Selene's POV The forest was eerily quiet as Ronan and I returned to our horses. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds. Neither of us spoke as we slipped back into our clothes, the weight of what had just happened lingering between us. I stole a glance at Ronan, his jaw clenched, his eyes stormy with unspoken thoughts. He didn’t look at me as he mounted his horse, and I followed suit, gripping the reins as we set off toward the pack house. The silence between us felt heavier than it should have. Normally, Ronan would have made some sarcastic comment or teased me about something. But now, there was nothing. I couldn’t stop thinking about the attack—the way the rogues had appeared out of nowhere, the casual arrogance in their voices. And then there was Luka. He had taken them down without hesitation, almost too easily. Was he truly looking out for us? Or did he have his own reasons for stepping in? Something about the way he smirked aft
Chapter 31 Ronan's POV The moment I stepped into my father’s office, the air grew heavier. The thick scent of aged wood and burning logs filled the room, but even the warmth of the fire couldn’t chase away the chill that settled in my bones.I shut the door behind me, bracing myself for the lecture I knew was coming. My father stood near his desk, his sharp gaze cutting into me like a blade."Is what Luka said true?" His voice was calm, but the edge beneath it was unmistakable.I exhaled slowly, meeting his stare. "Yes. But it’s not what it seems."His brow lifted. "Oh? You mean to tell me you weren’t ambushed by rogues? That Luka wasn’t the one who took care of them while you stood there, helpless?"My jaw clenched. "I wasn’t helpless. I would’ve handled it."He scoffed, shaking his head. "And yet, you didn’t."Frustration burned beneath my skin. "Father, one incident does not define my ability to lead. I have proven myself time and time again. You, of all people,, should know tha
Selene's POV Ronan’s presence was a relief, but it did nothing to ease the heavy tension in the room. As he walked in, his mother followed closely behind, her eyes scanning the table like she was already forming judgments. I sat still, watching as the maids moved around, placing drinks before us. The clinking of glass was the only sound breaking the silence.Nelly, seated beside me, shifted uncomfortably, clearly aware that she was out of place. Ronan barely glanced at her before speaking.“This meeting doesn’t concern you.” His tone was sharp, leaving no room for argument.Nelly’s mouth opened as if she was about to protest, but Ronan’s mother placed a hand on her shoulder, signaling her to follow. With one last glance at me, she sighed and rose from her chair, trailing after the older woman.Now, it was just the four of us.Elias cleared his throat, leaning forward slightly. “I’ve found out who the Force of Darkness is.”His gaze landed directly on me, and I felt my stomach drop.I
Selene’s POV The tension in the room was suffocating. I sat at the long wooden table, surrounded by the alphas, Ronan at the head, Elias beside me, and Luka and Keiran across from us. The air felt thick, weighed down by the conversation we had just started. I cleared my throat, pushing aside the unease settling in my chest. “We all know what the prophecy says,” I began, keeping my voice steady. “Leo is looking for me, and if he finds out what I am before we’re ready, we’re at a disadvantage.” Elias nodded, his golden eyes sharp. “That’s why this information doesn’t leave this room.” His tone was absolute. “If word gets out, we’re vulnerable.” Ronan crossed his arms. “We need to make sure no one outside our inner circle gets wind of it.” Keiran leaned back in his chair, nodding in agreement, but Luka scoffed, shaking his head. “That’s assuming she’s even the one the prophecy is about.” His gaze flicked to me, unreadable, and I felt a cold prickle run down my spine. I clenche
Selene’s POVThe tension in the room had finally begun to dissipate when Nelly and Ronan’s mother stepped out of the kitchen, their expressions soft but wary. They had likely overheard at least part of our conversation, but neither woman addressed the heavy topic still lingering in the air. Instead, they looked to Ronan, waiting for him to speak.“We’ll reconvene once Elias makes the arrangements,” Ronan finally said, his voice controlled, though I noticed the stiffness in his posture.Nelly nodded. “Understood.” She glanced at Keiran, who was already pulling out his keys. “We’ll be back when you need us.”Keiran gave me a lingering look before following Nelly out the door. Moments later, the low hum of an engine signaled their departure, leaving the rest of us standing in the quiet aftermath of the discussion.I exhaled, realizing just how exhausted I felt. The past few hours had been nothing but strategy, doubt, and tension.That was when Elias turned toward me with an easy, knowing
Elias's POVThe air was thick with the scent of burning wood as I stepped into my home, the warmth of the fireplace doing little to ease the tension clinging to the room. The elders sat in a semi-circle around the hearth, their expressions grave.I closed the door behind me, my sharp gaze sweeping over them. “You summoned me?”One of the elders, Mathias, the oldest among them, nodded. “We need to speak.” His voice, though calm, carried a weight that demanded attention.I strode forward, taking the seat they had left open for me. “What is it?”Mathias exchanged a look with the others before clearing his throat. “There have been… deaths. Strange ones. Unexplained.”I leaned forward, my fingers interlacing. “Where?”“The outskirts of the clan,” another elder, Liora, spoke up. “We found bodies, mutilated, drained of blood. No signs of struggle. No scent of an intruder.”A cold unease settled in my gut. I prided myself on the strength of my sentinels and their ability to secure our borders
