Ronan's POV I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cufflinks on my tailored suit. Tonight was important, a dinner with the leaders of the other clans. It wasn’t just a meal—it was a stage, and I was the main act. The title of Supreme Alpha came with scrutiny, and every action, every word, would be dissected by those attending. A knock sounded at the door, and my father walked in. His presence always carried an air of authority, a reminder of the legacy I was expected to uphold. "Ronan," he began, closing the door behind him, "tonight is critical. The other clans will be watching you closely. You need to be on your best behavior." I turned to face him, straightening my tie. "Don’t worry, Father. I have no intention of embarrassing our family. I’ll speak with respect and maintain order." His eyes scanned my face, searching for any sign of doubt. Finding none, he nodded. "Good. Remember, their respect isn’t given it’s earned. Show them why you were chosen as the Supreme
Ronan's POV I knew Keiran was playing a game, and he was trying to get to me through Selene, but I'm going to make sure he fails. I stood staring at all of them as they cleared their throats thinking of questions to ask me. Luka looked more uninterested in having this conversation or involving himself in this meeting he was probably forced to attend and it's not surprising to me. Keiran looked me in the eyeball and stood on his feet the same while adjusting his jacket; he had this smug and quirky smile on his face as he did that. and immediately, I knew he was going to try to set me up for anything possible tonight. I turned around and looked at my dad. He had a smile on his face and gave me a little thumbs up, “Go on Keiran.” “Taking up an important role like this is not the main issue as we all know_” Keiran paused, turning to look at everyone present in the room. “The main question is how well and how far are you willing to go to protect our kind. We are losing our kind
Keiran's POV Nelly got out of the car immediately we drove into the vast compound. I knew she was angry but she had no right to feel hurt or say anything concerning what I did back there. “What's wrong with you, don't tell me you're angry at what I did over there?” I asked and she laughed dryly, turning around to look me in the eyes. “I can't believe you're asking that. I know I'm just a puppet in your hands, yet you didn't see the need to respect my presence. You blew everything on my face right there and made me feel worthless_” she swallowed hard, licking her lips in the process. “You really like her? Huh?” She asked but I wasn't trying to give her any reply. At least she didn't deserve any reply from me. She was bought by my father to be my puppet and that is what she will remain till I say otherwise. “I get it you're not going to say anything because I don't deserve an explanation from you. If you'll excuse me I would like to rest for the remaining part of the night.
Selene's POVThe warmth of the sun pried my eyes open, its golden rays stretching across my bed. My brows furrowed as I turned toward the window. I distinctly remembered shutting it last night, ensuring the drapes fell thick and heavy against the glass. Yet now, they swayed gently as if someone had drawn them open.A prickle of unease crawled up my spine. Instinctively, I turned over, and that’s when I saw her.Ronan’s mother.She stood near the foot of my bed, her gaze sharp and unwavering, studying me like a puzzle she had almost solved.I sat up instantly, the sheets pooling around my waist. "Do you always make it a habit to walk into people’s rooms uninvited?" My voice was steady, but irritation prickled beneath my skin.Her lips twitched into something resembling amusement. "Sit up properly. I need to speak with you."I scoffed, pulling my legs up and resting my arms over my knees. "The fact that you own this house doesn’t mean you can waltz in here whenever you please."Her
Nelly's POVI was already standing outside when I saw Keiran’s father step out of the house, his expression unreadable as he made his way toward his car. His movements were slow and deliberate, like a man who had just made a tough decision but felt no remorse about it.I glanced toward the front door, expecting Keiran to come storming out any second, but he didn’t. That was when I knew.House arrest.A smirk curled on my lips. Not the first time. His father had done this before, locking him inside like a caged beast when he deemed Keiran had gone too far. And judging by the way he walked out with that composed, almost smug look, Keiran must have royally pissed him off this time.I made my way into the house, stepping over shards of broken glass and the remains of what was probably an expensive vase. The maids were huddled at the far end of the living room, their faces pale with worry, their eyes darting between Keiran and the mess he had created.Keiran stood in the center of the d
Selene’s POV I fastened the last button on my tunic, adjusting the sleeves as I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. The morning had been slow, my mind still circling around Ronan’s mother’s words from earlier. I know who you really are. The statement had sent a chill down my spine, but I hadn’t had the energy to dwell on it. Not after last night’s argument with Ronan. A sudden knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. I frowned, turning toward the sound. Who could that be? I walked to the door and opened it to find a maid standing there, flanked by two guards in dark uniforms. Their expressions were blank, unreadable. “The Luna requests your presence,” the maid said in a clipped tone. I crossed my arms. “And what exactly does she want?” The maid hesitated, eyes flicking toward the guards before settling back on me. “She didn’t say. We are only to escort you.” A slow, tired sigh left my lips. I already knew better than to refuse—Ronan’s mother seemed like the type to g
