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 bwar/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 bloud /bcrash

Brug!

Agoblet had fallen. Shattered on the floor,

The music faltered, and ba /bcollective bmurmur /bspread,

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 bpast /bthe 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 blike /bvolcanic ss and a smile that promised ruin.

“You’rete,” he said, stepping from the trees.

She drank it,” I panted. “Everything went to nb./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 ball /bthat remained was to wait.

To watch her fall..

unling soundb. /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.

?