T H O M A S
I will ensure her safety at all costs. She is under my protection. Even if it's only for tonight, as I am not someone meant to be a part of anyone's future, Hera belongs to me for this evening. And I will treat her accordingly.
As we finally arrive at the top, one of my guards opens the door to my private room. Once the door closes behind us, the music is completely muted.
"I've soundproofed the room," I mention, taking off my blazer and hanging it on the chair.
She looks around, amazed by the opulence of the room.
I press a button on the wall, causing the frost on the glass to disappear, allowing her to see outside the club.
"That's a nifty little feature," she comments, walking over to the wall to observe the dancing crowd.
"We can see them, but they can't see us," I clarify, wanting her to feel as secure as possible with a stranger.
"You must own this place to have an office like this."
"I do."
She turns to me and smiles, a smile so captivating that it almost makes me stumble as I move around the bar. Men like me don't stumble, but her smile is powerful enough to halt a man in his tracks.
"Your club is everything I hoped for. I've been wanting to come here for so long, but I had to wait until I was of legal age," she reveals.
I grab two flutes and a bottle of chilled champagne, then approach her, my heart skipping a beat as she faces me once more.
She is stunning in a way that I'm sure often goes unnoticed. She is natural, a quality not always valued in today's world. Her cheekbones are naturally high, her big brown eyes innocent and pure.
She’s like a gentle lamb surrounded by wolves, completely unaware of how desperately I crave her. I extend the flute glass towards her, and she accepts it, our fingers grazing each other, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. I can tell she felt it too, judging by the way she gasps for air.
I pop open the Hera, and the cork shoots across the room, releasing a cascade of bubbles. "Happy birthday, Hera," I say as I fill her glass and then mine, raising it to toast with hers, causing our flutes to clink.
"Thank you, Thomas," she replies, taking a sip of the champagne without flinching this time.
"I assume you didn't enjoy the martini you had earlier?"
Her cheeks flush with embarrassment. "Oh God, you saw that? Please don't fire your bartender or anything. It wasn't their fault." She grabs onto my forearm, and the warmth from her touch sears through me. "I don't drink. At all. I've only seen martinis ordered in movies, you know," she tosses her hair over her shoulder and lowers her voice seductively, "I'll have a martini. Dirty. Shaken. Not stirred."
I chuckle at her rambling, finding her conversation refreshing. Dealing with business all the time, it's been ages since I had a conversation that didn't involve someone's death.
"And it didn't turn out well for you?" I observe as she recalls her martini.
"No. Oh God, no. I had no idea it was just vodka. It's disgusting. Who can drink vodka straight like that? It burned all the way down."
"You can also ask for gin. It's not just vodka," I inform her.
"Oh. I-uh-I didn't know that," she stammers, blushing once again. "I really like this champagne. It's not overly sweet. It's dangerously good."
"Isn't a little bit of danger enticing?" I take a step closer, invading her personal space, to see if she retreats. If she does, no harm is done. It means she's not interested in what I have in mind for the night.
Hera moves closer until her breasts brush against my chest. She licks her lips before taking another sip of her champagne.
The tension between us grows, our eyes locked in a heated gaze as we stand in silence. She finishes her champagne and I reach for the bottle beside her, leaning in just enough to hint at my desire to kiss her. Her breath brushes against my lips, and her sharp inhale brings a smile to my face.
After straightening up, I open the door to my private balcony, letting the music flood the room as bodies sway on the dance floor. I offer my hand to her, and she slips hers into mine. Pulling her close, the champagne spills over the rim of the glass as I bring her hand to my mouth, kissing the top of her knuckles and tasting the bubbles.
"Let's dance," I suggest as the song shifts to something slower and sexier.
"I'd love to," she replies, taking a few sips of champagne while I finish mine and place the glasses on the nearby table.
I spin her around, pressing her back against my chest, and the curve of her ass against my arousal. I sway my hips to the rhythm of the music, each movement she makes fueling my desire.
Gently, I move her hair to the other shoulder, burying my nose in her neck. She smells intoxicatingly sweet, and I can't resist the urge to taste her. She got that strong and fragrant smell a Luna could hold!
Pressing my lips against her throat, she tilts her head to the side, granting me access. I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her closer so she can feel the hardness between my legs. She grinds against me, increasing the pressure, and a groan escapes my lips.
"You're tempting me," I growl in her ear before sucking on her earlobe. And my wolf started to burn inside me.
(Claim her!)
