LOGINNothing could have quite prepared me for the Alpha King's victory ball. Crystal chandeliers scattered light like fallen stars, and silk banners danced in the gentle breeze. Every allied territory had sent their finest—everyone dressed to the nines. We were here to honor those who'd protected and def
But the highlight of the whole evening? Watching Raymond get recognized for stepping up when it mattered most. He approached Aurora and me afterward with genuine warmth. No leftover bitterness."Honestly, congratulations," he said, grinning from ear to ear. "You two show that love and leadership can
Kane POVTwo months of proper courtship had changed everything between Aurora and me. The frantic, terror-fueled push and pull that once defined us was finally gone. What grew in its place felt solid. Real. Like something we'd actually chosen instead of stumbled into during a crisis.I courted Auror
Following my honest conversation with Raymond in the library, the divorce proceedings moved faster than I'd expected. Filing those papers? I'd held my breath for weeks—finally I could exhale properly.I signed my name with a heart that felt both heavy and resolved, officially ending a marriage that
"You feeling sick or something, Alpha?" Elizabeth asked when I turned down wine at a celebration dinner. She organized most of our social events—always trying to get everyone together for one party or another."Never felt clearer in my life," I told her, raising my water glass instead of reaching fo
Kane's POVGetting home was torture. Every damn mile reminded me of the mess I'd made with Aurora. Part of me wanted to whip my car around and grovel at her feet.But I couldn't. Not yet.First, I had to prove I deserved another shot.My territory looked like complete hell when I finally arrived. Mo
Three days later, I returned to the forest clearing with Kane trailing behind at his characteristic professional distance. The pattern of meetings we'd discovered suggested tonight might yield more concrete evidence, and despite the deterioration of our partnership, I needed his tactical expertise.
Raymond's paranoia reached new heights as Giana's magical influence grew stronger, twisting his thoughts into increasingly dark patterns. What had started as subtle suggestions had evolved into full-blown conspiracy theories that painted me as the enemy.The change was most apparent during pack meet
Kane's intelligence contacts provided information that painted a disturbing picture, keeping me awake for three straight nights. Lydia's employment history was full of suspicious gaps, her references led to dead ends that seemed deliberately created, and previous employers had no record of anyone ma
"Do you remember when we built that fort in the old oak tree behind the pack house?" I asked Raymond during what I hoped would be a private moment three days after whatever spell Giana had cast. We were in his office, and for a brief second, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes.He looked a







