LOGINLucien’s POVI didn’t know when, didn’t register my body moving. It was instinctive, fueled purely by that primal urge to protect. Anger coursed through my veins, hot and scorching. I stopped right in front of her, feeling my eyes flicker. My wolf clawed at the barrier, fighting to take control. And for one brief second, I considered letting him. I considered letting him tear her apart. She lifted her chin, trying to hold onto composure.I reached up and wrapped my hand around her throat.Not tight enough to restrict her breathing.Tight enough to communicate exactly what I was capable of choosing to do.Her hands flew up to my wrist, her eyes going wide.I felt my claws extend. "You put a branding rod to my property," I said quietly. My voice had gone to that register that I reserved for moments when I needed someone to understand that everything before this had been patience and everything after would not be. "Without my authorization. Without my knowledge. In a room you arra
Lucien’s POV“They’re requesting an audience with you, my king,” Theron informed, his voice even.The news didn’t surprise me. I’d expected it of course. “Do they know she’s here?” Theron shrugged. “No. At least I don’t think so,” he clarified, “they just want an audience with the King.”I considered it. “Inform them she’s here.” Theron’s head snapped up, his brows pulling together. “My king—”I leaned back in my seat. “They would stop at nothing till they get her. Tell them I took her as a slave and sign the paperwork for taking a breeder.”Theron’s confusion sat evidently on his face. But I paid him no mind. Hiding Five would only lead to more suspicion when she’s discovered, and I couldn’t afford that.I couldn’t afford to let it slip to the kingdom—to anyone—that she was my mate. “I—”A knock on the interrupted him. He pressed his lips in frustration, then moved to the door and pulled it open. Cato stepped in. “My king,” he bowed. “Any new information on Elvis?” I de
Five’s POV I said nothing. She took a slow step toward me. “I’ve heard quite a lot about you.” I said nothing still, just kept my expression neutral. Her lips curled. “Apparently, you have a talent for taking things that don’t belong to you.” My brows pulled together. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I whispered. Her hand struck my face before I could react. My head snapped to the side, a sharp sting spreading across my cheek. The guards remained motionless. Rebecca stepped closer. “What is your relationship with the King?” This again? My fingers tingled. I turned my face back toward her. “None.” The lie came easily. “Don’t insult me,” she snapped, her expression darkening. “I answered your question,” I stated, keeping my eyes glued to the floor. My heart rate picked up—but not in fear this time. It was something else. Something that made my limbs feel lighter. Rebecca grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at her. “Why does he keep summoning you?” I
Five’s POV “Move,” I ordered, pushing my hand forward. Nothing happened. I narrowed my eyes at the chair. “Move.” Still nothing. I let out a frustrated groan and dropped my hand. I’d spent the past two days trying to figure out how that chair had moved that day. I’d tried everything. Concentration, anger, fear, even desperation. None of them worked. If I could figure out what exactly I was, then perhaps I’d understand why the facility wanted me. Outside of the obvious reason that I’d run away—and two girls had ended up dead during the process. There had to be something else. Something they’d known about me that I didn’t. I stared at the chair, squinting. “Move.” Nothing again. I clenched my jaw. “Stupid chair.” “What’re you doing?” I flinched so hard I nearly jumped out of my skin. I whipped around. “When did you get here?” I hissed. Seven ignored me. She walked straight toward the corner of the room where her scarf sat, neatly folded. “Don’t sneak up on p
Five’s POV My heart skipped a beat. “What are you talking about?” My voice came out breathy. He stepped out of the shadows. “What do you think, Five?” My pulse roared in my chest, threatening to burst through my ribs. I stared at him, searching his expression for some indication of what he’d meant. There was none. His face was unreadable. Too calm. Too controlled. Silence settled over the dark room. My rapid breathing sounded like thunder in the quiet. The air suddenly felt heavier. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to suppress the unease crawling beneath my skin. “There is a situation you might’ve forgotten about,” he finally said, breaking the silence. And the undertone of his voice made my brows pull together. Forgotten? I opened my mouth. “Wh—” “You’re a fugitive.” The words sliced through whatever lustful haze I’d been in, knocking the air out of my lungs. For a moment, I could only stare at him. Then everything came rushing back. The facility
Five's POV Elvis’ words remained unsettling. Who really was King Lucien? And why had the question never crossed my mind? I’d spent so much time trying to understand the world around me that I’d never stopped to consider the person sitting at the very center of it. So many questions ran through my mind, each one louder than the other. I needed answers. I groaned, bringing my hand up to rub my forehead where a migraine was already forming. “Fuck,” I cursed, feeling that familiar frustration build. Too many unanswered questions. Too much uncertainty. They churned inside me, feeding into one another until they became a raging ball of energy, pressing against my ribs, begging to be released. I needed an outlet. Anything to make my mind quiet for a few minutes. I closed my eyes, trying to breathe through it. It didn’t work. My thoughts only became louder. The only outlet I could think of was an orgasm. I hesitated, biting my lip. There was no real way for him to find
549’s POV"You’ll never return to us." Twelve’s words echoed in my head. The dread tinged with melancholy made it sound more like a sentencing than a prediction. I stood on the far end of the line, my gaze on the floor, my shoulders squared, chest pushed out—just the way we were taught. My body
549’s POV “What did they say?” Twelve asked as she twisted the cap of her water bottle. I shrugged, trying to act casual. “I passed.” She froze, then her eyes snapped to mine. I looked away, unable to bear the pity that swirled in those grey orbs. “Oh five forty nine,” she sighed, droppin
549’s POVIt was time. For the first time, I wasn’t clad in a white dress. I wore a black trouser and a black turtleneck top. It felt… thrilling, like my first real act of rebellion. I was getting out of here with my friends. We’ll find other humans, find that paradise I’d dreamed of. We’ll be
549’s POVI curled up in my bed, my head heavy, my throat sore from crying. The higher ups would punish me for not looking after myself. But I couldn’t bring myself to care. Not when everything was crumbling around me, not when my fate had been sealed. I hated it, hated the breeding facility, th







