LOGINLyra's POVThe scream tore from my throat. "She's been poisoned!"My hands trembled as I watched Elara convulse, blood pouring from her mouth, her nose, her eyes, her ears. So much blood.King K moved faster than I'd ever seen anyone move, catching her before she hit the ground. His face was a mask of terror as he scooped his mate into his arms, cradling her against his chest."Elara love. Please, stay with me." His voice cracked.Draven was already on his feet, his eyes blazing red. "Get the healer!" he roared at a guard. "Now!"Kael didn't wait. He bolted toward the stairs, taking them three at a time, Elara limp in his arms.But Draven didn't follow.He stopped at the base of the stairs, his chest heaving, his hands clenched into fists."Arrest them," he snarled, his voice low and deadly. "All of them. The cooks. The maids. Everyone who touched the food."My blood ran cold."My king, please—" one of the cooks stammered."Silence!" Draven's roar shook the walls a she ordered the gu
Elara's POV My mouth hung open, eyes widening as I took in everything. The decorated tables laden with different foods, the soft music playing in the background, the banners strung across the ceiling.Tommy, Collins, Freya, my dad, Luca, a man I hadn't exactly seen before, and Lyra stood clapping, their faces bright with genuine smiles. On the main table sat a massive cake with "Congratulations On Your Awakening" written in elegant icing.Tears burst from my eyes, my lips stretching into the widest smile as I broke into a run straight toward my dad."Thank you, thank you, thank you," I sobbed, wrapping my arms around him.He chuckled, patting my back. "It wasn't me, sweetheart. The Kings organized everything."I pulled back, staring at him in surprise before turning to Kael and Draven. They stood there watching me, their expressions soft.I launched myself at them, throwing my arms around both their necks."Thank you," I whispered. "This is incredible.""Anything for you," Kael murm
Elara's POV I pulled away from them, my chest heaving, my skin still buzzing with the aftermath of the rage. My hands were shaking."Elara," Kael started, reaching for me.I stepped back, shaking my head. "Don't.""Baby, wait," Draven said, his voice gentle.But I couldn't. I couldn't stand there and let them see me like this. Broken. Uncontrollable. Dangerous. I should be able to do better than this right? What the hell was wrong with me?I turned and ran."Elara!" Kael shouted, but I didn't stop.My legs carried me across the training ground, through the palace gates, up the stairs. I could hear them behind me, calling my name, but I didn't care.I reached my room and slammed the door shut. My chest was tight, my breaths coming in short, painful gasps.Rowan. Rowan. Rowan.His name echoed in my head like a curse I couldn't shake. His hands on me. His voice in my ear. His pheromones forcing me to submit.My blood boiled, rage flooding every inch of my body. I wanted to kill him. I
Rowan's POVI sucked in another drag of the cigarette, the smoke burning down my throat like acid. It wasn't enough. Nothing was ever enough anymore.My hands trembled as I brought the cigarette to my lips again, the embers glowing red in the dim light of my office. Around me, the mansion felt suffocating, the walls closing in with every passing second. I constantly felt irritated by everything.Elara.Her name was a wound that wouldn't heal. There was a festering infection spreading through my veins. I could feel it, the darkness creeping up my arms, black veins pulsing beneath my skin.I glanced down at my forearm, watching the veins writhe and twist, spreading further toward my shoulder. My powers were weakening. Every day without her made me less of what I was, less of an Alpha.She was mine. Mine.And those fucking Lycan kings had stolen her.I crushed the cigarette in the ashtray, my jaw clenching so hard I thought my teeth might crack. I needed a drink. I needed something to t
Elara's POV I opened my mouth in pure shock, whipping around to glare at Hara, who stood there smiling like she'd just offered me a cup of tea instead of a death sentence."Are you insane?" The words burst out of me. "You expect me to do that?""Why not?" Hara's smile widened, showing teeth. "You wanted to train, didn't you?"I turned back to the death trap, watching as more soldiers threw themselves into the chaos. The ground beneath them shifted violently, entire sections rising up like massive platforms before slamming back down with bone-crushing force.The soldiers moved with inhuman speed, jumping and somehow hanging in the air just long enough for the ground to crash down beneath them before landing gracefully and continuing their fights.One soldier wasn't fast enough. The platform rose beneath him mid-strike, throwing off his balance. He stumbled, and when the ground slammed back down, it caught him. The sickening thud made me flinch, bile rising in my throat as guards rush
Elara's POV "Leave?" I repeated, my voice cracking slightly. "What do you mean, leave?"My chest tightened, and my mind immediately went to the worst possible place. Had I done something wrong? Was I too much of a burden? Did they regret bringing me to their home?"Did I do something?" I asked, hating how small my voice sounded. "Is it because of what Rowan is doing? I know it's a lot but we can—""No, baby," Kael interrupted, his voice firm. "That's not it. It could never be.""Then what is it?" I demanded, my voice rising. "Why are you suddenly asking me to leave?"Draven's jaw tightened, and he glanced at Kael before taking my hand."Come on," he said quietly. "Let's go upstairs."I wanted to argue, to demand answers right there, but something in his tone stopped me. I nodded, letting him lead me up the stairs. Kael followed close behind, his presence, heavy at my back.When we reached their room, Draven closed the door behind us, and I turned to face them, crossing my arms over
Elara's POV "Stay with you?" I repeated, my voice wavering slightly.The idea was both terrifying and tempting. Being around them constantly, in their space, where I'd be surrounded by their scent and their presence was something I would very much love. Staying with Clara meant putting her in dang
Kael's POVWe both froze like statues as the knocking continued, cutting off the warm pleasure I'd been sinking into. I cursed under my breath and glanced up at Draven, who was still watching us with an entertained smirk curling at the edge of his mouth. The bastard pulled out his earphones, clearl
Elara's POV The elevator doors slid open on the top floor and I stepped out ahead of him, smoothing my blouse and trying to pull my composure back together after his hands had spent the entire ride threatening to dismantle it. I could feel Kael behind me, his footsteps quite light for someone so l
Elara's POV The word "no" shot out of me before I could even think twice, and both of them stared at me with such identical expressions of surprise that I almost laughed despite myself. "Ashamed of us?" Kael asked, his icy blue eyes not leaving my face. There was no anger in it, just a look of wo







