LOGINCHARLOTTE I did not know how long I stayed on the cold marble floor after the elders dismissed me. Time blurred into something shapeless, measured only by the ache in my chest and the way my tears kept falling even when I no longer felt them. The palace noise returned gradually, the laughter, clinking goblets, music drifting through corridors like a cruel reminder that the world had not ended just because mine had.I was still kneeling when soft footsteps approached.I lifted my head slowly, my vision blurred, and saw Selena standing before me.She looked immaculate.Her gown shimmered pale gold under the lantern light, her hair braided elegantly over one shoulder, her lips curved in a smile that was not kind. She tilted her head as if studying a broken object left behind after a celebration.“So,” she said lightly, folding her arms, “have you decided?”My throat felt raw. I swallowed, forcing air into lungs that felt like they were collapsing.“Decided what?” My voice sounded distan
CHARLOTTE The moment Jeffrey and I stepped through the palace gates, it felt different. Music thumped through the courtyard like a heartbeat too loud, too cheerful, too alive for what we had just endured. Lanterns hung from every balcony, glowing gold and red, illuminating crowds of wolves dancing, drinking, laughing and celebrating.I stopped dead. Sweat clung to my neck, my feet still ached from the journey and my heart contained nothing but exhaustion and relief at returning home. But suddenly, the palace looked like a stranger.“What… is happening?” I breathed.Jeffrey frowned, nostrils flaring. His stare swept the courtyard, taking in the decorations and the absurd energy. “No idea,” he muttered darkly. “Because I didn't remember giving the order for them to throw a party.”A guard rushed by holding a stack of ceremonial goblets. I stepped into his path and grabbed his arm.“Explain this,” I demanded. “Why is the palace throwing a party?”The guard looked startled as if he hadn’
CHARLOTTE The rope bridge swayed viciously beneath us, creaking like an old beast waking from its grave. The wind lashed against my face, cold and sharp enough to slice skin. I could barely breathe. Below us, the canyon yawned, an endless darkness ready to swallow anything foolish enough to fall.My feet rooted to the ground. My entire body trembled.“I can’t do this,” I whispered, voice shaking beyond my control.Jeffrey turned to me slowly, his golden Alpha eyes burning through the dust-filled air. He lifted my chin with two fingers, forcing me to meet that unwavering gaze.“Yes, you can.” His voice was deep, steady, grounding. “Trust me, Charlotte.”Trust him.Goddess… after everything, how could one single command unravel the panic strangling my lungs?I nodded before my courage ran away. “Okay… okay.”He squeezed my fingers and guided me forward. The planks groaned under our weight as we stepped onto the bridge. Every movement made ropes shudder violently. My stomach churned. My
ALPHA JEFFREY The moment the rogue leader lunged, I didn't hesitate. My body shifted before my mind even formed the decision, instinct and rage controlling every muscle. I leaped forward, slamming my shoulder into the rogue’s chest so hard I heard his breath punch out of him. His dagger spun from his grip, clattering down the rocky slope before disappearing into the darkness below.Behind me, Charlotte gasped at the same moment the ground beneath her boots cracked. She slid forward on the loose gravel, her arms flinging out desperately for balance. Her foot skidded off the cliff’s edge and I saw pure terror flash across her face. Without thinking, I reached back, catching her wrist. The ledge beneath us crumbled further, shale and dirt raining into the abyss below.“Don’t look down,” I hissed, my voice trembling with restrained panic.Charlotte was breathing too fast. I could hear her heartbeat slamming into her ribs as loudly as my own.“Jeffrey?”“I’ve got you,” I growled through c
CHARLOTTE I felt the ground trembling beneath my feet as Jeffrey and I slowly backed away from the pit’s edge, breath still ragged from the battle with Liam and Matilda. My heart thundered painfully against my ribs.Dozens of pairs of glowing eyes appeared in the dense darkness, each more menacing than the last. Their shapes emerged like nightmares: massive rogue wolves with foaming jaws, snarling, eyes burning with sick hunger. They came closer, shoulders brushing the trees, breath steaming into the cool air.My breath stilled.I grabbed Jeffrey’s arm tightly, my fingers shaking.“Jeffrey…” I whispered, my voice cracking. “There are too many. We can’t fight them all.”My legs trembled beneath me despite every attempt I made to seem calm. My throat felt raw. I wasn’t afraid to die but I was terrified of what would happen if we failed.Jeffrey's gaze swept across the wolves, assessing every angle, every attack pattern, every path behind them. His jaw clenched and he nodded grimly.“Yo
CHARLOTTE For a moment, I was weightless, caught between dust and death while Liam dragged me toward the collapsing edge of the pit. My fingernails clawed the dirt desperately, but the soil crumbled under my grip, sending cascades of rocks tumbling into the darkness below.My screams tore from my throat.“Let me go! Liam, let me go!”He only laughed while his claws dug deeper into my ankle, sending sharp pain up through my leg until stars burst across my vision.“You should have died the moment you were born,” he hissed, voice rough, breath hot against my skin. I kicked wildly, legs thrashing against him. My foot struck something but Liam grunted in pain. His hold loosened by an inch, enough for me to inhale a desperate breath.I punched backward, twisting, slamming my fist down into his knuckles.“Let go!” I screamed again, voice cracking. “Get off me!”But Liam was relentless.He dragged me further, my body sliding helplessly toward the collapsing edge. Pebbles and stones rained d







