Xerxes’s povWe go through the plan several times, then we go through the backups of backups. On my one phone call, Marcus was here early morning. His mate, Aurora was with Katraina for now. Me, Marcus and Damien were in my office. Unlike a mild fight, this was a war where the odds of winning were lower. This could be a trap for all I knew, take any form of that bastard’s heartless self. This was why, despite my extreme reluctance, we need to leave for the battle this evening. I couldn’t leave the pack unprotected so, I was going to leave Damien in charge for a while. I suggested he bring Daniella for a few days here to accompany Katraina, though Aurora would be here also, my moonlight enjoy Danielle’s company more. I couldn’t imagine how Katraina would react to this sudden influx, but there was no other choice. Marcus would assist me, to protect a sort not that I needed it. Just in case. We had to find that bastard to finish all this. There was no other choice. “Is everything rea
I followed Damien. He was standing near the porch with his back towards the door, his phone pressed against his ear as he talked to someone. I couldn’t hear him from the distance so I took a few steps forward till I was a few steps away from him. “Everything is fine here, Alpha. Yes…I will do so.” I heard him saying and he hung up. It must be Xerxes. So he’d call his Beta but not bother to talk to me? The hurt was too much yet I ignored it and waited as he turned around his eyes widened and he gasped. “L-Luna.” I narrowed my eyes before crossing my arms across my chest. “Was it Xerxes?” I asked with a stern tone. He seemed to be quite unfazed and immediately gathered his cool and nodded with stiff shoulders. “..yes…”“What are you hiding, Damien? Where is he?” My question took him by surprise, but he quickly shook it away. “Mee-“ I raised my hand stopping him and taking a step forward making him take one backward. “Don’t. Don’t dare to lie. I trust you, Damien. And I hope we cou
“Katarina…” his voice was as sharp as I last remembered, profound. I just couldn’t believe my eyes. Never before had I noticed how time was so much like water; that it could pass slowly, a drop at a time, even freeze, or rush by in a blink. The clock said it was measured and constant, tick tock, part of an orderly world; the clock lied. “What are you doing here?” My brain stuttered for a moment and my eyes took in more light than I expected, every part of me went on pause while my thoughts caught up. After a wash of reality, I stepped forward, feeling a new danger in my living room. “I need to talk to you, it’s urgent.” He stepped forward, his fists clenched on his sides and a frown resting between his brows. He looked tensed for some reason. I couldn’t believe a man as terrific as him would step foot in here only to talk to his enemy’s mate. I didn’t know much, but Xerxes had filled me with how much dangerous Andrei could be. The man seemed like he breathed in danger and lived on o
“A-Augustus…” I breathed out stumbling a step back. His blue eyes narrowed as he assessed me with his gaze. Concern was an act of deep and real caring and as such was a marker of our intertwined souls. I sighed in contempt. If he wasn’t here- I didn’t want to think what would have happened to us. “I don’t have time, Katraina. You have to come with me.” He quickly looked around and motioned me to follow him. I gazed at Aurora as she groaned in pain. Leon crying as Daniella looked terrifyingly between us. She was but a child, this must have shocked her to the core. My first reaction should be taking care of my females than fleeing. I shook my head. “I-I can not leave them behind.” Augustus narrowed his eyes. I could see the worry in his eyes, but they seemed somewhat strange. What Madrei told me earlier flooded through my head and I pondered over it once again. It must be Andrei. Did Augustus know? He probably did cause then he wouldn’t be here. But still, something didn’t feel right.