Easy boy!
She twirls around, her arms encircling my neck, and I slide my knee between her legs. This isn’t dancing. It’s making love with clothes on, and all I can think about is peeling that dress off her and showing her how amazing I can make her feel.
I’m not sure how long we dance, but it’s enough for my clothes to start sticking to me, and several songs have played. The air is heavy with desire, and as she leans back, I lean in and kiss her neck. My hand grasps the side of her neck and pulls her up to face me. Our eyes lock, a silent question in her big brown eyes before they drop to my lips.
I pull her closer, capturing her lips with mine, and she melts into me. Her lips are soft, with a hint of champagne on her tongue.
“Take me inside,” she breathes against my lips.
Without a word, I lead us through the door, our kiss unbroken. She feels different from any other woman I’ve been with. There’s something about her lips, her body, and our connection that feels natural. I want more.
I want a future with her. I want her to be my Luna. I don’t care about mates and destiny. I will hold my universe. I will choose the woman whom I want to spend the rest of my life and to be at my side as I rule my kingdom.
I shut the door and press the button on the glass, letting the frost cover it, so we’re alone. Our kiss becomes urgent and messy as we fall onto the bed in the center of the room. I don’t usually bring women here. This is my sanctuary, but Hera is special.
I can feel it.
She starts unbuttoning my shirt, and I unzip the back of her dress. I want to see it fall, so I pull away from her lips and tug her dress down.
She’s in a strapless lace bra, her breasts pushed up, and a groan of pleasure escapes me as the dress pools around her feet. Her legs are endless, and by the end of the night, they'll be wrapped around me.
I take off my shirt next, and she inhales sharply when she sees my body. She runs her hand down my stomach, her fingers tracing each muscle.
“You’re a hunk,” she murmurs, gazing at me like she's never seen a man's body before.
“Oh, you outshine me by far.” I stroke her hips, her skin feeling so different under my hands that have seen so much darkness. “You're stunning.” I unhook her bra with a flick of my wrist. It drops to the floor, giving me a perfect view. “Holy shit,” I muttered, running my fingers up her sides before gently cupping her breasts.
They fit perfectly in my hand.
My thumbs graze her nipples, and she gasps, undoing my belt. Her movements are quick and eager.
Chuckling, I lean down to kiss her again. “I'm not going anywhere. No need to rush,” I say, as I lower my zipper.
I press my hand against her chest, guiding her down until she's lying on my bed. Her dark hair frames her face, and her nipples harden. I keep my gaze locked on her. I want her to see how much I desire her. I undress, tossing my pants aside and gripping my cock in my hand.
Her lips part, eyes wide with surprise, and she sits up, trailing her finger along the tip. I let out a hiss, enjoying her inquisitiveness, and she leaned down, taking the head into her mouth. I let out a groan, observing her gaze up at me with those long lashes. Her tongue dances around the swollen tip, tracing each and every bump.
"You look incredible with my cock filling your mouth," I compliment, gripping her hair as she attempts to take more of me in.
T H O M A SHera sucks softly, the vibrations making my knees weak. She cups my balls, rolling them gently but applying just enough pressure to bring me close to orgasm.It's an intimate area that not many women have explored, but Hera dives right in. It's like she knows exactly what I like without me having to say a word."Okay, that's enough," I say, pulling her off me by tugging her hair and pushing her against the bed. "If you keep that up, I'm going to come."She grins, clearly proud of herself for getting me to the edge so quickly."Now it's my turn," I say with a mischievous smile, kissing the center of her chest and then moving my lips across her breasts, sucking on one nipple while pinching the other.Her moans fuel my desire, and I continue kissing down her body, nibbling on the edge of her ribs, causing her to gasp and arch her back.I keep going until I reach the thin fabric of her panties, and with one swift motion, I tear them off."Fuck," she exclaims, her pussy glisten
H E R A“Don’t leave. Stay.”The sound of his voice jolts me awake, but the emptiness around me quickly confirms that it is all just a figment of my imagination.The night I spent with Thomas altered the course of my life. It was an extraordinary, exquisite, and undoubtedly the most memorable birthday I have ever experienced. Moreover, it marked the end of all birthday celebrations for me.The sound of something breaking has me getting out of bed and tying my robe together, rushing out of the bedroom to find my pups in the kitchen.They are standing on a seat, trying to clean the dishes, but one must have slipped from Aiden’s hands because not only is he a soapy mess, but the plate is shattered on the floor.It’s too early for this.“It was Aiden’s idea,” Addison tattletales quickly, pointing at her brother.“You agreed to it.” He splashes dirty dish water on her.“Did not.”“Did too!” he screams at her, sticking out his tongue.I rub my eyes and yawn. “Okay, stop. It’s fine. It’s oka
