Kira's POV "Are you sure he’s asking for me?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. The head chef doesn’t slow his stride. "Yes," he grunts. "Said he wanted to see the one who made the mushroom soup." My stomach twists. "Did... did he say why?" He shoots me a sharp look over his shoulder. "If Alpha Magnus explained himself every time he called for someone, we'd all sleep easier." That doesn’t help my nerves. My heart pounds wildly as I follow him down the narrow hallway with my fingers clenched to the edge of my uniform... He hated it and is definitely furious, I think. By the time we reach the dining room doors, my breath is shallow and the head chef pauses, giving me a hard look. "Whatever happens in there," he mutters, "keep your head down and your mouth shut no matter what you are told." Before I can respond, he pushes the door open. Alpha Magnus sits at the head of the grand dining table, his cold unreadable sharp gaze immediately locking onto mine the moment
Julian's POV. "And why did she run out like that?" Father’s voice rumbles through the dining room with his brows knitted in confusion as we all watch Kira run out of the room after Damian's surprise announcement. I glance at Damian, already bracing for his usual slick answer which he doesn’t disappoint. "Probably overwhelmed," Damian says with a casual shrug, his voice far too smooth. "From the praise of the soup she cooked us." What a liar, I'm disgusted to be related to him by blood and this is all thanks to his mother who only taught him to lie and that status is everything and that anyone lower than him is beneath him and can be treated however he wanted. I scoff under my breath, loud enough for them to hear. Father’s sharp gaze swings toward me. "Did your brother say something funny, Julian?" I meet his eyes, feeling that old familiar tension tightening my chest. "Yeah he did… Ask him if Katie is really his mate." Father shoots his a questioning look and Damian’s
Kira's POV Damian’s grip is like iron as he drags me down the dimly lit corridor. My arm aches, but I refuse to complain — I won’t give him the satisfaction after the announcement he made. The soles of my worn-out flats scuff against the carpet, the thin material barely cushioning my steps while my heart hammers in my chest, not out of fear... but boiling, blistering anger. He shoves open a door that reveal a beautiful well decorated small sitting room and yanks me inside…The door slams behind us, and the sharp click of the lock makes my stomach tighten. “Let go of me!” I snap, wrenching my arm free. I stumble back, breathing hard. “What is your problem?” Damian’s cold blue eyes narrow. “ I want to assure you that I’m not going rejecting you,” he says flatly and for a second, I’m sure I misheard him. "What?" “I’m not going rejecting you,” he repeats, like I should be grateful. His tone is casual — smug, even — like he's offering me a gift. I let out a bitter laugh. “Y
kira's POV I could tell Alpha Magnus the truth, but Damian’s lies have already sunk in too deep. No one would believe me now. ‘What about running away?’ my wolf suggests but we both know that it would only get us so far without any money before the bond would pull us back or worse, someone catches me before I reached the border. I stare at the door, still faintly vibrating from how hard he slammed it. Fine, I think bitterly. If Damian won’t reject me... I’ll make him want to. I storm out of the room, my breath shaky and uneven as my heart pounds in my chest, a painful rhythm that matches the chaos in my head... Damian’s twisted plan keeps replaying over and over — he’s going to marry Katie and still keep me chained to him like some forgotten possession. Lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice someone stepping into my path until I crash right into them. “Watch where you’re going, you filthy mutt,” a cold voice hisses. I look up and my stomach twists out of fear that im
Julian's POV. I roll my wheelchair down the hallway, my mind racing with thoughts I can’t seem to silence. ‘Buddy, why are you getting so invested in this?’ my wolf growls inside me. ‘She's Damian's unclaimed mate — his problem, not yours.’ I exhale through my nose, gripping the wheels tighter…Why am I doing this? Memories stir at the back of my mind, ones I’ve tried to forget for years — but they crash over me like a wave. I remember being eleven years old, standing in the pack’s training yard with Damian and a few of his older friends. My arms were scraped from our sparring match, and my chest heaved from exhaustion. “Come on, Julian,” Damian taunted, circling me like a vulture. “You’re supposed to be the Alpha’s heir, right?” His grin stretched too wide and I should’ve seen what was coming next. He lunged at me with his friends, sweeping my legs out from under me. I hit the dirt hard, and air rushes out from my lungs. “You’re so pathetic,” Damian sneered, towering o
Kira's POV. I'm standing exactly where Julian told me to wait for him, with my fingers knotted together so tightly they ache. ‘Kira, I have a bad feeling... something bad is about to happen,’ my wolf warns through our mind link, it causes my heart to pound harder. I swallow and force a breath. ‘Don’t be scared... Julian said he'd help us,’ I remind her, clinging to his promise. But my wolf remains restless, pacing anxiously in the back of my mind. Then suddenly I hear sharp, and heavy footsteps pounding against the floor. I look back just in time to see two royal guards storming toward me with their faces grim as their eyes lock on me like I’m prey. “You,” one of them barks, grabbing my arm in a bruising grip. “W-what’s going on?” My voice wobbles, but I try to sound steady. “What did I do?” “You’re coming with us,” the taller guard growls, tugging me forward. I dig my shoes into the floor, twisting my arm to break free. “Wait! What’s happening?” “You’re going to g
