LOGINI needed to get to my room.My fingers fumbled to press the right floor button. The elevator seemed to take interminably long, and when I stumbled out, the corridor stretched on for longer than I remembered it. I kept one hand near the wall without touching it, counting the doors, but my head was sp
Dominic’s POVThe bar at the inn was quiet by the time I settled in. Three stools, a counter, and a bartender who poured me a drink without trying to make small talk, which I appreciated. The campaign team had gone to bed, Monroe had retired early, and I had my phone sitting face-up on the bar as if
“Why?”“Because I didn’t think I was ready. I’d been waiting for years to step up, and then when it actually happened, I panicked. I told him he was the better Alpha for the pack right now. But honestly, I was just scared.” He paused. “His leg got worse since then, and it’s really slowed him down. A
Ellie’s POVI folded the newspaper, put it in the recycling bin, and told myself it didn’t matter.Easier said than done.The thing was, I knew it shouldn’t matter. I’d been telling myself that in various creative ways for the past hour and none of the versions were sticking.We were divorced.The p
Ellie’s POVWord of the Alpha King’s visit reached my father on a Wednesday, and by Thursday morning it felt like the whole village had gotten the memo.The pack was practically in a frenzy by the time the news came out. This was a huge deal, since Goldenveil had only recently been reinstated as a p
The pack wasn’t happy about it, either. Callum hadn’t been in good health in a long time, and having a strong, capable Alpha with an equally strong and capable wolf was expected for the pack’s safety.Because of this, rogue attacks had been more common over the years. Callum had done little about it
Dominic POVEllie reached the stage with the professor and instead of stopping where she was supposed to, instead of waiting for the applause that never came, she reached out and took the microphone from the professor’s hand.A ripple of confusion ran through the hall.My pulse spiked.“I passed,” s
I let go.Lucas leaned back slightly, eyes wide, jaw flexing as he fixed his shirt. “You’re faster then I remember. Noted.”He was already turning when he added, without looking at me, “And Dominic? If she wants me around, I’ll be around. Whether you like it or not. Alpha.”He walked off.I couldn’t
Dominic POV The moment her head disappeared beneath the surface, something inside me tore open.I didn’t feel myself running. I didn’t feel the rocks under my hands. All I felt was a pull, and it was enough to drive me forward like an animal.I dove deep, eyes burning, lungs screaming.It was dark.
Ellie POV The mountain watches us long before we reach it.By the time we gather at the clearing at its base, the air has turned sharp enough to sting when I inhale too deeply. Cold clings low to the ground, seeping up through the soles of my boots, settling into my calves.Even in daylight, jacket







