Every time he drew close, his teeth would lightly nip at my tail, teasing me. My heart raced as I pushed harder, my paws digging into the dirt to gain speed.I knew Ryker could easily overtake me—his sheer size alone guaranteed it—but he held back, savoring the chase as much as I did. It wasn’t about the hunt; it was about the shared thrill, the unspoken bond of running wild together.He finally collided with me just as we reached the waterfall. We tumbled to the ground, his large frame absorbing the impact, leaving me sprawled on top of him. Cool mist from the cascading water enveloped us, mingling with the warmth of his body beneath mine. His rough tongue swiped across my face, leaving a trail of heat and wetness that made me yelp in surprise. I jumped off him, shaking out my fur as I padded to the lake’s edge.The water mirrored back a sight that made me pause. A large white wolf stared at me with piercing amber eyes that seemed to burn with a quiet intensity. My reflection shimmer
The morning sun stretched lazily across the horizon, its golden hues seeping through the forest and casting dappled light on the training grounds. Ryker’s voice, firm yet calm, echoed as he ordered me to shift. The air was crisp, laced with the earthy scent of dew-soaked leaves. I hesitated briefly, the memory of yesterday's pain still fresh, but the determination in his gaze spurred me forward.The transformation stung, each muscle stretching and snapping into place, but it was a dull ache compared to before. My wolf form felt foreign yet exhilarating, the ground beneath my paws cool and alive with the vibrations of nature. Ryker’s wolf—larger, more imposing—circled me with a playful energy that belied his usual stoic demeanor.“Let’s see how fast you are,” he teased, his voice a deep growl.The chase began. He darted forward, a streak of silver, and I instinctively gave pursuit. The world around me blurred; the scent of pine mingled with the sharp tang of his presence, urging me to
Ryker froze, his frame stiffening like a statue, before he stepped forward and pulled the figure into a firm embrace. The motion was gentle yet powerful, as though he had been holding onto this moment for years. From where I stood, I couldn’t make out much, but I could tell the person was a girl—smaller than him by far, her head barely reaching his chest. My vantage point didn’t allow me to see her features, but her youthful stature and slender build were apparent.Something gnawed at me as I watched them. Jealousy. A biting, irrational envy bubbled up in my chest, and I couldn’t tamp it down fast enough. My mind raced to justify the scene before me. Ryker wouldn’t just hug a random girl like that. Would he? But then, he did something that made my heart sink further—he placed a kiss on her forehead. A soft, tender gesture, one I had foolishly thought belonged to us alone.I clenched my fists, trying to calm the irrational voice in my head screaming for me to pull him away. This isn’t
The rest of our stay at the pack house passed in a haze, though one detail stuck out to me: we didn’t see Lauren again. It felt as if the universe had been kind enough to spare me the ordeal of facing her, and yet, every corner I turned made my heart jolt with the anticipation of an unwanted encounter. Riley noticed, of course—she always did. Her observant gaze lingered on me more often than usual, though she didn’t press. Instead, she would ask, in that quiet, steady tone of hers, “Are you okay?” It was the kind of question Ryker used to ask, the kind that demanded nothing in return but still made you feel safe.By the end of the day, my mind buzzed with an overload of information about planning a mating ceremony. The sheer volume of traditions, expectations, and nuances had been daunting at first, but somehow, by the time we left, I felt a cautious sense of confidence taking root. The fear was still there, gnawing softly at the edges, but it was tempered by a growing ease.The carri
Avoiding Ryker was easier said than done. Sharing the same bed and living under the same roof turned it into a challenge I couldn’t entirely win, but I made an honest effort to keep my distance. Yet, even as I busied myself with tasks, his words echoed persistently in my mind, their weight pressing against my every thought.The idea of me—a princess—seemed absurd, a notion ripped straight from the pages of an overdramatic fairytale. How could I possibly fit into such a narrative? I was just an omega, born and raised with all the limitations that role entailed. The thought of suddenly discovering royal lineage felt not just improbable but downright impossible.Still, there was that persistent whisper of curiosity gnawing at the edges of my skepticism. What if…?I shook the thought away as I stole a glance at Ryker during breakfast. He sat across from me at the dining table, his presence radiating quiet patience. His eyes barely left me, soft but unwavering, like he was waiting for me t
