Alora’s POVAs we stepped into the ballroom, the lights seemed brighter, the air heavier with chatter and the low hum of laughter. My eyes blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the sheer number of people packed into the large, grand room. The space was a whirl of colors, elegant gowns, perfectly tailored suits, shimmering jewelry, and glowing skin, all blending together in a dizzying swirl of movement. We stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at the crowd of pack members who were laughing, talking, and enjoying themselves in the splendor of the evening. Each person was dressed in their finest, and despite the luxurious atmosphere, a tension simmered beneath the surface.Rune stood beside me, his presence commanding as always. It was no wonder that people paused in their conversations and glanced up at us. They were drawn to him, as if his very presence demanded attention. I felt his grip on my hand loosen, and a moment later, he let go entirely, distancing himself. Of course,
Alora’s POVAs I stood by the wall, the noise of the ballroom swirled around me, a chaotic symphony of laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft strains of classical music. The gilded walls and sparkling chandeliers cast a warm glow over the sea of pack members, each adorned in their finest attire, lost in the revelry of the night. My fingers curled around the slender stem of a champagne flute, the cool glass a contrast to the warmth of the room. I raised the flute to my lips, taking a small sip, the bubbles dancing on my tongue, but the taste was lost on me. I felt like an outsider here, a ghost haunting the edges of a world that had once been familiar. The sight of everyone dancing and drinking, laughing like they had no cares in the world, should have been comforting, but instead, it only deepened the hollow ache inside me. Their joy felt foreign, a distant echo of a time when I, too, might have laughed so freely. Now, I was just a shadow, hiding by the wall, hoping to remain un
Rune’s POVAs the ball progressed, I couldn't help but keep my eyes trained on Alora, who stood partially concealed by the wall. Her red hair cascaded over her shoulders, and despite the crowded room, it was her that I sought out amidst the sea of faces. She seemed out of place, almost like a fragile flower in the middle of a storm, holding onto her glass of champagne as if it were her only lifeline.My intention was to approach her, to check on how she was handling this unexpected event, but before I could take a step, I noticed something that made my blood boil. Alora's lips curled into a faint smile—something I hadn't seen in far too long—and it wasn’t directed at me. No, it was for Dylan, who had seemingly materialized out of nowhere. The sight of him returning her smile made something primal surge inside me.I watched, fists clenching involuntarily as they exchanged words I couldn’t hear over the chatter and music. Dylan’s presence by her side, the way he leaned in, close enoug
Rune’s POVI hadn’t gone far when Sienna appeared out of nowhere, her presence impossible to miss. She was dressed in a gown that seemed more like a second skin than actual fabric, clinging to every curve and line of her body. The dress was deep, the brightest shade of red I have ever known like blood, shimmering slightly as she moved. I had no idea who gave her the idea that this dress is appropriate for a ball but she soaked the attention. She wasn’t the meek woman I met in the dungeon. This woman has a purpose and I won’t rest until I find out what that purpose is. It had a plunging neckline that left little to the imagination and a slit that ran dangerously high up her thigh, revealing just enough to tease but not quite enough to fully satisfy the wandering eye. Her hair was styled in loose waves that framed her face, and her lips were painted a deep red that contrasted sharply with her fair skin.Sienna smiled –a slow, sultry curl of her lips that spoke of hidden intentions–
Third Person’s POV Sienna lay sprawled on the bed beside Rune, her fingers trailing over his unmoving form in frustration. She’d been trying to rouse him for what felt like an eternity, her hands working feverishly, her lips and tongue doing everything she knew to do. She was a skilled seductress, known for making men weak with desire, but tonight, she couldn’t even get a flicker of response from Rune. His chest rose and fell steadily, the only sign of life in an otherwise still and unresponsive body. The fury gnawed at her like a vicious beast, eating away at her patience and composure. This had to work. It HAD to. If it didn’t, she would be doomed.She gritted her teeth, the memory of her boyfriend’s betrayal flashing through her mind like a taunting specter. They had planned everything so perfectly, or so she’d thought. Helping Alora escape had been a brilliant ruse, one designed to secure their future, filled with enough wealth to escape the shadows they’d been living under. B
Alora’s POV I smiled at Dylan, feeling a warmth spread through me that I hadn’t experienced in what felt like ages. He was the only one who had shown any sign of recognition, the only one who seemed genuinely happy to see me and wanted to talk. The ballroom was filled with people, yet Dylan’s presence made me feel less alone in the crowd. “It’s been so long,” I said, trying to keep my voice light despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. “How have you been?” Dylan returned my smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners in that familiar way that always put me at ease. “I’ve been good,” he replied. “Busy with work, you know. I’m not the Beta anymore, but the business is growing every day. It’s been keeping me on my toes.” I nodded, genuinely happy for him. “That’s great to hear. You look happy, Dylan. Content, even.” He chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, I guess I am. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s paying off. I’ve got a great team, and things
Third Person’s POV Cielle stood amidst a group of her friends, feigning interest in their idle chatter, but her mind was miles away. Every laugh, every word, drifted past her like a meaningless hum as her eyes remained locked on the scene unfolding across the ballroom. Dylan, her fiancé, was escorting Alora outside, his hand possessively yet gently resting on her back. The sight sent a jolt of anger straight through Cielle’s core, her body trembling with the sheer force of it. She could feel her wolf clawing beneath her skin, a primal force desperate to break free and claim what was hers. Her nails dug into her palms, her jaw clenched tightly as she fought to maintain control. Dylan wasn’t her mate –she knew that. Finding your true mate was a rarity these days, a dream that most had given up on. She had long accepted that she would never experience that soul-deep bond, that instant, unbreakable connection the Moon Goddess had ordained for others. But that didn’t mean she didn’t l
Alora’s POVI turned to Dylan, a wild, desperate look in my eyes, the kind of look I was sure he had never seen before. His brow furrowed in concern, his gaze searching mine as if trying to understand what had sparked such intensity in me.I took his hand in both of mine, clinging to it like it was my only lifeline. My grip tightened, and I could feel the roughness of his palm against my skin, grounding me in a moment that felt like I was teetering on the edge of a cliff.Dylan, who had always been my anchor in this sea of chaos, who had once been my everything before it all fell apart, I had to trust him now. Maybe last time I hadn’t thought things through, but this time, I had no choice. I was at the end of my rope. Rune would start looking for me soon, and when he did, he’d be relentless. But Dylan was smart. He knew Rune better than anyone, knew the way his mind worked. He could steer them away, buy me the time I needed to escape this nightmare. Something thick and painful clogg