LOGINAmara POV I wake to the taste of iron and rot. It coats my tongue and clings to the back of my throat. For a split second I nearly think it’s my own. I try to inhale too fast and choke, a broken sound bubbling out of me before I force myself to calm down. Cold stone presses against my cheek. I blink. Once. Twice. The world comes back in pieces instead of wholes. Torchlights first, trembling and yellow. Shadows dancing on the walls. The smell hits next. Old blood.. New blood. Vampire blood has such a wrongness to it, sweet and spoiled all at once, like something pretending to be alive. And goddess, I..I’m covered in it. My hands are slick, red-black up to my wrists, smeared across my forearms and chest. I’m absolutely covered.. my torn night gown is practically soaked entirely where it hasn’t ripped. My heart stutters. At least I’m not hurt. That should comfort me. But it doesn’t. I try to move. The sound comes before the pain. A dull clink. Metal answering m
Sebastian POV “WHERE IS SHE?!” The words thundered from my mouth, echoing throughout the castle. It’s been two days. Not a d*mn sight, not a d*mn word. Nothing. I can still feel that she’s alive.. that’s about all I have going for me at the moment. I’ve got my best witch working in tracking Amara. But she said it would take time. Time.. is something I do not have right now. Something Amara doesn’t have. It enrages me. A loud crack rang through the room and I looked down to see my desk had been split a little right of the middle where my fist landed. “I know, my King. I’m working on it.” Sybil spoke, her eyes flashing open and locking with mine. “Why is it taking so long? Do you need more hair?” I asked, grabbing Amara’s brush off my desk and walking toward her. “More hair won’t work.” She shook her head and sighed, closing her eyes as if trying to think. She was sitting on the ground in a black gown and her bright blonde
Amara POV “F*ck, stick her again!” The man who was carrying me shouted. Wherever we went.. It’s not a good place. I can sense the death.. I can smell the blood. My goddess it truly reeks of blood down here.. Vampires.. that’s why they smell different. “I can’t! The little brat is quick!” The one trying to pour liquid into my mouth from a vial shouted. He used his knee to push my arms down, and then he pinched my cheeks inward with one strong hand so hard I couldn’t keep my mouth closed. I felt a warmth flow through my entire body as I began to choke on the liquid, my nerves instantly relaxing. I could just.. sleep.. NO! Do not sleep.. stay awake.. “Now do what we need to do so we can go. I have better things to do.” The smell of human blood filled my nose as he lifted a glass cup to my lips. “Drink.” He said, but I shook my head. He grunted impatiently and held my nose, waiting for me to need to breathe. I tried to hold out as long as I could.. My mouth opened as
Amara pov The tension in the room shifted as the focus turned to Braden and Lola standing like statues at the altar. Lola wore a hot pink gown, typical for her, while Braden’s attire was a mix of dark blue leather and fine silk, the insignia of Blackwood Pack embroidered over his heart. The crowd fell into silence, the only sounds being the soft rustle of fabric and faint strum of music. The elder began the ceremony in a voice that made everyone but Sebastian and me tremble in their seats. “We gather today not only to witness the union of two powerful families but to honor the bond that will tie the fates of Lady Lola and Alpha Braden together as the Alpha and Luna of Blackwood Pack.” Lady Lola’s smile was anything but radiant, her eyes looking at everything but Braden. Braden stood rigid in front of her, his hold on her hands anything but gentle. From here, I could nearly see the tick in his jaw with every second that passed. It is obvious neither one of them wants to be he
This morning feels heavy with anticipation. The sunlight streamed through the chamber's balcony door and windows, casting soft, golden beams across the marble floor. Today is a big day. Lola’s Luna ceremony, or should I say, wedding. Ugh. Could this dress be any tighter? Could this day be any worse? Lola is going to have a major ego after this ceremony The gown looked like nothing I’d ever worn before. It was midnight violet, the color of twilight skies before the stars claimed the heavens. The fabric clung to my body, cinching my waist and pressing up my bre*sts to nearly my chin. Of course he’d make sure to find a way to show off my chest. The dress dipped low on my back, just above my bottom.. revealing more of my skin than I’m used to. It’s very bold.. Yet, I felt a wave of grace every time I moved in it. “It makes the gold in your eyes shine like the sun, my Queen,” Estra said as she finished the last knot on the skirts and tucked it in. I stared at myself in the mir
Amara POV The cool night air brushed over my skin, the white silk of my nightgown fluttering slightly as I leaned against the balcony railing. The palace grounds below were quiet, bathed in silver moonlight. In the distance, I heard howls from the lycans and werewolves as they hunted. Sebastian, Alpha Braden, and the rest of the men were off celebrating. According to Sebastian, it’s tradition in the royal family to go on a hunt when every royal member marries. I should’ve felt relieved not to attend. But my mind buzzed. My body still ached from the sparring match—the sparring match. I’d bested the Dark Lycan King. Actually pinned him. And he’d yielded. Submitted, even for just a moment. The look in his eyes when he’d done it would haunt me. Or maybe warm me. I hadn’t decided yet. Dinner had been no less eventful. The memory of Lola’s smile faltering after my reply still made me smirk. I should’ve been worried, maybe even cautious. But tonight… I felt strong. Like I’d final







