Ronan’s POVAedric stared at me, his mouth slightly open, his expression a mix of disbelief and fear. "Alpha, you're not seriously considering going to war with the Lyravha, are you?"I didn’t answer immediately. I just stared at the floor, trying to contain the storm brewing inside my mind. Too many things swarmed my thoughts—the pounding headache, the blood, the memory of Lysandra’s death, Thalia. Everything was a complete mess.Aedric ran a hand through his hair, his voice rising in urgency. "You can't just—Alpha, forgive my tone, but you have to listen to me! Think about this. You killed their Priestess. You’re not just dealing with any enemy now. The Lyravha’s entire foundation is built on their goddess’s influence. You think they’ll just let this slide? The truly scary part about all this is... they have the power to rally all the packs and creatures in Aelor against us. This is... a serious situation! We need... we need to appease them, negotiate..."I was silent for a mom
Thalia's POVRonan's words echoed in the depths of my mind as I walked through the dimly lit passageway of his castle.You’ll tend to the rogues. Oversee their feeding. Their filth.And serve.A sex slave. To him. To his court.No hesitation, no remorse.He passed that judgment with nothing but pure hatred and loathing in his eyes.I clenched my hands, nails digging into my palms as I forced my feet to move.My body felt heavy, like it belonged to someone else, dragging me toward a future I didn’t have the strength to fight.Maybe I deserved it. Maybe this was my punishment.I had broken Ronan. Turned him into the monster he was now. I had no right to protest the consequences.But, goddess, I was so afraid. No… that word was too mundane to accurately describe what I felt. I was utterly terrified of my future here.The wild rogues—the feral ones still somehow trapped in their wolf forms—were unpredictable. Dangerous. Deadly killing machines.Their size alone was a deterrent to anyone
Thalia's POV.Cold.Ice-cold water drenched me, shocking me awake. I gasped, sitting up in a panic, my hair sticking to my face as droplets ran down my skin. My dress clung to my body, heavy with moisture.What the—?I turned sharply, already fuming, ready to snap at whoever dared—Then I saw him.A tall, burly man stood over me, an empty bucket dangling from his fingers. His grin was wide, his eyes had that deep, unsettling red of the people of the rogue dominion, glowing like embers in the dim room.There was something about the way he stood, the way he looked at me, that made my skin crawl and my stomach clench.Behind him, Luka stood stiffly, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. But when our eyes met, he shook his head.It was clearly a warning.Don't.But I was furious. Right now, I couldn’t care less about courtesy because waking someone up from sleep with cold water clearly wasn’t normal behavior."I—""Got a problem, girl?" the man cut me off, his voice deep and gruff, f
Thalia's POVGarret's foul laugh lingered in the air like wolf shit, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement at my silence.Then, with a lazy stretch, he cracked his knuckles and turned to Luka."Take her to the supply room," he ordered. "Get her changed into standard omega gear, then take her straight to the beasts." His lips curled, his tone dipping into something darker. "Can’t have her looking like a drowned little kitten all day, now can we?"Luka nodded stiffly, but Garret wasn’t done.He turned back to me, his eyes dragging over my form one last time, lingering at my chest before settling on my face."Don’t be too long, sweetheart," he purred. "I’d hate to miss our little moments together." He winked. "After all, there’s always time for some… extra duties."My stomach churned, heat rising to my face—not out of embarrassment, but out of pure, burning rage.He laughed at my expression before sauntering away, whistling a low, off-key tune as he disappeared through the door.I sto
Thalia's POVI shivered, my mind racing, thoughts spiraling into dark possibilities.What if Garret had already set his sights on me? What if there was no way out?Luka chuckled softly, shaking his head.“Relax,” he said. “I didn’t mean an actual death sentence.” His tone was lighter now, but I could still hear the tension underneath. "But the implications… they’re just as bad.” He shot me a sidelong glance. “His Highness hates liars.”I let out a slow breath, trying to push the fear down. “So what do we do?” I asked quietly.Luka’s expression darkened. “We can’t do anything.” He hesitated, then sighed. “I just hope and pray he doesn’t have his eyes on you.”My stomach twisted at his words. For a second, I imagined Garret’s rough, calloused fingers on my skin, and bile rose in my throat.I squeezed my eyes shut, offering a silent, desperate prayer to the Moon Goddess. Please… don’t let this happen to me.A slight rustling sound made me blink, and before I could react, Luka draped his
Thalia's POVThe scent of raw meat hit me before I even saw the small carriage.The stench was thick and suffocating, a mixture of blood and decay that made my stomach churn.What on earth was this putrid stench?My steps slowed, and I bit my lip, forcing myself to keep walking.Luka didn’t seem affected in the slightest, which was crazy because the stench coming from that small carriage made me want to empty everything in my system.A chubby man stood beside the carriage, his round belly stretching against his stained apron.He was probably a chef.He had a broad face, red from the heat of the kitchen, and small, sharp eyes that scanned us with mild interest.“Greater Luka,” he greeted, his voice gruff. Then, with a wave of his hand, he motioned to the carriage. “As usual, these are the meals for those beasts.”My gaze flickered toward the cart. Blood pooled at the bottom, mixing with dirt.Piles of raw meat, some still with fur clinging to the flesh, were stacked high. Some of the a
