NARRATORKatherine had uncovered incredible revelations from translating those old papers, which had passed through the hands of nearly every woman in her family who possessed powers.Each had contributed something valuable, continuing the research of their ancestors.Katherine and Rossella’s mother was one of the few who had interacted the least with the family relic."Well, it’s most likely that they want to escape from the Elemental Realm as well," Elliot responded."And to open that breach, they also need magic. They want to use you; they’re going to lure us into their trap somehow," he concluded with anger.So that’s what Brenda wanted him for. Treacherous snake."But we also want the same thing, and we’re still missing a part of the map and the spell.""Exactly, sweetheart. They don’t know I’m a lycan. That guy is so arrogant he dared to strut around in front of Vorath. That’s our best weapon."Their minds were already weaving a plan."So, you’re saying…""Exactly what you’re th

NARRATORThe news of Duke Thesio’s death during a hunt, supposedly devoured by wild wolves, spread like wildfire across the neighboring duchies and beyond.Greedy eyes immediately turned toward the “poor” widow, left with little support from Thesio’s army but with an abundance of gold and land ripe for the taking.It was like stealing candy from a child—she hadn’t even had time to conceive an heir, so the crown wouldn’t interfere, no matter how much she protested.Ovidio Pensival wasted no time reaching out to Thesio’s general, enticing him with all kinds of promises to sway him to his side.The man was fairly new, having only recently risen to his position after the previous general’s death. His loyalty lay more with money than with the woman who had climbed into his former master’s bed.They planned to strike from within, with the general himself opening the city walls for Ovidio before any competition arrived.A neat plan—except they didn’t realize they were already too late.Brend

KATHERINE"Lavinia, sweetheart, keep playing with the girls!" I ordered my daughter, who disappeared down the hallway, giggling.Gripping my skirt tightly, I descended the stairs, practically flying over the carpeted steps.I could feel the tension thick in the air, the danger lingering in the atmosphere, so I hurried to intervene."Good morning," I greeted the elegantly dressed man as I came to stand beside Elliot.In an instant, his possessive hand gripped my waist."My wife, the Duchess of Everhart," he introduced me, though my identity was already more than obvious given his blatant display of dominance."Darling, this is the palace inspector, sent by the Regent.""Welcome to our duchy, Mr.…""Ambrus. Ambrus Max," he replied, extending his hand after giving a name I was more than certain was fake."DON’T TOUCH HIM!" The roar slammed into me through our mate bond, making me shudder."Oh, forgive my rudeness. I was just playing with the children, and my hands are covered in dirt," I

KATHERINEI felt his body tense, his eyes suddenly locking onto me in shock. I watched Vorath’s reaction, and okay, that wolf looked like he had just been struck by lightning."Say something, because I’m starting to panic too. You... you don’t want to? Because you should have thought about that before drenching me like a damn salad."I bite my lower lip with a nervous giggle that betrays my erratic heartbeat.Honestly, I’m afraid too—that they might not want this as much as I do."Kath… are you… are you joking? Vorath can smell you, he says he doesn’t sense any pups, you—""I had a prophetic dream," I answer, knowing full well how crazy it sounds, but I’m absolutely sure this isn’t just my mind playing tricks on me."After studying so much about magic all this time, I’ve learned that magic manifests differently in everyone—it’s unique," I explain."I… can we sit up and clean ourselves a bit? I mean, talking about something this important while I’m still skewered like a damn sausage ki

KATHERINEAfter that encounter in the garden, despite Elliot and Vorath’s tantrums, I managed to convince them that my approach was the right one.We had to create an opening, gain his trust so he would talk—otherwise, he might resort to more extreme measures.In the end, one day, we arranged to meet “in secret from the Duke of Everhart” so I could introduce him to the Dowager Duchess.*****"I truly appreciate all the effort you’re making to help me. I’m afraid the Duke doesn’t have much tact when it comes to women," he said, seated across from me.We were in the same tavern where Brenda had arranged for him to spy on us."Elliot is very busy, that’s the only reason he hasn’t been able to give you much attention, Mr. Max. Relations with the Dowager Duchess are also a bit… complicated…" I told him, offering a slightly awkward smile.Since he was supposedly an outsider, he pretended not to know that Brenda had been my husband's mistress."Well, have some wine. I tried it, and it’s deli