VIKTOR.I know the exact moment he sees Rowan because of the way his whole body freezes up and his eyes go wide like he has just seen a ghost.Fear.That is what I see in his face.I wonder what is going on in his head right now.The woman he was supposed to love and cherish, the one he betrayed in the worst way possible is right here, in his enemy's house, surrounded by the alphas he is trying to convince to join his cause.Just how terrified is he?I really want to know.“Lo… Louisa?”Huh?Who is-I see the way Rowan instinctively flinches, just a tiny start that no one would notice even if they were looking at her.But I am looking at her and I know her well enough to read even the tiniest twitch.Louisa.That must have been her name before… well, before everything that happened.“It is nice of you to join us,” I call out to him, effectively getting his attention on me as I move through the crowd. “We had almost written you off and started the meeting without you.”A sneer breaks o
ROWAN.“What?!” He exclaims. “Her?!”“What is wrong? Have you met her before?” Viktor asks with a dangerous smirk.He really has been spoiling for a fight with him and I wonder if this meeting can go on without a hitch or without a little blood being spilled.In the meantime, I stare right at Dominic as he too stares at me, daring him to answer.Oh, he must be so confused.I am pretty certain he was convinced I was dead and he had gotten away with what he had done.It will be lovely, destroying everything that he holds dear.“Alpha Dominic? Are you okay?” One of the men asks.“What? I mean … Yes, I am fine. I am okay.”“So, have you met her before?” Viktor repeats “No. No, I have not.”“Ah, I see. Have you met any of the members of her coalition?”“No.”“Have any of your people come in contact with them?”“I… I can't say.”“Hmm, I see.”“If there is no other issue,” Maxwell says. “Shall we begin this meeting? Alpha Dominic, please have your seat.”It was an order and I know for a fac
ROWAN“...Rowan, the floor is yours.”At Maxwell's words, I finally break my gaze off Dominic.“I really don't know what more to say,” I begin. “Alpha Viktor here has spoken well on our behalf. There is just one thing I would like to add. You said it was a mercy that you have allowed us to live this long, frankly, that is a disturbing thought. It has been a while since I have been in a pack, so please enlighten me, is this the mentality of all alphas? That those they consider less or weaker than them should be killed off?”“Of course, not!” Sven remarks. “It is our duty to ensure that we teach and protect those too weak to protect themselves.”“They are rogues!” Dominic snaps. “They are dangerous creatures who have banded together to-”“The only reason we have banded together is to protect ourselves from packs who will seek to take advantage of us or kill us. Packs like yours!” I snarl at him. “Tell me, these past years that we have been in existence, have we contacted any of you, att
DOMINIC. With bated breath, I watch as Maxwell walks towards the box, picks it up, and begins it to the table. “I am going to be pulling out the marbles one by one, to avoid any… allegations of cheating,” he says and another smattering of chuckles is heard around the room. Are they mocking me?! “But before I do that, I would like to ask. Is there anyone who withheld their right to vote? If so, please raise a hand.” I look around and note that no single person raises their hand. Which is good, right? At least, if I can get a considerable amount of red marbles, it means I still have a chance to get rid of them. Of her. But… How? How is she still alive? I had the whole surroundings checked, how… is she- “Very well, then,” Maxwell says with a nod. “I shall begin the count. There are thirty six alphas present here, so there should be thirty six marbles counted. I will begin.” One by one, he begins pulling out the marbles, some of us counting under our breaths ho
VIKTOR“On a scale of one to ten, how mad do you think he is?” I whisper into Rowan's ear as we both watch Dominic from across the room.He is right now talking with a couple of alphas, trying to integrate himself with them or something, with a fake smile and even faker laugh. I am surprised no one has actually walked away from him.“Oh, he is simmering all right,” she answers with a chuckle. “And he can't be having it easy since he can't explode out here in front of witnesses. It makes me wonder, really.”“Hmm, about what?”“Well, from what I remember of him, he always believed he was right. That his actions and words were justified. So, seeing him here, trying to behave himself, trying to appear… normal and sane- and doing a very poor job of it, I might I add - it makes me wonder. Deep down, in that place where he has buried his conscience and all sense of morality, does he know he is wrong? I mean, he has to, right? If he didn't, he wouldn't be pretending now, right?”“Don't think
