LOGINSerena’s eyes shimmered with tears.“I… I noticed that after the wounds, I couldn’t connect with my wolf. The poison was strong, Your Highness. I… I’ll stay back. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time,” she lied smoothly. Kaelen narrowed his eyes, sensing that there was truth in her claim. Responsibility, he decided, should fall on his shoulders.“Prepare a carriage for her,” he ordered.Shortly, a specially-prepared carriage arrived.Naya, still reeling from her first wolf shift and the overwhelming sensations, flanked Serena’s carriage. She decided that once they reached their destination, she would speak with her mother…she needed answers.Soon, the cold greeted them. The name Frostmoon lived up to itself…snow-covered grounds stretched endlessly, and glaciers of ice glimmered under the pale sun. Another reason Kaelen had insisted they travel in wolf form: their thick furs would shield them from the biting cold.A loud howl tore through the air as the gates swung open.The Alpha lea
Kaelen stood by the window, his hair moving softly in the cool morning breeze. He turned when the door opened and shut with a sharp bang. To his own surprise, he didn’t feel anger at her sudden entrance. “Your Highness,” she bowed, then slowly lifted her head. “I was told you requested my presence.” Serena’s eyes lingered on him for a heartbeat, unable to help herself. He looked as lethal as ever. Kaelen studied her quietly before speaking. “Why did you jump in and risk your life for me?” he asked, genuine curiosity threading his voice. Because I love you, she answered silently, which he didn't hear. “It was instinct,” Serena said aloud. “I saw the danger and didn’t think. There was no other choice.” Kaelen stared at her, studying her face as though another answer might reveal itself if he looked long enough. “What do you want in return?” he asked at last, his voice cool. “You could be made a consort.” Serena resisted the urge to roll her eyes outwardly. “I’m
Somaya looked at her, confused, wondering why she was being told to eat the fruit.“I said eat it,” Lirvana said through gritted teeth.Fear crawled up Somaya’s spine. What if it was poisoned? She shook her head slowly, refusing.Lirvana grabbed a knife.Somaya’s eyes widened as she stepped back, intending to reach the door.“Take another step,” Lirvana warned coldly, “and I will cut you open, and nothing will happen.”Somaya froze, breaking into a cold sweat, her body trembling with fear.Lirvana cut a chunk of the fruit and yanked her closer, forcing it into her mouth.“Chew and swallow it.”Somaya obeyed. The taste was sweet, but she felt no pleasure from it.Lirvana released her, though the knife remained pointed at her.“Now tell me,” she said sharply, “what is Janina’s motive in this castle? Is she truly helping me, or not?”Somaya knew instantly she was doomed. The fruit was a truth-binder. Once it settled, lies would be impossible.She tried to fight it, clenched her jaw, but
Kaelen stared at the body at his feet, blood pooling beneath her. The sight dragged him back to the day Elora died…only this time, it was a maid, and she had given her life to save his. Thayne had already taken off after the assassin with the guards, but Kaelen knew it meant nothing. Catching the culprit would not save Serena as she lay dying before him. Without hesitation, the Alpha bent down and gathered her into his arms. “Call the healers and the priestess,” he ordered. The celebration died instantly. The music fell silent, the laughter vanished, and the rain that had begun the night already ceased, as though the sky itself had withdrawn. From a distance, Janina watched, her lips tightening in quiet frustration. The plan had failed. A poison that potent took time, patience, and precision to prepare…and it had been wasted. Her gaze hardened as it fixed on Kaelen, resentment burning beneath her calm exterior. Beside her, Lirvana noticed the look. She had suspected Janina
Serena looked at him as though he were joking.“Arrest who?” she asked, her voice cutting through the room.A sharp intake of breath followed. Thayne stiffened, the guards exchanged looks…a maid questioning the King?Before she could react, Thayne seized her arm.Her heart slammed violently. Did Kaelen find out I was human?No, don’t be foolish. Don’t sell yourself out.Cry. Now.Tears flooded her eyes on command.“I haven’t committed any offense, Your Highness,” she said, her voice trembling as a tear slipped down her cheek.“You do not know the pack you belong to,” Kaelen said coldly. “And there is no such thing as rogues in Selvayra. Now answer me. Where did you come from? Which traitorous Alpha sent you here to kill me?”“Are you out of your goddamn mind? I came to save you, not kill you.”The words burned on her tongue, but she swallowed them back. As long as he could not prove she had done anything wrong, he could not keep her locked away forever. Still, fear crawled beneath her
Serena kept her head bowed like a proper maid while Somaya scanned through them, assigning each their work posts for the day in preparation for the celebration.Somaya had already selected two maids. Serena crossed her fingers beneath her sleeves, silently praying the third would be her, and to her luck…“You,” Somaya said pointing at her “The King’s chambers. Now.”Serena released a quiet breath of relief and walked confidently toward Kaelen’s chambers, careful not to show how fast her heart was pounding.The rest of the maids exchanged uneasy glances. None of them looked excited about working in the King’s chambers.******* (Kaelen’s chamber)The Alpha King stared blankly at Lirvana, who stood in his chamber questioning him with tears in her eyes. He couldn’t have cared less…even if she shed blood, it wouldn’t move him.“Why are you doing this?” she demanded. “I thought you would accept me by now. It’s fine if I am not crowned, but what about what I deserve? Why do you







