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
Chapter 66: replacement Ariel's POVDAY 10 UNTIL ARIEL'S DEATH: DAY 27 UNTIL VIKTOR'S TURN.Ravenna called after me, her footsteps quick as I hurried for my room, almost running. I didn’t slow. Only when I shut the door behind me did I stop, breathing in shallow, shaky bursts.What was this pain?“Ari…” Ravenna’s voice was low, careful.I spun and crashed into her, clinging with trembling hands as if holding her could somehow steady my crumbling life.She hugged me back, silent, yet her silence was louder than words. She was here. She had always been here.“He’s pushing me away,” I whispered, finally breaking into a sob. “I’m going to die, and he doesn’t even want to be in my last days.”“You’re not going to die.” Her tone was firm, so firm I almost believed her. Just like Viktor every time he lied to himself, every time he swore he would find a way. “We won’t let it happen. I won’t.”How? What could they possibly do?Her hand trembled as she ran it through my hair, the unsteadiness
Chapter 65: A lady?Aeron's POV Earlier that day."Soraya," I called through clenched teeth, frustration making my voice come out tight.The firecracker didn’t slow for even a breath.Her blue hair, the same hair I’d abandoned my duties and spent hours waiting for her to get done yesterday, bounced with every step, right alongside her big, curvy ass that I tried, and failed, not to stare at.She was almost running, just to get away from me. She’d been doing that since she arrived, and it was driving me nuts. Could something be wrong with me?It was maddening, knowing the bride meant for my Alpha was no other than my mate. At first, I thought she didn’t want me because she was engaged to Viktor. And trust me, I tried my best to move on, because doing otherwise would be considered treason. But it was impossible. I couldn’t focus on anything. I felt useless.I did everything, directly and indirectly, to make Viktor see reasons to stop the wedding. But even now that he had called it off,
Chapter 64: Lira clanVIKTOR'S POVWe rode back to the pack house in suffocating silence.This journey, one I had believed would bring a ray of hope, had only exposed the truth—that there was none. The world was determined to punish me from every side, to make sure my sins were never forgotten.I felt like the biggest fool for dragging Ariel into this. For daring to believe I could ever have a fairytale ending. That I could escape.Her quickening heartbeat, pale face, and sunken eyes told me she was beginning to realize her mistake—that she should never have let me this close.I couldn’t look at her. I couldn’t bear to see that heartbreak and hopelessness in her eyes. My chest ached as though my heart was being crushed inside it. I had never felt so maddeningly afraid of losing someone.I almost strangled the witch when she dared to utter those words. Lucky for her, she had her useless magic to shield her.The woman I love had just…I swallowed the word, afraid that saying it—even thi
Chapter 63: Exactly what?ARIEL'S POV I was caught off guard by the technology, especially for a place tucked away in such a secluded part of the world.Viktor and I exchanged a brief look before our eyes drifted to the single building dominating the wide compound. Lawns spread out like green carpet, dotted with flowers and ornamental plants, every detail immaculate.Ravenna showed no sign of surprise, which only made me wonder more about how she had found this place.When we reached the front steps, a young woman—early twenties, brown hair and matching eyes—appeared to greet us. Without a word, she led us inside.Every hallway we passed spoke volume of quiet luxury, far more than I’d ever expect from a witch. Candles flickered in midair, their flames dancing in ways that seemed impossible without magic. The sight made me think of Ravenna's apartment.'I thought the impeccable taste was just your thing,' I teased her through the mind link.Truth was, I’d expected something far more…