LOGIN(Alicia)The air in Siannodel is crisp as the plane descends, the familiar landscape of Elven lands far beneath us. The sprawling greenery of the city’s towering trees and glittering rivers looks as beautiful as ever, but there’s something new in the air: a calmness, a serenity.I glance at Rocco, seated beside me, his hand resting over mine. He’s quiet, as usual, his eyes on the view below, but I know he’s thinking the same thing I am. This is the end of an era.“Hard to believe, isn’t it?” I say softly, my voice breaking the quiet hum of the plane.Rocco turns his gaze to me, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Fifteen years,” he murmurs. “Feels like a lifetime ago.”I nod, squeezing his hand gently. “And yet, here we are. Luka’s coronation. We’ve managed to keep the peace.”“More than that,” Rocco adds. “We’ve built something that’ll last.”I smile, though my heart is heavy with the memories of the battles fought, the lives lost, and the unending struggle to ensure peace between ou
(Archer)I smirk. “Why shouldn’t I? I’m the only one capable of ruling with strength. Not you, not Luka, and certainly not Angus or Timothy or even Charmaine.”At the mention of Angus, I see the flicker of doubt in his eyes. He knows what I’ve been saying about Angus. That he’s a traitor, that he’s abandoned his people. But Daniel, always the diplomat, always the pacifist, refuses to act.“You’re playing with fire, Archer,” Daniel warns. “If you go through with this, there will be no going back.”“Good,” I say, the storm swirling harder now, the wind starting to whip through the room. “I don’t intend to go back.”Without another word, I turn to my advisors. “Send word to the northern forces. We move now.”But before they can move, Daniel steps forward, raising a hand. “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that, brother.”And then, from behind him, more figures step into the room. Rocco and Alicia. I feel a surge of fury as I see them, the wolves, always interfering, always meddling in Elven
(Archer)The wind howls around me as I stand on the balcony of the Elven palace, the cold air biting at my skin. It’s comforting, in a way, the way the chill cuts through everything. I’ve always thrived in the cold, ever since Boreas blessed me. It’s where I draw my strength. And right now, that strength is the only thing that matters.Daniel is inside, playing his pathetic caretaker role for a child who should never have been in that position. Luka, a three-year-old brat, and my weak-willed brother, coddling him like he’s some kind of divine ruler. It makes my blood boil.“Pathetic,” I mutter under my breath.The wind swirls around me, mirroring my anger. It’s always been this way, my emotions controlling the storm, the storm feeding my emotions. Boreas gifted me this power for a reason. I’m not meant to watch from the sidelines as Daniel bumbles his way through ruling. I’m meant to lead.To rule.I step back inside the palace, the air immediately warmer, almost suffocating. The grea
(Alicia)I’m speechless. The sheer selfishness, the callousness of his actions, are staggering. And to think I once considered him family.“But you literally just did! You told me your secrets!”He scoffed. “It’s wasn’t secret anymore.”I glance at Rocco, his jaw clenched, fists curled at his sides. He’s waiting for me to give the signal, but I’m not ready yet. I need to hear more. “So, what was the plan then, Darren? To ruin my life and hope you’d gain something in the aftermath?”“To survive,” Darren repeats, leaning back with an air of smug confidence. “Your father’s court was crumbling, and I needed a way out. I saw an opportunity with you, a direct line to the throne. But when things didn’t go the way I planned, I adapted. I’ve always been good at that.”“And betraying me? You think that’s something I’ll just let slide?”“For what it’s worth, it wasn’t personal,” he says with a casual shrug. “It was always about what I could gain. You were just... collateral damage.”“You’re a co
(Alicia)I swallow the bile rising in my throat. The Darren I knew, or thought I knew, would never have said these things. The Darren standing before me is a stranger, twisted by his own greed.He lets out a soft chuckle, shaking his head like this is all some kind of joke. “You were always so easy to manipulate, Alicia.”The words land like a punch to the gut. “Manipulate?”“Did you think I was ever really your friend?” His smirk grows. “Do you honestly believe you would have ever been forced into that marriage if I hadn’t pulled some strings?”The air leaves my lungs. “What are you talking about?”“Your father, the king. He had other plans, you know. Your sister was supposed to marry Rocco. But I... well, I convinced the right people otherwise. It was my first mistake. I should have left things as they were.”I feel the floor shift beneath me. “You... you made that happen? You’re the reason I was sent away?”Darren’s grin turns vicious. “Oh, not just that. I was the one feeding info
(Alicia)No, no, no! I shake my head rapidly at Daniel, my eyes urging him to take back his words, but he just smiles at me.Idris turns his beady eyes towards me, noting my negative reaction to Daniel’s words. “You don’t seem to be in agreement, queen Alicia?”I bark out a laugh, the idea of it absurd to me. Hell no. “Definitely not, councilor Idris. I already hold a leadership position in one Kingdom. I cannot stretch over two kingdoms, especially not two with the complex histories between them. My loyalty now lies with Wolfsreach, and my king, Rocco.”“Fair enough,” Idris concedes. “Do you have a counterproposal?”I nod. “I do, sir. I propose that crown prince Daniel serves as a caretaker-king, or guardian ruler, until Luka comes of age. This would allow the kingdom to remain stable while giving Luka the time he needs to grow and understand his role. During this period, Daniel would rule in his stead, but with the understanding that Luka will one day take the throne.”The council e
(Rocco)I replay the scene I just stumbled upon in my mind, another wave of rage crashing through my veins: two guards and my Beta, someone I’ve trusted for years, half-shifted and ready to attack. Attack her. My mate. My fated one.For a moment, time froze. I was paralyzed by the sheer audacity of
(Alicia)On day three, Rocco still isn't back and I am slowly going out of my mind from a lack of exercise and boredom.I've tried venturing outside during daylight hours, as requested, but the growling of the guards when my toes crossed the threshold was a fairly effective deterrent. It's not that
(Alicia)The flight in the sixteen-seater twin prop aircraft takes around four hours in a north-westerly direction. Apart from me, there are eight others on board, including two pilots, one air hostess, four guards, and Tahlia. All wolves.To say it is a tense flight would be an understatement. Inw
(Alicia)A guard ambles past, clutching two of my suitcases in each ham-like hand, and disappears down a corridor."This is Rocco's house. You'll be staying here. Feel free to make yourself comfortable. Your luggage is in a room down that corridor."Tahlia points toward a phone on a small table nea







