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 POVGarrett leaned back in his chair, smirking as if this was all just a game to him."You can go now," he said lazily, waving a dismissive hand. Then, his gaze flicked back to me, amusement flickering in his cold eyes. "But remember, pet—when you’re ready to bow to my wishes, come back to me. Maybe then, I’ll consider being merciful."My stomach twisted.Disgust mixed with burning fury coiled inside me, clawing at my insides.I would rather die than ever crawl to him.Arrogant, disgusting bastard.I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat, forcing myself to remain silent.He wanted a reaction but I wouldn’t give him that.Sienna clicked her tongue, stepping beside me."Oh, don’t just stand there looking stupid," she sneered. "Move it, pet. You’ve got work to do."Her voice dripped with mockery, and I could already hear the cruel amusement in her tone.She was going to enjoy this—making my life miserable, ensuring I suffered every second of every day.I bit the inside of
Thalia's POVLuka’s jaw tensed, his eyes darkening. "She’s not my girlfriend," he said, his voice clipped.Sienna froze mid-step.Then, she turned, her face contorting with fury. “What?”Luka didn’t even spare her a glance. “You heard me.”Her nostrils flared, her nails digging into her palms.But whatever she wanted to say, she swallowed it down with a bitter sneer before spinning on her heel and storming away, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.Good riddance.I exhaled quietly, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease—just a little. But the relief didn’t last long.Luka’s gaze flicked back to me, his brows furrowing.“Your face—” His fingers twitched at his sides like he wanted to reach out but held himself back. “She hit you?”I instinctively touched my cheek, wincing slightly at the sting.“It’s nothing.” I waved it off, trying to sound casual. “I’ve had worse.”His jaw clenched."What happened in there?”I sighed. “Garrett’s still pissed about what happened, so he dec
Thalia's POVI kept my head down as I approached the rogues feeding grounds. The rogues were waiting. Watching. Their eyes glowed like hungry embers in the dimming light.I gulped, trying not to focus on them as I buried my fear in the deepest parts of my soul. A repeat of last time was not on my to-do list for today, and I would appreciate it if I could survive without one of the rogues going feral on me.Luka wasn't here to help and i was pretty sure Sienna wouldn't mind watching the rogues rip me to pieces. I needed to be extra careful. Sienna stood right in front of the cart, arms crossed, lips curled in a scowl.“You’re late,” she said, her voice sharp, triumphant.I didn’t answer.Because I wasn’t.Maybe by a few minutes, but not enough for it to matter.I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.Instead, I walked past her, grabbed the wheelbarrow, and started loading the first stack of meat.Suddenly, the crack of the whip sliced through the air before I even saw it coming.Pain
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
Thalia's POVI kept my head down as I approached the rogues feeding grounds. The rogues were waiting. Watching. Their eyes glowed like hungry embers in the dimming light.I gulped, trying not to focus on them as I buried my fear in the deepest parts of my soul. A repeat of last time was not on my to-do list for today, and I would appreciate it if I could survive without one of the rogues going feral on me.Luka wasn't here to help and i was pretty sure Sienna wouldn't mind watching the rogues rip me to pieces. I needed to be extra careful. Sienna stood right in front of the cart, arms crossed, lips curled in a scowl.“You’re late,” she said, her voice sharp, triumphant.I didn’t answer.Because I wasn’t.Maybe by a few minutes, but not enough for it to matter.I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.Instead, I walked past her, grabbed the wheelbarrow, and started loading the first stack of meat.Suddenly, the crack of the whip sliced through the air before I even saw it coming.Pain
Thalia's POVLuka’s jaw tensed, his eyes darkening. "She’s not my girlfriend," he said, his voice clipped.Sienna froze mid-step.Then, she turned, her face contorting with fury. “What?”Luka didn’t even spare her a glance. “You heard me.”Her nostrils flared, her nails digging into her palms.But whatever she wanted to say, she swallowed it down with a bitter sneer before spinning on her heel and storming away, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.Good riddance.I exhaled quietly, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease—just a little. But the relief didn’t last long.Luka’s gaze flicked back to me, his brows furrowing.“Your face—” His fingers twitched at his sides like he wanted to reach out but held himself back. “She hit you?”I instinctively touched my cheek, wincing slightly at the sting.“It’s nothing.” I waved it off, trying to sound casual. “I’ve had worse.”His jaw clenched."What happened in there?”I sighed. “Garrett’s still pissed about what happened, so he dec
Thalia's POVGarrett leaned back in his chair, smirking as if this was all just a game to him."You can go now," he said lazily, waving a dismissive hand. Then, his gaze flicked back to me, amusement flickering in his cold eyes. "But remember, pet—when you’re ready to bow to my wishes, come back to me. Maybe then, I’ll consider being merciful."My stomach twisted.Disgust mixed with burning fury coiled inside me, clawing at my insides.I would rather die than ever crawl to him.Arrogant, disgusting bastard.I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat, forcing myself to remain silent.He wanted a reaction but I wouldn’t give him that.Sienna clicked her tongue, stepping beside me."Oh, don’t just stand there looking stupid," she sneered. "Move it, pet. You’ve got work to do."Her voice dripped with mockery, and I could already hear the cruel amusement in her tone.She was going to enjoy this—making my life miserable, ensuring I suffered every second of every day.I bit the inside of
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 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 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 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
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