LOGINVivienne's birthday was coming, and Ravena meant to make it grand.
She threw herself into the planning of the banquet, for she wanted to honour the woman who had become, against all odds, a true mother to her.
Vivienne's birthday was coming, and Ravena meant to make it grand.She threw herself into the planning of the banquet, for she wanted to honour the woman who had become, against all odds, a true mother to her. Invitations went out to every pack in the kingdom, written fine and sealed with the Solstice Crown, and naturally that meant one went to the Grand Princess's pack as well. It would have been a slight to leave Marian
Lucien's POV Somehow, I brought Astrid to the old Luna's door a second time, and this time I didn't leave when I was refused.I had loaded the carriage with gifts. Silks, medicines, gold, enough to shame a richer house than this small one. And when we reached the gate I didn't send a servant ahead. I went to the door myself, and I lowered myself down onto my knees on the cold stone, an Alpha kneeling in the dirt of a poor
Lucien's POV I had believed Mara was one thing, and she was another. I had told myself I had chosen a dignified wife. A general's widow, well-read, reasonable, gentle with her servants, upright the way a soldier's kin ought to be upright. That was the woman I thought I had brought into my house. And a single word from that woman had broken a man's hand and then his leg.I resented the manure-thrower too. I won't pretend otherwise. But catch the man, thrash him, throw him out, that would have been enough.
Lucien's POV The Alphas' assembly met in the great hall of the palace the next morning, as it did every single moon, all the pack lords gathered to make their reports before the King. I went with a heavy step because I already knew the mood of the kingdom. I knew my own name was fouled with it, and I had hoped only to sit through the thing quietly and slip out unremarked.But I wasn't so lucky.
The next morning Ravena went out on errands of her own, and her road happened to carry her past the gate of the Blackstone pack.She hadn't meant to look. But it was impossible not to. The great front gate of the pack, once so proud, was fouled from top to bottom with filth. Someone had come in the night and splashed manure all across the entrance, the doors, the stone, the fine carved posts, and the stink of it was overw
Ravena's POV Evander came home late from his duties that evening, tired and cold, and after he had washed and eaten I told him all about the match I had helped arrange for Liora.He listened with a small smile growing on his face, and when I had finished he nodded, well pleased."Kaelen," he said. "The Queen's youngest nephew. Yes. I know the boy a little, and I think it's a fine thing." He leaned back. "They are much alike, those two, that is the truth of it. Both gentle. Both quick to laugh. Both a little soft-hearted, a little shy, neither one of them hungry for grandeur the way half the court is. He won't try to rule her and she won't try to rule him. They are cut from the same cloth, and that's worth more in a marriage than any title. They will suit each other well." He reached over and took my hand. "You did a good thing, arranging it, and a clever one, talking my mother round. I heard she wanted the elder brother.""She did. But she came round.""Because you showed her how." H
"Because... because what you are suggesting is wrong," I said, my voice shaking. "She deserves... you are going too far."Alaric leaned back in his chair, a mocking smile playing at his lips. "Am I? Or am I just speaking a truth you did not want to hear?""This isn't a
Evander’s POVI had been waiting in that courtyard for over an hour. Every passing minute felt like an eternity, and every sound made me tense, wondering if it was her carriage approaching.I leaned against the stone pillar, trying to look casual and relaxed. Lik
The Third PovHigh-ranking officials from every major territory were in the grand hall, their fine clothes and jewels glittering under the chandeliers.This was more than a celebration. This was a display of power. Of hierarchy. Of who mattered and who did not.
Ravena's POVThe noise dragged me from sleep before dawn had fully broken. I could hear voices, footsteps, and the clanging of metal outside my tent.Today was the day Astrid would face her punishment.I sat up slowly, feeling very exhausted. I had barely slept because Evander's voice kept replayin







