MasukPercy’s POVI had never driven that fast in my life.The city blurred past me into buildings, lights and people. None of it registered because my mind was already there. In that hotel room.My grip tightened on the steering wheel.“Damn it…”I had always known this day might come. And yet, I had still delayed it. I still told myself that it wasn’t the right time. I was so afraid of losing her that I kept this secret for this long.The car screeched to a stop. I didn’t wait or think. I got out and ran.The elevator felt too slow and the hallway too long. And when I finally reached the door, I didn’t knock, I pushed it open.Standing there was Rue, her posture defensive, and facing her was the boy. He looked calm and unbothered, like he had been waiting for this exact moment. For me.My chest tightened.“Stop.” I said louder than I intended.Rue turned immediately and her brows furrowed.“Percy?”But I didn’t look at her, my gaze was locked on him.“Don’t say anything.”But he didn’t l
Rue’s POVThat night, after everything had settled, after the noise of the city, after Haven’s public tantrum, after Percy’s declaration that still echoed in my chest, I found myself sitting alone by the window.I touched the pendant at my neck, the one that held my father’s ashes. My fingers lingered there.“Dad…”I whispered softly as a faint ache rose in my chest.“If you were here…”Would you approve?A part of me wanted his guidance and reassurance.My lips curved faintly. “He’s nothing like Aiden.”The comparison felt inevitable. He was everything Aiden had failed to be. And most importantly, he chose me every time without hesitation.I exhaled slowly.“If I marry him…”“This won’t be like before.”Because this time I wasn’t walking in blindly.A quiet knock buzzed me from my thoughts.I frowned slightly as I picked it up and unlocked the screen.It was an anonymous email and the subject line alone was enough to send a chill down my spine.“Alpha Cyrus’ secrets.”My fingers tigh
Rue’s POVI looked at him.This was the second time he was asking me about marriage. And this time, Percy wasn’t smiling, wasn’t even trying to charm me the way he sometimes did when he wanted to ease tension.He was completely serious.My fingers tightened slightly in his hand.“I…”The word caught in my throat.For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. Not because I didn’t feel anything, I knew I loved Percy. The memory of another marriage flashed through my mind. A promise once made to me and broken. And the aftermath of that mistake still lived somewhere deep inside me.I lowered my gaze.“If I say yes…” I continued. “It won’t be impulsive, or rushed.”“I know.”“And you know I want you.” I said.He nodded.“Let’s wait then.” I added.His brows furrowed. “For how long?”I shook my head. “Not like that.” A small breath escaped me. “When you come back from the border mission...I’ll marry you then.”For a moment, he didn’t react. It was as if he hadn’t heard me properly. Then his e
Aiden’s POVWeeks passed, days filled with stress and fatigue. At times, I didn’t know what to do, so I tended to close myself in my office. It was one afternoon when I decided what remedy I needed.I had been standing there for a long time that the guards at the gate began watching me with quiet suspicion.She was inside, behind those gates. And I had been waiting for hours on end, but I couldn’t leave. I was dead-set on seeing her.My fingers curled slowly at my sides unconsciously, as if trying to hold onto something.I didn’t know how long it had been when the gates finally opened. But the moment they did, everything in me stilled.Rue walked out calm and composed.She wasn’t alone. She was accompanied by a few guards and some members of her pack. And of course, Beta Nate, Percy’s second aide.He saw me first and his expression darkened immediately.“Aiden.” His voice carried plainly “Your presence is not welcome here.”I ignored him and turned to Rue.“Rue.”She stopped and look
Rue’s POVHaven struggled, her body pinned against the ground by Percy’s power, her fingers clawing uselessly at the earth beneath her.“Let me go!” Her voice cracked. Nothing like the controlled, calculating tone she used to wield like a weapon.Percy didn’t answer, he simply lifted his hand slightly and her body rose.A gasp tore from her throat as her feet left the ground. Her body dragged toward the river’s edge.“No...no, wait!”Her voice shattered and her composure completely gone.“I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything!”B
Rue’s POV“I didn’t!” She shook her head violently. “You can’t believe him! He’s lying to save himself!”“Aiden.” She turned to Aiden but I didn’t take my eyes off her.“Ask him.”Aiden stood frozen, his face pale. His expression was broken.“Tell me the truth,” he said hoarsely looking at the man.“I swear!” the man cried. “She planned it! She said it would hurt you...that it would make Rue suffer...”“Enough!” Haven screamed but the sound didn’t hold power anymore.“She&hell
Aiden’s POVThen the screen lit up and everyone was silent.At first, no one spoke. The footage was unmistakably real, unedited, captured from a low angle that shook slightly with every movement. I recognized Rue’s voice before I even saw her face.“Before you even spout whatever it is you want to
Rue’s POVThe very next week, I took Iris to the beach so that she could have some fun. As expected, Iris was having more than fun. After days of regular schooling and training, her brain was exhausted. She giggled as she splashed tiny feet in the shallow tide, her curls bouncing.We were only ther
Rue’s POVMy reflection looked calm. Inside, I was not.This banquet was not just a celebration, it was a declaration of succession, of everything that had been denied to me when I was nameless. I had walked through death and come back wearing scars no gown could hide. And yet tonight, the world w
Rue’s POVA few days passed until on a particular Monday morning as we were walking to campus, Vicky was in her usual bright mood as she looped her arm through mine. “You know, Rue, I still cant get over your speech. I hear some people already want to nominate you for the university magazine featu







