I hear her, and I stop eating. My appetite vanishes. There's an ache in my chest that swells like it can consume me any second now."Yeah, I know. It sucks a ton, but the feeling's mutual. Believe me—""This was your image of the best night of my life?" She bites back, suddenly disinterested in her steak.Amid the welling of tears, I glimpse the angry flare in her eyes. This wasn't what she expected to find waiting for her on the ground floor. I also did not expect the outcome of this dinner date."Nothing will change, Mare. Everything I've said has been exactly the way I feel about you. Don't. Do not judge me for having the courage to have a conversation we really needed."She stands, tossing her napkin on the table and storming out of the restaurant. The chef is shock stricken. He's wondering if our sudden disappearance has anything to do with his food, and yes, I'm running after Marelyn. She pulls off her heels and takes the stairs. I do the same, racing with my wolf's speed.We arr
MAREHis engorged cock is in my face. I'm agape. A blush reddens my cheeks. How will that fit inside me? He's so big, but I still want all of it. My thighs are slippery from the moisture soaking my panties. I'm so wet, and he's not even touched me yet. He dips his head, kissing me fiercely. The desire pooling in between my legs turns off my brain and I wrap my hand around his length.He groans silently with his lips slightly apart. The sound is so low it will be missed. Zeke jerks into my hand as I stroke him. His eyes are glazed and his kisses turn sloppy and fast. He places his hand over mine, slowing me down."This won't last long, and I won't come anywhere else but inside you.""Then do that, Zeke. I won't stop you. Never." I whisper."Shit!" He rakes a hand through his hair. "I don't have a condom on me, but I promise I'm clean. I haven't been with anyone in two years.""I believe you. Besides, we don't need protection. I'm pregnant.""Yeah, you don't know how happy that makes me.
MAREI can't stop thinking about last night. It's everywhere in my mind. I won't ever forget Zeke. It will be impossible to do something like that. I will always remember how he felt between my legs and his hot mouth on my breast. My lower abdomen knots sweetly and I'm clenching my thighs again. I check the time on my cell phone. Zeke brought it along while coming here on his private jet. It's past twelve am and officially Christmas morning.I turn in Zeke's hold, tracing the lines of his cheekbones and perfectly shaped lips. His tongue darts out and tastes the tip of my finger. I gasp inaudibly. His eyes crack open at a slow pace, like he's in this place of peace he never wants to end. He's smiling at me and I can't stop the heat creeping up my neck."Someone looks thoroughly fucked." He jokes, tucking a fallen strand of hair behind my ear. "Merry Christmas, Marelyn.""Merry Christmas, Zeke." I respond in a dulcet tone, smiling like a loon.It's such a cheerful morning and I never wan
It collides with the heat surging everywhere inside me.Zeke passes the ice back and forth between us. He smiles against my lips when I try to hide it and make it a task for him to find it. It's then I know his tongue can render my brain cells useless, because he makes collecting it back personal. He kisses my jawline and worships my ear with his tongue. It drives me crazy when he does that thing he alone knows how to do.Then he takes the ice back from my mouth with one last kiss. His hand tugs at the belt of my robe, letting it fall away from each other. His cold mouth meets the pulsing point on my throat and I gasp, digging my nails into the marble slabs. He takes out the cube and sucks on my neck. The cool reduces, but it's still there to drive me mad with need. I think I'm free, but I'm wrong.He runs the ice cube over my breast in circles. My nipples harden to a knob. They are so tight, but he only skitters around them, teasing me. When I tug at the hair curled at his nape, he mo
ZEKEI yawn, waking up to a good day. The smile on my face is permanent. I reach for my cell phone and see the time reads nine am. It's too late for an early riser, but that's okay because my night was eventful. I had lots of fun rolling in the sheets with Marelyn. Since morning wood's already peeking at me through the duvet, I won't mind a repeat. I turn, expecting to find her sleeping like a baby, but the bed is empty.She's not here.At the instant, I'm alarmed, but a call from Aiden comes in, calming me down. I tell myself there's nothing to worry about. She's probably in the kitchen making a mean lemon tart or in the bathroom getting ready. I smell nothing that supports my claims. As I listen in, the suite is empty. I take Aiden's call, feeling dread rising like tides in my stomach and choking me like a noose."Alpha Zeke.""What's the status?"He hesitates. "Merry Christmas, boss."I blink and clear my throat softly. "Merry Christmas, Aiden."He should be home, but I'm making him
