Klaus’s POVThe air in my study was thick with the scent of old books and burning wood from the fireplace but none of it helped calm my mind. Ingrid sat across from me on the velvet couch flipping through wedding invitations like this was all that mattered. She hummed softly to herself, utterly oblivious to the tension coiling tighter in my chest with every second that passed. All she wanted was for this goddammned wedding to take place so she become a queen. How absurd. “What do you think about this one?” She asked holding up a card with gold embossing and intricate lace edges. Her smile was bright, hopeful. “It’s fine.” I barely glanced at it.Her smile faltered slightly but she didn’t push. Ingrid never did. She was graceful, composed, the perfect picture of a future queen. And I hated that I couldn’t feel anything for her beyond duty. “You’ve been distracted lately.” She set the card down and studied me, her blue eyes narrowing just a little. “I have a kingdom to run.” I r
Gianna’s POVThe dream was vivid. Too vivid. I stood in the middle of the grand hall I had once called home, the walls are now oppressive. The three Alpha Kings surrounded me, their presence suffocating, their stormy grey eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite name but it looks like regret? Desperation? “Gianna.” Kane start with his voice uncharacteristically soft. He stepped closer, his hand reaching out but stopping from my arm. “Please, come back. We need you.” “No.” I replied firmly, my voice steady despite the chaos inside me. “I’m content where I am. I’ve found peace. I’ve found a life without you.” Keith’s jaw tightened, his frustration bleeding through. He has always been the one I respected most amongst the brothers but no after he did nothing to stop them from hurting me. “You think this is just about us? About what we did? It’s bigger than that, Gianna. The kingdom—” But I had to cut him off. “Don’t.” I interrupted sharply, my glare locking onto him. “Don’t u
Gianna’s POVThe dream still lingered in my mind as I opened my eyes to the soft morning light through the curtains. I sat up slowly, my body tens. The dream has weight and the weight of its meaning pressing against my chest. It felt like more than just a nightmare like a warning. First the rogue’s unintelligent words and now this? The universe seemed to be yelling at me to wake up to prepare for what might come. What if they were already sniffing around the pack again? What if their desperation had finally pushed them to cross the line they had hovered near for two years? I swung my legs off the bed, careful not to wake the twins as I dressed quickly. My heart pounded as I thought about what I needed to do next. I couldn’t let this fester. If I ignored it, I’d only be blindsided later and there was no way I’d let them catch me off guard. Not again. Not after the way Kane had tackled me in the woods that time I tied to run away. King. I needed to know more about his plans. What
Gianna’s POVI collapsed onto the ground with my limbs splayed out like a dead fish as my chest heaved for air. The cool earth felt like a balm against my overheated skin and my glare shot toward King became more dangerous. He stood over me, his arms crossed and a stupid smug smile tugging at his lips. He looked insufferably pleased with himself and somehow, that made him even more maddeningly handsome. Annoyingly so!That smug expression softened the sharp edges of his rugged face making him look younger and much more approachable. For a brief moment, my breath caught in my throat. This man was a goddess’s favorite. It was so easy to forget that beneath the imposing Alpha exterior, King was also human. A man who bled and breathed like the rest of us and yet carried himself like he was forged from fire and iron. Like he was too good to be mortal. Compared to the triplets who exuded a quiet and regal charm, King was all raw power and rough masculinity. Rugged and rough edged as thou
King’s POVI sat behind my desk, papers scattered across the surface in absolute chaos, frustration building as I go through the mess for the one thing I needed. That one paper… our blueprint. Every plan, every misstep, every idea Liam, Tom, and I had come up with decades ago was scribbled on it. That paper has our entire lives in it. It was supposed to be here.But it wasn’t. I had turned my study upside down. Books toppled from shelves, drawers were yanked open and dumped onto the floor and my once-organized desk looked like a battlefield. My temples throbbed as I stared at the mess trying to think where else it could be. Liam and Tom swore they had left it here when we decided to reanalyze our strategy back then. We’d needed to understand where we’d gone wrong. What could have slipped through the cracks? My thoughts were interrupted when the door creaked open and I looked up sharply half-expecting Liam or Tom to walk in with some snide comment about my ‘panic.’ Instead, Alic
Gianna’s POVThe cabin buzzed with laughter, and the mouthwatering scent of roasted vegetables and slow cooked meat. King, predictably grumbling but secretly pleased, had taken over the kitchen after I dramatically declared that my cooking skills would send the place up in flames. It wasn’t true, well, not entirely, but I knew his food was far better than mine and this night had to be perfect. Liam was bringing his mate. His mate!The news reached me yesterday in the most unexpected way. I’d been chatting with Blair when she casually dropped that the entire pack house was celebrating Liam’s good fortune. At first, I thought she’d meant Tom after all, they both shared the same titl and I’d recently seen Tom with a particularly stunning she wolf in the woods. But Blair had quickly clarified, shaking her head with a knowing smile. "No, not Tom.” She ground out. "Liam. And the pack house is buzzing.” I’d been excited with a tangle of emotions washing over me. Happiness, of course
