TIA’S POV The scent of lilies hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the earthy musk that had permeated Dad’s office for as long as I could remember. My throat tightened, the dam threatening to burst. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the tears back, but they spilled over anyway, tracing hot tracks down my cheeks. “He wouldn’t have wanted you to cry, Tia,” a gruff voice said from behind me. I didn’t turn around. I couldn't. Acknowledging anyone right now felt like an admission of defeat, a confirmation of the gaping hole his absence had ripped through my life. “He wouldn’t have wanted this either,” I choked out, my voice thick with unshed tears. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. I knew who it was – Derek, my father’s Beta, the practical rock to his impulsive storm. He probably thought I needed a voice of reason, someone to pull me out of this self-pitying spiral. But reason was the last thing I craved. “He did what he thought was best,” Derek continued, his voice so
ALPHA LUCIUS'S POVThe rhythmic clack of Marcus' cane against the polished marble floor grated on my nerves, a counterpoint to the symphony of whispers that filled the throne room. My advisors hummed like agitated bees, their hushed voices swirling around me. "Your Majesty," Marcus began, his voice a steady anchor in the swirling sea of sound. "The situation in the Northern Pack grows dire."A flicker of irritation flared within me. "I am aware, Marcus," I said, my voice flat, devoid of emotion. My sightlessness rendered me a prisoner in my own palace, forced to rely on the fragmented reports and filtered information others deemed fit for my ears."But with all due respect, Your Majesty," Marcus continued, his voice unwavering, "ignoring their pleas for assistance is seen as…uncharacteristic."Uncharacteristic. A curious choice of words. Was I supposed to be moved by the plight of a young, inexperienced alpha, especially one who had spent most of her life flitting about the periphery
ALPHA LUCIUS'S POVThe familiar scent of lavender and woodsmoke filled the air, a comforting anchor in the storm brewing inside of me. Nana, my guardian and the only person who dared to speak to me with such blunt honesty, stood before me, her frail frame a stark contrast to the imposing stone walls of my chambers."A ball, Your Majesty?" she scoffed, her voice raspy with age but laced with a sharp undercurrent of disapproval. "Is that truly the best idea you can conjure?"My jaw clenched. I loathed feeling like a child being lectured. "It is a necessary measure," I said, my voice clipped and formal. "My advisors believe a public display of…openness will attract potential candidates."Nana let out a snort, a sound that somehow managed to be both disrespectful and endearing. "Openness? You, who shroud yourself in shadows and silence, suddenly crave openness?"Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken tension. Nana wasn't wrong. But the gnawing emptiness within me, the void left
VESTA'S POVDom was late. Again. Fifteen minutes late, which wouldn't normally bother me, except today all the good equipment was hogged. I scanned the weight room, disappointment prickling my skin. Every squat rack was occupied, barbells were scattered across the floor like fallen soldiers, and the only treadmill available was the one perpetually stuck at a slow jog."Ugh," I muttered, grabbing a stray yoga mat and heading for the corner. At least I could stretch while I waited. Just as I unrolled the mat, Kia, the resident know-it-all, sashayed in, her perfectly manicured nails glinting under the gym lights."Hey Lila," she drawled, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "Mind if I borrow those weights?"I raised an eyebrow, noting the empty squat rack behind her. "Actually, yeah. I was going to use them."Kia scoffed, a high-pitched sound that grated on my nerves. "Were? Honey, this gym isn't a reservation system. First come, first served.""Except I was here first," I pointed out,
VESTA'S POVThe memory of Kia's words lingered like a bad smell. Every playful jab, every shared joke with Dom echoed in my head, twisted into something suggestive. The sting of her accusation – that I was throwing myself at him – had burrowed deep.So, today, at warrior training, I decided to play it cool. No more goofy grins or witty retorts. Just a focused silence, a determined glint in my eye. Dom, bless his observant heart, noticed the shift."Lila, you alright?" he asked during a break, concern etched on his brow. "You seem…different."I shrugged, forcing a nonchalant smile. "Just tired. Long day."It wasn't a complete lie. Work had been a slog, but the real exhaustion stemmed from the emotional tug-of-war within me.Training itself was a blur. I pushed myself harder than usual, each lunge, each swing of the practice sword a physical manifestation of my internal turmoil. Sweat beaded on my forehead, my muscles screamed, but the ache in my body was preferable to the turmoil in my
ALPHA LUCIUS'S POVCrystal chandeliers cast a shimmering glow over the opulent ballroom, a thousand facets reflecting the feverish activity below. Maids scurried about, arranging opulent floral displays and plumping crimson velvet cushions. Strings of fairy lights, woven through the climbing wisteria, promised a night of enchanted revelry. Yet, amidst the flurry of preparations, a single figure stood apart – Nana, the King's trusted advisor, her brow furrowed in worry.Lucius, the Alpha King, was nowhere to be seen. Blind since birth, he navigated the palace with an uncanny awareness, a symphony of memorized footfalls and the subtle shifts in air currents his constant companions. Yet, tonight, the familiar rhythm of his steps was absent.Nana, her silver hair pulled back into a tight bun, sighed. With a practiced grace, she navigated the maze of servants, her hand trailing along the cool marble walls. Reaching the palace gardens, she found him. Seated beneath the gnarled branches of an
VESTA'S POVMy ankle screamed in protest as I landed wrong, a searing pain shooting up my leg. I stumbled, dropping my practice sword with a clatter. A strangled cry escaped my lips before I could bite it back.Everything went blurry for a second, then Dom was beside me, his face etched with concern. "Lila! What happened?""I think I…" I gritted my teeth, trying to stand, but a fresh wave of pain sent me sprawling back onto the mat. "My ankle."He knelt beside me, his calloused fingers gently probing the injured area. "It's swollen already. Definitely a sprain, maybe more."Panic bubbled in my chest. A sprain meant recovery time, missed training sessions, a setback in my quest to become stronger. I bit my lip, trying to blink away the tears pricking at my eyes."Hey, hey," Dom soothed, his voice calm and reassuring. "Don't worry, we'll get you checked out by the pack healer."The next thing I knew, I was being hoisted into his arms, bridal style. A blush crept up my cheeks despite the
AYRA'S POVStepping over the threshold, the coolness of the aged stone floor seeped into my paws. Nana, the head advisor, bustled ahead, a whirlwind of crimson silk and booming pronouncements. "Welcome, Princess Ayra, to your new home!" she declared, gesturing towards the vast expanse of the grand hall. Sunlight streamed through arched windows, casting an ethereal glow on the polished marble floor. I offered a curt nod, the silence around me pressing in like a tangible force. Gone were the cacophony of the ballroom, the whispers and curious stares. Here, an unnerving quiet reigned. Nana continued, her voice echoing through the cavernous space, "This is the heart of the palace. The King's quarters lie to the west, the Royal Court resides in the east wing, and your designated chambers are..." she trailed off, her sharp eyes locking onto a specific corridor. My stomach clenched. Could it be...? Following her gaze, I saw it – a heavy oak door adorned with intricate carvings. A sh