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
Luna Nora’s POV After my last conversation with Adam, my mind had been in turmoil. I couldn’t stop thinking about how to get Darius to bend to my will, to make him see reason. But Adam had been clear—there was no magic, no charm that would force Darius to change his mind. That revelation had only fueled my frustration. It had been two days since that fateful meeting, and in all that time, I hadn’t managed to be alone with Darius. It felt like he was avoiding me, perhaps already suspecting that I would push him to take action, to fight his brother for the throne. I understood why he didn’t want to get involved in the power struggle with Alpha Orion—fear wasn’t the issue. Darius wasn’t afraid of his brother. What troubled me was his lack of ambition, his hesitation to seize what was rightfully his. He was as much an heir to the throne as Alpha Orion. Why should he hold back? Why should he let his brother have everything? It didn’t make sense to me, and the longer Darius remained passiv
Darius' POV Watching Alpha Orion storm away from the dining table, I knew my mother had orchestrated the entire evening just to ignite conflict between us. She had always been a master of manipulation, and tonight was no different. Her smile, barely hidden behind a mask of concern, told me everything I needed to know—this had gone exactly the way she intended. The dining room felt suffocating as I sat alone with her, the tension thick enough to choke on. I slowly set my spoon down, the clatter echoing in the silence. My mother glanced at me, sensing my displeasure, and immediately composed herself, as if nothing had happened. "Why are you staring at me like that?" she asked, feigning innocence. "I didn’t commit a crime. I merely stated the truth. Anita is a problem, and I won’t support her. She refuses to let you love her. How is that fair? You could’ve saved her from the life she’s living, but she keeps choosing your brother. She’s hindering your potential, Darius, and you know it.
Darius' POV "You don't have to be scared, Anita. Just tell me everything," I said, trying to sound as reassuring as possible. Her fragile smile returned briefly before vanishing again. "Thank you, Darius, for trusting me, for giving me space to speak," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "But... he raped me. And not in the way you'd think. Yes, Alpha Orion has always been aggressive, but that night..." She stopped, her breath catching as tears welled up in her eyes. "That night was different. It wasn’t just forceful—it was something I can’t forget. I know I try to act normal, but I keep having these flashbacks. They’re always there, in my mind, no matter how hard I try to shake them off. It’s like I can’t escape it. I know he thinks I’m acting distant just to be difficult or as if I’m trying to be more than a slave... but it’s not that. It’s the memories, Darius. They haunt me." As she broke down into sobs, my heart ached for her. I moved closer, gently placing my hand on her
3rd person POV Maya had already arrived at the palace, eager to carry out the task given to her by Alpha Ethan. The palace was even grander than she had imagined—far more opulent than Alpha Ethan’s, which only heightened her feeling of pride. She felt important, as though Alpha Ethan had truly seen her worth. What Maya didn’t realize was that her importance to Alpha Ethan was solely based on his obsession with Anita. Maya was just another pawn in his game, something she would soon come to understand. She dragged her luggage into the palace, her heart racing with anticipation. Just as she was settling into her new surroundings, she bumped into Alpha Darius. Startled, she couldn’t help but stare at him, momentarily dazed by his presence. "I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there," Darius said, his voice polite but distant. Maya shook her head with a nervous smile. "No, no, Alpha Darius, it's my fault. Honestly, I feel lucky to have met you right as I stepped into this palace. It feels l
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