Ranon’s POVThe rain hadn’t let up, drenching us both as we walked in silence. Elowen was shivering, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She didn’t look at me, her gaze fixed on the ground, and I could feel the fragile cracks in her resolve. Good. This was my chance to turn her against the others and bring her to me. She didn’t need to know the truth, not yet. Right now, all she needed was to believe the lie I was weaving. I slowed my pace, glancing at her from the corner of my eye. She was soaked to the bone, her lips pale and trembling. A perfect picture of vulnerability. “Here,” I said softly, shrugging off my jacket and draping it over her shoulders. She flinched slightly at the contact, her wide, tear-streaked eyes darting to mine. “I’m fine,” she muttered, trying to shrug it off, but I held it firmly in place. “You’re freezing,” I countered, letting my voice carry just the right amount of concern. “Don’t be stubborn.” She hesitated, then finally relented, pull
Theron’s POV The bitter burn of alcohol slid down my throat, but it did nothing to dull the storm inside me. Bottle after bottle, I drank, hoping, praying to drown the thoughts of her. Elowen. Her name alone sent a fresh wave of anger and longing surging through me. “Damn you,” I growled, slamming the empty bottle onto the table. The glass rattled but didn’t shatter. I wished it had. I wished for destruction—something to match the chaos inside me. My wolf howled in my head, clawing at my consciousness, begging me to turn back. She’s ours, he snarled. You can’t escape her. “Shut up,” I muttered, dragging myself to my feet. The room spun slightly, but I didn’t care. The ache in my chest was unbearable, and I needed to make it stop. Before I knew it, I was behind the wheel, the rain pelting against the windshield as I drove aimlessly through the night. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white. The alcohol buzz made my movements sluggish, but
Theron’s POVThe storm still raged outside, relentless and unforgiving, much like the chaos in my mind. Camille lay beside me in the car, her chest rising and falling steadily as she tried to catch her breath. Her fingers trailed lazily over my arm, but her touch felt distant, almost foreign.I leaned back, staring out the rain-streaked window, the weight of everything crashing down harder than the thunder outside. I could feel the storm in my chest, the battle between what I wanted and what I knew was wrong. “That was… intense,” Camille murmured, her voice soft and teasing. She shifted closer, pressing her body against mine as she draped an arm over my chest. “I could get used to this.”I didn’t respond. My wolf was growling low in my mind, furious and restless. This isn’t right, he snarled. She’s not our mate.I let out a frustrated breath, my fingers gripping the seat beneath me as I tried to push the thoughts of Elowen away. “I don’t care,” I muttered under my breath, earning a
Elowen's POV I stared out the window, my sketchbook lying forgotten in my lap. The steady hum of rain against the glass mirrored the restless whirl of my thoughts. Alaric. His name was a drumbeat in my mind, relentless and consuming. The way his fingers intertwined with mine, his protective gaze, the warmth in his rare smiles—I couldn’t stop thinking about him. And yet, it terrified me. I was so caught up in the spiral of emotions that I didn’t notice anyone approach until a voice cut through my thoughts. “Elowen.” I jumped, clutching the edge of the table. My heart raced as I turned to see Ranon standing there, holding two steaming mugs. “Ranon,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. “What are you doing here?” He raised a brow, his lips curving into a faint smile. “Relax. I’m not here to cause trouble.” I frowned, my suspicions immediately rising. “Then why are you here?” Without answering, he placed one of the mugs in front of me and took the seat across the tab
Elowen’s POV The rain came down in torrents, soaking me to the skin as I wandered aimlessly through the academy grounds. The storm mirrored the tempest inside me, each drop falling like a piece of the pain I couldn’t hold back anymore. My thoughts were a jumble—Ranon’s sudden attempts at kindness, Theron’s anger, and Alaric…always Alaric. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about him? His piercing eyes, the way his touch sent shivers through me, his calm yet commanding presence. It was maddening. The thunder roared overhead, and a bolt of lightning lit up the sky, illuminating my surroundings. I didn’t care where I was going. My feet moved without purpose, my body trembling from the cold and the overwhelming ache in my heart. And then, I felt it. Warmth. Stability. Before I could process the sensation, strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me back against a firm chest. The world seemed to stop for a moment, and I froze, my breath caught in my throat. His scent hit m
Elowen’s POV The warmth of Alaric’s embrace seeped into my skin, soothing the turmoil that had been brewing inside me for weeks. His strong arms encircled me as if nothing could tear us apart, and for a brief, blissful moment, I allowed myself to forget everything, the chaos, the heartbreak, the doubts. It was just him and me, standing together beneath the shelter of the walkway, with the storm raging outside and the world feeling like it had melted away. His hand gently stroked the back of my head, his fingers threading through my damp hair as if trying to ground me, to assure me that he was here. "You’re not alone in this, Elowen," he whispered against my hair, his voice low and steady. "I’m right here." I closed my eyes, inhaling the scent of rain and Alaric, the two blending together in a way that made me feel calm yet restless at the same time. My wolf stirred within me, content in his presence, but I knew the tension between us hadn’t fully dissipated. There were still so man
