ELISE'S POV One hot afternoon, I crouched down by a flower bed in the garden, cleaning up the mess. I had been given specific instructions by Gina to do this. Each movement I made had me in pain. The past few days been hectic for me, and I was exhausted. I had been working from dawn till dusk, do
JACKSON'S POV Sitting at my desk, I tried to focus on the stack of paperwork in front of me, but my mind kept drifting back to Elise. Images of her face filled my mind, making it impossible for me to focus. I clenched my jaw, trying to shove her out of my thoughts. She’s nothing but a nobody, I te
FERRIS' POV Later that evening, I took a swim in the private pool of the pack. The water felt cool against my skin as I cut through it with each stroke. Swimming helped to clear my mind. Well, boxing helped too but I was tired of having violent thoughts towards Jackson. I was in the mood for a pe
GINA'S POV I took a deep breath and tried to focus on the pottery session in front of me. The noble of the pack chatted and laughed around me. I tried to focus in how their hands shaped the clay but I couldn't focus on anything else but my thoughts. Our pottery session today was supposed to be a r
ELISE'S POV I spent my day doing the chores I had been assigned. It seemed as if I was given a larger share of the chores and I didn't know why. I guess it was Gina's way of punishing me and Ms Kelly's way of making sure I stayed in my space. As I worked, my muscles ached with exhaustion. I had bee
“Here,” she said “You’ll carry these to the tournament grounds. I expect you to be at my side the entire time. And don’t think for a second that you’ll get a break.” I looked at the bags in horror. Surely, she was joking. There was no way I could carry these bags all the way there. I struggled to l
I looked at Gina in surprise. "Me?!" I shrieked Jackson laughed loudly. Even my parents joined in. “Gina, darling,” he said, “pick a better opponent. Elise here couldn’t handle a feather, let alone a real fight.” "You're right" my mom said "Don't waste your time on her, my dear" My par
I ran as fast as I could out of the arena. I ran until I reached the woods. My breath came in ragged gasps as I ran. I ran through the trees, thinking of everything that had happened. The pain of seeing my once loving parents now so cold and distant tore at my heart. The words my father said to me
JOAN’S POVThe stench of iron burned the inside of my nostrils.My wrists throbbed from the tightness of the enchanted shackles, and the cold stone beneath me did nothing to soothe the ache in my bones. Rats squealed somewhere nearby, likely celebrating the scent of blood left from the last mad soul
FERRIS’ POVElise was at my side, holding me and kissing my cheek. I couldn’t help but laugh. I was so happy to be in her arms again.I touched her stomach “How’s our future king doing?’Elise pouted “It’s a girl”“Please, don’t start” Eden said with a sigh “You’re gonna make me miss Sophia”We laug
FERRIS' POV Everything changed as soon as Farrell walked in. Damn him, he always knew how to make an entrance. He held a drive in his gloved hand—small, silver,. But the weight of it? I could already tell it was heavy enough to shake kingdoms. “Farrell,” I called “What’s this?” He looked up at
FERRIS' POV. “Alpha,” Eden’s voice was barely a whisper as he stood behind me. I didn't even remember that he was present. That's how occupied I've been “Tell me you have a plan. Please.” I turned to him. The exhaustion in my bones was so heavy I could barely shake my head. “I have nothing,” I wh
FERRIS’ POVThe chamber was colder than I remembered. Not just in temperature—but in energy.The council members murmured in their seats. The place was filled with gathered council members, warriors, nobles, and guards. Everyone important in the pack was present. Everyone’s eyes were on me.I sat at
FERRIS’ POV The third day was almost there. My hands were stained with papers. My mind was fogged with dead ends. The desk in front of me was cluttered—maps, lists of names, flight records, surveillance screenshots, scribbled notes that barely made sense anymore. I raked my fingers through my hair
ELISE’S POVThe forest swallowed us whole as Farrell hauled the assassin forward. The bastard wouldn't stop squirming. "You think dragging me through the woods like some animal will make me talk?" Spit flew from his mouth. "You're wasting your time!"I rolled my shoulders. "Shut up."He laughed—right until Farrell's fist cracked across his jaw. The snap of bone echoed between the trees. The assassin choked, blood dripping from his split lip. Before he could scream, Farrell stuffed a rag in his mouth."Quiet," Farrell growled.The man's glare could've melted steel, but at least he shut up. I caught up to Farrell, my boots sinking into damp earth. "Where are we—""You'll see." He didn't look back.The trees grew thicker, branches clawing at my arms. My pulse hammered in my throat. Then I saw it—a jagged mouth of rock yawning open in the hillside. The cave exhaled a breath of something rotten.I pressed a hand to my stomach. Bad energy coiled around this place like a snake.Farrell plung
FERRIS’ POVJoan entered the roomShe bowed her head at me. “You summoned me, Alpha?”Before I could respond, an elder spoke up “You were seen with Elder Marcus late at night. In your room. Alpha Ferris himself bore witness to this.”The other council members murmured among themselves. Joan’s eyes w
ELISE’S POVI stared at the man before us. His body was restrained. His face was bruised and swollen due to the beating Farrell and Henry had given him, yet I could see a hint of arrogance in his eyes. He looked at us like he had already won. He sat in the chair, bound with thick chains. His pants