nor'

ightmare still clinging to the edges of my consciousness. The terror hadn't

sona that dared to face everything

ource of both comfort and strength, his sharp blue eyes reflecting an

ur help," I said,

rned serious. "Wh

words. "I need to know who they are, what they want, and why they're targeting us." Th

certain he knew nothing about them and my mentioni

village and scout around." His tone was dec

the village. Unsuspecting villagers went about their lives, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadow

y, probing for any informati

th fear and unspoken secrets. But as I persisted, I reali

Some victims were found dead in their homes, others on lonely roads. And some simply va

s from the castle? How many of o

of the werewolf hunters, the same ones who had nearly destroyed me. Each piece of infor

s bigger than we thought, Alpha," he

w tight, determinatio

yker. I swear it." The words were a v

tta'

eneath the surface-a constant, searing reminder of the life I never wanted. I had never imagined being Sebastian's queen.

It was she who ensnared me, twisting fate so that I would end up in this loveless unio

th any loyalty-is elsewhere. I know the truth; he wastes his affection on Alicia, that insolent girl who carries herself as if she were destined for

the truth about Sebastian and Eleanor

t

ffer nothing but disdainful glances and whispered judgments, a

em, Grace st

by the cruelty of gossip. In her, I find the one compassi

red with a simple breakfast. Her eyes, always gentle and understa

found myself confessing the truth. "I am not happy, Grace. I long to return

ing that beneath his arrogant exterior lay a good heart, hidden behind layers of neglect and distraction. "I believe you can reach him," she

epths yet undiscovered? The thought was both tantalizing and terrifying. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, a fragile ember of hop

single phrase heavy with bo

r tone imbued with quiet determination. "Together, we'll unravel the layers th

I felt a stirring of strength. Perhaps there was a way to reclaim the lov