Corvin walked through the dark corridors alone, his mind still spinning with the conversation at the lake.
He had told her. He had actually told her. The words had come out before he could stop them, and now they hung in the air behind him like a confession he couldn’t take back.
I’m the serpent, Nyra. And whether you want me or not, I’m yours.
Had he meant to say that? He wasn’t sure. He’d meant to warn her about the bond, about the prophecy, about the danger she was in. He hadn’t meant to declare himself. But the moment he’d touched her hand, the moment he’d looked into her eyes, the words had simply... come.
A sound behind him. Footsteps.
He turned. Killian stepped out of the shadows, his dark hair falling across his face, his expression unreadable.
"Eldritch." Killian’s voice was quiet. Almost gentle.
"Drak." Corvin’s guard went up immediately. "What do you want? It’s late."
"I know. I couldn’t sleep." Killian stepped closer. He was dressed simply, his usual sharp edges softened by the late hour. "I saw you walking. Thought I’d check on you."
"Check on me?" Corvin’s tone was skeptical. "Why?"
"Because you’re going into the Mistwood tomorrow. Because you’re leading a team. Because..." Killian hesitated. For the first time since Corvin had known him, he looked almost vulnerable. "Because I was worried about you."
Corvin studied him. Killian Drak had always been a background figure quiet, efficient, useful in the potions stores but otherwise unremarkable. This sudden concern was unexpected.
"I appreciate the sentiment," Corvin said coolly. "But I don’t need checking on."
"I know you don’t. You never need anyone." Killian’s voice was strange. "You’re Corvin Eldritch. The best potions master in the academy. You could survive anything. But that doesn’t mean I don’t worry."
"Why would you worry about me? We barely know each other."
Killian flinched. It was small, almost imperceptible, but Corvin caught it.
"Maybe I want to know you better," Killian said quietly. "Maybe I’ve been trying to get your attention for weeks, and you’ve been too busy staring at Thorne Astrlyn to notice."
The words landed like a slap. Corvin’s eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing. Forget it." Killian stepped back, his expression closing off. "Just... be careful in the Mistwood. Don’t do anything reckless for the sake of a prince who doesn’t even know you exist."
"Thorne knows I exist."
"Does he? Or does he only have eyes for Soren Thornridge?" Killian’s voice was bitter. "You’re brilliant, Corvin. You’re powerful. You could have anyone you wanted. But you’re chasing someone who’s already chosen someone else."
Corvin’s jaw tightened. "You don’t know what you’re talking about."
"Don’t I?" Killian met his eyes. "I’ve been watching you. For longer than you know. I’ve seen the way you look at Thorne. The way you’ve changed since he arrived. You used to be untouchable. Now you’re just... human."
"I’m not having this conversation."
"No. Of course not." Killian’s smile was sad. "You never have time for conversations with people like me. Only with princes who don’t want you."
He turned and walked away before Corvin could respond.
Corvin stood in the empty corridor, his mind churning. Killian’s words had struck closer to home than he wanted to admit. Chasing someone who’s already chosen someone else. Was that what he was doing? Did Nyra look at Soren the way Killian claimed?
He didn’t know. But the uncertainty burned.
He walked on, alone.
Killian walked until he was sure Corvin couldn’t see him.
Then he stopped. Leaned against the cold stone wall. Pressed his forehead to the rough surface and closed his eyes.
You’re brilliant, Corvin. You could have anyone you wanted.
But Corvin didn’t want him. Corvin never wanted him. Corvin only had eyes for Thorne Astrlyn, the pale little prince who couldn’t fight, couldn’t shift, couldn’t do anything except attract the attention of every Alpha who mattered.
I’ve been trying to get your attention for weeks.
And Corvin hadn’t noticed. Hadn’t even seen him. All that effort, all that careful positioning, all the times he’d made sure to be in the same room, the same corridor, the same moment—and Corvin hadn’t seen any of it.
Because of Thorne. Always because of Thorne.
Killian’s hands curled into fists. His nails bit into his palms. The rage that lived in his chest, the one he fed daily with jealousy and longing, swelled until it was almost unbearable.
If Thorne Astrlyn dies in the Mistwood, he thought, Corvin will grieve. And then he’ll move on. And then he’ll finally see me.
The thought was cold comfort. But it was all he had.
He pushed off the wall and walked into the darkness, his hatred burning like a flame.
Valeria’s suite was bathed in silver moonlight.
The windows were thrown open despite the chill, and the night breeze stirred the silk curtains and cooled the sweat on her skin. She lay across her bed in a silk nightgown the color of blood, a glass of wine in her hand, her dark hair spread across the pillows like spilled ink.
But the wine wasn’t helping.
Her wolf was restless.
He rejected us again, Lila murmured in her mind, her voice a sultry purr edged with frustration. In the briefing room. You reached for him, and he pulled away.
"He’s distracted," Valeria said aloud. "The mission. The prince. Whatever is going on with Thorne Astrlyn, it’s consuming him."
It’s consuming you too. You’ve been thinking about that prince all evening.
"I’ve been thinking about what he’s hiding. There’s a difference."
Is there? Lila’s laugh was low and throaty. You’re obsessed, Valeria. Just like Soren. Just like Eldritch. Everyone is obsessed with Thorne Astrlyn, and no one is paying attention to us.
Valeria took a long drink of wine. The liquid burned going down.
"I’ll expose him. Whatever he’s hiding, I’ll find it. And when Soren sees the truth, he’ll come back to us."
Will he? Lila’s voice was doubtful. He’s never really been ours, Valeria. We’ve been his convenience. His full-moon comfort. But he’s never looked at us the way he looks at Thorne.
The words hit harder than Valeria wanted to admit. She set the wine glass down on the bedside table and pressed her thighs together.
"Stop it."
Stop what? Telling the truth? Lila’s voice dropped, becoming something darker, more primal. Fine. Let’s stop talking. Let’s do something else instead.
"I’m not in the mood."
I am.
Valeria’s body was already responding. The heat pooling in her belly. The sweat on her skin that had nothing to do with the breeze. Her thighs were trembling, and when she shifted on the silk sheets, she could feel how wet she already was.
The full moon may have passed, Lila purred, but the hunger doesn’t go away. You know that. We’ve been denied too long. Soren doesn’t want us. Fine. We’ll satisfy ourselves.
"Lila..."
Touch yourself, Valeria. I want to feel it. I want to forget about Soren Thornridge and his cold eyes and his mysterious prince. Just for tonight. Just for a few hours.
Valeria closed her eyes. Her hand slid down her body, over the silk of her nightgown, between her trembling thighs.
"Just for tonight," she whispered.
And she gave in.
She slid her hand down her pussy and rubbed her clit, then she pushed a finger inside her pussy and started fingering herself.
Uhm..ahh.. she moaned as her hands started moving fast, the heat was too much she was sweating so much even with the cool night breeze.
Her second hand squeezed her breasts from her clothing.
She imagined Soren’s face as she pushed her finger further, clenching it in her pussy walls.
"Soren..fuck.. this is so good", her moans were getting loud.
She didn’t care about anyone hearing her.
Soon she reached her climax and released.
She brought her fingers to her lips and licked it, a smile of satisfaction spreading across her face.