EmmelineThe ride back was silent. Too silent.Morning light spilled through the car windows, casting soft shadows over Darius’s face, but I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t.Not after what I’d heard at the ball.He had a mistress. An official mistress.Not just some random woman—a chosen mistress, selected by the pack's council.And yet, I’d never heard of her. Not once. No mention, no rumors, not even a passing comment.Why?What happened to her?Is she still around? Did she fall down a well? Spontaneously combust from the sheer drama of it all?I wanted to ask. To demand answers. To rip them out of him if I had to.But I didn’t. It wasn’t the right time. My body was exhausted, my mind too drained to argue. What was the point? Another fight? I’d save my energy. For now.So I sat there, staring out the window, pretending I wasn’t screaming inside.Darius didn’t say a word either. Soon, we arrived back at the estate.The moment we stepped out of the car, the crisp morning air hitting m
DARIUSThe knock on my door came just as I took my first sip of coffee.I exhaled slowly, already bracing myself for whatever nonsense is about to unfold. “Come in.”The door creaked open, and the moment I saw Lydia stepped inside, I suppressed the urge to groan.Ah. Right. Lydia.In the heat of everything, I had completely forgotten about her.She had gone home to visit her sick brother, and I hadn’t thought about her once since she left. Now, she was back, standing in front of me with her arms folded over her chest, her expression tight.She bowed stiffly. “Alpha.”I took another sip of my coffee and leaned back. “What do you want, Lydia?”She sniffled. Then, without warning, her eyes welled up with tears.“I thought… I thought you would miss me.” Her voice wobbled, and she blinked rapidly as if forcing herself to look pitiful. “I thought—”I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I hate tears. Especially the pathetic kind.“Get to the point,” I said flatly.She swallowed, then straight
EMMELINEI let out a slow breath as I poured water over the bed of roses, watching the droplets slide off the petals. The garden was supposed to be peaceful. A place to clear my mind. But my thoughts are tangled in knots, frustration bubbling under my skin like a volcano about to erupt.Darius has a mistress.Not just any mistress. A mistress he forgot to mention.I gripped the watering can tighter, trying to focus on anything except the burning anger in my chest. Of course, he didn’t tell me. Why would he? That would require a level of honesty I should have never expected from him in the first place.And the maids… oh, the maids knew. That much was clear from their judgmental little stares and whispered conversations. I had walked into that house thinking I was just dealing with Darius. Turns out, I was walking straight into a pit of fucking vipers.I took a deep breath, forcing my hands to steady.I knew something was off when i first arrived. The maids wouldn’t meet my eyes. They w
DARIUSA sharp knock at the door interrupted the quiet hum of my thoughts. “Come in,” I called out, my voice a little rougher than usual.I had been staring at the same patterns on the bedsheets for over an hour, the swirls and shapes slowly losing their meaning. No matter how much I tried to focus, my thoughts kept wandering. The soft sheets felt heavy, almost like they were holding me down, trapping me in a silence I couldn’t break.My mind was elsewhere, replaying the scene with Emmeline earlier. Her hurt, her anger...The door opened, and Lydia stepped in. She was wearing a thick, plush robe, the kind usually reserved for after a bath. It struck me as odd. Even odder was the heavy makeup she’d applied – her lips were a vibrant, almost aggressive red.What the hell was she playing at?She bent her knees and bowed slightly, her eyes fixed on the floor. “I’ve come to serve you, Alpha Darius.”My eyebrows shot up. “Serve me?” I echoed, a knot of unease tightening in my stomach.The
EMMELINEI just wanted to eat. That was it. Just a quiet breakfast, a little peace before the day truly started. But, of course, peace and I weren’t exactly on speaking terms.The kitchen smelled like fresh bread and spiced meat, the kind of scents that made my stomach growl. I grabbed a plate and started piling food onto it, my focus entirely on the meal I was about to enjoy. For once, I was trying not to think about Darius, or Lydia, or the fact that I was surrounded by people who either hated me or barely tolerated my presence.I turned to leave, but the moment I stepped toward the door, I heard the sharp click of heels against the stone floor.Lydia.Of course.I sighed before I even turned to face her. She stood there, arms folded, eyes raking over me like I was something disgusting she’d just stepped on."You’re not supposed to be in here," she said, voice dripping with condescension.I rolled my eyes, already tired. "And yet, here I am."Her nostrils flared. "You’re getting too
DARIUSThe moment I heard what happened to Emmeline, I didn’t think. I just ran.By the time I reached the clinic, my heart was hammering against my ribs. My mind screamed at me to prepare for the worst, but when I saw her lying there—alive, breathing—I finally exhaled.The doctor, an old friend of my father’s, had treated her. He knew. Of course, he knew. But he was loyal, and I trusted him to keep her secret.I sighed, rubbing my temples. Lydia.What the fuck was she thinking?I didn’t have time to figure it out because the doors to the meeting room burst open, and there she was. Lydia, flanked by a guard, her face blotchy from crying.Crocodile tears.She staggered forward and dropped to her knees like some tragic heroine from a play.“Save the tears, Lydia,” I said, not in the mood for whatever act she was about to pull.“I—I don’t know what came over me,” she sobbed, lowering her head, voice trembling like she was actually sorry. “I lost control.”I folded my arms. “You stabbed h
