Lucian’s POV“My lord… Soterra has escaped.” One of my men relayed to me.The words echoed in my head like a slap.I clenched my fist and my teeth. That wretched bitch, of course she fucking did.She was the messenger of the Moon goddess herself. A title like that didn’t come with chains or confinement. The moment we captured her, I should have known. She wasn’t staying because she was helpless, she was just playing us all like fools.She fooled all of us, and now she is gone.I turned sharply toward the messenger. He flinched under my glare. “Get out. Out.” My voice came out cold. I didn’t have time for his stammering.The moment he left, I let out a slow, controlled breath and then my temper snapped.I hurled the bottle of beer in my hand against the wall with a scream, the glass exploding into jagged pieces across the stone floor. The sound didn’t calm me. It made the fire worse.Michael fucking Donovan.That bastard stood before me just days ago, looking me straight in the eye l
Valerie's POV.My heart was still pounding. My fists clenched and unclenched at my sides like they had minds of their own.*Kilian kissed Selene*That sentence just kept circling my head like a cursed chant. Over and over again.*Kilian kissed Selene*I had kissed him once—yes—but I was only able to, because he was under a spell. And a witch can only cast a compelling spell like that once.But with her? He chose to, he wanted to.I felt jealousy, rage and pain all mixed into one disgusting mess.No. I won’t let this happen.Whatever is blooming between them…I’ll burn it to ash.Selene was the child of prophecy. I should tell mother and Lucian, let them take her away.But still… I needed something more. Something quicker, something that could taint their relationship before it even becomes a thing.I was pacing the corridor outside the eastern wing, half-lost in thought, when fate decided to hand me a gift. A twisted, perfect gift.Selene, and she wasn’t alone.Kelvin, one of the an
Selene's POV. Carmen leaned in closer. “Who did you give it to?” I swallowed, the memory of that moment still vivid. “The shadowy figure.” “What?!” Carmen gasped, her hand freezing mid-scrub in the soapy water. “Why?” “I… I don’t know,” I said truthfully, rubbing my palms together. “I just felt like… I shouldn’t give it to Killian. You know how he and I are.” Carmen’s eyes narrowed, her curiosity turning sharp. “And then? What happened when you gave it to the shadowy figure?” My chest tightened as I remembered. “His voice changed, it got darker and menacing. The world got destroyed. And Killian—he screamed and then he just… turned into ashes right there.” Carmen covered her mouth, horrified. “And then the old woman—the one who said she was my grandmother, she appeared again and started crying. And the silver-haired man yelled at me. He said I chose wrong. Then everything just shifted like I was being pulled back.” A long silence passed between us. Carmen was staring a
Killian's POV Soteria made her way into the building. She walked majestically, like the wind had parted for her. Her red hair was looking as good as ever, cascading over her shoulders like fire, and her eyes held experience. I looked at her and rose from my seat, and so did the others. “Soteria,” I greeted, nodding. “What a pleasant surprise.” She looked at me, and then she smiled. Alpha Dominic, always proper, stepped forward and greeted her as well, bowing slightly in his place. But Soteria only looked at him indifferently. She didn't say anything, only gave him a brief nod, and then she walked past him like he wasn’t worth her breath. “Please, have a seat,” I said. She moved with quiet power and lowered herself gracefully onto the chair across from me. She crossed one leg over the other and met my eyes. I studied her for a moment. Soteria never left her side of the mountains unless something had stirred. “I know you don’t come out for no reason,” I said calmly. “So
Selene's POV I hurried down the corridor, ignoring the way my heart pounded like a war drum in my chest. My skin tingled and my cheeks ached from the heat that wouldn’t leave them. I just needed to get back to my room, now. When I finally reached it, I slipped inside, slammed the door shut behind me, and didn’t bother with the lock before throwing myself onto the bed. The softness of the pillows welcomed me, but there was no comfort in them. I buried my face deep, trying to muffle the scream rising in my throat. I kissed him. No — he had kissed me. And it felt... it felt good. My heart squeezed just thinking about it. The way his lips moved against mine, the warmth of his touch, the way my whole body seemed to spark to life like a storm had passed through me. I groaned, lifting my face from the pillow, staring up at the ceiling like it might give me answers. Why was he making me feel this way? Why did it feel like he’d just reached into my chest and messed with ever
Killian's POVI was already walking, frost practically clinging to my skin from how cold my aura had turned.Halfway down the hall, I met Ronan.“My lord” He said and I gave him a look. He cleared his throat, understanding what I meant.“I mean…Killian”. He corrected.“Alpha Dominic and Beta Luca are here to see you.” He added.I stopped walking, my eyes narrowed. “Alpha Dominic? Why is he here?”Ronan shook his head. “I’m not sure. He said he came to speak with you in person. I think… it may have something to do with the approaching ceremony.”I exhaled slowly. “Of course it does.”There was always something.I straightened, adjusted the collar of my coat, and nodded. “Where are they?”“In the inner court,” Ronan said.I gave one last glance in the direction Selene had gone, a part of me wishing I had followed her sooner.“Let’s go” I said. We made our way to the inner court, the soles of my boots echoing against the polished floors. The moment we stepped inside, I spotted them. Al