Julian's POV I can still feel the warmth of Kira’s lips on mine, even though I know I shouldn’t be thinking about her right now—not while I’m doing this. But the way she stood up to Damian today, full of confidence and fire, made me feel something I wasn’t prepared for—proud. Like a real boyfriend would. Because somewhere along the line last night after she kissed me, I started forgetting this was supposed to be temporary… My car slows to a stop near the border of Crimson Crown, the tires crunching over gravel outside a shady, rundown motel with flickering neon and zero charm. My wolf growls low in the back of my head, uneasy. Honestly, I don’t blame him. “This is the place?” I ask the guard beside me. “Yes, Alpha. She said room six upstairs.” Stairs. Of course. I glance out the window, at the rusted metal staircase clinging to the side of the building like it could give out at any second. Just my luck. I sigh and pop the door open before my guard helps me on my chair. The
Kira's POV. I don't know how long I've been down here. Hours? Days? Time doesn't move in the dark. It just... hangs. Stagnant. Like the stale air pressing down on me. The cell is cold. Not just the kind of cold that makes you shiver—but the kind that seeps into your bones, making you feel like you're disappearing from the inside out and convinces you the sun never existed. I curl tighter in the corner, my knees hugged to my chest, the silver collar around my neck burning like a brand. It cuts off my strength, and my wolf, me. Without her, I feel half-dead or less than that. Clink! The slot in the door scrapes open again, just enough to shove in a bowl of gray slop. No words. Not even a glance from whoever's out there. I don’t even bother moving right away because I remember not so long ago when I heard Luna Cassandra on the other side of the room giving orders that no one is to talk to me. I close my eyes and whisper into the dark, “Is she really doing all this becaus
Kira’s POV ‘Kira, now is your chance to scream for help,’ my wolf urges, her voice trembling with fear. But I can’t because my throat feels locked by something deeper than fear. Luna Cassandra notices the panic rising in my eyes. Without missing a beat, she lifts her hand in a subtle gesture toward the guard. ‘Don’t let him in.’ And the guard nods, holding the door in place. Then she turns back, mouthing to the rest of the room, ‘No one makes a sound.’ The servants also nod silently and then she stands abruptly, her silk dress swaying as she glides to the door where her guard immediately opens it and closes. “Darling,” she calls into the hallway, her voice as sweet as honey. “Let’s talk outside. I need some fresh air—being cooped up all day planning Damian's mating ceremony is absolutely draining.” “That sounds like a good idea,” Alpha Magnus replies, his voice drawing nearer. “Though I could’ve sworn I heard you speaking with someone just now.” “Oh, honey,” she says lightly, a
Kira’s POV Inside are the box are clothes—but not just any clothes. Soft pink silk. Lace. Barely-there lingerie. The kind I wore that night I crept into Julian’s lap, heart fluttering, cheeks flushed, and kissed him to make Damian jealous and angry. I stagger back from the box, breath caught in my throat. Who the hell wants me to wear this? And just on cue, the door creaks open and I spin, still clutching the towel around me. Damian walks in like he owns the air in the room, casual and unhurried, his black shirt rolled at the sleeves, jaw sharp enough to cut glass, and a smirk that makes my skin crawl. “Good morning, beautiful mate,” he says with a cruel tilt of his head, eyes flicking to the box. “You like pink lingerie, don't you? Go ahead. Put it on.” My blood turns to ice. “What…?” I whisper. He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he walks to the corner of the room, pulls out a sleek black tripod, and mounts a camera on it facing the bed. No. No no no. “Wh
Julian's POV Blinding, throat-tightening, soul-rattling pain is the first thing I register when I come to. My head feels like it’s been split open, and for a moment, I think maybe I’m dying because Miranda didn’t know what she was doing after all. My fingers twitch uselessly against the cold, slippery floor with my blood. I blink, vision blurry. Everything around me swims in crimson light and shadows. There is a scent of smoke, and… something ancient…. Foreign words laced with power, echo through the room in a language I can’t place.'Is this hell?' my wolf asks weakly.'I don't think so buddy,' I respond while turning my head—slowly, gritting through the pain—and see Miranda standing at the center of the blood-soaked runes she carved around me. Her eyes are glowing a sharp, unnatural blue, mouth moving rapidly as the incantations flow from her like a chant of the gods. “Vel’thora iminai, kel’mara thunee, Ash’var elenai, dus’temi lunee. Kora’vel in’shara, vel moran da’shee,
Julian's POV When I reach the motel, I shift back behind the building, skin prickling as the magic releases me. Clothes—ripped and gone—but I find the emergency bag the guards always have in the car and pull on a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie. I walk into the motel room like it’s the most natural thing in the world. My guards, Theo and Corwin are inside, talking low and tense. They look up—And freeze. Theo’s eyes widen like he’s seeing a ghost. Corwin drops the apple he’s holding. It rolls across the floor. “Holy shit…” Theo whispers. “He’s standing.” “No. He’s walking,” Corwin says, stepping forward like I might vanish if he blinks. “I am doing more than standing and walking thanks,” I say with a grin. Then I turn to Miranda, who’s seated cross-legged in the corner, sipping tea like she didn’t just bend the laws of nature for me. “I owe you more than I can put into words,” I say. “What’s your price?” Miranda doesn’t answer immediately. She stares into her cup as if she’