Ronan’s POVI stepped out of the car, slamming the door shut with more force than necessary. The sound echoed in the open space, drawing the attention of a few bystanders. Just a few feet away, several black SUVs were parked in a neat formation, each one exuding a silent but intimidating presence.A man dressed in a sharp black suit approached me, his posture stiff, his expression unreadable.“Welcome, Alpha Ronan,” he greeted, giving a slight bow of respect before gesturing for me to follow.I frowned. Where the hell am I?“Where’s my mother?” I asked, scanning the surroundings. She was the one who insisted on this visit, yet she was nowhere to be seen.“She won’t be joining us,” the man replied vaguely.I exhaled sharply. “And what kind of place is this?” I demanded, glancing at the massive structure before me. It was sleek, towering, and exuded an air of authority.The man barely reacted to my tone. “This,” he said, his voice level, “is what you could call the White House for wo
Ronan’s POV The room was filled with powerful figures from different clans, their gazes sharp and expectant. Some were familiar, others complete strangers, but all carried an air of authority. I wasn’t comfortable here. Not even a little. The tension in the air was thick, the kind that came before important revelations. I was still wondering why my mother had sent me here alone when my father stood up and made his way to the front. I watched him carefully, my unease growing. “Father,” I called out, stepping forward slightly. “Why am I here? What is this meeting really about?” He met my gaze, his expression unreadable. “You’re about to find out everything, including the situation surrounding Selene.” Selene? My body stiffened slightly. What does Selene have to do with this? He turned his attention back to the gathering and began speaking. “As you all know, forces are troubling our clans,” he said his deep voice commanding attention. “But what I am about to reveal is more tha
Luka's POV The sun was high when I finally stepped out of my third meeting for the day, feeling the pressure of work clinging to my shoulders like a second skin. The council had been on edge since word started spreading about traitors possibly lurking in the clans. I had barely had time to eat, but I was more eager to get home and rest than grab a late lunch.Just as I reached my car, my phone buzzed. Elias.I frowned slightly but picked up. “Yeah?”“Can we meet?” His voice sounded stressed.“Now?”“Yes. It’s… important.”I sighed and glanced at my watch. “Alright. The usual spot?”“Yeah.”I hung up and slid into the driver’s seat, the engine humming to life. I wasn’t sure what Elias wanted to talk about, but his tone wasn’t casual. Something was bothering him, something personal.When I got to the quiet clearing we usually used to meet, Elias was already there, leaning on his car with his arms crossed, his expression tight. I stepped out, walking up to him.“What’s going on?” I aske
Ronan's POV I hadn’t closed my eyes all night.The quiet hum of the surveillance monitors buzzed in the background, a dull reminder that time was still moving, even if I felt stuck. It was nearly morning, and I was still bent over the long conference table in the strategy room with the head of security.He stood across from me, pointing to the perimeter map. "We’ll station the outer patrols here and here," he said, tracing his finger along the eastern and southern lines. "There’ll be double guards near the guest house, and the clan entrances as you requested."I nodded but didn’t respond right away. My mind was somewhere else entirely, caught between duty and distraction.Selene.Every time I tried to focus, her face invaded my thoughts. The way she looked at me earlier, hurt and confused. I hated that I put that look on her face, but I didn’t know how to fix it either. I kept telling myself distance was safer, for her, for me, but each time she looked away from me like I didn’t exis
Selene's POV I sat on the edge of the bed, the phone still pressed to my ear even after Elias hung up.His voice had been off. Detached. And when I asked him what happened, he’d hesitated too long before giving me the vaguest response.“I won’t be able to attend the event with you anymore. Something came up.”Something came up?Something? Like what?I had pressed. Gently. Then a bit more directly. But all I got was, “I’m sorry, Selene.”And then, silence.I lowered the phone and stared at the screen, my heart twisting with a mixture of confusion and something that felt too close to disappointment. Elias had been… steady. Always there. The one person I felt I could count on.And now?He was disappearing, just like the rest of them.Just like Ronan.I inhaled deeply and wiped the corners of my eyes before standing up. Maybe some food would help. I hadn’t eaten since morning, and all the emotional whiplash was beginning to weigh on me.I tied a shawl around my shoulders and made my way
