AdashaI didn’t realize when the tears finally began to fall. Alone in that unfamiliar room, in a place that wasn’t my home, the weight of everything hit me all at once.For the first time in what felt like years, I had the space to think, to breathe, without Randy’s suffocating presence looming over me. And in that stillness, the questions came.How did it come to this?Why wasn’t I enough?Why couldn’t he change?When I met Randy, he seemed perfect—charming, attentive, the kind of man I thought I could spend forever with. What we had was almost beautiful, until his insecurities and cruelty began to seep through the cracks.It was easy to say I hated him now. I’d crossed that line long ago, but my heart still bled for the love and time I had wasted on him, waiting for him to change.I waited.I waited so long, clinging to the hope that he would see me, truly see me, and become the man I needed him to be. But that hope had been a lie, one I told myself over and over until it shattered
AdashaWe ate in silence for most of the meal, the clinking of silverware against plates the only sound filling the room. When dessert was served, Alpha Kai’s gaze shifted in my direction, his expression unreadable but commanding.“I’d like to give you a tour of this place tonight if you don’t mind,” he said, his tone stern but measured. “Unless you have something else to do.”Declining didn’t seem like an option. My time with Randy had taught me one thing: Alphas hated being turned down. I didn’t want trouble, so I nodded silently, avoiding his gaze.“Laura is around, Malachi. We are supposed to discuss your engagement party,” the older woman said, breaking the silence.The young woman my age, seated a few places down the table, blushed deeply at the mention of her name. So, this was Laura. And I now knew Alpha Kai’s full name—Malachi.“I believe I’ve made my stance on that,” Alpha Kai replied coolly. “And I don’t want to discuss it.”There was a clear edge of annoyance in his voice,
AdashaWe strolled quietly, the sound of our footsteps echoing faintly through the hall. Once we were a comfortable distance from the dining room, he finally spoke.“You know I saved a chair for you, Adasha,” he said, his voice calm yet tinged with something I couldn’t place.I didn’t know how to respond, so I kept my gaze forward, hoping my silence wouldn’t offend him.He stopped abruptly and turned to face me, his piercing green eyes locking onto mine.“Are you afraid I’ll charm the truth out of you?” he asked, his voice low, almost teasing.There was something in his gaze—intense, knowing—that left me momentarily tongue-tied. I didn’t know if it was his words or his proximity, but I couldn’t find my voice.Kai chuckled softly, a sound that carried both amusement and confidence, as though he had anticipated my reaction. Without waiting for a response, he resumed walking, and I hurried to keep pace.He showed me around the packhouse, pointing out its various features as we went. I nod
AdashaI spent the night tossing and turning, my mind unable to settle. Kai’s kiss replayed over and over in my head, and I couldn’t figure out how to interpret it.Was it meant to put me at ease, to coax my secrets from me? Or was it his way of testing me, trying to see how I would react?As gentle and consuming as it had been, I couldn’t shake my weariness. Randy’s kisses had always been a weapon—used to manipulate, assert control, or remind me who held the power.That history made me wonder if there was a motive behind Kai’s actions, too.One thing I couldn’t deny, though, was that Kai was nothing like Randy.For a man who knew I was lying, who must have sensed the weight of my secrets, he had been remarkably kind.Another Alpha might have thrown me into a silver cell—or worse. But here I was, living in comfort, treated with care and patience I didn’t feel I deserved.My heart ached lightly at the thought. The kindness I had received since arriving in Eldenberge was more than I had
AdashaMay escorted me to the dining room, and to my disappointment, Alpha Kai and the other man from last night weren’t there. Instead, I found Gamma Gabe, Kai’s aunt, and Laura already seated.I resisted the urge to ask where Alpha Kai was—it would only make me seem nosy or entitled. Judging by the tense exchange at dinner the night before, I knew better than to draw attention to myself unnecessarily.Taking the same seat I had occupied last night, next to Gamma Gabe, I decided it was best to maintain politeness and keep my head down.“Good morning, Madam,” I greeted Kai’s aunt with a respectful nod. “Good morning, Gamma,” I said to Gabe, and then, “Good morning, Miss,” addressing Laura.It felt stiff, but I wasn’t on a first-name basis with any of them. Remaining cautious and formal seemed the safest approach.“Good morning, Miss Adasha. How was your night?” Gabe replied, his tone warm and accompanied by a surprisingly kind smile.I was taken aback by his friendliness but quickly m
AdashaI was hungry, but my anger outweighed my appetite.I had endured this kind of treatment before, back in Woodshire, where Randy’s in-laws had called me a leech, a gold digger, and a charity case. At the time, I didn’t understand their reason, but now, after everything, I did.Back then, I swallowed my pride for the sake of peace. But here? Here, I owed no one anything. I didn’t need to tolerate anyone’s disdain or condescension.In the worst-case scenario, Alpha Kai would ask me to leave his territory. And honestly, as long as he gave me my bag—along with its original contents—I would leave gladly.I made a beeline for the indoor pool instead of going to my room. I didn’t want anyone finding me, and I certainly didn’t want to face Alpha Ingrid or anyone else from that dining room.Tears fell freely as I walked, hot streaks of anger and exhaustion streaming down my face.When will it end? I wondered bitterly. When will I finally find peace?The pool room was empty when I arrived,
