LOGINRhea’s POVBreath caught in my chest as Leon stepped back.Getting to my feet, I pressed the back of my back against a broad stone, damp, slick with green moss. A shaky breath pulled me backward. My body tightened, then loosened slowly and unevenly. Pain also clung to the side of my windpipe.Each breath came dry, like my soul refused to believe I'd made it through. I Alive.My eyes and Leon's locked once more. I noticed it, clearer than before. The flash, the brief light in his eyes that had only lived in the old stories my mother whispered before bedtime.I was absolutely sure it was the symbol of the mate bond. I knew I wasn't hallucinating. The bond hit me from within, like something that had been locked away for a long time was now being forced open.My chest was pounding, but not with pain like before, but with a strange ache that gradually spread throughout my body. Do other people also feel this way when they realize their mate bond?I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to ga
Rhea’s POVI kept running without stopping just to wipe away my tears. Right when I smelled Leon near Valerian territory, I had to duck out fast.Lying low became the only move. Since my trail got stronger, vanishing into cover made sense, and slipping off quietly kept me safe.While he was close, staying wasn't an option. Once my presence hit his nose, all would be done.The dark woods opened up as pine and wet soil filled the air. I continued to press on despite the little breeze. I moved through dense bushes, avoiding tangled roots as I went.The quiet was broken just past the trunks by a faint trickle of flowing water. I grew up there, where I once played hide-and-seek with pals, and that waterfall looked just like before, like dropping off the short rock wall.I had a secret hideaway inside the curtain of the waterfall. No one else could discover it since it was hidden away.I jumped into the narrow opening beyond. My breath was coming fast.I took off all my clothes, leaving onl
Leon’s POVI harbored a hidden ambition. I desired eternal glory and to establish myself as the strongest alpha to lead all packs. I had been doing the strictly forbidden Eternal Blood Ritual for the last seven full moons in a row without a single mistake.Tonight was the final stage, and unluckily, the girl had appeared and ruined everything. I almost couldn't believe it when I saw Rhea, who had now run away. I thought she had gone home. Why is she here?The fallen lantern still swayed gently as I jerked myself out of the ritual circle. The red light from the sigils on the floor had not yet completely faded.“I just remembered you asked her to work overtime, and I think she followed us because she wanted to submit the revised report.” Edwin checked notes on his phone."You should have made sure no one was in this building! Now what? She saw it,” I hissed with heavy breathing. “She saw everything.” I am full of anger.Edwin quickly stepped closer. “Leon, wait a minute.” His voice was
Rhea’s POVThe moments after he saw me in the mirror, my legs jerked back, spinning me around, and sending me sprinting. I bolted before Leon chased me. A breath caught in my chest and made me tremble.When Leon shouted from within the space, yet I kept running and ignored him, moving ahead without a glance back.I crashed against the iron door, shoved it wide, and ran up the stairs and back to the basement. Gasping hard and fear in every breath. Any second now, Leon might show up in front of me."He noticed me! He actually saw me!! Oh god. Gotta leave this place fast or die." Every inch of my skin was soaked in clammy sweat.Out of the office, I went without glance behind. I dashed along the pavement at midnight, slipping into a tight, vacant alley right after.Beyond the narrow passage, out of sight from any living thing, I sucked in air slow and hard till my body shook wild. The next moment, my frame twisted as bones slid and skin pulled into new shapes. Pain ripped through my limb
Rhea’s POVHolding a report folder, I stepped in front of Leon's desk.I tried to keep calm even the moonlink within me had been shaking since sunrise. This is because my pack is currently dying. One by one, Valerian Pack have fallen, and today I feel like there's not much left.Despite this misfortune, I have to keep coming to work at this company where it's incredibly difficult to ask for leave. And once again, I have to deal with this incredibly annoying and cruel CEO.I tensed up as Leon slammed the file he was reading shut. The man looked around the room as he gently raised his face.“So this is your work?” His voice was cold.I just nodded. I don't know what other bad comments I'll receive from this guy. He always judges my work while his own mood is bad.Leon pushed the file back toward me, quickly, almost hitting my wrist. "Terrible. I'm not sure if this is the best you can achieve or if you intend to quit."Leon got up from his seat. He had wide shoulders and was tall. He ove







