Lily's POVI made my way to the servants' quarters with rigid and deliberate steps, the torments of my chest having left me numbed by dumb resolve. But it just took stepping through the threshold and into that small, claustrophobic room, for it all to slip away.What came out of my throat was a raw, shattered sob, bouncing off the stone walls like a wounded animalâs wail. I collapsed onto my narrow cot and buried my face in my thin pillow as tears rained free for the second time in my life over the same man."Lily?" Amayaâs voice sounded grave from the doorway. "What happened? I assumed you were in conference with the Alpha regardingâ" She cut herself off, likely noticing how frazzled I appeared.I sensed the cot sink as she sat down next to me, her hand making comforting circles on my back. âTalk to me,â she said softly. "What did he do to you?"How was I going to explain recent events without exposing the taboo affair Iâd had with Darius? How could I break it to her that the purloin
Darius's POVâDarius, please tell me,â she pleaded, hands skirting my shoulders but not making contact. "You're scaring me."I looked at her, I mean really looked at her for the first time since Iâd pushed the memories back. Those same blue eyes that had gazed at me with devastation years ago. The same fine features, just age lined and weathered by the hardships she'd faced. The same woman whose heart I had broken when I went for duty over love"You used to be my mate," I whispered the words, feeling like crushed glass in my throat. "You were my true mate and I turned my back on you.â"What are you talking about?" she said, but her voice was shaky. âI forgot,â I said, rising from the ground and stepping back from her. "Because I was a coward and put my politics before the bond the Moon Goddess gave us.âThe memories were starting to come hazardously clearly now, one worse than the last. I recalled my father and the elders forcing me to marry Selene and complete the alliance with her
Darius's POVIt's been a week since the poisoning, seven days that seemed like seven ages. It wasnât a very productive investigation; no solid proof of who had laced Lilyâs drink, although the suspicion clung to Malik and his entourage, and they were conveniently absent the day after the feast, off to attend to urgent business in their own pack.I looked out the window of my study, the pack had gone back to normal after the whole chaos. Though it was more quiet and it felt like they were scared something like that would repeat itself."Alpha?" came a soft knock at my door. "You requested to see me?"I felt my heart race the moment I heard Lily's voice. I turned round to see her standing in the doorway, healthier than sheâd looked in weeks. The color had come back into her cheeks and her blue eyes were as clear as they had ever been, but I could still see the fading reflections of her battle in the darkness under her eyes."Come in, Lily. Close the door behind you."She paused for just
Darius's POVThe disarray in the great hall turned to a dull roar once I scooped Lily into my arms. Her body was jerking so furiously that spittle was still frothing at the corners of her mouth, but she was alive. And that was all that mattered nowâshe was still breathing and still fighting."Clear the way!" I bawled as I dragged her towards the door, my voice was louder than the pack membersâ panicked voices and screams. "Everyone move!"Dr. Matthews was running beside me, his medical bag held fast in front of him, as we pushed our way through the mass of horrified nobles and panic-stricken servants. Behind me, I heard Selene shout out my name, her voice shrill with what really did sound like panic."Darius, wait! What about the investigation? The pack needsâ"âThe pack needs itsâ Alpha to save the innocent life,â I protested over my shoulder and didnât slow. "Everything else can wait."I rushed out through the doors into the hallway, my arms on fire from holding Lily and trying to g
Darius's POVâIt's all beautiful, my love," Selene purred, coming to stand next to me in a gorgeous emerald gown that fit with her platinum blonde hair beautifully. The dress was tailored to show off her shape and allow her to be pregnant. Her hand was pressed to her still-flat stomach, a pose that had become second nature since she revealed her pregnancy. "The decorations are perfect."âYouâve really excelled yourself,â I replied, but my eyes were already searching through the crowd for someone I recognised. I almost choked when I saw Lily seated with the servants, in a plain blue dress that made her even prettier than any lord in his fancy silk.Her injuries, from what I could see, made her look still pale and the cautious way that she moved didn't hide the fact that her ribs were still sore. Even at this distance, I could see the bruises on her face were nearly gone, and my wolf inside, the irritated wolf within that was pacing in circles with want and need for me to check and see
Lily's POVâLily, you should not work so hard,â Amaya was whispering, materializing at my side with an armload of cut glass goblets. âDr. Matthews told you you should have at least another week of rest.â"I can't wait for another week â not this one," I whispered, careful to ensure that none of the ranking officers were nearby. âTomorrow night is the Unity Feast and if I don't prove myself, they'll use it as an excuse to kick me out of the palace once and for all.âThe Unity Feast. The most important feast on our pack' s calendar, occurring only once every five years- the one meal where all the members of the pack, from the Alpha to the lowest servant, sat down to eat as equals. It was meant to symbolize togetherness and cooperation, and right now I had never felt less like that than I did with my pack.âBut your injuries ââ Amaya began to argue.âWill heal,â I cut in, dropping a second well-shined fork. âWhat wonât heal is my reputation, if Iâm seen as just weak and unable to handle