"Julian," Eleanor breathed. "I know what you're doing," he whispered against her, inching further until his breath tickled her lips. Her heart slammed into her chest hard enough to hurt, and her head spun. The proximity was messing with her, and his scent. It was strangely intoxicating. "And what do you think I'm doing?" Eleanor whispered, unable to draw her eyes away from his moving mouth. "You plan to use me to escape your sure death." He knew, and Eleanor could tell it didn't particularly matter, because he was not pushing her away or telling her off. She detached her fingers from his grasp slowly, and trailed a soft line along his jaw, letting it trail down his neck. He didn't move out of her reach. He merely watched her lazily, as if trying to read her thoughts. "Would that be so bad then?" she asked. "What?" Her fingers drifted further down his chest. She stopped moving when her thumb touched his hard nipple, never taking her eyes off him, a
Eleanor rolled over Julian's sleeping form. He was naked and his clothes were lying about in shreds. Somehow, she had lost control and shredded them in the course of their joining. She refused to think of how it had felt. How intense it had been. How her toes still curled from thinking about the sensation of his within her folds. And how he had roared as he spilled in her. Tit for Tat, she had called it. There had been no emotions attached to it. Just pure primal lust. An exchange. She wasn't ever going to think of it as anything other than that. A soft snore escaped the hybrid's nose and he rolled over slightly, causing Eleanor to freeze in her steps. She could not afford for him to wake up just yet. Luckily, he fell back asleep, and another snore escaped him. Eleanor let out a shuddering breath before pulling the last of her clothes on. And as she left the hybrid behind, she only looked back once, committing the lines of his stunning face to memory. He ha
Just then, the door burst open and Lino stormed in, head snapping left and right and his nostrils flaring. "Cass? Cass where are--" "Where have you been?" Cassy said, running for him and throwing her arms around his neck. He nuzzled her neck and his fingers gripped her side hard. "What happened?" Lino asked, drawing back to inspect her face. "You're bleeding. Where--"He sniffed her hair and her neck. "Eleanor?" he asked, surprise widening his eyes. Cassy covered the injury on her neck with her palm and pointed across the room to the ajar window. "She went through there. I think she got in through there as well--though I have absolutely no idea how--where are you going now?" She stared wide-eyed as Lino leapt out the window, no doubt in search of Eleanor. Cassy throat stung and she massaged the sore flesh with her thumb. How exactly did the sentries miss Eleanor? And she couldn't believe she'd attacked her in her sleep. Rather than be mad, Cassy was
Cassy’s cheeks suddenly flamed and she raised the book higher, covering both her face and her chest as she muttered, “Eyes off as well. Might as well mate with your duties and your pride since you seem to be in love them.” Lino’s lips twitched and he stifled the oncoming smile. She would throw a feat if she caught him smiling. Instead, he walked around the bed, stopping beside her. “Cassy,” he said, reaching for her hand. “You misunderstand me every time. I didn’t mean any if it that way, I promise.” She merely swatted him away like he was an insect. “Move.” Lino pursed his lips and took the book from her hands faster than she could detect it. Cassy straightened, stretching her hand to get the book from him. “Give that back.” Lino leaned far from her reach, raising the hand that held the book higher in the air. “Why? You prefer looking at a boring book than talking to your mate? Why does it always have to be difficult with you? I wish to explain things, but you
"You have too many clothes on," Cassy murmured, tongue trailing a line of the curve of his lips. He jutted forward, baring himself into her and she gasped, nails digging into his arms. He pulled back slowly, and her eyes fluttered open, glazed with desire. "What is it?" She asked and he did not miss the impatience in her voice. "You'll come with me then?" Her lips pursed and her eyes darted about the room as she seemed to think about something. Lino grew impatient by the second. What did she need to think about that was more important than him? All she had to do was say yes, and he had been told that women loved being asked out to rides and dates. He felt nervous. "I will think about it," she quipped cheerfully. Lino frowned. "Why? Do you not want to go out with me?" Cassy rolled her eyes. "You named me Luna, and as that, I do have duties to carry out. I'll see if I can make free time for you tomorrow." She sighed and looked away from him, th
Lino held his head in his hands and sighed. Cassy's parents had sent numerous requests to see him, and Cassy as well, but he knew that though Cassy was concerned and loved her parents, she hadn't been comfortable with them seeing her the way she looked. Their meeting had said as much and he was not going to put her in that situation ever again. Seeing her could wait. He had given them an entirely separate wing in the castle. There were newer reports of the plight with the lands and the people were getting agitated again. It grew, and there was not much he could do to curb it. It was why he called the hybrid to his study. It was about time they put his skills to use. His thoughts drifted to Cassy and he scowled, squeezing his eyes shut as he suddenly felt embarrassed about what had transpired earlier. He felt all shades of strange. He still could not believe that she had rolled over to the other side of the bed and fallen asleep. He had spent the entire night in pain
