LilaDamon’s grip lingered for a moment longer than necessary, his fingers a vice around my waist. I could feel the strength behind them, the restraint he was forcing upon himself."I have a curfew," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. "If I’m late, I’ll be scrubbing toilets for a week."Damo
LilaThe man’s lips curled slightly as he studied me. "It seems you still don’t know," he mused, tilting his head. "But that’s alright. All you need to know is that you will definitely be chosen."I stiffened. The certainty in his voice sent a ripple of unease down my spine."Why do you say that?" I
"Allow me to introduce you to Lord Theron," Isabella said with a saccharine smile. "A nobleman of quite high status."Theron stepped forward, his sweaty hand reaching towards me. "Would you do me the honor of a dance, my dear?"Every instinct screamed no. I had seen him pawing at some of the other w
LilaI could feel every gaze in the ballroom pressing down on me as Damon extended his hand. Every woman in the room was watching, some with barely concealed envy, others with outright hostility. It was a silent chorus of judgment, expectation, and resentment.Swallowing hard, I slid my hand into hi
LilaThe moment Damon spoke, the room erupted in shock. Gasps, whispers, and even a few barely concealed curses filled the air.A one-on-one match with the Lycan King was unheard of. At least surviving one was unheard of.I could feel the weight of dozens of eyes snapping to me, their expressions a
– Your mother’s condition has worsened.The words hit like a blade between my ribs. I went completely still.Do as you’re told, or she won’t get the care she needs.My hands trembled with barely restrained rage. Seriously? We had a deal, Alpha.Henry didn’t even bother denying it. I’m ensuring you d
LilaI clenched the small slip of paper in my hands, scanning the name printed there. It wasn’t the Lycan King’s insignia.Relief flooded through me, but only for a second.My opponent was a girl I barely knew, Cassidy, quiet and unassuming. One of the few who had stayed out of the constant scheming
Lila"Damon!" I froze, gripping the thin towel wrapped around me as his imposing figure filled the doorway. His sharp eyes locked onto me, and for a split second, I forgot to breathe. “Sorry, I meant ‘Your Highness’… you, uh, you surprised me.”The air between us grew thick and heavy. Damon didn’t m
LilaMy mother lay still beneath thick blankets, her breath shallow but steady now. The sharp rise and fall of panic from two days ago had eased into something fragile, but survivable. Her cheeks held a faint flush again, and the dark hollows beneath her eyes had softened slightly.It should have be
She never existed at all.The longer I stared at the folder, the more I wanted to tear it apart and pretend I’d never seen it. But that would make me a fool three times over.The fire in the hearth crackled faintly now—Ronan must’ve relit it on his way out. But the warmth didn’t reach me. In this mo
DamonOutside, the courtyard stirred with the usual sounds—guards drilling, candidates murmuring in clipped, polite tones. But in my office, the silence pressed in on me like fog, heavy and muffling. The only sound was the sharp scratch of my pen against parchment as I signed off on trial amendments
My fingers curled into fists. “You would let her die just to punish me?”“I would let a great many things die to keep this Pack on top,” he said evenly. “Including illusions of usefulness. You’re only back now because you’re scared.”“No,” I said, breath sharp. “I’m back because I care about her. An
LilaThe scent of pine and damp earth hit me the moment I stepped from the carriage. Nightfall Pack always smelled earthy. And like wet stone and forgotten promises thanks to my father.The estate loomed quiet and gray under a sky streaked with morning haze. It looked the same, but didn’t feel the s
But I couldn’t.I turned and walked out of the room with the truth still burning on my tongue and my heart breaking all over again.The guards didn’t say a word as they escorted me down the corridor. I didn’t expect them to. But their silence felt like a verdict.I held my head high anyway.My boots
LilaThe shift was subtle, but I felt a distance in Damon’s gaze. The way his expression cooled just slightly when I entered the room. No trace of the man who had kissed me with fire or sent heartfelt notes in the morning.And I had no idea why. If Vanessa had told him who I was I’d be expelled or d
I turned from the window. “Send her away, Ronan. And make sure no one follows her out.”He left without another word. And I was alone in a room where everything I thought I knew about loyalty had just been shattered.I left the study not long after Ronan. The corridors were quiet at this hour but I
DamonThe fire in my study had burned low, casting thin ribbons of amber across the desk. I didn’t need warmth tonight. I needed answers.Ronan arrived just after first bell, punctual as always, though I knew him well enough to spot the tension riding his spine. He shut the door behind him with quie