로그인Jason’s POVI had been moving for four days when I reached the edge of Moonbrook's territory.My father's directions had been correct. The Rogue King's stronghold lay northwest of Moonbrook, deep into terrain most wolves avoided. Cold, damp, difficult ground where the trees grew close. It was not a comfortable place to build a stronghold. That was exactly why the Rogue King had chosen it.I had two routes. I could go the long way and skirt past Moonbrook entirely. It would add two additional days to the journey, but it was safer than the other route. The other route was to cut straight through Colin's territory.‘Through,’ my wolf suggested. "We go through his pack territory.’‘Have you lost your mind? That is suicide if we get caught,’ I said.‘We are wounded and slowing down. Two more days is two days we do not have,’ my wolf reasoned. He was right. My shoulder wound had reopened. It was not fatal, but it could become fatal if I didn’t take care of it soon.‘Fine. We will go through
Talia’s POVA week passed and Jason hadn’t been found yet.Every morning I woke up expecting to hear that one of the regional Alphas had caught Jason, but every morning I was disappointed. Where had he gone? Why couldn’t we find him? Every day felt too fast and too long all at the same time. This time there was nothing my wolf could say to reassure me.When I visited my father on the seventh day I noticed his hair. His hair, which had been dark for as long as I had known him, had begun to go white at the temples. Not grey, but a stark, drained white that was not there yesterday.Nolan and my father were talking casually as if Nolan had not seen my father aging in real time. “Solon told me the wall you had built is something to see,” my father said.“Yes, it was all Talia’s idea. They should hold for generations,” Nolan responded."I would like to see them," my father stated."You will," Nolan told him. "When you are out of this room and back on your feet, we will take you ourselves. T
Talia’s POVMichael moved to put himself between us and the back of the safehouse with his arm raised. He was about to say something, but Nolan was on him in minutes. Michael slammed hard into his wall with an audible crunch. At least three of his ribs were broken.Michael stood up slowly with one hand pressed to his side. His breathing labored through his gritted teeth. He tried to put on a brave face, but he was clearly in pain. No matter his experience, Michael was still an old man and could not withstand blows from Nolan who was in his prime.‘No, no, he deserves this. Don’t take pity on him,’ my wolf growled.‘I’m not, but if Nolan kills him before we get the antidote, that defeats the purpose of finding him,’ I said."Give us the antidote, right now!” I demanded.“Why would you…” Confusion and then genuine surprise crossed Michael’s face before he frowned. “Alpha King is still alive, isn’t he?! That bastard Robin dared to lie to me!”"You have learned nothing from your decisions
Jason’s POVThree days passed and there was still no word from Robin.My father was not concerned while I was all nervous. I chewed on my nails while fidgeting in my chair. My father slammed his book down on the table and snapped, “Stop with that annoying tapping of your feet. You’re giving me a headache.”“How can you be so calm?” I asked.“Because I know Robin will not betray us. We have his daughter. He’d be even more of a fool if he believed I would not harm that girl if he disobeyed,” Father replied."But he has not reported whether the second attempt was a success. Something could’ve gone wrong,” I argued."He is being careful," my father stated. "The palace will be on alert after the first attempt. He cannot afford to move quickly.""Or he has been caught.”“Enough of your delusions,” my father snapped. “Robin will do what needs to be done.”The following day Robin arrived. Robin looked like a man who had barely escaped death. He was thinner than the last time I had seen him an
Talia’s POV"My wolf thinks he was coerced," I told Nolan once we were outside in the corridor."It would also explain why torture did not work," Nolan said. "He is afraid of what Michael will do to whoever he is protecting, which is scarier than anything we could do to him.”“We need to figure out who he could be protecting,” I replied.“Does he have a mate?” Nolan asked.“To be honest, I am not sure. I never took the opportunity to get to know him as he was my father’s personal confidante,” I explained. It felt odd saying that now. I would make it a point to get to know all pack members moving forward."Then we should review the servant records. If Robin has family, we will find it there,” Nolan recommended."Yes," I agreed. "Let’s go. We don’t have any time to waste."The archive entrance was in the east wing of the palace, past a set of heavy doors with two guards posted at either side. One of them stepped forward when he saw Nolan approach. The other gripped his shoulder to pull
Talia’s POVSolon brought Ryan to us that same evening.Ryan was a trusted guard that had served Silverfang since we were children. He was not a large man, but he made up for it with speed and strength."Who is this?" Nolan asked."This is Ryan. He is one of our senior guards. He can be trusted," Solon answered. "Tell him what you need.""Someone inside the palace has betrayed our father," I said and Ryan's eyes widened. I saw anger flash in his eyes before he composed himself. He did not say a word, waiting for me to continue. "We did not know who. We need you in my father's room, positioned where you will not be seen from the doorway. We need you to wait until you see the traitor.""What should I do when I catch the person?" Ryan asked."Restrain them," I replied. "Do not let them leave and do not let them destroy whatever they brought in. I need to know what it was.""Understood," he said.We positioned him that night, behind the curtain near the far wall. The room's layout worked
Nolan’s POVThe ceremony grounds were already full by 8am. Every Alpha from the major packs had gathered. Their banners displayed along the outer walls in multiple shades of silver, gold, crimson, and blue. Strings of lights hung between the old pines. Their glow catching on polished stone and silv
Talia’s POVThe banquet hall pulsed with music and voices. Warm light shone across stone walls and silver platters. Wolves from every territory were in their finest suits and ball gowns, while servants wove between them with trays of food and wine.At the head stood my father, the Alpha King. Even
Talia’s POVThe morning sun beat down on the training grounds, warm but not yet oppressive. Della stood beside me with a bow in hand.“Focus, Talia,” she said, her tone smug as the string creaked. She released, and the arrow thudded just outside the painted ring. “Damn it.”I chuckled and pulled my
Talia’s POVThe bedroom door shut behind us, and the sound cut off the noise from the party like a switch. I turned to Nolan immediately. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him down into a kiss.He froze for half a second, and then he kissed me back. His hands came up to my shoulders like he was trying







