LOGINChapter 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
Chapter One Hundred Three Emrich POV The night had been sleepless. Emrich lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind churning with thoughts he could not quiet. Beside him, Ysabella slept peacefully, her dark hair spread across the pillow, her breathing slow and even. He did not want to wake her. He did not want to explain what was troubling him. She would not understand. She had made that clear. He rose before dawn, dressing in silence, and slipped out of their chambers. The corridors were dark, lit only by the occasional torch, and his footsteps echoed on the stone like the ticking of a clock. The castle was quiet at this hour, the servants still asleep, the guards nodding at their posts. It was the hour before the world woke, when secrets were most easily kept. Emrich walked without purpose, his hands clasped behind his back, his jaw tight. Today, the king would marry Hecate. Today, she would become queen. And there was nothing he could do to stop it. He had tried to warn Ma
Violet POV When Alpha Christian and I were in bed, him kissing me and wanting me so much, I felt he truly loved me. He couldn't say he didn't love me while his eyes were full of desire for me, when his breath was heavy over mine, when his body swayed rhythmically above mine, his body tense with lust. He couldn't say he didn't love me, at least not at those times. "We need this for the baby," he'd say, "Unless you're useless enough to let this pack end up in my generation." I knew he blamed me for not conceiving yet after three years as mates, I knew he'd never been satisfied with our marriage, that I wasn't the woman he planned to marry, but the Moon Goddess united us, and what She united was stronger than anything. It was eternal. My husband gasped heavily, reaching his climax and collapsing into my arms, spasms of pleasure coursing through his skin... and mine. I hugged his shoulders, my body melting with the heat. Christian might not love me, but I'd been crazy about hi
Violet POV When Alpha Christian and I were in bed, him kissing me and wanting me so much, I felt he truly loved me. He couldn't say he didn't love me while his eyes were full of desire for me, when his breath was heavy over mine, when his body swayed rhythmically above mine, his body tense with lust. He couldn't say he didn't love me, at least not at those times. "We need this for the baby," he'd say, "Unless you're useless enough to let this pack end up in my generation." I knew he blamed me for not conceiving yet after three years as mates, I knew he'd never been satisfied with our marriage, that I wasn't the woman he planned to marry, but the Moon Goddess united us, and what She united was stronger than anything. It was eternal. My husband gasped heavily, reaching his climax and collapsing into my arms, spasms of pleasure coursing through his skin... and mine. I hugged his shoulders, my body melting with the heat. Christian might not love me, but I'd been crazy about him sinc
Hecate POVThe morning air was cold against my skin, sharp and clean, carrying the scent of pine and frost and distant woodsmoke. I pulled the bowstring back to my cheek, held my breath, and released.The arrow flew straight and true, burying itself in the center of the target with a satisfying thu
Hecate POVThe door opened without a knock.I felt him before I saw him. The shift in the air. The way the candles flickered as if caught in a sudden breeze. The familiar weight of his presence pressing against my senses like a hand against my chest.Maddox stood in the doorway, his gaze moving fro
Hecate POV I walked through the corridors in a daze. My robes dragged against the stone floor, heavy with melted snow and dried blood that was not my own. My arms ached from holding Aileen. My head pounded from the magic I had poured into the freezing spell, the tracking spell, the warming spell t
Maddox POVMaddox entered Odette's chambers like a storm.The door slammed against the wall, and the maid who had been arranging the queen's pillows flinched, nearly dropping the armful of linens in her arms. She curtsied quickly and fled, her footsteps echoing down the corridor until there was not







