MasukValerie’s POVFor long seconds, I could only stare at Ryan's name on my screen with my heart racing.Had he heard about Rudolph getting exposed? Was he mad? Would he punish me for it?Despite my apprehension, I knew it would be worse to ignore him. So I swallowed as I braced myself for whatever bad news he might have and finally answered his call.“Hi, Ryan!” I said with a soft voice, trying not to let my nervousness show.“Finally!” Ryan exclaimed in frustration, leaving me confused for a moment. “I've been trying to reach Rudolph for days, but he isn't answering any of my calls. What's going on?”I blinked in surprise. Shockingly, it seemed Ryan didn't know.Though it was surprising that Ryan hadn't heard about what happened to Rudolph, it made sense that he hadn't been able to reach my lover. The Alpha King had most likely confiscated his phone, but even if that wasn't the case, Rudolph surely wouldn't have any signal down there.And I intended to keep it that way.“Nothing! I'm su
Valerie’s POVWhen I learned that the Alpha King was holding a meeting in his office, I promptly found an excuse to show up there.Ever since Rudolph had exposed himself at the masquerade ball, I'd been a pile of nerves. Considering I was still free, it was obvious he hadn't mentioned anything about me, but I was in the dark about how much he had revealed. I suspected they were discussing the matter, and I couldn't afford to miss any information that might affect my future.That was why I decided to bake a tray of snacks, the perfect cover to make me look innocent if they caught me eavesdropping at the door.I stopped outside the office door and leaned closer, urging my wolf to hone our senses so I could try to catch their conversation.Yet I'd barely been able to make out a few words when the door suddenly swung open, revealing Dylan.I froze instantly, almost dropping the tray.“Valerie?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at me.“Oh! Dylan!” I gasped, immediately forcing a smile as I fo
Elena’s POVBy the end of training, my hair was heavy with sweat, yet I felt a thousand times lighter.I went straight to my room to shower, letting the warm water wash away the remainder of my troubles. For a few precious minutes, I allowed myself to enjoy the quiet, hoping the rest of the day would be just as peaceful.However, just as I was walking out of the bathroom, the Alpha King's voice suddenly echoed in my head.“Are you busy, my love?” he asked tenderly, though I could sense a hint of tension in his voice.“No. What do you need?” I replied, immediately growing alert.He hesitated for a moment before asking, “Can you come to my office? I have to fill you in on something.”My heart thudded.“Of course,” I promptly agreed.Once our connection was cut, I quickly put on my clothes and rushed over to his office. As soon as I arrived the sight of Dylan at the door made me halt. Since he was here too, I assumed whatever the Alpha King wanted to discuss had to do with Rudolph.Tryin
Elena’s POVAfter speaking to my mother, I felt even more unsettled. I couldn't stop wondering what she was hiding, but I knew I needed to tell Adrian about her upcoming visit. Whatever the reason behind her secrecy, I wanted to make sure she arrived safely.When I entered his office, my mate looked up from the documents on his desk, his expression softening.“Elena,” he called softly, surprised but happy to see me. “Is everything okay?”“Yes, it's just... My mother is coming to Phantom Pack,” I blurted out.When he cocked his head, I quietly explained, “I... I told her about my nightmare, and she... She reacted in a very weird way. I felt she wanted to tell me something, but not over the phone.”Adrian was quiet for a moment, processing the news. I could tell he had questions, just like me, but he probably didn't want to make me stress even more about my mother's behavior.Instead, he offered, “Would you like me to send Dylan to pick her up?”“No,” I quickly replied. “She insisted on
Elena’s POVThat night, I couldn't fall asleep again.Though Adrian's support had helped calm me down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something about the dream had been different. It hadn't felt like a regular nightmare. Every detail had been so vivid, from the cold hospital room to the desperate look on my mate's face as he cried over my lifeless body.What if it had been more than just a dream?Still, I couldn't bring myself to share my fears with my mate. I didn't want him to worry. So, the next morning when he woke up and asked me how I felt, I told him I was fine. As he headed to his office to work, I told him I would visit Judy.Yet instead, I headed to the library, hoping to find something that could help me understand why my nightmare had felt so real and suddenly came to me.I sat down at one of the large tables and started flipping through books about supernatural abilities, prophetic visions, and unusual wolf traits. Hours flew by as I skimmed through countless pages, be
Elena’s POVThe night after Rudolph's interrogation, I lay in bed exhausted, but sleep refused to come.I shifted beneath the covers, trying to find comfort in Adrian's arms. Usually, his warmth and scent alone were enough to soothe my restless thoughts, but tonight, nothing seemed to help.Even though Rudolph had finally confessed to arranging my kidnapping, the thought that someone else might be plotting against us made it difficult to relax.A sigh broke through me as I ultimately let my eyes flutter open after fighting to keep them shut for what seemed like hours. As I glanced at the bedside table, my gaze landed on the empty glass where Valerie had brought the herbal medicine Doctor Ophelia had prescribed. I'd taken it as usual, hoping it would help me relax, but it didn’t.“Maybe another dose will help,” my wolf suggested.I hesitated, remembering how bitter the medicine had tasted earlier. However, I was so desperate for some rest that I eventually slipped out of Adrian's arms
Elena’s POV“You’re crazy!” I yelled at his face, tears of sadness and anger burning down my face. “You’ll never have me again!”A sinister spark danced in Ryan’s eyes as he grabbed me by the throat. “We’ll see about that.”He squeezed my throat tighter and tighter until I could no longer breathe.
Adrian POVWhen morning came, I made my way back to Shadowfang Pack not with the imposing march of a King, but with the hurried steps of someone desperately trying not to be seen.I was a mess. Dirt stained my skin, and my clothes were filthy and wrinkled. What was left of them, anyway. Since I cou
Elena’s POVI was jerked awake by the cold early morning air whipping against my bare skin.A gasp tore through me as I shot upright. My insides no longer burned from the blind lust of the heat, and the ache in my heart seemed to have dimmed. For a quiet second, I felt a strange sense of peace.The
Elena’s POVToday was supposed to be the day I celebrated the 25th birthday of my fated mate, Alpha Ryan of the Shadowfang Pack. Instead, I stood frozen as I watched him kiss another woman in front of the entire pack. “Shadowfang!” Ryan addressed the crowd, his proud smile growing larger as he pu







