MasukLilaIt’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.
DamonThe clearing was already alive by the time I arrived—drums low and steady, a heartbeat in the dark. The full moon loomed high above it all, massive and pale, soaking the forest in silver.Tradition.I’d hated this place for years. At thirteen, Asher’s father had made me spar with some minor no
Later I stood staring at the moon; it reminded me of a pale wound in the sky.I leaned against the balcony’s stone railing, elbows braced, palms open to the cold. Below me, the gardens stretched—shadowed, silver-edged.I could almost see her standing there again. Spine straight. Voice steady. Eyes b
My boots hit the marble with more force than necessary as I crossed the threshold into the upper hall. The cool air of the apothecary still clung to my cloak, but I let it stay draped over one shoulder, half-concealing the tension in my posture.Let them wonder what I was doing in the dark corners o
The Elders had pushed for bloodline, for legacy, for anyone but the woman I chose—and she answered them with grace and indifference.No one dared press further, not after that.With nothing left to argue, the council chamber emptied slowly, like a wound refusing to clot. Nobles trickled out in group







