LOGINLILIANA'S POVNeither of us said a word.We just stared at the empty space in the cabinet.The journal had vanished.Not wrong.Not loaned.Gone.I felt a strange sensation in my chest.Someone had been there before us.Someone who knew exactly what they wanted.Darian slammed the cupboard.The library rang with a loud sound.His jaw was clenched.He had his fists clenched.I had never seen him look this angry.Not even when Taryn made a scene at the ball.Whoever had taken that journal had crossed the line.And we both knew." When did you last see it?I asked softly.Darian said nothing, at first.He rubbed a hand down his face.Three days ago.3 days ago.That was short."It couldn't have just disappeared."I know."His voice was glacial.Ice-cold.I bolted this cupboard myself.I stared at the padlock, broken.It wasn't broken.So that meant..."They had a key.Darian nodded slowly.Or someone opened it for them.A cold chill went down my spine.That was somehow worse.In the mans
LILIANA'S POVI glanced at Darian.Stared at him, really.Because I couldn't have imagined that look on his face.ShockScared.Guilt.It had been all there.Gone in an instant.But I'd seen that.Darian?"He blink, blinked.As if he'd forgotten I was there.Then his face was back to normal.Or at least tried."Eh?"I knit my brow.Who's that voice?He snapped his jaw shut."Nobody's."I nearly laughed.That was a fib.A monstrous lie.And both of us knew it."You know something."Darian averted his eyes.Which only proved my worst suspicions.Darian.It’s late, Liliana.I stared at him, incredulous.Was he really trying to change the subject?No, not like that."What do?""Treat me like a kid.My words were harsher than I meant.Darian sighed softly.I am not being childish with you.“Then answer my question.”Silence.Again.Honestly, I was beginning to think everyone in this pack went to the same school for keeping secrets.And all of them graduated with honors.The voice may not s
LILIANA'S POVTaryn left and the room was silent for a long time.Darian and I stayed still.I didn't.My legs were still weak.My parents' deaths weren't an accident.The words kept repeating in my head.Again."And once again.And once again.I wanted them to cease.They did not.Darian shut the door quietly.Then looked at me.His face was inscrutable.But his eyes—”His eyes were worried.Troubled.That scared me more than anything.Because if Darian was worried, then something was very wrong.What did he tell you?”The question was asked softly.Very carefully.Like he was scared I might break.To be honest?I was almost breaking.Very near.I swallowed. Hard.My parents weren't supposed to die, he said.Saying the words out loud made it worse.More real.Darian stiffened.He remained silent for a few moments.Nothing whatsoever.Then he exhaled slowly.He shouldn't have said that to you.I looked at him.My heart sank immediately.“You knew.There was no question.Darian looked
LILIANA'S POVTaryn paused.Yes, indeed.For a moment neither of us moved.We said nothing to each other.I knew enough from his answer.I guessed right.He was hiding a secret.Significant.My heart began to beat faster as I figured out.Taryn bounced back quickly.Too fast."What are you talking about?I nearly laughed.Close.And because that innocent look on his face was literally an insult.He’d been lying to me for years.He really thought I wouldn't know it?“I asked you a question.Taryn looked away.Just for a moment.Then back to me."I don't know what Darian's been telling you—"This has nothing to do with Darian.”The break came sooner than expected.Seriously? Because.I felt tired.Sick of him blaming everything on Darian.I’m sick of the excuses.Tired of the liesTaryn frowned.You've changed.The words took me aback.Sort of."I have?""Yeah.He sounded nearly bitterAs if it were a bad thing.Perhaps to him it was.“You don’t listen any more.I looked at him.Then no
LILIANA'S POV"Taryn."The name echoed through the office.For a second, nobody spoke.No one moved.I just looked at Sarah.I was certain I had heard incorrectly.Because this was completely nonsensical.Taryn detested paperwork.had always had.The man looked like he wanted to die during a financial meeting.Why, therefore, would he suddenly be interested in old records related to my family?It didn't make sense.Not even a little.And yet Sarah looked absolutely terrified. Hardly terrified people tell lies.Darian's expression was still unreadable.Unreadable at all.Honestly, I was starting to think the man had been born without normal emotions."Explain."Sarah nodded immediately.Her whole body trembled."He came to me two days ago.""Personally?""Yes, Alpha."Darian looked at the guards for a moment.He was obviously taken by surprise by that.I was also taken by surprise Taryn never dealt with issues directly.His dirty work was always done by someone else.Always.This impl
LILIANA'S POVLong after William left, I remained silent.My heart would not stop racing.Not as a result of William.Not as a result of the council.Not even due to the files that are missing.Darian was to blame.The manner in which he said those words.The assurance behind them.The assurance."If anyone touches Liliana..."I closed my eyes tightly.Goddess.This was becoming risky.Not the circumstances.My emotions.They were turning into the actual issue.Before Darian could see me, I quickly moved away.I didn't want him to know that I had been paying attention.It would be uncomfortable.Very uncomfortable.As I walked upstairs, the hallways seemed quieter than normal.Perhaps it was just in my head.Perhaps it wasn't.In any case, something felt off.As if a storm were on its way.Everyone was able to sense it.even if no one was discussing it.I hated that feeling.The one that took up residence in your stomach.The person who said something negative was about to happen.My
LILIANA'S POVThe atmosphere shifted as soon as Darian entered the greenhouse.Absolutely.The servant appeared relieved right away.Ava folded her arms.And all of a sudden, I was angry.Not due to Darian.due to what awaited them outside.Taryn.Once more.To be honest, I was beginning to questio
LILIANA'S POVSuddenly, the garden seemed too silent.Too little.It's too stuffy.I kept staring at Darian as his words kept repeating in my mind.A Luna.The council desired that he select a Luna.They did, of course.The Alpha was him.The Blood Veil Pack's strongest wolf.It was uncommon to hav
LILIANA'S POVIt seemed like a longer walk to the front gate than it actually was. Every step made my stomach twist harder. Even though the cool night air touched my skin, it didn't make me feel any less angry. I had been sitting in Darian's office a few hours prior, attempting to turn away my atte
LILIANA'S POVI woke up the following morning expecting chaosTo be honest?I had become used to it.Since discovering Taryn with Emily, things had somehow gotten worse every day.Naturally, I expected that I would encounter another catastrophe.Rather, I awoke to total quiet and sunlight streaming







