Chapter 8[Ciara’s POV.]I was still trying to process what Damon had said before he left. My instincts had been right all along; something about Daryl and his brother was off. And the worst part? They weren’t even trying to hide it any more. There was only one option; I needed to take Damon’s advice and get the hell out of here.I sat slumped in the corner with my head in my hands as I thought about every bad decision that led me to this moment. How did I let this happen? How did I not see this coming?Then I heard footsteps drag across the wooden floor, and I looked up. Daryl was already heading for the door, his hand reaching for the knob. And before I even thought about it, my mouth moved on its own."Wait!"Daryl stopped. He didn’t turn around immediately, but I saw the way his shoulders tensed and the way his fingers curled at his sides like he regretted stopping. When he finally turned, his face was drawn tight.I swallowed hard. “What is it?” He snarled. “I know I have said
Chapter 9:[DARYL'S POV ]I stepped into the Red Room, and immediately, it felt like all eyes were on me. The council members were already in their usual spots around the large oak table. My eyes quickly found Damon who was seated by the table, twirling a glass of whiskey between his fingers.I looked away from him and focused on my father who was seated at the head of the table. He had his arms crossed and his lips were set in a hard line. My stomach tightened as I noticed how his eyes bore into me. “Daryl,” he called in his rough voice.“Father…?” I replied. “Finally decided to show up?” Garret, the jerk sitting next to him, sneered. “I still don’t get why this reputable council had to wait on some pup who doesn’t know his place.”“Garret,” I spat his name out like it was something disgusting. “I am here now.” I didn't know why, but I fought the urge to punch him. Garret was the pack's official beta and my father’s right hand. He had never hidden his hate for my brother and me. E
Chapter 10:Daryl's POVI stormed out of the Red Room with my fists clenched. I could feel the thudding of my heart. As much as I hated it, I couldn’t stop thinking about the smug smile Damon had back in the Red Room. I didn’t need a witch to tell me that he was determined to take the Supreme Alpha throne.Over my dead body! I swore. My jaw clenched as I realized how much had changed. My plans were different now.Just last week, I was set on leaving the pack, ready to cut ties and move to California. I knew disappearing like that would raise suspicions, so I came up with a plan. I decided to introduce a fake mate to my family. That way, they’d think I was settled, and that I wasn’t one of those unlucky wolves destined to be mateless forever.But now… something shifted. A strange feeling took hold of me. I didn’t want to leave BlackThorn anymore.Damon and I were both heirs to the throne, but I’d be damned if I let him take it. I hissed under my breath, just thinking about what a disas
Chapter 11: Daryl's POV.I rushed through the woods with Alaric hot on my tail as we walked the narrow path leading to the secret exit."What is it?" he asked, falling in step with me. "It's the human girl, isn't it?"My jaw clenched from trying to hold back the desire to yell at him once more and also the gnawing urge to correct him. Her name was Ciara, and she was not just any human girl, she was...I shook my head, dismissing the incoming thoughts, but I knew Xere wouldn't let it be."I knew you could feel it." I felt Xere smirk but ignored him."I told you to stay out of it," I said rather calmly, but between gritted teeth. It was best he stayed out of it. Alaric knew me so well that he must've noticed the self-control I was so badly practicing because he didn't press me with further questions.Once at the exit, I quickly placed my hand on the stone wall and whispered the passcode. I didn't wait for the door to fully open before I dashed out and rushed through the corridors of th
Chapter 12: [Ciara's POV]The next morning, when I opened my eyes, bright sunlight streamed through the glass window. I sat up slowly, blinking as I rubbed my eyes. For a moment, I felt a little lost.Then I realized it. I was still in Daryl's room. And he... wasn't here.I was alone. Perfect! At least now I could think about how to spend the next few weeks of my life.I yawned and glanced down at what I was wearing. It had already been 24 hours since my last bath."I need a change of clothes," I muttered, suddenly remembering I hadn’t brought any luggage. I had no idea where to even find new clothes.I let out another sigh and looked toward Daryl’s wardrobe. My lips parted slightly.“He wouldn’t mind, would he?” I bit my bottom lip, thinking about what to do next.After a few seconds, I got out of the large bed and walked over to the wardrobe, which had mirrors on both doors. I opened it slowly and was met with rows of neatly arranged clothes, mostly in neutral colors.One side had w
Chapter 13: Ciara's POVI walked down the hallway beside Damon, my eyes fixed ahead. I kept my gaze straight, hoping it would make it obvious that I had no interest in speaking with him.I noticed figures in suits of armor displayed along the hallway. They looked like decorative pieces, probably there to show off the craftsmanship and wealth of Daryl’s family.Several huge looking men stood guard nearby. They were the same ones who had let me pass earlier, causing Daryl to question how I got through.“You’ve certainly caught Daryl’s attention, haven’t you?” Damon said suddenly. His tone was oddly playful. “My younger brother is amusing. He hasn’t given you a moment to breathe since he brought you here." I gritted my teeth and kept walking, not giving him a glance. I didn’t know what he was trying to pull, but I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of a response. Why exactly was he even talking to me? Didn't I make it clear enough that I wanted nothing to do with him? Whatever he
