LOGIN[Viktor’s POV]Vladimir found me in my office later that afternoon. He shut the door behind him and leaned against it, his expression casual enough that I knew he had a lot to say about something which I wouldn’t like.“I hear you’re visiting the Fae,” he said casually. “I'll come with you.”“No. You'll stay here.”His casual expression disappeared. “You haven't even asked why I want to go.”“I don't need to. I need you to oversee the pack while I'm away. Sam will handle the patrols, but I want someone with authority here if anything happens.”Vladimir straightened. “You have four guards, Corren, and yourself. What difference would one more wolf make? And Dad is here anyway.”“Dad isn’t as strong as he used to be,” I said pointedly. How did he not see the suffering and remorse in Dad’s demeanor?“If we both leave the pack,” I held his gaze. “And it turns out to be a trap, then at least one of us will not be the target. You know how vulnerable the territory becomes when the leadership
[Viktor’s POV]I found Astoria standing beside the rose bushes, her abandoned book lying open and her attention fixed behind her. She had turned to look at me but then turned behind her as if to tell me about something or someone she saw.But now, her face drained of colour and her fingers curled tightly into fists. I slowed my steps, studying her before approaching, because I had no idea what had frightened her or why she seemed so determined to keep staring at the spot where nothing stood.“Astoria?” I called, stopping beside her. “What happened? You look as though you've seen a ghost.”She turned to look at me again, her gaze devoid of humor. “There was a woman here. She knew my mother. She said things about her that I don't understand, and then you appeared, and she just vanished.”I glanced at the spot where Astoria had been staring, then back at her. “Start from the beginning. Who was she, and what did she tell you?”“Her name was Seraphine Vale.” She took a breath, trying to st
[Astoria’s POV]I had always imagined that falling in love would feel like losing control, but I hadn't expected it to involve so much blushing.Even with my ex-fiance, there were butterflies in my stomach at the beginning of our relationship, which dwindled with every passing year because of his lack of presence in my life. I had never felt liking someone would feel so…insane.Now that Viktor had let go…hopefully completely…he made me feel things that I hadn’t felt remotely for Shawn.I felt safe but also…cherished. I felt seen and desired…truly desired.My cheeks felt hot just at the thought. Unable to stay in my room for long, I stepped outside and met Vladimir, unfortunately, at that precise moment.“What’s gotten your face looking like tomato?" he asked causally as if he didn’t see Viktor carry me up to my room.“Would you believe me if I said nothing?” I muttered.“Nope,” he said and began to fall into step as I made my way downstairs.For a moment, silence prevailed between us,
[Vladimir’s POV]The first thing I noticed when Viktor came downstairs from Astoria’s bedroom was her scent clinging to him.It was no longer the faint trace I had occasionally caught whenever they stood too close to each other. It was stronger now, unmistakable, woven into the familiar scent of my brother, and beneath it lingered the unmistakable sweetness of a newly acknowledged bond.Astoria had accepted him despite everything.My wolf stirred restlessly inside me, its displeasure rolling through my chest until I had to curl my fingers into fists to keep my wolf from surfacing and my expression unchanged.Viktor looked annoyingly composed for a man who had just kissed the woman his younger brother had claimed as his mate in front of a dangerous creature. His hair was slightly disheveled, and there was a faint flush around his neck, but he carried himself with the same authority he had worn since childhood.The difference was that, for once, I wanted to wipe that self-satisfaction o
[Astoria’s POV]The heavy thud of Viktor’s footsteps echoed against the polished hardwood as he hauled me down the hallway.His arm was a steel band wrapped around my waist, his shoulder digging into my stomach while I hung upside down, my hair brushing his thighs. When he confronted us and Vladimir told all that to him, he had acted that way, simply picked me up like I was a sack of potatoes."Viktor, put me down!" I gasped, grabbing the back of his shirt as blood rushed to my face. “What has gotten into you?”He didn't reply. He merely answered with a low growl that set every nerve ending in my body on fire. He shoved my bedroom door open, stepped inside, and kicked it shut behind him. The lock clicked into place with terrifying finality.I let out a gasp, my heart hammered in my chest.He unceremoniously lowered me to my feet, but before I could regain my footing, his hands slammed against the door frame on either side of my head, trapping me against the solid wood.His eyes were d
[Astoria’s POV]I barely remembered the journey back to the Estate. One moment I had been standing inside that dilapidated house, staring at Aria as they calmly told me that my mother would die if I didn't somehow obtain the Elixir, and in the next moment I was sitting in Vladimir's car with my hands clasped tightly in my lap while he drove through the dark streets.Neither of us spoke for several minutes, but the silence wasn't peaceful. My mind kept replaying everything that had happened, especially the way Aria's face had changed before my eyes and the horrifying certainty with which they had told me that I was Viktor's mate.I didn't know which part frightened me more the fact that they knew, the fact that Vladimir had apparently known enough to lie about it, or the fact that somewhere deep inside me, I had already suspected there was something between Viktor and me that I couldn't explain.“You lied to her,” I intoned, staring straight ahead.Vladimir's hands tightened slightly a
[Astoria’s POV]The hallway outside thrummed with laughter and vibrance.Below were guests whom I didn’t know at all, but for some reason, I did not feel nervous.My gaze darted to the man beside me and I was struck by the effortless way our strides matched. We weren't touching, but that necklace h
Astoria’s POV]The morning of my mother’s wedding arrived with bright sun rays and a gentle breeze.After waking up, I simply lay there listening to the distant hum of preparation, guests talking and laughing, their voices muted and distant, and the muted footsteps in hallways.I rolled onto my sid
[Astoria’s POV]It was ironic and slightly comical how my mother, who was used to dictating and making people work for her, was having to explain things to someone.The realization made me happy rather than making me feel affronted.
[Astoria’s POV]Unable to endure the weight of his gaze, I excused myself and made my way upstairs, maintaining composure until I reached my room. Only after closing the door did I allow myself to exhale a shaky breath.What the F was that all about? Why was he looking at me like…like I was some ki







