LOGINChapter 36Leinna's POVVENNAS"What?!”The word came out far louder than I intended and everal heads turned.Kael didn't even flinch, didn't looke 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 paused 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, 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 throatBecause what exactly was I supposed to say to that?Sorry for disturbing your beauty sleep?The infuri
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
ENISA'S POV “Zaden.” It was Melani who called out to him. Hearing her voice up close sent a chill crawling down my spine. Zaden halted in his tracks before finally lifting his head to look at her, just as she stopped directly in front of him. Everyone else had already gone inside; no one remained except the three of us. Turning to my left, I caught sight of General Kayak disappearing through a door that led to the guest rooms, completely unaware of whatever remnants lingered behind. Then I heard Melani’s heels click softly against the floor as she stepped closer, her hands clasped neatly before her while she held his gaze warmly. Her green eyes traveled slowly across his face, almost possessively, before a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Not even a welcome hug? Have you always been such a terrible host?” Her cherry-red lips curved into a cunning smile as her voice lowered slightly. “Or is this your way of pretending you no longer remember me?” “I remember enoug
ENISA'S POV “Dreadlock.” The way he called his name awakened something in me, undiluted fear. A gunshot fired into the air, the sound reverberating through the estate like a distant echo. Alpha Dreadlock remained perfectly still, unfazed by the turmoil around us. “Kayak, you honor me with your presence.” He spoke calmly just as the latter strode toward us. “Shall I also honor you by sending you to an early grave?” He pulled out his gun and aimed it at Alpha Dreadlock, his eyes shifting like restless tides, flashing with an untamed spirit. In a split second, he closed the distance, the nozzle of the gun now pressed firmly against Alpha Dreadlock’s forehead. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t pull this trigger for your betrayal.” “Friendship counters all reasons, good friend.” “And yet you went behind my back, breaching the contract, by wedding your son to another woman.” “And yet you went behind my back and breached our contract by wedding your son to another woman.” I st
ENISA'S POV Silverstone pack It was like a complete shutdown. Everywhere I looked, guards moved around in coordinated waves, their presence swallowing the estate whole. The air was tense, and somewhere beyond the gates, the sharp cry of sirens echoed through the night, like the approach of military vans. The massive entrance doors swung open as we made our way outside, and what greeted me was chilling. Outside the grand oak doors of the mansion was a detailed diamond formation of bodyguards shielding a central figure at the core. I barely had time to process what I was seeing when a hand suddenly wrapped around my wrist, swaying me to another direction. I looked up and saw that it was Zaden; he guided me straight through the formation, and in the blur of the moment I found myself standing at the very front, where Alpha Dreadlock stood erect with his hands clasped firmly behind his back. The dim estate lights reflected against his long, shoulder-length hair, dark stra







