LOGINKalev POVThe Capital always knew how to make violence look like ceremony. That was the first thing I thought as the doors opened.The Gala hall stretched out beneath vaulted ceilings of glass and steel. There were floating light everywhere. Senna was on my arm and she was the spitting image of beauty.Every surface had been polished to reflection. The entire council sat elevated in concentric tiers, their insignias displayed in clear view. I had to hand it to him. Viktor knew how to throw a party.I stepped onto the central platform and felt the weight of the broadcast immediately settle over me. There were thousands of unseen eyes, streaming this event.“This is lovely,” Senna whispered in my ear. I tightened my grasp on her.Orrin stirred faintly in the bond.“There are too many eyes,” he whimpered. Orrin hated galas. Too many scents and people made him shy away.“I know,” I thought back.The council was watching us. They knew what was going to happen. They looked excited. I took S
Senna POVThe Moren estate always felt too large when it was quiet. Not empty because it was never empty. But sometimes it felt like the walls had been built to listen.I knew I would never be completely comfortable in this estate. Which was why I wanted to move to Sector 3. In the future. Once we’d sorted everything out with the siphon and found a way to prove that Viktor’s wolf was fake. If it even was.I wasn’t born for this life of luxury. I was born for the forest, with a bow and arrow in my hand. That was the only place I would ever truly feel comfortable.I was surrounded by maids, getting ready for the gala at Victor’s house tonight. I was surprised we were going, given the circumstances. But Kalev insisted. He said we had to keep up appearances, so that people didn’t become suspicious. And attending tonight was one way to do that.Late afternoon light filtered through the tall glass windows. Dust moved lazily in the rays of sun. I sat in front of the mirror while maids moved
Kalev’s POVMy stomach was in knots as I sat down across from Viktor. He folded his hand under his chin and perched his chin on top.We were at his estate, in his library. He had the fire blazing, which was making me sweat. I’d told Senna I had a business meeting to attend. I hated lying to her. But given what I was about to do tonight, it seemed small in comparison.“I know this isn’t easy for you,” he said with a sympathetic smile. “But I…”“Cut the crap,” I told him. “I don’t need your sympathy.”“Suit yourself,” he said dramatically, rolling his eyes. “Really, such hostility. It’s not warranted.”All morning I’d thought about this. All last night too. I’d tossed and turned, holding Senna close to me, knowing it would be the last time we shared a bed together. I’d watched her sleep. Touched her hair and her smooth skin. My heart had hurt.I couldn’t believe I was going to lose her. Already. In the most viscous, vile way.Breaking a mate bond was very painful for a wolf. I’d heard h
Kalev’s POVI stayed in my office for the rest of the day. I was sick to my stomach. Several maids came by, but I didn’t eat. My mind spun. I had to think of a way out of this, but no matter how hard I thought, I kept coming back to the same thing.They were offering me a deal. The council. They wouldn’t hurt Senna if I broke the mate bond. Viktor had said as much.I’d been such a fool. I’d been blinded by love. I wasn’t in control of anything. They were. They always had been. I was just a pawn in their fucked up games. And now Senna was implicated in it too.It was after nine when I finally went back to my bedroom. Senna was sitting at the vanity, brushing her long hair. She glanced over her shoulder at me.“You missed dinner,” she said. “Is everything okay?”My heart broke. It literally broke as I saw her sitting there. She was so wonderful. So strong and beautiful. It wasn’t her fault she was born with a flora wolf. It wasn’t her fault she was sold to me. And it certainly wasn’t he
Kalev’s POVThe next afternoon, I hummed to myself in the architect’s room. I felt silly, humming like a school boy. Especially since Senna and I had a lot of things to still overcome. She was with the maids, getting measured for some new clothes. I was trying to learn more about the siphon.I felt like my head was in the clouds. I’d told Senna how I felt and she felt the same way. I didn’t know what that meant, for after when this was all over. But it didn’t matter. We could run away. Together. Maybe we’d run away into the woods and leave alone.Those were the thoughts in my head when Viktor barged into my office.“You need to tell me what the hell you’re doing,” he said. Ther was no greeting. No preamble. Just a demanding tone and a serious face.I leaned back slowly in my chair. “What are you doing here?” I asked him. He looked furious. His cheeks were red. His eyes narrowed.“Kalev.” His tone sharpened. “I know about the archive.”Cold settled quietly into my stomach. He knew? Whi
Kalev’s POVI did not expect her to come. After everything we had laid out across the Architect’s table, the Well, the Purge, Thor, Viktor, I expected she would need some time alone. I could only imagine how exhausted she must have felt. Angry too.So when I sent word just after dusk to meet me in the private woods for a moonrise run, I didn’t expect her to show up.But she did. I was in the forest an hour later when I heard movement at the edge of the tree line.The moon had just begun climbing over the eastern ridge. The silver light threaded through the canopy overhead. Senna stepped out from the shadows wearing dark pants and a white blouse, her hair loosely braided over one shoulder.For a moment, neither of us moved. Senna crossed her arms.“Well?” she asked. “Are we running or are you planning to stare at me all night?”Orrin perked immediately.“Come on,” I said, smiling. Then I shifted. She followed suit and before I knew it, our wolves were running through the forest with ab
Senna’s POVThey came on the second morning, exactly when I said they would.There were six of them, breaking the tree line below the ridge in a loose arrowhead. They weren’t hunting; they were displaying. The one in front was older than most of us, mid-twenties maybe. He had a fighter's stillness
Senna’s POVThe helicopter hovered precariously close to the vast expanse of ocean. So close, that it caused the water below us to ripple.In the distance, we saw the island. From our vantage point, it looked like a tropical paradise, with white sand beaches and azure waters.We all knew the truth
Senna’s POVWe all stood, staring back at the man who had bought us as slaves. Our derision was palpable.Kalev’s eyes swept over us. When they landed on me, my breath hitched in my throat.He had the most unusual eyes I’d ever seen, a glimmering silver-grey. His gaze held for a second too long, bu
Senna’s POVThe iron bars were colder than I expected.Leaning my forehead against them anyway, I let the chill sink in. When Kalen asked to see me last night, I assumed he was going to propose. But instead, I was tossed into this iron cage with no explanation.The contract mark on my wrist throbbe







