LOGINMy body jerked upright before I even realized I was awake. Water poured down my face, slipping into my eyes and mouth, and my lungs burned as I gasped. I swallowed hard, my throat raw from yesterdayâs fight, or maybe it was the day before. My body ached from head to toe. Every muscle screamed in protest.âGet up!â a voice barked. Harsh. Unforgiving.I blinked against the water, trying to steady my head. My skull throbbed where the rogue Alphaâs men had hit me. I couldnât even remember how many times Iâd been slammed to the ground. My ribs were shattered, or at least thatâs what it felt like. Breathing made my chest feel like it had been torn open.I tried to rise, and a boot pressed into my back, shoving me forward roughly. âMove! No excuses,â the man growled.I grunted, forcing my legs under me. My wolf wanted to surge, to rip them apart, but my body refused. I was broken before the day had even begun.They shoved me outside. The sun burned my eyes, but I didnât care. Pain ran throug
Eryx POVThe next morning, I was woken up by the sound of a rattle on the door.âThe Alpha wants your presence in the throne room,â he said.He came closer to me, looking at me with a suspicious eye. Then he proceeded to remove the chain that held me, and he gestured for me to follow him, which I did.We arrived at the throne room in no time.The room exuded power and authority, a space where dominance wasnât whispered; it was felt. Dark stone walls rose high, streaked with shadows that danced in the flicker of firelight from massive torches mounted along the sides. The floor was polished obsidian, reflecting the tall, jagged windows that framed the surrounding wilderness, letting the scent of earth and pine drift inside. At the far end, an elevated throne carved from blackened wood and inlaid with silver wolf motifs commanded attention, sharp lines and sheer size leaving no doubt who ruled here. The air was heavy, carrying a scent of strength and instinct. Every corner, every beam, e
Eryx POVI walked through the forest. I felt the crunch of leaves underneath my feet.The air felt off, and I prepared myself in a stance. But the air cooled down, and I no longer felt that weird feeling anymore.I slowed without meaning to; my steps were more deliberate. The air carried too many scents, and I couldnât identify if the enemy was here or not, but I walked slowly anyway.My wolf stirred uneasily.I shifted my weight, scanning the trees. But I felt it, eyes on me. The hairs along my spine lifted.I turned, but it was already too late.The first hit came from the side, bone-shaking and brutal. I barely had time to react before another slammed into my back, knocking the breath from my lungs. I rolled, snapping, claws flashing, catching fur and flesh. Howls cut through the trees. It wasnât just one, but many wolves.They came in waves.I fought, instinct taking over, teeth sinking, muscles burning, but they were everywhere. One went for my leg, another my throat. Pain explod
Zaiden POVImmediately we were done with breakfast, Xavier and I moved to his library, where we would usually plan. On getting there, we found Eryx already waiting.âGood morning, Alphas.ââMorning,â we answered at once, and I asked,âHow are you doing?ââIâm doing well,â he said, and I hoped so.We got into the library and made a plan. We had no specific place where the rogues would be, so we had to take a risk on him wandering about so heâd get caught by them. We made sure he didnât take anything with him so it wouldnât look planned. I got the tracker and placed it on specific places on his body. At least it would not be traceable.Karenâs POVThe next day felt⌠quiet.I woke up alone, the room neat and still, sunlight slipping in through the curtains. Although the thought of Zaiden seeped through, I removed the thought of him from my head and got ready for work instead.I took a quick bath, wore simple clothes, just a loose top with baggy trousers and a cross bag. I tied my hair in
Zaidenâs POVI got to the guest room where I stayed with Adrian and immediately walked into the bathroom to take a cool bath. I was tired from the journey. It was hectic. After I was done, I strolled into the kitchen to get water, only to see Xavier in the living room. He stood by the window with his shoulders relaxed and one hand resting against the frame as he gazed outside. His weight leaned slightly to one side.I walked into the kitchen, took my water, and went to the living room to meet him.âYou look lost in thought,â I said, looking outside the window too as I walked toward him and stood beside him, one hand in my pocket and the other holding the water.âRight?â he said and smiled.âYou look disturbed,â I said.âNot really. Just a regular tired Alpha trying to get his head off some Alpha duties,â he said, and I smiled.âNot like you can really get away from it, but you can keep consoling yourself with that,â I chuckled lightly.He turned toward me and laughed too.âYou came ba
Zaidenâs POVDays later.Karenâs heat had finally settled.She was sitting on the edge of the bed when I walked in, brushing her hair back with her fingers. The moment she noticed me, she smiled.âYouâre staring,â she said.I walked over without answering, standing between her knees. My hands settled on her waist automatically, thumbs pressing in slightly.âCan I not look at my mate now?â I asked.She scoffed. âYouâve been looking since morning.ââAnd Iâll keep doing it.âHer hands came up to my chest, gripping my shirt lightly. âLisa says Iâm completely fine now.ââI know,â I said. âI can feel it.âShe leaned into me, resting her forehead against my chest. âI donât like that youâre leaving again.âMy arms wrapped around her immediately, firm, grounding. âI donât like it either.ââYou always say that,â she muttered.âAnd itâs always true.âShe sighed and pressed closer. I slid one hand up her back, slow, familiar, just holding her there. âIt wonât be long,â I said. âThe worst is over.







