로그인Koen’s POVThe carriage thundered across the uneven forest road, its wheels crashing over every rut and jagged stone hard enough to rattle the entire frame.Thanks to Leomar, we had managed to slip out of Valcrest unnoticed. His escape plan was brilliant.He disguised us in Valcrest guards’ uniforms, provided us with an official Valcrest carriage, and, more impressively, mapped out the safest route to Celestia—a forgotten trail winding through the mountains where Valcrest patrols rarely ventured and rogues were seldom seen.He personally escorted and guarded us. He did not leave until we had safely crossed their borders.It was the perfect escape.Unfortunately, it was also the roughest road imaginable.Every jolt of the carriage made my heart tighten.I pulled Rhea closer against my chest, cradling her as carefully as I could to soften the violent rocking. She remained unconscious, her head resting limply against my shoulder.Before we departed, I had wrapped her in my own cloak, hop
Leomar’s POVThe search for Commander Rhea had thrown the entire Pack into disarray.Every available warrior had been deployed, and Alpha Artavius had forbidden anyone from resting until she was found.Even the visiting guests had been affected. I had heard about the commotion at the gates. If Alpha Zevran had not intervened, things might have turned bloody.Even so, this could not continue for much longer. Tensions would inevitably rise. Powerful Alphas were not known for their patience, and detaining them against their will could easily turn diplomacy into conflict.At this point, I had no idea what Alpha Artavius intended to do next. One thing was certain—he was not going to find Rhea.By the time he discovered she was missing, Alpha Koen had already crossed the border hours ago.Perhaps none of this would have happened if Alpha Artavius had cared enough to visit Rhea last night. Instead, he had remained glued to Brielle’s side like a loyal hound, unwilling to leave her for even a
Artavius's POV“What’s the meaning of this? Why are we being detained? We clearly stated in our letter that we can leave today!"A line of carriages stretched toward the Pack’s gates, their horses growing restless as my guards stood firm, refusing to let a single wheel cross the border.Several visiting Alphas crowded the entrance, voices rising as they argued with the guards.“Where is your Alpha?” one of them demanded. “I want an explanation!”“What’s going on here?” I called as I approached.The commotion fell silent. The Alphas turned toward me, relief flashing across their faces before it was quickly replaced by irritation.“Alpha Artavius,” one of them said, striding forward. “Your guards refuse to let us leave. Explain yourself.”“Alpha.” Karl bowed the moment he saw me.I dismissed him with a wave before facing the gathered leaders.“My apologies for the inconvenience,” I said evenly. “The order came directly from me. Until further notice, the Pack borders are sealed. No one i
Artavius's POVWarm sunlight filtered through the window, spilling across my face.I frowned and slowly opened my eyes, blinking against the brightness. For a moment, I simply stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, my mind still clouded with sleep.A dull ache throbbed through my neck and shoulder from sleeping in an uncomfortable position. I shifted in the wooden chair, wincing as stiffness spread across my back.Then it hit me. It was already morning. I had fallen asleep before I could visit Rhea. My eyes flew open, the last traces of drowsiness vanishing in an instant.I jerked upright, my gaze landing on Brielle.She was still asleep beneath the blankets, her breathing slow and steady. The herbal paste covered the mating mark on her neck.I glanced at my arm where Brielle had been holding me. At some point during the night, she had finally let go, but I was asleep to notice it. A surge of guilt tightened painfully inside my chest. I had only meant to wait until she loosened her grip b
Artavius's POVGuilt twisted painfully through my chest as I watched Brielle scream and writhe against the bed, helpless to ease even a fraction of her suffering.This was my fault.I had marked her before the moon could bless our bond, and now the wound was consuming her from within. Her life was in danger because of my recklessness, yet all I could do was stand beside her and watch her endure the pain I had caused.“Look at what you’ve done!” Brielle’s father roared at me.His chest rose and fell with each furious breath, his fists clenched so tightly at his sides that his knuckles had turned white. Hatred burned in his eyes. He wanted to strike me—I could see it in the tension running through his body—but he held himself back, knowing he could not lay a hand on the new Alpha of Valcrest Pack. My father stepped between us. “Son, what happened?” he asked, worry tightening his expression.I said nothing.Nothing had gone the way it was supposed to.I was meant to reject Rhea. Then Br
Koen’s POVEveryone knew Rhea was fighting for her life, yet the only people standing beside her were Doctor Ania and me.Everyone else had gathered around Brielle, whose only injury was the burning mark on her neck, while Rhea had nearly lost both her life and the child inside her.The scent of crushed herbs lingered in the air, mingling with the sharp sting of medicinal tinctures. Moonlight filtered through the narrow window, spilling across the wooden floor and onto the bed where Rhea lay motionless.Even after everything Doctor Ania had done, she remained unconscious.Ania lowered the damp cloth she had been pressing against Rhea’s forehead and released a weary sigh. “Her fever is finally coming down.”I sat beside the bed, unable to tear my gaze away from her.She looked nothing like the commander I had first met.The woman who had stood alone against thirty rogues.The woman who had bound me with wolfsbane rope without the slightest hesitation.The woman who carried herself as t
Rhea’s POVA hollow, suffocating silence pressed against my chest.My sister is pregnant.And the father was none other than my own mate, the same man that I had given myself to last night. Now, both our families are here discussing my mate and my sister’s official mating ceremony so she could for
Rhea’s POVArtavius is now the official future Alpha of the Valcrest Pack. After years of being gone, he is officially returning home tonight.Yesterday, the pack had just received news that Artavius, our Alpha’s only son had emerged victorious from the Ascension Rite.It is an old werewolf traditi
Rhea’s POVEleven days passed.Only three remained before Artavius and Brielle’s mating ceremony.The entire pack had transformed in preparation for it.Decorations draped the Packhouse halls while warriors doubled patrol rotations around the territory. Noble families from neighboring packs had alr
Rhea’s POVPeople rushed to comfort Brielle while they only spared me judging glances.Not a single person approached me.The people who once praised me for my strength and loyalty, and respected me as Valcrest’s Vanguard didn’t dare to approach me.I suddenly felt completely alone.Alone in the mi







