LOGINFor a beat, no one spoke. Then, he lowered Kaelani gently until her feet touched the ground, but he didn’t let go—his fingers slipping into hers, holding on like it was the most natural thing in the world. Kaelani’s gaze dropped to their hands. The contact stilled something inside her. No one ha
“You do.” He let his gaze drop—just for a second—to the space between them, the inches that still separated them. Then back to her. “But I meant it when I said I’d never leave you again… that was real.” A brief pause—not for effect, but because he meant it. “Not when it’s hard. Not when it’s me
Kaelani’s smile hit him harder than anything else had. For the first time, it was meant for him. Julian stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind him and shutting out everything beyond it—the chaos, the noise, all of it. In here— was his peace. His heart. His whole world. He move
The room. The light. The faces. A breath caught in his chest. “Kaelani…?” His focus sharpened. His room. His packhouse. Familiar walls and scent. But something was wrong. His gaze moved quickly—his mother at his side, Jace by the window. No Kaelani. Julian pushed himself upright, pain tear
She didn’t look at him. “Julian Hale… fugitive status removed.” Another keystroke. “Jace Romano… fugitive status removed.” Her fingers paused for a fraction of a second before continuing. “Garrick Blake… charges dropped.” A quiet tap followed. “Release scheduled for… tomorrow morning.” Then—
A brief pause. “Am I wrong?” Councilor Voss didn’t answer. He simply watched her for a moment longer before speaking. “What is it that you want?” Kaelani held the room for a moment. “What I wanted the day I stood before you in the Chamber of Elders,” she said. “What I asked for then.” “To liv
Kaelani jolted awake, breathless, her body arching against the sheets as if the dream still held her captive. A hot pulse shuddered low in her abdomen, shame heating her cheeks even in the empty room. Her breath caught as the fragments returned—the dream. His hands gripping her as if she belonged t
One of the girls nodded quickly, murmuring apologies as she moved to the next case. But the handle slipped from her grip, and it thudded against the floor. Elara’s expression curdled. “Are you idiotic? That bag has my perfumes. One crack, and it’s worth more than your entire year’s wage.” The omeg
The sedan rolled to a stop on the tarmac, its engine purring low. Julian stepped out, buttoning his jacket calm and collectively, his gaze fixed on the figure emerging from the cabin. Elara appeared at the top, every inch composed elegance—silk dress catching the light, golden hair pinned to perfec
Heat burned her cheeks, but she kept walking, shoulders squared. A man walking his dog gave her a polite nod, but she caught the smirk tugging at his mouth before he looked away. She was used to it—stares, whispers, words meant to cut. She’d grown up under their weight, carried them like stones. Bu







