LOGINELOWEN’S POVThe sleek pack vessel cuts through the open ocean for a full hour before pulling up to the isolated, uncharted island rising from the dark waves. I look out over the rocky shoreline and dense, untamed forest. The land is completely undeveloped, raw with untapped territory wealth and ancient magic.The low-caste human boat hands tremble near the railing as the choppy tide surges aggressively against the hull, much higher than the calm waters around the main territory harbors.Yet, because this hidden island sits just off the coast of Sterling Metropolitan District, it holds immense value for territory expansion and pack boundary lines. Just as Cormac had explained earlier, whichever high-caste family claims this land will secure absolute dominance over the trade routes.The moment my bare feet touch the damp wooden pier, my stomach violently twists. I drop to my knees beside a mossy boulder, throwing up the bile in my throat. The combination of sea turbulence and raw alpha
ELOWEN’S POVPersistent pounding on the heavy oak door shatters the quiet of my private chamber, pulling me out of a deep sleep. I groan softly, my body heavy with exhaustion as I reach for my pack-comm unit on the nightstand. Squinting against the sudden glare, the digital screen reads eight in the morning. I let out a low growl, tossing the unit aside and pulling the thick fur blanket over my head to block out the morning sun streaming through the terrace doors.Leaving Calloway Sterling hiding behind my curtains while I escaped to the dining hall with Cormac Vane had saved me from an immediate confrontation, but the endless political games of high-caste wolves kept me up until three in the morning. I had spent hours at the lower hall banquet with Cormac, eating, laughing, and feigning interest in his high-caste chatter just to keep my cover intact. By the time I returned to my room, Calloway was gone, leaving only his cold, dominating scent lingering in the air."Elowen! Open this
ELOWEN’S POVWatching the towering, ruthless Alpha of the Sterling Family cower behind heavy velvet drapes brings a dark, twisted smirk to my lips. Calloway Sterling, the terrifying male who commands packs with a cold flick of his wrist, is currently hiding like a guilty lover caught red-handed.I snatch up my drenched yellow dress and my lace bra from the rug, tossing them into the stone bathroom sink out of view. Slipping into a plush velvet robe, I tie the sash tight around my waist and stride over to the heavy oak door.I pull the heavy door wide open, leaning lightly against the frame."What took you so long?" Marlowe barks, her dark face twisted with irritation. Then, catching sight of Cormac Vane standing right behind her, her harsh tone instantly melts into sickly-sweet concern. "Are you feeling any better, Elowen?""Yeah..." I nod softly, keeping my voice raspy. "I'm so sorry, Marlowe. I had far too much high-caste wine at the banquet, and my head is spinning. Getting out of
CALLOWAY’S POVWater drips onto the thick, woven rug as I haul Elowen’s drenched, unconscious frame out of the icy courtyard pool and carry her straight up the rear stone stairwell to her private chamber in the Hartwell Estate. I drop her onto the oversized velvet mattress, my lungs heaving as I stare down at her soaked, pale yellow dress clinging to her curves.I groan in frustration, dragging both hands violently through my wet hair. Ah... women!Why the hell did I just plunge into freezing water to save her from drowning? When I saw her wobble over the edge and disappear into the dark depths of the pool, my heart stopped cold in my chest. I panicked. But why? Why would I lose my mind over a female like her? She represents everything I despise—a manipulative omega, a shameless liar, a rogue who claims to sell her body for credits. Every time she looks at me, my blood boils and my patience snaps.Yet staring down at her silent, vulnerable face, my chest tightens with a chaotic mess o
CALLOWAY’S POV"Elowen... shut your mouth!" Marlowe gasps, her dark hand instantly slamming over her sister's lips to stifle her slurred babbling. Terror flashes through Marlowe's wide eyes as she glares at the intoxicated omega, her breath hitching sharply. "The alcohol has gone straight to your head! Stop speaking this instant, or you will embarrass our entire bloodline...""Did you actually sell your virginity for five thousand credits?" Faye Waverly repeats, her voice echoing over the quieted dining hall.My inner wolf roars behind my ribs, a dark, suffocating fury knotting in my gut. I stare at Elowen's flushed, dark skin, unable to process the bitter poison spilling from her lips. Did she truly sell herself to a strange alpha in that dirty outer-territory motel? Or is she simply out of her mind on strong spirits, spinning tragic lies to hurt the high-born wolves mocking her?Every noble surrounding the obsidian table leans in closer, their ears perking up like scavengers scentin
Instead of hiding her face or breaking into tears, Elowen suddenly bursts into a low, breathless laugh.The quiet sound trickles out of her throat, mocking and entirely devoid of joy. She pauses, her dark eyes narrowing as her hazy gaze slowly sweeps around the ring of watching wolves. For one terrifying heartbeat, her eyes lock directly onto mine.My throat tightens. I swallow hard, holding my breath as my heart hammers against my ribs, waiting for her to blow the entire world apart right here in front of Marlowe, in front of the elders, in front of the pack.She tears her eyes away from mine, letting out a soft, slurred sigh."You want to know who took my virginity... don't you?" she asks, her words heavy and thick with intoxication."That's right," Faye nods eagerly, leaning closer. "The pack network claims you gave it away to some low-ranking instructor in the outer camps for extra rations, but others say you let a disgraced classmate have you in an alley... Which one was it, Elow







