The castle gardens are eerily silent in the pre-dawn light. Three days have passed since the marking ritual, and I still am not used to the constant awareness of my mates through our bonds. Even now, I can sense them—Alaric in his study reviewing reports, Kian training with his warriors, Lucas charming visiting pack delegates over breakfast.

I press my hand against a nearby tree, relishing the rough bark against my palm. Everything feels different with my wolf restored. Colors are sharper, scents richer, sensations more intense. But she isn’t the same wolf I’d lost. Silver power thrums beneath my skin where once there had been gold, forever changed by the Kings’ marking. They are my mates, the other halves of my heart. Even as I recoil from the realization, my wolf pushes against me, anxious to bond to them completely.

There is freedom in knowing that, somewhere inside, the real Lara is untouchable.

A flower petal drifts past my face, and I catch it instinctively. The delicate purple blossom crushes between my fingers, its sweet scent mixing with my own. I freeze, suddenly alert. My scent has changed again—or rather, disappeared entirely.

I focus on the sensation, trying to understand what I’ve done. The silver power responds eagerly, wrapping around me like a cloak. When I lift my wrist to my nose, I can detect nothing. No trace of wolf, no hint of emotion, not even the lingering marks of my mates.

Nothing.

It’s rare gift. I smile grimly. More like a weapon, if I can learn to control it. It’s not invisibility—I’m certain my mates could find me if they concentrated—but maybe with time, I can mask my emotions from them.

“Beautiful morning, isn’t it?”

I barely manage not to jump at Lucas’s voice. He approaches casually, hands in his pockets, looking unfairly handsome in the early light. I quickly release my hold on the power, letting my scent return to normal before he can notice anything amiss.

“What do you want, Lucas?”

He tilts his head. “Always so brusque. That will change once you get used to us.”

“I didn’t expect to find anyone else up this early,” I say carefully. Through our bond, I can feel his curiosity mixed with something warmer, more dangerous. Anticipation. Desire. Hunger.

Hunger. Never a good word to use in the same sentence as the three Alpha Kings. Especially when one of them is hunting.

“Liar.” His smile is knowing. “You’ve memorized all our schedules already. Just like you’ve mapped every exit, every guard rotation, every potential weakness in our defenses.”

I keep my expression neutral. “Is that an accusation?”

“More of an observation.” He shrugs and plucks another purple flower, twirling it between his fingers. “You’re not as subtle as you think you are, little Alpha. At least, not to someone who knows what to look for.”

“And what exactly are you looking for?” I ask softly, recognizing a challenge when I hear one.

His sapphire eyes meet mine, all traces of playfulness gone. “Signs that our Luna is plotting something unfortunate.”

I don’t move, carefully examining the power eddying through the bond. Anxiety, desire, defiance... No mention of my scent. Not a trap then. Just his need to know his plans haven’t just fallen apart. For the moment.

“Would I do that?” I widen my eyes innocently. “On such a beautiful morning, anyway?”

“All evidence points to yes.” A low growl rumbles through the words, reminding me his easygoing demeanor hides a warrior as cunning as Alaric and deadly as Kian. “Your wolf is bonded to ours. Our pack is now yours as much as ours. Your ties to your old pack are severed. And yet, you continue to resist us. The real question is whether you’ll be smart about it or force us to take... preventative measures.”

The threat is clear beneath his light tone. I fight down a surge of anger, letting only calm acceptance flow through our bond. “I’m adapting to my new role. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“What we want,” he says softly, “is a true mate. Someone who sees the potential in this union instead of treating it like a prison sentence.”

“Hard to see potential when you’re wearing chains, no matter how pretty they are.”

His hand catches my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “The bonds go both ways, Lara. We feel everything you feel. Every moment of rage, every flash of hatred, every bit of resignation when you look at us. Do you think that’s easy for us? Do you think our wolves don’t howl for their mate’s acceptance?”

