Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 51 - Chapitre 60

CHAPTER 50: The Servant's DawnElena's POVI woke to darkness and the sound of bells.Three chimes. Three in the morning. The omega servants' wake-up call.Around me, bodies stirred in narrow cots crammed together in a room barely large enough to hold them all. The air was thick with the smell of unwashed bodies and exhaustion. Someone coughed. Another whimpered softly in her sleep, caught in whatever nightmare plagued her.I lay still for a moment, staring at the water-stained ceiling, trying to remember how I'd gotten here.*Three days,* I thought. *Three days since I woke in Kieran's chambers. Three days since Anna informed me of my new reality.*My back throbbed—a dull, persistent ache that never quite went away. The healers had done their work well enough. Most of the wounds had closed, the flesh knitting together with surprising speed that had made them exchange worried glances when they thought I wasn't looking. But they'd insisted I keep the bandages on."Don't draw attention,

Chapter 52: the sevant regretElena povI managed to finish cleaning the study in a blur of tears and mechanical movements. My hands were raw and aching, my back screaming in protest, but the room was spotless. That was what mattered.Then came the bathing chamber. The massive space with its marble floors and copper tub seemed to mock me as I scrubbed every surface until my hands were numb. I could imagine them here together, Catherine's laughter echoing off the walls while Kieran...I shook my head, pushing the thought away and worked faster.Next, came Catherine's chambers. She had claimed the guest suite directly across from Kieran's rooms… I stopped, peering my ears to the door, close enough to hear the hushed voice, and Catherine giggling like a fool across the door. I didn't need to be there to know what was happening between them.I quickly finished changing the linens with shaking hands, arranged fresh flowers on every surface, and ensured every detail was perfect. Because Ca

Chapter 54: the whispersElena POVI stayed on that cold laundry room floor until my tears ran dry and my body went numb. My wolf had gone silent, retreating so deep inside me that I could barely feel her presence anymore. It was as though she had given up too.Eventually, the sound of footsteps in the corridor forced me to my feet. I could not be found like this, broken and sobbing over dirty linens like some pathetic creature. Anna will have my head if she ever finds out I was slacking in the middle of work.I crawled to the mirror with shaking hands.The reflection staring back at me from the small, cracked mirror was almost unrecognizable. My eyes were hollow, ringed with dark circles that were as a result of waking up as early as 4.00 am. My bones were becoming visible through my skin. My bandages were still there, and I could feel the wounds perfectly healed. looked like a ghost haunting the castle halls.Which was fitting, because that was exactly what I had become.The next fe

Catherine PovI turned in panic.Father stood on the terrace, a glass of wine in his hand, his expression unreadable in the moonlight."Father. I thought you would be in the city tonight. The council meeting…""Was postponed." He descended the steps slowly. "I came home early and thought to check on my daughter. Imagine my surprise when the servants informed me you were not here."My mind raced. "I was with the king. I told you…""Were you?" He moved closer, and I could see his eyes now, sharp and calculating. "Because I sent a message to the castle inquiring about dinner arrangements. The king dined alone tonight. Heard You canceled it at the last minute."Damn. I had not anticipated he would check."I..." I smoothed my cloak, trying to appear calm. "There was a change of plans. I had... other matters to attend to.""In the slums, by the smell of you." His nose wrinkled slightly as he inhaled the air. "What were you doing in that part of the territory, Catherine?"For a moment, I con

Chapter 58: the rogues attackElena POVThe great hall had been transformed into something that could only be seen in dreams. White roses covered every surface, their sweet scent almost overwhelming. Crystal chandeliers cast dancing light across silk ribbons and golden candelabras. Every noble family in the region filled the space in their finest attire, their voices a low murmur of excitement and speculation.I stood along the wall with the other serving staff, a silver tray of champagne glasses balanced in my trembling hands. From this position, I had a perfect, unobstructed view of the raised platform where this ceremony would take place.Where I would watch my heart break completely. Catherine made sure of that.Kieran stood on the platform already, looking every inch the powerful lycan king. He wore formal black attire with silver embroidery that caught the light. His dark hair was pulled back, revealing the sharp angles of his face. His expression was unreadable, that familiar m