CHAPTER 85: REVENGE.VIKTOR“You are unbelievable!” Sven snaps as he paces in front of me.“What did you expect him to do?” Fin asks him as he chuckles his annoyance.“Thank you,” I say to Rowan as she hands me a bag of frozen peas to place in my hand.After the lunatic had cursed at me and launched his attack, almost catching me by surprise, we had a small tussle. And by tussle, I mean I rammed my fist repeatedly into his face until it was barely recognizable and then tossed him out the window.It was funThough, I am pretty sure that my hand would disagree if it could speak.Unfortunately, Sven is loud enough to get the point across.Loud and clear.“It was bad enough that you practically demolished his face, did you have to throw him out the window?” he demanded “He came at me!” I exclaim. “Was I supposed to.just stand there and let him hit me?”“One punch would have been enough. You just had to hit him several times.”“I don't think he did much damage,” Maxwell retorts as he walk
( Warning: Erotic chapter)ROWAN I knew the moment he was going to kiss me and this time I am determined to not shy away from him.Hey easy man, let's get a room outside your park. We got a whole lot of company here with us. True To, quickly he ordered a ride that picked us up from the his mansion, down to an already booked hotel reservation, a penthouse. The whole atmosphere was tensed and we were heated up. Trauma be damned.I wanted him and by the goddess I was going to have him. I made the move and he complied. The kiss is slow and careful, like he is testing the waters and trying not to rush me.Gentle.Sweet.I savor it, leaning back into the chair as he leans into me.“Why didn't you? I wouldn't have minded," I whisper back."Good to know. Allow me to rectify that," he says and kisses me again.We go at it for a long time, totally forgetting the driver at the front.I feel his hands crawl up my tights and go under my gown, which has gone all the way to my upper thighs. He
ROWANI wake up to the gentle stroking of his fingers on my face.Almost like soft feather touches, careful not to disturb me.“Why aren't you sleeping?” I murmur as I turn into his chest, hiding my face into it.“It is morning,” he whispers into my hair.“So? After the hectic days we have had, I don't think a sleep in would be out of order.”“True. You know, normally I would have been out of bed by now. Earlier than this. You make me lazy.”“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”“Hmm, ask me that question with your eyes open.”I lean back before opening my eyes to look up at him.“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” I repeat.“Hmm, definitely a good thing. How can it be anything but, with those beautiful eyes of yours looking at me. I honestly wouldn't mind waking up like this.”“You are cheesy,” I say with a giggle.“That is your fault too,” he replies before leaning down to kiss me. “Good morning,” he whispers after he pulls away “Good morning.”“How do you feel? Did I… are you
ROWAN“Mummy looks like a princess!”I laugh at the remark as I stand in front of the full-length mirror, fingers trailing over the delicate fabric of my mating dress. The soft white folds cling to my body like a second skin, flowing down in elegant waves to pool around my feet. The intricate gold embroidery along the bodice and hem catches the soft light, making it glimmer like stars across a night sky. The dress is modeled after ancient Greek designs, and yet it feels uniquely mine, as if it were made for this exact moment. Which it was.“You are right,” Lisa tells Jhenells as she adjusts the waist, while Rina’s fussing over my hair, placing small white flowers into the delicate braids. “But a queen instead. You are the princess.”Kaylee stands off to the side, smiling at me like she already knows what I am thinking.“You look... perfect, Rowan,” she says softly, her eyes filled with warmth. “Viktor won’t know what hit him.”I let out a small laugh, a nervous tremble in my chest
DOMINIC The world narrows down to just Viktor and me, as it was always going to be. This fight has been a long time comingHis eyes burn into mine from below, and I snarl down at him from the balcony. All the noise, all the chaos around us fades into nothing. Just him. Just me. My pulse thunders in my ears as I leap from the ledge, muscles coiling, ready to tear him apart.In mid-air, the change rips through me. Bones snap, skin stretches, and fur bursts from my skin. The transformation into my wolf form is savage, overwhelming. And in the space of a heartbeat, I am no longer a man but a beast. I barely register Viktor doing the same, his massive body surging upward to meet mine.We collide like thunder.Teeth flash, claws slash, fur and flesh tear. I drive him to the ground, snarling, biting, desperate to tear out his throat. But he fights back just as viciously, his teeth sinking into my shoulder with a brutal snap. The pain is white-hot, but I don’t feel it. Not really.
