EMMELINEWe pulled up to the supposed camp. It looked… deserted. Like nothing more than a patch of overgrown trees and tangled underbrush. Darius glanced at me, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.“This is it?” he asked, his voice low.Ironically, the fact that there was no sign of life convinced me this was the place. If they were trying to stay hidden, they’d do a damn good job of it.“Yeah, this is it,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. My stomach churned. "Let's go."We got out of the car, the silence of the forest pressing in on us. Each crunch of leaves under our feet sounded amplified, like a gunshot in the stillness. We walked for a few minutes, deeper into the trees. Then I heard something snap. A twig. Small, but unmistakable.“They’re here,” I whispered to Darius, my heart suddenly hammering against my ribs.He frowned, scanning the trees. “I don’t see anyone.”“They can see us,” I replied, my voice tight. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled. We
DARIUSI watched as Emmeline jumped into Sylas' arms, her tears streaming down her face. Like everyone else, I was shocked, but not as much as I was when I found out what really happened on the day of the attack. It was her mating ceremony, and she was supposed to be with some guy named Jonas Sharpe. Who, by the way, is apparently Sylas' brother.No wonder she looked like she was walking on broken glass the second we got here. Had her restlessness earlier been because of some resurfacing memories? My mind was racing with questions, but I kept my cool, observing the reunion between Emmeline and Sylas."I never thought I'd see you again," Sylas said, his voice choked with emotion. He held Emmeline so tight, like he was afraid she’d disappear. Emmeline pulled back a little, wiping tears from her eyes. "Me too."Sylas loosened his grip just enough to look at her, his eyes searching hers. “How… how did you end up here?”Emmeline hesitated, taking a deep breath. "It's a long story."Sylas
EMMELINE“I can’t believe you’ve been living with them this whole time, and they never figured it out.” Sylas shook his head, his voice tight with disbelief. He paced the tent, his boots scuffing against the ground. Light from the small window flickered across his face, making the worry in his eyes even more obvious.That look… like he was trying to piece everything together, trying to figure out how I’d survived, made my chest tighten. He looked so disturbed by the thought of it.And that, for some reason, was starting to make me uneasy.I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah, well, I’m not exactly broadcasting my presence, you know? I mask my scent,” I said simply. “I try to stay out of sight, and honestly, I rarely leave Darius’s estate. Most of them don’t even interact with me closely enough to suspect anything.”His jaw tightened at the mention of the estate—at the mention of him. He stopped pacing. “Darius,” he said, his voice flat.I tensed, waiting for the inevitab
EMMELINEDarius leaned against the wooden post inside Sylas’s tent, arms crossed, looking as relaxed as ever. Even though he was smaller than the Lycans and was the only werewolf here, surrounded by Lycans who could tear him apart, he didn’t seem the least bit fazed. Maybe it was because he had Lycan blood himself. Or maybe he was just that confident.Meanwhile, Sylas was on edge. He stood over the crude wooden table, staring down at the list in front of him like it held the key to everything. His jaw was tight, his fingers pressing into the paper like he wanted to crush it.“So from this list,” Sylas said, his voice sharp, “it’s clear that most of these people are Alphas and high-ranking officials. Taking them out would be like... changing the government for half the packs out there. It would be like resetting everything.”Darius gave a slow nod. “Yes.”Sylas turned his gaze on him, suspicion clear in his eyes. “And how do we know this isn’t just part of some plan for you to dominate
EMMELINE“You don’t get to decide this for me, Sylas.” My voice was firm, but my hands were clenched into fists at my sides. I had to keep myself steady, had to remind myself that I wasn’t some prize to be claimed.“I’m not deciding anything.” Sylas took a step closer, his jaw tight, his shoulders stiff. “I’m telling you what needs to be done.”“Oh, so now I need to belong to you?”I let out a short, dry laugh. “You seem to forget that I have a choice to make in this..”“And what choice is that?” Sylas argued. He exhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring. “My brother, Jonas deserves that respect from you.”I stared at him, stunned for a moment. My heart pounded in my chest, anger curling in my stomach like a snake ready to strike. “And you claiming me will give him that respect?” My voice was lower now, sharper.“Yes,” he retorted. “It’s the only way to honor his memory.”I shook my head. “That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, Sylas.”His eyes darkened. “You should be ashamed of yours
EMMELINEI barely slept. Not because my tent was uncomfortable, but because my mind wouldn’t shut up. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Sylas, his hard stare, his ridiculous claims. And no matter how much I tossed and turned, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. Which, knowing Sylas, I probably was. He had his men all over camp, and I had no doubt they were keeping a close eye on Darius. Not that Darius cared. He had a way of acting like nothing fazed him, like he was above all of this. Maybe he was.Morning came too soon. I dragged myself up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and stepped out of the tent—only to find myself face-to-face with Sylas.He was already dressed, looking like he’d been up for hours. His gaze swept over me, unreadable. “Join the women for breakfast.” His voice was firm, more of an order than a suggestion.I clenched my jaw. There was something about the way he said it—like he was trying to put me in my place. Like I was just another one of
