AUBREY
The formal discussions blur around me like background noise, voices rising and falling in patterns I can't quite grasp. My mind keeps circling back to the impossible sight before me—Jax standing in the great hall, his arm casually draped around Nora's waist, playing the role of devoted mate with sickening perfection.
What is he doing here?
Yes, he's a prince by blood, but Jax has made no secret of his hatred for the castle. Since his mother's death, he's avoided these halls like they carry plague, claiming the memories are too painful to bear. His sudden appearance, his convenient discovery of a "fated mate"—none of it feels genuine.
And Nora's words about witch activities make my stomach churn with dread. If only she knew that Avery—the very wi
AUBREYThe formal discussions blur around me like background noise, voices rising and falling in patterns I can't quite grasp. My mind keeps circling back to the impossible sight before me—Jax standing in the great hall, his arm casually draped around Nora's waist, playing the role of devoted mate with sickening perfection.What is he doing here?Yes, he's a prince by blood, but Jax has made no secret of his hatred for the castle. Since his mother's death, he's avoided these halls like they carry plague, claiming the memories are too painful to bear. His sudden appearance, his convenient discovery of a "fated mate"—none of it feels genuine.And Nora's words about witch activities make my stomach churn with dread. If only she knew that Avery—the very wi
KNOXThe afternoon sun beats down on the training grounds as I watch Aubrey demonstrate defensive maneuvers to a group of eager young wolves. Sweat glistens on her brow, but her movements remain fluid and precise—every block, every counter-attack executed with the skill that first caught my attention weeks ago. The children hang on her every word, their faces bright with admiration and determination."Remember," she calls out, adjusting a boy's stance with gentle hands, "your size is an advantage, not a weakness. You're faster, more agile. Use that."Pride swells in my chest as I watch her work. These children adore her, and she's giving them skills that could save their lives. After everything she's endured—the nightmares, the trauma of losing her pack—she's still finding ways to protect others.
JAXThe war preparations crawl at a pace that tests my patience, each passing day feeling like precious time slipping through my fingers. I lean over the detailed maps spread across my mahogany desk, studying troop formations and supply routes with growing frustration. The manor warriors are skilled, loyal, but their numbers aren't sufficient for what I'm planning.I need more soldiers. More weapons in my arsenal.The solution comes to me through one of my ravens, its dark eyes gleaming with intelligence as it delivers information that makes my lips curve into a satisfied smile. A female Alpha named Nora has been searching for her mate, traveling between territories with increasing desperation. Her pack is substantial—nearly three hundred warriors, all battle-tested and fiercely loyal to their Alpha.
AUBREYI jolt awake with a scream tearing from my throat, my heart hammering so violently it feels like it might burst from my chest. The nightmare clings to me like a second skin, more vivid and horrific than any before it. Every detail burns with crystal clarity—the metallic scent of blood thick in the air, the desperate screams of my pack echoing across the coronation grounds, the sickening wet sound of crawls meeting flesh.But it's my brother's death that destroys me completely. James, lying broken in my thirteen-year-old arms, his neck torn open in jagged wounds that pump crimson onto the trampled wildflowers. His eyes—so bright just moments before during the ceremony—growing dim as life bleeds out of him. The way his hand went limp in mine, how his final breath rattled in his chest like autumn leaves.I'm gasping
JAXThe news reaches me like the finest wine—Aubrey has successfully infiltrated the kingdom's inner council, positioning herself exactly where I need her most. I lean back in my leather chair, satisfaction warming my chest as I picture her seated among those fools, gathering their secrets while they remain blissfully unaware of the viper in their midst.My sharpest blade, I think with growing pride. Finally proving herself worthy of everything I've invested in her.The intelligence she could gather from such a position is invaluable—defense strategies, troop movements, the kingdom's most guarded weaknesses. Perhaps she's finally remembering her true purpose, her debt to me. The thought stirs something almost tender i
AUBREYThe late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the council building's marble steps as Knox and I emerge from what turned out to be a surprisingly successful first appearance.As we approach our carriage, rapid footsteps echo behind us. We turn to see Astor running towards us with an urgency that immediately sets my nerves on edge."Knox!" Astor calls, slightly breathless as he reaches us. "We need to get back to the castle. Now."The command in his voice cuts through the peaceful afternoon like a blade. Knox's entire demeanor shifts instantly from relaxed satisfaction to alert tension, his hand moving protectively to the small of my back."What's happened?" Knox demands, already guiding me toward the carriage wit