Keiran’s POVI could feel her staring at me, but I kept being nonchalant. But as soon as she closed the door behind her, I carelessly threw the paper I was pretending to read onto my desk, leaning back to my seat and pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration.Our little conversation lingered in my mind, repeating over and over again that it was almost making me crazy.After pouring myself some whisky, I stared at my glass, watching its amber liquid swirl lazily, synced with my hand movement while I tapped my fingers on my armrest, yet my mind was anything but calm.“She’s lying… or she’s hiding something…”She couldn’t even look straight into my eyes when she said she didn’t know what I was talking about.“She’s connected to Francine’s death! I know it!” Brax, my wolf, growled in my mind. I could feel his frustration and anger, which matched mine.It can’t be her... I told myself for what felt like the hundredth time. But doubt gnawed at me like a festering wound. That scent... the
Madeline’s POVMy thoughts were still filled with my confrontation with Keiran. I sat on the edge of my bed, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the scar on my right shoulder blade, and my breathing got uneven.“He didn’t think I had something to do with that person’s death, would he?” I asked under my breath, silently wondering how that person could bring out such an intense reaction from a cold man like him.He wasn’t just angry. The guilt, pain, and remorse were radiating all over him. It was faint, but he must have been too overwhelmed that he didn’t completely mask his feelings from me earlier. “Let’s go back! Maddie.”
Keiran’s POV“How is it going?” I asked as I entered the academy’s backfield, standing beside Ted, who was supervising today’s sparring session.Today, he had made them spar on the field. He nodded at the middle of the field where Adeline was battling with a bulky freshman. If I remembered it right, he’s Gage, the Gamma’s nephew.I crossed my arms and sharply watched as pairs of trainees simultaneously sparred.Dort covered their combat boots from hours of relentless drills, sweat drenching their shirts, and exhaustion visible in their rugged breathing.Others already fell to the side, muscle spasming from over-fatigue.“She’s still up…&rdquo
Madeline’s POVMy heart raced incredibly fast as I watched Keiran storm off, leaving me standing there surrounded by clueless yet curious trainees.Swallowing with difficulty, I raised my shirt and covered my scar before running off, feeling the silence that fell on the training ground suddenly deafening and their stares were like lasers to my my skin.With my back on the mirror, I removed my shirt, looking back behind me through the mirror as I raced my scar with my finger.The memory of that tragic night once again flickered in my mind. My mother’s frantic shouts and the metallic scent of blood in the air. “Maddie! No!”That was my mother’s scream befo
Keiran’s POVThe sight of that scar really fueled the burning fire within me, and I momentarily lost control of myself. How could I do that in front of my pack? More importantly, in front of the trainees.After storming off, I went straight to my office, slamming the door right as I entered.“She’s lying!” Brax growled.Shaking my head, I grabbed my swivel chair and opened my locked drawer, pulling out a picture frame from the inside. It’s a photo of me and Francine when we got married. “I don’t know, Brax… Maybe she really doesn’t remember.”He let out a snarl. “You saw the way she panicked. She’s hiding something.”“
Madeline’s POVThe night was deep, and the breeze was cold. The wind rustled through the trees while I was seated on the giant tree’s roots, curled into a ball, with my eyes stinging from tears.My hands were covering my ears, trying to block out the voices that followed me wherever I went. I was gifted, with a hearing heightened than average werewolves. But growing up, it's more of a curse than a gift.I could hear from miles away the whispers of blame, resentment, and hatred coming from my pack members and my family. The scrutiny they have over me… All the while, all they had for Amanda was sweet praises.But their words, as sharp as swords,s weren’t what pained me. In fact, I was long numbed by those things. What really hurt me was the non-stop voices I heard a few
Madeline’s POVI wanted to comprehend what Francine was trying to tell me. Analyze who she wanted me to protect. But before I could actually think straight, the guilt started eating me alive, more than it did a few years back.The whispers of my packmates filled with scrutiny before never felt so real as they echoed in my mind. All their accusations, resentment, and hatred that I managed to push away started to feel so heavy.“She killed the Queen.”“It’s all because of her.”“Damn, right it is, she’s cursed!”“It should’ve been her instead…”“Stop…” I breathed heavily, clutching my chest as I put down my legs on the floor and sat on the edge of my bed with my torso bent down and head bowed between my legs, gasping for air, begging, “Stop it…”My palms were pressed on my ears, rocking myself slightly to ease the panic crushing my soul.“Adeline? Adeline! Are you there?”I turned my head in panic, looking at the pounding knock as I heard Helena’s voice outside, knocking.Covering my li
