LOGINFay’s POVMy feet hurt.That was the first thing I noticed as I stepped into the kitchen. It was the dull, persistent ache that crawled up from my heels into my legs like it had settled there for good.I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders as the familiar warmth of the kitchen wrapped around me.“Fay! Over here!” one of the maids called, her voice bright despite the late hour. I glanced toward the long wooden table tucked to the side of the kitchen where a few of the other maids had already gathered to eat.I lowered myself onto the bench with a quiet sigh, my body immediately relaxing into the seat.“You look exhausted,” Gwen said, sliding a bowl toward me.“I am,” I muttered.“What happened?” another maid asked. “You’ve been gone all day.”I picked up the spoon slowly, stirring the food without really looking at it.“Nothing unusual,” I replied.That was a lie but it was easier than explaining.“Nothing unusual?” Gwen repeated, raising a brow. “You’ve been assigned to her.”I didn
Liora’s POVThe sky had darkened, not completely, but enough for shadows to stretch longer across the walls, enough for the golden light of evening to fade into something softer.I lay still on the bed, my eyes closed.Fay sat somewhere in the room. I could hear her faint movements, the soft rustle of fabric, the careful way she shifted like she didn’t want to disturb me.“She’s asleep,” she murmured softly, more to herself than anyone else.I kept my body loose and unresponsive.A few seconds passed then I heard the sound of footsteps followed by the soft click of the door.I waited then slowly, I opened my eyes.I sat up, every movement quiet. “She’s gone,” I whispered to myself but that didn’t mean I had time.This was my chance.I swung my legs off the bed, my bare feet touching the cool floor once again.My gaze shifted to the window, the same one I had fallen from then a small, bitter smile touched my lips.“Not this time,” I said quietly.I moved toward it slowly, every step c
Rio’s POVThe blindfold pressed tightly against my eyes, rough fabric scraping lightly against my skin every time the car hit a bump.The engine roared beneath me, loud in the enclosed space, the scent of leather, sweat, and something metallic thick in the air.I exhaled slowly through my nose, leaning my head back against the seat as if I had all the time in the world.As if I wasn’t currently tied up in the back of a car with a group of rogue wolves who would happily tear me apart piece by piece.“You know, this is a bit excessive” I started, my voice smooth despite the situation,There was no response.I shifted slightly, testing the tension around my wrists. It was very tight.“You could have just asked nicely. I might have come willingly” I continued. A rough hand shoved my shoulder.“Shut up.”I chuckled under my breath.“So we’re in that kind of mood” I murmured. I tilted my head slightly.“You’re making a mistake. Untie me, take off this blindfold, and we can have a proper c
Liora’s POVThe room felt smaller even though it hadn’t changed. It was the same wide bed, the same tall windows, the same heavy curtains that swallowed light and softened the edges of everything around me but now it pressed in.The walls were too close, the air too thick as I paced back and forth continuously.My bare feet brushed against the polished floor, cool against my skin, grounding me just enough to keep from unraveling completely.“She should be back by now…” I muttered under my breath.I stopped, looked at the door but there was nothing.My chest tightened.“What if he said no?” I whispered, the thought slipping in before I could stop it.I shook my head immediately.“No, he won’t.”He had to listen because what I saw, what I felt in that dungeon and other parts of the estate wasn’t something I could just ignore.I turned again, resuming my pacing, my fingers curling and uncurling at my sides as my thoughts spiraled.A shiver ran through me.I wrapped my arms around myself
Rio’s POVLogan had already warmed up the engine by the time I stepped outside. The low purr of the car’s engine was satisfying.I adjusted my sleeve as I approached, glancing briefly at the sleek black vehicle parked near the entrance.“Nice choice,” I muttered.Logan smirked slightly.“It has always been a personal favourite, even though Alpha Kael would kill me if i tried something like that” he said."I'm sure he would,” I replied casually.He opened the door for me and I slid into the driver’s seat without hesitation.The leather felt good beneath my fingers as I rested one hand on the wheel.Behind me, Tristan approached.“I’m coming with you” he said.I didn’t even look back.“No, you’re not. You have work to do" I replied. The engine hummed as I adjusted the rearview mirror.He sighed.“I already finished what you asked.”“Then do more.”A pause.“Rio—”I finally turned my head slightly, glancing at him over my shoulder.“You’re supposed to be making friends with Liora” I remi
Alpha Kael’s POVThe estate moved around me in quiet obedience.Footsteps softened, voices lowered and eyes dropped like they always did when I moved through. I preferred it that way.“Report.”The word left my mouth without pause as I continued walking.Beside me, the estate overseer, one of the high-ranking wolves responsible for operations within the grounds, kept pace with me, his eyes fixed on the tablet he held tightly in his hands.“Yes, Alpha,” he responded quickly. “Everything is proceeding as scheduled.”I didn’t look at him.“Then why do I sense hesitation in your voice?” I asked.There was a brief silence before he gave me his answer. “We had an incident earlier today” he replied. That made me slow down slightly. My gaze slowly drifted to him for some time, not long, but enough for him to feel it.“What kind of incident?” I asked.His voice lowered.“It was Liora, my Alpha” he answered. The name alone was enough to tighten something in my chest.“What about her?”“She w







