped softly behind me, her hand going to her mouth. She knew how much I had once loved Luca, how he had been my everything. But she also knew what I had endured—how his loyalty to me had faltered, how he’d left me in a darkness I had barely crawled out of.Luca’s face twisted with pain, his fists clenched at his sides. “So, this is revenge?” he ask
Rose’s POV The drive back to Finn's pack was tense and silent. Every bump on the road felt like a reminder of the conversation I’d had with Luca. The look in his eyes haunted me, as did the uncertainty that still clawed at my heart. Yet, here I was, making this choice. Choosing Finn.As the car pulled up to the grand stone entrance of Finn’s estate, I took a deep breath, steadying myself. We stepped out of the car, and before I could fully gather my thoughts, I turned to Finn, unable to contain my frustration.“Why did you follow me?” I asked the edge in my voice surprising even me. “I don’t remember telling you to tail me.”Finn raised an eyebrow, his expression hardening as he looked at me. “I have to know you’re serious about this, Rose. I’m not about to let myself get played.” His tone was calm but firm, his words hitting a nerve.I folded my arms, narrowing my gaze at him. “You think I’m playing games?” I shot back, feeling a mix of indignation and something else—something more
Bianca's POVI took a deep breath as I stood outside Jenny’s door, the soft sound of muffled sobs reaching my ears. My chest tightened. Jenny didn’t cry often. She was the strong one, the one who would always find something sarcastic to say even in the darkest times. But now, hearing her like this, it was as though a cold hand had wrapped around my heart. I pushed the door open gently.The sight of her sitting on the edge of her bed, hair falling in wild waves around her face, eyes puffy and red, made my stomach churn. She didn’t even look up when I walked in; she just kept staring down at her hands clenched in her lap. It was like the life had been drained out of her.“Jenny?” I said softly, crossing the room to sit beside her. The mattress dipped under my weight, and she finally turned her head, eyes brimming with fresh tears.“You know, don’t you?” she whispered, her voice hoarse and broken.I nodded slowly. “Yeah. Luca rejected the marriage.”The silence that followed was thick, b
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.