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.
Lila lay in my arms, her head rested against my chest, her hair spilling over my arm like a dark waterfall. The glow of her mark had softened to a steady pulse, in time with my heartbeat.I hadn’t moved since she fell. I didn’t trust my legs to hold me if I did.Every few breaths, I pressed my finge
LilaThe council chamber smelled the same as I remembered, yet everything felt different. The ceilings were still high, the banners still bright, but I had lived too long under open skies to be impressed by politics.Whispers filled the room as we entered, rippling like wind over tall grass, hushed
I nodded once, the weight of her words settling deep. “Then we’ll start over. Put me through whatever trials I need to prove I am a worthy mate for you.”Her eyes softened, just slightly. “You’d do that?”“Without hesitation,” I said.She turned back to her work without another word, but the faintes
Lila“You should rest,” Damon said from behind me. His voice carried not a single hint of power or command.“I will,” I answered, though we both knew I wouldn’t.He stepped closer. The air shifted. “Come back with me.”I turned to face him and saw the hope written in every line of his body.“The pal







