Maya’s POVAs soon as I left Anita’s room, I made a beeline for Luna Nora’s quarters. Her room wasn’t far from Anita’s new chambers, and the short walk gave me just enough time to plan my approach. But as soon as I opened her door, my heart sank. The room was already filled with maids bustling around, tidying and cleaning under Luna Nora’s orders. Of all the times to clean, I thought, trying to hide my frustration. It was clear Luna Nora was always three steps ahead, carefully orchestrating her plans to ensure her secrets remained buried. She knew that her absence was the only safe window for anyone to enter her chambers. I squared my shoulders, determined to make this work. Taking a deep breath, I put on my best authoritative tone, fully aware that as one of the head maids, I could still command some respect.The maids noticed my presence almost immediately, stopping their work to greet me. I made my way to the center of the room, feigning disappointment. "What’s going on here?" I a
Maya’s POVStanding in front of the hidden lock, my heart pounded with excitement. I was finally so close to uncovering Luna Nora’s secrets—only to feel it sink as I realized that it was secured with a special code. My mind raced, thoughts buzzing. How would I unlock this without raising suspicion? I couldn’t just leave it; I needed that diary. I had promised Anita I’d uncover the truth, and this was the closest I’d gotten.Resolving to get the code from Luna Nora herself, I took a deep breath and carefully reset everything, ensuring her room was spotless. I knew that Luna Nora was sharp, so I couldn’t afford a single mistake. I heard the faint, familiar clack of her heels approaching down the hallway. Quickly, I grabbed a cloth, feigned cleaning, and awaited her arrival, my heart racing with each step closer.Luna Nora entered, her face etched with frustration, eyes blazing. She seemed tense, and her lips formed a thin line of displeasure. I kept my posture calm and respectful, bowin
Anita’s POVSitting on the Luna’s chair felt unlike anything I’d ever experienced. The authority, the weight of responsibility—yes, that was expected—but there was something else, something powerful and unexplainable. It reminded me of the strange surge I’d felt when I fell down the hill that day while following Luna Nora, the same mysterious energy that had saved me. Since then, that power had remained dormant, and now, suddenly, I felt it bubbling up, uncontrollable, overwhelming. I gripped the edges of the chair, silently praying for it to stop.A breathless tension filled the room. I didn’t want anyone to notice the inner turmoil I was experiencing, especially not Alpha Orion or, worse, Luna Nora, who was watching me with a strange intensity from across the room. Finally, after a few deep breaths, I managed to calm myself. The overwhelming energy vanished as quickly as it had arrived, leaving me almost as if it had been nothing more than a passing dream.By the time the meeting fi
Darius’s POVI stormed back to my chambers, frustration brewing within me. The audacity—I had been yelling at Alpha Orion, challenging him as if he weren’t still the Alpha, as if he weren’t still my elder brother. And yet, despite my rebellion, one look from Anita had me backtracking, softening in a way I despised. Her mere presence unraveled the anger I had so painstakingly cultivated, leaving me feeling exposed and powerless. Once I reached my room, my mother’s calls echoed from the hall behind me. I ignored her at first, but her voice grew louder, more insistent, until I couldn’t tune it out anymore. She was determined, almost desperate, as she caught up to me and grabbed my arm, her face etched with frustration."Darius, stop! We need to talk,” she demanded. “You had everything in your grasp today, everything! Why did you let it go? Why did you falter when you were so close?”I spun around, unable to contain my anger. “You don’t understand! I did exactly what you wanted. Exactly
Darius’s POVI could hardly believe what Anita had just said to me. Her words cut deeper than any sword ever could. I had always known she was kind, that she trusted and cared for me beyond reason, and yet, today, it felt like all of that had shattered in an instant. She looked at me as though I were a stranger—a threat. And though I knew my actions were wrong, I never thought she would turn her back on me so easily, with such cold finality.I took a step toward her, instinctively wanting to close the gap, but she raised her hand, stepping back, her face a mask of dismay.“Don’t come any closer, Darius,” she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re not the same person I once knew. You’re not the Darius who helped me, who stood by me in the forest. That person was kind, compassionate. But you… You’re someone else. I barely recognize you.”I stopped, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. Her words echoed in my mind, and I realized how much she truly meant to me—mo
Darius POVI couldn’t believe how far Alpha Orion had pushed me. He had everything—power, respect, and now even the one person I truly cared about. And he was smug about it. Standing there, looking down on me as if I were nothing. I had never felt so much rage, so much…desperation. I knew one thing: I would not let him keep Anita. If I couldn’t have her, then neither could he. I would make sure of it.The next morning, I woke up with only one thought: take back control. Today, the council would be gathered for another meeting, and from the whispers I heard around the palace, it was likely that Alpha Orion would be announcing Anita as his official Luna. The idea sickened me. I could not allow it. I could not let him take everything and expect me to stand aside like a fool.I took a quick shower, dressed sharply, and stormed out of my room. My mind was clear, my heart cold, and my resolve unbreakable. I was done being the weak, overlooked brother. I wanted more than the scraps he’d left
Anita POVAs I entered my room after the confrontation with Darius, guilt gnawed at me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d become cruel, saying such hurtful things to him. I kept replaying our exchange, feeling a pang of regret with each memory. Darius’s eyes, usually so warm, had looked haunted, hurt. But how could I support him after what I’d seen? He had changed, become someone I didn’t recognize—a stranger with fierce anger and ambition.I began pacing, torn between the loyalty I once felt and the anger and disappointment I carried now. My heart weighed heavy with memories of the Darius who had protected me, stood by me. But now, he was a threat. I had to know if he was still involved in plots against Alpha Orion or if his actions had simply been fueled by a fleeting rage. I needed answers, and I needed them soon. Sending a message to Maya, I waited anxiously for her to arrive, hoping she had news—something that could shed light on Darius’s true intentions. When she finally kn
Anita POVThe next morning, I rose early, my nerves tingling with anticipation and a hint of fear. I’d set my sights on answers, and Maya had shown me the way. After a quick call to let her know I was heading out, I drove one of the palace cars to the address she’d given me. Following her directions, I found myself at the edge of a deserted village, a place that seemed lost in time, shrouded in an eerie quiet.As I drove deeper into the village, the empty houses around me gave off an unsettling feeling, each silent as if holding its breath. I parked and looked around, wondering where everyone was. Finally, I spotted a lone figure—an old woman seated on a worn wooden chair. She seemed fragile, yet her presence commanded attention. She stood as I approached, as if she had been waiting for me all along.“I knew you would come, Anita,” she called, her voice both warm and chilling, as though she spoke directly into my mind. “Though I did not expect you so soon. You were up before dawn, I f