A moment passed, filled only by the faint crackle of the candle flame. Then Darius’s tone shifted slightly, more serious, more deliberate.“Rowan has already processed the name change. From this moment forward, to everyone in the pack, you are Ashera.”Hearing it aloud made it feel real. Her new name. Her true name. She inhaled slowly, letting the syllables settle in her chest.“Thank you,” she whispered, fingers curling lightly around her wine glass. “I… I also think it’s time I see my adopted father. There’s so much I don’t understand. So many questions that only he might be able to answer. I used to avoid him, but now…” Her voice faltered slightly. “Now I need the truth.”Darius didn’t look surprised. “I assumed you’d say that. I’ve already asked Rowan to arrange a meeting. I know you haven’t spoken in years.”Cassandra blink
Later that evening,After Nia had left, Cassandra made her way downstairs, her soft heels barely making a sound against the polished floors of Darius’s grand mansion. Soraya followed a few steps behind her, quiet and watchful as always.Cassandra's long dress flowed gently with every step she took, and she glanced down at herself, self-conscious. Was this too much for just dinner? she wondered, brushing her hand over the smooth fabric of her gown. Her hair had been styled with care, her makeup subtle but elegant. It was rare for her to dress up like this and rarer still to feel nervous about it.It’s just dinner, she told herself, but the flicker of doubt didn’t go away. But with him? Is anything ever really just dinner?As she turned the corner and stepped into the dining hall, the breath caught in her throat.The table had been set like something out of a romantic film. A single long candle burned betw
Nia stared at her, eyes wide, one hand gripping the pillow like it was the only thing anchoring her to reality. “I’m sorry, what?”Cassandra couldn’t help it, she laughed.She lifted her hand slowly and let her wolf’s power flicker through her, just a sliver. Her pupils dilated, glowing with that haunting gold that only showed when her wolf was awake beneath the surface.Nia gasped and clutched her chest. “Girl, what the actual hell!”Cassandra blinked, letting the glow fade. “Still think I’m joking?”Nia was still frozen in place. “I… I don’t even know what to say. You’re telling me… you’re a werewolf. Like a full-on, moon-howling, shift-at-will, can-heal-fast type of werewolf?”Cassandra nodded.“And Darius…” Nia looked around the luxurious room again as if it were the backdrop of some royal drama. “So he&
Elena’s eyes narrowed, her smile fading just a little.“That respect is a problem,” she said flatly. “And that’s where you come in. Evan might admire Darius, but his love for you is newer, fresher. Emotional bonds influence men far more than old loyalties do.”Lyria nodded slowly, thoughts churning in her head.So that’s the angle.She was supposed to be the voice whispering doubt into Evan’s ear. The one who reminds him that Darius stands between him and what should have been his future. The one who convinces him he deserves more. That he deserves the title. The throne. And her.Elena’s voice softened again, but her eyes stayed sharp.“He needs to see that Darius is not his friend. That even blood can become an enemy when it stands in your way. And you,” she added with meaning, “will become his reason to fight for that throne.”Lyria shifted slightly on the
Elena sat gracefully on the velvet settee in the centre of her lavish living room. Everything about the space reflected her taste, rich, antique golds and deep maroons, marble floors, and towering floral arrangements that gave off the faint scent of roses and iron. She was dressed impeccably, as always, in a tailored navy blue gown, her greying hair pinned into a tight, elegant bun. A small cup of tea sat untouched on the coffee table before her.One of her bodyguards stood nearby, his posture stiff and professional. Elena’s sharp eyes flicked toward him as the door opened.Lyria stepped in, dressed in a pale cream coat, her heels clicking softly against the floor. Her hair was pulled back, her makeup subtle but polished. She looked slightly rushed, brows furrowed with concern.“You came early, my child,” Elena said, her tone gentle, her lips curling into a measured smile.Lyria didn’t return the smile. Her eyes darted briefly to t
A young maid stepped inside, moving quickly and efficiently. She carried a silver tray with a covered plate, a glass of fresh orange juice, and a linen napkin folded with perfect precision. Her head bowed respectfully.“Good morning, miss,” the maid said softly, keeping her gaze low.She crossed the room silently, placed the tray on the small side table beside the bed, then bowed again before slipping out and gently closing the door behind her.Nia blinked. Her head turned slowly back to Cassandra.“Girl…” she said, pointing at the tray. “I need that gist right now.”Cassandra snorted, the sound escaping her before she could stop it. She pressed a hand to her lips, laughing again.Everything was so surreal. The maid. The mansion. The wolf inside her. The past she never knew. The mate bond. Darius.And yet, here was Nia. Her anchor to the world she used to know. The girl who