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VENUSI cannot hear her clearly.The wind keeps stealing her words and tossing them somewhere useless, so I move closer. I take slow steps and breath softly so she does not hear me. The gravel crunches softly under my heels and I wince at every tiny sound.When I reach the corner of the building, I see her.Mallory’s back faces me.Opposite her stands a man in a mask.I only get a heartbeat to look before I realize my angle leaves me exposed to him. If he shifts even slightly, he’ll see me.I slip behind the wall instead, pressing my back against the cool stone.“Unfortunately,” Mallory says smoothly, “the initial plan failed. We’ll have to initiate plan B.”My eyes widen in horror. What are they planning? What’s plan B? The man’s voice answers, deep and steady. “The girl needs to be removed. She’s becoming a serious problem.”The girl? My brows pull together.Mallory exhales. “That’s exactly why we’re moving to plan B. Remove the obstacle before it escalates.”My blood turns to ice.
VENUSBefore I can keep untangling the whole Sid and General Nile situation, two figures step into my path. A man and a woman wearing gold and brown masks. Their scents brush against my senses. They smell familiar. The woman smiles warmly. “I didn’t get to thank you for saving us that day.”My brows shoot up in recognition. Right. The couple from the forest who were attacked by the white wolves. Relief softens my expression and I return her smile. “It was my duty.”Sid suddenly cuts in, already backing away. “Venus, I need the washroom. Excuse me.”I nod. “Go ahead.”She slips away, and when I turn back, the woman is watching me strangely. Her gaze isn’t unfriendly but there’s a hint of curiosity to it. Then she asks softly, “Can we talk somewhere private?”A small frown tugs at my lips. Why?But the worry in her eyes answers enough.“…Sure.”We walk toward one of the quieter lounge areas branching off the main hall. The music dulls behind us, replaced by a softer hum of distant c
VENUSI stare down at the ground, shame burning hot across my cheeks.Goddes… why is everything such a mess?My chest feels tight, heavy with too many emotions tangled together. Alex is hurt. Rowan keeps denying that I’m his mate and somehow I am stuck right in the middle like the universe decided to play a cruel little game with my life.Is this my fault?Is it my fault that I’m… mated to Rowan? The thought sparks instant anger in my chest. Before I can spiral further, someone calls my name.“Venus!” I turn towards the source of the voice. My eyes widen. “Sid?”Relief and excitement burst through me at the same time. I hurry toward her instinctively.“Hey, slow down!” Sid warns quickly, pointing at my dress. “You run in that dress and you’re going face first into the ground.”I stop mid-step with a sheepish breath, letting her come the rest of the way.And wow… She looks stunning! Sdyney is wearing a sleek black evening gown that hugs her figure perfectly. Her hair is pulled into a
VENUSRowan’s face changes into something much more different than I’m used to seeing. Pure horror glints in his brown eyes. It startles me. I’ve seen him surprised. Angry. Cold. Even quietly pleased on rare occasions. But this? This looks like I just reached into his chest and twisted something vital.For a split second, it shakes me. Is he hiding his feelings for me beneath that cold exterior? But I harden my heart.I’ve already decided.I step forward and grab his hand before my courage can evaporate.“End it,” I say, more like whisper. “Reject me. Sever whatever this is between us.”Rowan’s fingers tense in mine.His voice comes out low, threaded with something cold and something that almost sounds like… sadness. “You have no idea what you’re saying.”His gaze pins me in place. “You’re emotional right now. That’s why you’re not thinking straight. We’ll talk once you have cleared your mind.”I blink at him rapidly, doubt flickering within my mind at his words. He’s not wrong. I am
VENUSI take a champagne flute from a passing waiter, the cool stem pressing against my fingers as Alex grabs one too. We clink them lightly, and I take a small sip, the bubbles sharp on my tongue.My eyes move instinctively across the room, scanning the area. People are donned in different colored masks, not a single design being repeated. Mallory seems to have planned it all very meticulously. But that’s not what’s on my mind right now. Among the masked men, there’s no sign of a tall and muscular guy with a distinctly powerful aura that consumes the space. Rowan isn’t here. Relief loosens something tight in my chest. Good. Maybe tonight will pass without my heart being dragged across broken glass.Alex nudges a plate of delicate hors d’oeuvres toward me. “You should eat something.”I nod and pick one up, though I barely taste it. My senses feel too alert, like my body is waiting for something to go wrong.Then the music shifts to a much slower one and Mallory steps onto the stage
VENUSThe limo glides through the tall iron gates, and I feel my breath hitch as the estate opens up before us. This place is only ever used for the grandest pack celebrations, the kind whispered about long after they end. At night, it looks almost unreal. Stone pathways curve through manicured hedges, lit by torches and delicate lights woven into ancient trees. Marble statues stand like silent sentinels, half-drowned in moonlight. Ahead, the main estate rises in pale stone and arches, its windows glowing warmly against the dark sky.The car slows beneath a roofed entrance supported by massive pillars carved with old pack runes. Alex steps out first and turns back toward me, extending his arm.I take it and step out of the limo, the cold night air brushing against my skin. I instinctively pull my furry white shawl tighter around my shoulders, grateful for its warmth. The car rolls away toward the garage, leaving us standing beneath the soft golden lights.We walk inside.The grand fo
“Let’s go,” Sydney wraps her arm around my back and leads me towards the exit. I look at the stage for the last time and see the disgust on the people’s faces. I also see the pity in Bronze’s eyes as he looks at me. Mallory comes up to him and helps him manage the angry mob. They look perfect besi
VENUSHis eyes lock on mine, giving away nothing. “I don’t trust anyone else to handle it right.”I open my mouth to argue, but the words catch in my throat. Handle it right? Or handle me?“Let’s start,” he says, already circling.I fall into stance, knees bent, fists up. My whole body is tense, n
VENUSMy fingers tighten around the phone.I stare at those words for a long time, trying to read between the lines. It’s not the first time he’s reached out since the attack, but it is the first time he’s asked to meet me alone. In his room. Where everything once began and where it ended.A guilty
VENUSThe sun is barely up when I head to the announcement hall with Sydney and Alex. Bronze has called all of us to gather in the hall as he needs to make an announcement. “So the camp is over,” Sydney mutters with a sad look on her face. I hum. “Yeah. I wish the camp continued but with the atta







