ANMELDENThere was no great commotion at the castle gates as Haven's delegation prepared to depart.Most members of the court and the Temple were still traumatized enough not to attend, apparently. The crisis that almost happened after Leon's attack and the growing tension after Sean's marriage proposal seemed to be keeping everyone on their toes.As far as I knew, my father had managed to prevent the meeting between my brother and my ex-fiancé, but it was only a matter of time before another conflict erupted.And even if none of the “nobles” would admit it, they no longer considered Agatha a useful ally. Not since Leon had gently thwarted their plans for a trade deal between the Packs. They seemed to think that the mere presence of my father, Sean, and Saint made that farewell solemn enough.Well, anyway, it was a shame there were so few people there.I think I was starting to enjoy the artistic life. I wanted a bigger audience for my show.“What nefarious plans are you harboring in your mind
"You talk as if you and your Pack were different things." Agatha tapped her fingernails against the porcelain of her cup.And, although it was still impossible to read her expression, I had the distinct impression that she thought I was trying to deceive her.“And we are. We became so, at least, after everyone started believing that I attacked their precious heroine while she was trying to save the world. They turned me into an outsider. And now they’re paying the price for it. Just look at these diamonds. Do you think that mine would still be solemnly in my hands if they were still able to control me?”"I suspect that some of your sovereignty only came about because of your fiancé's influence." The way she said it made it quite clear that she knew my beautiful love story was nothing more than a contract, too.“Even better, don’t you think?” To my surprise, Adrien also argued “You’ll be able to keep all your allies in one place.”“And my enemies too, apparently. I know the rumors. All
I barely bothered to be quiet as I made my way to Adrien’s room. Most of the guards had been assigned to patrol Leon’s wing of the castle and prevent him from doing anything foolish again, since news of Sean and Rosalind’s possible engagement had surely already reached his ears. No one was really concerned with watching over or protecting my fiancé’s delegation.If this weren't such a great advantage for me, I would certainly punish each of the guards who were being negligent with my future husband.Gwen was already visible in the hallway as soon as I arrived, her red hair standing out even in the moonlit corridor.“They’re still here, aren’t they?” I asked, the moment I stopped in front of her “Please, tell me she didn’t just get up and leave. I was planning on getting here before anyone else, but… I had… A mishap.”I lied, even though I knew it was obvious there couldn't be any other possible mishap at that hour of the night, besides the fact that I overslept. Well, actually I had go
"You're playing a dangerous game, sunflower." he murmured, just the sound of his voice almost making me groan."You talk as if I'm the only one..."“I’m no longer the unruly boy you used to kiss in the darkness of the orphanage basement.” His lips found my neck, his tongue tracing my skin “I know very well the wild little wolf inside you. She would tear the hands off anyone who dared touch what’s mine. She knows who it belongs to.”“And yet, you want to distance yourself from me.” My arms and legs wrapped around him, never getting enough of the warmth of his body “Postpone this any longer…”“The proposal I made to you the night before my knighting still stands. It always will.” The intensity of his feelings, etched across his entire expression, completely took my breath away “We can still escape all of this. Live without worrying about titles, about Gods, about responsibilities. Just you and me. Nobody else.”“It sounds like a dream…” I rubbed my nose against his, letting the silence
Something was wrong.Well, using that word was probably an exaggeration. Things felt more strange than wrong.First, I had absolutely no idea where I was… But at the same time, I knew. I just couldn't remember. That landscape wasn't unfamiliar to me. I was on the edge of a cliff, the soft grass beneath my knees and a huge, fully flowering Handroanthus just a few meters away. The wind swayed its branches, letting the yellow petals fall on me and into the vast, lush green forest below the cliff.It was a breathtaking scene. We didn't have anything like it in Vitale, which was basically just plains. Under normal circumstances, I have no doubt that vertigo would have turned my stomach, but…Right there, sitting so close to the edge, where I could admire that sea of trees dozens of kilometers below, I felt… At home. Comforted.It was my first time in that place, but at the same time… It wasn't."I should have known I'd find you here." a deep voice said behind me, and amidst all the sens
“Well, now that’s settled…” my father began, raising his arm toward the band “Let the next song begin…”“No!” a voice echoed through the crowd, and, suspiciously, I turned along with everyone else toward Madlock, whose face was as red as mine “Before the ball goes on, there’s something I need to do.”“Sean…” my father hesitated, looking as mistrustful as I was about his intentions “We’ve had enough problems for today. I don’t know what you’re doing, but…”“What I plan to do will cause no problems for anyone. Quite the opposite!” With a gigantic, almost pathetic grin, he turned to Rosalind “For well over a year, I have been trying to fight against the will of my heart, but now I am finally free. And, right here, today, taking advantage of the fact that we have nobles and warriors from all four Packs gathered, I want to let everyone know about my feelings!”That idiot… He wasn't really going to…?“Rosalind.” He took her hand, but I could see him glance in my direction, as if to make sur







