DARIUS’ POV★★★☆★★★My eyelids felt like they were glued together with dried blood and sweat. Every inch of my body screamed in protest as I tried to shift, but a soft weight on my arm stopped me. Emmeline. Her head was resting on the edge of the bed, her dark hair spilling over the white sheets. She looked so damn tired, but her grip on my arm was tight, like she was afraid I’d disappear if she let go.A wave of guilt washed over me. She shouldn’t have had to go through this. It was my job to protect her, and I’d almost failed. The memory of Kaelen’s sneering face and the cold steel of his blade flashed in my mind, followed by the searing pain in my side. I clenched my jaw, the anger bubbling up inside me despite my weakened state. That son of a bitch would pay.I managed a weak cough, and Emmeline’s head snapped up. Her eyes, red-rimmed and puffy, widened with relief. “Darius!” Her voice was hoarse, barely a whisper.“Hey,” I croaked, my throat feeling like sandpaper. “You okay?” St
EMMELINE’S POV ♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♧♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎My feet felt heavy as I walked through the familiar halls of the Estate. Everything looked the same, but the air was thick with the lingering tension of what had happened. It was like a ghost of fear still floated around, clinging to the walls and furniture. My own body ached in places I hadn't even realized were bruised, a constant reminder of Kaelen's attack. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in my chest, the raw fear that still flickered in my heart every time I thought about Darius.He was getting stronger, thank goodness. Seeing him lying there, so pale and still… it had been the worst moment of my life. I’d honestly thought I’d lost him. And the thought of it… it still made me want to throw up.As I walked, I noticed some of the servants and pack members who had been… well, *under* Kaelen's thumb, for lack of a better word. They looked nervous, their eyes darting around like they expected to be punished any second. Some
DARIUS♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎My side still ached like a son of a bitch, but I couldn't just sit around feeling sorry for myself. Not when there were still threats lurking out there. I called a meeting with Sylas and the strongest warriors in the pack. We gathered in the war room.“Alright,” I started, my voice still a bit rough, but firm. “We need to talk about security. Kaelen was an inside threat, and we dealt with him. But his buddies out there…” I clenched my fist. “We can’t underestimate them. They helped him plan this, they probably expected him to succeed. They might try something else.”Sylas nodded, his expression serious. “Agreed, Alpha. We’ve increased patrols around the Estate borders, and we’re keeping a close eye on anyone who might be connected to Kaelen.”“Good,” I said. “But we need to do more. I want double the guards on the Estate grounds, day and night. Every entrance, every exit. I want eyes everywhere. And I want a rotation schedule so no one gets complacent.”“Understo
EMMELINE♠︎♧♠︎♧♠︎♧♠︎♧I couldn’t shake the nightmares that followed. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kaelen’s face… his threats, his twisted ritual… and the terror of that night came rushing back. I tossed and turned in the dark, sweat cooling on my skin as memories of his venomous words and dark promises haunted my sleep. I was so tired of waking up drenched in fear, of being trapped in that endless cycle of horror. Finally, unable to bear another sleepless hour, I climbed out of bed.I wandered the quiet halls of the estate, my feet echoing softly on the cool stone floor. Every shadow seemed to whisper of the past, and every creak of the wooden beams reminded me of promises broken and lives lost. I didn’t know where I was headed; I just needed to get away from my thoughts. I walked aimlessly until I found myself in front of Darius’s room.The door was slightly ajar, the faint glow of lamplight spilling into the corridor. My heart pounded in my ears as I hesitated for a moment. I
DARIUS♠︎★♠︎★♠︎★Today was the day. The day Kaelen finally paid for what he did. For what he tried to do to Emmeline. My blood boiled just thinking about it. The entire pack had gathered in the clearing, a grim silence hanging in the air. They dragged Kaelen out, and even though he was covered in blood and bruises, the bastard was still smirking. That smirk… it made my fists clench so tight my knuckles turned white."Kaelen," Sylas’s voice boomed, echoing through the tense crowd. He read out the list of Kaelen’s crimes – the betrayal, the attack on Emmeline, the attempt to usurp my position. Each word felt like a punch to my gut. When Sylas finished, he looked at Kaelen, his eyes hard. "Do you have any last words?"Kaelen’s smirk widened, if that was even possible. He looked straight at me, his eyes glinting with malice. "Yeah, I do. Darius, you pathetic excuse for an Alpha. You think this changes anything? You think killing me makes you strong? You’re still the same weakling who coul
DARIUS★★★★★Okay, Kaelen was dead. Finally. But that didn't mean the shitshow was over. The bastard had managed to worm his way into my Estate, which meant he had help. Someone on the inside had betrayed me. And that thought alone made my blood run cold. I couldn't let that slide. Not for Emmeline, not for the pack.My first priority was making sure the Estate was secure. I wasn't taking any chances. I gathered all the guards in the main hall, and you could cut the tension in the air with a knife. Their faces were a mix of relief and apprehension. They knew something was up."Listen up," I said, my voice hard, leaving no room for argument. "Kaelen didn't just waltz in here. He had help. Someone among you decided to turn traitor. And I'm going to find out who."I could see the fear in their eyes, and good. They should be scared. I wasn't in the mood for games.I started questioning them one by one. Not just the usual "Where were you?" bullshit. I asked specific questions, things only
