LOGINARIA I woke up like I’d fallen from somewhere high—heart racing, sheets twisted around my legs. For a second I didn’t know where I was. Then the thought settled in. Not my apartment. No traffic. No music through thin walls. No Nova pounding on my door because she’d forgotten her spare key again. My head throbbed as I pushed myself upright. My T-shirt clung to my back, damp from sweat. I couldn’t have slept more than a couple of hours, and it felt like my body knew it. I crossed to the window and pulled the curtain back a little. The grounds stretched wide, grass covered with dew, trees dark shapes against the early morning light. Somewhere out there, Cassian was waking up too. Probably angry. Probably planning something. I exhaled slowly. I wasn’t going to hide from him. Not anymore. A knock sounded at the door. The maid from yesterday slipped inside before I could answer, gaze lowered. She carried a tray with coffee, toast, fruit and a folded black garment bag draped over h
At the Villa's guest wing, my suitcase sat untouched at the foot of the bed with its zipper still half-open from when I’d thrown things in earlier. The room was too big—high ceilings disappearing into shadow, dark wood floors polished until they reflected the faint moonlight coming through the windows. The king bed was draped in white sheets, pillows stacked perfectly, like no one had ever slept in it. I stood in the middle of the room, arms wrapped around myself. The sundress still clung to my skin, wrinkled from yesterday, smelling faintly of whiskey and sweat. I hadn’t unpacked. Hadn’t showered. Hadn’t even sat down since the young, quiet maid whose eyes always averted showed me in and left. Her footsteps had faded down the hall, soft and quick, like she didn’t want to hang around.Damian hadn’t followed.He’d disappeared after the office door closed behind him and left me standing there with his words ringing in my ears, low and rough: If you ever say it again, I won’t stop.My f
The door’s click echoed in the high foyer like a lock snapping shut.The space opened wide—polished stone floor reflecting slanted afternoon light, high ceilings that made every sound bounce, glass walls that turned the outside world into a muted painting of green lawns and distant trees. It smelled clean, and expensive. My boots sounded too loud against the floor. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if it had doubled the moment I crossed the threshold.Damian stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, watching me like he had all the time in the world. Shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows, dark fabric stretched across his forearms. The top button of his shirt was undone. Same gray eyes. Same faint curve to his lips that made my stomach flip in a way I hated.I stopped with my chin raised up. “I need to talk to you.”He tilted his head. “You are here. Talk.”I swallowed. The words stuck for a second. My throat felt dry, and tight. “Cassian… he is blocking me out on jobs, money. Ev
The phone in my pocket buzzed again as I turned the corner onto my street.I ignored it. I had been ignoring it since I left the pavilion. Notifications piled up—texts, missed calls, voicemails I didn’t want to hear. Cassian’s name flashed on the screen every few minutes, insistent, like he thought constant noise would force me to answer. I didn’t open any of them. I knew what they would say. Threats wrapped in fake apologies. Begging disguised as anger. Words that would only make the ache in my chest worse.My apartment building looked smaller than it had yesterday. The cracked steps felt colder under my boots, rougher, like they’d sharpened overnight. The peeling paint on the door sagged more, curling at the edges. Everything felt tighter, like the world had shrunk around me while I was gone, squeezing in from all sides.I climbed the stairs slowly. Legs heavy, knees soft from running earlier. Chest still tight from sprinting away from the pavilion. From crying in ugly, silent heave
Nova’s hand was tight around my wrist as we stepped through the pavilion gates.The morning sun was too bright. It bounced off white roses and lilies lining the path—flowers I had chosen months ago when everything still felt possible. The petals looked almost mocking now, too perfect and clean. Soft strings drifted from the ceremony space, woven with low laughter and the delicate clink of champagne glasses. Guests in suits and dresses moved in small groups, heads tilted toward each other, smiling like today was perfect, like nothing could possibly go wrong.My stomach twisted until it hurt. A sour wave rose in my throat. I swallowed it down.Nova squeezed again, nails pressing into my skin through the thin fabric of my sleeve. “You sure?”I nodded once. “I am sure.”We walked faster. My black sundress swished against my legs—simple, plain, nothing like the white lace that was now ruined and stained on a backstage floor. The hem brushed my calves with every step. Nova and two other fri
The bar was thick with smoke, whiskey, and that sharp werewolf musk that made my skin prickle.I was already on my feet, boots planted unevenly on the sticky floor, swaying just enough to know the liquor had won. The room started to spin a little, as lights shone amber and red across dark booths. My head felt heavy, but my chest felt heavier—like something was still clawing at the inside of my ribs.Three big wolves sat in the corner booth, shoulders wide, drinks in hand, laughing low. Their voices came through the music, loud and careless.“…human mate, can you believe it?”“Cassian must be slumming it for the bond boost.”“She won’t last a month in real pack life.”“Pathetic little thing.”Every word felt like a fresh cut. Heat surged up my neck, while tears stayed behind my eyes. My fingers curled into fists at my sides. The liquor made everything louder in anger, and hurt.I turned. My voice was loud enough to be heard over the music. “Got something to say?”They laughed mockingly







