LOGINThe dining room fell silent after Eirene gave her firm answer. She remained seated, her body as stiff as if nailed to the chair. The words “not for sale” still echoed loudly in her ears. Yet, rather than feeling satisfied, she felt an even greater constriction in her heart.
After a long pause, Eirene’s thoughts finally moved again. Even Alpha Yoren helped me because of my blood.
The thought surfaced quietly, but then hit her hard. She stared blankly at the table and the nearly extinguished candles for a few moments. Everything felt so distant, so empty.
Earlier, Eirene had thought that nothing could hurt more than hearing the Ravenor family speak as if her life only had value when she donated her blood. She thought nothing could be worse than realising that Bradley had stayed by her side only for the benefits she could offer. But there was something worse: even the supreme ruler of the Velmora Pack wanted her only for her blood.
The orderly silence immersed Fabrizio in his work and concentration. The computer screen glowed with several open files that he had not yet closed. He sat upright in his chair, supporting his chin with one hand and moving the mouse slowly with the other. His face was expressionless, but his sharp gaze revealed that his mind was working relentlessly.A sound broke the silence, coming from the door. Someone had arrived and knocked.Fabrizio did not respond right away. Instead, he slid his chair back slightly, closed one of the windows on the screen, and said, “Come in.”The door opened. A tall man with neatly cut hair and an athletic posture stepped inside. He had a strong jaw and calm eyes, suggesting the experience of a soldier who had spent years in the field. “Commander Corbin ordered me to report to you, Beta,” he said plainly. “My name is Reed Cole. What can I do?”Fabrizio stood up. He picked up a thin folder from beside the desk and handed it to Reed. He spoke directly. “I want
The atmosphere in the Ravenor house felt colder than usual. The spring wind continued to blow, freezing the air, and the silence pressed down on every corner of the room. The family's window curtains were half open, allowing pale light to seep in, but failing to warm anything. The faint scent of warm tea drifted from a small table in the corner, but nobody touched it.Bradley sat upright in his chair. His face was drawn, with clear traces of exhaustion etched into it. He looked at Daisy, who was lounging casually on the sofa opposite, before finally breaking the silence. “I’ve met her.”Instinctively, Isabella turned towards Bradley. Her fingers, which had been gently stroking Daisy’s arm, froze mid-motion. She turned fully to face Bradley. “Eirene?”“Yes,” replied Bradley with a nod. “Last night. She was at Sabrina’s apartment.”Daisy lifted her head, causing the thin blanket draped around her shoulders to shift slightly. “How is she?” she asked quickly. Her voice was as gentle as ev
A thin mist still hung low when Fabrizio stepped out of the west wing of the palace. The cold air brushed against his skin, yet he walked on steadily, without hesitating for a moment. The night before had been far too long, and that morning allowed no room for complacency. There were many important matters he had to settle as quickly as possible.The black car was already there. Fabrizio got in and started the engine immediately. He drove off.The palace gates opened wide to clear the way for him. The car moved forward, descending the stone road that stretched alongside the palace and leaving the main building behind. It entered a more secluded area.The buildings there were more functional, devoid of excessive ornamentation or luxury. Everything was designed with a clear purpose: control and defence.The Velmora Guard Headquarters stood not far from the palace and was connected to it by a special route used only by internal personnel. The solid, dark gre
The atmosphere shifted instantly. The doorbell rang again, echoing through the small living room and abruptly ending the soft, casual conversation that had been flowing just moments before.Eirene froze. Her body went rigid as Sabrina and Chloe looked at her. For a moment, she was unsure of what to do, her mind going blank.Sabrina stepped a few paces away from the door. She looked at Eirene with a conflicted expression. “What should we do?” she asked softly, as if afraid that Bradley might hear her from outside. “Do you want to see him?”Eirene did not answer right away. Instead, she remained still, her hands clasped together in her lap. Her chest rose and fell slowly while, inside her head, countless voices from the past crowded in, followed by a flood of unpleasant memories.Everything was still painfully clear in Eirene’s mind. She saw Bradley’s face—his smile, his tone of voice, and the words she had once bel
Eirene remained standing in place. She remained motionless for a moment.The silence of the ninth-floor corridor was broken only by the sound of Yoren's repetitive motion. The white ceiling lights cast pale reflections on the floor, making the atmosphere feel cold and slightly unfamiliar.Eirene lowered her head. Her gaze fell and remained fixed on the business card that she had held for the past few minutes. The card stock was thin, yet it felt heavy in her hand.Fabrizio Dalton’s name kept circling in Eirene’s mind. She flipped the card over once, then twice, hoping there would be another answer printed on the back. But there wasn't. The business card contained only Fabrizio’s name and contact number.Eirene let out a long breath. For reasons she could not explain, her chest felt tight. Even breathing did not bring her any relief, despite her having felt free when she left the palace. Perhaps it was all related to the attack she had ju
The Velmora Palace was already shrouded in silence by the time Fabrizio returned. He got out of the car, passed the guards on duty and went inside. His footsteps echoed along the long, black-marble-lined corridor lit by dim wall lamps. The faint metallic scent of blood from the earlier fight still clung to his senses.Fabrizio removed his long coat as he reached the main hall. His shoulders tensed slightly. His thoughts lingered on the bodies lying on the asphalt and those dark eyes staring emptily in the face of death.“Beta, Fabrizio. You’ve returned?”Fabrizio’s steps halted at once. He turned and saw Ruth approaching. “Watcher Ruth,” he greeted her, slightly surprised. “Yes, I’ve just come back.” He cleared his throat softly. His brow furrowed faintly as he asked, “You haven’t gone to sleep yet?”“That's how it is. The older you get, the more there is to think about,”







