Novels by MidasPen

CHAPTER 79Ciara’s POVI found Serafine in the quarters that had been reserved for her. The room was simple but functional—a narrow bed with a worn woolen blanket, a wooden desk cluttered with papers and open books, and a shelf lined with volumes on bloodlines, pack history, and ancient wolf lore. The air smelled of old parchment, candle wax, and the faint herbal scent she always carried with her. She was sitting at the desk, a quill in her hand, writing something in a leather-bound journal. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting dancing shadows across the walls.She looked up as I entered. Her eyes narrowed immediately, scanning my face with that sharp, assessing gaze she always had. She could read people like no one else I had ever known."You look like you've been through a war," she said. "Your eyes are red. Your hands are shaking. You look like you haven't slept in days.""Close enough." I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, letting the cool wood press agai

Ciara's POVI walked out of the Alpha's chambers, and the guards stationed outside straightened immediately. They looked at me with something like respect in their eyes. The one who had gone inside to announce me—the one who had seen my desperation—stepped forward."Miss Ciara," he said. "Is everything alright?"I took a breath. The cool air of the corridor felt good against my flushed skin. "Yes. Everything is fine. Thank you."He nodded. "We heard... some of it. Through the door." He paused. "You were very insistent."I almost laughed. "I was. I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to cause trouble. I was just... desperate."He shook his head. "No need to apologize. We understand. You were fighting for someone you care about." He paused. "That takes courage."I felt warmth spread through my chest. "Thank you. For letting me in. For giving me a chance."He nodded. "Of course. Good luck, Miss Ciara."I smiled. "Thank you."I walked away, my footsteps echoing against the stone floor. The

Ciara's POVHe stared at me for a long moment. The firelight flickered across his face, casting deep shadows that made him look older, more tired. I could see the weight of his decision pressing down on him—the burden of being Alpha, of having to choose between his instincts and his duty.Then he nodded slowly."Alright," he said. "I'll do it. I'll help you."I felt the air leave my lungs. A huge sigh of relief escaped me, and I had to grip the edge of his desk to keep my knees from buckling. My hands were shaking. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat."Thank you," I said. "Thank you so much. You don't know what this means—""Don't thank me yet." His voice was flat, cutting through my relief. "You still have to find out where Thorne is keeping her. And even if you do, there's no guarantee you'll succeed. Thorne is careful. He's been doing this for years. He's not going to make it easy for you.""I know." I straightened my spine, forcing myself to stand tall. "I'l

Ciara's POVI took a deep breath. Then another. I could feel my heart pounding against my ribs, but I forced myself to stay calm. To stay focused. My wolf was stirring beneath my skin, restless and alert, responding to the tension in the room."Before I make this deal with you," I said, my voice steady but carrying an edge that I hadn't intended, "I need to tell you something else."The Alpha's eyes narrowed. His jaw tightened. He had been Alpha for decades, and he wasn't used to being challenged, especially not by a young woman in his private study."What?" he asked, his voice cautious. "What else?"I held his gaze. I didn't blink. I didn't look away. "I confronted Marcus."The room went still. The fire crackled. The Alpha didn't move. His hand, which had been resting on the armrest, tightened almost imperceptibly."You confronted Marcus," he repeated. His voice was flat. Unreadable."Yes." I nodded, stepping closer to his desk. "I went to him. I found him in his quarters, drowning i

Ciara's POVThe Alpha stared at me. His eyes were hard. Unreadable. The firelight from the hearth cast shadows across his face, making him look older than he was. More tired. More worn down by years of leadership and difficult decisions."Why do you think that?" he asked. "Why do you think Draven is being wrongfully accused?"I leaned forward in my chair. My hands were still trembling, but I forced them to still. I clasped them together in my lap and met his gaze. The leather of the chair creaked beneath me as I shifted closer to his desk."Because I know him," I said. "I know what kind of man he is. I've seen him work. I've seen him sacrifice. I've seen him put this pack above everything else. He would never betray us. Never."The Alpha leaned back in his chair. He studied me for a long moment, his eyes moving over my face like he was searching for something. A lie. A crack in my conviction. Then he shook his head slowly."You're young," he said. "You're in love. And love makes us bl

Ciara's POVI stepped inside the Alpha's chambers and followed the guard through a short corridor. The walls were lined with tapestries depicting the great battles of our pack's history—wolves in full shift, teeth bared, charging into battle under a blood-red moon. The threads were faded with age, but the scenes were still vivid, still violent. The air smelled of old wood and fire smoke, with an undertone of leather and parchment. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears, a steady drumbeat that matched the rhythm of my footsteps.The guard stopped at a door and pushed it open without announcing me. He stepped aside, and I walked into the study.And my blood ran cold.Thorne was sitting in one of the chairs across from the Alpha's desk. He was leaning back, relaxed, a glass of something dark in his hand. His legs were crossed. His expression was calm, almost amused. He looked like he owned the place. Like he had every right to be there, in the Alpha's private chambers,