LOGINLyra 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
Alaric’s PoV“How are you feeling now?” I asked quietly, breaking the silence inside the car.Iris turned her head, clearly surprised by my question. Her thoughts seemed far away—maybe because Lyra hadn’t visited her once. According to Alice, she’d spent all yesterday asking where Lyra was.“I’m much better, Daddy. Doctor Raymond said I just need to rest more. And Alice has been taking care of me… um, really well.”A faint smile appeared on her lips—a soft little smile I hadn’t seen in a long time.Through the rearview mirror, I caught a glimpse of her hugging the tiny stuffed toy I’d given her years ago. She once told me it was one of her most precious things.“I’m glad to hear that,” I replied shortly.She shifted in her seat, restless. Her spine straightened as if she’d gathered courage to speak. “Um… Daddy,” she began hesitantly. “Is Mommy Lyra okay? I miss her. I haven’t seen her for days.”A quiet breath left me before I answered. “She’s fine. She just needs some recovery time a
Whatever it took.At least this time, my partner had a decent face. When he touched me later, I wouldn’t be too disappointed.When my lips met him, Eiden went stiff like a statue. But the next second, he loosened, falling into the rhythm. His hands rose hesitantly to my waist, and he exhaled like he couldn’t believe this was real.“M-Moon Goddess… Luna… you’re… so beautiful…” he breathed, voice breaking in awe.I didn’t acknowledge the compliment. But Eiden was already losing control.He drew in a sharp breath when my fingers brushed his cheek. His skin was hot, his whole-body tense from the smallest touch. I could feel his heartbeat, wild and uneven.“L-Luna, may I?”“May you what?” I whispered against his ear. “You want to touch me?”He nodded, small and ashamed, like a wolf pup asking permission to approach fire.“Then do it. Slowly.”His hand lifted—hesitant, trembling—as if he were touching something sacred. His fingertips traced my face carefully, as though afraid I would vanish







