(Lucian's POV)My pack communication device buzzed again. Cassandra's name flashed on the screen for the fifth time. I silenced it with a swipe of my thumb, my patience wearing thin.Beside me in the luxury SUV, Elara sat quietly. Her face had paled considerably since ending her call with Caleb."Do you need to go back to Ocean City in a hurry?" I asked, keeping my voice gentle."Caleb's... mother, Theresa Rivers, she's out of the silver-laced containment facility," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "She said she wants to see my wolf.""You don't seem pleased," I observed.Elara's fingers twisted together in her lap. "I don't even know what to call her. How do you address the woman who both saved and condemned you?"(Elara's POV)Memories surged through me like a bitter tide. After the Stone Pack cast me out, Caleb took me in. We lived in his small neutral territory den. Theresa Rivers was still free then, not yet imprisoned for her role in the identity swap.
(God's POV)Cassandra Thorne stared at Damon Thorne, horror flashing across her face."What is your wolf trying to do?" she whispered harshly.Damon leaned against the table, unmoved by his sister's reaction. "I'm merely suggesting a solution to our problem."Cassandra moved closer. "Are you crazy? Using pups as bait?"Before Damon could respond, Victor Thorne strode in, his dominant aura filling the room instantly."What's this about Hunter?" Victor demanded, his voice sharp with authority.(God's POV)Victor's cold eyes shifted between his children. Even in his older years, the former Alpha King commanded absolute respect."Hunter is becoming a problem," Victor stated. "The pack notices his absence from your territory, Cassandra."Cassandra swallowed hard. "He... he's been difficult lately.""He refuses to come home," she admitted bitterly. "He's been spending all his time at Lucian's territory. With that silver-contaminated omega and her pup."Victor's eyes narrowed. "Th
(God's POV)Panic rippled through the banquet hall at the Vance Pack mate marking ceremony."What's happening? Where's the ceremonial musician?" someone called out.The ceremony coordinator rushed forward. "The musician had a silver-induced collapse. He's with the pack healer now."Guests whispered anxiously. A perfect mate marking ceremony was crucial in high-ranking pack society.Athena Vance, the bride, tried to hide her distress, but her eyes betrayed her. Her perfect day was falling apart."The ceremonial piece is too difficult for an amateur," an elder wolf muttered.The groom suggested postponing, but Athena refused. "Everything else is perfect. The moon phase, the pack alignments... We can't reschedule."(Elara's POV)I stepped forward before my courage could fail. "I can play."All eyes turned to me with disbelief and scorn."Who brought her wolf?" a she-wolf whispered loudly."Isn't she Lucian Thorne's pack coordinator? She can even play ceremonial music?"My che
(Elara's POV) "Elara..." Lucian whispered against my temple, his breath warm on my skin as we lay tangled in the furs of our resort den.My heart squeezed. The way he said my name—gentle, almost reverent—made Emily whimper inside me. I knew I shouldn't read too much into these gestures. This was just our pack-bond agreement, a convenient arrangement.But my eyes burned with unshed tears anyway. Since the silver-laced containment facility, I'd grown accustomed to being treated as something tainted, something less than worthy."What are you thinking?" he asked, his voice low in the dimness.I couldn't tell him the truth—that I was afraid of how much I was beginning to crave his presence, how deeply I was starting to care for a wolf who could never truly be mine."Nothing important," I lied instead.Morning light filtered through the resort windows. I hesitated before turning to face Lucian."Will this continue when we return to Ocean City?" I asked, barely above a whisper.He rai
(James's POV) I looked at Elara Rivers with undisguised contempt, my wolf bristling at her naivety about Lucian Thorne. The way she spoke of him as the "summit" to her wolf was almost laughable."With Lucian Thorne's current situation, all he truly controls privately is Thorne Enterprises," I stated coldly. "Once he loses his standing and control over key hunting territories within the Thorne Pack's holdings, he'll be exiled by Victor Thorne, relying on a single pack-affiliated enterprise. In essence, his wolf will have nothing."Leo curled closer to Elara, seemingly seeking protection from my harsh tone. I tapped my fingers against the arm of my chair, relishing her growing distress."Victor Thorne holds the true power. The moment he decides Lucian has outlived his usefulness, every door will close."I leaned forward, pressing my advantage. "Thorne Enterprises? The pack elders can freeze its assets overnight. Hunting rights? Revoked with a single signature. Territory access? Denie
