es the wolf to

d like old sentinels, their skeletal arms clawing at the fading light. Inside, Ethan Hale sat perfectly still-jaw tight, shoulders squared

elated image or hushed rumor, could prepare him for the sheer, suffocating weight of the place. The Vandresa estate wasn't just a stronghold; it was a cathedral of violence. A sanctuar

rrival. The SUV glided into the sprawling courtyard, where fountains bled red water into marble basins, and colossal wolf statues, carved from white

ook. He wore a black turtleneck beneath a charcoal wool coat, a minimalist ensemble that made his lean, athletic frame seem almost predatory. His beauty was sharp, etched with angles and an inherent in

tless, their torsos a roadmap of scar tissue, both branded with the Vandr

their stride, the way their shoulders rolled with conta

like gravel, his gaze sweeping

k," he said smoothly, his voice a low, even baritone tha

er one, a brute with a broken nose, lifted his head, sniffing the air with al

of polite indifference. "Efficient," he countered, the singl

d forward, closing the distance, his bulk intimidating. "You don't smell lik

mperature in the air seemed to drop several degrees. "Your Alpha wouldn't like d

itarian, crackled through their earpieces-cleared access. A silent command, a reminder of the hierarchy even these Alphas couldn

aking, yet it was laced with an

steps, muffling all sound, as

dripping crystal teeth. Guards stood at every turn, some in their hulking wolf fo

-chested, their bodies a tapestry of old scars,

pensive cigars, and something else, something ani

m carved from dark, gleaming stone and a profound, watchful silence. The silence here

sed dais, Domin

ower. His silver-streaked hair, a striking contrast to his dark suit, was slicked back, sharp and severe, like the edge of a newly honed blade. His eyes were o

calculated proximity, their postures radiating

ounds of impatience. Every man here had killed, had taken, had conquered something just this morning, or was planning

n his mind, calibrated to convey respect without subservience. His gaz

oil over flame, an unsettling calm that held a

years. He speak

ith effortless conviction. Va

mixture of terror

rippled through his lieutenants. "

rp and predatory. Ethan remained still, his f

gesture that nonetheless held abs

t potential. But I excel in i

dening, the pretense of politeness dropping away. "We need

e flat, devoid of emotion, a counter-

nce descended,

The lieutenants shifted, their eyes narr

ge, a silent declaration of intent. "Confidence," the Alpha purred, rising from his throne with a fluid grace that belied his power. He

gaze directly now, his golden eyes unyielding

al, echoing through the hall. It wasn't friendly laughter; it was mocking, approving, a dangerous amusem

now. You'll shado

ropped brutally short and eyes like chips of frozen piss-cold, hard, and utterly devoid of warmth. He looked Ethan up and down, a slow, de

e muttered, his voice a low growl,

his voice calm, unflappable, the quiet confid

his obsidian eyes. "Let's see how long before the wolves

er did-not until it was too late, not unti

throne of her own, though it lacked the theatrical spectacle of Dominic's. No towering guards flanked her. No spotlight followed her every subtle movement. Just

Van

elf into his mind. His gaze, usually so controlled, was drawn

nal sense. She looked like a curse in the sha

fresh blood, wrapped around her impossibly lithe figure like sin stitched into silk, clinging to every curve. Her legs were crossed, one stiletto-clad foot swaying idly, betraying a deep-seated boredom-or something

breath, a fleeting connecti

dgment. But she saw him. Not just his physical presence, but through him, pierc

drifting to the moonlight on the win

al? Dis

her. They believed her silence was weakness, her stillness, apathy. She didn'

d come

ossal, luminous orb, hung above like a slit pupil, watching, judging every shadow that stirred. Inside, distant music still echoed from the east wing, a faint throb of bass and laughter.

inhaled slowly, deeply, the acrid smoke filling his lungs. He didn't smoke for pleasure; he

ngerous,

and low, cut through

another drag, the tip of hi

rame casting a longer shadow. "The daughter. Luna. Dominic keep

ing a plume of smoke into the chill night air.

oice flat, devoid of the usual sne

ys, his golden eyes meeting

les. But she's not meant to be silent either. She's... volatile. Untamed. Like moonlight on gasoline. You think it's beautiful. You're mesme

ly, a brief, cold

be I'm fi

ot when it comes to her." He turned abruptly and walked away, his heavy footsteps e

ide open in the absolute dark. The room was luxurious-rich fabrics, dark woo

cage, however gild

image of her burn behind his lid

Van

at like royalty, but not by choice, a captive queen. The way no one approached her, not a single guard, not an advi

l-but Ethan had felt her hunger. A deep, silent

uld f

or even empathy for the captive princess of this violent e

eak the empire, the Vandresa stronghold that had held his fa

words a silent promise, a vow

ng for yo

se, miles away, bathed in the sam

from

ing new, something dangerous, finall