Mag-log inDamian's POV
The email arrived at 7:43 AM.
I was still in the war room. The tactical maps had finally been replaced by supply rosters and training schedules, but the transition to peace felt tedious. I hated the bureaucracy of it.
The subject line was stark: Council Verdict – Lucas Ahearn.
I opened it, reading the text twice just to ensure the legal terminology meant what I thought it did.
Life imprisonment. Maximum security.
Gracia's POVI stared at him.The words hung in the air between us, heavy and impossible. ‘Will you be my son? The heir to the Sunstone Dominion? The next Alpha of the West?’I opened my mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.Nothing came out.My mind was a storm of confusion, disbelief, and fear. I couldn't process what he was asking. I couldn't understand why he would offer something so precious to someone like me."Gracia?" Hubert's voice was gentle. "Did you hear me?""I…" I swallowed hard. "I don't understand. Why me? I'm nobody. I have nothing."He studied me for a long moment, his eyes soft but unwavering."You're wrong," he said simply. "You're not nobody. You're a man who survived horrors that would have broken most people. You're a man who still has the capacity to love, to hope, to sacrifice. That's not nothing. That's everything."I shook my head. "But I'm not… I'm n
Gracia's POV"My apologies. May I know your name?" I asked.He extended his hand. "I should have introduced myself earlier. I'm Hubert Ahrem. Alpha of the West. The Sunstone Dominion."The Alpha of the West.My legs gave out.I dropped to my knees immediately, my head bowed so low my forehead nearly touched the ground. My heart was pounding so loudly I could barely hear my own thoughts."I'm sorry," I stammered, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I didn't know… I didn't realize… I apologize for any disrespect…"He laughed—a warm, genuine sound—and pulled me to my feet, patting me on the back with surprising gentleness."Calm down, boy. You saved my life. You don't need to apologize for anything."I straightened slowly, my mind still reeling. I've been talking to an Alpha this entire time. A powerful Alpha. The Alpha of the West.No wonder he was so strong. No wonder h
Gracia's POVI didn’t stop to think. There wasn’t a moment for hesitation, for weighing the risks or contemplating the peril surrounding me. I just took off running.The second bear came barreling toward the man from behind, its massive form a blur of fur and power. He was blissfully unaware, still catching his breath from the first encounter, his back turned towards the savage beast.He’s going to die if I don’t intervene.Without a second thought, I threw myself between them.My shoulder collided with the bear’s chest, the impact akin to hitting a solid brick wall. I felt the claws slice through my skin, tearing at my shoulder like heated knives. Pain shot through me. I hit the ground hard, the air knocked from my lungs.I had never fought anyone before. Sure, I’d endured beatings, taken my share of hits, and survived all sorts of abuse, but I had never fought back.‘What am I
Gracia's POVThe biting cold seeped through my clothes, but strangely, I didn't really feel it.I pressed myself against the wall just outside the window, tucked away in the shadows of the corner. Peering through the glass, I could see them vividly—Sera and her father, standing in the center of the room. Orin was pacing back and forth, his face flushed with anger, fists clenched so tightly at his sides that his knuckles turned white.I felt paralyzed. I couldn’t bring myself to move, and breathing felt almost futile. All I could do was listen."You won’t marry any filthy bastard!"His words landed on me like a physical blow, sending my heart plummeting into my stomach.“Father!” Sera's voice came through, desperate and pleading."I don’t care about any of that! You will marry into royalty, a better man, and secure a better future for yourself!""Never! I’d rather die than
Gracia's POVTwo months had passed since Sera and I became… something.I still didn't know what to call it. We spent every day together. She insisted on staying with me, holding my hand, talking for hours. When Eve found out about us, she burst into tears—happy tears—and hugged me so tightly I thought my ribs might crack."Take care of her," she whispered. "She's my sister. And she loves you more than anything."I didn't know how to take care of anyone. I had never been responsible for anyone's happiness. But I nodded anyway. Because I would try. For Sera, I would try.Now, when she wasn't around, I felt empty. My heart ached. My wolf acted strange—wild and restless, always searching for her. And when she was with me, everything went calm. Peaceful. Like the world finally made sense.I didn't know if I loved her yet. But there was something there. Something growing. Something I had never felt before.
Gracia's POV"Sera…""Take it back!"I stared at her. She was shaking, her eyes wild with emotion. I had never seen her like this before. I had been beaten so many times in my life—by my father, by Castor, by countless others. But her single slap hurt more than any beating I had ever endured.*Why? Why does her pain matter more than mine?*"Sera, I…""Please," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Please just take it back."I couldn't speak.She stepped closer, her hand still shaking. "You say you have nothing to give? You gave me your trust. You gave me your honesty. You gave me the privilege of knowing who you truly are. That's not nothing."Her words hit me like a physical blow. I had spent my entire life being told I was worthless. And now this woman—this beautiful, kind woman—was telling me I had value.Why? What does she see something in me that I can't see in myse
Selena's POVThe Silvermoon border medical clinic stands like a stronghold made of stone and glass.It was built long before the war, before Elena, and long before any of us had a clue about what lay ahead. The place has running water, electricity, a generator, and eno
Selena's POVI wake up to the warmth surrounding me.The room is dimly lit, with the curtains drawn and the lamp on the nightstand casting a soft glow. Damian’s lap is under my head, his back against the headboard and his chin resting on his chest. He’s sle
Caden's POVThe holding cells are in the basement of the council building. It's cold and damp down here, with the walls almost sweating. The lights flicker, casting long shadows.I haven't been back since the trial—not since I saw them drag my mother away or walk
Maya's POVThe morning is chilly, and mist hangs thickly over the valley. I’m standing on the ridge, arms crossed, watching my breath fog up in front of me. Caden is right next to me, still and quiet. He’s always quiet these days.Below, Viktor's camp is st







