LOGINTHIRD PERSONâS POV. Elara sat quietly on the edge of the bed in their bedroom, her hands resting loosely in her lap as she stared at nothing in particular. Ever since she had heard the devastating news on television, her mind had refused to settle. Every time she closed her eyes, she found herself wondering where Rhys was, what had happened to him, and whether he was safe. She had tried to convince herself that the news report did not necessarily mean the worst, but a motherâs heart was rarely willing to listen to reason when her child was missing.Her thoughts drifted back to the night Rhys had appeared at her doorstep with a protruding belly. She remembered the fear in his eyes, the helplessness in his voice, and how she had helped him through the birth. She remembered holding the newborn in her arms, only to later endure the unbearable pain of losing one of the twins a year after. That memory had never truly left her. Years could pass, but some wounds simply learned how to h
BRAYDENâS POV. I didnât 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 Kingâs 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 couldnât 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 PERSONâ 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.âAlpha King,â she said quietly. âThe guards have brought Tyler.âBrayden slowly lifted his head.The moment his eyes landed on Tyler, the exhaustion and frustration in his express
THIRD PERSONâS POV.âZinnia, you also think the alpha king was lying, right?âRemus 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.âMy princeâŠâ She paused, then softened her voice. âThe Alpha King doesnât lie. That, I can confirm because Iâve never heard him do that, okay? He is definitely telling you the truth.âRemus shook his head slowly.âI know everyone thinks Iâm just a baby.âZinniaâs expression changed.Remus lowered his gaze to his intertwined fingers.âWhenever something big happens, Iâm always told to go back inside. Everyone thinks I donât know anything because Iâm small.âHe looked up at her.âBut I always know when something bad has happened.âZinnia remained silent.âToday, Dad went to work, and he hasnât come back yet. The Alpha King said heâs fine, but I know heâs lying to me.â His l
THIRD PERSONâS POV.Cedric and Victor instinctively stepped backward.Victor raised his hands.âAlpha King, we have nothing to do with your mateâs disappearance.ââNothing?ââYes, Alpha King.â Victor swallowed. âYou already declared Rhys your mate. There is nothing we can do about that.âCedric quickly nodded.âThat is correct.â He stepped forward slightly, though his fear remained visible. âWe may have disagreed with your decision, Alpha King, but we would never dare abduct your mate. We have no reason to oppose you anymore.âBrayden stared at them.âFine.â His eyes remained cold. âBut youâre both here.âHe glanced around.âWhere is Tyler?âVictorâs expression changed.âTyler?ââYes. Tyler.âBraydenâs voice hardened.âIsnât he a minister? He has no reason not to be seated in this room, but I havenât seen him since yesterday.âVictor hesitated.âAlpha King, I instructed Tyler to remain at home for the meantime.âBraydenâs eyebrow lifted.âWhy?âVictor shifted uncomfortably.âBecause o
THIRD PERSONâS POV.At Crownfang Packâs 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 Rhysâ 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 Braydenâs 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







