LOGINSELENA'S POVThe walls of my room were suffocating me. I'd spent days in that bed, staring at that ceiling, breathing that same recycled air. The doctors said I needed rest. Darcy said I needed rest, even Lucian said I needed rest.But rest was impossible when my mind wouldn't stop spinning. The dream about Lucian wouldn't stop playing in my head.I threw off the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My feet touched the cold floor, and for a moment, I just sat there, listening to the silence.Everyone was asleep and Darcy moved back to her room. So it was just me that night.I padded out of the room in my bare feet, wearing nothing but a thin nightgown and a robe I'd grabbed from the closet. The palace corridors were dark, lit only by the occasional sconce, and my footsteps echoed softly against the marble floors.I didn't know where I was going. I just knew I couldn't stay in that room one more minute. Besides, I was a bit hungry, so I could use the opportunity to get so
XAVIER'S POVThe walls of my room felt like they were closing in. I'd been pacing for what felt like hours and my mind was trapped in an endless loop, replaying the fear on Darcy's face and the way she told me “It's for your own good.”My wolf paced alongside me, restless and agitated."We should go to her. Make her talk to us.’‘I already tried that,’ I answered.‘Then find someone who might know something,’ Jayden pushed and I stopped mid-step.Lucian's advice rang in my head. “Talk to Rowan. He's her brother, he knows his sisters better than we do.”Rowan has lived with Darcy all her life, he must definitely know something.I glanced at the clock, it was late but I had a feeling he was still awake. I was sure none of us would be able to sleep tonight with Elira suddenly departing from the palace.A sigh escaped me as I walked toward the door and made my way out.The palace corridors were quiet at this hour. Most of the staff had retired, and the only sounds were the soft scuff of m
LUCIAN'S POVKing Aldric sat behind his massive oak desk, the fire crackling behind him casting dancing shadows across the walls. Maps of Lunaroria were spread across the surface, marked with troop positions and supply routes. I stood near the window, arms crossed, staring at the dark sky beyond the glass.Ryan lounged in a leather chair like he owned the place, one ankle crossed over his knee, his expression unreadable. Rowan stood beside me, his posture alert, his eyes moving between each person in the room. Xavier paced near the door, restless energy rolling off him in waves."Alpha Mark has reached out for help," King Aldric said, his voice cutting through the low murmur of conversation. Everyone fell silent. "He's confirmed what we already know, the current Queen of Lunaroria is not his daughter. The real Elira is missing, and this imposter has been wearing her face."“How exactly did he confirm this?" Rowan asked.King Aldric glanced at his notes. "For one, she has been refusing
XAVIER'S POVI stood there like an idiot, watching Ryan's arms wrapped around Darcy's waist, watching her body go rigid against his, watching his lips move near her ear, whispering something I couldn't hearWhat the hell is that?My wolf bristled inside me, burning with jealousy.‘Mine,’ he snarled. ‘She's mine. Why is he touching her?’‘Relax,’ I answered as I took a deep breath and tried not to overreact.When Ryan finally released her, I saw Darcy's hands shake. Just a tremor, but I noticed.She looked scared, which made me raise my eyebrows.What was she scared of? Ryan or something else?Ryan smiled at her like they were old friends or something more that.I didn't care what they were, I just knew I didn't like them being so close to each other.Darcy thanked Ryan for offering to help them. I could see that she was forcing the smile on her face and shifting uncomfortably as Ryan touched her from time to time.When I couldn't take it anymore, I stood up and moved closer to them. “
DARCY'S POVThe potato chips crunched between Selena's teeth, loud in the otherwise quiet room. She was curled up on the bed, legs tucked beneath her, a half-empty bag balanced on her stomach like a small table. Her free hand rested protectively over the small bump, a gesture I'd noticed her making more and more often.I continued to stare into space and I sighed for the hundredth time."Are you okay?" Selena asked suddenly, her eyes cutting toward me.I blinked. "What? Yes. I'm fine.""You've been staring at that wall for ten minutes." She set down the chip bag and tilted her head. "And you're chewing your lip. You only do that when something's wrong."Damn her. She knows me too well."I said I'm fine." I forced a smile. "Just tired. Taking care of a grown woman isn't exactly an easy job."Selena didn't look convinced, but she didn't push. She just went back to her chips, crunching thoughtfully.‘Liar,’ Lexie whispered. ‘You're a terrible liar.’‘I know,’ I admitted. ‘But what am I s
LUCIAN'S POVAs I walked down the hallway, the vision about the gemstones flashed through my mind. King Aldric's voice echoed in my ears: "Only the Kings and the Crown Princes know about the stones."That meant Caius knew about Lunaroria's gemstone.The moon goddess already made it clear that someone who trying to get both stones and merge them to create chaos.But the question was who?‘Maybe it's Elira,’ Mark suggested. ‘Becoming Caius queen might be all part of the plan.’I stopped on my tracks and let the words sink in. Could the woman in my vision be Elira in her true form?‘It's not entirely impossible,’ Mark continued. ‘If we managed to find the real Elira, the shapeshifter would have to go back to her true form. Who knows if she had already gotten the gemstone from Caius?’I ran my fingers through my hair, frustration clawing at my chest. I couldn't tell anyone about the vision which made it hard to get help in the situation. I had to rely on my assumption. If only my mother
SELENA’S POV"Where in the hell am I?"Woke up to light streaming through windows. Sheets too soft and I could feel that the bed wasn’t mine. Then the memories of the previous night started flooding in; Caius rejection, Daniel trying to force me into his car and then…My eyes widened in horrorNo.
LUCIAN’S POV"He is a fucking moron." I growled, slamming the door behind me as I walked into my home. I was furious because Caius was making a big mistake. I started walking back and forth, like a crazed beast. My fists were constantly curled and then released and my heart was seething with anger
SELENA’S POVThe night cool breeze hit my skin as I walked blindly down the almost deserted streets, my mind reeling from the rejection I had just suffered. We were laughing and chatting over dinner moments ago, and now I was alone on the streets with his words replaying in my head."You're just th
LUCIAN’S POV That night, I had expected to get a vision about the coup schedule for the next day, which I did, but it only confuses me more about what's to come.I saw myself along with Damon, Ezra, Rowan, and the other soldiers shifting into our wolves, preparing to enter the palace, but as soon







