LOGIN∆ADRIC’S POV∆A full day had passed, and Julian still hadn't opened his eyes.I remained beside the bed throughout the day, my chest tight with endless worry. His fever had spiked three separate times during the night, making his skin burn with fever. I refused to let any servant touch him. I wrung out the wet cloths myself, gently bathing his forehead and neck to bring the temperature down, watching every slow, shallow breath he took.Bess walked into the bedchamber carrying a fresh tray of water and bandages. She stopped beside my chair, her eyes dropping to my left arm. The wound from Jax's teeth was still raw, the dried blood crusting over my torn skin."Your Majesty, please let me tend to your arm," Bess urged softly, her voice full of motherly concern. "Lord Julian would be so upset if he woke up right now and saw you sitting here injured because of him."I looked down at Julian's pale, quiet face, then at my own arm. She was right. If he opened his eyes and saw me bleeding, he
∆ADRIC’S POV∆"Adric... I didn't... lie to you."The faint, broken whisper barely reached my ears before Julian's strength gave out completely. His eyes closed, and his limp body collapsed forward onto the floor, blood pooling around his side.Something inside me shattered at the sight."Julian!" I roared, my voice shaking the entire banquet hall.I lunged forward, but the air was still filled with snarls and the terrible sound of tearing flesh. Jax was out of his mind with wild rage, standing over Riven. With Julian unconscious, Riven had lost his strength, pinned to the ground and bleeding from multiple bite marks. Jax opened his jaws wide, aiming straight for Riven's throat to land a kill bite."Jax, no!"I threw myself between them without thinking twice, shoving my left arm directly into Jax's snapping jaws. Sharp teeth sank deep into my forearm. Pain shot straight up to my shoulder, but I didn't care. I grabbed my wolf by his scruff, forcing the mate bond open with sheer willpow
∆JULIAN’S POV∆Seeing the envoy point a blade directly at my chest, Adric's eyes flashed with absolute rage. In a second, he drew his silver sword, stepping right in front of me with a low, menacing growl. The royal guards and the envoy's men instantly drew their weapons, the room filling with the sharp click of blades ready to fight."My lord! Please, stop!" Theo cried out, stumbling forward with tears in his good eye as he grabbed the envoy's sleeve. "Do not do this! Please, do not break the peace between our kingdoms because of me!"Hearing Theo's desperate plea, the envoy slowly lowered his sword and stepped back, placing himself respectfully right in front of Theo to shield him."Forgive me, Your Highness," the envoy said softly, bowing his head toward Theo. He turned his gaze back to the quiet hall, his voice echoing clearly. "Years ago, our royal family suffered a terrible tragedy. Our Queen lost her life, and her newborn prince vanished in the chaos. For years, our King search
∆JULIAN’S POV∆Even before the banquet began, my thoughts kept returning to what the old witch had told me down in the dungeon a few days ago.She hadn't outright dropped a full answer, but the look in her foggy eyes had stayed with me. I could sense that whatever she saw in my face wasn't good news. It felt heavy, like a shadow waiting just around the corner."Stop worrying so much, little wolf," Adric said softly, stepping behind me in our bedchamber as he adjusted the collar of the heavy banquet coat he had picked out for me.He leaned his forehead against mine, his golden eyes steady and warm. "No matter what comes out of the dark, I am right here. I am never going to abandon you or leave you to face anything alone."I looked down at the dark, stiff tunic he had chosen for me, and a small giggle escaped my lips. I couldn't help teasing him. "Your taste in clothes is still as old-fashioned as ever, Your Majesty."Down on the floor mat, Adric's wolf, Jax, let out a few soft whines a
∆THEO’S POV∆I learned from the palace servants earlier that Alpha King Adric had granted the visiting envoy from the Moon Crown Kingdom full, unrestricted access to the royal hot springs. That was all the hint I needed. I snuck down to the bath grounds, determined to try my luck and see if I could cross paths with him.I had pictured some fat, middle-aged noble with a sour expression. But when I carefully stepped through the steam, the man leaning back against the warm rocks in the water was surprisingly young and remarkably handsome. His wet hair fell back over his shoulders, and his sharp eyes were closed as he rested.I stripped off my clothes, keeping only a white bath towel wrapped securely around my waist. I made sure my steps were loud enough to ripple the water, then froze in fake panic, dropping straight to my knees on the smooth tiles."I-I am so sorry!" I gasped, keeping my head bowed low, my heart beating faster as I put on my best frightened act. "I didn't know anyone wa
∆JULIAN’S POV∆After leaving the snow-covered courtyard, I followed Adric down into the quiet depths of the royal prison.He didn't want me coming down to the dark cells at first, worried about the chill and the strain on my healing leg, but I insisted on staying right by his side. I needed to see the truth for myself. Adric kept his arm wrapped firmly around my waist as we walked down the stairs, his broad body blocking out the cold drafts blowing through the narrow hallway.When we reached the cell block, Captain Vane was already waiting outside the iron bars, standing beside the old witch from Blackthorn Forest.Inside the cell, Lila sat on a low bench with her wrists tied in front of her. She had just swallowed the thick, milky liquid the witch had prepared. Within seconds, the sharp, arrogant glare in her eyes faded away, her shoulders slumping as her face went completely blank."I'm pregnant, and Blake is the father of my pup."The truth potion had taken full effect. Lila's eyes







