FAZER LOGINRiley’s POVAxel froze instantly. His hands were still holding my face, but his body turned as stiff as a stone board.I panicked. I quickly buried my face into my knees, letting my messy hair fall forward to hide my face. I pulled the dark wool scarf higher over my nose with shaking hands.But hiding my face couldn't stop his scent.The moment Ezra stepped into the courtyard, the smell of dark pine, cold snow, and raw alpha power rushed into my lungs. It hit me like a physical blow. My wolf howled inside my chest. The burning heat inside my belly instantly doubled, twisting my insides so hard I let out a soft, painful whimper. I felt like I was being thrown into a blazing fire."Mind your own business, Your Majesty," Axel said. He forced his voice to sound rough and low, still trying to hide his real identity. He slowly pulled his hands away from my face and stood up, blocking me from Ezra's view. "She was crying because she's sick. I was comforting her. That's it. It's not what it l
Riley’s POV"Riley!"Axel dropped to his knees beside me, his hands grabbing my shoulders. He pulled my upper body into his lap, his eyes wide with panic."Hey, look at me," Axel said, his voice rough and tight. He quickly pulled the thick scarf down from my face and pressed his bare palm against my forehead. He hissed, pulling his hand back as if he had just touched a hot stove. "God you’re burning up! "I groaned, my hands instinctively grabbing my stomach as a sharp, twisting cramp tore through my insides.As a healer, I absolutely knew what it was.It was the heat.I had been so distracted by the journey, the snow, and seeing Ezra with that blonde girl, that I had completely forgotten what time of the month it was.My annual heat cycle was starting.And without a mate to fulfill the bond, it was hitting me like a violent storm.Normally, the heat built up slowly over a few days. But tonight, it crashed into me all at once. Dancing with Ezra in that pub, smelling his deep pine scen
Riley’s POVI sat there, my heart pounding in my chest, waiting for his answer.Is she the girl you're going to marry? That gorgeous, blonde girl that’s clearly crazy about you.Ezra didn’t answer right away. He just stared at me. The dancing flames from the fireplace reflected in his deep green eyes, making them look wild and dangerous.A slow, wicked smirk spread across his handsome face.He leaned forward across the small wooden table, closing the distance between us. His broad chest almost touched his drink."Why do you care?" he asked, his voice dropping into a low, smooth whisper that sent a shiver straight down my spine. "Are you jealous?"I blinked in pure shock, leaning back against my seat. "Jealous? Are you crazy? I barely know you."I forced a harsh, fake laugh to hide the panic in my voice. "I was just asking a simple question. I am definitely not one of those stupid girls who hear the word 'King', see your face, and instantly fall for you."Ezra let out a dark, low chuck
Riley’s POVMy lungs froze. I forgot how to breathe.I stood completely still, trapped against Ezra's hard chest. His large hand was still wrapped securely around my upper arm, his grip firm but not painful. I kept my head down, letting the deep shadows of my gray hood and the thick wool scarf hide my entire face.Behind me, I heard Axel’s heavy boots scrape against the stone.Axel wasn't stupid. The moment he felt the terrifying, crushing pressure of the Lycan King, he immediately stopped in his tracks and stepped back into the pitch-black shadows of the alley.“What’s happening here?” Ezra repeated his question, his voice cold."It's nothing," Axel said. He forcefully lowered his voice, making it sound rough and muffled so Ezra wouldn't recognize him. "We were just having a normal argument. She slipped on the ice."Ezra didn't look at him. His piercing green eyes remained fixed on the top of my hood. I could feel his gaze burning into me. I knew he had a terrifying sense of smell, b
Riley’s POVA wave of suffocating pain crushed my chest, making it hard to even breathe.I stood in the dark shadow of the alley, watching the bright bonfire in the square. My eyes were locked on the beautiful blonde girl laughing next to Ezra.Was this the girl he fell in love with? Was she the reason he traveled all the way through the freezing mountains? Did he come here to reject me just so he could be with her?"Riley, let's go. Now," Axel’s voice was rough and tight. He didn't give me a chance to answer. He grabbed my arm, his grip completely iron-clad, and pulled me forcefully away from the square.I didn't fight him. I let him drag me back into the dark, quiet streets. My mind was completely numb. We stopped at a small, hidden food stall on the edge of the village, bought some hot soup and bread, and hurried back to our cold stone cabin.We ate in total silence. I couldn't taste the food. Every bite felt like chewing on dry sand. Axel kept shooting me worried, heavy looks, but
Riley’s POVI cried until my throat was raw and my chest ached with every breath.Axel didn't say a single word. He just stood there in the freezing snow, holding me tight against his warm chest, letting me soak his shirt with my tears. The bitter mountain wind howled through the pine trees, but inside his arms, I felt shielded from the ice.Slowly, the heavy sobs shaking my body began to fade. I sniffled, wiping my swollen eyes with the back of my cold hand, and gently pulled back from his chest."I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice sounding rough and broken. "I got your shirt all wet."Axel let out a soft sigh, reaching up to pull my gray hood perfectly over my head to block the wind. "Don't apologize to me, Riley. Never apologize for crying. Tell me what happened in that courtyard. What did the Priestess say?"I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat, staring past him at the frozen lake. The dark, icy water looked exactly like how I felt inside—cold, still, and completely dead."The
Riley’s POVOlivia’s face went white.“N-No! Wait—” she shrieked as two of Ezra’s men strode toward her.They didn’t hesitate for even a second. One grabbed her by the arm. The other reached for her shoulder like they really meant to drag her all the way back to the blasted camp and toss her into t
Riley’s POVCamila’s alliance took a brutal hit.Even from the ridge, I could tell they were finished for the day. The ones who managed to escape were half-dragging, half-carrying each other through the trees. Some were limping. Some were bleeding so badly their clothes were soaked dark.And right
Riley’s POVMy eyes widened a little, stunned.I never thought that warrior would pick me as his opponent.Not because I was scared of him. But warriors and healers aren’t even on the same playing field when it comes to strength or combat skills.Like Danica once said, healers are usually protected
Riley’s POVWhat?I could barely believe what I just heard.Ms. Bright just said I was in Ezra’s team?But that couldn’t be right. Something’s wrong!For a second, the entire field was completely silent. Then chaos erupted. Everyone started whispering to each other, some girls even screamed. Everyo