Elias POV The house was dark when I pulled into the driveway, but I didn’t get out immediately. I leaned back against the seat and stared blankly through the windshield. Gazelle’s voice echoed in my mind like a haunting melody I couldn’t shake.“He likes her. Ronan likes Selene. He just doesn’t know what to do with it.”I clenched the steering wheel tighter, my jaw flexing.I had suspected it for a while now, hadn’t I? The way Ronan looked at Selene when he thought no one was watching. The cold, quiet tension he brought into any room the moment Selene smiled at me. It wasn’t just his usual distance—there was something else. Something deeper.Possessiveness.Jealousy.And yet, he did nothing about it.I exhaled sharply and rubbed a hand over my face. What was I doing? Getting caught in the middle of a woman who might already belong to someone else, even if he was too much of a coward to claim her?I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to gather myself. But then a sleek, familiar car c
Selene’s POVThe guest house’s great hall was a masterpiece in itself, with high-arched ceilings draped in old velvet, wooden beams that had seen centuries, and large crystal windows that caught the afternoon sun like it was a lover. It had the quiet majesty of a place that had hosted history. And now, it would host something new, the union of the clans. The celebration of peace.Yet, the weight of what was expected sat heavily on my shoulders as I stood beside Lady Eleanor, watching the event planner buzz around us, holding swatches of fabric, lighting samples, and flower arrangements.“These would go well with the chandeliers,” the planner chirped, holding up two garlands of faux peonies and lilacs. “Or would you prefer the roses and vines for a more ethereal look?”I blinked, staring at them as if they were strangers. “Um... the lilacs. And maybe silver accents to match the crystal.”“Perfect choice.” She scribbled notes and moved on.My hands trailed over the long banquet table th
Elias’s POVI was just about to step into my car, keys dangling from my fingers when I heard the soft click of heels against the pavement.Turning slightly, I saw Lora walking toward me, a wide smile plastered on her face, her arms swinging a garment bag dramatically. Trouble."Elias!" she sang, stopping just a few steps from me. "I just picked out the perfect dress for the Moonlight Party. You're going to love it."I frowned, glancing at my watch. I had a meeting with Gazelle. I didn’t have time for this."Lora now's not a good time," I said, reaching for the car door.But she wasn’t deterred. She stepped closer, holding out the garment bag like it was some sacred offering. "Come on, just two minutes. I even got a matching outfit for you! We’ll look perfect together."I shut the door again, slowly, fixing her with a steady look."I already have a date," I said calmly. "Selene."The smile on Lora’s face froze, cracked, and then she laughed, a bright, shrill sound that didn’t reach her
Ronan’s POVI stormed out of Selene’s room without looking back, my chest tightening with something sharp and ugly. I didn’t know where I was going, my feet simply carried me across the estate until I found myself in the garden.The late afternoon sun bathed the place in gold. Roses bloomed wildly along the trellises, and the scent of lavender hung thick in the air. It was usually calming in this place. A refuge.But today, nothing could calm the churn of emotions inside me.Selene had said yes. She hadn’t even hesitated. Elias had asked, and she had agreed, just like that. It didn’t matter at all. Like I didn’t matter.I dragged a hand through my hair in frustration, pacing between the flowerbeds.What right did I have to be angry? To feel this… betrayed?Selene wasn’t mine. I had never said the words, never asked her to be mine. I hadn't made any promises. Neither had she.Hell, we didn’t even have a relationship — not a real one, anyway. A few lingering looks. A few moments when th
Luka's POVI finally pulled myself together and stepped out of my bedroom. The hallway was silent, save for the soft creak of the wooden floors beneath my boots. As I made my way downstairs, I dragged a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the past few days settle heavily on my shoulders.I needed to get a grip.My phone buzzed angrily on the kitchen counter where I had abandoned it earlier. I picked it up and winced at the endless stream of missed calls and unread messages. Most were from the office. Specifically, from Margaret, my ever-efficient, ever-persistent secretary.Sighing, I called her back.She answered before the first ring even finished."Mr. Luka! Thank God you called back. We have several meetings scheduled for today, the board is waiting for your confirmation on the expansion project, and—""Margaret," I interrupted calmly, though my head pounded, "Push everything to tomorrow. I’ll be there first thing in the morning."A beat of silence. Then a reluctant, "Unde
Elias POV The sun beat down hard on the courtyard as I stepped over the last of the flattened corn stalks. A stupid fight, two neighbors screaming over who planted what too close to the other’s side. As usual, it fell on me to mediate. The great Elias, Alpha-in-training, mediator of crop wars.I sighed and dusted my palms on my trousers, glad it was over. I was already thinking about heading back to my quarters when I heard her. Light steps, that irritating sway in her stride.Lora.I groaned without even turning. “Why won’t you leave me alone, Lora?”“Because I’m not going anywhere,” she said behind me with that sharp little scoff of hers. “You should get used to seeing me around. I plan on being a permanent fixture in your life.”I turned to face her, brows raised in disbelief. “You’re delusional.”She smiled, smug and too confident. “We’re getting married, Elias. It’s only a matter of time.”“I’m not marrying you,” I said flatly, arms folded across my chest. “You need to sink that