EMMELINE’S POV♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧I tried. Honestly, I really tried to act like everything was normal. Like the shadows didn't seem to cling to me a little tighter these days. I even went for a walk, just like I used to. Remember those days? When a stroll through the pack lands would actually clear my head, make me feel… better? Yeah, those were the days. Now, every rustle of leaves, every hushed conversation felt like it was about me.I was halfway through the usual path, the one that winds past the training grounds and towards the garden, when I heard it. Just the faintest murmur at first, like the wind whispering secrets. But then it got clearer, sharper. It was coming from near the laundry shed, where a couple of maids were usually busy. Curiosity, and maybe a morbid sense of self-punishment, made me stop. I crept closer, hiding behind a thick oak tree, and listened.“Honestly, I still think she’s the reason all of this happened,” one of them said, her voice low and laced with something th
DARIUS★☆★☆The moment Emmeline told me what those two brainless hens had said, something inside me snapped. Pure, unadulterated fury. They dared to question her? They dared to speak ill of her in my pack? They clearly hadn’t learned a damn thing.“Stay here,” I told her, my voice low and tight. I saw the worry in her eyes, the way she reached out to stop me, but I was already gone. I needed them to understand, to truly understand, who Emmeline was to me and what their place was in this pack.I stormed through the packhouse, my command echoing through the halls. “Everyone! Gather in the main hall. Now!”The flurry of activity that followed was immediate. Wolves, young and old, stopped what they were doing and headed towards the main hall, their faces a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. They knew that tone. They knew when the Alpha was pissed.When everyone was assembled, the hall was packed, the air thick with anticipation. I stood on the raised platform, my gaze sweeping over ev
DARIUS★☆★☆The moment Emmeline told me what those two brainless hens had said, something inside me snapped. Pure, unadulterated fury. They dared to question her? They dared to speak ill of her in my pack? They clearly hadn’t learned a damn thing.“Stay here,” I told her, my voice low and tight. I saw the worry in her eyes, the way she reached out to stop me, but I was already gone. I needed them to understand, to truly understand, who Emmeline was to me and what their place was in this pack.I stormed through the packhouse, my command echoing through the halls. “Everyone! Gather in the main hall. Now!”The flurry of activity that followed was immediate. Wolves, young and old, stopped what they were doing and headed towards the main hall, their faces a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. They knew that tone. They knew when the Alpha was pissed.When everyone was assembled, the hall was packed, the air thick with anticipation. I stood on the raised platform, my gaze sweeping over ev
EMMELINE’S POV♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧I tried. Honestly, I really tried to act like everything was normal. Like the shadows didn't seem to cling to me a little tighter these days. I even went for a walk, just like I used to. Remember those days? When a stroll through the pack lands would actually clear my head, make me feel… better? Yeah, those were the days. Now, every rustle of leaves, every hushed conversation felt like it was about me.I was halfway through the usual path, the one that winds past the training grounds and towards the garden, when I heard it. Just the faintest murmur at first, like the wind whispering secrets. But then it got clearer, sharper. It was coming from near the laundry shed, where a couple of maids were usually busy. Curiosity, and maybe a morbid sense of self-punishment, made me stop. I crept closer, hiding behind a thick oak tree, and listened.“Honestly, I still think she’s the reason all of this happened,” one of them said, her voice low and laced with something th
DARIUS★★★★★Okay, Kaelen was dead. Finally. But that didn't mean the shitshow was over. The bastard had managed to worm his way into my Estate, which meant he had help. Someone on the inside had betrayed me. And that thought alone made my blood run cold. I couldn't let that slide. Not for Emmeline, not for the pack.My first priority was making sure the Estate was secure. I wasn't taking any chances. I gathered all the guards in the main hall, and you could cut the tension in the air with a knife. Their faces were a mix of relief and apprehension. They knew something was up."Listen up," I said, my voice hard, leaving no room for argument. "Kaelen didn't just waltz in here. He had help. Someone among you decided to turn traitor. And I'm going to find out who."I could see the fear in their eyes, and good. They should be scared. I wasn't in the mood for games.I started questioning them one by one. Not just the usual "Where were you?" bullshit. I asked specific questions, things only
