LOGINAlpha Kael's POVI stood before the tall windows of my study, my hands clasped behind my back as I watched the courtyard below.Everything looked exactly as it should but I wondered what had caused that noise earlier. A knock sounded once before the study door opened then Logan entered."You sent for me?"I didn't turn around immediately. Instead, I continued watching the courtyard."What happened down there?" I asked."It seems one of the cars had an electrical issue and it caused a small fire but it was quickly taken care of" he explained. I nodded but I was wasn't quite sure why I had this eerie feeling. Finally, I turned to face him."I've survived this long because I've learned to trust my instincts."His relaxed posture immediately disappeared."What are they telling you?""That we're missing something" I replied. Logan folded his muscular arms across his chest."We searched every section of the estate twice after the messenger incident, we doubled the guards, the walls are
Liora's POVIt had been hours since I had promised to listen to Fay and Tristan and I was bored.Utterly, painfully bored.I lay sprawled across the enormous bed, staring up at the intricately carved ceiling. I had traced every single pattern with my eyes so many times that I could probably redraw them from memory.The room suddenly felt far too small.I let out another dramatic sigh."I can't believe this."Fay looked up from the chair beside the window, where she was quietly sewing a small tear in one of my dresses."You've said that eight times."I groaned dramatically before burying my face in a pillow."This is his fault.""I had a feeling we'd circle back to Alpha Kael" she said.I lifted my head just enough to glare at her."Because it is his fault" I replied. "He told you to stay in your room" she said."He imprisoned me" I corrected. "You are not imprisoned" she said.I sat upright, folding my legs beneath me."The guards outside my door disagree" I replied. Three quick kn
Elena's POV The marble corridors of the estate echoed with the soft rhythm of our footsteps. The afternoon sun spilled through the towering windows, casting long strips of golden light across the polished floor. Servants immediately lowered their heads as we passed, stepping out of our way without needing to be told. As they should. Behind me, my four personal maids followed in perfect silence, their hands neatly folded in front of them. To my right walked Ruby, elegant as always, her crimson gown flowing behind her. To my left was Vesha, quieter than usual, her pale lavender dress brushing against the floor with every hesitant step she took. Their own maids trailed a respectful distance behind us and no one dared interrupt us. Ruby glanced around before lowering her voice. She smiled ever so slightly. "So, were you serious when you said those words in the courtyard?" She asked. I didn't bother looking at her. "When you said you wanted Liora out of this estate" she
Alpha Kael's POVThe study was too silent.The only sounds were the occasional crackle from the fire burning in the hearth and the faint rustling of letter beneath my fingers.I had read Amarok's message more times than I cared to admit. Yet every time I looked at it, I found myself searching for something I might have missed.I unfolded the bloodstained paper once again.The dried crimson along its edges had darkened to a rusty brown, but the words remained as bold and arrogant as the man who had written them.He wanted me thinking, second-guessing every move and I hated giving him that satisfaction. Even so, I couldn't ignore what bothered me the most and that was his mention of Liora. I leaned back in my chair, letting the paper rest on the desk as I stared into the fire."Why? What is she to you?" I asked myself. The question escaped me before I could stop it and I wondered why I was even questioning myself in the first place. The flames danced silently, offering no answers. My
Rio's POVThe walls were beginning to feel smaller. I had paced the length of my room so many times that I could probably walk it blindfolded.I growled under my breath and slammed my fist against the stone wall."Damn it!"The sharp sting that shot through my knuckles did little to ease the fire burning inside me.I was sick of this.Years ago, I had dreamed of power, respect, authority, but now I couldn't even leave my room without someone else's permission.I dropped onto the edge of the bed, dragging both hands down my face."This wasn't how it was supposed to go" I muttered and silence answered me.For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to think about the past, about where everything had gone wrong."Amarok."Just saying his name made my jaw tighten then I leaned back against the wall and closed my eyes."I should never have gotten involved with you" I said.The words tasted bitter but they were true. Back then, I hadn't seen another option. Kael had strip
Liora's POVThe moment Fay closed the bedroom door behind us, I pulled my hand out of hers.The loud slam of the door echoed through the room, but it did absolutely nothing to calm the storm raging inside me.I was absolutely furious.I began pacing from one end of the room to the other, my boots striking the polished wooden floor with enough force to make my frustration obvious."This is unbelievable" I said.Fay sighed behind me."Liora..."I spun around so quickly my hair whipped over my shoulder."No, don't 'Liora' me."She folded her arms."I'm going to 'Liora' you because you're upset" she replied. "I'm beyond upset. I am angry" I corrected as I threw my hands into the air. "What does he even think I am?"Fay remained quiet and I continued. "He treats me like..." I searched for the right word before shaking my head. "Like some possession he has to lock away whenever something happens."Fay leaned against one of the bedposts."Maybe he was trying to protect you" she suggested.
Liora's POVMy skin tingled as the maids’ hands glided over me, spreading oil down my shoulders, across the slope of my collarbone, over the curve of my breasts, down my ribs and over my waist. Their touch was careful, almost timid, as if I were a fragile artifact rather than a living woman.The s
I still remember the smell of smoke, thick and chocking, curling into my lungs, and the sound of my mother’s screams echoing through the house as she was slaughtered along with my father for trusting the wrong people.Though it has been a long time since that night, it is burned into me as if it ha
Liora’s POV“She is dangerous.”Alpha Kael’s voice followed me like a shadow as the guards dragged me from the room.My feet barely touched the floor as they hauled me through the doorway, their grips iron-tight around my arms. The heavy doors slammed shut behind us with a thunderous boom that ech
Alpha Kael's POVThe fire’s warmth did nothing to chase the chill that had settled into my chest. She knelt there, slick with oil, the faint scent of jasmine clinging to her skin. The linen she wore was thin, clinging to her body, leaving nothing to the imagination. Every curve, every swell, ever







