LOGINKira’s POVBarely months later, the universe decided to remind me that nothing in my life would ever be normal.I was in the palace gardens, surrounded by blooming roses and the sweet scent of fresh earth after a light rain. The afternoon sun warmed my swollen belly as I waddled along the stone path, complaining to Leah in my head about how this pup was clearly trying to rearrange my organs. One minute I was reaching for a particularly pretty flower, the next a sharp, crushing pain ripped through my lower back and abdomen like lightning.“Oh shit,” I gasped, doubling over. Warm liquid trickled down my legs. “Adrian! Ad…Adrian!”He appeared almost instantly, sprinting from the nearby courtyard where he’d been training with Thomas. His face went from concerned to full-blown panic in half a second when he saw the puddle and the way I was clutching my belly.“Kira? Is it—? Are you—?” His eyes were wide, hands hovering uselessly like he didn’t know whether to touch me or run for help. “
Kira's POV The music ended too soon. He handed me back to Adrian with a nod of acceptance.I immediately whispered to Adrian, “Hurry up the dance. I’m starving.”We danced like it was on fast-forward…barely following the rhythm, spinning and laughing while guests chuckled at our enthusiasm. I could hear cheerful mutterings…“Look at them,” and “The Goddess blessed this union.” Finally, we bowed to each other even before the music fully ended, earning more laughter and applause.The full celebration exploded around us. Adrian pulled me away under the cover of loud music and dancing bodies. We snuck out of the hall like mischievous kids. The kitchen was a paradise of prepared food…platters of roasted meats, fresh fruits, breads, and desserts arranged beautifully for the feast.Adrian flagged down the head kitchen maid. “A set for the Queen, immediately.”She rushed over with a loaded tray, eyes wide but smiling. Adrian took it from her and pulled me away again. We found an empty sid
Kira's POV The trumpets swelled like a living heartbeat as we began walking down the aisle. Golden light from a thousand candles and crystal chandeliers poured over us, turning the coronation hall into something out of a dream. Crimson and gold banners hung from the vaulted ceilings, flowers scented the air with sweet roses and jasmine, and the polished marble floor gleamed underfoot. Hundreds of faces turned toward us…alphas in formal robes, lunas in shimmering gowns, nobles dripping with jewels…all standing in respectful silence broken only by the occasional sniffle or whisper of awe.My arm stayed linked tightly with my father’s. I could feel the slight tremor in his muscles, the way his breath hitched as we began our slow walk down the long aisle. Every step echoed. My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could hear it. This was it. The moment I had both dreaded and desperately wanted.“You’re trembling,” he murmured, voice low and rough with emotion.“I’m just… happy you’re he
Kira’s POVAdrian’s scream tore through the corridor like something ripped straight from a nightmare…raw, guttural, filled with pure terror that made my stomach drop. It wasn’t the scream of a king. It was the scream of my mate, my husband, the father of my unborn child, watching me step into death for him. The sound wrapped around my heart and squeezed so tight I almost couldn’t breathe.I just couldn’t stand a damn bloodshed on my coronation day!The thought raced through my mind as chaos swirled around us. Our pleas had fallen on hard ears. My father was bent on separating us, no matter what. I had been lost for a moment earlier. For a brief, terrifying second, that totem had yanked me under like a riptide. I felt this magnetic pull toward Sebastian, like I needed to be near him just to breathe. That old dream from LA flashed behind my eyes…him, me, some hazy connection…and a strange hunger swallowed me whole. Then Adrian’s grip on my arm had grounded me. His warm scent floode
Adrian's POV Sebastian kept approaching until we were nose to nose. His breath was hot on my face, eyes burning with possession. “I have come to collect my mate. Didn’t I warn you? I want my woman or everyone in this kingdom will taste my wrath. The only reason I held back and didn’t attack after the first time was because I am a gentleman after all. I wanted to give my mate time to cut off whatever connected her to this rotten place. My patience has run out. I have come to take her home.”My wolf snarled viciously inside, trying to surge forward and rip Sebastian’s head clean off. I clamped down hard…couldn’t afford one wrong step. Not with Kira right here. Not with her father watching.“Move out of my way,” Sebastian growled.Thomas stepped up beside me, growling low. The other men flanked us immediately. “What right do you have to lay claim on the Queen of Draven?” Thomas demanded.“She is my mate,” Sebastian spat back. “Not the Queen of Draven.”I felt Kira’s grip on my robe tig
Adrian’s POV I waited but he didn't make any other move. Did I see wrong?The tension in the air thickened even more, like the calm before a storm that could burn everything down. My heart hammered against my ribs. Kira’s breath hitched beside me. Tristen’s gaze flicked between us, still soft on her but lethal when it landed on me.I caught the movement from Sebastian again…his hand still inching toward his belt like he was weighing his options. My blood boiled, but I kept my voice steady, forcing confidence into every word even though my wolf was clawing to get out and paint the walls red.“Sebastian,” I said, loud and clear, locking eyes with him. “I will advise you not to try anything funny right now. Whatever you have planned, drop it.” I gestured around us, at the tension crackling in the air like static before a lightning storm. “So what I suggest is we all move to a quieter place…maybe my study. We can sit down and talk about things calmly. As a family.”Kira nodded her h
Adrian’s POVMorning light leaked through the narrow slit high in the dungeon wall, thin and gray, like it was afraid to touch me. Another third night survived. Barely.I slumped against the cold stone, chains heavy on my wrists and ankles, the metal links coated in that thick silver-wolfsbane past
Kira’s POVDarkness pressed in from all sides, thick and suffocating, like velvet soaked in ink. I was standing in a tunnel that stretched endlessly ahead, the walls slick and shadowed, with only faint slivers of light piercing through cracks far above. My bare feet echoed softly on the cold stone
Kira’s POVThe ache hit me again, harder this time, like a fist straight to my gut. I stumbled back a step, pressing my thighs together because oh my God, everything down there was throbbing, swollen, begging for something I couldn’t even name out loud. My skin felt too tight, too hot, like I was
Adrian’s POVThe courtyard was alive with restless energy when I stormed out…over twenty warriors already shifted or mid-shift, massive wolves pacing in tight circles, ears pricked, hackles half-raised. No armor, no swords, no horses. We didn’t need them. Claws, teeth, speed, and raw pack fury were







