Edward: Harvey tossed a kerchief at me and I wiped the blood off my hand against the material, heaving a sigh before I let it drop to the ground and walked out of the warehouse. Harvey was beside me as I walked out of the warehouse. I was angry as hell. This was the second time in a row since we had a rogue attack and it was starting to feel like it was planned. I'd just dealt with the rogue Werewolves I found stealing from me. They were wolves without a Pack owing to the fact that they'd either been thrown out of their respective packs or had ran away for rebellion's cause. Though they gave most Packs problems, they had never chosen to mess me with me as they weren't ready to meet their deaths just yet. I didn't really bother myself over them because over the decades, they had stayed away from the Pack but seeing that they had done this to tear down sort of luck and had chosen to steal from me, I decided to sh
Lianna: My skin prickled with an insane sense of awareness as I sat in my bed, my legs curled into each other as I stared at the book in my hand. I'd been staring down at one page for the past one hour, words blurring in and out as I stared blankly into the pages. The words were all jumbled up and not making sense to me. Letting the book drop to the bed, I sat back before raking my fingers through my hair and letting out a sigh. A tiny headache was starting to bud up behind my head, pounding away like a blacksmith hitting away at his metal weapons. I couldn't stop thinking about last night with Edward. We had crossed boundaries. We had been crossing it from the onset but I didn't realise until now and now, it seemed kind of too late. And the fact that Ethan was slowly finding a way to crawl back into my life even made things worse. I soon picked the book up, thankful it was the last page and hurriedly reading it
Lianna: My breath was still ragged, my heart still hammering violently in my chest as I pressed myself against the tall bookshelf, my fingers clutching the fabric of my dress as though it could anchor me. The spot where Ethan had grabbed me throbbed, his touch lingering like a stain I couldn't scrub away. And now, in front of me, Edward stood before Ethan in unrestrained fury. His fists rained down on Ethan, each punch sending a sharp crack through the silence of the library. Ethan grunted, struggling to fight back, but Edward was relentless. There was no hesitation in his movements, no pause for breath. Just pure, unbridled rage. I swallowed hard, the coppery scent of blood thick in the air as Ethan’s head snapped back from another blow. His lip was split, blood trickling down his chin, but he only smirked, his breath shallow, his eyes filled with something sickeningly smug. Edward’s voice was low, menacing. “You’ll stay the hell away from her, Ethan. You already
*CHAPTER 77* I sat by my the window, staring out at the vast stretch of land beyond the palace, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of the untouched teacup in front of me. The sun had begun to set, casting a golden hue across the sky, but I found no comfort in its beauty. My mind was still reeling from what had happened in the library. Even when I heard the distant sound of raised voices—Edward and Ethan’s unmistakable tones clashing like swords—I didn’t move. I had no strength. A sharp knock on my door broke the stillness, and before I could say a word, Ingrid pushed it open. She stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room before landing on me. I could see the concern etched into her face, the tightness in her jaw. “Lianna.” Her voice was softer than usual, but there was an edge to it, a restrained urgency. “What’s wrong?” I opened my mouth, then closed it. What could I even say? I swallowed, forcing myself to meet her gaze. “He ambushed me,” I said
CHAPTER 78 Edward: Harvey stood before me, arms folded, his sharp eyes scanning my face. His expression was unreadable, but the weight in his voice made my jaw clench. “So, what are you going to do about him?” he asked. “Because at this rate, Ethan won’t stop. He’s using the mate bond as leverage, and Lianna…” He exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Edward, he’s relentless. He wants her back.” I stiffened at the words, my grip tightening around the documents on my desk. I had been trying—trying so damn hard—to focus on pack matters, to get through this mountain of responsibilities without losing my temper. But how could I, when the problem I was trying to push aside was being shoved right in my face? Ethan. Ethan and his obsession with Lianna. I let out a slow breath, my fingers flexing before I placed the documents down carefully, deliberately. “He will not take her back.” My voice was steady, but even I could hear the restrained fury beneath it. “He
CHAPTER 79 Lianna: Edward’s words stayed with me, settling deep in my chest like an anchor I couldn’t shake off. "I will do everything in my power to make sure he never takes you from me." I wanted to trust in that promise. But fear was an insidious thing, creeping through the cracks of my resolve, whispering doubts in my ear. Ethan wasn’t the kind of man to let go. He had never been. And now, with the bond still lingering between us, no matter how much I tried to sever it, I knew he wouldn’t stop. The mere thought of him made my stomach tighten. Once, I had given him everything—my love, my devotion, my future. When I learned he was my mate, I thought it was fate rewarding me, sealing our love in the most sacred way possible. I had seen a lifetime with him. A home, children, happiness. I had been naive. Loving Ethan had cost me everything—my dignity, my happiness, my sense of self. I had spent months trying to rebuild what he had broken, and even now, I