H E R AI've attempted to call my father a few times, but he never picks up; I gave up three years ago. If he doesn't want to be involved in my life, that's his choice, but who wouldn't want to know their grandchildren?My mother passed away when I was young, but I believe she would have stayed by my side if she were still alive. She wouldn't have left me alone with two pups. Eventually, she would have helped me once I got back on my feet.How am I supposed to raise two kids on my own?I have an incredible neighbor named Maria. She's in her sixties with no offspring or partner. She lives life on her own terms and enjoys looking after the kids in exchange for some of my homemade baked goods, and she’s a fairy.I operate a bakery from my small kitchen, and the wedding cake I'm currently working on will pay the bills.My aspiration is to launch my own bakery shop named Sweet Haven.Maria lends a hand by watching them for a few hours each day while I bake. It was a great help that she was
H E R AAs we arrive at the house, my stomach churns with nerves. I refuse to let my father belittle me once more. The progress I've made in the past five years is too significant for him to make me feel inferior or undeserving just because I've become a mother.Brent opens the back door and reaches for Addison, but I push his hand away."I'm just here to help. I'll show you to your room. I won't harm her," he assures me."I'll make sure you regret it if you do," I warn, staring straight into his eyes."I'll remember that," he replies calmly as he lifts Addison into his arms, and she snuggles against him.Guilt gnaws at me. I sometimes wonder if the kids are missing out on having a decent man in their lives. Not necessarily a father, just someone who is good to be one.Who would have thought even that would be hard to find?I step out of the car next, pick up Aiden, and carry him on my hip. He's almost too heavy to lift, but I'll never stop trying.As I climb the steps, memories flood
T H O M A SLost in thought, scrubbing my hands clean of blood, but I got the information I needed about the opium that infiltrated my club last night. Pain always brings out the truth.“Thomas.”The rules are clear. No violence on the main floor. No opium unless they're from my guys. No touching unwilling women.You'd be surprised how often those rules are broken every night, which is why my knuckles bear permanent scars.I don’t use my claws because I am not only dealing with werewolves but every creature. Especially those hard-headed humans!The Order and Elders already brought an agreement for peace in every realm but there were still a few people who tried to sabotage that agreement. And they’re getting more and more each day.“Alpha!” Gelo’s voice breaks through my thoughts.“What?” I shake myself out of my daze.“I've been calling you for five minutes. Are you alright?”I grab a towel to dry my hands. “I'm fine.” But I wasn't. Everyone could see it. Ever since that one-night st
T H O M A SShe’s even more stunning than I recall. Her curves are more pronounced, her figure more enticing, and all I can think about is holding onto her as she takes control.“Wow, these donuts are absolutely amazing. I can't believe it,” Gelo exclaims from the driver's seat. “And the woman who owns this place is the same girl I met at the club years ago, I think. And you know what else I discovered?”“What?” I asked, my gaze fixed on her. I could feel my wolf trying to control me, but that won’t happen.“She's Hera Smith. The daughter of—”“Alpha Marco Smith.” A strategy starts to take shape in my head. One that will alter the course of the encounter.“Exactly.” Gelo puts the SUV in reverse, and I steal one final look at the woman who has completely captivated me.I observe her until I can no longer until we are too distant for me to discern any details about her, and then I turn around. The distance between me and my ultimate objective is diminishing.Finally, we arrive at an iro
H E R AIt's a struggle to get up today. My life has taken a sharp turn in the past week. I haven't experienced this level of change since my father kicked me out.He passed away six days ago, and I'm completely devastated. I never expected to feel this way. I had grown so accustomed to living without him that it almost felt like he was already gone. But reality hits differently.My father is gone, and we didn't part on good terms. He did have the chance to meet his grandchildren, though. It's the one thing I did for him, which was more than he ever did for me in the last five years.Even though I was hesitant about letting him meet Aiden and Addison, I knew I had to rise above the anger he caused me.Seeing my kids with him and witnessing his smile despite his illness was bittersweet. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears.There was so much resentment between us over the years, but now, I recall the moments when he expressed his love for me. The times
