Anna sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the dim light creeping through the cracks in the window. Sleep had been impossible. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Georgia, scared, exhausted, running. The weight of her fatherโs ultimatum pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.She had to find Georgia. But how?Anna closed her eyes, thinking through every possible hiding place. Georgia had planned this escape carefully, which meant she wouldnโt go somewhere obvious. She was smart and resourceful. Anna's mind raced, tracing their past conversations, recalling the places Georgia had mentioned in passing. Somewhere out of Jaredโs reach. Somewhere safe for the children.Then it hit her. The old barn. A place barely standing, forgotten by most, yet deeply etched in their past. For five years, it had been their sanctuary, shielding them from the worldโs cruelties. Hidden in the thick woods beyond the townโs edge, it was far enough to avoid suspicion yet close enough for
Anna exhaled in relief. โWe donโt have much time. But I swear I wonโt let him take you back.โGeorgia stared at her, searching for any sign of a trap. But before she could respond, a sound shattered the fragile momentโheavy footsteps crunching against the frozen earth.Warriors.Georgiaโs pulse pounded as figures emerged from the darkness, their presence suffocating the barnโs already tight space. Calebโs men.Anna spun around, her face paling. โNo! I didnโt lead them here!โCalebโs expression was unreadable, but his voice was cold. โSheโs coming with us.โGeorgiaโs grip tightened around the knife. No. She would not* go back.She moved to shield the triplets, ready to fight, to claw and bite if she had to. But Anna grabbed her wrist, eyes desperate. โStop.โGeorgia wrenched her arm away. โYou lied to me.โโI swear, I didnโt.โ Anna turned to Caleb, her voice shaking but firm. โStand down.โCaleb hesitated.Anna squared her shoulders. โSheโs under my protection. If you attack, Iโll make
"Wellโฆ Iโll go."Georgiaโs voice trembled, but there was no taking it back now. Anna exhaled sharply, her shoulders sagging with a mix of relief and something heavier, something like fear. "Thank the moon," she muttered, but the flicker of anxiety in her eyes didnโt go unnoticed. Georgiaโs heart pounded. The room felt too small, too suffocating. Annaโs mother stood by the door, her gaze unreadable, while the triplets played on the floor, their laughter a cruel contrast to the weight pressing on her chest. "You want this, donโt you?" Georgiaโs voice was quieter now, almost accusing. Anna bit her lip, struggling with her emotions. "I have to want it." She shook her head. "If you donโt go, my father loses everything. His position, his respect, everything. The Alpha made it clear. Either you come willingly, or my family pays the price." The words cut deep. Georgia felt like she was being shoved toward the edge of a cliff. "And what about me?" she whispered. "What happens to me
"So, what is it you want me to know before we get there?" Georgiaโs voice was sharp, cutting through the heavy silence in the car.Anna exhaled slowly, gripping the edge of her dress. "Justโฆ be the good girl you always are, okay? Everything will fall into place."Georgia turned to her, searching her face. "Thatโs it? Thatโs all you have to say?"Anna hesitated, then reached for Georgiaโs hand, squeezing it tightly. "I love you. And I swear Iโm not doing this to hurt you. The Alpha threatened my family, I had no choice. But I promise you, I will take care of your children. Always."The rest of the journey was silent, save for the occasional creak of the carriage wheels. When the towering walls of the palace came into view, Georgia felt a cold dread coil around her spine. The place was massive, almost suffocating in its grandeur. Torches flickered in the night, casting eerie shadows against the stone walls.As soon as the carriage halted, the door swung open, and a guard motioned for Ge
Georgia swept the hall, her stomach growling loudly, the ache a constant reminder of the dinner she wasnโt allowed to attend. She glanced up just in time to see Serafina strolling past, heading toward the dining room.โDonโt look so miserable, Georgia,โ Serafina said with a mocking smile. โItโs not my fault you werenโt invited.โGeorgia gritted her teeth as the hunger in her stomach intensified. โI wasnโt invited because you made sure of it.โSerafina paused, turned, and laughed coldly. โWell, someone has to clean up after us. Itโs not like you have anything better to do.โGeorgia tightened her grip on the broom, her voice barely audible. โYouโve taken everything from me, the food, the attention, the life I shouldโve had.โSerafinaโs eyes gleamed with amusement. โYouโre just bitter because Iโve always had what youโve wanted. Get used to it.โWith a final glance, Serafina walked away, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Georgia stood frozen, the emptiness in her stomac
The next day, Serafina, with a knowing smirk, deliberately assigns Georgia the impossible task of carrying a massive crate, fully aware she can't lift it alone. As Georgia struggled, her arms trembling under the weight, a voice slid in from behind, smooth yet firm.The next day, Serafina, with a knowing smirk, deliberately assigns Georgia the impossible task of carrying a massive crate, fully aware she can't lift it alone. As Georgia struggled, her arms trembling under the weight, a voice slid in from behind, smooth yet firm. โYou donโt have to do this alone, Georgia.โ Jaredโs voice was gentle but unwavering as he reached for the crate she was barely holding up. Her muscles screamed in protest, but she tightened her grip, refusing to let herself appear weak. โI can manage,โ she muttered, shifting her stance despite knowing she was barely standing. Jared frowned, his jaw tightening. โYouโre about to collapse. Just let meโ Before he could take the crate from her hands, a s
The hallway was quiet now, too quiet. Georgia stood frozen, staring at the shadow that had just slipped away with that cruel laugh."You scared me..." she whispered to one of the guards standing there, her voice breaking slightly.Why had he pretended? Why had he scared her like that?She wanted to crumble to the floor, but pride, stubborn, burning pride, held her upright. She had no one to lean on. Not really. Jared had tried. But even with him, she didnโt want to be seen as weak.Not again.Not by anyone.Later that evening, the staff moved around her like she was invisible. When she reached for her portion at the kitchen door, the cook, usually indifferent, stepped back and folded his arms.โYouโve already eaten,โ he said flatly.โI havenโt,โ Georgia replied, confused.โCheck with Lady Serafina,โ he said with a shrug, turning away.Something cold and cruel settled in Georgiaโs stomach.She didnโt need to ask.She knew.Day after day, it continued.No food.Whispers behind her back.
