Chapter 81|| Elinda's Pov ||The camera flashes were blinking like crazy and the reporters' questions came rushing towards me like a wave that could destroy everything."Princess Elinda, what do you have to say regarding the allegations of the death of the late king?""Will you assume the throne?""Who is your new partner now, Princess?"They went on asking the same thing. I had made up my mind already—I would answer them properly this time.I stood still for a moment, trapped under the gaze of millions of questioning eyes. My heart pounded like a bird in a cage, ready to soar, but I was rooted—on the steps of the palace.To my side, I saw Alexis drawing closer—silently, like a guardian—his very body trying to shield me.Concern and something more, something unspoken, flickered in his eyes."You don't have to answer," he whispered, loud enough for me to hear. "You're shaking."Part of me wanted to step back—press my head on his chest and run from it all. Like before… when we were st
Chapter 82|| Elinda's POV ||I stood in front of the door to Alberto's study longer than was probably wise. My heart pounded, and my hands curled over the sides of my dress as I tried to gather the courage to knock. This was not a choice that I had come to in a rush—but it was a choice that I had made.I knocked finally, and his voice came almost immediately, "Come in."When I arrived, Alberto looked up from over a pile of papers and frowned. His tired eyes softened only slightly at seeing me. "Elin… Are you okay?""No," I admitted. "But that's not what I'm here for."I sat across from him, and for an instant, we just stared at one another—two brothers caught in the game of power, politics, and pain. I didn't want to tell him, but I had to."I want to go back to the palace."Alberto's eyes grew wide. "You what?""I want to take up my duties again. As a princess." I attempted to maintain as steady a voice as possible.He blinked. "Elinda, you can't just—" He stopped himself, exhaled
Chapter 833 YEARS AGO|| Alberto's POV ||I was never a fan of the chill that came with visiting the foreign packs, especially those set so deep within the Russian territories that even the moon did not wish to grace down here. The Bravta Pack was an old name, one rooted in both crime and fidelity, and today I had crossed oceans to request an alliance.But I would have known better. Their type of power didn't do favors.I stiffened myself in the lavish sitting room of the estate, my hands clasped behind me as the heavy doors swung open. In walked Mikhail, head of the Bravta. A tall, square-shouldered man with pointed, merciless eyes and a presence as heavy as a storm.He did not invite me to sit. He did not smile. He barely even nodded."Royal Prince," he drawled with a smirk that never quite made it to his mouth. "Why do you creep here like a low-born?"I swallowed the urge to argue back. I was not here to fight. I needed him — no matter how much my pride bled."I came to propose a
Chapter 84|| CLARA's POV ||I can still remember that night—the night that would change everything.I was barely fifteen when my stepfather learned the truth about me.I had a weak wolf. I would never be able to shift.When the doctor gave us the news, my stepfather's face blackened with rage. It was as if my very existence disgusted him. His lips curled into a snarl, and before the doctor could even finish speaking, my stepfather grabbed a glass from beside him and hurled it at the wall."Weak! She's nothing but a shame like her father!" he had roared, his voice echoing through the pack house.I simply stood there, frozen at my steps. My heart was beating so fiercely it hurt. I attempted to speak, to defend myself, but the words wouldn't come. My mother? She simply sat there, staring out the window, as if none of it concerned her.That's when I knew something cold and absolute: I was completely alone.He wanted to banish me—I heard him argue it that night, loudly enough that the whol
Chapter 85 || Clara's POV ||The sunlight pouring through my window in the morning fell gently on the floor of my bedroom. I had not slept. Not actually. Each time I shut my eyes, the power of the bond felt out and pulled at my soul, whispering a name I could not voice. Alberto. My mate.But I was married to another man.The door creaked open and I stiffened, my heart racing before I could even turn around. To my relief, it was the healer—the elderly woman with warm eyes and gentle fingers. She gave a polite nod before she approached, her bag slung over one shoulder."How do you feel, Lady Clara?" she said softly as she sat beside the bed."Fine," I replied too quickly.Her eyes furrowed together, obviously not believing it, but she did not press the issue. She had grown accustomed to living in this house by now and was smarter than to ask questions she wasn't supposed to ask. I remained numb as she laid cool fingers on my wrist, feeling my pulse. Then her hand moved to my forehead,
Chapter 86 || Clara's POV ||I was sitting at the window, pretending to read a book, but my hands trembled so violently.My thoughts were elsewhere, as they always were now—on Alberto, on the painful bond inside me that grew heavier with each passing moment I stayed here, held captive by fear.The door creaked behind me.I didn't need to turn to know who it was. His presence made the room suffocate, forcing me to barely breathe."We are going to a reception tonight," he stated in a neutral tone, showing no feeling whatsoever. "The top designer will be there. Prepare yourself."I kept my back to him, my fingers tightening around the book.A meeting. Meaning all the power players would attend. And if Alberto was indeed in Bravta's borders, he'd certainly be there.The mere idea of being within the same air space as him—to look upon him, feel the tie between us scream for attention— wracked my chest with pain. It would hurt. I would know it would."I am not going," I said, voice small bu