T H O M A SFinally, she has acknowledged my presence. And it feels great.I want her to be aware that I'm here, and there's no way for her to evade me now. I've already taken control of every aspect of her life, and she remains oblivious.I didn't realize she had pups. Not an issue. I adore kids, and hers are delightful. I'll need to ensure the child's father isn't in the picture. They have me now. They won't need him.Our gazes have been locked on each other. I can't help but admire how stunning she appears. Even in the rain, I can tell she's been weeping. Her eyes are puffy, and she's not wearing any makeup.Why bother when the tears won't cease?It pains me to see her in distress, and I wish I could embrace her and assure her that everything will be fine, but that would be a falsehood. Life isn't always fine; at times, it's harsh and challenging, pushing you to your limits.That's why she must have someone like me. I'd ensure the harshness doesn't touch her and the challenges don'
One year later…T H O M A SAfter the celebration of our wedding anniversary.I only last one hour before I steal my wife away from everyone. One day without her, and now I need her all to myself.“There are still guests, love,” says Hera mischievously.“I told them to leave.”“Oh my God!” Her eyes widen in shock and I shrug.“I want to fuck my wife,” I huskily growl. “And they don’t need to hear you scream my name.”Her friends have already left so I don’t stop myself from carrying her in my arms bridal style to our bedroom. Our room looks like a bridal suite with the candles lit on the bedside while rose petals cover the bedspread. Hera’s eyes darken with lust while a blush covers her rosy cheeks.Carefully placing her on her feet, I tug her head back with her hair in my fist and smash my mouth against hers. I tilt her face back before pushing my tongue past her lips in a hard kiss. She moans and I swallow the sound greedily while pressing her body into mine.Her eyelids fall open
T H O M A SIt's been a while since we returned from that dimension. Time there felt like just an hour in the real world, even though we spent days in it. “I really don’t want to see that old lady again, Gelo,” I said. If I were my old self, I would’ve kicked her out of my territory without a second thought. But I promised Hera I wouldn’t be that cruel Thomas anymore. “Anything else on your mind?” Gelo asked as he set the plate down. I frowned. “You brought fruits for my wife, but you’re the one munching on them, you jerk.” Gelo laughed, standing up with a smirk. “Relax. I got hungry—” “What’s the situation at the border? How are the intruders?” Gelo shoved his hands in his pockets. “Some have been dealt with, but a few have already slipped into the territory. Don’t worry, the councils are on it. We just need a bit more time.” I nodded. This could’ve been avoided if it weren’t for that old woman. Hera is still in the hospital recovering. “Step out and check the campsit
K E I AMy knee slammed hard into his groin. The dress cushioned my effort, and all he did was grunt.“I’ll take that as a yes, pumpkin.”Gelo had me pinned between his arms and the wall.“Excuse me, sir, could you call security? I’m being kidnapped.”The elevator attendant was clever and kept his back to us.“Excuse me, sir?”He didn’t respond.“He’s not going to help you. I own everyone I want. You’re mine now. You agreed to marry me. That’s a verbal contract.”The stupid giant ruffle on my dress didn’t do much except amplify every breath I took. But the closer he got, the more my heart raced, and my breaths quickened… and oh, damn, my panties were soaked. Every time I thought I had my feelings under control, that I had pushed away the parts of me that wanted to be a girl and wanted love, this idiot found a way to break through.“Gelo Smith, Beta of the Dark Midnight Pack. We’ll revisit this ownership thing later. But about this proposal? I agreed under false pretenses. No dead guy
G E L O“You can tie the knot with me, and I promise I won’t ruin your life.”Damn, I really didn’t think that one through.“Did someone knock some sense out of you?” she asked.Honestly, that was a pretty good question.“This is the worst proposal ever, Gelo Smith.”I stepped closer, wanting to wrap my arms around her. It had been way too long since I’d held her.“Alright, how about this? Marry me, and I’ll take care of the jerk who hurt you.”She glanced at Prieto, probably looking for his approval. But what she said next completely threw me off.“Yes.”What the hell had I just done? Did she really say yes? All I could see was that scumbag standing between me and, well, everything. He was in the way of her. She meant the world to me. The thought of anyone else having her, especially treating her poorly? No one was allowed to touch her. But this?“Yes?” I repeated, because seriously, what had I just gotten myself into? I wasn’t the kind of guy who got married.I glanced back at the