Chapter 14:Ciara's POVI stood frozen, Luna Eleanor's piercing question hanging in the air like a challenge as my heart drummed in my ear."How did you meet Daryl?" she asked again in disdain, her eyes never leaving mine.My knees buckled beneath me."Sit," she ordered, as though she'd noticed that my knees buckled.I moved towards the two chaise lounges surrounding a gold center table and sat, clasping my hands on my thighs, willing them to stop shaking.What was I meant to say? How was I supposed to answer her?The first thought that filtered through my head was to lie...'Daryl and I met at a coffee shop?''We met at a socialite event or charity gala?''Work. I applied for a job at his company?'Oh, how rich!I groaned internally as I immediately thought against lying. If I were to gain her trust, the truth was the way forward. Lying would only make things worse by making me look untrustworthy, which was not the goal.So maybe I could say...'Oh, my blonde bestie got cheated on by
Chapter 15:Ciara's POVHe pulled me effortlessly into the room next to the Luna's chamber. My eyes widened at him as he closed the door of the room behind us, with his hand still over my mouth.I told him to let me go, but the words came out disoriented and misplaced, making no sense as his palm was still over my mouth."Sorry," he mumbled so low I almost didn't hear him, as he removed his hand from my mouth and stepped away from me. He walked further into the room, giving his back to me."What was that for...?" I started asking, but my voice trailed off as I looked around and took in the interior of the room he brought me to, immediately getting engulfed by its opulence. I didn't want to gawk, but it was hard not to. It was like a room straight out of a medieval movie or novel.The room held so much majesty. But this was real life. It was reality.It was a luxurious dressing room with a large chandelier hanging elegantly in the middle. The dressing room was filled with elegant gowns
Chapter 39Damon's POVIt had been twenty-four hours.Twenty-four hours since I had last seen Ciara. Since I had last heard her voice. Since I had last caught the maddening scent of hers. She always scented of honeysuckle and rain, which made Calx go wild. And which also made me go wild, if I was being honest."You need to go see her." Calx paced restlessly beneath my skin. "She's ours," he growled."Calx..." I tightened my jaw and clenched my fists. I was still in Silverstone backline, running an errand for my father. I was to retrieve ceremonial items for the upcoming Christmas Eve Ritual.I had welcomed it, fully aware that it was just the distraction I needed to leave my thoughts about Ciara back in the Pack... back in the royal building. I was hoping the journey would buy me time to shove my feelings back into whatever locked box they came out of.But Calx was proving to be another distraction I didn't need... reminding me about Ciara at every point."Don't you see?" Calx continu
Chapter 38Ciara’s POV“Wh-what did you say?” A calm voice asked besides me. I shut my eyes again, ignoring him.. This wasn't the right place for me to explain myself to anyone, especially not Daryl. The room was silent. That was good…because the last thing I wanted now was to listen to anyone talk loudly while I was trying to understand what the hell was going on in my head. I shifted again on the bed, with my eyes still closed and the first thing I felt was pain.A dull, sharp throb pulsed at the back of my head, beating in rhythm with my heart as I slowly blinked against the harsh white light flooding my vision. This time, everything seemed too bright and too damn sharp. I struggled to sit up, groaning softly as my body resisted the motion. I heard the steady beeping of machines, and I quickly realised that I was in the pack’s infirmary. Someone moved beside me. "I'm glad you're awake," Daryl said.His voice was gentle, but I didn’t want it. Scratch that…I didn’t want him. He r
Chapter 37:Daryl’s POVIt had been three days.Three long, excruciating days since the accident—since Ciara hit the floor, the back of her head slamming against the edge of the nightstand.Three days since the world stopped moving for me.And in those same three days, she hadn’t opened her eyes. Not once. She hadn’t shifted, flinched, or moved a single muscle. Just stillness. Unbearable stillness.The doctor had come by again yesterday. He said she was stable. That her vitals were fine, and she was resting. That rest was good. But when I asked the one question I really needed answered—when will she wake up?—he only offered a vague response.“It depends on her,” he had said with a soft, almost apologetic tone. “Her body is healing, but her mind needs peace. A calm environment will help. The rest… is up to her.”So I made sure everything was calm. Silent. Peaceful. Still.But inside me, it was chaos.I hadn’t left the room in days—only stepped out once to shower, and that felt like a b
