LOGIN~ Rowan POV The training field smelled like wet grass and sunlight. My tiny paws dug into the soft earth as I bounced on the balls of my feet, trying to copy Thorne’s stance. Thorne, of course, didn’t tell me to calm down. He just tilted his head and watched, like he expected me to explode at any second.Alice, my twin, was sitting nearby, twisting the hem of her golden training tunic, looking way too calm. I knew she was just pretending. She wasn’t nervous,she never was,but she liked to make me feel a little bit stressed.“Rowan! Don’t forget your stance!” Thorne called.I huffed and bounced harder. My tail flicked with excitement, though I didn’t even have a proper wolf tail yet. Not that I cared. The wolf inside me throbbed, restless. It had been quiet lately, but today… today it felt like it wanted to get out.Eliora, my sister friend visiting the estate, strutted into the ring. She had silver hair that glittered in the sun and sharp eyes that made me feel like she already knew
~ Rowan POV The training field smelled like wet grass and sunlight. My tiny paws dug into the soft earth as I bounced on the balls of my feet, trying to copy Thorne’s stance. Thorne, of course, didn’t tell me to calm down. He just tilted his head and watched, like he expected me to explode at any second.Alice, my twin, was sitting nearby, twisting the hem of her golden training tunic, looking way too calm. I knew she was just pretending. She wasn’t nervous,she never was,but she liked to make me feel a little bit stressed.“Rowan! Don’t forget your stance!” Thorne called.I huffed and bounced harder. My tail flicked with excitement, though I didn’t even have a proper wolf tail yet. Not that I cared. The wolf inside me throbbed, restless. It had been quiet lately, but today… today it felt like it wanted to get out.Eliora, my sister friend visiting the estate, strutted into the ring. She had silver hair that glittered in the sun and sharp eyes that made me feel like she already knew
~ Iris POVThe moment the name left my mouth, the room became quieter.“So… Kael.”Duncan didn’t move at first.The candlelight along the council table flickered gently, casting shadows across his face, but I could still see the way his jaw tightened.For a long moment he simply looked at me.Then he exhaled slowly.“You’ve been thinking about him.”It wasn’t a question.I folded my hands on the table.“You never told me everything.”Because actually he never really told me anything about him having a son since the day he started dating me. Till a few weeks ago. His brows drew together slightly.“I told you what mattered.”“You told me you had a former mate,” I said calmly. “You told me she died.”His wolf stirred under the surface. I could see it in the slight tension of his shoulders.“But you never told me,” I continued quietly, “that she had a child.”Silence filled the chamber.Not angry silence.Heavy silence.Duncan looked away first.His gaze drifted toward the tall window, t
~ Duncan POVLucien Moreau smiled too much.That was the first thing I noticed about him when we began speaking in the council chamber earlier that evening. Not the kind of smile a man gave when he was amused.The kind he gave when he believed he already knew the outcome of a game.He stood near the tall window overlooking the courtyard, one hand resting casually behind his back while the other held a glass of dark wine.“I must say,” Lucien said smoothly, “your estate is impressive.”I didn’t respond.Compliments from Lucien Moreau always carried something poisonous beneath them.Outside the window I could see the training field where the children had spent the afternoon. Eliora had been there earlier with Alice.Now the courtyard was quiet.The girl had been collected by her escort nearly an hour ago.Lucien noticed where my gaze lingered.“My daughter seems to enjoy visiting your estate,” he said.I crossed my arms.“She sparred with mine.”“Yes.” His smile widened slightly. “Elior
Chapter 118~ Iris POVThe sun had begun to sink behind the trees by the time the training field finally emptied.The estate was quieter now, the afternoon noise fading into the soft hum of evening. Guards returned to their posts, the warriors finished their drills, and the air carried that calm moment before night settled fully over the land.I remained seated on the low stone wall beside the training ground, watching my daughter.Alice sat cross-legged on the grass, a practice blade resting across her knees. Sweat dampened the loose strands of her dark hair, and dirt smudged the side of her cheek.Across from her, Eliora Moreau had already been called back to her carriage. Her silver hair had disappeared beyond the gates nearly an hour ago.Yet Alice was still sitting there.Thinking.Which, for Alice, usually meant something was bothering her.I stood and walked toward her.She didn’t look up until my shadow fell across the grass.“You fought well today,” I said.Alice made a small
~ Iris POVOne week laterThe estate had not been quiet since the night Rowan’s wolf revealed itself.News traveled fast among wolves. Even faster among Alphas.The council had not spoken openly about what Elder Varis declared that night, but I could feel the shift in the air. Messengers arrived daily. Envoys requested meetings. Rumors moved through the territories like wind through dry grass.Everyone wanted confirmation.Everyone wanted answers.And everyone was watching my children.Which was why I now stood near the training field, arms folded, observing my daughter attempt to knock Thorne flat on his back.She failed.Spectacularly.Thorne easily sidestepped her swing and tapped her shoulder with the wooden staff.“Dead,” he said calmly.Alice groaned loudly and dropped her practice blade into the dirt.“That was unfair!”Thorne raised one eyebrow.“You charged without thinking.”“That’s called confidence.”“That’s called stupidity.”I bit back a smile.Alice looked ready to argu
~iris The phone kept vibrating in my hand, like it knew I was hesitating.Duncan.Just seeing his name pulled something loose in my chest, something I’d spent months carefully locking away. I hadn’t saved his number again. I didn’t need to. I could recognize it anywhere. Muscle memory. Emotional
~Alpha Duncan I stared out the window.I was back.Weeks had passed since my return, and the pack had fallen into rhythm again, as if my absence had been nothing more than a brief pause. Meetings resumed. Territory held. My house was full again.And still…I’d been texting Iris.No replies.I tig
~ IrisI walked out of Eunice’s office, slamming the door lightly behind me, my chest tight, and my thoughts spinning. Every time she did that,every time she smiled, leaned in, spoke that soft, deliberate voice,I felt that familiar irritation climb up my spine. It was like she thrived on the disrup
~ AliceGetting ready with Iris always felt like a small ritual.Not the dramatic kind,no loud music or chaos. just soft moments that reminded me why I liked loving her. Why it felt easy. Safe.She sat on the edge of the bed while I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the strap of my dress.Eve