Julian's POV.“How dare you undermine my orders?” Alpha Magnus' voice booms across the courtyard, his furious gaze locked on me.I tighten my grip on my wheelchair's armrest, my fingers digging into the leather. “I wasn’t undermining you,” I reply evenly. “I was preventing an unjust punishment.”His face hardens. “Unjust?” He scoffs. “My wife said that omega stole from her. Are you calling your mother a liar?”I want to shout she is not my mother and yes, she is a liar, but I bite my tongue. “I’m saying there's no proof. She’s been here for less than a day. You can’t punish her without evidence.”Alpha Magnus' gaze narrows dangerously. “You forget yourself, boy. I’m the Alpha. My word is law. Or have you grown so bold behind that chair of yours that you think you can challenge me?”I swallow hard, ignoring the jab at my injury. “I respect your authority, Father, but if you punish her without proof, what message does that send to the pack? That accusations alone are enough for a public
Kira's POV. The moment prince Julian leaves the surveillance room, a sharp pang of disappointment stings my chest. My mom's bracelet is. gone for ever and Luna Cassandra gets to keep it, all because it bears her family's crest. I clench my fists, swallowing the ache in my throat. It's not fair. But before I can wallow too long, my mind flashes back to Julian's parting words. ‘Come to my room after the engagement party.’ His words replay over and over. My pulse quickens. ‘What if... what if he expects me to thank him with my body for saving me?’ The thought makes my stomach twist because I've heard rumors about men in power and what they demand in return for their favors. No... Julian wouldn’t. He doesn’t seem like the type... does he? ‘He’s a man.’ My wolf’s voice stirs in my head. ‘They all have urges.’ ‘But he can’t even walk,’ I snap back, feeling guilty the moment I think about it. But my wolf isn’t finished. ‘Exactly,’ she says smugly. ‘He can’t do anything to you. So wh
Damian's POV What the hell just happened? I storm down the palace hallway, my jaw clenched so tight I can feel a headache brewing because my own crippled brother had the nerve to claim my mate as his girlfriend and slam a door in my face. And Kira? Don’t even get me started. She kissed him. Right in front of me like I don't matter. Wearing that…I try to shake the image from my head. Was today supposed to be a punishment to teach me a lesson? Well, congratulations, to them. Lesson half learned. I hop into my car without waiting for my guards. I don’t want witnesses to my mood tonight. Not when I’m about to dive into the kind of chaos the Crown would rather pretend doesn’t exist. Crimson Crown’s bad side is a whole other world after dark. Neon lights blink like they’re short-circuiting on sin. Packmates stumble down the sidewalks with too much drink and not enough clothing. It stinks of smoke, and cheap perfume. I park outside the shadiest strip club I can find and
Julian's POV My plan is working—Damian is here, just like I knew he would be, demanding to see Kira.... I hope he is here to reject her after the show we put out today... I tilt my head, rage simmering just beneath the surface, though a wicked satisfaction curls in my chest. "If I were you, I’d reject her already so we can both move on. Honestly, your jealousy is getting pathetic." Damian’s jaw tightens, lips pressed into a thin line. "How am I the one being pathetic and jealous when all I'm trying to do is stop you from screwing my mate? Big brother, just drop the act. I see through all the fake affection you and Kira are putting on." I let out a cold and sharp laugh. "Then reject her already!" I snap, moving closer. "Because from where I sit, you don’t even deserve to look at her." I say and that’s when I hear it… Soft, bare footsteps against the wood floor behind me. “Oh, I will _” and Damian's whole face shifts as he suddenly become mute. His breath stuttering. I fro
Kira's POV. The moment we step into the elevator, I slip off my heels with a groan of relief because my feet are killing me. Those shoes were definitely not made for beginners... Thank the goddess I managed to survive the night without falling flat on my face and embarrass myself in the process... We ride up in silence, and when we reach Julian’s room, it’s quiet and dimly lit, casting a soft glow that feels strangely calming after the day I just had. Julian then locks the door behind us, before he speaks up with a small smirk. “So… about that trim you promised me, are you still up for it?” I turn to face him, arms crossed with a teasing grin. “Finally. I was starting to think you weren't going to allow me cut it for you.” He laughs. “What can I say? I like to keep you on your toes.” “Well, mission accomplished. Now, where’s your grooming kit?” I ask and Julian nods toward a dark wooden cabinet in one of the corners of the room. “First drawer.” I walk over, open it,
