~ Elara’s POVStuck behind the giant oak, I couldn't take my eyes off Rufus. My heart pounded like a drum solo. It was the first time I saw his powers in action, and I must say, it was scary awesome. He totally protected me, but whoa, was it intense.Just as I thought I could inch closer, a furry arm whipped around me, yanking me back. A muffled voice pressed his or her face against my neck, whispering to stay quiet.The guy who grabbed me was one of Ashley's bodyguards, but he was in rough shape, all banged up. I twisted back to see him, and he barked at me to keep my eyes on Rufus. Then he yelled a threat at the giant Rufus, telling him that he would regret messing with him if he didn't take Ashley back as a client. My breath hitched in my throat. The bodyguard was hurt, scared, and threatening a guy who could flatten a building. It felt like the end. The guard's finger was digging into my neck, so hard I thought it might break the skin. He smelled awful, like metal and blood. Panic
~ Elara’s POV "Remember that whole fight with Ashley's guard? Did I, uh, look like some kind of scary beast out there? Did I perhaps freak you out a bit?"Rufus's question hit me like a ton of bricks. Here was the guy who single-handedly took down Ashley's goons, looking at me with this worried frown, like he was the one who needed saving. It didn't make any sense. Sure, when I first saw him unleashing all that power, it was a little scary. He moved like a lightning bolt, taking down those guards faster than I could blink. But after that initial shock, a weird mix of feelings took over. Part of me was still jittery, seeing this raw power firsthand. But the other part? Well, the other part was kind of…impressed.I stared at him for a moment, replaying the scene in my head. There he was, a whirlwind of rage and power, taking down Ashley's hulking guard with surprising ease. It was both terrifying and exhilarating to watch. A chuckle escaped my lips before I could stop it."Monster?" I
~ Rayel’s POVCurled up on my bed, memories of Elara flooded back. The ache of missing her was sharp. Seeing Daciana, who looked so much like Elara, ripped the scab right off my heart.Meanwhile, I knew Hazel must be fuming. I stormed out when I was trying to apologize, acting like a jerk. I need to find a way to stop these constant fights. But everything she does just reminds me of Elara, making it impossible.My frustration mounted as I marched back and forth in my room. How could I move on from Elara and stop these fights with Hazel? It felt impossible. Elara was like a permanent fixture in my head. Dejected, I slumped back onto the bed.Suddenly, the door burst open and Hazel barged in, her face stormy. "What was that about?!" she shouted, voice tight with anger. "You stomped out in the middle of apology, then practically embarrassed me in the presence of Daciana?!”Hazel exploded again. "What the heck is your problem, Rayel?!" she shrieked. "Why can't you just accept Daciana a
~ Rayel’s POV I was so furious when I saw Daciana on my bed. Blood pounded in my ears as I saw what she was putting on. When I asked her what she was doing in my room, her reaction was like a splash of cold water on a bonfire, it only made the flames of my anger burn hotter. She flinched, then dropped right to the ground, begging for forgiveness. She swore she never meant to come to my room , that she was just doing what Hazel told her to do.I locked eyes with her, a heavy silence pressing down. Fury simmered in my gut, but something stopped me from unleashing it all at once. With a growl, I barked an order for her to stay put and stormed towards the bathroom. Slamming the door, I took a deep breath, trying to clear your head.The cold tile felt good against my hot skin as I splashed water on your face. While the cold spray calmed my burning anger, a dark thought wormed its way into my mind. Memories of how I treated Elara surfaced, a twisted plan forming. I imagined pushing Dacia
~ Rayel’s POVA triumphant smirk played on my lips as Daciana's eyes welled with tears. My cruel intentions had worked; her face twisted in a mixture of hurt and betrayal, exactly as I had planned. With a surge of adrenaline, I yanked her off the bed, the room tilting with the sudden movement.Then I mounted her. My hands clenched around her shoulders, the fabric straining under my grip. I could see the frantic hope flicker in her eyes, a silent plea I ignored. Just as my fingers grazed the zipper of her dress, a wave of nausea washed over me.The image of Elara flooded my mind and my grip faltered, the strength draining from my hands. Daciana, swift as a startled cat, twisted free and scrambled back, clutching the rumpled sheets around her.I watched as she pushed me off her and rose from the bed, her movements stiff and formal. Without a single glance in my direction, She bolted for the door, leaving it swinging wide open. I slumped back on the bed, a cruel smile plastered on my fac
~ Daciana’s PovMy face burned like fire, tears stinging my eyes. Mingan, the head maid, stood at my doorway, her eyes narrowed like a viper's."What was that for?" I stammered, voice barely a whisper."That's what you get for getting all high and mighty after a night with the Alpha!" Mingan screeched. "Think you're too good to do your chores now?"My jaw practically hit the floor. "Slept with... the Alpha...?" I sputtered, my voice barely a squeak. There was no way this was real. My mind raced back to leaving Alpha Rayel's room that night, remembering the weird looks some of the maids gave me. Now it all clicked.I flicked my gaze to the other maids huddled behind Mingan. Their eyes were like daggers pointed right at me. It was like a scene from a bad soap opera; they were definitely the ones who cooked up the juicy lie. A wave of nausea washed over me. Not only was I getting blamed for something I didn't do, but it was this horrible rumor. Disgust churned in my stomach.The words g
~ Daciana’s POVMy jaw hit the floor when Luna Hazel said what she did. Fury boiled inside me. I shot to my feet and screamed, "I'll get out of this place no matter what! I won't be stuck here!"Her eyes narrowed. "Just try it, Daciana," she hissed. "You think your little escape plan won't come back to bite your mother in the you-know-what?"I roared back, "Don't you even think about hurting her! You lay a finger on Mom, and I won't sit back anymore!"That's when her hand connected with my cheek again, another burning slap. The world spun for a moment, the sound of my own heartbeat pounding in my ears.“Don’t you dare yell at me!” She yelled out.Luna Hazel's words hit me like a ton of bricks. "And on top of everything," she sneered, "you are to grace Alpha Rayel’s bed until I get whatever it is I want. And just to make sure you don't get any funny ideas, my personal guards will be keeping an eye on you every seconds."Her face contorted into a mask of pure nastiness. Tears welled up
~ Daciana’s POVAlpha Rayel was the absolute last person I wanted to bump into, especially not when he looked like he could erupt like a volcano. He stomped closer, his voice echoing through the garden as he repeated his question. "What. Were. You. Doing?"My mind went blank. One minute I was enjoying a stolen apple, the next I was facing the furious Alpha. "I, uh..." I stammered, my brain scrambling for an explanation that wouldn't make me sound even more guilty.Alpha Rayel grabbed my arm, a bit too roughly, and yanked me out of the peaceful garden. "This place is off limit!" he bellowed, his voice tight with anger. "Don't you ever set foot in here again!"Shaken but strangely relieved, I mumbled an apology and scurried back towards my room, the guards flanking me like watchdogs. Honestly, I was just happy he hadn't thrown me in the dungeon or something. Back in my room, I collapsed onto the bed, my mind racing. Everything was so messed up, but at least I had a little peace, for now