Semua Bab The Alpha's Betrayal: My Second Chance To Defy Fate: Bab 91 - Bab 100

DARRAGH’S POVThe drive back from the academy should have been peaceful. The winding roads through the forest were familiar, and I'd made this trip hundreds of times before. But something felt wrong from the moment I pulled away from those iron gates.Maybe it was leaving Ciara behind. Maybe it was the weight of everything she'd told me about Mom's fate. Or maybe it was just the nagging feeling that I should have stayed longer, said more, held her one more time before walking away.My phone buzzed on the passenger seat. A text message.I glanced at it while keeping one eye on the road, expecting maybe a message from Ciara telling me she'd settled into her dorm room. Instead, I saw Mom's name on the screen.Do not come home. Danger. Riona here. Bastien dead. Stay away.The words hit me like a physical blow. I read them again, certain I'd misunderstood. But the message was clear. Crystal clear."No no no no no." The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them.This couldn't b

CIARA’S POVThe welcome party was in full swing by the time we made our way down to the main hall. Music pulsed through the speakers, and students clustered in groups around the room, drinks in hand and conversations flowing. The academy had transformed the space with twinkling lights and draped fabric that made everything feel more intimate despite the high ceilings.I surveyed the room with the advantage of experience. I knew exactly who was worth talking to and who would be nothing but trouble."See that group by the punch table?" I nodded toward a cluster of vampire students. "Avoid them. They think they're better than everyone else because their families have old money. Old... old... money."Pippa followed my gaze nervously. "How do you know all this already?"I caught myself before I could say something about living this before. "Good instincts, I guess. And over there," I pointed to a group of werewolves near the windows, "those are the ones you want to befriend. They're loyal a

CIARA’S POVThe silence that followed Sarah's explosion felt like it stretched for hours, though it was probably only seconds. Every conversation around us had stopped. Students turned to stare, drinks frozen halfway to their lips, whispers starting to ripple through the crowd.My face burned with humiliation. Sarah's words echoed in my head: I don't need you. The hurt cut deeper than I'd expected, but underneath it was something else. Confusion. I'd been trying to protect her, trying to keep her from making the same mistakes I'd watched people make before.A nd my people, I meant me. But she saw it as control, as me trying to keep her in my shadow.Maybe she was right. Maybe I'd been so focused on preventing disasters that I'd forgotten to let people make their own choices.I started to turn away, to find somewhere quiet to process what had just happened, but a hand caught my wrist."Let's talk."Ronan's voice was calm, almost gentle. I looked down at his fingers wrapped around my wri

SPECIAL CHAPTER: SARAH MORGAN(The events of this chapter take place during Chapter One and are retold from Sarah’s perspective in the first timeline.)I watched Ciara glide through the party like she owned the world. Which, let's be honest, she basically did. The O'Donoghue mansion sparkled around her, every surface polished to perfection, every guest hanging on her every word. Luna Ciara, beloved wife of one of the most powerful Alpha in the territory. Perfect Ciara with her perfect life and perfect marriage.My stomach churned with familiar bitterness."Sarah, darling!" Mrs. Kellahan approached me with that fake smile rich women perfected. "How lovely to see you. Tell me, how is your little boutique doing?"Little boutique. I forced my own smile. "Wonderfully, thank you.""Oh, that's nice." Her tone suggested it was anything but. "Ciara was just telling us about the new wing they're adding to the pack house. Apparently Ronan surprised her with the plans for their anniversary. Isn't

EWAN’S POVThe music pounded through the main hall, and for the first time in months, I felt like I could breathe. No mother hovering over my shoulder, no expectations pressing down on my chest. Just me, the party, and the possibility that maybe I could be normal for one night. For one month.I adjusted my jacket and scanned the room. The Academy had done well with the decorations. Streamers hung from the ceiling, and the refreshment table groaned under the weight of food and drinks. Students clustered in groups, laughing and talking, and I realized I wanted to be part of it. Not because I had to be, but because I wanted to be."Looking good, O'Donoghue."I turned to find Eamon approaching, a smile playing at his lips. He wore a dark green shirt that brought out his eyes, and I had to force myself to look away before I stared too long."Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself."He laughed. "I try. Having fun?""Actually, yeah. It's nice to be somewhere without..." I gestured vaguely