LOGINLucien’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
Irene’s POV If there was a way to physically hug the goddess, I would have done it without hesitation for keeping Emily alive.I didn’t need to see the maid she meant. It had to be the same one I had tried to warn her about, the one Sharina had sent.Goddess. I wished there was a way to expose this evil woman. And she'd be crowned tomorrow as the queen.That thought made my stomach twist.Oh moon… please don’t let that happen. She's a horrible person, please.“Irene,” the lycan prince's voice cut through.“Yes, my prince,” I answered quickly.He approached me with steady steps, his gaze dropping to my leg.“I told you not to leave my tent until I returned.”My fingers tightened on my dress instinctively.“I… I didn’t. I waited… even slept off inside your tent when you didn't come back.”He didn’t respond right away.Instead, he just looked at me.That silence alone made me uncomfortable.“You did well with the records I gave you,” he finally said.I blinked.Huh?My brain actually p
Emily’s POV “I…I was only trying to talk to her,” Adrian stuttered immediately at the Lycan Prince’s harsh tone.Lucien took a slow step toward him. Adrian tried to hold his ground but failed, flinching instead.“What I saw didn’t look like talking,” Lucien said, his voice dropping to a dangerous
Emily’s POV“Rina!” Her father screamed, rushing forward.Malric sprinted to her, Lucien and a few guards close behind.The crowd erupted, murmurs swelling into a wave of whispers and shuffling feet as she was carried away from the altar.“What’s wrong?”“Has she done something evil?”“Maybe she’s
Emily’s POVMorning came too quickly.I don’t think I slept. Not really.Every time I drifted off, it was the same dream chasing me out of sleep. I saw chains around my wrists, heat and heavy smoke curling around me or worse, Malric baring his fangs at me.I couldn’t tell if it meant something. Or
Emily's POV “It’s a surprise.” I gave him a puppy eye look, trying to coax him into spilling the secret, but he wasn't affected. “Fine,” I huffed. “I’ll just go check it myself.” He gave a mocking nod. Then his expression sharpened slightly. “Just got a message. I have to leave now,” he said.







