LOGINLeinna's pov I became rooted to the spot, words failing me as I watched Mehan slump to the ground.For a brief moment, the battle around me faded into a distant blur. The shouting, the clash of steel, the frantic movement of men rushing in every direction, all of it seemed to dull away.My eyes remained fixed on her, on the place where she had fallen.My teary eyes unwittingly shifted ahead to the throng of bloody barbarians careening towards our direction.I blinked, maybe trying to escape what I was seeing, but the scene was right there in front of me, they were twice in size, unlike any people I had ever encountered.Dark markings ran along both sides of their faces, painted in bold stripes that stretched from cheekbones to jawlines. Some bore intricate symbols etched across their skin, while others wore scars as though they were marks of honor.Their appearance was wild and untamed.Many had tangled hair hanging past their shoulders. Others wore beads, bones, and leather orname
Leinna's pov I became rooted to the spot, words failing me as I watched Mehan slump to the ground.For a brief moment, the battle around me faded into a distant blur. The shouting, the clash of steel, the frantic movement of men rushing in every direction, all of it seemed to dull away.My eyes remained fixed on her, on the place where she had fallen.My teary eyes unwittingly shifted ahead to the throng of bloody barbarians careening towards our direction.I blinked, maybe trying to escape what I was seeing, but the scene was right there in front of me, they were twice in size, unlike any people I had ever encountered.Dark markings ran along both sides of their faces, painted in bold stripes that stretched from cheekbones to jawlines. Some bore intricate symbols etched across their skin, while others wore scars as though they were marks of honor.Their appearance was wild and untamed.Many had tangled hair hanging past their shoulders. Others wore beads, bones, and leather orname
LEINNA'S POV I became rooted to the spot, words failing me as I watched Mehan slump to the ground. For a brief moment, the battle around me faded into a distant blur. The shouting, the clash of steel, the frantic movement of men rushing in every direction….all of it seemed to dull away. My eyes remained fixed on her, on the place where she had fallen. My teary eyes unwittingly shifted ahead to the throng of bloody barbarians careening towards our direction. I blinked, maybe trying to escape what I was seeing, but the scene was right there in front of me; they were twice the size of any humans I had ever encountered. Dark markings ran along both sides of their faces, painted in bold stripes that stretched from cheekbones to jawlines. Some bore intricate symbols etched across their skin, while others wore scars as though they were marks of honor. Their appearance was wild and untamed. Many had tangled hair hanging past their shoulders. Others wore beads, bones, and leather orn
Chapter 36 Leinna's POV VENNAS "What?!” The word came out far louder than I intended, and several heads turned. Kael didn't even flinch, didn't look up from the deer. There wasn't even a hint of guilt on his face, no shame either… Nothing. The man looked as calm as if we were discussing the weather. "You heard me." He said after a long pause, and my jaw dropped. For once in my life, words failed me. Surely he was lying, exaggerating, trying to provoke me. Unfortunately, the complete seriousness on his face made that theory crumble rather quickly. "You are impossible." "Has nobody taught you to be considerate of other people?" I nearly choked; the audacity. "Considerate?!" I repeated it, trying to keep a straight face. "Yes." His knife sliced smoothly through a strip of hide. "Some people enjoy sleeping at night." My lips parted, but all the words tumbling through my mind died in my throat. Because what exactly was I supposed to say to that? Sorry for disturbing you
Leinna's POV. My eyes fluttered open, blinking against the warm rays of sunlight streaming through the tall windows. For a moment, I simply stared at the ceiling, disoriented by the familiar room and the scent of cedar and smoke lingering in the air. Then the soreness hit. A soft groan escaped me as I shifted beneath the blankets. Every muscle seemed determined to remind me that yesterday had been long and exhausting. I carefully turned onto my side, my eyes finding Alaric instantly. He lay on his back, seemingly undisturbed by the morning light pouring across the bed. His chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm, the morning light spilling across the sharp planes of his face. In sleep, he looked different, perhaps less intimidating. A strand of dark hair had fallen over his forehead, and one muscular arm rested carelessly across the mattress between us. My gaze lingered for a moment longer than it should have. Memories of the previous night crept into my mind, and heat
Zaden's POV I traipsed down the hallway, the rhythmic thud of my boots echoing in the oppressive serenity. Outside, the storm raged on, rain hammered the floor-to-ceiling glass, and rolling thunder rattled. I caught my reflection in the storm-streaked windows, the dark pack grounds flashing into view with every strike of lightning. A servant hurried by, clutching folded sheets, and quickly averted her eyes as I passed. I didn’t even glance her way. My irritation only deepened as Enisa’s face flashed through my mind, immediately followed by Melani’s. I reached for the heavy double doors of the west wing, shoved them open with a harsh clatter, and pushed deeper into the shadows of the western corridor toward the cellar lounge. The Cask & Vine was the estate’s personal wine cellar, and this was the exact place I found myself after I pushed another door open. I seldom make trips to this place. The few times I did, I left feeling hollow and emptier than I had come. The door groaned