Julian's POV “Martha,” I snap her out of her stuttering daze, stepping closer. “Has Kira truly left the palace? Did anyone see her go?” She stammers, eyes darting between the door and me like she’s unsure if she should run or faint. “I… I haven’t seen her in two days, Your Highness. Truly. She didn’t say anything to me.” Two days. That’s when I left. My pulse spikes. My gut coils with dread. Something’s wrong. Kira would never leave without saying goodbye in person even if Damian rejected her while I was away. My gaze sharpens. “Did she look upset the last time you saw her? Nervous? Did she seem like she was running from something—or someone?” Martha frowns, thinking hard. “I-I’m sorry, prince. I really don’t know what you are talking about.” I clench my jaw. The paper in my hand crumples from the pressure. “Damian must know about Kira's sudden departure.” The name escapes me like a curse because I know he’s the only one who’d benefit from this. The only one sick en
Kira's POV The familiar cold stone beneath me seeps into my bones, but I barely feel it anymore. I’ve gone numb. My wrists still burn from where Damian gripped them earlier, dragging me into that lavish room like I was some prize he’d finally decided to claim. His hands, his breath, the way he looked at me—it made my skin crawl. But then… Luna Cassandra stormed in like an unexpected force of mercy. “She’s not worth it, Damian,” she snapped. “Don’t ruin everything over some pathetic omega—even if she’s your mate.” For the first time since I’d met her, I was grateful for her cruelty because she saved me from something I don’t think I could’ve survived. Now I’m back in the dungeon, the iron bars shutting behind me like a coffin lid. I sit hunched in the corner now dressed in a robe Luna Cassandra tossed me to cover up, knees to my chest, trying to focus on the sound of my breathing. Trying to believe Julian will come to my rescue once he is back in the palace. Suddenly, the d
Kira's POV. Julian actually came back for me and as his warm hands glide over my skin, helping me into the hoodie and jeans he brought, I can’t tear my eyes away from him—especially now, after he’s told me to shift and run the moment he gives the word. It’s a reckless plan… for a man so dangerously outnumbered. My heart’s a war drum in my chest. And like on cue, he squeezes my hand once more. 'Run!' he tells me and then all hell breaks loose. I rip out of the clothes he gave me, bones snapping, fur breaking through skin in a flash. My paws hit the stone floor and I’m gone, bolting through the corridor like my life depends on it. Because it does. Voices scream behind me. One howls louder than the rest: “Don’t let her escape! This time, kill her!” It’s him. The rogue leader. But I don’t stop. I push harder even though my lungs sear in pain and my legs burn. Trees blur around me as I break out of the cavern and into the open forest. I leap over fallen logs, skid down muddy ba
Julian's POV. There’s a long pause before I can hear the faint murmur of the other voice through Luna Cassandra's phone, but not the words. Her heels click against the marble floor in agitation. "Yes, Sophia was taken care of," she snaps, spitting the name like venom. "I saw to it myself." My blood runs cold. Could Sophia be Kira’s mother’s name? Another pause and then Cassandra’s breath hitches sharply. "What do you mean... she left behind a daughter? This changes everything." Her voice rises an octave, panic leaking through the polished facade she always wore so well. A beat of silence. Then, a dangerous calm settles into her voice. "I see. Thank you for telling me." Her steps slow, and I swear I can hear the smile in her voice when she speaks again. "Don’t worry. I’ll take care of the daughter... just like I took care of the mother before any secrets come to light." What secrets is she so afraid of revealing? I grip the doorknob so tightly that it creaks under m
Julian's POV. "Damian, excuse us. I need to speak with your brother alone," my father says after a long pause, voice leaving no room for argument. Damian’s smile tightens at the edges, but he nods politely. I can see the twitch in his jaw, though, and when he brushes past me toward the door, his voice slithers into my mind. ‘Remember, choose wisely, brother... you know what's at stake.’ My hands clench at my sides, blood roaring in my ears. I don’t react. Not yet. But now I know without a doubt — it is him. He set the trap so that I can give up the Alpha king title. And if Kira dies because of him... no title in this world will save him from me. The door shuts softly, and the tension in the room sharpens like a knife. My father's sharp gaze pins me. "Now, tell me, Julian," he says, walking back to his chair and sits, fingers steepled. "Why the sudden change of heart? Hours ago, you publicly announced you would reclaim what was rightfully yours in front of the high ra
