Third Person’s POV

As someone who had served the Ebonw Pack for over a decade, Mia could instantly tell–the man standing before her wasn’t just wealthy. He came from power, old and dangerous.

There was an effortless dominance in the way he stood, his cold eyes scanning Riley’s blood–soaked figure. An Alpha through and through. And to Mia, right now, he looked like ba /blifeline.

The doctor was growing impatient. The patient’s condition is critical. If we dy surgery any longer, she may not survive, Where’s the family? We need someone to sign!”

Lucien Duskgrave’s brow furrowed slightly. His eyes flicked to the blood–red peony embroidered on his suit–and symbol bfrom /ba halfpleted tapestry called Heaven’s Fragrance. For reasons he couldn’t exin, that detail pulled his thoughts toward Riley.

“I’ll sign, bLucien /bsaid calmly.

The doctor paused, studying him. Tall. Impably dressed. A chilling bgrace /bclinging to every movement. His presence didn’t belong in this sterile, fluorescent–lit hospital corridor–it demanded attention, reverence.

“You are.

?” the doctor asked cautiously.

That gave Lucien pause. What was he to her? A stranger who’d seen her btwice/b?

Before he could answer, Mia cut in without hesitation, “He’s my Miss’s bfiancé/b.”

Lucien’s gaze lingered on Mia for a long second. She looked terrified, desperate, but honest.

He didn’t correct her.

Instead, he stepped forward band /bsigned his name in a smooth, confident hand.

The doctor rushed into the operating room, and Mia turned to Lucien with tear–brimmed eyes. “Thank you, sir. Truly, thank you. bWithout /bbyou/b, she would’ve been blost/b.”

Lucien said bnothing/b. He took a seat on the bench, long legs crossed, expression unreadable as ever.

The hours dragged on. Morning light crept into the sky, pale and indifferent. The doors to the OR remained closed. Lucien hadn’t moved.

Then–his phone rang

He opened his eyes slowly, no trace of exhaustion on his aristocratic face. Even in this settingb, /bhe exuded an aura of cold- bloodedposure.

The caller ID read: Grandmother.

“Grandmother, he answered curtly.

“Lucien, my boy!” The elderly voice on the other end was delighted. “So you finally found yourself a mate and didn’t even tell your grandmother?”

Mate

Lucien’s brow–lified. He had no idea bwhat /bshe was talking about. Probably another one of her tricks to corner him into settling down.

“Do you need something?” he asked dryly.

“Can’t a grandmother call her grandson for no reason?”

“bI’m /bat the hospital,” he said, tone cooling further. “If there’s nothing urgent-

“bHospital/b?” She gasped. “Is it your mate? Is she hurt? I’ming right away. You tell me where you are, darling.”

“I’ll call youter.” He hung up before she could respond.

Northhaven – Duskgrave bManor /b

Matriarch Duskgrave sat back in her velvet barmchair/b, bfrowning /bat the disconnected line. Her white hair was swept up into an elegant knot, band /bher sharp eyes held far too much energy for someone her age.

This stubborn boy,” she muttered. “Always so cold. Not a drop of warmth like his grandfather.”

She nced at Mrs. Beck, her longtime housekeeper. “People keep saying he’s ba /bwomanizer, but I’d be relieved if he were. Then at least I’d know bhe /blikes women.”

Mrs. Beck chuckled.

“bAt /bbhis /bbage/b, most Alphas already have pups crawling around. He doesn’t even date! For a time, I wondered if he swung the other way!”

Mrs. Beckughed politely, though she’d heard this speech a hundred times.

b“/bDo you w

want to know how I found out he has a bmate/b?” the matriarch asked slyly. She opened her phone and showed Mrs. Beck a message bthread /bwith Lucien’s assistant. Duke.

A photo filled the screen.

Riley, pinned against the hood of Lucien’s bck /bRolls–Royce. The streemps cast golden halos around their bodies. Her hands fisted in his cor. The pose… was intimate. Telling.

The matriarch: practically squealed with joy. “That’s our future granddaughter–inw!”

Mrs. Beck leaned in. “She’s very pretty. A bit thin, thoughb./b”

“Yes,” bthe /bmatriarch nodded. “We’ll fix that Start packing. I want to go to the coast bthe /bmoment the rain stops.”

“It’s not safe to travel today,” Mrs. Beck warned gently. “The forecast says heavy storms all week in Mooncrest. It wouldn’t be proper to meet your future granddaughter–inw soaked to the bone.”

The matriarch relented, sighing. “Alright. But we’ll leave the moment the skies clear. This girl is too precious to let slip away.” “bAnd /bbring all the tonic herbs–ginseng, deer antler, spiritroot. We’ll rebuild her strength before winter. This year, we nourish her. Next year, she gives us pups!”

Her joy was boundless

bMrs. /bBeck smiled indulgently. “It’s been a long time since you were this happy.”

“Of course I’m happy” the old woman beamed. “That boy of mine was about to be a monk. Now, maybe I’ll get great- grandchildren before I die.”

She sped her hands together,ughing like a young girl in spring.

Mooncrest – Ebonw Estate

bHack /bat the Pack mansion, Luna Zara bhad /bfinally remembered her eldest bdaughter/b.

After a night of calm, guilt gnawed at her.

She recalled Riley copsing, blood gushing from the back of her head, and her heart twisted,

“Why is that girl so stubborn?” she sighed. “Scarlett’s so gentle band /bsweet. Why can’t Riley just ept her?”

She wandered downstairsb. /b

THE DIVOUSTama bcarps /bHaumany were party siti yumu? IuMy spout33, HSIE DAS nuguis LiIOS TAM TIUVET

bZara /bhesitated, then walked to the old storage

room.

Riley was thrown outst night–by now, she should be back..

Zara knocked lightly.

No answer.

“Riley?” she called. “Are you awake?”

Still nothing.

She opened the door. It creaked open–unlocked.

The room was empty.

Her stomach dropped.

Heart racing. Zara lifted her skirts and ran upstairs. She shoved bopen /bthe door of the room they’d redecorated for Riley. The bed was untouched.

Perfectly made.

No scent of her daughter. No warmth. No sign she’d ever returned.

Zara stood frozen in the doorway, the silence louder than thunder..

Her mind shed back bto /bRiley’s pale face, soaked in blood, eyes fluttering shut as she copsed.

A cold dread began to bloom in her chest.

And for the first time in years, Luna Zara felt fear.