The story between them was far more intricate than I had anticipated, yet I couldn’t shake the gnawing suspicion that she was withholding something. Her words painted a picture of unreciprocated affection—how she had been vying for his attention while he adamantly ignored her. I believed her, but the way her gaze darted away hinted at layers of truth she wasn’t ready to share.The weight of unspoken words settled between us, heavy and suffocating. Despite my curiosity, I chose not to pry further. When she finished her story, I offered her a small, reassuring smile. “It does sound complicated,” I said softly. “Don’t worry—I won’t breathe a word of this to Ryker.” My promise seemed to ease her tension slightly, though the shadows in her eyes lingered.Her confession left me wondering about Damien. What kind of person was he to inspire such devotion? She was only fifteen, and yet her feelings seemed so deep and consuming. I couldn’t imagine having such intense emotions at her age.When s
I spent the remainder of my day in Ryker’s office. His quiet presence was a comfort, anchoring me in a way I hadn’t expected. The air between us was calm yet alive, like the steady rhythm of waves kissing the shore. While I poured over texts about the mating ceremony and began sketching vague plans for what I envisioned, Ryker worked at his desk, the scratch of his pen against paper and the occasional shuffling of documents punctuating the stillness.Every so often, I felt his eyes on me, their weight a quiet invitation to meet his gaze. When I did, he would smile—soft, warm, and completely disarming. It was a smile that reached into my chest and made my pulse flutter. At one such moment, his eyes caught mine, and there was a flicker of something unspoken, a question lingering on his lips. I was certain he was about to say something when the door burst open without so much as a knock.I didn’t have to look up to know it was Riley. Only she would dare enter Ryker’s sanctuary so brazenl
The air was thick with unease the moment I stepped into the living room. My heart stumbled when I saw Damien sitting there, dressed to the nines in his usual immaculate style, talking casually with Eve as though this were the most natural thing in the world. The soft rustle of fabric and muted voices seemed to echo louder than they should have, and the tension clung to the room like an unwelcome guest.Ryker’s surprise mirrored my own. I caught his sharp glance and realized something was off. If Ryker hadn’t expected Damien’s presence, then Eve certainly hadn’t either. A chill crept up my spine as I pieced it together.Before I could decide what to do, I heard the familiar sound of Eve’s light footsteps skipping down the stairs, each step like a note in a song I knew by heart. Her carefree rhythm faltered as her gaze landed on Damien. She froze for a moment, then spun on her heel and retreated upstairs, her steps now hurried, almost frantic.I turned to Ryker, whose confusion was evid
Camilla could barely contain her anticipation. The moment they stepped into the house, she and Ryker rushed up the stairs, their only source of light a dimly flickering lamp. The wooden box sat on the bed between them, its lock gleaming under the glow. Her fingers trembled as she slid the key into place. A click echoed in the silent room, and the lid creaked open.Her breath caught in her throat.She had feared that time and the elements would have reduced the contents to dust, but to her astonishment, the bound stack of letters was pristine—almost as if someone had placed them there just days ago. Slowly, she untied the ribbon binding the pages together. Her heart lurched when she read the first words.*To my daughter.*Not her name, but the words still sent a shiver through her.She turned to Ryker, brows furrowed. “It’s addressed to me.”He leaned closer, peering at the paper before glancing up with a shrug. “Only one way to find out what he had to say.”As she lifted the lamp, its
**CAMILLA'S P.O.V**A sharp tremor wracked my body as I sucked in a shallow, uneven breath. My knees threatened to give out beneath me, but all I could think about was my daughter, cradled in my arms. I clung to her desperately, unwilling to let go even as the world around me blurred. I barely registered Ryker appearing beside me, his arms slipping around Aurora before I collapsed. The moment Briggs' grip loosened, the unbearable pressure in my chest eased, and I gasped, greedily sucking in air as if I'd been drowning.“Are you alright?” Briggs’ voice reached me, laced with concern. He moved toward me, his hands outstretched, but I flinched back, my reaction sharper than I intended. He hesitated, brows furrowing in confusion. “Did I do something wrong? Do you need me to get something for you?”I knew this wasn’t his fault. He looked as baffled as I felt. But I couldn’t afford to risk another wave of that unbearable sensation. If it happened again, I was certain I’d lose consciousness.
