FAZER LOGINIVY POVThe room felt different after Lucian walked back in.I didn’t ask what happened outside.I didn’t need to.I could see it in his face.Calm… but not relaxed. Like he was holding something down beneath the surface. Something he didn’t want spilling into the room with the kids.That alone told me everything.Time was up.“We’re leaving,” he said quietly.No hesitation.No looking at me for approval.Just a decision.And for once… I didn’t argue.Mira shifted slightly on the bed, wincing as she tried to sit up straighter.“Now?” she asked.“Yes,” I answered before Lucian could. “As soon as the healers clear you.”Arin frowned.“Are we in trouble or something?”I forced a small smile.“No.”He didn’t believe that.Neither did Mira.But neither of them pushed it.Lucian moved closer to the bed, his voice softer now.“You’re strong, Mira. But we don’t take chances.”“I wasn’t taking chances,” she muttered. “They came to me.”My chest tightened again.I sat on the edge of the bed ca
DARIUS POVThe door closed.Not slammed.Not dramatic.Just… closed.And somehow, that was worse.I stood there for a while, staring at the spot where she had been like something might change if I didn’t move. Like she’d open the door again and take it back.She didn’t.Of course she didn’t.My jaw tightened, and I let out a slow breath through my nose. My hands curled slightly at my sides before I forced them to relax.Control.That’s all this was now.Control.Because if I let even a fraction of what was actually going on inside me show, everything would fall apart.And I couldn’t afford that.Not now.Not when I was this close.A door opened behind me.I didn’t need to turn to know who it was.Lucian.“I was wondering how that went.”His voice was calm.Too calm.I turned slowly.He stood a few steps away, arms loose at his sides, but his posture was anything but relaxed. His eyes were locked on me, sharp and watchful.“She made her decision,” I said.“I know.”That irritated me m
IVY POVThe knock came just as I finished tying the last strap on my bag.Firm.Controlled.I didn’t need to ask who it was.My chest tightened anyway.Lucian looked at me from across the room. He didn’t say anything at first, just watched my face like he was reading everything I wasn’t saying.“He won’t stop,” I said quietly.“I know.”Another knock.Same rhythm.Same patience.Lucian’s jaw ticked slightly.“You don’t have to open that door.”I exhaled slowly.“Yes, I do.”Because if I didn’t, this wouldn’t end.And I needed it to end.I walked toward the door, my steps steady even though my chest felt anything but. My hand paused on the handle for half a second, then I pulled it open.Darius stood there.Calm.Too calm.For a moment, neither of us spoke.Then his eyes moved past me, landing briefly on Lucian behind me before coming back to me.“We need to talk.”Lucian stepped forward immediately.“She doesn’t—”“I wasn’t talking to you.”His voice wasn’t loud.But it was sharp.Luc
DARIUS POV I let them walk out of that room. Not because I wanted to. Because I had to. There’s a difference. The moment the door closed behind me, I stood there for a second, just staring at nothing. My jaw was tight, my hands clenched, and my wolf wouldn’t shut up. They’re leaving. “I know,” I muttered under my breath. And I wasn’t letting that happen. I started walking. Fast. By the time I got outside, Kellan was already there like he’d been waiting. “What happened?” he asked. “They’re still planning to leave.” He let out a breath through his nose, nodding like he expected that. “Of course they are.” I looked at him. “Status.” “Border’s locked down,” he said immediately. “Men in position. No one gets in or out without your say.” “Good.” “But—” he added, watching me carefully, “—if this turns into what I think it might…” “A war?” I finished. He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. I dragged a hand down my face. “I told you already,” I said. “I’m not rushing int
IVY POVI didn’t like how fast everything was moving.It felt rushed.Wrong.Like we were trying to leave before something caught up to us.“Arin, fold it properly,” I said, watching him struggle with his clothes.“I am folding it,” he muttered.“That’s not folding, that’s crumpling.”Mira, still sitting on the bed with pillows supporting her side, let out a small laugh.“He’s trying,” she said.“I can see that,” I replied, softer this time.Lucian stood near the door, arms crossed, watching everything. He hadn’t said much in the last few minutes, but I could feel it—his focus, his awareness.He wasn’t relaxed.Not even close.“You don’t have to rush,” Mira said quietly.I looked at her.“Yes, we do.”Her brows pulled together slightly.“Why?”I hesitated.Because I didn’t want to say it.Because saying it would make it real.“Because this place isn’t safe anymore,” I said finally.Arin paused what he was doing.“That Alpha guy again?”I didn’t answer directly.But I didn’t need to.
DARIUS POVI didn’t move after they said it.We’re leaving.Lucian’s voice still sat in my head, calm like he already believed it was done.Like I didn’t exist.Like I didn’t matter.The door closed behind them, and the room went quiet again, but the silence didn’t help. It made it worse.Because now I could think.And right now, thinking wasn’t helping me.I dragged a hand down my face and exhaled slowly.They were really going to try it.Walk out of my territory like nothing had changed.Like I hadn’t just found out the truth.Like those kids weren’t mine.My jaw tightened.No.That wasn’t happening.Not like this.Not without a fight.A knock came at the door, quick and controlled.“Enter,” I said.Kellan stepped in, shutting the door behind him. His eyes moved around the room once before settling on me.“They’re preparing to leave,” he said.Of course they were.I let out a short breath, almost a laugh.“They move fast.”Kellan didn’t react to that.“What are your orders?”Straigh
Ivy POV I woke before the sun. For a moment I didn’t know where I was. The ceiling above me looked too high, the curtains too heavy, the bed too soft. Then memory returned - the chains, Rowan’s blood splash on cold rock, Kellan’s eyes turning cold My chest tightened. I pressed my palm against
KELLAN POV Going back inside with Ivy, it was silent, she didn't utter a word, and neither did I. I did not feel victorious after the fight against her little rogue lover, neither at peace. I should have, the prisoners were returned, the escape was stopped, the Alpha would call it loyalty fulfill
The voice froze us. Rowan moved first, even though wounded, even shaking, he stepped in front of me and pulled me behind him. I felt his pain through the bond in the air Lyrien didn’t hesitate. His bones cracked and folded into the shape of her wolf, silver fur rising under the moonlight, teeth
(IVY POV) The sun had climbed high up enough, reflecting off the polished stones of the central arena. The crowd hummed with excitement, the drums beat with passion I stationed myself at the edge of the games, my eyes scanning the crowd, but all I could see was her. Ivy; She moved with a predato