MARE I feel the bed dip behind me. I can smell him, too. His cologne seeps in and takes over my senses. It makes me heady with need, but I remind myself I'm mad at him. I won't act easy. He can't think he has me under his control and can fool me as he likes.I saw the way Alexis looked at him in those photos. That wasn't the gaze of someone who was just a friend. It was clear they knew each other from before, but I can't tell how long. He kisses the bend of my neck and whispers. "I'm sorry, Mare. Forgive me for not protecting you from another scandal yet again." "But did you ever have a thing with Alexis Diamond?" I ask suddenly, sitting up and whipping my head around to face him. "Who am I kidding? I saw the photos on social media, but why didn't you tell me you knew her from a long time ago when I asked?" Zeke pinches the bridge of his nose. "I met her for the first time at a bar a few days ago. I was drinking and I forgot the eyes watching." "So, you had a thing with a stranger
I hear the feminine voice on the other end of the line burst out laughing. The sound stings me in my chest. It's like those invisible bees return. I suppress the feeling of jealousy that spurs while listening in on their conversation. "You're mistaken. If there's anyone who's great in this city, then it's you, Zeke Van Acker." "I should slip you on the payroll for your constant hypes, Marisol." "Just take the compliment, Zeke. It's not a horrible thing to be proud in this industry. So, how may I help Zeke the great?" Zeke looks at me. I can swear his smile widens. "My girlfriend and I would love to appear as guest stars on your show before the year ends. It would be an honour, Marisol." "Really?" The woman's voice bears doubt. She says again, "I've begged you for years! Omg! This is great news. Of course, I'd love to host the 'Make' couple on my show." "Ah, that's what they are calling us now." "You bet!" she laughs, turning serious the next minute. "Does this have anything to
I'm frozen and mortified. I want those words unsaid, but they can't ever be. The room stills. No one says another word. Quietly, I turn the faucet off, feeling the burn of tears at the back of my throat. Kyra has that smug look on her face because she knows she hit right and touched a sensitive area. "Kyra, the Alpha's business is not your concern." Drusila admonishes her, jabbing a finger into her shoulder. "Apologise to Marelyn this instant." I don't wait to hear her response. I just want to escape everything. The world outside doesn't see me any differently than they do. I rush out of the kitchen, but as I cross Zeke at the entrance, he pulls me back by the elbow. My eyes plead with him, but he doesn't want me running like all the other times. He holds me close at his side with his hand just above my ass, claiming me. "I don't think my affairs should be public, but to right Kyra's wrong, Marelyn is mine. What the blogs have said are all lies." I glance at him briefly, but h
I'm standing at the window edge of a hallway in the fortress. Everyone that passes greets their Alpha with a bow. Today is the exertion of the verdict I passed over all those involved in my mother's death. I took her skull down from where it was hung and finally gave her a befitting burial. Chantria Van Acker, after being tried for my mother's death and King Nikolai's death, was sentenced to death. Her execution is today, and Zane doesn't try to stop it. I knew he went to see her one last time at the dungeons last night, but she's his mother. Will that ever be enough? Hours later, Aiden hands me a platter. I open it and find Chantrias head. The last thing I can do for my mother is to replace her skull with that of the person who put her there. I tell him where to leave the human head until it decomposes, and only a skull is left. My brother stops by to see me in my chambers that evening. He doesn't seem angry that I had given the order for her death. She had killed Father, too. It
ZEKE Again, fire and water will stand against each other. I don't know what the outcome of this fight will be. In my head, I know what I want, but I can't tell exactly what my brother is thinking. It was his idea to do this. I'm not so sure why I even agreed. Revenge doesn't matter anymore. Once I looked into my daughter's eyes, all the pain I felt melted away. I healed. Mare couldn't let go of me all through the night. She was stuck to me like glue because she feared this moment. She feared losing me. My life is finally coming together. I fear losing it, too. The arena roars wild. The entire wolf lands are watching King Nikolai's sons make history. I'm already a record breaker, and he's their king. This fight will have them all at the edge of their seats. The gong goes off and shirtless as we are, dressed in nothing but shorts we fight to the death. I cast an illusion of a cloud over his head, and constant rain falls on only him in the arena. Zane is furious that I'm drenching
KYRA I'm storming into his chambers in Moon Wood's fortress. I just learnt the news of a battle between legacies. There are only two legacies I know apart from evil Jai-Blynn. All of Carodia believes the king has gone mad for wanting to fight his brother, who took down an entire pack and turned them to dust. Zeke Van Acker has gained a name for himself in the city, but that is still far from my point. How could he do this to me? We talked the second our boat arrived at the harbour. Actually, we did less talking and more physical activities for the first few hours after meeting again. I was so sure Marelyn and I made the right choice after spending time with him again. My wolf couldn't stop pining for him, but it seems I'm the only one who felt that way. How could he do this us? Zane says after I barge in, "I know you are angry. Kyra, calm down—I can't believe they just let you walk through easily." "It's not news to anyone, including your other mates, that we are together, Zane.
