Masuk~ 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
~ Duncan POVThe estate was quieter than usual.Not peaceful.Just… watchful.I stood on the balcony outside my study, staring at the forest stretching beyond the stone walls. The moon hung high above the trees, bright and merciless, casting silver light over the land I had spent years fighting to protect.The same moon that had revealed my son’s secret tonight.White Wolf.Even thinking the words felt dangerous.For centuries the White Wolf had existed only in stories elders told around fires. A myth about a bloodline powerful enough to unite,or destroy all packs.And tonight, that myth had stood trembling in the courtyard beside his sister.My son.Rowan Blackwood.A low growl stirred in my chest before I forced it down.This was exactly what I had feared.Not the power.But what that power would bring.Politics.Greed.Ambition.Lucien Moreau’s expression during the council meeting replayed in my mind again.Too interested.Too calculating.The prophecy Varis had spoken echoed thro
~ Iris POVMy heart wouldn’t slow down.It pounded against my ribs so hard I could hear it in my ears.The courtyard had fallen into a stunned silence after Elder Varis’s declaration. Dozens of eyes were fixed on Rowan,some curious, some shocked, some calculating in a way that made my wolf bare its teeth beneath my skin.Rowan stood frozen beside Alice, his small hands trembling slightly.He didn’t understand what had just happened.But everyone else did.“Everyone inside,” Elder Varis said firmly. His voice carried the quiet authority of someone who had lived long enough to command obedience without raising it. “Both twins.”Duncan’s hand found my arm.“Calm down,” he murmured quietly.I hadn’t even realized the tension that had coiled through my body.He was right.If the council saw me panic, they would panic too.So I inhaled slowly and straightened my posture.“Rowan,” I called gently.He looked up at me immediately.“Come here.”Alice grabbed his wrist before he could move.“I t
~ Iris POV8:00 p.m.I stood before the mirror, fastening the silver clasp of my necklace behind my neck. The moonstone pendant rested lightly against my collarbone, cool against my skin.Tonight’s meeting had been called by Elder Varis himself. When an elder summoned the council under a full moon, it was never for something trivial.And as Luna, my presence was not optional.“Mom! How do I look?”Alice burst into the room, spinning in a circle. Her gold gown flared around her like sunlight caught in motion.I crouched down and gently held her chin, studying her.“You look… beautiful,” I said softly. “I’m jealous.”She giggled proudly.Just then Rowan barged into the room, chewing loudly with a mouth full of pancakes.“Mom!”Alice immediately folded her arms.“Rowan! Go get dressed.”God.She reminded me so much of my best friend. The same stubborn c
~ Eunice pov Alpha Duncan was leaving. That alone was enough to unsettle the entire pack.When word spread that my brother was travelling beyond the borders, preparations began immediately , guards doubled, routes secured, messages sent ahead like prayers wrapped in Protocol. Alpha Duncan didn't
~Alice The dorm was quiet. Too quiet. The low hum of the overhead lights, the faint clank of the old radiator, even the distant laughter drifting in from somewhere down the hall,all of it felt muffled, as though the world itself had decided to tread carefully around my thoughts. I sat cross l
~iris One week.That was all it had been,seven days tucked away inside walls that smelled like safety and power. Seven days where fear didn’t follow me into my sleep. Seven days of quiet laughter, lingering looks, and moments I knew I wasn’t supposed to get attached to.But I did.The suitcase at
~iris “Iris?”My heart dropped straight into my stomach.I froze.Slowly, I turned.Alice stood a few steps away, dressed for class, her hair pulled back, her expression shifting from confusion to something sharper the moment she registered where I was coming from. Her eyes flicked past me,to the







