Caspian:The entire hotel felt colder now as the morning sun doing little to thaw the icy determination coursing through my veins.80s stood in front of me, stiff and unyielding, but I could see his conflicts in his eyes, and I could see that he did not like where things were going. However, he unde
“Do you really believe that I care about anything that you're telling me right now?” I smirked coldly. “And trust? That ship sailed a long time ago. This isn’t about trust, Elias. It’s about duty. You know what’s expected of an Alpha. If you were in my position, you’d do the same. You are an alpha t
Valerie:I was surprised when the knock on my door came earlier than I expected it to.Thankfully, Adrian was still asleep, curled up in the blankets on the couch in front of the TV, his small chest rising and falling with each breath that he took, making me smile as I realized how comfortable he fe
“Look, I know that you don't want to do this, I really do, but this is not something that you can help.” Elias placed a firm hand on my shoulder, his expression softening slightly.“I would rather I take my last breath than give him my son.”“Valerie, listen to me. If you try to run, Caspian will co
Caspian:I said in one of the arm treads in the hotel lobby, watching as the morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of the hotel's lounge.My fingers drummed against the armrest as I watched Elias approach me with a measured pace. I knew that he was not happy. I could tell that somethin
“This stops now,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m sick of the two of you talking about me and Adrian like we’re pawns in some power play. If you have something to say, Caspian, you can say it to me directly. Not through my brother. I have a mind of my own and trust me when I say I c
Valerie:My son's laughter echoed through the hotel's courtyard as he kicked the ball back and forth with the babysitter. His carefree joy was a sharp contrast to the storm that was boiling inside of me. I stood near the edge of the patio. My arms were crossed over my chest as I stared at him, watch
“And what does ‘handling it’ look like to you?” he asked, his tone laced with frustration. “Running? Fighting? You think you can outmaneuver Caspian on your own? Because you can’t, Valerie. He’s not going to back down. And he is stronger than you are. He always has been. He has tactics that you are
Caspian:One Year LaterThe breeze was warmer today.Softer.Gentler in a way I hadn’t felt in years.More peaceful and more contenting, More calm and even happier.I stood at the edge of the gardens, the same gardens where so much had been taken from us, and so much had been given back, watching Ad
Valerie:The sun was rising over the horizon, golden streaks splitting the sky wide open, like a promise finally fulfilled.I stood at the highest point of the estate grounds, the wind tugging at my hair, the scent of fresh earth and morning dew wrapping around me like a cloak.It was over.Giovanni
“Impressive,” Giovanni called, his voice carrying easily across the clearing. His smile was cold, razor sharp. “I knew there was more to you, Valerie. I knew it from the second I laid eyes on you. I did say that I had more respect to you than I had for others, but it seems to me that I did not expec
Valerie:The boy's cries ripped through me like claws.My heart raced with each passing moment and I did my best not to harm that child. I did my best not to dirty my hands with his blood, to save him out of this, to get him out of this before the man played the game that I was not willing to handle
Caspian:The air was too still.It was the kind of stillness that came after the fight, when the blood had dried and the bodies were cleared, but before the real danger revealed itself.I didn’t like it. Not one damn bit.Because I knew that stillness was one that only told me that more danger was
Valerie:The earth still smelled of blood.I smelled of blood. People's blood the blood of our enemies the people who had dared invade our territory.The ground beneath our feet was turned upside down. We were going to need to fix that later, but I knew that the vines that worked their way from the
Caspian:The moment my boots hit the dirt at the border, I knew it was going to be a bloodbath.The trees were alive with tension, the air so thick with rage and power it was almost suffocating. All around me, my men stood ready, rows of wolves shifted into their full forms, low growls vibrating th
Valerie:The sound of war drums echoed faintly in the distance.I stood on the balcony of Caspian’s estate, the crisp night air sharp against my skin. Below, the pack was preparing, shadows moving with purpose, weapons flashing under the moonlight, wolves shifting and howling into the night. It wa
Caspian:The great hall buzzed with low conversation, tension coiling in every corner like a living thing. They were all here, my warriors, my council, the elders, even some of the civilians who had asked to stay and fight if it came to it.Ryan was right when he said that the bastard had more enem