Julian’s POV."Enough," I breathe, my whole body trembling. "I’ll do it."The words taste like ash on my tongue, but I force them out.If Damian wants the throne so badly he’s willing to kill for it, then he can have it. For now."I’ll go back — but on one condition," I say louder, lifting my head to glare at them."I’ll stand before my father and the council and refuse the title. In return, you don’t lay a single hand on Kira again."The leader’s smile stretches wider, smug and cruel. "So long as you keep your word, I will keep mine," he replies smoothly."Then it’s a deal," I grit out, clenching my jaw so hard it aches.The leader signals for my release.One of the same bastard who had been stabbing Kira — unchains me roughly, the silver cuffs burning deep into my flesh as they are yanked away.My knees hit the cold stone floor beside her."Red," I whisper, brushing the blood-matted hair from her forehead with trembling fingers.Her eyelids flutter weakly at my touch, and a soft gas
Julian's POV. For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel whole and complete as I run through the trees with Kira at my side after spending an amazing day with her... Our wolves can't help but brush against each other playfully. It fills a place inside me I didn’t even know was empty. In all honesty, it feels great to be mated, it makes my heart swell with pure bliss because I never thought I'd get a second chance after my first mate fiance left me because I had become a cripple overnight and didn't want to spend the rest of her life caring to a cripple. I glance sideways at kira, a playful growl rumbling in my chest, ready to tackle her just to hear her beautiful laugh—But that’s when I sense a scent so strong of silver waft in the air. I skid to a halt, my ears pinned back. ‘Kira!’ I call through the bond. ‘I smell it,’ she responds, her body tensing as her nose twitches, already on alert... But before we can find out who is trailing us with silver, they’re o
Kira's POV. I stir beneath the soft sheets, blinking against the afternoon sunlight streaming through the open window. My body aches in a way that's entirely new to me—sore but completely satisfied. A lazy smile tugs at my lips as I shift, feeling the heat of Julian’s body beside mine. His arm is draped possessively over my waist, and for the first time in so long, I feel... safe. After everything, I’m officially his. We’re fated. Second chance mates. It still feels like a dream. I roll onto my side to face him, propping myself up on my elbow. “Julian,” I murmur, trailing my fingers lightly down his bare chest, “whose house are we in?” He blinks his bright eyes open, a slow, lazy grin spreading across his face. “It’s my mother’s house,” he says, voice rough from sleep. I gasp, pretending to be scandalized. “So... we just made love in your mom’s bedroom?” Julian throws his head back and laughs, the sound rumbling through the room. I laugh too, unable to resist him. He shakes h
Katie's POV. I rip the pins from my hair, flinging them across the room like tiny weapons. One bounces off the mirror and clinks to the ground. My reflection stares back at me—perfect curls ruined, mascara smudged from tears I refuse to admit I shed. My white wedding dress feels like a noose around my throat. This was supposed to be my happy day and my rise to be crowned Queen Luna of the realm. But that omega Kira and Julian of all people—ruined it. I tear the dress off, the expensive lace ripping with a sound that feels way too good. I don’t care. Let it burn. I was humiliated in front of the whole pack. And for what? An omega fated to my man? I pace the room barefoot, my heart pounding and my chest tight with rage. This isn’t real. It can’t be. Not after everything Damian and I planned... Suddenly, the door slams open behind me, and I turn to find Damian storming in. His jaw is tight, eyes blazing, fists clenched like he’s ready to rip someone apart. “Well, what did
Damian's POV. (Meanwhile back at the palace) My father's office is suffocating. The towering shelves filled with old scrolls and battle trophies loom over me like judges, silent and severe. I stand before his massive desk, my hands clenched behind my back, with the sting of Kira’s rejection still humming beneath my skin like a wound that refuses to close. He hasn't said a word in over a minute and the silence stretches unbearably between us, heavy with the weight of the truth I could no longer keep hidden—not after everything that’s happened at my mating ceremony. Father just stares at me, those cold, unforgiving eyes stripping me bare. Finally, he speaks—his voice low, sharp, and laced with barely contained fury. "So, let me get this straight. You searched every neighboring pack for your fated mate... and when you finally found her, you brought her back as a servant?" His words strike sharper than a blade... I open my mouth to explain myself—but what can I even say th
Kira's POV. Julian looks momentarily taken aback but recovers quickly. His expression turns soft and understanding as he offers a reassuring smile. "I thought so," he says gently, trailing light kisses down my cheek. "We'll go very slow and whenever you want to stop, just say so. Okay?" Relieved by his patience, I nod eagerly. Kneeling between my spread legs, he guides his rock-hard length towards my entrance. My entrance resists him initially, unused to receiving anything of this size, but he works patiently, stroking and stretching me with a steady rhythm. Slowly, inch by torturous inch, his impressive length breaches me, filling me completely. A sharp hiss escapes my lips at the unfamiliar sensation- pain mixes with pleasure, creating an addictive sensation that leaves me craving more. Julian pauses mid-stroke, sensing my discomfort. His concerned gaze finds mine. "Are you alright?" “Yes,” I manage a weak nod, breathing through the initial ache of penetration. "It hurts, b