Darius’s POVAs I drove back to the palace, my thoughts were a tangled web of ambition and fear. Anita’s face kept flashing in my mind, her trustful eyes, her unwavering faith in me—she had no idea what was being planned. How could I, of all people, betray her like this? But then, the pull of power gnawed at me, stronger than any guilt. It wasn’t just about keeping my mother in the royal family or holding onto our position. Alpha Orion needed to understand that he wasn’t the only one capable of holding power. He needed to see me, to fear me. Alpha Ethan was right: only after getting a taste of power could I ever truly understand what Alpha Orion clung to so desperately.But despite my yearning, I couldn’t shake the turmoil of treachery in what I was about to do. I clenched the steering wheel, forcing down my reservations. If only things could go as perfectly as I imagined them, I thought bitterly, then I wouldn’t be torn like this. But there’s no room for doubt. My desire for power su
Darius’s POV“I’m going for that throne,” I whispered to myself, barely able to contain the surge of ambition swelling within me. “I’m sorry, Anita, but I can’t keep my promise of being the good person you thought I was. I crave the power, the respect. Look at me now—revered in secret meetings, hailed like a true leader.” I could still feel the thrill of how the council members had spoken to me, with admiration and deference. I wanted that all the time. I wanted Alpha Orion’s power. I wanted to be the one who commanded the room, who felt untouchable. And I’d have it. Soon enough, Orion would be forced to watch me take everything he valued right out from under him. He would feel helpless and humiliated, and he would know what it was like to be stripped of dignity.The next morning, Alpha Orion summoned everyone for a meeting. He called them regularly, but today I felt a thrill—today, I’d attend. I was done being his obedient, diligent brother. Today, I’d sit among them as an equal, and
Anita’s POVI sat quietly in my room, nervously waiting while the council meeting was underway. I wasn’t permitted to join, and honestly, maybe it was for the best. I knew I’d be nothing but a distraction, especially with everything that had been unfolding lately. But even so, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to go horribly wrong. What if Maya couldn’t get the evidence we needed to expose Luna Nora’s schemes?Just as my mind began to spiral, a frantic knock echoed from the door. I rushed to open it, finding Maya on the other side. She stepped in quickly, her face tense, her eyes darting around the room as if expecting someone to overhear us. She locked the door behind her, then grabbed my arm and pulled me to sit beside her on the bed."Anita," she whispered urgently, "their plan has already started."Her words sent a chill down my spine. "Already? But...what are we supposed to do now? We didn’t even get the evidence we need against Luna Nora!"Maya shook her head
Anita’s POVI hadn’t expected my plan to stop the argument to work, but to my surprise, Alpha Orion’s gaze softened as he turned toward me, his shoulders dropping just slightly as he asked, "What do you want?"Caught off guard, I nervously rubbed the back of my neck. "I… I wanted to see you," I stammered, then quickly tried to think of a way to de-escalate the tension. "But, you know, if you’re too busy with this meeting, we can talk later," I added, my voice almost trailing off.Alpha Orion chuckled, his laughter filling the chamber. "Oh, you want to see me now, out of all times?" he asked, half-amused, half-exasperated. "We've barely spoken lately, and now, right in the middle of this, you want to see me? Really, Anita?"Ignoring his tone, I kept my gaze steady, sparing a quick glance at Darius. His expression was a storm of frustration, and his eyes met mine with a hint of anger. I knew he could tell that I was trying to disrupt his plans. Yes, Darius, I’m trying to ruin everything
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
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