Elowen’s POVThe door clicked shut behind me, and I leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath. My heart was still pounding, but it wasn’t from fear or nerves—it was exhilaration. I had him exactly where I wanted him, and it felt damn good.I had expected some part of me to regret what had happened between us, to feel guilt or shame for how I’d let the night unfold. But instead, I felt satisfaction, a quiet sense of triumph. Alaric, with all his strength, his arrogance, his ruthless nature, was falling into my trap. He wasn’t as untouchable as he thought. He wasn’t the perfect, cold-hearted asshole he tried to project. No, beneath that veneer was a man who couldn’t control the pull between us, a man who was already starting to care. The thought made me smile to myself as I walked down the hallway, my steps light, almost playful. He was fighting it, I could tell. He was trying to resist the bond between us, trying to convince himself that it didn’t matter, that he didn’t need me.
Theron’s POV The first time I laid eyes on Elowen, I knew she was trouble. Not in the careless, reckless way most women were—but the kind of trouble that could unravel a man, strip him of his defenses, and leave him begging for more. And that was exactly why I should have stayed away. But I never was good at making the right choices. Tonight, she was different. She wasn’t just the cold, untouchable girl I had always watched from the shadows. There was something darker in her, something more dangerous. And gods help me, I wanted to know what had put that fire in her eyes. I found her alone, standing on the academy balcony, staring at the moon as if it had personally betrayed her. The glow cast silver streaks across her hair, highlighting the sharp angles of her face, the delicate curve of her lips. I leaned against the railing, just close enough to catch her scent—wild and intoxicating, like midnight storms and forbidden things. "You look like someone who just won a war,"
Alaric’s POV I should have walked away. I should have let her go, let her drown in whatever twisted game she was playing. But I couldn’t. Not when her scent wrapped around me like a vice, not when her voice slithered into my veins, poisoning every rational thought I had left. She was my mate. And she was ruining me. Her fingers skimmed over my collar, teasing, taunting. Her lips hovered just inches from mine, and my wolf howled in frustration, demanding that I close the distance. "Maybe you should stop resisting, then," she whispered. Fuck. I clenched my jaw, every muscle in my body screaming for restraint. But there was nothing left. She had stripped me bare, torn through every wall I’d built between us. "You think this is a game, don’t you?" I growled, my grip tightening around her arms. She only smiled, slow and dangerous. "Isn’t it?" That was it. That was my breaking point. I yanked her flush against me, crushing my lips to hers in a brutal, punishing ki
Alaric’s POV The moment Elowen walked out of the room, it felt like the air had been sucked out of my lungs. I stood frozen, fists clenched so tightly my knuckles turned white. My heart pounded against my ribs like a war drum, and my wolf—restless, raging—snarled inside me. Go after her. Bring her back. Take what’s ours. “No,” I gritted out, shaking my head. But it wasn’t enough to drown out the undeniable truth pressing into me like a blade. I wanted her. I wanted her in a way that was dangerous, in a way that made me feel powerless. And I hated it. I hated the way her scent still clung to me, the way my skin burned where she had touched me. I hated the way her voice replayed in my mind, taunting me. "You’re falling for me." She had said it so confidently, as if she had already won. As if she had wrapped me around her little finger. And maybe she had. I cursed under my breath and slammed my palm against the desk. The sharp pain barely registered. I felt like
Elowen’s POV Days passed, and with each moment, I felt Alaric slipping deeper into my web. It was almost laughable how easy it was. The mighty, ruthless Alaric—the one who once looked down on me, who rejected and humiliated me—was now utterly consumed by me. And I was loving every second of it.I saw it in the way his eyes darkened every time I walked into a room. The way his wolf prowled beneath the surface, possessive, restless, desperate. He tried to hide it, tried to act unaffected, but I could feel his restraint cracking. I made sure of it. Every touch. Every lingering glance. Every teasing smirk. I was breaking him.And tonight, I would push him over the edge. ---The academy ballroom was filled with students, the chandeliers casting golden light over the swirling crowd. Music played softly in the background, but I barely heard it. My focus was on one thing. Or rather, one person. Alaric stood near the balcony, his broad shoulders tense, his sharp jaw clenched.
