LOGINROWANCarlisle’s punch snaps my head to the side. A burst of pain hits across my jaw, followed by the metallic taste of blood. He lowers his fists, watching me with narrowed eyes. “You’re getting sloppy.”I roll my jaw, tasting the hit again. “I’m fine.”“You’re distracted.” He says as he scrutinizes me. The private gym of my club echoes with the dull rhythm of our breathing. I refuse to agree with my boxing partner, even though he’s right. My head hasn’t been here all week. The thoughts of the royal council pressuring me to take a wife has been screwing with my head. But it’s not just them. All I can think of is Venus. I haven’t spoken to her. I have been avoiding her thinking that maybe the distance will help both of us move on. Instead it has made me and my wolf restless. Asgard has been staying up all night, telling me we should go back. I can’t! Because if I do, Thane might get an upperhand at the council. Nana can only do so much to keep them at bay. Feeding them fake prom
VENUSThe party ends abruptly because of what happened to Mallory. By the time I make it back to my room, the echoes of the party still cling to me. I sit on the edge of my bed, staring at nothing. My fingers feel cold.How did that happen? A sudden knock at the door makes me jump. I flinch before I can stop myself.Who’s here so late? I carefully walk towards the door. “Venus?” I hear Olivia’s voice and sigh in relief. She stumbles in the moment I open the door, her face pale and her breathing uneven like she ran all the way here.“I don’t know what to do,” she blurts out, her voice trembling. “This-this wasn’t supposed to happen. It was my first time handling something like this and…”“Hey,” I cut in gently, closing the door behind her. “Sit.”She collapses onto the bed, hands shaking in her lap. I move quickly towards the table close to the window. My back faces Olivia as I am pouring her a glass of water. I turn around and see her sitting on the bed while looking restless. I
VENUSTwo days later, the packhouse is filled with people. Preparations for the gathering are everywhere. Servants moving back and forth, decorations being arranged, voices overlapping. I step into the venue where the celebration will be held, and scan the space. “Venus!” Olivia spots me immediately. Her face lights up as she hurries over to me, relief practically radiating off her.“Thank the Goddess, you’re here,” she says, like she wasn’t entirely sure I would be.“I said I would be,” I reply.She lets out a breath, then grabs my wrist lightly. “Come, I’ll show you everything.”She pulls me along before I can respond, leading me toward the dining area reserved for important guests.The moment I step inside, I know this is a mess. The seating arrangement is wrong. People who shouldn’t be near each other are placed side by side. The hierarchy isn’t respected.Even the menu is all over the place. Woah! So she wasn’t joking when she said she doesn't know much about holding events.
VENUSThe next morning, I stand outside the door of the pack meeting room. I was called by Simon, saying that the Luna wanted to have a discussion with me. I pause at the door for half a second, steadying myself, then push it open.Mallory is already seated, posture perfect, fingers lightly folded on the table like she owns the room. Gonalz stands beside her, arms behind his back, watching me. I already have a bad feeling about this. I step in anyway, lifting my chin with confidence. “You called for me?”Mallory’s gaze flicks to me, a smile curving her lips that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Venus. Please, sit.”I don’t like the fake politeness.I sit anyway. The chair feels harder than it should.Gonalz is the one who speaks first. “Miss Donovan. I believe we had a bad situation before. I hope you can leave it behind so we can have a fresh start.” He gives a smile as well. What’s with all the fake smiles? It annoys me. “Why was I called here?” I cut to the chase, not interested
VENUSHis eyes flicker with guilt but he quickly hides it. “I didn’t intend to do it. I’m telling you…”“Those are excuses,” I cut him off.His eyes flash. “Even if you are in trouble, you could have come to me. You could have told me. But you never cared to discuss anything with me.” I snap and swallow the lump in my throat as those old, bitter memories rush to the surface of my mind. I push them away as I don’t want to remember them. “The truth is, you always made decisions for the two of us. And for once, when I decided to do the same by rejecting you, you started to blame me.” He simply stares, as if he is at a loss for words. “That’s cowardly, Bronze.” The words hang between us.“Maybe,” I continue, my voice lower now, “you should figure out what you actually want instead of dragging me into your confusion.”His expression shifts into shock. I gather strength to say, “I know what I want. The moment you slept with Mallory, everything between us was over. So I simply decided
VENUSThe silence after I leave Rowan’s room doesn’t feel like peace. It feels like something has been ripped out of me… and the space it left behind doesn’t know how to exist yet.I keep moving in my room and clean everything in it to keep myself engaged. Sometimes I wipe the cleaned places twice without thinking. That’s the only way I don’t fall apart.My phone pings and I pull it out of my pants pocket to find Sid’s text. “Hey! I’m sorry I left the party early because I wasn’t feeling well. I hope you’re fine and left the party safely with Alex. Let’s hang out later?” I smile at my phone and reply, “Sure. Let’s meet at the coffee shop.” She types for a while and then replies. “How about I meet you in your room? I want to tell you something in private.” I frown. If she wants it to be private, then it must be something important. “No probs. Come to my room at 4.” “Cool. See you later, then.” I tuck the phone back in my pocket and after I’m done cleaning my room, I head out of
VENUSWhen I open my eyes, the first thing I see is the full moon shining in the inky night sky. Cold air makes my body shiver. I bolt upright, my head pounding as I take in my surroundings. I'm lying on the forest floor, my vision blurred and hazy. I try to stand, but my legs feel weak and shaky
VENUSWhen I open the door, Bronze is standing right outside, an envelope clutched in his hand.The moment his eyes land on me, his brows lift sharply. His jaw tightens, like he’s noticed something he doesn’t like.“Are you with someone right now?” he asks, his voice suddenly serious.My heart stut
VENUSI take a slow breath and look at Rowan. “It was Mallory,” I mutter, pressing my lips in concern. “She’s the one who let those wolves into the pack. One of them was a white wolf.”His expression hardens instantly. “You do not need to worry about that,” he assures me. “I am already investigating
VENUSBronze looks at her.I can’t read his expression. It’s twisted into something ugly, caught between rage and surrender. His throat works as he swallows.When he speaks, his voice is hoarse. “It’s protocol. You’re our prime suspect. You’ll have to remain in this pack.”My heart stutters.“Unless







