Все главы Four Times Rejected, Destined for The Throne: Глава 1 - Глава 10

"Alpha Atticus, you are sentenced to eighteen years for the cold-blooded, public murder of future Alpha Axel of Woodcrest. There is no possibility of parole, nor any chance of early release. All visits to your cell are strictly forbidden."The implacable verdict echoed through the vast courtroom, each word landing like a heavy hammer against an unyielding stone. The Royal Secretary’s voice, sharp and cold, seemed to hang in the air, vibrating with a tangible finality.A deafening silence descended upon the room, broken only by the faint, rhythmic scratching of quills against parchment as the Council members, seasoned and solemn in their dark robes, meticulously finalized his fate. Their faces betrayed no hint of emotion, only the stark duty of their office.Every stroke of their pens seemed to carve deeper into Atticus’s future, sealing him away. The immense weight of the moment should have felt suffocating, a crushing sense of righteous closure. It should have felt like justice, a re

The last echoing words of the sentence still vibrated in my ears as I left the courthouse.The heavy iron doors swung shut behind us with a resonant thud, sealing away Atticus, but not the chilling memory of his final gaze.My parents, both top-ranking warriors in Woodcrest, walked beside me, their powerful presences a familiar comfort, yet miles away in the silence. Their footsteps were heavy, deliberate, a stark contrast to the lightness they usually carried.The walk home to our house, nestled at the edge of the pack land, was short.My mother, typically so verbose, kept her comments to herself. My father, usually stoic, offered no words of false comfort. They respected my need to process everything, to navigate the churning storm inside me all by myself. They understood that some wounds were too deep for words, too raw for unsolicited advice.Their quiet presence was a testament to their love, a silent acknowledgment of the void Axel's death had left. The familiar scent of pine an

The first few days in Human Town were a whirlwind of quiet discovery and harsh realities.I had somehow imagined that starting over would be simple, like flipping a switch and suddenly everything would fall into place. But the truth, as always, was far more complex. Life was not as easy as I had thought.Finding a decent apartment was surprisingly easy.With a little luck and a few cautious inquiries, I managed to secure a reasonably spacious unit in a well-secured neighborhood. It wasn't luxurious by any means, lacking the grandeur of the packhouse or even the cozy familiarity of my old home. But it was mine, a private sanctuary amid unfamiliar streets, a place to finally breathe and think without the pervasive scent of pack grief or the echoing memories of Axel.The apartment had clean, freshly painted walls, a small but functional kitchen, and enough space for me to feel a tentative sense of freedom. I was grateful for that much, a tiny island of stability in my tumultuous existenc

Anderson’s possessiveness ignited a pleasant sensation within me, a visceral energy that left me breathless, curling around me like an unseen force. It was more than a mere claim, it was a promise, a vow etched into every word he uttered, and the sheer certainty in his voice compelled something deep inside me to awaken, so powerful that I wasn't sure I had the strength to resist."What do you mean?" I still asked cautiously."I mean," he murmured, leaning forward, "as soon as you're ready, I will take you to meet my Alpha and the pack. After our mating ceremony, you'll move into Eclipse Howl as my woman and the Beta female."Again, a ripple of nervous excitement shot through me. With that came also a fresh wave of panic, cold and sharp.Readers, please, look at it from my point of view.My new job, my dreams, big ones that have just begun to take shape in Human Town, I need to consider all that. I’ve only just started this career, this independent, ambitious life, meticulously buildi

As the other models joined me in the dressing room, their faces flushed with success and excitement, I temporarily pushed the searing anguish aside. The collective energy was contagious, and I allowed myself to be swept up in the boisterous celebrations surrounding the wildly successful evening. Congratulations filled the air and shared triumph, a palpable sense of achievement that, for a few precious moments, eclipsed the growing dread in my heart."Anna, girl, you were amazing!" Margie sighed, falling into the chair beside me, her eyes shining with genuine admiration and the glint of expected profit. "Absolutely captivating. Mr. Andrew is practically doing cartwheels. I'm going to make a ton of commission tomorrow from the clothes you showcased tonight. He already said the online purchases must be handled by me personally and credited to my account!"Her eyes sparkled at the thought of the thousands of dollars that would soon be flowing into her account, along with all the wonderfu