Thalia's POV I clenched my jaw and swallowed the bile threatening to rise again. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid. The mantra repeated endlessly in my head, a desperate attempt to steady myself. Which clearly wasn’t working! Luka stood beside the carriage, his gaze flicking to me. He held out his hand. I hesitated for only a second before gripping it, my fingers ice-cold against his warm palm. He helped me down gently, his other hand steadying my waist as my legs nearly buckled beneath me. "Good," he murmured, his voice low. "You’re doing fine." I wasn’t. I definitely wasn’t. The air was suffocating, thick with the putrid stench of raw meat and blood. It clung to my skin, burrowing into my nostrils, making me want to gag. I forced myself to breathe through my mouth, though it did little to help. Luka sighed as he walked toward the back of the carriage, grabbing the wooden handles of a wheelbarrow that had been fastened to it. The old thing creaked in prote
Ronan's POVThe air outside Erethorn’s Cave was damp with the scent of earth and blood, thick with the remnants of a battle that had nearly cost us our lives. My body still ached from the wounds I’d sustained, but none of it compared to the agony that burned through my mind.Erethorn.My beast mount.I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms as I replayed it all over again.The battle.My sword stabbing through Lysandra's abdomen, her blood blossoming from the wound to stain her ethereal robe as it hauntingly dripped down toward the floor.The moment Valeria had turned their fear into fury, rallying their people to hunt me down like a rabid beast.A normal reaction, seeing as I had literally gutted her priestess when she had done nothing but accept me into their midst with open arms.We had been outnumbered—horrifically so.Erethorn and I had fought like madmen, cutting down anything that stood in our way, but it hadn't been enough.The Lyravha warriors had been relentless, fu
Thalia's POVI stared at Luka, my mind spinning so fast I could barely keep up.Garrett was his father. His father.I wanted to deny it, to believe I had misheard, but the intensity in Luka’s eyes told me everything I needed to know.I took a deep breath, forcing myself to push past the shock.Focus, Thalia. This doesn’t change anything. If anything, it only makes things clearer.“I’m sorry, Luka, but my mind is made up. I’m not dropping this,” I said with a firm tone. I swallowed hard, gripping my hands together. “I won’t let him keep doing this. I don’t care how long it takes. I’ll bring him down.”Luka stared at me. He looked deep in thought, before he finally exhaled and muttered, “You’re surprisingly stubborn.”I blinked, startled by the almost amused tone in his voice.Then, to my shock, he sighed and said, “Fine. I’ll help you.”I straightened, my heart skipping a beat.He ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated, but his next words were firm.“I was never close to hi
Thalia's POVI cleared my throat, pushing away the lingering awkwardness. This wasn’t the time to dwell on what almost happened. I needed to focus.“I need your help,” I said, forcing myself to meet Luka’s eyes.He frowned slightly but nodded. “With what?”“I think I found a way to bring Garrett down.”Luka’s expression instantly darkened. His brows drew together, and his jaw tensed. “What?”I exhaled, bracing myself. “You were the one who told me about his atrocities—about what he’s done. I can’t ignore it, Luka. I won’t. Especially now that I'm involved. I want to bring him to justice.” Luka let out a harsh laugh, shaking his head.“Thalia, have you lost it? That’s not possible.” His voice dropped lower, almost as if he was afraid someone would overhear. “Garrett has gotten away with this for years. No one has the balls to go against him. And the ones who try?” He fixed me with a hard stare. “They don’t last long.”I swallowed, but I didn’t back down.“So what? We just let him ke
Thalia’s POVI barely finished the last bite before I shot up from my seat, bowing my head quickly."Thank you," I said, my voice breathless but sincere.The cook gave me another one of those strange looks, but I didn’t stay to question it. I turned and rushed out of the dining hall.I had no time to waste. Sienna would already be looking for me, and I didn’t need her bullshit right now. But I couldn’t go to work just yet. I needed to see Luka.I moved quickly, weaving through the corridors until I reached the male omega quarters.The second I stepped inside, I knew I had made a mistake. The air was thick with sweat and the stale scent of unwashed sheets. A few men lingered in the hallway, talking in hushed voices, their gazes snapping toward me the moment I entered.I forced myself to ignore the sudden discomfort crawling up my spine. I needed to do this.I cleared my throat, stepping toward the nearest group of men. "I—I'm looking for Luka," I said, trying to sound steady. "Do you k
