ログインVictoria’s POVI watched him talk on the satellite phone. His deep voice was the only sound in the quiet room. The phone's blue light cast shadows that danced on the stone walls, and the air felt tense.His long hair fell over his face, hiding the look in his eyes. He was bare-chested, looking wild and tense, every muscle tight. I felt a cool draft on my skin, mixed with the smell of rain from the open window. My heart pounded as I wondered what he was feeling.Then I turned to see so many packages. I questioned him with my eyes. He smiled.My heart skipped another beat. I wanted to kiss him.I turned to open a box, and he came behind me, kissing my neck.I let the towel fall to my feet as his hand touched me gently."Just do what I asked, you’re on the right track." He hung up and set the phone down.Why are you tempting me? he whispered.He picked me up and threw me on the bed. So you wanted to kiss me...Later, I walked downstairs, and the nanny walked in with the kids."Mama," Abr
Victoria’s POVWhat if I were? I said defiantHis amber eyes locked on mine, and I could feel his strength as he moved toward me with a predator’s grace.I backed up until my back hit the wall."Victoria," he said softly. "Say that again."Do I have to tell you everything?"Am I talking to myself this whole time?" He slammed his hand against the wall, and little flakes of paint fell.I need to find the witch. Yes, I’m going on a trip. I must get answers. If Gerda can help me prove Makarius's betrayal once and for all, I need to hear it from her."Do you understand how this works?" He gestured between us."What do you mean?" I asked, confused."Go on, go," he said as he sat down on the couch, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip."I can’t be apart from you." "We will both suffer." I sat next to him. "Cadmus, please take me to find Gerda."You still think he’s innocent? Or do you want to hear from someone else?I’m pretty sure I felt you were telling me the truth."Then why look fo
Victoria’s POVCadmus didn’t pay attention to the drive at all. Instead, he turned to Thalia and gently touched her small hand.She giggled and blew raspberries.The car stopped. I looked at him, confused.It’s time to walk now. I’ll carry her, don’t worry. Abrax, can you walk?Of course, I’m not a baby, uncle. Then he turned to me. Do I call him uncle?You can call me uncle, Cadmus said. I’m not here to take your dad’s place. Now, follow me.As we walked through the forest, the trees grew thicker. We were deep in the mountains.He turned to look at me and handed me the water.How did he know I wanted water? It felt like he could read me, peeling back the layers I kept hidden, and yet I barely understood myself right now. This whole thing was too much, too fast. My heart was pounding, caught between panic and a strange excitement I couldn’t name. I wasn’t used to someone being so firm with me when following orders.And still, every time his eyes caught mine, I felt my thoughts muddle,
Victoria’s POVI heard his muffled voice telling me, "Victoria, open your eyes."Cadmus...He hugged me, and when I opened my eyes, his amber eyes were shining.He carried me into the shower. I watched blood swirl down the drain as Cadmus gently washed me while I sobbed.Cadmus knelt beside me and tucked a damp strand of hair away from my cheek. "Victoria, I know this has been too much for you. He attacked you tonight. You saw him die. That is a lot for anyone to handle in just one day."His voice softened, gentler than before. "I tried to prepare you, but maybe I did not make myself clear enough. I want you to understand you are safe now. Please, don’t cry anymore."He wrapped me in a bathrobe and helped me into bed."Who...was that?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear.A rogue, bold enough to challenge me. He wanted to prove his strength, but someone must have sent him. Do you want me to tell you who did it?I shook my head. Deep down, I already knew. Makarius. Why does he want m
Victoria’s POVCadmus, are you sure about this?Victoria, you need to start trusting me. You can feel what I feel now. The town I built is hidden, and no one knows where it is.Everyone else sees mist and endless trees. The houses blend into the forest, tucked under old branches and marked with protective runes. Your pack will be safe here.Thank you, I said, kissing his cheek. I will check on my dad and gather the pack.And I’ll make some calls so they’re ready, Cadmus said.I walked into my dad’s room. Hi Daddy, I have a story to tell you.I was about to speak when he stirred.You always had good stories, Victoria, he mumbled.Daddy, I said, hugging him.Oh, my princess. You smell different.I pulled away. Dad, Cadmus is the true king.He stared at me, confused.Makarius used magic to fool me; this, I believe, was planned long ago. Your instincts were correct.Why would the father send his full-blooded son away?He has terrible scars on his back. I only saw them for a moment, but th
Victoria’s POVCadmus...the doors opened, and the doctor walked up to me.He’s resting. His injuries are serious, but he’s tough. You have five minutes with him before I put him into a coma so he can heal.I couldn’t breathe, as the floor had vanished under me. Fear gripped my chest, cold and sharp, but guilt was even worse. This was all my fault. I hoped this would help him recover, but my hands still shook at the thought of losing him, even for a little while.I walked in and took his hand. Daddy, I’m sorry. This is all my fault. Please forgive me. I kissed his forehead.Cadmus was sitting down, waiting for me.You need stitches, I said, looking at his deep wound.I’m fine, this is nothing, really.I pulled him to the nurses’ station. They tried not to stare as they began stitching him up. He kept his eyes on me.I smiled, unable to help it. With three nurses hovering over him, he looked uncomfortable.When they finished, he took my hand and pulled me into a room.He kissed me, and
Victoria’s POVDad, how is the transition going? I asked as I held Abrax on my hipEveryone has moved in, and the trucks are bringing the supplies and the rest of the furniture.I’m so excited, I can hardly wait to get back. The city is fine, but I belong in the wild.He laughed. My wild girl, you
Balthazar’s POVSixteen years agoSylvia, I shouted, “Where are you?Daddy, Mom is sleeping, shhh.I picked her up and kissed her cheek. My little wolf. What are you up to?Nothing, I play with a bunny, a lizard, and a chicken. I asked them to do funny things, and they listened like they were my fr
Victoria’s POVAfter Balthazar left, I glared at Makarius, anger burning inside me.Victoria, he said softly, I...I pressed my finger to his chest. This is your last warning, Makarius. Maybe I don’t say 'I love you' enough or hug you often, but you need to stop this... this behavior.He kissed me
Makarius's eyes widened. " How did you figure it out?" "Figure what out?" I asked, my brow furrowing. "The fake formula you planted. They caught the spy because of it." "It worked?" I leapt onto the couch, unable to contain my excitement. " Let me guess... someone from Finance?" Makarius shook







