MasukDamon's P.O.VI'd searched every room, every corridor, every gods-forsaken corner of this fortress twice over. Nothing. Darius was gone. Vanished like smoke.My wolf raged inside me, demanding blood, demanding answers, demanding the head of whoever had dared take my brother. I'd questioned pack members until my voice was hoarse. I had used the Alpha command so many times I could taste copper in the back of my throat from the strain. Still nothing.Whoever had taken Darius knew how to cover their tracks. No scent trail. No witnesses. No magical signature left behind. It was like he'd simply ceased to exist.Unless.I stood in Elder Thaddeus's quarters, having dismissed the guards who'd searched it earlier. They'd found nothing suspicious. Books on pack history, ancient texts about prophecies and magic, personal belongings of an old wolf who'd served the Blackthorne family for decades.But they hadn't been looking with the right eyes. I moved slowly through the room, not searching for e
Dominic's P.O.VThe flames roared higher, closing in like the jaws of a predator. Sweat poured down my face, evaporating almost instantly in the intense heat. My skin felt like it was cooking, blistering under the assault of Ignatia's fire. Garrett and Luna pressed close to me, the three of us huddled in a circle that grew smaller with each passing second."Choose," Ignatia commanded again, her voice the crackle and snap of burning wood. "Which of you loves her enough to die?""This is insane," Garrett shouted over the roar of flames. "We can't just kill each other!""Then you all burn," Ignatia said simply. "And the Luna's mate dies. And history repeats itself. The choice is yours."I looked at my companions. Garrett's face was red from heat and fury, his eyes wild. Luna was smaller, more fragile, already struggling to breathe in the thin, superheated air.One of us had to die. That was the price. That was always the price for power, for magic, for anything worth having in this curse
Aveline's P.O.VCassius's private chambers were even more unsettling than the ballroom.The walls were covered in dark tapestries depicting scenes I tried not to look at too closely. Battles, feasts, things that might have been celebrations or might have been something far worse. Candles burned with black flames, casting strange shadows that seemed to move on their own. The furniture was elegant but foreign, made from dark wood carved with symbols I didn't recognize.And in the center of it all stood Cassius, watching me with those ancient red eyes. I backed away instinctively, my shoulders hitting the door behind me. The handle wouldn't turn. Locked."You look terrified," Cassius observed, moving closer with that predatory grace. "Your heart is racing. I can hear it from here, you know. Like a drum calling me to hunt.""You promised I'd have a fair chance," I said, hating how my voice shook. "You gave your word.""And I keep my promises. Always." He stopped a few feet away, tilting h
Dominic's P.O.VThe Sacred Mountains were trying to kill us.I'd known the journey would be difficult, but I hadn't anticipated this level of hostile terrain. The air was so thin that each breath felt like sucking through a straw. The temperature had dropped below freezing hours ago, and ice coated every surface, making each step treacherous. Wind howled through the peaks like the screams of the damned.And then there were the harpies."Above you!" Luna shouted.I dove sideways as a creature with the body of a massive bird and the face of a twisted woman swooped down, talons extended. Her screech pierced my eardrums, making my head ring. I slashed upward with my blade, catching her wing. Black blood sprayed across the white snow as she spiraled away, shrieking in fury."That's the fifth one in an hour," Garrett panted, his face red from exertion and cold. "How much further to the nesting grounds?"Luna, our tracker, studied the map with trembling fingers. She was small and lean, built
Aveline's P.O.VThe ballroom was the most beautiful nightmare I'd ever seen. Chandeliers made of crystal and bone hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting dancing light across the polished black floor. Vampires filled the space, dozens of them, all devastatingly beautiful in their gowns and tailored suits. They moved with that inhuman grace, gliding rather than walking, their pale skin seeming to glow in the candlelight.And every single one of them was staring at me."Welcome to the Court's evening gathering," Cassius said beside me, his cold hand resting on the small of my back. "Don't look so frightened, little Luna. They're simply curious. We haven't had a werewolf guest in three centuries.""Guest," I repeated, my voice tight. "Is that what I am?""For now." His smile revealed the tips of his fangs. "Come. You must be hungry after your journey."He guided me toward a massive table laden with food. My stomach growled despite my fear. I hadn't eaten since dawn, and the sight of fresh
Damon's P.O.VThe interrogation room stank of fear and sweat. Beta Marcus sat chained to a chair with silver bonds, his weathered face defiant despite the burns forming where the metal touched his skin. He was an older wolf, loyal to the pack for forty years, but lately his behavior had been off. Distant. Secretive."I'll ask you one more time," I said, my voice deadly calm. "Where were you the night Darius was attacked?""In my quarters, sleeping," Marcus growled. "Same answer I've given you six times now.""Your quarters are in the east wing. Three pack members saw you in the west corridor that night. The same corridor where Darius was found bleeding out."Marcus's jaw tightened. "I was making rounds. Checking security.""That's not your job anymore. You retired from active patrol two years ago." I leaned forward, letting my Alpha power press against him like a physical weight. "Stop lying to me."His wolf reacted to the command, forcing submission, but the man fought it. Impressive







