جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 30

Magnus’s POVI got in the car and slammed my fists against the dashboard.Michael waited for me to calm down. Fury and helplessness twisted inside me, making my chest tight and my breath short. My hands shook from adrenaline as I tried to pull myself together, but the anger kept burning, mixed with a cold sense of guilt. I could hardly meet Michael's steady gaze. I turned to him, heart pounding, just as my phone buzzed.There was a message from Adira and a missed call. I screamed in frustration.I hadn’t been there when she called. I read her message repeatedly. Then the phone rang."Speak," I said, angry."Rogues, hired to be exact. That was a personal hit. You’re welcome, Magnus," a distorted male voice said. I didn’t recognize him. My blood ran cold, but I welcomed the tip.What the fuck was that? Who the...Michael, how do we approach the rogues?You can’t. There are too many, and you don’t want to start a war. But if you pretend to be one of them, maybe you can get into their camp

Magnus’s POVAdira started to glow, then everything happened at once, burst forth in a flash of silver-white—her wolf. At the same moment, Han erupted beside her, dark and wild. Their energy collided in the air, and suddenly the northern lights spiraled overhead, weaving luminous colors around us like a living shield. The air buzzed with magic. I looked at Adira to see, and her eyes were closed.Han looked at Tala. Together, they roared as the light pushed everyone out of the way. Tala went back in, and Adira opened her eyes.Magnus, are you okay? She whispered, confused.Yeah, I said, letting out a nervous laugh. Then she fainted.I picked her up in my arms and bolted while the rogues scrambled to figure out what had happened.They were chasing us and getting close.Brent, take her, and this time go, we’re almost there. I will buy time. Go. I handed him Adira.I waited for the rogues; rage coiled in my chest, hot and barely contained. Images of Adira, nearly torn from me, flashed in

Adira’s POVAs Magnus introduced me to his parents, I saw hatred in their eyes. They didn’t like me, and I knew why. Without a wolf spirit, I was considered incomplete, broken by some in the pack.I'd always believed I was a Beta's daughter, but the man who raised me insisted I was not his child. Rumors had swirled for years that my real lineage was uncertain, and in our world, bloodlines meant everything.To Magnus's parents, I was unworthy, not just for lacking status, but also for lacking the wolf bond that everyone else took for granted. Magnus’s dad’s face changed noticeably when I told him I was eighteen.Did he think I was too young for Magnus, or did he think Magnus was playing with me? Magnus was angry and fighting with his parents over me. I felt uneasy watching the tension grow between them. This is not okay. Maybe I should do something nice.After I left Magnus’s office, Diane came up and grabbed my hand suddenly.Adira, play with me. She pulled me along.Diane, come with

Adira’s POVMagnus put me down, I told him, as we approached the pack house. He placed me on my feet and kissed me deeply; he didn’t care that the pack was watching.I turned instant red at the disparaging glares I saw behind him. Shame prickled along my skin. Their cold eyes were knives, reminding me I didn't belong here, not really.A lump formed in my throat, and I focused on my shoes, desperate to keep my chin up. What were they thinking? Did they believe I wasn’t good enough for him? Heat burned my cheeks even hotter as I wondered if I could ever fit into this world, or if I would always be the outsider they saw in me.Magnus stopped and turned to face me. "Look at me," he said gently. "I don’t care what they think." His eyes held a fierce determination, but there was a flicker of worry too. He was trying to be so brave for me, putting on a strong front in front of everyone. Still, I could see the strain behind his smile. I knew he was caught between his loyalty to his family and

Adira’s POVGilda pulled me into the jewelry store. I kept saying it wasn’t needed, but she insisted a queen should have lots of expensive jewelry. With every step, my stomach tightened. The sparkling displays didn’t feel like they were for me. They felt like armor I never wanted, a costume Gilda wanted me to wear so no one would question if I belonged. Resentment prickled under my skin. Why did I have to prove myself with diamonds and gold? What if everyone could see right through me anyway? I tried to hide my nerves, but each piece felt heavier than the last.The salesman brought out pieces that made my jaw drop. I had never seen so many diamonds and rubies before.She chose six huge pieces for me.Gilda, I started, and she held a hand up.You’ll have to act like the Luna and the queen you are for the pack, she said. If they sense weakness, they’ll eat you alive. Here, showing doubt or hesitation is seen as weakness. If you stumble, question yourself, or let your emotions show, word