“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:The warm glow gave the dining area a serene atmosphere over the bustling hotel.I entered the room, my steps calm as my gaze scanned the table. It did not take me long to find him, Adrian, who was sitting with Elias near the window.For a moment I found myself staring at him. He was laughin
Adrian nodded, returning his attention to his pancakes. I glanced at Elias, who gave me a pointed look but didn’t say anything. I knew that this was not something that he wanted me to keep pressing on. He wanted me to finish whatever conversation that I came to have and leave, but I was not planning
Elias:I found myself staring into space as the morning sunlight poured through the hotel’s grand windows. It illuminated the lounge of the golden warmth, one that should have been soothing, but all it did was highlight the way that I carried.Today not only went against everything that I wanted, bu
I looked away, my jaw tightening. “I’m trying to protect her. Protect them.”Mom sighed, leaning forward slightly. “Elias, I know you mean well. I know you love your sister. But sometimes, love isn’t about protection. Sometimes, it’s about making hard choices. Choices that hurt.”I frowned, her word
Valerie:The room was quiet, the kind of stillness that felt suffocating rather than peace. This was something that I would have normally admired. I would have normally loved my piece, but right now I just found myself feeling like I was completely alone, feeling like I was in complete conflict.Adr
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