MasukMalric’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,
Malric’s POV “In a few weeks, you’ll be marrying Sharina under the Goddess’s presence. So, what will become of Emily?”“You carry Sharina’s mark. Everyone knows what that means. You can no longer give her what she wants, so why do you keep holding onto her?”I paced my room, thinking over Lucien’s words over and over again. It was hard to accept the bitter truth. I couldn’t give Emily what she wanted anymore. It felt like a fist had driven straight into my chest, crushing everything inside.Then the most upsetting words of Lucien rang in my head like a challenge.“I’m going to claim Emily. I'm going to give her what she deserves.”“Arghhh!” I growled into the air, clenching my fist.He dared not…“....what will become of Emily?”My knees gave way, and I dropped to the floor, pressing my fist against the ground until it cracked beneath the pressure.A mindlink came through, one of the guards at my door reporting that Sarah was waiting to see me.I didn’t want to see anyone. I wanted
Emily’s POV “What's wrong?” I asked, surprised by his sudden shift in mood.Irene had stepped away from him, confused as well, and visibly trembling.Lucien groaned, pulling off his black tank top and pressing it against his neck.“What did I ask you to bring, and what the fuck did you bring?” His voice was sharp.“I… I brought what you told me to…” Irene stammered.“This is a heating balm,” he snapped, his tone dark. “I told you to bring the one with less menthol. What are you using your head to think?!”Irene flinched hard at his voice, losing her balance as she stepped back.Lucien reacted on instinct, catching her by the waist before she hit the floor.For a brief moment, he held her steady. Irene’s gaze lingered on Lucien for a heartbeat longer than necessary.Then, just as quickly, Lucien released her immediately.She stumbled back down to the ground, and his attention had already shifted away from her.My brow furrowed at the sudden shift again. Why did he catch her… only to r
Emily’s POVThroughout the day, my mind kept drifting back to what the maids had said. But no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t make anything out of it.Later that night, just before going to bed, the thought crossed my mind to go into the woods… to see the forest guardian one more tim
Emily’s POV “Stop defending me!” The words came out louder than I intended, sharp and raw. I didn’t even try to take them back. “It’s obvious,” I continued, my voice shaking despite myself. “I’m not who you want me to be. I’m not a healer.” His expression shifted, just slightly, but he didn’t i
Emily’s POV The tight knot in my chest finally loosened after talking to Malric. Not completely… but enough for me to breathe again. We spent hours at the gazebo, longer than I had planned, longer than I probably should have allowed myself. Still, I didn’t want to leave. Not yet. Not when everyth
Malric’s POVMy eyes locked with those familiar blue eyes.At first, they were misty… hesitant… as though she wasn’t fully sure I was real. As though one more blink might make me disappear again.Then something in her shifted.She ran.And I didn’t hesitate.I stepped forward and caught her in my a







