MasukEmily’s POV “Got you, girl!”Linda wrapped herself around me, dropping her luggage on the ground as she rushed forward.“How?” I said after a moment, pulling back slightly. “You also got a slot?”She smiled, shaking her head. “No. I’m here to assist the daughter of the head chef in the house I work for now. Humans.”I raised a brow. “What? You’ve left your pack?”“That’s a long story…” she said, her smile softening. Then she paused, her expression turning a little melancholic.“Emmy… the prom night… I heard about what happened to your mother. I’m so sorry. I called your number, but you didn’t pick up. And after that… it never went through again.”“Yeah…” I murmured, offering a small smile. “That’s also a long story.”She nodded slowly, as if accepting that some things were better left unsaid for now.“So… how’s life treating you in that pack now?” she asked gently. A pause. Then, a little more carefully, “And Adrian… you two finally together now?”A deliberate cough broke the moment.
Emily’s POV The GSC series had always felt like something out of a fantasy.As much as Linda and I had dreamed about it back in high school, I never truly believed I’d get the chance to be part of it. Opportunities like this didn’t just happen, they came from connections, influence… nepotism.Winners were given a full scholarship into one of the best culinary schools in the world. A life-changing opportunity.I wondered how Sharina got that slot. Well… she was the future queen of the werewolf kingdom. That alone made anything possible.Not out of pride, but I knew I was the only one she could have given it to, at least within the palace. I fit the age requirement, and skill-wise… no one else came close.Maybe… this was one of my dreams finally taking shape.My mother used to say, if the goddess wants to bless you, even a monster from the underworld will bend for you.Sharina wasn’t a monster, at least not that extreme, but she definitely wasn’t a friend. I just never imagined anythin
Malric’s POV Just this morning, I received a report of an unknown plague breaking out in one of the smaller packs.My first instinct was to hand it over to Lucien or Theodore. But the moment I heard it had already spread into one of the larger packs, I changed my mind.If it wasn’t contained quickly, it would spread through the region like wildfire. And then it wouldn’t just be a pack problem anymore.It would become a kingdom crisis.So I had no choice but to handle it myself.But the timing was wrong.Emily was meant to attend that competition today.I couldn’t let her go alone. Not when every instinct in me was already on edge about it.Still… I couldn’t be in two places at once. Not even as Lycan King. When I wasn’t a god.A sharp frustration settled in my chest.I needed someone I trusted with her.I considered posting guards. Immediately, I rejected the thought. That wouldn’t be enough.Lucien came to mind. And just as quickly, I dismissed him.“He’s the only viable option,” Da
Malric’s POV “One of my… disciples,” Sarah said, lifting her phone slightly. “One of them just reported to me.”My brow furrowed as I studied her.“Aren’t your disciples meant to remain pure?” I asked dryly, already turning away to scan the shelves.“That’s why I’m annoyed too,” she replied from behind me.I exhaled faintly. “I’m not going to meddle in that. Deal with it as you see fit.”Becoming a disciple of the temple was a choice, but one that came with strict vows. Purity above all else. No attachments. No indulgence. Once taken, it wasn’t something to be treated lightly.“I will,” she said.My eyes moved over the rows of books, scanning titles without really seeing them.“Have you found anything on King Darius?”“Yes…but nothing detailed enough.”She handed me a few books. I flipped through them briefly, but none touched on what we were looking for.“Let’s check the archives,” I said. “Old records. Scrolls.”“I already did,” she replied. “But you’re free to go through them agai
Sarah’s POVI was baffled when Malric told me he had severed the bond with Emily, only for it to reconnect again.That was impossible.Once a bond is broken, it should never reform.The only case I had ever come across was in history… King Darius.Still, as unusual as it sounded, it didn’t mean anything as serious as Malric was making it out to be.Emily’s identity had already been verified. She was no healer. She could never be.She was the daughter of one Rachael Harper, who once served the Ravenwoods before her death. Rachael had been an omega, and from what I uncovered, her mate had been one too. There were no exceptions in that bloodline.No hidden power and certainly no miracle waiting to happen.Sharina, on the other hand, came from a lineage of Luna healers. The last recorded one had been her mother’s twin sister.The truth was clear. Everything pointed in one direction.Malric simply refused to see it.I paused beside one of the towering shelves, running my fingers absently o
Malric’s POV “She…she didn't tell me.” Emily said.My grip tightened around the card.“I'll need your approval to attend the programme…”“No.” I cut her off immediately.“Why? The GSC series is a rare opportunity. I’ve been praying for this…it’s like a dream come true.” she protested.“I need to talk to Sharina.” I said instead, already walking away to look for her.The Gourmet Skills Challenge is a cooking competition where winners are exposed to special opportunities and privileges. It was an annual programme, mostly sponsored by humans.But that wasn’t the issue.Entry didn’t come cheaply, it required high-level connections.So how did Sharina secure a slot?Emily kept protesting behind me, but I didn’t listen.Fortunately… or unfortunately, I met Sharina on the way.“This.” I lifted the envelope between my fingers like a blade. “How did you get this?”She paused, her posture stiffening slightly. “Have I done something wrong by presenting an opportunity to her?”I exhaled sharply,
Emily’s POV After I was discharged from the infirmary, I made my way back to my room.Each step felt heavier than the last, not because of my body, but because of my thoughts.Sharina’s words still lingered in my mind, her voice calm, almost casual, when she told me she had finally marked Malric.
Emily’s POV (Before she collapsed)I didn’t care if I was going to bleed to death. But I couldn’t stand there and watch Malric die like this.Without thinking, I challenged the beast.It recoiled again, just like before, and I couldn’t understand why.That hesitation… it felt unnatural.Driven by
Malric’s POV Sarah gazed at me, waiting for my conclusion.I checked the time, we had less than an hour left before midnight.“Where is she?” I asked.She raised a brow. “Who?”“Sharina.”Her face lit up. “You…you agree?”“I have a few seconds before I change my mind.”“Of course…her room. She’ll
Emily’s POV Finally, I managed to save Piper from Malric and the others by threatening to slit my throat. I didn’t expect it to work, but it did. It worked on Malric himself, his face twisting into something like fear. I wasn’t being unreasonable or inconsiderate. If anyone was, it was him. He ju







