Throne Of Howls

's swollen face, his pupils darted, searching for an escape that didn't exist. He gasped for air as though the alley itself had sucked all the oxygen aw

ooting, his voice shook beneath the weight of fear and false prid

w crossed Tristan's face, something deeper than anger. His voice, l

e hard surface was dull but final, followed by a choking grunt as the air was knocked from his lungs. His head snapped back and

ame th

attering onto the stone wall, speckling it like crimson raindrops. The pain was immediate, radiating through Lucius's face and s

uried emotion: betrayal, rage, and helplessness. He wasn't just hitting Lucius, he was hitting everything Lucius represe

but Tristan was relentless. His breathing was ragg

ood dribbling down his chin. "Are

paused mid-swing, fist raised, the muscles in his arm taut with

didn'

an's cloak swept behind her as she approached, the soft rustle of fabric the only sound besides Tris

. There was no panic, no shrillness, only steel. It s

further against the wall, wheezing and bleeding, barely conscious of her presence. His family, who watc

ed with the controlled urgency of people who cared more about appearances than injuries. Their

Tristan in seconds and yanked him back

es locking onto his with warn

, still trembling, and bloodstained. His jaw locked so tightly it seemed like it might crack under pressu

dropped, her tone quieter but sharper. "You're let

softer, something shattered surfaced in his eyes. Guilt, pain and confu

, through swollen lips, he laughed, bitter and mocking. "You al

but Vivian gripped his arm t

flashing. "One more move

but his gaze sharp. "We'll speak of this no further," he said evenly. "It wa

practiced, tight-lipped smile. "Exactly," she agre

and clamped onto Lucius's shoulder with an

Lucius with them, Vivian looked back at Tristan. Her expression

said with her voice low. "That family coul

away, each step heavy and unsteady. His shoulders sagg

e the echoes of what had just happened, the sharp scent of

k at Celeste's home, th

. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the room, adding a trembling glow to the rough

voice cracking. "Lucius... he gave it to me. It was a g

His hand came to rest gently on her shoulder, the only strength he could offer. "I

didn't leave the darkness outside, scanning for movement, anything. Her heart hadn't stopped rac

They all knew the truth, believing Harper didn't matter in a world where rank decided guilt. Th

n from a noble family like Lucius's,

c at her chest. "I knew it was wrong. I knew what it would l

rossed the room to kneel beside her. "You are seen, H

than she meant it to be. "Love won't p

g in the air

rustle of the wind outside made their hearts jump. They didn't speak, each lost in spira

herself to imagine a world wher

-a k

mall house like a death

one f

ock, louder

with her hands trembling. Celeste's heart leapt into her thr

eliberate. He paused with his hand on the handle, glancing bac

open the door, i