MasukAuthor's povTang stood frozen for a moment, his chest rising and falling in uneven rhythm, the last traces of lethal energy still clinging to his skin like static after a storm.At the sound of their concerned voices, the sharp edge in his eyes dulled, and the tension slowly drained from his shoulders."I'm fine," he said flatly, his voice low but clipped, the kind of tone that made everyone hesitate to press further.Cecilia pointed at the crimson stains on his clothes, her finger shaking. "Then whose blood is that?""Someone else’s," Tang replied, his face carefully blank.Only the tightness around his jaw betrayed the lie he clearly didn’t want to explain."Thank the goddess," Cecilia breathed out, pressing a hand to her chest. "What about the two guards protecting my grandmother? Are they alright?"A flicker of darkness crossed Tang’s eyes, but his tone stayed deliberately calm. "Nothing serious. They’re injured, but not fatally. They’ll need time to recover, that’s all."Cecilia
Cecilia's povThe guests began to drift out of the main house, their cars already waiting along the circular drive.The elders boarded first, while family representatives traded polite goodbyes with Cassian, who was coordinating everyone’s departure.Soon the driveway was thinning out, headlights winking into the distance.The Cole family’s cars were the first to roll out, followed by the Lawson convoy. Sebastian had arranged for his parents and siblings to leave ahead of us and made sure Helena had a private ride back to her hotel."Grandmother," I said, leaning toward her window, "I’ll visit you in the morning."Helena smiled, her eyes soft. "Sweetheart, don’t worry about us. Have breakfast with Martha instead. She’s missed you for years.""But Grandmother—""Hush." Her smile deepened, lines crinkling at the corners. "Spending time with the Lockes doesn’t change who you are. You’ll always be our family. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters."My eyes stung unexpectedly."W
Cecilia's povI watched Maggie’s perfect mask start to crack, and satisfaction warmed my chest.The fury in her eyes told me I had hit my mark.I casually tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and let a slow smile curve my lips as quiet laughter spread through the room like a soft current of amusement.Zane stood frozen for a moment before recovering, his expression twisting into an awkward smile."I’ll consider it, of course," he said, his voice too smooth to sound honest. "You’re my daughter. I would never disappoint you."The sweet talk rolled off his tongue like cheap booze at a dive bar, easy to serve but hard to swallow.I could see right through his little stalling act.He smelled of fear and guilt, faint like iron and smoke.Maggie was too angry to stay calm. With one quick motion, she pushed over the antique vase stand near the door. The porcelain crashed to the floor, and she stormed out.The sound echoed through the hall like a gunshot.The carpet softened the fall, but the
Author's povMartha’s accusation froze the room.Maggie stopped mid-step, her expression stiffening as every eye turned toward her."Cassian," Alpha Yardley said sharply, his voice echoing through the hall. "What in the Goddess’s name happened out there?"The weight of his Alpha aura rippled through the air, pressing down on every wolf present.Zane stood by the wall with a blank face, as if he had lost his spirit.Cassian started to speak in a calm voice.He told them everything—the ambush, the gunfire, the chase.When he talked about his encounter with Cecilia and Tang, Cecilia stepped forward.Her voice was steady and strong."They were waiting for us," she said. "Trained soldiers. Military precision. They knew exactly where we’d be."Alpha Yardley and Luna Regina exchanged uneasy looks.Regina’s eyes dropped to Cecilia’s stomach, her instincts as a mother kicking in.Alpha Sebastian ’s jaw tightened, his expression hardening like stone."If not for Cassian and Cecilia," Martha said
Author's povAlpha Sebastian's voice filled the hall, deep and firm like a final verdict. The power coming from him made Maggie tremble.She straightened her back and forced a weak smile. "I couldn't reach her, so I just assumed... ""Assumed ? "Cecilia cut in, her tone cold as frost. "Let's call it what it really was, certainty. "Her eyes locked on Maggie, sharp and unblinking. "Everyone here saw how you reacted. That wasn't worry, it was confidence. You wouldn't have made that bet unless you were sure Daisy was dead. "Cecilia leaned forward a little. Her voice stayed calm, but the calm was more dangerous than anger. "Only two kinds of people are that sure about death: the Grim Reaper or the killer. "Maggie tried to look calm and said, "I was just emotional. People act strange when they're scared for someone they care about. "Alpha Sebastian pulled out his phone, every movement deliberate, the kind of confidence that comes from knowing the trap is already closed. "That's a pretty
Author's pov"So what are you planning to do ? "Maggie lifted her chin, her voice dripping with mockery. "You said Daisy is still alive, didn't you ? Then bring her out. "A faint smile crossed Alpha Sebastian's lips, his eyes calm and steady. "Mrs. Maggie , why so impatient ? Are you afraid she might actually show up ? "Maggie's tone turned sharp. "Stop dodging the question. If she's really alive, I'll apologize in public. But if she doesn't appear, you'll admit your lie right here. ""Deal. "Alpha Sebastian's voice was steady, almost too calm. Not a hint of hesitation showed.Zane quickly stepped in, trying to ease the tension. "Everyone, maybe we should take a breath. Daisy could just have poor signal or something came up. "No one listened. The air was heavy, every second stretching tighter. People were waiting to see who would break first.Maggie met Alpha Sebastian's gaze, her lips curling in challenge. "One minute, then. If she's alive, you win. If not, you'll kneel and apologi
Cecilia's povFriday passed with unexpected tranquility.I even found time to treat myself to a small cake and afternoon tea—luxuries that had become rare in my busy schedule.Alpha Sebastian didn't come to the office in the morning, only appearing with Beta Sawyer around one o'clock.He stayed in h
Cecilia's povCassian Locke.With those pecs alone, he could probably make an entire pack of lonely omegas weak at the knees.I was still lost in that inappropriate mental image when Alpha Sebastian's voice cut through my reverie."Cecilia? What fascinating thoughts are keeping you so preoccupied?"
Cecilia's povHarper laughed, shaking her head at Nicole's request. "Why are you so afraid of him? "Nicole kept her head down, her cap shadowing her face. "I... I don't know. He just makes me nervous. There's something about him that feels... different from the rest of us.""Fine. I'll get rid of y
Cecilia's povThe events in Boulder had left me physically and emotionally drained, and I'd fallen into the deepest sleep I'd experienced in weeks.When I started to surface from sleep, the dream-fog still thick in my brain, I reached out with the lazy confidence of someone absolutely sure they were







