ログインHarley’s P.O.V.The car had barely settled after the sudden stop when Conrad’s voice broke the uneasy silence.“There’s a massive log placed right in the middle of the road,” he said, peering through the windshield. “It’s not a problem. I’ll get down and move it.”Before he could unbuckle his seatbelt, Carlos leaned forward sharply. “Wait!”Conrad paused and looked back at him as Carlos continued, his eyes narrowing. His tone was low, edged with suspicion. “Why would there be a log here? There wasn’t any storm today. No strong winds. Nothing.”A cold shiver ran down my spine. Carlos and I looked at each other and spoke at once.“It’s a trap.”Carlos exhaled slowly, already reaching for the door. “Conrad, we go together. Let's check the surroundings first. It's our safest bet.”Then he turned to me, his gaze softening despite the tension burning in his eyes. “Harley, stay inside the car. Lock the doors. Don’t open them for anyone.I’ll be right back.”I nodded quickly, fear knotting
Harley’s P.O.V. Everyone froze at once. My heart dropped to my stomach as I turned toward the entrance slowly. Lucian stood there, his presence overwhelming, his aura raging like a storm barely held in check. His eyes burned crimson with fury, veins standing out on his temples as if restraint itself pained him. The flickering torchlight cast sharp shadows across his face, making him look less like a noble elder and more like a wrathful god descending to pass judgment.Before I could even process his arrival, Carlos reacted on instinct.He pulled me sharply behind him, his arm wrapping around my shoulders, his body shielding mine completely. I could feel his muscles tense, his wolf and vampire sides bristling in warning.However, Lucian didn’t even spare us a glance. His burning gaze was locked onto Freya.“What do you think you are doing here, Freya?” He thundered furiously. “Leaving your chamber? Disgracing the sacred widow traditions by being out here?”Freya stood still, her bac
Harley’s P.O.V.I turned, my breath hitching in my throat as I recognized the voice almost instantly.Aunt Freya stood there, dressed in black from head to toe, mourning silk flowing around her like a quiet storm. Grief clung to her, but so did power. The kind that didn’t shout, didn’t threaten, yet demanded to be acknowledged.Her hair was pinned neatly back, her posture unyielding as she stepped forward and stopped beside Carlos.“I am Carlos Laynox’s maternal aunt,” she said, her voice calm but resolute. “And he has my blessings.”For a heartbeat, the world stopped. I stared at her, unable to speak, unable to even blink. My chest felt too tight, my eyes burning. This woman, who had lost her mate because of us, who had been confined to her chambers by ancient customs, had broken every rule for us. She came here, disregarding all the rules and traditions.Carlos turned sharply, disbelief etched across his face. “Aunt Freya? How did you… You can’t be here. You’re supposed to stay i
Harley’s P.O.V.We left the Laynox castle just as the sun dipped toward the horizon, staining the sky in deep shades of crimson and gold colors, too beautiful for a goodbye that felt this heavy.The iron gates loomed before us, tall and imposing, as if silently reminding us that once we crossed them, there would be no turning back.My chest tightened at the realization that I would never be able to step foot here ever again. So much had happened within those walls, and leaving it all of a sudden felt so abrupt, like a part of my soul was ripped away from me. Pain, fear, warmth, kindness, and every emotion tangled together until I could barely separate them. Despite everything Henry had done, despite Lucian’s cruelty, Carlos’s family had carved a space in my heart, especially Aunt Freya. It would be nice to see her one last time.I slowed my steps unconsciously, my eyes scanning the vast courtyard to search for the people who made me feel at home. No Freya, no Aaron, or Arnold to bo
Harley’s P.O.V.The atmosphere inside Lucian’s study was suffocating. Carlos and I stood side by side before the massive oak desk, like criminals awaiting judgment from the court. Lucian sat behind it, his back straight, hands folded neatly. His sharp gaze was fixed on me with unsettling intensity. He didn’t offer us seats. He didn’t even acknowledge Carlos at all. Instead, he just stared. Staring at us with a piercing gaze continuously. My palms grew damp. Inside me, my lycan stirred restlessly, pacing and sensing danger. “Be ready,” Raven warned, her voice low and alert, filled with so much intensity and authority. The silence stretched unbearably until Carlos finally broke it, tired of unnecessary suspense.“Why did you call us here now?” He asked, his tone calm but firm.Lucian’s eyes flicked to him slowly, then he narrowed them at us. “You know very well why I called you here.”I glanced at Carlos, worried and tense. Carlos squeezed my hand briefly, a silent reassurance, and
Harley’s P.O.V.Carlos’s voice was so raw, so unguarded that it pierced straight through my heart. I could feel his guilt and pain as my own, his every word dripping with raw honesty. He wasn’t an alpha or a calculative leader while pouring his heart out in front of me. In that moment, he was just Carlos. The man whose one glance captivated me completely at the moon bar that night.He spoke in a shaky voice, his tone deep yet laced with countless emotions.“You remained patient with me, Harley. You compromised; you gave me chance after chance to become better.”His jaw clenched as his crimson eyes darkened. “But in the end, I couldn’t change. I didn't have the guts to improve. What everyone says is true. I am a monster, Harley.” My breath hitched at his words filled with self-hate and disgust. That was what I feared the most. The darkness tended to engulf Carlos as a whole whenever he hated himself.His hands slipped from my shoulders as he stepped back, dragging a shaky breath from







