The Alphaty n’s mans. The glowing Cana. The sorluse tuned symbol of hope. The parture torte muset
She was breathtaking
back
golden chandeliers like moonlight captured in tabe Her long, silvery haircareaded down her in oss, framing her sondetin tane ke some kind of divine portrait. Andt herugh gods, thatugh
i groped my ss tighter
That sound made me want to crush her throat just to make it stop.
She stood near the grand staircase, radiant and effortless. Surrounded by students, war exclusive celebration in the Alpha’s jate tall. A graduation ball, they called it. But make
petsts could sense she was different.
dignitaries the
My gaze sharpened.
ine. The girl Sho thould’ve faded into obscurity. Who should’ve been forgotten after her rejection, buried by shame, consumed by !
e’d returned, Not just standing tall but shining, Stronger. Loved.
Especially by hims
Francesco Lycaon. Alpha of the European Crescent Pack, thest living Lycan of royal blood. The one man I wanted more than anything to see on his knees–crushed beneath the weight of loss and regret. But instead, there he stood, tall and poised, his gaze soft as it followed her every step.
He looked at her like she was all that mattered. Not hisnds. Not the Council Not even the looming unrest creeping across supernatural borders.
Just her
It was pathetic
And terrifying.
She walked toward him now, graceful and unaware of just how much I hated her. He met her hathway, his hand resting at the small of her back. She whispered something, and heughed–low and warm, like a man who finally found peace after centuries of <b>war</b>.
I wanted to scream
Instead, I smiled.
Frozen wless. Just as I’d been trained to be
“Hey, what’s wrong? my friend asked, her brows pinched with concern.
I blinked. Shook my head lightly, forcing my lips to curl upward. “Tired,” said simply “Too much champagne”
She nodded, believing it too easily
bing my may
mytheter tang grounding ma
They were preparing
Theard before anyone else did
den,!
seant. They weren‘
Every wold froze for a second. air shimmered wit
The Graduation Pun
A carved tradition. A symbolic run beneath the full moon to celebrate one’s academic achievement in the human world–a ceremony not just of survival but of pride and unity. Few ever received such an honor. Only those with the Alpha’s blessing. Only those deemed future leaders.
ine, of course, would be at the center of
As if surrying heartbreak made her a goddess
As ifing back made her chosen
But it didn’t matter.
Because I had already set things in motion.
I smiled to myself, a quiet and private thing
It was only a matter of time now
The potion she drank was slow Subtle Laced with ancient magic, brewed by Luca hired the exiled leader of the Eastern Shadows. It wouldn’t kill he not yet. That would be too easy. Too kind.
fio. It would unravel her from the inside.
First, the dizzes. The confusion. Dream, she couldn’t tell from memory Small gaps Thenguage she spoke would alter on lies tonga, the weld ques
Piece by piece, she would forget.
And when she was
he was nothing more than a hollow shell
He woulde for her
To reim what should’ve been his.
A soft tremor of anticipation curled in my belly
I moved back to my table, greeted by the easyughter of my circle. They were all tipsy, flushe summoned into the sanctuary
“Hey, everyone’s heading out. Want to walk with us?” Ang asked, a little slurred but glowing
Inodded. “Yeah. Just need to grab my clutch”
She leaned into me, her breath warm with champagne. “Best–Party. Ever”
Herughter was cut off by a <b>loud </b>crash
Brug!
Agoblet had fallen. Shattered on the floor,
The music faltered, and <b>a </b>collective <b>murmur </b>spread,
My heart jumped.
It wasn’t the sound. It was the sudden shift in the air
A growl.
Low. Primal. Not human.
One of the warriors–Orion, I recognized him–was sniffing the air, his eyes it with a faint gold pow
No..
No no no
He turned. Met my gaze. Froze
Recognition
Damn it.
I bolted.
ATRINA?! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?” Ang’s voice followed me.
Perfect: Scream my name, why don’t you?
I shoved <b>past </b>the crowd, weaving between started guests. The exit by the kitchens was open- took it without hesitati
then stone.
I didn’t stop tilt the alley behind t
Tore off my shoes. Dan barelset.
My lungs burned
But i had to get to him.
My real reason for all of this
He said if I proved myself, he’d im me. Not just in word. But bond Blood Power
ine never saw ming She was too busy healing. Too busy finding love and safety.
I was right beside her the whole time.
Afriend. A peer & harmless bystander.
Until I was L
I ran past closed shops and sleeping inns, the streets thinning into trees. Into shadow. Spell faced wards began to soften the serises –– scent, sight. A protective veil we’d created years ago for moments just like this.
He waited where the forest swallowed the path
Tall, cruel, beautiful. With eyes <b>like </b>volcanic ss and a smile that promised ruin.
“You’rete,” he said, stepping from the trees.
She drank it,” I panted. “Everything went to n<b>.</b>”
Ted “Good”
His lips curled.
“Once it starts,” whispered, “she won’t know what’s real”
He didn’t answer. Just turned and started walking
“Luca will be pleased,” he said after a pause. “She’ll break. And when she does…
He didn’t finish
He didn’t need to
I followed without question
I’d done what was needed.
Now <b>all </b>that remained was to wait.
To watch her fall..
unling sound<b>. </b>
High
Herughter Noated int
She fell alive free.
As the rooftop twirled with moonlight and soft music, a flicker of nausea terded
Just a second. Just a breath.
She brushed it off, leaning into Francesco’s warmth
He held her tighter, as if he sensed something something
But then she smiled
And the moment passed
The celebration below had ended
But the true ward
It was just beginning
And this time, betrayal wore a familiar face.
?