"What? No," Lino said, staring at her like she was spewing absolute nonsense. This only served to infuriate Cassy even more and she growled. What did he think? That she could not take care of herself or walk to the infirmary with her legs? She would prove him wrong. "Put me down. Now. I do not wish to go there with you. I don't want to speak to you and neither do I want you to touch me. If you cannot listen to me when I say I'm fine then let me down." The people who walked past them stared at the couple with amused expressions, wondering what was happening. It was not her fault that she had been gifted with the most infuriating man that ever lived. She understood that he was worried about her and that he wanted her arms fixed as soon as possible, but she really was fine. The pain was a lot to bear but she knew that as soon the physician got it set, the healing process would begin. She was fine. "You are not. You should have listened when I requested for the
Gerald nodded, hurrying over to the other side to get his tools. "It will take only a few minutes. Shall I give her an anaesthetic..for the pain?" Cassy sighed. "I am right here. You may ask me. I do not need to be knocked out before getting treated," she said dryly, earning a frown from Lino. She glared right back. Now the physician was treated her like a child too. Just great. "Pain killers should be fine," Lino said on her behalf and the physician hurried over to where Cassy lay on the oddly comfortable bed, though the place reeked of herbs and brewed plants. "Do open your mouth, Luna," he said, holding a spoon of something that smelled acrid. She gagged, covering her nose. "By the Goddess, what is that?" "Let me have it," Lino sighed, taking the spoon from the physician. His voice dropped low as he leaned closer. "Had I know you would be this annoying on a normal day, I would have mated you sooner." Cassy blinked. "What?" She had not expecte
Eleanor dashed through the woods, panting and cursing under her breath. It wasn't supposed to go this way, she thought. She was sure she had not been followed. But now, the guards were after her, hot on her tail and she could not seem to outrun them. Her parents would be disgust if they saw her now. What had become of her. Cassy and Lino would probably laugh their heads off if they saw her. She was a thief. She had been living from and to mouth for years, taking shelter in empty barns or cottages, stealing food from moving carriages or from travellers. She had walked and moved and tried to make something of herself for the past few years, but all anyone wanted from her was to bed her or turn her into a whore, and while she knew she was a despicable person, there were things she could not allow. From the ears of one of the travellers, she had heard of a castle in the North, with plenty or riches that were untouched by the Alpha who seemed to have no intere
Two years later... "No. Not that one. Do not put that in your mouth, Fenris," Cassy said, lifting her son off the ground and throwing the sand stained pebble he had been about to put in his mouth. "Where is your brother?" She questioned, and he smiled at her, pulling her hair instead and giggling. "Asher?" She called out, looking around the playground Lino had built just for his twin sons. She heard Asher's answering giggle emerge from the other end, and a smile graced her lips when she saw Lino holding him and tickling him. He loved them. There was no surprise there. Over the last two years, she had gotten to see sides to Lino that she had never thought she would again, after she'd lost their first child. He was kind, loving and stern when he needed to be. Maybe scratch the last part out. When it came to the boys, there was not a single stern bone in Lino's body. All they had to do was smile at him and he would lift them up and tickle them. Cassy
Cassy and Lino sat on the edge of the bed, hands clasped tightly together, awaiting Gerald as he gathered he shrugged out of his gloves. She began to fidget and Lino rubbed her knee to soothe her, even if he was also fidgeting. Cassy felt her stomach twist and tighten with nerves as she thought about it. She pressed her free hand against her stomach, trying to feel for something, anything at all that said that it was there. She hadn't felt funny in the past few days. Other than the need to sleep. Her last pregnancy had been somewhat hectic and she had been a horrible mess before she even found out she was pregnant. She supposed it should be the same. The nausea. The morning sickness. The cranky mood. The obtuse emotions. It was the only reason why she didn't think she was. That too and the fact that she looked absolutely normal. She hadn't gained extra weight or anything. She'd lost some. She stole a glance at Lino. His expression was calm but she could tell from
