LOGINMaven walks unbearably quick, leading me up the spiralling staircase.My lungs burn as I hoist up the skirts of this dress, which seem to weigh a ton. The corset binding my torso has my ribs pressed so tightly together I fear they may clash."You will be expected to abide by every rule. No exceptions," Maven prattles on, not waiting for me as I pause at the top of the stairs to catch my breath.Rules? What rules, I want to ask, could possibly have been constructed in the time it has taken me to arrive in this pack and be declared Everin's bride?I keep my thoughts to myself as I drag in another wary breath.My heeled shoes click against the wood floor as Maven leads me into a different wing of the home. Here, the natural wood has been slathered with gaudy wallpaper, the lavish rugs are gone and there are no furnishings to be seen.I suppose only the worst for the Alpha's bride..."You are not a guest, so you will not be treated like one," Maven declares, pausing at a lone door at the
The healer’s chamber felt like an endless humiliation. The woman’s unsteady hands treated me as something repulsive. She made me stand on the creaking scale that protested my slight weight. She forced my mouth open to check my teeth, combed through my tangled hair with gloved fingers, and drew vial after vial of blood from my inner elbow until the skin bruised and went cold.She listened to my heart and lungs, pressed a palm to my stomach, then stared at my face.“Shift check next,” she said, peeling off her gloves. “Partial form is enough. Just show me your vitality.”I glared and stayed silent. My wolf hid deep inside, still whimpering from the fresh rejection, refusing to surface. The healer, named Lena, noted it on her clipboard with a small frown but didn’t push.She stepped between my spread legs.The cold metal speculum slid in without warning. I flinched hard, fingers digging into the table edges until my knuckles turned white. No gentleness, no words—just clinical prodding as
The sentinels dragged me through the vast courtyard, past dozens of prying eyes and hushed, venomous whispers that sliced deeper than any blade. I kept my tear-filled eyes tightly shut the entire way, refusing to let the world in.I couldn’t bear to look. I didn’t want to. Every single inch of my body burned with excruciating pain. Death whispered like a gentle promise of rest, a beautiful escape from this endless torment.Why was I still clinging to life?None of it made sense. Why fight to survive in a pack that had rejected me from the start, when my entire existence had become nothing but suffering?My fated mate wanted nothing to do with me. He craved only my agony. He desired the elegant Luna of the Silverfang Pack instead.The instant we entered his private quarters, his powerful scent crashed over me like a brutal wave, far harsher than any whip lash. My stomach heaved violently. I clenched my jaw until it ached, battling the urge to vomit. No matter the cost, I had to keep ev
I slammed the book shut, the sound slicing through the quiet room like a whip. “I said I don’t want to discuss it right now, Marcus. Not another word.”He hesitated, mouth opening then closing wisely. Smart man. I had enough weighing on my mind without adding more ghosts to the pile. The company’s quarterly reports were spread across my desk like battle maps, red ink marking every financial wound. Debts. Delays. Disloyalty.A soft knock interrupted my brooding. One of the junior executives poked his head in. “Alpha, the board meeting has gone virtual. They’re waiting.”I waved a dismissive hand and flipped open my laptop. The screen glowed coldly as faces filled the grid—suits and nervous expressions staring back at me from across the city. “Good evening, Alpha,” they chorused.I gave a curt nod, my jaw tight. The lead board member cleared his throat and launched into the agenda. I skimmed the bullet points on my second monitor, my eyes narrowing when I reached the final item: Outstan
“No, Mother. That’s insane. I won’t do it.” My voice shook, but the words came out steady despite the terror clawing at my insides, making my stomach twist into painful knots that threatened to steal my breath entirely. “The moment Damon realizes I’m not Linda, he’ll tear me apart. I’m not sacrificing my life for the mess she made.”The air in the lavish bedroom felt thick and suffocating, heavy with the scent of fresh lilies from the wedding arrangements downstairs and the faint metallic tang of fear that seemed to radiate from every corner. Kate’s eyes flashed with fury, her perfectly manicured nails digging into the fabric of her elegant dress as she leaned forward, her face contorted in a mask of barely contained rage that made her look far older than her years. “Renna, you selfish little—”The bedroom door slammed open with a deafening crack that echoed through the room like a gunshot, causing the crystal chandelier above to tremble slightly and send tiny sparkles of light dancin
Days passed, and the nights grew longer and colder. The people who worked with Alexander had started rotating, keeping the primary team's higher-ups here while others worked in the cells, disassembling them. I'd kept out of their business or tried to for the most part. Every day around Alexander became a little easier to accept him and the changes he'd brought with him.I hadn't forgiven him or the pack, but I'd settled into a routine and had begun overseeing duties again for the pack on a smaller scale. Today the team was all here, and I'd sent in whiskey and snacks to keep them going throughout the meeting in the main hall.Settling onto the sofa in the library, I watched Mateo reading one of the comic books, laughing boyishly, and sending warmth rushing through me. The fire had been lit, crackling as the heavy snow fell outside the new picture window that Alexander and his crew had framed. Sitting up, I gasped and then cried out as pain ripped through my stomach.I pushed the rest
I swallowed hard, my fingers tightening around the towel like it could shield me from her gaze. “Are you… just going to stand there?” I asked, voice higher than I intended.Mackline tilted her head, that same unshakable grin curling her lips. “Relax, just like i said before I have seen more naked b
"Wait," I shouted before they could drag her out of the room.For a split second nothing moved. The guards slowed as if someone had pressed a hand against the world. Raymond's eyes bored into mine and the smirk on his face widened."You want to speak?" he asked, voice soft enough that it should hav
Light slammed into my eyes, harsh as the guards dragged me out of the cell.My wrists stung where the leather had been knotted; my muscles trembled from hunger and grief and the aftershock of standing when I no longer trusted my legs but the ruthless guards didn't care. They shoved me down a corrid
"Nobody runs from me, mate."His eyes gleamed in the dimness and a shiver ran down straight to my spine. I took an involuntary step back. The movement was small, but he noticed. Of course he did. Predators always notice prey that twitches.“Don’t,” he said coldly. “Don’t make this harder than it al