EMMELINEThe Lycans escorting me back to Sylas’s tent barely acknowledged me. I kept asking what was happening, but no one gave me a damn answer. They just marched ahead, their shoulders stiff, jaws locked.Something was wrong. Really wrong.When we reached the tent, I pushed past them without waiting for permission. Inside, Darius was already there, standing with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.Sylas was pacing. The moment he saw me, he stopped. “Good. You’re here.”“What the hell is going on?” I demanded.Sylas didn’t hesitate. “Some werewolves were spotted nearby. We think they are planning a raid.”My stomach clenched. “A raid?”“Possibly.” His tone was grim. “We haven’t had one in months, but now suddenly, after he arrives—” He turned and gave Darius a long, pointed look. “—we have a threat on our doorstep.”Darius scoffed, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Oh, come on. You think I led them here?”“You tell me.”“I wouldn’t be that careless,” Darius said, his voice
DARIUS’ POVMorning came too fast.The camp was silent, but not the peaceful kind. It was the heavy, suffocating quiet that followed bloodshed. The only sounds were the soft murmurs of men hauling away bodies and the occasional crackling of a dying fire. The scent of blood still lingered in the air, mixed with the sharp sting of burned wood.Sylas had made his orders clear—none of the attackers were to leave alive. Those who tried to retreat had been hunted down like animals. It was brutal, but necessary.I sat inside my tent, my fingers brushing against Emmeline’s arm as she leaned into me. She hadn’t said much since last night. Her body was still tense, but I could feel her slowly relaxing under my touch.I hated seeing her like this.“I’m fine,” she mumbled, though her voice lacked conviction.I exhaled, pressing a kiss against her temple. “You don’t have to be.”She didn’t respond, just curled in closer.The moment felt fragile, like something I needed to protect. But, of course,
●★DARIUS●★My gut twisted the moment I saw the note. Just a few words, scrawled on a scrap of parchment left right outside Emmeline’s door. It was simple but chilling, and it hit me like a physical blow. Who the hell? Who would leave something like this? And how did they get so close?I shoved the note into my pocket, trying to keep my face neutral. Can’t let anyone see this yet. Not the guards outside her door, not anyone. First priority: tighten security. Now.I found the captain of the guard detail and pulled him aside, away from the hallway. "Listen up," I said, keeping my voice low but firm. "Effective immediately, I want double rotations around Emmeline's room. Two guards outside the door, always. And I want patrols increased in the corridors leading to her wing. Every hour, on the hour, a full sweep. Anyone not supposed to be here, anyone acting remotely suspicious, you detain them. No questions asked, you bring them to me. Got it?"He nodded, his eyes serious. "Yes, Alpha. Con
●★EMMELINE★●The crackling fireplace usually made the main hall feel cozy, like a warm hug after a long day. But tonight, something was off. The air felt… different. I walked in, my hand instinctively going to my belly, a habit I’d picked up since the little one started making their presence known.Darius was there, huddled with a group of Alphas I didn’t recognize. Three of them, all men, their faces serious as they listened to whatever Darius was saying in that low, rumbling voice of his. They were seated in a semicircle, the firelight dancing across their features, making them look like ancient kings holding court. As soon as my shadow fell across the entrance, their heads snapped up. Years of ingrained pack etiquette had them on their feet in an instant, a show of respect that still felt a little weird, even after all this time.One of them, older, with a beard streaked with silver that made him look distinguished, stepped forward. His eyes, though, they weren’t unkind, just… sear
★▪︎EMMELINE▪︎★We headed back towards the house. My easy mood was definitely gone now. Visitors. From another pack. Claiming to check on my health but probably really wanting to see the 'hybrid mother’ and the 'unprecedented' baby, and maybe sniff around the estate while they were at it. Great. Just what I needed. More eyes on me. More questions. More feeling like a specimen under a microscope.We found them in the large sitting room. Two women, dressed in fine clothes that looked like they cost more than I used to make in a year, were sitting primly on a sofa, sipping tea. They stood as we entered, their movements smooth and practiced."Luna Emmeline," the taller one said, smiling brightly. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "And Alpha Darius. Thank you for receiving us on such short notice.""Freya, Zoey," Darius said, giving them a polite nod. "Thank you for coming. This is Emmeline.""It's a pleasure to meet you, Luna," the other woman, Zoey, said. She was slightly shorter, wi
