Riley knew her condition all too well.


    She didn’t have much time left.


    So why drag Lucien Duskgrave into the pit of her inevitable ending?


    W


    Finished


    There was no reason to entangle someone like him–an Alpha born under a silver moon, destined for greatness–with someone like her, flickering like a dying ember.


    “I understand, Carmen,” she said softly, her voice carrying a depth of rity that only those who had made peace with death could possess.


    Carmen’s eyes lit up immediately. “Then… you’lle with me?”


    Upstairs. The embroidery room.


    The view of the garden below was perfect from here–intentionally so.


    Lucien had insisted the embroidery room be ced right above the garden. He’d said that when Riley grew tired of stitching, she could rest at the windowsill and breathe in the rich fragrance of the flowers below, the scent and view soothing her spirit.


    Now, Lucien Duskgrave stoodzily against the open window, his tall frame outlined by the gentle light of the overcast sky. His eyes followed every movement in the garden below–every step Riley took, every word she shared with Carmen.


    He listened.


    The shadows in his eyes deepened, and his brow arched slightly in intrigue.


    Well well… Mia certainly raised a sharp one, he mused, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.


    He had expected Riley to be approached by unworthy males with hidden intentions.


    He hadn’t expected Carmen to be the one to whisk her away.


    Still, there was no fury in Lucien’s posture. He remained utterly calm–almost entertained–as he listened.


    Then came Riley’s answer:


    “I I’ll go with you”


    Carmen gasped “Really?” she whispered in disbelief, joy spreading across her face like sunrise. She rushed forward and hugged Riley tightly, unable to hide her excitement. “When do we leave? Tomorrow? I’ll book the flight right now.”


    Riley couldn’t hear Carmen’s words, but she could read her lips and feel her emotions.


    Sull, she gently stepped back from the embrace, her gaze soft but unwavering.


    “I said I’ll go. BuL.”


    Carmen froze, sinile faltering. “But what?”


    Riley hesitated. Her voice was lower now, hesitant, Isurdened I promised Alpha Lucien, I promised I would finish the Elegy of Putties for Matriarch Duskgrave”


    Stir luwred her eyes, guilt casting a shadow over her features. He spent twenty million credits to win the piece at her birthday aucun and because of my mistake Scarlets alreded it I need to make it right.”


    Cummin’s barath caught


    had heard <b>about </b>the <b>incident </b>in on the full co


    at the cational <b>Ali </b>


    355 PM pp.


    #2


    Finished


    “And Lucien Riley added, her voice barely above a whisper, “He saved me When I had no one, when I was ready to end it all–he was there. That night when Gu Yilin woke up, I was ready to jump I would have, if he hadn’t shown up”


    She didn’t mention the two million credit vintage whiskey she’d drank out of spite. Or the hospital bills be quietly paid afterward.


    Every kindness. Every debt.


    She carried them all


    Carmen’s fists clenched as she swallowed a rising lump in her throat. She had never known Kiley hade that close to death


    If Lucien Duskgrave hadn’t been there


    She didn’t dare finish the thought.


    Quietly, she asked, “Then after you finish repaying him, will youe with me?”


    Riley’s answer came with a gentle smile, “Yes”


    She had her skill now–Moonwave embroidery, a dying art reborn in her hands. That alone could sustain her in any country, in any city. Even across the sea, she would not fall to ruin again.


    Above, Lucien listened without moving, the smirk never leaving his face. His gaze was unreadable–like ake at midnight, hiding what swam beneath.


    So, you’ve made your n, little flower.


    You intend to vanish.


    But did I ever say you could leave me?


    His grandmother had already epted Riley as her future granddaughter–inw.


    And the ring on Kiley’s finger–the one his mother once wore was not a simple gesture.


    It was a vow


    You are mine, Kiley, Oath–bound Soul touched. No one walks away from me.


    sull, Lucien made no move to confront her. He didn’t need to.


    Let her try to run


    He’d rather see hey realize on her own that even if she fled the Stormridge Pack, even if she crossed oceans–her heart would find its way back to him


    The next morning


    Rain winspered against the windows of the Dusk grave estate, soft and steady, like a luby from the clouds. The gray sky filised through the ss casting a dum gentle light over the polished floors and quet halls


    Riley stirred from sleep he senses adjusting to the rhythm of raindrops and the muted hum of the estate awakening


    she moved through des morning rutine with quirt grace Washed Dressed Descended the grand staircase for breakfast where warmth and catre med be like old friends.


    Abes the head sip of his tea where to return to shur detyrus, sand already focused on thread and wi


    Bin pot dar erved.


    Warmrung Persi


    3:55 PM P P .


    Wrapped tightly around her wrist.


    Riley froze.


    That touch–searing and electric–ignited every nerve


    senses.


    5


    Finished


    in her body. Her heart leapt violently in her chest as heat flooded her


    She turned, eyes wide with confusion and disbelief, and found herself face–to–face with the storm.


    Lucien Duskgrave.


    His eyes, silver–flecked and dangerously calm, bore into hers.