登入His vision exploded white. Another blow landed across his ribs. Then another.Boots hammered into his side as he hit the floor. Still, he struggled to rise.A spear butt slammed into his shoulder and someone drove a knee into his spine.The beating became relentless. The guards struck until he could no longer lift his arms.Blood spread across the stone beneath him.Tara was screaming."No! No! Stop! Stop it, you bastards. Stop it!"No one listened.Alpha Kaito slowly pushed himself upright, one hand pressed against his bleeding side. He looked down at the broken young man lying before him.Then— to everyone's disbelief— he smiled a genuine smile.He coughed blood onto the floor."Excellent."The guards hesitated. Alpha Kaito's eyes which had turned dark and agonized never left Vinncero."Leave him alive." He laughed weakly. "I finally know truly...."He wiped the blood from his lips."....he's exactly the one I was looking for. Bind him in silver and wolfsbane."********The castle
"Take off your clothes." Kaito repeated. Vinncero still stood motionless and Tara looked back at him. Neither spoke.The room seemed to disappear until only the two of them remained. Kaito leaned lazily against the table, watching with open amusement."Go on," he said. "You're both pretending not to want what you've been denied. Sadly, you Vinncero, are an omega and cannot scent your own mate. What a shame."Vinncero ignored him. Slowly, he reached toward Tara and his fingertips brushed lightly against her shoulder.She did not pull away. Instead, she stepped closer. And then closed enough that their foreheads almost touched.When their eyes met, the room vanished.A rush of memories that were not his flashed through Vinncero's mind.He saw cold cells, locked doors, a little blonde girl crying herself to sleep. A smiling man —Alpha Kaito — telling her she belonged to him.Again. Again. And again.Tara's voice echoed inside his thoughts."He is not my father."Vinncero's heartbeat sto
The words stung but she shut her eyes tightly."Forgive me. My lord...." she began more quietly, "....please. It was not deliberate...."He opened the door. Panic flickered across her face."And Velveta? What has happened to Maid Velveta?" she asked suddenly.His hand stopped. The silence stretched long enough to frighten her. Then, without turning around, he answered."When we return from Elyria...." His voice was calm. Way too calm. "....you will see her punishment."Aeryl's blood ran cold."What...?" Her eyes widened. "No.... she didn't do anything! I told her to wait!"Aeryl took a step toward him. "That's my fault!"She looked at him desperately."Don't punish her! Please. I don't know how. But.... she didn't know. Please...."His expression hardened. "You continue to believe that your decisions belong only to you. And that your pleas have a say in this house."He finally turned to look at her with a sinister glare on his face. "They clearly do not and I will ensure you witness t
The chamber doors burst open.The sound alone sent every maid jumping.Aramisius entered like a storm.His eyes found Aeryl immediately."My lord—""Leave."Nobody questioned him.Curtseys became hurried bows. Skirts rustled. The maids practically fled, shutting the doors behind them until the room fell into an oppressive silence.Aeryl barely had time to turn before he reached her.His hand closed around her wrist.Hard.She stumbled toward him."What were you doing there?" he snapped, his voice low but sharp enough to make the room feel smaller.Aeryl frowned, tugging against his grip."I am an adult."His expression did not change."I asked you a question.""And I answered it.""You disappeared.""I was with Lilah.""You disappeared.""I do not need permission to breathe."Something flickered behind his eyes.Not anger anymore.Something colder.His hand released her wrist only to catch a handful of her hair.Aeryl gasped.He drew her head back just enough that she had to look at h
Night ruled Ashmark.The kingdom never truly slept.Lanterns of crimson glass burned above narrow streets while music drifted from balconies and open windows. Laughter mingled with arguments, and perfumes hung thickly in the air like smoke.At the end of one winding street stood a black building with no sign above its doors.Everyone in Ashmark knew it.Nobody spoke of it.The doors opened.A woman stepped inside.She wore a dark cloak, its hood pulled low enough to conceal nearly all of her face.She paused.The room beyond glowed in deep red light.Silk curtains divided shadowed alcoves. Musicians played somewhere in the distance. Wine spilled freely. Bodies reclined on couches and carpets, talking, drinking, touching, laughing.Some people barely glanced at the newcomer.Others looked up for only a moment before returning to their amusements.The woman moved through the room like she belonged there.Not hurried.Not hesitant.Watchful.Always watchful.Her gloved hand briefly touch
Silence.Complete silence.Santos lay on the floor, dazed.Even the women at the doorway had stopped moving.Aramisius stood over his brother, chest rising once.Then twice.His fists remained clenched.Then he turned.And looked directly at Aeryl."Leave."The word cracked through the room.Aeryl flinched."No."His eyes narrowed."I said leave.""No!"The answer escaped before she could stop it.Several maids hurried toward the sisters immediately."My ladies—"Lilah didn't argue this time. She looked frightened enough to move.But Aeryl stepped around them.She looked at Santos.Then at Aramisius.Then back again."No."The room seemed to still.Aramisius stared at her.She stared back.One of the maids gently touched her arm."My lady, please…"Aeryl shook her off."No! You're angry and not listening!"She moved forward.The maids gasped.Lilah looked horrified."Aeryl!"She reached him.Actually reached him.She grabbed his arm."Listen to me first."He looked down at her hand.T
Meanwhile, Aramisius was losing patience. His chambers had grown completely silent and the fire had burned lower.The stack of letters beside him had not moved for several minutes. Because he had read the same line three times.His eyes slowly lifted toward the clock.5:27.Silence remained. But hi
The messenger was still waiting patiently outside Lilah's chambers. Aeryl paused and looked at her nervously.She then shut the door back quietly. "I really do need to meet Aramisius soon, I realize.""You do." Lilah agreed.Aeryl blinked."But first…" Lilah said, lowering her voice, "we must inve
Even after all these years, saying it aloud remained unsettling. Santos finally asked.“What did he say?”Aramisius' expression did not change.“The same thing.”Silence. Then, he resumed. “He said.…”A slight tightening crossed his jaw.“….that I forget too quick.”The fire popped softly. Santos
Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside Aramisius’ study was far colder.Several letters still littered the massive table between the men. Torn seals. Royal insignias. Threats disguised as diplomacy.Aramisius stood near the fire with one hand braced against the mantle, his expression unreadable.Across f







