LOGINVictoria’s POVDad, why are you upset? I asked. You already knew we were together.But you’re married, Victoria. You should have talked to me first.Cadmus, I’m sorry, I said as I turned to him. I’ll call you later.Inside the car, my dad took my hand. Is this about revenge, Victoria? Cadmus is the reason you and Makarius are together.He didn’t know who he was back then.Half king? he asked.Is that a problem? I turned to him, feeling angry.Makarius has something over you. He knows your secret.He won’t use it against me, but he’s planning something. I can feel it. War is coming.We need to send all the children away.He stared at me. You saw it?I did. Someone is going to attack the kingdom.How much time do I have, Victoria? Maybe a few days, I said, looking out the window.Why are you so calm about this?I’m ready to fight father, to defend what’s mine. You trained me.No, you’re leaving with your children.I smiled. I’m staying to fight. I’m the princess of this pack, and I won’
Cadmus’s POVI stared through the hotel window in the dark, then turned to see Victoria sprawled on the bed, tangled in the sheets.She doesn’t trust me. That hits hard, colder than the night outside. No matter what I do, her guard is still up. Every suspicious look, every time she pulls away, it hurts. I keep thinking I deserve it. If only I hadn’t messed up so much. There’s a lot I need to fix, and I’m scared it’ll never be enough to earn her trust back. Still, I have to try. The guilt eats at me, and I wonder if I’ll ever forgive myself if she can’t.I’m in love with her, I feel her pain. It's my fault, everything that happened.The moment I found out who I was. Thane wasn’t my brother.My father sent me away to protect me from that monster Makarius. He did his best.He kept his unstable son close. I remember visiting with Bogdana, my nanny, who was supposed to keep me safe and away from Makarius.I didn’t understand at the time. Now I do. She tried to make him understand that I wa
Victoria’s POVCadmus wouldn’t stop, as he had already made me reach orgasm several times. Like he knew my body, knew what I wanted. My hand slid down his body, touching his arousal. Thicker, longer.Comparing Victoria? He whispered as he kissed my lips.No... yes...Are you ready for me? His eyes glowed with an amber-like fire.I let out a moan as he was playing on my clit with his arousal. He pushed inside me, and I let out a breath.He stared at me. You had two children, still fucking tight, he whisperedHis kisses were possessive, his hand touching my breast, my hand caressing his back. This was not sex, I thought, some next level...I lost my thoughts as my body started to tremble, and he pushed deeper, only to make the orgasm seem without an end. Clenching hard as my inside pulsed, he came undone, his breath hot on my lips. I kissed him softly.Still hard inside me. He moved over, and I breathed out.Cadmus pulled me closer. Did I hurt you, Victoria? Looked like you’re in pain.I
Victoria’s POVI was still trying to make sense of his words when Makarius appeared in front of me.What do you want?"You will do as I say," he demanded, unaware that Cadmus was hiding in the closet."Do as you say?" I laughed. "No, Makarius. You don't have any power over me anymore."If the packs find out what you’re capable of, they’ll tear you to pieces.I dare you, go on, if all this time, two children, and you have the heart to do it, I dare you. I shouted to him.Makarius stared at me with those icy blue eyes, the same man I once fell in love with. It hurt more than I could say."Just remember, Victoria, I’m still in control. Stay out of my way.""Never. You hold nothing over me, Makarius. Coward."He stopped and turned, his hand tightening around my neck."Do it," I whispered. "You ruined my soul. I loved you..."For a moment, I saw a flicker of softness in his cold eyes."Power? Let me guess, what more do you want?"I want everything, and I will get it, Victoria. Stay out of
Victoria’s POVI opened my eyes and saw Cadmus with his hand around her neck. The knife slipped from his grip.I shouted, "Cadmus, stop!"Why are you protecting her after everything she’s done to you?She isn’t worth killing. Besides, she’s right, I did steal you from her, didn’t I, Sienna?Cadmus smiled and let go of her neck. "Is someone jealous?" he asked.Sienna was just a piece in my chess game, Victoria, nothing more. But sometimes even a chess piece can get under your skin. Maybe I resented her for trying to come between us, or maybe I saw something in her I didn’t want to admit about myself. Still, I never cared for her the way I care for you, and you know that.He grabbed my wrist, pulled me down the hallway, and pushed me against the wall."I didn’t save you just for you to die," he said, his lips close to mine. "You won’t die or give up. That’s not who you are. Unless you still love that fake king.""Fake? What do you mean?""He threw you away like you were nothing. He didn
Victoria’s POVI dozed off on the couch with Thalia resting on my chest until my phone buzzed.Cadmus.His face appeared on the screen. "Victoria, I needed to see you today. Oh no, did I wake you?""Thalia has a way of putting me to sleep," I said with a laugh.Four months have passed, and he has called me every day. Not demanding anything. I never expected to hear from him so often, and yet each time my phone lit up with his name, I felt a warmth in my chest and a strange flutter of nerves. There was comfort in his steady presence, but an ache too, like I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Some days, I let myself hope. On others, I guarded my heart, afraid that letting him in too much would only make it harder if he slipped away again."I called to see if you’d like to go to the fancy gala for the Foundation of Paws," he said."Say that again? Do you donate to the Foundation of Paws? The animal foundation?""Oh, dear, you really do think badly of me," he teased.No, I tri
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
Balthazar’s POVI looked out at the land while the driver kept his eyes on the winding road. I was more nervous than I expected. I chose to tell Makarius before Victoria because I’m afraid she’ll hate me.The car entered the town where the Tatra pack lived and stopped at the pack house.I saw Victo
Drystan’s POVIt's over, I thought as I collapsed onto the bed. Nothing could change what had happened. I picked up the phone and called Balthazar.Drystan, he said softly, I…Don’t bother. The bond is set. Makarius is her fated mate. Victoria chose him as those words left my mouth, a sharp pang of
Makarius dragged me to the dungeon, as I was begging him to let me go with him.I love you too much, Victoria. I need you alive. Forgive me.Makarius, I have to be out, Makarius….I dropped to my knees. When I opened my eyes, the cell was lit.What is happening? Yellow light was slipping from me.I







