Se connecterChapter One Hundred NineElsie POVThe bleachers were crowded, bodies pressed together on every side, the air thick with anticipation and the sharp scent of sweat and excitement. Elsie sat between her parents, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her heart pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat. Beside her, Zuri sat with her back straight, her dark eyes fixed on the arena below, her hand resting on Elsie's knee beneath the folds of her gown.To anyone watching, they were simply mistress and maid. Close, perhaps, but nothing more. No one noticed the way Zuri's fingers curled around Elsie's, the way they held on to each other as if the world were about to end.Elsie's father, Alpha Garrath, sat on her left, his broad shoulders tense, his grey eyes scanning the crowd with the watchful alertness of a man who had learned long ago that danger could come from anywhere. Her mother, Nyra, sat on her right, her red hair hidden beneath a dark hood, her pale face unreadable. She had no
Chapter One Hundred SixThird POVThe dungeon was cold, the air thick with the smell of damp stone and rust. Torches flickered on the walls, casting dancing shadows across the room where Tori sat bound to a wooden chair. Her wrists were raw from the ropes, her ankle throbbing from the fall, but she held her head high, her dark eyes fixed on the king before her.Maddox paced the length of the room, his boots echoing on the stone, his golden eyes blazing with barely contained fury. He had been asking questions for what felt like hours, and Tori had given him nothing. Nothing but silence. Nothing but defiance."How are you still alive?" Maddox demanded, stopping before her. "How have you been hiding in my village for three years without anyone knowing?"Tori said nothing. She stared at the wall behind him, her expression blank."Where is Samantha?" His voice rose. "I know she is alive. I know she survived. Tell me where she is.""I have nothing to tell you," Tori said, her voice steady d
Chapter One Hundred SixThird POVThe dungeon was cold, the air thick with the smell of damp stone and rust. Torches flickered on the walls, casting dancing shadows across the room where Tori sat bound to a wooden chair. Her wrists were raw from the ropes, her ankle throbbing from the fall, but she held her head high, her dark eyes fixed on the king before her.Maddox paced the length of the room, his boots echoing on the stone, his golden eyes blazing with barely contained fury. He had been asking questions for what felt like hours, and Tori had given him nothing. Nothing but silence. Nothing but defiance."How are you still alive?" Maddox demanded, stopping before her. "How have you been hiding in my village for three years without anyone knowing?"Tori said nothing. She stared at the wall behind him, her expression blank."Where is Samantha?" His voice rose. "I know she is alive. I know she survived. Tell me where she is.""I have nothing to tell you," Tori said, her voice steady d
Chapter One Hundred FiveThird POVHours earlier, the tavern had been quiet, the morning light filtering through the grimy windows in pale, watery stripes. Tori sat at the table in the back room, her hands wrapped around a cup of cold tea, her heart heavy in her chest. She had been waiting for what felt like forever, listening to the creak of the floorboards, the murmur of voices from the bar, the distant sound of horses on the cobblestones.The door opened, and Hecate slipped inside.Tori rose, crossing the room to embrace her friend. Hecate held her tightly, and for a moment, neither of them spoke."I am sorry I am late," Hecate said, pulling back. "Emrich is getting more clever. It was difficult to lose him this time."Tori's eyes widened. "He followed you?""He is suspicious. He has been for weeks. But I managed to lose him in the alleys." Hecate shook her head. "He will not give up, though. He is like a wolf with a scent."Tori led her to the table, and they sat across from each
Chapter One Hundred SixThird POVThe dungeon was cold, the air thick with the smell of damp stone and rust. Torches flickered on the walls, casting dancing shadows across the room where Tori sat bound to a wooden chair. Her wrists were raw from the ropes, her ankle throbbing from the fall, but she held her head high, her dark eyes fixed on the king before her.Maddox paced the length of the room, his boots echoing on the stone, his golden eyes blazing with barely contained fury. He had been asking questions for what felt like hours, and Tori had given him nothing. Nothing but silence. Nothing but defiance."How are you still alive?" Maddox demanded, stopping before her. "How have you been hiding in my village for three years without anyone knowing?"Tori said nothing. She stared at the wall behind him, her expression blank."Where is Samantha?" His voice rose. "I know she is alive. I know she survived. Tell me where she is.""I have nothing to tell you," Tori said, her voice steady d
Chapter One Hundred SevenThird POVThe great hall had never looked more magnificent.Thousands of candles floated above the assembled guests, their flames casting a warm golden glow across the sea of silk and jewels below. Garlands of white roses and trailing ivy draped the pillars, and the stone floor had been polished to a mirror shine. The scent of incense and flowers filled the air, mingling with the perfume of the nobles and the sharp, clean smell of anticipation.Maddox stood at the altar, his back straight, his expression unreadable. He wore the traditional royal vestments of Emberclaw, deep crimson embroidered with gold thread, the sigil of his house stitched over his heart. A crown of silver and rubies rested on his brow, catching the candlelight and scattering it like drops of blood.Before him, the great hall stretched out in a sea of faces. Every pack was represented. The alphas sat in the front rows, their Lunas beside them, their heirs behind. Nobles from every corner o
Third POVThe corridor was empty, the distant music of the festival muffled by the thick stone walls. Maddox followed the faint trail of lavender, his boots silent on the cold floor, his heart pounding with each step. The scent grew stronger as he approached the washroom, a small chamber tucked aw
Third POVKing Maddox stood near the center of the great hall, a glass of wine in his hand, his smile fixed firmly in place. The crowd swirled around him, a kaleidoscope of silk and jewels and eager faces. Every alpha, every Luna, every noble of consequence had come to Emberclaw for the Spring Fes
Hecate POVThe castle was transforming.Every corridor hummed with activity, servants rushing past with armloads of silk and garlands of early spring flowers. The great hall had been emptied of its usual furniture, replaced by long tables draped in white linen and laden with silver candelabras. Ba
Third POVThe doors to Luna Nyra's chambers slammed against the stone walls, the sound echoing through the suite like thunder. Elsie stood in the doorway, her chest heaving, her green eyes blazing with fury. Her red hair, usually so carefully arranged, had come loose from its braid, falling in wild







