Mag-log inTobias's povI walked slowly through the long hallways of the central castle. The morning sun was coming through the large glass windows, making the stone floor look pale yellow. It was way too early in the day to deal with any kind of drama, but I could already feel the heavy tension building up inside the palace walls. My jaw ticked automatically as I kept my pace steady.We took a sharp turn right before the main dining hall entrance. Valerie was walking right next to me, completely quiet and keeping her eyes fixed on the path ahead. Even though she wasn't saying anything, her mere presence was completely driving my mind to the absolute edge.I glanced at her through the corner of my eye, trying to be as sneaky as possible about it. She had her dark hair pulled up into a tight, high ponytail today, with just a few loose strands hanging down to touch her face. Her lips were set in a thin, tight line, and I suddenly felt a massive urge to reach out and run my fingers across them.God
POV: ValerieTobias led me down the hall to his private quarters in the castle's executive wing. The place was way fancier than my room back home. Thick carpets, big windows with heavy curtains, and furniture that looked like it cost a fortune. My nerves from all the politics were still buzzing inside me. I felt that energy shift hard into something else. Pure sexual frustration hit me like a wave. The second that heavy oak door clicked shut behind us, I pushed Tobias back against it. My hands grabbed his shirt tight. "I need to forget about all that politics shit tonight," I said, my voice coming out rough. "Just you and me, Tobias. No kings, no deals, nothing else."He looked at me with those eyes that always pulled me in. "Valerie, you sure? After everything today?""Yeah, I'm sure," I shot back. I pressed my body against his. "I want you right now. Stop talking and let me have this."My mouth crashed into his before he could say more. We kissed hard, tongues fighting for contro
Tobias's povWe finally arrived at the pack house after driving for what felt like an eternity. I pulled my car into the massive stone courtyard and cut the engine, letting out a long breath as I leaned back against the seat.I looked over at Valerie, and I could instantly tell she was overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the palace. Her brown eyes were wide as she stared up at the place, and the rows of guards standing at attention along the main entrance.She gripped her seatbelt tightly, her knuckles turning a little bit white as her wolf instincts clearly went on the defensive."Hey," I said softly, reaching across the console to wrap my hand around her arm to ground her. "Relax. You're with me, remember? Nobody in this building is going to challenge you.""I'm fine, Tobias," she muttered, forcing her chin up and throwing me a sharp look even though her breathing was a little fast. "I'm the future Alpha of my pack. I don't get intimidated that easily.""Right," I smirked, opening my
ValerieI shoved the last of my clothes into the bag and zipped it up tight. My hands would not stop shaking as I thought about what waited for us back at the central castle.Tobias moved around the room packing his own stuff with that calm way he always had.I kept telling myself this was just another trip, but my stomach twisted because I knew it was not. We were going so I could stand in front of Rowan and Mira and hand over the signed treaty like it was nothing. But it felt like everything.Tobias glanced over at me and smiled a little."You ready babe?" he asked.His voice sounded easy, but I could tell he already picked up on my nerves through the bond. I nodded fast even though my legs felt like jelly."Yeah I guess so," I said.Inside my head, though, the thoughts would not slow down.What if they looked at me like I did not belong there?What if my words came out all wrong and they saw me as some girl from the edges who got lucky?I hated how scared I felt about leaving my sa
Side Story: Chapter 11ValerieTobias shut the door behind us and then he kissed me hard right away. I kissed him back and pushed him toward the bed because I needed to take control this time. My hands moved over his chest as I broke the kiss for a second."I want you so bad right now Tobias," I said.I felt the mate bond heat up between us and it made me bolder. Tobias looked at me with that hungry stare but he let me lead."Whatever you want, Val," he replied.I smiled because his words turned me on even more and I dropped to my knees in front of him. My fingers worked his pants open fast and I pulled him out as I looked up at him."You feel so good already," I told him. "I love how hard you get for me."Tobias groaned when I took him into my mouth and started sucking him off slow at first. I controlled the pace and used my hand along with my lips because I wanted to drive him crazy."Fuck Val that feels amazing," he said as he watched me. "You are so good at this."I kept going and
Tobias's povExactly one week had passed since the massive explosion in the corridor, and I was finally back up on my feet. My body was still a little bit sore but my accelerated wolf healing had completely done its job.The deep gash in my side was mostly closed up now, leaving nothing but a faint pink line that twinged a little when I took a deep breath.I stood near the tall entryway of the grand hall, adjusting my tie and watching the heavy traffic of people moving into the room.The entire space looked completely different today compared to the bloody nightmare from last week. The maintenance crews had worked around the clock to clear away every single piece of broken stone, shattered glass, and burnt wood from the rubble.The high walls were freshly scrubbed, and a brand new polished wooden table sat right at the center of the stage, looking completely clean.The pack elders and warriors were assembled inside the room once again, filing into the rows of heavy chairs with quiet,
FinnIsla hesitated, her eyes searching mine for a reassurance I wasn’t sure I could give. “What if that wasn't enough? What if he brought in outside Seers? What if he demanded she be examined by neutral parties?”“It wasn't,” I said sharply, cutting her off before the doubt could take root.A heav
Finn’s POVThe shadows in my study seemed to stretch and crawl, growing impossibly long as the fire in the hearth died down to a dull, angry orange. I didn't sit. I couldn't allow myself to sit. I paced the entire length of the floor, my boots rhythmic against the dark wood—back and forth, back and
Mira’s POV I woke up to the sound of low, unfamiliar, and professional voices vibrating through the heavy door. It wasn't the usual light banter or bored silence of the guards who had grown used to my silent presence. These new voices were hard, professional, and entirely new to me. I could hear
Mira’s POVThe door didn't just open; it practically flew off the hinges. I didn't even have to look up to know the healer had arrived, mostly because the sound of her heavy breathing and the frantic clatter of her medical bag preceded her by a mile.She looked like she’d run a marathon just to get