“I didn’t want to do this, cupcake. I was getting fond of you.” His hands held onto the thick strand of my story hair and he sniffed it making me cry h my nose in disgust. “But power is power. This is the moment I always dreamed of–to be in charge of power.” I swam for the light and he did everything he could to take me into the abyss. He betrayed me, not the other way around.“Why did you lied to me?” I seethed. His eyes looked mockingly at me. It was fear that brought rage, that hot burning anger that seeked to harm. It was a biological button better left alone. When we see something that frightened us, a primitive part of the brain was activated to produce aggression. So, I, when I see all the things around me that make me scared... I was being deliberately triggered... as were my emotions. That rage destroyed me from the inside.“I never did. I really loved you.” He whispered. “You fucking psycho!” Rage filled my voice and I thrashed. Betrayal was a conscious choice for cold indi
“Hold them down!” Marcus growled as he ducked through the hoard of rouges coming his way. He snarled with anger as several of them tried to hold him down. The battlegrounds were bloodied, but it didn’t stop him from shedding more as he tore them limb by limb. Some were in their wolf forms while others were inhuman, Marcus shifted into his wolf form and roared like a wild beast before running through the pile and making his way to the house where he last left Aurora. Aurora. Her name should bring him anger, malice and betrayal, but right now he couldn’t think that way. He should be angry at her that sleeping with another man before him, she gave birth to a pup who didn’t carry his blood, and she spiked their mate bond. But strangely, right now all he cared was about her. Nothing mattered. Nothing. He realised he had been hating her for nothing. He loved her, even knowing she had betrayed him. Their relationship was not that was built upon trust and love, but he could change that. He
Her life these past years or more had been akin to sprinting through fog. When she often feel to the core of her soul that life was sacred, when she conclude that the natural world was woven into her heart–illusions and diabolical, that their love was all part of this great tapestry of creation, then she would finally be home. Then her Mother Moon would feel that she had returned. Finally in her arms. She loves her children equally. “We haven’t seen Alpha, there’s no sign of either of them,” one of the wolves said through the door. “But wolves are searching for them, the borders are seized.” Marcus bobbed his head and then his eyes moved to the bed. Aurora had gained consciousness a few hours back and on James’s instructions, she had been resting since then. Daniella was traumatised and he suggested she go back, but the little girl was too stubborn, she insisted on being here with her injured brother and Katarina. Katraina. Marcus was worried for her. She had lost so much blood and
“Papa! Papa!” I peered through the kitchen door at my three-year-old running through the lobby and rushing to her father. An unpleased frown on her face as she immediately looked at her father with a pout on her lips. “Luca scolded me.”Faking a frown, my husband scooped the little bundle of joy in his arms and cradled her in his lap. “Why?” He asked wiping the remnants of chocolate on the corner of her lips. Xerina was fond of sweets and probably Luca found her chocolate hiding spot, that’s why he scolded her. Xerina’s eyes visibly narrowed while she glared at her father. “He stole my choci-chose.” She complained and I chuckled knowing I was right. Xerxes’s laugh filled the air and my chest squeezed–as it did every time I saw him with our family. Joy. Unrestrained joy and happiness. I would never tire of seeing him like this. “He did? Where did you get those from?” Xerxes asked shifting her and caressing her stuffed cheeks. She immediately looked away. “I-I…from mama.” My eyes wi
“Xerina! Stop right there! It’s dangerous!” Luca’s shouts filled the air as he chased after me. His voice was irritated and concerned as I laughed and ran through the forest. Jumping over the lodges of wood and hay, I was covered in mud and dirt. Everyone in the pack loved how energetic and relaxed I was even though I was going to get a better earful of scolds from my father later. But now he had gotten quite used to my tactics. “Hurry up, Luca!” I screeched dashing down the muddy road that led to the cave just between the forest. I stopped when my breathing become haggard and I could no longer hear Luca behind me. Where was he? Did I lose him? A grin managed to creep on my face at the thought. Now I would be able to enjoy myself-“Ah!” A scream left my mouth when Luca suddenly jumped in front of me. Faking a startled gasp I narrowed my eyes at him. “You scared me.”“It’s enough, let’s go back.” He panted as he grabbed my wrist and I jerked my hand back. Placing both of my hands on my
In that captivating moment, as he lifted one of his legs gracefully in the air, a surge of anticipation pulsed through me. It was as if time had momentarily stood still, allowing us to surrender to the intensity of our connection. His fervent kiss upon my ankle ignited a fiery passion that resonated with the same depth as his kisses upon my lips.With each deliberate movement, he embarked on a seductive journey along the contours of my leg, his tongue tracing a tantalizing path. A tender pause at my knee ensued, where his lips delicately danced, leaving an imprint of affection that sent shivers of pleasure cascading through my entire being. The sheer intimacy of his touch captured my senses, causing me to succumb to an all-encompassing desire that left me vulnerable and yearning.As he descended upon my thigh, his tongue became an instrument of pure ecstasy. Each stroke, each exploration, evoked a blissful surrender within. I, consumed by an indescribable hunger, felt my very essence m
