Kane's POV: “Have you lost your damn mind?” I ask, staring at her in total disbelief.“No, but you know it’s the truth. He will not stop.”“You can’t go back,” I roar. “He’ll kill you, Willow.”“He said he won’t.”“You talked to him?” I was getting angrier by the second. First, she lost her shit over Dani, something I have no control over, now this. What is she trying to do? “Why did you do that?”“I thought if I did…he’d stop or--” she shakes her head --“I never learn.” She buries her face in her hands and starts crying, her tiny shoulders shaking.My heart softens and I pull her into my arms. “Come on, don’t cry. We’ll figure it out.”She puts her hands against my chest and roughly shoves me away, nearly knocking

I snuck away without waking Kane. The only way I could do that was by casting a sleeping spell, one that very nearly put both Kane and his wolf in a coma. I had to do it – for both our sake. I knew when he woke up, he’d talk me out of it, and I’d have given in because I didn’t want to leave him. When I reached the dirt road, I realised that he would pick up my scent within seconds, so I cloaked myself and set off in the direction of gods knew where. All I had to do was to get out of Kane’s territory, and as soon as I crossed the boundary and started smelling more humans than werewolves, I cast a powerful location spell – not because I was looking for someone, but because I wanted the spell trackers to find me. I sat on a rock by the side of the road, watching the sunrise, hoping my father would find me before Kane did. Two hours later, a car stopped next to me. I didn’t know the witches that came to get me, but it didn’t matter – they knew me. The only question that remained was est

Kane's POV: “You know about her?” I ask. Goddess, I’ll have to kill him. If word gets out about Willow, it will be the end of me…of her. “Yes. Don’t worry, your majesty,” he adds quickly. “I have been cleaning your rooms myself. I didn’t want the others to find out. Omegas are such terrible gossips.” I relax a little. James has always been loyal to me. “Why are you bringing it up?” “I have not smelled her in some time.” “No. She’s gone.” James frowns. “Gone? Gone where?” “Back home. To her coven.” “Perhaps it’s for the best. Your father won’t tolerate her. I’ve been concerned for her safety…after what happened to the queen.” “You know that was just an accident. She fell.” “Yes, that’s the official story. But you and I know better, don’t we, your majesty?” I smile at James. He’s overstepping by a wide margin, but for some reason, he doesn’t care. There must be a reason for it. “Why are you bringing this up?” “Forgive my impudence, your majesty, but I have watched you suffer

I stare at Lady Blaire, my face passive, I hope, while my wolf whines softly and cowers away under her gaze. “Don’t be afraid, Suri,” Blaire addresses my wolf directly. Agatha did the same with Kane. She knew his wolf’s name. “How do you know her name?” I ask, genuinely curious. “It’s here--” she taps the side of her head --“in your mind. Written like a tattoo.” “Oh.” “You can do it too. It’s not difficult for someone with your gifts.” “No. I think life should hold a little mystery. What are you going to do to her?” “Nothing. No one else knows, but I caution you to go far away on the full moon, so no one finds out.” I relax a little. “Agatha said you’ll rip my wolf out--” “Agatha? The old witch that lives in the Lycan forest?” “Yes,” I say softly. Blaire nods. “That’s how we did it in the past, but I’ve learned that separating the witch from the wolf has a…detrimental effect on the witch. I’m not risking it, Willow. I want to retire, live the last few years I have left in pea

Kane's POV: I walk into chaos. My father ignored my orders and is readying a squad of warriors to invade the woods. James waited for me on the helipad, wringing his hands nervously, relaying this information the moment he could approach. “Where are they?” “The courtyard,” he says, and starts running after me when I take off. “What’s going on here?” I bellow when I storm into the courtyard. The warriors drop everything and go down on one knee, bowing their heads. “Mark,” I address one of my Gammas, the squad commander. “Rise.” He stands up, his eyes nervously flicking from me to my father. “King Bismarck ordered us to invade the haunted forest. Apparently, there’s a coven of witches hiding in there?” “There is,” I admit. “But they are not our biggest problem. King Vickus is on his way with twenty-thousand warriors. Ready our defences. I want all the Gammas in the assembly hall tonight at seven to discuss strategy.” “The