"That child and I can't exist at the same time on this earth, Mare." "Why, Jai?" I frown, calculating the distance with my eyes. I make a jump for it and shield Kinna from his attack with my body. Summoning my powers, I struggle to get a hold of his mind, but the calibre of power coming out of him is not to be underestimated. Now I realise he wasn't kidding back then in that warehouse. "Your little bloodline powers won't work on me. But Mare, you are no longer my concern. Give me your champion, and you can walk away from this alive." I'm shocked that he's willing to bargain. There's something he knows that none of us do. Something that makes this moment more important to him than ever. I scream hard. "Never!" The force of my voice hits him, but he only staggers back by a step, and I had really mustered up strength with that move. How powerful is he really? "Angering me will only make the terms worse, Marelyn!" "You can kill me, but not my child, Jai. I will never let you touc
ZEKE A Day Earlier... I'm standing in front of the mirror, feeling for my now thick beards. It's a new look I've been sporting. Just yesterday, the action series I starred in aired, and the viewing ratings were through the roof. It's a hit. I've always had blockbusters where I starred as the villain, but never have I been portrayed from a protagonist's point of view in one of them. It's unreal. What's also unreal is what tomorrow is. I know Marelyn is due tomorrow. My chest tightens like every other time I've stared at the date or thought about it. I've been distant. I never showed up for our daughter, but it all got to a point where I considered myself unworthy of being in their lives. She may be happy in Carodia with her date from before. Maybe it fleshed into something more. I can't tell, but it's been bugging me at the back of my mind for months. Scarlett helped me understand what those random slip-ups meant over time. Everything is clear to me now. I stare at my reflection
I don't realise that the doorknob has come off. I stare at the piece in my hand. It broke off, but my mind is fixed on their conversation. She's dating now. It's been just two weeks, and she promised that wasn't goodbye. My jaw clenches impossibly in anger. Finding a new path. Bullshit! I block out their voices and lock myself in my study. I throw my head back over the headrest of the desk chair, blowing out my cheeks. So far, the day has been terrible. I'm nervous. I want to storm into Carodia the next second and restructure the idiot fling's face. She's mine. She's fucking mine! The broken doorknob sits on my desk because I don't know what to do with it yet. Suddenly, my mind is made up. I stand on my feet and head to my bedroom. I open my suitcase on my bed, swiping clothes off the rack in the walk-in closet and dropping them inside it. It's easy not to overthink it. But soon, there's a knock on the open door, calling my attention. Scarlett is holding the broken doorknob, eyein
I've been showing up for appointments with the pack doctor at Blue Silver for the past two weeks since I arrived. He's not who I used to know, and his name is Xavier Scythe. When Ava refused to take me in because of our last encounter, Xavier showed Kyra and I a roof over our head. He is also the next catch as Kyra put it. She wants me to take on his advances and use him to forget all about Zeke. I try. I actually put in effort. He knocks at my door and I open it with a bright smile on my face. "Xavier, how are you?" His hands are locked behind him as he says, "I'm good. How are you?" Xavier runs a nervous hand over his sleeked back long black hair. It's tied up because of how impressively long his hair is. Xavier is a real catch. He's tall and looks hard all over, like a man should, but I don't get that spark from looking at him or anyone else that's not Zeke. Maybe Kyra is right. My world does revolve around only him. "The Blue Silver carnival is coming up. Would you like a p
MARE I see how worried he is. I'm not saying he shouldn't be, but it's another cold truth. She's his forever. I'm the intruder, and I have no place here. We are at the hospital. Scarlett lost her wolf. She's like a human, so I guess that's why we are all concerned because she can't heal. Kyra says, "How can she do this? Overdosing because she wants attention. Jeez." "We don't know that." Drusila chips in from across the waiting room. We are the only ones here at the moment, but it's a hospital people can arrive at any time. Unfortunately, Kyra seems pissed about spending her night here. Zeke is with the doctor. "I'm going to grab a snack." I stand on my feet without glancing at any of them. They still remember how I just cried my eyes out because Zeke made his choice. Now I'm sitting here watching him care for someone else like I wish was only just for me. It's still pure torture. Kyra joins me at the vending machine. I get a chocolate bar while she gets a bag of cheetos. At
************************** My eyes crack open. Daylight shines into my room, but I'm still stuck in last night's pack gathering. Zeke wanted a son who would challenge Zane's throne. A female Alpha will never be accepted to lead Carodia. I'm sad for other reasons than Scarlett. My happy ending keeps drifting far and far away. I wonder if he's angry with me. If this will change everything. Maybe he will finally realise that he won't gain anything from me because I can't even give him a proper heir. I will love our daughter with everything in me because she's a product of our great love. I take a shower, anxious about joining the rest downstairs. Will they see me as a failure? I couldn't protect the first heir, and now I've given them a child they can't accept. A while later, I cross Kyra and Aiden in the hallway, just above the stairs. She spares a broad smile, looking over her shoulder at me. "Hey, Mare! I can't wait to meet our princess."