Kira's POV. The dining room feels lighter now that Damian and Katie are gone but Julian doesn’t stop tormenting his step mom because she also knows who is really fated to her son... Julian's hand grazes mine again, slower and intentional this time, before he leans in, brushing a stray hair away from my face. “You okay?” he murmurs, his voice low and intimate only for me to hear. I nod, but in all honesty this was the most intimidating dinner I have ever been invited to. “Its been a long day and you’re allowed to be tired if you are,” he adds, just for my ears and I feel Luna Cassandra’s stare slice across the table like a blade. Her wine glass is still poised, but her lips are pressed tight. Julian sees it too and he leans back, unbothered, wearing that wicked smirk that only deepens her scowl. “Some people wear masks so long, they forget what their real face looks like,” he says under his breath. “But not you. I see you.” I blink, surprised by the brutal honesty in
Damian's POV. I can still feel the sting of embarrassment in front of everyone at the table… I can't believe father took Kira's side over mine and now Julian smirks like he is being renamed Alpha heir while Kira hasn’t looked my way since I picked up that damn fork after I tried to humiliate. I grip it tight in my hand now, the prongs digging into the meat like it’s the only thing stopping me from snapping. “Such tension,” Father says, swirling his wine like we’re at some royal gala and not a warzone. “But I suppose that’s what young love does to a table.” Julian doesn’t even pretend to hide his grin. “Couldn’t agree more.” He turns to Kira, brushing something off her cheek. “You had a little something on your face,” he murmurs, just loud enough for all of us to hear. “Can’t let perfection go unnoticed.” Kira lets out a soft shy but genuine laugh… I clench my jaw because now she is just enjoying tormenting me even though I forbade her to be with anyone else even though I
Julian’s POV. Finding kira in a gloomy mood after my physiotherapy session, it was clear something was weighing on her, and though she wasn’t ready to talk about it, I knew the only thing that could lift her spirits was provoking my dear stupid brother at dinner until he finally snapped and rejected her for good. I finish rolling up my sleeves and glance sideways just in time to catch her wobble. Kira stands by the mirror in the closet, frowning at her reflection and more specifically, at the heels and the soft pink dress that hugs her frame like it was made for her, while the palace lights spilling through the window highlight every curve, every freckle, and every strand of those wild red curls. She looks like spring has come to life. Soft. Radiant and completely unprepared. “You’re going to break your ankle before we even leave the room,” I say, amused, watching her take another unsteady step toward me. “I told you I’ve never worn heels,” she mutters, gripping the dresse
Kira's POV. Julian’s massive walk-in closet looks like it belongs in a royal catalog—probably because it does. Everything inside it gleams. Organized and perfect. The racks on his side are filled with clothes and shoes that probably cost more than I’ve seen in my entire life. Now the cleaning servants are clearing space on the other side for me. I watch silently as one of them hesitates near the shoe rack, eyeing the neatly lined heels like she’s unsure if it’s okay to touch anything. “You can place the shoes over there,” I say softly, pointing to the lower section with the empty shelf. “They’ll fit just fine.” The servant nods too quickly and scurries off like I might bark orders at her next which I won’t... But the way they avoid my eyes now says it all. They’re scared of me not because I’ve changed, but because of who I’m with. I sigh and turn back to the growing pile of new clothes, carefully folding a soft lavender cashmere sweater Julian bought me… Suddenly, the d
Julian's POV.What condition does my father have for kira who already been through hell since she got here?I tense immediately, sitting straighter in my chair as I glance at Kira. She’s frozen beside me, hands clasped tightly in her lap, eyes flicking between me and my father like she’s bracing for a blow.“What condition?” I ask, keeping my voice steady, but my jaw clenches.Father leans forward slightly, his gaze firm but calm. “Kira must continue cooking me my favorite mushroom soup every morning. Just as I asked her before all… this.”Kira blinks, clearly caught off guard. “That’s it?”Father nods. “That soup yesterday morning and today has kept my appetite alive. I won’t give it up.”Relief washes through the room like a warm breeze, loosening the stiffness in Kira’s shoulders. I bite down on a grin, fighting the urge to laugh, but she beats me to it—soft and light like wind chimes in spring.“I can do that Alpha Magnus,” she says, glancing at me shyly. “I wasn’t planning to sto
Kira's POV. Julian glances up at the woman who walked in on our lunch, his expression unreadable. “Evelyn.” She grins like he just paid her a compliment. “I almost didn’t recognize you sitting here so casually. Then again, you always did not like the attention.” He doesn’t return the smile. “Some things never change.” She laughs softly, eyes glittering. “And some things do. You look good….” Julian shrugs. “You’re imagining things.” Evelyn’s gaze lingers on him like she’s trying to peel back his layers and then she shifts her weight, letting one hand trail along the booth’s polished edge. “I heard about your accident. The rumors were… dramatic.” But Julian doesn’t respond and she leans in a fraction, dropping her voice to something more personal. “I was going to reach out, but I figured you’d show up in public when you were ready.” He offers her nothing but a nod. That should be my cue to speak and introduce myself, or at least pretend to exist but something about the way she