*CHAPTER 80* Lianna: The moment I stepped out of the North Wing, my eyes landed on Edward. He was pacing near the stone archway leading to the training grounds, his hands clenched at his sides, his entire body wound tight with tension. The fading sunlight caught in his dark hair, making it look almost bronze in the dim glow, but there was nothing warm about the way he moved—sharp, rigid steps, jaw locked in frustration. Then he saw me. His shoulders dropped slightly, relief flashing across his face for a fleeting second before something else took over—something darker. He was angry. I barely had time to take another step before he was striding toward me. “Why were you in Ethan’s wing?” His voice was tight, controlled, but I could hear the fury simmering just beneath the surface. I shrugged, unwilling to feed into whatever argument he was ready to start. “I went to speak to him.” H
*CHAPTER 81* Edward: The moment I heard the warrior’s ragged breathing, saw the bloodied cloth wrapped tightly around his arm, I knew something had gone terribly wrong. I had been ready to go after Lianna, scolding Ingrid for allowing her to ride off alone, when Harvey and one of the guards staggered in, half-carrying an injured man between them. His face was pale, his skin slick with sweat, and despite the rough bandaging, crimson still seeped through the layers, dripping onto the marble floor. I turned away from Ingrid, heart pounding. “What happened?” Harvey’s jaw clenched as he eased the man onto a bench in the corridor. “Another attack. A trading route near the eastern border. The same vampires as before.” I inhaled sharply. I could feel my pulse hammering in my temples as I turned away, running a hand over my mouth. Lianna. She had just returned from Ethan’s wing, stubborn and furious, and now she had gone riding alone—without a guard, without
Lianna: Breakfast settled into an almost eerie quiet after Edward put Mariel in her place. A perfect, beautiful silence. I could sense Mariel’s wounded pride and Ethan’s resentment. Across the table, Mariel kept her head down, chewing mechanically and likely plotting new ways to make my life miserable. I didn’t care. She had bigger problems now. Like figuring out how to exist in a world where Edward no longer catered to her whims. I, on the other hand, looked positively radiant, cutting into my fruit with a pleased little smile. I didn’t say it, but I was reveling in the fact that Edward was the one who had humiliated Mariel instead of me. Not because I couldn’t have done it herself, but because Edward’s words had an impact that mine never would. Mariel could handle my hatred, but Edward’s indifference? That was a death sentence. Ethan was the only one not enjoying the moment. He was practically vibrating with anger, stabbing his food like it had personally offended h
Lianna: I had never felt this regal in my entire life. Every step I took down the long, gilded hallway was a declaration of self confidence. The maids paused in their duties, their gazes trailing after me with open admiration. The guards, usually stoic and detached, offered subtle nods of acknowledgment, their respect barely hidden behind their trained expressions. A smirk tugged at my lips. I was reveling in it, and why shouldn’t I? After the hell I had endured, the bruises I had earned, the blood I had shed, this moment, twas mine. Even with the dull ache threading through my joints, the soreness reminded me of my victory. I felt good. No, better than good. I felt untouchable. And if the gods were feeling particularly generous, Mariel would be waiting in the dining hall, seething, and barely keeping her composure as she drowned in the bitter taste of her own defeat. The thought alone nearly made me hum in delight. I pushed the grand doors open and stepped inside,
Lianna: Blood crusted against my skin, dried and flaking, but I walked through the halls like a queen. Warriors, maids, even the high-ranking guards who rarely acknowledged anything outside their turned to watch me pass. Some wore looks of shock, others admiration. A few dared to speak, their voices hushed but awed. "You fought like a beast, Luna." "I didn’t think anyone could beat that woman." "I knew she was strong, but this? This was something else." I smirked, head held high, spine straight despite the ache creeping into my muscles. Even with bruises blooming across my skin and blood drying on my lip, I felt untouchable. Behind me, Ingrid sighed heavily. "You are absolutely impossible, do you know that?" I chuckled, not slowing my pace. "I do, actually." She groaned in exasperation, quickening her steps to match mine. "Why, Lianna? Why did you do that?" I tilted my head, pretending to think about it. "Hmm... the thrill of battle? The sa
