LOGINChapter Ninety Three Emrich POV The tavern was dim and smoky, the kind of place where conversations were had in low voices and eyes never lingered too long on anyone. Emrich sat in the corner, his back to the wall, a half empty mug of ale before him. He had not wanted to come. He had better things to do than listen to the complaints of a woman who had already lost everything. But Odette had insisted. And Emrich, despite his better judgment, had agreed to meet her. She sat across from him, her hood pulled low over her face, her hands wrapped around a cup of wine. She looked thinner than she had at the festival, her cheekbones sharper, her eyes darker. The silver cane rested against the table, a reminder of what she had lost. "You came," she said. "You asked." Odette laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. "I did not think you would. You have always been loyal to him. Even when he did not deserve it." Emrich said nothing. He took a sip of his ale and waited. "I want justice," Odette s
Chapter One Hundred Two Hecate POV The castle was a whirlwind of activity, servants rushing through the corridors with armloads of silk and mountains of flowers. The great hall had been transformed overnight, the stone floors polished to a mirror shine, the banners replaced with fresh ones bearing the Emberclaw sigil intertwined with the midnight star of my adopted pack. Candles by the hundreds waited in their holders, ready to be lit at dawn. Tomorrow, I would marry Maddox. The thought should have filled me with joy. Part of me, the part that still remembered being Samantha, the girl who had believed in fairy tales and happy endings, was thrilled. But another part, the part that had been forged in betrayal and shaped by revenge, was wary. Tomorrow was not just a wedding. It was a performance. A declaration. A gambit in a game that was far from over. I stood in my chambers, staring at the gown that hung on the dress form in the corner. It was beautiful, I had to admit. Ysabella h
Chapter One Hundred TwoHecate POVThe castle was a whirlwind of activity, servants rushing through the corridors with armloads of silk and mountains of flowers. The great hall had been transformed overnight, the stone floors polished to a mirror shine, the banners replaced with fresh ones bearing the Emberclaw sigil intertwined with the midnight star of my adopted pack. Candles by the hundreds waited in their holders, ready to be lit at dawn.Tomorrow, I would marry Maddox.The thought should have filled me with joy. Part of me, the part that still remembered being Samantha, the girl who had believed in fairy tales and happy endings, was thrilled. But another part, the part that had been forged in betrayal and shaped by revenge, was wary. Tomorrow was not just a wedding. It was a performance. A declaration. A gambit in a game that was far from over.I stood in my chambers, staring at the gown that hung on the dress form in the corner. It was beautiful, I had to admit. Ysabella had ov
Chapter Forty ThreeHecate 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 thunk.I lowered the bow and exhaled slowly. The training field was empty at this hour, the sun just beginning to crest the treetops, casting long golden shadows across the snow. It was the only place I had found where I could be alone with my thoughts. The only place where the walls did not feel like they were closing in.I had woken before dawn.Maddox was still asleep beside me, his dark hair spread across the pillow, his face relaxed in a way I had not seen since I returned to this castle. The lines of worry and guilt that usually carved themselves into his features had softened. He looked younger. Peaceful. Almost like the man I had fallen in love with three years ago.
Chapter OneViolet POVWhen 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
Chapter Seventy EightTori POVThe cottage was quiet, the kind of quiet that pressed against the ears and made every small sound seem loud. The fire crackled in the hearth, sending shadows dancing across the wooden walls. Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of snow and distant woodsmoke.Tori sat at the small table near the window, a cup of cold tea forgotten before her. She had been sitting there for hours, staring at nothing, her mind churning through the events of the past days.The festival. The ritual. Hecate tearing the pendant from the king's neck. The beast rising. Hecate commanding it to its knees. The declaration that she would take the throne.It felt like a dream. A nightmare. A story that had happened to someone else.But it was real. And Tori was caught in the middle of it.Nessa sat across from her, mending a torn shirt with quick, practiced stitches. Her grey eyes kept drifting to her sister's face, watching, waiting."You have been quiet
Elsie POVThe tavern was hidden at the southern edge of the village, far from the main roads, far from prying eyes. Its sign hung crookedly above the door, the paint faded, the name unreadable. Elsie had never been to this part of town before. She had never needed to. Her life had been spent in the
Maddox moved through his private garden selecting dark crimson roses, wanting perfection for Samantha. The morning replayed in his mind, her laughter, their kiss, the bond surging between them. Anticipation filled his chest as he climbed to his chambers, bouquet raised like an offering. He pushed
Samantha POVI woke to warmth.Not the damp heat of the dungeon. Not the cold loneliness of the small room I had been given after Father died. This warmth was steady and gentle, like sunlight filtering through morning mist.I stirred slowly, still half asleep, and felt fingers brushing softly along
Samantha POVMy ears were still ringing when the second struck of Carmen’s slap finally registered in my bones.I stood frozen in the center of the great hall, my cheek burning so fiercely that I could feel my heartbeat pulsing beneath the skin. The taste of copper flooded my mouth where my lip ha







