LOGINTears streamed down Zaya’s face, and a knot of anxiety tightened in my chest as I waited for what she would say next.
“I saw it…” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I saw Mom force something into Lynn’s mouth.”
Kira and I exchanged alarmed looks before I faced Zaya again. “Are you absolutely sure?”
She nodded frantically. “I know what I saw. She didn’t realize I was watching, and I&rsqu
The Moon Goddess rarely intervened by assigning a fated mate to someone who had already chosen a partner. But when she did, everything depended on the strength of the chosen bond, and ours was already falling apart. I turned my back on her and walked away, no longer able to keep my tears from falling. Before I had gone far, I spotted Zev striding toward me. What? Did he think I was going to harm Diana? Was that why he came after me without a second thought? Within seconds, he was standing in front of me. He caught my arm before I could walk past him. “Kira, will you please stop this? You’re making a scene and embarrassing both of us!” “Then let’s end this!” I yanked my arm free. “I reject whatever we have so you can be with your damned fated mate without any complications. At least then you won’t have to keep pretending you’re torn between us!” His expression tightened. “I’m choosing you, Kira. Can’t you see that? Nothing ever happened between Diana and me. I never crossed that
Zev’s words echoed in my ears as emotions I couldn’t name churned inside me. “I already told you earlier that the past few days have been terrible for me, but you’re only making my frustration worse!”This time, I didn’t chase after him. I stood frozen as he walked away, my own anger swelling until it nearly consumed me. This wasn’t fun or love anymore. In the human world, they would call this a toxic relationship. Yet, here I was, unable to walk away, unable to accept that I might be losing him.I ran in the opposite direction, unable to suppress the ache in my chest, tangled with dark jealousy and simmering resentment.There was only one place I needed to go: the training grounds. If someone were trying to come between Zev and me or threaten my place as his future mate, I would confront the issue myself instead of running from it.The clang of weapons and the scent of sweat filled the air
The moon hung high above us, bathing the clearing in silver light. This date with Zev should have been perfect, so I forced myself to push every thought of Diana from my mind. I refused to let anything ruin tonight. “I’m really happy to see you,” Zev said, taking my hand. But almost immediately, his expression darkened. “Anyway, Lucian keeps investigating the security breach that happened during his mating ceremony. He suspects I’m a traitor, thinks I should never have allowed the Ravencrest pack to get inside our territory.” I didn’t know what to say. “He’s so focused on me when there are plenty of other members he should be investigating instead!” He exhaled heavily before shaking his head. “Forget it. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” I managed a small smile. I didn’t want to think about Lucian either. Every time his name crossed my mind, Gwen’s face inevitably followed, stirring an ache I couldn’t quite bury. A cool breeze swept through the clearing, lifting the edge of
[Kira]A month had passed since Gwen fell into the ravine, yet no one knew what had truly happened. Everyone close to her could only cling to theories and fragments of what little evidence remained.It reminded me of those unsolved cases where the truth disappeared along with the victim, leaving behind nothing but questions.Amanda blamed herself for failing to save Gwen after the executioner attacked her behind the pack house. Then Lucian returned with devastating news: Gwen is dead!He had been unconscious for three days, and our grandfather explained that he had nearly lost his life trying to protect Gwen.Even then, too many things refused to make sense. Too many pieces were missing.Since that day, Lucianhadchanged. The calm, patient wolf who once listened to every pack member was gone, replaced by someone colder and far more dangerous. Challen
Quiet tears streamed down my face as the weight of my failures crashed over me.“Because Gwen was too tired, exhausted by my lies… she was no longer happy with me. Betrayal after betrayal…”A broken sob escaped me before I could continue.“All I ever saw in her eyes was disappointment… I saw it that day she asked me to leave everything behind and run away from our role in the pack… She wanted a simple life in the human world… just the two of us, away from everything. I should have said yes…” I swallowed hard. “But Icouldn’t. Icouldn’ttake her away from her friends, from everything she knewand end up tied to me.”My chest tightened painfully. My wolf stirred weakly inside me, already breaking, even though there was nothing left in me to split apart.“When she rejected the bond, all I thought was that s
Bernie was the only one who witnessed what happened next, and disbelief rooted him to the spot. His gaze flew to Enzo just as he raised the dagger and drove it toward his own heart.Acting on instinct, Bernie forced the blade off course with his power, but not quickly enough. The dagger still found its mark in Enzo’s shoulder, and blood immediately poured from the wound.Circe’s expression shifted to shock. She had been certain Virel still held complete control over Enzo.“What have you done?!” Bernie roared.His gaze swept over the jagged rocks below the cliff, where towering waves crashed against the shore with enough force to crush anyone who fell.“Gwen’s healing abilities are weak! How could you let this happen?” he demanded.“Gwen is the reason Enzo abandoned his responsibilities as executioner,” Circe snapped back. “I was only carrying out
Vada’s jaw tightened as I stood there, struggling to believe what I had just heard. “You know exactly why.” Every bit of fear I had in that moment vanished, replaced by anger. “I’m away from the pack, weak! What would she even gain from targeting a disgrace like me?” The bow creaked as she drew it
[Gwyneth] One minute… that was all the time I had left. I hurried toward the hunting ground the moment I finished changing, heart already hammering before I’d even broken into a run. The students were mid-count by the time the gate came into view, nearly shut. I pushed harder. “63!” I called out,
[Lucian]Even if I had wanted to deny it, the kiss felt far too good. The warmth of Gwen’s closeness seeped through my entire body, slow and overwhelming, like heat bleeding into cold stone.I tilted her chin, coaxing her to
[Soren]The healer was examining Muriel, but Icouldn’tstop myself from worrying about Gwen.I needed Muriel becauseshe’sthe only one who can help memaintainmy position as heir and the future alpha







