ログインAstrid’s POV I needed air! The room felt too small after Mira left, the walls pressing in with the weight of what I now knew. So I did what I always did when my mind raced too fast, I went to check on training. The yard was busy with warriors running drills, the clang of practice weapons and shouted commands. Normal pack life continued like my world wasn’t falling apart one poisoned cup at a time. Davian and his people stood near a training tent, talking to some of our warriors. I recognized the setup as assessment. He was cataloging Riftclaw’s strength, its weaknesses filing everything away for later use. I kept my distance while supervising the younger fighters, corrected stances and offered quiet praise. I played the role I’d perfected over years but I felt his eyes on me. That awareness prickled across my skin, making my wolf stir with interest I still didn’t understand. I refused to look or acknowledge the pull that seemed stronger every time we were near each other. The w
Astrid’s POVI woke up feeling watched but not the creeping unease of danger. It’s something that made my wolf settle instead of bristle like a presence standing guard while I slept which was ridiculous. Maybe it’s just the thought that I’m dying soon is making me feel so.I was losing my mind along with everything else.Morning light filtered through the curtains. I stretched, feeling the familiar burn of the mark then froze. My hand flew to my neck.The heat was worse not agonizing yet but constant now. A low throb that hadn’t been there yesterday. Serra’s medicine was wearing off faster than it should. I quickly got the vial and took one drop for quick ease.I pushed any thought of death away and went through my morning routine mechanically. I showered, got dressed and stared at my reflection and tried to recognize the girl looking back.The black veins had spread further overnight. Thin dark lines creeping down from the mark toward my collarbone. I pulled my hair forward to cover
Davian’s POV“A complication she can’t handle right now.”Dave went quiet then in a quieter voice e said. “You’re afraid.”I didn’t answer.“You’re afraid of becoming your father. Of loving someone so completely that losing them breaks you.”“My father went feral.” The memory tasted like ash. “He nearly destroyed our entire pack before I killed him. I won’t—”“You won’t become him because you’re not him.” Dave’s voice gentled, which was rare for the brute. “And she’s not your mother. She’s stronger than you think.”“She tried to read my mind yesterday during the tour. Touched my hand and pushed with that new Alpha power of hers.” I told him.The memory made me huff something close to amusement even right now. She thinks with her wee new powers that she could just enter an Alpha King’s head? That was bold of her.“And you blocked her.”“Obviously.” I’d felt her mental probe like a gentle pressure against shields I’d spent decades perfecting. “She was upset about it.”“She’s curious abo
The footsteps passed probably just a servant from the sound of it doing late rounds. But we stayed frozen, neither of us moving.Davian’s breathing had changed and became deeper. His grip on my wrist tightened slightly.“We should go.” His voice came out rougher than normal.“Yes.”Again neither of us moved. I could feel his pulse against my wrist where his fingers pressed and feel my own heartbeat matching rhythm with his. The air between us felt charged like right before lightning struck.My wolf was howling now but that didn’t make sense. Davian pulled back suddenly and dropped my wrist like it burned.“You need to go back.” He was already gathering the documents, not looking at me. “Before someone notices you’re gone.”“Wait, what about—”“Tomorrow. We’ll talk more tomorrow.” His voice had gone cold again and more distant than I’ve ever heard. “Being alone like this is a mistake.”A mistake. The word landed wrong and it made something in my chest twist painfully.“I don’t understa
I waited until the packhouse went quiet and even Anthony’s breathing evened out in his room down the hall and the patrol rotations shifted to the far borders. I’m sure he is annoyed that Mira can’t sleep with him anymore.I slipped out staring at the door to his room hearing some of his random dream thoughts but none was important for me to listen to.The garden maze was dark with its shadows thick between the walls. Cold air bit at my skin but I barely felt it since the bond has made my entire body warm. My heart was pounding too hard almost drowning out everything else.King Davian was waiting in the center clearing exactly where he said he’d be. Moonlight caught on his dark hair and made his eyes look almost black.“You came.” It was not a question.Didn’t he expect me to come? I want to bring an end to Anthony Riftclaw more than he does and I am working on ticking time.“You said we needed to talk.”“We do.” He pulled out a folder from inside his jacket. “How much do you know abou
No knock.No warning.Just the quiet click of the handle and the door pushing inward.Cold air slipped into the room first.Then him.Davian stepped inside like he belonged there.I looked at him. He stared right back with his expression unreadable and cold.“Why?” The word came out sharper than I intended. I turned then, meeting his gaze. “Why would the Alpha King care if some random Luna dies?”He didn’t answer immediately.“You’re not random.”Serra exhaled quietly, like she’d been holding her breath. “You’re the key to bringing Anthony down. And because—”“Serra.”She stopped.Immediately.“That’s enough.”His tone wasn’t raised.But it ended the conversation.Completely.I looked back at him, something in my chest tightening despite myself.She left before I could ask what that meant. Davian moved then but not toward me. He just shifted his weight, hands clasped behind his back keeping distance. Huh?“You should have told me it was this bad.” he said quietly.“Why? So you could w







