LOGINAdella's POV I stood still while the maids circled around me, their hands moving with careful precision as they adjusted the gown against my body, smoothing the fabric over my shoulders and down my waist as though they were afraid a single crease would ruin everything, and I kept my gaze fixed on my reflection even though I barely recognized the person staring back at me.“My lady, lift your chin a little,” one of them said softly, her fingers hovering near my jaw without touching.I obeyed slowly, raising my chin as instructed while another maid stepped closer, adjusting the silk that would soon cover the lower half of my face, her brows drawn in concentration as she made sure it sat perfectly.“Is it too tight?” she asked, her voice careful, almost hesitant.I shook my head lightly.“No, it is fine,” I replied, though my voice felt distant even to my own ears.Another maid moved behind me, her hands brushing through my hair, arranging it so it fell neatly over my shoulders before s
Alder's POV I stood in front of the mirror, my fingers adjusting the collar of my shirt as my gaze lingered on my reflection longer than necessary, not because I was concerned about how I looked, but because there was a weight sitting on my shoulders that I could not quite shake off, and no matter how much I told myself this was just another duty, just another appearance, it did not feel that simple.Behind me, I could hear movement.I did not turn immediately.“You are still not ready?” Lilian’s voice came from behind me, carrying a hint of impatience.I exhaled quietly before speaking.“I am ready,” I replied.She stepped closer, her reflection appearing beside mine in the mirror as she tilted her head slightly, her eyes scanning my outfit with a critical gaze that I did not bother to acknowledge.“You call this ready?” she asked.I glanced at her briefly.“Yes,” I said.She frowned slightly.“You are not even trying,” she said.I turned to face her fully now, my expression neutral
Lilian's POVI did not plan to spend my morning in the garden, but I found myself there anyway, my fingers moving slowly as I plucked one flower after another, barely paying attention to the colors or the shapes, only focusing on the repetitive motion as though it could somehow calm the thoughts running through my head.“My lady?”I did not turn immediately.I knew that voice.“What is it?” I asked, my tone calm as I continued what I was doing.“My lady, the seamstress has finished your dress,” my maid said.I paused slightly, then glanced at her over my shoulder.“So soon?” I asked.She nodded.“Yes, my lady,” she replied. “She has been waiting for you to come and try it on.”I straightened slowly, brushing my hands lightly against each other before turning fully toward her.“Then let us not keep her waiting,” I said.She bowed her head slightly before stepping aside, allowing me to walk ahead while she followed behind me at a respectful distance.The walk back to my chamber was unev
Alder's POV The preparations for the journey to the Lycan kingdom should have been simple, or at least that was what I told myself when I first received the invitation, but nothing about it felt simple the moment I sat down to go through the details, and the more I read through the reports, the more I realized that this was not just a visit, it was a statement, a display, and a moment that would be watched closely by more eyes than I cared to think about.I stood in the middle of my chamber, one hand resting against the table as I looked down at the list in front of me, my brows slightly drawn together while I went over the names of those who would be part of the delegation, and even though I had already reviewed it once, I found myself going through it again, making small adjustments where necessary.A knock came from the door.“Enter,” I said.The door opened, and James walked in, his usual ease evident in the way he carried himself, though his eyes moved briefly around the room be
Adella's POV I stood outside my mother’s chamber for a moment longer than necessary, my fingers hovering slightly above the door as though I needed to gather myself before stepping in, and I was not sure why my chest felt tight when there was nothing wrong, nothing threatening, nothing that should make me hesitate the way I was, yet I still took a slow breath before finally knocking.“Come in.”Her voice was calm.I pushed the door open and stepped inside, my eyes immediately finding her seated by the table, several scrolls spread out in front of her while a few servants stood at a distance, waiting for instructions.She looked up the moment I entered.“Adella,” she said, her tone softening slightly as she gestured for me to come closer.I walked toward her, my steps measured as I lowered my head respectfully.“You sent for me?,” I said.She nodded.“Yes,” she replied, her gaze studying my face for a brief moment before she motioned toward the seat across from her. “Sit.”I did as sh
Alder's POV The days moved slowly, dragging themselves forward in a way that made each hour feel heavier than the last, and I found myself buried in duties that never seemed to end, papers that needed to be reviewed, decisions that required immediate attention, and meetings that drained whatever patience I had left, yet none of it was enough to quiet the constant unrest sitting at the back of my mind.I sat behind my desk, my fingers pressed lightly against my temple as I stared down at the document in front of me, though I had read the same line more times than I could count without actually processing what it meant, and I let out a quiet breath before forcing my focus back to it, reminding myself that this was what I had wanted, that this was the position I had worked toward, and yet it did not feel the way I thought it would.A knock sounded against the door.“Come in,” I said without looking up.The door opened, and I already knew who it was before he even spoke.“You look like y
Alder's POV The words Lilian had just spoken did not settle into my mind immediately because there are moments when the human body reacts before the mind fully understands what has been said, and I could feel my chest tightening slowly while my gaze remained fixed on her face as if I were waiting
Brooke's POVI pushed the heavy doors open harder than necessary and they slammed loudly against the stone wall behind them, the sound echoing through the corridor while the guards stationed outside my mother’s quarters immediately straightened the moment they saw my face. The anger inside my chest
Alder POVI thought the search for her would have ended but her father insisted on searching more. He believed Adella was still alive somewhere. Three teams were sent to search for her all through the day.The search continued for three days until one of the three search parties came with her other
Alder's POVI was seated behind the wide wooden desk in my office, carefully going through a stack of documents that had been brought in earlier that morning by the council scribes, and the longer I stared at the pages the more I realized that ruling a pack was far less glorious than most young wol







