LOGINFINNIAN“Prince Finnian!!”The desperate cry tore through the clash of blades and the growls around me. I turned sharply just in time to see a black rogue lunging straight at me. His claws ripped across my neck, searing through flesh. I staggered back, hissing in pain, but I caught myself before falling.Rage boiled inside me. I grabbed him by the neck and slammed my fist into his jaw, again and again, until I felt his jawbone crack under my knuckles.His red eyes glowed brighter, and with a snarl, I punched harder... his chest, ribs, neck until he flew across the field, crashing into the dirt. Sand and blood scattered in the air.He was strong, stronger than the others. He was the Beta of the rogues that had been haunting the Crow Moon Pack for weeks. He pushed himself up slowly, dusting his fur, his dark aura spilling out like poison. His growl rumbled so loud it made the ground shake beneath us.All around, screams, growls, and the metallic stench of blood filled the air. The cries
ISOLDEI lifted my doubts, ignoring the tremor in my chest. My subconscious told me I was doing the right thing. I had no reason to fear anymore. Not him, not anyone, not when my own heart had been carrying a weight too long to bear alone.I reached Felda’s chamber. Her guards didn’t even announce my presence, they looked as if they’d seen a ghost. Not surprising. I hadn’t expected I’d have any reason to come here myself, let alone to step into her domain uninvited.“Your Highness,” they bowed, timid and stiff, but I ignored them.“Had she told you not to let me in?” I asked, my eyes fixed on the closed door.“No, Your Highness,” one said finally. “Queen Felda isn’t in her chamber. She’s in the garden.”Good. Relief bubbled inside me. I nodded, about to start walking, but stopped. What if she were with Rowan? I couldn’t embarrass myself or worse, get caught in a scene that would set him off.“Do you know who she’s meeting?” I asked, curiosity and caution threading through my voice.Th
ISOLDETo my surprise, Rowan sent them to my chamber even though it wasn’t immediately.I smiled when I saw Eve and Marie bowing before me. I didn’t realize how much I had missed them. Over time, they had become more than just maids, they were the only people who made this golden prison bearable. Even Arianna, with her sharp tongue and irritating boldness, had somehow earned my tolerance. Maybe because I’d learned she wasn’t cruel, she was just born that way.Maybe I should have used this against Rowan earlier. Maybe if I had, he wouldn’t have dared to treat me like I was nothing. But I was a fool in love, protecting his secret like it was my own heart. I had loved him too much to destroy him, even when he hurt me. I carried his secret in silence, believing he’d one day love me back with the same fire that burned me alive for him.But love didn’t protect me. It only chained me.He had shown affection before, yes but it was never love. I know that now. And the truth was, I feared him
ISOLDEThe heavy door shut behind me with a deep thud. I dragged the end of my honey-gold royal gown across the marble floor, my heart pounding as I lifted my chin. Thank the goddess, he was alone. No wives. No Luna draped across his lap.Rowan didn’t even look up. His hand moved steadily over the scroll on his desk, his jaw tight, his eyes locked on the paper like it was more important than air itself. The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating, but I didn’t rush to break it.Instead, I watched him.His face was still that cruelly beautiful one I had married, it was sharp, unreadable, carved by control. His hair looked darker now, blacker than night, and his lips... goddess, those lips still carried that silent authority that once made my knees weak. I hated myself for still noticing that for still wanting him.Because he hadn’t even tried to kiss me in a week. Not since I defended myself from his precious Luna’s jealousy.When he finally spoke, his voice was low and edg
ISOLDEI didn’t even spend the second day in the cell before Rowan ordered them to release me. I thought I’d see Finnian after that, but it’s been three days now and nothing.I’ve asked Rowan where he sent him, but he won’t answer me. Neither would the guards. It was as if he had warned everyone not to say a single word.Where could Finnian have gone that he couldn’t tell me himself?Was it his choice to leave… or did Rowan send him on the errand?Elsa hadn’t been happy either. She'd been wandering around the palace pretending not to care, but I knew she was looking for Daze. She might deny it, but I can see it in her eyes, she already loved him. They were fated mates after all.“You’ll know where they went,” Elsa said, turning to look at Arianna, who bowed quickly. Of course she would, she was Finnian’s maid.Arianna shook her head before Elsa could even finish. “I don’t know where they went.”I frowned.“You’re lying,” Elsa said through gritted teeth. “You know. You don’t want to te
FINNIANThe table was filled with a variety of dishes: roasted venison, spiced chicken, wolf stew, grilled fish glazed in honey, ripe berries, pears, apples, figs, and sliced melons. The scent was maddening, rich enough to make my stomach twist with hunger before I even took a bite.I didn’t wait. I sat down and started eating, without a care for manners or stares.“Your men will be well taken care of,” the Alpha said with a polite smile.I nodded, swallowing hard and reaching for more meat, but I could already feel the sharp gaze burning into my skin again. His daughter’s.“Classara, you’re not eating?” her father asked, pulling her attention away from me.She blinked and smiled. “Oh, no. I am.”She looked down at her plate filled with roasted pheasant, grilled carrots, and fruit slices, and she shoved a forkful into her mouth. “See? I’m eating,” she said through the bite, still watching me.I shrugged, pretending not to notice, and turned back to my food.After a few minutes of sile







