LOGINAlessia:My hands were still shaking when I stepped off the balcony.I kept my head down, my steps even, my breathing measured the way Brenna had taught us years ago. Never let them see your fear. Especially not now. Especially not after what I had done.The tray had been heavy.Not because of the dishes.But because of the knowledge.I could still see it… the small vial emptied carefully, silently, into the dessert. The pudding Dominic never touched. The one he always pushed aside without comment. The one meant for her.My stomach twisted.I told myself what Katherine had told me: It’s not poison. It’s medicine. Something that will simply… end it. It is the one way to do it. We can’t allow her to strip me of everything. If that happens, even you are going to be thrown out.I followed with her order. But the guilt didn’t care for names. And now, having set the table for them, the guilt I felt was one that I couldn’t easily walk away from.I turned the corner into the quieter corridor,
Dominic:She was relaxed in my arms.Truly relaxed.Not guarded. Not tense. Not watching every shadow for a threat that might come from behind. Aria leaned back against my chest as if she belonged there, as if her body had already accepted what her mind was still learning.“You know, I have never truly seen you as relaxed as you are.” I said, my voice softening as I looked down at her.“Don’t jinx it. My hormones are shifting. One minute I am purely relaxed, and the next, I am the demoness in disguise.” She teased, making me chuckle.“Or somehow, someone ends up being on my lap, proving to me that I belong inside her, paying our little one a visit.” I teased, making her eyes widen.“You are disgusting.”“You can’t say it’s not true.” She laughed and shook her head before leaning against me.I wrapped my arms around her more firmly, resting my chin lightly atop her head. The balcony was quiet, the evening settling over the estate in soft gold and blue hues. The pack below moved like di
Aria:I heard about the move before I was officially told.Whispers carried faster than orders ever did, and by the time Brenna confirmed it, careful, measured, watching my face closely, I already knew. “It is not going to be anywhere that you would be feeling alone.”“I heard.”“Good, and you know that you don’t have to do anything that is foolish no matter how much the Alpha might like you.” Brenna said, raising an amused eyebrow at me.“I am being moved.” I said playfully rolling my eyes. “And I will add that it is to the place where I literally sleep every night.”“Yes, but having your things there without me coming in every few hours to check in is going to be a little difficult given your past with how things always go.” She said, making me laugh.“Don’t worry…”“Of course, I will. It is not just out of the consort hall. But closer to him. You are being moved to his quarters. Everything that you have, that you know, that you think you know… that is going to change, Aria. And you
Dominic:The council chamber was already full when I entered.Old stone. Heavy air. Too many eyes measuring every step I took.They didn’t waste time.“The pack doctor has confirmed it,” one of the elders said. “The girl, your consort, is with child. Finally, an heir is to be born to the pack, to your line.”The girl.I didn’t correct them. Not yet.Another voice followed, sharper. “This complicates matters. Especially given Luna Katherine’s… history.”A murmur passed through the chamber.“Infertility,” someone said outright. “Or at least the strong possibility of it. And the fact that the rumors surrounding her were true… that she had used the years of her power and reign to stop the ability of others from being able to give you your heir. To say the least, you were proven to be the one without the issue. Measures will be taken to protect your heir and the mother.”My jaw tightened.They spoke of her like she was a ledger entry. A failed investment. And the way they’re speaking of Ar
Katherine:“Luna, are you sure that you want to proceed with this?” Alessia, one of my oldest loyal maids asked, looking at me as I pulled the hood over my head, making sure my scent was masked. “If the Alpha or anyone hears of this, it is going to…”“I have no other choice.” I said, stopping her. “We are not going back now, and I am not going to let that thing take away everything from me.”Alessia’s heart raced, but she said nothing as the two of us walked through the door.The corridor outside the far wing was silent.The kind of silence that pressed in on your ears, reminding you that you were standing somewhere you were never meant to be.I hesitated only once before knocking.Three slow taps.The door opened just enough for a single eye to peer out at me.Recognition flashed, followed immediately by disdain.“You have no right to be here,” the woman said flatly. “You have no right to think about speaking to me.”She was older now. Thinner. Her hair streaked with silver, her spin
Aria:The gifts came before the whispers.“Gather around, girls, you have presents from the Alpha.” Brenna said, walking with a proud smile on her face. She looked at me, and I crossed my arms over my chest, shaking my head as the smile refused to leave my face.Gold.Silks.Jewelry laid out in careful rows, delivered to every girl in the consort hall.“What are all these for?”“These are beautiful. And the Alpha should be very happy with us to be sending presents.” Another girl commented.“These presents are because the Alpha has news to share,” Brenna said, looking at me with a smile on her face. A rare one that reached her eyes. “Aria is with child. She is going to give the Alpha his first heir.”I felt it in the way eyes lingered on me longer than usual as gasps filled the air around us. “Really?”I put my hand on my stomach, smiling as I looked at Lysa, knowing that she would be the happiest with this news. After the whipping she got from Katherine, I didn’t think that she would







