Thalia's POVThe impact was brutal.Garret’s entire body jerked, a strangled, high-pitched squeal ripping from his throat.His face contorted in agony as his hands shot down to cradle his groin. His breath came in ragged gasps, his knees buckling beneath him.Again!I didn’t think.Didn’t hesitate.I curled my fingers into a tight fist and swung.My knuckles crashed into his face with a sickening crack.Garret’s head snapped back, a choked grunt leaving his lips as he crumpled sideways, momentarily stunned.I scrambled off the bed, my pulse hammering wildly. My legs felt weak, unsteady, but I forced myself to move—run.I lunged for the door, fingers fumbling with the handle. The moment it yanked open, I bolted.And slammed right into a solid chest.Large, steady hands caught me before I could stumble. A familiar scent—warm cedar and something crisp, like fresh air—wrapped around me.“Luka.” My voice came out small, shaking.I didn’t even realize I was trembling until his arms came ar
Ronan's POV.The scent of blood clung to the air, thick and metallic. It coated my tongue, filled my lungs.Lyravha.I stood in the temple’s moonlit halls, my sword buried deep in flesh.Warm blood pooled around my fingers, soaking into the cracks of the marble floor. Lysandra’s body sagged against me, her eyes wide, unfocused—empty.No.I ripped the blade free—a sickening slide of steel against bone. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came, only a soft, shuddering exhale.A breath that would be her last.I dropped to my knees, hands pressing against the wound as if I could hold her soul inside her body, force life back into her limbs. But the light was already fading, her warmth seeping into the cold stone beneath us.I had done this. I had killed her.No, no.It was a mistake. I didn't mean to do it!A scream tore through the temple—mine, hers, I couldn’t tell anymore.The walls shattered like glass, the world around me shifting—burning.My Pack.The Rogue Dominion was in
Ronan's POVThe doors groaned open, the heavy wood protesting as I stepped into the throne room. The scent of blood, sweat, and dirt hit me first.The torches flickered, casting long shadows over the kneeling figures before me.Thirty, maybe more.Their wrists were bound in iron, their heads bowed, though not in submission.Aedric stood at the front, his crimson eyes watching me as I approached. A few of my warriors flanked him, their armor stained with fresh battle. Aedric knew better than to bring me weak men. I had sent my best to complete this task. And they had returned successful.I strode past the prisoners without a word, my boots echoing against the stone. I didn’t need to inspect them up close. I could feel them—anger, fear, hatred rolling off them in waves.It didn't matter.I reached my throne and sank into it, draping an arm over the side, letting my fingers tap idly against the cold stone. Only then did I speak.“Report.” My voice was low, edged with expectation.Aedric
Ronan's POVI let my words settle, let them weigh on her like a chain she hadn’t realized she was already wearing.Finally, Sera exhaled, her shoulders lowering just slightly. The fight wasn’t gone from her eyes, but something else had replaced it.Uncertainty.Hope.She swallowed. “And if we agree?”A slow smirk tugged at my lips. “Then welcome home.”They didn’t need to know the truth. Not yet.The war was coming, I could feel it in my bones but telling them now would only plant seeds of doubt, fear, and resistance. No, I didn’t need resistance. Not when they were still raw, still uncertain.By the time the war came, they would be fully integrated into the Rogue Dominion. By then, it wouldn’t be a choice—it would be a duty.I watched as Sera turned to her people, her expression unreadable. The murmurs between them were hushed but urgent, some wary, others hopeful. They weighed their options, measured their odds, but deep down, they already knew the answer. They had none.One by on
Thalia's POVMorning came too soon.I blinked up at the ceiling, my body stiff, my mind sluggish. For a brief, blissful moment, I forgot. But then it all came crashing back—the way Garrett had pinned me down, the terror that had gripped me, the way Luka had pulled me into his arms, promising I was safe.A shiver crept down my spine.Luka had warned me. Things wouldn’t be easy now.Garrett wouldn't forget my defiance, and he certainly wouldn't forget the parting gift I gave to his testicles.I squeezed my eyes shut, inhaling deeply before exhaling in a slow, steady breath.I couldn't afford to dwell on it. I had work to do.With a sigh, I pushed myself up and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My limbs felt heavy, but I forced myself to move.I had to feed the rogue wolves this morning, clean out their quarters. Luka wouldn't be there with me today, so I was on my own. If I didn’t, I’d only be making things worse for myself.Dragging my feet to the bathroom, I turned on the faucet
Thalia's POVI stared at Sienna, my mind struggling to catch up with her words.Garrett wants to see me? Now?My stomach twisted violently, the food on my plate suddenly unappetizing.Sienna's eyes narrowed when I didn’t respond fast enough. “What? Are you deaf or just stupid?” she sneered.I flinched. My fingers curled around the edges of my plate, knuckles turning white.Luka shot up from his seat, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. “What the hell are you talking about?” His voice was sharp, laced with warning. “If this is some kind of joke, Sienna, you better stop now.”But Sienna only smiled—slow and smug—and took a step closer. She ran a single finger down Luka’s chest, dragging it deliberately. “Oh, Luka,” she purred. “I missed you, you know. You don’t have to be so aggressive all the time.”Luka’s expression darkened. His hand shot up, slapping her touch away like it burned. “Don’t touch me.”I swallowed hard, my heart thundering against my ribs. That was when I notic
Thalia's POVLuka’s fists clenched at his sides. His jaw tightened, his chest rising and falling in deep, controlled breaths.He was trying to calm himself, but I could see the frustration simmering beneath the surface.And… it was all because of me.Did he really care that much about me?Finally, he exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair. “Just… be careful, alright?”I nodded, offering a small smile. “I will.”It wasn’t a lie. Not entirely. I would try to be careful. But deep down, I knew this might not go well.Garrett didn’t seem like the type of man you could predict. That alone made him dangerous.Luka hesitated for a second, then, to my surprise, he reached out and touched my arm—just a brief press of his fingers.A silent reassurance.I stiffened at the contact, caught off guard. Luka wasn’t… affectionate. Not like this.Before I could react, he pulled away and turned on his heel, walking off without another word.I stood there, watching his retreating figure, my mind
Thalia's POVMy stomach twisted violently as I stared at it—at him.I couldn’t breathe. My body refused to move, locked in place by a horror so deep it threatened to consume me. goddess, help me.Garrett chuckled, clearly reveling in my disgust. "What’s wrong?" he drawled, tilting his head mockingly. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost."I swallowed hard, my fingers curling into fists.Oh, it’s worse than a ghost. It’s a damn nightmare."Go on," he murmured, taking a step forward. "What are you waiting for?"A cold sweat broke out on the back of my neck.And then—something inside me shifted.No.I couldn't do it.There was no way in hell I was putting my mouth anywhere near that.Not in a million years. Not even if the Moon Goddess herself came down and ordered me to.Enough.I had been scared. I had trembled under his presence, let myself believe I had no choice. But I did.I did.And I was making it now.Slowly, I lowered my gaze, shaking my head. "No."The air in the room shifted
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