Alpha Orion povWithout wasting any more of my time, I dragged Anita straight to my chambers. And once we were inside, I locked the door. As I threw her to the ground, she began to shiver in fright. “I am so sorry, alpha Orion. I did not mean to do anything with him. I swear to god I tried to dodge. I tried to avoid his dodge. I swear to you it will never happen again,” she said to me as she immediately went on her knees and started to move backwards as I slowly walked towards her. “What do you mean by you don't know what you were doing? And he forced you. I saw you. Do you want me to let you know everything? I was standing there for hours. I watched you. I saw that you held to him. You didn't want to let go. You felt so assured with him. You were confiding in him. You made me a total fool,” I said to her, and she shook her head sideways. “No, I said to you, I did not make you a total fool. Please do not forsake me. Please I beg you,” she said again. “I am not forsaking you. Okay?
Anita’s POV How could he say that? How could he call what happened last night a mistake? He claimed it was out of anger, but I knew better. It was never just anger. It was clear he was trying to rape me. That’s why he did those things. I couldn’t stop the flashbacks—the way he slammed me against the wall, the way he tried to force himself on me. Every single encounter we had was forced. I felt nothing for him. Absolutely nothing. I wish I could just run away from this place. Now, I feel disgraced and dirty, and the worst part is he sees me as the one at fault. A cheat. How could I cheat on him when all I want is freedom? I wish he could understand me. If only he could read my mind. I sighed, wiping down the kitchen counter, lost in my thoughts. Madam Betty had ordered me to clean up, and even though my mind was elsewhere, I mechanically obeyed. Of course, I would avoid him at all costs. I couldn't risk falling into another humiliating situation again, like that disastrous banquet
Anita's pov I had made up my mind. I wasn’t going to push Alpha Orion any further. I wasn’t going to beg or force him to change his mind because the more I pressed, the more suspicious he would become. And suspicion was the last thing I needed. I just wanted peace—was that too much to ask? I didn’t believe I could ever find true peace, not while I was tied to him and being dragged back to Ethan’s pack. So, I kept silent. Alpha Orion stood from his seat and walked across to sit directly in front of me. His eyes pierced into mine as he gripped my shoulder firmly, tilting my chin upward so I was forced to meet his gaze. His touch sent a cold shiver down my spine. “What are you doing?” he demanded, his voice low but harsh. “You were talking just now, and now you’ve gone all quiet. Stop playing games with me and speak. What did you mean by what you said earlier?” I swallowed hard, shaking my head. “No, I’m not playing any games. You can do whatever you want—take me to Ethan, fine. I
Ethan's POV Watching Alpha Orion and Darius locked in their heated argument, a wicked smile crept onto my face. This was the moment I had been waiting for, everything falling into place exactly as I had planned. The tension, the anger—it was all unfolding before me like a perfectly crafted play. I leaned back in my chair, crossed one leg over the other, and slowly brought the wine glass to my lips, savoring the moment. My eyes drifted to Anita. She caught my gaze, shook her head, and stood up from the table. Darius, too caught up in his confrontation with Orion, didn’t notice her slip out of the dining hall. I put down my glass quickly and rose from my seat, signaling to my backup to keep Darius distracted. I couldn’t let him follow her—this was my chance to speak with Anita alone. I hurried down the hallway, catching a glimpse of her just as she reached the end. She moved quickly, her steps purposeful, like she knew exactly where she was going. This palace was all too familiar to h
Ethan's POV Watching Alpha Orion and Darius locked in their heated argument, a wicked smile crept onto my face. This was the moment I had been waiting for, everything falling into place exactly as I had planned. The tension, the anger—it was all unfolding before me like a perfectly crafted play. I leaned back in my chair, crossed one leg over the other, and slowly brought the wine glass to my lips, savoring the moment. My eyes drifted to Anita. She caught my gaze, shook her head, and stood up from the table. Darius, too caught up in his confrontation with Orion, didn’t notice her slip out of the dining hall. I put down my glass quickly and rose from my seat, signaling to my backup to keep Darius distracted. I couldn’t let him follow her—this was my chance to speak with Anita alone. I hurried down the hallway, catching a glimpse of her just as she reached the end. She moved quickly, her steps purposeful, like she knew exactly where she was going. This palace was all too familiar to h
Alpha Orion’s POV I could hardly believe it—Ethan thought he could outsmart me. That fool tried to go behind my back, attempting to convince Anita to leave me. If not for his idiot beta, who couldn’t keep a straight face, I might have been blindsided. As I argued with Darius, I noticed the beta fidgeting, his nervous glances giving him away. My attention should’ve been on the argument, but something felt off. Then I realized: Anita was gone. I turned to where she had been sitting, only to find her chair empty. My chest tightened. Anita never liked being here, but I trusted her enough to know she wouldn’t just walk out in the middle of everything. That’s when it hit me—this was a trap. Ethan had been plotting all along. He knew I would bring Anita, and he set this up, thinking he could pull her away from me. Darius was still shouting, his frustration evident. "You just don't get it, brother. You twist everything I say! You think I’m hiding from you, that I’m weak, but you don’t know
