LOGINCYRAI stayed pressed against the side of the building, barely breathing as I watched Greyson and Marcus in the lot, and I still didn’t understand what was happening.One second, Greyson had Marcus by the collar. The next moment, he shoved him hard enough to send him stumbling. My heart raced faster with every second. And just then Marcus said something I couldn’t hear, but it made Greyson snarl.The sound froze me in place, but his next words sent a gasp ripping through me so sharp I stumbled.“Stop calling me that. I’m not your son!”Everything inside me went cold, and my eyes widened as the words landed. Marcus was Greyson’s father? Oh Goddess. Greyson yanked open his car door and got in, and a second later the engine roared, and he tore out of the lot.I stayed frozen for one heartbeat longer, staring after the disappearing taillights before looking back at Marcus, who had dropped into a crouch where Greyson’s car had been a moment ago, one hand braced against the gravel like his
CYRAI followed Greyson through the dark roads until the familiar streets thinned out, giving way to rougher, quieter edges of the city. It was then that it became clear where he was going—Human’s Ville.I frowned as I kept driving. What was he doing here? Greyson never came here unless he had no other choice. He didn’t like it, didn’t trust it, and he especially didn’t mix business in places like this.I slowed as he turned off the main road and watched him pull into a narrow street lined with dim lights and closed shops, then finally stopped in front of an old establishment that looked half-alive at best.I stayed back as he parked and then got out. Looking around, I quickly pulled into a shadowed space a short distance away and watched him walk toward the entrance.I waited until he disappeared inside before I moved. Then I got out too. Keeping to the dark edges of the street, I moved closer, careful with every step. The building had a dull glow inside that barely spilled onto the
CYRA I followed Greyson back toward the stronghold like a shadow. Far enough back that his taillights were only red blurs against the dark road, but close enough that I never lost him.My headlights stayed off so he wouldn't notice me, the only light coming from the moon and the dashboard glow washing a pale blue across my shaking hands.I'd racked my brain for hours after Katarina left, trying to come up with appropriate ways for Greyson and me to leave this world, but found none quick enough to stop him from taking that bitch to that summit. I couldn't let him take her there. I couldn't let the image of them together, with him presenting her as his world, be the last memory I had of him. So I had no choice but to act tonight. The thought made my throat close, and I swallowed against it as I kept driving.My eyes burned so badly I could barely keep them open, and my cheeks still felt stiff from dried tears. But I kept focus until suddenly his brake lights flared.I jerked in my sea
CYRAThe moment the door closed behind Katarina, the mask I had forced onto my face shattered. I stood frozen in the middle of my sitting room, staring at the sunflowers she had sent me. They were three days old now, wilted, drooping, petals turning brown at the edges, just like everything else in my life.My hands began to shake, then my entire body.“He took her away for the weekend…” I whispered, my voice cracking. “To our place. He'd always said he wanted to take me there, and now he’s taking her to the biggest summit of the year. He paraded her around as if he hadn't just shattered my world. Yes, I hurt him, but he knew I loved him.”A harsh, broken sound tore from my throat, and I grabbed the dirty sunflowers and hurled them through the window as I dropped to my knees in the middle of the room, chest heaving.I recalled how that weak, pathetic omega had smiled while telling me how Greyson was falling for her. How happy they were. How he was finally treating her like a real wife,
GREYSONThe stars were visible against the mountain sky as Katarina rested her head on my shoulder, her body warm beneath the shared blanket. Her fingers were intertwined with mine, and now and then she would gently squeeze my hand, as if to remind herself that I was still with her.Her earlier words about falling in love with me lingered in my mind. They were so pure and sincere that hearing them broke my heart. She'd said them without hesitation, her eyes filled with a soft, naive hope that made my chest tighten.I should have felt triumphant because her love for me made things easier. But all I felt was the slow, crushing weight of what I'd done to her.I killed her sister and intended to do the same to her once she gave me an heir. I was still lying to her every day, and she didn't deserve that.She tilted her head up and smiled at me, the same adoring expression that had been chiseling away at my guilt all weekend.“You've been quiet tonight," she said softly, reaching up and tou
KATARINAThe morning light filtered softly through the large windows, painting the bedroom in gentle gold. I woke slowly, wrapped securely in Greyson’s arms, his warm breath brushing against the back of my neck. For a long moment, I just lay there, savoring the feeling of his solid body pressed against mine and the quiet peace that surrounded us.Last night replayed in my mind, the way he had taken me on the rug in front of the fire, so intense yet so passionate. The way he had looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered, and I smiled and pressed closer, my heart full.He stirred behind me, his arm tightening around my waist as he woke before pressing a slow kiss to my shoulder.“Good morning,” he murmured, his voice still rough with sleep.“Good morning,” I whispered back, turning in his arms to face him before reaching up and brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, studying his face. He looked more relaxed than I had ever seen him at the stronghold. “Did you sleep well







