LOGINThe heavy iron chains clanked rhythmically with every dragged step, the biting cold of the metal seeping deep into the bruised flesh of my wrists. Rain began to fall in a bitter, needles-sharp drizzle, slicking the mud beneath my bare feet as Zealand’s guards hemmed us in on all sides. To anyone watching this procession—to the enforcers barking orders, to the shadows shifting behind the iron gates ahead—this looked like total, humiliating defeat. It looked like a frightened girl who had tried to run from her master, only to be dragged back to her cage on a leash.They saw a broken runaway. But beneath the dirt smeared across my face and the cold rain plastered to my skin, my pulse beat with a deadly, unwavering clarity.I did not fail.The thought echoed through the vast, quiet space of my mind, anchoring me against the suffocating atmosphere of Zealand’s territory. I hadn't been outsmarted in those woods. I hadn't been cornered, run down, or physically overpowered by his elite detail
The freezing wind burned my throat as I tore through the dense underbrush, but the biting cold air was nothing compared to the ice forming around my heart.I had run. I had pushed my legs past their absolute limits, driven by that frantic, survival-born instinct to put as much distance as possible between myself and my past. But the further I got, the heavier the dark forest felt. The silence behind me didn't bring relief; it brought a suffocating, paralyzing dread.Slowly, I dragged my pace down to a heavy walk. The frantic rhythm of my pounding heart shifted into a sickening, hollow thud. I leaned my shoulder against the thick trunk of a sprawling oak, chest heaving, listening intently to the quiet night.No heavy boots crashing through the brush. No panicked shouts of pursuit.I got away.The thought should have tasted like victory. Instead, it tasted like ash.A sharp, agonizing ache flared deep in my chest—not from physical exhaustion, but from the tether. Phoenix whimpered, curl
"Stella... Stella, wake up."I try to block out the voice, terrified of who might be calling my name in the dark. But the longer I listen, the less nervous I feel. The voice is smooth, almost melodic, lifting a heavy weight off my chest and wrapping me in a sudden, quiet calm. I want to know who is shouting for me, who could possibly have such an overwhelming effect on my shattered nerves.I finally gather the nerve to open my eyes, expecting a face, but I am instantly met with bitter disappointment. All I see is endless whiteness stretching out in every direction, blinding and vacant. I look over my shoulders, turning in circles, but the empty space seems infinite. There is no one here. I begin to wonder if I simply imagined the sound, a desperate trick played by a dying mind. But I couldn't have imagined it. I felt the warmth that radiated from those words—a rare, genuine love that I haven't known in years.I become frustrated, terrified that the feeling will disappear if I don't ca
I have been running for days and I couldn't feel any better than what I do right now. I am so full of energy, not understanding why Because I have not rested. I have passed people but have not stopped trying to get as far away as I possibly can. I move so fast that they don't even notice that I am around. Which I find amusing.As I got further away, my surroundings became nicer. Where Zealand ruled, there was so much suffering, all you felt was dread. That is why I can understand why the humans attacked the wolves, they were so cruel to the humans. I want to find a place where everyone is equal.Phoenix has been quiet since we left our mates. I can feel her heartbreak. I just hope she forgives me, but it was what needed to be done. I would do it again. I have no regrets about leaving. This is what we needed to do to be free. I know that she knows we did what we had to do.I start to slow down as I see something so beautiful. I shift back to my human and I walk to the glimpse of light
We are almost where we need to be, he says. For some reason, everything just looks familiar. I started to become nervous. Why do I know this place? As we got up from the hill, I saw the castle-looking house. I then know exactly where I'm at. I stopped dead in my tracks, and I looked at, "Axel, why are we here?" "This is where I was told to bring you." "What no please say you didn't betray me." "Stella, I had no other choice but to follow my brother he is the Alpha." "Zealand is your brother. No please tell me you are lying that this isn't true." "Stella I'm sorry he is my family." "I'm sorry that I marked you. I look at him with concern on my face. I'm not sure what to say to him. I want to run away from this place as far as I can get. I don't want to take any chance of not being able to escape. I'm not going back with him. He will only bring me pain and I don't want that kind of life. "Axel, I thought that you wanted to be with me your mate I thought you loved me. "Stella,
I barely got any rest, I was too nervous to fall into a deep sleep, scared that something would happen to Axel while I was asleep. I know that I need the rest, but it's impossible. Last night things were so quiet, and it made me more nervous than ever.Usually, the nights are full of screams and cries. I'm not sure what is happening, it's just too quiet, but I know that we need to get moving. Just in case something bad is about to take place. My entire body is hurting, but there is no time to rest any longer. I need to get out of this tree. I go to crawl down the tree, but my foot slips. My body slams against the tree as the bark tears through my flesh. I try to catch myself, but all the branches I grab a hold of break. Knowing I'm not going to be able to stop myself from falling out of the tree. I just hope that I don't break anything. I just close my eyes at this point and wait for the ground.I try not to tense and prepare for pain, but instead of feeling pain I feel strong arms w
As the hours passed, I didn't realize that it was time to get ready until I heard a knock at the door. I see Mrs. Davis as she walks in. Alright dear, it's time to start getting ready for the ball. I have selected some dresses for you to choose from.As I look through the dresses, they are beautifu
As I'm waking up I love how comfy my new bed feels. I have been here for 2 weeks and today is my birthday. I dreaded this day for so long it's hard to believe that it is here. I'm not sure what is going to happen from here since I was already chosen. I hear a knock at the door and I jump up as it o
STELLA'S POVAs the car is coming to a stop I look outside and I see the house that is soon to be my new home. It's a mansion I have never seen a house so big in my life. I am nervous to get out. I am not sure what is about to happen. Knowing no matter what, I'm not a stranger to horrible things.A
I'm so confused about what just happened. Why wouldn't he want me to give him pleasure? Why would he want nothing in return? I want to understand him. He is so different from anyone I have ever met before. I just look away from him, not wanting him To see my confusion. As I hear the floor creaking,







