LOGINBROOKS POVA typical day like this one had slowly become something I had once believed I would never have, and I found myself appreciating the little moments far more than I ever thought I would.After seeing Rowan off to school early in the morning, I spent the next few hours doing exactly what I enjoyed most.I looked through reports from the community program, and checked on the progress of several families who had recently received support from the program.Knowing that people were slowly rebuilding their lives filled me with a quiet sense of fulfillment that was difficult to put into words.The afternoon slipped by quietly, and warm sunlight poured through the palace windows, filling the private living room with a soft golden glow.I sat comfortably on the couch, scrolling through my phone, enjoying the moment of peace and quiet.Suddenly, the sound of hurried little footsteps echoed from outside the room."Mummy!"I dropped my phone immediately, and a second later, Rowan came ru
LEVI'S POVThe last two months had changed my life in more ways than I could count. It felt impossible that so much could happen in such a short time.From Drahzar trying to murder my entire family and take over the kingdom, to my father's death. Then came the truth about the White Wolves, a truth that changed the way I looked at my family and our history forever.Somehow, in the middle of all that chaos, Brooks and I got married. Then the opening day of the community program, where Sera had to take her own life to end her father's life.The aftermath of everything had been difficult for all of us in different ways.Theo was utterly shattered by Sera's death. Losing her had broken a lot inside him that I knew wouldn't heal overnight. There had been no point to pretend he was fine, so I gave him as much time away from his duties as he needed.When he was ready, he would come back. Until then, the only thing I wanted him to focus on was finding a way to live with his grief.Sera's sacri
THEO'S POVMy gaze lingered on Sera for a second more, before I looked away. I couldn't bring myself to look at her for another second. Everything Drahzar had revealed was still ringing in my ears.I knew what she did wasn't fully within her control. But I couldn't help but still feel betrayed. She could have said something to me and we would have found a way around it. I would have helped her.Around us, people were still lying on the ground, coughing weakly, while the guards remained poised to attack, waiting only for my command. If I ordered them forward, Drahzar could die, and if Drahzar died, everyone would die.I closed my eyes for the briefest moment before opening them again. My voice came out quieter than I expected."Stand down."The guards hesitated. None of them wanted to obey."Stand down."Reluctantly, they lowered their weapons and stepped back.Across from us, Drahzar's lips slowly curled into a triumphant smile. He looked exactly like a man who had expected this outc
BROOK'S POVThe day started off very sunny compared to yesterday. That was a sign that today was going to be a very good day.It was the opening day of the poverty alleviation program for blackpike.As I stood in the middle of the hall we were using, I couldn't stop smiling. Colorful canopies had been set up across the open field to shield people from the afternoon sun, while long tables were neatly arranged beneath them, each dedicated to a different part of the program.The entire hall buzzed with life. Children laughed as they chased one another. Some people had already begun receiving food packages and starter kits for small businesses, and the expressions on their faces made every sleepless night Sera and I had spent planning this worthwhile."This is incredible."I turned as one of the elderly women clasped both my hands tightly."Thank you."Emotion tightened my throat as I smiled at her."You don't have to thank me.""No," she said warmly. "We do."She squeezed my hands once b
THEO'S POVIt was very obvious it was going to rain before I left the palace, but I didn't think it would be that heavy. The roads were closed off due to the heavy traffic and I got home rather late that night.All I wanted to do was take my clothes off and go straight to bed because I had a few hours before I had to be up again for tomorrow.However the aroma that hit me when I opened the door made me stop right in my tracks. I had to turn around and make sure I hadn't entered the wrong house.Sera was standing in the center of the living room with a bright, radiant smile stretching effortlessly across her face.Before I could even drop my keys or take off my jacket, she took a step toward me, her eyes sparkling with a genuine happiness.“Welcome home, Theo.”I stood there completely surprised by the unexpected warmth in her voice, my mind racing to understand the sudden transformation before I quickly managed to recover and reply.“Thank you.”Her smile only widened at my stunned ex
SERAPHINE'S POVBrooks and I were settled comfortably in the private lounge, surrounded by stacks of reference books and scattered notes as we spent the afternoon planning the program for blackpike together.The air between us was completely relaxed and lighthearted as we worked side by side to structure the financial aid and food distribution logistics for the families who needed it most.Brooks's passion for the project was entirely infectious, her eyes lighting up with genuine excitement.As I listened to her speak, a strange and beautiful realization washed over my chest, and I recognized that I had actually started to see Brooks as a friend.A true friend.Her kindness was completely genuine and entirely free of the toxic, manipulative agendas that usually defined every single interaction in my life.Just being with her filled me with a rare sense of peace.But that peace vanished the exact second my mind drifted back to reality, and I remembered what my father was actively plott
LEVI'S POVMy gaze locked onto Theo as the door shut behind the last guard that entered, the sound echoing sharply in the confined space.Finally, I could get an explanation for this madness going on.“What’s going on, Theo?”Theo’s expression didn’t soften, or shift into the familiarity I had alwa
That memory made my head start pounding and I pressed my fingers into my temple, trying to ease the sudden rush of my thoughts.Levi noticed right away."Brooks?"I turned to him, noticing how the expression on his face changed to a look of concern."What's wrong?"I shook my head. "Nothing."But h
BROOK'S POVThe healers arrived not long after to examine Levi carefully, asking him questions about how he felt. Levi answered them calmly, though I noticed the way his patience started wearing thin when they repeated the same checks more than once.The healers checked his temperature, his pulse,
THEO’S POVAfter the attack, I didn't take any chances. I had Levi, Brooks, and Rowan moved immediately to a different wing of the palace. One that had far fewer access points and could be secured properly.I doubled the guards posted outside their rooms and then doubled them again. Every person a







