But how?“Luna Elise, can I speak?.” Harrin asked.Elise had been arguing for me for what felt like hours, standing between me and the council like a shield. But the elders weren’t having it. “The council has made its decision,”Mirea said. “You have twenty days, Your Majesty.”I narrowed my eyes. “
EDEN’S POVSophia haunted my thoughts.It had been days since I’d last seen her break down in the corridor, her shoulders shaking, her soft sobs barely audible as she tried to hold herself together. The image wouldn’t leave me. The pain in her eyes, the way she tried to shrink into herself—it wasn’t
Tears gathered in her eyes, but she didn’t let them fall.“I don’t care what’s happening or who’s hurting you,” I vowed. “If you need protection, I will give it. If you need someone to stand by your side, I will be there. Always.”She sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes shimmering. “Eden…”I lifted m
ELISE’S POVOne day, Eden had been walking past the grand hallway when he heard voices coming from a corner. He paused, recognizing one of them as Gina’s. The other was Sophia’s. He inched closer, staying hidden behind the doorway as he listened intently.“I don’t care how you do it, Sophia,” Gina’s
A sharp breath escaped me. “Dead?” My voice was barely above a whisper “Is he—?”“I don’t know,” Sophia admitted, her face crumbling again. “She never let me speak to him. She only showed me a picture once, and he looked so scared… so weak.”I couldn’t believe this. Every time I thought Gina’s cruel
ELISE’S POVSophia dropped to the floor so suddenly that for a moment, I didn’t even register what had happened. One second, she was staring at me with desperation in her eyes, pleading for help. The next, she collapsed.“Sophia!” I gasped, falling to my knees beside her.Eden was already there, sha
“I’ll explain everything later,” I said quickly, glancing toward the infirmary doors. “Right now, she’s fighting for her life.”Ferris’s joy dimmed, replaced by concern. “What happened to her?”Before I could answer, the infirmary doors swung open, and the doctor stepped out. My heart lodged itself
ELISE'S POVThe strong bitter scent of blood filled my nose. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the crimson stain spreading across the floor. My own breath came in short, uneven gasps. My body felt detached, like I was floating, and then, all at once, the pain shot through my abdomen again.The world
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