LOGINThe potion was poured slowly between Russel’s unmoving lips. The liquid slipped into his throat.
Seconds later… his chest arched violently.
Raymond rushed forward. “Hold him down! That’s a rhythmic magic response!”
Two guards pinned Russel’s shoulders.
In the midst of the tense room—Iris gripped the edge of her chair, trembling, her voice small but steady.
“It’s all right. This is a natural reaction.”
Russel’s movements slowed. His breathing, which had been so ragged before, gradually steadied. The harsh tension in his face eased, color returning little by little. Then he suddenly coughed—hard—and a thick stream of dark, viscous liquid spilled out of his mouth. A lot of it. Enough to leave him looking weak, but…
“What… what happened to me?” Russel whispered.
Raymond’s eyes flew wide. “This is—this is imposs
As my car passed through the main gates of Orion’s mansion, Ben was already waiting.He bowed respectfully before lifting his head—and of course—raising an eyebrow.“Good morning, Miss Cassandra,” he greeted with a warm smile. “It seems something good has happened. I’ve never seen your face this bright before.”I let out a quiet breath—trying not to look too thrilled. “Iris… will be staying with me for a while. Alaric just sent word.”Ben’s smile spread instantly. “That’s wonderful news. Congratulations.”“Thank you.” My voice came out soft, but I couldn’t hide the gratitude spilling through it.As we stepped into the main foyer, Orion was already there—leaning casually against the long dark-marble table. Under the crystal lights, his eyes looked sharper than usual. He seemed deeply focused on the file he was reading, accompanied by a cup of coffee that was probably already cold.“Good morning, Alpha,” I greeted once we were close enough.He closed the file that had stolen his attenti
Cassandra’s POVA few hours before I went to pick up Iris.“Miss Cassandra,” Susan called the moment I stepped out of my room. The air in NightFang was unusually cold today. That was why I’d brought a thick coat—anything to keep the chill from biting into my skin once I stepped outside.“Yes?”“Will you be having dinner at home tonight? I was planning to make carrot soup.”I looked at the head maid, then offered a faint smile. “Yes, make it. I’ll be back before dinner. I don’t think I’ll have too much to handle today.”“I hope everything goes smoothly for you.”From the first day Susan had been assigned to serve me, she’d been warm and attentive—constantly creating this feeling that I wouldn’t be alone in this house. She always moved quickly to help, and sometimes even kept me company with simple, harmless conversations—like the fresh flowers she arranged almost every day.“Thank you, Susan.”I headed out, ready to continue the work I’d put on hold. Especially the preparations for the
Lyra stumbled half a step back. Her chest rose and fell in uneven breaths. Her fingers clenched the fabric of her half-open dress, and her eyes widened as if my words hit the center of a secret she thought was buried deep.“A-Alaric, you’re misunderstanding. Why are you talking like this? I only wanted—”“You wanted to manipulate me again.”I didn’t raise my voice, but the sharpness of it sliced through her breath. “Tell me why this scent is on you.”“I—I didn’t—”“I know what happened to Iris while we were in WestVale.”Lyra froze.Her eyelids fluttered, her mouth opening soundlessly. She tried to arrange her expression into something innocent, something shocked—but at this distance, no lie survived.“You used Iris,” I growled, gripping her jaw hard enough to make her flinch. “What did you ask her to do, Lyra?”“I—I don’t know what you’re talking about, Alaric,” she whispered, struggling to speak.“Answer me before I lose my patience!” I snarled. “You had Iris make something, didn’t
Alaric’s PoV“Alaric,” Lyra whined. “Where are we going?”I’d lost count of how many times she’d asked that. I didn’t bother answering I just kept walking toward one destination. Maybe because I kept ignoring her, she grew bolder.Her footsteps were light, almost eager, like someone finally reclaiming something she’d longed for. She walked beside me, brushing against me from time to time as if afraid I might disappear if she didn’t cling close. I didn’t look at her. I kept moving.“Alaric… since when have you been this cold to me?” she whispered, looping her arm through mine. “I miss us. I miss the way you used to look at me… like I was the only woman you ever wanted.”I didn’t answer. My face stayed blank, my steps steady. She tightened her hold, trying to coax a reaction out of me. Maybe all she wanted was for me to turn her way. But no. Not this time. I wouldn’t give her even a flicker of attention.My mind was too full of questions.“We haven’t spent time alone in so long.” Her vo
Alaric’s POV“We’ll be arriving soon, Alpha,” the driver said once we crossed the main SilverFang gates.“I know,” I muttered.Of course, I knew I was almost home. How could I not?Ck.The moment the car rolled to a stop, several warriors opened the door for me. Russel—who had been glued to his phone the entire ride back—half jogged to catch up as I made my way toward the mansion doors. His breathing was uneven, as if whatever he’d learned was too heavy to carry alone.“Alpha,” he said, lowering his voice, “I just received an additional report.”I stopped. “What report?”Russel scanned the area first, then leaned in closer to whisper.“Miss Lyra. She left the mansion last night. Exactly at two in the morning. She used the side entrance—the one no one really pays attention to.” He bowed his head slightly as he handed me his phone. “She returned only when the sky began to lighten. Cassian’s men tightened their perimeter, so it was difficult for ours to follow further.”My instincts flar
“I missed you too,” Cassandra replied, her voice trembling just slightly.The moment should have been simple. Ordinary. But to me, it felt like standing at the edge of a chasm I’d let grow too wide for too long. A mother and daughter… and I had been part of the reason they were torn apart.Part of me wanted to kneel beside them. Wrap my arms around them both. Protect them. Promise I wouldn’t let anything hurt them again.And Fenrir agreed.He growled, pushing at the edges of my restraint, demanding I say everything burning inside me.Orion stepped closer, though his gaze stayed locked on Cassandra and Iris. “She looks stable,” he said quietly. “We’ll keep her safe.”Iris blinked up at him. “You… you’re going to protect me?” she asked, her voice trembling—nerves or fear, I wasn’t sure. Orion’s presence could be overwhelming. “But why?”I had to admit; she was brave to question an Alpha so directly.“Alpha,” she said again, turning to me. “Did I do something wrong?”I crouched down so w