Guilt twinges through me before I can suppress it. His eyes narrow—he’s felt it. Cursing, I concentrate on my scent, desperate to mask the emotion. This close to him, I’m not sure I can summon enough power to fool his senses. My heart is racing, adrenaline speeding through my veins as I struggle to breathe.

He feels it too—everything I’m feeling. Even more concerning is his own reaction. The awareness of my desire sharpens his own, awakening a low rumble in his throat.

“You hate me now,” he murmurs, watching me carefully, “but you won’t always.”

“I never asked for this,” I whisper. The silver power flares through me, offering protection against the storm brewing in his eyes.

“None of us did. But here we are.” His thumb brushes my lower lip, sending shivers down my spine. “The question is: what are you going to do about it?”

The old saying suddenly springs to mind—a strong wolf wears two skins, one soft for the inner circle, another thick and tawny to fool the enemy. This is my soft skin. My second chance. My fresh start. My body responds automatically, leaning toward his warmth, remembering how easily his touch can turn pain to pleasure.

Abruptly, I jerk away from his touch. “What can I do? You own me now. Body, wolf, and soul, isn’t that how the ritual went?”

“Own you?” He laughs, but there is an edge to it. “Sweetheart, if we truly owned you, you wouldn’t be out here testing your new powers. Yes,” he adds when I stiffen, “I noticed. Hard to miss when your mate’s presence suddenly vanishes from the bonds.”

Fear curls through my stomach. “Are you going to tell your brothers?”

He lifts my wrist to his lips, kissing it gently. Too gently. Something flashes across his face before he regains his casual smile. “That depends.” He studies me thoughtfully. “Are you planning to use this gift against us?”

I meet his gaze steadily. “Would you believe me if I said no?”

“Probably not.” His smile returns, sharp as a blade. “But I’m willing to keep your secret. For now. Consider it a gesture of good faith.”

My throat goes dry. This isn’t a game anymore. “Why?”

“Because unlike my brothers, I understand the need to have something that’s yours alone. A piece of power that belongs to no one else.” He tucks the flower behind my ear, his fingers lingering against my skin. “Just remember—if you ever use it to hurt what’s mine, there won’t be anywhere you can hide that we won’t find you.”

The words send a shiver down my spine that isn’t entirely fear. Anticipation flickers in his gaze, and I realize he can feel my response through the bond. I force it back, using the power to mask any trace of desire. That’s a complication I can’t afford. Especially when his hunger licks through me, making my breath catch.

“Is that a threat?”

“A promise.” He steps back, his usual playful mask sliding back into place. “Enjoy your morning, Luna. Try not to plot too much treason before breakfast.”

I watch him walk away, my mind racing. He’s given me a weapon—knowledge of my new power and the freedom to explore it. But he’s also given me a warning. The bonds aren’t just chains to bind me; they are tethers that will always lead them back to me. They are the connections to my mates, the cords that stitch us all together.

My wolf presses against my consciousness, unhappy with my plotting. She recognizes our mates, wants to submit to their claim. But she’s mine first, no matter what color her power now runs. In the end, she’ll do as I ask.

I reach for the silver energy again, letting it mask my presence. The garden seems to shift around me, shadows deepening where I stand. With practice, I can learn to move unseen, unscented, maybe even unfelt through the bonds. An asset that might become a weapon, when needed.

A strong sensation flickers through my heart, cutting through me like a stabbing pain—Chloe’s face, twisted in fear. The feeling is gone before I can grasp more details, but the message is clear. Time is running out.

I have to master this power quickly. Have to find a way to escape that won’t bring the full wrath of three Alpha Kings down on me. Have to figure out how to use these bonds to my advantage instead of letting them use me.

Lucas is right about one thing—I’m not as subtle as I think. Time to change that. These Kings want a mate who embraces her power? So be it.

It’s time the whole world learned what Lara Black has become.

Everything she was before is dead and gone.

Silver will rise, come what may.

But to get her, I must first become the monster they already think me to be.

So be it. Let the masks fall.

After all, the best prison breaks are the ones the jailers never see coming.

Even if they think they’re my mates.