Chapter 87 || ALBERTO'S POV ||The moment I stepped into the hall, my wolf lifted her head. Not due to the politics or the constant chatter swirling around us, but because she was present.Clara.Even now, even after all of it, my wolf l recognized her. Her presence was a magnet that I couldn't shake from my head, no matter how faint the melody had become. I stood on the sidelines, glass in hand, pretending to listen to Alexis's negotiation with the North Alpha, but my eyes kept wandering to her.And every time I glanced, I saw something that made my blood boil.Mikhail.He loomed over her like a predator, cold and commanding, his voice sharp and snapping whenever he addressed her. I noticed the tension in Clara's posture when he spoke, the way her shoulders tensed, the glint of something in her eyes she tried to hide—fear or indifference, I couldn't tell. But I did.My wolf did too.Go to her, he snarled within me, pacing back and forth."I can't," I grumbled under my breath.Alexis
Chapter 88|| ELINDA'S POV ||The council chamber was too silent.Alberto and I sat side by side, hands resting tense in my lap, fingers intertwined.Old, stern-appearing councilors with glaring eyes leaned toward me at a glance that I could not define quite so well—whether it was respect or annoyance.Or maybe… they're just tired of waiting for me to catch up and just make up their minds already, for goodness' sake."Princess Elinda," one of the older males began, his tone like an Alpha, "now that Prince Alberto's been crowned Alpha, the pack will need a strong Beta to support him. Someone familiar with royal bloodline. and fighting." He glared at me. "We all decided it should be you."I swallowed. My throat was dry and tightened.Alberto glared at me sideways, his eyes gentle but supportive. "You're the only one I trust, Elin. You've done it again and again."Have I?The memory of the shattered mate bond danced at the edges of my mind. The pain still hasn't gone yet. I was on my feet,
Chapter 89 || Elinda's POV || The clapping palms of the crowd, the flowers, Alaric's soft smile—these all disappeared into the past for me as I boarded the boat. My heart never dwelled inside those walls.It stayed with him.Alexis.Sea air stung my face, but nothing could shake the guilt burning beneath my skin. I shouldn't be doing this. Tonight, of all nights. After accepting another mate before the council mere hours before. But the image of Alexis—sick, alone, possibly dying on that island—called me like a moth to flame. No cause, no royal duties, not even the mate bond could keep me away.The instant the boat docked at the Dark Crescent island's dock, I ran. My heels hit wet soil, and the wind tore through my hair.I did not wait for a servant or for leave. I burst through the entrance and flew up the stairs two steps at a time."Princess!" Lysa's voice echoed in warning as she appeared at the head of the stairs, arms out to hold me back. "You can't go in! Alpha must have rest—
Chapter 88|| ELINDA'S POV ||The council chamber was too silent.Alberto and I sat side by side, hands resting tense in my lap, fingers intertwined.Old, stern-appearing councilors with glaring eyes leaned toward me at a glance that I could not define quite so well—whether it was respect or annoyance.Or maybe… they're just tired of waiting for me to catch up and just make up their minds already, for goodness' sake."Princess Elinda," one of the older males began, his tone like an Alpha, "now that Prince Alberto's been crowned Alpha, the pack will need a strong Beta to support him. Someone familiar with royal bloodline. and fighting." He glared at me. "We all decided it should be you."I swallowed. My throat was dry and tightened.Alberto glared at me sideways, his eyes gentle but supportive. "You're the only one I trust, Elin. You've done it again and again."Have I?The memory of the shattered mate bond danced at the edges of my mind. The pain still hasn't gone yet. I was on my feet,
Chapter 87 || ALBERTO'S POV ||The moment I stepped into the hall, my wolf lifted her head. Not due to the politics or the constant chatter swirling around us, but because she was present.Clara.Even now, even after all of it, my wolf l recognized her. Her presence was a magnet that I couldn't shake from my head, no matter how faint the melody had become. I stood on the sidelines, glass in hand, pretending to listen to Alexis's negotiation with the North Alpha, but my eyes kept wandering to her.And every time I glanced, I saw something that made my blood boil.Mikhail.He loomed over her like a predator, cold and commanding, his voice sharp and snapping whenever he addressed her. I noticed the tension in Clara's posture when he spoke, the way her shoulders tensed, the glint of something in her eyes she tried to hide—fear or indifference, I couldn't tell. But I did.My wolf did too.Go to her, he snarled within me, pacing back and forth."I can't," I grumbled under my breath.Alexis
