ALPHA LUCIUS’S POVThe heat of passion still lingered in the air as I lay beside Rose, the echo of our lovemaking a haunting reminder of the guilt that weighed heavy upon my soul. I knew that Vesta would feel the betrayal in some form or another, her presence a constant shadow that loomed over me even in the arms of another.My wolf whined within me, a primal force that pulsed with the rhythm of my heartbeat. It recoiled at the thought of betraying our mate, the bond that tied us to Vesta a tether that bound us together in ways that I could not comprehend.But I silenced its protests with a grim determination, pushing aside the whispers of conscience that threatened to unravel the fragile facade that I had built around myself. There was no room for weakness in the heart of a king, no place for sentiment in a world consumed by power and ambition.I rose from the bed, the cool air of the cabin washing over me like a cleansing tide. The weight of my guilt hung heavy upon my shoulders, a b
VESTA’S POVAs the moon hung high in the midnight sky, casting its ethereal glow upon the palace grounds, I found myself standing at the precipice of freedom, my heart pounding with anticipation and fear. Elliana and Raya, my steadfast handmaidens, stood by my side, their faces a mixture of determination and sorrow as we prepared to embark on the journey that would change the course of my destiny."We need to move quickly," Elliana whispered, her voice tinged with urgency. "If we're going to make it to the coven before Lucius returns, we can't afford to waste any time."I nodded, my resolve hardening with each passing moment. The weight of my decision pressed down upon me, a heavy burden that threatened to crush me beneath its relentless weight, but I knew that there was no turning back. This was my chance at freedom, my opportunity to break free from the chains that bound me to a fate not of my choosing.With practiced efficiency, we gathered our belongings and made our way to the ome
ALPHA LUCIUS’S POV The corridors of the palace echoed with the sound of my footsteps as I made my way to Vesta's chambers, a sense of anticipation gnawing at the edges of my consciousness. I had returned from my journey with a singular purpose in mind: to find her, to confront her, to make sense of the turmoil that raged within my heart.As I stepped into her room, a chill crept down my spine, the absence of her presence a stark reminder of the emptiness that now consumed me. The air hung heavy with silence, broken only by the faint rustle of fabric as I moved through the room in search of any sign of her.But she was nowhere to be found.Frustration bubbled up within me, a volatile mixture of anger and confusion that threatened to consume me whole. With each passing moment, the walls of the room seemed to close in around me, suffocating me with the weight of my own uncertainty.Leaving her chambers behind, I made my way to the training grounds, a sinking feeling settling in the pit o
[Letter from Rose to Lucius] My Dearest Lucius, I hope this letter finds you well, though I fear it may bring you discomfort and pain. It pains me deeply to write these words, but I cannot continue to suffer in silence, burdened by the weight of my unspoken emotions. I find myself at a loss for words, struggling to articulate the depth of the anguish that now consumes me. Each passing moment feels like an eternity, a relentless reminder of the shattered dreams and broken promises that now lie scattered at my feet. I still remember the first time our eyes met, the spark of recognition that ignited within me, lighting the path to a love I believed to be true and enduring. But oh, how swiftly those illusions crumbled beneath the weight of reality, leaving me adrift in a sea of uncertainty and despair. You came into my life like a tempest, sweeping me off my feet with promises of passion and devotion. I surrendered myself to you willingly, my heart laid bare before you, vulnerable and
VESTA'S POVI lay on the cold stone altar, surrounded by the flickering flames of the candles that illuminated the dimly lit chamber. The air was heavy with the scent of incense, a heady mixture of sage and lavender that filled my senses as I braced myself for the ritual ahead. The witches, with their ancient knowledge and mystical powers, prepared to perform the rites that would free me from the bonds that tethered me to Lucius.The lead witch, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light, approached me with purpose. Her hands moved deftly, tracing intricate patterns in the air as she began the ritual to remove the mark that Lucius had branded upon my skin. I gritted my teeth against the pain, feeling the searing heat of the magic as it worked its way through my body.The room seemed to blur around me, the edges of my vision darkening as waves of agony washed over me. I clenched my fists, willing myself to endure, to survive the torment that threatened to consume me whole. Each moment
ALPHA LUCIUS’S POVMy beta, Marcus, brought me another letter from Rose. I could feel the weight of it in his hand as he approached me. "Your Grace, another letter from Lady Rose," he announced.I waved a hand dismissively, irritation prickling at my senses. "Read it aloud, Marcus," I commanded, resigned to hearing her desperate pleas once more.Marcus cleared his throat before beginning, his voice steady as he recited Rose's words. "My dearest Lucius, I beg of you to reconsider. Come back to me, my love. I cannot bear to be without you," he read, his tone tinged with a mixture of sympathy and annoyance.I gritted my teeth, the familiar surge of frustration rising within me. Rose's incessant pleas grated on my nerves, a constant reminder of the mess I had made of things. "Continue," I ordered, though every fiber of my being longed to be rid of her words.Marcus obliged, reading through Rose's letter with a detached efficiency that belied the turmoil brewing within me. With each word, t
VESTA’S POVI stepped into the bustling compound of the Northland pack, my heart racing with a mixture of nerves and excitement. This was it, a fresh start in a new place. As I was led to meet the alpha, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for the lie I was about to tell. But desperate times called for desperate measures."Ah, you must be Lila," the alpha greeted me warmly, his voice resonating with authority and kindness. "Welcome to our pack. We're glad to have you here."I offered him a bright smile, trying to hide the nervous fluttering in my stomach. "Thank you, Alpha. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of your pack."He nodded, his gaze probing but accepting. "You mentioned you came from another pack. What happened there?"I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves. "It's a long story, Alpha. My mate passed away, and his brother took over the pack. He didn't want me around, so I had to leave."The alpha's expression softened with sympathy. "I'm sorry to hear that, Li
ALPHA LUCIUS’S POV The absence of Vesta's presence in my mind sent shivers down my spine, a sensation I hadn't experienced before. It was as if a part of me had been ripped away, leaving behind an emptiness that I couldn't bear to acknowledge."Knight, can you feel her?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of desperation as I turned to my loyal wolf, hoping for some semblance of reassurance."No, I can't sense her," Knight replied, his tone tinged with frustration and unease. "It's like she's vanished into thin air."I clenched my fists, the realization of Vesta's absence weighing heavily on my heart. How could she have disappeared so suddenly, leaving behind nothing but an empty void in her wake?Knight's agitation only seemed to intensify, his growls reverberating in the confines of my mind as he blamed me for our mate's disappearance. He accused me of driving her away, of pushing her to the point where she felt she had no choice but to leave."Enough, Knight!" I snapped, my voice e