There weren’t too many people, but I was so nervous all of sudden. I was mucous since morning, even Aurora had scolded me once in between that I was being paranoid for no reason. Well, damn her. It was not like I was getting married everyday. We had completed our rituals for the ceremony, and now I wa awaiting for my mate to come and take me to our shared chambers to consummate the marriage. I was fidgeting with my fingers when I looked myself in the mirror. Wearing a white wedding dress that reached my ankles and a deep cut over the neck that was decorated with lace. The door opened and I gasped as Xerxes stepped inside wearing his black tuxedo. I blushed. He looked so handsome and beautiful that it was almost unrealistic. I averted my gaze from his with embarrassment as he smirked and stepped forward. “You ready?” He asked in his masculine voice and I shyly nodded. Leaning down to my face, he brushed his lips against my cheek. “I can not wait anymore.” I could senses his arousal. P
“Papa! Papa!” I peered through the kitchen door at my three-year-old running through the lobby and rushing to her father. An unpleased frown on her face as she immediately looked at her father with a pout on her lips. “Luca scolded me.”Faking a frown, my husband scooped the little bundle of joy in his arms and cradled her in his lap. “Why?” He asked wiping the remnants of chocolate on the corner of her lips. Xerina was fond of sweets and probably Luca found her chocolate hiding spot, that’s why he scolded her. Xerina’s eyes visibly narrowed while she glared at her father. “He stole my choci-chose.” She complained and I chuckled knowing I was right. Xerxes’s laugh filled the air and my chest squeezed–as it did every time I saw him with our family. Joy. Unrestrained joy and happiness. I would never tire of seeing him like this. “He did? Where did you get those from?” Xerxes asked shifting her and caressing her stuffed cheeks. She immediately looked away. “I-I…from mama.” My eyes wi
Her life these past years or more had been akin to sprinting through fog. When she often feel to the core of her soul that life was sacred, when she conclude that the natural world was woven into her heart–illusions and diabolical, that their love was all part of this great tapestry of creation, then she would finally be home. Then her Mother Moon would feel that she had returned. Finally in her arms. She loves her children equally. “We haven’t seen Alpha, there’s no sign of either of them,” one of the wolves said through the door. “But wolves are searching for them, the borders are seized.” Marcus bobbed his head and then his eyes moved to the bed. Aurora had gained consciousness a few hours back and on James’s instructions, she had been resting since then. Daniella was traumatised and he suggested she go back, but the little girl was too stubborn, she insisted on being here with her injured brother and Katarina. Katraina. Marcus was worried for her. She had lost so much blood and
“Hold them down!” Marcus growled as he ducked through the hoard of rouges coming his way. He snarled with anger as several of them tried to hold him down. The battlegrounds were bloodied, but it didn’t stop him from shedding more as he tore them limb by limb. Some were in their wolf forms while others were inhuman, Marcus shifted into his wolf form and roared like a wild beast before running through the pile and making his way to the house where he last left Aurora. Aurora. Her name should bring him anger, malice and betrayal, but right now he couldn’t think that way. He should be angry at her that sleeping with another man before him, she gave birth to a pup who didn’t carry his blood, and she spiked their mate bond. But strangely, right now all he cared was about her. Nothing mattered. Nothing. He realised he had been hating her for nothing. He loved her, even knowing she had betrayed him. Their relationship was not that was built upon trust and love, but he could change that. He
“I didn’t want to do this, cupcake. I was getting fond of you.” His hands held onto the thick strand of my story hair and he sniffed it making me cry h my nose in disgust. “But power is power. This is the moment I always dreamed of–to be in charge of power.” I swam for the light and he did everything he could to take me into the abyss. He betrayed me, not the other way around.“Why did you lied to me?” I seethed. His eyes looked mockingly at me. It was fear that brought rage, that hot burning anger that seeked to harm. It was a biological button better left alone. When we see something that frightened us, a primitive part of the brain was activated to produce aggression. So, I, when I see all the things around me that make me scared... I was being deliberately triggered... as were my emotions. That rage destroyed me from the inside.“I never did. I really loved you.” He whispered. “You fucking psycho!” Rage filled my voice and I thrashed. Betrayal was a conscious choice for cold indi
“A-Augustus…” I breathed out stumbling a step back. His blue eyes narrowed as he assessed me with his gaze. Concern was an act of deep and real caring and as such was a marker of our intertwined souls. I sighed in contempt. If he wasn’t here- I didn’t want to think what would have happened to us. “I don’t have time, Katraina. You have to come with me.” He quickly looked around and motioned me to follow him. I gazed at Aurora as she groaned in pain. Leon crying as Daniella looked terrifyingly between us. She was but a child, this must have shocked her to the core. My first reaction should be taking care of my females than fleeing. I shook my head. “I-I can not leave them behind.” Augustus narrowed his eyes. I could see the worry in his eyes, but they seemed somewhat strange. What Madrei told me earlier flooded through my head and I pondered over it once again. It must be Andrei. Did Augustus know? He probably did cause then he wouldn’t be here. But still, something didn’t feel right.
“Katarina…” his voice was as sharp as I last remembered, profound. I just couldn’t believe my eyes. Never before had I noticed how time was so much like water; that it could pass slowly, a drop at a time, even freeze, or rush by in a blink. The clock said it was measured and constant, tick tock, part of an orderly world; the clock lied. “What are you doing here?” My brain stuttered for a moment and my eyes took in more light than I expected, every part of me went on pause while my thoughts caught up. After a wash of reality, I stepped forward, feeling a new danger in my living room. “I need to talk to you, it’s urgent.” He stepped forward, his fists clenched on his sides and a frown resting between his brows. He looked tensed for some reason. I couldn’t believe a man as terrific as him would step foot in here only to talk to his enemy’s mate. I didn’t know much, but Xerxes had filled me with how much dangerous Andrei could be. The man seemed like he breathed in danger and lived on o