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I sat by the window, knees pulled to my chest, chin resting on them as I stared at the vast grounds below.I couldn't see anything going on outside the castle grounds, even from here. Xlynor had built this castle really far from the outside world, but I was sure everything out there felt happy… everything except me.I just didn’t understand my life or myself anymore.A sigh slipped past my lips. I wasn’t crying, and I wasn’t even properly sad—just… confused, irritated, and thinking too much.Worse was that it was all because of that man. Xlynor.What exactly was wrong with him? He was acting differently, like really different.The way he looked at me now wasn’t how he used to look at me. Before, there had been this coldness—this authority.Now? Everything about him felt… dangerously intense. Like he was seeing right through me.My fingers unconsciously brushed against my lips, and I gulped.Why was my skin suddenly burning the way it usually did whenever he touched me?It didn’t make s
Xlynor’s POVFor a moment, I genuinely couldn’t process what she had just said.Out of everything I expected to hear tonight… that wasn’t one of them.I wanted to speak, but I couldn't even form a word. I was completely thrown off.Was she serious? Sleep with her? That was what she thought I came here for?My brows twitched once.Not that the thought hadn’t crossed my mind—it had. More than once. I really wanted to… it wasn't something intentional, but my demons needed it.But not now. And certainly not what I came here for.“I wasn’t trying to sleep with you,” I replied.She scoffed. Clearly, she didn’t believe me.“Denying it isn’t going to make me let down my guard,” she snapped. “Why do you even think I’ll believe you?”I blinked.Her grip on the knife tightened as she continued, her voice gaining speed. “Even though we live in the same castle and your room is literally opposite mine, I never see you. Especially at night. I hardly even know when you’re home or not.”Her eyes narrow
Xlynor’s POVCeleste Noir reflected the sky like a mirror of the night sky, its surface untouched, unbothered… and calm—unlike me.I dragged a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. My blood was literally boiling as it coursed through my veins.I ground my jaw and shut my eyes. The worst part was that I couldn’t even pinpoint exactly what I was furious about.Was it when I stepped into the court… and realized Ivara wasn’t staying close to me?Was it that ridiculous moment when Eryndor locked eyes with her… and she smiled back? Stupid.Or was it Zoya? That foolish stunt she pulled in front of everyone by humiliating Ivara and testing my patience. She had made me sit there gracefully like I didn’t want to rip the entire room apart.To make it worse, my anger had skyrocketed when her dress ripped apart and exposed a glimpse of her skin—a dangerous, possessive rage had coiled in my chest.I exhaled. I badly wanted to blind every man in that room. Every single one who dared to look.“What
Ivara’s POV“Xlynor Darkazov!!!”The scream tore out of my throat before I could stop it. For a split second—he paused, and then just as if nothing had happened, he continued.My breath caught when his lips brushed my skin again, like he hadn’t even heard me.I couldn’t move. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I physically couldn’t. His command still wrapped around my body like invisible chains, plus my arms were pinned behind me.My back was pressed hard against the car’s interior wall, his body caging me in, with his hand still around my neck, firm enough to hold me in place.My heart slammed violently against my ribs as he slowly trailed the kisses upward from my neck like he had all the time in the world.Xlynor never just kissed, he made sure to steal every single breath and ravage you in a way you would find it hard recovering. My thoughts scattered in a thousand directions at once.This isn’t real. It had to be a dream. That was the only explanation.Xlynor hated me. He
Ivara’s POVIt wasn't just anything. It was Xlynor’s boot. He had stretched his leg out just enough to block my fall.My breath came out in shaky bursts as I scrambled to gather the torn pieces of my dress. My face burned with humiliation as I clutched the ripped fabric together.If this hadn’t been a court… if there weren’t dozens of people watching… I would have said something. Maybe even done something worse.“Do you have any idea that this is a courtroom filled with men of power?” Xlynor’s cold, detached voice cut through the silence in the room.I swallowed hard.“Get out,” he ordered.My head snapped up and rage flooded through me instantly. Of course. Of course he would say that.He had clearly seen everything and still he was taking her side.My hands trembled as I slowly stood. My eyes were burning now with anger.Of course. What had I expected? Everyone in Dark Hound clearly lacked basic dignity and truthfulness. I was just a mere weak slave. How would he blame his beloved in
Ivara’s POVXlynor and Zoya had already begun walking toward the throne at the end of the hall, like royalty stepping into their rightful place.Which, unfortunately… they were.I swallowed nervously and followed the guard.The moment I stepped inside the hall, the scale of it hit me properly. It was enormous. The ceiling was incredibly high, with massive chandeliers hanging from it, each one glittering like a small constellation.It was then that I realized the hall was filled with so many people and even creatures other than werewolves.Everyone wore expensive clothing that screamed wealth and power. And every pair of eyes followed Xlynor as he walked. No one dared speak or move. It was like the entire room held its breath for him.I quietly slipped into a seat near the back where the guard indicated.It was a row of seats placed along the wall—clearly meant for observers, or people who didn’t belong among the high-ranking people gathered around the massive council table.It was then
Ivara's POVThe feeling of something wet being poured on me forced my eyes open as I gasped out, my vision blurred and my breathing ragged.I stared around, trying to adjust to the light. Why was I drenched in water? Was this the afterlife? Did those rogues finally kill me? Damnit! I didn't even get
Xlynor's POV.My eyes were closed as I felt a strange sensation wash over me. It was like my molecules were being rearranged… like I was being pulled apart and put back together again.My stomach dropped, and I felt weightless for a split second. My eyes finally snapped open as I scanned around in a
Xlynor's POVEryndor turned at the sound of my laughter, his face twisted.“You sent her to the woods because you thought I was going to get her back when I heard it? Silly you. You think I care about her? I'm only here because of the audacity you had to enter the slave camp and take her. But then,
Xlynor's POV“Escape? This is Dark Hound. It’s impossible. No.” The voice of that silver-haired kept echoing, over and over in my head.“Shut the fuck up! The fuck?” I didn't know when the words escaped my lips as my eyes snapped open, and I sat up straight.Damn it! I rubbed my temple in frustratio