Edward: I'd woken to an empty bed. I stretched my arm across the mattress, my fingers meeting nothing but the lingering warmth Lianna had left behind. A slow smile tugged at my lips. She’d been up early. Again. It wasn’t surprising anymore. For weeks, she’d thrown herself into combat training, each session more intense than the last. I’d heard the whispers—about her skill, her sheer strength, how she was no longer just a woman learning to fight but a warrior in her own right. It amused me. It pleased me. She was taking this seriously, proving herself to everyone who thought she couldn’t. I leaned back against the pillows, stretching my arms over my head, allowing the quiet of the room to settle over me. Today was a court meeting day, which meant a long morning of listening to people complain about things I barely cared about. But at least breakfast would be worth it. I’d see her then. Maybe tease her a little. Chuckling to myself, I swung my legs o
Lianna: Pain. Sharp, searing and unrelenting moved through me as Mariel targeted my solar plexus. My body was screaming, every inch bruised. Blood spilled from my nose, staining my lips with its metallic taste. But I didn’t care. I had felt worse. The blows Mariel landed on me were nothing compared to the fire burning in my chest, the sheer fury fueling my every breath. She thought she was winning. She thought she had me down. Fool. I could hear the gasps, the shifting of feet, the numerous worried eyes on me, but they were background noise. Even Ingrid’s worried face barely registered in my mind. Edward stood at the sidelines, arms crossed, his jaw locked so tight I thought his teeth might snap. But he wasn’t stopping this. He couldn’t. Mariel smirked, her lips split at the corner, blood smeared along her cheek. “Look at you,” she sneered, rolling her shoulders, preparing for another round. “Flat on your back. You should be used to that by now.” I tasted i
Lianna: I woke tangled in Edward’s arms, and if it were another day, I would have gone back to sleep and enjoyed the comfort of his arms. But I’d had enough of lying still, enough of waiting for someone else to make the first move. I wasn’t going to be the woman who watched things happen to her anymore. Not today. Careful not to wake him, I eased out of his grasp. His hand slid down my side before falling away completely. I held my breath, pausing to be sure he stayed asleep. For a man who carried entire kingdoms on his shoulders, he looked annoyingly peaceful. I slipped out of bed, feet silent on the cold floor. The chill bit at my skin as I pulled on my training clothes—black leggings, a snug sleeveless top, and bandages wound tight around my wrists and knuckles. My boots were next, worn leather creaking softly as I laced them. I dragged my hair into a braid, tying it off with a sharp tug, and then slid out of the room without a sound. The hallway was empty. Eve
Lianna: I woke up to silence, the kind that draped over everything like a heavy wool blanket. Imogen’s soft snores were gone. She must have retreated to her room a while ago. Good for her. She had the sense to sleep through this misery. I, on the other hand, had the misfortune of being conscious. And thirsty. So damn thirsty. I swiped my palm across my face, grimacing at the stickiness on my skin from dried tears. No glass of water on the nightstand. Of course. No maid hovering about with one either. Why would they? I was supposed to be the Luna. Supposed to be cared for, respected. But it sure as hell didn’t feel like that tonight. With a muttered curse, I swung my legs over the bed, my bare feet hitting the cold marble floor. The chill bit into my skin, but I welcomed it. Pain was better than… this hollow ache inside. Wrapping my arms around myself, I padded toward the door. It creaked slightly as I eased it open and slipped out into the dim corridor. The palace
Edward: The moment Lianna’s breathing evened out, I rose from the edge of the bed and straightened. Her back was to me, her shoulders tight even in sleep, like she was bracing for another blow that wouldn’t come. Carefully, I pulled the covers higher over her bare shoulder. I stood there for a long minute, watching the gentle rise and fall of her back. My jaw clenched tight. None of this should’ve happened. Mariel never should’ve stepped foot in this house. And now, because I hadn’t dealt with her the moment she crossed my gates, Lianna was in this bed trying to convince herself I wasn’t another mistake. That wasn’t going to happen again. I shoved my hand through my hair, flexing my fingers to shake off the restless itch under my skin. I walked out, shutting the door behind me with a controlled click. Ingrid straightened from where she stood outside, but I waved her off before she could speak. “Stay here,” I ordered, and she nodded without protest. The cor
Ethan: The moment Edward stormed out of the room, I exhaled slowly and leaned back in my chair. My fingers tapped lazily on the stem of my wine glass as I watched Mariel standing there like she’d just been gutted. Honestly, I’d never loved a moment more. She blinked fast, like she was fighting tears but too damn proud to let them fall. That alone made me sit up straighter, lifting my glass to my lips as if I were toasting the disaster that had just unfolded. Mariel’s gaze slid to me, burning with something between frustration and grief. “Don’t say anything, Ethan,” she bit out, her voice tight, like it scraped her throat just getting the words out. “I swear, I can’t take it from you right now.” I smiled slowly. “Relax. I’ve got absolutely nothing to say.” I tilted my head, studying her with an idle curiosity I didn’t bother masking. “Just… wondering why it ended the way it did. Edward’s never exactly been chatty about you. Or anything, really. Guy’s tighter-lipped