Adasha“Do you mind having breakfast with me? Just the two of us—no third parties. I know you haven’t eaten,” Kai finally said, his voice calm but inviting.Relief washed over me at his offer, and I nodded in response, grateful for the chance to finally eat without the added tension of an audience.“Meanwhile, let’s get you into dry clothes,” he added.I reached for the dress I had taken off, intending to handle it myself, but to my surprise, he scooped me up into his arms.“You don’t even weigh much,” he teased, his tone light.Despite myself, I giggled softly, caught off guard by the infectious warmth of his smile.“Gabe said you gave it to her,” he teased again, referring to the incident with his aunt, as he carried me effortlessly through the hallway.“She pushed me,” I replied, my tone half-defensive, half-amused.He laughed, the sound rich and unrestrained. “Good. You should learn to express yourself more.”His words took me aback. I was used to being silenced, my emotions dismi
KaiIt took everything in me to act normal when I saw the marks on Adasha’s back by the pool.They weren’t just scars—they were the unmistakable remnants of silver whips, wounds that hadn’t healed properly.Whoever had inflicted that pain had gone out of their way to ensure it scarred. Silver burns, beatings, and entrapment in the metal—it was a level of cruelty that made my blood boil.It was torment, plain and simple.I didn’t want to think about the agony she must have endured or the lengths her abuser had gone to in order to leave those permanent reminders of their control.When Adasha looked at me, I forced myself to remain calm, burying the rage simmering beneath the surface.If I’d been confused about the fear in her eyes, the lies, and the secrecy before, everything was starting to make sense now.Whoever she had been with wasn’t just possessive. He was a violent abuser.“There’s no explaining this,” I muttered under my breath, my jaw tight.“Let’s not jump to conclusions, Kai
Kai"This hall was built by our great-grandfathers after the fall of King Lycus Moonchild," Randy said, his voice laced with exhaustion."It was meant to be a symbol of hope and peace."I glanced at him, noting the strain in his posture, the subtle tremor in his hands. He was feeling it too—the slow, creeping weakness as the silver took its toll.We were running out of time."And how exactly is that relevant to our situation?" I asked, my patience thinning.Randy exhaled, his gaze sweeping across the room."Because the times back then weren’t as peaceful as they are now. Our great-grandfathers would have built this place with caution. With escape routes. They had to have been prepared for betrayal, for war."I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. "We’ve checked everywhere, Randy. There aren’t any hidden doors. No levers. No secret passages."He nodded, his jaw tight. "Then we check the floor."I frowned, but he wasn’t wrong.All this time, we had been searching the walls, the windows,
Kai"You better give her back once we’re out of here."Randy’s voice was firm, but there was something else laced beneath it—desperation. Even now, trapped, he was still clinging to the matter of Adasha.I narrowed my eyes. "You mean if we get out of here."The walls, the windows, the doors—every exit was reinforced. We weren’t walking out of here anytime soon. We had to wait, bide our time until the silver was retracted. And even then, we’d have to fight our way out.Randy’s Beta stepped forward, his tone grim. "The only way out is when they come for us. We need a plan. We have to be ready when they attack."Randy barely acknowledged him. His attention was still on me."You can’t keep her."His voice was raw, something breaking beneath the anger."She isn’t safe with you. Fated or not, you can’t keep her."There was something in his eyes—something more. He wasn’t just spewing possessive bullshit. He knew something.My instincts flared."Just give her back, Malachi." His voice tremble
Kai"You should have run for safety."The words felt hollow, empty—because I knew she couldn't hear me.My aunt lay still, her face pale, her breathing shallow.The wound on her shoulder was ugly, deep, and I knew the silver still lingered, making her healing sluggish.She had thrown herself in harm’s way for me, taken the bite meant for my flesh. And now, she was paying the price.I tore a strip of fabric from her ruined clothes, hands steady despite the fury simmering in my veins, and bound the wound as tightly as I could.It wouldn’t fix everything, but it would stop the bleeding long enough for her wolf to catch up."Trap?"Gabriel’s voice pulled me back to the present. I lifted my gaze to meet his and nodded as I stood, my muscles aching from the shift."It’s odd, isn’t it?" I said, scanning the ruined hall."The attackers aren’t trapped in here with us. They got in, did their damage, and disappeared. Everyone else is gone. Which means—""We were the target."Realization settled
