로그인∆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
∆JULIAN’S POV∆While Adric was out in the main hall dealing with state business alongside his Betas, I stayed back in the small study behind the throne room. A heavy stack of financial ledgers from the new quarter was piled high on the desk, waiting to be sorted.Page after page was filled with endless columns of numbers, taxes, and trade expenses. For most people, staring at all those figures would cause an instant headache, but I actually loved it. It felt quiet and peaceful to sit there, dipping my quill into dark ink and working out quick calculations across scrap paper.Suddenly, a loud, furious roar shattered the quiet air.The voice was so sharp and full of rage that my quill stopped mid-line. I set it down on the desk and pushed myself up to go check what was going on in the main hall.The moment I walked through the doorway, the atmosphere in the hall hit me like a wall of ice. It was suffocatingly tense. Every single Beta was down on their knees, their heads bowed low toward
∆JULIAN’S POV∆The streets of the royal capital were unlike anything I had ever seen before.As our carriage rolled slowly through the main archway, I leaned close to the glass window, my eyes wide as I took in the crowded market square. People were moving everywhere, laughing, shouting, and trading goods under bright banners. The energy was loud, busy, and full of life, a sharp difference from the gloomy, silent cold of the Frost Pack.A street vendor selling baked bread caught my attention. A poor-looking man in worn clothes handed over a small pile of copper coins for three loaves, but the vendor quickly swept the money into his pocket and turned away without handing over the full change.I frowned, counting the numbers rapidly in my head."Adric," I said, pointing out the window. "Look at that merchant over there. He just cheated that customer out of four coppers."Adric leaned over my shoulder, his sharp eyes following where my finger pointed. "Are you sure?""Yes," I answered wi