Cassy peered around, in the familiar darkness and she immediately knew where she was. It had been a while since she had been summoned by Selene and she had quite a lot of words to say to the wolf when she graced her with her presence. "Selene?" Cassy called out, turning in a spin, searching for the familiar figure, but she couldn't find the wolf. "I see all is finally in order," a voice that sounded both ancient and young said, and Cassy turned to find the big wolf approaching her. "Yes. No thanks to you. You left me with nothing but scattered clues here and there. I didn't understand a single thing." "But you have come out victorious," the wolf said drily. Cassy scowled. "Again, with no thanks to you. Julian's the only reason why we won. You picked me up and then abandoned me--" "And who do you think sent the sorcerer your way?" Cassy's lips pursed and she kept quiet, listening to Selene and her 'explanation'. "The Goddess's interfere
Lino sat in his throne, head leaning against his fist. The day had only just begun and he was already exhausted. He always hated the aftermaths of squabbles and war. Deaths and meetings and hard decisions had to be taken. It didn't make it any better that Cassy was not with him today. His mate had slept the entire day away yesterday and she was today as well. He understood that she needed the rest, especially after the ordeals they had gone through. It was absolutely normal for females to fall into deep sleep after a weight like war had been lifted off their shoulders. He had been telling himself that the entire day, just so he could get his mind off the possibility of Cassy being pregnant. He was excited and extremely anxious as well. He had known the joy of expecting a child once before, but this was different. Perhaps, it was because she was his mate and he was in love now. He couldn't stop fidgeting and thinking about it. Truth be told, he wanted nothing m
Julian strode over to where Sasha laid on the ground, head severed from her body. He had not thought it would be so easy to end her life. He had not wanted it to be easy. He had wanted her to suffer for it. Every day. For everything she had done to him. For every atrocity she had committed. For all the wrong she had caused him. He had wanted her to suffer. But he had killed her too quickly. And...saved the day. His unusual eyes overlooked the battle field and what little of the sorcerers that were left and we're still being killed. His eyes wandered over to the Luna and Alpha seated off to the side, holding each other and crying. His eyes then wandered back to Sasha's unseeing eyes. He let it truly sink in that she was dead and gone. Slowly, it sank in, like a stone would in the middle of an ocean. It settled within him. Standing in the middle of a battle field with his armour coated in blood and his fingers wrapped around the sheath of his sword, J
Cassy panted, peering down at the blade and the minute distance it was away from her heart. No no. The woman was not bluffing. The back of her head hurt terribly, no thanks to Sasha's blow, and the tiniest movement had her wincing in pain. It was nothing though, compared to the obvious panic in Lino's eyes. A burden in her chest lightened a little. He was fine. He was covered in blood and gore, but he was fine. Taller, hairier and scary. He was in between this wolf form and the other. His red hair made him look all the more stunning. She gave him a sharp look that all but said, "You should not have left me inside." Lino ignored her, baring his teeth instead at Sasha. "Touch her, I'll end you." The woman had the audacity to chuckle and Cassy marvelled at her boldness and lack of fear. "Before you move, she'd already be dead. You're at my mercy, Alpha," Sasha said, piercing Cassy's skin with the dagger for effect. Not the other way around. I suggest you w
"Think we might make it back?" Lino asked asked Kayden as he jammed the rock into the sharp edge of the sword. Kayden shrugged, staring up at the sky. "I have no choice. Ayla will throttle me out of the afterlife if I do not." Lino smiled. He could think of a couple of things Cassy would also do to him for leaving without her. He had better make it back home. He had no other option. Night had fallen and they had chosen to make camp. It was more like...laying in wait and resting while the enemies rode toward them. Lino wasn't the type of Alpha to move things in a rush. He would wait for her. Sasha. And by the spies he had dispatched a few moments back, he knew that they weren't far off any more. And leading them his way was the hybrid, Julian. Whether or not he would fight on their side when it mattered, Lino couldn't tell, but he had seen the hybrid and looked in his eye. He had seen the hatred for Sasha and even if he trusted nothing else, he trusted in those
Cassy placed outside the yard, trailing the line of defense the guards had formed, laying in wait for their enemies. Just in case. She had no doubt that it was Lino's instruction too. The man always thought and prepared ahead for the worst case scenario. There were more than a hundred scattered about in various defense formations and Cassy marvelled on how they blocked every entrance into the castle. But... wasn't a hundred too many to guide the amount of women inside? Perhaps it was because of her or it could be the fact that they were the weaker and more vulnerable sex. A sudden shout came from the front, by the towering gates of the castle and Cassy believed it to be, "Close the gates!" The shouts increased and Cassy ran up to the gates where the guards were frantically trying to lock them. There were still people trying to get through. Late arrivals from the houses around the castle. If the gates were suddenly locked, they would have no where else to