Steven’s POV
“What did you say?” My tone was low and authoritative as I glared at my fashion design manager, challenging him to repeat his words.
“The designers-who were meant to create the lady’s clothing line-they all abruptly resigned,” he stuttered, his voice shaking.
“Resigned?!” I scoffed, the laugh sharp, filled with disbelief and fury. “Are you kidding me? Do you grasp the significance of this? We’ve already informed the media about an incredible line in five days. FIVE DAYS! How could they quit now?” I shouted, my voice resounding in the room as his posture tightened in apprehension.
“They’re nothing more than failures,” I dismissed, treating them like insignificant bugs beneath my heel.
******
Liam’s POV
“Hurry up!” I shouted, my voice resonating across the training grounds as the wolf warriors trained with their sticks.
“We’re facing an imminent attack. The demon wolf is still out there, hiding in the dark, and we don’t know when or how he’ll strike. We must be prepared. We must be strong.” My voice echoed as I moved among them, every word slicing through the tension in the atmosphere.
“And what’s the first rule of being a warrior?” I asked, suddenly grabbing one of the warriors by the collar and throwing him down.
“I-I don’t know, Sir!” he gasped, struggling to breathe.
“I don’t care about your excuses,” I growled, my patience breaking. “I only care that you secure the best designers in the country and make that lady’s clothing line a reality within five days. Failure is not an option.”
“Yes, Sir! I’ll do my utmost, Sir,” he stammered, his voice quavering with fear as he hurried to his feet.
“Then get moving!” I snarled, watching him rush away in panic. “Always be vigilant!”
I observed the warriors continue their intense training before making my way into the Mansion, my throat parched. I needed a moment to breathe.
In the kitchen, I spotted Freya on her toes, struggling to reach a plate on the highest shelf. Without a word, I swiftly grabbed the plate from above and handed it to her.
She recoiled slightly at the sight of my expression, and I turned to leave, the weight of the day heavy on my shoulders.
“Liam,” she spoke, her voice softer than I anticipated.
I halted but didn’t turn to face her. “I understood what you said earlier. There’s nothing more to discuss. You resent me for my previous actions, and that’s acceptable. I understand.”
I sensed the silence stretch between us before I walked away, the unresolved tension lingering in the room.
*******
Ashley’s POV
I isolated myself all day, my mind preoccupied with the priestess’s statement: love is the only way to soothe Steven’s anger.
But how could I possibly love someone like Steven? A man whose heart felt as frigid as the ocean’s depths, whose brutality was unmatched?
I exhaled heavily, feeling the burden of the thought pressing on me.
That night we got married, when he tore a person’s heart out with his bare hands, I realized that our union was not just cursed but also doomed from its inception.
The sound of a car entering the driveway pulled me from my thoughts. He had returned.
The door opened, and there he stood-his presence, thick with tension, enveloped the room.
“Are you alright?” I asked gently as he sank onto the couch, grabbing a glass of water from the jug on the table.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” His tone was harsh, almost defensive.
“You seem… stressed,” I ventured, concerned by the tightness of his stance.
“I’m fine,” he replied, his voice detached.
“Have you eaten?” I paused before asking. “Do you want me to-”
“Could you just keep quiet?!” he barked, his tone icy and authoritative.
I quickly agreed, not wanting to provoke him any further.
A few minutes later, he returned to the bedroom, prepared for rest. The quiet that enveloped us was heavy with words left unsaid, and I pondered how I could connect with the light I believed still existed within him, hidden far beneath his shadow.
******
Freya’s POV
“Is there something happening between you and Liam?” I inquired of Brie, my curiosity sparked by the newfound distance between her and my brother. “You two don’t communicate like you used to.”
She exhaled deeply, clearly distressed. “It’s my fault. I hurt him.”
“Then just say you’re sorry,” I prompted, feeling the years of friendship teetering on the edge. “I miss the way things were with Freya and Liam back when we were kids.”
A slight smile appeared on her face, but it didn’t fully reach her eyes. Trying to lighten the mood, I winked at her. “So, tell me about the guy you’ve been sneaking off to see.”
Her eyes went wide in shock. “How did you find out?”
“Well, I’m not just any random person,” I teased. “I’m your twin. Now, give me the details. His name, his family, where he’s from… I want all the info.”
Brie hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. “I don’t really know much about him. All I understand is that he’s dangerous, someone I should likely avoid. But I… can’t.”
“Is that what they call ‘friends’?” I asked, leaning in a bit closer. “Can’t you just ask him to tell you about himself?”
“I did,” she admitted softly, almost a whisper. “He warned me that once I discover everything about him, I’ll be in danger. And that he’d have to end my life himself. He believes it’s best if we remain unknown to each other.”
I looked at her, taken aback by the weight of her statement. “That’s quite ominous.”
“I know,” she said with a sigh, her tone laced with sorrow. “But no matter how hard I try to resist him, my wolf keeps reaching out to him. I feel this connection, and even knowing he’s a threat, when I’m with him, everything just feels right.”
“Maybe you should speak to the priestess,” I suggested, attempting to comprehend her situation. “If your wolf is calling out to him, perhaps he’s your fated mate.”
Brie shook her head vigorously. “No. He can’t be. I don’t know anything at all about him.”
“Just putting it out there,” I replied, uncertain if she could hear the truth in my words.
She shook her head again. “No. He’s not my fated mate.” She abruptly left, leaving me standing there, watching her walk away.
I could sense the tension in the atmosphere, the burden of unspoken secrets weighing heavily on me.
—
The mansion felt suffocating, and I yearned for some fresh air. The coolness of the night welcomed me as I made my way into the woods, finding comfort in the surrounding silence.
But then, I detected some rustling.
I halted in my tracks, instinctively taking cover behind a tree, my senses heightened and ready for anything.
The silhouette came into focus, and my heart raced.
James.
I trailed him quietly, keeping to the shadows. I had to uncover why he was there and whom he was meeting.
He paused in a dimly lit spot, and I noticed two other figures step out of the darkness. They exchanged quiet words, their conversation inaudible to me.
James turned to walk away, and I was resolute in following him to gain more insight. But in an instant, he vanished from view.
I spun around, and before I realized it, he was right in front of me, his features concealed by the hood he wore.
“James…” I whispered, taken aback by how swiftly he had appeared.
“You’ll never manage to surprise me,” he replied, his tone chilling and low.
In a heartbeat, everything went black.