LOGINRonan's POVThe ceremonial grounds were surprisingly full. I sat in the elevated seating, my hands gripping the armrests, my eyes moving across the crowd. Elders, warriors, families, children, nobles, servants, even visiting wolves from allied packs.This was never supposed to be an event."What's going on? Am I in the wrong place?"I stood and walked toward Mother. She was seated near the platform, Wren beside her, both of them looking perfectly composed.I cleared my throat and slipped my hands into my pockets."Mother, why the crowd? What are we celebrating?"She looked up at me, her smile pleasant."Why, Son? Must there be something to celebrate?"I gestured toward the enormous crowd."This many people didn't gather for nothing. Something is happening, and I'm not aware of it?"She tilted her head."Ronan, you are so stiff. Loosen up a little. I was bored and wanted a little entertainment."She chuckled, but I wasn't finding it funny, I felt my jaw tighten."Every official event i
Auren's POV“Okay, Auren, you can do this, take a deep breath, keep pushing.”Those were the words I occasionally whispered to myself, even though they felt strange to my ears.My palms scraped against the stone as I pushed myself up from the ground. My arms were trembling, my breath coming in ragged gasps.The training space was quiet. The walls were bare, the air smelled of dust and sweat, and all I could see was my failure.I closed my eyes and pressed inward, but I couldn't feel Silver. My heart dropped.I called to her with every scrap of hope I had been holding onto for months.Come on. Why now? Was I destined to be a total shame?I pressed harder, the pressure built behind my ribs. My bones ached, my spine locked.Suddenly, heat flashed through my body, then it vanished.I collapsed.The stone was cold against my cheek. My hands were shaking as I pressed my forehead against the ground and tried to breathe.“Enough, Auren.”Maelis's voice thundered above me. I felt her hand on m
Auren's POVI knelt beside the herb beds. The garden corridor was quiet, my fingers moving through the leaves as I sorted what Maelis needed for the morning treatments. The sun was warm on my back, the heat seeped into my skin, and sweat clung to my back and forehead.Then a shadow fell across the path, I could feel it close by, I looked up.Wren stood in front of me. Her dress had the most beautiful designs I had ever seen, her posture was perfect, her smile was polite, but that smile didn't reach her eyes, something about it made my heart race. I straightened slowly, my hands going still."Hello ma'am, I—""You seem very comfortable here," she cut in, slowly circling me, her eyes fixed on mine.I looked at her and said nothing.She glanced at the herbs in my basket. "Is this what healers do? Gather plants?"I cleared my throat. "It's... It's part of it."She stepped closer. "How long have you been in Emberfall?"I met her gaze. "Long enough.""Hmmm, long enough?""Yes, ma'am." I k
Ronan's POVThe council chamber was warm. I sat at the head of the table, my fingers pressed against the armrest. The wood was smooth beneath my touch and familiar, but today I felt distant, like a stranger in my own chamber.I had sat in this chair a thousand times. I had listened to reports, made decisions, signed decrees.The room had never felt this small.Gareth was speaking, something about patrols, supplies, border activity. I heard the words, but I didn't process them.My jaw was tight, my hands were still. My eyes were fixed on my mother across the table.Kael glanced at me from where he stood. I felt his attention shift, he knew something was wrong.The room continued around me, then I spoke."Mother."The room went quiet, I looked directly at her."I will say this here, in the presence of every elder."I paused."Never touch my mate again."The silence stretched. Her expression barely changed, but I could see the tension in her eyes."Are you threatening the Queen?""No." I
Auren's POV"The Queen wishes to see you."The servant's voice was sharp, but her eyes didn't meet mine.I looked up from the herbs I had been sorting. "Did she say why?""Only that she wishes to see you alone."The word landed differently than the rest.Alone?I set down the bundle of chamomile, my fingers suddenly stiff. "Where?""The eastern receiving room. She is waiting for you."She left before I could ask anything else.The corridor stretched before me as I walked. My footsteps echoed against the stone, I kept my breathing steady, but my hands were cold as ice. I passed servants who looked away quickly and guards who straightened as I walked by.The eastern receiving room was quiet when I entered.The room was carefully arranged, with expensive furniture and a silence that made my chest ache.A tea service sat on the low table between two chairs, the cups untouched. Guards stood outside the door, but inside, there was only Queen Isolde.She was seated near the window. Her postu
Ronan's POVI stepped into the corridor, the cool air welcomed me. Torches flickered along the stone walls, their light shifting across the floor as I walked.I had barely taken three steps when I saw Kael approaching.He was walking quickly, but the moment his eyes met mine, he looked away.I stopped."Kael?"He slowed and came to a halt in front of me. "Alpha."Something about his voice made my shoulders stiffen."What is it?" I asked, watching his face. "Is something wrong with Auren?"He hesitated, my stomach tightened."Say it. Now."Kael swallowed and straightened. "There was an encounter involving Auren and Melvin outside the palace, near the eastern border."For a second, I didn't move, my fingers slowly curled at my sides."What encounter?" My voice dropped. "Explain yourself in clear terms.""A patrol guard saw them," Kael said carefully. "Melvin approached her and grabbed her wrist. She told him to let her go. There was an argument between them."His jaw tightened."After t