The morning sun had barely warmed the palace walls when the trap was sprung.Georgia was heading toward the garden shed with a basket of linens when a pair of uniformed guards stepped in front of her, blocking her path.โMiss Georgia,โ one said coldly, โyouโre needed in the council hall. Now.โHer stomach tightened.โWhy?โ she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.โYouโll find out soon enough.โTheir faces were stone. No emotion, no answers. Just duty.She followed them, heart thudding against her ribs like a warning drum. Every step felt heavier than the last. The corridors she once walked freely now felt like they were closing in on her.When they entered the council hall, a small crowd had already gathered.Servants. Guards. Advisors.And at the far end of the room, standing tall with his back to her, was Alpha Jared.Her eyes flicked to the right, Serafina.Smiling.Smiling like the devil himself had whispered a secret in her ear.The air was tight with tension."Step forward, G
All that happened last night felt like a dreamโฆ or maybe a nightmare. Jared jolted awake, his heart pounding as he noticed the empty space beside him. Georgia wasnโt there. His eyes darted around the room, the reality of the morning crashing in. She was gone.โNo,โ Jared muttered under his breath, his mind racing. How could she leave after everything that had happened? After all the promises, after all the pain heโd fought through to get here, to get them back together? The silence felt suffocating.His body froze, a sudden noise breaking through the stillness. He could hear something, footsteps, soft whispers. And then a childโs laugh.Jaredโs heart skipped a beat as he recognized the voices. Georgia. The kids.Without thinking, he sprang from the bed, his muscles still stiff from the battle the night before. He quickly moved toward the source of the sounds, his bare feet making almost no noise on the cold wooden floor.โWhy?โ Georgiaโs voice was low, almost trembling with disbelief,
Thought for 5 secondsโMumโฆ who are you talking to?โ Keiraโs small voice trembled in the heavy silence as she stood in the doorway, her blue eyes wide with curiosity and fear.Georgiaโs breath caught. She swung around, her wolfโsense snapping back into place. Before her, in the dim glow of the cabin, stood not only Jared but two more children: Kelsey, clutching a ragged stuffed fox to her chest, and Kelvin, arms folded, eyes fierce with hurt.โKeira,โ Georgia whispered as if the name itself were fragile. She turned fully, heart pounding. โThis isโฆโ Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard. Then she squared her shoulders. โKids, this is Jared.โKelseyโs grip on her fox loosened as she peered at Jared. โDaddy?โ she asked, hope and confusion warring in her tone.Kelvinโs scowl deepened. โYou made Mum cry,โ he accused, voice low but shaking with anger.Jaredโs chest tightened. He knelt slowly, placing his coat gently on a nearby chair before rising again. โKelvin,โ he said, voice soft. โ
Jared had made his decision, he would go see them, no matter the storm waiting for him. His wolf paced inside him, restless, agitated. It had been too long. The bond he once tried to bury now clawed at his chest, demanding resolution.He summoned Caleb with a low growl in his tone. โYouโre in charge of the pack until I return. No one disturbs me unless itโs war.โCaleb gave a firm nod, sensing the shift in Jaredโs aura, the Alpha was on edge.By the time Jared reached Georgiaโs territory, the moon had begun to rise, casting silver light over the forest path. Her scent hit him first, wildflowers mixed with fury. It tightened something deep in his core.He stepped out of the vehicle and barely took two steps before the door to her cabin burst open. Georgia stood there, her posture rigid, eyes glowing faintly gold. Her wolf was close to the surface.What are you doing? Here? I never asked you to come โYou think youโre the only one whoโs been hurt?โ she spat, voice low and trembling with
Jared woke up before dawn, the faint light of morning creeping through the cracks in the windows. He couldnโt shake the feeling of her touch on his shoulder the night before, the way she had looked at him, her voice both soft and firm, a promise wrapped in uncertainty. Itโs not forgiveness, Jared. Not yet. But youโre here. Youโre not gone anymore.He had never felt a glimmer of hope so fragile yet so powerful.When he left Georgia's home, the weight of his past still hung heavy around his neck, but it was lighter than before. He wasnโt sure if it was her quiet acceptance of his presence or the faintest hint of something more in her eyes, but it was enough. It was a thread he could grasp onto.The sun hadn't yet fully risen, and Georgiaโs village was still asleep when he saddled his horse. Her words echoed in his mind: โDonโt get too comfortable. I havenโt forgiven you.โBut that was okay. He hadnโt expected forgiveness. He never had. Not immediately, at least. All he wanted was the c
