Soraya’s POVI entered my room and slammed the door, locking it behind me. My head spun. I couldn’t make sense of what I’d just witnessed. And it was obvious that I was the only fool in this house. The outsider.I went to the drawer and grabbed the vodka bottle I’d stolen from Alpha Viktor’s private bar yesterday, tipping it straight to my mouth before shoving it back into the drawer. The burn settled in my chest, making me squeeze my eyes shut for a moment before I belched. I’d always liked strong drinks — they usually numbed the mind.But today, it wasn’t working.What did they mean by beast?This was the man I was supposed to marry in a few weeks, and yet there were shadows and secrets crawling around him, ones no one cared to let me in on."We wouldn’t just live, waiting to be slaughtered every full moon." That wouldn't stop ringing in my head. None of it made sense.I’d waited for Alpha Viktor to deny the allegations, but he hadn’t. At least not directly.If something dark was re
Rhyder’s POVMy lips crashed onto Lysandra’s, swallowing her moans as I thrust into her harder.She arched against me, arms looping around my neck, legs clamped tight around my waist.Her every reaction drove me insane. But tonight, it wasn’t just lust driving me, it was something darker. I pumped into her, harder, faster, until she screamed my name.“You make me want to fuck you all day, every day,” I rasped, pinching her hard nipples. Her hair scattered across the sheets, eyes glassy, lips parted, her body slick with sweat. She was a beautiful mess.“Choke me, daddy,” she moaned, hands slipping from my neck to clutch the sheets. She’d been obsessed with that lately—and how could I complain? Watching her gasp beneath me, helpless under my grip, fully dominated, was a sight that leaves me undone.My hand slid from her breasts to her throat. My thrusts turned savage.“Uh, Rhy…!” she cried, eyes rolling back.But flashes of Ariel wrecked beneath that murderer of a brother filled my head
Ariel's POVRelief nearly left me when I saw no one move, yet. Then the pain hit harder and I could not hold it. A gasp tore from my mouth and I crouched, drawing startled looks.Ravenna and Aveline dropped down with me, their voices tight with panic. "What is wrong?"I tried to answer, but my teeth were chattering. A groan slipped out and was swallowed by the shouts of the persons Viktor had ordered their arrests.Tears ran down my face. It felt like my bones were splitting as Ravenna and Aveline began to drag me inside. The pain had never been this bad. I knew why. My wolf was no longer strong enough to carry it with me.My vision blurred as we reached the stairs. Wilfred rushed forward and scooped me into his arms. He barely lifted me when Viktor's growl cut through the chaos."Hand her over," he commanded.Then darkness took over.********Viktor's POVNothing scared me more than turning from the crowd and seeing Ariel being pulled inside. One look told me she was in severe pain.
Ariel's POV Back to present9 days to Ariel's death ~ 27 days to Viktor's turn.I pushed against the weakness in my bones, stopping only when I reached the ground floor, my hand clutching the rail for support.Viktor strode past without a word. Not even a glance. I told myself his mind was on the unrest, but it still stung—to be ignored like that, like I was nothing more than a burden.Ravenna noticed my faltering and turned, concern softening her face."Are you okay, honey?" she asked, placing a hand on the small of my back.My eyes burned. "Yeah. I-I'm just catching my breath," I lied. "Please go on and see what's happening."Her eyes narrowed. "I'm not leaving you alone."Typical.I felt my insides burning, and the terror twisting in my heart wasn't small. A short run down the stairs shouldn’t leave a wolf gasping. Even a human could have managed it without strain.This only meant one thing—my wolf was weakening too. Goddess, Nyra. Guilt hit me hard. No wonder she'd be so quiet th
Lysandra's POV I straightened, setting aside my glass, heart thudding as my eyes drank him in. His broad shoulders strained against the off-white armless he wore, arms hanging like the Hulk.“You’re not in uniform?” I pointed out, adjusting as he stalked closer. Something about him felt different, though I couldn’t put my finger on it.“I’m off today,” he said, sounding colder than usual, making me frown. “You haven’t been responding.”He stopped right in front of me, squatting so his hands rested on my thighs.I swallowed—not just from the heat of his touch, but because his coffee-dark eyes lacked that brightness I loved.“He’s… getting suspicious,” I breathed as his hands parted my legs, crawling torturously under my gown.“Mm.” His fingertip brushed my panties.“We need to be more careful." The words came out low. "Avoid texting for now.”“You’re so warm down here,” he murmured, ignoring me. His finger shifted my panties aside, eyes darkening.Anger sparked inside me, but dissolve
Lysandra's POVThe previous dayI strolled out of the pack house with a some omegas after Rhyder left for his council meeting, plastering on a smile I didn’t feel, pretending I was having the best time of my life. Being Luna meant mingling with pack members and acting like I cared about their pitiful lives. As if I brought them into this world. Or I didn’t have my own problems.I didn't sign up for this when I snatched the position from Ariel.It was nauseating to gaze at pathetic faces every day, pretending I enjoyed their company—or worse, pretending I loved the children.What was even more nauseating, more grating, was Rhyder’s fixation on bringing his mate back to the pack. Ever since he learned she was spreading her legs for his half-brother Viktor, it had only gotten worse. He had been searching for her before, but now it had grown into an obsession that enraged me every minute of the day.He didn’t even touch me willingly anymore. The only time he did now, was when he needed a