DOMINICThe fight surrounds me the moment I step into the clearing, chaos, mouse, bloodshed, everything swallowing up the night. Wolves… mone and outsiders…they are everywhere. It is impossible to tell who is who at first, just teeth, fur, and blood under the slivers of moonlight. They… Viktor and Rowan, they were ready for us. That much I expected, but what I didn’t count on was the sheer number of them.I should have been warned. I should have seen this coming. But no one told me. Not even Calvin.I can see Viktor and Rowan through the mayhem, cutting through my wolves like they knew every move we would make. Like someone had informed them of my protocols When I find who that fucking traitor is, he or she would wish their parents had never met.How the hell did they get so close? I wonder as my pulse quickens with anger, as I push through the bloodied mess to get to them.But then I see the others- Maxwell, Fin, Sven, Kaylee and her weakling husband, Donald. Traitors.Wha
DOMINIC“Let me out! I hate you!”Jhenelle’s voice rings out again, shrill and desperate, making the fragile peace I had hoped for, to be nothing more than a dream Her words slam into me, causing a visceral reaction that surprises even meHer small fists bang against the door, over and over, relentless. Each hit feels like a direct assault on my patience. She doesn’t understand. No.She refuses to understand. I stand just outside the door, my hands pressed against my temples, trying to drown out her cries. But no matter how hard I press, her voice breaks through, each shout like a blade carving away at my restraint. I have given her everything, more than Rowan ever could, more than anyone could. A life free from struggle, safety, power, a future in her rightful place by my side.As the future Alpha of the obsidian pack.What more could she possibly want?Why does she keep rejecting me? Why does she keep fighting me like this?“Jhenelle, stop!” I snap, but my voice is lost bene
ROWAN They say the truth always finds a way to come out.And that is better you let it come from your own mouth than anotherI just hope that is true.Especially now.The tension in the air is so thick, I can almost taste it. This the first time the settlement has been this packed, with wolves from all over have gathered, and it is like the entire place is holding its breath, waiting for an explosion. Their eyes are on me, waiting for answers. You can differentiate my wolves from the others.They are angry, confused, a little scared because of the foreign pack wolves but more than anything, they are restless. Dominic has crossed a line, touched their little wolf and they want blood.The other wolves are just curious about why they have been summoned and are waiting for an explanationIt is Kaylee that first steps forward first, her mate, Donald, right behind her.“What are we doing here, Rowan?” She asks, her voice cutting through the low murmurs of the other wolves. “You have e
ROWAN SLAM!The door to my study bursts open, crashing against the wall with a force that sends a shudder through the room, making me whirl around, heart racing only to see Alden dragging a trembling wolf behind him. A familiar wolf.Martin.One of the deserters.Oh, I knew it!I knew I shouldn't have accepted these scums into the Coalition Martin's face is ashen, his eyes wide with panic, darting around the room like a trapped animal. I stand abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. "Alden, what is this?" My voice is steady, but there is a hint of rage that I can't hide.Alden says nothing at first, simply steps aside to let two others enter. A young woman and a young man, both wolves from the obsidian pack, step forward. Their faces are tense, their eyes locked on me.Lisa, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, rises to her feet, her eyes narrowing as she takes in the scene. Viktor, standing by the window, moves closer, his presence commanding the room while Rina
ROWANEverything is moving too fast, yet not fast enough. Wolves are running, voices are shouting, and I feel trapped in a slow-motion nightmare, each second dragging on while the urgency inside me screams for action. My heart is racing in my chest, fear gripping every part of me, and I know -I just know- that Jhenelle is no longer here. Dominic… he was here.He must have taken her out of the park.The bastard. "She is not here," I whisper, more to myself than to anyone else. But Viktor, standing close, hears me."Rowan, we are doing everything we can," he says firmly. His voice is calm, but I can see the tension in his eyes. He is scared too. But that fear, it is not enough. It will not bring her back. We have to do something. I have to do something. Sitting here, waiting for others to find her, is not an option. It just will not work."No," I say louder now, my throat tight as I turn to face him. "No, Viktor. You do not understand. She is not in the settlement. He would
DOMINICThe audacity!That fucking bitch!I can't help but seeth as I stand at the edge of the clearing, just beyond the flickering light of the bonfire, cloaked in shadow. The night air is heavy with the scent of pine and smoke, mingled with the sharp tang of burning wood. Wolves are scattered around the fire, their faces lit with joy and warmth. The air hums with celebration, laughter ringing out into the night as if they have nothing to fear.But they should fear me.I watch them, my eyes narrowing on the center of the celebration. There, in the glow of the fire, are Rowan and Victor, laughing together as if they have won. My chest tightens, a bitter taste rising in the back of my throat as I watch how her hair catches the light, gleaming like embers in the dark, her smile that should have been mine is now directed at that bastard, ViktorI clench my fists, nails digging into my palms. Louisa. How dare she get another mate after being rejected by me?How can the fucking goddess
DOMINICA DAY AGOThe crackling of the fireplace is the only sound in my study as I sit behind my desk, fingers drumming against the polished wood. The flickering flames cast long shadows across the room, but they do little to dispel the cold that has settled into my bones. It is taking too fucking long.How hard is it to get such simple Intel.This is what I get when I work with incompetents.My phone buzzes against the desk, bringing me out from my thoughts and I glance at the screen. It is Martin. It is about time.I bring the phone to my ear, answering in a curt manner “Speak,” I say, my voice calm but laced with the authority that makes sure nobody disobeys me.“Alpha,” Martin’s voice is quiet, like he is whispering, and there is an urgency behind it. “There has been a development.”“What is it?”“Alpha- Viktor Thorn is here. He arrived today. And then Ro- Louisa annoyed that there will be a bonfire party. They are holding it tomorrow night. Everyone’s going to be there.”I