LOGINThe next morning, Damien insisted on walking. The healers had warned against pushing too fast, but he ignored them. “An Alpha doesn’t heal by sitting still,” he grumbled stubbornly.Aria rolled her eyes, slipping an arm around his waist to steady him. “An Alpha also doesn’t fall on his face in front of his nurse.”He smirked, leaning slightly into her warmth as they took slow steps along the corridor. “You? A nurse? You scold more than you soothe.”“That’s because you act like a child,” she shot back, adjusting her grip when he stumbled slightly.He stopped, glancing down at her with that teasing spark returning to his eyes. “Then maybe I need a gentler nurse. One who listens when her patient asks for… a kiss for motivation.”Her cheeks flamed instantly, turning bright red. “You’re impossible!”“Admit it,” he murmured, grinning, “you like it when I’m impossible.”She bit her lip but said nothing. They continued their slow walk, his steps becoming steadier and her heartbeat louder with
The lower chamber smelled of stone and cold. Torches guttered in iron sconces, throwing pale light that made everyone look harder and harsher than they were. Naomi’s wrists were bound, but not with cruelty because the guards had been ordered to avoid needless violence. Still, the chill bit deep; hunger and exhaustion ran under her skin like a second heartbeat.She had been arrested and locked up for the past three days according to Orion’s command.He stood a few feet away, arms folded, as steady as a cliff. Niamh sat on a low stool, hands folded in her lap, watching Naomi like someone watching a storm build. The room had the quiet of a place where dangerous things were decided.“Naomi,” he said, his voice calm like still waters. “We asked you to come for questions. We did not ask for secrets to be buried.”Naomi’s face was pale, but her chin lifted. She could feel the cold in her bones and the dryness at the back of her throat. She had not slept properly in days. She should have been
They worked together by the river. Aria gathered stones, smoothing their surfaces with her palms. Her mother’s hands guided hers, showing how to crush fragments, how to fuse them with star ash until a faint radiance pulsed from within.Step by step, they polished the glass. It gleamed like frozen starlight. With a shard of obsidian, her mother etched the sigil; they were precise strokes forming the seven-pointed star, crescent curling protectively around it.“Now,” her mother whispered, pricking Aria’s finger lightly. A drop of blood fell onto the sigil, seeping into the grooves. The glass flared briefly to her surprise, as if recognizing its owner.“It is yours,” her mother said. “And with it, your power will never be stolen completely. You will always find a way to recover it even if something happens.”Aria held it close, its weight cool and firm in her palm. “I’ll keep it safe. I promise.”“More than safe,” her mother corrected softly. “Keep it close. Keep it always. For it will n
Damien finally slept off, and Aria left his chambers after tucking him under the thick wool blanket. She caught herself smirking, smiling, and blushing as she paced her room to sort one thing or another before sitting down to read the book that had been piquing her interest.“That brat knows how to flirt endlessly,” she coughed suddenly as the memories of him teasing her came backHer hand flew to her mouth to cover the laughter that almost dropped, and she quickly swallowed it before the maids would question her sanity.Lyra’s laughter echoed like wind chimes in a breeze. She suddenly popped out of Aria’s mind after a while of going silent, arms folded, watching the girl bustle about with an odd energy of fluffing pillows, refolding already neat blankets, and pacing as if her thoughts were too loud to sit still.“So…” Lyra tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. “No plans to run away this time?”Aria froze, caught mid-stride as she reached out for the cup of water she left at a
The soft glow of dawn spilled through the heavy curtains, channeling the golden color of the rising sun across the chamber. For days the room had been dim, silent but for the hushed footsteps of the healers and Aria’s anxious remarks. Damien stirred awake, conscious of the movements around him, but his color was glowing, rather than the fog of fever.His lashes fluttered open, and though his body felt as though healing had settled into his bones, his mind was clear and bright. The air carried a faint herbal tang, which was the lingering trace of poultices and potions used to treat him, but beneath it, he caught a gentler scent, which was lavender, the scent Aria carried with her everywhere.He turned his head slightly, and there she was staring at him with a small smile.Aria sat perched on the edge of the bed, her posture straight but her shoulders betraying exhaustion. Loose strands of hair framed her face; her eyes were darkened from the several sleepless nights she had in the past
The mansion had fallen into a tense hush since the Alpha’s sudden return from the brink of death. The servants scurried in silence, their faces pale with worry, and their voices hushed as they whispered amongst themselves. Orion prowled through the corridors like a wolf on guard, his sharp eyes catching every little movement.It was his duty as beta not just to protect Damien but to ensure the estate itself held steady in this time of unrest. The Alpha’s word might command loyalty, but it was discipline that kept a household running.He began his morning in the kitchens, where the head cook wrung her hands nervously as she reported shortages of venison. “The hunting parties have been delayed, my lord. There has been too much unrest on the outer grounds since the execution attempt. The men are hesitant.”“Then double the guards and send them anyway,” Orion replied curtly. “The Alpha’s recovery requires strength, and he will not be served scraps.”From there, he moved to the armory, wher
|Damien|“Is she dead? Did something happen to her through you?” Orion’s questions kept flying as they rushed up to check on meI was trying hard to resuscitate her since she passed out immediately after fighting hard in the water.“We have a lazy swimmer wolf here. It’s hilarious to see how she ca
|Two Days Before their Arrival||Sherlock|The minute I received her letter, I knew Damien’s biggest weakness was in my hands. She brought herself to my presence, and I couldn’t thank her enough. I didn’t need her to do much; she just had to trust me to be my hostage.“What if she doesn’t fall into
*A FEW YEARS AGO*“Alpha Sherlock sent in an invitation for his birthday. We don’t have a choice.” Orion informed Damien as he marched into the meeting room.Damien was busy inspecting the new items that were brought in when Orion came from the border. He had been trying to swap out some things fro
“You shall die by the hand of your enemies and your deepest desire will not be met. If you keep trying to change your destiny, you will meet your doom faster than expected. The kingdom you long for will not stand and the one who has been destined to crush you has been born.” The woman turned to me







