VERENAMy heart thunders loudly in my chest as I meet his sharp gaze. Just watching him from afar brings back a wave of emotions that I've tried to keep buried in my heart for so long.His other arm is being held by none other than Nixie, the same woman who had banished me. This night can’t get any worse.I feel a light nudge on my hand and turn to Carlisle. His face is unreadable, but his voice is calm. "Remember what I told you," he says with a smile.I nod with a smile and raise my chin as we walk ahead. We enter the main hall, and despite my heart racing wildly, I plaster a look of absolute confidence on my face. I knew he’d be here, but I still attended the exhibition because I didn’t want to hide. I am not affected by him–at least that's what I want to show him. But I can feel his gaze on me like a hawk, pricking my back.The room is bathed in a warm, golden glow, and in one corner, a small orchestra plays beneath a canopy of twinkling lights. The classical music weaves through

VERENANixie replies with a light smile, “But a charming man like you can get anyone you set your eyes on, General. I'm sure many women are eager to share the floor with you,” she flutters her fake eyelashes, her voice flirtatious.My nose wrinkles, and I inwardly grimace at her behavior. I don’t know what she’s up to, but she literally has Elijah, her mate with her at the moment, and yet she’s trying to flirt with another man she met a few seconds ago."Love Story" by Indila starts to play on the speakers, the lyrics creating a dense, somewhat melancholic yet haunting atmosphere in the hall. Why did they choose this music?Cyrus smirks at Nixie, “Can’t agree more. After all, I have the charm to have anyone as my dance partner here,” his eyes flit to the single, unmated ladies who are eyeing him seductively across the hall. He does have that kind of charm to woo any woman here, especially because of holding the most powerful position in the hall at the moment. Even I fangirled over hi

VERENAMy legs tremble as I quickly walk towards the entrance door, not paying attention to the whispers behind me. Cold air hits my face as soon as I step out into the garden. I take a deep breath and let the tears stream down my face. Love can be so complicated. Despite hating him, a part of me hurts because of seeing him in pain. I wipe my tears and decide to not pay attention to my emotions. I am not going back to him. Sighing, I take off my heels and look for a place to sit. But the loud sound of water splashing makes my head whip towards the right side of the garden. What was that? I walk towards the source of the sound, and end up at the back of the building. My eyes widen when I see a huge pool. A man is drowning in it. Without a second thought, I surge forward, my long dress billowing around as I dive into the pool. The icy water envelopes my senses, sending a shock through my body. I swim through the water beneath the surface and reach the sinking man. My heart pounds w

VERENABefore the guns can be fired, Elijah disarms them and knocks them to the ground. He weaves through the attackers like a winter wind, his movements a blur of white. He deflects a blow from one with a flick of his wrist, using the attacker’s own force to send him sprawling. As the men crumble under his powerful attacks, Elijah stands straight, the moonlight highlighting his muscular frame. A frustrated groan escapes my lips as I watch. Why him? “Rena, are you hurt?” his deep voice cuts through the chaos. "No need to worry about me," I scoff, beating the two men holding my arms captive unconscious with one attack. It irritates me to know that he's the one to save me. He didn't need to jump in. I could have handled it. I did it for so long, without him.But the words die in my throat as his gaze meets mine. It's that look he has, the one that sends shivers down my spine. Calm, composed on the surface, but with an underlying intensity that speaks volumes of his anger. This isn't

ELIJAHMy brain feels like mush on hearing what Rayn just said. Rena, the quiet girl I thought was just a human orphan, turns out to be Alpha Valentino's daughter, a powerful she-wolf no less! But that news fades next to the knot twisting in my gut. I never had an issue with what her rank was. But there is one thing I need to confirm. I can't hold it in any longer. "If Verena's the true heir," I fire at Rayn, heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs, "why doesn't she have a wolf yet?"Rayn looks calm as he answers smoothly. "Our family's shifters are special. The wolves we have are blessed by the Goddess, giving us unique powers. We don't shift like regular werewolves. For Valentino bloodlines, the shift usually happens after the age of twenty, sometimes even thirty. It all depends on the kind of wolf waiting to come out of us."A cold dread washes over me. My body stiffens, every muscle locked tight with worry. I force out the next question, voice barely a whisper. "What ar