Emily's POV Rosie was a problem. Fayne was a problem. Neither could be ignored. I exhaled sharply, rolling my shoulders back. Think, Emily. If Rosie kept pushing, I’d have to deal with her. But killing her too soon would bring chaos. I needed to manipulate her, draw her in, make her believe I wasn’t her enemy. As for Fayne… I still didn’t understand how he had hidden so much of himself from me. He had always been powerful, but the energy I felt when he blocked my path earlier—it was something else . Something more . I needed to test him again. Push him. See where his limits were. I turned away from the map, my decision made. First, I would handle Rosie. Then, I would handle Fayne. Fayne’s Room I entered his room without knocking. Fayne was still in bed, his face paler than usual, but his eyes snapped to mine the moment I stepped inside. He had recovered faster than I expected. “I thought you’d stay away longer,” he murmured. I walked toward him, my e
Emily’s POVThe fire had nearly burned itself out by the time I allowed myself to sit. My legs trembled as if my own fury had drained me. It was definitely not easy being Alpha at all. I sighed as I walked.Fayne’s words echoed in my mind, relentless and maddening. “What if I never leave, Emily?” How could he be so certain? How could he look at me like… like I was something precious? Something worth fighting for. I wasn’t precious. I was *ruthless*. Everything I had, I took. Jacob’s power, his allies, his pack—I claimed them all. Even Fayne. I’d poisoned the only man who had power over me and buried him in a coffin like a secret to be forgotten. No one questioned my claim as Alpha. No one dared. But Fayne? He questioned me with every look, every word, and still, he stayed. That loyalty should’ve made me feel triumphant. Instead, it rattled me to my core. I needed control. Over him. Over everything. A knock at the door. I straightened, wiping the frustration from my face
Emily's POVI stormed down the hallway, my heart pounding in my chest. Everything about Fayne rattled me. His persistence, his unwavering devotion—it was infuriating. But most of all, it was terrifying. I couldn’t allow myself to be weak. Not when I had everything I’d ever wanted finally within my grasp. Jacob’s power. His pack. And yet… Fayne’s gaze haunted me more than Jacob’s corpse ever could. “Emily.” Melissa’s voice cut through the whirlwind of my thoughts. I hadn’t even noticed her approaching. She looked at me like she had something important to say, her eyes unusually bright. “What is it, Melissa?” I snapped, too wound up to entertain whatever nonsense she’d come to me with. “There’s… news.” Her voice wavered, something close to fear in her eyes. “What kind of news?” “Rosie. She’s returned.” I felt my breath hitch, a cold chill slipping down my spine. Alpha Rosie of the Thorns Pack wasn’t the kind of woman to back down easily. If she’d come back to Galahad,
Emily's POV I stormed through the corridors of Galahad, my mind spiraling into dark, desperate plans. The further I went, the more the anger burned. Rosie had dared to come into my territory, spewing accusations and threats, tearing at the threads I’d so carefully woven into control. I couldn’t let her unravel everything. Not when I was so close to consolidating my power. Fayne was a loose end. One that Rosie would undoubtedly try to tug at until it snapped. I reached his door and shoved it open without bothering to knock. Fayne was awake, sitting up in bed, his eyes clouded with fatigue but brightening the moment he saw me. There was something too earnest, too genuine about his smile. “Emily.” My name sounded like a prayer on his lips. I hated it. Loved it. Needed it. “I need to talk to you.” I closed the door behind me, locking it with a flick of my wrist. The air between us thickened, the quiet humming with something sharp and urgent. Fayne’s gaze drifted over me, the
Emily’s POVThe hours passed in a restless blur. I prowled the corridors of Galahad like a caged animal, my mind tangled with thoughts of Fayne, Rosie, and the delicate balance I was struggling to maintain. I’d given Fayne his task, planted the seeds of deception. Now I had to wait for them to take root. But patience had never been my strong suit. Melissa found me in the training hall, my fists slamming into the padded target with punishing precision. The rhythmic thud of my strikes did little to ease the agitation clawing at me. “Emily.” Melissa’s voice was cautious, her steps light as she approached. “Is something troubling you?” “Everything,” I snapped, my fist crashing into the target one last time. “Rosie. Fayne. The constant need to keep everyone in line.” Melissa folded her arms, her gaze steady. “You’ve managed well so far. The pack is loyal to you.” “Only because I make them fear me more than they fear the unknown.” I wiped sweat from my brow, my breathing uneven.
