Chapter 55: The courtroom (part 2)VIKTOR'S POV Anthony's stance instantly wavered. Eyes turned to him, questioning. He was one of the silent supporters of Verakia when he rose against me. I couldn’t touch him directly then, but it was satisfying to watch him take my bait."How dare you throw such a baseless accusation!" he shrieked, scrambling to regain composure.I checked my wristwatch, patience thinning. This meeting was dragging longer than I expected, and it didn’t look like it would end anytime soon. I regretted not initiating Ariel into the pack yet. If I had, I could reach her through the mindlink. I’d already asked Aeron and Ravenna to check on her twice since I got here, and they confirmed she was fine... but I needed to hear it from her myself.It was at that moment I recalled we both owned a phone and I could call, but mine was in the car."That is a weighty accusation, Viktor," came the firm voice of Alpha Gregory’s Luna, drawing me back. "This court does not take such
Chapter 54: The courtroom VIKTOR'S POV Drake and I arrived at the council court a few minutes before the 12 p.m. set for the meeting. As we parked, I rubbed my temple and let out a sigh, drawing a concerned glance from him.“It will go as planned,” he said, his tone calm, like he was trying to reassure me.I didn’t respond. Nothing was going as planned anymore.Too much on my mind would be the understatement of the century.It wasn’t just the legitimacy I needed to secure now. A life was hanging over my head - the life of the woman who had somehow managed to make my dead heart beat again.Admitting my feelings to Ariel yesterday... and the sex that followed, wrapped in those confessions like a dream I never wanted to wake from... that had been the best moment of my godforsaken, undeserving life.But ever since I stepped away from the calm she wraps around me like armor, the world hasn’t stopped shaking. Every second since has squeezed at my chest. Like she could just drop dead any m
Chapter 53: Falling apart or falling deeper.ARIEL'S POV I froze for a moment, before his touch re-awakened my senses."What do you mean?" I moaned out. Was he finally agreeing?His fingers thrust faster, and I moved my hips in sync with his rhythm."I'll find her," he agreed. My heart clenched—and so did my walls. It was necessary, but it still hurt. I suddenly wished things were different. That we didn’t have to face this. That we could just stay in this moment, untouched by anything else.Viktor took my hands and pinned them above my head, his pace intensifying. I cried louder."You know how long I’ve wanted to see you like this?" He gave my pussy a soft spank, and I whimpered, eyes squeezed shut. "Wrecked and trembling. So damn beautiful."He did it again, and this time, the muscles in my abdomen tightened. A sweet rush flooded my system; so sweet I licked my lips, dizzy from it.My eyes rolled back when he rubbed my clit again—faster than ever. An uncontrollable shriek tore fro
Chapter 52: Beat deathARIEL'S POV Viktor’s eyes widened in shock before he took a step forward.My heart pounded faster, and I hoped he’d at least reconsider. He paused just before touching me, then slowly pulled his hands back.I bit back the burn rising in my chest."This is my fate, Bunny," he rasped, and my hopes sank again. Though for the very first time, he actually sounded unsure. Like a brick had finally fallen from the walls he built so tightly around himself. Was that progress?"I’ve long accepted it. But what I can’t accept is dragging you down with me. That’s why I’m letting you go now. You have to.""We can choose our fate. We don’t have to follow what others set for us—not the sorceress, not the elders. Especially when it’s not in our favor.""I made my choice when I killed him.""From what you’ve said, it sounded like an accident. One you can’t even remember clearly."His eyes glistened as I cupped his face. "It doesn’t matter. I still did it," he whispered, his brea
Chapter 51: Second chancesARIEL'S POV Once the door clicked shut behind Ravenna, a thick, tense silence settled between us. It was almost suffocating.My heart pounded faster, thinking of Ravenna's words, and how things went between Viktor and Aeron. I couldn't bring myself to ask, afraid to find out.I fisted the sheet, avoiding his gaze."Did I hurt you back in the office?" he asked softly, finally breaking the silence.I shook my head.He approached, every step making my heart race even more, until he was standing right in front of me."Then why can’t you even look at me?" His voice was lower, carrying a painful edge that left a small incision in my heart."You shouldn't be here. Aeron already suspects us. It's only a matter of time before Soraya...""I've spoken to Soraya," he interrupted, and my head snapped up. "I made her another offer."I swallowed a lump of emotion. "You already told her you want to call off the wedding?" I asked in disbelief. "Did she accept?""She will. Y
Chapter 50: Confession Rhyder's POV I slammed my fist on the table, cursing.How could this be happening?I turned and kicked the table again, sending some of the items crashing to the floor."You've got to calm down and think of something, baby," came Lysandra's soft voice. "There must be a way to stop him.""She's right, Rhyder. We can only figure something out when you're less agitated." Malrik added.Vayne wasn’t here. In fact, I had barely seen him since our last encounter where I threatened to stripped him of the Beta position. This pack might face a major threat soon if this problem wasn't solved, and yet he chose to be somewhere else, still moping over Ariel's disappearance. I felt my blood boil faster with rage."I need a minute. Alone," I said, voice low. My anger was threatening to explode, my fist itching to hit something again.Malrik turned and left immediately."Babe," Lysandra began, stepping closer.But I held out a hand to stop her."I'll call you when I need you,