Chapter 36:Daryl’s POVIt felt like time stopped.I stood frozen, wide-eyed, staring at Ciara. My heart slammed into my ribs so hard it hurt.Just a second ago, she was standing between Damon and me, trying to stop us from fighting. Her eyes were wide, her mouth open like she was about to scream. And then, she fell. Just like that.One second she was standing. The next, she was on the floor.Still. Motionless.My stomach dropped. My heart plummeted. And before I could even think, I was running toward her.“Ciara!” I dropped to my knees beside her, my hands shaking in the air, hovering just above her body. I didn’t know what to do, what to touch, what not to touch. Panic flooded me, and my fingers finally found their way to her head.Blood. There was blood.It was coming from the back of her head, staining her beautiful dark hair. I looked behind her and saw the corner of the bedside table. She must have hit it when she fell.And she was still bleeding.I looked at her face. God, her
Chapter 35Ciara's POV~~~The hallway was too quiet. Unnaturally quiet.Damon walked beside me, but neither of us said a word. Our footsteps echoed off the cold stone floor, the sound loud and sharp in the silence. The tension from the Solarium followed us like a shadow, clinging to our skin, pressing on our shoulders like invisible weight.I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t even sure I could speak if I wanted to. My throat felt tight. My legs heavy. My heart even heavier.Maybe that’s why I let him hold my hand. Just until we got to Daryl’s room.When we reached the door, I pulled my hand out of his like I’d touched fire. The door creaked open as I pushed it hard, almost like I was running from something. Maybe I was.But as soon as I stepped inside, my feet slowed. Something felt wrong.The room was dim, the air still. The bed… untouched.He wasn’t here.I blinked, letting the realization sink in, and it hit me like a punch to the gut. The disappointment was instant and overwhelmi
Chapter 34:Ciara's POVLuna Eleanor stood with her arms folded tightly across her chest, her sharp eyes darting between King Donovan and me. If she suspected something, she didn’t show it—not through her face, not through her posture. She just stood there, statuesque, cold, and composed. The energy in the room shifted with her presence, like the oxygen had been sucked out.“I’m waiting,” she said calmly, yet her voice still carried weight as she closed the door behind her. “What were you two discussing?”My heart pounded so loudly, I could barely hear anything else. My limbs felt frozen. I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t think straight.Just moments ago, I had been pressing King Donovan for answers, for the truth behind his insane confession. And now—now his wife was here, looking at us like she’d caught us mid-act. Mid-sin.I tried to part my lips to say something—to explain, to fix this somehow—but he beat me to it.“Luna,” King Donovan said smoothly, stepping forward like he wasn’t bothe
Chapter 33: The Alpha's offer. Ciara’s POV~~~Oh shit!I cursed under my breath as Lyra opened the double doors to the Solarium and stepped aside. .Leave, Ciara! My mind screamed, but my feet refused to obey. I swallowed hard as my eyes settled on King Donovan. The sunlight poured through the tall glass windows of the room, framing him in a warm golden glow. He was seated at a table, perched on an extravagant throne. The light made him look every bit the regal figure, as if it was designed to match the gold that I was wearing.I shook my head, cursing myself for even noticing. Why was I thinking about this? I quickly realized I was still standing at the door.I willed my legs to move, though each step I took felt like it required more effort than it should. I heard the door click shut behind me, and I knew Lyra was gone. That left just him and me.It was as though he’d been waiting for Lyra to leave the room. Slowly, he raised his head and looked at me, his expression unreadable.
Chapter 32: God, Help me!Ciara’s POV“Hmm…” a soft moan escaped my lips as I gripped my sheets tightly. They cling to my skin, carrying the traces of last night. My eyes squeezed shut as my body throbbed with a dull ache. It wasn't the kind of ache that would make one think of love or passion. No, this was deeper and painful. I gasped as my mind flashed to Daryl. The way he had sex with me last night and left without a word, like a coward. It felt like none of this meant a thing to him. There was no goodbye, only the soft click of the door as he left while I was still in the bathroom."...God," I whispered, clutching a pillow and pressing my cheek against it. My fingers dug into the fabric of the pillow as I realized that his scent still clung to it. I pulled the sheets tighter around me and stared at the ceiling. I felt so empty and used. The emptiness inside me grew with each passing second as my chest ached. I rolled over on the pillow again, pressing my face into it. “I fe
Chapter 31Daryl's POV ~~~~~Bang! I slammed the door bend me and walked further into the dark room. Then, I paused and returned to the door. My hands ran across the wall by the door, hoping to find the switch for the lightbulb. I found it almost immediately, and I switched it on. My eyes squinted because of the bright glare of the bulb, soon I grew used to the brightness and looked around the room. Earlier, I had asked Alaric to bring the documents to this room, and I had no plans of returning to the room until tonight. It was urgent now because I needed to work. I threw a glance at the large mahogany desk with stack of scrolls and paperwork on it. Then, I strolled over to it and sat, picking up a document. ~~~~Barely thirty minutes later, I grew bored of the documents, and I found myself staring out of the window into the courtyard. The crowd had trickled down, and I assumed the alpha feast was likely over. It was just a few drunk pack members who stayed behind to dance and