King’s POVThe hallway was quieter than usual as I led Liam and Tom toward my office with their footsteps echoing behind me. Gianna always curious had tried to tag along her bright eyes practically sparkling with mischief as she hovered around. “I’ll catch up later.” I told her firmly stopping her with a look. “Go check on the kids.” She pouted a small huff escaping her lips, but I didn’t budge. She always managed to worm her way into things she had no business knowing, but not this time. She gave a dramatic sigh before spinning on her heel and heading toward the living room. I hope she won’t hover outside wanting to eavesdrop. That little woman is not beyond anything. As soon as we entered my office, I closed the door with a quiet click and turned to face Liam and Tom crossing my arms. “Alright” I said, my tone sharp enough to cut glass. “You’re hiding something. Spill it.” They exchanged a glance Tom raising a brow while Liam shifted uncomfortably. It was unusual to see Li
Gianna’s POVI stood in front of my mirror pulling on a snug pair of jeans that hugged my curves perfectly. I paired it with a cropped sweater, casual enough for the day’s agenda but revealing just a hint of skin. Blair was about to get an earful of the tea I’d brewed overnight. Liam was hiding something from Alice (I was sure of it) and if anyone could help me dig into this mess it was her. In the kitchen, I heard King moving around with the clatter of pots and pans breaking the quiet. He’d been in this strange mood since last night. Tight lipped. Tense. As if just being in the same room as me was testing his patience. To be fair, I hadn’t made it easy for him. Last night after Liam and Tom had left I’d been restless. The tension in my body refused to dissipate because I was curious and I’d wandered into the kitchen even after I left his office where King was making himself a late night snack. Dressed in my short shorts and a sheer vest that clung to my upper body, I’d leaned
Gianna’s POVI stared at myself in the mirro biting my lip as I adjusted the shorts for the fifth time. They weren’t mine obviously. Blair had left them behind and I hadn’t bothered returning them because well...lazy. But now? Now they felt like a blessing. Cause they are the only seductive stuff I could think of at such a shrot notice. They barely covered my ass and the frayed hem teasing the tops of my thighs in a way that screamed look at me. I tugged at the waistband again which was useless because it didn’t need adjusting. These shorts had one job and they were doing it perfectly: driving King insane. It is such a shame I have to result to doing this. For the top I reached for a white spaghetti strap tank. It clung to my skin like a second layer, showing just enough to be suggestive but not scandalous since there are kids. My curves had gotten... fuller since giving birth and this shirt barely covered anything. Perfect. I could see the colors my nipples. If he’s going to ke
Gianna’s POVI waited until Kayden and Kate were fast asleep before I made my way out of the room. Sneaking out like a teenager. I bite back a snicker because I am too wanton right now. I stood in the doorway for what felt like forever, my pulse thrumming in my ears. He was lying flat on the bed one arm stretched across his chest, the other resting above his head and his face calm in sleep. At least, I thought he was asleep. My legs moved before my brain caught up, taking me closer until I was standing by his bed. The man always looked so unshakable during the day but now? Now he looked...peaceful. Vulnerable even. A part of me screamed to turn around and leave but the rest of me and the part that was restless and aching didn’t care about logic. I was HORNY as hell and watching him lie there, so perfectly sculpted like some Greek god wasn’t helping. I sat on the edge of the bed, holding my breath. He didn’t move. Not one action of his shows he was awake. But I knew King bet
Gianna’s POVBack at the cabin, I saw King in the backyard shirtless and sparring with a punching bag like it had insulted his entire bloodline. His muscles flexed and rippled under the rays of the afternoon sun glistening with sweat as he landed punch after punch. What I would do to lick the sweat off. He looked different today than any day I’ve ever seen him. A bit tighter like something was clawing at him from the inside. His jaw was clenched, his movements sharp and restless. My curiosity got the better of me. “Who pissed in your coffee this morning?” I called out walking toward him. He turned to glance at me his dark eyes blazing with something I couldn’t quite place. It looked like he wanted to rain his fury on me too. “You here to train or to run your mouth?” He grunted moodily. I rolled my eyes but I was already pulling my sweatshirt over my head leaving me in a tank top and my sweatpants. Since I couldn’t give Blair the tea, I might as well train. “Let’s go then.” I
