LOGINCass’s PoV“I think this level of escort is unnecessary, Ben,” I muttered flatly, glancing at the five NightFang soldiers walking behind me as we made our way through the courthouse hall. Several Noctis staff members were also in town.“Direct orders from the Alpha,” Ben replied curtly. “He doesn’t want to take any risks.”“He even left without saying goodbye,” I whispered under my breath.Ben’s lips curved slightly. “The Council of Alphas meeting couldn’t be postponed. But he did leave a message—he didn’t want you to face the first hearing alone.”I took a deep breath before stepping into the courtroom. The air smelled of old wood and chilled metal from the ventilation. Several court staff and appointed experts were already present, along with witnesses and representatives. My eyes scanned the room, searching for one thing—Alaric.We took our seats. I organized my files and steadied my mind—especially my emotions—for what was coming.The door opened again, and instantly, his scent fi
Cass’s PoVThe main conference room of NightFang was cold and silent—eerily still beneath the tension that thickened the air. I sat at the far end of the long table, surrounded by the Pack’s high-ranking members, including Bennedict and several heads of the northern business divisions.Across from me sat Orion. His posture was composed, commanding. The Alpha’s aura rolled off him in quiet waves—powerful, steady, and impossible to ignore. One glance from him was enough to silence an entire room.The meeting began. One by one, the staff presented data and projections, until Bennedict leaned forward, his tone sharp yet confident.“So, Miss Vale,” he began. “As explained earlier, Blue Corp is a shell company founded by SilverFang three years ago—one year before the first lawsuit was filed. Their goal is clear: to cut off NightFang’s access to the ancestral valley, particularly the mineral-rich regions.”I listened closely, absorbing every word. So this wasn’t just about rare plants.“Show
Cass’s PoV“If you want to discuss this, let’s meet tomorrow at two in the afternoon. Solace Den Café.”Those words weren’t something I could ignore. There was no way I could treat a meeting with that deceitful woman as something trivial. And so, here I was.The late afternoon sky hung low over the small café that sat on the border between SilverFang and NightFang territories. The building looked ordinary enough, but I knew better—every shadow in this place was being watched.Gamma Russel sat by the window, eyes sharp and assessing as he watched me enter. Looking across sat Lyra, poised and radiant in an elegant cream coat, her hair pinned up neatly. Her face glowed with that triumphant energy she wore whenever she thought she’d won something.If only Alice had been more forthcoming when we spoke on the phone a few days ago, perhaps I’d know what kind of situation I was walking into. But she’d sounded uncertain, hesitant… promising only that she’d help however she could.That was enou
Iris’s PoVI had no idea how long I’d been sitting in the corner of my room, hugging my trembling knees. The walls felt as though they were closing in, pressing from every direction until breathing became difficult. Outside, the sun had already disappeared, leaving only streaks of orange bleeding through the worn curtains. I hadn’t turned on the light—I didn’t want to. Darkness made everything feel safer… quieter.“Why did Mommy yell at me and hit me?” I whispered, my voice raw. My cheek still stung where her hand had landed.“Iris…?”That soft voice echoed faintly inside my head—gentle, filled with warmth.“The voice?” I breathed, closing my eyes.Relief flooded me. At least she was here. At least I wasn’t alone. From within the shadows, a silvery glow began to shimmer. A small white wolf emerged, her fur glistening like moonlight, her eyes calm and tender. She padded closer, resting her head in my lap.“Don’t cry, my little one.”Her voice was like a breeze brushing against my heart
Alaric’s Pov“I think… Luna Lyra might be a little too harsh on Miss Iris,” Russell said carefully, his tone low and uncertain. He walked two steps behind me as we headed toward my office.We were supposed to continue discussing the landownership case that had grown more complicated by the day, but my focus drifted. Lyra’s voice echoed down the eastern hall—sharp, commanding—followed by the sound of a child’s sobs. The cry grated against my nerves, not out of disgust toward Iris, but toward her weakness.“Too harsh?” I stopped abruptly, the air around me tightening. “On what grounds are you saying that, Russell?”He immediately lowered his head. “Forgive me, Alpha. It’s just… Miss Iris is still a child.”Inside me, Fenrir stirred uneasily.Even though she isn’t your daughter, Iris is still a child. The Gamma’s right, Alaric.I ignored him.Moon above, you heartless bastard. Don’t you hear her crying? She’s terrified of Lyra hurting her!I forced Fenrir’s voice back into silence, order
Iris’s PoVI didn’t know why my heart was beating so fast.All I wanted was to enjoy my favorite vanilla ice cream in the corner of this little shop while waiting for Mom and Alpha to pick me up. They were attending a meeting nearby, and I wasn’t allowed to come along.That was fine, I told myself. At least I could enjoy a bit of quiet time alone.But… everything changed the moment I saw her.At first, I was scared. Mom always told me never to talk to strangers. But that lady… she didn’t feel like a stranger. Her smile was warm; her eyes shone with a gentle light that felt oddly familiar. And when she spoke—her voice was so soft, so comforting. Like something I’d heard before… maybe in a dream.What drew me in the most were her eyes—those strange, beautiful irises where violet shimmered with a touch of silver. I was sure I’d seen eyes like that somewhere before… but where?We talked. About ice cream. About gardens. About the plants that grew there and how some of them could be used as







