LOGINThe music swelled into a low-string melody that seemed to vibrate through the very soles of my feet. Kael’s hand was steady, as he held my waist, his other hand enveloping mine with a firm grip that felt less like a dance and more like a pact binding both our souls.The ballroom was a blur of shimmering fabrics and pale, shocked faces. The gasps from the crowd were audible, a collective intake of breath that hung in the air. I could feel the heat of a hundred stares on me, some judgmental, some envious, all bewildered. The whispering started almost immediately, a low, buzzing sound that threatened to drown out the orchestra."Look at me," Kael’s voice was a low command, barely audible over the violins.I hesitated, my eyes darting toward the edge of the floor where the Alphas stood like frozen statues."Only at me," he repeated, his thumb tracing a slow circle on the small of my back.I turned my gaze to his, and for a moment, the room vanished. His eyes were filled with a terrifying
The Grand Ballroom of the citadel was a large hall of light and lethal intent. Thousands of floating candles flickered against the black glass walls, reflecting the shimmering gowns and stiff military tunics of the realm's elite. The air was thick with the scent of lilies and the sharp smell of high-level tension coming from everyone in the room.They were all dressed beautifully, but the tension was clear as everyone murmured and gossiped about what the king might do this time, but as for me, my gaze was sharp as I couldn't wait for him to get me out of the forsaken marriage. Cade stood beside me, his hand clamped firmly around my waist possessively and I didn't push him away. To any onlooker, it was a romantic gesture of a couple. But to me, it felt like a shackle. He had spent the entire evening acting as if the explosion in our suite had never happened, his face a polished mask of arrogance as he tried to push my feelings as unimportant."Smile, Risa," he hissed under his breath
As I left the room, I walked straight to the security wing. I had no idea how I was supposed to meet the man I wanted to, so I could only ask for help from the people who knew how. As I walked, I didn't feel the harsh wind biting on my skin, I only felt the weight of my father’s legacy slipping through Cade’s treacherous fingers. Every step I took was a nail in the coffin of my so-called marriage.I reached the massive, silver veined doors of the King’s private sector. This wasn't the guest area, it was the nerve center of the realm, guarded by the Royal Sentinels. These are men who looked more like statues of black armor than living breathing wolves.I didn't hesitate as I marched up to the lead guard, a man whose helmet visor shimmered with a golden interface."I am Luna Risa of the North," I said, my voice projecting a cold authority I hadn't known I possessed. "I am requesting an immediate private audience with the High King. It is a matter of sovereign security and the illegal l
The heavy doors of our villa slammed shut behind me and my blood was roaring, as I remembered the Lunas' mocking laughter and the weight of Cades betrayal. I marched straight into the study, the scent of expensive wine and paper hitting my senses. Cade was there already and he was leaning over his tablet, his face illuminated by the blue glow of the screen, he looked like he was concentrating on something probably important. He didn't even look up as I entered, though the sheer force of my presence must have vibrated through the floorboards."You’re late for the briefing," he said, his voice flat and clinical. "I have already coordinated with the Western Alphas for the trade routes. We need to make sure we are…""How much did you sell them for?" My voice was rough as I stared at him. The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on. Slowly, Cade looked up, his expression didn't flicker with guilt, instead, it settled into a defensive sneer. "I don't know what you’re talking ab
The heels of my shoes struck the polished tiles of the long corridor with a sharp snap that echoed my rising anxiety. I had slipped out of the Council Chamber before the first Alpha could even draw a breath to complain about Kael’s new security mandate. I couldn't stand the smell of their suppressed fear a second longer, it was annoying to watch grown ass men act like toddlers.I reached a quiet alcove overlooking the mist-shrouded valley and pulled out my phone. I had a missed call from Axel. I hit the callback button immediately and he picked up on the second ring."Risa, thank the goddess you called back," his voice was low, "I’ve been monitoring the server logs from the Northern terminal back home. Things look... wrong. How are you holding up at that place?""I'm surviving, Axel," I said, leaning my forehead against the cool glass of the window. The mountain wind howled on the other side, muffled and frustrated. "But Kael just announced a unified security policy. He’s taking over
The heavy doors had barely hissed shut behind Kael before the vacuum he left was filled with a frantic energy from the alphas still seated. It was as if the oxygen which was drained out moments ago had suddenly rushed back into the room, and every Alpha in the chamber was choking on it.Silas was the first to act as he slammed his fist onto the table, the sound echoing like a gunshot. "One security signal? A unified network? He’s not asking for cooperation, that monster is blatantly asking for our throats!" He hissed with disdain and the veins on his head looked like they were about to pop out. His Luna was on the side trying to tell him to calm down but he shrugged her off. "It’s worse than a takeover," Miller of the West added, his voice thin and shrill. He was pacing the length of the glass window, his reflection ghostly against the drop of the valley. "If he controls the encryption, he controls all our movements, our trade, and our very lives. We might as well hand him our title
I sank into the armchair, the crimson silk of my dress rustling like dry leaves on my skin. Axel dropped into the chair opposite me, his long legs stretching out as he let out a low whistle."I have to say," he began, a lopsided grin tugging at the corner of his mouth, "I was really impressed out
I was in my study, trying to focus on the grain distribution reports that had been submitted this morning, but the numbers blurred out of focus. My mind kept looping back to the feeling of Cade’s hand on my arm and the way he’d switched from a monster to a husband who seemed to be grieving in the b
"Enough with your stupid theories," I said, waving a hand to cut through the sudden silence he’d just created. "Stop speculating. You’re starting to sound like one of those tabloid bloggers. If Kael had truly found his mate, he’s the King so he has no reason to hide her. He could have anyone he wan
Marcus pushed the SUV to its absolute limit. My body was tossed like a ragdoll against the seatbelt with every violent swerve he made."Marcus, the van ahead!" I yelled, gripping the overhead handle so hard my knuckles burned white."They’re cut off, Luna!" he roared back, his arms bulging as he fo







