LOGINChapter One Hundred ThirteenHecate POVThe morning light was pale and cold, filtering through the narrow windows of the castle's lower level. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and distant woodsmoke, the kind of morning that felt like a fresh start even when the weight of the past pressed heavy on your shoulders. Hecate stood in the courtyard, her arms wrapped around Tori, holding her close for what might be the last time.Tori's body was warm against hers, familiar and solid, a reminder of all the years they had spent together. The years of hiding, of running, of surviving. The years when they had been each other's only comfort, only ally, only family. The years when the world had been against them, and they had clung to each other like the last two leaves on a dying tree.Hecate had treated Tori's wounds herself, applying salves and bandages to the raw marks on her wrists where the ropes had bitten. She had healed the cuts on her ankles, the bruises on her shoulders, the
Chapter One Hundred ThirteenHecate POVThe morning light was pale and cold, filtering through the narrow windows of the castle's lower level. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and distant woodsmoke, the kind of morning that felt like a fresh start even when the weight of the past pressed heavy on your shoulders. Hecate stood in the courtyard, her arms wrapped around Tori, holding her close for what might be the last time.Tori's body was warm against hers, familiar and solid, a reminder of all the years they had spent together. The years of hiding, of running, of surviving. The years when they had been each other's only comfort, only ally, only family. The years when the world had been against them, and they had clung to each other like the last two leaves on a dying tree.Hecate had treated Tori's wounds herself, applying salves and bandages to the raw marks on her wrists where the ropes had bitten. She had healed the cuts on her ankles, the bruises on her shoulders, the
Chapter 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
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 explai
Maddox POVThe morning light was pale and cold, filtering through the tall windows of Maddox's study and casting long shadows across the carpet. He sat behind his desk, his fingers steepled before him, his expression carefully neutral. Across from him, Alpha Soren of Riverpack sat rigid in his chai
Hecate POVThe castle was quiet when I returned, the corridors empty, the torches burning low. My body was tired, my mind heavy with the events of the evening. The tavern. Finnick. The weight of Elsie's desperation pressing against my chest. I had done what I could. I had found her a champion. The
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







