ログインMelvin's POVThe cloth over my face was stifling. I kept my head lowered as the cart rumbled toward Emberfall's entrance, stained bandages covered my jaw and cheeks, wrapped carefully to make me look badly injured.The merchant beside me—one of the guards I had brought with me in disguise, kept his eyes forward, his expression neutral.I knew exactly what I was risking. If Ronan recognized me before I reached Auren, there would be no private conversation.There might not even be a peaceful way out.The merchant kept his voice low. "Stay still, Alpha. Don't say anything. Let me do the talking."I nodded. The gates loomed ahead, guards stood at attention, their eyes moving over everyone entering the territory. I forced my breathing to remain steady, but my heart was pounding against my ribs.Then I saw Ronan, he stood near the entrance, speaking with one of the guards. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp. They moved over the cart, over the merchant, then settled on me.I fe
Auren's POVI couldn't return to the healing wing. My feet carried me through the corridors, past the main hall and the courtyard where guards stood at attention.The afternoon light slanted through the windows, warm and golden, but I didn't feel warm. I felt like I was still sitting on the edge of his bed, still feeling his hand around mine, still hearing his voice low and close to my ear."Why are you trying so hard to run away from me, my healer?"I pressed my palm against my chest, my heart was still racing.I found Maelis in the garden. She was kneeling near the herb beds, her hands moving through the leaves with care.A basket sat beside her, half-filled with chamomile and lavender. The strong scent drifted through the air.She didn't look up when I approached. She simply kept working, her fingers gentle against the stems.I stopped at the edge of the path."Maelis..." I hesitated, unsure whether I should continue. "I need to talk to you."She looked at me with a small smile, se
Ronan's POVThe council chamber was warm, I shifted several times in my seat, my fingers drumming once against the armrest before I forced them still.The Elders sat according to hierarchy, their attention fixed on Auren, who stood at the center of the room with her hands clasped loosely in front of her. She was giving her report on the healing wing, composed and completely professional."The wounded warriors from the rogue attack are recovering well. Three have returned to light duty, while two more need another few days of observation."She paused, glancing at the notes in her hand."Supplies are running low on wound herbs. I have submitted a request for additional stock, which will help with the herbs I make here on my own. If the eastern patrol continues to bring in injured warriors, we'll need more within the week."The Elders nodded. One of them asked a question about the recovery timeline, and she answered smoothly.I tried to listen, I couldn't. My eyes followed her every move
Melvin's POVMy hands remained fixed on the desk as I sat staring at the same report I had been trying to read since morning. The words blurred together, names, figures, border updates, none of them held my attention.My hand drifted slowly to my cheek, the skin had healed, leaving no trace of the mark, but I could still feel the sting. I could still hear the echo of her palm against my face and the way her voice had cracked when she said the words that broke me.You had me, Melvin. You let them throw me away like I was nothing.My hand dropped to the table, Nile stirred beneath my skin, restless and angry, still fixed on what had been taken from us.I pushed the papers aside and reached for another document, the one I had been avoiding.The physician's report, I had read it several times, but the words still felt fresh.Your body cannot produce an heir, never could, never will.I set the report down, my fingers pressing flat against the desk.For two whole years, Auren had been made
AUREN'S POV “Are you alright?”Ronan looked at me with soft eyes. I blinked.The corridor stayed quiet around me. Melvin’s footsteps had faded completely, but my body hadn’t caught up yet.Ronan moved closer, his hand came up slowly. I could have stepped away, but I didn’t.His fingers brushed a strand of hair from my face before he took my hand, his palm was warm against mine, his fingers curling gently around my knuckles. He wasn’t gripping me. He held my hand as though he was giving me time to pull away if I wanted to, I didn’t.“You have nothing to feel guilty about, Auren.”I blinked at him.“What?”He tilted his head toward the corridor Melvin had disappeared through.“You stood your ground and faced your fear. That took a lot of courage.”I shook my head.“I’m not upset.”“Auren.”“I’m not, really. I feel lighter.”The words came too quickly.“I feel so free. I’ve never felt this light before.”He smiled, watching me with those steady eyes, I pulled my hand from his, my finge
SELENE'S POV “Stop right there.”I stepped closer, blocking his path.“I know you’re hiding something. Spill it, now.”Vayric studied me, his eyes moved over my face, taking in my trembling hands and the rapid rise and fall of my chest.“Selene.”“Don’t do that.” I held up my hand.“Don’t calm me down. Don’t you dare tell me I’m overreacting. He knows something. I saw it, the way he looked at us, and I know you know a lot more.”Vayric walked toward the table, he poured himself a glass of wine, his movements deliberate and calm. The complete opposite of everything I was feeling.“Melvin knows nothing.”I let out a broken laugh. “You sound so certain?”“If he knew anything, he would have acted differently.”He took a sip.“He would have confronted us directly. Instead, he made a threat. That is the behavior of a man who suspects but has no proof.”I pressed my palm against the table, the wood was cool beneath my fingers.“What if he has proof?”Vayric set down his glass. “Then we’ll d







