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.
LilaThe summons came mid-morning, delivered by hand in sleek parchment sealed with black wax. The message was brief:Report to the western courtyard. His Majesty will address a challenge to the throne.The phrasing was deliberate. A challenge to the throne, not a complaint or request. It was a warn
DamonAsher’s hand lingered on Elena’s shoulder, casual but firm. Irritation curled hot and sharp in my chest.I had no reason to care. No reason to feel this slow-burning irritation coil inside me.Yet, before I could think better of it, my feet were already moving.My long strides carried me acros
LilaBy the time I made it back to my room, my clothes were soaked through, my muscles screamed with every step, and my patience had been wrung out like the shirt I’d just folded beneath the awning.The air in the palace halls was warm and dry, but I still felt chilled to the bone, like the rain had
DamonShe was slower today.Not in technique; Elena moved with precision and surprising skill, but there was a slight lag between her reaction and recovery. A half-second delay in her counters. The tiniest hitch in her breath after each strike.No one else on the training grounds would notice, but I







