LOGINLyseraSilence. Her lips parted, then pressed shut. I leaned in, lowering my voice.“Say it again,” I whispered. “Tell him you didn’t want me dead.”“Stop it.” Henry stepped forward this time to defend her. “Why?” I shot back, not even looking at him. “You don’t want to hear the truth? Houses don’t just catch fire like that. She sent me there, made sure I starved, then tried to eliminate me.”His jaw tightened. “I said stop goading her. She would never set the pack house on fire. Must have been one of the pack members. After all, they all hate and want to be rid of you.”That made me laugh, the sound soft and bitter. Of course he would defend her. Isyra—the kind, gentle one who would never hurt a fly. Of course the pack would rally around her, help her get rid of me. She never dirtied her own hands.I stepped back slowly, my gaze moving between them as something inside me shifted.“You two suit each other,” I said. The words came out quiet, but they landed hard.Henry frowned slightl
LyseraThe doors burst open, and I turned sharply, my heart still racing, my lips still burning from the hard kiss.Isyra stood at the entrance. Her gaze moved slowly between us—taking in everything. Me. Him. The distance between us that felt charged. Her eyes narrowed slightly, sharp and calculating, missing nothing.I stilled, waiting for her to say something. But didn’t speak immediately. She observed us for a while then…“Sister, you’re here.”The smile that spread across her face was soft and warm. Like she hadn’t just walked into a room thick with tension and something far more dangerous beneath it.She walked forward gracefully, like she belonged there—like she owned the space—and slipped her arms around Henry’s.It looked casual and natural, like she’d done this countless times and it was now a second nature. It looked possessive.My stomach twisted as my wolf roared violently in her head, screaming at me to drag her away from our mate. Make sure she doesn’t touch what belonge
Lysera“Whether I like it or not? You must be joking if you think I’d allow you to climb my bed, sleep with me and then put your mark on me. In your dreams.”“It would be happening whether you like it or not.” Henry spat through clenched teeth.“We won’t be completing the mating ceremony. Well, I less you rape me because that’s the only way it will happen.” Henry rated back as if he’d been slapped. “I’m not a monster.”“Are you not?” I asked.“I’ve never forced myself on any woman. I’ve never raped your sister.”“Oh, so that behavior is reserved for me?” I took a step back, then gave him a shallow, mocking bow. “Thank you, Alpha, for your graciousness,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.When I lifted my head and met Henry’s gaze, his eyes were ice-cold. If looks could kill, I would already be six feet under. He stood there like he was holding himself back from wrapping his hand around my throat and squeezing the life out of me.Well… that made two of us. What wouldn’t I give to
LyseraEmbarrassment flooded me so fast it almost made me dizzy. For a brief, desperate second, I wished the ground would split open and swallow me whole.What was that? What had I just done?Did I really just press myself against Henry like some… some wolf in heat, inhaling him like I had no control over my own body?“Feel what?” I sneered, forcing the words out, sharp and defensive. I refused to look at him. I knew what I would see if I did.Disgust. Maybe even hatred. And I already hated myself enough for what I’d just done. I didn’t need to see it reflected on his face.“The mate bond,” Henry said. His voice was calm.It pulled my gaze up despite myself and looked at him. He didn’t look calm.His jaw was tight, his hands clenched into fists at his sides like he was holding himself back from something. From touching me? From pulling me closer? His eyes— they weren’t green anymore. They were gold. The color of his wolf’s.“It’s just the mate bond,” I said quickly, the words tumblin
Author’s POVLeander moved through the forest with ease, his steps silent against the earth. He had a bow slung across his back, a freshly caught animal hanging from one hand.He was almost close to his hut when he heard the sound of hooves hitting the ground.His body stilled, and he turned around to wait for the riders. The border patrol never ventured toward his side of the forest regularly.Something must have brought them there.The moment that thought crossed his mind, a bad premonition rose in his chest, and he quickly knew why they had come. It had something to do with the pregnant woman currently occupying his hut while he was out here hunting for meat for their lunch.A moment later, the horses and their riders came into view.They were not wearing the border patrol uniform. They wore regular uniforms bearing the pack crest.Leander’s grip tightened slightly on the animal in his hand as his eyes moved across them. Their posture was rigid and alert.“Good day, gentlemen,” Lea
Author’s POVLeander moved through the forest with ease, his steps silent against the earth. He had a bow slung across his back, a freshly caught animal hanging from one hand.He was almost close to his hut when he heard the sound of hooves hitting the ground.His body stilled, and he turned around to wait for the riders. The border patrol never ventured toward his side of the forest regularly.Something must have brought them there.The moment that thought crossed his mind, a bad premonition rose in his chest, and he quickly knew why they had come. It had something to do with the pregnant woman currently occupying his hut while he was out here hunting for meat for their lunch.A moment later, the horses and their riders came into view.They were not wearing the border patrol uniform. They wore regular uniforms bearing the pack crest.Leander’s grip tightened slightly on the animal in his hand as his eyes moved across them. Their posture was rigid and alert.“Good day, gentlemen,” Lea
Author’s POVIsyra returned to the pack house just before nightfall, the sky above bruised purple and gold as dusk settled over the lands. Torches had already been lit along the corridors, their flames flickering softly against stone walls that had always felt like home. She was not giving this pla
Author’s POVHenry melted into the kiss.For a brief, dangerous moment, it felt exactly as it always had.The world narrowed to warmth and familiarity, to the soft press of Isyra’s mouth against his, to the scent he had learned to associate with comfort and certainty. His hands moved almost of thei
Author’s POV Several of the elders flinched, shoulders jerking as Henry’s wolf pressed close to the surface. One or two ducked their heads on instinct, the sudden surge of his anger rippling through the room like a physical force. The air grew heavy and charged. Henry immediately realized what had
LyseraArmed with the knowledge that my baby would be my shield, I pushed myself to my feet.My legs still felt weak, but my resolve didn’t waver.I reached for the dress folded on the chair—the one I had worn to the mating ceremony. It was the only proper clothing I had left. No one had bothered t