EMMELINEAfter what Lydia did, I expected to be stuck in bed for weeks, maybe longer. But Lycans heal fast, and despite the pain, I was already moving around like nothing had happened. Still, I was cautious. Getting stabbed wasn’t exactly something I wanted to relive.Darius had been hovering around me more than usual, watching, making sure I didn’t push myself too hard. He hadn’t said much about Lydia since throwing her out, and honestly, I didn’t care. That bitch was lucky I hadn’t gotten my hands on her first.This morning, though, something was different. Darius seemed… excited?“Get dressed,” he had told me after breakfast, a rare smirk tugging at his lips. “We’re going somewhere.”“Where?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.“You’ll see.”“Why do I feel like you’re kidnapping me?”He just shook his head and chuckled. “You can thank me later.”So, here I was, sitting in the car next to him as he drove us to God knows where.“Are we almost there?” I asked after about ten minutes of silen
EMMELINEI was sitting in Darius’s room, waiting for him to return. My foot tapped impatiently against the wooden floor as my mind spun with questions. The moment the door opened, I was on my feet, arms crossed, my eyes locked onto his."The Alphas—Why the hell were they here?" I demanded.Darius barely reacted. He shut the door behind him and loosened the first few buttons of his shirt. "Relax, Emmeline.""Relax?" I scoffed. "You just saw those ruthless Alphas here. Do I look like I’m trying to get myself killed? I certainly don't have a death wish, Darius."Darius sighed, stepping toward me. "They came to remind me about the annual hunting festival."I blinked. "...Annual what?"He smirked at my reaction. "It’s an annual festival where several Alphas from different packs come together for games—hunting, shooting, combat, and more."I frowned. "So it’s basically a testosterone-fueled pissing contest?"Darius chuckled. "Something like that.""And when is this happening?""In three day
★▪︎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. God, 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, predic
★DARIUS’ POV★Damn, that place was even worse than the stories. The Crying Woods… they weren’t kidding with the name. The air hung thick and heavy, clinging to my skin like a shroud. It reeked of stale blood, rot, and something else… despair, maybe? Twisted trees clawed at the perpetually grey sky, their branches like skeletal fingers. It was unnervingly quiet in some ways, but the silence was punctuated by sounds that made the hairs on my arms stand up – distant growls echoing through the suffocating woods, the rustle of unseen things in the undergrowth.And the eyes. Glowing pairs of them, tracking me from the deepest shadows. Yellow, green, cold pinpricks of hate watching my every step. The rogues. They said rogues were just mindless beasts, driven mad by isolation. Bullshit. Those bastards were smart, cunning. They were hunting me, I could feel it. Packs of them, flanking me, testing my path, waiting for an opening.Being alone sucked right then, made every shadow seem like a thre
★EMMELINE’S POV★I woke up slowly, the dull ache in my body a familiar companion now. But something else felt wrong. Deeper. Colder. I reached out instinctively, my hand searching the space beside me in the bed. Empty.Darius wasn’t there.That wasn’t unusual. He was the Alpha, always busy. But this felt different. The bond, the constant hum of his presence in the back of my mind, felt… distant. Like a faint whisper across a wide, empty space. Not gone, not broken, but stretched thin, strained.Panic, cold and sharp, pricked at me. I pushed myself up, ignoring the protest from my aching muscles. “Darius?” I called out, my voice raspy from sleep.No answer.I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet finding the floor. I pulled on a robe quickly, my hands fumbling with the tie. Where was he? Why did the bond feel so… far away?I opened the door to our chambers. A maid was outside, tidying the hall.“Where is the Alpha?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.She curtsied. “Good
★DARIUS’ POV★The morning after Finn died, the air in the pack house felt heavy, thick with grief and unspoken fear. Six of my men, gone. Just like that. Torn apart in those cursed woods. It should have made me stop. Made me rethink. Made me listen to the fear that was gripping the pack.But it didn’t.It only made me harder. More determined. If my best warriors couldn’t get those herbs, if the Crying Woods was too much for a trained team, then there was only one person left who could go. Me. The Alpha.I didn’t waste time. I called Sylas into my study first. He was the most skilled, the bravest of my advisors.He walked in, his face etched with the sorrow of the previous night. He knew why I’d called him. He could probably smell the grim resolve on me.“Alpha,” he said quietly.“Sylas,” I nodded, getting straight to the point. No need for pleasantries. Not now. “You know what happened last night.”He closed his eyes for a brief moment, a flicker of pain crossing his face. “Yes, Alpha