LOGINBy the time Lyra stepped out of the bath, the palace maids had already prepared a simple outfit for her. A pale blue sundress that fell just above her knees. It was light and comfortable, a welcome change from the heavy gown she had worn to the royal ball. She brushed her long hair until it flowed freely over her shoulders before slipping into a pair of soft sandals that didn't aggravate the tenderness around her ankle.Taking a steadying breath, she left her room and made her way through the palace corridors.As she approached the dining hall, the aroma of freshly baked bread, roasted bacon and brewed coffee drifted into the corridor. Lyra smiled faintly to herself before reaching for the large double doors.The smile disappeared the instant she stepped inside. She had expected to find Cassandra, Lydia and Vivienne.Instead, two additional faces sat at the table - Dominic and her father. Lyra stopped walking. Her gaze settled on the man seated across the long table. For a moment, the
The persistent knock on the bedroom door pulled Lyra from a deep, dreamless sleep.She stirred beneath the soft blankets, blinking lazily as warm morning sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Golden rays stretched across the polished floor, making the room glow with the quiet peace of late morning.For several seconds, she simply lay there, trying to remember where she was.Then the memories of the previous night came rushing back. The royal ball, the dance, Dominic’s hands gently massaging her aching feet. Her cheeks warmed instantly.Another knock echoed through the room."My Luna?" a timid voice called from outside.Lyra rubbed the sleep from her eyes."Come in."The door opened slowly, and one of the palace maids stepped inside before offering a respectful bow."My Luna, forgive me for waking you but you have guests."Lyra frowned."Guests?"Before she could ask who they were, two familiar figures walked past the maid without waiting to be invited.Vivienne was th
Dominic didn't stop until they reached Lyra's bedroom door.Lyra spent the entire walk trying not to look at the servants they passed, her face burning with embarrassment every time she caught one of them smiling knowingly.Dominic never seemed bothered by the attention. His stride remained steady and unhurried, as though carrying her through the palace was the most natural thing in the world.When they reached her room, he nudged the door open with one hand before carefully lowering her onto her feet. The instant her left foot touched the floor, she instinctively leaned onto the other.Dominic frowned."Sit."Lyra looked up at him." I'm fine."He gave her a look that made it obvious he believed none of it. Without another word, he walked toward the adjoining bathroom. Lyra watched him disappear through the doorway, puzzled.A moment later, he returned carrying a polished wooden first-aid box. He set the box on the bedside table before kneeling in front of her.The sight alone made
The music continued to drift gracefully through the ballroom as Dominic guided Lyra across the polished dance floor.Somewhere along the way, she had forgotten about the hundreds of eyes that had terrified her at the beginning of the evening. She no longer worried about whether she was making a mistake or whether the nobles were whispering about her behind their backs. All she could hear was the orchestra, and all she could focus on was the man leading her through every step with quiet confidence.Whenever she hesitated, Dominic adjusted his pace without making it obvious. Whenever she missed a step, he effortlessly matched it, making it seem as though it had been part of the dance all along.Before long, she found herself laughing.It wasn't the polite smile she had forced herself to wear throughout the evening.It was genuine."I thought you said you had two left feet," she teased after nearly spinning into him.Dominic's lips curved into a smile."I might have exaggerated a little.
The kitchen at the Gamma’s quarters smelled faintly of vanilla and freshly baked pastries.Vivienne perched comfortably on one of the tall stools surrounding the marble island while Valeria disappeared into the freezer before returning with two generous bowls of ice cream."I hope you like vanilla," Valeria said, sliding one of the bowls toward her.Vivienne's eyes lit up."I like any kind of ice cream."Valeria laughed as she settled onto the stool opposite her."I knew inviting you here was the right decision.""I still can't believe you did." Vivienne scooped up her first spoonful and sighed happily after tasting it. "Thank yo
Vivienne lay on her bed with her hands tucked beneath her head, staring at the ceiling for what felt like the hundredth time.Sleep refused to come.Although the guest room was larger than any bedroom she had ever slept in, it somehow felt far too quiet. Beyond the closed door stretched a maze of palace corridors occupied by guests who had all gone to the Royal Ball, leaving this entire wing almost deserted.Only the distant sound of music reminded her that the palace was still very much awake.She smiled to herself as another melody drifted faintly through the open window."So that's what a Royal Ball sounds like."Just then, her phone vibrated on the bedside table.
Dominic had always hated the pageantry that came with his title, but the Ashbourne pack’s attempt to impress him was especially suffocating. Even the guards at the entrance stood a little too stiffly, their eyes skittering past his face as they bowed and ushered him inside. He imagined they half-e
Alpha King Dominic woke with a smile on his face.For the first few seconds, he simply lay there, staring up at the canopy above him. Sunlight filtered through the branches, mixing with the fading silver glow of the full moon. The cool morning air carried the scent of pine and damp earth, and for a
Lyra didn't stop running until the forest began to thin and the familiar outline of her home appeared through the trees.The forest seemed different in the daylight.Less frightening.More familiar.Yet every step she took only made her thoughts race faster. How was she supposed to explain the mark
Lyra stepped out of the bathroom and tightened the towel around herself as steam drifted through her bedroom.Her gaze fell on the outfit spread across her bed, and a nervous smile tugged at her lips.Tonight was finally the night she was losing her virginity..For months, she and her boyfriend Cae







