LOGINSelena’s POVI had never hated anyone the way I hated Aurelia.At first I kept asking what she had that I didn't, infact I was ten times more beautiful and yet every damn man that I have wants her.I hated the way he still drooled over her in this worn out clothes that she wore. Although laim wasn't the type of man to have good taste, I still expected he wouldn't disgrace himself like this.I stood at the entrance of the kitchen, my fingers curling slowly into my palm as I watched her. She was pale, trembling, her gown torn and stained, her hair loose and tangled around her shoulders. Liam stood too close to her.I felt something hot crawl up my spine, something ugly and violent. How many men had she ensnared now? Dominic. And now Liam’s attention lingered on her like a sickness.I walked in and slapped her so hard across the face.The sound cracked through the kitchen like a whip.Her head snapped to the side, her body stumbling as if she might collapse. I leaned close, and muttered
Aurelia’s POVThe moment my eyes landed on my children lying on the cold floor beside Selena’s bed, something inside me shattered completely.I didn’t think about a damn consequence as I rushed Selena from where she was sitting.My hands closed around Selena’s neck before my mind could catch up with my body. Rage unlike anything I had ever known tore through me. I could have tolerated any humiliation she would bring my way but I just couldn't see my children in this situation and endure it.I allowed the anger consume me so much that I wanted to kill Selena at that point, I was already strangling her and all I needed was a bit of my powers and she will be gone, but then my powers had become so difficult to use this days, since I was so weak and will likely not survive the aftermath.“Can you freaking tell me why you're doing this?” I screamed, my fingers tightening as tears streamed down my face. “Why would you do this to my kids, what the hell do they have to do with all of this that
Aurelia’s POVI didn’t know how long I lay there on the cold floor of the council chamber, my tears soaking into ancient stone that had witnessed centuries of power shifts and bloodshed. All I knew was that my chest hurt so badly it felt like my heart was being crushed by invisible hands.That was when Selena’s shadow fell over me.She walked toward me slowly, deliberately, heels clicking against the floor like a countdown to something dreadful. I didn’t need to look up to know she was smiling. I could feel it, this was all she has ever wanted so I was sure this whole thing made her happy.“Well?” she said lightly. “Have you decided what to do with your miserable life?”Her voice was calm, almost bored, as if she were asking me to choose between two dresses instead of deciding the fate of my life.“Serve as a palace maid,” she continued, circling me like a predator, “or be banished from this pack forever.”My fingers curled against the floor.Banishment meant losing my children. Losin
Aurelia’s POVThe palace gates loomed ahead of us, it was still the same way it has always been and yet, the moment we stepped closer, something felt awfully off about this place.Music drifted through the air, and from a mile you'd know that a party was been held in the palace.Lanterns glowed along the outer walls, their warm light mocking the cold knot forming in my stomach. When we got closer Servants hurried past with trays of wine and food, their faces bright, almost giddy.I slowed to a stop.“Dominic…” I murmured, my fingers tightening around his arm. “Do you hear that?”He nodded, jaw clenched. “I do.”It was for sure a party, which was weird because how could the servants possibly be holding a party without the knowledge of the king? Or maybe it was a welcome party.After everything that had happened in the past few weeks we returned expecting tension, relief, maybe chaos. But not celebration.Confusion burned through me as I turned to the nearest guard. “What is going on he
Selena’s POVThe sound of their escape still echoed in my head long after the forest went quiet.The sickening realization that Dominic and Aurelia had slipped through my fingers again.By the time I got back to base, my hands were shaking so badly I could barely breathe.Fury burned through me so much I couldn't control it.They were supposed to stop those riffraff from escaping but yet they stood there and allowed them escape.My jaw clenched.“So,” I said quietly, my voice trembling with restrained rage, “this is the result of your competence?”No one answered.That was when something inside me snapped. I reached into my coat, pulled out my gun, and before anyone could react, I fired at each of them that were standing at the front.The first shot rang through the hall like thunder.Blood splattered across the stone floor as one of the men dropped, screaming in agony, clutching his shoulder.“You all are a waste of space and time!” I screamed, firing again.And soon the whole place
Aurelia’s POVThe rope bridge appeared out of nowhere, and my heart sank.The bridge stretched across a yawning abyss, its wooden planks uneven and dark with age. Below it, nothing but darkness and jagged rocks waited, the wind rising from it in cold, hungry gusts that made my stomach twist.Behind us, the forest exploded with movement.Snarls. Footsteps. The sharp crack of branches snapping under reckless weight.The rogues were close.“We’re not going to make it,” I whispered, my voice shaking as I stared at the bridge. My legs refused to move, rooted in terror.Dominic stepped in front of me, his body shielding mine from the sight below. His hands came down firmly on my shoulders, grounding me.“Look at me,” he said, his voice rough but steady.I forced my gaze up. His eyes locked onto mine, fierce and unyielding.“Trust me,” he commanded.My heart hammered painfully against my ribs. I swallowed hard and nodded.“I trust you,” I breathed, even though fear clawed mercilessly at my c







