LOGINLILIANA'S POVThe atmosphere turned eerily silent as soon as the guard completed his statement. Darian and Noah shot a glance at each other that made it clear this was something far more serious than just another burglary. “When exactly did this occur?” Darian inquired. “It happened less than thirty minutes ago,” the guard replied. “The librarian had already secured the archives when he detected someone inside. By the time our team arrived, the intruder had vanished.” Noah began moving toward the exit. “Did anyone catch a glimpse of the person?” The guard shook his head in response. “No, Beta. However, one of the windows had been pried open.” Without saying a word, Darian grabbed his jacket from the chair. “We’re heading out.” He met my gaze before I could even rise. “You’re staying here.” I instantly shook my head in protest. “No.” He exhaled softly, clearly having anticipated my response. “Liliana, this isn’t safe.” “Neither is remaining here while someone continues to exploit
LILIANA'S POVSilence enveloped us for what seemed like an eternity. My gaze remained glued to the ancient map laid out on the table. It appeared so delicate that even a gentle touch might cause it to disintegrate. The red X marking the northern forest felt almost alive, as if it were challenging me. I started to reach for the map but hesitated midway. My hands trembled uncontrollably. Darian observed my struggle and quietly drew the map closer to his side. "Wait to touch it," he said softly. "The ink's quite old." I nodded in agreement, too preoccupied to disagree. My thoughts raced, grappling with the implications of the discovery. My parents had lost their lives more than twenty years ago in an attack by rogues. At least, that was the explanation I had always received. Turning to Noah, I asked, "Who discovered this?" He shook his head. "A guard from the cemetery search." My brow furrowed. "No, I mean who placed it there?" Noah exhaled deeply. "We don’t know." Those words fille
LILIANA'S POVMy hands shook as I gingerly retrieved the necklace from the guard's grip. Its chill stung my skin, yet its familiarity was unmistakable. A silver crescent moon dangled from the delicate chain, a tiny blue gem embedded at its core. In my childhood, I adored playing with it during my mother’s embraces. She would chuckle and warn me that one day, I would snap it. I never did. The last memory I held of that necklace dated back to my parents' funeral, after the rogue attack. I recalled standing alone by their twin graves, tears streaming down my face, nearly choking on my grief while the elders reassured me that my parents would forever be my guardians. My mother had been laid to rest wearing that very necklace. With a glance at Darian, I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. "It was buried with her," I managed to whisper. Noah rose slowly, his expression mirroring Darian’s gravity. "Are you certain?" he asked. I affirmed with a resolute nod. "I am." Darian took the neck
LILIANA'S POVThe moment the guard reiterated the message, an overwhelming quiet enveloped the dining room. My hunger vanished without warning. The aroma of breakfast turned nauseating. Gently, I placed my fork down and locked eyes with Darian. His expression had become utterly vacant, yet I sensed his anger. The chill in his gray eyes was more intense than I had ever witnessed. Noah was the first to rise. "Take me there," he commanded the guard. The guard swiftly acquiesced and pivoted. Darian remained still at first, his gaze fixed on me. "You stay here." I frowned, responding instinctively, "No." "Liliana." "No," I reiterated, standing up from the chair. "If a threat exists, I have the right to know what's occurring." Darian let out a soft sigh while massaging the bridge of his nose. "This is something you shouldn't witness." "You are mistaken." Even with my heart racing, my voice remained steady. "Decisions are constantly made on my behalf. Everything is concealed from me un
LILIANA'S POVMy heartbeat ceased. I remained motionless on the balcony. The cloaked silhouette had vanished. In an instant. One moment, they were present. The following— Nada. Just shadows. Merely the silent garden. A chill crept along my spine. Had it all been in my mind? Absolutely not. I was aware of what I had observed. Someone had been keeping an eye on me. Not the estate. Me. Step by step, I retreated slowly. Then a second step. My hands were trembling already.Acting on impulse, I spun around and dashed indoors. The space instantly seemed cramped. Silence enveloped me. I hurried down the hallway. "Darian!" My call reverberated in the passage. A maid glanced up, startled. Before she had the chance to inquire, Darian emerged from the far end. His steely gray eyes focused on me right away. "What occurred?" I fought to steady my breathing. "There was someone out there." His demeanor shifted at once. "Where?" "The gard
LILIANA'S POVNo one shifted. Not a single person inhaled. The words of the doctor resonated in the foyer. It was tainted. My gaze returned to the confections. Then it fell on Amara. Her complexion had drained completely. "I… I had no idea." Her voice trembled. "I promise." Darian remained silent. He only gazed at her. The stillness felt far more terrifying than any outburst. Noah stood beside him, arms folded. Even the staff had ceased their tasks. Every pair of eyes in the room was on Amara. For the first moment since our acquaintance— She appeared frightened."Do you really think I’ll buy that?"Darian finally inquired.His tone remained steady.Unnervingly steady.Amara quickly nodded in affirmation."Yes.""I got them this morning.""Where did you get them from?"She opened her lips to speak.Then hesitated."I..."A frown formed on her face.Attempting to recall."I can't remember the store's name."Noah scoffed softly."You can't recall the nam
LILIANA'S POV “Who are you talking to?” Taryn's voice came from behind me and my wolf whimpered in fear while I turned, trying to look as calm as possible. "It was Mabel checking on me. You know how she is," I said with the biggest grin stepping closer to him. I could tell he had not bought
I had barely slammed the door behind me when Mabel’s voice cracked through my phone. She had that overly dramatic tone, as if the world were moments from falling apart. “Liliana, just come back! Pop a pill, drink some orange juice, I don’t care, get your butt over here. This night is tragic withou
LILIAN'S POV I remained that way for a short while.pressed close to him.I'm trying to figure out why my body picked him out of everyone to rely on.I wasn't pushed away by Darian.At first, he didn't say anything.My heart began to beat strangely just from that.Too quickly.Too obvious.At last
LILIAN'S POV I wanted to throw myself out the closest window in the meantime."You're joking," I said softly, holding the railing of the staircase.Darian straightened his face and looked up from his coffee. "I am not a joke.""In some way, that's worse."Suddenly, a maid next to the table appeare







