LOGINSERAPHINA'S POVI should have been called in by now. The plan was for the ministers to demand my presence, and I would walk in and unleash my fire on them. These petty ministers. I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that Asher is even allowed to enter the palace.Everyone knows of his shenanigans, yet he still holds the title of an Alpha. I really do not understand Stonecrest sometimes."Your Majesty," a maid called, bowing as she stood at the entrance."What is it?" I stood, eager."The Grand Alpha requests your presence, Your Majesty," she said, and a smile spread across my lips.Finally."Lead the way."---The hall stretched before me as I walked. At the corner of my chest, right there, Vesper spoke. "You do not seem scared."Should I be?Maybe I should, but I was not feeling any fear. I should be scared. I was a sheep in the lion's den. The last remaining Elyxis. The one with fire that could burn down the whole country if wielded powerfully.They would do everything to bri
KAELAN'S POVThe morning sun had barely risen over Stonecrest when the first carriage arrived.I stood at the window of my study, watching as more carriages rolled through the palace gates. One after another. Black. Polished. Bearing the crests of packs from across the territory.They had requested this meeting. Demanded it, really. A formal petition had arrived three days ago, signed by five Alpha houses, requesting an audience with the crown.The reason? Rumors. Whispers. Accusations against my Luna.Rio stood behind me, a scroll in his hand, reading the names."Alpha Marcus of the Shadowfang pack. Alpha Viktor of the Ironclaw pack. Alpha Helena of the Moonridge pack." He paused. "And Alpha Asher of the Blackfang pack."My jaw tightened at the last name.Asher.He had walked into my territory. My palace. After everything."They are being hosted in the east wing," Rio continued. "Refreshments have been served. They are... restless.""Let them be restless. They demanded this meeting.
ASHER'S POVThe fire had burned low in the hearth, casting long shadows across the walls of the small cottage. I sat in the corner, a glass of whiskey in my hand, my jaw tight.I had lost.Not the war. Not yet. But the battle.My soldiers were dead or scattered. My element of surprise was gone. And Kaelan was still breathing. I had pledged that I would return victorious, but right now, I was actually shocked.Her fire.I had seen many things in my years. War. Death. Betrayal. I had watched men die in agony, had caused most of it myself. But I had never seen anything like her.The flames had come from nowhere. From her. Not a torch. Not a weapon. Just her palm, glowing orange and gold, and then—Fire.She had burned a grown wolf to death. And from the way the fire blazed, it could get much stronger than that. It was as though she did not know her own capability just yet. But I saw it. The way the fire blazed, the determination the orange flames burned with, was massive.Kaelan was not
ISOLDE'S POVMy leg tapped against the floor in rhythm. I was trying to control how nervous and scared I felt, but it was not working.I gulped down the little alcohol left in the jar beside me and closed my eyes as it burned my throat.Alpha Kael would come for me. I was sure of that. Someone had reported that my family's crest was found at the scene where Asher attacked. So he must have known that I was at the palace and that I had a hand in the abduction of that wretched Luna and her son.How could I have been so careless?This was the height of carelessness. If care was not taken, it might cost me my life.My own foolishness.I picked up the jar again. When I realized I had emptied the bottle, a wave of rage surged through me. I threw the jar away angrily, shattering it into pieces. The maids beside me jolted and hurried to clean up the mess.I stretched out my hand, and another jar full of alcohol was placed in my palm. I might as well drink myself to death before I was actually
SERAPHINA'S POVThe soldiers had arranged for movement back to the palace. SUVs lined the edge of the forest, their headlights cutting through the darkness. Guards stood at attention, waiting for orders. Nathan was already settled in one of the vehicles, asleep in a makeshift bassinet one of the soldiers had fashioned from a crate and blankets.But before Kaelan and I got into the vehicle that would take us back, I pulled his hand.He stopped. Turned. Looked at me with a bit of curiosity and something else. Uncertainty."Hey... can I talk to you for a while?" I asked, pulling him aside.He followed me without saying a word. We walked a few paces away from the vehicles, away from the soldiers, away from the lights. The forest was dark here, the moonlight filtering through the trees in pale silver streaks.I stopped. Turned to face him."Kaelan...""I'm sorry." He stared deeply into my eyes. His voice was raw. Broken in a way I had never heard before. "I failed you, Seraphina. I did. I
KAELAN'S POVThe word hung in the air like a death sentence.Found you.Asher's smile was cold, triumphant. His sword pressed deeper against Seraphina's back. Just a fraction. Just enough to draw a thin line of blood.I saw it drip down her spine.My vision went red, and my fists folded. Tempest surged inside me, clawing at my chest, begging to be released. I wanted to shift. I wanted to tear Asher's throat out with my bare hands. I wanted to make him suffer for every second he had touched her, every moment he had made her afraid.But the sword was still at her back, so I couldn't make any move yet.One wrong move and it would go through her. Through Nathan.I forced myself to breathe. Forced myself to think."Let her go." My voice was low. Deadly. "This is between you and me."Asher tilted his head, amused. "Is it? Because from where I'm standing, she seems very much involved. And too bad there's nothing you can do about it. You're not so stupid.""She has nothing to do with Alyssa.
“Ivanna?” I called as she arranged the latest batch of dresses delivered to my chambers.That was the routine. Every week, a silent procession of servants brought silks, velvets, and jewels. My closet was a bursting museum of finery I hadn’t chosen. Not that I complained about the clothes themselve
KAELAN'S POVMy phone chimed with a report from the guard tasked with monitoring Seraphina's movements."The Grand Empress visited the Luna's chambers this afternoon."I arched a brow. The old viper had been coiled in silent resentment since I’d put her in her place. What poison was she trying to d
As I stepped into the hall, the sheer number of eyes that turned to meet mine was staggering. I have been the center of attraction more than I can count, mainly as my father's sole heir. But to have the focused, assessing gaze of fourteen ruling Lunas upon me, as their host, was an entirely new ki
SERAPHINA'S POV"Gosh, I hate Kaelan so much. Nothing irks me more than his damn ego," I hissed the moment I was alone in my room."Is anyone there?" I called out."Yes, Your Majesty. Do you require assistance?" A young maid I didn't recognize entered, dipping into a curtsy.I arched a brow. "Who a