Madeline’s POVMy hand held the knob of his office door tightly as all sorts of emotions fought within me, overwhelming my entire being.As I twist it, I am ready to step out and prepare for what’s more to come. With how he had sounded, I’d say having him kick me out like what I wanted would be a miracle, and letting me stay without making my life a living hell would be something ot be grateful about already.“You’ll stay in the pack.”My eyes widened, and my body froze right at the doorway.Did I hear him right? He wanted me to stay? What kind of punishment would he want me to face, though?He’s Alpha Keiran, and I’m at the Demonmaw Nightwalker Pack. They're the boogeyman parents who used the past three years for their pups. I knew his madness would get the best of him, and look at me with prejudice.I knew to myself that I didn’t kill Luna. I was just there at the wrong time and the wrong place. On the other hand, my trying to save Francine was what caused my Mom’s death. But I’m not
Madeline’s POVRight after Amanda and Felix left, I went straight to my room and stayed there. I didn’t want to risk bumping into Keiran—not when I knew he’d ask questions I didn’t have the answers for.As much as I hated to admit it, I was running out of time. Things had already gone on longer than they should have, and with Amanda and Felix showing up—something told me that wouldn’t be their last visit—I could feel the pressure closing in. Sooner or later, my identity would come out. I just didn’t expect “sooner” to feel so close.It’s been two days since then. Honestly, I thought avoiding Keiran would be hard… but surprisingly, it wasn’t. I hadn’t seen him at all. Not even at the academy.Even Tom wasn’t around.“Is something going on?” I asked Helena as we sat in the canteen having lunch. The peaceful atmosphere felt off, like something was coming but hadn’t landed yet.Helena bit into her bread and shrugged like it was just another day. “In this pack? Something’s always going on.
Keiran’s POV“We got a problem.”“Great!” I sarcastically thought.Just what I needed after dealing with Princess Amanda and Alpha Felix.The pile of documents in front of me was already tall enough to make me want to throw myself out the nearest window, and my inbox hadn’t stopped dinging all morning. I hadn’t even had five minutes of peace after they left before Tom showed up at my office door with that sentence.Irritably putting down the document I had in my hand and looking away from my computer, I swivelled my chair to face Tom, who was standing at my doorway with a serious expression.“What now?” I asked impatiently.Tom looked like he didn’t want to be the one to say it. His gaze shifted for a second before he sighed and admitted, “Princess Amanda and Alpha Felix decided to stay. She said she only needed to use the bathroom, but before I knew it, they were already staying in the academy and watching training.”I slammed my hands on my desk, sharply gazing at him. “And you’re o
Madeline’s POV“I thought you already left, Princess?” I looked up from my seat on the ground when I heard Keiran’s voice as he approached the training ground.Amanda, who was having fun taunting me, was seated on the other side of the room, elegantly leaning back on her seat with a smirk on her face.She didn’t even bother to glance at Keiran and smirked, her eyes staring at me. “And miss all this fun?”Shifting her gaze to him, she continued, “You have a great academy. I’m just really curious about their talents.”Keiran followed Amanda’s glance at me and narrowed his eyes. I swallowed in anxiousness, knowing that sooner or later, I’d be back in his office and being interrogated.He opened his lips and uttered more words to her, but I didn’t hear their conversation anymore when someone blocked my view of them. “Why didn’t you hide?”I looked up at him and gritted my teeth. “Why are you guys here? Why didn’t you warn me?”Felix, looking half dead, shrugged his shoulders. “Will it cha
Madeline’s POVTuned to my wolf’s presence, my sense of smell also heightened, especially in needed times. Despite being in the middle of sparring, I immediately caught the scent of Amanda and Felix as soon as they entered the academy.When I felt them getting near us, I immediately halted and pretended to be tired.“What’s the matter?” Helena asked.Shaking my head, I stretched my fist. “Nothing, just tired. Let’s wrap this up.”“I’ll go and change first,” I muttered as I nodded toward the locker room behind her.She let out a laugh between her pants. “That’s a new one. It’s our 10th round already, but you always push yourself to the limit before. What change?”With my eyes, I looked at my peripheral vision and caught shadows of Keiran and the others closing in. “I don’t like the air.”Looking behind me, she rolled her eyes and nodded. “I get what you mean.”I only smiled at her comment and let her think that the reason I was leaving was the same as hers - the hate for royal members.
