LOGINElsie’s POV I looked around at the small group surrounding us as we walked toward the edge of the clearing. Is this truly all the security he is taking along? Wow. For a ruler of his status, I had fully expected a heavily armed vanguard of at least fifty warriors to trail behind his steps. Instead, there were only the two commanders, Dane and Jasper, and a handful of select guards.We walked to the camp stables, which turned out to be a fucking large expanse of space tucked neatly against the northern stone wall. I had never once approached this area since arriving at the Hold because it was constantly heavily guarded by armed sentries, and only authorized personnel were ever allowed inside.The moment we passed the gate, I looked around in awe. There had to be well over a hundred horses kept here, their sleek coats shining under the stable lamps as workers brushed them down.A beast of a black stallion was led out from a large stall toward the King. Its muscles rippled with raw pow
Elsie's POV I remained where I was at the very back, planting my boots firmly into the dirt to try and avoid getting shoved around too much by the pushing crowd. The noise of hundreds of rowdy wolves shouting and scrambling to see the wooden board was almost deafening. Suddenly, Gerald came pushing through the mass of bodies, heading toward me out of nowhere.He stopped in front of me, a bright shit-eating grin splitting his face, and offered a funny, exaggerated salute. "Assistant Commander Elias," he announced proudly.I cracked a small smile, the knot of anxiety in my chest loosening just a tiny bit. "I guess that means our team gets to stay at the Hold then.""Yes," Gerald said, letting out a loud, relieved laugh.Before we could say anything else, the other members of team four started to come around us from the crowd, their faces flushed with excitement. Each man was enthusiastically clapping the others on the back for a job well done, their loud voices joining the general roa
Elsie's POV I separated from my excited teammates and began the long, slow walk toward the King’s tent, thoroughly dreading the upcoming conversation. My mind was spinning, and I still had not thought of a single way forward out of the trap Liliana had set for me. I pushed past the outer canvas, entering the dark, silent tent. I immediately set about lighting the small oil lamps around the room, shedding some light on the large space, and then I stepped back to wait patiently by a quiet corner for him to arrive.Minutes passed. Suddenly, I heard muffled voices and hurried footsteps coming down the dirt path in this direction. There was a brief period of pacing right outside the entrance, followed immediately by the sound of someone walking away quickly.I furrowed my brows, wondering what on earth was happening out there. Before I could move, the tent flap was roughly pulled open. It wasn't the King. It was the stern one-handed warrior called Dane who stepped inside. I had no idea
Elsie's POV I knew I had to do my best in this final test, regardless of how terrible and broken I was feeling inside. My men were depending on me to pull us through, and I couldn't let my personal nightmare with Liliana and Holmer ruin their hard work. As I stood in the line, it was funny to note that none of the other team leaders who had spoken before me had even bothered to consult any of their other team members before giving their answers.Well, it wasn't exactly surprising, I suppose. Leaders usually felt the need to appear capable, up to the task, and pretty much self-sufficient in front of their men. They think asking for advice makes them look weak. Not me, though. I definitely don't mind asking for help if I ever truly need it. In this case, though, I didn't need to consult anyone.I stepped forward onto the chalk line, feeling the burning eyes of the Lycan King fixing directly on me from his high platform. My heart did a familiar, painful flutter, but I deliberately avo
Quinn's POV I was doing my best to avoid the undeniable thought that I had been avoiding Elias. For the sake of my own sanity, I had decided yesterday that perhaps it was best if I saw the scrawny boy a lot less. To enforce this, I had taken to spending more of my free hours deep in the quiet forest surrounding the Hold, just chilling on the high branches of the ancient trees and staring into the canopy.Although, I knew my little avoidance dance had an expiration date today. I had to be present for the last round of the trial games because I was the overseer for it.This match was a test in battle strategy, and all the chosen team leaders would be required to answer one scenario question. I would listen closely to their individual answers, evaluate their logic, and grade their performance appropriately.I guess I really can't avoid him forever.I adjusted my shoulders, jumped down effortlessly from the thick tree branch I was resting on, and headed over to the field they had been u
Elsie's POV "I told you it was far too risky," a frustrated, low voice muttered from inside.Damn.It was Holmer's voice. I leaned closer to the canvas, my muscles locked tight."Well, it has already happened, hasn't it?" Liliana snapped back in response, her tone sharp and completely lacking her usual sweet innocence.My mind spun. Are they discussing the pregnancy?Oh my Goddess, is Holmer the actual father of her baby? I stood there in awe at Liliana’s boldness to sleep with a recruit like Holmer and then have the nerve to bring him here to my tent that is close to that of the Lycan King. Well, she probably thought I wasn't going to be returning to the tent anytime soon since my original assignment was to serve the King and return to have dinner, but that obviously didn't happen."I don't—" Holmer started to say.Suddenly, a small woodland animal that I could barely make out in the dusk dashed past my boots. Startled by the sudden movement, I shifted my weight quickly, and my bo
Elsie’s POV"She has humongous tits," a hairy, buff man shouted, his voice echoing off the canvas walls of Tent 42. He was leaning back on his bedroll, a crude grin plastered on his face. "As she rode me, they were flapping in my face like great balloons!"He finished his sentence with a roar of la
Elsie’s POV I froze in my tracks. I had always been daring, stubborn, reckless even—but this? This was beyond rebellion. If I was caught, the shame would destroy my father. But if I stayed, the mating would destroy me. Nearby, an older woman pounded grain into a mortar with exhausted arms. A cry
Elsie's POVTheo nodded, his expression turning grim. "He brought a message for the Alpha and the Gamma. It's about war, Elsie. A real war.""War?" I repeated."Come on," Theo said, already turning back toward the village. "We need to hear exactly what he says."We ran, sprinting through the trees.
Elsie's POV As if the news from last night wasn’t enough to rot my soul, the next morning brought a fresh disaster. Oliver showed up at our front door, acting like the most dutiful son-in-law in the world.I watched him from the shadows of the hallway. He was dressed in a clean, pressed shirt, his







