THE NEXT MORNINGKAIDEN—AT THE PACKHOUSESlade and Hera knelt side by side in my grand throne room, surrounded by guards. The guards had their swords drawn and ready for any sudden move from either of them. The elders of the council and the circle of Alphas sat in their designated seats, watching the scene unfold with grave expressions.From my throne, I sat quietly, observing it all, while the court’s elder inquisitor began the questioning.“High Priestess Hera,” he spoke firmly, his voice echoing through the high ceilings, “Based on the recording found on that phone, it’s been revealed that you formed an alliance with Alpha Slade to bring down the Lycan King, murder the Chief Priestess, and falsely accuse the Luna of a crime she did not commit. Is this true?”Even from my position, I could see Hera’s chest rising and falling rapidly. Her hands were still magically bound behind her back—courtesy of Aria’s spell when she brought her here.I couldn't be more thankful to Aria for every
ARIA“You… you—” Hera stammered, barely able to stand. She braced herself with her staff, wobbling as she rose to her feet, disbelief flooding her pale face.I stood quietly, letting her drink in the sight of me. Despite the calm on my face, rage surged like wildfire underneath my skin.Memories came rushing in. Memories of what we used to be before her betrayal. Those laughters we’d once shared, bonds I thought would never break. Until it did. She’d tore it apart with her betrayal. Stole my child. Murdered the only mortal I ever loved.I had told myself I’d let it all go. That I’d moved past the pain. That if I ever stood before her face to face again, I’d feel nothing.Lies.As I looked at her now, I wanted nothing more than to tear her apart and toss her soul into the deepest corner of the abyss she so rightfully belonged in. Maybe then, she’d get the kingdom she always craved.“Mortal realm made you rusty?” I asked, my voice calm and mocking. I spun the golden staff in my hand w
Freya ran with every ounce of strength she had, heart pounding, breath sharp in her throat. Behind her, Max and two others chased her through the forest, their footsteps crashing against the dried leaves and broken twigs on the ground. The cold wind stung her cheeks, but she didn’t slow down.She held the phone tightly in her hand, her lifeline and the only evidence that could finally bring Alpha Slade and High Priestess Hera to justice.She dared a quick glance over her shoulder. The men were getting closer.“Come on, come on,” she whispered to herself, pushing harder.Suddenly, her foot caught on a thick tree branch hidden beneath the leaves. She tumbled forward with a cry, crashing to the ground. The phone flew from her hand and landed a few feet away. Gritting her teeth, she tried to scramble to her feet and reach for it, but a rough hand yanked her back by the hair.“You sneaky little bitch,” Max snarled behind her, his fist twisted in her hair. Freya cried out, trying to free
CROSS“Who is my biological father?” I asked, a small growl vibrating through my chest. “And what did you do to him?”Slade didn’t answer right away. He just stood there, staring at me, his expression slowly morphing from stunned to stone-cold blank.Quietly, he turned fully and began walking toward me, slow steps that made the floor creak under his boots. He stopped just a foot away from me, close enough that I could see the tired lines around his eyes. I clenched my jaw, glaring up at him, my nostrils flaring.His eyes studied mine like he was reading a report. Calm. Calculating. My fists were tight at my sides, knuckles burning white.My anger surged. That was it? That was all he had to say?My lip curled and I scoffed, my voice cracking slightly.“That’s all you’re gonna ask? After lying to me my entire life, that’s all you care about?”He gave a low scoff of his own. My blood turned to fire.“What did you want me to say?” His emotionless, cold eyes met mine. “That I regret it? T
CROSSI couldn’t sleep a wink that night.Even with Nyx lying in my arms, completely bare under the sheets, her body warm and her breathing soft, I still felt a weight on my chest that refused to lift. Her presence usually brought me peace and comfort, but tonight, not even that could ease the storm inside me.The conversation I’d had with her mother at the restaurant kept playing in my head.“Alpha Slade isn’t your biological father either.”At first, I’d been furious. I’d thought she was just saying something cruel to get under my skin. But she had maintained her words without a flinch, and had even told me to go ask him myself if I didn’t believe her. Said she’d been his favorite whore once, and that she’d known more about him than even his Beta did. That was why, after she ran, he’d hunted her because she knew too much. He wanted his secrets buried with her.I couldn’t help but start to believe her. Somehow. As wild and unpredictable as she was, something told me she wasn’t lyin
KAIDENI rushed straight to the cell that evening, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. A guard had brought me a message, saying that Calantha wanted to see me. Urgently.I’d been in the middle of an important meeting with Bradley and some of my top soldiers. They were updating me on the progress of our latest investigations. But the moment I heard her name, I didn’t care what anyone was saying. I left everything and everyone behind and headed straight to her.When I arrived at the holding quarters, the guards slowly moved to open the cell door. Their sluggishness annoyed me. Had they been napping? How could they be sleeping when Calantha was inside? Anything could have happened to her!I wanted to call them out right then and there, but I held it in. Calantha came first. I’ll deal with them later.I stepped inside the cell, and the moment she saw me, Calantha stood up from her bed.“Hey…” she began softly, but I was already by her side, scanning her body with frantic eyes, my hands