Chapter 86 || Clara's POV ||I was sitting at the window, pretending to read a book, but my hands trembled so violently.My thoughts were elsewhere, as they always were now—on Alberto, on the painful bond inside me that grew heavier with each passing moment I stayed here, held captive by fear.The door creaked behind me.I didn't need to turn to know who it was. His presence made the room suffocate, forcing me to barely breathe."We are going to a reception tonight," he stated in a neutral tone, showing no feeling whatsoever. "The top designer will be there. Prepare yourself."I kept my back to him, my fingers tightening around the book.A meeting. Meaning all the power players would attend. And if Alberto was indeed in Bravta's borders, he'd certainly be there.The mere idea of being within the same air space as him—to look upon him, feel the tie between us scream for attention— wracked my chest with pain. It would hurt. I would know it would."I am not going," I said, voice small bu
Chapter 85 || Clara's POV ||The sunlight pouring through my window in the morning fell gently on the floor of my bedroom. I had not slept. Not actually. Each time I shut my eyes, the power of the bond felt out and pulled at my soul, whispering a name I could not voice. Alberto. My mate.But I was married to another man.The door creaked open and I stiffened, my heart racing before I could even turn around. To my relief, it was the healer—the elderly woman with warm eyes and gentle fingers. She gave a polite nod before she approached, her bag slung over one shoulder."How do you feel, Lady Clara?" she said softly as she sat beside the bed."Fine," I replied too quickly.Her eyes furrowed together, obviously not believing it, but she did not press the issue. She had grown accustomed to living in this house by now and was smarter than to ask questions she wasn't supposed to ask. I remained numb as she laid cool fingers on my wrist, feeling my pulse. Then her hand moved to my forehead,
Chapter 84|| CLARA's POV ||I can still remember that night—the night that would change everything.I was barely fifteen when my stepfather learned the truth about me.I had a weak wolf. I would never be able to shift.When the doctor gave us the news, my stepfather's face blackened with rage. It was as if my very existence disgusted him. His lips curled into a snarl, and before the doctor could even finish speaking, my stepfather grabbed a glass from beside him and hurled it at the wall."Weak! She's nothing but a shame like her father!" he had roared, his voice echoing through the pack house.I simply stood there, frozen at my steps. My heart was beating so fiercely it hurt. I attempted to speak, to defend myself, but the words wouldn't come. My mother? She simply sat there, staring out the window, as if none of it concerned her.That's when I knew something cold and absolute: I was completely alone.He wanted to banish me—I heard him argue it that night, loudly enough that the whol
Chapter 833 YEARS AGO|| Alberto's POV ||I was never a fan of the chill that came with visiting the foreign packs, especially those set so deep within the Russian territories that even the moon did not wish to grace down here. The Bravta Pack was an old name, one rooted in both crime and fidelity, and today I had crossed oceans to request an alliance.But I would have known better. Their type of power didn't do favors.I stiffened myself in the lavish sitting room of the estate, my hands clasped behind me as the heavy doors swung open. In walked Mikhail, head of the Bravta. A tall, square-shouldered man with pointed, merciless eyes and a presence as heavy as a storm.He did not invite me to sit. He did not smile. He barely even nodded."Royal Prince," he drawled with a smirk that never quite made it to his mouth. "Why do you creep here like a low-born?"I swallowed the urge to argue back. I was not here to fight. I needed him — no matter how much my pride bled."I came to propose a
Chapter 82|| Elinda's POV ||I stood in front of the door to Alberto's study longer than was probably wise. My heart pounded, and my hands curled over the sides of my dress as I tried to gather the courage to knock. This was not a choice that I had come to in a rush—but it was a choice that I had made.I knocked finally, and his voice came almost immediately, "Come in."When I arrived, Alberto looked up from over a pile of papers and frowned. His tired eyes softened only slightly at seeing me. "Elin… Are you okay?""No," I admitted. "But that's not what I'm here for."I sat across from him, and for an instant, we just stared at one another—two brothers caught in the game of power, politics, and pain. I didn't want to tell him, but I had to."I want to go back to the palace."Alberto's eyes grew wide. "You what?""I want to take up my duties again. As a princess." I attempted to maintain as steady a voice as possible.He blinked. "Elinda, you can't just—" He stopped himself, exhaled
Chapter 81|| Elinda's Pov ||The camera flashes were blinking like crazy and the reporters' questions came rushing towards me like a wave that could destroy everything."Princess Elinda, what do you have to say regarding the allegations of the death of the late king?""Will you assume the throne?""Who is your new partner now, Princess?"They went on asking the same thing. I had made up my mind already—I would answer them properly this time.I stood still for a moment, trapped under the gaze of millions of questioning eyes. My heart pounded like a bird in a cage, ready to soar, but I was rooted—on the steps of the palace.To my side, I saw Alexis drawing closer—silently, like a guardian—his very body trying to shield me.Concern and something more, something unspoken, flickered in his eyes."You don't have to answer," he whispered, loud enough for me to hear. "You're shaking."Part of me wanted to step back—press my head on his chest and run from it all. Like before… when we were st