MasukLillian’s POVDorian paused, his hand freezing in mid-air as a flicker of panic crossed his handsome face. He quickly pulled back his shoulders, smoothing down his black suit jacket as he tried to put on his usual calm, businesslike expression."Lillian, sweetie, can we do this later?" Dorian said smoothly, offering me a tight, nervous smile as he checked his golden wristwatch. "I am actually needed elsewhere right now. Aiden and the patrol captains are waiting for me at the eastern training grounds for a tactical review….”"Stop it, Dorian," I interrupted, my voice flat, firm, and sharp.I took a step closer to him, locking my eyes directly onto his. Through the deep, invisible soul connection forged between us, I could feel the sharp pulse of anxiety radiating from his heart. I felt his desperate urge to retreat, to hide behind his pack duties just to avoid talking about his past."Don't try to make dumb excuses with me," I reminded him, my voice soft yet laced with unyielding steel
Lillian’s POVI had saved Dorian.I stood in front of the large glass window in our private bedroom, watching the bright morning sun cast a warm golden light across the estate grounds. I still didn't fully understand how vast or great my ancient powers were, but seeing Dorian back on his feet, fully healed and as strong as ever, made my heart swell with overwhelming relief. The black poison that had nearly claimed his life was completely gone, and his broken spine was fully repaired without leaving a single scar behind.A soft knock sounded at the door before Alanna walked in, holding a small notebook in her hands. Her eyes were bright with curiosity and professional eagerness."Good morning, Lillian," Alanna said, walking over to stand beside me. "I need you to explain everything to me. How does your healing power actually work? I’ve been reading our medical texts all night, but nothing explains how you flushed out a rare black poison in seconds."I let out a soft, quiet breath, look
Cassidy’s POVI held the small velvet box tightly in my hand as I walked behind Alpha Harold down a dark, spiral staircase made of cold stone. The air grew damp and freezing the deeper we went into the lower levels of the high fortress. Water dripped slowly from the ceiling, making a hollow sound that echoed through the narrow passage.At the bottom of the stairs, Harold pushed open a heavy iron door that creaked loudly on its rusty hinges.We stepped into a dark, hidden room lit only by a single flickering torch. Sitting on a cold stone bench in the middle of the room was an extremely old woman. She had long, dirty gray hair, and heavy iron chains bound her thin wrists and ankles to the wall. Her face was covered in deep wrinkles, but her dark eyes were sharp and glowing with a strange, eerie light."Who is this?" I asked, pulling back my black dress so it would not touch the dirty floor."She is a dark shaman of the old ways," Harold replied, his deep voice rumbling through the smal
Cassidy’s POVA sudden, sharp shockwave rippled through the very center of my chest.I gasped violently, stumbling backward against the cold stone wall of the dressing room. My hands flew up to my throat as a searing, golden warmth flared deep within my core, humming in my blood like a plucked wire.I knew that feeling. I could never forget it. It was the exact same strange, sacred vibration I had felt years ago when that white-haired woman’s life force was drained to cure my rotting body.The bloodline had fully awakened. Lillian had unlocked her ancient power.Panic flared up inside my chest like a wild forest fire. I spun on my heel, gathered the heavy folds of my black dress, and sprinted through the dark stone corridors of the high fortress as fast as my feet could carry me.I threw open the massive wooden doors of the war room, breathless and wild-eyed."Harold!" I shrieked, rushing toward the heavy wooden table where Alpha Harold sat examining border maps. "We need to strike ri
Dorian’s POVThe brilliant wave of magical light flared brighter between our palms, casting sharp blue shadows across the dark garden trees.Suddenly, the warm, soothing light turned into a thick, dark, suffocating surge of deep violet energy."Ah!" Lillian gasped out in shock.She opened her hands abruptly and let the spherical sapphire drop from her fingers. The blue stone tumbled through the air and landed with a soft thud onto the damp grass below, rolling a few inches away.Lillian backed away from my wheelchair, her breath coming in quick, panicked gasps as she held her hands against her chest. "Dorian! What was that?! The light... it went dark!""Lillian, look at me," I commanded softly, my eyes widening in complete awe as I stared up at her face.I didn't care about the stone lying in the dirt. Something far more extraordinary was happening right in front of my eyes."What? What is it?" she asked, her hands trembling as she touched her cheeks."Your hair..." I whispered, my vo
Dorian’s POVI lay in the medical room, staring up at the plain ceiling. My whole body felt heavy and weak. The dark poison in my blood was like a cold fire burning through my veins, stopping my inner wolf from repairing my broken spine. I could not feel my legs at all. Every time I tried to move my toes, nothing happened. It was a terrifying feeling for an Alpha, but I tried to keep my mind strong for my family.Suddenly, raised voices echoed from the main hallway outside my room.I strained my ears to listen. I could hear Lillian shouting in a frantic, raspy voice, and I could hear Aiden arguing back in a firm, loud tone. They were shouting about Lillian’s mother fleeing the country, about the Moonstone pack, and about smashing a blue gem."I want to break the sapphire!" Lillian’s voice screamed through the wall. "I want to smash this stone right here and see what happens when all that stored, ancient energy breaks free!"My heart jumped in my chest. Break the sapphire? She was goin
Lillian’s POVShantel stood there for a long moment saying absolutely nothing, which was somehow more satisfying than anything she could have said. The silence had a quality to it. “And before you start thinking about Christine,” I said, “don’t bother. She is already out of the country. Whatever r
Dorian’s POV. “Come on, Dorian,” Luka’s voice crackled through the Bluetooth speaker. “You’ve been holed up for weeks. One drink won’t kill you.”I gripped the steering wheel tighter, eyes on the winding road ahead. “I’m not in the mood,” I replied flatly. Luka’s been trying every attempt to get
Lilian’s POV. Elm Square. That’s where I was. Even without staring up, I could tell. I could tell because I’d walked this path over and over for hours, pacing around this side of the Pack like someone caught in a loop. I felt dead inside. Dead, hollow, hurt and angry. I looked up to see my susp
Lillian’s POV.The beeping sounds from a machine came first. Then the sterile scent of alcohol and antiseptic. My fingers twitched against stiff sheets, my eyelids fluttering open. I was awake, but everything felt…still.The hospital. I was in the hospital. A curtain shifted, revealing a smiling n







