ANMELDENGianna remained in the chamber, curled up in the bed where she and Nolan had shared so many moments of tenderness. She sobbed quietly, her anger warring with the hurt of his sharp words. She expected him to return, to apologize for raising his voice at her, to explain what had frightened him so badly that he would lash out.But he never came.The longer she waited in the darkness, the more her anger grew. How could he yell at her when all she wanted was to help him? How could he push her away when they were supposed to be facing this together?By the time exhaustion finally claimed her tears, Gianna was furious. She rose from the bed and went in search of him, determined to demand an explanation.She checked the corridors, the common areas, the gardens. He was nowhere to be found. She searched frantically, her anger gradually giving way to concern, and then to genuine fear.She remembered that Elmund had been given temporary leave and couldn't help her search. So she did what she had
Nolan couldn't tell her. No matter how persistently Gianna pressed, no matter how many times she demanded answers, he couldn't bring himself to voice the words that had been screamed at his mother's spirit.The suggestion was too terrible. The very idea of it made his soul recoil in horror. Knowing Gianna as he did, knowing her selfless nature and her desperate desire to save him, he couldn't risk even letting her consider the possibility. If she knew what the healer and his own mother had suggested, she might decide that sacrificing herself was worth it. She might convince herself that it was the only solution.So when she wouldn't stop asking, when she kept pushing and demanding and pleading for the truth, something inside Nolan snapped. He raised his voice, speaking harshly in a way he had never done with her before, and Gianna shrieked at his tone, fear and hurt flashing across her face.In that moment of her shock and pain, Nolan seized the opportunity to walk away. He turned and
Gianna decided not to press further about the square. It was clear that time had changed, that the world had moved on from those ancient traditions. She let the question drop and instead asked where Nolan was taking her."I want to show you the beauty of the pack," he said, guiding her through the winding paths of the palace grounds. "You've been either inside the house or in a carriage since you arrived. You're not familiar with the people, with the territory, with what it means to be part of this community."He took her hand, his grip warm and steady."One day, you'll have to rule them," he continued quietly. "When I'm gone, when a new Alpha emerges, you'll need to know them. You'll need to understand what binds them together, what makes them strong."Gianna felt anger flare in her chest at his words."Stop," she said sharply, pulling her hand away. "Stop talking about death and leaving me. You're not going to die. I won't accept it, and frankly, saying it that way is selfish. You'r
Gianna managed to catch up with Nolan before he could confront Elmund and do something drastic. She grabbed his arm, pulling him to a stop in the corridor."Stop," she said firmly. "I don't like the way your temper has been hanging off a cliff these days. And secondly, I was the one who asked Elmund the question. This isn't his fault."Nolan tried to pull away from her, his anger still simmering just beneath the surface, but Gianna held her ground. She hissed at him, her own irritation rising, and then she turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone in the corridor.For a moment, Nolan remained where he was, his chest heaving with anger and frustration. But then, instead of pursuing Elmund as he had intended, he turned and followed Gianna instead.He caught up with her just as she reached their chambers. He gently took her arm and turned her to face him, his expression contrite."I'm sorry," he said, his voice sincere. "I was pissed because what he told you wasn't the truth. Or
As Pietra disappeared down the corridor, Elmund stepped forward, his expression serious and protective. "Be careful with her," he said quietly to Gianna. "Anyone linked to Cyrus is dangerous to you. I don't want to take any chances with your safety. The King would kill me if anything happened to you." Gianna found herself amused by his devotion, by the fierceness of his loyalty to both her and Nolan. It was touching, really, to see such unwavering commitment. A question slipped from her lips before she could stop it. "Why haven't you started a family of your own?" she asked. Elmund looked at her strangely, clearly taken aback by the unexpected question. Gianna quickly explained herself, her tone gentle and genuinely concerned. "I'm just worried about you. You have influence, resources, power, and good looks. Yet I've never seen you with any woman. You're young and strong and capable. Don't you want a life outside of serving Nolan?" At the mention of his good looks, Elmund blush
Gianna looked at Pietra's gaunt face, at the desperation in her eyes, and felt her resistance crumble. Despite everything Pietra had done to her in the past, she couldn't turn away a pregnant woman who was clearly suffering and afraid. "Come inside," Gianna said softly, extending her hand. Pietra's relief was palpable as she followed Gianna into the chambers. Gianna immediately called for the maids and instructed them to bring food, the best they had available. She wanted to ensure that Pietra received proper nourishment, wanted to give her at least one meal where she didn't have to worry about hunger. As the maids laid out platters of roasted meats, fresh bread, vegetables, and fruits, Pietra began to eat with desperate urgency. She ate like someone who hadn't seen a proper meal in weeks, and Gianna watched with a mixture of sympathy and concern. But the aroma of the food, rich and heavy in the air, suddenly made Gianna's stomach turn violently. Without warning, nausea crashed th
Gianna's cheeks turned fiery red. She could feel the heat spreading down her neck and across her chest. She reached out carefully and picked the steak off his skin with her fingers. Her fingertips brushed against him in the process. His skin was warm. She pulled her hand back quickly but Nolan caug
She walked back into the corridor and stopped one of the maids. "Where is the King?" Gianna asked. "He left early this morning, my lady. He had a meeting with the council members." "Did he eat breakfast?" The maid hesitated. "No, my lady. He did not." Gianna's chest tightened. "Bring food to hi
His voice was final. Gianna opened her mouth to say something else but the words did not come. She turned and followed Elmund out into the corridor. The door closed behind her with a quiet click. Elmund led her through the hallways without speaking. Gianna followed in silence. Her mind was spinnin
Gianna felt something warm spread through her chest at his words. She had not expected him to say that. She had not expected him to be so honest about what he needed from her. But then reality crashed down on her like cold water. She sat up slightly and looked at him in the dim light. "I cannot







