LOGINEverineThe silence from the surrounding warriors was heavy, a weight that made the heat in my cheeks feel like an actual burn. I had been humiliated. Not just defeated, but stripped—literally and figuratively—of my composure.Gavriel did not gloat with words, at least not initially. Instead, he began to unbutton his charcoal-colored long-sleeve shirt. His movements were slow, as if he wanted everyone to witness the perfectly sculpted muscle beneath the fabric. He stepped toward me, his shadow falling over my frame, and draped the shirt over my shoulders.The scent hit me immediately. It was an infuriatingly pleasant scent. For a split second, the warmth of the garment was a relief, but then the reality of the gesture caught up with me.My rage spiked. I reached up, tore the shirt from my shoulders, and hurled it into the dirt along with my sword. I didn't care about the skin I was showing; I cared about the insult."Women are not suitable as vanguards?" I asked, my voice trembling wi
EverineMy eye twitched—a minor, involuntary betrayal of my composure that infuriated me almost as much as the man causing it.Gavriel Soltharic was, by all objective measures, more handsome than anyone had a right to be. It was a biological offensive. I tried to perform a mental recalibration, forcing myself to remember that the true essence of the creature standing before me was that of a small, vanishing child. I tried to project that image onto him, to see a toddler in oversized armor, but failed miserably.The man standing in front of me was a perfect specimen of masculinity, and he knew it."The one who draws first blood, wins," I stated. My voice was level, carrying the cold authority of a Thorne who had spent years mastering the art of the duel.Beside me, Ersa let out a sharp, audible gasp. She knew I wasn't indulging in a mere exercise. I was serious."It does not matter if that blood comes from a shallow graze or an amputated limb," I added, my gaze never wavering from his
EverineErsa actually chuckled as I stood there, a mud-stained disaster in what had once been very expensive silk. The damp soil was already drying into a crust against my skin, making every movement feel grit-filled and uncomfortable.“Well, he can be quite a lot to handle,” she remarked, her voice dripping with that irritatingly calm empathy.“Quite?” I hissed, wiping a streak of filth from my cheek with the back of my hand. “If I encounter that geriatric phantom again, I shall ensure his next millennium is spent in a state of perpetual irritation. He is a child with the temperament of a senile vulture.”I did not wait for her reply. I marched back into the mansion, my boots squelching with every movement. I spent the next hour submerged in a bath hot enough to simmer a roast, scrubbed until my skin was raw, and emerged feeling somewhat less like a swamp creature and more like a Thorne.With the War Council still closed to me—an intellectual travesty I have yet to forgive—and no oth
EverineFor a full week, I have performed the role of the dutiful, intellectual assistant to Ersa with a level of patience that frankly deserves its own commemorative plaque. I have offered my insights on logistics, scrutinized the supply chains for the upcoming march, and provided tactical commentary whenever the opportunity presented itself. However, the reality of my new, crownless status remains a bitter pill to swallow. I am barred from the War Council.Apparently, the strategic discussions regarding the impending celestial slaughter are reserved exclusively for the Alphas and their Lunas. I am forced to remain on the periphery, an intellectual individual relegated to the role of a highly overqualified secretary. It is an insult to my capabilities, but I have managed to maintain my composure—mostly by redirecting my frustrations into the training grounds.As much as my schedule allows, I have been training with the pack members and their warriors. I find that the weight of a blad
EverineAs my carriage ascended the winding road toward the Alpha’s mansion, I surveyed the town nestled below the hill. It was a hive of frantic, organized chaos—warriors moved in rhythmic formations, their blades catching the light with a grim readiness that signaled the end of peace.However, it was the sky that truly offended my sensibilities. It had deepened into a shade of pink so visceral it looked like an open wound, yet it refused to transition into the darkness of the Bloodmoon. It was a stagnant, intellectual anomaly that grated on my nerves. I found myself wondering why the celestial transition was taking so long; the heavens were apparently as inefficient as the pack’s border patrols.When I finally entered the mansion, the air was thick with the scent of impending doom. I did not bother with the trivialities of an announcement; I marched directly toward Sano’s study.“Everine!”Ersa’s voice was the first to strike me, laced with that predictable, wide-eyed shock that eve
Everine“E-Everine!”The stuttered, clumsy shock on Seraphine’s face was the first thing that greeted me as I crossed the threshold of Thornehill. I could not help but allow a slow, deliberate roll of my eyes to serve as my initial greeting. Here I was, finally deigning to return to my ancestral home, only to be welcomed by the one person whose presence I found entirely unnecessary.My gaze darted immediately toward her midsection, noting the slight, messy bulge that disrupted her otherwise perfect silhouette.“You are pregnant,” I stated. It was not a question; it was an observation.She flinched slightly, her hands instinctively moving to shield the curve of her stomach. Honestly, the girl acted as if I intended to strike her.“Oh, calm yourself, Seraphine. I have not returned for the purpose of a quarrel. I simply wished to return home,” I replied, walking past her without waiting for an acknowledgment. I did not require her permission to enter my own family’s manor.“Where is my b
ErsaHe looked momentarily confused as the child boldly claimed him as his father. “And who might you be, young sir?” He asked, bending down slightly to regard both Jericho and me at eye level.“Jericho,” the boy replied instantly, reaching out to cup the Alpha’s face with a small hand. “Let’s go h
ErsaI closed my eyes, the heat of the bath wrapping around me. I still couldn’t believe I had kissed him there, and even more astonishingly, how intensely pleasurable it had felt.I dipped myself lower, the water almost touching my nose, attempting to process the sheer recklessness of my actions.
ErsaOne thing I noticed immediately upon arriving at the town of Thornehill was the distinct, fresh scent of the sea. It was a stark contrast to the main town of Dewcrest, which was perpetually enveloped by the earthy scent of the forest.Thanks to our earlier lessons, I learned that our vast pack
ErsaI slumped onto my bed, utterly exhausted from the events of the night. I had returned home immediately after the unpleasant exchange with Lyanna, feeling a surge of anger—no, more like sadness at the idea of losing the competition.When had it started feeling this way?A fleeting hook-up, she







