Mag-log inBRAYDEN’S POV. I didn’t wait for Hadrian to say anything else.The moment he told me he had found Rhys, my body moved before my mind could catch up. I rushed out of the throne room, shifted into my wolf form, and raced toward the King’s Quarters.Rhys was there.He had to be.When I reached my room, I shifted back and pushed the door open.My heart nearly stopped.Rhys was lying unconscious on the bed. A towel rested across his forehead while Dr. Ash sat beside him, checking his pulse.For several seconds, I couldn’t move.I simply stood there, staring at him.He was alive.He was actually alive.A wave of relief crashed over me so suddenly that my chest ached. My eyes burned as I looked at his pale face, and memories of the accident immediately came rushing back.We had both been in that car.I had been there when it happened.So why had they taken Rhys?Why him?Who wanted my mate dead badly enough to ambush the Alpha King just to get to him?And what had they done to him after tak
THIRD PERSON’ POV. Still in the throne room with an almost exhausted body, Brayden sat on his throne, one hand supporting his head while the fingers of his other hand tapped impatiently against the armrest.Tap.Tap.Tap.The sound echoed through the grave silence.None of the ministers dared to speak. The suffocating aura radiating from the Alpha King made even the bravest among them think twice before opening their mouths. Everyone knew Brayden was barely holding himself together.Gina stood several meters away with her head lowered, waiting silently.The massive doors of the throne room suddenly swung open.Several royal guards marched inside, escorting Tyler. His hands were cuffed behind his back, and his expression was tense as he was forced to his knees in the middle of the room.Gina stepped forward.“Alpha King,” she said quietly. “The guards have brought Tyler.”Brayden slowly lifted his head.The moment his eyes landed on Tyler, the exhaustion and frustration in his express
THIRD PERSON’S POV.“Zinnia, you also think the alpha king was lying, right?”Remus asked the question as he settled onto the bed, his small hands clasped together, fingers intertwined and resting on his thighs. His expression was unusually serious for a child his age.Zinnia knelt in front of him, studying his face.“My prince…” She paused, then softened her voice. “The Alpha King doesn’t lie. That, I can confirm because I’ve never heard him do that, okay? He is definitely telling you the truth.”Remus shook his head slowly.“I know everyone thinks I’m just a baby.”Zinnia’s expression changed.Remus lowered his gaze to his intertwined fingers.“Whenever something big happens, I’m always told to go back inside. Everyone thinks I don’t know anything because I’m small.”He looked up at her.“But I always know when something bad has happened.”Zinnia remained silent.“Today, Dad went to work, and he hasn’t come back yet. The Alpha King said he’s fine, but I know he’s lying to me.” His l
THIRD PERSON’S POV.Cedric and Victor instinctively stepped backward.Victor raised his hands.“Alpha King, we have nothing to do with your mate’s disappearance.”“Nothing?”“Yes, Alpha King.” Victor swallowed. “You already declared Rhys your mate. There is nothing we can do about that.”Cedric quickly nodded.“That is correct.” He stepped forward slightly, though his fear remained visible. “We may have disagreed with your decision, Alpha King, but we would never dare abduct your mate. We have no reason to oppose you anymore.”Brayden stared at them.“Fine.” His eyes remained cold. “But you’re both here.”He glanced around.“Where is Tyler?”Victor’s expression changed.“Tyler?”“Yes. Tyler.”Brayden’s voice hardened.“Isn’t he a minister? He has no reason not to be seated in this room, but I haven’t seen him since yesterday.”Victor hesitated.“Alpha King, I instructed Tyler to remain at home for the meantime.”Brayden’s eyebrow lifted.“Why?”Victor shifted uncomfortably.“Because o
THIRD PERSON’S POV.At Crownfang Pack’s Palace, the atmosphere inside the throne room had become almost unbearable.Brayden paced relentlessly across the vast room, moving from the center of the throne room toward the raised platform, then turning around and walking back again. His footsteps echoed against the marble floor, each one carrying the weight of his growing frustration.He had been doing this for hours.The ministers sat in silence, their expressions grim and uneasy. Some appeared worried about what Rhys’ disappearance meant for the pack, while others remained unusually still, as though they were carefully choosing every expression they allowed themselves to show.The ministers who had always stood firmly behind Brayden’s decision of making Rhys the Luna looked just as gloomy.No one knew what to say.Gina stood near the throne, watching the Alpha King with deep concern. She had never seen him like this. Since he was born nor in the past six years, when Brayden had spent co
THIRD PERSON’S POV.Elara stood in the kitchen, leaning her body against the counter while a bright smile was on her face as she scooped some portion of food onto two plates sitting on the dining table.Meanwhile, Riven was seated comfortably in the living room, sipping his tea as he watched the news on television.“Hurry up! I’m starving!” he called out.“If you’re that hungry, why don’t you come over here and serve yourself?” she retorted, dropping the spoon back into the pot. “Please don’t kill me before the Goddess calls me. I’m already an old woman.”Riven let out a loud chuckle.“Someone is finally getting old.”“What did you say?” Elara shouted from the kitchen.Riven immediately straightened in his seat.“What did you say?” she asked again, this time louder.“Well…” Riven cleared his throat and fixed his attention on the television. “I said you’re still looking as pretty and as agile as ever, my love.”Elara hissed.“You had better not repeat the main thing you said.”Riven wi







