LOGINNobody spoke for several long seconds. Every face around the table carried the same expression. Disbelief. I looked at the crest stitched into the black cloth. It had been in my castle this entire time. Right beneath my nose. I had welcomed Calder into Blackthorne. He came with smile and promises of friendship while his people moved through my kingdom unnoticed. The thought made my stomach twist. Thorne broke the silence first. “If had escaped with them, it must mean she is valuable to them. Maybe even working with them. I nodded slowly. “She is definitely working with them.” Jace leaned against the edge of the table. “But why did she try to kill herself at first?” His words settled heavily over the room. I looked toward Cressida. “You said Zara believed someone would come for her.” She nodded. “She looked so frightened and Shaken I was almost fooled.” I rubbed a hand over my jaw. “She wasn’t afraid they would come.” I looked around the chamber. “She
The first thing I did after sunrise was seal the gates. No one entered. No one left. If Calder was still inside Blackthorne, I would find him. If he had escaped, I wanted every road watched before he crossed the border. I stood in the middle of the courtyard as soldiers hurried in every direction. “Search every guest house,” I ordered. “Every stable, every carriage, every empty building. I want every man who arrived with Calder accounted for.” The captain struck his fist against his chest. “Yes, My King.” Thorne stepped beside me, already dressed for battle instead of court. “The western road is covered,” he said. “I’ve sent riders to the southern pass too.” “Good.” “What if they’ve already crossed the border?” I looked toward the massive gates. “They haven’t.” “You sound certain.” “I don’t believe Calder would leave without what he came for.” Those words settled between us like a storm cloud. Neither of us spoke again. Within minutes, another group of scouts returned
Thorne helped the healer lift Rowan onto the narrow bed inside the cell. The healer checked his pulse again before looking at me. “His heart is steady now my King.” “Then why did he collapse in the first place.” The healer shook his head “I don’t know.” He wiped the sweat from Rowan’s forehead. “It was almost as if his body couldn’t withstand whatever he saw.” I looked down at Rowan. Only moments ago he had spoken Calder’s name. Not guessed it. Not questioned it. He had seen it. I turned sharply. “Double the guards.” Thorne frowned. “On Rowan?” “Yes.” The healer moved to say something but decided it was best to be quiet. Good decision. I continued “I don’t want anyone entering these cells without my permission.” He nodded. “It’ll be done.” I looked at the healer. “If he wakes up before I return, send for me immediately.” “Yes, my King.” I didn’t wait another second.”Thorne.” He was already beside me. “We’re going into Blackthorne Park.” ⸻ Th
The moment the guard left, I looked at Thorne. “Send men into the pack.” He nodded. “To watch the western delegation?” “Not watch.” I started down the corridor. “Search.” He frowned. “My King, if we search openly, they’ll know we’re suspicious.” “I don’t want them to know.” “Then how?” “They’re guests. Use servants. Stable boys. Garden keepers. Anyone who can move through the park without raising questions.” Thorne understood immediately. “I’ll choose men they won’t notice.” “Good.” We left the fortress together. Morning had barely settled over Blackthorne. Servants crossed the courtyards carrying baskets of bread and water. Guards changed shifts along the walls. From a distance, everything looked peaceful. It wasn’t. My kingdom felt like it was holding its breath. Blackthorne Park sat beyond the fortress walls. Every visiting ruler and delegate had been given a private residence there. Large stone houses surrounded by gardens. Enough comfort
By morning, Calder’s delegation had become the first thing on my mind. I had barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same things. Cressida’s face. The Seer’s warning. Rowan’s name. And Calder standing in my great hall as if he had every right to be there. I found Thorne waiting outside my study. He looked as though he had slept even less than I had. “What did you find?” “Not much.” I stopped. “That isn’t the answer I want to hear.” “I know my king.” Thorne handed me a folder. I opened it as we walked. “Calder has no military record with the western territories.” I looked up. “Nothing?” “Nothing we can verify.” “Then how does he represent them?” “That is the problem.” I continued reading. “There are no records of him attending any previous summit. No trade agreements signed by him. No letters bearing his name.” I closed the folder. “Yet he arrives with six men and claims to speak for an entire territory.” “That doesn’t happen
The great hall was silent after I told Calder to begin. He stood several paces away from me, surrounded by the men who had entered Blackthorne with him. Six men. That was what Thorne had counted. Their clothes were travel-stained, but their weapons were limited. They did not look like men who had come to start a war. And that did not mean I trusted them. I folded my arms. “You came here in the middle of the night claiming to have urgent news about my borders. So speak.” Calder inclined his head. “Our scouts have noticed unusual movement along the western territories.” “What kind of movement?” “Men.” I stared at him. He continued calmly. “Small groups. They appear, disappear, and move without leaving much behind. We first thought they were smugglers, but their movements are too organized.” Thorne stepped forward. “How long has this been happening?” “Several weeks.” “And you waited until tonight to inform us?” Calder’s gaze shifted to him. “We did not have enough infor
Cressida’s POV I stood frozen outside the door, the thin crack revealing a scene that shattered my world. Alpha Kael’s deep, guttural moans filled the room as he thrust into her with raw, punishing force. My best friend Zara clawed at his back, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist. “Yes!
Cressida’s POV I lay on my narrow bed staring at the stone ceiling. Two whole nights had passed and Lucian had not sent for me. The silence felt heavy and suffocating. My wolf paced inside my chest, restless and jealous. What was he doing? Was he with another woman? The thought made my stomach
Lucian’ POV The door slammed behind Cressida with a finality that echoed through my chambers longer than it should have. How dare she? The words still burned on my tongue. She had slept in my bed, curled against me like she belonged there, and the very next morning she asked for a favor as if
Before I could utter a single word, the stranger turned and gave a sharp nod. “Take her.” Rough hands dragged me forward. I twisted and struggled, but it was useless against their iron grips. “No—please! Let me go!” I was completely ignored and dragged through the dark woods back toward my pack.







