ANMELDENWhen Iris got back to the palace that day, she thought carefully about what she needed to do. If she was going to cheat on the lycan king, she needed the right man. Someone who would help her execute this plan. Someone who would be willing to play along so she could escape this prison of a marriage.She couldn't think of anyone suitable.Then one night, everything changed.The lycan Prince stumbled into her chamber half drunk. His eyes were unfocused and his movements were clumsy. He looked like he'd been drinking for hours, trying to drown something in alcohol.Iris had just finished bathing. Her skin was still damp and she wore only a thin robe that clung to her body.The Prince stared at her like he was seeing her for the first time."I didn't mean those words," he said, his voice slurred and desperate. "I said them because I was hurt. I was angry at you for marrying my father but that wasn't your fault. I know that now."Iris watched him, not moving, barely breathing."What about
Gianna felt her chest tighten as she watched what happened next in Iris's memory. She had never felt so bad for a stranger before but watching what the lycan king and his son did to Iris made something inside her ache with understanding and rage.The prince spoke words that were designed to hurt. He told Iris there was no way he would ever marry someone so abnormal. He made mockery of her white hair, running his fingers through it like it was something disgusting. He called her an old woman like her youth meant nothing. Like the beauty that had made him fall in love with her years ago was now repulsive.Then he revealed the cruelest truth of all.The woman Sera was pregnant. She was carrying his child. The child that should have been Iris's if he had come back when he promised. The child that would have belonged to them if he had kept his word.Iris's face went blank. Her body went still. Her heart shattered beyond bounds.She turned and walked away from him without saying another wor
The next place they stood was at the wedding ceremony itself.Iris watched her younger self standing in a white dress that felt like a prison. The dress was beautiful with intricate embroidery and layers of fine fabric but it might as well have been chains. She stood beside the lycan king and said the words that bound her to him forever. Words that took away her freedom. Words that ended her dreams.Gianna could see the tears streaming down young Iris's face as she spoke those vows. Could see the way her hands trembled. Could see the way she looked like she was drowning even though she was standing on solid ground.The ceremony ended and they were married.Then came the wedding night.Gianna watched as older Iris broke down completely. Her entire body shook with sobs as they witnessed what happened in the royal chambers. The lycan king forced himself on Iris without gentleness or care. He took her innocence like it was something owed to him. He ruined her purity like it meant nothing
At first, Iris ignored the news about the lycan king looking for a bride. There were other faes in other packs and she wasn't interested in marrying an old man who had just lost his wife. She didn't know him. She didn't care about his position or his power or his need for an heir.Besides, she had plans that were far bigger than marriage to any king.Her father had been training her since childhood to take his position as leader of their people. He believed she was the chosen one. The one who would lead the faes to their own kingdom and make them independent from wolves and lycans. The one who would free them from hiding in caves and living in shadows and depending on werewolf protection.It was a destiny that consumed her thoughts and her heart.Since her lover had never shown up anymore, since years had passed without word from him, Iris had decided to focus completely on that assignment. She threw herself into her training with a determination that impressed even her father.
Gianna felt scared as she watched the scene play out in front of her. It felt like she was watching a movie, something that wasn't real but was real at the same time. The young man was tearing at Iris's dress, his hands rough and desperate, his eyes wild with need.Iris stood beside Gianna with a livid expression on her face. Her hands were clenched into fists and her green eyes burned with an anger that seemed to shake the very air around them. She was watching her younger self struggle and fight against the man she had just saved.Then a sound cut through the chaos.An arrow flew through the air with perfect precision and struck the ground right beside the rapist. The impact was so close and so sudden that he froze, his attention snapping away from Iris.A young man emerged from between the trees, moving with the grace of a hunter. He was tall and strong with dark eyes that gleamed with purpose. He moved like he'd been trained his whole life to fight and protect. Another arrow
Gianna wanted to push Iris for more details about what she meant by destruction but Iris just shook her head gently and took her hand instead."Come," Iris said. "There is more you need to see before you understand."She led Gianna deeper into the market square and they walked slowly through the stalls and shops. The place was beautiful and buzzing with life in a way that made Gianna's heart ache. Music drifted from somewhere. The smell of food and flowers filled the air. People laughed and haggled and shopped and lived their lives like the world wasn't fragile at all.They stopped in front of a shop that looked like it belonged to someone important and wealthy. The storefront was elegant and refined with displays of beautiful designs. The fabrics were luxurious and the cuts were perfect. Though the styles were outdated compared to Gianna's time, they were clearly luxury then.Inside the shop, Gianna could see Iris's family.Little Iris was running around the shop, touching things wit
Gianna found Evelyn in the hallway."I need you to send this," she said, holding out the sealed letter. "Find a courier. Make sure it gets to my father in Highmoon."Evelyn took the letter carefully. "Of course, Luna. Right away."Gianna nodded and headed to her bathroom.She filled the tub and san
Nolan's hand closed around her wrist and their eyes met. Gianna went completely still. She could see the blazing anger in her eyes but under it, something else flickered there. Recognition? Confusion? She couldn't name. The moment of silence stretched between them, taut as a wire. Then footste
Gianna moved through the corridor on silent feet. The temple's restricted section was darker and narrower than the main hall. Nolan was twenty paces ahead. His hood was still up. He walked quickly despite the unsteadiness she'd noticed earlier. She kept to the shadows, pressing herself agains
Chapter SixThe table was silent.Every Alpha, every Beta, every carefully dressed wolf in that banquet hall was looking at their plate, their glass, the middle distance – anywhere except at Cyrus, or at Gianna, or at the head of the table where Nolan sat with his hand resting flat on the cloth an







