The garden had always been Mira’s refuge.Nestled behind the towering grey stone of the main keep, it was the only place left untouched by the politics and manipulation moving in the halls of the stronghold. The tall hedges swayed softly in the wind, and the air carried the earthy scent of damp soil, lavender, and something older—almost forgotten. It was the scent of secrets, Mira thought.She wandered slowly down the stone path, her fingers brushing the tops of blooming flowers and red roses. The clouds overhead rolled heavily, thick with storm. Thunder rumbled like a growl from a beast just beyond the horizon. A storm was coming—outside and within.Her arms folded across her chest and Mira tried not to cry. Max’s words had been cruel, but not unexpected. He had always been suspicious, protective to a fault. But this time, the bitterness in his voice had cut her more deeply than she had anticipated.“Jack is not our friend. He’s loyal only to Desmond.”She had replayed the mome
The days following the council’s verdict felt like they dragged on endlessly for Becca. The halls of the mansion were eerily silent, and the tension in the air clung to her skin like a heavy fog. Though the council had declared that Alpha Eugene would remain a contender for Alpha King, the price was steep—probation, constant observation, and mandatory meditation sessions to make sure he truly maintained control over his wolf.But none of that mattered to Becca as much as Eugene’s absence did.She hadn’t seen him in an entire week.No meals together, no walks, no shared glances across the room.Nothing.She hadn’t thought she would feel this much attachment to a person she only married out of necessity.And that's why it hurt more than it was supposed to.She was tired—tired of being left in the dark, tired of walking on eggshells, tired of wondering whether the bond between them still meant anything at all. It felt as if Eugene had locked himself away both physically and emotionall
The mansion was quiet, its stone halls echoing the hush of the aftermath. The storm had passed, but its remnants lingered in the silence—a suffocating quiet that seemed to settle into the very bones of the estate. The tension wasn’t loud, but it was there, thick and heavy, like fog curling between the walls.Becca remained in her room, silent and alone, lost in the chaos of her thoughts. The decision from the council had been a narrow escape. Her loyalty to Alpha Eugene had kept her grounded during the chaos, but now, uncertainty gnawed at her and made her lost in thoughts.She stared out the window at the fading clouds, arms hugging herself tightly, as if afraid the wind might carry everything away—including the fragile sense of safety they had clawed to restore.Downstairs, Mira moved briskly through the hallway with a woven basket of clothes in her arms, her footsteps light but determined. Her presence was like a flicker of warmth in the otherwise cool, stone interior. She hu
The heavy doors of the Wolf Council Hall had barely clicked shut behind them when Alpha Desmond slammed his fist against the corridor wall, the crack echoing through the ancient stone like a war drum. A tapestry fluttered from the impact, dust billowing in the air. Luna Seraphina walked ahead, her gown trailing like fire behind her, her eyes narrowed and gleaming with fury.Neither of them spoke as they ascended the long, winding staircase that led to their quarters. The corridor was cold, lit only by flickering sconces, and with every step, Desmond’s growls became louder, deeper, more guttural. Echoes bounced around the stone halls like restless spirits stirred by rage.At one point, a servant attempted to pass by with a tray of scrolls. Desmond snarled, and the poor boy turned and bolted the other way without a word. Seraphina didn’t even blink.When they finally reached their chambers Seraphina stormed inside. Ava, was already there, folding the ends of a fur cloak onto the
Eugene stepped forward and bowed his head respectfully."Alpha Eugene," Hadrian began, his voice deep and commanding. "We have reviewed the events that took place in the Vargus pack. We have examined the testimonies, the reports, and the damage. But now, we seek something more. We seek to understand you."Eugene raised his eyes. "I am ready to speak, Councilor."Hadrian leaned back slightly. "Tell us, Alpha. When your wolf emerged in such fury, what were you feeling? What were your intentions when you stormed into the Vargus territory? And most importantly, what have you learned from it?"There was a long silence before Eugene finally spoke."I was angry," he admitted quietly. "And afraid. Becca had been taken. I... I lost control. I let that fear and rage fester until it became something else entirely. The moment I sensed her fear, my wolf took over. He became a storm. And in that storm... I let innocent people get hurt."The hall remained silent.Eugene continued. "There is no ex
The towering doors of the Wolf Council Hall groaned shut with a deep, echoing thud that seemed to reverberate through the earth itself. The sound wasn't just the closing of wood and metal—it was finality, a judgment that loomed over everyone who remained outside.Within those ancient stone walls, hidden from their sight, the fate of Alpha Eugene hung in the balance. The air outside was cold, unusually still. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.Alpha Eugene stood at the steps of the hall like a statue carved from granite—rigid, silent, unreadable. His eyes were locked ahead, unblinking, lips pressed into a tight line. Every line on his face looked like it had been put there by exhaustion and guilt. His shoulders sagged beneath the invisible burden of what he had done… and what had been done to him.Becca stood beside him, close enough that her knuckles brushed against his. Her fingers twitched with the impulse to reach for his hand, to anchor him, to offer even the smallest