CAMILLA’S P.O.VA violent shudder wracked my body as I struggled to steady my breath. My grip on my daughter tightened, fear coursing through me like a relentless tide. I couldn’t drop her. No matter what was happening to me, I had to keep holding on.I barely registered Ryker appearing at my side, his presence swift and sure. He took Aurora from my arms, his touch gentle, and the moment she left my grasp, my knees buckled. I collapsed, gasping as the crushing weight that had been suffocating me lifted. My limbs felt hollow, drained of all strength as if I had been fighting against something invisible yet suffocating.Briggs’ hands had been on me just moments ago. How long? Seconds? Minutes? It had felt like an eternity.“Camilla?” His voice was uncertain, edged with concern. “Are you alright?” He reached for me again, but I flinched away, my reaction more forceful than I intended.Briggs hesitated, his brows furrowing. “Did I do something? Do you need—?”“No,” I rasped, cutting him o
CAMILLA’S P.O.VRyker had convinced me it would be better to wait until the kids were asleep before digging, so I spent the entire evening restless. My skin itched with anticipation, my mind spinning with possibilities. What could my father have hidden? He was frustrating in many ways, but his treasure hunts had always been clever, almost addicting. If this had happened at a different time—when an enemy wasn’t lurking in the shadows—I might have actually enjoyed the challenge.I just prayed that whatever lay beneath that tree wasn’t another one of his messes waiting to explode in my face.Once both kids were tucked in their beds, their peaceful breathing filling the quiet house, I kissed their foreheads and hurried outside. Ryker was already waiting, holding a lamp in one hand and a shovel in the other, his expression unreadable. While excitement coursed through me, he was only here for my sake."You don't have to do this," I whispered, hesitant. "It's late, and for all we know, this
Camilla’s POVThe estate was grander than I’d imagined. The moment I stepped inside, reality set in—my father never did anything halfway. This might have been his retreat, but he spared no expense making it as luxurious as possible. The crystal chandeliers sparkled above, casting a golden glow over the polished marble floors. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and velvet drapes framed the tall windows, letting in the soft glow of the evening sun. It was a stark reminder of the wealth he wielded, the power he once held.We washed away the exhaustion of the palace, exchanging travel-worn clothes for fresh, soft fabrics that smelled of lavender and something faintly familiar—like home, but not quite. I exhaled, and for the first time in what felt like years, my lungs expanded fully. There was a lightness in the air here, something almost intoxicating. Was it freedom? Or just an illusion of it?Dinner was a quiet affair, the kind that settles into your bones and warms you from the inside.
CAMILLA’S P.O.VI sat in stunned silence, barely processing what had just happened. Ryker had planned everything. Every single detail had already been arranged. The only thing left was for us to leave.A vacation. We desperately needed one, but I hadn't expected him to take matters into his own hands. It wasn’t like we ever had the luxury of peace, not with everything we had endured.The carriage rocked gently as it rolled away from the palace, and despite myself, I felt a tinge of excitement. My feet bounced slightly against the wooden floorboards, a telltale sign of my anticipation. Across from us, Audrey sat with her small hands gripping the edge of her seat, her eyes darting toward the window. In Ryker’s arms, Aurora lay nestled against his chest, her tiny breaths even and peaceful.“Where are we going, Mommy?” Audrey’s soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. Her brows furrowed as she peered outside, recognition flickering in her eyes. “This road looks familiar… like the one we too
RYKER'S POVThere was always a voice in the back of my head—relentless, nagging, a constant reminder that I should be doing something more productive. It never left me, not even for a second. Maybe because, unlike most children, I never had the luxury of lazy days or the freedom to do nothing. My life had been an endless cycle of lessons, training, and expectations. There was always something I didn’t do well enough, something I needed to perfect, something my father drilled into me with an iron will.And even though he had been gone for years—longer than I cared to count—the weight of his influence still clung to me, refusing to loosen its grip.I exhaled, pushing the thoughts aside as I sat up in bed, my gaze settling on Camilla. She moved around the room effortlessly, wrapped in nothing but our tangled sheets. Her dark hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, messy from sleep but still perfect in a way that made my chest tighten. She wasn’t trying to tease me, I knew that. But go
CAMILLA’S POVAs per tradition, we couldn’t leave until the place was completely cleared. It was a long-standing rule—one we had followed for years. Only when the last person had returned to their home and the executioner had carried the body away did we dare to step forward.I kept my gaze fixed on the ground, refusing to look. I knew if I did, nausea would overwhelm me. My stomach was already twisted into painful knots, my throat dry as if it had been scorched. I wanted to convince myself that I didn’t care, that this was just another consequence of a cruel world. But deep down, I knew the truth—I still had a softness in me, one that Ryker didn’t share.Unlike him, I believed that if fate had been kinder, if circumstances had been different, she might have been, too.Ryker’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.“Everything’s been cleared out.”I swallowed hard and forced myself to glance up. The guillotine stood tall against the darkening sky, its blade gleaming with fresh blood. The g
CAMILLA’S POVThe sun was beginning to dip beyond the palace walls, casting golden streaks across the sky as Ryker and I strolled through the grounds. The afternoon had been peaceful, just the two of us walking aimlessly, enjoying the rare quiet moments in our otherwise chaotic lives. But eventually, duty called, and we decided to pick Audrey up from school ourselves.The second she spotted us, her shriek nearly shattered my eardrums.“Mama! Papa!” She came running at full speed, her tiny feet barely touching the ground as she launched herself into my arms. I caught her with a laugh, staggering slightly under her enthusiasm.“I missed you!” she declared, squeezing my neck as though she never wanted to let go.“We were only gone for a few hours,” I reminded her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.“That’s forever!” she argued, her voice muffled against my shoulder.Ryker chuckled, ruffling her hair. “Did you have a good day at school?”That was all the encouragement she needed. Fro