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
AVABy midnight, the mansion was too quiet.Unnaturally quiet.I peeked through the blinds for the third time, expecting the usual silhouettes of guards pacing around the perimeter. But no one was there.Nothing but moonlight and the trees swaying like they were whispering secrets.The silence unnerved me. The air felt still…like it was holding its breath.Something was wrong. Or right. I couldn’t tell.Jatina had fallen asleep hours ago on the couch with a book still open across her chest. The soft hum of her breathing filled the room, steady and unaware.And then it clicked.The guards were gone. The doors weren’t locked. The cars in the garage?Wide open.The keys?Still hanging from the wall, untouched.It was like... an invitation.Sebastian knew.He knew what I was planning…and he didn’t stop me.That realization hit hard. A twist in my stomach. He wasn’t just letting me go… he was stepping back entirely. Letting me walk into the arms of the man he’d sworn to keep away from me.
SEBASTIAN “Your little wifey is meeting with her ex today. —From Dove.”I stared at the paper, rereading the words that punched me straight in the gut. My jaw clenched. My hands balled so tight the damn letter crumbled inside my palm.I grabbed my phone. “Marcus,” I snapped.“Alpha?”“Find out what Ava is up to. Now.”“Understood.”I hung up before he could say anything else. I didn’t want to hear it. I didn’t want to *think* it.Ava wouldn’t…No.But why did this feel so damn real?I have warned and threatened Dante never to show his face again.Why would Ava want to see him?An hour passed.Every tick of the clock stretched my nerves thinner.Then the call came.“Alpha,” Marcus said quietly, “Jatina noticed movement.”“What kind of movement?” I asked, my voice dangerously calm.“She said Ava’s been pacing… checking her window. And earlier, she caught her staring at her phone for too long. There’s a strong chance she’s planning to sneak out.”Silence.I didn’t respond right away.“A