LOGIN~Valeria~ Alerion looked ready to kill him. “You are doing no such thing.”“The hell I’m not. I swore to protect her, remember? Or does that oath only matter when you’re the one talking?”Lysander snorted. “Honestly, I’d pay to watch the two of you get locked in separate rooms before this turns into a full mating season disaster.&rd
~Valeria~ “The man spent years making himself everybody’s problem. I’m not exactly crying over his turn.”I stared at all three of them in disgust. “So this is it? You hear your father is being tortured and all you have are smug little comments?”Alerion’s eyes met mine at last. “Do not make the mistake of calling him that like the
~Valeria~ Moments after the meeting ended, we were outside ready to head home when a figure suddenly flew over the outer wall and hit the ground hard.My heart dropped so fast it scared me.Who the hell was that? Was he dead? &ldqu
~Valeria~Connor folded his arms and glanced between me and Dad with open disappointment. “First, you defend them. Then you let them turn a preparation meeting into a public circus. Forgive us if we question whether either of you understands what this ceremony demands.”Zane took a step forward. “Show them respect, old man or I’ll teach you the right way to speak.”
~Valeria~ “I do not care what title or identity you think I lack,” Alerion said. “None of that changes the fact that I will protect Valeria. Your approval means nothing to me. If she wants me beside her, that is where I’ll stay.”Silence followed.
~Valeria~Dad gathered the royal old troops for a preparation meeting for my restoration ceremony, and one scornful look thrown at the guys told me they were not welcome here.“What exactly are Cassian’s sons doing here?” one of the troops demanded. “Guards, send them out.”Zane let out a hum
~Alerion~I was in the wrong place at the right time. That was the only explanation. I wasn’t following her. I wasn’t looking for her. I was just... there. Walking. Thinking. Telling myself I didn’t care where she was or who she was with. And then I heard it. A struggle for life. A sharp gasp.
Valeria POVSome seconds later, Zane returned, carrying a small, white plastic bag.“Valeria!” he motioned to me. “Come here!”There were people at the counter, waiting in line for their order. I glared at him.“I’m busy!” I said through gritted teeth.“Do you want me to come carry you or will you come w
Valeria POVOver the following weeks, I found myself increasingly surrounded by unexpected kindnesses from Zane.Like now, Zane stood in front of me, holding a bouquet of flowers in front of the café. The bright yellow blooms contrasted sharply with the dark autumn sky behind him and I could only star
Valeria POVA few days later, it was a weekend and I was home alone.My mother and Alpha Cassian were attending the wedding ceremony of an Alpha from a nearby pack and had informed me the night before. It was almost midday when I woke up to discover it was just me at home and the pack domestic staff w







