Now that he was finally alone with Doria, there was no holding back what he was going to say.
“I wanted to know,” Alpha Glint began, his voice measured, “if you have thought about what I asked before.”Doria looked at him for a moment, then folded her hands neatly on her lap. “I have thought about it,” she said softly. “And I have spoken with my father as well.”Alpha Glint leaned forward slightly. “And?”Doria met his eyes. “I will marry you, Alpha.”The words hung in the air for a moment. Alpha Glint exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. “You mean that?” he asked, his voice low.“I do,” she said. “My father and I spoke deeply about it. He believes this union will bring peace and strength to both our families. He only asked that you reach out to him personally, so that both of you can discuss the preparations. He would also like to talk about when I will move into the royal pack house as your wife, and as the future Luna ofMara clenched her hands together until her knuckles turned white. Her eyes were red and heavy with tears she refused to shed. For so long, she had given herself to Alpha Glint, body and soul, believing that he would one day make her his mate, that she would stand beside him as Luna. But now, she was nothing more than a shadow, something he could discard without thought.Her heart burned with humiliation. Every time he had called her into his chambers, every time he had whispered lies into her ears, she had believed him. And now, he would replace her with Doria. It didn't matter to him that she was the girl Leah hated. She was simply perfect to him. “No,” Mara whispered to herself, shaking her head slowly. “The Alpha can't be this cruel to me. I won't allow it.”The tears finally fell, sliding down her cheeks, but there was no softness in her heart anymore. Only anger. Anger that twisted and grew with every breath she took.She rose to h
Rina stood in front of the small mirror in Beatrice’s living room. The reflection that stared back at her looked tired but determined. Her hair, still long and dark, had lost some of its shine, and her face was thinner than before, but her eyes carried a calm strength. The twins were asleep in the corner, their tiny breaths soft and steady. Beatrice sat beside them, knitting, but her gaze often moved to Rina, her expression full of quiet concern.“Beatrice,” Rina said softly, still staring into the mirror, “I think it’s time I go out there and find a job.”Beatrice looked up, frowning. “You’ve been working enough. Child, you only gave birth a few weeks ago. Your body is still weak. You need rest, not stress.”Rina turned, a small smile on her face. “I’ve rested enough. I feel strong now. I can’t keep depending on you and the little my menial errands bring in. You’ve done more than enough for me and the babies. I need to take care of us.”Beatrice
Leah woke up angry. She had barely slept through the night. Thoughts of Doria sitting beside her father, smiling as if she was the new important thing in the pack, filled her head. The image tormented her. Every time she tried to close her eyes, she saw her father’s approving smile, saw Doria’s soft face pretending to be humble.When she finally rose, she felt as though the air itself was pressing against her chest. She knew she could not stay silent. Doria might think she had won, but Leah was not ready to give up. She was the Alpha’s daughter. She was born for this life, not Doria Welsh.By the time Alpha Lucas left the pack that morning, Leah had made up her mind. She would go see Mara.The decision was not easy for her. Mara had not spoken to her since their last quarrel, the one that had ended with cruel words and bitter silence. But this was not about friendship anymore—it was about position, about who deserved to stand beside Alpha Glint.S
Now that he was finally alone with Doria, there was no holding back what he was going to say. “I wanted to know,” Alpha Glint began, his voice measured, “if you have thought about what I asked before.”Doria looked at him for a moment, then folded her hands neatly on her lap. “I have thought about it,” she said softly. “And I have spoken with my father as well.”Alpha Glint leaned forward slightly. “And?”Doria met his eyes. “I will marry you, Alpha.”The words hung in the air for a moment. Alpha Glint exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. “You mean that?” he asked, his voice low.“I do,” she said. “My father and I spoke deeply about it. He believes this union will bring peace and strength to both our families. He only asked that you reach out to him personally, so that both of you can discuss the preparations. He would also like to talk about when I will move into the royal pack house as your wife, and as the future Luna of
Maggie sat by the small table near the window, her hand trembling as she scribbled fast on a piece of paper. Her candle burned low, the wax dripping down slowly onto the wooden surface. Her eyes darted around the room again and again. She did not want anyone to see her. The paper she was writing on carried her only chance to escape.Her heart was heavy, and her mind kept turning back to the image of Rowland and Kendrick fighting earlier in the royal hall. She could still hear the sound of their fists clashing, the growl of anger in their voices, and the fear that had filled the pack house. She knew things were getting worse. She could feel it in her bones.Now that Kendrick was back, Rowland would not stop until he destroyed the pack if he could not have it. Maggie knew how his temper burned, how his pride refused to bend. She feared him more than she ever had before. And that fear was what made her write the note.She wanted to leave quietly, far away fro
Rowland sat on the Alpha’s seat like he had been born there. His legs were spread apart, his chin lifted in pride, and his eyes burned with cold confidence. The hall was quiet except for the low crackling sound of the fire. Servants kept their heads low, afraid to move or even breathe too loud. When Kendrick walked into the royal pack house, every head turned. The silence grew deeper.Rowland saw him and smirked. His smirk slowly turned into a cruel sneer. “So, you didn’t find her?” he said, his voice mocking. “You didn’t return with Rina to take over the pack like you hoped?” He laughed, the sound harsh and full of poison. “Did you lose her again, brother? Or did she finally realize you’re not the man she thought you were?”Kendrick’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He walked forward until he stood near the center of the hall. His eyes were calm, but there was a storm behind them. He could feel every pair of eyes watching him. He saw Maggie standing