Se connecterVALEN’S POVRaina had been watching me and Snow. Gods, there was no doubt. She saw all of it.Her expression was unreadable. What was she thinking? I couldn’t tell.She placed a hand on her stomach, and my worries revved.Remembering instantly all the stomach pain she used to get whenever I was around Jiya, I swiftly moved towards her.After three long strides, I stopped. The way she recoiled halted me, and I stared at the niggling space between us.Always keeping this gap between us scorched my heart like a burning cigar tip pressing down on it.Silence ensued, because I had tuned everything out.Like a dumbo, I panicked and began to explain, “It’s not what it looks like. She was trying to help our wolves.”"It's my mistake,” Raina blurted awkwardly. “You were rather occupied. I shouldn't have interrupted." She smiled apologetically, apparently unbothered. “It’s good that you have her.”“I don’t have anyone.” Slipped out of my mouth, rigid in my belief. My forehead puckered with worr
VALEN’S POVI flicked my eyes to the monitoring screen. “Where?”Jason used a laser pointer to indicate movements on the middle screen. “His group just split. The larger force is still heading north, but another group has broken east.”Raina looked at the map with one finger tapping her lips.“That might be true, but,” Theo updated, pressing the comms in his ear, listening and reporting simultaneously. “Alpha, the warriors at the eastern backwoods have successfully driven Dymian toward the designated terrain. He’ll be there in minutes. There is enough to hold him, but we should get moving.”Jason checked the screen in his hand and nodded. “Confirmed. An entire force is moving in that direction.”I straightened. “Everyone, move out.”Chairs scraped back as everyone rose. Weapons were secured, communication devices were checked, and the room shifted from planning to action.“Stay sharp,” Devin said with slight excitement on his face.“Come back alive,” Jason replied, and Thaines patted
VALEN’S POV“Dymian?” I gritted.“Who else?” Genocchio coughed, then grimaced. “You destroyed his medallion. He knows, and he’s livid. So he made us pay for it.”My stomach dropped, and the air tensed around us.Genocchio grunted in pain. He looked toward something beyond the camera before forcing his cold eyes back onto the screen. “He slaughtered the pack. Our warriors fought, though. Those weapons you gave us worked.” A bloody grin crossed his face. “We killed some of them.”Devin’s expression hardened, and Theo snorted in disgust.Genocchio chortled again, though it quickly turned into a painful cough. “They were too many. We took down as many as we could, but there were just too damn many.” His breathing became weaker. “They're heading your way now, Alpha. Be ready.”My jaw clenched.“We are ready. Let him come,” Androkles hissed. “His numbers mean nothing to me.”“He will regret coming here,” Theo retorted coldly.“Genocchio, stay with me,” I exhorted firmly. “I can get a bird t
VALEN’S POVAndrokles caught me from behind, locking both arms around my chest in an unwanted bear hug, while Figaro seized my shoulder from the front, forcing me backward. I fought them so hard my bare feet dug into the ground."What the hell are you doing?" My voice thundered through the hearthring. My eyes blazed at Penn. "You said nothing about this! You never told me she had to carve out my mark!"Penn held the back of the open book against her chest, pointing desperately at the pages before me. "I understand how you feel, Alpha, but it says it right here. It’s the final stage."“I dare you to mention that book one more time,” I snapped, growling dangerously low. “That’s the last thing connecting us.”The mark was mine and hers. Our union. How could Raina not have a problem erasing all of us? If that mark vanished, no part of me would be left in her.All my hopes went crashing down.I would give her everything she wanted, even if it would mean heartaches and pain for me. But not
RAINA’S POV“It's a bond without love, not a gap filler. Bonds are compelling, but loving is easier, and you're my chosen love. My heart knows who it wants.” Valen tilted his head, his eyes pleading for me to believe him.My heart ached at the pain in his eyes. I felt emotionally drained, but I knew if I sank into all my feelings, I would probably break down.“Stop worrying about that,” he said, clutching my coiled hands and bringing them to his lips. “The entire universe can attest to the years of love I've held for you. It doesn't fluctuate. It grows every second I spend with you.” He kissed my knuckles. “I don’t think it's possible to live without that love. You're all I know.”“I want to believe you, but how can I? We both know you've always wanted her.” I needed his words and reassurance to keep going.“I'll keep away. Wait a minute.” He shook his head as if coming out of a spell. “We’re really doing this?”No matter how much we calculated and planned, something bigger always got
RAINA’S POVAuras clashed.From the side, Gustav lunged at Zeus. Then Devin sprang at Gustav, slamming him out of Zeus’ way as my eyes widened at the monstrous, black beast in the air, coming straight at me.Figaro and Androkles swiftly flanked my side, quickly gripping my arms and instantly teleporting me several feet back.Thud-thud! Zeus’ golden paw landed on the promenade, his shoulders bunched, the lustrous fur on his spine erect. His penetrating eyes plunged into mine.“Nothing can force me to reject you. You are mine.” A turbulent snarl blared out of his chest. “Rrraugh!”Zeus began pacing, back and forth. His fur bristled like a predator that wanted his prey to draw closer. The heat of his hot vermilions could scorch my flesh. I shrank under his intensity.For a second, fear seized me. His bared teeth made me instinctively tense, but his eyes held immaculate depth. He was terrified. And goddess help me, I understood.“You find it so effortless to leave me,” Zeus rumbled through







