로그인Emily’s POVI didn't open the letter Irene had somehow slipped into my room until I was well outside the palace grounds.The moment I unfolded it and began to read, my jaw tightened at the first few paragraphs.“Bastards,” I gritted out as everything finally made sense.Sarah and Sharina had been working together. They had used Irene to distract Lucien since Malric was away from the palace. That was why it had been so easy for Sarah to use Lucien's name to fool certain guards. While those guards rushed around carrying out the Prince’s supposed orders, I had been quietly smuggled out of the palace amid the confusion Sarah created.My eyes dropped to Irene's letter again.Every line was filled with her guilt and regret. Sharina had blackmailed her again, and this time there had been no way out.I lowered the letter slowly, my throat tightening. I couldn't even bring myself to blame her.This was the palace.Not only power and authority rule everything inside there, feelings didn't matt
Lucien’s POV I didn’t wait for the aphrodisiac to take full effect before I grabbed her.She let out a startled cry, struggling beneath my grip, but I didn’t stop.With one swift motion, I hauled her over my shoulder and headed straight for the bedroom.She cried out again.I ignored it.She had started this.Now she would have to explain herself.“This is what you wanted, isn't it?” I said, dropping her onto the bed.My gaze never left hers.She shook her head violently, the color draining from her face.Damn it.I hated how badly I wanted to believe her.I wanted her to give me a reason. A good one.“Then tell me why,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady.“I... I... my... I...” she stammered, her hands shaking as she braced herself against the bed.“Talk!” I barked, taking a step toward her.She flinched. Her eyes squeezed shut and she raised an arm over her face, instinctively shielding herself. As though she believed I was about to hit her.Damn it.My jaw tightened.The ap
Lucien’s POVFor the past few hours, Irene had been in my suite.She sat across from me at the dining table, completely buried in the ledgers I had given her.Obviously, she had made an absolute mess of the last one. Still, I needed a reason to keep her here."When are you going to tell her how we feel?" Knox asked inside my head."Not yet," I replied. "That might scare her away. She needs to trust me first."Knox huffed."Or you're afraid she'll turn you down due to your bad reputation with she-wolves.”I scoffed. "And whose fault is that? I've spent years being dragged around by a Lycan incapable of looking away from a pretty face.”The irony was almost offensive.Of all the Lycans the Goddess could have bestowed me with, she had given me one with the self-control of a drunken playboy."Excuse me?" Knox sounded offended. "I had standards.""Yes, by chasing every noblewoman with a pretty face?""That is a gross exaggeration.""You once made me attend three banquets in one week becaus
Emily’s POV Ever since we returned from the hunt, Malric had made sure I stayed in his suite. Even when I protested that this suite would soon belong to him and Sharina after their bonding tomorrow, he refused to yield.He said Sharina would have her own chambers as the queen, and that I would stay here under his care because of the child I carried.He said he needed to look after both of us.Still, I didn’t want it this way.Sharina would be queen.And I could not stay in her space.Because of that… I wouldn’t abandon my plan.I was leaving this castle.By midnight, the moon would be full. Malric and Sharina would complete their bonding at the Goddess Temple, in the presence of the Moon Goddess herself. By morning, their official mating ceremony would begin.My mind worked quickly, calculating every possible escape route between the moment he would leave for the temple and the moment he would return.That was my only window.But escaping the castle wasn’t simple. Not with security t
Irene’s POV “Good to see you, Irene,” Sharina said, inspecting her manicured nails as though she had come here for something far more pleasant than this.A smile tugged at her lips.“I’m sure you've convinced yourself you've slipped out of my grasp.”She laughed softly.“What a disappointing mistake.”Her eyes locked onto mine.“You haven't escaped me. Not even close.”I swallowed.“On your knees.” She ordered.I didn't dare argue. Even my mother was already on her knees, her entire body trembling.Sharina stepped forward, clearly enjoying my panic.“I was wondering how a maid suddenly became so important to the Lycan Prince.”Her gaze swept over me with open contempt.“Now I understand.”Her lip curled.“You've been warming the Prince's bed.”My mother's gasp echoed through the room.“Irene?!”“No, Mum,” I blurted out. “I didn't…”A sharp slap cracked across my cheek.My head snapped to the side.Pain burned through my skin.“How dare you imply I'm lying?” Sharina hissed.Then she t
Irene’s POV The moment my hands wrapped reflexively around the Lycan Prince, I froze.My heart thudded in my ears despite the rush of air as the horse ran.I expected him to nudge my hands away, but he didn’t. He must have known I needed to hold on or I would fall.His scent filled my nose, warming my body without permission. I leaned closer without meaning to, my heart still hammering wildly in my chest.He didn’t slow until we reached the castle. I expected him to head straight to the stables, but instead, he rode toward his wing.The horse came to a stop. I quickly untangled my hands from him, my awareness snapping back too late.“Thank you, my prince,” I said quickly, already preparing to dismount.“Wait,” he ordered.He came down first, but I didn’t want his help.I moved too quickly.The moment I tried to step down from the horse, my balance slipped. The horse shifted beneath me, startled, and I lost my footing completely.“Ah—!”I tumbled forward from the saddle.But strong ha
Sharina’s POVAn uneasy silence settled over the camp as everyone looked between the King and me.Even the wolves who had been celebrating moments ago had gone quiet.I stared into his steel-grey eyes, my thoughts racing as I weighed my options carefully.My chances of getting out of the mess Scarl
Malric’s POV The moment I ended the mindlink, I turned to Theodore.“Follow me.”He obeyed without question.I mindlinked the guards outside Sharina's tent, ordering them not to allow anyone in or out until I said otherwise.When I returned to where Scarlett’s body lay, most of my suspicion toward
Malric’s POV I led Emily away from that tent to stop her from seeing the maid's dead body like that.She was already shivering.I took her to my tent and comforted her until she felt better. We would talk about our child later, but right now, I needed to deal with Sharina first.“We'll be leaving
Emily’s POV The room seemed to tilt slightly around me.Only hours ago Scarlett had been talking endlessly beside me during the hunt. Asking questions I didn't want to answer.Now she was lying here like nothing remained of her but an empty shell.My throat tightened painfully."Is she the maid yo