Leo’s POVThe fire in the hearth crackled, casting flickering shadows across my office. I sat in my chair, boots propped up on the desk, swirling a glass of whiskey in my hand. The silence was comforting until my phone rang.I checked the caller ID and smirked. Keiran’s father.Amused, I answered. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. “Keiran believes you’re behind the recent deaths at Elias’s border.”I chuckled, tipping my glass back for a sip. “Took him long enough.”“You admit it, then?”I let the silence stretch, enjoying the weight of my words. “Of course, I do.”A dry chuckle left my lips as I set my glass down. “I didn’t expect Keiran to be the first to suspect me, but I suppose I underestimated his paranoia.”“What is your goal, Leo?” he asked, his voice unreadable.I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. “Ronan.”“Ronan?” He sounded genuinely surprised.“Yes,” I said, my tone darkening. “He’s been too quiet for too long. I
Elias’s POVThe air in the council hall was heavy with tension. The elders sat around the long wooden table, their expressions grim as they regarded me. The deaths at the border had shaken them, and while they sought answers, I had very few to give.“These killings cannot be ignored,” Elder Callum said, his voice carrying the weight of authority. “If we do nothing, we invite further attacks.”I leaned forward, my fingers tapping lightly against the polished surface of the table. “I understand the urgency, but we cannot act blindly. My sentinels are investigating, and I will personally see to it that we uncover the culprit.”Elder Mira frowned. “And yet, you plan to leave?”I met her gaze without hesitation. “I have pressing matters to attend to.”The murmurs among the elders grew louder, laced with distrust and curiosity. They wanted details, but I wouldn’t give them any. Not yet.Elder Callum leaned back, studying me. “You expect us to trust you when you won’t even tell us where you’
Elias POV The sun beat down hard on the courtyard as I stepped over the last of the flattened corn stalks. A stupid fight, two neighbors screaming over who planted what too close to the other’s side. As usual, it fell on me to mediate. The great Elias, Alpha-in-training, mediator of crop wars.I sighed and dusted my palms on my trousers, glad it was over. I was already thinking about heading back to my quarters when I heard her. Light steps, that irritating sway in her stride.Lora.I groaned without even turning. “Why won’t you leave me alone, Lora?”“Because I’m not going anywhere,” she said behind me with that sharp little scoff of hers. “You should get used to seeing me around. I plan on being a permanent fixture in your life.”I turned to face her, brows raised in disbelief. “You’re delusional.”She smiled, smug and too confident. “We’re getting married, Elias. It’s only a matter of time.”“I’m not marrying you,” I said flatly, arms folded across my chest. “You need to sink that
Keiran's POV I was just about to leave the dining room, having pushed around more food than I’d actually eaten when the front door creaked open. The scent hit me before the sound of his boots on the tile did, smoke, blood, and something I couldn't quite name. My father.Of course, he hadn’t returned last night.I straightened, wiping my mouth with a napkin more out of habit than need. He entered the room like nothing was out of place as if walking in after a night of god-knows-what was normal. His coat was slung over his shoulder, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and that unreadable look he always wore sat neatly on his face like a well-rehearsed mask.“Good morning,” he said, voice calm, even. “Is Nelly awake?”I paused mid-step. “Why do you want to know?”He raised an eyebrow at me. “Watch your tone, Keiran. I’m still your father.”“I know,” I replied, my voice sharp but level. “But lately… I’ve been questioning a lot of things. You’re asking about Nelly all of a sudden, and you
Ronan's POV I knew she was trying to avoid me, and I know it's entirely my fault; I treated her like garbage yesterday. I just wanted to talk to her and to know what is running through her mind so we can talk things out and patch things up.I remembered what my mom said earlier on and what she said last night and I totally agree with it since Elias has not laid his claim on her. I can do as I please without thinking about him or thinking if I am trespassing.I watched as the door opened and she walked in with a book in her hand, immediately I stood up and walked over to her “What is that and where did you get that book?’ She looked at me and shook her head. “I remember telling you I was going to the library so of course I got it from the library. Is that a surprise to you?” she asked.“So what is it about? Have you gone through it?” I found myself asking, trying to make little conversations as she walked over to the chair and sat down. “I think this is something you and the other
