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Alaric “What the fuck, Garrett?” I hiss as soon as Sage and Iris are gone. But the fucker just chuckles and grins like my irritation amuses him. “What’s the matter Ric? Our great and powerful king can’t handle one little car ride with his ex-girlfriend and his new mate?” He taunts me. “How are we supposed to trust you with a whole kingdom when you can't handle two harmless women?” I roll my eyes at his childish behavior. “I have yet to understand what my baby sister sees in you. And that’s the last time I tell you my secrets. I can’t believe you told Iris about her. She’ll never let it go now.” “You know I tell Iris everything. Shouldn’t have told me if you didn’t want her to know.” He shrugs and I have to resist the urge to punch my Beta. “And don’t pretend you didn't love me long before your sister did. But seriously, Sage is gorgeous and seems really sweet. Have you thought anymore about telling her what she is to you?” I shake my head, wishing it was that simple. “I can’t. H
Sage “Hey, want some company?” Iris pokes her head in just as I’m slipping into some pajamas I found tucked into a drawer, a cami and short set she must have purchased for me. “Of course. Please come in.” Everyone was so prim and proper at dinner and I felt so out of place. I’m not sure how to address her after that. I guess she is technically a princess. Iris giggles. “You don’t have to speak so formally to me. No one does. Well, no one except Eris and I hate it. Come to think of it, I really kind of hate her.”A snort slips out before I can stop it and Iris laughs with me. “Sorry, it’s just, well dinner was a bit overwhelming.” I confess. “It’s not usually like that unless we have guests. Even with Eris, my brother usually doesn’t play along with her ‘Queen of the Castle’ attitude. I’m not sure what’s going on with him tonight. Seems like he has a giant stick up his ass about something.”“He did look kind of constipated.” I comment, and we both break down into full-belly laugh
Sage My heart hammers against my ribs as Alaric's powerful presence fills the pantry doorway. The familiar scent of pine and winter wind wraps around me, but there is something else there too—a dangerous edge that makes the air crackle with tension.Eris's perfectly painted lips curve into an innocent smile. "Alaric, I was just explaining to your... guest... that we have strict protocols about food distribution in the pack.""Is that what you call cornering a traumatized wolf in a confined space?" Alaric's voice is deceptively soft, but I can feel the fury radiating from him in waves. His steel-gray eyes have shifted to molten amber, fixed on Eris with predatory focus."I didn't—" Eris begins, but Alaric cuts her off with a low growl that makes us both flinch."Get out." The words carry the full weight of an Alpha command. Eris's face contorts in rage for a split second before she masks it, ducking her head in a show of submission before slinking past him.As soon as she’s gone, Alari
Alaric I can't stop watching her.Sage has fallen asleep halfway through the movie, her small frame gradually relaxing until her head rests against my shoulder. The sweet scent of honeysuckle and rain that clings to her skin is slowly driving me mad, but I don't dare move. She needs this rest, this moment of peace.My animal prowls restlessly beneath my skin, desperate to claim what we both know is ours. Our second chance mate. The truth sits heavy in my chest, unspoken. Every protective instinct I possess screams at me to tell her, to sweep her into my arms and never let go.But I remember the terror in her eyes in the pantry earlier. The way she'd pressed herself into that corner, expecting punishment for daring to seek food. The fresh wounds Cassius left on her soul are still bleeding, and I won't be another source of pain.Iris catches my eye from her end of the couch, where she's curled up against Garrett, who joined us an hour ago. My sister's knowing look makes me want to growl
Sage Sleep evades me as dawn creeps over the horizon. The nightmare still lingers – Cassius's cruel smile, the searing pain, the pack's jeering faces. But something else tugs at my mind too: the feeling of safety in Alaric's arms, the warmth of his touch as he calmed my fears. It's dangerous to think about that too deeply.Instead of tossing in my too-soft bed, I slip out of my room in the pack house. The halls are quiet this early, and no one stops me as I make my way outside. The morning air carries the crisp bite of approaching winter, and I wrap my arms around myself, following whatever instinct draws me toward the eastern edge of the grounds.I find myself in what must be the pack's medicinal garden. Neat rows of herbs stretch before me, their scents mixing in the morning air. Something about this place feels... right. Like coming home, though I've never had a real home to compare it to.A small whimper draws my attention. Near the garden's edge, a young mother kneels beside her
Alaric Her scent lingers on my skin – honeysuckle and rain, with an undertone of something ancient that calls to my wolf. I force my attention back to the council meeting, where raised voices echo off stone walls."Three more attacks in as many days," Garrett reports, pointing to marked locations on the territory map. "The pattern is clear – they're testing our defenses.""Then we strengthen them," Elder Marcus growls. "Double the patrols, set more wards—""And stretch our resources thinner?" Another council member interrupts. "We're already—""Enough." I don't raise my voice, but the authority in it silences the room. My lycan paces beneath my skin, agitated by the threats to our territory, to our mate—I clamp down on that thought. Hard.Movement at the door catches my eye. Ms. Winters, our ancient librarian, hovers at the threshold, her wire-rimmed glasses glinting in the morning light. Her gaze holds mine with unusual intensity."The wards along the northern border," I say, turni
