LOGINBeatrice pov "That's not fair," Theron said, moving toward me."Fair?" My magic spiraled, spinning out of control. I could feel it building, pressure in my chest threatening to explode. The windows shook harder, cracks forming in the glass. "You want to talk about fair? You brought me into this family. Made me feel like I belonged. Like I mattered. And then you proved that I don't. Not really, not when it comes to the important decisions.""Beatrice" Darius reached for me."Don't touch me." I stepped back, my shoulders hitting the wall. "You knew. This whole time, you knew. Last night when we danced, when you held me, you knew and you said nothing.""I wanted to tell you," he said, his voice rough. "But we agreed""You agreed." I looked at all of them, my vision blurring with tears. Hot and stinging. "The five of you. Without me, you made decisions about my life, my safety, my body, and you cut me out completely.""Because you've been through enough," Theron said, his voice breaking
Beatrice POVI woke up angry. Not scared, not weak. Angry.The healing wing was quiet, almost too quiet. Morning light streamed through the windows, dust motes dancing in the golden rays. Darius was asleep in a chair beside my bed, his head tilted at an awkward angle. His hand was still holding mine, fingers wrapped around my wrist.I felt Luna stirring. Weak but present, like a candle flame fighting wind. My magic flickered at my fingertips, tiny sparks jumping between my fingers. The poison was wearing off.And with it came clarity, someone had tried to poison me at my own feast. They had planned it, and waited for the perfect moment. Executed it with precision and nearly succeeded.And something felt off about last night. The way Darius had moved so fast, like he'd been watching. The way my brothers had appeared so quickly with answers already prepared.I pulled my hand from Darius's grip, my skin sliding free. Got out of bed. My legs were shaky but functional, muscles protesting a
Darius pov "She poisoned your sister to make her look weak." Kaelen threw the assassin into a chair harder this time. "To give Damon ammunition for his Council review. To prove Beatrice isn't fit to lead.""Where's Selene now?" I asked, anger burning in my chest."Fled." Kaelen spit the word, his jaw tight. "Took off the moment the assassin was caught. She's probably halfway to the Western Territories by now.""Send trackers." Theron ordered, his voice cold. "I want her found. I want her brought back here. And I want her to face justice for this.""Already done." Kaelen smiled. It was cold, showing no warmth. "Ghost is hunting, she won't get far."The assassin laughed, the sound echoing off the walls. "You think catching Selene will stop this? She's just one piece. The whole west is turning against you. Against her." She pointed at Beatrice with a shaking finger. "Your princess is a fraud and everyone will see it.""Get her out of here." Theron gestured to the guards waiting by the
Darius POVI was talking to Alpha Brennan when my instincts screamed. Something was wrong.I turned, scanned the crowd. Found Beatrice by the refreshment table, her green dress bright against the darker crowd. A server was handing her a goblet with a green label. The special vintage.But the server's movements were off, too careful. Their hands didn't shake like a nervous servant's should. And their scent, masked with something artificial."Excuse me." I cut off Brennan mid-sentence, already moving. Started pushing toward Beatrice through clusters of guests.She lifted the goblet to her lips, the crystal catching candlelight."No!" I shouted and broke into a run, shoving people aside. People turned, some stared as the server looked at me, eyes widening. And ran.I tackled him before he made it three steps and slammed him to the ground, marble cold and hard under my knees. The goblet flew from Beatrice's hand. Shattered on the floor, the pieces skittering."What are you doing?" Beatric
Beatrice pov "Promise?""I promise." He spun me again, my dress swirling around my legs. "I'm going to do a lot more than kiss you."Heat flooded through me, pooling low in my stomach. "Darius.""What?" His smile was wicked. "I'm just stating my intentions.""You're being impossible.""I'm being honest." He pulled me closer. Close enough that I could feel his heartbeat, fast and hard against my chest. "I've been thinking about tonight for weeks. About finally having you all to myself, no interruptions. No brothers. Just us.""Keep talking like that and I'll drag you out of here right now.""Don't tempt me." His hand slid lower on my back, fingers pressing into my gown. "I'm barely holding on as it is."The song ended, another began. Faster this time. Violins racing, drums pounding. Darius guided me through the steps. More confident now, my feet finding the rhythm. I was laughing and actually enjoying myself. The chandelier lights blurred as we spun."You're magnificent," he said, sli
Beatrice POV I stared at myself in the mirror and barely recognized the woman looking back. The gown was stunning, a deep emerald silk that hugged my curves before flowing to the floor. The fabric was cool against my skin, sliding up when I moved. Silver embroidery traced patterns along the bodice as my mother's moonstone necklace rested on my throat. The stone was warm, pulsing faintly against my collarbone like it had a heartbeat of its own. My hair was swept up. Corin had helped with small braids woven through loose curls that cascaded down my back. A few loose strands brushed my bare shoulders. I looked like a queen. "You're beautiful," Luna whispered in my mind. "Finally seeing what we've always known." "Stop." I touched the necklace, feeling the smooth surface under my fingertips. "You'll make me cry and ruin the makeup." A knock at the door interrupted me as Theron entered and stopped. "Beatrice." He stared. "You look exactly like Mother did at her ball." "Is that good?"