Totally caught off guard, Aurora fought to keep Hera upright. Hera pushed against her with every bit of strength she could muster. Thomas shot his hand out. The knife slipped from Aurora’s grip and skated across the floor. Thomas stepped in, positioning himself between Hera and Aurora, his gaze locked on their foe. He raised his hand again, and a ball of fire appeared in his palm. Aurora stood her ground defiantly. Hera sensed Aurora’s grip on her loosening. Aurora smirked, a sneer spreading across her face. Hera’s gaze darted between her husband and Aurora. The flame flickered out. Thomas’s hands flew to his throat. When he dropped to his knees, Hera realized he was gasping for breath. “NO!” Aurora’s sinister laughter echoed through the room. Hera rushed to Thomas’s side.Her beautiful eyes, usually filled with warmth, were now wide with fear. Blood trickled from her neck onto his chest.Amber's voice became more urgent. “At this moment, summon the sacred power.”The fac
"Can you hear her?"She nodded. “She’s singing to drown out the other one. She’s scared I’ll talk to her and that Aurora will overhear. But she’s really scared.”He understood that, but hearing his youngest sister’s sobbing made him anxious to get moving.“The falls? Do you know which ones?”Amber shut her eyes and recited Hera’s song.“The woods are thick and deep around me. Lots of huge, tall trees. The cottage has an old thatched roof. The smoke will billow out in big black clouds.I can hear the stream close by. I need to sing this lullaby. Keep my baby safe inside of me, bring me help, oh please, please, please.”Amber squeezed her brother’s hand. “She keeps saying it over and over. Can I tell her you’re on your way?”“No. Don’t.” He smiled at her. “You’ve done enough, now get some sleep. I’ll bring her back before dinner.”He nodded to their mother and stepped out of the room.Outside, his father caught him. “Take more men with you.”I’m handling this on my own.Nolan grabbed hi
Hera came to, face down on a damp, musty floor. Her head throbbed painfully, and she could feel dried blood on the back of her neck.Her hands and feet were tied with rough rope, and a piece of cloth covered her eyes. A small opening at the bottom let in a sliver of light from a nearby fire.The room was filled with a sinister laughter that she recognized all too well.“Look what the cat dragged in.”Panic surged through her, and she fought against a wave of nausea. She could hardly forget that voice.“Aurora!”“Ah, so you remember my real name,” Aurora replied, a smirk in her tone.“What do you want from me?” Hera tried to push herself up.A heavy boot pressed her back down.“You’re not of much use to me now.”“That’s up for debate.” Aurora stepped away.But the boot remained, pinning her down. Lancaster!Hera strained to catch a glimpse of Aurora, but all she could see was a shadowy outline through the fabric.Aurora shot her a fierce look, tilting her head like she was weighing her
Meanwhile, Hera, taking charge of the household, was discussing dinner plans with Alice. She spent a lot of her day overseeing the servants, making sure they took down the tapestries for winter cleaning before the bad weather hit. Once everyone was busy with her tasks, she decided to try knitting to keep her hands occupied. She was more than happy to set it aside when young Jacob, Thomas’s squire, came in with news of a visitor. “Lady Morris, sorry to interrupt.”Matthew of Lancaster stood behind him.“No problem at all, Jacob. Sir Matthew, what brings you here? Were we expecting you?” Hera hadn’t heard anything about his visit, and a little alarm went off in her mind.“No, my lady. I was passing through when I encountered Lords Nolan and Gelo. There’s an issue.” He glanced around the room and lowered his voice. “A matter they need your help with.”Her earlier unease crept back. “What kind of issue?”“They asked me to bring you to them. They didn’t want me to disclose what I’ve see
Rumors started spreading around the Keep and made their way to the village. People began to whisper that Myra was suffering from a serious illness. Some even speculated that she had run off with one of the guys who came to the wedding.The buzz about Hera’s pregnancy helped to quiet some of the chatter about Myra. Still, the Morris family figured they should come up with a reason for Myra’s absence. No one knew how long she’d be gone, and pretending she was still around was wearing everyone out.One afternoon, Nolan was in the courtyard with Gelo, getting ready for their latest scheme.“She’s impossible! She turns down every suitor!” Nolan shouted.“Take it easy, Dad. Myra knows her own mind,” Gelo replied.“Whatever.” Nolan threw his hands up in frustration. “She doesn’t understand what’s best for her. Maybe a stay at the convent will give her the peace and time to think about my proposal.”“Are you sure about that?” Gelo’s voice was loud enough for the guards in the towers to hear.