LOGIN***XANDER***I stood with my back to the stone wall, feeling the cold seep through my coat and into my spine. The clearing was quiet except for the low crackle of the torches and the uneven breathing of the alphas who had agreed to come. This meeting was not sanctioned. Levina did not know about it. That alone made every shadow feel sharper.They formed a loose circle around me, careful not to stand too close, as if distance could protect them from what we were doing. These were men who had led packs through blood and fire, yet now they avoided my eyes. Fear had changed them. Fear wearing the face of loyalty.“We have to put a stop to this,” I said. My voice sounded steadier than I felt. “This war isn’t about justice anymore. It’s about control.”One of them shifted, boots scraping against stone. “You’re saying this behind her back,” he muttered. “If Levina finds out, we’re dead.”“She won’t,” I said. “Not unless one of you tells her.”That earned me a few sharp looks. Silence pressed
AURORA'S POVI withdrew my gaze as soon as our eyes met. I mean… it felt like an invincible aura was surrounding him, more like bloodlust if I'm getting it right. Whatever it was, it made me feel like leaving there instantly.Ryan stepped forward a few places from me, and went down on one knee. “I've returned, Father.”The man on the throne tilted his head slightly and leaned forward from his throne. “So, how was it?” His voice was deeper than any I've ever heard my whole life.Wait… Ryan was on a mission? And what mission exactly was that?“That is something I'd like to discuss in private, most preferably when we're out of here.”His lips curled slightly, and he nodded as he returned to his original pose.I withdrew my gaze as soon as our eyes met. I mean… it felt like an invincible aura was surrounding him, more like bloodlust if I'm getting it right. Whatever it was, it made me feel like leaving there instantly.Ryan stepped forward a few places from me and went down on one knee. “
LUKE'S POVThe training yard was already loud when I stepped onto the sand.Scott had the betas running laps with weighted cuffs, barking orders like he was trying to scare the ground into obedience. Rowan stood off to the side, arms folded, watching footwork instead of speed, correcting posture when Scott wasn’t looking.“Again,” Scott shouted. “If you can still breathe, you can still move.”One of the younger betas groaned. “You enjoy this too much.”Scott grinned. “Pain builds character.”“It builds resentment,” Rowan said mildly.Scott snorted. “Same thing.”I rolled my shoulders and stepped into the ring. “Switch out. I want rotations.”They turned toward me immediately. No argument. That was one thing Scott understood—timing. He clapped his hands and started rearranging the group while Rowan moved closer.“You’re late,” Rowan said quietly.“I wasn’t,” I replied. “You started early.”“That’s Scott’s fault.”Scott heard his name and glanced over. “Say it louder so I can enjoy it.”
***ANNE***I paced the sitting room slowly, my bare feet brushing the cold floor as the maid followed a step behind me. She kept her head lowered, hands folded tight in front of her, walking like someone afraid to leave footprints.“Say it,” I told her without turning. “You didn’t come all this way to breathe quietly.”“Yes, my lady,” she said. “Quinn has officially been made beta.”I stopped near the window. “And?”“And he is struggling,” she added. “The elders are resisting him. The council is divided.”I scoffed softly. “Of course they are. Power always fights back before it settles.”She nodded quickly. “That is what I thought as well.”I resumed pacing, the hem of my robe whispering against the floor. “If Quinn were comfortable already, then we would have failed,” I said. “Pressure shapes obedience.”“Yes, my lady.”There was a pause. Too long.I turned. “You’re holding something back.”The maid hesitated, then took a breath. “Elder Neil has been acting strangely,” she said. “He
EVELYN'S POVStepping outside, I was met with four piercing gazes that refused to stop staring. Oscar stood with his chin resting on his hand, while Ryan held the reins of two horses while completely looking at me. The air got weird fast, and my fingers shook as I curled my hair to the back of my ear.Well, that wasn't until Oscar finally spoke. “You look quite gracious, little Miss.”“Thank you, Oscar…” I did a sharp bow, biting my upper lip.I guess that was all it took. The next thing I knew was that Ryan came closer and handed me a horse rein. “You know how to ride, don't you?”My eyes scanned the brown horse standing before me. How am I supposed to tell him that I'd never seen a horse up close before until yesterday, when I had no choice but to ride with his half-brother?“I do,” I lied, heart slamming hard against my chest.If I was going to do this at all, then I'd better do it with style. I took the rein from him and placed my left foot on the saddle. My eyes traced back to Ry
EVELYN'S POV No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't sleep a wink throughout the night. I mean… Could you even blame me? I was sharing the same space with a stranger who happened to have the same face as my ex-boyfriend. Just when my eyes got tired and I started drifting into sleep, Ryan's voice interrupted me.“Hey, princess… get ready. We're leaving in a few minutes.”Just why does he always have to be a thorn in my side?I bit my upper lip as I pushed myself up weakly, and I folded the piece of fabric he had handed me the previous night before giving it to him.“Good morning.”The fire was starting to die down, and it was hard to see his face, but what he said next made me bow my head in shame.“Your breath really stinks,” he said, then laughed. “Good morning to you too.”I pushed him alongside the fabric I handed to him, and I went to the other end of the cave. I brought my palm closer to my face and breathed into it… when I inhaled it, I understood exactly why he complained.“Jus