Elowen's POV I hesitated. Not because I was afraid, but because I hadn’t expected him to make a move. Theron wasn’t like Alaric. He wasn’t impulsive, didn’t let his emotions slip so easily. Yet here he was, standing before me, his hand extended, his expression unreadable. The tension in the ballroom was suffocating. Alaric was seething, his body practically vibrating with fury. His wolf was barely contained, his golden eyes glowing with raw possessiveness. Ranon, on the other hand, looked amused. As if he had expected this. As if he knew what kind of chaos I was about to step into. And Theron? He was waiting. Patient. Calculating. But the way his fingers flexed ever so slightly told me he wasn’t as unaffected as he seemed. Interesting. I exhaled slowly, then placed my hand in his. His fingers wrapped around mine—firm, controlled, possessive in a way that sent a strange thrill through me. Without another word, he pulled me onto the dance floor. The music started again, sof
Elowen’s POV Alaric’s grip on my wrist was unrelenting, his body radiating fury as he dragged me through the ballroom. His wolf was raging, clawing at his control, barely restrained. But before we could take another step— Theron moved.One second, he was standing behind us, watching with his usual detached amusement. The next— He had me in his arms. Alaric barely had time to react before Theron’s hand slid behind my neck, his grip firm, dominant, undeniable.And then— He kissed me.In front of everyone.The world stopped the moment Theron’s lips crashed against mine.The heat of his body, the firm grip of his hand behind my neck—it was commanding, possessive, undeniable. He kissed me not like a lover but like a conqueror, like a king taking what he already considered his.Gasps rippled through the ballroom, the soft hum of music forgotten beneath the weight of shock.I barely registered them.Because all I could feel was Alaric.His rage.His wolf snapping at the edges of
Elowen’s POV The classroom was silent except for the monotonous droning of the professor’s lecture. I wasn’t listening. My mind was elsewhere—on Alaric, Ranon, and Theron.A week had passed since the dance, since Theron had kissed me in front of everyone and set the world on fire. A week since Alaric and Ranon had lost their minds over it.They had been watching me ever since.Alaric had grown possessive. Ranon had grown volatile. And Theron? He was still taunting them both, his amusement never fading.It was a game. And I was winning.Until—"Elowen Callister, report to the principal’s office immediately."The room froze.Heads turned. Whispers spread. My heart skipped a beat."What the hell?"The professor gave me a sharp look. "You’re excused."I swallowed my annoyance and stood, every pair of eyes in the room following me as I left.I had a bad feeling about this.The Principal’s OfficeThe moment I stepped inside, I was met with cold, judgmental eyes.Principal sat behind his g
Elowen’s POV The air was thick with the stench of blood and death. My breaths came in sharp, ragged pulls, my wolf still itching to tear something apart. I stood amidst the fallen rogues, their bodies twisted and lifeless, proof of my power—proof that I was not the weak, pathetic omega they once thought I was. Theron shifted back into his human form, his dark gaze scanning the battlefield before landing on me. He took a cautious step forward. “Elowen…” His voice was low, edged with something unreadable. I ignored him. My mind was already elsewhere—on him. His father. The man who had stolen my childhood, who had made my mother live in fear, who had nearly wiped out my pack. My fury curled around me like a second skin, suffocating, consuming. He sent them. He wanted me dead. A growl rumbled in my throat, deep and dangerous. My wolf wasn’t satisfied. She wanted more. More blood. More revenge. More destruction. “Elowen, look at me.” Theron was in front of me now, his hand
Theron’s POV She left. I sat there, fists clenched, watching the door she had just walked out of. My wolf snarled inside me, furious, restless. Go after her. Stop her. Make her stay. But I didn’t move. Because I knew Elowen. I knew chasing her wouldn’t change anything. She was scared. Not of me. Not of what we had done. She was scared because last night hadn’t been a mistake. And she felt it, just like I did. I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair. My body still ached from the night before, the memory of her touch burned into my skin, into my bones. She had let me in. For the first time, she had let go of her hatred, her walls, everything. And now she was trying to pretend it didn’t mean anything. I cursed under my breath, standing up. I couldn’t just sit here. Not when I knew where she was going. Not when I knew why she was running. I dressed quickly, throwing on a shirt and pulling on my boots. My mind was already racing, trying to p
Elowen’s POVThe morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow over the room. I stirred slightly, my body aching in places that hadn’t ached before. A slow warmth spread through me as last night’s memories flooded back—the way his hands had traced every inch of me, the way his lips had whispered promises against my skin, the way he had looked at me like I was his.I blinked, my lashes fluttering as I turned my head.And there he was.Theron.His face was relaxed in sleep, the usual hardness gone. His dark hair was tousled, falling slightly over his forehead, his breathing steady and deep. I had never seen him like this—unguarded, peaceful, beautiful.My chest tightened.What had I done?I had given in.I had let him in.My fingers twitched as I fought the urge to reach out, to trace the sharp angles of his jaw, to feel the warmth of his skin against mine.Instead, I slowly sat up, pulling the sheets around me. The movement made him stir, and for a brief mome
Elowen's POV The kiss deepened, igniting a fire that coursed through my veins. Theron’s hands roamed my back, pulling me against him, and I could feel the strength in his muscles as he held me close. The world beyond us was a distant echo, fading into nothingness as we lost ourselves in each other.“Is this really happening?” I murmured against his lips, the words barely escaping as I surrendered to the moment.“Yes,” he breathed, his voice thick with urgency. “And it’s everything I’ve wanted.” I shivered at the intensity in his gaze, the way it bore into me like he was seeing straight through to my soul. “But what if we get caught?” My heart raced, torn between exhilaration and fear. “Let them catch us,” he said, his eyes lighting up with mischief. “Let them see that we’re not afraid anymore.” His confidence was intoxicating, and I felt myself leaning into it, a part of me craving the defiance. “You’re reckless,” I replied, my voice playful despite the weight of my uncertainty.
