Alpha Ethan

Liana’s POVDog fights are inhumane. They claim that the combatants in the arena thrive on brutality. They assert that the beast within them constantly seeks an outlet. Even on nights like this, when the moon is not at its fullest and they appear as mere men.And do they not deserve violence for the destruction they have wrought upon our lands? But how many lives will be lost? And for what purpose?I shift uncomfortably on the wooden chair, adjusting the high collar of my gown, then brushing a stray lock of red hair away from my face. It’s stifling here. Overwhelmingly hot. Suffocating.When I emerged from the carriage two days ago, the rugged terrain of the Borderlands stirred something deep within me—even though I have never ventured this far north before.The thought of what lies beyond these stone barriers makes me yearn to rip off this dress and flee this castle. I long to dash through the wild grass and feel the untamed dandelions beneath my feet. I crave the scent of pine trees

Liana’s POVThe castle is silent, with most of its residents either asleep or engaged in the dog fight, allowing me to approach the staircase that descends to the kennels without being noticed.As I proceed, the temperature drops and the air becomes more humid. It feels as though I am moving into the maw of a massive beast—the darkness below resembling a ravenous mouth eager to engulf me.When I encounter the two guards stationed beside the heavy iron door at the bottom, I pull my hood tighter to conceal my hair. I silently pray to the Sun Goddess that they won’t recognize me.The weight of my satchel presses heavily against my thigh beneath my cloak. It is filled with items I pilfered from the apothecary—fabric for bandages, alcohol, willow bark, and water. These items betray my intention to assist the enemy."What brings you down here?" One of the guards inquires.I steady my nerves, recalling Marius’s words about the rewards the Wolves receive for their victories."I’ve been sent f

Liana’s POVI am set to be married tomorrow, and sleep eludes me. I lie in bed, the blankets drawn up to my chin, listening to the wind howling outside the window.Shadows flicker across the ceiling, and the air has a chill now that only embers remain in the fireplace. I was prepared for this.I was taught to be beautiful, quiet, and obedient. I constructed a cage for my wild and furious spirit and awaited the day of my wedding.A small part of me fantasized about falling in love like the princesses in my mother’s tales, dreaming of a day when I would be free.But deep down, I always understood that a happy ending was not in my future. So, I waited and I feared. And now the moment has arrived.Tomorrow, I will marry a man who makes wolves fight as if they were mere dogs. A man who threatened to treat me like a stray. His predatory gaze sends shivers down my spine.A man I do not know, a man I do not love. He won’t harm you.The alpha’s vow echoes in my thoughts. I ought to inform some

Liana’s POVTwigs and stones jab at the soles of my feet as we dash into the grove of trees leading to the Western Gate.The wind whips my hair across my face, and rain trickles down through the branches, soaking through the thin fabric of my nightgown. The sounds of howling and clashing steel echo behind us, coming from the outdoor kennels. The night is heavy with the earthy scent of fire.I should feel scared. But all my focus is on the alpha’s hand, tightly holding mine. I can feel the incredible strength in his grip, and the roughness of his skin is so different from my mother’s, the only hand I’ve ever held before this.A warmth spreads from where our skin meets and travels up my arm.I took his hand without hesitation. I’m not sure what that means, but he’s not going to let go. I know that for sure. He allowed me to choose, but now that I’ve made my decision, I sense there’s no turning back.A sweet wave of panic rushes through me. Am I really going to go through with this?The

Liana’s POVI was a pretty sickly kid. The High Priest mentioned that my frail nature came from my mom. He called it bad blood. People thought I’d end up succumbing to the same illness that took her.Before I got lost in that fog of death, burning herbs, and the blurry view of the room I was stuck in for months, I can still recall my mom taking me to the countryside down south. It was just her, her lady-in-waiting, and me.I must have been around four, but I vividly remember the fields filled with golden crops, the rolling hills dotted with farms and tiny villages, and the cabin in the woods by a big blue lake where we stopped.I guess our early memories shape us in some ways, and I can’t help but wonder if that little taste of adventure sparked something in me all those years ago. Something I buried deep inside. Something that set me on a journey that eventually brought me here—sitting on the back of a big grey horse, trapped in the enemy's grasp, surrounded by Wolves.My captors are