LOGINGreta stood frozen before the iron bars as Desmond's last words continued to echo inside her head.She swallowed hard. She knew it was the only solution to this kind if situation she had found herself in but hearing it out loud caused her chest to ache.Her palms were damp and she tried to find the right words."I can't do it" she said.Desmond's eyes narrowed."What did you say?" He demanded. Greta forced herself to meet his gaze."I said, I can't do that" she repeated as her voice trembled.For several seconds, Desmond simply stared at her then his expression darkened."You can't?"Greta shook her head."I can keep her hidden, I can make sure she doesn't speak, or I can move her somewhere no one will find her" she said.Desmond's jaw tightened."That isn't what I told you to do."Greta nodded."I know.""Then why are we still having this conversation?" He asked.Greta swallowed."Because she's innocent" she replied. A bitter laugh escaped Desmond."Innocent? She's a witness" he re
The healer's chambers had become unbearable.Eugene's Alpha aura filled every corner of the room, thick and suffocating. It pressed against the walls, rattled the windows, and made the flames of the nearby lamps tremble.Several healers struggled to breathe normally. One of the younger healers had already backed against the wall, her hands trembling."Alpha King..." the head healer pleaded. "Please."Eugene didn't even look at her."I'm not leaving" he said."Your presence is making it difficult for us to work" she explained. "Then work harder."The healer's eyes widened."That is not what I meant."Eugene's gaze remained fixed on Tyler."Everything was fine before he came in" he said.Tyler's expression hardened then he stood his ground."The moment I entered, you started threatening everyone" he shot at him.Eugene's jaw tightened."I want you out.""And I'm not leaving" he refused."You're testing my patience" Eugene's frowned deepened. Tyler's aura slowly rose in response."I'm
Greta's breathing was uneven as she pulled the unconscious maid deeper into an abandoned storage room at the rear of the mansion. It was a place she had discovered not too long ago. She was very sure no one would come in here so they wouldn't be able to find the meddling bitch that had ruined her attempt to carry out Alpha Desmond's plan.The room smelled of dust, old wood, and damp stone. Broken barrels and unused crates were piled carelessly against the walls, making it the perfect place to hide someone, at least for a little while.Greta knelt beside the maid."I'm sorry," she murmured, though there was little remorse in her voice. "You simply chose the wrong moment to be brave."The young maid remained unconscious.Greta quickly found an old length of rope lying among the supplies. She tightly bound the girl's wrists behind her back before securing her ankles.She paused and tested the knots."They'll hold."Then she tore a strip of cloth from an old sack and carefully tied it ac
The healer's chambers had descended into complete chaos.The metallic scent of blood lingered heavily in the air.Several healers moved frantically around the bed, replacing blood-soaked cloths almost as quickly as they became saturated. Bowls of crimson-stained water lined the floor, while fresh herbs burned over a small brazier, filling the room with a sharp medicinal aroma.At the center of it all lay Becca, unmoving, deathly pale. Every shallow breath she took seemed weaker than the last.Eugene stood beside her bed, his large hand clenched into a fist as he stared at Tyler who hadn't moved. Eugene's jaw clenched. His wolf stirred uneasily beneath his skin."What do you mean by you care about Becca?" He demanded. Tyler didn't answer immediately."I asked you a question."There was something in Eugene's voice that made even the healers hesitate then Tyler finally spoke."I meant exactly what I said. I care about her" he answered. Those simple words made something inside Eugene t
Greta's pulse thundered in her ears. The tiny glass vial still hovered above the steaming cup on the silver breakfast tray.She had come here with a plan. All she needed to do was pour the contents of the vial to Eugene's food and Desmond's plan would be in motion.But the universe seemed to always be against her and it led to her getting caught. She could still feel the hand that seized her wrist with surprising strength, tightening her grip."What... do you think you're doing?" She asked again. Greta froze, every muscle in her body went rigid. Slowly, she turned her head.Standing behind her was one of the younger kitchen maids.The girl's brown eyes were fixed on the vial, her grip unwavering despite the fear beginning to creep across her face.For several long seconds, neither woman spoke.The cheerful sounds of celebration echoed faintly from somewhere else in the castle, but inside the kitchen, everything felt unnaturally quiet.Greta forced a smile."Oh, you startled me" she
The joyous atmosphere inside the healer's chambers vanished in an instant.Only moments ago, the room had been filled with relieved smiles, quiet laughter, and the gentle cries of a healthy newborn.Now, panic had taken its place."More bandages!""Hurry!""We're losing too much blood!"The head healer's voice rang through the chamber as healers rushed from one side of the room to the other.Becca lay motionless on the bed. Her skin, once flushed from the strain of labor, had become frighteningly pale.Blood, far too much blood, continued to soak the linens beneath her.Eugene stared at the crimson stain spreading across the bed and for a brief moment, he couldn't move.His voice was barely audible."No...No..."The head healer pressed both hands firmly against Becca's abdomen while another healer hurriedly prepared fresh herbs."Keep pressure here!""Yes, head Healer!""We need more cloth!""It's not stopping!"Eugene finally found his voice."What is happening?" He askes.The head h
Eugene could not look away and he watched Becca stand by the window like a ghost trapped behind glass.Her arms were wrapped around herself, her shoulders slightly hunched as if she were cold but Eugene knew that posture. She did that when she was anxious or when her mind was racing and she was tr
The garden was the only place in Blackwood that still felt normal.Becca stood barefoot in the damp grass, her toes sinking slightly into the soft earth as the early morning chill crept up her legs. The cold should have bothered her, but it didn’t. She welcomed it because it reminded her she was s
Becca walked quickly, not because she was afraid but because if she slowed down, she would start thinking and if that happened, she would start remembering Seraphina’s face in the garden.That cold, perfectly composed face twisted by fury mixed with her harsh words."You are nothing here."Becca’s
Seraphina had never been known for patience but today, the anger inside her was something else entirely.It coiled in her chest like a living thing, tightening with every step she took through the halls of Blackwood Mansion.The mansion felt different when she was angry.Maids pressed themselves ag