Emily’s POVI couldn’t sleep that night. Fayne’s words echoed in my mind, tearing apart the carefully built walls I’d spent so long reinforcing. *You can’t keep pushing me away.* But I had to. I had to protect myself. To maintain control. Love was a weakness I couldn’t afford. And yet, my chest ached from the void his absence left behind. When dawn’s light spilled through the curtains, I forced myself to rise. There was work to be done. The pack to lead. The illusion of control to maintain. But as I walked through the corridors, I couldn’t ignore the way the pack members avoided my gaze. Whispers lingered on their tongues, doubt festering like an infection. They saw the tension between Fayne and me, the cracks in my authority. I wouldn’t let them see me falter. Not now. Not ever. Melissa found me in the dining hall, her face pale but composed. “Emily, we need to talk.” “What is it?” I snapped, my nerves frayed from a night of sleepless torment. “It’s Fayne.” She hesi
Emily’s POV We walked back in silence, the forest thick with the crisp bite of morning air. Fayne’s fingers never left mine, his grip steady, as if he feared I might slip away if he loosened it. Maybe he was right. Maybe I was still clinging to that old version of myself—untouchable, unbreakable. But his warmth seeped into me, a promise I hadn’t realized I’d been craving. Melissa was waiting at the pack house entrance, her brows drawn tight with worry. When she saw us approaching, her expression melted into relief. “Thank the stars.” She rushed over, eyes darting between us. “I was about to send a search party.” “I’m fine,” I said, my voice stronger than I felt. “Fayne’s fine. We’re…” I glanced at him, hesitating. “…we’re good.” His smile was small but genuine, a flicker of something unspoken passing between us. Melissa’s gaze narrowed, suspicion creeping in. “You sure you’re okay, Fayne? You look pale.” “I’m alright,” he replied, though I could see the fatigue etched i
Emily’s POVThe pack house was buzzing with urgency as Melissa rallied the warriors. Shadows danced across the walls, their movements feverish and uncertain. But I couldn’t afford to be uncertain. Fayne walked beside me, his presence a steady anchor despite the chaos. His loyalty was unwavering, but it only fueled my resolve. I couldn’t let him down. I couldn’t let anyone down. When I reached the front gates, I saw her. Alpha Rosie, standing tall and formidable, flanked by her warriors. Their eyes gleamed with challenge, a restless energy crackling through the air. I stepped forward, head held high, my voice cold and unyielding. “Alpha Rosie. You’ve returned sooner than expected.” Her gaze swept over me, a cruel smile twitching at her lips. “I wasn’t satisfied with our last conversation. So I’ve come for answers.” “Answers?” I folded my arms over my chest. “I told you the truth. Jacob is dead. It’s time you accept that and move on.” Her eyes narrowed. “Move on? You think I
Emily's POV The table was simple tonight — fresh bread, grilled meat, and platters of fruits and cheeses. No servants, no formalities. Just us.Fayne poured drinks while I set out the plates, and before long, laughter began to fill the air — the natural, effortless kind that only comes from people who know each other too well. "You’re heavy-handed with the wine, old man," Kael teased, raising his cup at Fayne.Fayne gave him a mock glare. "I’m making up for all the times I had to deal with your troublemaking.""Ah," Aerlyn smirked over the rim of her glass, "he means the time you tried to tame a wyvern in your second year of training."Kael groaned. "I will *never* live that down.""You were brave," I said, unable to hide a chuckle, "but extremely foolish.""And slightly singed," Fayne added, lifting his cup toward Kael with a wink. "To Kael, the bravest fool we know."We all laughed and raised our glasses together, the clinking sound ringing through the open air.The conversation
Emily's POV The days that followed were spun from sunlight and laughter.After breakfast one morning, Fayne clapped his hands together and grinned wickedly. “Time for a family sparring match,” he announced, eyes gleaming. “No backing out!”Aerlyn immediately brightened, already stretching her arms behind her head. “I’m in.”Kael gave a loud, theatrical groan. “Do I have to? I almost died last time!”“You stubbed your toe last time,” I said dryly, sipping my tea. “Hardly a near-death experience.”Still, when we gathered outside in the practice yard, Kael bounced on his toes with nervous excitement. The sun was high, the breeze carried the scent of wildflowers, and the whole pack seemed to watch from the edges, smiling at the scene unfolding.We split into teams — Fayne and Kael against Aerlyn and me."Unfair," Kael complained immediately. "Mother and Aerlyn are terrifying!""You wound me," I said with a grin, circling him slowly. "But I’ll take it as a compliment."The match began w
Emily's POV The days that followed felt golden.The castle, often a place of endless decisions and strategy, settled into a rhythm that was almost domestic. It wasn’t that there weren’t matters to attend to — of course there were. Packs still needed watching, alliances still needed tending. But the urgency that had once ruled every breath was gone, replaced by something warmer, deeper.Trust.Aerlyn spent her mornings training patrol groups, her voice sharp and sure as she called out orders in the training fields. She was growing into her power in a way that made my heart ache with pride. Some mornings I would watch her from the balcony, sipping tea while the wind carried her laughter up to me.Kael had thrown himself into studying — a surprise to all of us. He was determined to master governance, battle strategies, herbal remedies, everything he could get his hands on. It was as if, after the talk about leadership, he had decided to prove he was ready for more.Sometimes, I would fi