Thalia’s POVI woke up before the sun had fully risen.My body felt heavy, my mind clouded with fragments of restless dreams.For a brief moment, Ronan’s face flashed through my thoughts—his piercing gaze, the sharp edge of his voice, the way he made my entire world tilt without even trying.I exhaled sharply and shook the thought away.I could not afford to think about him. Not now.It was way too early, and there were more important things to focus on.Not that he wasn't important but still.. My issue with Garret needed my full attention. I clenched my fists.Ronan had made it clear—if I gathered enough proof, Garrett would be punished. That was all I needed to hear. I would do whatever it took to make that happen.But the problem was… I had no idea where to start. Who could I go to? Luka was the only one I could think of, and I instantly regretted how I had told him off before. I sighed, rubbing my temples. I would need his help, badly.I sat up, staring at the rising sun, its
Ronan's POVShe was gone before I could stop her.I hadn’t even realized I was reaching out until my fingers curled around empty air.Tch. Foolish.I pulled my hand back and clenched my jaw, forcing my attention elsewhere—anywhere. But my gaze landed on the pile of fruit she had been eating, the only trace of her presence left behind.My brows furrowed.That question… she hadn’t asked it out of idle curiosity.Someone had done something to her.I exhaled sharply, willing myself to push the thought away. It wasn’t my concern. I had spent weeks making sure nothing about her concerned me.And yet, my teeth ground together despite myself.If there was proof… if she had evidence…Would she use it?Would she dare?I scoffed under my breath, shaking my head. It wasn’t my problem. I wasn’t her savior. She had made her choices, just as I had made mine.So why the hell did this unease claw at my chest?With a low growl, I grabbed one of the remaining fruits and bit into it viciously. Then anoth
Thalia’s POVI was full.I should leave.But Ronan hadn’t moved, hadn’t spoken.He lay there, unmoving, his crimson eyes fixed on the moon like he was lost in a world I couldn’t reach. His expression was unreadable, but there was something about his stillness that unsettled me.It was like he was carved from stone—distant, untouchable.I should be relieved.But a part of me—some foolish, self-destructive part—felt uneasy seeing him like this. Even if he hated me, even if his words had cut me earlier, something about this silence made my chest tighten.I would have much preferred him to move about and just do something—anything—instead of staying perfectly still like a statue.I exhaled quietly.No. That wasn’t my place to think about. I was nothing to him. And staying here any longer was pointless.I moved to stand, but hesitation kept me rooted.Because the moment I stepped away from this quiet, I’d be returning to that.To the endless work. The punishments. The weight of Garrett’s c
Thalia's POVI messed up.I was sweating buckets. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might leap out of my chest. Of all the people who could have caught me—why did it have to be Ronan?Why on earth did Luka not mention that this was Ronan's private garden. I wouldn't have come here if I knew. I was damn sure that his hatred for me hadn’t faded, not even a little.I knew that.I could feel it in the sharp way he spoke to me, in the cold intensity of his gaze.So what was he going to do now? Would he punish me? Make an example out of me?He would most certainly enjoy making an example out of me. Perhaps he would use this opportunity to truly show me my place.Gosh, I was so nervous.I swallowed hard, trying to force words out—some kind of excuse, some explanation that might save me—but my throat locked up.There was nothing I could say.My shoulders sagged, and I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for whatever was coming.Then—sound.A sharp sound sliced through the silence.
Ronan's POVThe scent hit me first—wildflowers and honey, laced with something softer, something uniquely hers. It was faint beneath the lingering sweetness of fruit, but I’d know it anywhere.Thalia.What the fuck was she doing here?I tightened my grip for just a second, feeling her small frame tremble against me. The soft rise and fall of her chest, the rapid beat of her heart hammering against my forearm—I felt it all. Every little shake, every nervous breath. She was terrified.I could hear her muffled whimpers against my palm, her body going tense beneath my hold. Her skin was warm, feverish almost, and gods help me, her scent was consuming. It seeped into my lungs, curling around my senses like a drug I never meant to inhale.A growl rumbled low in my throat, and I shook my head, disgusted with myself.No.Not her.I shoved her away, my fingers tingling from the loss of contact.Thalia stumbled back, gasping, her wide blue eyes darting up to meet mine.Her lips—still sticky wit
Thalia's POVI reached the garden faster than I thought possible, my legs aching with every step, but my hunger pushed me onward. My stomach growled so loudly it was almost embarrassing, and the ache in my gut was becoming unbearable.The garden was tucked away behind the eastern wing of the castle, a quiet, forgotten corner that seemed untouched by time. Vines twisted around old stone statues, their moss-covered faces half-hidden in the shadows. The air was thick with the sweet scent of ripening fruit, mingling with the earthy smell of damp soil.I scanned the garden, my heart pounding.No guards. No one. It was just me and the lush, overgrown paradise in front of me.I stepped closer, my eyes darting between the trees laden with fruit.The sight of them made my mouth water—round, glistening apples hanging like jewels, their skins a deep shade of red, oranges so ripe they seemed to glow in the moonlight, and soft, sweet pears that looked like they were bursting with juice.My stomach