Selene’s POVThe scent of warm bread and herbs wafted up from the plate in front of me as I sat alone at the long dining table, slowly chewing through my breakfast. I’d woken up earlier than usual, my thoughts too jumbled to stay in bed. Sleep hadn’t been kind either; my dreams were murky and strange, almost like warnings I couldn’t decipher.I needed answers. Answers that no one seemed to have, or were too afraid to ask for.Today, I was going to the library. I wanted to understand more about the witches, why they were banished, what they did, and most importantly, whether letting Gazelle into the werewolf realm had unleashed something darker than we realized.I took another bite of my toast, already planning my route through the archives. The tension in my chest hadn’t eased since Gazelle performed the binding. The pull between all of us, the Alpha bond, felt… off. Too intense. Too entangled. Something was wrong. Deeply wrong.The sound of footsteps pulled me out of my thoughts. I
Luka’s POVI turned again.And again.The sheets were twisted around my legs like vines refusing to let me go. My pillow was flat and warm from the weight of my restless thoughts. I stared at the ceiling, watching nothing, thinking about everything.Sleep wouldn’t come. Not with the way my chest felt heavy. Like something was pressing against it, silent and unseen.I groaned and pushed the covers off, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. The clock on the wall blinked past 2 a.m., mocking me with its soft blue light.Maybe a drink would help.I grabbed a shirt, slid into my slippers, and padded quietly down the stairs. The whole house was dark except for a low golden glow coming from the kitchen.As I stepped in, the scent hit me first, not the sharp, burning scent of alcohol, but something more biting.Cigarette smoke.I froze for a second, frowning, then followed the trail of smoke to the dining area.There he was.Lawrence.Sitting with one hand wrapped around a half-empty bot
Selene’s POVBy the time I got home, I could barely feel my feet. Every joint in my body ached from the long day, physically, emotionally, mentally. My mind had been working overtime, running through everything that happened during the meeting with the alphas, the tension with Ronan, and worst of all, the deal with Gazelle. A binding spell. One I wasn't sure I had the strength or the clarity to deal with.The moment I stepped into the hallway, one of the maids approached with a polite smile.“My lady, dinner is almost ready. Should I have a plate sent to your room?”I gave her a tired shake of the head. “No. I won’t be coming down for dinner. Just... let Lady Eleanor and Ronan know. Please.”“Of course.”I managed a weak nod before heading to my room. I didn’t even turn on the chandelier light. The dim glow from the hallway behind me was enough to guide me inside.The door shut softly behind me, and I exhaled deeply. My heels came off first. Then I padded into the bathroom and strippe
Keiran’s POV The drive back home felt longer than usual. Maybe it was the weight of the night’s events or the silence that had taken root inside my chest. Either way, when I pulled up in front of the house and cut the engine, I sat there for a moment, staring at the front door like it might explode if I stepped too close. I finally pushed the door open and walked in. The lights were on, dim and golden, casting long shadows on the walls. Nelly’s footsteps echoed softly from the living room, back and forth like a pendulum. She was pacing, her arms folded tightly across her chest, brows knitted in deep thought. “Nelly?” I called gently, closing the door behind me. She turned quickly, eyes wide with that particular look she always had when something was eating her alive inside. “You’re back.” “Yeah.” I stepped into the room, shrugging off my jacket. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve been running mental laps around the house.” She let out a dry laugh, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
Keiran's POV The weight of the past few days pressed heavily on my shoulders as I grabbed my keys from the table. My mind was a storm of unanswered questions, but one thing was clear, I needed to meet with the alphas. They had to know about my father’s betrayal.I stepped out of the house, the night air cool against my skin. As I approached my car, a familiar voice called out behind me.“Keiran, where are you going?”I turned to find Nelly standing at the doorway, arms crossed, her eyes sharp with suspicion. I should have expected this. She was relentless, and after everything that had happened, she wouldn’t let me walk away without an answer.“I have a meeting,” I replied, keeping my voice even.“With who?” she pressed.“The alphas,” I admitted. “There are things that need to be discussed.”Her brows furrowed, and I knew she wanted to ask more. But I couldn’t tell her everything yet. Not until I was certain of the truth myself.“I’ll explain later,” I promised. “Just trust me.”Nell
Selene's POVThe air between us was thick with tension, a mixture of unspoken words and suppressed emotions. The training session had started as usual, swift movements, strategic attacks, and counterattacks. Ronan was relentless, pushing me harder with every strike, every dodge, and every forceful step. But this time, there was something different.Every time our bodies collided, I could feel the heat between us. Every time he corrected my stance, my pulse quickened. I had been trying to ignore it, to bury it beneath the weight of my responsibilities, but there was no denying the pull anymore.Ronan feinted left before sweeping my legs out from under me. I hit the ground with a frustrated grunt, panting as I stared up at him. He towered over me, his chest rising and falling with exertion. The moonlight cast a soft glow on his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes.I was about to push myself up when he reached out his hand. I hesitated for a momen