LOGINPearl's POV “What the hell are you saying, Mom, Dad?” I shot up from the chair so fast the lilac bridesmaid dress nearly knocked over the vanity table behind me. I hate this dress. I have hated this dress since Vivienne picked it out three months ago and announced it was what her bridal train would be wearing, because Vivienne never once in her life considered whether something worked for anyone other than her.But I still wore it. I wear things that don't fit me so that my family can have what they need. Story of my life.“Pearl, you have to save your family…” Mom started, stepping toward me with that face. I know that face. She pulls it out every time she needs me to clean up one of Vivienne's messes.It has always been like that. I've always been the one clearing Vivienne’s mess, every fuck time. They are always doing everything for her as if I'm not their daughter. "By getting married to a complete stranger?" I cut her off. "Mom, do you hear yourself right now? Do you actually h
Darien's POV "This ceremony must be flawless. There can be no mistakes, no interruptions, no room for anyone to challenge the legitimacy of the binding." I said to the priest. "I understand, Alpha. I have performed many binding ceremonies in my years. This one will be no different." "This one is very different." I corrected her sharply. "This one is binding a child who isn't hers by birth. That makes it more complex, more delicate. The magic must be strong enough to sever his connection to his real mother and forge a new one with Velra. Can you do that?" The priestess hesitated for just a moment before nodding. "Yes, Alpha. As long as the circle is perfect and the ritual is performed correctly, the binding will hold." "See that it does." I said, my voice carrying a clear threat. I turned away from the platform and surveyed the rest of the hall. The seating area spread out in front of the platform in a semicircle. Rows and rows of wooden benches were being arranged by wo
Darien's POV "This ceremony must be flawless. There can be no mistakes, no interruptions, no room for anyone to challenge the legitimacy of the binding." I said to the priest. "I understand, Alpha. I have performed many binding ceremonies in my years. This one will be no different." "This one is very different." I corrected her sharply. "This one is binding a child who isn't hers by birth. That makes it more complex, more delicate. The magic must be strong enough to sever his connection to his real mother and forge a new one with Velra. Can you do that?" The priestess hesitated for just a moment before nodding. "Yes, Alpha. As long as the circle is perfect and the ritual is performed correctly, the binding will hold." "See that it does." I said, my voice carrying a clear threat. I turned away from the platform and surveyed the rest of the hall. The seating area spread out in front of the platform in a semicircle. Rows and rows of wooden benches were being arranged by wor
Darien's POV "Replace this flower with grey. I'm not a fan of pink. We aren't doing a baby shower." I said sharply, my voice cutting through the busy noise of preparation. My tone left no room for discussion or disagreement. The last thing I needed was this hall looking soft and feminine. This was a binding ceremony, a display of power and control, not some cheerful celebration. The guy arranging the flowers immediately nodded, his head bobbing up and down quickly in submission. "Yes, Alpha! Right away, Alpha!" He stammered, nearly dropping the vase he was holding in his haste to obey. His hands were shaking slightly as he set it down on a nearby table. He gestured frantically to his colleagues, waving his arms to get their attention. They rushed over, all of them working together to gather up the offensive pink flowers. Their movements were hurried and clumsy, petals falling to the floor as they tried to move quickly enough to satisfy me. They hurried off toward the back of the
FLASHBACK CONTINUES Ava's POV "Ava, you can't do this. Please, listen to us this once. Don't do anything drastic." Rhea cried out from the other side of the door, her voice breaking. I could hear her pressed against the metal, could imagine her hands flat against it, trying to reach me through the barrier between us. "No words can get to me. I already made up my mind." I cried back, my voice shaking. I was holding the hard part of the knife handle, gripping it tightly as I looked at the tip that was shining under the kitchen lights. I was going to end it right now and here. Right in this kitchen where I'd made so many meals, where I'd laughed with friends, where I'd fed my baby and Thorne. "Ava, please. Just don't do anything." Nathan pleaded, his deeper voice joining the others. I could hear the fear in his tone, something I'd never heard from him before. "I promise you I'll find a solution as soon as possible. Thorne will regain his memory and bring Kaelen back home
Darien's POV "This ceremony must be flawless. There can be no mistakes, no interruptions, no room for anyone to challenge the legitimacy of the binding." I said to the priest. "I understand, Alpha. I have performed many binding ceremonies in my years. This one will be no different." "This one is very different." I corrected her sharply. "This one is binding a child who isn't hers by birth. That makes it more complex, more delicate. The magic must be strong enough to sever his connection to his real mother and forge a new one with Velra. Can you do that?" The priestess hesitated for just a moment before nodding. "Yes, Alpha. As long as the circle is perfect and the ritual is performed correctly, the binding will hold." "See that it does." I said, my voice carrying a clear threat. I turned away from the platform and surveyed the rest of the hall. The seating area spread out in front of the platform in a semicircle. Rows and rows of wooden benches were being arranged by work
Ava's POV "What do you mean I'm pregnant?" I demanded, my voice coming out louder than I meant. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst out of my chest. My hands trembled against the sheets as I tried to sit up. Pregnant? How could I be pregnant?My gaze instantly fell on Thorne. His
Lyra’s POV "You killed me. You killed me, Lyra." The voice froze my blood. Slowly, I looked up and my heart almost stopped. Mira stood in front of me, her face pale, her hair scattered across her face, her eyes shining with tears that fell endlessly. She looked so broken, so destroyed, and it fe
Ava's POV “Mira!” I screamed as Mira slumped onto my arm, her whole weight collapsing against me.Everything had happened in a flash. I had seen Lyra rush toward me, but the knife had been hidden until it was too late. I tried to move, tried to escape, but then Mira suddenly appeared in front of m
Ava's POV The car sped through the road, every bump making Mira groan softly, and each sound tore through me like claws. I pressed my palm over her hand, whispering broken prayers even though I wasn’t sure who I was praying to. Please, just keep breathing. Please don’t leave me. If anything happe