(Lucian's POV) I slammed our resort den door, pulling Elara against me. The scent of saltwater clung to her, reminding me how my heart nearly stopped when she dove into those waves."From now on, think twice before taking risks," I growled, pressing my forehead to hers. "You have pack responsibilities, a pup. You have a pack-bonded Alpha."Before she could respond, I captured her lips, biting down just hard enough to make my point. I tasted blood, a reminder of how easily I could lose her.When I pulled back, tears welled in her eyes. A single drop of blood clung to her lower lip."Did your wolf learn its lesson?" I asked, my dominant wolf softening.Elara nodded, Emily radiating submission and understanding. I'd never admitted how her bravery frightened me.I leaned against her shoulder, suddenly allowing myself to feel the sting across my back where the rocks had scraped me."My back hurts," I complained, not above using the minor injury for sympathy."We should contact the r
(James's POV) "Do you think all attractive she-wolves are like Mom?" I scoffed at my younger brother. "Your wolf always sides with outsiders, Julian."Julian remained calm, his gaze drifting toward the silver-contaminated omega sitting alone at the shore. "Who is she? I've seen her around the resort several times.""Elara Rivers," I said coldly. "Haven't you heard of her? She's the famous fake Stone Pack princess, even went to the silver-laced containment facility for extortion."Julian's brow furrowed. "You sound quite bitter. Do you actually know her, or are you just repeating pack gossip?""I know enough," I snapped.(James's POV) Julian watched me carefully. "Interesting how quick you are to judge, especially considering our own pack's history.""What's that supposed to mean?""We're hardly strangers to pups potentially swapped at birth. Our own little sister hasn't been found, though Elder Foster still searches. Not to mention Selena, who we know wasn't born a Foster."The
(Lucian's POV) I reclined in my Alpha chair, watching the shock register on Victor's face as I signed Alexander Morgan's resignation acceptance."My wolf has indeed been too tired lately," I remarked casually. "It's rare for my father to be so considerate, giving me some time off pack duties. Truly...it's hard on Damon."I handed the signed document to Edward, satisfaction coursing through me. Alexander's dismissal was now official—he couldn't return to pack administration without my explicit consent. Seraphina stood silently in the corner, her ambitious plans temporarily derailed by my calm acceptance.Damon strode in minutes later, barely containing his excitement. "Lucian, you should go back to your private territory and rest. My wolf can manage things just as well without yours."Luke snarled inside me at his presumption, but I kept my expression neutral. "An excellent idea," I agreed, gathering my personal items. I turned to Elara, who stood anxiously by the door. "Cancel all
(James's POV)The Foster Pack estate loomed imposing against the mountain. My pack communication device exploded with urgent calls from Elder Foster.I found him in his study, his dominant aura filling the room."Was it your wolf who arranged Ethan Rivers's bloodline test?" he asked without turning.My heart froze. "Yes, Elder."He faced me. "Is the pup truly your bloodline?"The question hung like a silver blade."Elder, I want Elara Rivers," I finally said, avoiding a direct answer.His eyes narrowed, but showed understanding. "That silver-contaminated omega has merits. She's intelligent. Even when her reputation was destroyed, she maintained dignity."He showed me a recording of Ethan solving a complex territory puzzle. "I've grown fond of this pup. These recordings bring me joy.""The bloodline test was inconclusive," he continued. "Likely Madeline's interference. I've chosen to overlook certain... doubts."His gaze hardened. "Don't forget who the Foster Pack is. Elara i