LOGINThe air in the morning was still crisp when Jay departed for the palace of the Alpha King. The dawn had barely broken, its light gently filtering over the rooftops. His customary calm mask was still in place, but I could detect the tension in his jaw, the pause in his gait. He hadn't spoken much, only a nod and a warning to the guards to be on their guard while he was away.But I knew.I knew he was anxious.He was about to meet the most powerful man in our kingdom, and while Jay never showed vulnerability, this was different. The Alpha King did not give his favor easily.When Jay came back later that day, everything had changed.I was with Mary in the kitchen, assisting her to sift through the herbs that would be used in tonight's tea, when Beta Ken suddenly poked his head into the doorway, his eyes wide with excitement."Miss Melody!" she exclaimed. "Alpha Jay's returned, and he requires your presence in the library immediately."I didn't hesitate. My heart racing, I placed the herb
"You're in a good mood," Mary said, a hint of surprise in her voice as she set a cup of hot tea on the bedside table.I smiled weakly and nodded. "I'm happy because I sensed my wolf a little while ago."It wasn't much, just the slightest stir in my chest, but it was her. My wolf. The connection that we shared had felt severed for so long, smothered under pain and betrayal. But now, something within me had changed. The pain was still present, but I could breathe again. For the first time in some time, I felt. free."I hope she'll return fully," I spoke softly.Mary smiled back at me, obviously attempting not to inquire further. She was aware that when it came to Jay, my replies would never be straightforward. Nevertheless, I could sense she was interested. Perhaps she’s curious why, of all mornings, I appeared calmer.What she didn't understand was that I had made up my mind.I no longer wished to compete with Jay.Whatever I had felt prior to this—love, attachment, desperation—it had started
Melody's POVI was in my bedroom, half-way done preparing the files for Alpha Don's coming meeting, when it struck. A searing agony—like nails scratching my chest from the inside. I let out a gasp, stumbling forward, holding on to the edge of the desk for support. My heart hammered furiously, like it had been pulled by something unseen. My knees almost gave way under me.No… no…" I breathed, laying a hand over my chest. "What is this?"I figured it was a panic attack, initially. Perhaps I was just too tired, too overwhelmed. Perhaps the stress of it all was finally catching up with me. But then the burn arrived. A creeping, searing wave that snuck along my ribs like fire—familiar, and yet terrifying. I had only experienced this type of pain once, previously.The day Jay took Samantha as his partner.The day he allowed her to remain.The day my heart began to shatter.But this—this was far worse.This was betrayal.Raw, intimate, undeniable.The connection between me and Jay had never
Jay's POVI had a dream.The dream. The one that had tormented me since I witnessed the scars on Melody's wrists. Not a dream that occurred once. A recurring one. It returned every night, pulling me into a heavy, constricting darkness that extended in every direction. Endless. Choking.And somewhere in the darkness, Melody wept."Jay, no! Please, no!"Her voice shook, raw with terror and anguish. I screamed, again and again, running toward the sound, outstretched arms reaching for her. But my arms always closed on nothing. My feet fell into an empty space that sucked me down. I couldn't hear her. I couldn't see her. Her screams cut through the black like shattered glass, wounding me, teasing me.Then they stopped. Always. And left only silence.And I would wake up.Drenched in sweat. My heart was pounding like a war drum in my chest.My wolf woke within me, as agitated as I was."This dream again," he growled, his tone low and tight. "I don't get it. Every time I hear her voice, it's
"Come in!" I invited, my tone even but exhausted.The door opened slowly, and Jay entered, his large frame taking up the entire room like a clumpy mist."How was your day?" he asked, shutting the door."It was just okay," I said dryly, not meeting his eye.He didn't answer immediately. He walked across the room instead, in a couple of soft steps. I bristled as his fingers moved over the skin of my face to remove a strand of hair."You are pretty, Mels," he whispered."Thanks," I said tightly, forcing a stiff smile. I picked up the book on my lap and held it aloft, just enough to imply that I was about to read, hoping he would get the idea and leave. I didn't want any company tonight—particularly not his.But he refused to move. Instead, he crawled slowly onto his knees in front of me, his gaze never wavering."."Melody," he breathed my name with an almost reverent prayer. "You are mine."I gritted my teeth. His possessive tone was unmistakable. The Alpha in him was raising its ugly he
"What? A Luna Queen?"I couldn't help it—I exploded into laughter.It wasn't a discreet chuckle or stifled giggle. No, it was full-throated, uncontrolled, and out of the blue. I leaned my head back and laughed until my sides hurt, until there were tears streaming down my face. Alpha Don's face across from me contorted—half confusion, half annoyance. That only made me laugh harder.His eyebrows furrowed, and he stared at me with an inscrutable expression. "Is it really a funny idea?" he drawled. "I didn't think of myself as a comedian." I dabbed at my eyes, still laughing. "Oh, Alpha Don, thanks." I let out a slow breath, still gasping. "It's been a long time since I laughed that hard."But when the laughter died away, the import of his words settled upon me like a solemn cloak.The Luna Queen's throne? Why would I desire to have such a thing?I gazed beyond him, my face sobering. That seat was a crown of thorns, not roses. I had worked in the background for so long, stepping cautious







