The silence in the gymnasium was deafening. Everyone present could feel that they'd just witnessed something that went far beyond typical teenage drama—something that involved pack politics, family loyalty, and betrayals that had real consequences for real people.
Ben looked like he was going to be sick.
"Bea, you have to understand—"
"No." I held up my hand to stop him, my voice carrying enough Alpha command to freeze him mid-sentence. "I understand perfectly. You were fifteen, scared, and pressured by adults who should have known better. You made a choice to protect yourself by sacrificing someone who trusted you completely. And now you want me to forgive you because you feel bad about it."
"I want you to forgive me because I've spent three years learning to live with what I did to you," Ben said quietly, his earlier confidence completely gone. "Because I know I destroyed something irreplaceable and I'd give anyt
POV: Ferdinand King"Touching," came a voice from the shadows, dry as autumn leaves and sharp with barely controlled anger.We sprang apart as Prospero materialized from between the trees like a wraith given form. Miranda's father moved with the kind of predatory grace that set every survival instinct I possessed on high alert, his dark eyes fixed on me with an expression that promised unpleasant consequences for my presumption."Papa," Miranda gasped, scrambling to her feet with guilty haste. "I can explain—""There's nothing to explain," Prospero interrupted, his attention never leaving my face. "Prince Ferdinand was just leaving.""Actually," I said, rising to stand protectively near Miranda despite the obvious danger, "I was hoping we could talk. About Miranda, about my intentions—""Your intentions," Prospero repeated with bitter amusement. "How refreshing. Most of Alexander's spawn don't bother with pretenses of honorable behavior."The casual mention of my father's name made m
POV: Ferdinand KingI found myself wandering the moonlit forest paths two nights after my encounter with Miranda, my mind churning with memories I'd spent months trying to forget.The formal dining hall of the Southern Alliance palace. My father's voice, cold and commanding as he issued the order that would haunt me forever. Twenty-three prisoners of war, most barely older than myself, kneeling in chains while the court watched with anticipation."Execute them," he'd commanded. "Show the court that you understand the price of defying our authority."I'd stood there in my ceremonial uniform, the silver blade heavy in my hands, and felt something fundamental break inside my chest. These weren't enemy combatants—they were teenagers from a minor pack whose only crime had been refusing to surrender territory that had belonged to their families for generations."Father, perhaps we could consider exile instead—""You will execute them, or I will have you executed alongside them."The memory
POV: Miranda ProsperoWe talked until the moon reached its peak overhead, sharing stories and dreams with the kind of easy intimacy I'd only read about in books.Ferdinand told me about growing up in a palace that felt more like a prison, surrounded by advisors who saw him as a political asset rather than a person. I shared carefully edited stories about my life in the forest, tending to wounded creatures and learning magic from ancient books Papa had collected over the years."You've never been to a real school?" Ferdinand asked, his voice filled with amazement rather than pity."Papa teaches me everything I need to know," I said, though even as the words left my mouth I wondered if they were still true. Sitting here with Ferdinand, I realized how many gaps there were in my education about normal teenage experiences."And you've never been to a dance? Never had friends your own age?""The forest creatures are my friends," I said defensively, then immediately felt foolish for how chi
POV: Miranda ProsperoThe injured boy stumbled into our hidden grove like something out of a fairy tale, all golden hair and torn formal wear against the backdrop of ancient pines.I pressed myself deeper behind the massive oak tree that had been my hiding spot for the past hour, watching the chaos at the main academy building through my father's old binoculars. The Autumn Equinox Ball had erupted into something that looked more like a political summit gone wrong, with pack Alphas shouting at each other while their security details formed threatening clusters around the courtyard.Papa had forbidden me from attending, of course. "Too dangerous," he'd said in that tone that brooked no argument. "Too many powerful families asking questions we're not ready to answer."So I'd done what I always did when the outside world became overwhelming—I'd retreated to the forest sanctuary where I'd spent most of my seventeen years, tending to the injured creatures that found their way to our hidden
POV: Otto MoorlandTwenty minutes later, we escaped.The continued stares and whispered conversations had made dancing feel more like performing, so when Desi suggested we find somewhere quieter to talk, I followed her gratefully through the crowd toward a side exit that led to one of the academy's smaller courtyards.The autumn night was crisp and clear, stars scattered across the sky like diamonds on black velvet. The sounds of the ball faded to a distant hum as we walked along a stone path lined with late-blooming roses that filled the air with sweet perfume."Thank you," I said quietly, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between us. "For what you said back there. You didn't have to defend me.""Yes, I did," she replied without hesitation. "Because you're important to me, and people don't get to talk about someone I care about like that."The casual way she said 'someone I care about' made my heart skip, but I tried not to read too much into it. Desi was naturally c
POV: Otto MoorlandShe said yes.The thought kept circling through my mind as I led Desi Whitmore onto the dance floor, my palms sweating despite the cool autumn air drifting through the Great Hall's open windows. Three hours ago, asking her to dance had seemed like the most terrifying prospect in the world. Now, with her hand warm in mine and her smile bright enough to power the floating lights overhead, it felt like a miracle."You look surprised," she said softly as I placed my other hand on her waist with careful reverence, like she was made of spun glass and might shatter if I held too tight."I am surprised," I admitted, trying not to step on her feet as we began moving to the orchestra's gentle waltz. "Half the Alpha heirs in the room have been trying to get your attention all evening.""Maybe I don't want an Alpha heir's attention," she replied, her brown eyes sparkling with something that made my heart skip erratically. "Maybe I want Otto Moorland's attention."The simple st