★▪︎EMMELINE▪︎★The morning sun felt like a warm blanket as I stepped outside onto the stone path. It had been a while since I just... walked. Really walked, not just dragging my feet around a room or down a hallway. My legs felt a little shaky, like they'd forgotten how to work properly after so much time spent either passed out or confined to bed. Darius was beside me and his presence was solidly comforting. He kept his pace slow, matching mine without making a big deal out of it, which I appreciated. The garden was more beautiful than I remembered, manicured and bursting with color – vibrant roses, neat hedges, little fountains bubbling softly. It was peaceful, almost ridiculously so, after the chaos of the past few weeks. But honestly, I was just happy to breathe the fresh air without feeling like I was about to collapse or be attacked. It felt like a small victory."Feeling better?" Darius asked gently. He glanced down at me, his eyes full of a quiet concern that made my chest ach
★▪︎EMMELINE▪︎★The first thing I noticed was the dull ache in my body, a stark contrast to the searing fire that had consumed me for what felt like an eternity. I was in bed, the sheets cool against my skin. The room was dim, the kind of light that happens just before dawn or late in the evening. I blinked slowly, letting my eyes adjust.Then I saw him. Darius. Asleep beside the bed, slumped over with his head resting near my hand, his fingers still loosely intertwined with mine. He looked exhausted, lines etched around his eyes. I could see faint scratches along his neck, little red marks that hadn't been there before. My heart squeezed. He’d stayed. He’d been here the whole time.I just watched him for a bit, quiet, letting the reality sink in. I wasn't burning anymore. The pain was there, a dull throb in my muscles and bones, but it was manageable. It felt… normal. Like the soreness after a long ride, not the agony of my body trying to consume itself.Slowly, carefully, I pushed my
★DARIUS’ POV★My gut twisted tighter with every second Anastasia worked. She moved fast, thank the goddess, her hands a blur as she crushed herbs, mixing them into some kind of paste, then adding liquid. It felt like an eternity, though. Every rasping breath Emmeline took, every weak tremor that still ran through her tiny body was a hammer blow to my chest. Hurry, damn it. Please, just hurry.Finally, Anastasia held up a small, dark vial. "It's ready," she said, her voice calm but her eyes holding a flicker of urgency that mirrored my own fear.I knelt beside the cot, my heart in my throat. Gently, so damn gently, I lifted Emmeline's head, supporting the fragile weight with my hand. Her skin was still too pale, her lips almost blue. Anastasia carefully brought the vial to her mouth.The first few drops went down, and Emmeline coughed, a weak, pathetic sound that tore right through me. My jaw tightened. Swallow, Em. Please, just swallow. Anastasia waited patiently, then tried again. Th
★EMMELINE’S POV★My head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, heavy and distant. Every breath was a struggle, a shallow, rattling thing that didn't seem to bring enough air. I was floating, drifting somewhere between here and... well, somewhere else. Somewhere quiet and dark. It felt peaceful, in a terrifying sort of way. Like I was letting go."Emmeline? Stay with me. Please."Sylas. His voice. It sounded tight, strained, like he was trying not to break. I wanted to answer, to tell him I was trying, but my tongue felt thick and useless. I managed a small, weak squeeze of the hand he was holding. His grip tightened instantly, almost painfully."She's fading, Sylas," a softer voice said. Anastasia. The healer. I could feel her cool fingers on my wrist, checking my pulse. "The damage... it's spreading faster than I can counter it without the proper herbs."Fading. Yeah, that felt about right. Like a candle sputtering out. The pain was a dull throb now, constant and heavy, but almost se
★DARIUS★Hours. It had been damn hours. My body screamed with every step, every bend, every time I had to push aside a thorny branch that clawed at my already torn clothes and skin. The Crying Woods lived up to its name; the wind seemed to moan through the trees, and the shadows felt heavy, pressing down on me. And for what? Nothing. I hadn't found a damn thing.My eyes scanned the forest floor, blurry with exhaustion and pain. Silver plants, they said. Surrounded by thorny roots. Sounded like something out of a twisted fairytale, and right now, I felt less like a prince on a quest and more like a broken-down mule lost in a maze.I stumbled, catching myself on a tree trunk, the rough bark scraping my cheek. "Son of a bitch," I muttered, leaning my forehead against the cool wood. My lungs burned, my muscles felt like they were tearing, and the dull ache in my ribs was a constant reminder of the fight I'd barely survived. This was insane. I was running on fumes and sheer, unadulterated
★DARIUS' POV★ The air tasted like blood and dirt, thick and metallic. This bastard, this rogue Alpha, was fast, I'll give him that. He came at me, claws out, a snarling mess of muscle and rage. My own snarl ripped from my throat, a low rumble that promised pain. He swiped, a blur of grey fur. I ducked under it, the wind of his miss whipping past my ear. Instinct took over. My jaws snapped shut, finding purchase on his hind leg. Damn, the feel of tearing muscle and sinew... it sent a jolt of brutal satisfaction through me. I yanked hard. He howled, a sound that was music to my ears, stumbling, off-balance. That was my chance. Don't hesitate. Never hesitate. I surged upward, putting everything into it. My claws raked across his face. I felt the warm, wet spray of blood, heard his shriek of agony as one eye was taken. Good. Let him see what happens when you cross me. He didn't back down though. Credit where it's due, the son of a bitch had guts. His rage doubled, making him sloppy,