Sylvia’s POVLucas carried me to the car, gently tucking the blanket around me, and I curled up in the backseat. Lucas's car purred quietly as he drove us back to the pack house."Is it worth it?" Lucas asked softly as he drove us back to the pack house, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. "St
"I have every right," Lucas's voice carried a weight that made even Astrid step back. "When I find a Luna being betrayed by her own mate, left to die while he coddles his mistress-""She's not my mistress!" Raven snarled, still struggling futilely against Lucas's hold."No?" Lucas pressed harder, ma
Sylvia’s POV"Tell me the truth. Otherwise, you don't want to go to the king's dinner."When Raven spoke, the room fell silent. This was the first time I realized that silence could be so deafening. I stood there, still feeling the sting of some of the trauma, while Raven's eyes burned with doubt an
Her face paled with rage. "How dare you speak his name! I loved James!""Oh my goodness, that's the funniest joke I've heard all day. Loved him so much you couldn't wait to replace him," I countered. "Tell me, does it help you sleep at night, knowing you're using his death to manipulate your way int
Astrid’s POVThe mirror reflected everything I'd worked so hard to achieve. My burgundy gown whispered wealth and power, its intricate beading catching the light like drops of blood. I'd chosen it carefully - not just for its beauty, but for what it represented. This wasn't just a dress; it was armo
"Say no more," I smiled warmly, though inwardly I savored another small victory. "I would be honored to help. Why don't you come by tomorrow and we can discuss your vision?""See how she takes care of the pack?" Martha's voice carried just loudly enough to be heard by those nearby. "A true Luna in a
Sylvia's POVMy heart pounded with determination as I approached the banquet hall. Despite everything that had happened - the confrontation with Raven, Astrid's threats, the still-healing wounds from the ambush - I knew I had to be there. The future of our young wolves depended on maintaining the ki
"What are you doing?" I tried to crawl away, but my body wouldn't cooperate. The drug had left me helpless."Creating a masterpiece," Astrid's voice was almost sing-song. "Wait until the pack sees their Luna like this - clothes in tatters, marked up like a common whore. I think I'll take pictures. S
"You can't be serious," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. "These young wolves need proper guidance, not reckless-""What they need," Astrid interrupted, her voice sharp, "is to learn real combat. No more of this dancing around each other, pulling punches, playing it safe." She turned to addr
Sylvia’s POVDespite the fury still burning in my chest after yesterday's confrontation with Raven, I couldn't abandon my responsibilities to the pack. The young wolves shouldn't suffer because of the politics between their Alpha and Luna.So, as dawn painted the sky in shades of pink and gold, I ma
"Think about it," he insisted, turning me to face him. "She'll be directly under your supervision. You'll know exactly what she's doing, where she is-""Oh, like how I knew she was planning to torture me? Like how I knew she was going to use my father's knife to try and destroy my ability to have ch
Sylvia’s POVThe moment Raven's words about Astrid helping manage pack affairs registered, something inside me snapped. The audacity of it - the sheer insanity of suggesting my would-be murderer should help run the pack - sent a wave of hysteria through me."If you think I'm going to work with her,"
"Fine," I conceded. "But stay on your side of the bed."He nodded, though something possessive flashed in his eyes. We prepared for bed in tense silence, the space between us feeling both too vast and not vast enough.Sleep was elusive that night. I lay rigidly on my side, acutely aware of Raven's p
Sylvia's POVThe silence stretched between us as I stood at the window, still processing the scent of Astrid's perfume on Raven's skin. My fingers gripped the windowsill until my knuckles turned white, trying to anchor myself against the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm me."Sylvia," Raven
When I finally emerged, wrapped in a towel with water still dripping from my hair, I found Raven waiting in my room. My body tensed immediately, remembering his forceful treatment earlier."Sylvia," he began, taking a step toward me. "I need to apologize."I wrapped my robe tighter around myself, ma
Sylvia's POVI fled down the corridor, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls as I ran from that scene, from my name spoken like a forbidden prayer, from the confusion and hurt that threatened to overwhelm me. I didn't stop until I reached an empty alcove, pressing my back against the cold stone
I jerked away from his touch, anger overriding the mate bond's pull. "I belong to myself. What happened just now... that was biology, nothing more.""Biology?" His laugh was cruel. "Your body tells a different story. You can't deny how you responded to me.""Because of the mate bond!" I wrapped the