Anita’s POV After we left the banquet and returned home, the next two days were surprisingly peaceful. It felt calm after the storm. I returned to my duties as a maid, the familiar rhythm of cleaning and serving soothing my frayed nerves. Alpha Orion had offered me a higher position—an opportunity to move beyond my role as a servant—but I turned it down. I couldn’t risk angering Luna Nora. What would she do if she found out that despite being publicly labeled as his slave, Alpha Orion was giving me such favors? Besides, I had grown comfortable in my role. It was simple, predictable. I served the royal family quietly, making myself as invisible as possible, especially around Darius. Thankfully, he had become distant, no longer clashing with his brother. The tension between them seemed to have faded, and while I knew there was still unresolved pain, I was grateful for the quiet. The last thing I wanted was to be caught in the middle of their feud again. With the tension easing, I sta
Ethan’s POV “No. No. No. No. No!” I screamed, my voice echoing off the walls as I destroyed everything within reach. The rage coursing through me was uncontrollable. How could this have happened? After everything I had planned, after all the manipulation and scheming, Alpha Orion was still one step ahead of me. Despite everything my beta, Lucas, had assured me, Alpha Orion managed to slip through my fingers, and worse—Anita chose him over me. I spun around, eyes wild, and saw Lucas standing by the door, looking terrified. Without thinking, I lunged at him, grabbing him by the collar and shoving him backward. He stumbled, crashing to the ground. The shock on his face only fueled my anger. “How dare you!” I roared, my voice shaking with fury. “You told me that if I brought Alpha Orion here, I’d get Anita back! But instead, I made a fool of myself. Anita—she picked him over me! And now he’s threatening me? Me? Alpha Orion dared to threaten me after everything? He’s going to regret this
Alpha Orion povMy mind reeled from the events unfolding around me, the realization that Luna Nora was capable of such darkness pressing down on me like a weight I couldn’t shake. But I couldn't afford to let that weight pin me down. I had one mission—find Anita. Whatever it took, wherever she was, I would bring her back. The tangled webs Luna Nora had woven would have to wait. Right now, my heart and mind had only one target.I sat on my bed for a moment, the silence thick as I ran my hands through my hair. "How would I find her? She said she might go missing, but I never expected it to happen so suddenly," I murmured, frustration clawing at me.Then a thought struck me—her scent. My wolf surged to life, knowing that if anything could lead me to her, it would be the bond we shared. Rising, I left my room, moving with purpose toward the garage. My Beta trailed behind, as steady and loyal as ever, and I could feel Luna Nora’s gaze watching from the shadows, the corners of her mouth cur
Alpha Orion povDespite my best efforts, sleep remained a distant memory, evading me like a ghost in the night. No matter how tightly I closed my eyes, the unsettling feeling lingered. Frustration built as I glanced at the clock—just past midnight. An unfamiliar dread gnawed at me, and I had no explanation for it.Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to relax, telling myself that everything was fine, that I could rest easy. But my wolf stirred, an urgent instinct pushing me up from the bed. I paced to the window, throwing it open to breathe in the crisp night air. And then I caught it—a faint trace of Anita's scent. It was like a whisper, but it drew me in, rekindling a longing that I tried so hard to suppress. I missed her more than I’d ever allow myself to admit.Clenching the windowsill, I held back the desire to storm to her room, to see her, to reassure myself that she was there and safe. No, I have to control this. She needed to know that my love for her went beyond any physica
Darius povThere was something off about the way Maya looked at me earlier. The nervous glances, the way Anita seemed wary when Maya entered the room… They were hiding something. I felt it in my bones, and it was only a matter of time before I found out what.I headed down the hall and knocked on my mother’s door, feeling my own frustration simmering beneath the surface. She opened it quickly, her expression frantic, her movements erratic as she tossed books and papers aside, clearly searching for something. I locked the door behind me, hoping to give her a sense of privacy, though the sight of her disarrayed room sent a spike of worry through me.She looked at me, her face pale and eyes wide with fear, almost as if she were on the brink of tears. “Darius… someone’s betrayed us,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “Someone was listening. They’ve taken my diary—my diary, Darius. All my secrets, all our plans, everything is in there. If Alpha Orion gets his hands on it, everything we’ve