Elowen's POVThe tension between the three of us crackled like the lingering storm outside. I could feel Ranon’s eyes on me, scrutinizing every inch of my being, as though he was trying to piece together what had happened just moments ago. Alaric’s body was still close to mine, protective, his stance rigid as if daring Ranon to say something he wouldn’t like.Ranon’s jaw tightened, his lips curling into a humorless smirk. “I see you’ve been busy, brother,” he said, his voice laced with mockery. “Didn’t think you’d stoop to sneaking around like this.”Alaric didn’t flinch, his hand brushing mine subtly in reassurance before he stepped forward. “What do you want, Ranon?” His tone was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade.Ranon’s smirk widened as he crossed his arms. “Oh, I was just taking a stroll. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon you two… so cozy.” His gaze flicked to me, lingering just long enough to make me squirm. “You really don’t waste time, do you, Elowen?”I s
Theron’s POVI should have known. The storm had settled, but my insides churned with fury as I sped toward Alaric’s territory. Ranon’s words echoed in my head like a taunt: “She’s with him. Your precious mate, wrapped around his finger, probably in his arms right now.” I clenched the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles whitening. Every word from Ranon’s smug mouth was poison, but the image he’d painted of Elowen and Alaric together was enough to make my wolf howl in agony. How dare he touch what is mine? My wolf growled low, restless and wild, demanding we claim her, show her who her true mate was. But another part of me, the rational part, reminded me that Elowen despised me, that I’d done nothing but push her further away. But Alaric? He had no right to her. By the time I reached the edge of Alaric’s estate, my anger was a live wire, sparking and crackling with intensity. I parked hastily and stormed toward the mansion, ignoring the guards who eyed me warily. They wouldn’t
Elowen’s POV Sleep had been a fickle, unwelcome guest, teasing the edges of my consciousness throughout the long, restless night without ever offering true respite. My mind had been a battlefield of conflicting emotions, replaying the charged moments of the previous day in an endless loop—Alaric’s possessive kiss, the raw, untamed fury that had blazed in his eyes when he’d finally turned away from Lysander, and the persistent, dull ache in my chest, a knot of anxiety that had stubbornly refused to loosen its grip. I sat on the edge of my bed now, the soft cotton of the sheets feeling strangely cold against my skin, watching the first tentative rays of sunlight tentatively paint the eastern sky in hues of pale rose and soft gold. The sprawling academy grounds outside my window, usually bustling with early morning activity, were still shrouded in a delicate, ethereal mist that clung to the shadowy edges of the ancient trees, lending the familiar landscape an almost dreamlike, otherwor
Alaric’s POV The sprawling halls of the academy, usually teeming with the restless energy of burgeoning shifters and the hushed whispers of arcane secrets, were quieter than usual, a deceptive stillness that belied the turbulent emotions churning within me. Distant echoes of lingering footsteps faded into the stone, the last of the students retreating into the relative sanctuary of their dormitories. I stood outside Elowen’s room, my fists clenched tightly at my sides, the rhythmic pounding of my heart a heavy drumbeat against my ribs. She hadn’t said much after I’d practically dragged her away from Lysander’s unsettling presence in the cafeteria. The words hadn’t been necessary. That look in her eyes—a complex tapestry woven with threads of confusion, a subtle hint of guilt, and an underlying current of frustration—haunted the edges of my vision. I knocked once. A soft, hesitant tap that felt strangely out of sync with the turmoil raging inside me. The heavy wooden door creaked i
Alaric’s POV My fists were still trembling, the residual adrenaline of the confrontation coursing through my veins. I could feel the dull throb of the scrape on my knuckles from where they’d connected with Lysander’s arrogant jaw—a sharp, satisfying impact that had barely scratched the surface of the consuming fury that still burned within me. How dare he touch her? How dare he look at her with that possessive glint in his eyes, as if she were some prize to be won, something to conquer? The possessive rage was a living thing inside me, a primal fire threatening to consume me whole. My wolf was clawing just beneath the surface, snarling and restless, demanding blood. Demanding retribution. Demanding justice for the blatant disrespect. But beneath the burning rage, a flicker of something colder, more unsettling, remained. She’d looked… scared. Not of him. Of me. I replayed the chaotic scene over and over in my mind as I stormed down the deserted corridor, the air around me prac