Keiran’s POVFelix was jolted by my question, and his shoulders tensed before he subconsciously looked away. Clearing his throat, he shook his head and replied, “No.”Forcing a smile, he added, “Just... fascinated with their training, that’s all.”I narrowed my eyes, unconvinced. There was something off about him—too guarded, too rehearsed. My instincts prickled, warning me that something beneath the surface wasn’t right. Testing the waters, I tilted my head toward the training field.“Then maybe,” I said slowly, watching his expression closely, “we could stay and watch one of the sparring matches.”I pointed subtly in the direction of the field. “Those two over there—Helena and Adeline—they’re some of the best warriors in the academy. I’m sure it’ll be worth your while.”Felix flinched—just for a split second, but I caught it. He masked it quickly, but it was there. And before he could reply, Princess Amanda chimed in, her voice sugary-sweet.“Really?” she asked, tightening her grip
Keiran’s POV“What’s the plan?” Tom asked as we got inside the office, setting down the invitation on my table.I look at it with disdain and shake my head before leaning back on my seat. Shrugging, I nonchalantly replied, “Greet them is all. It’s just a meeting. There’s no need for a party or anything.”“But–”He tried to protest, but I gestured a zip motion with my finger and lips. “But nothing. It’s just the royal family being spoiled brats again.”Tom looked at me hesitantly. “But won’t they think we are being disrespectful? I mean, as powerful as our pack is, it’s still the kingdom.”Sighing, I pushed the invitation his way. “Then we’ll greet them with warriors and shit at their arrival make them feel important. Anything beyond that…”I pursed my lips and waved my hand in dismissal.Tom smirked at me and shook his head in both admiration and disbelief. “I really don’t know where you’re getting your guts.”With that, he turned and left.And just as I said, it’s what we did. Early
Madeline’s POVMy heart stopped beating, and the bags I’m carrying slipped out of my hand, falling to the ground, while my eyes opened wide as I watched the scene before me unfold with unsettling feelings.“From the kingdom?” Keiran asked, and the messenger nodded his head as he handed the red envelope with a dry gold seal on top.Holding the letter, he looked in my direction and raised his brows. “Everything alright, Adeline?”“Adeline!” Helena smacked me in my shoulder, putting me out of the haze before she gestured at Keiran, who was still waiting for my reply.“Y-yes, of course.” I want to smack myself again for stuttering as I hurried to pick up the bags I dropped and walked together with Helena toward him.Acting clueless and nonchalant, I nodded at his hand. “What is that about?”“From the palace? Is something big happening?” Helena asked, just as curious as I was. The only difference was that her question was directed to Tom.Keiran and Tom looked at both of us weirdly before
Madeline’s POVWe stood in silence as the wind rustled around us as if sucking something from within our souls… And after a few minutes, I felt free… I felt light…When I rejected Felix, there was a heavy feeling that lingered within me, the small piece of our mate bond, which I thought I could live through and wouldn’t matter along the way. But when he spoke those words and accepted my rejection, it felt different.A subconscious smile spread from my lips as I heaved a sigh of relief. I didn’t know I was holding on.He let out a scoff that hid beneath his small smile. “Now, you’re smiling. I guess I did the right thing.”Hearing him say that made me realise that I was being a little insensitive. Indeed, he broke my heart, but he was also my childhood best friend and the one who helped me escape, and he was still helping me now.“I’m sorry,” I whispered, after all, he was here in an enemy pack and risking his life…My brows furrowed. Did he risk his life just to accept my rejection?C
Madeline’s POVBecause of what happened last night, the patrol and security around the pack house became even tighter.“Come on, we’ll be late!” I shouted from downstairs while waiting for Helena, who was rushing from the pack house. Without her, I might not be able to leave and meet with Felix.Fortunately, she had plans to go to the market today and buy some supplies for the training.“Why are you in a rush, girl?” she asked suspiciously as soon as we got settled in the car.Rolling down the car window, I let the fresh breeze of air blow my hair and the warmth of the sunlight touch my skin. With my eyes closed, enjoying the sensation, I replied, “I just want the fresh air. It felt like forever since I got out of the pack.That was the truth, though. Since I got inside the pack house, I never left the pack, and that’s what most of us thought as well – that I was a prisoner.At first, I went with Helena everywhere she wanted me to go. We checked boxing gloves, weapons, and even new tr