Elowen’s POV I didn’t stop him. I should have. I should have shoved him away, reminded him of who he was—who I was. But I didn’t. Instead, I let him kiss me. His lips were warm, coaxing, drawing me in like a tide I couldn't fight. His hands slid up my arms, one settling at my waist, the other tangling in my hair, pulling me closer—closer than I should have let him. A shiver ran down my spine, but it wasn’t from fear. It was from the way he kissed me, slow yet consuming, as if he was memorizing the shape of my lips, the taste of my skin. And I let him. I let him. I melted into him before I could think, before I could remind myself why this was wrong, why I should pull away. Because right now, none of that mattered. Right now, there was only the way his fingers gripped my waist, the way his breath mixed with mine, the way his heartbeat pounded against my chest like a silent confession. I want you. I could feel it in every touch, every desperate press of his l
Elowen’s POVI walked away from Ranon, feeling his glare burn into my back. But I didn’t stop. Didn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten under my skin.I had more important things to worry about.Like the storm raging inside me.Theron.That kiss.The way my body had betrayed me, melting into his touch when I should have shoved him away immediately.I gritted my teeth, pushing through the academy doors and making my way toward the dorms. I needed to be alone. I needed space to think, to breathe.But, of course, fate had other plans.Because the moment I stepped inside, I came face-to-face with the last person I wanted to see.Theron.He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, as if he’d been waiting for me. His dark eyes locked onto mine the second I entered, and something in his gaze sent my pulse skittering.I forced myself to keep my expression blank. “Are you following me now?”He pushed off the wall, taking a slow step toward me. “You walked away
Elowen’s POVI could still feel his lips on mine.I hated it.I hated him.And yet—my traitorous body still burned from his touch.I stormed through the empty corridor, my breath uneven, my mind racing.What the hell just happened?One moment, I was throwing my rage in his face, reminding him of all the reasons I despised him, his brothers, his father.And the next—I was kissing him back.Not just letting it happen. Wanting it.The worst part? I had felt safe in his arms. Just for a second.I let out a sharp breath, shoving open the door to the nearest empty classroom. I needed to think. To breathe.But the moment I was alone, the weight of everything crashed down on me.I pressed my fingers to my lips, as if I could erase the feeling of him. But it was useless.Theron wasn’t like his brothers. That much was obvious.Alaric was cold, calculating. He had humiliated me, ignored me, made it clear I was nothing in his eyes. Ranon had taken pleasure in my suffering, treating me like dirt
Theron’s POVI barely registered the halls as I moved, my feet carrying me on instinct. The academy was awake now—students murmuring in clusters, eyes turning toward me as I passed. But I didn’t stop.Elowen.She was in danger.I shoved open the main doors, stepping out into the crisp morning air. My mind raced.What did my father mean—ask my brothers?Ranon was ruthless, a soldier who followed orders without question. Alaric was the golden boy, the one who craved our father’s approval above all else.Would they hurt her?I forced the thought down. No. They wouldn’t kill her. Not yet.But they would break her.And if I knew my father, he wouldn’t leave any loose ends.I had to find her. Now.—It didn’t take long.The moment I stepped outside, I heard the commotion near the training grounds.A crowd had gathered. Students circled in a wide ring, their voices hushed but eager. I pushed through, my heart hammering.And then I saw her.Elowen stood in the center, her face pale, her lip s
Theron’s POV The words blurred for a moment as I tried to process what I was seeing. Promised to the Nightbane bloodline. Not just as a mate— But as a queen. My pulse thundered as I flipped through the pages, searching for more. The records were old, some sections nearly faded beyond recognition, but the truth was undeniable. Elowen’s lineage wasn’t just powerful—it was sacred. A true She-Alpha. A ruler by birthright. A direct threat to my father’s reign. And he had tried to erase her. No wonder he destroyed her pack. No wonder he wanted her dead. If Elowen had grown up knowing who she truly was—if she had been raised to claim her throne—she could have united the remaining Whitefangs and taken control of everything. She could have challenged the Nightbanes. She could have won. My father had always been ruthless, always willing to eliminate anyone who stood in his way. But this— This wasn’t just a strategic move. This was fear. He had been afraid of