SageThe healing wing has become my sanctuary over the past few days. Here, among the herbs and bandages, I can almost forget I'm a wolfless omega in the Lycan King's territory. Almost forget the way my skin tingles whenever he's near.Cain's fever broke this morning, the black lines finally receding from his wound. I'm sorting fresh herbs when a familiar scent of pine and winter wind washes over me, making my hands falter."How is he?" Alaric's deep voice sends an unwanted shiver down my spine."Better." I keep my eyes on the herbs, pretending to be fascinated by yarrow leaves. "The silver-leaf poultice worked.""Thanks to you."Something in his tone makes me look up. Bad idea. His steel-gray eyes capture mine, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe. The scar along his jaw catches the morning light, and my fingers itch with the memory of touching it back in my cottage, when I thought he was just an injured wolf seeking help.The head healer's arrival breaks the moment. As she updat
Alaric Dawn hasn't broken yet, but sleep is impossible. My lycan paces restlessly, replaying yesterday's confrontation with Sage in the rain. The way her silver-blonde hair clung to her skin. The defiance in those violet eyes. The scent of her – honeysuckle and rain and something that calls to every primitive instinct I possess.“Mate,” Phantom growls. “Protect.”But how do I protect someone who sees safety as a cage?"You look like shit." Garrett strides into my office without knocking, dropping a stack of reports on my desk.I glare at him. "Your timing is impeccable, as always.""You're going to want to hear this." All humor leaves his face. "Blue Moon Pack was hit last night. Three omegas taken."The wood of my chair splinters under my grip. "Taken? Not killed?""No bodies found. But the survivors reported the mutant wolves seemed... selective. They ignored stronger wolves to target the omegas specifically."Images flash through my mind – Sage alone in the healing wing, Sage wande
Alexander The Grand Ballroom is even more crowded than the previous night, the competition among potential matches growing as the Gala progresses. By tradition, I should be narrowing my preferences, spending more time with those I find most suitable. Instead, I move mechanically through the required dances, my thoughts a thousand miles away in a forest clearing with a woman whose touch brought balance to my warring nature."Your Highness seems distracted tonight," observes Lady Mirella, the daughter of an influential Alpha from the Western territories, as we complete our obligatory dance."Forgive me," I say automatically. "Many matters require my attention with the coronation approaching."She simpers appropriately, but I can see the calculation in her eyes. All of them are watching, evaluating, strategizing—except Selene, who stands across the room in conversation with my father, her poise perfect as always but her gaze finding me repeatedly.I've successfully avoided her so far, p
AlexanderEvery step away from Lyra feels wrong—physically painful in a way I've never experienced. The silver thread of our mate bond stretches but doesn't break, a constant pull urging me to turn back, to claim what fate has decreed is mine. My head pounds and my dual nature—healing and Alpha—roils inside me, more unsettled than ever before."Alex?" Dominic's voice breaks through my inner turmoil. "You need to slow down. You're practically running."I realize I've been striding through the forest at a punishing pace, as if physical distance might somehow diminish the connection I feel to her. I stop abruptly, bracing one hand against a tree trunk, struggling to bring my breathing under control."A true mate," I say, the words hollow with disbelief. "Now, of all times."Dominic says nothing, just watches me with concern etched on his features. He was there, he saw the connection spark between us, but he can't feel what I'm feeling—the bone-deep certainty colliding with equally powerf
LyraMy healing ability activates instinctively, energy flowing through my fingertips into his arm. I sense immediately that something is wrong—his dual natures pulling against each other with increasing force, creating internal fractures where they should flow together."Your power is destabilizing," I tell him, medical concern momentarily overriding the more complicated emotions of our situation. "The Alpha strength and healing ability—they're fighting each other instead of balancing."He looks at me with surprise. "You can sense that?""I'm a healer," I remind him. "Diagnosing is what I do." I hesitate, then add, "But this is beyond my experience. I've never felt anything like the conflict in your energies.""The conflict has been growing stronger as my twenty-fifth birthday approaches," he admits. "Headaches, power surges, difficulty controlling either ability."His Beta watches our exchange with growing concern. "We should return to the palace," he suggests. "If you're unwell—""
