ELIZA’S POVThe moment Maya's accusation left her lips, I saw red.An affair? With Alexander?The sheer audacity.Her words made all the self control I felt let loose.My wolf moved forward, and before I could stop her, I was across the room. In a second, I was in front of her and fist closed around her throat.The war room fell into a stunned silence.My grip tightened as I lifted her onto her toes. My voice dropped into something dark.“Say one more word of nonsense, Maya,” I hissed, “and I won’t hesitate to rip your throat out.”Her hands clawed at my wrist, struggling to break free but I didn’t let go. I could feel her pulse racing beneath my fingers. Her breath hitched as she struggled against my hold.Yet, even as she gasped for air, the glint in her eyes was not one of fear.It was one of hatred.She managed a choked, breathless laugh. “No one wo
ELIZA’S POVThe moment Maya and Derek stepped into the war room, there was tension in the air.I had expected them to come, but seeing them now didn’t make it any easier. The room was already crowded with generals.I held my head high with a neutral expression even as my wolf grew restless and angry inside me.Maya’s eyes were filled with amusement as she walked forward. Her lips curved into a smirk, and I knew then that she had come prepared to gloat.“Eliza,” she said again, “You never mentioned to the generals that you and Derek are divorced.”The words were deliberately loud enough to catch the attention of everyone in the room, and sure enough, heads turned.The generals started to murmur.My fingers curled into fists beside me. My wolf growled, demanding I fight her or do something to defend myself. But she wasn’t worth it.Instead, I arched a single brow and smirked
DEREK'S POVMorning came, Maya and I led our troops across Illyria’s southern border.The banners of our kingdom snapped in the wind as we moved.My pulse hammered against my ribs, not from exhaustion but because of how uncertain I felt.I couldn’t put my finger on it. something just felt …off.“Something feels off,” Maya muttered.Her sharp eyes scanned the landscape ahead. Her gloved fingers tightened around the reins of her horse.She was right. There was no sign of conflict.No smoke, no cries of the wounded, no destruction beyond the natural harshness of winter. It was unsettling.The moment we rode past the first outpost, a scout galloped toward us.“The city’s been reclaimed, my lord.” He said.A weight dropped in my stomach.Maya straightened beside me with a frown on her face. “Already?”I exhaled slowly, controlling the frustration clawing at my chest.If Illyria had already fallen back into our hands, then Alexander and his forces had moved faster than we anticipated.Worse
ALEXANDER’S POVStanding inside my tent, I held the Lycan King's reply in my hands.My eyes scanned the carefully written words again and again.The letter stated that the King had gladly granted Eliza the rank of Fifth-Class Brave General in recognition of her outstanding contributions in reclaiming Illyria.A slow, satisfied smile spread across my lips.This was more than just an honor—it was proof of her strength, her determination. I was so proud of her.The paper felt heavier in my hands as I thought about what this truly meant.Eliza’s military rank now surpassed both Derek and Maya’s. By merit alone, the two of them should have earned higher positions, but they had chosen a different path.Instead of striving for true recognition, they had exchanged their military achievements for a marriage decree. This meant they had secured their place in Illyria through alliance rather than battle.But Eliza—Eliza had fought with her own hands, bled on the battlefield, and had proven hersel
ELIZA’S POVThe battlefield still reeked of blood and sweat. My body ached.My muscles screamed from the strain of combat, but the rush of adrenaline still coursed through my veins.The cold was supposed to hurt my skin, but I barely felt it. Not when I saw him.Alexander.He walked toward me slowly. His breathing was heavy from the fight.His dark hair was damp, filled with sweat and dirt.Yet, even covered in grime, he looked as breathtaking as ever. My heart clenched at the sight of him.A slow smile spread across his lips as he stopped in front of me.Without hesitation, he reached out and rested his forehead against mine.“You fought beautifully,” he murmured “I’m proud of you, Eliza.”A warmth spread through my chest at his words. I met his gaze with a smile “You didn’t do too bad yourself.”He chuckled “Flattery will get you everywhere, you know.”I laughed softly. People moved around us. The battlefield was still alive with movement, yet in this moment, it felt like just the t
THIRD PERSON’S POVUnder the cold moonlight, General Victor of the Western Plains looked down at the Lycan Kingdom's wolves from the towering walls of Illyria.His sharp eyes scanned the battlefield below, where the remnants of the first assault was—bodies scattered across the ground, the scent of blood thick in the air.The city’s wolves had been caught off guard, scrambling to organize their defenses.Now, the walls were lined with archers who were ready for another attack.Yet, the invading forces had withdrawn after only an hour, leaving the defenders uncertain. They were all tense.Victor exhaled sharply.Alexander’s strategy was beginning to take shape, but it was unimpressive so far.The first wave had been a feint.He knew it was meant to test their defenses. And now, as the night stretched on, the second assault came harder.A loud horn sounded from the enemy’s side, and within moments, thirty thousand wolves charged forward.Their war cries tore through the night as they ran
ELIZA’S POVAfter our heart-to-heart talk, Alexander looked deep into my eyes.It wasn’t until he reached out and ran a gentle finger over my arm that I followed his gaze and noticed the dried blood staining my skin.His jaw tightened. "You shouldn't have to sit in this filth," he said softly.Before I could protest, he turned to the nearest servant and ordered hot water to be prepared.The quiet authority in his voice sent a shiver through me, though whether from warmth or something deeper, I couldn't tell. When we got to his tent, the water was ready."I can do it—" I started, but he gave me a look that silenced me. Not out of dominance, but something else. A need to take care of me. A need I hadn’t realized I craved until now."Let me," he murmured, and I couldn’t refuse him.I sat before the basin. My heart hammered as he knelt beside me. Each brush of his knuckles against my skin sent warmth through me.He was careful as he peeled away my dirty clothes, revealing the bruises and
ELIZA’S POVThe candlelight reflected across the war table, highlighting the drawn battle maps and strategic placements marked in bold ink.My eyes remained fixed on Alexander as he leaned over the table.His brows were furrowed as his fingers moved over the map. His presence was magnetic, like a force that commanded attention, respect.He looked even more gorgeous when he was focused – the furrowing of his brows, his lips pressed into a thin line, the way strands of his hair fell over his face, the way he flexed his muscles.I was in awe.My wolf purred in satisfaction.The sight of him like this was enough to send heat spreading through me. I had to clench my thighs to control myself. He was so effortlessly charming that it hurt to look at him.His deep, steady voice echoed through the tent.We were all exhausted. Still, I couldn’t care less.It didn’t matter how tired I was. I could stand here and look at him all day, no matter how exhausted I was."We need to secure the eastern fl
ALEXANDER’S POVI stepped inside the war tent. My eyes immediately locked on the weary figure slumped in the chair before me.Despite the grime caking her skin, the dried blood at her temple, and the shadows beneath her eyes, Eliza was still the most breathtaking sight I had ever laid eyes on.She looked different now—no longer the radiant, untouchable warrior who had once been in the Seekers Guild.She looked raw, battered, and utterly exhausted.And yet, I was still drawn to her.My throat tightened as I watched her shift slightly. Her muscles seemed stiff from battle.I stepped forward, feeling worried about her, “How are you feeling?"She lifted her gaze, and those deep brown eyes met mine. "Thirsty," she said simply. "And hungry.""I imagine so." I gestured to the plate of bread and dried meat on the small table beside her. "Eat. And drink." My tone left no room for argument.She hesitated for only a moment before reaching for the water, tilting the flask back quickly.I watched