LOGINLilaIt’s strange how the smallest sound, like the brush of quill to parchment, can fill a room with thoughts.The palace beyond our chambers is silent now, its pulse softened to the rhythm of domestic life. I can hear faint laughter drifting through the open balcony doors: the twins chasing each ot
DamonSomewhere below, laughter spills faintly through the gardens: high, bright, unguarded. The twins again, playing well-past their bedtime but I don’t have the heart to call them inside.I walk the long hall that leads from the council chamber to our private suite, the torches low, their flames s
Every tree leans toward the wind, every leaf trembles like it recognizes us.Ruby hums beneath my ribs, her joy is an endless echo. Faster, she urges. The world will wait for us to slow down later.So we run.Zane’s golden form stays just ahead, his stride long and sure, the light from the moon catc
LilaI could feel it in the stone beneath my bare feet, in the calm rhythm of the sentries’ hearts beyond the gates: the kingdom was in a time of peace.I slipped through the eastern corridor, skirts gathered in one hand, the cool floor pressing against my soles. When I reached the stables, I found
The crowd quieted instantly as she lifted her hands over the flame. The moon above flared brighter, its light spilling across her skin like liquid light.This was her kingdom. Our kingdom. I realized it had never really been mine alone.LilaThe fire crackled, alive and breathing. Its gold bled into
DamonThe air burned cold and clean beneath the full moon.From the dais, I could see the courtyard stretch endlessly below; lanterns hanging from the ramparts, petals scattered across stone, banners of every Pack rippling in the silver wind.Wolves, healers, and warriors stood shoulder to shoulder.
The square transformed after the vows were spoken. Lanterns swung overhead, laughter rising as villagers filled the space with music and clapping.Someone plucked at a lute, another beat a hand drum, and soon feet stomped against the packed earth in celebration. The air smelled of roasted meat and s
RonanThe days blurred together, but not with the same chaos that had marked the birth.Wake, work, patrol, repeat.Thalia moved through it all as though she had always belonged here. Where I faltered, she stepped in. Where exhaustion would have crushed me flat, she steadied the weight before it bro
If Damon was close, he wouldn’t fine me in this storm anyway. Hours later, the village slept under a soft blanket of snow, the air had stilled with the dwindling storm. Kael had gone home hours ago, and the kids were curled against each other, safe and dreaming. I couldn’t sleep. The moment I clo
I smiled, keeping my hands busy with the ledger so he wouldn’t see how tight my chest had gone. “They’d like that.” He hesitated like he wanted to say more, then only nodded. “Then it’s a plan.” I stood there for a long time in thought. Kael had built something strong and steady around us – warmth