Anita povAfter warning Orion, I knew I had done all I could. The decision to believe me rested with him, and for now, I would let him handle things as he saw fit. As much as I longed for his touch, his closeness, and the warmth we once shared, his focus was elsewhere, consumed by the demands of his pack. I couldn’t bear to add to his burdens. So, I returned to my chambers, determined to give him space, even though it tore at my heart.I waited restlessly for Maya’s return. Evening began to settle, and finally, I heard that Darius, Luna Nora, and Maya had arrived back at the palace. No one else seemed to think much of it, but every instinct in me was on high alert. I knew Maya was taking dangerous risks to help me, and I needed to ensure she remained safe. She’d promised to pass along Luna Nora’s diary code and any final information about their plans to eliminate Orion. But as the minutes dragged on, doubt gnawed at me. It had been hours since they’d returned, and still, Maya hadn’t c
Anita povThe palace was eerily quiet. It seemed everyone had somewhere else to be today. Even Maya was gone, having followed Darius and Luna Nora out on some mysterious errand. Alpha Orion, too, was occupied. His Beta had returned with what I imagined was critical news, leaving him tied up in urgent matters. For once, I found myself truly alone, with no one to talk to and nothing to occupy my mind but restless thoughts.I sighed, making my way to the dining hall. Sitting down to lunch, I couldn’t shake the pang of unease that had lingered since morning. As I picked at my food, my phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Maya. I opened it quickly, feeling a strange thrill of both dread and curiosity. Maya had told me plenty of secrets before, but something felt different about this.The message read: “Warn Alpha Orion. His life is in danger this week. And… Anita, they’re planning to kidnap you. Darius has arranged it, and it will happen in two days.”I felt my heart skip, the bloo
Maya povAs I sat quietly in the carriage, my mind raced with plans and calculations. I’d uncovered Darius's intentions, yet the real challenge would be trying to unravel his plan, to find some way to divert him from his path. I took a deep breath, rehearsing the words that I hoped would plant seeds of doubt in his mind. This had to work.“Darius, have you thought about the consequences of kidnapping Anita?” I began, my voice careful and measured. “The bond she shares with Alpha Orion is still incredibly strong. Her inner wolf could easily reach out to him, revealing her location, or he might even be able to sniff her out with time. That’s the thing about mate bonds… they’re stronger than most realize.”Darius's hands gripped the steering wheel, his fingers drumming in agitation as I spoke. I watched his jaw tighten, frustration flashing in his eyes. He turned to me sharply, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "Do you think I haven’t considered that? I’ve already made preparations. I
Maya povI pressed myself against the wall outside Luna Nora’s chambers, heart pounding as I strained to hear every word that passed between her and Alpha Darius. My breaths came shallow and quick, barely keeping pace with the shock that coursed through me as their conversation unfolded. Darius had finally reached the edge, and from the sound of it, he was ready to plunge into the abyss, dragging anyone in his path down with him. I gritted my teeth, swallowing down the fear that bubbled up. Anita wouldn’t last long under this relentless hatred; in fact, I wasn’t even sure she’d survive the week.I clapped a hand over my mouth, stifling a gasp that threatened to escape, glancing around to ensure no one saw me. Fortunately, the layout of Luna Nora’s rooms provided just enough cover, thanks to the heavy stone walls that shielded me from view. Even if a guard passed by, they wouldn’t easily notice me standing here. I had to be silent and invisible—a shadow in the dark.Just as I thought t
Darius povPacing around my room, my mind was a chaotic storm, and no amount of pacing could tame it. For once, I felt utterly cornered. Every move I’d made, every calculated risk, every attempt to push Orion down had somehow slipped through my fingers. And here I was, empty-handed and with no Plan B in sight. The frustration was a gnawing ache in my chest, and I knew, deep down, I couldn’t face this alone. I needed guidance—a plan, a ruthless strategy. Without thinking twice, I made my way to the one person who had always known what to do.I knocked on my mother’s door, heart pounding with both frustration and a grudging sense of relief. She opened the door immediately, her piercing gaze slicing through me. She was dressed elegantly, her dark hair pulled back with the grace and dignity of someone ready for battle. I felt her scrutinizing look sweep over me, lingering on the tension in my jaw, the pleading in my eyes. For the first time in what felt like ages, I was back in her presen
Alpha Orion’s povSitting alone in the darkened room, my gaze fell to the shadows on the wall, shapes cast by the faint, flickering candlelight. Patience had always been a virtue I possessed, but tonight, it felt like a thin thread stretched too tight, one more whisper away from snapping. I could feel the tension in my bones, the gnawing anxiety as I waited for my Beta. I had sent him on a mission, one so secret that even Anita knew nothing about it. Ever since that damned banquet, where everything felt… off, I knew I couldn’t ignore the quiet, insidious changes I sensed in Alpha Ethan. Something was wrong, terribly wrong, and I intended to uncover every piece of it, even if it led me down a dangerous path.And then there was Darius. His mask of loyalty had slipped just enough to reveal his true intentions, ones I had been too blind to see until now. His betrayal simmered in my mind like poison. I clenched my fists, the thought of his schemes roiling in my gut. Darius didn’t want what