Gianna’s POVI stood in front of my mirror pulling on a snug pair of jeans that hugged my curves perfectly. I paired it with a cropped sweater, casual enough for the day’s agenda but revealing just a hint of skin. Blair was about to get an earful of the tea I’d brewed overnight. Liam was hiding something from Alice (I was sure of it) and if anyone could help me dig into this mess it was her. In the kitchen, I heard King moving around with the clatter of pots and pans breaking the quiet. He’d been in this strange mood since last night. Tight lipped. Tense. As if just being in the same room as me was testing his patience. To be fair, I hadn’t made it easy for him. Last night after Liam and Tom had left I’d been restless. The tension in my body refused to dissipate because I was curious and I’d wandered into the kitchen even after I left his office where King was making himself a late night snack. Dressed in my short shorts and a sheer vest that clung to my upper body, I’d leaned
King’s POVThe hallway was quieter than usual as I led Liam and Tom toward my office with their footsteps echoing behind me. Gianna always curious had tried to tag along her bright eyes practically sparkling with mischief as she hovered around. “I’ll catch up later.” I told her firmly stopping her with a look. “Go check on the kids.” She pouted a small huff escaping her lips, but I didn’t budge. She always managed to worm her way into things she had no business knowing, but not this time. She gave a dramatic sigh before spinning on her heel and heading toward the living room. I hope she won’t hover outside wanting to eavesdrop. That little woman is not beyond anything. As soon as we entered my office, I closed the door with a quiet click and turned to face Liam and Tom crossing my arms. “Alright” I said, my tone sharp enough to cut glass. “You’re hiding something. Spill it.” They exchanged a glance Tom raising a brow while Liam shifted uncomfortably. It was unusual to see Li
Gianna’s POVThe cabin buzzed with laughter, and the mouthwatering scent of roasted vegetables and slow cooked meat. King, predictably grumbling but secretly pleased, had taken over the kitchen after I dramatically declared that my cooking skills would send the place up in flames. It wasn’t true, well, not entirely, but I knew his food was far better than mine and this night had to be perfect. Liam was bringing his mate. His mate!The news reached me yesterday in the most unexpected way. I’d been chatting with Blair when she casually dropped that the entire pack house was celebrating Liam’s good fortune. At first, I thought she’d meant Tom after all, they both shared the same titl and I’d recently seen Tom with a particularly stunning she wolf in the woods. But Blair had quickly clarified, shaking her head with a knowing smile. "No, not Tom.” She ground out. "Liam. And the pack house is buzzing.” I’d been excited with a tangle of emotions washing over me. Happiness, of course
King’s POVI sat behind my desk, papers scattered across the surface in absolute chaos, frustration building as I go through the mess for the one thing I needed. That one paper… our blueprint. Every plan, every misstep, every idea Liam, Tom, and I had come up with decades ago was scribbled on it. That paper has our entire lives in it. It was supposed to be here.But it wasn’t. I had turned my study upside down. Books toppled from shelves, drawers were yanked open and dumped onto the floor and my once-organized desk looked like a battlefield. My temples throbbed as I stared at the mess trying to think where else it could be. Liam and Tom swore they had left it here when we decided to reanalyze our strategy back then. We’d needed to understand where we’d gone wrong. What could have slipped through the cracks? My thoughts were interrupted when the door creaked open and I looked up sharply half-expecting Liam or Tom to walk in with some snide comment about my ‘panic.’ Instead, Alic
Gianna’s POVI collapsed onto the ground with my limbs splayed out like a dead fish as my chest heaved for air. The cool earth felt like a balm against my overheated skin and my glare shot toward King became more dangerous. He stood over me, his arms crossed and a stupid smug smile tugging at his lips. He looked insufferably pleased with himself and somehow, that made him even more maddeningly handsome. Annoyingly so!That smug expression softened the sharp edges of his rugged face making him look younger and much more approachable. For a brief moment, my breath caught in my throat. This man was a goddess’s favorite. It was so easy to forget that beneath the imposing Alpha exterior, King was also human. A man who bled and breathed like the rest of us and yet carried himself like he was forged from fire and iron. Like he was too good to be mortal. Compared to the triplets who exuded a quiet and regal charm, King was all raw power and rough masculinity. Rugged and rough edged as thou
Gianna’s POVThe dream still lingered in my mind as I opened my eyes to the soft morning light through the curtains. I sat up slowly, my body tens. The dream has weight and the weight of its meaning pressing against my chest. It felt like more than just a nightmare like a warning. First the rogue’s unintelligent words and now this? The universe seemed to be yelling at me to wake up to prepare for what might come. What if they were already sniffing around the pack again? What if their desperation had finally pushed them to cross the line they had hovered near for two years? I swung my legs off the bed, careful not to wake the twins as I dressed quickly. My heart pounded as I thought about what I needed to do next. I couldn’t let this fester. If I ignored it, I’d only be blindsided later and there was no way I’d let them catch me off guard. Not again. Not after the way Kane had tackled me in the woods that time I tied to run away. King. I needed to know more about his plans. What