LyraThe moment I lock eyes with him, everything inside me shifts—rearranges itself around a truth I never expected to face. The legendary silver connection of true mates flares between us like a living thing, pulsing with recognition so fierce it nearly brings me to my knees.My basket tumbles from my fingers, precious dream flowers scattering across the forest floor. I rise to my feet, unable to look away from the man standing at the edge of the clearing. Even without the royal trappings, I would know him anywhere—the violet eyes that mark his heritage, the commanding presence that no plain clothing can disguise. Prince Alexander, heir to the throne, son of the king who descended from those who hunted my people to near extinction.My true mate."It's you," he whispers, his voice carrying easily across the clearing.I can't speak, can't move. Every instinct urges me forward, toward him, while every rational thought screams danger. The mate bond thrums between us, demanding acknowledg
AlexanderAfter some discussion, Merrick provides us with a crude map marking the locations of reported sightings and the disturbance. With daylight still abundant, Dominic and I set out immediately, following the forest paths that grow increasingly wild as we move deeper into territory rarely traveled by royal patrols."This feels like crossing into another realm," Dominic comments as the forest changes character around us—older trees, more undergrowth, a stillness that seems almost watchful.I know what he means. There's a different quality to the air here, a sense of ancient presence. As we continue, I notice something else—a subtle resonance with my healing abilities, like a low vibration just beneath my awareness."There's power here," I murmur. "Old power."We reach the area Merrick marked as the site of the disturbance by mid-afternoon. At first glance, it appears to be nothing but dense forest, but closer inspection reveals signs of recent activity—broken branches, disturbed ea
AlexanderThe reports lie scattered across my desk, each more troubling than the last. For the past hour, I've been reading intelligence summaries from our border patrols—accounts of strangers asking questions about healing bloodlines, mapping remote areas where healing enclaves are rumored to exist, and in one case, pursuing someone through the forest near the eastern boundary."This can't be a coincidence," I tell Dominic, who stands by the window, his expression grim. "Not with the Northern delegation's sudden interest in the prophecy, their questions about Elara's abilities.""You think they're connected?" he asks, though his tone suggests he's already reached the same conclusion.I run a hand through my hair in frustration. "Three reports of strangers in Northern colors sighted near areas where healing communities might be hidden? During the exact week they arrive with prophecy texts mentioning both Elara and me?" I shake my head. "That's not a coincidence. That's coordination."D
SeleneI continue along the garden path alone, considering my next move. Securing Alexander's interest is proceeding well, despite his sister's suspicions. But I need to accelerate our connection without appearing desperate—a delicate balance.Lost in thought, I round a hedge to find Alexander himself seated on a stone bench, reading from an ancient text. He looks up, surprise flickering across his features before he composes himself and rises."Princess Selene," he greets me formally. "I didn't expect to find you here.""Your mother was giving a tour," I explain, "but was called away on royal business. She suggested I might encounter you here." I gesture to the book in his hands. "I hope I'm not interrupting.""Not at all." He hesitates, then adds, "I was actually reviewing the prophecy text your delegation brought."Perfect. "Have your scholars examined it?""They're doing so now." His penetrating gaze studies me. "It's remarkable how well-preserved it is, considering its age.""My a
SeleneI stare at my reflection in the ornate mirror, schooling my features into pleasant neutrality while my mind races. The pull of Alexander's hand away from mine at the Gala last night plays on repeat in my thoughts. The look of confusion, perhaps suspicion, in his violet eyes. I was careless. Too eager. I let my guard drop."Focus," I whisper to myself, adjusting the silver circlet nestled in my braided hair. For this morning's garden tour with the queen, I've chosen a pale blue gown that emphasizes my eyes and complements the royal colors without attempting to claim them as my own. Every detail matters. Every choice is calculated.A sharp knock sounds at my chamber door."Enter," I call, already knowing who it will be.Magistra Vega strides in, her severe gray gown and tight silver bun reflecting her uncompromising nature. My instructor since childhood, the woman who molded me into the perfect instrument for my people's ambitions."Well?" she demands without preamble. "Report."I
Alexander Back in my chambers, I relay what I've learned to Dominic as I prepare for the Gala."Two children," he repeats, frowning. "That explains why there's been so much interest in Elara lately.""Interest from whom?" I ask sharply."Various factions. Nothing concerning yet, but more attention than usual." He helps me with the formal jacket, straightening the silver epaulettes. "What do you make of Princess Selene's interpretation?"I consider the question carefully. "It's convenient. Too convenient, perhaps. Her bloodline being exactly what the prophecy requires? The timing of their arrival with this new information?" I shake my head. "But the text itself felt genuine. Those passages about division, about being split apart—they resonated with something in me.""Your nightmares," Dominic guesses.I nod. "And apparently Elara's been having similar dreams.""That's... unsettling."A knock at the door interrupts us. My mother enters, resplendent in a gown of deep violet that matches