Liam:The moon had already risen high over the compound, casting a pale glow across the courtyard. Most of the pack had turned in for the night, and the lingering quiet was a welcome contrast to the noise of the day. I had barely been alone for more than a few minutes since morning, but I didn’t complain.Between the tension with Claire, the security sweeps, and everything going on with Alaria… I barely had room to breathe. Hell, at times I didn't know how I would be able to think straight.I stepped out onto the lower balcony near the infirmary wing, arms crossed, breathing in the cool night air. It was a cold night, one that showed and reflected a little more peace than it held, though peace was not an option. And my world at this point.That was when I saw her.Sienna.The stranger that I didn't know or understand, The stranger that just popped up here and was accepted, a guest. At least I believed her to be so.She was walking down the path slowly, still barefoot, still a little t
Alaria:I watched them quietly.Particularly because I don't even know what to say. I didn't know how I was going to be able to speak without my voice breaking or without saying something that I knew that I might end up regretting.It was strange, seeing my daughter standing there, clutching her little hands together as she glared up at him with all the bravery she could muster.And even stranger, watching him crouch to her level and actually listen.When his larger hand wrapped around her pinky, I caught the faintest flicker of something in his face. Something softer.But I refused to let myself linger on it. I refused to allow myself to hold on to it, but when he asked me the question, when he addressed it to me that we would not be running away, I found myself holding a breath that I knew I shouldn't be.Anastasia pulled her hand back after their little promise and glanced up at me, uncertainty in her big eyes.“Go play for a while, sweetheart,” I murmured softly, brushing her chee
Liam:I came to the infirmary just as dawn was breaking.“And you found nothing that would lead to who did this to her?” I asked Kai, who shook his head.“The men are still looking, but there is nothing that they could find. They're trying to find a trace, as if she ended up here, someone might have snuck inside as well. So far, nothing in. Either they chose to be smart and run away. Or she managed to somehow escape them and ended up here. Either way, we had nothing on them.” He said, explaining the situation.A part of me hated how familiar that kind of story felt.And a part of me wanted to doubt that this could just be an easy coincidence. But right now I had no proof of anything and if the woman had come to seek out solace somewhere and if she ended up here, I was not the type to just throw out the woman in distress.“Keep an eye on the territory. If she ran away from someone or if she is on the run from someone, they might still be looking for her. And I want to know who it is an
Alaria:I found myself wandering aimlessly, my shawl clutched around my shoulders as my steps carried me through the east wing and back out into the courtyard.Although I had no intention of actually rocking around, I found myself needing to roam. I found myself needing to clear my mind.After everything that had happened these past few days, Liam, Claire, Anastasia’s tears, I couldn’t sit still. The air in my room felt heavy, suffocating. And I knew that I needed fresh air, otherwise I knew that I would be collapsing in a way that shouldn't be right, and neither for me nor for anyone that surrounded me.So I walked.And I just kept walking aimlessly as I got lost in my thoughts, as I got lost in the pain that I was feeling, as I realized and reminded myself of the truth that I was in. I was simply here for Anastasia and that was how things were going to be. She was his rightful daughter and keeping her away was not going to do me any good. But the idea of having to deal with her pain
Darius:I sat on the edge of the table in the dimly-lit cabin, swirling the wine in my glass as I watched her pace. I watched the headmistress train her one more time as she introduced her to me, showing me that she was well aware of her job.Lithe. Beautiful. Dangerous enough when properly guided. She was trained to be who she was. She understood her role carefully anyway.She would do.“Stop fidgeting,” I murmured, my tone lazy but cutting. “You need to walk straight and you need to make it your job to be more appealing yet less obvious to those who I don't want to suspect you.”The woman froze, her dark hair spilling over one shoulder as she turned to face me. Her heart raced, but she was quick to straighten as she took a deep and slow breath, successfully managing to slow her heart beat down. Good. She would not only do, but she would know how to do her job.“Yes, Alpha,” she said quickly, dipping her head in submission.“She is the best of the lot, Alpha. I chose her personally b
Alaria:The morning air was sharp as I stepped into the courtyard with Anastasia’s little hand tucked in mine.She was unusually quiet, her wide eyes darting between the wolves that milled about, most of whom lowered their heads when they saw me coming.“Are you okay, baby?” I asked softly, glancing down at her. “You're very quiet today and that's not a settling as I wanted to be. Do you want to tell me what's bothering you?”She nodded quickly, but her fingers tightened around mine. Though I could hear it in her heartbeat, her breath, and the way that she looked around as if sensing danger, that there was something that was on her mind.“They keep looking at you, Mama,” she whispered. “Everyone just keeps looking like they want to do something or like they want to say something.”I smiled faintly and brushed a stray curl from her cheek.“They’re just… not sure what to make of us yet,” I murmured back. “That’s all. But we shouldn't really care about anyone looking goddess, we should b