DARIUS♠︎★♠︎★♠︎★Today was the day. The day Kaelen finally paid for what he did. For what he tried to do to Emmeline. My blood boiled just thinking about it. The entire pack had gathered in the clearing, a grim silence hanging in the air. They dragged Kaelen out, and even though he was covered in blood and bruises, the bastard was still smirking. That smirk… it made my fists clench so tight my knuckles turned white."Kaelen," Sylas’s voice boomed, echoing through the tense crowd. He read out the list of Kaelen’s crimes – the betrayal, the attack on Emmeline, the attempt to usurp my position. Each word felt like a punch to my gut. When Sylas finished, he looked at Kaelen, his eyes hard. "Do you have any last words?"Kaelen’s smirk widened, if that was even possible. He looked straight at me, his eyes glinting with malice. "Yeah, I do. Darius, you pathetic excuse for an Alpha. You think this changes anything? You think killing me makes you strong? You’re still the same weakling who coul
EMMELINE♠︎♧♠︎♧♠︎♧♠︎♧I couldn’t shake the nightmares that followed. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kaelen’s face… his threats, his twisted ritual… and the terror of that night came rushing back. I tossed and turned in the dark, sweat cooling on my skin as memories of his venomous words and dark promises haunted my sleep. I was so tired of waking up drenched in fear, of being trapped in that endless cycle of horror. Finally, unable to bear another sleepless hour, I climbed out of bed.I wandered the quiet halls of the estate, my feet echoing softly on the cool stone floor. Every shadow seemed to whisper of the past, and every creak of the wooden beams reminded me of promises broken and lives lost. I didn’t know where I was headed; I just needed to get away from my thoughts. I walked aimlessly until I found myself in front of Darius’s room.The door was slightly ajar, the faint glow of lamplight spilling into the corridor. My heart pounded in my ears as I hesitated for a moment. I
DARIUS♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎♠︎My side still ached like a son of a bitch, but I couldn't just sit around feeling sorry for myself. Not when there were still threats lurking out there. I called a meeting with Sylas and the strongest warriors in the pack. We gathered in the war room.“Alright,” I started, my voice still a bit rough, but firm. “We need to talk about security. Kaelen was an inside threat, and we dealt with him. But his buddies out there…” I clenched my fist. “We can’t underestimate them. They helped him plan this, they probably expected him to succeed. They might try something else.”Sylas nodded, his expression serious. “Agreed, Alpha. We’ve increased patrols around the Estate borders, and we’re keeping a close eye on anyone who might be connected to Kaelen.”“Good,” I said. “But we need to do more. I want double the guards on the Estate grounds, day and night. Every entrance, every exit. I want eyes everywhere. And I want a rotation schedule so no one gets complacent.”“Understo
EMMELINE’S POV ♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♧♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎My feet felt heavy as I walked through the familiar halls of the Estate. Everything looked the same, but the air was thick with the lingering tension of what had happened. It was like a ghost of fear still floated around, clinging to the walls and furniture. My own body ached in places I hadn't even realized were bruised, a constant reminder of Kaelen's attack. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in my chest, the raw fear that still flickered in my heart every time I thought about Darius.He was getting stronger, thank goodness. Seeing him lying there, so pale and still… it had been the worst moment of my life. I’d honestly thought I’d lost him. And the thought of it… it still made me want to throw up.As I walked, I noticed some of the servants and pack members who had been… well, *under* Kaelen's thumb, for lack of a better word. They looked nervous, their eyes darting around like they expected to be punished any second. Some
DARIUS’ POV★★★☆★★★My eyelids felt like they were glued together with dried blood and sweat. Every inch of my body screamed in protest as I tried to shift, but a soft weight on my arm stopped me. Emmeline. Her head was resting on the edge of the bed, her dark hair spilling over the white sheets. She looked so damn tired, but her grip on my arm was tight, like she was afraid I’d disappear if she let go.A wave of guilt washed over me. She shouldn’t have had to go through this. It was my job to protect her, and I’d almost failed. The memory of Kaelen’s sneering face and the cold steel of his blade flashed in my mind, followed by the searing pain in my side. I clenched my jaw, the anger bubbling up inside me despite my weakened state. That son of a bitch would pay.I managed a weak cough, and Emmeline’s head snapped up. Her eyes, red-rimmed and puffy, widened with relief. “Darius!” Her voice was hoarse, barely a whisper.“Hey,” I croaked, my throat feeling like sandpaper. “You okay?” St
EMMELINE’S POV♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♧♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎♣︎My heart leaped into my throat the second I saw the crimson stain blooming on Darius’s side. “No!” The word ripped from me, a raw, desperate sound. I wanted to run to him, to shield him, to somehow make the blood disappear, but his hand shot out, a silent command. “Stay back, Emmeline,” he grunted, his voice tight with pain.Stay back? How could I? He was bleeding, for goodness sake! My vision swam with unshed tears, and a cold dread coiled in my stomach. And then I saw him – Kaelen. That smug, hateful smile stretched across his face as he took slow, deliberate steps towards Darius. The sight of him, so pleased with himself, made my blood boil despite the terror gripping me.Darius, as stubborn as always, straightened up, his hand pressed against his bleeding side. He swayed a little, and my breath hitched. “You’ll die here, Darius,” Kaelen sneered, his voice laced with satisfaction. Then, he lunged.It happened so fast. One moment Kaelen was stand