Emily's POV “We’re not as young as we used to be,” I murmured, feeling the ache in my bones with a smirk.“But we’re better,” he said. “We know when to stop fighting the world.”I turned toward him, resting my head on his shoulder. “This is what we fought for.”He didn’t answer with words, just pressed a kiss to my forehead.Eventually, reluctantly, we returned home.As we rode into the castle gates, our cloaks damp and hair wild, the guards blinked at us like we were forest spirits returning from myth. We waved them off before they could ask questions, and made our way back to our private quarters, still grinning like fools.We’d barely stepped out of the bathing chamber when there was a knock at the door. This time, it wasn’t a guard. I knew the rhythm.“Come in,” I called, already smiling.Aerlyn entered first, her braids freshly redone, her uniform pristine. Behind her, Kael followed, taller than before, but still hiding part of his face behind his curls when he felt uncertain.“
Emily's POV “Was hoping you'd think I was unconscious,” he mumbled into my hair. “So you wouldn’t make me move.” I laughed softly and turned toward him, our legs tangling naturally. He looked younger in the morning light, softer. As if the weight of his past had stepped back, if only for a few hours. I brushed my fingers across his brow, smoothing back a strand of hair that had fallen in his eyes. “I don’t want to move either,” I whispered. “Then don’t,” he said, pulling me closer. “We’ve earned one morning.” It was a strange thing—stillness. Foreign, almost. Our love had bloomed in war, grown through hardship, deepened through leadership. Most days, it felt like we were always on the edge of something: a threat, a decision, a moment too big to breathe through. But today… Today, we were just Emily and Fayne. Not Alpha. Not demon. Not legend. Just two people who had made it through the storm and still chose each other. He kissed the top of my head. “Still thinking about Kael?”
Emily's POV The echo of my children’s voices still lingered in the corridor even after I walked away. Something had changed—subtly, but powerfully. Kael and Aerlyn had finally found a rhythm, however fragile. That mattered more than any council, any throne. I drifted into the quiet of our chambers, the familiar warmth of it greeting me like a gentle tide. Fayne stood near the window, bathed in moonlight, his arms crossed as he stared into the distance like he always did when his mind wandered too far. He turned when he heard me, and his crooked smile instantly softened everything in me. “They’ll be alright,” I said, sinking into the edge of the couch. He raised a brow. “Kael didn’t burn down anything?” “Not today,” I teased. Fayne chuckled and walked over. “Then we’ll call that a win.” There was silence for a beat, one that didn’t demand to be filled. We were getting good at this kind of peace—the quiet between the wild. The world outside always turned, but we had carved out
Emily's POV I nodded. “Exactly. A joint council. One that unites the packs and keeps decisions balanced. Aerlyn will lead the Galahad and Red Cross packs, yes. Kael will govern Donovan when the time comes. But their power won't lie in their territories. It’ll lie in their ability to come together for decisions that affect all of us.”“Smart,” Fayne admitted, brushing a hand across my shoulder. “Give them shared stakes so there’s less room for rivalry.”“And more room for respect,” I added. “We’ll train them to make decisions together. Mediate conflicts. See each other as equals, even when their paths differ. We’ll show Kael that his role isn’t smaller, just different. He’ll grow into a protector, a strategist, a voice for the more volatile edges of the packs.”Fayne gave a small smile. “That sounds like you’ve been planning this for years.”“I have.” I turned toward him fully, letting the weight of my thoughts settle. “Because I know what it’s like to be raised in a world that pits s
Emily's POV The sun had dipped low, brushing golden light across the glass windows as I stood at the edge of the balcony, overlooking Galahad’s inner gardens. The breeze was gentle, tugging at the silk of my robe, and in the distance, I could hear laughter—Aerlyn training the younger wolves again, just as she always did.Behind me, I heard Fayne’s footsteps, quiet but heavy with thought. He came to stand beside me, his arms folded, gaze cast out toward the horizon. For a moment, we stood in silence, listening to the world we had carved out together. The peace we had fought for. Bled for.I sighed. “We have a family.”Fayne looked at me, his expression softening.“There were nights,” I continued, voice low, “when I didn’t think that would ever be our truth. That we’d ever survive long enough to see it. But now we have two children. A daughter who's strong enough to lead, and a son with a heart that's still learning to shape itself.”His hand slid gently over mine, warm and grounding.
Aerlyn’s POV I sat at the edge of the long stone table, the parchment map spread before us rippling with age and memory. Every scar on its surface marked a past battle, a lesson etched in ink and blood. Now it was my turn to leave a mark.Alpha Dante from the southern border was mid-sentence, proposing a joint patrol with his fastest wolves. Normally, I would’ve deferred to my mother—but today, I leaned forward.“That route won’t hold,” I said, surprising even myself with how calm my voice was. “The rogue movements I tracked followed wind pockets and low paths. They’re avoiding open terrain. We’d be leaving our flank exposed.”The room went still. A few of the elders exchanged glances. One even scoffed under his breath. But my mother said nothing. She didn’t have to. Her silence was her faith in me.Dante grunted, pointing at a different section of the map. “Then you suggest we close in here?”I nodded. “And reroute the scouts to this ridge. It’s narrow but provides full visibility.