LOGINSapphire’s PovThe four walls of the room were cold, but not as cold as the memory of Vane's fingers bruising my wrist. Yes, he had to use a bit of force to take the signet ring from me because I wasn't just going to hand it over to him. All the assurances I was given by Alberto fell on deaf ears. I wondered why he was so convinced that I would steal something so precious, so priceless, knowing the consequences of such an act.My eyes hurt from crying too long, and I was already starting to have a slight headache. Not so much from the incident, but more from the flashes of images across my eyes whenever I closed them. Repeatedly, I kept seeing myself in the library or in the pits, but the environment was different from how I remembered. They were both plunged in darkness, and there was a shadow looming over me. What did the shadow mean? And why those two locations? I had never felt more alone and unwanted than now. Alberto should have listened to me and not brought me back here to
Alberto’s Pov"The lady has been placed under quarantine..." The word kept echoing in my ears. "What did you say?" I asked again. The exhaustion that had been dragging at my heels had long evaporated, replaced by white-hot rage. The only thing sparing these men from my wrath was that I had learned to control my anger over the years. I could already feel my wolf scratching at the surface, struggling to be released and rain fire on the ones who dared touch its mate."We follow the orders of the one with the signet ring," the guard who had spoken earlier replied. "And he demands that she be placed under quarantine until her condition has improved." I straightened, managing to mask the shock on my face. Last I checked, I had given the ring to Sapphire. So what was this about? And there was no way she would place herself on quarantine."It seems you have forgotten that I am the owner of the signet ring, the Alpha himself." He looked pointedly at my left hand, which of course was missing
Alberto’s PovThe wind at the High Ridge hissed like the sound of skin peeling off bones. I had pushed my horse till its lungs were ready to burst, my own body growing more and more exhausted with every mile we rode since we left the palace. From the faces of the men who had accompanied me, I could see that the exhaustion was not restricted to only me. I was ready to take up Sapphire's offer to stay; after all, I yearned to hear her say words like that to me. But the report of the breach wouldn't let me rest. Another territory had been erased, and I feared that more would follow if I did not take action. But what action would I take against an evasive demon? Or worse still, against my own brother?Now here I was, walking along the perimeter of the High Ridge, an expanse of land inhabited by the middle-class members of the Moonfall pack. "I can't believe this," I muttered under my breath, staring at the grey void stretching forth. I expected to see smoke, or the charred remains of
Sapphire’s PovAn hour later, I stood at the top of the dungeon stairs, well aware that Alberto was no longer within the palace walls. He had left with a few men, not explaining what exactly he was off to do, leaving me worried. The way he had handed me his signet ring, like he expected to die on this mission of his—I did not like that.I shook my head. Why did I even care? I should want him dead so that I could finally be free, right? I sighed against the silence, wishing my thoughts would be as still as the air. I glanced around again, half-expecting someone to materialize behind me—by "someone," I meant this "Vane" that Alberto had spoken of. What did he look like? Why was he a threat to me?"You cannot pass, my lady," the guard at the dungeon entrance said as I approached. His voice was firm, and he gazed right into my eyes. I looked down at the signet ring. It was too big for my fingers, so I had threaded it onto a silver chain around my neck, feeling the full weight of its resp
Alberto’s PovI blinked against the bright light streaking in through the curtains disoriented for a moment. From what I could recall, I was not supposed to be in my room yet. I was sparring with Alberto, then scared stiff by the cold feeling in me before I passed out. How did I get here? And most importantly, what...I glanced at my side in shock, feeling the pads of fingers pressing into my palm. The sight of the owner jolted me into full consciousness. Alberto He was slumped in the armchair beside the bed, still in his tunic from yesterday. Was it just me, or was his sun-warmed skin unusually pale now? His head was tipped back, dark curls clinging to his forehead, slick with sweat.Unlike the last time I saw him resting, he looked absolutely exhausted. "Alberto," I whispered, sitting up, not taking my eyes off him.What happened to him? Just as the question flashed through my mind, I chided myself. He was the Alpha of the entire pack. Of course he was exhausted.Every decision la
Alberto’s PovI watched her lunge at me, her movements a blur—smooth and determined. Honestly, I was a bit impressed; I hadn’t expected her to actually take up the challenge to fight me. More than half of my men were scared to do so, and yet here she was, making the bold move.I didn’t move until the last possible second. I sidestepped with an ease that I hoped looked more effortless than it felt. Don’t get me wrong, normally Sapphire was no match for me, but my mind was a jagged landscape of thoughts: council threats, border reports, predictions of my brother’s next moves, even fatherhood responsibilities.She attacked again, and all the noise seemed to move to the background, my gaze sharpening on my opponent. If she could keep me grounded, then I would stay with her. I had to give it to her—she was fast, faster than plenty of female wolves I had ever sparred with, and perhaps even a few of the guys. I wonder if that has something to do with the Moon Goddess.She let out a frustra
Kael’s PovI leaned my back against the damp masonry wall, counting the rhythms of the torch splutter in the hall. It had been days since I saw the sky. I had no idea how many, or what time of day it was, but from the small window in the hallway, I could see that it was sometime around evening.I h
Alberto’s PovThe air was cold in the war room, matching the frost that lingered in my mind from Sapphire's mirror. Only the day before yesterday, I was terrified that I was about to lose her when I heard her screams. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed that there was no one and no immediate threat
Sapphire’s PovThe new suite was, well, new - a sprawling expanse of polished obsidian floors and walls hung with tapestries of silver-threaded wolves, looking like it had been designed just yesterday. It
Alberto’s povOrion pushed open the large, iron-bound doors of the Royal Archives, the scent of cedar and ancient dust hitting us as we walked in. He had refused to just tell me what happened, insisting that the result had to be shown, not spoken of."As long as it's worth my time," I had told him,