"Sheโd heard it all, his broken vow whispered into the shadows, his desperate promise to bring Georgia back. Her heart leaped at the mention of her favorite lady, but doubt clawed at her chest. Could words fix what betrayal shattered? Could a king truly undo the past? Swallowing her nerves, she stepped into the flickering torchlight, ready to face him.""Do you think words will be enough? That sheโll just forgive you because you finally grew a spine and remembered you have a family?"The voice came from behind him. Sharp. Unexpectedly.Jared turned, his body tense, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his dagger. But it wasnโt an enemy.It was Mara, one of the palace maidens. Young, barely past twenty, but known for her sharp tongue and loyalty to Georgia. Her brown eyes held a storm he hadnโt expected."You were listening," he said quietly, not as a question, but a statement."The whole palace heard your voice, my Lord," she said. "Maybe you were trying to make sure we did."H
โLetโs take a break? No, Serafina, I'm done.โJared's voice was cold, each word slicing through the thick silence like a blade. โYouโre exhaustedโฆ pathetic.โSerafina froze.โWhat?!โ Her voice cracked like lightning splitting the sky.She stormed toward him, fury burning in her eyes. โAre you being serious right now, Jared?โโYouโre not listening to me, Serafina! You never listen!โ he snapped, fists clenched at his sides.Her lips curled. โOh, Iโm listening now. Iโm listening to the man who once swore I was his destiny suddenly acting like Iโm the burden. How convenient.โโI heard you,โ Jared said, voice low and hard. โBut this... whatever this has become between us, itโs toxic. Itโs done. It shouldโve ended a long time ago.โThe silence that followed wasnโt calm.It was the kind of silence that came before something exploded.Serafina took a slow step back, her chest rising and falling. โYou think you can walk away from me? After everything? After me?โโYes,โ he said simply, stepping
"Sheโs unfit for her role, you know," the maid whispered, her voice sharp as broken glass. As they gossip about serafina.Serafina froze behind the corner, her fists tightening until her nails carved red moons into her palms."Mad," another murmured. "Dangerous."Their words swirled through the stone halls like smoke, curling around her throat, choking her.She should step forward.She should slap the girl so hard her descendants would feel it.Her body trembled with the urge, raw, hot, violent, but she didnโt move.Not because she couldnโt.Because they werenโt worth it.Serafina turned on her heel, her boots clicking sharply on the marble. She didnโt look back, didnโt let them see the wildfire rising in her chest. She marched past them like they were less than dirt.Her face, cold as winter.But inside?Inside, she was crumbling, screaming, clawing at the walls of her own ribs.They dared.They dared.She shoved through the palace doors and into the open courtyard, the evening sky b
"Do it clean," Serafina said coldly, her eyes never leaving the horizon. "Yes, my Lady," Kae murmured, already melting into the shadows like smoke.She stood there for a long moment, fists still trembling, feeling the sting of broken skin and broken trust. The air was thick, hot, like it could swallow her whole.She turned, cloak swirling, and stalked back through the palace gates. The guards didnโt dare meet her gaze.Good. Fear was easier to command than loyalty.Each step she took echoed loudly, bouncing off the cold marble walls. She didn't slow down. She didnโt look back. Her blood pounded in her ears, louder than the roaring whispers of servants scrambling to get out of her way.She didnโt care.She didnโt care about their looks, their mutterings, their prayers.She had a storm inside her chest, and it needed somewhere to go.By the time she reached her quarters, Serafina was breathing hard, her chest heaving. She threw the heavy doors open and let them slam behind her.Sile
"Where is he?" Serafinaโs voice sliced through the humid morning air like a blade. No one answered. The soldiers in the training yard froze mid-swing, the clang of steel against steel dying in the tension. A few exchanged glances, daring each other to speak. She stormed forward, barefoot still, blood dried around her knuckles, her once-glorious nightgown hidden now under a dark cloak she had grabbed from her closet. Her hair was wild, her eyes two burning embers that promised nothing but ruin. "I saidโ" she roared, fists clenched at her sides, "WHERE IS HE?!"A young squire, no older than fifteen, pointed a trembling finger toward the center of the field.Caleb.He stood with a training sword in hand, mid-spar with another knight. His back was to her, unaware of the storm about to crash into him.Serafina didn't walk to him. She charged."CALEB!" she screamed, her voice cracking the air like thunder. The boy turned, confused, then his eyes widened in horror.It was too lat