Kate's POVI watched as Ruth walked away with that shady-looking guy she came with. My jaw tightened. I hated everything about her. The way she walked like the world owed her something, the way her eyes judged everyone like we were beneath her.If Kevin had tried anything stupid, I was ready to blow his head off, and hers without thinking. I'd do it for Ravenna since she didn't have the heart for it.Kira sat back in her chair beside me, sighing softly. “You didn’t have to pour wine on him, Kate.”I raised a brow, not even hiding my irritation. “Yes, I did. He deserved it and even more. He was lucky he didn't get a silver bullet in his skull."“She’ll know we’re onto her now,” Kira said, glancing at Keto like she was hoping he’d back her up.“Good,” I said flatly. “Let her know we know. Let her lose sleep for once.”Kira shook her head, clearly not seeing it the way I did. “That’s how you push someone into doing something reckless. She’ll be cornered now. And what happens when a snak
Ruth's POVBy the time we pulled up at Orion’s mansion, I was boiling inside. The security guards opened the gate, and we drove in.I didn’t even wait for Kevin to park properly. I swung the door open and marched into the house. “Keto!” I yelled as soon as I got inside. “Where’s Keto?”One of the maids looked startled. “He’s not in, ma’am.""Where is he?" I asked, my tone urgent."At the pool, ma'am," she responded quickly.I spun around, and Kevin was already catching up to me.“Come on,” I snapped, "he is at the pool," and we stormed toward the back of the mansion.As we rounded the corner, I saw Keto, but he wasn't alone.Keto was shirtless, lounging by the pool with a glass in his hand.While Kira was beside him, smiling like everything was perfect.And then Kate.That one. The bitch who once dared to challenge me in front of Ravenna. Now sitting there like a queen, sipping wine.I seemed to have forgotten about how she disrespected me. I didn't know how to deal with her yet, I wa
Ruth's POVI stood there like a statue, watching the car disappear down the long, dusty road.Orion didn’t even look back or stop.He left me on the side of the road like I was nothing. And drove off with Ravenna like I was an obstacle to their love life.I clenched my fists in anger, nails digging into my palm. The humiliation burned hot in my chest. He dared to do that in front of her? My own stepdaughter?I have never been humiliated like this before, the man that tried it didn't live beyond 7 days. And that was many years ago, when I killed Ravenna's father for humiliating me because of Ravenna.And now, Orion had just entered my death list.Although I had always wanted to kill Orion.But he wasn't a top priority 'wanted dead' in my head. Never! With this kind of rage that burned in my throat after he told me to leave his car.I always wanted to kill Ravenna, too; she had always been in the way. But now?Now they both had to die.Same level of determination. Same level of hate.I
Keto's POVRavenna had retreated from me. And this time, it was as if she meant it.I couldn't stop replaying the way she looked at me, distant, confused, torn. I couldn't stop wondering what had happened. When did we start falling apart?Maybe I should have taken her up on that offer to run away when I had the chance.But no. I didn't. I chose duty. I chose Orion. And now, I was here watching the only person I ever truly gave a damn about slip right through my fingers.She said I'd changed. That I wasn't the same Keto she fell in love with.Maybe she was right. But how could she imagine I would be the same after all this? After pretending for so long like I did not want her more than air?Kate's voice drew me back to reality."So, when does training start?" she asked, a bit too cheerful for my current mood."Next week," I muttered.She grinned. "Cool. Just don't bore me.".Kira guffawed beside me. "Prepare to be bored to death."I said nothing. The gates to Orion's mansion opened, an
Lyra's POVI pulled my hand back, stumbling a step away. “Wait, are you insane? Witches? You’re taking me across enemy territory like I’m just, what, some piece of luggage?”"That's why I asked you to drink that," he said, "So they won't be able to tell if we're werewolves.""Why?" I demanded. "Why me? Why Kate? Why Keto? Why not go alone?""Because people are beginning to look up to you the way they look up to me, and you have to grasp that in order to be a leader, you have to learn how to put your life on the line."I laughed in disbelief, "Alpha 101?" I asked.I couldn't help but think he was taking me to a place of no return simply to learn how to be an alpha. No, there has to be more to it."It's not negotiable, Ravenna," he said with his stern tone, "We're already here."I planted my feet firmly on the ground, crossing my arms. "I'm not crossing that river just to get killed."He didn't flinch.Orion just nodded once, like I’d said something trivial, something he’d already consi
Lyra's POV He slowly turned, first to Ruth, then to me. His voice was low and smooth."I'm going to act like I didn't hear any of that which was said," he said. "And I'll warn both of you not to continue arguing."He didn't wait to see. He slouched back in the keys for the second time, obviously done with the conversation.But of course, Ruth wasn't."Orion," she said, the strain in her voice overflowing into his, "listen to me. You can't believe one word that girl has to say."His hand stopped on the key.He didn't look at her right away. He took a breath, like someone trying to hold back a scream.Then he faced her, eyes blazing red.Get out of my car," he ordered.Silence.Glistening, icy silence.I blinked. I didn't believe I'd heard. Ruth didn't appear certain that she'd heard either. She stood frozen, mouth agape, looking shocked, as if the words hadn't registered.Orion's expression didn't change. His eyes blazed, burning with cold anger."I won't repeat myself," he said to he