KaiA woman’s scream cut through the air, raw and panicked.Then—chaos.Wolves shifted in frantic, desperate bursts of fur and bone, scrambling to escape. Chairs overturned, boots pounded against marble, voices shouted in confusion. The banquet hall, once a place of power and control, had descended into madness.And then—I saw her.Aunt Ingrid.She turned, her stance fierce, her eyes locking onto one of the intruders. She was ready to fight, to protect—me.But she never saw the other one.A blur of motion. A wolf lunging from the side.Fangs sank into her shoulder.She screamed—a sound that ripped through the air, through my bones, through Orion’s very soul. A deep, gut-wrenching cry of pain and shock.That bite was meant for me.Rage exploded through Orion, white-hot and blinding.I twisted, scanning the battlefield, my vision tunneling. Draco. Where was he?Then I saw him. Already on his feet, his wolf prowling, muscles coiled, ready to strike. His golden eyes burned with the promis
KaiThe shift tore through me like a storm, raw and untamed. A surge of power, wild and ancient, crackled through my bones as I surrendered to the beast within.My breath hitched, my pulse a war drum in my ears.Then—Orion emerged.The transformation wasn’t gentle.It never was. My skin split, fur erupted, and my limbs stretched into something monstrous, something more.My mind blurred at the edges, thoughts dissolving into pure, instinctual hunger. Orion wasn’t just part of me—he was me.And he wanted blood.Randy’s wolf was already in motion, a hulking nightmare of dark, matted fur and eyes burning like molten fire.His growl thundered through the banquet hall, rattling the crystal chandeliers, shaking the very bones of the building itself.The sound carried a promise—violence, destruction, death.I barely had time to brace before he lunged.Orion met him in midair, and when we collided, the world exploded. Tables and chairs shattered around us, debris flying like shrapnel.The impa
Kai Randy’s rage exploded, so intense it seemed to shake the very air in the room. "You bastard!" he roared, his fury vibrating through every word. "All this time, you made me believe you would help me—meanwhile, she…" His voice cracked, his breathing ragged, and for the first time, I saw it—tears welling in his eyes. "My wife!" he bellowed, his voice breaking under the weight of his anger. "You were sleeping with my wife!" The room shifted around us, people instinctively stepping back, giving us space. The tension was suffocating, pressing down on everyone like a storm about to break. My aunt looked worried. "Technically," Ingrid interjected, her voice rushed, "she came to Malachi of her own free will. She didn’t say anything about you—he believed she was a widow." I immediately shut her down with a look. Because we both knew the truth. I had always known Adasha wasn’t a widow. And I had still chosen her. Randy turned back to me, his voice trembling with rage. "Give her
KaiAustin was about to create a storm, and he knew it.And I braced myself for the impact."I tried to reach you," he said to Randy, his voice laced with mock disappointment."But you ignored me. Always feeling high and mighty." He chuckled, shaking his head as if I had personally wronged him.Slowly, I pushed myself up from my seat. I wasn’t about to let him control the narrative.I could feel Randy’s attention sharpening now, the weight of his focus settling over me like a vice.Austin smirked, knowing he had everyone's eyes on him."I learned something interesting from Ingrid a few weeks ago," he continued smoothly, his words carrying an edge of calculated malice."She mentioned that this mysterious woman of yours might be a criminal, hiding from people who are looking for her."I felt my aunt stiffen beside me, saw her glare sharpen like a dagger.Austin wasn’t done."You found her in the woods, didn’t you? With your officers. And what was she carrying?" He tilted his head mockin
KaiWith the meeting finally over, it was time to mingle.The shift in atmosphere was almost immediate—the tension didn’t disappear entirely, but it softened, masked by the hum of conversation and the start of the evening’s entertainment.Music drifted through the air, and some took the opportunity to dance with their mates, engaging in lighthearted socializing.But I wasn’t in the mood for any of it.What did catch my attention, however, was that Abraham had seemingly chosen not to bring up whatever had Edmond so on edge earlier.Had he decided against it?Or was he waiting for the right moment?Maybe he feared confrontation. Maybe he wasn’t ready for the pushback. Maybe… he was playing a different game entirely.Only time would tell.And then—Randy walked up to me.I exhaled slowly, already exhausted by the thought of whatever he wanted. I really didn’t need this right now.But what made me pause wasn’t Randy himself—it was Austin.As Randy approached, I caught sight of Austin acros
KaiAbraham did not respond.His silence spoke volumes.Randy leaned forward, his tone laced with barely concealed annoyance."I think the real reason you’re bringing this to the table is because of the power rotation argument," he said, his gaze locking onto Abraham with calculated sharpness."After all," he continued, "Narva shares borders with all our regions. Are you trying to imply that Draco, Malachi, and Iare incompetent?"A muscle in Abraham’s jaw tensed. He wasn’t expecting the conversation to turn like this. He had likely assumed we’d all be too distracted by the Moonchild revelation to connect the dots.Too bad for him."If that’s the angle you’re trying to push, it’s not going to work," Randy went on, his voice firm.The room was silent, waiting. Watching."Our great-grandfathers fought for these regions," he continued, his words cutting through the air like a blade."And that law—that unchanging law—was set in place for a reason. If someone wants to become a Regional Alph