MasukRue’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
Haven’s POVBlue was finally better.Her small hand rested in mine as the doctor administered final scripts.I glanced at Aiden.He looked tired and distracted. But at least for once, he wasn't thinking about Rue. He was thinking of Blue. And as long as she was here, he wouldn’t leave.He couldn’t.“We should go,” I said softly.He nodded absent-mindedly.We stepped out of the hospital and out of the blue, hands grabbed me.“What...?!”I struggled immediately but it was useless.
Rue’s POVThe lecture hall was still buzzing with conversations when I slipped my books into my bag. Life at Golden League University was everything I had once dreamed of: the challenge, the high standard of education. It has only been a month and we were already preparing for an exam.As I steppe
Percy’s POVThe ink had barely dried on the partnership documents before the news broke: Alpha Marcus had fallen gravely ill.The timing was unfortunate. My company was still celebrating, everyone was excited about the promise of growth, of opportunity. Now everyone was unsure. Without Marcus’ acti
Aiden’s POVThe square had gone deathly silent after the assistant’s trembling finger pointed straight at Haven.“She told me to block Rue,” the man blurted, his voice cracking under the weight of everyone’s stares. “She said Alpha Marcus must never see her. I only followed orders!”The guards shif
Rue’s POVPercy is my second chance?The answer came in an instant when I questioned my wolf. Yes. He was wounded. His wolf was injured when the outbreak struck. That’s why you didn’t feel him before. But now you do.My hands shook under the table. I excused myself quickly, murmuring something abo