Elowen’s POV Next morning the academy's cafeteria hummed with the chaotic symphony of midday: the incessant clatter of ceramic trays against metal surfaces, the low murmur of countless conversations weaving together, punctuated by the occasional burst of unrestrained laughter erupting from various clusters of students. I had sought refuge at a secluded table near the far wall, a steaming cup of lukewarm tea clutched in my hands, my thoughts adrift somewhere between the intricate strategies discussed in Professor Vance’s tactics lecture and the stolen, breathless intimacy of our rooftop rendezvous. The triplets were currently immersed in mandatory combat training, a rigorous session reserved for high-ranking shifters, and I had deliberately chosen this quieter hour to slip away, craving a moment of solitary contemplation. For once, the relentless demands of academy life seemed to recede, leaving a fragile semblance of peace in its wake. That fleeting tranquility shattered the moment
Elowen’s POV Before I could even form a coherent response, he captured my lips with a fierce, possessive hunger, his hands moving with a renewed urgency, exploring every inch of exposed skin with a desperate need. The lingering tension from our sparring match dissolved into a raw, primal desire that mirrored my own burgeoning need. His knee nudged my legs apart with a subtle command, and he settled his weight more fully against me, the hard ridge of his arousal pressing insistently against the slick heat gathering between my thighs. A sharp gasp escaped my lips, my body arching instinctively into his, a silent plea for connection. I needed him, wanted him, with a ferocity that eclipsed anything I had ever felt before. With a low, guttural groan that rumbled deep in his chest, he entered me, filling me completely. His pace was slow, deliberate, each thrust a measured exploration, the rhythm designed to stoke the already blazing fires within me until they burned hotter than the midda
Elowen's POV “I love this version of you, Ranon,” I whispered, my voice husky with desire. “The one that’s not afraid to want me, to claim me.” He looked down at me, his amber eyes blazing with a fierce, possessive light. “Then I’ll show you all of me, Elowen. Every single part.” His gaze dropped to my lips, lingering there for a breathless moment before returning to my eyes, filled with a raw intensity that made my heart pound. He shifted, his weight pressing more fully against me, the hard planes of his body a stark reminder of his strength, his possessiveness. “You feel it too, don’t you, Elowen?” he murmured, his voice thick with a desire that mirrored my own burgeoning need. “This… connection between us. It’s different. Fiercer.” I nodded, unable to articulate the complex emotions swirling within me. The bond I shared with all three of them was unique, a tapestry woven with different threads of affection, passion, and unwavering loyalty. But there was a raw, untamed in
Elowen’s POVThe sun, a molten orb sinking towards the horizon, cast long, dramatic shadows across the secluded sparring field nestled behind the ancient stone walls of the academy. Golden rays, thick and warm, bled across the soft, yielding grass, painting the familiar landscape in hues of amber and rose. The other students, their energy spent after the rigorous combat class, had long since scattered back to the relative comfort of their quarters, but I had lingered, my body still thrumming with the residual adrenaline of earlier matches, and my heart… still a tangled mess of conflicting emotions that the physical exertion hadn’t quite managed to unravel.“I knew you’d wait.”The deep, familiar timbre of his voice sent a shiver down my spine. I turned slowly.Ranon stepped out of the long shadows cast by the ancient oak trees bordering the training ground, his presence as always both silent and undeniably solid. His dark training shirt clung to the sculpted lines of his torso, damp w
Elowen’s POVThe echoing halls of the academy pulsed with the raw, untamed energy of morning, a palpable hum of anticipation and nervous excitement as students streamed towards their respective classrooms. Today was combat day, a stark reminder of the volatile world we inhabited, where grudges often manifested as bruises and the subtle dance of flirtation could ignite into something far more dangerous, far more real. The sharp, metallic scent of steel mingled with the faint, musky tang of sweat already permeating the air, a sensory cocktail that spoke of both discipline and potential violence.I walked with a deliberate stride between Alaric and Theron, their presence a comforting, possessive shield against the curious and often hostile gazes that followed me like persistent shadows. Ranon trailed a step behind, his movements fluid and silent, a dark, watchful presence that lingered even when he didn’t utter a single word. The other students parted as we moved through the crowded corr
Elowen’s POVSunlight, a gentle intruder, seeped through the delicate weave of the sheer curtains, painting intricate golden patterns across the rumpled expanse of the bed. I stirred slowly, my muscles pleasantly relaxed, the lingering warmth of three strong, possessive bodies anchoring me to the soft, yielding mattress like invisible tethers.I was cocooned in a comforting heat – Ranon’s muscular arm slung possessively across my waist, his fingers splayed against the curve of my stomach, a silent claim even in sleep. Behind me, I could hear the soft, even rhythm of Alaric’s breathing, a deep, reassuring sound that filled the quiet room. Theron, ever the early riser, wasn’t physically touching me at the moment, but his lingering scent, a heady blend of spice and something uniquely his own, still clung to the sheets and pillows, a potent reminder of the passionate hours we had shared. I could still feel the phantom warmth of his demanding kisses from the night before, the way his touch