Sebestian I parked the car right at the entrance of my private training ground, killing the engine as the silence of the place settled around us. This space…this whole massive property tucked between tall walls and thick trees…was mine. Every square inch of it. No one had access to it. Not Dove. Not the pack warriors. Not even my Beta.I never let anyone in here.And yet… here I was, bringing Ava.I still didn’t understand why I did it. Maybe I was losing my mind. Or maybe, just maybe… I was tired of the constant, unbearable feeling clawing at my chest every time I thought about something happening to her and I wasn’t there to stop it.If anything went wrong..if anyone got to her..and I didn’t prepare her… I would never forgive myself.I clenched my jaw, pushing that thought away.“Are you going to open the door or are you just going to sit there like a statue?” Ava’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts, laced with that playful irritation she never seemed to run out of.I smirked. “W
AVA POV “AVA, come out,” Sebastian’s voice echoed from downstairs.I blinked twice, pulling my long robe around me tighter. His voice carried that usual authority, laced with something else this morning. Something… different. I couldn’t place it, but it sent a small shiver down my spine.Dragging my feet slightly, I stepped out of the room, descending the grand staircase quietly. My eyes immediately landed on him.Sebastian stood at the bottom of the stairs, dressed in his training robe. His hair was slightly messy, his jawline sharper than usual, and those stupidly broad shoulders stretched under the fabric as if the robe was barely containing him.I stopped for a second, blinking again.Why did he have to look this… good? At this hour?“Why are you staring?” His lips twitched like he wanted to smirk but was fighting it.I cleared my throat and walked down the last few steps, still confused. “What’s going on?”The moment my feet touched the ground floor, he tossed something toward m
Narrator POVThe cold wind howled softly outside, but inside the cave, everything was still. Quiet. Watching.Dove walked in with the grace of a queen, her floating, flowery white gown brushing lightly against the polished marble floor. The walls glittered with gold designs that shimmered under the dim lights hanging from the ceiling. The cave wasn’t just a hideout—it looked like a shrine. A place built for power.She smiled. That same wicked, confident smile that could break even the strongest men. Her heels tapped softly against the floor as she walked, every soul inside the cave falling to their knees.Not a word was spoken. They all bowed. Heads low. Eyes down.She loved it.At the center of the marble floor stood her throne. Tall. Dark. Carved from black stone and wrapped in golden vines. Above it, engraved in sharp letters, one word:“Witch.”Her rightful place.Dove’s smirk deepened as she climbed the steps to the throne. Her long, dark hair flowed behind her like silk, but as
AVA POV“Hello,” I say brightly to Jatina as she sets the breakfast tray. She glances up, softness in her old eyes. “I’m fine, Luna.” Her calm reply makes me smile. She’s the only consistent thing in this mansion these days. I take a slow sip of tea…strong, just how I like it. Jatina moves quietly around the table, placing fresh fruit and warm rolls before me. The morning light streams in through the curtains, soft and golden. Suddenly, she stops. “There’s a message from the Queen’s chamber,” she says, offering me a sealed envelope. My heart hammers. I freeze, finger hovering over the letter. “Visit by noon,” I read aloud, the words stamped bold across the front. She nods politely. “I noticed the writing is large… maybe she wants to make sure you don’t miss it.” I swallow. Noon isn’t far off. Thoughts swirl in my head. What does the queen want from me now? I finish breakfast on autopilot, every bite stuck in my throat. Jatina watches quietly. *********By noon, the driver is
SEBASTIAN I stood there, frozen.I didn’t even know what to do. My hands hung useless by my sides, my chest rising and falling with tight, shallow breaths.Was she scared?Did I scare her away?I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to storm up those stairs and pull her back down and ask her what's wrong. But I didn’t. Not because I didn’t want to—but because I figured maybe… maybe she needed space.Alone time.Hell, maybe I needed it too.I pulled out my phone and dialed Marcus. He picked on the first ring.“Alpha?”“Double the guards around the mansion,” I ordered, my voice low. “No one goes in or out.”There was a pause. “You want it locked down again?”“Yes,” I snapped. “Don’t ask questions. Just do it.”“Understood.”I hung up and pocketed my phone.I ran a hand down my face, the frustration simmering like hot oil beneath my skin. Every inch of me itched to kick something, break something…but instead, I grabbed my keys and walked out.I needed to get out of here.The silence of
AvaI drove back to the mansion, only the crickets of the birds could be heard.I'm worried about my father... Dante told me he's getting tired already.My father is a strong man, for him to get tired in that way... that means the attacks have taken a strong toll on him.I miss him. I miss my mom too.A tear slipped out of my eyes as I made a turn towards the mansion.I need to do something...But what can I do? How do I send support to my father when I'm locked in a cage called a mansion?The gates automatically opened when I got to the place I can't even call home...The guards were still not on guard, everywhere was strangely quiet...I knew Seb knows about my whereabouts, he always does. Always.I parked the car and took a shaky step outside. I stared at the building and wondered if I would be a fool to return back inside.Can I just run away?Can I just fly?If I should run right now, no one would know, even if I would eventually be found later.This is Sebastian's territory.I p